On the Road: The Met
Whoa, I had that footed bowl once, too. Wonder what I did with it?
So today we went back to the cafe where Krissie had the tentacles and had a marvelous breakfast, only to realize that we were finishing at eleven and we all had lunch dates at noon. As Krissie said, “Whoops.” So Lani went off to have a great time with her agent, and Krissie and I were late to meet Dale at the Met. (You remember Dale, the woman who got her fake gold tooth and her accordian late at night and met her son to film the obscene video.) Big surprise when we got there: John Saul and Mike Sack were with her (the collaborative team behind the John Saul novels) and since these are two of the guys I love most in the world, we had a huge reunion in the lobby of the Met, hugging over the velvet ropes while security searched my bag. Then we had lunch in the cafeteria and gossiped and laughed and gossiped again and I made Dale tell the story where she slept with the famous person again which is great but which Saul and Sack and Krissie hadn’t heard before. We were raucous, but we were in the cafeteria so we didn’t get thrown out.
Then Saul and Sack left to catch a plane and the three of us went up to the Mesopotamian exhibit and had a near-religious-experience looking at the bas reliefs which are so beautiful and which are a huge part of Dogs and Goddesses. And we looked at the cylinder seals–which Lani and I are both bananas about–and the jewelry which we all were bananas about, and then Dale left to go work on her class notes and Krissie and I went to see the Japanese exhibit because she’s Krissie. Lani came in late because she forgot about us, and we went back to the Mesopotamian exhibit so she could see the cylinder seals and were amazed all over again, and then went to Krissie’s favorite place in the museum, the gift store. I bought a children’s book on Mesopotamia (research tip: always start with kid’s books to get the overview, then move on to the heavier stuff) a children’s book on archeology, and the pop-up book of warriors which will probably end up with a friend of mine. Ninjas and mongols and knights, oh my. And a scarf for my mother. And jewelry. It was good.
Then we cabbed it to Pizza Fresca where I was met Jen, and the food and service were fabulous. Jen brought Matthew and Anne Marie (you remember Anne Marie from “Frenching Anne Marie,” right?) and they brought me a copy of Agnes and the Hitman hot off the press and it’s an AMAZING package, just the best book cover I’ve ever had. And then we laughed really loud and ate pizza and laughed some more. When dinner was done, Lani and Krissie and I cabbed it back to the Village, bought junk food, and hunkered down until we’d blocked out Act Two of D&G in post-it notes on the kitchen cabinets. At two AM, Krissie said, “We got a lot done here. We should go shopping tomorrow.” Of course, we also have to block out Act Four tomorrow (Act Three we may punt until October), but the Hello Kitty store, the store that sells Clairefontaine paper, and the Japanese store call.
So we did a lot of different things, all career-related, and it was one of the happiest days of my life, good conversation with wonderful people and lots of laughing. And the weather was beautiful. And my feet hurt, but hey, well worth it.
Tomorrow: It can’t possibly stay this good.
What a fun post! I love to hear about people being happy.
I am so glad to hear that you are happy. Everyone who is happy is increasing the world’s supply of happy, and that is a good thing.
Sounds wonderful. Expensive and wonderful.
That’s a good tip about the research, too. Thanks.
Oooh I love Clairefontaine stationery! When I lived in Paris I taught English at their office, and the only room big enough for my class was their showroom. It was SO hard to concentrate, all those lovely notebooks…
Serendipitous. That’s what I call those sorts of days.
Those sorts of days, with lots of laughter, are good for the soul.
It will stay that good babe - pink bubble and white light!
This was a wonderful post not only because the goddesses are happy and having fun, but because it gives me inspiration to keep trying with my writing so I can have a New York day someday. Thank you.
Good days with goods friends and good food - Magic! Thanks for sharing your experiences. Sounds like a really amazing day. (A much better road trip pizza experience this year. Yeah.)
Kids books are always a good place to start researching new projects.
Congratulations on the Agnes. I’m sure it is a really amazing book and I’m glad the packaging matches.
Happy Shopping.
D&G sounds like way too much fun. I really hope it gets published. I have no doubt that if you finish writing it, they will print it.
So what kind and how much chocolate will you need to slip me an advanced copy of AATHM? And what do I need to send to Bob? I can’t wait.
Oh! Clairefontaine paper! I’m a fan. So, incidentally, is Susan Wiggs. Whoda thunk it.
Also: is the cafeteria at the Met not the most fabulous place to have lunch? All airy and gorgeous and sculpturey and stained-glass-y. Sigh. I heart NYC.
At this rate, you guys will have produced enough vicarious fun to get me through the kitchen redo. And that’s a very good thing. Yesterday I was being very snarky with the contractors and shocking them all. Heh. I’d been sooo sweet and agreeable about almost everything up to that point. Maybe now I can chill again.
Sounds like one of those magical NYC days. I’m so happy that you all had a good time. I’m also pleased that my tax dollars may, in some small part, help to increase the likelihood of a D&G publication.
Clairfontaine paper just makes writing more fun! I’m convinced of it. I found a catalog that sold it and made my office buy it for me, then I would just sit and look at it and run my fingers over it. The paper was too nice to write work-stuff on it!! It needs nice things written on it so maybe I’ll dig out one of those books and let my mind wander this weekend.
enjoy your shopping.
I totally agree about the kids books when researching for an exhibit step one is kids books, step two is a good encyclopedia, then step three is the serious stuff- it’s the only way to start from no knowledge to acting like you know what you’re talking about- especially since I want folks leaving having at least a kids book level of knowledge on the subject.
I have never been to NYC but it sounds like a source of great fun. Like Pam said it makes one want to finish the WIP and polish it well so that one day we may have Jenny’s NYC experience. A laughing day…what a delight. I hope you have many more. You have certainly earned it.
I’ve enjoyed hearing about your adventures in Manhattan this week. I love reading your novels and blog and must admit that I almost played hooky from work yesterday so I could hang out at the Met in the hope of bumping into you. Not that I would have said anything. Wow, that makes me sound like a stalker, and I’m so NOT a stalker. It’d just be fun to be a fly on the wall sometimes.
If you have an unplanned meal on your itinerary and want to break away from the tentacle menu, I wanted to throw the Brooklyn Diner out there as an option. It’s my favorite restaurant in the city and I take all visitors there. They serve the best mac & cheese on the planet. Lots of butter, black forest ham, just yummy and rich. Their malts are also delicious and I’ve not found any to compare. I think their secret is Haagen Dazs straight up, whole milk, heavy cream, everything rich and delicious. Their menu isn’t for the paranoid calorie counters (I’m not one of those myself), as they’d likely break the bank in one meal, but it’s so worth it. Other great offerings include burgers, chicken salad, a french dip style sandwich, and more. Their cheesecake is fantastic too, but I never have room.
They’re on W. 57th between 7th & 8th Aves on the south side of the street. Oh, and there are little plaques at each table with names of famous people who have eaten there. Lee’s Art Supply just west of there is great too if you like artsy sorts of things. I buy all sorts of paper goods in there that I absolutely don’t need but have to have. I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay and have more of those best days ever here.
Kids books are also excellent for language learning, especially if you’re an adult. /;+))) More fun and more real world I guess is what I mean.
I love NYC. I wish I could go there more often.
Sounds like you had a wonderful time. That’s good. You deserve it.
I’m glad you had a great time. What’s not to like about NYC, eh? I try to get there at least once a year but it’s never enough.
Don’t forget your woolies for the trip downunder. Mum says it’s one of the coldest winters they’ve had in a long time. I’m heading over in a couple of days. I’d report back but I’ll be “out the back of beyond” and probably won’t have internet. *grin* I’m sure the ladies organizing the event will keep you posted. I’m looking forward to your workshop in Sydney.
Hey Roben - email me your mobile number and call me when you get here. Yes, winter’s been cold but the last week has been really nice so hopefully we’ll have textbook Aussie winter days and if you dont get it in Sydney then you’ll definitely get it up here in Bris-Vegas.
Only eight more sleeps.
Just an off-topic hint: the Moot stamp is a definite requirement for book signings being attended by CBs, at least in the continental US. Don’t know about Down Under.
Or is there going to be a Cerise stamp this time?
Oh yes ZaZa. I have a copy of DLD and I definitely want a Moot stamp on it. Can you squeeze that into your luggage Jenny?
Bob has custody of the Moot stamp. And Moot. Since Moot has gone missing, do not hold out hope for the stamp.
Wow. Thank you for sharing. Powerful.
I think the CBs may have a Cerise stamp covered. They’re searching, anyway.