Farewell NYC!

Hello Avid Reader! I'm writing from Seattle as I landed yesterday after one of craziest mornings ever. Given that I'm in internet-free temp housing for a week or so, I've been remiss in updates that I've so wanted to get to you.

My last night in Manhattan ended right where it started: at Cilantro with Gary Little. Fajita Monday was a hit to start my stay in New York, so it was fitting that we went out in a blaze of chicken, steak or shrimp and margarita pitchers. After dinner (and drinking!), we made it back to the Little's in the name of more adult beverages and laughs over Napoleon Dynamite. Needless to say, we accomplished both.

I made it home by 2:30 and was rudely awoken by the Driver hired to take me to the airport! Yes, Avid Reader, my alarm was set for 4:30AM and he was scheduled to pick me up at 5:30. At 5:50AM, however, I was still sound asleep and only his 20 minutes of buzzing on my door (and me thinking someone was pranking me!) led me to A) a state of awakenness and awareness enough to know that I was SCREWED!

I made it to the car by 6:15AM after running through my apartment, doing any last minute packing, and trying to bring myself to do so while not puking. I did say I wanted to rip the band-aid right off relative to leaving NYC... and boy, did I ever!

My final ride through Central Park and down the West side of Manhattan was an emotional one... surely added to by several nights of no sleep, way to much tequila, and the crazy morning. I still can't believe I'm typing from Seattle with no plan to be back "home" in New York in the coming weeks... or even months.

Thank you for being a part of my journey, Avid Reader. This may be the final entry is this blog, unless I want to consider my Manhattan adventure closed. I have appreciated being able to tell stories and have a reader who's interesting in the tale!

58 Minutes

Yep, that's all it took from the minute my door was buzzed this morning until the movers made their way out of my apartment with signed paperwork in hand. That included assessing the apartment, packing, moving, loading, and going over the documentation for the move. Less than an hour. What's the lesson here? I will never move myself again. Professionals are the way to go! (As a parting gift, one of the movers actually clogged the toilet, so part of my cleaning regiment today included the purchase of a brand spanking new plunger! Good times!)

It's now just past 6PM -- the temperature didn't rise above 14 degrees today -- and I'm ready to be whisked to the airport in the morning. The apartment is sparkling; the bags are packed; let's kiss this City goodbye!

10.5 Hour Countdown!

It's 12:30 Sunday night (Monday morning). The movers come in less than 11 hours. I'll continue to say it, THIS IS CRAZY!

I enjoyed a few final things today, including breakfast at The New Amity Cafe, a pit stop at work to drop off my badge, and a trek through Grand Central and the Transit Museum for a few souvenirs for home. I met Gary for New Amity Round II this afternoon, did some organization at home, then enjoyed the SuperBowl at his place. I'm finishing up some packing tonight and hitting the hay soon.

I've got a knot in my stomach about all of this; I just need time to pass and have me on my way! No drawn out transitions for this guy right here!

Goings On? Going Out!

Avid Reader, I realize that as you've been reading this blog over the course of the year that you might be getting the impression that I'm some kind of heavy drinker -- at best -- or CrAzY party animal, at worst. This entry will not serve to change your opinion. I've had a couple of late nights this week, including a casual outing with new friends as well as a bit of a Todd Leaving Manhattan get-together.

I joined Colleen, Craig and Natasha at his SoHo apartment for adventures on his rooftop and a quick jaunt to Mr.Black's Dance Den. We snapped some fun shots on the roof, trying to capture the view of the Empire State Building. We also had a bit of a photo shoot inside before we went to Mr. Black's. The place was a fun, diverse, nearby music/dance venue a stone's throw from Craig's place. We cabbed.

We enjoyed an adult beverages, danced, laughed, shot more photos, and just had fun being part of an evening adventure in the City. We met a number of local characters, including Fag Lady, and a posse of fun people. As we tried to get a group shot, I told Natasha to slide over... to what turned out to be a non-existent bench; I still can't stop laughing about it!

For my unofficial going away party, I sent out an email to friends at work and around NYC for a casual hang-out at my favorite: the Brooklyn Brewery in Williamsburg. Several worlds collided, with friends from DRIVE, AARF, volleyball, and even a now former client. Everyone had a great time and I was thrilled to hit the Brewery one last time.

Daniela, Deniz and I then visited several photo opportunity spots (though note the re-brick work!) and MyMoon -- my NYC favorite! Turns out MyMoon (though MyMun, is turkish for "monkey") and with Deniz being Turkish, we were in for a TREAT! Deniz may have even been more thrilled with MyMoon that I always am (!) and we chatted with the owner who ended up treating us to drinks/dessert. As we left, Deniz said, "Todd, as you'd say in the states, that was a homerun." I'm thankful to yet again have introduced MyMoon to friends and to have them as excited about that place as I am.

Before we decided to trek back in to the city, I made one final stop at Fornino where friend Clifton manages (and where friend Mindy formerly managed). I wanted to be sure to say goodbye in person and was in for yet another treat! While Deniz and Daniela headed back to Manhattan, I joined Clifton for a nearby party... with the band Nada Surf at their Brooklyn loft/studio! Formerly introduced to Nada Surf by friends Charles and Mike, last night I literally shook the hands of and toasted drinks with bandmates Ira Elliot and Daniel Lorca. Chill guys altogether -- it's nice to go out with some serious Celebrity Skin-Touches!

The rest of the weekend is going to be spent wrapping up loose ends and preparing for the move come Monday. Wow, this really is the end!

Les Jeux Sont Faits

Todd Moore, Retired DRIVEr
Oct.31, 2003 - Jan.31, 2007

The game is up, as they say in France. And here in the U.S., my game is up at DRIVE Performance Media. Today was my last day at DRIVE, a fully owned subsidiary of aQuantive, Inc. (NASDAQ: AQNT). More than ever, DRIVE represented blood, sweat and tears beyond anything I've before experienced.

It was a company I helped build and define from the moment I started over three years ago; it was sad to walk away. Even knowing what exciting adventures will (and have already!) come at Microsoft, I'm still heartsore over the closing of this part of my story.

In general, I'm not great at writing the endings of the various chapters of my life; it's always been something I've struggled with. And yet, transition is very much the story of my life. For the most part, I feel closure around DRIVE, save one relationship that I don't anticipate closure around. This makes me both sad and mad, and I'm already working on just letting it all go.

Certainly, Avid Reader, the surprise party my friends The Captain & Ginger are throwing me right now is helping!

Manic Monday!

Can all Mondays been this good? Good morning, Avid Reader! I had an awesome day yesterday and am now hoping that every one is filled with as much adventure!


Friends Deniz and Daniela coordinated a farewell dinner and we enjoyed MEGU in Tribeca. It's Restaurant Week here in New York so most restaurants have special three-course meals you can enjoy. We opted for this route, but also started with an array of incredible sushi and appetizers. Deniz and I enjoyed Kobe Beef for dinner... that we cooked ourselves over a hot stone. Of course, no dining adventure would be complete without the arrival of NYC's finest! While dining -- and of course with the restaurant not missing a beat -- 15-20 firefighters arrived to check out reports of smoke in the building. Their presence only added to the high energy of the place, including the entire staff yelling 'Welcome' in Japanese when any guest entered, the ice Buddha dominating the dining room, and the thumping bass that made listening across the table a challenge, but one of those good challenges, you know?

After dinner, we cabbed to the Meat-Packing District and to Employees Only -- a drinkery originally established to cater to employees of the service inustry (i.e. other servers and bartenders) with a history steeped in prohibition and the Depression. You wouldn't find that today as it's a popular and casual hot spot that we quite enjoyed.

The next stop was A P T where Daniela knew a popular DJ was spinning for their "Waffles are Forever" 6th Anniversary bash. Granted, we didn't get to enjoy a waffle, but did enjoy a couple of drinks, some awesome soul music (and some serious neck meat!), and more of one another's company. Yes, hungry from the evening, Deniz and I then hit nearby Pizza Bar for a chance to sit down and to have even more catch up time.

It was 11 degrees when I walked Deniz home, then to the nearest subway station. I was blessed with yet another treat -- an empty subway car (OK, save one guy) on the L train! It happened once in Paris and it happened for me in New York now as well. I don't know why I love the concept of being alone on the subway, but to me I feel like I'm the only person in the city... and it's all MINE. It's one of those things that just makes me feel that much more connected to a place.

Given that I had taken yesterday off to work against my upcoming cross-country move back to Seattle. I was home for the majority of the morning, save a run to get a bagel & OJ from the corner bagel shop, to pick up dry cleaning, and to brush shoulders with Frances McDormand. Indeed, I passed Frances on the street pushing around a couple of kiddos. The hair, the large sunglasses and the jawline were certainly dead give-aways, not to mention the trailing nanny! MEEP! MEEP! I see you, Frances!

In other news, I also dismantled the centerpiece of my apartment yesterday: the photo wall! On-and-off, it took about three hours to remove all of the photos and the dutifully applied sticking tape... which also proceeded to remove the skin from my fingertips. Good times!

Spring AWOKE!

And DID IT EVER!

Craig and I saw 'Spring Awakening' last night on Broadway and it was intense! It was definitely a coming of age story, and told in a rock opera format that was both understandable and enrapturing. Given that we were in the fourth row, we got a bird's eye view of the emotion on the actors' faces (as well as noting that the main character is a singing spitter!). Craig made the most astute observation of the evening, stating that some of the audience members probably had NO idea what they were getting in to: pre-marital sex (NO!), masterbation (Egad!), homosexuality (*gasp*), suicide (oh dear), nudity (say WHA-?), abuse (eye-YAH!). Thankfully, the chatty couple behind us left at intermission.

Afterwards we hit VYNL, a Hell's Kitchen eatery and sight to behold! The place itself is a work of art, but nothing compares to the themed restrooms: Elvis! Cher! Dolly! You know something's up as you approach the bathroom door only to feel like you're entering a dressing room. Inside, you're greeted by a full wall mosaic, a shadow box shrine, and in case you can't recall whose 'dressing room' you're in, you're engulfed in a wonderfully blaring '9 to 5' or 'If I Could Turn Back Time'.

Indeed, Avid Reader, if I could turn back time, I don't know if I would. I'm getting all philosophical (though far from CraigPhillips-Philosophical!) about leaving NYC now that the end is oh so near. I've taken today and tomorrow off from work to be able to take in those Manhattan adventures I've needed to... but really it'll be organizing my life and the move back across the country. With that, I should bust a move and get the day started!

Could This Actually Be It?

It's the question I've been asking myself for some time now... and I can't believe this may well be my final weekend living in New York City -- it literally blows my mind.

Today, I enjoyed a casual day with future cohort, Craig Phillips. We met for coffee, hit Brooklyn Industries (my errand) and Barnes & Noble (his). We hung out, ate at what we thought was a chocolate bar (but since neither of us know any Italian, it turned out to be just a cafe), read, talked, christened Craig as a Sudoku Blackbelt, and enjoyed the slow, freezing day here in Manhattan.

The best discovery of the day, Avid Reader? I also found a 'Spring Awakening' buddy for tomorrow night! One of my goals before I leave is to see the show that's taken Broadway by storm and Craig's up for it! Plus, he scored with a MSFT discount and we'll be taking the show in from the 4th row. Rumor has it that 'SA' will rock my world; I can't wait!

I also met friend Gary Little for dinner and we were able to connect about the last few weeks and say farewell as he's off to California for the week while I'll be moving back to Seattle, of course (again, craziness!). I am now home, content from an awesome day and ready for another one tomorrow as I wind up this final weekend!