Preeminent American poet, philosopher and author Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, “New York is a sucked orange.” I have no idea what that means. And after an amazing trip to NYC to attend the 20th Annual Manny Awards, honoring the best in healthcare and pharmaceutical advertising, I still don’t. That guy was an idiot.
What follows are journal excerpts from my two-day whirlwind trip to the Big Sucked Orange:
GCG Marketing/Healthcare Manny: foreshadowing
Wed, 7:00 am
En route to NYC via Washington D.C. Surrounded by government employees and lobbyists. Feels kinda like that Snakes on a Plane movie.
Wed, 10:30 am
Brief layover in our nation’s capitol. Can’t believe I’m in the same airport that Washington and Lincoln once used.
Wed, 6:00 pm
Arrived at hotel in midtown Manhattan. No sign of giant gorillas, choreographed street gangs or ghost busting scientists. Yet.
Wed, 7:30 pm
Headed down to the Manny Awards ceremony. Seated at the very back of the room. That is okay, though. Cool kids sit at the back of the room. Plus it will make my walk to the podium to accept the award for “Best Philanthropic Campaign” that much more dramatic and powerful.
Wed, 8:00 pm
Alright. The “Best Philanthropic Campaign” category is next. We’re up against GSW Worldwide and another agency called Palio. Both agencies have done good work for their respective causes. GSW Worldwide for The Homeless Families Foundation and Palio for GRACE (Giving Relief And Care to our Elderly). The tension is electric.
Wed, 8:02 pm
We won! Time to give these folks the most amazing, inspiring acceptance speech they’ve ever heard.
Wed, 8:05 pm
Butchered the acceptance speech. Mumbled a “thank you” or two and trailed off while talking about the project. Might have lapsed into a few bars of Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” Can’t recall. Was very happy about the win, though. Great to see the work recognized and am truly hopeful it will continue to make a real difference for CNCF.
Wed, 10:00 pm
Headed to hotel bar after party to celebrate win with other attendees. Unfortunately forced to sell award in order to afford second drink. Note to self – next year, bring own liquor and/or become attractive/interesting enough to have others buy drinks for me.
Thurs, 1:00 am
Returned to room to end amazing first day in the city. Need some good rest for a big day exploring Manhattan tomorrow. What will it hold? Copious amounts of salted deli meats?
Thurs, 9:30 am
Up and out the door. Checked out of the hotel with our award, my camera and a very crumpled suit stuffed in my
backpack. Manny and me are out to see it all. What a morning. 50 degrees with very few clouds. On the way to Broadway, tempted to break into musical number but unsure if surrounding New Yorkers will join in song/dance routine. Decided to play it safe.
GCG Marketing/Healthcare Manny in Central Park
Thurs, 10:45 am
Walking north toward Central Park. Trump Tower looms obnoxiously overhead. Tempted to go punch the building on sheer principle.
Thurs, 11:20 am
Entering Central Park. Amazed at how large the trees are, even compared to the massive surrounding buildings. Way to compete, Mother Nature.
Thurs, 11:45 am
Still walking through Central Park. Witnessed a squirrel being mugged. Feel terrible that I just looked away and kept moving. Should have done something. Anything…
Thurs, 12:25 pm
Leaving the park and heading back south. My morning walk has built up quite an appetite. Since I’m in New York, I’ve got to check out the Carnegie Deli, where famed billionaire Andrew Carnegie made his fortune selling hot pastrami on rye.
Thurs, 1:00 pm
Finally got a seat at the Carnegie Deli. Ordered a sandwich called the “Woody Allen” which was delivered to my table by forklift. Consisting of 115 lbs of pastrami, corned beef and two rye crackers, the sandwich weighs about as much as the iconic New York actor/director.
GCG Marketing/Healthcare Manny dines on corned beef at Carnegie Deli
Thurs, 1:45 pm
Finished with lunch and back out on the town. Still cannot find Sesame Street. Locals refuse to tell me how to get, how to get to said location.
Thurs, 2:00 pm
Walking over to Rockefeller Center, with a quick detour past St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The architecture in this city is amazing. I could spend weeks here just looking at the buildings alone. Headed up to the top of Rockefeller Center for one last look at the city. Haven’t gotten to see nearly enough, but it’s time to head home. Much like Rambo returning a rescued POW from Vietnam, I’m proud to be bringing Manny back to GCG.
GCG Marketing/Healthcare Manny enjoys the views from Rockefeller Center
Thurs, 3:00 pm
As the cabbie whisks me off to JFK for my afternoon flight back to DFW, the Big Apple bids me farewell. With every car horn, stare of contempt and middle finger, the city seems to say “Thanks for visiting. Come back as soon as you can. We love you.” I love you too, New York.
