Big Apple Whirlwind a Blowing

Man, do I miss writing in a blog...so hard to find the time though to make a moment to post.
So here I am, Labor Day, with a minute.  So let me tell you what I've been doing this afternoon.  I've been fretting over my trip (with Julia) next weekend to NYC.  That's correct, Julia and I will be going next weekend to NYC.  We arrive on Friday, and leave Sunday - a very short amount of time to try to drink anything in.

Our main thing on the agenda is to see "Phantom of the Opera" on Saturday afternoon.  All things will be revolving around the 2:00 matinee time.  If I had been thinking it through (we booked Phantom tickets before anything else was purchased, including the ever affordable Sky Mile tickets to get there).  Had I been thinking it through, I would have booked tickets to NYC sometime later on Thursday afternoon, and taken Julia out of school on Friday (allowing for all day in New York on Friday).  Instead, we don't arrive until 8:05 Friday night.  But Julia has reminded me that we will be in "the city that doesn't sleep".

So, after arrival and checking in to the Hilton in Times Square (another beautifully affordable fare from AAA that I can't seem to duplicate on their website now, and the third hotel I've made reservations for), we will head to our first order of business and go to the Top of the Rock observation deck at Rockefeller Plaza.  I have just booked tickets for a 10:00pm lift to the top.  That should be pretty neat - there's even an app to help us identify the things we'll be seeing that "the Rock" recommends we download for free - I'll be doing that.

I have planned for the hotel to have an M&M stuffed chocolate taxi and bucket of sodas upon arrival (I didn't forget about myself, I'll have a bottle of sparking water waiting too - and of course I'll make Julia share some chocolate with me - haha). Then whatever we feel until we wake on Saturday.

On Saturday, we will enjoy the sights of Times Square, possibly Macy's a bit further south, stores on 5th, we'll just see what happens until we go to the 2:00 showing of Phantom.  After Phantom we'll allow our feet to take us where they may again.  Maybe to another show thanks to the TKTS booth in Times Square that sells same day tickets at savings of 50+%.  Maybe not.  Maybe we'll just be so tired we eat and crash - hope not, but who knows.

On Sunday, our plane doesn't leave until 3:15, so I'm guessing an arrival at the airport may mean we should leave the city by 12:30 or 1:00.  But before that, we'll check out of the room, and hit Dylan's Candy Bar and FAO Schwartz (which both open at 10:00).  Depending on timing of things, and how much we have enjoyed those stores, we may be real industrius and try to at least get a glimpse of the big T-Rex in the lobby of the Musuem of Natural History (that may be being a bit overzealous, but that's on the radar at least), or a quick trip into the edges of Central Park (all near Dylans and FAO).

When we booked this trip - Julia made it clear that she didn't want to go in the window of any morning news shows (that was cheesy and she always felt sorry for those people), no Empire State building, and no Ground Zero.  No Double Decker Buses, but definitely Phantom, shopping and buying something from a street vendor.  Maybe even visiting the NYU campus (you know she is a budding actress, and that's Martin Scorsese's alma matter).

So - I'm a bit nervous (though I have been there once - TWELVE years ago).  Wish me luck.  I know we'll have fun!