Rave up

Jonathan & I celebrated our birthdays Saturday at PS1. The guys from LCD Soundsystem were the headlining DJs. Since they’re well-known, the courtyard was more crowded than I’d ever seen it. But that means even more great people-watching.

The PS1 courtyard early on, around 4:30 pm.


Me & J.

After PS1, we walked around Long Island City, Queens. 1st stop was LIC Bar. Really liked this place: cozy joint with places to sit, cool pressed tin ceiling, and a big garden out back. Had dinner nearby at Lounge 47.

Lisa chillin' in LIC Bar's outdoor area.

Signs of a successful Summer Friday

Went to Long Beach for the day on Friday. Sun, a beach that wasn’t very crowded, and frozen margaritas. Muy excelente!

Sweating hipsters

Went to Coney Island yesterday for the Siren Music Festival. Saw the Dodos and Beach House. Despite blazing sun and temps in the mid-90s, it was actually more crowded than last year. I’m glad I braved the heat, though… it’s not really summer in NY til you’ve ridden the Wonder Wheel & the Cyclone and consumed a corn dog & a beer on the boardwalk.

View of Stillwell Stage around 6pm.


Wall-to-wall umbrellas on the beach, as seen from the Wonder Wheel.

Rollin’ on the river

Went to Hudson RiverFlicks on Pier 54 Wednesday night with Rick. “Almost Famous” was showing. Very nice to watch a movie on the water, with sailboats cruising by.

Spotted: Tim Gunn on West 19th Street and Sebastian Junger eating outside at Half King.


Intense sunset on West 23rd Street.

(Day before) quatorze juillet

Went to Cobble Hill, Brooklyn last Sunday to check out the Bastille Day festivities. We ate brunch at Trout and then wandered around the street party, getting drinks like sangria from the sidewalk vendors. The celebration wasn’t as “French” as I expected, but who can complain about a fun day outside?

Spotted: Alex from Real Housewives, entering a chain drugstore with her family. Oy.


Largest petanque tournament in the US.


Watch out for the guillotine!

How ads get created

Got this from my copywriter. It's been a challenging week.

Melancholy, with good reason

At a rooftop bar last summer, I met a group of Ohio State alums Grace knew. We had some drinks, some laughs and some decent conversation. As I went home that night, I was really happy. I thought, these folks are so nice and so fun. They’re the embodiment of the phrase “good people.” In NYC you meet interesting characters, but you don’t necessarily want to hang out with them again! However whenever Grace would meet up with those guys for a happy hour, she would invite me & I would be very glad to join in the revelry.

Sadly one of those guys, Lee, died of a heart attack Wednesday at the age of 41.


I’m still processing this news. Lee & I were social acquaintances at best, but I can confidently say that he brought great joy to everyone around him (myself included). He will be missed.

A stellar 4th

Walked across the Brooklyn Bridge on Friday with Robyn, Paul & Eastwood (Actually Paul pushed Woody in a stroller, but you get the point). From the bridge you can see The Waterfalls, four man-made waterfalls on the East River. I must say I was really underwhelmed by the falls' daytime appearance; apparently they're prettier at night. This public art installion cost about $15 million - I can think of a few other things the city could use that money for.

Walked around in Dumbo & Brooklyn Heights. Saw Aimee’s new apartment. She & I came back into Manhattan. My upstairs neighbor had a BBQ in the backyard, so we went down there for a bit and then watched the fireworks from the roof of my building.

The Brooklyn Bridge says "Happy Independence Day!"


Me & Robyn take a beverage break by the river.


Brownstones in Brooklyn Heights.


View of Macy's fireworks from my roof.

Get your art on

Went to the Murakami exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum of Art last weekend. Very graphic and whimsical, even when the paintings were about serious subject matter. One of my favorite parts was a room whose Japanese name loosely translates into “Cuteness! Summer Fun.” Not really representative of the whole exhibit, but it was really hard to not smile when you went into this area.


Stealth photo I took inside the museum.


Mosaic/sculpture inside the museum subway stop.