Unconscious Mating

Last night my husband and I went to check out the High Line, a new elevated park overlooking Manhattan where they used to lift the freight trains off of Manhattan’s busy streets. What they’ve done to this railroad now is amazing. They’ve turned an elevated rail strip into a peaceful scenic green oasis and a pedestrian highway overlooking the cityscape. Somehow it perfectly blends with the urban beauty, highlighting and offsetting New York City’s charms, instead of merely escaping them. The design of the park is calming and conducive to rest, contemplation, socializing, city and people watching and of course, romance!
We went to see it at 9PM (it’s open from 8am-10PM) so we got the nighttime perspective. You could see the city lights, the water view, the rooftop bars and neon signs. There were many New Yorkers lying on architectural lounges and benches. People were eating at interesting looking tables. Beautiful flowers, trees and greenery surprised us at various spots along the path and you could even hear crickets (do you think they’re real or audio?). One location looked like an amphitheater, but instead of observing a screen, there was a large window overlooking the highway, so you could sit and watch the traffic. The whole thing was a great perch to observe a very awake city below.
During the day (I was told) there are also more vendors and it might also be easier to see the architectural touches and greenery of the park. Reportedly babies, dogs and a diverse city crowd enjoy this spot in the day light. Unfortunately, I did not have my camera but you can see some more pictures from a blog I found.
We only walked for a bit last night (due to the hour) but the High Line stretches from Ganzevoort Street to 34th street, between 10th & 11th Avenues. There are a number of entrances (some of which include elevators for strollers, walkers and wheelchairs) so you can choose where to enter and explore.
Visiting the High Line gave me a great perspective on Manhattan’s Westside Meatpacking District. I had not been there for awhile but it seemed bursting with young people in cafes, rooftop bars, restaurants and clubs. As a hot spot, this elevated walk way adds one more romantic venue to the many possibilities for a great date night here. I also mused that the High Line would be a great backdrop for films.
So in this recession, I highly recommend the High Line as a FREE DATE SPOT. There is no entrance fee. You can go get drinks and then stroll there and talk. If you go during the day for a date, you can bring your own picnic lunch. The Chelsea Market below the High Line sells prepared picnic lunches for $15 each if you want to grab something on the fly. If you want to be a romantic risk taker (probably not on your first date) you can bring your ipod and speakers. You can find a quiet night spot to look at the city lights and slow dance with your date. All this for a very inexpensive, romantic and memorable date.
So definitely check it out and let us know what you think! You can visit the High line website below to print out a map of the park. There is also a number for park information below.
Enjoy!
My Best in Love,
Paulette
www.mydatingschool.com
                           High Line Information:

The High Line Information Line: (212) 500-6035

The High Line is open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily.

Access to the High Line is possible via any of the access points listed below.

In the event the High Line reaches capacity, you may be asked to enter via the Gansevoort Street stairs (or 16th Street elevator if you need elevator service) only, to ensure public safety and the safety of the park itself.
• Gansevoort Street
• 14th Street
• 16th Street (elevator access)
• 18th Street
• 20th Street
 

Getting to the High Line
The High Line can be reached via the following methods of public transportation:

Subway
L / A / C / E to 14th Street & 8th Avenue
C / E to 23rd Street & 8th Avenue
1 / 2 / 3 to 14th Street & 7th Avenue

1 to 18th Street & 7th Avenue
1 to 23rd Street & 7th Avenue

Bus
M11 to Washington Street
M11 to 9th Avenue
M14 to 9th Avenue
M23 to 10th Avenue
M34 to 10th Avenue

             Related Links:
http://www.thehighline.org/
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/22/nyregion/22highline.html?_r=2&em
http://chelseamarket.com/

http://nycitymama.com/2009/06/discovering-the-high-line-nyc/

  Author Bio:

Dr. Paulette Kouffman Sherman is a licensed psychologist and author of ‘Dating From the Inside Out: How to Use the Law of Attraction in Matters of the Heart’ published by Atria Books. She’s the Director of http://www.mydatingschool.com which offers coaching and classes in dating issues. She was a speaker at The Learning Annex for over two years and an expert on television shows such as the CBS Early Show & the AM Northwest Early Show and radio shows like ‘the Curtis Sliwa show’ on 77WABC. She has been quoted as a relationship expert in MSN.com, USA Weekend, the NY Post, Newsweek, Lifetime.com, More, Match.com, Foxnews.com, Reader’s Digest, Redbook, Glamour, ‘Seventeen, Complete Woman’ magazine and the NY Times.

I have not yet written about this dating trend called Cougar dating. Cougar is the term given to an older woman who dates younger men. I was curious about why the symbol of the cougar was chosen, as it seems like an especially aggressive animal. But after googling the animal medicine (qualities and lessons) of the cougar, it said that cougars jump upon opportunity with no hesitation. Cougar wisdom can inform your ability to accept and direct your life with grace and speed. So (according to this symbol) perhaps older women know more about who they are, what they want, how to get it and aren’t afraid to take action when it comes to love?
Women have probably dated younger men for a long time but this cougar phenomenon became central focus when female celebrities started dating and marrying younger men. Some examples include Demi Moore, Halle Berry, Sharon Stone, Ivana Trump, Rachel Hunter and Mariah Carey. Suddenly it was out in the open and hot!
Now this cougar dating phenomenon is about to become even more popular with an upcoming new television series called ‘Cougar Town,‘ starring Courtney Cox coming out in September. It’s about a single woman in her 40’s that dates younger men after a divorce. There is also the television show out now called, ‘The Cougar’ where an older woman dates younger men and ultimately selects her match. And I just heard that there is a Miss Cougar America and new International Cougar Cruise coming soon. Carnival Cruise Lines is offering its first-ever International Cougar Cruise, which takes place December 4-7, aboard Carnival’s Fun Ship Elation, departing from San Diego and visiting Ensenada, Mexico. Rates are priced from $125 (per person, double-occupancy) plus port charges and government fees. Miss Cougar America (who will be selected at the National Single Cougars Convention, Friday, August 28 at Dinah’s Garden Hotel, in Palo Alto CA) will be the guest of honor. The younger men there will decide who wins the contest!
In addition, all kinds of cougar dating sites and events have cropped up. Some of these include: www.cougarfling.com , www.dateacougar.com , www.urbancougar.com , www.cougardate.com  and www.cougarspeeddate.com .
So, what might men like about dating older women? Some men report that they are more interesting, mature, grounded, directed and secure. I haven’t done a full survey so if any men want to add to this list, please post your comments and feelings about this below.
As for the women, what are the pros and cons of dating younger men? For the pros: younger men are cute, fun and may not have as much relationship baggage. As for the cons: sometimes it is said that women are more mature then men their own age, so younger men may be even more behind, maturity-wise! They may also have a longer time line for embracing commitment, family and children (if this is what the woman is looking for).
My take on this is that it is important to date the individual, instead of subscribing to societal rules. While most men in their twenties (for example) might not want marriage and children etc. there are some who do. It only takes one person to be your soul mate. We have all met the occasional 20 something year old who is more mature than a 40 something year old man. So, why not give someone a few dates and see? For me it is always positive when the limiting beliefs and dating stigmas are lifted so that two people can really get to know each other based upon authentic present experience and can decide the pros and cons of that particular relationship based on what feels true for them.
So, if you are a woman who has dated a younger guy or a guy who has dated an older woman, let us know what you think!
My Best in Love,
Paulette
www.mydatingschool.com

Bio:

Dr. Paulette Kouffman Sherman is a licensed psychologist and author of ‘Dating From the Inside Out: How to Use the Law of Attraction in Matters of the Heart’ published by Atria Books. She’s the Director of http://www.mydatingschool.com which offers coaching and classes in dating issues. She was a speaker at The Learning Annex for over two years and an expert on television shows such as the CBS Early Show & the AM Northwest Early Show and radio shows like ‘the Curtis Sliwa show’ on 77WABC. She has been quoted as a relationship expert in MSN.com, USA Weekend, the NY Post, Newsweek, Lifetime.com, More, Match.com, Foxnews.com, Reader’s Digest, Redbook, Glamour, ‘Seventeen, Complete Woman’ magazine and the NY Times.

               Related Links:
http://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises/carnival-creates-first-ever-international-cougar-cruise-17023
http://www.tvland.com/prime/shows/cougar/season1/
http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/cougartown/
http://www.askmen.com/dating/vanessa_100/102_love_secrets.html
http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/Health/story?id=731599
http://www.cougarspeeddate.com/faq.php
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/cougar-speed-dating/1269211236

                                        My Little Italy Festival Hat!

Yesterday my husband, son and I had a date night in Little Italy. I haven’t been there in awhile and it seemed like the perfect night for it. We ate dinner outside and then walked a few blocks to see the Little Italy Festival. There were all kinds of people and vendors there, including a man who made balloon hats and balloon sculptures for free. See the balloon hat that he made me (in one minute) to match my dress in the picture above (I gave him a $5 tip).
It was colorful, yummy and romantic there. Other than the reasonable price for dinner at an outdoor table, the festival is free and the streets are closed for traffic so you can roam around with your date and experience a new culture.
This popular event attracts more than one-million visitors annually and it is held every Friday (6 PM – 11 PM), Saturday (11 AM to 11 PM) and Sunday (11 AM to 9 PM) along Mulberry Street between Canal and Broome Streets and on Hester Street between Mott and Mulberry Streets. During these weekend hours, Mulberry Street is closed to vehicular traffic creating a Pedestrian Mall as well as New York City’s most exciting al fresco dining area. Most of the area’s more than 35 restaurant and cafes obtain permits to operate sidewalk cafes during Mall hours where visitors can have a leisurely lunch or dinner, cappuccino and desserts, while watching people from all over the world stroll through this historic neighborhood.
So take your date to romantic Italy. Have dinner, people watch and split a cannoli. Next weekend they are having a vocal competition there on August 15th so you can hear beautiful music as well. See the link below for details and directions.
Bon Appetite!
Oh, and speaking of other cultures. My book, ‘Dating from the Inside Out’ was just translated into French and German. My publisher just sent me the German copy. Maybe Italian will be next? I wouldn’t mind going to Venice for a book signing.

                 
Italians definitely know a lot about food, beauty and love so going to Little Italy (or big Italy for that matter) on a date will probably bring out the romantic magic. All I know is that my husband actually played Frank Sinatra love songs by connecting his IPOD to the car radio, all the way home. That’s amore!
So if you do go there on a date, let me know what you think.
My Best in Love,
Paulette

www.mydatingschool.com

Bio:

Dr. Paulette Kouffman Sherman is a licensed psychologist and author of ‘Dating From the Inside Out: How to Use the Law of Attraction in Matters of the Heart’ published by Atria Books. She’s the Director of http://www.mydatingschool.com which offers coaching and classes in dating issues. She was a speaker at The Learning Annex for over two years and an expert on television shows such as the CBS Early Show & the AM Northwest Early Show and radio shows like ‘the Curtis Sliwa show’ on 77WABC. She has been quoted as a relationship expert in MSN.com, USA Weekend, the NY Post, Newsweek, Lifetime.com, More, Match.com, Foxnews.com, Reader’s Digest, Redbook, Glamour, ‘Seventeen, Complete Woman’ magazine and the NY Times.

                     Related Links:
http://www.littleitalynyconline.com/news-summer-09.php