We Blog

No one is sad to see 2008 go. It was a year of recession, when many people lost their homes, jobs and life savings. It was a year of more hurricanes, earthquakes and fires, and the Mumbai terrorist attacks. It was the year my nana spent nearly all 12 months under intense medical care. It was the year of breakups and moves.

But with all the tumult came some bright spots. We elected a new president for the first time in eight years. We witnessed a spectacular Olympic Games.

It was the year I visited New Orleans, Denver/Boulder, Chicago, Providence, Boston, D.C. (three times), Portland and California (twice). It was the year I saw Cal football at Maryland, UCLA hoops (twice), the NYC marathon, the U.S. Open, the Nationals, the Phillies, the Mets, the Cubs and Nascar at Pocono … Patrick Stewart in “Macbeth,” “Hairspray” and “In the Heights.” It was the year I was a guest at the White House.

It was the year I reconnected with old friends and spent precious time with family. It was the year of a new apartment and a fresh start.

While I can’t wait to see what 2009 has to offer, I don’t want to forget all the blessings of ’08. Cheers to the year past and future.

Things I miss about being awake and out in the morning:

the feel of the cool, crisp air
the unique way coffee tastes when it hits your lips before the sun has risen
seeing shopkeepers open up for the day
the quiet hum of the start of rush hour traffic
fresh faces and damp hair
lines at coffee shops, then — a cup in every hand
bagels, muffins, scones

We’ve officially lived in New York City for six months. Not only have we survived, we’ve thrived (corny, yes, but that’s me). So I figured it’s a good time to hand out some midterm grades. Here’s our list of favorites so far:

Food

Meatball Sub: Pizza Plus
Specialty Food Market: Blue Apron
Produce: Fresh Direct
Hot Dog: Willie’s Dawgs (honorable mention: Crif Dog)
Pizza: Grimaldi’s
Cheese Shop: The Cheese Shop, Bierkraft (tie)
Bodega Hero: 12th Street Deli
Breakfast: Magnolia
Lunch Special: Bombay Grill
Early Bird Dinner Special: Agozar
Food From a Street Vendor: Red Hook ballfields
Random Find: Provence en Boite
Gelato: Colson Patisserie
Blueberry Muffin: Cousin John’s bakery
Late-Night Fix: 7th Avenue Donut Shop
Granola: Naidre’s
Health Food: Second Helpings
BBQ: Smoke Joint (honorable mention: Pioneer BBQ)
Pastrami: Katz’s

Drink

Coffee: Gorilla
Espresso: Cafe Sutra
Iced Coffee: Red Horse Cafe
Beer Bar: Blind Tiger
Bar/Lounge: ReBar
Wine Shop: Red, White & Bubbly
Place to Watch the Bears: Pacific Standard!

Other

Laundry: Green Cleaners
Local Garb: Sport Prospect
View of Manhattan Skyline: construction lot in Williamsburg by East River
Wi-Fi Hotspot: Cafe Sutra
Subway Station for a Transfer: Smith-9th St.