here are the noteworthy moments that simply cannot go unmentioned...
~drive around for hours to find parking and never find any
~find beads, trim, ribbon, fabric, vintage playing cards, paper dolls, an antique kimono, millinery flowers, sterling wire all in a two block radius...(tinsel trading co., the store across the street, metalifferrous etc.)
~wear a tiara and no one even notices
~get a really good grilled reuben sandwich at connolly's where the owner approaches you to ask where you are from and when you say you are a native now living in north carolina he asks you to say "Brooklyn", then nods his head saying, "okay, you still got that...."
~see amazing couture window displays at saks
~light a candle at the our lady of guadalupe shrine in st. pat's
~go to fao schwartz to take a photo with the toy soldier doorman who promptly falls to one knee to kiss your hand
~go to the roof garden of the Met & sip champagne, see Frank Stella's work, watch the sun set over the west side then watch the diamonds light up the skyline
~leave the roof garden, and while entering the elevator singing "the roof, the roof...." be met by the fifty something elevator attendant who joins you in completing the chorus of such a classic song, including the profanities and upon exiting calls out, "please come back next friday!!!!"
~stroll down the park on fifth in awe of the artwork, not to mention woodwork you see in the apartments
~walk by the horse and carriages across from the plaza, the russian tea room and carnegie hall in less than 10 minutes
~go see an old friend that you adore and haven't seen in over ten years and he pours you so much champagne that you (and your friends) are seeing pink elephants and hiccuping bubbles like in a cartoon; whilst laughing nonstop and enjoying a chocolate birthday souffle...at least that is how i remember it....thank you 
~wear a tiara and someone rapidly approaches you and asks if they can fix your hair, does so, and then kisses you on the cheek saying, 'that is much better'
~go to your old stomping ground, shoot five rounds of pool, notice that time stands still there, remember how sad you were way back when, make a mental note as to why you are so over that place and vow to never return even though everyone was as nice as pie
~take a taxi to the alleged 24 hour parking lot only to find that it is completely locked, gates down
~decide to go to plan b and continue downtown to get the best florentine omelet at the odessa at 6 am where it is packed with people who are still having as much fun as you are
~sleep for three hours then go meet someone you love under the time clock at grand central station
~get a ten dollar bagel at the ritzy eatery across the street
~see original etchings in progress and completed of george washington et al., at the main library
~take the express to 14th street then the local to canal where it is so packed with people buying knock of louis vuitton bags that one has to walk in the street instead
~happily walk down a closed mulberry street eating "the best cannoli on planet earth"
~get two fabulous tea dresses at cat kidston that are on sale because she is sadly closing all u.s. stores :( as well as a small wooden rhinocerous that is promptly named 'tiny'
~go to pearl river imports where no one cares about the need for personal space
~stroll into bloomingdales and visit lucy and giuseppe at the clarins counter for a skin evaluation complete with explicit exfoliation instructions....slough, slough, slough... and makeover...then when you leave you get hugs, kisses, a blessing in polish and they say "love you" like they've known you faw-eva.
~meet a friend at her sister's new gallery location (woodward gallery on eldridge) and see an $80,000 lichtenstein that was reportedly not purchased because it was overheard that "it wouldn't look good over the couch"
~walk in the rain on spring street where two women are singing the rhoda theme song at the top of their lungs while skipping and no one bats an eye
~go to the soho grand for a cocktail, or two, or three and when inquiring about the train to the plane process, moments later are handed a highlighted printout of the route as well as a kind offer to drive us instead along with an invite to a party
~see joey bag-o'-donuts in the silver glasses he stole from paris hilton sprawled out on couch at the same lounge and listen to his cell phone conversation with "his brotha" because it is impossible not to listen to it
~walk home looking and feeling strangely like mary poppins with her umbrella when a surreal moment occurs and a mary poppins sign on the top of a taxi stops in front of you....???..... go to Marion's for a reality check
~your morning alarm clock is the sweet sound of a fire engine
~one can enjoy a bagel and coffee on a bench across from the french embassy
~one can go to the met twice in a weekend, stand before the masters, and be overwhelmed to misty eyed joy
~a taxi ironically takes one to the airport via the old queens neighborhood with a great final farewell view of the city
sigh. i mean, could it have been any better? and that is the really the tip of the iceberg. i could go on and on.
