Mom & Dad in New York [Day Seven, 12/26/07]

On day seven we got to see something I'd been eyeing for a long time: the Tenement Museum of the Lower East Side. During the 1800s the LES was the most densely populated region on the planet--chock full of immigrants from all parts of Europe. The tenement museum seeks to recreate what life was like in the late 18th and early 19th centuries for immigrants living in these packed tenement buildings.

After the museum we dined at Gramercy Tavern where my roommate Aaron was a pastry cook up until a couple weeks ago. Gramercy Tavern is currently ranked by the Zagat survey as the second best restaurant in New York City. It was easily the finest dining experience I've ever had. And it didn't hurt that Aaron surprised us with four free desserts at the end! Incredible.

Mom & Dad in New York [Day Six, 12/25/07]

Christmas day, after sleeping in and opening some presents, we walked the Brooklyn Bridge. Both ways. I was a very proud tour guide.

To top off a great holiday, we went to a place where Christmas day is just like any other: Chinatown. Apparently Chinatown is something of a tradition for non-Christians on Christmas. Go figure. BTW Christians like it, too. We managed to find a sweet Vietnamese restaurant on Doyers Street (one of my favorites) right where it bends.

Mom & Dad in New York [Day Five, 12/24/07]

Day five was all about la Noche Buena con mi familia Peruana en Nueva Jersey. It's a Christmas Eve tradition. Thanks Dad for the photos.

Mom & Dad in New York [Day Four, 12/23/07]

Day four was all about relaxing to holiday jazz music in Marjorie's living room. It was a true Harlem experience for my folks. Watch this jazzy rendition of "Santa Baby."

Mom & Dad in New York [Day Three, 12/22/07]

The last time we were together as a family in Manhattan, the twin towers were still standing. This time around, we visited the office of a friend of mine who is working on the engineering of the upcoming Freedom Tower and neighboring buildings. What you see here is a model what Downtown will look like in 2013. The office overlooks construction happening now in Ground Zero.

After our visit, we toured some other downtown sites like Trinity Church, St. Paul's Chapel, and Financier patisserie for hot chocolate. In the evening we moved all our stuff from my apartment in Harlem down to Gramercy Park, where we stayed for the rest of our vacation.

Mom poses with a statue in front of Tower 7.

A pigeon I made friends with in front of Federal Hall.

With George Washington

Mom & Dad in New York [Day Two, 12/21/07]

On day two I took them in to see where I work in the Saatchi building. Then we did a little SoHo. Favorite discoveries were Jacques Torres Chocolate store, El Paso Mexican restaurant, Purl knitting supplies, and Evolution.

The Christmas tree at the Law Firm of Schnabel & Hill (Thanks, Sasha!)

Mom taking a break at the Saatchi building

Getting some yarn at Purl on Sullivan St. (Mom made me a scarf for Christmas.)

The real Knitting Factory

Mom & Dad in New York [Day One, 12/20/07]

This Christmas my parents decided New York was the place to be. We had a great nine-day family vacation here in Harlem and in Gramercy. It was awesome.

The next nine posts will cover our day to day activities.

After a red eye flight, my parents came ready to hit the ground running. Day one was all about the classic "Christmas in New York" experience. We walked across 34th St. and up 5th Ave. to see the elaborate holiday displays. Next we strolled through Rockefeller Center. To top it all off, Mom and I surprised Dad by taking him to see Les Miserables. We got him good, too. He didn't even see it coming!

Mom in front of the largest store in the world, Macy's on 34th Street

A Macy's "Miracle on 34th Street" window display

At one of my favorite places in Midtown, Giggles

In the Map Room and the Fifth Avenue Library

Old old old New York

The nativity at St. Patrick's Cathedral

The first-ever solar powered Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center

Two angels

Dad thought we were going to go home to relax. Then he saw the marquee.

A Panorama of New York @ The Queens Museum

Gotham

Where I go to reminisce about old New York

Where I live

Where I work

Where I go to church

The Unisphere 01/05/08

Merry Christmas from Gramercy

Best of 2007: Internet Stars

That's me on the corner, shaking hands with Michael Stipe and Patti Smith.

Last night there was a charity auction launch party at the Saatchi building. I saw it advertised a couple of days ago in the cafeteria, but the $50 suggested donation dissuaded me from going.

So leaving work last night there was a big swarm of paparazzi in our lobby. Tempted as I was to stick around to see the stars arrive, the thought of spending more time at work was just too much.

So as fate would have it, walking to the subway I pass by Michael Stipe (lead singer of R.E.M.) and Patti Smith (legendary singer). After letting them pass me by I knew I would regret not at least saying hi. So I did a 180 and headed back to the building. On the corner right outside Saatchi I make my attack. Tapping Mr. Stipe on the shoulder, I say hi, shake hands, and point them on their way to their party.

Cool. Confident. Comfortable. One of my best star sightings to date.

NOTE: This picture was taken just moments after our run in.