Archive for June, 2009

New York Trip Recap – Day Two

29 June 2009 · Filed under Broadway, New York, friends, fun, vacation

Previously on “Lisa goes to New York City”:

Day two of my New York trip began the complete opposite from which the first one started. Despite our good intentions to get moving and into the city early, it just didn’t quite work out that way.

We were still determined to see everything on our list for that day (Roy’s friend Jason joined us on this first full tour day, because Chad had to work):

  • Statue of Liberty
  • Ellis Island
  • Empire State Building

We took the bus into the city, walked past the New York Times

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and took my first subway ride

Holiday weekend subway traffic

Holiday weekend subway traffic

to Battery Park, home of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry.

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Before we bought our ferry tickets, we wandered through the park and took in the sights.

There was a statue on permanent display that had originally stood in one of the World Trade Center buildings. It somehow survived the collapse.

Sculpture with eternal flame

Sculpture with eternal flame

There were street performers playing steel drums,

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living Statues of Liberty (which, when viewed up close, were actually kind of creepy),

The creepy side of street performing

The creepy side of street performing

pigeons (the feet of one clipped the top of my head as it flew by),

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and a mysterious long line of people, stretching through the entire park.

What are these people waiting for?

What are these people waiting for?

Turns out the line was to get on the ferry.

So basically, everything we saw in the park before we got our tickets and stood in a 90-minute line to get on the ferry? Yeah, that could have all been seen while we were in line.

Oh well.

We ate our way through the line, as it was lunchtime, getting a hot dog at one stand, a pretzel at another. Finally we reached the ferry. Holy Mother of Pearl it was hot and sunny that day.

Jason and Roy on the ferry

Jason and Roy on the ferry

The view from the ferry leaving the dock and approaching the Statue of Liberty was awesome.

Goodbye, New York ...

Goodbye, New York ...

...

...

...

...

 

... Hello Statue of Liberty!

... Hello Statue of Liberty!

The only word I can think of to describe being that close to the Statue is cliche, but fitting:

Impressive.

It’s a very imposing, intimidating sight up close. We didn’t go inside the Statue, but the exterior view was more than enough to satisfy the tourist in me.

Roy, Lisa and Lady Liberty

Roy, Lisa and Lady Liberty

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After a short walk around Liberty Island, we realized that there wasn’t going to be any time to see Ellis Island, because we were planning to see another show on Broadway that night. So we went back to Hoboken, having only crossed one tourist site off our list for the day.

We met Chad at a Mexican restaurant in Hoboken that makes the guacamole for you fresh at the table,

Avocado-y goodness

Avocado-y goodness

and enjoyed dinner and margaritas before going back into the city to see “9 to 5.”

I wasn’t too sure about seeing this particular show. I love the movie, but didn’t really know how it would translate to the stage, or if the “camp-factor” would be too over the top for me. Thankfully, I had a great time and we all really enjoyed the show.

What we did not enjoy so much, though, was the large woman in a salmon-colored track suit sitting in the row in front of us, who spent the time before the show and during the intermission practically shoving her salmon ass in our faces. Not a pretty sight.

I took a photo of her with my camera, then felt bad about it and deleted it. But not before Chad made me e-mail it to him. So somewhere out in cyberspace there is a photo of this woman’s tush.

And I hope I never have to see it again.

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Old

28 June 2009 · Filed under aging

Today I got a pedicure, and in the magazine I was reading there was an ad for an “America’s Next Top Model”-type reality show for models age 35 and older.

Even the Nielsen Company thinks I’m old.

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Weight Loss Update

25 June 2009 · Filed under Weight Watchers, weight loss

I realized it’s been awhile since I posted about my Weight Watchers adventures.

Overall, I’m doing pretty well. Still have lost more weeks than I’ve gained, I think. And I’m two pounds away from losing 10 percent of my body weight, which is the first big numbers goal that WW preaches.

With that, here are my ticker updates!

10 percent ticker:

Overall ticker:

I think that weight loss as a lifestyle change is starting to sink in. Even when I don’t do such a great job of tracking (which is often these days), I’m still conscious of what I am putting in my body, and make every effort to eat well. While that isn’t always a reality for me, at least the intention is there.

I still have a long way to go, obviously, but I feel for the first time in a long time that losing this weight is possible. Even the 21 pounds I’ve lost so far has made me more confident than I once was.

I still have a long way to go on that, too.

Baby steps, though, right?

Baby steps.

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Cats in Heat

25 June 2009 · Filed under cats, heat, summer

No, I’m not talking about that time when cats thoughts turn to love and romance. I’m talking about cats and horrible heat waves like the one we’re currently experiencing in Wisconsin.

Three straight days of 90-degree temperatures — in an upstairs flat with only fans to cool us — have been miserable for both me and my cat, Ginger. The poor thing has been sprawled over any cool surface she can find — mainly the shelf under my end table and the hardwood floor of my bedroom and the hallway.

I’m a little concerned because she’s pretty lethargic and not drinking much water, but have been putting ice cubes in when I can. This morning before I went to work I gave her two bowls of ice with some water thrown in. It’s supposed to get a little cooler through the weekend, but not much.

I was perusing the internet about ways to help cats when it gets real warm outside. I found an article on about.com and, while it makes me a tad nervous to read some of the symptoms of heatstroke, I am pretty sure she’ll be okay. Though I may try some of the cooling-down methods they suggest (if she’ll let me, of course).

If you have cats, or know someone with cats, and are interested in reading the piece, click here.

For those of you in warm climates or going through heat waves, stay cool!

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New York Trip Recap — Day One

22 June 2009 · Filed under Broadway, Idina Menzel, Neil Patrick Harris, New York, Taye Diggs, Times Square, theater, travel

Over Memorial Day weekend, I made my first visit to New York City with my best friend Roy. I thought I would do some blog posts recapping the trip, with one post covering each day I was there.

I’m sure many of you have been to New York at least once, so I doubt any of this will be new. But isn’t it sometimes fun to see something familiar through another person’s eyes?

I thought so too.

So here we go!

Thursday, May 21

After going to sleep at about 2 a.m., we got up very early (5 a.m.) and took a cab to the airport. The upside is we flew Midwest Airlines, which has a direct flight from Milwaukee to Newark. Can I just say how nice it is to get on a plane and stay there until you reach your final destination???

This is what three hours of sleep looks like.

This is what three hours of sleep looks like.

It pays to travel with a tall person, because I got the window seat, along with the chance to enjoy the beautiful view (when I wasn’t trying to sleep).

The first of many photos that had me wishing for a better camera.

The first of many photos that had me wishing for a better camera.

Finally we reached Newark. I have my first B/C-list celebrity sighting — Seth Meyers from “Saturday Night Live” — while Roy was in the bathroom. I had to do a triple take for it to even register that it was him. Not only is he shorter than I imagined him to be, he looks a lot different without stage makeup on.

Unfortunately I didn’t get a picture. Like I said, it took me awhile to recognize him.

Did I mention the Newark airport is small? I think it’s smaller than Milwaukee’s (but I could be wrong).

After we saw Seth Meyers and got our luggage, we waited outside for our car that was taking us to Hoboken. It was a beautiful day!

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The ride to Hoboken was about half an hour. Roy’s friend Jason — one half of the duo that was kind enough to let us stay with them — was at the apartment to greet us. They live in this adorable neighborhood full of row houses, with iron railings and narrow staircases, just like you’d imagine a New York-type neighborhood to look in the movies.

Cute Hoboken neighborhood.

Cute Hoboken neighborhood.

As cute as Chad and Jason’s neighborhood was, it still wasn’t immune to vandalism. Though you have to admit the graffiti is a little more cerebral than what you would normally see.

Don't I know it!

Don't I know it!

We spent the afternoon freshening up, getting supplies so we didn’t eat Chad and Jason out of house and home, and prepared to go into city for my first Broadway Show: Avenue Q.

When Roy’s other friend (and Jason’s roommate) Chad got home from work, we took a bus through the Lincoln Tunnel into the city. Every morning when we drove in I got to see this awesome view from the window.

Riding into the city.

Riding into the city.

We made a stop at Times Square before going to the theater.

Of course we took some pictures.

The first thing that struck me — as I know it does everyone who visits the city for the first time — is the number of people. It’s impossible to not be in someone’s way, or be bumped into dozens of times walking the length of a city block.

Times Square

Times Square

Fortunately we got there around dusk — any darker and the pictures probably wouldn’t have turned out.

Me and Roy

Me and Roy

Broadway show billboards

Broadway show billboards

So many people!

So many people!

After taking in Times Square, we made our way to Broadway. Roy and I went to see “Avenue Q,” and Jason and Chad went to see something called “Next to Normal” (which I think won a Tony award).

I loved, loved, LOVED Avenue Q!

Our show let out five minutes before Chad and Jason’s did, so Roy and I took goofy self-portraits and other snapshots.

Broadway self-portrait

Broadway self-portrait

The Jacobs Theater, home of Avenue Q

The Jacobs Theater, home of Avenue Q

This street is where I had my second (and final) celebrity sighting. When Chad and Jason got out of the show, they said that Neil Patrick Harris, Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel were in the theater with them.

Taye Diggs.

Meow.

Just as I was wondering aloud whether, as celebrities, they were able to sneak out a side door after a show to avoid us little people, Neil Patrick Harris and his male companion came walking right out the front of the theater, the entrance to which was probably less than 100 feet away from us across the street.

Squee!

I tried to snap a photo, but it’s so blurry you can’t tell it was him.

You’ll just have to take my word for it.

After a trip to a bakery for some take-home cheesecake and bus ride home, thus concluded my first day in the vicinity of New York.

Day Two: Statue of Liberty! Broadway! More cheesecake!

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The Joys of Apartment Living

22 June 2009 · Filed under apartment

There’s no hot water in my apartment.

I discovered it last night when I was doing dishes. I noticed the water didn’t feel all that warm through the gloves I wear to keep itchy dryness at bay. I didn’t think anything of it until I turned on the shower later in the evening.

Cold, cold water.

It was a hot weekend, pretty humid, so I got in anyway, thinking a cool shower might be nice. But putting one leg under the stream coming from the shower head was enough to tell me there was no way I could make it through a shower that cold.

Sponge bath it is.

The landlord was called this morning. Hopefully it’s just a matter of him re-lighting the pilot on the water heater.

If not, I’ll be showering at the gym for awhile.

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Haiku Friday

19 June 2009 · Filed under Uncategorized

It’s another Haiku Friday over at the Facebook home of The Nervous Breakdown. This week’s theme is weird moments you experienced in elementary school.

Here’s my submission, and then the (slightly) longer story behind it:

Schoolmate giving first-
graders vodka, telling them
that it was Kool-Aid

Yes, it’s true. I think I was probably in 7th or 8th grade, and a girl in my class named Sonia brought a plastic water bottle-type cup to school and gave some to the first-graders over recess. She told them it was Kool-aid, but of course it wasn’t.

I think maybe it was Kool-aid mixed with vodka, but I’m sure there was more vodka than Kool-aid.

I wish I could remember if she was caught. She graduated with us in 8th grade, so most likely she wasn’t. It was Catholic school, she would have been out on her ass.

I heard from another classmate that she died of leukemia or something like that.

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Memories

19 June 2009 · Filed under friends, fun, memories

While I am not a psychic by any remote stretch of the imagination, there have been times where I’ve had “prophetic dreams,” mostly having to do with friends being pregnant.

I had a dream last night that my late uncle’s house (we lived next door to them for many, many years) had been put up for sale. We don’t really have much of a relationship with my Dad’s side of the family (what little there is left of it) so I hopped onto a local Realtor Web site to see if it was.

While I didn’t see his house listed, I saw another house that was very familiar to me. It belonged to my friend Diana and her family. She and I went to school together from kindergarten through fourth grade, until her family moved away.

We kept in touch all the way through high school, got back in touch after college, and then lost each other again. While I used to get a yearly Christmas card from her, even that hasn’t happened in a couple of years.

As I clicked on each of the pictures, little memories flooded back:

  • The kitchen where we “played mass” (we were Catholic school girls, what can I say?) and made her little brother be the altar boy;
  • The Barbie doll collection she kept in her bedroom (all in their boxes and perfectly maintained — can’t even imagine how much money those would be worth today)
  • The basement where we would play with her Dad’s enormous and elaborate train set, complete with little lakes, buildings and townspeople
  • The sidewalk in front of the house where we would rollerskate, back when rollerskates were rollerskates — four wheels and pompom laces

I wish she and I hadn’t lost touch. I would love to have been able to forward this link and share all my memories with her.

I think it would have been a great conversation.

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Walk it Off

5 June 2009 · Filed under Uncategorized

I am nearly back in Weight Watchers mode after a mini-hiatus over the Memorial Day weekend. The Thursday before Memorial Day my best friend and I flew to Newark to stay with some of his friends. Of course, each day (except for our Sunday hangover day) we went into New York.

It was my first visit there and I had a great time. A separate post with photos to come on that.

Basically I knew there was no convenient way to be able to track what I was eating while I was out of town. I justified that by asserting in my mind that the walking we were going to be doing would offset any overindulging.

So I prayed for good weather.

And got it. It was beautiful every day we were there, so when I got home and on my scale, I was not surprised to see the number go down from before I left.

Our WW meeting the week I got back was canceled, so I went to another location over the lunch hour to weigh in. I was down 2.8 pounds, and was very pleased with myself, especially after a couple weeks of yo-yoing.

Since I got back it’s been hard to get into tracking mode again, but I still watched what I ate. When I weighed in yesterday I was only down .2, but a loss is a loss, right?

Yesterday’s loss puts me at a grand total of 16.6 pounds down (anyone trying to lose weight knows how important those tenth-pounds are, amiright?). I’m tempted to put three small bags of sugar in a bag and see how that weight feels.

While I didn’t reach my 20-pounds-by-Memorial-Day goal, I’m still happy with where I am, mentally and physically. My clothes fit better and I don’t get as winded when taking the stairs (we walked the last six flights to the observatory on the Empire State Building when I was in NYC — yes, I was winded, but I NEVER could have done that 16 pounds and one trainer ago). I just basically feel all-around better about myself, which is a great thing!

10 percent ticker:

Overall ticker:

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