Roxy's Bad Habit

Michael's favorite kitty has decided it is too taxing on her to stand or sit and eat. She has been caught repeatedly lying down to eat out of the food bowl.




She didn't like have her photos taken while she was eating, I can't blame her I don't like it either and if I was lying down and eating well that would be even worse! Darn the paparazzi!

Recognize this building?

Yes, it is the building used for the exterior shots of the 'Friends' apartment building. We just happened to be passing through the neighborhood last weekend.

Panorama

Last Saturday we took the #7 train to Flushing, Queens. We were off to visit the Panorama of the City of New York built for the 1964 World's Fair (not just a County Fair, not just a State Fair - but a World's Fair!). The Panorama is housed in a building in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

If Flushing Meadows Park sounds familiar it might be because it is also the home of Shea Stadium (The Mets) and Arthur Ashe Stadium (U.S. Open).

It was about a 15 minute walk from the train station to the museum building - along the way we walked through this promenade. When the leaves change colors it must be stunning.

The Unisphere was also built for the 1964 World's Fair.

But the Panorama was what we wanted to see.

Here are some details on the Panorama, kindly provided from the Queens Museum website:

The Panorama of the City of New York is the jewel in the crown of the collection of the Queens Museum of Art. Built by Robert Moses for the 1964 World’s Fair, in part as a celebration of the City’s municipal infrastructure, this 9,335 square foot architectural model includes every single building constructed before 1992 in all five boroughs; that is a total of 895,000 individual structures.

The Panorama was built by a team of 100 people working for the great architectural model makers Raymond Lester Associates in the three years before the opening of the 1964 World’s Fair. In planning the model, Lester Associates referred to aerial photographs, insurance maps, and a range of other City material; the Panorama had to be accurate, indeed the initial contract demanded less than one percent margin of error between reality and the model.

The Panorama was one of the most successful attractions at the ’64 Fair with a daily average of 1,400 people taking advantage of its 9 minute simulated helicopter ride around the City. After the Fair the Panorama remained open to the public, its originally planned use as an urban planning tool seemingly forgotten.

Until 1970 all of the changes in the City were accurately recreated in the model by Lester’s team. After 1970 very few changes were made until 1992, when again Lester Associates changed over 60,000 structures to bring it up-to-date.

http://www.queensmuseum.org/panorama/


The model is truly stunning. It is surprising to see how much of the City of New York is not Manhattan.

In this photo I am standing at the far Eastern edge of Brooklyn, you can pretty clearly see Lower Manhattan in the upper left corner.

The green spaces represent parks, the blue is water, and the clusters of red buildings are housing projects.

Here, in the lower right side of the photo, you can see the Verranzano Narrows Bridge connecting Brooklyn to Staten Island. Michael is standing across from me in the upper center of the shot. Staten Island is huge and doesn't have very many clusters of red buildings.

Pictured below is my most visited place in Queens, the JFK International Airport. The famous TWA Terminal is the crescent shaped building in the lower right hand section of the photo.

And just for some perspective, JFK is in the lower section of this photo and Manhattan is in the upper section - if you look carefully you can make out the strip of green that represents Central Park in the upper right side of the picture.

And yes, we looked for and found our building. It was kind of obscured by some larger buildings on the corner - but it wasn't hard to find our neighborhood.

The rest of the Queens Museum offered a collection of artifacts from the 1964 World's Fair. The feeling reminded me of the initial version of Tomrrowland at Disneyland.

In fact Walt Disney used the fair to design and perfect audio-animatronics. He and the WED Engineering team created four rides for the World's Fair (you might recognize some of these):

-The Magic Skyway

-Carousel of Progress

-Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln

and

-It's a Small World

The exhibit was definitely worth the ride to Queens and as an added bonus, admission is a wallet friendly $5.

Contract Negotiations

The IOM Manhattan office staff are busy celebrating their new contract. Their union rep negotiated permanent half days and every Friday off with no change in pay.

Goodbye casual Friday, hello three day weekend.

Crazy for These Cupcakes!

Last night I whipped up a batch of Snickerdoodle cupcakes.




Luckily Michael's co-workers eat the majority of them because we can't (shouldn't) eat them all!

I have to work on my recipes and frosting technique so I'm ready when my own cupcake store opens someday...

(I tried to get 'artsy' with this photo, I think I'll leave that to Michael in the future!)

1st Sex and The City Movie Sighting

We were walking back from dinner at Craftsteak last night when we passed a film shoot on location in the Meatpacking District. Michael noticed the director's chairs on set said 'Sex and the City'. Of course I was totally excited, we had to go across the street to see the set in action. It was really hard to see anything with the lighting on set and being across the street. But it was so exciting just knowing SJP could be there.

We waited forever and I was sure I saw SJP on set - either it was body doubles or just crowd scenes they were shooting. Finally after about an hour and a half SJP and Kristen Davis walked on to the set. The crowd went wild. SJP turned and waved to everyone. They were working late, it was 11pm by this time. They still needed to get in to wardrobe - so you know it was going to be a while before their part of the scene was shot. I did see the rumored 'new' 4 girls walking in to a club scene - they shot that scene at least 6 times.

We learned that they wet down the streets because it makes them look nicer on film. They had a water truck on set and it hosed down the streets and sidewalks several times. Something to look for in the movies - now that we are 'in the know'.

Here are my two photos - you weren't allowed to use flash, but it wouldn't have helped much anyway.

The set is using a furniture store called Vitra, I think they were making it in to a club for the movie - maybe an opening of some kind? All of the girls were dressed to the nines and there were velvet ropes set up out front. The Soho House is also right there - maybe something was being filmed in Soho House?

Here is a profile of Soho House from NY Mag -

The first rule of Soho House is don't talk about Soho House. Given the amount of attention dedicated by gossips and media bloggers, you’d think this members-only British import was shrouded with the secrecy of a fight club or Skull & Bones society. While membership acceptance policies still carry a sense of intrigue, plebeians can plunk down a chunk of change for a temporary entrée into high society. For anywhere from $445 to $1,250 per night, visitors can reserve one of the Meatpacking District club's 24 guest rooms, each featuring exposed wooden beams and brick and equipped with plasma screens and DVD players. Reservations can be tricky, as members are given preferential treatment when booking. Those who do manage to score a room receive access to all areas of the club including the bar, restaurant, game room and famed rooftop pool.

I can't wait to see if this makes it in to the movie. And I really hope I see another filming during the day so I can get better photos.

Latest Food Find

This first find is going to sound really strange, but it is addicting. It's spicy peanut butter. Made by Peanut Butter & Co in NYC this nutty hot mixture is great with cool celery sticks. It would make a great sauce for chicken satay or with Thai noodles.

For more info on the company that makes this tasty spread go to:

http://www.ilovepeanutbutter.com/





And another find that I can only get in upstate New York, Polar Soda. (You would think they had a polar bear on their logo, but it's a seal.) They make so many varieties of diet soda and they are all delicious. But the most unique and my favorite is the diet double fudge soda. It really tastes like chocolate - and mixed with some vanilla vodka it's like an ice cream sundae with no calories and a kick.

Arts and Crafts

What do you get from

2 and 1/2 spools of black thread

7 old aloha shirts

Hours and hours at the sewing machine?

One awesome Christmas present!




I finally finished one of the Christmas craft projects on my to-do list. This has taken me two years from idea to finished project. I didn't work on it all that time - but it did take more time than I anticipated to complete.

I'm really excited with the finished product, hopefully the recipient will be just as thrilled.

Using some of Jason's old aloha shirts, I made a throw blanket. The shirts were cut in to blocks and sewn together in a quilt-type fashion. The best part about the throw is the shirts were washed so many times the fabric is really soft, perfect for snuggling. The back of the throw is soft fleece material edged with the shirt overhang from the front. The edging was one of the more difficult parts of the entire project.

The front of the throw is pictured above, this is the back of the throw:

Photoshop Your Figure from Self Magazine

Loved these tips from Self Magazine this month - I mean who doesn't want to look slimmer in photos?

Photoshop Your Figure

Sneaky ways to airbrush your body before the camera goes click.

Slim Your Smile

• Ditch any hint of a double chin by pressing your tongue up to the soft palate in your mouth before you say 'cheese'. Tensing your chin's underside helps lift any extra skin while allowing you to maintain a natural smile. This tip comes from Lo, a former plus size model.

Stand Like An A-Lister

• Stand at an angle so one foot points toward the camera, while the other points perpendicularly to the side. Putting one leg in front of the other makes your hips, thighs, and legs look half their width, as the other half is out of sight.

Adjust That Posture

• Ever wish you could suck in your thighs? Standing pigeon-toed is the next best thing. When you turn your legs inward, you give yourself that coveted space between the thighs. Or, if you're more interested in a virtual tummy tuck, tilt your hips backward as you stand so your butt sticks out slightly; this elongates your torso, seemingly flattening your lower abs. (Employ one strategy per photo op; combining both might look strange, not body-slimming.)

We all know tip #2 is a tried and true KO photo standard, but I think I need to practice #1 and #3 before they can be rollled out in public!

I expect nothing but fabulous photos from Club 33 now. :-)

**One Year Anniversary Blog**

***Special One Year Anniversary Blog***

Can you believe it's been one year since I've moved to New York? It's gone by so fast but at the same time it feels like I've been here forever.

In one year I've mailed over 50 packages for a total of $468.43 - just doing my part to keep the US Post Office strong. I've shipped everything from real Marc Jacobs handbags to dragees (but not to California because that is illegal), and most recently an open half eaten bag of cat treats (that was a mistake but I think the Tabby Trio probably enjoyed them all the same).

I spent $440 on subway cards. That equates to 264 one-way rides. And I don't miss my car one bit. Every banged up bumper and traffic jam I see just reminds me how nice it is to not have to drive on a daily basis.

I've flown 49,376 miles - that is just about the equivalent of circling the Earth, twice. Actual time in the air just over 100 hours, thank goodness Jet Blue offers Direct TV! I never missed a flight, but I came really close a few times. And I never had a bag get permanently lost - but I was a little stressed when one of my bags went missing last Christmas.

I calculated my carbon footprint. I was very sure now that I don't drive every day I was making the earth a little greener - unfortunately my increased time on airplanes wipes out any good from not driving a car. Just looking at automobile emissions vs plane emissions my carbon footprint has increased 3x! So if you have to drive everyday, don't feel so bad - the people flying are screwing it up for everyone.

The things I miss the most about California:

• Sunday shopping at Target
• my own washer and dryer
• Southern California style Mexican food
• being able to wear open toe shoes year round
• sunsets at the beach
• grilling food outside
• the smell of the ocean air
• my friends and family - you can't replace the people you've left behind but I love knowing they are always there for me

The thing I love most about New York:

• leaves changing colors in the fall
• the incredible Christmas window displays and decorations
• the first green leaves of spring
• fabulous food with so many choices
• the amazing shopping
• being able to always have a drink with dinner and not worry who is driving home
• working from home with my incredible office staff
• Michael

In the last year I've learned:

• cats are very resilient
• flat closed toe shoes can be cute
• planes fly both directions
• working from home (in your pj's) isn't boring
• if you cross a bridge on the subway you've probably gone the wrong direction

This has been an amazing year full of changes. I resisted moving because of what I thought I had to give up to do it. But really for everything I gave up, I got something else in return. The job is even better, the cats are content, my friends and family are still my friends and family, and I get to live in one of the most exciting and amazing places in the world with someone who makes me happy.

My predictions for year two in NYC?

Get used to the idea of gift cards this Christmas!

Who flipped the switch?

Last week, when I came back from SD, I immediately noticed summer had been switched to 'off' in NYC. No more girls in cute dresses and sandals - pants, jeans, and boots only! It was so nice the week I was in SD I didn't even think about the end of summer - but now summer's over and I have to pack away my shorts and flip flops. At least the weather in the fall is pretty nice, cool crisp air without humidity and the changing colors of the leaves. Last weekend was sunny and beautiful, a nice way for summer to end and fall begin.

Last week was actually pretty busy..

Tuesday night we went to a very small Counting Crows show in the city. It was a fan appreciation event held at the Town Hall theatre. With just under 1,500 seats it was a great way to see the band. They filmed the show for a future DVD release, maybe we'll be on the DVD! (But apparently the last time the Crows filmed a DVD Adam was too sweaty and they never finished the project. This time he was prepared and changed shirts often.) The best part was the last encore. Singers from other bands joined the Counting Crows on-stage and they sang Adam's favorite songs. It was an awesome set with lots of great guitar and songs that were classics to everyone else but new to me.

Thursday night was trivia night at our new favorite local bar. We won free shots with the best team name of the night! Not that we needed shots, but it's always nice to win something. What was that team name you ask? There's no "I" in team, but there is in "Free Drinks"

A little cumbersome to write five times (once on each answer sheet), but definitely got a good laugh from the crowd. We led in the trivia until the last round - we totally blew it and came in third place. I'm already studying up on my current events for this week! (Did you know Resident Evil: Extinction was number 1 in the box office this weekend with receipts of $24M? Well now I do!)

Saturday morning I woke up super early and couldn't fall back asleep. I got sucked in to an Ugly Betty marathon and now I am hooked. For me it was the best new show I didn't watch last season. I am now completely hooked. The show has really good characters and witty writing - the guest stars have been big name actors, and who doesn't love a show about New York fashion? Season 2 starts this Thursday - set your Tivo now!

The weather was perfect on Sunday, we headed to the Lower East Side just to check out the neighborhood. The Lower East Side was once one of the most densely populated areas of New York. Before subways were installed most people lived and worked in the lower part of Manhattan - it was their only option. The building architecture is really interesting and the area has a nice grit (unless you walk too far east and then the grit is a little too gritty).

On a recommendation from Bex we visited Sugar Sweet Sunshine bakery. Gail King's favorite cupcake in NYC. We taste tested the vanilla cupcake with vanilla frosting. The cupcake was a pocket friendly $1.50 with a classic buttercream frosting. The cake was light but a bit crumbly, not as sweet as some of the other cupcakes available in the city. I don't know if they were my very favorite, but it was a very good and I like the back story. The bakery was started by two friends who tested recipes for a year.

When trying to decide a name, they found the words written in cement and knew it was fate. Of course they tell their story much better - check out the website:

http://www.sugarsweetsunshine.com/

And we found what I have decided is the most dangerous looking teeter-totter ever built - it is the blue base and red board on the left side of the photo. Who was this built for? Kids that are 6 feet tall? Really - this seems like it would be good for kids? Really?

National Talk Like A Pirate Day

In spite of the fact real pirates were mean and nasty thieves, I think inside we all want to be a pirate, just a little bit.

In honor of National Talk Like A Pirate Day the Empire State building is hoisting it's sails in white (meaning the top will be lit in all white tonight).





Do you know what's a pirate's favorite t.v. show? E. Aaarrrhhhh!


(Both of those tidbits courtesy of Time Out New York Magazine.)





And now just when you thought the pirate fun was ending a few more jokes courtesy of my boss:





Have you heard about the new pirate movie?
It's rated AARRRRGGH!


What's a pirate's favorite mode of transportation?
A cAARRRRGGH!


what's a pirate's favorite letter of the alphabet?
arrrr


what's a pirate's favorite kind of socks?
arrrrgyle


what is a pirates favorite study subject?
arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrt.


what's a pirate's second-choice job?
an arrrrrrchitect!


a little kid with a speech impediment dresses up as a pirate and goes trick or treating. he knocks on the door of a house and a man answers. "oh, i can see you're dressed up as a pirate." the man says. "but where are your buccaneers?" the kid gets really mad, and says "on the sides of my buckin' head!"


what's a pirate's favorite kind of cookie?
ships ahoy


what do you call a pirate that skips class?
captain hooky!


A pirate walks into a bar and the bartender says, "Hey, I haven't seen you in a while. What happened, you look terrible!"
"What do you mean?" the pirate replies, "I'm fine."
The bartender says, "But what about that wooden leg? You didn't have that before."
"Well," says the pirate, "We were in a battle at sea and a cannon ball hit my leg but the surgeon fixed me up, and I'm fine, really."
"Yeah," says the bartender, "But what about that hook? Last time I saw you, you had both hands."
"Well," says the pirate, "We were in another battle and we boarded the enemy ship. I was in a sword fight and my hand was cut off but the surgeon fixed me up with this hook, and I feel great, really."
"Oh," says the bartender, "What about that eye patch? Last time you were in here you had both eyes."
"Well," says the pirate, "One day when we were at sea, some birds were flying over the ship. I looked up, and one of them shat in my eye."
"So?" replied the bartender, "what happened? You couldn't have lost an eye just from some bird shit!"
"Well," says the pirate, "I really wasn't used to the hook yet."


why does a pirate's phone go beep beep beep beep beep?
because he left it off the hook!


What does a vegan pirate do in jail?
Starrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrve!


What has 8 arms and 8 legs?
8 Pirates!

Stacey's Wedding

With the help of Selma, Melissa, and Rebecca all of the flowers were cleaned and arranged Friday night.

This is Stacey's bridal bouquet - it turned out awesome. I love the colors and the rhinestones were a perfect sparkly touch.


Here are the finished corsages for the moms and grandmas. The roses were a little more pink than purple but they looked beautiful.




Mom O did an awesome job on the arch decorating. The purple mesh had an iridescent sheen that brought the colors to life.






Stacey was the most beautiful bride. I love this picture, it looks like it should be an ad in a magazine.



Stacey and her dad ready to walk down the aisle.




During the ceremony - don't the decorations look great?





The cake was beautiful and delicious. I supplied the roses but the baker added them to the cake. I was glad he did the decorating - in the past I have had to decorate cakes and it makes me very nervous. One of the cakes layers was white sponge cake filled with a light chocolate mousse. It was so good I wanted a second piece - but by the time I went looking for more the chocolate layer was all gone. Wuh wuhhhhh.




The centerpieces. They didn't use real flower petals so I was able to finish them earlier in the week. There was so much greenery at the winery the setting didn't need a big floral arrangement, the simple candles were the perfect touch for the tables.

Another one of my favorite photos - Keith and Miss Karen kept our table lively!

And finally Bex, KO, and Miss Karen. Bex was the wedding planner extraordinaire - she worked really hard to make it a perfect day for Stacey.

All photos are courtesy of Bex - thank goodness she is diligent about taking photos!

Rolling Party

Rolling, rolling, rolling.....


Rolling, rolling, rolling.....


Everyone is getting ready for Stacey's big day - we spent all last night rolling napkins and tying them up with little bows. Guess what we'll be doing tonight?



Rolling, rolling, rolling....

Happy Birthday Lil' CJO

Last Saturday little CJO celebrated his first birthday in style.




The Jungle Book theme was carried out in full force with a wild mix of animal prints and pith helmets for all.

MomO and JasO show off their jungle wear.




The Susie twins modeling pith helmets.

Bid Daddy O and Oma made sure to give him his first set of wheels - a 75th anniversary edition of the '32 deuce coup. CJ loved playing with his presents. Most little ones tend to like the gift bags and gift wrap better than the gifts - not this guy! He would move from one gift to the next and he loved playing with the cars.

Big Daddy Jason with Jenny, CJO, and David.