Monday, June 25, 2007

my greatest moment as a commenter

This afternoon Deadspin's "Comment Ombudsman" highlighted my efforts as a commenter on the site. Scroll down the post and you'll see that my alter ego Peter Cavan offered a rewrite of "America" from West Side Story as it applies to the 2007 New York Mets.

Saturday, June 23, 2007

After-action report: the Deadspin East Coast Pants Party

It's taken me most of the day to recover from last night's revelry. It was that much fun.

Yesterday afternoon, I met up with a group of fellow Deadspin readers and commenters for drinking, baseball, drinking, and then more drinking. I used to make fun of my friends for meeting people from the Internet in real life. I will admit I was a little apprehensive about about being face-to-face with people who are usually represented by names like "Phony Gwynn," "Big Ten Obsession," and "Moobs." But any concern I had was unnecessary. This was one fantastic, friendly group of people.

We started at Lounge 47 in Long Island City in midafternoon, then took the party out to Shea Stadium, where I think the Mets played a game against the A's. It was the most fun I've ever had at any sporting event. At one point I was in pain from laughing so hard. I remember cheering for the Mets, but the biggest cheer went up when our group's name appeared on the scoreboard. We had some debate as to where to go after the game, and someone suggested The Big Easy, just a few blocks from my apartment. There seemed to be some support for that plan, so I led a small contingent through the subways and streets of the Upper East Side back to the bar. After that, things get a little hazy. The photos tell the complete story. I think I left around 2 AM, but that's just because it's the last timestamp on my photo set.

Like I said, this was a great group of people to hang out with. There are a few more of these gatherings scheduled for later in the summer. Having been to one, I'm seriously thinking of going to others. Maybe next time I'll remember to stop drinking just a little sooner, so I can remember how I got home.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Chris Berman, Muppet

While I was watching Mike Greenberg milk a cow on "Mike & Mike In The Morning" today, I missed this. So far, it's not on YouTube, but I can re-watch an everyday farm animal procedure to my heart's content.

I've never been so depressed.

Sunday, June 17, 2007

I've got a new friend

It's been about six months since Mr. Starlite became my only cat, so I decided that it was time to get him a friend. I went to the ASPCA on Saturday and came home with Grady, a two-year-old black and white cat with a playful and happy disposition. Grady was the name the ASPCA gave him, and I'm going to keep it. He looks a bit like he's wearing a tuxedo, and the name reminds me of Delbert Grady, the old caretaker in The Shining who appears to Jack Nicholson as a butler. (I know, Delbert Grady chopped up his whole family, but let's not dwell on that.) Grady spent Saturday and part of Sunday cooped up in my home office, but this afternoon I couldn't let him be alone any longer. I let him out to meet Starlite. They've swatted at each other a few times and chased each other around, but I think they're going to get along. Although he doesn't appear to have anything wrong with him, I need to take Grady to my vet to make sure he's in good health just to be safe. That should happen in the next week or two.

I've put some photos of Grady here.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

One night in "Xanadu"

Normally, I wouldn't see something like "Xanadu" on Broadway. But one of my friends sold a group of us on the idea and put together an evening of theater and drinking (not necessarily in that order), and so we had a plan. We met for drinks at Kemia on 9th Avenue, then once we were sufficiently prepared, we headed to the theater.

The show is quite possibly the dumbest thing I've ever seen, and I've sat through a lot of bad theater. But it's not actually bad. It's surprisingly entertaining. The production doesn't take it self seriously, and there are more than a few Broadway and New York in-jokes. It's still a schlocky early 1980s roller disco musical. And I really enjoyed it. I don't think I'd see it again, but if you wanted 90 minutes of mindless Broadway musical entertainment, you could do worse than "Xanadu."

Monday, June 11, 2007

no sleep, no hot water... I'm not happy today

I was up late Sunday night watching (in this order) the Tony awards, the finale of "The Sopranos," and the premiere of "John From Cincinnati," AKA the "what the hell was that?" show. I didn't get to bed until after 2 AM, and didn't fall asleep for at least half an hour. Then this morning I had no hot water for my shower, so I made a half-hearted effort to soap and rinse without freezing myself to death. Instead of the cold water waking me up, I feel worse now than I did this morning.

I had planned to post my own "Sopranos" post-show analysis, but I can't form any original thoughts. All I want to do is go home and crash. I'd better have some hot water tomorrow, or I'll take my towel and my rubber ducky over to my landlord's apartment and use his shower.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Want to be a better Jew?

Get one of these.

It's got blessings I didn't know existed. Need one for muffins? It's got you covered!

Monday, June 04, 2007

back in the city

I spent my weekend visiting my family in Maryland, where I got to hear my brother play a concert with the Columbia Orchestra, and have lunch with some of my friends. It was good to get out of the city for a few days. As much as I love it here, I need a break now and then.

I tried to find Ben & Jerry's "Stephen Colbert's 'Americone Dream'" ice cream flavor at my dad's grocery store, but they had every kind except that one. I haven't found it in New York yet. Where is it?! I need my conservative ice cream fix!

Friday, June 01, 2007

I am a mobile road warrior

I can browse the web and read e-mail from the train to DC using my cellphone and a cable for my laptop. The connection's not as reliable as I'd like (it drops occasionally and slows to a crawl at times) but I can't complain too much. I'm writing this post between Wilmington and Baltimore. This is what happens with a 3G phone and an unlimited data plan. If I was really hardcore I'd connect the laptop and phone with Bluetooth, but the cable charges the phone at the same time. And my corporate laptop doesn't have a Bluetooth adapter in it(!).

I'm getting out of New York for the first time since February. Nobody burn down the city in my absence. I'll be back on Sunday evening.