2.30pm 26/8/14. Just a short break in transmission here folks whilst I sort this out. You see, I’ve just returned to Brooklyn after sitting in a café in East Village for 4 hours waiting for Mr Scorsese. It appears his absence was due to other commitments. I know he has been working on a new script for “Son of Taxi Driver” and the number Riccardo gave me kept answering Tino’s Pizzeria Harlem, so unfortunately it appears my dream of being a bohemian artist in NYC is over. Lynda was a tad more frank than that, saying that I had been duped by a wise guy and that I had stuffed up her entire life. She has subsequently resigned before commencing at Malcolm X PS.
The following is an open letter to my boss Drew, my team and daughters.
I’d like to firstly apologise to Drew if he has interpreted any of my previous correspondence as being the truth. You know I’ve been on antibiotics for the tooth abscess prior to departing Melbourne and this has no doubt contributed to some somewhat radical thought processes.
I spoke to Charles Tyrwhitt on the phone while I was waiting for Marty and he has agreed to lift the black ban on the shirts however there is just the one caveat..that is that you stick to slim fit only, small checks and cutaway collars. Quite a pedantic man is Mr Tyrwhitt. He also retracts his cufflink comment re: your sexuality unreservedly.
From my perspective, as a Regional Manager at Campbell Arnotts you have no peer. For me to even consider being your equal (or above) is ludicrous and your decision making since I have been there has been first class. I look forward to our continued success together as one team with one message coming from you and another one from me. I can’t wait to get back into the fray on 22/9 at our scheduled leadership team meeting. I will leave you with my favourite quote from Peter Cook:
“I have learned from my mistakes, and I’m sure I can repeat them exactly!”
To my team, I am yours to serve and only serve. The very thought of leaving you made me ill. You bring class and dignity to everything you do and it is my honour to be your humble servant. I trust the Footy Finals sell in is in full swing as per my succinct instructions, and I will check in re: the distribution numbers on Light & Crispy at 0700 on 22/9/14.
To my wonderful daughters. The very thought of you being there and me being here, left me cold and empty. You are the wind beneath my wings and I have decided to grab you a few more trinkets such as Big Apple fridge magnets and Empire State key rings as compensation for any lost time we have encountered.
Normal transmission will resume shortly…once I get through this prescription of Amoxycillin and get more than 3 hours of consecutive sleep.
Unconditionally Yours
Willow and Dad
Tuesday 26/8/14 9am. Well it seems Brooklyn Willow has been put to bed so let’s get back to some more traditional travel writing shall we?
The weather has been amazingly hot (approx. 30+ degrees) and a tad sticky. If you’re coming over, the subway platforms can get really hot so don’t run to get there or you will be a sweaty mess. Fortunately the carriages are air conditioned and every subway trip provides plenty of quality people watching as well as the conversations that are going on around that can be highly stimulating.
We’re going to be chilling a bit today and going on a topless bus around the city for a while. We got it for free when purchasing theatre tickets in Times Square on Sunday. We wanted to buy tickets to the hottest show in town at the moment, “The book of Mormon” written by the guys who brought us South Park and Team America. My old mate Wedders suggested it having recently been here and he bought his tickets for $180 a month ago. They are now $325 each! A Canadian couple we met yesterday on the cruise have come here for 4 days to specifically see it, and they paid $250 each! Oh well. The only thing we could afford was Rock of Ages which will be fun anyway.
4pm. Geez it’s hot. Just returned to clean up before heading to the show. We got a surprise when we got to the pier on the Hudson expecting a bus. What we got was another ferry trip which was cool. This time we had the added bonus of a commentator on board, John, who was a native New Yorker, 55 and he fair dinkum was the Bruce Macavaney of New York insights without the gay overtures and guttural screams that Bruce provides. He was like a race caller and interesting facts and historical pointers were flying left right and centre! I learnt more in 90 mins than any Lonely Planet book. A wonderful experience floating south down the Hudson around to the East River and the Statue of Liberty. This cruise used a smaller boat which allowed it to get a lot closer to land. Highly recommended. Did you know the Holland Tunnel, which connects Jersey to Manhattan under the Hudson River was built along with its 2 huge exhaust fans on either side of the river,over seven years. It was completed in 1926. That number again, 1926. The Ring Road in Northern Melbourne started about 10 years ago and is still a shambles..in 2014!! Thank you Vic Roads.
We then headed to the High Line. Now this is former disused railway line that runs from the midtown west of Manhattan and goes downtown for approx. 2 km or 18 city blocks. The railway and land that came with it was bought off the railways by an enterprising artist and his mate, a writer for $1!! They have transformed it into one of the best things you can do in the world for free! Imagine floating through the historical neighbourhoods of Chelsea and the Meatpackers District about 40ft in the air through beautifully landscaped pathways and benches all made from the finest timbers. An example of how New York continually surprises you. Extremely relaxing.
Finished off in the stunning Greenwich Village which is now a far cry from the days of Bob Dylan and the beat poets halcyon days in the 60’s. Home to many rich and famous such as Hugh Jackman, it’s simply an oasis of peaceful tree lined apartments straight out of many movies we have all seen. Managed to find some art stuff amazingly pretty cheap for Mia, but wouldn’t dare set foot in any other shops.
Anyway nothing planned as yet for tomorrow which is a good thing. No need really. Just hop on the subway and take a chance in NYC. Need to do more of that back home. We recently went to the State Library in Melbourne which was beautiful because I hadn’t seen it before. There’s lots of pleasant surprises out there when you get off your backside.
Trust everyone is well. All the best Willow & Lynda.
Isn’t the High Line amazing? My son and I went to NYC after his high school graduation and did the HL one morning and another evening…totally different at night! The views of the building lit up all around and, if you’re luck timing-wise, a sunset view to the west…just incredible! So glad you and Lynda found it! (but it seems that you found ALL of the cool stuff in NYC!)
Yes we had a great time in NYC Jen. Will definitely go back.