Why did you become a Local Expert?
I became a local expert for two distinct reasons. The first reason is to share some of the knowledge acquired by being in the NJ / NYC area for many years, the second reason is to give my family and me more of a motivation to check out local attractions.

What are the best and worst things about living in New York?
The best thing is that you could literally drive somewhere different every weekend for the rest of your life and never be in the same place twice. The worst is the high cost of living and / or staying in the area.

What are the top five or 10 things for travelers to do in New York?
NYC:
1) Top of the Empire State Building or Top Of The Rock
2) See a Broadway Show
3) Visit the Bronx Zoo
4) Stroll in Central Park
5) Go to the Museum of Modern Art

New York State:
1) Niagara Falls
2) Finger Lakes Region
3) Hudson Valley
4) Hike the Adirondacks
5) Dive the New York State Seaway Trail

New Jersey:
1) Take a ferry to the Statue of Liberty
2) Canoeing in Delaware River
3) Drive to Atlantic City
4) Visit the Jersey Shore
5) Visit historic Morristown

What are some of your best and worst travel experiences?

The best is being able to introduce my kids to friends and family overseas and watch them as they experience new adventures and expand their minds.
The worst – entertaining a 3 year old on a 12 and a half hour flight.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

Living a good, productive and honest life.

Where are you planning on traveling in the future?

We are not planning any “long range” traveling until our son (who is currently 1) will be a bit older. Meanwhile we have several plans for local traveling such as Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Virginia and Washington DC.

What do you do with most of your time (hobbies, work, whatever)?
I rest 40 hours a week as a software engineer and then go home. I have been collecting Superman related items for many years, recently started to get interested in woodworking and writing an opinion column for the on-line edition of a state wide newspaper.

What's a typical day like for you?
Get up at around 5:30 – 6:00 in the morning with my son, go to work and come home. Then I start my day.

What's your favourite TravelPod blog post?
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog/laorfamily/daytrips/tpod.html?tweb_UID=laorfamily&tweb_token=2461051551448356613

If you've got questions about New York or New Jersey, just ask Zohar in the TravelPod travel forums!

See you there,

Louise Brown

TravelPod Community Manager

I'm climbing up on my soap box (climbing because I'm only 5' 2" of course~ROFL)
I was born in 1970 and I remember the "gas crisis" of th mid-late 70's. I remember waiting in line for gas at the filling station with my Mom for an hour or more. I recently discovered that was because there was not only a gas shortage but there was a buying cap on gasoline. Not only was it in high demand and short supply, but there were restrictions placed on how much you could buy in one purchase.

I am just thinking out loud here so bear with me but...*maybe...just maybe* we should think about doing that right now instead of drilling in pristine national lands? ~drilling for oil seems to be an irreversible invasion on ancient lands that are virtually untouched by humans, that is a natural resourse we can never get back...and for what? our own selfish consumerism? our own short sighted need for fulfilling our wants right now? (Notice I didn't say say fulfilling our *NEEDS*??)

Instead of walking or riding our bikes, we just keep filling up our Escalades and Hummers and driving down to the mini mall to pick up a tropical fruit smoothie (probably made with fruits grown in some south american country where they pay their laborers less in a month than we pay for a starbucks latte).

We need to start taking care of our OWN here at home, we need to be patronizing businesses that are American owned, American run, American made products. The depressing truth of it all is in reality, America is for sale, I recently read that the Empire State Building in New York was sold for an incredible amount of money...but here's the catch...a middle eastern company is the new owner...another American icon, owned by a foreign investor group!

will we truly sell out *ALL WE CHERISH* for the all-mighty dollar?

In my world, as an indie designer for children's clothing/accessories, I see such a dichotomy of consumer habits. Some people cherish buying a handmade item and others turn their nose up at it, as if the only ones capable of quality construction are corporations with widely recongized logos and storefronts in every mall in America. When, as a nation of consumers did we adopt the idea that corporate manufacturing is superior to a one of a kind hand made item? AND why? ...
Why go to the mall and buy a cheaply made shirt for your child's back to school wardrobe when you can purchase a handmade shirt of superior quality and workmanship from a WAHM (Work at Home Mom) who designs & creates children's clothing from her heart like so many of my dear and very talented friends?? The mall shirt could potentially be made by another child in a sweat shop (you never really know do you?) and it's most likely mass produced, with very little attention or care about the details or the craftmanship.

I'm getting back to basics, I'm going to batten down the hatches and watch where my money goes in one month (I'm going to keep a spending journal) and not only track how I am foolish with my money but exactly WHERE and to WHOM my money is going to....

Would anyone like to join me in this exercise?

Boeing 707 - 767 Comparison

Leslie E. Robertson - Chief Engineer of the World Trade Center

In 1966, Robertson designed the structural elements of the WTC towers to withstand the impact of the largest airliner then in service, the Boeing 707.

The above image is taken from Chapter 1 of the WTC Report [FEMA PDF of report]. To see how willing to "stretch the truth" the authors of the report are, compare the above image to the original (which can be found here). Notice that they have "accidentally" quoted the length, height and wingspan of one of the early 707's (possibly the Boeing 707-120) and the weight, fuel capacity and speed of the more common Boeing 707-320B (the aircraft that most people associate with the name, Boeing 707). The above graphic has been edited to give a more accurate picture.To summarize the aircraft:

The maximum takeoff weight for a Boeing 707-320B is 336,000 pounds. The maximum takeoff weight for a Boeing 767-200ER is 395,000 pounds. The wingspan of a Boeing 707 is 146 feet. The wingspan of a Boeing 767 is 156 feet. The length of a Boeing 707 is 153 feet. The length of a Boeing 767 is 159 feet. The Boeing 707 could carry 23,000 gallons of fuel. The Boeing 767 could carry 23,980 gallons of fuel. The cruise speed of a Boeing 707 is 607 mph = 890 ft/s, The cruise speed of a Boeing 767 is 530 mph = 777 ft/s.

The Boeing 707 and 767 are very similar aircraft, with the main differences being that the 767 is slightly heavier and the 707 is faster.

Since the Boeing 707 had a higher thrust to weight ratio, it would be traveling faster on take-off and on landing.

The thrust to weight ratio for a Boeing 707 is 4 x 18,000/336,000 = 0.214286. The thrust to weight ratio for a Boeing 767 is 2 x 31,500/395,000 = 0.159494.

In all the likely variations of an accidental impact with the WTC, the Boeing 707 would be traveling faster. In terms of impact damage, this higher speed would more than compensate for the slightly lower weight of the Boeing 707.

In conclusion we can say that if the twin towers were designed to survive the impact of a Boeing 707, then they were necessarily designed to survive the impact of a Boeing 767.

Now that you know the truth, please don't let another person argue in your presence that the planes brought down the towers. If you need a hint about what did check out my other articles:

Extra Energy in the Buildings

Bin Laden Didn't Blow Up the Projects

I want to go and check out the Rockefeller Center again, and catch a show at the Radio City Music Hall, and if it's during summer, I have to take a jog in Central Park. There's also Times Square, the Empire State Building, The Statue of Liberty. Geez, the list goes on and on the more I think about it.

The problem is that I've been there twice, once in summer and once in winter and I can't decide which time was better. The great thing about the East Coast is the fact that they actually have four seasons unlike Arizona, where it's only warm, and as hot as poop. I think the trip will actually need to be an extended one. I would like to go long enough to be able to show my girl all of the interesting sights and such. The next problem, would be finding affordable lodging. Hopefully I can stay at a pretty nice hotel in New York city at a decent rate. One thing is for sure though, the trip will cost a pretty penny but it will be worth it to make my girl happy.

 by M.A.S.

Desde el Empire State Building, que es el edificio más alto de Nueva York, se puede contemplar todo Manhattan con unas vistas impresionantes. Situado entre las calles 33 y 34, y la 5ª avenida, este edificio tiene 102 pisos y 381 metros de altura, 443 metros si se tiene en cuenta la antena donde se rodo la famosa película de King Kong, las fotografías están tomadas desde el piso 81, que es donde se encuentra el observatorio. De estilo Art Decó, en este edificio se celebran las famosas pruebas de maratón subiendo las 1.860 escaleras.

tre dagar sedan jag skrev senast. Orkade inte i gar bara.

Jaha, ja, har har tempot blivit mycket lugnt. Det kanns som vardag att kliva ut pa Times Square med alla neonskyltar, springande manniskor och manniskor som vill lura pa en bussbiljetter, biljetter till stand up comedy och falska vaskor. Alla trick i varlden ar tillatna. Och bara sa ni vet, Sweden is the greatest contry the Manhattan people knows. Eller var det Switzerland?!

I forrigar sa lag vi i central park hela dagen. FIck en liten branna och njot bra. VI tankte kopa biljetter till en Broadway-show men ack vilken ko. Helt sjukt. Och vi ar sa trotta pakoer och allt fuzz sa vi hoppar det med. Haha, lugnet har bitit oss rejalt. Men vi har i alla fall semester!!!

I gar sa tog vi en rejal promenerardag, till East Village. Borjade ga pa Broadway men eftersom den gatan gar lite parallellt sa hamnar man tillslut pa andra gator om man forsoker ga rakt fram. Och det gjorde vi. Det ar otroligt vilken skillnad det kan vara bara en gata at sidan fran en annan. Vi hamnade i riktiga skummiskvarter och smog sakta over till Fifth avenue, for den gatan ska man ga pa. Den ar helskon.

East village var en samre kopia av Greenwich. Riktig slum delvis men samma struktur. Dar motte vi de hemlosa som fick mat fran en missonstruck och jag sager som det star i boken jag laser <finns det nagan bohemisk anda kvar i NY sa ar det dar>. Inte sa speciellt mycket att se, vi gick en vanda och tog oss sedan sakta mot SoHo. For detta var shoppingdagen hade vi bestamt.

Besokte en K-mart pa vagen. I avsaknad av en Walmart sa fick det bli det i stallet. Var msom en GK:s eller Ica Maxi typ. Lite kul att se.

Val i Soho sa fick vi lite handlat i alla fall. Tva par shorts till M och en t-shirt, jag fick en klanning till. Men det var val i princip allt, forutom lite presenter till barn och familj. Dock ar det inte sa latt att hitta saker till andra maste jag saga...Suck...for det kanns ju helt vardelost att kopa sadant man kan kopa hemma, da kan man ju lika garna skita i det. Om det inte ar billigare forstas, men det ar ju bara kladerna som ar det och det ar ju svart att handla till andra... Semesterdilemmat!

Pa kvallen gick vi till Bryant park, ligger tva kvarter fran vart hotell. Supermysig park och varje mandag sander HBO en film pa jatteduk, en filmfestival som kallas HBO summer filmfestival. Det var hur mysigt som hellst att sitta i parken nar det morknade. Nar det blev morkt startade filmen och alla stallde sig upp och appladerade. Mitt i det grona, omgiven av skyskrapor och med Empire state building som lyste rott och blatt i total varme trots morkret. Hur coolt som hellst!

I dag har vi traffat en arbetskamrat till M. Vi gick pa ett svenskt fik som heter fika, mellan 6:th och 5:th pa 58 street. Litet som attans men med svenska drommar och sylktkakor. Till och med lakrisfiskar. Och sa fick vi bestalla pa svenska. =)

De hade sparrat av hela gatan for en hall of fame parad med Yankees-spelare. Dar cirkulerade de runt, en och en, pa SUV-flak med sina namn pa taket och vinkade till massorna som samlats runt kravallstaketen for att fa en glimt av sina idoler. Eller till dem som bara rakade passera just da. Lite galet var det och valdigt Amerikanskt. Jag kande igen ett namn, Gaylord, honom brukar de narra i olika amerikanska serier, ex. Simpsons ibland.

Sedan blev det Central Park och skuggan igen. Vi har som sagt lagt ner turistandet. Maste saga att vi kanner oss verkligen fardiga nu. Nu ar det dags att aka hem. De tva kommande dagarna som ar kvar kommer att bli lugna och vi komme rinte att gora manga knop.

Nagra svar pa nagra kommentarer:

Bilder kan vi tyvarr inte lagga upp, det ar svart att hitta ett riktigt internetcafe har. Tro mig vi har letat. De vi hittar kan vi inte ladda upp bilder pa.

Weronica, tro mig, Bitten ar GK:s sortiment. Det behovs ingen modekannare for att se det direkt. Det gar ut pa att allt ska kosta hogst 8.88 dollar och saljs bara pa lagpriskedjan som jag inte kommer ihag namnet pa, tror det ar Duane and nagonting.(Uppdatering:  Steve & Barry's heter kedjan, Duane Read är den daglivarukedja vi sett mest på gatorna i Manhattan) Tva klanningar och ett gang trakiga ribbade linnen var det basta, och de var inte snygga. Tro mig! Detta har jag ratt om. Och det var den enda butiken pa Manhattan i den kedjan.

Ja, nog ar det blandade kanslor alltid. Det gar som i vagor, upp och ner. Rekommenderar jag NY? Ja, absolut, man ska ha sett det. Men kortare tid, inte sa stora forvantningar och ingen agenda av att gora allt, for det ar sadana jobbiga procedurer. Nar jag far lite perspektiv pa det hela lovar jag att gora en lista har dar jag kan lista vad man inte ska och vad man ska.

Nej, nu rinner tiden ut.

Dagens NY:

Alla toaletter overallt ser ut som husvagnstoaletter. Jag har lange undrat varfor de har sadana gammelmodiga toaletter nu men tror mig ha funnit svaret. DE har verkligen stora problem med kackerlackor och andra djur har. Manga tv-reklamer och medel i affarerna. Bade hotell med fler stjarnor och boende har har dessa problem. Och vet ni vad, de klattrar ur avloppen. Dessa toaletter stanger sig helt sa inget kan komma upp och oppnar inte forren vis spolning, med ett rejalt baksug. Sa antagligen ar dessa knasiga toaletter ett maste i en stad full av sopor och hemska djur som vill krypa upp i rumpan pa den som sitter och gor nummer tva.

Hej hopp alla glada. Snart kommer vi hem. VI saknar er!!!

och GRATTIS WILMA!!!!

ps

precis sett att samtal hem kostar 15 kr min = fem kr per samtal. Oboy, shit och .......

Ds

I gar hade vi en mycket mangfacetterad dag. Den borjade med en otroklig jakt efter en filt att ligga pa i Central Park. Det visade sig vara nast intill omojligt att hitta en filt mitt i NY, tanka sig. Men efter en dryg timmes letande sa hittade vi en. Resten av dagen spenderade vi i Central Park med att steka oss i solen, over 30 graders tryckande hetta och den varmaste hittills. Fick en liten branna ocksa.

Efter en lugn och fridfull dag sa tog vi en bio. Sag Sex in the City och jag blev glatt overraskad. Gillade den skarpt. En av tjejerna sa flera ganger att den var <cheesy> och det kan jag halla med om, men det blir som en hyllning till serien och det gillade jag trots mycket sliskande. Jag bade grat och skrattade av olika anledningar om vartannat. Men en sak ar saker, de romantiserar NY verkligen. Det ar inte alls sa dar. Bara som ett exempel sa har de manipulerat bilden vid Brooklyn Bridge otroligt, riktigt sa rent och snyggt ar det inte. Massor med stal och linor i vagen egentligen! Och sa ser man ju inga sopor pa gatorna heller i den filmen riktigt ...

Sa var vi da trotta och nojda och gick hem for att lagga oss. Med glatt homur klev vi in pa hotellrummet. Steg innanfor dorren, laste och gick fram till soffan. Marcus tog sin handduk for att ta sin dusch och mitt i ett jatteprassel flyger en ratta upp ur pasen, genom luften och over sangen. Det gick skiotsnabbt men jag ser det framfor mig hela tiden. Jag blev asradd och sprang ut, skakandes, med Marcus i halarna. Vi skyndade ner till receptionen, nagot skarrade, och sa att <HALLA, vi har en ratta pa vart rum.> Inget storre engagemang, de fragade om vi ville ha ett nytt rum och sa fick vi en ny nyckel. Da sa jag att ni far ju folja med upp och hjalpa oss ta bort vara saker och kolla det nya rummet. <Men det ar ingen ratta pa ert nya rum. Vi kan inte hjalpa er, vi har ingen har just nu som kan det, alla har gatt hem.> Mycket forvanade, lite vilsna och arga sa gick vi upp, Marcus plockade ihop sakerna och sedan skyndade vi till vart nya rum. Lika skitigt och dant men vad vi vet an sa ar det fritt fran djur... Vi far val se hur det slutar. Jag fick inte sova mycket den har natten i alla fall och aven om jag kan skratta lite at det sa maste jag saga att det ar helt sjukt ju. Okej att det ar ett ett och ett halv-stjarnigt hotell men arligt, det ska vara utan halsorisker!!! Jag ar inte fardig med detta arende an. Har skrivit till dem vi bokade resan genom och jag kanner att jag ar pa krigsmarschen, det har ska de int6e komma undan med. Men tills dess sa ar det inte sa mycket att gora an att hoppas pa det basta och pa att vart nya rum slipper husdjur till vi aker i alla fall. Hall garna tummarna for oss!!!

I dag har vi i alla fall haft en helt underbar dag. Vi borjade den med att ga upp till Late night shows box office och skrev pa en lapp attr vi onskar biljetter till Letterman nasta vecka. Det funkar som ett lotteri sa det ar inte alls sakert att vi far nagra men det skulle ju vara riktigt roligt!!!

Sedan tog vi varan dagliga sesam seed grilled bagel med creme cheese och farskpressad juice pa Metro cafe och sa drog vi pa langprommis ner till Greenwich Village. Helt underbart omrade. Fort kollade vi in one of a kind klanningar for allt mellan 200 - 1.000 dollar och sa tog vi 5:th avenue ner dar allat ar dyrt, aven det massproducerade. Sedan blev det marknad i de gulliga brandstegsomradet och jag har aldrig i mitt liv sett sa manga vackra klanningar som i dag. Helt otroligt. Tyvarr blev det bara en, men det ar fin, lite vardag! Men jag hittade manga jag ville ha men inte kunde fa eller har rad med, och manga jag inte ville ha fast de var otroligt vackra. Detta kommer jag verkligen att sakna nar jag kommer hem. Jag alskar klanningar och det finns nog fa stallen som NY och Greenwich Village med Bleeker street nar det galler dresses.

Forresten, glomde saga, vi drog forbi Empire state building och Manhattan mall ocksa. Vi var in i Empire state men ingen av oss ar tillrackligt imponerad for att koa i en timme drygt. Vi akte alltsa inte upp. Det fick vara. Men nu har vi sett det.

Pa Manhattan Mall kollade vi in Sarah Jessica Parkers kladmarke, kommer inte just nu pa vad det heter och den korta internettid jag har haller pa att rinna ut, men i alkla fall, inget att ha. (Uppdatering: Bitten heter kollektionen)  Riktiga GK:s klader. Riktigt skrap om man ar ute efter designersaker. Inte ens HM-kvalite. Sa inget att sukta over tjejer!

Dagens NY-fundering:

Det ar tryckande hetta. Jag som sallan svettas ordentligt har stora lokringar och blot rygg. Anda gor man omkring i vinterstovlar och kangor. Mode alltsa. Vad gor inte manniskor for att se bra ut? Det ar bra knappt ibland.

Ledsen att jag inte hinner svara pa era fragor som jag far pa mejlen, men nu ar min tid slut.

Hors snart igen. Tank pa oss, vi tanker pa er. Kramar.

While vacationing next week with his family in New York City, Raleigh resident Alonzo McNabb plans on visiting, amongst other sights, the "Entire State Building".

"We goin' to see ever'thin," explains McNabb. "We goin' to Groun' Zero, tha' there Chrysler Build'n, dem Statute o' Liberties, an' man, we goin' see the Entire State Build'n."

While McNabb looks forward to going to the Big Apple with his wife and two children, he says that he hopes "[daughter] Billie Mae an' [son] Bobby Joe don' make no damn fools o' themselves" when they to go the Broadway production of Phantom of the Opera.

Enjoy and Subscribe to both our channels=D

There's never enough time to spend with family but I managed to see as much of my wonderful son as I could, without running out of things to say and appearing like a sentimental mother. Even though I am.

My dear friend Judy provided culture, comforts, laughs, a cat and a dog to fill the sucking void of leaving mine for all this time. She is across the street from another famous landmark- The Flatiron Building.

How's this for the quintessential view of NY as I woke up in the morning?

Still one of the grandest icons of architecture and embedded in our collective psyche regardless of what version of King Kong you grew up with.

After all the falling cranes perched perilously on top of yet more glass skyscraper sliver buildings, it's not hard to be pulled in by sights that remind you how long the history of this city is.

I came across this old Sephardic cemetery on West 21st Street, sandwiched in between two modern buildings. It's the origin of the oldest , only Jewish congregation in NY, dating back to 1654 at another site. Read about it's history here.

And another view-

This lovely gentleman of British inflection and endless energy, demonstrates how to peel carrots, potatoes, vegetables of all varieties, with a Swiss made ( meaning the opposite of made in China ) $5 peeler. The peeler is almost as enchanting as this fellow. We bought 2.

If you were a knitter, wouldn't you want to buy your hand dyed yarn from this vendor?

Van Gogh could have survived nicely here, given the displays of flowers.

Maybe it's this image that reminds me that no matter how many shops, restaurants, big deals, limos, fabulousness, grandiosity and excess you experience here, what it all comes down to is this:

My grandmother was always right.

I'll be back home to St. Croix tonight, feeling wealthy in so many ways.

How about travel to New York, LA, DC, and the Arctic Circle, stuffing my face with Klondike bars in front of live, wild polar bears on the sea ice of Arctic Svalbard? 

To see it, click here  Search for "happyjoel" in the search box and enjoy. Now the background:

So I am attempting to use my previous contest wins to make videos that have a leg up on other videos. And for this one, I literally put more work into this Klondike Bar video than I have ever put into anything else in my life. Oh, because it's worth $100,000!!!

So I took my Klondike bar to the Arctic, and while the national geographic photographers were taking pictures of polar bears, I danced like an idiot in the cold waving my Klondike bar around like a madman. I mean, if the judges aren't convinced that this is the greatest video entered, I don't know what they are thinking. 

Anyway, I need your help too - so go vote on it. Go register and give it 5 stars (or bars, as they have it) and help me get $100,000. 

Oh, and for the record, the girl, Maggie, in the video with me - she was basically a blind date to the Arctic because I thought that was a really funny idea. So we met once for coffee, then a week later dinner and a movie, a week later we hung out and I asked her if she wanted to go to the Arctic with me. She agreed in spite of my mustache.

As the song points out, we weren't really sure if things would work out, so we figured them out over a klondike bar. Short answer, they did, long answer they didn't. We got along great and traveled well, but just aren't compatible for a long term relationship. Still, she did great acting in the song, right? And at least I'm the first kid on my block to take a girl he doesn't really know to the north pole.

Last weekend Nik and Katrina came to visit. If you don't know them, Nik is my second cousin who is marrying Katrina next month. They got driven into Manhattan from Newark by Katrina's cousin, Cindy, on Saturday morning. Michelle and I were still getting reading when they got in because we had to move her stuff out of her res hall the night before. The first thing we wanted to do was eat because they had a long morning due to the never ending delays on the Blue line to O'Hare. We thought it would be nice to find somewhere up by Union Square so that they could check out the scene in our area. This place Big Daddy's looked good and the menu worked for everybody so it was an easy pick.

We didn't have anything planned out so Michelle and I thought it would be nice to go back to Flushing Meadows to see it during the day. Naturally, the subway would be the mode of transportation for the weekend so Nik and Katrina bought their MetroCards. I had thought there was a three day unlimited, but they only have 1,7, 14, and 30 day ones and because they would be in the city four days they got the 7 day because it costs less than four 1 days. Nik wanted a map to check out how the subway worked, excellent decision. It is my firm belief that anytime you go to a different city you must figure out their public transportation. Plus, there is nothing cooler than a subway map. I remember looking at the London Underground map pillowcase my grandma had when I would spend the night at my grandparents as a kid.

We took the 6 to the N to the 7 to get to Flushing because, just like in Chicago, they were doing work on the 7 tracks so we had to bypass some stops using the N. While transferring at Grand Central we took a detour upstairs because Nik wanted to see the constellations on the ceiling. He gave us a little lesson in the middle of the room about the stars. Just like Mr. Feeny, teachers can never stop teaching. I enjoyed it because it has been too long since I've been on a riveting star talk with with Ms. Joan and I need to brush up.

It was a hot day, but a beautiful day. When we got off the train we had a great view of Shea and the new Citi Park right next to each other again. We walked into the park and got some water and ice cream from a cart. After that was procured, we started our walk. Tons of people were in Corona Park that afternoon, mostly Hispanics playing soccer much like at Horner or Portage. The place is mostly flat with rows of trees and fields. They even have a par 3 that I really want to play at. Immediately I loved this place even more than I had a couple days before. It is just very relaxing. There are these reflecting pool basins that are unfilled so kids were playing in them. Nik noticed that they were having a crawling race and one kid had some rope and was whipping the kids crawling. It was really funny. We all wished that the basins were filled because they would add a lot to the park. I asked a park ranger if they fill them and she said she can't remember the last time they were. That's a shame.

Our adventure by that time was directed by signs pointing to the New York Hall of Science. Flushing Meadows is a great place to enjoy good company and we were. We stopped by the Unisphere and then walked towards the "UFO's". At the time we couldn't really come to a solid conclusion on what these things or the large structure next to it were used for. I looked them up and found they were observational towers and an amphitheater that used to be really cool, but now they look as though they are going to fall over and give somebody tetanus.

Continuing to the Hall of Science we took a seat next to a carousel to rest. It played the most annoying songs in the world that we learned in pre-school. I pity the people who have to work there.

When we got up we walked between the zoo and the zoo farm. Unfortunately, it is not what I refer to as "a zoo for the people" like Lincoln, or in other words, free. It wasn't worth paying for because it was only open another 45 minutes, but we all agreed that the gate was very cool because it was filled with etchings or something of animals.

Finally, we found the Hall of Science. The museum is interactive so it has a whole lot of cool things to play with and look at. As we walked around to the front we saw a cool playground and garden with model rockets. We walked in and saw that it also would be closing shortly and opted to come back another time. I have a feeling that it will be on the top of Nik and Katrina's list the next time they visit here.

Instead of walking all the way back from the way we came we decided to walk up 111th through Flushing to a different station. It was a neat neighborhood. A lady was cooking meat from a shopping cart to sell on the street and we saw a cool barber shop right under the 7.

On the way back we decided to cook dinner for ourselves. We went to Trader Joe's to buy the food and resolved on ziti pasta with chicken. I also got some bread, because I love bread. Katrina made it and it was excellent. Having all of our cooking supplies and table settings really paid off. We had plenty of everything. There's something about having a cooked meal with friends that's really nice.

Before setting off again we rested and watched some tv. I printed off coupons for the Empire State Building ($2 off the $19 ticket). I'm not going to lie, I had been putting off going there because it's ridiculously expensive, but I knew it was inevitable. Michelle was really excited we were all going. When we got there the line was huge. The strange doorman said it was an hour, but that was an underestimated lie. Throughout the line we noticed that all of the workers were strange. They reminded me of those creepy bellmen in the Tower of Terror or something like that, "Paging Mr. Herman, Mr. Herman" (Pee-Wee's Big Adventure). Part of the problem was that they were rude. Another issue was that they were trying to sell you everything they could like maps for $8. They would say, "You're not going to know what you're looking at". Ya, maybe if your an idiot. Michelle picked out the Statue of Liberty and you could barely see it.

In the line we finally came to an elevator and I predicted it would be a tease, of course, I was correct. Waiting in the line seemed like it was a joke, an Ed Debevic's experience. In any case, we made our own fun. This was necessary to maintain sanity.

Once we got up there it was about 10:30 pm and a choir was singing some patriotic songs, I cold heartedly wanted them to stop and get out of my way. When we got around them we looked east. Michelle was very excited to be there. She loves doing that kind of stuff. It was a glorious night and the moon was rising while we were up there. Turning to the north I looked at Rockefeller and my building. It was cool to look up Fifth Avenue. My favorite view was looking west because it has cool lights. Macy's is neat to look at from high up because we see how large it is and the paint on the street from the Thanksgiving Day parade. While looking south Michelle showed me the little light from the "women who lights fire up sky's butt" (Jungle 2 Jungle). After looking at everything, Michelle and I just relaxed and enjoyed each others company, we knew that she would be leaving soon and had a great time over the previous four weeks.

On the way out we had to wait in another line to get out. I'm telling you, this place didn't make any sense. Before we got back on the train we got a Frosty from Wendy's, I love Frosty's. Finally, we hopped on the 6 downtown and went back to my abode.

-George and Michelle the Engaged with Nik and Katrina the Engaged

www.youtube.com/Regisor94

...It was an amazing feat for both of us; for him to travel from VA to NYC but it was worth it
Funny thing was I got to tour New York because of Reggie

TeamRegisor Member,
Filteany

Teacher: Hello class

The Entire Class: Hello Mrs. White!!!

Teacher: Ok class I want to start today off by asking what everyone’s favorite baseball team is…

The Entire Class: THE YANKEE’S!!!

A single innocent girl: The Boston Red Sox!

The teacher is amazed by this single student who doesn’t follow what everyone else is saying…

Teacher asks: Why do you like the Red Sox?

Innocent girl: because my mommie and daddie do!

Teacher: Well hon, if you make all of your decsions based on what your parents think you’ll never be independant!

Innocent girl: NUH UHHHH!!!

Teacher: Yes, you will, say if your parents were moron's what would that make you?

The innocent girl smirks devilishly and says: A yankee fan!

yo mamma so fat,  she jumped off the empire state building,

i didnt think it was funny but the ground sure cracked up.

there where three married men sitting on top of a building who were sick of the lunches that their wives made them every day. so the first one said “if i get a pb&j sandwich one more time then ill jump off this building.” his wife made him pb&j and the man jumped of the building and died. his wife was interviewed and she said that she had no clue that he didnt like it.

the second man said “if i get a ham and cheese sandwich one more time then ill jump off this building.” his wife made him a ham&cheese sandwich and the man jumped of the building and died. his wife was interviewed and she said that she had no clue that he didnt like it.

the third man said “if i get a peanut butter and honey sandwich one more time then ill jump off this building.” his wife made him a peanut butter and honey sandwich and the man jumped of the building and died. his wife was interviewed and she said “dont look at me. he made his own lunch.

why did the monkey fall out of the tree? because it was dead why did the cat fall out of the tree? because it was strapped to the monkey why did the tree fall over? because it thought they were playing a game

One day in a forest, a bear spotted a rabbit. Not having eaten for a while the bear chases the rabbit. After about 5 minutes, a Genie pops up and holds up his hand. The rabbit and bear screach to a stop before the genie. “I shall grant you both 3 wishes,” the genie said, “If you, Bear, do not eat Rabbit.” “OKAY!!!” the bear roared, “But I get to go first!” “Very well,” the Genie said. “Your first wish is?” “Uh….” The bear wondered. “I wish that every bear in the forest was a girl-bear!” The Genie clapped his hands. “Now it’s your turn rabbit.” “Okay, I wish that I had a motercycle,” The rabbit wished. The Genie clapped his hands. “Now it’s your turn bear.” “I wish that every bear in the WORLD was a girl-bear!” The Genie clapped his hands. “Now it’s your turn rabbit.” “Okay, I wish that I had a helmet,” The Genie clapped his hands. “Now for your final wish Bear.” “I wish that every bear in the UNIVERSE was a girl-bear!!!” The Genie clapped his hands. “Now for your final wish Rabbit.” The rabbit put on his helmet, revved the engine, and looked back towards the bear. “I wish you were gay,” and he drove off.

lol hope you enjoyed them! I cant post for the weekend im going on vacation! :  ) Have fun!

Atop The Empire State Building yesterday, your favorite blogger Micah Jesse was able to snag a photo with the songstress/bad girl herself Rihanna. Before making our way to the 86th floor (the Observation Deck) at the Empire State Building, Rihanna did a media/press "photo opp" on the main level where she lit the Empire State Building to promote the celebration of Cartier's 3rd Annual "Love Day."

Amidst rumors of a relationship with Chris Brown, her publicist informed all media that Rihanna would not speak on personal matters.

We were able to snag 3 amazing photos with the "good girl gone bad" singer who was totally adorable and personable. After we took the 3rd photo, Rihanna admired our necklace, which was given to us courtesy of Cristina Vitiello, designer of Cristina V handmade jewelry. Check out gorgeous pieces from Cristina V at www.cristinav.com.

We are sending Rihanna a few pieces from Cristina's line, so be on the look out for her wearing that!

Also, we would like to offer our LOVED readers a fantastic DISCOUNT at CristinaV.com/SpecialOffer. When you find the perfect piece for you, enter coupon code "Micah J" for a 10% discount. We hope you love us :)

Below is just one of Cristina's gorgeous handmade pieces of jewelry admired by stars like Rihanna and Taryn Manning:

Fans, who had not expected Rihanna to be in their presence while sightseeing were pleasantly surprised to have that New York City "Only in the Big Apple" experience. Excited fans begged for photos with Rihanna, who happily agreed to take a few photos and sign autographs, before leaving.

We love this girl... as we've said all year, Rihanna defines music in 2008.

© Copyright Daniel Alexander | framesmedia.com | All Rights Reserved

Alright, I was really afraid to get pictures of it because I didn't want somebody to walk in and think I was a creep, but it is just too good to not share with all of you. Plus, I didn't think you would believe me.

-George the Pooper

If you thought this was good, tomorrow we have an amazing post. Probably the best of the summer. It's an early call, but I think you'll agree after you read it.  The picture of Michelle above is a clue to its subject.

By Sara Scovronick

I live I high up in an apartment on 8^th Avenue in Chelsea with a balcony that faces east over the city; perfect for watching thunderstorms. The thunderstorm that has brought a bit of relief from the recent heat, came in strong and moved out fast last night, with the lightning visible to me first in the southwest and then seeming to move eastward around the island, finally disappearing uptown.  A hard rain fell just briefly on Manhattan in the middle of the storm, miring the clarity of the lightning and muffling the thunderclaps.

I’ve read that lightning strikes the Empire State Building around 100 times a year. It is a wonder that any structure can withstand being hit repeatedly with bolts that are temperatures hotter than the surface of the sun. That said, it has become clear to me over the years of watching thunderstorms rage around the city, that lightning does not always strike the tallest object in an area, in this case the Empire State Building, or even the top of the tallest object. How I made it so many years believing this myth I don’t know. Furthermore, lightning doesn't always travel from cloud to ground, but often occurs inside a cloud or arcs from one cloud to another.

I love being in the middle of electrical storms. All those shock waves and charges flying around me bring an energy and excitement that is unique and humbling. In this big city, the electrical storms are just about all that can dim the bright lights, even if only for a second.

(Sara Scovronick, who also took the photos, is Program Coordinator for the Center for Environmental Research and Conservation. CERC is a scientific consortium including  Columbia University, the American Museum of Natural History, the New York Botanical Garden, Wildlife Conservation Society, and Wildlife Trust. It is centered at Columbia University's Earth Institute.)

Photography by David Rheins

Another beautiful morning in New York City. Chelsea skyline featuring Empire State Building.

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