Mr. Bichler

Monday, November 2, 2015

Monday, November 2 - Hunger Games Exhibition & Top of the Rock

First a big shout out to my sister on her birthday today!
Here in NYC Sharon and I had a pretty busy day. We were up early to go to the Hunger Games Exhibition only to learn that instead of 9 it opened at 10 so we explored a few more streets and gift shops until it opened. I really enjoyed seeing many of the costumes and props from the movie. The exhibit was very interactive and included headphones to give additional information about behind the scenes information and story line for those that might not be as familiar with the movies. I thoroughly enjoyed our time there.

The Hob

Gale and Katniss in their hunting jackets

Effie and the reaping bowls

Sitting in the back of the Tribute Train, from Catching Fire

Catching Fire chariot

Cinna's sketches

Hunger Games weapons

Hunting above ground in District 13, Mockingjay part 1

Wedding dress Katniss wore in Catching Fire

For lunch we walked to 51st and Broadway to eat at Ellen's Stardust Diner where you can eat and at the same time be musically entertained by the wait staff.

The view from the top of the Rockefeller Center, The Rock.

When we came down from the Rock, we used our bus pass and rode through upper Manhattan and Harlem. We had pretty much run out of time so we didn't get off at any of the stops for fear of not being able to catch a later bus. We just enjoyed the ride and listened to the narrative provided by our guide. We got back in time to secure tickets to an Off Broadway show called Newsical which was very much like watching Saturday Night Live but with more music. The theater was really small and probably didn't even seat 100 people and we had seats in the front row, almost too close! It was super funny and we really enjoyed the performance. An added bonus was getting to see President Obama's motorcade as we were walking to our theater. Obama was in the city to see the play Hamilton.

Sunday, November 1 -New York, New York

This morning we left Providence, RI and drove 3 hours to New York City. The traffic was minimal and we found our hotel without any incident. New York is awesome and I have been on sensory overload all day. When we arrived at our hotel, Broadway at Times Square, we checked our luggage, parked our car and hit the streets running. After acquiring our Gray Line bus tickets we booked a tour on The Ride, a special bus that has the seats facing the sidewalk with guides that both informed and entertained the passengers. Many laughs!!

My favorite LED billboard

Broadway Ticket Office on 46th St

Our hotel, very nice and a great location

We were looking out large glass windows towards the sidewalk and buildings

Times Square

This building was the Empire Theater, home of vaudeville, now a movie theater

McDonald's marquee lights

After our bus trip we headed back to see if we could pick up some discounted Broadway tickets. We finally decided on King Charles III at the Music Box Theater because it was the Premier tonight and perhaps we would see someone famous in attendance. What a wonderful experience for my first Broadway play in NYC. We also saw George Takei, Sulu from Star Trek, on the Red Carpet. After the play we ate at Johnny's and had cheesecake to top off a perfect first day in New York.

George Takei taking a selfie on someone's phone, not mine obviously

Our seats in the balcony, second row B-21 &23

Theater was built in 1920 by Irving Berlin

Raspberry Swirl and Sharon had Apple Crumb Cheesecake

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Saturday, October 31 - Happy Hall of Fame

Sharon and I decided to take a short fall trip and visit a few things we missed on our trip last year with the added bonus of a few days in New York City. We left yesterday afternoon and today we spent the afternoon at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. I had a great time going through all of the exhibits and shooting at the peach basket in the ground level gym.

We left Danville, Pennsylvania this morning, travelled through 5 states including Rhode Island which was #50 for each of us. Staying at the Airport Best Western in Providence, RI. Tomorrow we will be driving into New York City! Wish us luck.

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Sunday, October 18 ~A New Baby Grandson

What better excuse to get back to writing my blog than the birth of a brand spanking new little grandson. Our youngest daughter, Sara and her husband Matt, had their little one on Thursday the 15th at 12:15 pm at Bethesda North Hospital in Cincinnati. She called me a little after 5 am and I was in my car and on the way by 5:45. When I got to their home, Sara was pacing but not too concerned but she, Matt and Matt's sister Sarah left for the hospital before 8. I fed Evie some breakfast and dropped her off at daycare/pre-school and then on over to the hospital. Things didn't start hopping until about 10:30 and after 11 things really started to go pretty fast. Sara was experiencing back labor again so she finally relented and went with the epidural. I'm not sure how effective it was during the delivery but she said she felt great afterwards. He was born at 12:15 and weighed 7 pounds and 9.3 ounces, Evie was 7.11. but he was 21" long and she was only 18". He is perfect in every way and so alert. He would open his eyes and seemed to be taking in the new world around him. We are so thankful that God has blessed us with another precious grandchild to love and spoil.