DECEMBERED

-Well.
Winter seems to have arrived in New York.
The cold air is ruffling the mufflers. Hot Chocolate and steaming soups are on the stove and the aroma of pine is floating up and down the street from the various Christmas Tree stands.
I have yet to enjoy the Rockefeller Plaza tree and the wonderful store windows but that is on the agenda for sure.
We have been meeting friends and enjoying the warmth of their laughs and companionship.
Our friends in Palm Springs are enjoying RAIN and COLD as well!! The rain is rare and welcomed but the cold is of course NOT!
There was a festival Of Lights Parade with Floats! And pals were riding high along Palm Canyon Drive which was lined with 180,000 spectators. WOW!!!

This is an odd time for us all as there is the threat of Health Insurance being extremely compromised without a strong Public Option while people are dying and losing their homes.
This is a Christmas season that will be permeated by a Scrooge-like penury and delicacy when shopping and trying to find the elusive JOY.
I have been taking advantage of any and all invitations including one to go to Northport, Long Island to see friends in a musical version of MIRACLE ON 34th STREET.
It is a sweet attempt and not without its charm. The John Engeman Theatre is also a lovely converted movie theatre enhanced by the provenance that Patti LuPone grew up there and attended the then Main Street Movie house.
A LIRR trip out to Northport was very pleasant even at 5:04 PM from Penn station. The Cab ride from the Northport station was more expensive than the one way train ride. And I thought NY cabs were expensive. Hey THEY ARE!
We did however get a bit of a tour from the cab drive which acquainted us with the lovely park and lighted Gazebo and the very movie set-like Main Street and local eateries. One called Morant that is a 28 on the Zagat guide!! We went somewhere less expensive..SKIPPERS! A terrific Lobster special for $20.
When one goes to these Provincial Outposts of Culture one can get stuck. Our friend forgot to call a cab and we were not able to take the 10:56pm from Huntington. So we indulged in the lovely mahogany embossed bar Lobby of the theatre. Unfortunately I had a Cognac that tasted watered. Not a good sign. And $15 !!
Luckily a colleague of our friend took us to the Hicksville Station and we were able to get back to NYC before 1:00am.
Northport was a beautiful example of Main Street America. especially lighted for X-Mas. I did notice that most of the street was lined with tourist gift shoppe and eateries along with ATM accessible Chase Banks.
The Cab driver said that the real estate was extremely expensive. What else is new?

I am like most looking for bargains everywhere.
I managed somewhat.
As for food we are also in pursuit of less expensive and healthy vittles.
We headed up to COSTCO on 116th and FDR. A long ride on the 6 train subway Lexington line connection.
It was raining and a long trek from the subway. But worth it! Real bargains in a terrific, if over crowded, store. The only difference between California Costco's besides No real Liquor products like Tequila, Vodka etc...the Aisles were a bit narrow and therefore ultra congested. We had a time of it dragging the carts up subway steps but the bulky trip was well worth it!
If you want a decent bargain of good products gogogo!1 =0-)

What else??
We had recommended RAGTIME as a wonderful theatre experience and I still do. It s superb.
And they are saying it is closing by Jan 3rd or so.
GO if you can. It is a true FAMILY show as it is about the AMERICAN FAMILY and how the Europeans and the rich racial mix informed our culture and our society. Along with terrific performances and beautiful voices.

We ate at City Diner on 90th and Broadway during the Snowy rainstorm on Saturday with a good friend who is a screen and play writer.
It was our first time there and I hope we hit it at the wrong time..The food was mediocre and bland with the worst..I reiterate WORST coffee EVER!

I am toying..get the PUN..Toying with going to see the RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR..But my girlfriend Maria said that the tickets are as expensive as a Broadway show.
WHAT??? That was an American tradition that was accessible to the masses . Especially the city residents. It is now being sold to those wo can AFFORD it...with premium seats in the $200 range. Bring the Kiddies BUT take out a LOAN!!
What a shame. I guess the Camels are eating better than we are???

We are going to a Holiday party tonight at an apartment on Gramercy Park. I will try and get some photos of the Gramercy Park tree. It is usually very beautiful.
I will hit the Rockefeller Tree soon. It always lifts my spirits!!

We're getting the dribbles of X-Mas cards and have to start sending in return.
I LOVE hearing from friends and seeing some very Fun greetings.

Hope you all have a great Holiday despite and shortcomings and difficuties.

And if the Global Climate Change has to be part of the Bush and Republican legacy then at least let's hope for a WHITE CHRISTMAS!!

MERRY MERRY


XXX
keybored