New York 2022: Day 6

 

*NOTE* All copied and pasted all of this text from facebook. Most of these sentences are captions accompany specific photos. If you think it “reads weird” you’re RIGHT! 

Penn Bros. New York Adventure 

Day 6: 

Reunited and it feels so…okay(?) 

As far as foursomes go…WE ARE NOT EASY! At any given moment, one person HAS to be miserable (about what we’re eating, where we’re going, what we’re doing) one person HAS to make inappropriate jokes (bad timing and/or at someone’s expense) one person HAS to be “good cop” (changing plans or making compromises no one wants) and one person HAS to be “bad cop” making plans and not compromising. We all take turns in these rolls more than once! 

Our day started early at the Cafe Metro in Lincoln Square. It was the second place we looked for breakfast. Yes, it DID have something for everyone. Lovely weather, and we’re enjoying each other’s company. How long will it last? Parker got us in to a free movie: NOPE. It was at the AMC Lincoln Square 13. It boasts the largest IMAX screen in the country: 101ft by 76ft. Maybe one problem today was that Parker got his way too early. Maybe another problem was that we didn’t have a plan for the rest of the day. Things unravel quickly when people are hungry and cranky and thirsty and cranky and hot and cranky and tired and cranky. Here we are convincing Parker to eat a pretzel during his hunger strike. Betsy’s big plan was to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. The problem with smart phones is that the boys can independently look up the distance to any given destination and start protesting. The GREAT thing about smart phones is that you can easily find the two second sound effect from Law & Order on YouTube. I was inspired by the courthouse stairs in the background. Very bummed that I didn’t think to do it until day 6. I guess I’ll have to make up for lost time. DUNGDUNG! Betsy led the charge when it came to Citi bikes. We all get along so much better in single file and when we’re busy concentrating on not getting killed. But staying together isn’t always easy. The heat and the incline going isn’t easy either. Brooklyn. Friday. July 22, 2022. 3:11 pm DUNGDUNG! Betsy knew Ample Hills Creamery was somewhere on this side of the bridge. If only we could find it. Ample Hills Creamery. Friday. July 22, 2022. 4:10 pm DUNGDUNG! Awesome view of the city. It’s an angle I haven’t seen in real life yet. After today, we subwayed back to the hotel. Everyone’s mood improved as we went our separate ways for dinner. Parker and Dash had Chick-fil-A and Chipotle right near the hotel. Betsy and I traveled further for chicken Marsala across from Hamilton. Parker even asked Betsy to pick him up a Philly cheesesteak which she was more than willing to oblige. To be continued… 

New York 2022: Day 5

 

*NOTE* All copied and pasted all of this text from facebook. Most of these sentences are captions accompany specific photos. If you think it “reads weird” you’re RIGHT! 

Penn Bros. New York Adventure 

Day 5: 

MUSEUM DAY! 

We’re beginning to settle into a New York routine: coffee across the street at Gumption, breakfast next door at Cook. Waters across the street at Walgreens. 

Today is a divide and conquer day. Parker and I took the subway to Lincoln Square 13: a movie theater that boasts the biggest IMAX screen in the country (so far.) He really wants to get the family in to NOPE for free tomorrow. We’ll see about that. I just needed an excuse to get across town for the museums. Google maps directed us towards Central Park, and wouldn’t you know it, it spit us out right next to Dana Barrett’s apartment building from Ghost Busters! (And the church the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man stepped on.) 

We made it to the Society of Illustrators! My kind of space! Never a dull moment (unless you’re a teenager.) Here’s the back half of the fourth floor. It’s a really lovely lounge/ gallery space. I call it “Bored Teenager with a Phone.” Blimpie’s to avoid the rain. We don’t have this at home anymore. Brooklyn Museum of Art. I “co-teach” with wooden cut-outs of famous artists and most of them had works on display here: Faith Ringgold, Georgia O’Keefe, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, and Henri Matisse. Final museum of the day: The Museum of the Moving Image in Queens. Here’s Parker watching Charlie Chaplin on a Mutoscope Nickelodeon Arcade Machine. That machine is SO big considering it does SO little. The fact that I took a high def pic of Parker with the phone in my pocket is hilarious. Proof we’re living in the future, folks! We visited the Tyrell Corporation Building from Blade Runner. Hilarious that Blade Runner takes place in 2017! Proof we’re living in the future, folks! They have a great interactive Jim Henson Exhibit! I think Betsy would love it! I know Betsy would love this: a set mock-up of the church Kermit and Ms. Piggy got married in! Our wedding song was “He’ll Make Me Happy.” I hate to disappoint all the foodies out there, but here goes: Parker got us back to the hotel, Betsy brought back two pizza slices and took off for another play (Come From Away), Parker took off and got his own pizza slices and got some Carvel ice cream and I ate Dash’s left overs. Sorry.

To be continued… 

New York 2022: Day 4

*NOTE* All copied and pasted all of this text from facebook. Most of these sentences are captions accompany specific photos. If you think it “reads weird” you’re RIGHT! 

Penn Bros. New York Adventure 

Day 4: 

Today ended up being an Empire Strikes Back kind of a day: the good guys lost but managed to survive the adventure. 

Once again, I had the pleasure of escorting my lovely bride to breakfast before the boys woke up. She warned me that there would be broadway music at the Stardust Diner, but I don’t think I realized the waiters were the ones constantly singing. I pride myself on NOT knowing any lyrics from Grease, but when the waiter tells everyone to sing along, I’m forced to do the world’s lamest lip-sync when all I want to do is eat my French toast in peace! Once Betsy was safely at her workshop, I stopped by the hotel and made sure the boys were fed. Dash still needed an hour to wake up, shower, and get dressed, so of course Parker and I killed time at Midtown Comics ( the last of the New York franchises I planned on visiting .) Don’t worry Ned, I didn’t cheat on you. The only goal I had for us was to visit Met Life Stadium in New Jersey for Dash. According to Google Maps AND Apple Maps it’s quite the adventure in public transit. Under Betsy’s advisement, the boys and I walked down to the Dining Concourse in Grand Central Station and had Shake Shack. As we were wrapping up lunch, Parker’s asks me, “Does Dash have his MetroCard?” Hm. Let me ask, “Dash, where’s your MetroCard?”

“Oh shoot! It’s back at the hotel! This is what happens when you guys rush me!” Okay. Walked back to the hotel and retrieved Dash’s MetroCard. Walked BACK to get that “Grand Central Station Experience.” “Grand” my @$$! We ended up taking the subway to 42nd Street. We would have been better off walking to the Port Authority from our Hotel!After waiting in line for twenty minutes for our bus to arrive (with two grown boys who want to “horse play” with their dad) we find out that we needed a New Jersey Transit ticket to ride the bus. The tip-off was that we were the only ones holding MetroCards. Dash wanted a Jamba Juice WAAAAY more than he cared about seeing the outside of a stadium. We gladly gave up on our quest. It was starting to rain and I had to pee……so we ended up back at a movie theater. Shocker. Since we’ve seen every movie out right now AND we were trying to meet Betsy for dinner before her play, we ended up seeing Minions (!?!) At least the movie and the popcorn were free. Years ago Universal Studios had a ride called Earthquake. They later changed it to Disaster and now it doesn’t exist at all (completely replaced by the Fast and Furious Ride.) Anywho, the old Disaster ride would pick people to participate in the fake disaster movie they were making called “Mother Nature.” Young Parker was chosen TWICE in his childhood to participate. At the end of the ride, they composite the volunteers into the finished movie. Parker was “Forrest Gumped” into scenes with the Rock. So this was a very special reunion as you can see. Reunited at Junior’s. I wasn’t starving. I wanted something light, like a BLT. Betsy and Dash had a private laugh together when I complained that my Junior's BTL had too much "B." Apparently, my mom ordered the same thing in Delaware and made the same complaint. I guess my Dotsy -half was on display. We made sure Betsy made it to and from Funny Girl (even though she doesn’t need our help.) To be continued… 

 

New York 2022: Day 3

 

*NOTE* All copied and pasted all of this text from facebook. Most of these sentences are captions accompany specific photos. If you think it “reads weird” you’re RIGHT! 

Penn Bros. New York Adventure 

Day 3: 

Halfway through the movie yesterday was when I realized I didn’t have my coffee in the morning! 

Step 1:COFFEE @ Gumption, 50 feet across from the hotel. While the kids slept, I escorted Betsy to her workshop. She stopped for empanadas and told me I didn’t need to walk all that way and back. She doesn’t understand that this is my “planning period” before I deal with kids all day. 

I made it back to the hotel and Parker was ready to go (he’s a shower-the-night-before kind of guy.) He and I walked down to Chick-fil-A for breakfast while Dash showered at the hotel. I’m 99% we walked past Marvel Comics. Someday they’ll invite me up there. WHOA WHOA WHOA! WAITAMINUTE! My boys revealed to me that they have indeed NOT been to the top of the Empire State Building! Dad is going to have to fix this! Subway shenanigans. Empire State Building shenanigans. The city calls to him. As Dash stuck his head through the “X” fence, he and I realized that Big Brother Parker is afraid of heights. I’m sorry, not “afraid,” just “not…super comfortable.” As we snaked our way through the labyrinthine gift shop to leave, Parker asked, “Why’s the exit so far away?” Dash replied,”The same reason why $5 rotisserie chickens are in the BACK of CostCo.” Think Geek. Another comic shop. Chicken fingers for Parker’s lunch. Parker ate at the bar while Dash and I took food to go at the the deli. COOK shares the bottom floor of our hotel. Parker found a used bookstore/DVD store less than a block away from the hotel. That should keep him busy for a while so Dash and I can chill. The problem with STAYING HYDRATED in New York is that it’s so heavily populated it’s not a great pee-pee town. A movie a day let’s me cool my heels and take a much needed bathroom break. Crown Club Member Tuesday got us discounted tickets to Thor: Love and Thunder in 4DX. The boys have been talking about 4DX since we got here. Thor was our only option even though we’ve all seen it. 4DX moves your seat around like a very tame roller coaster. It doesn’t even have seat belts. We’ll, IT SHOULD! I swear, Dash and I got air borne during the final battle. That was the most I’ve heard Mr. Cool Guy 12 Year Old giggle in a very long time. Worth it! For all the foodies out there in Facebookland, I hate to tell you that Parker settled for a Wendy’s Four for $4 and Dash and I had Chipotle. Don’t tell Betsy. To be continued… 

New York 2022: Day 2

 *NOTE* All copied and pasted all of this text from facebook. Most of these sentences are captions accompany specific photos. If you think it “reads weird” you’re RIGHT!

Penn Bros. New York Adventure 

Day 2: 

With this being my sixth trip to the Big Apple, and the boys’ third or fourth, don’t expect to see any photos from the Big-Three-Must-See-landmarks. The days started with Betsy and me bringing back bagels for the boys. Once Betsy left for her workshop, the boys and I took the subway to our furthest destination: The Metrograph Theater down between Chinatown and the Bowery. Parker wants to see a movie there Thursday night. *Last week, I told the boys to write down ten things they’d like to see in NYC. We’d compare notes and maybe fit in three places each. Well, just like telling them to do ANY chore, they didn’t come up with anything, so I guess we’re using mine list! Yay!*From the Metrograph, we walked to a NIKE store for Dash. Parker said they had an indoor basketball court. They did, but it was closed. From there, Google told us we had an 11 minute walk to Joe’s Pizza from Spider-man 2. We were SHOCKED to discover Joe’s only takes CASH in the year 2022! Parker and I quickly abandoned our bottled drinks and of course Dash had opened his. We got our bill down to $16 but they let us get by with Parker’s fifteen. (I used the last of my cash tipping for luggage.) Parker and I were dying of thirst (much to Dash’s delight) so we hydrated after another 11 minute walk at a nearby 7-11 and relaxed in Washington Square (a tourist ”first” for me.) Another Google 11 minute walk took us to Forbidden Planet, the first comic book shop I visited back in 1996 (different location.) In an attempt to embarrass me, Dash asked a clerk if they had my issue of G.I. JOE on the stand. They didn’t, but they DID have a copy of the anniversary issue I contributed to much to HIS surprise. From there we hit Strand Bookstore and ANOTHER 11 minute walk to another NIKE store (alas no basketball court.) Another 11 minute walk got us past the FlatIron building. Unfortunately, it was covered by “construction mesh” and NOT looking it’s usual iconic best. Those innocent 11 minute walks were adding up and we were spent. We tried to take the subway back to “near” our hotel, but we giggled to our exhausted selves as the train crossed a bridge and we put some considerable distance between us and Manhattan. Hello Brooklyn! After Parker got us on a train heading LEFT, we made it back to Times Square. Silver lining: I think more memories are made by getting lost, than at the actual intended location. Parker got us into another movie: Marcel the Shell With Shoes On. This AMC is in a hundred year old building, and our auditorium was seven escalators up. The boys had McDonald’s for dinner, and I crashed with a nauseating headache. I don’t usually get headaches! Hmmm. To be continued… 

New York 2022: Day 1

 *NOTE* All copied and pasted all of this text from facebook. Most of these sentences are captions accompany specific photos. If you think it “reads weird” you’re RIGHT! 

Penn Bros. New York Adventure 

Day 1: 

Flew in from Jacksonville and we’re on the subway (with our luggage) by 9:30 am. We ate breakfast at a quaint little hole-in-wall right next to our hotel. Betsy got a hotel .2 miles from Times Square (according to Google Maps). It’s great! When she first told me we were staying in Times Square, I assumed we would somehow be overlooking it. Our hotel is juuuuust far enough away that the city opens up to us as we turn the corner on 45th Street. Betsy and Dash saw “Beetlejuice on Broadway” and Parker treated me to a free screening of “Lightyear” at AMC. We were up at 3:45am and out as a family by 7:30. To be continued… 

Roberts Mural (Day 6)

Spent Father's Day at the hospital. Dad was helping out on a ladder working on Amelia Bedelia when he started not feeling well. Drove him home and soon, a trip to urgent care turns into a trip to the hospital. All better now. No worries.
 

Roberts Mural (Day 5)

 

Roberts Mural (Day 4)

June 16th

 

Roberts Mural (Day 3)

 

Painted on June 15. Wanted to finish some easy (limited flat colors) characters first to feel accomplished.

Valdosta, GA (Last Crusade)

 

Valdosta, GA (Temple of Doom)

After seeing Raiders in L.A., an hour and a half trip to Valdosta GA seems reasonable to me. (Actually saw it in late June.)

 

St.Marks (30th Anniversary)

Rode this bike trail 30 years ago today. Vividly remember going to a drug store (Big B?) which is currently Books-A-Million. Family bought fireworks in the parking lot and I found a copy of Spawn #1. 
 

Los Angeles 2022: Day 5

*NOTE* All copied and pasted all of this text from facebook. Most of these sentences are captions accompany specific photos. If you think it “reads weird” you’re RIGHT! 

Los Angeles Day 5: 

Betsy arranged for Parker and I to tour Soap Box Films. Gotta take a picture of the parking spot so I don't forget! Betsy said take lots of pics. We only got this one. The plan is to tell here we had to sign a bunch of NDA's and weren't allowed to take photos. She'll understand, right? ANOTHER "HEAT" LOCATION! Lunch at Bob's Big Boy Burgers with Jessica Schilling! Woo-hoo! Down the street in Burbank was a comic book shop across the street from the hotel in "True Romance." I'm not a huge Plastic Man fan, but this bench is too cool. As a comic book fan, I want to paint this pattern on EVERYTHING now! They even had a copy of my comic. Small world. Parker taking a selfie. We had a heart-to-heart on this trip. He confided in me that Tony Scott is his favorite director. (currently.) Parker taking a selfie. We had a heart-to-heart on this trip. He confided in me that Tony Scott is his favorite director. (currently.) I always threaten my boys with the prospect of sharing a tandem bike with me. Single bikes: $12 an hour. Tandem bike: $21. No brainer! What's all the commotion? Oh nothing, just Ken (Ryan Gosling) and Barbie (Margot Robbie) roller blading for the new Barbie movie. (Well, their stunt doubles at least.) A boy and his bike (and a Ferris wheel in the background.) 

Los Angeles 2022: Day 4

 

*NOTE* All copied and pasted all of this text from facebook. Most of these sentences are captions accompany specific photos. If you think it “reads weird” you’re RIGHT! 

Los Angeles Day 4: 

By day 4 I was REALLY going through "wife withdrawals." Everywhere I looked, something reminded my of her. After an hour-plus detour to make a dad joke for all my "Naked Gun" enthusiasts, we passed the Onofre Nuclear Power plant and headed to Pann's for brunch. Betsy and I came here 20 years ago because it looked like "Penn's" from a distance. Betsy recommended the Last Bookstore so of course Parker was bored by it. Definitely should have done it BEFORE Amoeba! Betsy also recommended this open market for lunch. Betsy also recommended this open market for lunch. Betsy said the Bradbury Building is across the street. It's where the final act of Blade Runner was shot. Parker was excited to discover that you can walk right on in. Unfortunately, it was closed today for a private event. Apparently, these people inside are cooler than us. Oh well. The neat thing about L.A. is that if you like movies, every building around you was used for a movie you like. We were right near the bank Dr. Octopus robbed in Spider-man 2. (It's a CVS.) The neat thing about L.A. is that if you like movies, every building around you was used for a movie you like. We were right near the bank Dr. Octopus robbed in Spider-man 2. (It's a CVS.) I had no intention of seeing the new "Elvis" movie, but Parker said seeing a movie in the Chinese Theater was on his bucket list. Mine too, just waaaay further down. It was very impressive. The movie and the theater. I might be an Elvis fan. Who knew? Such a giant screen, my eyes needed an extre minute to adjust. Apologies to all the people I tripped over. Such a giant screen, my eyes needed an extre minute to adjust. Apologies to all the people I tripped over. I'm a sucker for a club. 'm a sucker for a club. I'm pretty sure we're in the right place. It was a very fedora accepting audience. I'm pretty sure we're in the right place. It was a very fedora accepting audience.