Name That Word Bubble

October 26th

I didn't take a photo today. Work was hell, it was pouring rain outside, and I was home in bed by 9:30 exhausted from running around the city all week.

So instead, I'm going to post photos I received today. As you may remember from her last appearance on the blog, The Pig is quite a character. Here she is hanging out with her little boyfriend, Lenny, sharing a tasty beverage. Everyone say awwwwwwww!!!

But of course, I think THIS photo was the best in the set! I think my readers should have a little competition in the comments section for the best cartoon word bubble slogan for this picture. I thought it should be "Backoff, I'm crawling here!" and momma Kristen thought it should be "I've fallen and I can't get up."

Sushi And The New Pornographers

October 25th

Tonight my friend Evan scored some last minute tickets off Craigslist so we met for dinner and a concert. New rule of thumb, never let a man who has recently completed running a marathon determine how much is enough sushi for two people.

After gorging on fish rolls, we went to see the New Pornographers play at Webster Hall. This was an amazing show and the set ended with a surprise guest appearance by Gordon Gano of the Violent Femmes. I wasn't in a good crowd position for photos and my camera battery was basically dead, so these awesome photos are courtesy of a woman on Flickr and you can view her entire set here.

By my count, this means I have seen three concerts in three weeks, none of which were planned, for a grand total cost of $22.50. This is why I love living in this city!

Hippo Art

October 24th

Here is yet another bizarre store window on Madison Ave.

Anyone want to purchase a countersunk metal alligator for their bedroom floor? Man, that would have added a nice dramatic touch to my childhood rendition of Noah's Arc!

(Basically ALL of my stuffed animals and dolls, which was a significant number, "floated" with me on my twin bed and any that fell off into the carpet ocean were in danger of being eaten alive by sea vicious creatures. It made for some dramatic teddy bear rescue action!)

Katz's Pastrami And Kickballs

October 23rd

Tonight was my first game of the new kickball season. Since we play at night under lights on the lower east side, there is a lot of time to kill between work and the game. So before the season opener, my friend Martin and I fortified ourselves with a $15 monster pastrami on sourdough from Katz's Deli.

Not unlike the restaurant for which our kickball team is named (Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles), Katz's is one of those places where the food is so good famous people like Oprah and Bill Clinton go and then wind up in photos on the wall. (Makes me long for Pat's and Tony Luke's in Philly.) The deli has been in business since 1888 and I rather enjoy being part of New York City history when I eat dinner. They loaned one of their famous "Send A Salami To Your Boy In The Army" posters to the first museum exhibition I assembled when I moved to the city, Ours To Fight For at the Museum of Jewish Heritage.

This is one Katz's sandwich split in two. It is the best pastrami in the world. They cut it directly off the bone in front of you and let you sample shavings while they assemble your selection. Side note: Martin ate all the pickles.

Katz's was also the backdrop to the famous organism scene in When Harry Met Sally.
Since I popped Martin's pastrami cherry, and he certainly had what Sally had, we decided role reversal was in order for this photo.

Later that night, my new team won 10-1 in our first game and tied 4-4 in our double header. Go RCK!

Pumpkins On Crack

October 22nd

I find it hard to photograph things now that it is getting dark before I get out of work. But I did pass this crazy store window on my walk home last night. How 'bout them pumpkins?

Fall?

October 21st

Despite global warming and temperatures in the 70's all month long, the tress still somehow understand that it is time to change colors. This was the first hint of fall I have experienced since returning from stinky cold Russia.

I'm really grateful I live blocks away from a beautiful park complete with a lake and plenty of greenery.

Happy Birthday!

October 20th

My friends threw a fall party in their awesome apartment and we sort of surprised Bree with a cupcake and bad rendition of Happy Birthday.

Most of my friends would kill me if I posted photos of them on the dance floor later that evening, so instead I'll just embarrass myself with this booty shakin' beer holding gem.

Roscoe's Chicken and Kickballs

October 19th

So, I've joined yet another kickball team and it is full of wackos! We named our team after the California based soul restaurant Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles and have been planning some really silly stuff this season. (I can't reveal any of it here in case folks on other teams read the blog.) We had a team bonding night at our captain's studio apartment but sadly, she didn't have a waffle maker.

CMJ Music Festival

October 18th

Every year the CMJ festival (College Music Journal) invades New York for a week. There's tons of great music and a lot of it for free. I went to The Living Room with a friend to see Jim Bianco.

There were a few opening acts, one being Holly Conlan. She was a good singer, but I was bored by her set.

The second guy was Brian Wright. He said he had recently left a great band to become "another asshole with a guitar". While I wasn't really amazed by him, he was certainly above asshole level. But then again, I'm always impressed when a person can sing, and play guitar and harmonica.

I had never heard of Jim Bianco prior to going to this show. But he was a really great stage performer with some interesting tunes. First thing I noticed, he makes really strange faces when he sings.

Second thing I noticed, he was adorable. More men should wear hats.

Third thing of note, the dude on the left played piano, clarinet, flugal, accordion, back-up vocals and pulled off a cool looking hat! That's talent.

Overall, I'm glad I dragged my tired butt out to see this show. Jim's gravely boozy voice and talented band made for a really nice evening of free music.

Still Not Right

October 17th

I was in Union Square at a networking event tonight and took some photos on my way to the subway. I'm still trying to figure out this nighttime camera crap. If I ever get a free moment, I'll sit down and read the manual. Any of you readers out there have tips for working with a Canon Powershot?

Pumpkin FEAST

October 16th

Emily and her friends started a monthly pot luck dinner called FEAST (Friends Eating A Supper Together) and tonight was the year anniversary at our apartment. FEAST's theme this month: pumpkin.

The evening began with pumpkin butter on raisin bread and some cheese and apples.

One guest contributed the first course of pumpkin soup. It was sort of curry based and delicious.

Second course, pumpkin ravioli with sage butter and fresh parm.
OUT OF THIS WORLD GOOD.

Third course, braised pork and roasted pumpkin in a fiery hot sauce served on warm tortillas. Also very good. I think I unbuttoned my pants about here.

Two dessert courses: homemade pumpkin ice cream with pumpkin brittle and pumpkin bread pudding with whipped cream and caramel. I felt ill at this point.

And what did I contribute? As per my usual, people got a healthy dose of my personality and....some clean dishes. God I look gross in this photo, but I am sporting my new dish brush and sponge that now live in the holder I acquired on our kitchen re-do.

Happy Birthday, MP!

October 15th

I took my co-worker out to a sexy new wine bar on the Upper East for his birthday. It was a pleasure to go with someone who is truly knowledgeable about vino.

Over The Brooklyn Bridge

October 14th

Whenever folks come to town and ask me for New York activities, I suggest Grimaldi's and walking over the Brooklyn Bridge. First of all, the pizza is rated the best in the city and this is the view from the pier outside. It's my favorite skyline vista.

If you want something fancy and expensive, you can go to The River Cafe directly below this pillar. Be sure to order their famous Brooklyn Bridge dessert.

(Ahem...I'm still waiting for a sugar daddy date or wealthy relative to take my poor ass here. Hint. Hint.)

Once you are on the bridge, be sure to watch out for bikers, but do take time to enjoy the view.

Upon it's completion in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was the largest suspension bridge in the world. It spans 5,989 feet across the East River. My first trek occurred on my 4th day in New York city. I was forced to hoof it in the heat wearing high heels and skirt with the weird Director of Human Resources at my brand new job. Buy me a few beers to numb the pain and I'll tell you my 2003 blackout story!

I hope my friend Norma and her niece enjoyed the Miss Banana tour!

Via El Vino

October 13th

Today a bunch of us participated in Beth's 3rd Annual Long Island Wine Tasting tour. We were a small group so they put us in an airport shuttle bus!

First stop, Briermere Farms.

While they were lacking in the vino department, they had lots of fall goodies.

Um, this thing is called a cheddar cauliflower. Unless that melts into golden cheese, I'm not going near it with a ten foot pole. It's not natural.

The first vineyard was Pelligrini. It was something of a let down because they stuck us inside on a beautiful fall day.

We tasted five wines and I scored extra red from those at my table who prefer white. Here's me looking snobby with the ladies in the backdrop looking super serious.

(Also, there appears to be a Klingon in my glass reflection. Creepy.)

Happy, Sneezy, And Dopey here were underwhelmed by the selections.

The second vineyard was Osprey Dominion where we enjoyed a yummy Italian lunch, a tasting of eight wines, and I split a bottle of Merlot with the serious women.

Vineyard 48 was the third stop. I didn't get any photos of the actual winery, but I did grab some shots of this lovely chess set for sale.

The ladies and I enjoyed a "Red 48" bottle on the bus to the final winery, Pindar. It was hot and crowded inside so we skipped the tasting in favor of splitting a third bottle outside. Needless to say, we were a little saucy on the ride home.