Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Water Ice, Not From Rita's
On another day there were expeditions to Philly Flavors during work. I tried the pink grapefruit and cantaloupe flavors. I was disappointed. The grapefruit was too sweet and the cantaloupe tasted like something else. I could never nail down what it was...some sort of passion fruit? Tomato? Who knows. I like the picture but the product wasn't up to par.
A Return To Past Sandwich Glory
Last week we had Primo's because L. unexpectedly had to return to her apartment during the work day; her apartment is near a Primo's. While I continued to appreciate Primo's, the last few of their sandwiches that I ate were not really so mind blowingly special. That lackluster streak ended with this sandwich: a 'Sicilian' with hot peppers, pickles, tomato and mayonnaise.
Oh man, it was gooooood.
Oh man, it was gooooood.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Dim Sum c/o Good Fortune Part Who Knows!
On Sunday my parents, B., D. and I went to Good Fortune for dim sum. As any good follower of my blog would know, I've been a frequent dim-summer for some time...but have you ever wondered why? Of course not, you know that this stuff is freakin' great, so of course I would love it. That said, dim sum was a large part of my childhood...or at least as I remember it...no, I really think that's true. My parents and I first started going to Dynasty across from Wheaton Plaza...back when Wheaton Plaza was waaaaaay smaller than it is now. Then we went to another place on Georgia Avenue (China something) and then we went back and forth between 'China Something' and Good Fortune. By the end of our days in Maryland it was pretty much Good Fortune all the time...which is probably just as good since, when I drove past 'China Something', I found out that the other restaurant is now a laundromat (sad face).
It was great that, when we walked in, the same man I remember meeting us and sending us out to a table was still there. If he's not the owner, I don't know what his deal is. He looked the same, just older. I had a small little, tiny hope that he would magically recognize me/us...and we'd have weird 'oh my I remember you when you were this big type moment'...but it's been at least a million years since we've been and we weren't such regulars that he would have known us...point is that I liked the continuity and that they were clearly doing well.
They had all the standards, shu mai, shrimp dumplings etc...but they also had the dumpling below: some sort of magical meat and...and...and...cilantro! Oh my. I do love me some cilantro and I think this was the first time I have ever had a cilantro dim sum dumpling. I will inform Philadelhphia upon my eventual return.
The sticky rice wasn't all that, to be honest. The Furama/Chicago sticky rice is still the bestest I've ever had.
This was an egg roll/spring roll type thing. It may have had cilantro as well. I liked it, I liked it a lot.
It was great that, when we walked in, the same man I remember meeting us and sending us out to a table was still there. If he's not the owner, I don't know what his deal is. He looked the same, just older. I had a small little, tiny hope that he would magically recognize me/us...and we'd have weird 'oh my I remember you when you were this big type moment'...but it's been at least a million years since we've been and we weren't such regulars that he would have known us...point is that I liked the continuity and that they were clearly doing well.
They had all the standards, shu mai, shrimp dumplings etc...but they also had the dumpling below: some sort of magical meat and...and...and...cilantro! Oh my. I do love me some cilantro and I think this was the first time I have ever had a cilantro dim sum dumpling. I will inform Philadelhphia upon my eventual return.
The sticky rice wasn't all that, to be honest. The Furama/Chicago sticky rice is still the bestest I've ever had.
This was an egg roll/spring roll type thing. It may have had cilantro as well. I liked it, I liked it a lot.
Preakness Day
On Preakness day we took our time getting out of the house and onto the road for the 45 minute drive north to Baltimore. This was for a number of reasons. The primary reason was that the Preakness was, if I recall correctly, the eleventh race and wasn't scheduled to go off until nearly 6...and that would be a long, long day (especially since the normal 15-20 minute amount of time between races would start running 30-45 as the main event became imminent). So, we got there around one, I think.
B. boiled eggs that morning and I turned them into pretty standard deviled eggs...some with salt/pepper/mayo and a tad bit of mustard and some with that same combo plus wasabi.
One of the entertainment features of the Saturday was parachutists from the airforce jumping out of plane and then landing on the turf. There was a moment where one of the dudes seemed to lose control, spiraling not in a I'm-putting-on-a-good-show kind of way but in a no-really-I'm falling-through-the-sky-with-colored-smoke-coming-out-of-my-feet. They did right themselves but I certainly gasped and inhaled a little.
B. and my mother, friends since B. and D. moved into the house across the street about 30 years ago. Awwww.
Mom and Dad with some hats. Dad had a pretty good start to his day winning some seriously big bucks on one of the first races we witnessed.
My father was quite generous and 'staked me' both days of racing. I managed to lose almost all that money. I won a little on the first day (less than $20) and another $20 on the main race of the day but it was definitely a losing situation. I thought I had every possible combination covered for the Preakness but Big Drama just didn't even factor into any of my bets. At least I bet on the filly, sheesh.
B. boiled eggs that morning and I turned them into pretty standard deviled eggs...some with salt/pepper/mayo and a tad bit of mustard and some with that same combo plus wasabi.
One of the entertainment features of the Saturday was parachutists from the airforce jumping out of plane and then landing on the turf. There was a moment where one of the dudes seemed to lose control, spiraling not in a I'm-putting-on-a-good-show kind of way but in a no-really-I'm falling-through-the-sky-with-colored-smoke-coming-out-of-my-feet. They did right themselves but I certainly gasped and inhaled a little.
B. and my mother, friends since B. and D. moved into the house across the street about 30 years ago. Awwww.
Mom and Dad with some hats. Dad had a pretty good start to his day winning some seriously big bucks on one of the first races we witnessed.
My father was quite generous and 'staked me' both days of racing. I managed to lose almost all that money. I won a little on the first day (less than $20) and another $20 on the main race of the day but it was definitely a losing situation. I thought I had every possible combination covered for the Preakness but Big Drama just didn't even factor into any of my bets. At least I bet on the filly, sheesh.
Familiar Faces
After our first day of races I peeled/pealed? off from the 'grown ups' and went to Daddy Mountain and Mommy Meadow's house for dinner, drinking and general kevetching. Last year when I went to Maryland for C.'s bachelorette party I stopped by and had a great time for two nights, so when I decided to go to the Preakness I emailed Mommy Meadow to see if she'd be amenable to another visit; she was game for a visit, so visit I did. Also in attendance was Sister Brook, which was great since I remember her as this little quiet person and now she's a snarky bad ass with the same kind of car as me. Heh. We sat out on their deck and drank wine and Daddy Mountain grilled steak and veggies and it was good times. I stayed late and enjoyed it. Thanks to all three of them for the good conversation and company.
I don't know why.
I have a feeling that this is probably one of the worst photographs ever taken of three women who look better than this. But whatever.
I don't know why.
I have a feeling that this is probably one of the worst photographs ever taken of three women who look better than this. But whatever.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Black Eyed Susan Day at Pimlico
This year was the first year, I guess, that people weren't allowed to bring alcohol into the Preakness. We were, however, allowed to bring in food (as long as it was in clear containers). B. our friend and neighbor made tasty steak sandwiches.
Our seats were in the outdoors grandstand just a little before the finish line.
Lazy!
Our seats were in the outdoors grandstand just a little before the finish line.
Lazy!
Dreams Deferred
As I often note, these works of art are best viewed larger...ie click on the image in order for the image to pack its fullest punch.
Black Eyed Susan Day at Pimlico
Last Thursday I made my way to Silver Spring, Maryland to meet up with my parents at our old friends/neighbors' house. I did this in order to attend two days of racing at Pimlico: Black Eyed Susan Day and Preakness day. More on that later. Right now this is a picture from Friday...it is the official drink (whiskey and vodka with orange juice and something) of the races in a commemorative glass.What else? I took Zul to the vet the other day, he seems to be doing well on the whole. He's 18.4 pounds, which is less than an ideal weight for a cat but...we'll see. I'm gearing up for my two week vacation in Tennessee, which really means I'm thinking about how that's going to happen but not packing or planning. Woo.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Find The Vampire
Well, technically there is no vampire to find. But I'm thinking about how I can incorporate a bloodsucker into this stained glass-like scape.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Sunday Morning in New Hope
Sunday morning we awoke early in order to take advantage of the breakfast aspect of the Fox and Hound's bed and breakfast-ness.
S. and I ordered our meals while J. stayed hidden on our terrace.
There was fruit, which we ate while waiting for our eggs etc.
The breakfast was standard, nothing amazing but certainly pleasant. The bacon could have been better but who am I to complain?
After we ate we got into the car and headed back to George School in time to go to Sunday meeting for worship. I think we all sort of thought that we'd meet up with a few others from the class of '99...but we were the only representatives present. We sat and listened as a good number of teenagers stood up and talked about their hopes and dreams and lessons etc...graduation is very soon and you know how teenagers like to wax philosophic. I haven't been to meeting since high school and I remembered why I liked it at times....and why I didn't like it at other times. It was a beautiful day, warm and with a nice breeze, and the meeting house's doors were wide open, allowing us the ability to sit in silence peaceably and with the sound of trees and birds and unquiet children as part of the backdrop. What?
S. and I ordered our meals while J. stayed hidden on our terrace.
There was fruit, which we ate while waiting for our eggs etc.
The breakfast was standard, nothing amazing but certainly pleasant. The bacon could have been better but who am I to complain?
After we ate we got into the car and headed back to George School in time to go to Sunday meeting for worship. I think we all sort of thought that we'd meet up with a few others from the class of '99...but we were the only representatives present. We sat and listened as a good number of teenagers stood up and talked about their hopes and dreams and lessons etc...graduation is very soon and you know how teenagers like to wax philosophic. I haven't been to meeting since high school and I remembered why I liked it at times....and why I didn't like it at other times. It was a beautiful day, warm and with a nice breeze, and the meeting house's doors were wide open, allowing us the ability to sit in silence peaceably and with the sound of trees and birds and unquiet children as part of the backdrop. What?
Facebook Lifts
A full week has gone by since all the high school reunionizing. In the Facebook world photograph uploading of the event has slowed...so now I bring you photographs with me in them that others took! Lunch under the tent with J., L. and E.
L. and I doing something with our hands...it looks unlike my typical high five/low five jive.
Childhood friend!
A better version of a photograph with me and J.
Friday before the dance when the nerves and anxiety over the whole weekend were still high.
And that's it!
L. and I doing something with our hands...it looks unlike my typical high five/low five jive.
Childhood friend!
A better version of a photograph with me and J.
Friday before the dance when the nerves and anxiety over the whole weekend were still high.
And that's it!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Reunion Part 4: Drinks, Dinner and Dancing
Saturday evening began with dinner and drinks c/o Tuscany on the Towpath.
J. and I were freshmen year high school roommates.
This is J.'s youngest son...just look at those eyes, so cute.
E. and I had three photographs taken and this was the best of the lot.
C.'s fist was a little terrifying.
But not as terrifying as her amazing strength.
J. and I also had a series of photographs taken and this was the best of the lot.
B. flew in from San Francisco for the reunion. Good work!
After dinner the majority of attendees moved on to Havana's. Mr. Ass was there, and boy was he happy.
No, wait, he was grumpy.
Cheers!
I'm too lazy to fix this.
I may or may not have danced a little or a lot. Whatever. We all have to dance some time.
I certainly wasn't alone.
A. kept putting her nose directly in my ear while the photograph was taken, thus my facial expression...she seems rather blissed about the whole thing.
Mr. Ass, getting his groove on in the corner of this photograph.
J. and S. representing a huge section of boarding boys.
This was taken after S. told K. (the dude in the middle) that he had won the reunion...which is accurate.
And in the end there were four (W. was there too, just not in this picture). J., S., W. and I ended up being the last representatives at the bar...well, almost the last.
J. and I were freshmen year high school roommates.
This is J.'s youngest son...just look at those eyes, so cute.
E. and I had three photographs taken and this was the best of the lot.
C.'s fist was a little terrifying.
But not as terrifying as her amazing strength.
J. and I also had a series of photographs taken and this was the best of the lot.
B. flew in from San Francisco for the reunion. Good work!
After dinner the majority of attendees moved on to Havana's. Mr. Ass was there, and boy was he happy.
No, wait, he was grumpy.
Cheers!
I'm too lazy to fix this.
I may or may not have danced a little or a lot. Whatever. We all have to dance some time.
I certainly wasn't alone.
A. kept putting her nose directly in my ear while the photograph was taken, thus my facial expression...she seems rather blissed about the whole thing.
Mr. Ass, getting his groove on in the corner of this photograph.
J. and S. representing a huge section of boarding boys.
This was taken after S. told K. (the dude in the middle) that he had won the reunion...which is accurate.
And in the end there were four (W. was there too, just not in this picture). J., S., W. and I ended up being the last representatives at the bar...well, almost the last.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)