As I See It

This is a photo that I took on September 13 at Brennan's of Houston.  I love this restaurant.  I have really great memories from this restaurant.

To celebrate my 52nd birthday, I decided to treat myself to dinner at the restaurant and invited a friend whose birthday is also close to mine.  It was a great opportunity to enjoy a nice meal and catch up with him.

I did get there a bit early and made myself comfortable at the bar.  I know.  You're shocked.  I can see your shocked face.

And in case you can't tell, I'm loving Instagram!

Popular

Believe it or not I have never seen Wicked.  The musical has been to Houston several times but I've just never had the time to see it.  And on trips to New York, I either don't have the time to see it, it's been sold out, or there is something else I choose to see.

What's even more bizarre is that I know most of the songs.  I own the Original Cast Recording cd and I've listened to it many times.  The one song I've listened to over and over is Popular.

 So...last week I attend the ISES Icon Awards.  To be quite honest with you I wasn't really sure what it was all about but I was pleased to be there because Jackson Hicks and Darryl Murchison were receiving special awards.

The event took place at The Corinthian which is an old bank building in downtown Houston that has been restored and turned into an events venue.  It is a really nice building.

I know I'm digressing but there really is a point to all of this.  So...

I walk into The Corinthian and grab a cocktail.  I know.  You're not surprised.  So after, some of my tablemates arrived, we went upstairs and guess who was the most popular?  This girl:

 

Yes, that is a metal frame skirt that holds champagne glasses, cupcakes, tequila shots, etc.!  If only I could be this popular. :-/

So...in keeping with the Wicked theme, they also had Dan Dunn there doing his PaintJam thing and he is amazing!

 

He too was very popular!  La, la.  La. la.

9/11 Memorial

The timing of this post is actually a coincidence.  On the last day of the trip I went to visit to the 9/11 Memorial. 

In the ground where the twin towers stood are two big holes that are fountains and serve as reminder of what happened on that historic day in 2001.  September 11, 2001, has left a permanent scar on my memory.  What had been a very fun trip to NYC, was marred by this tragic day.

Kinky Boots

Well...this totally blew me away!  I purchased a ticket for this Tony Award winning show thinking it was all about shoes and boots and little did I know that there is a moral to the story.

When the ensemble came out at curtain call, I was one of the first people on my feet.  That is so not me.

I even stayed after the show and waited by the stage door to meet members of the cast.  I was totally thrilled to meet Billy Porter and to get his autograph.

If you're in New York and only have time to see one show, make it Kinky Boots!  It's a show with a  sole.

 

Scenes from a Saturday Night in NYC

Fun times on a Saturday night in NYC.

I realized earlier today that I have all of my posts out of order.  That's what happens when you get old.  So...

Really this should have been posted before the Sunday photos but anywho.

The 2nd photo is Tall Todd smoking a cigar as the big bottle of Grey Goose is sparkling.  I have never seen a sparkler of that size!

We were at Ava Lounge on top of Dream NYC.  The bright lights is Times Square in the distance.  After the rooftop party ended, I ended up in Times Square.  That part of NYC always puts me in a trance.  While standing there, I met three people from Holland.  It definitely is the crossroads of America.

Wishing Tall Todd a happy 50th Birthday!

Sunday Scenes in NYC

Here are some photos as I walked the strolled the streets of NYC on Sept. 1, 2013.

I went to Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral.  I've been there before so I was a little surprised when I saw all of the exterior and interior scaffolding.  The cathedral is going through a major renovation.  It was a bit of a maze to get through the church and it was difficult to hear because of the fans circulating air.  It is one of my favorite churches.

I also strolled past Saks Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center and back through Times Square to get to The Paramount Hotel.

The day also included a quick stroll through The Guggenheim Museum.