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So for Joanne’s bday, Natalia got us tix to watch the Nutcracker at Lincoln Center in Manhattan. Its was our first time at the venue and it was beautiful. It had just snowed/sleeted so all around was snow and icicles. Joanne loved the ballet while I was having a tough time with the first part of the ballet – it just dragged. During intermission I decided to go outside on the balcony to get some fresh air, bought some Nutcracker tree ornaments, and headed back in to watch the second half. The second half was much better and much more tolerable. To sum things up, I’ve seen Swan Lake and The Nutcracker – two of the most famous ballets. I’ve really given it a fair shot, but have come to the conclusion that ballets just aren’t for me. Something about no dialogue what so ever, no desire for ballet, seeing men in tights, and music that I can listen to if I wanted a soothing nap all equates to a so-so time. Nonetheless I had a great time hanging out with Joanne sans kids – we need to do that more often.
After the ballet we jumped on the 1 train uptown to Flor De Mayo. I’ve blogged about this place before and take most of my guests there. Once again the food and service was great. On the way home, Joanne picked up some coffee and we jumped back on the trains. Watching her fumble her coffee, look lost, and losing her balance on the train was a trip. She looked like she never road the subways here in NY or was in such a dreamy state of mind because she was having such a blast with me (lol!!!, jk). Anyways, we went to Jennifer’s place in Elmhurst and picked up the kids and went home. Here are a couple pix at Lincoln Center.

No, not that.
Take a look at what I see everyday.

…posted on this damn blog.
…hung out with family & friends from Cali.
…went to an Indian casino.

Well the month of October so far has been nice to me. First off, my family (minus Trina and family) came to NYC to visit for a week. Jammed packed with things to do, some of our outings included: Ray’s Pizza, 5th Avenue, MOMA, Pipa at Union Square, lunch in Kenilworth NJ, Flor De Mayo Peruvian, SOHO, Canal St, and Restaurant Row. Pictures to follow. Had a blast with my family. Miss them already.

The following week, Gibby Gibralter Gibson came to town. I’m glad he had the same agenda as me.

Nothing.
Lots of video gaming, hanging out, eating great food (Chilean Sea Bass, Black Cod, Lomo Saltado, NY Pizza, and spanish tapas), and a whole lot of nothing. We did however make our traditional trip to an Indian Casino : Foxwoods. Nice joint. They have 3 casinos there, and a WPT poker room. I would say its one of the biggest poker rooms. Win or lose we had a great time as the drive to Connect-ticutt was a pleasant one. Mobil/McDonalds drive-thrus ON the freeway? I mean lots of them. BTW, I did come up 7 bills !!

Outside of that, been spending time with the little ones. Sneaky lil brats!

Quick Post: Took the kids out this weekend for some Labor Day fun: water fun at Atlas Park, book store, carnival.  Today we are going to Staples, Home Depot and Stop & Shop (groceries).

Few updates in no particular order:
- joanne slices her thumb open while washing the dishes.
-few days later, busts her pointer finger open while we were carrying a credenza up stairs (sliding door decides to slide open and banged into her finger).  stitches might have been required, but we’re proceeding w/o.
-joanne also sprains her ankle at a filipino restaurant by not seeing a step on the floor. she also manages to fall down with sophie in her arms.  everyone is ok, minus joannes sprained ankle.
-90% of my office is complete.  will post pictures soon.
-went to ikea in paramus, nj.  nice 1hr drive plus tolls to this wide open part of town.  we like it there, but not sure if it is cost worthy, as the tolls added up to $15 back and forth from there.
-senator, “I’m not gay”….ahem…”bullshit!”
-watched “Chuck & Larry” – waste of time.  funny here and there, but overall, not impressive.
Looking forward:
Mom, Dad, Sam and Brian are coming at the end of September – looking forward to hanging out with them.  I miss my family!!!!  Also, Gib is coming to town the second week of October.  Looking forward to hanging out, wasting time, chilling, etc.

On the tube:
FIBA basketball, Flipping Out, NY1 – the local news station that plays all day long, and some of the usual suspects: simpsons, WSOP, High Stakes Pokers, Yo-Gabba-Gabba (with the kids).

On the iPhone:
Talib Kweli – Eardrum, Common Sense – Finding Forever

We experienced our first time getting lost in NYC.  Went to Costco this weekend in Astoria.  On our way home, I guess we happened to miss a freeway transfer (the signs here are either overly informative which becomes very distracting, or not clear at all). Either way, we found ourselves in Brooklyn.  The only way we noticed was that we could see the city and saw that we were really close to downtown.  Good thing I have an iPhone!!!  I input a street address, and 20mins later we were at home.  It was a good detour, as we got our first taste of beautiful DUMBO. More exploring to come – hopefully intentional.

Just a quick picture update of Simeon “baba”.

You’re Fired

Peanut Butter & Jelly on a Saturday

Bed and Breakfast?

Hot in Here!!!

Battery Park, NYC

What’s a “foyer”?

“Ride or Die”

More to update soon.  Been really busy @ work.
Updates include: Trina and family in NYC
iPhone
House / Moving updates

The 3 day weekend has come and gone. Had a blast with Irwin, Maria, Wally, and JV. Here are some photos to recap some of the fun. They really know how to party. *Photos courtesy of Nerdwin.

————-

Top of the Rock – 60+ stories above Midtown. Rockefeller Rooftop.

East meets West.

NBA 2k7 – Streetball / Roosevelt Park Anyone?

NERD-ALERT @ 5th Avenue Apple Store, NYC

Drinking up at Decibel Sake Bar

Cannery Crew – East Coast Offices

STOMP!!!!!

And finally,

3 Gangstas and a Karate Kid!
-Thanks for the good times fellas. Can’t wait to see y’all again.

So Irwin and Maria are in town. What a pleasure to have some LA peeps in NYC. I met up with them yesterday and we had lunch at Haru – Japanese restaurant in midtown. After lunch I went back to work for a few hours and met up with them again at Rockefeller Plaza – NBC studios to watch Conan! I barely got there in time, and we were lucky enough to get front row seats! We had a good time and a lot of laughs even though the guests were not that popular. After, we headed up 5th Avenue and walked by all the foo foo shops and ended up at the Apple store. They checked it out for the first time and we took some nerdy pictures of us pushing our sunglasses up on the middle of the frame (ala nerd style). We decided to walk to the Met via Central Park. Unfortunately the Met was closed but they took some pix there and we moved on to dinner at Flor De Mayo. Peruvian food – mmmm. I’ve had the Lomo there already, so I decided to try their famous roasted chicken. It is no joke – the best chicken I’ve ever had. Zankou, Seban, and Royal Chicken – you have no chance. After dinner it was time to get our drink on, so we headed to the meatpacking district to APT bar. No sign, only a door. At first it was a bit lame ( I guess its cuz we got there at 1030 – a bit early for nightlife in NYC), but as time passed, the space filled up and the vibe was nice and chill (well maybe this also had to do with the fact that I was buzzing now). I ended up leaving the bar and Ir/Maria at 1am. $40 taxi ride to Forest Hills, and I was at home.

I’m taking the night off tonight as I am in deep need of some shut eye. Gonna watch some Netflix DVDs, some NBA action, and call it a night. JV and Wally arrive today in NYC (yay!) and its Wally’s birthday tomorrow, so I’m sure we’ll be up to no good.

Memorial weekend – Got invited to watch some UFC action with a co-worker, invited to a BBQ by Jenn and Wali and company, plans to go to SOHO with Ir/Maria, party with JV / Wally, and hopefully get more rest. I’m glad i don’t have work on Monday.

So yesterday morning, I just stepped out of the subway station here in Times Square, on my way to work.  Just outside, I see 3 men in suits, tie, the whole shibang.  One of the men accidentally knocked a newpapers out of the other man’s hands and things begin to escalate.  Nose to nose, elbow in one’s throat, and one thing leads to another.  Here’s the great part.  The older of the two men, when nose to nose, hawks up a spit wad, and spits all over the other dudes face!!!! It was awesome.

My boss told me that I’ll know when I’m accustomed to The City when things like that happen and I just keep on walking.