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One lingering piece of blog business is a bit of closure on the dead pine tree next door. The tree was fully removed while we were in NYC, and all that is left are some errant spots of sawdust in our backyard. Otherwise, you would never know that there was a tree there in the first place.

The open skyline is surely taking some getting used to, but the view to the south is quite dramatic. One thing we do miss is the shadow that the tree cast on the white house below…if we can just get them to paint the house a more neutral color, then we’re in business.

Nevertheless, I can’t wait for one of our dramatic summer fogs to roll in, so the view can truly be appreciated.

Well, it has sure taken me a while to get to through these shots from NYC. So, rather than try and structure this tale of fun and sun, I’ll try some relative groupings.

First off, some food and restaurant shots…which frankly were like main events each day 🙂 Here, you will see some shots from the Magnolia Bakery in Greenwich Village…where we found LONG lines to get hold of their delectable cupcakes. (We found the line short late one evening and tried these not-to-miss treats.) Then a shot of the live jazz at the Garage restaurant. Next is Jeff’s mouth-watering fritata from the outdoor grill in Bryant Park. And of course, some shots of the amazing Miracle Bar and Grill–can someone say bacon-wrapped shrimp tacos?

Next, we turn to our all-too-brief visit with Cheryl, Curt, and Loren. We got to visit the rooftop of their new building and scope our their unique view of the world…including a peek at the Empire State Building and the Roosevelt Island Tram.

And finally…the mish mash of other photos from around the city. The first one, I should point out, is a Jeff original. Its from the line at the Apple store, and I really thought it captured the sheer lunacy of the iPhone excitement.

No trip to NYC would be complete without a hot pastrami sandwich (on rye, of course) from the Stage Deli. Our friend Chris introduced us to the Stage Deli several visits ago, and we’ve been ever time since. Now, Jeff prefers the hefty chicken salad sandwich…but for my money, this piled-high pastrami delight is pure sandwich perfection.

We actually had a few delightful meals yesterday, our first “free day” in NY. We also visited with Cheryl and Curt and Loren…one last visit to their apartment before they move into their exciting renovated co-op along the East River. We got a chance to see the new digs pre-renovation…with a side trip to the roof-top deck, which on warm NY days will make them the envy of all their friends. Cheryl and Curt took us to the cozy John’s Pizza near their apartment. We sat out back and shared a REALLY nice bruschetta pizza from a wood oven. Really really hit the spot.

After leaving them to tuck Loren in for the evening, Jeff and I strolled down 1st Ave. to pass by the United Nations buildings. We had not seem the UN before…and the complex isn’t that “impressive” from the street…but you can get a sense of the grand things that go on inside.

After resting our tired feet a bit, we ended our day with a few drinks at a lounge called Therapy. Hip music. Hip decor. A fun time…and we could actually sit…bonus. After our Therapy session, the temperatures were too lovely not to walk back to our hotel…not a short walk, but worth it. We found a Ray’s Pizza along the way and stopped in for a slice.

A cool shower and soft bed felt REALLY good after a long day of walking.

One curiosity for the day. While we were in SOHO, we did run across the Apple store, where a couple hundred (maybe?) people were camped out waiting for the release of the new iPhone. It was like a scene from Let’s Make a Deal…everyone dressed up with signs trying to get noticed by the swarming news cameras. I’m sure the place was a TOTAL zoo by 6pm when the phone went on sale.

I had hoped to post a shot of my NYC hotel window yesterday, but the Internet connection in the room wasn’t functioning…and I was tired. But today…success! This is my 16th floor view from the W Tuscany…there is NOTHING remotely Tuscan about this hotel…but it is quite nice. I’m going to go out on a limb and call this my BEST hotel view to date. (My apologies to Chicago, that had a really strong Window Photo.)

Today is a tad bit cooler. My client meeting was much more receptive and productive. And Jeff is finally here…his flight from SF was VERY late (1am) due to horrible weather delays. (Before you have too much sympathy, Jeff did get upgraded on his flight and got extra wine and champagne as his flight circled JFK.)

Oh, and before I forget to mention it: a really nice lunch today at Ecco, a really nice Italian “saloon” in the Financial District. I had a really tasty lobster ravioli.

Can’t WAIT for dinner!! I really do love NY.

Some days, its best to focus on the positives and ignore the things that just don’t go your way.

The positives: my morning latte, a yummy lunch at Boston’s cozy Green Dragon Tavern (roots back to 1657), catching an early train to NYC, catnaps brought on by the gentle sway of the train, a fantastic hotel room at the W in NYC with a view of the Empire State Building, hip cocktails with my traveling companion Ellis, and a grand lightening show out my window as I drift off to sleep.

All great stuff 🙂

I’ll leave the rants for another day.

[Note to Curt: I know I haven’t written you yet…I’m a bit behind…I will…don’t flame me on my blog for being a bad friend 🙂 ]