New York City, Here I Come

First, let me apologize for my lack of content. You’re surely devastated, and perhaps are writing me hatemail right now. It’s ok, I understand.

I’m not complaining by any means, but I’m totally worked to death. While this blog is one of my great passions, paid work comes first. Always. Last night while writing an article for Examiner (I’m a St. John’s Nightlife Examiner, by the way), I passed out mid sentence at 12 a.m., at least an hour earlier than I usually get to sleep. Today I’m clear headed. Who knew sleep made such a difference?

Anyway, in the past few weeks I’ve been scrambling to get things together for New York City. My blurry weekend in Halifax aside, this is the first real vacation I’ve had since last summer. I realize I’m attending a travel bloggers conference and all, but I’ve decided to ditch the laptop and fully immerse myself in the city.

Immerse, indeed. Last weekend, by some miracle, the sun came out full force and I blew off all my chores to sunbathe with my Frommer’s NYC guide on the back deck. The result is a list of things I want to see and do that will require 5 years to complete.

NYC planning. HALP.

NYC planning. HALP.

In reality, TBEX will take up 90% of my time. Even Friday evening there’s a kick-off party, and before that, I’m sharing a meal/drinks galore with Steph, Cailin and Pam (and whoever else wants to join!). Saturday morning, I have to put my hangover on hold to attend the conference, doling out Newfoundland & Labrador materials and tossing my business cards around like confetti and crack. Immediately following is a TripAdvisor party, supper with the Matador editors (SO excited), and a BootsnAll party. And seeing as how it’s Saturday night, I sure as hell won’t be going home at 10.

Repeat on Sunday.

Never mind the people I really, really hope to spend time with (and the others I’m sure to meet along the way!). I have a little Word document on my computer with a list of people I want to shake hands with/grope/hug. There’s a lot. I’m also pretty aerie-faerie at times, so if you introduce yourself to me and I stare at you blankly, just punch me in the face. Or run up to me and hug me, I don’t believe in personal space.

Plus the sightseeing, my gawd! The Broadway show, Ground Zero, dive pubs, the Statue of Liberty, MoMA, Central Park, Times Square, Rockefeller Center.

I expressed my distress to my travelling companion, Kirsten, about not fitting everything in. She told me (in nicer terms), “Suck it up, princess. NYC will always be there.”

It’s true. I’m not going to map out daily itineraries. I feel like this trip is the culmination of many forces drawing me to the city. I’m not a big-city person, and I never cared about seeing NYC, but I awoke one morning after a dream which took place there, and I said, “I’m going.”

Then I won the Frommer’s travel guide. Then TBEX announced their NYC location, and I discovered I could get to the city for less than half the Airmiles it would take to get me to Alberta. For real.

So now the time is approaching and I’ve bought a sexy new suitcase and tote bag, the hotel is booked and I’m ready to go. So, so ready.

With expandable zipper and 10 year warranty for the amount of shopping I hope to do.

With expandable zipper and 10 year warranty for the amount of shopping I hope to do.

Who else wants to meet up for a few beers, exchange travel stories and hit on strangers in the grand city of NYC? Let I know.

I meant to tell you my other travel plans, but this is a little long-winded. Just know that they involve ferry rides to isolated towns without paved roads and trying to recapture my childhood by searching for Mash Gush Falls.

  • June 15 2010

    I’m getting excited too! See you there!

    • June 18 2010

      For sure, looking forward to it!

  • June 15 2010

    I’m thrilled for you! You’ll have a fantastic time no matter how much you cross off your to-do/to-see list. Enjoy!

    • June 18 2010

      I think you’re right, thanks!

  • June 15 2010

    Argh, it sounds SO amazing!!! I wish I were going. :-/ Hope you and everyone share your wealth of knowledge afterward!

  • June 15 2010
    maggie

    I so jealous! :) I need a vacation ;P And I’d love to go back to NYC…
    You’ll have a blast, I’m sure, no matter what you get to do! :D

    • June 18 2010

      I think so too! I’d be happy just to sit there and people-watch, as long as I’m not working. Hehe.

  • June 15 2010

    I got total luggage-envy, looking at that photo.
    You’ll have an amazing time! I can’t wait for blog recaps of TBEX, and the Matador dinner!

    • June 18 2010

      I haven’t even put it away yet because I can’t stop looking at my fancy new luggage, oooh-aaah.

      Thanks! I’ll take tons of pics!

  • June 15 2010

    “tossing my business cards around like confetti and crack.”
    that is why I love you! hahahahaha
    I do hope to be doing the same! :)
    10 more sleeps! haha

    • June 18 2010

      Hahaha, I can totally see us getting drunk and not even passing them out to TBEX people!

  • June 15 2010

    So exciting! That’s a long list of stuff to do in just a couple days … better plan on no sleep!

    • June 18 2010

      Oh, that was a given from the very beginning! Hahaha.

  • June 15 2010

    See you at TBEX!

  • June 16 2010

    I’m so ready for TBEX to be over so I can stop reading about it! Why can’t it be in Auckland? I could make it to Auckalnd, but not NYC!

    Anyway. Enjoy it. I’m not bitter. :)

    Check out Jimmys Corner just off times square if you can. It has to be the best dive bar in NYC and has a really cheap pint to boot. With any luck, you’ll meet boxing legend Jimmy himself. I’m looking to do a quick post on it later next week. Well worth your time ….

    • June 18 2010

      Niceeee, thanks for the tip! And FYI, I’d probably take a New Zealand trip over NYC, hahaha.

  • June 16 2010

    Looking forward to finally meeting you in person! Going to be an exciting weekend in NYC!

    • June 18 2010

      Most definitely, I`m pumped! Matadorians unite!

  • June 16 2010
    Greg

    Hey! I can’t make it to TBEX, but work in the city and live across the river in Hoboken, so it would be sweet to meet up. I can def point you in the direction of some great bars and restaurants and am always up for a crazy night out … It would be awesome to meet North America’s easternmost blogger and lover of booze …

    • June 18 2010

      Aww, thanks Greg! It`d be sweeeet to have a native NYCer show us a good place to have drinks. Feel free to email me: candicewalsh at gmail.comm

  • June 16 2010

    100% jealous. Love to be there – and won’t be. (Ah well, next year it is).

    We don’t want you to burn yourself out to a crisp, so less with the writing, please. And we want to read more of your writing, so more with the writing, please. There may be a contradiction in there somewhere, but both viewpoints are completely valid so I’m ignoring any logical clashes for their sake.

    I think actually I’m 101% jealous. I know this is impossible, but I’m truly *that* jealous. ;)

    • June 18 2010

      It`s okay Mike, I will have more than your share of the beers. I promise I won`t Tweet too much about it! well, I don`t promise. But…I`ll make every effort to make it sound terrible.

      (I probably won`t do that either)

      Next year!

  • June 16 2010

    OMG I’m so busted! I was JUST NOW writing you some hate mail for not giving me something awesome to read every day!! But now I would just feel bad sending it. Crap.

    I hope I’m on the grope/hug list – looking forward to meeting you! :)

    • June 16 2010

      You know, I’ve been to New York more times than I can count (at least three times in the past year) but I’ve never been as excited as I am for this trip! I can’t wait to met all of my awesome internet friends in person and yes I realize how nerdy that sounds but I don’t care it’s going to be so much fun!

      • June 18 2010

        Oh I totally know, I can`t wait to throw around words like `blog`and `tweet`and not have people look at me like I`m a few brain cells short. Can`t wait for our meet-up!

    • June 18 2010

      I knew it, I could sense it! Damn.

      Can`t wait!

  • June 16 2010

    Where’s the kick-off party on Friday? I can try to join you ladies after I get off work.

    • June 17 2010

      We aren’t sure yet Monica but we can definitely let you know! :) Maybe somewhere on 14th street? What do you recommend?

    • June 18 2010

      We`ll keep ya in the loop! Tweet at us or DM. Or I can give you my phone number or something, not sure if that would cost us both a small fortune or not. Hah.

  • June 16 2010

    Have a blast! NYC is one of my favorite cities.

  • June 16 2010

    Let the groping begin!

  • June 16 2010

    There’s so much stuff I wanna do in New York as well. I think I could live there and still find things to do. I’m kinda mad with myself that I didn’t get TBEX tix while I could (I’ll know not to procrastinate next year). Are you just going for the weekend? I’m gonna be in New York starting on Wednesday, if you got the time I’d love to meet up.

    And honestly Alberta’s nice and all, but I don”t blame you for using your airmiles to go to New York. I would’ve done the same thing.

    • June 18 2010

      I`m there from Friday to Tuesday, we`re just missing each other. :( I`m sure you`ll have an amazing time though, TBEX tickets or not!

  • June 16 2010

    I love your new suitcase! I’m sure you’ll have the blast of a lifetime. I’m flying out that weekend. But I think we shall surely meet some day in the future.

    • June 18 2010

      Ahh, so sad to hear we won`t be meeting up! But someday, someday…

  • June 16 2010
    Suzy

    I couldn’t be more jealous from Italy for all of you TBEX goers. Perhaps you could function as my stand-in as well Candice? We do have red hair so it just might work. I’ll ship you my business cards. In all seriousness, I’m so excited for you! You’re going to love New York and even if you don’t get to see everything, you will be back. Love the snazzy new luggage too.

    • June 18 2010

      Hahaha, I’m totally gonna pretend I’m you, it’ll mess with people’s heads. Identity theft? Thanks! Trust me, I`m probably more jealous that you`re in Italy. ;)

  • June 17 2010

    Is there any chance you can extend your vacation by calling in sick every day from NY? That’s what I’d be doing in your situation! Get an extra week there to see more.

    • June 18 2010

      Hahaha not a chance since my coworkers read my blog. :P Yep, should be puttin`up barriers. Justttt kiddin`, I`d never do that!

  • June 17 2010

    Also hoping I’m on the grope/hug/cocktails list :-) See you there!

  • June 17 2010

    hmmm, punch or hug? so hard to say. Probably neither. But I will say hello, and likely see you at many of the aforementioned events. whew!

    safe travels!

    • June 18 2010

      Oh I have a feeling our paths will cross more than once! See you soon!

  • June 17 2010

    oh and FYI I’m excited to meet everyone but I’m worried I won’t know anyones names and fingers crossed I’m not constantly calling people by their twitter handle!! haha

    • June 18 2010

      Oh man, I TOTALLY have that fear. Was thinking about writing up a big chart with everyone`s names and faces in it, bahaha.

  • June 17 2010

    werd! found you through Blunt Delivery. Give a shout when you’re in the city!!

    • June 18 2010

      Woohoo, one of my faves! Will do!

  • June 17 2010

    Hi Candice! I’d totally love to meet you and hang out during your free time. Are you going to #PREBEX? Feel free to email me if you want to meet up another time: makeshiftalisha@gmail.com

    • June 18 2010

      I won`t make it to PREBEX, unfortunately! Dammit, I`m sad. But would definitely love to meet up at some point, I`ll be in touch.

  • June 17 2010

    GAAHHH – so wish I was going! I’ve got a conference in LA in July, that’s eating up all the finances (and then some). Man, you are going to have a blast!!!

    • June 18 2010

      Next year Michelle, next year! Can`t wait!

  • June 18 2010

    It sounds like you’ll be pickled after the first day Candice. But what fun you’ll have. Hope you have time to squeeze in a Broadway play. I’ve had good luck buying amazing seats at the theatre itself on the day of the performance.

    These type of conferences are always interesting – actually meeting people you’ve been tweeting with for ages & then matching expectations with reality.

    • June 18 2010

      This will be my first, it`s definitely gonna be interesting. :) Thanks for the Broadway tip, I`m definitely gonna try for tickets!

  • June 19 2010

    Siiiiigh. Reading this post causes extreme amounts of jealousy….over your new luggage. Ha! Actually, I have turned into a slightly miserable wretch after reading this post because I really wanted to go! I think it will be fantastic. But I know you will put your spin on it that will make us feel like we were all there. So, however glum I am right now, I will still happily await your updates!

    • June 21 2010

      Hahaha, thanks Claire! Don’t be tooooo jealous, it’s probably the only travel I’ll get to do for another year or so. ;) But the luggage is pretty sweet, eh?

  • June 21 2010

    JUST missed you by a couple of weeks. Though not sure I could handle the whole TBEX insanity anyway. I’m sure you’ll have a fabu-time!

    • June 21 2010

      Aww, our paths shall cross yet! Thanks Christine.

  • June 22 2010

    let us know what great, fun things you did from that huge list!

    • June 23 2010

      Oh, I’m sure I will have many stories!

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