Roosevelt Island Tram: NYC's Most Scenic 3 Minutes

Taking a spin on the Roosevelt Island Tramway was one of those things I'd always meant to do ever since moving here 3 1/2 years ago.

The views were supposedly amazing, but the Manhattan entrance to the tram is hidden in a part of 59th Street I simply never frequent, and besides -- what do you do on Roosevelt Island once you get there, anyway? (Side note: that's never stopped me from taking the Staten Island Ferry.)

But when my parents visited a few weekends back, one of the items on my dad's to-do list was a ride on the Roosevelt Island Tramway. I was happy to check it off both his list and mine.

After one ride, I'm kicking myself that I haven't been riding it all these years.

The three-minute trip resulted in some of the most spectacular views I've ever seen in the city. The gondola glides parallel to the Queensboro Bridge, crossing to and from Manhattan and a tiny sliver of land in the middle of the East River called - duh - Roosevelt Island.

Manhattan proper on the left, Roosevelt Island on the right

An F train also makes a stop in Roosevelt Island, but about 5,000 people a day take the tram, according to the New York Times.

It's true that there's not much to do in Roosevelt Island. Visitors can hop on a red shuttle bus the circles most of the island for a single quarter. Dad and I also strolled along the pathways that line much of the circumference of the two-mile long island. I'll post photos from that walk on Monday.

The Roosevelt Island Tramway accepts the same MTA MetroCards that are used on the New York subway and bus system. Since I have an unlimited-ride MetroCard, my ride is effectively free. Even if it weren't, a $2.50 ride is more than worth it when it results in so many terrific views and great photos.

Ground Zero, Post Osama bin Laden

Is America safer now that Osama bin Laden is dead?

I'm not sure. But if the crowds that gathered at Ground Zero on Monday are any indication, we're at least happier.

My office is just a block away from Ground Zero, so after work I made a detour to gauge how people were reacting. The only thing more common than news trucks were American flags. A coworker said they were for sale for $2 not far away.

By the time I arrived on the scene shortly after 6 p.m., I would characterize the mood as one of restrained joy. I think most people -- cameras out -- just wanted to be a part of the day. That's good. Out-and-out jubilation would make me uncomfortable. I tend to agree with a quote I saw several friends post on Facebook: "I've never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure." (Note: I've since heard that this was erroneously attributed to Mark Twain. Anyone know?)

But really, my favorite Facebook update of the day included a photo of President Obama in a cool pair of shades with the words: "Sorry it took so long to get you a copy of my birth certificate. I was too busy killing Osama bin Laden."

Tributes stuck in a fence at Ground Zero

Analyzing My Case of Royal Wedding Fever

My husband says he feels like he hardly knows me.

Why, he wonders, would I ever awake at 5:40 a.m. to watch Prince William wed Kate Middleton live?

I've told him that it's because I have to get my share of romance from somewhere -- it's certainly not coming from his direction. Although, truth be told, I've never been one to expect or want some grand gesture ... or even flowers on my birthday. I'm certainly no romantic myself.

Although maybe, deep down inside, I am? After all, my favorite book is "Pride and Prejudice." So perhaps I'm trying to see Wills and Kate as modern-day versions of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett. Rich dude with a gigantic mansion marries beautiful, spunky middle-class girl. When Elizabeth's elder sister asks when she began to love Mr. Darcy, she answers in jest:

"It has been coming on so gradually that I hardly know when it began. But I believe I must date it from my first seeing his beautiful grounds at Pemberley."

In Kate's case, Buckingham Palace couldn't have hurt.

When I set my alarm Thursday night, Paul was sure I was joking. Nevertheless, on Friday I awoke before the sun rose, turned on the BBC and curled up on the couch. I downed some cereal in the middle of the ceremony; I caught the famous balcony kiss a few minutes before heading to work.

I never considered hosting or attending a royal wedding watch party. I'd never even heard Kate Middleton's name before the day they announced their engagement. I can't say what exactly drew me in, but I think it's at least partly because she and I are the same age. That somehow makes the whole shindig more accessible -- and it has made me compare our marriage to theirs, much to Paul's chagrin. Example:

Me: "Do you think Will and Kate play Uno and eat snacks on the couch at midnight?"

Paul: "I like it when you compare me to people I can't compete with!"

So now it's back to the real world, both for me and for them. Although probably more for me.