Hawkwild

2009-12-22T13:39:00.001-05:00

thought he was a jerk for hating on the fussy toddler seated behind him unti'l the little old lady next to him muttered "Shut the fuck UP!"

One year in Harlem

2009-08-04T14:44:00.002-04:00

Well, it's been one year in Harlem now. You would think I'd be used to hiking up six flights of stairs by now, but you'd be only half right. I'm good as long as I don't have seven bags of groceries to lug up with me. (You would also think I would have learned to go to the local Pathmark with greater frequency and less severity, but you'd be wrong.)

Still bright and sunny---although apparently I'm located next to a construction site for the next year or so as the MTA rebuilds (from the ground up) the new Mother Hale Bus Depot next door. Right now it's just a big pit.

Anyway, that's whats going on up here. Maybe I'll try to write more on this thing going forward.

Abby

2008-08-11T07:51:00.002-04:00

Abby
Originally uploaded by hawkwild

Spring Cleaning

2008-05-14T05:21:00.000-04:00

Well, the parents are coming to NYC on Friday, and unless I want my mother to cry and then spend all day Sunday cleaning my apartment, I need to clear away the detritus of the winter. It's amazing how things pile up.

I do think, however, that it's time to go to bed. No point in pulling overnights when I'm not getting paid for them.

Lunch Today (I hope!)

2008-03-27T04:13:00.003-04:00

OK, this is what I anticipate having for lunch today. After working the overnight (!) I'm hopping on the airport bus and going to LaGuardia, flying to Savannah, and then going with my family to The Lady and Sons, Paula Deen's southern cooking restaurant. Seeing this Flickr photo posted by another user makes me HUNGRY, even at 4:16 am.
The Lady & Son's, Savannah
Originally uploaded by trent_maynard

Happy Easter to my Peeps

2008-03-23T02:20:00.006-04:00

Wow, my very own sunrise service, right here at the Front Desk!

In other historic news, I ate my first Peep (ever) today. It was very sweet.

I was inspired to purchase my first ever six-pack of Peeps today by the Food Network show "Unwrapped," which today had a special about all manner of Easter confections. They featured a "Peep artist" who makes huge constructions and collages out of Peeps. It made me wonder what I was missing out on. The answer: tooth decay.

Happy Easter to all!
Peeps
Originally uploaded by Chatdurouge

Chrysler Building as seen from the Alex

2008-03-22T05:50:00.002-04:00

New York from the 26th Floor
Originally uploaded by boboroshi

So, this is where I've been spending my nights lately. Not on top of the Chrysler Building, but on the overnight shift at The Alex.

I really hope they hire a new overnight manager soon, because overnights kinda suck.

You'd think I'd have more time to blog since spending hours and hours with nothing to do in the lobby of a hotel, but you'd be wrong. Perhaps this is the start of my next big blogging phase.

Fast Food Nation R Us!

2008-01-08T13:53:00.001-05:00

It’s time to revisit my goal of staying away from fast food restaurants, methinks.

A particularly disastrous outing to Wendy’s today has precipitated this particular “never again” moment. Nasty, NASTY food. Yuck. Happily, the sick feeling is staying with me to make me remember why I gave this crap up in the first place.

So, no more fast food—with the exception of lowfat Subway (hey a guy’s gotta eat something).

Wish me luck.

See more progress on: stop eating fast food

Holiday Temptations

2007-11-19T16:02:00.001-05:00

And…it’s that time of year again!

I’m down fifteen pounds (yay!) and now the Holiday Season begins. I’m really going to try to be good this year. When I sat down with the nutritionist, it was amazing how often I was “treating” myself to various things. She pointed out to me that if you treat yourself all the freaking time, it’s not really a “treat,” is it?

She also pointed out that cheese lurks everywhere and that you can consume an amazing amount of calories just by going to Starbucks once or twice a day. Yikes!

Here’s hoping my holidays don’t turn into “open season” on bakery goods and hors d’ouevres!

See more progress on: Lose 30 pounds

Things are going well on Nutrisystem

2007-10-17T14:09:00.001-04:00

Down 9 lbs so far, being fairly strict about following their rules. Except still putting cream in my morning coffee, and having low-fat (not non-fat) dressing on my lunch salad (the non-fat dressings at my lunch place are all nasty!) Enjoying the routine, the variety and the simplicity.

See more progress on: suceed in using nutrisystem

More Coffee Needed

2007-10-16T15:08:00.001-04:00

More Coffee Needed
Originally uploaded by bullish1974

This very accurately describes my state of mind at the moment. It's getting to be time for the mid-afternoon Starbucks fix. I keep thinking I'll kick it, but every day--*pow*--the 3pm doldrums set in.

It does seem to be less noticable now that I'm eating very little sugar....the sugar roller coaster effect I think really exacerbates the whole "slump" thing. So hooray for progress.

Still, can't function without caffeine.....must work on that.

Uncle Jay Explains the News - September 3, 2007

2007-09-16T14:12:00.001-04:00

Uncle Jay explains the concept of "recess" and reveiws the awesome work ethic of the hardest working Congress in America: Congress!
Uncle Jay Explains the News - September 3, 2007
read more digg story

Document Review

2007-09-13T14:18:00.001-04:00

Paper Stack
Originally uploaded by Crittz

After a brief respite from document review in the form of drafting some discovery responses, it looks like it's back to document review for me. Joy.

At least it's less stressful than producing work product; your work product is in the form of little Post-It Flags attached to the important documents. It's quite relaxing.

Popcorn

2007-09-12T23:10:00.001-04:00

They are all different
Originally uploaded by Rune T

Just enjoyed this picture, and if you know me, you know this is work related. Sort of.

Stormy Weather

2007-09-11T17:45:00.001-04:00

Dark clouds and lightning over NYC skyline
Originally uploaded by John P Sullivan

It seems appropriate that today was gloomy and rainy and stormy. There was a bunch of thunder earlier in the day, but I'm not sure it was anything THIS dramatic. Still, always fun to find a great picture on flickr and share it, especially when it helps move Larry Craig off the top of the page.

That's what I get for being topical and then not posting for a week. Yuck.

Barney Frank on the Craig Kerfluffle

2007-08-29T16:44:00.000-04:00

"It’s one thing to say that someone can’t be trusted to vote without being corrupt, it’s another to say that he can’t be trusted to go to the bathroom by himself."

--Representative Barney Frank, on why he thinks that embattled Idaho Senator Larry Craig should serve out his term.

From the Schadenfreude Files

2007-08-28T18:00:00.001-04:00

Old news by now I guess, but I just love this whole thing with Senator Craig, R-Idaho.

Also, why do the Republican hypocrites involved in these things always look so creepy?

read more digg story

Finished!

2007-08-28T00:32:00.001-04:00

Finally finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows tonight. Quite satisfying is all I’ll say. I think she ended the series very well.

Now I should proabably get to bed . . . .

See more progress on: read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Spa Day!

2007-08-25T10:59:00.001-04:00

Spa
Originally uploaded by austinite

So last year for my birthday, my lovely parents got me a gift certificate for a day spa, which has spent the past 11 months stuck to my refrigerator.

Well, today's the day! Salt scrub, facial and massage, here I come! Heading off to Dorit Baxter in just a few minutes, to return refreshed and relaxed!

The Problem Isn’t Mr. Maliki

2007-08-24T15:16:00.001-04:00

If President Bush took the time to study the real lessons of Vietnam, he would not be so eager to lead America deeper into the quagmire he has created in Iraq.

read more | digg story

Work work work

2007-08-23T17:48:00.001-04:00

lexington tower
Originally uploaded by kenyee

So, this is my office, high above Lexington Avenue. Actually, I'm right on the first setback, the 16th floor.

They keep coming up with more and more projects for me here at work, so it looks like I'll be around for a little while longer. I spent the better part of the afternoon poring over a commercial office lease....ye gods, who comes up with this stuff? Right now I'm just waiting for some feedback so that I can go to the next phase of the thing we're working on.

Going back to the hotel for a little vacation replacement work over the Labor Day holiday. I hope that I remember how to use the computers there, and that I remember any of the restaurants in the neighborhood. I will also be interested to see how patient I am with ridiculous guest requests, now that I've been away from hospitality for a bit. I hope I don't deck anyone.

Lemonade on a Cold Day

2007-08-21T16:12:00.001-04:00

Lemon Slice Drop
Originally uploaded by Daffodilious

It's a strangely cold day here in New York today. It's not even going to break 70, and it's been raining steadily all day.

So why was I craving lemonade today? I don't know. But I will say that Starbucks makes a mean Blueberry White Iced Tea Lemonade combo. Yum.

Raising Hill

2007-08-17T15:11:00.000-04:00

I've just become a Hillraiser!

A little 80's flashback for Sunday

2007-08-12T00:45:00.000-04:00

Hey, this is basically on a religious theme, right?

Perseid Meteor Shower

2007-08-10T16:39:00.001-04:00

Perseid near the Radient - be st shot in two nights
Originally uploaded by edhiker

The Perseid meteor shower happens every year around August 12, but is often washed out by the moon. This year should be perfect: there is not much of a moon, and Mars is just below Perseus, giving you a great target.I remember being in Yellowstone National Park one summer for the Perseids. It was pretty amazing...I believe I was out waiting for Grand Geyser to go off one evening, when the shower began. I should let my sister, who lives in West Yellowstone these days, know it's coming up!Anyway, if you're in a place that's not NYC (with all its light pollution), enjoy!

read more digg story

Bill O'Reilly Does Another Absurd Report Bashing Gays and San Diego

2007-08-09T18:33:00.001-04:00

Bill O'Reilly was so shocked and dismayed that gay adults and straight families "comingled" at a San Diego Padres game, he devoted his Top Story segment to the ridiculous story. Tonight he revisited San Diego for some more gay bashing but this report was even more absurd.

read more | digg story

Singing, Again

2007-08-09T10:58:00.000-04:00

Re-auditioning for my old chorus, Cantori New York, tonight. I have missed singing a lot, and I'm glad to be back on a semi-regular schedule for that reason (among others), since evening rehearsals were out of the question with my night shifts at the hotel.

I hope my nearly absent sightreading skills have not completely atrophied to the point of nonexistence during my musical hiatus.

Logo's Visible Vote '08

2007-08-08T16:18:00.000-04:00

Joe. My. God. is live blogging the Visible Vote '08 Forum this Thursday.

Tune in and log on!

2007-08-08T16:15:00.000-04:00

I promise not to turn this into a respository of Onion stories, but this is just too good.

Small Town Holds Annual Gay Shame Parade

Tragic Event Forces Man To Spend Rest Of Life Confined To Office Chair

2007-08-07T13:34:00.000-04:00

Ain't it the truth?

Tragic Event Forces Man To Spend Rest Of Life Confined To Office Chair

Major Reformatting

2007-08-06T21:05:00.001-04:00

Well, went though like a whirlwind and changed nearly everything about the layout! And signed up for Twitter, although I’m not sure just why yet…..

But maybe a fresh look will lead to more frequent updates!

See more progress on: become a better blogger

Study: Food in McDonald's wrapper tastes better to kids

2007-08-06T19:10:00.001-04:00

Anything made by McDonald's tastes better, preschoolers said in a study that powerfully demonstrates how advertising can trick the taste buds of young children.

read more | digg story

Où est la piscine?

2007-08-06T18:04:00.004-04:00

A very funny number from last night's episode of Flight of the Conchords on HBO.

Mika Monday

2007-08-06T08:19:00.001-04:00

Mika will be appearing at the Good Morning America Summer Concert Series at Bryant Park on Friday. I'm actually tempted to join all the teenage girls, but I'll probably restrain myself.

P. 544

2007-08-05T23:12:00.001-04:00

Got from page 268 to page 544 this weekend…so the end is in sight!

See more progress on: read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

2007-08-05T03:02:00.001-04:00

After a rollicking start, I have stalled out on page 268. I shall endeavor to move along at a faster clip.

Also, sadly, you would think there would have been a lot of books between this entry and the last one, but you’d be wrong. A lot of magazines, newspapers and blogs, and a lot of television, but not so much with the books.

See more progress on: read every book I own

Logo Visible Vote '08 Presidential Forum

2007-08-05T01:38:00.000-04:00

Set your TiVo now for the Logo Visible Vote '08 Presidential Forum this Thursday at 9PM.

Here's a Newsweek story about it. The latest news is that Chris Dodd dropped out due to "scheduling conflicts."

Should be an interesting evening!

Democrats prepare to face the gay nation

2007-08-05T01:30:00.000-04:00

Six leading Democratic presidential candidates will face questions on Thursday, August 9, during a 90-minute forum dedicated to gay topics that is generating excitement — and criticism — among gay observers.

read more | digg story

The Screenwriter as God, Examining His Creations

2007-08-04T19:35:00.001-04:00

John August, one of Hollywood's more hotly pursued studio writers, moves into the directing chair with "The Nines."(OK, I'm really just linking to this for the amazing photo of Ryan Reyolds it contains. Holy cow.)

read more | digg story

Kittens could solve spam problems

2007-08-04T19:33:00.001-04:00

An executive at Microsoft Corp. has an unusual idea for beating spammers. Powerful software tools and supercomputers aren't involved, but kittens are. Or rather, photos of kittens.

read more | digg story

This makes me smile

2007-08-04T00:30:00.000-04:00

Something about these guys just makes me smile.

***

And now a word from our sponsor:

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An Opportunity to Help Out Donors Choose

2007-07-27T15:36:00.000-04:00

Hey! Long time no see!

A lot to talk about, soon, I hope (like, after a year in hotels I'm back to being a lawyer). But for now, something that urgently needs your attention, if you have an American Express card of any stripe (e.g., Blue).

My favorite charity, Donors Choose is a finalist in the American Express Members Project. They could get $5 million to distribute to schoolteachers throughout the country to fund "extras" for the classroom that aren't covered in school budgets. (Like Ladybug Kits.) It would be so cool if they won, and there are four other worthy causes up for the money as well.

So, head on over to the Members Project and vote for "Teachers Ask. You Choose. Students Learn.

Goodness....

2006-11-06T03:36:00.000-05:00

It's amazing what working all the time at a job you actually enjoy does to your ability to screw around on the internet.....at work.

So, after a long absense, I have only one thing to post:

VOTE on Tuesday! Vote like your life depends on it! Vote vote VOTE!

That is all for now...

The past three weeks....

2006-08-20T21:16:00.000-04:00

I have been very remiss in my updating of late. This is primarily because I'm no longer working at a dull-as-dirt legal temping assignment all day where messing around on the internet was the only way to stay sane!

Yes, I'm about to enter my fourth week in The Hospitality Industry. I am happy to say that this seems to be a great fit for me...it's the first time is six years that I've looked forward to going to work.

The people I work with are great, and there's none of the cynicism and self-interest that was so pervasive in every legal practice situation I found myself in. People seem genuinely enthusiastic about what they're doing, and everyone's on the same page as far as the goals of the organization.

It's also a lot of fun....we get all sorts of celebrities in the hotel. Sadly, I'm sworn to secrecy, but it just adds to the variety.

The one down side would have to be getting up at 5AM when I have an "early" shift (7-3). It's interesting, however, that 5AM is something I could have never done for a legal gig, no matter how good my intentions, but for this I was able to do it. I consider that a very good sign.

Fortunately not on a 7am shift this week, so I can stay up and finally update this thing! It's good to be happy at work again!

Tomorrow!

2006-07-30T12:11:00.000-04:00

Because I forgot to update everyone on what’s going on in this quarter: I got the hotel job! I start tomorrow!

I’ll be a guest service agent at one of New York’s most swanky hotels, owned by one of the world’s premier luxury hotel companies. If I do well, it could lead to opportunities at other hotels in their company, both in the US and abroad.

So happy I’ve taken this step. It’s a huge financial risk, but I need to find something that I’m happy doing and hope that the money follows from that.

I’ll let you know how it works out . . . .

See more progress on: find work I'm passionate about

Pushed Out of the Nest

2006-07-22T10:52:00.000-04:00

Well, when God closes a door, sometimes He throws you out the window for good measure. Just to see what you’ll do.

My “just surviving” job (that is soul-crushing and going nowhere, but pays well) abruptly ended on Thursday night. It was pretty surreal…they let go a whole bunch of people. I guess the project is “entering a new phase” to use their terminology.

ANYWAY, this little event occured just after I had had my second of what will hopefully be only THREE (gawd!) interviews with a top New York City hotel. (The next one is Monday…hoping that’s it). The problem was going to be the money….it would be a big step down from what I was doing (which was making me miserable and going nowhere), and it was going to be quite the dilemma to decide whether to give up security or happiness. (Of course, my operating theory is that the thing that makes me happy will also be, in the long run, something I’ll be successful at and eventually be able to make money doing.)

Fortunately, and I do mean fortunately, the choice has now been taken out of my hands! So now, assuming that this thing at the hotel pans out, I am basically forced to try my hand at this. It’s scary as Hell, but I’m irrationally happy about it.

Here…we….go!

See more progress on: find work I'm passionate about

The stomach flu diet! Get it at a store near you!

2006-07-09T09:36:00.000-04:00

I take my victories where I find them.

Inertia is Easy, Action is Hard

2006-07-07T10:07:00.000-04:00

Big Pharma money makes it very easy to just sit here complacent and continue to have my life chipped away, day by day, by the drip drip dripping of resentment and boredom. Yesterday I just got so FED UP that I promised my officemate that I’d do something or she’d know the reason why. So, last night I finally pulled together all the course stuff, filed the paperwork for the certificate, and actually began following up on the contacts I made during my class (which ended nearly 2 months ago!).

Today: 2 resumes to 2 top-flight hotels going out in the mail.

See more progress on: find work I'm passionate about

This Month's Cause

2006-07-02T14:29:00.000-04:00

Getting started early this month, trying to fund an incubator so some North Carolina school kids can watch chicks hatch.

Won’t you join me ?

See more progress on: Give something every month to Donors Choose.

Donors Choose

2006-07-02T14:24:00.000-04:00

My participation in the Donors Choose Bloggers Challenge continues!

Please help!

Progress

2006-06-25T18:43:00.000-04:00

Well, it looks like walking 3.5 miles in today's Parade paid off:

And, from the sticker I and many of my fellow St. Luke's Parishioners were wearing: My manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on communion.

Another Cool Philanthropic Idea

2006-06-19T15:48:00.000-04:00

Wow...this is clever.

The folks at one of my favorite websites, Television Without Pity have gotten behind a wonderful project to help rebuild the collections of some Mississippi gulf coast libraries that had their collections heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina: The Dewey Donation System.

Check it out!

(And the Gulfport Library in Biloxi, Mississippi, can expect their copies of The Swiss Family Robinson, Jane Eyre, and Mrs. Dalloway in about a week's time!)

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

2006-06-18T11:26:00.000-04:00

OK, so a little less progress this week. 2 Lbs. off.

Still, better than a gain.

Will keep at it. This week: EXERCISE!

(I know, I said that last week.....)

Bringing Another Donors Choose Project Home!

2006-06-17T23:57:00.000-04:00

After a fun but probably ill-advised day of retail therapy today, I came home to find my monthly reminder for this goal in my mailbox! Oh, what to do.

So, I browsed the Donors Choose Website and found this proposal , which needed only a little bit of funding to push it to its goal. Well, it was less than one of the shirts I got at Nordstrom’s semi-annual sale, so it seemed churlish to say no.

So, a bunch of Bronx high schoolers get to clean up their community garden. Next year, I guess, as I’m pretty sure everyone’s done for the year now.

Here's your opportunity to give something to Donors Choose yourself!

Progress!

2006-06-11T10:25:00.000-04:00

Well, that's pretty satisfying...7.5 lbs off. An even 200 lbs now.

Maybe if I actually went to the gym this week, I could make even more progress!

Guess who....

2006-06-05T23:51:00.000-04:00

...allowed me to pet her for two minutes tonight!

(Hint: It's newsworthy.)

Yes, SUZY!

It was hilarious. She was on the bed and she didn't run away when I went back to get ready for bed, so I scratched her behind the ears & then started petting her. She looked concerned but calm.

The funniest reaction was Abby's. She walked into the bedroom, took in this tableau and was all, "Who in the what in the how in the WHA?" Seriously, she looked shocked, if a cat can look shocked.

Anyway, a day of progress all around. (Since I stuck with South Beach.)

Feh

2006-06-05T15:35:00.000-04:00

Starting over, over again.

My journal on this topic is getting a little embarassing.

Well, I ran out to Gristede’s and picked up low-carb snacks. Had eggs for breakfast and a salad for lunch. Sucking down a Crystal Light right now. Feelin’ OK.

See more progress on: Go through phase 1 of South Beach Diet

Scaling New Heights (or Depths)

2006-06-04T09:49:00.000-04:00

Holy crap.

I weigh 207.5 lbs. Two Hundred Seven and a Half!

How in the heck did that happen?

Poor diet? Check. Lack of exercise? Check.

OK. It stops now. Ye Gods.

If my friend Larry can lose 28 lbs (and counting), surely I can do at least as well. SO, off we go.

Sucking the Life out of the Great White Way

2006-06-02T17:41:00.000-04:00

Sadly, it appears that Lestat has had a stake put in it.

On the upside, now the Palace Theatre is free for the next big jukebox musical. I hear the Pablo Cruise musical "A Place In The Sun" is opening in the fall

Teddy Grahams

2006-05-24T17:36:00.000-04:00

I chalk up to the utter failure of the Nabisco marketing department the fact that I was unaware until today (when I polished off half a box of them) that Teddy Grahams were (a) Graham crackers and (b) shaped like bears.

Who knew?

Wake Up Call

2006-05-08T15:04:00.000-04:00

Suzy
Originally uploaded by hawkwild.

Suzy has taken to awakening me at 6:30 for breakfast (I normally get up at 8), by hopping into bed and putting her snoot about 6 inches from my ear and meowing loudly. It's ADORABLE.

Donors Choose Bloggers' Challenge

2006-05-03T23:46:00.000-04:00

Mission Accomplished

2006-05-02T10:04:00.000-04:00

Remember the Iraq War that ended three years ago?

Me neither.

The History Boys

2006-04-30T01:28:00.000-04:00

Just saw The History Boys tonight at the Broadhurst. Fantastic show...thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish. Smart, funny and very moving.

Go and see it!

(And, coming in ten days, The Drowsy Chaperone! I guess the theatre season is officially underway!)

O Pioneers!

2006-04-29T17:08:00.000-04:00

In light of my stated goal of reading every book I own, I have decided to just randomly grab something off my shelf.

The lucky winner? O Pioneers! by Willa Cather.

A little late afternoon read sounds quite pleasant.

See more progress on: read every book I own

Taking the Plunge

2006-04-29T11:33:00.000-04:00

Years ago (in Chicago?) my sister bought me the best French press coffeepot ever.

I never use it, because it's so pretty to look at. And frankly, because making plunge pot coffee is so much more of a pain in the neck than using the drip coffeemaker. Or, if I'm honest, going to Starbucks.

Well, no more.

After soaking a year's accumulated NYC windowsill grime off of the device, I have decided to press it into service on this rather chilly April morning.

(A picture of it all in all its readiness to the right.)

The reason this is a pain is that it's actually a bit like cooking, in the sense that suddenly you're measuring and pouring and mixing and timing. It's all very involved. I mean, I love cooking, but not before morning coffee. Anyway, after finding out exactly how to do this on the Internet (thanks Internet!) I measured the coffee into the warmed pot (1 scoop per cup) added two cups (more or less) of near-boiling water, put the lid on and waited 4 minutes. At the end of 4 minutes....plunge! And pour.

The verdict? A few grounds, but seriously one of the most sublimely wonderful cups of coffee I've had in a long time. Rich and thick, with a nice texture to it. Not to strong, and not bitter or acid at all.

Kitty French Press Pot, welcome (back) to the family!!!!

Update

2006-04-28T10:10:00.000-04:00

Well, class is winding up. There’a a hellacious amount of work between now and the last class: finishing a group presentation, doing about 3 weeks’ worth of reading (and associated reading quizzes) AND a final exam. But I’m glad I took the course….it’s really opened my eyes to the possibilities for me in the hospitality field.

I sat down last week with the career counselor and revamped my resume. It looks good, but it’s still going to be a hard sell until I get my first hotel job. But I’m optimistic. I went to Staples yesterday and bought fancy paper and everything. It’s also posted on HotJobs, Monster and CareerBuilder.

Boring pharma documents, I may be bidding you adieu soon!

See more progress on: find work I'm passionate about

Altruism Tuesdays at Hawkwild

2006-04-18T10:45:00.000-04:00

And now, a periodic reminder to Help Public School Kids by Participating in a DonorsChoose Challenge.

Happy Easter!

2006-04-16T16:37:00.000-04:00

Easter Rabbit
Originally uploaded by hawkwild.

I just played tourist and took some pictures of the Easter Parade and also some at Rockefeller Center.

Enjoy!

Tulip Time

2006-04-16T14:21:00.000-04:00

Went on a little tulip buying frenzy today....now I've got them all over my apartment. Thank goodness there are inexpensive cut flowers in this town.

Now I'm off to take pictures of the Easter Parade.

Happy Easter!!!

AIDS Walk

2006-04-10T16:45:00.000-04:00

awny2005_ir_02
Originally uploaded by Rob T Firefly.

My friend Chipper's doing the AIDS Walk. Help him out!

Howdy folks,

It's that time of year again - the 2006 AIDS Walk New York is coming up in May. As was the case last year, the Birch Family Camp team has made arrangements to keep ALL of the money our team raises and apply it towards keeping camp running for yet another year. We've set a collective fundraising goal of $20,000, and I've set a personal goal of $1000 (but I would love to shatter that). Please give as generously as you can - remember that every donation helps! For inspiration, check out my website for Birch pictures from past years:

http://web.mac.com/dd460/

Thanks for doing whatever you can to help Birch Camp happen this and every other year! If you want more information on camp (or would like to come volunteer) e-mail me. :)

Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support AIDS Walk New York

Chipper Dean

Quote o' the Day

2006-04-05T10:24:00.000-04:00

"All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me... You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you."

- Walt Disney

Photo Uploaded to Flickr.com on February 26, 2006

by olvwu

Concert Next Sunday

2006-04-01T12:46:00.000-05:00

My former choir is having a concert on Palm Sunday:

Cantori New York
Mark Shapiro, Artistic Director

"From Darkness to Light"

Sunday, April 9, 2006
4 PM
Church of the Holy Trinity
316 East 88th Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues)

Private cocktail reception and supper to benefit Cantori New York
immediately following the concert at Rathbones, 1702 2nd Avenue

Concert $20
Reception $30
Tickets for both available at www.cantorinewyork.com

Notturno by Arnold Schoenberg. For harp and strings. NEW YORK PREMIERE. Anna Reinersman, harp
Lua Descolorida (Colorless Moon) by Osvaldo Golijov. For women! ¹s chorus and strings.
Et la vie l¹emporta (And Life is the Victor) by Frank Martin. For mezzo soprano, chorus, and chamber orchestra. NEW YORK PREMIERE. Charlotte Paulsen, mezzo soprano
Three Sacred Songs by Hugo Wolf. For mixed chorus a cappella.
Cantata #4, Christ lag in Todesbanden (Christ lay in Death¹s Prison) by J. S. Bach. For chorus and chamber orchestra.

New York, NY (February 25, 2006)--- Cantori New York, led by its Artistic Director Mark Shapiro, Church of the Holy Trinity (Episcopal), 316 East 88th St, on Sunday, April 9, 2006, at 4 PM. Tickets available at the door for $20 or online at www.cantorinewyork.com.

The concert will open with a characteristic Cantori touch: the New York premiere of a novelty work by a "young" Arnold Schoenberg. Schoenberg composed his No! tturno (1896) for harp and strings. This five-minute work was originally composed for an event hosted by the composer and eventual father-in-law to Schoenberg, Alexander von Zemlinsky.

Lua Descolorida (Colorless Moon) (2000/2002) by Osvaldo Golijov will follow the Schoenberg. Cantori will perform this work with women¹s chorus. This version communicates a tender anthem Golijov composed for Dawn Upshaw, on a text apostrophizing the moon. The ensemble for this five-minute work is women's chorus and strings.

The concert¹s centerpiece is the New York premiere of Frank Martin¹s last completed work, the poignant cantata Et la vie l¹emporta (1974--And Life is the Victor). In three strongly contrasted movements the composer confronts his final illness, first acknowledging its terrible pain and cruelty, next waging war on his despair, and finally emerging triumphant. The composition is a symphonically executed triptych in Martin¹s characte! ristic meld of dodecaphony and impressionism.

Works from earlier eras counterbalance the concert¹s first half. The Sacred Songs (1881) for mixed chorus a cappella by Hugo Wolf are rarely heard. In his eloquent chromatic style, Wolf also deals with life¹s ³necessary losses.²

And Bach¹s Cantata #4, Christ lag in Todesbanden (Christ lay in Death¹s Prison) for chorus and chamber orchestra unfolds another resurrection myth. Its chorale text will be familiar to listeners: Martin¹s second movement uses the same words.

This concert is the second in a gala season celebrating Shapiro¹s fifteenth season as Cantori¹s Artistic Director. The group specializes in new, recent, and neglected but artistically important works for voices and instruments presented in conceptually rich programs. This concert, thematically unified across a range of languages and sonorities, epitomizes Cantori¹s approach and showcases the group's highest s! tandards of musical excellence.

For Sale

2006-04-01T11:11:00.000-05:00

I'm selling somthing on E-Bay!

As of this posting, it's a no-reserve auction and it's selling for 99¢!

సెనగలు కూర

2006-03-31T20:15:00.000-05:00

సెనగలు కూర
Originally uploaded by v_tel001.

That's, I think "Chana Masala."

Ennyway, Chana Masala from Baluchi's has improved my mood considerably. If I had a picture of a happy goldfish, I'd put that up instead.

Still bored, though....

Annoyed

2006-03-31T17:32:00.000-05:00

fishie
Originally uploaded by thepipes.

Today, I am annoyed. With the world.

I am going to try to get over it.

The crushing boredom of work is not helping, however.

*sigh*

Daffodils

2006-03-30T10:40:00.000-05:00

Yellow
Originally uploaded by something.in.my.eye.

On the bus today, I noticed that the daffodils are going full blast in Bryant Park. This makes me very happy.

I will have to visit them this weekend, now that I don't work across the street from there. I need to see some daffodils up close.

Spring is definitely in the air today, and it's good.

I got a letter from the teacher of my ladybug class (from Donors Choose). She's ordering the science equipment and looking forward to the arrival of their ladybugs later this Spring. I am really most looking forward to getting photos of the class learning while using the equipment from the proposal. That's going to be cool.

Game

2006-03-29T23:55:00.000-05:00

Here are the rules:

1. Grab the nearest book
2. Open the book to page 123
3. Find the fifth sentence
4. Post the text of the next 3 sentences (#5,6,7) on your blog, along with these instructions.
5. Don't you dare dig for that "cool" or "intellectual" book in your closet! I know you were thinking about it. Just grab what is closest. No cheating.

Choose me a shawl, she said, for that would please Rose, who was bound to suffer so. "There," she said, stopping by the window on the landing, "there they are again." Joseph had settled on another tree-top.

Virginia Woolf,To the Lighthouse

Dataw Challenge II

2006-03-24T16:50:00.000-05:00

The Dataw Challenge continues. We have a long way to go . . . .

Kitchen Renovations

2006-03-19T20:17:00.000-05:00

W46th St, Hell's Kitchen
Originally uploaded by photocat7.

More on the gentrification of Hell's Kitchen from today's New York Times.

Dataw Challenge

2006-03-19T19:53:00.000-05:00

Beach at Hunting Island
Originally uploaded by hawkwild.

So, I've challenged my parents to help me help out Donors Choose, which happens to have a proposal from their local elementary school! Small world.

Hopefully they'll forward my email to their little community bulletin board and this will be funded in no time. Feel free to give something yourself, you who are reading this, as well!

Ladybug(s)

2006-03-18T00:03:00.000-05:00

at the end of its leaf
Originally uploaded by mimbrava.

So, I just donated a bunch of ladybugs to some first graders in Texas.

Life is good.

Dial "B" for "Bully"

2006-03-17T20:43:00.000-05:00

American Idol producers Fremantle Media go after a predictive American Idol autodialer site.

From the LA Times Channel Island blog.

Big Pharma, Take Me Away, Part II

2006-03-17T09:47:00.000-05:00

Slight change of plan. It was a Sonata night.

And I actually feel ok today, probably largely because of the grande latte I'm sucking down.

And now that Big Pharma has taken me away, it's time for me to toil in the vineyards of Big Pharma all the day long.

It's like the Circle of Life, but somehow not.

Big Pharma, Take Me Away . . . .

2006-03-17T01:13:00.000-05:00

Wow. It’s been a while since I’ve actually updated anything on here, so here goes.
Ironically, I’m updating my “Get More Sleep” goal over on 43 Things. At 1:10 in the morning.

I worked 13.5 hours today and just came home a little too wound up to sleep, so I’ve killed an hour or so on the internet. Now, I think it’s time for Lunesta and sleep. In that order….
I’m gonna be SUCH a zombie tomorrow….

Plus ça change . . .

2006-03-16T19:22:00.000-05:00

neoconned: "'To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.' - Theodore Roosevelt"

The World Today

2006-02-26T14:44:00.000-05:00

Thomas Jefferson, from a letter he sent in 1798 after the passage of the Sedition Act:

"A little patience, and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their spells dissolve, and the people, recovering their true sight, restore their government to its true principles. It is true that in the meantime we are suffering deeply in spirit, and incurring the horrors of a war and long oppressions of enormous public debt......If the game runs sometimes against us at home we must have patience till luck turns, and then we shall have an opportunity of winning back the principles we have lost, for this is a game where principles are at stake."

Kitty Update

2006-02-16T08:49:00.000-05:00

Hallway Kitty has been adopted! One of my neighbors has taken her in and left a note for my vanished neighbor in case he returns. So a happy ending to this little adventure. I sort of miss her, though.

I have a new friend

2006-02-14T08:43:00.000-05:00

My neighbor is an elderly man who, to be frank, I worry about frequently. He doesn't seem to be able to take care of himself very well.

Now he's disappeared....the cops actually broke into his apartment on Saturday night to make sure nothing had happened to him, and he was gone. We think he has family, and we hope that they've taken him somewhere. Surely if he'd just gotten lost he'd have been found and come back by now.

Anyway, Mr. Castro apparently has an adorable cat for a pet....a cat that he lets out of his apartment to roam the halls of our apartment building (the stairwell, actually). Well, before Mr. Castro went to wherever he went, he let kitty out, and kitty's been locked out of her home ever since.

A few of us are looking out for her....food has been put down, and not one but two litter boxes have appeared in the hallways. Yesterday morning she was trying to get into my apartment when I was going to work...it broke my heart not to be able to let her in. So I made her a little bed out of a box and a blanket. A neighbor told me she spent much of the day in it.

When I got home from work last night, I didn't see kitty, so I went up the stairs. Up and up and up....all the way to the roof. And who was on the top landing, right by the door to the roof of the building? Kitty. Looking very pleased with herself to have found such a clever hiding place. Well, I petted her for a bit, brought her some food (which she gobbled up) and then, just before bedtime, went up to her with a bed made out of some old rags, a t-shirt and a cardboard box. Judging from how content she looked this morning in her little cat bed, she enjoyed her new accomodations.

Now we just have to figure out where Mr. Castro is. Or I'm going to wind up owning three cats.

Blizzard!

2006-02-12T12:15:00.000-05:00

43rd Street
Originally uploaded by hawkwild.

Heh. West Yellowstone has nothing on us today!

The Blizzard of '06 has hit, and it's pretty cool, actually. I just ventured out for a latte, scone, and Sunday New York Times and decided to take a few pictures.

How to scare your mother

2006-01-25T15:38:00.000-05:00

1. Mention you're quitting your job "tomorrow" in your blog.

2. In another entry, post a photo of your cat .

3. Forward the link to the cat picture to your mother, who you haven't yet told about (a) quitting your job or (b) lining up a new job.

4. Have your mother check cat photo just before she goes out for the evening with your father, and the click on the other entries just to see...

Apparently, selling the house and buying a bigger place so that I could move in crossed her mind. As did the thought that I had lost my mind entirely.

Oopsie. Behold, the power of the internet.

So, Sometimes Thing Really DO Just Work Out . . .

2006-01-24T18:39:00.000-05:00

OK, so everything's in place for the next act of my life:

1. Quitting icky job...last day is tomorrow.

2. Start "survival" job (that pays as well as icky job) on Thursday. Found out that I got that job THIS MORNING, which is the main "thing working out" that the title of this post refers to.

3. Start evening classes at NYU's Hospitality School on 2/7.

Ready....Set....GO!

Suzy

2006-01-23T22:28:00.000-05:00

Suzy
Originally uploaded by hawkwild.

Suzy makes a rare appearance out in the open, and the paparazzi are ready with their cameras.

The Big Plunge

2006-01-20T10:20:00.000-05:00

This is it. I put in my notice and I'm leaving February 3. Actually, they said I could leave earlier if I wanted, so I think I'll be leaving next Friday.

I am very scared and very excited, all at once. But mostly excited. This is what I want to do...I want to have a job I love and that I am good at. I am so thrilled to be leaving the law it's sort of staggering. It's nice when your heart tells you that you've made the right choice (even when part of the choice was made for you!).

So, the adventure begins . . . .

Project Runway/Nick Verreos

2006-01-19T10:04:00.000-05:00

My favorite contestant on Bravo's Project Runway, Nick Verreos, has a blog.

(Photo from NickVerreos.com)

Sick Day

2006-01-17T12:35:00.000-05:00

Back Yard, Hell's Kitchen
Originally uploaded by hawkwild.

So, when one is on one's way out at work, one can take "sick days" for no good reason. I woke up exhausted and decided to take the day off. I think it was the "24" premiere that did me in, personally.

Anyway, the cats are a little confused as to why I'm still around, but that's ok. Going to get a lot of paperwork and pre-tax type record assembly done. Also hopefully will hit the gym.

It's been a more successful South Beach day so far today...no cupcakes. Or burritos. (I'm weak.)

24

2006-01-16T22:00:00.000-05:00

24logo
Originally uploaded by long.

Holy cow! What a premiere!

I need a cigarette.

Damn you, cupcake!

2006-01-16T16:07:00.000-05:00

cupcake
Originally uploaded by burnt sugar.

And I was doing so well, too, with the South Beach Diet. But of course someone in the office just had to have a birthday today, so there you go. CUPCAKES. In the OFFICE. Gah.

OK, now I feel the sugar (the first I've had since Wednesday) coursing into my system. It is not a pleasant feeling. I actually feel a little bit dizzy, even. I must remember this feeling.

Well, anyway, nothing to do about it now. Just have to make sure I get home in time to go to the gym and work this off!

Loews Miami Beach Pool

2006-01-14T16:49:00.000-05:00

The Swimming Pool at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel
Originally uploaded by hawkwild.

*sigh*

One week ago, I was floating around in this lovely heated pool.

Today, I'm running around Manhattan in the cold and the rain running errands.

I really do need to win sweepstakes more often.

My friend Scott

2006-01-13T22:07:00.000-05:00

DSCN1184
Originally uploaded by MojoScott.

Is a hottie. Gracious. I really must get to the gym.

Scott's the author of a great book on the cable news wars, Crazy Like a Fox. He just sent me a bunch of photos of himself, his lovely wife and his daughter on a trip to Hawaii.