This past Wednesday marked the one year anniversary of the day that Mi Cariño and I braved the crazy rain on a Tuesday night, to nervously pick at Arepas (in my case), then quietly heckle at the Nuyorican before saying goodnight with an awkward hug (initiated by me.)
It has gone by extremely quickly - to the point that it takes me by surprise still. I think it's a combination of my schedule (when you travel often days do seem to fly by you) and the easy-ness present in our relationship. She manages to make a weekend in both exciting and comfortable. But for the anniversary, I was surprised with a night out.
We began the day by trying to win Wicked Lottery tickets. I really felt lucky - I made it there just before they closed the entry. I had caught each train on the way over. It was going to happen! But it didn't. I figured we'd go try to see Mamma Mia, the only other Broadway Show that still offers the general public the opportunity to buy somewhat cheap tickets (I'll start that rant later. Actually no, I'll start it now; what the hell Broadway! You've taken off all the General Rush options. Now it's all Student this, Student that. Do you know how much money you would've gotten from me by now if I was able to spend it 30 bucks at a time?!).
Anyway, moving on - Mi Cariño says it's all okay - because we're seeing The Addams Family in the evening. Score! It's nice to be surprised. We celebrated by going to a late lunch in Times Square, and from then on the day was pretty much perfect. Later on in the evening, after watching the show, we had a late dinner at Becco's, an Italian restaurant in Restaurant Row. No pictures for that dinner because we were too busy being lovey dovey to take pics. Suffice it to say that their pre-fixe deal is pretty good: a Caesar Salad or Antipasto paired with three types of Pasta, served table side.
Now, unto the show: I have to admit I was not wowed by it. I can't remember a single song from the night and that tends to be the main way I judge a Musical. The story in itself, was based on The Addams Family TV Show rather than the movies, and being more familiar with the latter it was a bit hard on me. However, the show had no qualms about making fun of itself, which made total difference. Also, there was a great audience present, which can get the actors fired up. One thing I disliked that was very integral to the show: Wednesday was not as dark as Christina Ricci's Wednesday, which: being as Weds. darkness is my favorite part of the movies, it was tough to accept. That said, the actress that played her was great, and has a great voice.
So a new year starts and I'm excited about what it'll bring. It's exciting, knowing all the plans and hopes we already have in place for it. Here we go, yo.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
The Life of Pi by Yann Martel
I purchased this book sometime last year (or the year before that) because it was on sale at The Strand and because it was on my humongous list of "I should read this at some point" books. Lately I've been trying to actually read the mountain of unread books in my bedroom, and so this was it! The reason why I didn't start reading it right away, is because after I bought it, I glanced at the description and only remember registering the words "tiger" "kid" "boat" and for some reason equated it all with anthropomorphism and was convinced that there would be a talking tiger in the mix.
I'm glad I finally decided to overlook that. Life of Pi took me places I did not expect. The novel starts with the author's foreword, which now that I'm all adult I try to read before the book (although I'm still burned by the time I read the editor's foreword to Anna Karenina - way to ruin the ending, guy!), and in it he explains how he was able to afford to write the novel, and how he came about it. Essentially, he says, this is a true story, and peppered throughout the books are italicized paragraphs that make it seem as if it's Martel writing about his experience of interviewing Pi, the main character in the novel. It's quite an effective tool.
"Pi" took it's sweet long time to tell me a very short story. It starts with a boy, and his name, and his nickname, and the significance of being named after a mathematical figure that goes on and on. And then religion comes along - or I should say, religions - and God in all His forms, and the men that follow God, and the animals these men take care of. And then Pi and his family decide to travel to Canada in a huge ship. That's where the meat of the story is - Young Pi is then shipwrecked and stuck in a boat with a Tiger. Maybe. Maybe he's stuck in a boat with himself. Maybe people are animals by another name. Deep down, the survival instinct takes over everything. Maybe.
I'm glad I finally decided to overlook that. Life of Pi took me places I did not expect. The novel starts with the author's foreword, which now that I'm all adult I try to read before the book (although I'm still burned by the time I read the editor's foreword to Anna Karenina - way to ruin the ending, guy!), and in it he explains how he was able to afford to write the novel, and how he came about it. Essentially, he says, this is a true story, and peppered throughout the books are italicized paragraphs that make it seem as if it's Martel writing about his experience of interviewing Pi, the main character in the novel. It's quite an effective tool.
"Pi" took it's sweet long time to tell me a very short story. It starts with a boy, and his name, and his nickname, and the significance of being named after a mathematical figure that goes on and on. And then religion comes along - or I should say, religions - and God in all His forms, and the men that follow God, and the animals these men take care of. And then Pi and his family decide to travel to Canada in a huge ship. That's where the meat of the story is - Young Pi is then shipwrecked and stuck in a boat with a Tiger. Maybe. Maybe he's stuck in a boat with himself. Maybe people are animals by another name. Deep down, the survival instinct takes over everything. Maybe.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Ethan Frome
Finally finished with Ethan Frome, and I have to say, it's exactly what I expected from Wharton. It's a sad read, tortuous when you're used to modern writing. Wharton does a great job of painting a pretty gloomy picture, and you feel from page one for Ethan Frome and his situation. But with each page, you feel more for Mattie - this poor girl who by setting her sights close to home, literally, blinded herself to the possibilities around town that would've freed her from the position she was in.
The ending was surprising, but also to be expected. A book from that era always had to have punishments for "wrong-doing" and thinking. And yet, part of you feels like Frome could've avoided all those problems at some point. Ah, the sadness of one's station....
The ending was surprising, but also to be expected. A book from that era always had to have punishments for "wrong-doing" and thinking. And yet, part of you feels like Frome could've avoided all those problems at some point. Ah, the sadness of one's station....
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Greek Night Out
Mi Cariño and I decided to turn our night in into a night out. After pondering Latin food, we went with Greek, and chose Ethos on Murray Hill. Hadn't been there in a while - on a Friday night that is. The place was hopping - with the warm weather everyone and their momma was out.
Ethos was Nice, if loud. I had a Passion fruit martini, and the moussaka. The moussaka came with chunks of potatoes that tasted a bit like roasted chicken. The moussaka could've been better, but it was satisfying. The best part is that Ethos was giving everyone free dessert with their meal. Well done!
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The Justin Bieber Experience
Got together with the girls to watch Never Say Never, the Justin Bieber story. First, though, we stopped by The Bourbon Street Restaurant, on Restaurant Row. I had me the Veggie Po'Boy, and it was gooooood.
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Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Still Sleepless
In our second and last day in Seattle, after work we hit sightseeing mode pretty quickly. The day however, began with some spiced apple cider from B&O espresso bar. I kid you not when I say there are a lot of coffee places in Seattle. Most of them are called espresso this or the other though.
After work I wanted a "light" lunch, but something fun nonetheless, and so we stopped by Roxy's Diner (the East Coast at the West Coast!) and had a grilled cheese sandwich with fries.
Roxy's was also great because they offer quickie same sex marriages
Then, we went off to search for the troll under the bridge in Fremont. We walked in circles around the neighborhood since google maps only pointed to a random area we couldn't figure out because apparently neither one of us can read a map. Eventually we found a sign, and that led to another sign and then another and then, there it was! It was not what I expected. This thing was huge!
Apparently the community got together and came up with the idea as to what to have in that space under the bridge, so it wouldn't become your run of the mill under the bridge space. Pretty cool idea.
After we escaped with our lives, we rushed to make it to Pike Place market, and I tell you that was tough. You miss one turn, you end up 5 miles from where you want to be before you can turn back! But it was a good overview of Seattle.
At Pike Place, we got to see many goodies. We unfortunately did not get to see the fish being thrown around. But there were beautiful sights, including the very first Starbucks.
And Left Bank Books.
After all of that, my co-worker went to meet up with a friend, and I detoured into Wildrose.
The place was in a sense your run of the mill pub, but with performance space, plenty of space for people to interact, tables, and the bar where I sat.
I made some friends for a bit, which was nice, before they recommended I have the baked Mac and Cheese. Even though all the dairy was going to kill me, I caved in. It was spiral pasta in a creamy cheese sauce, topped with bread crumbs and fresh tomatoes.
It was freaking perfect, served with delicious big chunks of toasted bread. I suffered gladly. I also had me some rose prick pale beer, which is Alaskan.
All in all, Seattle was a very chill place to visit: the people were very nice and smiled at us frequently as we walked, there was tons of coffee to bring your mood up for when it's down when it rains, and the food was quite tasty. If not for the rain, I would include Seattle in my "list of places I'd like to move to," and I'm sure mi Cariño is glad about that because I don't think it would make her list at all.
After work I wanted a "light" lunch, but something fun nonetheless, and so we stopped by Roxy's Diner (the East Coast at the West Coast!) and had a grilled cheese sandwich with fries.
Roxy's was also great because they offer quickie same sex marriages
Then, we went off to search for the troll under the bridge in Fremont. We walked in circles around the neighborhood since google maps only pointed to a random area we couldn't figure out because apparently neither one of us can read a map. Eventually we found a sign, and that led to another sign and then another and then, there it was! It was not what I expected. This thing was huge!
Apparently the community got together and came up with the idea as to what to have in that space under the bridge, so it wouldn't become your run of the mill under the bridge space. Pretty cool idea.
After we escaped with our lives, we rushed to make it to Pike Place market, and I tell you that was tough. You miss one turn, you end up 5 miles from where you want to be before you can turn back! But it was a good overview of Seattle.
At Pike Place, we got to see many goodies. We unfortunately did not get to see the fish being thrown around. But there were beautiful sights, including the very first Starbucks.
And Left Bank Books.
After all of that, my co-worker went to meet up with a friend, and I detoured into Wildrose.
The place was in a sense your run of the mill pub, but with performance space, plenty of space for people to interact, tables, and the bar where I sat.
I made some friends for a bit, which was nice, before they recommended I have the baked Mac and Cheese. Even though all the dairy was going to kill me, I caved in. It was spiral pasta in a creamy cheese sauce, topped with bread crumbs and fresh tomatoes.
It was freaking perfect, served with delicious big chunks of toasted bread. I suffered gladly. I also had me some rose prick pale beer, which is Alaskan.
All in all, Seattle was a very chill place to visit: the people were very nice and smiled at us frequently as we walked, there was tons of coffee to bring your mood up for when it's down when it rains, and the food was quite tasty. If not for the rain, I would include Seattle in my "list of places I'd like to move to," and I'm sure mi Cariño is glad about that because I don't think it would make her list at all.
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