Things to Do in New York When You're Broke

I am totally broke and, since I only get paid once a month (you can't imagine...) it is an extra special struggle this month to do things without spending money.

On Thursday, Pauline and I bought cheap Indian street food, a couple of beers and rode the Staten Island Ferry for a few hours. The Ferry is completely and utterly free, has an awesome view, and is some mighty fine people watching.

Despite spraining my arm on my roller skates last night, Tom and I decided to take a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and head to the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory. Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is such a great experience - beautiful view and humbling architecture. Price of admission: $0. Two scoops of delicious ice cream: $5.

Anyway, I'm relatively poor right now but New York can make you forget about that sometimes if you know where to look.

View from the Staten Island Ferry as it Pulls Away From Manhattan. June 23, 2005. 

Double Vision: The Statue of Liberty. June 23, 2005. 

The Brooklyn Bridge. June 25, 2005. 

The Brooklyn Bridge. June 25, 2005. 

The Brooklyn Bridge. June 25, 2005. 

The Brooklyn Bridge. June 25, 2005. 

The Manhattan Bridge. June 25, 2005. 

The Empire State Building Framed by the Manhattan Bridge. June 25, 2005. 

Under the Manhattan Bridge. June 25, 2005. 

St. Louis Celebrations

Tom and I were back in St. Louis over the weekend. My oldest best friend, Kriss eloped in April and she and her husband hosted a great celebration for their family and friends.

It was double the fun because I also got to spend time with my Dad on Father's Day. The weather was beautiful and everyone was on their best behavior. I couldn't ask for a better weekend.

Wine Cask at Crown Valley Winery in Ste. Genevieve, MO. Nice view, terrible wine. June 18, 2005.

Instant Gratification. My family and I checking out pictures on the digital camera. Candid captured by Tom. June 18, 2005.

The Wedding Reception: Family Paparazzi. June 18, 2005.

The Bride and Groom. June 18, 2005. St. Louis, MO.

Verchona and Kriss. June 18, 2005. St. Louis, MO.

Kriss (The Bride) and Me. June 18, 2005. St. Louis, MO.

Me and Grandma J. June 18, 2005.

Steve and Max on Father's Day. June 19, 2005. 

Sandra, John and Tom. June 19, 2005.

Tom and John. Very Cerebral. June 19, 2005.

Tom's Family and Me. June 19, 2005. O'Fallon, MO.

Grace and Grandma. Best Picture of My Mom With an Elephant on Her Head Chasing a Toddler Ever. June 19, 2005.

Grace Eating Ice Cream Cake. June 19, 2005.

Big Apple Barbecue 2005.

Tom and I went to the Big Apple Barbecue on Saturday. It was very hot and the lines were pretty long, but we managed to try two BBQ dishes from two different booths, Ubon's of Yazoo, Mississippi and Mitchell's BBQ of Wilson, North Caroline. Of the two, we like Ubon's pork shoulder with coleslaw the best. The sauce was delicious and the pork was braised and succulent. Mitchell's was very good, but the consistency reminded me of tuna salad, just a little too mushy.

We went last year and the lines were awful - we had to wait in one line to buy tickets and then get in another impossibly long line for BBQ. This year they addressed a lot of the logistical problems and had great volunteers available to make sure the lines were organized. We were too tired and hot to wait in another line for custard at the Shake Shack. Not that I really needed it...

Welcome 'Cue Lovers at Madison and 23rd. Big Apple Barbecue 2005. 

Welcome 'Cue Lovers at Fifth and 26th. Big Apple Barbecue 2005.

A Snapshot of the Crowd. Big Apple Barbecue 2005.