Today's social event at the firm was the "Lard Tour" - a day where the goal is to eat as unhealthy and as much as possible. This was complicated for me by having an upset stomach for the past three days, which relented yesterday afternoon. But the Lard Tour did not ask my stomach's permission. The day started off at 8:45 when our recruiting coordinator called us up to a conference room for breakfast. There were cups of hashbrowns and french toast as dense as a brick. I went with the healthiest option presented, a vegetable and avocado panini that you could taste the butter in. The day continued with lunch a bit after noon. We went to a restaurant serving New Orleans cuisine, Eatonville. Apparently there was a semi-competition between the summers, encouraged by the partners, about who could push themselves the farther to eat. The winner is dubbed the Lard Winner. A dubious title. Appetizers for the table (all of which I ate) where crab cakes, mac and cheese (insanely good), lamb sliders, cajun french fries, and corn bread (also stellar). Because the service was so bad, they also brought us po' boys with fried shrimp and oysters as appetizers. I was full already. Then I had a plate of ribs and grits. It was delicious and got gobbled down. Meanwhile the other summers began to struggle, although Chris ate his entire entree po' boy, quite the feat. Dessert was where it was decided. Most summers got a piece of chocolate cake. So did I, but I also got a slice of pecan pie and an extra scoop of ice cream. I somehow managed to pack it down my throat and into my stomach, which was surprisingly cooperative. I was dubbed Lard Winner and awarded a pink pig baseball cap which I was forced to wear in a ritual uncannily like hazing. Damn my competitive streak! But my stomach is still holding up pretty well. Oh yeah!
The stomach thing started in New York this Saturday. New York was fun, minus the moderate illness. I stayed at Jonah's and hated on things with him. My stomach actually kept me from going out on Saturday night, but Jonah assured me I would have hated the bar they went to - long line and full of hipsters. Yeah, doesn't sound like my scene. It was also good to see Klassy, Kate, Allie, Jenks, Naomi, and Lorand. Lots of college people who have scattered across the country.
On Saturday we went to Coney Island. It was one of the trashiest yet most entertaining places I have ever been. It was also approximately 100 degrees. Probably didn't help my stomach. But I did ride the Cyclone, the world's oldest roller coaster, which happens to be made of wood. It's like playing a really prolonged game of Russian Roulette. The clacking of the cars across the wooden planks is a scary noise. Anything can happen on a 90 year-old roller coaster. I also ate at the original Nathan's Hot Dogs. Throw in sitting on the beach while everyone else swims and Jonah and I gripe about sand and you have a lovely, if sun-burn-y, day at Coney Island.
I am reading Game of Thrones. It is unfortunately addictive. I'm not saying it haunts my dreams, but I have had dreams about it. I gotta stop reading it before bed. That time should be reserved for How I Met Your Mother.
As I said to Reza today, if saving the world paid the same as destroying it, no one would destroy it.
Speaking of destroying the world, the debt ceiling crap is ridiculous and I have lost interest. And I like politics. This is absolutely disgusting. Everyone pull it together. Lock it up!
Ludacris,
I can go two and a half feet low. That is how low I can go.
Keep asking insightful questions,
Will
I think I have an interview for a fall internship next Friday. Here's hoping! It should be exciting. Turns out that sometimes answering Unknown numbers on your cell phone while at work is a good idea!
Showing posts with label new york. Show all posts
Showing posts with label new york. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Welcome 2011, can I get you anything?
I have been away from a computer for around three straight days and it has been glorious. In the meantime it became 2011, so happy new year.
2010 ended with a bang (which was likely caused by some drunken fool falling over a table). The 30th (sorry, I lost track of days of the week), I went out to Holyoke with Matt Francis, Matt "Foxy" Brown, Misha, Sandler, and Erik to go on a brewery tour. Holyoke is a 2 hour drive. Being a party of six, we took two cars. The first car was Foxy, Francis, and me. Upon arriving in Holyoke we were informed that the second car was still about an hour away, apparently because it was commandeered by morons. After a lovely (read: depressing) driving tour of the town, we decided to eat lunch at Friendly's, mostly because it was the only non-McDonald's place we could find. Turns out Friendly's is the most popular place in Holyoke. We actually had to wait in line; worse, we were second in line. Talk about demeaning - waiting in line at Friendly's. During our meal we received good and bad news. The good news was that the other car had made it and found the brewery. The bad news is that the brewery was not giving tours so we had essentially driven to Holyoke to eat at Friendly's.
Not easily discouraged, our car went to the brewery where, despite "not giving tours," we were given beer to sample and shown around by the brewer. It was pretty neat. After buying about 4 cases of beer, we departed. Francis and I switched cars to get some quality time with Erik and Sandler. Erik dutifully drove while the rest of us took full advantage of the facts that we were 1) not driving, and 2) in a car with 4 cases of delicious beer. It was not the most mature moment of my life, but it was one of the most entertaining car rides I have ever been part of.
The next morning I went with Preethi, Caitlin, and Caitlin's boyfriend to Jonah's in New York. There were copious modes of transportation along the way (2 car rides, a commuter train, the subway, and good old fashioned walking), lots of pizza (lunch and dinner), and Girl Talk (Caitlin is a true appreciator).
Side note: when we were boarding the train in Connecticut to go to New York, Caitlin and I watched a guy introduce his brother to his girlfriend. The girlfriend said to the brother, "Oh, I just met you in a picture I saw." Both Caitlin and I were absolutely appalled. Anyways...
Jonah threw a well-sized party at his apartment. We had people in from all over the country (and it is kind of an odd thought that I am one of those dispersed people) and it was great to see them. I love me some reunion.
I made the important, if unsurprising, discovery that rum-and-coke-and-red-wine-pong is not a good game (this was Packard's fault, well after midnight). I think only one or two things broke in the apartment. And besides that...it was just a good time.
I will take this opportunity to formally apologize to Jonah (and anyone else I should be apologizing to) for spewing profanity directed towards at 3am.
The next morning about ten of us went to brunch. I scarfed down my french toast because I was in desperate need of sustenance. Eli ordered an Irish coffee and a mimosa with his food.
After most people departed, I stuck it out at Jonah's with Laura. We bummed around, saw True Grit, and generally abused Jonah's hospitality until....sake bombing commenced (with maybe 25 people from college - definitely too many). The real kind of sake bombing, complete with chopsticks and banging on the table. It was my first time, and it was pretty fun though a bit messy (spill-wise, not like drunk-wise).
If you have never been, you set a small cup of sake on chopsticks which are laying over a glass filled with beer. Then you bang on the table to make the cup fall into the beer and chug the beer and sake combination.
Of course, you use gross Japanese beer and sake itself is pretty disgusting. To be honest, I am not sure exactly why bombing is desirable or fun, but it was. Probably the company. Jonah and Yodi kept having chugging contests with Jonah continually proclaiming his dominance and talking about how he "crushed" the beer. All you can drink for two hours, it could have been a lot worse. For an epic beginning, the night ended rather mundanely, which was actually welcome. Laura and I staked out a food cart while Jonah "crushed" some Propel fitness water. We all went back to Jonah's, talked lots of trash, and went to bed.
This morning I woke up, found my way around Port Authority, and came back to DC. So here I am. Happy new year. Classes start tomorrow. Yup, tomorrow. I just did my first reading assignment, in fact. Yet I feel strangely optimistic, if on the verge of renewing my status of sleep deprivation. Here's to a good semester, good friends, and a good year.
2010 ended with a bang (which was likely caused by some drunken fool falling over a table). The 30th (sorry, I lost track of days of the week), I went out to Holyoke with Matt Francis, Matt "Foxy" Brown, Misha, Sandler, and Erik to go on a brewery tour. Holyoke is a 2 hour drive. Being a party of six, we took two cars. The first car was Foxy, Francis, and me. Upon arriving in Holyoke we were informed that the second car was still about an hour away, apparently because it was commandeered by morons. After a lovely (read: depressing) driving tour of the town, we decided to eat lunch at Friendly's, mostly because it was the only non-McDonald's place we could find. Turns out Friendly's is the most popular place in Holyoke. We actually had to wait in line; worse, we were second in line. Talk about demeaning - waiting in line at Friendly's. During our meal we received good and bad news. The good news was that the other car had made it and found the brewery. The bad news is that the brewery was not giving tours so we had essentially driven to Holyoke to eat at Friendly's.
Not easily discouraged, our car went to the brewery where, despite "not giving tours," we were given beer to sample and shown around by the brewer. It was pretty neat. After buying about 4 cases of beer, we departed. Francis and I switched cars to get some quality time with Erik and Sandler. Erik dutifully drove while the rest of us took full advantage of the facts that we were 1) not driving, and 2) in a car with 4 cases of delicious beer. It was not the most mature moment of my life, but it was one of the most entertaining car rides I have ever been part of.
The next morning I went with Preethi, Caitlin, and Caitlin's boyfriend to Jonah's in New York. There were copious modes of transportation along the way (2 car rides, a commuter train, the subway, and good old fashioned walking), lots of pizza (lunch and dinner), and Girl Talk (Caitlin is a true appreciator).
Side note: when we were boarding the train in Connecticut to go to New York, Caitlin and I watched a guy introduce his brother to his girlfriend. The girlfriend said to the brother, "Oh, I just met you in a picture I saw." Both Caitlin and I were absolutely appalled. Anyways...
Jonah threw a well-sized party at his apartment. We had people in from all over the country (and it is kind of an odd thought that I am one of those dispersed people) and it was great to see them. I love me some reunion.
I made the important, if unsurprising, discovery that rum-and-coke-and-red-wine-pong is not a good game (this was Packard's fault, well after midnight). I think only one or two things broke in the apartment. And besides that...it was just a good time.
I will take this opportunity to formally apologize to Jonah (and anyone else I should be apologizing to) for spewing profanity directed towards at 3am.
The next morning about ten of us went to brunch. I scarfed down my french toast because I was in desperate need of sustenance. Eli ordered an Irish coffee and a mimosa with his food.
After most people departed, I stuck it out at Jonah's with Laura. We bummed around, saw True Grit, and generally abused Jonah's hospitality until....sake bombing commenced (with maybe 25 people from college - definitely too many). The real kind of sake bombing, complete with chopsticks and banging on the table. It was my first time, and it was pretty fun though a bit messy (spill-wise, not like drunk-wise).
If you have never been, you set a small cup of sake on chopsticks which are laying over a glass filled with beer. Then you bang on the table to make the cup fall into the beer and chug the beer and sake combination.
Of course, you use gross Japanese beer and sake itself is pretty disgusting. To be honest, I am not sure exactly why bombing is desirable or fun, but it was. Probably the company. Jonah and Yodi kept having chugging contests with Jonah continually proclaiming his dominance and talking about how he "crushed" the beer. All you can drink for two hours, it could have been a lot worse. For an epic beginning, the night ended rather mundanely, which was actually welcome. Laura and I staked out a food cart while Jonah "crushed" some Propel fitness water. We all went back to Jonah's, talked lots of trash, and went to bed.
This morning I woke up, found my way around Port Authority, and came back to DC. So here I am. Happy new year. Classes start tomorrow. Yup, tomorrow. I just did my first reading assignment, in fact. Yet I feel strangely optimistic, if on the verge of renewing my status of sleep deprivation. Here's to a good semester, good friends, and a good year.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Curse you, Southwest
No more Mondays this semester. Phew. Last long day is done. You hear me? Done. One of my professors is an ex-State Department official. My mother asked me whether there was any discussion of Wikileaks publishing classified diplomatic cables. No, of course not because it won't be on the final and it could potentially be interesting. There is no place in school for such things. One day back is all it took to regain that cynicism apparently.
Not cool, Wikileaks. Not cool at all.
At the moment Southwest is my enemy. Last night my flight was delayed two hours. In addition to getting back to my apartment later than I'd like, public transportation back to DC shuts down pretty early on Sunday nights which meant that there was a distinct possibility that getting home would have been a real problem. Luckily Reza and Enoch drove me back from the airport, so I am in their debt. My initial reaction to the two hour delay was anger (go figure), but Ronya happened to be in the same terminal at the same time. So we commenced one of my favorite activities: drinking at the airport. Maybe it is the intoxicating smell of jet fuel or the profound calm that comes from watching so many tense people mulling about, but beer at the airport is just about the best thing ever.
How is it that Kanye West can be both so good and so dumb at the same time?
Today at lunch there was a conversation which occurs occasionally, the one where a New Yorker trumpets the accomplishments of his or her city and declares every other place to be irrelevant. For once another New Yorker combated this notion. Apparently he is aware that just because you can get a delicious bagel at 4am does not negate the fact that a homeless man has peed on everything in the city at one point.
Not cool, Wikileaks. Not cool at all.
At the moment Southwest is my enemy. Last night my flight was delayed two hours. In addition to getting back to my apartment later than I'd like, public transportation back to DC shuts down pretty early on Sunday nights which meant that there was a distinct possibility that getting home would have been a real problem. Luckily Reza and Enoch drove me back from the airport, so I am in their debt. My initial reaction to the two hour delay was anger (go figure), but Ronya happened to be in the same terminal at the same time. So we commenced one of my favorite activities: drinking at the airport. Maybe it is the intoxicating smell of jet fuel or the profound calm that comes from watching so many tense people mulling about, but beer at the airport is just about the best thing ever.
How is it that Kanye West can be both so good and so dumb at the same time?
Today at lunch there was a conversation which occurs occasionally, the one where a New Yorker trumpets the accomplishments of his or her city and declares every other place to be irrelevant. For once another New Yorker combated this notion. Apparently he is aware that just because you can get a delicious bagel at 4am does not negate the fact that a homeless man has peed on everything in the city at one point.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
We Built This City
First off, big shout outs to Jonah and Missy for letting me stay at their places in New York and being generally awesome.
As you should gather from my first off statement, I was in New York this week, thus the lack of updates. It was really nice to see people, to have a week without classes, and to get out of DC for a little while. Despite being in the biggest, loudest, most hustling-bustling city in the country, I feel more relaxed after the week. I took the bus up Tuesday and read a New Yorker basically the entire way. That filled my brain up pretty good, which probably accounts for my poor showing at trivia with Jonah that night. Either that or accidentally going through five pitchers between three of us. Yeah, didn't realize that was happening, then I wondered why it was difficult for me to remember the four states that are actually commonwealths. I did get them eventually. (Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia and...drum roll...Kentucky.) Though I'm also going to say that I was distracted by fantasy baseball talk, 'cause I'm the coolest, least nerdy person ever.
The next two days were basically spent walking around the city and writing my appellate brief. I went on a tour de coffee shops. Seats near electrical sockets became a precious commodity. I became an expert at which places have nice bathrooms and which do not. I pirated internet when necessary, drank innumerable medium (sometimes grande) coffees, and listened to at least half a dozen women complain to their girlfriends about a coworker who was ruining their life. On Wednesday I went to dinner with Nina on the west side and walked 2.6 miles back to Jonah's apartment, needing to pee the entire way. It was terrible! I was constantly on the lookout for a Starbucks and in those 2.6 miles I did not see one. I must have taken the only streets in Manhattan that do not have a Starbucks strewn around. Upon reaching Jonah's house I had to blow off his parents' greetings and proceed immediately to the bathroom for what will go down as one of the most satisfying visits of my life. Then I was happy to sit on the couch with him mom and talk about how ridiculous American Idol is. Jonah did MCAT studying like a loser. A loser who wants to go to med school.
Back to American Idol for a second - when did Ellen become a judge? I actually like that a lot - she can be meaner than Simon, yet funny at the same time. And you can't hate her because she's Ellen. Unless you are homophobic, then I guess you can hate her, but I will consider your views repulsive. I was afraid she was going to be a Paula-style, lovey dovey, full of crap judge. I guess they have someone else for that now, some woman I don't know. Can't be worse than having Lil' Mama as a judge. I forget what show that was, I want to say America's Best Dance Crew, but it was terrible. I was in pain every time she spoke. Not only does she not have a basic command of the English language but she has no talent to speak of and is generally moronic.
Thursday night I watched "Night at the Museum 2" with Missy. Actually an amusing movie. I love silly historical humor, so that definitely helps, and there are a lot of good comedians in it.
The next evening (I guess that would be Friday evening) I met up with a lot of people at a bar on the west side. Nina, Jonah, SKlass, and Emma who came in from Worcester. The bar was a little fratty - it had beirut tables in the back and was giving out free shots of American Honey - but it was fun. There was a fat version of Owen Wilson, I met friend's friends, and general revelry ensued. Also a waitress tried to sell me some kind of drink that is designed to prevent hangovers. The conversation was basically this:
Her: "It's supposed to hydrate you"
Me: "Oh, like water."
Her: "It helps with hangovers"
Me: "Like water?"
Her: "You can use it as a chaser for shots."
Me: "Ok, so water?"
This type of thing continued for a while. As far as I can tell this is water, but it comes in a can and is more expensive. Needless to say I did not purchase any.
Lots of people left the bar so I went with SKlass and her friend to a bar on the east side that was playing Paul Simon, Billy Joel, and Journey rather than Lady Gaga and Black Eyed Peas. I wasn't complaining. Some guy kept telling me he was impressed that I knew the lyrics to "You Can Call Me Al." Another guy wore an effeminate scarf then got defensive about it. A third (everyone's favorite) made out with some girl in a manner that cleared the dance floor. A fourth looked like he wanted to stab me in the neck after I stopped him from whispering sketchy things into Sarah's friend's ear. That was pretty much the scene. Everyone was in their work clothes and with their coworkers, but that didn't stop them from making bad decisions. Earlier that day Sarah asked me what DC bars were like. I told her they were more like this one.
Saturday I got woken up bright and early to go to Costco with Missy and her brother. After Costco and a delicious brunch of blueberry pancakes where, in a rare move, I chose over french toast and did not regret my decision, I walked around the city with Emma. It was very nice to see her, even if she had to leave to go to Brooklyn for dinner and then never came back to Manhattan. What is that? Come on! I forgive her. She did come all the way to New York.
I walked 60 blocks back to Missy's brother's apartment, a lovely little walk, and helped set up for their parents' 30th anniversary surprise party. The party was super cute; her parents are adorable and incredibly nice people. There was tons of delicious food (three plus sushi boats, tons of stuff from California Pizza Kitchen though not pizza, salads, lots of cheese, cake, etc.), karaoke, cute speeches, and lots of happy people. Missy's family really enjoyed it, which was the goal. So get the aircraft carrier and bust out the flight suit: Mission Accomplished.
After the party Missy and I went up to see Gavi and other people at a bar...for maybe 45 minutes. But I got to powerfist, so it was all for the best. Also, stayed up til 4 am for no good reason. Oops.
Best story of the trip:
I was on the subway walking up an escalator. There was a guy just standing in the middle of the escalator. Being in New York (though I do this everywhere), I said "Pardon me" in a somewhat sharp voice. He didn't react. Again, "Excuse me." This time he slides over to the right a little bit so I can pass. As I walk by I see he is just peeing on the escalator. Letting it all go. Oh New York.
As you should gather from my first off statement, I was in New York this week, thus the lack of updates. It was really nice to see people, to have a week without classes, and to get out of DC for a little while. Despite being in the biggest, loudest, most hustling-bustling city in the country, I feel more relaxed after the week. I took the bus up Tuesday and read a New Yorker basically the entire way. That filled my brain up pretty good, which probably accounts for my poor showing at trivia with Jonah that night. Either that or accidentally going through five pitchers between three of us. Yeah, didn't realize that was happening, then I wondered why it was difficult for me to remember the four states that are actually commonwealths. I did get them eventually. (Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia and...drum roll...Kentucky.) Though I'm also going to say that I was distracted by fantasy baseball talk, 'cause I'm the coolest, least nerdy person ever.
The next two days were basically spent walking around the city and writing my appellate brief. I went on a tour de coffee shops. Seats near electrical sockets became a precious commodity. I became an expert at which places have nice bathrooms and which do not. I pirated internet when necessary, drank innumerable medium (sometimes grande) coffees, and listened to at least half a dozen women complain to their girlfriends about a coworker who was ruining their life. On Wednesday I went to dinner with Nina on the west side and walked 2.6 miles back to Jonah's apartment, needing to pee the entire way. It was terrible! I was constantly on the lookout for a Starbucks and in those 2.6 miles I did not see one. I must have taken the only streets in Manhattan that do not have a Starbucks strewn around. Upon reaching Jonah's house I had to blow off his parents' greetings and proceed immediately to the bathroom for what will go down as one of the most satisfying visits of my life. Then I was happy to sit on the couch with him mom and talk about how ridiculous American Idol is. Jonah did MCAT studying like a loser. A loser who wants to go to med school.
Back to American Idol for a second - when did Ellen become a judge? I actually like that a lot - she can be meaner than Simon, yet funny at the same time. And you can't hate her because she's Ellen. Unless you are homophobic, then I guess you can hate her, but I will consider your views repulsive. I was afraid she was going to be a Paula-style, lovey dovey, full of crap judge. I guess they have someone else for that now, some woman I don't know. Can't be worse than having Lil' Mama as a judge. I forget what show that was, I want to say America's Best Dance Crew, but it was terrible. I was in pain every time she spoke. Not only does she not have a basic command of the English language but she has no talent to speak of and is generally moronic.
Thursday night I watched "Night at the Museum 2" with Missy. Actually an amusing movie. I love silly historical humor, so that definitely helps, and there are a lot of good comedians in it.
The next evening (I guess that would be Friday evening) I met up with a lot of people at a bar on the west side. Nina, Jonah, SKlass, and Emma who came in from Worcester. The bar was a little fratty - it had beirut tables in the back and was giving out free shots of American Honey - but it was fun. There was a fat version of Owen Wilson, I met friend's friends, and general revelry ensued. Also a waitress tried to sell me some kind of drink that is designed to prevent hangovers. The conversation was basically this:
Her: "It's supposed to hydrate you"
Me: "Oh, like water."
Her: "It helps with hangovers"
Me: "Like water?"
Her: "You can use it as a chaser for shots."
Me: "Ok, so water?"
This type of thing continued for a while. As far as I can tell this is water, but it comes in a can and is more expensive. Needless to say I did not purchase any.
Lots of people left the bar so I went with SKlass and her friend to a bar on the east side that was playing Paul Simon, Billy Joel, and Journey rather than Lady Gaga and Black Eyed Peas. I wasn't complaining. Some guy kept telling me he was impressed that I knew the lyrics to "You Can Call Me Al." Another guy wore an effeminate scarf then got defensive about it. A third (everyone's favorite) made out with some girl in a manner that cleared the dance floor. A fourth looked like he wanted to stab me in the neck after I stopped him from whispering sketchy things into Sarah's friend's ear. That was pretty much the scene. Everyone was in their work clothes and with their coworkers, but that didn't stop them from making bad decisions. Earlier that day Sarah asked me what DC bars were like. I told her they were more like this one.
Saturday I got woken up bright and early to go to Costco with Missy and her brother. After Costco and a delicious brunch of blueberry pancakes where, in a rare move, I chose over french toast and did not regret my decision, I walked around the city with Emma. It was very nice to see her, even if she had to leave to go to Brooklyn for dinner and then never came back to Manhattan. What is that? Come on! I forgive her. She did come all the way to New York.
I walked 60 blocks back to Missy's brother's apartment, a lovely little walk, and helped set up for their parents' 30th anniversary surprise party. The party was super cute; her parents are adorable and incredibly nice people. There was tons of delicious food (three plus sushi boats, tons of stuff from California Pizza Kitchen though not pizza, salads, lots of cheese, cake, etc.), karaoke, cute speeches, and lots of happy people. Missy's family really enjoyed it, which was the goal. So get the aircraft carrier and bust out the flight suit: Mission Accomplished.
After the party Missy and I went up to see Gavi and other people at a bar...for maybe 45 minutes. But I got to powerfist, so it was all for the best. Also, stayed up til 4 am for no good reason. Oops.
Best story of the trip:
I was on the subway walking up an escalator. There was a guy just standing in the middle of the escalator. Being in New York (though I do this everywhere), I said "Pardon me" in a somewhat sharp voice. He didn't react. Again, "Excuse me." This time he slides over to the right a little bit so I can pass. As I walk by I see he is just peeing on the escalator. Letting it all go. Oh New York.
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