With New York City!!! Made you all nervous for a second, huh? This past weekend was spent in the big Apple. I wasn't a tourist - I was there to party, go to Opening Day at Shea Stadium, and have fun! I did all three!!!
Friday: I left work, came home to pack (nothing like waiting until the last minute), then get on the road. I was exhausted and considered taking a nap but though nah I'll be fine, which I was with the help of Red Bull. I made a quick stop at Shannon and Brian's, dropped my house keys off to the cat-watcher, and got on the road around 7 pm. As expected I made pretty good time but found some congestion going in to the Lincoln Tunnel. This was my first time in Times Square and I was driving through it! Interesting experience to say the least. By the time I got parked, met up with Donna and Monica at the hotel, it was around 12:30. About 15 minutes after that, we headed out to a bar where my sister's friend was capping off her Friday night. We had a few beers and a couple shots there to get the weekend going. I landed in bed around 4 am. As Bon Jovi says, sleep when I am dead! Ha but I did manage about 5 hours of sleep that night...er...morning.
Saturday: Up around 9, tried to fire up the old laptop but alas no internet connection. Crap! So we headed to John's to use his computer, and I got to meet Grover and his love interest. The afternoon was spent getting manicures, shopping, lunch then on to Scruffy Duffy's to watch the George Mason game. Duffy's was a great bar with quite a few Mason fans. And of course there were a few Florida fans and they happen to be standing right in front of us and acting like dicks. Lucky us. Even though Mason lost, it was a good time. And I got the perfect buzz to start the evening.
Saturday night: Going out in NYC! Fun! Monica's friend took us to a friend's bachelor party. Yep we crashed a bachelor party at a very nice hotel (I think someone said the room was $900 a night *gasp*). Awesome! We knocked on the door and was greeted by Richard, the bachelor. Then we met Rich followed by Richie. I thought this must be a joke, right? You guys are bullshitting us. Nope! Because then we met Ken, Mark, Joey, and I forget the rest. After we got some other names under our belts, we had a couple drinks with those random guys before they headed out to a club. We proceeded to the penthouse floor of the hotel to a bar which has a spectular view of the city. One drink there then we were on to our next destination - Culture Club! $25 and in we went to regress to the days of big hair, legwarmers, and Bon Jovi. Oh wait, we didn't hear any Bon Jovi. That's why this club sucked besides the fact we paid $25 to get in, there were no drink specials ($6 for a bottle of beer), and the beer selection was not that great - NYC baby! Donna and I decided the sports bar was more interesting. We made a quick stop at the hotel then were walking to the bar when we decided to stop for some pizza. While consuming a slice, we realized it was now almost 4am, closing time, because the stupid spring ahead time change! We lost a whole hour of drinking!! Balls!! We tried the door to Duffy's anyway but to no avail - it was locked. So we headed back to the hotel, where I realized once I laid down, I was probably better off not consuming any more alcohol anyway.
Sunday: We started out the day at a Mets store where I bought new threads for the game. Then we met John and company at The Boathouse in Central Park for brunch. What a beautiful place not to mention how fantastic the food was and the best mimosas I have ever had! After brunch we went to the zoo, which is very small, but it was worth it just to see the penguins! Those suckers can swim so fast. I have seen "March of the Penguins" but to see them swim right in front of you is amazing! Our next stop? You guessed it - Scruffy Duffy's! We had one beer with Monica before she needed to catch her train back to D.C. Then Donna and I headed to Little Italy for a scrumptious dinner. We also had a beer at a dumpy little bar, which claims to be the home of the Sopranos. I didn't see Tony or Paulie in there - oh well. We proceeded to Broome Street Bar for a couple of beers which took us to closing, which apparently is midnight on a Sunday in New York. Damn. I didn't want to leave yet. Well I guess I needed to go get my things together since we were going to the game then leaving to go home the next day.
Monday: GAME DAY!!! I haven't been to Opening Day in a few years, so I was psyched to be heading to the game. Luckily the rain held off but it was not exactly warm. Donna and I were under cover so that helped some but I think we each could have used a couple more layers. But I wanted people to see my awesome new Mets hoodie! Anyway, we gulped down three cups of hot chocolate each - vendors yelling cold beer made me shiver. The game was great, stadium was packed, and the Mets won 3-2. Granted they lost tonight, but hopefully their home opener is a sign of a great season. And I admit I was bummed to leave the city and the freakin' fantastic weekend, but it's another chapter of memories. Until next time!!
