Zen-tral Park

On Saturday I went to Central Park to see all the hoopla regarding the much anticipated unveiling of The Gates. It was definitely interesting. In my very "finite" wisdom and appreciation of art – I think it was rather impressive. This project has been in the works for 26 years and with a price tag of 21 million dollars – it was quit intriguing to say the least. Of course, their work received mixed opinions but I think that most of the spectators enjoyed it. It was like being in my own Zen garden. The walk through the posts was very relaxing and meditative – even though there were like 350,000 people in the park that day.

However, I did think they could have used the money in different ways but at least it was all publicly funded by the artists. The city expect revenues to exceed 80 million dollars from this project. The nice thing was that the city and the parks department are getting all the proceeds from the sale of all the souvenirs – hats, t-shirts, books, posters, keychains etc. So that was very nice of the artists I suppose. In any case – this was definitely a once in a lifetime event. It will only be up for another 14 days – so you better hurry! Also checkout a slideshow that I put together of The Gates if you have some time.

P.S - SM- sorry to say but the answer is no.

The Gates Of NYC

This weekend I will try to make it to Central Park for the unveiling of a much ballyhooed public art display. It is called "The Gates" – by the artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude. The 7500 Gates, 16 feet high with a width varying from 5' 6" to 18 feet will follow the edges of the walkways and will be perpendicular to the selected 23 miles of footpaths in Central Park. Free hanging saffron colored fabric panels suspended from the horizontal top part of the gates will come down to approximately 7 feet above the ground blowing in the wind and delighting the public walking beneath with a warm glow of translucent color. It will be a golden ceiling creating warm shadows and when seen from the buildings surrounding Central Park, The Gates will seem like a golden river appearing and disappearing through the bare branches of the trees and will highlight the shape of the footpaths. Wow…so doesn’t that sound interesting and snooty all at once.

P.S. I’ll be thinking about you Double D as I walk through the free flowing river work of art – I know you would have enjoyed it.

Happy New Year Of The Rooster

Well to all my Asian readers out there – I would just like to extend a Happy New Year to each and everyone of you. For all the non-Asian readers...well sorry – I ain't got nothin for you…

But I will leave you with this little snippet from my not so good friend anymore - David Letterman.

"It’s Chinese New Year. It’s the year of the rooster. The funny thing is I’m still writing year of the monkey on my checks."

I thought that was kinda funny, hope you did too.

I Will Never Look At Sweet Rolls The Same

Last night I went to the library on the way home from work and checked out a few movies. Nothing like free rentals I tell you. But anywho - I ended up watching a comedy called Calendar Girls, which was based was on a true story. Set in the picturesque village of Napely in the UK, we meet 50-something best friends who belong to the local Women's Institute, which is staid and traditional, and to them, boring and silly. When one of their husband dies from cancer, some of the club members decide to raise money for a new sofa in the hospital waiting room by selling a calendar featuring themselves in the nude. Kind of like a male version of The Full Monty. The movie was alright but the fact that I had to watch naked "matured" women hiding behind strategically places sweet rolls and flower buds was a little disturbing to say the least. I still shudder at those images and am trying to get those visuals out from my head.

And now I am off to pick up yet again - another computer I found on - you guessed it - Craig's List. This will the the third pc I have gotten from that site. A roommate of mind is moving out and she mentiond that she needed a pc. So while I was in Florida I was able to secure one for her. I was hoping to surprise her with it, but when I got back it was I that got the surprise. When I was away she went ahead and purchase a used one. After coming by this new revelation - I called the guy and said I wasn't interested anymore, but he got a little upset because he had to hold on to it for over a week on my behalf and that he had already told over 50 people that it was already spoken for. So I couldn't say no and I guess I got an extra one just incase one of the other ones go down. Also, this time since I will be picking it up when it is still light outside, no need to search his name on the internet to see if he is some crazy guy out to kill me.

Beware Of Those Sneaky Sidewalk Gremlins

Well this was a very nice and relaxing weekend for me. I did end up going to the language social group get together on Saturday night and I am glad I did. I got a chance to meet some new people, catch up with some of the regulars and eat a whole lot of good food. Then to top it off, fortunately one of the guys there drove to Brooklyn and only lives about 2 miles from me so I was able to get a ride home from him. 20 minute car ride instead of a 1 1/2 hour subway ride at midnight - so that made it even better .

Then on Sunday - with the beautiful weather, I got a paper and went to the corner bakery for a little treat. The sun was out, the coffee hot and the baked item was good as usual - so no complaints from me. After that I sat around the house and watched a few movies before it was time to head off to watch the Superbowl. I was originally going to the new Sports bar that opened up in the neighborhood. But when I got there - the door man wanted a $25 cover charge to go in. Admission included free appetizers but no drinks. Well with only a $20 in my pocket - it was off to Plan B. I ended up catching the subway a few stops down and went to the place I went last year where they had 10 cent wings. So not a problem for me. I was happy, my tummy was happier but my wallet was probably happiest.

But the relaxed and content feeling of the weekend ended abruptly this morning on the walk to work. For those of you who know me and my duck feet and how my ankles turn for no reason - well, as I was just walking along enjoying the fresh morning air - all of a sudden I turned my right ankle pretty bad and cursed those imaginary sneaky sidewalk gremlins. Of course the natural reaction is to always turn around and expect to see a big rock or something in the way, but to only end up with a bewildered look on your face when all you can see is the smooth surface of the pavement. So after doing that - I attempted to limp on by nonchalantly as if nothing happened while the unbearable pain was shooting up my ankle. But I am sure I fooled no one. Ah....nothing like that to start off the work week.

Super Sunday

It’s finally Friday and although I’ve only worked two days this week – it was been a very long week indeed. One thing is for sure, I can really get use to this 2 work day week schedule. Nothing big planned this weekend except for a little New Years get together tomorrow night with my language social group. Haven’t completely settled on going yet but leaving that open as an option. As for Sunday, I am definitely planning on going to the neighborhood corner bakery for a little treat. Its been awhile since I did that and no harm in a little self pampering after such an "exhausting week". Then for Sunday afternoon – yep, it is that time of the year again. Super Bowl Sunday is finally here. The other day I noticed a new sports bar that opened up a few blocks from where I live – so I am thinking about going there for some wings and a brewski. Last year I met a friend at a different sports bar and we stuffed our faces with 10 cent wings all night. Hopefully, this new place will have some sort of special too. Well – my friends have a great weekend and enjoy the game or at least the commercials.

The Nice Big Waves On South Beach

I am back from sunny Florida. It was my first time in the Sunshine state and it was very nice. My first day there, my peers took me on a alligator swamp tour near Ft. Lauderdale. The guide said in "that theer swamp - had bout 350,000 ga-torrs in it". Of course the swamp was about 175,000 acres big which meant only 2 gators per acre. So while the number of gators seemed like a lot, it was spread out in a very large swamp. That along with it being winter time, the guide promised only to do her best to find some of them critters. Turns out, we saw about 5 of them - which according to her was a very good at this time of year. But for me, it was cooler riding in an airboat - the kind that has a gigantic fan on the back of it instead of a motor. That thing had quite a zip to it. For the rest of my stay - I got to visit the agency down there, meet some of the staff, eat a whole lot and hung out at the beach. One time I ran the 1 1/2 mile to the ocean with a peer - jumped in for a quick dip and then jogged back. Then on another occasion, I rode the bike down there and just took a nap underneath a palm tree with the gentle ocean breeze wisping ever so gently across my face as I dozed the afternoon away with a full belly. Ahh....that day was so very relaxing. Below is a picture of one of them that theer ga-torrs.

Then on Monday I headed down to the Miami - South Beach area. This time, I didn't do much except hang out at the ocean both days. Didn't do anything but soak in the sun and the view. And while yes, there were some topless women there, I only noticed the nice big waves coming in from the ocean - just as another friend of mine claimed he did as well. On the last day, we went on a Duck tour - it is one of those by land and sea amphibious vehicle that took as around Ocean Drive on land and Biscayne Bay, Star Island and a whole bunch of little islands where all the rich and famous live by water. Got to see the mansions of Shaq, Gloria Estafan, Liz Taylor, P Diddy and a whole bunch more. I suppose I could live there if forced to - but now I am back in NYC. Although it was a very nice and relaxing trip - nothing beats the Big Apple. Great to be back! Here is a picture of me just chillin' looking into the nice blue waters - at the ahem....big waves.