This has been one busy summer - a few weeks back, three of my friends who I haven't seen in almost 3 years landed up in New York. It was Serendipity! I made a cute little pdf of fun things to do during their 4 day visit here. Now bear in mind, the little pdf I made was meant for my friends who had never been to NYC before. If you are from NY, you will probably laugh at it but nonetheless, I want to make it available for everyone who might want to use it!
We had a terrific time - now mind you some of the places recommend/suggested in my little pdf weren't spectacular but they were an amazing experience for sure. The thing is, I thought social tecnologies and the internet was putting everything into a constant state of beta but I think I'm going to have to re-visit my definitions because, I'm realizing.. as someone who works in and almost lives in new york, my life has become a constant state of beta!
I was at the Adour bar at St. Regis last week with a client. Apart from the fact that it was St. Regis, Adour is known for it's interactive wine-bar. There, 
I fell into conversation with two very interesting men who have lived like 5 lifetimes in their one life! One of them, a furniture designer, has been commissioend by the Ambani's for their 27-storey residential building project.
"Do you know of the 27 storey residence building in Bombay?" he asked,
"The Ambani's residence?" I said.
"You know about it?"
"Every Indian knows about it." I exclaimed.
We got into a lengthy discussion about entitlement, legacy and access - the three advantages born and bred New Yorkers have over others and how immigrants like me will always have to strive harder for access in this country/ city. It was by far one of the most interesting conversations I've had at a bar with a stranger :D
After bidding goodbye and promising to stay in touch with my new friend, we tropped off to The Modern for dinner. I personally, wasn't very impressed with the food there but the service, decor and ambience is well worth a mention. (The Modern is the restaurant owned and operated by MOMA) I was at dinner with two executives from a luxury-car company and two others from the agency. I won't bore you with our dinner-table conversations but what always surprises me when I meet new people is how I end up changing my opinion of them in the span of 2 hours. Towards the end of our dinner, I learned that one executive from the client was also a personal trainer and tried to manage a small health/ personal training business on the side. Now that insight completely changed the way I percieved him -- it's just, I didn't expect someone at such a high post at a luxury goods company to feel so passionately and pursue a parellel profession.
Of late, I've also been missing writing. I'm going to start seeking freelance writing gigs again and perhaps start writing more about my life here than about my opinions about the internet. Because for now, my life is more interesting to me than the internet :D
Ahh - can't say I'm not having a good time in NYC.
ahh and here you go - the promised guide!
Download nyc_for_vistors.pdf
Leave me a comment if you like it :D and if you'd like me to share more such tips.
Ha,
I expected your pdf to be a simple todo type list of good spots to go and their address. Instead i was pleasantly surprised to see some effort at arrangement and GTD style Notes section. Pretty cool. what is electricNewYork
Posted by: ng | June 10, 2008 at 03:46 PM
Nihar - Ok- you completely lost me when you said GTD Style notes section. What is that?
I used Apple's Keynote software to make that pdf. And c'mon, you otta' expect a little more than just a list from me by now!
LOL. Electric New york is just the name I gave my little pdf.
Posted by: Jinal Shah | June 10, 2008 at 05:16 PM
GTD=Getting Things Done http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Getting_Things_Done
My understanding is that although the term emerged because of the book it is now generally applied to any tricks to manage information overload. The concept is behind blogs such as lifehacker and 43folders. My favorite application of it is from the printable ceo series lists and calendars (http://davidseah.com/blog/the-printable-ceo-series/). Your notes section reminded me of the same principle.
Posted by: ng | June 10, 2008 at 06:53 PM
Nihar - ahh. I get it now. Thanks for sharing. I thought doctor's weren't supposed to know about stuff like this. You sure you're in the right profession ?
Posted by: Jinal Shah | June 11, 2008 at 03:08 PM
Doctors don't know about information overload?!? Besides, I'm not your typical medical student.
As for choosing the right profession...still trying to figure that one out :)
And speaking of knowing these kinds of things and being a doctor, have you heard of Dr. Parkinson. He's around your neighborhood, and he's fab! (http://www.jayparkinsonmd.com/)
Posted by: ng | June 11, 2008 at 09:33 PM
I dont use this word a lot but you are a genius!you really are! i reckon its the best thing to do , its the best plan. my parents are coming in a couple of weeks from now, im gonna do it as well. thanks for the inspiration
Posted by: New York hotel | November 11, 2009 at 03:28 PM