Two Kids and a Cat

Avocado Growing (or what it would be like to be a Viticulturalist)

2013-07-27T14:53:00.001-04:00

It's humbling to reflect on the amount of time, patience and hard work it takes to grow and tend a vineyard. Many of the seedlings fail the first year and the producer has to wait at least two or three years before those that do survive produce any fruit. I've been patiently waiting for nearly a month for this avocado seed to germinate.

(Sub)Urban Gardening

2013-07-27T12:06:00.001-04:00

Learning about the process of growing the vines that yield grapes for making wine has me excitedly propagating every plant in the house and office. I'm finding the hands on growing experience organically drawing me closer to the wine making process, even though admittedly, I don't have much of a green thumb.

LMK Article: Starbucks purchases Teavana in an eye opening acquisition.

2012-11-16T11:41:00.003-05:00

Find out more on the acquisition by clicking on the link below and reading the article I wrote and submitted.

Please "like" the article on Facebook and Tweet it on Twitter. Thank you for the support.

http://www.lmk.com/blog/starbucks-purchases-teavana-eye-opening-acquisition

Starbucks and Teavana

Starbucks Purchases Teavana in an Eye Opening Acquisition

Starbucks Corp. will be expanding its selection of tall, grande and venti beverages to include more tea on their menu. On November 14, 2012, it was announced that the Seattle based company was purchasing Atlanta-based Teavana Holdings Inc. for $620 million, making Teavana the biggest acquisition made by Starbucks. Back in 1999, Starbucks purchased Portland based Tazo Tea for $8.1 million which currently generates $1.4 billion a year.

In 2011, Starbucks redesigned its famous green twin-tailed siren logo. By dropping the words “Starbucks Coffee” from their motif, Starbucks was showing the world they weren’t just about coffee. They were creatively expanding in order to sustain revenue growth with their instant coffee, energy drinks, juice, foods, single-serve brewer and making their products available in grocery stores. Now with the purchase of Teavana, Starbucks is looking to strongly appeal to and enhance the tea drinking experience for millions of tea drinkers in the world and take a strong stand in a $40 billion global tea market.

Teavana, a company specializing in fresh, high-quality tea and tea accessories, was founded in 1997 by Andrew Mack and his wife, Nancy, who invested their life savings into the teahouse concept after traveling abroad and noticing how Americans gravitated towards fine wines and coffees. Teavana sells more than 100 varieties of loose-leaf teas and currently has about 300 stores in U.S., Canada and Mexico, located mainly in higher-end retail shopping malls.

Starbucks Chief Executive Howard Schultz told Reuters that, “In addition to opening stand-alone Teavana stores in the United States and abroad, Starbucks will add tea bars that serve prepared drinks in existing Teavana stores.”

The CEO and co-founder of Teavana, Andrew Mack, said, “Being part of Starbucks will give us access to incredible industry knowledge and know how as well as the financial strength to super charge our business and allow us to continue our rapid growth to the benefit of all our supporters including our dedicated employees worldwide."

LMK - Let Me Know

2012-11-14T19:57:00.000-05:00

I am very happy to have a few articles I wrote and submitted to www.lmk.com, published on the very popular and resourceful website. LMK stands for, Let Me Know, which is a great site and source for all the news you need to know, now.

Those articles in particular which I have contributed to LMK are posted here. Click on the link, then "Like" the article on Facebook or Tweet it out to your friends on Twitter and please help spread the word. Thank you for the support.

LMK Article "49ers vs Rams, 24-24 tie: Win or loss?"

2012-11-13T23:24:00.000-05:00

I recently wrote an article on the tie between the San Francisco 49ers and the St. Louis Rams,
which was published on www.lmk.com.

Please click on the following link, "like" the article on Facebook or Tweet it on Twitter:
http://www.lmk.com/blog/49ers-vs-rams-24-24-tie-win-or-loss

Thank you for the support!

San Francisco 49ers vs. St. Louis Rams, 24-24 Tie: Win or Loss?

There are winners and there are losers. And sometimes there is neither.

Football is one of America’s favorite sports. Currently, there are 32 teams listed with the National Football League (“NFL”), each team playing 16 games in a 17 week period. At some point, you or someone close to you will be involved in a pool or some other form of friendly competitive betting to pick the winning team. One of the most common types of football pools is the Survivor Pool (Pick a team. If they win, you move on. If they lose, you’re out).

So what do you do if there is a tie?

The game held on Sunday, November 11, 2012, between the San Francisco 49ers and the St. Louis Rams has people asking: Is a tie considered a win or a loss? Of the 28 teams playing in Week 10 (4 teams had a bye week), San Francisco was favored to win by 11 points and seemed like a solid bet.

Before 1974, the teams would play until sudden death overtime - whoever scores first wins. On December 25, 2011, the NFL Network presented a one-hour special, commemorating the 40^th anniversary of “The Longest Game Ever” played between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins on December 25, 1971, which went into double overtime after 82 minutes and 40 seconds of play and ended with the Dolphin’s victory over the Chiefs, 27-24.

In 1974, the NFL decided that overtime would only consist of one-fifteen minute period. If a team scored during that fifteen minute period, the game immediately ended. If neither team scored during the fifteen minute period, the game resulted in a tie. Since the rule change in 1974, there have only been 18 games that ended in a tie. The last time this happened was on November 16, 2008, when the Philadelphia Eagles met the Cincinnati Bengals (13-13). Four years later, on Sunday, November 11^th, the San Francisco 49ers faced the St. Louis Rams and became a part of NFL history with their 24-24 tie.

Which leads us to the question, what happens in a football pool when there is a tie? Is it considered a loss and you’re out? Or is it considered a win and you move on to the next week?

There is room for debate.

Dictionary.com defines “tie” as, “to make or be the same score; be equal in contest.” A loose interpretation would be that a tie is neither a win nor a loss. In a Survivor Pool, since the team that was chosen did not outright lose, then you should be able to advance to the next week.

However, a majority of the sources found online using the keywords, “NFL Survivor Pool Tie” will say that "Ties are not wins," or "Games that end in a tie are a loss."

According to one online reference, FunOfficePools.com, the "Commissioners are free to interpret ties in any way they want." In the Survivor Pool I joined, I chose San Francisco. Argument upon argument was made. But in the end, the friend running the pool decided that the ties was a loss and I, along with 4 other people, was out.

How would you decide?

"Don't Let the Past Shape Your Future"

2012-01-16T12:22:00.000-05:00

HERE is a nice article on the idea of not letting the past shape our future.

"Live in the present moment, not in the past. The past is past. Don’t let it affect your present thoughts and feelings and the situations of your future."

"Live in the present moment, creating new thoughts, and new expectations, not only about money, work or relationships, but also about health, happiness, and spirituality. These new thoughts, which you think in the present, would mold your future."

Real Estate - "Its Real" - Coffee Break 1

2011-12-19T21:49:00.002-05:00

The coffee break series begins with a song described by NPR as "sunny with a chance of winsome." The video is too cute to pass up and the band hails from Ridgewood, New Jersey. Having landed on NPR Music's 100 Favorite Songs of 2011 list, just one listen will have you commenting, "Indeed, what could be better?"

So go ahead, grab your coffee, take a listen and have a happy Monday.

Coffee break - a new series

2011-12-14T15:48:00.001-05:00

I've decided to put together a new conceptual framework to help inspire and hopefully drive this blog to a new level. I call it, the "Coffee Break Series."

The purpose of this coffee break series is to provide you as the reader, short anecdotes to help lighten up the day and offer a break from those moments when life can get a little too hectic.

So grab your cup of coffee, take a read and see if you can relate. And as always, feel welcome to leave a comment. I look forward to hearing from you.

Vote Enrico Pezzaldi for Exposure 2011 Photography Contest's People's Choice Award

2011-12-12T01:55:00.000-05:00

There are moments that take our breath away and may even move us to tears. Enrico has the innate ability to capture those moments through his photography and do exactly that.

Enrico has been traveling from his home in Italy around the world for years, capturing the beauty found in the different people and cultures he's experienced along the way. His portfolio gives us exposure into the intimate lives of the people around him, from an artist sketching in Cuba, to capturing lovers at play on Bamburi Beach, to a sister carrying her brother through a temple in India. He captures those moments with heart.

Enrico has entered the 2011 Exposure Photography Contest and needs your vote. The artist who receives the most votes, wins the People's Choice Award and receives $2,500, two weeks in New York and Paris and international exposure.

Vote for ENRICO.
Cast your vote for Enrico by clicking on the Blue Vote Button at the top of Enrico's photo gallery and then click "Like" to help Enrico's photography portfolio win the People's Choice Award. You will need a Facebook account to vote.

I've already voted. Help Enrico reach his artistic dream.

Asuncion, a new comedy by Jesse Eisenberg

2011-12-11T20:31:00.001-05:00

Here is a little pitch I've written after seeing this play:

Assumptions are tested and stereotyping is explored when two roommates welcome an unannounced guest. Jesse Eisenberg makes his playwriting debut, starring Remy Auberjonois, Justin Bartha, Jesse Eisenberg and Camille Mana. Directed by Kip Fagan. Presented by Rattlestick Playwrights and playing at the Cherry Lane Theatre, now through December 18, 2011.

If you've seen the show, I'm interested in reading what your thoughts are on it and how you felt about the play. Leave a comment below.

Become a possibilitarian. No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see possibilities - always see them, for they're always there. ~ Norman Vincent Peale

2011-12-07T00:19:00.001-05:00

Quotes that offer up some positive encouragement are like little lovebites for the soul. I found this quote by
Peale and was reminded that the world offers so many opportunities, as long as we have a resilient spirit and keep creating possibilities.

We can all write a few wrongs ~ Kenneth Cole.

2011-12-04T23:23:00.001-05:00

I love how the homophone creates a double entendre in this quote I borrowed from the Kenneth Cole website.

Artist Wanted: Vote for Megan Greeley! Photography contest

2011-12-02T18:04:00.001-05:00

A picture may be worth a thousand words and Megan's photographs certainly begin to inspire such a feat.

She's living and traveling around the world, dedicating her energy towards peace and development, stopping for only a moment with her trusty Canon to capture those intimate interactions with life, including a lone tuk-tuk along the streets of Sudan's capital of Khartoum, seeing goats run free out in the Sudan desert, meeting people along the Nile, capturing nature at sunrise in Albania, and traveling across Montenegro in order to soar above the clouds in Kosovo.

She's entered a photography contest at EXPOSURE giving us just a handful of those moments and letting us see the world through her eyes.

The prizes are set high. Grand Prize includes a New York City Photo Exhibition at Aperture Foundation Gallery in Chelsea during May 2012 and the People's Choice Award includes a trip to New York City and Paris.

How can you help Megan win?

Follow this link: VOTE FOR MEGAN!
Simply click on the Blue Vote Button at the top of Megan's photo gallery and then click "Like" to help Megan's photography portfolio win the People's Choice Award. You'll need a Facebook account in order to vote.

Food Review - Trattoria Zero Otto Nove

2011-11-22T21:10:00.001-05:00

Trattoria Zero Otto Nove
2357 Arthur Avenue
Bronx, New York 10458

Written and photographed by Nora Sun McLaughlin

It's rare I would give any place the exceptional 5 star rating. And it's even more rare that I come across such exceptionally good food that it changes how I view the world and deserves the exceptional 5 star rating. Zero Otto Nove has outdone itself.

The scene:
There is no where else I would rather find myself eating than in the warm, rustic dining room of Zero Otto Nove. With their high ceilings and skylights that let in so much natural light during the day, brick oven to keep you warm on those winter days, and farm tables that immediately feel like home.

The foods:
And at home, is exactly where I felt with this cooking. We decided to share a pizza, pasta, and entree dish.

The Pizza:

"La San Matteo" - Broccoli rabe, sausage, and the finest homemade mozzarella this side of the Atlantic. - this is a white pizza that makes you forget to even look for the tomatoes. Every bite was perfectly flavored to make my taste buds dance. Some white pizzas come out so dry. Zero Otto Nove comes out with just enough succulence that even the crust can hold up. I initially questioned the cheese and toppings ratio to dough, but the dough is so light and airy, with just the right amount of crisp to it, that those fears were long gone.

The pasta:
We went for their pasta special, thick half spaghetti in a basil and tomato sauce, topped with burrata cheese. Cheese so rich and creamy, it melts in your mouth. And served in a Le Crueset? How can you go wrong? To add to the feeling of home, all of their pastas are handmade.

The entree:

We had the pork special, which was the pork on the bone, slow cooked that just pulled right off the bone and came apart without the need for a knife, topped with a tomato sauce and a side of risotto and beans. I could sing praises of this dish forever.

Our service:
We had a waiter that knew his stuff. He was initially standoffish, but once we got his flow, we were ok with it. We would order a dish, and he would listen to our order and then say "No, you have to try something better, let me tell you what our specials are." But, he got us. We went with the two specials recommendations and were completely blown away. Everything was timed right, the staff was attentive enough to clear our dishes as soon as we were done with them and bring out the next dish. It was great.

I would definitely recommend Zero Otto Nove, especially at the prices you can afford. I would have to admit that this might be the next restaurant of greatness that I will have to bring everyone that's here for a visit, to really get exceptional Italian food when visiting the Metropolitan area. Don't change a thing Zero Otto Nove, especially your pizza.

My review is featured on Yelp:

The Tough Mudder: From a spectator's point of view

2011-11-19T11:29:00.022-05:00

Reporting from the sidelines of the Tough Mudder, Englishtown, New Jersey
Written and photographed by Nora Sun McLaughlin

I wasn’t tough enough yet, so I went online and signed up to be a spectator:
“When you first learned about Tough Mudder, what kind of event did you think it was?
(a) a fun mud run, (b) fun obstacle course, (c) tough military-style obstacle course, or (d) charity fundraising opportunity.”

Without having seen a Tough Mudder event, my initial impression was B – a fun obstacle course. Check.

But after hurdling through my own spectator obstacles, while supporting a friend who welcomed her 30s by personally challenging herself and participating in Tough Mudder, I’d like to amend my answer to C – tough military-style obstacle course. Check and check.

Tough Mudder, which proudly sponsors the Wounded Warrior Project, puts its participants through “probably the toughest event on the planet.” I wouldn’t doubt it after hearing a man call out during one of the last obstacles, “I hate this” and hearing my friend’s behind-the-scenes-thoughts of wanting to quit after the second mile.

The 32 military-style obstacles, most of them dealing with mud, stretched out over 12 miles of rough and tough terrain was founded by an Englishman, whose background includes financial counter-terrorism for the British Government coupled with an MBA from Harvard University. He was looking to create the ultimate event that would challenge even the toughest, in personal endurance, strength and fortitude, while helping your fellow Mudders pull, push or claw their way through mud, water, fire, tires, hay, walls and lakes.

And if that doesn’t convince you, seeing the parking lot full of abandoned war-torn sneakers was a true testament to how satisfying it is to be done with such a tough event.

Tough Mudder isn’t a race against others or against a clock. It’s against nature and yourself. The goal is to simply finish. When you’re done, you get a cold refreshing beer, a bright orange headband to wear proudly into the office Monday morning, and the satisfaction that you’ve just completed a feat most people would shy away from.

An average of “78% of Tough Mudder participants finish the event.” This past Saturday at the Tri-State locale, my friend victoriously held hands with her brother and team members while crossing the finish line.

Sometimes we’re given the opportunity to do things in our lives that challenge us beyond our physical, emotional and mental capabilities. Yesterday, I found a hero in my friend.

“If you can do this, you can do anything you put your heart and your mind to it.” ~ ToughMudder.

For more information and to sign up to participate or spectate, click HERE.

The Physics of the Quest, a quote from Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat Pray Love.

2010-12-01T06:56:00.001-05:00

"In the end, I've come to believe in something I call "The Physics of the Quest." A force in nature governed by laws as real as the laws of gravity. The rule of Quest Physics goes something like this: If you're brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting, which can be anything from your house to bitter, old resentments, and set out on a truth-seeking journey, either externally or internally, and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher and if you are prepared, most of all, to face and forgive some very difficult realities about yourself, then the truth will not be withheld from you."

Wooden Faces - Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil

2010-09-29T19:26:00.000-04:00

Faces created and designed by Emily Chang. Photographed by Nora Sun McLaughlin

I first came upon these faces in an art space a friend of mine created for herself in the attic of her house. Lined up, one by one, were a dozen or more faces, each one made of a small piece of wood and whose expressions were crafted out of a variety of found objects.

These wonderfully designed pieces of art are proudly showcased in my house.

My favorite face is the grumpy looking face with "Monday" penciled in at the bottom. I'm sure we've all been there and felt that way.

NYC - Coffee Shops and Latte Art

2010-09-28T15:26:00.008-04:00

I love coffee. I love a good espresso. And I love a finely made cappuccino.

I didn't know good coffee existed outside of Starbucks, and store bought Lavazza from WholeFoods, until the fateful morning, when I had an iced coffee at Jacks Stirbrew Coffee shop in Amagansett.

I later found out that Jacks has two locations in Manhattan - making it a lot easier for this Jersey girl to get her coffee fix.

With this new knowledge, knowing I could never go back to Starbucks, I perused the internet, searching article after article for the best reviews on coffee in Manhattan and came across this which I use to navigate around:

Great article on coffee shops in NYC.

From the Beastie Boys website:
"i like Joe’s , Jack’s, Gimme, Abraco,La Colombe, and Stumptown a lot and love that we have those options here in NYC."

From coffee, I began finding a whole new art form - not just in flavors, but in appearance.

After getting my simple black coffee from Stumptown in my to-go cup, I looked over as the next customer was served a cappuccino, where the barista had painted an intricate leaf in the foam.

It's amazing what people can do with Latte Art.

And thus began my search for the best coffee/espresso/cappuccino. At the top of my list:

1. Jacks - love the feel of all three coffee shops - definitely how I would picture a coffee shop to be, hands down best iced coffee.

2. Abraco - it's well worth the squeeze into this tiny East Village shop for what I would consider the best cappuccino I have ever tasted. The espresso was dark and nutty and the foam was the perfect thickness and consistency.

3. Stumptown - I love the location, I love the ambiance, love the lounge in the Ace Hotel. Love the amber glass apothecary jar, which I double parked to get, and continue to reuse. My cousin says Stumptown NYC outdoes Stumptown Oregon. And if you can make it out to Stumptown RedHook where they teach you various brewing methods and let you try the different coffee beans - Stumptown defnitely wins brownie points for that one. And the baristas? All awesome, knowledgeable, and super friendly.

Others I've tried:

1. Nineth Street Espresso, Chelsea Market - watered down. The latte was surprisingly stronger than the cappuccino.

2. La Colombe, Lafayette Street - The cafe was minimalist with high ceilings that gave the experience a cold feeling.

Stumptown Coffee and the Ace Hotel

2010-09-27T13:01:00.007-04:00

It's like the mothership calling me home. Coffee? Check. Lounge? Check. Free Wifi? Check. Artistic design? Check. Live music? Check. Witty signage? Double check.

Stumptown Coffee

I first fell in love with Stumptown Coffee. Saw an article of the coffee in Real Simple magazine - which made no mention of an NYC location - just the really cool recycle-able glass container they sell their Espresso blend($30) and the Panama Esmeralda Especial ($75) Coffees.

I was driving west on 29th, heading back to Jersey, when I looked over, saw the Stumptown sign. My mouth dropped and I immediately double parked.

The first cup of joe was an Ethiopian blend which I would describe as being clean tasting. Coffee usually leaves this aftertaste and really makes your breath kick. Not Stumptown's flavorful blend. And I thought - wow, I will have to come back, buy one of those really awesome recycle-able containers, and have another cup of coffee.

And so I did. This time, I lingered. I lingered in the little window nook looking out into the city and enjoying free wifi on my friend's laptop, while drinking an iced coffee - house blend. Again...clean. Flavorful. And yes, that was me taking pictures with my Blackberry.

And so, on this Monday morning, I made a cup of Stumptown's Hairbender Espresso Blend - and I was happy - and ready to tackle the work week. Good job Really Simple for making my life really simple. You better believe this is becoming my new go-to place.

Stumptown is Portland, Oregan based. "We travel worldwide because we are committed to sourcing and roasting the best coffees available anywhere. Along the way, we search for partnerships with farms to share in a belief that working together year after year results in the highest level of quality."

"We are always anxious to find people who share the same passion and enthusiasm for coffee as we do." Well - here I am! Passionate and Enthusiastic about Stumptown Coffee.

They even list on their website the contact to display your artwork at one of their locations. Supporting farmers and artists? This place gets two gold stars.

Stumptown Brewing Guide

Ace Hotel

My second love affair happened when I ventured into the lounge through the back of Stumptown and doubles as the lobby of the Ace Hotel. I will definitely find myself venturing and lingering again - this time with my own laptop, or a pen and paper, for some well deserved creating and writing.

The Breslin Putting it on the list of restaurants I want to try.

Jewelry Design - Purple Ring

2010-09-27T09:46:00.002-04:00

August 2008 - Designed, created and photographed by Nora Sun McLaughlin

Bad decisions make good stories.

2009-11-08T11:54:00.002-05:00

The Giant's Causeways - Five Sold Out Performances

2009-02-25T19:52:00.003-05:00

The Giant's Causeways, one of thirty participants in this year's FRIGID New York Theatre Festival, directed by Jill Harrison, featuring James Fauvell and Thomas Hodgskin, has been well supported by family, friends and the Irish Community, and has sold out all five performances, two days before Opening Night.

Theater Online.com

2009-01-31T00:19:00.001-05:00

Here

FRIGID SnapShot Event

2009-01-29T08:40:00.002-05:00

Thursday January 29, 2009
FRIGID snapshots
UNDER St. Marks @8pm
Get a head start on this years programing, see short pieces of some of the upcoming FRIGID shows.

Address:
94 St. Marks Place
New York, NY 10009

Location:
St. Marks Place, between 1st Avenue.& Avenue A

Directions:
Closest subway: 6 to Astor Place. Walk on St. Marks Place to theater between 1st Avenue and Avenue A

http://www.horsetrade.info/InfoUNDERstmarks.html

With the following festival shows participating:
Melting in Madras
Dalton Trambo's Johnny Got His Gun
habeas corpus
The Expatriates
The Giant's Causeways
The Question House
Recess

Doollee.com - The Playwrights Database

2009-01-20T15:10:00.002-05:00

HERE