I love New York! July 12, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Lifestyle, Millennials, Travel.2 comments
Hello all! I just woke up from my first night in Brooklyn, and I feel so excited. There is truly nothing like NYC. Nothing.
Yesterday I took an early train out of D.C. and landed at Penn Station around 10:45a.m. Then I jumped on the express train to Brooklyn, and met my dear friend Joy. She was waiting in line for an iPhone and by the time I reached her, they had all sold out. She had been waiting in line for four hours!! But even though the people around her in line were pissed off, and the sun was blazing hot, Joy took it in stride with a gentle shrug of the shoulders, and an “okay, let’s get out of here.” This is what I’ve always loved about my friend.
I’ve known Joy since we were freshmen in high school. We’ve been together through lots of things, good and bad. We were senior editors together on our high school yearbook and raised hell when we decided to change the Senior Superlative categories. We were tired of the boring ones like, “Best Looking” and opted for titles more like, “Most Likely to be in the Cast of Seinfeld.” We didn’t end up having it our way. All of the snobby popular kids would have been left out of the new categories and so they protested wildly.
Joy and I also traveled together to Europe the summer after high school graduation. We learned a lot about each other on that trip, including the fact that we both were unafraid of roaming big cities by ourselves and that we each had a talent for reading subway maps. One night while having dinner in Paris, Joy and our other friends couldn’t finish their red wine. So of course I drank all the glasses for them. Afterward, I remember floating down the streets of Paris drunk off my ass for the first time in my life. I can’t believe that was almost 10 years ago.
After graduation, Joy was accepted into NYU and she’s been living in the city ever since. Now that she’s older and more established, she’s living in the most expensive neighborhood in Brooklyn: Brooklyn Heights. Arriving into these parts yesterday, I was instantly reminded of The Cosby Show. There REALLY are rows of brownstones that house doctor’s offices below, and their living quarters above. So beautiful! Joy explained to me that Manhattan has become a bit too gentrified for most of the artists and young people of the city, so Brooklyn has become the new hip place to be.
After dropping my stuff off at her apartment, we headed for lunch at a yummy Thai restaurant and then walked around her part of the neighborhood. She lives three blocks away from the river and there is an amazing view of lower Manhattan from the park that resides there.
After a brief nap, we got dressed and headed to a sushi dinner. Then it was on to the old industrial neighborhood of DUMBO. On the way there, we passed through the Brooklyn Bridge Park. What amazing views of the bridge and the new man-made waterfalls they’ve created!!
Once in DUMBO, we hit up a bar and got a few drinks. This guy at the bar started asking us a million questions about where we were from, etc. I ended up talking a lot about California. It’s always hard for me to explain to someone where I’m from. Yes, I was raised in Virginia Beach, but since my life has taken so many routes since then, I never feel like it’s a suffice answer. Anyway, this guy was really drunk and I doubt he was even listening to what I was saying. So I guess my verbal vomit was more for my sake than anyone else.
After DUMBO, we headed back into Brooklyn Heights and stopped by the bar, KAMP. The theme of the bar is “The Great Outdoors,” and all the tables and chairs were situated as if you were sitting around a campfire. I ordered an espresso martini (with vanilla vodka) and Joy and I split a “S’mores for Two.” A waiter brought a platter of chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers to our table. Fire and all! We ate like pigs over girly chit-chat and such. It was great.
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Brooklyn Bridge at sunset
Lower Manhattan at sunset
Blurry, but cool view of the Brooklyn Bridge and one of the man-made falls
My camera wasn’t cooperating, but still a cool view.
Joy, intently roasting the ‘mallow.
On Cable July 10, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Arts & Entertainment, Lifestyle, Sociology.2 comments
(photo courtesy of wykc.com)
So, I’ve spent the better part of my last four days in a state of hyper-mediation. That is, my eyes have been stuck in one position – straight on the boob-tube.
I haven’t had cable in the last five years, and now I’ve come to realize how surprisingly inept I’ve been with regard to cable technology. Terms like DVR, TIVO, and HD were never part of my vocabulary, but now I find them rolling off my tongue so easily. HELP ME!!
Even though I know it’s supposed to ease the channel-surfing tendency, the “Guide” button causes me more stress than I think it should. Within 30 seconds I can see a complete list of movies and programs that all sound good to me! So now I’ve started memorizing channel numbers (not just 100 numbers either, more like 500!), and then I utilize the “Last” button during commercial breaks.
The whole thing is seriously ridiculous. Granted, I don’t really have anything to do, or anyone to answer to, and maybe I should embrace my free time by catching up on every BRAVO marathon there is, but I still can’t help feel my brain slipping. I have three books I want to read, and every time I get the urge to pick one up I find myself saying, “Hmm, maybe a new episode of Shear Genius is on.” AAAHHHH!
Alas, I don’t think I’ll be getting cable once I settle into my own space this Fall. Maybe there are some people out there who can balance cable with reading, exercising and work. I can honestly say that I am not one of them.
Northern VA and Ani DiFranco at the Wolf Trap! July 8, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Arts & Entertainment, Concerts & Events, Environment, Lifestyle, Music.2 comments
I made it to my mom’s house in Northern Virginia – she lives about 20 miles from Washington D.C. The energy here is very different from all of the places I’ve been so far this summer. First off, it’s more urban and that means lots of people, cars, and just overall madness. Everyone here is connected to the government in some way, and there is a refreshing racial diversity among the upper middle-class. Northern Virginia is the part of the Commonwealth that has made it a political swing state in national elections. As a political junkie, I feel so comfortable in this part of the country.
Last night, my mom and step-dad surprised me with tickets to see Ani DiFranco at Wolf Trap. I’d heard so much about this outdoor venue and was excited to finally go. It’s the only National Park dedicated to live performing arts. Park Rangers were among our ushers! A lady by the name of Catherine Shouse founded Wolf Trap through a donation of 100 acres of her Vienna, Virginia farmland to the U.S. Government. She also donated funds for construction of a 6,800-seat indoor/outdoor theater. The gift was accepted by an Act of Congress in 1966. (wolftrap.org)
Coupled with the amazing venue was the live performance of Ms. DiFranco. Needless to say, her blunt political lyrics were a perfect match for the location. I had never seen her live before, and was completely impressed. She didn’t stop for one minute of the 90 she was on stage. She had about four different guitars that she rotated depending on the song she was doing. One of her band members was even a xylophone player! The crowd was full of hippies, lesbians, and a was a general cross-section of people who probably didn’t fit in very well in high school. It was great.
There is something about seeing live music that makes me feel like I’ve just received an injection of an intense spirit. Since last night, I’ve felt creative, free and full of love for the world. I wish I could see live music every day of my life.
Ani DiFranco
Wolf Trap inside and then the view from the lawn seats.
A summary of 4th of July weekend in Virginia Beach July 7, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Uncategorized.2 comments
My apologies to my faithful readers for not updating the blog this past weekend. It was certainly eventful, although low-key. Most of my weekend was spent in deep conversations, usually at a tavern or restaurant, with friends I haven’t seen in a long time.
I arrived on Thursday, after a night of no sleep on the train, and took an hour nap. After a quick shower, I charged right into schmoozing and living it up with friends. I didn’t get to bed until noon the next day!! That means one to two hours of sleep from 10a.m. Wednesday morning thru noon on Friday! By the time I woke up on Friday, it was time for dinner and 4th of July celebrations.
I spent 4th of July in Chicks Beach, which is an area of Virginia Beach where I never really got to know while growing up there. We saw the fireworks while eating outside of a really neat place called the Green Parrot Bar and Grille. As soon as the last firework went off, it began to rain. Actually, it poured! We headed back home, and fell asleep to a DVD.
And then, I slept hard for 12 hours straight!! Gawd, I needed it. When I finally came to, it was time for lunch on Saturday. Again, I met up with old friends over food and drinks.
After lunch I decided to take a solo drive around to the old landmarks of my childhood, including my high school, the house I grew up in and other memory ignitors. It felt strange, but made me feel very reflective. I’m glad I did it by myself.
My final night was also very mellow. I had two GRANDE margaritas at El Azteca Mexican Restaurant (an absolute favorite restaurant of mine), and after stumbling home, pretty much passed out. My body gave out on me, and so I gave in to more sleep. The next morning I had to start my travel day early, so it was probably best that it ended that way 
All in all, the weekend was well spent. It’s fun to see how others have changed over the last five years. With each person I reconnected with, I noticed the things about them that will probably never change. There was lots of laughter and reminiscing, and, yes, there were tears. It was everything I had hoped it would be.
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Chicks Beach! An escape from the tourists…
Green Parrot Bar and Grille
My high school : Floyd E. Kellam High
Malibu Mac’s! Having lived in California for so long, it’s really funny to see California theme restaurants on the East Coast. I had a great Ahi Tuna Salad here though
A programming note… July 5, 2008
Posted by NettyD in From the blogger.add a comment
Haven’t had a chance to blog during this 4th of July weekend. It’s been kind of a whirlwind, trying to catch up with everyone I wanted to and juggling schedules. More attention has been given to some friends than others. It seems the longer it’s been since I’ve seen someone, the longer I want to hang out with them. Luckily, I’ll be seeing more friends in Brooklyn next weekend, and will be making a return trip to Virginia Beach in August.
Stay tuned for more!
A hot new blog! July 4, 2008
Posted by NettyD in From the blogger, Millennials, Philosophy, Religion.add a comment
My dear friend Alex, who now goes by Brother Damian, has a new blog about his life as a monk! He is a novice-monk of the Missionary Benedictine monastery of Christ the King Priory in Schuyler, Nebraska. He’s just starting it up, but I know for a fact that this will be a great blog to keep up with!
Check it out at www.nebraskamonk.wordpress.com Or click on the link under my Blogroll to the right. Enjoy!
I’m home! (i.e. The 757, Tidewater, Hampton Roads, Vaaaa Beach) July 3, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Lifestyle, Travel.5 comments
(Image courtesy of idcide.com)
I survived the 7 1/2 hour overnight train ride from Charleston, SC to Richmond, VA! All in all it was a fun ride, although I did have a hard time sleeping. Towards the end of the ride, an Asian gangster boarded who was obviously high on something. He was really nice, but he didn’t know where the hell he was. Every time the train stopped, he would pace the cars asking, “Is this Alexandria?” Alexandria, for those who don’t know, is a city in Northern Virginia. He had like four hours to go! Everyone on board kept rolling their eyes at each other. It was actually really funny.
After arriving in Richmond at 5:30 in the morning, we had to wait until 8:00 for the rental car office to open. We waited at an upscale McDonald’s that had CNN-HD. I thought a large coffee would get things going for me, but somehow I woke up in a daze realizing that I had passed out on a Mickey D’s table for an unknown amount of time. I went to the bathroom to try and pull myself together and the reflection in the mirror prompted a loud, “Yowza!” out of me. Craziness.
Anyway, we got the car and drove an hour and half to our hometown – Virginia Beach! My sense of direction came back to me immediately. Even though I’ve been gone for years, I navigated through town like I had never left. It felt so natural. I’m so excited to see people I haven’t seen in years. There are about 3-4 different circles of friends I have here. Some overlap. I feel anxious and strange. Butterflies are living inside of my tummy.
I’m about to shower, eat and take a nap. The plans are already forming for tonight, so I’ll need my strength. NettyD is back y’all!
One night in Chucktown July 2, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Arts & Entertainment, Lifestyle, Travel.4 comments
Last night we went back downtown to peruse the bar scene on East Bay Street. We had a great time.
When we fist arrived downtown, we parked near the Ashley River and it was high tide. I couldn’t believe how much the water had risen since earlier that day. It made me think that if a Category 2+ hurricane decided to hit Charleston, there would be severe flooding. While we were walking down the side of the river towards the bars, we noticed a homeless man hanging off the side of the railing. There was a police officer talking him out of jumping. The officer asked him if he was okay, and the guy said he was not. We kept walking and didn’t want to be disrespectful spectators, so we didn’t see what happened. It wouldn’t have been a far jump, so I think he just wanted some attention. Poor guy.
Anyway, the first bar we went to was “Wet Willie’s” and it was karaoke night! The bar basically serves alcohol slushys. Behind the bar there were about 15 slushy machines and some had cute names. These drinks were served with either Bacardi Rum, Tequila Souza, or 190 degree grain alcohol! Yikes! I decided to get a margarita. My brother got the “Shock Treatment.” Gnarly stuff…
We then went into “Squeeze,” which was a perfect name considering the size of the bar. Luckily, it wasn’t too packed.
Our last stop was “Brick.” It’s a huge bar with dart boards, pool tables, and even a Wii screen!! I had never seen that before, but I thought that was a great idea. What’s more hysterical than drunk people trying to work their hand/eye coordination skills?
The walk back to the truck was fun. I decided that it was time for a random photo shoot! Enjoy!
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See what I mean about the water?
Wet Willie’s !
Why, yes I am!
A total Squeeze!
Wii!
Tried to get Andrew in the shot, but he resisted at first.
Then, success! Sort of
Then he took off when I tried to get a better one!
I want to live here.
Yay for having fun!
Charleston’s Historic Downtown July 1, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Travel.2 comments
Today my brother and I decided to stroll through downtown Charleston. We did lots of walking and sightseeing. The city is full of beautiful historic houses and neighborhoods. My favorite part of the homes are all the porches and balconies. I imagined myself owning one of them and chillin’ on a second floor porch with a glass of iced tea or lemonade.
Along Market Street is a strip of open-air markets, surrounded by two rows of stores and restaurants. Market Street’s brick and mortar originated in the late 18th century, though the buildings were created in the 1840’s. (Associated Content.com) Its original construction was meant to house and sell slaves immediately as they came down from the harbor. Eventually, it changed to selling groceries and other products until it became the tourist attraction it is today. It’s been the basis for painters like John Booth, a Charleston favorite, and for the writings of Alexandra Ripley, where Market Street is a center location for Scarlet, the sequel to Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind. (Associated Content.com)
We also decided to eat lunch at Bubba Gump’s! Like many people, “Forrest Gump” is one of my favorite movies of all time. I was totally stoked to eat here, although it is a tourist trap. It worked on me though! Our food was taking a little while to come out, so to pass the time our waiter decided to quiz us on our Forrest Gump trivia. My brother kicked my ass! He even knew the name of the football coach Forrest had at Alabama! I always knew he was the real nerd of the family.
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These basket weavers are all over Market St. They make their product right there in front of you. So cool.
Charleston’s nickname. It’s all my brother calls it.
Statue/Monument dedicated to the Confederate Army. It faces Fort Sumter on the opposite side of the harbor.
Fort Sumter is the little island in the distance to the right.
Kids fishing.
My brother loves it when I take random pictures.
Cool tree!
Statue of President George Washington
In the French Quarter
I’ll be 80 years old when this gets opened. Kind of weird to think about
This is how we communicated with our waiter. If the blue side was up, then it meant we didn’t need service.
If the red side was up, then it meant we needed service. Don’t you wish every restaurant had this?
The drink flip menu was attached to a ping-pong paddle!
Cinebarre July 1, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Arts & Entertainment, Reviews.3 comments
Tonight I went to the movies with my brother and his roommate to see “Wanted.” Instead of going to a regular theater, we hit up Cinebarre. We walked into the building, and in the center was a round, beautiful bar. Inside the theater, every other row of chairs were taken out and replaced with bars and tables. Waitresses were running back and forth taking and bringing orders. Everything on the menu was named after a movie, i.e. Lord of the Onion Rings, Children of the Popcorn, and Soylent Greens Salad. I ordered the Fried Green Tomatoes sandwich. I hadn’t had fried green tomatoes in a long time and it was soooooo good!
I’d heard of this concept many times before, and I’d gone to a theater sort of like it in Virginia Beach when I was in high school. This chain, however, was definitely more upscale. There are only three in the nation: the one I went to tonight in Charleston, one in Asheville, NC and one in Thornton, CO. See more at www.cinebarre.com
The movie was fantastic by the way. I’m fixin’ to do a review of it soon, so stay tuned.
