A Trip to Paris

The big news on the local front is that Major Kong is in town on a long layover. This afternoon, I got together with the good Major and Ned Beaumont. Ned being enamored of Old New York, he suggested that we meet at The Paris Tavern, a venerable South Street institution, established in 1873. The Paris Tavern is characterized by old-timey tile floors and warm hospitality. The last time I went drinking in South Street was a few years back, when I hit Jeremy's Ale House with some co-workers from my old company's Manhattan office. Jeremy's is a funny place, it has a grotty vibe, serving beer in 32 oz. styrofoam cups to an only-in-New-York-City mix of longshoremen and Wall Street swells. Frathouse vibe aside, the place sells portions of calamari tentacles (best part of the squid!) and house-fried potato chips. The Paris Cafe is very genteel compared to it.

After a relaxing beer together, we headed west on Fulton St, and Ned was in his glory. Ned is the go-to guy about old buildings, and he knows the city like the back of his hand. He was pointing out details of the building facades, the silly looking modern "caps" put on beautiful old buildings to increase the number of apartments in them when they were converted for residential use. Sadly, I had to part ways with Ned and the Major at Broadway, in order to catch the "4" train back to Woodlawn, in the Bronx, and to proceed to work.

Saturday is my "no fun at all" day (unless you count listening to NPR for a couple of hours while contemplating getting out of bed)- I work until 4AM and return to work at 5PM. Actually, I like my job, so I have fun on Saturdays. Ned and I made some suggestions to the Major- walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and check out the Highline. The Major is in town until Monday, so we'll make plans to get together again. It had been a while since I'd hung out with N__B and the Major, it was good to get the old trio back together. So, when are you going to get your ass to New York?