Seriously, with the ridiculous week I've had, this is about all I can handle. I'll return to cocktail recipes next week. I'm contemplating busting into the Yamazaki 12 that hangs out in my office for emergencies (it was a gift from a colleague for helping out with some pro bono clients), but too much work to do right now.
Pour a healthy slug of your favorite bourbon, rye, scotch, or whisk(e)y of your choice into a rocks glass. Add ice or a drop of water if you prefer. Drink heartily.
My building is under construction and will be that way through November 2013, if all goes according to schedule. My apartment windows have been sealed with plastic since the end of April and there is scaffolding covering them as well; what little light I usually get is now practically nonexistent. Moxie has been suffering through more of the construction noise than I have, which is starting to have an impact on her appetite. Yesterday, my dog walker had an emergency and couldn’t make it, so I headed home at about 2 to walk her. As I entered the building, I was informed that a steel beam had crashed through my bedroom window and that there was a crew handling the repair and initial cleanup in my apartment. Long story short, everyone was okay, Moxie was freaked out, and everything was replaced and thoroughly cleaned before I turned in for the night.
I also learned that, despite the fact that I’ve been dealing with consequences of the construction for months, including some pretty serious jackhammering/drilling on my adjacent wall, that the major demolition/construction on the wall to the other side of me hasn’t even begun yet. That starts tomorrow and will be another three months, the first few days of which will involve major noise.
Anyone have a nice cottage in the woods or a quiet garden apartment in Brooklyn I can move into for a while?
I'm not ready for summer to be over. I didn't get enough time to wiggle my toes in the sand, didn't get to relax by the lake in Casco, and didn't get to enough cookouts. I'm not ready for sweaters, boots, and scarves. My toes still want to feel the air.
But . . .
I am craving fondue, hearty stews, and cozy dinner parties. I want to walk in the woods and crunch leaves and twigs beneath my feet. I want to cuddle in front of a fireplace. I smiled at the brisk air when I stepped out of the door this morning.
#Indecisive.
I set three goals for myself this past weekend, as you may recall. I am proud to report that I achieved them all. Sort of. In lieu of purging the clothes in my dresser, I purged the clothes and shoes in my closet. Will tackle the dresser next. I've learned that in some cases, it's important to set realistic and manageable goals. Bottom line — sometimes achieving even the most modest goals feels great. Especially if there's lobster involved.
This weekend I have seen ads for the following: Stoli Salted Caramel Vodka and Domino's Chicken & Bacon Carbonara Pizza. I love both salted caramel and carbonaro, but I assure you that I will never ingest either of the aforementioned products.
I've written about the Dark & Stormy (or rather the Dark 'n' Stormy) before, but they keep popping up in my life. At the beach there was an ample stash of Barritt's Ginger Beer, which led us to make Dark & Stormies with dark rum and a squeeze of lime. I also had a few Dark & Stormy slushies at Mother's Ruin over the weekend. In my book, I prefer a super-spicy ginger beer, like Fever-Tree (it literally made me sneeze the first time I tried it) and the traditional Goslings Black Seal rum.
Dark & Stormy
2 ounces of Goslings Black Seal Rum
3-5 ounces of your preferred ginger beer
Pour the rum into a collins glass filled with ice. Add ginger beer to fill. Garnish with a lime wedge and a straw and let your guests stir their own.
Sorry for the quiet around here these days. I really don't have much of an excuse for not writing. Since I returned from Fire Island I've just been relaxing outside of work, for the most part, and plan to continue that trend over the weekend. My three main goals for the weekend are: 1) clean off my desk; 2) weed through the clothes in my dresser and purge as much as possible; and 3) eat lobster. I think I can achieve that.
*Thank you, Thomas Dolby
Because I'm sure you can find something to celebrate today. Here's mine:
Pro Bono Firm of 2012: Debevoise & Plimpton
(So proud!)
I’m at the beach. See you in a few days.
Each month, LUPEC NYC holds an event called Broad Appeal, where a female bartender and her "celebrity" male barback make special cocktails and donate proceeds to charity. This month, Ivy Mix and Miguel Calvo, both dog-lovers, will be behind the bar, with proceeds benefitting the wonderful Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue. Ivy and I both got our pups from Badass, and they are an all-volunteer operation, so every bit helps. Sadly, I'll be out of town, but go have a drink and tell 'em Moxie sent you. 8-12 p.m. on Tuesday, August 21st at Macao Trading Company.
