And many more

Monday, June 13, 2011

On Saturday night, we went to see "Saving Mr. Ed" otherwise known as "War Horse," which won the Tony award as best play the next night. Tickets throughout the theater, except for the back rows of the loge, Rows D and E, cost $125. Seats in the last two rows cost $75 each. Here’s Grandpa Alan’s advice on how to save $250 – don’t go. While the puppetry is masterful, the story is creaky and predictable. If you insist on spending some money, stick to the last two rows and take an early adolescent who might marvel at the stagecraft and be moved by the simple emotions.

On Sunday, America’s Favorite Epidemiologist left me. She packed her bags and flew to a professional conference in Pittsburgh. When we spoke on the telephone later in the evening, she knew that the Mets were playing in Pittsburgh because they were staying at the same hotel as the epidemiologists. This information went a long way in calming my separation anxiety. I am even more eager than ever to welcome her back on Wednesday in anticipation of some great souvenir of this road trip by my favorites.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Stop the presses! Make room in Prosser on Torts. Gotthelf vs. 170 West End Avenue has been decided. And, the winner is Gotthelf. The brilliant arbitrator, showing masterful command of law, equity and the human condition, ruled entirely in our favor. The Contessa’s bathroom will now be restored to its former state of elegance, at least until the next time there is a leak from the apartment above. The subtleties of the case have attracted the attention of several legal scholars, notably Professors David Webber and Nathaniel Persily. Additionally, there is talk of a mini-series tracing the physical and emotional toll on the occupants of Palazzo di Gotthelf during the Leaky Years, and how adversity deepened their faith.

Meanwhile, I am not so sure that having America’s Favorite Epidemiologist occupy the same Pittsburgh hotel with the New York Mets was a good thing. Sunday, before they had the opportunity to interact, the Mets beat the Pirates 7 - 0. Last night, after a day and a night under the same roof, the Mets lost 3 - 1.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Zheng’s Family Garden Inc., 151 East Broadway, is fairly new; about a half dozen tall potted plants stand outside, along the staircase from street level to its entrance. It has seven round tables, large and larger, but when I entered the only activity was two employees picking over raw vegetables. Not long after, though, several people came in, familiar enough with the restaurant’s staff that they may have been Zheng's family. It aims at a Fujien clientele, leaving many menu items untranslated. Part of the menu is labeled Dim Sum, but it consisted mostly of soup or noodles or soup with noodles. It listed Steamed Dumplings at $3.50 and Steamed Dumpling at $3.00. The young man serving me had good command of English, but I decided not to explore the differences.

I wasn’t very hungry, so I only ordered Foo Chow fried rice ($5.50). This contained shrimp, egg, pork, tiny clams, celery and onion, gently sauteed. It was more than satisfactory.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

I returned to Teariffic, 51 Mott Street, to see if they still had one of the best bargains in Chinatown, deep fried chicken strips with spices ($3.25). They did and it was. The small pieces of natural chicken are coated with rice flour and deep-fried in a manner that leaves them greaseless. The spices could be sprinkled on top with a heavier hand, but that’s curable. When I was leaving, I noticed 36 origami figures pasted on the wall behind the cash register at the entrance. With some duplications, there were birds, hearts, animals all made from US dollar bills, singles only. I was told that a customer supplied the raw materials and the finished product. Fascinating.

On the way back to the courthouse, I came upon a retail bargain that ranks as All-City (effectively All-World). At least three fruit carts on or near the corner of Canal Street and Mulberry Street were selling doughnut peaches for $1 per pound, and you could pick them from the pile. When you can find these in a regular market, they go for about $4 per pound.

Friday, June 17, 2011

I want to take time
to herald in rhyme
the day of the birth
of my favorite on earth.

She certainly knows
that I’m better at prose,
but I’m compelled to acknowledge this
love for America’s Favorite Epidemiologist.