Missing on the L platform.

Late night on the L platform, scrambling to get back into Manhattan. Friends to meet; plans to fulfill. Then there was this.



How did you spend your New Years? Hopefully not like this family.

Vindication.

While the rest of New York slept off its first hangover of the new decade, I was up and at 'em like Ralphie on Christmas morning. Pushing resolutions concerning curtailed alcoholic intake and proper language aside for a few more hours, I schlepped to the Upper East Side for Penn State's bowl game. LSU Tigers. Orlando. 1:00pm kickoff.

For those of you who follow me on Twitter, I threw out a pre-game apology regarding the tidal wave of PSU-related tweets that were going to ensue, and rightfully so. It could have been worse; you could have been with me where I set up camp in my friend's living room. Much, much to the chagrin of those present. After all, I am...intense. I yell. I text feverishly. I question, freak out, and occasionally fist pump.

Dear Old State pulled off a 19-17 win over the Tigers, capping a roller coaster season that could have ended as 13-0 or 8-5. 11-2? I'll take that.

There is plenty I could say about this game; this season; this team. Penn State entered the year in a perplexing situation. Quiet leadership anchored the linebacker and running back positions. An inexperienced offensive line, wide receiver corps, and secondary raised flags. A questionable schedule was due to a variety of vanilla cupcakes. A legendary coach remained without an exit strategy.

The senior quarterback yearned to cement his legacy.


Daryll Clark - job well done.

The online blogosphere penned this game as the defining moment in Clark's career. Beat a legitimate SEC power and you're in the Club of Greats; lose and find yourself in the company of Anthony Morelli. Clark never won "the big one" despite posting a stellar record over his two years at the helm. Two losses to Iowa, a drubbing by USC, and a blowout to Ohio State. He knew this too, and I'm sure it provided an extra bit of emotional fire.

Clark stood with his back to the game winning field goal and collapsed to the ground following the final ticks of the clock. The field was a physical danger to the players, making the iconic uniforms muddled and black. But today was not a day for excuses. Teary eyed I was as emotion overtook Clark and the rest of the team, captured fittingly in a photo of the team bouncing together at midfield. This is Penn State, after all - emotions are kept private. Show up, suit up, go to work, go home. But this team, much like its leader, were now vindicated.

Clark will forever be a favorite of mine, as he encapsulated the true essence of what Joe Paterno strove to do as a coach and mentor of young men. He struggled with high school grades but persevered to meet Coach's standards and now holds a degree from Penn State University; greater in value than any of the passing records he set or conference honors he's earned. Never have we seen a player with such gusto and passion for his team, playing for the greater good that engulfs the Penn State family. He will be missed; but more importantly he will be remembered.

Courtesy of.

2009 highlights.

Well, it's been fun.

Excuse the amateur editing and the cliche musical selection. 2009, as it was captured from behind my point-and-shoot.


Thanks for stopping by - see you in the new year.

My parents live in crazy world.

Sure, Manhattan has its share of birds, but this is just bonkers.

"Now showing up on a regular basis due to the bird feeders. Yesterday it was 'raining' bird feathers, as he must have nailed somebody."

Kudos on the quality shot. Count me out when it comes to shoveling the brick walkway out back.

A white New Years?

Snow swept through the area briskly and briefly. Gone by nightfall, when the clouds, misty rain and champagne made an appearance.

Happy New Year to you.

"It might be hard to see this from Manhattan, but it's there."

CJ's mother is in town from Oklahoma this week so we hit up the Celestial Highlights at the Museum of Natural History's planetarium. The AMNH is quite possibly my favorite museum but this was my first time experiencing the Hayden Planetarium.

The Highlights lecture series takes place every last Tuesday of the month; describing what will be viewable in the evening skies in the upcoming month. The lecturer was a professor from a local university, and he fit the bill of quirky science guy quite nicely. He was locked in a pattern for most of the evening - describing some planet or constellation with honest vigor; once worked up to the likeness of Ralphie talking about his BB gun, he would remind us city dwellers that the wondrous sights in the night sky were not visible from Manhattan. Soul crushing.


Lovely little place, but I'll take the Safari room next time. Please and thank you.

Commonplace.

This could be anywhere in the West Village. Could be.

On the move.

Always on the move.

Road rage and BBQ sauce. Mmm.

I had lunch with one of my high school teachers this afternoon; catching up on old times and discussing the logistics of volunteering for future DECA programs. We drove through the back roads of Warren County, hugging the road in his Audi A4 (six speed on the floor, obviously). Lunch took place at Winner's Circle BBQ, a small cozy restaurant off of Rte 94 in Warren. The pulled pork nachos are a must if you're ever in the area. So is asking yourself what in heaven's name you're doing in Warren, NJ. Review here. Who knew Yelp reached out to the wilderness that is western New Jersey?