Random Rantings

Why do smartphones make people so stupid? I swear, if I have one more person shuffling along, head down, furiously typing walk into me I might have to go on a blackberry/iphone mass destruction rampage. Seriously, what is so important that you have to respond this second and yet requires you to slowly and painfully move slowly like an inebriated old man. It can either wait 5 minutes until you get to your destination or should require your full attention, so stop, deal with it and get out of my way. Thxs.

So on my little island we have our own police force, but we are all too happy to have police so we call our NYPD Public Safety Officers. As I walked home yesterday on a pedestrian path I heard a little motor coming up behind but it was moving faster then the wheelchairs that populate my island. Yep, here came the PSO on his own Segway - really, the cars, SUVs and 20 mountain bikes they have aren't enough, they need Segways so police my 2 mile island? Of course they do. I feel safer already, here comes the cavalry on Segways.

If you live in a city and choose to have a dog - pick it up. Really, do I have to list the million reasons for dog and human health alike that you should do so. And then when dogs get banned from yet another park for leaving gifts you sit there and complain - it is your damn fault. You are giving all of us dog owners a bad reputation. And to the girl who informed me that her dispenser didn't go with her outfit and no she didn't want a bag because she didn't like picking it up.. Seriously, you have a dog, that is part of it.

Finally, tourists. Now I work in Midtown between Rockefeller Center and Times Square so tourists are everywhere but stopping in the middle of an intersection to take a picture, risking your life, for something you could buy a better copy of from a street vendor makes no sense to me. Also stopping dead suddenly during rush hour is going to get you shoved around and sworn at, so don't do it. The other night I realized I'd become a New Yorker. There was some starlet, dressed to the nines in a shimmery silver cocktail dress, ordering a hot dog from a street vendor and then eating the hot dog with just enough sexual innuendo to make the paparazzi and tourists go into a picture taking frenzy and I, along with all the New Yorkers trying to get home, kept shoving through the swarm of photographers, jostling their pictures and not even stopping to know who the "star" was. Seriously, they have sound stages for that, use them. K, enough for today - best to all of you.

Quote of the Post:
Renfield: I don't know what you're talking about. If you insist on ranting like this, I'm going to leave!
Dr. Seward: Me, ranting? You're the ranter!
- Dracula, Dead and Loving it

An Empire State of Mind

What a weekend. Liz & Ed were in town and took on all of NYC. I joined for the weekend (had to work some). Friday night we had some amazing Spanish tapas in Queens (yep, we left the island). The next morning we headed to Chelsea for some amazing french toast at a little cafe near the High Line Park. I really think its the best I've had. Those of you who spent the summer in Paris with me, this place also has some amazing sweet and savory crepes, almost as good as our little street stand. The highlight was getting slimed Nickelodeon-style by pesto flying out of the kitchen. The food got comped though (and no, I didn't take pictures of the slime). That night we had plans to eat at Plataforma Churrascaria, a Brazilian steakhouse, so no more eating for the rest of the day (other then a rejuvenating chai) so off to the sites.



Turned out Ed hadn't seen the sites so we headed to the Empire State Building - we got drawn in by the $20 sign only to learn after going through airport-style security and Disney lines that an extra $15 would get us to the real top at 102 floors compared to the measly 86th. Well, of course then we'll have to pay for it. Many elevators and lines later we made it to the 86th floor only to realize that our tickets to the 102nd floor were missing (not that I'm going to say names, Ed you know who you are). We enjoyed the views, didn't drop anything to kill poor pedestrians below and found a nice attendant who allowed us up with our receipts. Turns out the 102nd floor was suppose to be the waiting room for those arriving and departing NYC via blimp to Europe - yep, they intended to dock blimps on the 103rd floor and have people tightrope to the waiting room. Best idea ever. We had amazing weather and could see all the way to the Catskills but it will be a long time before I feel the need to drop $35 to go up again. Right before this though Liz and I headed to Purl to drool over wool and think of all the projects we'll never have time to knit. Turns out they are in the middle of a move to a much larger place (still in soho though). Well, no visit to NYC would be complete without times square so off we headed to enjoy the lights and crowds. Although it was nice, apparently it wasn't warm enough for the naked cowboy but I think he saw enough to appreciate the gaudy glory that is Times Square. We headed back to my apartment to enjoy a skyline sunset and have a dog walk (burn a few more calories before our steak feast).


Well, Plataforma Churrascaria lived up to its reputation - it was fun, tasty and had excellent service. The salad bar included good sushi and fresh shrimp, yum. Then plates of meats appeared magically, being sliced off the swords it was skewered on by cute guys. Top it all off with a great bottle of Syrah and I have to say I enjoyed it. I might eat even less beforehand if I go again though; I almost rolled home. Oh, the desserts were pretty good to, but the complimentary fortified wine was great - couldn't understand what they called it though. C'este la vie. Guess I'll just have to go back to find out. ;-)

Between the trip to Purl and a fun order from Knitpicks arriving, I am back knitting. I think my first project will be a bag to carry shoes to work or maybe I'll finely finish my sweater project.

Quote of the Day:
Mac: We may be guilty of creating an urban legend, but there's no way this building is guilty of murder.
Danny: Alright. Well if the Empire State Building didn't do it, what did?
- CSI: NY

My loyal X31 is retired

Yep, 7 years of good reliable service are coming to an end. My trusty IBM thinkpad (yes, pre-lenovo) is finally getting a well deserved rest. I just recieved and I am writing this on an ASUS UL30VT-A1. Don't ask me what all the letters and numbers mean, I have no idea. I was going to go with a lenovo x201 but this was 1/2 the price with the many of the same features as I wanted. That means more fun stuff for my apartment. It also means I'll have a faster machine that might be able to handle the massive undertaking of publishing my Australia pics appropriately. Who knows, I might actually get some of them up for you to enjoy.

Quote of the Post:
Trust The Computer. The Computer is your friend.
-"Computer's Credo", Paranoia

NYC - A New Adventure

I am finally settling into my new city, NYC. I never thought I would love it but I am starting to really enjoy my new home. I love my apartment on RI though we are currently without of famous tram - yep, I can take a gondola to work. Nissa loves all the parks and has her own walker who takes her to the local dog park. I am catching up with old friends, have had an unbelievable number of visitors and am really enjoying getting to know my co-workers. I could (and do) sit for hours enjoying my view of the skyline. I have to say, the only thing that needs improvement is my work load - right now I don't have one! I know that sounds great but sitting around all day waiting for the phone to ring with an assignment is a bit boring. My firm is trying by keeping us busy with trainings and I am getting good at short doc reviews.

One of the best things about my new home is the food. Not so great for the diet I was trying but it is fabulous to have a good version of any food you can imagine and I can get it at almost any time of day. Now if they could only make it taste as great but with 0 calories, then I wouldn't have to resist so many treats.

Well, here is to regular updates.

I'm Off!

I can't believe it but I am off on my Australian adventure. I came out the other side of the bar alive at least and can't wait to forget it until November. Ugh, like they actually read all those essays.

First up, exploring the north and barrier reef with Kristal. I land in Brisbane on Sunday and can't wait to soak up sun instead of rain. Sad that their winter is warmer then our summer this year. Well I hope to post as I travel but I'll only have my itouch so detailed descriptions will have to wait until my return. Wish you all the best!

Wow - it has been way too long

I can not believe how long it has been. apologies to both of my readers. ;-) I let of go so long that it seemed like to much to catch up but that is a silly reason to continue not to keep you all updated on my life. Here is the quick summary with details and photos to follow.

- I put my condo up for sale
- my job got postponed (if anyone knows of some temporary vet jobs let me know)
- I sold my condo, closing on Aug 1st
- I graduated, yep I am a doctor, vet and LLM
- I started studying for the NY and MA bar exams, miserable and seem to be 4 weeks behind on Barbri even though we are only 3 weeks in. Go figure.

Well that is about it. I'm sure I forgot something but nothing too important. Since my computer is broken no quote for this blog. Takes too long to type on the iTouch. Hope you are all doing well.

[Posted from my iPod touch]

Liz’s 30th

I got to be a surprise for Liz. Her hubby through a 30th for her – we went to a roller derby where the Albany team kicked some major ass and then to a local brew house and restaurant. Mucho fun was had and I got to spend two weekends with Liz!!!! Ed and I even managed to surprise her, she had no idea I was going to be there. Next morning I woke up to some great French toast courtesy of my mom; I love French toast.

Quote of the Post:
I wanna be thirty. Thirty and flirty and thriving...
- Jenna Rink in 13 Going On 30

Jenna: Wait, listen to me. I'm 13!
Lucy: Jenna, if you're gonna start lying about your age, I'd go with 27.
- 13 Going On 30