You know … it seemed like my New York City trip would never get here and now it come and gone. *Sigh* I wish I had more money and less work thus letting me stay longer. When is that rich and long lost relative gonna die and leave me their millions?!?!?

The flight up last Thursday was running just a wee late. Nothing too major to get stressed about though. I traveled from the Newark Airport (via the Airtrain) out the New Jersey transit station. You can hop the train to Penn Station and the grab the subway down to the East Village.

I hung out at Scott’s place until he got home and then we hung out, had dinner and watched some television. BJ came up and joined us. It was a nice relaxing way to start the trip.

Friday, I ditched Scott and met up for lunch with my friend Ann-Marie. She’s from NC but now lives in the city. We met at Columbus Circle but the weather was so nasty we grabbed lunch at the Time Warner Center. Then afterwards we grabbed coffee (and a donut for me) at the Dunkin’ Donuts.

Ann-Marie chats with a friend …

Ann-Marie and Myself …

Looking out at Columbus Circle and the nasty weather from inside the Time Warner Center …

When I got back down to the East Village, Scott decided to make some chocolate chip cookies.

We had some food (veggie burgers and rice!) before heading out to the show we were seeing that night. We saw “Top Girls” and both really liked it. Marisa Tomei was really, really good in the show. Afterwards we headed over to Hells Kitchen to meet up with the GBNYC5 gathering. After getting lost and barely finding the HK Lounge, we met up with BJ.

BJ and Scott …

Ugh. We hated the HK Lounge …

So, we decided to head down to The Eagle which much nicer and had way hotter fellas (and better music). I won’t go into details of the rest of the evening for those of you with delicate sensibilities.

Saturday morning, Scott suggested we go to Coney Island and I was game … having never been.

Waiting on the Q to take us to some fun …

Mmmmmm! Nathan’s World Famous Hot Dogs ….

Coney Island Beach ….

We rode the Wonder Wheel (swinging car, of course). The view was quite spectacular of the beach and we could even see lower Manhattan and the Empire State Building.

We walked the boardwalk and ended up at the New York City Aquarium. There we enjoyed seeing Sea Otters (see below), a really playful Walrus (see below) and some sharks and various other aquatic animals.

We then hit Astroland for a spin on the Tilt-A-Whirl (damn, that’s always a fun ride) and trip on the world famous Cyclone roller coaster. It was one rough ride and my tail bone is still feeling it (at least I can say I rode it). The ride messed with Scott too. It’s fast and super furious.

We then hit the arcade, where Skee Ball and a thorough kicking of Scott’s ass at Air Hockey was in order.

Scott’s pretty good at Skee Ball …

Scott trying to look tough before his humiliating defeat at the air hockey table …

It was getting late when we got back to the city, so we relaxed and watched some television.

Sunday we had tickets to see the revival of “Les Liaison Dangereuses” which ended up being quite lackluster and disappointing considering the talent involved (and the ticket price).

Looking up towards Times Square from 42nd Street …

Afterwards we went to Dugout for a few and caught back up with the gay bloggers. It was good to see Homer in person again. After we got back to Scott’s place we relaxed, had dinner and I drank a lot of beer.

Scott surfs the net for hot guys …

My badge from the GBNYC5 gatherings …

Monday was the official “shopping day” as we headed over the west side. I have now been in all three Manhattan Apple stores (dork!). We were in the Meat Packing District and the West Village at points. If I were wealthy, I would live in the West Village … in a brownstone all to myself.

Here’s some pictures from our Monday walk …

Mmmmm. Black Cherry Soda ….

Scott in the late afternoon sun …

Monday night, things were really low key as Scott had to go to work next day and I had to get up and pack for my return to North Carolina.

All in all … a good trip. Though I do wish (in retrospect) that we had hit The Eagle one more time. I had forgotten how fun that place is.