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Steve R.

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Everything posted by Steve R.

  1. Steve R.
    True. But this was a very very good game to watch as a fan of college basketball. Not only were both teams putting out 110%, but these are basically guys who won't be seen in the NBA and aren't top draft picks. A very nice change. Secondly, my vote for best shot was definitely the UNC 3 pointer that tied the game and made us all think that it was going to OT. To think that Villanova's ethos of it being a team game would lead to a high scoring guard shoveling the ball to a teammate with 3 seconds left is just perfect. As was the shot. Heartbreaking for UNC but I gotta say that I love that Rollie got to see another championship team.
  2. Steve R.
    Do you dislike "Think It's Going to Rain Today?" Take a listen... I'm curious what you think about his voice on that one. And yes, I knew about Burdon's lead role in both The Animals & War.
  3. Steve R.
    Yeah, I loved the Pink Jeep Tour in Sedona as well. Canyon deChelly is way too far out of the way. It's all the way across the Navajo res., double (at least) the distance from Tuba City to the Hopi reservation (glad you're going there... Very worth it. Watch out for Navajo made Kachina dolls, copies of the Hopi originals & not authorized). We've spent a lot of time in the 4 Corners region, where Canyon de Chelly is, & it's pretty desolate country except for the Canyon itself (which I agree is as great in its own way as the Grand Canyon. Read the Tony Hillerman novels to get the feel. If you are going that way, pm me and I'll get you specific info. As I said, we've spent significant time on the Navajo res. And know people, places, etc there. As a matter of fact, we were in the Canyon for a wedding this past spring.
  4. Steve R.
    This is a review from a recent visit, right? If so, I'm happy to see it, as it represents the food after Simon Glenn left as chef. He's the guy who stepped in to establish a great N.Orleans kitchen when the place was reeling a little from changes in the kitchen & one of the partners leaving. He was the guy behind the pop up Tchoup Shop. At any rate, we've been there a # of times and really like hanging out at the bar, but we've only been once (right) after Simon left.... still good then, but we've been gone for the winter. This is a real good neighborhood place that deserves support. Glad you found it.
  5. Steve R.
    Why, yes I do. Although I like him & would really like him to lead the team to victory, his being a "scoring machine" comes with a hefty price tag, as he needs the ball to do his thing... more so, I think, than other prolific scorers. It's hard for even a good team to resist standing around while he keeps the ball. I wish he was more of a catch & shoot scorer, but he's not.
  6. Steve R.
    I'll think about potential recommendations, but stay away from Artisanal. Way downhill-- different owners, poor food at higher prices & they're soon to close down to move to a new location. Really-- don't go there. I take it that Indian food is not an interest? If it is, then go down Lex Ave to the upper East 20s & check out either Dhaba or Pippali.
  7. Steve R.
    The debate rages over whether more taxes are needed from everyone or whether we should tax the rich or whether we should cut social programs or whether we should cut the military budget, or....whatever It is a given that the budget for every public "thing" that we expect has dwindled to the point that just about 100% of it goes for keeping things running on a daily basis & that there are no longer funds available for prevention, upgrade or even meaningful maintenance or upkeep. So, for example, when a major snowstorm hit NYC several years ago, everyone was in an uproar over why so few roads were cleared in neighborhoods in any timely manner. City government apologized & took a hit, as if it was mismanagement. What they didn't want to say is that, over time, the fleet of trucks in working order was down to pretty much what was needed to manage in normal situations and that the "reserves" no longer existed. In fact, the older equipment had been cannibalized to keep things going. No extra equipment was available to put on the road. Easier to convince everyone that someone had dropped a ball than to admit to a system that is no longer capable of meeting real needs. The funds needed to restore Flint's water system will have to come from somewhere & my guess is that no politician will ever admit what other thing(s) go unfunded to provide some of those funds. And my cynical self believes that most folks just want it taken care of while they go about the business of arguing their own ideological positions in an abstract manner.
  8. Steve R.
    Last winter we noticed an "Isis Hotel" on Gulf Blvd near St Pete Beach. Gotta wonder how business is doing & if I should stay far away.
  9. Steve R.
    Unlike Don, I am in the camp of those wanting Muslims to condemn terrorism, both as individuals and as a religious group. Not apologize, but stand up for what is right and what's closer to them than to me. As a non-Muslim (I'm culturally Jewish), I've been asked to condemn terrorism, but always by those who use that as a blanket indictment of Muslims. Of course, I refuse to do what they want and I get what you're asking. No, the average white, non-Muslim guy assumes I don't support terrorism and takes for granted my position, while they would ask a Muslim to condemn terrorism because they're not sure. Wrong headed, I'll give you that. And, by the way, I also believe that its not like Muslims have been silent on this. There's lots of anti-terrorism support in that religion but, as long as there are groups using terrorism under the guise of fundamentalism/Islam, I think that increased vocal presence is needed by all. That being said, as a middle class white American male, I believe I should be asked to condemn police brutality where it exists (without apologizing that we need/want policing and that most police do their job as intended). I believe I should be asked to condemn inequality in pay with women (without apologizing that somehow I'm causing it). I believe I should be asked to condemn torture, although I haven't water boarded anyone. As a matter of fact, I think its my responsibility to not only condemn with words, but to be active in the many ways I can so as to minimize these (and other) problems. I get why my average Muslim friends (yes, I have some) bristle at even being asked, the way my white friends bristle at an "are you racist" question. But I don't get why those aren't opportunities to educate, to inform and to be counted, as opposed to an opportunity to be pissed at the question. Let our clear, overt words & actions show our beliefs"¦ we need more of that from rational "normal" folks.
  10. Steve R.
    I have friends and relatives who have been or are Police Officers, but I have no problem denouncing brutality or supporting a concept such as "Black Lives Matter". I worked in a Psychiatric facility, where my own safety was co-dependent upon other staff coming to my rescue if/when violence broke out, but I had no tolerance for mistreatment or abuse of patients & openly worked to get rid of those that did not deserve their positions of authority. I am Jewish and have strong feelings about my heritage, but do not blindly support many of Israel's policies and actions. As a matter of fact, I consider myself to be a pretty loyal American, but have not supported many things our government has done (& does -- Guantanamo Bay comes to mind) and am vocal about it. I would like to believe that I would have made a lousy German in the '30s. I don't see why expecting most Muslims to be vocal about opposing those who use terror in the name of their religion is not realistic. I agree that most have nothing to apologize for & shouldn't be asked to do so, but I think that we should expect more from them (not less), as well as from ourselves, and be clear about it. If anything, we (as a people) are too "non-involved" and passive, not overly involved. Looking inward for change is only part of life. Enough of my opinions?
  11. Steve R.
    Well, you knew I would weigh in on this, right? What even I didn't know is that, after thinking about your post, I really can't say that I have a strong feeling one way or another about whether this trend is good or bad. College sports, pretty much all college sports, is now a business for the college, wouldn't you say? If you can't fill a stadium, get more alumni bucks or otherwise make lots of money on the sport, its not of major interest to these academic institutions. So, for most players who go to college, who won't become professional at their sport afterwards for whatever reason (talent, injury"¦), is removing this major time killer a bad thing? Wouldn't a good intramural program or "club" team wind up, in hindsight, to have been better for this majority of players? And, for those who do make it, how much academics do they get in college anyway, given the time they spend on their sport? Wouldn't they be better served by being part of the "leave school, get a tutor, go to a good tennis academy & concentrate on the sport" concept? So, that leaves some youngsters who are a)on the cusp and may/may not make it & may not know which road to take &/or b)are not financially endowed enough to go the academy route. Not sure this is so different from any subsequent post-college career/grad school choice. As someone who spent quite a bit of time in college playing squash on a #7 ranked team (after converting from High School tennis - did I mention that I was Captain of the NYC High School Tennis Team that won the City Championship each year and that I was ranked as the #1 doubles player in H.S.? Well let me be sure to do so) and who, at my best, became a top 100 US amateur squash player afterwards, I can't say that the lack of a squash team would have been, in hindsight, a bad thing for me. Not that squash was the only thing keeping me away from my studies -- yes, I'm talking to you Grateful Dead (and surrounding "culture") - and to you too '60s/'70s "politics" - and even to you, my live in girlfriend, later to be wife, later to be ex-wife. Not that I turned out badly -- a good career, decent standard of living and a still going strong 30+ year 2nd marriage. And not that playing on that squash team didn't help me in many ways. But, as I said, I remain unsure about the role of sports in college & therefore unsure of whether the disappearance of college tennis teams is a bad thing. Nothing like day after Thanksgiving pondering. Happy Holiday - its 64 out today, maybe I'll go play some tennis .
  12. Steve R.
    Well, not to get too fine tuned here but its Manhattan that's never had a big diner culture, not all of NYC. Brooklyn has literally had hundreds of them & I still have 3 in my immediate neighborhood (like a 10 block radius). All Greek owned, all with far reaching menus. Some with decent food.
  13. Steve R.
    Last summer (not the current one that I'm not willing to let go of), we went to see him in Prospect Park (dusk, outdoors). I, too, am a fan from back in the late '60s & own those first "Night Tripper" albums, but have become used to him only doing his repertoire of great NOLA stuff. However, I sat in awe as he launched into "Gris Gris Gumbo Ya Ya...they call me Dr. John...the Night Tripper..." ("Walk on Guilded Splinters") & then more of the old spooky stuff. He's integrating the 2... any idea how the above show went?
  14. Steve R.
    Just to make it perfectly clear, I'm not the "Steve" youse guys are referring to. I'm the one who has no local DC knowledge base & doesn't organize lunches/dinners in your neck of the woods. However, both Steve and I are on CH (although he's a newbie who's only been there for 10 or so years; I go back to the beginnings of CH, eG, OA and MF"¦. and olde Breuklin, before we were hip & trendy). And, if I can post here from hundreds of miles away, he should be posting here as well"¦ tell him I said so.
  15. Steve R.
    Ok folks, this can be fixed you know. Grounds passes for the Open (can't go into Ashe) are around $100 & all the back courts are usually abuzz with good matches, singles & doubles. Plus Armstrong and Court 17 are accessible for some top player matches. My wife and I were right on court side watching Penetta and Errani play doubles against two good American teams in the early rounds"¦ sitting next to their entourage, including Fognini. Who knew we were watching a champion?! Add to that a reasonable Amtrak roundtrip or an easy car ride & maybe an airbnb place or Bklyn boutique hotel for a night or two. Let me know & I'll help sort out the details with you. I'll even take you to dinner in Flushing's Chinatown! C'mon"¦ make a dent in the bucket list. As an aside gloat, let me say that I've actually been to Wimbledon for the tournament, standing on line for tkts for only a couple of hours -- they have a very open, fair system of ticket sales there. And, of course, I've been to the US Open every year for"¦ well, for quite a few"¦ even when it was in Forest Hills and wasn't a big thing. Never hit with Don Budge though.
  16. Steve R.
    I really love watching Paes play & I'm definitely a Hingis fan as well. However, without taking anything away from their wins against a couple of good teams in the semi's and finals, did you look at their draw? Basically, they played two matches for the championship. It would have meant more to me if they didn't get walkovers from Bouchard/Kyrgios (unavoidable, unfortunately) & then from Halep/Tecau. Just sayin'.
  17. Steve R.
    Not that anyone asked, but all the doubles semi's & the collegiate championship matches will be this Thursday during the day session & entrance is free. A bottle of water will set you back almost $5 but getting in is free. See you there?
  18. Steve R.
    He was diagnosed several years ago and there have been a number of tribute events and fundraisers since. We've gone to North Fork Table & Inn several times and have always loved being there. Condolences to Claudia.
  19. Steve R.
    This past week was the Qualifying Tournament & we were there for 3 of the 4 days. It's free & you get a chance to see up and coming players vying for several spots in the tournament while basically standing or sitting 10 feet from the court. You also have access to the practice sessions of the top players arriving early (Nadal this year). Bear that in mind for next year.
  20. Steve R.
    My immediate reaction was Locanda Verde, but you've already said you'll probably eat there during your visit, so that's not news for you. Just remember that their bar can still be a shitstorm of loud trendy folk on a weekend night. Labor Day weekend might increase or decrease that -- I'm not sure. We had a very nice lunch there last week and I do know that the food is still good. Again, I have no idea as to whether Labor Day weekend will increase or decrease your chances at the bars (or table seats) for the following places. I do know that they all might be worth going (even though they've all long since past being hip or trendy, they all still draw in a lot of patrons): Babbo or Lupa (bar eating at both is good), Annisa (totally different feel"¦ one of my favorite chefs) & the always forgotten L'ecole (the culinary school restaurant on Broadway), which I admittedly haven't been to in several years but might be one of those things that click and you look back upon fondly for many years (or, may not).
  21. Steve R.
    Just as an aside, I guess I gotta point out that Prohibition (alcohol) didn't fly for very long, legalization of marijuana is full steam ahead & I'm going to opine that, as illegal as coke & heroin are, it hasn't stopped them from being used in a very big way. And that's without even considering our modern ability to synthesize new drugs that are probably even more dangerous and certainly have the same effect on behavior. I'm not saying that I believe these all to be equally dangerous or on par with unregistered guns in an urban community, but only to point out that banning something has never really worked. My take is that most regulation, law & policing has to concentrate on those caught breaking the law and that prevention of sociopathic actions need to be dealt with in a very different way"¦ probably a way that our society, worldwide, is not ready to embrace. By the way (not directly responsive to anything you said), keeping guns out of the hands of the mentally ill sounds great until you realize that a)the prevalence of gun violence by the diagnosed mentally ill is lower than that of the rest of society & b)just about none of the acts committed to date would have been positively affected by any law to this end. Sure, after a psychopath goes on a rampage, it's easy to say s/he was mentally ill (who would do these things who wasn't?), but that's infinitely different from knowing that these individuals, before they committed their acts, should be kept away from a gun more than, say, their next door neighbor who hasn't done anything (& probably won't). Prediction aint our strong point, but back seat driving, on the other hand, "¦.
  22. Steve R.
    Still going strong. A 3 homer night for Cespedes yesterday wasn't bad at all. Wright's at the gate & just about ready to go"¦ wonder what happens now.
  23. Steve R.
    Cant help it folks. I'm a Yankee fan but I gotta get behind the Mets here. Finally looks like they got a good team. Until Wright comes back and spoils it of course.
  24. Steve R.
    Ten years since this thread started and I'm happy to report that our meal at Lark (new location) during our 2 weeks there in late June - beginning of July was excellent. Went with 8 locals from another food board & had a great time/meal. Other very good meals were had at Matt's at the Market, also still going strong, and Copper Leaf, near the airport on the old WaMu retreat grounds. Copper Leaf is well worth the short drive. We rented a place in Belltown and walked in to Black Bottle one evening to sit at the bar and have small plates & glasses of wine. We returned 2 more times for very nice, informal, friendly bar hang out/meals. Some Random Bar, also on 1st in Belltown, was worth a seated at the bar dinner as well. Other good meals were had in Ballard & Capitol Hill. We really liked getting meat/cheese/deli stuff and glasses of wine at DeLaurentis at Pike Market and eating there.
  25. Steve R.
    As part of the Team Tennis season, the NY Sportimes designated one home match per season as a benefit match &, for the additional cost of the tickets, they included a "special match" of the sort you're describing. "Arranged" is a good term for it. In consecutive seasons, I got to see Mac take on Borg and then Agassi. All 3 of them played very well & were very entertaining. But the play was of a very different caliber than even the quals. of the U.S. Open.
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