Photo from Wikipages.com

I’ve started a new job in the West Village, one block from Washington Square Park. In contrast to my former work neighborhood, the corporate world of Wall Street, my new surroundings exude a laid-back and peaceful vibe that I find contagious. Walking among the students and artists, I feel myself more relaxed throughout the work day.

With this amazing weather, I’ve been eating my lunch at Washington Square Park every day. Packed with people sunbathing, students chatting, musicians playing, this spot makes a cheerful setting for a work break. While it lacks the gorgeous view of Battery Park, I enjoy the collegiate and playful atmosphere. I almost forget that I have to go back to work.

Of course, the park is in the midst of extensive renovations. Much of it is now cut off and will look a lot different when complete. The rat kingdom of mounds will be destroyed. Where will all those calf-sized creatures go? Opposed by many, these revisions will level off the park and give it a much tamer feel. I just hope it doesn’t completely lose its offbeat character, so welcoming in my new work environment.

There has been more than one unprecedented move by the Holy Father during his visit to the US. As I write this, the Pontiff is on is way to the United Nations to speak, after landing at JFK. His acknowledgment of the sex scandal rocking the Catholic Church, and meeting with some victims, has been an earthshaking move, although demonstrators outside the UN are protesting that it wasn’t enough.

Later today, the Pope will visit Park East Synagogue. This will not be the first visit to a synagogue by a pontiff. This is the second time this pope has visited a house of Jewish worship, and the third visit overall [his predecessor was the first]. What is significant is that this is right before Passover when the pope will meet the Jewish leaders. And this German-born pontiff, who was a young man in the Nazi era, will come face-to-face with the Rabbi Arthur Schneier of Park East Synagogue, a survivor of the Holocaust.

And so I wish Pope Benedict XVI a Happy Passover!

An email pops in today from Reaghan Roper at MWW Group. It is a press release. This was in response to my post about FreshDirect. One of criticism was that FreshDirect was selective in which neighborhoods it delivers to.

And the press release continues to say

Leading Online Grocer Now Delivering to Residents in Bedford Stuyvesant, Crown Heights, Red Hook and More

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz Welcomes FreshDirect Delivery

LONG ISLAND CITY, NY – April 17, 2008 – FreshDirect, one of the nation’s leading online gourmet grocers and prepared food purveyors, announced today its plans to heed growing customer demand and expand its delivery services to reach the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Bedford Stuyvesant (“Bed Stuy”), Crown Heights, Red Hook and more. The new delivery areas are now open for delivery service, giving residents a whole new way to shop for the best in fresh produce, competitively priced groceries, and mouthwatering prepared food.

Communities in these neighborhoods can now choose from FreshDirect’s extensive product offering, featuring fresh foods and groceries, bulk items, local and organic produce and chef-prepared 4-Minute and Ready-to-Cook Meals. These neighborhoods add to a growing number of Brooklyn communities currently serviced by FreshDirect. In addition to Brooklyn, FreshDirect successfully operates throughout Manhattan and Queens as well as select areas in Staten Island, Westchester, Nassau County, and New Jersey.

It took a long long time for FreshDirect to correct its “social” injustice. Well better late than never. Welcome FD to BS….

PS….here you can see pics [1] [2] of Marty Markowitz sucking up to FD officials.

Well only for a short while, till the next consignment from commieland lands up on US shores.

More than 20,000 pairs of counterfeit Nike sneakers, as well as fake batteries, baseball caps and Louis Vuitton handbags, were among $25 million in goods seized in raids in New York City, on Long Island and in New Jersey, the authorities said on Wednesday. Two men, called “midlevel warehouse runners,” were arrested this month on federal counterfeiting charges. [link]

What I have always wondered is…does suppressing the counterfeit market really bolster the sales of the originals. 99% of people who buy the 20$ knock-offs at Canal Street, will never buy a 1500$ original. So its not really affecting the sales of Vuitton. In the same way, a fake is easily identifiable. It fools no one. So why spend all the time and effort going after them. I know my arguement is not wholesome. Comments welcome.

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I was laid off yesterday. I know I know. Such a sad thing right? Not at all.

Freedom is how I look at this. Not only were my former employers really kind to me, they even sang for me as I left. I’ve seen a lot of people at the company be ‘let-go’ and ‘fired’ – 2 very different things – and this is the first time I’ve seen them sing.

Being unemployed in NYC is not a terrible thing at first. But once the costs of living get you down, you have no choice but to either seek refuge in family/relatives or friends. Living costs alone are atrociously high and with the recession in place it’s difficult to survive.
But at times like these, you have no choice but to be creative, save a lot, use free Internet cafes and find peace, solace and beauty in walking around watching the trees.

I’ve spent my day updating my resume, talking to strangers at a tea shop, recording my podcast, and already networked with a whole new slew of people to plan my next big step.

But honestly there’s something nice about being in NYC during the day and being outside. This spring is the perfect time to be out of a job. =)

Be sure to check out this site which lists free events in NYC – especially if you ain’t got a job!

Photo from Wikipedia

My fiance and I had attended a wedding which began with the playing of a singing bowl – a Tibetan traditional meditation instrument, made of metal. The officiant moved a wooden wand around its rim to create a beautiful and rich ringing tone, similar to what you can do with a wine glass, but much deeper and louder. After hearing this magical sound, we decided to use one in our own wedding.

We looked online, but decided it would best to buy one in person. So we went to a shop a friend recommended called Mandala Tibetan Store in the East Village . They have a whole collection of these wonderful bowls, all different sizes. When we began trying them out, the store owner came over. With the competence of an expert, he began to explain the differences between the bowls and demonstrated the sounds they made. Each had its own unique tone. Extremely helpful, the store owner explained which bowls were good for beginners, which made the deeper sounds, and why the handmade bowls made a richer sound.

We chose a small and simple, handmade bowl with a wooden wand that makes a rich, pure sound.  It should be a lovely way to begin our ceremony.

My answer: you couldn’t pay me enough! But then again, I won’t touch a thing after I get off the subway until I wash my hands with anti-bacterial soap!

But check out this crazy kid who licked a subway pole for a mere $20!
here

The oddest things you see are, on their surface the most simple. Today I saw a kid sipping a box of orange juice on the street. Fine, a bit off kilter, but everyone needs their vitamin C. And then while listening to a Brazilian tune – almost in slow motion – he swung his arm a little bit and put a lit fat cigar in his mouth and took a puff.

WTF? was my reaction.

Speaking of odd combinations, yesterday while I was on Austin street in Queens, I entered the Gap to see what they had unveiled for spring. Their look for dudes looked appealing at first as all things do at the Gap at first glance, but then after a second look, I don’t think shorts along with a full-sleeved button downs and sports coats are exactly the most practical of looks.

Photo from Wikipages.com

I went to an internet event at the Gibraltar Lounge, the downstairs of Jacques Restaurant. This dimly-lit lounge has a funky atmosphere with cushioned sofas and very red decor. The spot makes for a nice private party – if you could afford it.

At first, the gathering started out small. I ordered a glass of red wine and a goat cheese napoleon from the restaurant upstairs. As I waited for the food to come, the place became packed. When my food arrived with no fork, I had to make my way through a massive crowd to get one from the upstairs restaurant. The food proved very tasty and I’d definitely enjoy sampling some other items on the menu. They serve brunch and have some outdoor tables, so it might be a sweet spot for a summer brunch. Despite the fork incident, I’d certainly give it another go.

Salt. How much do you know about it? I kinda love it myself, but didn’t realize I had the massive holes in my salt knowledge that it turns out I do. After a long day of travel to NYC I ended up Brooklyn at a friends place expecting to just go to sleep but instead walked into a salt tasting. European, Hawaiian, smoked, flaked, etc – the variety was amazing and I walked away from it full of much more salty knowledge, and a bit thirsty. I mention this here because I got the private trial run, but the public full version is happening tonight right here in NYC. The Salt Tasting done by Petra Tanos and is part of the Umami Festival (with tonight’s event happening at Roulette). Here’s a little more about it, but I gotta say I was pretty blown away and highly recommend it for anyone who regularly reaches for the salt.

Musique a’la Mode
Composer Fast Forward is well known for including kitchen
paraphernalia in his performances, but to date he has never gone ‘all
the way’. That is about to change for the Umami Festival where he will
unleash the world premiere of Musique a’la Mode, a concert in which
ALL his instruments will be derived from the common day kitchen. Pots,
pans, bowls, cutlery, food, liquids and more will be part of the
battery for this sonic culinarian’s concert. It could change your
entire approach to home cooking.