I got lots of cold weather gear for Christmas, so for the last few mild weeks, I’ve wondered where this big, bad, northeastern winter is. Bring it on - I’ve got L.L. Bean snowboots now, biotch! Everyone around me has chided me and warned, “It’ll come soon, but shhh! Don’t let the gods hear you!” It seems it’s too late now, though.
The temperature dropped Saturday. It rained and rained Friday night, and while I was looking forward to wearing my galoshes, I didn’t want to have to dress onion-style. It slows me down and requires serious garment rearrangement throughout the day. Bobby and I took advantage of the crappy weather, and decided to pay for one movie and sneak into another for free. Hey, the tickets weren’t cheap, and we bought refreshments at that monument to highway robbery known as the AMC concession stand. I have no qualms about seeing most of The Family Stone for free.99 after paying to see Brokeback Mountain. We decided to go to the large AMC movie theater in Times Square, because 1. it plays a large selection of films, so you can choose which film to sneak into from a variety of options, 2. the place is so crowded, but spread out on so many floors that surveillance is not an issue, and 3. the top floor of the theater puts you at the height of Times Square, which is a pretty cool view even when it’s sleeting outside.
(If you appreciated Boys Don’t Cry, I’d recommend Brokeback Mountain. It’s not a happy film, but it is tender and very relevant. As far as The Family Stone goes, I think most people would enjoy it. I love Diane Keaton, and I’ve decided Rachel McAdams really is the next Julia Roberts, though I’ve seen her in only one other film. Sarah Jessica Parker is okay. I don’t adore her, like Bobby does. She does, however, play her role well, even if the fish out of water holiday movie premise is tired).
After the movies, Bobby and I saw the large Gap on Broadway and 42nd and decided to check out the sales racks. I found two corduroy peacoats that were originally $70 on sale for $17. They were only available in sizes small and extra small. A victory for the small girls! I bought one in red and one in beige. Bobby also bought a jacket and dress shirts.
The score left us hungry. We wanted a light meal at a table where we could stay warm and talk. We walked down the street and encountered all the chain restaurants, gaudily winking at us with their familiar neon signs. We decided on Olive Garden. As soon as we walked in, we saw that everyone and their mom was waiting for a table. Somehow, though, a busboy sauntered over to us and asked us if we needed a table. We said yes, and were seated immediately, despite the fact that there was a two hour wait. Everyone around us looked incredulous, but they didn’t know that Bobby and I lead the privileged lives of celebrities…kind of.
We sampled the red wine, ate, and talked. I had lasagna and a Bellini. Bobby ate something more adventurous. I remember thinking about how interesting it is that the person I am closest to in NYC is a fellow Southern transplant. We don’t necessarily get along because of our similar backgrounds. I just feel such a sense of comfort with Bobby, because we can breathe around each other. Years from now, I will think of him as one of the biggest parts of what will someday seem like an ancient time in my life, The First Year in New York.
The weather seemed to be trying to be its ugliest. Sleet stung our faces as the wind pummeled our umbrellas and bent them into submission. I felt really cozy and content on the train ride home. On a day when the weather was such an impediment to travel, I’d ventured out and lived a really full day. I need to do that more often.
I thought for sure you would blog my CURSING down 47th street as the wind pierced our umbrellas and chilled us to the bone…