Tag: peanuts

Good Grief, Google: How AI Saved My NYC Birthday Walk

A few days ago, I celebrated my birthday. I am not into them. To me, it’s just another day. But I do try to do fun things on that day. I started at the Intrepid and spent over three hours there. I took tons of photos on the carrier’s flight deck. I wish Maverick were there. Stay tuned for my AI photography post. It’s gonna land soon. 

USS Intrepid

After I left the Intrepid, I headed down to the Meatpacking District to see the “Snoopy in Style” exhibit on Little West 12thStreet. My family loves the Peanuts. They say I resemble Charlie Brown. One day I hope to hit that homer or strike out the batter. I am fine with my shortstop using his supper dish for his glove.The Village’s geography is chaotic and how its streets are cut off from each other, is interesting. 

I asked Google for directions for the exhibit. Typical of a traditional Google, or any other search engine for that matter, it directed me to many links. Some useful. Some useless. It told me which train or bus to take. Or what streets to walk. Bear in mind I was about 5 minutes away. I told the search engine my exact location.

Snoopy in Style

I switched to an AI search. I was quite direct. I said I was in front of the Gucci store on West 14th Street. It said I was less than two minutes away and told me exactly what to do. For kicks, I tried it again one block later. This time I said I was in front of Sephora on West 13th Street. AI told me I was about 30 seconds away. All I had to do was make a right on the next block, onto Little West 12th Street, and the Peanuts exhibit would be a few doors down. 

It was. The line was around the corner. It was closing in less than an hour. So, I went over to City Winery. I plan to try again to see the exhibit.

AI was so direct. I was always taught to explain something like you are explaining it to your grandmother, who might need more direct instructions, rather than being directed to too many options. I was very pleased that it spoke to me as a person who needs a little help and coached me along.

Yankee Stadium and Tradition

 

What Happens as You Get Older and Things Cause You to Update?

Yankee Stadium

I follow a lot of traditions. Most are the ones I created myself. I created the first ones at the original Yankee Stadium, when I was 7. I have kept them wholeheartedly. I am very strict. But what happens when things in your life change? Do you keep the tradition, or do you update it to fit your needs? 

Yankee Stadium

So here it is. When I exit the 4 subway station, I go down the same flight of stairs and use only one of two turnstiles to exit. I alternate turnstiles at each game. Yes, I remember from the previous one. These days I walk through the park where the original stadium was situated.

Monument Park

Once I am in the Stadium there is much work to do. Before the first inning ends, I must eat a hot dog with mustard, a potato product, and finish a Pepsi. As for the potato product, a knish ranks at the top. But chips or fries will do. Not every stand sells knishes. That’s a shame.  The kosher ones do. They are delicious. In the fifth inning, you need to eat peanuts. I never finish the bag. I have a bunch at the top and bottom of the fifth. I bring the bag home and finish. Often, I hand it to one of the people experiencing homelessness outside the stadium. 

Current Stadium and Park Where the Old One Lived

Any flavor of ice cream is required in the sixth inning. It can be in a Yankee helmet cup, cone, regular cup, or an ice cream sandwich.  Not enough vendors sell ice cream. The lines at the ones that do are too long. I usually go in the middle of the fifth to make sure I have it by the sixth. As for the brand, I am hoping for Good Humor, Mrs. Fields, or Häagen-Dazs. I will not get Ben & Jerry’s. That ice cream is disgusting. You are better off skipping it, and speaking of skipping it. Sometimes you must. It is not unusual for the machines to break down or they run out. That’s not my fault.

Babe Ruth Plaza

Once the 7th inning starts, I can eat or drink whatever I want. They no longer sell beer after the 7th inning. Once, I had one in the 7th. I went with my cousins, and they bought me one for that inning. Anyway, the beer in Stan’s across the street from the real House that Ruth built is cheaper, and they have a better selection. Plus, Stan’s is like Cheers.

Over the last decade, probably longer, I have had less and less soda. It is not good for you because of the sugar, and it can irritate your bladder. As someone who has had four kidney stones, I am careful. Soda is at the top of the list of no-nos. Spinach is up there. But I have never seen it at the Stadium. I do miss both. 

So, what to do? I buy the Pepsi and take a sip or two, and somehow it falls and spills on me. Or spills into the sink in the bathroom. I am too clean to let it spill on the floor in the stands. Sadly, too many people do. Water is the best thing to drink for bladder health. Heck, we all know it is the healthiest thing to drink. I have added water to my beverage mix. I sometimes drink it before the 7th inning. I do not want to dehydrate. I do not wish to overhydrate. I have had that problem.

So, as long as I follow as closely as possible, with minor medical adjustments, I believe I am staying within my traditions. By the way, when the game is over, I exit via a certain stairway and try to enter the 4 subway station through a specific entrance. However, I am not beholden to that.