Well, I'm writing this from my new digs in Astoria, NY. The boxes just got here and I'm cooling off from schlepping them up the stairs. And I'm munching on a Usinger's hickory stick from ol' Milwaukee and finally watching the Betty White SNL on Hulu. This is some funny stuff!
Route 66 closed very well on Sunday. The crowds were strong and on board until the end. We had lots of friends and family and Rep company and staff in the house which was lovely. I'm so glad this show happened, and I'm so grateful for it.
So yesterday... We left for the airport around noon. Zach, his dog Petey, and I made it in time to grab a bite before the flight. (Also serendipitously ran into Lee Ernst as he was returning from teaching in Delaware.) The flight was mostly uneventful (except for one quick drop in altitude) but once we got to NY, Zach directed my attention out the window... We were coming up the western side of Manhattan, a view I'd never seen since this was my first time flying into LaGuardia. There was the Statue of Liberty and then all those tall buildings. Really cool.
The apartment was just a short cab ride from the airport, and once I was there, I stowed my suitcases, and the roommate, Rudy, and I took a walk around the neighborhood. He's been here for 13 years, so he gave me the inside scoop on the good markets and restaurants. I look forward to exploring the neighborhood. Heck, I look forward to exploring so much in this city!
I unpacked the suitcases and then ventured into Manhattan. I grabbed a slice and dropped into a favorite watering hole, Pony Bar, at 45th and 10th. My buddy Steve was playing and singing at Sweet Caroline's a couple blocks away from there, so I stopped in to say "howdy." Then I walked around the block to O'Flaherty's on 46th where I met up with my friend Lisa (the Gooz), her fella Rob, and the gang from Million Dollar Quartet to watch their performance on the Letterman show. It was fun to hang with folks that I had only seen headshots of as I was drawing their caricatures... and super nice to get such a warm welcome from them. Then my peeps Jenn and Luis came by after Jenn had performed in Broadway by the Year: 1966 at Town Hall. What crazy great folks, all! We parted ways, and as I headed to the train to get back out to Astoria, I passed St. Luke's Theatre where my artwork adorns the marquee (not my best work, but still very cool). A homeless man was standing in front of the theatre, eating a pretzel and staring at my marquee. I took it as a sort of friendly wave from this city... my new home.
On my last full day in Milwaukee as I was packing, I ordered delivery from a Chinese/Japanese place where the sushi was actually remarkably good. It came with a fortune cookie which provided this fortune: "To love what you do and feel that it matters – how could anything be more fun?" Indeed. Gratitude.
Now, I'm gonna get cleaned up head into the city. Can't wait to hang out with the other Justin tonight. We had a great time when we were in LA at the same time, and NYC should be even more fun. That's all for now. Don't expect each entry to be this extensive. (Face it... you'd get bored.) But it's my first entry from the east coast. Had to be done! Take care, all! Peace and love.
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