V-Day

So I suppose I should post about Valentine's Day before March rolls around.

Let me just say: best one yet.

Earlier in the week D and I had planned a fabulous sounding dinner - we decided to stay in because 1) NY is pricey, and 2) Our plans for that night were already obscenely, ridiculously expensive.

We woke up early-ish Saturday morning and headed over to the new Trader Joe's in Brooklyn. Tangent: I love TJ's. Where have I been the last 10 years? They are all over the place in AZ and it takes me moving to Brooklyn to appreciate the wonderfulness in grocery store form.

We whipped up a delicious dinner. Started with pita bread and hummus, then a Greek-Style salad with homemade balsamic vinaigrette. Guys, if you've never made your own salad dressing, do it. Now. Delish. Main course was chicken breast stuffed with olives, feta, spinach, and tomatoes with lemon roasted potatoes on the side. And LOTS of wine :) We had just enough time after dinner was done to dip some strawberries in chocolate, shove 'em in the fridge, and rush out the door...

...to PAUL SIMON.

I have a long and well documented love (obsession) with Paul Simon. In high school when other kids were listening to... well, whatever it was they listened to... I rocked out to my parent's music. Especially Paul Simon. If you ever feel the need to explain my preference for short Jewish boys, I suggest you start with Rhymin' Simon.

This concert was extra special in that it combined another love of mine, old things. The historic Beacon Theater on Manhattan's Upper West Side had closed in 2008 for extensive renovations, and the 2 Paul Simon shows over the weekend were the grand re-opening. And the theater? Well it was beautiful and historic and I loved it. Look here for more info about the Beacon while I move on to the concert.

The show was incredible. Paul Simon is amazing. Words can't describe so pictures will have to do the rest for me.

The first show at the Beacon when it opened in 1929 was the movie Tiger Rose!

Beautiful theater... crappy picture. The whole place had Greco-Roman type decor, topped off with this gigantic wooden chandelier that would have killed someone if it had fallen. Enormous.

Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard

Last song - 2 Ovations later - Still Crazy After All These Years

Announcements

1. I did run the other day. 3 miles. Today is not looking so good.

2. I finally bought myself an apron. I make a royal mess in the kitchen so this is going to be a good thing. In true form, today I forgot I owned said apron until after I finished trashing the place making brownies and banana bread.

3. I'm cooking a LOT. I'm on a mission to use up as much food as I can in the next week without buying any more. More on this later.

4. I'm back in New York. We've done a lot of talking and we're working on things. However, I'll only be here temporarily - until next Thursday to be exact, then in sayonora for a few more months. Again, more on this later.

Happy Friday!

I am...

A slacker.

Motivation, where have you gone?

Someday soon I'll be back in the swing of things. Just not today.

Now I'm dragging myself out the door. I WILL run, even if only 3 miles. I will freakin run.

Happy Wednesday!

Love

It was a hell of a season. Can't wait for next year!

Denial

I still can't believe that the Cardinals are playing for the freakin Super Bowl today. Really. The Cardinals.

I couldn't sleep last night; it was like Christmas Eve when you are little. I woke up at least 6 times just excited. And nervous. Very, very nervous.

Go Cards!!!

Unindifference

I admit, I did shed a tear or two listening to the inaugural address. I try to not be so enamored with the words, because they are only words, but sometimes they can be so powerful and so true. We will all admit (I think) that we as a country need a new direction, and the things that come out of that man's mouth make me really believe that's exactly where we are headed.

My favorite:

"For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace."

I love that his speech writer is like a 27 year old kid. That's a lot of big talk for such a young man.

Play it again, Sam :)

OBAMA!

AH!

I got in trouble at work today for trying to watch his speech.

I love hearing the words, "Former President George W Bush."

But even more I love that the "-elect" has dropped from Obama's title.

Most of all I adore that, no matter your political affiliation or religious background or lifestyle. you can very plainly see that Obama has something that Americans haven't seen from a leader in a long, long time: the simple ability to inspire and excite the general public.

Almost 2 million people attended the inauguration today. It was below freezing.

To compare, George W. Bush's two inaugurations attracted 700,000 people. Total. Oh, and about 60,000 of them were protesting.

Chances I tear up when I find the Inauguration Address youTube later are good.

Here's to the next four years!




PS - I heart the new First Lady.