In five days, I say “See ya soon!” to New York City and all of the dear friends I’ve collected over the nine years I’ve lived in New York. (So much for that “three-year plan” when I moved here 10 days out of college.) I am certainly not saying good-bye to the Big Apple, because I plan to spend as much time in NYC while living on the West Coast (Santa Monica, to be exact. Sixth Street, to be more so.) as I have spent in LA while living here in New York. (Translation: A lot.)

Knowing that I only have a few days left as a Gotham resident, I’ve been cramming as much as I can into every day. (Not that this is much different from my usual M.O., but still.) Last weekend, I spent three days upstate in French Woods, NY, at trapeze camp. And when I say camp, I mean camp. Bunk beds, bring-your-own bedding and community meals. I met some really fantastic folks in French Woods, including trapeze icons Tony Steele and Peter Gold. (My new sports heroes.) I also ripped my hands to shreds, bloodied by lip and was sore as hell by the time I arrived home Sunday night. I was also addicted.

MY HANDS. (MY FRIEND MARISA’S HAND IS IN THE MIDDLE. SHE THOUGHT IT’D MAKE ME LOOK TOUGHER.)

The Monday after I returned home from camp, I drove to D.C. with three friends, and co-workers (Lindsay, Sarah and Elena) for the Washington Capitals’ media day. Lindsay and Sarah skated in their media camp and Elena and I filmed them for mag.com and heckled from the sidelines.

SARAH AND LINDSAY DO THEIR OPENING STANDUP …

My favorite part of the day was when we went into a film room and listened to coach Bruce Boudreau break down the power play on game film. I am a bit hockey illiterate, so I felt a little smarter after the session. I was impressed at what a down-to-earth, approachable, accessible guy Boudreau was. Then, I backpeddled on my gushing a bit when he told a few of us that, “That lady who’s running for VP has my vote. She’s a hockey mom. That’s all I need to know.” Fortunately, he’s Canadian. They’re still not allowed to vote.

I DROPPED BY THE STORE AND NOTICED THIS JERSEY BEING MADE. APPARENTLY A FAN CALLED UP AND PLACED THIS CUSTOM ORDER. SHE WAS GOING TO PRESENT IT TO PALIN AT A RALLY THAT NIGHT …

Back from D.C., I spent the rest of the week in the office. On Thursday, Italian superstar Valentino Rossi dropped by the office. I didn’t think I would have to tell anyone how cool it was to have the most famous athlete in Italy (and one of the biggest stars in Europe; he was also one of the highest-paid athletes in the world last year, bringing in $37 million) drop by our little 34th Street office. But unfortunately, I did. So I assume I have to do the same here. Rossi is a multiple Moto GP world champion motorcycle racer and just one of the coolest athletes on the planet. Check out his visit here.

ROSSI EXPLAINS TO OUR ESPNTHEMAG.COM FOLKS JUST HOW COOL HE IS …

A $37 MILLION SIGNATURE

This weekend, I am spending my last Saturday and Sunday watching college and NFL football with friends. Pretty soon, I’ll be doing that over breakfast.