From Cattelan to Santacon, Why I Love New York

It's my final weekend in New York City for the year and I had no intention of wasting it. Friday was sort of shot for me as the night before was the JWT holiday party... you know how that goes... but I had promised my friend Jason I'd attend Art After Dark at the Guggenheim for the Maurizio Cattelan "All" exhibit. The massive scale of the exhibit hanging from the center of the Gugg was a sight in itself. Can't really explain, so you'll just need to go see the exhibit before January 22 when it closes.

Not a surprise but I really liked the floating "Z"s

Then my weekend went from high-brow to low-brow pretty quickly with SANTACON on Saturday! Last year was pretty awesome so I was definitely participating again this year; however, I think my old age is catching up to me and this year will probably be my last. We met up at South Street Seaport and head uptown to Bryan Park. Like Cattelan, I can't really explain it so you'll just have to look at the photos:

My favorite moment of Santacon, Tyler being spanked by Santa:

This weekend pretty much sums up everything I love about living in New York.

USMNT vs. Argentina, My First US Soccer Game and Freezing Tailgate

I took work off Friday to complete my USA outfits for the US Men's National Soccer Team versus Argentina game on Saturday. The outfits were taking me longer than usual to complete due to some mechanical difficulties, but I cranked out a navy blue maxi dress with red and white stripes up-top and criss-crossed straps on the back. Modeled by Hannah below, I have to say the dress was quite a success! I also made a simple red and white stripped tank top to go with red jeans I already owned. USA outfits will surely get more face-time around July 4th.

1:50 pm: On our way to New Meadowlands Stadium from Port Authority

Tyler's repping Hawaii at a USA game...

2:15 pm: High-Five! The five kegs are here

Don't be deceived by the blue skies, the temperature was in the 30s and the parking lot a windy tundra

Smiles all around still...

and lots of USA Pride!

 With high winds we couldn't play flip cup or beer pong, so we had to improvise--beer relays!

 Lunch is here!

 Corned Beef and Turkey Sloppy Joes from Town Hall Deli in Jersey is MONEY

 6:30 pm: Heading into the NY Giants' New Meadowlands Stadium

The game ended in a tie 1-1, and according to people who actually watch US Soccer, it's a win for the US. I still don't like games that end in ties.

At the end of the very long and cold day (5 hours of tailgating, 2 hours of game and 2 hours of traveling), I had fun supporting the US and am glad they didn't lose, but I can now say with confidence that I definitely prefer hockey games over soccer games.

NYC SantaCon 2010

There may just be another day that rivals Marathon Monday--NYC SANTACON.  According to the official NYC SantaCon website, "Santacon is a non-denominational, non-commercial, non-political, non-sensical Santa Claus convention that occurs once a year for absolutely no reason."  That's a good enough reason for me to participate!  Full Santa suits were apparently sold out at Ricky's and the Union Square costume shop so I settled with just a Santa hat and some festive red jeans.  The weather was perfect, 40s and sunny, and we started off in the East Village at The 13th Step.  I knew from last year, that Santacon would be crazy but I didn't realize how absolutely bizarre drinking at 11 in the morning with a bunch of drunk Santas, slutty elves, Grinches, reindeers, walking presents and Christmas trees would be.

The best part of Santacon is when the final location is revealed and everyone in all the different Santacon starting points meet up for a giant, public Santa party.  This year the insanity happened at the Bethesda Fountain in Central Park, so uptown on the 6 train we go!  Santacon is more than just a day of drunken camaraderie for the big man of Christmas but a day of giving (can food donations are encouraged), spreading holiday spirit and just simple good-humored fun.

The after party, which started at 3pm, was in the West Village but by then I had to head home for a nap and prepare for the 10 course Chinese wedding banquet meal for Amber & PJ.  I had an awesome time roaming the city yesterday, and will definitely be doing it again next year!  In the words of my Jewish friend Noah, "Ho Ho Ho, Bitches."