Hello From Hell’s Kitchen

I’m back at the hotel for the night, frustrated at how everything closes so early around here. Not. No, I’m in becuase I’ve got a 6 AM wakeup and nobody to go raving with me. Ok, that’s not true, either. I’m in because I’m sleepy. This may be the city that never sleeps, but I sure do.

I had lunch at the Laguardia airport after landing a little before 11. It was after noon when I connected with the customer I was going to see. The word I got was that they’d go grab some lunch and be back before I arrived at the customer site.

In reality, the cabbie got me there twice as fast as the customer had estimated. I spent 30 minutes waiting in the lobby before he got back. At least there was free wireless, though, so I had something to do.

I went up to the office and quickly diagnosed the problem. Bam. Done for the day. I thanked him and hailed a cab for the hotel.

I got to the hotel at exactly 3 PM: check-in time. After a little cooling down, I ventured out to find the Daily Show studios, a block away from me.

It was pretty easy to find it, as there were already 50-75 people lined up out front. It didn’t look good for getting in. The standby line – for saps like me without tickets – was hidden around the corner, right next to a garbage can. I met some cool people while we waited. Even grabbed a bite to eat at the local deli. Alas, we were soon told there would be no standby tickets so we dispersed.

Here’s how you see a show get filmed. First you email them a couple of dates you’d like. Then they tell you what’s available. Your name gets put on a list making you eligible to wait for tickets. See, even if your name is on the list you may still walk away empty-handed, as happened to two guys I met who had driven all the way from Philadelphia to see the show. If you’re lucky and the VIP line isn’t too outrageous, you may get a ticket and get in to see the show. About 100 fortunate people do. Those like me get to try another day. Since they got shafted by the show, the two Philly guys get put on the VIP list for the next time, meaning they’ll have a more-or-less guaranteed shot at getting in. It’s all a big gamble, it seems. But what can you say, the show is The Thing now.

I overheard one of the show staffers telling a woman to try getting tickets for the Colbert Report, a few blocks away. Not having anything else to do, and thinking it would be worth a try to see some show, I tagged along with her. Her name was Emily and she worked for the FAA. We walked to 54th street, the site of the Colbert Report and the former studios for The Daily Show.

Once again, there was a long line of ticket-holders. Absent any official direction, we formed an ad-hoc standby line where once again I got to meet some really interesting people. That’s where I met the Philly guys. One of them half-jokingly suggested they get beer for their wait and before you knew it the other was bringing back a six-pack from the corner grocery. Lacking a bottle opener, they got creative and popped the caps using the top of the steel fence we were near. I thought it was a pretty festive scene, all told.

As the show time neared, I got excited to see another staffer with a clipboard, taking names for the standby list. I actually got my name on the list before another staffer announced that – once again – there were no standby seats left. At least this guy was sincere in his apologies – it seemed he was really sorry to turn us away.

Emily decided to go see a play, so – once again lacking anything else to do – I tagged along. When we got there, I balked at the price, thinking I’d save this experience for when Kelly and I could enjoy it together. With that, I headed back to my hotel to regroup.

The many times I’ve been to New York, I’ve never gotten to visit the “Strawberry Fields” area of Central Park. Strawberry Fields was the area of Central Park favored by John Lennon. Now there is a place in Central Park named after the famous Beatles song. Against my better judgement I walked the 21 blocks to get there, but I had to go.

There was the sign right inside the park reading “Strawberry Fields.” Beyond that was a crowd surrounding the circular tile with the word “Imagine.” Flowers and photographs adorned the tile and people viewed it quietly. I sat down on the bench and just watched everyone, taking in the feeling of being there. It was very reverental. A lot of deep thoughts seemed to run through peoples’ heads.

Before heading back, I had to see the Dakota itself, the place where Lennon was shot. Guards stood at the driveway but looking through the gates was enough for me. What a terrible, sad crime. I don’t think New York will ever stop taking it personally.

For the way home, I hopped the subway and then explored some options for dinner. The hotel staff pointed me to a nearby Italian restaurant, Roberto’s. My hopes of enjoying a fine Italian meal were dashed when I was told they only take cash or American Express! I had to forgo my wine, salad, and dessert to make the cash in my wallet fit an entree (I was so hungry at that point that getting more money was out of the question). I don’t know why they have such a PITA policy, but it hurt them tonight. I would’ve happily tripled my bill otherwise. Next time I’ll come prepared.

Tomorrow is the show itself. I have to check out of my room and scoot to the Financial District for the show’s start at 8. It will be tough saying goodbye again to this hotel as it holds a special place for me. You see, it was here that Kelly first told me she loved me, nine (!) years ago in December. Things like that you don’t forget. I can’t wait to return with her so she can say it again. New York rocks!