Entry 580: Back to Life, Back to Reality

Trivia question: Who sings that song that goes Back to life, back to reality...

Answer: I believe they were called Soul 2 Soul. Let me me check on that... Yep, I got it. Well, I stylized it wrong -- it's Soul II Soul -- but close enough. It's a good tune. It also has that hook However do you want me, however do you need me...

Anyway, we had a blitz weekend in New York, New York, this last one, no kids, but now it's back to life, back to reality. And that's probably a good thing. I pretty much hit my alcohol quota for the month in two days. We stayed with S's childhood friend N, and that dude loves to paint the town red (being a recent divorcee surely adds some fuel to that fire). So, it was a boozy (excellent) dinner on Friday evening, another one on Saturday, and then a visit to the club as a nightcap. At least we balanced things out with a museum trip for some culture and a whole lot of walking for exercise (about 35,000 steps combined on Saturday and Sunday according my health app).

We took the train up on Friday evening, marking the first time I had ever taken a train to NYC. It's pretty expensive on the weekend (like $150 a ticket), but it's so much nicer than taking the bus and much less a hassle than driving or flying. We watched this movie called Promising Young Woman, which I was not into at all for the first hour or so (it didn't help that we were doing that thing where you each get one headphone), but then there's a little twist, and I found it really compelling after that. Thumbs up overall.

N happens to live like a quarter mile from Penn Station, so it was super easy to get to his place. This is good because we were running late for our dinner reservation. (Train was delayed a bit.) I literally went straight to his bathroom without even taking off my shoes because I wanted to get a quick shower in. (I'm a night showerer all the way.) We hustled to the restaurant, and, of course, it took them a half-hour to get our table together after we arrived. At least we could enjoy some delicious $20 cocktails at the bar while we waited. And the food was so worth it -- tapas. We ordered two dishes too many though. We could have done without the morels, and we barely touched the octopus.

The next day my friend DK came down from his place in Hartford. We grew up together and both ended up on the East Coast but just far enough away that it's impractical to get together too often. It was great to see him. The four of us (DK, N, S, and me) went to MOMA and perused the museum for several hours. We also ate lunch on their rooftop cafe, which is lovely. I don't really "get" art (does anybody?), but I still enjoy walking through the exhibits. I started playing a little game with myself where I'd see how many artists' names I recognized just from crossword puzzles -- MIRO, DIX, ERNST, PIET, WYETH, etc.

After MOMA, we went to some district where there are a lot of boutiques. (I can't remember the name of it; I have a terrible sense of direction and never pay attention to my surroundings.) S went shopping and the three or us went to a cafe/bar, where we had drinks and met DK's brother-in-law J. We had a few more drinks and then DK and J went to see a show (My Morning Jacket, I believe) in Queens. S returned from her spending spree, and we went back to N's to watch Ted Lasso before dinner. (We only watched the first episode, so I can't speak to whether or not it's actually worthy of its hype.)

Oh, I almost forgot to mention, on the way back to N's, we got gelato. It was possibly the best part of the entire trip. I got two scoops -- coffee and eggnog. I was most excited for the coffee, but the eggnog turned out to be the real winner.

Two of N's other friends met us for dinner, and we stuffed ourselves to the gills with paella and sangria. It was a long leisurely dinner (we were at a Spanish place, after all), and then afterwards we went to a gay club. In retrospect, it was a curious choice given that N was the only gay man among us, but he was kinda like our leader for night, so, when in Rome...

The club was packed, and while I was there I had my first Oh shit, that's right, Covid! moment of the weekend. We were always outside or masked before, so I kinda forgot about it. But the good thing about NYC is that you have to show proof of vaccination to get into most places (such as this club). To me, that's sufficient. As best I can tell, it's not that different than being in a club during flu season, and that's a risk most people are willing to accept personally, and one we are willing to accept as a society. I mean, it might even be safer than being in a club during flu season, since not many people, particular young people, get a flu shot.

DK and J met us in the club after their show, which was kinda funny, because we are all straight family men at a (very) gay club. But it was fun. I don't think they were there too long, but I was already many drinks into the night, so my sense of time could be warped. I do know the four of us left together (N and his other friends stayed), and then they split off, and S and I walked backed to N's apartment.

The next day N, S, and I went to brunch (alcohol-free for me), and we walked around a bunch more, including a jaunt through this old elevated railway track called The High Line. It was opening day of the NFL season (which used to a personal holiday for me), so I was periodically checking my phone to see how the Seahawks were doing. (They won if you were wondering.) I don't really like doing that because I hate how much everybody looks at their phone now, and I don't want to add to the antisocial mania. But I also have to feed my addiction for NFL football. At least I was with my wife and friend and not watching it alone in a sports bar, which is what I might have done a few years ago. So, it's getting better.

In addition to look at my phone, I also spent a good amount of time looking for the cleanest public toilet I could find. My guts were gurgling something fierce. I settled on a chichi looking hotel (just walk in and pretend like you belong), which was a good choice, as it had some fine facilities. I can't say I enjoyed my stay, but at least I got things settled before the train ride back.

It was an uneventful ride. S slept almost the entire way, and I watched Hell or High Water, which also gets a thumbs up from me.

We finally got home around 9:30 Sunday evening, and then Monday morning I woke up to take the kids to school -- back to life, back to reality.

Until next time...