Sunday Brunch Recipe

You will need:

• eggs

• Whatever’s leftover from Indian take out on Friday (our’s was from Seva which is at 30-07 34th St

in Astoria.  We had leftover chana saag.)

• 2 pieces of bread (preferably sprouted grain hippie bread.  white bread is bad for you.  Please don’t eat it.)

• toaster oven

• optional: chihuahua under foot

Step 1:

Toast your bread

Step 2:

Make a sunny side up egg.  Ask a grown up person for help if necessary.

Step 3:

Drink some coffee and think about whether you will go to the gym today or watch Degrassi.

Step 4:

When your toast is ready, spread your Indian food on your toast.  Caution: Don’t trip over the chihuahua under your foot!

Step 5:

Put egg on top of toast and Indian food.  Make a sandwich.

Step 6:

Eat this.  Smile and thank your roommate for inventing a new breakfast.  Digest and go to the gym.

Butterflies and dinosaurs

I get behind the Museum of Natural History. Stevey and I went there a few weeks ago and saw this amazing butterfly conservatory. Different species of butterflies were flying around and landing on backpacks, ears and other appendages. The exhibit is only running until May 26th so you need to go as soon as possible.

We saw other exhibits as well, but I would be lying to you if I told you I go to the museum for any other reason than to see the dinosaurs.

Before I get to discussing dinosaurs, please note: when you go to the museum of natural history its important that you realize that the admission price is a suggested donation. That’s not to say that I’m not for supporting the museum. The point is that anyone, regardless of income level can see a ginormous museum, and more importantly, two huge rooms full of dinosaur fossils. Dinosaurs are for everyone.**

There’s something awesome about dinosaurs that is almost beyond words. You’ll definitely feel that way as you walk around the two exhibit rooms. It will be important to go with a friend so you have someone to discuss what your favorite dinosaur is and why. For me its between a T-rex and the awesome stegosaurus. The fossil of the stegosaurus will make a convert out of you.***

If you can’t find anyone to go with you, and you’re desperate to have a dino-conversation pick someone at random in the museum to talk to. Note: avoid being creepy. You can also share random awesome dinosaur facts; for example scientist are pretty sure that velociraptors had feathers; or a megalodon could probably eat a T-rex. Note: random awesome dinosaur facts do not have to be limited to those learned at the museum.

As you make your way out of the exhibit, try to see some of the rest of the museum. This will invariably happen accidentally on your way to the dinosaurs and back toward the exit. The museum is huge so give yourself some time to get lost. Hopefully you’ll end up in the ocean exhibit to see the giant squid. You’re also guaranteed to see many large dioramas. Enjoy!

Recommended additional dino-activities:

• Go see the huge, animatronic t-rex at the times square toys r us, which is much more awesome than the links suggests.

• Re-Watch Jurassic Park’s 1 and 3. I know you love Jurassic park which was of course one of your favorite movies when you were little. Jurassic park 3 is amazingly bad and cheesy. (Or better yet read the books which are WAY better.)
• Or spend two minutes watching this:
**butterflies are only for people willing to pay $18.50

*** Leave comments about your favorite dinosaur!!!

Creatures That Like Me Best

Yay – first post for me, y’all.

I would like to take a few minutes today to write a little about something, or rather someone, very close to my heart. I began this thinking I would do a general blurb about my extreme love of dogs and how much I get behind dog ownership. And that honestly people who don’t like dogs are stupid and those who don’t allow their tenants to have dogs should be hit with sticks.

It’s my post, I don’t have to be fair or open minded about this.

But then I thought I’d better pay homage to the individual who inspired this primal affection in me: my special little guy.

Miyagi came into my life three and a half years ago when I was on my way to get a cat, to help with a horrific mouse and roach problem, from the ASPCA on 92nd and 1st in Manhattan.

We strolled past the cat pen in the shelter when we first arrived, but something was drawing us to the dog kennels. Something inexplicable. I would not have been able to tell you why at the time, but now I realize that the hand of fate was pulling me to him: a ridiculous 5 lb lump of chutzpah and joy. The tag on the cage read “MR MIYAGI.”

He was the most pathetic dog there, not accepting the treat offered by the kind volunteer that was showing us around. We decided that despite his age – he was 9 years old, they told us – he needed to come home with us. That same day we paid the adoption fee and signed an agreement that said we were taking him home with the full knowledge that he was anorexic and sickly and we couldn’t sue the shelter if he died. Didn’t matter. Look at him!

Three years later he and I have a closer bond than I’ve probably ever had with a person. He follows me around when I’m home, naps when I’m not. Curls up into a ball against my back when we’re sleeping. Is riDICulously cute in the meantime. But he’s still got an eating disorder andhe’s not friendly to most people. In fact, whenever I’m not around, I hear, he is downright mean and bitey to the point where no one can feed him or take him out. Yep, little dude’s got an attitude problem. But that’s why I’m so enthusiastic about him, and chihuahuas in general.

Think about it: we live in a city that forces us to acknowledge, and ignore, thousands of people every day. Some of these people have more money than we do, some have better jobs, bigger homes, nicer families and sweeter personalities. It’s hard not to feel swallowed up, not to feel your own sense of special individuality slipping away from you.

Then, you come home. Here is a creature that, of allllll the people in the world, thinks you are the best. So much so that no one else is worth his attention or his unbelievable cuteness. This somehow makes everything much, much better. Some days I think people would all be more friendly if they had their own Miyagis waiting for them at home.