Dirty Pretty Snow

A Day Off

2011-02-22T22:35:00.004-05:00

My official first day off this year began quietly enough with yesterday's snow calming the oft-frenetic pace of city living. It stayed snow-white and pretty at my parents' home in the far-far suburbs, but even though the snow had turned into slush or simply melted away down into steamy drains in New York City, the crisp air lent a mellowed excitement to tonight's theater-fare.
Paul Taylor's Dance Company performed at NYC Center stage; exhibiting the most cogent and arresting modern dance pieces I have ever seen. My friend and I enjoyed it much more than Saturday's Flamenco Hoy. The two-hour, three-part, gala-opening performance (complete with a live Ragtime band accompanying the last piece) up-ended my preconceptions and misgivings about modern dance. It was a cohesive storytelling by able and emphatic dancers, with the most appropriate and riveting choreography and music. Here's to the arts, of which without we would lose part of ourselves.

***

Quick dinner: so-so (nearly bad), Korean fast-food place near 6th ave and 56th St
Quick dessert: shortbread dipped in chocolate with an enjoyable cup of french roast coffee (Au Bon Pain); quite the yum!
Quick pick-me-up after the show: white chocolate (Starbucks)...great blend by the barista, but much prefer real cocoa

***

Hanoi's Sugar Street (viewed on Etsy): http://vimeo.com/etsy/sugarstreet

***

And we end the night with a bit of Edith Wharton's Age of Innocence...

TottoRamen & FlamencoHoy

2011-02-20T13:07:00.004-05:00

Valentine's day isn't much celebrated between myself and significant other, but we do hype each and any mundane event as an excuse to celebrate. Yesterday, to celebrate what we thought was an early spring, we caught an eight o'clock show of Flamenco Hoy at NYC Center stage. An hour before, we sat snug and satisfied at Totto Ramen, nursing a chicken paitan ramen between cold hands. We, among a dozen others, waited an hour to be seated; yeah, it was that serious. But at least they take their ramen seriously too. There was seriousness enough at the show as well, the performers heralded from old Spain, hailing from romantic-sounding places like Seville and Madrid...I daydreamed of bullfighters and senioritas. But there was enough play, of men in tight clothing, as they should be, and women with streamlined figures, both surely tapping their heeled feet and sounding their castanets to the soulful, almost-guttural accompaniment of four accomplished flamenco singers. All exhibited with the vim and vigor of seasoned and impassioned performers. Ole!

Men Who Swim

2011-01-05T09:39:00.000-05:00

http://www.metfilmproduction.co.uk/

In November 2010 feature documentary Men Who Swim received it’s Swedish premiere and was released theatrically by Folkets Bio.
The film was screened in the UK in June by BBC Storyville under the title Sync Or Swim and received rave reviews, with The Scotsman stating ‘if Ingmar Bergman had ever made a film about synchronised swimming, then it would probably have looked a bit like this’.

Unplugged: disconnecting from The Social Network

2011-01-05T08:12:00.004-05:00

Per dictionary.com to "unplug" denotes the "clearing [of] an obstruction; unclog" as well as to "disconnect." After a day and half of deep thought, notwithstanding the emotional intensity (as any twenty-something ought to do when it comes to unplugging), I finally deleted my facebook account. It had been long coming, but yesterday was the day to do it, and so it was done. It can be undone within the next 14 days but I'm resolved to let the dead sleep.

My brother had advised that I should notify people of my decision and to forward a contact number or email; but that would require trolling through my friends list, which ironically had bloated into a friends-family-acquaintances-co-workers-who-is-this-person-singers-bands list. It was easier and more final to just cut the cord and keep on with life.

But what is modern life without facebook? Better, I'm sure of it. My life is again my own without the added pressures of status updates, status checks, uploading of albums to compare vacations or extravagances. It's my life again with the revival of a personal diary and journal. It's my life without facebook: no one peering, no need for justifications, no blue-iconed Social Network that may be selling my information for profit and gain. It's my life: net-surfing, PBS-watching, park-strolling, book-reading, apartment-cleaning, star-gazing, boardgame-playing kind of life. It's good to have it back.

Happy Holidays courtesy of Caesar's Cypher

2010-12-22T09:32:00.004-05:00

Cryptic cool.
This year's team Christmas card was hand-signed by senior management and hand-distributed to each team member. Unfortunate that most of us are on vacation/holiday time already.
Most of us would have thoroughly enjoyed cracking the code to get to the well-wishing.

Death and Dunkin' Donuts, then a farewell

2010-12-18T23:17:00.005-05:00

I don't think I encounter death more often as I get older, I think that it may seem that way because the grief stays with me longer. The more I glimpse the depth of loss and the more I become acquainted with the sear of such sorrow, I come to understand what it means to have to let go of someone so loved, especially when one isn't quite ready for the farewell.

As October came to an end, my friend's mother passed away after a valiant battle with cancer. Then just a few days ago another friend's parent passed away...her father had twenty years coping with kidney failure. Both friends are just in the second decade of their lives, and already forced to reckon with death and dying. Myself, I can only watch and wonder at the strength each had to summon and the sadness both have had to struggle with.

As I sat across my friend in a crowded Dunkin' Donuts, I questioned my ability to offer comfort. We instead talked about the freshness of the donuts, the well-blended coffee, the salty hash browns and the savory pancake-wrapped sausage bites. Unexpectedly, the warmth of the place, the enveloping noise, and our preoccupation with our food offered a much-needed bubble where the world and its struggles were kept at bay.

In another hour, the memorial service would start and we sensed the urgency. In response we gobbled down our food, talked about unrelated things, and clenched our stomach against the sudden invasion of the heavy meal. Empty calories that would need to fuel our fight and flight response. Glancing at my friend, I realized she'd have to go through this moment many times throughout her life. When suddenly the grip of loss seizes you unaware, and as you struggle to stay in the current of the day-to-day you choke in the drowning wave of re-lived farewells. But you have to keep swimming to win against the downward pull of what you've lost and want to regain.

It's a sad song on repeat, until the batteries run out...

Life is what we choose to remember

2010-12-17T21:28:00.004-05:00

My old Sony Cybershot, after several despairing attempts, loyally took a crisp shot of dusk. As the sun shone its last rays and bid goodbye to the world, the moon did its part and bid the sun and the world a Goodnight.

I remember the flight back to New York from California with glimpses of myself hunched over a finance textbook on the collapsible food tray. I had forgotten that the tedious grey had been interspersed with uplifting moments of awe and wonder: flying above the clouds with the blue vacuum of space above highlighted by the otherworldly glow of stars, sun and moon.

Living our lives, how much we experience and know. The people we meet, the places we've been, what we've done; amidst the grief and sorrow, amidst disappointments and failures...how much of the good within each moment have been lost to memory.

Buckyballs

2010-12-17T21:05:00.002-05:00

This year's workplace Christmas party had two unexpected surprises: Buckyballs and a portable DVD player. Buckyballs is a quirky desktop toy: 216 tiny rare-earth magnets able to be manipulated in imaginative ways. The highly polarized balls can powerfully detract and attract; thus making shapes can be difficult or magnetically easy.

My ownership of the Buckyballs resulted in an exchange between myself and a co-worker. In the team's "Dirty Santa" gift-giving game I had won a $20 Macy's giftcard, but after seeing the Buckyballs I requested a swap and my kindly colleague assented. Whoopee!

The portable DVD player was also a gift-exchange. The annual department party in Bryant Park Grill culminated in a raffle, of which three of my team member each won a gift out of the seven items given away. I had initially won the first round with a Cisco Flip Video Camera but afterwards, my colleague convinced me to give it up for a portable DVD player.

After giving both gifts a test-run, I'm convinced that I was fortunate enough to have been given such wonderful items. I really had a lot of fun being with my co-workers as we enjoyed the winding down of a hectic year; bringing home mementos have simply added to this year's happy memories.

Gifts or no gifts; a very Happy Holidays to all!

Ninja Showdown by X-Factor103

2010-02-15T19:43:00.004-05:00

It was with great joy and trepidation that Ninja Showdown (v 1.2) was published into Little Big Planet's web-world. Seventy-two hours of amateur but hard-nosed building crafted this 1P beginner's level. After a few minutes of bated breath, players gamely checked out Ninja Showdown...yes! starred ratings!
All that hard work, days of partial bathing, not returning phone calls and subsisting of microwavable food products...okay, so it wasn't that bad.

Here's to dreams, hard work, and LBP.

Nostalgia

2010-01-31T11:12:00.002-05:00

I finally transferred hundreds of photos from my camera to my MacMini. Sadly, I have yet to master the art of video and photo manipulation in the world of Apple OS, so I can't do much of anything except view memories.

But I am full to brimming in nostalgia. My friend's gorgeous Sikh-Hindu wedding, my dad's donut-birthday-cake, and the fading blush of autumn as winter crept in.

Here's to all memories, if it be crystal-clear or out-of-focus, momentous or mundane, distant or recent, sad or glad, with friends/family or by oneself...let the new year ring.

Autumn: hot udon soup

2009-10-19T15:32:00.002-04:00

Pre-packaged Udon doesn't sound so palatable, but this one was made in Japan and deserved a try.
No regrets here.
Soup base: miso, herb mix, beef broth powder mix with veggies and parsley.
Side dish: takoyaki (also pre-packaged and made in Japan).

Come for the Coffee and Bubble Tea!

2009-06-21T13:53:00.000-04:00

http://www.kewgardenscivic.org/special-008.html
Bliss Gourmet Cafe @ Kew Gardens, NY

6th Avenue and 42nd Street

2009-06-18T12:34:00.002-04:00

Paper-based, Legos-like, Japanese-made toy constructions.

As seen in Kinokuniya Bookstore's basement floor.

*We also saw plush and chibi Totoro.

Hi-def Sunday

2009-04-26T19:52:00.002-04:00

Man apparently cannot live by public television alone but by installing Time Warner Cable.

Keeping Friends

2009-04-25T21:48:00.003-04:00

Living next to a railway conjures up romantic notions of travel. From the patio I can people-watch; I see the people lighted up inside each train car at night. I remember the commute that consumed me last year, traveling from the far reaches of Suffolk to the inner hot, busy mass of Manhattan. Once, I read about a middle-aged man who commuted 3 hours one-way to work. He told the reporter that he enjoys the commute because he gets to know so many people along the way. I believed in this man's sincerity, but I often wondered afterward what motivated him to reach out to strangers. It can't be sheer personality or even curiosity; I myself am frequently discouraged by the possibility of failure, shame, and regret.
I concluded that this man must have a boundless love of people; and therein lies the source of his courage.

Crocuses

2009-04-05T11:09:00.002-04:00

This was plucked from Forest Park sometime last month. It was still early in the morning and the warming light of the sun didn't quite wake the sleeping crocus beds. Then slowly, unobserved, it opened.
It's April now, still a brisk wintry chill outside, but the trees are budding, some flowering pastels, and if the birds gave human voice to their singing they would chirp: "It's time for planting. It is spring once again, and all is well with the world."

to train a truffle pig

2009-02-20T20:40:00.003-05:00

Gustave did not know that historically, thus naturally, truffle pigs were of the female disposition. Now Gustave, being wholly male and not at all disposed to being female, would soon find out that he was naturally disposed to truffle hunting, masculinity aside.
The night passed slowly, low deep snores from inside the farmer's hut and within the pig's pen punctuated the stillness.
The morning brought with it the warmth of sunlight and an air of promise. The farmer woke up with a smile. He stretched languorously, yawned wide and loud, got out of his bed and put on his earth-stained clothes. His muddy boots sat ready near the door, and after putting on threadbare but carefully patched woolen socks. He trudged out towards the pigpen.
Gustave lay on his side, still dreaming on the cool ground.
The farmer whistled and said, "Wake up pig. It's a glorious day for truffle hunting."
Gustave let out a contented, fitful sigh but did not wake up.
The farmer shook his head and reached for a thin rope looped around a fence post. He opened the pen door, and leaving it open, he walked towards Gustave.
Gustave's ears caught the soft sound of walking, and his eyes, curious now to the world around him also woke up and opened. By the time the farmer reached him Gustave was standing up and facing him. Gustave eyed the farmer and the rope hung loosely around his hand.
"Don't worry Gustave. It's just to be around your neck to teach and guide. 'Tis never for hitting or hurting."
Gustave, mild-mannered and equally trusting, grunted his consent.
The farmer patted Gustave's neck and looped the rope around his neck.
"I ought to tell you friend that truffle hunting is a tricky and trickster business. There is also the curious case of you being a Gustave-pig and not a sow. But oddities and miracles do you happen in the world and well this part of it is long due for one."
Gustave eyed the farmer, he had no idea what it meant to truffle hunt, or of miracles. Gustave was sure, as his stomach was certain, that morning meant food first.
The farmer raised his eyebrow and tilted his head, "Yes, you're right. Grub first."

Hey! that's totally this blog

2009-02-20T20:31:00.003-05:00

from Answers.com:

Blogs: Dirty Pretty Snow
Home > Library > Miscellaneous > Blogs
Curare
http://dirtyprettysnow.blogspot.com
Personal blog posting interests in books, travel, movies, eateries, and current events. Also posts nonfiction and fiction pieces. Posts includes photos/pictures related to content.

6 Miles of Queens

2009-02-20T19:46:00.006-05:00

A volunteer stint at Knit Warm, via NYCares, inspired a deep hankering for knitting needles, yarn, and all things woolly. A trip to Smiley's Yarn was in order. It looked walkable from the apartment, and since we're always game for a good jaunt we embarked on the 4-mile trip. Walking along the periphery of Forest Park, and into the heart of residential Queens, past whole neighborhoods we arrived at busy Jamaica Avenue. SmileysYarn was a messy, no-nonsense outlet of all things knit and crochet. The cash-only option prevented me from possibly maxing out my credit card.
Euphoric from the brisk, sunny walk and a plastic full of discounted 100% wool, we decided to continue on towards Borders. Unbeknownst to us, that would require a 2-mile sojourn following the vein of Woodhaven Boulevard.
Upon arrival, we gulped down a cappucino and gobbled down Raisinets. All in all, a fruitful day.
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Happy Valentines's Day

2009-02-14T19:42:00.003-05:00

After a hard night's work 'twas great to see breakfast ready for gobbling.
Menu: maple syrup + pancakes, grapefruit/orange juice, applewood smoked bacon, french butter, over-easy eggs, and a selection of fruit jams.

a chunk off a challah bread

2009-02-12T13:00:00.002-05:00

All things baking are lost on me. Precise measurements of ingredients, managing a 325-Kilowatt appliance, attention to rising times, finding the most appropriate type of flour...I'd much rather decide what to eat with the bread than make it. Although even that has its challenges: salami, prosciutto, goat vs cow cheese, cow vs buffalo cheese, hard vs soft vs semi-soft vs spreadable cheese. Fromage!
So, when another person is blessed with the gift of baking, the one who isn't quite as gifted simply buys the list of ingredients, the apron, the baking appliances, the different molds, and borrows a multitude of baking books all for the needs of the baker and essentially for the eater's eventual pleasure of savoring the finished home-baked product.

the Gentrification of Queens

2009-02-11T21:05:00.003-05:00

Atlas Park, facing Cooper Avenue in Glendale, Queens. I used to live a few blocks away from a decrepit mall that housed long-bankrupted stores. Since I moved away, maybe three years in time, this shiny squeaky clean mall grew up in its place. I'm usually against gentrification, I like my cracked concrete walls and dusty sidewalks just fine...I'm sentimental like that, all for nostalgia...but I gotta say, Borders, Starbucks, and the Amish Market made me say a silent "thank the capitalist gods."

"From the Gmail Team"

2009-01-15T20:03:00.003-05:00

Finally after a much-anticipated wait the GMAIL Stickers have arrived!

'Tis the Season for Giving

2008-12-10T19:06:00.001-05:00

As much as I enjoy giving well-appreciated gifts to loved ones, I take great delight over wrapping them. It may be the thought that counts, but a well-wrapped gift can't hurt. I remember my impoverished school years when buying gifts for family and friends took months to plan and save for. I don't remember the gifts I got for them, but I remember the care I took in the gift-wrapping. Christmas is here again, now I have the money to buy presents people want, except now I don't have the time to wrap them as carefully. Yesterday, I simply chose the gift wrap option at an Amazon.com checkout; now I've become poor in another sense.

Football Crunch

2008-12-10T18:40:00.001-05:00

Somewhere in Manhattan, I had forgotten where, we passed by a bakery with a chef crazy and cool enough to bake this mad-rush scene. I read about it later in the New York Times.