songbird's crazy world

So thanks to a friend who has an annual subscription, I am discovering a love for the ballet. Last week we went to the gala, the opening of the season for the New York City Ballet.  It's a huge fundraiser for the company, the glitterati of NYC society pay upwards of $1,000 to attend a cocktail reception before the performance and a benefit dinner afterwards.  And those of us who sit in the theater's upper rings get to watch them party. Welcome to Lincoln Center.  The Metropolitan Opera House dominates the scene.  When I see the opera house I think of that scene in Moonstruck. The glitterati on the pink carpet enjoyed an outdoor cocktail reception. Look who was hanging out on the theater balcony. Apparently the New York Philharmonic has a program featuring the music from Star Wars . The party continued in the upper lobby of the theater.   You can't take pictures inside the theater during the per...

Wednesday night in Bethpage Ballpark in Central Islip, NY.  The rainbow appeared for just a few minutes, just before the start of the game. I hoped it would be a good omen for  the Ducks, but alas, they lost ... #skywatchfriday

So guess where we were on Sunday? Here's a hint: Yes, yes, we were.... Yeah, that's Citi Field.  Ersatz Shea is finally starting to feel like home. The weather sunday afternoon:     Can you believe that?  On September 24?  So it was an afternoon over overpriced hot dogs, overpriced burgers and fries, giveaways, song singalongs...and a little baseball.     We always drive to Citi Field, and park in a lot across the street from the ballpark.  the police won't let you walk across Roosevelt Avenue, you have to go up to the el -- the elevated train -- to get across.        Sunday was part of "fan appreciation weekend", so there was a lot going on outside the ballpark. McDonald's was giving away t-shirts, someoneelse was giving away Mets tote bags, children could make use of the bounce house, stuff like that.   The main entrance to the ball park:     ...

This week's questions from Joyce. 1. What pets did you have while growing up? Tell us a little something about them. We had a dog, a poodle named Pepi.  He was a miniature poodle, just a bit bigger than a toy.  whenever he visited the groomer for a haircut, he'd come back with ribbons in his hair and smelling of perfume, and he'd be so prissy, in a "look at me" kind of way.  2. What is one thing you absolutely must accomplish today? Want to see the list?  It's kind of long.  3. Where were you ten years ago? What were you doing there? September 27, 2007 was a Thursday.  I was working in an office in Jersey City, NJ back then.  If 9/27/07 was a typical day, I would have been at my desk most of the day, maybe a meeting with other members of my department, and if the weather was nice, probably ate my lunch outside, on the pier -- great view of lower Manhaatan from that location.  4. September 26th is National Dumpling Day. Did y...

Right now we are experiencing a heat wave more appropriate for the end of August than the end of September.  Much as I love summer, I'm not thrilled.  I am ready for fall.  I kind of feel that I missed fall last year. Drew and I took a two week vacation in October; we went on a Caribbean  cruise (thank goodness it was last year and not this year) and then spent some time in Florida.  And two years ago ... well, my father died in early October, and the rest of the month was just a blur.  Well, the forecast does say that we should start to cool off later this week... Not happy with myself right now.  I have slacked off on diet and fitness, and I've gained a few pounds.  I used my injured knee as an excuse.  Can't do that.  I have to get back on track.  Jen is loving her new job.  She's front desk at a busy doctor's office.  So she's learning all about insurance, co pays, referrals, preauthorizations...and she gets to...

I love, love, love Greek food.  I'm always looking for a good place to satisfy my craving.  Grecian Grill got a good write up in the newspaper, so I figured we had to try it. Located on Main Street in Farmingdale, the restaurant is small -- I counted 10 tables -- but does not feel crowded.  Service was friendly and efficient.  We started with the saganaki appetizer, two large slabs of fried cheese served with pita bread.  You can't go wrong with fried cheese. Next came Greek salad -- a large portion consisting of iceberg lettuce, sliced tomato, cucumber, red onion and feta, topped with  an olive and a pepper, served with viniagrette on the side and accompanied by warm pita.  I had the mousaka -- layers of potatoes, eggplant, ground beef and bechamel sauce, topped with a bit of tomato sauce and served with a side of seasoned rice.  He had the mixed grill -- lamb gyro, chicken souvlaki and pork souvlaki, grilled vegetables ( onions, mus...

So the other day I took my mother for a drive, just to get her out of the house and give her a change of scenery. I drove down to the beach, to Robert Moses State Park.    I chose Robert Moses because it's a pretty ride.  There's a huge bridge that takes you across the Great South Bay from Bay Shore to Captree Island, a drawbridge that connects Captree Island to Jones Island,  and a third bridge that connects Jones Island to Fire Island.  When you're crossing the bridges you get excellent views of the water and the barrier islands. When you get to Robert Moses, there's a lovely water tower.  It's not as nice as the water towe at Jones Beach, but it's interesting nevertheless.    You can see the Coast Guard Station and the Fire Island Lighthouse -- it was overcast that day, and we could see the light flashing against the gray clouds above us.  While the dunes separate the parking lots from the beach, there are gaps where you can see the wa...

An American Airlines jet about to land at JFK. Yes, I got bored on the Belt again. #skywatchfriday

As I said, it's small.  The buildings were all trucked in from other sites around the island. We saw a blacksmith, a hat maker and a couple of stores, a church, even a farm. The buildings are all furnished with period pieces. This building was originally located just a few blocks from the first house I lived in.  There's a park and public pool on the original site now: Drew was able to get some authentic birch beer there.  Another shop sold old fashioned candy sticks, I got a cherry and a butterscotch. You could see a touch of autumn color: The gazebo in center of town, we saw a band playing music: A real working farm, complete with animals: The geese had attitude. There was also a "Rough Riders" encampment.  Remember that Long Island was Teddy Roosevelt's home. This horse reminded me of a horse I rode when I was a kid: There was a church, of...