Spend a Couple Hours »Rowboating

rowing in central parkGet there early (before 1pm) and you shouldn't have to wait. The lake is larger than it first seems and the 12 dollar hour will go by quickly as you take in the sun, watch the ducks, catch glimpses of an elusive cormorant, gaze at the beautiful architecture while dreaming of the apartments inside, and marvel at the turtles.

One of those Manhattan experiences that a lot of locals just never get around to doing but really should. It's such a pleasant way to start a day of museum visiting. The boats can accommodate up to four people and there are also one person kayaks available. Central Park is one of the most glorious things about the city and I don't take advantage as much as I should. I'm glad I took the time to experience it in this way.

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Posted on June 25, 2007

Spend a Couple Hours »Browsing the Selection at Photoplay

photoplayI'll just get the bad news out of the way. The return policy at Photoplay is horrible. All rentals are one day and you must return during working hours (noon to 11pm) because there is no drop slot. It's a real shame because this is easily one of the best video stores I have ever been to. Yes, ever.

Not only is the selection staggering but, and this is where it gets exciting, the dudes that work there are knowledgeable, into good stuff (as in good-good and bad good stuff, on a recent trip we went in looking for Death Wish and walked out with a full list of Bronson titles) and, you are never going to believe this: they are NICE!

Yes, no condescension here, no awkward coolness to hide there insecurities. It is exactly all I have ever wanted in a video store, except… well, you already know the bad news. I really wish they'd change their policy, get a drop slot, or offer two night rentals. But alas, not everything can be perfect.

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Posted on June 18, 2007

Spend a Couple Hours »Work on a Graphic Novel

in the small michael hagueMy dad has been working tirelessly for the past three years on a labor of love… his first graphic novel. Believe me when I say it's totally amazing to look at. It's also a bit of a departure for him, and not every publisher was willing to take the risk, but all his persistence and hard work (there are over 600 illustrations) paid off and it will be released later this year by Little Brown.

I'm always proud of my dad and all his accomplishments, but this project is one very dear to him and to me. Be sure to pick it up when it's in stores. You can slave away at a graphic novel too!! You can produce it yourself with a Kinkos nearby or, if you are lucky enough to have silk screening facilities, you can get your work out on your own.

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Posted on June 11, 2007

Spend a Couple Hours »Stew Leonard’s

bbqI love a good grocery store as much as the next guy (probably more, actually) but it still took some convincing to make the Stew Leonard's detour off I-87. There are four big reasons I am glad I did:
1. Two darn good lobster rolls for ten dollars!
2. Their smoky, scrumptious, smoked mozzarella balls.
3. Their daily fresh, hand-made tortillas that put other brands to shame and make me never want to touch a ziplock Mission bag again.
4. Animatronics!!! Singing bananas, cows, and monkeys.
And this is only what I discovered on my first trip. It gets crowded on Sunday evenings, but it's nice and quiet on off hours (so swear my friends).

*Also good to note that this weekend is the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party and I'm really, seriously, finally going to brave the crowds, the heat, and the reluctance to ride the subway on summer weekends to partake in this year's fifth annual event. All the photos from previous food-loving attendees make it look like heaven.

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Posted on June 4, 2007

Spend a Couple Hours »Mini Golf

goony golfDespite coming in a tie for last place, Jim and I had our best game of mini golf ever last weekend at the gaudy spectacle that is Goony Golf in Lake George, “the gooniest golf around”.

A great way to spend some time in the outdoors. If you can't make it all the way up to Goony Golf and take in the extraordinary fiberglass sculptures that grace the park, there are a few more local options. You can try Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Randalls Island Golf Center, Staten Island Golf & Hockey, and several places on Long Island.

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Posted on May 28, 2007

Spend a Couple Hours »Spamalot

spamalotIt's been about a decade since I have seen a something on Broadway, but we decided to treat Jim's dad and wife as a wedding gift. Spamalot seemed the best bet for my gruff father-in-law and it ended up being a great time for us all.

It bares extreme similarities to Monty Python and the Holy Grail, I guess I assumed it would be completely original story; but fans can rejoice. The knights who say ni are there, so is the holy hand grenade, and the French still fart in your general direction. It is kind of a best of clip reel with some pretty funny broadway send ups and cheaply dazzling musical numbers with glittering breasts along the way.

You will have a fun time, even if the show does lag a bit in the second act. The Shubert Theater is a neat old decorative landmark (it was built in 1913) and a spectacular place to see a show.

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Posted on May 21, 2007

Spend a Couple Hours »Brand Upon The Brain

brand upon the brainI know I am giving short notice, but if you can get tickets to the last of this awe inspiring run, you certainly should. Isabella Rossellini is the guest narrator for the remaining shows and she will be perfect for the film.

The film itself is both beautiful and at times genuinely disturbing. While not my favorite of his pieces, it is one of those experiences that comes back to haunt you after the fact. A scene or line from the movie will pop up and you remember all the special, humorous moments.

The real thrill, however, goes beyond the movie. For a limited run, there are live folley artists, who are fascinating to watch as they lend sound to the silent film, a live orchestra performing a melodic score by Jason Staczek, a live guest narrator – we saw a healthy looking Crispin Glover and nearly swooned in his presence, and an eerie real castrato, and an awkward introduction from the director himself. All together this is a singular thrilling experiment to bear witness to.

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Posted on May 14, 2007

Spend a Couple Hours »Viva Pinata

viva pinataI have never played Viva Pinata, an Xbox 360 game wherein the open ended goal is to create a beautiful garden, but I will take my mom's word for it that it's super fun and addictive. She is, after all, top ranked in Astro Pop and she as well as my whole family, save one, are avid video gamers.

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Posted on May 7, 2007

Spend a Couple Hours »Host a Cinco de Mayo Party

cinco de mayo partyThis day celebrates the Mexican defeat of the French in the Battle of Puebla. It is celebrated as an excuse for fun by gringas and gringos in our country as well as a hispanic pride day of sorts by expatriates.

This year Jim and I will be hosting our own festivities with a guacamole contest and lots of amigos! All you need to host your own are decorations – available at Party City on 14th St between 5th and 6th Ave, some musica (try this week's album pick, plus more traditional fair from this week's songstress Lola Beltran), and some food; guacamole is perfect but you can also serve other South of the Border favorites.

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Posted on April 30, 2007

Spend a Couple Hours »CornMo

CornmoI begged people to join us a few weeks ago for this show and everyone refused. But after finally watching the Trachtenberg Family Slide show Players (the headlining act we came to see) and growing gradually less and less impressed, maybe now I understand everybody's hesitation.

Their performance was lackluster and I couldn't help thinking that if this was my job–not even my passion (as it is for the Trachtenbergs)–but just what I had to do for a living, I'd have devoted so much more care to the archives, songs, performance, and over all watchability of the show. There is no shame in a polished performance, or knowing how to play an instrument and Cornmo, the opening act, is testament to this.

Not that I want to be too hard on the Trachtenbergs. The idea is great, and for half of the show I was enamored, but I just kept remembering Cornmo's act and the beauty of his long hair, white suit, and pot belly, and I couldn't help but compare. Cornmo is a one man vaudeville act , mixed with Queen, mixed with Daniel Kitson, performer extraordinare. His compositions and lyrics are often as poignant as they are funny. See him this Monday at Mo Pitkins before he heads out of town. I promise you will not be disappointed, I really loved his show.

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Posted on April 23, 2007