Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Another summer...

I was at Duane Reade the other night picking up batteries and baby wipes (don’t ask), and was mortified by the sight of a “Happy Holidays” banner hanging on the side of a corner newsstand.  Happy Holidays?  I’ve only just recently accepted the fact that it’s the end of avocado season.  I’m not yet mentally ready to commit to the holidays.  It’s just too soon.

So in a fond farewell to daisy dukes and farmer tans, I’d like to run down the highlights of the “Summer of 42” (that would be the 42nd summer of my life, not the classic flick).

July Fourth Weekend in Orlando - Yes, it was hot.  Very hot.  And I don’t mean sexy hot.  I mean underarm-sweat-ring, thigh-chafing-ly hot.  But the opportunity to visit Harry Potter’s Wizarding World made it all worth it.  More…

Summer Conservatory - As always, camp was exhausting.  But seriously, who can resist teenagers slutting it up on stage all in the name of art?  Not I!  More…

The Reugsegger’s take Manhattan - Our Ohio cousins made their first family trip eastward to take a bite of the Big Apple.  I’m sure they had fab time.  Unfortunately, we were stuck at camp in Jersey for most of their visit.  This afforded them the opportunity to enjoy the luxurious accommodations at Chez Pineda Astoria (aka my apartment) sans Fausto and Trish.  Oh well, it’s just an excuse to start planning their next trip.

Raiders of the Lost Ark in Bryant Park - The annual Bryant Park Summer Film Festival - Harrison Ford, red wine and farting neighbors all al fresco in the middle of the greatest city on the planet.  Who could ask for anything more?

Josh, Trish and I mingling with the masses in Bryant Park.  The infamous farter is laying directly behind us just out of site, though his stench hangs heavy in the evening air.  Nasty!







Foxwoods Labor Day Weekend - For our last hurrah of the summer, Trish and I planned a weekend of gambling and general debauchery at Foxwoods Casino Resort in Connecticut.  Sure, we headed home in the red, but not before busting a gut at the all-you-can-eat prime rib brunch at David Burke Prime Steakhouse.  I’m still working off that extra plate of fried chicken and waffles.

Who would have thought you could find an authentic Chinese bakery smack dab in the middle of a Indian-run casino in the heart of New England?  Above, Trish marvels wide-eyed at the fluffy, monster-sized ensaimada we picked up as a souvenir.


Terracotta Warriors Exhibit at the Times Square Discovery Center - Did you know that the ancient Chinese were kinky freaks?  Yup, aside from life-sized statues of warriors, some Chinese royalty made sure to pack their favorite sex toys with them for use in the after life.  I shit you not.

Two of the many artifacts on display from the ancient tombs.
Ancient dildos.  No, really.
   So long summer of 2012 and hello Christmas shopping season!

"I'd rather be nine people's favorite thing thana hundred people's ninth favorite thing."

Jeff Bowen, Lyrics "[Title of Show]"