An uneasy feeling hit the stomach Friday evening not having received a response to an email warning of announcing my Saturday morning arrival. My primary concern was that the (new) old friends were putting aside important work on the theatre company to play host to and entertain me for the day. I couldn’t bear the thought. *
The bus trip was exciting as everyone talked about his or her plans for the day; the weather, as the bus sped northeast, became more beautiful with every mile.
Dropped off on West 47th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue it was immediately obvious that this was a special NYC day. Light breezes made for clear blue skies, and the air was that of a crisp autumn day.
Being about a half hour early, I made the rounds of the theaters about to open new shows this month and next. The box offices for Billy Elliot (the musical) and the revival of Equus, starring Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), were doing a brisk business. I got some idea for other shows that may have tickets available on the December trip; then it was time to get to Dennis & David’s apartment.
Still apprehensive I head north and (thank you, Goddess) Dione appears near the subway station at 50th St. So I’m not alone and being reassured that everything is OK.
Big hugs, kisses and silliness greet us making me feel very stupid, but much better. The smells eminating from the kitchen are glorious, many not easily discernible, as we settle in for some small talk followed by homemade sweet rolls, coffee and political conversation. (It is so refreshing to be in the same room with a group of 8 people of like mind discussing the issues without screams being exchanged.)
Soon I learned that another old friend from NOLA, Mousey, would be joining us for lunch. I was thrilled; haven’t seen him in 45 years. When he arrived we I spent about a half hour catching up and discovering that we’re still on the same page regarding politics and human rights.
(Photo at right - That's Mousey on on the left with the usual suspects.)
The makings of roast beef Po-Boys suddenly appear on the dining room table, as we prepare our own sandwiches we’re anxious to get outdoors to the plaza for an al fresco dining experience devouring the quintessential NOLA sandwich in New York City. Great, sloppy, delicious fun.
Yes, we had a whole roll of paper towels with us.
After lunch we enjoyed some time at a street fair sponsored by the NYC Guardian Angels that ran for 10 blocks on Seventh Avenue - between West 47th street (Palace Theatre) and West 57th street (Carnegie Hall) – offering all kinds of ethnic foods, crafts and fun fashion items.
One the way back to D&D’s apartment we were stopped in our tracks by a steel drummer playing “When the saints go marchin’ in” and we smiled at one another then moved on in silence.
The ride back to the beach was subdued; everyone exhausted from his or her adventures, and I intended to read. No such luck. Instead I was a captive audience to the supreme waste of celluloid evah! A Disney flick titled “The Game Plan” starring Dwayne “the rock” Johnson. Need I say more? While not ‘kiddie porn’ it was certainly ‘porn for kiddies’ and that’s the truth. The guy has a great body and they made sure that he was bare-chested for half of the film. Nice body with little brain and acting talent. The script included every cliché in the Disney playbook. I survived.
Dwayne IS very attractive.
I slept well.
* Note to self: Trust friends to tell you when your presence would be a negative. It ain’t all about you.And so it goes.
Glad you had a nice trip.
ReplyDeleteBTW, that Dwayne was *originally* from the area up here. He does not say that much. It does not add nor diminish from his bod, but I just thought I'd throuw that in. :)