Day 118 - Eleven Madison Park

Now this was a treat. We paid a four hour visit to Eleven Madison Park, the three Michelin star restaurant that tucks in next to Madison Square Park.

The 16 course menu, with locally sourced foods was outstanding. Exquisite in fact.

Each dish had an essence of angelic, simplicity owned to it. This was due to the basic titles; Cheddar, Cranberry, Beef, Pretzel for example. However, this was the end of basic. Each dish was presented as if it was a show piece in an art gallery; tasted as if your tongue had never experienced food in any form and smelt of brilliance.

This may be an over enthusiastic analogy of what we experienced, but believe me, it really was that good!

Afterwards we had a wander round the park and looked up at New Yorks first sky scraper, the Flat Iron building. Amazing night.

Day 117 - Spiderman Turn Off The Dark

I was treated to my first Broadway show tonight, Spiderman Turn Off The Dark. The best way to describe it is by referring to my description of American chocolate (see previous blog post for clarification).

After reading up on the show, I was pretty psyched. It was the most expensive broadway show ever; had (emphasise had) the director from the hugely successful Lion King and contains music and lyrics from Bono and The Edge. Perfect combination you would think. To be fair to it though, I am a big fan of the blockbuster movies, so it was going to have to be something special to be on the same level as these.

Admittedly the air acrobatics were pretty cool but the rest left you somewhat desiring for more. During each neck cranking, air walking scene, I was trying to work out why it was so expensive. For example, the props would not look out of place at a primary school nativity, the acting was ok and Spiderman was clearly not using a gym. At the half time interval, when we went to get Spiderman some food to bulk up for Act II, it suddenly clicked why it was the most expensive broadway show ever; they are paying for empty seats. The six or seven empty rows behind us, did not have one person in. Even the usher chose to stand up and stare at the wall!

Nevertheless, I am happy that I have been to my first broadway show and keep up a Lee Christmas tradition of going to see a pantomime!

Day 116 - Family + Chocolate + Deodorant + Steak

Today I welcomed two very special guests to New York. My Dad and Helen made the cross Atlantic trip over to the United States to come and see ‘my’ New York and do a bit of Christmas Shopping.

I was like an excitable kid at the arrival lounge while waiting with all the Chauffer drivers to meet and greet our relevant VIPs’. As the drivers were looking depressed and impatient in their ill fitting suits and un-polished shoes, I was stood their beaming and fidgety.

After they had settled in the hotel, Dad pulled one of the suitcases onto the bed. You may remember a few weeks ago that I wrote a blog post on the ‘average to poor’ standard of American chocolate. To rectify this issue, they bought Tesco’s 2013 stock of the good stuff and made sure that I would not be without! I am also not really getting on with America’s ‘roll-on’ deodorant affixation and so asked them to buy me a few cans of SPRAY deodorant. To avoid inconsistency with their previous buying behaviors, they followed suit and bought me sixteen cans of the stuff. SIXTEEN! Either I stink or they are extremely generous. I came to the conclusion that both statements are in fact correct.

To ensure that they got the best impression of ‘my’ New York, I took them to a New York institution; Keens Steakhouse. Dating back to the late 1800s, Keens Steakhouse was once a place where people could come and smoke their churchwarden pipes. Einstein, Teddy Roosevelt and J.P.Morgan are a few of the names to have graced this fine establishment.

Although you can no longer smoke your churchwarden pipe (if you do happen to be one of the six people who own one) you can eat one of their unbelievably good steaks! I went for the T-bone steak and although it did its damndest to put me in a meat coma, I trudged through and devoured the lot.

Day 115 - Christmas Lounge

As you walk into the entrance at one of the office's that I work at, you are greeted by a dozen, 4 foot, sparkling Christmas trees. They stand proudly, at even intervals on the banister rail leading up the sixth floor.

In addition to the Christmas trees, they have set up a full sitting room and how it would look on Christmas morning. One thing that really stood out for me, is that the Santa Claus that rests on the seat in front of the Christmas Tree, has an advent calendar on his belly. What I can only presume is the workings of a secret elf (the obvious conclusion) changes the date each morning on this advent calendar.  I love this attention to detail!

Day 114 - Grand Central Christmas Market

As you would expect, Christmas Markets are in abundance in New York.

The one within Grand Central, has an aura of elegance about it. This may have something to do with the HUGEnormous chandeliers that hang above the stalls but nevertheless, it is surprisingly not that busy. You would think that because this market is inside, warm and within the countries busiest station, it would be heaving.

Day 113 - #MBAFwends

I have been thinking that I never really post about University work that much. So, to prove that I am actually studying towards an MBA, I hired this classroom out and actors to stand and take a picture with me...

Seriously though, having class on a weekend (in New York) really isn't that bad, especially when the level of teaching is as good as it is and the class is so interactive. 

End of soppy message. I promise there will be no more for at least another 100 days.

First assessed presentation.

August 2012 - December 2013 Mountbatten Institute MBA Students

Day 112 - World in 2013 Fesitval

Today, I attended the World in 2013 Festival at the Skirball Centre, NYU. I have now been exposed to sectors that I have never paid any serious amount of attention towards. It has certainly given me some food for thought when it comes to dissertation topics.

Below are eight topics which were quite prevalent at the festival;

1. China's growth is not going to last due to the 'Authoritarian Growth Miracle' burning out.To grow, political reform is essential - Bill Easterly.
2. China's growth is going to last as domestic demand will increase - Dambiso Mayo.
3. Etiquette of Social Media will be questioned - Amanda Palmer.
4. We will rely on regional, local food production - Dan Barber.
5. Cyber-war/hacking/espionage will become more prevalent - Bill Clarke.
6. Good: End point for EU crisis. Bad: Middle east will continue to explode. Ugly: China's rise -Ian Bremmer.
7. Triskaidekaphobia will be said far too much - Daniel Franklin.
8. The childhood obesity epidemic is going to create an inordinate amount of tuba players - Will Tracy.

Also, the editor of The Onion favorited one of my tweets. No biggie!

Due to being absorbed in the conversations, I didn't get a chance to take that many pictures. I did however get some shots of the talent that is Kevin Kallaugher. The cartoon that you can see him drawing below, was his version of the World in 2013! Fascinating.

Inyang Bassey. She had an amazing voice.

Kevin Kallaugher. Editorial cartoonist for The Economist.

Not bad for 5mins work!