New York Part two:

At the Macao Trading Company, after having just sat down and ordered a drink I checked the bartender as he turned to make my negroni, and began explaining the modifications needed to make a “Charlotte’s Negroni”. Mid instruction he started to get distracted by happenings to my right.  I turned to see what could be so important, and saw that the woman next to me was oscillating between speechless and  gesticulation.  Though improbable, I quickly guessed that she must be Charlotte (or at least a close friend).   Eventually she overcame her fear of sounding pompous and confirmed that she was the inventor of the drink I had just ordered.

That’s a fairly remarkable coincidence.

Shortly after this, another Brand Ambassador, this one from the competing Pernod and Rickard line, sent over a Plymouth and Tonic.  
 Apparently there were many Cocktail related events in town that week and the party was moving on to Milk and Honey.  But before they left we spoke briefly about some of my favorite barmen: Rob, Borys, Big Bearded Dude at Berretta, Greg and Nick in Atlanta.

The Food at Macao is Adventurous and tasty. The Bartenders are very friendly. Definitely my go-to bar this trip.

That was the end of that week.  The next week began with a ran up the west side of the island, a long walk back, which included some street basketball (spectator) and more Grey’s papaya.  I had a late sandwich one night , and Bar Artisinal at the hotel another, and Macao Trading on the last.

This week I have eaten at Les Halles, which is fine I guess, and probably more than that for locals.   Not what I was in the mood for, but I didn’t know what else I would find in the area, and wasn’t in to mood to roam on a long Monday.

My hotel is on Wall Street, which (I think) is going to make exploring harder. I doubt I have the will for it.   I have had a very minor headache since Sunday.

All weekend Corrie and I were up at the cabin gardening or otherwise outfitting the place. Somehow along the way we went through a fifth of Bonded Rittenhouse.   Her’s with Ginger ale, mine with Cinzano Sweet Vermouth and Angostura orange bitters(Also there were 3 60minute Ales, and a glass of muscadine wine).    Of course, I am both fortunate enough to never get hangovers (and stupid enough to brag about it), but I have had a headache since Sunday.   I also had the slight bit of a chill that evening, so this could be some sort of virus, but I suspect it is Caffeine Withdrawals. Cool.

I have been drinking more coffee more consistently since I got to New York, and Sunday was my first day without it.  I  am currently deliberating between having a cup now just to see if the headache goes away (and if so getting a workout in) or riding it out the rest of the way (which may result it aggravating it further this evening if  I try to train).

I do feel that this, my first case of withdrawal, makes me more legit (keeping it real yo), but having finished season two of Breaking bad, I shouldn’t make light of stuff like that.

Breaking Bad, Season 2 was harsh and excellent.  Corrie and I also watched Doubt and Seven Pounds. Both movies were better than the swill we normally watch.  Doubt was near perfect, but I have such a short fuse when it comes to Catholicism as it is portrayed in movies that I could hardly relax. Seven Pounds was thinky, and antiusual. Will Smith was perfect in it, but I think he was a miscast none the less: It was way too distracting watching him play that character. I felt that the musical score was heavy handed too. I actually have a lot of quibbles with the artsy-fartsy direction but ultimately the story, as it was written, was always going to be difficult to make a movie out of.   I did enjoy it and I enjoy it more the more I think about it.