Two Little Red Hens Bakery

Two Little Red Hens Bakery
2nd Avenue just south of 86th Street

Need an awesome birthday cake in a pinch? How about three awesome cakes, for a 77-year-old, a 68-year-old, and a 2-year old, needed for a party at 3pm on a Saturday, and it's now just after 1pm? If you find yourself in a similar scenario, head on over to Two Little Red Hens bakery. In a word - Awesome! Their cakes are great, small, so beautifully decorated, in a ton of various flavors.

The space is small and cozy and busy, but not so busy that you can't breathe. My DH sat in the car outside waiting for me, and commented on how many people came in and out of the shop. Despite its busy-ness, the service I got was prompt and wonderfully attentive, as they patiently listed for me the variety of choices, even spending extra time in the back to find the cake flavor I whimsically asked for. Upon settling for three specific flavors (almond, strawberry shortcake, and gooey chocolate) I was shown a couple different versions of each cake so as to pick the "best" one. I was given ample warning that the strawberry shortcake was a day old, and when I went ahead and took it (I was desperate and my untrained eye saw nothing amiss) they gave it to me for half price. They inscripted each one beautifully, with the properly spelled names and appropriately matching/contrasting colors, packaged each one up with a white cardboard box and old fashioned string - despite the 30 minute car ride home they stayed in perfect condition, no frosting mushes on the side of the cakes.

And the taste? Awesome, again! All of them! The chocolate was a huge hit, I found the strawberry shortcake amazing and fresh despite its alleged old age, and while I did not fawn over the almond cake, most everyone else did (the taste was compared to marzipan, and the marzipan fans loved it while the marzipan-haters quietly shunned it). The true NYrs who attended the party gave the indirect thumbs up when they asked "Where did you get the cakes? Where is it located, what's the name?" and filing the info away for future reference.

Another note on the staff, all of whom were incredibly friendly and happy and smiling sincerely as if they really liked their jobs. That in turn made all the customers smiley and happy and glad to be there despite the mild chaos. Most customers did not go for the cakes but were buying the other baked goods - cinnamon rolls, crumb coffee cakes, large cookies, cupcakes.

The only criticism (and I had to think for a minute to find one) was the small space that gets crowded with merely five people in the space (not counting the seating area). Great space, great staff and service, great tasting and looking sweets - what is not to like??

Apple iPhone

It's love. First it was fascination, then a crush, obsessive some might say. Struck up the courage to engage in the commitment, and finally consumation. And it is true love.

This is not my first real PDA-type thingy, for I did have a brief affair with a Palm V some many years ago, in a pre-NYC life. It held lots of info, sure, but it never really took. Since then I've hunkered down from the fast evolving techno craze. My last phone did not even have a camera on it, let alone email or internet access. But since finishing school, becoming a licensed professional and having my own business, I figured it was time to get a real grownup techno gadget to fit the times. The iPhone contains everything I need, with that need becoming greater as I lost my orange iPod shuffle and the battery of my low-tech phone started acting wonky again.

With less than 24 hours of ownership with my new iPhone, I find the gadget has been constant source of delight. And utter coolness.

Things I love:

• the usual cool out of box experience that Apple so wonderfully delivers with each new product
  
• the way cool alarm clock dials that resemble the spinning wheels of a slot machine
  
• notes to keep track of my to do's and ideas that always far exceed what I can keep in my head at any given time
  
• consolidation of my phone numbers, emails and addresses plus the means to utilize them in same contraption (tap to call, tap to email, tap to log on and surf)
  
• calendar finally all in one place, that I can sync with my computer, again on the go
• iTunes with me all the time, especially on the long subway ride to and from the burbs or when my iPod runs out on my patients mid-treatment
  
• a screen of beautiful colors, ease of use, nice feel of the machine in my hand
• maps! a must in NYC when one lives out in the burbs and one's office is at home in the burbs while the business takes place in the city.
• the full-on website pages
  
• the cool way you can magnify or diminish the view of pictures, web pages, emails, etc.
• the elimination of the stylus (yeay!)
• the keypad for the phone, because there's something ultracool about tapping on a plain smooth sheet of glass instead of a set of plastic buttons.
  

Have yet to really use the phone, for I'm still waiting for the activation to come through.

Not like:

• the icons on the main screen for some things I'm just never going to use, like YouTube and stocks - not a terrible thing, just a wasted 3/4ths of a square inch
  
• one can say "price" and it is steep, but you know, combine the iPod with phone and internet as well as computer, one would say it's quite the bargain
• can't switch the order of listed cities on the weather feature, so you either eliminate Cupertino or deal with the fact that you'll always know the weather in California before your own city [UPDATE with the iPhone software update to 1.1.1 they've fixed that issue]
  

UPDATED next day: So the phone finally works, and the sound is beautiful, crisp, and clear, at least compared to my old cheap phone. iPhone comes with handy earbuds that not only allows you the privacy of listening to your tunes, but it also comes with this tiny clicky thing on the right earbud cord that you click to answer the phone call that came in while your iTunes was playing, then once you finish the phone call, click the tiny thingy again, and your music resumes. It also doubles as a mic, and from my test run I was told the sound is great, maybe a little too great in that the breeze blowing in from the window was heard by the caller on the other end.

The iPhone is another piece of hard evidence of the thorough and thoughtful engineering of Apple, and why I soon switched to Apple after my first iPod many years ago, when it first issued the iPod for Windows and the stock price was still under $30.

Joyce Carol Oates reading

at the Barnes & Nobel, 82nd and Broadway. Book was her new collection of short stories called The Museum of Dr. Moses

Being a free event, of a well-known author, and at the huge bookstore chain B&N, we figured it would be packed. With my flexible work time, I made a point of getting there early to grab good seats. I had heard of other popular readings where there were long lines, hour waits, need of wrist bands. This was not the case. We did not even know she had a new book out, and it did not seem like this reading about be so highly attended. Arriving an hour and a half early, the seating area was sparsely populated. I grabbed a couple of chairs in the third row, just left of the center aisle.

Slowly as the minutes ticked by, the seats filled until it was standing room only. The author soon appeared, looking tiny and frail and quite at ease in front of this eager little crowd. Applause, an introduction, another applause. JCO discusses genres, and the difference from the general literary fiction. Her new book of short stories is of the horror/gothic genre. She is a good speaker, humorous, calm. I felt compelled to take notes. It makes sense she is a college professor. She reads a bit from one of her stories, and claims the gruesome end prevents her from reading aloud the ending to us. She just knows how to keep the audience in suspense. She takes a few questions, gives lively and interactive responses. Addresses a lot of information and advice to budding writers (like myself and my fellow writing club members), before it is time for the signing.

The announcer said we were to line up according to rows, but there was no one there to enforce such instruction, and it more like a bum rush to the front of the room. We were able to get near the front, our rightful place having been in the third row, but thanks really to a kind gentleman who was sitting next to us who bravely cut the line and allowed us to cut in front of him. Being the genteel, civilized crowd it was, there was no complaint or dirty looks. The signing was quick, JCO ever the professional made quick small talk with us before gently ushering us away.

Overall a good experience. I had not read much of the book prior to the reading, but a couple of stories in, it was nice to hear some of her explanations.

Faust with Puppets

from the Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theater
performance at the Bohemian National Hall on E.73rd Street

I've been hankering for a creepy puppet show, and finally got my taste last night at the so-newly-renovated-you still-see-wires-hanging Bohemian National Hall on East 73rd Street, with a performance of Johannes Dokchtor Faust by the CAMT. Faust is an old story, about some guy who sells his soul to the devil.

Puppets + devils = gotta be creepy, right?

The tickets were cheap at $18 - a tenth of the price of your latest Broadway show or Madison Square Garden concert. The tickets were general admission, seating was first come first served, so we arrived early about 20 minutes after 7pm - much too early. We were greeted in the newly renovated lobby by a nice lady who handed us the program and directed us upstairs, acknowledging that we were early as seating didn't start until 7:45pm, but there were a few seats as well as bathrooms available on the third floor. Up we go to the third floor, empty into a medium sized lobby. A couple of people were already there. We grabbed a couple of the empty chairs, and sat a while. The lobby slowly filled, and at about 7:45 some of the people who didn't get seats started lining up at the theater doors. A young gentleman dressed in velvet clothes and top hat ushered us in, but allowing only those whose program had a star on it (ours did) to be ushered in first. How we got the special stars, I do not know. A small rush into the theater, and we grabbed a couple of seats in the second row, slightly left of center. I've learned from sitting through previous performances to not sit in the first couple of rows, but I had forgotten that this was a puppet show - the closer the better. But we could see just fine. A good 3/4 of the seats were filled by the time the show started, and in my very inaccurate estimate, I would say there were about 50-60 people there. They did of course provide a nice little bench in front of the first row for the kids to sit on - children's privilege.

We were wooed by accordian music for the ten minute wait, and lights out, the performance began. We got to see all the cast members, who lined up in costume before the puppet stage (which I'm sure it has a technical name), playing some small instrument before filing out to allow the puppets to take over. Sweet harmonica solo, tophat velvet man.

The puppets were great. According to the literature, there was a cache of puppets found in a Czech church, no history of how or when these puppets ended up here. They were dated to be about 100 years old. We had Faust, his servant, his servant's servant who provided the comic relief. A brief appearance of a tiny angel and tiny devil as Faust's conscience, many devils of all sizes, a couple of aquatic creatures and a dog. A royal couple (is it me, or did the queen look an awful lot like the late Princess Diana? Maybe I've been watching too much CNN lately) and an awesome cast of couriers.

The performance was wonderfully energetic, the voices of the devils and

Queens library

the Forest Hills branch

I never gave much thought to the Queens library. I thought they were being clique-y by trying to distinguish themselves from the NY Public Library. And besides, I'm still in denial that I live in Queens, so I shouldn't have any real use for the Queens library.

So prompted by a positive NY Time article (yes I still read the damned thing) about the library, I mentioned it to DH who, after living here this whole time, has never bothered to mention it to his geeky bookish wife, and actually claimed that the Forest Hills branch is kinda nice, or comfortable, or something acceptable like that. It's not too far from us, so I applied for a library card, was thrilled when it arrived a week later, and promptly went down to the branch to check it out (and gather some business-type books).

The library is short. Not the building itself, but the shelves inside, are low and you can see over them. It's odd. Open. Small, like we are all little children. It's a tad confusing for the newcomer, as you enter to face a long check out-type counter with lots of people sort of busy on both sides of it. Then you see big spaces both to the right and left, filled with the child-sized library shelves. I go right, looking for the business section. I am not to expect a huge selection, given this is not the main branch, and given the thin state of inventory of the many major chain stores across the Boulevard in "town". I find the business section finally, gather a couple of books I need and am directed back over to the counter by the entry way.

Okay, here is the coolest part. So I get the attention of one of the people on the official looking other side of the counter, tell her it's my first time here and she patiently shows me how to use the utterly awesome cool checkout system. One of the best self-checkers so far! You line up all the books, face up, as well as your library card on this huge scanning slab on the counter. It's big, I mean really big. And with one touch of a button, it scans everything, all at once. Out pops your receipt, and voila. You're done. In, like, 5 seconds. Wow. So cool! So simple! So fast! Did I miss something? Whose amazing invention was this??

Another interesting thing to note - they have plastic bags for your books, like grocery bags only a tad nicer. I thought it odd since one - I've never ever seen bags to carry your books out in any of the libraries I'v ever been to in my whole entire geeky bookish life, and two - it did seem a bit odd in this current ecologically-conscious, "lessen your footprint!" environment. Odd. I did not take one. Not sure how I feel about it. If you're buying your books, then yes I believe you are entitled to a plastic bag in which to carry your brand new unsoiled purchase. But to borrow books? Odd.

Kang Suh, Korean BBQ

located in Koreatown,
1250 Broadway, on 32nd and Broadway.

It is one of the most disappointing things to see a good restaurant go downhill. Such was the disappointment last night when we brought some out of town friends to Kang Suh for their first Korean barbecue experience. Our choice of Kang Suh was not an accident, as we had dined here a couple of times in the past and had an excellent experience with delicious food and more than adequate portions.

Last night's experience suggested that the restaurant reduced all portions by a third. We ordered the usual seafood scallion pancake, and order of beef and shrimp barbecues (even doubled up on each for the six of us, as the waitress suggested), plus the yuk hwe (Korean version of beef tartar) and added a serving of vegetarian shumai. The food came as usual, in this sudden blur of dishes and unfamiliar sides that fought for space on the wide table; out came the pancake served just as the meat began sizzling in the middle of the table spread atop the barbecue pan. We ate with the usual frenzy, though trying to keep up some semblance of social talk.

Rather than miniature slabs of meat, our barbecuing beef was thin and shredded, and entirely inappropriate for barbecuing. The shrimp was adequately sized, but the yuk hwe, as well, was thinner than the usual. The number of side dishes (banchan) was also skimpy, and a lot less variations than usual.

Last time we were here, the two of us had to wait a good 20-30 minutes for a table. This time the six of us were seated immediately, and for 8pm on a Saturday night, that's practically unheard of, until you notice that the restaurant was much less crowded than before. We found out why. Next time we're going with the other blog reviews and recommendations, and going with Shilla or some of the others down 32nd Street.

Zipcar

First heard about this service when I was living in Boston just before moving to NYC, but I had a car at the time, and did not need it. Thought it was a cool idea, though. Fast forward seven years later, I'm not only living in NYC but have moved to the more sensible bourough of Queens. Still need a car though. The husband came with a car, (a fun little white jeep to be exact) but that was bartered off for more necessary items. So we find ourselves in the suburbs, without a car. And it sucked. Borrowing the in-law's car worked sometimes, but when you have plans and they have plans, they trump you.

So, Zipcar to the rescue. Signed up at the beginning of the month, and have used it three times already, borrowing a Honda Element, a Scion (what maker?), and today a Toyota Prius.

The good things: damned convenient, and they have cars in lots all over the damned place. I like the choice of cars you have, kind of like a sample tasting, or like having a wardrobe for various occasions - the mountaineer, the furniture mover, the eco-conscious tree hugger, the sexy zippy hipster, the yuppie (those still exist?). I like the ease with which one can select a car and see what is available in any location. I like the option of borrowing cars in various major cities with a single membership. I like the switch from hourly to daily rates based on whichever is less. I like the card system, I like the gas card included (once you figure it out). I like how my application, done and submitted online, was finished and approved in record time of like 10 minutes, maybe less, and how I got to just head on into Manhattan to pick up my card that very day rather than waiting for it to get to me via snailmail. By golly, I like an awful lot of things about this service!

The bad: Not a lot so far. Uhm, the cleanliness is.... what is expected in a community car. It's not sparkling clean, and the Honda Element had definitely whiffs of wet dog (and the dog hair) when we picked it up. And it's not exactly the bargain we thought it would be, easily spending $60-100 per use. Once upon a time I thought the mileage was unlimited, and now there is a 180 mile cap on what's included, but can you blame them I guess with the wacked out gas prices and all? What's also terrible is the temptation to use it more than necessary, and watching your wallet bleed because of it. I mean, if you need it in NYC, chances are anywhere you want to go is about an hour out, making it two hours round trip, then calculate the time spent at desired location is minimum an hour or two, and if you're not luck, you've got to figure in traffic time... so yeah, it adds up.