One of my favorites...Kenny Chesney & Alabama...
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Michael Jackson the Immortal World Tour - Official Trailer - Cirque du S...
Since I missed him in life....I had to see this....
This Cirque show will travel the world, but it's going to run in Las Vegas for the month of December. I'm going to miss opening weekend, so I guess the second weekend will have to do.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Time for a little dim sum
I'm still shocked we made it to Chinatown for 11AM dim sum the day after the wedding. I'm pretty sure Guinn & I didn't make it back to the hotel till after 2:30AM. Special thanks to the cleaning lady who knocked on our door a little after 9AM, freaked us out and got us moving.
I'm so glad she did, or else we would have missed a feast! There was one item that I had to have, Cha Siu Bao (pork buns). I'm pretty sure I would have stabbed someone's eye out with my chopstick if they got in the way.
We headed to Jing Fong for the dim sum. This is a great way to try new and different dishes. The carts are filled with small servings and you just take the dishes you want. Granted, there was a small language barrier, but we had Karen. Even though she did tell me I ate a bacon wrapped pigeon.
I could pick out the important words like, "pork", "shrimp" and "bacon".
The bacon wrapped pigeon story is one I'll never forget. This was one of the last dishes we tried, but it makes for a fitting end. A cart came around and I could smell the bacon and all the server said to me was "bacon". I didn't care what the bacon was wrapped around. It was deep fried for goodness sakes, how could it be bad?
There were 4 bacon wrapped balls. I took one, Guinn, Duane and Russell took the others. I took a bite and thought it was pretty good. The boys waited while Karen tried to figure out what was wrapped in the middle. As I'm still chewing, I see Karen's expression change. The next thing I hear is her say, "Don't worry about it." The boys put their bacon down and I finally swallow.
I asked Karen what I just ate and her response, "pigeon". I have to be honest it was a pretty tasty bird, then we found out the truth....it was pork.
I'm so glad she did, or else we would have missed a feast! There was one item that I had to have, Cha Siu Bao (pork buns). I'm pretty sure I would have stabbed someone's eye out with my chopstick if they got in the way.
We headed to Jing Fong for the dim sum. This is a great way to try new and different dishes. The carts are filled with small servings and you just take the dishes you want. Granted, there was a small language barrier, but we had Karen. Even though she did tell me I ate a bacon wrapped pigeon.
I could pick out the important words like, "pork", "shrimp" and "bacon".
The bacon wrapped pigeon story is one I'll never forget. This was one of the last dishes we tried, but it makes for a fitting end. A cart came around and I could smell the bacon and all the server said to me was "bacon". I didn't care what the bacon was wrapped around. It was deep fried for goodness sakes, how could it be bad?
There were 4 bacon wrapped balls. I took one, Guinn, Duane and Russell took the others. I took a bite and thought it was pretty good. The boys waited while Karen tried to figure out what was wrapped in the middle. As I'm still chewing, I see Karen's expression change. The next thing I hear is her say, "Don't worry about it." The boys put their bacon down and I finally swallow.
I asked Karen what I just ate and her response, "pigeon". I have to be honest it was a pretty tasty bird, then we found out the truth....it was pork.
Cha Siu Bao
Heaven in a bun
Not bacon wrapped pigeon, but pork
Friday, November 25, 2011
Black Friday, 2011
I can't remember when I started shopping on "Black Friday". Seems like I've been doing it forever. It's like a tradition, just like Thanksgiving turkey. I probably don't need anything I buy on Black Friday, but I can't stand sitting on the sidelines.
I say I don't "need" anything, because I shop all year long. I hate waiting for Christmas to give people gifts. I guess it's a character flaw, lack of patience.
This year I only planned to go to Target for two reasons, #1, it's close to my house and #2 I really wanted new Rachael Ray orange cookware. Do I cook? No, not really, but now that I like my tools, maybe I'll give it a whirl.
Mom and I rolled up to Target at about 12:03 AM. The parking lot was packed and we could still see a line wrapped around the store. But it was the most organized chaos I had ever seen. They let us in about 30 at a time, and everyone moved at a good pace. I headed over to kitchen section and found my boxes on one of the end caps. Uh, there were only 3 in the entire store. I grabbed the 1st one and a dude grabbed the second. Did I mention I had a $50.00 gift card burning a hole in my pocket? Black Friday success!
Since we were already up, we decided to head over to Cool Springs Galleria to see if we could find any decent deals. Victoria's Secret did not have the things I wanted and the line/check-out at Express was HORRIBLE.
Here's my beef with Black Friday shopping. If you're going to go out at midnight, please have a specific game plan and stick to it. For example, these are normally the people wanted to get the big screen TVs or other electronic items. This is not the time for you to browse and get in my way.
As I mentioned before, I shop all year round. I generally know what each store has in stock and what the "normal" prices are. If I shop for clothes on Black Friday, I don't buy it unless it's on sale and I have a coupon. Hence, I know what I want before I even go into the store.
And to the retail stores, please do your best to have your fastest check out clerks or a better system to get the people in and out quickly. You're losing money if we have to wait too long. I know we spent more time waiting to pay than actually shopping.
Here are my Black Friday grades:
Target: A+, the most efficient store of the night
Victoria's Secret, at Cool Springs: B-, your store was way too hot and you did not have what I wanted in stock
Express, at Cool Springs: C-/D+, your set-up was not conducive for the crowds and your check out clerks/system was horrible. The clerks were too slow and should have used a "buddy system" to ring up & take those anti-theft thingys off the clothes and bag them up.
Macy's, at Cool Springs: C, not enough registers open and clerks almost as slow as the one's at Express.
I say I don't "need" anything, because I shop all year long. I hate waiting for Christmas to give people gifts. I guess it's a character flaw, lack of patience.
This year I only planned to go to Target for two reasons, #1, it's close to my house and #2 I really wanted new Rachael Ray orange cookware. Do I cook? No, not really, but now that I like my tools, maybe I'll give it a whirl.
Mom and I rolled up to Target at about 12:03 AM. The parking lot was packed and we could still see a line wrapped around the store. But it was the most organized chaos I had ever seen. They let us in about 30 at a time, and everyone moved at a good pace. I headed over to kitchen section and found my boxes on one of the end caps. Uh, there were only 3 in the entire store. I grabbed the 1st one and a dude grabbed the second. Did I mention I had a $50.00 gift card burning a hole in my pocket? Black Friday success!
Since we were already up, we decided to head over to Cool Springs Galleria to see if we could find any decent deals. Victoria's Secret did not have the things I wanted and the line/check-out at Express was HORRIBLE.
Here's my beef with Black Friday shopping. If you're going to go out at midnight, please have a specific game plan and stick to it. For example, these are normally the people wanted to get the big screen TVs or other electronic items. This is not the time for you to browse and get in my way.
As I mentioned before, I shop all year round. I generally know what each store has in stock and what the "normal" prices are. If I shop for clothes on Black Friday, I don't buy it unless it's on sale and I have a coupon. Hence, I know what I want before I even go into the store.
And to the retail stores, please do your best to have your fastest check out clerks or a better system to get the people in and out quickly. You're losing money if we have to wait too long. I know we spent more time waiting to pay than actually shopping.
Here are my Black Friday grades:
Target: A+, the most efficient store of the night
Victoria's Secret, at Cool Springs: B-, your store was way too hot and you did not have what I wanted in stock
Express, at Cool Springs: C-/D+, your set-up was not conducive for the crowds and your check out clerks/system was horrible. The clerks were too slow and should have used a "buddy system" to ring up & take those anti-theft thingys off the clothes and bag them up.
Macy's, at Cool Springs: C, not enough registers open and clerks almost as slow as the one's at Express.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Let's get this party started
Following the ceremony, we had a mini cocktail hour, while they flipped the space. There were several trays of finger foods, not to mention a pasta station. The mushroom caps were to die for, but I ate them before I could take a photo. But that little shrip on the chip was pretty tasty. But the funniest part was then the waiter came around with the mini sliders. I'm pretty sure I attacked him, and the table followed suit. Yup, I'm pretty sure we cleaned the tray.
I was very happy with my mini slider
Dinner is served
Shots, Round 1
Hello chocolate covered strawberries
The red velvet & cheesecake were to DIE for
Shots, Round 2
Not sure how we're all still standing
Sunday, November 20, 2011
They Do!!
Anne & David chose the perfect venue for their wedding, Battery Park Gardens. I mean, I could see the Statue of Liberty from my seat! The wedding was small & intimate, but filled with lots of family, friends, love and laughter. I wouldn't have missed this for anything in the world. So glad we all got to be a part of their special day.
Daddy & Anne
Mr & Mrs Tsang
Friday, November 18, 2011
On the 6
Day 3: The Big Day - It started bright and early with a brunch at Balthazar Restaurant, followed by a quick trip to the salon to get our nails did, then we had to pick up Anne's wedding dress. We had about a 6 hour window. Could it be done? Of course!
Speaking of 6, did I mention we had to ride the 6 Train to the salon? I had "Jenny from the Block" running through my head all morning.
I had a really good idea for a wedding gift. I asked my friend Keith to draw something where the "11's" were represented by structures found in Tennessee, NYC and London. Time got away from him and he wasn't able to complete the project, but I did get him to work a little magic on the card.
Speaking of 6, did I mention we had to ride the 6 Train to the salon? I had "Jenny from the Block" running through my head all morning.
I had a really good idea for a wedding gift. I asked my friend Keith to draw something where the "11's" were represented by structures found in Tennessee, NYC and London. Time got away from him and he wasn't able to complete the project, but I did get him to work a little magic on the card.
I'm partial to the Sunsphere
Pre-wedding brunch with the girls
Bellini's & a Bloody Mary
What a beautiful bride to be
Having a little fun, on the 6
This was waiting for us at the venue
Perfect for the wedding cards
Who needs a guest book, when you have Guest Libs
Love the place cards
How beautiful
Hoping I didn't shoot someone's eye out
Success & Cheers!!
She was already glowing
I hear Dave has 2 wedding bands, in case 1 goes MIA
On tap: the Wedding & Reception
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Drink a little drink
As Day 2, turned into Night 2, we put on our "fancy" clothes and headed out to Open Door Gastropub. The Bride & Groom to Be had an area reserved for friends and family to visit and catch up. I typically don't "dress up" when I got out. If I can't roll into a place with a blue jean skirt, tank top & slippers, I don't need to be there. But thanks to Rachel & the Limited, I ended up with the perfect outfit.
Karen, Anne (the Bride), Mary Ellen & Me
Since I started with chocolate martini's, I knew I had to get something in my stomach...because I hate feeling like crap & we had a lot to do the next day...like the wedding!
I probably could have ordered 1 of everything on the menu, but I saw the magic word "bacon" and I was hooked. I love bacon and anything wrapped in bacon (stay tuned funny story about this in an upcoming post).
Wings, anyone? I think Karen ordered these.
I think these were bleu cheese fries
My bacon & mushroom mac & cheese
I had to sample everything on the table
Anne's baby brother, Gene
The happy couple...we have another "Dave", oy!
I typically don't drink on a school night, but when you're celebrating an upcoming wedding, you have to take one for the team. I had no idea how late it was till I saw the time stamps on the photos. But it was worth every second & yes, I'm still trying to catch up on my sleep.
Aside from not drinking on a school night, I also don't do shots. Well, let me clarify, I don't do shots a lot...just when there's a lot of peer pressure. I'm never going to let a drink go to waste.
I was sad the bar didn't have any Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka, but it was probably a blessing in disguise, I needed to function the next day.
When in doubt, shoot tequila
I had my bag on my shoulder because I was walking out the door
But I had to have a shot with Dave too
I think this was the honey whiskey
Cheers!!
Up next, Day 3: the Wedding Day
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Shopping my way down 5th Avenue
Day 2: Shopping, my favorite hobby...in pictures...
Shots of OJ to start the day
I'm a sucker for diner food
59th & Columbus Circle
I called them "camo", clerk called them "olive"
6th Avenue
The Plaza Hotel
To candy or cookie? I cookied
I want candy
Red velvet & hot chocolate...just a little snack
I ate a cupcake, in a cupcake
I got this Indy
Hello, Tiffany & Co
Clouds started to roll in
Pizza break
See, I didn't do that much damage...
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