The City That Never Sleeps

September 22, 2006

(Read Prelude) So here I am sitting in the lobby of this posh NYC hotel with diplomats and politicians buzzing around (I swear John Kerry walked right past me!) and I’m staring at my laptop with this grin on my face that just won’t fade despite a slight headache. Occasionally, I even burst out laughing to myself as I peruse the photos from last night’s 40/40 club party. We did it! DC Sports Chick and MissChatter arrived on the nightclub scene and while not on the list after all (what the heck was the point of that RSVP thing?!), we had some wonderful benefactors who got us in just when we were beginning to think the trip may not have been worth it.

We left around noon after picking up some Quiznos subs and hit the road. Traffic was good for the most part until we got past Philly and onto I-295 where a semi was no longer recognizable. Luckily, traffic was backed up in the other direction, and our side only slowed briefly.

We made it to the city side of the Lincoln Tunnel in four hours, including two stops – not bad! However, once we got into the city, gridlock struck. A firetruck was busy with a fire in a building we passed. Then once we hit Park Avenue, we couldn’t go further to our hotel only a block away. The road was blocked off. I figured we’d go around the block and find another way in, but suddenly was being rushed through red lights by police as sirens sounded behind us. “Go! Go! Go!” Then I had to pull over as this DC-like caravan rushed past. We asked a cop what was going on and he said the UN was in town. Little did we know at the time, the UN was going to put a hitch in our plans. Silly me thought we got out of DC.

We finally got to the hotel 45 minutes later after circling Manhattan and not finding a way to the hotel. We arrived back where we started at Park and 48th and finally pulled into the blockade area to ask how the heck we get down there. They moved the cop car and let us through, chuckling at the Soriano NYC or bust sign on the back of the car. We valeted the Jeep and had to go through x-ray security to get into the hotel. Sweet place, though! DCSC used her hotel points to get us the room for free. So much for staying in my friend’s one bedroom apartment crashed on the couch! Awesome – life is good!

So we hurriedly changed and primped. We figured if we left at 6 and caught a taxi, we’d make it to the club well before the 7 PM event start time and maybe even find a pizza place to grab a bite to eat. No such luck. The club was a mile and a half from the hotel and because the street was blockaded, no taxis were available in front of the hotel. We headed down the street to try to pick one up, but it was rush hour. Not a free cab in sight. So we hoofed it. In high heels. Ouch. I felt like we were never going to get there. One cab did stop and let out a fare, but on the other side of the street. We ran over to it and some woman jumped in before us. Dang! Breathlessly, we ran up to the club doors at exactly seven. I wondered why I had bothered doing my hair!

The place was a ghost town. We were told the Soriano event would take place there on the main floor and to take a seat anywhere. We settled awkwardly into these swinging funky chairs. We peered around nervously, not recognizing anyone. 7:30 rolled by and still no one. Hungry, I ordered some Thai chicken spring rolls – which turned out to be a big mistake because they gave me horribly bad breath! Oops!

At 7:45 PM, Mike O’Connor, The Chief, and someone else who I wasn’t sure of strolled in and settled into the corner of the bar. Exuberantly, I yelled “Chief”. I think DCSC slapped me and told me to settle down. I didn’t need the seat to be swinging from the ceiling, literally! I thought we just HAD to talk to them, but she insisted we play it cool. I finally had a brilliant idea – we should buy them a round of drinks to show our appreciation, yet not bug them. It seemed simple enough and brilliant at the time, but after flagging down the waitress and watching as she brought the round over to them, we were suddenly embarrassed and realized they might think we were hitting on them!

Good, some Nationals were there and the party appeared to be a GO! (to be continued – we need food…)

Posted in Personal, Players, Washington Nationals