I am writing this on Sunday morning, a travel day, and I am time-boxed as I have to pack, check out, and then head to church in Manhattan (at Cat’s church). So I will try to cover Saturday as best as possible with ninety minutes to write.
I rose on Saturday with my alarm blasting me out of bed at 6AM EDT, which felt like 2AM due to the recent time change and the fact that I live on the other coast. But I managed to start and write for ninety minutes and publish what I had completed by then. It was mostly done, but the editing was not complete.
Just sitting down and writing was not that easy. I stopped a few times and started to clean up and dress. I brought a suit and a gay pride tie for the opera, and that takes some time to get right with the suspenders, vest, pocket watch, and chain. I wrote for a while and then cleaned up and dressed for a bit when I needed a break. I would stop, think about what to write while dressing, and write more.
I was meeting Michelle at the hotel and then walking to the F subway on Roosevelt Island to meet Cat, Michelle’s daughter, who lives on the island in a studio apartment. I managed to finish most of the blog, dress, and be in the lobby drinking the complementary coffee at 8ish. Excellent. I was also wearing dress shoes, which would hurt by the end of our 18-hour day, but there were no blisters, and they were Cole Haan shoes (a company Nike used to own) and made for comfort.
Michelle was ready on time, and we walked to the subway station, just a few minutes from the hotel. It was sunny with a cold wind trying to freeze us, but I was warm in my suit. The cat was on time, and we soon descended the three sets of escalators to the F Line—it is deep and goes under the river. Next, we switched trains and headed downtown, switching to the 1 train uptown to find 66th Street and our target: The Lincoln Center.
We found The Smith cafe and had breakfast. Cat and I had eggs benedict with a great hollandaise sauce, and Michelle had French Toast. Cat and Michelle split theirs and shared. We also had donuts, which are more like mini-beignets than cake donuts, and served with hot liquid chocolate. Breakfast and the coffee were wonderful.
Next, we head to the cheap tickets for today’s show. We stand in line for about an hour until they open. It is a much shorter line than yesterday and inside, unlike the Times Square location. We talked to folks in lines about their lives in NYC and other locations, what shows to see, and generally, it was a pleasant hour standing.
We got cheap and excellent seats at Aladdin at 8PM; Moulin Rouge tickets were unavailable. We then walked across the street to the Met Opera and I had to find the men’s room, remove my coat, vest, and pocket watch to experience my colon waking. That took longer, and I managed to not have a second event, and things calmed down. Remember, I had colon cancer, and I have a 25cm shorter path in my large colon. Once in a while, my colon reminds me about the revisions. Generally, I have less warning and need to make a pit stop every morning to ensure not surprises. My oncologist thought my go-even-when-you-don’t-feel-it solution was an excellent plan, and he is sharing that with other colon cancer survivors. Set a time. With all the travel and lines, my timing is off.
Reassembled and ready, I rejoined Cat and Michelle in our excellent balcony seats. At first, you feel like you could fall out of the seats, as everything is steep. Soon, you are used to it. I was thrilled when the lights on the cables were pulled up, and the music started.
Turandot is remembered for one great song, Nessun Dorma, and the chance for some beautiful singing and tragic story by Liu, the slave girl helping the blind, forgotten former king. The colors, dancing, chorus, and staging make this a spectacle besides the impressive singing. This is an approachable opera, and while a bit illogical and with an odd abrupt ending, it is still fun. Seeing it live and being at the Met after so many years of watching the movie house broadcast was a real treat. Michelle and Cat enjoyed it and were happy we went. Cat did not buy an $8 coffee.
We walked for a while, found some coffee, and discussed lunch. After doing some shopping, we walked and took a bus downtown. Whole Foods is in the basement of the upscale mall at Columbus Circle near Central Park. There, we found some items on David’s shopping list, Michelle’s husband and Cat’s dad. It was filled with people shopping and so busy that there was a line control system to help folks get through check-out.
Next, we waited thirty minutes to get a table at an Indian-style food place, Bengal Tiger, a favorite for Cat and Michelle. I had the fixed-price dinner and had curry lamb after being warned off from the Vindaloo, 9/10 spice we were warned. Cat and Michelle shared one, and I shared my lamb and naan. We had coconut and garlic naan. I had not tried the coconut version, and that was excellent. I eat the food by tearing the naan and wrapping the lamb and gravy in the naan. Diabetes had me just get a taste of the excellent rice, and I gave Cat my rice pudding dessert.
Fortified, we had some tea at Starbucks, the only place with seats, and we were allowed just tea for a seat (!). The crowds were happy and wearing green, as this was St. Patrick’s Day weekend. Next, we found the theater for Aladdin, just a short walk. My feet and legs were getting tired.
The show was changed to drop the animals and include some new comic characters. There were quite a few good new songs. There were absolutely ripped midriffs showing. I laughed when the Genie sang about the folks in the story, “And everyone looks like they have a gym membership.” The staged version, with magic tricks, smoke, and pyrotechnics, was excellent. I was singing along to some songs. Recommended, and the singing was good with the live band in the pit really taking it to another level. The Genie steals the show, of course, and breaks the fourth wall often. Perfect.
I found a Diet Coke and small boxed three-wish lamp cookies. I was told my next refill would be $6 off if I returned the cup, but I got to keep the cup. I purchased two boxes of cookies for Cat and Michelle; they were thrilled that I found the perfect lamp. I told them I was looking for a lamp ($70 and a long line for one like in the show).
We all were tired and headed back. We walked the few blocks to Times Square subway station and connected to Q. Then, we rode to Lex station (Lexington and 59th) and took F back to the island. It was just a short walk to the hotel. Cat sent us a note that she was safe, and soon, after a shower and packing a bit, I went to bed and fell asleep humming Arabian Nights in my head.
Come on down Stop on by Hop a carpet and fly To another Arabian night
Thanks for reading
Alohawild (Michael Wild's) Website 