Stodgy Staten Island
Another week, another blog.
The weekend was a little slower this time around, although it got off to a good start on Friday. This week we were treated to an even more elaborate "Free Friday" (I'm not sure if I have neglected to mention it yet, but for those scratching their heads - "Free Friday" is the result of the company taking us out and paying for our lunch every Friday a gift we honour weekly.) after a great first quarter, the development team was treated to a day out so we left work at about 2pm and spent the rest of the day in "Teak" around the corner, however, being the work-a-holics we are the entire group returned to work at about 6; so the ping-pong tournament could begin. Unfortunately I was knocked out early, so I had to resign to tossing a football around the office (that's an American football btw). Stuffed to the seams, I waddled home.
I woke to a fairly grey Saturday morning, and wasn't sure exactly what to do but after a light brain-storming I came up with a little route I thought might prove interesting.
It began with a train to the Twin Towers. It was quite surreal to arrive slap-bang in the middle of a construction site mid-Manhattan and the whole vibe around the area is a little offbeat. I didn't know what to expect when I got there, I guess I was expecting something more...American. Loud and in-your-face. Thankfully, there is little attention drawn to the area with the entire site surrounded by a steel cage and the sentimental mementos that are dotted around the site are genuine and expressive.
The reconstructive work that they are doing in the area does look promising, although I can't help but feel that the construction of a typically American (loud and in-your-face) Freedom Tower on the site is in slightly bad taste, especially considering current world affairs. Maybe not bad taste, but there is something about it that irks me.
Anyway, moving on, I walked down toward Battery Park, although the weather wasn't great at this stage so it was hardly bustling. Here is a nice tribute to NAVY officers that have lost their lives in duty.
From here it was onto the Staten Island ferry to see what that island was all about. I didn't expect it to be quite so big and didn't fancy walking in the rain so I just caught a bus to the mall hoping that it would give me a rough idea of the area. Well, the impression I got was not an overly exciting one, I'm sure there are some interesting areas and the island is big enough to warrant a return visit when the weather picks up but the bus trip was fairly uneventful. After spending an hour or so walking around the mall I took the bus back to the point closest to Bayonne, this is what I was greeted with...
...this.
Thankfully there was a path so it was up and over, back to Bayonne. It was actually a decent enough walk and offered more thrills than my entire time in Staten Island. In fact, even the 40 block walk home was a contender for "Things that are more exciting than Staten Island". The weather did put a bit of a downer on the day, so hopefully I can do it again with refreshed vigor.
After Saturday, I didn't plan too much for Sunday in case it got much worse, but it turned out to be a pretty nice day. Without anything planned, I spent the majority of the day in the local park, walking, practicing my basketball skills and having a run around the track. Consequently shattered, I retreated home for the rest of the day to cook and clean ( Staten Island was subsequently relieved of the "most boring activity" award ).
It's memorial day next weekend so expect a delay in your regularly scheduled blog updates as I have an extra day to wow and astound (hopefully it's nice weather and we can quickly put this blog behind us).
The weekend was a little slower this time around, although it got off to a good start on Friday. This week we were treated to an even more elaborate "Free Friday" (I'm not sure if I have neglected to mention it yet, but for those scratching their heads - "Free Friday" is the result of the company taking us out and paying for our lunch every Friday a gift we honour weekly.) after a great first quarter, the development team was treated to a day out so we left work at about 2pm and spent the rest of the day in "Teak" around the corner, however, being the work-a-holics we are the entire group returned to work at about 6; so the ping-pong tournament could begin. Unfortunately I was knocked out early, so I had to resign to tossing a football around the office (that's an American football btw). Stuffed to the seams, I waddled home.
I woke to a fairly grey Saturday morning, and wasn't sure exactly what to do but after a light brain-storming I came up with a little route I thought might prove interesting.
It began with a train to the Twin Towers. It was quite surreal to arrive slap-bang in the middle of a construction site mid-Manhattan and the whole vibe around the area is a little offbeat. I didn't know what to expect when I got there, I guess I was expecting something more...American. Loud and in-your-face. Thankfully, there is little attention drawn to the area with the entire site surrounded by a steel cage and the sentimental mementos that are dotted around the site are genuine and expressive.
The reconstructive work that they are doing in the area does look promising, although I can't help but feel that the construction of a typically American (loud and in-your-face) Freedom Tower on the site is in slightly bad taste, especially considering current world affairs. Maybe not bad taste, but there is something about it that irks me.
Anyway, moving on, I walked down toward Battery Park, although the weather wasn't great at this stage so it was hardly bustling. Here is a nice tribute to NAVY officers that have lost their lives in duty.
From here it was onto the Staten Island ferry to see what that island was all about. I didn't expect it to be quite so big and didn't fancy walking in the rain so I just caught a bus to the mall hoping that it would give me a rough idea of the area. Well, the impression I got was not an overly exciting one, I'm sure there are some interesting areas and the island is big enough to warrant a return visit when the weather picks up but the bus trip was fairly uneventful. After spending an hour or so walking around the mall I took the bus back to the point closest to Bayonne, this is what I was greeted with...
...this.
Thankfully there was a path so it was up and over, back to Bayonne. It was actually a decent enough walk and offered more thrills than my entire time in Staten Island. In fact, even the 40 block walk home was a contender for "Things that are more exciting than Staten Island". The weather did put a bit of a downer on the day, so hopefully I can do it again with refreshed vigor.
After Saturday, I didn't plan too much for Sunday in case it got much worse, but it turned out to be a pretty nice day. Without anything planned, I spent the majority of the day in the local park, walking, practicing my basketball skills and having a run around the track. Consequently shattered, I retreated home for the rest of the day to cook and clean ( Staten Island was subsequently relieved of the "most boring activity" award ).
It's memorial day next weekend so expect a delay in your regularly scheduled blog updates as I have an extra day to wow and astound (hopefully it's nice weather and we can quickly put this blog behind us).
posted by Andy at 04:20
12 Comments:
Good to see that even in NY there can be quiet days! Impressed by how well you and G have managed to improve the company results in only a few weeks: keep up the good work! I hope they realise that Tomorrow is R -4 M so they had better make the most of this limited opportunity!!!
Your experience of Staten Island appears to be on a par with the lads (John.Seamus & Brendan)'s experience of Kansas!! Does the slap up lunch on Friday keep you going for the weekend as little talk of cooking?!
Cleaning and cooking after cosmopolitan contemplation. From Statten to scrubbing. Lucking out on the table tennis was an indication of how your weekend was to go. But despite the grey from all directions, still some nice pics thrown in there! Keep the chin up, chest out, belt fastened, put on a purple hat and best foot forward.
OK John, you have me anyway - "Tomorrow is R -4 M" ?? Raining, minus 4 degrees, moderate?
Ah - now I just copped on "Return minus 4 months" ... and counting .... counting by John anyway!!
Andrew - give it a helluva -4 M !!
Well done Seamus. I though that might have had the group puzzling for a wee while. Only took you 2 hours very good. Like the man says Andrew : give it one hell of a 4m -Go for it!!
So cooking and cleaning is boring is it? doesn't have the same company "bonus"! I should have established a "free" Friday for myself....ye....I'd rather do Statten Island as well!
In London at the weekend and after the great dollar rate of exchange I found the sterling rate hard to cope with. Thought I was leaking money!
Great photos.
Wow, I came for a quick check for comments before leaving work and I find you all having a bang-up little conference in my blog! Good stuff.
"R -4 M", that one had me alright, is it time for the Diffeney's (spelling?) quiz already? Although it's not quite 4 months until tomorrow.
Yeah, I heard about your escapade to the UK during the weekend, another quilting adventure I hear. Careful you don't do yourself an injury.
Signed on for this weeks update and there was nothing.....remembered about the Bank Holiday....am having withdrawal symptoms. Hope you realise this will have to be completed when you come home as well - can't disappoint the loyal fans!
Remembered the BH...logged on Tuesday. Nothing. Hello?????? No pressure though!!!!!!!!
Eh ..... hello ... hello .... Was that a Bank Holiday Monday-and-Tuesday? .... Maybe this is a work table-tennis thing - Bank Holiday means a BIG rest to allow some serious table tennis when work resumes ... No doubt all will be made clear. And what do I have to do to get a capital S around here?!
Wakey wakey Andrew - did anyone ever get him that alarm clock? .....and Seamus (or rather seamus) - no one gets a capital - its meant to be cool and friendly!
Oh it's coming....
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