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Crazy in New York!

As my Mom and I walked back to our hotel on July 4th, a kid frightened me with his fake toy gun.  My entire body convulsed.  I get jumpy when loud unsuspecting noises break into the silence around me. I said out loud that the popping sound scared me.  The little kid's brother then tried to grab the gun out of his hand.  "Come back, I can scare you again," said the kid's brother.  I continued to walk...fast. I was scared of a little kid.

There was a group of three people on the A train.  Not very special except they were wearing kimonos.  The guy even wore the Japanese wobbly wooden slippers (they look very difficult to walk in) to match his colorful robe.  He also had a clothe pouch that hung from his wrist.  Yes, I could not look away.  They were a beautiful sight.  I didn't need to go all the way to Japan to stumble upon culture.

Food in my Belly, Burp Reviews:

Zen Sushi- @ Saint Marks Place...good, 1/2 off sushi.  Get the spicy tuna.  And they have cheap beer, but I didn't try.

Pommes Frites @ East Village 123 2nd Ave...Belgian Fries...hmmm.  Get the mango chutney mayo.  And a regular is enough for 2 people, considering we already had a meal before we chomped away at double fried crunchy wedges.

Yogurtland @ West Village 267 Bleecker...haven't really been a fan of the self-serv fro yos. This place lets you have a sample (one per customer).  I tasted and snuck out.

Pinkberry@ Greenwich Village 523 6th Ave...I like their yogurt.  It's tart, but still sweet, and it's richer (thicker) than Yogurtland.  It's a pretty good deal. Their small if you choose to have toppings comes with two of your choice.  I got mango and kiwi.

Korean Restaurant @ Northern Ave in Queens...it was a lot of food, but it also came with a price.  But the experience was nice, especially with rice.  I Feasted, I did not eat anything at all afterwards!!  Not even dinner!

Just a Break

Top Five!

Here are two Birthday poems I wrote for some pals.  They have similar messages which also have similar rhyming words.  These were produced in a very short amount of time, so I am pretty proud of them. Especially since they came from a thoughtful place and the two birthday boys enjoyed them.  That's all that counts.

Tonight these two chums who are both a year older, took me out for some Korean BBQ. Well, one remembered that I wanted to feast on some meat a while back.  I forgot. But they didn't let me forget that I am still on my Rice hold out till Saturday.  A word of advisement Korean BBQ is not the same without fluffy white goodness. A great line, "I want to rub my face in Rice so I can take it all in." I recall one of them sarcastically saying this to me.  I would love to rub Rice in my face.

Dinner was memorable with Kirin and Sapporo flowing, Korean dishes on refill, sizzling marinated meat on the pan, the two were flirting with the waitress (she ate up the attention) and best of all, great bonding conversation.  Our talk was easily pleasant, jumping from one perspective to another.  No one overtook the reign or tried to over shine. I acquired some new facts about both of these great boys who will someday step into maturity. And one day one of them will make my Slam Dunk list.  They both relish ragging on me as much as they love to drink beer. It's actually not that bad, because I attempt to hit back with my quickest comebacks of wit. I was not the only one asking questions, they too asked me mind provoking questions.  This means they care right?  At least interested? Ha! 

But what made this a Top 5 moment besides the obvious, among recent years is because these two wrote me poems too. Wonderful poems at that.  It was very unexpected! I was touched. I'd say the sweetest and cheapest gift friends can give are poems.  Anyone can be a poet because everyone has thoughts and feelings. That's all you need.  As cliche as this may sound, I was wrapped by special-ness that they kindly presented me.  No one could have planned how well everything came together, it just happens every so often.  

I am certain I have connected with friends that I will be able to call on in the future.  And I am thankful for this.  My gratitude to both of you and the others!  Thank you for a night that I can now permanently ink down in my Top 5!