Friday, December 31st, 2010

Ah New Years Eve. You better believe that like any true New Yorker I will NOT be anywhere near Times Square. Now the real question will be how high the trash will be stacked tomorrow since I don't know the last time it was actually picked up - as evidenced by this picture taken on Christopher Street this afternoon.

Verdict: Love New York Today (but dreading tomorrow)

Thursday, December 30th, 2010

Ah, the aftermath of the blizzard - nasty dirty snow piled up over the garbage that hasn't been picked up. There is brown slushy snow everywhere and the remaining white snow is slowly turning yellow (gross!). This picture is from Bleeker Street late this afternoon. Cornelia Street hasn't been plowed and is a disaster zone.

But you know what? I still had a great day today.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Tuesday, December 28th, 2010

This picture, blurry though it may be, represents a miracle. Out that window is JFK after my flight landed this afternoon. Yes, I actually made it back today! I won't do more than mention the fact that the jet-way wouldn't work on arrival (the pilot actually said that in 25 years of flying he hadn't seen it take that long to get it working), the cab line was absurd (no car services were available) and the ride home took well over an hour and a half. I also won't go into detail about the mountains of snow covering everything and how dragging your luggage over said mountains sucks (and makes your apartment really messy). None of that matters because I made it home today!

Verdict: Love New York Today

Monday, December 27th, 2010

You know those 800 or so flights into New York that have been canceled? Of course I was on one of them. So, in lieu of a report on all the blizzard activity all I can do is post another fun holiday picture. Hopefully I'll make it back sometime this week!

Verdict: Delayed flights = hate New York today.

Saturday, December 25th, 2010

Merry Christmas!

Rockefeller Center tree 2010!

Friday, December 24th, 2010

Cartier Fifth Avenue - all tied up with a beautiful red bow (though the color doesn't show as well in the picture).

Tuesday, December 21st, 2010

57th Street - I love the candy canes that appear to be hanging from the building. They put these up every year and they always make me smile.

Monday, December 20th, 2010

Taken on my subway ride home on Friday

Unlike the target audience of this sign, who would apparently agree that visiting your parents is the WORST thing ever(!), I actually don't mind visiting mine. In fact, I like it. So while I'm home I can't really love or hate New York. But in the spirit of the season, I will post some of the holiday sights from around town, taken over the past week or two. Enjoy!

Thursday, December 16th, 2010

I love the sound of snow. The crunch it makes as you walk is so hard to describe but such a perfectly happy sound. And the sound that it makes when it falls - it is the absence of sound that itself is a sound. I'm glad that it snowed earlier this week - it somehow makes it feel more like December, although I've spent my entire life in a climate that never has snow in December. Granted, I almost ate it about four times but I can still think about the flakes gently falling and smile. 

Verdict: Love New York Today

Tuesday, December 14th, 2010

What is it with people walking around New York and singing like no one else is around? Hey dude walking down Grove singing Rihanna's "Only Girl (In the World)" - I don't want to listen to you and your horrible pitchy rendition of top hits.

Verdict: Hate New York Today

Monday, December 13th, 2010

I went to Bryant Park over the weekend to see the shops, check out the tree and get a well-needed dose of holiday spirit. It did not disappoint. The ice skating rink was on the smaller side but packed with people having a great time. There was a Sigmund pretzel outpost (delicious!) and Max Brenner hot chocolate. Holiday spirit restored. At least for a while.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Saturday, December 11th, 2010

Things I saw today in no particular order:

1. A guy literally wiping his bulldog's ass on the street.

2. Anna Wintour walking down Bleeker Street

3. Hundreds of people dressed in full Santa costumes for a Santa bar crawl.

Verdict: Love New York Today.

Friday, December 10th, 2010

Well this was a lovely sight outside of the Plaza Hotel:

The Coke truck, all decorated with Christmas lights and Santa. Love it!

Verdict: Obviously, Love New York Today

Thursday, December 9th, 2010

Went to the Bowery Ballroom last night for a concert. It was my first time there and I have to say it was a great concert space: a lot smaller than venues tend to be so you could get a great view no matter where you were; ample bathrooms (always important when attending a concert) and easy to access bars. My only complaint was the coat check, which took forever as there was only one woman running it (and they charged $2/item).

Verdict: Love New York Today

Tuesday, December 7th, 2010

Shopping for Christmas trees in New York is a hassle and you lose some of the magic when they are piled on the curbs. But on the plus side it smells much better with all the fresh cut trees everywhere.

Verdict: Draw

Sunday, December 5th, 2010

Went to the Wired pop up store today, and that's one of the cool things about living in New York: you can go to these amazing stores that literally only exist for a week (or less). This one was pretty awesome as pop-up stores go: free beer and snacks with TVs showing various football games on the top floor, multiple drawings for freebies and all kinds of gadgets that you wish you could afford.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Thursday, December 2nd, 2010

Subway solicitations are the worst. There is no escaping them - the doors ding shut and you're trapped. Today on my commute home I had the pleasure of two such encounters. The first was an entire Mariachi band, and while I admit they were good, it can be difficult navigating around a bass. The second was the standard homeless speech "I just need help, anything you can give would be appreciated. I don't want to be doing this but I don't have other choices. I don't do drugs, I just need help." Today's pitch had a twist though - she added that she would appreciate any help "including advice." I would love to have seen her reaction had someone actually tried to offer advice instead of give her money.

Verdict: Hate New York Today

Wednesday, December 1st, 2010

Wow, I can't believe it is December already. I mean in my opinion it is one of the best times to be in New York (weather notwithstanding) but wow, this year has just flown by. So anyway today was nasty. It was that horrible weather where the day starts off warm but you know it is going to end up cold, so you have to wear a heavier jacket in the morning and sweat it out on the way to work. It also rained almost all day. Gray, nasty rain. I think this picture does today justice, and I like the small bits of sunlight peeking through, promising a better day tomorrow.

Verdict: Hate New York Today

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

It is annoying that news doesn't come on until 11pm in New York. I get the rationale but it doesn't make it easier to catch the news - at least not for those of us who like to sleep and go to the gym in the morning before work. I mean look, I get most of my news online anyway, so it's not like I'm living under some rock, but sometimes you just want to catch the local news and not have to read it.

Verdict: Hate New York Today

Sunday, November 28th, 2010

New York has some beautiful buildings, an example of which I've pictured below. It is close to Chelsea Piers and is striking - completely unique and beautifully colored. I'm no architect but I can appreciate the buildings that populate the New York skyline, particularly when they're built like this.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Saturday, November 27th, 2010

There is a lot to be thankful for this year. This is a great country and I live in a great place.

Happy Thanksgiving 2010!

Verdict: Love New York Today

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010

Taking out the trash can be a pain in the a** in many places in New York. For those of us without trash chutes, we're forced to take the trash down to the basement (many times in creepy, dimly lit rooms). Now this in itself is a pain - think of having to walk your trash out to the curb every time you need to take out one bag - and you'll start to get the idea. But what makes it even more annoying is that often times the basements have limited open hours. So, if, for example, your basement is only open from 7:30am to 8:30pm, and you have to go to work early and stay late, well guess what - you're screwed! That trash is stinking up your apartment for at least another day. And don't even think about putting it outside your door - that will result in an almost instantaneous letter from your apartment management company.

Verdict: Hate New York Today

Monday, November 22nd, 2010

It is Monday of a holiday week...

 (In case you can't read the orange writing it says "life is wonderful"). This was in the meatpacking district this past weekend.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Saturday, November 20th, 2010

Today I went to Chelsea Market. It is a pretty cool place to grab some food and wander around. The space itself is beautiful, and you can get everything from custom cupcakes to lobster. Much of it is, of course, overpriced, but hey, we live in Manhattan so that is nothing new. I will say that the Manhattan Fruit Exchange is fantastic - a huge variety of fruits and veggies (for New York) at relatively reasonable prices. Just don't forget your cash because they don't take credit!

Verdict: Love New York Today

Friday, November 19th, 2010

Friday in the city, taking the 1 train downtown.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Thursday, November 18th, 2010

On my way to the gym this morning I walked past not one but two films gearing up for the day. On the corner of Bleeker and West 11th a food tent was set up for breakfast. Where yesterday there were abandoned storefronts, today one was being used for extras to hang out and the other had magically transformed into a fake realty office. Specifically, Wanderlust was filming there (as posted by the notices all over the street). Unfortunately the big names weren't up that early so I didn't see anyone worth mentioning, but it was fun to see the storefront transformed overnight. No idea what the other film in the neighborhood was.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010

The holiday season is the best time to be in New York (well, not weather-wise, but in all other ways). There is a certain spirit and everywhere you look stores cheerfully welcome the season. Crazily enough, as soon as Halloween came and went, the holiday decorations came out. No more waiting for Thanksgiving to pass and giving Turkey Day it's due - wreaths, Christmas lights, garland, all of it is out on proud display. The picture below is from 57th Street and Fifth Avenue and you can see the UNICEF Snowflake (lighting ceremony tomorrow) and the wreaths decorating every upper window of Bergdorf. Love it!

Verdict: Obviously, Love New York Today

Tuesday, November 16th, 2010

It is a fact that the minute you are lost in New York, someone will ask you for directions. Are you wandering around the West Village trying to figure out the difference between Greenwich Street and Greenwich Avenue? Someone will stop you and ask where West 4th Street intersects with West 10th Street. On the Lower East Side? Someone will ask you how to get to the Essex/Delancey subway stop. It doesn't matter where you are -- tonight I was in Brooklyn and was stopped by two women asking how to get to Bedford. How the hell do I know? I live in Manhattan and am about as familiar with Brooklyn as I am with Paris: I've been there but I'm not about to offer up instructions on how to get anywhere.

Verdict: Because I was actually able to give the women directions, Love New York Today

Monday, November 15th, 2010

It is Monday and therefore I will complain. Mondays on the subway are the worst. It is always the busiest day so you're squeezed into the cars. And why is it that the stations look like they haven't been cleaned...ever? The tiles are dingy (look at the area around the "T"!) and despite how many layers of paint they slap on the walls it never looks clean. Ugh.

Verdict: Hate New York Today

Sunday, November 14th, 2010

This was a real exchange I witnessed on a 7am Amtrak train this weekend when I was heading out of town:

Conductor (to guy walking away from him): Hey! Man! I need your ticket!

Guy (turns around to face Conductor from across train): Yeah, well, you need my ticket, I need to take a sh*t.

Conductor: Hey! Watch your mouth - you're not the only one on this train!

Unbelievable.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Friday, November 12th, 2010

You know what sucks? Watching as a tiny mouse runs across your apartment, helpless to do anything but put out those lame sticky traps to catch it.

Verdict: Hate New York Today

Thursday, November 11th, 2010

Did you know that it snowed today in New York? I took this picture today on Park Avenue and 57th street, and the snow was amazing - pristine and perfectly white. OR, since it was in the 50s today, you can see the lengths film studios go to when filming! I have no idea what they were filming but I did see a sign saying that by walking by you consented to your image (and voice if you were talking!) being potentially used by Twentieth Century Fox. Let's hope I don't make a cameo in whatever it was.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010

Ah, the joys of elevators in old buildings ("pre-war" as we call them, to make ourselves feel like we're part of history rather than just paying too much for dilapidated housing). In any case, these are not "smart" elevators. They go up and down in the order in which buttons are pressed. So when I get in on the first floor and push my floor button, if in the intervening thirty seconds or so someone in the basement has managed to push the button first, down I go, instead of up to my floor. It is one of those little things that most people don't typically have to deal with on a daily basis, and one of the "charms" of living in New York (well, at least in a "prewar" building).

Verdict: Minor, but repeatedly annoying, so Hate New York Today

Monday, November 8th, 2010

There are hundreds of reasons to love and hate New York cabs. Today we will focus on a positive: the mandatory credit card machines/screens now installed in every cab. As a person who never carries cash, these are a godsend. With a simple swish of your card, you're done. Cabbies don't get to complain about using credit cards anymore (and riders don't have to feel guilty) because they are everywhere and everyone uses them. Gone are the days when cabbies can claim "cash only, my machine is broken".

Verdict: Love New York Today

Saturday, November 6th, 2010

Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory!

An honest admission: I was watching the Food Network recently and the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory got a shout out on "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" - I think it may have been the dessert-specific episode. In any case I had never heard of this place and being an aficionado of all things ice cream, decided I needed to give it a try. They are famous for their butter pecan which was, in a word, amazing. The great thing about living in New York is that you can see something like this on TV and decide to head out and try it right away, on a whim (with a beautiful view of the Brooklyn Bridge as you eat).

Verdict: Love New York Today

Friday, November 5th, 2010

Wollman rink is up and running! I went for the first time last year and what an experience - so completely different than ice skating on an indoor rink. The ice was uneven, the skates were expensive, it was cold and it was amazing. I can't wait to go back again.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Thursday, November 4th, 2010

By far the best thing I bought when I moved to New York was a pair of wellies. They are absolutely essential in a city where walking is part of your daily routine. This year I upgraded to Hunter boots which I have to say are amazing. On a day like today - in which it has now essentially rained for 24 hours straight - I cannot emphasize enough how much I love my wellies or how much easier they make my life.

Verdict: Because of my wellies, Love New York Today

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010

With the arrival of TiVo and DVR we can now zoom past commercials, which is excellent in and of itself. But in New York there is an added bonus: you don't have to watch the commercials for places that we don't have access to! Commercials for Sonic Drive In torment me -- where in the world is one close to Manhattan? (And don't forget that I don't have a car to get there.) I just saw a commercial for Dairy Queen - and while a Blizzard sounds fantastic, how would I get one now that my interest in piqued? Chick-fil-A, your waffle-fries tempt me (and no, that outpost on NYU doesn't count). Why don't we have these chains? And why are we tormented with their commercials?

Verdict: Hate New York Today

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010

Yes, Halloween was this past weekend and yes, I failed to post on it, a fact I will now remedy.

On any given day I can't imagine what it is like to be a child in New York. This is heightened on a holiday like Halloween which, despite what adults have done to the day, remains in my mind as a child's holiday. Halloween means walking from house to house wearing costumes, knowing from year to year which houses give out the best candy and avoiding the ones that give out healthy snacks. It is the fun of ringing doorbells and admiring the entrances of houses other than your own.

I look at kids who have to trick-or-treat in New York and man, what a joke. There is no continuity or way of telling which apartments are the good ones because people move so much. There are no entrances to admire or new doorbells to ring because apartments all look the same when you can only peer in two feet and they all have the same doorbell ring as mandated by the management companies. How incredibly dreary to go from apartment to apartment and knock on doors (assuming that anyone signed up on the list to give out candy). And frankly, as fun as the big parade is for adults, it is 100% inappropriate for kids. So I'll say it: Halloween must really suck for kids in New York. I don't know if it is better or worse that they have no idea what they are missing.

Verdict: Hate New York Today

Thursday, October 28th, 2010

There was an old man in the subway station today. He had a heavy bag in hand and was wearing a khaki sweater with a green jacket and sneakers. He was hunched over and waiting for the elevator up to the next platform. His curved back makes it impossible for him to straighten up so that unless he cranes his neck, he stares permanently at the ground. He stood and waited patiently and while I waited for my train, my heart broke watching him. He seemed so alone and isolated and I was sad: for the countless others like him in New York - elderly, alone and being passed by every day by the millions of people too busy to care.

Verdict: Hate New York Today

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010

Ah, fall foliage - a beautiful time of year. Unfortunately it has been dreary the past couple of days but setting aside the unseasonably warm weather (and return of higher levels of humidity) I love the colors slowly appearing. It is still relatively early, so more changes will come, but sometimes it is nice to pause and appreciate the gradual changes that happen every day all around us.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Saturday, October 23rd, 2010

Sometimes living in New York sucks. For a large majority of people it is the equivalent of living in a college dorm. Half the buildings don't have an elevator. A large percentage don't have washers or dryers and for those that do they are communal style just like in college. There are people everywhere so you never feel like you truly have your own space (unless you're up early on Saturday or Sunday - the whole city is hung-over so you basically have full run of the city at that time, though of course almost nothing is open). If you have a car, you'll have to troll around for parking, again just like at many colleges. There is this feeling of stunted progression; like you should be moving forward with your life but you can't. New York is a city with Peter Pan syndrome.

Obviously Peter Pan images are owned by Disney. Duh.

Verdict: Hate New York Today

Thursday, October 21st, 2010

So here is a New York question: when you're walking down the street on the way to work, feeling pretty good, and a crazy person pauses in their rambling to tell you "cute outfit", should you be more worried that a crazy person is talking to you, or the fact that they thought your outfit was cute?

Verdict: Hate New York Today

Monday, October 18th, 2010

What is the deal with people in New York and their random expensive food? Example number one: Fage yogurt. Is it delicious? Sure (especially the kind with the honey and strawberry additions). Had I ever heard of it before moving to New York? No chance. Or how about ZICO coconut water? Anyone out there been hydrating with some ZICO lately? You can bet New Yorkers are! I saw a guy drinking some on the subway on the way home today. And you can polish it off with some Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream (perhaps ginger flavor).

Verdict: This doesn't really inspire Love or Hate, so I'll go with Laughing at New York Today.

Friday, October 15th, 2010

Sorry, another walking picture. I was walking around 52nd street and saw this spectacular view of the Chrysler Building. It was lit up because night was approaching but the sky was still light. I tried to capture it with my blackberry but this picture really doesn't do it justice. It was beautiful. Stumbling across this view is one of those times when you think to yourself "I am so lucky to live here."

Verdict: Love New York Today

Monday, October 11th, 2010

WTF - it is hailing in New York right now! This is a first (at least for me since moving here). I have seen snow. I have seen sideways rain. I have seen intense humidity and heat. But not hail. Well, at least I was inside when it started.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Thursday, October 7th, 2010

A brief scene from my walk home today:

I was walking along, minding my own business (as usual) when I hear a commotion behind me. Behold the crazy on the bike! Today's specimen was a strung out dude wearing military fatigues (clearly this was not someone who ever served in the armed forces). He was yelling as loudly as he could:
"I love the devil! I love Satan! The devil, Satan, the devil, Satan!"

Charming.

Verdict: Today it was *almost* funny rather than horrifying so I'll go with Love New York Today.

Sunday, October 2nd, 2010

It seems that overnight fall arrived in the New York. Where just two weeks ago it was shorts and sandals everywhere, today it is scarves and jackets. Fall is probably my favorite time of year in the city. It is beautiful, the days aren't as short (yet) and there is an energy that the other seasons don't seem to have. Sitting on the couch with an open window on a day like today is the ultimate way to spend a Sunday afternoon.


Verdict: Love New York Today

Saturday, September 11th, 2010

I didn't live in New York in 2001. Living here now, I can't imagine what it was like. I can't fathom what it was to have your life torn apart in those moments. To be going about your daily business, your daily life and in a matter of minutes the life you woke up and lived every day seems like the distant past. Nine years later, and transplanted New Yorkers come and go. Some come to make good on their dreams, some leave to return to their homes. I'm here now. Life in the city goes on but we do not forget.

Friday, September 10th, 2010

Fashion's Night Out. A one-night extravaganza dedicated to shopping and partying. Star-studded celebrity appearances dot the city and little fashionistas dash from one event to the next desperate to party with the cool kids. The full extent of my experience that night culminated with walking down into the subway while a flood of tweens headed up all dressed to the nines. I get it. I understand that the idea was to get reluctant consumers to spend in the midst of the great recession. But this? It feels so fake.

Verdict: Kind of Annoyed with New York Today

Thursday, September 9th, 2010

Ah the day before Fashion's Night Out. The city tingles in anticipation. We can discuss tomorrow. As for today, we will turn to a scene that took place outside of Bergdorf Goodman. A petite brunette with a baby stroller is standing outside the 58th street entrance with several photographers snapping away while tourists look on and grab their camera phones. Across the street more tourists stop and pause to ask "Who is that?" because clearly this is someone that while not instantly recognizable to most, is nonetheless famous. Who is it? Kourtney Kardashian. I will say this: she is petite, has great hair, and was impeccably dressed.

Verdict: Well, it was a celebrity sighting of some kind, so I'll say Love New York Today.

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

One of the first challenges on moving to New York is becoming familiar with the subway system. The numbers, the colors, uptown, downtown, all said it is very confusing. Fortunately you quickly learn the ropes and become the hometown pro glaring at the talking tourists in the morning. That said, the subway always has its quirks, one of which is local trains occasionally running on the express line during rush hour. This is one of the main reasons I do not like wearing headphones on the subway - you won't have a shot at hearing the announcements in these cases and all of a sudden you're five stops south of where you intended. But since I'm on a positive roll, this post isn't heading where you think! Every once in a while you get on a train that goes express for part of the trip and then makes local stops - and when the first local stop is yours, well that my friends is a great thing.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Monday, September 6th, 2010

The three-day weekend is a tricky beast in New York, particularly Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. On these holidays one is expected to leave town. Many venture forth to the Hamptons, others to Fire Island and still others to family homes in Connecticut or even further afield to somewhere like Maine. Tell people that you are staying in town over one of these long weekends and they will likely look at you like you've grown a second head, and say something like "Why on earth...". But the truth is that staying in New York on these weekends is maybe one of the best decisions a local can make. First, you save yourself the hassle of physically getting out of town, a challenge even in the best of times. No Hampton jitney, no car service to the airport, no rushing to make a train. Just the simple commute home. And then, the glory of a semi-deserted city filled mostly by tourists who don't venture anywhere you want to be at anyway. You can get into restaurants that you'd never have a shot at otherwise on these weekends! Run the errands you want to run, like actually venturing into Trader Joe's and not coming out a lunatic ranting about lines that go all the way to the produce section! These weekends are glorious.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010

A Walk with A View

 In New York, occasionally you walk down a different street and you stumble onto an amazing view. I did just that tonight and found myself with the spectacular view at left (the blackberry is a handy tool in moments like these!).

The Empire State Building is impressive from many vantage points but perhaps none more so than this one. Any guesses on the block?

And it is a lesson that bears repeating when living in New York. Make a small change off the regular route, and take in the city that is around you; you'll probably be surprised by what you stumble upon.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Monday, August 30th, 2010

Shipping Part 1

There are many facets to shipping in New York. Today, since I'm in a half-way decent mood, we'll cover a positive: things get here faster. Take Gilt Group for example. If you live in New York and you place an order, it will arrive within one day of receiving the notice that your package has shipped. No need to pay extra for overnight! Poof, it's here immediately! So much inventory comes through New York or is based somewhere near by that it is a safe bet things will get here quickly.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Sunday, August 22nd, 2010

Sometimes in New York, fate smiles on you. It happens like this: you wake up on Sunday morning and think that breakfast would be nice. You head to the Clinton Street Baking Company and to your dismay, despite it being 9:45am, you find out that the wait is an hour. You are determined and so you put your name down and settle in to wait. And then, lo and behold, no one wants the bar seats by the door! And so it happens that in fifteen minutes you are seated and ten minutes later enjoying a delicious brunch.

Verdict: Despite the weather, love New York today.

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

Making your way home after work can be tedious in New York. What a breath of fresh air to hear the Opera Collective performers joyfully singing. Beautiful.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

It is remarkable the things we take for granted in New York. The fact that we can walk anywhere we want to go, whether it is for dinner, groceries, the movies, Bed Bath & Beyond, whatever - we can hoof it there. Although sometimes we end up nasty when we get there (hello summer humidity) the fact is that we can always get there, and that is a great thing.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

So this picture is from the launch of the first iphone but it conveys almost exactly the same mayhem that was today in New York Apple stores. You can view the insanity of the same store today here.

Here's the thing - this is just a phone. If you wait 24 hours, or (good heavens) until next week, you will probably be able to walk into the store and buy one. What is the big deal with people in New York needing to be the first one to have these gadgets? They actually camp out for this (and I'm sure the Plaza across the street from the Fifth Avenue location just looooves all the people waltzing in to use the bathroom during the camp out sessions - where else are these people going? Pop Burger does close every night.).

New Verdict Addition: Laughing at New York Today

Friday, June 11th, 2010

Living in New York is unlike living anywhere else for many reasons, some good and some bad. But there are days when you walk outside and you just can't believe that you live in a city this amazing. To walk outside on a beautiful afternoon and see everything from The Plaza on Fifth Avenue to the flags flying on Wall Street and revel in the magnificence of the city.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

The weather was beautiful today. Not too humid like it has been getting recently - where you feel like a layer of film is covering you the second you leave your air conditioned apartment. No, today was cool - the perfect day to head to an outside bar for happy hour after work. I didn't, but you know, I could have, and it would have been great.

Verdict: Love New York Today.

Monday, May 24th, 2010

One would think that during the week, subway lines would run more frequently. That you wouldn't have to stand there for over ten minutes while three express trains make stops at the station. That you wouldn't have to see your line rumble by, horn honking, leaving you looking at the empty cars wistfully.

Verdict: Hate New York Today

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

It was a beautiful, clear day. I wasn't accosted by any homeless people on the subway (though admittedly the car I was on this afternoon did smell like urine). The Ebony Hillbillies were playing in the Times Square subway stop this morning and they always make me smile.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

Wednesday is hump day so it stands to reason that it would balance between love and hate. Nothing horrible about living in New York today, but then again nothing stellar either. It's like Duane Reade - you love it for the convenience and hate it for being overpriced and having a terrible "rewards" card. Is it too early in the blog to have a draw day?

Verdict: Draw

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

It's unseasonably cold. It's raining. Not your normal drizzle, but rain that is sideways and manages to soak you regardless of an umbrella. It forces you to dash out of the way as cabs pass so you aren't doused with nasty black/gray runoff.

Verdict: Hate New York Today

Monday, May 17th, 2010

The subway car was packed this morning. I changed trains as usual and thought my luck had turned - there was a train waiting at my transfer stop - hooray! But no, that was because the train ahead of us had a disabled door. So I sat down, thinking I was lucky to snag the last seat. Little did I know it was next to Whitney Houston. I mean she must have been Whitney Houston - who else sings in a fully audible voice while listening to their ipod in an otherwise silent subway car? It was awesome.

Verdict: Hate New York Today