Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday to me!

Thank you everyone for a wonderful time last night at Hearth. It meant so much to me that all of you were there. I love you guys!

Birthday plans

So tomorrow is my big day. I will be 34. That sucks. But whatever.

Tonight is dinner at Hearth with my dear friends.

Tomorrow Splish-Splash on LI with the cousins.

And then maybe a surprise.

Le Grande Dame

I arrived at work this morning to find a bottle of my favorite champagne waiting for me, courtesy of Dr. ESP. We've been huge fans of Veuve Clicquot champagne and have always talked about trying their piece de resistance 'Le Grande Dame'. So now I am the (temporarily) proud owner of a vintage 1990 bottle.

Thank you Eric. It is one of the nicest birthday gifts I have ever received. Can't wait to crack it open and let the bubbly flow!

Dear Henry,

JUST DO IT.



Love,
Simone

Relativepalooza Pt. 1-The Nephews

My brother and nephews left yesterday evening. So sad to say goodbye. As always we had an awesome time. I wish they were here for longer. Thankfully we have the 2 bdrm now which I think made everyone more comfortable. Here was the schedule. Pictures to come, but meanwhile you can visit my nephew Brandon's blog.

Thursday-walked across Brooklyn Bridge, ate at Grimaldi's, walked around East Village/Greenwich Village, went home to relax and then dinner with cousin Andy and Matthew at Vietnamese-awesome pork chops!

Friday-Great Adventure. Place was empty but we still had to wait (with the virtual wait Q-bot of course!) 2 hours for some of the good rides. No Kingda Ka. Nitro 4 times!!!! The safari was also a highlight.

Saturday-Chinatown for shopping and dumplings. Then a drink at Anotheroom followed by delicious hamburgers at Corner Bistro. Followed by some desserts at Mary's Off Jane. Bellies full we wobbled home to relax.

Sunday-out to LI for a boat trip with our cousins. Had lots of fun but I felt seasick even with 2 Dramamine. Then back to the cousin's house for some swimming pool and barbeque fun with the whole family. Lots of kids and lots of smiles.

Monday-walked around Times Square, ate tons of food at Carmine's then walked around Macy's before having to say a sad goodbye.

I missed them the minute they left. The apartment feels so empty now :(

Tonight, cousin Rene and the Brit's arrive.

Me, Conrad & Brandon on the Brooklyn Bridge

Relativepalooza '05

Today is the beginning of Relativepalooza 2005. At 6am cousin Andy arrived from Trinidad. At noon my Brother and nephews arrive from Miami. On Monday Aunt Chris arrives from Trinidad and on Tuesday the gang from England and cousin Rene arrive. Then in another week come Tricia & Lisa from CA! Luckily most will be staying on LI as I don't have that much room in my new apartment.

I'm so happy we're going to see everybody. What a busy Summer this has turned out to be.

New addition!

No, I'm not preggo.

We finally bought a new rug and a side table yesterday at Crate and Barrel. Thanks to Steve S for the suggestion.

Hopefully these purchases will end the fights David and I have been having regarding what to buy, how much and when. It's seems this apartment will never get done. I know we've only been there a couple of weeks and I'm being impatient. But I just want it feel like 'ours' already.

So on Saturday we will pick up our new purchases and hopefully everything will look good and we'll be on our way to making this place feel like home.

I'm Out!

I'm out! Well, not me, my tooth. My very last baby tooth came out tonight while eating dinner. What did it you ask? A scallion pancake from Zen Palate of course. It didn't even hurt. Man, am I happy. It has been almost exactly one year since I first knocked it loose on some spicy wings on my birthday.

Now I look like a homeless person with 2 missing (baby) teeth. And I can't get them replaced until January since I'm over my $1500 dental insurance limit.

Start the banjoes boys, Mama's home! Yee-haw!

My city of lights

David & I were invited to Laura & Glen's wedding celebration aboard the Spriit of the Hudson Saturday night. The boat was nice and big and we had smooth sailing for the 3 hour tour. Even though there were armed coast guard men all over the place. While none of my pictures came out of the bride and groom, the city sure looked damn good!

Congratulations to the happy couple :)

Happy Birthday Shaina!

Happy birthday to my now 23 year old little sister. Woohooo! Birthday for youuuuuu!

I love you :)

HAPPY BIG FOUR-OH HENRY ? ?!

We celebrated a night early starting with a fantastic dinner at Babbo. Goose liver ravioli, beef cheeks, paparadelle bolongese and and amazing steak for three started the evening. We finished with a great outdoor rooftop party atop the La Quinta hotel in Korea Town underneath the Empire State building. Everything turned out 5 X 5.

Happy Birthday Henry. You're very especial to us.

Do it.

HP

Woohoo-tonight's the night! I can't wait to get started on this. I love how the day after the books are released, everyone on the subway is reading a copy. I feel the love man!

First purchase!

Yey, we just made our first furniture purchase for the new apt. We've wanted an ottoman for a while now. We realized this in the old apt when we'd get home everyday, put our feet up on the hard coffee table and be uncomfortable. But most ottoman's I've seen are a little too bulky. Luckily our friend Sophia introduced us to Room & Board. I'm in love with almost everything in the store. We found this and knew it was exactly what we wanted. So we went to the store in Soho today after work, and bought it. Only problem is it's backordered and probably won't be here for another month. I guess I won't have it ready for when my Brother and nephews arrive next week.

Daniel

I'd like to welcome Daniel to the blogworld. Daniel is 10 years old has a cool blog. Hence the name "Daniel's Cool Blog".

Welcome!

Good times

Our company celebrated their 13th year anniversary last night aboard the Cloud Nine III. After a short meeting we were treated to open bar, appetizers and buffet dinner. Luckily I took a Dramamine first as the rivers were more rocky than I expected. Even though the sky was grey and visibility poor, NYC is always such an amazing site to see.

100 things about me (that you may not know)

Espana troubles

I need to get my ass in gear and plan our Spain trip already. I've bought all the books but can't seem to open them. We leave August 31 and return Sept 12. I don't know why I haven't planned it. When we went to Italy I planned for 4 months, and it was all perfect. Same with France. Planned and perfect. Spain-no plan, no perfect. Yet.

We are flying into Barcelona and leaving from Madrid. Anything in between there is up in the air. I have booked the first three nights in Barcelona and haven't been able to move to the next leg of the trip.

I know a few of you have been. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I know places I want to go, just not sure how long to stay at each. I really don't want to take any overnight trains and am considering flying from Barcelona down south. Anyone else done this?

Rick Steves (my travel god) suggests this itinerary. Anyone care to add or take away anything? Should I try to squeeze in a day trip to Morocco?

~Arrive in Barcelona (stay 3 days)

~Fly,drive or take overnight train? to Madrid with side-trips to Toledo, El Escorial, and Segovia

~Granada/Andalucia

~Nerja

~Rhonda

~Sevilla, flying home from Madrid

CP stands for Cranky Pants

I'm a cranky pants today. First off some a$$hole decided to park his car right under my building last night and blast his extremely loud and bass-y car stereo at 3:45AM. Yes, 3:45AM. The bass was so loud the windows were rattling. WTF? I looked outside and he was just sitting there on his car. Doors and trunk open wide to allow the most sound possible to disturb the most amount of sleeping people possible. I toyed with the idea of throwing an egg at him but then decided to call 311 instead. So they take my info and contact my local police precinct and supposedly send a car out. I don't know if they ever did or if the guy just left because by 4:30am I was back asleep.

I also heard about this great job an ex-worker just started and decided I too am interested. I'm not miserable where I am but I am realizing there are better opportunities out there with more money and benefits. So I called this morning and they told me I am 2 days too late. Sh*t. I hate when people tell you you just missed something. Just tell me it's been filled. Now I'm kicking myself because I knew about this a couple of weeks ago and just decided yesterday to go for it. I really screwed up.

BAH

Plain and simple, it sucks to be back at work. Just two days ago we were frolicking on the beach in Block Island with a stunt kite and beautiful weather.

For a full recount of my trip please view Celvyn's blog for details. And be prepared to laugh. He is funny that Celvyn.

It was very strange returning on Saturday night. The place still doesn't feel like it's ours. I actually have spent more time in the house in BI than I have in our new apt! But after last night things are looking up. We spent a shitload of dough at BB&B and the place is finally feeling more like home.

Sophia is staying with us as she missed her flight Sat night due to stupid ferry and train drivers who don't know what they are doing. But we're secretly glad she missed it as she has succeeded in making our apt a little more lived in. She is also helpful in convincing David not to do silly things (he never listens to me, only others). She and I think alike when it comes to decorating the place. GO SOPHIA!! You rock!


Oh why can't I live in a pineapple under the sea? Preferably in the vicinity of Block Island.

Bah.

BI '05

So Block Island '05. What can I say other than it was yet another amazing week at my favorite place with my favorite people. The house was amazing. Brand new fully renovated "Real World" style house. Beautifully designed and very open and bright. 6 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath luxury home steps from New Harbor. The weather was only Summer like for the first 3 days but that didn't stop us from having a great week together. Lots of Block Island iced teas, badminton, CROQUET!, wiffle ball, backgammon and board games kept us busy when the sun wasn't shining. Had a great horseride on the beach and even got to run for a minute or two. I am in love with Celvyn's stunt kite and now must have my own. Oh the power! It was especially nice to have Maria there this time so she could see what a New England Summer was all about.

The thought of not doing it again until next Summer makes me oh so sad.

Man, do I miss everybody now. I love you guys!

We're back!

Block Island was amazing as ever, despite the crappy weather during 2/3's of our trip. Great friends, grilling and Block Island iced teas made everything perfect.

Off to sleep. More later. And yes, we are all dressed alike in the picture.

Block Island Week

Our Block Island week is finally here!

We're off to my favorite place in the world!

I hope everyone has a great Fourth of July weekend and I'll speak to you all in a week!

Big Bad Ben's Blog

My brother finally has a blog. Welcome to the blogworld Big Ben!

Super Super

So getting rid of our couch has been a nightmare. I put it up on Craigslist a couple of days ago and I now realize everyone who reads it is is a irresponsible 19 year old.

One girl told me she would pick it up yesterday morning before 8:30. I called her at 8 and woke her up. She said she could be there in a half hour, so I waited. Ten minutes later she called to say there was traffic. I asked her if they had crossed the bridge yet. No she said. So how is there traffic if you haven't even left Astoria to go over the bridge. I knew she was lying. I told her I'd wait. Five minutes later she called again saying that she rather come at night, that she doesn't want to have to buy the couch since she hasn't seen it yet. Whatever.

I must have received about a dozen emails. All said they're very interested and would love to come see it. I reply with my address and cell, and then never hear from them again. Last night two roomates did come to see it, seemed to like it, stepped outside to call the other roommate, then said they had "other couches to see" and would be back later. Yeah, whatever.

At this time my Superintendent Dennis was painting the old apartment. I told him how I can't understand why nobody wants our couch. He asked me whats wrong with it? I told him nothing, we love it, but it won't fit through the doorway into the new apartment. "I'll get it to fit" he said.

So he and David heaved it over to 2A and after about a half hour of pushing, pulling and tweaking they got it in! What a genius. He thought of trying a completely different approach than David or Matthew had.

So now our new apartment finally feels like our apartment. Immediately we set up the living room, began putting things in their places, hung lighting and just made things more neat. The cats finally came out of hiding in the closet and were visibly happier and more at home too.

Thanks to our Super Dennis. You rock!