Following Edge

The crux of this recap of our remaining time in Manhattan is that the New York subway beats the pants off of the really nice public transit in Portland. It is relatively clean, well organized, and very easily saves walking dozens of blocks with little effort.

Unfortunately for our very tired legs, the ability to quickly transport ourselves by subway didn't reduce our walking time... it just allowed us to go further. To finish out our express tour, we visited the Empire State Building (sadly, once again the tallest building in New York), several shopping spots in the fashion district, TekServe (the finest Apple store in New York), MOMA (the museum of modern art, where we stretched ourselves to visit 4 of the 6 levels of galleries), Central Park (and their fantastic little zoo), Chinatown (where Anne Marie, sadly, did not find a chicken to tell our fortune), and the Trade Center site (unfortunately, not the tallest building in New York any longer, but still a site well worth seeing and reflecting on).

There were still a number of really important places we didn't get to see during our brief stay, but given the limited time and the limits to which we can carry our legs (or which they can carry us, I suppose), I'm happy with what we accomplished.

Our return flight was totally uneventful with our "lost" baggage being easier to find on our arrival in Portland than the baggage we checked for the flight.

There is something interesting or even renown every few blocks in Manhattan. You could walk half a mile in Portland to find something remarkable, and you'd better know where you're going.

In Manhattan, we started our first day by walking a block to Broadway and heading a few blocks East to St. Patrick's Cathedral (a recommendation from Catherine, the ticketing agent). The cathedral was overwhelming, with practically every inch covered in amazing stained glass, incredible carved scenes, and life-size statues of saints.  However, the most notable thing was that, in the handful of blocks we walked to get there, we went by Carnege Hall, Radio City Music Hall, and Rockefeller Center... without even trying. Of course, we’ve been surrounded by the names and images of these places in the media all our lives, but never seen how small they really are in person.

Then, we left St. Patrick's Cathedral, had a bite to eat and walked the handful of blocks to Times Square. There, we peeked in at a CNN reporter reporting live on the stock market, spent over an hour shopping and riding the ferris wheel in the Toys R Us Times Square store. Lauren was in heaven, as you can see in the picture.

Now, if the first thing about Manhattan is that it's jam-packed with things within a few blocks, you'll find yourself walking a few miles as you constantly head off to see the next amazing thing "just down the block". By this time, Anne Marie's feet were killing her (remember, her walking shoes and most clothes are in a bag in Portland), so we walked a few blocks, of course, to the uptown portion of the fashion district and got some new All Stars for her. Then, we got on the subway to return to the hotel, discovering that the subway entrance was right on the corner of the hotel.

Tomorrow, the subway instead!

The three days in Philadelphia before our return flight to Portland were a whirlwind. Aside from Anne Marie's graduation and her extended naps beginning the recovery from a year (or perhaps four years) of torture leading to graduation, we took in the Philadelphia zoo, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and a frustrating yet fascinating drive through the Pennsylvania Amish countryside. Defininately time for getting back to restful small farm and home life of Elmira.

We were booked connecting on two United flights through New York's LaGuardia airport, for some reason that probably made great sense when I booked the flights months ago. I didn't mind too much that we'd be flying for a half hour in the wrong direction and the flight over Manhattan was stunning...

I've never been even near to New York and the striking density and vertical scale of Manhattan were amazing to see as we descended into LaGuardia. Our approach even turned and dipped the wing for a perfect view of the south seashore and the Statue of Liberty, as if we were on a sightseeing flight. I peered over Lauren's shoulder as the sights appeared before us. I was saddened that we could be in New York for the first time and see it laid out before us, but be only see the airport for the rushed 50 minutes of our layover.

I almost always arrange travel far in advance and leave at least an hour for connecting flights. Unfortuately, our first flight turned out to be actually operated by US Airways, which it wholly owned by United, but operates out of a totally separate terminal requiring a ten mile walk (seemingly) and a total exit and re-entry and separate ticketing. Despite this being a recommended itinerary, this connection would require hours... not the 50 minutes allowed. Really rushing, we got to the ticketing portion exactly 2 minutes too late to be allowed on our flight and had to be re-ticketed.

There was a chance to get a new flight later in the day, arriving in Portland late in the evening, but I jumped outside our bad situation and asked the ticketing agent (Catherine, a wonderful lady originally from Barbados) if we could fly out a few days later. Anne Marie then says, "You know, I'd really like to get home today", which took a moment of sweet talking to overcome. Catherine warned us that changing our flights would be expensive, but it turned out that she was able to get the change for only $200... cheap airfare for a trip for three to New York.

In case you didn't know, although I like to plan ahead... when the world gives me goat cheese, I will turn it into Creme Brulee.

So, 3 days in New York. I've gotten a "reasonable" hotel room in midtown Manhattan for only $1400 plus tax. I've heard that you just have to shop when you stay in this town... especially when your clothes and computer accessories are arriving in checked luggage on the West coast while you stay on the East coast. We'll have to see the Empire State Building, Central Park, Times Square... and so much more.

And this morning I thought our big trip was nearly over.

We arrived yesterday in Philadelphia after a grueling all-day trip starting in Portland at 3:45am.

We made the most of our first day here. With a healthy bit of walking, bus and subway rides to get us connected to the heartbeat of the city, and a a visit to both the Liberty Bell and the Ben Franklin museum to reach into its history, we are now totally acclimated and barely 24 hours has gone by.

We also went to a chiropractor to try and lessen a wretched neck and shoulder pain that either the trip or the hotel's "luxury" double bed inflicted on me. A very nice guy, Dr. Zimmer. He recommended Moshulu restaurant and Bongo Bar, which is in a huge four-masted sailing ship docked at Penn's landing. We went there for dinner and it was certainly a fine restaurant with fine food. Well proportioned, lightly bronzed, sparingly dressed in a hot presentation... and that was just the hostesses. Kidding aside, the food was top notch, there was an engaging live band, and the desk was very comfortable with a light breeze from the river and only slightly too much sun. I'd recommend it to anyone willing to drop $90 on dining out in Philadelphia, which I can only hope to justify with the frugality I used in planning the rest of the trip.

Plus, Anne Marie's graduation deserves a little celebration. She passed all four of her final exams earlier this week and, yesterday, scored an excellent 90% on the over-it-all-make-or-break cumulative final. Tomorrow is the graduation ceremony. Exciting... especially exciting if we can go to the zoo afterwards.

Given the horrible experience with our last trip to Philadelphia, I suppose my expectations are very low. Even so, the start of my trip with Lauren (Anne Marie is already there taking tests) has gone as well as I could hope.

After a birthday dinner with our friend Chris last night, we got up at 3:45am this morning (actually, I was awake at 1:45 in anticipation), sped through the economy lot shuttle hassle, dodged the hour-long checkin line for United by having only (stuffed) carry-on bags, breezed through security and have time to enjoy a snack.

Of course, this only means that the disaster is yet to come.

Cashier at Capella Market in Eugene: What is that for?

Michael: [Knowing from experience what this is about] It's my bandolier. Since it's getting too hot for my jacket, I'm trying it out for carrying around the stuff that's usually in my jacket pockets.

Cashier: Where did you get it?

Michael: I made it myself... these are just mini camera cases. See the expert stitching I did on the belt clamp.

Cashier: That's very practical. And it gives you a very sporting look.

Michael: Certainly!

So it has been in the weeks since I finished my bandolier. The trucker at the truck stop in Aurora asks to touch it. A father at Lauren's school yells "Badges!?! We don't need no steenkin badges"! A homeless vet launches his plea for change with "Hey, I wore something like that in the war". The restaurant ends up calling out "Bomb Man" instead of "Michael" when my order is ready. There's no doubt that my new bit of fashion has launched dozens of conversations (and probably caused dozens to cross to the other side of the street).

I have actually been planning and considering a bandolier for months. Every year, as the weather improves and I need to shed my jacket, I struggle to find the perfect solution for carrying the various electronic, health-related, and organizational items I need to carry. I tried a fanny pack years ago before it became obvious to everyone that they make you look like an ass. I tried a large belt-clip camera case, which was not at all aesthetic or organizationally competent. Many people use messenger bags, but my loosely connected brain would have me leaving it somewhere before the ink dried on the receipt.

I had been thinking about some sort of across-the-body shoulder thing (so I wouldn't lose it and so it wouldn't be a pain in the back) with a number of pockets (to avoid the jumble you get from bigger bags or packs. Then, Lore Sjoberg wrote at Wired that the bandolier was intriguing, but insisted it was not an option for geeks who were not fashion trend-setters. Well, listen up, Lore! I am the fashion trend-setter!

There is a reason that the bandolier was a staple for centuries. It is very easy to carry without encumbering your back or hands, has a good amount of capacity, and is perfectly accessible. The main reason it's so jarring for people is that the only modern context for the bandolier seems to be mercenaries, and worrisome sci-fi characters like Chewbacca or Tusken Raiders. I may be single-handedly remapping the context for the bandolier in the 21st century. Perhaps they'll be a major fashion trend in two years. Charlize Theron and Ashton Kuthcher, perhaps. Or, perhaps not.

In the least, Lauren wants one. I'm already getting the parts together.

Since it's been six months since I've had the energy and time to coordinate a get-together for Eugene area webloggers, and since local blogger Jeff Newton (of Chase508's Den) has been such a good friend of the get-together and wants to have one before people leave for Summer activities, he's getting one together!
If you want to meet some really interesting local bloggers, head over (RIGHT NOW) to Jeff's get-together announcement on Chase508's Den and get the get together onto your calendar for Wednesday, June 14!

Unfortunately, I'll be in Philadelphia (what I like to call "the unhappiest place on earth") for Anne Marie's graduation, so I won't get to see this long-awaited get-together, but I'm eager to hear how it goes and I'll definately be at the next one.

On a related note, the Eugene Weblog List has been updated with 15 new local blog entries. Go check that out as well. There is a lot of interesting stuff happening on local blogs.

Thanks, Jeff, for reviving the get-together.