baseballs, burritos, cupcakes and sex

The photographer had the lights and equipment set up and was ready to go by 3. To save money and time, we had the shoot set up in the hotel suite Don was staying at on 48th and Lexington. He chose this place because when the team comes to town, the coaches usually stay at this hotel.
Don Zimmer was wearing his new Tampa Bay Devil Ray’s uniform with no shoes on so that he wouldn’t mark the seamless backdrop he was standing on. It’s strange not to see him in Yankee pinstripes after all these years sitting on the dugout bench with Joe Torre. He is exactly how you see him on TV, a little tough and scrappy looking but a sweet lovable guy. He was a funny sight to see, big jowly head above a potbelly atop of skinny legs. Just like on TV. We shot a wide variety of poses but he really has just two looks: a stare and a squinty smile. But he was so patient and accommodating despite his knees aching from standing too long. Between film reloads he told us that he could’ve made a ton of money by signing photos of him and that “what’s his, uh, what’s his name? The pitcher?”, “Pedro?” I volunteered. But he said he didn’t want to get involved with that foolishness.
    The shoot went really smooth and easy and we were done by 5:00. I was almost more excited to meet the photographer, Neil Leifer. He's photographed some of the most recognizable images of Muhammad Ali. A real seasoned pro. I asked Neil and he agreed to take a portrait of Don and me together. Nice. Not everyday you get a portrait taken by the legendary Neil Leifer. Don even signed some baseballs for us.

Felt so glad that the shoot went really well and that it was finally over that I wanted to unwind. I IM’d Simone and asked if she wanted to go to Benny's Burritos. She was thinking the same thing. Dave and I got there first so I ordered a margarita on the rocks w/ salt. When Sim finally got there she suggested I order her favorite, pulled BBQ chicken burrito. It was one of the best burrito I’ve ever had, so delicious, chewy and tasty. YUM! It was a warm night compared to the previous, so we walked down Jane Street "ding ding" and thought we'd surprise Michael S. We tapped on his window and he poked his head out like the groundhog. He asked us to drop in but we were craving
Magnolia Cupcakes too much to wait and we said later. Walking south we were a little lost, those streets can get all crooked. But we finally found it on 11th St. There are usually lines outside but not this time. I bought 4 to go and 1 to eat now. Each one vanilla cake w/ vanilla frosting. The cake is OK but it's the icing that's so delicious. Pure sugar and butter. We walked down Bleecker on an intense sugar high and saw bright lights. A film crew had closed off a whole block to do a night shoot. Lights on cranes lit up the streets and trees. I thought they might be filming "Sex in the City" but Sim said that they couldn't be because they were all done shooting. We stood in the street munching on cupcake frosting, when…

* WARNING-SPOILER ALERT! *
[ ssshh. She’s really a He! ] No.

when Chris Noth, "Mr. Big" was escorted right by us. So he does return for the series finale. He don't look so big. Then Sarah Jessica Parker walked by in a big pink poodle skirt. Serious looking. We stayed a little bit and watched as they filmed a scene getting into a limo, and I thought, what an interesting day in NYC; photo shoot w/ Don Zimmer, portrait taken by Neil Leifer, great burritos, magnolia cupcakes and bumping into TV stars on a street shoot while hanging with 2 of my best friends. nice.