On sporting Kristi Yamaguchi hair in Central Park

We haven't seen snow in a few days, but that hasn't stopped us from partaking in all the winter activities that living in a colder climate affords. Like going for a walk on a brisk New Year's morning, buying a cup of hot chocolate and warm packet of honey roasted nuts on the street corner, and biding our time inside the Niketown on 5th Avenue as a brief reprise from the chilly air. But the most quintessential of our winter activities in the city has to be ice skating in Central Park, which is what we did yesterday.

Having harbored childhood dreams of being an Olympic figure skater, an Eastern European pairs ice dancer in a spandex dream of a costume, or the world's fastest speed skater, I couldn't wait to hit the ice. So we headed to Wollman Rink -- where Donald Trump makes some of his $3 billion. After forking over $14 each for admission, $6 for me for skate rentals (Evan had his own, of course, as an ex-hockey player), and another $4 for locker rental, we made it into the rink. Packed with skaters of all abilities -- young hockey players, figure skaters, and 2 year-olds who were probably putting on skates for the first time that very morning -- there was someone falling down every time you looked left or right. In a nutshell, it was like seeing all of New York on the ice.Yes, there's a line to get in; yes, it's expensive; and yes, the ice is packed with tons of people. But it is absolutely worth every penny.

Shea hello, Shea good-bye!

We interrupt our usual eastern destination posting to bring you a Mets win from Queens! Tonight, superstar ace, Johan Santana took the mound to the beat of Rob Thomas and Carlos Santana* to pitch a brilliant game against the Chicago Cubs. His focus remained intact, even after the field was rushed by an overweight, but quick and likely inebriated fan. With the Braves beating the Phils and Milwaukee losing to the Pirates, the pennant race is on!** Here's one first and last look at Shea Stadium before it's replaced by Citi Field.*In case you've been living under a rock, here's a little musical interlude to refresh your memory.

**Special thanks to my sporty guestblogger. (Buffalo post coming soon; this working girl misses her life of leisure, ha.)