Life Imitates Art

I watched a full correction series of Restylane injections - 30+ around the mouth and lips and she didn't even flinch.

And I've gotta say - it works.

www.restylaneusa.com

27 Degrees And 2 Snowfalls...

...and it's not even officially winter!

I think we're in for a cold one.

A Tri State Thanksgiving...Almost

Thanksgiving weekend 2010 hit 2 of 3 of the tri states:

NYC - balloon inflation party on the Upper West Side and a complete zoo at Grand Central Terminal
Stamford - 44 minutes later
New Canaan - turkeys, turnovers, and a dead mouse
Fairfield - Pepe's pepperoni pizza and a very awkward encounter with Justin Long (the Mac guy)
Norwalk - hugs from little Logan and McKenzie
NYC - a chilly train trip arriving back to GCT at 10:30pm

That's Why It's 30

Give Thanks. Walk. 5K

Today was my 2nd 5K to raise money for the children of St. Jude, a much smaller and more personal experience inside the Time Warner Center.

6 laps on the 4th floor
7 laps on the 3rd floor
4 laps on the 2nd floor

Afterwards, our team got free access to ride the famous Central Park Carousel and skate on Wollman Rink (4 laps without a fall).

http://www.centralparknyc.org/visit/things-to-see/south-end/carousel.html

St. Jude is one of the world’s premier pediatric cancer research centers. Its mission is to find cures for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. At St. Jude, no child is ever turned away because of the family‘s inability to pay.

50 Reasons

50 Reasons to Be Pretty Damn Euphoric You Live in New York City:

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2010/11/50_reasons_to_b.php

They had me at #50.

What Have You Done For Me Lately?

November 4th - International Project Management Day.

Frank P. Saladis, PMP said it best:

Troubled projects are (in most cases) the result of poor planning. That’s where project management comes in. It is an organized, common sense approach that will, when properly administered, increase the probability of success significantly while supporting and contributing to the organizations major goals and objectives.

I'm thankful for my very large bag of goodies from Eataly, as well as drinks at Tribeca Grill...and more drinks at Nobu Next Door (with a little bit of dinner).

Virtual Reality?

Rumors of new reality show could be found true after I stubmled upon filiming at Madison Square Park.

The Scene - guys in one trailer, girls in the other.

The "Actors" - Jose Canseco, Mark McGrath, Lil' Wayne, Gary Busey, Nikki Taylor, Star Jones, Latoya Jackson, Hope Dworaczyk

The Plot - who knows?!

Steampunk

A unique twist on a haunted house, yet the anticipation outweighed the experience.

http://steampunkhauntedhouse.com/

Today

The Today Show (since 1952) airs from 7am - 10am EST and is the 4th longest running TV series.

Despite a cool breeze, I enjoyed watching the pro's at work - Matt, Anne, and Al were professional, yet friendly.

Outdoor Connections

A hike through Minnewaska State Park (near New Paltz, NY) was intended to be relaxing.

Five miles later, wind blown and freezing cold, my shins tended to disagree.

Good thing the energy conscience wineries of Shawangunk Wine Trail helped soothe the pain.

Bamboo 52

Note to self: 5 free drinks at Bamboo 52.

All you need is a birthday!

Holding Down The Fort

My first New York wedding in Syracuse included, but was not limited to:

--the Forts
--a 4.5 hour road trip (each way)in a red hot Benz
--fall foliage
--a school bus
--Oktoberfest/Captain/Pino G combo's
--Crowne Plaza king bed with separation pillows
--and Bad Romance

Patience And Faith

In the Heights tells the universal story of a vibrant community in Manhattan's Washington Heights – a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open, and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It's a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind.

Too bad we missed Jordan Sparks.

Look Right!

JFK to Heathrow = 6 hours

GBP to U.S. Dollar = 1.58

Average gratuity = 12.5%

A five night stay at The Crom = 780

A proper Reiss = 255

BK Cheezy bites = priceless

And The Winner Is...

D-Con!

Another one bites the dust...on the kitchen counter.

And, just like with Earthquakes, there's always an aftershock!

So gross.

Labor Day Weekend, Round 2

Another great holiday weekend including but not limited to:

La Mela - a Little Italy favorite
Tin Lizzies - for the UES locals
A good oven cleaning - stop the invasion!
The Met - killer rooftop view
Coney Island - The Tickler, The Air Racer, and the boardwalk
S'Mac - delicious, even the next day
Eastville Comedy Club - the perfect line up
Pedicures - caluses be gone
Birdland Jazz - way better than I thought it would be
Battery Park - great lunch on the water
Ground Zero - prepping for another historic year

What A Jackass

From the infamous TV show Jackass (and most recently Dancing With The Stars) Steve-O passed me on 5th Avenue yesterday.

D-Con vs. Tomcat

The race is on.

Game on stupid mice!

Beasts, Bird Cages, and Blisters

Another jam-packed, semi-touristy weekend included but not limited to:

Vespa - dinner in the garden, not the bike
Alice Hair - for that Irish charm
Tottono's - still competing against Pizza Hut
The Beast - a surprisingly fun trip to Lady Liberty
Ground Zero - still a big hole
Overlook - with great NYC friends
Linda's - for a much needed fitting
La Cage Aux Folles - hello Kelsey Grammer!
Il Bagatto - yummy Italian food, a little out of the way
Japonaise - specialty cocktails with cute Nick

Chelsea Blowout

Four months earlier, I would've been in the office right behind the fireball!

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/chelsea_blowout_mUSuwy5x1F651TDXXPG3BN

I've Seen The Limelight

Churh turned club turned fabulous marketplace, 3 blocks from work!

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/17/realestate/commercial/17limelight.html

Red Hook - By Way Of...

...subway, water taxi, and car service.

Dinner at Rocky's Sullivan's - a diverse restaurant/pub with a large rooftop patio, lobsters served on paper plates, and swollen oreo cakesters for dessert.

Also convienently located a block away from the one, and only, IKEA.

Someday they will construct a subway line out there (one can only hope).

SPiN

Thanks to TCB for hosting the PM's at SPiN (owned by Susan Sarandon) - a great social and physical activity.

http://spinyc.com/info.php

It's Worth It...Question Mark

Last Friday, I realized the mice are back for their summer appearance and asked myself if this NYC experience is really worth it...?

When you can then leave and go spend Friday evening on the roof of The Met, sipping cocktails and enjoying Big Bambu, the answer is yes.

http://www.metmuseum.org/special/se_event.asp?OccurrenceId=%7B9C6923D2-D348-4761-BEB3-A943934068D2%7D

Mets vs Minn

My first Mets game at the new Citi Field in Queens.

A quick ride on the 7.

Amazing views of the field at any level.

And, a damn good burger at Shake Shack.

http://mlb.mlb.com/nym/ballpark/citifield_overview.jsp

Ben, Christine, and Erin

Ben Stiller

His wife Christine Taylor

And, Erin Kaplan from "The City."

Random celeb sitings near the office and on the subway.

Event Horizon

Look up at just about any corner of Madison Square park and you might be startled.

They're not snipers.

They're statues.

http://eventhorizonnewyork.org/

Big Apple BBQ

BBQ vendors from all over the U.S. gather in Madison Square Park to feed NYC.

For $8, you can get a plate.

For $125, you can skip the obnoxious lines.

http://www.bigapplebbq.org/

Green Spots and Flutes

A failed attempt on the Queen of Hearts led to eating gigantone (and I bite of a lamb slider) at Locanda Verde, owned by Robert De Niro, followed by drinks at Flute.

http://locandaverdenyc.com/index.php

http://www.flutebar.com/en/index.php?page=gramercy-ny/

Cheers!

Another great celebrity citing just outside of my new office on 5th Ave: Ted Danson

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001101/

Jones Beach Air Show

A great way to celebrate Memorial Day.

80 degree weather on Jones Beach (Long Island) with the Blue Angels headlining.

Beware of the Top Gun-esque "fly-bys" - those are no joke!

http://www.jonesbeachairshow.com/

Great Adventure

Jaskson, NJ - home of Six Flags Great Adventure.

Superman
Scream Machine
Kingda Ka
El Toro
Bazarro
Nitro
Batman
Skull Mountain
Dark Knight

Awesome rides - even better when you don't have to wait in line! VIP passes courtesy of my connections with the USMC.

Good times...with bruises and sunburn to prove it.

666

Known as the "mark of the beast."

More recently known to me as a funny little off-Broadway production (Minetta Lane Theatre) with frat boy humor and little to no dialogue.

Beware of flying shaving cream and urine-like substances!

http://theater.nytimes.com/2010/04/23/theater/reviews/23666.html

Part 93

Supreme Court, Part 93.

My first official civic duty - jury selection for a case involving falsified records in the construction industry.

2 days out of the office.

A minimum of 6 years until I have to do it again.

Rodents to Roaches

Summer is fast approaching and I'm dreading the arrival of my furry friends.

Kick starting spring, however, are my new frienemies - roaches.

OK, roach (singular).

Still gross.

Womentum

My first 5K.

Pre-party started at 7:30 a.m.

90 blocks later, back on the couch!

http://www.revlonrunwalk.com/ny/

A Mets Legend

Keith Hernandez.

You'll get to Mustrash your friends soon enough. Thank you Bloomberg!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Hernandez

UBWE Part II

This time for a new decade! Activities included, but were not limited to:

Minetta Tavern - Black Label Burger ($26 of pure yumminess)
BLOW - the salon, not the powder
FELA! The Musical - high energy afrobeat music
Raoul's - pomme frites at midnight
Bollywood - somewhere below 3B
Top Shop - overwhelming with a hang over
Stanton Social - small plates galore
Spitzers - they do have a full bar
Fat Baby -great music, most disgusting bathroom ever

Turning 30 in NYC - an accomplished goal. And 369 pictures to prove it!

Stopping Traffic

It's not an easy thing to do in the city, especially during the morning rush.

But, when you get smacked in the face by a luggage handle on the subway platform, people do stop and sympathize.

Thank you fellow residents of this insane concrete jungle.

15 Months Later...

I'm now a Blackberry user, compliments of JWT.

I think it's the longest hold out record in NYC!

La Pomme

Home of the DDD St. Jude's Fundraiser in the Flatiron District.

http://lapommenyc.com/

Of Olympic Proportions

On any day.

At any time.

You could spot a celebrity.

On the escalator.

At work.

http://www.apoloantonohno.com/home

The Daily Show

Jon Stewart, up close and personal in the front row!

Lead time = 3 months
In line wait time = 3 hours
Show time = 30 minutes

http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/mon-march-1-2010-neil-degrasse-tyson

BSOTY

Best Surprise of the Year - girls weekend in NYC, despite the snowpacalyse!

Activities included but were not limited to:

Cupcakes in the snow
Ground Zero
Japonais
Jared
Ceilo
Random Italians
Navy Seal Ops - recover iphone and wallet in the snow and under cars
Massages
Shopping
Vespa
Pat Green/Eli Young concert
J. Lo and Mark Anthony
Art Bar
Brass Monkey
Pop Burger
Haircuts

The Tempermentals

$20, front row, Michael Urie (A.K.A. Mark St. James on Ugly Betty).

A small stage for a big message. Very impressed at what 4 chairs and little lighting design can do!

“Temperamental” was code for “homosexual” in the early 1950’s, part of a created language of secret words that gay men used to communicate. The Temperamentals tells the story of two men – the communist Harry Hay and the Viennese refugee and designer Rudi Gernreich – as they fall in love while building the first gay rights organization in the pre-Stonewall United States.

http://thetemperamentals.com/home/

Almost a Blizzard

In the United States, the National Weather Service defines a blizzard as sustained winds or frequent gusts reaching or exceeding 35 mph (56 km/h) which lead to blowing snow and cause visibilities of ¼ mile (or 400 m) or less, lasting for at least 3 hours.

We had that this week, but not for 3 hours at a time.

Almost!

25mph

Temp check:

High of 31 today, with winds gusting up to 25mph.

Those are winds that will knock you off the curb!

Sleeping Beauty

NYC Ballet, starring Tiler Peck as Princess Aurora.

Full length ballets run about 3 hours...so maybe I'll make it past intermission next time.

http://www.nycballet.com/nycb/video2008/single.aspx?mov=270

Indochine

Winter restaurant week 2010 - $35 prefixed menus.

1st stop: Indochine - exotic French/Vietnamese cuisine.

One time only.

Dia Beacon, Retro Style

A beautiful afternoon to explore Beacon, NY - upstate along the Hudson.

http://www.diabeacon.org/sites/page/1/1001


http://www.retroarcademuseum.com/

NYCSSS

New York City Social Sports Club - bowling, beer, burgers...and 112 pictures to bust out laughing.

New Places. New Faces.

APT - sweet little dance club in the Meatpacking District
http://www.aptnyc.com/

Wine Bar - perfect before an EastVille Comedy show
http://winebarnyc.com/

Mercadito Cantina - another East Village gem with little bitty tacos
http://www.mercaditorestaurants.com/cantina/index.php

Desnuda - a great place to meet random Frenchmen and Lawrence Fishburn lookalike
http://www.desnudany.com/main.php

Bourgeois Pig - excellent wine/champagne based cocktails - hello to the blood orange
http://www.bourgeoispigny.com/about.php

NYE Part 2

Girls night out to re-ring in the new year.

Macondo for dinner.
http://www.macondonyc.com/menu.php

Sutra for drinks and dancing.
http://www.sutranyc.com/home.htm

The Eldridge for more drinks and dancing.
http://www.theeldridge.com/

The Year of Energy

Kick started at Highline Ballroom for NYE 2010.

I commit to:

Taking daily doses of Vitamin D - at least until March.

Making continuous efforts to get away from the honking and out of the shade.

Finding a workout regimen that suits me.

Turning 30 in style.