Friday 24th 2004f September 2004
Daragh Visits
So, Daragh’s been and gone. He was here for ten days, and left on Wednesday evening. I met him at Grand Central Station on his first night – he’d landed at Newark airport, not perhaps fully realizing that I lived in Queens. An easy mistake to make, and one of little consequence. It was late, anyway, so we didn’t really do anything – I introduced him to my roommates, we organized the mattress on my floor and went to bed.
On Tuesday we lazed around a bit, then went and had a proper American breakfast in a local diner. Of course, this being Sunnyside, the waitress was Irish – we needed to go outside and look at the skyline to remind ourselves that we were in New York at all. I had to go into work for 15 minutes (read: an hour), but I work right downtown, so I didn’t feel bad about dragging Daragh along. He came with me into the building. In a way, it’s kind of charming that even though he was offered full access to roam around the offices of one of the biggest game publishers in the world as they prepared to deliver one of the most eagerly awaited games of the year, he preferred to hang out in the waiting area and play “Space Invaders”. If you’re looking for the scoop on San Andreas, no point asking Daragh!
Anyway, after that we wandered around Bleecker Street looking in record shops, which was good fun – I don’t really do it that often. We had a pleasant, slightly boozy Mexican lunch/dinner, and headed home. That night we went out locally, to a bar called “Tailor’s Hall”. It was quiet, being early on a Tuesday night and all, but perfectly pleasant. Vanessa joined us, and we watched admiringly as Daragh put some Sambucca in his mouth and set it on fire. I could tell Vanessa was particularly impressed.
On Wednesday, I took Daragh in to see Julian at the museum where he works, and we had a look at the exhibition. I actually had never done this – it was very impressive. We would have liked to have had longer there, but it was closing early due to the Jewish New Year. We left just as they were closing up and headed over to Ground Zero. The last time Daragh had been in New York was May 2001, with me, so he’d been up the towers then. We had a look in Century21, as you do, and moved on to see Anita and have a couple of pints in The Scratcher. While there, Daragh conceived the idea of going to a comedy club. We wandered up to the Virgin Megastore in Union Square to browse CDs, buy a copy of Time Out NY, and have a cup of coffee. We decided to go the Comedy Cellar in the village. We were amused, but disappointed with their drinks policy – we had no objection to the two drink minimum, but the three drink maximum really grated. I guess it cuts down on hecklers, but it also leaves Irish people feeling aggrieved. So we left. And that was Wednesday – I think.
Thursday, I took Daragh to Greenpoint and Williamsburg, where I lived when I first arrived. We had a look around some more cool record shops, I took some pictures of Daragh and we had a really nice lunch/dinner in Sea Thai. That picture of Daragh in the bubble chair is from there.
After we had hung out in Williamsburg for a while, we headed home. Vanessa had rung earlier, looking for Daragh’s date and time of birth, so she could do his chart. She does that kind of thing. (Apparently I have a strong Sagittarius aspect to my otherwise routinely Aquarian nature). We arranged to go and see Collateral at the local theatre, which we kind of enjoyed. Vanessa sat down with Daragh and went over his chart, and they got talking about stuff. I left them to it after a while. Daragh came back to my room at about 2am.
Friday, I had to work. I left Daragh my key, and we arranged to meet for lunch in Katz’s Deli – always a popular choice. I left him to his own devices and told him I’d meet him again in The Scratcher when I finished work. We had a couple of pints, and then Vanessa came along.
That was the last time I saw Daragh alone.
We headed on to Mollie’s, where we met Conor, Mike, Michael, Young-Min… the usual suspects. Daragh had heard about Karaoke from Zaini, and Young Min was willing, so the four of us headed down to Chorus in Koreatown, and sang the night away. A very romantic atmosphere, for an Irish guy on holiday, and a Brazilian gal with a few beers in her…
Saturday, and Vanessa took Daragh to the Met. Sunday… well, to find out what Daragh was doing from this point on until he flew out on Wednesday you’re really going to have to check Vanessa’s Blog (here’s the strange Google translation) or wait for Daragh’s guest entry. Which will be heavily censored.
That’s right! I will write about other people’s private business, but not allow them to write about mine! This is my website, after all. If they want to they can get their own damn blog.
So, I think Daragh had a good time – probably better than most. I was sorry not to see more of him, particularly since when I was hanging out with him I was invariably tired and/or grumpy due to a slightly frustrating time in work – I’m probably back in there tomorrow for a couple of hours. I’ve bought myself an insanely expensive television to reward myself for having actually earned some money. And some new headphones. And a hard drive. But I really needed those last two for work. As well as money, I also came out of Rockstar with three free t-shirts (one of which I gave to Daragh) and a copy of Red Dead Revolver. So I did ok.
And relax. I didn’t pay full price for the TV – it was a display model, so I got a good deal.
Comment ID: 1697
At 2:55 pm on Sunday 26th 2004f September 2004, Jim Rickard opinedA strange coincidence has occurred. Last night, for the first time in my life I saw someone ignite the sebuca in their mouth and today I read that you have also witnessed the phenomen. Strange. Reminds me of extinguishing lit matches by placing them in the mouth, but more impressive. Could be a good cure for halitosis?
Comment ID: 1698
At 4:05 pm on Sunday 26th 2004f September 2004, Anthony wroteCure for… Or cause of.
Comment ID: 1701
At 12:42 pm on Wednesday 29th 2004f September 2004, drew wroteYou deserve the television! Think of all the rich bastards out there that have expensive televisions but rarely watch or appreciate ‘em…