Last weekend I went to Chez Napoleon with Esther, Michael, and our cousin Gale. We then saw "33 Variations" on Broadway. It was a very powerful show staring Jane Fonda, Samantha Mathis, and Colin Hanks (Tom's son). Later that weekend I took the Ferry to Staten Island to see the Staten Island Botanical Gardens. They are much smaller then the Bronx and Brooklyn Gardens but it is also much less crowded. Their special features are the Chinese Scholars Garden and the Secret Garden which is modeled after the book, "Secret Garden".
We are into the thick of things at work from now until May so unfortunately my weekdays are not that exciting. They usually involve working late, getting a work out at CURVES in if I am lucky, and crashing at home.
This weekend I met Sarah and Joe's friend who is also named Paula. We took the bus together over to Sarah and Joe's home in Rutherford. They have a lovely home. It was fun to finally have a chance to play Euchre. Joe also let me taste a sample of his home brews. If Joe opened a Brewery, I would be a regular, very tasty.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Old Friends
This past weekend was spent in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I can not get over how much a place changes when you move away. Places open and other places close. Fortunately if you are lucky your friends don't change, or at least how much you mutually care about each other doesn't.
On Saturday I had lunch with Adam, Tommy, Anna, and Elissa at Gaia (perhaps my favorite restaurant in GR). Later a large group of friends gathered for a wine and appetizers party.
Sunday I hung out with the Brad, Megs, and their girls. We had dinner with Seth and Amy before Chad took me out for wine and cheese with his mom.
Monday Elissa and I went shopping all around town, had lunch with Becky, and then made a Jersey Junction trip with Tommy. Tommy made Brinta Soup with Nifflies...yum, yum, yum.
No trip to Grand Rapids is complete without visiting East Town Salon for a hair cut. Elissa took me to Greenwell a new restaurant which was fantastic. We had a quick driving tour of the ever changing downtown before one last walk around AQ.
Seeing old haunts and discovering new places was fun but honestly the best part about the trip was spending quality time with good friends. I love New York and the friends I have made here but my Michigan friends are my family. That is something that will never change.
Back in NYC I celebrated St. Paddy's day by having Thai Food with Esther and watching Big Love (since she gets HBO). :)
On Saturday I had lunch with Adam, Tommy, Anna, and Elissa at Gaia (perhaps my favorite restaurant in GR). Later a large group of friends gathered for a wine and appetizers party.
Sunday I hung out with the Brad, Megs, and their girls. We had dinner with Seth and Amy before Chad took me out for wine and cheese with his mom.
Monday Elissa and I went shopping all around town, had lunch with Becky, and then made a Jersey Junction trip with Tommy. Tommy made Brinta Soup with Nifflies...yum, yum, yum.
No trip to Grand Rapids is complete without visiting East Town Salon for a hair cut. Elissa took me to Greenwell a new restaurant which was fantastic. We had a quick driving tour of the ever changing downtown before one last walk around AQ.
Seeing old haunts and discovering new places was fun but honestly the best part about the trip was spending quality time with good friends. I love New York and the friends I have made here but my Michigan friends are my family. That is something that will never change.
Back in NYC I celebrated St. Paddy's day by having Thai Food with Esther and watching Big Love (since she gets HBO). :)
Friday, March 13, 2009
The First Signs of Spring
March came in like Lion but this past weekend it was much more like a lamb. Melissa and I celebrated the good weather by having an early after work dinner at Aceluk which is a great Hell's Kitchen Thai restaurant and bar. They have unique cocktails too. Melissa enjoyed the Lychee Martini and I enjoyed the Plum Saki Martini. 9th Avenue is an amazing stretch in Hell's Kitchen (note this will come up multiple times in this post). Every ethnic food you could imagine is there in a 20 block radius and it is so affordable. It is more like going to dinner in Grand Rapids then Manhattan (I mean that as a compliment).
My friend Mark was in town this weekend. Sarah and Joe drove in from NJ. After meeting up at St. Patrick's Cathedral we had brunch at Elmo with Mark and his cousin Alex. Joe and Sarah drove us up to Fort Tyrone Park to visit the Cloisters. It was so beautiful and peaceful there. We enjoyed a little driving tour of midtown, The Upper West Side, Harlem, and Washington Heights on the way up. Joe and Sarah dropped Mark and I off in Hell's Kitchen. After hanging out with his sister and family we went to Galaxy Diner on...9th Avenue for sandwiches.
This week as part of my writing course I met Frank Flarhety the City Section Editor of the NY Times and Ben Greenberg from the New Yorker. Later in the week I met up with Mark again for dinner at Hallo Berlin a German Restaurant on...9th Avenue. :)
My friend Mark was in town this weekend. Sarah and Joe drove in from NJ. After meeting up at St. Patrick's Cathedral we had brunch at Elmo with Mark and his cousin Alex. Joe and Sarah drove us up to Fort Tyrone Park to visit the Cloisters. It was so beautiful and peaceful there. We enjoyed a little driving tour of midtown, The Upper West Side, Harlem, and Washington Heights on the way up. Joe and Sarah dropped Mark and I off in Hell's Kitchen. After hanging out with his sister and family we went to Galaxy Diner on...9th Avenue for sandwiches.
This week as part of my writing course I met Frank Flarhety the City Section Editor of the NY Times and Ben Greenberg from the New Yorker. Later in the week I met up with Mark again for dinner at Hallo Berlin a German Restaurant on...9th Avenue. :)
Friday, March 6, 2009
Volenteering and Creepy People That Try to Pick Me Up
Last weekend was busy with volenteering. I was working with Transportation Alternatives to get people to write letters to the New York State Senate so that the MTA does not cut services and raise fares by 23% as they have planned. We were stationed in Park Slope and it was freezing which was disappointing since the day before was 60 degrees. The upside was that we were in front of Gorilla Coffee House so it was easy to duck in for some warmth and fair trade goodness.
After we closed shop I headed to the East Village to meet up with Justin. We went out for a progressive dinner. That involved appetizers from Momofuko, Japanese Fusion and brusetta and pizza at Three Cups, a Sicilian Restaurant. Although the old man sitting at the table next to us did feel the need to slap my butt when we were leaving (creep-o uno of the weekend). We then headed back to Justin's apartment and played with Zack's new Rat Terrier. Dessert was vegan Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream from One Lucky Duck.
Sunday during my weekly Trade Joe Run I ran into Sam from Dearborne (aka creep-0 duo of the weekend). Seriously why do guys think it is okay to blow on your ear after knowing you for about 10 minutes? Moments like that convince me that the majority of single men out their are creepy and therefor I should never marry. Which is ironic since my other volunteering has to due with passing marriage equality in the state of New York.
Sunday I trained facilitators for a marriage equality event. After that I had dinner with Esther and Mikie. Monday was a Snow Day! Tuesday was the marriage equality event. It was a huge success. I had to introduce comedienne Judy Gold, which made me nervous but it went well. The ultimate complement for me was that I had two people come up afterwords and ask me if I ever thought of becoming a performer. (Pipe Dream!)
In other news I have lost almost 70 lbs and was cloths shopping since all my pants are falling down. I have not found anything I like but because of the economy stores are practically giving clothes away.
After we closed shop I headed to the East Village to meet up with Justin. We went out for a progressive dinner. That involved appetizers from Momofuko, Japanese Fusion and brusetta and pizza at Three Cups, a Sicilian Restaurant. Although the old man sitting at the table next to us did feel the need to slap my butt when we were leaving (creep-o uno of the weekend). We then headed back to Justin's apartment and played with Zack's new Rat Terrier. Dessert was vegan Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream from One Lucky Duck.
Sunday during my weekly Trade Joe Run I ran into Sam from Dearborne (aka creep-0 duo of the weekend). Seriously why do guys think it is okay to blow on your ear after knowing you for about 10 minutes? Moments like that convince me that the majority of single men out their are creepy and therefor I should never marry. Which is ironic since my other volunteering has to due with passing marriage equality in the state of New York.
Sunday I trained facilitators for a marriage equality event. After that I had dinner with Esther and Mikie. Monday was a Snow Day! Tuesday was the marriage equality event. It was a huge success. I had to introduce comedienne Judy Gold, which made me nervous but it went well. The ultimate complement for me was that I had two people come up afterwords and ask me if I ever thought of becoming a performer. (Pipe Dream!)
In other news I have lost almost 70 lbs and was cloths shopping since all my pants are falling down. I have not found anything I like but because of the economy stores are practically giving clothes away.
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