Saturday, December 31, 2011

December 31, 2011



Happy New Year !



TZ Marathon on Syfy has begun.



Also on the viewing schedule : The Honeymooners' Marathon. 38 out of the 39 in original broadcast order. Only missing "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." I will watch "Young at Heart" to see Art Carney do the Hucklebuck.



Atomic Wings and Knish Nosh Franks and Knishes are on the menu tonight.



Not too crowded, sort of Greenmarket-Lite.



Bosc Pears.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

December 27, 2011



One of my gifts was a Beer Boot aka Das Boot.



Downloading free stuff from Gutenberg to the Nook is quite easy, .pdf files or epub files work well. I downloaded to my PC, then transferred the file to my nook connected to same PC via USB cable. My first free E-Book, Robert Burton's Anatomy of Melancholy.

Monday, December 26, 2011

December 26, 2011



When the Garden was Eden by Harvey Araton was my first E-Book purchase. So far , so good.



"You Don't Miss Your Water ('Til Your Well Runs Dry.)"

Sunday, December 25, 2011

December 25, 2011



Merry Christmas !



The Giants gave us a great present yesterday, time for the Knicks to step up. Game-Time 12 Noon.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

December 24, 2011



The Christmas Tree is up and looks good.



Simple Ornaments and not too crowded.



One year when I lived alone this Snowman was the only decoration on a large tree. Minimalist.



Tonight will be my night of the Seven BBQs. Inspired by the Italian Feast of Seven Fishes, I will use Astoria's MexiQ to provide the vittles. I will also cook up a Pork Roast and serve with Carolina Mustard Sauce.



A coupon with 25% off on top of my 20% member's discount inspired this last minute purchase. Read him in college and he wasn't so good after Slaughterhouse Five. Saw him at an intermission of Alan Alda's play QED about Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman.



The new Winter Edible Queens is out. It features a story on a Shop, Aigner Chocolates , that I pass by every day.



On Ovation TV, the final vote is tonight. I voted for “Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker!"



The Giants need this one bad. I need for them to win so I don't have to listen to Jets fans.

Friday, December 23, 2011

December 23, 2011



Will be getting a Nook Color as a gift. I've resisted digital readers but now will give it a try. It was between this and a Kindle Fire and the Nook won out.



Received this digital picture ornament last year. Just discovered it was loaded with family Christmas pictures.



Ordered this online as a gift for my brother. Was later told it won't be shipped till January. Went out and bought it in the store. Turns out it is coming today. Gift from me to me.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

December 21, 2011



The discussion about the Randomness of the I-Pod Shuffle was interesting.



Christmas Parties sometimes introduce me to new beers, this was was fresh and tasty.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

December 17, 2011



A relative moving out of their house needed to throw out books. I took a look at the discards and filled a big box. This was one that was saved.

At one point Miller uses the phrase "Faugh a Ballagh" which is Irish Gaelic for "Clear the Way."It was the Fighting 69th's Battle cry in the Civil War.



"Gran Elefandret" by the Spanish artist Miquel Barceló,in the sun.



Purple Passion Potatoes.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

December 15, 2011



Annual day off to wander around Manhattan and look for gifts. Starting off with Ketel One Bloody Marys. First stop Grand Central. Will have New England Clam Chowder at the Oyster Bar and then to the Christmas Villages: Grand Central, Bryant Park and Union Square.



I usually use cheaper Vodka for Bloodies, but felt today needed a good send-off.



Grand Central Oyster Bar Tarpon.



Citi Pond Ice Rink.



Ornament.



Beautiful Tree.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Sunday, December 11, 2011

December 11, 2011



Biggest game of the year tonight. Go Giants !



Watched the Republican debate last night. Felt sorry for my country. Best part was Romney offering Rick Perry a $10,000 bet : “I’m not in the betting business,” Mr. Perry said.



Nut Rocker by B. Bumble and the Stingers is now on my Holiday playlist.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

December 10, 2011



Wafels and Dinges at the Christmas Market brings back fond memories of the 1964 World's Fair.



Sprouts in the sun.



Broccoli in the sun.



Couldn't believe these beautiful wreaths were two for $20. Picked them up and will put them on display with a large Red Bow between them. Regular wreaths with plastic trimmings are going for two for $25 at local stores. Other places at the Greenmarket were selling wreaths at $35-40 a pop.



Saw many Santas while riding in Manhattan. Knew at once it was Santa Con.



From the Web Site.



I couldn't believe it but my extensive Holiday Music collection did not have Feliz Navidad. I downloaded it and Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt.

Friday, December 9, 2011

December 9, 2011



Good reviews all around for 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' . Many mention that it helps to have read the book.



I don't go to the movies much, but I think I will for this one.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

December 4, 2011



Andrea Bocelli with a great rendition of Santa Claus is Coming to Town. The You Tube comments say look at the kid's expression at 1:58, priceless: for goodness SAAAAAKE !

Saturday, December 3, 2011

December 3, 2011



Wall art at 6th street off of Avenue C.



Ornaments at the holiday merket.



Sculpture at the Holiday market.



All over the place, Daniel Kahneman has given multiple interviews. My recent readings in randomness and heuristics keep referring to him. I guess I have to check at the source. Barnes and Noble discounts put it at about half-price. Time Magazine recently asked him ten questions. Here is my favorite:

Has your research changed the way you live?

When you analyze happiness, it turns out that the way you spend your time is extremely important. Decisions that affect how much time you spend with people you like are going to have a very large effect on how happy you are--not necessarily satisfied with your life but happy. So yes, I've learned things.



Beer for the weekend is a Growler of Blue Point Toasted Lager.