NYC

Crowded, dirty, loud . . .restless, breathtaking, cerebral, perhaps New York City is the perfect contradiction to Southern Maryland. Shelly and I spent the last four days in the Big Apple to celebrate her 3oth birthday, and after four days I will exclaim something I never thought I would utter.

Remember for my 30th Shelly planned a huge surprise party on the San Diego harbor and included both of our parents and my sister attending. I knew I could never top my party , but I my goal was to surprise her. So, I planned three surprises: a trip to NYC, her parents watching the girls while we took our trip, and a surprise party to tell her about the trip and her parents coming to town. Apparently, my loud voice and our house's cheaply made exterior walls betrayed my first two surprises. Shelly learned of my plans when I called her parents from our deck to confirm my plans. She played along until her birthday night when she saw the hotel reservations on my Hilton account. At that time, she let me know that she knew of my surprise trip and that her parents were coming to stay with the girls. Two surprises spoiled -Newman! But I still the surprise party. Unfortunately, I fell ill before the party and had to beg Shelly to go to Tim and Jackie's without me, effectively ruining my final surprise. Damn my luck.

We started our hiatus Sunday in Baltimore with Tim and Bess. We enjoyed dinner, drinks, and civility before taking the train to NYC.

I do not know where to begin in describing our time in New York. We walked a lot. We selectively played tourist for some events, touring the Statue of Liberty, visiting Ellis Island, and seeing Wicked. We tried not to act too much like tourists the rest of the time, though our attire of shorts and running shoes marked us as not fashionable enough to be from the City. I was completely fascinated by Ellis Island, but we were disappointed to learn their immigration records did not cover the dates of Shelly's great-grandparents. Wicked was totally touristy and totally awesome. If you ever get the chance to see the show, go. We also explored the various neighborhoods, specialty shops and the ambiance of several local delicantescents and bars.

In the end, I could move to New York. This is not a sentiment Shelly shares, and I am not sure I would want to raise the girls there, but if the situation was right I cannot think of a more fascinating place to live. Of course, visiting might be just as good.