Colleen, Matt and I made our way to New York for the weekend. The weather was waaay too chilly to do all the walking around and sightseeing that we normally enjoy. So, we made do with an Irish bar crawl, a meet up with Gater and some laughs at the Comedy Cellar.
We had long ago put together plans to host Hodgie for the weekend, so it was exciting that the date was finally here. Matt is my best friend from when we were wee little punks in Bloomfield, N.Y. I've know him for more than 30 years, and he was the best man in our wedding. The get-togethers are too few and too far between (you know how life gets as we move around this world).
We also made it a point to reunite with Gater, a grad school classmate and another friend for life who lives near and works in the city. We realized it had been more than eight years since we've seen him, but we all picked right up where we left off.
We had long ago put together plans to host Hodgie for the weekend, so it was exciting that the date was finally here. Matt is my best friend from when we were wee little punks in Bloomfield, N.Y. I've know him for more than 30 years, and he was the best man in our wedding. The get-togethers are too few and too far between (you know how life gets as we move around this world).
We also made it a point to reunite with Gater, a grad school classmate and another friend for life who lives near and works in the city. We realized it had been more than eight years since we've seen him, but we all picked right up where we left off.
We stepped out of Penn Station and planned to make our way slowly by foot on the way to our Four Points Sheraton in SoHo. Hunger called, too, and it wasn't long before we dropped in to Molly Wee Pub for a bite, a few pints and the Liverpool soccer match. This was the best medicine for soccer nut Hodgie who had been battling a cold for a few days and worried he might not be at his best. Four beers later, I think he was starting to feel much better.
Sufficiently warmed up, we made our way to the hotel for a quick check in and to drop off our bags before bolting out to catch the WTC site in the remaining daylight. The previous time we had visited, the new tower was not up, and the worksite was little more than a chainlink fence and the early indications of the project. It's always very emotional and inspiring to come here.
St. Paul's Chapel sits across from the WTC site. The chapel opened in 1766 and is Manhattan's oldest public building in continuous use. George Washington worshipped there, and 9/11 recovery workers received care there. It features many memorials set up for visitors to leave items of remembrance. It's still very powerful.
Later, we headed back to a bar we spied on our walk, Mr. Dennehy's, to catch the end of the Syracuse-Pittsburgh hoops game. Cuse wins to go to 18-0! Time to lube up the old brew-hoisting arm again. Gater is in the house! We had a great time catching up, laughing and telling stories about our days at Syracuse. Then, it was off to the comedy show.
This brought a surprise. We always hear that the Comedy Cellar often has superstars walk on for a set. However, expected this to be more urban legend and not likely to happen when we stop in. Sure, how cool would it be for Louis C.K. or somebody similar to show up? Well, we got Chris Rock. The venue was abuzz when he was announced. He went on after Lynne Koplitz and James Smith killed it. Word is, Rock is showing up to sets fairly often to try out new material. It kinda showed in this uneven performance. He didn't even hide the fact that "I don't know what to talk about . . . Hmmmm, let's see . . ." But between those times being a little lost in transitions, he had some good stuff. Of course he did. he's Chris Rock, dammit! We also heard that Louie has been dropping by and Seinfeld had done a set recently.
Just another great time in the Big Apple and fantastic to catch up with Matt and Gater.
Peace,
JR and CMac
This brought a surprise. We always hear that the Comedy Cellar often has superstars walk on for a set. However, expected this to be more urban legend and not likely to happen when we stop in. Sure, how cool would it be for Louis C.K. or somebody similar to show up? Well, we got Chris Rock. The venue was abuzz when he was announced. He went on after Lynne Koplitz and James Smith killed it. Word is, Rock is showing up to sets fairly often to try out new material. It kinda showed in this uneven performance. He didn't even hide the fact that "I don't know what to talk about . . . Hmmmm, let's see . . ." But between those times being a little lost in transitions, he had some good stuff. Of course he did. he's Chris Rock, dammit! We also heard that Louie has been dropping by and Seinfeld had done a set recently.
Just another great time in the Big Apple and fantastic to catch up with Matt and Gater.
Peace,
JR and CMac
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