Another
year has past, another list has been created, so another blog must go up.
So far
for 2015 has been a great one for me. I don’t know what it is exactly I can’t
put my finger on it except to say it’s a feeling I have on the inside. It can
escape me at times but mostly if I take some deep breathes and calm my center I
can feel the passion and ambition to keep going on my journey. I trust my gut
to guide me in the right direction without having to over think it.
There is
something about the feeling I have when I am typing. Simultaneously I am
achieving peace and joy. I don’t care if it’s in the middle of the night, sleep
does not seem important until I have tickled the ivory keys of my Mac. It does
not matter what the words or the topic is. Just the exercise of that action
does something for me. To know that I will always find something to write
about, to share, to explore, means that I will have this feeling the rest of my
life. There is a magic purposefulness that comes with that knowledge.
Last
year’s list did not play a focal point in what I did or did not to. Quite
frankly the last year or two the list has been more like this noisy reminder of
how much I still had to do. Now that I am in a different place emotionally,
mentally, and physically I have a more positive view of my list. Even the
thought of writing this annual blog came with little stress.
I am now
taking the stance that this list serves as an ideal inventory of what I would
like to see and do between now and this time next year. I know that they will
mostly be out of my reach but at the same time I like knowing I have all of my
N.Y.C. goals in one spot. I make it a point to put things on the list that are
within reason especially when there are time constraints for shows or exhibits.
Other than that I can prioritize what I do as time progresses. No matter what I
am able to do I will keep in mind that I am moving forward despite how many
experiences I cross off my list. By creating a list in the first place I am
acknowledging my heart’s desires by bringing awareness to them.
It pains
me to realize that some people never let their heart choose their path. That
they are living a life where what they do and where they go do not result, at
least some of the time, on their passions in life. For that matter sometimes it
takes a lifetime to find out what you really want, and there are some that
never want to even try. The thought of living a life like that is heartbreaking
to me. I must admit that I am proud I am trying to live my dream and hope to
have the emotional strength to push through all of the way.
With that
being said I turn my attention back to the year ahead of me and the to do list
that will act as my guide. But before I get to that it is time to reflect on
2014.
I was the
busiest in November seeing plays and hanging out in the theater district just
about every weekend. Not only did I see some amazing shows, most if not all
were on that year’s to do list. I was also able to keep a good pace at producing
blogs related to what I did at a faster rate than I had been able to for a long
time.
In May I
wrote one of the hardest most taxing series so far, about the windy city,
Chicago. This was a blog series I wanted to write for a long time but the thought
was overwhelming. When I finally had the time as I wrote each entry I had to
power through that fear and hard work to produce what I consider one of my best
pieces. Since that time I look at the series I write with less anxiety but more
confidence.
I would
be at fault if I did not mention the personal blogs commemorating the special
occasions in my family’s life. I finally got to write a passage for both my
father and brother.
Meeting
the “Notorious RBG” the second woman Justice on the Supreme Court was a
highlight in my life and then my blog.
Finally
my hotel series was another I am very proud of. Although I had to work on it
over several months due to my health I did manage to complete it as it was
posted from September to December. I believe it is the most thorough
examination of my travel bookings up until that time. It is possible that I
might write an update when the time is right, perhaps in a year or two when I
have enough wisdom to impart.
After
reviewing my past year’s work I was then able to see what I accomplished and
where I have room to grow. In addition to writing more frequently, a very
strong personal goal, I have kept the remaining items on my list while adding
some new restaurants and sights.
Here with
out further ado here are the contenders for this year’s list.
2015/2016
To Do List:
I. Plays/Shows
a) Smash on Broadway (slim chance)
b) Aladdin on Broadway
c)
Bill
Maher at New York City Comedy Festival
d) Meghan Trainor
e) Taylor Swift
f)
Mary
J. Blige
g) Rihanna
II. Activities/Lectures/Exhibits
a) FDR Four Freedoms Park
b) Weeksville Heritage Center
c)
Brooklyn
Historical Society
d) Harriet Tubman Statute in Harlem
e) Harriet Tubman’s House
f)
Collyer
Brothers Park
g) Morris-Jumel Mansion
h) Alexander Hamilton’s Grange House
i)
Old
Stone House
j)
Teddy
Roosevelt’s Sagamore Hill (reopening July 13, 2015)
k) FDR Home in Hyde Park & FDR
Presidential Library
l)
Vanderbilt
Mansion Historical Site
m) Grant’s Tomb
n) The Conference House in Staten
Island
o) Raynham Music Hall
p) Lyndhurst Mansion
q) Jay Heritage Center
r)
Woodlawn
Cemetery
III.
Food
a) Meals
·
Hill
Country BBQ
·
Lasagna
Ristorante
·
S’Mac
·
B
& B WinePub (Burger and Barrel)
·
El
Toro Blanco
·
Blue
Hill
·
Kefi
·
Gato
·
Fresco
by Scotto
·
Marta’s
·
Artichoke
Basille’s Pizza
·
Prova
Pizza
·
Best
Pizza (Williamsburg)
·
Emmett’
·
Frankies
457
·
Stone
Park Café
·
The
Lamb’s Club
·
Garden
Brunch at the Four Seasons
·
Sunday
Brunch at the Waldorf Astoria
·
Amy
Ruth’s
·
The
Frying Pan
·
12th
Street Bar & Grill
·
Lafayette
·
Luke’s
Lobster
·
100
Montaditos
·
Beacher’s
Handmade Cheese
·
Buttermilk
Channel
·
Hunt
and Fish Club
·
Triomphe
·
Craft
·
Landmarc
·
Rye House
·
Mighty
Quinn’s BBQ
·
Waterzooi
Belgian Bistro
·
The
Melting Pot (Farmingdale)
·
Patsy’s
·
Sarabeth’s
b) Desserts
·
Blue
Spoon Coffee
·
Sugar,
Sweet Sunshine Bakery
·
Sullivan
Street Bakery
·
First
Prize Pies
·
Holy
Cream/Doughnut Ice Cream Sandwich
·
Laughing
Man Coffee
·
Levain
Bakery
·
Pies
and Thighs
·
Sugar
and Plumm
·
Murray’s
Cheese
·
Insomnia
Cookies
·
Blue
Bottle Coffee
·
Federal
Donuts
·
Black
Seed Bagels
·
Ample
Hills Creamery
·
Pelzer’s
Pretzels
Currently
I’m planning some of these adventures for the spring. I love when the weather
starts to get nice making it a pleasure to be out. Great weather makes my head
happy all the while doing something I have wanted to makes my soul happy.
I am in
the zone more determined to make the most of every single day. This is the
motto I am using as my career/philosophy maxim. It is not easy to maintain
daily but I try all day long.
As I
look ahead I’m grateful for my past journeys for bringing me to where I needed
to be. I am looking forward excited to see where this new expanded to do list
leads me.
Ready,
set, here I go!
For My
Favorite 2014 Blogs:
For
Previous To Do Lists:
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