1.31.2007

SPACE INVADER

What’s up with people who can’t respect the idea of personal space? This morning in my cafeteria, I get in line and the woman behind me starts creeping. I moved forward six inches, she took a foot forward. I move another step, she’s right up on my shoulder. I barely had the receipt for my scone in my hand when she’s already telling the cashier she’s having “an egg white omelette and a piece of toast.” And I know she wasn’t in a huge rush because a few minutes later I saw her in the kitchen on my floor making lazily making herself some coffee! Maybe she just liked the scent of my warm vanilla sugar body spray?!?

On another note, I made it to the gym by 6:15 this morning! Go me! Maureen and I did a nice workout suggested by Bec. I feel pretty good running the faster stuff, so we'll see how I fare at the 4-miler I'm signed up for on Sunday.

No new restaurants to report. Last night I had meetings until 10 and resigned to having bread (well, challah) and butter for dinner. It wasn't half bad. Hmmm, on that kind of diet, I'd do well in the State Pen!

1.29.2007

Restaurant Week

It's restaurant week here in NYC, meaning prix fixe menus are running amock amongst most local establishments. I never got into this event in DC, and I probably won't here, either--that's just because regardless of how many courses (and desserts) you get, $35 per meal is just a little too pricey for my taste. And besides, seeing that I rarely cook to begin with, restaurant week is every week as far as I'm concerned!

Anyway, in honor of the occasion, I thought I'd document some of the recent places I've dined within the last few days as well as in the upcoming week. I think this is more so that next time I think "hey, I really liked the pasta at ....", I can actually remember the name of the restaurant!

So, let's begin.

1/26: DUBLIN 6: our local pub on Hudson. Typical Irish fare plus your bar staples. On Friday I ordered the burger, medium well, with cheddar cheese. A bit salty for my taste but good enough. Mark liked his Shepherd's Pie-like concoction. B+ for food, A- for atmosphere.

1/27 (Day): HUDSON BAGELS: Does this count as a restaurant? Alternatively with the Sweet Life, this is our go-to weekend spot. Usually they get my order wrong. But yet like a boomerarng, I always seem to return. A for convenience, C- for service.

1/27 (Night): CAFE NOIR: On the suggestion of a friend's friend. Mediteranean/Spanish cuisine in SoHo ( 32 Grand St at Thompson). Sangria is served by the pitcher, as are mojitos--but at a much steeper price tag ($40 per pitcher, vs. $25). I enjoyed the goat cheese and beet salad and sampled the potatas bravas and baked brie tapas. Mark's paella was a little heavy on the seafood. The cash-only factor will probably keep us from going back too often, but I'm not against returning. B for culture, C for lack of ventilation (I was SWELTERING, and I'm usually frezing!).

1/29: KIN KHAO: Meghan A. and I stumbled into this cavernous, but cozy restaurant upon searching for another Thai restaurant in SoHo (Spring St. between W. Broadway and Thompson St.). I requested my go-to, Pad Thai, and was pleasantly pleased with the results. Lately, I've been getting some really lousy pad thai, so their flavorful version went down easily.Meg consumed her chicken in coconut milk and curry with equal enthusiasm. A for taste, A for coziness.

1.28.2007

Channeling my inner Addison

After being inspired by Dr. Addison Shepherd on Grey's Anatomy, I decided to go red. Well, mahagony to be exact, and thanks to Tzipi and Jordan at Bumble+Bumble, I am now sporting a new 'do! I love it! From the bottomless herbal tea to the constant eyeful of beautiful people strolling past at every moment, I was completely absorbed by the entire B+B experience. (BTW, I think it's a requirement to have chisled cheek bones and/or 40" legs to work there!) Afterwards, I was able to sport my new hue and an amazing blow-out out to dinner and drinks with the Geographic girls (Nandita, Keren, Meghan, plus Mark and another friend). Then we got caught in some drizzle and the curls came back...but more than 24 hours later, I'm still trying to work it! Posted by Picasa

1.26.2007

COLD

It's currently 9 degrees in sunny Manhattan...well below zero with the wind chill. Deciding I just couldn't fathom the walk to the subway in this ridiculous weather (that and I was running very late!), I took a cab this morning. Hunkered down in the back seat while listening to a SLATE magazine podcast is definitely the way to commute. Now I'm actually hot with all of my layers on!

1.25.2007

Bad blogger

OK, I admit it: I suck at blogging. I read my sisters' blogs and realize how mine just seems to slip through the cracks on most days. Maybe it's because I feel like I don't have anything amazing to report. Or maybe it's because I don't really have the time with my crazy, 55-hour-plus-a-week job. Actually, it's probably a little bit of both. But I vow to get better...starting now.

Like Bec, I've been all alone by the telly-phone for the past week or so. Mark's at a client up in Wappinger Falls, NY (home of our slightly bizarre, but memorable pre-wedding retreat for the Catholic Church. Yikes. Still can't believe we did that! Ask me about the Old Priest and the Orgies story one day). He can come home on the weekends, but is gone Monday-Friday, leaving me with less structue in my days since I don't have the urge to scoot home from work to see him. Meaning, I've been staying at work pretty late (9:45 last night...an all-time high--or would that be a low?!), trying to meet my deadlines and stay on top of the tasks that come to me on an hourly basis like rapid fire. I've also joined the morning shift at the gym twice this week, so all-in-all, I feel pretty productive. Not to say I don't get things done when Mark's around, but I guess I just have less fun things to do, so more time for the not-so-fun, like getting up at 5:30 a.m.

Speaking of being productive, on a whim, I ran my first half-marathon on Sunday. Despite the subzero temps and the fact that I'm not trained to run 13.1 miles, it was still a great experience. I might just do another one and actually try to run as opposed to a slow, old lady jog! But it may not be for a lonnnng time!

1.19.2007

New blog!

Erin Flynn is reporting her trials and tribulations in Sienna, Italy here. Check it out! She has lots of great things to say, and it'll make you yearn to go to Italy. Now.

1.14.2007

Visit to Ashley's!

Last weekend, we had a little Mount reunion at Ashley and Joe's house in Harrison City, PA, just about 30 minutes from Pittsburgh. Shannon and I flew out, while Erica drove from MD. It was a great chance for us to just relax, catch up, and be entertained by Jack, who's now almost four months old. Right now, he's looking a lot like his dad, but you can tell he already has his mom's happy disposition--he was smiling throughout the entire weekend! Posted by Picasa

1.07.2007

2006 in Pictures

Taking a cue from Bec, I put together this slideshow highlighting some of the various fun memories from 2006. Enjoy!

1.04.2007

Spotted...

Janice Dickinson throwing a fit on the corner of Bleecker and 7th Avenue. VERY skinny, VERY b-yatchy, and VERY, VERY plasticized!

Check 'er out in all of her glory here.

1.01.2007

A visit to York

Ella and Philip really can't get any cuter! We visited them (plus birthday girl Aleta and her dad Bruce) on Friday, and spent a few hours playing with all of Ella's new toys, including a lifesize pink castle. At one point, Ella had both my mom and I in there with her, and then she pulled Mark in there too. I would have loved something like that growing up! And speaking of growing, little Philip is getting so big. But he's just as much as an angel as always and is already smiling and trying to lift his head up. Lots of adorable pics are in the album...

Christmas Eve, Morning, and Night

We hit up three--that's right three--houses in the span of 24 hours to celebrate Christmas. The eve was spent at the O'Connells, where we had a delicious dinner and desserts provided very craftily by Sissy and Stella, the Christmas Queens! The babies had on adorable red plaid dresses, but I didn't get a chance to take their picture. The next morning, we rose to open prezzies at University Towers (lots of great loot all around!), and then Mark and I cruised around the beltway to celebrate Christmas day and night at the Flynns'. They had a Thanksgiving-style party with almost all of the extended Flynn family present, including a surprise visit from the Atlanta cousins. More food, more fun!

The album is below.

Partying it Up in DC

We hit Porters on 19th and M on Friday night to celebrate Erin's foray into the "legal" world. Fortunately, she opted against the 21 shots her brother so boldly sucked down back in '99, but a copious amount of alcohol was still consumed (what's a 21st birthday without at least one SoCo and lime?)--and a lot of fun was had by all. :)

Click on the link below to check out the pics!