Dessert in Manhattan

Wilson took me to Black Hound which serves up wonderful desserts. I got a berries in chocolate cup with a vanilla yogurty custard thing. It was sooooo good, I had to take a picture of it! We ate it in New York's Union Square amid skateboarders, crazies, locals, and tourists. There was so much action going on in the street at 11pm at night. It was awesome!

Frozen Hot Chocolate

Amy and Wilson live near Jacques Torres Chocolatier, known for the outstanding chocolates. We stopped in intending to get the highly advertised frozen hot chocolate. They had their normal hot chocolate, but it was a nice summer day, so frozen sounded much better. This was not a frappacino or a milk shake. This was the richest, thickest chocolate milk, frozen to perfection. I got mine spiced (which is like Mexican hot chocolate). It was not too thick to drink through a straw, but heavy enough where I realized that this was hot chocolate on steroids. It was rich and creamy and chocolately and heavenly. I could not finish. As much as I wanted to, my body would tell me that if I took one more sip, I would die from OD-ing on chocolate goodness. So throughout the weekend, I kept the frozen goodness in Amy and Wilson's fridge, and sipped on it every so often. I think I got through 3/4 of it over the next 2 days, and I don't think I ever finished it. It was unforgettable, that was for sure =)

Wilson and Amy along the Brooklyn waterfront

Me in Brooklyn with the Manhattan skyline in the background

Running in Central Park

On Monday, 03 September 2007, Amy, Wilson, and I went running in Central Park. We road the subway to Columbus Circle, and then started out little jog. There were tons of people out and about. They closed the inner road to cars, so there were joggers, horse drawn carriages, strollers, walkers, roller bladers, and tourists. There were people in the grassy areas, reading, sunbathing, and picniking. It was a gorgeous day, and the running, although a little bit hotter than I'm used to, was fantastic.

Wilson and Amy after our run in Central Park
Amy and I after our run

After running, we went uptown to the Harlem area to 107 W. 109st. This is where my dad's family lived for 9 months during WW2. They were released out of their Topaz, Utah internment camp earlier than other families, but they were still considered a threat to the west coast. So the government moved them to New York. The building was definitely still there, and it looked like any other apartment building in the city. It was strange to think that this was a place of refuge for my family during a very tense time in history.

107 W. 109 St. The apartment building is still very much there


Me standing at the entrance to the building

We then went to the NYU area to eat lunch and cupcakes at Crumbs. It was all very good, and I got to see Amy's business school building and the NYU campus. All in all, it was a great day in New York. =)
Amy and Wilson debating how to cut the cupcake

The chocolate blackout cupcake from Crumbs

US Open 2007

Part of the reason for this trip to New York was to go to the US Open in Flushing Meadows. The Billy Jeane King Tennis complex is located next to Shea Stadium in the Queens area of NYC. I got a day and night pass good for Sunday, 02 September 2007. With this particular pass, I can get access to the entire complex, along with reserved seats in the main stadium, Arthur Ashe.

After oversleeping, I got to the complex via subway at 1pm. Already, the place was bustling. There were matches going on all over the place, and I wasn't quite sure where to begin. I figured out that I could get a little ear phone radio thing if I was an American Express card holder (sponsor), which I am, thanks to the swoosh. So I got one, and it was already tuned into the Open broadcast, which was for the US Open attendees, and the TV broadcast. Over the course of the day, I could tune in and figure out how the matches that are being broadcast on tv are going, and the open commentary told me which matches were being played on which courts. There are a total of 15 playing courts, along with Arthur Ashe, Louis Armstrong, and the Grandstand as "show" courts. Its a lot of tennis. But it was a lot of fun.

All day long, I could go from match to match, and stay for a game or two. If I got bored, or heard a better match going on, I could just leave and go to the next court. I made sure to see some types of matches that aren't normally on tv, like the mens and women's doubles, along with some mixed doubles. I went into the various gift shops, where you could buy everything from tennis rackets to a gigantic tennis ball. I was tempted to get the big tennis ball, but it was a pricey $40.

In terms of the big names, I got to see Henin, Venus, Nadal, Moya, Jelena Jankovic, and Ferrer. The matches at Arther Ashe stadium were quick and unexciting. So I just went there to use the facilities and to buy my souvenir cups (one was a beer cup, and the other was a rather nice acryllic cup with a yummy melon martini) =) The nose bleed seats (where I was at), had a fantastic view of the Manhattan skyline, but not such a great view of the matches =)

The Manhattan skyline from the nosebleed seats (where I was sitting) at Arthur Ashe stadium

I ended up spending a lot more time at the Grandstand and Louis Armstrong stadiums. They had better matches that went into 3 or 5 sets, and the fans were definitely more into it. Some of the international players definitely had their fans from their home country in the stands. It was a lot of fun. =)

Carlos Moya vs. some german dude in the grandstand court. This was the most fun court to be at because the fans were very rowdy and cheerful =)

I also decided that I liked the mens matches better than the womens. The women seemed to insist that they could not play with fans distracting them...like taking their seats, or coughing, or breathing...it didn't make me like them very much. The men however seemed to encourage the bustle of the fans, and wanted everyone to cheer and yell. It was much more fun =)
If you are ever in New York during the two week long Open event, I highly recommend going. The first week is definitely cheaper, with more matches per buck. The second week is pricier, but perhaps more quality tennis. Anyway, go if you can!

Me at the US Open at the USTA tennis complex

Me in Arthur Ashe stadium. I think that's Nadal playing in center court

Lost in New York...already...

I decided to go visit Amy and Wilson in New York for the 3 day labor day weekend. The tickets were really cheap...$250 for a round trip, non stop flight from PDX to JFK. There was no reason not to go. I left Portland on a red eye and go to JFK around 8:30. I told Amy I had arrived, so I got onto the Air Train to get on the A train to NYC. I got on the subway, and knew I had to get off at the High St. exit in Brooklyn, and then call Amy from there.
Well, I was a little tired, and I managed to fall asleep on the subway (yeah, brilliant...), and I ended up waking up at 14th St. I figured that there were no numbered streets in Brooklyn...only in Manhattan, so I realized that I had passed the stop. So I got off, went to the other side, and waited for the next train to come. The MTA lady was kind enough to tell me that I was supposed to get on the A train when I asked her if this was the right platform to stand on for the High Street exit. She however did not tell me that the A train did not stop here, and that I would have to board the E and then transfer at the next stop onto the A. Well, after 2 E's go by, I finally figure it out (I was on 3 hours of airplane sleep...my brain wasn't all there....) I got on, and eventually made it to the High St. exit. I gave Amy a call, and she directed me to her apartment complex. The doorman asked me where I wanted to go, and I said apartment 4F. He asked me my name and I said Amy. He said, "No, what is YOUR name." I said "Yes, that IS my name. I am also an Amy...". Oh. Well, he lets me go up, and I finally get into Amy and Wilson's lovely apartment. I told them about the events that lead to my 45 minute delay. 20 minutes in the city, and already, lost. Fantastic!!! =)