Adventures on the East Coast, the Lower East Side, and the East Bay

Another crazy couple of weeks as usual. Spent the weekend two weeks ago in NYC celebrating Regina's birthday. We had ridiculous 8-course pasta tasting dinner (5 pastas, 3 desserts) at Babbo, after which we partied and drank even more at the Hotel on Rivington on the LES (hot hot hot!). In the end, the red-eye flight and the waistline expansion was all worth it when the birthday girl herself told me she was "spectacularly happy". If you know Regina, you know she's not one for hyperboles...except when she's drunk. You get the idea. ;-)

Last week I spent 24 hours in DC for work. It took almost just as long to get there. All I can say is, thunder and lightning storms while you are eating in a glass-roofed restaurant are scary. That and Panera Bread asiago cheese bagels rocked. So does Ambien. And Starbucks. And confirmed upgrades on United. (Oh, and they are now serving Coke products! I knew they'd come around!)

This past weekend weekend was also spent "in the east"...the East Bay that is. I saw my first live grand slam when the Cardinals kicked the A's butts winning 15-6 (yah, ouch). To be fair, I totally called the grand slam, even though John insisted that Duncan "can't hit one of those". Words of a non-believer, I say. Sunday was brunch at Jimmy Bean's and then 3 hours of Taboo outside at Tilden Park. I guess the East Bay isn't so bad. Still not a fan of the BART though.

Coming up is a Vancouver weekend...wedding festivities galore (not mine, not to worry) and some quality time with the family. :-)

P.S. A belated farewell and shout-out to my buddy Psyche, who left Berkeley this past week to pursue greener pastures in the East in Boston. Good luck babe! I'll miss our gossip-filled brunches and musical outings!