I’m so thankful to be in New York for the holiday season once again.  The sites, the smell, the senses all come to life and satisfy my spirit. 

 I had lunch today at Del Frisco’s, one of my favorite steak houses.  It was noon and watching the packed restaurant with patrons, business men, visitors and regulars drinking wine, and fine dining, it appeared even though it was a Wednesday that everyone was on an extended vacation.

My girlfriend and I left the bar, after toasting ourselves and feasting on crab cakes and a chopped salad and walked out an hailed a cab.  Destination, unknown, we just wanted out of the rain.  We headed to Soho for some fun window shopping.  My girlfriend who is single, hot and a man magnate- her life truly reminds me of scenes from Sex and the City attracted some aggressive businessmen, (only in NYC) who insisted on the Who, What, Where, When and Why of us.  We were having a true Jessica Parker moment, when I explained that I was visiting from Seattle.  “Oh, Seattle – I hear it’s like a scene from Little House on the Prarie,” one exclaimed.  I always laugh at the East coasters who think those of us from Seattle only wear Bierkenstocks and hug trees, but that’s for another blog.  

Meanwhile across town, Steve was in a taxi and had a NYC moment.  His taxi and another taxi got into a road rage.  In packed, non moving traffic, one taxi driver got out and spit on Steve’s taxi.  Instant retaliation, Steve’s driver looked at Steve and asked for backup as he jumped out of his car, saying he was ‘opening a can of whoop ass’ on the assailant.

Steve paid his partial fee and continued in the rain in search of a “new ride”.

We all reconvened back at my friend’s Manhattan loft. Being in the real estate business, I still marvel that she is paying several thousand a month in rent for the space.  It’s nice, it’s quaint, but… it’s NOT cheap!

Speaking of Not cheap- nothing in NY is.  A group of us went to dinner at The Dream Hotel.  By the time we picked up New Friends, there were 12 in total- bar and food bill totaled a mortgage payment!

But despite the rain, furious taxi rage, high cost of living, hustle bustle, traffic, and pace, New York City reminds me to live in the NOW!