Get lucky taking a cab driven by a fella who disproves your theory all NYC cabbies have a death wish for their passengers. Feel a little breathless crossing into the city on the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. Spend the next few hours walking around the Upper East Side, taking photos of the Guggenheim, Central Park, statues of cats in front of buildings … whatever catches your fancy.

Stop to rest your tired feet in front of the Central Library and take a photo of the famous lions.

Have your co-worker’s wife notice the awesome reflection of buildings in your sunglasses. Prompt her to take a picture. Wish you had a comb to tame your tresses after viewing the photo. Give yourself credit … you HAVE been up since 3:30 a.m. Get off the subway outside the East Village and meet up with your coworker’s friend. Someone who knows an awesome Thai restaurant where you promptly gorge yourself on pad kee mao for dinner. Over conservation, discover he has an awesome job doing 3-D animation for a company called Curious Pictures.

Twenty minutes later, act like a ginoromous fan girl when you discover he’s responsible for the animation for Rock Band and Beatles Rock Band. Using a voice two decibels higher than normal, make sure he knows how much you love to play Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds BECAUSE THE GRAPHICS ARE JUST SO COOL.

Allow said friend to treat the four of you to beers at the city’s oldest bar. When he tells you that Abraham Lincoln drank here, make a mental note to tell your husband that you’ve now drank in a place way cooler than any place he’s been.

Say “HECK YEAH” when this friend asks if y’all want to come hang on the rooftop of his work. Conquer your fear of ledges to lean way out and get an awesome shot of your view.Say “OMGREALLY!!!” when you are informed that the building directly in front of you is the NYC apartment of Matt Damon. Wish you had your telephoto lens. Agree to a tour of friend’s studio. Act like a major dork when shown the spot to rock out for animation sequences shot for Rock Band.

Take further advantage of the green screen by doing your best running man impersonation.

Spend the next evening exploring the Financial District where you happen to be staying. Eat dinner at McGee’s Pub (since it’s the pub that inspired McLaren’s in your favorite sitcom, How I Met Your Mother), then take a shot of the Late Show sign because, hellllooo, it’s Dave. And well, he went to Ball State. And so did you. And you just so happen to still work there. Matter of fact, that’s why you’re here. Oooh and awww for the next hour at the views you take in from the Top of the Rock as the sun sets. Think about how much better this view is than the Empire State Building ’cause in this view, well, you get to actually SEE the Empire State Building. Hit the ground and bust out your fish eye for a shot of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Try to remember which member of the Kennedy family had their funeral there. Jackie, it was definitely Jackie. And maybe John too? Be a tourist and have a cupcake from Magnolia Bakery and then talk with your coworker’s wife about your favorite Sex in the City moments. Wrap up your night with a train ride back to your hotel but not before getting a photo of a few sailors in town for the start of Fleet Week. Get all excited because you feel as though you’ve just captured a very quintessential NYC moment. Wake up the next morning to board your flight feeling like a very, very lucky girl :)

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