Make the Most of Memorial Day Weekend by Beating the Traffic
Day to live in memoriam
Memorial Day. A time to honor the memory of patriots who sacrificed their lives.
There was once a reported incident where the area out east of NYC was so crowded during Memorial Day weekend that Steven Spielberg could only get around the traffic between East Hampton to Bridgehampton on a bicycle.
Even the Hampton Inn in Hampton Bays was crowded, with one woman in her thirties waiting 40 minutes for breakfast.
After finally being seated, a waitress told her: “You won’t like it here. This place is for young people.”
He’s the life of the party
Mark Kostabi is known for his vibrant paintings and lively social gatherings. His routine includes snacks at his place, visits from collectors, various actresses, former Letterman drummer Anton Fig, a mother whose son is in the “Joy Luck Club,” a jazz musician, a promoter bringing in models for everyone to admire, and of course, his own paintings.
Being successful with his art allows him to maintain his home in Rome, where he follows a similar routine. How he manages it all is a mystery akin to how Rembrandt did it.
Lack of manners
“George Washington’s Rules of Civility” is a concise book that was originally written in French in 1745 by a 13-year-old schoolboy in Virginia. It emphasizes proper manners such as keeping clothes clean and not engaging in inappropriate behavior.
It’s surprising to see George Washington, who famously had wooden teeth, being so particular about manners.
Time to get away
For those looking for budget-friendly options this weekend, consider heading to Rockaway, Nantucket, Lake George, Newport, Bear Mountain, the Catskills, Adirondacks, or simply staying home and ordering in.
However, be prepared for busy roads, bad drivers, high gas prices, crowded flights, and possibly having to deal with ants.
Originally known as Decoration Day, this federal holiday has been observed for 156 years — about as long as it takes for your takeout order to arrive.
Celebrities like Beyoncé, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Longoria, and Leonardo DiCaprio may choose to vacation in Palm Springs, where owning a Maserati is the norm.
For those less affluent, there’s Miami, Ocean City in Maryland, and the popular Pigeon Forge in Tennessee.
If you have some money left after New York’s high taxes, you can opt for Jamaica, Vegas, Paris, budget-friendly Bermuda, Ibiza, or places where Meghan Markle may have once visited to find a Prince Harry of her own.
If you’re in New Jersey, consider Atlantic City, while in Delaware, visiting a bank may remind you of certain political figures.
I will be off on Monday for Memorial Day. It’s a time to reflect on patriotic songs and show pride in living in the United States.
Only in the USA, kids, only in the USA.
