Daytime TV Watching

READY FOR TV

This is Liam talking.  Every now and then I take over my eponymous blog and exercise my writing chops. I fancy myself a bit like Enzo, narrator of the popular book, soon to be movie The Art of Racing in the Rain.
http://www.garthstein.com/arr/ 
We have mentioned Enzo in a previous blog.   Guess what?  Enzo is creeping up to becoming a popular boy's name.  Watch out Jayden, Josh,and  Jacob.
Enzo watches the Weather Channel, National Geographic and Car Racing. Not me. I am a Channel 7 boy.

Carol turns on Channel 7 at 9AM for Regis and Kelly.  The TV stays on all day for me.  Carol's retirement life is busy so she may be in and out and wants me to feel engaged and to have something to watch if I choose.  I do love Regis and Kelly.  Rachael Ray is up next at10AM and is fine, though I cannot eat most of what she makes.  My parents are strict about human food, none for me, except popcorn on Fridays.  The View is a blast-love watching the women.  We have some news at 12 Noon and at 12:30 PM, Meredith Viera, on Millionaire. I am in love with her.

LIAM WATCHING THE MORNING WOMEN

At 1PM, we have All My Children.   Carol loves AMC. From what I understand, she has been a fan since its start in 1970.  The soap right after is One Life to Live. Same deal, long time fan- since 1968.  I don't think she watched consistently while going to college or working at SSA.  But she seems to have caught up.

AFTERNOON SOAPS

Anyway, both shows are leaving TV within the next few months.   The plots have gotten downright confusing. The twists that have ensued since the cancellation announcements are just confounding.  There are now two Erica Kanes on All My Children.
Yes. Maybe a second Emmy for Susan Lucci, the actor who has played Erica since day one. If Susan Lucci is playing two people that should count as double credit.  Apparently, a woman named Jane has had herself physically remade into Erica Kane and Erica is being held captive while Jane lives Erica's life in the real world.  Another development is that some long time actors have left so other actors just appear as them and I am supposed to believe they are the same!!  It is hard enough for a dog to follow human interactions and the complexities of their relationships without having new people with the same name but different faces show up.

The next show at 2PM,  One Life to Live,  is even more convoluted and outsane* lately. There are two Todd Mannings, a triple personality-Jess, Bess and Tess and her mother with a double personality, Viki and Niki.  I know all this doubling up, tripling up, and disappearing and reappearing are because of the nearing end of both shows.  I am not sure what the writers are thinking, but they had the smarts to name a new baby boy character, Liam.  I have a front row seat in the living room and pillows in which to bury my face or turn when it becomes too much for me.

SOMETIMES I TURN AWAY

 We are in the middle of a heat wave so I really do not mind being inside the cool house.

IS DOCTOR PHIL ON YET?

For now my daily job is to watch, learn and pass the day.  During the heat wave I must not do anything strenuous, I must keep hydrated and I must keep my body temperature down. I can accomplish all these things by watching the Channel 7 lineup.  I am never left alone for longer than 6 hours, as Carol is a quasi stay at home Mom.

WHERE IS OPRAH?

I heard that they might continue the two cancelled Soap shows on the Internet. I have trouble using the IPAD and PC and Blackberry and Kindle. I am no longer a puppy, so I have no urge to chew these devices but they are not dog friendly.  I have paws and I cannot grip the stylus they offer to big pawed humans, so I will not be following on the Internet should they continue there.

Maybe HGTV, OWN or Food Network.

WHAT CHANNEL IS OWN?

 *a new Huntington Beach, California word, meaning not quite insane, just charmingly wacky.
Woof, woof

West Side, we had a Lot on Tap this day

DREAMING OF A CITY TRIP

It was once wild. or at least not a hanging out type of area.  There was meat. And they packed it.  Then followed all sorts of sordid illegal activities, as well as some sordid legal ones. Different type of meat packed in. Dangerous times.

PORK AND BEEF PRODUCTS 2011

It became a trendy, upscale place, fashion setting area. And they still pack meat.
Have a virtual walk.
http://www.nyc.com/visitor_guide/meatpacking_district.75871/editorial_review.aspx

This is our restaurant week destination-

Fig and Olive
.http://www.figandolive.com/menu/meatpacking/

VIEW ON 13TH STREET-THREE DOORS UNDER UMBRELLAS

A light fresh open layout (just like they love on HGTV)

INSIDE FIG AND OLIVE-VIEW FROM OUR TABLE

Breads
little rectangular breads, each  infused with spices, and pieces of tasty somethings.

OLIVE OIL AND BREADS

$24.07 for most, not for us, because we wash it down and toast health, retirement, birthdays requiring several full glasses of this full bodied red wine
Wine

OUR FULL BODIED WINE

Appetizer 

AVOCADO SOUP

And our meals, main

HALIBUT ON A BED OF CHEWY WONDROUS THINGS

desserts and the one that tricked us, 2nd -thought it was cappuccino

CROSTINI /STRAWBERRIES, MASCARPONE,

CHOCOLATE POT DE CREME

And next we climb up the stairs at Ganesvoort to the beginning of the High Line.

ENTRANCE TO HIGH LINE ON GANSEVOORT and then the High Line  http://www.thehighline.org/newand a new part section 2

SEE EMPIRE STATE PEEKING UP

people feel safe above the roaring avenues below and are surrounded by railroad tracks with indigenous vegetation

And at the end -A Beer Garden! Named  The Lot on Tap and it really was just an empty lot a month or two ago
seehttp://www.thehighline.org/the-lot

A LOT ON TAP

and readers it will only be here this summer of 2011.
We had a cold, refreshing, golden, summery brew after a steamy, breezy High Line trek to the new end at 31st.   We actually climbed down at 30th to the Beer Garden. Thanks to Top Chef, Tom Colicchio, woo hoo
http://www.zagat.com/buzz/first-look-tom-colicchio%E2%80%99s-lot-on-tap-now-open-under-the-high-line

LIAM SOAKS IN THE SUN PRIOR TO HOUSE ARREST

Liam stays home. I get him ready by a sun soak.  Then a little play with Wolfie- Then  the wait.

WHERE IS THE FIG AND OLIVE?

And more waiting No dogs allowed on High Line, nor in Fig and Olive

AND  WHAT IS THE HIGH LINE?
Liam  in the AC at home

I WANT A BEER, SOUNDS GOOD IN THE LOT ON TAP

Woof, Woof

Parking Lot Dangers

LIAM WAITING

Parking lots can be dangerous places.
I have seen many accidents, been in a few, and just escaped some. You have the people who walk behind you as you are backing out. Or open their doors into you as you walk by. The most common happening is the one of two people backing out at the same time and whack, smash,  hit each other.
and that is our story for this week-one of backing out and backing off.
I am just out of the Apple store in Manhasset, their parking lot full of frenetic energy, I think the energy is buzzing from the Apple store itself, which is a place of personnel in royal blue, no papers, pens, pencils, just  devices-a whir and blur of anxiety and efficiency and confusion and wonder.   I am done with my visit and back in my car.

I am backing out and have looked both ways several times.  I am good to go. All of a sudden, a woman is jumping at my passenger window. "What is wrong with you?  Didn't you hear me honking?"  First question- not easy to answer.  A lot is wrong with me.  I'll take the second one. I can answer that. "No. Did not hear you honking."  I look and our car rears are almost touching. We have backed out into each other just about.  The woman is really angry. I know I have to take the opposite attitude and not match her anger.  I have to back off.  She is confused by my passivity. I say, "I am sorry."  Her rage evaporates. She advises, "Maybe you should turn off your radio."  That is not the problem.  And I decide to explain the problem to her. I will tell you first. The problem is my hearing aids.  I have them so that I can hear better, but in the car they have static. In both ears I have crackling fireplace-like noise.  I pull one out to show her. Immediately, she becomes a different person.  "Oh, I am sorry, you cannot hear."  I say, "I can hear, just not with my hearing aids in."
As I am saying this, I realize the oxymoronic nature of this statement http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/oxymoronand I go from eyes filled with tears to the urge to laugh out loud.   I have hearing aids so I will hear honking but cannot because my car causes static in them and I cannot hear.  I promise her I will call my audiologist and I vow to remove them when driving. We part on friendly terms. As she returns to her car, another woman drives in the wrong way and nearly hits her.  The wrong way driver is chastised by a fourth woman (who has been watching our encounter),   "You are coming in  the wrong way."   Now those two have an exchange.
Whew, I am out of the limelight.  My woman then backs out first, And I follow. We enter the exiting traffic lane. She on the right,  I am on the left. We have a red light, and wait side by side.  As we wait, a car starts backing up into her on her passenger side and she begins honking at him. First man to enter the fray. As the light turns green, I pass by and turn left, leaving her screaming at her new Nemesis.

WHERE IS THE APPLE STORE?

Note to self. Do not wear hearing aids when driving.
Park far away from store.

IS IT THIS WAY?

Liam waits at home. He knows I went to the Apple store.

SO TIRED OF WAITING

 Woof, Woof

Bugs and Birds

BUG  WATCH

Liam and I are outside.   I have not been out as often as I would like because there are mosquitoes here in New Hyde Park that seem to be the most tenacious and blood thirsty on Long Island. I know this because they bite us and the bites last a week or two. Also because our town documents infestations in several newsletters with dire warnings of Lyme disease. There is a mosquito report link for New Hyde Park, sort of like the pollen, and sunburn indices.
We will check this before even venturing out for some sitting.http://www.accuweather.com/us/ny/new-hyde-park/11040/outdoor-living.asp?type=mosq
If it is not 1 or 2 I should wear netting.

But we are out.  Liam is guarded with his monthly dose of Frontline.  I have not sprayed myself with Bug Off.  Liam will try to lick it and poison himself.  Its ingredients are so strong that nail polish comes off, and affects any reading material by sliming the words off the page, shorting out electronic devices as well as making  wine glasses precarious to hold.  To coat oneself with bug poison probably gives you another future health problem. So I just cover up with clothes.  What is the point of having a yard if you cannot use it?
I have two books, Kindle, BB, camera, NY Times, USA Today, Time magazine, AARP mag and reading glasses.  The birds are out and the planes are zooming overhead at the rate of one every 5 minutes

  All okay.

LISTENING FOR BUZZING BUGS

I have my wine covered.  Liam is on alert.  He hears bug buzzes way before me. My new hearing aids have a quirky side effect.  I now hear the lightning bugs when they light up- I get a static like an old radio-guess their light is electricity-which really is so disappointing because that is the one bug that turns on for you so you know it is there. AKA as firefly, moon bug etc.http://www.firefly.org/common-names-of-fireflies.html

We stay out.   No bites.  Nothing.  Where are the bugs?  The solars come on having soaked up enough sun during the day to delight us at night.
Last plane twinkling by in the sky

SO WEARY

Safe for tonight. Sleepy. Unbitten.

ONE LAST LOOK

Woof, Woof

Weighing in on Father's Day

DON'T WEIGH ME-IT'S FATHER'S DAY

We do not like weighing in.  Liam and me.  His is every Sunday.  Mine Friday when I feel okay with the numbers.  He hates it.  He has no choice. He is a dog. I know how he feels. Paul announces "Liam, weigh- in time"  Paul pulls out the scale which is upstairs.  The sound of it sliding out from under its resting place releases immediate panic in Liam.   Liam will run to me, run down

I AM OUTTA HERE

the stairs and out the door if we let him.   He will then roll on his back. He knows that picking a dog up when he/she  is on his/her back is virtually impossible

TRY TO PICK ME UP, HAHA

Paul does not share our aversion to the scale.  He will climb on it with shoes, belted  heavy jeans, with glasses, shirt, even with full pockets.  I will take off everything even my contact lenses to lower the number on the scale.  Poor Liam is weighed with his collar and all his heavy tags. Paul weighs himself with Liam then without.  He announces the number.  Liam's ideal weight is 33.5 and he maintains it very well.   If it is near 35 pounds we all know that the next week's treats have to be decreased.

However, this Sunday is Father's Day. Paul is not thinking of the weigh- in. We are dining with friends at Crabtree's in the early evening and  Liam is part of the celebration. He will be visited before the outing by our friends.

It has been a scary weekend for  Little Liam.  Friday's ferocious thunderstorms boomed through the area,
accompanied by blinding white yellow lightning.  There were two rounds that night around dusk. Then Saturday night we had fireworks from the carnival nearby.   These noises went on for a good 25 minutes.  I had to hold onto Liam like a human thundershirt-I thought "how could his heart beat so fast and still go on?"  Then all was calm and we had a sleeping dog, which we let lie.   Paul covered him with my robe for comfort.

AFTER THE STORM

Revenge of Liam
But after these unpleasant events in his dog life, Liam awoke Sunday as devil dog.   His energy was at a very high level as was his leaping.  His voice was heard early and insistently.   Liam has a very deep powerful bark.  Maybe pent up emotions from two fright nights?

Our first visitors stopped by about 12 noon.  Liam  body slammed  Paul's brother, nephew, and Daddy Paul. Nephew hid in the car and Liam was put out to the backyard.

LIAM PUT OUT IN YARD

Later our friends from California stopped by pre-dinner to say Hi!  I had texted them to expect one joyful Liam jump after which we could all relax and visit. I envisioned a leisurely sit down in the living room and a walkabout, maybe a mini house tour ( I had hidden away my woman cave items)  Maybe some home improvement suggestions from a devout skilled Habitat for Humanity builder friend, guitar solos.and songs from a Carnegie Hall alumna, a tour of my art collection, and look at my unique garden with withered roses dedicated to my mother ending with some slipping and sliding on our mossy covered pavers-all this in 45 minutes or so before our leaving for dinner.  As this was going on-a surprise Oprah crew would drop in-I am sure O is just looking for such an event for her OWN network.  http://www.oprah.com/own
And a spread in the next O magazine-an article entitled something like "friends visit on a summer night on way to festive dinner." 

Oh what a fantasy.
Reality bites.

Liam jumped, leaped, ran, butted (all with love of course) hid in the bushes and topped it all off with his famous Liam licks.   The projectile force he exhibited and delivered to our guests and to us could have done serious damage. All the recipients were spared lasting injury. I was pretty thoroughly mortified by his behavior which I feel reflects on my failure as a trainer, mother, manager, life coach and host.
We left for our dinner and a backward glance revealed a very content, still, silent  Liam.

The Sunday weigh-in is put off till next week. I am not feeling so sorry for him now. Get out that scale!

I BETTER NOT EAT TOO MUCH

 Woof, Woof

Belmont Steaks

LIAM HOWLING "NEW YORK, NEW YORK"

Start spreading the news....... It was Saturday, June 11, 2011 and Paul and I were on the way home from NYC. It was only 2PM but we were racing to get home to set up for the Belmont, the last race of the Triple Crown- It was not a summery walking around NYC day as it was drizzly and cool, so we decided to come home after only a 2 hour NYC visit.
Our bets were in and one of us was going to win.  Paul asked, "you watch Belmont Stakes?"   What kind of question is that, I am thinking?   Is he ordering me to watch? I say, "that is the plan, we are watching the Belmont."  No, He says, "to eat"  I now think he must have said  "You want Belmont Steaks?" Good one.
Oh,  how clever, I love the play on words-is that what they call a homophone?  Words that sound alike, are spelled different and may have different meanings like steak/stake.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homophone   Paul is homophoning me.
"No,  you misheard,"  he explained,  "not steak/stake."  I said, "you want Belmont snacks?"  Oh, well yeah, I'll take both-steaks (with apologies to veggie friends) and snacks.  Sometimes my hearing loss works out.

With a little teamwork, we got our supplies, steaks and snacks and wine and beer.  Liam had his Kong stuffed toys.

LIAM'S STEAKS

The pack of three was good to go  And we were off!

MY HORSE IS MASTER OF HOUNDS

I had bet Master of Hounds, my Irish horse from the Derby. Liam's pick also-hound bets on hound. Paul had Nehro. The smart handicappers said that one of the following 5 horses would win - Shackleford. Master of Hounds, Animal Kingdom, Mucho Macho Man or Nehro.  We were counting our winnings. I always bet "place" so I know I am a winner, as I have two chances.  Woo hoo.

It was a puddly, squishy muddy track.
Good thing-they did away with the "live" singer and brought Frank back for his iconic rendition of New York, New York. 
New York  Empire State of Mind was booed loudly last year and was not invited back.


Master of Hounds had the #1position, not good. But he just  made the trip from Ireland so this should be nothing. I mean, after a full body scan what is a romp around the track?
None of the top "five" horses finished in the top three. Ruler on Ice won.  Pretty colors. It is just how it goes in racing.  All the top three horses had Long Island connections, which is nice. Some guy even went to Chaminade HS like a friend of ours.
First year in many that neither one of us has won.  Liam was also shut out. He had all his Kong stuffings on Master of Hounds.
Post race, Liam tired of his doggie treats and hung around looking for some steak.

STEAK, I WANT IT, GIVE ME SOME

I explained to him that steak is bad for him, that we ourselves seldom eat it.  He finally gave up and turned his back on us.

NO STEAK, NO PLAYING

 Next Year.

WELL, MAYBE SOME SQUIRRELS ARE RACING

Woof, Woof, New York, New York!!!!!!!!!!!!!