Showing posts with label brooklyn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label brooklyn. Show all posts
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Brooklyn - Family Visit
Surrounded by Chans
Two of Jean's cousins arrived for the holidays. They are the kids of Jean's mom's sister: Sijia and Yiquan. Sijia is a big traveler and had been to NY before. Her brother had never been out of Asia and was most worried about the cold. My landlady, who is in Florida for the winter, offered them her apartment. We hit the ground running - a fancy lunch at Bouley where none of us took pictures, to my surprise. Then a basketball game - Brooklyn Nets vs. the Golden State Warriors.
Thursday, December 1, 2016
Brooklyn - Foreign Languages
Two Steps Forward, One Step Back
It's a hobby, my language study. Earlier in the year I was studying French, Spanish and Japanese at the same time but have taken a break from French. It was too much. I have a tutor for both Japanese and Spanish. I meet them once a week (virtually and otherwise.) Each country gives a series of tests you can take to prove your proficiency. Spain has 6 levels and I am studying for level 3. Japan has 5 levels and I am studying for the first level. Strangely, Japan is the only country that doesn't test your ability to speak.
It's a hobby, my language study. Earlier in the year I was studying French, Spanish and Japanese at the same time but have taken a break from French. It was too much. I have a tutor for both Japanese and Spanish. I meet them once a week (virtually and otherwise.) Each country gives a series of tests you can take to prove your proficiency. Spain has 6 levels and I am studying for level 3. Japan has 5 levels and I am studying for the first level. Strangely, Japan is the only country that doesn't test your ability to speak.
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Brooklyn - New Neighbor
He Adds Class to the Place
We sat down to breakfast this morning and turned our attention to the backyard as we usually do. No birds, no squirrels, no action at all. Unusually quiet. Then Jean yelled out "look - there's an owl up there!" I jumped out of my seat and pressed my face into the window, squinting up into the sky. Quite a surprise. An owl in Brooklyn? He's hard to see. Can you see him?
We sat down to breakfast this morning and turned our attention to the backyard as we usually do. No birds, no squirrels, no action at all. Unusually quiet. Then Jean yelled out "look - there's an owl up there!" I jumped out of my seat and pressed my face into the window, squinting up into the sky. Quite a surprise. An owl in Brooklyn? He's hard to see. Can you see him?
Friday, September 4, 2015
Brooklyn - US Open
Hooky at its Finest
The CFO scored front row tickets to today's US Open day session. Never been so close. That's my foot in the foreground and Novak Djokovich in the background.
The CFO scored front row tickets to today's US Open day session. Never been so close. That's my foot in the foreground and Novak Djokovich in the background.
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Brooklyn - Back Yard Gardening
Ramping up the Heat
Say hello to our latest addition, a Cayenne pepper plant.
Say hello to our latest addition, a Cayenne pepper plant.
Saturday, August 8, 2015
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Brooklyn - Bike Commute Story
The Stork and the Hipster
I was groggier than normal this morning as I pedaled to work
along Prospect Park West. I took note of
my fellow cyclists, sizing them up to see if they were worth racing. I don’t like to be passed - I consider my
ride to work a success when the score is something like 27-0, meaning I passed
27 people without being passed. Just the
day before I’d set an all-time record – catching and lapping close to 40. Today I was mellow, not even perking up when
a wiry geezer zipped by, grey beard rustling in the breeze. He had on black dress pants crudely rubber-banded
around black socks and a white dress shirt.
His helmet sat high on his head as if it were a bit too small. He pedaled with the heels of his pointy dress
shoes, leaning forward with a rod-stiff spine.
He looked like a stork.
Monday, August 3, 2015
NY - Day at the Beach
Adventures with the Car - Episode 1
While we'd previously agreed on a beach day, a certain someone had to go work for a certain company on a certain day otherwise known as Sunday. I took one for the team, chin high I sallied forth alone into the unknown. It was a bright clear day, hot, sticky. Beach-worthy.
While we'd previously agreed on a beach day, a certain someone had to go work for a certain company on a certain day otherwise known as Sunday. I took one for the team, chin high I sallied forth alone into the unknown. It was a bright clear day, hot, sticky. Beach-worthy.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Brooklyn - Back Yard Gardening
The Word "Garden" Might be a Stretch
More like an herb garden with a few flowers and grasses thrown in for fun. We have dill, sage, curry leaf, basil, thai basil, oregano, thyme, spicy oregano and garlic chives. I've used em all for cooking except for the curry leaf - it's different than the one I used to use in Singapore so I've yet to find an appropriate recipe.
More like an herb garden with a few flowers and grasses thrown in for fun. We have dill, sage, curry leaf, basil, thai basil, oregano, thyme, spicy oregano and garlic chives. I've used em all for cooking except for the curry leaf - it's different than the one I used to use in Singapore so I've yet to find an appropriate recipe.
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Brooklyn - Another Milestone
First Marriage....
Then a car. A Smart car, to be exact. A black two-seater. I love it. You can find parking anywhere in NYC. We got a great deal. It was used, 23 miles to be exact. As a result, we got a mark down from $17k to $11k.
Then a car. A Smart car, to be exact. A black two-seater. I love it. You can find parking anywhere in NYC. We got a great deal. It was used, 23 miles to be exact. As a result, we got a mark down from $17k to $11k.
Monday, March 16, 2015
Queens - Commuting by Bike
How Technology Has Changed...
I bought a bike yesterday evening at a shop next to my office and rode it home. It's not a racer, nor a mountain bike but rather something called a "commuter" or a "city" bike. What that means is up for debate but generally I'd say that comfort trumps speed. What struck me while bike shopping was the technological advances of the past decade that lead to a smooth, quiet, grease-free ride.
I bought a bike yesterday evening at a shop next to my office and rode it home. It's not a racer, nor a mountain bike but rather something called a "commuter" or a "city" bike. What that means is up for debate but generally I'd say that comfort trumps speed. What struck me while bike shopping was the technological advances of the past decade that lead to a smooth, quiet, grease-free ride.
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Brooklyn - the New "Old School" Apartment
Good Mix of Old and New
We saw a lot of crappy places before we found this one. I still cannot believe our luck. I sat right down at the dining table, pulled out my checkbook and asked my landlady how she spelled her name. Before she knew what hit her I'd handed her a check for first and last.
We saw a lot of crappy places before we found this one. I still cannot believe our luck. I sat right down at the dining table, pulled out my checkbook and asked my landlady how she spelled her name. Before she knew what hit her I'd handed her a check for first and last.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Brooklyn - The New "Old School" Neighborhood
This Ain't Hipster Brooklyn
This is Windsor Terrace, not Williamsburg, nor Cobble Hill. No beard-wearing, Converse-sneaker-donning, fixed-gear-bike-riding fools need apply. Nope, you're not welcome.
This is Windsor Terrace, not Williamsburg, nor Cobble Hill. No beard-wearing, Converse-sneaker-donning, fixed-gear-bike-riding fools need apply. Nope, you're not welcome.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Brooklyn - the End of an Era
State Street No More
Twenty years of Brooklyn, boiled down to two bags. I gladly donated some of my furniture to one of Che's relatives, an older gentleman down on his luck a bit. He took the black chairs and side tables. It's nice to know someone is sitting in those, probably watching television. I didn't feel much when I drove away in the cab. I wonder when it will hit me.
Twenty years of Brooklyn, boiled down to two bags. I gladly donated some of my furniture to one of Che's relatives, an older gentleman down on his luck a bit. He took the black chairs and side tables. It's nice to know someone is sitting in those, probably watching television. I didn't feel much when I drove away in the cab. I wonder when it will hit me.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Brooklyn - the Master Plan, Part III
The Belgian Boss in NY
The Belgian Boss was in NY this week so Lou and I cornered him in a meeting and asked him to clarify his position on my moving to Singapore. We explained that all three of us knew I was moving but wanted to know if he'd communicated upwards. The Belgian's boss is a jerk whose shit list I'm high up on for some reason. He promised to talk to the boss this week. I reiterated my desire to travel about 1/3 of the time rather than 1/2, but he held firm. The week went by and I never heard back. So, with two weeks to go, still no answer. One thing was clarified, however. Long term, to work on this project, I'd have to move to Paris. I said I never would so the Belgian said "we'll make an exception for you - you only need to be there 50% of the time." Asshole.
The Belgian Boss was in NY this week so Lou and I cornered him in a meeting and asked him to clarify his position on my moving to Singapore. We explained that all three of us knew I was moving but wanted to know if he'd communicated upwards. The Belgian's boss is a jerk whose shit list I'm high up on for some reason. He promised to talk to the boss this week. I reiterated my desire to travel about 1/3 of the time rather than 1/2, but he held firm. The week went by and I never heard back. So, with two weeks to go, still no answer. One thing was clarified, however. Long term, to work on this project, I'd have to move to Paris. I said I never would so the Belgian said "we'll make an exception for you - you only need to be there 50% of the time." Asshole.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Brooklyn - A Day in Williamsburg
I Take NYC for Granted, I Think
It's finally hit me, I'm leaving NYC. When I first got here I wandered. I discovered my new home on foot, one block at a time. As the years passed I became less interested. I'd go straight from home to office and back and convinced myself I loved it here because of what I could do if I ever had the inclination. Now, as I prepare to leave, I have that old feeling again. I jumped on the train to Williamsburg for no particular reason and spent the day exploring.
It's finally hit me, I'm leaving NYC. When I first got here I wandered. I discovered my new home on foot, one block at a time. As the years passed I became less interested. I'd go straight from home to office and back and convinced myself I loved it here because of what I could do if I ever had the inclination. Now, as I prepare to leave, I have that old feeling again. I jumped on the train to Williamsburg for no particular reason and spent the day exploring.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Brooklyn - the Master Plan
Will it Work?
Jean and I have worked out a big picture plan. I'll be moving to Singapore at the end of July. We plan to return to NY in the spring of 2014. She's let her bosses know that she'll need a NY job at that point and I'm sure they'll oblige - she's a superstar. Now, for the gamble. I will be letting my Paris bosses know on Tuesday. I plan to tell them I'm moving to Singapore at the end of July and am looking to cut down my travel significantly. I will offer to be in Paris 2 weeks out of 8 and work remotely from Singapore the rest of the time. I'll give them three weeks to mull it over and if they are ok with the plan, then all is good. If they're not good with the offer, I will resign.
Jean and I have worked out a big picture plan. I'll be moving to Singapore at the end of July. We plan to return to NY in the spring of 2014. She's let her bosses know that she'll need a NY job at that point and I'm sure they'll oblige - she's a superstar. Now, for the gamble. I will be letting my Paris bosses know on Tuesday. I plan to tell them I'm moving to Singapore at the end of July and am looking to cut down my travel significantly. I will offer to be in Paris 2 weeks out of 8 and work remotely from Singapore the rest of the time. I'll give them three weeks to mull it over and if they are ok with the plan, then all is good. If they're not good with the offer, I will resign.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Brooklyn - Sending Flowers Across the World
Dodo's Birthday in Mumbai
Why anyone would knowingly go to India during their birthday is a mystery to me. Dodo is crazy like that. As the boyfriend of a crazy girl I now had to figure out how to send birthday flowers to Mumbai. Seemed like it would be simple. I called the hotel, explained that my girlfriend was staying there and wanted flowers delivered to her room. "Can you send us an email, sir?" Email? I'd just explained the whole thing on the phone. Ok, no problem. I send the email. Next day, I get an email back requesting a xerox of the front and back of my credit card, a xerox of my passport and a form to be filled in. Send that to India? Are they crazy?
Why anyone would knowingly go to India during their birthday is a mystery to me. Dodo is crazy like that. As the boyfriend of a crazy girl I now had to figure out how to send birthday flowers to Mumbai. Seemed like it would be simple. I called the hotel, explained that my girlfriend was staying there and wanted flowers delivered to her room. "Can you send us an email, sir?" Email? I'd just explained the whole thing on the phone. Ok, no problem. I send the email. Next day, I get an email back requesting a xerox of the front and back of my credit card, a xerox of my passport and a form to be filled in. Send that to India? Are they crazy?
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Brooklyn - Chinese
Starting All Over Again
Spending time in Taiwan rekindled by desire to learn Mandarin. I went back to my Rosetta Stone and started fresh from the beginning. This time however I've added a wrinkle that is making the learning both harder but better. I've added software to my tablet that allows writing Mandarin using Pinyin. This requires a bit of explanation. Each Mandarin symbol has a sound that can be expressed using a roman alphabet. Expressing Mandarin sounds with the roman alphabet is called "pinyin." So, to create symbols on the screen, you begin to type the pinyin and potential matches are shown on screen. You then select one of many matches.
Spending time in Taiwan rekindled by desire to learn Mandarin. I went back to my Rosetta Stone and started fresh from the beginning. This time however I've added a wrinkle that is making the learning both harder but better. I've added software to my tablet that allows writing Mandarin using Pinyin. This requires a bit of explanation. Each Mandarin symbol has a sound that can be expressed using a roman alphabet. Expressing Mandarin sounds with the roman alphabet is called "pinyin." So, to create symbols on the screen, you begin to type the pinyin and potential matches are shown on screen. You then select one of many matches.
Monday, November 22, 2010
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