Author: Sean

Happy Memorial Day! We chose to honor those that fell in defense of our country by enjoying that which they defended…especially babies. Well, the wtb enjoyed the niece and I soaked up some California wine (USA!) while teaching my nephew how to hit a wiffle ball. We’re on the Acela now. More pics to follow.

We enjoyed Mark's Famous Movie Night recently. The kids rented "Cabaret" which was much more enjoyable and dark than I expected. Also, less Broadway. I can say that I recommend.

During the viewing , I chugged red wine like a sentanced Frenchman. Apologies to all for any mumblings that escaped my purple lips. Good times.

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I'm going away this weekend so sadly no Mary BBQ-ing. However, soon on the site, pictures of babies! Have a nice holiday.

I write that without irony, too.

Sad I know, but I have been busy and I was tired of looking at Kelly's belly.

Recently my friend Kelly joined me for brunch. She looked pretty much the same except for an enormous beer belly, which I tactfully didn't mention. After much conversation where I kept asking things like "So are you really into beer?" or "Did you buy a kegerator?", it surfaced that she is not a lush but rather she has eaten a baby or something. Anyways, I immediately took her baby (and her) to see the Hook & Ladder #8 on North Moore Street. This operational fire station was also the home of the WORLD FAMOUS Ghostbusters. Just look at that, unborn bubble belly baby!

I think I developed my crush on Serena Altschul as a transference of my love for CBS Sunday Morning. It's the best news on television, devoting plenty of air time to every story to go beyond just the surface scraping that is done by regular news. Charles Osgood and before him, Charles Kuralt lead a team that is still tries to present information rather than sensation, which must make the ghost of Edward R. Murrow happy. Since 2003, Serena Altschul has be a regular part of this group.

CBS Sunday Morning is the exact opposite of MTV where she got her start, but she was an adult voice and along with Kurt Loder, one of the few people on a video network to not act like a total douchebag. I actually stood beside her at a show at Roseland once. She was verbally chastisting her boyfriend over some failure at planning and she struck me as a beautiful, yet slightly bitchy MTV-type. Then CBS made the call.

Since she's been on CBS, she's appeared as a smokin' hot blond that is also wicked smart and totally has her shit together. These are the same qualities that made the wtb the wtb. Should I hit she ever give me the boot, I could always have my Sunday coffee and crossword with Ms. Altschul.

Thanks to a tip from the Brooklyn Heights Blog, the wtb and I enjoyed the Brooklyn Heights Association's Annual House Tour. As seen in today's pic, the former haunted house at 135 Joralemon Street was a popular stop. The neighborhood got to watch as this Victorian was gut renovated over the last year and folks were eager to get inside. It was nice, but a little small for the current $6M asking price a tipster told me.

There were four other houses on the bill and each was more lavish than the previous. I liked a very modern, edgy townhouse on Clinton best. The wtb liked them all. Snooping through other people's homes is like p0rn to her.

Here are just a few numbers on the day:

• Homes: 5
• Gardens: 5
• Garages: 0
• Plasma TVs: 9
• Baby grands: 3
• Norman Mailer (famous Heights author) Books Prominently Displayed: 4
• Macs: 3
• PCs: 2
• X-Box 360: 1
• Japanese Print Art: 7 pieces over 2 houses
• Stove Burners: 34
• Harmony 880 Universal Remotes: 0

The Association had a plenty of friendly volunteer acting as traffic cops as dozens and dozens of visitor streamed single-file through the homes. It was very interesting and also enlightening. There are some really rich people in this world. I think the best thing to do is take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and Take. Them. Down. Or maybe invest in real estate.

I'd be into class warfare if I wasn't too busy loving my Harmony 880 Universal Remote.

Last night the wtb and I stumbled upon the grand opening of Uncommon Grounds, a new coffee shop in Brooklyn Heights on Henry and Cranberry. We were drawn in by the eclectic comfortable chairs, but stayed for the very decent reds. It was just a chill space with good lighting. The merlot I had was a reasonable $7 a glass. I like the place and I'm pulling for the eager new owners. Thursday night is Comedy, Fridy is Singer Song writer. I expect to next go again for brunch and the paper.

Most of all, I loved the lamp.

Two quick notes this morning:
1.) As per my new goal, I did walk across the bridge every day last week, except Friday when I went out in the city and also had a large package to carry. I walked across yesterday and Monday as well. Here's the rub: it's getting really boring and it's not all that much exercise. I brought shoes today and I plan to run across to speed up the action, but overall I think the project will make way for something more interesting.
2.) I am happy that when I put my mind to it, I can still finish the New York Times Sunday Crossword. You can tell from the different ink colors that is was not in one sitting, but it still is a point of pride. I knew a fella once that could finish by the time the Sopranos came on.

That's all for today.

Mary, Aaron, Sarah, and I pulled up to Pell Street for some Chinatown Chinese food at Joe's Shanghai. Famous for their soup dumplings they also make a really, really good version of almost any standard Chinese dish, such General Tso's or Kung Pow. The place jumps on the weekends and there is a wait for communal seating, but the hub-bub creates a party atmosphere. I also highly recommend at least one order of Shanghai Noodles for the table. The coy are just for looks, not for eating.

Citysearch Review

NY Mag Review

My friend Howard, who coincidently is also yours and My Robot Friend, turned me on to the Yamaha EZ-EG electric guitar trainer. Howard does electronic music and an elaborate live show, so he bought the EZ-EG to customize and hack as a unique MIDI controller (electronic music playing thing). MIDI is a sound interface. The guitar out of the box comes programmed to play sounds very much like the sounds of a guitar string being plucked. You can however program it to play any sounds and thus make something much different. That's Howard's bag and a story for a different post.

When Howard's arrived at the office, I played with it for two minutes and then ordered one. I have a problem with impulse gadget buying, you see. It's so much fun. I can almost play Take Me Home Country Roads already! I'm not sure if this will actually teach me to play a real guitar, but I don't care. It's like playing a really hard version of Guitar Hero.

Speaking of Guitar Hero, the EZ-EG could theoretically be hacked to actually play Guitar Hero AND teach you to play guitar. I was thinking of doing this for a brief second, but gave it up because 1.) I am lazy. 2.) Someone else will do it soon. 3.) It's not long before the makers of Guitar Hero do it. I'm off to learn the chords for Day Tripper now. Wheee.