Paging Mr. P.W. Herman.......

On Friday, David, Nicki, Sonia and I had the opportunity to see Pee Wee live and on stage at Club Nokia in downtown Los Angeles. Despite the change of venue, increase in ticket prices and outrageous parking fee, an amazing time was had by all. The four of us, because we had purchased tickets when the show was originally to be held at the Fonda, were able to attend the after show meet and greet. While I had visions of snapping pics with Pee-Wee after waiting in a long line, the meet and greet turned out to be much more authentic. Pee-Wee answered questions from the audience and told stories of Prince and Michael Jackson to a group of folks who were more than captivated to see their childhood hero live and in person.

Because of Taxidermy......

........I will give New York a second chance. There seems to be many folks living in NYC who appreciate the art of stuffed animals who once lived.

But seriously.......
My relationship with New York is one that, well, could be deemed as non-existent. I have been to the city only once about four years ago. Amy and I took the Chinatown to Chinatown bus from Boston to NYC to spend the weekend. Unfortunately, our accommodations fell through while we were at a Denny's or something somewhere off of the Mass Pike. When we arrived in NYC, we were greeted with a cheerful cold that quickly became grumpier as the day wore on. Perhaps I am an idiot, but I could not figure out the subway (despite having previously navigated foreign subways in Dublin, Paris, Rome and London with ease) and the local folk were getting grouchy with us for holding the line! We ended up somewhere nowhere near Central Park...a place that we both wanted to check out. Instead, we paid top dollar for some sub-par psychic readings that put a severe damper on our day as we learned that Amy was cursed and I was to have twins. Colder, broker, and less fortunate then when we arrived, we trudged through the city and got back on the bus back to the colder yet more comfortable town of Boston.

WIth that trip, I vowed never to go back to the city and when I moved, I moved as far as humanly possible in the continental US from the Empire State. Now, four years post initial trip, I am ready give the city another go. T minus 13 days and I will be on a red eye for a weekend in NYC. Researching some things to do, I came across some cool taxidermy/vintage shops that I am really excited to go to. A Gray's Papaya hot dog will be had as well.

Langer's Deli

On the day of New Years Eve, David and I went to check out a famed downtown establishment called Langers. Apparently, critic Jonathan Gold assigned this restaurant as being the purveyor of the best pastrami sandwich ever. While David chose to partake in the most popular sandwich on the menu, I ventured into the world of French Dip sandwiches. Everything was amazing from the homey feeling of the decor to the delightful couple sitting next to us (in very close proximity, but all part of the lunch time rush charm) to the coleslaw to the sandwiches and even down to the uneaten fries. After the lunch, we got to take a gander at some interesting murals around town. Take a peek.......

Someone call the cops.....

Pinatas and Jerome and Lobsters...OH MY

So, the last week was a complete blur. Driving to Arizona, going to Jerome, spending time with friends and family from all over the place, more food than I would care to admit, my first taste of lobster, snow in Northern Arizona and some adorable pugs. Here are a couple highlights from holiday time of 2009:


Christmas Day hiking in Arizona to the Sears-Kay Ruins

Meg and Lauren and Ralphie and Jim-Jim

Meg's delicious Chilaquiles just about ready to be put out for the most perfect holiday brunch ever

World's largest Kokopelli

Throwing coins into a toilet below.....hows that for a crapshoot?

Post Christmas lobsters flown in from the East Coast. Sorry for your illness, David.......

Nathaniel is a proud recipient of one of my Christmas pinatas

Pinatas that I made for my friends for Christmas. Filled with candy and surprises for all.....

Oh Chicago......

This is a blast from the past:



I remember back in the day seeing this commercial and thinking something odd about it. And alas.....in recent years this gem has been elevated to cult status. I mean it. There is even a Wikipedia page paying homage to those amazingly low rates......

cute dog alerts

counting down the days til i get a little scruffer.....