few more random photos...

one of a blackberry crisp done with a fellow student named Alexis Blake. Alexis is totally hilarious and the sweetest girl. We had to do an improv class with a bunch of random ingredients,...and we decided to tackle dessert. There you have a naturally sweetened blackberry peach crisp,...with a peach reduction sauce lining the plate. We were quite thrilled, so much so that we took the rest of the week off.

The other photos....oh just some memory lane for when i'm old. A couple of the subway hall that I walk every morning so that one day I can remember,...one of a superman (who's been a bit of a metaphor lately,....just ask my colombian princess Any for details),...and a couple other random shots. Oh,...and can you spot the "American, I mean...Canadian Psycho?"

Ciao

Brad-dog!

The visitors keep piling on to NYC. Just last week, Brad and his lovely fiance Laura decided to do a week in New York,...and, New York they did. Upon arrival they dropped their bags at their hotel and proceeded straight to Saks Fifth Avenue and from the damage I saw, and the smoke coming out of his back pocket (where he keeps his wallet) it appears they are now 'preferred customers' on fifth avenue.

School proceeded as usual during the days, and then a couple times during the week we hooked up for dinners. Then came the grand finale,...breakfast at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. I guess I made an impression on Brad during the Canaccord days, because he sure treated me well in my own city. The Ritz is now on the top 5 moments of all of New York because it simply is a happy zone. Everything works,...and its when you're there that you realize, everything could quite possibly end at any moment,...and you might actually not care, but more precisely you might actually be happy. Kind of like leaving Wimbledon with an Ace. Let's talk french toast. Actually lets not,...but rather assume with great accuracy that this average, no big deal of a meal our whole lives was made extraordinary at the Ritz. Then the eggs benny. Artwork is divine,...and Jose brewed the most insane tea that they make away from the table and then just pour for you. Ok, enough.

After our Ritz action,...we subwayed up to the Bronx for an afternoon Yankees game! This is pretty insane because this most famous stadium is about to be demolished to make way for a brand new stadium which is being erected across the street. I suppose, lucky to taste a little history before she's caput! Typical of all games,...we hit the Nathan's Famous foot long hotdogs,...and beers. Standard action that just has to be done. After 6 innings, we decided we had our fill and hit the trail. Funny enough, ...the Yanks then went on to score another 19 runs,....yes,...19 runs. Wow.

From our discussions, it appears Brad and Laura had an amazing time and now rate NYC as one of their faves. From Central Park bike rides (umm, the kind where u sit in the back and some dude pedals you around), to the meals, to the shopping it appears they are hooked.

What else is new?? School is wrapped up in about 2 weeks! Phew,...this will be nice. There is a lot of estrogen at my school, so lets just say it will be a much needed break when she's all done. I've been interning at a couple really nice restaurants here in NYC and so far so good. Oh,...Sharon Janzen arrives in a few days for a visit,...promptly followed by Ali Cunningham from London. Good to have the company.

A few photos to accompany this post,...and a few photos that show a 'big walk' done last weekend,...around 7pm I suppose,...the sun is shining on the buildings of Tribeca and Battery Park, and it was amazing...

Thanks everyone

Hey everybody,...thanks for the birthday wishes and good vibes... Gordon Gekko once took a birthday card from an aspiring Bud Fox, and said surrrrrprize me its my birthday,....then promptly shredded the card. There was always something satisfying about this in a 'vacant' sort of way,...perhaps a shield to protect your heart,...and feel tough in the event that nobody likes you,...or that for some reason,...you wake up one day,...look like Mr. Burns from the Simpson's,....actually have no friends,....and resort to kicks and good times from the ZZZZZssssssiiiiisssszzzzztttTTT sound of a Home Depot Shredder.

Well,...facebook was overwhelmed as was an email inbox of all yall saying what's up and happy bday,...so thanks for the messages. New York at 32 has been quite fun. A few gals took me to a Cuban bar for some mohjitos after school and then back to their place for more drinks "etc." Got pretty looped and then went to meet my pal Roman for dinner. Apres that,...met Mickayla and this other dude for some drinks at Daddy'O which is our neighborhood pub. All in all, a surprizingly and much appreciated birthday,...it all worked out and was good times. If anything, it was a learning experience of how fun bday's are,...and to share some high fives and hoorahs to everyone else when its their bday time. attention central,...and it feels good!

here's a couple pixs from the day.

ciao

Adopt the pace of nature

Mas farmhouse went well. www dot masfarmhouse dot com. The atmosphere was fun, professional, tight...and family like...a great kitchen. I did my best to work hard, be of service, STAY outta the way as the new comer, and basically to show respect. It appears things went swell because I've been invited back. So, we'll see,...this great restaurant is one block from Carmine St. where I live.

Today was random day. Long walk down through an area that is between Hudson Street and Battery Park, quasi financial district. There was actually an area that had a street so empty and so quiet that it was rather peaceful, so much so that i did a complete "U" turn, ...walked back, stared....then took a picture. In fact, it may be the area where Al Pacino drove the Ferrari in Scent of a Woman.

The walk continued to a grassy area,...beginning of batter park, with views across the water to Statue of Liberty. Then after a couple hours of reading a new book, compliments of Mark Chan,....the venture continued along the water and it resembled Yaletown in Vancouver,....the marina area.

Onwards into Wall Street, the NYSE...and then finally on the way home I walked by an apartment bldg, where they kept their garbage outside and saw a framed picture that said the following: "Adopt the pace of nature, her secret, patience." -Ralph Waldo Emerson. I walked back, crouched down,...took a look....went hummm, interesting,...then moved along. I suppose in general and on that particular day this quote was needed. I was lost a little at the time, and about to lose my mind a bit, so I guess the quote came in handy. So here's the cool part,...walking past that sign about 1.5 blocks I came out of the residential area, and back onto 7th ave and sitting inside a Starbucks,....right in a windom seat was a guy that tatooed on his arm read, "Patientia."

I know,.....whhhoooooooooo

Ok, back to the apartment,...get some food and then we'll see. Here's a few photos on the day: NYSE, the Bull, Scent of a Woman Ave.,...a park with some strict rules to enforce the quality of the grass,...you'll see the sign... oh and one more: Cloe The Deal,...by Tiffany & Co. I've been thinking about some missed,...or better said, untaken opportunities which was plaguing my mind minutes before walking bye this sign with a friendly reminder!

As Good As It Gets

Ok,....so tonight Mark's little girl counted to 10 in english, chinese and spanish. I'd say there's another genius brewing in the Chan Finklestein household. Very cool. We had a wonderful chinese dinner, followed by fresh sweet mango and then ice cream.

Updates: if you desire, google: Mas farmhouse New York, and Hearth New York,....both of these kind and generous restaurants have offered 'trail' sessions so I can go being the intern portion of the culinary program. Both are really hip, quasi upscale places in nyc so very lucky.

That's my barber in the final picture....Just today I noticed the name at the top of the awning,..."Little Tony & Igor Be Good." Inside is Salvatore,...or Sal. He's my guy,...cuts my hair,...we chat a little,...he has a stack of Playboys,...and the place is so Italy meets New York its just awesome.

Couple random photos for spud's pleasure and other people's leisure. Ciao!!

Sunset Hudson River

Out front door, right on Bedford, one block, across 7th ave., about 3, maybe 4 blocks,...aqua. Nice boardwalk, couple grassy areas,...the ol' school piers from yesteryear,...and a long pier, look left statue of liberty. Ben n' Jerry's chocolate brownie ice cream, chhhhhhiiiiiiillllllll. Few pics,...back home, lil sushi at Tomoe,...some lovely facebook action. Bbbbllllllog. Ciao.

Coney Island and the Ditch Dog

Hello all,

Quick entry here. In New York, they have this thing each and every year called the hotdog eating contest. It's a really big deal, so big infact there's a massive digital billboard at Coney Island with the countdown. So my pal Roman and his sis took me there last weekend for a little tour of the beach and the infamous Coney Island theme park. Oh, and almost forgot,...we hit the traditionally famous "Nathan's" for a hotdog. It was my first time hearing about this joint and people were like,...."Ahhhhh" like in a panick way that I was missing an element of life,....so,.....I put the whole natural cooking school on hold and downed a Nathans hotdog! And, you know what, it was lovely.

Burp.

The boardwalk is right along the beach and its quite a trip to be out of the big city and walking along the beach. Actually it feels like being in California.

Ah, the night before Independance Day... Dan (Nick Sheppards cousin), Monique (Dans GF) and I had a wonderful dinner at their place. This thing called a 'skirt steak' which as Dan joked because of its sheer size and demeanour looks like we attacked some poor fellow in a lane and voila, dinner is served. K, that was gross but you get the point. Despite all the hoopla the dinner was actually delicious,...and then game the gongshow. One bottle of vino turned into a few,...and then at around 2a.m. I was told about the "Ditch Dog." The DD is something that locals know about only. So much so, that when you order it in the restaurant, the waiter will usually take a shot at you and be like,...one ditch dog per person? To which you say, we're sharing, and then he knows that you're not a mooch. Ok, the reason is this: A Ditch Dog is massive and consists of two hotdogs,...sitting on a bed of french fries,...and then covered in Mac 'n Cheese. In Vancouver we hit late night pizza, Soo-hang Chinese, or maybe poutine,...in the West Village of New York, people hit the Ditch Dog and its a hammering to the hangover devils in your gut like no other.

Enjoy the pics and chat soon. Oh, Sharon J in nyc in 2.5 weeks, as well as Ali Cunningham....should have some more stories to tell by then. Ciao!