6/24/03 Discovering Ices at 138th St. with LiCalsi by Bike; Aaron's B-day or the big talk with Justin; The Waverly w/Rich:







LiCalsi and I decided to spend the afternoon biking together, up to the George Washington Bridge!




Meanwhile, in the lobby, I find Isaiah playing with rubber bands. Here, he is shooting it at his boss, who is fixing something up on a ladder. This is a man who might be overestimating his job security.




Here's LiCalsi at about 90th street, partaking of a water fountain, conveniently located at the top of a hill.




We made it all the way to the Bridge. 200 blocks away. Just about 12 miles of biking. And there's LiCalsi, admiring it from below. A perfect day, too.




Then, on the way back, we take Riverside Drive instead of going along the water. We stop at what will soon become my favorite ices lady in the world at 138th street, in front of the entrance to Riverbank State Park. Sara and I biked here on May 20th, 2003, and stopped when we wanted shaved ice. But today, knowing that the shaved ice here is sub-par compared to those at 190th street, I decided to try the traditional-style ices instead.



I tried half cherry and half coconut. She also has mango, and that's it. The coconut was astounding. You would swear that real coconuts are in there somewhere. Don't know how! The cherry was sweet and refreshing. Together... heaven. LiCalsi was also quite impressed, and we vowed to come back soon.




We biked through Riverside Park on the way back. It was a lovely day, and an excellent bike ride. LiCalsi had a great time too. He then went back to New Jersey, and I got ready for the evening.




I showed up at a beer bar on W. 10th street and Hudson Street in the West Village, where Aaron's B-day party was in progress. Alyssa was there. So was Mike, and Erin. Justin, my best friend from High School was also in attendance. Beer and drinks were had all around, as Aaron was turning 22.




But about 5 minutes after I got there, Justin asked to speak with me in private, and so we went outside to this bench which happens to be sitting against the wall of the bar, outside and around the corner from the entrance. How convenient. My friendship with Justin has been strained by many, many factors over the past 5 years, pretty much since we left High School and went to NYU together. The relationship has been riding on turbulent waters, stirred up by September 11th, girlfriends that have come and gone (and come back again, and gone, and come back again, etc.), personal struggles, communication problems, being suitemates, sharing two groups of friends (one from College, one from High School) among other factors. Since January, we've not spoken much, and Justin had some things to say to me tonight. Everyone was kind of miffed that the conversation had to happen during Aaron's Birthday Celebration, but everyone, including myself, understood. And so, we sat on the bench, and talked, and for the first time in years, I believe we really communicated. We didn't agree about everything, nor should we have. Friends can grow apart when they grow up, and that's part of life. But we helped each other put some of the anger and frustration that comes with disagreeing behind us. And so, without divulging anything that might be too personal, that's what happened this evening. And we left the bench with a new sense of who each other are, and where we're coming from, and where we hope to be going. And even if the friendship never again becomes what it was in High School, we're in a much better place now than we've been, and that's good for everyone.




He even took a photo of us with my camera, as I figured out where everyone who was in the bar had gone. Our conversation ended after the party did. And look at me... I'm exhausted!




Richard, I found out, using my cell phone, was a few blocks away at the Waverly Diner on 6th avenue and... well... Waverly. So, I went over there, to eat with him, and tell him what happened.




I was in the mood for something tasty and disgusting. That's what the Waverly is for.