The remainder of Saturday in New York

We had a chance to return to our hotel for a nap before our big evening.  Yes, this was the night we were waiting for, Carnegie Hall.  We met the band at their hotel and Race, or Everett as he's known at school, made us look like quite the black market goods amateurs.  He had a Fanny pack worn like a sling bag on. It was proudly emblazoned with the Louis Vuitton label.  He had haggled the vendor down to only $20 on it. That's $5 cheaper than mom's clutch. They're equally fake, but he definitely got the better deal.

We watched the band members load their instruments on to the 2 buses chartered for the short trip to Carnegie (see how I left the Hall off that time?  That's the mark of Carnegie veterans.). We were able to ride with the band past Trump Tower, along the edge of Central Park (I looked for my friend, Joey, but he wasn't there.), around Columbus Circle to Carnegie Hall.  The band was definitely in high spirits and ready to perform. We, the parents and chaperones, we're ready as well.  Into the performer entrance went the band and through the front doors went the rest of us.  After a quick stop at the gift shop we went in to listen to school before us from Olathe, KS.  They sounded great.  Finally, our turn!  The last band of the night. Race and his fellow percussionists came out on to the stage with the stagehands and arranged their instruments and the chairs and music stands for the band. Then they disappeared off stage to prepare for a dramatic return with the entire band. Three songs later the audience came surging to their feet.  Applause and shouts of "Bravo!" rose up to the ceiling filling the Hall with a song sweet to the performer's ears. It was amazing!

Out at the buses after the performance the air was electric with enthusiasm. So much joy from the band. Race rushed over to us, grabbing Elizabeth's phone he thrust into another parent's hands, "please take our picture." That doesn't happen!  Picture requests from us are usually met with groans and funny expressions. Not tonight! 

Back at the band's hotel, their leader, Mrs Lim, had them gather in the lobby for announcements. Announcement number 1: they had taken first place in the competition.  Cheers!!   What?  We don't even know it was a competition!  Announcement number 2: curfew for the band was extended to midnight in celebration. More cheers!  Announcement number 3: Mrs Lim was going to ice cream and invited the band to join her. The biggest cheers of all!  Well they are teenagers. You know, hungry all the time.

Elizabeth and I picked up a deli sandwich, actually a turkey and bacon wrap, to share and we went back to our hotel. We may have picked up some cocktails at the hotel bar, too.  Dinner on bed watching Vexed on Netflix.  Our Saturday was over. Easter Sunday awaits.

Saturday in New York

Well, I finally figured out how to publish posts from my phone. The last post was in draft form still.

Let's see, what's happened since then. Elizabeth and I took a night bus tour over the Manhattan bridge to Brooklyn and saw the federal courthouse where El Chapo is being tried for, well, probably defying his CIA drug program handlers, umm, I mean being a drug Lord.  We saw the neighborhood called DUMBO. Nope, it's not a Disney reference. It's an acronym for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass.  New York is an odd place. Saturday morning we took a walk to Eisenberg's deli for a pastrami Reuben, Elizabeth had bacon and eggs.  We were assured by a local that we got the same quality food and new York attitude as Katz's deli, but without the 3 hour wait.  Cool!

Then, oh, the trouble Elizabeth gets me into, off to China Town to find the black market dealers in knock off goods.  It was like buying drugs, or, at least, what I imagine buying drugs would be like, but my drug buying experience is limited to CVS Pharmacy.  We were approached by a cute little Chinese woman with a picture sheet of purses. Elizabeth expressed interest on a black Channel knock off. " You follow," we were told. Two doors an angry Chinese man held up his hand and chatted at us.  Or new friend said,"it the police," and let us the other direction. All this time Chinese women were passing up and down the street discreetly exchanging shopping bags.  Subtle!  Or new friend then waved us on down the street and around the corner, then across Canal street where the police couldn't see. "No Chanel," we were told. "Luis Vuitton, as nice. You buy." "No," said and began to walk away. We were instantly surrounded by jabbering Chinese.  "Good price. $30." Elizabeth offered $25. "$30." "No, $25." "OK!" Deal made.  Elizabeth was handed a tightly closed shopping bag with an authentic made in China Louis Vuitton clutch and we were shooed away.  Down the street we went. I, being the honest type, informed Elizabeth that I wasn't bailing her out of jail and high tailed it out of there.

Like China Town want scary enough we decided to go to the Bronx on the subway. We got on the 6 liner to Pelham Bay. You know, like the taking of Pelham 123.  The movie about a hang laying siege to a police station. No police would respond to help the doomed officers inside because the Bronx was too dangerous at night. The tourist websites say it's safe now, but I'm not convinced. The crowd on the subway was a bit tougher than the midtown crowd we rode to the Staten island Ferry with. This isn't looking good. The train was older, too.  The stations seemed to be getting older, dirtier and darker as we went North towards the Bronx...  Scary!!!  Then bad news.  The train driver (engineer?) announced that we had to get off at the first Bronx station. Holy shit, we have to offload on the Bronx waterfront. I've seen the Bronx waterfront in movies. Elizabeth was going to end up shanghaied onto freighter and made a deckhand and I would probably be sold to a brothel. It's my curse to be so sexy.  But it turns out we didn't have to leave the station. We just had to change to the 4 line which went to Yankee Stadium. Well, heck, that's not so bad. We changed trains, got off again at Yankee Stadium, too pictures, got lost in the station with a nice couple from West Virginia, found the train to Manhattan and returned healthy and whole.

The day want over, but you'll have to wait for the next entry.

Return of the blog

This week we're all three in New York City. Race is here with the Clayton Valley Charter High School Band. They will be performing at Carnegie Hall on Saturday evening. Elizabeth and I  did meet up with the band this morning and took a ride on the subway to Battery Park where we caught the Liberty Ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Elizabeth did find her great grandpa Olaf Haga's record when he came to the USA in 1884.  She also found her great grandma Doris Baldwin nee Haliwell's record and, we think, Doris' brother Samuel as well.  Doris came over in 1918.  After that Elizabeth and I took the Staten Island Ferry and had lunch on Staten island at a pretty good barbecue joint we stumbled on. They had the best friend pickles ever.  I do love fried pickles.  Race is at Wicked with the band tonight. We went to Brooklyn on a tour bus.  We didn't do anything in Brooklyn, just looked around.  A wander around Times Square ended Elizabeth and my night. Quick dinner now at the hotel and then bed. Well we're going to ice our aching feet first...

The picture is from our carriage trip around Central Park yesterday .

To the Pumpkin Patch--2013

Race is almost 5 feet tall!  Here's the annual Pumpkin

Patch measuring stick picture

Race the Science Guy

SS Red Oak Victory

Elizabeth, Race and Mustang club had a pancake breakfast on the last serviceable WWII Victory class ship berthed at its birthplace, the old Kaiser Shipyard dock in Richmond. 

Union Valley Reservoir aug 24-26

Race and Dean went camping withe Troop 364 to Union Valley Reservoir just west of Lake Tahoe. Beautiful weather and great fun. We built water bazookas from plans in Popular Science and played cards for hours.  

Jr High

1st day of jr high is done. 

Mustang Club of America National Show

Race and Elizabeth took the Roush to Boomtown for an MCA National Show and brought home a Gold award.  Great job.

Ray Day a Shooting Carnival for Kids, June 2, 2013

Another year at RayDay shooting Pellets, Arrows and Shotguns.  Race moved up to 28 gauge shotguns this year.  Race got a signed picture from Team USA Shooting's Ladies Captain Alex Wampler.

Farmer Race

Race driving the John Deere at Puccioni Vineyards.  Thanks to Angelo for a great day on the farm!

Most Improved

Race was awarded with a Medal for Most Improved Soccer player at today's Awards Chapel.  Way to go Race.

Race Cofer, Boy Scout

It's official, Race was awarded his Arrow of Light and bridged over to Boy Scouts tonight. It seems like just yesterday that he was a cute little Tiger Cub!

BSA Muir District Annual Awards Dinner

This year Elizabeth received the Unit Scouter of the Year Award.  Race performed his last official Cub Scout and served as the only Cub Scout member of the Color Guard.  Race also served as a member of the Special Effects crew for the skits and other stage productions.  He ran the Lightning effects and helped provide rain effects for a camp fire skit.  Elizabeth and Dean participated in a skit, mistaking sock wash water for awful tea and terrible coffee...  We also made quilt squares for a Peace Quilt, a tradition that has been going on for more than 80 years.  It was a great evening for Scouting...  Tomorrow Dean is off to the races at Sears Point; his team has 4 cars entered for 3 days of 8 hour endurance races.  Stay tuned for more news.

The Easter Bunny is in town!

Race and Elizabeth were at Sunvalley Mall last night and Race decided to get his picture taken with the Easter Bunny. He did point out that Santa was more fun to get a picture taken with since Santa talks.

Victory

It was the Kings Valley Lions 5 to 4 over the Cornerstone Cougars in the Valentine's Day Classic played at Kings Valley Christian School.  Race Cofer (20) played a pivotal role in the defense.

Race's Alaska Parade float

For his state report Race had to make a parade float that represented his state, Alaska.  He came up with a snowmobile design.

Race made the soccer team at school

Dean finally got a day off and was able to take some pictures at day 2 of soccer practice.

Ice Skating

As usual, Dean was too smart to get on the ice, so he took pictures instead.

Scouting for Food

We worked in front of Safeway for a couple of hours this morning passing out flyers and encouraging shoppers to buy pre-packed $10 bags of food to donate to the Contra Costa Food Bank.  Unfortunately, none of the other boys showed up, so we were on our own.  Race actually did all the work, passing out over 150 flyers, and the barrels and tables in the front of the store were piled with donations by the time we left.  We're so proud of him.