Star Gazing in The City: Part I of II

 We once spotted Woody Allen in the upper east side. No surprise that he appeared a bit shy even off camera.

“Tell us more about New York” my UK friends sometimes asked. Are you kidding? Do they really read my post, because I'm always talking about my experiences in My New York Diary.

As a youngster, “star gazing” meant just that, gazing at the heavenly stars. In fact, one of the first nursery rhyme I have ever learned was: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star… You're familiar with the rest, no doubt. However, star gazing in New York is something entirely different than those good old days. In this city, it can mean bumping into famous people, and having a serious case of celebrity whiplash. In the public sidewalks of Manhattan, I've came across a few screen stars, i.e. Woody Allen, Keanu Reeves, and sadly before he died Philip Seymour Hoffman, while visiting a friend in the West Village. My wife and I both agree that Philip was an incredibly fine actor.

Celebrities in The City

 Keanu Reeves on a film set in New York

 Film star Keanu Reeves

 The incomparable Philip Seymour Hoffman

Over the years, I’ve seen my share of movies, and television productions being filmed, while casually walking around town. While shopping in the upper west side, I was once stopped by an CNN-TV news presenter, and asked some questions, but when he heard my British accent he said “you’re a Brit” and walked off! I guess he didn’t like British people much.

Jeffrey Toobin, one of the most prominent legal commentator from CNN.

A film production at downtown China Town 

TV Production Shootings in Manhattan

To eat out in New York is an everyday affair whatever your taste in food may be. One evening we were hanging out at my wife's favorite Irish pub, PJ Clarke's, and we bumped into the Alien Killer Sigourney Weaver! At the same restaurant, during another evening, we got to do some more star gazing when Liza Minnelli walked in. 

Both Vyna and I believed that the screen star Sigourney Weaver looked much more beautiful in person than in film 

 Liza Minnelli

Waiters and waitresses are commonly known as 'actors between jobs'

On the job: a charming waitress who is also an "actress-in-waiting" at one of the top restaurants in New York City

Most waiters and waitresses try their hands at waiting tables before they get that big brake. Experience taught me that the majority of them are 'between jobs' and they love it when you interact with them. Back in November, my wife bumped into the top media/newspaper reporter in the meatpacking district (FIG & OLIVE). The downtown restaurant scene is something you have to experience. I promise, you won't be disappointed.