Grand Central - Subway

We had no problems this morning hitting the famous NYC Subway. Grand Central Station is only about 4 block south of our hotel. We wanted to go down to Ground Zero and the Financial District.

At Grand Central we had a quick breakfast and then took the subway shuttle over to the Times Square station. From there we took the “E” train down to the old World Trade Center station.

David Letterman made us hungry. We had dinner at Lanigan’s pub. After I had a few beers and Nicole had a glass of wine we topped of dinner with two Red Bull/yeagers. Nicole took some convincing, what a trooper.

We walked back down to Broadway where I wanted to get a picture of Nicole under a Broadway Street sign, she’s hot.

Time Square at night is truly a site to behold. We have been to Las Vegas, and it really does not compare. Time Square has everything, lights, people, food, people, clubs, people, a drug deal, people, it has everything going on at once. Did I mention there was  a lot of people? Holy crap, it was a fricking mad house. Nicole fresh off a Red Bull and yeager was not feeling so well. I did manage to snap off a few picture before she almost barfed on the wall of this NYPD station in Times Square. True story, after this shot she walked towards me about 20 feet and almost yacked up her burger on the front glass window. She’ll deny it…

We walked the rest of the way back to the hotel. On the way getting in a few quick photos of Rockefeller Center.

WOW. Our evening was filled with fun. After getting off the Circle line tour we headed over to 53rd and Broadway to pick up our Late Show with David Letterman tickets. We had a little time to kil so we filled up on some lunch, yes Pizza, again. We both could eat it 24/7.

After waiting in line, after line, after line we finally had in our hands what we had been waiting for. After all we changed out airline flight to Wednesday and booked another night in a hotel just so we could get our hands on these Letterman tickets. It was 2:15p and we had to be back by 3:30p. The both of us looked like to wet cats after the misty boat tour this morning. We had to get across Manhattan, shower, change and get back across the island in about 60 minutes. It wasn’t going to be easy. I jumped in front a cab and by 2:45p we were at the hotel. A quick shower and change found us back in cab by 3:10p. The meter rolled as traffic locked us in a stand still. we were only a couple of blocks away. We dropped the enough cash on the front seat to cover our ride and took off running. They told us 3:30p SHARP.

Some minor huffing and puffing turned out to be worth it, we made it in line with time to spare. We even had time to snap a quick photo of Paul Schaefer before he entered the theater. Some fan had stopped him on the corner. A little Photoshop’ing later will yield and edit to this write-up. “Nicole and I getting our photo taken with Paul Schaefer.” look for the edit soon.

Now we were ready, then line waiting turned into more line waiting, and that turned into even more line waiting, a total of about an hour in line. Nicole and I stepped into the Ed Sullivan Theater, struck by it’s beauty and lack of restoration. It really looked like Lucille Ball, The Beatles or Elvis Presley could walk through the doors at anytime. Ity was truly a treat. Our row was greeted with loud music and interns dancing in the isles. Trying their best to keep us excited. We sat three rows up and one seat off the isle, directly in front of Dave’s desk, sweet we thought. Then the close up camera moved in, along with the que card guy. We ended up watching most the interviews on the overhead monitor. Too bad really, Tina Fey was on, and I think she’s alll riiiiight. Don’t worry, Nicole knows I’m hot for Tina Fey. We did get on TV a few times, I had the TIVO on at home, so unless the boys jack around with it I should be able to pull the video feed and post it up here.

Once Letterman was over we headed out and grabbed a t-shirt form the CBS store. We got matching shirts, and yes we plan on getting grief the next time you all see us wearing them at a BBQ near you.

We woke up in Queens about 6:15 in the morning. After quickly packing up and we headed down for breakfast. Nicole and I saw a Super 8 Motel one time that had “Toast Bar” on the marquee outside. The night clerk must not have know to how to spell “Free Continental Breakfast” so he just put up “Free Toast Bar”. Every since we saw that we call them “Toast Bars”. Anyway we ate our toast and were on our way.

The night before we had scheduled a car service to take us in to Manhattan. From Queens it was the same price as a taxi would be so why not live it up a little right? The car picked us up and we headed up to the Queensboro Bridge. Traffic wasn’t too bad and we ended up at the new hotel about 7:45. I hopped out and drop the bags off since the room was for sure not ready yet. our car then took us across town to the 42nd ave Pier.

Pier 83 is home to the Circle Line Tour. They offer 1, 2 and 3 hour tours of Manhattan Island. We opted for the 3 hour tour and it started at 9:30. Starbucks was about about 2 blocks away with time to kill so we grabbed some java.

The walk back was chilly, a slight mist was falling from the sky, Nicole and I both knew it was going to be a cold ride. We were prepared with windbreakers and hats, nothing was going to stop our fun.

Typical tourist sales pitches coupled with do’s and don’ts filled the pre-departure activities. We didn’t waiver, we were on a budget. Warnings of a very, very loud boat horn had both of us covering our ears. However it turned about to be more of a warning to “not sue us for the kind of loud, startling noise”. I guess there are a lot of old folks on this tour. The tour took leaves on the Hudson River side and head south, past most of the famous piers. Then on to lower Manhattan, Ground Zero and towards the Statue of Liberty. After getting within 1/4 of Lady Liberty the boat turns and heads East around the tip of the island. Next is a good look at deserted Governor’s Island. Turning North and under the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburg bridges. As the boat moves up the East River we get a good look at all the Villages on the island and the Brooklyn and Queens Boros on the right. We see The United Nations and Roosevelt Island. I left turn into the Harlem River gets us a good look at the Bronx and the famous Yankee Stadium. We also we construction is going fast on the new baseball stadium that will soon replace the Bronx Bomber’s palace. Next is the AmTrack railroad bridge that has to be opened for us to pass through. Now we are back in the Hudson river and heading back.

I recommended this tour to anyone bound for New York. You get see to everything but Central Park. Through the concrete canyons you can see almost landmark. Highly recommend .

I met this super-hot chic and the parking lot today. Turns out she was going to New York City also. I asked her if she wanted to share a cab to the hotel.

United Airlines treated us great, they had not choice, we were in First Class. Nicole was treated to a fruit plate for breakfast while I chowed on a cheese omelet. The ride was slightly bumpy but we managed.

Tonight we are staying in Queens. Our hotel in midtown was booked until tomorrow. The desk clerk out hotel tonight gave us the name of a local pizza place called Ani’s Pizza. It was a short walk away. We each had a large piece of pepperoni and some garlic cheese bread, all that for $5.70. Tommy there took care of us. What a great place.

Clicking on the television after getting back gave Nicole and I a little scare. A hotel caught on fire, aaaa, did I mention WE ARE STAYING NEAR THERE STARTING TOMORROW? ! !It turned out not be our our hotel. whhhuu.

We are heading to the Circle Line Tour and the David Letterman Show tomorrow. Check back for more updates.

The boys are off for another year of gett’in edumacat’d. Good thing huh?

Seriously though, they were so excited this morning; both were up before their alarms went off.

Trevor came down about 6:30 all dressed with empty back pack already strapped over his shoulders. He immediately started making his sandwich with only needing help cutting it in half. His lunch box was then placed carefully inside his backpack. All done with care not to disrupt the organization of the food inside. Trevor then made his own breakfast, brushed his teeth and made his bed. Dad only had to remind him a few times.

Jacob on the other hand rolled out about 10 minutes later, dragged himself down in his t-shirt and “tightie whities”. He needed a few minutes to wake up and take in what was happening. Once he realized the tasks in front of him he started making his breakfast. During which he could help but instructing his younger brother about the ins and outs of the “line up” process at the school today. He is so much like his Father its scary. Trevor took it in stride and only rolled his eyes towards me a few times. Jacob also made his lunch with little help from Dad. He is growing into quite a responsible young man. I did not have to remind him at all about his bed and teeth.

We headed out to school. Taking the normal picture in front of the house, eyes squinting into the sun as normal. I worked out a deal that I could get a kiss from each as long as it was given in the car. I also negotiated a hug in front of classmates before I would leave. All this negotiation happed on the way to school, with bitter back and forth using point/counter point style.

Arrival and line up was fun, each acting like they didn’t know me at first, until their friends asked, “Is that your Dad?” I snapped a few more pictures, got my hug and was off. I only went back once to make sure they had everything.

I was then off to the coffee shop…

Some of you may know that Blockbuster recently changed their price structure. The “Total Access” package is now been raised up $2.00. Luckily they did not change the price for existing customers, but I’m sure that’s just a matter of time.

I would suggest that we do a great job of getting our money’s worth. We get the three movies about once a week, then we drop those off at the store and pick up three more. Once Blockbuster’s online service receives the three we dropped off at the store they send us the next three on the list. We usually have about 6-9 movies here at a time. Blockbuster also give use two free game console rentals each month.

With the boys out of school it’s been great introducing them to TV shows from the 80’s. We are currently running through the first full season of “The Fall Guy”. They are loving it. Some other titles they know are “The A-Team”, “Dukes of Hazard” & “Night Rider”.

They are true kids of the 80’s. Their new school shoes are Vans. We are lucky to have a Vans store locally. While in the store picking them out the boys eyed a skateboard. Jacob asked the 30+ year old store manager “Sir, how much for the He-Man Masters of the Universe board?” The store manager smiled and promptly asked “How do you know who He-Man is?” I just winked and smiled.

A few weeks ago I found a podcast on the TWIT.tv network for parents raising kids in the Web 2.0 age. The Podcast features Leo Laporte and Megan Morrone. Both were talents on the old TechTV network. That’s were I became a fan.

In episode 9 they were asking for email tips from parents and I decided to get creative and send off a few that Nicole and I use on the boys. After downloading and enjoying episode 10 to I was pleasantly surprised that they mention me and the boys at the end of the Podcast. What a treat.

I had mentioned in the email that I was going to sneak a few episodes of the Podcast onto Nicole’s Nano before she left for Boston. They found that amusing. Nicole has taken to this digital age a little slower than I have and she needs a little prodding every once in a while. I think she will enjoy the episodes I loaded. If you would like to subscribe to show here is a link. It’s FREE and syncs right with your iPod or other music player. Remember it’s in episode 10 that they mention the boys and I, at the very end. Enjoy. [jumpingmonkeys]

My first car was a 1972 1/2 VW Super Beetle. I really loved that car. When I went off to school the car was left behind for my sisters, Courtney and Ashley to drive.

When I had the car it was fresh out of a restore, done with limited funds and ona scale of 1 to 10 I would have called it a 4. Don’t get me wrong it was a beautiful car. Fresh 911 Porsche, with some gold hub caps, and new interior. Let’s just say when I got the car back a few months ago it was not in the condition I left it in. Granted it was about 10 years since I had driven the car.

The car is now Purple and I think has one or made two good fenders. I’ll post some pictures tomorrow.

To give you an idea of what the care use to look like. On Friday I stumbled across a shop here in Denver called Painters Grinding. While in poking around the parts selection I noticed a customer 1974 Beetle parked out front. The 1974 was almost an identical copy of the 1972 I drove, before sisters.

The owner allowed me to snap a few quick photos. Check out the full size photos here.

When I was a young boy I remember carrying around a cassette player doing investigative reporting. During this time my family lived in Houston, TX. Everyone remembers me running around the house saying “Marvin Zinder, Eyewitness New”.

He passed away today.  Rest in Peace Marvin.

Marvin Zindler 1921 - 2007