A blog for older adults about loving this City even when your knees hurt and your hearing is not what it used to be!
“Fleet Week New York, now in its 28th year, is the city’s time-honored celebration of the sea services. It is an unparalleled opportunity for the citizens of New York and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as witness firsthand the latest capabilities of today’s maritime services. The week-long celebration has been held nearly every year since 1984.”(the photo and excerpt above are courtesy of Fleet Week New York).
Introducing a series based on my walks around the City. First one coming next week: A Hudson River Walk. Basic equipment needed for a City walk: umbrella, hat, sunscreen, water, camera,extra sweater, and last but very important….time!
Enjoy! Kay
Note: Artwork by t.w.o. my brother
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“Stop the cab!” I yelled to my son and granddaughter. “I can’t find my phone!” Horror of all horrors. But after a few minutes of frantic searching through my large overstuffed handbag, we found it. Whew! I’m sure you know the feeling that hits your belly when you think it’s gone. If you have a smartphone, then it’s all those photos, texts, contacts… lost. (Because, maybe, like me, you didn’t save them). And, OMG, wonder if there’s an ID thief stealing all your personal info. Then, comes that deep sigh of relief – when you find it. Double whew!
It had to be you…
I think I’m addicted to my smartphone. I mean, first thing in the morning, before I get out of bed, I reach for it. I check for missed calls, missed texts, emails that are waiting to be opened and Facebook. Hopefully, someday soon, I’ll see a message from my NY lottery subscription that starts, “Congratulations, you’ve won!”
Wishful thinking. Oh, I can’t forget to tell you about my “check” list. Every time I leave my apartment, I have a mental check I go thru…keys check, hearing aids check, batteries for hearing aids check, cell phone double check. I’ve returned a few times from the elevator because I didn’t have my phone. Yikes, maybe I should do a triple check for my cell. Told you I think I’m addicted.
Not … ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille…
FaceTime, on the phone, is great when you’re ready for the call. It’s a wonderful chance to see your grandchildren, who it seems are the only ones that I get those calls from. However, it can catch you when you’re not really up for prime time. For example, a few weeks ago my phone rang; it was before 7 in the morning. As I heard it, far from my even semi -awake state, I wondered, “Is that my phone?” “Is that the FaceTime ring?” I picked it up and there was the grinning face of my 4 year old granddaughter, “Hi Grandma.” she said. “What to do, what to do,” I thought. I couldn’t hang up – it was my granddaughter. So, I patted down my flyaway hair, put a big smile on my face, looked at myself on the screen, winced, and said, “Happy Birthday, birthday girl” She was turning five. All she wanted to know was, “Grandma, are you coming to my birthday dinner tonight?” “Of course,” I said. A few blown kisses and goodbyes, FaceTime over. Coffee please and make it a double!
My photo of my 14 yr old granddaughter taking a photo of Jeff Koons’ exhibit before the Whitney Museum moved to Chelsea.
What… there’s an app for that?
Everything you ever wanted to know about New York is probably on an app. And, if you don’t see it now, it will probably pop up very soon. I was looking for a new app and came across this site. http://www.nycgo.com/articles/best-nyc-smartphone-apps .Some apps are free and some have a cost. You might want to check it out. The navigation apps are really helpful. I use a bus app frequently to let me know when the next one is coming. Most anything you want to do or see in the City is probably on this site.
So Set ‘em up Joe… 
And, check this out http://Hello@link.nyc— The City is in the midst of installing these Wi-Fi stations across Manhattan. Can’t miss them… about 9 feet tall. They have built-in tablet computers, a 911 button, phone chargers and you can call anywhere in the States, all for free. Sounds convenient, I haven’t tried one yet, but I see them popping up all over.
I love my smartphone, it’s really nice to have. It does so much more than just making and answering calls. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not selling smartphones, I just like what it does for me. The camera feature is fantastic. All the photos were taken with my phone. I use it whenever I’m out and about. I’ve also learned to always take my charger with me. You never know when that little device is going to need a boost. FYI… if you stop for a Bourbon Old Fashioned along your travels … I haven’t been to a bar or restaurant yet that doesn’t have a place to give your cell a charge. CHEERS!
View of lower Manhattan from water taxi
Kay’s Notes*
Important to know:
From The Pew Research Center
“When it comes to tech adoption, seniors generally lag behind their younger counterparts. But for Americans ages 65 and older who own a smartphone, having one in their pocket is a liberating experience.” For full article go to http://www.pewresearch.org/fact…/seniors-smartphones
Good to know: Water taxis from downtown Manhattan are fun to take. http://nywatertaxi.com for more info. All about my water taxi trip to Jersey on another post.
*Disclaimer – I try for correct info on Kay’s Notes– but no guarantees people.
Daggers, swords, poison, death – the fun things in opera can be yours for the taking in August. The Met’s annual Summer HD Festival of their beautiful operas on the Plaza will be back! And, it’s free!
I love it, and when the night is clear and the moon is shining overhead it’s glorious. If you know about this series and have done it… you know what I’m talking about. If you know about it and have never done it or didn’t know about it until now – do it! Did I mention it’s FREE!
First come first served
There are over 3000 seats set up on Lincoln Center Plaza by the fountain with plenty of space to stand or bring your own chairs. And what an audience: families with and without strollers, dog lovers, fans in wheelchairs, the young, the old, new to the opera, serious opera goers and surprised tourists who just happen to be in the neighborhood. Generally speaking, a great diversified audience.
Spoiler alert…drama is not just in the operas
Just so you know, there are some diehard opera fans who are a bit aggressive. They will push, and I mean push, their way to get a seat. I remember last year a woman, with a very worried look, was saving four seats and constantly scanning the Plaza to see if her people were arriving. A few minutes before the opera was to begin a woman, let’s call her Ms. Nasty, yelled at Ms. Worried. “I’m calling the police… you can’t save that many seats!” But Ms. Nasty got her comeuppance when a nurse arrived pushing an elderly man in a wheelchair with his elderly wife at his side. Ms. Worried stopped worrying as she leaned over to say, “I’m so glad you’re here Dad.” With that, Ms. Nasty turned stone-faced and left in a huff. A round of applause ensued. It was a few minutes of drama amongst the spectators and then Otello began…talk about drama. (Otello the opera – Othello the play, as you probably know).
Maria, I just met a girl named Maria
The Met hasn’t announced the operas for this year yet. The series begins August 27th and runs for 10 nights. Last year to kick off the Festival, West Side Story was shown. As you might know, parts of the movie had been filmed on the construction site of the now Lincoln Center. Interesting fact, well not a fact but interesting; Peter Gelb, managing director of the Met Opera, spoke before hand and asked how many in the audience had never seen West Side Story. To my amazement, a quarter of the audience raised their hands, including three young women in front of me. As the movie unfolded I watched as tissue after tissue was pulled from their bags as they wiped the tears streaming down their faces. At the tragic ending … sobs! I asked them later how they liked it…. “Loved it” they said, as they laughed wiping off their running mascara.
So here is my advice – come early –bring food, wine, a book, crossword puzzle and relax. Enjoy the spectacle before, during and after the opera. Be ready to experience one of the real treats of NYC! The Metropolitan Opera outside on an August night at Lincoln Center – magical!
Kay’s Notes*
Important to know. Operas will be announced sometime in July. Check Met website at http://www.metopera.com 2016 Summer HD Festival. It runs from August 27th thru Labor Day Sept 5th. starting time is around 7-8 o’clock.
Good to know: The series goes on rain or shine except thunder storms. Suggest you bring extra jacket or sweater as it can get chilly. And, perhaps a seat cushion
Where to eat: All over the place. Many people, in fact, bring their own food, drinks and snacks. I, myself, am a popcorn and wine person.
Restaurant prices: In the area – varies from hotdog carts to OMG$$$$
Where is it: At Lincoln Center Plaza known as the Josie Robertson Plaza in front of the Met Opera House on the Upper West Side between West 62nd and 65th Streets and Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues. Buses and subways close by. Plenty of parking. Met website has all kinds of info on directions.
Restrooms: Here’s the tricky part. If there is an event at the David Geffen Hall (formerly Avery Fisher) the restrooms are open in the Hall. But if not there are restrooms on the Concourse level below the Met Opera house. There is an elevator to Concourse level on the outside of the David Koch Theater or an escalator in front of the David Geffen Hall. Restrooms also at the David Rubenstein Atrium on Broadway between 62nd and 63rd right across the street.
Kid Friendly: Absolutely and stay for a little while or for the whole performance. Lots of kids will be there.
*Disclaimer – I try for correct info on Kay’s Notes– but no guarantees people.
Picasso and Paula is what started my blog!
PICASSO AND PAULA
Picasso Sculptures at MOMA! What can I say but the exhibit was fantastic! About 62 years of his sculptures. It took the full 4th floor of the museum. It wasn’t crowded that day, surprisingly, so I was able to take it all in – incredible. I sat for a while on one of the benches (knees you know) in the room filled with his later works and then happily left and took the elevator down.
Now as many of us know, any visit to a museum requires a stop for a glass of wine (or something) and a bite either to think about the art or just because you’re hungry and need to sit or all three. I walked over to the Bar Room at MOMA and was enjoying a lovely pinot noir and miniature tuna sliders when a woman and her friend were seated at the table next to me. It is a fact that I try not to listen too intently to other people’s conversations unless, of course, I catch something really interesting. And, I must say, theirs certainly peaked my interest.
He said, “So how does it feel to have your first book published in a few months?” Whoa, I thought, leaning in to hear a little better.
“What?” I wanted to say as I tilted my good ear in their direction. She mumbled something. “Speak up” was on the tip of my tongue.
I picked up words like “fiction” “agent” “friends” “supportive” “spring”. Time, I decided, to call a sister with better hearing than me. I considered just putting my phone on their table so she could listen and tell me what they were saying, but then decided not a good idea . I sent a text instead.
While I can’t repeat the exact words my youngest sib wrote (expletives) , what I can tell you is that she called me a chicken with a few “cluck clucks” thrown in. And then texted in caps, “LEAN OVER AND ASK THE AUTHOR ABOUT HER BOOK!” With those words and the wine kicking in I moved over closer still and in my most endearing voice, said “Excuse me, but may I ask you a question?”
They both turned to me with big smiles and said “Yes.” I do remember smiling very broadly myself as I told them what I had overheard (eavesdropping is a wonderful thing – rude but wonderful). He handed me her card.
Her name was Paula Whyman who had written her first book. She told me it was a series of connected short stories called “You May See a Stranger”. It was to be published in May with a book tour and a possible stop in North Carolina! I mean, really!!!(Remember my family lives in NC) What fun to be able to read a book by a first-time author and to have met her before it was published. A new book that no one in my family has read – a miracle! So thanks to Picasso for finding us Paula!
And, the moral of this little essay about a lovely afternoon is simple: When going to a museum, always stop for a glass of something, always eavesdrop and always, if in doubt, text or call a sib or friend to tell you what to do! –
Love this city!
Kay’s Notes*
Important to know: Sadly, the exhibit closed February 2016 but MOMA is full of his wonderful works in their permanent collection.
Good to know: “You May See A Stranger” by Paula Whyman TriQuarterly Books Northwestern University Press May 2016 http://paulawhyman.com
Want to eat? 4 places in the Museum – The Modern, The Bar Room, Café 2 and Terrace 5.
All operated by Danny Meyer group – you know the Shake Shack guy.
Restaurant prices: From OMG (The Modern) to not bad!
Where is it? MOMA is at West 53rd between 5th and 6th
Open every day with senior discounts and with free Friday nights from 4 to 8 PM.
Restrooms? All over the place
Kid Friendly? Yes
*Disclaimer – I try for correct info on Kay’s Notes– but no guarantees people.
