What a day!

The most exciting... I got most of my Chase systems online so I can start getting away from those old school WaMu programs, systems and policies. It's a simple sentence but it's so much more exciting then it sounds.

Other noteworthy happenings of the day... in order of how they happened.

1. Farrah Fawcett died.
2. Michael Jackson died. Notably a couple weeks before his London comeback tour.
3. I catch up on the news and find that Governor Strickland is trying to cut library funding by 50%.
4. I email Governor Strickland

Normally I wouldn't add such negative or sad happenings in a blog but it's a memorable day that should be remembered.

Also. Have I mentioned how odd Texas weather is? Here's something new. I walked out of work today and find it to smell AND feel like a rainy day in Ohio. Combined with a very hot sunny sky. Got that? Sunny. And hot. With a strong smell of rain. Apparently it did rain though so at least it explains a little bit. Texas is wierd.

The rest of NYC

Last year I went to NYC two times. We all know why. Or should. In those two visits I had seen Spamalot four times, not to mention hanging out at the Shubert theater stagedoor many more times. That being said, I know you'll be sad to hear that the Shubert has been taken over by a show called "Blithe Spirit". Whatever that is. It's not Spamalot though so it really makes no difference.

I'm not going to go through every hour of each day, which I'm sure your thankful for, but I will mention some highlights.

1. Wicked! This is definitely the most important, exciting part of the trip. My sister, Linda, came in to the city from New Jersey on Saturday. Neither of us had seen the musical and both were dying to. Clearly we're really bad, last minute planners though because every time we went to buy tickets they were sold out. On my last trip, we attempted the lottery that they have every night to win tickets. And lost. We would have to wait until our next trip to NYC. So this time, again, because of last minute planning the show was sold out. I went to the theater in the morning to try to get tickets but all they had were two tickets, separate sides of the theater, where one was more of a partial view. Dang it. But we were on a mission. Again, we tried for the lottery. And lost. Grr. Hopes lost again, we walked off to get some food but it just so happened that we had a combined epiphany on the way. Maybe we should try for some cancellation tickets! Do you get the vibe that we were on a quest to see this show? We turn around and walk the half block back. And what do we find? A cancellation for two amazing seats dead center of the theater! Ok, so the price was a little more then we wanted to spend but it was SO worth it. Amazing show. I recommend it to everyone. And if you need someone to go see it with I'm here for you. :)

2. Visiting the Statue of Liberty. Um, or waving to it. Having previously been to NYC I already had the skillz of getting downtown to buy tickets for the ferry over to visit the very tall famous green lady. Previously we never actually visited the island though because once we got down there we didn't want to wait in line. But no matter. This time however my friends really wanted to go, so downtown we headed. For some reason we took some sort of short cut, or long cut, or different route or something, but eventually made it to the ferry. This was free, which seemed odd, not to mention that the name of the island we would be going to didn't really match up with my memories and/or my apparently not so well founded knowledge of geography and US history. Staten Island, Ellis Island, same difference... with the exception of the Statue of Liberty being on a different Island then where we were traveling to. Clearly it had been a long day. Or we're just stupid. But on the bright side we got to see her closer then being on Manhattan and I had the opportunity of having a creepy guy ask for my number. Seriously. What is the point of asking for a girl's number when you've already asked where she's from? Long distance relationships never work. For most. I'm pretty sure I could make it work out between me and Zac though... I'm just sayin. Moving on.

3. Chinatown. I didn't get there last time so I was definitely getting there! My friends were a little iffy on going, mostly because they're not really purse girls, but they were excited to share the experience. I think. Doesn't matter now. Just like my first trip I was after Kate Spade purses. Simple enough. As soon as we stepped out of the subway we see a nice girl who looks like she means business. I start out our not so much of an english conversation, "Kate Spade? Kate Spade? Kate Spade?" We get the signal to follow her and off we go. Our first stop had a nice selection and everything was cheaper then my last visit. It's always better to shop around first but I couldn't help it. After nearly tripping a few times down the scary staircase we get to a scary room filled with wonderful purses, I talked the lady down in price and off we went with my new purse. Almost. We weren't allowed out of the building until given permission by the lady in charge, I'm assuming she had to do a street check for cops. It would be a shame to have a cop raid on so nice of people. My next purse was picked out on the street by guys carrying around suitcases larger then I knew existed. While I was picking out my second purse, Tia ran into a guy selling "new" ipods. Maybe I was wrong to talk her out of buying electronics from Chinatown but nevertheless I did. It was just a hunch that it wouldn't last long. Kind of like the perfume that I bought. I knew it wouldn't be that strong but I was hoping that the scent would last more then five minutes. $15 gone, but a priceless experience buying it. We didn't travel too far into Chinatown, partly because the streets are named as opposed to numbered and I'm directionally challenged, and partly because I didn't bring enough cash. Note to self for my next time.

4. Of course we ate at Junior's. Even though there is no longer a sign in the alley pointing to "the funniest show on earth" I've labeled it a new tradition of going whenever I'm in NYC.

There are of course other fun experiences but I'm sure you're tired of reading... if you even made it this far. But just like every other New York trip it was fun and exciting and I'm ready to go again!

The hotel

Back in May of 2008 I wrote about my adventure to Southbend, Indiana. In the post I commented on the motel room we stayed in. The weird carpet, broken cups, etc. It was the Econolodge for the record; I couldn't remember the name at the time of writing the blog.

That motel room had nothing on Hotel Alexander in the upper east side of Manhatten only a few feet away from the 1,2, and 3 subway lines. Perfect. The cost for the Alexander was about $130 a night... not bad for a clean, well reviewed, Manhattan room. We were looking for cheaper, but either everything was booked or they had complaints of bugs, smells, uncleanliness, etc. When we, as in I, found Hotel Alexander one problem that we ran into was there were three of us going to the city. For the $100 range rooms we had a choice of two twin beds or one double bed. Someone was sleeping on the floor! (and it would not be me since I found the hotel.)

Two days after booking the hotel we arrived in NYC. Because we booked everything so late I had a different flight then my other friends; Tia and Leah. I arrived at LaGaurdia airport, successfully got to the correct subway stop and knew where I was headed. Get off at 96th street and walk a block down or so. I walked down 96th street. Where's the hotel? A stop into a apartment complex cleared that up. The hotel was actually on 95th street. Alrighty then. I move over to 95th. Ok seriously, where's the hotel?! A stop into another apartment complex and a call to my sister and learn the hotel is actually on 94th. For the love of... It's a good thing I packed light or there would be some cursing going on here.

I finally arrive at the hotel, get checked in and unenthusiastically drag my luggage up to the room. Um. Ok, did they steal hotel room pictures from another site? Here's a discription of the room, next to which was a nice picture.

"Twin beds, a bedside table with a telephone and lamp. Ample closet space and a dressing mirror. All rooms have a work desk with chair, internet access (at a fee) and Cable TV."

I was quite amused with the room and couldn't wait to show it off to my friends. We'll get back to that. Since it took forever to actually find the hotel, by the time I got there I had to turn back around to go pick them up. This was their first trip to NYC so I thought I'd serve as a tour guide. :)

Friends picked up, back to the hotel, and now for the tour of the room. I tell you what. This is not what was in the picture or the description. Twin beds - check. Bedside table, telephone and lamp - check. Ample closet space - where? Oh, is that the aptly name "scary room"? Seriously, why is this "room" here? It can't be the closet space as there are no rods or hangers or shelves. So what is it? You could fit an entire bathroom in this room; or at least a toilet and sink. Or knock out the wall and give a little more walking space maybe? Anyhoo. Next - work desk with chair. Say what? Where on earth would they even find room for that. Except for in the scary room maybe. That might work.

So on to our three day living arrangements. We had a hard time voting on who was sleeping on the floor and, although good friends, I had a hard time accepting the idea of spooning with another girl in a twin bed for three nights. Taking a closer look at the room this problem was soon remedied! In nicer hotels I believe the beds are usually permanently fixed to either the wall or floor. I think. I could be wrong. I've never really tested it as I've always slept in a double bed with no need to be moved. This was a special circumstance though and upon taking a closer look at the beds it was clear that these were not fixed to anything. Problem solved and rearranging the furniture became number one priority. As there was no desk or chair it made it even easier. Slide the night table to side, bed over a couple feet, and *poof* One large bed. Some quick thinking on Tia's part and no one had to sleep in the middle either. As opposed to sleeping vertical we were going to start a trend, or not, of sleeping horizontal. Simple enough!

Ok, easier said then done, but none the less it was done. We had the perfect $130 a night hotel in NYC. At least if you don't mind a shared bathroom, creepy stairwell, and an elevator that fit about one person and one suitcase.

ETA: This blog was started a couple weeks ago after my trip if you were confused about why I'm randoming writing about a hotel room. :)

I'm Melanie. I'm 25

    'I am ninety. Or ninety-three. One or the other.
    When you're five, you know your age down to the month. Even in your twenties you know how old you are. I'm twenty-three, you say, or maybe twenty-seven. But then in your thirties something strange starts to happen. It's a mere hiccup at first, an instant of hesitation. How old are you? Oh, I'm - you start confidently, but then you stop. You were going to say thirty-three, but you're not. You're thirty-five. And then you're bothered, because you wonder if this is the beginning of the end. It is, of course, but it's decades before you admit it.
    You start to forget words: they're on the tip of your tongue, but instead of eventually dislodging, they stay there. You go upstairs to fetch something, and by the time you get there you can't remember what it was you were after. You call your child by the names of all your other children and finally the dog before you get to his. Sometimes you forget what day it is. And finally you forget the year.'

I am Melanie. I am 25. :)

(That was an excerpt from Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen)