Stilettos in Harlem

12:04 am

Fellow Texans,

We just realized that we have miserably failed as friends for taking so long to post on our infamous blog. I can't wait for Smithie to catch up on what I'm doing in the city this summer. So, we are going to give you the highlights since we have done so much.


May 21: I (Matty) arrives in NYC. After setting my bags down and unloading my belongings in the shanky apartment, which happens to be conveniently located in Koreatown, I hit the streets. Across from my apartment is Herald's Square, which happens to be quite busy most of the day. I noticed a plastic duane reade bag tumbling toward me. Being the earth friendly and southerner that I am, I played cat and mouse with the plastic bag until I was able to swoop down and properly dispose of the distasteful littering in the closest trash can. All the while, a "new yorker" passed by me, ipod in ear, saying "new to the city, huh?" Bummer, just because I was trying to clean up my new home, I get called out for doing a good deed and gaining more jewels on my crown...how rude. It's going to be a long summer.

Paige arrives in all her glory on May 24th. Dressed in business professional and ready to tackle Wall Street investment banking industry. Unfortunately, after sitting through a myriad of office visits, she has decided to continue on with Tell Your Story...for life.

Escapade #1 - My Dominican Republic landlord starts causing all kinds of trouble, so TP starts looking for a new apartment for me. I get a phone call from my dad telling me I need to go see the new apartment at 8pm located on 116th st. I live on 35th. Being new to the city, neither Paige or I knew where we were going, but we were looking good. Paige recently made a new purchase at Nordie's for some new pumps. She decided to break them in on our adventure this evening. When she met me at my apartment, the back of her heels were raw and we had a FEW blocks to travel. Luckily we made it to the subway and got off on 116th st. The surprise: when we emerged from the murky underground, we happened to find ourselves in Harlem. Yes, Harlem. After I moved my wallet to the front pocket we began our trek another 4 blocks. Well, Paige unfortunately couldnt make it all the way, so I PIGGY-BACKED HER for rest of the way. Just so you know, we were surrounded by Sol's relatives and no one spoke English. We looked ridiculous of course.

Escapade #2 - Paige has a book that she received from our beloved Rachel Toppert that has all the "hot spots" to the city. She dragged me and two other poor souls from Aggies on Wall Street to the best taco bar in New York City. The place was called La Esquina. We WALLLLLKKED 30 blocks to get there. It was ridiculous and all of us were starving. Like every escapade with Paige, the location was a little miscontrued. We couldn't find the taco bar...until we turned around and noticed a closed Mexican shack with "The Corner" written on one side translated into "La Esquina" on the other. Literally, homeless people sleep there during closed hours. Thus, we walked back until we found a nice Italian restaraunt that satsified our hunger.

Escapade #3 - With Paige and I in the city, you know we have a few stories. Once she arrived in her barracks, she noticed she needed a few things: a pillow, blankets, sheets, towels, shampoo, conditioner, and a hair dryer. All that space for those damn stilettos. We tackled the city as soon as we could, but put off finding a blanket until 10:30 that evening. We went Sleepy's, a closed Bed Bath and Beyond, a Duane Reade, and closed Yankee store hoping for some fan memorabilia. We made our way to Times Square because we knew we could find something down there. The Hard Rock Cafe might have blankets, but no. We get so desparate for Paige to have a warm and comfortable night, that we marched into a Hilton hotel. We spoke to the two men at the front desk and tried to barter for a blanket. We offered to bring it back the next day..they weren't giving it to us. We contemplated going up on the elevator and stealing a blanket from the maid's cart. But, since we are trying to be the lights in this dark city, we chose not too (again..jewels on the crown). Luckily, we found an open Walgreens that happened to have blankets that wouldn't even cover my legs. So we bought two and called it a night.

Escapade #4 - Abbey and I went to have a night together in Central Park...minus the picnic and the wine, or any kind of romantic setting Matt. After we sat there for a while we made our way to Union Square. In the square we noticed a rally was taking place, so like tourists we ran acorss the street to find out what was going on. Signs reading, "free hugs here" were all over the place. I always love a good hug from a sweaty stranger. As we creeped closer, we noticed that it was a group of 14-17 year old kids. Oddly enough, they were all dressed as punk rockers and dancing without any music. Not an ihome or anything in sight....just dance. As we gazed in amazement at what we assume was a drug rally for people on ecstacy, we found their leader. He was a skinny lad that was carrying a pineapple. As he raised his pineapple, which had glow sticks shooting out of the top, the crazed teens started yelling. It was one of the most bizarre scenarios I have ever been a part of. But, I've joined the group and look forward to our next rally.

On Monday, LD got here and we went to Seredipity's. We met up with two of Abbey's friends from home and had a really good time.

Last night was my company's first event and LD and her friend Kate were able to come. I gave them VIP bracelets and they shopped the newest and coolest fashions this side of the Red River. Along with the perks of a VIP bracelet, they received a VIP gift bag. Inside: $50 gift certificate for a waxing and "dotted" condoms, which happen to be better than the ribbed kind according to the people from Jersey that I work with. Sketch.

Well, it's getting somewhat late and we are all pretty tired from the day, so that's all we have for now. We are trying to get better about updating our stories so that we can keep you updated.

We miss and love all of you,

Matt, LD, Abbey, and Paige