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May 22, 2005
New York - Day 3
Slept in again! Too bad I can’t do that more often. We went down to Koi, the hotel restaurant for a quick and yummy breakfast. We then took the subway up to the Met. The sheer size of the museum and its vast collection always amazes me. Although modern art is not what this place is known for, it is a solid collection. After several hours, we took a break in Central Park and did some people watching.
Soho was more crowded than I have ever seen it. The weather today was beautiful, which I think drove New Yorkers to the streets. “We were both a little hungry, so we went to get a hot dog.” (Grace Cathedral Hill, The Decemberists) After beating our way through the crowds on the outskirts of Chinatown, we ended up in Little Italy. At La Mela, we sat outside and snacked on mozzarella with tomatoes, gnocchi, and a couple glasses of chianti.
A man dressed in a Knicks jersey with his 2 boys, passed by and the manager of La Mela started in on him, “Hey, you guys hungry? There’s some Knicks players in here having a bite on their way to the golf course.” A few minutes later, the dad and his boys came back, “You got some mouth on you-- bustin’ my balls in front of my kids. If they weren’t with me, I’d do something about it.” At this point a waiter chimed in as the man and his kids walked off, “Keep talking, tough guy.”
We did a little shopping in Soho and then back to the hotel to relax until dinner. We had a nice night at an old favorite, Barolo's. Although I think we would have both been happy just eating at Ballato's again. (that food was unbelievable!)
The next day we had to get up early to eat and catch a flight back. We ran down to The Cupping Room for their Sunday brunch. They do a really great version of eggs benedict (a dish which is a Karen fave), but it is a fantastic place to go to for dinner as well. They have a little bar where they serve up wine by the glass with a tremendous selection.
The Greatness of Central Park
The Hot Dog Guy
SOHO
Karen- the wifely unit
Look at That Huge Plate of Gnocchi!
The Cupping Room
Posted by Rich at 8:28 PM | Comments (2)
May 20, 2005
New York - Day 2
We slept in! Anyone with young children will realize that’s big. After a brisk walk, we found some coffee and hopped the yellow line down to Battery Park. For as many times as I’ve been to NYC the one touristy thing that I have not done is go to see the Statue of Liberty. After the hour wait just to get on the Circle Line ferry, I have an idea why. We were told by a security guy that the secret was to arrive before 10am. While in line we were able to spend time listening to a steel drum (the most repugnant musical instrument on the face of this earth), and see a yoga-contortionist who likes Michael Jackson and small, clear plastic boxes. (Sorry, no pictures)
After clearing security, we rode the ferry over to Liberty Island. It was cold, but coming up on Lady Liberty from the boat was inspiring. We went through another security station right outside the Statue. This is the most sophisticated security station I’ve seen. I won’t go into details, but before it was over, I expected to be transported across the room to another station. Inside the base of the statue is a museum that has the original torch along with some great information about how the statue was built. We then took an elevator to the top of the base. There was a glass ceiling and lights that illuminated the inside of the statue. The public has not been able to go up into the arm since 1916 for safety reasons (there’s nothing but a ladder that leads 42 feet up her arm) and the crown has been closed since Sept 11, 2001. I was told by one of the rangers that they had wanted to close the crown to the public for quite some time prior to 9/11.
We got back to Battery Park, grabbed a hot dog, and were evacuated from the area…I’m not sure why. We walked to the site of the World Trade Center. I won’t really go into that, but I remember the first time I came to NYC. I was going to be a sophomore in High School and was traveling with some friends and our debate coach from a camp in Toledo, Ohio. We spent the night in a sleazy New Jersey motel where the guy behind the counter was shocked, when we actually spent then night. We rode the PATH train to the city the next morning and arrived inside the base of the World Trade Center. We immediately went the top and looked with amazement at the city at our feet. As a kid from a town of 6500 people, this view of New York took my breath. After we got outside, I put my toes against the base of the building and slowly tilted my head back until I got to the top. The tower was so high, that it seemed to bend backwards into the sky.
Karen and I got back to the hotel and took a few minutes to walk the park and watch the small carousel go round and round…
Skyline From the Boat
Lady Liberty From the Boat
The Old Torch
From Underneath
From the Observation Deck
Posted by Rich at 8:23 PM | Comments (0)
May 18, 2005
New York - Day 1
After a nice flight from DFW to JFK, I found a seat in baggage claim and read while waiting for Karen to drive in from Hartford. After an hour, she finally arrived. We dropped the car off and caught a cab into the city. On the way in we both tried to look at the skyline to see if there was a difference. (Take into account that it has been 5.5 years since Karen and I have been to NYC…can you tell that I am jonesing for a hot dog from a street vendor? I mean, a lot has happened in the last five years. We’ve had 2 kids, I quit smoking, and we both got five years older.)
We checked into our hotel, the Bryant Park Hotel. (Check out their website….cool flash intro.) So this is the swankest place I have stayed at…here or anywhere. It is right across from Bryant Park (of course), which is behind the NYC Library.
After acclimating to the room and getting unpacked, we went down to the Cellar Bar. It was packed with the after-work crowd. The DJ did some fun and different stuff, mixing your typical DJ fare with classics (Rolling Stones, Dixie’s Midnight Runners, Def Leopard). The drinks had the New York sticker shock, but they were mixed well and quite large.
After a few drinks, we took a cab to our favorite casual Italian restaurant in NYC, Ballato’s (55 E Houston – pronounced “Howston” for anyone more familiar with the Texas version). Karen and I have been going to Ballato’s on every trip we’ve made to NYC since 1992. The place seemed deserted when we arrived, but picked up toward the end of the night. We sat across form the owner and a friend who gave us recommendations, like “Everything on the menu is good. If it wasn’t I wouldn’t put it on the menu.” Karen had the veal saltimbocca, which was outstanding. I ordered what was billed as a “lamb chop.” What came out was an entire rack of lamb! I can hardly describe how tasty and tender this giant, uncut rack was… The 1998 Barolo we had was so good, that it was gone, before we had finished the meal.
The Bryant Park Hotel
The Bryant Park Hotel - Front Door
Bryant Park - Complete with free WIFI!
Bryant Park - Carousel
Ballato's Restaurant
We Just Had a Great Meal!
Posted by Rich at 8:19 PM | Comments (0)
May 16, 2005
Mother's Day 2005
So I'm behind! I plan to catch up with a string of entries I wrote this weekend. So this one is about Mother's Day from over a week ago...
Karen's folks came in for the weekend and we had a great time. We cooked barbeque chicken on the grill, played in the park, made pineapple upside-down cake, built a play structure, celebrated two birthdays, celebrated Mother's Day, and even managed to watch a few birds!
Here are few of the pictures:
The Girls Getting the Spoils of Grandma's Upside-down Cake
Grandma's Test at the Park
The New Play Structure for the Girl's Birthdays
Francesca's Cake
Sophia and Mommy Blow out the Candles
Brazilian Mother's Day Breakfast
Posted by Rich at 5:24 PM | Comments (0)
May 10, 2005
Houston Shoot
Last week I went to Houston for a 3-day shoot. Part of my time was spent at the OTC (Off-shore Technology Conference), which had exhibitors from all over the world. There were all sorts of large items to gawk at: 2 Helicopters, a submersible safety craft, engines, pumps, etc.
Most shoots are boring (little-known film fact). One of the interesting things we got to do was shoot on a test rig. This is a land rig that is used for training. They drill to 2500 ft and then fill the hole with cement and drill it again. I've never been on a rig, and it was fascinating to see it in action (even if I did have to wear a goofy hardhat).
The Rig
These Guys Know What to Do
Checking the Framing
The Control Panel
We also took a boat tour of the Port of Houston. The purpose of the tour was to videotape some of the refineries and tankers that the boat would pass. The tour is free (with an advance reservation), and comes complete with a soda during the ride. Granted you have to choose between orange and grape flavored Fanta, but it is a soda.
Because of its free nature, we met a group of seniors, with their activity director, who all lived at a particular apartment complex. They began by calling us their paparazzi. During the trip I got the chance to talk to one guy about photography and digital cameras. It was great to see someone at his age still learning new things. He also knew a bit about video editing, which was fun to discuss.
On this short boat ride, I met my new girlfriend (sorry, Karen). We had a long talk bout our mutual distaste for Fanta. How neither of us would drink a Pepsi if Coke wasn't available. She was a sweetheart.
I Made a New Friend
Posted by Rich at 5:19 PM | Comments (1)
May 7, 2005
Code Red Caper 2005
For the 3rd year in a row, we participated in the Code Red Caper, benefiting Bryan’s House (a Dallas organization that helps children affected by HIV and AIDS). This is the most fun you can have while raising money for a worthy cause. In our third year, our team won first place in our division!! WHOO HOO!
Here’s the way it works: You get a team of 8 people together. Dress up. Get in a limousine filled with booze and food. Race around town tracking down clues, solving puzzles, and completing various tasks. After the competition is over, eat dinner and participate in an auction. Enjoy the award ceremony where the answers to all the puzzles are revealed.
Last year our team won Best Costume:
The Bryan’s House Capers
Iron Chefs for Bryan’s House
The Expedition Limo
Solving a Puzzle
Clowning Around
Posted by Rich at 4:38 PM | Comments (5)
May 6, 2005
March of Dimes Walk 2005
Part of our fundraising weekend took place Saturday at the March of Dimes Walk. It started as a chilly, cloudy day. I convinced Karen to wear shorts, but we were both miserable for the first hour and a half, before the sun came out. The thing I couldn't believe was that PETA was protesting the walk. "Who protests helping babies?" was the refrain from our group. The protesters lined up at the start of the walk with signs displaying scads of dead animals. There was a billboard on a truck that showed baby monkeys and a grizzled old guy claiming to be a doctor who screamed about "kittens with their heads cut off" into a mega-phone.
But the March of Dimes folks had it all mapped out. As the walk started, and the protesters donned their safety-orange vests and blew whistles that had a screech of amazing proportions, an even larger group of March of Dimes folks moved in front of the protestors with their own signs. Many of the signs had pictures of a little boy or girl and the words "(insert gender appropriate name here) Thanks You." The Pro-protestors cheered walkers onward.
So there are 10,000 people on this walk. We are all walking along White Rock Lake. Near Karen and me at one point is a woman pulling her 2 children in a wagon. Wham! Some 55-plus (And quite crotchety, I might add) guy on a bike going the opposite direction of this large crowd runs into her. "Damn, lady!" He yells, "I tried to miss you!" He then gets back on his back and pedals onward into the oncoming crowd. The kids are unhurt, but the woman falls to the ground crying...scared and in shock at what has just happened.
On another note, there were two great things about this walk: 1) We ran into an old friend, Kevin, getting the chance to catch up with him. 2) I realized that when you are on decent shape, five miles is a cakewalk!
Protesters and Pro-Protesters!
10,000 Strong!
It's a Good Idea to Ride Against This Crowd
Posted by Rich at 4:36 PM | Comments (1)
May 3, 2005
Wine Tasting at Home
Karen and I had a wine tasting at our house for Joan (AKA Mary Poppins) and her friend Steve. I worked at a small, local winery about 10 years ago. While employed at Oakwood Cellars (no longer in business), I read lots of books about wine, winemaking, and grape growing. I also received my first subscription to Wine Spectator. After spending the day pouring wine for visitors and reading about the latest vintages, I would rush to the liquor store to pick up something I had read about before they closed shop. I also had the chance to occasionally teach a beginning wine class.
Joan wanted to learn some of the basics, so we tasted six wines. We started with a German Riesling Auslese from the Mosel area that was actually quite good-- maybe the best I have ever had (I'm not a fan of sweet wines). We moved to a 2002 Texas Fume Blanc by Grape Creek. This Sauvignon Blanc is sweeter than most, but nice for a hot summer day. Finishing the whites was a 2002 Chard by Columbia Crest. This Grand Estates Chardonnay has got a beautiful buttery finish.
Moving to the reds, I had a hard time deciding which varietals to include. I love Petite Syrah, but it is really not in the mainstream enough to warrent tasting. I do not like most Merlots, so I left it out completely. We started with a 2000 Steele Pinot Noir from California, that had an unbelievable refined taste. We had a 1999 Steel Zinfandel that was a little out character for Zin in that it didn't have the peppery flavors typical to the varietal. After the Zin, we had a 2002 Dynamite Vineyards Cab, that was really tasty. To finish the evening we had a taste of Eaton Hills Port Style Cab.
I was surprised at the amount of wine knowledge I have retained from those days. We spent lots of time laughing...a good time to be sure!
The Wine Army
Six Wines
Posted by Rich at 4:40 PM | Comments (2)
