New York City Reflections

This weekend we met some good friends in NYC for a little shopping, food, and hockey. We arrived at mid-day for some belated birthday shopping our daughter and while I and the other males (Mack’s best friend and his father) went to Toys R Us, little did we know we could have watched the entire Rangers game at MSG then gone back and met the ladies before they finished in the one store targeted for devastation on this day. It was good to hang out and trade NFL cards and we did eventually have lunch at “the finer diner,” The Brooklyn Diner (on Time’s Square).

CMB_2667As we made our way through the Square we saw the usual creepy cartoon characters having their pictures taken with small children or, in this case, taking a picture of another character. I was struck by one couple who were offering to swing the ropes for double dutch. I watched a number of people, adults and children, come through and jump. Everyone who participated and their friends and family who watched were laughing and clearly enjoying themselves. The couple had a small, unobtrusive box for donations. I took a number of pictures and gave them some money. I appreciated what they were doing, like a busker playing beautiful music, they were bringing joy into the lives of those who stopped for a minute or two. Well worth a few dollars to me.

The main event was “The Frozen Apple,” Penn State Men’s Hockey taking on my alma mater the Cornell Big Red. Hockey at Cornell is like football at an SEC school. The Lynah Faithful, fans named after the famous Lynah Rink, are known for their fanaticism, fish, raucous cheers, and the cowbell. (Sorry Penn Staters, it seems Lynah had it first, dating back to 1968.) But I was very disappointed in my fellow alumni. That nigh the cheers consisted almost exclusively of one word: “suck.” When the Penn State fans did their cowbell cheer the Cornellians punctuated each shout (“P”) with a following “SUCKS.” Then there was the ever modest “safety school” chant, as if Cornell fans never get tired of hearing Yalies shout that at them. On our way out there was even one young Cornell fan on the street corner who yelled “safety school” and then said something about Penn State’s Honors College. I really wish I could have heard what he said.

CMB_2710NYC is a beautiful city in many ways and I love taking pictures there and I enjoy visiting. I still cannot see myself living there. I love the fact that on my way to work I drive past horses, poultry barns, and swine as well as a premiere venue for the arts and a wonderful art museum. All while being surrounded by trees, fields, streams, and mountains. And when I really do want to go to the city, well, I have four all within 3.5 hours.

All in all, a wonderful way to end our Thanksgiving weekend. Blessings to all.

Psa. 111:1 Praise the LORD!

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart,

in the company of the upright, in the congregation.

2 Great are the works of the LORD,

studied by all who delight in them.

3 Full of honor and majesty is his work,

and his righteousness endures forever.

 

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