"Dude, you're on a ribs binge"

Actually,  it's only the second time I've eaten ribs in the last two weeks. But that is a lot more than usual. So I take Jill's point.

I AM a Cronut Fan

ADVENTURE: Cronuts!

THE LINE: I got up at 6:00 AM to go stand in line to get one of these. Not many things in life can inspire that kind of one-morning, one-day commitment from me. Luckily I was going with this guy:

Jonas is tired but excited to taste the sublime.

He got in line about ten minutes before me, and so our Cronut victory was assured. A Cronut is a delicious, much-feted dessert designed by chef Dominique Ansel, for those of you who don’t know-- which, I don’t know who you are or where you’ve been living the past year or so while New York has been losing its shiz over these, but apparently you exist because a woman passed our line and was totally confused when we explained we were waiting for cronuts, which are a pastry, that is a combination of a donut and a croissant. Actually her exact words were, “Really?” And not in an impressed way. Jonas and I and all our fellow linegoers were like, “How out of the loop is she?” but I think secretly we all felt a little embarrassed, because, well, it is kind of ridiculous to wake up at the crack of dawn on a rainy day to stand in line for a pastry.

Unless you have a lot of spare time, like moi at the moment, and the pastry is as delicious as this one.

We got there at about 7:20 and 7:30, respectively, and waited until about 8:45 to actually get into the bakery. All in all, not bad, and we had each other’s pleasant conversation to while away the time. This sign also provided some entertainment:

THE DESSERT BAR: As I ordered the Cronuts (2, of course, the maximum each patron is allowed), I felt a little thrill. It was actually happening to me! I had once scoffed at the idea of the Cronut, thinking I would never have time to stand in the weekend’s 3 hour long line to get one, and what was the big deal, anyway? But now that I was actually going to taste NEW YORK’S MOST FAMOUS DESSERT, it felt like I was a part of something. Something exciting and delicious and wonderful. It deserves mentioning that everything in the bakery looked delicious. Look at this:

Yummm.

THE CRONUT ITSELF: REALLLLY YUMMY. LOOK AT THIS THING:

This month’s flavor is Strawberry Balsamic and Mascarpone. So, the filling was a strawberry jam that was really perfectly sweet and tart and mascarpone. Sooooo. so. YUM.

Jonas' feeling was that the Cronut did not quite live up to its hype, however, and he preferred the DKAs, which unfortunately I do not have a picture of but are described thusly on the bakery's website: Tender, flaky, croissant-like dough with a caramelized crunchy crust.

So, yeah. Those were also heavenly. (Although I prefer the Cronut. But hey, differences are what make us American. Or, at least, not Sparta.)

Later I solidified Jill’s eternal friendship and undying loyalty by bringing her my second Cronut.

She owes me her firstborn child now. Yay friendship!

She concurred that it was the best thing since sliced bread and also approximately 1000x better than sliced bread. So.

CONCLUSION: Cronuts. Worth it.

It's The DIANA. Obviously

I went back to the old alma mater’s alumnae affairs office*, and also set up a meeting with a career counselor. I have things to discuss with her. I also hung out in and around the Vagelos Diana Center. The Vag, hehehe. Gah, it still gets me that the top donor for the center has the first three letters in common with that essentially female part the you-know-who-ha a woman’s secret vagina. It just makes me love Barnard that much more.

Here’s my shiny new Alumna ID.

I also sat on the law next to the Diana and read/worked/made some calls for a bit. It’s lovely there!

*Say that eight times fast. Why eight? Because octopuses. Obviously.

My Kind of Lady(s) (and Gent)

NEW ADVENTURE: Courtney Barnett Concert. The Bowery Ballroom. Ice Cream Sandwiches.

NOTABLES: Marisa is a bold woman. Look at her down there in the front of the crowd, waving saucily.

Quote (paraphrased) from Marisa: "The trick is all in the innocent side-step shuffle." See what I mean? Saucy.

Ben and I were feeling old and tired, so we sat up on the balcony and watched and danced a bit, as we do, from there. We all developed a crush on Courtney Barnett, because she’s awesome, and so adorable on stage. She has this perfect Australian brogue. I know brogues are usually Scottish, but I swear, this is an Australian one, and it’s adorable.

Also, her music rocks. Check it out.

She does that talking-that-is-musical-poetry thing, and she does it well. It’s rather nostalgic for me, but I’m not sure why.

FOOD OF THE DAY:

These bad boys:

Melt has some pretty delectable ice cream sandwich combos. Here’s Ben double-fisting two of them, he’s that excited about the flavors.

Did you SEE that header?

THING I’D NEVER DONE BEFORE: Watched the first U.S. match of the World Cup at Mr. Dennehy’s. Went to Peruvian restaurant Panca, which I’ve been wanting to try for a while. Got gelato at a small West Village gelateria. Celebrated Paul’s promotion!

MOST NOTABLE THING ABOUT EXPERIENCE: The U.S. wins! John Anthony Brooks headed a goal in from a corner kick in the last ten minutes of the game for a win 2-1 against Ghana. So fun to be in a bar full of people cheering for the U.S. when that happened. I don't know about the rest of the U.S., but New York is into the World Cup, I assure you.

OTHER THINGS OF NOTE: Really good ceviche at Panca. Back to the Blind Tiger, Phil came out after all, Cassidy was awesome, Izzy was there first and then Irish exited on us all.

And, for the record, Izzy knows a TON about soccer. Just a ton. I cannot emphasize that enough.

Certain Specific Obligations in the Sun

THING I’D NEVER DONE BEFORE: Practice with Revolution in Astoria Park. Watch soccer game at Mojave. Ride the express version of the M60.

MOST NOTABLE THINGS ABOUT EXPERIENCE: Again, it was just really nice to be outside in a pretty part of Queens, playing in the sun.

OTHER THINGS OF NOTE: I’m glad Izzy was there to tell me about the new system the MTA has for these express buses. Even if you have an unlimited Metrocard, you have to put into the machine at the stop and get a receipt saying so. Otherwise, they can fine you up to $300! Which would suck.

Also, ordered in from Hummus Place and watched Ever After with my roommate and her sister. Sigh. What a classic.

I Could Be the Fearless Leader

THING I’D NEVER DONE BEFORE: Barcade in Manahattan with Jill.

Also, eating at Fonda, wandering in Prospect Park with Sam and Marisa and morning coffee, observing the pride runners, musing on our respective roles in the Zombie Apocalypse, watching the World Cup with ultimate friends

MOST NOTABLE THING ABOUT EXPERIENCE: The Manhattan Barcade actually has a lot of space, which I was not expecting, and a similarly wide selection of interesting beers and microbrews. We also met a gay man who loved Jill and kept reiterating how much he loved her, which was gratifying for all of us, I think.

OTHER THINGS OF NOTE: This was a great day. I want to say something again about serendipity and synchronicity, and try, somehow, to avoid making it cheesy. Maybe a future post.