OK, so it had been maybe three years since I last visited NY. Just came back from a six day visit of that great state. You may not know, but I was raised in the Bronx. The Bronx happens to be the best borough of the five that make up the excelsior place we know as NYC. A bit much on the superlatives, I know.
Anyway, it’s great how thing change, and yet they stay the same. Driving in the city hasn’t changed: you can (and are expected) to drive like a mad man. I like that. The fine for driving while holding your cell phone (instead of using a hands-free set) is $150. I didn’t like that. The only way I learned that without actually getting a ticket was because an officer told me. Here’s some more background: all the people taking funds at the bridge tolls have been replaced by NYC police officers. I don’t know why, but I assume Mayor Bloomberg had a good reason. I think he’s a quality Mayor.
It was another whirlwind tour of friends and family. In six days, I saw about seven different groups. I went from Rockland County to Long Island, and various places in between. It was time well spent. The family and friends I saw included people that had been asking when I would be back in NY. My response was usually, “No idea”. After 2 years, that gets old, and these loved ones begin to plot your eminent beating. So I went primarily for love, and a little bit of fear.
I even got in a football game (actually three). I sprained my ankle in the first game. This rendered me fairly useless as a lineman in the following games. Also, at my size, when I say I have good hands or that I can QB, most people either silently (or audibly) laugh at my statement, and then move on with their lives. As usual, after gimping my way through 2 games as a fairly useless D-lineman, I called for the QB position. We were down, 3 to 1. I quickly made it a more respectable score of 4 to 3, them. Two separate guys dropped passes that would have tied it up. Regardless, it was a great day.
I’m am tired, and in a bit of pain. But it was definitely worth it. Oh yeah, although I grew up in the city, I never knew how serious Long Island was about seafood. Man, I love NY.
Nice… i’m thinkin of visitin this year – still debating – should i be scared of gettin mugged or stabbed or raped or anythin..?
Ha ha, OK. It depends on where ya go. I assume you will stay in the well-lit portions of Manhattan. So, no, you have nothing to worry about. However, if you find yourself in Harlem (Spanish or otherwise), get in a cab fast!