More Snow in Brooklyn, originally uploaded by Enjoy Patrick Responsibly.

I don’t think I’ll forget to go someplace warm anymore…

Brooklyn Snow

I really should remember to go somewhere warm… soon.

Safe Haven Irish Music Session

Every Wednesday a group of talented traditional Irish musicians gather at a small bar in South Park Slope. I’ve always had some strange attachment to Ireland. It may just be due to my name and its ties to the country, but nevertheless Ireland has always interested me.

Anyway, when I was asked to photograph a session at Safe Haven, I jumped at the chance just for the fun of it. Thankfully the photos came out well in my opinion. It may be due to the Irish whiskey Noel kept pouring me throughout the night… or maybe just the fantastic vibe that evening.

I should remember to swing back by Safe Haven one of these Wednesdays.

Cheering station for the American Cancer Society on the boardwaylk

In what could be misconstrued as a cruel drive to see her man break under pressure, my woman signed me up for yet another running race. Although this race was only 3 miles more than the previous one she’d signed me up for, those 3 miles plus the word “marathon” in the title had me dreading this challenge up to the second I found myself in a mass of over 11,000 runners and the starting horn blew.

That said,  a big chunk of the course was on my home turf, so 1.5 times around Prospect Park was no big deal. A nice bonus was running with my woman and her friend which made it feel more casual. Then it was off to Ocean Parkway for the last half of the race and that’s a pretty straight shot with an easy grade. The final bit on the actual Coney Island boardwalk was a little rough with runners tripping and falling all around me on the uneven wooden deck, but somehow I managed.

In the end, NYRR Half-Marathon Grand Prix Presented by Continental Airlines: Brooklyn was a tough challenge and a great experience. My official time: 2:05.

I should remember to keep running as it usually makes me feel great.

(photo by: mason13a)

Nasty Canasta As Kobayashi Maru

I suppose I’ve known this for a long time—Ever since she did a strip tease to the tune of the Car Alarms Greatest Hits. But last night at Wassabasco’s first steady monthly show at Union Hall, Nasty Canasta managed to drive this point home with a number I hadn’t seen her do before. She comes out as a lamp, with tassels everywhere, a shade covering her face and a working light bulb. However, it’s not until she starts dancing out of her sultry lamp costume do you notice the detail that brings it all to life: a long cord reaching from off stage up into her… uhm… bum.

It’s genius.

After that number, she came on later to do another one of her insanely smart and inventive pieces. This one involves her being an extra sexy, hot pink plushy complete with fluffy suspenders and ends with her covered in sticky, bargain brand Pepto Bismol. I had seen this one before, but that didn’t make it any less awesome.

I was sad not to see Gi Gi LaFemme or Peekaboo Pointe last night, but Nasty certainly was a highlight of the evening.

I need to remember to check out Miss Canasta often.

(Photo by Monty Leman / JDWnyc)

Whether for genuine encouragement or simply to torture me, my woman signed me up last month for the Cherry Tree 10 Mile – Race for the Hardcore which I took part in this morning. Being only my second race since starting to run last Summer and since it was twice as long as my previous race, I was very nervous going into today. I genuinly was afriad I wouldn’t finish. Thankfully, I did and with a decent time at that—approximately 1:27.

Unfortunately, my uncalibrated Nike+ didn’t return the correct distance. Oh well…

I should remember to keep running as it makes me feel fantastic.

Update: Looks like someone caught me in their shot, but still no official times posted…

That’s how I found myself among a couple friends and quite a large crowd of folks in Prospect Park this morning getting ready to run 5 miles.

I have to admit, the Turkey Trot was a lot of fun. I finished in around 39 minutes and hopefully I’ll remember to do something like it again… although I imagine my woman will remember for me in case I forget.

Update: Turns out I finished 258th out of 1288 runners! Pretty good for my first race, I think. Official time was 39:41.83 with a pace of 07:56.4.

Three weeks later, last weekend, Art in Free Fall opened with two of my portraits (1 & 2) hanging on their walls. It all happened so fast, but so far it’s been a good experience.

I even launched a new site at clicknowforadditionalhappiness.com as a central location for the on going portraiture.

As always, I should remember to keep painting.

Today I find myself at jury duty in Brooklyn and I’m amazed at how they’ve improved the process. The new court building is clean and effiticient. There’s wireless in the juror waiting area. The seats are comfortable. And there’s even a “computer room” for waiting jurors to use the internet! I’m actually quite pleasantly surprised as I remember my previous juror summons being a wretched affair.

My favorite part so far has been when they ask if people couldn’t understand English to come to the front to discuss exemption. I couldn’t help but laugh at that trick question!

I should remember that at least some of my tax dollars are going to improving people’s interactions with the government.

Update: Well I’ve been called and sent up to the courts on the 20th floor. The view from up here is gorgeous. In 8 years, when I’m called again, I should remember to bring my camera.

Update 2: Wow, a two hour lunch break. I gotta remember to take some of these during by regular work day.

I’ve hit Beer Table twice since it opened last week. Once on opening night (Saturday) and then again last night. It’s so refreshing to have a good beer spot without all the potential baggage a place like that could bring with it… especially in Park Slope. Luckily it’s a bit too far south to be right in the center of stroller-land. In the end, the place just comes off as a cozy (and a bit busy) neighborhood place I could swing by now and again. They even remembered my lady from last week…

I should remember to check them out often.

Cold Cuts and Beer., originally uploaded by DonnellyImages.