Alright kids, I'm back. I've just spent a couple weeks hanging out with my brother, so I thought I would take to the blog-waves and share some of the highlights.
New Jersey--As I was finishing up my last shift at work before having a bunch of days off, I said to a friend of mine as we were clocking out, "I'm exhausted." He replied, "Me too. I'm gonna go to a spa tomorrow, get a massage." Ever the participant in a game of one-up-man-ship, I replied, "Screw that, I'm going to New Jersey." And go to New Jersey we did, and here's the kicker, it was actually very relaxing. We went to see our friend Catkin and her family for a night, had some good food, played with her super-fun kids, and made it back to the city in time to get shouted at by a mime. What a time it was.
Book of Mormon--An elusive beast if there ever was one. We tried three different times, and it seems that no matter when we showed up for the standing-room-only line, we always ended up in exactly the same place, which was just on the west side of the stage door. We were always about three people behind the last ticket sold. However, Joe and I did meet some new friends in line.
House of Blue Leaves--Not a bad consolation prize for not getting into Book of Mormon. Featuring Ben Stiller, Edie Falco, and Jennifer Jason Leigh. It was written by John Guare, who is also known for his award-winning play and movie "Six Degrees of Separation," which, ironically, did not involve Kevin Bacon in any way.
David Grisman--Speaking of things we did in lieu of seeing Book of Mormon, it turns out there was a live David Grisman concert in SoHo that we were able to catch. He was playing with some famous guitar player whose name I keep forgetting, but it was a terrific show. The last time I saw him play in Portland, he was with John Sebastian (of "The Lovin Spoonful"), and the encore was an acoustic version of "Summer in the City." So that's hard to beat, but it was still a pretty amazing show.
Coney Island--Where else can you fight your way through crowds of old people sprawled out on a broken-glass-with-a-hint-of-sand beach to get to the famous hot dog stand where, after a good 20 minute wait, you can get a classic Nathan's hot dog (assuming they don't forget your order)? Nowhere. Seriously though, it's a fantastic escape from the city, and I can't believe it took me a year and a half to make it. I also have to say I'm glad I was there for the Mermaid Parade. There is no better example of the patently bizarre underside of New York City than the Mermaid Parade...well...okay, maybe there is.
The Double-Windsor--A new favorite spot of mine. They have good beer, absolutely stellar mac and cheese, and a world-class waitstaff, one of whom is our new friend Mindy Sue. If you ever go there, tell her you know Joe and me. It won't get you anything special, but she just might high-five you.
Weak 2's--Who knew that the right thing to do with low points and a long hand in any suit but clubs is to open with 2 of that suit? I know, right? Seems crazy, but it turns out the infographic does not in any way fuck around.
Brooklyn Botanical Gardens--I did it! I finally went to the iconic Brooklyn destination that's like 4 blocks from my apartment! It was lovely, and another of those things I can't believe took me that long. I liked it so much, I might even go back a second time.
Metropolitan Museum of Art--We did it Mom, we went to a museum.
Banjo Music--Those that know Joe will know that he's not someone who dabbles when it comes to music. When he takes to a new instrument, you will never see him but he is carrying that instrument around, no matter how cumbersome. His current musical squeeze is the banjo, which, for all the flack the banjo gets, I find delightful, as I have never once heard live banjo music in Brooklyn. So as we waited in line for Book of Mormon, he played, and on the subway back home, he played, and in the patio seating at my local bar, he played, always to a pretty positive response. Then today, not 24 hours after he left town, I was at the farmers market to appease my craving for fresh bread and what did I see? A banjo player busking. I was going to listen, but I opted instead to turn up my nose and say "Hmph. Joe did it first."
All in all, a pretty exciting two weeks. So exciting, in fact, that I need to fall asleep for a few days to recover, so I'll see you on the other side.
