The List

Burn -- Lonestar Chili Cook-off
A couple of weeks ago, the New York Texas Exes hosted its annual chili cook-off. There was a roof top deck, an open bar, homemade cornbread, and perfect NYC summer weather. Stephanie still owes me pictures from the afternoon -- I’ll be sure to add them as soon as her busy schedule of designing Chinese skyscrapers lightens up.

Relax -- Memorial Day at the Shore
I was cautiously expecting Jaeger bombs and oversized hoop earrings. It ended up being more of a sweater vest and tandem bicycle crowd. I ate a mysterious New Jersey breakfast meat (Taylor Ham), embarrassed myself in a room packed full of 10-year-olds (The Show Place), and smeared Pete in a very serious game of putt-putt. I arrived at the beach with a pasty white complexion and left with a lovely splotchy red hue. I think I was genetically intended to live in the tundra.

Visit -- Greg and Amanda’s NYC visit
Greg and Amanda came to NYC for a whirlwind 1.5 days. I wish they could have stayed longer, but I’m glad we were able to pack everything in to the time they had. Highlights? Esca crudo, American Museum of Natural History personal tour, William Poll out-of-the-oven potatoes and Brooklyn Brewery Pennant Ale.

Reminisce -- Dinner with Mrs. T at Café Habana
Last week, I met Roxanne and her mom at this really great Cuban restaurant in Nolita. I haven’t seen Mrs. Tizravesh in YEARS! We talked about old times and chowed down on the most delicious, cheese-covered corn on the cob on the planet. In true Nolita-style, Sarah even spotted Mos Def across the street. Apparently, Def Poetry Jam left quite an impression on her.

People Watch -- Sussex County Crawfish Fest
I was certain that eating crawfish in New Jersey would be like drinking orange juice after you’ve brushed your teeth -- gross and disappointing. But, I was willing to take the chance because there’s nothing more that I love than that wow-this-is-so-hot-I-can’t-feel-my-lips-anymore burn. The festival was held at these picturesque fair grounds in Sussex County. When we walked in and I saw a sea of UT t-shirts, I knew that it was going to be a good day. After eating our body weights in crawfish, we listened to Marcia Ball (an Austin artist) perform and watched old people gettin’ down to some zydeco. Me oh my oh.