This is it for a while. I'm going on vacation. I'm going to be in New York City for a few days. Guess what I'll be doing...

**********************************************

Gina just sat and stared as I retold the events of the morning. “You need a social life. Derrick knows this guy...”


I cut her off. “I don’t want you or Derrick fixing me up with anyone and definitely not one of his buddies.”



Gina was married to Derrick, one of New York’s finest. He made detective two years ago and had recently taken the sergeant’s exam. He and Gina were anxiously awaiting the results. And, ever since my divorce three years ago, Gina has been urging me to get out and meet new people. Without missing a beat she continued, “You’re going out with us tonight! Derrick has been nervous about the exam. He told me this morning he wanted to blow off some steam after work. We’re going over to Murray’s for a few drinks. Why don’t you join us? There’ll be lots of men there, many of them single I’m sure.” I rolled my eyes and sighed, “Okay, okay, I’ll go. But I want you to know, the only reason is, I don’t want you nagging me the rest of the day! And I’m not staying long.”



“I don’t think I have enough money for a cab and drinks, you up to walking to Murray’s?” I asked Gina.



“Sure, and don’t worry, we’ll take you home, unless…you know.”



“Stop it or I’ll just head home, now!”

The sun was sinking behind the buildings casting long, cool shadows over the pavement. The evening was going to be cool and crisp, something anticipated in the city. Gina and I crossed the street dodging the other workers filing out of buildings. We headed east. There are only a few buildings before the landscape changes to a broad expanse of grass and trees. The park is a source of pride for the neighborhood. A few years back, the area was a haven for drug users, drunks and the occasional street person. Thanks to the efforts of businesses and residents, the area has been reclaimed. Now, children played on swing sets. Old men played chess. Families picnicked. Flowerbeds and park benches lined the paths. Gina and I walked talking about work and our plans for the weekend. Gina expressed concern for Derrick’s future on the force. I reminded her once again, “I’m sure Derrick will make Sergeant, he’s a good, smart cop.”



“He really wants this. He was really disappointed when he didn’t get that Major Case assignment. He’s never said it, but I think he’s out to prove himself twice as much because…” I grabbed Gina’s arm before she could finish.

“Look, its him!"



“Him who?”



“The man I saw this morning at Carmine's, remember?”



He was walking along the westbound path in the park. He was carrying the brown leather notebook. He raised his left hand to remove his sunglasses, tucking them in the pocket of his denim shirt and he still hadn’t shaved. Oh, Lord, he was wearing a black leather jacket and blue jeans.



“Stop Gina! Look! Didn’t I tell you he was the sexiest man I’ve seen in a while?”



“Him? Well, I’ll give you, uh…tall. Sexy? Girls, he’s not…handsome.”



“I told you I didn’t find him particularly handsome, but on second thought.”



Gina added, “I’ll say the clothes look fine, but I have to say, you white chicks have a strange idea of sexy!”



“Okay, so he’s not your type and Derrick is good looking, but I think he’s sexy as hell. Look at the way he walks.” I stood there watching him move slowly up the path. He looked in deep thought, pondering as is something was weighing on his mind. He continued walking up the path, reached the sidewalk and turned right. I was aware of Gina standing in front of me. “He’s walking in the opposite direction isn’t he?”



“Yes.” She must have been reading my mind. Gina pointed her finger at me and said, “No, don’t even think of following him!”



“Why not? Okay, I’m just a little curious. Well, make that really curious. I like the way he walks. I want to know where…” I stopped myself. I was starting to sound like a crazy woman.



Gina said, “Look, odds are he lives or works around here. You’ve seen him twice in one day within a five-block area. And I hate to burst your bubble, but he’s probably got a girlfriend or wife.”



“Don’t you remember? I said no ring.”



Gina continued, “He’s headed home to her. That could be a good thing. If you see him with a woman, you might be able to get him out of your head. Hell, he could be gay. It’s dangerous to follow someone. You know that. What if he’s some whack job?”



“Gina, you sound like a cop,” I replied.



“I’m married to one remember?”



I shrugged and thought, “Married, gay, or whack job?"

Oh, this is goooood! I hope you'll have more for us after your trip.

Have fun in NYC!!!!!! Oh, and be sure to see other things and not spend ALL your time trying to find a LOCI filming. Hate to have to disappoint you, but the last G/E epi of season 7 has just FINISHED filming. I don't think anymore filiming is scheduled to start until mid-August for S8....

BUT, have fun anyway! If you've never been to NYC before, you'll love it!

Might get to see VDO out with his family? Or maybe his is in Nashville filming that western.

But love the story, too bad he wasn't the fix up.

I know filming has stopped, that's me, day late and a dollar short! Rest assured, I'll be on the lookout!

You'll have fun recognizing places that were in the background. CSI:NY shot a scene in a doll hospital, and I'll swear to this day that hubby and I walked right past it! Just knowing your in the same city where all the L&O's are filmed is fun. The kids wanted us to go to the Central Park Zoo and tell us if it really did look just like it did in "Madagascar". We didn't go there, but would have been fun. We did go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but it did not look like the sets used in "The Thomas Crown Affair" with Pierce Brosnan. We did see them filming the scene from "Enchanted" where Giselle crosses the crowded street in Times Square wearing her wedding gown -- cool to see the movie later and say, "Hey! We were there!"

Hi Peyton, Shooter here,
I guess by the time you read this you'll be back from NYC -- I hope you did make it to Central Park. I work there for the Parks Commissioner.

It is a great place to catch any and all of the L&O shoots. They shoot in the park often. I have never seen Vincent,
although I'm always on the lookout, but I did manage to see Chris Noth - He is quite lovely in the flesh.

Hope you had a great time!

I liked this as much as Part 1 - I hope there's a Part 3 after your return from the Big Apple.
Hope you enjoy(ed) your vacay!

Bumping this up to get all the parts together.