NYC

I spent this past weekend with my friend, Cody Willard. He lives in the center of the universe - or at least thats what some people call New York City. I'm not a very good tourist. I like to pretend I'm a local when I'm clearly not, but at the heart of my travels I think I just want to see life through the other person's eyes. Cody showed me HIS New York this weekend and I liked it more than I thought I would. I value Cody's eyes and his perseverance most of all. He sees things I have not and has pushed himself through numerous obstacles, personally and professionally, in order to keep moving with confidence and increased clarity. I admire his passion and it refreshed me to know that all the hard work and dedication really can help you reach your dreams. I need to find a dream. I have been fortunate to be in the presence of great thinkers and doers this past month or two. Cody is among those. He asks good questions and challenges my answers. I appreciate people who push back.

On a lighter note - we ate GOOD food!

Thursday night was asian - cool little warehouse-style restaurant with weathered furniture and hip staff. The lychee mojito was a hit in my book, as was the duck salad and something I couldn't pronounce. Conversation was tops, as expected.

Friday was a day of rain and finding my bearings. Cody has a TV show on Fox's business network (similar to CNBC) and it airs from the Waldorf Astoria's bar, Bull and Bear, during Happy Hour. He hosts a variety of guests in relation to finance and economics (my rough understanding of the showbiz thing) and at the end of the show they usually have a fun guest. Friday's "fun guests" were the Harlem Globetrotters - very fun in my book, and I made a short appearance as well! I got to chat with Curly before we went on air and I'm pretty sure I made quite the impression. Cody wowed the bar with his mad bball skills while maintaining composure and not missing his ques. Good-game high five to you my friend:) Afterward we went to the greatest Italian place ever - we decided it was in the 9/10 range based on several variables:
1. Lisa, whom we had seen outside Emack and Bolio's the night before, has had the restaurant in her family for the past 51 years! She had a crush on us and gave us t-shirts (will post a pic later).
2. They have a bathtub in the toilet. Apparently they can keep it there without needing to adjust it for code as long as they keep everything as it was originally. But really, a bathtub in a restaurant that only has one toilet?
3. The staff was amazing and recommended delicious food and wine - superb food, really.

Saturday was full. We went to Cold Spring for a picnicish afternoon with Cody's friend James' fam and friends. They have a great piece of land with an amazing house and garden. They were all wonderful, hard-working and joyful people. Cody's dog Lobo joined us on the outing and seemed to love the freedom of grass and roaming around (living in SoHo doesn't afford much grass, as you could assume).
We then went to visit my Great Aunt Margaret, on my mom's side, whom I had never met in person. She lives in the house my grandmother and she grew up in, along with my Great Aunt Caroline. Though Avenue T was a bit hard to find (it does exist:) we managed to meet my Aunt and spend some time with her before it got too late. Her energy was heightened because of our visit I think, which was a blessing for Cody and I as much as for her.

After that we went to Balthazar, this oyster bar by his office. Yummy oysters and fish. We sat next to this Italian couple - man in windsuit and paying with $100 bills... hmmm. No questions, but nice neighbors at dinner.

Cody and I outside Balthazar


At the crossroads near his casa.

Sunday was a nice day to leisurely walk through SoHo with Lobo and look around. I was in a funk and not the best company, but we (Cody and Lobo mainly) managed well and then I was off to homeland.