Bob a.k.a The Banana Guy

Having lived here for the last 2 years - I've slowly acclimated to becoming a transplanted New Yorker such as: learning to avoid empty subway cars no matter how tempting, referring to directions as uptown/downtown and cross-town instead of north/south and east/west, knowing what a "regular coffee" is, eating meals out of push carts without fear, and knowing which subway car to get onto so that I can be right at the stairway when I get off. But now I think my transformation of becoming a real New Yorker is finally complete. The final phase of this change started about a month ago and culminated last night. It started a few weeks ago when I was able to broker a deal with the dry cleaning owner near my building. She agreed to give me the "neighborhood discount" on both my dry cleaning and laundry. Also, in the last couple of weeks, I started buying fruit from the local fruit stand guy instead of my way overprice neighborhood grocery store. One night last week I came by to get my usual bananas and when I got there he said - "Hey it's the Banana Guy". So we chatted for a bit and since he was out of bananas he offered me a free peach and some nectarines. As much as I like free - I couldn't just take a man's livelihood like that so I paid for the nectarines. So now I have a friendly relationship with the fruit guy as well. Then last night the final event took place. I was walking home and came across some furniture that was sitting on the curb. I glanced over it and saw a nice little entertainment center/table that would be great as an end table in my apartment. So after dragging it up 5 flights of stairs - it is now sitting nicely in the corner of my living room. Everybody knows that you can't really call yourself a New Yorker unless you've furnished your apartment with at least one item you found on the streets. As someone once said "Once a cucumber has been pickled - it can never become a cucumber again". So I guess it's official - Yep, Bob the Banana Guy is now a pickle.

And now - I am off to go to the U.S Open to sit in a fancy suite at Arthur Ashe Stadium with food and drinks watching #8 seeded Serena Williams in the ladies match and #2 seeded Rafael Nadal in the men's match. Ahhh life is good as a pickle.

I Feel Good

What a crazy few last weeks my friends. Work has been very busy, yes believe it or not I do actually work and am not always out and about this great city all the time. Rent, pastries, dumplings, C-Town hair cuts and everything else has to be paid for you know. And since there are no Sugar Mommas left - somebody has got to pay for it. However, I am accepting applications for all those who are interested. But the weekend is upon us and I feel good like the dancing Elmo.

Tonight my friend got tickets to go see the Jets play – it is a only a preseason game but nothing beats getting a hot dog and beer at a sporting event. Then on Sunday – I am hoping to meet up with some friends of mine – Phil, Vijay and Tiger. Yep – that is right we will be going to The PGA Championship in NJ. This will be the last golf major of the year and we will be chilling in our corporate hospitality tent sipping on fruity drinks and nibbling on goodies all afternoon. Not to bad of a life I suppose – can’t really complain. Life is good - I’ve still got my health, a job, place to sleep at night and a big round belly.

Also – for those of you looking for a good book to read – go out and get The Kite Runner. I am 2/3 of the way through and so far it is one of the best books I have read. Much better than my previous favorite literary classic - Harry Potter. This book will make you laugh, cry and then cry some more – ahem…well at least that is what I have heard other people do. Contrary to popular belief – Bob can be very sensitive and in touch with his feelings and does have a softer side you know.

So enjoy your weekend and be safe my friends because I know I will. I'm off to C-Town for a haircut and my head massage/mini-facial. Aaahhh - Life is good. As my good friend Don once said – "Take care and be happy".