Monthly Archive for April, 2006

Birthdays and Floating Pumas

Published on April 30, 2006 in Life. 3 Comments

I’ve been up to a lot these past few weeks and I haven’t written much about it. This doesn’t quite make up for it, but here’s a glimpse of what’s up.

Penny Going Away Thumb

Penny quit her job at Citrix Online so we went to her going away party. Afterward, we went to Dargan’s to meet up with Kelly’s roommate and his friends as well as her friend Crystal and her boyfriend Robert. We ended up at Blue Agave’s balcony, watching a guy get harassed by the cops.

El Rey Thumb

I received my order from Prime, a top tier store in Australia. I looked all over for the Puma El Rey (Emboss) and finally found them. Ironically, they released them to mainly stores down under, even though the shoes are named after the famous El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles. Go figure. I also got a free pair of Puma’s on the same day!

Kelly Shots Thumb

Kelly turned 27 on Tuesday and Nate threw her a fun party at his place near Elwood. I had a good time there eating pizza, playing bocci ball, (unsuccessfully) fixing a solitaire game on a Treo 650, and watching people dance. Then I went to pick up Clarissa. I didn’t return to the party. Instead I heated up some leftover (actually had over half) Milan Sicilian pizza from CPK for her to eat. Then we watched Election.
Wine Row Thumb

We went to Trattoria Grappolo for lunch. The town was like out of a western. The street was so new it was not even on my GPS. The voice said “This route is unverified, be careful.” We shared:

Calamari alla Positano
Calamari stuffed with smoked mozzarella, prosciutto, garlic, parsley and stuteed with lemon and olive oil

Clarissa had:

Capellini alla Checca
Angel hair pasta with fresh tomatoes, basil, garlic, and olive oil

Trattoria Dessert Thumb

I had spaghetti carbonara which was delish. And they gave us free dessert. Before you comment on how happy I may or may not look, know that I have no explanation. I guess my face wasn’t really expressing how I felt – really excited to eat the dessert! After we finished the meal, we went wine tasting. Over and over. Then we visited some galleries. I got a cool bottle opener that uses pressure from CO2 catridges to push the cork out.

Dessert at L&L's

We had a wonderful turkey dinner at a home, also in Santa Ynez. It was complete with homemade yeast biscuits, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, lots of wine, a delicious salad with walnuts and mandarin oranges topped with a raspberry vinegarette, mixed berry pie with ice cream, coffee, flourless cake, peanut butter and chocolate cookies, chocolate muffins, and more.
Floating Thumb

We got back too late for the fair. Turns out she wasn’t even interested! Go figure. So instead we spent the next hour perfecting our magic skills. Then we watched Lonesome Jim which is sort of like Garden State. The same droopy eyed depressing Indie drab. Put a smile on your faces you losers.

The Bank of Mom and Dad – New York Times

Published on April 27, 2006 in Life and Society. 1 Comment

This is an excellent article about the prevailing trends that marks our generation.

At 23, Jason McGuinness lives a postcollege life in Manhattan that is very nearly typical. He works as a media research analyst, making about $30,000 a year. Sharing a two-bedroom apartment on the fourth floor of a walk-up building with a roommate on the Upper East Side, his portion of the rent is $1,100 monthly

The walls are decorated with pennants and posters from Syracuse University, his alma mater. He orders takeout dinners, carries peanut-butter sandwiches to work and occasionally takes in a Mets game with friends.

And like many of his peers — educated, employed, urban-dwelling young adults — he receives monthly assistance from his parents, in the form of a $300 check and the payment of his cellphone bill.

| Read More At the New York Times |

And You Thought Your Town Had Bad Parking

Published on April 25, 2006 in Life and Society. 3 Comments

Adam Snow Parking 1 Thumb

One of my greatest joys is to get an email, phone call, or text message from a buddy of mine telling me he or his wife just slapped an IParkLikeAnIdiot bumper sticker on a deserving schmuck. One of my greatest pet peeves is bad parkers. And I’d hate to be a hypocrit so I’ll often make my passengers wait as I correct myself.
Adam Snow Parking 2 Thumb

Apparently, our neighbors to the north do not feel the same way about this. A fella named Adam Snow works in a company that has a lot where (he claims) everyone parks like this. This is just a typical day at the office for him.

I Believe That Children Are Our Future …

Published on April 24, 2006 in Life. 7 Comments

Vo Teaches

… teach them well and let them lead the way.

Happy Birthday Mido

Published on April 24, 2006 in Events and Friends. 5 Comments

Mido and David

Attention everyone – today is Mido’s birthday. What more can I say about a person who never ceases to amaze me. Click on the picture to see us the way we were in `01. The haircut? Yeah, a little too Fresh Prince, I know.