The High Line

Until I came to New York City a few weeks ago, I had never heard of the High Line.  It gets masked by Central Park, and while Central Park is certainly a wonder, the delightful innovation surrounding the High Line makes it stand out.

So what is the High Line?  In short, it's an elevated railroad track that has been repurposed into a park that snakes its way from Gansevoort Street to 34th Street.  Unlike most of New York City's parks, it isn't a grassy space that appeals to picnickers and yoga troupes.  It feels more like a boardwalk peppered with modern art that hinges on being interactive.  Like the water fountain the begs you to pucker up.  Or the Lego cityscape that invites passersby to change it around.

Before we ascended, we stopped at the Gansevoort Market, which offers everything from crepes to quinoa.  I found happiness in a bowl of couscous topped with lamb kebab and baba ganoush, which I took with me into the park.  If you want to picnic, go elsewhere, but there are plenty of benches that afford an excellent view of the Hudson.

While the High Line is a bit of a hike for me, I intend to visit it often.  It's crowded, certainly, and it feels more so due to its narrow width, but it's more peaceful than Central Park.  And those built-in lounge chairs near the water feature?  Yes, please.

The Brazen Fox

*Game of Thrones spoiler alert*

Until Sunday, I had never seen a bar fall into utter silence.  We stared, our breath bated, our knuckles white against our frosted glasses of Ommegang.  Beside me, a girl was crying, her tear-streaked face illuminated by the glow of six TVs.

On screen, Shireen was burning as her father watched on.

This was my first experience at the Brazen Fox, a Manhattan bar on the corner of 3rd and 13th that attracts guests with "nerd culture."  There are the usual sports, but there's also Dungeons & Dragons -- and, of course, Game of Thrones.

When we arrived at 8:00, the bar was crowded for the pregame show.  That is, last week's episode.  Fortunately, we were able to get a table, but soon afterwards the staff set up a waitlist as people flooded the bar.

Then, the opening theme.

I'll be honest:  I expected commentary throughout the episode.  I thought some dirtbag would spoil it, or wolf whistle at Dany, or make homophobic remarks regarding the Tyrells.  That didn't happen.  Not once.  Everyone was quiet, respectful -- and united.  I wouldn't have been surprised if we had held hands during Shireen's death.

Then, then…

It's no secret that Jorah is my favorite character.  Not only is he a badass when it comes to fighting, his unrequited love for Daenerys is the best love story in the show.  (Think about it:  Jaime/Cersei, Jon/Ygritte, Tyrion/Shae).  So I was on the edge of my seat when he stepped into the fighting pit.

And so, apparently, was everyone else.

How can anyone NOT ship this?  Ugh, be still my heart.

The cheers erupted as soon as he started to fight.  Every time he took a hit, we gasped.  Every time he struck, we screamed.  The applause was monstrous.  Go Jorah go!  Hit him!  Get up!  Please, get up!  We were in the coliseum.  We were there.

As the episode raced toward its climax, the cheers escalated.  Naturally, my favorite moment happened when Daenerys accepted Jorah's hand, and my delighted scream joined four dozen others.  Seriously, who needs football?  We whooped and hollered for Tyrion, for Missandei, for Daario and Grey Worm and DROGON DROGON DROGON.

For Drogon, people jumped out of their seats, screaming as though the United States had just won the World Cup.

And it continued into the credits.

For me, Game of Thrones has always been a social event:  a way to bond with my brother and mom, a common interest among my coworkers at Barnes & Noble, a part of college culture that involved Martell-esque Mirassou served in plastic wine glasses.

The Brazen Fox takes that to a whole new level.  If you're in Manhattan next week, stop by for the finale.  It's more than a show; it's an experience.

5 Things I Intend to Do in NYC

Turns out I'm kind of awful at keeping up a blog.

I suppose I think that I don't have anything interesting to write about.  I haven't traveled internationally since June, but even then, I didn't bother to post.

So let's try this blogging thing again, shall we?

I'm home in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.  I love Williamsburg, but everybody needs to go home once in a while.

Recently, I've been struggling with the whole concept of "home."  For three years, my home was The College of William & Mary.  Now that I've graduated, I can't call it home anymore.  I don't live on campus.  I don't eat in the dining hall.  I still walk the brick pathways, but rarely.

Come May I'm moving to New York to try my luck in the Big Apple.  But I can't think of NYC as my future home, either, for my plan is so hazy.  I don't know how long I'll be there.  Six weeks?  Three months?  Six months?  Ten years?  For the rest of my life?

I'm scared, but I'm excited, too.  Here are five things I'm going to do in New York City:

1.  Eat kebabs.  Döner.  Schwarma.  Whatever you want to call them, they're delicious--and impossible to find in Williamsburg, Virginia.  I'll probably cry as I take my first bite.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ANYTHING MORE BEAUTIFUL?  (Photo courtesy of my homeslice Joshua O.S.H.)

This was taken in a Williamsburg tavern four years ago.  I'm cool, guys.  Really.

2.  Go out.  You see, Williamsburg's bar scene consists of five bars.  Unless you want to hit up ye olde taverns and get drunk on mead.

3.  Find a hipster coffee shop.  Not because I think I'm a hipster (Me, a hipster?  Well, I am coming from the original Williamsburg, est. 1632.  Not this Williamsburg, Brooklyn everyone keeps talking about), but because I love the atmosphere of small cafés.  Great spots to read and write.

4.  Explore Central Park.  I've only been to Central Park once--for, like, five minutes.  Barely counts.

5.  See off-Broadway shows.  Not that I don't love Broadway, but I want to experience lesser known things.  (Wait, I sound like a hipster.  Broadway is too mainstream.  Oh no.)

What else should I do while I'm in New York?  Suggestions?