I also took the tour of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and saw Placido Domingo rehearse in The Metropolitan Opera... which was nice.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
A Boat With a View
I took the Staten Island ferry today and endured the freezing cold to take the following pictures...
I also took the tour of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and saw Placido Domingo rehearse in The Metropolitan Opera... which was nice.
I also took the tour of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and saw Placido Domingo rehearse in The Metropolitan Opera... which was nice.
Why it's always good to queue in line...
... even if you don't know why you are there!
Last week, when doing some (window)shopping, we dropped by Macy's and Bloomingdales - two of the mandatory department stores on every tourist's "to do" list. I know that these stores can get very crowded but when we arrived we saw a huge queue of people - no, women - outside the store: waiting to get in???
No, not waiting to get in... Phew! We could just walk past them inside the store. They were waiting however for some free cosmetics handed out by the store. Not just any free stuff (like the sample mini deodorants or shampoo they sometimes hand out in Belgian train stations or on the street, which you keep in case they ever may come in handy, which they never do... so they just collect dust in one of your closets and years later, you find them and ask yourself why in the hell you've kept them but still don't throw them away, because you never know....) Anyway, I'm drifting off... no, they were giving away real designer cosmetics: perfumes, lotions, and the like. So who was behind this? Marketeers? Santa Claus? A non-profit organization supporting the cause "every woman has a right to cosmetics"? Nope! ... Lawyers!
Apparently, in 2003, a huge class action was filed in California claiming that retailers and cosmetics manufacturers violated anti-trust laws by fixing prices on cosmetics. The latter denied any guilt but decided to settle anyway. As part of that settlement (*), the retailers and cosmetics were required to give away $175 million worth of cosmetics! All customers who between 1994 and 2003 purchased a product from the manufacturers named in the suit could receive one free cosmetic product. However, no receipt or proof of purchase was required so every lady patient enough to face the long queue just waited in line to get her free product.
Only in America? We'll see... maybe I gave the Belgian female lawyers among us a good idea?
PS (*): The other part of the settlement was to pay $24 million in attorney fees...
Last week, when doing some (window)shopping, we dropped by Macy's and Bloomingdales - two of the mandatory department stores on every tourist's "to do" list. I know that these stores can get very crowded but when we arrived we saw a huge queue of people - no, women - outside the store: waiting to get in???
No, not waiting to get in... Phew! We could just walk past them inside the store. They were waiting however for some free cosmetics handed out by the store. Not just any free stuff (like the sample mini deodorants or shampoo they sometimes hand out in Belgian train stations or on the street, which you keep in case they ever may come in handy, which they never do... so they just collect dust in one of your closets and years later, you find them and ask yourself why in the hell you've kept them but still don't throw them away, because you never know....) Anyway, I'm drifting off... no, they were giving away real designer cosmetics: perfumes, lotions, and the like. So who was behind this? Marketeers? Santa Claus? A non-profit organization supporting the cause "every woman has a right to cosmetics"? Nope! ... Lawyers!
Apparently, in 2003, a huge class action was filed in California claiming that retailers and cosmetics manufacturers violated anti-trust laws by fixing prices on cosmetics. The latter denied any guilt but decided to settle anyway. As part of that settlement (*), the retailers and cosmetics were required to give away $175 million worth of cosmetics! All customers who between 1994 and 2003 purchased a product from the manufacturers named in the suit could receive one free cosmetic product. However, no receipt or proof of purchase was required so every lady patient enough to face the long queue just waited in line to get her free product.
Only in America? We'll see... maybe I gave the Belgian female lawyers among us a good idea?
PS (*): The other part of the settlement was to pay $24 million in attorney fees...
Monday, January 26, 2009
Let's Go, Knicks!
We're gradually starting to integrate in New York: we know our way around the public transport system, we are getting the hang of when to tip and when not to, we're no longer too shy to ask for a doggy bag in a restaurant, and we've even gotten used to the cold!
So, what was missing? Going to a Knicks' game! Last week, we saw the New York Knicks play the Phoenix Suns in Madison Square Garden. And I have to say - it was fun! A basketball game is going very fast: as opposed to the occasional goal, if any, in a football match, we're talking about scoring points in the hundreds. The game starts - of course - with the national anthem and every American - of course - sings along. Then there are four quarters of 12 minutes - and the occasional time out. Every time out and break is filled with music, entertainment, dancing (by the Knicks City Dancers), games for the audience... you do not have time to get bored. Also the obligatory hot dog is a nice perk of going to a basketball match. The Knicks won 114 - 109, a very exciting game. Plus, we saw Shaquille O'Neal (Suns) play - so huge that he just needed a few paces to get to the other side of the field.
However, no season tickets for us... US sports games are very expensive (more than $1000 for not so great seats). We'll have to save up since we still need to see the New York Rangers (ice hockey), the New York Giants (American football) and the New York Yankees (baseball) play!
So, what was missing? Going to a Knicks' game! Last week, we saw the New York Knicks play the Phoenix Suns in Madison Square Garden. And I have to say - it was fun! A basketball game is going very fast: as opposed to the occasional goal, if any, in a football match, we're talking about scoring points in the hundreds. The game starts - of course - with the national anthem and every American - of course - sings along. Then there are four quarters of 12 minutes - and the occasional time out. Every time out and break is filled with music, entertainment, dancing (by the Knicks City Dancers), games for the audience... you do not have time to get bored. Also the obligatory hot dog is a nice perk of going to a basketball match. The Knicks won 114 - 109, a very exciting game. Plus, we saw Shaquille O'Neal (Suns) play - so huge that he just needed a few paces to get to the other side of the field.
However, no season tickets for us... US sports games are very expensive (more than $1000 for not so great seats). We'll have to save up since we still need to see the New York Rangers (ice hockey), the New York Giants (American football) and the New York Yankees (baseball) play!
Friday, January 23, 2009
January 20, 2009
History
Last Tuesday was one of those typical New York winter days: freezing cold, clear sky and bright sun. At 11 am on that sunny winter day, we witnessed a historic event: the inauguration of the 44th president of the United States, Barack Hussein Obama.
Obama is an alumni of Columbia University so we figured that this was the best place in New York to follow the inauguration. In front of the library, a big tv screen was set up and several thousands showed up to see Obama sworn in as the first black, but also the first Columbia alumni, president. The crowd was very enthusiastic but at the same time, amazingly quiet during Obama's speech. Although I am not a big politics fan, I have to say that I was impressed with his speech (you can read Obama's inaugural speech here).
More photos and video here.
On a side note, Mrs. Obama is gradually becoming the next Jackie Kennedy and every move she makes is closely followed by the American fashion industry. At the inauguration she wore a yellow spring outfit by Isabel Toledo, an American designer born in Cuba, whose outfits are only for sale at Barney's. As soon as Barney's found out on Tuesday morning that Michelle Obama was wearing a designer dress exclusively sold by them, they immediately changed their Madision Avenue store's windows display featuring "Michelle Obama's Isabel Toledo" - great marketing. As of March 2009, drop by at Barney's for Mrs. Obama's inaugural outfit and feel or at least dress like the United States' first lady ... for a meager $1500.
Last Tuesday was one of those typical New York winter days: freezing cold, clear sky and bright sun. At 11 am on that sunny winter day, we witnessed a historic event: the inauguration of the 44th president of the United States, Barack Hussein Obama.
Obama is an alumni of Columbia University so we figured that this was the best place in New York to follow the inauguration. In front of the library, a big tv screen was set up and several thousands showed up to see Obama sworn in as the first black, but also the first Columbia alumni, president. The crowd was very enthusiastic but at the same time, amazingly quiet during Obama's speech. Although I am not a big politics fan, I have to say that I was impressed with his speech (you can read Obama's inaugural speech here).
More photos and video here.
On a side note, Mrs. Obama is gradually becoming the next Jackie Kennedy and every move she makes is closely followed by the American fashion industry. At the inauguration she wore a yellow spring outfit by Isabel Toledo, an American designer born in Cuba, whose outfits are only for sale at Barney's. As soon as Barney's found out on Tuesday morning that Michelle Obama was wearing a designer dress exclusively sold by them, they immediately changed their Madision Avenue store's windows display featuring "Michelle Obama's Isabel Toledo" - great marketing. As of March 2009, drop by at Barney's for Mrs. Obama's inaugural outfit and feel or at least dress like the United States' first lady ... for a meager $1500.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Dreaming of a white...
Inauguration
Today was Martin Luther King Day. Tomorrow the inauguration of Barack Obama takes place, or Dr. Martin Luther King's dream come true, as a black woman said on the news yesterday. We will be following the event live on a big screen at Columbia University. Apparently, we are not the only ones who want to see the inauguration up-close: 2 million people are expected in Washington. In the meantime, every news channel in the US is counting down to the inauguration... certainly, a major milestone in US history.
An interesting side effect of the inauguration is the increase in sales of botox and the like. A lot of inaugural party crashers want to look their best at this important day, so they turn to botox and other "quick fix" solutions at plastic surgeons (See this article).
Today, it also snowed (again) and I didn't want to keep these pictures from you... Central Park was filled with people enjoying the scenery, having fun with snowball fights and even langlaufing.
Today was Martin Luther King Day. Tomorrow the inauguration of Barack Obama takes place, or Dr. Martin Luther King's dream come true, as a black woman said on the news yesterday. We will be following the event live on a big screen at Columbia University. Apparently, we are not the only ones who want to see the inauguration up-close: 2 million people are expected in Washington. In the meantime, every news channel in the US is counting down to the inauguration... certainly, a major milestone in US history.
An interesting side effect of the inauguration is the increase in sales of botox and the like. A lot of inaugural party crashers want to look their best at this important day, so they turn to botox and other "quick fix" solutions at plastic surgeons (See this article).
Today, it also snowed (again) and I didn't want to keep these pictures from you... Central Park was filled with people enjoying the scenery, having fun with snowball fights and even langlaufing.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Frozen
Central Park... steps from our apartment.
Yesterday, it snowed in Manhattan... wonderful! Today, we went for a stroll in our backyard to see the snowy / icy landscapes. I am still defrosting when I post these pictures.
And it will get colder in the City... Thursday minimum temperatures of 5° Fahrenheit are forecasted (or - 15° C). *shivers*
Yesterday, it snowed in Manhattan... wonderful! Today, we went for a stroll in our backyard to see the snowy / icy landscapes. I am still defrosting when I post these pictures.
And it will get colder in the City... Thursday minimum temperatures of 5° Fahrenheit are forecasted (or - 15° C). *shivers*
Annual No Pants! Subway Ride
Keep your pants on!
It is not unusual to meet the weird and the wonderful on a subway ride in New York. So, any real New Yorker will keep his poker face when some strange character makes a scene in the subway. However, the Annual No Pants! Subway is known to raise the eyebrows of even the most experienced New Yorker...
Each year, ImprovEverywhere organizes a get-together of people willing to drop their pants in public, in the subway. Last Saturday, approximately 1,200 people participated and went on a ride on several subway trains without their pants on... while outside it was snowing!
This was the result of last year's No Pants! Subway Ride.
Improv Everywhere also organizes other daring and hilarious events. These are my favourites:
Food Court Musical
Frozen Grand Central
No Shirts... in the famous Abercrombie & Fitch
It is not unusual to meet the weird and the wonderful on a subway ride in New York. So, any real New Yorker will keep his poker face when some strange character makes a scene in the subway. However, the Annual No Pants! Subway is known to raise the eyebrows of even the most experienced New Yorker...
Each year, ImprovEverywhere organizes a get-together of people willing to drop their pants in public, in the subway. Last Saturday, approximately 1,200 people participated and went on a ride on several subway trains without their pants on... while outside it was snowing!
This was the result of last year's No Pants! Subway Ride.
Improv Everywhere also organizes other daring and hilarious events. These are my favourites:
Food Court Musical
Frozen Grand Central
No Shirts... in the famous Abercrombie & Fitch
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
First days in New York...
... and yes, we are still alive! ;-)
We arrived on Saturday, jet lag left on Sunday, the furniture arrived on Monday, Internet arrived on Tuesday. And we saw that it was good.
It is a big adaptation and it surely will take a couple of weeks before we are finally settled, but rest assured – we are doing fine in the Big Apple! The transition was not as hard as I feared. The weather in New York is not (yet) harsh, our apartment is stuffed with our old furniture, and we (especially Ward) have been so busy that we have not yet had the time to get homesick!
So far, it has been a great experience even though I have not seen much of Manhattan until now. The Columbia Better Halves Club turned out to be a great starting point for me – I’ve already met many “better halves” in the same situation as I am. Monday night we went ice-skating in Bryant Park (wonderful setting, with views on both the Chrysler and Empire State Building) and tonight we will go bowling and afterwards clubbing. I feel very much a student again (which is not a bad thing)!
In the next posts, I’ll share my first impressions, and maybe some photos once I've had the time to wander around Manhattan!
We arrived on Saturday, jet lag left on Sunday, the furniture arrived on Monday, Internet arrived on Tuesday. And we saw that it was good.
It is a big adaptation and it surely will take a couple of weeks before we are finally settled, but rest assured – we are doing fine in the Big Apple! The transition was not as hard as I feared. The weather in New York is not (yet) harsh, our apartment is stuffed with our old furniture, and we (especially Ward) have been so busy that we have not yet had the time to get homesick!
So far, it has been a great experience even though I have not seen much of Manhattan until now. The Columbia Better Halves Club turned out to be a great starting point for me – I’ve already met many “better halves” in the same situation as I am. Monday night we went ice-skating in Bryant Park (wonderful setting, with views on both the Chrysler and Empire State Building) and tonight we will go bowling and afterwards clubbing. I feel very much a student again (which is not a bad thing)!
In the next posts, I’ll share my first impressions, and maybe some photos once I've had the time to wander around Manhattan!
Friday, January 2, 2009
We're gonna be a part of it... New York, New York!
First of all, a HAPPY NEW YEAR! May 2009 be a wonderful and exciting year for all of you, full of surprises and challenges... It sure will be for us!
This is our very last day in Belgium as tomorrow morning we are officially moving to the Big Apple! Tomorrow afternoon (local time), we'll be moving into our new apartment in the Upper West Side - still empty except for one Ikea sleeper still to be assembled (let's pray all the parts are included and fit... otherwise, it will be a very long first night!).
The cable guy (or girl) is installing our Internet and TV in the beginning of next week. So, this blog will be silent for the next couple of days. However, I’m sure we’ll have already lots of stories to tell by the end of next week!
Got to run… still need to stuff piles and piles of clothes into a way too small suitcase!
This is our very last day in Belgium as tomorrow morning we are officially moving to the Big Apple! Tomorrow afternoon (local time), we'll be moving into our new apartment in the Upper West Side - still empty except for one Ikea sleeper still to be assembled (let's pray all the parts are included and fit... otherwise, it will be a very long first night!).
The cable guy (or girl) is installing our Internet and TV in the beginning of next week. So, this blog will be silent for the next couple of days. However, I’m sure we’ll have already lots of stories to tell by the end of next week!
Got to run… still need to stuff piles and piles of clothes into a way too small suitcase!
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