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On the Road with Kevin
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Entry 7
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Walking, walking, walking. The cool thing that takes place all over NYC is the walking by everyone. And everybody. And everything. I really liked how most locations were within walking distance of each other, and pretty much every New Yorker takes to the streets with their can do attitudes to get from point A to point B. I tried to get in step with the native folk as much as possible, and found myself walking practically everywhere I went. It felt great to stretch my legs and actually be able to see and experience parts of the real New York in such an up close and personal manner.
 And wouldn’t you know it, but on this morning I was walking yet again to go meet “Stacy.” Now Stacy’s emails and profile were intriguing to me because she really seemed like a cool, normal gal, but she appeared to have just a little twist of funkiness to her as well. Along with some other interesting things about her personality, she’s also pursing a graduate degree in art therapy, which I think probably conveys parts of a neat creative and personable side too.
In addition, she was very helpful in giving me some guidance coming into NYC about where to possibly park my car, ways to get around, and just some basic information about making my stay in the city that much more enjoyable. This was all extremely appreciated, because as I’ve mentioned before, New York City was the one place on this trip where I was slightly concerned about some of the complexities involved in dealing with the city in general. Of course after just a few hours in the city, though, everything was fine … But Stacy’s initial help definitely made the transition smoother.
 It was still somewhat early in the morning, so we agreed to meet in the lobby of her building and head over to a nearby Starbucks for a little food and some liquids. After a fairly long haul across the city (I had quickly learned the length of a block between street to street is not the same as avenue to avenue), I arrived at Stacy’s building and waited a few minutes for her to come down. I think it’s always harder to be the person waiting when you’re meeting someone for the first time, as at least if you’re moving or active you don’t really have a chance to notice any butterflies. I wasn’t overly nervous, though … just more anxious than anything to find out about who she is.
Well, much to my amusement, she exited the elevator and had spiked hair, a chain that ran from her nose to an earring, and a tattoo of a dragon spreading across her neck. I was thinking, “Ok, hmmmm. Not quite like the photo in her profile, but I guess we’ll have to work with it.” I’m sure my mouth was stuck open, agape in awe as we went through the doors and started to veer around the corner.
 Sorry, I’m obviously kidding. I just had to go for that one, though, to fulfill the proverbial requirements of the Scary Internet Dating Story from H-E-Double Hockey Sticks. In all actuality, Stacy had an easy smile and was about 5’4”-5’5” or so with very dark, longer, straight hair. She exuded a really relaxed, friendly spirit and seemed comfortably receptive to the whole situation. We talked amidst the earth tone walls and swirling coffee aromas of Starbucks and just got to know each other a little better. She seemed pretty perceptive about a lot of things and very adept at holding an engaging conversation. It’s just too bad it was all with the guy at the next table over. Only teasing, only teasing.
We talked about quite a bit and I think had a pretty good time learning more about one another. After a while, though, she had to skedaddle (can a person use that term in NY?) off to a class, so we tried to see if there might be another opportunity to hook up again. She was leaving for Boston at the end of the following day, however, so things would be tight if it could indeed work out. Again, I’ve just been stumped at how difficult some of the timing and logistics of this trip have been. But I suppose it’s hard enough for a person just to travel across the country and arrange all the details of everything by himself/herself, let alone try to coordinate things in fairness from another person’s perspective and schedule. Although Stacy and I were aiming to try ...
 One big 'ole station. I decided to head out and see as much of the city as I could with the rest of the day. Derek Jeter was busy, though, unfortunately, so I had to go it alone. Damn Yankees. I saw the Chrysler Building and some of the other sights around that area. I was also really excited to go check out Grand Central Station, as I had this vivid image in my head of rays of sunlight streaming through the fabled panes of glass.
 The entrance to the station is rather ornate with a giant clock and statues of angels and such, and the inside is very, very impressive. It was perhaps one of my favorite things I had seen in all of NYC … Maybe it was the history of the trains and all that has happened there, or possibly it was the painted constellations illuminating the ceiling above. Man, I just fell in love with the place.
I also meandered on down to Rockefeller Center to take in some of the sweeping views and ambience of that district as well. I poked around a little bit at some of the NBC stores and studios in the area, as that’s where many of the NBC entertainment offices are located, including the Rainbow Room with the likes of Saturday Night Live and Conan O’Brien. I had wanted to see Conan if I had the chance, but didn’t think I’d get the opportunity because I hadn’t applied for tickets in advance.
 A barbarian, he is not. However, I decided to track down as many people as I could there at the NBC complex and see if I just might be able to find the RIGHT person to give me some more information. Well, sure enough, I finally found a guy who said sometimes people come through with extra tickets and that I should just hang around for any possibilities. And amazingly, within thirty minutes I somehow found myself sitting in the front row at Conan. That Conan sure wears a lot of makeup for a guy. I know, I know …TV.
I had to hustle on out of there, though, because I was meeting “Jennifer” on the Upper West Side very shortly (and I was cautious of running into Jets and Sharks) at a restaurant-type of coffee place. It was kind of a frantic rush to get over there without being late, so I didn’t really have a lot of time to worry about any maddening nerves. I had liked Jennifer’s inquisitive and communicative manner in our emails and I looked forward to meeting her in person. I think within a few minutes of greeting and sitting down, however, we both were realizing this was maybe not the situation we were looking for. And I only mention that here because it seemed pretty palpable from both sides.
Jennifer is around 5’6” with shorter, dark hair, and was dressed in all black as any native New Yorker is prone to do. She did have really cool clothes. I guess one thing that had already been a little frustrating to me was that she IS a native New Yorker, and I felt I hadn’t been able to get any advice or help from her when I had previously asked about any simple suggestions for making NYC a little more smooth sailing, or even in meeting her for that matter. Anything would have been a help. I don’t know … I guess I just know I would go out of my way to offer some recommendations or assistance to someone coming to my unfamiliar region of the country, especially a place as overwhelming as NYC on a first visit.
 There's Something About ... Matt. That was just a minor annoyance, though, and it didn’t have any effect on the date. It wasn’t bad by any means, and we did have a decent conversation, but I think it was just more of a deal where two people didn’t really click. What WAS really interesting, though, was who came to dinner and sat down right next to us … Matt Dillon. Now notice I didn’t say Matt Damon, I said Dillon. You’ll have to go rustle up a copy of The Outsiders from junior high and talk to Pony Boy about who Dillon is. And what was extremely cool was that every single person in the place recognized him, but they were leaving him alone and not bothering him. Very cool and New Yorkery (yeah, that’s my own word).
I was kidding Jennifer, however, that I was going to take out my camera and snap a picture of him on the sly. She was mortified, but I think she knew I was being COMPLETELY facetious and would NEVER do such a thing. It actually irks me somewhat when people don’t realize there’s a time and place when celebrities do and don’t like to be approached. And she too was concurring with those thoughts throughout the evening. Well, unfortunately, as we’re finished with dinner and making our way out the door, Jennifer, A) stops and talks to Dillon, and, B) talks to him for that uncomfortable length of time that is longer than necessary. Again, it wasn’t an overly terrible gesture as I knew she was just trying to be nice, but it was still a pretty telling sign of the night in general.
 I awoke the next morning eager to explore more of Manhattan as it was probably my last day in the city. I sauntered past The Apollo and other landmarks, and somehow found myself down at Rockefeller Center again, deciding to go check out The Today Show taping on the plaza. And sure enough, Katie, Matt, Al, and Ann were running around outside as parts of various segments. It was kind of interesting to see how the whole process and shooting takes place.
Ann Curry seemed exceptionally nice and gracious as she stayed around after the taping and talked very warmly with many in the crowd. I knew that Al Roker was really a jerk! No, I’m only kidding as they all seemed pretty cool. And the statue at the ice rink is ridiculously astonishing … It’s beautiful.
 A hello to Dave. I saw some other sights as well, but eventually made my way over to The Late Show with David Letterman area. I think Letterman has one of the sharpest and quickest wits ever to grace the television screen, and my best friend and I spent many a night growing up watching and laughing along with Dave. I had initially just wanted to take a few photos and see the layout of the streets surrounding the theater, along with Rupert’s Hello Deli, but then I just thought I would try (on the off chance) to see what the ticket situation was.
I was having no luck with the ticket office or the hotline number, but again, I knew that if I could just get to the RIGHT person, there may be an outside chance. Well, to make a long story short, I wound up finding a couple Late Show staffers that give away only a select few tickets to the show each day, and before I knew it I was enjoying Dave’s crazy antics in the cozy confines of the Ed Sullivan Theater. It was something I had always wanted to do for a long time … Really, really cool to be able to catch a Letterman show.
Well, all good things must end I suppose, and my time in The Big Apple was drawing to a close. It truly was one of the fastest, loudest, most compelling cities I’ve ever been to, yet it held such a charming allure and immeasurable appeal at the same time. I now knew why New York City is highly regarded as the greatest city in the world … I just might have to put my two cents in with that sentiment as well. I was pointing my vehicle in the southern direction and heading off towards the Washington, D.C. area. Until next time … Ciao for now!
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