Calvinologie

Guastavino grandeur

2012-01-19T13:02:00.002-05:00

Much of the architecture in this city is so unmistakably New York - even if their elements have homes in other cities. One architect who fits this bill is Rafael Guastavino. I'll never get bored or uninspired staring up at his vaults. They have the power to make you forget about everything else around you.

As a contemporary of Gaudi (another one of my favorite architects), Guastavino didn't believe in subtlety, and saw form and function as equals in this world. Whether you're treating your eyes to one of his subway stations or dining at a restaurant with his vaults swooping over your shoulders, you're filled with a deep sense of beauty and grandeur. Guastavino somehow - and miraculously - isn't overstated.

But with a wink, he reminds us to keep our heads up.

Chefs abundant

2012-01-05T22:09:00.003-05:00

Turn on the TV to Food Network and there's a strong chance you'll see a New York City-based chef. Many of the contestants and judges on Chopped are restaurateurs and executive chefs in restaurants across the city. And the newest Iron Chef America is none other than Chef Geoffrey Zakarian of The National and The Lamb's Club. But right up there - in terms of prominence - is Marcus Samuelsson.

Even before trying his food, Marcus is intriguing for a couple of reasons. He seems to have that pioneering spirit. He's highly attributed for the advent of modern Scandinavian cuisine during his years at Aquavit, a New York City legend. And now he's heading up Red Rooster, arguably the best of the current Harlem restaurant renaissance. I also love Marcus' multi-ethnic background, which reflects the incomparable diversity of the city. His Ethiopian heritage and Swedish upbringing have both informed his approach to cooking.

I don't watch a ton of TV, but I do find myself watching a lot of Food Network lately. And watching these guys - whether they're competing to win $10,000 on Chopped or to become the next Iron Chef America - makes me feel right at home.

Christmas time at Blackrock

2011-12-12T15:20:00.004-05:00

I'm not a huge fan of corporate Christmas - especially when dollars are spent on useless holiday decorations. But I was admittedly drooling when I saw this display at the Blackrock building on 53rd Street. There were more than half a dozen scenes connected to form a magnificent bear village. It was like a secular nativity scene - and really the epitome of another pet peeve of mine: commercialized Christmas. Yet I enjoyed the display thoroughly. I think it's because everything the bears were doing, I want to do. Relaxing with a piping hot cup of coffee at Starbears Coffee, pan-roasting fish over open flame, and frolicking in the snow. In short, what I often mistakenly view as the good life. These are good things, but we've gotten so far from the original meaning of Christmas. These stuffed bears only reinforce what my pastor has said the season is all about. Not the virgin birth, but the fact that we go our own way.

Winter's Eve

2011-12-02T20:28:00.004-05:00

All it takes is a random stroll through Winter's Eve to realize how ridiculously spoiled we are as New Yorkers. Not only do we have access to every cuisine imaginable from some of the world's finest chefs, but we even have sidewalk access at times while Arlo Guthrie performs outdoors just 3 blocks away. Winter's Eve at Lincoln Square is a great way to introduce passersby to restaurants they may have passed over. Last week, over a dozen restaurants lined the slab of concrete that snakes around the Time Warner Center. I enjoyed Sapphire's Tikka Masala, and my daughter was devouring the mac & cheese croquettes that we picked up at another booth. The restaurant's name escapes me. But the night won't.

Marathon musings

2011-11-07T20:37:00.001-05:00

It's really hard to miss the NYC Marathon when it comes storming into town every year. The 26.2 course cuts through all five boroughs. Almost every year when I see the runners, I think to myself how I'd love to run the marathon one day. I wonder if one day I'm able to overcome my tendinitis, torn meniscus, and general laziness and finally enter the race. But as a spectator, I'm already hugely blessed to be a part of the marathon. If people could take all the amazing dynamics that are at work during marathons and apply it to everyday life, New York would be a much better place. Take for instance who's running. It's not like watching Track & Field at the Olympics where you only see the best of the best. The marathoners, on the other hand, are a hodge podge of super athletes, weekend warriors, average folks, and even the physically disabled. None of these labels matter on Marathon Day. But every single one of them is inspiring to watch. The NYC Marathon is an equalizer in many ways. What if we approached our careers and social lives the same way? There's also a dynamic among strangers that is rarely seen in other situations. Strangers cheering on strangers. As a spectator something compels you to root for people you don't know, people you'll never see again. And as a runner you feed off of that. Sure, being cheered on by your wife, kids or best friend is a powerful thing. But when a stranger genuinely cheers you on and wants you to succeed, you're filled with an enormous sense of gratitude that is hard to match. I've long viewed the U.S. Open as my favorite spectator sporting event. But this year, the marathon reminded me that it's so much more than just a sporting event. It's a blueprint for something far greater.

New York Escapism: Why We Love the Berkshires

2011-10-28T22:18:00.000-04:00

It’s been almost a week since my family returned from a weekend in the Berkshires and I’m still dreaming about it. It was the first time that any of us made the trek out there, and Carol and I fell in love with the region right away. We’re pretty sure that Sophia was happy with it, too. Having finally experienced it, I now understand why it’s so appealing to New Yorkers as a weekend getaway. In the Berkshires, there’s balance.

When you drive up, there’s no mistaking it. You have truly left the city. But you didn’t leave it for some boondock or forgotten town. You’ve arguably discovered the most beautiful rural region this side of the New York Thruway. A drive up Route 7 reveals not one picturesque town, but nearly a dozen. Rolling hills. Long gorgeous lawns surrounding red barns. Wild flowers lined up along windy roads. All straight out of a period-piece film. Whether you’re hiking it or antiquing it, the aesthetics of the Berkshires meets – and often surpasses – New Yorkers’ standards. It really is an escape.

But there’s the flip side. When you make the trip to the Berkshires, you don’t have to leave too much behind. Art and culture have made its way to Western Mass in a significant way. Yes, there’s Tanglewood in the summer. But year-round, there’s a bustling art community and scene with museums, galleries, and outdoor exhibitions. There’s at least three major theatre companies with regular productions throughout the year. There’s also plenty of literary inspiration, including the homesteads of Melville, Dickinson, and Wharton. And even though wine trails don’t sit in the Berkshires, there are a small handful of quaint wineries where there’s tastings and award-winning bottles for sale. In other words, New Yorkers can find plenty to do here.

Carol, Sophia and I loved the fall trip which enabled us to see the Berkshires’ extravagant foliage interpretations. But there are reasons to make the trek there year-round: summer for Tanglewood, winter for skiing, and spring for wild flowers. Like I said, there’s balance in the Berkshires.

Organic, Non-New York.

2011-10-18T21:52:00.003-04:00

For me, there are two national chain stores, in particular, that stick out like sore thumbs in New York City. It's not their product or decor, but their vibe and the way the employees talk to you. The two stores I'm thinking of are Trader Joe's and Patagonia. There are probably others out there. But if you've shopped at either of these stores, you know exactly what I mean. The employees talk and act like they're not from New York. Almost like they're aliens or something. I was reminded of this tonight as I made the brilliant decision to hit up Trader Joes Union Square around 8pm. Even with the store's notoriously long lines, your cashier still manages to tell you all the details about his rad hiking trip that he went on over the weekend. While it's certainly comical, I have to say it's also kind of refreshing. I think us New Yorkers can learn a lot from the good folks at Trader Joes. Like slow down. Exhale. Sometimes we forget to do that.

Restaurant Review: Smith and Wollensky.

2011-09-25T22:55:00.002-04:00

I consider myself to be a steak lover. Yet, it took 14 years of living in New York City to finally take the pilgrimage to Smith and Wollensky. Part of the reason for the delay is that I'm a cheapo. While I love steak, it's hard for me to justify spending $40-50 for a steak a la carte. Fortunately, someone else foot the bill this time around.

I should start by saying that the photo was not taken by me, since both my friend and I had phones whose batteries were on the verge of dying. So I found a photo of the bone-in ribeye from Beef Aficionado. That's what I ordered at SW. They call it the Colorado Ribeye there. Eating it helped me to confirm my taste for steak. I thought the steak was very good, but it wasn't my favorite. That's because I'm not a big fan of the aged flavor aftertaste. I like my steaks pretty straight up. Hence, I've actually enjoyed my steaks at Sparks and Del Frisco more than at SW or Peter Luger. Don't get me wrong. SW makes an awesome ribeye. I would just prefer less aged meat. But they cook it just right. Charred and crispy on the outside. Juicy, red, and buttery on the inside.

SW's sides were very impressive. The hashbrowns - shaped into small cubes that stick together - were phenomenal, and the creamed spinach was really good as well. For appetizers, we had the shrimp cocktail and Maryland crab cakes. Both were good, but nothing extraordinary. Same with the carrot cake dessert. I would've liked to see more moist buttery goodness, but the size was impressive. Almost a steak in itself. Normally I take red wine with my steak, but my compatriot and I settled for Rogue Brewery's Irish Red Ale, which I thought actually worked really well with the ribeye.

I think SW is a good steakhouse option for those who love Peter Luger. I'm sure most people think that Peter Luger is light years ahead of SW. But my point is that if you like that aged flavor aftertaste which Peter Luger is known for, I think SW will be right up your alley.

Goodbye Giant Yellow Bear.

2011-09-15T22:27:00.000-04:00

The giant yellow bear that has plopped down on Park Avenue for several months has spent its last day here. This eye-catching oddity was created by Swiss artist Urs Fischer, and reportedly weighs 35,000 pounds. For my daughter Sophia, the yellow bear has become a regular sight on her morning walks. Today we had to say goodbye to yellow bear and the security guards that we've befriended these last few months: Dennis, Rasheed, and Carmelo. It's amazing how weird Seagram Plaza feels without these individuals - and without the giant bright yellow sculpture. For decades the Plaza was defined by open concrete space, flanked by two fountain depots. But in just a few short months, the bear and those guarding him have come to be a normal, even welcome sight. At least from Sophia's perspective.

Happy Hurricane.

2011-08-27T19:18:00.004-04:00

This was the sight at most grocery and drug stores since yesterday. A lot of people have been stocking up on food and bottled water, preparing for Hurricane Irene's unwelcome arrival. The responses to Irene are as diverse as New York itself. There are definitely people who think Irene is going to be nothing but heavy rain. With these folks, there's a definite bravado and a sense that they'e not afraid or concerned about anything. Some may take the opportunity to run in Central Park tonight just to say they did. Then there are New Yorkers that are freaking out. When you see them at the grocery store, it looks like they're stocking up for a month. Some residents also have taped up their windows, even though they say Irene will only be a Category I by the time she comes through the city. But most people are somewhere in between. Cautious, taking steps to prepare, but not overly anxious about it. Carol and I tried to take Sophia outside today as much as possible since tomorrow we'll likely be indoors. Most restaurants were shut down today, some grocery stores stayed open, but many places have shut down by now to allow employees to get home safely. The subways and trains have been shut down since noon. Duane Reade across the street is still open, and the local Irish pub - Pig 'n Whistle - around the corner will be open tonight. I'll try to update the blog tomorrow.

Summer Streets.

2011-08-13T22:35:00.000-04:00

There's something really nice about the sight of no cars on Park Avenue. During the summer, the city selects a small handful of Saturdays to open up the avenue - from 72nd St down to the Brooklyn Bridge - to cyclists, runners, walkers, and rollerbladers. Today was the first time we took advantage of Summer Streets, and the feeling of being able to spread out across the street was pretty awesome. We took Sophia out in her Peg Perego, and saw plenty of other baby strollers out there, too. I think Summer Streets is a great idea. Traditionally Manhattan is less crowded on weekends in the summer, so it seems that closing down Park Avenue for a few hours doesn't hurt traffic too much. And there's even free bike rentals!

Arthur's Tavern (Hoboken).

2011-07-30T23:48:00.000-04:00

Sometimes when a guy orders a steak, it's not about the quality, but the quantity. You'll find plenty of quality in Manhattan (Sparks, Old Homestead, Keen's, to name a few) and Williamsburg (the steak mecca known as Peter Luger). But if you want quantity at a good value, you'll have to cross the river to get to Arthur's Tavern on Washington Street in Hoboken, NJ. No one ever confused Arthur's fatty sirloin cuts with Spark's chiseled sirloin, but the former has become a cult favorite among metropolitan steak fans nonetheless. You can get a 24oz sirloin for $24, and if you're brave enough, there's a 48oz sirloin for about $45. They're really good steaks for that price point, considering you would pay twice as much in the city. The steaks come with home fries, and the meat is charred on the outside and pink or red in the middle, depending on how you like it. Value has to count for something in the steak world.

Victor Lin Trio @ Cobi's Place (July 8th)

2011-07-11T21:18:00.001-04:00

Before fatherhood changed everything, Carol and I frequently checked out Victor Lin's jazz concerts. This past Friday, I finally got to hear him play again after more than a year. It felt like home hearing his trio again. Victor loves working in threes, often changing his trio lineup, but always going back to work with past collaborators.

The show was at Cobi's Place, which also had something to do with the homey feelings that were flowing freely in the air. It's a jazz nook, but it feels more like someone's basement where a nine-year old is clawing his way through one of Bach's Minuets. That's not a slight on Cobi's Place. That's exactly what they're going for here. There are Christmas decorations hanging in July, and there are free macaroons and cake after the show. But let's get to the music.

Joined by Michael Olatuja on bass and Jordan Perlson on drums, Victor experimented, tested new material, connected with his audience, and mostly made love to his piano (I had to look away a few times). The trio explored Gershwin, opening with "How About You," and then slowed it down for the standard, "You Don't Know Me". The music took some pretty crazy turns too. Fresh off teaching at a string camp in Florida, Victor captured the fiddling spirit in jazz trio format on "Wheelhaus." One of the show's strong points was its organic feel. The guys just went for it, even pulling together a song that Victor wrote half an hour before the show started.

Victor just finished his doctorate studies at Columbia, which means more shows, and hopefully more homey concerts at Cobi's Place.

Rainbow City.

2011-07-02T23:50:00.000-04:00

Have you wondered what AOL has been up to these days? This is one of their recent projects. Rainbow City is an interactive exhibit that sits at the base of the second completed phase of the Highline. From a marketing perspective, it's a smart way to connect with New Yorkers, aligning themselves with one of the best public spaces in the city. We took my daughter there this afternoon and she loved it. I also got to see the second section of the Highline for the first time. It's great to see the extension of the former elevated railroad track. But I think the first section is far more impressive because of its seating areas, the zen-inspired water ground section, and the way it dramatically hugs adjacent buildings. The second section didn't really add anything new, except there's the added benefit of having a longer stroll.

Restaurant Review: Basta Pasta.

2011-05-26T21:54:00.002-04:00

I haven't done a restaurant review in a while because we mostly eat at home these days. But recently Carol and I had a date night. This restaurant has probably one of the worst names you could give a business. It doesn't represent the restaurant's style or quality at all. But Basta Pasta has been one of our favorites over the years. The Japanese know how to make pasta. They cook it well, and combine it with interesting ingredients like sea urchin, snap peas, and flying fish roe. Pretty much everything we ordered was superb as always, but two dishes stood out...

Tortino di Granchio. This appetizer featured crab meat, avocado, green apples, and a grapefruit jelly. A great summer dish.

Spaghetti with Parmigiano Reggiano (carved from a Parmesan wheel at the table) and Parma Prosciutto. This entree was light, fragrant, and came together really well.

Japan Day 2011.

2011-05-26T21:29:00.001-04:00

Japan Day at Central Park last weekend conjured immediate mental references to Sakura Matsuri. Seemingly just another excuse for eccentric teens to dress up in manga or video game character outfits and act in outrageous ways. I thought the fair was fun, but it could've benefited from more of a local presence. I was actually surprised at the choice of booths in the bandshell area, origami and traditional toys to name a couple. It seemed almost like an introduction to Japanese culture. I was wondering why more local orgs weren't represented, like cultural and educational institutions. And having more food vendors would've strengthened the event as well. I think the two best things about Japan Day were the charitable giving opportunities for earthquake victims and the live musical acts which seemed to capture a nice array of styles. Although it was fun to stroll around the fair, overall, I felt that Japan Day was a missed opportunity.

Alien encounter.

2011-05-20T21:49:00.000-04:00

Lately I've been noticing more subway musicians wearing funny masks or even full costumes. On the surface, it seems like a ploy to make up for other shortcomings. But I've actually heard some pretty good music from these acts. The guys pictured above we're churning out a nice jazzy rendition of The Police's "Walking on the Moon" at the L train platform at Union Square. Perhaps it's not enough to just play well anymore. There has to be something unexpected to get New Yorkers to pay attention for a decent length of time.

New Yorker nod: James De La Vega.

2011-04-27T21:35:00.001-04:00

James De La Vega is a New York City staple and a big time street artist - but probably more universally known for his chalk-scrawled quotes that appear on sidewalks under the moniker De La Vega. I gave him my New Yorker nod for a few reasons. First, he's made a name for himself in this city. Not easy to do. And he's done it through unconventional means - using public surfaces as his canvas for murals and chalk drawings. His work is actually talked about by non-artsy people. His philosophical musings reach the mainstream, and people actually stop to read his quotes. Second, De La Vega wears a ton of hats, which makes him almost quintessentially New York. He's a photographer, a former teacher, and I just saw that he also works as a motivational speaker. There's a lot more going on with this guy than just those mysterious quotes and Harlem murals. Lastly, De La Vega is not a flash in the pan. For a while, it seemed that he disappeared, but his chalk quotes have resurfaced these last couple of months around the city. The guy has mileage.

Rush @ MSG (April 10th)

2011-04-14T20:20:00.002-04:00

It's been 20 years since I last saw Rush live. That's scary. My first thought was, man, I'm old. My second thought was, man, Rush is older! They were already really old when I saw them in 1991 on the Roll the Bones tour. Now they're the elder statesmen.

The Time Machine tour is impressive. They've been playing the same exact set for dozens of shows, but at least the set works. The time machine motif worked well given Rush's four decades of material to fall back on. I thought that the two highlights were the run through the entire Moving Pictures album from beginning to end and Neil Peart's jaw-dropping drum solo. Come to think of it, there was a lot of jaw-dropping going on that night. The screen behind Peart's massive drum kit revealed several close-ups of the guys, including a few of Geddy Lee's crazy bass solos. I was basically in awe all night at these dinosaurs who were rocking out with the same energy that I saw 20 years ago. It was a treat to see the crowd engage with the band - arms raised - in "The Temples of Syrinx" and I also really enjoyed "Subdivisions" off Signals. In general, I felt the Time Machine setlist could've included more stops around the Signals/Grace Under Pressure/Power Windows era. Would've loved to hear "Red Sector A", "Distant Early Warning", "Territories", and "Mystic Rhythms".

If I had to pick a weakness, there was a period early on in the first set where the time machine went back and forth between 1993 and 2007 a couple of times, and then landed on a song from their forthcoming album. Definitely not Rush's finest years, in my opinion. But overall, I was so impressed with Rush and with the show, and I just felt lucky to be able to catch these prog rock pioneers one more time.

First set:
The Spirit of Radio
Time Stand Still
Presto
Stick it Out
Workin' Them Angels
Leave That Thing Alone
Faithless
BUTB
Freewill
Marathon
Subdivisions

Second set:
Tom Sawyer
Red Barchetta
YYZ
Limelight
The Camera Eye
Witch Hunt
Vital Signs
Caravan
Drum Solo
Closer to the Heart
2112 Part 1: Overture
2112 Part 2: The Temples of Syrinx
Far Cry

Encore:
La Villa Strangiato
Working Man

Death cab.

2011-03-27T20:45:00.004-04:00

One of the city's strangest laws is the infant car seat rule. In New York City, it's mandatory to have babies in a car seat when riding inside any car - except a taxi cab. If you're riding a cab, then it's totally optional. Now I understand the reason why this rule was created. Clearly if you're taking a cab, you're unlikely to be carrying a car seat around with you. The problem is the car seat rule was always meant to be a safety precaution, not a convenience measure. And of all cars to step into with your baby, taxis are probably the least safest. Perhaps one solution to this crazy exception is to give more tickets to cabs for the crazy things they do on the city's streets, like cutting people off, swerving into other lanes, and running red lights.

Building the perfect bagel.

2011-02-20T22:30:00.001-05:00

Given New York City's reputation for great bagels, it's a shame that so many bagels in the city are just average. On many weekends, Carol and I partake in the mouthwatering nirvana known as Ess-a-Bagel. It's my favorite joint in the city, and the bagels are pretty much perfect. Of course, perfect is subjective. Here's how I define it: extra crispy outside, soft and fluffy inside, generous fillings. And then the secret ingredient: New York water. Having eaten several bagels in L.A. and in Boston, I can attest that the water theory has legs. It truly does taste different in New York and our excellent tap water deserves some credit for that. Ess-a-Bagel's only downfall: long weekend lines at lunch time.

Living in yellow.

2011-02-19T22:03:00.000-05:00

Carol, Sophia and I met up with some of the Meet Up families at the Brooklyn Children's Museum today. Carol's friend May was already there with her family when we got out of the subway. She texted Carol to tell her to look out for the building with the yellow roof. By roof I believe she meant the entire exterior. It stood out like a sore thumb in a residential section of Crown Heights. We were struck by how eerily quiet it was walking to the museum from the subway stop. But once we got inside, it was like stepping through the other side of a bookcase into a secret romper room. The museum has a good number of exhibits, play areas, and special programs.

Parenthood has definitely opened our eyes to a different side of New York City. There's a culture here that tries to entice you as a parent to stay in the city and raise your kids here. Counterattacking these efforts is the lack of space in schools. Sophia is still too young for us to be dealing with the absurdities, but there are actually several neighborhoods in the city where public schools - particularly with pre-K and Kindergarten - have no room. Can't wait to deal with that.

Year of the Rabbit.

2011-02-09T22:19:00.001-05:00

The only lion dances that I've seen in New York City prior to this past weekend have been on the grimy, colorful streets of Chinatown. But last Sunday, we were treated to one right on East 65th Street in front of the China Institute. The strip between Lexington and Park Avenues was blocked off for the occasion. It was a refreshing sight to see Chinese culture creep its way that far uptown. The China Institute - along with the Japan Society, Korea Society, and Asia Society - organized the lunar year event, which included martial arts and kung fun demos. The China Institute was the place where I took Mandarin lessons. I thought the class was great, but unfortunately I didn't keep practicing speech and writing. For anyone looking to take elementary Mandarin classes, I definitely recommend it.

Putting up walls.

2011-02-02T22:22:00.000-05:00

New Yorkers are good at putting up walls. Particularly the pressurized variety. I'm not sure if pressurized walls are common in other cities, but it's certainly been a big part of the apartment living landscape in New York City for several years now. If you don't know what it is, pressurized walls are held up with metal frames. Everything else - including the sheet rock, sound proofing materials, and molding are screwed in or nailed into the metal frame. So the adjacent walls and ceiling don't have any screws, nails or glues on them. Supposedly this approach makes it easy to take the wall down without causing any damage to the existing walls and ceiling around it. Carol and I decided to give it a shot. And it worked well as you can see in the photo above. The wall was pretty simple. We just converted an alcove space in our studio into a nursery room for Sophia. While it's definitely a benefit for Sophia to finally have her own room, it's more of a benefit for us because now we finally have some privacy. We also can stop whispering to each other now, and we can unmute the television finally. This ended up saving us a lot of money and time. Instead of looking for a bigger space to rent, we were able to stay put and reconfigure our existing arrangements.

The company we ended up using was Wall2Wall. At first I was very hesitant to go with them because we didn't know anybody else personally who used them. They also didn't have any reviews (not even on Yelp), only a couple of generic testimonials that were on their website. But in the end, two things separated them from the rest of the companies: 1) they use eco-friendly sound proofing materials, which is very important to us, and 2) they said that we didn't have to pay until the job was finished. Overall, we were very satisfied with the work, and I'd recommend them if you're looking for a good pressurized wall company.

Restaurant Review: Grand Central Oyster Bar.

2011-01-21T23:50:00.001-05:00

Not sure what else to write about tonight, so here's a restaurant review that's long overdue. On my date night a couple of weeks ago, Carol and I checked out this old stodgy New York institution. Overall I think I was more impressed with the ambiance and history than with the overall meal. Both of us actually found pieces of shell in our oysters. I was also surprised that our clam chowder wasn't piping hot. But our entrees were really good. Carol got the broiled cod and I had a broiled monk fish. The sauce seemed to go perfectly with the meaty flavor of the fish. If you're expecting top quality presentation and attention to detail, I'd choose another restaurant. But if you're looking for a good variety of oysters and well prepared fish specials - and like hearing subways rumbling while you nosh - check this place out.

Central Park Zoo.

2011-01-19T23:44:00.000-05:00

Carol and I stumbled upon a great deal. $94 for a one-year pass for us and Sophia, which includes unlimited access to the Central Park Zoo, Bronx Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and NY Aquarium. Fortunately we're only a 15-minute walk to the Central Park Zoo. So we can really take advantage of this membership. On Monday we went for the first time as a family - Carol and Sophia already went with another mom and baby two weeks ago. You certainly can't compare the Central Park Zoo to the scale and name recognition of the Bronx Zoo. But there's a charm to it that's hard not to like. There's also the irrefutable coolness that it's located inside the Park. My wife has been doing a terrific job of finding free and discounted activities for Sophia - everything from story times to play times to classes. Now we can add penguins to that list.

ArcLight Cinemas.

2011-01-02T14:07:00.000-05:00

We're wrapping up a week and a half long trip out in L.A. today. Last night, I got to check out one of the city's ArcLight Cinemas. The ticket prices are $3 more than what you typically pay at other theaters. They definitely try to cater to a more upscale audience, most notably through reserved seating, commercial-free viewings and a bar/lounge. You can even drink inside the theaters. The reserved seating was nice, but not necessary last night. The place was empty, kinda surprising for a 10:30 pm Saturday night showtime of True Grit - only in its second week. They definitely lost a lot of money there. But the seats were very comfortable. I wouldn't have minded if they had seat warmers too. In a world of Hulu, Netflix, and big screen TVs, I don't see the ArcLight concept surviving long term. But I think they can bring in some revenue through screenings and special events. It was a pretty nice experience for me, but definitely not worth the extra money. On a side note, True Grit was solid. The Coen brothers are solid as always, and Jeff Bridges was superb.

For real.

2010-12-16T23:06:00.003-05:00

Getty Images

As a follow-up to a previous post, I just wanted to comment on how much of a turnaround the Knicks have had this season. They've now won 13 of their last 15 games, and almost pulled off an upset over the Celtics. If only Amare had an extra half second to get the shot off. Before the season began, there were a lot of doubts. First, many folks weren't sure Amare could be the offensive power that he was in Phoenix without Nash around to feed him alley-oops all season long. They were wrong. Amare is lighting it up every night, franchise player-caliber. And he's throwing in two blocks a game as well. Second, many of us didn't think the Knicks would be able to compete until we added one more big name piece, like Carmelo. But we just took arguably the best team in the league down to the last half second. I say the Knicks can start competing right now.

Hipsta Duane Reade.

2010-12-14T22:58:00.001-05:00

When some friends of ours that live off the L train's Bedford Ave stop first mentioned that a new Duane Reade was opening up there, I have to confess I was excited for them. I've been in love with these new Duane Reade stores. I even wrote about it in a previous entry. But a recent article in the Guardian brought this problem to my attention again. It brings up the valid point that this is really bad news for Williamsburg. Duane Reade is awesome. Williamsburg is awesome. But moving Duane Reade onto Bedford Ave is just plain wrong. We shouldn't have been too surprised when Chipotle crashed Hells Kitchen's party a few years back. But Williamsburg was one of the last cool neighborhoods to keep its local flavor and not give into the commercialization conquest. So as much as I love the new Duane Reade stores, I have to side with the hipster on this one.

Restaurant Review: Park Avenue Winter.

2010-12-08T23:35:00.002-05:00

Carol and I had a date night tonight. We absolutely love and adore our daughter, but it felt so good to be out. It's been a long time since we dined out. Tonight - based off one of Josh Tamis' recommendations - we checked out Park Avenue Winter. The food was fantastic. Park Avenue Winter is part of a cool concept series. The Park Avenue restaurant has four evolutions throughout the year to reflect the four seasons in its design, decor, and seasonal menus. So one of its strengths is using the season's best ingredients in its dishes.

Tonight, we started with a potato and bacon gnocchi dish and salmon tartare. I had the herb-crusted veal chop with chanterelle and trumpet mushrooms and Carol had a Filet Mignon and short rib duet with root vegetables. We also ordered a hearty side of brussel sprouts with bacon, pears and apples. Even the breads were season-inspired.

Great concept and wonderful food. Check this one out. We'll be back when the venue transforms into Park Avenue Spring in March.

Five in a row.

2010-11-24T22:44:00.000-05:00

AP Photo/Chuck Burton

I haven't blogged about the Knicks in a long time. But I figured now was a good time to give them some recognition. The Knicks are turning things around after a slow start. They won five games in a row now and are at .500. They've done it against mediocre teams, but a streak is still a streak. And they're playing with some swagger. Tonight three guys - Amare, Chandler and Raymond Felton - scored over 20 points. The Knicks are now the third-highest scoring team in the league. Maybe I should start watching games again.

Michael, Part II.

2010-11-24T22:25:00.000-05:00

Over a year ago I blogged about Michael, a young homeless guy that hangs around 59th St and Lexington Ave a lot. Yesterday I bumped into him again as I was running to catch a train. I was ecstatic when he told me he just landed a job and that he's moving in soon to a place in Bayside. Hearing that news totally made my day. For a while now I was growing tired of seeing Michael on the streets with no job, no plan, no hope. It irked me, actually. I thought he was being lazy. I knew that people - including me - tried to direct him to some options. And over a year passed. Still nothing. Seeing Michael on the street asking for money was getting old. So when he shared the great news yesterday, I was both relieved and excited for him. It reminded me to never give up praying. I believe God was listening all along, and I'm sure others have been praying for him, too. I hope they're as encouraged by this as I am.

Read my previous post on Michael..

Quidditch World Cup.

2010-11-14T22:29:00.000-05:00

It's real. My wife saw it with her own eyes. She was supposed to practice with her flag football team at DeWitt Clinton Park. When they got there, they saw dozens and dozens of other teams already occupying all the fields. They came from places like Michigan State, University of Vermont and Harvard, and they were playing the Harry Potter-inspired sport with pride. Yes, grown men and women running around and tackling each other all while tucking a broom between their legs. It's sponsored by, I kid you not, a group called the International Quidditch Association. I kinda wish I was there to witness it myself. I enjoyed the books and I also enjoy watching people make asses of themselves once in a while.

Giant rat thingy.

2010-11-11T20:07:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I came across the infamous giant inflatable rat, and I decided to do a little reconnaissance and see what's the deal with these giant monsters. I always thought that they were used to report rat infestations. But it turns out they're actually used by trade unions to protest against companies that employ nonunion labor. I seriously had no idea! Yesterday I found one taking a break after a long day of picketing.

Interpol @ United Palace Theater (Nov 5th)

2010-11-06T20:58:00.002-04:00

I've waited months for this show, and now I can't believe it's history. Overall I thought it was a solid performance. But I was hoping these New York rockers would do something special last night considering this was their first headlining show in the city in three years (not including the secret show in Williamsburg earlier this year). Still, there were definitely several highlights to satisfy Interpudlians.

The band opened with "Success", a song from the new album that's really been growing on me. To most of the crowd's pleasure, they played a ton of songs from the first two albums (4 from Turn on the Bright Lights, 7 from Antics). The set had pretty good variety for an Interpol show, bringing back "Length of Love," a less popular, but great live song that has been performed at their last couple of east coast shows. Two of my friends haven't heard the new album in its entirety yet, but reacted positively to "Barricade" and "Lights". I thought the latter was the highlight of the show with its awesome, powerful build-up. Sam was doing some real intricate stuff on the drums, and Daniel changed up the ending with some pretty crazy distortion on his axe. For a band that's known for playing their songs pretty straight up, I appreciated how they changed things up a bit on a couple of songs, like with the opening to "PDA".

Interpol kicked off the encore with the underrated "Lighthouse", a song that really excels live and especially in a venue as beautiful as the United Palace Theater. The crowd was psyched to hear the band close with two Interpol classics, "Evil" and "Obstacle 1". As this was my first time seeing Interpol live, I was very impressed with the energy and punch that "Evil" delivered live. The new guys, David Pajo and Brandon Curtis, really contributed to a tight, full sound on stage for the entire show. I was glad to see that Curtis' backing vocals were mixed well and I was impressed with Pajo's work on the bass.

Main set:
Success
Say Hello to the Angels
NARC
Length of Love
Summer Well
Rest My Chemistry
Slow Hands
Untitled
C'Mere
Barricade
Take You on a Cruise
Lights
PDA
Memory Serves
Not Even Jail

Encore:
Lighthouse
Evil
Obstacle 1

This year's Doe Fund Gala glowed a little brighter.

2010-10-30T00:34:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I strolled home from The Doe Fund's annual gala at Cipriani, reflecting on the night. I was filled with immense pride for being a part of such an incredible mission. Ten blocks away from the Gala stood the Empire State Building in Doe Fund blue.

Even though I've lived in this city for years and the "men in blue" of Ready, Willing & Able have been here as long as I have, I didn't actually know about The Doe Fund until five years ago. I was with some peeps from Vision Church outside passing out sandwiches to homeless people and trying to strike up conversations with them. We figured they were starving for company too. That night a guy from my church, David Hsin, told me about The Doe Fund and how they provide jobs and training to help homeless guys get out of homelessness instead of perpetuating the problem. I went home that night and went on their website and read about their programs. About a year later, I went on idealist.org and saw a posting for a grant writer position. I sent them a totally revamped resume, interviewed with a couple of staff from their development department, and I got the job.

I still can't believe it's been over three years now. I think one of the best parts of the job is talking with the trainees and witnessing their amazing perseverance in turning their lives around. It is moving. It has given me so much inspiration for my own life. I think Ethan Hawke, the gala's honoree and a big Doe Fund supporter, was really onto something in his gala remarks. He said something about how community is about serving one another, and that the "men in blue" are serving this city. Not the other way around. They do an excellent job cleaning our streets. But I think the biggest way these guys serve us is by inspiring us, reminding cynical New Yorkers that anything is possible.

New Yorker nod: Dr. Zizmor.

2010-10-13T23:04:00.000-04:00

This month's New Yorker nod goes to dermatologist Dr. Zizmor. Z is still going strong with the subway ads after all these years. Still using PageMaker to design them on his Commodore 64. Still showing excessive use of starbursts and flashing his trademark rainbow. Still generating laughs, ridicule, and general terror all at the same time from commuters every day. Dr. Zizmor wins this month's New York nod because he simply doesn't care what you think of his ads - or his practice. And there's something to be said for that.

Bloomberg L.P. digs.

2010-10-06T21:40:00.001-04:00

I had a meeting today at Bloomberg L.P. It was the most beautiful office space I've ever seen, infinitely more impressive than any ad agency I've ever stepped foot in. When I stepped out of the elevator on the 6th floor, I think my jaw dropped back down to the lobby. The outside is pretty nice as you can see in the photo, courtesy of a little site called Facebook. But it's the inside that really makes you weak in the knees. The building is nearly all glass, which gives the space an open feel. There are super-high ceilings, courtyards, atriums, and a very impressive food/pantry where everything is free. Free grub and aesthetics aside, I think what makes the office so great is its green practices. There's hardly any paper lying around, and we were asked not to bring any printouts, but instead to email all documents beforehand. The files were viewed on a flatscreen in what appeared to be just one of dozens of conference rooms named after various cities. Since the wall-to-wall windows and glass ceilings let in so much sun, the office also saves a few light bulbs here and there. Good going, Mike.

Midnight madness.

2010-10-01T21:25:00.000-04:00

Apparently New Year's Eve isn't enough. Times Square will have a Midnight Moment every night starting in 2011. Times Square is like the guy you know who's always looking for the spotlight. He might be fun and animated, but his constant need for attention is a little tiring. This Midnight Moment thing just gave me another reason to make sure I'm asleep by the time the clock strikes 12.

College athletics.

2010-09-27T21:00:00.003-04:00

Apparently a college athletics program really does exist in the city. There are no Division 1A football programs in the city. And we all know St. John's basketball hasn't been consistently relevant for quite some time. But of all sports did you ever guess Equestrian?!

On the Highline.

2010-09-14T22:27:00.000-04:00

I finally made it to the Highline, the stretch of elevated green space that hangs over the Meatpacking District and Chelsea. Amazing what you can do with an abandoned, weed-infested train line. Aside from the awesome skyline and river views, there are two things I really like about the place. First, there's so much green. They didn't skimp on the Highline. There's a very distinct shrub vibe going on there that sets it apart from any park I've been to in the city. The lushness makes it a refreshing place to stroll. The other cool thing is how well the Highline blends into its surroundings. It slices in between and around buildings perfectly, never out of place, but never boring either. I definitely want to take the baby here soon.

Duane Reade rebirth.

2010-09-12T22:29:00.004-04:00

Duane Reade is as New York as it gets. They're as ubiquitous as a Halal food cart. For several months now, many Duane Reades in the city have been remodeled with the store's new look, wider aisles, and more offerings like prepared foods and what seems like an insanely large cosmetics section. Now there's one half a block away from me and I'm officially in heaven. Duane Reade is my new favorite store in New York City. Now I can walk half a block at 4 in the morning to get a sushi roll, sack of potatoes, a watermelon, and a bouquet of flowers. Not that I would get any of those items at a Duane Reade, but it's nice to have the ability to.

Day of remembrance.

2010-09-11T23:55:00.003-04:00

If you're a New Yorker, you most likely know someone or know of someone who was in one of the twin towers when they went down on September 11, 2001. But many of us also know people who were supposed to be there that morning, but weren't because of some "inconvenience" - like sleeping through one's alarm, calling in sick, or getting stuck on the train - inconveniences to be thankful for on this day of remembrance.

Good morning.

2010-09-09T14:50:00.001-04:00

If you ride the subway to work, you'll undoubtedly bump into one of the A.M. peeps. They wait for you by the stairwell at your station with a stack, ready to offer you some dead tree with ink on it. Perhaps the crossword puzzle will come in handy on the ride back home. But one thing you don't quite expect is a pep talk. That's what I got on Tuesday morning. "It's Tuesday morning! You guys can do this! Go out there and make it a great day. Come on people!" I heard this at the 59th & Lex uptown entrance. It felt like we were running out of the tunnel and onto the field. A.M., if you can do this every Monday morning, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Short range.

2010-09-02T01:19:00.005-04:00

We're back in L.A. this week. Our L.A. trips usually mean lots of family time, days at Manhattan Beach, and bubble tea overdose. This time around, I added the driving range to my list of activities. My brother-in-law is a big golf fan and took me out to show me how it's done. I never stepped onto a course in my life and my two or three previous trips to a driving range was more Happy Gilmore than actual golf technique. My bro-in-law taught me how to swing and make contact. My instinct was to lean back on my right foot and use a baseball bat grip. So learning how to grip a golf club and swing it the right way was not easy. I was just happy to make contact on a few swings. I think my resistance to golf has always been the money and the country club mentality. But being out on the range this week, I've started to understand why guys like this sport so much. When you're out there, you can forget about everything else.

Double Deco.

2010-08-25T23:13:00.003-04:00

I recently started attending a men's Bible study on Tuesday nights that's within walking distance from home. On my way home, I get to pass by one of Manhattan's Art Deco masterpieces: the Chrysler Building. I took this photo with my camera, catching a reflection off the side of another building for an eerie effect.

Home schooled.

2010-08-09T21:51:00.004-04:00

I took Metro-North for the first time in a long while, heading home last weekend to visit the 'rents. Mom broke her arm while on a missions trip in Panama with her church. So I went back to see how she and Dad were doing. My Dad picked me up at the train station and then we picked up some groceries before driving back home. He had a grocery list and was methodically attacking the aisles. But there was something unusual going on. He was walking at a hurried pace, much faster than I typically walk. It didn't occur to me until later that he was moving as fast as he could so he could get home to Mom sooner. There was something very chivalrous about that. A husband running home to care for his ailing wife. A heart-warming lesson from home.

The National @ Terminal 5 (July 29th)

2010-07-30T20:15:00.002-04:00

When tickets for The National show first went on sale, I declined from buying. I figured going to the show would be impossible with a newborn to care for. But in the days leading up to last night's concert, I started to wonder if it would still be possible. I was itching to go. I talked it over with Carol and she said that I should go and that she would do the nighttime bottle feeding and tuck Sophia into bed, two of my normal responsibilities. I went on Craigslist and found a ticket for $11.50 cheaper than face value, and then picked up the ticket just two hours before the show started. I love my wife. She knew how much I wanted to see them live, and she wanted me to have that even if it meant more work for her. It ended up being the best decision I made all week. The National delivered. What I love most about the band is how all the pieces come together so well. There's no showboating or overblown solos. Sometimes the guitar parts are so simple, but they discover the perfect chord or the perfect effect to cement the mood created by Matt Berninger's vocals. Last night I was particularly impressed with the drummer, Bryan Devendorf. I've respected his playing for a while, but seeing the band live for the first time I was able to really appreciate his technique and precision. He's definitely one of the best time keepers out there today.

Now to the set. The band played all but two songs from the new album, High Violet. The album doesn't have one mediocre song on it. So they could've played the entire thing and I wouldn't complain. But I was a bit disappointed about the set because as I was standing right behind the mixing board, I discovered there were two set lists. The revised list had less songs. Apparently, The National were originally going to play "All the Wine" and "Secret Meeting", two live staples from Alligator. But they pulled them from the set and didn't replace them with anything. "Slow Show" was also disappointingly missing. But the band has plenty of live material to choose from - even from just their last three albums. Here's the setlist:

Main set:
Start a War

Anyone's Ghost

Bloodbuzz Ohio

Mistaken for Strangers

Brainy

Squalor Victoria

Afraid of Everyone

Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks

Lemonworld

Conversation 16

Apartment Story

Abel

England

Fake Empire

Encore:

Runaway

Mr. November

Terrible Love

Andrea Star Reese series.

2010-07-27T22:52:00.001-04:00

Photo by Andrea Star Reese

Filmmaker/photographer Andrea Star Reese drew recent attention to the problem of homelessness in New York City through a pretty awesome photo series. The series is drawn from interactions with pockets of homeless people living in West Harlem. In a Q&A posted on "Lens", the New York Times photojournalism blog, Reese stated that her project isn't about an issue. It's about people. You definitely get that sense looking at her photos. Check them out here.

Dream commute.

2010-07-14T22:22:00.000-04:00

I will never complain about the 6 train again. Ever.

So-so food.

2010-07-13T22:22:00.001-04:00

More and more food trucks keep popping up in the city. Tonight I spotted the Moroccan grub-on-wheels, Comme ci, Comme ca by Chef Samir, parked at 54th and Lex. Comme ci Comme ca is French for "so-so." A funny name for a food establishment, and it kinda reflects what my meal was like. Just okay. But also nothing to complain about. For $6 I got mini ground beef patties on a baguette with sauteed onions and a bunch of toppings. I guess I should just be thankful that I live in a city that has a Moroccan food truck. But next time I may get the cous cous or one of the cigar appetizers, which is what the Midtown Lunch blog recommends.

The city's ugliest buildings.

2010-07-05T22:38:00.001-04:00

The American Institute of Architects recently named the ugliest buildings in New York City. Trump Place on the West Side was on the list. I always felt that those apartment buildings were a missed opportunity. You can't miss those eye sores as you drive up or down the West Side Highway. But Top Ten worst? There are hundreds of buildings that are far worse in my opinion. Check out the list here.

That's a wrap.

2010-07-04T22:52:00.001-04:00

Target has always been a trailblazer as far as branding and advertising go. Today I saw the first full wrap subway ever in New York City. What took so long?! I'm sure it costs a butt load, but I would think the visibility and buzz would have swayed a lot of chief marketing officers by now. A while ago, the History Channel - hardly a mega brand - had partial wraps. But Target - once again - went all out and stole the show. On the 6 train.

Lebron looking to call New York City home.

2010-06-29T22:47:00.000-04:00

The Bulls and The Heat may have the upper hand in the Lebron sweepstakes, but King James was spotted looking at two apartments in Manhattan a couple of days ago. One of them is a $13 million condo in the Village. The other is a $15 million 3 bedroom on the 63rd floor of the Time Warner Center. The bathroom has 10 foot windows and you can rent the space for a measly $45,000 per month. But with our luck, Lebron is just prepping for life as a potential Net, the team he's meeting with on Thursday.

Interpol goes to church.

2010-06-28T22:27:00.000-04:00

Got my ticket for Interpol's November 5th show at the United Palace Theater in Washington Heights. UPT is a former church. I've never been to a show there, but the venue looks spectacular. I think Interpol's presence and sound will do well there. The band recently came up in conversation with my friend David. David is a musician and a knowledgeable listener with over 100 GB of stored music. So I respect his opinion. We agreed that there were really only three relevant bands that currently epitomize New York City: Interpol, The Strokes, and The National. Coincidentally three bands that I like a lot. I haven't been to a show in years. So I'm especially looking forward to this one. Interpol will rock the stage where choirs once swayed.

Turtle Bay CSA.

2010-06-22T22:45:00.000-04:00

For the summer, Carol and I switched CSAs (Community Sponsored Agriculture) so we could have one a little closer to home. Turtle Bay is a new CSA this year, and the location is pretty ideal. Pickups occur in the YMCA on 47th St off 3rd Ave. It's been convenient for us, and we've eaten a lot of good organic veggies as a result. A lot of greens, onions, radish, and garlic. Massive amounts of garlic. Honestly I don't know how much of it they expect us to eat. Don't get me wrong, it's good, especially the green variety. But I could use two or three times the amount of kale that they had today instead. Kale is my new favorite veggie.

World Cup in NYC.

2010-06-18T14:57:00.004-04:00

One of the best things about watching the World Cup games in New York City is you're guaranteed to find a home base bar for the country you're rooting for. Check out this cool interactive map that appeared in the New York Times. That's the city's diversity for you.

Philanthropy and space pods.

2010-06-11T23:48:00.007-04:00

Today I attended the Fundraising Day conference at the Marriott Marquis. The hotel has my favorite elevators in the city. They're like space pods. If you haven't seen them before, there are a series of elevators that run up and down a cylinder. There are no floor buttons inside them. Instead, there's a central floor request button that you press. Once you select a floor number, the system automatically points you to a specific elevator to take. It stops on your floor and takes you directly to your destination. It's pretty cool. But what's even cooler is staring up the cylinder and watching these pods shoot up and down. You feel like you're in Blade Runner.

The future is Shake Shack.

2010-06-03T23:55:00.001-04:00

This summer, I will experience the single greatest benefit of working in the Upper Eastside. Shake Shack will finally open up its new location just three blocks from my office. Besides having the amazing Shack Stack - a heavenly cheeseburger with a fried portabello mushroom - Shake Shack also rocks because they're green. They use wind-power credits from carbonfund.org instead of electricity. They also have composting on site and they recycle their used cooking oil into biodiesel fuel in partnership with The Doe Fund's Resource Recovery program. More reasons to eat a burger.

Check out my previous post on another great burger venue.

Second Avenue heartache.

2010-05-24T21:17:00.000-04:00

The Second Avenue subway line construction has wreaked havoc on Second Avenue. There are fewer car lanes, smaller amounts of sidewalk space, and plenty more rats. I've heard a few Upper Eastsiders say that the rats run rampant at night. Horrid. And I'm sure local businesses have suffered, especially the dozens of restaurants, bars, and cafes that lost their outdoor seating areas. I knew that the Second Avenue construction started a few decades ago and then halted. But I had no idea until recently (thank you Wikipedia) that construction plans were approved in 1929! The first phase of the line (96th St to 63rd St) isn't projected to be finished until 2015. That's a wait of nearly a century for 33 blocks of subway line. This line better be good.

New Yorker nod: Yolanda Vega!

2010-05-12T00:19:00.004-04:00

Photo courtesy of wnymedia.net

As part of this blog I'm beginning a new series of nods to New Yorkers. There's no real purpose behind this series except to highlight some folks who keep New York interesting, some famous, some not so famous. My first nod is to the legendary New York Lottery spokesperson. Yolanda Vega captivates. Countless viewers - even those without lottery tickets - find themselves glued to the TV set when she announces the day's lottery numbers. I don't know if there's anyone who takes more pride in their own name. And I don't know what's more remarkable: how she says her name, or that she's said it thousands of times like they were all the first time. Yolanda Vega is the New York lottery.

Baby Sophia.

2010-05-08T15:27:00.000-04:00

It's official. I'm a dad. On Tuesday at 6:28pm, Sophia Paige Lai entered this crazy world via St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, weighing in at 5lbs 11oz and measuring 18.5 in. tall. She's a little peanut. I was so proud of my wife throughout the entire labor process. She had to get induced, had pitocin, and still delivered without an epidural. Carol is such a strong, determined woman when she knows what she wants, which includes having a natural birth. But I also know that God was truly with us and heard hundreds of prayers from family and friends. I still can't believe Sophia was inside my wife's belly all that time. She's the second love of my life.

Lazy Liberty.

2010-05-02T21:58:00.004-04:00

I never understood how street performers can stand without moving a muscle for hours. Apparently this one couldn't either. I caught Liberty not only relaxing his muscles, but grabbing a seat on a bench and lounging around like the rest of us. What's Liberty thinking? Maybe he's rethinking his calling.

Bag check.

2010-04-30T12:13:00.006-04:00

One of the mainstays of post-9/11 New York is the bag check tables set up at various subway stations. The other day I had my first bag checked. I thought it was interesting how they got me to do it. The two cops kindly asked, "Would you like to do a bag check today?" But they said it like they were asking if I wanted to try a free sample of their mocha latte. They were so nice about it that I had to say "Sure, sounds good!" The bag check ensued, along with a conversation about the virtues of my bag brand, Manhattan Portage. The NYPD: fighting terrorism with a smile.

Check out my previous post on MP here.

More canine per capita.

2010-04-26T22:05:00.000-04:00

Dog walkers in New York City often face a mighty task. Frequently there seems to be too many dogs in need of walking and not enough walkers, leading to what I refer to as "dog herds." It's quite a marvel.

Diane Von Furstenberg Studio.

2010-04-22T21:57:00.006-04:00

Tonight Carol and I attended the Spring Benefit for the West Village's St. Luke's School. It was held at the impressive Diane Von Furstenberg studio in the Meatpacking District. It's a beautiful space with an angled staircase in the middle. Nice venue, open bar, hors d'oeuvres. A combination I can live with.

Strike averted.

2010-04-21T09:45:00.001-04:00

Last night, the SEIU 32BJ Union, which represents New York City's doormen and building service workers, reached an agreement with the building owners, averting a strike that would've affected thousands of buildings. The main point of contention was that the owners wanted to make cuts to health care and other benefits. In the end, both sides agreed to keeping the benefits, and the Union would work with the owners to find ways to reduce costs. Good stuff. Read more here.

Spam!

2010-04-18T00:42:00.009-04:00

Today I rediscovered the wonders of Spam. Our Hawaiian friend taught us how to make Spam Musubi. Hawaiians love their Spam, and it's no wonder with a dish as awesome as Spam Musubi. It's basically Spam marinated in soy sauce and sugar, and wrapped with Japanese rice and seaweed. Somehow those ingredients work really well together, and help transform Spam into a legitimate meat option. It's no rib eye steak, but I am very impressed with the versatility of this ageless wonder. Z92N486N8QKZ

Dan Smith sighting.

2010-04-17T10:02:00.000-04:00

A friend recently posted on his Facebook status that he saw Dan Smith. It took me a while to remember that I too had seen this enigmatic poster boy once before in person. All kinds of businesses in New York City are graced with Dan Smith's fliers, claiming he can teach you guitar. A couple of years ago, I saw Dan Smith right outside a store that I was walking out of. He was tearing down someone else's flyer and putting up one of his. I'm not joking. I think at the time I was a little surprised that I actually saw Dan Smith putting up one of his fliers. But if you think about it, it really shouldn't be that surprising. I mean, these fliers are all over the place. A Dan Smith sighting was bound to happen sooner or later.

Closing time.

2010-04-16T14:03:00.007-04:00

As most people have heard by now, St. Vincent's Hospital, a true New York institution, is closing down. St. Vincent's delivered its last baby yesterday. While the mother was giving birth, nurses were saying goodbye to each other. St. Vincent's has been delivering babies for over 160 years. It also helped countless people recover from various events like the Titanic and 9/11. Part of the hospital's mission was providing care for the poor and disenfranchised. St. Vincent's, thank you standing by New York City's side. If only we could've kept doing the same for you.

The Lausanne Movement.

2010-04-15T22:10:00.000-04:00

Tonight Carol and I went to an event by The Lausanne Movement called 12 Cities, 12 Conversations. It's essentially a panel discussion that talks about the role of churches in cities like New York. The 12 conversations lead to one enormous gathering of Christian leaders from all over the world in Cape Town. So in some ways tonight's event was like a miniature model of the real thing. But there are a lot of observations you can make from miniature models. Tonight, Tim Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian Church inferred that cities are like magnifying glasses that cause us to see the very best and the very worst in situations, things and people. So very true. With people literally living on top of each other, we tend to bring out the very best and the very worst in each other, or at least that dynamic makes it much harder to hide.

Jazz and art.

2010-04-12T20:39:00.004-04:00

Tonight my buddy JG had an open studio at his new space in Harlem. He chose to highlight his jazz club series, which features several ink drawings of live performances from legendary jazz musicians. One of the things I like about the series is its ability to transport me to those live shows, as if I'm sitting just a few feet away from these jazz legends, being immersed into the sounds and energy.

The cake.

2010-04-11T23:42:00.004-04:00

As a follow-up to a previous post, here's the actual cake that my friend Dave got for his wedding. This cake was made by Carlos Bakery, the guys from the t.v. show, Cake Boss.

Community.

2010-04-11T23:08:00.006-04:00

A very big part of our life in New York City is Vision Church. Vision is much more than just the place we go to for Sunday services each week. It's our community. As Carol and I have been preparing for the baby's arrival, we've been blessed by so many examples of community and love. One of our brothers volunteered to cook us meals when the baby arrives, and he has prepared us a couple of dishes already! We've also been blessed by the generosity of several parents, who have passed on extra boxes of diapers and bags and bags of baby clothes and maternity clothes for Carol. All of this generosity has saved Carol and I a lot of time and money. But what has meant the most to us has been the outpouring of prayer for us and our baby. Community can take many wonderful forms. But I don't think it gets much better than having a group of people praying for you and journeying with you through major life changes.

Cake Boss.

2010-03-28T11:37:00.002-04:00

Last weekend, Carol and I attended a wedding and were treated to a wedding cake made by Carlos Bakery in Hoboken, NJ of Cake Boss fame. It was definitely one of the better wedding cakes that I've ever had. We should've taken a photo of the cake before and after consumption, but failed to capture the tower of morsel in its glory. Instead I leave you with this bad ass photo of the Carlos Bakery gang. Even if the cake was terrible, would I really state it publicly on my blog? Maybe not.

Realbirth.

2010-03-09T22:17:00.005-05:00

Preparing for parenthood has exposed Carol and I to a whole new community in New York City: expecting parents. It's been quite an adventure talking with other couples who are expecting around the same time as us. We signed up for birthing classes at Realbirth. It's a beautiful, comfortable space with exposed brick, and it's in my old hood, Hell's Kitchen. I think one of the things I've been most fascinated by are the options that you have in New York City for giving birth. There are dozens of hospitals and hundreds of doctors to choose from. There are also midwives, doulas, birthing centers, and even home birth options. In our class of about 8-10 couples, there is so much diversity in preferences. Hopefully I'll have time to blog about parenthood in the coming months. We'll see. I'm a little worried about the lack of sleep I'm sure to experience.

Barcelona!

2010-02-14T09:59:00.005-05:00

The wife and I took a babymoon to Barcelona for six days. It's the last trip for a while since our baby will be arriving soon. I'm glad we picked Barcelona. I've been there twice before, but this was the longest stay that I've had there. Carol's never been, but she's been wanting to go to Spain for years. Barcelona made sense for us because of its thing for art and expression. Aesthetically, it doesn't get much better than Barcelona. Since my first trip in 1999, I've always appreciated the amazing architecture of Gaudi. I also am appreciating the art of Miro and Picasso more and more as I get older. But during this most recent trip, I was reminded of how aesthetics are infused throughout every aspect of Catalonian life. It's evident in things as seemingly insignificant as storefront shutters - decked out in elaborate graffiti art. And it's also there in the urban planning of the city's center, Eixample, with its beautiful hexagon blocks. It's hard not to be inspired by the beauty of Barcelona. I'm looking forward to seeing how Carol captures it in her handcrafted jewelry.

Who shot rock and roll.

2010-01-30T20:36:00.000-05:00

I finally made it to this exhibit at The Brooklyn Museum of Art. It was the second to last day, and the place was packed. It was about as crowded as I've ever seen any exhibit, but I'm still glad I went. There were the expected iconic photographs of Dylan, Cash, Turner, and shots used for album covers like Led Zeppelin's Houses of the Holy and U2's Joshua Tree. But I think the best photos at the exhibit were the unassuming, everyday-looking shots. There was a great shot of Jay-Z and Puff Daddy texting on their phones. And also a candid Polaroid of Madonna. It was a good reminder of how visually oriented rock and roll is. My only gripe with the exhibit is playing jazz tunes in the background of the slideshow. A little strange hearing "The Girl From Ipanema" while looking at photos of Crosby, Stills & Nash and James Taylor.

CSA at the Prince George.

2010-01-13T21:30:00.003-05:00

This year, Carol and I signed up for our first CSA produce distribution. We decided to finally try it out, swayed by the opportunity to support a local farm (Norwich Farms) and load up on fresh produce. What attracted us to the CSA at the Prince George is that the distribution is run out of a supportive housing complex for low-income individuals run by the nonprofit, Common Ground. And membership is income-based, meaning higher income individuals subsidize the price of lower income members, so all people have access to high-quality, organic produce. Pretty awesome. We also saw it as an opportunity to try out winter veggies that we rarely eat, like turnips, parsnips, beets, and cabbage. Guess we'll be eating a lot of stews this winter.

Philly mosaic.

2010-01-13T21:23:00.004-05:00

One of the things I really like about Philly is the mural arts program, which is responsible for dozens of elaborate murals sprawled on the sides of buildings. It creates a unique vibe for the city. But yesterday, I was back in Philly for a work meeting, and I discovered a new love: mosaic. This building - just a few blocks south of the Liberty Bell - was covered on the front and the left sides. Amazing.

Solo dance.

2010-01-01T17:05:00.003-05:00

I've seen this guy several times, always at the same spot - the east drive in Central Park just past Wollman Rink. He dances in the same motion, always facing the curb. He's clearly in his own universe. Carol and I first started noticing him when we used to run the lower loop. Today we saw him again. I wonder what he's listening to. Good to see some familiar sights in the new year.

Buy Buy Baby.

2009-12-23T21:08:00.006-05:00

Anyone who's had a baby in New York City has been here. It's owned by the same company as Bed Bath & Beyond. Guess what's their favorite letter in the alphabet. Carol is now 21 weeks pregnant. I made my first trip to the store last weekend. It's crazy how many different kinds of strollers there are. It's really insane. It's like buying a car - so many makes to choose from and countless options to consider. And all this for a cart that you push a baby in. This week I finally started feeling baby kick from the outside of Carol's belly. Sometimes I can't believe that there's another human being on the other side of that belly.

Neglect.

2009-12-18T22:31:00.002-05:00

I've been neglecting this blog. But I started a new blog about music that's a little more topical. Check it out: vivamixtape.blogspot.com

3sixteen.

2009-12-05T16:04:00.009-05:00

I was in the Lower Eastside today and decided to check out a friend's store on a whim. It's called 3sixteen and their showroom and office are on Orchard Street. I was impressed with the presentation and the quality of the clothes. It's pretty inspiring to see how far 3sixteen has come along, starting out just as a tee-shirt shop a few years ago. Now they design great denim jeans (unfortunately out of my price range) and they also have footwear and cut and sew. Check them out!

Kicking It.

2009-12-04T23:32:00.004-05:00

One of the things I love about Netflix is finding movies that go under the radar. "Kicking It" is just one of many. Like "The Blind Side", it's another unique sports movie that I highly recommend. It's a documentary about the Homeless World Cup, an annual soccer ritual that brings together hundreds of homeless people from dozens of countries to compete. The idea of the Homeless World Cup is that the experience of playing for a team changes lives. "Kicking It" follows the story of six players from all over the world - from their own national tryouts to the Cup - held that year in Cape Town, South Africa. "Kicking It" has helped homelessness to be recognized as an international problem, one that directly affects a billion people, but really impacts everyone. Get this one.

The Blind Side.

2009-12-04T23:16:00.005-05:00

I'm not going to say what makes this movie exceptional. But there's an underlying theme in the movie that's rarely spoken of in the dialogue, choosing instead to manifest itself in the expressions of its actors - especially Sandra Bullock. This theme is what makes the movie. Everyone has been raving about it. And rightly so.

Union Square afternoon.

2009-11-28T17:14:00.004-05:00

I think one of the finest views in the city is Filene's Basement's Union Square Park overlook. Union Square brings back many memories for me. This is where I had my first job in the city. I hated that job, but I love the park. I love the energy of the place. The farmer's market, street performers, skateboarders, and people hanging out by the steps that trickle down onto 14th Street. With the holidays here, the booth shops have taken over the steps and much of the normal Union Square vibe. But the view is still pretty awesome.

Cooking, Part I.

2009-11-24T21:56:00.008-05:00

So I decided to start blogging about some of the simple, but delicious creations that come out of our kitchen. Starting with brunch. On Sunday mornings, Carol and I usually make omelettes, but last weekend we made a scramble - inspired by the scrambles at Martha's 22nd Street Grill in Hermosa Beach, CA. They make a white corn and Havarti cheese scramble which is really tasty. The one we made (see above) was much simpler: onions, green peppers and glorious cheddar cheese. Served with my red potato home fries. If we went out to brunch somewhere in Manhattan this would've cost us about $12-15. But instead it probably cost us about $2. Home is where the deals are.

Victor Lin.

2009-11-21T22:32:00.005-05:00

For quite a while I've known God to touch souls through music. I've experienced it myself plenty of times - and many of those instances came through the live and recorded performances of Victor Lin. I first met Victor at my church, maybe four or five years ago, and soon after witnessed the incredible gift God gave him for performing music. I've come to realize that he's not just a talented musician, he is in his own way an instrument being played by God Himself. Tonight he played again, and again God was moving in my soul.

Last year, Victor released a CD called "The Hymnbook", a collection of jazz interpretations for Christian hymns. I grew up hearing - and on occasion, singing - those same hymns in church. Those songs never meant much to me when I was a kid. But now - as an adult and having personally chosen to live this faith - the lyrics and themes of the hymns are so much more profound and are a source of assurance. Several times during the past year I've played "The Hymnbook" on my iPod, and it would minister to me in way that a monster guitar riff from Jimmy Page couldn't. Ironically it spoke to me deeply - even without the words to the hymns. I'm thankful that this album exists. But like many artists, hearing Victor Lin play live is a whole other experience. It's like music loses something on its way through people's headphones. And sometimes people - along with their souls - need to be reminded of the power of live music.

MNH.

2009-11-17T23:09:00.004-05:00

Last weekend Carol and I went to the Museum of Natural History. I haven't been back since I was a kid, and Carol has never been there. When I found out this last piece of information, I was kinda shocked, since she grew up less than an hour away from the city. What prompted us to visit the museum was the indie flick, "The Squid and the Whale", with Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney, and Anna Paquin. The movie's title is based on an exhibit at MNH. Unfortunately we couldn't see the squid and the whale up close because the room was closed for a special event. But we got up close and personal with several dinosaurs. That was a lot of fun for us, and it was interesting reading about all the different nuances for each saurus.

I just had a flashback to a moment in my childhood. I forgot exactly what grade I was in or how old I was, but my teacher told us to buy a copy of "Thesaurus" at the bookstore. When I show up at the bookstore, I asked a man there if they have "The Saurus". He looked it up and said that they didn't have it. I remember asking him to double-check. I also remember being confused because my teacher told me that the bookstore should definitely have it. Funny times. Stupid kid.

Toney Toney Toney.

2009-11-09T23:15:00.005-05:00

I went to my first Knicks game of the season, thanks to a generous friend of The Doe Fund who offered up four seats in the first section above courtside. The Knicks looked ugly in the first half: no ball movement, settling for way too many long-distance jumpers, and barely playing one end of the floor. Then suddenly they transformed into another team in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter, clawing their way out of misery. Basketball is such a rhythmic sport. Also, a rookie began to blossom in the second half. Toney Douglas - from Florida State. I heard quite a bit about him when he made a splash in the ACC, the same conference that BC plays in. Despite a loss that came down to the final shot, I liked two things that I saw tonight: big time effort in the fourth quarter and a rookie who's willing and able to take big shots down the stretch.

Poll thoughts.

2009-11-04T20:53:00.005-05:00

Last night I ventured over to my local polling station and cast a vote for a man named John Liu. John is a rarity: an Asian-American in politics. John got 76% of the vote for City Comptroller. With a percentage like that, people must believe he's the right guy for the job. I have to admit, I didn't even know what the Comptroller did until I started looking into John's campaign. Basically he'll function as New York City's CFO. CFO sounds much loftier than Comptroller.

In contrast, the Mayoral race was a lot closer, really proving the importance of getting out and voting. Bloomberg only won by about 50,000 votes, a much smaller margin than what was generally expected. Every vote counts. At least in terms of last night.

Bombers.

2009-10-28T21:51:00.004-04:00

I remember there was a time when I'd sit in front of a tiny little t.v. set and watch entire Yankee games on WPIX, Channel 11. Those were the days of Mattingly, my favorite Yankee. The team wasn't even that good back then. I would've killed to see them go to the World Series back then. Now that we're in one, I'm blogging instead of watching Game 1.

I've lost interest in the Yankees for quite a few years now. It started when the franchise made a habit out of spending crazy amounts of money to bring in players who are past their prime. There was definitely a period when there didn't seem to be much player development at all. I missed seeing players come out of the farm system, turning from boys to men inside those pinstripe uniforms. But I've also found that as I've gotten older, I just don't have the patience and time to follow a 162-game season anymore.

Go Yanks.

Mr. Happy.

2009-10-22T23:36:00.005-04:00

Ever since I stopped taking Mandarin classes, I pretty much stopped speaking Mandarin. But this is the one place where I've managed to practice a few phrases here and there. An unassuming laundromat on the Upper Eastside near my office. I befriended an older married couple here who run the business and sit peacefully behind the counter. The first time I went there to drop off a shirt, I heard them speaking Mandarin to each other. So I tried to engage with them with my horrible tones and small talk. I found that they were very friendly and very patient with me. Almost a month ago, they told me that I should come back during my lunch hour to say hello and to practice. Today I finally returned since I had some time to take a brief walk and get some air. I learned that their last name is Gao, the same gao as gaoxing which means 'happy.' In my head, the husband will forever be known as Mr. Happy.

Michael.

2009-10-07T23:42:00.004-04:00

I used to walk by him and wonder what his deal was. He sat on Lexington Ave between 58th and 59th Streets almost everyday with his cardboard sign. I once gave him a peach and a look of gratefulness appeared on his face as he devoured it immediately. I remember wishing he had wiped the peach before inhaling it like that. Who knows what pesticides were on the skin. A few days after the peach incident, I found out who Michael was. I finally heard his story. About 7 months ago, his girlfriend of 8 or 9 years cheated on him and kicked him out of the apartment. He was working as a driver for her dad's company, and when things didn't work out with her, the dad also let him go. Just like that. No job, no girlfriend, no home. Homeless for the first time in his life. I bet he never thought he'd be there on Lexington Avenue holding that cardboard sign.

A while back I gave him an intake card for The Doe Fund. He didn't strike me as one who would be willing to sweep the streets. But I figured I'd give it to him just in case he got desperate. This past weekend, he made the decision to call the intake number. I was happy for his decision. He was going nowhere. No shower to clean up for an interview. No mailing address to put down on a job application. He told me he was ready to push the bucket. I once heard someone describe the job like this: "we all know that when you're out pushing the bucket, you're learning a whole lot more than how to sweep streets." I hope that's true for Michael.

Eagles and Wolverines.

2009-10-03T22:38:00.009-04:00

ESPN's College GameDay doesn't come to BC very often. So when it does, it's a pretty big deal. Today, the GameDay crew set up shop at our campus for the BC-Florida State game. Not a huge match up at all. But the producers were keen on telling the story of BC's star linebacker, Mark Herzlich. As I mentioned in a previous post, Herzy was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer in the bones. After months of chemo and radiation, Herzy's doctor said this past week that he was 99% sure that the cancer was completely gone.

The BC community has been following his recovery progress pretty closely, as well as the rest of the ACC. But it was touching to hear stories of other supporters from around the country who were featured on GameDay. One of them was Lance Armstrong. In a brief video segment, Lance Armstrong showed his support to Herzy. He said that he was glad that this weekend BC stood for Beat Cancer, not Boston College. BC has been selling "Beat Cancer" tee-shirts to raise funds for cancer research. It was an inspiring GameDay, probably more so for me as an alum. Of course, beating Florida State was sweet as well.

Today Carol and I also caught the Michigan game (her alma mater) vs. Mich State at one of the NYC Alumni Club's game watches. If you haven't been to a game watch, you definitely should. It's one of the most fun ways to watch a college game. It was great seeing Michigan alums of all ages cheering together for the Wolverines. Today was a tough loss in overtime, but I did get my first Michigan tee-shirt from it. So it wasn't a complete loss.

Win or lose, you gotta love college football.

Nick Hornby.

2009-09-30T20:00:00.005-04:00

Last night I trekked down to Union Square to hear Nick Hornby do a reading for his new book "Juliet Naked". I've only read two of Hornby's books, but I loved them both. Music has always been a huge part of my life. Hornby thankfully has the same preoccupation. So it's been rather effortless finding a connection with his writings. From last night's readings, it sounds like "Juliet Naked" is also steeped in music and full of references.

You can tell a lot about a writer and his fans through the Q&A. For instance, just about every question was music-related. Someone asked what was the soundtrack of his life at this moment in time. That's Hornby-speak for, "What are you listening to these days?" Another person asked which music biographies were among his favorites. Hornby rattled off a few titles, including Dylan's autobiography. But he also turned the question around and casually asked the audience for some recommendations. It brought out a down-to-earth side to the author which I really appreciated.

All in all, it was a great night. But I was mentally kicking myself for not bringing my beat-up copy of "High Fidelity" for him to sign.

Old haunts.

2009-09-26T15:14:00.006-04:00

On my way back from a church lay leadership training session today, I stumbled upon the place where I spent first grade: P.S. 81 in The Bronx's Riverdale section. I had forgotten what street it was on, but when we came upon the block, my memory started piecing it all together. I was about 80% sure that it was it. Then sure enough, we saw the numbers 8-1 engraved above the front entrance. P.S. 81. This is where I first got taunted for talking to a girl. We were at recess, and Ricky was making fun of me for walking with a curly redhead in the garden. I promptly shoved him to the ground. Ricky, if you're out there: no hard feelings. We were six.

PS22 Chorus.

2009-09-23T21:37:00.006-04:00

A public school chorus on Staten Island has made its rounds on YouTube for the past couple of years. Somehow I only caught wind of it today. And I was blown away. Seeing how into the music and singing these fifth graders were was truly an emotional experience. When I took music education in elementary school, we sang "This Land Is Your Land." But the music teacher at PS22 is teaching the kids The Cure, Journey, Coldplay, Tori Amos. He seriously has one of the best jobs in the world - or made it into one of the best jobs in the world.

Conversion experience.

2009-09-19T19:35:00.009-04:00

I've seen plenty of conversion experiences in this city. A few of the spiritual kind. Most of the commercial space variety. Church turned club. Club turned college dorm. One of the finest conversion experiences in my opinion is Cipriani. Bank teller windows still surround the dining area in their art deco glory. But some conversions leave much to be desired. Like the one I saw today in NoLita: a butcher shop turned art gallery. Almost trying too hard to be cool.