The US Open

WELCOME TO THE US OPEN!! One of the first things I bought when I got to NYC was tickets to the first session of the US Open night games, and yesterday was the day!



My first time at a professional tennis game, it was thrilling! Made those tennis years in high school and college feel like forever ago. There was lots going on, and Ronnie and I had a great time in the Heineken lounge watching the opening ceremony on the TV's and having a beer, it was such a swanky lounge. Then we went into Arthur Ashe stadium to watch Venus Williams defeat Roberta Vinci. It was so cool to be in such a huge stadium... and it was so quiet. You could hear the ball being smacked around and it was so serene.





After that was Roger Federer playing Dabul. The crowd just loved Federer, and it was great to watch him play. I had wanted to make some rounds on some of the smaller courts, but I just couldn't tear myself away from the matches I was watching. Everything went by so fast, I felt like it was over before it started, but it was a great experience to see.



Inside the stadium



Outside the stadium

The best thing about New York City is that you can count on everything to come through here, except for maybe like, Mardi Gras. When you're in NYC it feels like you're at the center of the world.

Brooklyn Loves Michael Jackson

...and so do I! Thanks to Ronnie, who not only has internet at home, but also friends from home in NYC, I learned about the Michael Jackson Day in Brooklyn yesterday. It was the 2nd annual Michael Jackson party produced and hosted by Spike Lee, held in Brooklyn's Prospect Park and IT. WAS. FABULOUS.


A small taste of the atmosphere

You could hear Michael Jackson's music from far away, and when I got through the trees to the meadow clearing, it was a massive field with a stage, screens, and speakers that hurt my ears even from the edge of the park (no joke). Thousands of people were out and about playing, dancing, eating, taking pictures, watching all the impersonators, and just celebrating his legend.


Me and Ronnie taking a break from our dance moves for the shade


Let's Dance! Let's Shout! Shake ya body on to the ground!

I consider myself a fan. I remember listening to the whole Bad album days at a time, and Neverland Ranch was quite close to where I went to college! But all my recent respect and appreciation for him was due to SD roommate Pam, the true fanatic who reinstilled my love for the Off The Wall album (thank you too, Quincy Jones) and Blood on the Dance Floor. A whole day of Michael Jackson music and dancing unihibitedly was so refreshing! The day was perfect too... clear, hot, and breezy.

Also to our surprise the Revered Al Sharpton came out to address the crowds and lead us in a prayer, and then Snoop Dogg came out at the end to sing a tribute.


Snoop Doggggggg

Why didn't we do this while he was alive?? At least he left a legend, like The Way You Make Me Feel and PYT and Dirty Diana!! Kk Loves Michael Jackson.


...as do all these girls that were a part of our group!

The Perspective of Sickness

This has been the motherload of all sicknesses that I caught, it's a very strong and stubborn one that I can't get rid of. Even with Monday and Tuesday off, by Thursday morning, I was weakly trying to get ready for work when the nausea and dizziness and overall fatigue just hit me I couldn't make it in. I spent the day sleeping, tossing and turning, cuddling my kitties, and watching Seinfeld. I could've used some more raw garlic, and ginger, but was too sickly to go get it.

And in that state, I had a bit of a different view of New York. Even just one day bedridden indoors, I felt so locked up! I thought a lot about all the amazing things New York City had just outdoors and even as close as the park just 1 block away, and how I couldn't go. I felt very lonely and isolated without the internet as well. And i got so sick of watching movies on my laptop on my lap since it got so hot, or on the side of the bed, i really should invest in a TV with a DVD player. I looked at some at Target when Shan and Kat were here, but the ones I could afford weren't much bigger than my laptop so I didn't see the point! New investment will be a TV, and maybe some furniture to put it on.

At any rate, as soon as I'm better I'm ready to go back out exploring new neighborhoods, and maybe go to some museums, and get back with the NYC I missed out on being sick. TGIF today, I have the weekend to recover now. And if Shannon and Kathleen will send some pictures, I can put some up!

Post-Vacation Work Day

As soon as the weekend hit, I somehow got sick. Still, I indulged the Kelley's and we went out and about gallavanting around the city both night and day, and crashing, sleeping, and terrorizing the cats by night, who in turn terrorized us in our sleep with their incessant chasing, running, clawing, jumping, etc.

With a good week in NYC, Shannon and Kathleen left with still plenty un-done on the to-do list. Still, we got to do way more than we didn't (you following?). But I took them to the airport yesterday and came home alone to a quiet apartment (and full fridge, thank you Kathleen for the 24 pack of Coke, and the 5 gallon tub of Cheese Balls!!!) and couldn't sleep because of how awful I felt. I thought that the calm would give me time to revitalize, but instead it gave the disease time to multiply and take over. I feel just awful.

And today... it's pouring rain, I'm sick as a dog, and catching up on all the work I missed. It's just as sad as it sounds right about now.

The Kelley's Hath Landed!

Family's in town, met them last night, yahoo! Only I'm stuck at work for the day, looking forward to a week of fun in NYC :)

Chris & Kris Do NYC

After heading up to Boston for 4th of July to spend it on Cape Cod with Chrishon, it was her turn to come down and visit me here in NYC!

We had a GREAT weekend! Chrishon was also my first (overnight) guest in my studio, so it was my first time playing hostess. I met her at Grand Central on Friday night, we brought her stuff to my place, and then walked down Broadway and got drinks at a live jazz club.

That night I put the cat toys away since the cats get really rowdy at night and can be loud with their running, chasing, ball playing, etc. Turns out that worked out against us because in the morning Chris told me that they spent the night jumping onto her air mattress from the windowsill, then back up to the windowsill, and jump to the air mattress.

The next day was fabulous! Got up lazily, and made our way down to Washington Square Park. The day was perfect. That's the Empire State Building peeking out the back



There was also this live creole (?) band playing. Sounded like something you would hear on Splash Mountain. Still, they were so good!! And it was cute that it was two old men and two younger guys. People bond over music



We then ran across and street fair and had the best time buying a bunch of junk. I meann, it wasn't junk, but we loaded up on jewelry, shirts and especially hats!! We got coffee cake and coffee from a cafe, and then did the Staten Island Ferry!! The ferry is part of public transportation so it's free. It's a great view too of both Manhattan...



and Lady Lib...



And this must have been what we looked like on the way over



And here's me and Chris on the inside :)



And me trying to get back the tan I got in Cape Cod...



Afterwards, we went to Ground Zero to see the site, which to be honest isn't much since it's undergoing construction and there's fences set up around it, but we went to the Memorial Preview Site that has some mementoes, information, and shows what they plan to put in the wake of the disaster. This is a Statue of Liberty covered in love and support



Afterwards we went up to Gray's Papaya for hot dogs which though delicious, are a little small! Then back to my place for showers and getting ready for...



Cafe Wha? ! A live house band club that encourages participation and dancing located in Greenwich Village. It was so fun! (At work I asked my coworkers if they had heard of it and they were like uhhhh duh! Joni Mitchell usesd to hang there etc etc) oops.

This was me at our fancy schmancy dinner meal beforehand



Sunday morning we only really had time to grab coffee and breakfast near Grand Central Station before Chrishon had to leave. We were right near the beloved Chrysler building



And in this one if you look really hard, you can see me with my Starbucks and newfound I <3 NY shirt :)



My turn to go to Boston now!

Welcoming Refugee Kitty #2

My next little kitten bonded with Wolfie immediately upon arrival. They just love each other endlessly.

This is them eating and bonding on the first night



And this is them now. They're always cuddling each other and even wrapping their tails around each other.



It's so endearing! All our cats in California were so independent, they never seemed to take to each other for too long. I guess since they only have each other, they really appreciate each other.

Auntie Chrishon who visited from Boston last weekend bought a housewarming present for all of us... a scratching post! They were tearing up the carpet and not taking to the scratching pad i had hanging from the door handle. They both love it but Wolfie only really gets adventurous at night



And here is a straight on picture with the favorite toy. I still don't have a name for the cat but really, like in this picture, you can see a striking resemblance to Bjork, I think.

Cat:


Bjork:


Aaaaaand lastly, I found Crazy Cat Lady #3. Usually there's just a picture with a cat, but this is just one step too far



Now if only I could get Wolfie to love me!