Normally, this is one of the nights where I go to the gym or as I (and Homer Simpson) like to call it "Jimming" or "Jiming".
Things were fairly normal there, except for some random and multiple stares. I cannot be sure what they were looking at, but perhaps they were just enjoying the 'Stache. This was after a synergistic moment with an oncoming West Side bicyclist, on the way there. The way back was a little more interesting. Arriving at the corner of 16th and 10th, were several people just hanging around.
You may all remember this corner as the one I was almost wearing Mario Batali and his Vespa.
A 9/11 event. By people, I mean 6 uniformed officers, 2 squad cars and what looked like two members of Del Posto's staff, just hanging around. Arriving at the corner, I notice the two staff members are handcuffed and about to bo taken away.
What was their crime you ask? "I have no clue", I respond. I didn't stick around to find out. Normally I wouldn't have noticed and just walked by, however, there were groups of people on each corner, staring in my direction. I quickly cross the street and attempt to go into Chelsea Market from the 10th Ave. side.
View Larger MapAt the door I get stopped by a haughty security guard. "Where are you going?", he asks me.
I reply that I work there and I flash him my id. He stares at it for a few seconds, returns it to me and in a much more civil voice replies, "Okay. Go ahead." When walking into the market there is another set of doors. I notice to my left, Morimoto and Guy Fieri.
Apparently this is a Food Network sponsored event :
Food Network/New York City Wine & Food Festival'08.
Neither of these guys are a surprise. You can see them just about any day of the week. Guy has even made an appearance in my cube. Thankfully his trademark shades were missing and he was wearing a tux instead. I thought the shades were selective surgery, as he never seems to be without them.
Walking up the ramp, I reach a velvet rope. At this velvet rope is yet another security guard. This one is more friendly than the first. We go through the same procedure (showing id) and exchange a few lines of chit-chat. I'm in, though I wasn't planning to be and it doesn't appear to be my scene. There are many people, kiosks/stations everywhere and alcohol. What I notice little of is any actual food. I guess food costs money. It's not as cheap as alcohol (which apparently can be given away). I also notice some co-workers, but I choose to let them be. They look busy. I exchange my stuff and exit stage left. Thankfully, tomorrow is Friday.
I sighted the surprisingly tall actress/comedian walking through Chelsea Market. We exchanged glances and she scurried away.
They were not on my flight yesterday and yet, here they are following me, it would seem. Coincidence? We'll see...
An unarmed Mario Cantone was walking right past the front of Chelsea Market today, with a male friend, as we stood around and socialized over Starbuck's iced coffees.
This is an interesting coincidence since I attempted to watch his HBO special last night, "You're Welcome, America. A Final Night With George W. Bush". I am not a fan of his work. With rare exception, I do not relate to his brand of humor. I'd rather see the 3 Stooges throw some pies or get my wisdom teeth removed while under general anesthesia, than watch Will perform. I will give people the chance to impress me, so I tuned in. Nothing else was on. I was not able to last more than 10 minutes before I changed the channel. His one-man-show is simply an hour long impersonation of the 43rd former president. I find it hard to believe this show sold out, but at the same time I am not surprised. His movies generally do very well commercially. I guess I am just missing that gene/organ that is the origin of American humor. Maybe with the lifting of the ban on stem cell research, I am one day closer to the miracle of understanding that humor. Someday.... someday.
Walking up the ramp, I reach a velvet rope. At this velvet rope is yet another security guard. This one is more friendly than the first. We go through the same procedure (showing id) and exchange a few lines of chit-chat. I'm in, though I wasn't planning to be and it doesn't appear to be my scene. There are many people, kiosks/stations everywhere and alcohol. What I notice little of is any actual food. I guess food costs money. It's not as cheap as alcohol (which apparently can be given away). I also notice some co-workers, but I choose to let them be. They look busy. I exchange my stuff and exit stage left. Thankfully, tomorrow is Friday.
