The Dusting Photos

New York, NY

Last night's rather surprising snow storm created a perfect tableaux for pictures. (And a fun walk through the park at night with Lindsey.) There were many photos taken, and these were some of the better ones. I decided not to "tweak" any of them and just let them display as they were shot.

As soon as I took this I knew it would be amazing. This is my favorite photo of Lindsey, at least of those I've taken.

I was trying to be artsy and insisted that Lindsey remain still while the camera took the picture in low-light.

This was one of my favorites from the evening. It was such a quiet night, and the lights and shadow of this picture really capture that.

11.5 Years

New York, NY

As I carried the seven foot Frasier Fir down the block, its sap sticking to my jacket, and its needles brushing my hair, I remember thinking how great the tree would look once it was in the apartment, surrounded by friends at Lindsey's Christmas party. And while it stood, well adorned with ornaments and carefully strung lights by yours truly, I was not there to witness it. Instead, I was stuck in the fetal position on the cold hard marble of my bathroom.

Eleven and a half years. That's more than 1/3 of my lifetime. The last time it had happened, I was in high school, just barely 18 years old. Clinton was president. The World Trade Center still stood. And on Friday night, at precisely 9:25, my record got flushed down the toilet. Back in May of 1997 was the last time I vomited. And I remained puke-free from that point onward until Friday.

This wasn't food poisoning, or being hung-over. This was genuine 100% stomach flu. A sickness so powerful that I prayed for death early Saturday morning. Because it had been so long, I felt my body had forgotten what it was like to throw up. This new and odd sensation was completely foreign and unexpected. I lost track of the puke-count around six or seven, but I do recall not being able to flush the toilet fast enough.

The weekend was a bust. I stayed inside, weak, skinny, and with dull aches running throughout my body. On Saturday night, as Lindsey and friends drank wine, enjoyed the burning log DVD, and ate her carefully selected and created appetizers, I was curled in bed hoping it wouldn't be another sleepless night spent on the floor of a bathroom.

So, a word to the wise; wash your damn hands. You don't want this. It's like getting hit in the face with a lead pipe while gremlins pull at your insides with long bony fingers. You will suffer and you will beg for mercy. If I were you, I'd lock myself in a room with proper provisions until Springtime. Me, I'll be out and about now that I'm immune.

Recommendations - December 2008

New York, NY

• Shelter Island Candle - Jonathan Adler managed to bottle the exact fragrance I've been searching for to waft through my apartment and put it into this candle. Instead of the chalky smoke pouring out of the cars on the West Side Highway, I now have sea grass and salty breezes cascading through my nostrils.
• Shake Shack - My search for the perfect cheeseburger just got one step closer. Thanks to a much closer store opening in my neighborhood, I no longer need to brave the lines at Madison Square Park for what has been called New York's best burger.
• Trader Joe's Chicken Gorgonzola - I almost managed to convince Lindsey I created it myself. (Though I did turn on the oven).
• Slumdog Millionaire - When you're told, repeatedly, by several different people that you'll love this movie, you should go. And I did. And I did.
• Cities of the Underworld - I haven't found a show more fascinating since the first season of Lost.
• Cafe Lalo - Sunday brunch is becoming a habit and after I shoveled a Belgian pancake, topped with strawberries, cinnamon whipped cream, and maple syrup into my mouth, I'm not sure I'll ever need to go anywhere else.
• MacBooks/MacBook Pros - Absolutely drool worthy and handy when you're in the middle of an impromptu jam session at a holiday party.
• Things My Boyfriend Says - Thought this site was funny until I realized there's a good chance Lindsey was authoring it. Then I failed to see the humor in it.
• YesButNoButYes - Here are some of my better articles: Real Men Love Cats, Dave's Sixth Challenge, and Dust.

Bone Marrow Donation Registry

New York, NY

As I've mentioned previously, a childhood friend of mine was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Unfortunately, his chemo therapy treatments won't be sufficient to eradicate the disease from his body, and he's in critical need of a bone marrow transplant. Because no one in his family is a match, they are forced to turn to the donor pool of the National Marrow Donor Program. And so I'm asking you to consider signing up to help Jason and many people like him in this fight against the disease. Simply click this link:

http://www.marrow.org/HELP/Join_the_Donor_Registry/index.html

Here's some information you should know about joining. The test is completely painless, requiring only a swab of a Q-Tip on the inside of your cheek. It's then sent to the center for tissue typing. However, it costs $52. Also, there's the whole business about the actual bone marrow donation. It requires a bit more than just donating blood, and may involve a general or local anesthetic. (Small surgery)

I'd be remiss if I told you I signed up without second thought. But it definitely took some soul searching to hit that "send" button. Upon reflection, I realized that $52 and potentially a day or two of discomfort would be worth it to save Jason's life (or the lives of others). So I suggest at least checking out the site, learning the facts and making your own decision.