We're 2 weeks into this month long New York adventure and you'd think there would be adventures a-plenty to blog about. Apparently, not - since you've been hearing the sounds of crickets from the Debbie from Toronto blog for the last 14 days!
The problem with a month long vacation is that it's not really a vacation at all. We have not taken a break from our responsibilities because we're not retired. We run a business with employees and overhead and a bookkeeper and all. Running it from the front lines in Toronto has its challenges but running it from 767 km (477 miles - are we cool?) away can be very frustrating at times. Our employees are doing a fantastic job handling everything but sometimes you just need to be in front of one another bouncing ideas off of each other. It's just not the same on Gtalk.
Well, that feels better. I think a paragraph of complaining did the trick.
I'm actually having a fantastic time. My girlfriend came for the weekend and just left. It's a long weekend in Canada so that means I'm on a mental long weekend.
Showing posts with label travelling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travelling. Show all posts
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
Time Minus 10 hours to New York
We've sublet an apartment near NYU so it's a done deal. May in New York.
Talk to you again soon...
Talk to you again soon...
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
New York in May
When I got back from New York this last time, I told my husband what a great time I had and how much I would love to spend more time there with him. Then he had the most fantastic idea... "why don't we go for a month?" Hell ya! I got the cat vaccinated last week and now all I need is a box to stuff her in and we're ready!
We're driving down and staying in a sublet. We almost had one nailed down yesterday but it all fell apart... I went to the bank and purchased a bank draft for $7.50 to send the funds with express shipping. The envelope was in my hand ready to drop in the mail when I got a call from the girl. "Sorry to bug you but I just want to make sure you don't smoke." "Nooooo", I replied confidently. Then, she went on, "Also, you don't have any pets?" I was caught. I can't completely lie. I told her that we have a small cat and my parents will be watching her but there is a slight chance that we'll have to bring her with us in case my parents are going away. That was a deal breaker. No matter how much I pleaded with her explaining that my cat is exceptionally clean and non-allergenic and I would pay a cleaning lady extra to do a super thorough job when we leave, she said, "I just don't want a cat in my place." Blurg.
So, we're still looking but I'm confident we won't have a problem finding another great place. I think I'll bring myself to lie this time around.
P.S. For those of you who got your panties in a bunch when I said I was going to stuff my cat in a box, you didn't realize what a luxurious box it would be. Here's a photo of the cat carrier I'm picking up tonight from PetSmart:
If we don't find a sublet, the three of us will stay in there.
We're driving down and staying in a sublet. We almost had one nailed down yesterday but it all fell apart... I went to the bank and purchased a bank draft for $7.50 to send the funds with express shipping. The envelope was in my hand ready to drop in the mail when I got a call from the girl. "Sorry to bug you but I just want to make sure you don't smoke." "Nooooo", I replied confidently. Then, she went on, "Also, you don't have any pets?" I was caught. I can't completely lie. I told her that we have a small cat and my parents will be watching her but there is a slight chance that we'll have to bring her with us in case my parents are going away. That was a deal breaker. No matter how much I pleaded with her explaining that my cat is exceptionally clean and non-allergenic and I would pay a cleaning lady extra to do a super thorough job when we leave, she said, "I just don't want a cat in my place." Blurg.
So, we're still looking but I'm confident we won't have a problem finding another great place. I think I'll bring myself to lie this time around.
P.S. For those of you who got your panties in a bunch when I said I was going to stuff my cat in a box, you didn't realize what a luxurious box it would be. Here's a photo of the cat carrier I'm picking up tonight from PetSmart:
If we don't find a sublet, the three of us will stay in there.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
New York daily, part 2
I finally have a moment to recap the rest of my trip. Getting back to "real" life in Toronto has been busy so cut me some slack!
Monday night: Lower East Side.
Shang Chinese Restaurant by Toronto chef Susur Lee.
Stanton Social for a drink.
Tuesday: Upper East Side.
Got my eyebrows threaded while my sister got her hair did.
Had a bite at Hot and Crusty. My fave bagel place in NYC.
Mani /Pedi - black nailpolish on toes, translucent pink on fingers.
Kinkos to get business cards printed for sis.
Kate's Paperie - beautiful stationary for the office in our company color.
Really mean taxi driver - so funny.
Tuesday night:
Sister went to work function, I went to Whole Foods (saw Seven Weber).
The W Hotel Store - got two little Jonathan Adler ceramic vases (photo below), a wrap cardigan, Hanky Panky undies and pink "Love Quotes" scarf.
Wednesday: Flatiron district.
Guest on The 404.
Walked by the Shake Shack where they're famous for their long lines. (photo below: Shake Shack is on the left, the line snakes to the right.)
Met up with sister, walked by Baked by Melissa and bought a $1 cupcake.... the size of my thumbnail, or as my sister said, the size of a popcorn kernel. (photo below)
Wednesday night: Gramercy.
The Moth with sister and her 2 roommates. TWO MORE CELEB SIGHTINGS!!
- Lorraine Bracco, aka Dr. Jennifer Melfi from The Sopranos and
- Parker Posey, aka KitLex Luthor's girlfriend from Batman Returns (2006)
Gramercy Tavern Restaurant for dinner
Thursday: Chelsea/Meatpacking/West Village.
Bleeker Street pizza - award winning but not my favorite. The crust was too thin and crispy... like a dry cracker. Majestic still my fav.
Art Galleries at 529 West 20th St. - saw my favorite artist, Marco Maggi at Jose Bienvenue Gallery. Also saw a fantastic photographer, Corey Arnold at Sara Tecchia Gallery. (photo below is my favorite photo from Corey Arnold's show... I want it!)
Delicious canollis from Rocco's Pastry Shop - took a dozen back to Toronto.
Louboutin shoes - drooled over shoes. I'm an 8.5 , hint, hint.
Uminov Guitar store - bought some picks for my guitar teacher, one of my employees who plays guitar and me.
Back to Toronto!
Monday night: Lower East Side.
Shang Chinese Restaurant by Toronto chef Susur Lee.
Stanton Social for a drink.
Tuesday: Upper East Side.
Got my eyebrows threaded while my sister got her hair did.
Had a bite at Hot and Crusty. My fave bagel place in NYC.
Mani /Pedi - black nailpolish on toes, translucent pink on fingers.
Kinkos to get business cards printed for sis.
Kate's Paperie - beautiful stationary for the office in our company color.
Really mean taxi driver - so funny.
Tuesday night:
Sister went to work function, I went to Whole Foods (saw Seven Weber).
The W Hotel Store - got two little Jonathan Adler ceramic vases (photo below), a wrap cardigan, Hanky Panky undies and pink "Love Quotes" scarf.
Wednesday: Flatiron district.Guest on The 404.
Walked by the Shake Shack where they're famous for their long lines. (photo below: Shake Shack is on the left, the line snakes to the right.)
Met up with sister, walked by Baked by Melissa and bought a $1 cupcake.... the size of my thumbnail, or as my sister said, the size of a popcorn kernel. (photo below)
Wednesday night: Gramercy.The Moth with sister and her 2 roommates. TWO MORE CELEB SIGHTINGS!!
- Lorraine Bracco, aka Dr. Jennifer Melfi from The Sopranos and
- Parker Posey, aka KitLex Luthor's girlfriend from Batman Returns (2006)
Gramercy Tavern Restaurant for dinner
Thursday: Chelsea/Meatpacking/West Village.
Bleeker Street pizza - award winning but not my favorite. The crust was too thin and crispy... like a dry cracker. Majestic still my fav.
Art Galleries at 529 West 20th St. - saw my favorite artist, Marco Maggi at Jose Bienvenue Gallery. Also saw a fantastic photographer, Corey Arnold at Sara Tecchia Gallery. (photo below is my favorite photo from Corey Arnold's show... I want it!)
Delicious canollis from Rocco's Pastry Shop - took a dozen back to Toronto.Louboutin shoes - drooled over shoes. I'm an 8.5 , hint, hint.
Uminov Guitar store - bought some picks for my guitar teacher, one of my employees who plays guitar and me.Back to Toronto!
Monday, March 16, 2009
New York daily
To finish off Sunday...
After parting with Ralph, I took a taxi from Newark to Tribeca. It cost $60 after adding tolls and tip. Next time I'll take the train.
After seeing my sis and meeting her new roommates, we went to Bouley Bakery for a snack. I had some fancy macaroni and cheese and for dessert, a chocolate croissant and a green pistachio macaroon. Can you tell I was in need of serious comfort food?
Later that night we got dressed up and went to our 9:30pm reservation at Megu. We're taking full advantage of Restaurant Week here in NYC when normally out of reach restaurants put out a prix fixe menu for just $35/person. It's similar to Toronto's Winterlicious (& Summerlicious) event.
Monday (today):
Sister got a call from her boss - had to do some work this morning. I got a call from Husband at the office - everything was falling apart without me there. Actually, he just needed me to make a couple files and email them off. I also bought Replay Media Catcher for $30 to try recording the live streaming video off of Ustream.tv. I would like to record the preshow when I'm on the 404. Unfortunately, Replay Media Catcher is a piece of shit. This is the second time buying the software - the first time was back in October for my first 404 appearance and I got a refund. I downloaded it again thinking they may have had time to work out the bugs. We'll see if tech support replies to my email. You'd think it wouldn't be so complicated.
We walked over to Century 21 (financial district), tried on some clothes and left with Jelly Belly's. Go figure.
You can't be in New York without having a daily greesy slice. My long standing favorite is Majestic Pizza . I used to only get one slice per trip but now that my sister has moved to Tribeca, we're just a couple blocks away. I'll tell you right now, I will be eating Majestic Pizza till my flight leaves.
After parting with Ralph, I took a taxi from Newark to Tribeca. It cost $60 after adding tolls and tip. Next time I'll take the train.
After seeing my sis and meeting her new roommates, we went to Bouley Bakery for a snack. I had some fancy macaroni and cheese and for dessert, a chocolate croissant and a green pistachio macaroon. Can you tell I was in need of serious comfort food?
Later that night we got dressed up and went to our 9:30pm reservation at Megu. We're taking full advantage of Restaurant Week here in NYC when normally out of reach restaurants put out a prix fixe menu for just $35/person. It's similar to Toronto's Winterlicious (& Summerlicious) event.
Monday (today):
Sister got a call from her boss - had to do some work this morning. I got a call from Husband at the office - everything was falling apart without me there. Actually, he just needed me to make a couple files and email them off. I also bought Replay Media Catcher for $30 to try recording the live streaming video off of Ustream.tv. I would like to record the preshow when I'm on the 404. Unfortunately, Replay Media Catcher is a piece of shit. This is the second time buying the software - the first time was back in October for my first 404 appearance and I got a refund. I downloaded it again thinking they may have had time to work out the bugs. We'll see if tech support replies to my email. You'd think it wouldn't be so complicated.
We walked over to Century 21 (financial district), tried on some clothes and left with Jelly Belly's. Go figure.
You can't be in New York without having a daily greesy slice. My long standing favorite is Majestic Pizza . I used to only get one slice per trip but now that my sister has moved to Tribeca, we're just a couple blocks away. I'll tell you right now, I will be eating Majestic Pizza till my flight leaves.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
On our way to New York
Well, I'm on my way to New York today. We booked our trip with Porter airlines which is a 5 minute taxi to the Toronto Island Airport from where we live instead of 40 minutes to Pearson. So far it has been such a pleasure. There are no line ups, you don't have to walk 4 football fields to get from A to B, and the people are friendly. To be fair, we're traveling on a Saturday which is generally a calm day. I don't think we'll travel the same way ever again. Our lives have been altered forever. Sorry for being so dramatic but there are free gourmet lattes and cookies. I have to say, it's very nice to walk up to a fully stocked fridge without a lock and take out anything your heart desires.
Tonight is my sister's Halloween party which is what prompted us to book this trip. My husband can't wait to mingle with interesting upper east side republicans. He really gets off on talking politics and hearing what people think. On Tuesday I'm going to be a guest on The 404, a CNET podcast. Remember the first time my phone message got on the air? I've left a few more messages and have become a bit of a regular. They suggested that they wanted to call me on the air and I asked if I could just come to the studio in person next time I visit my sister in NYC. So, I'm booked and very excited. I've been thinking up things to talk about and making sure that I'm up to date on pop culture and tech news so I will have something to contribute. I would hate to get so nervous that I blank out and giggle for 40 minutes. On Tuesday night we have reservations for my favorite restaurant, "Sushi of Gari". OMG I can't wait for that. On Wednesday night we're going to The Moth. Then, we leave on Thursday. All the times between plans will be spent walking around, eating pizza and S.H.O.P.P.I.N.G.
Ok, what else here is free that I can eat?
Tonight is my sister's Halloween party which is what prompted us to book this trip. My husband can't wait to mingle with interesting upper east side republicans. He really gets off on talking politics and hearing what people think. On Tuesday I'm going to be a guest on The 404, a CNET podcast. Remember the first time my phone message got on the air? I've left a few more messages and have become a bit of a regular. They suggested that they wanted to call me on the air and I asked if I could just come to the studio in person next time I visit my sister in NYC. So, I'm booked and very excited. I've been thinking up things to talk about and making sure that I'm up to date on pop culture and tech news so I will have something to contribute. I would hate to get so nervous that I blank out and giggle for 40 minutes. On Tuesday night we have reservations for my favorite restaurant, "Sushi of Gari". OMG I can't wait for that. On Wednesday night we're going to The Moth. Then, we leave on Thursday. All the times between plans will be spent walking around, eating pizza and S.H.O.P.P.I.N.G.
Ok, what else here is free that I can eat?
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