Illume

This past Sunday, Kate and I checked out Red Bull's traveling art exhibit, Illume. According to Red Bull's website, Illume:

...is the first-ever international photography competition that celebrates the world of action and adventure sports. The spirit, the grit, the edgy perfection - that's what we're here to honor. The top 50 finalists will get their work exhibited in bigger-than-life outdoor venues across the globe, providing the most dramatic compilation of action and adventure sports images ever assembled.

Installed on the Stone Arch Bridge, the giant back-lit cubes illuminated the photographs and the awe-inspired people walking around them. The bonus touch to the night was The Gotan Project playing in the background...all good stuff.

Toby from HR

One final highlight from my quick trip to NYC -- as we waited for a taxi this morning outside our hotel, I turned around and saw Toby (Paul Lieberstein) from NBC's The Office standing behind me, patiently waiting for a ride as well. I did a double/triple take, and I think he noticed -- he had a little smirk on his face when I turned to look at him for the 3rd time, and from reading 2 seconds of body language, I determined that he seemed like a nice, normal guy.

Running from the Ritz

The Ritz is awesome. I think I can easily say that my room had the most comfortable bed I've ever slept in (minus the surprisingly dream-like beds that rest above the Essen Haus in Madison, WI). Despite the luxury, I woke up early this morning to get outside for a run.

I started out across the street and ran through Battery Park, passing a line of tourists waiting to purchase their ferry tickets to visit the Statue of Liberty, then headed up along the well-manicured park that hugs the Hudson River. Surrounded by other morning runners, dog walkers, and Wall Street pit workers smoking their morning's final cigarettes, I couldn't help but feel the energy of the city and wondered what life would be like in Manhattan.

Back at the hotel, a "For our morning runners" sign rested on the entryway table and was stocked full of chilled Vitamin Water and towels. Small perk, but much appreciated and thoughtful. I guess it's that attention to detail that sets the Ritz apart from the competition.

No Sleep Till....Brooklynnnnnnn!

Heading to NYC tomorrow for a quick business trip. Wish it were next to a free weekend so I could explore, as I don't make it out there nearly enough.

I don't know my neighborhoods too well, but I do know I'll have the pleasure of staying at The Ritz and spending my time in Chelsea Market. Hopefully I'll get out for some drinks at night and a run in the morning...it's supposed to be a hot one.

Slacker

As you may (or may not) have noticed, I've been slacking lately on the dot com.

I'm pretty sure I should blame it on summer -- spending time outdoors late into the night, road trips (Badlands and Black Hills!), gardening, summer sports...you get the idea.

So in the meantime, while I continue to slack, why don't you check out my friends' blogs listed to the right, or the newest blogs that I've been too lazy to add:

My friend Kris bought an AmTrak rail pass and took off for the summer.

My friend Katie found a nanny job in Turkey and is living the dream.