Empire State of Mind

[Went to top, almost, of Empire State Building. Was looking forward to writing about it all day but now very stressed and upset as I finally start at 11 P.M. Figgy had three boys and three girls over today--there's no school tomorrow--and the neighbors downstairs called the front desk to say they were too loud, and front desk called us. I was at our house trying to record damaged items for insurance company; Moey came over to help me. H. was here.

Now am totally worried and afraid we will lose this home. Feel overwhelmed, powerless. Rage. Shame. Embarrassment. Guess it's not enough to lose our own home temporarily. Now this hangs in the balance too. Angry at Figgy, though I can't blame her for having friends and inviting them over. She did ask us first. They ate popcorn and pizza, played guitar. I'm sure they were loud, and these neighbors probably have to work tomorrow or maybe they have small kids etc. H. and I must keep a close eye and enforce limits with Figgy.

Now that I got that off my chest, can write. But not sure I will enjoy it, as hoped I would. Tired of spoiled teens who can't even say thank you sometimes. Was not very gracious in 10:30 P.M. conversation with H. and Figgy, when she couldn't understand why her cousin, visiting from Florida but still in Brooklyn for dinner, couldn't arrive tonight at 11:30 P.M. for sleepover but can sleep over tomorrow night instead. Hate life sometimes.]

Zipped into the city this morning to meet a magazine editor for coffee and talk about assignments--loved that. Have never gotten over the thrill of being at a magazine, just being there. Guess that makes me sound like my 20-year-old self, excited to meet my friend at Glamour, where her big sister worked. But I still love the electric charge, the ball [fashion ball, food ball, beauty ball, culture ball] pitched ahead of the curve. From the inner sanctum.

The office was right by the Empire State Building [ESB]. Since it was such a beautiful day, and I didn't have anywhere pressing to be, I decided to go get a view from the top.

Timeline can tell the tale.

10:40 A.M. Get on line, 33rd Street near Fifth Avenue. Turn down offers from at least three NY Skyride workers in royal blue jackets, who say you can spend $47 and skip the line. One says I'll have to wait 1 1/2 hours. Another says 2 1/2 hours, and a third says 3. Decide to trust only the maroon-suited ESB workers in official billed hats imprinted with "Observatory." They say tickets are $20 inside. Resist overtures from GrayLine sightseeing team, in red jackets, and yellow-shirted CitySights NY crew.
11:01 A.M. Walk by La Maison du Chocolat [yum] in lobby, get corralled up escalator to 2nd floor. Admire cool Art Deco details. Pull out small reporter's pad and start taking notes. Get some curious looks. Don't care, want accurate details.
11:10 A.M. Feel funny being alone. Wish Figgy, H., Sis or Punch & Judy were with me. Waiting among tourists who speak German, French, Spanish, Italian, English. Nice designer sunglasses by Coach and Prada chicly hold their hair back. Two women [one American, one foreign] have long, stunning, layered blonde hair. Look like shampoo commercial. Wish I could ask what brand they use.
11:17 A.M. "Remove your belts and your jackets please." Going through security. Put belongings in plastic bin, just like at airport.
11:24 A.M. Ticket in hand. Mine was $20 [adults 13-61]. Child 6-12 is $14; military person or senior 62+ is $18. Add $15 if you want to go the 106th floor, not just regular 86th floor observatory.
11:30 A.M. Getting dizzy and warm from weaving in and out on short, snaking lines cordoned off with maroon velvet ropes that match ESB workers' uniforms. Feels like line to get into Ellis Island/Statue of Liberty.
11:45 A.M. Wish I had portable fan. Watch family of four from Germany eating bananas. Reminded of King Kong.
11:50 A.M. Feels like long line for Flume water ride at Great Adventure.
High Noon Each group has photo taken--looks like you're standing in front of ESB. Great idea for group of schoolkids, or family of four who could use for Christmas card photo. My group is just me. Smile sheepishly for camera, hurry along.
12:10 P.M. Take elevator up to 80th floor.
12:15 P.M. Get out, walk six flights up to 86th floor. Huff, puff.
12:19 P.M. Made it. Panting. Air feels cold, fresh. Clean. See Tower Optical Viewers [insert 50 cents, look through]. See woman on cell phone. Good reception--wonder which service provider she uses. "Oh okay, all right," she says. "Well, I love you. Call me later on. Bye." Can't we be disconnected anywhere?
12:20 P.M. Remember great "I Love Lucy" episode about martians at ESB.
12:21 P.M. Think of coming here in the 1970s, with Mom, Dad and friend Irene. And of coming with H. before we married, and later, with H. and Figgy.
12:25 P.M. Look north and see Hearst building, where my friends at Good Housekeeping work, where the editors I write for work. The part I worked in for 10 years is at the base now, under the trendy skyscraper.
12:30 P.M. Notice words on buildings out there: MetLife [twice], 4 Times Square, GE, HERSHEY'S [sideways on brown Hershey-bar-shaped background--clever]. See pretty gold-dipped roof here, copper roof [now green] there. Graceful bridges, like bracelets. Madison Square Garden, Chelsea Piers, Statue of Liberty, Chrysler Building, Flatiron Building, World Trade Center site. Think of colleagues who had office there [all survived]. Mountains in distance. Central Park, huge, lush and striking. So grateful we have it in our big built-up city. Miss walking there. Must go back soon.
12:40 P.M. Two hours after started. Ready to go home.
12:46 P.M. No such luck. Mandatory pass through gift shop to exit. Pain in the neck. Notice crystal ESB statues, $49.99 to $599.99. DKNY fragrance for men or for women, $45. DVDs for sale--movies in which ESB has role [Sleepless in Seattle, Breakfast at Tiffany's, An Affair to Remember--smart marketing tie-in].
1 P.M. Still waiting on line to exit. Really sick of lines. Crave free space to walk. Take slingback heels off, slip sneakers on. Thank God. See "Kong was here" T-shirt, $20; "Gorilla Poop" chocolate-covered sunflower seeds, $8.99; giant stuffed Kong, $200.
1:14 P.M. Finally on elevator down.
1:17 P.M. Back in lobby at last. Glad I went up, but as another visitor said, lines were so long because it was rainy lately and today was such a glorious day. Also, it's Passover and Easter week, lots of tourists in town. Next time, go early, or late. Can enter 8 A.M. to 1:15 A.M.
1:30 P.M. Catch reflection in Starbucks window on walk back to Port Authority. Scary. Bad hair day--whipped down and windblown, color brassy from too much sun. Reminder that I was just way, way on top of New York, looking down in the open air.