MorgenDautrich.com - Trips 2009

As the runner up for goalie of the year in the Stewart Hockey League, Chris Duffy was elected to attend the clinic in Philly with us this year. He went along for our usual stop at the Reading Terminal Market. I don't know if we got their earlier than usual, but the Mennonite stores were still open this time [1]. After we stocked up on pig's feet [2], we headed to China Town [3]. We shopped around [4] and were lucky enough to score durian fruit candies, just in time to pass out to the kids for Halloween.


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After that we dipped into a wet market [5] where Chris buys his octopi for the games [6]. They were out so we decided to head to the arena.

I hadn't been to Philly since last year's coaching clinic, but this was the first time I'd seen the trash compactor cans on the downtown corners [7]. It's an interesting idea and a step in the right direction.

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The area down by the arenas was pretty packed because Pearl Jam was playing at the Spectrum [8] (one of the last events before implosion) and the Philly's were playing game 1 of the World Series of American Baseball. Luckily it was an away game, so there was room to meet soon-to-be-resigned-coach Phil at McFadden's Overpriced Restaurant & Saloon in the baseball stadium.

The clinic was even more Spartan this year with very little food, extremely crappy "gifts" and commensurate attendance. In fact, it was small enough to hold the lectures in the Hall of Fame room upstairs, with the drills demonstrated on-ice [9] as usual. The swine flu had me feeling like hell by the end of the day, but we got a good group photo [10]. I wish the athletic trainer Jim McCrossin would have given me those tips to prevent the spread about a week earlier!

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After my induction as a full member of the 6NHV at the annual meeting in NJ earlier that day, I was on a Civil War high on my way to Beckstrom's. Since I was in uniform I thought it would be a good time to visit Grant's Tomb (General Grant National Memorial) [1]. For a laugh, I walk up to the welcome desk inside and ask the park rangers "I'm here to see the General. Is he in?" No response, just dazed looks. I follow up with "OK, I'll wait in the gift shop. Do you offer discounts for military personnel?" This time I got a response, at least. Sadly, the [honest] answer was "No we do not". I did let them spoil my enthusiasm and looked around. The building itself was quite impressive, but obviously not really designed as a museum because there wasn't much to see inside [2,3].

The most direct drive from Morningside Heights to Astoria took me through Harlem on MLK Blvd. Along the way I got a look at the Apollo Theater [5] (from my car). I didn't think it worth the risk of getting out to take a decent picture lest I be confused for a rebel (~ 85% probability).


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The next day I headed into Manhattan for my model session. First I had to stop by Osprey Publishing's North American HQ to visit with John Tintera, the Director of Sales & Marketing [6]. We talked about new titles coming out in 2009 and he gave me a proof copy of Tonight We Die As Men to read. It was a brief visit, but hopefully we'll get to do some shows again this year.

I had to chase down Beckstrom at Zaiya, a local Asian cafe [7] before the sitting. He claims to go there for the tempura, but he doesn't fool me! Once we got back to the Grand Central Academy [8] it was time to sit [9] for some serious painting [10]. It was difficult to sit without moving and especially without talking, but the breaks make it tolerable.


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I really liked the pieces the artists came up with. They are in various stages of completeness because the session was only 4 hours. Below are images of the most complete works. My favorite is Beckstrom's [11].


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		After I lived through the painting we headed out for a few drinks. We headed to a bar in the East Village to celebrate Beckstrom's co-worker's engagement (and our un-engagement!). Despite the guy hanging off my back in the photo [17], I don't think Beckstrom took me to a gay bar this time! We took it easy on the booze so I was able to take a [clear] photo [18] of Times Square on the way to the Metro.
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