By the time everyone reads this, I will have officially said goodbye to New York City… is how I was going to introduce the following post, in its original form.
Basically, two weeks ago today was supposed to be start of my brand new life in Toronto, Canada. And, as noted in a recent, random video game videos round up, I encountered trouble at the border, you could say.
As also noted, am not going to divulge specifics online, though I suppose it can’t hurt to mention that the most surreal moment was being escorted to my return flight by a pair of immigration officers who allowed me to blow past all the security checkpoints, by telling everyone in line to get the hell out of my way, like I was either a celeb or a detained criminal. And I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to finding the experience hilarious.
But yeah, am still in NYC, and will be until the paperwork is processed. And since today marks the final day of the first quarter of 2014 (and today was the first day in which it feels like winter is finally gone, and spring’s finally here), may as well pass along what I was originally going to share once on Canadian soil, and that’s a recap of everything that’s happened in NYC this year thus far, albeit with some updated info.
It’s worth noting that I approached 2014 with the mindset that I’d bidding my home of almost 20 years a fond farewell, and dedicated myself to tying up loose ends. Had all these plans to see folks and to visit places, but it was made complicated by the brutal winter chill that wouldn’t leave the Big Apple alone. The only thing I really accomplished was eating a sh*tload; had to have “one last bite.” of all my favorite dishes.
And to kick things off, here’s a pic of Joe on the very first night in which snow fell on NYC in ’14, making a snow angel. Literally in the middle of 3rd Ave…
Little did I nor anyone else know that it just wouldn’t stop snowing, so I found myself cooped up inside and watching Netflix, like everyone else in my building, hence why I saw the following a whole lot…
As stated above, one goal during my final stretch was to have my fill of certain delicacies that I knew I’d miss up in the Great White North. And one of the main motivations for my departure is that is practically everything I love about NYC is disappearing, bit my bit (which I will detail at length at a later point).
Like the Gray’s Papaya on 8th Street & 6th Ave; I still can’t believe a place that sold $2 hot dogs wass been kicked out in favor for a business that sells $200 juice cleanse. Anyhow, once I got wind of the shut down, I immediately made a b-line for the last remaining location, on 72nd Street & Broadway…
Also made sure to visit Menkui Tei (the one uptown, near MoMA) as much as possible, because of its curry ramen…
I made it a mission to take as many pictures of the city as possible, and that particular day after lunch, I stumbled upon a super high-end designer toyshop…
Because I was talking so many pictures, and had recently acquired an iPhone 5S (as other owners know already, the camera is amazing), and was also interested in taking my photography to the next level (plus I was getting sick of the default Instagram filters), I began using VSCOcam shortly after the new year.
Here’s my first attempt as using the app, in Times Square, while en route to check out Gravity with Joe…
Speaking of movies, another shot taken while killing time at the Anthology Film Archive, cuz I showed up to the Totally 80’s Movie Freak Out a bit on the late side…
At least I did get to catch the raging climax of White of the Eye…
Later that weekend, as highlighted in Cinema Obscura Part 2, was a viewing of Shreck. Not the CGI big budget blockbuster staring the lovable ogre, but a SOV (Shot On Video) no budget obscurity starring the ghost of a real life Nazi. And on VHS! Here’s what the box looked like…
Those who follow my posts on Attract Mode should be familiar with the combination laundromat/pinball arcade in Greenpoint that’s become a new favorite haunt of mine…
Their selection of machines is pretty boss, with Indiana Jones being perhaps my top pick…
And on that particular day, all the games were free, to celebrate the birthday of the owner’s dog…
Again, it snowed a LOT this year. The snow depicted in the very opening snapshot eventually did melt away; the following photo set are from the first legit storm to hit NYC, and the results of which would linger for many weeks. The first storm is always the prettiest…
Had to take my gloves off for this shot; I swear to God, I thought my fingers were going to freeze off…
Figured the flurry was the excuse needed to capture the Empire State Building; after living in New York for over 18 years, I guess it couldn’t hurt to finally take a picture…
No, that’s not a homeless guy, just a statue of one…
Finally got the swing by the Scott Eder Gallery, which is this comic book art gallery in DUMBO. Went with Joe & June on the final day of the Kim Deitch exhibition (had no idea June was such a big fan of his work)…
Eder himself was present, getting ready for a trip to France for a show, and was putting together a large assortment of originals from an insane number of artists. Thank goodness he was nice enough to let us be nosey…
Speaking of comic books and France, for Christmas, Dave gave me this French comic about a video game dork who sports more than a passing resemblance to me in my younger days…
Speaking of sports, the Super Bowl took place in New York this year (k, technically New Jersey). Which was a real sore point for many New Yorkers, but not me, mostly cuz it afforded me the chance to check out the Puppy Bowl…
Even went to a Super Bowl party, which I normally don’t do, mostly since I could give a rat’s ass about football. But Steve mentioned that most folks in attendance would only be there for the commercials as well. Plus his sister was going to help with the deserts, and I’m a big fan of her cooking…
Was a packed house that night. So much so that Mister T could only find a seat in the freezer…
And here we have Donkey Kong, in ice sculpture form at the Nintendo World Store, at a press event to promote the latest DK game for the Wii U. I recall the turn out being pretty poor cuz it was so damn cold that night…
Was also invited to the Lego movie premier. And, like most everyone else, I thought it was pretty swell, and this coming from a guy that kinda can’t stand CGI flicks (unless it has the words Toy and Story in the title)…
They even had tables for kids to build stuff with…
On the subject of putting things together, finally played Settlers of Catan for the first time, courtesy of Dave Mauro and Peter Kassel. Yeah, I know, I know. And what else can I say, other than it lives up to the hype…
Some shots of Chinatown, on Chinese New Years, with Joe & June…
… That place the dragon is going to pretty awesome btw (which I will be sure to include in the fort90 Guide To NYC, which is also forthcoming).
Also caught the Sochi opening ceremony with the Wax Eye crew. Which was super lame, as we all know; no Russian dolls, no Yakov Smirnoff, and no Tetris blocks (at least they addressed that last bit for the Paralympics). Even Lumi was bored…
At least I got to check out June’s medals, from the 1996 Summer Games! Back when she was a show runner for the Today Show…
Back to the mountain of food I consumed over the past three months; had lunch, and dinner, more than a few times at Go Go Curry, an old standby…
I prefer the Times Square location myself. Sure it’s often packed with pathetic animu dorks, but otherwise, the ambiance is quite nice…
Me, basically…
Time for some more sweets; here’s desert being served someplace near Dave Roman’s stomping grounds in Astoria, called Sugar Freak. That’s deep fried banana pudding, FYI…
And some homemade s’mores brownies that Colleen whipped up…
As mentioned in Cinema Obscura Part 1, on of my latest cinematic obsessions is Skatetown USA. And here we have an Instragram of Colleen Instagramming the majesty that is Patrick Swayze’s motion picture debut…
Colleen has pretty much the best tattoo of all time. Can you connect the dots and figure out what it is?
Sticking with legs is something elicited Dave to state: ”The world has officially jumped the shark”…
So yeah, went to Toy Fair, perhaps for the last time? Aside from the fact that I probably won’t be around for it next year, it’s also becoming increasingly difficult to gain admittance (though that’s entirely due to the increasing ineptness of the show’s staff). Anyhow, a quick tour, starting with some more Ashley Wood goodness…
At the ThreeA booth, they also had the gynormous Metal Gear Ray replica. At least the colors seem to match far more than their Metal Gear Rex…
Meanwhile, at Kotobukiya’s booth, you had the much smaller (and far more affordable), Rex model kit…
Not far away, at the Funko/Super7 booth, was the inspiration of Solid Snake himself, Snake Plissken…
… And that’s it for now! But we’re just getting started; to be continued in part two!
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