Saturday: Wherein ziasudra actually spent time in Midtown

I don't think it's a secret to anyone that I don't really like midtown. Especially the touristy areas. I'd rather squeeze my way through the crowds in Chinatown than through groups of out-of-towners in Times Square. So I usually avoid that part of the city whenever I can.

Yesterday, however, was a day spent in Midtown. Kinokuniya, a Japanese chain bookstore, was opening a new branch in 1073 Avenue of the Americas. I got to hang out with paranoidsistah, shipchan, and random people I met at the grand opening there. There was a nice little cafe area that served bento boxes and very yummy-looking desserts (though I didn't order any). Afterwards, we listened to a panel presentation about the making of manga books in the American publishing industry. I still have to rummage through my goodie bag of free graphic novels and a gigantic poster *g*

After the bookstore, I went ice skating at Bryant Park. This was my first time skating in an outside skating rink. I haven't ice skated in soooo long, but I seemed to have retained all my basic skating skills (move, stop, avoid bumping into people). I must have been there for two or three hours, during which the ice was cleaned twice, and it got dark enough for the lights to come on. And now my feet feel like they're about to break into pieces... ;p

Before heading back, I stopped by MTV in Times Square and tried to see if I can catch sparkly_stuff. Alas, no luck. Maybe next time?