"With a Conscience" - "New York City"

           "The glamour of it all! New York! America!" -  Charlie Chaplin   

        So much has been written about New York City that there isn't on cliche left to describe how incredible and wonderful New York City is.  My mother made the worst mistake by taking me to New York City for the first time at nine years old.  We watched "Lawrence of Arabia" at Radio City Music Hall, watched the Rockettes afterwards. We walked past the New York Public Library and I remember being so intrigued by the lions holding court at its entrance.  I was never the same.

       There have been of course many trips since then.  I was enthralled with the first Broadway musical I saw.  "Pippin."  I would play the part of Berthe at 42.  Every time I go to New York City I learn something new about myself and those that accompany me. From my mother, I learned that to experience New York, one must walk.  Not one block, not two blocks but at least 20 or more if one was to get the full experience of Fifth Avenue and beyond.  From my sisters, I learned one doesn't go to New York City without the required red lipstick.  For my sister Jojo and I, the shoe department at Macy's is our church, and we make our religious pilgrimages whenever we can. My favorite pair-the red patent leather Ralph Lauren pumps.    

       My sisters find the grace and the class of New York City. We have heard the "Messiah" at Carnegie Hall on a chilly night in December.  Yes, it was on Thursday.  Yes, we didn't get home till 1 a.m.  But I don't think each of us wanted to be any where else that night. We've been to the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center to experience "La Boheme."  I never witnessed anything so beautiful and emotional. We are always where we are supposed to be. New York City reunites all those who are ready to accept the differences in humanity.  My sisters and I try do the same.

      Friendships have been re-kindled and re-affirmed eating pizza,  burgers at  the "Shake Shack" and of course "Cosmos."  New York City has been the one place, the one location where my sisters, my good friends, the best, best of best, of my friends have joined me on so many great excursions.  New York City is neutral territory.  No one gets angry or frustrated while eating a street pretzel. 

      I took my husband to the "Lion King" early on in our relationship and I remember watching his face in awe of the pageantry and the dancing.  I think after that he really understood where my passions for theater stood. It's quite something watching your husband sing "Hakuna Matata."  That's when I understood there was so much more to him than I realized.

      It was two years ago that I walked on an off-off Broadway stage and in the audience were some of the most supportive wonderful people on the planet.  There was family, precious friends, and of course, my husband. The theater seated maybe 60 people.  The dressing room was the size of well, it was larger than a closet. The cast, we, didn't care.  You don't care about that in the theater, in New York City because, it's New York City. I couldn't breathe as the lights went out. 

      The piano bar "Don't Tell Mama" is still probably reeling from my rendition of "New York, New York."  Ok so, I'm no Liza, but New York City has a way of bringing out the best in people.    The microphone was put in my hand, and suddenly I was someone different. I was living a dream.  New York City loves "different.'  It loves "individuality."   If New York City likes you, you know have  developed into a stronger, more determined person.

     If you want adventure you can find it in New York City.  King and I have been to the Top of Rock and observed the vastness that is New York.  It is greater than us.  It's a city but it's the apex of diversity and natural wonders and yes, some are not natural.  Some of the sights are the true accomplishments of the human spirit and sweat.  Travel to the World Trade Center and you will reminded of the sacrifice and the love people have of the city.  You feel it through your bones and you shiver.  This is why I go back.  This is why "Once a New Yorker...Always a New Yorker."