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Earlier this week (Monday) I had the immense pleasure of going into New York City for a work-related training. Back in October when my boss asked me if I would like to go, I immediately said, "Hell, yes!" I mean anytime I get the chance to visit New York....I'm there!

The day ended up being absolutely smashing! The company I was training with went out of their way to make our experience so enjoyable - it was not only very informative, but also a ton of fun. All I kept saying over and over again throughout the day to the corporate staff was, "Thank you...thank you SO MUCH for this experience!"

I came back to my job on Tuesday, all jazzed and excited; feeling recharged!

While in NYC, we were busy sticking to a schedule because we had a lot to see and do, so I didn't get the chance to take many photographs during the day. However, I purposely booked my return trip home for several hours after the training so that I would have time to casually walk around the city and take in New York's Christmas decorations.

Honestly folks, if you ever get the chance to come to New York City, try to make it during the month of December because no one...and I mean no one...does Christmas like the Big Apple.

New York City has always contained an amazing energy because that's part of its DNA. Yet, during the Christmas holidays that energy is magnified to the point of being magical; making you feel like a giddy child again, believing in Santa Claus.

You can literally feel the joy in the air!

Please enjoy some captures from my magical day in New York...


Festive holiday windows.



In front of The Plaza.


A horse drawn carriage at Central Park.
Get a load of ALL THOSE pigeons sitting on the traffic light!


While walking along Central Park, I spotted this young lady in front of me with a big ol' 1950's bee hive hair style and couldn't resist taking a picture.


Tiffany & Company 
(day)


Tiffany & Company
(night)




I love the warm golden light created by these tiny lights.


These next two photographs are from the AMAZING Christmas light show at Saks Fifth Avenue.

I took these photos from across the street in front of Rockefeller Center. And OH MY GOD...you should have seen how many people were lined along the street, holding up their cell phones, trying to capture it all. I don't think I have ever seen that many people on 5th Avenue in my entire life. There had to have been hundreds and hundreds.

But it was sooooooooooooo exciting!

It actually brought tears to my eyes to see people (men, women and children) from all over the world, united in happiness; celebrating this season together.

 Everyone had a huge smile on their face!



Rockefeller Center during the holidays.


Giant red Christmas ornaments at 1251 Sixth Avenue (Exxon Building)
Yup...everything in New York City is BIG...including their balls.

My Celebrity Spotting

For lunch, the company took us to a superb restaurant on Central Park South called, Sarabeth's, where we were generously permitted to order anything on the menu.


Upon walking in the front door, I immediately made eye contact with an attractive woman who was sitting in the waiting area with a gentleman. She and I smiled and nodded at each other as I walked past them.

I thought to myself, "I know that woman, but I can't figure out where."

Then one of the girls I was with said to me, "Do you know that woman over there because she's staring as if she recognizes you."

I turned to look and yup, sure enough...she was staring at me and whispering something to the man who was sitting there with her.

 I said to the girl, "It's weird because she looks so familiar, but I don't know why."

Then all of a sudden a light bulb went off in my head, and I blurted out, "Holy shit...I finally figured out why I know her. She used to be on Entertainment Tonight, but I can't recall her name.

I grabbed my cell phone and googled - female host on entertainment tonight - and BAM...her picture came up with her name...

Mary Hart.

So I showed the girl the photograph on my phone and then pointed behind me to the woman who was staring, and her response was, "Oh my god you're right, Ron...it's Mary Hart!!!...


Suddenly the hostess announced that our table was ready, so we all walked through the restaurant and sat down. Yet, I couldn't help but turn around one more time and grab a peek at MARY HART.


This is a photograph of my delicious lunch. I ordered the Turkey Club Sandwich - turkey, bacon jam, manchego cheese, avocado, lettuce and tomato on a croissant, with a side of elongated baked potato chips that were TO DIE FOR!

I also had a glass of iced tea with lemon and mint.

After we were finished, I looked for Mary on the way out but didn't see her. However, I took a quick picture (as a souvenir) of where she sat in the lobby of the restaurant when I first saw her.

Here, take a look...


And just for the hell of it, I quickly sat down so I could tell everyone that Mary Hart and I had indirectly touched asses.

Have a GREAT rest of your week, y'all!
X

32 comments:

  1. Ron,
    Nosy me wants to know... will you be working for the same company when you move to New York?

    I know Mary Hart's face but can't remember how or in what I have seen her.

    You have probably guessed I would like this post, especially as it was Christmas when I was first there, wandering along Fifth Avenue feeling mesmerised by all the lights and decorations.... and loving it all.

    Aren't those windows FABULOUS? I don't get the opportunity to go to my city and see the decorations there... how sad is that? Oh well, been there, done that, musn't grumble.

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  2. Ron, I can hear the excitement and jazz in your voice! I bet you can't wait to finally move there next year. You are right about New York during the holidays. About 5 years ago I visited a family member who lives on Long Island for the holidays and we went into the city for the day and had the best time. It was so exciting!

    Beautiful photographs. I really like the one of the big snowflake. If don't mind me asking, where did you take that shot?

    I used to watch ET all the time, so I remember Mary Hart very well. She still looks beautiful!

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  3. Helllo there Valerie!

    Yes I will, however, not the company I was in New York training with on that day. That company is one of the brands we carry in our store. It's very common in my line of work where various brands with offer off-site training's (fully-paid) several times a year. I was very fortunate that our store was one of the stores selected to send someone. And VERY fortunate that I was chosen to be the one to go.

    "I know Mary Hart's face but can't remember how or in what I have seen her."

    Me too. I knew that knew here from somewhere, but couldn't figure out WHY. It was only when I googled Entertainment Tonight did I realize it was Mary Hart!

    " especially as it was Christmas when I was first there, wandering along Fifth Avenue feeling mesmerised by all the lights and decorations.... and loving it all."

    Isn't NYC faaaaabulous during the holidays? You were so blessed to be there for Christmas because there is nothing quite like it.

    I wish I had had more time during the day to take pictures of all the windows, but I was so busy when I was there - hopping from one place to another.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend! Have a fantastic weekend!
    X

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  4. Ron, your enthusiasm -- both for NYC and the Christmas season -- really shines through! I'm right there with you, too! While I wouldn't want to live in the Big Apple, I can vouch for the fact that December is the month to visit. That's when I was there (way before cell phones!), and it was fabulous!!

    Your lunch looks yummy, and I'm proud of you for getting selected to attend this training. That sort of thing goes a long way to make a happier, more educated employee. And how cool that you got to see Mary Hart! She always came across on TV as being a nice person.

    Thank you for sharing your holiday photos -- companies like Exxon and Tiffany's can afford to do up the season BIG! xxx

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  5. All of your photos are so beautiful, Ron. I know it must be just magical in person! And I'm wondering why Mary Hart was staring at you? Maybe she knows you are a famous blogger! 😂

    It's funny that you bring up the training day because I'm a member of a fb group of former employees of a local department chain that went out of business 20 years ago. I was reminiscing about how they would send us to special training to learn about the products we were selling. It would always include a meal. So much fun, and we would learn so much!!! With the lack of companies caring about customer service, I didn't think they did this anymore. I'm glad to hear otherwise! Have a fun weekend, Ron.

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  6. http://ladyfi.wordpress.comThursday, December 07, 2017

    Had to laugh at your last shot!

    I love love your colourful lights and shots of the NYC decorations. So glad to hear you had a wonderful time in your favourite city.

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  7. Ha! I love that you took a photo of the spot where Mary Hart sat. Next best thing to an actual photo of Mary Hart, I suppose! How did her ass impression on the booth feel? Did you swoon??

    I love all the photos, Ron. NYC in December has got to be even more magical in person.

    And thanks for linking to the menu. I love looking at entrees and deciding what I'd order. Holy crap, though - $19 for avocado toast?! Very generous indeed. I'd probably go for the tuna sandwich on sourdough, though the Maine lobster roll sounds rather divine, too.

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  8. Hey there Candice!

    Yes, you're so right...I can't wait to finally move back to NYC, and every time I go there for a visit, I feel it more and more.

    "About 5 years ago I visited a family member who lives on Long Island for the holidays and we went into the city for the day and had the best time. It was so exciting!"

    That's AWESOME! It feels magical because it makes you feel all excited again, like when you were a kid!

    That big snowflake is located on the corner of 5th Avenue and 57th Street. It's something that New York does every Christmas. It's called the UNICEF Snowflake, honoring UNICEF.

    Yes, Mary Hart is still beautiful. She had on very light makeup, yet she still looked so naturally pretty.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a fabulous rest of your week!
    X

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  9. Ha! I couldn't resist that last shot. I didn't feel right trying to take a picture of her with my phone or camera while she was still in the restaurant, so I took a picture of where she sat :)

    NYC is especially fabulous during the Christmas holidays. It's MAGICAL!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a grrrrreat weekend!
    X

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  10. Mark, after I realized that it was Mary Hart, I wanted SO BAD to get a photograph of her to share on my blog, but I didn't think it would be cool to just snap a picture without asking. Plus, the restaurant was very crowded so I thought it might draw too much of unwanted attention to her privacy. I found out later that the guy she was sitting next to was actually her husband, Burt Sugarman - http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Javier+Colon+Sings+National+Anthem+Dodger+mdg1uGZLC7jx.jpg

    "How did her ass impression on the booth feel? Did you swoon??"

    TOTALLY! HA!

    ". Holy crap, though - $19 for avocado toast?! Very generous indeed."

    I know...aren't the prices INSANE?!?! I tried to figure out what the cost of our lunch was (for 7 people) and I estimated it to be close to $300.00!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have an AWESOME weekend!

    X to you and Tara

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  11. Aw...thank you, my friend! I had such a great time in NYC, taking pictures. As you already know, I LOVE NYC, but even more so around the Christmas holidays because it's truly magical!

    "And I'm wondering why Mary Hart was staring at you? Maybe she knows you are a famous blogger! "

    HA! No, I don't think it was because she knows I'm a famous blogger :) It was strange though, because she looked at me as if she knew me. Perhaps she thought I resembled someone she knew, so that's why she was looking at me?!? She had a very warm and friendly air about her. And she wore very little makeup, but was still so classy and beautiful.

    " So much fun, and we would learn so much!!! With the lack of companies caring about customer service, I didn't think they did this anymore. I'm glad to hear otherwise! "

    I agree...fun, and also learned a lot. I think that's why I felt so jazzed and recharged, because I really enjoy learning and being educated on new things. The company I work for is very much into continual education and training. And the corporation that supplied the training for their products was soooooooo generous. They made the entire experience first-class, but at the same time...very down-to-earth and relaxed.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a fantastic weekend!
    X

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  12. Hellooooooooo there Debbie!

    HA!....yes, can you tell how much I LOVE NYC and Christmas?!?! OMG....I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them both. And to have them both together, made it even more exciting!

    "I can vouch for the fact that December is the month to visit. That's when I was there (way before cell phones!), and it was fabulous!!"

    So you know what I mean....December IS the month to visit, right? It makes you feel like a kid again, doesn't it?

    Aw...thank you. My company decided to ask me because they know how much I love New York City, but also because they know that I want to get more involved in the education process with our company, so they thought I'd be a good candidate for the training. I feel very blessed that they asked me.

    "And how cool that you got to see Mary Hart! She always came across on TV as being a nice person."

    And she seemed that way in person too. She had a very warm, friendly, and down-to-earth energy about her. She was also still very beautiful. A class act!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a SUPER weekend!
    X

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  13. Your pics of the Big Apple are magnificent! Each display more gorgeous than the previous one. I can't even imagine how long it takes to put some of those light displays together. I can almost see you grinning from ear to ear as you walked along those city sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style! And what a thrill to be noticed by Mary Hart! You must have looked especially dashing that day. :-) Hope you're having a wonderful Christmas season.

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  14. For not taking many photos, the ones you did take were amazing!
    Maybe Mary Hart thought SHE recognized YOU also...
    Great post Ron. My wife keeps saying that she really wants to go to NYC. If that happens we will be looking you up! (only with your permission of course) I can't think of a better guide (and a nicer person).

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  15. Aw...thank you, Lisa :) I took these photographs so fast because we had little time during the day as we walked from each venue to the other. I'm so glad I decided to book my trip back home later because it gave me some time to take these nighttime shots.

    "I can almost see you grinning from ear to ear as you walked along those city sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style! "

    Yes, and that's exactly what I was doing....GRINNING :)

    I'm thinking Mary Hart looked at me because she may have thought that I resembled someone she knew, almost like we had met before. I was so impressed by how lovely she looked, still a great beauty!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a fantastic weekend!

    Hope you're enjoying a wonderful Christmas season as well!
    X

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  16. oHey there Pat!

    Thank you :) I took most of these picture so fast because we were rushing all over the city to various venues. We had a lot to cover in one day.

    "Maybe Mary Hart thought SHE recognized YOU also..."

    Later in the day I started thinking that perhaps when she looked at me and smiled, she immediately thought that I resembled someone she knew because her smile was almost like she was meeting someone again.

    Yes....ABSOLUTELY! I would LOVE to meet up with you and your wife if you come to New York, that would be so cool! Please feel free to contact me via email if you do come to the East Coast so that we can make plans. I will be moving to New York at the end of the summer, however, I go into the city several times a month so we can perhaps meet up there before I actually move there. Just let me know.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a faaaaabulous weekend!

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  17. Thanks so much Ron! If and when it happens, that will be great.

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  18. Wow, Ron, nobody does New York like you! You pack more into day in the Big Apple than most visitors do in a week!

    As always, you filled post with fabulous photos of Our Fair City and I think you really outdid yourself with the Christmas images--you could turn them into Christmas cards. And I love your comment about being brought to tears by all that good cheer. Yes, Virginia, we really can live in harmony!

    I'm impressed by the Mary Hart sighting. And I've more impressed by impromptu post-Mary butt rub! How cheeky!

    Take care, buddy!

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  19. Awesome! Looking forward to meeting up with you and your wife some time!

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  20. Hellooooooooo there Rob!

    OMG...you should have seen us running around the city all day, it was so energizing! And after the training, I made sure to stop by Rockefeller Center to see the tree and all the decorations along 5th Avenue. It made me feel all giddy and happy about the holiday season.

    "And I love your comment about being brought to tears by all that good cheer. Yes, Virginia, we really can live in harmony!"

    It truly brought me to tears; feeling so overwhelmed with emotion by how everyone seemed so universally happy and joyous! You could feel the LOVE!

    " And I've more impressed by impromptu post-Mary butt rub! How cheeky!"

    Hahahahahaaha! OMG...that cracked me the hell up!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Hope you're having a fab weekend!
    X

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  21. Oh Ron, these pictures make me miss Christmas in my native city so much! "no one...and I mean no one...does Christmas like the Big Apple." You are so right about that, no place does Christmas like New York! Did you get a chance to see Bergdorf's windows this year? They always have the best windows on 5th Avenue. And Bloomingdale's too!

    That photographs of the St Regis is stunning. What a gorgeous shot! And I LOVE that you saw Mary Hart. Such a beautiful lady. I remember watching Entertainment Tonight with she and John Tesh. They made such an attractive host couple.

    "I quickly sat down so I could tell everyone that Mary Hart and I had indirectly touched asses." LOL

    Hilarious!

    Glad to hear that you had a good time in your favorite city, both for work and for pleasure.

    Have a great weekend, Ron x

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  22. Wonderful photographs, Ron! You really have a special way of capturing the energy of that city because I can feel it in every image!

    Love the shot of the pigeons! Wow, I wouldn't want to be standing or walking under that traffic light when the all those birds pooped. Lol!

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  23. Thank you, Daniel! I had such a fantastic time in New York this week and taking these photographs. I just wish I had had more time.

    "Wow, I wouldn't want to be standing or walking under that traffic light when the all those birds pooped. Lol!"

    HAHAHAHAHAHA! Funny you mentioned that because I was going to say something like that in the caption when I posted that photo, I kid you not!

    Thanks so much for stopping by. Hope you're enjoying a super weekend!

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  24. Hole Denise!

    One of the things I was so grateful for was that the company had their training in the month of December because I KNEW all the Christmas decorations would be up. I even told them that.

    "Did you get a chance to see Bergdorf's windows this year? They always have the best windows on 5th Avenue. And Bloomingdale's too!"

    Yes, I did and they were FABULOUS! In fact, we walked right by Bergdorf's on the way to lunch but I didn't get any pictures, damn it. I didn't see Bloomingdale's windows because we didn't go any where near Lexington Avenue. However, they are famous for having awesome window as well.

    " I remember watching Entertainment Tonight with she and John Tesh. They made such an attractive host couple."

    Oh, I agree...they made such an attractive couple!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl. Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!
    X

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  25. Damn Ron, these photos are fantastic! I really love the nighttime shots because of how you captured the lights. They are magnificent! So glad you had the chance to get to your favorite (soon to be your home) city. You were able to mix fun and business together, how cool is that?

    "Yup...everything in New York City is BIG...including their balls." That cracked me up! So did your final picture of where Mary Hart sat. You are so damn funny!

    What an enjoyable post, dude!

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  26. Aw, thank you Matt :) I'm so glad that I booked my return trip later in the day because it gave me several hours to take some photographs of Christmas in New York. I took many of these pictures so fast that I didn't know how they would turn out.

    "You were able to mix fun and business together, how cool is that?"

    Yes....that was VERY cool indeed! And it didn't even feel like a business trip because anytime I'm in NYC, its always feels like fun! Plus, the company made everything so enjoyable that the whole day flew by. I couldn't believe I was there for 8 hours!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Hope your weekend was super!
    X

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  27. Ron, every one of these pictures is fantastic and makes me miss my hometown! You are spot on about saying that no place does Christmas like NY. My family would make several trips into the city around the holidays, just to see all the decorations. Being there made you so excited and in the Christmas spirit! Did you ever attend the Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall and see the Rockettes? What a great show!

    How exciting that you saw Mary Hart! I remember her very well because I watched Entertainment Tonight back in the 80's-90's. LOVE the picture you took of where she sat LOL!

    You are a true advocate of New York City, Ron. It's so obvious how much you love it. And even though you weren't born there, you are a native in your heart!

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  28. Hello there Elaine!

    Thank you :) Isn't New York City the BEST at Christmas? And yes!!!! I have see the Rockettes at Radio City. In fact, the first time I ever went to NY was when I was only 14 years old and on a school trip from Philly to NY. And it was at that exact moment when I feel in LOVE with that city! I came home from that school trip and told my mother, "When I'm old enough, THAT'S the city I'm moving to!" And sure enough, when I turned 17, I moved there and went to school.

    "It's so obvious how much you love it. And even though you weren't born there, you are a native in your heart!"

    You stated that PERFECTLY. And you're right....in my heart I'm a native of New York City. I feel that city in my HEART!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, neighbor! Have a great week!
    X

    P.S. How about that SNOW we got?!?!

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  29. Ron, I would love to one day meet you in New York City for a day because you would be the perfect person to hang out with and enjoy the whole New York vibe. It would be like hanging out with a fellow-New Yorker!

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  30. Elaine, that would be AWESOME!!! I would love to hang out with you and your husband for the day; especially since you used to live in New York. Contact me if and when you ever want to do that and we can make a plan,

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  31. "I quickly sat down so I could tell everyone that Mary Hart and I had indirectly touched asses." That made me laugh out loud - what a fun post to come back to! Looks like you had a great visit!

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  32. Tee- hee! I couldn't resist taking a photograph after seeing Mary Hart in that restaurant. It was funny because we instantly looked at each other when I walked into the restaurant, as if we thought we knew each other. However, it took me a few minutes to figure out who she was, but for her it was as if I resembled someone she might have known.

    Welcome back, Libra friend! So great to see you! You've been missed!
    X

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