tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65755701205708268232024-03-13T15:35:40.243-04:00this khmerican life.miscellaneous dispatches from a khmer-american from the nw living in nyc.danica and nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10560140704554627862noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575570120570826823.post-20048967410036463802009-12-14T21:16:00.006-05:002009-12-15T00:34:23.783-05:00dexter season 4 season finale?!?Holy shizz. Does anyone else watch <a href="http://www.sho.com/site/dexter/home.do"><strong>Dexter</strong></a>? <div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415329582458334530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 218px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SycdkEgX7UI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/b7s4DLBaAnY/s320/Dexter-Season-Four-Showtime.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>I love this show and thought that I'd seen it all, but the season finale just blew my mind. It was a fantastic episode (although I'm sure there are other fans who will hold the opposite opinion). Such a <a href="http://www.pinkisthenewblog.com/2009/12/dexter-season-4-ends-with-a-shocking-final-twist/#more-45286"><strong>dark, disturbing ending</strong> </a>. . . I actually feel terrible, sad and a little sick after finishing the show. I'm going to re-watch the episode when I get some time because now that final scene between Dexter and TK takes on a whole new meaning. Yikes.<br /><br />I can't believe I have to wait until September 2010 for the new season. I guess I'm just left thinking about <a href="http://www.seattlepi.com/tvguide/413268_tvgif14.html"><strong>what could be in store</strong> </a>. . .</div>danica and nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10560140704554627862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575570120570826823.post-59890089895950586992009-12-13T20:39:00.007-05:002009-12-13T21:25:57.317-05:00weekly training summary -- december 7 - 13This was one of those awful weeks where I wasn't able to get more than a few hours of sleep per night and, as a result, had far too much take-out and far too few runs and cross-training. I usually try very hard to get exercise even when life gets busy, but this was one of those weeks where even I had to throw my hands up in frustration. I hate that feeling.<br /><br />Monday: 4 miles<br /><div>Tuesday: 3 miles</div><div>Sunday: 10 miles</div><div><br /></div><div>I did manage to run out for a few hours and finish up my remaining Christmas shopping, since I won't have any time between now and when I leave for the 'Couv on Dec. 23. There are AMAZING sample sales this weekend (<a href="http://www.openingceremony.us/p107.html"><strong>Opening Ceremony</strong></a>, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.helmutlang.com"><strong>Helmut Lang</strong></a>, <a href="http://lucaluca.sectorlink.org/"><strong>Luca Luca</strong></a>, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.shopbird.com"><strong>Bird</strong></a>, <a href="http://www.aloharag.com/highseas/assets/images/splash.htm"><strong>Aloha Rag</strong></a> . . . ) and although I couldn't stop by many of them, I did swing by the <a href="http://rag-bone.com/"><strong>Rag and Bone</strong></a> sample sale and purchased the <a href="http://www.shopbop.com/nancy-blazer-rag-bone/vp/v=1/845524441851874.htm?folderID=2534374302066388&extid=affprg"><strong>Nancy blazer </strong></a>in black. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414905243562273154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 162px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SyWboS7t6YI/AAAAAAAAAno/vOhVreWnz7w/s320/rag+and+bone+nancy+blazer.jpg" border="0" />I cannot own enough Rag and Bone, I tell you!<br /><br />I also picked up a few presents online from J. Crew, including these gifts to myself:<br /><br />I tried <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/jacketsblazers/jacketsblazers/PRDOVR~18271/99101823219/ENE~1+2+3+22+4294967294+20~15~~20+17+4294967134~15~~~~~~~/18271.jsp"><strong>this schoolboy blazer</strong> </a>on at the store before and really loved the fit. Now that they've marked down the price (plus the extra 30% I was able to take off with the internet sale this weekend), the piece became irresistible!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414906005279508130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SyWcUojQhqI/AAAAAAAAAn4/f1Ybo3xwBPY/s320/jcrew+wool+flannel+schoolboy+blazer.jpg" border="0" /><br />I thought <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Catalogs/2009/FALLANDHOLIDAY/HOLIDAY/Nov1/NovemberBig870/AllProducts/PRDOVR~19914/99101863668/ENE~1+2+3+22+4294967294+20~30~~20+17+4294967162~15~~~~~~~/19914.jsp"><strong>this tee</strong> </a>was adorable and plan to style it similarly to this picture.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414905999010459170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SyWcURMmbiI/AAAAAAAAAnw/14EXtuaGfY0/s320/jcrew+textured+jersey+bouquet+tee.jpg" border="0" /><br />Picked up a few of <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/knitstees/tanksandcamis/PRDOVR~92240/99101413321/ENE~1+2+3+22+4294967294+20~0~~20+17+4294967162~15~~~~~~~/92240.jsp"><strong>these basic ta</strong><strong>nks</strong></a>.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414906014078980450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SyWcVJVN0WI/AAAAAAAAAoA/ytv9ASLrizo/s320/jcrew+washed+fav+tank.jpg" border="0" />I'm a little old school and still like to keep a paper day planner and book for notes. I thought it was a good idea to finally pick up something to keep track of birthdays and anniversaries so that I remember when to send out cards and presents accordingly.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414906014745781682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SyWcVL0MZbI/AAAAAAAAAoI/CGmd5bME6KU/s320/jcrew+pocket+birthday+book.jpg" border="0" />Not bad for a sprint-paced shopping session! I am so relieved to have all of my Christmas presents ready to go for the upcoming holiday (and perhaps a few too many presents for myself!) -- now I can just focus on getting a million and one things done at the office before I leave NYC for a short vacation. Really looking forward to seeing some of you while I'm back West visiting my parents!danica and nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10560140704554627862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575570120570826823.post-30966073746163675742009-12-09T04:40:00.004-05:002009-12-09T04:40:00.466-05:003 am internet shopping is dangerous (part two) . . . .I know that this isn't news for folks who follow fashion -- but man, in the past year or so, has <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.jcrew.com"><strong>J. Crew</strong></a> stepped it up or what? I used to shop there in high school and my first couple years of college, but quickly grew sick of the prices I would pay for such boring and ill-fitting clothes. But now? I really love their stuff. I work in a professional environment and am expected to adhere to a particular NY office woman look, which normally is the kiss of death for me. J. Crew has some really fun pieces to add to my basics so that I don't feel like I have to completely put aside my personal style in order to adhere to the office code (another store that fits the bill is <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.anntaylor.com"><strong>Ann Taylor</strong></a> -- I swear!). Luckily, my firm is pretty laid-back about clothing, as far as law firms go. Case in point: Last month I got away with wearing a pink dress with an SATC opening credits-worthy tulle and lace skirt section + a black cropped Alexander McQueen for Target blazer and some tights. Not the type of outfit I'd wear for a client meeting or court, but at least I feel like I have the freedom to wear some fun pieces on normal workdays.<br /><br />I had another 3 am internet shopping therapy session tonight. Here's what my efforts resulted in: <p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412816118049808674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sx4vlL7eISI/AAAAAAAAAnA/o0MiaIFsk7Y/s320/jcrew+wool+ribbon+script+coat.jpg" border="0" />I debated this coat earlier in the season -- I hate buying black winter coats. Too practical. But after rocking my <a href="http://www.harpersbazaar.com/cm/harpersbazaar/images/HBZ1108OB007-de-54063265.jpg"><strong>Phillip Lim (in green)</strong></a> from last year + other difficult-to-match hued coats a few too many times, I bit the bullet and started hunting for a black coat. And <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/outerwear/wool/PRDOVR~17983/99101811616/ENE~1+2+3+22+4294967294+20~~~20+17+4294967128~15~~~~~~~/17983.jsp"><strong>after they marked this girl down</strong></a>, I was sold! [Note to shoppers: the coat runs big -- at the store, I had to drop down to a size 0 petite, when I normally prefer a solid 2/4 so that there's room for a suit jacket or a sweater, so take that for what it is]<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412816122161678466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sx4vlbP0SII/AAAAAAAAAnI/pk-GyFmJ_Hc/s320/jcrew+overdyed+black+denim+matchstick.jpg" border="0" /> Did you know that it's next to impossible to find black denim? Yeah, I didn't know either. Seemed simple enough -- I wanted an easy pair of non-blue jeans to wear on the weekends so that I could finally end my lazy pattern of throwing on leggings, <a href="http://www.tobi.com/product/22517-alexander-wang-t-by-alexander-wang-tank-top-tops?cmp=fgl"><strong>a tank</strong></a> and <a href="http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=22798&N=1200006&categoryId=181&pCategoryId=3939&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_181&Nty=1&No=14&loc=TN&defaultColor=Winter%20White&defaultSizeType=Regular"><strong>oversized cardigan</strong></a> (I've been fighting the leggings disease for years now . . . they're just so comfy . . . .). After finding these guys, I hopefully will begin a new lazy pattern of throwing on <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/denimandcorduroy/matchstick/PRDOVR~19681/19681.jsp"><strong>jeans</strong></a>, a tank and an oversized cardigan. Yeah, I know --I'm living on the edge. In terms of sizing, J. Crew denim usually runs true-to-size (unlike that Gap nonsense -- seriously, the vanity sizing thing needs to stop!). Hopefully this pair will fit like I think they should. </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413069724073781794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sx8WO__W6iI/AAAAAAAAAng/VZoZfq_HWy4/s320/jcrew+thigh+highs.jpg" border="0" />Fun thigh high socks for the weekend -- I got a pair in grey.<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412816131631573874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sx4vl-hna3I/AAAAAAAAAnQ/qLDHXS8iuPQ/s320/jcrew+silk+pleated+posy+top.jpg" border="0" /> <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/shirtstops/camisblouses/PRDOVR~18679/99101838144/ENE~1+2+3+22+4294967294+20~~~20+17+4294967179~15~~~~~~~/18679.jsp"><strong>New top</strong></a> to throw with a suit for work. Steeply discounted to only $19.99!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412819628954348322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sx4yxjEV6yI/AAAAAAAAAnY/5P7-Gde5PMs/s320/jcrew+scout+chino.bmp" border="0" />Making me wear a pair of chinos is normally akin to forcing a vampire to go sunbathing. The above picture is a testament to <a href="http://fashionista.com/2009/05/life_with_jenna_lyons_part_i.php"><strong>Jenna Lyons' styling ability</strong></a>. Seems simple enough -- roll some pant legs and throw on a metallic belt -- but those little steps made pants I would normally hate quite palatable to me (although let's not even discuss those awful shoes). Plus, <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Navigation/Sale/AllProducts/PRDOVR~17726/99101835798/ENE~1+2+3+22+4294967294+20~15~~20+17+4294967122~15~~~~~~~/17726.jsp"><strong>they were only $20</strong></a>. : )</div><br /><div></div><div>Bottom line is that I've added J. Crew to my list of go-to shops, especially for work gear. I should have known this was inevitable after they added <a href="http://www.refinery29.com/lookbook/grungey_goddess_erin_wasson_cl.php"><strong>Erin Wasson</strong> </a>to their line-up of adorable (yet still interesting-looking) models. I'm a sucker for anything that might be a throw-back to grunge or a "nod to the crisp Seattle weather." ; )</div>danica and nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10560140704554627862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575570120570826823.post-47639232667084776712009-12-08T04:30:00.002-05:002009-12-08T07:00:41.570-05:003 am internet shopping is dangerous . . . .Yep, I am totally getting this <a href="http://www.lagarconne.com/store/item.htm?itemid=6015&sid=195&pid="><strong>Phillip Lim dress</strong></a> for the holidays. It is exactly what I'm digging right now: Sequined, frilly, yet stylable into something that's a little bit rock 'n roll. A refreshing take on the ubiquitous one-shouldered dress. Gonna wear it with my platform ankle motorcycle boots from Zara (platform + motorcycle = contradiction?) and my favorite cropped leather jacket. Loves it.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sx4q74EI1VI/AAAAAAAAAm4/zhsvOiH644w/s1600-h/--+trompe+l%27oeil+sequin+back+dress.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412811010296304978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 210px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sx4q74EI1VI/AAAAAAAAAm4/zhsvOiH644w/s320/--+trompe+l%27oeil+sequin+back+dress.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>danica and nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10560140704554627862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575570120570826823.post-28215044027613100212009-12-05T14:04:00.006-05:002009-12-06T23:39:34.113-05:00weekly training summary -- november 30 - december 1It is so much harder to train now that the weather is getting colder and the days are getting darker much earlier here in NYC. I'm trying to stick to a 5 days per week workout schedule (consisting of 3 - 4 runs + remainder as strength and cross training), but it is such a challenge -- especially with my crazy long work days!<br /><ul><li>Monday: 60 minutes elliptical + weights</li><li>Tuesday: 4 miles (intervals)</li><li>Friday: 6 miles</li><li>Saturday: Total body conditioning class (strength training)</li><li>Sunday: 18 miles (Long run pace. Weather was cold and sunny. Overall, the run felt great, although I was VERY disappointed by David Sedaris' "Holidays on Ice." It was by far the worst book of his that I have ever read -- actually, listened is more accurate. Boo.)</li></ul>It's no secret that I'm a nut about making music mixes (I still have lots of mixed cassette tapes from junior high and high school, holla!). My most embarrassing mixes are the ones I make for races and working out. They're 90% teenybopper music and 10% music that I would actually listen to outside the confines of headphones (where no one will hear my secret shame!). That being said, I received a request for some good workout songs, so I'm including my current short run mix. I change it up every couple of months. Here's what I'm listening to on my iPod shuffle for my runs that are 8 miles or less at the moment (just in case you want some suggestions):<br /><br />"Idioteque" (Radiohead), "Frug" (Rilo Kiley), "Bulletproof" (La Roux), "50 Yard Dash" (Raphael Saadiq), "Heads Will Roll" (Yeah Yeah Yeahs), "Maneater" (Nelly Furtado), "Get off the Fucking Flowers" (Blakrok and Raekwon), "Telephone" (Lady Gaga and Beyonce), "Good Girls Go Bad" (Cobra Starship),"Use Somebody" (Kings of Leon), "Battlefield" (Jordin Sparks), "Morning After Dark" (Timbaland and Nelly Furtado), "You Belong With Me" (Taylor Swift), "I'm Good I'm Gone" (Lykke Li), "Misery Business" (Paramore), "Run This Town" (Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West), "Celebration" (Madonna), "The Fixer" (Pearl Jam), "Fly on the Wall" (Miley Cyrus), "Shut Up and Let Me Go" (Ting Ting Tings), "American Idiot" (Green Day), "New York Girls" (Morningwood), "I'm the Boy" (Serge Gainsbourg), "Dirty Little Secret" (All-American Rejects)<br /><br />Nick and I also saw David Duchovny while on our long run today. Not a very good celeb sighting, but I did still have to fight the urge to run back and ask him if he could really be serious about his <a href="http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b26532_david_duchovny_rehabbing_sex_addiction.html"><strong>problem</strong></a> -- not cool, Agent Mulder. Not cool at all.danica and nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10560140704554627862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575570120570826823.post-3908441978084367662009-11-29T20:38:00.004-05:002009-12-06T23:42:34.306-05:00weekly training summary -- thanksgiving week.Nick and I ventured out to Boston to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with one of Nick's college buddies and his family. It was an incredibly relaxing and fun trip --- but I definitely went overboard with the eating and lack of exercise. I just got back into town and am going to work hard to get back on the wagon. I feel like I gained weight just from my three days of gluttony! I may have to even resort to another 3-day <a style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" href="http://blueprintcleanse.com/">Blueprint Cleanse</a> just to feel back on track.<br /><br />My training runs were limited this week, but I'm glad I even got a few in, considering all of the R&R time I put in. My long run for the week was really fabulous. Today was one of those gorgeous NYC fall days that just reminded me why I love this city so much. Running around Central Park (even the Harlem Hills felt really soothing), ending with a fantastic view of the Statue of Liberty . . . I'll never get sick of it!<br /><ul><li>Monday: 5.5 miles</li><li>Tuesday: 4 miles</li><li>Sunday: 16 miles<br /></li></ul>danica and nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10560140704554627862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575570120570826823.post-39786163026720905932009-11-28T13:46:00.003-05:002009-11-28T14:52:07.478-05:00khmer rouge tribunal - case one update.The nine-month long trial of <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kang_Kek_Iew">Kang Kek Iew</a> (better known as "Duch"), the first case for the Khmer Rouge Tribunal, ended this week. Duch is charged with crimes against humanity for his participation in the Khmer Rouge, notably in his role as commander of <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuol_Sleng">Tuol Sleng prison</a> ("S-21"), where at least 14,000 people were imprisoned (almost all of whom were tortured and killed). Duch <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0331/p06s01-duts.html">confessed to the significant role that he played</a> in the deaths of many Cambodians.<br /><br />The NY Times has a <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/28/world/asia/28cambo.html?_r=1&emc=tnt&tntemail1=y">concise update</a> of what happened in the last days of Duch's trial. The gist of it is that Duch asked for the tribunal to set him free, even with his numerous admissions of guilt. Duch's lawyers had a very unusual legal strategy in the last week of the case -- although I don't think it was a "strategy" as much as a complete debacle: First, Duch's Cambodian lawyer claimed that his client was not guilty -- even though Duch made many confessions. The next day, Duch's French lawyer asserted that Duch ought to be granted lenience because the S-21 deaths did not account for a "large" number of those who died during the Khmer Rouge's reign. <br /><br />Despite Duch's lawyer's arguments in the past week, from what I've seen in this trial, there is more than enough evidence to convict Duch for the crimes that he committed. There is no way he should be granted "lenience," not to mention set free entirely. The evidence presented by the prosecutors (and Duch's own confessions, even with his qualifying statements) established that Duch did indeed commit crimes against humanity and he should be punished accordingly. <br /><br />Although this first trial was a long time in the making (and, in my opinion, way too late in the game), I must admit that I'm pleased to see that the a fair trial even took place and seems well on its way to resulting in a verdict.<br /><br />The tribunal's verdict is expected in early 2010. The trials of the remaining four defendants are scheduled to take place in 2011.danica and nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10560140704554627862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575570120570826823.post-89271376977440481992009-11-22T19:38:00.011-05:002009-11-28T15:31:21.619-05:00long time, no blog . . . .Yikes! I can't believe it's been over six months since my last blog entry. Let's just say that things have been incredibly busy, particularly at work. But I'm back and ready to start doing these updates more frequently.<br /><br />One big accomplishment over the past months: Nick and I ran and finished the <a href="http://www.nycmarathon.org/"><strong>NYC Marathon</strong> </a>on November 1st!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SxGIbiKqO4I/AAAAAAAAAmw/lKC0NxJqHgI/s1600/IMG_0601.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SxGIbiKqO4I/AAAAAAAAAmw/lKC0NxJqHgI/s320/IMG_0601.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409254634058038146" border="0" /></a>I can honestly say that it was one of the hardest challenges I've ever faced, both emotionally and physically. Running the mileage was hard enough, but then to throw in an incredibly difficult course was almost more than we could take. Although we finished more than a half hour longer than our goal pace, we are both really proud to have finished the race at all.<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407097552830973746" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 302px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Swnek4ZfxzI/AAAAAAAAAmo/GQffFuT2tpM/s320/nycmarathon2.jpg" border="0" />It was especially nice to celebrate post-race with some very supportive friends and Nick's parents, who were in the city from Seattle. I'm already looking forward to running the course again next year (already ran my requisite races to qualify), but this time spending a lot more time training on hills. The elevation of the bridges really kicked my butt on the course. Nick and I are also running the <a href="http://disneyworldsports.disney.go.com/dwws/en_US/events/eventDetail/detail?name=WdwMarathonDetailPage&bhcp=1"><strong>Goofy Challenge in Orlando, Florida</strong> </a>this coming January. This race is over the course of a weekend and entails running both a half-marathon and a marathon in two days. The good news is that the course is incredibly flat, which we hope will help us get a much more respectable race time. The bad news is that it's only a couple of months away, and we are only now feeling (almost) physically recovered from the NYC Marathon. We officially start training again this week, after taking the requisite time off. I'm a little nervous about the races, but mostly excited. Nick and I ran the half-marathon part of the race last year and had a fun time -- great weather and an easy course should make the experience extra-enjoyable.<br /><br />Other than tons of work and some running, I've been keeping busy trying to get out and about around the city. I was really bad about maintaining much of a social life because of work for awhile, but have been back on the social wagon for the past couple of months. I've caught some fantastic concerts (one of which I will need to post about later -- the <a href="http://www.hbo.com/events/rocknroll/index.html"><strong>Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th anniversary show</strong> </a>was ridiculous!), and had great dinners/drinks out with friends. It is so important to maintain a social life even when work is ridiculously busy, which is something I forget when I get too wrapped up with work.<br /><br />Sorry that this isn't the world's most exciting blog post, especially after a long absence, but I figured it was better to keep it short and simple and let you know that I'm back on the blogging wagon, rather than keep on postponing an entry because I can't think of what the heck to write about. Hope all is well!<br /><br />Workouts completed this week (borrowing this idea from my friend <a href="http://kbrunsdisney.blogspot.com/"><strong>KB</strong></a> to help keep me on the exercise and training wagon): </p><ul><li>Monday: 5 miles</li><li>Tuesday: 5 miles</li><li>Wednesday: 5.5 miles (speed work -- intervals)</li><li>Saturday: NYSC Boot Camp (this was most difficult exercise class I've EVER taken -- highly recommended for anyone in NYC looking to burn some major calories)</li><li>Sunday: 13 miles</li></ul>danica and nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10560140704554627862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575570120570826823.post-39947755070751925252009-05-14T01:06:00.018-04:002009-05-14T03:21:22.357-04:00birthday weekend in south carolina<span style="font-family:georgia;">Nick and I were dying to get out of NYC for a long weekend and decided to take advantage of his credit card points by buying plane tickets to South Carolina for a visit a couple of weeks ago. One of my favorite people from high school lives in SC, and I was looking for an excuse to see her and visit her beautiful town.</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguoApjb0hI/AAAAAAAAAbs/B011B867QfU/s1600-h/IMG_1179.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguoApjb0hI/AAAAAAAAAbs/B011B867QfU/s320/IMG_1179.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335542912658428434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">Sid always hates it when I leave town. His new plan of attack when he sees me pull out my suitcase is to hide in my clothes. So cute. Makes it hard to leave!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">I managed to elude the cat and Nick and I trekked out to beautiful Newark to catch our flight to Greenville. Since the flight was only an hour and a half long, we had the entire day to enjoy the town. We hit up one of the local spas, </span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.riverfallsspa.com/">River Falls</a><span style="font-family:georgia;">, and treated ourselves to a half day of pampering. I partake in massages fairly frequently and must admit that the massage I got at River Falls was by far the best I've ever experienced.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">We wandered around town for the rest of the day, spending a chunk of time at the beautiful park located in downtown Greenville.</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguoAwoPkHI/AAAAAAAAAb0/1BDKeKO4a78/s1600-h/IMG_1183.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguoAwoPkHI/AAAAAAAAAb0/1BDKeKO4a78/s320/IMG_1183.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335542914557644914" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguoA7v5TjI/AAAAAAAAAb8/qfbPqtMf8kQ/s1600-h/IMG_1186.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguoA7v5TjI/AAAAAAAAAb8/qfbPqtMf8kQ/s320/IMG_1186.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335542917542530610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">I mean, seriously. Who goes and puts a park with a gorgeous waterfall in the middle of a picturesque "Pleasantville" type town? The place was stunning.</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguoBqW-KiI/AAAAAAAAAcM/V8POtttjeHA/s1600-h/IMG_1191.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguoBqW-KiI/AAAAAAAAAcM/V8POtttjeHA/s320/IMG_1191.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335542930054457890" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguoBDTMd7I/AAAAAAAAAcE/1lRwuO2bHTk/s1600-h/IMG_1189.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguoBDTMd7I/AAAAAAAAAcE/1lRwuO2bHTk/s320/IMG_1189.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335542919569635250" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguqXOEH_eI/AAAAAAAAAck/jNTiRhZz3Gc/s1600-h/IMG_1197.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguqXOEH_eI/AAAAAAAAAck/jNTiRhZz3Gc/s320/IMG_1197.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335545499439594978" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguqXAllyNI/AAAAAAAAAcc/NKZeftXdG8g/s1600-h/IMG_1193.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguqXAllyNI/AAAAAAAAAcc/NKZeftXdG8g/s320/IMG_1193.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335545495821863122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">We lucked out and had beautiful weather almost the entire time we were in South Carolina. The flowers and wildlife were all out and about in the park. Nick and I spent a huge chunk of time relaxing on the porch swings set up in key locations throughout the park.</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SgurB9Ns4YI/AAAAAAAAAcs/0daHZamiPeA/s1600-h/IMG_1199.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SgurB9Ns4YI/AAAAAAAAAcs/0daHZamiPeA/s320/IMG_1199.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335546233650733442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">We wrapped up the night with a laid-back dinner and drinks at a downtown spot. All in all, it was a fantastic (and relaxing!) way to celebrate my 29th birthday.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">The next day, Nick and I decided to drive down to Charleston for his birthday. Neither one of us had ever been there before, and after a cold winter and rainy early spring in NYC, we were anxious to hit up a beach. But before we went to the water, we spent some time in historic downtown Charleston. After a big lunch where we ate loads of fresh seafood (raw oysters, shrimp and my new favorite, she-crab soup), we walked around the town for a bit and also took part in a horse-carriage ride.</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SgusJCDmN9I/AAAAAAAAAc8/lJAO9vVqX1I/s1600-h/IMG_1222.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SgusJCDmN9I/AAAAAAAAAc8/lJAO9vVqX1I/s320/IMG_1222.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335547454721243090" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SgusJDrtZmI/AAAAAAAAAc0/8lobziijnhE/s1600-h/IMG_1215.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SgusJDrtZmI/AAAAAAAAAc0/8lobziijnhE/s320/IMG_1215.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335547455157921378" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgut_wn4H2I/AAAAAAAAAdM/re_YEIANmI8/s1600-h/IMG_1224.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgut_wn4H2I/AAAAAAAAAdM/re_YEIANmI8/s320/IMG_1224.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335549494446006114" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguuAHs-oZI/AAAAAAAAAdU/LVFvY7vsQtE/s1600-h/IMG_1226.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguuAHs-oZI/AAAAAAAAAdU/LVFvY7vsQtE/s320/IMG_1226.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335549500641419666" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sguv34dw9WI/AAAAAAAAAdk/6MLrIw4J6BI/s1600-h/IMG_1241.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sguv34dw9WI/AAAAAAAAAdk/6MLrIw4J6BI/s320/IMG_1241.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335551558135379298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">I loved our tour guide. He was extremely knowledgeable about the history of the town + had a lot of interesting back stories that made each building we stopped at all the more interesting (Nick geeked out a bunch -- he loves history). The horse, Charlie, was even more amazing.</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguuASH5YgI/AAAAAAAAAdc/HKZ4CqUA4jg/s1600-h/IMG_1239.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguuASH5YgI/AAAAAAAAAdc/HKZ4CqUA4jg/s320/IMG_1239.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335549503438676482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">The horse was totally tough as nails. Every time a vehicle that was about his size or larger would come near him, he would pause, stare the vehicle down, crane his neck around to continue staring at the vehicle, and then would do a little skip step once the vehicle passed. This happened at least 5 different times on the trip. I kept watch on the guide and he didn't do anything -- he was apologetic about it, if anything! I immediately wanted to bring the horse with me back home. He'd do well in NYC.</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sguv4NWccuI/AAAAAAAAAd0/T9M4QlX6BFU/s1600-h/IMG_1249.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sguv4NWccuI/AAAAAAAAAd0/T9M4QlX6BFU/s320/IMG_1249.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335551563741819618" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sguv38gtG0I/AAAAAAAAAds/_8yoohA_T0M/s1600-h/IMG_1242.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sguv38gtG0I/AAAAAAAAAds/_8yoohA_T0M/s320/IMG_1242.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335551559221451586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">We made a quick stop at the waterfront area near the downtown area. There were a number of sailboats out, and they had more of those porch swing things set up on the boardwalk. Really lovely and relaxing.</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguxURYE2fI/AAAAAAAAAd8/x3jY-7fUO0Y/s1600-h/IMG_1255.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguxURYE2fI/AAAAAAAAAd8/x3jY-7fUO0Y/s320/IMG_1255.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335553145370368498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">We drove out to the beach at the Isle of Palms next. It was exactly what we were looking for --- a sunny day, largely unpopulated beach, warm water, and cooling breeze.</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguxVFuMmII/AAAAAAAAAeU/lpBPqP7BJDU/s1600-h/IMG_1283.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguxVFuMmII/AAAAAAAAAeU/lpBPqP7BJDU/s320/IMG_1283.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335553159421794434" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguxUg2Cr-I/AAAAAAAAAeE/nV1FSIyUJ5o/s1600-h/IMG_1259.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguxUg2Cr-I/AAAAAAAAAeE/nV1FSIyUJ5o/s320/IMG_1259.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335553149522587618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">Nick and I were clearly pumped to be at a beach. As born and raised Northwesterners, the whole "warm water at the beach" is a foreign concept. We openly embraced the change.</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguxVXIL-CI/AAAAAAAAAec/4bFH4FdiHbQ/s1600-h/IMG_1277.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguxVXIL-CI/AAAAAAAAAec/4bFH4FdiHbQ/s320/IMG_1277.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335553164094208034" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguymccgzWI/AAAAAAAAAek/n0e1VnjiKvo/s1600-h/IMG_1275.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguymccgzWI/AAAAAAAAAek/n0e1VnjiKvo/s320/IMG_1275.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335554557091040610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">We also spent some time observing these kiteboarders on the water. They were doing AMAZING tricks out there --- they could catch an unbelievably crazy amount of air! My new obsession is finding a place where I can learn how to kiteboard. I need to do this while my joints are still functioning!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">By the time we left the beach, the sun was starting to set. We decided to stop by a random restaurant near the beach to grab a quick bite to eat before hitting the road again. Luckily, we randomly stopped by </span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.huckslowcountrytable.com/Home_Page.html">Huck's Lowcountry Table</a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> for a few appetizers. The food was fantastic!</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sguzvgg24CI/AAAAAAAAAes/Q_54eIEapMA/s1600-h/IMG_1285.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sguzvgg24CI/AAAAAAAAAes/Q_54eIEapMA/s320/IMG_1285.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335555812313456674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">These shrimp hushpuppies were my favorite. Breaded perfectly, flavorful shrimp, slightly spicy corn aioli . . . . really lovely appetizer.</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguzwNzmxPI/AAAAAAAAAe8/MI1sq_MecO0/s1600-h/IMG_1287.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguzwNzmxPI/AAAAAAAAAe8/MI1sq_MecO0/s320/IMG_1287.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335555824471688434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">The crab cakes were almost equally as tasty. The crab flavor was spot-on, paired nicely with some kind of chipotle cream sauce and fried green tomatos.</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sguzv0nfNKI/AAAAAAAAAe0/rJOFdiKu3pU/s1600-h/IMG_1286.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sguzv0nfNKI/AAAAAAAAAe0/rJOFdiKu3pU/s320/IMG_1286.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335555817709974690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">I insisted on also trying the fish tacos, because I tend to love them. They were made with grilled mahi and also featured that yummy chipotle creme sauce. There must also be some kind of secret ingredient in them, because we inhaled this dish in just a few minutes!</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguzwVkLQGI/AAAAAAAAAfE/XG_vL4aErgU/s1600-h/IMG_1288.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SguzwVkLQGI/AAAAAAAAAfE/XG_vL4aErgU/s320/IMG_1288.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335555826554454114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">This was the only dish I felt pretty "meh" about. I don't even remember what is was now, and it's only been a couple of weeks since our visit! Overall though, Nick and I loved the restaurant and wished we would have had more room in our stomachs to try more dishes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">After a long drive back to Greenville, we collapsed in a heap for awhile before having to wake up early to join a tour group (and our two Greenville buddies) on a full-day white water rafting trip on the </span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.chattooga-river.net/">Chattooga River</a><span style="font-family:georgia;">. I would be amiss if I forgot to mention that at the very beginning of the rafting trip, once we'd split up into teams of 5 - 6 per boat, we slowly floated down the beginning the the course -- only to find a local, chewing on some kind of straw, strumming a banjo while perched on a rock in the middle of nowhere. Did I mention that the movie </span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deliverance_%281972_film%29">Deliverance</a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> was largely filmed on the Chattooga? I was ready to jump out of the boat if I heard another banjo playing with the first guy. Our guide pretended he never saw the local guy and never once made a reference to the movie . . . .</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgu4STH3ceI/AAAAAAAAAfU/dhS8833knOY/s1600-h/IMG_0775.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgu4STH3ceI/AAAAAAAAAfU/dhS8833knOY/s320/IMG_0775.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335560808060908002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">We didn't have much time to dwell upon our "welcome" to the river before we hit our first set of rapids. The course consisted mostly of </span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Scale_of_River_Difficulty">Class 4 rapids, along with some Class 3s</a><span style="font-family:georgia;">. It was very fast-paced and exciting. Our guide, Jeff, was great. He manuvered us through all kinds of stuff and fished us each out of the water when we got dumped in after hitting a rock at one point.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Below is a sequence of pictures illustrating our introduction to the "Chattooga River Swim Team." You'll note that I'm underwater in a chunk of the pictures! : )</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgu70d7PS2I/AAAAAAAAAfc/cnpGfnv1V3o/s1600-h/IMG_0698.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgu70d7PS2I/AAAAAAAAAfc/cnpGfnv1V3o/s320/IMG_0698.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335564693611170658" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgu70nNxjlI/AAAAAAAAAfk/QMIzviLQ77Q/s1600-h/IMG_0699.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgu70nNxjlI/AAAAAAAAAfk/QMIzviLQ77Q/s320/IMG_0699.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335564696104832594" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgu70t8XdEI/AAAAAAAAAfs/girclYj3pmg/s1600-h/IMG_0700.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgu70t8XdEI/AAAAAAAAAfs/girclYj3pmg/s320/IMG_0700.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335564697910867010" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgu70zDOL7I/AAAAAAAAAf0/3pq68NHHLlQ/s1600-h/IMG_0701.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgu70zDOL7I/AAAAAAAAAf0/3pq68NHHLlQ/s320/IMG_0701.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335564699281797042" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgu71B86HJI/AAAAAAAAAf8/whtK5qZdvOM/s1600-h/IMG_0701.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgu71B86HJI/AAAAAAAAAf8/whtK5qZdvOM/s320/IMG_0701.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335564703281847442" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgu87m0G2pI/AAAAAAAAAgE/QCX0uWP-EoE/s1600-h/IMG_0702.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgu87m0G2pI/AAAAAAAAAgE/QCX0uWP-EoE/s320/IMG_0702.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335565915767888530" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgu87wgiYXI/AAAAAAAAAgM/1Uk89mCxyg0/s1600-h/IMG_0703.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgu87wgiYXI/AAAAAAAAAgM/1Uk89mCxyg0/s320/IMG_0703.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335565918370161010" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgu88FxqgoI/AAAAAAAAAgU/tKbrrrQTnbc/s1600-h/IMG_0704.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgu88FxqgoI/AAAAAAAAAgU/tKbrrrQTnbc/s320/IMG_0704.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335565924079141506" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgu88J55_BI/AAAAAAAAAgc/HZsOwVKk6M0/s1600-h/IMG_0705.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgu88J55_BI/AAAAAAAAAgc/HZsOwVKk6M0/s320/IMG_0705.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335565925187451922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">Our guide was a rock star and ended up jumping into the water and literally throwing most of us back into the boat. It pays to have a guy who physically resembles a tough Viking as a river guide --- he was huge and getting us out of the water took just a couple of minutes!</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgu-C30NmtI/AAAAAAAAAgk/Pqv8iPIpt18/s1600-h/IMG_0735.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgu-C30NmtI/AAAAAAAAAgk/Pqv8iPIpt18/s320/IMG_0735.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335567140102445778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">We ended the day wet, exhausted and hungry --- but also extremely happy! The whitewater rafting was the highlight of our weekend. I'm already hoping to plan another trip down there to do it again. For our last night in SC, we took it easy after the rafting and had a nice evening of eating tacos, candy and ice cream + watching Deliverance. It made us feel extra-tough after the adventures of the day.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">This turned out to be a really long post! But I must include one last picture. My friend's dog was another big highlight of the trip. He could be the world's friendliest and loving dog. I wish I could clone him and have one with me in NY!</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgu-DHxlfgI/AAAAAAAAAg0/9NNcuFSJd0w/s1600-h/IMG_1200.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgu-DHxlfgI/AAAAAAAAAg0/9NNcuFSJd0w/s320/IMG_1200.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335567144386395650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">For anyone looking to take a trip a bit off the beaten path, I highly recommend South Carolina! It's a beautiful state with lots of friendly people and plenty to do.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SgvGOp56asI/AAAAAAAAAg8/1-3qS1XSgdU/s1600-h/clearwaterconcert.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 148px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SgvGOp56asI/AAAAAAAAAg8/1-3qS1XSgdU/s320/clearwaterconcert.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335576138619710146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">One last thing: After our flight back home on Sunday, we hightailed it over to Madison Square Garden for Pete Seeger's 90th Birthday party. The line-up was ridiculous -- Bruce Springsteen, Richie Havens, a couple of guys from Band of Horses, Dave Matthews, Joan Baez, John Mellencamp, Ani DiFranco, Taj Mahal . . . . A once-in-a-lifetime time show to cap off one of the best weekends we've had in a long time!<br /></span>danica and nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10560140704554627862noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575570120570826823.post-45989642844980915632009-05-11T01:22:00.013-04:002009-05-13T00:29:43.951-04:00tribeca film festival 2009<span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >Next update!<br /><br />One of my favorite things to do in NYC is attend the <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.tribecafilm.com/festival/">Tribeca Film Festival</a>. Founded in 2002 by Robert DiNiro and Jane Rosenthal in an attempt to revive the Tribeca economy after 9/11, the film festival showcases a wide variety of films from throughout the world. I usually end up catching at least 2 or 3 movies each year, and this year I was lucky enough to attend 5 great shows in late April.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sge3SJjdbVI/AAAAAAAAAas/luWnRV_olnU/s1600-h/IMG_1173.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sge3SJjdbVI/AAAAAAAAAas/luWnRV_olnU/s320/IMG_1173.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334433806073818450" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The red carpet at the BMCC Performing Arts Center.</span><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The first movie that Nick and I caught was <span style="font-style: italic;">Outrage</span>, which was directed by Kirby Dick (best known for <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0493459/">This Film is Not Yet Rated</a>).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgj7wpRvphI/AAAAAAAAAbE/Km9ldjdIYMM/s1600-h/outrage+poster.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgj7wpRvphI/AAAAAAAAAbE/Km9ldjdIYMM/s320/outrage+poster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334790571752924690" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;">The basic purpose of the documentary is to out a number of U.S. politicians who actively work against the LGBT community that they secretly belong to. The film mostly consists of interviews with people who either provide information regarding the secret lives of the targeted politicians or else document how the politicians have worked to harm the LGBT community. Featured interviewees include Barney Frank, Jim McGreevey and Tammy Baldwin. I attended the premiere, so many of the people featured in the film were present, including McGreevey. Made for an interesting Q&A.<br /><br />Later that week, Nick and I had the pleasure of attending the world premiere of </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >Wonderful World</span><span style="font-size:100%;">, starring Matthew Broderick, Sanaa Lathan, Michael K. Williams (Omar from </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >The Wire</span><span style="font-size:100%;">!) and Philip Baker Hall.<br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sge3SPoKIPI/AAAAAAAAAa0/pf93OKwnTjs/s1600-h/matthew+and+sjp.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sge3SPoKIPI/AAAAAAAAAa0/pf93OKwnTjs/s320/matthew+and+sjp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334433807704137970" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker on the red carpet before the movie premiere.</span> </span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" class="desclong" >The film festival's official synopsis of the movie states: Matthew Broderick is Ben Singer, the world's most negative man. When his roommate, Ibou (Michael K. Williams), falls ill, Ben is forced to host his Senegalese sister, Khadi (Sanaa Lathan). What starts as an awkward living arrangement soon turns into something more, and Ben's usual self-destructive nature gives way as he begins to find inspiration in the most unlikely of places.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sge4XOFjoFI/AAAAAAAAAa8/Vfb6-Nsqz3c/s1600-h/sanaa+lathan+ww+premiere.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sge4XOFjoFI/AAAAAAAAAa8/Vfb6-Nsqz3c/s320/sanaa+lathan+ww+premiere.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334434992701546578" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >My girl Sanaa on the red carpet before the show.</span><br /><br /></span></div><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >The bottom line for me? I'll see </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >anything</span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" > that stars Sanaa Lathan. I've loved her from late high school until now (hello, Blade, Love and Basketball, Brown Sugar, Something New?! -- AKA the only rom-coms I actually enjoy!), and it was a delight to catch her in another film. Overall, the film was a decent indie movie. I wouldn't necessarily shell out the money to see it in a theater, but would definitely add it to your Netflix list.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sge3RU7EWnI/AAAAAAAAAaU/3z8l1b-X09w/s1600-h/IMG_1165.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sge3RU7EWnI/AAAAAAAAAaU/3z8l1b-X09w/s320/IMG_1165.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334433791945759346" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >There was a Q&A with Matthew Broderick and the movie's director (Joshua Goldin) after the screening, which was entertaining (Matthew Broderick is pretty dang hilarious!). We were also sitting in the fourth row, so we got extra up-close and personal.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SgpBjSKeinI/AAAAAAAAAbk/XYOCKOQn7sI/s1600-h/departures+movie+poster.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SgpBjSKeinI/AAAAAAAAAbk/XYOCKOQn7sI/s320/departures+movie+poster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335148783000783474" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >We also saw </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >Departures</span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >, which was my favorite movie out of all of the TFF movies I saw this year. The screening we caught was the U.S. premiere for the film. You may have heard of this movie out of Japan -- it won the Oscar this year for Best Foreign Language Film. </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >Departures </span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >is about a cellist who goes back to his rural hometown with his wife after his Tokyo orchestra dissolves. He ends up answering a cryptic ad in a newspaper seeking an assistant in the field of "departures," which he soon finds out involves him becoming an undertaker.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SgpBjGnDnzI/AAAAAAAAAbM/M5Hi5cTWuj8/s1600-h/IMG_1176_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SgpBjGnDnzI/AAAAAAAAAbM/M5Hi5cTWuj8/s320/IMG_1176_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335148779899428658" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >Extremely talented director Yojiro Takida and lead actor Masahira Motoki were present at the screening we attended. I loved Mr. Motoki's performace so much, I even broke my "don't bother the actors" rule and spoke to him after the show to tell him how great he was. Sorry for the poor quality of the picture -- I cannot figure how to take pics in a dark room with my digital camera for the life of me!</span><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >The premise of the film sounds a bit strange, but trust me: It is most definitely worth your time and money. I thought the movie was beautifully done -- funny and charming at times, but equally moving and tearjerking. Loved it. Please see this movie as soon as you can!</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >Nick and I also caught the world premiere of </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >Soundtrack for a Revolution</span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >. The movie was a documentary about the American civil rights movement, but was done in a unique way. The movie centered on the freedom songs of the movement, as performed by numerous current artists (The Roots, Anthony Hamilton, John Legend, Richie Havens and The Blind Boys of Alabama were among my favorites), and also intersperced archival footage and interviews with leaders and participants in the civil rights movement. I didn't learn a ton of new stuff about the civil rights movement (thank you, college education), but I really enjoyed the new approach taken by the filmmakers.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SgpBjccexII/AAAAAAAAAbU/9urrpPEUl2o/s1600-h/soundtrackforarevolution+poster.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 252px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SgpBjccexII/AAAAAAAAAbU/9urrpPEUl2o/s320/soundtrackforarevolution+poster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335148785760650370" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >At the screening, I had my favorite celebrity spotting of the festival: </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Belafonte">Harry Belafonte</a></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >! Yes, he's not a "celeb" in the traditional sense, but I have admired this man since learning about his work in the civil rights movement while I was in college. I didn't want to bother him at the screening, but will confess to sneaking lots of looks at him since he was sitting just one row away from me! </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >The last TFF movie I saw was </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >Rudo y Cursi</span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >, which I saw with my buddy Kevin. The movie reunited the stars of </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >Y Tu Mama Tambien</span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >, Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna. I admittedly have a bit of a crush on these two guys! : )</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SgpBjUu0rYI/AAAAAAAAAbc/X18jG163wRo/s1600-h/rudo+y+cursi+movie+poster.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 217px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SgpBjUu0rYI/AAAAAAAAAbc/X18jG163wRo/s320/rudo+y+cursi+movie+poster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335148783690100098" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >In this movie, Gael GarcÃa Bernal (Tato, aka Cursi) and Diego Luna (Beto, aka Rudo) are stepbrothers who work on their family's banana ranch and play on a local soccer team on the side. They eventually get recruited by a big city soccer recruiter, and their on-going rivalry becomes explosive from that moment forward. </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >If you're a fan of the lead actors, I definitely recommend catching this movie. It should be playing nationwide pretty soon, I believe. The movie was an entertaining, fun popcorn flick.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sge3Rzm6ZlI/AAAAAAAAAak/35e2PnPC8iU/s1600-h/IMG_1171.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sge3Rzm6ZlI/AAAAAAAAAak/35e2PnPC8iU/s320/IMG_1171.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334433800182720082" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >Nick and I in the red carpet staging area at the Wonderful World premiere. Another bonus of the festival: the weather was great on most of the days, which gave me an excuse to get gussied up with my new purchases from the Mayle sample sale + pull out my favorite MJ Dash bag! : )</span><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >At the end of the week, I was exhausted from all of the films (plus I also caught two non-TFF films, </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >Goodbye Solo</span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" > and </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >Treeless Mountain</span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" > -- another two great movies!). All of the time was worth it though. This year's festival was the best experience I've had with TFF so far. I'm already looking forward to next year . . . .</span>danica and nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10560140704554627862noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575570120570826823.post-17092053859929971742009-05-11T00:48:00.006-04:002009-05-11T01:22:02.843-04:00MORE half-marathon weekend.<span style="font-family:georgia;">Long time, no blog! I'm going to skip over lots of what's been going on in the past couple of months, and will just post a few of the more recent highlights.<br /><br />Starting with that fact that I finally ran the <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.more.com/more-women/marathon/2009/2009-more-fitness-marathon-half-marathon-highlights/">MORE Half-Marathon</a> in Central Park on April 26th.<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SgexF7ISsOI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/gxbWAZDRxNI/s1600-h/IMG_1152.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SgexF7ISsOI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/gxbWAZDRxNI/s320/IMG_1152.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334426998973575394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >Tons and tons of ladies milling about in the post-race waiting area.</span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-family:georgia;">I was really excited for the race --- I'd trained pretty hard and completed my last long run at my goal pace. So you can imagine my disappointment when, on the morning of the race, I found out that the race wouldn't be scored and that it was downgraded to a "fun run." I was really bummed. The change meant that the scoring chips (which monitor the amount of time you spend running a course) wouldn't work and that the race wouldn't be listed on <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://web5.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/htmlos.cgi/45341.1.2373502680231044316">my New York Road Runners record</a>. Not a big deal in the long run, but the competitor in me was sad. I've been working to improve my speed in a long-distance race (which isn't saying much in terms of all runners, but good in terms of my personal goals).<br /><br />But it made good sense why the race got downgraded. When we started the race, it was 70 degrees. By the time I crossed the finish line, it was just about 80 degrees! Way too hot for a 13.1 mile race, even with lots of hydration. Especially considering that 7,700 women ran or walked the race, many of whom had not completed a long-distance race before. The ambulances kept very busy throughout the course. Luckily, no one was seriously hurt. And I was happy because (although I had to time myself) I beat my personal goal in terms of race time!<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SgexFhJ2PUI/AAAAAAAAAZs/WrYjCUuTNRg/s1600-h/IMG_1153_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SgexFhJ2PUI/AAAAAAAAAZs/WrYjCUuTNRg/s320/IMG_1153_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334426992000777538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >With Nick near the finish line -- a sweaty mess, but happy to be finished!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After the race, Nick and I grabbed brunch at one of my favorite Soho restaurants, <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.lurefishbar.com/">Lure</a>. They have a great weekend brunch menu -- $24.95 for a prix fixe meal that includes a drink (including my fav, the bloody mary), appetizer (which includes 1/2 a dozen oysters as an option) and entree. Perfect post-race fuel. Plus, the restaurant is under the Prada store. Who could resist?<br /><br />Later that evening, Nick and I met up with some friends for a low-key early birthday dinner at Mary Ann's, a Mexican restaurant in my neighborhood.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgey6YldiVI/AAAAAAAAAaE/hL7N7r_5tZ8/s1600-h/IMG_0976.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/Sgey6YldiVI/AAAAAAAAAaE/hL7N7r_5tZ8/s320/IMG_0976.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334428999745374546" border="0" /></a>It was nice to get together with some of my NYC favorites, especially given how busy everyone has been lately!<br /></div></div>danica and nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10560140704554627862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575570120570826823.post-63280595196210366492009-03-14T03:08:00.001-04:002009-03-18T10:55:38.332-04:002009 new york marathon, here i come!<span style="font-family:georgia;">It's official! My entry to the 2009 New York Marathon was accepted today. As most of you know, one of my big goals is to run a marathon before I turn 30. Since this year marks my last opportunity before turning 30 in 2010, I figured it was finally time to commit to the big race. : )<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SbpbO6oAMaI/AAAAAAAAAXE/iuJ1xoiqMOs/s1600-h/sc00949fb4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 183px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SbpbO6oAMaI/AAAAAAAAAXE/iuJ1xoiqMOs/s400/sc00949fb4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312659022250258850" border="0" /></a><br />The race isn't until November 1, 2009, but I'm already feeling a bit anxious and excited. The longest race I've done is the <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://disneyworldsports.disney.go.com/dwws/en_US/events/eventDetail/detail?name=WdwMarathonDetailPage&bhcp=1">Disneyworld Half-Marathon</a> last January with Nick. I won't start my official training until 18 weeks prior to the race, but already know that I'm in for a <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.nycmarathon.org/training/training_schedule.htm">load of hard work</a>. In the meantime, Nick and I are committed to running 3 - 4 NY Road Runner races per month from now until the big race (ranging from 5Ks to 10Ks+). I also will run the <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.more.com/more-women/marathon/">More Half-Marathon</a> (13.1 miles) on April 26, and I'm pretty deep in that training schedule right now (8 mile long runs right now).<br /><br />I may post blog entries here and there to update you on my training progress --- although the main purpose would be to keep myself accountable for sticking to a strict training schedule. Although I've really grown to enjoy running, it can be a battle to stick to a regimented schedule sometimes!<br /><br />By the way, for my friends who are considering a visit to NYC in the fall . . . might I suggest the beginning of November? I'd love to have some fans cheering me on! : )<br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span>danica and nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10560140704554627862noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575570120570826823.post-49465005930111998412009-02-17T01:30:00.003-05:002009-02-17T01:45:36.195-05:00khmer rouge tribunal: finally started.<a href="http://thiskhmericanlife.blogspot.com/2008/09/too-little-too-late.html">I've posted about the Khmer Rouge Tribunal before</a>. The first trial just started. It seems like they're only dealing with procedural issues now, with the substantive legal issues to follow next month. Here are a couple of articles to check out + where to find the official site:<br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/reutersEdge/idUKLNE51F03H20090216">Reuters UK</a> -- http://uk.reuters.com/article/reutersEdge/idUKLNE51F03H20090216<br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/17/world/asia/17cambodia.html?ref=world">New York Times</a> -- http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/17/world/asia/17cambodia.html?ref=world<br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.eccc.gov.kh/english/default.aspx">Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia</a> -- http://www.eccc.gov.kh/english/default.aspx<br /><br />Needless to say, I'll be keeping a close watch on this one.danica and nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10560140704554627862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575570120570826823.post-53213857308850142132009-02-11T01:04:00.004-05:002009-02-11T10:58:16.626-05:00my first movie premiere: the internationalNick and I were lucky to be invited to Monday's U.S. premiere (and after-party) for <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvqwgcFOrkU">The International</a>, a thriller-action movie starring <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0654110/">Clive Owen</a> and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0915208/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Naomi Watts</span></a>. We are huge movie junkies, and although we've had the opportunity to attend a number of fun events, this marked our first movie premiere!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SZHS1OWUIgI/AAAAAAAAAU0/utuByCKFBXw/s1600-h/IMG_0897.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 275px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SZHS1OWUIgI/AAAAAAAAAU0/utuByCKFBXw/s320/IMG_0897.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301250048218374658" border="0" /></a>After our civilian arrival at the Lincoln Square AMC via the 2 train, we arrived to pandemonium outside. Clive Owen had just walked on to the first (of three) red carpets. There were piles of camera folks + regular folks huddled around the red carpet to catch a glimpse of the celebrities.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SZHPC3nSv9I/AAAAAAAAAUs/FJHZbjHfwfY/s1600-h/clive.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SZHPC3nSv9I/AAAAAAAAAUs/FJHZbjHfwfY/s320/clive.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301245884587229138" border="0" /></a>Yes, friends and family, Clive Owen is even better looking in person. It is actually possible. Even while we observed him munching on popcorn while waiting for his own movie to start.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SZHW8CuVr2I/AAAAAAAAAVE/nQhfm9tuL2E/s1600-h/naomi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SZHW8CuVr2I/AAAAAAAAAVE/nQhfm9tuL2E/s320/naomi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301254563403509602" border="0" /></a>Naomi Watts also looked lovely last night. Seeing her reminded me that I'm dying to get a form-fitting menswear inspired suit to wear to nice evening events. If only some vintage YSL could find its way to my closet! Also -- I had a funny run-in with one of her bodyguards inside the theater -- but that's a story for another day.<br /><br />Other notables on the red carpet include <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000490/">Spike Lee</a>, <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rushdie">Salman Rushdie</a> (for you Top Chef fans, he's the ex-Mr. <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.padmalakshmi.com/">Padma Lakshmi</a>), <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Stipe">Michael Stipe</a>, a couple of folks from Law & Order, <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://gawker.com/tag/who-are-you/?i=395289&t=just-who-the-hell-is-olivia-palermo">Olivia Palermo</a> (of <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/the-city/series.jhtml">The City</a>) and <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.nicolemiller.com/">Nicole Miller</a>. There were many models there + other actors too. Quite a crowd! Also, <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katrina_Bowden">Katrina Bowden</a> (of 30 Rock --- btw, <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.hulu.com/watch/56370/30-rock-generalissimo">last week's episode</a> was hilarious!) was there -- we had a short conversation that night. I think Nick was most excited about seeing some ESPN anchorperson. I was really pumped about seeing Mr. Rushdie in person (although I still don't think I'll ever fully comprehend <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.amazon.com/Satanic-Verses-Novel-Bestselling-Backlist/dp/0312270828">The Satanic Verses</a>).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SZHTSdju7ZI/AAAAAAAAAU8/w1ju1AXu6v0/s1600-h/IMG_0876_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SZHTSdju7ZI/AAAAAAAAAU8/w1ju1AXu6v0/s320/IMG_0876_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301250550517394834" border="0" /></a>Nick and I couldn't resist and also got our pictures taken. We are clearly amateurs because we didn't bother to take off our heavy winter coats (it was super cold outside!). Yes, Mr. Owen and Ms. Watts are admittedly better at working the carpet than we are. But it's because they have lots of extra practice! : )<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SZL03eRrzxI/AAAAAAAAAV0/Ye-HAC5ZgcM/s1600-h/spiketonyalewislee.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SZL03eRrzxI/AAAAAAAAAV0/Ye-HAC5ZgcM/s320/spiketonyalewislee.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301568945225715474" border="0" /></a>At least Spike Lee and <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.tonyalewislee.com/tll.html">Tanya Lewis Lee</a> also wore their coats. Makes me feel less like an amateur. : )<br /><br />My favorite part was the after-party at the Guggenheim. <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezt7813dVfk">The best scene of the movie takes place in the museum</a> (albeit a <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://gothamist.com/2009/02/10/if_youve_seen_any_of.php">re-created one</a>), and it was fitting to open the place to a private party afterward. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SZHPCZvRDZI/AAAAAAAAAUU/d1_jiRRXO4A/s1600-h/IMG_0888.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SZHPCZvRDZI/AAAAAAAAAUU/d1_jiRRXO4A/s320/IMG_0888.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301245876567608722" border="0" /></a>There was another red carpet set-up outside of the event, where there were lots of photographers and other folks again. Once we walked inside, we saw piles of goody bags from <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.thierrymugler.com/">Thierry Mugler</a> (Naomi Watts is the spokesmodel for one of the house's fragrances), previews of the movie and commercials for the perfume projected on the walls, a great open bar, and many servers with the *best* hors d'oeuvres ever.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SZHPCueuPnI/AAAAAAAAAUc/DS8siS6KOQY/s1600-h/IMG_0886.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SZHPCueuPnI/AAAAAAAAAUc/DS8siS6KOQY/s320/IMG_0886.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301245882135363186" border="0" /></a>The coolest part was the museum itself. The only people in the entire facility were there for the after-party, and they let us all wander freely around the museum.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SZHPC-45dUI/AAAAAAAAAUk/ZZxnh3eZViQ/s1600-h/IMG_0890.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SZHPC-45dUI/AAAAAAAAAUk/ZZxnh3eZViQ/s320/IMG_0890.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301245886540117314" border="0" /></a>Nick and I wandered all the way to the top and walked our way down, checking out the art on display. To be honest, I usually don't like much of what I see at the Guggenheim (I'm not much of a modern art gal), but the facility itself is worth the trip.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SZHb2ecG37I/AAAAAAAAAVM/p-txiQYmPB4/s1600-h/IMG_0891.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SZHb2ecG37I/AAAAAAAAAVM/p-txiQYmPB4/s320/IMG_0891.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301259965322158002" border="0" /></a>I did sneak in one picture of a piece (sans flash, of course), largely for Stacey, since she's such a tree-lover! : ) The piece was actually pretty neat. In addition to the pictures above, there was a display of samples taken from the forest in rows of small glass bottles.<br /><br />Nick and I unintentionally placed ourselves in the area where the director of the movie (<a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0878756/">Tom Tykwer</a> of <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta1Sn6MtC9w">Run Lola Run</a> acclaim), as well as the movie's stars were hanging out (honestly, it was only because we had no pretenses of being half as fabulous as others there, so we parked it near where all of the food was exiting the kitchen!). Even though we were close enough that we could hear bits and pieces of their conversations, I wasn't comfortable with approaching them or taking their picture. There were people falling all over themselves to get a picture or somehow catch their attention, and I found all of their efforts really aggressive and annoying. It's one thing to take a picture where folks are on a red carpet, or to do so without getting in someone's face --- it's another thing to push people around and invade someone else's personal space. Made me really think about what famous folks have to deal with 24/7. I know it comes with their territory, but it still makes me feel for them.<br /><br />We had such a wonderful time. I hope we're invited to attend another one of these things again.<br /><br />The International opens nationwide this Friday, February 13. It's worth <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.movies.com/theinternational/movietimes/110549/">checking out</a> if you like action/thriller type movies. Just spend your money on anything other than that "He's Just Not That Into You" crap!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Update</span>: A friend just called me to tell me to check out these cute interviews that <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://jezebel.com/5150584/clive-owen-at-home-im-pathetic">Clive Owen</a> and <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmXTBv3pj50">Naomi Watts</a> did yesterday prior to the premiere. They both focus on family and parenting and are pretty charming! Click on their names to see.danica and nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10560140704554627862noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575570120570826823.post-88239469575748524032009-02-11T00:25:00.001-05:002009-02-11T00:25:00.604-05:00more music: kings of leon, kasey anderson.<span style="font-family:georgia;">Just a quick post I meant to do awhile ago, but never had enough time. I saw a FANTASTIC concert in late January at Madison Square Garden: <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.blogger.com/www.kingsofleon.com">Kings of Leon</a>. I was apprehensive about seeing them at MSG, since they've never performed at such a large venue in NYC --- they defied my doubts and simply rocked the sold-out venue.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SZHHR67gYiI/AAAAAAAAAT0/6hk11-ovz14/s1600-h/kingscrowdshot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SZHHR67gYiI/AAAAAAAAAT0/6hk11-ovz14/s320/kingscrowdshot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301237347082330658" border="0" /></a>Here's the set-list. A good mix of their older and new stuff:<br />Crawl<br />My Party<br />Molly's Chambers<br />Closer<br />Revelry<br />Fans<br />Milk<br />Four Kicks<br />Wasted Time<br />Sex on Fire<br />Slow Light So Long<br />The Bucket<br />Notion<br />Black Thumbnail<br />On Call<br />Use Somebody<br />Cold Desert<br />Trani<i><br />encore:</i><br />Knocked Up<br />Manhattan<br />Charmer <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SZHHR65muOI/AAAAAAAAAT8/dbX8uRlxcY4/s1600-h/calebandmatthewfollowill.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SZHHR65muOI/AAAAAAAAAT8/dbX8uRlxcY4/s320/calebandmatthewfollowill.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301237347074357474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">I've been an off-and-on listener of KoL for the past few years and really liked only a handful of their songs, but their most recent album ("<a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.amazon.com/Only-Night-Kings-Leon/dp/B001C3KCSY">Only by the Night</a>") is nothing short of amazing. They just pulled together such a sharp, classic rock album. I love it from start to finish. This album, unlike earlier ones, is just much more pulled-together with great hooks. I can't help it: I like a good melody and the latest KoL album is full of 'em.<br /><br />While I'm on the music front, I'd be amiss to fail to mention <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.kaseyanderson.com/">Kasey Anderson</a>. He's a friend of mine, and also a very talented musician. He was in town last week to finish up his latest album, "Nowhere Nights" (to be released in the Spring -- don't worry, I'll remind you to buy it when spring rolls around!). Nick and I had the pleasure of meeting up with Kasey and his dad at the ever-so-delicious <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://nymag.com/listings/bar/corner_bistro/">Corner Bistro</a> (the Bistro Burger is supposed to be great, and I love the <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.mcsorleysnewyork.com/">McSorley's</a> ale), and also caught Kasey performing at <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.livingroomny.com/googies.html">Googie's Lounge</a> (above the Living Room, in the LES).<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SZHKcZDoNdI/AAAAAAAAAUE/U-feroFbol0/s1600-h/IMG_0867.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SZHKcZDoNdI/AAAAAAAAAUE/U-feroFbol0/s320/IMG_0867.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301240825503036882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">Unfortunately, my camera doesn't do so well with super-dark rooms! : )<br /><br />For those of you haven't checked out Kasey's music yet, please do. When you visit his website, <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.kaseyanderson.com/index.php?navarea=music">you can sample some of his stuff for free</a>. You can also purchase his albums through his website, iTunes, etc., etc. I recommend 'em all, but if you're gonna start with just one, I'd go with "Dead Roses." It's my favorite.<br /></span>danica and nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10560140704554627862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575570120570826823.post-80092963780326241122009-01-22T00:24:00.021-05:002009-01-23T01:03:59.017-05:00a change is gonna come (at last!)<span style="font-family:georgia;">It's official, friends and family. <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/president_obama/">Barack Hussein Obama</a> is the 44th President of the United States of America:<br /></span><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgE-3dyMVI/AAAAAAAAASg/WOnvKDvuxmA/s1600-h/obamaofficialportrait.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgE-3dyMVI/AAAAAAAAASg/WOnvKDvuxmA/s320/obamaofficialportrait.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293986840061292882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">January 20, 2008 marks an instrumental day in our nation's history. I, for one, will always treasure and remember this day. Definitely in my heart and mind, but also in poster and t-shirt form. : ) I couldn't help but purchase the newest </span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;" href="http://obeygiant.com/">Shepard Fairey</a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> poster and </span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.zacposen.com/">Zac Posen</a> t-shirt design a couple of weeks ago:<br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgE_LMgM4I/AAAAAAAAASo/TxjS-iCZxZQ/s1600-h/ShepPosterinauguration.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgE_LMgM4I/AAAAAAAAASo/TxjS-iCZxZQ/s320/ShepPosterinauguration.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293986845357519746" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgLjzf8EDI/AAAAAAAAAS4/f5CCyjnZ5g0/s1600-h/ZacPosenT.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgLjzf8EDI/AAAAAAAAAS4/f5CCyjnZ5g0/s320/ZacPosenT.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293994071721513010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">I'm sure you've all feeling saturated with images from Inauguration Day, but I wanted to share a collection of pictures I came across while perusing various newspaper websites.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">The Capitol steps, all decked out for the big day, was quite a sight to behold:</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgDeo_L2BI/AAAAAAAAARY/6jx3Tm6wb_A/s1600-h/capitolshot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgDeo_L2BI/AAAAAAAAARY/6jx3Tm6wb_A/s320/capitolshot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293985186907412498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">Even more amazing was the enormous crowd that filled the Mall (</span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/21/AR2009012103884.html?hpid=topnews">approximately 1.8 million!</a><span style="font-family:georgia;">) that showed up for the swearing-in ceremony, even with the frigid weather:</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgD9EgpHaI/AAAAAAAAARg/LxI1VMHQxfQ/s1600-h/crowdshot1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgD9EgpHaI/AAAAAAAAARg/LxI1VMHQxfQ/s320/crowdshot1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293985709691575714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">As cold as it was, I only wish I could have made the time to trek down to D.C. to just be in the thick of things! The mass of people looks amazing:</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgD9chdzcI/AAAAAAAAARo/myO_C0bIPlU/s1600-h/crowdshot2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 249px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgD9chdzcI/AAAAAAAAARo/myO_C0bIPlU/s320/crowdshot2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293985716137479618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">This is actually one of my favorite pictures from the day. I found President Obama's short moment of solitude before stepping out for his swearing-in extremely touching. Even he needed a moment to compose himself before it all started:</span><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgDeDlbfQI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/N8B6ZPZQAnk/s1600-h/soloobama.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgDeDlbfQI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/N8B6ZPZQAnk/s320/soloobama.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293985176867273986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">I love Sasha and Malia. They seem like such precious little girls. Now that the inauguration is over, I'm going to try to stay away from media coverage of them. I hope they are able to hang on to some semblance of a normal childhood, even under such intense scrutiny:</span><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgDeVMZOtI/AAAAAAAAARI/4E-tC6bSB4I/s1600-h/cutemaliasasha.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgDeVMZOtI/AAAAAAAAARI/4E-tC6bSB4I/s320/cutemaliasasha.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293985181594106578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">The big swearing-in moment (although a bit marred by Chief Justice Roberts' line-feeding snafu, </span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/21/obama.oath/index.html">later given a do-over opportunity</a><span style="font-family:georgia;">):</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgD9jatEXI/AAAAAAAAASA/_yC0yBBI2sg/s1600-h/obamasswearinginfam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 271px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgD9jatEXI/AAAAAAAAASA/_yC0yBBI2sg/s320/obamasswearinginfam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293985717988168050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">President Obama then gave his </span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/20/us/politics/20text-obama.html?scp=1&sq=text%20of%20inauguration%20day%20speech&st=cse">much-anticipated inauguration day speech</a><span style="font-family:georgia;">. Although there are many critics of his speech (expecting something bigger, more epic, I suppose), I was moved and inspired by his speech --- even with his bleak description of the current state of the union and how far we have to go. Some of my favorite parts were (a) the rejection of feeling forced to choose protecting our country's safety at the expense of holding true to our country's ideals; (b) our need to lead once again by also remembering the importance of injecting humility and restraint into our actions; (c) descriptions of our nation's "patchwork heritage" and the importance of every piece; (d) the line " . . . we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist"; (e) historical references . . . . okay I'll stop there. You've all seen the speech, I'm sure. Yeah, I cried at parts.</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgM001Cx_I/AAAAAAAAATA/QKufMGcxl1g/s1600-h/obamaspeaking.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgM001Cx_I/AAAAAAAAATA/QKufMGcxl1g/s320/obamaspeaking.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293995463647873010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">And one of the President's most important critics, Sasha Obama, apparently loved the speech too:</span><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgDeiR0VYI/AAAAAAAAARQ/q9BWzA4Ll14/s1600-h/adorablesashathumbsup.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgDeiR0VYI/AAAAAAAAARQ/q9BWzA4Ll14/s320/adorablesashathumbsup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293985185106515330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">Soon after the swearing-in ceremony, the Obamas and Bidens escorted the Bushes to a helicopter that would take them to the plane that would ultimately bring them back to Crawford, Texas.</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgD9nTDLjI/AAAAAAAAARw/8NRpjn5cEAw/s1600-h/byebyebush.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgD9nTDLjI/AAAAAAAAARw/8NRpjn5cEAw/s320/byebyebush.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293985719029804594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">Keeping in mind the celebratory mood of the day, I will respectfully decline to provide any other commentary on the Bushes' departure. Except to say that the above picture is awesome. : )</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Parade time! I didn't see this, since I actually had to get some work done --- but I'm impressed by Michelle Obama's ability to rock </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabel_Toledo"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Isabel Toledo</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> without an overcoat. The woman really is </span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.choosechicago.com/Pages/default.aspx">Chi-town</a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> through and through! (By the way, Barney's </span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;" href="http://racked.com/archives/2009/01/21/in_the_window_barneys_celebrates_isabel_toledo_and_michelle_obama.php">re-did their windows</a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> as soon as they saw that Toledo did Obama's day look --- pretty cute!)</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgD9njsCMI/AAAAAAAAAR4/47SUa_a5z48/s1600-h/obamasparade.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 217px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgD9njsCMI/AAAAAAAAAR4/47SUa_a5z48/s320/obamasparade.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293985719099590850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span>I caught the highlights of the many inaugural balls the morning after the inauguration. Wow, did the President and First Lady look gorgeous, or what?<br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgEaZ8rShI/AAAAAAAAASI/QYagJaPr5xE/s1600-h/obamasdance.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgEaZ8rShI/AAAAAAAAASI/QYagJaPr5xE/s320/obamasdance.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293986213662509586" border="0" /></a>I thought Michelle Obama's choice of this decadent, fairy-tale <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.jasonwustudio.com/">Jason Wu</a> number was exquisite. I'm sad to see how many people are so mean about some of her fashion choices (ahem, NY Post). Although I am *crazy* about fashion, one thing I've vowed to do now that the the big to-do is over and the Obamas are officially in the White House ---- no more commentary on Michelle Obama's clothes. I think she dresses in such a fashion-forward way and with such a great sense of what works with her proportions. But: The woman is a Princeton University and Harvard Law School educated woman who has juggled an extremely successful career and her family. No more commentary and judgment on her sartorial choices (for good or for bad!) from now on. Only commentary on her policies, ideas and service to our country. The substantive stuff.<br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgEaqftVWI/AAAAAAAAASY/atpz8RwSifI/s1600-h/backofdress.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgEaqftVWI/AAAAAAAAASY/atpz8RwSifI/s320/backofdress.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293986218104411490" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgEaXO8buI/AAAAAAAAASQ/JUN2_NNQAt0/s1600-h/obamasdancecloseup.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 147px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgEaXO8buI/AAAAAAAAASQ/JUN2_NNQAt0/s320/obamasdancecloseup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293986212933824226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">My second favorite moment of the day was the First Couple's first dance of the evening at the </span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;" href="http://fep.abc.go.com/fep/player?src=abccomjs&show=171265&episode=171294">Neighborhood Ball</a><span style="font-family:georgia;">. Beyonce rocked the song "At Last" --- I love her expression at the very end of her performance. Even </span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE49M08420081023">Sasha Fierce</a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> herself was moved that night and seemed to have a sense of awareness about the amazing moment in history that she was a part of.</span><br /><br /><object style="font-family: georgia;" height="295" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/T-pzlZPRvx8&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/T-pzlZPRvx8&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="295" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Nick and I did our part to celebrate that evening by attending the </span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.thinkblue.net/node">Think Blue Inauguration Party</a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> at the </span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.tribecacinemas.com/">Tribeca Cinemas Gallery</a><span style="font-family:georgia;">.</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgWVgmVKeI/AAAAAAAAATI/tVPHw7SkTYY/s1600-h/IMG_0860.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgWVgmVKeI/AAAAAAAAATI/tVPHw7SkTYY/s320/IMG_0860.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294005920757787106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">We met up with a friend of mine from work and his lovely wife.</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgXJ5MwELI/AAAAAAAAATo/B1YKufCOAlE/s1600-h/IMG_0839.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgXJ5MwELI/AAAAAAAAATo/B1YKufCOAlE/s320/IMG_0839.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294006820714582194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">There were many festive folks who joined us at the sold-out party:</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgWVsz3tLI/AAAAAAAAATQ/nrbxiQ06muo/s1600-h/IMG_0841.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgWVsz3tLI/AAAAAAAAATQ/nrbxiQ06muo/s320/IMG_0841.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294005924035802290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">My Asian glow was provided by unrestrained joy from the day, along with a heavy contribution by the open bar (and its numerous gin and vodka tonics):</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgWWGABc9I/AAAAAAAAATY/Rd-DLJhfrU8/s1600-h/IMG_0840.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXgWWGABc9I/AAAAAAAAATY/Rd-DLJhfrU8/s320/IMG_0840.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294005930797659090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">Next step: The celebration is over, <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/23/us/politics/23obama.html">it's time to get to work</a>. My thoughts and prayers are with the Obama administration. We're in a big mess, but we've got some amazing talent leading our country now. Here's to better days ahead for everyone . . . .</span>danica and nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10560140704554627862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575570120570826823.post-81725487514828545832009-01-19T19:51:00.005-05:002009-01-19T19:59:09.924-05:00happy martin luther king jr. day.<object height="344" width="425"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iEMXaTktUfA&hl=en&fs=1"></object><br /><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iEMXaTktUfA&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iEMXaTktUfA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />His words continue to resonate. I hope you all take the time to reflect on Dr. King and his legacy today.danica and nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10560140704554627862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575570120570826823.post-42033894459258595902009-01-17T01:30:00.001-05:002009-01-19T19:58:27.169-05:00winter concert wrap-up.<span style="font-family:georgia;">I've been doing tons of cleaning in honor of the new year. I collected about 10 large shopping bags full of clothes to donate, along with pulling together a pile of books and random stuff to sell on <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.ebay.com/">eBay</a> (I made over $400!!). After a deep cleaning of the place, it's looking much more in order. Next task: Organizing my computer. My computer is only a few months old, but it's amazing how much stuff I've accumulated, from work and just random personal stuff. I started last night by sorting through the piles of digital pictures I have in one large folder and came across a number of photos from concerts I went to between September and December 2008 and wanted to share. I feel compelled to share because, for some reason, almost all of the concerts were put on by artists I've loved since high school (or in a couple cases, junior high!). My descriptions will be short because my old-lady head can't remember lots of details anymore. : )<br /><br />First up, a small selection from the <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.apwfestival.com/">All Points West</a> festival, in fair New Jersey. It was the second year of the festival, and pretty great as far as festivals go:<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW5UkgJ4fPI/AAAAAAAAAMU/fR3T2M0Kppo/s1600-h/IMG_0101.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW5UkgJ4fPI/AAAAAAAAAMU/fR3T2M0Kppo/s320/IMG_0101.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291259598290320626" border="0" /></a><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://siamusic.net/splash">Sia</a> was the first act we managed to catch. I love a girl who has the eggs to go pants-less in public. Her, her lack of pants, adorable Aussie accent, and gorgeous voice were a great way to start the festivities.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW5U96PJ7aI/AAAAAAAAAMc/Ab8S6AW9wsA/s1600-h/IMG_0108.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW5U96PJ7aI/AAAAAAAAAMc/Ab8S6AW9wsA/s320/IMG_0108.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291260034788486562" border="0" /></a>We were too busy eating our way through the food court to catch all of the <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.kingsofleon.com/">Kings of Leon</a> set (my appetite is a force to be reckoned with, even if I love a band!). First, the food was the best festival food I've eaten (very vegetarian friendly). Second, I look forward to seeking KoL later this month at Madison Square Garden ---- this venue was just too busy and warm for me to really get into their set.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW5Wejr6XRI/AAAAAAAAAMk/-F5-KdtwTZs/s1600-h/IMG_0127.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW5Wejr6XRI/AAAAAAAAAMk/-F5-KdtwTZs/s320/IMG_0127.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291261695182396690" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.theroots.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Roots </span></a>rocked it. Their set was way too short, but I still loved it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW5XG_zaHbI/AAAAAAAAAMs/abXLBapR3hg/s1600-h/IMG_0214.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW5XG_zaHbI/AAAAAAAAAMs/abXLBapR3hg/s320/IMG_0214.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291262389924797874" border="0" /></a>Le sigh. I love <a href="http://www.matadorrecords.com/cat_power/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chan Marshall/Cat Power</span></a>. My massive girl crush caused me to swoon for just about all of the one hour set.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW5Xz7dK27I/AAAAAAAAAM0/aImHJk53Z80/s1600-h/IMG_0229.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW5Xz7dK27I/AAAAAAAAAM0/aImHJk53Z80/s320/IMG_0229.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291263161851894706" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.thesecretmachines.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Secret Machines</span></a>' set wasn't that great. I used it as an excuse to eat a funnel cake and take a nap.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW5bVuWd6DI/AAAAAAAAANc/TNTr-yDRsSg/s1600-h/IMG_0104.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW5bVuWd6DI/AAAAAAAAANc/TNTr-yDRsSg/s320/IMG_0104.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291267040984557618" border="0" /></a>The key to lasting through a long festival like this was lots of water, deep-fried treats and nap breaks. Preferably all three, in that order within a short time-frame.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW5YaUqJBOI/AAAAAAAAAM8/_D5Qq4oh_Kc/s1600-h/IMG_0256.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW5YaUqJBOI/AAAAAAAAAM8/_D5Qq4oh_Kc/s320/IMG_0256.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291263821452215522" border="0" /></a>A screen shot from the <a href="http://www.benharper.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ben Harper</span></a> set. The set was way too short --- and we were stuck in the back, so it wasn't that great. But check out the later pics I have from the recent Ben Harper show that Nick, my friend Effi and I caught in a teeny-tiny venue last month!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW5ZFUzEzFI/AAAAAAAAANE/yk_ZM_8HkTk/s1600-h/IMG_0273.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW5ZFUzEzFI/AAAAAAAAANE/yk_ZM_8HkTk/s320/IMG_0273.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291264560224062546" border="0" /></a>The <a href="http://www.jackjohnsonmusic.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jack Johnson</span></a> set was exactly what I expected: Laid-back surfer-boy music better suited to a smaller venue. I do enjoy listening to his music on occasion, but his music doesn't do much for me in this type of environment.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW5aQltv3EI/AAAAAAAAANU/1V12OzXqZMc/s1600-h/IMG_0167.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW5aQltv3EI/AAAAAAAAANU/1V12OzXqZMc/s320/IMG_0167.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291265853255310402" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW5aQGt3r2I/AAAAAAAAANM/zlq7mSDF1eA/s1600-h/IMG_0159.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW5aQGt3r2I/AAAAAAAAANM/zlq7mSDF1eA/s320/IMG_0159.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291265844934324066" border="0" /></a>Now these guys know how to fill a huge venue with amazing sound. <a href="http://www.radiohead.com/deadairspace/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Radiohead</span></a> just killed it. I've seen them a number of times at this point, and this show measured up to my high expectations. There was something especially great about hearing them perform with the lights of NYC and Lady Liberty as the backdrop. The setting fit the mood of the show, that's for sure. I'm already looking forward to my next opportunity to see these guys again.<br /><br />There were a couple of months where <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.radiocity.com/">Radio City Music Hall</a> hosted some of my favorite musicians from the junior high/high school era. I love that venue: I can drink while sitting and watching a show. Plus I don't even have to strain my eyes because all of the seats in the place are pretty awesome. It appeals to the aging music fan that I'm becoming.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW5c4S9H1bI/AAAAAAAAANk/B847Yupg3LA/s1600-h/IMG_0547.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW5c4S9H1bI/AAAAAAAAANk/B847Yupg3LA/s320/IMG_0547.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291268734437545394" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW5c4t88VzI/AAAAAAAAANs/RAaoHN-w_fY/s1600-h/IMG_0535.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW5c4t88VzI/AAAAAAAAANs/RAaoHN-w_fY/s320/IMG_0535.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291268741684549426" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.alanismorissette.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lady Alanis</span></a> rocked it. First, her voice is sounding stronger than ever. Second, <a href="http://www.starpulse.com/news/media/alanisshortsfeat.jpg">the girl looks amazing </a>(take that, Scarlett Johansson/Ryan Reynolds). I have no shame in admitting that for 90 minutes, I treated a concert like a sing-along (which is high on my list of don'ts in terms of proper concert etiquette). I shed a tear inside when she did "<a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErhrNz9kdtQ&feature=related">Everything</a>," and brought out my inner teenage angst when it came time for "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR6mEu5-egA&feature=related"><span style="font-weight: bold;">You Outta Know</span></a>." Nan and I squealed like schoolgirls between songs. It was fantastic.<br /><br />Two more Radio City Music Hall shows, both were throw-backs to my high school/early college days.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXUQaaJOelI/AAAAAAAAAPI/QuLPcYn86bo/s1600-h/IMG_0386.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXUQaaJOelI/AAAAAAAAAPI/QuLPcYn86bo/s320/IMG_0386.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293154982924548690" border="0" /></a>First up: <a href="http://www.deathcabforcutie.com/splash/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Death Cab for Cutie</span></a>. I completely forgot to take pictures during the show, so the best I could do was a camera phone picture from outside of the venue. Regardless of the fact that the crowd made me feel not a day younger than 65 years old, and disregarding the band's huge post-O.C. exposure, I still had a great time. I especially enjoyed the show because I came across my old 1997 cassette release of "You Can Play These Songs With Chords" (re-released in 2002) just a week before the show. I swear that 1997 wasn't that long ago, but after seeing the kids that night . . . . I suppose time just flies when you're having fun.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXUQaeJAYiI/AAAAAAAAAPA/WQ6xcPW7GrI/s1600-h/IMG_0578.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXUQaeJAYiI/AAAAAAAAAPA/WQ6xcPW7GrI/s320/IMG_0578.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293154983997366818" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXURuZe21MI/AAAAAAAAAP4/7X8m-vr6rJw/s1600-h/IMG_0563.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXURuZe21MI/AAAAAAAAAP4/7X8m-vr6rJw/s320/IMG_0563.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293156425855849666" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.myspace.com/maxwell"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Maxwell</span></a> remains terribly dreamy & his music impossibly hot (even Nick had to admit it once the show was over!).<br /><br />A week or so later, Nick and I caught one of <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.beck.com/">Beck</a>'s sold-out shows at the <a href="http://www.theunitedpalace.com/home.htm"><span style="font-weight: bold;">United Palace Theater</span></a>. <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.whoismgmt.com/">MGMT</a> opened, and what I could catch of their set wasn't bad. Apparently the kids love MGMT. I thought they were fun, but not really a band I'm interested in following too much.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXUVyaP2gZI/AAAAAAAAAQA/GdrH0ggwzNk/s1600-h/IMG_0602.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXUVyaP2gZI/AAAAAAAAAQA/GdrH0ggwzNk/s320/IMG_0602.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293160892827337106" border="0" /></a>The show was fun and the set list included some great Beck classics. However, I couldn't help but think that the poor guy seemed exhausted or (even worse!) bored. There was an energy that was lacking that night; an energy I've seen in most of his other concerts.<br /><br />The venue, however, remains beautiful.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXUYalwleHI/AAAAAAAAAQY/KEPCMf6Kmn8/s1600-h/united+palace.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXUYalwleHI/AAAAAAAAAQY/KEPCMf6Kmn8/s320/united+palace.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293163782135445618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXUQz_20QtI/AAAAAAAAAPw/Zb3i4ErTWPY/s1600-h/IMG_0613.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXUQz_20QtI/AAAAAAAAAPw/Zb3i4ErTWPY/s320/IMG_0613.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293155422544610002" border="0" /></a>United Palace Theater is one of my favorite venues. On the down side, it can get very hot and stuffy (but what concert venue doesn't). On the up side, the place is just beautiful --- just look at the pictures! Even the ceiling is amazing.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXUQzmEk-eI/AAAAAAAAAPo/DONH9IBB_RE/s1600-h/IMG_0611.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXUQzmEk-eI/AAAAAAAAAPo/DONH9IBB_RE/s320/IMG_0611.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293155415623006690" border="0" /></a>To wrap-up a pretty busy concert season, Nick and I were lucky to get tickets to a <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.relentless7.com/">Relentless Seven</a> show for us and a friend of mine. Relentless Seven is Ben Harper's side project with some guys that played on his last album. The show was at <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.kennyscastaways.net/">Kenny's Castaways</a>, which is a bar in the West Village that doesn't hold more than 200 folks tops (its claim to fame, btw: Springsteen's first NYC venue). We had a great view of the show, right near the stage.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXUaW60Xc5I/AAAAAAAAAQg/7vMfZdLX_T4/s1600-h/IMG_0745.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXUaW60Xc5I/AAAAAAAAAQg/7vMfZdLX_T4/s320/IMG_0745.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293165918092227474" border="0" /></a>Our friend was a sweaty mess. I'm not gonna lie, he was a fine-looking sweaty mess. The man knows how to rock a mic and some fierce tattoos.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXUaW-XAp1I/AAAAAAAAAQo/GDcJxkCiN8Q/s1600-h/IMG_0735.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXUaW-XAp1I/AAAAAAAAAQo/GDcJxkCiN8Q/s320/IMG_0735.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293165919042840402" border="0" /></a>They played a number of entertaining covers. My favorite was "Purple Rain."<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXUaXEsK4VI/AAAAAAAAAQw/mu3zn6m-5OU/s1600-h/IMG_0747.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXUaXEsK4VI/AAAAAAAAAQw/mu3zn6m-5OU/s320/IMG_0747.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293165920742203730" border="0" /></a>The guitars the guys ran through were also sweet.<br /><br />Given how crazy my schedule was over those months, I can't believe I managed to make time for all of those shows --- I'm proud! I guess that's what sleep-deprivation will get a girl: 14+ hour days at the office plus good tunes. I hope I continue to make time for shows this year!<span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span>danica and nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10560140704554627862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575570120570826823.post-9220586440116416342009-01-16T10:31:00.009-05:002009-01-16T14:06:36.176-05:00a miracle on the hudson, that's for sure.<span style="font-family:georgia;">I'm sure all of you have heard about yesterday's incident involving the emergency landing of <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/01/16/hudson.plane.crash/index.html">U.S. Airways Flight 1549 into the Hudson River</a>. If the story remains consistent after the investigation, this whole situation really was amazing from start to finish.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXCrUBkXhrI/AAAAAAAAAOI/ks1kUDANdDQ/s1600-h/plane2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXCrUBkXhrI/AAAAAAAAAOI/ks1kUDANdDQ/s320/plane2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291917922667038386" border="0" /></a>I can scarcely believe that everyone walked off that plane with the most serious injury being hypothermia and one person with a broken leg. Everyone involved did such a great job, including the folks on the plane, handling the situation so well. Apparently it took about 2 minutes for the paramedics and cops to respond and five minutes for the divers to reach the water. Yeah, it's true --- our first responders rock.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXCrTyiReXI/AAAAAAAAAN4/rnZn4-RHDI0/s1600-h/plane1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXCrTyiReXI/AAAAAAAAAN4/rnZn4-RHDI0/s320/plane1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291917918631721330" border="0" /></a>Another group that deserves high praise = the ferry and water taxi operators. As soon as that plane hit the water, they immediately jumped in to help the passengers and crew.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXDZn5rNv5I/AAAAAAAAAOw/fJzB9cEiLJo/s1600-h/hudsonjcclose.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXDZn5rNv5I/AAAAAAAAAOw/fJzB9cEiLJo/s320/hudsonjcclose.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291968841680535442" border="0" /></a>The fact that the pilot managed to make a perfect landing in the Hudson River was nothing short of a miracle. For those of you who have visited me, that's the river right by my apartment. It's not very wide --- you can clearly see Jersey City across the way.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXCrUU0i4hI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/iXvAU7SVw_M/s1600-h/plane3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXCrUU0i4hI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/iXvAU7SVw_M/s320/plane3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291917927835165202" border="0" /></a>You could see much of the action from Nick's office. In the above picture, Citi is the tall + wide building to the far left. Let's just say that he got really nervous when he heard there was something going on with a plane flying out of LaGuardia . . . . planes doing anything out of the ordinary anywhere near lower Manhattan brings back terrible memories for folks who lived through 2001 here.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXCrUIPB8WI/AAAAAAAAAOA/hSYgrowSEq8/s1600-h/pilot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SXCrUIPB8WI/AAAAAAAAAOA/hSYgrowSEq8/s320/pilot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291917924456591714" border="0" /></a>The highest praise must be bestowed upon the pilot, Capt. Chesley B. Sullenberger III, for handling a difficult situation with such skill and confidence. It could have been so much worse for folks on that plane (and on the ground). Thank God it all ended up okay.<br /><br />Meanwhile, it's back to normal for everyone! Aside from a few comments first thing this morning, it's business as usual.<br /><br />Reason #1 I love NY: <a href="http://nymag.com/news/articles/reasonstoloveny/2008/52949/"> <span style="font-weight: bold;">It's full of resilient & unflappable folks</span></a>.danica and nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10560140704554627862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575570120570826823.post-6201797674130329642009-01-14T00:53:00.011-05:002009-01-14T14:35:20.750-05:00holiday wrap-up<span style="font-family:georgia;">I had a feeling I would never end up putting up a post from the holidays if I kept putting it off . . . . Although we're already a couple of weeks into the new year, I suppose it's still better late than never.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">The holidays were great, but quite a whirlwind. Given time constraints, I was only able to make it back home for three days. The first thing to greet me after I got off the plane?:</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW1_VLjJT_I/AAAAAAAAALc/Ow77MPv8l3g/s1600-h/baron+and+khmersnowman.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW1_VLjJT_I/AAAAAAAAALc/Ow77MPv8l3g/s320/baron+and+khmersnowman.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291025139084382194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">My family (of course) and lots of snow! This actually isn't a great picture to demonstrate how much snow was on the ground, but take my word for it: The weather was bananas, especially for the NW. I haven't seen snow like in the NW (aside from trips to the mountains) since I was a little kid! I love that my bro threw on an old school Seattle Supersonics hat (RIP!) and a Khmer scarf. Gotta represent.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">We were snowed in for most of my visit. Nick made it down from Seattle for a day, which was a treat for the fam. We opened up some gifts, ate lots of dim sum . . . the typical You family holiday fare:</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW2BCeqjFxI/AAAAAAAAAL0/otBUYEedsIo/s1600-h/IMG_0777.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW2BCeqjFxI/AAAAAAAAAL0/otBUYEedsIo/s320/IMG_0777.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291027016821446418" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW2BBdVLoOI/AAAAAAAAALs/PhCeeS57W04/s1600-h/IMG_0772.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW2BBdVLoOI/AAAAAAAAALs/PhCeeS57W04/s320/IMG_0772.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291026999283523810" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW2CgWT4aTI/AAAAAAAAAL8/71U04MQbYBU/s1600-h/IMG_0769.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW2CgWT4aTI/AAAAAAAAAL8/71U04MQbYBU/s320/IMG_0769.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291028629486594354" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW2BBJ88LEI/AAAAAAAAALk/3Iopvcs220w/s1600-h/IMG_0783.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW2BBJ88LEI/AAAAAAAAALk/3Iopvcs220w/s320/IMG_0783.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291026994081573954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">We also continued a tradition that we started last year -- Hours upon hours of playing Rock Band and (new addition) Sing Star. Although we spent way too much time playing these games, I only remembered to snap one quick picture of Baron:</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW2EzB-kkRI/AAAAAAAAAME/yOp8hbZkG6E/s1600-h/IMG_0449.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW2EzB-kkRI/AAAAAAAAAME/yOp8hbZkG6E/s320/IMG_0449.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291031149469274386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">I didn't get to see many friends, which was a bummer, but the time I did get to spend back in the 'Couv was terribly relaxing and a great way to re-fuel. I also read a pile of books to relax, so if anyone needs a recommendation, shoot me a note!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Poor Nick got stuck on a plane for New Year's Eve, so I was sans date for the occasion. I had a great time ringing in the new year at a 20's themed party back home in the city with one of my best friends, Nan. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures now. I vaguely remember lots of cameras making an appearance that evening, but haven't tracked down any photos yet! It's safe to say that we were far away from this madness:</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW2F46BT7BI/AAAAAAAAAMM/yrKb7BSaCh4/s1600-h/timessqnye08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 190px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SW2F46BT7BI/AAAAAAAAAMM/yrKb7BSaCh4/s320/timessqnye08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291032349924125714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">I thought the picture of Times Square was quite pretty, and far better than experiencing that madness first-hand.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">And now we're into the new year and back to the grind. Hope you all had a lovely time celebrating the holidays with friends and loved ones!</span>danica and nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10560140704554627862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575570120570826823.post-4347667342257216982008-12-01T02:45:00.001-05:002009-01-16T13:49:43.104-05:00much to be thankful for . . . .I just finished up a fantastic Thanksgiving weekend. The past four days were filled with lots of food and plenty of relaxing. On Wednesday night, Nick and I decided to get a jump-start on holiday shopping by checking out the crazy sale at <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.blogger.com/www.saks.com">Saks</a> and the cute holiday display they unveiled the night before. Half of the windows featured the <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/daily/080818-saks-fifth-avenue-partners-swarovsk.aspx">Swarovsky windows</a> featuring designers including Zac Posen, Alexander McQueen, Bill Blass, etc, but I wasn't all that impressed. I did, however like the cute windows based on the book <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/search/EndecaSearch.jsp?bmForm=endeca_search_form_one&bmFormID=1228042927757&bmUID=1228042927757&bmIsForm=true&bmPrevTemplate=%2FEntry.jsp&bmText=SearchString&SearchString=a+flake+like+mike&bmSingle=N_Dim&N_Dim=0&bmImage=EndecaSearchButton.x&bmImage=EndecaSearchButton.y&bmImage=EndecaSearchButton&EndecaSearchButton.x=0&EndecaSearchButton.y=0&bmHidden=Ntt&Ntt=a+flake+like+mike&bmHidden=Ns&Ns=&bmHidden=N&N=0&bmHidden=Ntk&Ntk=Entire+Site&bmHidden=Ntx&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchpartialmax&bmHidden=prp8&prp8=t15&bmHidden=prp13&prp13=&bmHidden=sid&sid=11DED091D8CD&bmHidden=PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446201432&bmHidden=ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474399545537">A Flake Like Mike</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-nGJT15cI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/gftLCdjBCqs/s1600-h/IMG_0641.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-nGJT15cI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/gftLCdjBCqs/s320/IMG_0641.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273617412694336962" border="0" /></a>The story is based in "Snowflake City," and centers around this adorable snowflake, Mike:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-nFVJYQ3I/AAAAAAAAAJA/TAN6DSE528E/s1600-h/IMG_0644.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-nFVJYQ3I/AAAAAAAAAJA/TAN6DSE528E/s320/IMG_0644.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273617398691808114" border="0" /></a>The basic jist of the story is that Mike is different, and eventually encourages all of the other snowflakes to be different too ----- which is now each and every snowflake that we see is different from the rest.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-nFk0MK4I/AAAAAAAAAJI/rJYPM_rr4nw/s1600-h/IMG_0646.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-nFk0MK4I/AAAAAAAAAJI/rJYPM_rr4nw/s320/IMG_0646.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273617402897902466" border="0" /></a>A pretty cute story encouraging kids to embrace their identities as individuals!<br /><br />We couldn't handle midtown for more than a couple of hours, so we hightailed it to the Upper West Side to check out the balloons inflated for the next day's Macy's Thanksgiving parade. It was crazy-crowded, but we had a blast checking out the balloons without having to deal with the terrible parade-day crowds:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-lpqsFmMI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/V6mivtv3SSk/s1600-h/IMG_0661.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-lpqsFmMI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/V6mivtv3SSk/s320/IMG_0661.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273615823926565058" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-jivzGCEI/AAAAAAAAAH4/yxVor_u_GeY/s1600-h/IMG_0664.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-jivzGCEI/AAAAAAAAAH4/yxVor_u_GeY/s320/IMG_0664.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273613506015791170" border="0" /></a>It's crazy how big the balloons are! Look at at old Horton here compared to the apartment building.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-jiT2JoiI/AAAAAAAAAHw/6uDAvvYTPqM/s1600-h/IMG_0687.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-jiT2JoiI/AAAAAAAAAHw/6uDAvvYTPqM/s320/IMG_0687.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273613498512417314" border="0" /></a>This is me + Nick posing with my favorite balloon, modeled after a <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Haring">Keith Haring</a> piece, in honor of what would have been his 50th birthday:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-ji8c9-uI/AAAAAAAAAIA/3NxDSyi-M5M/s1600-h/IMG_0656.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-ji8c9-uI/AAAAAAAAAIA/3NxDSyi-M5M/s320/IMG_0656.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273613509412649698" border="0" /></a>Although Nick and I opted out of seeing the actual parade, here's a picture of some of the balloons making their way through the parade route on Thanksgiving day:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-lpwx1k8I/AAAAAAAAAIo/Ep-l1busrx0/s1600-h/overhead+shot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 257px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-lpwx1k8I/AAAAAAAAAIo/Ep-l1busrx0/s320/overhead+shot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273615825561293762" border="0" /></a><br />After freezing our buns off outdoors, Nick and I decided to check out the new Shake Shack outpost. For you non NYC-ers, this place is famous for its burgers and milkshakes. People will wait in line for an hour to get their hands on <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.shakeshacknyc.com/">Shake Shack</a> goods. Luckily, with the new branch, there's no need to wait outdoors, and the line was only 15 minutes!<br /><br />Here's the before picture. Nick got a cheeseburger, I opted for the portobello mushroom burger + black & white milkshake, ice cream sundae, and piles of fries to share.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-lpcmTqnI/AAAAAAAAAII/RG9eBJ3zddw/s1600-h/IMG_0407.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-lpcmTqnI/AAAAAAAAAII/RG9eBJ3zddw/s320/IMG_0407.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273615820144224882" border="0" /></a>We clearly loved the food, as evidenced by the aftermath:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-ie4wpSII/AAAAAAAAAHI/n0KKv3VB4TA/s1600-h/IMG_0408.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-ie4wpSII/AAAAAAAAAHI/n0KKv3VB4TA/s320/IMG_0408.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273612340190333058" border="0" /></a><br />After a restful night of sleep, Nick and I headed to <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.goddard.org/">Goddard Riverside Community Center</a> to help prepare and deliver Thankgiving meals to homebound elderly folks in the community. The event was a part of a program the center puts on every year, which includes serving Thankgiving dinner to about 1000 homeless New Yorkers. It's the second year we've volunteered, and is a highlight of my holidays.<br /><br />Since both Nick and I are far away from family, we continued our tradition of making a meal for just the two of us. We made way too much food, but managed to eat most of it anyway!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-ieAsB4gI/AAAAAAAAAG4/RNCbnOohWyw/s1600-h/IMG_0692.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-ieAsB4gI/AAAAAAAAAG4/RNCbnOohWyw/s320/IMG_0692.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273612325138588162" border="0" /></a>It was Sid's first Thanksgiving, which he seemed excited about. Well, at least he didn't look as annoyed as usual when I stuck a camera in his face:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-iepUzikI/AAAAAAAAAHA/-8jo8M8O2S8/s1600-h/IMG_0691.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-iepUzikI/AAAAAAAAAHA/-8jo8M8O2S8/s320/IMG_0691.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273612336047032898" border="0" /></a>And, in accordance with Thanksgiving tradition, Sid quickly learned the art of the food coma nap and cuddled up with his new mouse friend:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/STOAW88KHqI/AAAAAAAAAJw/lnkuUut9lMM/s1600-h/IMG_0425.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/STOAW88KHqI/AAAAAAAAAJw/lnkuUut9lMM/s320/IMG_0425.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274700720384908962" border="0" /></a>I spent the rest of the weekend meeting up with some friends, watching lots of bad movies, and just having a great break. Although the past few weeks (and years for that matter) have been filled with ups and downs, I have a great deal to be thankful for. And for that, I feel blessed.<br /><br />I hope you all had a wonderful holiday with your family/friends/loved ones! Sending lots of love your way.danica and nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10560140704554627862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575570120570826823.post-63443259213628082002008-11-24T01:01:00.014-05:002008-11-28T09:53:07.650-05:00weekends without work = just as enjoyable as i remember!The past couple of months of work were intense, and the past couple of weeks of life have been very overwhelming ---- that's why it was so nice to finally have an entire weekend free without work and/or other drama. Spent most of the weekend catching up on some much-needed sleep + also got to do some much-needed socializing!<br /><br />Started Saturday by going out to Williamsburg to join two of my cousins, Lindsey and Erin, for brunch at <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.relish.com">Relish</a> (perhaps most famous for its presence in the hot <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CIUkmERKA4&NR=1">"Milkshake" music video by Kelis</a>). The place was cute, tasty and affordable --- a great combination!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-Tq0UDMDI/AAAAAAAAAGI/OHkcgEnlAC0/s1600-h/relish.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-Tq0UDMDI/AAAAAAAAAGI/OHkcgEnlAC0/s320/relish.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273596052480667698" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-U7uuhBBI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/loEkRnr_WLY/s1600-h/relish+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-U7uuhBBI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/loEkRnr_WLY/s320/relish+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273597442550465554" border="0" /></a>I loved the old-school diner feel of the place --- apparently it's been around for decades, and was most recently brought to Brooklyn + remodeled in 2000. Anyway, I haven't seen the girls in a couple of years, so it was especially nice to hang out. They are awesome, and I look forward to hanging out with them more often now that we're all living in NYC.<br /><br />After brunch, I headed back to Manhattan to meet up with Nick, his brother and my buddy Nan to watch the Apple Cup @ <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.deweysflatiron.com">Dewey's Flatiron</a>. Man, I love my Huskies, but this season has been unbearable. By the end of the night I quickly found out what's worse than a 0 - 10 season: A 0 - 11 season, with the most recent loss to the Cougs.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-XJuqvzZI/AAAAAAAAAGY/YdDhDCbhlaE/s1600-h/huskiesfball1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 276px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-XJuqvzZI/AAAAAAAAAGY/YdDhDCbhlaE/s320/huskiesfball1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273599882076081554" border="0" /></a>I'm still irritated about the whole thing, so I can't say much else. Tyrone Cunningham seems like a really good guy, but this season (amongst other missteps) justifies his early termination.<br /><br />I wrapped up the weekend on Sunday night with two of my favorite co-workers. I adore Gail and Effi -- they've become not only two of my work favorites, but also two of my closest friends in the city. We all billed crazy hours over the past couple of months, and they helped me through the turmoil of the past couple of weeks so it was a real treat to have them take me out to one of Jeffrey Chodrow's restaurants -- <a href="http://www.chinagrillmgt.com/adecNY/main.cfm?pp=0">Asia de Cuba</a> -- for a pick-me-up meal.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-ZzebAfmI/AAAAAAAAAGg/2UVI1zMO7Ss/s1600-h/asiadecubajpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-ZzebAfmI/AAAAAAAAAGg/2UVI1zMO7Ss/s320/asiadecubajpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273602798292860514" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-Z8b1KxYI/AAAAAAAAAGo/9iyPVhzvB1k/s1600-h/asiadecuba+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-Z8b1KxYI/AAAAAAAAAGo/9iyPVhzvB1k/s320/asiadecuba+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273602952216102274" border="0" /></a>The space was fantastic. Which wasn't a huge surprise, since Phillipe Starck designed the place. I didn't have high hopes for the food, since it sounded like another one of those hip Asian-fusion places that had watered down flavors, etc. I was pleasantly surprised. I thought the food was actually pretty tasty (with generous portions), especially the picadillo-style tuna app, the miso-cured black cod and the bread pudding dessert. And the drinks were also fantastic, particularly some kind of fruity vodka and champagne concoction they dreamed up.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-bwTDK89I/AAAAAAAAAGw/DdUC8kp9Yqc/s1600-h/IMG_0639_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-bwTDK89I/AAAAAAAAAGw/DdUC8kp9Yqc/s320/IMG_0639_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273604942723740626" border="0" /></a>All in all, a fantastic night and an excellent way to wrap up one of the first relaxing weekends I've had in months. God knows I needed it!danica and nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10560140704554627862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575570120570826823.post-79307176325417453772008-11-06T04:00:00.002-05:002008-11-28T02:30:37.230-05:00yes we did!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SRJ7Rsfkq2I/AAAAAAAAAEY/X7SJry0Vh7w/s1600-h/nytimescover110508.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265406458281110370" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 217px; cursor: pointer; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SRJ7Rsfkq2I/AAAAAAAAAEY/X7SJry0Vh7w/s400/nytimescover110508.jpg" border="0" /></a>Because I am still at a loss for words, I will only share a few pictures that I felt captured the spirit of this momentous occasion and some words from the 44th President of this great nation, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/04/obama-victory-speech_n_141194.html">Barack Obama</a>:<br /></span><br />" . . . . This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can. Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SRKLDGqnvbI/AAAAAAAAAEg/Pzp7gcz2fqQ/s1600-h/1chicago5110408.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265423799794777522" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 213px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SRKLDGqnvbI/AAAAAAAAAEg/Pzp7gcz2fqQ/s320/1chicago5110408.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SRKMYJclM_I/AAAAAAAAAFY/KxV0jq_7SfI/s1600-h/2008_11_obnyc45.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265425260830077938" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 215px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SRKMYJclM_I/AAAAAAAAAFY/KxV0jq_7SfI/s320/2008_11_obnyc45.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SRKLDWUJAJI/AAAAAAAAAEo/vazFRqNdz9M/s1600-h/geneva83564277.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265423803995455634" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 246px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SRKLDWUJAJI/AAAAAAAAAEo/vazFRqNdz9M/s320/geneva83564277.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SRKLEEbXxlI/AAAAAAAAAE4/XqKz9JItWt0/s1600-h/25703928.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265423816373814866" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 214px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SRKLEEbXxlI/AAAAAAAAAE4/XqKz9JItWt0/s320/25703928.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SRKLD0rPk3I/AAAAAAAAAEw/iCjANRBiVOs/s1600-h/25706685.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265423812145419122" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 210px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SRKLD0rPk3I/AAAAAAAAAEw/iCjANRBiVOs/s320/25706685.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SRKL4lyS6XI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/T2r4-UgCLZk/s1600-h/4chicago8110408.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265424718681532786" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 221px; cursor: pointer; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SRKL4lyS6XI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/T2r4-UgCLZk/s320/4chicago8110408.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SRKMv7Si-HI/AAAAAAAAAFo/DloOMUJbWTk/s1600-h/2chicago9110408.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265425669346752626" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 228px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SRKMv7Si-HI/AAAAAAAAAFo/DloOMUJbWTk/s320/2chicago9110408.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SRKL4q7h5tI/AAAAAAAAAFI/M1eEdiyOdw0/s1600-h/83564511_10.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265424720062441170" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 214px; cursor: pointer; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SRKL4q7h5tI/AAAAAAAAAFI/M1eEdiyOdw0/s320/83564511_10.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SRKMvypLblI/AAAAAAAAAFg/7vuimtxVmKE/s1600-h/3chicago1-110408.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265425667025759826" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 238px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SRKMvypLblI/AAAAAAAAAFg/7vuimtxVmKE/s320/3chicago1-110408.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SRKLELbMXcI/AAAAAAAAAFA/V6RlPyIFkfY/s1600-h/lastchicago4110408.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265423818252115394" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 214px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SRKLELbMXcI/AAAAAAAAAFA/V6RlPyIFkfY/s320/lastchicago4110408.jpg" border="0" /></a>UPDATE: And, because I totally agree with <a href="http://lajournalista.wordpress.com">lajournalista</a>'s comment, I had to add one more picture.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-IJjJAjHI/AAAAAAAAAFw/HIYYElp0RRI/s1600-h/jesse_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SS-IJjJAjHI/AAAAAAAAAFw/HIYYElp0RRI/s320/jesse_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273583386307366002" border="0" /></a>danica and nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10560140704554627862noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575570120570826823.post-71127469830035415772008-10-22T01:33:00.012-04:002008-10-22T10:27:43.777-04:00a barack-tastic weekend in pennsylvania.So much for posting a new blog entry once per week! In my defense, the past month or so has been busiest I've every had at work (so far). I've been a lean, mean, billable hour machine lately and have only been able to sporadically come up for air.<br /><br />Last weekend was the first weekend I didn't have to work in four weeks. Glorious. Nick and I committed to clearing our schedules for the entire weekend so that we could take a road trip over to <a href="http://www.buckscounty.org/">Bucks County, Pennsylvania</a> to do some campaign work for the Obama campaign. There was only so much growling and screeching at the candidates and political pundits on television I could handle before I decided that I needed to be more productive with all of my political energy. Plus, while Pennsylvania seems to be leaning toward Obama, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/22/us/politics/22pennsylvania.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink">there are some signs that he still needs a big push there </a>in the last couple of weeks.<br /><br />So, Nick and I called up t<a href="http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/pahome">he Obama campaign in Pennsylvania</a>, rented a car, booked a place to stay and hit the road early Saturday morning. It was a beautiful weekend to travel.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SP7ImoXIL6I/AAAAAAAAAEA/zEixuQDSfP0/s1600-h/IMG_0622.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259861980810325922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SP7ImoXIL6I/AAAAAAAAAEA/zEixuQDSfP0/s320/IMG_0622.JPG" border="0" /></a>The fall leaves were out in full force. For the first time since leaving Cornell, I actually missed Ithaca. But only a little bit! : )<br /><br />Since I was still feeling sleep-deprived from work, I only managed to stir once we were at a rest stop and BK french fries were close at hand:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SP69VWbDZ9I/AAAAAAAAADg/tQLvMI4wCm4/s1600-h/IMG_0621.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259849589309269970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SP69VWbDZ9I/AAAAAAAAADg/tQLvMI4wCm4/s320/IMG_0621.JPG" border="0" /></a>Man, those suckers are tasty. I try to stay away from fast food, but all bets are off on a road trip!<br /><br />A couple of hours later, we arrived in Bristol, PA. Downtown Bristol, where our base of operations was located, was very old-school charming. Lots of small shops (sadly, many were empty and shut down), a beautiful waterfront . . . .<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SP6-YUCkVlI/AAAAAAAAADo/SmEWNe10zi0/s1600-h/IMG_0629.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259850739720934994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SP6-YUCkVlI/AAAAAAAAADo/SmEWNe10zi0/s320/IMG_0629.JPG" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SP7KLOvJLaI/AAAAAAAAAEI/T2bkUxyNEz0/s1600-h/IMG_0630.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259863709098519970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SP7KLOvJLaI/AAAAAAAAAEI/T2bkUxyNEz0/s320/IMG_0630.JPG" border="0" /></a>We arrived just in time for Historic Bristol Day, which involved a Farmer's Market type set-up with lots of delicious food and live entertainment. But Nick and I were there for business, so we bypassed the festivities and attended a short training before hitting the road. First things first: The campaign staff we dealt with was incredibly organized. I've volunteered with political campaigns before, but never one with this level of precision and organization. We were given a helpful training, along with a packet of information detailing the neighborhood that we would canvas that day (info on the folks we were targeting, detailed directions on how to get around, brochures to hand out, a well-organized chart of information we should use to keep track of the info we come up with). Nick and I hopped into our car and set out for a busy day of hitting the pavement for our guy Barack.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SP6_mQjx7CI/AAAAAAAAADw/Ac3ZiaAcarQ/s1600-h/IMG_0624.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259852078816291874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SP6_mQjx7CI/AAAAAAAAADw/Ac3ZiaAcarQ/s320/IMG_0624.JPG" border="0" /></a>I didn't take any pictures from the time we spent canvassing --- thought it was a little weird to take pics outside of strangers' houses. But to summarize the day: It was an extremely humbling, yet extraordinarily inspiring experience. We were assigned to a very blue collar, working class neighborhood in Levittown, PA on the first day. Given the work Nick and I do in NYC, we've seen the first-hand effect of the economic downturn as it pertains to I-bankers and the like. The first-hand effect we witnessed on Saturday was different, but the adversity people faced was just as real (and honestly, really hit us at the core).<br /><br />Our task was to knock on specially designated doors (people who were registered Democrats, not affiliated with any party, or part of a household that included both Democrats and Republicans), determine where that person/household stood in terms of presidential choice, answer any questions they might have, and stump for our candidate (if and when appropriate). By the end of the day, we ended up speaking with all kinds of folks: The wife of a soldier currently in Iraq; a 22-year old guy with a 2-year old daughter who had never voted in an election before, registered on a whim, and was considering actually voting for the first time (especially after we were through with him!); a man with his own roofing business; a feisty grandmother who was so pumped about Obama that she even took my Obama pin off my coat . . . . All kinds of people. Including some folks who slammed their doors in our face, or didn't share our enthusiasm about Obama. But in the end, we were able to have pleasant, engaging conversations with just about everyone we encountered. A lot of the people we met with were undecided on who to go with, and Nick and I were happy to just get them leaning towards Obama (or at least more committed to carefully analyzing some of the misinformation they may receive) by the time we left.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SP7D2i7ZsLI/AAAAAAAAAD4/U8wJQ3K1A-M/s1600-h/IMG_0627.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259856756671623346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OYCTUcAZdAI/SP7D2i7ZsLI/AAAAAAAAAD4/U8wJQ3K1A-M/s320/IMG_0627.JPG" border="0" /></a>50 houses later, we were exhausted. We dropped off our materials at the campaign office, and relaxed for the rest of the night (and by "relax" I mean do work with the television on in the background --- I'm racy like that).<br /><br />The next day, we set out to do the same thing. This time, however, we were assigned to a very affluent nearby neighborhood. Bucks County (or at least the part of it that we saw) was an interesting mishmash of folks from throughout the socioeconomic spectrum. Interacting with the higher end of that spectrum on Sunday was quite a contrast to our experience the day before. I'd like to elaborate further, but given my time constraints right now will just say this: We received a lot more resistance in terms of folks being comfortable opening up their front door and chatting openly with us. More doors were quickly (but fairly politely) shut on us. There were a couple of bright spots in our day: A born and raised Republican woman married to a Republican man who was genuinely conflicted about the candidates and was considering voting for a Democrat for the first time in her life. She was extremely articulate and was clearly conflicted about what to do. Nick and I had a great time talking to her and we think that we made some progress with her ---- I'm keeping her in my thoughts and prayers because I hope she ends up having some clarity and peace of mind. Also, a woman (married to a Republican) who just adored Obama insisted that we bring her back a lawn sign to put in her yard that day. She was a delightful and sweet woman who brightened our day after some discouraging encounters.<br /><br />All in all, for those of you who are so inclined: <a href="http://action.barackobama.com/page/s/volunteer/">GET OUT THERE AND VOLUNTEER!!!!! </a>Whether or not you live in a swing state doesn't matter ---- the Obama campaign is launching a huge get out the vote campaign that will start up in the days immediately before the election. And the most important thing = people power. The campaign needs lots of folks to get out there and hit the streets. This is not the time to be complacent, regardless what any poll may say. There are two weeks left in this monumental presidential race. Be a part of it while you can. I can say from my recently acquired personal experience that you'll leave feeling inspired; feeling like you're part of a community ---- and will also have lots of fun! Even though my work schedule is bananas, I'm hoping to squeeze in <a href="http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/driveforchange">one more day trip to PA</a>, <a href="http://my.barackobama.com/modules/votercontact/login_signup.php">some phone banking</a>, and <a href="http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/vpcvol2">election protection</a> work. I hope you guys do some of the same. The clock is ticking!danica and nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10560140704554627862noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575570120570826823.post-21496103087792453512008-09-22T02:05:00.000-04:002008-09-22T02:03:19.201-04:00the election keeps me up at night . . .. . . as does my job. i'm wrapping up a fun-filled weekend by getting home from the office after 1 am early monday morning (after a near all-nighter on saturday night too), with an 8 am conference call to follow. alas, my hours at the office go with the whole "lawyer" territory, so i shall not complain. but i digress. the point of this post is to encourage you to pick up the latest issue of <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/">rolling stone</a> (oct. 2, 2008). i just read the article titled "mad dog palin" during my car ride home and it got me all fired up. although matt taibbi's often over-the-top pieces on religion have the tendency to irk me, overall i love his (angry, sarcastic, hilarious) writing. please take the time to read his piece on sarah palin. it's not available online yet, but is well worth the price of the magazine (or a quick read at the grocery store if you're feeling frugal). i've had my panties in a bunch over palin over the past few weeks and i'm pleased to see that someone else does too. until you're able to read the article for yourself, check out <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/23140513/the_truth_about_sarah_palin">this quick little sidebar</a> that accompanied the taibbi article.<br /><br />this snl skit was pretty good too. tina fey = comic genius (she may look like palin, but she sure brings a lot more to the table!)<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/77YZRRVV0yU&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/77YZRRVV0yU&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />seriously, read the article. i'm even willing to mail my copy of the article to anyone who is interested.danica and nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10560140704554627862noreply@blogger.com2