January 27, 2015: Walkabout during the Travel Ban of NYC Blizzard 2015

What: Walkabout during the Travel Ban of NYC Blizzard 2015
Where: Manhattan, NY
Cost: FREE (except for some shivers and cold fingers)
Summary:  The snow didn't materialize as they had predicted, but the travel ban made the streets of Manhattan absolutely deserted!

I'm one of those crazy people that love the snow.  I couldn't WAIT for 20-30 inches of it!  Alas, NYC was spared, getting maybe 7 inches (?).  However, there was a Travel Ban in place (no cars allowed on the road and the subways weren't running), so the streets were just about as quiet as you'll ever seen NYC.  So, when my alarm went off at 5:30, I put on my long johns and an extra turtle neck, grabbed my camera, and hit the empty streets.

I meandered my way up the middle of 5th Ave, Broadway, and 6th Ave from 14th St through Madison Square Park, Harold Square, Times Square, then over to Rockefeller Center.  And yes, I literally walked up the middle of the Avenues.  How often does one get to do that?!?!  Fun!  I'll get some better pictures posted later, but below are the tweets I made along the way (including an expected appearance on the Today Show, LOL).

May 31, 2014: Amazing Race Season 25 Kicks Off in Times Square

This post is a little late (by about four months, heh) but after the premiere of Amazing Race aired I loved seeing how they aired it (vs. how I saw it) and had fun going back and looking at the pictures I took.

So, let me flashback. May 31 of this year, a friend told me that The Amazing Race was starting it’s 25th season in Times Square. Generally, this would be an absolute no brainer for me to go see. But the catch? It was starting at 3:00 am. THREE AM.

SO, I went to bed at 7 and set my alarm for 2. I figured if I woke up, I’d go. If the alarm went off and I thought, “oh hail no!” then I wouldn’t go. But when the alarm went off at 2, I popped out of bed and headed to Times Square for another New York adventure!

It was all fun to see (especially now that the show has aired and I know a little bit about the contestants). And Phil Keogan (the host of the show) was fantastic with all the fans after the contestants were sent on their way. Best yet, I got an epic picture with Phil!

It’s Phil!!

July 21, 2013: Accidental Set Stalking: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Date: July 21, 2013 
Event: Movie filming: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 
Location: Times Square (New York City) 
Cost: FREE 
Summary: I have no idea if any of the stars were on set. It didn't really matter, though, because all I know is I loved watching the extras throw themselves to the ground over and over.

After watching Body Painting (see previous post), I was walking home talking to my mom about it and I literally stumbled upon this movie set. I mean *literally* stumbled upon it:  I about tripped over one of their wires as I was directed by an assistant to please stay on the other side of the island. I guess I should pay attention to what I'm doing.

And what I was doing was, apparently, watching / walking through an active movie set. When asked "what are you filming?" the answer was always, "4 Square". However, I have reason to believe those answers were little fibs (or at least a code).

In any case, I got there just as they were filming what appeared to be a major disaster / explosion / crash / building collapse. While there were not *actual* explosions, there was (fake) wreckage everywhere, (fake) cops everywhere, a (fake) firetruck and crew, and extras were throwing themselves on the ground and pretending to only painfully pull themselves up. In short, it was awesome!!