It seems like an absolute age since I last blogged, so whilst I've got a spare half an hour before the New York Rangers at Minnesota Wild game starts, I thought I'd write a post about the road trip I'm planning to go on next year with Catherine, my old manager who is also a friend.
We're starting off in New York (naturally), and I'm leavingall most of the planning for our time in the city up to her, given that I have travelled extensively in the city, and she has never been before. My only real requests were that we can eat at certain places (Crif Dogs being a must), and if the Rangers are playing at the Garden then we (or at least me) can go. I also want to visit the Paul Frank store and Cat Fish Greetings, both of which are on Mulberry, about a block away from one another. We will be spending about five full days in the city, plus whatever is left of the Monday once we clear immigration (we are going on Monday 3rd October), so hopefully that will give Catherine a good feel of the city, and give her plenty of time to do all the 'touristy' things she wants to do!
We were debating about which direction to take our road trip on, as one of Catherine's friends had recommended going to Chicago. I too recommend this to anyone, but we decided that we would be able to see more things by driving Southwest rather than West, so that is the direction we will be taking. She decided she would leave the rest of the trip up to me (obviously she has to agree and stuff, but for the most part, the planning on this is mine). I figured we could hit Philly, Baltimore, DC, Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans, and have enough time in each in order to get a sense of the place without spending so long in each one that we miss out on the others.
My thought for a plan of action was to leave New York on the Sunday and head to Philly for the day, doing a one day tour of all the touristy places there (Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, City Hall, Rocky statue, etc), and then heading to Baltimore, where we would stay overnight and have the full day there on Monday. At night we would head to DC, stay the night and have nearly a full day there before we set off in the direction of Nashville. I have visited all these places before, but didn't have very long in either one then, so it will be nice to go back and see them again.
Once we leave DC, I figure we have to stop about half way between there and Nashville, as the drive is just too long to do in one evening, so my theory is to stop somewhere along the Blue Ridge Parkway as it's meant to be beautiful there. Although we won't have that much time to explore the area, I think we should be able to appreciate it's beauty on the drive towards Nashville in the morning. As a huge Jack Daniel's fan, I am hoping to stop in Lynchburg, TN in order to visit the Jack Daniel's Distillery, which I have wanted to do for so long. This shouldn't be too much of a de-tour as it's on the way to Nashville, just taking a slightly different (and longer) road.
As for the rest of the trip, I have planned a couple of days in Nashville, a couple of days in Memphis (where I cannot wait to visit Graceland, and hopefully stay in the Heartbreak Hotel), and then a couple of days in New Orleans, before flying home on the 18th. We just have to decide whether it's best to get return flights to/from New York and then buy a one way flight from New Orleans, or buy a plane ticket to New York and then from New Orleans… I guess we just have to see which works out the cheapest and most practical. Catherine knows someone who works for a travel company, so hopefully they should be able to help us out when it comes to flights and car hire, but we will have to look ourselves as well!
I really can't wait to go, especially back to New York. I never feel more at home than when I am there, and it's the only place that I have found where I am truly happy. In England, my entire focus is on working to save money to go back to New York, and once I'm there I never want to leave. It's just a shame that I have to wait so long to go back. Maybe I'll win the lottery before then and be able to go in February…
We're starting off in New York (naturally), and I'm leaving
We were debating about which direction to take our road trip on, as one of Catherine's friends had recommended going to Chicago. I too recommend this to anyone, but we decided that we would be able to see more things by driving Southwest rather than West, so that is the direction we will be taking. She decided she would leave the rest of the trip up to me (obviously she has to agree and stuff, but for the most part, the planning on this is mine). I figured we could hit Philly, Baltimore, DC, Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans, and have enough time in each in order to get a sense of the place without spending so long in each one that we miss out on the others.
My thought for a plan of action was to leave New York on the Sunday and head to Philly for the day, doing a one day tour of all the touristy places there (Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, City Hall, Rocky statue, etc), and then heading to Baltimore, where we would stay overnight and have the full day there on Monday. At night we would head to DC, stay the night and have nearly a full day there before we set off in the direction of Nashville. I have visited all these places before, but didn't have very long in either one then, so it will be nice to go back and see them again.
Once we leave DC, I figure we have to stop about half way between there and Nashville, as the drive is just too long to do in one evening, so my theory is to stop somewhere along the Blue Ridge Parkway as it's meant to be beautiful there. Although we won't have that much time to explore the area, I think we should be able to appreciate it's beauty on the drive towards Nashville in the morning. As a huge Jack Daniel's fan, I am hoping to stop in Lynchburg, TN in order to visit the Jack Daniel's Distillery, which I have wanted to do for so long. This shouldn't be too much of a de-tour as it's on the way to Nashville, just taking a slightly different (and longer) road.
As for the rest of the trip, I have planned a couple of days in Nashville, a couple of days in Memphis (where I cannot wait to visit Graceland, and hopefully stay in the Heartbreak Hotel), and then a couple of days in New Orleans, before flying home on the 18th. We just have to decide whether it's best to get return flights to/from New York and then buy a one way flight from New Orleans, or buy a plane ticket to New York and then from New Orleans… I guess we just have to see which works out the cheapest and most practical. Catherine knows someone who works for a travel company, so hopefully they should be able to help us out when it comes to flights and car hire, but we will have to look ourselves as well!
I really can't wait to go, especially back to New York. I never feel more at home than when I am there, and it's the only place that I have found where I am truly happy. In England, my entire focus is on working to save money to go back to New York, and once I'm there I never want to leave. It's just a shame that I have to wait so long to go back. Maybe I'll win the lottery before then and be able to go in February…
I commented on someone's status update on Facebook with something they didn't like and now I can't 'like' things or make comments on status updates or photos on his or his wife's Facebook. This bothers me more than I care for, but, like so many people, I've decided they can't really be my friends. It's a comment, an opinion - what difference does it make?
This is why I love New York. There's no bullshit there. Being here sucks. I work in a customer orientated business, yet the staff, including the General Manager, don't give a shit about customers, and would rather I take abuse from customers on the phone instead of getting the sales team to return calls. A customer should not be waiting over a week for a phone call, and I should not be having to spend every day apologising for the staff, who are 'so busy' that they can sit there twiddling their thumbs and sitting outside smoking 5 or 6 times a day. They all talk a load of bollocks, and the GM's opinion seems to be that if he shouts loud enough he doesn't have to fully deal with the problem. What an idiot.
This is why I love New York. There's no bullshit there. Being here sucks. I work in a customer orientated business, yet the staff, including the General Manager, don't give a shit about customers, and would rather I take abuse from customers on the phone instead of getting the sales team to return calls. A customer should not be waiting over a week for a phone call, and I should not be having to spend every day apologising for the staff, who are 'so busy' that they can sit there twiddling their thumbs and sitting outside smoking 5 or 6 times a day. They all talk a load of bollocks, and the GM's opinion seems to be that if he shouts loud enough he doesn't have to fully deal with the problem. What an idiot.
I am just not happy here. It's so frustrating being in one place and wanting so much to be in another and knowing you can't be there. Yes, I have next year and planning a road trip with Catherine to look forward to and keep me occupied, but it's just hard not being able to attain what it is I want out of life.
I enjoy my job, but it's frustrating. I love my family, but they're frustrating. I don't feel like this is my home anymore. New York is home to me, and it just seems unfair sometimes that you can't be where you want and need to be. I understand that they don't want too many immigrants and the like, but I think it should be considered different when you're so much in love with a place that it makes you unhappy to be anywhere else. I think the fact that I go back every year that the place means a lot, and if there was some way to prove how much it means to me then I would if it meant that I could stay.
I have never felt such immediate understanding with another human as I did with Bobby, the guy who tattooed me, when he saw the scars on my arm and asked what had happened to me. I said 'I happened to me; life's just shit sometimes you know', and he replied with 'yeah, that's why I tattoo myself'. It's funny, but it is the little things.
I enjoy my job, but it's frustrating. I love my family, but they're frustrating. I don't feel like this is my home anymore. New York is home to me, and it just seems unfair sometimes that you can't be where you want and need to be. I understand that they don't want too many immigrants and the like, but I think it should be considered different when you're so much in love with a place that it makes you unhappy to be anywhere else. I think the fact that I go back every year that the place means a lot, and if there was some way to prove how much it means to me then I would if it meant that I could stay.
I have never felt such immediate understanding with another human as I did with Bobby, the guy who tattooed me, when he saw the scars on my arm and asked what had happened to me. I said 'I happened to me; life's just shit sometimes you know', and he replied with 'yeah, that's why I tattoo myself'. It's funny, but it is the little things.
So, it's been that long since I updated, and even then not fully, that I thought it was about time to do a full and proper blog posting! I was just so busy whilst I was in New York, and now I'm back in Leeds, jet lag is kicking my arse something proper, so it seems like a good a time as any!
So I left my last post after my birthday. On Saturday I started the day fairly relaxed, going out for breakfast (probably just coffee and a croissant at the Starbucks on the corner) and headed uptown to buy one of those stupid brown Bloomingdale's bags that everyone insists on having that I personally don't see the point in, but my auntie wanted it for someone for a Christmas present, so whatever, and some product for my dad's girlfriend that we can't get over here. Then it was back down to the hotel to listen to the Rhinos game. It was the semi-finals of the Superleague, and they lost. Gutted! Still, given all the injuries and issues they've had this season, it's been an incredible year, even though they haven't actually finished with any silverware. After this had finished I decided to cheer myself up by going to Shake Shack. I got distracted by some market vendors at an event in Madison Square Park beforehand, but after waiting in line for fifty minutes for a burger, fries and a shake, I ended up sharing some of my fries with this little creature, who ended up climbing up on my shoulder to see if I had any more when they eventually ran out! So cute! I just watched some free music in Madison Square Park whilst eating before heading to the Rangers game. The evening was spent heading to New Jersey to see the Rangers play the Devils again. Once off of the PATH train there were no signposts indicating which way it was to the Prudential Center, and in the end I asked some Devils fans, who were really nice - but I was sure to tell them that I was a friendly Ranger! Again, they won in overtime, and it was a good game, although I was sat in the nosebleed section.
Sunday was a very enjoyable, yet busy day. After a slow start to the morning, I grabbed breakfast at Starbucks and headed down to Little Italy to the San Gennaro festival, which is held every year to celebrate the patron saint of Naples, I believe. It was the last day, so there were really only food vendors and a few selling t-shirts and Italian memorabilia or jewellery. I had some pizza and deep fried Oreos, which were yummy, but sickly - a bit like a more carbohydrate-laden deep fried Mars bar - and then headed to Coney Island to meet Cher. The weather wasn't particularly nice, but we went on the Wonder Wheel, and then headed to Luna Park for some unlimited riding! It was enjoyable, but I really wished that the Cyclone had been open - I thought it would have been, what with the rides and amusements open just next door. However, it was not to be, and at 5:30pm I had to leave to get the Subway back up to Chelsea, quick change in the hotel, and then I headed to Yankee Stadium to watch them play the Red Sox. What a fantastic game. After getting off to a slow start, the Yankees eventually won it in the tenth in an exciting finished that meant the game didn't finish until after midnight, and even with the rain pouring, so many stayed to watch the conclusion.
Monday was a ridiculously early start considering I didn't get to bed until 1:40am. I had to get up at 5:30am to be at the Port Authority for 6:30 to collect my tickets and get a Greyhound to Atlantic City. Well, what a disappointment Atlantic City was. It was okay, and I'm sure in the summer when everything's open, it's really nice, but on this day it was rainy and overcast, a lot of things were closed, including part of the Boardwalk and the Steel Pier, so there wasn't really a lot to do. I went to the Hard Rock Cafe to get a shot glass, and headed to House of Blues for some food, only to find it closed, so I ended up at Johnny Rockets, which was so good! Another burger and fries, but if you can't eat them in America, where can you?! I wandered along the Boardwalk and the beach, before heading back to some shopping outlets, where I bought some stuff from Converse and Gap. I then went for a Starbucks and ended up getting an earlier Greyhound back to New York than originally planned, because I was tired and couldn't be bothered doing anything else!
Tuesday was Cher's last day in the city, and my last full day, so we went to Ess-A-Bagel for breakfast (best bagels in the city) before I headed down to Battery Park to go across to the Statue of Liberty and up to the crown. I had bought tickets to do this in January and completely forgot about it, but this time I managed to remember! It was a horrible day to be going over, the worst day (weather wise) the whole trip. It meant the waters were choppy, resulting in not exactly smooth sailing. Still some amazing views as we travelled across though, and climbing the stairs wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, although I did stop a couple of times on the way up. The crown was a lot smaller than I thought it was going to be, and I imagine on a clear day it is absolutely spectacular. However, because you have to book crown tickets so far in advance, there is just no judging how it's going to be. When I went they had sold out of crown tickets until December! It's amazing just how many people want to go up compared to those that actually can. After some pictures, a climb back down and a boat back to Battery Park via Ellis Island (I didn't get off) I found myself in the East Village. I spent five hours getting a half sleeve tattoo at Addiction Ink! It's of a girl listening to music, surrounded by roses, with the lyrics "Sit back New York City, you're not cute, but you're oh so pretty" and musical notes above her.
It was sore and red, but is healing nicely now. It's just bruised, a bit sore, and starting to itch, which I can only consider a good thing! Hopefully it won't be too long until all the redness, swelling and bruising is gone and hopefully it will be wonderful! I have no idea how to tell my father, but I imagine he is going to freak when he sees it! Good job it's turning to winter and I can sort of put it off for a while - at least until it is healed fully!
I had such a good time in New York. I literally cried on the plane ride home. It's the worst part, coming home. I wish I could just stay there forever. It's the only place I truly feel accepted, unjudged, free and at home. One day I will get there, of that I am sure!
For now, I think it's time to try and get some sleep. I may write more tomorrow, but I may not! Goodnight!
Sunday was a very enjoyable, yet busy day. After a slow start to the morning, I grabbed breakfast at Starbucks and headed down to Little Italy to the San Gennaro festival, which is held every year to celebrate the patron saint of Naples, I believe. It was the last day, so there were really only food vendors and a few selling t-shirts and Italian memorabilia or jewellery. I had some pizza and deep fried Oreos, which were yummy, but sickly - a bit like a more carbohydrate-laden deep fried Mars bar - and then headed to Coney Island to meet Cher. The weather wasn't particularly nice, but we went on the Wonder Wheel, and then headed to Luna Park for some unlimited riding! It was enjoyable, but I really wished that the Cyclone had been open - I thought it would have been, what with the rides and amusements open just next door. However, it was not to be, and at 5:30pm I had to leave to get the Subway back up to Chelsea, quick change in the hotel, and then I headed to Yankee Stadium to watch them play the Red Sox. What a fantastic game. After getting off to a slow start, the Yankees eventually won it in the tenth in an exciting finished that meant the game didn't finish until after midnight, and even with the rain pouring, so many stayed to watch the conclusion.
Monday was a ridiculously early start considering I didn't get to bed until 1:40am. I had to get up at 5:30am to be at the Port Authority for 6:30 to collect my tickets and get a Greyhound to Atlantic City. Well, what a disappointment Atlantic City was. It was okay, and I'm sure in the summer when everything's open, it's really nice, but on this day it was rainy and overcast, a lot of things were closed, including part of the Boardwalk and the Steel Pier, so there wasn't really a lot to do. I went to the Hard Rock Cafe to get a shot glass, and headed to House of Blues for some food, only to find it closed, so I ended up at Johnny Rockets, which was so good! Another burger and fries, but if you can't eat them in America, where can you?! I wandered along the Boardwalk and the beach, before heading back to some shopping outlets, where I bought some stuff from Converse and Gap. I then went for a Starbucks and ended up getting an earlier Greyhound back to New York than originally planned, because I was tired and couldn't be bothered doing anything else!
It was sore and red, but is healing nicely now. It's just bruised, a bit sore, and starting to itch, which I can only consider a good thing! Hopefully it won't be too long until all the redness, swelling and bruising is gone and hopefully it will be wonderful! I have no idea how to tell my father, but I imagine he is going to freak when he sees it! Good job it's turning to winter and I can sort of put it off for a while - at least until it is healed fully!
I had such a good time in New York. I literally cried on the plane ride home. It's the worst part, coming home. I wish I could just stay there forever. It's the only place I truly feel accepted, unjudged, free and at home. One day I will get there, of that I am sure!
For now, I think it's time to try and get some sleep. I may write more tomorrow, but I may not! Goodnight!
So, today is my birthday! And what have I done with it... that's right, not a great deal, haha! I had a lazy start to the day, grabbing breakfast at Starbucks and coming back to the hotel to get ready for the day, and then heading up to Niketown on 57th and 5th (just to buy socks, cos I love the Nike socks) before a quick browse around Tiffany's. I then walked across town, not realising just how far Columbus is from 5th to get the Subway down to Penn to meet Cher, Clare and Yuwei, but as I was not paying much attention I ended up getting the uptown train, having to get off at 66th and get the next train back down.
I met Cher there and we ended up going to K Mart whilst waiting for Clare and Yuwei, and I bought a bag and some 32 fl oz Vitamin Water - why don't we have that at home?!?! We then went to meet Clare and Yuwei and went for lunch at a Japanese style place in Koreatown before Clare and Yuwei headed back. It was sad that I didn't get to spend more time with them, but life goes on!
After that we headed back uptown to Tiffany's where I bought a necklace and then walked down to my hotel on 24th, and I've been having a lot of trouble with my knee and it was absolutely killing by the time we got back, but a stop for Jamba Juice on the way down helped with the humidity. We waited in the hotel until Anne got here and then went to meet Abi at Penn before heading to Anne's apartment to drop Abi's stuff off. We then went down to Crif Dogs in the East Village... how I love that place. I kind of wish they would open one near me, haha! I had a Jon-Jon Deragon and tater tots and it was absolutely wonderful (see right).
Now back at my hotel, thinking about going to bed. I can officially say that technically it is no longer my birthday, and officially, I really want a new tattoo. Should I get one while I'm here?
I met Cher there and we ended up going to K Mart whilst waiting for Clare and Yuwei, and I bought a bag and some 32 fl oz Vitamin Water - why don't we have that at home?!?! We then went to meet Clare and Yuwei and went for lunch at a Japanese style place in Koreatown before Clare and Yuwei headed back. It was sad that I didn't get to spend more time with them, but life goes on!
After that we headed back uptown to Tiffany's where I bought a necklace and then walked down to my hotel on 24th, and I've been having a lot of trouble with my knee and it was absolutely killing by the time we got back, but a stop for Jamba Juice on the way down helped with the humidity. We waited in the hotel until Anne got here and then went to meet Abi at Penn before heading to Anne's apartment to drop Abi's stuff off. We then went down to Crif Dogs in the East Village... how I love that place. I kind of wish they would open one near me, haha! I had a Jon-Jon Deragon and tater tots and it was absolutely wonderful (see right).Now back at my hotel, thinking about going to bed. I can officially say that technically it is no longer my birthday, and officially, I really want a new tattoo. Should I get one while I'm here?
So, update of my time in New York so far.
Tuesday - we went to the Botanical Gardens, which were absolutely beautiful - a few photos of which can be seen below - but there was far too much to see given the time constraints we had. It was a shame to see that some of the flowers were beginning to die off, but that's completely understandable given the time of year. I bet at the height of flowering season this place is absolutely spectacular!
Tuesday night we went to see Wicked, and what a spectacle that is! Absolutely brilliant it was. I would definitely go and see it again. It was funny and sad all at the same time. It really makes you think about whether good is really good and evil is really evil. It clearly depends on your perspective of things at the time they happen. Naturally, I took a sneaky pic of the Gershwin Theater, but if anyone asks, it wasn't me!!!
Wednesday I spent in Baltimore. I spent a lot of time down at Inner Harbour. I started the morning off with an historic walk which was done by the visitors centre. It was interesting, but the lady taking the tour tended to get a bit lost in the information she was giving. Still, I came away knowing more than I did before I went to Baltimore! I then went up the World Trade Centre (the tallest pentagonal building in the world apparently), and took some gorgeous photographs from the top of there. I then spent a lot of time around the amphitheatre listening to a guy sing songs and another man dancing. He seemed so content! It was amazing how many people actually got up and started dancing when someone joined him... black, white, kids... such an eclectic mix of people! Apart from going to get some dinner, I spent the rest of my time in Baltimore there, because it was just so picturesque as the sun began to set behind us. I was however, absolutely shattered by the time I got back to the hotel, having been on the go for over 20 hours!!!
Thursday - had a late breakfast and then headed up to Yankee Stadium for a tour. What an absolute honour it was to be there. The new stadium looks amazing, and they're so proud of the history of the club, and rightly so. We looked at the museum, where there were over 800 balls signed by different players (Derek Jeter's is below), and a whole bunch of memorabilia relating to different aspects of their history, including rivalries, the three teams there used to be in New York, and the World Series they've won so far.
After the museum we were led to Monument Park where they honour all the past players who've had their numbers retired and also have plaques to key figures in the clubs history, including the late George Steinbrenner, who owned the club, and was key in shaping how baseball teams are run.
Following on from that we headed to the Yankees dugout, and that really was an honour - to be in the same place that the modern greats sit on a regular basis was wonderful.
Having concluded the tour, I headed back down to Midtown and did a bit of shopping, after lunch with Cher. I bought a bunch of stuff I probably don't need, but I at least will wear from Old Navy.
This evening it was the first Rangers preseason game. Luckily they won in overtime, but it just reminds me of how much I miss seeing them live when I'm not here. Okay, I subscribe to be able to watch them over the internet, but it's not the same, is it?
Now is time for bed. I have officially turned 26, and all I want to do is sleep. The fact that it is 1:30 in the morning has nothing to do with it. I am getting old. Goodnight!
Tuesday - we went to the Botanical Gardens, which were absolutely beautiful - a few photos of which can be seen below - but there was far too much to see given the time constraints we had. It was a shame to see that some of the flowers were beginning to die off, but that's completely understandable given the time of year. I bet at the height of flowering season this place is absolutely spectacular!
Tuesday night we went to see Wicked, and what a spectacle that is! Absolutely brilliant it was. I would definitely go and see it again. It was funny and sad all at the same time. It really makes you think about whether good is really good and evil is really evil. It clearly depends on your perspective of things at the time they happen. Naturally, I took a sneaky pic of the Gershwin Theater, but if anyone asks, it wasn't me!!!
Wednesday I spent in Baltimore. I spent a lot of time down at Inner Harbour. I started the morning off with an historic walk which was done by the visitors centre. It was interesting, but the lady taking the tour tended to get a bit lost in the information she was giving. Still, I came away knowing more than I did before I went to Baltimore! I then went up the World Trade Centre (the tallest pentagonal building in the world apparently), and took some gorgeous photographs from the top of there. I then spent a lot of time around the amphitheatre listening to a guy sing songs and another man dancing. He seemed so content! It was amazing how many people actually got up and started dancing when someone joined him... black, white, kids... such an eclectic mix of people! Apart from going to get some dinner, I spent the rest of my time in Baltimore there, because it was just so picturesque as the sun began to set behind us. I was however, absolutely shattered by the time I got back to the hotel, having been on the go for over 20 hours!!!
Thursday - had a late breakfast and then headed up to Yankee Stadium for a tour. What an absolute honour it was to be there. The new stadium looks amazing, and they're so proud of the history of the club, and rightly so. We looked at the museum, where there were over 800 balls signed by different players (Derek Jeter's is below), and a whole bunch of memorabilia relating to different aspects of their history, including rivalries, the three teams there used to be in New York, and the World Series they've won so far.
After the museum we were led to Monument Park where they honour all the past players who've had their numbers retired and also have plaques to key figures in the clubs history, including the late George Steinbrenner, who owned the club, and was key in shaping how baseball teams are run.Following on from that we headed to the Yankees dugout, and that really was an honour - to be in the same place that the modern greats sit on a regular basis was wonderful.
Having concluded the tour, I headed back down to Midtown and did a bit of shopping, after lunch with Cher. I bought a bunch of stuff I probably don't need, but I at least will wear from Old Navy.
This evening it was the first Rangers preseason game. Luckily they won in overtime, but it just reminds me of how much I miss seeing them live when I'm not here. Okay, I subscribe to be able to watch them over the internet, but it's not the same, is it?
Now is time for bed. I have officially turned 26, and all I want to do is sleep. The fact that it is 1:30 in the morning has nothing to do with it. I am getting old. Goodnight!
So, just another quick update whilst I'm waiting for my photos to sync on to my computer. I was waiting for my iPod to sync to iTunes, but it somehow managed to finish just as I decided to upload the pictures!
On Monday, I should have known things weren't going to go all to plan when I got to the airport, only to be made to wait in a check-in line for ages, and then when I got to the first of the security questions the guy kept going off!!! Eventually I cleared that and made it through the x-ray machines, only to then be patted down (I don't know if they were doing this to everyone, but oh well!), and made to take my boots off and put them through another screening.
I had decided not to get breakfast at the hotel, due to the £15 cost (let's be serious, is any breakfast worth that much?), and so eating at the airport was my only other option. I got a full English and it was disgusting. All the food was cold, the toast was soggy, the bacon salty. It's two redeeming qualities were that the mushroom was hot and the whole thing was washed down with some Tropicana.
After a further wait in the lounge, my hand luggage was checked again, and I was patted down again! A flight that took longer than expected due to strong headwinds was what followed, and then, after a long ass flight, it was time for immigration clearance. This took TWO HOURS!!! Unbelievable really. Some people were trying to cut the line because they had connecting flights, which was rather annoying given how long we had waited there, and they felt they didn't need to wait.
Having cleared immigration, there was a massive queue for the taxis, so by the time I had finished queuing and got to my hotel it was an hour and a half later, so by the time I had finally checked in most of my day had gone. Ridiculous! Still, a new camera and Shake Shack awaited so it wasn't all bad!
On Monday, I should have known things weren't going to go all to plan when I got to the airport, only to be made to wait in a check-in line for ages, and then when I got to the first of the security questions the guy kept going off!!! Eventually I cleared that and made it through the x-ray machines, only to then be patted down (I don't know if they were doing this to everyone, but oh well!), and made to take my boots off and put them through another screening.
I had decided not to get breakfast at the hotel, due to the £15 cost (let's be serious, is any breakfast worth that much?), and so eating at the airport was my only other option. I got a full English and it was disgusting. All the food was cold, the toast was soggy, the bacon salty. It's two redeeming qualities were that the mushroom was hot and the whole thing was washed down with some Tropicana.
After a further wait in the lounge, my hand luggage was checked again, and I was patted down again! A flight that took longer than expected due to strong headwinds was what followed, and then, after a long ass flight, it was time for immigration clearance. This took TWO HOURS!!! Unbelievable really. Some people were trying to cut the line because they had connecting flights, which was rather annoying given how long we had waited there, and they felt they didn't need to wait.
Having cleared immigration, there was a massive queue for the taxis, so by the time I had finished queuing and got to my hotel it was an hour and a half later, so by the time I had finally checked in most of my day had gone. Ridiculous! Still, a new camera and Shake Shack awaited so it wasn't all bad!
I know I've not wrote for a while, but that's because I've not really been on the computer much. I guess this can be considered a good thing though, as it means I am out and about doing things rather than sitting at a desk in a hotel.
So far it's good, but hot. I've visited the Botanical Gardens, Shake Shack, Baltimore and been to see Wicked. I've also picked up my new camera (love it!) and can't stop playing with that.
Also happened in the past few days - got stuck at immigration for 2 hours (just queuing, I wasn't detained or anything), then got stuck waiting for a taxi and getting in to the city for an hour and a half. My day was almost over by the time I got to the hotel! I got bit by a mosquito in the Botanical Gardens, and the site is all red and inflamed. I've also somehow managed to hurt my knee, but I'm hoping it's nothing serious.
Anyway, as I've just got back from Baltimore, I have decided it's time for bed. Can't wait to get up, take a shower, and start a new day here. Will update more tomorrow, and no doubt include a few pictures!
Goodnight!
So far it's good, but hot. I've visited the Botanical Gardens, Shake Shack, Baltimore and been to see Wicked. I've also picked up my new camera (love it!) and can't stop playing with that.
Also happened in the past few days - got stuck at immigration for 2 hours (just queuing, I wasn't detained or anything), then got stuck waiting for a taxi and getting in to the city for an hour and a half. My day was almost over by the time I got to the hotel! I got bit by a mosquito in the Botanical Gardens, and the site is all red and inflamed. I've also somehow managed to hurt my knee, but I'm hoping it's nothing serious.
Anyway, as I've just got back from Baltimore, I have decided it's time for bed. Can't wait to get up, take a shower, and start a new day here. Will update more tomorrow, and no doubt include a few pictures!
Goodnight!
I'm just attempting to clear my DVR of it's recordings prior to leaving for the airport tomorrow afternoon. I have a bit more packing to do, but I'm just so tired at the moment that I may just go to bed instead of finishing it off. There's a bit to do, but I may just get up early(ish) in the morning, finish off what I need to and then hope for a decent nights sleep in the Crowne Plaza tomorrow night.
Today I went in to Leeds to get my dollars and some other bits and bats, and then to Pudsey, where I got a beautiful scarf, even though I'm not a huge fan of scarves really. My father and I then went to Whitkirk Club to watch the Warrington v. Huddersfield game, and the result was really surprising - Huddersfield outplayed Warrington and deservedly won, which means that tomorrow at the Club Call I'm sure it will come as no surprise if we end up playing Wigan in the semi finals. Everything points to St. Helens choosing Huddersfield to play against, leaving Wigan for us, which will be difficult, especially with Magsy, Biffa and JP all out for the season, plus those other niggling injuries, which I don't know if they will be healed or not, but as long as we give it our best shot, that's all we can really ask for.
I think I planned this at the wrong time, given that oridinarily I would be going to the semi final, although I wasn't aware of the play-off format at the time of booking, and was a little confused at how the format worked anyway. I've been trying to find a bar in NY that will potentially show the game, but as yet, I haven't been able to find one, but I'm hoping that I will have more luck once I get there and can go in the bars and ask. If all else fails then I will just have to spend the afternoon in the hotel listening to the game over the radio.
Definitely time for bed now - shattered!!!
Today I went in to Leeds to get my dollars and some other bits and bats, and then to Pudsey, where I got a beautiful scarf, even though I'm not a huge fan of scarves really. My father and I then went to Whitkirk Club to watch the Warrington v. Huddersfield game, and the result was really surprising - Huddersfield outplayed Warrington and deservedly won, which means that tomorrow at the Club Call I'm sure it will come as no surprise if we end up playing Wigan in the semi finals. Everything points to St. Helens choosing Huddersfield to play against, leaving Wigan for us, which will be difficult, especially with Magsy, Biffa and JP all out for the season, plus those other niggling injuries, which I don't know if they will be healed or not, but as long as we give it our best shot, that's all we can really ask for.
I think I planned this at the wrong time, given that oridinarily I would be going to the semi final, although I wasn't aware of the play-off format at the time of booking, and was a little confused at how the format worked anyway. I've been trying to find a bar in NY that will potentially show the game, but as yet, I haven't been able to find one, but I'm hoping that I will have more luck once I get there and can go in the bars and ask. If all else fails then I will just have to spend the afternoon in the hotel listening to the game over the radio.
Definitely time for bed now - shattered!!!
There's workmen outside my house, making lots of noise. So annoying. I'm wanting to sleep, but think I may start doing my washing and begin packing.
There's just been a storm in New York, so I'm still confused about what to pack. Luckily all the clothes I ordered from Debenhams arrived today - that's a brand new coat (not going with me), a hoodie (definitely going with me), a pair of boots (going), and a pair of cords (also going). I was convinced they weren't going to get delivered until next week but I'm so glad they arrived.
It's so hard to decide what to take. I can't just take a set outfit for each day, but I really don't want to take too many clothes. I want to limit the amount of crap I take, because of all the baggage space and weight it takes up. How much stuff could I possibly need for 10 days? Like 5 or 6 trousers/shorts, 8 to 10 tops, underwear, a couple of hoodies/jumpers, 2 pairs of trainers and my boots. That sounds reasonable to me.
So glad to have finished work for nearly two weeks. It's been so stressful that I really need this time away from everything to try and forget about it for a little time.
Just realised that I also have to pack my hand luggage. A couple of magazines, a book, iPod, MacBook, wallet, tickets/reservations... what else do I need? Oh, I also need toiletries and make up and chargers. What else? Not sure, but no doubt my scatterbrain will come up with something as I begin to pack!
There's just been a storm in New York, so I'm still confused about what to pack. Luckily all the clothes I ordered from Debenhams arrived today - that's a brand new coat (not going with me), a hoodie (definitely going with me), a pair of boots (going), and a pair of cords (also going). I was convinced they weren't going to get delivered until next week but I'm so glad they arrived.
It's so hard to decide what to take. I can't just take a set outfit for each day, but I really don't want to take too many clothes. I want to limit the amount of crap I take, because of all the baggage space and weight it takes up. How much stuff could I possibly need for 10 days? Like 5 or 6 trousers/shorts, 8 to 10 tops, underwear, a couple of hoodies/jumpers, 2 pairs of trainers and my boots. That sounds reasonable to me.
So glad to have finished work for nearly two weeks. It's been so stressful that I really need this time away from everything to try and forget about it for a little time.
Just realised that I also have to pack my hand luggage. A couple of magazines, a book, iPod, MacBook, wallet, tickets/reservations... what else do I need? Oh, I also need toiletries and make up and chargers. What else? Not sure, but no doubt my scatterbrain will come up with something as I begin to pack!
So I was at work this morning when Dean walked in and flung £10 at me for my birthday next Friday. I was absolutely gobsmacked. I nearly started crying! Made me feel genuinely liked and appreciated. Not the money, as I tried refusing that, but that he thought so much of me that he wanted to give me something for my birthday. There are good people in the world.
I wear contact lenses, and I need a new batch of them to arrive either today or tomorrow in order that I don't have to go a day wearing glasses! It's not that I hate my glasses, in fact, I quite like them, but I just don't like wearing them! Contacts are much easier to live with!
At present, I will be wearing my glasses all weekend in order to have enough contact lenses to take away with me. Oh, woe is me!
At present, I will be wearing my glasses all weekend in order to have enough contact lenses to take away with me. Oh, woe is me!
So, I have to seriously get packing and sorting. I know I have three days until I actually leave but there's just so much to do. I also have no real idea what it is I want to take. I don't want to take too many clothes just incase I buy stuff when I'm there. Plus, I'm only going for 9 nights/10 days, and who knows what the weather is really going to be like. Yes, I can get an idea from the weather predictions, but how accurate are they really?!
So, I decided to start up a blog. No doubt there will be a lot of random musings on here, of when I discover a new piece of information or am listening to something, etc., but I will also post other updates - travels, travel planning, things I do, and so on.
Not much is really going on at the moment. I'm just packing and cleaning/tidying ready to go to New York. I fly on Monday, but leave for the airport sometime on Sunday (whenever it is that my dad deems a suitable time to take me!) and I'll be staying in a four star hotel at the airport. It's called the Crowne Plaza, and you can certainly expect pictures from it!
New York is the only place I truly feel like I can be myself and it just feels like home! I am so happy to be going back!
What I should actually really be doing is getting back to work - so much to do before I go away, but really unmotivated to do it.
Not much is really going on at the moment. I'm just packing and cleaning/tidying ready to go to New York. I fly on Monday, but leave for the airport sometime on Sunday (whenever it is that my dad deems a suitable time to take me!) and I'll be staying in a four star hotel at the airport. It's called the Crowne Plaza, and you can certainly expect pictures from it!
New York is the only place I truly feel like I can be myself and it just feels like home! I am so happy to be going back!
What I should actually really be doing is getting back to work - so much to do before I go away, but really unmotivated to do it.
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