November 30, 2005
A jaunt to the Hudson Valley
The Hudson Valley was absolutely beautiful and scenic- very Winter Wonderlandy. Among other anniversary-related celebratory activities, we went on a very nice little hike around a lake, admired the snow-capped vistas, and watched a bit too much E! television including a fascinating documentary about Emmanuel Lewis (Webster for those who don't know their former dwarf child actors). When deprived of basic cable, one will will watch anything given the opportunity. We also had some of the best fish and chips at this hole-in-the-wall restaurant, went to some fabulous vintage junk shops, and visited a few wineries nearby. Really, it's like the Napa Valley of the East. Most of the wine was pretty cheap, too, so we bought a lot (for Christmas gifts! For who doesn't appreciate the gift of liquor, aside from recovering alcoholics?) I love wine-tasting. I think Rafe does too. I can only drink white wine because red makes me violently ill but that's ok. Are we yuppies just because we enjoy wine-tasting? And fine cheese? And antique shops? Maybe. Or maybe we are just a refined young couple.
Posted by debbie at 12:24 PM
Hi Everybody!
The only damper on our trip last weekend was me experiencing constant chess pain (welcome back, hypochondria!) which makes me think either i have: a) walking pneumonia b) angina c) mitral valve prolapse d) something else e) nothing. Thankfully, I found a doctor online, Dr. Dave Ores. Yes, he refers to himself as Dr. Dave, but is there anything inherently wrong with that? He's a champion of the uninsured of New York, running his own lil' clinic in the Lower East Side, and offering all of his services on a generous sliding scale. Health care, and the lack thereof in this country, is an issue close to my heart. As an uninsured freelancer, I can fully appreciate just how much the uninsured get totally screwed over both monetarily and health-wise. Do you want us to check your blood? Yes, please. A month later: a bill for a $1000! I find it appalling that I hesitated for even one second, with chest pain, to see a doctor because I was concerned about the cost. Anyhow, I ain't fooling with chest pain...
On an unrelated note, tomorrow I'm set to appear on a TV show to be aired on Christmas Day...in Japan. It's a man-on-the-street type thing and they need white people desperately...and since I'm the only white person in the office (background: for the past five months, I've been working at a Japanese television production company) I get to be interviewed! How fun and potentially embarrassing! Hopefully it will be as mortifying as my experience on that makeover show on MTV my freshman year of college (really, don't ask) but who cares- it'll air in Japan only, right? My co-worker is producing it, so I asked her what to expect. I will wear a Santa hat. I will have to (pretend to) play rock-paper-scissors with the camera. I will be asked my name, my age, and my occupation (I've settled on horse jockey). I will also be asked what my favorite noodle is and what my blood type is. Of course! Doesn't it all make sense now?
Posted by debbie at 11:55 AM
November 24, 2005
There are gourds on the credenza
Photo courtesy of Adopt-A-Turkey Farm Sanctuary (check out www.adoptaturkey.com for more info and laughs)
Today is Thanksgiving and this special day also marks my first post. I've had a few blogs in the past, and each one lasted maybe a few posts. But this blog will be different. I mean, I have my own website now. Things are different. So the food is warming in the oven and I'm just waiting for the guests to arrive. I've never had such a low key Thanksgiving. It's just going to be the four of us, which is fine with me. Vince's girlfriend Tina is cooking the bird. I just did the stuffing and the sweet potatoes. Not too big of a deal. There are, though, napkins with turkeys on them and a creative display of gourds and pumpkins on the credenza. I feel very American today. I suppose if there's one day to feel especially American, Thanksgiving is the most appropriate. Rafe's picking up the bird over at Vince's place as I type this. Hopefully the bird, deemed a mutant by Tina, will survive the ride. Here's a picture of Vince's potential new roommate. Vince sent it to me and asked me if I thought he looked scary. Since Amit is going back to London soon, he has to get a new roommate but I fear that Vince's people judgement has flown out the window. Hmmm, would you want to live with this fellow? View image
Posted by debbie at 5:52 AM