New York City

It's already been a week since I've been in New York... just goes to show how much time is flying. The beginning of the trip was a bummer. My flight from Salt Lake City to Denver was delayed two hours because of mechanical problems, so I thought for sure I would have a heck of a time finding a replacement connection to New York. But luckily (in some ways), New York was having strong thunderstorms, so that flight had been delayed too. We finally boarded the plane and got in line to take off, but then pulled off to the side and the captain informed us we were delayed further. We ended up watching all of Evan Almighty right there on the tarmac, bringing the total flight delay to five hours. Needless to say, I didn't get to New York until a little past midnight, thus being able to only wish Casey a happy belated birthday, and eliminating any partying we had planned.

On Friday, we started off by hanging around the Columbia neighborhood, seeing Grant's tomb, Riverside Park, Tom's Restaurant (Monk's from Seinfeld), and the campus. That afternoon, we walked around Central Park for a bit. While there, we actually ran into two people Casey knew from NC State! Granted one of them went to Columbia, but we weren't even near Columbia. I guess a small world exists in New York City too. That evening, we ate at a Cuban restaurant and then went to an improv comedy club, which was very funny. Afterwards, we walked back through Times Square. I guess I should say at this point that the subway was everything I thought it would be and more. But it made me dizzy when we were forced to stand up, and we didn't see any cool/weird/unusual performers.

On Saturday, we went to a Columbia football game. It was essentially a high school game, both in attendance and quality of play. And I finally put two and two together that the Halifax Comets' "Columbia blue" actually comes from Columbia University (their uniforms were actually nearly the same as our 2003-2004 ones). Penn was leading 45-7 at halftime so we left after the Robert Kraft (owner of the Patriots) field dedication (he donated $5 million to the athletic department). We then went to Brother Jimmy's, which is basically an ACC bar, but the bouncer was 100% sure Casey's ID was fake and wouldn't let us in. So we ended up at another place to eat and watch a little football, but Casey's friend who's the manager wasn't working to give us a discount. Then we went down and took the Staten Island Ferry where I saw the Statue of Liberty and the skyline lit up at night. We walked back through downtown where I saw the New York Stock Exchange and the World Trade Center site (unfortunately my camera batteries died there). We then went to the top of the Empire State Building for an incredible view of the city. Along the way, we also passed by Grand Central Station, the New York Public Library, and Rockefeller Center. I kid you not, the lights on Radio City Music Hall turned off right as we were walking up, and it was 11:18... odd timing.

The trip back Sunday was much smoother... we actually got into SLC several minutes early. I also got a great picture of the sunset as we were landing in Chicago. I had a blast and I'm glad I went. It was really good to be able to hang out with Casey again. We did a lot more walking/riding than doing stuff, but it was nice being able to see so much. I was sad to leave and return to the real world, and it drove home the point that I really miss my friends. But I would never want to live in New York City. The pictures have been posted on Webshots.

Today is the fifth rainy Saturday in a row. We had a little snow Wednesday night and may get a little tonight. But it's supposed to be back to near 70 most of next week. Luckily my physics test was pushed back to November 5, but I still have a synoptic test, a dynamics homework, and a 4-hour long dynamics test. It's going to be a crazy week.

When It Rains it Pours

In the span of one hour this afternoon, two things got my blood boiling, and another thing just piled on. (1) I bragged too soon about my NWA flight. Apparently the one from MSP to RDU was canceled. However, their idiot computer chose a replacement flight to Detroit (and then to RDU) that departs MSP four hours before my flight from SLC arrives. Wow, a negative layover! So I had to call and get things straight. The only flight they had that day leaves SLC at 8:20am. Yuck. Hope I can find transportation to the airport at that hour. (2) I'm applying for my passport tomorrow because the mountain meteorology conference is in Whistler (sp?), BC next August. So mom had to send my birth certificate. It was supposed to arrive Saturday. I get home today and it still wasn't here. That's a problem. Well the landlord said they hadn't gotten mail today. Sure enough, 6pm gets here and he brings down my package. Apparently a substitute mail person. But man, that's late. (3) I needed a couple groceries, so I stopped by Albertson's on my way home because it's convenient. From previous experience, I knew they were pricey. Well considering my mood, seeing those price tags just made me that much more angry. Honestly, the joint doesn't look that much nicer than Food Lion, yet they think they can charge Harris Teeter prices. Needless to say, I am a loyal Smith's (aka Kroger) customer.

From last time:

• The presentation went OK, although I felt slightly unprepared/not knowledgeable enough. But several people told me I did a good job.
• The physical meteorology test did not go well. I'm pretty sure I made the lowest grade in the class. I blame NC State's lack of radiation material. :-P
• The "research" dead ended since all the articles said cyclones were too hard to identify in higher elevations. But I keep getting promised a project in the "next month or so."
• Upper low #3 brought a couple hours of snow here with temperatures in the mid 30's. A little stuck on the grass before it changed back to rain.
• Why the heck was I on Antelope Island? Well I was invited out because a couple of students were launching a weather balloon in coordination with the detonation of surplus missiles in the desert. It was cool to hear/feel the sound/shock wave 2.5 minutes after seeing the mushroom cloud go up.

I am on Fall Break right now, but I've gone into work the past two days to work on a portion of our synoptic project (snow densities) that's due the week we get back. It took a little while to figure out how to get everything into Matlab and then plot it. I don't know if I'll make it in tomorrow since I have several errands to run. Then it's off to New York City on Thursday! I'm super stoked. Without a doubt, there will be stories and pictures when I return.

Side note: I am a member of too many things. I just wrote three checks for dues and/or subscriptions. And, where has the night gone?