Author: alohawild

I am writing this blog after returning home and sitting at my desk at the Volvo Cave. Air Volvo delivered me quickly from PDX after I had been stored in Long-Term Parking for a few days. The Alaska Air flight from JFK arrived early and without issues. I had an issue as my feet swelled and became icky, and I was barefoot for part of the flight. This is a new issue and has not happened before, but also I have not had to take the NYC subway in a rush and then get in an Uber without a break. Next time, I will change socks, at least.

Moving back to JFK, Michelle and I had flights this evening but on different airlines. So our Uber driver, who seemed to be at Roosevelt Island waiting was ready and delivered Michelle first and then me a few hours before my flight. The Uber trip was uneventful, and we hit only a few traffic sections.

I was late, arriving at 4:45 instead of 4:20 as was planned. I had split off from Michelle and Cat in the afternoon and was touring the Natural History Museum in Central Park. I had reached the extinction room when I decided I should head back. So, I said goodbye to the wooly mammoth and searched for the exit to the subway. After being lost and finding more exhibits I needed to see on another visit, including a full-sized whale, I asked for help twice; I finally found the way out and waited for C line for ten minutes under the museum at 66th Street Station. I connected C to 1 at Columbus Circle and 1 to N (Q was not running, so N was running Q–not that that made sense). N now connected me to F which delivered me at 4:35 to Roosevelt Island. Breathless and soar-footed, I arrived at the hotel late, and we grabbed our stuff and Ubered out to JFK.

Going backward, Cat and Michelle headed to get some special bread, and I went to the museum. I had never been there, and Cat recommended the gem and mineral collections. After paying and presenting my ID (?!), I was allowed into the museum. I found the Pacific Northwest exhibit, which felt like home and lovely with our native art. Recommended. The Human Evolution section included copies of famous fossils and a clear presentation of those who came before us. I thought it was excellent. The meteorite and the rocks and gems were excellent. My feet and back were hurting so I watched the films. All good. Recommended.

Running out of time, I rushed to the 4th floor and found the famous dinosaur collection. Excellent, but only a few creatures. I also found the giant shark jaws and mammoth I already mentioned.

Going all the way back, I rose at 6AM and wrote the blog, packed, checked out, and then had breakfast at the restaurant in the hotel. I put on a tie with a dress shirt and a sweater over that. Breakfast was coffee and a lox bagel that was overloaded, and I did not finish. Cat, Michell, and I headed to the Upper Westside to attend Cat’s church. There is a request to not post about it and so I will say we met many nice folks there.

We found another Strand and managed to resist that. We did enjoy some Thai food for lunch. After that we split-up as I said.

And that reaches the end. Sorry for the rush, but it is already Monday!

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

Sorry, I was rushed, and the editing is unfinished.

It is Saturday, and we have plans to meet at the subway at 8:30AM, so I am up at 6AM to write the blog. I have two hours to write and dress.

I started Friday here on Roosevelt Island, NYC, at about 7, after rolling over when my 6:30AM alarm seemed insane. The three-hour time change and the recent one, our Spring Forward, means I am facing a deficit of four hours! I could feel it on Friday (and this Saturday when I wrote this)! With all the coughing, I decided to shower again to get some warm, damp air in my lungs, which helped. Clean, warm, and awake, I headed down to The Graduate, the hotel brand and name, restaurant.

The complementary coffee urns were out, so I got a paper cup of DIY coffee and was seated in the restaurant. I sent a note to Michelle but didn’t get a reply, so I ate by myself. I had the stuffed French Toast, which, while good, was what I could get anywhere. I will stick to bagels and lox to taste more of NYC and the East Coast.

While seated there and slowly eating, I was headed to the Empire State Building. I bought tickets online for over $90 (f**k), and that included the new 102nd-floor observatory built in the old Zepplin dock. The new facility is extra and has tall windows; it is not outside like the observation deck. I also handle the transfer of cash between my accounts to savings from my tax returns on my laptop. I next spend time at Max Brenner’s (I said Carl in the previous day’s blog; it should be Max’s) website, arranging Easter chocolate deliveries with the Easter Bunny.

Thus, re-enforced with coffee and French Toast, I take the laptop and hide it in the room. It is on a book-like cover and looks like an encyclopedia when closed. Prefect. Next, I walk to the F line on Roosevelt Island and get in the right one (later, Michelle will take the one to Queens by mistake–an easy mistake). I take the Q in Manhattan to 34th Street, Harold’s Square, and turn the corner to see the Empire State Building.

I managed to take 33rd Street, which meant walking all the way around to 34th Street to find the tourist entrance. I spent thirty minutes in an Art Deco tourist trap, passing through security and a museum packed with people. I found the line for the elevator, and soon, I was packed NYC close in and headed to the 8o-something floor. There was a movie playing on the elevator’s roof to distract us from the slight swinging of the car and the long trip. It shows the tower being made as we cruise to the top. Everything hints at Art Deco and the 1920s.

The platform is another museum, and I soon rush to the next elevator and take a short ride to the 86th floor. Finally, the outside, cold, windy platform appears. It is old school, well-maintained, watched, and excellent. The view through the anti-jump bars is incredible. It is worth the money and the tourist trap. I love the sign not to put children on the ledge and in the bars. I have to push my cowboy hat down on my head. The sweater is just enough to not freeze, and I make the walk around the building, taking various tourist shots and videos through the bars.

I found the 102nd-floor elevator but couldn’t scan my ticket. “Oh, you hold your phone under the scanner,” I am told. You would think a computer guy could get this right, but no. Finally, I got it, and this glass-walled thing showed us the walls of the towers as we rose, and it was the first time I was really scared. It is a tiny chamber all glassed in. The original hand-riveted skeleton of the tower is visible. There is barely enough room for folks, the framework, elivaotr, and glass windows that go to the very edge. The outdoor platform is a whole building away from us. Because the Empire State Building is cement-cored, it does not sway. I would not want to feel that in this suspended room. This is where the passengers would disembark from the Zepplen in the 1930s, but that was discontinued soon–too scary for everyone. There are only a few photos. I encircle this room a few times and admire and touch the overpainted original steel.

I am overwhelmed by the height and the Art Deco—wonderful. It was expensive but wonderful. It is recommended even if heights bother you. Dondrea said that she did it at night, and that would be an experience too. I find my photo (they take the tourist shot for you), buy it, and then head out thinking I would pick it up at the lobby, nope. I am chased down by a gal in an Art Deco uniform (the sales and security folks are all dressed in Art Deco uniforms–I love the look), and I return for my photo. I just pay for it, ignoring all the add-ons.

Another movie that says goodbye via Art Deco animation, and I am back in the tourist trap. I found a book on Art Deco in NYC, a T-shirt for me, and a shot glass with a tiny King Kong glued inside for Corwin.

I am free and happy to be back on the NYC streets. I walk back to the subway, take the yellow (it should have been the Oragne), and walk eight blocks (I went the wrong way twice and found the Orange line entrance closer) to a bookstore to meet Michelle. My feet are tired from yesterday and I have already at noonish got 7,500 steps in!

This is a manga place with all of the statues and matching paraphilia of figures. It’s quite a place. I did not find anything after resisting a 1/700 scale Japanese old-school waterline Bismark model kit mixed in the Gundam models and even a Yu-Gi-Oh puzzle. Resist!

Michelle and Cat (Michell’s daughter who lives here) were on their way (Michelle was headed back from Queens), and I rested and read using my Kindle App in a nice park near the BOOKOFF Shop. I went back into the shop and then discovered the rain had started and found a dry spot while others were eating their lunch. Michelle found the shop and Cat soon joined us. Michelle found a lovely book, SciFi, in a manuscript like make. We then started an odyssey of walking. We never got lunch but found coffee and a snack and walked five blocks to Time Square. There, we joined a huge queue for ninety minutes to get today’s tickets at a discount; we selected, after some folks recommended it, Back to the Future for $120 plus handling fees for seats together.

We had dinner/lunch at John’s, just a few blocks away, and I had a Rueben sandwich with a mix of pastrami and corned beef. Cat and Michelle had turkey Rueben and just a taste of mine. It was good to get back to a favorite like John’s. This is the other newer location I had not tried before. All was excellent.

Cat had to do corporate meetings, so she headed to a quiet place to call in, and Michelle and I tried shopping. We did Disney and Pele pop-up store to remember the late player. Both places were wonderful, and I managed to resist as did Michelle. Soon Cat returned and was relieved that the meeting was just that and not more layoffs (Cat and I both went through that in the last few months).

Soon, we were again in line and then rushed into the theater. The show was incredible, more spectacle than a musical, but grand. We were happy and truly enjoyed the music, with George McFly, the father-kid who has to find his courage with help from Marty, his time-traveling son. The major, in addition to the storyline, also sings and dances into your heart. It’s an excellent show.

We returned to Roosevelt Island without a problem (Q to F), and I was soon asleep after showering. I had 11,000 steps in again.

Thanks for reading!

I did not raise per say. I just headed out after writing the blog. I thought the tram was subway line F; I learned later it was just the tram. This explains why I could not find a Q line and a station associated with the tram. It is the Roosevelt Tram station, not a subway connection, so it is clear now.

Like the other tourists, I recorded the tram ride over the river and into Manhattan. It was packed, but I managed a good view. I then became frustrated because I could not find the stations for F and Q. Something was wrong, but I learned later with Cat and Michelle that there was a subway entrance a few blocked before the tram. I found the Lex station and connected it with my memories of the subway from a few years ago.

I decided to try to reach Lincoln Center and see the Met Opera store. This meant remembering how to connect the three different lines. I used my Subway app for NYC and only got lost once on the way back. I was still on the 1 lines instead of the Q N R W lines. I took an N train to Times Square and switched to the 1 train to Uptown. That got me to 66 Street, which is Lincoln Center.

I was happy to be at the Met and called Leta to share it with her. She was excited for us to see Opera Turandot on Saturday. I tried to contact others, but nobody picked up. I did visit the store and asked if the barcodes were tickets or if I had to switch them for paper tickets—no, those will work. I was tempted by a poster for Turandot, but I decided it would likely get damaged on the trip home.

Michelle was reaching the hotel in a few hours, so I returned. Getting to the right platforms at the transfer stations took a while. I missed the Q train, which might have taken me to the F train (not the tram), and I would have figured this all out on my own, but no, I managed to do all the letters today, with R taking me back to LEX and 59th. From there, I walked to the tram and took a full tram back.

I was back at the hotel, and my room was ready. The room is on the 17th floor and has a lovely view of NYC. I unpacked, ordered my stuff, charged things, and then hopped in the shower to clean up. I wore clean clothing and rested for what I thought was a closing of my eyes.

I was relaxed and floating in a deep sleep from traveling and walking 7,000 steps today. Michelle called and offered to let me sleep, but I said I wanted to head out again. We met, and Michelle introduced me to F here on Roosevelt Island. Lightbulb! We took the elusive Q line and found Union Square in Manhattan. There, we enjoyed the music and the friendly new-age crowd and then headed to The Strand, a new and used bookstore. A smaller, more focused version of our Powell’s in Portland. The staff was also everywhere and helpful. I got Z a t-shirt, and I found a Strand discounted Cthulhu storybook. I recognized some of the authors of the stories. I also got Michelle a mystery book; it was wrapped as a surprise. It turned out to be Snow Crash, an excellent SciFi book.

Michelle and I found a bench and rested. I had walked over 10,000 steps now, and my feet were unhappy. We headed to Carl Brenner for a coffee. Cat joined us, and soon, we ordered dinner. I also had the white chocolate Chai that came in a special strainer cup that you poured from. It was excellent. I had the mac and cheese, and they had the pizza. All was good.

Cat led us back to Roosevelt Island. F and Q were on the same lines now. Ugh! Glad Cat understood these mysteries.

We headed back, but I started to feel my colon suddenly full. Oops. I tried to remember to empty it at 10 a.m. It needed some quiet time with me. I begged off from Michelle and Cat and headed back to the hotel. I made it in time and had two goes until things were safe. The champaign and cork experience again. I think it was the travel. Something to remember.

I collected my laptop and headed to the rooftop bar. After a bit, I was given a chair at the bar. I had a beer and olives. There, I wrote this blog listening to loud music and seeing people drinking expensive drinks and food to enjoy a view of Manhattan on the 18th floor. The windows show all of the city. It is an impressive view.

Thanks for reading.

 

Wednesday started with me rising to face a complex, endless day. I was flying to NYC all night. I managed to sleep well, but I got up late when I remembered to put a tie in my bag. Done. I found my slippers and robe and slid into the home office, meaning to only be there for a moment, but somehow, twenty minutes disappeared. I returned to the kitchen, found a banana, and got the hot water in the electric kettle. I dream of a hot water dispenser, but the power to the kitchen sink area is not ready. It needs attention from an electrician before something cool like that can be installed. Someday!

Coffee, liberal Equal Exchange, was made but not really in time to drink. I gave myself only thirty minutes in the morning, and it was 7AM and time to clean up and dress with only a few sips of coffee. Ugh! I shaved slowly with the cheap disposable razor. My good ones have broken again, and I do not plan to replace the Dollar Shave Club razor again; it broke before. I replaced it as I had more than two month’s supply of blades. This time, I only have a few left. I completed the clean-up and dressing process, grabbed my Nike laptop, and headed for the office. We work in the office four days a week (not Fridays). Air Volvo had no problem with the traffic, which was less on Wednesday morning.

I did my usual meetings, enjoying the status, process, and change control meetings. It is always strange to come to the office to do Zoom calls for folks in the building, but that is what we do. I sit in the atrium and do the calls there. Because of hearing issues, I would rather avoid headphones, so I headed to a seat near the window, where the noise should not bother anyone.

After all that and a few chats with folks about work topics, I head to the cafe and have lunch. I cannot get beyond the pop-up option. This time, it is beef in gravy over mashed potatoes. It has macaroni salad, which raised my eyebrow. You should not double the starches. It was still good, and the grilled Brussels sprouts were excellent (and not under-salted). A tasty lunch, and I talked to some friends at the cafe for a bit. A wonderful lunch experience.

I headed home and finished my work day from the home office. Air Volvo had no issues getting me to Volvo Cave. I finished early, showered, shaved (with care), and then finished the few odds and ends for packing. I loaded my large old-school garment bag and my usual gym bag to travel into the cargo hold. The garment bag is heavy. I boarded an Air Volvo and enjoyed an hour of driving in sunny weather for what should have been a twenty-minute trip, but there was lots of traffic.

I found a long-term parking slot on the 4th floor for Air Volvo. I hauled the bags to the check-in and was relieved to send the wheel-less bag to fly independently. I made it through security without any call-outs, and my pants did not fall when I was in the scanning machine. I have been losing weight, and my pants keep trying to fall. I brought extra suspenders and may go old guy and use them.

I found the gate and then returned to the wine place for dinner. Missing Screen Door next to my gate. Next time! I had the pasta and a class of good Oregon wine. I had hours before my flight, and I wanted to have dinner there. Our PDX has good food and wine.

The first flight to Seattle was uneventful. I had nearly two hours to connect. All the food joints were closed, but I had bought water at PDX and brought coookies. I had some while I waited. To get to the gate, I had to ride three trains. I think I took one back in error, but I am unsure. I thought it would only take two. I blame the wine.

After we fixed the seats, a passenger was in the wrong seat, and she had to move to a different row; I was in my window seat, ready to sleep. I mixed up my seats from one plane to the next; everyone was understanding when we had to reshuffle.

I read my Kindle for a while and listened to music, too, but the plane was loud, and I just gave up. I took off my shoes and slept most of the flight. I don’t remember sleeping, but I blinked, and it was four hours later.

I tied the laces together on my Air Force Ones and walked off the plane in my socks (also Nike). I was the last passenger off, as I wanted to put on my coat, and sat in row 31. After putting on my shoes again, I walked to the baggage claim, using a chair to prevent testing my balance (damaged by the brain tumor). I found the family bathroom after finding my bag had already been pulled off the belt. The door did not close, but I was quick and now had my shirt tucked in again.

I decided on a taxi as it was cheaper than an Uber, and I had no idea where to find the Uber. I found dragging my bags was not working for me. My driver charged me about $75, which was in line with Uber, plus a tip. The trip took about an hour, and I was concerned as the driver headed north. We got to see La Guardia airport (that is not the usual way to get to Roosevelt Island, NYC), but then the traffic lightened, and we drove through Queens fast. After an hour, I was dropped off and happy to give him the 20% tip.

To finish the story of my travel, The Graduate, a cool-themed hotel, is also the only hotel on the island. For $94, I could have my room now, or I could put my stuff in the storage area and wait until 2PM. I opted for the cheaper solution, especially after they said the restaurant was open.

Sandy, my waiter, recommended the lox and everything bagel. It was excellent. The coffee was homemade and plentiful. There, I refreshed myself, enjoyed an excellent breakfast, and caught up on my finances and other not-important-but-good-to-do tasks.

I moved to the lobby and started the blog. And I am now synced up to now.

Thanks for reading! I will fly back on Sunday night.