Purple Reign's New York Diary Blog - Greetings From "The Big Apple"

Purple Reign

Purple Reign

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I am now officially a Monarchs groupie ;) . I have made my very first trip to New York City part vacation, but mostly to come root on the Monarchs. It is raining, but I am not mad, I'll get an umbrella.

I am staying on the corner of West 77th and Amsterdam in Upper Manhattan. Although, I am originally from San Francisco, living in Sacramento for the past 18 years have made me jumpy to the hustle and bustle of New York life. As I was coming in from JFK last night and approached Times Square, it seems so unreal and I felt so tiny on this huge stage. IT WAS STUNNING!!!` But I am having a blast so far. Tonight I go On Broadway to see Oprah Winfrey's The Color Purple. Can't wait.

Make comments if you like, but I will be back to update and to keep this in the treasures of my Monarchs experience.

Peace and Blessings
Donald
 
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Congrats on your first NY visit, PR!!! I've been there many times myself, having a mother who now lives there. Be sure to see Rockefeller Plaza and visit the observation decks to see all of NY's skyline.
 
Purple Reign's New York Diary Blog - Day 2

I have survived a day and a night in Manhattan and Times Square. Last night went to see Oprah Winfrey presents The Color Purple. It was a very moving and spiritual experience. Something that I highly reccommend for a Broadway experience. We ate at a Greek deli called Big Nick's on the corner of 77th and Manhattan. Unbelievable.

This morning I got up early to meet my two sons who were flying into JFK. This is also their first trip. So what do I do? Not a limo, not even the Supershuttle...I drag them on a two hour subway ride back to Manhattan.:eek: Their first New York experience.

Today we are on our way to Times Square AGAIN!! Then off to MSG for what I hope to be a Monarchs corenation.

Peace and Blessings on Thursday
Donald
 
Hey Purple Reign...will you be sticking around for the All-Star game?
We plan to be there next Monday..hope to see you. Sure is a fun city.
What a win tonight...we kicked some butt...kinda felt sorry for the Liberty fans, not much to cheer for, o.k I'm done...Monarchs win!!
 
Thanks for getting the W Reign....are you grabbing a bus and following the team to DC? ;)

If you are, you know what I'm gonna say so no need for me even to say it...;)
 
Purple Reign's New York Diary Blog - Day 3 "WHAT A WIN AT MSG"

Am I a good luck charm or what!!!

Well I would not go that far, considering i am only 1-2 on only three road games.:o

Let me start with Madison Square Garden. For those of you that live in Sacramento and have listened to Jim Kozimor as I have on the radio for years, he has always said that MSG has a certain smell to it. HE WAS DEAD ON RIGHT!!!:D This place smelled pretty putred. I will not go into the gory details, but I did get the point. With that said, it was a honor to be in the world's most famous arena. What a beautiful place. Much more intimate than it seems on TV. With all of the memorbilia they had on the walls, you definately felt the history of the great events ever held there. By far this was the highlight of the trip.

As far as the game. What a win. In the first half, it seemed like the referees were going to assist the Liberty right through into the 4th. But in the second half, he Monarchs talent forced their will upon a very young New York team and vertually coasted to the end. Here are my key points of the game:

1. I am very impressed with Erin Buescher. This girl's game has been ratched up to a whole 'nother level, right now where she is the odds on favorite to win the WNBA's Most Improved Player.

2. The Monarchs played with a gangsta swagger particularly on the boards and their lost post defense. Something we have not seen very much in '06.

3. Nicole Powell lit up the atmosphere of MSG with her array of dribbling, spinning into the lane, step back jumpers and long range threes. The hard to please New York fans was very impressed as was the small number of Sac fans.
4. I got to go down to courtside to say hello to Koz and Krista. They are so cool. So nice and hospitable. I gave a shout out to Sac, but was not sure it made it on the air.

To answer your question Monty, we considered going to D.C. but it is to my unknowledgeable surprise a 4 hour ride and I don't think my body and my family can endure a trip there and back. New York has taken alot out of our bodies, AND WE STILL HAVE THREE DAYS TO GO:eek:.

Anyway, our agenda for today includes a Staten Island Ferry trip around Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty and a #1 train trip Uptown to Harlem for dinner at Amy Ruth's and to take n the Harlem Renassance vibe.

Until tomorrow, peace and many blessings from New York...
Donald;)
 
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Purple Reign's New York Diary Blog - Day 3 "Planes, Trains, Taxicabs and Walking"

Another great win by the M's on the Eastern Seaboard. Wins in Charlotte, New York and Washington D.C.....I'll take that. Listened to the 4th via the WNBA Stream on the internet.

What a day in Gotham City. Man I can not even begin to express what I went through on yesterday. I would like to start by thanking the New York MTA Subway system for their hospitality and their dependability. If you have ever been here, you know exactly what I a talking about. The Subway system here is absolutely incredible. And the entertainment :D . Man you will not believe the character that got on the subway wearing the adult diaper, asking for donations for his medication, and if he didn't get it he would show us what would happen if he didn't tae his medication:eek: . I was blessed enough not to find out because i just happend to get off at the next stop. Absolutely hilarious!!!

If you have never been here, let me just share a couple of things you might want to know:

1. Do not try to get a cab going to or coming from Uptown Harlem (particularly where I was West 116th between Lennox and Malcolm X Blvd). I was very disappointed to see that my money was not good enough....I got on the Subway.

2. Stay in Upper Manhattan (Outside of Times Square). It is so conveient to get everywhere from here.

3. If you want to see the Statue of Liberty, catch the Staten Island Ferry. IT IS FREE!!! And it gets you as close to the Statue as you need to be.

4. Buy the New York Post. Since I hae been here, the following stories have happened, and these are the actual headlines on the front page....

"Lil Kim is now Big Kim Out of the Big House"
Talking about New York HIp Hop icon Lil Kim who was released from federal pen who has now gained weight.

"Train Saw Psycho"
Just stops from where I am, a lunatic stoled a transit workers chain saw, and sliced a passenger. Passenger is now in critical condition.

"Before They put Cheato-Lay in the coffin, Check to see if he is in it"
Kenneth Lay is dead. But here in New York, speculation is he is walking down the street incognito with Elvis:p .

Only in New York!!!

Today I head up the Empire State Bulding, do last minute stuff in Times Square and then just hang out for the rest of the day.

I will see ya'll at Arco tomorrow night, if God says the same

Peace and Blessings from "The City that actually never ever sleeps" (because I am tired as hell)

Donald

P.S. If you ever get here and want some good 'ole Soul Food, look up Amy Ruth's in Harlem. it was the best I have ever had outside of Purple Reigan's wife's kitchen. Big ups to the staff and crew, very hospitable (a little expensive, but worth every dime) and was on time because we were hungry.
 
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Purple Reign's New York Diary Blog - Day 4 and 5 "Ground Zero and Heading Home

It is Tuesday, and since I have been home, I have had major computer problems, that are still not fixed. But that is for another day. I just wanted to close this blog out (if you would allow me to) and put a wrap on my Monarch's New York trip.

On Saturday, i was able to go up to the top of the Empire State Building and down to Ground Zero. A contrast of emotions if you could imagine. At the Empire you do feel like you are on top of the world. It is an unbelievable sight looking down at the monster that is New York City. Then we got on the subway and had a chance to look at the somber sight of the former World Trade Center. it allowed me to reflect on that day of September 11th and what a tragedy took place. Even to this day, when you go by the sight, everybody is quiet and very reflective. It was and eye opener.

Once we went back to Times Square and had lunch and back to the hotel, my oldest son and I took an evening train up to the bronx just to take a look at Ynakee Stadium. I did not go inside, but my impressions were "How do they get 55,000 people in and out of a stadium that is smack dab in the middle of a residential neighborhood"? A nice venue on the outside, and I am sure "The House That Ruth Built", is even more impressive on the inside.

Of course on Sunday, off to JFK for a mid-morning flight, and I was back at Arco on Sunday evening, tired, sore, somewhat broke, sitting in my seat rooting on the Monarchs against Charlotte.

I come back to Sacramento, i feel a better person, with a better perspective on life because of my experience in New York City. What an unbelievable town, what an unbelievable vibe and atmosphere, and as a native Californian, I can truely say that I have adopted New York as my "Home Away From Home"

New York...Where the Two Extremes Meet
New York is where the two extremes meet
Everywhere you go, all that you greet.
From Yankees to Mets
Giants to Jets
Knicks to Nets
New York is where the two extremes meet

From Ivy League Columbia in Harlem
to West 116th and Malcolm X.....in Harlem
From Pedestrian trying to get across the street
To Cab driver trying to make two ends meet
New York is where the two extremes meet

Black People, White People all other people
Rich People, Poor People, the Working Class
All on the same subway train
Fearing terror, but loving life all at the same time.
They look like me, walk like me, talk like me.
May have differences, but they have one thing in common
They are New Yorkers, the place where two extremes meet.

Thank you Monarchs fans for putting up with me. And thank you New York, it was a blast.:D

Peace and Blessings
Donald
 
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