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Slow commentary, back online

idiotsIt’s not avoidance, it’s just I’m tackling too many “hobbies” and focuses. Trying to put together some good photography, music, traveling and then furthering my professional career… I just haven’t had time to dive into long form blogging.

I’ve decided I’ll make an effort to get back to writing a few things down, diary style again and just see where it leads….

Today, an office day – and a frustrating one at that. I feel I’m spending way too much time on issues that don’t affect my bottom line and could vary easily fix themselves, but ignoring them for a while with the “hopes” the other person figures it out. Other days… they just persist like an irritating sunburn. I literally had to reply to someone today simply “Please re-read the email I just sent you an hour ago… you’ll find your answer”

I also got in an adrenaline fuels altercation with a NYC cabbie that nearly ran me over hanging a left while I was crossing the street. As I jumped back out of the way, I flashed my coffee all over his windshield and driver side door… Of course he stopped and got out to yell as if it was my fault he nearly hit me. If he continues to drive like that, he’s going to hit someone. He also had a passenger in the car that looked freaked out spinning out around me. It’s drivers like this that NYC yellow cab driver unions should fix if they want to gain ridership back from Uber… not legislate themselves back into the market.

Anyway, I’ll be back with a few day to days here… and as I work on my July photos (finally), I’ll start posting some of those soon too. Cheers!

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Toasted with the Children 2014

Tonight was a good night. Spent some good money on charity for the Children of Bellevue, a non-profit organization that is devoted to “leveling the playing field for New York City’s vulnerable youths” as they say but I see it as an opportunity to just spend some time (and money) with children that just don’t have the parental or monetary support in the NYC community.

Tonight was the Toast to the Children 2014 event at the Riverpark Restaurant, all the way out on the FDR, but where no normal cab knows how to get to….

It was a smaller venue than the previous location I’ve been to, which was Mandarin Oriental NYC hotel. Riverpark is more intimate but this year had definitely less people in attendance; and I’ve noticed a much “cheaper” clientele…

Venue was modern but a sort of functional labyrinth for the event, however, no one seamed to mind. The wine and food were great as usual (thank you Tom Colicchio and Staff for putting this together!). My favorites were Jonathan Waxman’s contribution of grilled shrimp with beans and grains (Barbuto), the octopus from Frankies Spuntino, the Rappahannock River Oysters, Peasant’s take on razor clams, and Colicchio & Sons (or maybe it was Craft’s) tapioca pudding… Honorable mention to Fairway market for their cheese, charcuterie, oils and spreads table which of all the tables besides Pearl Oyster Bar’s lobster roll table, had the lines.

Wine was on point this year (I wish I had a list as the french table wines were excellent) and I’m happy they had a mix of hard liquor (I took on the bourbon, skipped the vodka and gin) and beers for the event.

I was a little disappointed in the turn out for the silent auction… this year they did a digital display “silent auction” which everyone could log into via their smart phones and bid, however, response was lack luster. My recommendation of the developers, is that you need to post ALL the bidders (as if you’re looking at a clip board of who’s voted) and you can gauge if 1 person has bid or 30, but at least it gives a bit of competitive nature to the process…

I won tickets to The Killer play that I had never known about until today… I hope its good, however, even if it’s not, happy my donation goes to the Kids.

I say that the response was lack luster this year because there wasn’t the crowds I had been used to, there wasn’t demand at the live auction (Tom had to bid on his own item to get the price up! fuck you guys!), and man of the people I met had made it through donated tickets and thus those that paid didn’t show or were given access.

I hope the event continues for many years of success and look forward to several more. If you are in NY (or even if you’re not) please spend some time looking into supporting this very beneficial charity:

http://childrenofbellevue.org

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New York Fashion Week 2014

riza-manalo2014Tonight I walked by the red carpet in front of a SOHO venue hosting the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue party… Flashlights flash with every car door opening as skinny models and their dates are rushed inside from the 20 degree cold. (Check the photos of the cover models in front of a classic background of sewer drenched snow and steel barricades)

Aside from the daily walk around NYC’s best out door mall, and occasionally listening in to the wife’s Fashion Police replays, I don’t pay much attention to fashion and the above experience is the closest I would get to live action.

Last week I was fortunate to attend my friend Riza Manalo’s runway showing at the Nolcha Fashion Fall/Winter 2014 presented by RUSK.

I still know nothing about fashion but I will always support my friends and those that are in the know should take a deeper look.