Constant Reader discussion
CR 2011 Convention -- New York
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Tentative Schedule
Wow, this looks marvelous! What a great variety of experiences you have planned for us, Yulia. Kathleen sounds like she's looking forward to Saturday most of all (she's very impressed with the Algonquin) and to me Sunday sounds the most intriguing.Thank you for all your thoughtful preparation in advance of our meeting. I can say that quite sincerely as last year's host!
Thanks, Philip. I *really* have no idea what I'm doing. I'm sorry I put the Buddakan dinner on Monday, but it's so much saner there on Mondays and I felt I ought to leave the best for last in terms of momentum. Do tell me if you have any suggestions.
Looks good to me, Yulia! I don't know if I'll get there in time for lunch on Saturday, but ought to be able to join in for the MoMA that afternoon. And you've reminded me that I will need to start looking for something to read aloud.
Please do tell me if going to two libraries is too much. I can certainly switch out what I've put down so far for others. Would those going prefer to tour the Village, Washington Square Park and Cooper Union on Saturday morning?
The schedule looks great, Yulia! Has anyone heard from Robert Armstrong? He's not here much these days so he might not have heard, but I'm pretty sure he lives in NY vicinity. And how about our founding father - is he coming?
Theresa
This is my first CR convention. How long a passage or amount of time does each member read for? Would it be considered tacky to read from my own book?
Philip told me individuals read for about five minutes, but participation isn't necessary. I don't think it'd be tacky to read from your own work at all. I believe others have in the past. I hoped to, if I could come up with anything worth sharing in the next two months.I haven't gotten any word from [edit] Allen, though I wrote to him a couple times. I don't know about Robt. He didn't respond "maybe," but it's so difficult to check who responded "no."
How about Allen Crocker? He's who I meant by founding father.I think I will email Robt, just to be sure he is in the loop.
Theresa
Oh, sorry, I meant Allen when I wrote Dale. He's the one who hadn't responded to my emails. I'll write to him again.
Theresa,I emailed Robt, who lives in New Jersey. Unfortunately he is attending a conference in Yosemite that very same weekend. He did tell me that he is writing a novel, so I am anxious to hear more about that.
Yulia,
Your schedule looks wonderful. I will be there in time for the museum on Saturday, I think. I am spending Friday night with Tom's sister in New Jersey.
By the way, Allen always comes even when we don't hear from him.
Looks great, Yulia!The Algonquin Room impressed Vic, also.
I am soooooo impressed, Yulia, and sooo damn jealous!I've read my work in the past, so have at it!
I usually read a couple or three poems of my own, Julia. Just don't be a Marty. I hear he held forth for something like 40 minutes. It's become legend.
I know I'm new to the group, so I hope I'm not breaking any etiquette, but...here goes:I book comedy at the 92YTribeca and on Thursday, October 13 there are two great shows that are very affordable. At 7PM is "Mortified" based on the book / blog http://www.getmortified.com. This usually sells out so I'd buy tix in advance. The second, I'm still working on but is tentatively called "Comedy Igloo" and features headlining comedians. The 92YTribeca is a branch of THE 92Y and is a Jewish not-for-profit. Tickets are very affordable (usually anywhere from $10 to $15) and there are never any food or drink minimums which is nice. Also, I think the discount code CBC Fans (case and space sensitive, sorry) should get you $2 off.
As I know more, I can share more but will try to read up more on rules and the convention in the meantime.
I appreciate the information, Kambri, and am certainly interested in affordable events going on in the city during the convention, but the convention is from the evening of October 14, to the morning of Oct 18.
Yulia wrote: "I appreciate the information, Kambri, and am certainly interested in affordable events going on in the city during the convention, but the convention is from the evening of October 14, to the morni..."Oh, yes, but I saw a few folks were coming in early / staying longer. So for the early bird arrivals it might be a good thing for them to do. Especially "Mortified" since it features so many writers.
Jane, I'm sorry to hear that Robt will be out of town, I had hoped to see him again. But you are right, Allen does show up!Theresa
Two libraries are not too many. The Morgan and NYPL are quite different.Re: H&H Bagels. The original Upper West Side location closed. The 46th St. bakery is still open.
Gale and I are going to a show Friday night. If the timing and weather are good, we hope to meet up later at the Ink48 rooftop lounge.
Great. I've got to check out which delis serve H&H bagels that are closer to midtown.
Bought our airline tickets today -- can't wait!
I'm looking forward to seeing you and Kathleen again soon, Philip!
I bought mine a couple of days ago. Got a direct flight from Asheville to Newark.
Yes, I've got my reservations, as well. Flying into JFK.
My flight is to LaGuardia, so does that mean we've got all the major airports represented?
I'm taking the train from DC (where I'll be for work) to Penn Station, so we have that covered as well.Theresa
We're flying Delta to LaGuardia. Today the airline offered a "special deal" on adding a rental car ... for Manhattan? No thanks!!
To all points east. Sounds like everything is covered except the harbor. Any one coming by ship or sailboat. hahahaha
I'll be coming by Megabus so there's one more mode of transportation covered. I won't be able to be there until Saturday though. I'll have to figure out where and when to meet up with everyone.
Oh Kitty, I wish we could arrive by boat, I would love to enter NY harbor that way ...
That would be spectacular. Even better enter on the Fourth of July when the tall ships are in port.
Janet, I'll give you my cell phone and you can find us that way.
In the past, we've usually compiled a list of cell phone numbers for all attendees and circulated it by e-mail. It helps with just those kinds of situations. I'll send you my cell number by e-mail, Yulia, if you want to start a list.
What does "VYNL" mean in message #1?(I've only read Message #1 so far. I have limited time on the computer these days.)
As I've told Yulia in an email, my sister and I are going to try to attend some of the events. We would be coming down to NYC on Amtrak from the Albany area in NY State. We may be able stay at a friend's apartment for 2 nights.
Thanks so much, Lynn. Could I also have everyone's email address?VYNL is the name of a restaurant.
Yulia wrote: "[...] VYNL is the name of a restaurant."Thanks, Yulia. I googled it and then read the user reviews at:
http://menupages.com/restaurants/vynl/
Sounds like an interesting place.
Ha, in all the reshuffling, I'd let the Algonquin Round Table slip out of the schedule. No worries, I put it back in. Sorry about that.
I know this next idea is crazy (thinking out of the box) but, in view of the high price of dinner at Rosa Mexicano, would it be possible for some of us to attend later and have dessert only at a reduced rate? At least we might be able to appreciate part of the discussion of Morton's book.The fact is that my sister and I probably wouldn't be able to arrive on time at Rosa Mexicano in any case because we're making other plans with relatives in the city.
Joy, I'm sure Yulia will want to comment on your question, but as I remember we have a set meal planned for Rosa Mexicano (specific dishes and specific group price) that may make it difficult to join in for dessert only.
Thank you, Philip. Yes, I know about the set-plans at Rosa Mexicano but I was hoping the plans could be modified for people like myself. Just thought I'd see if it would be possible.I hope to meet you at the reading/lunch on Monday 10/17. I plan to be there with my sister.
Hi, joy. certainly no problem thinking outside the box, but unfortunately the restaurant won't allow guests to pay for only part of the meal. It's a set package. You can always arrange to meet whomever you want after it's over, though.
Thanks, Yulia. I understand. I guess we can't opposa Rosa.
I think we will have to drink a toast to you, Yulia, in honor of your October birthday!
Happy Birthday, Yulia, and thank you for doing all the planning.
Well, Jane, I'll be able to toast when it's all over I think. Too nervous right now. Thanks so much, Joy.
Don't be nervous, Yulia. You are doing a fabulous job. Just think you can't do worse than one hostess (who shall remain nameless). Just before we all showed up for the convention,she emailed us to say she was too busy to spend any time with us. I had to arrange a walking tour by phone before we arrived, and some of the other members arranged other activities. The only thing she did was make reservations at the restaurants for dinner. We even found our own hotel!
Eeks, no. My problem is, I'm an over-planner. I'll have the final schedule posted once I get the details of the best way to get from one place to another from Frank (subway, bus, cab, or walking). I just can't attend more than 3-4 hours a day with the group due to my energy. Jane, can you send me your phone number so I can add it to the group's contact info? Thanks so much!
You're doing a beautiful job, Yulia. Everyone appreciates all the thought you've put into this.
Friday (10/14)
dinner, 8 p.m.: Kiran Indian Cuisine (401 West 53rd St at 9th Ave)
drinks: Il Baretto (750 11th Ave btwn 53rd and 54th St)
Saturday (10/15)
morning, 10 a.m.: Morgan Library (225 Madison Ave btwn 36th + 37th St)
http://www.themorgan.org
(adults $15, seniors $10)
lunch: MoMA's Cafe 2
afternoon: MoMA (11 west 53rd St btwn 5th + 6th Ave)
(adults $22.50, seniors $16)
evening, 5:30 p.m.: 9/11 Memorial (arrive at 5:15, bring photo ID, they say visitors do actually enter when scheduled; late arrivals aren't accepted, they claim)
dinner: Eataly (200 Fifth Ave at 23rd St)
http://www.eatalyny.com
Sunday (10/16)
morning, 11 p.m.: Frick Collection (1 East 70th St + 5th Ave)
http://www.frick.org/)
(Pay what you wish)
lunch: Untitled at the Whitney Museum (945 Madison Ave at 75th St)
(first come, first served)
afternoon: Broadway musicals
or
McNally Jackson Books (52 Prince St off Mulberry)
Housing Works Bookstore Café (126 Crosby St btwn Prince St & Jersey St)
Austria Pop-Up (201 Mulberry St btwn Kenmare and Spring St)
dinner, 6:30 p.m.: Rosa Mexicano (61 Columbus Ave + 62nd St)
drinks: Algonquin Round Table (59 West 44th St btwn 5th and 6th Ave)
Monday (10/17)
morning: The Strand bookstore (828 B’way + 12th St)
if there's time:
Stephen Schwarzman Building / NYPL main branch (476 5th Ave + 42nd St)
lunch + reading by CR members, 12 p.m.: Ariana Afghan Kebab (787 9th Ave btwn 52nd and 53rd)
afternoon: High Line (enter at 20t St and 10th Ave, leave at 14th St)
http://www.thehighline.org/
Chelsea Market (88 10 Ave + 14th St)
http://www.chelseamarket.com/
dinner, 6:45 p.m.: Buddakan (75 9th Ave btwn 15th and 16th St)
For breakfast any day, consider visiting:
Carnegie Deli (854 7th Ave btwn 57th and 56th St) for an H&H bagel
Lenny's New York (30 Rockefeller Plaza or 48th btwn 5th and 6th)
Plan to meet at 9:30 a.m. in front of the WNRC (3 W. 51st St btwn 5th and 6th Ave) each morning to ensure you get enough time for the morning's event. Bring a water bottle if you need it. Wear layers as the weather has gone up and down.