New York Cit-Dee, Dee Two

With our son living in Brooklyn, and being tennis fans (attending the US Open), my wife and I have visited New York multiple times over the last two plus years. We’ve also been before (once before we were married), so we’ve done most of the tourist things, like the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. 

However, this trip was solo–and different for me as I was doing it dressed. As my hotel was near the Empire State Building, I decided “why not”?

Eight years ago, the idea of being dressed, in lines with tons of other people, would have been a non-starter. However, I lost that fear a long time ago. My philosophy was people may know it’s a guy in a dress, but they don’t know it’s ME in the dress–and I just want to make sure it’s a pretty dress.

The weather was warm and sunny, perfect for a favorite summer dress, a yellow and black one I fell instantly in love with when I spotted it on a Macy’s discount rack five years ago in Chicago. 

Speaking of lines of people, there were plenty of others who decided it was a good day to visit. Visitors wind their way through lower levels of the building, then take an elevator to the 80th floor, and then another set of elevators to the 86th floor for the outdoor viewing area. The views are simply spectacular. I took some pictures of the views in all four directions (for friends of Dee; no guy Facebook posts, to avoid questions of what I was doing in New York????), a few selfies, and just plain enjoyed the views. The sun was welcoming, the breeze was friendly, and I was glad I did the tourist thing for once.

After lunch I went to the landmark Macy’s on 34th Street, sponsor and backdrop for the annual Thanksgiving parade, and locale for the Christmas movie “Miracle on 34th Street”. Having been there in guy mode a couple of weeks earlier, I knew there was lots of stuff to try on, but I didn’t find anything in the discount racks.

Having done my homework, I found that Squeeze and Boy George were playing a concert in Central Park that evening. We had been to a Regina Spektor concert with our son the year before, so I knew it was a good venue for a concert. Once the weather forecast showed it wasn’t going to rain, I bought a ticket, and looked forward to it, as I’m a big fan of Squeeze. 

I changed into a halter and skirt combination and set out to walk the couple of miles to Central Park, window shopping along the way (I love walking around NYC). I bought a hot dog and fries for dinner from a street vendor, and ate on a bench in the park, and then proceeded to the venue.

Boy George was fine (I’m not the biggest fan but he was entertaining) but Squeeze was outstanding. Even though all the band members seemed to be my age (or older), they played their popular songs (they didn’t have that many “hits”), most of which I knew–and sang and danced along to. Fun music, watching the moon rise above the trees while seeing the skyscrapers in three directions, all in all a great experience. 

I walked back to my hotel, with a diversion to stroll through the lights of Times Square, enjoying the evening in the city that never sleeps.

More fun to share next Sun-Dee.