Hot guys sometimes finish last

Went to the 3rd round of the US Open with Robyn. Always entertaining, especially the way a hot dog, fries and a couple of beers costs more than the tickets.


The Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Park.


Robert Kendrick, after losing Mixed doubles on Court 7. Up close, no zoom.


James Blake, losing to Mardy Fish in Arthur Ashe Stadium.


John McEnroe, knocking balls around with his son (I doubt he was losing. Although he's a great player, I can't call him hot.)

Spotted: Roger Federer playing on the practice courts and James Blake's brother Thomas at a bar in the plaza

Take me out to the ball game

Got tickets to the Mets-Braves game. This is actually the last season for the current Shea Stadium. Like Yankee Stadium, seems a shame to build a new stadium right next to a perfectly fine one. Though unlike the Yankees, I must say the Met game was pretty mellow - not a lot of music, etc. However, I did try Dippin’ Dots, a new phenomenon to me.

Not your college ramen

Sarah coerced me to dinner at Ippudo, relatively new place near Union Square. We ordered pork fat as an appetizer. And then I got noodles with a spicy broth. Having lived in Asia for several months, Sarah is much more accustomed to the technique of eating ramen. I did OK, but was a little slow and a lot messy. But it was a good experience. Friendly staff and mainly Asian clientele (for now).

Memphis: Elvis Week is an actual event

“I went there on business…
sequestered in Memphis”
– The Hold Steadys

I had to go to Memphis for work in mid-August. We checked into our hotel downtown & then headed out for dinner. We were actually seeking ribs, but the places on Beale either looked too dodgy for BBQ and/or were blaring music. Wound up having a tasty dinner at Automatic Slims.


It was Elvis Week (anniversary of the week Elvis died). I actually really wanted to visit Graceland, but we had back-to-back client meetings the next day, followed by racing to the airport for the flight back to NY.

Stubby & Lisa.

1st impressions/observations of Memphis:
- Memphis is more “real” than Nashville. Nashville is to country music what Hollywood is to acting, but Memphis is all about singin’ the blues. In more ways than one.
- Beale Street is smaller and louder than I expected.
- The Mississippi River is very wide.