We woke up a bit later than normal after such a long night. Michael introduced me to Bobby's wife Patty, and their daughter Anna. Bobby had gone out while walking the dog Betty, and picked up a nice array of croissants and a baguette. We feasted with jams and coffee getting ready for our late New York morning. I forgot to tell you that Michael's family lives up 5 or 6 flights of stairs. We were living the high life! After descending down the stairs and opening up onto the streets of New York, it was like a breath of fresh air (figuratively speaking of course) There was hustle and bustle, movement and stagnation, and noise, oh the noise. It was perfect.

The subway was our first stop. Michael had been to New York a few times, but this was my inaugural trip. Everything was new to me, and I was ready to take it all in. The subway system, one of the most well known public transportations, and we were about to get on it. Never mind the fact that we got tickets, waited, and then realized that we were on the wrong side and had to get back in on the other side with a new ticket.Yes there were bums, performers, and people who you didn't want to mess with It's all part of the experience.

Getting off the subway we emerged into Central park. This was a gorgeous park with so much going on. We were trying to compare it to golden gate park in how they are similar and different. Swallowed by giant skyscrapers and the noises of a city this park was a relief from the strain and stress of city life. Golden Gate park on the other hand has a much more open feel to it. Maybe for those reasons Central Park was so magical, because it felt like, just for a moment, you were in a whole new world, an escape. Here kids were running around, women suntanning, family's picnicking, old geezers playing softball hardcore softball I might add!) carnivals, ponds, statues, vendors, wildlife, sooo much! After a quick walkthrough checking all these goings ons we left the park for a quick bite

We had a big day ahead of us and weren't too keen on stopping in at a sit down place. Why not try a hot dog vendor off the streets huh!? I got two hot dogs and a drink, and Mike got a sausage dog. Somehow this equated to 17 dollars? Pretty sure I got ripped here, but hey once again I was happy. I got a shitty dog off the street and was ripped off, too cool.

MOMA here we come. Utilizing Bobby's passes we got in for fairly cheap. This would be one of the mother of all museums. This is another one of those instances where i'll tell you to try faceboook if you want to see some of the highlights of the exhibits. Im not really a fan of surreal art, because I feel like a lot of it is hit or miss. Even some of the abstract work was a bit odd. But coming from Santa Cruz and going to art shows there I can safely say MOMA was pretty tame compared to some of the weird and screwy shit we produce. What else did we see? Hmm there were sculptures, architecture,and inventions. I would have to say the upper floors were the greatest in terms of priceless works of art. We saw Pollacks, Warhol, Picasso, Monet, Matisse, Van Gogh, Frieda, Boccioni, Dali, and so many more. It was amazing!

I did forget to mention some of the special exhibits set up on the top floor. The german modernism was ok; very dark, intense, but the South American fellow was just odd. Besides us it didn’t seem as if anyone else really cared what he did. There was thought behind his works of art, videos, sculptures, and drawings but not much point. It became rather boring. In the museum till closing we were through, tried, and enthralled. Back on the streets we looked over the Rockefeller center, and went into a couple shops, including a huge LEGO store

At home for dinner at 7, we were treated with dishes of salmon, roasted tomatoes, chilled cucumbers, and asparagus risotto. Such a delicious meal, relaxing after would have to wait as we rushed out the door with Bobby headed towards the subway. We were going to BAM, a film show, where some of the best independent films made in New York were being shown. Bobby had been invited because one of the films used his house as a set. We tagged along to this Indie event and viewed something like 8 or 9 shorts. We had our favorites and least favorites all for good reason as we discussed the night while walking back to the subway. Arriving home we stayed up and talked a bit before going to bed. This couch was heavenly compared to the car. We had some deep and sound sleep while in New York.
-A Rac-Ra-Rice