The Age of Hogarth

Night at the Delancy

2007-03-30T19:48:00.000-04:00

Friday Night Ian's band is playing at the Delancey.. I meet up with Sam and Heather to check him out.

Strutting his stuff

Tim watches closely

After the band finishes we decide to afterparty at Sam's place..

Except this guy.. he just wanted a nap

Sam and Heather end the night sharing some sexy egg salad

The Bachelor... part deux

2007-03-27T20:41:00.000-04:00

Day two of Jesse's bachelor party weekend dawns..

I take a tour of the premises....

A message appears

More friends arrive

Tim and Matt return from the pond..

As the sun sets it's time to play some more music

The drum kit is a new addition, Andy tries it out

Matt looks after our nourishement

Jesse tries the drums...

and Ben

and of course Gene.

And how could it be rock and roll without pyrotechnics?

Time to eat

A place is set for Armand

Fully refreshed it's time to noodle around some more

Gene takes the mic

Then Jesse gives it a shot..

What could re-energize this crew

A nutria hunt!

The night comes to a close...

We break bread one more time before we head out the next morning..

The Bachelor

2007-03-23T19:59:00.000-04:00

For impending groom Jesse's bachelor party we rent a house upstate. Friday night Matt, Tim and I leave the city behind for beautiful Bethel, N Y.

When we arrive we're greeted by Andy who's been there since five. Luckily the wily nutria did not bother him.

After a minor mishap on the west side highway that left Jesse's wheel looking like this, he and Ben arrive to complete the Friday Night crew.

Enough catching up, it's time to set up the instruments and play some music.

Welcome back Dr. Rhythm

We crank some, er, unforgettable tunes.

A brief break outside..

To refresh us, Jesse serves cocktails

And we're done...

Soda Slander

2007-03-20T00:30:00.000-04:00

Every year for St. Patrick's Day I like to make an Irish soda bread. I happened to notice that in last week's NY Times there was an article with the headline "Not Irish, but Maybe It’s for the Best" about Irish soda bread. The author talks about aquiring a recipe for soda bread as a college student which includes butter and eggs and then is shocked to find out (many loaves later I assume) that this is not an authentic Irish soda bread, that a basic Irish soda bread contains only flour, buttermilk (or sour milk), baking soda and salt. I have to say I found this a little ridiculous--not that recipes including butter, eggs and other variations exist, I've certainly seen and tasted them--but that somebody who knows enough about food to get a recipe and an article published in the Times food section wouldn't know what a proper Irish soda bread was. Even the mainstream kitchen standard Fanny Farmer cookbook presents a recipe with only the four basic ingredients. After consulting an authentic Irish chef the author makes a real soda bread, she finds the first slice fresh out of the oven delicious but then is shocked to discover that after the loaf has cooled it has turned "hard, dry and bland." I have to wonder what good "authentic" Irish chef would not have instructed her to wrap the bread in a towel while it cooled in order to keep it soft? something my dad says his grandmother did and which is also explicitly indicated in the good old Fanny Farmer. I guess it makes for a better story if her recipe wins, but why you gotta fight dirty?

Here's the soda bread recipe I use:

1 lb (3 1/2 cups) flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
8-10 oz buttermilk

Sift dry ingredients together in a large bowl to make sure the baking soda is even distributed. Make a well and add the buttermilk and mix until the dough holds together. it should be "raggy" and very soft. Turn out onto a floured work surface and knead just for a minute to incorporate everything together. Be quick, you don't want to develop the gluten in the flour and the chemical reaction between the buttermilk and the baking soda has begun already, you want to get it in the oven without too much delay. Make a domed circular loaf about 6"-8" in diameter, place on a lightly floured baking sheet and using a sharp knife cut a cross in the dough, cutting abut halfway through.

Bake at 450 for 10 minutes, reduce the temp to 400 and bake for 35 more. At the end of the baking time tap the bottom of the loaf, a hollow sound means it's done. Wrap the bread in a clean kitchen towl and let cool completely on a rack.

Variations: I generally like to like to add sugar, about a teaspoon or two. You can also add rasins/currants, this technically makes it a "spotted dog"

And it sounds so good

2007-02-26T23:00:00.000-05:00

Andy comes come down from Boston, for a Karwreck reunion at the Annex on a snowy Sunday.

The crew assembles

The band goes on..

Then off into the snowy night..

You? Tube.

2007-02-21T19:59:00.000-05:00

Sunday I head down to NJ to see the Family so they can shower with me presents in what seems like the longest birthday ever..

I spy a cake in the fridge..

And PJ shows me his lunch.

The kids take advantage of the snow and the incline to do some impromptu sledding--the "sleds" being pieces of foam and garbage bags.

Finally time to eat.

mmmm pork

Caitlin's ready for some cake

For some reason my mom gives me a bag of loose tube socks.. hmm.

Employee of the Month

2007-02-18T23:27:00.000-05:00

Saturday Night I meet Judy and Stephanie at Employees Only for a little birthday dinner since Judy was out of town on the day we went to Royal Oak.

Employees Only is another one of these "speakeasy" bars that are all over the place now.. It seems kind of like a tired trend but the place was cute--Stephanie works there and says that on the weekends the crowd can get a little gross so we arrived early. They have a large cocktail menu and just to be festive I decide to try one so I have the "billionaire" cocktail, it was actually pretty good--not too sweet like most specialty cocktails, made with bourbon, absinthe and some other stuff.. it had an anise-y flavor

Sitting by the fireplace at the bar has made my ear all hot and red .. ouch!

We get a table outside in the garden where there's a nice little fountain

We peruse the menu..

They serve the bread with some sort of cheesy herby speady thing... mmmm

We start with the steak tartare which was mixed up right at the table.. The waitress claimed that eating the steak tartar here had spoiled her for eating it anywhere else, however since it's not part of my usual repetoire I can't compare. I do deem it very tasty though.

Stephanie orders what is possibly the largest pork chop I've ever seen (PS she ate it all)...

Judy has the veal, braised and served on polenta.

And I get the orecchiette in pork ragu, all the food was excellent....

Afterwards we head to Satsko in the East village for sake..

Thanks ladies!

Rapturous Trash

2007-02-17T22:44:00.000-05:00

Friday Night we head to Studio B in greenpoint since the Rapture is playing a mini-set...

The club is hopping

We get to drinking...

Heather and Jane look cute

Sam gives sexy face

Marta Arrives

Heather is feeling it

I act as the cleavage inspector--everything turned out to be in order.

What handsome boys!

We see Mackenzie.

Ian's ready to hear some music..

and the band comes on--fun.. It was a short set, only a few songs and most of them new but good times nonetheless.

Afterwards we go to Trash where it's Karoake night..

Heather's had a few

And so becomes the designated backup dancer

Rachel sings "Kids in America"

Heather also acts as Tim's backup singer during his tender rendition of "Careless Whispers" which closes the night

I heart food

2007-02-15T22:10:00.000-05:00

Wednesday the snow is on the ground and I cook a warm comforting dinner for David and myself.. Morroccan Chicken...

I prepare a salad of blood oranges and olives for a first course

Almost ready

Time to eat.. the salad--

the main course.. someone's eager to start

And finish with the clafouti

A cold and snowy night

2007-02-14T21:53:00.000-05:00

To pay David back for the nice dinner on Monday I offer to make him dinner on Wed. Tuesday night is cold and snowy--I decide to prepare desert. Food blogger extraordinaire lady pinknest posted a recipe for a clafouti that I'd been wanting to try out. Since it's made with pears and almonds rather than the traditional cherries it seems the perfect thing for a cold winter night...

The recipe involved one ingredient I've never used before.. self-rising cake flour. You learn something new every day, and I definitely am into this box

Hello my pretties..

The finished product

How old are you now?

2007-02-13T21:43:00.000-05:00

On Monday, my actual Birthday, David comes over to cook me a little dinnner...

Hard at work in the kitchen

Time to eat.. a little salad..

Then some pasta with roasted peppers and chicken..

good job!

A Royal Celebration

2007-02-12T23:03:00.000-05:00

On Saturday Everyone's invited out to help me celebrate turning 35..

I prepare some light snacks for the pre-party

We then brave the cold and arrive at Royal Oak, where the back room is procured

I could not be more thrilled

Ben and Jesse seem similarly enthused

The ladies hold court at another table.

Andy came down to visit from Boston

..and Tim and Linda all the way from Park Slope!

Rachel and Tim come in from the cold.

Tim's not pleased with this unflattering angle

Breathe in!

And let it out..

Matt's drink of choice these days, Linda prefers something stronger.

Some sort of gang or something

Hand signals start to be employed

I have no idea what this could mean..

There were candies and condoms in baskets set out (maybe for Valentines Day but I prefer to think for us.)

Joan gives her best "come hither birthday boy" look

Anita is busy recording the silliness

The night would not be complete without some dancing!

Kevin shows up late in the evening

We post-party back at the homestead.. 10 minutes later Evan had broken that chair.

I wake up on the couch the next morning to Ben's smiling face.. Overall an acceptable celebration

A Stout Heart

2007-02-10T22:24:00.000-05:00

For Robert's 30th Birthday I offer to bake a cake..

A chocolate stout cake!

sour cream makes everything tastier..

Cocoa powder is dissolved in the stout and some melted butter

The recipe makes a lot of batter--enough for three 9" cakes..

looking good..

The finished product.. a cake that can stand truly tall and proud!

Party like a Pro

2007-02-08T22:07:00.000-05:00

During Fashion Week Heather gets us an invite to the Proenza Schouler afterparty at the Beatrice Inn in the west village.

The ladies look pretty..

We discover the back room..

Bottles of booze everywhere!

Ben Cho is DJing..

The drinks start flowing...

And the fun begins!

Thanks Heather!

Satan's little helpers

2007-01-30T00:27:00.000-05:00

Saturday's not as cold So I meet up with Heather and Megan in Williamsburg...

We meet up at Union Pool..

We then head over to Savalas..

The devil whispers in my ear.. have another drink...

Patrick is DJing

Time to dance!
Time to go home..

It's cold outside

2007-01-29T00:19:00.000-05:00

Friday night is the coldest in the city in two years, yet I venture out to Barcade to meet up with Ben and Janet. We run into Robert. We take turns seeking warmth under the giant fur hat..

A last stop at Trash for some nice warm tater tots..

Nice pear

2007-01-25T05:22:00.000-05:00

On Wednesday Bea and I attend the Absolut Pear launch party on the Lower East side. Heather's working the "green" carpet, Carmen Electra is the guest of honor

Bea and I enter and sample the goods

This is a very blurry picture of Ice-T and his wife-- I was too shy to get closer

The space is a new place called The Box... weird sort of baroque, but not very big.

There was a stage at the end where Carmen posed for pictures

This lady walks the the crowd with a snake, yes a snake. The theme of the party was the "forbidden fruit" so the entertainment was sort of garden of eden-esque. I'm not really sure what makes the pear forbidden. My bible must be out of date

There are pears all over the place

Bea inspects one

I thought this an interesting tableau

We find a corner and decide to display the pear

oh it looks so good..

Having sampled the forbidden fruit, we are cast out.

Oh Baby

2007-01-21T04:51:00.000-05:00

Saturday Gene and Beth are having a party in the East Village to celebrate their imminent arrival--I hesitate to call it a shower but the whole group is there and it's a good time

this one seems very last supper to me.. Andy some one will betray you!

Gene's drum circle performs..

The crowd seems to like it

the proud (expecting) papa

After I go meet Bea and the girls on the lower east side.

At Home Sweet Home Jane approves of the music

The scarf becomes an accessory

This dude can't believe what he's seeing.. keep dreaming tubby

Oddly Jane and Heather have worn the same outfit

Dears in the headlights

2007-01-19T11:30:00.000-05:00

Judy and I go to see The Dears perform at Webster Hall... I'm not crazy about the venue but I know they put on a great show.

A good show, although I would have preferred a smaller venue. After a drink Judy heads off into the night..

Heather, Tim, Megan and Keren are at Lit so I go meet them

we see the ever enthusiastic Patrick

It's decided to cab it down to Home Sweet Home

Eventually we end up at Union Pool--and it's snowing!

The quiet walk home

Mac Daddy

2007-01-14T03:51:00.000-05:00

The weekend after new year's Rachael has her annual southern New Year's feast. I bring the mac & cheese--apparently a crowd favorite.

The recipe--photocopied from a copy of Martha's magazine

Grate the cheese (a blend of white cheddar and gruyere)

Prepare the bread crumbs

make a roux

boil the pasta...

voila!

The meal is hoppin' john and collards--the black-eyed peas represent coins and the greens bills--it should bring one good luck and prosperity.

Dinner is enjoyed by all

Bill brings a cobbler--yuuuum

after dinner Mariela and Boris arrive... fun is had

Mariela and Cenan color co-ordinated their outfits

afterwards I meet the crew at Motor City

All About Eve

2007-01-04T04:44:00.000-05:00

On New Year's I opt for the nearby option.. a small gathering at Heathers and then to the white room for the crashin' in party.. these are all the pictures.. check below for a hot movie.

I arrive and all the usual suspects are there

Rachel and Tim
Jessica as well of course.. she confided in us that this had originally been a "mrs roper" dress that her tailor had done wonders on.. good show!

Jane, Laura, Taylor, Jordan and J'aime arrive to keep it festive

Marta seems dubious.. of what I don't really know

Margo gives good face

Marya shows up as a blond

J'aime keeps Laura well adjusted

Midnight comes.. balls are dropped. people are kissed

The lovely hostesses

The lovely hostesses plus one

After midnight Janet and Matt come by

Janet insures that no wildlife suffers by personally overseeing what happens to the six-pack plastic

The show is stolen by Andy's dog in a camouflage hoodie

Eventually it becomes time to raid Heather's panty drawer

Matt enjoys some face time with the guest of honor

After drinking all the champagne we head out in search of more fun

My favorite picture of the night.. pissed off--and so hot

At the White room we find Ben and Evan

And Mai

Happy New Years ladies

The New Year

2007-01-03T01:39:00.000-05:00

A little movie I made from New Years Eve--Enjoy..

Mmmm bop

2006-12-30T01:27:00.000-05:00

Friday I decide to decide to renew my long expired driver's license at the lovely DMV in Brooklyn.. a truly tedious task. The high point of the afternoon is encountering this awesome drawing of a ninja attacking a dinosaur on the subway platform..

That night Scott and I decide to have a little holiday Korean at Dok Suni in the East Village

a tasty kimchee pancake

Scott gets the bibimbop

I enjoy my dish--a big pile of sauteed kimchee with tofu and beef.

Santa would certainly approve

A wassailing

2006-12-29T01:02:00.000-05:00

Back in Brooklyn and off from work. Chris and I indulge in some holiday cheer at Union Pool

The lovely Janet joins us

Outside there is a fire.. how festive!

Holly Jolly

2006-12-27T00:20:00.000-05:00

Christmas Day comes. Ho Ho Ho--all that.. yeah..

We have a little breakfast before heading over to brother Bill's house

The stuffed mushrooms are prepared for transport...

When we arrive the opening commences..

tasty snacks

Caitlin models some new boots

mmmmm dinner

There seems to be small power struggle at dinner.. who is the real king?

Inside the crackers are all sorts of uh.. festive things

Caitlin opens one

After dinner the new toys are tested

The mini-pool table proves especially popular.. the competition gets heated

Sinead proves to be quite the shark

And to all a good night...

Twas the night before...

2006-12-26T23:18:00.000-05:00

On Christmas Eve I head down to NJ to see the family.. Dad makes the traditional clam sauce

The family arrives and snacks are had including tasty meatballs.

Dad prepares the sauce and pasta

Looks good!

Dad is obvoiusly making a serious point

Christine is dubious

finish with some home-made cookies

So many presents... but they must wait until tomorrow

We do get to see what Santa left in the stockings though

The traditional lottery tickets

Connor decides to take advantage of the "pants optional" rule

After the kids leave Mom, Dad Christine and I open our presents to each other

Andy finally shows his face and inspects the goods

Indian giver

2006-12-21T23:45:00.000-05:00

Wednesday at work someone has organized an Indian luncheon. I promise to contribute so I make samosas

I make the dough, and knead into a nice elastic ball

toast and grind the spices

And make the filling: potatoes, peas and onions

assemble

The fun part--deep fryin'!

yum

cookie time! (holiday edition)

2006-12-21T23:24:00.000-05:00

Monday I make my annual batch of holiday biscotti. I got the recipe many years ago from a co-worker who said she got it in Italy but who knows really, all that matters is that they're tasty and make nice (i.e. cheap) gifts.

dry ingredients..

wet ingredients..

and toasted almonds

mix them all together, form into to logs, and brush with egg wash.

They come out of the oven so shiny!

cut them and bake again..

All wrapped and ready to go!

Plum=tired

2006-12-21T22:56:00.000-05:00

Saturday night MacKenzie has a small holiday gathering in the East Village. I'm barely there a minute before the party is moved to Plum, a club in the meatpacking district, because one of the partygoers is throwing a party there. Somehow someone commandeered the NYU trolley to transport us there..weird, but kind of fun

We get over there and the sidewalk infront of the club is packed with the usual meat-packing district crowd. The general consenus is something along the lines of "I don't want to be in a club where THAT guy/girl is going" Eventually however we are let in en masse and even given a table. However it's just too awful to stand. Bea and I decide to leave..

We're on the move again--Bea is not pleased

We end up down on the Lower East Side to meet up with Heather who eschewed the field trip to the west side to meet up with Tim. Finally somewhere to sit down and savor a drink!

Tim seems fascinated by something--I'm not sure what..

And then back home to Williamsburg--Heather's street is a christmas wonderland!

Fish in the city

2006-12-19T00:40:00.000-05:00

Andy and Bina are in town to see Lou Reed perform in Brooklyn. On Friday night the old New York crew gathers at Mama's Bar in the East Village to get some face time with them

Andy and Erik

Judy and Stephanie stop by to say hi

This freaky poster of a chicken lady decorates the wall... and Jason is thoroughly freaked

We notice that the Menorah is incorrect, and set things straight

Polaroids taken by some weird guy that was wandering around

The big problem with Mama's bar is that there is only one bathroom--Andy experiences the joy of the bathroom line

Goodbye Andy.. enjoy the show

Heather, Megan and Keren are at Royal Oak, so I stop by to have a nightcap..

And Goodnight!

Home for the Holidays

2006-12-15T00:33:00.000-05:00

Struck by the Christmas spirit I decorate (kinda) the apartment

my slightly Charlie Brown-esque tree

Bad Company

2006-12-14T00:13:00.000-05:00

On Wednesday it's time for the annual company Holiday party--time to drink on the boss's dime and pretend it makes up for a year of the daily grind..

There's a decent spread and the place is nice enough--Marion's on the Bowery

Robert and Mike were wearing matching sweaters.. aren't they so cute

Hmm but then again Linda & I are color co-ordinated, tis the season I guess

I'm dreaming of a White Elephant

2006-12-12T23:30:00.000-05:00

After getting back from NJ, I head over to Jane and J'aime's apartment for their holiday/white elephant party

Some drinks are had

Chris "the ninja" models a new hat

Then it's time for some dancing!

The night continues.. things get a little silly

Heather, Chris and Bea decide to raid Jane's closet..

Just try to pick out the REAL Jane

Luckily she is amused

The night ends, Chris returns to his "happy place" under the desk

Trim Trab

2006-12-11T01:09:00.000-05:00

Saturday I'm off to NJ to participate in our annual tree-trimming/mom's birthday ritual

The big kids get started and Connor joins in--tissue paper everywhere!

Caitlin helps Grandma string up the beads

Every ornament tells a story! These are ones we've had since we were kids.. (I'm the snowman, my sister the angel)

This is an elf or something

This guy has always been known affectionately as "black santa"

after the lighting a spirited game of "Simon Says" is played

Then it's dinner time.. Mom's tasty ziti and sausages

and then the festivities

Cake is enjoyed all around..

anther fine day in the jerz

Peanut Butter Pie & Party

2006-12-10T00:45:00.000-05:00

In preparation for Tim and Linda's Holiday party I make a peanut butter pie, Tim's favorite.

A graham cracker crust is made by mixing graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and a little corn syrup. Then press it in the dish and bake it in the oven.. using the measuring cup is a trick I learned watching America's Test Kitchen.. thank you channel 13!

I then make the filling..peanut butter, cream cheese and sugar are beaten and then whipped cream is folded in.

it's like a delicious peanut butter cloud!

put the filling in the crust and and finish it off by pouring a chocolate ganache on top yum!

Now to party!

Jason brought "Sister You can cook" empanadillas--they CAN cook!

Pickle time!

2006-12-05T00:16:00.000-05:00

Sunday It's pickle time with Janet! We're making another batch of our famous pickled green beans and we try some brusssels sprouts too

We pack the jars

add the vinegar solution..

and process

voila! the finished jars

Home Improvement

2006-11-30T00:47:00.000-05:00

After my painting I hang some pictures on the walls---

Before...

After... it looks a little yellower in these pics than real life, i think because of the lighting. but I am pleased for sure..

Workin off the Stuffin'

2006-11-27T00:07:00.000-05:00

Saturday night back in the city I meet up with Will and some folks to hear our friend Pat DJ at Tonic.

He's spinning disco and has a guest DJ who's really good... I don't remember the last time I danced so much in a dingy little bar. Take that pumpkin pie!

Will finds a willing dance partner

The night ends at the crack of dawn on an LES roof

The Day After

2006-11-26T00:00:00.000-05:00

One Thanksgiving tradition I could never live without is hot turkey sandwiches the next day. Pile stuffing potatoes, turkey on some bread and pour hot gravy over.. mmmmmm

Turkey Vultures

2006-11-25T21:57:00.000-05:00

Off to New Jersey for Thanksgiving.. I head down on Wednesday night with home-made pumpkin pie in tow.

I inspect the bird...

and find grandma put to work.

After a few buds Dad and I get out the level and some shims and create one large table to accomodate the guests..

Thanksgiving Day. the snacks are set out and the guests arrive...

Mom's famous stuffed mushrooms

PJ and Sinead amuse themselves in the living room...

The first course is served chicken soup with polpetti

The kids get their own table--ah it seems not so long ago that I was at that table..

Dinner is served.. yum. Turkey and all the trimmings

clear the table

...time for pie!

and cookies..

grandma's apple pie.. yum

(note the delicious-looking pumpkn pie)

There was much debate on whether a bird once seen in the neighborhood could have been a vulture. Christine (our resident wildlife biologist) informs us that it could have been a "turkey vulture" --how appropriate... We are educted:

The tryptophan kicks in

Now it's time for a game

Caitlin wants to draw...

PJ challenges us to a game...

this is "oven mitt"

"cave woman"

How I spent my Fall Vacation

2006-11-18T23:09:00.000-05:00

After I get back from Chicago I have the following week off work. I vow to be productive so I:

paint the apt (!)

Have Judy over for dinner (note the half painted wall in the background). I make a simple pasta dish of rigatoni with eggplant sausage and ricotta and a salad.

Go to the MoMA with Andy to check out the Brice Marden show (no photography allowed!), of which we both very much approved. We also do a quick drive by of the classics, and discuss over a beer and fries.

As always happens this time of year I get a little obsessed with pumpkin so I bake a tasty pumpkin bread

Cook dinner with Chris and Erik at Chris' apartment... much wine was had (entree not pictured due to dead batery)

Not bad...not bad..

Everyone Knows it's Windy--Part 2

2006-11-13T22:27:00.000-05:00

Still in Chicago at Chris and Dave's... we wake the next morning...

Ruth acceses the legos..

A small, possibly tropical, town is constructed

The painting from the previous night is discovered--Ruth and Dave add their contributions

Sam wants to help too

The final collaboration:

Time to grill...

And then hang the paintings

On my final morning we take a walk around the neighborhood and go out for breakfast..

Everyone Knows it's Windy

2006-11-11T00:06:00.000-05:00

It's time for my annual visit to the windy city of Chicago to visit Chris and Dave and their two tots Sam and Ruth..

The kids greet me upon arrival..

Then it's dinner time.. grapefruit for Sam..

Tasty goat cheese and spinach pizza for the grown-ups

The next morning we head off to a local park for some fun..

here we are

The swings prove popular

As does the giant tucan bouncy thingy

We then move on to the major project of the day--creating some art for the new apartment. After a little lunch we break out the art supplies and inspiration and do some premilinary sketches.

Then we get down to work--we "prime" the "canvases" (it's just white paint on plywood)

Ruth observes

Then we paint the wood that will become the frame

Sam wants in on the action

The final product, Sam then helps Dave by giving him a headstart

Ruth and Chris join us..

A well deserved dinner is picked up

enchiladas!

burrito!

Nourished we work on our art

Mine:

Dave's:

Chris does multiple works on paper.

Happy Birthday Dear Robbie...

2006-11-10T22:49:00.000-05:00

Monday I go to to deliver Rob's birthday cookies to Ditch Plains where he bartends.. surprise!

He seems pleased and makes me a special beer cocktail that's on the menu--beer with tequila, tebasco, and lime.. um.. yeah..

Eventually Miguel joins us. We have the same camera so we goof around with the different functions...

slow synchro....

macro..

color accent..

Here Rob is trying to take a picture of Drew Barrymore who was sitting in the booth behind us with her boyfriend. At the end of the night she comes over and gives Rob a birthday high-five but i'm too shy to take her photo

We make a date to have dinner later in the week and celebrate properly at 'ino, just a few doors down from Ditch Plains in the west village...

We get a selection to start.. a plate of cured meats and cheeses, a plate of assorted bruschetta and "truffled egg toast" all very good..

And of course some wine..

We follow with three panini all very good--Miguel did not want to share his cacciatorini at first but was shamed into it. I ordered one with sausage and greens.. tasty

We run into a friend of Rob's who joins us, and eventually our server--also a friend--joins us..

Afterwards we do an abbreviated East Village bar crawl for old times sake

cookie time!

2006-11-05T23:09:00.000-05:00

For my friend Rob's birthday I make some cookies. These are chocolate mocha cookies with chocolate chips and hazelnuts.

I use the newly acquired microwave to melt the chocolate..ooh works so nice...

yum...

A saturday visit..

2006-11-05T22:09:00.000-05:00

The parents decide to pay me a visit on saturday afternoon. They have a microwave they want to give me, and complain that they haven't been over in a year..

In preparation I make a beef stew with herbed dumplings to feed them..yum, something simple and tasty for a cold day. Also an excuse you use my Le Creuset dutch oven

Brown lots of meat

add some bacon.. look at that fond!

onions.. the moisture deglazes

stew staples

chopping herbs for the dumplings

We enjoy a nice afternoon

Dinner is served... the dumplings expanded and threatened to take over the whole stew so they needed to be separated

Then it's off to see Borat with Tim and Jason

And a nightcap with Heather at Motor city

Actual Halloween

2006-11-03T00:30:00.000-05:00

Tuesday is the real Halloween. After getting dressed up going out on Saturday everyone's feeling a little ho-hum about doing it all again, but we rally and head out. It's decided to go to some party with bands at Fontana's on the Lower East Side...

The preparation--

And we're there.. the princess, Luigi and Mario are back.

Jessica joins us as "killer bee"

and Andy--i'm actually not sure if he was in costume

During the course of the evening we ran into THREE other Ritchies. another Margot and a Chas. It was unanimously decided my Ritchie was the best..the other Margot was laughable!

This guy was so excited to see his favorite movie come to life he insisted on a picture

Pre-Halloween

2006-10-31T00:13:00.000-05:00

Saturday night, since it's only few days before Halloweeen, a bunch of us are dressing up and going out. Bea and are going to be Margot and Ritchie Tenenbaum.

First we get into character...

We then re-enact Margot and Ritchie's first encounter in the movie--can't you almost just hear Nico in the background?

And then a suitably somber self-portrait:

Then off to Heather's to meet up with some other folks and head out on the town. Everyone gets pictures taken

Rachel as Jonbenet

Margot and Rick as Alice and "taxi driver"

Heather and Annick as the princess and a box from Super Mario Brothers

Karen is a feisty kitty

A veiled stranger arrives--oh it's Megan as a muslim

And lastly a formal photo of Margot and Ritchie

We all head over to a party in the west village, Sam and her friend Jess meet us dressed as Mario and Luigi, completing the set with Heather and Annick

this girl had a great bjork costume that she made herself

After a while we decide to leave and head over to Motor City for more drinks

L.A. Woman

2006-10-30T22:47:00.000-05:00

Friday afternoon I have a delicious snack to get me prepared for the rest of the evening...

After work we head over to Lolita on the Lower East Side to have drinks with Christina and say goodbye since she's leaving us for the (smog covered) greener pastures of Los Angeles

An Elvis impersonator shows up to serenade Christina...

I have a headband that I bought for my Halloween costume, we all take turns giving our best American Apparel model face.

Shooting Galleries

2006-10-23T23:50:00.000-04:00

Saturday being a nice day Erik and I decide to go check out some art in the chelsea galleries..

we start with a little lunch at Le Pain Quotidien:

Then we're off:

this painting was made with caviar.. yuck...

While I enjoyed these works they stunk like vinyl or something chemical-y

The work in the gallery was no good but they had covered the windows in some red film to cool effect:

Erik's favorite:

We stop for a snack

Erik's friend had a video piece up that we watched--hilarious

The Matthew Ritchie was my favorite:

And we're done!

Philadelphia, Freedom? Part two

2006-10-17T22:17:00.000-04:00

Today's the day, Kristin and Tyrone are getting married. Below is a sampling of the pics I took, anyone who didn't see the complete set (and wantst to) let me know..

Wake up--get on the bus..

The Ceremony is in Old St. Joe's church in downtown Philadelphia the oldest Catholic church in the city.

The church was off an alley and there was a nice little courtyard where everyone gathered after the ceremony

back to the bus and off to the reception a short ride away..

We passed this odd Mondrian-esque building on the way.

The reception started with a great cocktail hour, the food was good and very abundant... the guy behind the piano started off instrumental but before long was giving us his best Billy Joel and Elton John impressions

The couple is introduced and we move on to dinner and dancing..

The bride and groom host a little afterparty at their suite.. more good times are had...

A quick trip back to our hotel to change clothes and the party continues..

The final trek home. Goodbye Philly.. good luck Krisitin and Tyrone!

Philadelphia, Freedom? Part one

2006-10-16T22:14:00.000-04:00

This weekend Kristin and Tyrone, brought together by the legendary but now defunct Trippindicular, are tying the knot down in Philly. Tim Linda and I drive down. It's also a big baseball weekend: the Mets can win the NLDS and move ont to the next round. Also the hated Yankees are one day away from elimination..

After driving for a few hours (and a short detour through Delaware--don't ask) we arrive famished and ready for some baseball. There's a bar down the road which supplies us with the perfect combination of sports, beer, and food..

my room....tee-hee

We get in touch with the rest of the New York crew: Andy and Bina (well I guess they're Boston now) and Gene and Beth...

The Mets win and the Yanks lose the perfect baseball day!

Massive Mets

2006-10-06T04:20:00.000-04:00

On Thursday Tim and I leave the office together but this is no ordinary night!

He Jason and I have tickets to see Massive Attack at Roseland. When we bought them we had no idea that on the same night it would be crucial game two for the Mets in the NLDS against the Dodgers.. We find out that Massive Attack isn't going on until at least 9--the Mets game is at 8.. that gives us time to watch the begining of the game. We meet at some Irish bar with a lot TV screens in Hells Kitchen

wings and nachos are procured

Then off to the show.. we don't get too close but the lights and music are amazing..

Liz Frasier from Cocteau Twins comes out and sings some songs.. awesome

A great show..

Afterwards we decide to run to the nearest bar and see if we can catch the end of the game.. perfect timing.. bottom of the 9th Mets up 4-1--we see the final out. Mets lead the series 2-0, and since the Yanks lost to Detroit earlier in the day.. well I'd say it's a perfect evening

Strike while the Griddle is hot

2006-10-05T01:19:00.000-04:00

On Sunday Erik moves into his new place in williamsburg and has a mighty hunger. We get yummy mexican food at Bonita...

It's a lovely late afternoon.. we get a table outside and start with some guac and beer...

After a little while we realize that it's taking quite a long time to go get our food... the waitress comes out and informs us that all the kitchen workers have walked out. We ask if we're going to get our food since by this point we're getting seriously hungry and she says she doesn't know.. but do we want more beer? Eventualy some sort of agreement is reached and the work continues but by the time we get our food it's dark...it is devoured quickly

After we meet Chris at Metropolitan for some more beer, as it is their last Sunday BBQ this year. We run into his friend James there.

This picture made chris look short...

Now he is very tall!