Tag: milan

Anat and Dan Return to the US

Aside from the incident during dinner at La Maggiore, Anat and Dan had an amazing time. They have been home for two days. Both took the day after they landed to chill. Anat sent their laundry out, and they unpacked all the new clothes and jewelry they’d purchased. Dan got some things for his parents. Anat was a little upset she couldn’t do that. But at this stage in her life, she knew the deal and carried on.

Lake Maggiore

A bruised Christy A. was still causing trouble throughout the city. She barely recovered from the beatdown she took a few weeks ago. Rumor had it, Jay was still in bad shape. She could move as fast as she normally did. Christy figured her speed would return in due time. But it was taking too long. Impatient she is. 

Anat actually had to go into her office. She had meetings that needed to be in person. She was not pleased. But she was thrilled to be wearing her new Zegna dress with shoes from Ferragamo. She walked down to her office and heard people screaming. She figured the city’s usual nuts were going wild. She kept heading toward her office on Park Avenue. 

The screaming was getting louder. She heard everything over her AirPods, which were playing Lebanon Hanover and Strawberry Switchblade. She stopped and took a look around. She saw Christy limping away. She also saw some people on the ground and lots of stale bread. 

Anat had no interest in a fight. She walked to the front door of her building and smiled at the security guard. He waved. Christy was a few feet behind her. Her arms shook. Anat turned away from her office building and headed toward Dunkin, which was where Christy was outside sipping coffee. Anat fired some raisins and prunes at Christy. A few landed in her coffee, which wound up splashing Christy in the face. She dropped her coffee cup and rubbed her cheeks. Anat just stared at her.

Christy started yelling. She fell to the ground. Anat laughed, walked back to her building, and went to work.

New York, New York, or the Middle of the Desert

You can be Isolated and in the Midst of It All –  Get the Balance Right

By Mitchell Slepian

World’s Fair Globe, Flushing Meadows–Corona Park

No, I am not writing about Ol’ Blue Eyes. Or quoting from Depeche Mode. (But I do want to hear his version of “New York, New York” played after every game at Yankee Stadium during 2026). The Big Apple is one of the world’s most photogenic cities. Yes, there are plenty of others, for example, Belfast, Jerusalem, Moscow, Milan,  Reykjavik and Tel Aviv. What I love about New York City is that nowhere else can you find Broadway, the Brooklyn Bridge, Coney Island, the East and Hudson Rivers, the Staten Island Ferry, Yankee Stadium, and the World’s Fair Globe. And more. Much more.

Cell Tower Outside Brooklyn Botanic Garden

New York offers places where you can feel the big-city madness. Or areas where you can feel the quiet and almost feel isolation. When I say isolation, I do not mean the Joy Division tune. I am thinking about being at the Brooklyn (BBG) or New York Botanic Gardens, William H. Pouch Scout Camp, or just being in your own world while cruising along Museum Mile.  NYC offers isolation and madness.

The Vessel at Hudson Yards

The joy of being in the “isolation”(Joy Division was running through my head) of NYC, or let’s be honest, any other major city, is the things that pop up on your travels. As I was walking through the Fall Harbor Fest at BBG, I looked up and saw a cell tower.  A few feet away, I watched a squirrel around some dying flowers. It’s that time of year. Next to the flowers was a trash can. I remember seeing cell towers driving through Death Valley and along the Italian lakes.

Let’s face they are everywhere. We cannot survive without our Wi-Fi. In many ways, seeing them and the trash cans keeps it in perspective. You can enjoy your isolation or privacy. But know you are when you are in the middle of beautiful gardens or national parks and communing with nature, you can easily text your friends, check the baseball scores, or listen to Depeche Mode on Apple Music on your iPhone. And toss out your trash. NYC provides the perfect place to do it all. It’s just important to remember to stay balanced in your adventures and take it all in. 

The Drop on the Cyclone, Luna Park, Brooklyn, NY