I sure as hell didn’t know the answer to that question until I saw the cover of New York Magazine today. Maybe I’m the only one? But in case you didn’t know, David Paterson is the governor of New York State and he is legally blind.

Wowza. I’m going to go read the rest of this article later. I feel like a lame citizen for not knowing to begin with.

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I’m sure that you, like many people, have been at least slightly aware of all the political talk going on lately. You can’t really avoid it, even if you don’t watch the debates or read the political blogs or read the newspaper headlines - it’s everywhere in this general election year. Maybe you’re undecided. Maybe you’ve been decided since you were old enough to tell the difference between red and blue. In any case, if you haven’t already, you gotta register to vote.

In NYC, you can register by mail (scroll down to see links to downloadable voter registration forms), or you can stop by one of NYC’s Board of Elections offices (or use this convenient Google Maps link to find your nearest office). It’s really easy and the board of elections officials will help you if you have trouble with the form.

But hurry! If you’re not registered yet, you only have until October 10 to register to vote in New York State (this deadline also applies to changes to party affiliation for 2009). So pop your voter registration in the mail ASAP, or if you really want to be sure, take it in to the Board of Elections on or before October 10.

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I went to the Ginger Man last night for a friend’s birthday party. Like other Midtown bars, the place is packed at happy hour. I’m not a huge fan of crowded bars, so that put me off right away. I like a place where I can have a conversation, and the noise from the crowd made that difficult.

After shouting our birthday greetings to our friends, I took a look at the drink menu. It consisted of a huge selection of beers (possibly very good beers), but not much else. Not a lot of wine options or cocktails. Not a big beer drinker, I settled for an expensive vodka tonic and waited a good 15 minutes for the server to bring it over. We managed to carve out a little corner for ourselves in the back section. I ended up waiting even longer for my second drink. After giving up on it arriving, I ordered one at the bar. Then, of course, the server came and I had two vodka tonics.

I’d say the place might have good beer, but it has bad service and a not a great atmosphere. The Ginger Man just isn’t a sweet spot.

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I enjoy the Fall in New York City.

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Photo from gothamist.com

I’ve been noticing the growing number of fruity ice cream/yogurt shops in the city. They’re everywhere: Pinkberry, Very Berry, Red Mango, etc. In some parts of the city (ie. East Village), they’ve become the new Starbucks with similar establishments on opposite sides of the street, both packed. I know these companies are all competitors, but I’m surprised to find there’s so much room for competition for such a narrow niche. All these places look adorable and have very similar menus. Not that I’m complaining about having ample options to satisfy my sweet tooth in a relatively healthy way, it just seems odd how popular they’ve become in such a short time…

A few days ago, I planned to meet a friend for coffee and we ended up going to Red Mango instead. Maybe ice cream/ yogurt is the new coffee?

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If you’re lucky enough to live in an apartment in NYC with a view overlooking Central Park, any body of water, or the general beauty that is the NYC skyline, today is one of those days that all the money you paid for the place is worth it.

Crisp, cool, clear, and absolutely a welcoming mat to the fall season, today, October 2nd, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi and my uncle (who makes me call him GREAT uncle), is just perfect. I couldn’t ask for a better day.

Have yourself some warm apple cider and get lost in open-eyed meditation of observing the beauty around us. Love.

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Go to Whole Foods, go to Trader Joe’s, go to the farmer’s market, go to one of several delicious vegetarian restaurants in NYC, explore the “Chinese” grocery stores, the Indian grocery stores and anywhere you can get your hands on some delicious veggies.

Don’t kill an animal for your dinner tonight. Or lunch if you haven’t had it yet. It’s your one day chance to be a vegetarian. Relish in saving a life, being green, healthy, and fantastically sexy - all in one!

Why? To celebrate World Vegetarian Day!

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Street Festivals Suck!

Besides being a nuisance to those living in neighborhoods, street festivals in New York City need to take the route of the squeegee men. They must be systematically eliminated or at least limited to a few every year.

Not only are these festivals generic, simplistic, and mass produced - they clog up the already narrow and much needed streets. It’s like U.N. Week every Sunday in some neighborhoods of Manhattan. There’s no way around or through certain areas.

Getting rid of these festivals would save the city tons of hassle and would also improve the lives of those living in the areas drastically by reducing the noise and digestive pollution that they carry. Not to mention, you’ll save a lot of cash instead of buying fake Pashima shawls and branded purses along with “authentic” trinkets made in China.

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Farm Sanctuary Walk 2008

Walk for Animals happens around the country and today those interested in joining the cause of saving these farm animals can join in the walk. There is a fee of $15 to register to walk, but I think you can also just show up and enjoy.

New York
Date: Sept. 28
Time: Registration 10 a.m., Walk 12 noon
Location: Columbus Circle
Local Walk Coordinator: Cody
E-mail: nyc@walkforfarmanimals.org
Phone: 831-818-2926
A printable flier is available here.

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Photo from nytimes.com

I went to see the musical Spring Awakening last night. My only knowledge of the show had consisted of some snippets on television commercials and a musical number played at the bar Splash on a Musical Monday. I had the impression that it either took place a while ago or among modern day Mennonites and that it involved a coming of age story. The show surprised me with rousing musical numbers, a touching story, and interesting characters played by very talented, very young actors.

The story centers around two young people discovering love in a strict and conservative society. The main characters stand out with their unique ability to see another kind of life.  Some of the show’s vibrant numbers include “The Bitch of Living” and “Totally Fucked”. This modern voice gave a sense that youthful optimism and angst have always existed.  From school girl crushes to wet dreams and masturbation, this production freshly portrays young people discovering their sexuality and illustrates some of the negative consequences of abstinence-only education. The plot follows the romances and tragedies of these young characters.

Read more

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And I dont mean on a cost basis

If you go to NYTimes.com you get this full page banner ad for about 10 seconds before you go on to the actual home page. I use firefox with Adblock Plus (god bless the inventors behind this) and started noticing that I would get a blank page and would come to the main page only if I refreshed the page.

On checking in Chrome I get the above screenshot.

Now I would expect this overtly intrusive advertising from the likes of the TOI, but not he NYTimes.

So dear editors and publishers of NYTimes, in case you are reading this, please take this mess away. Give us our real NYTimes back.

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Photos from Wikipages.com

Last night, I checked out a dinner spot that I’d heard a lot about: Otto. Located in the West Village, this Mario Batali restaurant serves up a variety of appetizers, pizzas, and pastas with a killer wine list. Unlike Batali’s Babbo (which I went to once and can’t afford again anytime soon), the dishes are very reasonably priced - $9 for a pasta dish, $12 - $15 for a pizza.

We were glad we’d made a reservation, since the place was pretty packed. There’s a wine bar in the front, with more seating options in the back. We were politely greeted by a red-haired waiter who aptly looked like Mario himself.  We started off the meal with a drink, possibly the most expensive glass of wine I’ve ever had (all wines by the glass were $12-$15, despite the reasonable food prices). But it was a bit more than a glass and super tasty. Read more

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Today is Parking Day NYC.

Its a nationwide movement to raise awareness of the importance of parks and open spaces in urban areas.

Our office Cook+Fox Architects along with Terrapin Bright Green have set up this park on 6th Avenue between 19th and 20th street.

We have transplanted a portion of our green roof down to the street level to raise visibility of alternative green spaces in the very vertical city.

Other spots in the city can be found here.

If you are in the neighborhood, stop by, hang out in our park and say a hello to us.

More about

• Cook+Fox Architects
• Terrapin Bright Green
• PARK(ing) DAY NYC
• Green Roofs for Healthy Cities

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Here’s your chance to see Governor’s Island, by bike, before the developers go in and change it [and you know that's next]
Transportation Alternativesand the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation are expanding their popular “Free Bike Fridays” this entire weekend on Governors Island. Bring your own bike, or take a free one-hour rental [limited supply, first-come first-serve]. 250 kites will also be available for flying. From Friday 9/19 10am to 5pm and Saturday 9/20 and Sunday 9/21 10am to 7pm, you can take advantage of this great opportunity. Ferries will leave from the Battery Maritime Building, 10 South St., at Whitehall St. You can check the ferry schedule online at govisland.com.

Castle Williams, Governors Island, NYC

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Photo from ihatesnaps.wordpress.com

Ever since my stormy excursion to Governor’s Island, I have been looking for a pair of rainboots. Nothing crazy - just simple rubber shoes that would be good for trumping around the city in the rain and look cute in the process. I went to my usual shoe source, Zappos ( which carries my freakishly small shoe size), but most of the rubber boots I found there were over $100. A bit extreme for simple rubber boots!

So I thought I’d brave a few stores. Checked out David Z in the West Village, which does have cheap rain boots but sadly they don’t carry my size. I tried Laila Rowe (a decent source for cheap accessories), but they also start a size higher than mine. After several other failed attempts, I did check out some children’s rainboots. But I’m not too into wearing bright pink shoes with flowers or butterflies. It seems odd to have trouble finding anything in this city, but oh well! So if anyone knows of a place to find cheap rubber boots for small feet, let me know!

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