'Tis the season in NYC

Saturday, December 12, 2009 was all about being in New York in the Holiday season.
We started with Liam's Howliday Party at Best In Show bestinshowpetresort.com This Pet Resort has had parties for holidays, the most recent being Halloween. This time North Shore Animal League was there parading their adoptable doggies, all had coats proclaiming their adoptable status and many had injuries, a different spirit from the past coffee and candy parties yet fitting and noble for this season. Liam was placed in an already started doggie play session. The dogs were the big guys, Golden's, Labs, all lovers. Liam promptly pooped. After that session, we attempted to capture the traditional Christmas pose, but no Santa. Liam was upset and would not stay in the little photo room that had been set up for the pix.
Having exhausted Liam, we returned home, tucked Liam in and set out to NYC for our traditional NYC Holiday outing. NYC day in years past had been packed with so many activities that we could have been tour guides. We have pared it down to "The Tree" and walking to Sueños, our favorite Manhattan restaurant suenosnyc.com-huge walk downtown- about one hour from Rockefeller Center.

Anything goes in NY especially at Holiday time-funny conversations, fearless and fierce costumes, all in a celebratory, silly glorious mood.
So I am sharing some conversations, some scenes, some people,, and our favorite city restaurant, Sueños.
We arrive at the NHP LIRR station for our 2:37 train. Saturday was a cold day. Some folks knew it and dressed like they were embarking on a visit to Wassila to go moose hunting with Sarah Palin; others were in denial, dressed in skinny leather short jackets, bare legs, heels and earmuffs, looking entirely too fashionable for traversing Manhattan We all huddled in the waiting room, all seats taken, only standing room, sort of like non-moving subway car, cell phones going off, snatches of one-sided conversations.
One two sided in person exchange which tickled us came when the station waiting area had emptied as the clock promised that the train was due any minute. Paul and I remained inside with one other couple believing that we could dart out and up the stairs quickly to make the train.

The couple exchange:
"Woman-" The train is coming." Man- "where is it? "It is due 2:37, it is 2:37 so it is here." Man-"I am looking outside and there is no train here. When will it arrive?" Woman "Now. I am going outside." Man" Why? there is no train." She leaves, he shouts after her as the station door closes "I'll call you in the city."
The train did arrive a few minutes later. We saw them in our car. Someone gave in.

A vendor and buyer exchange:
We are waiting on the corner of 47th and 7th. The crowd is so dense and huge that at each light we have to wait two light changes til we can cross. To my right is a $10 cashmere scarf vendor -how can that be bad? I have bought all my scarves and sunglasses on the streets of Manhattan, as well as many watches. The vendor has us, a captured redlight stalled audience and he is working us, looking very frozen, rubbing his hands together for warmth, hands he has to keep free for the next sale. A young man, underdressed ( must be a warm weather tourist) no scarf, no gloves only a windbreaker, approaches and throws out a price "give you 8 bucks for the scarf." "Come on man," answers vendor scarf-man, "Business has not been brisk, people too cold to stop. What will you do with the 2 bucks you make on me?" "Buy myself a hot dog," the young man replies. "Nah, suck it up, it stands at $10, no bargaining in the recession." " Okay you got it." Young man forks over the ten dollar bill with my beloved Alexander Hamilton intact, not broken by change. Sale completed at S10. The green street light switches on and our group glides across 47th as one unit.

Sights along the way:
a couple dressed as Christmas trees, fully decorated with flashing lights, garland and topped with Stars, arms akimbo to show spreading branches.

Group of young women singing "Jingle Bells", loud, in unison and arms linked, boldly challenging anyone to comment; we do not.

Three folks outside a bar for a smoke-one man in a Zorro like black velvet cape , the other two as Mr. and Mrs Claus-just chatting as if being in costume is totally routine. And Elmo, Cookie Monster, Wookies from star trek. So many people are dressed in costume that it can be Halloween.

We arrive at The Tree. I have NEVER seen NYC so crowded. Nearing the tree has to be done in stages and carefully. No hope of looking at the skaters this year

Then onward to Sueños. An arduous walk for me- I am wearing my Uggs, boots my podiatrist has informed me are the worse footwear for walking.

We arrive and the Sueños' owner and Chef, Sue Torres is there. Fresh from her stint on Iron Chef with Bobby Flay. A merry crowd, eclectic -we are in Chelsea and the ambiance is flaming red, orange, purple, alive! We talk to our waiter about the cooking shows, Top Chef, Iron Chef and the Food Network. We are unknowingly building in his mind a belief that we are gourmands, possibly pals of Tom Collichio, Bobby Flay and of course Sue Our waiter informs us that Sue will be on Chopped in January, we nod as if we are her "sue" chefs. Chef Sue, outside in the adjacent garden, is lighting candles and perching precariously on rocks to place them in view of us diners All of this to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadeloupe.
At our meal's end, we request our idea of dessert, Mexican coffee. "Oh no, we do not have that here." We are confused, we always have it here. Our waiter says he will check with the bar and staff. He returns with two cappuccino mugs with some delicious frothy concoction. He says " We do not have the staff to shave the chocolate, to pick the Mexican beans, to...... I said "Oh, are you thinking "Top Chef" and all the spices, herbs and ingredients that are used for their dishes?" All we wanted was some liqueur, with coffee and cream on top. Like an Irish coffee. Our waiter explained that he mistook our simple order for something much more grand, complicated, high-level. We all got a kick out of our challenging request. and his suspicion that we might be food critics. Professional paid ones.
The coffees were good, if a tad small.

Penn Station had a great band playing Real talent.

Some Santas on the LIRR trip home

Oh and Liam now knows there is no Santa Some of the NSAL dogs told him. So he posed without Santa, who should be on my right. Liam is okay with it. He is not a puppy anymore.

Woof, Woof
Liam has a Christmas gift of a gingerbread man from his Akita pal, Stormy the GM 's time seems short as Liam gets a good mouthful but maybe they'll be friends for a bit

BFF
AROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO