An Adventure to come…

“Not only is New York the nation’s melting pot, it is also the casserole, the chafing dish and the charcoal grill.”

 Mayor John V. Lindsay

Next week I am going on my first business trip, I will be going to a three day conference right in the heart of the most populace city in the country.  I have been there many times before, day trips, over nighters, tours, shopping… but this will be my first trip, ALONE.  Now, you know me – I have already made some plans outside of the work part of things.   I have my ticket to Newsies, my first Broadway show.  I want to check out my friends’ band one night and maybe hit Eatily for a bit of Italian food shopping.

But, I have to admit, I am a bit nervous about making this trip by myself.  NYC can be a bit intimidating.  Dragging luggage, catching cabs, did I pick the right hotel, the night life, dining alone.  Throw in over 8 Million people to dodge, watch or meet AND three days of conference – it’s a lot to think about.

So I will go into this adventure thinking positively.  I will expect no traveling mishaps, I will hope for a clean room with a decent view and I will use my many past trips to the city to make this one a great one… I have this vision of spending an evening with some of the folks from my conference, as they might be locals and want to see some of the exciting night life, but that I won’t know till our first day together.

Any last minute advice for me while I stay in the Time Square areas is always welcome and I am hoping to blog daily while I am there next week.  I am sure that my adventures will lend themselves to a few good lines to share with you all each day.

Mark Twain House

Event

“Get A Clue”

Live-Action game at the Mark Twain House

Who dun it?  With what?  In what room?  The classic board-game of Clue has come to life at the Mark Twain house.  Last Thursday two friends and I were on the first ever “Get a Clue” tour that took you through an evening of literary mayhem, murder and intrigue.   Between a cast of suspects (provided by Hartford’s own Sea Tea Improv,) a house that embodies the game-board from Clue and 16 sleuths, this hour long “tour” could not miss. 

Starting in the Hall, the scene is set, Pap Finn has been killed and classic Twain characters are suspects, during the course of the hour we meet people like The Prince (or the Pauper), Becky Thatcher, Queen Morgan Le Fey, Huck Finn and more.  If you have ever taken the house tour you might have seen a door under the main stairwell that no tour ever gets to open.  On this unique adventure you get to go through that door, down to the basement of the house and explore a part of this historic home rarely seen by visitors.

Guided, room by room, by a museum docent we visit the Kitchen, Billiards room, Conservatory, Dining room, Drawing Room and more.  In each room you are encouraged to make accusations to find out the killer, the weapon and the space the crime took occured.  Each story-book character can confirm only two facts and if you pay close attention, you will be able to get to the bottom of this crime. 

The improv actors not only brought Twains' characters to life, but also entertained the guests.  Once we worked our way through all the rooms we went back to the museum wing where we gathered to discuss our conclusions and the folks with the right answer were given prizes.  Among my friends, one was cleaver enough to string all the clues together.

I hope this becomes a regular event at the Mark Twain house; it is a great way to see this historical home, meet some great loved characters and spend an evening with friends.

This is the view from the museum to the House

A Food Review

Brass City Diner

998 Wolcott St., Waterbury, CT

I had to go “on the road” for work last week, to the landfill in Waterbury (don’t ask), but I had the chance to stop for lunch at this local diner.  One of those shiny silver places with neon lights.  I love diners, any place I can get pancakes, a rib eye, a triple-decker BLT and baklava all at the same time is good in my book.  But I don’t set my expectations too high.

So I pulled into the spacious parking lot (that continues in the back), the staff was very friendly and accommodating as I was with a friend who has a large service dog.  They made us feel welcome and comfortable.  Place was super clean as were the bathrooms.

With a large menu there were lots of options, from all-day breakfast to sandwiches, Italian, larger entrees, salads, seafood, burgers and grilled pizza.  My friend had the chicken noodle soup which looked out of this world.  Big chucks of chicken and veggies with egg noodles.  He also had a grilled chicken sandwich that he said was tasty and juicy. 

I tried a hot dog, and it wasn’t just any hot dog.  They have 13 different kinds on the menu.  They take a split-grilled hot dog on a Torpedo roll and load it up in all crazy ways.  I had the Bacon Cheddar Dog.  Diced up crispy bacon with white and yellow shredded cheese.   It came with BBQ sauce, but I did skip it.  The toppings were heaping, the fries were cooked great and it also came with coleslaw.  Hot Dogs here include the American, Mexican, Portuguese, New York, Pizza, Chili, Guacamole and more.  If you like dogs, this is a great place to go. 

Though I do not get to Waterbury often, I would defiantly go again and recommend it to anyone in the area. 

 I swear that there is a Hot Dog under that pile of yummy-bacon-cheese goodness!