Miss Jackson

Saturday night took us to the most beautiful Radio City Music Hall. The evening brought us the talents of Janet Jackson. Having not seen Janet live since early 2002, she was better than ever. Radio City was an amazing backdrop to Janet. It is a wonderful intimate concert venue. Janet took the stage at 9 pm and didn't stop until about 100 minutes later. She owned it. There aren't enough words!

Ahh and sweet Janet's encore was "Together Again" with photos on the screen of childhood photos with MJ. Spectacular.

Sold out and worth it!

march march march.

Almost halfway through March and it is hard to believe. The winter has been cold and long, but always fun. The month of February brought visitors leading to nights out painting the town red. It also brought several days back to our roots in Texas while my other half was on the other side of the world more than 8,000 miles away.

The nights out on the town were grand. An evening at the roof at the Gansevoort reminded me that this is truly the city that never sleeps. With spectacular views and a fun group of friends it was a night to remember. This past weekend brought together a dinner to celebrate a birthday in the crowd. Pipa supplied the awesome food and drinks and the people supplied the fun. Around the table we have every corner of the World covered and the conversation was lighthearted and amazing. Diversity is a true blessing in this city. I love knowing some of my closest friends and I have virtually nothing the same in our backgrounds yet we find ourselves on the same pages of life. While hanging out under the glittery chandeliers of Pipa we had hours of conversation and delight.

This week will bring the annual St. Patrick's Day parade up 5th Avenue. If you have never seen this spectacular vision of greens floating up the Avenue you should check it out sometime. It is fun, crazy and full of Irish pride.

Japan, oh Japan. Much sympathy and concern for the devastation that has happened and continues to happen. All of our Japan based friends are accounted for and we are blessed. I can only hope for many miracles in the next few days.

cinquenta y seis

What a winter! So far the little place of New York has measured in at 56 inches of snow this season. It seems about every five days we have been hit with a snowstorm and even some ice. The city is amazing when coated with fresh powder. There has even been an official snowday for the NYC public school children. It was a day filled with lots of sledding and lots of fun. It is a joy to watch the teamwork and collaboration that the kids do when developing the best "run" on the hills.

Of course there is a downside to snow in the city. We have tons of people, dogs, buses, cars, did I mention dogs, and just tons of things happening in general. In many spots that initial lovely white layer quickly changes from white, to gray to black. Oh and let's not forget the yellow. With the tremendous volume of snow this year the huge piles aren't melting anytime soon. Lucky for us there are still some relatively white spots in the neighborhood. That being said, I would highly recommend not eating the snow. Ekk. There is a lovely sort of peace when gazing out the window at a snow covered park. I will admit it blows my mind that I haven't seen a single blade of grass since our last day of visiting Texas on Dec. 31. More than a month and not a single vision of green.

Even with the gray, the black and the yellow I do enjoy being a city dweller when the weather turns snowy. I am tremendously thankful that I don't have to shovel, plow, blow or drive in the snow. I would be terrible at all of them. Bless all those that keep our streets and sidewalks clear. I do not want their jobs!

So 56 inches and counting...where will this winter top out? There is a few more inches of snow on the horizon for tomorrow.

Remembering the Miracle

What a moment!

And the survivors.

NYC needed a miracle on that cold winter day and I am so thankful we got it. Thinking back to the moment a neighbor called and said there had been a plane crash in the Hudson. I was extremely nervous to turn on the news not knowing the cause. Thankfully the unknown can also bring happiness!

Holidays complete!

The holiday season is never complete for me with out witnessing the home season of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. As I have mentioned before and will mention again Revelations is my absolute favorite piece of performance art.

Revelations
I am a pretty lucky girl and get to see many fine things throughout the course of a year but nothing ever moves me as much as Revelations. I count many of Ailey's pieces as top notch but Revelations is his defining work. There are no words to tell how much this piece embraces me. A short film was shown this year on the the 50th anniversary of this magnificent piece of work.

Celebrating Revelations at 50 Film
The evening was perfect. It was a true blessing to take my favorite child in Manhattan to share in the beauty of Alvin Ailey and his dance. AAADT has now completed its home season and will hit the road. Their tour across the USA is something you don't want to miss. If it comes near your hometown you must go. Revelations might move you as much as it moves me! Enjoy.

Happy New Year 2011

In a mere three hours the millions of spectators in Times Square will enjoy quite the spectacle. We downtown dwellers will enjoy the view on television while checking out sparkly fireworks outside our window. At least one New Year's Eve at the crossroads of the universe is most highly recommended. There is nothing quite like it. Even the television broadcast does not do justice for the energy that is there.

The year of 2010 was quite good to us. We have health, happiness and so many fortunes. Along the way we try to learn a little more about ourselves and those around us. Travels were plentiful this year and laughter was almost always around. We continue to be blessed with a wonderful life in the most beautiful of places. Our friends are our core here on this little island (and those far away.) Some have suffered tragic loss this year so we rallied around them. Others have had great joy so we celebrated with them. We know they are there for us so we shall be there for them. I constantly mention it but the warmth and knowledge I derive from friends is so very high on my list.

Throughout the year we had many loves. Visitors, shows, learning new things, great travels near and far, amazing new playgrounds, wonderful explorations, plentiful time with friends and family, blissful days on the beach, snowball fights in great blizzards, breathtaking sunsets, many colorful fireworks shows, watching our child grow in spirit and knowledge, daily seeing WTC One grow to half of her scheduled height, many jaunts across the most incredible Brooklyn Bridge, having a cousin who is living in this town and loves it as much as us, reconnecting with people and finding friendship deeper than ever,...and the list could go on and on. No complaints here. We are grateful for our many gifts.

May 2011 bring you much magic.

merry

The month of December has flown by at record speeds. The holiday spirit is all around. The menorahs glowed at the beginning of the month and now the Christmas trees are bright with color. We have taken in much the city has to offer. The windows at Macy's tell the story of Virginia and the Miracle on 34th Street. The extra large tree at Rockefeller Center looks spectacular and sparkly as she should. The crowds have been thick but who wouldn't to spend the holidays in New York? Santa has been spotted out and about. Rumor has it the reindeer especially love landing on top of these really tall buildings we call home. The sound of lovely carols have been heard throughout. Two different musical events at the amazing Trinity Church have added to the fun. No complaints here. There is magic in the air and I like that. Christmas Eve will be spent venturing over to check out the tree in front of the NYSE. It is one of our local favorites. That evening treats will be left on the windowsill for old St. Nick and the doorman while have instructions to let any man in red who is ho ho ho-ing right on in the building. With no chimney we know a man as practical as Santa will come jaunt through the front door. Christmas morning will hopefully bring many delights underneath that tree. Later in the morning we will begin our journey to Texas to celebrate with family and long time friends. And by the time 2011 rings in we are scheduled to be cozy back in NYC. We believe and hope you do too!