Observations, Musings, and Just Plain Thoughts...

The Flagship Apple Store is in hiding.  Normally, one of the premier spots to visit in NYC is the all-glass Apple Store.  It is located next to the CBS square and is a shining block of glass, floor to ceiling, even the roof.  And the glass even goes down into the ground.  I guess, as in their stores in malls, too many people were "rushing" the store, so the powers that be covered the entire structure with white plywood.  However, it didn't look like the disguise worked -- people were STILL streaming in and out of the tiny doors!

(Actually, we "heard" Apple was planning on expanding their NY store -- surely hope it stays that gleaming clear glass, so people can find it again!)

Fire Alarms:  We were snugly tucked away in bed when, at precisely 4 a.m., the fire alarm started blaring.  FIrst thought:  it is a mistake.  Remember, we are on the 16th floor of the hotel.  And you can't use the elevators in a fire.  Me, no elevators.  That's a real hardship!  The alarm kept going.  The hotel engineer comes on the intercom.  "We are looking into it."  Third alarm keeps going.  "Guess we better get dressed."  So we grabbed our pills, the jewelry, my purse and the cell phone and out into the hall.  It looked foggy to me (but I think it might have been sleepies in my eyes) and I can tell you that, in a panic, you can't figure out where the stairs  are located from your room. If you travel, always check that out.  Or at least we think we will.  So -- as we start ogling the other guests in their night gear. a little man runs down the hall saying, "It's okay. It's okay.  Just a mistake."  Back into our night clothes. Turn off the lights.

Staring at the ceiling.  Eyes wide open. Me: "Didn't they say everything was okay at the World Trade Center? Right before it fell down?" Bos: "I don't think so."  Me: "I think you're wrong. I'm sure I remember that."  Eyes won't close.  Staring at the ceiling.  We never did find out what happened.  But I will think twice about an "upgrade" to the 16th floor!!

Plays:  "A Winter's Tale" by Shakespeare.  The first night we were here, we had dinner at Daniel and hoofed it over to the Park Avenue Armory.  The actors were from the Royal Shakespeare Company in London.  And they, literally, built a Globe theater INSIDE the Armory -- complete with balconies.  The area for "groundlings" did give a concession to modern times, by providing seating!  The production received a rave review from the NYTimes, but, after all, it is SHakespeare.  To prepare ourselves,  Bos and I got copies of the play and read all the parts before we came.  Still, while we understood the story, we weren't so sure we would "get" the language when it was spoken.  All it took, however, was a few speeches and we were enthralled.  Sitting-on-the-edge-of-our-seats enthralled.  Such a unique experience!
Next show: "War Horse".  We really didn't know this, but it was adapted from a teen book, it seems.  And it has been playing on the East End stage in London for over a year.  In NYC it is at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre in Lincoln Center (where, incidentally, I saw the building for Julliard School).  What a tear-jerker.  And all done with giant puppets.  Puppets the size of real horses, maneuvered by several men, and with all the real movements of horses -- shivering, eating grass, flicking flies with their tales.  And within a short time you forget they are puppets and start thinking of them as horses.  And, a short time after that, you forget they are horses and start thinking of them as people!!  I was foresightful enough to  bring kleenex.  You needed it!!
Next show will be "Book of Mormon".  That is tomorrow afternoon.

Celebrity Sightings:  At the hotel, Aretha Franklin surrounded by huge numbers of security people.  Yes, she has lost a lot of weight, but she still is a big lady -- and not just in voice!                
Viola Davis, who is starring in "The Help" as Aibeleen, for those of you who have read the book -- and who hasn't?  She is doing the rounds of tv shows to promote the movie.