December 30, 2012

My all-Time favorite decoration. It used to be my only tree decoration when I lived alone.



I like this guy too.



Ate at Dogmatic yesterday. A little overpriced but quite tasty.

December 25, 2012 - Merry Christmas !

Instead of The Feast of the Seven Fishes (Festa dei sette pesci), I did the Feast of the Five Fishes: Bay Scallops, Calamari, Crab, Lobster and Shrimp. I put together a nice Red Sauce and Linguini to go with it. The above photo is from Luke's Lobster where I bought Crab and Lobster Rolls for the Feast.



Mighty Balls at the Union Square Holiday Market was a real treat. Friendly staff and a great sauce. I went to buy a jar for my red sauce and it was sold out. They gave me a cofeee cup filled with sauce on the house, a buy-back.

December 23, 2012 - Holiday Shopping

Last week on SNL Paul McCartney sang - Wonderful Christmas Time. Added to my Christmas song list. Some people hate this song, I think it is worth playing.



On SNL, The New York City Children’s Chorus seemed to be having a ball.



I had to put up decorations and a tree. Mantra is Stay Busy, Keep Groomed and Keep up normal routines.



Saw this Wingnut on the Williamsburg Bridge.



Chrysler Building in the sun. Had lunch at Grand Central Oyster Bar. Anchor Steam Christmas Ale hit the spot.



Bryant Park Tree is always beautiful.



This Turkish place at Bryant Park was quite good. Had the Chicken Gözleme and baklava for dessert."Enfes" is the Turkish way of saying "delicious."



The lights near Rockefeller Center, off Avenue of the Americas were interesting.



Union Square Holiday Market, I just love these Banana Men decorations.



This guy wanted a dollar for taking his picture. No way, felt sorry for the cat.



These decorations are cool also.



Last day for Forest Hills Greenmarket, a Pear Tart for Christmas.

December 22, 2012

In today's NYT Crossword the clue for 38a is "Like a bugbear" and the answer is DREADED.

Definition of BUGBEAR from Mirriam-Webster:
1: an imaginary goblin or specter used to excite fear
2 a : an object or source of dread
b : a continuing source of irritation : problem

The local Bard in Rex Parker cites Troilus and Cressida , Act IV, scene II:

PANDARUS: Ha! ha! Alas, poor wretch! ah, poor capocchia!
hast not slept to-night? would he not, a naughty
man, let it sleep? a bugbear take him!

Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game features a Bugbear.

December 17, 2012 - Last week's Knicks / Lakers Game

I had good seats but my boys had floor seats.



Kobe looked a little hurt at times. I think his back is hurting him. Just read an interesting article in Grantland how Kobe's misses usually lead to an offensive rebound for the Lakers.



Looks like Novak has got his stroke back. Novacaine !



Action shot.



From my seats.



Tyson Chandler is a beast.



Got to love what Jason Kidd brings to the Knicks. Many things he does do not show up in the Stat sheets.



Rasheed Wallace brings that defensive intensity every night. Shoots a mean Three-Ball too.

December 16, 2012 - Yesterday's Santacon

Driving up 2nd street and on Avenue B, Santa. It must be Santacon.



It is mostly a drinking thing.



Lots of pretty girls in fun outfits.



If you ask nicely, they will pose.



I really liked the Grinch outfit.

December 12, 2012

P.E. and D.D. Seafood has a mini-stall on Mondays.



Not much food action at this time. Will check out the Holiday market later.



He may be old but Jason Kidd can still do it. His Three-ball sealed the win against The Nets.



I will be at The Garden Thursday to see Knicks / Lakers.

December 8, 2012

My wife died the other day. I am just coming up for air after a 3 1/2 week roller coaster. Really looking at things with a different attitude. Will take it one day at a time. Will have to read this book in my library, given to me upon my Father's death.Maybe it will be of some consolation. Boy, has my life just changed.



Wouldn't buy it, but Library had it.



I like this guy's books and this one was in the Library too.

November 26, 2012

Forest Hills Greenmarket has to be my visit site, no time to get to Union Square. The Holiday market is now open at Union Square.



Cancer is taking over the body of my spouse. Going to be rough for the next few months. Visiting nurses and Home Health Aides will be available and I think I am covered. Got to check.



Bleu Cheese wins in a romp over the Packers. Hope the Knicks bring their A-Game tonight.

November 23, 2012

James Carville in the new Rolling Stone is interviewed for insights into the presidential election, a sample:

How did the Republicans get so outclassed in terms of technology? In 2004, Rove dominated on that front.

The most amazing story of the whole election was how personally shellshocked Romney was that he lost. They completely thought he was going to win. How can a man with a reputation of being data-driven, who does spreadsheets better than anybody in the world, be shocked that he lost? I can't wait to read the book as to what happened to Romney. It's stunning.

Part of it is how inefficiently they spent all the money they had. Conservatives have a point here: You give somebody too many resources, and they don't allocate them very well. The top people in the Romney campaign were paid $134 million in this election. The top consultants in the Obama campaign were paid $6 million. Democrats just spent their money smarter, better and with less nepotism or favoritism. It's stunning that a community organizer would be so much more efficient than a head of one of the largest private equity funds. As the rabbis have been saying for 5,000 years, "Go figure."



Odd / Even License Plate Gas rationing ends tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. Yeah !

November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving !



Seven minute mash-up of all current Hobbit trailers.

November 19, 2012

Pies from Terhune Orchards for Thanksgiving.



Forest Hills Greenmarket extended to December 23.



Donated a bag of carrots, onions and potatoes to Sandy relief.

November 17, 2012

Well, the Chemotherapy is not working. So now my loved one is in the Hospital. Completely packed from Sandy stragglers and closings. Looks like no discharge until past Thanksgiving. The Body works by its own clock, not ours. Have to stay upbeat and keep on course because there are people who depend on me.



The refs stunk the place out last night. However, the Grizzlies look really good. Terrific Post play and some real nasty jump shooters.

November 12, 2012

Wow, Mike D'Antoni is the new Lakers coach. Can't wait for first Knicks match.