08.26.08
Weather update, brought to you by hear-say.
Busy, busy, BUSY! It’s a busy day here at worky-land. So many things to do, so little time. I’m sure you all are so concerned.
The big news is that tonight a large group of us are going to Repast as part of Midtown Restaurant Week! Also known as the Happiest Week of the Year! It shall be fancy and delicious, I’m sure. Expect a thorough review tomorrow.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. We almost had another tornado today. The remnants of tropical storm Fay haave been wreaking havoc on us today, and threats of a tornado were rampant. Fortunately none came to fruition, but it was pretty dark, grey, and stormy. Then the skies cleared and it was brightly sunlit with blue skies. Then the clouds came back through and it was dark, grey and stormy. Very weird.
I’ve got a funeral tomorrow so time will be tight. Will try to post if I have time. If not, hold your breath until Thursday!
08.25.08
The happiest week of the year!
Happy Monday, people! It’s a damn dreary Monday here, too. Not only has it been gray for about 5 days now, but today’s it’s pouring as well. If it were a little cooler it would be fine, but since it’s warm out it just turns the world into a rainforest. Sticky!
I had a good weekend. Friday I was tired and cranky so I stayed home while Dice went to beer club at the James Joyce. I had wine and ice cream and watched chick movies. It was divine. Then Saturday Ray came to visit and that evening we went out for fancy girl’s night out with a couple of her friends. We started at Grape in Atlantic Station where we got a bottle of St. Oriel prosecco (that’s champers to the uninitiated) and I had the savory vegetable quiche. Although the quiche was tepid, the flavor was delicious and the size of my portion was huge. After dinner we walked over to Strip which is a steakhouse/lounge. The restaurant is on the ground floor and then the second floor is a giant lounge with a long bar as well as a sushi bar. We had a couple drinks there and people-watched. The place was a total meat market (not surprising given the name), so it was fun to watch people try to pick people up, obvious first dates, etc. It was a great night!
Sunday morning Ray and I went running. Well, to be more precise, we ran the first mile and a half together, then split off because she wanted to go longer. So I ran about 4 miles and she ran 12. Yeah. I know what you’re thinking, and I agree. Anywho, more power to her, she deserved the brunch she got later that’s for sure! After Ray left Dice and I went for an early dinner at Brick Store where we had a leisurely and delightful meal. That evening we finally watched the last couple episodes of The Wire. Last episodes EVER! Sniff! Can’t believe there won’t be more Wire in my future, that’s just bleak.
This week is Midtown Restaurant Week! The happiest week of the year! Stay tuned for haute restaurant reviews later.
08.21.08
I’ll give you something to be weary of.
I’ve been noticing lately that many people (usually of the not-smart variety) are using the word “weary” when they should be using “leery.” Has anyone else noticed this phenomenon? I mean, you can be weary of thieves, in that you are doggone tired of thieves stealing your 42-inch flatscreen TV. But if you are on guard against them, well in that case you are leery of thieves. I actually read an article yesterday, a published article, about what toys and trinkets to get for your son or daughter’s dorm room. The author said something about how students should be weary of thieves stealing their iPods. Excuse me? I hadn’t realized that this particular mistake was quite as prevalent, although it’s been rising on my comprehension for a while.
On to restaurant news! On Saturday we successfully introduced our friend to the wondrous joy that is Brick Store. Her delight was matched only by our own and, let’s face it, every single other person who’s ever been there. Even though it was lunchtime, I had the pierogies since I hadn’t had them in a while. As usual, they were top notch. Sunday evening Dice and I went to Graveyard, where we haven’t been in a couple of months, and had wings and then shared the sliders. Since the sliders, although an appetizer, come with fried this worked out to plenty of food for both of us. Then last night we needed a mid-week pick-me-up, so we walked down to The Shed and sat at the bar and had a couple drinks and shared a couple appetizers. Well, their appetizer portions are large enough for an entree! Between the two apps (hummus with pita and vegetable tempura), as well as the homemade chips with blue cheese that they give to every customer, we were full! Although The Shed is a little pricey, just sharing a couple appetizers is a good deal when you want nice food but don’t want to make a big production of the evening. We were very happy when we left there.
On to fall TV news! Dice informed me this morning that the Amazing Race will start again on 28 September! Of all the reality shows, this one is my favorite, despite the unfortunate name. Then, Gil Grissom (AKA William Peterson) will leave CSI after 10 episodes this season. We’ll miss you! He’ll be replaced by Laurence Fishburne, which is so far beyond awesome I can’t even describe it. Although I don’t want Gil to go, I’m really looking forward to watching CSI with Fishburne at the helm. Yay!
08.20.08
Nothing new, except I’m not dead.
I’ve been alternately busy at work and completely uncaring the past few days. I also took a mental health day off work yesterday because I needed some down time alone. It worked out well because I have a slight head cold so I had a legitimate reason to call in sick. Today isn’t your lucky day either, though. Basically I’m just checking in so you don’t think I’m dead, but I have little time and less inclination to post anything significant. So there! Check back tomorrow.
08.15.08
Shocked into submission.
In case you were wondering, the first episode of the fifth season of the Wire was on par with all the other episodes. That is to say that it was fantastic! It’s going to be really difficult not to sit there and watch the entire season in one fell swoop this weekend. And by “difficult” I mean that since we only have the first two discs we’ll have difficulty getting to the video store to rent the remaining ones.
Last weekend I heard something shocking. SHOCKING, I tell you. A friend of mine, whom I met through beer club, told me that not only has she never been to Brick Store, but she’s never even heard of it. Are you shocked? I certainly was! So we made a date to go this weekend, since she shouldn’t live ONE SINGLE DAY longer without going. How on earth has she even lived this long? And more importantly, why would you bother?
So that right there is my only plan this weekend. Next weekend some shenanigans are in the works, so this weekend is my last quiet weekend for a little while. I presume that we’ll go out to dinner tonight, where I’m not sure. Although I’m leaning towards cheese dip for no reason other than that we haven’t been in two to three weeks.
08.14.08
It’s been a long, dry summer with no TV.
It’s not that I haven’t had anything to tell, it’s that I’ve been too busy the past couple of days to take a few minutes to update the 3 people who read this blog every day. Okay, maybe 4. Also, I don’t like you.
Tuesday it rained most of the afternoon, a light rain that sort of made the world into a grey rainforest because of the humidity. However the temperature was fairly cool, so instead of going to the gym I opted to go home and run around the neighborhood. What a fabulous run I had, too! I only had a short amount of time but I managed to get 2.5 miles in and loved every minute of it. Then I had to quickly shower and head over to the neighborhood meeting on graffiti removal that I joined at last week’s SAND meeting. It was an interesting meeting, consisting of 20 or so neighbors who are all interested in getting rid of all the graffiti and are willing to put their paintbrushes where their mouth is and actually do the work themselves. I’m looking forward to getting out there and painting over tags. We are affectionately referring to ourselves as the Tag Team.
Yesterday we had dinner at the Glenwood with a colleague of Dice’s and her partner. They are new to town and hadn’t ever been to EAV, and it was nice to introduce them to the wonders of the neighborhood (heh). I had the BLT sandwich again, and it was still good! Although I would have liked to have wheat bread instead of white sourdough, otherwise it was perfect. We had a great time chatting and even stayed for an extra drink after the food was gone.
So! I have TV news! In fact, I’ve got some spoilers, too, so if you’re worried about that stop reading now.
The new season of 24 doesn’t start until January as usual, but to keep us sated between now and then there will be a movie called 24: Exile airing on 23 November. In it Jack has been working as some sort of freedom fighter in South Africa but has to return to LA, wait for it, on the day of the California presidential primary. To make matters worse, the American government has decided he’s actually a terrorist so now he has to save the day while escaping the clutches of governmental goons. Sounds familiar? Yeah. But that’s what made the show great in the first place!
I’ve been saying it for months, and it turns out I’m right: Dr. Sara is ALIIIIIIIVE! And reunited with heartthrob Micheal Schofield! First he gets vengeance and then he gets back his true love. Michael Rappaport, one of my longtime favorite actors, joins the cast. I can now die happy. Prison Break returns 1 September and I’m already on the edge of my seat!
The fifth season of The Wire is available on DVD as of yesterday. What do you mean, you didn’t know? Go out right now and rent that sucker! Dice has already ordered the first two discs from Netflix. Guess what I’ll be doing tonight when I get home?
08.11.08
Wish it were still the weeeeeeekend.
Well, I had a pretty darn good weekend. Most everything I planned came to fruition. Beer club on Friday was fun, there were a lot of people there and everyone seemed to have a good time. Dice and I were tired so we went home early and watched TV. Saturday we went to Atlantic Station and did some shoppinh. Then we skeedaddled over to the midtown arts cinema and saw Tell No One, a French whodunnit which was okay. Entertaining but not fabulous. After the movie we went to Apres Diem next door and sat on their patio and had a glass of wine and a plate of fried calamari. It was fairly idyllic, I must say. When we finished we went to Trader Joe’s and got some food and raided their booze section. Then home to rest before going to the Depot for dinner with the Canadians. I had the grouper in a cream sauce with zucchini and mashed potatoes, and wow, it was delicious! I was really pleased with the dish, I thought it was well done and tasty. After dinner we went to the beep beep gallery where a friend had an art opening. It’s a small gallery and didn’t take us long to see all the art and chat with our friend. So then we went back to the Commune where we played Guitar Hero at the Canadians’ until midnight.
And all that was just Saturday! Sunday, we did a whole lotta stuff around the house. Dice did yard work, I made a huge mess of baked ziti and froze most of it and the rest we had for dinner. It came out okay, not perfect but good enough. I underestimated how much tomato sauce would be necessary, but there’s enough. We watched The Savages and a killer British show from the early 90s called Prime Suspect where Helen Mirren plays a police investigator who has to find the murderer as well as fight the misogynistic police culture. It’s very similar to the plot of The Closer, except better done and 15 years old. Those darn Brits always do everything first!
08.08.08
Let the weekend begin!
Welcome to 08-08-08! It’s also my dad’s 60th birthday! He probably doesn’t read this blog, but even so: Happy Birthday, Dad! You’re OLD!
Last night K&M, Dice, me and the female half of the Canadians went to the monthly meeting of our community association. It was very informative, and it was interesting to put faces to names I see on emails and online forums. I joined the committee devoted to erdicating graffiti, affectionately called the Tag Team. Which means you’ll find me painting the bridges and train tracks in the near future!
The meeting was at 7:30 which was too early for us to be able to eat dinner. We got home from the gym with just enough time to shower and get dressed before walking over. Then the meeting went long so we didn’t get out of there until 9:15. By which time I was starving, considering I had skipped my afternoon snack. No one else had eaten either, so we all trooped over to The Glenwood and had dinner. I had the BLT which is a twist on the traditional BLT. It has some sort of braised bacon, not the usual greasy fried bacon, and the tomato was actually fried green tomato. It was different, but delicious! I think I’ve found my new favorite sandwich at the Glenwood.
We didn’t get home until almost 11:00 pm. That’s incredibly late for a school night. I can’t remember the last time we were out that late during the week. It’s crazy to think I used to stay out that late 3-4 times a week. I was also constantly hungover and 25 pounds heavier, so there ya go.
This weekend I have the most PERFECT weekend planned. Tonight we are going to beer club at the Highlander where I will enjoy some crispy tater tots. Tomorrow I am going to get up and run as early as possible so as to take advantage of the cooler weather. Then Dice and I are going to Atlantic Station to shop at Banana Republic and H&M, after which we will trek over to the midtown arts cinema and see a movie. Saturday night we’ll most likely stay home and watch TV. Sunday we will do yard work, go grocery shopping, and whatever else we feel like doing. Lazy day! Is that perfect or what?
Now if only I can live until it’s time to leave the office.
08.07.08
Almost patio time!
Yep. I just had lunch at Taqueria del Sol. It was delish, as usual. Also since we left the office at the crack of dawn (i.e., 11:30 am), there wasn’t much of a line and it wasn’t as hot as it could have been. A successful lunch trip!
And the madness continues. Last night we dove into the second season of Mad Men. And it’s a quality premiere. Have I urged those of you who are TV-minded to watch this show yet? Watch it already! Okay, I’ll simmer down on the Mad talk. I’m sure part of it is that there’s nothing else on TV right now (except watching the Braves lose) but there’s no doubt that even after the fall shows start again Mad Men will still be high on my list of priorities. Now, if only In Treatment would start again. Heh.
I’m looking for patio furniture. Once the intense heat abates it would be nice to sit outside. One of my favorite times living in this house was the day two summers ago when Ray and Michael came to visit and we sat outside drinking champagne and playing Uno. Nostalgia! I’m checking Craigslist, which seems to have some good deals, but if anyone hears of a decent set with umbrella let me know!
08.06.08
Mad props!
Success, on more fronts than one! Yesterday I picked up Ray from the airport in due course, and we had a magical afternoon shopping at H&M. The selection in the store is disappointing, unfortunately. I’ve been in stores in Boston, New York, Syracuse, Chicago, London, Edinburgh and Prague and never have I seen such a limited selection. But, limited selection at H&M is still better than any selection at any other store around here. I still managed to find a couple tops and a skirt that I will wear every day. And I do mean that.
After that we went home and tried to keep out of the heat until Michael showed up to take her home. We had some nice Handitard chatting time while we debated whether to go out to eat or not. In the end, healthy heads prevailed and we decided not to, and the other half of the Handitards went home.
After they left Dice and I had our salads for dinner and successfully watched the season one finale of Mad Men! It was so fantastic! It ended on some pretty crazy points. The show is just so interesting in the juxtaposition of how similar our lives are now, and yet, how utterly different everything was. Dice and I particularly enjoyed the flawless props on the show, everything was authentic down to the New York Telephone bill. Things you’d never think about. Another show with flawless props is Life on Mars, a cool show that used to be on BBC America that’s set in 1970s Manchester, U.K. All the cars, office paraphernalia, clothes, everything were authentic (as far as we could tell, not remembering that decade at all). As a side note, an American version of Life on Mars is premiering on one of the networks this fall. We shall see if it’s as good as the original.
