New York, New York!

It's always interesting to go back to a place you once called home but no longer do, those times a combination of attempting to fit back into an older version of myself, where all the parts are there, they are just now a little different. We were in a limbo between being locals and tourists, knowing how to get around the city but lacking the identification (and address) that put us as fully in the local category. I found the whole thing both familiar and alienating. Still it was good to go by old haunts (want to stop by Island burger for a milk shake?), see our old building (was it really that small?), think back to the challenging parts of New York living (how much does this apartment cost again?), and enjoy walking while refusing to take the subway unless we needed to (it's not that far from 97th to Union Square) and of course visit our friends. Read the rest...
In general, it was a great trip. When we got back to Durham and a friend asked how it was, 'refreshing' was the first word that came to mind. It was so good to have conversations with friends and not feel like we had lost ground ('friends of the heart' as an old faculty member of mine used to say). There was such a resonance to just sit and relax with people who know, understand and accept us where we feel the same for them. We had encouraging discussions about our future, and the many challenges therein, and I felt more at peace with how unknown this next stage of our life is.

It was a good trip and now I'm done reflecting on it. I'm glad we went, I'm glad we saw what we did and that Q and A got hitched (or celebrated getting hitched a few years ago), way to make an excuse for us to come guys! Congrats! Now, pictures!

A stop by our favorite BBQ place, which started as street food and then moved to its own establishment. If you every want some good meat soaked in spices make sure to go find Daisey Mae's.... hhhmmmmmmm.... BBQ.

On our way to eat Daisey Mae's we walked by Rockefeller Center, where we were hoping to see the map with colored states on the ice (as it was only two days after the election), but they were already taking the American paraphernalia down! Those jerks, have they no patriotic spirit? (Megan was quite distressed when we got there and these two posters were the only things left...)
We also just happened to be there for one of those few weekends when the colors are in full glory and haven't dropped yet. Central Park was simply at its finest.

The morning of the wedding we went out for brunch in DUMBO, it was a rather misty (some could say English) day. Not the best weather for a wedding but it added a nice mystique to the city.

These are the place holders. Cute eh? I mean who wouldn't want a little monster that holds his own eyeball?

There was a little army of the fellas... more than a little scary (but cute!)Since we did go there for a wedding after all, here is Megan with the lovely bride. (ahhhh) She can really clean up and behave when she wants to (Q that is, not Megan)Here is Q choosing not to behave. Mind you the girl can't be over 5'2".

We really spent the last few days in NYC walking from friend to friend. We always enjoyed walking vs. taking the subway, and if we have time, why not? Besides it's nice to get a feel for the atmosphere, the pace, and the surrounding buildings.
(I think this was taken because my wife is an architect.)

This one was taken on the flight back to the UK. This is another, 'Oh that's neat' comment from the architect I spend my life with, but I have to say that I also found this bit of Long Island interesting. While the USA may have a lot of space in some places, we can jam in just as well as the Europeans when we have to.

And lastly let me show off the self-proclaimed 'Crappiest shower in New York.'That's it on high. I was thankful that our friends put us up, but this was easily one of the worst showers I've ever seen. Oh, Lindsey. I laughed the first time I saw it...