I Love Beach Music...

I have and I always will. As the song says, I was born with it in my bones.

One of the things I hate most about the end of the summer is the end of shaggin’ to beach music. Now, don’t get me wrong, you can always listen to these happy tunes, but it’s just not the same in the cooler months. I don’t think the Embers were wearing sweaters and puffy winter jackets when they first sang the lyrics, “I learned to shag on the beach with the salt in the air and the sand at my feet.” To me, beach music goes better with a sunburn, a sundress and a sweet tea.

Never-the-less, beach music has a way of making everyone smile and dance – even if it’s just a toe-tap and a head-nod. Not all music can do that. Despite the start of autumn in New York this week, I’m taking a time-out to listen to some good ol’ beach music because before you know it, I’m going to need that sweater and puffy winter jacket here in the city.

Now, ya’ll do the same and go turn on some tunes from Chairman of the Board, Embers and Bill Deal and as my favorite sign says just, “Shut Up and Shag.”

"Shut Up and Shag" and the city from our roof

Some of Southern in the City's favorites to name a few:

- Carolina Girls
- Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy
- Miss Grace
- Part-time Party Man
- More Than a Number
- Hold Back the Night

So Southerners, what are yours?

Oh, and as for the sign, "Shut Up and Shag" - my dear friend Lauren, another Southerner in a different city, gave it to me back in college - cute huh?

Rainy Day Fun

As I mentioned in my last post, The Husband and Southern in the City participated in the Tunnel to Tower Run this past Sunday. Although there was an abundance of rain and wind, not to mention that we looked like wet rats, the show did go on and fun was definitely had. To see all those people come out to show their support was extremely heartwarming. Check out a few photos from the day.

Wet, wet and more wet

The Husband made it through in no time

Wet, but happy - I was so proud!

Ironically, the race tee-shirts (pictured under the red tent) caught fire the day before in the back of a truck, but were salvaged and cleaned in time for the race

Each marching firefighter carried a picture of a fallen firefighter from 9/11

From the tunnels to the towers

I’m not particularly fond of running. In fact, I hate running. I’m told that eventually your endorphins will kick-in and you’ll actually enjoy it, but that has never really happened to me.

However, I wanted to let all you Southerners in NY know about an upcoming race that even the runner-haters like me will enjoy. This Sunday, the Stephen Siller Children’s Foundation, Tunnel to Towers Run will take place in lower Manhattan.

This 5K run or walk (YES walk!) traces the path of a heroic FDNY firefighter, Stephen Siller, who ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to reach Ground Zero on September 11. The race starts at the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel and finishes at Vesey Street, facing the former World Trade Center.

The Stephen Siller Children’s Foundation was created to serve the needs of children who have lost one or more parents in the line of duty. The Foundation honors the heroic life and death of Stephen who lost both his parents by the time he was 10 years old.

This race is the 2nd largest in NY (The NY Marathon is the first) and over 20,000 participants from all over the world are expected to attend.

Southern in the City and The Husband will be there and would love to see ya’ll too!

For more information or registration click here: http://www.tunneltotowersrun.org/

High there, High Line

One of the best parts about New York is its many parks. They’re everywhere and if you need to get away from the city-sounds for a New York minute, there is no better way than visiting these great outdoor spaces. Last week, The Husband and I took a trip over to NY’s newest park – The Highline, near the the Meat Packing District.

The Highline is a half-elevated park filled with modern landscape and architecture. In the 1930’s, it was originally made to lift dangerous freight trains off the streets. They’d plan to tear it down but raised enough moolah to maintain and turn the park into what it is today. I recommend going right at sunset since there is a great view of the Hudson River.

The Highline platform also takes you right by the new Standard Hotel, where often times you’ll get a peep show from hotel guests. I’m not making this up ya’ll. Many guests have actually been photographed in the nude doing scandalous things for passers-by's viewing pleasure. Fortunately (or unfortunately), The Husband and Southern in the City did not see any scantily clad folk this time, although we did look.

Check it out - Highline Park

Keep it Wild Ya'll And this is the "landscape" with the old rail-road tracks Sunset and view of the Hudson
The park is filled with these wooden recliners, pictured on the right of Southern in the City The new Standard Hotel The Husband looking up at the Standard Hotel...no peep show today Highline at night - a little creepy huh?

Southern in the City and The Husband

Playing Dress-up

I wouldn’t say that I’m particularly immersed in fashion. If I had the choice of a designer dress or a designer chair, I would definitely pick the chair. However, like most girls and gay guys, I do appreciate and love looking at the windows in Bloomingdales and Bergdorf’s to see the perfectly designed displays of the season’s latest trends. But on most days, I prefer my rainbow flip-flops, jeans and old Elon tee.

As a little girl I loved playing dress-up and remember a family friend covering me from head-to-toe in her jewelry and scarves (I should find this picture for a good laugh), which is probably why I get excited when I see the fashion week tents at Bryant Park. It’s just like playing dress-up, but with big girl clothes – ones that I could never afford.

Last night I snapped a few photos of NY Fashion Week’s tent. I need to start remembering to pack my camera, as these are from my phone, but you get the picture.

DMV Doozey

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the New York DMV at Herald Square. I know, aren’t you jealous? Take your local DMV and multiply it by 100. That’s just how large and annoying this place is.

Since I just got married and took on the husband’s name, I needed to change my license and thought it was about time to trade in the “First in Flight” for “The New York State”. It has taken me three years to even think about giving up my NC license. I always thought that by doing so, I would officially be a Yankee. I don’t think this is true, but it will be cool to show to my kids oneday - proof that I actually lived here.

So, off I went… Southern in the City, to the DMV. I even got up early so that I would be first in line. Yet, when I arrived just 10 minutes after it opened, the line was already 30 people deep and not moving (cue eye roll). Not to mention, there were people jumping the line and ducking under the ropes to get in front. I usually don’t have the patience for this, but decided there was nothing I could do. I pulled out my Sookie Stackhouse novel and waited, calmly, until I reached the front of the line.

Once it was my turn to get a ticket and wait in yet another line, the clerk asked me what my reason was for coming to the DMV. I told him and then he began to read off all the documents I would need: marriage license – check; photo ID – check; social security card – check; birth certificate or passport – oh no. They needed proof that I was actually born in order to change my name. Really? After all that waiting and more waiting? (cue major eye roll, huffing and maybe even a foot stomp). Therefore, I have to go back to try yet again. So Southerners, stay tuned for trip #2.

Oh and excuse the blurry photo, can’t have anyone knowing my address!

Please learn from me and make sure you have all the right documents you will need before making that fun journey. I hope that my experience will help all you Southerners-gone-Yankee, because you may just find yourself needing to exchange your license to that of a NY one someday.

To find out what DMV location is closest to you in New York, click here: http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/ethrum.htm

To exchange an out of state license for a New York license you must go to the Herald Square, location at:

1293-1311 Broadway 8th FloorNew York, NY 10001(Between W 33 & W 34 Sts.)
M - F 8:30 - 4:00
1-212-645-5550

Sweet Tooth

Sometimes there is nothing better than the first bite of something sweet. I definitely got my sweet tooth from my dad who cannot hide his infatuation with dessert. If you know him, you know this to be true.

When I think of my favorite sweets, the first thing that comes to mind is my grandmother’s caramel cake. Yum. When I was home in NC this past weekend, she brought an entire caramel cake over for us to eat. Oh how I wish I had snapped a picture of this wonderful creation for you to view. The caramel icing and the vanilla cake are a perfect marriage for a perfect Southern dessert. Thanks, B!

But, since I don’t live in NC and only get to experience the caramel cake a few times a year, I have to find other sweet treats to calm my cravings. One of my favorite sweet tooth indulgences is cupcakes, specifically cupcakes from Crumbs. While there are a number of cupcake bakeries around New York, this one is topnotch Southerners. Crumbs cupcakes are huge, the size of your entire hand huge.

Recently The Husband purchased some for a family birthday party. Check out the yummyness below. They make my mouth water just looking at them.

If only they made a caramel cake cupcake...

“I Couldn’t Help But Wonder…”

I don’t think there is a single girl out there, or boy for that matter, who doesn’t know about Sex and the City. It's been almost a whole year since our favorite city girls put on their manolos and sipped on cosmos with us. But, alas Southerners, it is now that time again for Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte to reunite for Sex and the City 2!

Filming started today on the Upper East Side; in fact, I’m told at this very moment they are filming at the Met. How you might ask? Well, have a look:

http://www.onlocationvacations.com/category/daily-filming-locations/

You can find out what movies & shows are being shot around the city. It’s fun to check out and see if you are in the same neighborhood as some of your favorite stars. Below are some photos of Mrs. Carrie Bradshaw leaving Mr. Big's place, or now their place, from the first day of filming:

(Photos from People.com)