Mister Softee...will never leave you alone

Just look at this haunting face!

When I first moved out the New York City my roommate and I had a theory that these Mister Softee trucks were stalking us through the city. No matter where we seemed to go the song the truck played followed us everywhere...just a step or two behind. The tune the trucks play, meant to entice children to their softee goodness, is infectious and not easily dispelled from the mind. Enough to drive a person crazy! Fortunately for many, new New York City noise ordinances, you do not hear these too often any more.

This post is inspired by a recent Bizarro comic (by the amusing Dan Piraro)

A Walk Through the Park

Sr. Ratolino got out a bit this weekend and took a nice walk through Central Park. It's been some time since he had the opportunity to spend some time in the open. I guess it was a bit cold for him over the winter and he's ready to enjoy the summer weather.

2008 Mermaid Parade - Coney Island

This last weekend we had visitors in town, my uncle and cousin from the Detroit area were able to get a great deal on a flight to New York City (with www.spiritair.com) and spent the weekend touring the city.

On Saturday, one of the many things we did was visit Coney Island. It was our fortune that the 2008 Annual Mermaid Parade just happened to be that weekend. We watched among thousands of people the costumed mermaids and mermen walking by on Surf Avenue and we later made our way to the Boardwalk where I took these photos (obviously I was not the only one at Coney Island taking pictures!).

It was quite an experience seeing all of the revelry, and hoping that with the proposed changes to Coney Island - that this parade and the spirit that embodies it, do not go away.

Art Night - Pastel with Pen

Occasionally Felipe and I have an art night, just to get some creativity out. Traditionally speaking I am not very good at putting my artistic ideas onto paper...I do much better with capturing images in photo form. So I thought I would copy the lines on a good old friend of mine. And here he is....The frog of love in pen and pastel.

Farmer's Market

Today I went to the Farmer's Market in Lincoln Square and picked out a few herbs to grow in the windowsill in our living room. So now I have fresh rosemary, lavender (more for smell and decoration than for cooking), basil, tarragon (for yummy chicken!), and oregano. I didn't have the time for planning to grow the herbs from scratch this year. And I am really looking forward to some caterpillar free herbs this year!

...When the Hurlyburly's Done...

1 Witch: When shall we three meet again
In thunder, lightning, or in rain?

2 Witch: When the hurlyburly’s done,
When the battle ’s lost and won.

Macbeth. Act i. Sc. 1.

We had a bit of a lightning storm tonight, and I thought I would capture a few shots. I've always been very fascinated with lightning. I find it very beautiful to watch. Mesmerizing really.

And Now I'm Prepared to Dance....

Shoes By Enzo Angiolini

After looking at thousands of styles (too strappy, too casual, too gaudy, too dangerously blister prone....) I found a pair today that I can conceivably wear for more than 15 minutes at a time! And in the end...it always ends up being Nine West or Enzo Angiolini (a branch of Nine West).

The American Game

“I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game.”
-Walt Whitman



Yesterday we had the fortune of being invited to the Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals Game. This was my and Felipe's first time at the historic Yankees Stadium and Felipe's first time at a Major League Baseball game. The seats were amazing, we sat just 11 rows behind third base. It was sweltering in the sun, but then how could there be a good baseball game without that experience?

The whole game was pretty amazing, the Royals would take the lead by four runs, and then the Yankees would rally and even the score. It went like that until the bottom of the ninth, the Yankees and the Royals were tied with 11 runs each. The video clip you can see is when Johnny Damon hit his sixth run for the game, allowing for the winning run for the Yankees. This sixth hit in a nine inning game is apparently a tie with another American League record.

~ Courtesy of the M66 ~

Just one lucky treat I get each day....

Every day I take the M66 to my job, this particular bus goes across Central Park. The trip you see here is on my way home, going west through the park. At this time of day, the sun hits the trees to give it a truly verdant pleasantness.

Sunday afternoon tabouleh...

Last weekend marked the official start of the summer. For us, this is picnic season. Central park has become one of my favorite places in the entire city of New York. We often pack up a blanket, games, some variety of food (meats, bread, salad, vegetables, fruits, olives, etc.) and whatever else will keep us occupied in the green grass of the Great Lawn.

The food that we bring is of a particular pleasure to me. Today I made some tabouleh, a recipe I had forgotten for some time, but that is so simple and is perfect for picnics.

Tabouleh

• 1 1/2 cups Fine Bulghur Wheat
• 1 Large Bunch of Parsley (minced fine)
• 1 Bunch of Green Onions (mince fine)
• 2-4 Tomatoes (chopped)
• 2 teaspoons Dried Mint
• 1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1/3 cup Lemon Juice

Soak the Bulghur for one hour in water, enough to cover, then squeeze our the water with your hands. Mix with all the other ingredients.

You can eat right away, however it is often better to let it sit for little while to take up the flavors....mmmmm yummmy!