In celebration of the ever-continuing theme of being tourists in our own town, Beth and I took the Battery Park ferry for an afternoon on Governors Island. For nearly two hundred years, Governors Island had been a military installation just off the tip of Manhattan charged with defending the harbor from unwanted visitors. First operated by the US Army and then the US Coast Guard the base outlived its usefulness...let's say...after the War of 1812.

Three years ago, the island's ownership was transferred to both New York City and State and, while they figure out what to do with it, has been allowed to rot ever since. In the meantime, the oldest portion of the island has been designated the Governors Island National Monument and the National Parks Service has graciously opened the monument on a free but limited basis to the public. So, we thought it best to visit the island before closing for the season and, knowing Congress' past financial support of the National Parks Service, possibly for good. While we were disappointed by how little of the island we where actually allowed to explore due to safety concerns, we still found it fascinating that such a quaint and historic plot of land can exist in Manhattan's shadow.

Posted by Thom at 8:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Always a glutton for punishment, the day after I drug Kevin all over lower Manhattan, Beth and I planned a hiking trip with our friend Amy. This little adventure had been set into motion weeks before and, no matter how tired I was, I wasn't getting out of it. Besides, I really wanted to get out of the city.

I took them up to one of my favorite hikes in Harriman State Park. I nice little ridge scramble with fantastic views of Bear Mountain to the north and the Hudson River Valley to the east. The payoff is a gentle downhill return along an old fire access road. Years before, I had sent Beth and Amy on an unguided attempt of this trail but, they got lost and ended up riding the carousel at the Bear Mountain Lodge. No detours this time — everything went off without a hitch. Outside of some turkey vultures tearing apart a recently departed ground hog and higher than expected temperatures, a good time was had by all.

Posted by Thom at 9:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This past week, my good friend Kevin was in town working on-site for a New York based client and visiting with friends. We both had Friday free from working and that was my turn with him… and I was going to work him good.

I meet up with Kevin at his uncle Joe’s apartment (yes, that’s Joe’s Apartment) in the West Village before heading over to The Magnolia Bakery for some breakfast cupcakes and coffee. We then hopped on the 1 to South Ferry for a round-trip ride on the Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty and Governor’s Island. Back on solid ground, we walked around Battery Park, past Castle Clinton and up through Battery Park City to rest our souls at Trinity Church. Sanctified, we headed over to relax for a while and enjoy a burger and beer at the touristy South Street Seaport. Sitting outside, we got to share our afternoon with a mime who fell every time a dish was broken and a table of bums who had scrounged enough change off tourists to enjoy some pints at the Heartland Brewery. After our meal, we visited New York City’s African Burial Ground on our way to wandering around China Town to duck into junk shops and enjoy the smells day old fish. We finally picked up some gelato in Little Italy before heading up to Union Square to shop and join Beth for sushi.

...and to think that we never even made it to Midtown.

Posted by Thom at 7:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

By popular demand, I have add a new feature to {what i had in mind}.

Many of the thumbnail images that are a part of my postings are too small for you, the viewer, to really see what is going on. But now, if you click one of these thumbnails, you can be treated to a larger image. This feature will be a part of all postings going forward and will, over time, be added to older posts.

Happy now?

Posted by Thom at 7:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Every other Friday between the July 4th and Labor Day holidays, I get to enjoy a day off from work. Not to waste a precious moment, I have used these days to run errands, re-decorated the apartment and take trips out of town with Beth. This past 'summer Friday' I decided to go to the Bodies exhibition currently running at New York’s South Street Seaport. This was a controversial move in our household as every time I bring it up, Beth declares her disgust and quotes some mysterious source as to the uncertain origins of many of exhibit's cadavers. So, I would go without her…

My initial reaction was to be under-whelmed. The introduction to the exhibit displays skinned bodies in various cheesy poses that crossed my mind as being disrespectful if not outright hokey. But, as you explore the exhibit’s following rooms, you are taken into detailed displays that independently explore each bodily system in ways that are both accessible and very detailed. Examples of diseased as well as healthy tissue were on display and, judging by the reaction of my fellow guests, this had a powerful impact. From the pulmonary to the reproductive, this is a very informative and dramatic anatomy lesson that, while it’s not suitable for small children, can be a strong educational tool.

Posted by Thom at 7:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In the past, I have mentioned Nat's theater company, Eclipse, and the acclaimed work that they do. Committing each season to single a playwright, they have received great acclaim for their ability to immerse themselves and their audience into the overarching themes and ideas of these authors

I have also pointed you to Nat's own work on The Sweetest Swing in Baseball and his fantastically documented director notes. With his blog, A Contemplative Tern, Nat shared the artistic process he experienced in bring this play to the stage.

Now, these two great taste come together at long last with the Eclipse Theatre Company blog. This blog will give you insight into their current projects and, they hope, will further involve their audience and continue the discussion beyond their staged performance. I have long been a supporter of the theater and, in particular Eclipse — not only because I have seen their work first hand but, because of Nat and my respect for his own art. Check them out.

Posted by Thom at 9:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Not to be outdone, Beth just so happens to share her birthday week with several dear friends including Issac Fleischer, Ellie Sieburg, Steve McCarron and Andrew Glasgow. In particular, Andrew had his own birthday shindig this past Saturday at which I discovered the new gaming sensation that is apparently taking the nation by storm — Edward 40 Hands.

The core concept of this game is that each contestant completely duct-tapes their hands around 40 oz. bottles of malt liquor — one per hand. By the original rules, the first player to finish both of their 40s is then declared the winner. But of course, we couldn't leave things well enough alone. Forgetting that we were gathered to celebrate Andrew's birthday, we spent the entire evening expanding upon our own variation of the game:

1) One or both bottles of malt liquor can be substituted for beer as long as the meet the 40 oz. requirement.

2) Individuals are responsible for their own bathroom needs and, should they require removal of any bottles from their person for any reason, are subject to immediate disqualification.

3) Upon disqualification, participants must immediately record a video declaring their age, their collegiate alma mater, their SAT scores, their net annual income and they must declare themselves to be "Edward Failure Hands." Said videos will then be posted to You Tube for enjoyment at large.

4) All duct-tapings, rules and disqualifications will be observed by a pre-approved judge (most likely Beth).

It was then determined that a draft constitution for the Republic of Edward 40 Hands would be drawn up and, God willing, would be ratified by all parties in time for an October inaugural event.

Nothing like a bunch of 30 year-olds acting like a bunch of 18 year-olds.

Posted by Thom at 5:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)