10..9..8..7..6..5..4..3..2..1

I haven't decided if I want to go to Times Square tomorrow night. I would like to get closer to where the action is as compared to last year . But do I really want to hang out in Times Square for 8 hours for 1 minute or really 10 seconds of excitement. From what I've been told and experienced - around 4:00 pm when they start closing the streets - is the latest to show up if you want a great view.

Some roommates and I decided to go at 9:00 p.m. last year - but by that time, the crowd was already backed up to 59th street by Central Park. Since most people will be off tomorrow along with the gazillion tourists - I don't know if I want to deal with the madness. I suppose if things go well for Bob, there is always next year.

As for my New Year resolutions - I will only have one this year. And that is to get a J-O-B and live the good life again. Just kidding, but not really. I am kinda ready to go back and join the rest of you guys in the "real world". Playtime is over I suppose ...sniff.... sniff....

Well, I hope everyone had a great year and an even better one to come for 2005. Till next year my friends - be safe and Happy New Year.

Not A Dream This Time

After work yesterday, I headed to a retailer to buy a thin fleece zip up to help add another layer to my coats here. Coming from Texas – I don’t really have anything thick or warm enough for winter in NYC. After going there and of course finding nothing to my liking or within my budget, I decided to leave. And since I was kind of around the corner...oh say...only 27 blocks away from the Snowflake Show – I thought I would just go by and check it out - being so close to it and all.

Well as luck would have it I arrived just as the show was beginning, but the real treat this time was it was actually snowing during the show. So there were snowflakes everywhere - in the air, on the walls...very nice and cool. And since I was already there, I figured I might as well stick around for another show of course. As I was waiting, walking by me just happened to be one of my roommates. She was meeting her cousin for dinner nearby and decided to check out the tree and show again. Looks like we have another closet fan of a certain show.

A few minutes before the show was about to begin – about 4 police cars came blaring by. Looks like they were escorting two black vehicles. They stopped right underneath the snowflake show and parked right outside the entrance to Saks 5th Avenue. I can only assume some very important person was being escorted to either see the snowflake show or to shop at Saks. I would like to think it is the former and not the latter, but who knows. There was a ton of people across the street so I could not really see who this or these people were. Hmmm...I wonder if it was Mathew Perry?

Make Room On The Wagon...

Hi my name is Bob and I am a Snowflake Show-aholic.

Sorry I haven’t posted the last few days - I was away at rehab. But I guess I’ve fallen off the wagon again. I saw it the other night with my friend from IN and I also admit that I was using him as an excuse to go see it. At first, I kept on telling myself that I could quit anytime I wanted, but I was only lying to myself. The addiction and the highs became more and more intense after every show. And when I would leave Rockefeller center the lows were painfully unbearable. I would always walk away constantly looking back to see if it would start again. I have already planned my evening errands for tonight to take me to Rockefeller Center. I know, I know, I know...I just can’t help myself - it is a sickness. And I’ve also caught myself constantly justifying and rationalizing my addiction by asking myself “Am I really hurting anyone by going to the show? I don’t think so…and where is the harm”? Besides, I only have about another week of the show and I might as well get in all I can before it is taken down - until next year...I can’t wait!

Also, my friend left yesterday – and boy, am I glad he finally left. He kept on hounding me to go back to get a haircut everyday since he met Holly. You saw the picture, he doesn’t have that much to trim, yet he wanted to come back every single day. Geez...some people...talk about being overly obsessed!!!!

Who Needs Mistletoe When You Have Holly?!

Hello everyone, since I am at the Snowflake Rehab Clinic - I have a special guest blogger for your enjoyment today.

Dear fellow Bob fans,
If there are small children in the room...ask them to leave. The information you are about to read is NOT for children under the age of 16. I went to the Chinatown Barber. When he took me up a narrow stairway and I was the only non-Asian person in the room..I was alittle concerned. I wasn't sure what was going to happen. I have read those stories about the Asian Mafia in Chinatown. Maybe that is where Bob is always sneaking off to and why he seems to always have money when he is only getting paid $15 dollars as week. After getting in the chair and telling them why I was there, I felt somewhat relieved. And when the action started, I now see why Bob goes so often. Holly was INCREDIBLE! She spent 10 - 15 minutes giving me a back, shoulder and head massage that I will never forget! Her hands were so strong but delicate. She loves her job and knows how to please a man. She had me yelling out her name repeatly and I think I asked her to marry me. I have this strong desire to buy her a diamond ring. I was like putty in her hands. I think she is the single guy's answer to safe sex. I already feel the need to get my hair cut tomorrow. It is getting kinda long and shaggy looking! HOLLY... I LOVE YOU! Guys...if you are in town and feeling lonely...let Bob fix you up!

Sincerely,
Happy as a clam!

Those Little Elves......

Well, it has been a very fun and full week for me. But the party is not over yet. I’m planning to go grab some good cheap food somewhere and go see The Incredibles tonight with some housemates. And if time permits - we will head to see – yes, the Snowflake Show. As for the rest of the extended weekend, I think I will just be lounging around and getting some rest and a few viewings of the Snowflake Show – yippee!!! And I am also planning to take my friend to my China Town haircut place. He has heard so much about it – he is just dying to meet Holly and experience her...ahem..."talents". I’ve got my camera ready – maybe a picture will be posted next week. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings, Yaddy Yaddy Yadda....Have a great one my dear friends.

I will leave you with the top three Elf pick-up lines. Enjoy.

3 – No, no, no...I don’t bake cookies. You’re thinking of those dorks over at Keebler.
2 – I was once a lawn ornament for 'Nsynch. Want to meet them?
1 – Sure...I can get you off of Santa’s naughty list.

A Blowout, Some Snowflakes and A New Fan

Last night, my friend from Indiana and I attended the Knicks game at venerable Madison Square Garden. The Knicks were playing Dallas and they got a good shellacking. They lost to the Mavericks by the score of 123-94. It was a blowout from beginning to end. But it was cool just sitting in MSG and taking in the action and the atmosphere. We even spotted Spike Lee sitting at his usual courtside seat. I have a picture of him posted below and trust me – it’s him.

After the game, we headed over to the "you know what". We got to see it 1 ½ times. The first show started about a minute before we got there, so he didn’t get the full effect. But I could tell that it whetted his appetite. I told him we could leave, but he INSISTED that we stay for another show. So after he twisted my arm for a while, I reluctantly agreed to stay for one more. To pass the time before the next show, we walked around Rockefeller Center and checked out this really "big tree" everyone seemed to be talking about. Then after an unusual delay, the show finally started. He "oooohed" and "aaaahed" the whole time just like a little kid at a 4th of July fireworks show. He wanted to stay for a third show, but I told him we had to head back because it was getting close to midnight by now.

As we were walking to the subway – he asked if he could see it again before he leaves town. So I suppose I will just have to oblige him. The things I have to do for people sometimes. I guess it is safe to say - I think we have another fan - and not of the Knicks either.

Dallas 123 NY 94

Spike in the white sweater

Correction - Bob.......Meet Regis

Well - there was a little change of plans regarding our Late Show with David Letterman taping yesterday. Since it is Christmas week, they were on their holiday taping schedule. Which meant they were doing multiple tapings per day. So our show was pre-taped for Thursday night. We were told that this was the last show of the year and that this was his annual Holiday Extravaganza!!! And that this would be a great show and the audience was in for a huge treat. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see Bill Murray. The featured guest was Regis Philbin. He also had another actor - Jay Thomas on the show. He and Dave has an annual tradition of trying to knock off a meatball on top of the studio Christmas tree with a football. The meatball just happens to be from Rupert, owner of the Hello Deli. Also, the musical guest was Darlene Love. Dave was pretty funny and entertaining with his bantering with the audience before taping, and it was neat to see Paul Schafer too.

As for the show itself, there is a segment called "Know Your Current Events" where Dave will pick out someone from the audience to participate in. There are a few topics to choose from and after choosing a topic - if you answer a couple of questions correctly, you get a nice dinner gift certificate, cd and some parting gifts. All I can say is - a certain gentleman from "Texas" was selected, but I won't say "who". The category was Department Store Return Policy. And the answers are "15%" and "To remove all flammable liquids and materials". That is all I will say. To see "who" just happened to get selected, you will just have to watch Thursday's show to find out for yourselves.

As for tonight, it is off to the Knicks game and hopefully the Snowflake show. I know, I know....hard is life isn't it. Yippee!!!

Bob....Meet Bill

Boy, was it cold this morning. I think it was -2 degrees with the wind chill. So I guess all of you down south can go ahead and rub it in my face for once. Go ahead....do your "hee-hee's" and "haa-haa's". I know it is nice, sunny and in the 60's there. It may be nice and sunny down there, but you guys don't have a snowflake show do you? Didn't think so.

As for this weekend, my friend came and we hung out and did what I've been doing best lately and that is EAT. Haven't had a chance to take him to the "you know what show" yet. But I did watch it twice on Saturday night before he got here. Maybe tonight, after sitting in on the Late Show With David Letterman, we can go. Oh yeah...you read right. We will be in the David Letterman audience tonight. So "hee-hee" and "haa-haa" right back at you. And who will be the guest on his show tonight you might ask? Well the musical guest is Kaki King - some new up and comer. And the featured guest....is none other than....Bill Murray! So it should be a very nice outing. We will be wearing some Ball State University t-shirts, which is David Letterman's alma mater. So hopefully they will put us somewhere near the front of the studio. Remember to check us out tonight if you can.

Jenny Craig- Where Are You?

I am stuffed again. This seems like a weekly trend lately. We had our office pot luck lunch/gift exchange party today. Well, actually it was my ex-department’s party but I crashed it anyway. And boy, did I eat. I tried a little bit of this and a whole lot of that. Then even tried all the desserts…and some twice. I am beginning to see double because I am so fuullllll! I still haven't learned my lesson at these functions yet. And oh, as for the gift exchange - I got a nice gift that was number one on my wish list too. Yippee!!!

As for this weekend, my friend from Indiana is coming tomorrow and we have a few things planned for his stay. We will be going to - as you already know, a Knicks game, The Late Show With David Letterman, the Soup Nazi(if he is open) and of course – couldn’t forget….you guessed it…..the Rockefeller Snowflake show. And also every December, Central Park covers their lawns with snow for a winter festival. We will try to go cross-country skiing there one day too.

As for tonight, I may attend a gathering of my social language group. We will be meeting at a member’s house instead of a restaurant this time. It seems like we eat more than we learn at these gathering, but I won’t complain. I just have to roll myself out of the office first. Cheery-o my friends. Have a great weekend.

Bob's Top Ten NYC Moments

Having been in New York City for over a year now, I thought I would share my favorite moments in this amazing city with you guys. So here goes:

Bob's Top Ten NYC Moments

10.) I don’t really have a # 10, but a Top Nine List just doesn’t sound right
9.) Running in Central Park
8.) Attending the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
7.) Rockefeller Snowflake Show(still can’t get enough of it)
6.) Getting Soup from the Soup Nazi
5.) Getting weekly goodies at the neigborhood bakery
4.) Going to a Yankees game
3.) China Town haircuts
2.) Going to see a Knicks game next week

and………Bob’s #1 NYC Moment……….

1.) Going to see The Late Show With David Letterman next week

Well, there you have it - please don’t be jealous. But I know you are – so I guess you will just have to deal with it.

P.S. – Mr. Ball U alumnus, I guess it will be me and you at the show.

Look Away From The Lights

Burrrr!!!! It is getting a little nippy here. We are supposed to be below freezing for the next few days. Old Man Winter is definitely making his way to the Big Apple. I don't know what it is - maybe the cold weather, the anticipation of the first snowfall but I still seemed to be fixated on the Snowflake show for some odd reason. Maybe it's that addictive song that accompanies it but anyway - I thought I would share a glimpse of what it looks like for those who won't be making it to NYC this year. But before I do that - I just to prove that I am not the only one who is spell-bound by this show - check out this:

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 10, 2004--Saks Fifth Avenue Enterprises today announced that it received a Platinum Award from Display & Design Ideas (DDI) Magazine in recognition of its "Snowflake Spectacle" - a light and sound show on its flagship's facade featuring 72,000 Philips LEDs that illuminate 50 giant snowflakes choreographed to "Carol of the Bells."

So there!!! I am not alone - at least one other person feels the same way. Without much further delay - enjoy if not the show than at least the picture.

Only In New York

For some reason - I can never get enough of the Snowflake light show at Rockefeller Center. Last night after a few hours of shopping, and no - it was not for myself - I decided to stop by and observe that very addictive show. I stuck around to watch it twice because it plays every 15 minutes. And once again the crowds was maddening. You could barely walk especially with people and their baby strollers. I then witnessed a near fight between two adult males with their families in tow. I guessed one man pushed his stroller over the toes of one man and another man - who I think was his dad. So the two men started to cuss in Spanish at the other Spanish guy. There was a stare down and more words exchanged. And I will admit - while I don't know much Spanish - I do know a few of the dirty words. Funny how - we always seem to know only some of the nasty words in other languages. But anyway - back to the story. Luckily cooler heads prevailed on both sides - because the males had their wives trying to get them to calm down. They exchanged a few more glances while walking in opposite directions. Two cheers for the women.

This made me think of another incident that I witnessed last week on the subway. Again, it was very congested and people where pushing themselves into the subway cars. I was standing by the door - so I was able to witness what transpired next. One guy - who I will call Mr. A - kinda pushed himself into the car and some how made his way to be in front of the guy that he pushed - who I will call Mr. B. Mr. B then decided to push Mr. A back as the car was know chugging along. Mr. A turns around and then says - "Hey, You got a problem?" To which Mr. B. responded "Yes, yes I do", and then proceeds to push Mr. A again. So now Mr. B, who in my opinion - was within his right to get upset for being pushed first - then lost my support for being a total jerk. Mr. A. just kind of stood there not really wanting to cause any trouble. But Mr. B kept on provoking him by pushing him several times while using alot of profanity. Now mind you, these were two middle-aged professionally attired people - so that was a little shocking. And by now of course everyone is looking at the two as a scuffle breaks out on a packed train. Then we got to the next station and the doors opened - Mr. B pushes Mr. A off the train. Once again - in my opinion - I think Mr. B was in the right at first but in the end - I wished Mr. A would have just kicked Mr. B's butt - and I think he could have if he really wanted to. I guess there were no women around this time to break up the fight. New York is still New York after all I suppose. Ah....tis the season to be jolly isn't it!!!

Much Needed R&R

Well, after a second 3 day workweek – I am ready for the weekend again. I am ready to just veg out, relax and do nothing. It is nice to get back into the swing of things and do some of my normal routines again. It started this morning with stopping by my usual street vendor cart for my Friday treat of a cup of coffee and a doughnut for you guessed it...$1. Quite a deal I must say. Then for this weekend, I will be catching up on some reading, watching a few movies I got at the library and getting a whole lotta sleep.

But first up for tonight – a friend emailed me about a concert featuring a band called Heathers with Quincy Tran as the lead singer. I think they are sort of a punk rock band, so I thought about checking them out. Then for tomorrow, I will be meeting another friend for some coffee and perhaps have a discussion about the movie - House of Flying Daggers. If you have not seen it, you are missing out. It is a visual treat for the eyes. Then on Sunday – if the weather cooperates – I will try to do something that I have not been able to do in a while. And that would be going to my favorite around the corner neighborhood bakery for my weekend treat while reading my Sunday paper.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. Be safe and be merry.

P.S. – Happy Birthday Mo

My Friends Heart New York Too....I Think

Well I am back from the weekend and am more stuffed than a turkey during Thanksgiving. I had a real nice time with some friends and since they have already been to NYC before, I gave them the real insider’s New York City tour. But of course since it was Christmas, I did have to take them to Rockefeller Center to see the tree and watch the snowflake show – which they enjoyed tremendously.

I also took them to my little dumpling hideout, Magnolia Bakery, and my favorite - Ray’s Pizza. We also went to Serendipity – a little joint that had the most outrageously decadent desserts. You might have seen this place in John Cusak’s movie of the same name, Serendipity. The place was packed and according to the host - the minimum wait is at least 1 1/2 hours no matter what time you go. What a crazy place, but well worth the trip. We got a few desserts there including their signature item – The Frozen Hot Chocolate. We also ordered a few other things including a Black Forest Chocolate Fudge Sundae that was the size of your head. There was so much stuff that we couldn’t even finish everything.

Then they took me to see Chicago – the musical. Not as good as the movie, but still very excellent. The lawyer was supposed to be played by Wayne Brady of “Whose Line Is It Anyway” fame, but he was not performing that night. Too bad – he is very talented.

Then I took them to one of the Pizza Triumvirate of NYC – John’s Pizza on Bleecker. According to many, the three top places are Grimaldi’s, Lombardi’s, and John’s Pizza. Having tasted all three, I have to say that I was disappointed in John’s. For me, it just did not live up to the hype. It was good, but not what expected. I think Famous Original Ray’s, which is a chain was even better than John’s. I think that Grimaldi's is clearly the best, just my humble opinion.

They also wanted to do some ice-skating in Central Park. Only my second ice-skating - so it was a little scary, and although I came close a few times – I never fell down once. After that, I took them to Tom’s Restaurant from Seinfeld for lunch. And I also read on a major NYC blog about a soup stand in the Holiday Market at Union Square, it says - the stand has a chalkboard that reads “gourmet soup” with a list of their daily specials. Though the guys at the counter would not divulge who made the soup because of the purveyor’s concerns about quality control, they did say, “it’s from a famous name that is local to New York.” On the day that we went we tried the Tomato Cheddar and Wild Mushroom Barley, no Mulligatawny or Lobster Bisque, but they both were soooo good none-the-less. But alas, I finally went up to one of them and ask if he saw the same article I saw. He said yes and that the girl from that blog came back a second time for more soup, I then got him to admit to me in a low hush-hush tone that is in fact…..not from the Soup Nazi but from Hale and Hearty – which is a NYC soup chain. So once again…..No Soup For You!!!

Once again, I had an excellent weekend - this time with my friends and I hope they had a great time, at least I think they did. And also a very big thanks to them for indulging me – you guys are too kind and if I may say so, I think - you guys could not have picked a better person to indulge. Many, many thanks.

TGIF

Today was a sort of crazy day all around - it seemed like I was doing a billion things today. I am so pooped and glad the weekend is here - even though I have only been here for 3 days this week! Contrary to popular belief, I do work around here you know. It is not all fun and games like you guys think. I get paid a very “nice” salary and I intend to earn my keep. With that being said - I will be going out to dinner tonight with a social language group after work and then I will head to the Upper West Side to drop of our broken computer. I found a guy that is currently unemployed and is trying to do random acts of kindness by fixing pc’s for free. Hopefully he is legit and he and the computer will be there when I come to pick it up next week. We shall see.

Also, some friends from out of town are dropping in early next week – so that means that I will not be updating my blog until mid-week. Sorry to disappoint all of my faithful readers but that is just the way it is. Have a great weekend everyone and stay warm.

P.S. For those of you who are planning to come to NYC in the next few weeks, I just got hold of some bad news. The Soup Nazi guy is renovating his store so that means…..you guessed it – No Soup For You!

Tree-mendous

Last night after dinner, my roomies and I decided to stop by Rockefeller Center to see the tree. I saw the tree a few years back on a trip and it was just amazing this time as it was the last time. The bright lights made it so festive and Christmas-y. New York is just one b-e-a-u-tiful place during the holiday season. Everything is lit up and it just puts you in the Christmas spirit. I thought I would share these facts about the tree with you. And I also posted some pictures for those of you who won't be able to make it to NYC this holiday season. Enjoy!

 This year’s tree is a Norway Spruce

 It is 71 feet tall, 40 feet wide and weighs 18,000 pounds

 A 9 ½ foot star crowns the tree top

 The star is adorned with 25,000 Swarovski Crystals

 Glistening in the branches are 30,000 lights, held up by 5 miles of wire

 The tree is about 50 years old

 It was found in Suffern, New York

 It will be on display until January 6th

 2.5 million people will have seen this tree in person

 Rates for ice skating - $17 plus $8.00 for skate rentals

 Waiting time – ridiculously long but you can be entertained by a very cool snowflake show(see pictures) with accompanying music every half hour. Think Bellagio water show at Las Vegas – well maybe not quite.

Fa la la la la.....la...la...la...la...

Well – I am back from my trip out west. Had a good time with the family and hanging out with my nephew and niece from Dallas. Also got to go play golf and go see The Scorpions’ concert in L.A. I’ve seen them about seven times now and really can never get enough. But alas, they – like most rock bands from the 80’s are getting old and will probably be hanging it up soon – much to the applause of many. But that will be a very very sad day for me personally – but at least I have seen them whenever I got the chance.

As for the rest of the weekend, didn’t do much - just ate and hung out with my siblings and mom. Kind of nice to just hang out and do nothing sometimes. Believe it or not, I am somewhat tired from all the traveling and things that I was doing in November. Ironically, my brothers were complaining how cold it was there. They had record lows the last two days I was there – upper 30’s, it is funny to see Southern California boys complain about how cold it was – and while yes – it was cold, this New Yorker couldn’t let them see that I was cold too. While the freakish weather in CA was more extreme, that it will be more the norm here or maybe even seem relatively balmy and pleasant when winter really hits. Seems like the bad weather is following me back to NY. It was very cold, damp and windy this morning - the wind is blowing about 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

Last night some of us were thinking about going to the lighting of the tree at Rockefeller Center, but it seems you gotta get special passes or line up at 3:00 p.m. So I just saw parts of it on TV instead. Maybe next year. Tonight my roomies and I are going out to dinner in Greenwich Village. One of them – Double D, is moving to Vancouver and so we are taking him out before he leaves tomorrow morning. Then we may stop by to see the tree after dinner – if the wind hasn’t blown it away yet. Ah...Christmas has officially arrived in NY.