Let's try this again...

Well, here I am sitting in my new home for the next couple of months. It is kind of an out-of-body experience. But somehow, I feel like I belong here and that I've been here for quite some time.

Anyway, the trip up was pretty hazard-free. I am notorious for overweight luggage, and of course didn't disappoint when I arrived at the check-in counter. I managed to arrive at the airport with 5 pieces of luggage. Two huge suitcases, a duffle bag, a garment bag and my backpack. Jay at the AA check-in counter made me weigh my two checked pieces and they were all of two pounds over weight. But of course he insisted that I "redistribute" the weight. 10 minutes later after sprawling my shit all over the place I managed to get one down to 49 pounds and the other to 51 pounds. Jay decided to be nice and "let one pound slide." Thanks, Jay.

I somehow made it through security with three carry-ons. But of course was marked as a "SSSS" (read: 4S, who knows what that means) by the airline, meaning I was subject to a pat-down and having my bags emptied and checked for bombs. After all of that, I had about 15 minutes until my flight was scheduled to depart, so I grabbed a kid's meal at good old Mickey D's and bolted to my gate (I was miserably hungover for this entire process and thought some good grease would help my state. Next time Drew says it's a good idea to travel hungover, don't listen.)

No flight to NYC is complete without a delay. So, naturally my flight was delayed about 45 minutes. As the flight was boarding, it was my turn to have my boarding pass scanned. I made it about three steps before I was attacked by the gate agents insisting that I check one of my three carry-ons. Blast, they caught me. So I parted ways with my duffle bag and continued on to the second to last row, middle seat. I love looking out the window at the sparkling silver engine two inches from the window.

Alas, I arrived at LGA in one piece despite the bumpy landing due to the rainy weather in New York. I am so thankful to have amazing friends that are willing to pick me up from the airport. As I strolled down to baggage claim, I was greeted by a tall (freshly) blonde Gerdts with a big smile. Miraculously, all three bags arrived (wet from the rain) and off we went on an adventure into the city. Little did I know that Gerdts is a professional city driver and we arrived at my apartment building (with a brief stop at Tasti D-Light) and met the guy that I'll be living with for the next couple of weeks. He is very nice, works in banking in Midtown. He gave me the keys, and then bolted for the weekend out to Rhode Island to be with his mom.

Gerdts and I did a little unpacking. My room is about equivalent to a closet in Texas. And we all know I don't travel light. I had already shipped two boxes of shoes and clothes on Monday that were waiting here when I got here. So I put some things away and then headed off to dinner with Gerdts. We ended up at Rockerfeller Center and had dinner at the restaurant there. After that, it was time to hit the sack.

Here are some pictures from day one:

Gertds halling up one of my suitcases up the steep incline from the parking garage to the street.

My (tiny) room.
















Saturday I woke up around 9. It was an odd awakening because I had no Idea where I was. I eventually figured out I was in NYC and excitedly took on the day. I was supposed to meet Kristina and Emily for brunch (which, in case you didn't know, is the new dinner) so I got up and got ready and headed out for some good exploration. I walked down my street (75th at 2nd) to Madison to go check out The Rhinelander Mansion (The RL Flagship) at 72nd and Madison. I perused the store for a bit and got a good feel for what I'd be working with. I then headed to check out the temporary space at 1055 Madison (80th and Madison) that RL is occupying while the Sports Store (888 Madison, across from the Mansion) is being renovated for a women's flagship and converting The Mansion into an all men's store.

Phew, lots of RL info. Anyway, I ended up heading over to Central Park and meandered down to the Village (roughly 70 blocks--lots of good walking) where we were going to have brunch. Only to find out they missed the train and weren't going to make it in to the city. Change of plans: take the train out to Rye (where Kristina lives) and hang out. The train takes about 45 minutes, the ride wasn't too bad. I met Kristina and (Emily) Gerdts in Rye and had some lunch and ice cream. Then we headed back to the Marantz casa to say hi to mom and dad. Which turned in to Gerdts and I joining the family for dinner.

No Marantz family holiday is complete without Coops and Gertdsie, so they say. We went out to the beautiful American Yacht Club and watched the sun set and slurped down multiple seabreezes. I love summer. Dinner was phenomenal; I had some tasty mahi mahi.

Sunset at the AYC.















Kristina, Me and Gerdts at the AYC.










Watching them retire the American flag.










I took the train back into the city and here I am. I am pretty exhausted from my first day in the city. I am so thankful to be here in good health and spirit. I am headed to the Hamptons on Monday to open the new Rugby store in East Hampton. I'm sure there will be many stories to tell. Hope everyone is well.

WTC