Monday, January 9, 2012

Carly, Crutches, Cabs & Crowds: Christmas in New York

Mode of distraction: Exploring my first Fleetwood Mac album, Rumours (yeah yeah, I'm suuuuper late).
Distracting me from: Lower leg discomfort. 

New York, New York. A city that always manages to precede its reputation. Since my sister was cast in Peter Pan (!) as Tootles/Jane/Wendy understudy (!!), there was talk that we would visit her in New York for Christmas. Mission accomplished, albeit with a few twists and turns, mostly involving my recently repaired Achilles tendon (a big ol' post on this to come). Needless to say, it was a great time--cold as hell (...hmm) and rough on my leg, but entirely worth it to see Carly on stage as Wendy (!!!).

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Since everyone prefers looking at pictures to actual reading, allow me to do a bit of both. Announcing my top five New York memories, via pictures:

1. Carly goes on for the lead role of Wendy


When we got the text that Carly would go on as Wendy the night before the show we were scheduled to see, it was as if we had to repay the universe for the opportunity to see her in a lead in New York City's Madison Square Garden by moving heaven and earth and wheelchair to get there. The entirety of the Met was leaving with us, it was pouring rain, $30 umbrellas flipped inside out, and a solid dozen-plus cabs pulled up to the curb only to screech away at the sight of my wet wheelchair. Cunts (I mean, there is no other word). But, when we sat down in our newly acquired (thank you, Duncan!) seats not a minute before the lights when down and the curtains went up, seeing Carly knock her role out of the park made it all worth it.

2. A New York City Lunch


Our New York meals were starting to look like an embarrassment: two bland dinners outside the MSG theater, breakfast at a diner that would rival anything in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and overpriced museum food that brought flashbacks airplane meals (back when they used to feed you). Enough was enough. Mom, Alex and I took a break from some serious shopping to crutch into Beacon, a delightful and delicious delicatessen that gave us the pseudo-high society vibes we were looking for and then some.

3. Christmas Day


Not your traditional Christmas, to be sure--what with the added guests, Carly-only presents, limited space, and painkiller buzz (for me, anyway)--but a warm and welcomed one nonetheless. And we were together.

4. The Royal Handicap Treatment 


American Airlines. The Empire State Building. The World Trade Center Memorial. All these institutions get extraordinarily high marks for their treatment of the disabled, specifically me. American Airlines wheeled me to the front of every line you could find, and the flight attendants made sure I was comfortable at all times (business class on the way there felt especially special). At the Empire State Building, the line winded into the cold outdoors, and the wait promised to be a healthy 90 minutes. Oh wait, you're in a wheelchair? Come right this way. Through secret passageways we went, all the way to the top* in less than fifteen minutes, all without so much as a second glance. My family has done a lot of favors for me over the past several weeks--it felt nice to do something (more or less) for them in return. And on our last day, we visited the World Trade Center memorial. I crutched there, now knowing how anti-wheelchairs cab drivers were, and immediately regretted it as I weaved through the construction area just to get to the line. And what happened when I got there? "Would you like a wheelchair, sir?" Oh god, yes. Yes.

*The 86th floor with the outdoor viewing. The new viewing area on the 102nd floor is not handicap friendly.

5. 21st-Century Pen Pals Meet


Pen pals are sort of a forgotten relationship in the social networking age, but it's the best descriptor I have for a newly met friend. A mutual love for music and obsession with chart statistics led to cautious forum messages, eventual Facebooking, and, finally, near-daily g-chat sessions. We met up our last night in the city, and it was great! Got to drink at a New York gay bar, meet some new people (two of whom live in San Francisco), and feel--for a moment--like I wasn't a cripple. Also got to hear a Kelly Clarkson album track at the bar! Catch up, SF.

All in all, I fully enjoyed my New York experience!

...but I live in the superior city.