A sad state of affairs that Catman cannot post on his own that his event is still on.


TW

TW, Catman is perfectly free to post whatever he wants, whenever he wants and wherever he wants, and I sincerely believe that everyone on board truly wishes he would.

If he needs some space for a while, so be it, but when he wants to return, I hope he knows he will be welcomed unanimously with open arms.

I don't disagree with that at all and there was certainly nothing mean spirited meant by my post.

I was simply commenting on the state of affairs. I too hope that one day (sooner rather than later) Catman decides to return.

TW didn't even get a hint that there was any ill-intent in your post. Just wanted to reiterate that Catman can post what, where and when he wishes, as soon as he is ready.

Geez, MRKEY, you're kidding me, right? If you thought that was a flame... I would have thought that a civil objection to people posting in this particular thread ... (nah, I won't go there for fear of another round of exclamation marks directed towards me ).

FWIW, I've also helped you with some of your travel planning in the past (including your most recent plea for help on getting your Indian visa). Maybe I was not crazy enough to lead you to believe that someone else would pay for your Baht Run escapade, but I've tried to be helpful to your inquiries nonetheless.

I really think everyone should re-read Jon Toner's Over and Out post. Jon says what is on my mind more eloquently than I can ever say. And before his last post, I don't ever recall reading anything negative that he had to say about Ozstamps (and I don't include his question about Ozstamps' multiple aliases -- don't shoot the messenger as they say).

Finally, to all the good folks out there that think we should be thankful for Ozstamps "doing the right thing," I'm sorry to have to disagree (again). I also wholeheartedly believe in the concept of positive reinforcement, and practice it myself as a manager, but I am tired of hearing one particular person repeat the same "ah-but-apology" only to do the same offensive thing(s) over and over again. Perhaps with a child or a puppy, but some people outgrow their ability to learn or to change. After a certain point, enough is enough.

fallinasleep- My mistake for the post. You have helped me in the past and I really did and do thank you for that. I am sorry..I didn't mean to sound upset..but I understand your thoughts on the current problems. Hopefully..we will not have any more disruption. You are entitled to your opinion and if I had thought before I posted..it would have probally been writen in a kinder way. It's my mistake and you have my deepest appologies on that. Sometimes late at night we react without thinking as I did. Thanks for all of your help on my Indian visa and I mean no harm. In fact I consider you a friend.
Please don't let my mis-posting come between us. I care very much for the friends I have made here on FT. This is a public board and this is my humble way to say "I'm
sorry". This is a situation that only time will tell. Thanks for the kind words and again..no harm meant or intended. I will edit my post immediatly. You a good person and a valuable contribution to the board. All I really wanted to say is..maybe we can all give the guy a break..again...I am a forgiving person and Oz is Oz..he has not hurt me (other than some confusion on the Baht Run benifactor(s). I realize some of us FTer's have had bad experiences with Oz...but for me ..its the new Oz..again..Maybe Oz has learned a lesson..he certainly bowed out of the DO dinner..thats a start. Let's not forget some people get over zealous...no harm or flaming intended...I just wanted to agree with Doc and Crankyus1 and Rudi on this matter. Your friend and thanks for the help you have given me in the past. Take care and again my deepest appologies.

------------------
MRKEY

fallinasleep- We all need to stick together and realize who are real friends are. This is a public apology to fallinasleep---
I regret that sometimes I react without proper time for thinking..as was the case for the previous post regarding flaming. Fallinasleep has been a major help to me on this board and any mis-directed words are considered re-tracted. I just want to thank him for his honesty and apologize for any mis-understanding. I want him to know that I care about the board and its members.

[This message has been edited by MRKEY (edited 03-05-2001).]

[This message has been edited by MRKEY (edited 03-05-2001).]

[This message has been edited by MRKEY (edited 03-05-2001).]

MRKEY, your words are very kind , but your two most recent posts were unnecessary since no one was wrong (please feel free to delete them). I disagree with friends quite often, and we still remain friends.

Thanks for the tip, NoahVail, I booked the Kitano at $182 for 2 nights for the price of one deal.

Allright, what happened to page 8?

The Catman Do Trois is less then two weeks away How many has confirmed to come? Where will most people stay? Will anything else happen during this time? This will be my first time in NYC, is there something that I shouldnt miss?

Kempis,

I'm glad you brought that up.

My 2 cents:

1. Take a free ride on the Staten Island
ferry. It departs from the southern tip of Manhattan. It's about 25 minutes one way.
Fantastic views of 'the city'. When you get off the ferry, just walk back on.

2. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Great views and great exercise. And remember, the bridge is not for sale.

3. Museum mile on 5th Ave in the 80's. That should take some time.

4. Walk, Walk, Walk everywhere.

example: Many neighborhoods in NYC are adjacent to each other. So if you were to start walking from say Greenwich Village...the next neighborhood south is SOHO. From SOHO, the next stop headed south is Chinatown and Little Italy. Keep walking south to South Street (pier with old boats and shopping). That's adjacent to Wall Street. All those tall buildings. The Canyons that host of beloved YANKEES.

So if you started early, you will be exhausted for the Catman DO dinner at Cite. You'll eat well tonight and sleep well too!

I will be away till 3/13. I'll happily answer any questions then.

If I were you Martin, I'd get Frommers or Fodors Travel books. I think you have a lot of studying to do.

By the way, the subways are safe. Usually crowded, so not to worry.

Regards,
Dan

Should we organize a FlyerTalk Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge? I'd be up for that.

I had talked with Kempis before about doing some touring on Sunday, as he is coming from a long way away and there are some things that should not be missed. Battery Park and environs would be a good place to start (Staten Island Ferry, South Street Seaport, Brooklyn Bridge, World Trade Center all within walkable distance). Could spend the later part of the day on Fifth Avenue (St. Patricks, FAO Schwartz toy store, Empire State building), and then head over to Times Square in the evening.

How about we meet somewhere in midtown and then take the subway down there Sunday morning? Anyone up for this? VERY flexible on itinerary.

I'm New York City born and pretty comfortable getting around by subway. You can buy an all-day pass for a few dollars and hop on and off.

I was hoping to make the DO, but now I must be in Asia next week (and so I decided to extend the trip a bit and travel through SW China and Laos, the last country in SE Asia that I haven't been to).

Anyway, just a couple of random travel points since I think most folks are already quite familiar with the city.

Museums
The Museum of Modern Art's normal admission is $10. However, on Friday afternoons/evenings, it's pay what you wish. MoMA currently has a very nice exhibition on "Workspheres", van Gogh's Postman series (just five or six of some of his last work), and a display of an amazing all-terrain vehicle in the lobby. It basically looks like a lunar range rover.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (84th and Fifth Avenue, along Central Park East) also has a pay what you wish policy, but there is a suggested donation of about $8 or $9 (forget exactly). You could easily spend all day at both these museums, so you may want to avoid it.

On the West Side of the Park is the Museum of Natural History. Great place to visit if you have any kids. They just opened a new Science and Space Wing/Planetarium which is quite nice.

Subways
Definitely take advantage of the subway system. Everyone uses it. It is safe, fast, and for the most part clean. Even I am amazed some days at how nice some of the stations look.

The best transportation deal in town is probably the One-Day Fun Card (Metrocard) for $4, which allows unlimited rides on the subway and buses on any given day. Take three subway rides and the card pays for itself. You can buy these from the automated ticketing machinese at each station.

Note though that the subway system likes to do construction on tracks/platforms on weekends. In particular, the Broadway line (N or R trains -- the "Yellow" line), which is very convenient for connecting between major points down the spine of Manhattan (namely Central Park South, Carnegie Hall, Times Square, Herald Square, Union Square, Greenwich?East Village, SoHo, Chinatown, City Hall, and Wall Street/Battery Park) has been renovating the local stations between Canal Street (Chinatown) and 34th Street (Macy*s), so the train only runs express between Canal and 14th Street Union Square and 34th St going uptown (going downtown it's fine). You can still get to SoHo (Prince Street), Greenwich Village (8th Street) and Flatiron (23rd Street) via the downtown platforms but that can be a hassle sometimes. The other train lines should be running normally though. Actually, the N and R uptown local station platform work is ongoing for several more months I think and is 24X7 (but again, the downtown platforms are functioning as normal).

Other Transport
Rollerblades and Razors/Scooters are popular around the city. With the weather about to warm up, you can expect folks to be zipping around again. If you decide to rollerblade or jog the 3-mile or 8-mile loops around Central Park, you will have lots of company during the weekend. Likewise, the Hudson riverfront on the Lower West Side has a very nice 2-3 mile jogging/bike trail that you can rollerblade beginning at Battery Park.

Brooklyn Bridge
Note that Junior's is not that far away from the Brooklyn end of the Brooklyn Bridge, so perhaps you could schedule some dessert after your walk across the bridge. Peter Lugar's is closer to the Williamsburg Bridge (i.e., not that close to Junior's).

Web Based Guides
If you have a Palm or Handspring, I highly recommend downloading Vindigo New York guide before coming over.

Anyway, just some ideas/suggestions...


[This message has been edited by fallinasleep (edited 03-10-2001).]