Friday, November 16, 2007

Friday, November 16, 2007
Waxing Moon
Sunny and cold

Yesterday was a tiring day. I got into the city, I ran my errands in record time (even though I dawdled). I picked up books by Sharon Shinn and Stephanie Barron that look interesting. I had a drink at the Algonquin and made notes on Earth Bride. I visited picket lines and offered support.

The union meeting was packed, which is a good thing. I got to catch up with a lot of people I hadn’t seen for ages. I only stayed for part of the meeting – there was some good information; but, unfortunately, because it’s a democratic set-up where anyone who wishes to speak can be heard, too many decide to use public meeting time for personal counseling, instead of setting up private meetings with the appropriate representative. And that gets annoying.

Costume Imp and I then went to Bar X for a drink and a snack; quite a few of our colleagues drifted in over time, and another friend joined us.

I caught an evening train home and didn’t get much done.

I have to revise an article today, do a report for Confidential Job #1, and start negotiations with one of the potential clients who responded to a pitch made day before yesterday. I cut ties with another client who wasn’t worth the time or energy – this was NOT a nice person, and a complete energy vampire. I tried both diplomatically and bluntly to remind the client of the parameters we set in the contract, but it was ignored. So I finished the assignment and ended the relationship. The pay wasn’t high enough to warrant the unhappiness.

Slow morning on Earth Bride. It’s a series of scenes necessary to set up Niki’s growth in this section, and conflict in coming chapters. They’re a little more awkward than I would like, but oh, well.

Off to email the N3s and then get back to work. I have to make up for the work I didn’t get done on Tracking Medusa yesterday, too.

Sue asked for ideas for her trip to New York. Here are some of my favorites:

If you’re here during the holiday season, head up to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, go the Medieval Hall, and experience the Angel Tree. It is one of the most magnificent experiences you will have in New York – the carvings and artwork are stunningly beautiful.

The Empire State Building at twilight – go up there, watch the sun set and watch the lights come up over Manhattan.

The Lower East Side Tenement Museum – the docents are amazing. They’ve re-created the apartments with the actual belongings of families who lived there, and tell you their stories.

The Algonquin Hotel – sit in the lobby and have a drink. They make fantastic classic cocktails and have an extensive menu of their house drinks. I think they make the best sidecars I’ve ever tasted.

Central Park – it’s an amazing oasis in the city, with walkways, boating, skating, the Zoo, and more.

New York Historical Society – right next to the Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side. Terrific exhibits. Great staff.

NY Rangers Game at Madison Square Garden – even if you’re not a hockey fan, there’s nothing like seeing a game in the Garden!

Restaurants: Of course I’m going blank. I usually eat in midtown, between shows. Restaurants come and go quickly in this town. Some of my favorites are:
Maison – 7th Avenue at 53rd St. (French)
Whym – 9th Avenue – I think it’s between 55th & 56th, but it might be between 56th & 57th.
Gallagher’s Steak House – W. 52nd St., just west of Broadway. If Leo’s tending bar, ask him to make you a hot whisky toddy.
Ocean Grill – 384 Columbus Ave. at W. 78 St. – one of my favorites, right near the Museum of Natural History.
Further downtown, the Village, etc.:
The Cedar Tavern – this is near NYU and near Strand Books. Its former location was a Jack Kerouac/beat hangout. The food and drinks are great here. University Place and 12th St.
Peculiar Pub – 145 Bleecker St. – over 400 beers from all over the world.
Café Loup – 105 W. 13th St. Upscale bistro.
Café Espanol – 172 Bleecker St. Great food, great wine list.
Cornelia St. Café – 29 Cornelia St. Great food.
Grey Dog Café – Carmine St., just south of Bleecker. Excellent, healthy sandwiches, wraps, etc. and, of course, good coffee.
Telephone Bar and Grill – 149 Second Avenue, between 9th and 10th Streets – a British bistro, great food, great drinks, great atmosphere.
Cloister Café – 238 E. 9th Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avneues. Stained glass windows, good food, lovely garden.
Velselka Café – 144 2nd Avenue, open 24 hours. Great borscht, great desserts, and muffins.
The Minetta Lane – corner of Thompson or maybe it’s MacDougal, and Minetta Lane. Great food, emphasis on Italian.
Pretty much any restaurant in Little Italy.

Music/Theatre Venues that usually have something good going on:
The Knitting Factory — 74 Leonard St., just off Church.
Joe’s Pub – part of the Public Theatre at 425 Lafayette St.
The Blue Note – 131 W. 3rd St. –jazz with great Sunday brunches. Make reservations, though!
The Bitter End – 147 Bleecker St. You can just walk up and down Bleecker and find about a dozen bars with music.

That should give you a starting point!

Devon

Earth Bride – 57,506 words out of 50,000 words (Nano goal)

57 / 50 (114.0%)

Earth Bride – 57,506 words out of 100,000 words (completion goal)

57 / 100 (57.0%)

Free eBook: 30 Tips for 30 Days: Kick-Start Your Novel and Get Out of Your Own Way. A Nano Guide. Available for free download here.