Bryant Park with Bryan

okay, so part of the reason i may have fell instantaneously in love with the movie "Rocky" this week, could be because i was watching it in Bryant Park with my awesome boyfriend, Bryan. i mean, who wouldn't love any movie under those circumstances?

here's why watching movies in Bryant Park rocks: it's free, it's every Monday night in the summer, it's directly behind the beautiful New York City Public Library (in midtown by Grand Central), and you watch it under the light of the Empire State Building--which looks gigantic and so close you feel like you could reach up and touch it. there's nothing better than watching a movie under the stars with a bunch of New Yorkers. okay, i can think of a few things, but not many.

so, if you're ever in the city in the summer and have a free Monday night, head to Bryant Park with a blanket and picnic dinner. but get there early; it's a small park and fills up fast. they open the lawn up at 6 and the movie starts at 8. but well worth the wait! i brought a book, chatted on the phone with my sister Melanie (who's summering in Alaska with her hubby Jason), and had some awkard moments with the peculiar lady sitting right next to me--almost on my lap--who kept asking everyone around her what time the movie was supposed to start. then at one point she told me i had a piece of grass on the back of my shirt and without hesitation got it off for me. like i said, being in close proximity to hundreds of New Yorkers is awesome.

oh, and in the winter they set up an ice-skating rink where you can skate for free (but there's a skate rental fee). however, if you have your own skates like my sister Jill, then you're home free. plus, Jill's got some sweet moves on the ice.