Lola Jaye

My hotel seems to be full of rich older folks who probably like going to the opera every Saturday night instead of doing the ‘robot’ down at the local club. Oh who am I trying to kid? My Saturday nights are usually spent watching ‘Lipstick Jungle’ on Sky Plus… What I’m trying to get at here is, I probably stood out when  I skipped into the breakfast room in my mini skirt and snow boots, clutching my newly purchased Hip Hop Weekly magazine!************* Every time I go to America I seem to temporarily adopt a drugstore (pharmacy) as my temporary home BECAUSE THEY DO EVERYTHING!!! Headache pills, candy-canes AND novels!! This year it was Duane Reade. Like a certain Coffee shop, they are everywhere! Just needed to share that with ya. Luv ya Duane. The staff here at the Williams Club are great. I like to ‘hang out’ with them from time to time, but can’t help realising HOW ENGLISH I SOUND. I asked today - can you direct us to Port authority please. It sounded like this;‘Can you direct me to pooooort ooforitty pleeeese.’Respectful laughter followed (including my own, because suddenly, I was sounding like a ghetto version of The Queen.) ‘So I have now decided to say it the correct, New Yorker way. Pronounced; ‘Port altorridy!’ Apparently. 

‘Start spreading the news…’ I sang, as soon as I pinged open my eyes as my very annoying mobile phone alarm few into my earlobes this morning at 7am. Fast forward many hours and the plane is landing into JFK and the excitement is back ON! More so as the (Yellow!) cab crosses into New York City and I catch a glimpse of those lights! Unmistakable New York City.  Bloody loverly! Just like the TV shows, the films and my memory from all those years ago. Wow. So exciting.  Of course I’m knackered after such long flight, but none of that matters as we dump our suitcases at the swanky William’s Club hotel in PARK AVENUE and toddle off to Mercer Kitchen in Greenwich Village (I think).  It’s full of young and good-looking New Yorkers (Italians, French oh and lil’ old me). The food was absolutely delicious even if I was almost snoring by the end of the meal. I am no longer a teenager and jet lag seems to be a reality for me. But I AM IN NEW YORK- I CANT WASTE A MINUTE IN BED!!!  I want to say.  But Zoe and I are both in agreement and so it’s (sort of, but not really) an early night….

And I got to thinking today. The last time I was in NYC I was such a differen’t person. It was before I met the former ‘Im indoors.  Before I had gone to University.  Before I got a full time job. And of course, looong before I got a publishing deal. In fact long before I even started to write seriously. And here I am now in 2008 and I’ll l be there during some very historic elections…

Amazing.

…… with my mum!   Don’t ask, just go and  purchase your copy (you get three bars of chocolate for free on the front, too!) so a bargain really… It’s the Christmas edition too and it’s in the shops NOW!  Howz that for a shameless plug? So what have I been up to lately…? Erm, not a lot. My lovely editor is on her honeymoon, so I kind of have a ‘break’. You know like, cooking instead of a quick takeaway so that I’ll have more time to write. Appreciating the trees more (even though half of their leaves seem to be draped across the car, caked in rainwater…..). I know I should be plugging away with trying to bombard editors with articles If I ever want to make it in the cutthroat world of freelancing (did I tell you about that?) but there’s soooo much to be getting on with like… wait for it…  GOING TO NYC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Yep, I’m off to New York in a matter of days.  On business/semi pleasure.  An afternoon with my New York publishers and then my cleverly thought out itinerary is as follows; Eat.Sex and the City Tour.Eat.Shop.Sightsee.Shop and eat.Eat.Shop. (I’m sure you get the drift).When I get back to England, it’s all about that freelancing career, right? I’ve even ordered a book for inspiration, called ‘The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World!’