Float On

Good Sunday morning, loyal readers and first-timers.

It has been a busy week, what with starting at Apple on Wednesday afternoon, working my first full three days in the madness of the new MacBook release, surviving the week and having one of the greatest Saturdays ever.

I haven't taken my camera with me to work yet. The operative word there is "yet" because sooner or later, I'm going to be taking pictures with my awesome friends at work. And to put it to you simply, this is one of the best jobs I've ever had. Once you conquer any fear or concern over the number of people that are in the store at one time, you can do anything. 

And the best part? Actually HELPING people and making them happy. (I know that sounds so SIMPLE, but you'd be surprised how much strangers appreciate your attention to their needs) And the last I'll say on this: I love my job at Apple.

But I'm getting ahead of myself...

UF CRUSHES LSU Saturday evening. Gators 51 - Tigers 21

LSWho? Yeah, about that... 

Great way for Saturday to end with a devastating defeat of LSU. Congrats, Gators!

The next morning, I recieve a text message from Joe, asking if anyone wanted to join him for a day-trip to Central Park. I decide to jump on the chance; I hadn't spent alot of time in the Park since I moved and wanted a chance to soak up the gorgeous weather. I grabbed my camera and got to the train. I arrived in Central Park...

The ice rink.

Sheep's Meadow

While meandering through the Park, we found a group of musicians playing some fantastic jazz. We had stumbled upon musical gold. They are called "The Jazz Collective" and have been coming to the same spot from spring to early fall for the past 15 years. Only one member of the original group remains. His name is Rasheed and he plays the trumpet (or trumpet[s] because he can play two at once.) Joe and I took seats along the wooden beam that passed in front of the group and soaked it in.

After listening for a bit, we walked the lake. Joe proposed fetching a boat and rowing around the lake for a little while. (Long story short, we thought we were walking in the right direction and weren't. Completely missed the boathouse). However, we stumbled upon a much more enjoyable proposition... The Jazz Collective in full swing.

Here are some photos of these entertaining artists:

And they jammed out and kept playing...

We sat there for nearly two hours, just grooving with these talented musicians. What a way to spend a gorgeous Sunday afternoon.

So strolled back towards the train station. En route we heard the call of "FREE BEER!" Realizing this was a ploy outright, we decided to attract attention to ourselves:

"Did somebody say FREE BEER?!?!"

We were answered: 

"That's right, white boys. Come on down."

And we joined an already forming circle around a dance troupe called The Breeze Team. Hailing from Brooklyn, they had a  full team of about six adults and three kids. They were really busting some impressive moves, even the kids.

After a bit of showmanship, they announce the "Leap of Death," which lines some members of the team ("and a white kid!") up for their jumpman to leap over.

After faking the first attempt, they pull Joe into the line... this ought to be good.

And the guy does it. Impressive.

An appropriate end to Man Day (as we have come to call that day) came at my house with some South Park and delicious ice cream. Good way to end the weekend before my first workweek.

I returned to training on Monday and finished on Tuesday with incredibly high-hopes for Wednesday. :) Really all I can do when I think about work is smile. The details of the job are what make it so enjoyable. Going into them here would be terribly time-consuming. They are innumerable. Just remember what I said earlier: I love my job.

The week FLEW past. Time seems to have no bearing while I am underground. Next thing I knew, it was Saturday.

All week, Joe and I had been planning on returning to Central Park to listen to the Jazz Collective and hopefully get a boat at the lake. We roped in The Steinway Ladies and set the date for Saturday.

And what a day it was. We went by the Jazz Collective only to see the semblance of the group of last week. Still good, but not complete. 

To Bethesda Fountain we went, as per Brittany's request. What a fantastic decision...

There, we saw the boathouse. Would we finally be able to purchase a boat and row the lake?

No, of course not. Cash only. And we all had cards. Oh well... at least we found the boats.

Now what to do? Amy mentions a dive burger joint in the Parker Meridian hotel and we decide our stomachs are craving just that.

And we arrived at the Parker Meridian and turned into a small hallway near the front desk.

And you want to talk about a hole-in-the-wall? This place was perfect. The aroma of grilled burgers was wafting out the door.

We enjoyed the delicious burgers and even ended up getting some free brownies out of the deal. So we headed back towards the train station to get into Queens.

When we arrived back in Queens, I decided to part with the group to fetch a coat since the chill had settled on the city. My night took a different turn at this point. Justin had also just arrived back home with a new computer chair. I offered to help and then we set to work.

After that, I started feeling a little feverish and awfully cold. I decided to spend the evening indoors with my roomie and our good friend, Albert. Justin introduced me to Cosmic Wimpout, a dice game of epic proportions. If you want to play sometime, just swing by. 

For now, I'm heading off to work. 

It's a beautiful day, so if you're in New York, go outside for a little while. 

I miss you all and I love you immensely.

Talk to you soon.

The Sweetness

Hello again, my constituency. 

Good to see you. How was your week? Hope it was great.

This week has been a smooth cruise... Let's look at the highlights.

- Training @ Apple Fifth Ave.

- Sporty T comes into town; "Wicked" @ The Gershwin

- Thursday & Friday OFF

Sunday Oct. 5th was supposed to be an audition day. My immune system had other plans. Seeing as the weather here is in transition, I am finding some difficulty keeping colds away. However, I have learned that effecient layering of sweaters and overcoats will save me any further problems. So I bailed and took the day to prepare for my first day at Apple Fifth Ave. I ended up at the Steinway Ladies' apartment as usual and we boozed it up. Hilarity ensued.

Propend:

Photogenic people have it so easy...

Me and Becky :) 

[The blurry nature of this shot perfectly emulates our state of mind.]

'Braska and I had a camera showdown. No one was injured in this photo.

Color!

Someone's peeved... 

Monday morning: Up early because I wasn't sure what time my training began. (NOTE: Not my fault. I hadn't received an e-mail from HR informing of the time) I decided that being early would be better than showing up late. I made it to Fifth Ave by 9 a.m. and I was nearly an hour early. And I'm glad I had some time... the Starbucks up the street was exactly what the doctor ordered to get my nerves in order and my mind in the right place. 

Grande Double Chocolate Chip Frap? Yeah, I'll take that.

Never fails.

As a matter of policy, the details of my training cannot be discussed. And really, all that I can tell you is that I'm learning everything. Every facet of knowledge and beyond in the Apple World is being streamlined into my mind. Needless to say, I'll be ready when I hit the floor for the first time on Wednesday of this upcoming week. :)

Tuesday: Grandpa and Patti are coming into town in the afternoon and I'm at training all day.

I manage to get out early from training and meet Ricky in front of "The Cube." We book it for the Gershwin on 50th. On the way we snag the second member of our party, Tony. Tony has also started training at the Apple SoHo store. We're Apple buddies. It's nauseatingly awesome. We arrive at the theatre and meet my cousin, Marty. I didn't know that he was going to be there and I was even more excited knowing that my Aunt Norma was with him. So we entered the theatre and went upstairs.

What a gorgeous set. Back of house Orchestra section? Good job, Grandpa. We were in prime position for some good theatre. 

But immediately, the apparent lack of energy in every performer caught our eye. Now, I will admit, as performers ourselves, we tend to be quite critical. But we were on BROADWAY. This was absurd that we could hardly hear the principals and everything lacked honesty and commitment to an action. I was unimpressed.

I will give them this however; by the end of the show, things started coming together. By this time, I was convinced that the more emotionally charged songs were going to fall flat just as the famous songs that made the show a shoo-in at Tony time. Songs like "Popular," "One Short Day (In The Emerald City)," and "What Is This Feeling?" were shallow and completely destroyed by the absence of actor effort and character strength. ::sigh:: But I digress... 

The saving grace came in "No Good Deed." FINALLY and how glorious it was.

Following the show, we headed back to the Hilton for a night-cap and some Presidential debate action. So while the family took a cab, Ricky, Tony, and myself hit the pavement.

We shared a few drinks and watched Obama and McCain battle it out. It was a good experience to bond with my family that I don't see very often. My grandfather had outbursts to me about Obama and I had more than my share of sharp retorts. I miss my family, all of them. They've been so supportive of me and always had my back. I love you, guys. I hope to see you all soon.

A Rum and Coke and some Munchies (::snicker::) were a good way to end the night. My grandfather bought all of us a cab home and into the night we went. :)

The remainder of the week was much of the same. I would wake up and head to Apple to train until about 7 o'clock and then I would wander about until I felt inclined to go home. Something interesting happened on Wednesday evening though.

We were given the remainder of the week off. AWESOME.

Thursday and Friday were absolute BLISS. I was able to wake at my leisure and do as I pleased. (Not being in school has its advantages) So I went on excursions into Midtown Manhattan and to Central Park... The pictures speak the rest. Enjoy.

And then the madness set in. And of course, my camera was sitting in my room... 

FRIDAY: Steinway and Ditmars. It went DOWN.

Becky, Lauren, and myself toasted the end of a good week. (Maybe not so much for the ladies, but eh, we'll drink to it.) We boozed until about 11:30 when Becky and I headed to The Beer Garden on 24th to meet up with Shaun, Andy, and some of their friends.

More beer... heated political debate... and the sweet chill that has settled over New York. After a couple hours of good times, it was homeward bound for me. I got to talking with Andy about tagging my room in an attempt to make my room more "me," for the lack of a better word. Let's see how that works out...

Well, UF v. LSU tonight... Thinking I may just stay in tonight and watch it on the HDTV.

Go Gators. You know what it is.

Monday: back to training

and by Wednesday...

I'll be an Apple Specialist.

Have a spectacular weekend, everyone. Talk to you soon.