First grade

Before I finish up my birthday inspired navel-gazing, I just want to explain why I've put this childhood pic up as my blog pic. I'm surprised myself, obviously this isn't a good representation of myself currently! But it's one of my favorite pics simply because I was clearly at the TOP OF MY GAME. I mean, look at that kid. TOP OF HER GAME. It would make more sense if you saw some lower-in-the-valleys class pics from years after that but ha, ha, you'll never see those. It's better if you can just stay here, gazing upon this amazing summit. O.K. I am officially now emerging from navel to rejoin human race. Hurrah! Onto other far more interesting subjects than just thy self.

Party on

A huge thank you to everyone who braved planes, trains, and automobiles to make it up to Inwood to my crazy dance party Saturday night! That was lots of silly fun and my only regret is that I didn't open Trey's present the minute he handed it to me so we could've rocked the animal masks on the dance floor sooner. Dagblastit! Whasamatta wif me? Though I must say Caroline, jumping around in the tiger mask in her striped sweater dress later in the evening, did make up for something, I think.

The tunes were crankin, P's grapefruit bourbon mint punch was yummy and actually was getting stronger with every new batch, and there were a lot of empty bottles of wine when all was said and done, you winos. Damn!

To all the people who couldn't make it due to the many viruses plaguing our fair city: you were sorely missed. Get well soon! To those who got lost on the MTA: that's messed up. To those who chickened out of going so far uptown: lame. But I understand. I will still contemplate maintaining our friendship. And to those in far off lands unable to get on those planes, those trains...I missed you BAD! I'll talk to you SOON! Moreover, I remembered: it's fun throwing parties. I might give you another excuse to come to New York for a fun party again, soon, maybe...especially since Erica keeps reminding me that I don't wear dresses that accentuate my waist and crazy flourescent tights often enough. Speaking of...THANKS AGAIN, ERICA, FOR THE USE OF YOUR STUPENDOUS APARTMENT, NOT TO MENTION YOUR LAST-MINUTE SMOKY EYESHADOW TALENT!

Everyone can draw

It's silly, because sure, not everyone likes to draw, but for whatever reason I never believe it when someone says they can't draw. P is a perfect example of this. He's said many things that all boil down to "I can't draw," and yet when I asked him a few years ago if he had any ideas about what my new email address should be, the best way he explained his suggestion was when he sat down and drew this:



Then there was the time I was working on a drawing for the Pet Beauty Contest and P had a "better" idea. "It should be like this," he said, and started drawing alongside me.



I didn't change my drawing, but I will always appreciate the awesomeness of the above sketch!

I also like the little sketch he did to show me an image he thought of when I mentioned Palm Springs (when I visited last year):



And my sister Brook gasped when she saw this one pinned to my bulletin board. "Oh my god, who is that?" she asked me. "Who do you think?" I said.



"That's you when you're really mad!" Brook said. Well, exactly. Brook looked at Paul with a real artist's admiration — he'd really captured something remarkably accurate!

O.K., obviously P and I spend a lot of time together and I have a lot of drawing stuff lying around. Maybe that's why someone who purports to be not the drawing type would suddenly get all sketchy. But my point is, I think it's usually total baloney when someone says they can't draw. I just don't believe them!

Mambo the Great

I've been meaning to post about this brilliance for quite a while now. Ahhh, what a relief to finally get around to it. Here's another remarkable portrait painted by my sister Brook. When my friend Trey saw this portrait of Bismarck he got the great idea to commission my sister to paint a portrait of his dog Mambo as a surprise gift for his beloved wife Siobhan for Xmas. Cue the orchestra, please...

Wow. Look at this beautiful canine. Mambo is rocking a pashmina in front of the Himalayas, and considering his naturally mellow disposition, and from what I can tell, his central role in the Sager-Walshe family dynasty, this portrait captures his essence more than appropriately. Sigh. Well done, once again, sis. Thanks, Trey, for having such DOPE taste in ART!

For the love of Legos

You might have seen this already in the NY Times today, but in case you didn't, check it out now. Enjoy!

Groundhog it, why don'tcha

And a Happy Groundhog's Day to you all. I have no idea what happened this morning with the whole groundhog ritual. I just wish the groundhog in the picture above could talk. What would he say? I probably don't want to know. It'd be something like, "Sucka! You gots an economy, and I don't! Ha ha!" and then he'd disappear, I'm sure.