Basketball, Bridges and Boys in Budgie Smugglers

Hi Fans,
I know it's been a while. I hope you haven't missed my wildly entertaining words too much but it's just been busy, busy, busy here.

Firstly there was Cyclone Shaw that passed through town, then this heat wave (sorry Sydney-siders for rubbing it in) and finally a deadline for work. I know!!! It was a complete shock to the system, having not had one for quite some time but I managed to get everything in on time, so don't worry.

Now I know you don't want to hear about my boring work....New York...New York...I hear you chanting.....so here it is....in reverse chronological order (sort of).

July 4th fireworks: I have to give the Yankees a big thumbs up...despite not having a harbour bridge to do the firework waterfall thing off they certainly put on a good show. Clover Moore, Channel 9, Richard Wilkins and 'Chick chick boom' girl could learn a thing or two!!! Firstly, there was no lame 104.1 TodayFM simulcast and secondly, there was some of the coolest fireworks I've ever seen...like ones that turn into smilie faces. They had me applauding and whooping out loud!

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in a fancy new building is great if you like modern art. There were only a few hideous gold picture frames to be seen. Well worth a visit, especially on a 100 degree (in the old scale - that's super hot for those who live in the 21st century and prefer to use the metric scale) day. I've posted a few of my favourite arty pieces on FB so check 'em out if you're keen.

The Museum of Art and Design (Columbus Circle) has kooky art made from natural stuff like bugs, feathers, butterfly wings and twigs. All very cool but a bit ewwey sometimes. Not for the squeamish!!! One room was entirely covered floor to ceiling in black rooster feathers. It was like having a room lined with feather boas....oh...so soft!



NY Pride....Well here I think the Yanks could learn a thing or two from the Aussies. First the parade goes for FIVE HOURS...in the middle of the day....in the stinking heat. Hello...DUMB! Then at the end of the parade they have a fair which consists of a few blocked off streets with stalls selling food and free hep C testing pretty much...No picnic, no shady trees, no doggy beauty contests and how any drag queen can survive the day without her entire face sliding off is a mystery! They have a 'Loidies' dance party the evening prior on one of the piers which in true lesbian style is at a sensible hour...6.30 to 11pm. About 3000 wimin attend and stand around for the first few hours chatting and checking out the talent before they get sufficiently 'relaxed' to have a wee wiggle. Then right at the end they have a couple of shows. One of which was a Amy Winehouse-esq looking lady singer with two skinny pretty mostly naked go-go boys? HELLO...WOMEN'S PARTY????

New York Liberty at Madison Square Garden. Since the Liberty don't quite pull the crowd you get to sit almost court side for about $40 TOPS!!!. Tugs won a lucky seat price and was most appreciative of the signed team postcard even if she was envisioning a team top. The Liberty put on a good show even but were monstered by none other than our own Lauren Jackson who top scored as always!! Entertainment in the quarter time breaks was cute little mini dancers and cheerleaders all about 5 to 10 years old. Some of those kids can cut some moves!!!Whoa!



Oh and bridges.....Manhattan has some good ones...being an island and all. The Brooklyn is the most famous and amazing to walk over. Next to it is the Manhattan Bridge which isn't a pretty or as historic but it's way bigger and sometimes size does matter. It can carry 8 lanes of car traffic and 4 subway lines!!!! And me! BIG!

Off to see Michelle, Barrack, the kids and Bo this weekend. Tune in next week for another installment.