The Holiday Train Show at The New York Botanical Garden

Heaven exists.

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I finally went to see the holiday train show - and once you get past the long lines, screaming children and Metro North ride, it actually makes for a great day. Here's a video of what it looks like once you're inside

One tip? Skip the NYBG tram ride. It's kind of funny that they even offer tram rides in December since everything is in a full-on state of UNbloom. It's probably a gorgeous ride in the nicer months, but take my word for it and skip it if you're there for the train show. Oh! And an even better tip? Call in advance for tickets. Otherwise you'll get there and you'll have to wait around for a few hours, hence the brisk tram ride undertaking. 

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Everything designed in the train exhibit is breathtaking. The detail and effort that went into it all is insane and if you've ever had any kind of interest in miniatures, you will love this place to pieces. And the trains, my God the trains! I've often said that if I were to ever have a child, then I would do everything in my power to make his/her room just like Casper's (in the movie Casper, with Christina Ricci). Remember how at the top of the wall in that room, there was an elevated train track, with a train that traveled around the perimeter of the whole room? That. I want that. Such a great idea for a kid's room.

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Anyhow, this was definitely worth the trip to the Bronx. Go, damnit!

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The exhibit runs until January 16th, 2023. You can purchase tickets here. 

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Coolest Skating Rink In Ontario

If you’re in Ontario and you give any kind of a shit about ice skating - THIS RINK LOOKS INSANE.

Shake Shack Teams Up With Big Gay Ice Cream for Layer Shakes

We're all aware of my feelings on Shake Shack as well as Big Gay Ice Cream. So I think it's safe to say that I will be ALL OVER THIS CROSSOVER.

These limited-time "layered shakes" cost $6.50 and are on sale from November 21 to 23. The one on the left (above) has got Bryan Petroff and Doug Quint's eggnog-flavored soft-serve at the base, then some Shack signature frozen pumpkin custard, shake-ified, on top, with a layer of La Newyorkina graham-cracker crumble in the middle. That order is flip-flopped on the right — it's eggnog shake atop pumpkin custard — and both are 16 ounces.

I'm not a huge fan of nog, but I'm still extremely pumped about this ludicrous concoction. 

Baby Dog as Freddy Krueger

Over the weekend, Nathan and I entered Baby Dog in the Socrates Sculpture Park's Dog Halloween Costume Contest. She didn't win, but there were people cheering her on so I feel like that should count for something. How could she not win? I'm not positive, but I can only assume that some sort of temporary blindness amongst the judges must have occurred that day.

I mean, LOOK AT HER.

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SHE'S THE BEST.

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I don't know how on earth she didn't maul us in our sleep that night for putting that hat on her. I think she must have known how amazing she looked, on some level. Anyway, it was obviously a really fun time. If your dog will allow you to dress him/her up, there's absolutely no reason not to do it.

Pumpkin Float

I'm sorry but this seems like an adorable event. It happens in Central Park every year and it's pretty self-explanatory: you go to Central Park with a carved pumpkin and you set him afloat. You can find more details here. 

Who the hell came up with this idea? I want to squeeze him/her quite hard. 

Downey's Farm in Caledon, Ontario

I've been going to this farm for twenty years and I doubt I'll ever stop. 

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Tianna & Layla

In recent years, they've added on a lot of things so there's an admission of $14 per person on weekends and $7 per person on weekdays, which isn't that crazy considering the farm's closed most of the colder months. 

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Yes, there are goats, too.

And there's an area where you can build your own scarecrow. And I don't know what kind of hay they use here, but I built one with my dad about fifteen years ago, so let's just say that it definitely holds up over time.

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Layla, after going to the face painting area.

But the main reason to go here? These pumpkin donuts.

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Pumpkin donut, dammit.

Even thought 100% of the people who I let have a bite of this said, "This doesn't taste like pumpkin" - I still maintain that it DOES. Also, it's one of the best donuts I've had. Maybe 'cause they make it at the farm? Maybe all the sugar on it? I don't know, I'm not a scientist. EAT THIS DONUT! They're seventy-five bloody cents, so I recommend getting a dozen.

This is the only place to be come October. Take your family!

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Gary & Camden

You can find more details here.

Derek Jeter's Final Home Game

I am not a Yankees fan, but this was a fantastic game and easily one of the best nights I've ever experienced in New York City. I could tell you the specifics of the game or you could just watch the highlights here or read about it here if you didn't see it. 

Not only was it an especially cinematic game, but the vibe in the stadium? I will absolutely never forget it. There will never be a way to express how insane this night felt. I can only imagine how hardcore Yankees fans felt about it. It was definitely the best baseball game I've ever been to.

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With Robbie, outside the stadium

The best parts?

• Every time an Oriole hit a homerun, the fan who caught it would throw the ball back onto the field! The first time that happened, it was funny. But when it kept happening? Amazing.

• The cleaners did the YMCA dance as they cleaned the diamond.

• The guy that sat next to me proposed to his girlfriend.

• Hearing that stadium blast Frank Sinatra's New York, New York when Jeter said goodbye on the field? I'm never gonna hear that song again and not think of that moment.

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Robbie at the game

I will forever be thankful to my friend Bapi for offering me a ticket to this game. You're getting a gift, Bapi. I swear it's coming. I'm trying to think of something equally appropriate and great since you let me be apart of this crazy historic game. It was beyond kind of you to ask me to come, thank you so much.

TV Hangover at Videology

This place is probably the best thing about Brooklyn. It could be described as just a bar, but I think the more accurate label would be that it's a bar/screening room. You'll get a feel for the place just by looking at their calendar of events. 

Once in awhile, they have a "TV Hangover" night where they show hours of a specific television show, with games and specials based on whatever show they're doing that night. I really wanted to go to this Lost one, but unfortunately my brother lives in another country and couldn't go with me. 

Anyway, it's definitely better than just going to a plain old bar, so I'm telling you to check it out if you're ever looking for something a little bit more fun than a boring night out drinking.

Movie Wardrobe Sale - Saturday October 25th, 2014

'Member how I told you to go to this last year? Well, it's happening again and I'm urging you to go yet again. As I frequently say, it's EONS better than The Clothing Show. On their website, they're trying to make it seem like it's a great place to get a Halloween costume, which is odd since their regular clothes are way better than any of their costume garb.

Go, go, go if you're in or near Toronto!

Floating Library in NYC

From September 6th to October 3rd, a Floating Library is coming to the Lilac Museum Steamship, located at Tribeca’s Pier 25 on the Hudson River. According to the press release, the library will be a “mobile device-free salon for reading, writing, research, debate and fearless dreaming created by artist Beatrice Glow.” Two years ago she also transformed the Lilac into an Aquarium from Austronesia.

The ship was built in 1933 and the last steam-propelled lighthouse tender known to exist in America. Even though it’s officially on the National Register of Historic Places, there will be lots of programming and space differentiation on the boat for Floating Library. The main deck will be an outdoor reading lounge, with a curated collection of books and manifestos from underrepresented writers and poets. The collection will go to a high school in need after the Floating Library ends.

There will be art installations, including “paper rope swings” (?) and works by sound artists, along with performances, discussions, and workshops around issues like sustainability, community engagement and the maker culture. Does this not sound cool as hell?

Here’s a map of how the boat will be transformed.

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