Day 166 - The Late Show with David Letterman

A few weeks back, I entered into the ballot for tickets to The Late Show with David Letterman. I received a call and got into see tonight's show! For free!

It was amazing. I saw Kevin Spacey, Emile Sande and an American comedian, who had a similar act to that of Jack Dee. To be honest though, the guests were only part of it. The whole experience is so over the top and cheesy, that you can not help but have a lot of fun. This starts with the unbelievable energy of the David Letterman pages', who are there to usher you in and take care of none of your needs. Not that I had any to be honest. Although, being told that you are not allowed to go to the bathroom, unless for an emergency, put my bladder under pressures that it did not need after drinking a large coffee. Also being told to laugh at every joke, is really hard. Some of them were truly awful. The threat of being kicked out by an adolescent page, who is trying to get up there in the world of television was just too much for me. So I went for it and found myself competing with my neighbour for the loudest fake laugh. He won. Mine was typically British. Reserved.

Seriously though, to anyone that is planning a trip to New York in the future, you should seriously look at organising tickets for this if you can. It was a great experience to get an insight into the world of American television. Plus you will more than likely get to see a huge name and fake laugh until your cheek bones crumble.

Day 165 - NY's Finest

Tonight was full of WTF moments.

It started with an inebriated man, relieving himself, while walking down the platform at 86th and Lex subway station. The second was a women wearing a mask to protect herself from the NY air. We were inside. In a bar.

As I said, tonight was full of WTF moments.

Day 164 - Catcher in the Rye

As a Christmas present, my step-mum (step-mom depending on where you are reading this from) very kindly bought me the American classic, Catcher in the Rye. I've never really been a big reader of fiction but thought I would give this one a go. Although I was aware of the name, I did not know what it was about. At all.

Overall thoughts. Brilliant! I will be honest though, it did help that it was based in New York and I could relate to many of the places that 'goddamn Holden Caulfield' spoke about. I was also impressed at how Holden, aged 17, had such a strong perception on the world. However, his self proclaimed superiority, that isolated him from the 'phoney's', I feel was partly the reason he was so lonely. I have been told a few times in my life that I should not rush growing up. Maybe Holden needed this advice as well. I mean sitting in high end NY bars, drinking with older women cannot be all that for a 17 year old! Ahem.

I was curious to see if Salinger wrote a sequel to this classic. He did not. Someone else has though, John David California to be precise. Salinger and his estate tried to ban its publication (I believe it is still banned in the states) due to intellectual property infringement. I am deliberating whether to invest and have my own thoughts of what Holden grew up to be clouded by a Salinger wannabe. Your thoughts as to whether you would, already have or are staying far away from '60 Years Later: Caught in the Rye', would most certainly be welcomed to help me make my mind up as to whether I should buy it or not?

Day 163 - Spanish Harlem

Following on from Saturday's blog post (Day 161), I have been committed to keeping my eyes peeled for new finds in my local area. Today's finds were in stark contrast to the John Lennon mosaic.

Walking back from my gym on 106th and 3rd, deep in Spanish Harlem, I came across a fully painted wall. The first painted character that greeted me was a machete wielding, red shadow of a man. The second was a full size picture of the iconic Che Guevara, pulling his famous power pose. To say they are imposing, is an understatement.

Out of my two finds, I personally prefer the John Lennon mosaic. Much more love and peace, rather than machete's and red paint.

Day 162 - Choices, choices.

Choosing a salad has become a traumatic experience at Uni. I mean you can have:

Crispy Romaine or Organic Field Greens or Baby Spinach or Arugula. You mix that with either Tuna, Grilled Chicken, Grilled Steak, Smoked Turkey, Cajun Chicken, Buffalo Chicken, Crispy Chicken, Thai Chicken, Spicy Shrimp or Tofu. You can then add either Almonds, Mozzarella, Avocado, Artichokes, Bacon Bits, Mushrooms, Romano Cheese, Sundries Tomatoes, Egg Whites, Feta Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, Blue Cheese, Walnuts, Edamame or Craisins. You then have to mix in six toppings from Chick peas, to Sunflower Seeds, to Croutons, to Scallions, to Kidney Beans, to Red Onion, to Sweetcorn, to Sliced beats, to Chopped Tomatoes, to Roasted Peppers, to Carrots, to Brocolli, to Olives, to Cucumber, to Orange's, to Sprouts, to Noodles. The dressings are a whole other level. All 18 of them!

I'll have a sandwich...

Day 161 - I Spy

I spied a secret beauty today on the way to the gym. On the first day for a long time when the sun was doing its rightful duties properly, it shined upon a multicoloured John Lennon. I have walked this route a fair bit now and have never noticed John in mosaic form. Slightly embarrassing really.

The relevance to his location on 105th between Lex and 3rd, I am not sure. It has made me remove my blinkers though. I promise to be more observant to hidden beauties like this one in the future.

Day 160 - Expected no less

Tonight's weather was a fitting end to a week of temperatures that have not got over -5c. I hope the exuberant weather on NY1 was right about next week. The cold is getting boring now!

Day 159 - Dark Magic

Before August 19th 2012, I never really leaned towards coffee. My hot drink tastes were strongly aligned towards a cup of tea. Yorkshire Tea to be precise. However, with names such as 'Dark Magic' it is just far too enticing to resist.

Come to think about it, I also never used to be able to cope on five hours sleep before August 19th. Must be a coincidence...

Day 158 - Milk

Have you ever wanted a milkshake that tastes like cereal? Have you ever wanted cereal that tastes like a milkshake?

Then I have the place. Milk!

Milk on Broadway between 5th and 6th avenue, is an innovative bakery. They have taken items such as the cake and the cookie and revamped them into splendours such as the compost cookie and the hundreds and thousands inspired, birthday cake. It's calorific genius!

Day 157 - Minus Ten

It seems that the weather on Sunday was just teasing New Yorker's into a false sense of 'no-need-for-a-coat' security. Today, we were dealing with -10c! MINUS TEN!

UK. I am feeling your cold weather pain.

Day 156 - Martin Luther King Day

Today was Martin Luther King day. Which meant it's a Bank Holiday! I used it as a perfect opportunity to catch up on everything that has been neglected since before Christmas. While also managing to fit in parts of Obama's Inauguration. Four More Years!

Day 155 - Great Way To Finish

So that I could send Rhys and Alice of with a lasting memory of New York, we made a final visit to Central Park. The blue skies were beaming, there was 'no coat required' weather and live music at Bethesda Terrace.

A perfect ending to a great few days with some very special people.

Day 154 - NYC at Sunset

Need I say anything?

Day 153 - Squash, PB&J, Criminal Courts and Laughing.

I think this is the most I have done in an afternoon/evening since I have been here.

After meeting Rhys and Alice at Grand Central, we stood and watched some 'World Class Squash' in the foyer. I can't say I am a massive squash fan but when it is being played within the entrance hall of Grand Central, it's miraculous how your tastes change.

Following the squash, we felt a bit peckish so decided to go for a quick snack at the Peanut Butter and Co, sandwich shop on 240 Sullivan Street. I went for the classic staple of a Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich - PB&J. Toasted! It wasn't even that unhealthy either as I got two and a half carrot sticks...

Adding a bit of spontaneity to the afternoons proceedings, we stepped foot into NYC's criminal courts. I may just add that it was not because of any acts of misdemeanour on our behalf, but because it was in my '1001 Best Things To Do In New York' Book. Judge Judy it was not!

We finished our day off with a comedy club. My first visit to such an establishment, since I have been here actually. The one we ventured into was called The Comedy Strip Live on 82nd and 2nd. CSL has hosted such legends as Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, Chris Rock and Jerry Seinfeld. Bar the obscenely expensive, compulsory buy drinks and the dire service to match, the acts were pretty hilarious. If my wage dramatically increases, I would definitely go there again.

Day 152 - Lance

Tonight, I watched the eagerly anticipated, first part of Oprah's interview with Lance Armstrong. I couldn't help but think that after the opening three question's had been answered with the word 'Yes', whatever came after that, was just subtext.

After discussing with a friend what was going to happen next with Lance, we came to the conclusion that it will follow the same plot as the 2002 movie, "Catch Me If You Can".

Lance will get a book deal.

There will be a movie made about Lance's story.

Lance will get a job with the UCI or WADA or both.

Day 151 - 2Beans

After a full day of work, winding down is the only thing planned. Normally. However, the life of a Mountbatten in NY, means that going to work is only half the day.

To make sure I was fresh and ready for my meeting at the Mountbatten office, I grabbed a cup of coffee. Outside of my bubble world, a coffee at 6pm sounds mad. However, when they look and taste as good as this one, you could drink them all day long.

2Beans (40th and Park) were the producer of my early evening pick me up. Highly recommended for any Coffee and Chocolate lovers. At least one of those applies to everyone, right?

Day 150 - Bleek

As I hit my one hundred and fiftieth day, I reflected slightly on what had been, and it got me excited about what was coming
for the next century and a half.

Hopefully though, my outlook on the future is not as bleek as my outlook from the ferry. Visibility = None.

Day 149 - Ilili & 230 Fifth

After work today, I met my V.I.Ts for a drink at 230 Fifth Avenue. This is a rooftop bar that has a spectacular view of the Empire State Building and midtown Manhattan. As we were sat outside in NY's 'brisk' January weather, we took full advantage of their bright red fleecy housecoats. Unfortunately I didn't get any snaps of my ridiculous but highly practical dressing gown, so I promise when Alice sends me her pics, I will put them up.

We came here as we were killing time (in style may I add) before we were to meet Alice's godmother and niece, at Ilili (236 5th Av). This is a Lebanese fusion restaurant, that has shown brussel sprouts to me in a new light.

Prior to tonight, I would have a solitary sprout on Christmas Day. No more. No less. In my eyes they are putrid but I always promise my Mum that I will eat one. However, after my sprout experience tonight, I think I am a changed man! It was because these sprouts were grilled, then mixed with grapes, fig jam, walnuts, mint yoghurt and pomegranate. B-E-A-Utiful!

It is however bitter sweet. As, the next time I have sprouts, I will expect nothing less other than the taste sensation that I experienced tonight. I may have to lower my expectations for future sprout encounters.

Day 148 - Post-Exam Celebration

I had my first exam today. Unfortunately, it was at 10am, lasted three hours and was on a Sunday. Fortunately, I had an afternoon of sites and attractions with my latest V.I.T (Very Important Tourists) to look forward to. And there were some serious sites around New York today!

Today was the official New York 'No Pants Subway Ride'. This made it a surprise when we were seeing bared legs, of all shaped and sizes flaunted around the carriages. It was as if, it was not normal to be wearing pants.

Following the Sunday afternoon, semi-nudity, we rode the subway downtown, to Chelsea Piers and walked along the High Line. The High Line is a public park along an old freight line, that has been renovated as a beautiful promenade. As we strolled along, it was hard not to notice the amazing street art. I'm looking forward to doing that when it is a bit warmer.

To finish off the day, I took Rhys and Alice to Ryan's Daughter, to shoot some hoops and drink a few pints of the black stuff. As long as the exam went ok, I would say it was a successful day. Fingers crossed!

Day 147 - From Columbia, to Riverside, to Armstrong's, all in a morning.

I had a jam packed morning today, as I wanted to play the tourist with Rhys and Alice, before I had to return as the student this afternoon.

We started of with a visit to the grounds of Columbia University. Here's hoping that some of the educational prowess, that exists on these premises, will have worn of on me for tomorrow. We then went to the Riverside Church to take in the grandeur of this historically and architecturally magnificent institution.

Our last trip of the morning was to Louis Armstrong's house in Queens. It is unbelievable the modesty of this house. I mean, for a man that was earning over $500,000 a year in 1944, (equivalent to around $7million in todays money) to live in this humble abode says alot about who he was. I learnt today that he was an extremely generous man, who used to give the majority of his possessions and wealth away to local communities and those with a greater need. It was pretty surreal, as you walked around his house, where over 90% of it is, as it was when Louis was around.

To those of you who are familiar with NY and its boroughs, you would know that we covered alot of ground today in quite a short amount of time. This was all due to Alice's godmother's, niece, who very kindly drove us around. Thank you very much Anouche!

Day 146 - #SpecialFwends

To blow away the January blues, Rhys and Alice, my closest friends, have flown over from the UK.

Prior to their US touchdown, a lot of the the conversation has focused around calorie intake. When I mentioned that each chicken wing is roughly 100 calories, they couldn't wait to get started! First stop - Genesis Burger!

Day 145 - Gallagher's

Great New York steakhouses are becoming common visits for me at the moment.

Today we went to Gallagher's on 52nd and Broadway. This NY institution is notorious among baseball players, actors and broadway lovers who want a good steak and a stiff drink.

Sitting at Robert de Niro's table (minus Robert himself unfortunately) we devoured their glorious steaks, drank their wine and contemplated their deserts. That was one mouthful too far!

Afterwards, I cheekily asked could we have a look in the private dining room, where the heads of state and guests, who want the extra special treatment, will dine. The room had a nostalgic ambience about it. You could get a sense that the walls had some serious stories to tell.