Busy, Busy, Busy

The past several days have been a whirlwind.  Walking everywhere.  Enjoying what New York has to offer. 

Last week, we saw the award winning Broadway musical Kinky Boots.  Based on a book and a film, the musical is a funny, thought-provoking roller-coaster ride set to enjoyable music.  While it's about making a specialty line of boots to save a small town factory, it's also about identity, self-expression, acceptance (not just tolerance) and, ultimately, redemption.  Who knew wearing bright red boots could be redeeming.  Seeing Kinky Boots was a great way to start a year of musicals and plays.  Next up is "Sylvia" with Matthew Brokerick, followed by Laurie Anderson in a new performance piece and then "China Doll" with Al "Hooah" Pacino.

Friday was September 11th and a somber day as we fondly remembered our absent friend Matt.  Focusing on the positive, Matt was a wonderful friend and classmate to Greg at Georgetown and Columbia, a brilliant lawyer, a loving husband and a devoted father, albeit for too short a time.

The weekend brought us some enjoyable outings.  The Labor Day Parade in New York is held on the Saturday following Labor Day.  We viewed the parade as it progressed along 5th Avenue.  We caught glimpses of Governor Andrew Cuomo and Congressman Charlie Rangel.  The parade was more than what you might expect.  We snapped some photos that help make the point.

What would a parade celebrating the Labor movement be without a chorus?  Think Glee with more edge.

And muscle cards are a must.

Another classic.

Plus a classic car. 

And what would a Labor Day parade be without a gleaming, stainless steel garbage truck driven by teamsters?

A very talented group of musicians.  Performing for free.  What's up with that? 

The dudes on the motorcycles are backstage professionals.  You might call them Stage Hogs.

This guy is proud and confident.  Enough said.

We ventured up to the Bronx to see the Yankees play a double-header against the first place Blue Jays.  New Yankee Stadium is a great place to see a game and there were some highlights even though the Yankees lost their lead in the first game and dug into a deep hole early in the second game.  In any event, it was great eating some dogs, singing and watching two great teams play the game.  And it was great being in the Bronx.   

A photo of A Rod seconds before stroking a two-run homer to right field that put the Yankees up by three.  It wasn't nearly enough.

A selfie by an amateur. 

This week, we joined the Metropolitan Museum of Art and took our first tour--Impressionism and Post-Impressionism.  We both learned a lot.  One interesting factoid:  Some scholars believe that the arrival of Japanese woodcut prints in France strongly influenced the early Impressionists to reject long-standing conventions of what great painting was.  Our guide was excellent--engaging, humorous and incredibly knowledgeable. 

A Japanese woodcut print alongside an Impressionist painting

Today, we met Greg's cousin Heather for lunch.  We dined al fresco in Bryant Park behind the NY Public Library.  Heather lives in Jackson Heights, Queens, and works in Midtown.  Heather is an amazing person.  A talented attorney, an amazing spouse and parent and a great daughter to her parents.  Heather was always the favorite niece of Greg's father.  The only thing Greg wonders about is Heather's seemingly unnatural adoration of Notre Dame.  What's that about?  I suppose a great university inspires great loyalty.

Heather and Greg

Juggling class in Bryant Park

Following lunch, we took Heather's suggestion and toured the main branch of the NY Public Library.  While the main branch is a working research library, it is also an architectural Beaux Arts masterpiece and a museum of fine art.  The reading rooms are just what you think of and they were full.  The tour was worthwhile and we plan on returning during the year to sample their many programs.

Astor Hall, Entrance of the NYPL

Check out the water fountain.

Some random hottie