Bright lights, big disappointment

I went to Times Square this evening to ring in the New Year only to find out that I wasn't invited to the party. Within a 20 block radius, police had blocked off the access to Broadway and 42nd street. One thing Colin Powell and I have in common is that this year was the first time to be in Times Square on New Year's Eve. Unfortunately I didn't stick around to see him push the button and release the Times Square Ball. Instead I opted to get a front row seat at home on TV. Hopefully the next 365 days won't be as disappointing!

Family, ice-skating, pillow

I met more of my 'American' family today at Miriam's apartment: Sylvan and Malou. The conversation mingled French with English. Armed with nearly a decade of studying the French language I felt poorly equipped to deal with the intricacies of food-related conversation. I can barely manage counting from 1 to 10!

Afterwards I went to see people ice-skating in Rockefeller Center. The people above them looked down in great amazement. ("They're skating, let's see!")

Nearby was a Brookstone store where I purchased something that will change my life for the better... thanks for the recommendation Karine!


(right to left) Sylvan, Miriam, Malou, David & Mickey


(right to left), Karine and Jeanine etc.


Rockefeller Center


Brookstone pillows

Just too cold

Today was by far and away the coldest day I have ever experienced in my life. I checked weather.com this morning to find the current temperature to "feel like" -20 deg. C (-4 deg. F). To anyone not familar with the sub-zero temperatures, this is dangerously cold. It was difficult to walk more than one block without feeling like my ears were about to snap off!

Luckily, today was also the day I received my new state-of-the-art cell phone. Now I can eat, drink, walk and ponder any numbers of thoughts at the same time as talking to someone on the phone. Will life ever be the same again...?


The Motorola a630. Fits neatly in your hand.


It's like a portable PC!


And it leaves your hands free to do whatever they want. For example, fry an egg...

The book we've all been waiting for

After 4 years in the making, Uncle Phil finally came to New York to present his mother with the story of his family's life, They Are Still Alive (available at the start of '05 on Amazon.com). Fortunately, I was there to witness the event and snapped up some copies of the book for myself. Having already completed the first couple of chapters I have already learnt more about my family's history than I ever would in my entire life had this book not been written.

There is no better example of forsight than the writing of a book. Good on you Phil!


Front cover


Back cover

ECRI Xmas Party@Ruby Foo's Times Sq.

Me 


Ruxandra, Lakshman & Dimitra 


Dimitra, Ben & Jean 


Anirvan, Michelle & Rick 

My birthday, Hanukkah

From my office I went with my boss Lakshman and his wife Tracy to Shelby's apartment to celebrate the second night of Hanukkah (and acknowldege my birthday.)

It was easily the most stunning apartment I have ever had the pleasure of entering. Such a vast number of rare busts line the corridors, I was surprised not to see a No Flash Photography sign on the wall beside them.

Once Shelby lit three candles on the menorah we all sat down to enjoy a carefully prepared dinner. I was slightly shocked to discover I was sitting next to a lady who was born in St. John's Wood, not five minutes from my own home town of Edgware.

As was the custom of our kind hostess, each guest found a gift-wrapped present waiting for them at their seat. I opened my box to find two books inside:

What Every Woman Should Know About Her Husband's Money
and
The Mind of Wall Street

Towards the end of the meal, as we sat and talked about web-sites (note: the new Google is surely TEOMA -- I "teoma'd myself, my friends and found this far and away more accurate than G) the chef, a waiter and waitress burst out of the kitchen singing Happy Birthday! carrying a birthday cake complete with candle.

On the train ride home I was deciding which of the two books to begin first. I thought it would be a simple choice as I was hoping to read The Mind of Wall Street, but for some reason I was tempted by the second. For some reason I feel I have more to learn from women than men, but you guys might have something to say about that...

27th Birthday Party

My first cake at the office! (courtesy of Jean) 


Dimitra, Lak and Jean enjoying said cake 


Me, Jean, Lak and Anirvan (with Ruxandra and Ben hiding and Michelle out of shot!) 

Christmas in Sunnyside

 

 

Equinox, rude Americans

I joined Equinox today. Things are starting to come together.

It's only a matter of time before I'm at the peak of physical fitness, with the sharpest of minds to follow no doubt.

I'm not exactly sure about the difference between a steam room and a sauna, but I'm sure gonna find out!

**********************

After a satisfying workout I went to a cafe and had tossed salad with square pieces of chicken and the fattiest salad dressing, but I didn't mind. What I did mind was hearing the people working there greet customers with hey buddy. I'm just not used to that yet. Still stuck in Japan mode! (why don't they bow around here?!?)