Travel was blissfully uneventful. The funniest part of my travel experience came when I was leaving NY. I had just checked out of my hotel, and one of the hotel staff offered to call a cab for me. I declined, telling him that I would be taking the train and bus out to the airport. I jokingly added that "I wanted to see it all." He laughed, and responded "I don't know what you think you're going to see, but go for it." But I'm getting way ahead of myself.
My flight into town landed at about 10:30am on Thursday. I took the M60 bus to Astoria Blvd. in Queens, and from there took the N straight into town; the closest stop being about a block from my hotel. I love New York Mass Transit. I dumped my bag at the hotel and walked up Broadway to meet everybody for lunch. I was able to return Bob/Nekk's wallet to him (don't ask), and got to sit next to Dr. Rod during lunch. I felt a little under-dressed sitting next to Rod, but that's really just par for the course for me. I also had the pleasure of meeting both Gregs for the first time, and was as pleased as punch when Traci handed out the DaveCon buttons and Pat's kazoos.
After lunch we went down to wait in line for our tickets. Rocco and I were standing in line on 53rd, having a nice conversation with a couple from Houston, when a cab pulled to a stop almost literally on my right foot. Out jumped Foxy. I think she offered the driver an extra $50 if he agreed to hit me, but he must have chickened out at the last second.
We got our tickets, and it took an amazing feat of line-jumping on my part to score ticket #13. Then we went back to 53rd to hang out and witness the well-documented, harrowing adventures that Donz experienced. A few of us went over to Jamba Juice, because, really, how could you NOT do that?
Before we knew it, it was time for the show. After a brief but entertaining wait in the lobby, we were released into the theater. I found myself in a great spot right in front of the band. On my left was Westerner, and some dead guy was dumped into the seat on my right. I'll let others with a better memory than mine describe the details of the taping. I will say that I always get a kick of the abusive way that Dave treats his microphone during the pre-show audience chat. I will also say that I thought Jason Bateman was a great guest, and that it was wonderful to see Terri, especially with her outstanding attitude in spite of the blows that she has been dealt.
After the show, we got to participate in the taping of the TMS, and I think we'll all be stunned if Donz's performance doesn't garner him some sort of award.
After the TMS taping, I split from the group so that I could check into the hotel, and I caught up with everybody at the restaurant. I had fun chatting with DDY about Kansas and college life, and with Donz about database software and video editing software. I enjoyed Rocco's mocking me with his impossibly long hair, and I really enjoyed the fact that Brad didn't flee the city as soon as he saw me this year.
After the staff at Cascina got tired of us (after about three hours), it was time to move on. I left the group at this point, thinking I'd get to see a few folks the next day for lunch. But, I didn't want to stay up too late, because of the things I had planned for the next day.
One of the things on my list of "New York Experiences" that I hadn't done yet was jog through Central Park. But I also wanted to get a ticket for a tour through Yankee Stadium. Knowing that I'd have to be in line for the ticket early, I had to wake very early in the day for my jog. Perfect weather for an early morning run. After a quick shower I jumped on the D train headed for the Bronx. Luckily, I got in line early enough for a ticket to the 1pm tour. I took the D back down to Time Square, and arrived at the pie place about 15 minutes early, only to find that it had been shut down by the board of health. I overheard one of the workers telling an irate potential customer that a knob on one of their gas ovens was faulty, and wouldn't be repaired for a couple of days. I waited until 11:30, which was the designated meet-up time, and nobody showed. Convinced that I had just been punk'd, I dejectedly slunk back to my hotel to retrieve my camera before going back to the Bronx for my tour.
The rest of my trip is non-DaveCon related, so I'll just blow through it. I toured Yankee Stadium, but refused to sit on the bench in the dugout - I do have my standards. I meandered through Greenwich Village, and had a relaxing break on a bench in Washington Square park - right up until the moment a pigeon took a big dump on me. I took in the game at Yankee Stadium that night, and had the pleasure of seeing them get beat by the Reds. I also had the pleasure of paying $20 for two dogs and a beer (and hat with the word "IDIOT!" on it). I enjoyed the crushing subway ride back into town after the game was over. I left town early the next day.
On Jun 23, 3:16 pm, Keith Rose <xkei...@xmayparkx.com> wrote:
> Travel was blissfully uneventful. The funniest part of my travel > experience came when I was leaving NY. I had just checked out of > my hotel, and one of the hotel staff offered to call a cab for me. > I declined, telling him that I would be taking the train and bus > out to the airport. I jokingly added that "I wanted to see it all." > He laughed, and responded "I don't know what you think you're going > to see, but go for it." But I'm getting way ahead of myself.
I think you forgot to go into detail on the trip back. Fess up!
> My flight into town landed at about 10:30am on Thursday. I took > the M60 bus to Astoria Blvd. in Queens, and from there took the N > straight into town; ...
The end of the M60 line is right across the street from me. Thanks.
[snip]
> We got our tickets, and it took an amazing feat of line-jumping on > my part to score ticket #13. Then we went back to 53rd to hang out > and witness the well-documented, harrowing adventures that Donz > experienced. A few of us went over to Jamba Juice, because, really, > how could you NOT do that?
But how'd you all manage to destroy the stage carpet?
[snip]
> After the show, we got to participate in the taping of the TMS, and > I think we'll all be stunned if Donz's performance doesn't garner > him some sort of award.
I got a call from Mark Wahlberg. Something about not being available for a sequel. Wasn't interested.
> After the TMS taping, I split from the group so that I could check > into the hotel, and I caught up with everybody at the restaurant. > I had fun chatting with DDY about Kansas and college life, and with > Donz about database software and video editing software. I enjoyed > Rocco's mocking me with his impossibly long hair, and I really > enjoyed the fact that Brad didn't flee the city as soon as he saw > me this year.
> After the staff at Cascina got tired of us (after about three hours), > it was time to move on. I left the group at this point, thinking > I'd get to see a few folks the next day for lunch. But, I didn't > want to stay up too late, because of the things I had planned for > the next day.
I'm sorry you didn't join us later; I never got a chance to say farewell and how great it was to see you again.
> One of the things on my list of "New York Experiences" that I hadn't > done yet was jog through Central Park. But I also wanted to get a > ticket for a tour through Yankee Stadium. Knowing that I'd have > to be in line for the ticket early, I had to wake very early in the > day for my jog. Perfect weather for an early morning run. After > a quick shower I jumped on the D train headed for the Bronx. Luckily, > I got in line early enough for a ticket to the 1pm tour. I took > the D back down to Time Square, and arrived at the pie place about > 15 minutes early, only to find that it had been shut down by the > board of health. I overheard one of the workers telling an irate > potential customer that a knob on one of their gas ovens was faulty, > and wouldn't be repaired for a couple of days. I waited until > 11:30, which was the designated meet-up time, and nobody showed. > Convinced that I had just been punk'd, I dejectedly slunk back to > my hotel to retrieve my camera before going back to the Bronx for > my tour.
> The rest of my trip is non-DaveCon related, so I'll just blow through > it. I toured Yankee Stadium, but refused to sit on the bench in > the dugout - I do have my standards. I meandered through Greenwich > Village, and had a relaxing break on a bench in Washington Square > park - right up until the moment a pigeon took a big dump on me. > I took in the game at Yankee Stadium that night, and had the pleasure > of seeing them get beat by the Reds. I also had the pleasure of > paying $20 for two dogs and a beer (and hat with the word "IDIOT!" > on it). I enjoyed the crushing subway ride back into town after > the game was over. I left town early the next day.
-- As we enjoy great advantages from inventions of others, we should be glad of an opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours; and this we should do freely and generously. --Benjamin Franklin
>> My flight into town landed at about 10:30am on Thursday. I took >> the M60 bus to Astoria Blvd. in Queens, and from there took the N >> straight into town; ...
>The end of the M60 line is right across the street from me. Thanks.
Well, that explains the cryptic note at the bottom of the bus map at the airport:
Last stop: Here there be donz!
>> A few of us went over to Jamba Juice, because, really, >> how could you NOT do that?
>But how'd you all manage to destroy the stage carpet?
Security staff was diverted elsewhere. Have we thanked you for that?
On Jun 23, 3:16 pm, Keith Rose <xkei...@xmayparkx.com> wrote:
Out jumped Foxy. I think she offered
> the driver an extra $50 if he agreed to hit me, but he must have > chickened out at the last second.
In order to hit you, he would have hit other people in the way, and that would have cost me more. So I said forget it.
had a relaxing break on a bench in Washington Square
> park - right up until the moment a pigeon took a big dump on me.
OMG!!! Where did it land? On your head? In your face? On your shoulder? On your shoe? You know what people say when other people have a bird crap on them? Just to make them feel not so like a loser? "Oooo.....That's good luck!!!."
Foxy wrote: >On Jun 23, 3:16 pm, Keith Rose <xkei...@xmayparkx.com> wrote:
>Out jumped Foxy. I think she offered >> the driver an extra $50 if he agreed to hit me, but he must have >> chickened out at the last second.
>In order to hit you, he would have hit other people in the way, and >that would have cost me more. So I said forget it.
I can totally understand that! Next year I'll just stand in the middle of 53rd to make it cheaper for you.
>had a relaxing break on a bench in Washington Square >> park - right up until the moment a pigeon took a big dump on me.
>OMG!!! Where did it land? On your head? In your face? On your >shoulder? On your shoe? >You know what people say when other people have a bird crap on them? >Just to make them feel not so like a loser? >"Oooo.....That's good luck!!!."
I was sitting on a bench with my legs outstretched and my feet crossed. Two benches to my left was a guy (must be a park regular) who was feeding the birds, and he had birds all over him. On the adjoining bench to my right, a young girl had just sat down. (I'm thinking college student - backpack and proximity to NYU.)
The bird managed to get both my bare legs with one load, and it was *quite* a load. The young girl snickered in spite of herself, but stifled it quickly. I turned to her and said "He's got birds all over him, and I'm the one who gets crapped on." She laughed, and I wiped off my legs with my handkerchief (which I had to throw away). So, I brightened someone's day, and she had a funny story to tell her friends later. So, that's something.
> Foxy wrote: > >On Jun 23, 3:16 pm, Keith Rose <xkei...@xmayparkx.com> wrote:
> >Out jumped Foxy. I think she offered > >> the driver an extra $50 if he agreed to hit me, but he must have > >> chickened out at the last second.
> >In order to hit you, he would have hit other people in the way, and > >that would have cost me more. So I said forget it.
> I can totally understand that! Next year I'll just stand in the > middle of 53rd to make it cheaper for you.
> >had a relaxing break on a bench in Washington Square > >> park - right up until the moment a pigeon took a big dump on me.
> >OMG!!! Where did it land? On your head? In your face? On your > >shoulder? On your shoe? > >You know what people say when other people have a bird crap on them? > >Just to make them feel not so like a loser? > >"Oooo.....That's good luck!!!."
> I was sitting on a bench with my legs outstretched and my feet > crossed. Two benches to my left was a guy (must be a park regular) > who was feeding the birds, and he had birds all over him. On the > adjoining bench to my right, a young girl had just sat down. (I'm > thinking college student - backpack and proximity to NYU.)
> The bird managed to get both my bare legs with one load, and it was > *quite* a load. The young girl snickered in spite of herself, but > stifled it quickly. I turned to her and said "He's got birds all > over him, and I'm the one who gets crapped on." She laughed, and > I wiped off my legs with my handkerchief (which I had to throw > away). So, I brightened someone's day, and she had a funny story > to tell her friends later. So, that's something.
> But, it could have been much, much worse.
Isn't that the story that Brady's airplane seatmate told him?
>The bird managed to get both my bare legs with one load, and it was >*quite* a load. The young girl snickered in spite of herself, but >stifled it quickly. I turned to her and said "He's got birds all >over him, and I'm the one who gets crapped on." She laughed, and >I wiped off my legs with my handkerchief (which I had to throw >away). So, I brightened someone's day, and she had a funny story >to tell her friends later. So, that's something.
>But, it could have been much, much worse.
Yeah....
It *could* have been a buffalo....r
-- What good is being an executive if you never get to execute anyone?
> >The bird managed to get both my bare legs with one load, and it was > >*quite* a load. The young girl snickered in spite of herself, but > >stifled it quickly. I turned to her and said "He's got birds all > >over him, and I'm the one who gets crapped on." She laughed, and > >I wiped off my legs with my handkerchief (which I had to throw > >away). So, I brightened someone's day, and she had a funny story > >to tell her friends later. So, that's something.
> >But, it could have been much, much worse.
> Yeah....
> It *could* have been a buffalo....r
> -- > What good is being an executive if you never get to execute anyone?
Nice report Keith, it was nice to see you again. Loved the pics. Even the Yankee Stadium ones. As much as I hate the Yankees I would have done the tour also.
> On Jun 23, 8:46 pm, R H Draney <dadoc...@spamcop.net> wrote:
> > Keith Rose filted:
> > >The bird managed to get both my bare legs with one load, and it was > > >*quite* a load. The young girl snickered in spite of herself, but > > >stifled it quickly. I turned to her and said "He's got birds all > > >over him, and I'm the one who gets crapped on." She laughed, and > > >I wiped off my legs with my handkerchief (which I had to throw > > >away). So, I brightened someone's day, and she had a funny story > > >to tell her friends later. So, that's something.
> > >But, it could have been much, much worse.
> > Yeah....
> > It *could* have been a buffalo....r
> > -- > > What good is being an executive if you never get to execute anyone?
> Nice report Keith, it was nice to see you again. > Loved the pics. Even the Yankee Stadium ones. As much as I hate the > Yankees I would have done the tour also.
> On Jun 23, 8:46 pm, R H Draney <dadoc...@spamcop.net> wrote:
> > Keith Rose filted:
> > >The bird managed to get both my bare legs with one load, and it was > > >*quite* a load. The young girl snickered in spite of herself, but > > >stifled it quickly. I turned to her and said "He's got birds all > > >over him, and I'm the one who gets crapped on." She laughed, and > > >I wiped off my legs with my handkerchief (which I had to throw > > >away). So, I brightened someone's day, and she had a funny story > > >to tell her friends later. So, that's something.
> > >But, it could have been much, much worse.
> > Yeah....
> > It *could* have been a buffalo....r
> > -- > > What good is being an executive if you never get to execute anyone?
> Nice report Keith, it was nice to see you again. > Loved the pics. Even the Yankee Stadium ones. As much as I hate the > Yankees I would have done the tour also.
Got to love the way Yankee Stadium mows their grass. I want a striped lawn in my backyard with my intials powdered in chalk.
On Jun 23, 8:19 pm, Keith Rose <xkei...@xmayparkx.com> wrote:
She laughed, and > I wiped off my legs with my handkerchief (which I had to throw > away). So, I brightened someone's day, and she had a funny story > to tell her friends later. So, that's something.
How many men carry a handkerchief anymore?..,.you're a regular Rhett Butler, Rose Keith.
> On Jun 23, 8:19 pm, Keith Rose <xkei...@xmayparkx.com> wrote:
> She laughed, and > > I wiped off my legs with my handkerchief (which I had to throw > > away). So, I brightened someone's day, and she had a funny story > > to tell her friends later. So, that's something.
> How many men carry a handkerchief anymore?..,.you're a regular Rhett > Butler, Rose Keith.
I loved Rhett, but I doubt if he would have been the photographer Keith was...Rhett was a cynic. Keith's photographs show a happy person took those pictures. They're all about people looking natural or with smiles on their faces. I loved the pix; they had a real intimacy about them. He always knew where to position himself for the most telling shot. And the stadium shots were artistic. Nice work. Thanks, Keith.
On Jun 23, 12:16 pm, Keith Rose <xkei...@xmayparkx.com> wrote:
> The rest of my trip is non-DaveCon related, so I'll just blow through > it. I toured Yankee Stadium, but refused to sit on the bench in > the dugout - I do have my standards.
Did you see or touch any Yankees?
Good report, Keith! And don't worry: it wasn't (Yaaaaawwwwwn) boring... at...all... ....skynxxxxxxxxxxxx...
In article <6f83cfa1-f212-4c55-bb14-aee6b9337...@v1g2000pra.googlegroups.com>, Tom Cronin <tkhkcro...@aol.com> wrote:
>On Jun 23, 12:16 pm, Keith Rose <xkei...@xmayparkx.com> wrote: >> The rest of my trip is non-DaveCon related, so I'll just blow through >> it. I toured Yankee Stadium, but refused to sit on the bench in >> the dugout - I do have my standards.
>Did you see or touch any Yankees?
I think I stepped in some of Giambi's juice, if you know what I mean.
>Good report, Keith! And don't worry: it wasn't (Yaaaaawwwwwn) >boring... at...all... >....skynxxxxxxxxxxxx...
Now I'm glad that I erased your number from Traci's cell phone before dinner... I was beginning to feel guilty about that.
Keith Rose wrote: > I will say that I always get a kick of the abusive way that Dave treats his > microphone during the pre-show audience chat. I will also say that I thought > Jason Bateman was a great guest, and that it was wonderful to see Terri, > especially with her outstanding attitude in spite of the blows that she has > been dealt.
Love this. You all were privy to a terrific show. Great report. Sorry you missed out on the pie. As an honored previous pie guessing winner, you should've had some.
> The rest of my trip is non-DaveCon related, so I'll just blow through > it. I toured Yankee Stadium, but refused to sit on the bench in > the dugout - I do have my standards. I meandered through Greenwich > Village, and had a relaxing break on a bench in Washington Square > park - right up until the moment a pigeon took a big dump on me. > I took in the game at Yankee Stadium that night, and had the pleasure > of seeing them get beat by the Reds. I also had the pleasure of > paying $20 for two dogs and a beer (and hat with the word "IDIOT!" > on it). I enjoyed the crushing subway ride back into town after > the game was over. I left town early the next day.
> That's it.
Pigeon poop! Welcome to New York. Yuck!
Can you explain the IDIOT hat? I don't know about that.
Pat Fleet wrote: >Keith Rose wrote: >> I took in the game at Yankee Stadium that night, and had the pleasure >> of seeing them get beat by the Reds. I also had the pleasure of >> paying $20 for two dogs and a beer (and hat with the word "IDIOT!" >> on it).
>Can you explain the IDIOT hat? I don't know about that.
It was a reference to Dave's monologue. He talked about the $200 Burger King burger, which came with a hat that said "IDIOT!"
> Before we knew it, it was time for the show. After a brief but > entertaining wait in the lobby, we were released into the theater. > I found myself in a great spot right in front of the band. On my > left was Westerner, and some dead guy was dumped into the seat on > my right.
What I want to know is, why does the Dead Guy have to be so darn tall? I was sitting right behind him, and practically broke my neck trying to see around him (seeing over him not being possible).
> I took the D back down to Time Square, and arrived at the pie place > about 15 minutes early, only to find that it had been shut down by > the board of health. I overheard one of the workers telling an irate > potential customer that a knob on one of their gas ovens was faulty, > and wouldn't be repaired for a couple of days. I waited until 11:30, > which was the designated meet-up time, and nobody showed. Convinced > that I had just been punk'd, I dejectedly slunk back to my hotel to > retrieve my camera before going back to the Bronx for my tour.
Donz wrote: > On Jun 23, 8:19 pm, Keith Rose <xkei...@xmayparkx.com> wrote:
>>I was sitting on a bench with my legs outstretched and my feet >>crossed. Two benches to my left was a guy (must be a park regular) >>who was feeding the birds, and he had birds all over him. On the >>adjoining bench to my right, a young girl had just sat down. (I'm >>thinking college student - backpack and proximity to NYU.)
>>The bird managed to get both my bare legs with one load, and it was >>*quite* a load. The young girl snickered in spite of herself, but >>stifled it quickly. I turned to her and said "He's got birds all >>over him, and I'm the one who gets crapped on." She laughed, and >>I wiped off my legs with my handkerchief (which I had to throw >>away). So, I brightened someone's day, and she had a funny story >>to tell her friends later. So, that's something.
>>But, it could have been much, much worse.
> Isn't that the story that Brady's airplane seatmate told him?
It kind of sounds like part of a Paul Harvey 'rest of the story' deal.
Thanks for a fine trip report. I'm sorry about the snub in a previous post. I had a busy catch-up day with work on Monday, and unfortunately never found it until now.
I feel like I should allow more time in the city if I'm able to come again, but I should probably find a cheaper hotel. It cost more than the airplane tickets.
dyo...@ksu.edu wrote: > Thanks for a fine trip report. I'm sorry about the snub in a previous > post. I had a busy catch-up day with work on Monday, and unfortunately > never found it until now.
> I feel like I should allow more time in the city if I'm able to come > again, but I should probably find a cheaper hotel. It cost more than > the airplane tickets.
I always feel the same way. For a cheaper place to stay, I know a Super 8 Motel in North Bergen, NJ. $2 shuttles to and from the Port Authority.
On Jun 25, 10:45 pm, Tom W <blee...@myway.com> wrote:
> dyo...@ksu.edu wrote: > > Thanks for a fine trip report. I'm sorry about the snub in a previous > > post. I had a busy catch-up day with work on Monday, and unfortunately > > never found it until now.
> > I feel like I should allow more time in the city if I'm able to come > > again, but I should probably find a cheaper hotel. It cost more than > > the airplane tickets.
> I always feel the same way. For a cheaper place to stay, I know a Super 8 Motel > in North Bergen, NJ. $2 shuttles to and from the Port Authority.
> Tom W
Next year, the two of you can stay at my place. Bring the girls. (and stop laughing, Traci)
