Birthday's comin' round again

I got my first present in the mail yesterday--a full eight days before my actual birthday! It was from the Angry Dolphin. It was two Tupperware (I love Tupperware. Why is it so freaking expensive?) sandwich takers with Spongebob Squarepants on the front. So cute!

Today I got a completely unexpected birthday present from a colleague in London. The unexpected presents are the absolute best, even if it's something simple. It has really boosted my mood today (which heretofore had not been spectacular). This is the same person who brought me a jar of Marmite when he last visited. I had been trying it on toast with butter, but could not decide if I liked it or if it was actually disgusting. Finally tried it with parmesan on top and it's really quite good that way. So he gets a double thanks for a sweet gift and opening up to me the world of processed yeast spread.

True story

I had one dream the other night that involved the following: bombs, my dad (in his younger days), Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, a red Furla coin purse shaped like an apple (you know the one) and Anthony Hopkins. When I woke up, I didn't have my shirt on anymore.

There is an interesting article in the 11/1/2004 issue of Fortune suggesting we could increase voter turnout if we turned it into a lottery. If you vote, you get a shot at a million bucks--or more! Is it just me, or does this sound genius?

Sure these trees are pretty, but I still say Staten Island bites. 

What I think of the fifth burrough

Snowman and I were supposed to go on a "hike" in Staten Island, but we pitifully missed the ferry by three minutes, thus missed joining up with the hikers. We went over anyway, convinced we could explore on our own. The only problem? Nothing to explore. There was a brochure detailing a self-directed walking tour of "historic" St. George, which sounded charming enough, only by "historic" they really meant "old and run-down." We walked along Richmond Terrace, which I was led to believe would have a lovely view of the harbor, but instead had a giant green plastic fence, that I'm pretty sure kept the rabid dogs at bay. There was also a portion of the map that showed "shops and restuarants," which in actuality was a bodega and pizza parlor. The oddest part? There was nobody around. It felt like a scene out of 28 Days Later. Yes, Snug Harbor was sweet enough and the trees were brightly dressed in red and orange, but we had to walk two miles to see even that! The best part? I had packed a PB&J sandwich. That Branola bread is so delicious and chewy!

Out of 5 stars, I give Staten Island 1.5.

Food and fashion. So that's it, huh?

Everything in moderation--including moderation.--Rick Rodgers

I'm finally learning how to post pictures to my page. You'd think that dealing with so many great images at Company G I'd be able to post some really amazing stuff, but it's all copyrighted, so basically you're stuck with the crap I shoot myself. Like this lovely photo of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Anyeong!

Who knew I'd be able to bone up on my Korean by watching Lost?

FUN WORD ALERT!

Frinstance: a shortening of "for instance."

The only time I've ever seen it used was in Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita. A rather boring book which I never got around to finishing, if you must know.

My friend says he likes to watch Rachel Ray because you can tell she smoked way too much pot in college. I used to find her slightly irritating, but now I can't stop watching her show. [This is the way it goes on the Food Network. I find one show and watch it so many times I eventually can't stand the sight of it anymore. I mean, don't make me watch anymore Unwrapped, for the love of GOd! Even Alton Brown is starting to grate on my nerves.] But here's the thing: she uses EVOO as an abbreviation for extra virgin olive oil. She says it about twenty times an episode, but every time she says it she tells you what it stand for. Frinstance:

"I'm just going to heat some EVOO in a pan--that's extra virgin olive oil..."

OR

"Then you're gonna toss the salad with a little EVOO--extra virgin olive oil..."

OR

"Drizzle the chicken with a little EVOO--extra virgin olive oil..."

My question is, if she tells us what the abbreviation stands for every time she uses it, is that really a good abbreviation?

My answer is no, that is not a good abbreviation.

Vote or die?

Democracy is supposed to give you the feeling of choice, like Painkiller X and Painkiller Y. But they're both just aspirin.--Gore Vidal

I've run into a friend's roommate twice in the past week. This is a person I normally see about once a year. I think I need the existential detectives to solve this coincidence.

Michele Lee

I wrote this poem a long, long time ago and when I recently re-read it, I still laughed. The sign of a good poem is one you don't think sucks a year after you forgot you ever wrote it.

Michele Lee

I loved her once;
Her name was Michelle.
But that love turned to hate;
Her name had only one L.

Food and fashion. What else is there?

Here's an exerpt from an otherwise unmemorable interview with Jon Stewart on Amazon.com:

Amazon.com: Well finally, this is the Inside the Actor's Studio portion of the interview, a little thing we call "Amazon Asks... the Significant Seven."
Stewart: Wait! Are you Amazon? I didn't know it was a person! By the way, do you guys...sell everything?
Amazon.com: We're getting there.
Stewart: I'd like to buy the Earth's core.
Amazon.com: I don't know what tab that's under.

GOOD FOOD ALERT! best sushi

Hands down, the best sushi is Umi. There are two locations, one on UES and one on 31st St., which is the one my boyfriend (code name: the Snowman) and I always go to. They have the best rolls: spicy crawfish, spicy tuna and banana tempura, marble roll with jalapeno and the best pepper tuna sashimi. The Snowman says Umi kicks Masa's ass (I wouldn't know as he's never taken me to Masa, but whatever).

If I believe you when you say you love me I must believe you when you say you hate me.

GOOD FOOD ALERT! best fish and chips

Okay, I admit it, I don't eat a lot of fish and chips. Regardless, the fish and chips at Artisanal are really delicious. Why do they serve fish and chips at a place best known for cheese? I have no idea. But do try the tartar sauce; it's divine.