Sweet Blog O'Mine

Category: Fun

  • The Final Countdown

    In case you're keeping track, the NYC Triathlon is less than 48 hours away!!  First, the #drop10beforetri update — didn't quite make it to 10lbs down, but I dropped 7.8, and feel pretty good about that. Here's hoping not to undo it all in NOLA next week.  I plan to lose the rest (and undo whatever damage I do) when I return.  And now, the TRIATHLON:

    1) If you find yourself available to watch the tri, I'll be on the run course around 9-10 on Sunday (give or take a bit). I'll be wearing a purple Team in Training tank, black tri shorts, a yellow number (TBD) and a Jackrabbit white visor. Good places to watch are along 72nd Street from Henry Hudson Parkway to Central Park West, Cherry Hill before we head to the finish on Dead Road in Central Park, and Dead Road in Central Park near the bandshell off the 72nd Street Transverse. Afterward, I'll be hanging out at the bandshell for a bit, so look for me there. Map and more info here.

    2) Assuming you're not up that early, come join me at the 8th St. Winecellar anytime after 5pm to celebrate what I hope to be a successful completion of the tri.

    3) Regardless, please consider donating to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in support of my race – it's a great cause and I'm proud to be part of their Team in Training. Every bit helps. (Thanks for your support if you've already donated).

    Hope to see you on Sunday and thank you all for your support along the way — I couldn't do this without you all!

  • Make New Friends, But Keep the Old . . .

    Next Wednesday morning I'm heading down to New Orleans for Tales of the Cocktail, a multi-day party conference revolving around all things boozy (and in my case, of course, food). I was looking at a Facebook event that someone set up to see who's heading down, and looking at those I know on the list — about 30, give or take – I didn't know almost any of you last year.  It's kind of amazing how many new and wonderful people are now part of my world, and I feel incredibly lucky to have met you all.  I can't wait to have fun in NOLA with you all (although I'm a little nervous, I'll admit)!!

    PS — I'm bringing my gym clothes and do plan on working out at least a little while I'm there.  Announcing it here so that you can all laugh in my face when you see me.

  • Weekend Wrapup

    Flowers

    Quiet night on the couch, early morning brick workout, errands, punch party, Mayahuel, block party, a late afternoon cold beer outside, rooftop BBQ & fireworks, oysters, mussels and a lobster roll at Pearl Oyster Bar, Toy Story, two visits to Rye House, Momofuku pork bun, chili crab goodness and leftovers from Fatty Crab. Plus friends, laughter, sweat, and air conditioning. Many thanks to Karen, Hal, Dan, Kathryn, Jenn, Emilia, Lauren, Tara, Dave, Lindsey, Lincoln, Carmen, Rob, Caroline, and everyone else I saw along the way, particularly at Rye House last night.  An excellent long weekend all around.

  • Weekend Agenda

    – Volunteer Friday night at Astor Center Summer Cocktails in Film class

    – Early morning BRICK (bike/run) in Central Park

    – Greenmarket/shopping for dinner party Sat night

    – Make punch/ice cream/dinner prep/nap

    – Dinner is served!

    – Sunday light workout — run, swim or yoga

    – New Amsterdam Market

    – UnFancy Food Show

    – Cocktail column research (Painkiller? Cienfuegos? Dutch Kills? Anfora? WD-50?)

    Sounds like a great weekend to me!

  • Working for the Weekend

    Sooo looking forward to the weekend!  Dinner w/Jenn D., Carrie, and the Lovely Miss Katie, then early to bed for tomorrow's BRICK workout at 7:30 (eek!).  But — my reward is a trip to Blue Hill at Stone Barns with @daisy17 and @cocktailspirit. And finally, a quiet Sunday with a light run or yoga, cleaning up and reading the paper before a lobster bake at Ditch Plains with the First Saturday ladies.

    PS — did my first full mile swim this season; a few more over the next five weeks to be sure I survive the mighty Hudson on 7/18.  Please donate!!

  • San Francisco, Day 2

    IMAG0091.jpg

    In a sad attempt to undo some of the caloric damage from the prior day, I started my day with a run in Golden Gate Park, which was lovely.  Although Wednesday had been sort of cold and drizzly, Thursday was absolutely sunny and gorgeous.  Through the magic of Facebook and Twitter, I learned that two New York friends were actually in San Francisco, so we met up for dim sum at Yank Sing for lunch (not only was it great company, but dim sum is hard to eat alone!). 

    After lunch, Doug and I wandered to the Ferry Building (again) for a shot of Blue Bottle Coffee (my macchiato is shown here sideways for some reason, but it's still pretty) and then wandered around a bit.  Doug and I know each other from college a cappella — the Amalgamates — and the other two friends I had arranged to meet later in the day were also from the Mates.  We totally took advantage of this.  When I met up with Jonathan at about 4, we didn't tell him that Doug was with him and took him by surprise.  We then went to Smuggler's Cove to meet up with Spike at 5:15, and didn't tell him that Jonathan or Doug were with me.  It was a great surprise to all and a truly fun mini-reunion over a drink at the diviest bar ever (the 21 Club — Jonathan's favorite) and excellent tiki drinks.

    After cocktail hour, I went to meet @M_Quinn and @CatinCal for dinner at Tropisueno where I recapped my highlights from the MCC, and they scared me to death about Tales, and we generally caught up and had a lovely time.  Finally, I touched base with Lynnette (the other aforementioned NYC friend), and met up with her and Ty and their friends for a drink at Nopa.  All in all a wonderful day, then off for a good night's sleep before meeting my dad to head out to Napa/Sonoma.

  • Lovely Lady Liberty

    Ladyliberty

    It's a gorgeous view regardless, but it's even better when it's from a boat on the Manhattan Cocktail Classic Three Hour Tour.  Well done, Tippling Point!  Photo credit may or may not be Ray Raymond, who is a great deal taller than I am and took some great pics with my camera.

    Sorry for the crickets around here, but am enjoying/recovering from the MCC — today's agenda includes Bar Myth Busters, the Official Bar, Into the Mystic, Tequila at Mayahuel, and the Dizzy Fizz Tastemaker's Punch.

  • Weekend Wrapup

    Drinks and dinner with the beach house ladies, including several out-of-towners, breakfast with Lisa, farmers market, long and windy run, dinner w/Mom & Stephen at the bar at 11 Madison Park, cocktails with Jenn & Emilia at Louis 649, brunch with Sara and Arlan at Sweet Afton, lazy Sunday with laundry, catching up on the DVR, mail sorting, and the Sunday times.

    And overall, feeling constantly amazed and blessed about the friends I have in my life.  A good weekend, indeed.

  • Yesterday

    – I got a high five from the dean of NYU (formerly my professor and dean of NYU Law) when I told him that I was running the pro bono program at my firm.

    – I got a shiny new whiteboard for my office.  Maybe it will help me get organized.  If not — it will become  constantly changing art.

    – I worked some abdominal muscles that might not have ever been worked before.

    – I accidentally live-tweeted the TONY Eat Out Awards faster than they did.

    – I finally tasted the chorizo-infused cocktail at Rye House (yum, by the way).

    – I was flattered when a friend said some very nice things about me when she introduced me to someone.

    – I exhibited great willpower by walking out of Rye House without stealing Kevin's amazing iPod, but he should keep an eye on it next time I'm around.

  • Update from Probonofest

    Menu I'm in Washington DC at the annual Pro Bono Institute.  It's the second day of the conference, and my third day down here, and it has been very successful so far.  On the work front, I had a good meeting with the folks in my DC office about focusing on some new pro bono projects, which I'll try to get moving once I'm back in the office next week, and I co-moderated a panel, which colleagues told me they enjoyed.  On the social front, I went out Wednesday night with @TMFIII and @jasonmader, who took me to the Tabard Inn.  The cocktails, by Chantal Tseng, were delicious, and the company was delightful.  We followed up with a quick stop at the Passenger, which was somewhat overrun due to St. Patrick's Day and overflow from a nearby TV/radio correspondents' dinner.

    Although I went to bed at a reasonable hour Wednesday night, given the long day I had yesterday, I was about ready to fall over when my meetings ended at 8pm, but I had arranged (as I tend to do at conferences) a group dinner at Zaytinya.  It was great, but somewhat slow-paced, and didn't end until 11:30, which felt like about 3 a.m. to me.

    Slept well last night, and after writing this week's cocktail column, it's off to the races again.  I'm hoping to sneak in a workout somewhere today, and looking forward to our reception with Ruth Bader Ginsburg tonight!