DOLCE

The Hangover

“All the single ladies, all the single ladies!” Is exactly what Fleet Week in NYC calls for. Hey, you've learned from my past stories that it's not always a great idea to date a guy in uniform, but who says you can’t have a little fun with them. You have to support the troops right? As single women of New York, Gabanna and I did a little shopping and prepared ourselves for one of the best weeks of the year.

Ahoy Mates!

Where are all the sea-men? The ships come in the week before Memorial Day. They pull into the piers (next to the Intrepid) and the Marines and Sailors come pouring out on the streets of Manhattan. With me being a true New Yorker, I avoid Times Square at all costs. However, most of these men are:

A. Not from New York or

B. Have never been to the Big Apple.

Note: when on the hunt for seamen check the touristy places.

Gabanna and I met up with Amber, Hailey, and our friend Becky and hit the streets. A half an hour later we had 5 different groups of Sailors and Marines meeting us at 52^nd and 2^nd that night, and an invitation for an open bar at a place called the “Mean Fiddler.”

We showed up at the dive bar an hour later, which appeared to be dead. When asking where the open bar was the bouncer directed us downstairs. Nothing says, “Welcome to Fleet Week” more than 200 guys dressed in uniform in one room. There was a live band and Sailors dancing on top of the bar, but all eyes were on the 5 girls that just walked in. It only took seconds until we were swarmed. The girls quickly took their picks on the boys that surrounded us…but me? I was looking for a challenge.

I was approached as I made my way to the dance floor. “Hi, I’m Michael. Would you like to dance?” And then I realized, he was British…Sold! Turns out the Royal Navy was in town, and as you all know I love the Brits.

With my history of falling for an army guy in Georgia and a Brit in Miami, I knew this was not the best idea. However; after he grabbed me, dipped me, and pressed his lips against mine in the middle of the dance floor I decided; shit, I like this bad idea.

Young & Wild & Free

Hours & hours later we were holding hands running through the streets of Manhattan. It was bittersweet, carefree, and immature. Becky followed close behind with his British friend as we skipped our way back to her apartment. I thought we were going back to eat the leftover Chinese food I left in her fridge but as soon as we made it up to her place she kicked us out of her room. I decided at this time that it would be a great idea to wander to the roof. Michael found the spare mattress they kept stored on the roof after I demanded to look at the stars...or lack there of. We kissed under the city lit sky and then it all went black (as you can tell, I have no problem falling asleep anywhere at anytime).

I woke up the next morning hung-over on a mattress, alone, on a roof in Manhattan. Could it be anymore like the Hangover? The Brit was no where to be found. I ran down to the apartment and barged into Becky’s room. Lets just say the two weren’t decent.

“Dolce, get out!”

“The Brit’s gone!”

I ran over to the couple and sat down next to them on the bed.

“I mean, why would he leave without you?” I asked the Brit.

“He’s probably still here, did you check your phone?” He said.

I rummaged through my purse and pulled out my phone.

“I’m sorry I had to leave. I did try to wake you to tell you that I had to get back to the ship ok? No worries. I want to see you tonight though. I have to work and show people around the ships today but I will meet you after if you want xx.”

As I read the message out loud, Becky’s Brit hopped up realizing he was late to work, threw on his uniform, and flew out the door.

“Thanks a lot Dolce!” Becky said as she rolled over in bed. I sat there smiling to myself thinking “Oh Fleet Week, you never fail to disappoint me.”

Moral of the Story:

-     - Fleet Week is a single girls dream, take advantage of it.

-     - Don’t get caught up in something that can’t last. However, treasure the memories. It’s important to have good stories to tell your friends when you’re married, have 5 kids, and look back to your past to tell at the monthly lady brunches.

-     - If you wake up on a roof don’t be surprised when you’re covered in mosquito bites. Also, if you’re going to sleep on a roof, make sure you know whose roof it is.

-     - A lot of guys at Fleet Week will drop to one knee to kiss your hand, call you beautiful, and tell you they’ll be back to visit in a month. Don’t let it get to your head. It doesn’t work that way.
      - It’s nice to enjoy something that you know won’t last. People tend to take relationships so seriously. Live in the now. Isn’t it nice to enjoy someone’s company without thinking “well what are we? Who’s that girl? What are your thoughts on marriage? Where is your family from?” Not every relationship you have is going to end in a minivan full of kids. Why not let loose, smile, and enjoy dating.
 

My thoughts: It’s not always about the destination; it’s about the journey.

GABANNA

Fleet Week

So for all of you who don’t know, Fleet Week is the one glorious week in May when all of our men in uniform from the sea come to land to party in the best city on the planet: New York. It is also the one week of the year when you will find Dolce and I in the dreaded Times Square (we hate tourists, but all the boys seem to love hanging out there).

We rounded up Amber, Hailey, and Becky, put on our best sundresses and went off to introduce ourselves to those gorgeous men who serve our country.  After meeting several groups and telling them that they should come out to Turtle Bay, our fave bar, we decided to walk down to the piers to look at the boats. On our way we met a few more boys who told us about the Mean Fiddler, where the owner had opened a $3000 tab for all of the guys. We were naturally invited and after taking some time to think about it, we decided that we should stop by for a quick drink. Hey, it was free!

We arrived at the bar and the guy who invited us was clearly surprised to see us. He led us into the basement where there were literally a hundred marines/sailors drinking and rocking out to the live 80s band that was playing.

“Welcome to Fleet Week!”

We immediately made our way towards the bar where we had drinks shoved in our hands by every available guy. We were all swarmed at once and instantly started talking to one group of guys. Amber and Becky were whisked off to the dance floor while Dolce was scooped up by one of the Marines.

“I’m not putting you down until you tell me what you want to drink!”

Hailey and I died laughing as Dolce tried to pull down her dress. She told him vodka sprites, and I immediately chimed in with, “but Hailey and I need a drink too!”

He turned around and smiled at me. “Of course! And shots!”

He knew the way to my heart. He told us his name was Mike (or so I thought) and he became mine and Hailey’s new best friend for the evening. Mike continued to buy the drinks while Hailey and I hung out with him and his friends.

“You have a really pretty smile,” he said. Aww, what a cutie. I smiled even bigger and said thanks, to which he replied: “Jeeze your eyes are amazing too!”

Sigh. Keep those compliments coming!

I was debating kissing him when Hailey grabbed me and whispered in my ear, “You have to kiss him! He’s the cutest one!”

Alright, you’ve twisted my arm. The next time he leaned in to try to kiss me I let him. Luckily for me, he was a good kisser (you know my experience with bad ones). We continued hanging out, and naturally the boys tried to get Hailey and myself to kiss.

“We will if you guys do!” Hailey said

“Alright, wouldn’t be the first time.”

Wait…WHAT?!

Our jaws dropped to the floor; “You guys have kissed before!? Are you bi?!”

“Yeah. I mean I prefer girls, but guys are cool too.”

Just my luck. The hottest, nicest, funniest guy in the bar would be competing with me for men. This is my life.

Hailey thought that it was the coolest thing ever, and asked him to point out the hottest guys here. We had a pretty good time checking out the guys together, and he kept his arm around my waist the whole time…so I guess there was a chance that he liked girls better.

We eventually exchanged numbers so he could meet us at Turtle Bay later. Unfortunately for us he went back to the ship, but we did text back and forth for a while. One of the texts he sent me told me “promise you won’t fall in love with me.”

Pshh. As if dude. You’re just hanging around so I get compliments and drinks. (Don’t judge, you’d do it too!)

We continued texting throughout the weekend and made plans to meet up the day before he had to leave. Unfortunately for you, you’re gonna have to wait until next week to find out what happens!