It continues...

December 13, 2012 - Pic #348

The most amazing gift I received this birthday came in an edible form. My parents made twelve of these 12-shaped cookies and wrapped them in shirt boxes. They downplayed it and said "Don't get excited". I'm not sure if anything is more exciting than these cookies... 

They made a stencil and mold themselves, and had to bake one cookie at a time since there was only one mold. Worth it, I hope, because it made me SO happy. Awesome. I brought them to the party and everyone loved them. I saved three for myself mostly so I could take this picture ;-). Just for the record, now we are down to 2. 

Seriously, best family ever. 

12:12:12 on the 12/12th/12

December 12, 2012 - Pic #347

This day definitely deserves a larger post, which is will get. For now I will say that 12-12-12 was an amazing, wonderful, spectacular day filled with laughs and love and friends and family. I am so so so blessed to have so many amazing people that put up with all my crazy. And, just so we can all take a deep breath, I do know I'm crazy :). 

This picture was definitely a process. I was out to lunch with the family at Dopo Teatro, and knew I needed my 12:12 on the 12th picture. I took some advice from a friend, and decided to start recording myself exactly at 12:12:00 and then take a still from 12 seconds in... 12:12:12! So Dad was the lucky one sitting across from who got to do the recording. He did an awesome job. So here I am, 12:12:12 on 12/12/12! 

More to come later, but if you'd like to see all the pictures today, check out the album I posted on Facebook.

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December 10, 2012 - Pic #345

It's always fun when you open your mailbox and mail literally falls out of it... especially when it's 12 birthday cards! I have the best (cutest) parents in the world, who clearly put a lot of time and heart into picking out my birthday cards. I received 12 numbered less than tasteful  awesome cards from my mom, two from my dad, one from my brother, and one from the whole family. The two cards from my dad celebrate kiddy birthdays, 9 and 3, because 9X3 = 27 (my age to be, ugh), and 9+3 = 12. Go Dad! Glad I'm making everyone crazy with this number business :). 

Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding!

Pic #202 - July 20, 2012

The eChalk Summer Picnic was rained out, so we all gathered at Dave and Busters for some arcade fun. Also, I think I'd be much more productive if I were rewarded with prize tickets for daily tasks.

VACATION

Pic #190 - July 8, 2012

S'mores, sunsets... I never want to leave! My parents rented a cottage along Lake Erie in Westfield for the week, and my brother and I are spending the long weekend out here with them. I think it's been about 5 years since we've been on vacation together...

But it seriously doesn't get better than this. 

Street Mensa

Pic #185  - July 3, 2012

Puzzling. Not exactly sure how many bikes are actually in this picture...

N-E-R-D-Y

Pic #182 - June 30, 2012

Day drinking is a bad idea... fun though it is. Tara and I spent the first half of this HOT day shopping for apartments in Astoria, to no avail. We skipped out on our last few appointments to meet up with Carrie, Mike and Manny at the Astoria Beer Garden, instead. Scrabble, cards, and bad decisions ensued :). 

If only I had a ballroom...

Pic #176 - June 24, 2012

Do I need this? No. Do I want it? YES. Free in my lobby, if anyone is looking to adopt a piano...

Happy Father's Day!

Pic #169 - June 17, 2012

I wasn't able to be with my Dad today, but this made it feel like I was! All over the Upper East Side, someone has written "Become Your Dream" and other feel-good sayings in sidewalk chalk. This is exactly the message my Dad has been passing along to me since I was born, 26 years ago. Makes me smile. 

I did a quick google search - turns out the sidewalk chalk movement has been inspired by a James De La Vega mural on 95th Street. Read about it in this blog post: http://uppereastsideinformer.blogspot.com/2010/03/become-your-dream.html 

Sandcastles in the... Seaport?

Pic #167 - June 15, 2012

In the Seaport, we spotted a man carving a boat out of sand! There was also this nifty little sandcastle sitting in front of the sandboat. Apparently it's for some sort of TV contest sponsored by the Travel Channel: http://www.travelchannel.com/tv-shows/sand-masters/

There must be a NYC episode in the works!! Keep an eye out.

Smorgasburg

Pic #161 - June 9, 2012

Maryse got a new job working with an awesome lemonade and beverage manufacturer. They run "The Stand" at Smorgasburg, the food stalls at Brooklyn Flea every Saturday. Delicioso! Tara, Tali and I paid her a visit before heading to Annie's birthday party in Williamsburg. 

Summa Summa Summa Time

Pic 154 - June 2, 2012

Pinkberry frozen yogurt is one of the only reasons summer in NYC remains bearable. 

Okey dokey artichokey.

Pic 151 - May 30, 2012

Tonight I ate an artichoke for dinner... while wearing this shirt. 

I'm gonna be honest guys... it's been a slow week. 

Me in a past life?

Pic #143 - May 22, 2012 

If you believe in reincarnation... this might be a story for you. My dad sent this picture to me, so while I can't take credit for taking it, I thought it was too special to pass up. Many relatives have told me I look like my paternal grandmother, Mary Baideme, but I don't think I've ever seen a photo with such a striking resemblance as this one. Apparently the back of the photo says "Mary Mutch", which means she wasn't yet married to my grandfather, Samuel Baideme. This places the photo in or before 1934, making her around 22 years old. As we celebrated her 100th birthday earlier this month, you may remember she was born in 1912 :). She passed away in 1984, just 13 months before I was born. I never had the pleasure of meeting her, but I've been told we share much more in common than just our  good looks :). 

The Disney World of Photography

Pic #128 - 5/7/12

Tali and I ended up at B&H after work today. I may be late to the game, but if you've never been, it's the most amazing photography and electronics store ever! As you walk around and pick out your stuff, attendants give you receipts and load your stuff onto a conveyor belt (pictured) which sends everything to the front of the store. When you go to the cashier, you give your receipt, pay, and they retrieve your goods. Amazing! I guess it doesn't take much to impress me. 

New "Underground" Music

Pic #123 - 5/2/12

My new favorite subway buskers on the Downtown 4,5,6 platform at 125th Street. These fellas are badass and jazzy. I would have tried for a better quality picture, save for two problems: 1) There were people constantly walking in between us and it was all I could do just to get this one unobstructed, and 2) I always feel weird taking pictures of people when they can see me do it...

Also, fun LB fact: In high school I did a project with my friend on the art of busking. I'm pretty sure we chose the topic because I had just learned the term and thought knowing it made me cool. :).

Roger that!

Let's forget for a second that it's only 9:45 on a Friday night and I'm curled up on my bed about to do homework. You all know I'm a nerd (and not even the cool, hipstery kind), so this shouldn't surprise you. Let's focus, rather, on the fact that a little over a year ago I met an amazing eChalker/friend/mentor type person, and today was her last day at the 'chalk. Nancy is one of the most inspirational people I've ever had the pleasure to know — one of those people that makes you want to climb a mountain, save a kitten from a tree, feed a thousand children, or you know, whip the K12 education system into shape. I shall miss her dearly! 

Pic #111 - 4/20/12

Positively glowing :). Nancy and me at Keg 229.


Bonus Pics:

What fun would an eChalk gathering be without smuggled marketing materials? Just two of the several buttons made in honor of the great Ms. De Vore. And BTDubs - I super want a button machine. Please make it happen. 

"Smell the ice, can you?!"

Epic day - Titanic day! I like to think that even though 12-year-old Mike and Lauren didn't know each other, some how, deep down, while watching Titanic on the big screen, they knew they'd be watching it together fifteen years later... in 3D! Kudos to James Cameron and team, as the 3D rerelease was just as amazing as the original. And of course I can't forget to mention that it's also been100 years since the Titanic took its first and last voyage. What a century it has been...

Pic #95 - 4/4/12

Yes. Titanic is too good for generic 3D glasses, so it got its own collectible pair. I'm keeping them forever. 

Bonus Pics:

Not sure what (or WHY) this is, but I think I love it.

Pic #42 - 2/11/12

Was at a friend's apartment for his birthday and this fella was manning the refreshments table. I know only three things about him: 1) He's a dog ( I thought he was a moose); 2) He was made by a friend; 3) He's a viking.