Only in NYC

I had a blast at the Belmont Stakes; despite the fact that Smarty lost. I almost cried. Seriously, there were tears welling up in my eyes. Regardless of the outcome, the day solidified my love of horse racing and I am going to have to make more trips to the track. Especially since I have now figured out how to bet, after having a guy waiting in line and the women in the betting window explain it to me. By the end of the day I was wagering like a pro. I only won $11, though (on two races that my horses won). However, earlier in the day on the 3rd or 4th race I decided not to bet because I was too lazy to walk to the window. From my place near the rail (where we were at all day, an excellent spot) it was hard to weave through the crowds. However, I picked a horse to root for anyway. The horse went off to 20-1 and that old nag decided to run the race of his life. What do you know that fucker won!! My $2 bet would have won me $40!! I learned my lesson and I bet on the rest of the races of the day. None nearly as profitably though. Ugh.

After the races we went to another part of Queens to visit one of Jason's friends, Christina (a militant bi-sexual who was fucking awesome!) who worked at a liquor store. It was her last day and some of her regulars decided to visit. They bought a bottle of Champaign and broke it open in the middle of the store. They shared with Jack and I and we drank it out of Hennessey glasses. After we finished that one we cracked open another. So here I was drinking Champaign in the middle of a Queens liquor store with Jason, a militant bi-sexual, an artist, an Englishman, a middle age internet security guy who was Christina’s new boss and worked at a club in the ‘80’s where the Ramones played (He and Joey were tight), and the Latino guy who worked in the back! Only in New York.

That night I slept on a futon in a warehouse owned by Christina’s boss. The place was great for a warehouse. It had awesome skylights. I have never slept in a warehouse before and probably never will again. But at least now I can say, “When I was in college I spent the night in a warehouse in the middle of Queens.” How many people do you know that can say that. Hehe. It was a great weekend and not one I will soon forget.



[Big thanks again to Jason... better watch out I may show up again next year. ;-)]