Another week into a downward spiral! Just kidding, but I wish I had taken it a bit more quietly. We were dealing with a sick cat and didn’t make enough of an effort in preparing and eating food at home. We also went big for Valentine’s Day, and kind of regretted it the next day. Hopefully, we behave ourselves this next week as we have a big weekend away in the Catskills.
Hobbying: I’ve been building a KenBucket List in anticipation of our June move to Louisville. I’ve been lurking on reddit/louisville and I love how people talk about their city and cool experiences to have there.
Of course there’s plenty of that in Bushwick, but sometimes it is just overwhelming for the volume or because it’s too cool for me or inconvenient or goes too late or feels too young or blah blah blah
Anyways, I’m really excited to kayak at Floyd’s Fork, go to Heritage Farm for dinner, and picnic in Cherokee Park. I also lurked through the Facebook marketplace in Louisville. If I were there, I would snap these up IMMEDIATELY.
Dating: Another big week! When will it end?
On Saturday, the day finally arrived. I booked a reservation at Bad Roman TWO MONTHS in advance. I knew it to be a buzzy Italian place but didn’t recognize it was “rainforest cafe meets red sauce joint”. Dread set in when we entered the Columbus Circle MALL location (which is also where Per Se is located????). I felt transported to the worst parts of Las Vegas, which is all of it. I thought surely I was in for an online Cheesecake Factory dining experience.
It was a very instagrammy crowd so I leaned in and photographed everything I ate, thinking it would be funny if nothing else. FALSE. It was delicious! Every gimmick was wonderful. An enormous ravioli that oozes cacio e pepe sauce when sliced over filet mignon?? What!! I was proven wrong and it tasted very nice.
Enjoy! I look gross! That is not my Louis Vuitton Speedy!
On Sunday, Roy cooked a meaty chili for super bowl while I lounged and interwebbed. I had a great latte while I click clacked away on the couch. I barely ventured out of the house aside from a coffee run. I lit these colorful candles and we enjoyed our cozy super bowl.
On Wednesday, we had cocktails and quesadillas at All Night Skate before taking in a comedy show around the corner at Tiny Cupboard. The comics were universally pretty great. I spent an extra $5 for a season pass that guarantees me entry for 90 days. I’ll be using that.
On Thursday, I began what will become an annual tradition every February 15th. I bought a half-priced box of chocolates, and got in bed at 8 PM.
Sweating: Uhh…I brought a lot of clean workout clothes to my office. They are still there.
Buying: I went for a rare in-person shop on Saturday! After brunch with coworkers at Thai Diner to celebrate Lunar New Year, we bopped around some Prince St. shops. I re-upped on edibles at the Sundae School pop-up. Everyone in there was very cool. They had this wish wall:
Then, we wandered into Dinner Service where I discovered that ORVILLE PECK DESIGNED A SHIRT. Roy had to have it. I didn’t think twice.
Eating: Roy made the best chili of our lifetimes.
The record was set in 2013, when I was living in Decatur, Illinois. I only had one friend. Mandi Jo grew up on a cattle farm and used to wear a gown and stand next to prize cows at state fairs. (COOL RIGHT?) She made a gooooooddddd chili. This was better.
He started with an heirloom tomato sauce I made and froze in August (but storebought is fine). He slow cooked pork shoulder, ground beef, and white beans with some alchemy of sauces and spices. He pickled white onions in white wine vinegar and red onions in red wine vinegar because he’s a cute guy. He also made onion rings (!) to serve alongside. It was probably the best meal of 2024 so far.
On Friday, I woke up to the harsh truth that I had DMed a local baker at midnight. She’s SO COOL and I’ve wanted to try her cakes forever. I walked two miles each way to pick up these three gorgeous cakes. It’s the best cake I’ve ever had.
Drinking: Quite a few passionfruit/tequila cocktails at All Night Skate. I had a can of this delicious blood orange soda from Irving’s when I went to pick up a Friday spicy squash sandwich.
Reading: I am really intimidated about making pudding!! I am overthinking it a lot. Nothing on the internet has reassured me it’s possible! I’ve spent a rather embarrassing amount of time researching how to make it but I don’t feel brave enough to try yet. I’m planning a trip to Salty Lunch Lady for field study.
Also, oh my god, ChatGPT actually has made itself useful to me. I asked it for variations on a grilled cheese and wow! An Apple and Brie Grilled Cheese on Bread: Cinnamon raisin or honey wheat with Thinly sliced apples and a drizzle of honey. The suggested soup pairing was an English pea— think like the famous Alinea one. Right???
Watching: This cute comedy set from Fat Rascal! “Gamestop management came through!” And so much Vanderpump.
Listening: “Blush” by Orville Peck on repeat
Ruminating on: Oh my god the Usher concert. Roy came to peek at it while cleaning the kitchen and left the sink running for four minutes. Jaws on the floor. I felt like I needed to breathe into a paper bag. I was still weak-kneed from Post Malone. This knocked me flat. Did usher learn how to roller skate for us??
As a millennial, God reached down and scratched behind my ears. I PURRED.
Cat: Speaking of, it’s been a truly terrible cat week. We discovered Nightmare is allergic to fish. I gave her a salmon churu on Saturday, and she’s been barfy and lethargic all week. She’s finally on the up and up. My poor baby. I just bought some cat shampoo to get the dregs of scum out of her fur. I plan to join her in the bathtub.
Find out about it all next week!