walking in vegas

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When I lived in NYC, I legit lost 8 pounds just walking everywhere. I had a membership to Equinox but I really only used it for rare 15-minute sessions on the stairclimber and to weigh myself on the scale in the locker room. What? Using the same scale every time is very important to me. Plus, I got a workout just walking there and back. Win-win.

But the real test was the 30-minute walks across town in 5-inch heels. Every single night. It started in the fall when the weather was (briefly) perfect but then I became obsessed with reaching all of my destinations on foot. I knew that in order to meet friends for drinks at The Spotted Pig at 9pm, I had to give myself exactly 13 minutes. Brunch on the Upper East Side? I laced up my sneakers for the 60 block trek. Cabs were reserved for those nights when I was just too exhausted – or drunk – to make it home by foot.

So when I moved to Las Vegas, I was terrified about losing my routine. First of all, everyone drives. Sometimes from one hotel to the one next door. Second, The Strip isn’t exactly the most ideal place to take a stroll – I mean, the slowest walking tourists EVER! – and the scenery (or lack thereof) doesn’t quite compare to the tree-lined streets of the West Village. Adult entertainment stores and desolate back alleys don’t exactly give me that fuzzy feeling.

But I was on a mission to maintain some semblance of one of the things that made me happiest in NYC. So I figured out a way to walk from my apartment to the hotels (over a very shady and possibly dangerous bridge) and vowed to use the lesser-known back entrances and pathways to hop between properties. Sure, it’s not the same – walking through a smokey casino isn’t ideal. But, just like in NYC, cabs have been used only for special occasions and I think I’ve finally figured out how to tackle this city on foot.

Why I Miss NYC: Reason #1

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The un-fucking-believable people.

As I said before, being away from NYC during Sandy made me really homesick. Like, bad. And while I’m loving Vegas, nothing compares to the love I have for Manhattan. And after seeing everyone come together to help in whatever way they can – from friends’ Facebook posts offering up their teeny-tiny apartments to displaced marathoners trekking to Rockaway and similarly devastated area to help out – I have never been so proud to be a New Yorker…

time to settle

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When I first started writing about my time here on the West Coast, I vowed to give it a solid chance, to do my best not to compare it to NYC and to really just make a life here. And I truly feel like I have put so much energy into doing that – which hasn’t been hard because Vegas, and everyone I’ve met here, is actually  pretty awesome.

But I’ve been here for 7 weeks now (O.M.G.) and had a realization this weekend – while I’ve set an intention to commit to living here, I haven’t totally acted on it yet. I love my friends from home more than anything in the world, but in some ways, making nightly phone calls to people back home and having lots of visitors has made it a little harder to REALLY connect with my new life. The friends who have visited from the East Coast have all been amazing, low maintenance and helped so much with my transition. But it’s like I’ve been on vacation since I moved. A really, really awesome vacation with some of the people I love most. But a vacation nonetheless.

Now it’s time for reality. I want to make friends here, learn more about the local hidden gems and stay home and watch TV once in the while. Fine, scratch that part. But it’s more about building a routine, something that makes me feel grounded and present, HERE.

Aside from a work trip to LA next week and 7 days in NYC for Thanksgiving, I’m going to stay put. There will be loneliness and I’ll surely be begging my friends from home to come see me, to ease any anxiety about my new life. And I will love when they come. But I’m ready to really, truly be a Las Vegan.

 

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feeling strange…

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For the past few days, I have been raptly following the awful devastation left by Hurricane Sandy and while there is no way for me to really understand what my family and friends back home are going through, I can’t help but feel totally disconnected and homesick. A die-hard New Yorker, I feel like I am a sell-out for abandoning my city – my number one love – while everything is such a mess. After all, I walked over 12 miles barefoot to Westchester on 9/11, sat for three sweltering days with my best friend and two dogs in our East Village pad during the summer of 2003 blackout and even hunkered down in my ground floor garden apartment awaiting serious flooding during the non-existent Hurricane Irene.

This time, I am over 2,500 miles away and while I consider myself lucky not to be dealing with the aftermath – my apartment is downtown and clearly won’t have power for days – I also feel helpless. At first, I was jealous when all of my friends gathered for “hurricane parties,” awaiting the storm. They were posting carefree, drunken photos on Facebook and Twitter. Basically, everyone I know was bonding over the impending disaster.

Then, disaster actually struck and my jealousy turned to a different feeling – being left out and not being able to do anything to help.I text and called everyone I knew, hungry for details, wanting to feel part of it. Thoughts of exes – even a recent one who doesn’t deserve my caring thoughts – flooded me. Things just felt weird and I wished I was home.

Again, I can in no way really grasp what’s happening, but every time I look at photos or read about another terrible consequence of the storm, I find myself tearing up. I waver between feeling selfish for even thinking about myself right now and being desperately sad for my friends, my family…my city.

revolving door of awesome

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Everyone told me that once I moved to Vegas, I wouldn’t have to miss my friends from NYC – because they would always be visiting. Being as that almost no one came to see me when I lived in Florida (i know, it was the suburbs) I was dubious.

I was wrong.

Since moving here, I have had zero weekends without someone in town – and I absolutely love it. Aside from the planned visits, a couple of surprise guests always end up in town every couple of days too. Literally, never a dull moment. This IS Vegas after all.

My first weekend here, I went out for my good friend Melissa’s bachelorette party. I didn’t even have my apartment yet but we raged nonetheless, first at Marquee Day Club and then an amazing night at 1 OAK.

Weekend two, my college friend Josh was here. He’s been a really good friend for a long time so it was so great having him here, especially after my first official week away from my hometown. Even though I had to work a lot, we at least got to spend some QT at the Cosmo pool and watched games at Holstein’s. Perfection.

The following weekend I flew to NYC to get the dogs and go to Melissa’s wedding, but that was even more non-stop than any weekend in Vegas. I was actually happy to get back here, just so I could slow things down…

Weekend #3 in Sin City, I had no one lined up to fly in – until my friend Tim, who I worked with for many years at both In Touch and Star, decided to come to town. And he brought two fun friends with him. As always, never a dull moment – we hit Yellowtail and Bank, Stack and 1 OAK – and it was so nice seeing my LA-based buddy again!

OK I lied – the next 7 days, there was no one here from out of state. Until one of my best friends, Victoria, showed up on Sunday with the most epic group of people from NYC to celebrate their friend Brian’s birthday. It was unbelievable. The week included: a 4 hour dinner at Robuchon (more on this unforgettable experience later), tables at 1OAK and Lavo, another ridiculous meal at Twist, the opening of The Act (AKA the Vegas version of The Box) and even my first stop at the Spearmint Rhino…all while making it to work by 9 am the next morning. Fine, 9:30. After four insane days and nights, the group left town and while I was sad to see them go, I was finally excited to sleep. I passed out at 9 pm last night, following another perfect dinner at Yellowtail with Abby and the Vegas Magazine crew. Is it possible to subsist solely on the Big Eye Tuna pizza? Damn you, mercury poisoning.

Of course, I got a call today from my dear friend Ryan who decided to fly in on Sunday for a few days. And when he leaves, my BFF from high school, Jon, shows up for the weekend so we can see the Eddie Vedder concert on Thursday at The Palms. Naturally, I have 3 events in between. Obviously.

Sleep? Not anytime soon. These days, seeing all of my nearest and dearest in my new town is what keeps me going…

a welcomed welcome

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One thing I have been saying since I moved here is that the people in Las Vegas are so unbelievably friendly. Everyone I meet is eager to exchange info and make plans for drinks, dinners or even a yoga class. It’s truly been amazing.

But nothing compares to the surprise I found waiting outside my door after a trip to Whole Foods this evening. My neighbor had left me this bottle of wine and a sweet note, welcoming me to the building. I lived in the same NYC apartment for 7 years and barely knew anyone’s name. This was completely unexpected. And it melted my heart.

I love awesome people.

a very event-ful week…

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This was one of those week where I had somewhere to go every single night. I mean, this is Vegas, so of course there is always SOMETHING to do. But this week was actual commitments that I couldn’t blow off because I wanted to sit home. Which was fine because I never want to sit home anyway…

I started the week off like a regular Vegas tourist – by doing dinner and a show. I went to see Jabbawockeez (I am pretty obsessed with hip hop dancing) and then ate everything on the menu at Brand Steakhouse. The show was fun and now I’ve decided I need to go see one at least once a month.

Tuesday I was all ready to go to 1 OAK for industry night but I did an amazing yoga class – at Whole Foods! – and got Pinkberry. I was a wrap after that. But being as that it was my one and only night “off”, it was well worth it.

Wednesday, I was back at it again, attending a charity event at Le Cave at The Wynn to benefit the Animal Foundation. I went with one of my actual old school NYC friends, who now runs a magazine out here, and we had so much fun! I met about 5 other NYers and am now obsessed with this restaurant. Most amazing food and gorgeous view! Oh, and we had the most adorable dessert, served in a dog food bowl:

Normally I hate dessert but I ate it all.

By Thursday, I really was exhausted and wanted to stay home but well, that wasn’t an option. I started off with an amazing lunch at Olive’s at the Bellagio and then stopped by Lily. After a few hours in the office, it was time to go back out…again.

First, I met my friend at yet another charity event, this time for the Anti-Defamation League, at The Bellagio. I absolutely love love love this hotel. The event was fun and it has been great getting to go to these things and meet so many people every night. Honestly, the people in Vegas are unbelievably friendly. And they actually text and email and call. I’ve made like 700 million new friends since I got here ONE MONTH AGO.

After the event, I stopped back at Lily (I seriously can’t get enough of this place!) and then heading home for a power nap – I had to be at Haze at 12:30 AM for our Big Sean event.

I woke up at 11:30 and was so groggy and would have paid one million dollars not to get up. And while I know my presence wasn’t mandatory, I really like being out and about and seeing what goes on around town. So I got dressed, begrudgingly applied makeup and headed to the ARIA.

I made two quick stops – at Deuce & Gold – and then off to Haze. By the time Big Sean and his entourage arrived, it was after 1 am. I was beat. But how could I leave and miss him sing Clique? I couldn’t.

Next thing I know, it’s 2:30 am. I made two new friends (one who just moved here from NYC 2 months ago!) and headed home. Another night that I wanted to sit on my couch that turned out to be super fun. And now I’m in love with Big Sean…

me and moose 🙂

Friday at the office was rough. I wasn’t hungover, but I was DEAD. I thought I could breeze through an easy day – wrong. I had all day meetings, and by the time I left, I felt myself fading. I tried napping but after an hour of tossing and turning I got up and went to Monta Ramen, my new go-to. Seriously, best ramen I’ve had in a long time. Sorry, Ippudo.

Another night, another event – this time at The Bank. I couldn’t even manage to put on a dress and even put my hair up into a ponytail. I wasn’t at my best, that’s for sure. After a quick stop at (where else?) Lily, I got to Bank at 11:30 to wait for Big Boi to get there. I had some friends come meet but I already knew this wouldn’t be a late one. By the time he got there, I was ready to leave. After a crazy week, I just couldn’t do another night. My body was completely uninterested in alcohol and the smoke-filled room was making me physically ill. So I left and was actually home in bed by 2 am.

I slept as late as possible – 9:30 am! – and got a ton of random errands done but it’s almost time to gear up for yet another night, this time to see my friend Matt Miller aka Matisyahu perform at the Palms and then to 1 OAK for The Wanted. I’m loving my new life but I definitely need to sleep for a week…my eyes were so swollen and puffy this morning that I went to CVS and got 3 different creams to remedy the situation – Preparation H included.

But tomorrow, one of my best friends from NYC comes to visit til Thursday so sleep will have to wait. Again.

it’s (more) official

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THIS happened today. Yes, the Nevada DMV punched my NY State license and left me with a broken heart. So why did I even do it? Well, Vegas loves their locals and if I’m really going to give this a fair chance, I need to commit.

And while I hate having to give up a little piece of my NYC self, I must say the DMV experience was amazing. I was in and out in under 15 minutes, the woman who helped me become a full-fledged Nevada resident wasn’t scowling the entire time and there was a SNACK BAR!

It’s still shocking how civilized things can be off the island of Manhattan…

back in the saddle

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My entire life, i have been obsessed with horseback riding. I took lessons and the Kentucky Riding Stables on Mamaroneck Ave when I was younger, always signed up when my day camp took trips to the nearby stables in Greenwich and consistently signed up for a ride on the beach during a Caribbean vacation.

I even stretched this little obsession into adulthood, where I spent obscene amounts of money on riding gear – yes, i proudly own multiple pairs of breeches, leather half chaps, a velvet covered helmet and riding boots. They cost more than a mortgage payment – and lessons at Claremont Riding Academy on the Upper West Side (you may remember it from Sex In The City – I did. That’s why I originally went there, natch).

I gave up riding during my stint in Florida. It was too freaking hot to sit on a horse’s sweaty back. Ironic though, considering nearby Wellington is literally one of the top horsey towns in the country. Oh well, I was too busy being miserable anyway…

Back in NYC last September, I gave it a try again. Since Claremont shuttered in 2007, I decided to drive up to Riverdale for my entre back into the equestrian world.

I did it exactly once. Saturdays and Sundays were too full with boozy brunches and strolls around the West Village, absolutely wasting time doing nothing productive. Horseback riding would have to wait.

When I decided to move out West, I knew my hobby would be revived.

I went online and Googled, finding about 20 different options. Naturally – this is the West. I chose one that offered lessons but no cheesy tourist trail rides. I am not a great rider but I was looking for a real-deal hour of posting and trotting – not a leisurely ride through the canyons.

So I headed to Hunter’s Edge stables on a Saturday afternoon, excited and terrified. I pulled up and was suddenly completely freaked out – I hadn’t been on a horse since January, I wasn’t sure if my boots were right, the place was filled with 10 year olds who I was sure were judging me for being so old – but I proceeded to the sign in desk anyway.

After dropping $75 on a new helmet, I was ready to go. But unlike my experiences in The Big Apple, my equestrian friend, Diego, was not saddled up and ready to go. Instead, I had to brush him, clean his feet, and put on his bridle and saddle pads. It was a hardcore workout before I even entered the ring.

When I finally got in the saddle, it all started to come back. Especially the pain. Considering I had to stay in a “2-point” position for most the remaining hour, my legs and glutes were en fuego. I work out basically every day but this was a whole ‘nother level of pain. I dreaded having to walk for the next few days.

But it was amazing to ride again. There is nothing quite like it and even though being at the mercy of a 2,000 animal is terrifying, it was exhilarating to face the fear I always experience my first few times back.

Of course, I am once again hooked and have committed to weekly lessons. Maybe this time I’ll actually stick with it…