Monday, August 16, 2010

Week. End.

I feel like I am living for weekends these days. I find myself looking more and more forward to Fridays, making this a particularly painful topic for a Monday. Fortunately, that's mostly a reflection on the great weekends we've been enjoying lately and not necessarily the daily grind of the weekdays.

We made a daytrip to Fire Island with the Smiths and Cromars. And while the summer cold made for an achy bod and a confusing exchange with a waitress, it was not enough to put a damper on beach time with a few of our favorites. In moving out here, I never really thought of the city in terms of nearby beaches. But yes, as a matter of fact, we are near the water. How's that for weekend recreation and also an explanation of early colonization of the area?
The next weekend, Wheelers indulged us by joining in on our free/last-minute (typical.) plans - a Friday night showing of BIG at the Hudson River Park. I have two very salient memories from watching that movie as a kid - the trampoline in the loft and the scene where he cries himself to sleep at the seedy hotel in the theater district. In fact, if you're one of the people I've spoken with lately about NYC's dramatic transformation in the last few decades, this is usually the scene I'm picturing when I discuss the NYC in the '80s. What evidently did NOT stick from my childhood viewing of BIG was the love scene and story - i.e. a major point of the plot. A majorly awkward point of the plot.

We also took a trip up to the Bronx for an afternoon at the zoo with Hydes and Arnetts. We appreciated Arnetts' little guy for lending a little credibility to our cause by bringing down the mean age of the group.
And this weekend, we were delighted with a surprise visit from the Morrises. Ashlee and I were roommates during the DC chapter, and she and her husband Nate are still there tearin' up that town. We enjoyed lots of great conversation, statistically-improbable stories about Nate's lineage, no-strings-attached free bowling and the best Indian cuisine we've had in the city.
Back up. Free bowling? Why, yes. We were perusing a street fair in the Village when a giant bowling pin approached bearing free bowling tickets. No strings attached. I know what you're thinking... "but Allison, where they really get you is the shoes." No. Also free. Nearly the perfect diversion for four wanders, except that -- hitch -- all of us were in sandaled feet. No socks and bowling shoes? Pass. But leave it to the street fair to solve all our problems with the socks and underwear booth.

$2 and three pairs of ankle socks later (that's all I had in cash, and that socks salesman drives a hard bargain. Noah just ended up bowling in his street shoes.), we were bowlers. We bowled.
We didn't realize we had a ringer in our midst until Nate divulged his deepest, darkest secret: South Carolina state CHAMPION in doubles bowling. With his grandfather. That is the swagger of a man who knows his way 'round the alley.
Which is why Noah earned some serious bragging rights when he came out victorious. That is the stance of a man who beats the South Carolina state champion in doubles bowling.
It did get me thinking... Nate, was grandpa the weaker link? If so, no disrespect to grandpa, but you and Noah could pair up and really show SC a thing or two. Just sayin'.

10 comments:

koryn said...

I am breathless from reading about your super weekends. Can I come next time? As per the socks, did you get any free underwear in the bargain? It could have come in useful, somehow.

Oh I miss the zoo! It was great in NE to pretend that I was the best mom who always took her kids to the zoo for the KIDS! Really, it was for me, each and every time. I can get happily lost at the zoo, even without kids for an excuse.

Looking forward to your next installment.

Nicole said...

I think you might be the coolest person I know. One day you need to tell me all the differences between NYC now and NYC in the 1980s. I'm really so creeped out by the love story in BIG. I'm glad someone said it...

De Rosa said...

I am so jealous, the bronz zoo is my fav! It looks like you guys are always up to something fun! Wish we lived close so we could do tons of fun stuff with you guys. One day we will be in NY and then we will. And by the way could you email your address yo me we have something to send you. hbderosa@gmail.com thaks much!

melissa said...

I love your swimsuit! And I love that your friend was the SC state bowling chamion. What in the WORLD?

Jordan and Candice said...

Oh how we loved our evening of BIG with you. And, yes, the love story is incredibly awkward. I like to think I love the 80's. I dream of ratted hair and brightly-colored spandex but it was a weird time.

{Frances} said...

Love the pictures from the zoo :) Glad we could get through half of it with you guys!

Frances
dannyandfrances.blogspot.com

Claire said...

What a glorious Arch!!! Makes me miss that city! Sounds like lots of fun. It's hard to be present during the week when fun awaits on the weekend... HAPPY FRIDAY!

Alisa and Crowells said...

Good times! I do have a question--was the water REALLY warm enough to dive into? I never jumped in the water up in Boston--dipped my toes in, but that was it. Glad your weekend was a hit!

The Sugar Loaf said...

You two are so cute. What great memories you will have of NYC. Beaches, oh they look so clean and white. We have beaches-dark and garbage. But since we can't swim anyway, I guess it is all right.
I cannot get emails to come to either of you. They keep coming back. Will you both email me so I can check. Thanks.
Love you both. Enjoy the time together, traveling, working, eating, visiting friends, family, and happiness.

Whitney said...

look at you and your cute hat...