theLaconic

Thanks giving, Smanks giving

So yesterday was Thanks Giving, the all American holiday. The day when everyone tries to kill them selves with pounds of turkey flesh and other festive fare such as Pumpkin pie, Yams and other stuff I don't really know about or care to know.

Neil and I were going to go eat at a local restaurant but as it's Neil's last weekend in New York - he's moving closer to his work in Stamford, Conniticut. He decided it would be a good idea to cook a roast dinner, yes we could of gone for Turkey but cooking Roast Beef seemed like the proper thing to do.

The best thing about Thanks Giving is the time off of work: four and half glorious days. Thanks giving always falls on the last Thursday in November and the following day is... yes you guessed it Friday. But this is no normal friday, for the locals call it Black Friday. The busiest shopping day of the year when all the big box retailers allegedly break even and start to turn a profit for the year. If you don't believe me have a look at the wikipedia article about it.

I've just returned from having a look around the shops on lower broadway (5th to Housten) and yes they do appear to be rather busy. Most of the big shops open at 5am and run stupidly cheap deals to encourage shoppers to get to the stores early - I didn't it was too cold out and my bed was too warm and comfortable.

Technorati Tags: black friday, holidays, Thanksgiving, shopping

unwired

Last night I attended the opening party of the new wired store in SOHO and I am now suffering from a slight hangover brought about by the combination of free beer and very well made martinis.

The wired store is a temporary store for the holiday season which is selling some interesting gadgets which are good fun to play with and then buy cheaper online - only a fool would buy at full ticket prices.

Note to self, must stop drinking on a school night.

Technorati Tags: lame, NYC, soho, wired store

Best twenty dollars, EVER.

I don't always buy the pay per view football games (it doesn't feel right calling it soccer), that appear on New York cable TV. But I had to make an exception for England versus Argentina. Twenty dollars seems a little pricey but this was one of the best twenty dollars I have spent in ages. Bring on the world cup, I have a feeling that the summer might be quite interesting.

Kate and Steve

I should of posted this while my sister and brother-in-law were still visiting me, but I was too busy being a charming host / big brother / tour guide.

Some photos here... in a hour or so.

Lil' sis

Visiting Al should come with a checklist:

1. overeat every day at every meal (check)
2. get mothered by Al (“Go to the toilet now whilst we are near one” “Have you got your ID with you?” etc , check)
3. eat some more (check)
4. walk for over 4 hours a day (check)

In all seriousness it has been an amazing visit - we have managed to be tourists by day and locals by night which is an ace combination. We have been up the Empire State building, round Times Square, over the Brooklyn Bridge, alongside the meat packing district, through Central Park and under the Crysler Building to name but a few.

NY is a very vibrant place and it doesn't really seem to stop although there are a few lulls in the pace sometimes. The streets are uneven, smelly and dirty but you spend most of your time looking around or upwards so you don't notice that much. The variety you can get in shops is amazing - there is no simple choice in this consumer driven society which can leave the British stiff upper lip chewing on itself in indecision. The food here is worth the airfare alone.

If anyone else plans to visit then we recommend a trip in a yellow cab which is one of the funniest things ever - they drive (and I use this word in the broadest sense) like absolute nutters, weaving in and out of the traffic and occasionally taking off other people's wing mirrors. Have a look at the state of the bumpers when you are over and you will see what we mean.

The accommodation at Chez Al is comfortable and homely. The warm atmosphere and high level of service make up for a lack of square footage. We allocate this hostel 4 stars.

Thanks Big Bro.

Technorati Tags: family, puppy, Tourists, visit

Halloween

So it was the West Village's Halloween Parade last night (Neil knows what I am implying here), and after some food I made my way across to 6th Avenue to take in the amusing costumes and sample what I think is one of the best nights in New York.

My favorite costumes of the night, although it does raise some uncomfortable questions about their relationships.

Even the dogs watching the parade get dressed up.

There were a lot of people dressed up as 'the gates' - I liked these the best because they took it to the next level by walking in a 'straight' line.

Amusing muppets - Miss Piggy and Kermit can been seen in the background. The Swedish chef was there but I was unable to get a clean shot of him.

These guys were waiting for Neil to show up - I think they must of met up later.

Best group costume - 20 or so zombies following a master zombie who was pulling a large speaker on wheels playing Michael Jackson's, Thriller. They then proceeded to dance the main zombie dance from Thriller, much to the crowd's and my delight.

Technorati Tags: Costume, Halloween, HalloweenParade, West Village