After two years living in the heart of Greenwich Village, I packed up my belongings, drove a truck to Arlington, Virginia, unloaded things into storage, and returned to New York on a bus. I cooked dinner (on borrowed pots, pans, utensils and furniture from my fabulous neighbors) for a group of about 60 people who kindly bore through the disorganization of it all and enjoyed themselves in our courtyard. If you're looking for the Beef with Lemongrass recipe, you'll have to wait for my mom's cookbook. It's a family secret; and trust me, we're WORKING on it!
Pictures of the party are on ofoto so have a look. If you're looking for a tiramisu recipe, I'll eventually stop being lazy enough to post the translation here. The difference in the brand of mascarpone is key -- the one I made for Gene and Marianne a few weeks ago was the best, and you can buy the tub of mascarpone at FAICCO's Pork Store on Bleecker Street. The cookies must be Pavesi Pavesini which can be bought in the Italian Food Center on Mott and Grand (I think that's where it is). It's on a northwestern corner in Little Italy at 186 Grand Street. The espresso, of course, is Italian Espresso from the Porto Rico Importing Company.
If I promised anyone anything, please email and remind me because I have no idea what I told anyone that night.
If you're wondering where I am at the moment, I am physically in Arlington until the end of May. Beyond May, I can not tell 'cause I have no idea where I'm going to be. If you keep reading this, or read the East West Adventures blog, you should get a pretty good picture of where I'll be.
April 30, 2004
April 23, 2004
You've got Gmail!
so glad i got back into the blogging thing recently 'cause it had been awhile, and i've had my blog account since ... 2000? In fact, I even became a BloggerPro user when it was first introduced in ...2001? 02? -- which adds a lot of features -- if you don't own a Mac (which I do). Doesn't matter though. I sent in my money for BloggerPro as a token of thanks for letting me have my free blogger accounts. I don't mind not being able to use those extra features.
But today, being a devoted Blogger user has paid off. When everyone I know was going to Movable Type, Typepad... I logged in to my Blogger home page and saw my invitation to be sign up for a beta account of Gmail. In Google's Gmail intro e-mail message they tell you, "You're one of the very first people to use Gmail" and go on to say how valuable your feedback is to them. The coveted gmail account, and I got it for loyalty to Blogger (and apparently, you can't open a new account to get the invitation, nor will you have gotten the invitation if you haven't blogged "in a while" they say). Pretty cool.
Besides, maybe they knew I quit my job and was about to go on another traveling spree, when I blog nearly daily. Heh heh. Do you know that at Google, they require you to spend 20% of your time (that is, one day out of the five weekly) to work on your OWN PERSONAL project, unrelated to your work there? That's how Gmail was born. Amazing company.
Don't know why so many people are up in arms about their computers scanning the lexicon on your screen to place targeted, yet unobtrusive text ads to the side of your email. Shit, your grocery discount card tells the grocery chain exactly what you eat, whether or not you buy tampons, TV dinners, and the kind of toilet paper you use. Your credit card companies have a record of every purchase you've ever made using their cards. In fact, the ads are interesting as far as ads go. Got a message about a friend's studio sale in Brooklyn and a couple of good ads -- only two mind you -- that had to do with Brooklyn guides (About Guide to Brooklyn as in about.com and Hello Brooklyn) came up which I thought would be RATHER USEFUL! In addition to that, there is a very clear link just below these that leads you to a page that EXPLAINS how everything is occurring through Google. They know WAY less about you than your grocery store or CVS store.
But today, being a devoted Blogger user has paid off. When everyone I know was going to Movable Type, Typepad... I logged in to my Blogger home page and saw my invitation to be sign up for a beta account of Gmail. In Google's Gmail intro e-mail message they tell you, "You're one of the very first people to use Gmail" and go on to say how valuable your feedback is to them. The coveted gmail account, and I got it for loyalty to Blogger (and apparently, you can't open a new account to get the invitation, nor will you have gotten the invitation if you haven't blogged "in a while" they say). Pretty cool.
Besides, maybe they knew I quit my job and was about to go on another traveling spree, when I blog nearly daily. Heh heh. Do you know that at Google, they require you to spend 20% of your time (that is, one day out of the five weekly) to work on your OWN PERSONAL project, unrelated to your work there? That's how Gmail was born. Amazing company.
Don't know why so many people are up in arms about their computers scanning the lexicon on your screen to place targeted, yet unobtrusive text ads to the side of your email. Shit, your grocery discount card tells the grocery chain exactly what you eat, whether or not you buy tampons, TV dinners, and the kind of toilet paper you use. Your credit card companies have a record of every purchase you've ever made using their cards. In fact, the ads are interesting as far as ads go. Got a message about a friend's studio sale in Brooklyn and a couple of good ads -- only two mind you -- that had to do with Brooklyn guides (About Guide to Brooklyn as in about.com and Hello Brooklyn) came up which I thought would be RATHER USEFUL! In addition to that, there is a very clear link just below these that leads you to a page that EXPLAINS how everything is occurring through Google. They know WAY less about you than your grocery store or CVS store.
March 23, 2004
yum
Image is the property of Vanilla Bicycles.
Vanilla bicycles are gorgeous. So this is what people do with all their extra money. The lugs are beautiful. Man, I want one! Custom everything too.
March 09, 2004
like an 8-foot soda straw
WOW. i said it out loud. you might too.
Read today's NY Times article about the new Hubble Images and then go to the NASA official web site for more info on the Hubble Ultra Deep Field. They say it's a narrow and deep view, like "looking through an 8-foot soda straw." You can also watch quicktime movies and other panned images from the nasa site on the Ultra Deep Field. Really amazing.
For a full size image, click on the photo.
Photo credit: NASA/ESA/S. Beckwith(STScI) and The HUDF Team.
Read today's NY Times article about the new Hubble Images and then go to the NASA official web site for more info on the Hubble Ultra Deep Field. They say it's a narrow and deep view, like "looking through an 8-foot soda straw." You can also watch quicktime movies and other panned images from the nasa site on the Ultra Deep Field. Really amazing.
For a full size image, click on the photo.
Photo credit: NASA/ESA/S. Beckwith(STScI) and The HUDF Team.
February 07, 2004
i love little italy
For my 30th birthday last October, Agnese, the housekeeper of our Tuscan villa, made my birthday dinner including the most delicious tiramisu I've ever devoured. I posted the recipe a few blogs ago, and went on a mad search for PAVESI brand Pavesini biscotti. They're these little cookies that are similar to the french langues de chat, and they're used in authentic tiramisu in Italy -- not the Savoiardi or lady fingers which are too thick and spongy. Looking everywhere online, I finally found ONE U.S. supplier, in North Carolina, selling for a "discount" at $5.99 a package. Forget it. I saw them for less than 3 euro in Italy. I went on a trek today to Little Italy in NYC. The first italian grocer's I went to, "Italian Food Center" on the corner of Grand and Mulberry Streets had a package -- the last package -- for $2.99. Perfect. I picked up my cookies and I'll head back next week to buy the mascarpone. I'll keep you posted how the tiramisu turns out. I love that you can get just about anything in New York City, especially in Little Italy and Chinatown without having to pay all those damned gourmet prices!
January 24, 2004
More on the media
Want to know how educational programming for children is plummeting, and other fun facts about the Media in the United States? Not as fun as the Necco candy facts I posted a couple of days ago, but far more fascinating.
Ten Things you ought to know about Big Media.
Ten Things you ought to know about Big Media.
Two blogs in one.
I was in Saigon, Vietnam when the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were attacked. I spent my first 25 years living in Arlington, VA, a mile from the Pentagon and the following five years in New York City, a mile from the two towers. My home -- and my home -- were attacked and I was, like the Americans who were my friends and family, emotionally shocked. People in Vietnam -- a communist country with state controlled papers -- said to me, "oh, but Hani, did you know that no Vietnamese people died? The newspaper said so."
"ARE YOU JOKING?" That's what I asked them incredulously. "If I was in one of those towers, I would have been reported as an American death."Do you believe EVERYTHING you read?" I'd say.
"What do you mean?" they'd ask, in total surprise, like I grew three heads. It has never occurred to most Vietnamese citizens that if they read something in print, it may not be true. That if ANYTHING is in print, then it must be true. Because it's in print. The Vietnamese education system does not allow the free thinking we were raised with here in America -- to question what you're told. To think outside of the box. To create. To innovate.
Who controls print? The communist government -- to benefit the people. This is why when I worked in Vietnam, we had to pay a government censor to censor our publication -- a directory listing of restaurants and shops. Once, I gave an employee the task of designing a new notepad with our new company logo. I gave him a sample -- for size and ideas -- of a notepad with our old rectangular logo placed along the bottom of the sheet. How did he 'design' the new notepad? He placed our new square logo -- stretched out and distorted into the shape of the old logo, so it would fit on the bottom of the sheet, just like the sample notepad I had given him. The Vietnamese fit square pegs into round holes -- and lack imagination, creativity, and innovation -- because they were taught great things, like respect for their teachers and their elders. They were taught to never question authority. Well, isn't the state-controlled media an authority? So, goes the logic, it is not to be questioned. Unfortunately, like the Communist-educated Vietnamese who were never given the choice, most Americans never question the media input they absorb everyday.
The voter fund of Moveon.org, an online advocacy group in the United States, recently sponsored a contest for Bush in 30 seconds ad spots. They were willing to pay the $2 million for a 30 second spot during the Super Bowl, but CBS refuses to air it. They say they don't want to cause controversy. Sources say that CBS, however, will air the advocacy commercials of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy -- which in the past has casually compared drug use with supporting terrorism -- a notably controversial piece.
You don't suppose it has anything to do with Viacom -- CBS's parent company -- lobbying for the lifting of Federal Communications Commission limits on media consolidation and conglomeration do you?
Nearly every channel you watch on television, cable, and satellite; every channel you listen to on the radio; movies you watch; and newspapers and magazines you read are owned by a mere six corporations owned by a mere few people, predominantly affluent white male. Kind of scary, don't you think? The fact that so much of our media is owned by so few people who regularly lobby the government to make their wishes come true -- paid for in the form of political contributions -- makes me begin to think that our media is becoming state run. Isn't it?
"ARE YOU JOKING?" That's what I asked them incredulously. "If I was in one of those towers, I would have been reported as an American death."Do you believe EVERYTHING you read?" I'd say.
"What do you mean?" they'd ask, in total surprise, like I grew three heads. It has never occurred to most Vietnamese citizens that if they read something in print, it may not be true. That if ANYTHING is in print, then it must be true. Because it's in print. The Vietnamese education system does not allow the free thinking we were raised with here in America -- to question what you're told. To think outside of the box. To create. To innovate.
Who controls print? The communist government -- to benefit the people. This is why when I worked in Vietnam, we had to pay a government censor to censor our publication -- a directory listing of restaurants and shops. Once, I gave an employee the task of designing a new notepad with our new company logo. I gave him a sample -- for size and ideas -- of a notepad with our old rectangular logo placed along the bottom of the sheet. How did he 'design' the new notepad? He placed our new square logo -- stretched out and distorted into the shape of the old logo, so it would fit on the bottom of the sheet, just like the sample notepad I had given him. The Vietnamese fit square pegs into round holes -- and lack imagination, creativity, and innovation -- because they were taught great things, like respect for their teachers and their elders. They were taught to never question authority. Well, isn't the state-controlled media an authority? So, goes the logic, it is not to be questioned. Unfortunately, like the Communist-educated Vietnamese who were never given the choice, most Americans never question the media input they absorb everyday.
The voter fund of Moveon.org, an online advocacy group in the United States, recently sponsored a contest for Bush in 30 seconds ad spots. They were willing to pay the $2 million for a 30 second spot during the Super Bowl, but CBS refuses to air it. They say they don't want to cause controversy. Sources say that CBS, however, will air the advocacy commercials of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy -- which in the past has casually compared drug use with supporting terrorism -- a notably controversial piece.
You don't suppose it has anything to do with Viacom -- CBS's parent company -- lobbying for the lifting of Federal Communications Commission limits on media consolidation and conglomeration do you?
Nearly every channel you watch on television, cable, and satellite; every channel you listen to on the radio; movies you watch; and newspapers and magazines you read are owned by a mere six corporations owned by a mere few people, predominantly affluent white male. Kind of scary, don't you think? The fact that so much of our media is owned by so few people who regularly lobby the government to make their wishes come true -- paid for in the form of political contributions -- makes me begin to think that our media is becoming state run. Isn't it?
January 22, 2004
I [heart] you
I was at the Porto Rico Importing Company trying to use up my $84 of credit there (don't ask). Since I can only drink so much coffee on my own, I noticed they had the original Necco Sweetheart Conversation Heart Candy for a mere $3 a pound -- about 500 or so candies.
While the company history is pretty amazing -- they've been making candy since 1847 and the original recipe for the hearts began as the wafers (still sold today) since 1866. In recent years, they've acquired ten companies and they're debt-free. They've been using the SAME machines to make the candy since 1908 (or replicas), and they consult the original blueprints all the time to make repairs. They do zero consumer marketing. The most interesting tidbit on the company's fun facts page? "In very low humidity NECCO Wintergreen Wafers spark in the dark when broken." Those would be the pink ones.
Since the 1990's they started to change a handful of the sayings each year to reflect the times. This year's new sayings, as stated on their site, "promote sweet dreams and new beginnings:" [although "IM Me" is a bit odd!]
3 Wishes
Ever After
New You
Magic
Dream
Charm Me
Start Now
New Love
IM Me
I [heart] You
That last one is in honor of the new Love postage stamp.
While the company history is pretty amazing -- they've been making candy since 1847 and the original recipe for the hearts began as the wafers (still sold today) since 1866. In recent years, they've acquired ten companies and they're debt-free. They've been using the SAME machines to make the candy since 1908 (or replicas), and they consult the original blueprints all the time to make repairs. They do zero consumer marketing. The most interesting tidbit on the company's fun facts page? "In very low humidity NECCO Wintergreen Wafers spark in the dark when broken." Those would be the pink ones.
Since the 1990's they started to change a handful of the sayings each year to reflect the times. This year's new sayings, as stated on their site, "promote sweet dreams and new beginnings:" [although "IM Me" is a bit odd!]
3 Wishes
Ever After
New You
Magic
Dream
Charm Me
Start Now
New Love
IM Me
I [heart] You
That last one is in honor of the new Love postage stamp.
January 19, 2004
The Culture of Fear
I keep meaning to read Barry Glassner's book, The Culture of Fear: Why Americans Are Afraid of the Wrong Things featured in Bowling for Columbine. Even while I haven't, I completely understand his angle -- and am glad that I don't watch TV.
It's sad.
These are headlines for today's news, literally, copy and pasted from WNBC's website:
Man Shot Twice In Head On Manhattan Subway Train
Woman Dies After Being Struck By Two Hit-And-Run Drivers
Newborn Girl Found Dead On Atlantic County Beach
Police Officer Kills Himself In Standoff With Authorities
Long Island Teen Killed While Skiing Upstate
N.J. Couple Finds Grieving Mother's Message In Bottle
L.I. Bishop Holds Extraordinary Meeting With Diocese's Priests
Sharpton Leaves Campaign Trail For MLK Day But Stays On Message
New Jersey Not Most Corrupt, But More Than Most
Autopsy Confirms Woman's Electrocution
City Says No To 'Oy Vey' In Brooklyn
Police: Teenager Fatally Stabs Father, Injures Brother
Cab Driver Charged With Raping Passenger
Physician, Former Drug Company Exec Charged In Wife's Slaying
Flight Instructor, Student From N.J. Die In Fla. Plane Crash
Mourners Gather In Randolph For Cheerleader's Funeral
Man Falls Through Ice On Lake, Apparently Drowns
Woman Dies After Clothes Catch Fire
It's sad.
These are headlines for today's news, literally, copy and pasted from WNBC's website:
Man Shot Twice In Head On Manhattan Subway Train
Woman Dies After Being Struck By Two Hit-And-Run Drivers
Newborn Girl Found Dead On Atlantic County Beach
Police Officer Kills Himself In Standoff With Authorities
Long Island Teen Killed While Skiing Upstate
N.J. Couple Finds Grieving Mother's Message In Bottle
L.I. Bishop Holds Extraordinary Meeting With Diocese's Priests
Sharpton Leaves Campaign Trail For MLK Day But Stays On Message
New Jersey Not Most Corrupt, But More Than Most
Autopsy Confirms Woman's Electrocution
City Says No To 'Oy Vey' In Brooklyn
Police: Teenager Fatally Stabs Father, Injures Brother
Cab Driver Charged With Raping Passenger
Physician, Former Drug Company Exec Charged In Wife's Slaying
Flight Instructor, Student From N.J. Die In Fla. Plane Crash
Mourners Gather In Randolph For Cheerleader's Funeral
Man Falls Through Ice On Lake, Apparently Drowns
Woman Dies After Clothes Catch Fire
Deep Freeze
In my teeny tiny village studio, I have a teeny tiny fridge. It's one of those half-size ones, a little bigger than what you had in college. And it has one of those dinky little freezer shelves -- not much use ever, and a pain in the ass to defrost. Since I just got a Fresh Direct delivery yesterday, and I haven't had a chance yet to bake my fresh parbaked bread that they make, I'm taking advantage of the New York chill, and I'm storing the breads on the fire escape in their sealed bags in an additional bag (wouldn't want any fire escape drippings from the neighbor upstairs)... Seems to be keeping them pretty well frozen. While my annual salary is probably more than 95% of the world population, I haven't a decent place to store my food -- the life of lower-middle class Big Apple Living.
January 17, 2004
Tiramisu d'Agnese
Still haven't had time to translate, but if you know Italian, you're in luck. If not, try plugging it into a translation program, and then decipher from there.
INGREDIENTI
5 UOVA
5 CUCCHIAI DI ZUCCHERO
GR 200 BISCOTTI PAVESINI OR SAVOIARDI (biscuits)
GR 500 MASCARPONE
1 MOCA DI CAFFE
PROCEDIMENTO
5 cucchiai di zucchero unire solo il rosso dell'uovo (tuorlo) e mescolare. Poi unire il mascarpone e mescolare bene . Separatamente montare le chiare ben solide e unire il tutto mescolando bene. Prendere i PAVESINI e bagnarli leggermente nel caffe e stenderli nel contenitore di portata. Fare un suolo di biscotti e 1 di crema fino alla fine. Spolverare di cioccolato il sopra e mettere in frigo per 2 ore circa.
INGREDIENTI
5 UOVA
5 CUCCHIAI DI ZUCCHERO
GR 200 BISCOTTI PAVESINI OR SAVOIARDI (biscuits)
GR 500 MASCARPONE
1 MOCA DI CAFFE
PROCEDIMENTO
5 cucchiai di zucchero unire solo il rosso dell'uovo (tuorlo) e mescolare. Poi unire il mascarpone e mescolare bene . Separatamente montare le chiare ben solide e unire il tutto mescolando bene. Prendere i PAVESINI e bagnarli leggermente nel caffe e stenderli nel contenitore di portata. Fare un suolo di biscotti e 1 di crema fino alla fine. Spolverare di cioccolato il sopra e mettere in frigo per 2 ore circa.
January 15, 2004
Shaking Up the Governor
The first time I spoke to the governor, it was in August 2003 in the stairwell at work, walking down 42 flights of stairs with him and several others in the New York City blackout. I don't think he remembers.
This morning I was formally introduced to the charismatic Governor Cuomo. We shook hands. He paused.
"Do you play tennis?" he asked.
"No, I don't."
"Let me shake your hand again." We shook. "Do you lift weights?"
"No, I don't," I shook my head grinning.
"Karate?" he asked, seeking out a reason for the strength behind the shake.
"No."
"Anything?"
I confessed. "No, nothing. I shake hands."
After he watched a little presentation that I created for the firm, he turned to me and said "Let me shake your left hand."
We talked about the presentation a little and we parted, he said, "You're very valuable to the firm."
Cool.
January 09, 2004
long time no hear
ok ok, so everyone says to me, "hey, hani, you haven't posted to you blog in months" so before my readership is reduced to one (my mom), i suppose i better start up again.
Italy was fabulous -- I went in October for my 30th Birthday and of course, loved it so much, I went back for New Year's. We rented a villa in Segromigno in Monte, just outside of Lucca and it was gorgeous. 17th century farmhouse, surrounded by olive groves and grapevines, gravel paths and cypress trees in rows. If you're interested at all, the company from whom we rented was Salogi, and the villa itself was Il Leccio. Marcello is the owner; a veritably sweet italian agriculturist, and the Fattoria-Mansi-Bernardini villas (there are five homes for vacation rental on the estate) are managed by the very kind Monica. Agnese was our housekeeper and she made my birthday dinner for me, complete with the most amazing tiramisu I've ever had. Recipe forthcoming, though it is in italian at the moment and I haven't had the time to translate.
Italy was fabulous -- I went in October for my 30th Birthday and of course, loved it so much, I went back for New Year's. We rented a villa in Segromigno in Monte, just outside of Lucca and it was gorgeous. 17th century farmhouse, surrounded by olive groves and grapevines, gravel paths and cypress trees in rows. If you're interested at all, the company from whom we rented was Salogi, and the villa itself was Il Leccio. Marcello is the owner; a veritably sweet italian agriculturist, and the Fattoria-Mansi-Bernardini villas (there are five homes for vacation rental on the estate) are managed by the very kind Monica. Agnese was our housekeeper and she made my birthday dinner for me, complete with the most amazing tiramisu I've ever had. Recipe forthcoming, though it is in italian at the moment and I haven't had the time to translate.
August 06, 2003
art photos and video
A couple of weeks ago I went to MoMA to see the Max Beckman exhibit, Ansel Adams at 100, and the Andy Warhol: Screen Tests. All pretty cool. The Beckman and Adams exhibits stand on their own, and the Warhol screen tests are worth seeing only if you're already out there. Adams' show are mostly small prints, with so many from the early years and a single lone city shot of downtown New York which I happened to really love.
Warhol ends soon on September 1, Beckman on September 29. Adams will be around awhile as it just opened up last month. By the way, don't forget that MoMA offers Pay-what-you wish admission on Fridays from 4:00-7:45 p.m.
Adults $12; Students (with current identification) and seniors (65 and over) $8.50; Children under 16 accompanied by an adult free
July 12, 2003
May 25, 2003
Air Family
My sister got married at a food and wine museum. Need I say more?
Two weeks ago, we all went out to Napa, California to celebrate the marriage of Kiki and Emil at Copia - the same place where Julia Child celebrated her birthday. The family all got together in a gorgeous house in Napa Valley, we ate well, drank well, and were awfully merry. Cousins re-unite. Totally fun. Had a Mother's Day Brunch the following Sunday in honor of mom and Joan (Emil's mom), and all the other moms who joined us. Man, I love my family.
Two weeks ago, we all went out to Napa, California to celebrate the marriage of Kiki and Emil at Copia - the same place where Julia Child celebrated her birthday. The family all got together in a gorgeous house in Napa Valley, we ate well, drank well, and were awfully merry. Cousins re-unite. Totally fun. Had a Mother's Day Brunch the following Sunday in honor of mom and Joan (Emil's mom), and all the other moms who joined us. Man, I love my family.
May 06, 2003
April 30, 2003
April 23, 2003
April 20, 2003
Easter Sunday
Went to Washington Square Park today and studied a bit of Italian but spent more time with my eyes closed and face to the sun as I sat on a park bench. Saw about two dozen different breeds of dog walk by including an albino doberman. Kind of like that scene in Disney's 101 Dalmations, the owners generally appeared to match their dogs. Walked around the neighborhood just a bit but many of the shops, owned by Italians, were all closed for Easter Sunday. Was an especially beautiful day in the city and pretty peaceful actually.
April 15, 2003
it's been a long month
this last month has included such events as
a trip to DC
buying a digital camera
housing a vietnamese stranger for ten days in my 150 sf apartment
a visit from the parents (and the doheny's)
a serial play
two trips to matisse picasso at MoMA
a birthday dinner
a visit with a cousin whom I hadn't seen in years
two trips to Carnegie Hall
a three-hour wait to get into the Met's Da Vinci drawings exhibit
a visit with another cousin
a visit with Uncle Mike
seeing Katy Pfaffl play twice
and a helluva lot more.
which makes me too lazy to write.
a trip to DC
buying a digital camera
housing a vietnamese stranger for ten days in my 150 sf apartment
a visit from the parents (and the doheny's)
a serial play
two trips to matisse picasso at MoMA
a birthday dinner
a visit with a cousin whom I hadn't seen in years
two trips to Carnegie Hall
a three-hour wait to get into the Met's Da Vinci drawings exhibit
a visit with another cousin
a visit with Uncle Mike
seeing Katy Pfaffl play twice
and a helluva lot more.
which makes me too lazy to write.
March 05, 2003
Been out
Kathy, Maxine and I went to see the Transport Group's production of Requiem for William, seven short plays by William Inge (who won the Academy Award for his screenplay for Splendor in the Grass). We went to see the plays at the Connelly Theatre in the Lower East Side mostly because Matt Yeager, who temped at the firm with us was performing and we think he's pretty great.
Starting up the week was the HBO taping of DEF Poetry, with fabulous performances by so many including Saul Williams, Georgia Me, Lou Reed, and Smokey Robinson and hosted by the affable Mos Def.
Middle of my week I went to Theatre Row and caught Dirty Story at the Clurman Theatre with Stuart, an allegorical play that really makes you think! Ben Brantley reviewed it in the Times.
Starting up the week was the HBO taping of DEF Poetry, with fabulous performances by so many including Saul Williams, Georgia Me, Lou Reed, and Smokey Robinson and hosted by the affable Mos Def.
Middle of my week I went to Theatre Row and caught Dirty Story at the Clurman Theatre with Stuart, an allegorical play that really makes you think! Ben Brantley reviewed it in the Times.
February 10, 2003
The BLUES
Went to see the unbelievable concert, Salute to the Blues at Radio City Music Hall, presented by Martin Scorsese for a five hour show representing the best in Blues with renowned artists B.B. King, Robert Cray, Bonnie Raitt, Lyle Lovett, Aaron Neville, Keb' Mo', Dr. John, David Johanson, Vernon Reid, Mavis Staples, Gregg Allman, Chuck D, Aerosmith, Macy Gray, and Mos Def. The year 2003 has been declared "Year of the Blues" by the U.S. Congress. The concert was also being filmed for theatrical distribution and was executive produced by Martin Scorsese.
More on the Blues
Year of the Blues
Martin Scorsese & The Blues
Scorsese's PBS Documentary
Newsday review
Vulcan Productions press release
Another press release
Marshfield News Herald
More on the Blues
Year of the Blues
Martin Scorsese & The Blues
Scorsese's PBS Documentary
Newsday review
Vulcan Productions press release
Another press release
Marshfield News Herald
February 09, 2003
Don't throw it away!
Before you throw something away, consider donating it.
New York City's Department of Sanitation encourages you to reuse, recycle, repair, or donate items you may have thought about throwing out to help reduce the amount of garbage in NYC. Start here for an alphabetical listing of items you want to throw away, and what to do with it, beginning with "A" items such as appliances, autos, air conditioners, and continue down the alphabet.
Especially useful is this list of places to donate in or around New York. What can you donate? Eyeglasses, hearing aids, clothes, food, electronics, furniture, autos, computers, construction materials, office supplies, just about everything. It's a slightly greater effort to donate than to set something on the street corner, but consider that you may be helping someone see better, hear better, be warm on the streets of New York, or have a bed to sleep on. You'll also reduce the amount of garbage in New York City, of a greater reaching impact than you may presume.
Also, NYCDS has a hotline: "...try the NYC Stuff Exchange hotline (1-877-NYC-STUFF or 1-877-692-7883) to locate businesses or organizations in your area where you can donate, buy, or sell quality second-hand goods, and repair and rent goods instead of spending money on new items. The hotline is toll-free for callers within the City; outside callers may dial 212-509-4850."
New York City's Department of Sanitation encourages you to reuse, recycle, repair, or donate items you may have thought about throwing out to help reduce the amount of garbage in NYC. Start here for an alphabetical listing of items you want to throw away, and what to do with it, beginning with "A" items such as appliances, autos, air conditioners, and continue down the alphabet.
Especially useful is this list of places to donate in or around New York. What can you donate? Eyeglasses, hearing aids, clothes, food, electronics, furniture, autos, computers, construction materials, office supplies, just about everything. It's a slightly greater effort to donate than to set something on the street corner, but consider that you may be helping someone see better, hear better, be warm on the streets of New York, or have a bed to sleep on. You'll also reduce the amount of garbage in New York City, of a greater reaching impact than you may presume.
Also, NYCDS has a hotline: "...try the NYC Stuff Exchange hotline (1-877-NYC-STUFF or 1-877-692-7883) to locate businesses or organizations in your area where you can donate, buy, or sell quality second-hand goods, and repair and rent goods instead of spending money on new items. The hotline is toll-free for callers within the City; outside callers may dial 212-509-4850."
January 29, 2003
Matisse Picasso at the MoMA QNS
Picasso Self-Portrait with Palette, 1906. Matisse Self-Portrait, 1906 from MoMA.
A blockbuster exhibit in the making, Matisse Picasso, will be at the MoMA QNS from February 13 through May 19. The extraordinary show was previously at the Tate Modern in London (over a half a million visitors!) and the Galeries Nationales du Grand Palais in Paris. I was lucky enough to buy tickets early through my firm and prefer going in April or May as I can skip the coat check (the MoMA QNS at 25,000 square feet has a smaller lobby much less equipped than the 85,000 square foot home in Manhattan, where it is currently under renovation until 2005.). The enormity of the collaboration can't be understated. So seldom are shows of this caliber available. And so close to home! Even my friends will be traveling from out of state just to get to this exhibit.
See:
Matisse Picasso about the exhibit and an excellent chronological timeline
Museum of Modern Art Matisse Picasso exhibit information at the museum
MoMA home
Matisse, Picasso and Concerns About the Crowds from the New York Times, January 27, 2003, by Robin Pogrebin
Also, to note, from MoMA: "One Monday of each month during Matisse Picasso, the Museum will remain open late, with pay-what-you-wish admission from 4:00 p.m. through 7:45 p.m. This reduced admission is available on a first come, first served basis."
Dates are: February 17, March 24, April 21, and May 12
January 21, 2003
Cook for the Cure
About every three minutes, one woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. Every thirteen minutes, a woman dies because of breast cancer.
Cook for the Cure was created to support the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. If you're thinking about buying a KitchenAid, the specially produced pink stand mixers provide a $50 donation to the foundation, and other KitchenAid products contribute too. It's great.
January 11, 2003
Gastronomic Gourmet shops in Greenwich
Got up this afternoon and felt like a European as I popped around Bleecker Street, running my weekend errands.
First stop, the Laundromat on my block, second stop, Rocco’s (243 Bleecker), the Italian Pasticceria known for its freshly-squeezed cannoli, where I go every Saturday for my cup o’ joe, and last bit before the real food run, the hardware store. I crossed the street to Strawberry Fields supermarket at 311 Bleecker Street for some cupboard basics. Next door at 309 Bleecker is where Thomas Paine spent the last year of his life in 1809.
Crossed back over Seventh Avenue and made for Murray’s Cheese shop at 257 Bleecker, with the country's best cheese selection of over 250 varieties from around the world at great prices (I picked up a ceramic pot of St. Marcellin for $4.99 and nice wedge of cave-aged swiss @ $10.99/lb so I can make grilled cheese sandwiches) and friendly fellows serving. Because they were out of bread, I headed into Zito’s Italian bread bakery, around since 1924, to grab a baguette next door at #259. I crossed the street to Faicco’s Sausage shop at 260 Bleecker where the shelves are lined with marinated Italian olives and artichokes, dried pasta, vinegars, specialty spreads, and cans and cans of tomato products. Alongside are Faicco's acclaimed sweet and hot Italian sausages (I got hot sausage for $4.99/lb and super fresh ground beef for $3.99/lb), ready prepared meals, ground meats, and fresh chops. Plus, adoring and adorable Italians behind the counter. Last stop, Turquacino, my little gourmet grocer’s with just what I need, plus a hot bar and upstairs seating area for quick eats.
Take a trip to this block of Bleecker one Saturday for excellent groceries and you’ll feel like you’re in some little part of Europe. Oh, and a new café called Noi Café (in Italian, it means "Our Café") just opened. I’ll have to check that out another time, but in the meantime, get your creamy risotto at the Risotteria at the corner of Bleecker and Morton - a little expensive, but always perfect for a cold wintery day or John's Pizzeria, according to others, New York's best pizza.
**Note** Murray's cheese has since moved across the street to #254!
First stop, the Laundromat on my block, second stop, Rocco’s (243 Bleecker), the Italian Pasticceria known for its freshly-squeezed cannoli, where I go every Saturday for my cup o’ joe, and last bit before the real food run, the hardware store. I crossed the street to Strawberry Fields supermarket at 311 Bleecker Street for some cupboard basics. Next door at 309 Bleecker is where Thomas Paine spent the last year of his life in 1809.
Crossed back over Seventh Avenue and made for Murray’s Cheese shop at 257 Bleecker, with the country's best cheese selection of over 250 varieties from around the world at great prices (I picked up a ceramic pot of St. Marcellin for $4.99 and nice wedge of cave-aged swiss @ $10.99/lb so I can make grilled cheese sandwiches) and friendly fellows serving. Because they were out of bread, I headed into Zito’s Italian bread bakery, around since 1924, to grab a baguette next door at #259. I crossed the street to Faicco’s Sausage shop at 260 Bleecker where the shelves are lined with marinated Italian olives and artichokes, dried pasta, vinegars, specialty spreads, and cans and cans of tomato products. Alongside are Faicco's acclaimed sweet and hot Italian sausages (I got hot sausage for $4.99/lb and super fresh ground beef for $3.99/lb), ready prepared meals, ground meats, and fresh chops. Plus, adoring and adorable Italians behind the counter. Last stop, Turquacino, my little gourmet grocer’s with just what I need, plus a hot bar and upstairs seating area for quick eats. Take a trip to this block of Bleecker one Saturday for excellent groceries and you’ll feel like you’re in some little part of Europe. Oh, and a new café called Noi Café (in Italian, it means "Our Café") just opened. I’ll have to check that out another time, but in the meantime, get your creamy risotto at the Risotteria at the corner of Bleecker and Morton - a little expensive, but always perfect for a cold wintery day or John's Pizzeria, according to others, New York's best pizza.
**Note** Murray's cheese has since moved across the street to #254!
January 01, 2003
catch
Ok, on my return trip on Washington Deluxe, the bus arrived half an hour late, and by the time we actually departed after the bus driver collected tickets and payment, it was a full hour late. If you're not in a hurry, it's really not a big deal, but that's pretty much the only drawback to the price you pay.
December 26, 2002
Deluxe Deal
The Washington Deluxe bus from New York to Washington, D.C. is a complete bargain at $35 roundtrip or $20 one-way as compared to Greyhound's ever-changing fares of $74-85 round trip and $42 one-way NY-DC. You've got to make a reservation (and arrive 15 minutes before boarding or risk losing your seat to a standby) which is a simple toll-free call 1-866-287-6932 or 1-718-387-7523 from New York. Though you lose the flexibility of Greyhound's every half hour or hour schedule, if the time fits, it's definitely worth using. The trip is just as comfortable on a modern tour bus complete with movie on board. The only drawback is that you're dropped off on one of two stops in D.C. on the street corner -- no station, so when the weather's bad -- be prepared.
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