Rewind

In beginning this blog, I realized it wouldn't be fair to my slew of adventures if I didn't somehow acknowledge that, in the three and a half years I've been in New York (though not a New Yorker) I've had some pretty spectacular moments. I'm also pretty confident in saying that these are going to change. I'm lucky enough to be in a city that never sleeps (because it'sn too busy plotting its next brilliant scheme) but, pretty consistently, you can find me here. Or wishing I were!  

So, before we can move forward, let's go back:

TOP 5 New York Things (ridin' solo) 

1. Grazing at Union Square Market. 
Especially on Wednesday's, when Baker's Bounty's at the ready with APPLE CAKE! I've broken Passover, diets, and hearts for this cake. (Okay maybe not hearts...but it breaks mine during the summer when the apple cake is no more).
My favorite days tend to begin with some Farmers Market impulse buys…and then sitting on a bench and writing about it. 

2. Harney & Sons
I don't really know what else to say about this... but a tea shop, in New York is such a perfect hideaway. I go to Harney & Sons as much as a person can get away with drinking large quantities of tea in public. I don't think this is, necessarily, strictly a New York delicacy but nothing says a brisk New York morning, or a perfect friendly get-together, or a cozy writing day, like mugs and kettles and scones- oh my! It wouldn't be fair to tell the tales of my adventures and leave out the tea! (Especially on the way to the theater...but theatre talk will come later for that's a horse of a different color).

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3. Going upstairs at 54 Below (and the general awesome of 54) 
I love theatre more than most people (rant for later) and, I'm a pretty hardcore foodie so- the love child of all the things I love is, without a doubt, 54 Below: Cabaret club to the stars! I know some people are adverse to going to places alone but I have the best stories to tell, and meet the coolest people, on my solo-show nights! I've also BEEN UPSTAIRS at 54 Below, before the show! Now, that's an exciting one because that's where the performers live. So I've seen the nooks and crannies of 54. One of my favorite nights, I shared a few words with Steve Kazee, while he was onstage! I've sat with Marsha Norman (one of my favorite people) and cried when Jason Robert Brown sang my FAVORITE song right in front of me.

I always get: Truffle Mac&Cheese, Brussel Sprouts (when in season) and the Pumpkin Bread Pudding. To die for!




4. CITY-WALKS 
There is no better way to see the City than on your toes! Granted, on the rainiest days of the crappiest seasons, I may amend that statement but- generally speaking- nothing is more magical than being part of the rhythm of it all. I started walking through this city, before I even lived here: Transportation-adverse, on a good day. The first time I walked through Union Square (see above) I cried farmers-market tears and, in the last few years some of my favorite conversations (and kisses) have happened between the tents and the cheese samples. Early morning walks through Times Square are so serene and wondrous that they remind me why I still think there's a spark to this crazy life. I think, at the crux of it, that's why I walk: For those moments of solitude and to see something that I've never seen before or something that I've never needed to see before. I also love the signs: Between "Don't be Needy" written on meters and "In Pursuit of Magic" sprayed onto the floor, New York is full of mini-reminders. This is such a crazy place to search for solace. I am most thankful for those moments of mindfulness where I walk far enough to remember how lucky I am to be here. Right...now.

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5. Smorgasburg & Brooklyn Flea 
Don't call me a hipster just yet! 

Part of the Smorgasburg/Flea appeal is the all-around good nature of things like crafts and cookies. I've never met an angry person at either of these Brooklyn gems. I've also met some pretty amazing humans on my craft-adventures: People who sell trinkets and handcrafted tables. People who truly believe that "One man's trash is another man's treasure.' And then people who like to eat on the pretty grass, by the pretty river. 

And that's…pretty incredible. 

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