(Astoria, NY - Feb. 29) - It's 7:30 am in Astoria, the most culterally diverse neighborhood in the country. In the morning darkness of my dwelling it's impossible for me to tell how the weather is outside because of the brick wall that has been view these last 10 years. Last night on the news the big weather story was that we are having unually warm weather. Today the temperatures are supposed to rise to the 50's. What do I have planned today? Not much. House cleaning. Yes. Picking up my laundry. Yes. I was too lazy to do it. The cost to have it done was $17 and change. I think this is and forever will be the best deal in New York. My laundry was as heavy as a small child, and pound per pound, it would have cost me a minimum of $12 to do it myself. For five more dollars, I had it done. It's enough to make a poor shlub like me feel like a rich shlub.
I might work on some fiction today. I've been thinking about my life and the people I know and it's been stirring up some emotions that can only be dealt with safely through the lives of people I make up to represent my friends and family. You write what you know. I know some things. But isn't writing about your life in fiction the same as telling other people about your dreams? Dreams are only really interesting to the dreamers and their therapists and even then therapists listen because they are employees, not truly interested parties.
Would you guys want to read a fictionalized account of my life? Is that what all writers do? Did Steven King write the book Carrie because he was picked on as a teenager and had amazing revenge fantasies that he could only apply in a world he created on paper? Did Theodore Dreiser really know a woman like Sister Carrie or a man like her paramour who ends up killing himself in the end because Sister Carrie leaves him? Did Shakespeare's heart get broken when he was a teenager inspiring him to write Romeo and Juliet?
Tell me what you think. No. Really. See if you can answer these questions for me either in my comment section or in your web log.
1) Do you think your life is good enough to write about?
If yes, do you worry that you will offend people you know even though you are writing fiction? If no, why not?
2) What type of situation (not the situation itself) would you like to fictionalize?
3) Do you have family members that make you want to rip out your hair (again no specifics necessary) to the point that you want to burn them in a story?
4) When you read, what type of stories do you find most entertaining?
These are not rhetorical questions. I'd like to see some answers here or on your blog.
February 29, 2004
February 28, 2004
La Catedral
I am not very well travelled but when I have gone to visit my family in France, the one tourist type thing I like to do is to visit cathedrals. Maybe it's because I'm Jewish and Judaism has never been able to flourish as artistically as Catholicism. Maybe it's because I'm in love with the idea that some of the best art in the world has been commissioned by the Catholic church allowing artist to express their deep religious convictions with passion and life through their art. Maybe it's because cathedrals are just beautiful structures that are nice to look at. If I were travelling with Jon in Barcelona I would insist that we visit this Cathedral.
The origins
The most distant origins of the Cathedral of Barcelona correspond to a basilica with three naves which was destroyed by Al -Mansur (925). The remains of this basilica can be seen in the City History Museum . Around 1046, a new cathedral was commenced at the initiative of Bishop Guislabert. We have few references to this building: it is believed to have occupied a part of the Gothic building, but some of its Romanesque elements remain.
The present-day basilica
Construction began in 1298, during the bishopric of Bernat Pelegrí and the reign of King Jaume II, known as "the Just". The work on the present-day façade of the Cathedral remained unfinished until the end of the last century, being completed by the architects Josep Oriol Mestres and August Font i Carreras, taking inspiration from a drawing from the 15th century by Mestre Carlí.
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And then maybe after that, we would stroll down to this site.
La plaça del Rei
The Plaça del Rei (the 'King's Square') is the most noble urban space of old Barcelona. At the rear is the façade of the Royal Palace which contains the exquisite Saló del Tinell banqueting hall. To the right is the Palatine Chapel or Chapel of Saint Agatha and to the left the Lieutenant's Palace where, during some time, the Archive of the Aragon Crown was housed. Now this Archive is located at Almogàvers street. To the right, at the corner of Carrer del Veguer, is the Clariana-Padellàs house, which now houses the City History Museum.
The origins
The most distant origins of the Cathedral of Barcelona correspond to a basilica with three naves which was destroyed by Al -Mansur (925). The remains of this basilica can be seen in the City History Museum . Around 1046, a new cathedral was commenced at the initiative of Bishop Guislabert. We have few references to this building: it is believed to have occupied a part of the Gothic building, but some of its Romanesque elements remain.
The present-day basilica
Construction began in 1298, during the bishopric of Bernat Pelegrí and the reign of King Jaume II, known as "the Just". The work on the present-day façade of the Cathedral remained unfinished until the end of the last century, being completed by the architects Josep Oriol Mestres and August Font i Carreras, taking inspiration from a drawing from the 15th century by Mestre Carlí.
================================================
And then maybe after that, we would stroll down to this site.
La plaça del Rei
The Plaça del Rei (the 'King's Square') is the most noble urban space of old Barcelona. At the rear is the façade of the Royal Palace which contains the exquisite Saló del Tinell banqueting hall. To the right is the Palatine Chapel or Chapel of Saint Agatha and to the left the Lieutenant's Palace where, during some time, the Archive of the Aragon Crown was housed. Now this Archive is located at Almogàvers street. To the right, at the corner of Carrer del Veguer, is the Clariana-Padellàs house, which now houses the City History Museum.
Anonymous Blogger
Just in case any of my readers were wondering, I have ended my pouty feud with the Anonymous Blogger. I have a good idea who he is in reality and if he is who I think he is, he's a pretty nice and interesting guy who just happens to be a little bit sensitive. If I were on the market for a boyfriend, I would definitely consider having drinks with him, because if he is who I think he is, he is not badlooking (not that that matters but it doesn't hurt). He has beautiful eyes. Of course, I am not looking for a boyfriend. I'm very happy with the one I have. We get along really well and I like him a whole lot - most interesting person I've ever met.
That's key for anybody who is looking for advice on relationships. If you can be friends with someone you are dating, you never run out of things to talk about and talking is pretty much what it's all about. Your significant other should interest you and you should be interesting to him/her otherwise the relationship can feel pretty superficial.
And I think most people who read my blog are getting too old for superficial relationships.
That's key for anybody who is looking for advice on relationships. If you can be friends with someone you are dating, you never run out of things to talk about and talking is pretty much what it's all about. Your significant other should interest you and you should be interesting to him/her otherwise the relationship can feel pretty superficial.
And I think most people who read my blog are getting too old for superficial relationships.
Friends and Neighbors
Amanda recently wrote about her ex-con neighbor receiving a large shipment of blue barrells recently where she speculates as to what her neighbor is up to.
It reminds of my friend R who used to live in my building but has since moved to Virginia with her husband and child. We used to sit at her living room window and watch people on the street. One time, we saw our neighbor J who has this 200 year old Lhasa Apso who never seems to perish, walking with an old man we see very often in the neighborhood. R speculated that this woman in her 40's was having an affair with this older man. I almost believed her, because I've also seen him walking late at night with a woman who more closely matches his own age, his wife.
One night, long after R moved, I saw him and this women walking the younger woman's dog. So I said Hi. I see you're walking Mason. They said, "Yes, we do that when our daughter is out of town." They are J's parents. So R's theory that something lacivious was going one was wrong.
Also, we had three neighbors who lived together in the aparment next to mine. R speculated that these 2 men and 1 woman were living together in some sort of bizarre sexual arrangment. Two of the people in this arrangement were brother and sister, something else R didn't know when she came up with this theory. I didn't learn this until the brother moved out a few months ago. Again, R was wrong.
I have to admit. Looking at people through R's eyes is one of the things I miss most about having her live upstairs from me.
I miss my friend and her nice family very much. I should get down to Virginia soon. I'm sure they'd be glad to see me.
It reminds of my friend R who used to live in my building but has since moved to Virginia with her husband and child. We used to sit at her living room window and watch people on the street. One time, we saw our neighbor J who has this 200 year old Lhasa Apso who never seems to perish, walking with an old man we see very often in the neighborhood. R speculated that this woman in her 40's was having an affair with this older man. I almost believed her, because I've also seen him walking late at night with a woman who more closely matches his own age, his wife.
One night, long after R moved, I saw him and this women walking the younger woman's dog. So I said Hi. I see you're walking Mason. They said, "Yes, we do that when our daughter is out of town." They are J's parents. So R's theory that something lacivious was going one was wrong.
Also, we had three neighbors who lived together in the aparment next to mine. R speculated that these 2 men and 1 woman were living together in some sort of bizarre sexual arrangment. Two of the people in this arrangement were brother and sister, something else R didn't know when she came up with this theory. I didn't learn this until the brother moved out a few months ago. Again, R was wrong.
I have to admit. Looking at people through R's eyes is one of the things I miss most about having her live upstairs from me.
I miss my friend and her nice family very much. I should get down to Virginia soon. I'm sure they'd be glad to see me.
February 27, 2004
Friday's Turn at Bat
Today is Friday, Friday, Friday
It will be a fun day, fun day
All day long
The day I've been looking forward to all week is finally up.
I really wish I could stay home today and do nothing but I plan on a day of nothing tomorrow, a real lazy Saturday day. Wait. I'm wrong. I plan to spend some time at brother's tomorrow to visit with Ethan (my nephew). I haven't seen him since the bris. I've been staying away because I have a cold that never seems to go away and I don't want him to get sick. Apparently he's getting really cute and really chubby, just the way a baby should be in my opinion.
Sunday, will be a lazy Sunday, all to myself with no outside stimuli. Just the inside ones, like Blogging, my bed, the television, my bed, a new book to crack open and enjoy, my bed, making homemade fudge and lastly my bed.
There will be an early morning facial, a half hour shower, and a little housecleaning and in between each activity a little power nap to get me through each of following activities. I'm looking forward to the moment, later, when I walk out of the door after getting through another week of work, smoke that end of the word day cigarette and impatiently wait for the W train.
What would be great is if I could some writing done against some projects I have planned but working on a book would contradict lazy Sunday. That should be the toughest choice I make all week.
It will be a fun day, fun day
All day long
I really wish I could stay home today and do nothing but I plan on a day of nothing tomorrow, a real lazy Saturday day. Wait. I'm wrong. I plan to spend some time at brother's tomorrow to visit with Ethan (my nephew). I haven't seen him since the bris. I've been staying away because I have a cold that never seems to go away and I don't want him to get sick. Apparently he's getting really cute and really chubby, just the way a baby should be in my opinion.
Sunday, will be a lazy Sunday, all to myself with no outside stimuli. Just the inside ones, like Blogging, my bed, the television, my bed, a new book to crack open and enjoy, my bed, making homemade fudge and lastly my bed.
There will be an early morning facial, a half hour shower, and a little housecleaning and in between each activity a little power nap to get me through each of following activities. I'm looking forward to the moment, later, when I walk out of the door after getting through another week of work, smoke that end of the word day cigarette and impatiently wait for the W train.
What would be great is if I could some writing done against some projects I have planned but working on a book would contradict lazy Sunday. That should be the toughest choice I make all week.
February 26, 2004
A Possible Repercussion
The Onion published this article which answers the question of what the repercussions would be if we legalized gay marriage. (You do know of course that the articles from the onion are strictly fictitious meant to make fun of current issues and not meant to be taken seriously.)
Massachusetts Supreme Court
Orders All Citizens To Gay Marry
BOSTON - Justices of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled 5-2 Monday in favor of full, equal, and mandatory gay marriages for all citizens. The order nullifies all pre-existing heterosexual marriages and lays the groundwork for the 2.4 million compulsory same-sex marriages that will take place in the state by May 15.
Orders All Citizens To Gay Marry
BOSTON - Justices of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled 5-2 Monday in favor of full, equal, and mandatory gay marriages for all citizens. The order nullifies all pre-existing heterosexual marriages and lays the groundwork for the 2.4 million compulsory same-sex marriages that will take place in the state by May 15.
February 25, 2004
In Other News
Howard Stern Show Taken Off Clear Channel Stations
I've been listening to Howard Stern's current radio show since the fall of 1985. Rude things have been happening on his show for years. I can't believe his show is being pulled from Clear Channel Stations. I never thought I would see it happen.
I am a fan of his. While I don't always like everything he says, amazingly my life still seems to go on unaffected. Besides, there's a lot more fun stuff happening on his show than rude stuff on any given day.
He does push the envelope though. I hope he doesn't get pulled from the air in New York City.
I've been listening to Howard Stern's current radio show since the fall of 1985. Rude things have been happening on his show for years. I can't believe his show is being pulled from Clear Channel Stations. I never thought I would see it happen.
I am a fan of his. While I don't always like everything he says, amazingly my life still seems to go on unaffected. Besides, there's a lot more fun stuff happening on his show than rude stuff on any given day.
He does push the envelope though. I hope he doesn't get pulled from the air in New York City.
And So It Begins
Woman Collapses During Showing of "The Passion Of The Christ"
Apparently the woman in the article had a heart attack during the graphic depiction of the crucixion. She didn't survive.
(On a more glib note, when you link to the article, notice the well placed ad on top of the page for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas.)
Apparently the woman in the article had a heart attack during the graphic depiction of the crucixion. She didn't survive.
(On a more glib note, when you link to the article, notice the well placed ad on top of the page for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas.)
The "Gay"mendment
I actually heard on the radio this morning that Bush is "pushing (mmmmm) so hard and fast" to make this gay marriage ban amendment stick because he wants to make sure it's sealed and in the box before the upcoming election in case he doesn't win a second term. I can only agree with that statement which I heard during the morning news on WOR am radio.
People on the most part, if what I've been reading, hearing, seeing on the news is the absolute truth, are not in support of gay marriage but do not oppose same sex unions. I say if you're willing to acknowledge a same sex union why not go the one step further and accept a same sex marriage.
What's the worst thing that could happen? Will the earth get knocked off it's axis if this country allows people of the same sex to wed? Will the human race experience a backwards evolution leading us back to the time when we were just ooze on a beach if this country allows to women to walk down the aisle? Perhaps aliens will see our allowing gays and lesbians to marry as the time in our history when we are most vulnerable and choose that time to take over our planet for whatever resources it has left.
What are the repercussions people fear most? Does anyone really believe that somehow God almighty will be angered by married gays and thus smite us? I have a comment section below if you would care to explain this to me. FYI. The questions on my blog are not rhetorical.
People on the most part, if what I've been reading, hearing, seeing on the news is the absolute truth, are not in support of gay marriage but do not oppose same sex unions. I say if you're willing to acknowledge a same sex union why not go the one step further and accept a same sex marriage.
What's the worst thing that could happen? Will the earth get knocked off it's axis if this country allows people of the same sex to wed? Will the human race experience a backwards evolution leading us back to the time when we were just ooze on a beach if this country allows to women to walk down the aisle? Perhaps aliens will see our allowing gays and lesbians to marry as the time in our history when we are most vulnerable and choose that time to take over our planet for whatever resources it has left.
What are the repercussions people fear most? Does anyone really believe that somehow God almighty will be angered by married gays and thus smite us? I have a comment section below if you would care to explain this to me. FYI. The questions on my blog are not rhetorical.
Amazing Apartments
Two amazingly large 1 bedroom apartments opened up in my building. I looked at them last night and they are large and in charge. One is going for $1000 and the other for $1050. If you are interested in living in Astoria, 5 mintues from the N train in a culturally diverse neighborhood, let me know. I'll get a finders fee. I would take either one of them if I had the money
The Littlest Groom - Conclusion?
Did I tell you about the conclusion of the The Littlest Groom?
The show ended in the same whirlwind that started it. Glen, our little contestant in the end chose between and average size woman and a little woman. I was a little disappointed. Not at his decision to go with the cute and outgoing Mika, a little actress from LA I believe. (If only I could write this blog, go to work, have a social life and sleep at the same time, this diatribe would be longer right now.) I was disappointed that the show wasn't longer. I was also a little disappointed that the producers of the show didn't think that a show without the addition of average sized women wouldn't have done well. And that they believed the show couldn't sustain substantial viewership for more than 2 weeks.
I'm not sure how the Little People community felt about the show, but at some point I plan to look around the web to see if anyone from the LPA or the community in general had any comments and then I will post them here.
The show ended in the same whirlwind that started it. Glen, our little contestant in the end chose between and average size woman and a little woman. I was a little disappointed. Not at his decision to go with the cute and outgoing Mika, a little actress from LA I believe. (If only I could write this blog, go to work, have a social life and sleep at the same time, this diatribe would be longer right now.) I was disappointed that the show wasn't longer. I was also a little disappointed that the producers of the show didn't think that a show without the addition of average sized women wouldn't have done well. And that they believed the show couldn't sustain substantial viewership for more than 2 weeks.
I'm not sure how the Little People community felt about the show, but at some point I plan to look around the web to see if anyone from the LPA or the community in general had any comments and then I will post them here.
February 24, 2004
Trivia recap
After a beer and some dinner I felt much revived after a hard day work. Trivia went well. There was a great turnout, at least 55 people by my hopefully not obvious headcount. There were thirteen teams and an exciting and rare tie breaker for first and second place. The winning team was The Cash-in of the Christ. The funniest team name was Six of Years Sex, Christ Coming on Wednesday.
NB: A big thanks to Jon for assisting me with my rounds.
I started with the general knowledge round which I centered around New York City Trivia. Here are the questions and the answers.
1. On Sunday, the subway map for the B, D, M, N, Q, R and W trains was completely redone thanks to the long awaited completion of construction work on the Manhattan Bridge. In what year did the work on the Manhattan Bridge begin?
2. Which was the first of the outer boroughs to join Manhattan as part of New York City?
3. You have to be at least 18 years old, between 5'6" and 5'10 1/2" in height, and proficient in tap and jazz, in order to join what organization founded in 1925?
4. "Angel of the Waters," a statue by Emma Stebbins, has the distinction of being the first major artwork by a woman that was commissioned by New York City. It is also the only sculpture in Central Park that was part of the park's original plan. Where in the park will you find it?
5. There are four bridges connecting The Bronx and Queens. Three of them are the Triborough, the Whitestone and the Throgs Neck. What is the fourth?
Rikers Island Bridge
6. What 2001 movie was set at the intersection of Mulberry, Anthony, Cross, Orange and Little Water streets?
7. Who has won the New York City Women's Marathon nine times -- a record?
8. Who, in 1524, was the first European explorer to sail into New York Harbor?
9. It was first built in 1879 at East 26th Street. Since then, this major indoor entertainment complex has been torn down and rebuilt several times. The fourth and current version was opened in 1968 with Bob Hope and Bing Crosby as hosts. What is it?
10. He called New York City "the great place, the heart, the brain, the focus, the NO MORE BEYOND of the Western World," he wrote poems such as "A Broadway Pageant" and "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry," and he worked as editor of the Brooklyn Eagle from 1846-47. Who was this great New Yorker?
Caren then did a great job with the current events questions including the name of President Bush's recently deceased dog and the equivalent in Male literature for Chick Lit (that produced at least one funny answer repeatedly but the correct answer was "Lad" lit). I really enjoyed Caren's top ten list which was the top 11 - 20 boy's names from the 70's. For my audio round, I went with title tracks and their artists and for my visual round I asked the teams to identify pictures of famous funny femmes ranging from Gracie Allen to Wanda Sykes. Generally it went pretty well. One friend of mine suggested that perhaps I should have started with an easier song in the audio round but other than that people were pretty complimentary. I'll be co-hosting again in March and April so if you couldn't make it tonight for my rounds hopefully you'll make it then.
NB: A big thanks to Jon for assisting me with my rounds.
I started with the general knowledge round which I centered around New York City Trivia. Here are the questions and the answers.
1. On Sunday, the subway map for the B, D, M, N, Q, R and W trains was completely redone thanks to the long awaited completion of construction work on the Manhattan Bridge. In what year did the work on the Manhattan Bridge begin?
2. Which was the first of the outer boroughs to join Manhattan as part of New York City?
3. You have to be at least 18 years old, between 5'6" and 5'10 1/2" in height, and proficient in tap and jazz, in order to join what organization founded in 1925?
4. "Angel of the Waters," a statue by Emma Stebbins, has the distinction of being the first major artwork by a woman that was commissioned by New York City. It is also the only sculpture in Central Park that was part of the park's original plan. Where in the park will you find it?
5. There are four bridges connecting The Bronx and Queens. Three of them are the Triborough, the Whitestone and the Throgs Neck. What is the fourth?
Rikers Island Bridge
6. What 2001 movie was set at the intersection of Mulberry, Anthony, Cross, Orange and Little Water streets?
7. Who has won the New York City Women's Marathon nine times -- a record?
8. Who, in 1524, was the first European explorer to sail into New York Harbor?
9. It was first built in 1879 at East 26th Street. Since then, this major indoor entertainment complex has been torn down and rebuilt several times. The fourth and current version was opened in 1968 with Bob Hope and Bing Crosby as hosts. What is it?
10. He called New York City "the great place, the heart, the brain, the focus, the NO MORE BEYOND of the Western World," he wrote poems such as "A Broadway Pageant" and "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry," and he worked as editor of the Brooklyn Eagle from 1846-47. Who was this great New Yorker?
Caren then did a great job with the current events questions including the name of President Bush's recently deceased dog and the equivalent in Male literature for Chick Lit (that produced at least one funny answer repeatedly but the correct answer was "Lad" lit). I really enjoyed Caren's top ten list which was the top 11 - 20 boy's names from the 70's. For my audio round, I went with title tracks and their artists and for my visual round I asked the teams to identify pictures of famous funny femmes ranging from Gracie Allen to Wanda Sykes. Generally it went pretty well. One friend of mine suggested that perhaps I should have started with an easier song in the audio round but other than that people were pretty complimentary. I'll be co-hosting again in March and April so if you couldn't make it tonight for my rounds hopefully you'll make it then.
Tueday Night Trivia
My questions? Finished
What questions? for Tuesday Night Trivia
I am co-hosting trivia tonight and I hope you can make it.
At 7:30, Caren Lissner will start the game.
Try to get there early so you can get a table.
The Baggot Inn
on West Third Street
Between Thompson and Sullivan
New York City
I'll see you there.
What questions? for Tuesday Night Trivia
I am co-hosting trivia tonight and I hope you can make it.
At 7:30, Caren Lissner will start the game.
Try to get there early so you can get a table.
The Baggot Inn
on West Third Street
Between Thompson and Sullivan
New York City
I'll see you there.
February 23, 2004
No More Sex - PART I
There will be no more new Sex. Sex in the City is over, done, finished and yes the final episode moved me to tears. I've ranted against the show before and I believe for good reason. and that's pretty much because it is so far removed from my reality and most people's I know.
Here are some of the problems I've had with the show which we will be followed what I like about it.
1) The woman on the show never wear the same outfit twice. Even the richest woman in the world, I'm sure has a favorite thing that she likes to wear over and over again. Miranda is a lawyer for goodness sake. She would have several nice suits in her wardrobe that she wore again and again. She wouldn't wear a different one every day.
2) Carrie could not possibly afford that apartment and all of those pairs of shoes on her freelance writing salary.
3) Men only existed in that show,for the most part, to show us how frustrating life is for single women. Okay. That one might be true.
4) Carrie's article, if she is indeed soliloquizing from her weekly article while narrating the show is the most boring thing for a newspaper column. Does anybody in the show's reality really care about Carrie Bradshaw's life? I would find that weekly read terribly depressing. Also, do writer's have weekly articles in NEW YORK CITY papers of note?
5) The show has more puns than the New York Post on a good day.
Here are some of the problems I've had with the show which we will be followed what I like about it.
1) The woman on the show never wear the same outfit twice. Even the richest woman in the world, I'm sure has a favorite thing that she likes to wear over and over again. Miranda is a lawyer for goodness sake. She would have several nice suits in her wardrobe that she wore again and again. She wouldn't wear a different one every day.
2) Carrie could not possibly afford that apartment and all of those pairs of shoes on her freelance writing salary.
3) Men only existed in that show,for the most part, to show us how frustrating life is for single women. Okay. That one might be true.
4) Carrie's article, if she is indeed soliloquizing from her weekly article while narrating the show is the most boring thing for a newspaper column. Does anybody in the show's reality really care about Carrie Bradshaw's life? I would find that weekly read terribly depressing. Also, do writer's have weekly articles in NEW YORK CITY papers of note?
5) The show has more puns than the New York Post on a good day.
February 22, 2004
Chinatown
She's my daughter. (smack)
She's my sister. (smack)
She's my daughter. (smack)
She's my sister. (smack)
No, but seriously folks, I just flew in from Chicago and boy are my arms tired.
===============================================
Jon and I did indeed meet in Chinatown for our tour but there was no one there to give us a tour. So we did our own tour of Chinatown or more so a Val turn of Chinatown.
First, I showed Jon my favorite store in the world Pearl River as promised in this morning's posting. I was sad to discover that Pearl River has been named THE GREAT MALL of CHINA or CHINA MALL or something like that and once inside I could see that the store has been tampered with. The pharmacy I liked so much was gone. They still had the stuff and junk that makes shopping in that store fun but not as much as they used to. The food section of the store had a very elegant selection of POCKY. For those of you who don't know, POCKY is a thin cookie dipped in a variety of different flavors mostly chocolate. My POCKY choice here (there will be one later) was Chocolate Coconut POCKY which I bought for at least 1 dollar cheaper than adverised in the above link.
I also bought some INSTANT GINGER HONEY CRYSTALS tea to help soothe my chronic heartburn, a couple of instant UDON soups, a box of RED PANAX GINSENT EXTRACTUM for my general well being at much less than the prices advertised on line, and for Jon some Almond Caramel Corn.
Then, after satisfying my need to buy stuff, Jon and I went to satisfy our appetites. He introduced me to an absolutely wonderful restaurant on Doyer's Street formerly called Viet-nom. He had the shrimp squid curry while I had the duck and taro root dish. Both were wonderful, both were delicious and we both enjoyed some wonderful hot banana pudding for dessert. I know the duck and taro dish sounds wierd but it was pretty good and weird. The restaurant serves the duck with this wonderful pepper sauce and when I asked our waiter where I could buy some he rattled off the recipe quickly and with his accent I completely missed it. If you know of this pepper sauce or how I can make it please write me immediately at goodmanval@aol.com.
I then introduced to Jon to my favorite grocery store in Chinatown, KAM-MAN on Canal Street. We were overpowered by the stench of dried fish products the moment we walked in but I don't mind. I've been shopping there on and off for the 14 years or so I've lived in New York City so I was already used to it before we walked in. There I bought some lavendar scented incense, and yet another kind of POCKY, POCKY Extra-Chocolat. I have long enjoyed their foods but no more so than POCKY. Some friends introduced POCKY to me over the summer. I didn't have the heart to tell them I've known about POCKY for more than half my life. If you haven't had it or you can't find it in your neighborhood, go to one of the above links and order some soon. It really is a delightful treat.
That was two hours of our day well spent. I am home now. I just finished up some work for my office and blogged about our adventure. When the weather is nicer, I'd like to take Jon on the tour I give my relatives when they visit France. We start out in Chinatown, make our way up to SOHO via Little Italy, walk through the East Village and finish by walking up Fifth Avenue after going through Washington Square Park.
I still have my headache, but at least I accomplished some stuff today. A quick turn of Chinatown and that spreadsheet I needed to get done.
I think I'll have some of that GINGER HONEY tea now.
She's my sister. (smack)
She's my daughter. (smack)
She's my sister. (smack)
No, but seriously folks, I just flew in from Chicago and boy are my arms tired.
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Jon and I did indeed meet in Chinatown for our tour but there was no one there to give us a tour. So we did our own tour of Chinatown or more so a Val turn of Chinatown.
First, I showed Jon my favorite store in the world Pearl River as promised in this morning's posting. I was sad to discover that Pearl River has been named THE GREAT MALL of CHINA or CHINA MALL or something like that and once inside I could see that the store has been tampered with. The pharmacy I liked so much was gone. They still had the stuff and junk that makes shopping in that store fun but not as much as they used to. The food section of the store had a very elegant selection of POCKY. For those of you who don't know, POCKY is a thin cookie dipped in a variety of different flavors mostly chocolate. My POCKY choice here (there will be one later) was Chocolate Coconut POCKY which I bought for at least 1 dollar cheaper than adverised in the above link.
I also bought some INSTANT GINGER HONEY CRYSTALS tea to help soothe my chronic heartburn, a couple of instant UDON soups, a box of RED PANAX GINSENT EXTRACTUM for my general well being at much less than the prices advertised on line, and for Jon some Almond Caramel Corn.
Then, after satisfying my need to buy stuff, Jon and I went to satisfy our appetites. He introduced me to an absolutely wonderful restaurant on Doyer's Street formerly called Viet-nom. He had the shrimp squid curry while I had the duck and taro root dish. Both were wonderful, both were delicious and we both enjoyed some wonderful hot banana pudding for dessert. I know the duck and taro dish sounds wierd but it was pretty good and weird. The restaurant serves the duck with this wonderful pepper sauce and when I asked our waiter where I could buy some he rattled off the recipe quickly and with his accent I completely missed it. If you know of this pepper sauce or how I can make it please write me immediately at goodmanval@aol.com.
I then introduced to Jon to my favorite grocery store in Chinatown, KAM-MAN on Canal Street. We were overpowered by the stench of dried fish products the moment we walked in but I don't mind. I've been shopping there on and off for the 14 years or so I've lived in New York City so I was already used to it before we walked in. There I bought some lavendar scented incense, and yet another kind of POCKY, POCKY Extra-Chocolat. I have long enjoyed their foods but no more so than POCKY. Some friends introduced POCKY to me over the summer. I didn't have the heart to tell them I've known about POCKY for more than half my life. If you haven't had it or you can't find it in your neighborhood, go to one of the above links and order some soon. It really is a delightful treat.
That was two hours of our day well spent. I am home now. I just finished up some work for my office and blogged about our adventure. When the weather is nicer, I'd like to take Jon on the tour I give my relatives when they visit France. We start out in Chinatown, make our way up to SOHO via Little Italy, walk through the East Village and finish by walking up Fifth Avenue after going through Washington Square Park.
I still have my headache, but at least I accomplished some stuff today. A quick turn of Chinatown and that spreadsheet I needed to get done.
I think I'll have some of that GINGER HONEY tea now.
Saturday Night
I took advantage of Saturday night to shore up against a possible flood of sick. Perhaps I slept too much because I woke up this morning with a headache.
Half an hour in a steamy shower seemed to help for a little bit but the headache is creeping back slowly.
I will not let this headache deter from enjoying a pleasant Sunday, however. Jon and I are meeting downtown for a walking tour of Chinatown. I haven't been to Chinatown in ages and I'm pretty psyched. I definitely want to stop by Pearl River to do some stuff-n-things shopping. Pearl River is three floors of the best point of purchase items you've ever seen. On the third floor, there is a pharmacy that sells tiger balm pretty cheaply and those great medicated pads that you can put on sore and achy muscles for temporary relief. I can't wait. Headache or no.
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I feel the need to rant coming on. I have to troll around and see if I can find something to react to. If I do, you'll be the first to know.
Half an hour in a steamy shower seemed to help for a little bit but the headache is creeping back slowly.
I will not let this headache deter from enjoying a pleasant Sunday, however. Jon and I are meeting downtown for a walking tour of Chinatown. I haven't been to Chinatown in ages and I'm pretty psyched. I definitely want to stop by Pearl River to do some stuff-n-things shopping. Pearl River is three floors of the best point of purchase items you've ever seen. On the third floor, there is a pharmacy that sells tiger balm pretty cheaply and those great medicated pads that you can put on sore and achy muscles for temporary relief. I can't wait. Headache or no.
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I feel the need to rant coming on. I have to troll around and see if I can find something to react to. If I do, you'll be the first to know.
February 21, 2004
Touched by a Virus
In spite of my declarations about refusing to get ill this winter season, it seems a virus has crept into my body and is making itself comfortable. I guess it was unavoidable. Two people in my office are sick, one has bronchitis and the other one, who has not yet dislosed with what he is ill, has been coughing vigorously for at least a month now. What makes me think I'm ill? Well, yesterday I just didn't feel good. I think during the course of the work day, I developed a fever which broke during the intense hours that followed. I felt better last night, so much so that I finished a great book I've been reading, which I will tell you about in another post, watched a little television - Dateline dedicated an hour of programming to The Passion of the Christ featuring Stone Phillips from the streets of Jerusalem and in another hour a feature on The Atkins Diet - and spent some time with my boyfriend. When I woke up this morning, after a restful 5 or 6 hours, I walked over to the library to return some sadly overdue library books ($16.20 worth to be exact - OUCH!). On the walk back, I was overcome with that illing feeling again. So, I took a nap upon arriving home. I woke up just a little while ago to catch up on some much overdue blogging ($0.00 worth to be exact - OUCH!) and my head is aching and my stomach is not quite right.
I hate to say it but I think I have to stay in tonight. It's been a while since I've spent a Saturday night alone, but I can't afford to let this virus take over my body and submerge me into full blown sickness. I have too much to get done next week at work. We are moving our office and I'm pretty much going to be the point person. I need to be physically fit and mentally on top of my game. How do I know I'm not on top of my game? Because Missy Elliot's musical segment from a repeat of MAD television just made me cry a little bit (kid dancers always choke me up). Blogging this post, I've been able to put aside my headache but it's creeping back up on me. I'm sure there will be more blogging tonight, but for now, I think I'm just going go lie down for a bit. Wish me luck on not coming down with the Plague of the minute.
Who Am I Kidding?
I said I was going to write the minutes for Wednesday's trivia game but who am I kidding. Too much happened. It was one of those nights when everything goes right. I had two great people on my team and the three of us won the first place prize.
I will tell you that the visual round was dedicated to baseball cards from the 60s. Each card had two or three players on it. We had to identify the player from each card that went on to become a Hall of Famer. If it hadn't been for my teammates encyclopedic knowledge of the game, I would not have had the honor of winning. Watching the two of them discuss these athletic legends was fascinating and somewhat educational. If I had a photographic memory, the conversation would be catalogued and I could report it to you verbatim, but sadly I don't so I cant. For the record, that is the first time I was on a team that came in first at the Wednesday night game.
I'm not a fan of the sport but baseball was very, very good to me that night. I'm sure I will never enjoy it as much again.
I will tell you that the visual round was dedicated to baseball cards from the 60s. Each card had two or three players on it. We had to identify the player from each card that went on to become a Hall of Famer. If it hadn't been for my teammates encyclopedic knowledge of the game, I would not have had the honor of winning. Watching the two of them discuss these athletic legends was fascinating and somewhat educational. If I had a photographic memory, the conversation would be catalogued and I could report it to you verbatim, but sadly I don't so I cant. For the record, that is the first time I was on a team that came in first at the Wednesday night game.
I'm not a fan of the sport but baseball was very, very good to me that night. I'm sure I will never enjoy it as much again.
February 20, 2004
A Day Without Blogging
I can't believe I went a whole day without blogging.
When I got home last night at 7:45 after a hard day at work, the first thing I did even before my coat was off was turn on my computer. The need to blog last night was as strong as my need to smoke a cigarette after getting out on the street last night, having been inside for 10 hours. (side note: not leaving your office not even for 5 minutes is not something I recommend).
I wanted to give you the minutes from Wednesday night's incredibly enjoyable Drinking and Thinking at Dempseys. When I sat down in front of the computer my mind went completely blank and I was overcome with an incredible weariness. So, I saved my draft (a whole one line - Drinking and Thinking: minutes) and geared up for Friends. After Friends, I caught up with some people on the phone and vegged out for The Apprentice, my third favorite reality show behind My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance and American Idol.
Sometimes television is a good thing.
I have to get ready for work now, my scented bath is waiting, but if I have a moment later, I will definitely work on the minutes. If one of my teammates from Wednesday night happens to write the minutes, I will link to it.
When I got home last night at 7:45 after a hard day at work, the first thing I did even before my coat was off was turn on my computer. The need to blog last night was as strong as my need to smoke a cigarette after getting out on the street last night, having been inside for 10 hours. (side note: not leaving your office not even for 5 minutes is not something I recommend).
I wanted to give you the minutes from Wednesday night's incredibly enjoyable Drinking and Thinking at Dempseys. When I sat down in front of the computer my mind went completely blank and I was overcome with an incredible weariness. So, I saved my draft (a whole one line - Drinking and Thinking: minutes) and geared up for Friends. After Friends, I caught up with some people on the phone and vegged out for The Apprentice, my third favorite reality show behind My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance and American Idol.
Sometimes television is a good thing.
I have to get ready for work now, my scented bath is waiting, but if I have a moment later, I will definitely work on the minutes. If one of my teammates from Wednesday night happens to write the minutes, I will link to it.
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