Cynically Optimistic

I love the Chrystler Building. It just seems so regal and important and classic and permanant. It doesn't hurt that it's shiny. While showing Greg around, I noticed how the angel seemed to be reaching up to the Chrystler Building in prayer. Or maybe that's not an angel, maybe it's a naked soldier. I'll have to look more closely the next time I'm in the area. I love the little details of New York City that keep the mind interested.

Update: Someone told me this is actually Hercules. So, the naked makes sense. Next time I'll try to get a better look for myself.

Posted by Jeff at 07:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I played tour guide a bit, introducing Greg to the West Village and the Meat Packing District. We had dinner at Florent, and then went to the Top of the Rock and saw Rockefeller Center, then Grand Central Terminal. We ended the night with a drink in Keen's Steakhouse Bar - where they had my favorite whisky, even though it didn't appear on the menu or in the computer. Then I hopped a train home. Note to those thinking of visiting NY: March is farily tourist-free.

To those New Yorkers, or folks in the know, what building is this? I found it lit up beautifully. (The one in the middle, not the Chrystler buiding or the Met Life / Former Pan-Am Building)

Update: BC says it's the Bear Stearns World Headquarters. He's a civil enginner, so unless someone else offers a correction, I'll assume he's right.

Posted by Jeff at 09:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

It's that time again kids, time to head south and visit Washington D.C. and visit Tom while the cherry blossoms are in bloom. The weather was a tad chilly considering the heat wave that swept the area last weekend, but my fleece kept me warm enough.

This time I was enticed to use Southwest Airlines instead of driving. For $75 round trip, it's the same price as gas and tolls if I go alone. Plus it's less stressful since I don't have to deal with DC or NY traffic. (Stupid Deleware, Stupid New Jersey, Stupid asshole drivers) I had a good seat since I got to ISP early enough, and pre-printed my boarding pass. You've got to get an "A" boarding pass or suffer in the back in a middle seat. UGH! I managed to score Seat 1F, Bulkhead with legroom but no tray table. Not a big deal on a 45 minute flight, but I was the first person off the plane.

Happy Hour. Drinks! Thai Food!!! Wheeee!!! Suit shopping was on the agenda for Saturday, and Jos A. Bank was having a sale. I forced Tom to dress up in buisness suits for a good hour. One jumped out right away as the favorite, but a dealbreaker arose in the form of pleats. Luckily, trousers can be ordered in flat-front as well and the excursion was saved. I tried looking for new sunglasses but wasn't satisfied with any of the easy options.

Of course Saturday night was Blowoff. Before heading there, we had dinner in Capitol Hill at Banana Cafe. I loves me some Cuban food. Next stop: Remmingtons where Tom and I met up with Carl and had a nice chat with fellow Iowan Mr. Bartender. Interesting crowd, but a good vibe - and we got out of there before the singing started. Downstairs there was a whole lotta two-steppin' and cowboy hats. Giddyup! George swung around the huge German chariot and we rode to the 9:30 Club on a leather couch with wheels.

The main event was outstanding. All the cool kids trickled in (and if I forgot you leave a comment or email me and I'll fix it and owe you a drink) and the party got going. We were graced with 6 live songs, which everyone seemed to enjoy. I love staying 'til the end and getting a little remixed Hip-hop-pop ear candy. Groove IS in the heart. Big thanks to Bob and Rich for an very memorable night. Clicky Clicky for the Photos.

Sunday, Tom and I joined Rich and Steven for brunch at The Beacon. The food was okay, but our waitress kept the mimosas coming and facilitated good conversation. It was just like the four girls having their weekly lunch from Sex and the City. Ooooh, Dish! You're on a weekend pass?! Later in the evening we went to JR's for a drink or two. It was an interesting crowd, but I was burned by an irresponsible smoker and just wasn't feeling the vibe. Chinese food was delivered and mostly eaten, until I ruined my own dinner by chomping on a hot pepper. It burns!!! IT BURNS!!!!

Posted by Jeff at 01:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Everyone's a little bit Irish today. This character I found walking on the street during the St. Patrick's Day Parade 2003, when B.C. came to visit. He was unamused that I snapped his picture, but I was kinda drunk due to the 12-pack that BC and I almost made it through on the train, and didn't care so much. Good times. I'm missing the parade this year due to work, and my trip to D.C.

Irish heritage is one of the things to which I can honestly lay claim, since my mom actually traced our heritage back to County Deery in Northern Ireland way back in the 1700s. The rest is partial speculation based on the common heritage of last names in my family. Mostly Anglo-Saxon, German, Scandinavian, and some odd bits here and there. Clearly my skin tone shows that there's very little mediterranean blood (or Jamaican for that matter) in my system. As summer approaces I'm reminded to stock up on SPF 15+ sunscreen, or "T-shirt in a bottle".

Posted by Jeff at 10:23 AM | Permalink

This is the 59th Street Bridge (a.k.a. the Queensboro Bridge) one of the free connections between Manhattan and Long Island. Yes, technically Queens is part of Long Island. This could potentially be a part of my view should I choose a more, shal we say, downtown school. But I must wait another week or so to find out if it's a possibility, or if I'll be uptown instead.

In other news, I'll be attneding Blowoff this weekend with Tom. Come on out and have a good time.

Posted by Jeff at 10:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Finally I'm finished with all the graduate school interviews. PHEW! It's kind of exhausting being wined and dined and taken to shows - and then the next day having to put on a tie. A TIE! No wonder my neck is killing me, I've been torturing it all week. My brain and my liver need some time to recover.

I saw a few interesting things this time in NYC. First off, check the neon yellow moon boots! I don't know anyone who could rock these things in 65 degree weather, but this girl was workin' it on the 6 train. Next, this dude was walking up Park Ave with a live cat on his head. I guess that's okay since he had it on a leash. Finally, on the N train headed toward Brooklyn, this woman was angrily typing away on her Powerbook as the subway clattered along. She must have been awfully busy to try that!

Brief recap so far: I've been accepted at original top choice school. The #2 School rejected me even though I thought the interveiw went well. My #4 school has accepted me, and I'll be turning them down soon. Interviews at School #3 went very well. In fact, I was more impressed with the place than I was expecting, so I'm re-numbering it to school #1.5. Now comes decision time, considering they offer me admission. I'll have to write out the classic "Pro" and "Con" list.

Or, They could completely reject me and then the decision will be easy. In the mean time, I need to get some work done.

Update: Mislabeled subway lines corrected. Thanks to George.

Posted by Jeff at 12:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dig it! They've got Jumbo Slice on the upper upper west side. That's my own personal lingo. UUWS. Above 95th street. Currently, I'm in Midtown east, riding a hijacked internet connection from some building near 30th street. Thank you for the wide open 3com network.

Today I ventured into church and oogled new computers. The MacBookPro is cool, but not a huge change from previous laptop incarnations. Not that I was expecting something different. Next stop was Century 21 to shop for a sportcoat, or some new pants (since mine have a small hole in them now - damnit). I didn't find either of those things, but I did pick up a 3/4 length wool overcoat since that's part of the required New York uniform.

In other news, I was a complete dumbass and exited a cab without checking to see if I had all my belongings, and my fancy expensive sunglasses are now gone gone gone. Le Sigh. Guess it's time to shop for a new accessory, although after fixing my brakes yet again the cash flow is getting a little tight. Could have been worse I suppose - I could have lost my camera.

One more interveiw day to make it through.

Posted by Jeff at 12:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I'm interviewing yet again. My first impression this time was "No no no no no! Run Away!!!" The housing was quad suites, dorm style. The hallways were filled with bad pop art from the 80s. The place had a "gym" but it left a lot to be desired (such as more than one treadmill). But hey, it had something going for it. Then they took us to a career development lecture where the invited speaker told us how happy and successful he is as a lawyer and that we really don't need to attend graduate school because we're all eventually going to sell out and go for the dollar signs. *Cha-Ching!*

The next day of actual interviews went pretty well, although I was quizzed on my grades from classes I took 7 years ago. Yeah. P Chem is hard, duh!!! And I had one lady flat out tell me, "why are you here, you don't know enough math to be speaking to me." After I told her I knew how to use vi though, she warmed up a bit.

Still, I'm don't think the place is my top choice, but we'll see how the next one turns out.

Later. Rinse. Repeat.

Posted by Jeff at 06:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Perhaps it's a bad attitude, or the wrong attitude, but since the heavy pressure is off at this point I am more relaxed at interviews than I thought was possible. I guess time will tell if that pays off. In addition to having a whole set of good interviews, I really enjoyed being uptown. Having an excuse to wander new neighborhoods was a treat for me. Coming up this week are two more interviews after which I have to come to a decision. That might be harder than impressing interviewers - I hate the internal battles (assuming I have all my options still).

A fresh pecan pie* goes to the first person who comments the film title and year which inspired the photo for today. No cheating!






* pie may not be fresh unless you come visiit me.

Posted by Jeff at 11:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

It's time for round two of grad school interviews. Already having a solid offer in my back pocket is very liberating. I'm not sweating the small stuff anymore. What to wear - eh, no biggie. What to say - just be myself. What if they hate me? Eh... offer. Back pocket. Next!

I think I might have a bad attitude. Back on Monday.

Posted by Jeff at 01:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)