And --- it was wonderful spending the whole week exploring the city with Tim. We had the best time -- just being together there was pretty perfect. I didn't take tons of photos -- I always forget about the camera, but here are some highlights from the week:
MONDAY: Tim and I spent the afternoon walking through Central Park and then headed over to The Café Carlyle to see Woody Allen play with the Eddy Davis New Orleans Jazz Band. Okay -- so, this was something I've wanted to do FOREVER... and I kinda still can't believe it finally happened. We sat at the bar and I ate my first oyster while our bartender (also named Tim) threw around a ton of Long Island attitude. The night was *amazing* -- I got to stand this close >< to one of my favorite directors -- I'll remember it forever.
TUESDAY: We spent the afternoon at the Met, saw a great exhibit on Race and Identity installed there (spent a huge chunk of time worshipping the Kara Walker piece). We went to SoHo and walked through Dean & Deluca -- bought bits of cheese and bread and sweets... Then we met up with Paul and his girlfriend, Tara, for supper. This was the first time I'd gotten to meet Tara and it was great... Paul's been one of my best friends for about 10 years now... it made my heart so very happy to see him and Tara together. After supper -- Tim and I headed uptown with my friends Evan and John to see a jazz show at a little spot called Smoke. Lots of laughs and good music... I was SO happy to get to spend time with them.
WEDNESDAY: Got up and Tim made us breakfast from the stash we'd gotten from Dean & Deluca -- a perfect start to the day. Tim is a bit of a record geek (okay, the "bit" part is a lie -- he's a full on fanatic) -- so we spent the day walking through the Village and Lower East Side going to what felt like 100 record stores (I mean -- it may have just been 10, but whatever!) We had cupcakes at Magnolia... and then headed to the strip of Indian restaurants on 1st Avenue to have supper at Panna II.
The food there is not the greatest -- but the restaurant is one of my favorites in the city -- mainly because of the insane number of christmas lights and crazy ass decorations stuck to every surface -- and the chaos of the staff. Eating there is an adventure, perhaps even a little dangerous --- like, there's this constant threat of being burned my a sizzling plate of food as the waiters squeeze past your table, or the threat of one of those stands of lights shorting out and catching the whole place on fire -- or that the always slightly angry staff will have a knife fight or something. Needless to say.... I love it there.After supper, Tim and I met up with an old friend of his -- and we were met by my sweetest friend, Shane -- which made me supper happy.
THURSDAY: Chelsea Day -- had lunch and a cup of hot chocolate crack at The City Bakery, then headed over to The Rubin Museum to see their exhibit of sacred art from Bhutan -- which was mind-blowing. We got there in time to see the monks perform a ceremony, which made me super happy. We had a drink with my friend Amy and then headed over to the gallery were Wanda had a show opening. The opening was .... interesting. The gallery wasn't run very well -- Wanda had to hang her own show an hour before the opening, there was no signage, price lists -- things were just a little undone. I have to admit, it gave me a moment of pride in the way I'm running my space. Got to catch up with a few more friends I hadn't seen in years at the opening -- Mark and Annie and her husband Josh -- got lots and lots of love!
FRIDAY: Rode uptown with Wanda and Tim to The Studio Museum of Harlem to catch the Kehinde Wiley exhibit there -- which was insane... I've only ever seen his work online, standing in front of his paintings was an amazing experience... they're gorgeous. Tim and I also caught the Bansky installation in the Village -- The Village Pet Store and Charcoal Grill --- which I *loved*! I'm so happy I got to see it.
We met Tara and Stuart for supper at a great Tibetan place and then the four of us went to The Jazz Standard and caught an amazing show. Afterwards, Tim and I went back down to the Village and hit another jazz spot called Smalls -- this tiny basement club with GREAT music... we stayed down there til about 3am -- just listening to music -- a truly perfect night.
SATURDAY: Brunch with the boys -- which was heaven! I've missed these guys so much -- and sitting at a table surrounded by all these men I love so dearly was the best thing in the world.
We spent the afternoon with Paul and Ian walking on Canal Street (craziness) in the rain. That evening, Tim and I had supper at this teeny tiny French restaurant in Park Slope called Canaille. I'm not sure I've had a more perfect night ... it was pouring rain, and this spot was small and warm -- super cozy. Tim ordered all this wonderful food for us and the best bottle of wine I've ever had -- I was so happy that at one point, I just got a bit weepie.... I couldn't help it -- I'm so insanely happy and these days.
After supper, we went into the city and caught a perform ace of The Upright Citizen's Brigade.
SUNDAY: Met up with my friend, Mark, for coffee and a good chat in BedStuy -- then Tim and I hit this little hole in the wall for a chicken & waffle lunch that we're still talking about (delicious!!!).
Spent the day wandering the East Village thrift stores (new ponchos for me!) and record shops (more jazz for Tim!) had cannoli and coffee at Venieros Italian Bakery (my favorite!) and then headed back uptown for more time in the Park before catching at truly amazing jazz set at the new-ish Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola in Columbus Circle.
MONDAY: Back home again.... Tim's parents & aunt picked us up from the airport -- my first time meeting them, and it was great... they're amazing people. We joked and laughed the whole ride back to his apartment. A perfect ending to a damn near perfect trip.
I'm forgetting to mention about 100 other things that happened last week -- but those are the best bits. I had a great time... but it felt wonderful to sleep in my bed and come into my shop again.... I *missed* Omaha --- I have to admit, altho I was sad to leave the city -- I was really, honestly happy to be back home again. Home. New York has sort of officially lost that title for me -- something I thought would never happen. For the first time in a long, long time -- my heart and I are living in the same space .... and it's the best feeling.
2 comments:
So, I'm pretty sure the last time I ate at Veniero's was with YOU...? In any case, sounds like an AMAZING, beautiful trip. (Next one for you, perhaps with Torry, Sofi, and I? Can you imagine our little terror at the Natural History Museum?!) And, I'm still waiting for that phone call...[tapping foot]
Goes without saying: it was so great to see you and to meet Tim! I'm sorry you didn't get to meet Julie.
I was so glad to hear you laughing in NYC.
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