Oh, look who's getting cultured.

Films of the Week:

Monday, Exit Through the Gift Shop with Maggie and Joe (consensus: 3 out of 5 stars)

Wednesday, Domaine at Walter Reade with Veronica (consensus: we loved it)

I much prefer Béatrice Dalle in Domaine than in Betty Blue. Major, major crush.


Book of the Week:

After some post-Alice Munro depression, I became absorbed in Eileen Myles' Inferno (a poet's novel)

Music of the Week:

Milkymee soundtrack from Domaine

Visitation Rights

Friday:

Jim and Pam arrive in New York
BBQ at Fette Sau




Saturday:

Join Jim, Kerry, and Higgins for off-leash in Prospect Park
Joe, Pam, and Jim go shopping in lower Manhattan
Paulie Gee's for pizza
Joe and Gili attend Jenny’s 30th birthday party



Sunday:

Visit Brighton Bazaar and other Russian food shops in Brighton Beach
Coney Island
Shop at Brooklyn Kitchen
Go to the Sarandon Fest and watch Thelma and Louise; Susan Sarandon speaks at BAM
Sri Pra Phai for dinner



Monday:

Joe's parents fly back to Iowa
Joe and Gili go to work
Valentine's dinner at Cafe Habana
Oscar Nominated Live-Action Shorts at IFC





(Some photos were taken by Joseph.)

Sleepwalking the winter away

I took a break from my sleepwalking hibernation to see Lonesome Cowboy, by Philippe Saire's all-male dance company. We've been having a dance-themed weekend with a screening of A Chorus Line last night. Joe had never seen the film and I refrained from reciting every word. After the dance performance tonight, I told Joe that I really should get out of bed more often; there's lots to do and see. I don't think I'm depressed, just dulled down. Winter is when I catch up on all that rest I miss during the other seasons. Time to bake cookies and then back to bed. Goodnight.

Major Adulthood Update

Good Old Riva came to town after a year apart. I fell ill for the second time this winter, but we dragged ourselves to the neighborhood pub, Boulevard Tavern, which happens to be almost overly dog-friendly. Nukah didn't want to go home. When we left, the owner/bartender yelled after Nukah, "Goodbye, new assistant!" Hopefully this won't require an intervention.


And Major Adulthood Update: Joseph and I are officially couch owners. We have experienced the non-creepy, seemingly straightforward side of craigslist. And somehow this isn't too good to be true.

Films to Be Filed Under Must See: True Grit and Another Year

Change of plans

The Spalding Gray movie was perfect; I can't blemish it with additional screenings.

A tuna-melt and coffee next to the ceaseless dancing and singing Santa at a diner in the West Village. Then bundle up for the train home. Maybe hot cocoa, Cynthia Ozick, and pajamas for a cozy afternoon.

Location:Jane St,New York,United States

Christmas Movie Marathon- Part I

11:15: And Everything Is Going Fine

Location:Avenue of the Americas,New York,United States

As promised, sufganiyot!

Joseph made his famous sufganiyot for the sixth night of Hanukah.


They turned out delicious, just like the last time we made them.


And this year, no scalded fingers.

I'm not promising anything, but I will say that Joe and I have plans to try another sufganiyot recipe tomorrow night. So many cliff hangers lately!

(Additionally, MoMA has been forgiven. We watched the 1955 psychological thriller, The Night of the Hunter tonight at MoMA and this time I was happy for Joe's corporate membership privileges. I love free movies!)

Coast to coast

On the way to the Bay Area,


Joe and I entertained ourselves


in our usual fashion.


Thanksgiving morning, we walked around Lake Merritt in Oakland.


The food was super yummy for Thanksgiving dinner.


Rui-Bing broke it down before we stuffed ourselves.


Hungry (and thankful) guests.


Everyone made delicious dishes except me. (I was Joe and Rui-Bing's helper.)


Sandra and Rui-Bing (on left) were gracious and lovely hosts.


In the morning, Joe and I visited the Pork Store in the Lower Haight.


It was as greasy and delicious as I'd remembered.


We walked around the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park.


In the afternoon we hit up Dolores Park Cafe for hot chicken sandwiches and lattes.


Later we had chocolate pudding and other divine sweets at Tartine.


The next day Joe fell in love with the Indian Pizza at Zante.


We topped it off with ice cream at Mitchell's. They no longer sell Thai iced tea ice cream, so I got macapuno (sweet coconut) and avocado. Joe got Mexican chocolate and pumpkin.


We met up with an old friend of mine, Carmen to visit Folsom leather stores. She tried out the swing at Mister S.


While visiting San Francisco, Joe and I took in two films, Prince of Broadway at the Roxie, where the director answered questions after the screening. We also saw Guess Who's Coming to Dinner at the Castro, which was heavenly. After the movie ended, the organist played the theme song.

We also took in an Aikido class in Oakland because an old friend of mine attends the dojo. It was Joe's first Aikido class. He's a natural!


Our trip wouldn't be complete without visiting Taqueria Can-Cun one final time.

What I learned: Some things never change. The food in the Bay Area is still dependable and amazing. The air is fresh and San Francisco is a beautiful city. I'm glad to have visited and to have the opportunity to show Joseph around my old stomping ground.

Going away reaffirmed my love of New York.

Stunted growth

Tonight Joe and I went to MoMA to see what was pitched as a must-see arty film. Usually we love Free Fridays because we get to view interesting movies and hear about the work from the filmmakers. Instead, we were tormented with an hour and forty minutes of time-suck. Many people felt okay about walking out even though the filmmaker and one of the actresses were at the screening.

My favorite moment occurred during the best part of any cultural event in New York: the beloved Q&A. This is when magic happens; humanity reveals her beautifully grotesque face.

A woman raised her hand to make a comment. "I came to this film because I'm incredibly interested in adolescent sexuality; I'm a teacher."

Joe and I started laughing uncontrollably. I'd like to say that her comment made the whole night worth it, but that would be hyperbole.

(Frozen) face to face with my seasonal nemesis

Morning greeted me with pelting, frozen rain; not exactly snow, but icier than rain. My face is experiencing that skin-ripping-off sensation offered up by winter.

After a mellow weekend with two very different movie viewings, each riveting in a unique way (Amer and Last Train Home), I'm bracing myself for a busy week. There's the new job, the volunteer trainings, and the parents descending. Winter, you make me want to build a gingerbread house and live inside of it.

Accidental intimacy

A fellow dog-owner spotted me in the National Geographic film, which is streaming on Netflix. As soon as I walked into the dog-run this morning, he shouted, "I saw you in a movie last night!" I still haven't watched it, but I like being microscopically famous.

Today I got out of the train and a guy accidentally walked into the same section of the subway turnstile with me. We were momentarily stuck in this tiny space together. When I turned around, he flinched like I was going to hit him, but I was charmed by this accidental intimacy.

Personal space is a myth. (As I write this I am smoking my next-door neighbor’s cigarette by proximity.)

Happy (almost) Sukkot!

On our way to see what turned out to be a very dull Swedish film, The Girl, Joseph and I ran into Sukkah City in Union Square last night.


When we arrived, a crowd had gathered around and I asked a policeman what was happening. He said, "Something's going on with the sukkahs." This may be the only time in my life when I hear a police officer use the word "sukkah."


Mayor Bloomberg explained the contest. In celebration of Sukkot, architects and designers submitted ideas to reimagine the Sukkah.


Out of 641 applicants, the top twelve were on display in Union Square.


Gathering was one of my favorites.


Sukkot happens to be my favorite Jewish holiday. Here's an old entry when Kimberley and I built a Sukkah.


The winners of Sukkah City, Henry Grossman and Babak Bryan


The winning Sukkah, Fractured Bubble


To close the ceremony, a man blew the shofar.

Tidbits of my day

My prediction is that you're about to spend money.


Sad but relieving news: our business is on hold until next summer's street fair circuit begins. According to the letter we received, next year promises to be a "grand affair".

**
Head: On the Bowery
Shoulders: A little lighter load without street fair prep
Knees: Walking through Midtown while my car window was being replaced
Toes: Chucks

full (marshmallow and whipped topping) circle

It's the end of the year and my classes are wrapping up. We're watching Edward Scissorhands in Mythology, Meaning, and Metaphor and my students squealed with disgust and confusion when Edward is fed ambrosia salad. Of course I protested and insisted that ambrosia salad is a supreme cuisine. Some of them have never tried it before. Tonight, I made some for our final class tomorrow. They'll see the light:


Ambrosia salad really brings the school year full circle. I made ambrosia salad all by myself for the first time for the faculty bar-b-que right before the students returned to school in September.

"Ambrosia" literally means the food or drink of the Greek gods, so it makes sense to sample this delicacy in my mythology class.

Additionally, I forgot to add this classic picture of Halligan and Nukah: