Bob Evans Breakfast

The next morning was certainly not the easiest. Originally I had suggested going to a kind of fancy brunch spot but the collective decision was that some of our party were too hungover to appreciate fancy food. So instead we went to Bob Evans. I must admit that I was momentarily saddened by this change of plans before remembering a)it wasn't about me and b)damn Bob Evans makes some good gravy! We all got different things but I got the two egg breakfast that came with sausage, biscuits, gravy and potatoes. The eggs were ok, nothing too special and I actually felt similarly ambivalent about the sausage. But that gravy? I would not be surprised if they put MSG in it because I just kept coming back for more.

This Christmas I made K., A., W., and K. all shirts. Well, I didn't make them with my bare hands, but I did put a picture that I made, which Cuz K. has always enjoyed, through an internet magic thing and had shirts made for them. I had seen them before but not all of the recipients in the shirts at the same time so one of my last requests before departing Ohio was to get them all together. There were two small issues with this. The first was that W. didn't know where his shirt was (teenage boys, what are you going to do about it?!) and the other was that it was night time and I was not giving them any very good direction about how to stand or smile. So I took a bunch of not terribly awesome photos. But the proof, it remains. Except for W. I was going to cover W.'s head with Jay Z's head...but then I realized that I don't know how to do that and gave up.

Barbeque Fun Times, 2013

A few weekends back my roommate and I invited a group of folks over to our deck for a barbeque. I got up early and drove north to Czerw's to get some fine Polish kielbasa, and went to a few other spots in preparation for the afternoon and evening. I got a few different kinds of sausage. Below is me holding the fresh Kielbasa aloft in all my triumphant double chinned glory.

There was a moment where it seemed like the new propane tank wasn't going to work and that the barbeque would lack actual grilling, but that crisis was averted.

In addition to three different kinds of sausage, I also made burgers, cole slaw, and some dips.

Burgers and sausage, huzzah!

The roommate fixed some very tasty beverages with the aid of the coconut rum I brought back with me from the Bahamas.

Thumbs up!

The roommate's lady friend brought her dog over, and Brutus came with CPM and R. So there was a good dog presence.

CPM also brought the fixings for sangria.

While S. brought ice cream cupcakes and red velvet cupcakes.

Later in the evening there were quite dramatic thunder and lightning clouds on display before turning to torrential rains. We took the rain as an opportunity to play beer drinking games in the living room.

And that's just what we did. A good evening I think.

Breakfast at Red Hook Diner and Departure From the Hudson Valley

I awoke Sunday morning with very few things on my agenda. The main one being breakfast at the Red Hook diner. Just as I was packing up, the entire building suddenly went berserk. And by that I mean a fire alarm sounded and kept sounding. I took a look around the hall and heard no screams nor smelled no smoke, so I just went back to packing up and texting K. and C. about their availability for an early morning breakfast. Eventually all my gear was packed and I proceeded towards the exit closest to the parking lot where my car was located. I guess most folks took the fire alarm far more seriously, including the fireman who held the door open for me and a gaggle of my former classmates, some of whom were in pajamas and draped with blankets. C. and K. were also there and it was decided that we would just get on with it and go to breakfast. This was a very good move on our part. The Red Hook Diner is basically the place to be on any given morning, but especially a weekend morning, and on a reunion/graduation weekend? Come 11 AM that place is packed and you're lucky if you don't have to wait 20 to 30 minutes. We, however, waited about two minutes before getting a spot. When something works you just keep going with it, and the diner's 2 eggs/meat/potatoes/bottomless coffee meal definitely works. And my preferred combo always was (and probably always will be) two poached eggs with the deep fried version of potatoes and sausage links. It was everything I wanted it to be. EVERYTHING.

The diner is right next to the building where K. and I both spent about two years post-graduation. In the two bottom apartments. Those were some transitional years for sure, going from student to semi-kind-of-almost adults. And we both left at the same time too, with K. moving to NYC to attend grad school while I moved on to Chicago, also to attend grad school. And here we were about eight years later.

After that it was pretty much the usual getting out of a place. I tried to track down S. who still had my jacket, but wasn't able to get in touch with him and didn't feel like rambling around aimlessly until I heard from him. So we all dropped off our respective dorm keys, got into our respective wheels and drove off from Bard's campus. I crossed the Kingston bridge and the sun was finally coming out and the way it played on the water and mountains was something to see. Unfortunately you can't really see because I was driving while randomly clicking my camera's shutter. Never a very effective method for really good photos.

But you can't say I didn't try.

And that about wraps up the 10th year reunion of the Bard Class of 2003. The majority of my fears were unfounded and it was quite nice to see some of the faces that I wouldn't otherwise see in the course of my everyday life. Good work all around. Though I hope the next reunion I attend will feature warmer weather.

Last Breakfast in Gettysburg

Well I'm back from a vacation, of which you will eventually see evidence...but now I gotta just get through this Gettysburg trip that happened in late February. Our last meal was at a '50s style joint pretty much catty-cornered from Ernie's, and if I recall correctly also had a man's name in its title. In any case it was a cold day, but we got a pretty sunny set-up, which kept us warm and gave me nice light for photos. A number of us ordered french toast, which looked pretty good.

I. seemed contemplative about her bites.

I had the two eggs, sausage and homefries combo. I would have liked my eggs just a little more cooked after being flipped but it wasn't anything tragic. Sausage and potatoes were good.

Then we all drove in our respective cars out to one of the battlefields. It was so unbelievably windy and cold that I don't think any of us were too excited about staying out in the elements for long, so then we splintered into two groups. I was in a group that went to check out outlet stores nearby. I was particularly interested in finding sunglasses, but ended up buying two pairs of jeans for $30.

And thus concludes the family weekend in Gettysburg.

A Night Out Featuring Wine and Snacks c/o Tria Wine Room

CPM had a slight break in her graduate studies, or at least a little more time in Philly, earlier this month and we capitalized on that free time/her hubby's being out of town for a bachelor party to meet up and catch up. At some time prior to this meeting I purchased a Groupon (or it could have been a Social Living) discount for cheese and snacks at Tria Wine Room. I had tried, previously, to cash the coupon in, but hadn't read the fine print that stipulated it could only be redeemed at the West Philly Tria location. In the end that early mistake was a blessing, as it was far more fun to explore the menu with a fellow food lover. I believe we went on a Saturday evening, braving the cold, a bus, and a walk past streaming UPenn students going east to Center City to arrive at our destination. I had realized that our choice of evenings could potentially lead to a wait/the fact that we might be the only two people in the establishment not on a date ... and at least one of those expectations was pretty much met; we were seated immediately at the bar but all around us were couples. The bartender was friendly and handsome and we quickly had glasses of wine in our hands. Well, in my case, a Spanish cava/prosecco (Cava Brut, Castellroig, NV). When it came down to choosing what to eat we ultimately chose Tria Sliced Meat Plate with Sweet Red Pepper, Pickled Onion Mostarda and Spicy Garlic Oil. The variations of the sliced cured meats was lovely, as were the accompanying slices of bread and garnishes. The garlic oil was particularly delightful.

We also split the Claudio Mozzarella Sandwich with Crispy Prosciutto, Piquillo Pepper, Pesto and Garlic Vinaigrette, which was above average for a fanci-fied mozzarella panini. I was especially fond of the pesto element.

We additionally enjoyed the Housemade Lamb Sausage with White Beans, Piquillo Peppers and Mint-Feta Sauce. CPM enjoyed the white beans a whole heck of a lot while I became enamored of the lamb sausage, which was savory and hearty and magic.

We also enjoyed a chunk of Crémeux de Bourgogne cheese with its accompanying preserved cherries, but the photograph of the cheese just didn't come out well enough to bother showing you. We each ordered a second glass of wine to round out our treats. The Tria industrial complex (heh) is not fooling around with its curated wine list or attention to interesting flavor combinations and I was glad to finally check out the third of its locations. Afterwards we were going to try and have fancy cocktails at Franklin Mortgage and Trust, but it was cold and there was already a line of a good 10 people and that would have translated to a good 30-who knows minute wait, which we were having none of. Instead we went in a markedly less high-brow direction to The Bards, where we ran into LW. LW was playing darts but with folks who really know how to shoot...and CPM would not have had much fun if playing against them, so we set up shop at the lower board and played a game or two with two dudes. We topped the night off with one round of beers at McCrossens, which is generally a good way to end a night and lived up to that description admirably on this occasion.

Morning and Breakfast in the Virginias

I woke up earlier than I planned the morning after Thanksgiving. I tried to go back to sleep, but the light coming through my bedroom window and the views beyond it made it hard to shut my eyes...so I decided to get up and get on with it. Dad and I were the only two guests in the house this particular evening, so I wandered a bit and took photos of the light and slightly outdated decor. Seriously, if I could I would buy this house and live in it forever. I'd make a few changes to paint decor and the like, but it's got a pretty good layout and feel to it.

Outside there was still a light frost on the grass and my car. And, in the instance of my car, also a fair helping of bird crap. Note to self: do not park under a tree in the country.

To one side of the house were an old shed and barn, both of which had seen slightly better days. I think there's a word for photographs featuring buildings in various stages of decay. The following photographs could, I would think, belong to such an oeuvre.

What I always find curious about barns like this, is just what the order was to its decay. Was it already filled with a million different kinds of junk and then one of its walls fell down? Or did one of its walls fall down and folks thought, 'well we might as well throw some junk in that there hole'? I'm guessing the former, but you never know. I also wonder at just what moment a barn went from functioning structure to something abandoned and unkept. It is a conscious choice? A simple matter of finances or change of ownership or circumstance? You can drive around any rural area and come across so many barns and even houses with this total feeling of neglect, and yet they are still standing, falling apart one board, one roof shingle, at a time.

After my house and barn tour I decided to go on a larger adventure, which ultimately led to breakfast at Mountain View Diner, where I ordered myself a full breakfast of two fried eggs, sausage links, toast and grits. Funny thing, there really wasn't a mountain view to speak of nor would the mountains that could potentially be seen resemble the mountains their website features. The breakfast was satisfying and met my basic standards for diner fare, but I wasn't terribly wowed.

A nice start to the day.

Wedding Reception Fun Times

I've known LB since I was 13. We lived on the same hall our freshmen and sophomore years of high school. I don't quite recall how it began, but during those years I'd often come to LB's room and we'd chat about this and that. Boys and the like. And even when we lived on different halls, I would often meander my way to her room to hang out during study hall. We managed to keep in touch post-high school and through our various locations and life changes. I recall having gone a pretty long time without talking to LB on the phone when I was in Chicago, and finally catching up. And I very much remember a portion of that conversation, which focused on keeping in touch. I feel like we both assured the other that if we ever got married, the other would totally be invited to the wedding. When I moved to Philly I enjoyed getting to spend more quality time with LB. We found a nice balance in our friendship and I have treasured LB's continued role as confidante and fun friend over the last five years.   When I first arrived in Philly LB was just starting to date C., and I had a good feeling about him from the start. So, to see them finally tying the knot, and to be invited to the wedding, is really just a happy making occasion all around. The fact that the reception really was just full on fancy/classy was a nice finishing touch, but it could have been in a dungeon and I think LB's family and friends would have been just as excited and danced and reveled just as much. And so, now that I've established that I am grateful for LB's friendship and glad to see her married to such a stand-up guy, lets get to it. After the wedding itself we took a handful of photos in a nearby park before making our way, trolley-style, back to the Union League and reception. After getting ourselves drinks we reconvened outside for a few more professional photos. Before all the other members of the bridal/groom party arrived, I asked LB to get a few candids with me...unfortunately the person taking the photograph didn't really stop to look at them, so out of the three, only this one is decent for both of us. Double chin on my part not withstanding.

And after those outdoor photos, it was time to go to the big ballroom for the dinner and dancing part of the evening. Just gorgeous. 

I don't know what V. is looking at, but she lost a hand over of it.

C. and M. are in lurve.

LW and V. LW was my junior year roommate, and V. lived on our floor as well. Sometimes it doesn't feel like it's been nearly 15 years since those days but, in fact, it truly has been. V.'s had a baby, LW is engaged. Time marches on.

Snap!

Their entrance was fantastic.

Sass!

The appetizer was a scallop with cubed potatoes, asparagus and some delectable sauce.

Lovely little salad.

And the piece de resistance, a nice bit of steak and an equally delectable portion of sea bass. Mmmm. Yeah I ate this entire plate.

Mr. Ass was in attendance, properly tuxedoed.

N. and I made a quick stop in the luxurious bathroom and I needed to take mirror photos. Needed it.

There was plenty of dancing, with the help of a live band from Baltimore.

I took a very similar photo of C. and R. at their wedding. Love it.

Dessert included these fun sticks of chocolate magic. I'll have to ask LB to comment in order to remember just what they consisted of.

I will also need to seek out additional photos of myself that prove that my makeup looked good. Here is really the only one I have.

A little tri-dancing and photobombing. Best photograph of the night.

Debonaire.

Action shot.

The evening was just lovely. I enjoyed a steady stream of champagne but knew to pace myself in order to fully enjoy myself without getting too sauced. Once the reception ended a bunch of folks went out to a bar, but I had work the next day and decided it would be best to retire to my room and get more hours of sleep than hours of revelry. This was a very good decision on my part. The next morning V. and I enjoyed the Union League breakfast buffet, which included omelets made to order. I went with peppers, tomato, bacon and smoked salmon, with a side of sausage. Gotta say, the sausage looked better than it was but the omelet hit the spot. After all the hullabaloo and excitement, it was quite strange to get into regular people clothes, get into a cab, and get to work. Going from so many faces I enjoy and so much fun to just another day in the office was a rather rough transition, but I kept my false eyelashes on for that day and that helped me feel like a little magic remained:)