Dinner at Lovin Cup
Cuddled in the Ion watching Fireworks on the Avenue
Rochesters Finest Fireworks from the Wedge
Getting Schooled by the Lion's feet
The Rump Shaker Song dance-off
Ryan and I always try to plan something extra special for New Years Eve. Last year we spent it in Woodstock, VT (which is one of the most magical places to spend a winter holiday) and this year we wanted to continue on with the magical location New Years holiday, but we came to our senses and rolled into 2009 with a sense and sensibility that has been indicative of the entire Barclay 2008 year.
We started our evening with dinner at one of our favorite spots in Rochester—Lovin Cup. Lovin Cup's concept is amazing and the people who dreamt the concept and carry it out everyday aren't too shabby either! Leslie Zinck & Erik Ward are creative, hard working, and plain 'ole fun! Our din din was yummy and the beers were unique and super fresh—what a great place to start off our evening!
Our NEXT stop was the middle of South Ave right around Thread where we were able to enjoy the Rochester City fireworks display. This was unplanned, but super neat to enjoy from the WARMTH of our Saturn! It was quiet in the Wedge with snow falling and fire lighting the sky—a bit spontaneous and romantic.
A parallel park and a melodic ding dong of a doorbell and we were walking into the Schreiber/Kelley Mortuary. As always we were greeted by the two most beautiful ladies on the Ave… Kaya and Dakota. Soon we were singing along to Wilco and eating vegetarian sushi in winter wonderland style. Just as we were settling in and enjoying our evening with such wonderful people we were forced to move on—so many places, so little time. With a woosh and a smooosh we were sliding through the muck and heading to our beloved East Irondequoit. If Webster is where live is worth living, then East Irondequoit is where It's never worth leaving. (another joke for another day).
No knocking necessary at the Zapf/Chase household—we roll in with 5 minutes to spare. Mesmerized by Carson and the 56 inch television we drink in the new year with 25 year old Cook's Sparkling White Zinfindel. A sip is all you need when it's 25 years old. Celebratory shots and glasses of Pinot replaced the vintage vino and we were off to the races. We dances to "Rump Shaker", I gave everyone a drum lesson, and Chris schooled us all with the lion slippers. It was definitely a 2008 New Years Eve to remember and the 1st Annual on Eastway avenue.
3:30am is not a time I see often, but with great friends and lots of laughter time seems to just run away. What a wonderful 2008 New Years Eve we had. Even though it wasn't some grand, elaborate brew-ha-ha it was memorable and filled with new memories and old friends. 2009 is looking forward to being a year for new adventures and time with loved ones.
Happy New Year to all of you and I look forward to sharing our year with you!
Many of you know all about my freakish Scottish terrier named Scott. If you don't already know him, take a minute to peruse previous posts to learn his crazy history as a Barclay.
Anyway, since we adopted him about 3 years ago Ryan has been trying DESPERATELY to help him grow a beautiful, traditional, Scottish skirt. This is hard work—after every romp in the woods there are branches dragging behind him and burdocks smooshed into every nook and cranny. If you know anything about Scottish terriers I don't need to tell you that they do NOT like to be groomed! So, this traditional, Scottish skirt has been a labor of love for over 3 years.
About 2 weeks ago Ryan decided it was time to stop the madness. (Now I know how it must feel to be a parent and just simply give up on a ridiculous idea and just let your kids be who they want to be) He made an appointment with Kim. Now, Kim is a special, special woman. She understands our timid and temperamental Scott and loves him anyway (especially if there is a generous tip attached) and she is LITERALLY the only groomer in the city that will allow an appointment with our little angel.
Yesterday was the DAY for Scott; Ryan sheepishly took him into his date with Kim. Kim took ONE look at his beloved, traditional, Scottish skirt and laughed; knowing there was no way she was going to be able to save it. Ryan gave the okay to do whatever was necessary to make Scott not dready and nasty…. EVEN if it meant shaving him completely.
Now, NO ONE thinks that when they give the okay to do something drastic the situation is ever going to ACTUALLY arise—well, let me be the FIRST to say that yesterday it did AND we've been laughing ever since. His new nickname is "The Mooose".
Scott BEFORE The MOOOOSe AFTER
We're all enjoying a good laugh at his expense and it's making him rather cranky… I better go before he eats the cat!
Yes, it is true. I'm re committing myself to the blogging process. Today marks the day of a new post and a new direction for the Barclay Update. Stay TUNED!
It seems that every year our Holiday traditions become more and more concrete. I love the holidays and the joy that being with friends and family brings, but sure am glad when they are over!
Our holiday season always begins with the Harrington ladies getting up at the butt crack of dawn on the day after Thanksgiving. WE are not getting up early to milk a cow or save the world. No, nothing noble at all… just some good ole fashion shopping. Years ago it was a necessity—when Dylan was so little that he was fascinated by the fun toys and games that are notorious for being below production priced ONLY at 4am on Black Friday. BUT now, it has become a tradition for us… we spend Thanksgiving afternoon scouring the ads, making lists, and devising our strategy and game plan. Interestingly enough, the amount of energy we put into the day does not equal the amount of $$ that we spend. With our family it is never about the $$ and always about the experience. Black Friday Shopping is no exception!
A Holiday music concert conducted by my husband darling is typically 2nd on the countdown to Christmas. You see, this concert is special because when you conduct 4th & 5th graders you have brand new performers that you must present to the community after only 10 weeks. This is a very stressful time in our house. No matter how many times I remind him that he can NOT make his students practice he insists on being the best ever and if you know my husband he ALWAYS reaches his goals; this year was no exception.
I know your all so interested in the rest of our holiday traditions, but I must continue on with our regular scheduled program of playing Xbox with my darling….
Just read this pile of unfiltered garbage that passes for a Propaganda Press release (my empahsis).
Building on the success of her two previous Virtual Town Halls, County Executive Maggie Brooks announced that 5,144 County residents participated in last evening’s community dialogue on her F.A.I.R. plan to end the County’s budget crisis. Combining the attendance from the first three forums, 22,771 Monroe County residents have taken the time to participate in this important community dialogue; a figure that is double the seating capacity of Frontier Field.
“22,771 Monroe County residents have now chosen to ask a question, or participate in our community dialogue on my F.A.I.R. Plan to end the budget crisis while cutting the property tax rate with no cuts in quality-of-life services,” Brooks stated. “Through this important community dialogue, we are visiting every local neighborhood and ensuring that our friends and neighbors understand why my F.A.I.R. plan is the best course for our community to achieve true fiscal stability.”
Note to Maggie Brooks and every other elected official:
There is a difference between community involvement and after-the-fact justification. These Town hall meetings are after-the-fact justification and that the administration is trying to pass it off as community invovlement - the word you are looking for is deception.
Community involvement, now pay attention here, WOULD HAVE TAKEN PLACE BEFORE THE VOTE OF THE LOCKSTEP LEGISLATURE. It would have told the community what the government thought was necessary, why it was necessary and it would have gotten buy-in from the community.
Let me repeat, that all would have taken place before the vote of the lockstep legislature.
Oh, one more thing. Participation of 22, 771 residents, What are we measuring? How did they come up with that number? My guess is the number of people who picked up the phone at the cold call. I don’t call that participation. Neither should you.
So shame on any media outlet, Editorial board, columnist or blogger who falls for this transparent Enron Accounting method that inflates the number of people who actually participated in the plan development prior to the vote (outside the Republican inner circle um, that would be ZERO) into an apparently large number of participants.
Shame on Maggie Brooks and her lockstep legislature.
We also got to see Xtina.. (we sure miss her in Albany!)
