Summer List 2022 Revisited

I’ve been patient and it’s finally arrived… THE LAST DAY OF SUMMER. Today always feel slightly like Christmas Eve to me, there’s such anticipation in the air right now. Here’s how my summer list of things to do went!

1. Tan on Governor’s Island.

   • I did not do this BUT I tanned in so many places, I’m taking a half point here. Sue me.

2. Make a summer buckle.

   • I did! A blueberry buckle! And it was wonderful. What’s the difference between a buckle and a cake? Absolutely nothing as far as I can tell. (This was the recipe I used.)

3. Visit Storm King.

   • Did not go, but some day maybe. I wish it were easier to access by transit.

4. Go swimming at least five times.

   • I’ve never swam as much as I did this season and it feels majestic to say that. It’s probably the main reason why I didn’t hate this whole summer. And now I know that going forward, in order for me to enjoy this wretched time of year, I need to be placed in water.

5. Visit the new Kim’s Video because it seems cool as hell.

   • I did and it was really neat. Have to take Nathan.

3.5/5 whoa! That’s pretty good. Am I trying to cut down my list of the ten things I want to do this autumn that will be posted tomorrow? Yes. Is there a chance it will be more than ten? Also, yes.

SO LONG, SUMMER!

You can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.

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Kim's Video Store in NYC

I finally visited the reincarnation of the classic NYC institution Kim’s Video at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in the city and IT IS PERFECT.

When video stores started closing around 2010, of course it felt like the end of an era, but it was too soon to understand exactly what had been lost. When I was a teenager, every summer I would repeatedly get the 10-old-movies-for-$5-deal that Rogers Video had (and you could keep them for a week) and that’s when the beginning of my love for old horror movies began. There was something so decisive about choosing something to watch, committing to taking it home with you, and then dedicating an hour and half to it (whether it was good or bad). There was more thought put into what you wanted to watch.

I think you can see where I’m headed with this, but I’ll stop now because this isn’t about how streaming services and excessive content have ruined our watching habits today (they have) - this is about how there’s a video store in NYC and you need to go to it.

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The rules, Kim’s Video in NYC

AND THE RENTALS ARE FREE. How can this place exist in a world where restaurants are charging you for bread and butter now?? Not a clue. But when something is an insanely good deal, it’s best to take advantage of it as much as you possibly can because you never know what the future holds.

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Kim’s Video, NYC

I think I spent about 45 minutes just browsing and it felt… transcendent. Maybe even groin-grabbingly transcendent? (Two people will get that joke and I refuse to delete it.) There is something about the experience of physically being surrounded by undiscovered possibilities that I didn’t know how much I missed. It reminded me of a time when choice was more intentional because you had to drive your choice back home with you and maybe even convince others to watch it with you. There’s something valuable about the importance of intention. On a larger scale, we move further from this idea on a daily basis with the things that endlessly distract us that offer no substance. I might be veering off on a tangent (I am) so I’ll stop (sort of). Am I becoming a crotchety old man who laments how it used to be better? In this case, yes absolutely, but I’m not wrong.

Kim’s Video, NYC

That being said, it felt great to step into the past for moment.

The location is a bit tricky to find but once you’re inside the building of 28 Liberty Street, find the escalators going down and then keep going down until you see the Alamo sign. And once you’re inside the Alamo, you can find Kim’s down another set of stairs to the right of the front desk.

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The deeply hidden Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Manhattan

While I can’t find the exact operation hours of the place, it opens daily about thirty minutes before the first movie showing so you can easily find out when to visit. Even if you think you don’t miss video stores, you do. You gotta go.

You can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.

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Kim’s Video, NYC

August Actions 2022

Wow, this is by far the latest monthly post, sorry about that. I wish I had an excuse for my lateness, but this is a free site so I don’t owe you a damn thing!

Summer is almost at an end and I couldn’t be happier about it. This will soon be me.

Here’s what went down in August!

• You can find my favourites tweets of the month over here and here.

• I got coffee at Cafe Renis in Astoria and it’s perfect. Love an independent coffee place.

• I’ve decided that the best canned tomatoes you can get in the U.S. come from the brand Afeltra and they’re sold at Eataly.

• The Chelsea Hotel finally reopened so I stopped by for a (ridiculously overpriced) coffee and yes the renovation took forever, but damn it’s gorgeous.

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The Chelsea Hotel lobby, August 2022

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The Chelsea Hotel, August 2022

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The Chelsea Hotel, August 2022

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The Chelsea Hotel, August 2022

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The Chelsea Hotel, August 2022

• I bought these running shoes I found at Marshalls and I loooooove them. Who doesn’t love a shoe that feels like a heavy sock?

• I also can’t stop taking photos in this Zara dress. Clearly.

• It’s finally the time of year when Lemax (the worldwide leader in collectable village miniatures) releases their new Halloween collection and I’m fighting every urge inside my body to buy THE GLOOM ROOM.

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The Gloom Room from Lemax, 2022 Collection (not shown: the figures DANCING IN THE ROOFTOP BALLROOM)

• Completely out of nowhere, but does everyone know how cool-looking the Tommy Bahama wrapping paper is? Just beautiful.

• I tried these Lays West Indies’ Hot ‘n’ Sweet Chilli and they were tasty as hell.

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• I have forever loved the top of this building (below) and have always wondered what the inside looks like. Now I know and it’s shot to the top of my must-live-in list.

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The Cupola Penthouse at 141 Fifth Avenue, NYC

• I had dinner at the breathtaking Riverpark with Irene and the food was really good.

• It’s almost embarrassing how many times I’ve listened to Beach House by Carly Rae Jepsen.

• Some things I watched this month:

  • Bodies Bodies Bodies - Did I see this solely because of Lee Pace? Yes. And he wasn’t in it nearly enough. Also, it is not a good movie.

  • The Rehearsal - Look, I get it, it was fine. Definitely not the masterpiece that everyone claims it is. Love Nathan Fielder, though. A Canadian king.

  • Sister Act - Okay, I haven’t rewatched this in maybe… twenty years? It’s still amazing. And god, that soundtrack. All hits.

  • Violation - My friend Dusty made this movie and it’s incredible. No bias either, I promise you - he’s just wildly talented.

• I also got to go to Canada for a short visit to see some friends and family, which is always great.

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• I finally got to visit my best friend Harmeet’s lake house in Ontario and it. was. unreal. Such a fun few days away.

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Harmeet!

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• Is it weird that I’ve never done a tea service before? Wait, is that how I even word that? In any case, my dear friend Marla took me to my first one! I can’t believe how many things you get. We went to The Wild Tart in Elora, Ontario and it was wonderful.

• While we were in Elora, we also went to see the gorge and quarry (where scenes from It were filmed!). I had no idea that Elora was such a nice little town. I also discovered this greeting card company that I’m absolutely in love with.

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Elora Quarry, August 2022

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Marla!

Some things I’m looking forward to this month: I’m pretty excited about coming up with my autumn list of things to do this year, I need to catch up on writing some travel posts that I’ve been putting off since July, I need to make some final decisions on our Halloween costumes, and we’re getting a brand new oven that I’m pretty jacked about.

If you have any interest in what went on in July, come on over here and you can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.

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That’s her excited-for-September face

July Jiffs 2022

The beginning of August is basically the best time of year because it ushers in the anticipation for autumn and the holidays. Am I reaching? The anticipation of something is almost as sweet as the actual arrival of whatever it is you’re waiting for.

In any case, here’s what went down last month!

• You can find my favourite tweets of the month over here and here.

• I wrote about the first leg of my summer trip to London, England.

• I went to the American Dream mall in New Jersey with my friend Diana, so thankfully I never have to go again! It’s really just a spectacle, and not in a good way. Why would you ever need a mall to have indoor skiing available? Isn’t the best part of skiing the scenery that surrounds the hills? Am I crazy? Regardless, the mall is terrible. It’s way too big, there are countless empty storefronts (because of the ludicrous rent, I’m assuming) and the furniture is gaudy as hell. Absolutely no reason to go again.

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Even she is thinking, “Why are we here and what is this.”

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Beautiful Diana sitting amongst the idea that money does not equal taste.

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“Take me home.”

• I went to Brighton Beach for the first time with my great friend Paul (who just moved back to NY) and what a fine beach it was. Not as filthy as Coney Island, but almost as nice as Rockaway. I can’t really put into words how incredible it is that he moved back here, so just know that this fact is the highlight of my summer.

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Paul! In New York!

• Speaking of Paul, his perfect husband Richard made us a meal one night using ground beef from Stoudemire Farms (which I’ve always wanted to try) and it was spectacular. Must remember to buy it the next time I’m at the Union Square market on a Friday.

• I also went to Bar Marseille with Diana and the food was great! It’s right near Rockaway, so I wasn’t expecting a lot from a beachside place but I’d definitely go back. The steak sandwich was perfect.

• It only took 18 months, but the dog volunteering that Baby Dog and I used to do is finally back! It was cancelled in February 2020 for obvious reasons and just started up again this month. It’s organized through New York Cares and it happens once a month on the Upper West Side. Essentially, you bring your dog to the auditorium of an elderly care center and any residents who love dogs come down to play with them for an hour. We do it each month and the more dogs that come the better, so I should really post about it more on Instagram. Yeah, I’ll get on that. (The next one is scheduled for August 10th, email me for more information if you’re interested.)

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Can you tell how excited she is?

• Since it’s Restaurant Week, Irene and I went to The Grid restaurant at the Great Jones Distillery mainly because I was intensely craving good halibut. And yes, the food was good but it’s extremely overrated. I’m sorry but no restaurant ever should charge for basic bread and butter. It’s offensive. The service was good, but you can just tell people weren’t trained very well. And for a place so new and beautiful, you’d expect a lot more.

• I saw Mr. Saturday Night on Broadway and all that I can say is wow. A perfect show and a beautiful theatre. Can every single comedian in this town go see it immediately before it closes next month? It’s wildly good. I’ve never felt more seen than I did in this song sung by a comedian’s wife.

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Mr. Saturday Night on Broadway, July 2022

• The only time I like to drink rose is in the summer (I’m pretty original, I know) and I think I found the best tasting one of life.

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Ruby Red Rose with Grapefruit

• I’ve started making garlic butter almost once a week now and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to stop? It’s so superior to every other thing inside my fridge. Sure you could buy garlic butter, but it tastes infinitely better if you make it yourself, I promise.

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Homemade garlic butter

• I made this lamb bolognese from Antoni Porowski and I think it’s even better than the Alison Roman one that I love so much (it might be because I bought the coriander seeds whole and then ground them up in my spice grinder? The flavour of that individual spice is so crazy good, I had no idea). Obviously one is a fast lamb recipe and one is a leisurely one, so I’ll continue to keep both in my rotation. But you absolutely have to make the three hour one at least once to see what I’m talking about. Especially since Costco sells ground lamb now.

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Antoni Porowski’s heavenly lamb bolognese

• I went to the Alamo Drafthouse in Brooklyn for the first time and what a perfect theatre. Love that they have a beautiful bar attached (House of Wax).

• Some Things I Watched:

  • I really had low expectations, but I went to see Marcel The Shell With Shoes On and it was beyond sweet.

  • Indecent Proposal is on HBO right now so I watched it for the first time and loved it.

  • I saw The Thomas Crown Affair and it’s such a party. I love this kind of 90s movie. Perfect in every way.

  • I watched the first episode of Loot and it really just wasn’t for me.

  • Of course I saw the whole first season of The Bear and it’s as good as everyone says it is. With the exception of the sister, I don’t know if she’s just written badly as a character or the actress is just wretched. Either way, it’s the worst part of a great show. Episode seven is clearly the best one. (Also, I badly want to make this recipe now.)

  • I also saw the whole first season of The Summer I Turned Pretty and this really scratched my summer/teen itch. Perfect summer show.

  • I saw the Victoria’s Secret documentary and oh my god, I might have to stop shopping at Bath & Body Works now.

  • I started the new season of Only Murders In The Building and other than the inclusion of Amy Schumer, it’s been good so far.

  • I also watched Porky’s and Screwballs for some reason?? Obviously I hated both? I think I was just so desperate for an old teen movie that I haven’t seen.

  • After those two disasters I have no other choice but to cleanse my palette and rewatch Clueless.

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My absolute favourite Cher outfit

• I’ve been there a few times, but I think it’s time to declare how much I officially hate Astoria Park. The RFK bridge above makes it way too loud, the jet skis in the water blast the worst music, the grass has more brown patches than any other park in the city, the train is at least a 15 minute walk away, there are zero food or water vendors anywhere. WHY DO PEOPLE LIKE THIS PARK? God, it’s awful.

• I made these cheesy poblano corn enchiladas and they were really good. In hindsight I should’ve added some shredded chicken or something to them to make them slightly heartier.

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Cheesy poblano corn enchiladas

• I finally went to see the Amityville house and even though they changed the eerie window frames, it’s definitely still creepy. One thing I wasn’t expecting? How nice that town is! It’s like some big secret, I think. Would totally live there.

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The house from The Amityville Horror, July 2022

• I made my favourite strawberry crumble coffee cake and it’s always a winner. Pro tip: use cake flour for the cake part and use regular flour for the crumble topping to really make it perfect.

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Strawberry crumble coffee cake

• I ate the July-only-special Emmy cheeseburger dumplings from Mimi Cheng’s and they were good but not as good as the first time I had the last year. Am I evolving past cheeseburger dumplings…? God I hope not.

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Emmy Burger Dumplings (Emmy cheeseburger dumplings in collaboration with Pizza Loves Emily/Emmy Squared, dry-aged beef, aged white cheddar, crushed pretzels, caramelized onions, and Emmy Sauce) Pan-fried only. (8 pieces) $17.25

• Incase you care, August is the only month you can apply for SNL tickets so get on that, if you so desire.

• Also, if you’re going to the CNE in Toronto next month, you can get free tickets for kids under 13 if you fill out this form.

Some things I’m looking forward to this month: I’ll continue to mark things off of my summer list, I can’t wait to see my friend Dusty’s movie that’s being screened at the MoMA next week, and I can’t wait to take a few more little summer trips (stay tuned).

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Summer bitches

If you’ve got any interest in reading last month’s roundup, you can see what went down in June over here and you can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.

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