Springtime in New York, part 2

As much as I dream about one day being able to legitimately call myself a New Yorker, I've resigned myself that until I actually get mail to a city address for multiple (what is it, ten?!) years, I'm still a...tourist. It was really hard for me to type that, but we'll get through this post together.

During my recent three-day trip, I walked briskly, always wore my sunglasses, smiled sparingly and barely consulted a map in an effort to fool the locals into thinking that I was one of them. But then, I not only made it a point to visit, but also take pictures of:

Bethesda Fountain. In Central Park, a must-see since the first time I ever visited the city — 14-yr-old me was equal parts mesmerized and creeped out by an American Indian slash rock violinist we stopped to watch, but it's the angel herself that keeps me coming back.

New Year's Ball. How's this for touristy: While walking though Times Square to get to anywhere else, I saw an advertisement on a trash can, beckoning me to come see the 100th anniversary ball, currently on display in the Times Square visitor's center and I actually did it.

Also: it's surprisingly tiny — I'll add it to my list of New York things that I've found to be smaller in real life than they look tv, including the Statue of Liberty, Rosie O'Donnell's old studio and Meryl Streep.

Shake Shack. We waited in a line longer than most people in Ohio could even comprehend, for burgers and fries that were average at best — especially when I live within a mile of a Swenson's. But I got to take a picture and let everyone know I was here, and as a tourist that's all that really matters, right?

Skyline views. While the Brooklyn Heights Promenade may not be as touristy as, maybe, a cruise around lower Manhattan, the spectacular views are quite similar. And I still take the same exact photo every time I come here, because until this is the daily view out of my bedroom window, mama needs a new desktop background.

The Brooklyn Bridge. It's my favorite bridge, and I've got the photographs to prove it. In between clogging up my Instagram feed (SHAMELESS PLUG: oh, hey, I'm BlueCarrotShop on there) with photos of this beauty, I took a nap in the park right underneath. So, sometimes I'm more homeless than tourist — is that further or closer to being an actual New Yorker? Can you spare a dime or a quarter?*

*I passed a guy over multiple days asking for a dime or a quarter — can't fault a brotha for trying.