"Kriss Kross will make you Shump, Shump..."

Only 5 days since my last post, but so much to report (when I wrote this anyway - sorry for posting it late!). 

It’s amazing, the weeks leading up to Jodie’s visit were unbelievably insane from a work and a study perspective, but through luck and not good planning at all, it turned out that the time of Jodie’s visit was uncannily perfect from both a work and study perspective.  On top of this, from a personal perspective, it was just what the doctor ordered… being locked up in my house for another weekend was definitely not going to help my sanity.

So, last time I wrote in I was on the back of a Broadway appearance (just in case you forgot…).  I’m still waiting for my encore, I’m sure it will be coming soon.  Anyway, that was Tuesday night.  Wednesday night was then my first visit to Madison Square Garden.  Firstly, in all my exploring and walking very close and I think even past the venue, I never knew where it was or what it looked like.  I mean it’s a giant stadium in the middle of NYC, surely you can’t miss it.  And with a name ending in Garden, clearly it was surrounded by a park.  Well, no it is not a park and when you pass it from 8^th avenue the front of it looks like a building.  On the other hand, from behind, it is clearly a stadium as I found out on Friday of that week.  Anyway, so the stadium is pretty much like Rod Laver.  We went there to go see a NY Nicks Basketball Match.  So much fun!  That team sure knows how to put on a show – the entertainment from the cheerleaders, to half time activities, to chants through the game, to may favourite – singing “Shump Shump” to the tune of Kriss Krosses 1992 song “Jump, Jump” every time Shumpert scored.  Luckily, old ‘Shump’  was having a high scoring match which kept me singing all night.  We dressed head to toe Nicks – hat, tshirt ... and of course had to enjoy a giant cup of beer...

and we even had matching shoes ….

Going with my theory from the Superbowl, I am now convinced I am good luck for NY.  Firstly, the Giants were playing pretty ordinarily until I turned up and then ended up winning the Superbowl, then came the Nicks who were also playing pretty ordinarily and are now on a winning streak.  Originally, it was thought it was due to little unknown Jeremy Lim, who went from complete notoriety to stardom in a matter of weeks – he was even put on Sports Illustrated two weeks in a row, the first NYer in history and only achieved by the likes of Michael Jordan – but Lim, otherwise known as Lim-mania, was out this week with a knee injury and the Nicks still managed a stellar win.  See, Lim has nothing to do with it, more like Mush-mania!  

So, Thursday I dragged myself out of bed (on the back of a week since Jodie arrived that I was averaging only 5-6 hours a night sleep – I’m usually an 8 hourer…) for my last day of the week of work.  It was crazily busy, but motivated by a weekend away, I soldiered through and got myself home ready for a weekend in the Hamptons!  Originally, Jodie and I were planning on driving up to Niagra Falls on the Canadian Border, but I discovered it was a 8-9 hour drive, and given I haven’t driven a car since leaving Australia we didn’t think it was a good idea for such a venture.  So, in brainstorming new ideas, we thought where else can we go outside of NYC… of course, the Hamptons!  So, through some internet hunting we found the little town of Montauk ‘the end of the Hamptons’, and actually the end of Long Island.  The train went from NYC down to Montauk and we found a horse trail ride place in the same town.  Jodie is a horse rider from way back, and me well, let’s say I’m not, but I’m always up for an adventure.   This ranch is the oldest operating ranch in the US!  The trails we rode on were the same that Teddy Roosevelt rode on in the late 19^th century when he used to live in a place close by.  The day was beautiful, the sun was shining and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.  We went through a mix of the woods and the beach, and we learnt some history along the way.  This trail ride was the first time I rode on a Western Saddle (although not a rider from way back, I have ridden maybe a handful of times) .  This was a different experience.  The first time we broke into a trot, I was bouncing around like Tigger, and given the fact that the saddle is also quite a bit harder than the English style saddles – let’s just say I am still somewhat sore!  Youch!

So we arrive at the motel, somewhat dodgy and not quite what we were expecting of the Hamptons, but who cares.  I feel like I am in a sleepy beach side resort, much smaller than Torquay, a little bit bigger than Golden Beach (if you haven’t heard of it, there’s a reason).  Anyway, there were a couple of stores and a few bars that we visited to enjoy dinner and an attempt at a boogy (here was one of the locals we met - he couldn't take his eyes off us!)...





This guy was hanging out in a bar, which is apparently the bar that the one in Revenge is modeled from (never watched the show myself, but it seems everyone in Australia has).


Apparently, the town is fully chaotic come summer when the tourists come in flocks, but this weekend was their first weekend opening just some of the stores and restaurant after winter - its amazing that people can live out there year round.

We wake up on Sunday morning to a horrible, drizzly and cold day.  We pack up and make our way into the main street to a good old fashioned diner "John's" (along with every other resident in town) for some pancakes – these rocked!

The weather not being so kind....

.... we high-tailed ourselves out of town and caught the bus back to NYC. Where the train went on the outskirts, the bus took us through the main street of all the towns on the way to Montauk – I’m talking South Hampton, East Hampton, Bridgehampton etc. etc.  Well, these towns are unbelievable and this is what I expected the Hamptons to look like.  Main streets lined with Tiffanys, Ralf Lauren, BMWs, Porsches etc. etc.  The houses and the properties they're on were extraordinary - think Portsea on steroids.


We arrive back in NYC and not missing a final opportunity to shop, we dumped our bags in my office and set off down 5th Avenue.  Finally, I ticked a NY experience off the list - a play on the giant piano.  After watching from the sidelines a number of times, this time I jumped right on.  I was useless, but who cares.

Well, now it is time for me to catch up on sleep...