Monday, June 29, 2009
The Filming of Date Night
Our street has been very busy recently with a movie being filmed. The movie is "Date Night" staring Steve Carrol and Tina Fey. I'm a little shocked with the magnitude of this shoot. There are hundreds and hundreds of people here involved in this thing. I can't count the number of trucks, cameras, and star trailers. What I find most interesting is the catering (yeah, I would find the food the exciting part). Since we live on the street, we get to walk right through not only the "backstage" area, but also the scenery of the movie. We've seen a couple of the stars. We've also been told who some of the stars that we "should have" recognized are. They include Steve Carrol, Tina Fey, Mark Wahlberg, James Franco, Taraji P. Henson and Kristen Wiig.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Weekend Tradition
Wife and I have come up with our very own Saturday morning tradition. Every Saturday morning stop by a local hole in the wall and each get an egg sandwich or a bagel. Then we stop for a cup of coffee. We then take our breakfast down the street to Bryant Park. Last 
Thanksgiving Day we did this before the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. We enjoyed it so much that the next day, since we were off work, we at breakfast there again. Well, it is now firmly entrenched as our Saturday morning tradition. We have only missed on Saturday morning since last November (it was pouring that day). During the winter, they turn the park into a skating rink. During those months, ate and sipped our hot coffee while watching the children playing on the ice and listening to Christmas music and Broadway hits on the loudspeakers. Now that lawn is back, but our tradition continues.
This morning, we had finished our breakfast and we were sitting in the park chatting when an "elderly" gentleman plopped down at a table next to us. The fellow was a bit chunky, probably at least 80 years old. The fellow didn't look good for his age. He walked slowly, with tubes coming out of his nose that were connected to an oxygen tank . He looked exhausted as he collapsed into the seat. His face was red and covered with sweat. The walk was clearly hard on him. He tossed a bag onto the table and pulled out a muffin, a bottle of juice and the New York Times. Wife and I continued our conversation, but my attention was drawn to him as he began to carefully remove his oxygen tubes. Then, without any warning, the guy ripped off his shirt. It took everything in me to not break out laughing. Wife and I sat there talking for about another hour, and this fellow just read his paper while sunbathing. You see everything here in New York.
Yeah, I know, the picture of the skating rink destroys the mental image of sunbathing. I just had to include it anyway.
Thanksgiving Day we did this before the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. We enjoyed it so much that the next day, since we were off work, we at breakfast there again. Well, it is now firmly entrenched as our Saturday morning tradition. We have only missed on Saturday morning since last November (it was pouring that day). During the winter, they turn the park into a skating rink. During those months, ate and sipped our hot coffee while watching the children playing on the ice and listening to Christmas music and Broadway hits on the loudspeakers. Now that lawn is back, but our tradition continues.This morning, we had finished our breakfast and we were sitting in the park chatting when an "elderly" gentleman plopped down at a table next to us. The fellow was a bit chunky, probably at least 80 years old. The fellow didn't look good for his age. He walked slowly, with tubes coming out of his nose that were connected to an oxygen tank . He looked exhausted as he collapsed into the seat. His face was red and covered with sweat. The walk was clearly hard on him. He tossed a bag onto the table and pulled out a muffin, a bottle of juice and the New York Times. Wife and I continued our conversation, but my attention was drawn to him as he began to carefully remove his oxygen tubes. Then, without any warning, the guy ripped off his shirt. It took everything in me to not break out laughing. Wife and I sat there talking for about another hour, and this fellow just read his paper while sunbathing. You see everything here in New York.
Yeah, I know, the picture of the skating rink destroys the mental image of sunbathing. I just had to include it anyway.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
If this were my daughter....
If this were my daughter...umm....I don't even want to think about my reaction. I'd probably pretty calm compared to her mother though.
CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE
Monday, June 22, 2009
Birthing Center Tour and Class
Back in undergrad, I remember a kindly old professor who would frequently say, "There's no such thing as a stupid question." That sounds so nice, but it's just wrong.
Later a grad school professor commented, "There's no such thing as a stupid question, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots." I thought that was pretty good at the time, but it's also wrong.
The truth is that there are stupid people and they ask really stupid questions.
Why am I so jaded? Well, I spent the last two hours at the hospital in a birthing class and getting a tour of all the facilities at the world-renowned birthing center at the hospital where Baby Girl is anticipated to make her grand entrance.
I should have realized how the evening was going to go as we waited for the tour to begin. In the waiting room, there were twenty chairs. There about thirty people, equally divided between pregnant women and their male counterparts. Hmmm....how should we divide these 20 seats among these 30 people? My vote is that the fifteen pregnant women and the five most pathetic looking men get to sit. Unfortunately, nobody asked me. I was the only man standing whose wife/girlfriend got to sit. Every other man who had the opportunity to grab a seat did so, totally oblivious to the uncomfortable women about to pop all around them.
Most irritating was the couple who grabbed the couch designed to seat five or six. The guy threw his backpack on one couch cushion, the woman put a shopping bag and her purse on another. They then both put their feet up and relaxed for fifteen minutes. They proceeded to completely ignore the pregnant women who walked up and stared at the bags, hinting that they would like to sit. And I should mention that the woman whose feet had to be up and whose purse couldn't touch the floor was the only women in the room that didn't look pregnant.
I thought everything would improve once the program started (and it did improve), but about a third of the people started asking questions and just wouldn't stop. Sometimes listening to questions and answers can be extremely informative...this was not one of those times.
My favorite question was asked by the woman who kept talking on her cell phone thoughout the evening, "Can I bring my three year old into the delivery room with me?" Ummm...seriously?
To my shock, the answer was a qualified, "Yes." With the doctor's approval, a child may be present for the birth, but there must be another adult present to help care for the child. The woman went off. What if her husband doesn't get there fast enough? What if he can't leave work? She was furious that she needed another adult there to watch her other kid as she gave birth to the new one.
Right on the top of the first sheet of paper they gave us, it said in sixteen point font, "Private rooms cost an extra $1,000 for each night. Unless there is a medical reason, insurance will not cover this cost." The woman mentioned this within the first few minutes of the program. How many times would you think people raised their hand and asked how much a private room costs? Four. How many more times did people ask if insurance would cover it? Two.
How do we ensure we have a birthing room with good cell phone access? (cell phones aren't allowed in the birthing rooms)
But what if I really, really want to talk my cell phone on the phone? (sorry, cell phones and communication devices must be off)
Ok, I get the no cell phone thing. Can I use my iPhone to send email? (no)
My Blackberry doesn't have a voice plan - can I send emails with it? (no)
Can I bring DVDs to watch in the hospital room's tv? (no)
Can I bring a portable DVD player? (yes)
Can I listen to my iPod while I am in labor? (yes)
Can I bring speakers for my iPod? (yes)
Can I bring a stereo? (only if it doesn't need an outlet)
Wait, if she can use her iPod, can I use my iPhone? (no, absolutely no cell phones or communication devices in the birthing area)
I've heard a rumor that some nurses don't allow you to use a cell phone in the room, is this true? (yes)
After I give birth can the baby stay in the room with me? (yes)
After the birth, I want to sleep, would you take the baby away so I can rest? (yes)
After you take my kid away, could you make sure that there aren't any other babies in the rooms around me so I can sleep? (no)
If there is a kid in the room next to me preventing me from sleeping, can I switch rooms? (no). But what if there is an empty room down the hall? (no). You must not have understood, what if I want to sleep and there is a baby in the room next to me but there is another empty room that nobody is in - you'll let me switch, right? (no). But what if I can't sleep? (get used to it)
Will you change the baby's diapers for me at the hospital? (yes)
But what if I want to change the diaper? Could I do it? (yes)
Are Nokia cell phones ok to use? (no)
What time are visiting hours over for semi-private rooms? (10 pm) Is it strictly enforced? (not really) So, can we just agree right now that my husband can spend the night if he wants to? (no)
Ok...enough venting.
Despite the fact that some people are annoying, it was a good evening. We like the hospital. We like the staff we met. We like the choices that the hospital gives us in the birthing process. Now we need to start making decisions.
Best of all might have been as we walked through the halls where we saw babies that were just hours old. It is pretty amazing to realize that soon we will be looking at a little girl that looks something like that, only much cuter, who is part of us.
Later a grad school professor commented, "There's no such thing as a stupid question, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots." I thought that was pretty good at the time, but it's also wrong.
The truth is that there are stupid people and they ask really stupid questions.
Why am I so jaded? Well, I spent the last two hours at the hospital in a birthing class and getting a tour of all the facilities at the world-renowned birthing center at the hospital where Baby Girl is anticipated to make her grand entrance.
I should have realized how the evening was going to go as we waited for the tour to begin. In the waiting room, there were twenty chairs. There about thirty people, equally divided between pregnant women and their male counterparts. Hmmm....how should we divide these 20 seats among these 30 people? My vote is that the fifteen pregnant women and the five most pathetic looking men get to sit. Unfortunately, nobody asked me. I was the only man standing whose wife/girlfriend got to sit. Every other man who had the opportunity to grab a seat did so, totally oblivious to the uncomfortable women about to pop all around them.
Most irritating was the couple who grabbed the couch designed to seat five or six. The guy threw his backpack on one couch cushion, the woman put a shopping bag and her purse on another. They then both put their feet up and relaxed for fifteen minutes. They proceeded to completely ignore the pregnant women who walked up and stared at the bags, hinting that they would like to sit. And I should mention that the woman whose feet had to be up and whose purse couldn't touch the floor was the only women in the room that didn't look pregnant.
I thought everything would improve once the program started (and it did improve), but about a third of the people started asking questions and just wouldn't stop. Sometimes listening to questions and answers can be extremely informative...this was not one of those times.
My favorite question was asked by the woman who kept talking on her cell phone thoughout the evening, "Can I bring my three year old into the delivery room with me?" Ummm...seriously?
To my shock, the answer was a qualified, "Yes." With the doctor's approval, a child may be present for the birth, but there must be another adult present to help care for the child. The woman went off. What if her husband doesn't get there fast enough? What if he can't leave work? She was furious that she needed another adult there to watch her other kid as she gave birth to the new one.
Right on the top of the first sheet of paper they gave us, it said in sixteen point font, "Private rooms cost an extra $1,000 for each night. Unless there is a medical reason, insurance will not cover this cost." The woman mentioned this within the first few minutes of the program. How many times would you think people raised their hand and asked how much a private room costs? Four. How many more times did people ask if insurance would cover it? Two.
How do we ensure we have a birthing room with good cell phone access? (cell phones aren't allowed in the birthing rooms)
But what if I really, really want to talk my cell phone on the phone? (sorry, cell phones and communication devices must be off)
Ok, I get the no cell phone thing. Can I use my iPhone to send email? (no)
My Blackberry doesn't have a voice plan - can I send emails with it? (no)
Can I bring DVDs to watch in the hospital room's tv? (no)
Can I bring a portable DVD player? (yes)
Can I listen to my iPod while I am in labor? (yes)
Can I bring speakers for my iPod? (yes)
Can I bring a stereo? (only if it doesn't need an outlet)
Wait, if she can use her iPod, can I use my iPhone? (no, absolutely no cell phones or communication devices in the birthing area)
I've heard a rumor that some nurses don't allow you to use a cell phone in the room, is this true? (yes)
After I give birth can the baby stay in the room with me? (yes)
After the birth, I want to sleep, would you take the baby away so I can rest? (yes)
After you take my kid away, could you make sure that there aren't any other babies in the rooms around me so I can sleep? (no)
If there is a kid in the room next to me preventing me from sleeping, can I switch rooms? (no). But what if there is an empty room down the hall? (no). You must not have understood, what if I want to sleep and there is a baby in the room next to me but there is another empty room that nobody is in - you'll let me switch, right? (no). But what if I can't sleep? (get used to it)
Will you change the baby's diapers for me at the hospital? (yes)
But what if I want to change the diaper? Could I do it? (yes)
Are Nokia cell phones ok to use? (no)
What time are visiting hours over for semi-private rooms? (10 pm) Is it strictly enforced? (not really) So, can we just agree right now that my husband can spend the night if he wants to? (no)
Ok...enough venting.
Despite the fact that some people are annoying, it was a good evening. We like the hospital. We like the staff we met. We like the choices that the hospital gives us in the birthing process. Now we need to start making decisions.
Best of all might have been as we walked through the halls where we saw babies that were just hours old. It is pretty amazing to realize that soon we will be looking at a little girl that looks something like that, only much cuter, who is part of us.
Our Love-Hate Relationship with Costco
I love good deals, but I hate lines. I love free samples, but I hate being shoved by a hundred other people trying to get one of the crackers with cheese spread. Thus, I love, but yet I 
absolutely hate, Costco. I am a conflicted man, unable to tell if the love or the hate is stronger. Right now, I think the hate is stronger. When today's experience wears off, the love will probably begin to outweigh the hate. Maybe.
Today, Wife and I ventured out to Brooklyn to do some shopping. What an absolutely exhausting experience. I'm not sure if it is the fact that it is Costco, or that it is in New York, or that people want bargains in this economy - whatever it is, that place is absolutely packed. We were seriously unable to move our cart around the store (Wife stayed in a central location while I brought the various items on the list to her). I refused to get samples, since the line for some of the samples was well over fifty people long (for a silly bite of food). The line to check out took nearly an hour (and we were thrilled it was that short). Most of our afternoon consisted of being shoved by customers and trying to avoid being run over by carts. While I'm usually pretty mellow, just ignoring the people around me as best I can, Wife has no problem turning to the inconsiderate people around her and giving them a piece of her mind. She's going to get me punched.
Among the items we purchased was a humongous package of toilet paper. There is nothing like walking home through Times Square carrying a hundred rolls of toilet paper. It's actually great because we usually get harassed by "vendors" trying to take advantage of tourists. We were able to get home completely unmolested as I carried the huge pack of TP and laundry detergent. So, the lesson, is that when visiting New York, you may want to carry a huge package of toilet paper around with you.
We also bought Wife a full body pillow, so now that she is in bed cuddling the pillow, she suddenly thinks it was a pretty good day at Costco.
absolutely hate, Costco. I am a conflicted man, unable to tell if the love or the hate is stronger. Right now, I think the hate is stronger. When today's experience wears off, the love will probably begin to outweigh the hate. Maybe.Today, Wife and I ventured out to Brooklyn to do some shopping. What an absolutely exhausting experience. I'm not sure if it is the fact that it is Costco, or that it is in New York, or that people want bargains in this economy - whatever it is, that place is absolutely packed. We were seriously unable to move our cart around the store (Wife stayed in a central location while I brought the various items on the list to her). I refused to get samples, since the line for some of the samples was well over fifty people long (for a silly bite of food). The line to check out took nearly an hour (and we were thrilled it was that short). Most of our afternoon consisted of being shoved by customers and trying to avoid being run over by carts. While I'm usually pretty mellow, just ignoring the people around me as best I can, Wife has no problem turning to the inconsiderate people around her and giving them a piece of her mind. She's going to get me punched.
Among the items we purchased was a humongous package of toilet paper. There is nothing like walking home through Times Square carrying a hundred rolls of toilet paper. It's actually great because we usually get harassed by "vendors" trying to take advantage of tourists. We were able to get home completely unmolested as I carried the huge pack of TP and laundry detergent. So, the lesson, is that when visiting New York, you may want to carry a huge package of toilet paper around with you.
We also bought Wife a full body pillow, so now that she is in bed cuddling the pillow, she suddenly thinks it was a pretty good day at Costco.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
A Date Night with Burgers 'n' Fries
Wife hasn't really had many of the"cravings" that I always hear that pregnant women experience. I have been waiting for requests of peanut butter and ketchup sandwiches - hasn't happened. She has however become quite a fan of cheeseburgers and hamburgers. This evening, we went on an excursion to 
Donovan's in Queens to enjoy what has been voted the best burger in New York. I think wife would agree with that vote.
After a thirty minute subway ride, we found ourselves enjoying what Wife has dubbed, "The best meal ever." The burger is a carnivore's dream -- thick, juicy, meaty, sandwiched by two slices of American and a toasted sesame seed bun. On the side, it comes with a hunk of iceberg lettuce, a slice of tomato and french fries that are more like potatoes thick potato wedges.
Wife refused to stick the vegetables in her burger, instead choosing to eat them as a small side salad. She didn't want anything to distract from the flavor of the burger. If you knew Wife a few years back, I'm sure you're reading this post (and especially that last sentence) with a bit of skepticism and disbelief.
Donovan's in Queens to enjoy what has been voted the best burger in New York. I think wife would agree with that vote.After a thirty minute subway ride, we found ourselves enjoying what Wife has dubbed, "The best meal ever." The burger is a carnivore's dream -- thick, juicy, meaty, sandwiched by two slices of American and a toasted sesame seed bun. On the side, it comes with a hunk of iceberg lettuce, a slice of tomato and french fries that are more like potatoes thick potato wedges.
Wife refused to stick the vegetables in her burger, instead choosing to eat them as a small side salad. She didn't want anything to distract from the flavor of the burger. If you knew Wife a few years back, I'm sure you're reading this post (and especially that last sentence) with a bit of skepticism and disbelief.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
The Crib is in the Crib
The crib has been delivered and assembled. The mattress is in the crib. Now we just need bedding. And a kid.
If the new crib is any indication, I'm guessing we're going to have a spoiled child.
If the new crib is any indication, I'm guessing we're going to have a spoiled child.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
A Night at Yankee Stadium
This evening at about 5:45, the Firm offered me couple very, very good seats to tonight's Yankees game. About ten minutes later, a partner gave me a project to do tonight. Fortunately, about an hour into the assignment the Partner learned I had the tickets and insisted I go enjoy the game. So, Wife and I enjoyed an evening in the brand new Yankee Stadium. Our seats were just a few rows off the field right behind the Yankees' dugout. I've never had seats close enough to talk to the baseball players before. A true baseball fan would have really enjoyed it.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Enjoying a BBQ with 150,000 of Our Closest Friends
Wife and I attended the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party on Saturday. Nothing like pushing through a crowd of 150,000 hungry carnivores while waddling along with Wife. Nothing like free Snapple and Edy's Ice Cream to start a weekend right.
The event's website explains:
Below is a video made to promote last year's event.
The event's website explains:
The Seventh Annual Snapple Big Apple Barbecue Block Party returned to Madison Square Park this weekend. The weekend-long event takes place every June and brings together the country’s top pitmasters who cook up their award-winning food for over a hundred thousand barbecue enthusiasts. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Madison Square Park, the Snapple Big Apple Barbecue Block Party attracts people from near and far to sustain and celebrate America’s authentic culinary and musical traditions.
Below is a video made to promote last year's event.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Blue is Bad
Minutes ago, as Wife and I were in bed watching the overtime period of the Laker-Magic game, Wife began shrieking and ripping off her nightgown as she ran into the bathroom. I immediately followed standing at the bathroom door asking, "Is everything ok?" Seconds later, Wife walked out of the bathroom and slammed her nightgown into the hamper. "I just realized this is the same shade of blue as the Magic are wearing."
Right now, it might be a good thing we're not having a boy.
Right now, it might be a good thing we're not having a boy.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Quote of the Day
Quote of the day (for background, Stan Van Gundy is the coach of the Orlando Magic):
"If Stan Van Gundy is good at one thing, it’s making adjustments from game to game. We saw it against Philly, Boston and Cleveland, as he outcoached Tony DiLeo, Doc Rivers and Mike Brown (even if outthinking those three is like making a dog think you have a treat) to series victories. The Magic will surely work on defending the schemes executed by L.A. for the next couple days, and they’ll have an answer. Of course, the Lakers will have some adjustments of their own." Forum Blue and Gold.
Yeah, that quote is a bit harsh, but it is funny. Stan Van Gundy is one of the best minds in basketball; I have a lot of respect for him as a coach. Tony DiLeo was the rookie interim head coach of Philadelphia (who was immediately replaced as soon as the playoffs were over). Doc Rivers and Mike Brown, of Boston and Cleveland, are, in my opinion, overrated coaches that benefit from having outstandings teams (unfortunately, I could say the same thing about Phil Jackson, though what makes Phil great is his leadership and management of players' egos).
"If Stan Van Gundy is good at one thing, it’s making adjustments from game to game. We saw it against Philly, Boston and Cleveland, as he outcoached Tony DiLeo, Doc Rivers and Mike Brown (even if outthinking those three is like making a dog think you have a treat) to series victories. The Magic will surely work on defending the schemes executed by L.A. for the next couple days, and they’ll have an answer. Of course, the Lakers will have some adjustments of their own." Forum Blue and Gold.
Yeah, that quote is a bit harsh, but it is funny. Stan Van Gundy is one of the best minds in basketball; I have a lot of respect for him as a coach. Tony DiLeo was the rookie interim head coach of Philadelphia (who was immediately replaced as soon as the playoffs were over). Doc Rivers and Mike Brown, of Boston and Cleveland, are, in my opinion, overrated coaches that benefit from having outstandings teams (unfortunately, I could say the same thing about Phil Jackson, though what makes Phil great is his leadership and management of players' egos).
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Subway Performers
These guys are quickly becoming internet sensations. Wife and I got kicked on the subway by them before they were famous (seriously, we did).
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