Just got upgraded to Business for my flight to London.
Loved it.
How will I ever go back?!?!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Summer time
Ah, summer is finally here.
The sky is blue, the sun is shining and it is HOT.
I am so sad to think that next summer I wont get a sun tan just from walking to work.
Ah well.
Picnic by the river tomorrow!
The sky is blue, the sun is shining and it is HOT.
I am so sad to think that next summer I wont get a sun tan just from walking to work.
Ah well.
Picnic by the river tomorrow!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Straya
Coming soon will be a full update about our jaunt to Oz, but not until I recover from the jetlag.
What the hell time is it???
What the hell time is it???
Monday, March 2, 2009
more snow!
According the weather reports last night the apocalypse is coming, but to me it looks like just more lovely snow!
We have a late winter freak snowstorm going on, about 5 inches over night and still snowing now.
But there were interruptions to TV shows and special weather reports last night to warn us all about this terrible weather.
Take cover! The end is nigh!
And it seems I am one of very few idiots who didnt heed their advice and just take a snow day.
If I get snowed in at work I will be most unimpressed.
We have a late winter freak snowstorm going on, about 5 inches over night and still snowing now.
But there were interruptions to TV shows and special weather reports last night to warn us all about this terrible weather.
Take cover! The end is nigh!
And it seems I am one of very few idiots who didnt heed their advice and just take a snow day.
If I get snowed in at work I will be most unimpressed.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada!
And fabulous it most certainly is.
We had a wonderful weekend and I highly recommend Vegas to anyone and everyone.
We flew at lunchtime on Friday, and got there at dinner time.
Unfortunately some of the booze Simon had been taking (for his conference, not his addiction) went all over my clothes en route so I had to put everything in the laundry.
We were pretty knackered, so we had dinner in our hotel, at Benihana.
It was excellent. I know they do the same stuff in all the Benihana's, but I bet only in Vegas do you find a Chinese chef with really bad teeth doing it all with an Elvis twist!
I of course had the disgusting house cocktail, because it came in a Buddha mug which I got to keep!
The next day we walked from our hotel to the strip, despite our concierge's horror when we asked for directions, it was just a five min walk.
The weather was nice, sunny but not hot.
The strip is insane. Vegas is mostly just a normal town, but with this one stretch of road which is like Disneyland for grown ups.
Everything is themed and covered in bright lights and huge signs. Its crazy.
I will put all the pics on flickr when Simon is back from the conference with my camera.
There is Circus Circus, I bet you can guess what that looks like. And New York New York, a mini Eiffel Tower, Venice complete with canal and gondolas, the Pyramids, and lots of other totally over the top ridiculousness.
I loved it all.
We went into all the hotels which are impeccably well kept.
I thought it would be a bit grubby, but not at all.
Tacky yes, but clean and tidy. There is no litter, not even any gum on the pavement.
All the hotels are like little towns of their own, they all have restaurants, shops and of course casinos and slot machines.
The shops are all designer, way out of my league, but nice to look in.
The restaurants are all pretty fancy too, even if you manage not to lose a fortune gambling just being in Vegas is pretty expensive.
We went to the Secret Garden at the Mirage, which has white lions and white tigers and even a baby leopard. There was also an aquarium with four dolphins, two baby ones!
We saw the fountain show outside the Bellagio, which was incredible, even in the daytime.
And in the foyer of the MGM Grand are another couple of lions, who were nonchalantly chewing on some bones when we got there.
My favourite hotel was the Mirage, because it was were we found a roulette machine with a cosy seat for two people and a minimum bet of just a dollar.
As soon as you start gambling a waitress appears and offers you drinks, which are free, and of course you say yes. Even if it is 11am!
But if I ever went back with loads of money I'd stay at the Wynn, it was really spectacular, and not even themed, just fancy.
On Saturday night we went to Ka, which was incredible. At one point I was so scared by the amazing stunts I thought I might be sick. Luckily no one died.
If you get the chance, see it.
On Sunday we finished the last bit of the strip we hadnt made it to the day before, and went to the shark aquarium at Mandalay Bay which was really cool.
A definite tip - both days we had lunch outside. Saves you from completely losing touch with reality and getting all disorientated from being inside non-stop.
Then we went to the Mirage to spend the last of our pennies on our lucky machine.
We were too scared to play on the tables, it was a $10 minimum bet, so we stuck with the machine.
I think we did bloody well, we bet $300 in all, and came away with $306!!!
A profit, and all those free drinks made it even better!
That night we went to L'Atellier Joel Robuchon.
It was incredible. And deadly.
I ate more calories in one meal than I had in the last month combined, but it was worth it.
We had the six course tasting menu and it was all completely delicious.
After that we hit the machines for a final bet and a final couple of drinks, before crashing.
Sadly it took me all of Monday to get back to NYC, because of delays in Minneapolis and also the time change.
But it was totally worth it.
We had a wonderful weekend and I highly recommend Vegas to anyone and everyone.
We flew at lunchtime on Friday, and got there at dinner time.
Unfortunately some of the booze Simon had been taking (for his conference, not his addiction) went all over my clothes en route so I had to put everything in the laundry.
We were pretty knackered, so we had dinner in our hotel, at Benihana.
It was excellent. I know they do the same stuff in all the Benihana's, but I bet only in Vegas do you find a Chinese chef with really bad teeth doing it all with an Elvis twist!
I of course had the disgusting house cocktail, because it came in a Buddha mug which I got to keep!
The next day we walked from our hotel to the strip, despite our concierge's horror when we asked for directions, it was just a five min walk.
The weather was nice, sunny but not hot.
The strip is insane. Vegas is mostly just a normal town, but with this one stretch of road which is like Disneyland for grown ups.
Everything is themed and covered in bright lights and huge signs. Its crazy.
I will put all the pics on flickr when Simon is back from the conference with my camera.
There is Circus Circus, I bet you can guess what that looks like. And New York New York, a mini Eiffel Tower, Venice complete with canal and gondolas, the Pyramids, and lots of other totally over the top ridiculousness.
I loved it all.
We went into all the hotels which are impeccably well kept.
I thought it would be a bit grubby, but not at all.
Tacky yes, but clean and tidy. There is no litter, not even any gum on the pavement.
All the hotels are like little towns of their own, they all have restaurants, shops and of course casinos and slot machines.
The shops are all designer, way out of my league, but nice to look in.
The restaurants are all pretty fancy too, even if you manage not to lose a fortune gambling just being in Vegas is pretty expensive.
We went to the Secret Garden at the Mirage, which has white lions and white tigers and even a baby leopard. There was also an aquarium with four dolphins, two baby ones!
We saw the fountain show outside the Bellagio, which was incredible, even in the daytime.
And in the foyer of the MGM Grand are another couple of lions, who were nonchalantly chewing on some bones when we got there.
My favourite hotel was the Mirage, because it was were we found a roulette machine with a cosy seat for two people and a minimum bet of just a dollar.
As soon as you start gambling a waitress appears and offers you drinks, which are free, and of course you say yes. Even if it is 11am!
But if I ever went back with loads of money I'd stay at the Wynn, it was really spectacular, and not even themed, just fancy.
On Saturday night we went to Ka, which was incredible. At one point I was so scared by the amazing stunts I thought I might be sick. Luckily no one died.
If you get the chance, see it.
On Sunday we finished the last bit of the strip we hadnt made it to the day before, and went to the shark aquarium at Mandalay Bay which was really cool.
A definite tip - both days we had lunch outside. Saves you from completely losing touch with reality and getting all disorientated from being inside non-stop.
Then we went to the Mirage to spend the last of our pennies on our lucky machine.
We were too scared to play on the tables, it was a $10 minimum bet, so we stuck with the machine.
I think we did bloody well, we bet $300 in all, and came away with $306!!!
A profit, and all those free drinks made it even better!
That night we went to L'Atellier Joel Robuchon.
It was incredible. And deadly.
I ate more calories in one meal than I had in the last month combined, but it was worth it.
We had the six course tasting menu and it was all completely delicious.
After that we hit the machines for a final bet and a final couple of drinks, before crashing.
Sadly it took me all of Monday to get back to NYC, because of delays in Minneapolis and also the time change.
But it was totally worth it.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
DUMBO
On Friday I was supposed to go up to Long Island and hit "the mall" with Vicky all day, but I got a migraine which delayed me by an hour, and then I missed my train and was delayed by another hour because of our lift.
The stupid lifts in our building are always broken and very busy, and so I waited 20 minutes to get to the ground floor of the building!
I got there in the end, and its probably a good thing we werent there all day. The place was huge.
So big, in fact, that we needed a map to find our way around.
But we had a mission, to find jeans for both of us, and we had great success.
Little and large (30" leg and 34" leg!) got matching jeans from Lucky in the sale for a mere £35!
Saturday passed in a blur of hangover and chores.
Sunday was a beautiful sunny day, and it was actually quite warm too.
We walked across the Brooklyn Bridge which was really nice, even though I forgot my camera, and went to a flea market in DUMBO.
It was heaving, and full of tat, but of course we bought stuff.
Simon got an old musical cocktail shaker. Yes, musical.
And a pretty old soda bottle.
I got jewels.
Some little broaches, a necklace and a butterfly hairclip.
Havent worn a hair clip since I was about 6, but I'm willing to give it another try.
The stupid lifts in our building are always broken and very busy, and so I waited 20 minutes to get to the ground floor of the building!
I got there in the end, and its probably a good thing we werent there all day. The place was huge.
So big, in fact, that we needed a map to find our way around.
But we had a mission, to find jeans for both of us, and we had great success.
Little and large (30" leg and 34" leg!) got matching jeans from Lucky in the sale for a mere £35!
Saturday passed in a blur of hangover and chores.
Sunday was a beautiful sunny day, and it was actually quite warm too.
We walked across the Brooklyn Bridge which was really nice, even though I forgot my camera, and went to a flea market in DUMBO.
It was heaving, and full of tat, but of course we bought stuff.
Simon got an old musical cocktail shaker. Yes, musical.
And a pretty old soda bottle.
I got jewels.
Some little broaches, a necklace and a butterfly hairclip.
Havent worn a hair clip since I was about 6, but I'm willing to give it another try.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
My New York weekend
I think I will always remember last weekend as being one of my most "New York" weekends, as in, it was just how I thought all my weekends would be, before I actually moved here.
On Friday night Simon and I got dolled up and went out.
First we went to a super swanky cocktail bar called Death and Co.
There is no standing room, so they dont even let you in until there is a seat free.
But I know a man who knows a man, so in we went.
All the cocktails are fancy, there's no Sex on the Beach here, so after realising that I probably wouldnt like anything on the menu I ordered what looked like a posh rum punch.
It was amazing.
Then we went for dinner.
We were supposed to have the cheap restaurant week menu, but all the other stuff looked so much better and we were drunk on cocktails so we went crazy and a la carte.
The food was all yummy, and the wine was too.
On Saturday we went to Macy's to do some shopping (not for us sadly, but still fun) and then watched a movie in the evening with Chinese take away. It didnt come in those cardboard boxes they have in Friends, but was jolly nice.
And then on Sunday we saw a certain someone, as I may have mentioned, before spending the rest of the day in MoMA.
Despite my reservations about "modern" art, it was amazing.
The contemporary gallery didnt really do much for me, but the photography exhibition was amazing, as were the sculptures and paintings.
And to reward myself for all that culture, I went home and had a delicious chocolate chip cookie!
On Friday night Simon and I got dolled up and went out.
First we went to a super swanky cocktail bar called Death and Co.
There is no standing room, so they dont even let you in until there is a seat free.
But I know a man who knows a man, so in we went.
All the cocktails are fancy, there's no Sex on the Beach here, so after realising that I probably wouldnt like anything on the menu I ordered what looked like a posh rum punch.
It was amazing.
Then we went for dinner.
We were supposed to have the cheap restaurant week menu, but all the other stuff looked so much better and we were drunk on cocktails so we went crazy and a la carte.
The food was all yummy, and the wine was too.
On Saturday we went to Macy's to do some shopping (not for us sadly, but still fun) and then watched a movie in the evening with Chinese take away. It didnt come in those cardboard boxes they have in Friends, but was jolly nice.
And then on Sunday we saw a certain someone, as I may have mentioned, before spending the rest of the day in MoMA.
Despite my reservations about "modern" art, it was amazing.
The contemporary gallery didnt really do much for me, but the photography exhibition was amazing, as were the sculptures and paintings.
And to reward myself for all that culture, I went home and had a delicious chocolate chip cookie!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Spotted
We havent done very well with celebrity spotting since we got to NYC, we've only seen Tom Hanks and Julianne Moore.
They are good, but they are the only ones we've seen.
Until today!
Having lunch in Bubby's we were at a table next to....Harvey Keitel!!
Very exciting.
Oddly enough he looked younger than he does on screen.
And parked outside was a huge Rolls Royce, waiting to whisk him away.
He was also with some other guy we recognised, but have no idea who he was.
Very exciting!
They are good, but they are the only ones we've seen.
Until today!
Having lunch in Bubby's we were at a table next to....Harvey Keitel!!
Very exciting.
Oddly enough he looked younger than he does on screen.
And parked outside was a huge Rolls Royce, waiting to whisk him away.
He was also with some other guy we recognised, but have no idea who he was.
Very exciting!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Philadelphia
I went to stay with McMezzle and it was so nice to just hang out in her hood.
I got a bus, for the bargain price of $12, which only took 2 hours from NYC.
It dropped me off by the train station from where I had been reliably informed it would be a piece of cake to catch a cab.
I wandered over to what I assumed was the taxi rank, but found it full of police cars.
I noticed about 10 mounted policemen, then a crowd with placards, and finally a sign on the station door staying "Press Only".
Yes, just as I pulled into town, the president elect was leaving!
So we went to what must be the most popular place in town for brunch, there were people queuing outside in the sub-zero temperatures (I cant remember the name Mez?) for some yummy eggs, wondered round the Italian Market, looked at houses, checked out the weird murals they have on random buildings, saw the old government buildings and the Liberty Bell, got yelled at and whistled out by an officious guard and then...
We went to see the kids from the actual real School of Rock perform!
It was like being back at school at RocSoc, but with a lot more talent.
That evening we went back to the same bar for more bands, Here we go magic, Bear Hands and Department of Eagles who were amazing.
I am now very cool by association!
On Sunday we loafed about, walked through the park to get pastries, wondered to some little shops, watched some American Football and then I headed home.
To lots and lots of snow!
All in all a perfect weekend.
I got a bus, for the bargain price of $12, which only took 2 hours from NYC.
It dropped me off by the train station from where I had been reliably informed it would be a piece of cake to catch a cab.
I wandered over to what I assumed was the taxi rank, but found it full of police cars.
I noticed about 10 mounted policemen, then a crowd with placards, and finally a sign on the station door staying "Press Only".
Yes, just as I pulled into town, the president elect was leaving!
So we went to what must be the most popular place in town for brunch, there were people queuing outside in the sub-zero temperatures (I cant remember the name Mez?) for some yummy eggs, wondered round the Italian Market, looked at houses, checked out the weird murals they have on random buildings, saw the old government buildings and the Liberty Bell, got yelled at and whistled out by an officious guard and then...
We went to see the kids from the actual real School of Rock perform!
It was like being back at school at RocSoc, but with a lot more talent.
That evening we went back to the same bar for more bands, Here we go magic, Bear Hands and Department of Eagles who were amazing.
I am now very cool by association!
On Sunday we loafed about, walked through the park to get pastries, wondered to some little shops, watched some American Football and then I headed home.
To lots and lots of snow!
All in all a perfect weekend.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Bitter
For the last few years I have gone to Switzerland with Simon's family for a few days after Christmas.
I love it. The cold, the proper snow, the blue sky and the sunshine are wonderful.
Sadly this year I couldnt go.
Simon went to the Cayman Islands instead. Without me.
He is now in Switzerland. Without me.
Not that I'm bitter.
Because actually I have the cold, the proper snow, the blue sky and the sunshine right here in Stamford CT.
It is minus 8 today, and apparently will be down to minus 14 by Friday.
Yay!
Although the wind, now that is bitter.
I love it. The cold, the proper snow, the blue sky and the sunshine are wonderful.
Sadly this year I couldnt go.
Simon went to the Cayman Islands instead. Without me.
He is now in Switzerland. Without me.
Not that I'm bitter.
Because actually I have the cold, the proper snow, the blue sky and the sunshine right here in Stamford CT.
It is minus 8 today, and apparently will be down to minus 14 by Friday.
Yay!
Although the wind, now that is bitter.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Happy New Year!
Well, here I am back in NYC after a wonderful Christmas in England, where I managed to see lots of people I love.
We had a really good weekend, pootling about in the snow, but now Simon has gone so I am all alone again.
This is when I hate being here. When he is away and I'm in London it is a great excuse for me to go out every night! But here, it just means supper for one in front of the TV.
Its not awful, but not great either.
However, I am greatly in need of lots of quiet and rest at the moment as I have just started a new exercise DVD.
I have only done it twice, and I think it should be used as a form of torture in prison camps.
Which also means I'll stick with it, because I am hopeful it will actually work!
Off to Philly this weekend, so will have many more tales to tell.
We had a really good weekend, pootling about in the snow, but now Simon has gone so I am all alone again.
This is when I hate being here. When he is away and I'm in London it is a great excuse for me to go out every night! But here, it just means supper for one in front of the TV.
Its not awful, but not great either.
However, I am greatly in need of lots of quiet and rest at the moment as I have just started a new exercise DVD.
I have only done it twice, and I think it should be used as a form of torture in prison camps.
Which also means I'll stick with it, because I am hopeful it will actually work!
Off to Philly this weekend, so will have many more tales to tell.
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