August 2005 - Snapshots of Laurel's Summer 05 Escapades!

 Rob and I in NYC....stay tuned!               

Three's Company @ 3:00 a.m. in the lobby of the Milford Plaza in New York City! Woo Hoo!

From left-Wendy aka Janet, Laurel aka Chrissy and Sandi aka Jack Tripper!

August 9, 2005

He really was a swell guy that Peter Jennings. Personable, likeable, loveable, smart and Canadian! I can't believe he's gone. My Nan had a crush on him until the day she died. How did I know? A huge indicator was the TV Guide cover photo of Peter from years gone by, posted on the fridge. Nan wasn't one for clutter, especially on the fridge.

I hope I can someday say, near the end, what Peter said. He said that he knew he had lived a 'good life."

August 4, 2005

Naked Cowboy takes Manhattan!

Did I have a good time in New York City this past weekend? Well, less than 12 hours after arriving I had already extended my stay by another day so you tell me!

Fresh back from New York City and I have the pictures to prove it! The photo above is of the infamous 'naked cowboy' who struts his stuff in the vicinity of Times Square. Wearing nothing but tightie whities, a cowboy hat and boots, he sure is popular with the tourists. His skin is 'shake and baked' and his biggest muscle is in his bicep, not his brain or other places!!!!

I hope to post a close up in a day or two but be warned-look only if you think you can handle it!

As some of you may know, the main reason for this visit to The Big Apple was to attend a wedding. And it wasn't just any old wedding. Held in an old mayonnaise factory in the hip Williamsburg area of Brooklyn, this was a class event! Not many can say that someone from the Martha Stewart show did their flowers........The grooms were awesome. Nervous yet focused, giddy yet serious! The ceremony was very genuine and the toasts, readings and performances were entertaining. It was a great night...that never really ended. The best kind!

The Grooms

We were a bit early to the venue as we had to drop off our food contribution (chocolate dipped strawberries) and when we realized that we were the only obedient 'food duty' guests to come early, we scrammed out of there and headed to the closest bar up the street for a quick gin and tonic, jack for Wendy and a tequila shot for good measure (I had not done one of those in years). Well warmed up, we headed back to the mayo factory and wined and dined, danced and took lots and lots of photos. You see, my two new roommates (more on that in a minute) and I took it upon ourselves to make sure that all of the disposable cameras lying around were fully utilized. We took pictures of EVERYTHING and more!

Okay, the roommate thing. I guess now is as good a time as any to explain what some may find the more peculiar part of my trip. I had never actually met, in person, the grooms although we had been friends for about a year (met thru writing stuff). Nor had I met his two good friends from high school that I was making my social plans with and who ended up becoming my roommates as the weekend progressed. Wendy and Sandi aka Janet and Jack, along with me-Laurel aka Chrissy, quickly and smoothly became Three's Company when I moved into their hotel after one night in my 'hotel' which was really what I felt was a glorified hostel and I was not in the mood for a hostel which in turn made me hostile! So I fired my hotel!

The 'hostel' location was amazing and the amenities weren't bad although very basic and I felt, based on their literature, a bit misleading. The brochure said that each room was equipped with a television and that any extra amenities required i.e. umbrellas, irons etc could be arranged. Okay, fair enough right? Nope. There was a note in my closet-oops, my room  (and I paid extra for a double) saying that the t.v. (all 9 inches of it) was there as a convenience and not a form of entertainment and to understand if the reception was poor. What reception? Don't you have to get a channel to have reception? The one channel that I did get was snowing.

I also called the front desk upon arrival in my 'closet' to let them know that I would need an iron and board. Those of you that know me know that I need my iron! "Oh, we don't have those" was what I was told. "But the brochure says that you can arrange for them, " I answered. "Nope, we don't." Okay, deep breath and get ready to go out and have a great evening. Next morning I am yelled at for taking the stairs-something about how I can't sue as I didn't have permission to take the stairs and I yelled back that I was Canadian and we don't sue at the drop of a hat (the elevator is tiny and takes forever and only the rooms are air conditioned and so the rest of the place swelters) and the cafe watches over you like a hawk to make sure you don't double up on stale croissants and coffee. Finally, at my limit I went to the front desk and informed them that I was not happy with the way I was being treated and that I would be checking out a day earlier and that I was hoping that they would do the right thing and not charge me but that I didn't care either way! Good news-they didn't charge me the second night but they also didn't acknowledge my concerns or apologize.

So, in a frenzy and a bit sweaty from this altercation, I called my two new best long-distance friends over at the Milford and asked if I could check into their suite with them. Sweet! They said to come on over and so I did! It was only fitting that I move into the Milford Plaza with them. This is the first hotel I ever stayed in in NYC 18 years ago and so it was good to 'be home.' Plus, 'Aunt Peggy' (one of Wendy's relatives) had arranged a great room for a great deal! A 2 bedroom suite so there was more than enough room for all of us. This is when we changed from being Charlie's Angels to Three's Company!!!!  What a riot!

Sandi's foot -we took lots of feet pics

My Hotel not!

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