Bromance at Home

And tell me, who do you love?

Who do you love?

Who do you love?

Who do you love?

Who do you love?

1956-Ellas McDaniel by Bo Didley

LIAM WITH HIS TEDDY FRIEND-JUST PALS NO BROMANCE

Bromance seems like a new term, charmingly applied to the relationship between the male leads of the film, The King's Speech- Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush.

A friendship between two men defined. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bromance    

Not so new, though.   In this link is a quote attributed to that philosopher, teacher, smart person -Aristotle. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristotle%27s

In 300 B.C. he wrote:
"It is those who desire the good of their friends for the friends' sake that are most truly friends, because each loves the other for what he is, and not for any incidental quality."

So we have Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Sherlocke Holmes and Watson, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, George Clooney and every guy and Paul and Liam.  Liam and I are alone together (you get what I mean, love oxymorons) a lot of the time.  Liam is always where I am. Upstairs, downstairs, couch, chair, yard.   However, when the three of us are in the house, it becomes the pack of the two boys.

The pack of two sit on the couch

PACK OF TWO

watch sports and generally wish me gone. If I attempt to join in Liam taps Paul with his paw

LIAM'S PAW TAPPING PAUL

"That woman is here"

I understand exactly how Helena Bonham Carter felt in the filming of "The King's Speech."   She took a back seat to the Colin/Geoffrey bromance.  In a very mature and loving way, she acknowledged that their bromance enhanced the film, their collective experience as a threesome as well as ours as an audience.  The  interview on Piers Morgan's show has a clip of the two men showing obvious affection and respect

http://www.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/01/27/firth.piers.morgan/index.html

I will take Helena's cue, and support the pack of two bromance at home.
How can I be anything but supportive of such a time honored tradition?

Liam and Paul

MUST BE THE METS-NO SMILES

Woof, Woof

Where Does Liam Sleep?

SLEEPING DOG

A question came up at dinner recently.  Where does Liam sleep?  As we looked at the questioner, Paul's brother,  we realized he was sitting in one of Liam's favorite sleeping spots.  Before he and our sister-in-law  arrived, we had converted Liam's lair back to a guest chair, by moving his bed from the chair. Add dog and the guest chair (my favorite spot also) returns to Liam's bed after the evening festivities.

DOG IN GUEST CHAIR

The beds of Liam vary according to time of day, and where his parents are.  the living room couch can be a bed , the plaid towel upper left is his perch for watching squirrels

DOG IN A BALL

DOG WITH PILLOWS AND BLANKETS

GEORGIA DAWG

as can the love seat and the den couch where I sleep, facing either way and always on or covered by his favorite blankets

or the upstairs bed where Paul sleeps

or the upstairs lounger used when I am on the computer

DOG ON UPSTAIRS BED

DOG UNDER A CROW WHEN I AM ON PC

HOT DOG IN FRONT OF HOT AIR VENT

and possibly Liam's favorite spot-in front of the hot air vent-good for a few winks especially during those luxurious moments when the first blasts of heat are shooting forth.


Woof, Woof

Appalling Apostrophe

Definition
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostrophe
A flying comma?  An eyelash   One half of a quote, A small right side parenthesis? Bottom half of a semi colon?  A very misunderstood little wisp of punctuation that unleashes passionate opinions in the writing world.

IS THAT AN APOSTROPHE ON THE LEFT? NO, A SUN ARROW

The ads started the week before the weekend of it.  The weekend and the day when we now celebrate two presidents. They would be Washington and Lincoln.  And what they share in addition to a mandated birthday is that nemesis of all punctuation, misused, misunderstood and debated, the apostrophe.
I know I whine about it every year. Thing is, I still do not know the correct answer.about its use for this Presidential celebration.
  
Here is the online ad I received from CVS : Carol, Presidents' Week Savings! Up To $20 Off.  http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/user/home/home.jsp the apostrophe is after the word Presidents.

and from Macy's- no Apostrophe- Presidents Day Sale: 
extra 15% off petite  looks + Free Shipping!

http://www.macys.com/
and at Eddie Bauer, apostrophe before the "s"
at Edie Bauer www.eddiebauer.  President's Day Clearance! Four Days Only.


Googling shows a lot of variation and justifiable explanations for using the apostrophe before the "s"  and after, as well as just forgetting the apostrophe.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Where_is_the_apostrophe_in_presidents_day

and my research has added to my knowledge in an unexpected way- we had two names ending in "s" in my nuclear family, Charles, and Lois.

I always thought that the possessive of a Proper name ending in s was like this  Charles' car, Lois' home.  No,
Charles's car, Lois's home.  per this website http://www.davis.k12.ut.us/ffjh/thompson/apostro/nrules.htm

The way I see it now, for me the best way out of all this is the car of Charles, The home of Lois and the day on which we celebrate the birthdays of Lincoln and Washington. Those Presidents of the United States.

IS THAT AN APOSTROPHE TO THE LEFT? NO A SUN DOT

THAT'S LIKE IT! TO THE LEFT OF MY FOOT

That is why the blog is Liamlicks.   Avoiding the problem of  Liam's Licks. or Licks of Liam.

Actually if we eliminated the use of the apostrophe or the apostrophe's use, we all would still get what the writer is saying.   There are groups advocating just that.

ANY APOSTROPHES NEXT DOOR?

RUNNING

Liam just wants the discussion to end and runs and hides

AND HIDING

   Woof Woof

GoDaddy girl

MOMMY CAROL, A GO DADDY GIRL?

I had to rent a car.   Sawyer was under the weather with a non-weather related injury.  Yes, Sawyer was injured on a sunny, dry, bitterly cold day- 1/24/11- no precip-distinguished by being the coldest day of the winter so far.

SAWYER- MUCH WORSE THAN IT LOOKS

The number 24 is so big in my life that I should always be on alert when that day of the month rolls around.

I bring Sawyer in to Nuzzi Collision, say goodbye and walk down to Enterprise. Yes, I know their motto is "We pick you up" and they wanted to but since it is only a short walk I thought it would take longer for them to come than for me to walk.  By the time my driver would cross Jericho Turnpike, wait for lights and attempt to see around blackened snow mountains, I would be there. 

I arrive- a quick 4 minute walk. I had told them my car is a Ford Focus and my previous car was a Saturn so that they would get the proper idea of me as a driver.  I am led out to the snow rimmed lot and shown my car, a Mazda, a sort of light midnight blue color- an oxymoronic description,   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxymoron   I know, light seeming contradictory to midnight?-but a light midnight blue is what it is

A LIGHT MIDNIGHT BLUE MAZDA RENTAL

I am informed of the scratches and assured they are recorded and will not be attributed to me.  I sign a million places, full name, initials. Thankfully, the Enterprise agent leaves to return to the office. I feared that if he watched me drive off, I would be self-conscious, lose my nerve, crash into something on the way out. Okay, I have my rental car. It is the right size. I get in; have a wee bit of trouble with the shift as it requires hard aggressive pulling to change gears and I have to go from left to right and back. See pic following

THE SHIFT AREA

The control panel looks like something an astronaut might have to master.  I locate the radio, the heat and the side mirror controls. That is all I need.  I step on the gas and pull out of the lot to the street.  As I pick up speed, a noise erupts.   It builds fast and becomes so loud it is as if a jet plane is riding with me.  As I slow down for a stop sign,  it goes away.  Encouraged, I start up again. It is back.  I look at the cars to my left and right. Do they hear my big noise?  I am mortified.   Make it stop.  How?  Is the car going to blow up?

I know I have to return to Enterprise. There is no driver's manual in the car.  

It is a 2010 Mazda 3. It says so on the key-a 2010 car should not have problems yet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda3  There is a lit up "M" on the dashboard, I assume its purpose  is to proclaim its Mazdaness.   

THE GLOWING 'M'

Mazda, I think you should not be so proud of yourself -flashing your big "M"

After a high anxiety trip back to the rental office, fearing an explosion all the way (yes, I know- why did I stay in the car). I reenter the Enterprise office. By this time, I have tears in my eyes as I believe I have just beaten death. I explain the issue to the agent who immediately says, "I know what it is."  We go out to the car.  He explains that My Mazda is a sports car.  That the shift is made for those who like the feel of the stick shift and the feel of controlling the car.  It is meant to be a "hard" shift.   There are two drive settings. The right is regular drive, shown by the "D" see next pic

THE CORRECT DRIVE

the left is manual drive, shown by the "M"  Oh the "M" is not for Mazda-it is for manual. 

I ask him if I look like a sporty gal, thinking of the "Go Daddy.com ads from the Super Bowl.  http://videos.godaddy.com/girls.aspx  

DANICA PATRICK-GO DADDY GIRL

He laughs. "I should have told you." "You mean if I just put the shift to the right all will be okay?" He says, "Yes." 

You may be wondering how I am going to work my beloved Liam into this blog story.  Well, here is the LiamLink.  Two years ago, I bought the LiamLicks domain name from GoDaddy.com. Yes, we own it.  Never developed it, just pay the yearly ownership fee of $11.99.  In my fantasy, I am a Go Daddy girl representing Liam.  Someday there might be a LiamLicks.com website.  I believe that the Enterprise agent saw that Go Daddy girl in me when he gave me this sporty Mazda coupe. 

And I did adjust.  I got to like its ride and look.

This experience has shown me I can be a sports car type, a Go Daddy Girl.

I'LL WAIT FOR SAWYER TO COME HOME

Liam says he'll wait for Sawyer to return from the hospital for his next ride.  Woof, woof

She Loves You

       -------The Beatles
She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah
She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah

GOT MILK?  LIAM WITH SOME SNOW FROSTING

She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
She would be me.
and you would be Liam.

I now deeply understand the feelings expressed by the author, Caroline Knapp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caroline_Knapp  

in her book:

"Pack of Two 

The Intricate-Bond Between People and Dogs"

http://www.doggonegood.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=8283&ParentPage=sale

MY COPY OF "PACK OF TWO"

I did not "get" a lot of what she talked about before I adopted Liam.  I have had the book for many years. It was published in 1999, I bought it soon after and adopted Liam in 2008.  I am a fan of all Ms. Knapp's books, her writing- elegant, honest, and funny with astute observations and brave and sad revelations.
But here I am rereading her book a decade later, knowing its truth for me now.
In the prologue of "Pack of Two, two sentences, non concurrent, now apply to me.

I am sleeping with a dog.

I have fallen in love with my dog.

We adopted Liam 1/1/08.  New Year's Day.  Before that day, I was not a "dog person."  I never owned a dog, or spent much time around dogs.
Oh,  I listened to the dog stories, received the doggie Holiday cards, and watched the Westminster Dog show. I had little understanding of this dog world.  Dog people allow their dogs to sit on the furniture, they kiss their dogs, they talk to them and some pretend to be their dogs talking back to them.
I veered away when encountering a dog and owner on a walk. When visiting friends with dogs I tolerated their dog's attention (barely)

SEARCHING FOR THAT SQUIRREL

After Liam joined our family, the world  was a different place. Now there were three of us.  I understand it all now.
I send Holiday cards with Liam's picture signed from all three of us.  Liam also receives his own cards.
I talk to Liam and pretend I am talking as Liam.
We call ourselves Mom and Dad.
Liam reads with me.
He sits on any and every piece of furniture.

LIAM PERUSING "JUST KIDS"

HIS CHAIR

HIS COUCH

Liam sleeps with Paul in the winter and me in the summer.
I am drawn to anyone who is walking a dog.  I love visiting homes with dogs.

OUTSIDE TOY

I am mesmerized by his play.  By his joy, in a toy. I have taken hundreds of pix.

 TOY MID AIR

WILD EYED PLAY

I am now a dog person. I get it.

In describing the connection that occurs in the moments upon returning home to her dog Lucille, Caroline Knapp says:

"I have had Lucille for close to three years, but moments like that, my heart fills in a way that still strikes me with its novelty and power.  The colors come into sharp focus: attached, connected, joyful, us.  I adore this dog, without apology.  She has changed my life."

I can say the same with a pronoun changed to "he" and a name changed to "Liam."

ON MY  WAY OUT ON GO RED FOR WOMEN DAY 2/4/11

Happy Valentine's Day Liam.
 
Woof, Woof

In the snowiest January EVER-Liam escapes

LIAM WATCHING SQUIRRELS IN THE FRONT OF OUR HOUSE

Liam and I are outside in the snow. At home in New Hyde Park. He is chasing squirrels.   He prefers those in the front yard as they just hang out eating nuts in full view from our front windows.  Sort of taunting. Right now he is settling for those in the backyard trees.  I am doing some snow cleanup, poop pickup, recyclable transfers-inside can to outside can, ice melt sprinkling.  Liam has gone around the corner of the house out of my field of vision. About 5 minutes pass, then I hear the barking.  Distant but familiar.  Liam. How? His voice should be closer and not so insistent.  Quick check of the backyard -no Liam.   More barking.  I go out to the front, noting as I go that the driveway fence gate is closed.  I also glance up at the front door-also shut, both our new storm door and interior door forming a double barrier.  I reach the front of the driveway and turn towards the direction of the barking.  There he is, out front, off leash, barking, playing,  free, sniffing, burrowing into the tunnels the squirrels have made,

LIAM OUT FRONT

Greeting the school kids as they trek home.   "Liam, come here." He does. Why I do not know,  he never comes when I call.  I usher him back into the fenced yard and continue my outdoor chores, puzzling over how he got out.

Another 5 minutes.  Again the persistent barking.  Our mail carrier is coming up the driveway, followed by Liam. How the heck?  Liam is out again.  What is going on?
I accept my mail and push Liam back in through the driveway gate, again.

He heads out to the back, using the perimeter of the yard as his preferred route.

RUNNING ALONG THE PERIMETER

By doing so, he is out of sight for a bit.

GOING BEHIND THE TREES

I follow, camera in hand, I always have it ready.  He pops out on the side of the house and his actions proceed to reveal how he has been escaping.

LIAM SURFACING AT THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE

 The snow on this side of the house is now the same height as the fence. This must have just occurred with the last storm.  Our neighbor has been adding his excess snow to ours and now we have a mountain.   A mountain that is but a short climb for a curious dog intent on chasing squirrels in the front yard. I document Liam's escape.

CLIMBING UP

NEARING THE PINNACLE

MADE IT TO THE TOP

I meet him at the front and he willingly comes with me. Squirrel-less.

We call our shovelers.  We have to move this mountain away from the fence.  For $30 Liam's winter wooferland is demolished.  He returns to find level ground. 

MOUNTAIN GONE

He tries to reach the top but no success.

WHERE IS IT?

Maybe next storm.
 Woof Woof

Mesa Grill in the Winter Chill

Restaurant Week!  What about me?

Restaurant Week 2011  

Jan 24-Feb 6-lunch $24.07

/http://www.nycgo.com/restaurantweek/

We have to try to get to "the city." That would be Manhattan which is what New Yorkers call the island off Long Island.

Every time we have tried to do something winter's whimsy has whacked us- snow, wind, sleet, hail, drifts, unplowed streets, canceled trains, thundersnow, lightning, power failures, downed trees.....

It is Winter Restaurant Week in NYC and we need a pick me up. Our choice:

Mesa Grill.  Bobby Flay's signature restaurant. http://www.mesagrill.com/new-york-city-restaurant/
A New York boy who is a Food Network Iron Chef, has books, products, TV shows.   He brings heat-meaning he cooks Southwestern with chilies, peppers, curry all that-read about him
.http://www.bobbyflay.com/

Bobby Flay

Our winter apparel will protect us from the chill outside.

Maybe Bobby's lunch can heat us from inside.  Bring it on!

My train 11:39 AM to Penn

I leave in a snowstorm.  They are calling it a snow shower-that is when they do not want to commit to saying snowstorm.

I have figured a way to stay underground as long as possible by taking the LIRR to Penn, then subway #1 to Times Square, the S to Grand Central, then the #5 down to Union Square.  I never surface till the train pulls into Union Square and 14th Street. I am at Mesa Grill after a short walk through Union Square Park.  Not tricked this time by that hypotenusing Broadway.  Staying underground was key.

I check in.  I am first.  The place is buzzing with young suits, making business connections.

I text my fellow diners,  they are about a half hour away.   I take out my Kindle Life is good.

Everyone arrives.  So nice to meet, sit, toast, roast, laugh, and enjoy Bobby's food.   It does warm us from the inside. And he has picked a wine for us, a Shiraz

Mesa Grill Wine

Lunch-what we picked

Roasted Cauliflower Soup with poblano chiles, goat cheese+blue corn tortilla

Roasted Cauliflower Soup

Salmon Griddle Cake with Cilantro vinaigrette+Tomatillo salsa

Salmon Griddle Cake

Grilled Mahi Mahi with New Mexico Curry Sauce+creamy green chile rice

Grilled Mahi Mahi

Smoked Chicken Quesadilla -with Anaheim Chiles, Queso Oaxaca, Black beans+ toasted garlic créme fraiche

Smoked Chicken Quesadilla

Mexican Chocolate Pudding with Gingersnap crumble

Mexican Chocolate Pudding

A 2-hour sunny warm gathering of light, bright colors, noise, aromas, warm, hot

A brief respite from a tenacious wild winter that has now gifted us with some wacky thundersnow

Wednesday January 26, 2010 just one month after the Dec 26 blizzard-see link

January 26th, 2011 thundersnow

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/26/thundersnow-nyc-when-snow_n_814640.html

Liam in the thundersnow

Let me out

Liam by fence

Liam, snow swimming

it's official- 18 inches

Woof, Woof