Liz and I have been friends for 21 years. When we first met she had two young daughters and I had a three month old baby girl. We've weathered a lot of storms together. Back in 1990 when we were both unemployed, and really down on our luck, someone sent her a check for $20 dollars and she shared half of the money with me.
Yeah, we're friends like that.
But life since then has improved ten fold! She's now a funky-cool - 46 year "young" grandmother with a passion for nature, travel, art and all things beautiful and spiritual!
Back in the day when we were both working at "30 Rock" we would troll the city hot spots until the wee hours of a the morning. As we got older though, our outings became sedate - dinner, wine, good conversation and then home and in bed at a reasonable hour.
But last night was different - last night was like old times.
We spent the evening in a section on Manhattan know as the Meat Packing District. I hadn't been there in years -- my how things have changed! The sidewalks are lined with trendy bars and restaurants which are patronized by people who look as if they've just stepped out of a glossy, fashion magazine.
We had dinner at Vento Trattoria which was accompanied by an expressive bottle of Cabernet Franc. Afterwards we strolled over to the Hotel Gansevoort Hotel, took the elevator up to the roof and had $22 dollar cocktails!
We found a cozy corner that not only afforded us a staggering view of the Hudson River, but a prime location for people watching. And believe me there was plenty to see! I felt like I had walked into a scene from Sex and the City -- 4 real ya'll -- line thin, little girls in ten inch heels and skirts so short it's inevitable that their "coochies" will end up with pneumonia.
And tell me something are dudes actually "padding" their crotch areas? Cause I saw some stuff that should garner entry into the Guinness World Book - or at the very least a starring role in a blue movie.
I could have sat there people watching all night long, but alas we had yet another "spot" to hit and so we made our way across the street to a lounge/bar patronized by some interesting characters who were dancing seductively and off key to the hip-hop music that blared from the hidden, wall speakers.
I was bopping my head and tapping my foot when it happened - I yawned - and I knew that my evening had come to a shuddering end. It had been a night like old times, but clearly I was some twenty years away from the high-energy, angst driven, creaturess of the night I had once been.
I was tired and fading fast and looking at the sleeping dude was like adding a shot of Nyquil to my club soda!
Around 1AM Liz and I said good-night on the corner of 14th street and 8th Avenue. After her taxi sped off, I remained on the sidewalk for a few moments, soaking up the energy that surrounded me, feeling the city's heartbeat pounding beneath the concrete.
It's really amazing...this New York City - this Manhattan....this life of mine and the people in it.
3 comments:
There is nothing like sisterhoodship and there's no place like NYC.. no place.. Just a tip on going out..I usually take a nap before.
Wonderful friendship! That's how friends should be. I loved her tattoo. Very beautiful. You certainly are right, there is no place like NYC at night. I miss that.
A good writer friend of mines once said that New York was always a 'fifth' character in my books. Reading your blog reminded me of that. Some of the best books I've ever read took place in New York City...ain't no place like it in the whole live world...it's a living entity, all unto itself, and like someone else mentioned, I miss it too.
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