Reading Glasses

Optha Rx
Originally uploaded by Mike Dec.

The doctor was trying to be kind "You know, some people start at around 40, others 42, and well, you ARE 38..." Vertigo led me to a check up with an ophthalmologist ( never wore glasses or contacts) that ended up with a prescription. Can bifocals be far behind?

Pruned Jade

Pruned Jade
Originally uploaded by Mike Dec.

I repotted my jade plant and pruned it to make it look more like a tree and less like a creeping/creepy plant. I hope it survives the trauma I've inflicted on it.

Mugsy Sings Bocelli

Mugsy sings Xtina

The Kids

September 10, 2006
Originally uploaded by Rappateng.

I rarely have a photo with BOTH my pets so here they are. Jakob on the windowsill and Mugsy on my lap. Alan was on hand to take the picture as he and Evelyn watched two episodes of Project Runway. It'sa nice little routine that happens on some Sundays. I'm sitting on the floor since my nice leather chair was kicked to the curb...thanks to my two little pets.

Yard Sale

Elephant at Yard Sale
Originally uploaded by Mike Dec.

For the past 3 years, I've been organizing a block sale for my street as a way of unloading some unwanted stuff and for some community building. really nothing to it: pass out some flyers, take an ad out in the paper, get a permit, and pray for a sunny day. Not too many items this year and I think we'll skip next year. Still fun and always great to hangout with the peeps from the hood.

Doksuni

Doksuni
Originally uploaded by Mike Dec.

Even if we got rained out of the US OPen, Sasa and I were able to make do. We drove down to the East Village for some Korean food at Dok Suni. It's always a challenge to find food that will be liked by my nephews since I don't get to spend too much time with them and thus am not privvy to their changing palates. They ended up liking it anyway (phew). We then drove down to SoHo for some back to school shopping for Jordan. The cupcake place Moagnolia was unfortunately closed. We still had a good time though.

Restaurant and Bodega

Restaurant and Bodega
Originally uploaded by Mike Dec.

Another Chinese place that Kipp would never even dare enter: musty smell, rude service, and note the pleasing cases of beer and plastic storage bins behind where I sat (and this was the new addition!) But really good wonton soup, salted fish fried rice, and pork with crispy skins. Tax and tip totaled $11 each for all 5 of us (and no one got sick: Bonus!)

Vacation Part Two: Chicago

Pinky and Tom at Joy Yee
Originally uploaded by Mike Dec.

Thursday to Sunday was Chicago time. I get to visit Tom and Pinky and they take me to the beach and to eat at some really incredibly good and dirt cheap places (which for me is the best combination ever invented). Despite the tacky plastic fruit garkand and the cinder block walls, Joy Yee in Chicago's Chinatown consistently has a waiting list because of the food (calamari, salted fish fried rice) and the fruit shakes (mango with gelatin balls, anyone?)

Vacation

Kipp at Belmar
Originally uploaded by Mike Dec.

I finally took a vacation after starting my new job last March. Wednesday to Sunday started pretty well with a visit to Belmar with Kipp. Two years ago, I was stressed so much as an administrator and Kipp was taking naps during his workday. Now he's constantly working, even on his supposed days off while I am able to completely cut myself off from work.