So here we are: just over one month into my tenure in NYC and I am proud to bring you my first adventure (hereafter referred to as "MFA")!
When: Friday, September 4, 2009
Where: Central Park
Who: Nick and Emily, with special guest appearances by KTD, Audrey, and Steve
The last few months have been littered with moments that make me stop and think, "Everything happens for a reason!" If you'll peruse the new sub-heading of my blog, you will find that very saying. I don't know if anyone had noted it before, but it previously read: "I live out my dreams. You read about it." While that is true, you already knew that. Henceforth, I decided to make a statement that I have believed in for many years now. More on that at a later date...
However, on this particular day, that saying stands up and shouts itself from the rooftops! After coming home from work on Thursday night, I checked up on the status of the poll and found that 57% of you that voted chose for MFA to be "Exploring Central Park, with the possibility of bursting out in song". Initially, I was totally stoked because I was secretly hoping for this myself. "Why?" you may ask. Well, I had been wanting to spend a day in the park ever since I moved and had never done it. There was one day a few weeks ago when I had the opportunity, but the hangover fairy had visited me the night before and so that day was not shaping up to be a good day to walk through the park. So when I received a text from my friend Emily about how beautiful a day it was outside and what a perfect day to go for a walk in the park, I knew everything was happening exactly as it was intended. "But, Nick, why?" you may ask. Well, because I've been to NYC and walked through Central Park, but never did I actually pay attention to anything and know of all the great things Central Park has to offer. Emily, on the other hand, has been a New Yorker for four years now and knows the park like the back of her hand. So, naturally, I could not have asked for a better companion for MFA in Central Park.
Here's how it went down: Emily and I met up in Astoria around 1, I think. I had a few errands to run in Midtown Manhattan before we could head up to the park, so we stopped there and then walked from Times Square (the 42nd St. area) to Central Park South and Columbus Circle which is roughly 18 blocks or so (that's nearly a mile). On the way, we discussed music, which is great because I've missed having conversations about the world I so love and of which can't wait to be a part. Upon making it to the park, we called my cousins Steve and Audrey that were also spending time in the park that day. We met up with them right around the carousel. Emily swears that the carousel is the place to go whenever you're having a bad day because there is no way you cannot be happy while riding the carousel. Furthermore, you cannot experience joy and sadness at the same time; they are polar opposites and therefore cannot co-exist. Nothing has ever made as much sense to me.
After departing from the carousel, we made out way to the Mall. Everyone has seen the Mall, but may not know that this is its proper name. This is the stretch of pathway that is commonly seen in a series of pictures depicting the seasons. I think my favorite scene at the Mall is in "Definitely, Maybe". If you haven't seen this movie, go rent it and enjoy! In this particular scene, Ryan Reynolds and Abigail Breslin are sitting on a bench along the Mall. She decides she's figured out who her mother is in the story he's telling her. The setting looks to be about mid-fall with leaves turning colors and falling, people wearing sweaters and looking cozy: that's what I look forward to each year, no matter where I am. Anyway, I just love how this stretch of walk way in the park seems so pristine and welcoming. It's great to just take a stroll and see all the different people that inhabit this city. On this particular Friday, we saw a young boy and girl doing juggling acts and things of that sort. They weren't terribly popular with the passersby, but I found it endearing to see two kids so young performing for all to see.
At the end of this stretch on the Mall, we came across a stone stage with a half-dome ceiling--which became the sight of my NYC performance debut. Don't worry, Mom, you didn't miss much. I jumped up on the stage a sang a few high notes to myself in a very dramatic stance while Emily took a few snapshots... One day, it'll be for thousands. This is something that particularly amazes me about this city and this park. In the middle of this huge metropolis of an island, there's a structure built in a Greek/Roman-style in a park that stretches nearly 3 miles and is surrounded by modern skyscrapers. Amidst all the hysteria of our world, something so simple and brilliant stands just to be seen. I am unaware if there are ever any formal performances on this stage, but the acoustics are pretty fantastic for a performer. I highly recommend this stage for anyone that sings for the pleasure that is derived from the act.
After my "performance", we walked to the end of the path where we came upon Bethesda Fountain. Many of you will recognize this sight from the HBO mini-series Angels in America based on the stageplay of the same name by Tony Kushner. However, I'm sure even more of you will recognize it from the scene in Enchanted where Princess Giselle (Amy Adams) sings "That's How You Know" along with hundreds of people spending a day in the park. For some reason, this was one of the places I most wanted to see. The first time I came to New York in high school, I know we spent time exploring the park and I know we came across the fountain. However, I knew really got to spend anytime here. The picture here was taken from the balcony of the fountain area. Just beyond the fountain, you'll see some row boats. To the right, outside of the picture, is the Central Park Boathouse, both an actual boathouse and a restaurant.
Another place for fun happenings, we also stumbled upon some tap-dancers by the fountain. I have no idea how long they were planning on staying there, but I do know that they must practice for insane amounts of time to synchronize everything they do. My favorite part of one of their dances was when they started making some familiar rhythms and then started breaking out into Beyonce's "Single Ladies", which I thought was hilarious--Steve was less enthused due to the fact that he HATES that song. Oh, well. If you two stumble across my blog, I was so impressed and just want to say GREAT JOB!
After the fountain, Steve and Audrey had to cut out of the park and head home. So, Emily and I made our way to another beautiful water area of the park where we found small sail boats. This is the sort of place where I would like to spend a quiet afternoon on a blanket, with a good book, maybe a small picnic, and just soaking up the fact that something this beautiful can exist in a world that simply can't appreciate the simple things that make our world so wonderful. While in college, I was constantly surround by this idea because the campus is incredibly beautiful and sometimes just taking a minute to sit and enjoy the view made those days that seemed to bog me down just kind of go away. I'm really glad Emily showed me this spot, because I think I've been searching for an Oxford-alternative ever since I graduated. Methinks mefoundit.
After discovering peace and serenity, we met up with KTD and her new kids that she nannies: Nala and Maya, the two most adorable tri-lingual kids you'll ever meet. Yes, I typed "tri-lingual". They only speak Mandarin with their mother, only French with their father, and English with everyone else. I'm sure there will be other posts that include the funny things these two say...and I'm sure KTD will show a time or two, as well.
Our last stops in the park included the Great Lawn, Belvedere Castle, the Delacorte Theatre, and the Resevoir; all great movie locales. First, the Great Lawn is where you'd go if you want to throw around a frisby, even if there's a softball game going on with 50 yards of you--some people are just that dumb... Additionally, in a city where you are constantly surrounded by tall buildings and can never see very far with your view being obstructed in some way, it's great to know there is grass field that goes on for quite a while and you're not going to get run over by a taxi.
Belvedere Castle is just a great place to get a great view of the park. From the top tower, you can see across the entire Great Lawn and into the Delacorte Theatre (pictured below). If you follow theatre, you may have heard about the Delacorte Theatre on several occasions. The current revival of HAIR began here as a production of the Public Theatre last summer starting Jonathan Groff as Claude, the role Gavin Creel played to the tune of a Tony-nomination. Earlier this summer, my future wife Anne Hathaway made her NY stage debut with Audra McDonald and Raul Esparza in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. I didn't get to see this show, but Anne Hathaway is hot even as a guy! Anne Hathaway, if you're reading this, call me. If you know Anne Hathway, tell her to read this and then to call me. Thanks!
The Resevoir is THE place for New Yorkers to go for a run. If you're a Sex and the City fan, this is where you've seen both Miranda and Charlotte go for runs during the course of the series and--in Charlotte's case--in the movie. I loved the picture I got from the Resevoir so much, that I put it at the end of this post as a farewell, so check it out!
There were several other things that I saw in the park that I wanted to share. Throughout the park, you'll find numerous bridges that are either pedestrian bridges or several as cross-town streets. However, for some reason I find these bridges to be so neat. Maybe because you'll find them throughout a lot of movies like Home Alone 2: Lost in New York or Elf. I particularly enjoy the scene in which Will Ferrell fends out a clan of bullies in the park during a snowball fight. Maybe one of my wintertime adventures will include a snowball fight in the park...
Anyway, here's a series of pictures of a couple of those arches that I was particular fond of.
I really only found this to be a funny name...
In other news, I start serving this week! Business should pick up a lot over the next few weeks because the revival of Bye, Bye Birdie will start performances this Thursday. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to talk to John Stamos' bodyguard and he mentioned that ticket sales were going really well, which definitely translates to big business for us since we'll be the first thing patrons see as they exit the theatre. So, hopefully I will finally feel financially stable pretty soon. Here's hoping!
I hope you're all well and enjoying your lives. Please, come visit!
Happy Adventures!
P.S. If any of you are tech-savvy with blogging, let me know how to better navigate the layout, especially with pictures...
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