Green-Wood Cemetery

Last weekend Nate and I went to the Pre-Cana session in preparation for the catholic wedding. It's been interesting, doing this process in Brooklyn, finding a local church, and a local arch-diocese. The pre-cana session was great, probably because it was an interfetih workshop, because it was open minded, funny and full of get-to-know you activities.

On Saturday, we had an open lunch, where we could leave the building and explore the area. We ended up having lunch at the Green-Wood Cemetery, a national landmark and an item on our list of attractions to check out. Which gave us some nice photo opportunities.

Afternoon beer at The Gate

Summer days at The Gate's patio. Great relaxed Brooklyn vibe. Reminds me of hanging out at the Dog and Duck in Austin.

I love summer, and it seems my camera really loves beer.

Prospect Park

Summer is finally here, and one of the greatest parts of living in Park Slope, is the proximity to Prospect Park. I like it better than Central Park, in many ways, and not just because it's three blocks from my apartment as opposed to a 30+ min subway ride.

Both have the same style, having been designed by Frederick L. Olmsted, but Prospect Park was designed later, so it's supposed to be the park he was proudest of. The landscape architecture geek in me really digs this. Additionally, Prospect has a more intimate feel from Central, less tourists, more people just sunbathing and having picnics. It feels more like a park for the neighborhood, where people are there to truly use the open space for it's intended purpose.

I had some fun taking pictures, playing with the macros and light settings.

Rainbow Over NYC

I meant to post this a week a go. But after an obnoxiously wet month of June, last Saturday we saw the most wonderful thing: a full rainbow over the Brooklyn sky. I hear you could see it over all of NYC, but in Park Slope, because of the lower rise buildings, we could appreciate it in all it's glory. I can't remember the last time I saw such a complete rainbow, the full arc, and all the colors individually delineated

And in time for Gay Pride Week!

Coney Island Confusion

I knew mexican food was hard to find in the NYC area, but seriously?

7th Avenue Gay Pride Parade

It's one of the strange things about living in Brooklyn, when you go grocery shopping one Saturday evening, and find that your street is closed off to cars because the Brooklyn Gay Pride Parade will be going right through it. So we bought our groceries, went back home, and sat at the window sill in the currently unoccupied next door apartment, which has views out to 7th Avenue. Then we watched the Parade go literally by our building's front door, full of dance music and people cheering.

This must be one of those, only in NYC moments.

DUMBO

Someday, when I have teenage children and I worry about being "uncool," I will remember last Friday night. We went to an event called the Brooklyn Invitational, in an unmarked space/warehouse in Dumbo, pretty close to under the bridge. The type that if you didn't know it was there, you might miss the door. Inside was a temporary gallery space, including an artist finger painting a piece. And on one of the ends, they set up a makeshift stage space, where we saw the excellent Kittens Ablaze (pictured above) and Motel Motel (which got a dance party going), among other less memorable bands. They also served 2$ PBRs and we hung out with a nice motley crowd. I think my brother had a good time, specially chatting with the Kittens Ablaze, who had been at South by Southwest this year. It felt very different, and like we were watching a couple of good bands before they made it big. Good times.

The above picture of us was taken by Seth Betchtold of http://marbleimaging.com

Rachel's Taqueria

I think we have found a new happy hour spot. We went out to celebrate because I FINALLY have some architecture contract work. After sending out my resume to a kazillion places, I got an interview and they called me back and want me to work for them. It's not a full time position, but really, with the economy the way it is, I am incredibly excited about it.

I'd wanted to come here for HH for a while, since it's two blocks from our place, and they had recently remodeled the bar area. Finally made it, and I'm glad to say that the margaritas were strong yet sweet, and mostly, they were only $4 each at the bar. Can't beat that.

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This ad scares the living daylights out of me. Not just this one, but the entire Take 5 campaign with the big-headed little person raving about how all we need is "a little bit of luck."

No way dude. The luck that I need is not see his creepy smug face first thing in the morning when I get on the subway.

I don't even play the lottery, but if I did, this dude is making sure I buy the other ticket, whatever that may be.

Prospect Park Memorial Day Picnic

I remember one Saturday afternoon last summer, when Nate and I were being lazy in Prospect Park, I had this feeling of social isolation. We were still new in town, and our social life was still lacking. I was looking wistfully at crowds of people our age having big picnics, and wondering how long it would be until I knew enough people to have a picnic of our own.

What a difference a year makes. This Memorial Day, Beth invited us to join her at a picnic in Prospect Park. Of course, since she lives on the other end of the park, we took the subway to meet up with her. We could have walked, but the subway was much faster. The Park is huge, after all.

It was a good turnout, about twelve people total. I had met about half the people in previous social occasions, so we felt right at home.
I find it curious when you get a group of young professionals in their mid to late 20's having a picnic; we are all just practical these days. We had vegan pasta salad, hummus, italian sausage, homemade brownies, cucumber dip, cheese and crackers, wine and beer. Also, besides the food, everyone brought blankets, plates, napkins, trash bags, and games. If this had been 7 years ago, we would have ended up with a couple of cheap six packs, and maybe some chips and salsa, but we would have definitely been laying on the grass with no cups.

Jesse brought a watermelon, which looked hilarious when he was carrying it in his messenger bag. He hacked slices with a machete, in which looked like the best way to release pent up stress.
We played Cranium, the Express Edition. I'd only played the old Cranium before, and this version was as fun as the old one, with some added fun activities such as team spelling, marionette charades, and a faster pace. It's about time we met fellow dorks who carry board games with them.
Here is Beth, our fearless organizer, without whom the afternoon would have been impossible Everyone wants these fun events to happen, it just takes a strong willed person to be decisive and pick the time and place. It's a field of dreams situation - "if you plan it, they will come". I often wish I could plan more social activities, but I end up stressing too much over silly logistics. I'll overcome it someday, probably when I have to plan my kids' birthday parties, and they depend on me.We also took a walk for a bit to the nearby pond. Next time, we should rent paddle boats; it looked like a nice activity. And I chatted with a kid as he fed ducks, but just for a bit, he was very methodical in his bread throwing technique, and I didn't want to throw off his concentration.

BKLYN Yard

It feels like the Gowanus area is becoming quite trendy. Just a couple of weeks ago I went there to watch the Lost Finale, and then last Saturday, Kevin invited me to go to BKLYN Yard along with some friends.

I have a soft spot for the Gowanus Canal. I know the general consensus is that it's polluted, and the area, currently full of warehouses and industrial activity, ripe for redevelopment. But I always feel like I am in a little piece of Holland whenever I walk by. The density lowers, the canal is lined with moss, and there's a certain quietness that is remarkable considering this area's proximity to busier parts of Brooklyn. From a very selfish standpoint, I want to Canal to remain as is. It feels like a safe haven, much like people see Prospect Park. I also realize that I like if because of the Netherlands connection, it's like a little piece of childhood right in front of me.

From what I'm gathering, BKLYN Yard is an open lot, along the water, that is undeveloped. This might be site related (flood zone, brownfield, etc), or simply that gentrification hasn't gotten to it yet. In any case, right next to the Carroll Bridge, this site opens up as if from nowhere, full of motley chairs and tables, and filled with people.

The event had Red Hook vendors selling food, along with a DJ keeping entertainment. The lines were ridiculous, and the only food choices fajitas and organic pizzas, so we saved our energy and only had PBRs. Curiously, the beer line was incredibly short. Apparently, similar events happen every summer weeend, so I am curious as to whether the crowd was the typical one, or if everyone was out because of Memorial Day weekend.

I'm glad Kevin called me up for this. He seems to be really good about knowing events going on through the city, specially the "cooler" variety. His friends got there much later than we did, so I fear that I might have been affecting his game for a bit there. Then again, it could also be his very peculiar sunglasses.


It seems that summer is finally here, though it thought its coming in spurts a few days at a time. It's pretty standard, I guess, I'm just glad that this weekend happened to coincide with the 80-degree weather.

Lost Season Finale at the Bell House

For some time now, watching Lost has been this thing Nate and I do together, we usually see it online on Thursday, over a couple of beers, and then I geek out and go to the forums at TWOP and discuss all the logistical plot implications, specially the cause and effect of time travel (are they changing their own fate, or are they so intertwined in it that by actively choosing to interfere they inadvertently cause the very events they were trying to avoid? We will find out, I guess.) Point being that this was a private endeavor, not a social engagement.

But then it turns out that my new volleyball team has some fellow Losties. Enough, in fact, that we named our team "The Others" (they were the badasses, after all). And Kino suggested we go to a Lost Finale Watching Party in the Bell House, within walking distance of me.

This party went all out, Dharma cheese-puffs, Dharma Beer, leis for everyone, a Lost Cake. And for future reference, Dharma beer is stroooong.

We were delighted to see Previuosly on Lost, a local band whose mission is to recap previous Lost episodes through song. And they are a total musical powerhouse, the audience joined in a chorus of Waaaalt!!, and lyrics included gems such as Be my Constant, Sawyers snark, smoke monsters, and the like.

We then watched the two hour finalie on the big screen. It was distracting watching a show so intricate with so many people in standing room only, but the audience was engaged, and hooted and hollered at the exciting moments. My camera ran out of batteries early on the festivities, so I'm posting a link to Geekanerd Blog to capture more images of this awesome event.

Coco Roco - Park Slope

I feel like I have neglected this blog lately. I've been studying for the LEED exam (sustainable design certification), and it just took over my life these last few weeks. The good news is that I passed and I now get to put the super nifty LEED AP title after my name. The bad news is that my apartment is falling apart and needs to be put back together, and now I am back to full time job hunting. blegh

Still, yesterday was a great day. I took the exam, managed to inadvertently insult the proctor while singing in, became convinced halfway through that I must be failing, received my passing score, stared at the computer screen for a solid five minutes in disbelief, and proceeded to excitedly walk back home all the way from Brooklyn Heights (about 40 minutes). I felt like this weight had been lifted off my shoulders, a monkey off my back, of however that weird expression works. I'd been holding my breath for a solid month, and the feeling of oxygen seemed to confuse my lungs.

Of course I celebrated by having some wine at home. Nate was still at work, but since when has that stopped anyone? One of the perks of being self employed is that ability to make scheduling adjustments for any personal, um, needs.

I later convinced Nate we should celebrate a Coco Roco, a Park Slope Peruvian restaurant that we hadn't been to in a while. I was seriously craving some Pollo a la Brasa (also known as Rotisserie Chicken); which is weird, because my family did not eat pollo a la brasa in Peru (my dad didn't care for it, said it was too hard to eat with all the bones.) So it's not like this craving came from a childhood comfort food place.

We ordered Pisco Sours, I got Pollo a la Brasa with french fries, and Nate Lomo Saltado. The drinks were great- sweet, tasty and strong, just like they should be. It's not a good Pisco Sour unless you think you are drinking lemonade and then realize you are buzzed.

The food didn't fare as well. The chicken was juicy and tender, but the soggy fries left a lot to be desired. The roast chicken is supposed to be their specialty, and I can see why. Nate's meat was tasty, but the rice felt dry and under seasoned. And seriously, this is a Peruvian restaurant, rice quality is of the essence. I found his dish disappointing, because Lomo Saltado is one of those things that should be hard to mess up. I've had it before though, and it was good, so maybe their rice maker was broken yesterday or something.

Fun side factoid though, Tuesdays are the token free Salsa lesson days. Must be an attempt to rev up business on the slow part of the week. And it must not be working because there were only about 6 full tables. A couple of tables joined the instructors for lessons, and I wish we had gotten up and learned some fun turns. But Nate had to get back early, and we left shortly after finishing our food. He promised that next time we go, we can make more of a night and stay for free lessons.

I want him to learn more moves so that we can latin dance at our wedding. Silly me, but it seems important.

Coco Roco
392 Fifth Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11215

interior photo courtesy of Kate Attardo and New York Magazine

Connecticut Muffin

Many years, ago, when I lived in the UT dorms, I developed a morning routine of picking up to-go breakfast from the dorm coffee stand. Specially useful on those days when I had early morning classes. Nothing crazy or unusual, just a juice box and a muffin. Not just any muffin. A poppy-seed muffin, and if they were out of that flavor I would just get a bagel. I developed a taste for these delicious poppy concoctions, and figured that after I moved out of the dorms, it'd be nice to still have them from time to time.

No big deal, right?

Well, to my amazement, poppy seed muffins are not that easy to find. Over the ensuing years, I kept my eye open for these very specific muffins, checking every coffee shop in the Austin area just in case they carried them. I found banana nut, bran, orange, chocolate chip, oat, etc. But I was a woman on a mission, and it was all or nothing. In reality, I don't particularly care for other muffins, they taste a bit soggy. Maybe I just have a chemical dependency to poppies, they did make Elaine fail a drug test on Seinfeld, after all.

Fast forward ...oh.. about eight years. I am older and wiser, and have by and large finished my search. Simple answer: the HEB bakery sells poppy-seed muffins. Not the most glamorous setting, but they taste good. If there are other places in Austin, I'd love to hear it, but I won't believe you. I searched. It's done, I am content. Then I move to Brooklyn and it stirs the quest again. And wouldn't you know it, I am still having a hard time finding the dreaded muffins here too.

That is, until the day the skies part and angelic music fills the streets, and I see, a mere eight blocks from my apartment: Connecticut Muffin. An entire place that celebrates muffins. And of course, they carry lemon poppy (my favorite) with glazing. I am in heaven.

I should add that I like Connecticut Muffin for many other reasons as well, and I probably wouldn't have found those out if I didn't have this zealous quest for poppies. Connecticut Muffin, in addition to their namesake, also sells other basic pastries, sandwiches, coffee, and refreshing granitas in the summer time. The service is efficient and friendly. And though their location is tiny, they have claimed the exterior via a slightly sunken area with benches. When it's warm, every possible seat is taken, and people use this space to read, chat with friends, hang out with kids, dogs, etc. It's truly a case of a coffee shop spilling out to the street.

I like coming to Conn Muffin on days like today, when I am washing my clothes at the laundromat across the street. I start the washer (or dryer) and come here, order my blessed muffin, a cup of coffee, and pick up one of the many newspapers lying around from previous customers. It makes the dreaded laundry process be a bit more bearable.

And, it puts a very satisfying end to an obnoxious quest that I should have finished years ago if I had been really really serious about finding these muffins.

Tea Lounge - Cobble Hill

My search for the perfect study coffee shop continues.

Today, as I had an extra two hours after dropping off my babysitting client at her dance class, I ventured around Cobble Hill looking for a reasonable coffee shop to study in. This really involves a lot of walking, peeking my head in the window, and counting the number of laptops per total number of tables. If the ratio is close to 50% or higher, I deem it a constructive study space. Seems to work.

It seems my non-beloved Park Slope Tea Lounge has a second location on Court Street (Cobble Hill). And, by my humble opinion, they got it better the second time. I have many issues with the Park Slope location, including the place being too dark, loud, and even the smell of some couches.

The Cobble Hill Tea Lounge is a pretty standard comfy couch- art on walls-coffee and snacks- cool music coffee shop. Nothing too unique, but that's why it was great. There is a certain comfort in the beat up couches and familiar music sensibilities. It taps into that side of me that used to actually get homework done back in college. Good productive vibe, specially with plenty of natural light, fresh air, and lots of people in study mode.

I ordered a regular coffee and an Italian panini. The coffee was good enough for my limited palette, though I do wish they would let customers sweeten their own drinks. Getting the right amount of sugar and coffee is a labour of love that needs to added slowly to mix better. The sandwich was tasty, and it was basically a glorified grilled cheese with tomato and basil. It was fresh tasting, and really hit the spot.

I don't see how I'd make it back. Cobble Hill is not my neck of the woods, but I'd highly recommend it as a neighborhood coffee shop to others.

Brooklyn St. Patrick's Parade

This afternoon we went to the hardware store to buy a fly swatter, and voila, there was a parade down on our street. It was fun. Lots of bagpipes, kilts and people wearing green, and many schools and local chapters of armed forces represented.

We had no idea there was even a parade scheduled on our street, so it was a happy surprise. Lucky for me, I had my camera with me, so I took some pictures.

Long Tan

I've been getting used lately to ordering Thai takeout. It's nice, we don't have to cook, and we pick up the food ourselves since the place we like is only four blocks away. Then I can just eat in my PJs while we watch The Daily Show on Hulu. What can I say, I'm living the dream.

The thing is, Long Tan, our current favorite Thai takeout, also happens to be a great location. Which really raises a conundrum on nights when we want to go out and have a nice dinner. Why should we go to a restaurant that serves the very food we like to pick up when we are feeling lazy?

Because we like the food. This is the answer I've come to.

Whatever. I like the place. It feels very modern and hipstery. Dark red walls, minimalist wall decorations, mood lighting and candles, bamboo plants as place settings. It feels very urban and chill. It also helps that they have a pretty good music selection. Just today we were serenaded by The Shins, Elliot Smith, Interpol and Led Zeppelin, from what I recognized.

I ordered a glass of white wine and Thai fried rice with chicken. Nate got a Yuengling beer and pad Thai noodles. My rice was good and tasty, and was in fact so large that I took some home with me. Nate finished his whole plate, and I'll trust him that it was good since I don't eat peanuts. This menu is really affordable, and it's nice to have a nice night out in a place that exudes fabulousness without breaking the budget.

We also took a bunch of silly pictures. I've been trying to discover all my Minolta's different options and settings. I inherited this camera from my father a few months ago, and though it's not my dream Nikon SLR, but it's definitely an upgrade from the previous one I had. I've been attempting to figure out all the manual settings, aperture, focus, f-stop and exposure. With mixed results, but it was still fun to take 50 pictures of the glasses and coffee.