David's Days In NYC

Fall begins and Summer Ends

2010-09-21T11:36:00.000-07:00

Wow, I really don't blog a lot do I... A few posts down it was last year at this time that I made an entry. Guess that's what happens when you have a life...

Anyhow, I saw this scarecrow clip art and now I have the John Mellencamp song "Rain on the Scarecrow" in my head. And so for your listening entertainment may I present...

John Mellencamp or John Cougar Mellencamp as he was known in those days...

Cool Contest for Travel Writers & Photographers

2010-09-14T16:08:00.000-07:00

So I was minding my own business today when one of my friends forwarded this to me:
http://twa.memberlodge.com/TWACompetition

Now this is one competition I plan on entering, I'm pretty handy with a camera and I figure what the heck - what do I have to lose? And if by some miracle I win, who can argue with a cash prize and free trip to pick it up??

Rosh Hashanah and the Jewish Boy

2010-09-07T11:01:00.000-07:00

Rosh Hashanah is a Jewish holiday commonly referred to as the "Jewish New Year." It is observed on the first day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar - this year it is Thursday, September 9, 2010.

As I get ready to head to my parents for Rosh Hashanah for the first time in many, many years when Mom asks the dreaded "so are you dating anyone" question, I'll actually have an answer to give her. (Yes, it true - I have a girlfriend, but, the twist is she is Catholic and I'm not sure how Mom is going to react. She always said it didn't matter, now let's see if she actually means it.)

Anyhow, I've been trying to explain to my girlfriend about the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah and how this is a happy time of year for us. I'm also trying to explain the menu - which looking from the outside in - does probably seem a bit strange with delights such as honey, dates, pomegranates, pumpkin, leeks, and, beets to celebrate the day. The worst part is explaining my Mom's "Garlic Soup" and how surprisingly good it actually tastes!

So with this in mind, we turn the corner towards heading to Mom - will this relationship survive our first major holiday together? I can only hope so...

Europe, rain and ROTTEN colds

2010-08-18T08:38:00.001-07:00

Well, it's been a while since I've posted but the good news is that I have a wonderful new girlfriend. She's sweet, pretty and just a lot of fun. Unfortunately, we're on vacation in Europe and got caught in a down pour and couldn't get a cab. It took us 30 minutes to get back to the hotel and now we're both sick as dogs with ROTTEN colds.

We're both sneezing, coughing, shivering and feeling miserable, but, you know what? I found out I'd rather be sick with someone I care a lot about than be well and be alone and lonely.

Yes, I'm in love and I'm not afraid to express my feelings. I'm just dreading our flight back to the States on Friday. Hopefully, we won't get any worse!

A correlation between Derek Jeter's ball playing this year (lack of it) and getting married?

2010-07-25T12:41:00.000-07:00

I don't know what's going on with our Yankees Captain Derek Jeter, but, there seems to be a correlation between his ball playing this year (or I should say lack of it) and getting married. I don't know why everyone is so afraid to make this statement, but, let's face, our Captain is "off" this 2010 season and the one thing, aside from the passing of two Yankee legends, George Steinberner and Bob Sheppard, is the fact he is getting married.

And, no this is not a jab at marriage or even at Minka Kelly, Jeter's betrothed. I happen to think Ms. Kelly is a very attractive woman. However, it is an observation of players and how they have been on or off their games this year.

Like Derek Jeter, the Yankee's team jokester, Nick "Swish" Swisher is also engaged to actress Joanna Garcia. The difference is that settling down seems to agree with Swish. He has been on fire this 2010 baseball season, while our beloved Captain seems to be indeed struggling.

Time will tell and the length of the marriage (if they even make it down the aisle) will tell...

Rainy days in Manhattan

2010-06-09T10:39:00.001-07:00

I know, I know I haven't posted in ages. What can I say it's a rainy day, I'm bored silly at work and I literally have nothing else to do. I don't know what it is about rainy days but it takes me back to grade school for some reason. I remember walking home from school, jumping in puddles and having Mom waiting for some type of special treat after school. Like her famous chocolate chip cookies made from scratch.

I also have a very strange association with rainy days and the old tv show Taxi. Remember that one? How could anyone forget "Iggy"? I happen to think Christopher Lloyd is a wonderful actor and I've appreciated all the rolls he has done over the years. But, I digress, why do rainy days take me back to grade school and the show taxi? Maybe it's the simple fact that it takes me back to a simpler time in my life. Sort of a mini-vacation if you will for the mind. Days long before I married and inevitably got divorced. Before I was working 60 hours a week. A time when my biggest worry was if I could stay up beyond 10pm on a school night.

So much for my walk down memory lane. I've just been snapped back into reality by my phone at work. Time for a meeting...

Last Day of Summer

2009-09-21T06:05:00.000-07:00

Today marks the last day of summer and tomorrow Fall arrives. I've always loved the fall, it's the transformation period between summer and winter, and, there is so much to look forward to in the Fall. Everything from football and the NYC marathon to Halloween to the beautiful show nature puts on each year.

'Fall, leaves, fall'
by Emily Jane Bronte

Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;
Lengthen night and shorten day;
Every leaf speaks bliss to me
Fluttering from the autumn tree.

I shall smile when wreaths of snow
Blossom where the rose should grow;
I shall sing when night's decay
Ushers in a drearier day.

What did I just do?

2009-09-20T15:10:00.000-07:00

This weekend has been interesting to say the least. Somehow I let my friends talk me into a ski vacation in February during Valentine's Day weekend into President's Day so we only have to take 4 days vacation time. While I do enjoy skiing or in my case falling...I'm now wondering why in the middle of winter I am going to snowy Colorado instead of heading South to the beautiful warm Caribbean. Or if I did agree to skiing, why didn't I insist harder to head to Europe? For some reason being in Europe on Valentine's Day doesn't sound as nearly as depressing as it does going to Colorado. Don't ask me why because I haven't got a clue.

Any cute girls between the ages of 29 and 35 want to go skiing?

Mamma Mia - I want to see it AGAIN!!

2009-09-18T09:22:00.000-07:00

I LOVED IT! Except I can't get the song Mamma Mia out of my head now!! And yes ok I admit it, I was wrong to scoff! And I want to go back and see it again! YES! Really. Mamma Mia is absolutely the most fun of current Broadway shows and this is coming from someone who saw Rock of Ages! Just go or go again!

Mamma Mia Lyrics
Ive been cheated by you since I dont know when
So I made up my mind, it must come to an end
Look at me now, will I ever learn?
I dont know how but I suddenly lose control
Theres a fire within my soul
Just one look and I can hear a bell ring
One more look and I forget everything, o-o-o-oh

Mamma mia, here I go again
My my, how can I resist you?
Mamma mia, does it show again?
My my, just how much Ive missed you
Yes, Ive been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why, why did I ever let you go?
Mamma mia, now I really know,
My my, I could never let you go.

Ive been angry and sad about the things that you do
I cant count all the times that Ive told you were through
And when you go, when you slam the door
I think you know that you wont be away too long
You know that Im not that strong.
Just one look and I can hear a bell ring
One more look and I forget everything, o-o-o-oh

Mamma mia, here I go again
My my, how can I resist you?
Mamma mia, does it show again?
My my, just how much Ive missed you
Yes, Ive been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why, why did I ever let you go?
Mamma mia, even if I say
Bye bye, leave me now or never
Mamma mia, its a game we play
Bye bye doesnt mean forever

Mamma mia, here I go again
My my, how can I resist you?
Mamma mia, does it show again?
My my, just how much Ive missed you
Yes, Ive been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why, why did I ever let you go
Mamma mia, now I really know
My my, I could never let you go

Now how did I get talked into this?

2009-09-17T08:38:00.000-07:00

Being a recently divorced guy, well not too recent, it's been just over a year now. I haven't been really active in the social scene. So, somehow (and I don't remember being drunk when I said yes), I agreed to go see Mamma Mia with my sister and her friend tonight. Yes, I must be only New Yorker left to be a Mamma Mia virgin, this is my first time, and, I'm dreading the change to that status. What was I thinking? An entire evening sitting through endless ABBA songs? I am agonizing over the fact that I am throwing away a perfectly good evening to see this?? I might need to get out of the house but, at this price? I think I should have my head examined!

5 Napkin Burger - It's ok...

2009-09-16T09:01:00.000-07:00

I finally got to 5 Napkin Burger, this is the burger joint on the West side everyone keeps bragging about and, honestly, I don't know why. Don't get me wrong, it was good but not good enough to justify $13.95 for just a burger, add on onion soup for $8.95 plus a drink and a tip... No burger joint is worth $30+ dollars. I'll stick to a dinner or Burger King for my hamburgers thank you...

Jay Leno was it me?

2009-09-15T08:24:00.000-07:00

Well last night was met with disappointment. I was eager to see Jay Leno's new primetime show, and, I don't know if it was just me but, I thought it was completely boring. I was glad to see Kevin Eubanks was with Jay but, something was really lacking.

The guests were good, in theory... Jerry Seinfeld, Kanye West, etc but, it just didn't hold my attention. I'm hoping it gets better as it progresses, I like Jay and would hate to see NBC yank him off the air completely.

Monday Blues

2009-09-14T09:21:00.000-07:00

I hate Mondays. I did read an interesting column by Jackie Thresten this morning called A realistic budget for a week in New York City - Part 2 well no one ever said New York was cheap! However, I am actually amazed how expensive it really is to visit. The hotel bills are outrageous!

You'd think in this economy they'd be lowering prices. Geez!

September 13 2009

2009-09-13T16:04:00.000-07:00

Yes, I've been a bad boy and not blogging but, it turned out to be a busy summer work-wise, not to mention, fighting off some bad colds during that time period. I have moved on to dating, so far no one is rocking my boat but that's ok, at least I'm out there trying instead of wallowing in self pity.

I found some neat websites I'm following:

Single White Female 42:
http://swf42.blogspot.com/

Newark Luxury Travel Examiner:
http://www.examiner.com/x-21128-Newark-Luxury-Travel-Examiner

Justine
http://www.myspace.com/justineuk

So that's my update

Summer Cold Number 2

2009-08-17T13:05:00.000-07:00

Here I am sick as a dog again but, this time it is self-inflicted. I gave myself a doozy of a cold by sitting in my car with the air conditioning blasting on me after a day at the beach. The only good thing to come out of it is that I accidentally sneezed on a co-worker who was so kind to share her cold with me a few weeks ago - and she INTENTIONALLY made sure I caught it so I wouldn't land the same client she was after. She came by to tell me she now has a scratchy throat. How says revenge isn't sweet, oh yes it is...

Right now, I just want a kind hearted woman who can take care of me when I'm sick and vice versa.

It's nearly 100 outside and I'm sitting here freezing with chills and I can tell I have a fever. Why do we do such stupid things to ourselves?

Wow was it HOT today! I went to the beach and then I did a dumb thing

2009-08-16T15:46:00.000-07:00

Summer finally decided to arrive, in the middle of August no less! So, I decided to go to the beach today. It was pretty much a perfect beach day, the waves were calm, the sun hot - but the traffic! OH BROTHER!

Now, I'm wondering if I just screwed myself royally. On my drive home, well, the car was blistering hot. I just got rid of a cold, and, after having the air conditioning blasting on me all the way home my nose is running and my throat is feeling a bit scratchy. I think I just did a dumb thing, I think I just caused myself to catch another cold. I've been sucking on zinc and pumping in OJ and vitamin C but, I hope it's enough.

I also had a sneezing fit and that's usually a sign that I have a cold coming on. It wouldn't be so bad but, I literally just got over one.

Did you see THIS?

2009-08-11T16:38:00.000-07:00

You know there are women out there who are nice, sweet, funny and they often sit around without dates. Why then I wonder do women like this nut job: http://swf42.blogspot.com/ always manage to get guys like them to take them where ever they want, do what THEY want to do, and, then push us to the ground and rub our face in dirt when someone else better comes along!

Well TWO can play this game.

Ok ladies who wants a nice, Jewish guy with a good income, divorced with no kids who enjoys music, traveling, museums, theater and dining out as well as cooking? My photos are below, unlike the woman in the other blog, I'm not ashamed to put my photo out there!

Have You Ever INTENTIONALLY Passed On A Cold?

2009-08-07T07:53:00.000-07:00

So here I am shivering, sneezing, wheezing and overall miserable and the jackass that gave it to me has the nerve to come up to tell me that I better not spread it around. I feel like kissing this jerk with tongue just to make sure this rotten cold goes back to it's original owner!

Rotten Cold

2009-08-06T09:16:00.000-07:00

I feel like death warmed over... Sneezing, coughing, headache, sore throat, fever and stuffed up head. Is there a nice woman out there who is kind, compassionate, who doesn't cheat, will respect me and the hard work I do to make her live comfortable so she doesn't have to work? I promise I'm not all bad looking, in fact, I was voted best smile in high school. All you need to do is take care of me when I get bad colds like this one. If you get sick, you can be assured I will pamper you. That's all I need right now...

Are you out there? This is me in Europe last year - just had a fall. Matter of fact, I came home with a bad cold and then got hit with divorce papers. I love traveling and will gladly take the right woman to Europe for vacations, the best restaurants in NYC, and, most importantly you will feel loved.

My first blog - I have a cold, I hate my co-worker and I'm alone

2009-08-05T13:23:00.000-07:00

So, why a blog? Did you ever have such a bad day at work that you really just had it? Well, today was such a day for me. On Monday we had a three hour meeting, I had the unfortunate luck of sitting next to a co-worker with a cold who sneezed and coughed on me during the entire meeting. And, yes, I DO believe it is intentional since we are both trying to land the same property to list.
(I'm in Real Estate).

Anyhow, yesterday I woke up with a sore throat. Today I have the full blown cold and, I am just miserable. I have a fever, chills, stuffed nose, raspy throat that hurts when I swallow. In other words, it's going to be a bad one.

Ok, yes, we all get colds but, I'm divorced less than a year and, this is the first cold I am going through alone since college. I'm currently 43. Yes, I know I won't die and I know it will pass and I know lots of other people are going through similar situations but, I just feel alone. Know what I mean?

It's just nice to have someone around, in my case I prefer a sweet female, who pampers you when you have a cold. Like make chicken soup or get you a blanket. Just the little things that let you know she cares.

I haven't had the interest in dating yet. I'm still trying to get over my ex-wife cheating on me and how I didn't know it for almost 18 months. This is what I get for working hard, taking her out every weekend for whatever she wanted to do, give her everything she asked for and, being attentive to her. And, no, this isn't a call for every yenta in the greater Tri-State area to come after me. I just want to find a normal girl.

Well, I'm going to take a nap. Not that anyone is going to read this anyhow...