April 2016
So here we are another month gone. Too quickly time passes and too often I can’t remember all that we have done within the month. That is why I catalog these memories. I need to for future reference, and I need to feel relevant in the world now that I am semi-retired. Dave is here is spirit. As many of you know he is still working and works long hours. He will chime in when he can, otherwise it’s just me telling you what I have been up to or what we have been up to as a couple. Following are the books and movies I’ve enjoyed and our New York trip. I hope your months are just as fulfilling.
Media
I found out about a wonderful organization called Compassion and Choices this month by reading On My Own written by Diane Rehm. Rehm (of NPR’s, The Diane Rehm Show) is planning on devoting her time in retirement to this organization. Her husband died last year of Parkinson’s complications. I logged onto their website and suddenly felt that I too should assist if I can. I am posting this link so you can see for yourself the work they are trying to accomplish https://www.compassionandchoices.org/who-we-are/.
Losing both parents to debilitating diseases; Parkinson’s and heart disease, I am fully aware of the end of life process and without a helpful caring hospice team, both my parents would have suffered even more than they did. I plan on doing some more research on this organization and I might possibly get involved as well. I do believe that we should have a right to make end of life decisions with proper forethought and planning while still maintaining our dignity. Finished Diane’s book and feeling like I have met a kindred spirit. We share similar experiences with the effects of Parkinson’s disease. She writes in a very casual style, without pretense, and without self-pity.
Other books I have also read include: The Last Breath by Kimberly Belle. Liked the front cover, read the back cover and was hooked. A murder mystery just waiting to be read. Really enjoyed the book, it took me on a journey with the main character who was trying to discover who killed her step-mother; her own father or the man next door who was having an affair with her step- mother. In the mist of all of this she meets a man, falls in love and repairs relationships with her siblings. Fast read, good plot twist, good character development and very satisfying.
Other books I discovered were books on diet. I read the new book written by Cameron Diaz titled The Longevity Book: The Science of Aging, the Biology of Strength, and the Privilege of Time; Amazon price $ 16. 65. I read the copy from the public library. It’s rare that I buy a book, especially when you can get whatever you need at most public libraries. Anyway, the book is full of information that can help someone who wants to know more about the aging process. I did not really learn anything new. Although I did like to read about Cameron’s exercise routine and because of that I was motivated to up my exercise regiment. She runs daily and eats mostly vegetarian. Movies:Brooklyn was an exceptional movie and I totally get why it was nominated for an Academy Award. The movie is a heartwarming story about a young immigrant from Ireland who falls in love with an Italian, set in the 1950’s.
Two Days and One Night, Sandra, a young Belgian mother, discovers that her workmates have opted for a significant pay bonus, in exchange for her dismissal. She has only one weekend to convince her colleagues to give up their bonuses so that she can keep her job. We are able to go with her as she travels to each home of her coworkers and implores them to vote no on having her fired. Very interesting view on human behavior.
Travels
New York! I visited many websites before we traveled wanting to make sure we saw everything on our list and looking for suggestions from others who have spent a long weekend in the big apple. One site I found particularly helpful was Tripadvisor.com. I find that people are willing to share good experiences and bad. People provide great suggestions and share their personal stories. There are many blogs written on visiting New York as well, I took advantage of the information they offered and planned a really great trip…Dave was impressed. We saw everything on our list!
Here is our itinerary and some pics! 
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| The reason we went to New York- The 5 boro bike ride. Rained all day- we were miserable. |
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| We were so lucky to have scored tickets for Micheal’s last week of taping! |
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| Times Square |
New York Itinerary
Day 1- Wednesday, April 27.
Arrive in New York at 5:00 pm. Take public transportation (taxi, $40.00) to hotel.
Go out and see the city!! Maybe Times Square!! Craft beer is calling our names 🙂
Back to hotel for early wake-up call.
Day 2- Thursday, April 28.
Live with Kelly and Michael. Should arrive by 7:00/7:15 am. Live Studio, at the corner of 67th street and Columbus Avenue. The closest subway is the number 1 train at 68th street/Lincoln Center.
Show ends around 10:00 rest of day we can sight see. At 4:00ish we need to travel to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Ed Sullivan Theater. Ideas include ride thru Central Park, visit the top of the Rock- via the 6th avenue subway entrance located between 49th and 50th streets, to access the Top of the Rock. Walk down 5th ave, see Trump Tower. Visit the Art of Interiors exhibit in a townhouse on the Upper East Side neighborhood of Manhattan. Eat diner/lunch out because we have to be back to Ed Sullivan theater by 4:00 for Stephen Colbert show.
After show, meet Jeff at Marie’s Crisis in Greenwich Village by 7:00 pm, located at 59 Grove St, New York, NY 10014. Allow 20 minutes to get there by taxi. Happy Hour Mon- Thurs. 4-9 drinks, 3-5$. Subway Christopher St.-Sheridan Sq. 1. Bar is cash only!
Day 3- Friday, April 29.
Meet group for free walking tour. Tour meets at 26 Wall street at the George Washington Statue in front of Federal Hall on the corner with Broad st. Meet guide at 9:45 am. Must have $13.25 on each Metro Card to do the tour. Tour ends at 2:00 ish and we have the rest of the afternoon to do what we want. We could pick up our bike packets in Battery Park, we could stay on the Highline and wonder for awhile. Eat hotel if possible and be back to Mid town for 8:00 performance of Blackbird. We must really be there by 7:00 or the doors will close. Day 4- Saturday, April 30.
Pick up bike packets if we haven’t yet. Clipper beer cruise is at 12:00 near Battery Park. We need to be there by 11:30. Enjoy New York’s craft beer while sailing the harbor and getting up close and personal with Lady Liberty! Arrive back at port at 2:00 and have the rest of the day to do whatever 🙂
Day 5- Sunday, May 1.
Bike the five boros bike tour—the reason for this trip 🙂 Pick up bikes 93 South Street Seaport, across from Pier 17. We can pick bikes up early if we want, like on Saturday. Ride bikes all day and see the wonderful city.
Day 6- Monday, May 2.
Head back home on the 7:30 flight.
What we want to see/do:
1. Empire State building or the Rockefeller building for the top of the rock.
2. Ellis Island
3. Monks Café/ soup nazi
4. Highline Park
5. Times Square
6. NY Stock Exchange
7. Brooklyn Bridge- walk across
8. Broadway show
9. Live taping of a show
10. Good craft beer and New York pizza
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