She looks familiar. 

Oh, that's Michelle Trachtenberg. 

The Buffy Sightings Continue

Friday night at Vynl I saw Michelle Trachtenberg. Who's that you say? Why, she was Dawn on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She was the little sister who suddenly appeared in season 5 as a teenager and turned out to be the key to the whole universe staying together. How could you not remember?

She was also Macauly Culkin's girl/friend in My Girl, Harriet the Spy, Penny in Inspector Gadget, Celeste in Six Feet Under, and of course she was the lead in Disney's Ice Princess. And yes, you can read the details of her career here.

I think she is really beautiful in person. Huge smile, long wavy dark hair, very elegant for a teen.

So now that I have seen both Willow and Dawn, can Buffy be far away? Stay tuned for pics of me and Sarah Michelle soon.

Oh, great. 

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times

That's how I feel about Fridays sometimes. Of course they are the best because the weekend is just hours away, and by the time you read your emails and take your lunchbreak, you only have a few measly hours to waste before you are free until Monday.

Unfortunately, sometimes those measly hours are worse than the actual hours you spent in bed as a child with measles. Yes, I know everyone gets vaccinated now, and I never had measles either, but you get the idea. The waiting sucks.

It doesn't help when the morning commute is like today. How can a fire in the West Village make the F train turn into a G and go to Queens? You think you are going to Manhattan and then all of a sudden you are in Queens, that is just unfair. As if the G isn't enough of a joke when you are actually intending to ride it, an F turning into a G during the morning commute is like a VCR (something I never use but still keep around for the occasional return to VHS) turning into a betamax (something i never use and never want to use-what is beta anyway?).

Autumn Fun

Now that the rain that has saturated the city, and my life, for the over a week is over, I finally was able to have some autumn fun this weekend. I went apple picking up in the Hudson Valley, and it was just as fun as always. Apples, cider, doughnuts, and they even had a few farm animals to visit. Who knew my day would be brightened by a pig and a goat?

We went to Wilklow Orchards in New Paltz, which I highly recommend, but they're only open till Halloween so get pickin'! We picked Macoun, Cortland, Janagold, Rome and Golden Delicious. Macoun was the favorite as it was surprisingly tart, but it sure is fun to say Janagold.

I hope autumn in the city was fun this weekend too. Here's to a rain-free week.

Guess Who's Reading WhimperandWhine?

Imagine my suprise while ready my daily blogs, only to find reference to whimperandwhine. Thanks Daily Slope!

Wave Riders! 

You know a hotel's classy when....... 

Check me out! 

Remember Summer?

I guess it's not hard to remember summer when its still in the 70s on October 3rd (yeah!). But I just got my photos developed from my summer vacation in North Carolina where I conquered my fear and actually swam in the ocean. Check me out! And check out Erin and Shawn demonstrating how to ride a wave. Maybe next year that will be me.
What should be the next fear I conquer?

My Rock and My Redeemer 

Redeem Me.

I'm so lucky! Right on the corner near my girlfriend's apt is this convenient Redemption Center. Now I can make up for all my sins right on the way to and from the subway! And just in time for Yom Kippur.

geek power! 

Soduk-u? Soduk-me.

Thanks to my brother-in-law for introducing me to a new way to procrastinate, avoid work and ignore music/arguing/bad breath/proselytizing on the subway. It's called Soduku, and it seems like I may be the last nerd to hear about it. Anyway, its like a crossword puzzle with numbers. It promises no math involved. You can play for free in the NY Metro paper (finally a reason to take one of those) or online here. Enjoy and please keep the teasing to a minimum.
-Anita

I have always thought this was hilarious. Just thought I'd share the fun. Shout out to Gretl who originally introduced me to this great little photo. 

Not Yet!!!!!!!! 

Summer may be over

Summer may be over as of Labor Day, but I am ready to embrace the fall. I just had some old photos developed and this one reminded me about how bad the weather really can be. This is the view from my front door of my old apartment after a blizzard in January of 2004. But fall is not bad as all that. Fall is cute sweaters, changing leaves, apple picking, apple cider, other apple related things, wearing your favorite jeans again, crisp mornings and breezy evenings. It's fun, and so much less sweaty/smelly than summer. What do you look forward to this fall before the snow comes in?

My apartment as it appears today. 

Hole Sweet Hole

It has been months (10 to be exact) since I moved out of my 1-bedroom on 5th avenue and Garfield place to make room for the controversial Commerce Bank. As time has gone by I saw the building abandoned, the roof removed, the building torn down, and a huge hole created in its place. Here is what the site looks like today. Looks like the last thing this neigbhorhood needs is another ______. Bank? Baby? Boutique? What is the last thing park slope needs?

All the things she said...were not true. 

What I really want to be blogging about is that I went on a vacation to North Carolina. But, I am waiting for my pictures to be developed, and it seems to be a longer process than I originally realized. Sorry about leaving up that roll of toilet paper as the only whimper and wine news for a while. In the meantime...

Remember TaTu? Remember when they performed at the MTV Movie Awards with a hundred girls dressed in schoolgirl outfits who then stripped to underwear and made out? It's all about class.

Well, they are back, and like many of those who experience a same-sex relationship while in school, they are no longer gay. Oh well, I never judge. I just don't know what their music and videos will be about this time around. They have a new album out, so if anyone downloads it, let me know if it's any good. I didn't care if the music last time was overproduced and based on a fake lesbian relationship, it was sure a good cd to bring to the gym.

Is This Really Necessary? 

Oh Canada! 

Those Crazy Canadians

So, this past weekend (I love how my summer weekends include Thursday and Friday) I went to visit some friends in Western, NY-Rochester to be exact. While the University of Rochester tour by my friend (an alum) was fun, and eating what are called "garbage plates" (a UofR tradition involving macaroni salad, beans, home fries, burgers, onions and of course mystery sauce) were both fun, the highlight was our trip to Canada. We saw Niagara Falls, which was just as impressive and even more wet than expected. I also unsuccessfully gambled $10 into 0. The most unexpected part of my trip to Canada was the superfluous use of the word 'beaver' and images thereof. The picture above was taken at a gas station. I guess the gas company is called Beaver. There were even signs reading "Beaver-working hard for your money." Sadly, these were neon and did not make good photos.

Two For One 

Two-Two-Two Memories in One

A recent conversation went like this....

"so when I have to pee, and it's not coming, I just think back to this beautiful waterfall I saw as a kid. It was the most amazing waterfall I've ever seen, so beautiful...and then I start to pee."

What a convenient, efficient, double-bang-for-your-mental-buck memory. You get to think of a fond childhood memory, envision a beautiful waterfall, plus the pee. I wish more memories could be evocative and practical.

Thanks Coney.

After 7 (yes, non-consecutive) years living in NYC, I have finally visited Coney Island, or as friends call her-just Coney. I guess somewhere in my head I just could not believe you could take the subway right to the beach. And, given my huge fear of the ocean, I didn't really want to find out. Well, you can. The train is just a block from Nathan's, and then it's just a couple more blocks balancing act with a chili dog in one hand and a large lemonade in the other until you are officially on the beach having the Coney experience. I also played some serious ski-ball. Of course, I picked up my ski ball skills on the Jersey shore, but it's nice to know New Yorkers appreciate a sport where you through wooden balls down a lane in exchange for plastic rings and bracelets, novelty erasers, and dare-I-only-hope.. a really fun toy like the kaleidoscope I took home for just 40 tickets! I also had a nice time walking on the beach and even put my feet in the water without hyperventilating. I'm so proud of myself.

Coney, thanks for a great day.

rest in peace...on a bed of wonder bread 

On The Lunch Menu Today...

Potatoes on white bread with a side of pasta and a nice cold beer.

That's right, as of today, ATKINS is dead. I know I know, Dr. Atkins died last year, and that is not funny. What is funny is that the Atkins company has gone bankrupt, closing the door on a trend that I reviled from start to finish. I love carbs and always will. I am going to spend the rest of the day going to restaurants spreading the news and asking that the words lo-carb, carb-friendly, carb-tastic, and magically carblicious be removed from all menus.

Oh yes I did! 

darn rules! 

 

kansas city is so gay 

mmm...pork 

How was Kansas City you ask?

Kansas City was actually pretty fun. I ate a one of the best steaks I've ever had, followed by the grossest/best bbq ever. The conference was a success, and a lot of people were interested in the work of my organization. I also learned that doctors know how to party. The only downer was strict rules in the convention center. See above for a little photo essay on my trip.

Can You Find Me and My Girl? 

There We Are!

You Might Be A Lesbian if....

Yep, hand over the toaster and my copy of the homosexual agenda, I am spending my weekend at a folk festival featuring Dar Williams and Ani Difranco, among others in upstate New York. I guess I might be a lesbian. I guess thats a good thing, especially for my girlfriend.

Seriously, though, I am looking forward to a relaxing weekend of camping, music and not much else. Hopefully I will come back de-stressed and ready for my big trip for work next week to Kansas City, MO. I can hardly contain my excitement. I'm already dreaming of barbeque sauce. Mmmmm....pork.

This cake is all MINE! 

Happy Blogiversarry!

Yes, it was last year, July 19th that whimper and whine was born. Since then 133 posts, not bad, right?
What else has happened on July 19th?
The first women's suffrage convention at Seneca Falls
Lizzie Borden, everyone's favorite psycho girl with a hatchet was born
Tolling ceased on the Brooklyn, Williamsburg, Manhattan and Queensboro bridges
(that one's for you Dad)

I wasn't actually able to find to many historical July 19th events. Anyone else have a a 7/19 event that tops the birth of whimper and whine? Nah, didn't think so.

late breaking fun

Wait, wait, I do have something fun to post about. Montage-a-google lets you search for images, then automatically creates a fun montage using up to 20 pics. I tried freedom, kaballah, christina aguilera and candy...all producing fun results. Give it a try, won't you?

Ok, I don't have an exciting tid-bit to report today, but I just can't leave that disgusting burger-dog photo on top of my blog any longer. Yuck!

I think I have the summer blues. You know the ones. Its sunny and you want to be outside playing, but instead you are stuck inside working. And then when you leave you have to run around doing a million things. And then when you get home you have to clean your room, do the laundry, and of course sleep. All of this, leaves little time for play.

So yesterday I took an official play-day off from work. I slept late, watched mindless TV including Bridget Jones 2 (which I do not recommend) and the only planned event on my calendar was a picnic and concert in the park with my girlfriend. (hi baby!) I know that taking these days off from working and seeing friends and being responsible give me even more to catch up on in the end, but sometimes they're just worth it.

GROSS!!!!!!!!!!!1 

Eeewwwwww! Burger Dog

I hate to make my first post in a week something so gross, but this is one of those cases where I need others to share in my suffering. Apparentlly 7-11 (and yes there are 7-11's in the city) is serving hot dogs and an array of other hot-dog shaped foods. I don't know why the thought of a burger shaped like a dog grosses me out, but it does. I'll try to get over it, as long as I don't start seeing any foods in new mcnugget form.

Things to do this July 4th Weekend

Watch the hot dog eating contest at Coney Island
Celebrate Canada Day (today!)
Mourn the loss of Sandra Day O'Connor (from the bench, not from the earth)
Revisit Bush Assassination Plan
Check off "get put on FBI watch list for blogging about assassinations" from to do list
Figure out which Greek God/dess you are most like
Check out the city pools (let me know if they are ok, I'm a little scared to try'em myself)
Miss your favorite blogger because she's going down the shore.
Put time into thinking about the origin of the phrase "down the shore" and why NJ folks like me don't just say "the beach."
Rest up so you will have more fun things to post on your blog next week.

I think I'll choose that last one.
Happy 4th.