Random Road signs

The "Main Street of America"...



Next to the City of Oz... (next to the "Emerald City" for those non-movie trivia buffs)



I leave the gun in the truck then shall I...



I was thinking of hitting that guy, lucky I saw the sign...

St. Louis - not a hell of a lot to see

In St. Louis there's a giant, impressive arch that towers over the city. The delicacy here is fried Ravioli.

Once you've seen the monument and sampled the food be sure to move on to the next city.

Might I suggest Tulsa, Oklahoma?

Fondue-liscious

While in Chicago we decided to try a restaurant that had all the benefits of cooking your own food. Apparently fondue was all the rage in the 70's and I can see why. I preferred the dessert spread where we dipped the strawberries in steaming hot chocolate but that doesn't take away anything from the rest of it.

The funniest thing was the couple behind us who had just gotten married - celebrating on their own in a comfy booth.

Respect to the GOAT

You may remember from a previous Blog we were rather into basketball as kids so on our trip to Chicago it was essential I went and paid my respect to the greatest of all time. He certainly was not my favourite player (I never like to root for the best) but he certainly has a highlight reel second to none.

I got a guy...

Ever since the proposal I have been asked about deciding on the purchase. It was one of those things I had wanted to do on my own, so with much trepidation, a set of guidelines and wad of cash I headed into New York's famed "Diamond District" (note: by "wad of cash" I mean a card but for the stories sake I had to throw it in).

Making my way along the various shops it was apparent that these guys had a silver tongue and really wanted me to part with my money. After much wandering and deliberation I found a small stall in one of the arcades with a young Jewish lad who was there with his heavily pregnant wife. It didn't really seem that his collection of engagement rings was all that large but never the less we struck up a conversation anyway. After letting him know I really had no idea about the purchase except a vague idea of what the girl had wanted he began his tutorial about the differences.

Fairly soon I was a master with diamond qualities and had a better idea of what I was purchasing. He showed me a number of rings and I selected the one I thought would most suit the girl. After this we tried 3 or 4 different rocks to see how they looked in the setting. It wasn't long before we had put together the perfect ring which in itself began the game of cat and mouse.

I knew the man was buying both the ring and diamond at a wholesale price much less than any other store could get - this is how the diamond district works. They can all buy in bulk to get an amazing selection for you. A few times he went to his "storeroom" to find another diamond but I was fairly sure he was grabbing this off a fellow dealer.

He gave me a great price and reduced it further when I pushed him on it. Soon after I told him that this was definitely the ring I wanted but would like to think about it over a bite to eat. His faced dropped slightly and told me he didn't want to lose my custom. He even said if we complete the deal he will buy me lunch. He asked me what price I wanted to pay. I looked him in the eye and asked him for his absolute best price that he would go no lower on. If liked what I heard we had a deal - if not I was walking.

To my surprise he came back with a very reasonable price that was way lower than what I expected. We shook hands and the deal was done. Even with the tax added I was completely happy with the way the haggle had turned out.

So from now on if anyone asks me about diamonds I respond with: I got a guy - go see my Jew!

A short trip up the Empire State

On a random Thursday night, I dragged the girl up to the top of the Empire State Building under the guise of watching a magnificent sunset and to spot our apartment. We did a lap through the crowd that was gathering before I steered her to the quietest location I could find.

I dropped on one knee, asked the question and she really had no choice but to accept.

We now can look out at the building from our apartment to reminds us both of the happiness this moment brought us.

It's safe to say we are both over joyed - but not as happy as Tamara (the hippo) was!

Celeb Spot #3

On our way to meet one of the girls friends for dinner, we noticed a very cool and casual looking individual walking down 6th street, cloaked in a baseball cap and headphones. After a double take the girl gave a little whisper in my ear, "Edward Norton!" Upon a second look, it shocked me to see that the very famous individual had blended in so seamlessly. He crossed the road and bopped his way down 6th Avenue without another person noticing him.

Wait, I buy a beer and you give me a free pizza?

So the cuz and CM were over and we happened upon a bar in the East Village that gives you a free pizza for lunch with every beer purchase. Safe to say we ate very well and walked out of there a tad intoxicated...

Celeb Spot #2

Well this one was a cracker. Walking along Bleecker (a block away from the apartment we just signed a lease to) I noticed a familiar looking face walking towards us. The girl inattentive as ever received a quick squeeze around her hand – our signal to stop the jabbering and pay attention.

As the familiar face walked past us I could feel the excitement emanating from the girl. She began to tremble and was utterly speechless. Low and behold Sarah Jessica Parker had just done a walk by, one block from our new apartment. The girl spun around to survey the outfit, which she could recite with precision on request from everyone who has asked her since (as opposed to the guys question for me: “hot?” - “Yeah you’d go there.”)

I think this is number one for the girl and apart from a George Michael sighting probably won’t be topped for the next little while.

The One with a New Home

Now it is official - we are residents of NYC. We have a fabulous apartment on the corner of Christopher and Bleecker streets. Our doormen are pretty cool and the view is fantastic - check out the photo!