Starbuck'd

The coffee shop in my building is cursed I tell you! Three weeks later, it is the scene of another crime. Another reason not to go there.

Inflation Sliced and Diced

So DiFara's Pizza has now hit 4 bucks a slice. Having eaten a lot of pizza around this great city, I'd say this is worth it. The ingredients are very high-quality and taste fresh and flavorful.

I do disagree with DeMarco that he takes his time with each pie. When I went with J and T last summer, all toppings slid off the slices if you tried to pick them up. The crust was great, but the center of the pie was not fully cooked.

I guess I'll have to go back and see if it's still worth the price -- and the wait.

Mahb Scene

My friend and neighbor turned 29 tonight. In the grand scheme of Kevin Bacon, he is the frat brother of my high school classmate, who went to camp with my friend from around the corner. He picked a fantastic Sicilian restaurant downtown to observer the occasion. The waitress spoke minimal English, and somehow she picked me up on her radar. After a bottle of Sicilian Shiraz (who knew?), two Chiantis, involtini de melanzane, grilled calamari, cuttlefish ink arancine, and half a massive calzone (farcito), we moved onto Swift down the street.

I manage to spend all of my money, get free drinks with minimal effort, and swing a ride home with M's roommate. It was a bit crazy - M got very intoxicated, became my wingman, and left without bidding his fellow celebrants adieu. Plus, I made out with someone in public for the first time in almost three years. That's usually an indicator of a successful birthday. Woo woo!

Nazdrovye!

What happens in Brighton Beach does not stay in Brighton Beach. I-bankers + vodka + unidentifiable but generally tasty food + vodka + tacky entertainment +more vodka = very sore feet for the next several days!

More evidence...

Life After Love

It's been just over a week now. Occasionally I reminisce or see a photograph and get upset, but it's getting a little easier to fly solo every day. Not seeing him while I was away on business or when he started working the night shift over the past few months made me more accustomed to being alone in my apartment. My appetite is almost non-existent, and I've lost at least five pounds. This is quite possibly the greatest diet ever!
I have been listening to a lot of Cher; it is definitely good breakup music since it acknowledges the feelings yet is upbeat and fast tempo. If anyone knows anything about breakups, it's Cher, since she's had some really ugly public endings of relationships. What perfect timing to hear that she is taking up residence at Caesar's Palace in LV. JJD and I are all about going to see her and getting our gambling on!!

Closing the Book

J and I broke up. It somewhat shocked me why and how it went down in the very end, but that's that. In some way, part of me had doubts as to whether some underlying issues would ever be resolved, but it is still painful. I am thankful for the support and comfort that my friends and family have provided, and my memories of the good times shared together and with others are a blessing.

Ahhh, The Good Old Days of College Hockey

This guy sounds almost comical. Stuff like this reminds me of when we threw fish at Hahvahd every time they would show up and how their coach would bitch. Or how Cornell fans routinely outnumber Crimson fans at their own arena. I also remember how almost the entire scrum of men on the ice got penalties for fighting, including the goalies. Better yet, I won my class ring during the Stone Travel Hockey Shoot-Out.

Ahhh, memories.....

A Load of (Mechanical) Bull

Rules for Riding a Mechanical Bull:

1. Go on an off night, so you will not make a total ass of yourself in front of 20,000 tourists and drunk i-bankers.
2. Bring photo ID, and make sure your friends do too, or you will be the only idiot allowed to ride the bull.
3. Have a drink. No, have a few drinks. Without speaking from experience, I'm almost 100% certain the experience of being flung around for all to laugh and point is more enjoyable when not sober.
4. Don't slouch. The pictures (and video!) will have you looking like The Hunchback of Midtown.
5. Urinate before entering the bullring.
6. You're supposed to only hold on with one hand, but if not that many people are around, you can get away with two. However, you may hold on so tight that you pull a muscle in your armpit.
7. If you can, climb off the bull yourself. People may boo, but it beats being flung off ungracefully.

Here's hoping Massa's amateur video of me does not end up on Youtube!

Happy 2008!

J and I spent New Years Eve at Joe's Shanghai in Flushing and then feasted on desserts at our friends' house. Al and I prepared three scrumptious treats for everyone:

Nutella Pots de Creme
Bananas Foster Bread Pudding
Bailey's and Chocolate Truffle Marshmellow Ice Cream

Our friend paused the cable so we missed the live ball drop. Thank goodness for rewind.

Needless to say, I am not eating dessert or xiao long bao for a while. Instead of focusing on weightloss, my goal is to eat healthier and exercise more and let the weight go where it must. In addition, I'd like to have more me-time and explore creative impulses. Perhaps I'll try to keep up with blogging bettter...

HAPPY 2008!

Ch-ch-ch-changes

Blogger in all their wisdom wiped out my old template without warning. So now I have a new one. Still trying to catch up and add postings to this...

Feliz Cumpleanos a Mi

Jess' bachelorette party is in Miami this weekend, but she was happy to celebrate my birthday on Friday as well. The guys were here last weekend, but I think we have dropped more in one day than they did all weekend. That's not difficult since 18% gratuity is automatically included on everything. Regardless, yeay for poolside booze, bikinis, and Cuban food!

We have visited Mangos twice. Not much has changed since last February. The service is indifferent at best, but the view is nice. I still don't really get the sheer leopard-print catsuit with moon boots, but hey, whatever floats your boat.

It is monsooning now; I hope I don't get delayed.

America Runs on Dunkin' ... in Aruba

I really need a vacation, especially after someone from work called me while I was in the cab on the way to our hotel.

Aruba is a perfect balance of relaxing and convenience. We are within walking distance of a lot of great non-chain restaurants, but it's not too crowded. A family friend gave us some recommendations ahead of time, and so far they've been great. The hotel's restaurants are all right and a little overpriced, but luckily all the hotels are connected, one of them with a beachside Dunkin' Donuts!!!!

One thing to note, it is impossible to read the NYTimes on the beach because the tradewinds are too strong. Bring cheesy mass-market paperbacks instead. Also, avoid DePalma Island, unless you enjoy water parks and shallow-water snorkelling with fish that don't respect personal space.

In Vino Felicitas

J's frosh-year floormate got married on the left coast last night, so we all flew out to SFO to celebrate with her. They liked Mike and Lisa's wedding at Raphael so much, that they had theirs at a winery as well. We definitely did not complain!!! Flying home today is going to be rough. I really wanted to take the day and take J on a special wine tasting and picnic, but we couldn't risk taking a red-eye and arriving late.

Mental note: do not allow Mike to plan a wine tour again unless tolerance is at a peak.

Bring on the Hog

Yeay for barbecue! J and I went to the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party. It was friggin crowded, but the lines we waited on is worth it. We had Big Bob Gibson's pulled pork sandwich, sausage and brisket from Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood, Texas, and beef ribs from the soon-to-be-opening Hill Country BBQ in New York. Hooray for more fab joints coming to town!

Thank God J doesn't keep kosher :)

Alleluia The Strife Is O'er

J took his test today. They shut the AC off in the Armory halfway through. I'm thrilled it's over! To celebrate I made all the things he liked, although he would have preferred some hours of shuteye.

Onto Level 2...and two back-to-back weddings this month.

T Minus One Week!

J takes CFA Level 1 in less than a week - hooray!!!

Went to my friend's wedding stag. It was a lot of fun. When the Romanian pop/quasi-techno came on, everyone would grab hands and dance in a circle. Lots of aerobic activity!

CONGRATS ANDREEA AND JON!

There's No Place Like Home

Exhausted. Working late. At least there is good food here in Vancouver, especially Asian.

Can I go home yet?

Thank God for Small Miracles

After a hellacious day, before an 11pm flight to Vancouver, I managed to swing an invitation to the BA lounge. It's just lovely. Even though I didn't get upgraded to biz class, I have a seat open next to me.

[It's been a while. Will be retroactively updating the blog while away. My company does not allow me to post during work hours, nor am I supposed to talk about work. Not that I really have, but I may tweak old posts here and there...]

There's the Beef

Today is J's birthday. To celebrate, we and his family ate at Ben and Jack's. Why can't all steak taste this good?

Four weeks to go until the CFA (a/k/a that effing test)!!!

Took mom and auntie to Ouest for their birthday dinner. My hanger steak was scrumptious. However, the whole point was to have their Ouest Sour, which is no longer on the cocktail menu :(. They did give me the recipe:

gin
yuzu juice
simple syrup

Will have to try it, if I can find a good source of yuzu juice...