Sharing the Streets with the Movie Stars

Good Morning World! View coming above ground at Columbus Circle - 59th St.

I was up with the sunrise this morning, and I'm quite aware that I'm going to have a hard time transitioning into a working schedule. It's not that I've been sleeping in much; almost everyday I'm up with Seth by 7:30 a.m. ... 6 a.m. is very early though! I attended the first session for NYC New Teachers. The keynote speak was Rick Smith, the author of the book Conscious Classroom Management. The session lasted the morning, but I was starting to space out by the time it was over. I have two more full days of this... and I'm a bit worried that I'm going to be spacing out a lot.

It's refreshing and nice to get ready for the year, but I think I'd rather be in my classroom working. It's also directed at true 1st year teachers... and I've already been there and done that. I'm not that worried about beginning this year or how to handle the kid who doesn't listen. Plus, I'm very confident in my abilities as a teacher, and I have no doubt that, although I will be challenged in the new teaching environment, I will be a successful teacher here, too.

After the morning session, Stephanie and I headed downtown to meet her friend Jessie for lunch. It was an amazing and relaxing time, a lunch ritual I wish I could have everyday! We stopped at Bazzini's, a great place with a huge selection of food (good food too!) and grabbed Chicken Fajita Paninis (delicious!). After we got our food, we walked to the Rockefeller Park overlooking the Hudson River and Jersey City, New Jersey. We ate, talked, and enjoyed the park and view.

Since we were in the area, Stephanie and I were going to go visit China Town before heading to Herald Square so I could get really cheap postcards. (20 for $1.00... can't beat that!) On our way, I saw these green signs posted saying "Set" and pointing in the direction we were heading. While dreaming of how cool it would be to stumble upon a movie filming and maybe a star we could recognize, we found ourselves across the street from something. Turns out, the filming for the movie City Island was taking place, and the star to be seen was Andy Garcia (most recent fame was in Ocean's 11, 12, & 13). City Island is actually an island that is part of the Bronx. Interesting fact I found on Wiki is City Island is nicknamed Cinema Island because of all the filming that takes place there. The movie, a comedy, is to be out sometime in 2009. Think of me when you watch it!

Ahh, stars in my eyes. The man himself, smoking a cigarette, and getting ready to leave as the set broke up for lunch.

Not really sure what all the men were doing lined up down the street and around the corner. I overheard a guy whose job was to help keep the masses of people at bay saying it was a scene in the movie where they are at a casting call ... but then again, I don't know what he said. Guess we'll have to watch the movie and keep an eye out for this scene!

The film crew on the street to the right and the line heading around the corner and down. Andy Garcia was at the end of the line in a suit lighting one up.