Playing Tourist

AND another one bites the dust...(That's okay to say about a pregnant lady, right?) A BIG congratulations goes out to Jessica for announcing she is pregnant with her first.. and ITS A BOY!! Also, a big round of applause to her husband for not choking on the reveal...He shot an arrow into a balloon while everyone was watching...talk about pressure.

Looking at downtown Manhattan. Photo taken by: Seth Drury

Early this month, I put on my New York City Tour Guide Hat for a jam-packed weekend with my college bestie, Rachel, and her husband, Seth. I LOVE having visitors! It gives me an excuse to do all the touristy things that I act like I'm too cool for. (Come visit me, people!) Do you know what I love even more than having visitors? Having repeat visitors! You get a balance of touristy and not-so-touristy activities. (I would also like to note that while some of you have been slacking to see me once, Rachel and Seth love me so much..they came back for seconds.)

Friday, we hit up a show on Broadway and saw Something Rotten. (A humorous must see if you come to New York!) It was one of the funniest shows I've seen and a definite see again. Saturday was a full day that started with going to the top of the Empire State Building. (I've lived here for 3 years, and had never been.) Post Empire State we ate ramen (Seth ate rice since he doesn't know how to use chopsticks...amateur) and went to watch the chaos in Grand Central Terminal. The evening included live music, drinks, and people watching at Cafe Wha?. For anyone that I haven't dragged to Cafe Wha?...it's an underground dark hole great for watching people drunkenly shake their booties to the house band.

Who needs a selfie stick when you have Seth?!

On Sunday, we brunched with pop diva themed beverages then walked The High Line and Chelsea Market to burn off our Madonna Mimosas. I am pretty sure the highlight of Rachel's trip was experiencing Trader Joe's on a Sunday. When we arrived at 5pm, Club TJ's was on a one in, one out policy. Once the Hawaiian t-shirt wearing bouncer let us in the door, I parked Rachel's petite self in the check out line. (This is the number 1 rule when shopping at Trader Joe's...never fly solo...one person runs around the store while the other holds down your spot in line.)

I love company so much that after Seth and Rachel left on Sunday, I invited my mother up for dinner on Wednesday. One of the perks of being a retired flight attendant is being able to fly up on a weekday just to have dinner with their (favorite) child. (Yes, I know I have mentioned my mother in every post so far. Yes, I know that I have probably scared away potential suitors with mentioning her all the time - sometimes a girls just needs her mom.)

Even when the company leaves, the fun doesn't stop. The following weekend I went to a boy band sing-along and sang my inner twelve year-old lungs out. I'm talking a bar full of women "singing" (screaming) Backstreet Boys, NSync, Boyz II Men, New Kids On The Block, and LFO. (Side note: every time I hear Boyz II Men, I think of my father banning my brother from listening to them because he thought they were a rap group... oh Papa Webb.) If you ignore this whole post, please just watch the video...it will make your day. (And the poor men that got dragged to this thing...)

After Boy Band Mania, I had to give my vocal chords a rest, so my roommate (who is recovering from ACL surgery) and I ventured out to a show at The Public Theater. For any of you theater fans, this is where they showcase the work of up-and-coming performers and writers. Going out with Lori (now that she is a gimp) is slightly different than our pre-surgery outings. Before her surgery, I would have to power walk to keep up with her long-legged strides. Now that she is post surgery (and no longer using her crutches), we move at a much slower place. (So slow that I can wear heels.) I have taken on the role of being her guide dog (similar to how you would escort your grandma around town.) The next time we go out, I am going to wear a red vest that says "Service Dog, Do Not Pet" (unless you're tall, dark and handsome.)

As a courtesy, I thought I would note that I will usually keep posts relatively short. They are perfect for your commute or when you need that 15-minute bathroom break from your significant other, child, animal, or co-worker. 

Until next time! (I promise it won't be a month!)

A Lo Xx