July 4th Weekend, 2009

Just returned from seven glorious days at 590 Fire Island Boulevard in the Fire Island Pines. If you haven't visited or know anything about the Pines, it is a community comprised of homes inhabited by gay men who escape from the confines of city life and search for laughter and companionship.

Guy and I have taken a half share this summer. That means ten weeks during the summer alternating every other beginning Memorial Day. The weather this past weekend was incredible and we could not have asked for more. Guy chose to stay in the city and watch the fireworks over the Hudson River-commemorating the 400th anniversary of its' discovery.

I arrived on Thursday at 11:50 off the ferry after a quick express train out from Penn Station to Sayville. A quick five dollar/five minute shuttle ride and on the ferry I went. I arrived at the house with my ingredients to make the house snack: GUACAMOLE! Yummy. No cilantro in my, and lots of extra lime just to keep an extra day. Thursday night was low tea and then home to cook.

Friday was a day of leisure. A little shopping in town, some consuming of cocktails in the afternoon around the pool, pre tea and then enjoying the fantastic weather that was offered for us to enjoy our time out. Some other housemates joined on Friday and made for a night big meal at night.

Saturday (JULY 4th) the 34th annual Invasion of the Pines took place. In history, as I have heard it told, a group of drag queens boarded a ferry and hijacked it over from Cherry Grove to the Fire Island Pines on July 4th, 1975. The INVADED the all male gay clubs and caused a scene with their outlandish outfits and attitudes as big as their wigs. It was a blast. This year I did not attend. After so many years of hanging out in the harbor, I needed a break and relaxed by the pool at the house and took in a little reading. In the evening though, a housemate and I wearing the same t shirt invaded tea and had a blast saying LET'S HUG IT OUT! Lots of fun. Saw lots of familiar and STRANGE faces. And, some faces I have not seen in a really long time. RIBS for dinner late-I think we sat down around the table at 11:30 and laughed and ate until almost one a.m.

Sunday, Rick's birthday celebration cocktail party in the afternoon. About 2:10 in the afternoon there was a pull on the door and the gate opened to reveal friends with smiles and bathing suits reading to enjoy a libation around the deck outside the house. TEA followed and then dinner back at the house. Hello Sip N Twirl!!! Just went for a drink or two and to talk with some friends. Then back to bed.

Monday, a glorious day under the sun, allowed for another day of relaxation, reading and some pre coverage of the Michael Jackson Memorial Service that was to take place in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Nap time! A dip in the pool, a soak in the hot tub, show and then off to TEA for one drink and back to the house for dinner. Yummy.

Tuesday. The National Weather Service has issued a thunderstorm warning with heavy rain and winds up to 60 miles per hour. Watched the VIEW for a while and then outside to read until the storms present. Bright sun and then clouds until about 3 p.m. after hanging around the pool. Pack up the blackberry, my book, the cushions and bring down the umbrella before heading inside to catch the last few minutes of the Michael Jackson service. Touching. Symbolic. DEAD.
After the storm, which was really just rain for the most part, passed, a housemate and I walked down to the harbor to grab a drink at TEA and take a picture or two at sunset. Amazing sunset after a rainstorm. There are always clouds still in the sky. Took our drinks to CROWN and hung out with some friends and laughed about the events of the weekend. Then, back to the house to pack, heat up some leftovers and make time for sleep before catching the ferry in the am. I did manage to squeeze in a little pool before bedtime. Didn't win, but had a blast.

6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 time to get up. Put the egg dish in the oven and go back to bed for an hour. Up at 7:42 and a housemate had already helped themselves to the first piece. Not my best work by far, but needed a little nourishment before the long ride home. Closed up the house, said "SEE YA LATER" to the pool and headed down to the harbor. Ferry departed at 8:55 back to Sayville and was nicely returned to Manhattan by 11:10 by a housemate. We laughed and tried to get ready to return to reality.

Fire Island PINES: PARADISIO!!!!

Bistro Ten 18

After a long day at school and then working on the campus of Bank Street College of Education, one of my colleagues and dear friends from PS MS 31 in the Bronx with whom I work, surprised me in the technology office after her interview for the new Autism Program at BSC. We chatted for a while and then decided to grab something to eat. The Upper West Side, really? For food? I hopped on Opentable.com and checked out the offerings in the area. Every day, while taking the M4 bus from 110 and Lenox to Broadway I pass by Bistro Ten 18, which I always assumed was the address. Here is what we had.

A great experience. We were greeted at the front door with a smile and a chuckle. After reading my preferences, the server noted that they do not have any booths, but did offer a comfortable table by the window which we accepted. Menus and wine list were presented immediately and water was poured before asking preference-not a critique, just an observation. Rochelle and I looked over the menu and decided we were hungry but not famished. We decided on three items from the charcuterie (aged, dried Lamb, Ham and Chorizo) and the Mac and Cheese to have as our appetizers. Cornichons, pearl onions and olives with a spicy mustard (ala deli) accompanied the meats and delicious, warm bread arrived at the table.

Our main course consisted of a Gorgonzola burger on brioche with two sides: beer battered onion rings and their spiced fries with a spicy aioli and ketchup as dipping sauces. Delicious! For dessert, even though we shouldn't have, we ordered the Bistro Brownie Sundae with Vanilla Gelato, Chocolate Sauce and Rum Soaked Cherries. Yumo! Get there sometime soon. It was the perfect accompaniment to the laughter and conversation we shared over dinner. Energetic space with enough background noise to conceal your conversation and feel comfortable talking to the person next to you. If I tell you, I might have to kill you! Only kidding. Go there.

Bistro Ten 18
1018 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10025
Cross Street: 110th Street
212.662.7600

p.s. I left my water bottle for the gym behind and will be going back there before class tonight to retrieve it. Good times.

ROBBERY

After coming home following a long day at school, I made some guacamole and then decided to head to the gym (CRUNCH, West 83rd Street). Perhaps I will not go again on a Friday evening.

I entered the gym shortly after 7:00 p.m. Undressed, put my belongings in the locker and locked my lock. Hard workout:2 hours. At shortly after 9:00 p.m. I entered the locker room and took over my sweaty clothes and walked over to get a plastic bag to place them in before putting them in my JACK SPADE bag. I bumped into a guy in the locker room wearing a black button down shirt, dark pants and holding what looked to be an empty gym bag. He said excuse me and walked past me. I looked him straight in the eye. While I was placing my belongings in my locker, he was loitering in the back of the room, but I paid him no mind. I went to shower and came back to the lockers.

I noticed my shorts were wedged between the mirror and the bench and thought that was odd, since I had placed them in the locker before going to shower. I looked at my locker. The lock was torn off, the latch was busted and upon further observation, my debit card, blackberry and $300 in cash were missing. I know, stupid me for having that much cash, but I honestly forgot to leave it at home and it was in a safe place, so I thought. The police came and took a report. ATT was great about suspending my service and sending me a new phone (I SHOULD BE BACK IN BUSINESS TOMORROW (tuesday)). Citibank was great about sending me a new card and blocking my account.

Thank you Detective Galan for your help and hard work. I hope we get an arrest sometime this week... Now, I am wearing a fanny pack at the gym. NOT SO MUCH! Good times.

Spring Carnival, Bronx, NY (PS MS 31)

The staff of PS MS 31 in the South Bronx hosted the third annual Spring Carnival to celebrate our school community on Saturday, May 30, 2009 from 12:30-5:00. The event was well attended by students and their families and staffed by school teachers, aids, school counselors and employees of the Department of Education who work at the school. I was proud to have my parents attending this year. What a blast!

Steven

Havana Central, Union Square

I made a reservation on OPENTABLE.Com to celebrate the belated birthday of my sister (30 years old) and to get a chance to to OUT with my sis. It was an amazing night. We had 7:15 reservations, so of course, as those of you know me, I was early. I sat at the bar and had an amazing Blackberry (boy do I miss mine-story to come) Margarita while I waited for sister to arrive. She arrived promptly at 7:15

We sat and as we are both creatures of habit, we had both looked at the menu the night before on line. Good times. We are definitely related! I ordered a blackberry mojito and my sister a cranberry and ginger ale-she was driving although she did have a taste and enjoyed my sugar cane stick! We decided on the lobster stuffed avocado and plantains and guacamole to munch on before our main courses. Sandi ordered the Paella and the Oxtail Stew for myself. Yumo! (YES, I CANNOT STAND RACHEL RAY!).

Then, when we were finished, we considered looking at the dessert menu. And waited... And Waited... AND WAITED... INTRODUCE SINGING AND CANDLE AND FLAN! I had mentioned in my opentable reservation that we were celebrating my sister's birthday. Four servers came out and sang at the top of the lungs-embarrassed? Not a chance. Have you met my sister and I? LOL!

The bill did not break that bank and we had a great time. Head to Havana Central when you have a chance. The Upper West Side location in the West End building has live music and a great bar scene. Union Square has a small bar in the window/entrance and the Times Square location is also busy. Check it out!

Saturday May 16, 2009

After surviving the night at REM for a sleep study to address my snoring and perhaps the presence of Sleep Apnea, I headed downtown to have breakfast at the University Diner on University Place and East 12th Street down the street from my gym: CRUNCH. Smoked salmon, pickled peppers, black olives, shaved Spanish onions along with sauerkraut and cream cheese were perfect accompaniments to the toasted bagel. Two poached eggs were added to the dish: I WAS HUNGRY.

I am back on my arm and back/butt regime at the gym. They will hurt tomorrow, just in time to walk for AIDS Walk NYC. Wish me luck.

Brunch at LIPS tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. Stay tuned for pictures and a review to follow.

All my best,

Steven

TRESTLE on TENTH, NYC

GO GO GO!!!

The mussels in a garlic, gruner broth were amazing. I could have had another bowl and called it dinner.

The HALIBUT with fiddlehead ferns. YUMMY

Drinks were good, attentive and responsive staff and a great vibe. Let's plan a party here.

Steven