New York a la Cart

So did you pick up a copy of New York a la Cart yet? No? Then do it now! (Also you should be able to get a copy at a non-digital bookstore now.) We, Siobhan, Alex, Clay and I, had worked on the photos last summer and it was many trips around Midtown, East New York, Red Hook, STATEN ISLAND that included long drives around NYC with Siobhan and Alex singing really bad radio songs.

I absolutely had the best summer last year. Obviously it didn't feel like work, it was more like road tripping around NYC with good friends, eating and photographing. The best part about it was meeting all the different food vendors and hearing their stories.

I really hope you go and get a copy. We worked really hard to bring you, I think, what makes NYC unique from other cities. I have included below book signing and panel discussion dates that I'LL BE ATTENDING. Free hugs for all! Siobhan and Alex aka Blondie and Brownie will have more dates so be sure to check out their site and Twitter for updates. Now go visit a food truck/cart.

Tuesday, April 2nd 12:30p Posman Books at Grand Central Terminal

Wednesday, April 3rd 6-9p 61 Local in Cobble Hill An informal, unofficial book launch party. Come drink with us. Oh and there might just be a sprinkles cake.

Sunday, April 14th 1:30p Panel at Housing Works Cafe for the Downtown Literary Festival

Ok, this is a big one. Tuesday, April 16th 7-9p the powerHouse Arena in DUMBO Besides chatting about the book, The Treats Truck and Morris Grilled Cheese will be there with their trucks from 6 to 7p.

Wednesday, April 17 6:30-8:30p NYPL Mid-Manhattan Library A panel hosted by Siobhan and Alex about food and social media.

Saturday, April 27 (in the afternoon-ish) BookCourt in Cobble Hill

Thank You

Cupcakes from Butter & Scotch, perfect treats for day time drinking.

Hot damn. The older I get, the more I'm mellowing out or maybe because I'm doing my birthday month (thinking about doing birthday year) and that grumpy Don will be back next month.

35, I definitely did not think this far out. Also didn't really plan to be living in NYC for 10 years. 10 YEARS! How did I get here? Surprisingly I made it this far, mostly just living life day-by-day. Though now it's hard to imagine my life not in NY. Hard to imagine the me I would've turned out if I had stayed in LA.

Oh well, no point in thinking about that. I'm feeling pretty great right now and that's rare. Though a lot has to do with how super great my family and friends are. They made turning 35 pretty darn fun. I feel so loved.

Anyhoooooo...here are some snaps of the things I have eaten for my birthday. My friend Scott gave me a pound of brisket from Delaney Barbecue aka Briskettown. A POUND OF BRISKET! It was one of the best brisket I had and their pork ribs were just as good.

Had my birthday drinks at 61 Local on a snowy day. Thank you everyone for swinging by! So good to see many old faces and definitely good to hang out outside of Twitter/Facebook.

Then it was followed by cocktails and chicken pot pie at Van Horn.

My birthday also gave me the excuse to have lunch with Phae at Fiat Cafe. Fiat Cafe has been on my to-eat list for a long time. Glad I went. The spaghetti and meatballs really hit the spot. Also a glass of red wine for lunch does not suck.

Another place on my list is Maison Premiere. I walked in at 5:30p and it was way packed already. People were there to take advantage of the $1 oyster happy hour.

This year's birthday dinner, I went to Sweet Chick. A month old chicken and waffle place. The chicken and waffle, the shrimp and grits, the cocktails, the dessert (warm biscuit bread pudding, oh my!) and the service were all really really good. Thank you Sweet Chick.

After dinner we took a stroll up to Greenpoint to Torst. A brand spanking new Nordic influenced bar. Ah thank you again friends for a wonderful 35.

Vast Sky And Boundless Sea

Fuji Pro 800Z on Nikon N8008s

So many of you have asked what my new tattoo means. It's a song title (海闊天空) from Beyond, one of my favorite bands from Hong Kong. In a nutshell, the song is about being free, carry on with your dreams and ideals, in this vast sky and boundless sea. I thought it was a good tattoo to get right near my birthday and as I'm really questioning myself about my own future.

To make the tattoo more meaningful, I had my parents right out the song title. So my tattoo is in their handwriting.

I found a pretty good translation of the song here:

Today, I see the swirl of snowflakes in a cold night I (too) swirl afar with a chilled heart I give chase braving wind and rain Unable to make out the shadowy trace in the mist There’s a boundless sky and sea Would you and I change? (Who are not changing?!)

Many times, I face up to cold shoulders and ridicule Never have I given up the ideal inside my mind In a fleeting trance I feel as if something is missing In an unconscious way Love has faded from my heart (Who understands me?!)

Forgive me, I’ve been an unruly, untamed freedom-lover all my life I too fear I might fall down someday Abandoning the ideal -- everyone might do it Don’t worry that only you and I might someday

Still carefree and self-reliant Forever singing aloud my own song Going everywhere

Dream The Impossible