kate's blog

testing out consolidating facebook and blog...

2010-02-16T15:30:00Z

miss updating my blog -- FB and Twitter take up all my time, but finally decided to try importing my blog. pardon my experiment if it gets annoying.

Costa Rica

2009-02-14T02:59:00Z

We are here! will have more updates later.

xmas 08

2009-01-01T21:54:00Z

Xmas '08!

Happy New Year to all! see pix below of our holiday in NC as well as in NYC

I Miss You Don

2008-12-19T04:51:00Z

Don Teller I don't know how to live my life without Don. We have been dear friends for 17 years and he was a constant in my life.

We met working together in a restaurant in Blowing Rock, NC.

Two of the most significant moments of my life involved Don:

1. He was the only one of my friends that had the balls to tell me my ex was, how shall I say, not my best choice. Because of that admission, I ended the relationship and found my true love, Alex. Alex, by the way, likes very few of my friends. But he loved Don. Whenever I would go on some rant about something or other, he would say, "Just call Don, please." He also saw how my face would light up every time I saw his name show up on caller id.

2. The day my father died, my mother drove 3 hours to the restaurant where we were working (we were actually packing up the place after it was sold). She sought out Don first before seeing me, to tell him of the situation. My mother, similar to Alex, has not taken a liking to most of my friends. But she knew to go to Don first to inform him of the situation to ease the tragic blow I was about to receive. I spent the night in his arms crying, laughing, screaming. But most importantly, I was comforted. I cannot imagine going through any tragic moment without Don to hold me.

So, those were the doozies, but my favorite thing about our friendship was our silly ritual of calling each other on every holiday. It wasn't Thanksgiving, Christmas or Groundhog Day without a call from Don.

He was the person I could always call no matter what, when or why. There was never judgment, but there was always support, guidance and love.

I'll end this memo as Don and I ended every call we had, "I love you and miss you."

ELECTION 2008

2008-11-04T15:46:00Z

What an historic day. I hope everyone gets out to vote. We tried this morning, twice! but the line was so long that we'd still be waiting.

Having an election party tonight.. made Obama-logo sugar cookies and tons of other food.

Also, met Jon Bon Jovi yesterday -- he's such a cutie-pie.

obama/biden08!!!!!!

~k

Sunday, 2 November 2008

2008-11-02T16:02:00Z

# of days till election:2

# of days till new prez:78

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPG5wqscMjo

http://www.salon.com/mwt/broadsheet/2008/10/29/hockey_mom/index.html

tv guide mag sold for $1

2008-10-25T12:05:00Z

i'm a few days behind in reporting this.. but it still makes me laugh:

from www.foliomag.com/2008/tv-guide-sold-1 :

TV Guide owner Macrovision earlier this week said it agreed to sell the print edition of TV Guide to Beverly Hills, California-based investment firm OpenGate Capital. Terms were not disclosed at the time of the announcement, but according to SEC filings, OpenGate purchased the magazine for $1, less than half the cost of a single copy of the magazine.

As part of the financial terms, Macrovision will loan OpenGate up to $9.5 million at 3 percent interest. For now, Macrovision will keep TVGuide.com.

According to the most recent Publishers Information Bureau figures, ad revenue at TV Guide was mostly flat through the third quarter at $154.7 million, up 2.4 percent. Ad pages, however, were down 7 percent in comparison to the same period last year.

In its announcement, Macrovision identified the print magazine as business "not aligned with its core corporate strategy.” The company said its primary goal for the product is to consolidate “key technology assets, including the interactive program guides.”

In April, Gemstar-TV Guide stockholders approved the company’s merger with Macrovision Corporation, the Santa Clara, California-based digital software solutions firm that agreed last December to acquire Gemstar for $2.8 billion in cash and stock.

Buddy vs. Palin (according to Alex)

2008-10-24T00:56:00Z

buddy actually has a very extensive, complicated and prudent fiscal economic bailout plan including a stimulation package, middle class tax cuts, tax hikes for people making over $275Gs, a job retraining program, an alternative energy program, and a whole bunch of other special initiatives:

- free doggy bones for everyone (paid for by the gov't)

- health program (every U.S. citizen must own a dog and walk the dog 3-4 times outside for exercise)

- foreign policy "Budman" doctrine -- buddy will smell foreign leaders and decide whether they can be trusted. Works better than looking in their eyes to see their souls

- Supreme court - the first canine appointee to the Supreme Court is a guarantee. If Scalia gets out of line at any time, he gets chewed out -- literally

- Lobbyist reform package -- a pack of wild dogs will descend on Washington and have one order and one order only, smell a lobbyist -- attack until dead

Buddy was very specific about all of these policies. I'm going to be his campaign manager if he'll let me. He's really a tremendously smart beagle.

Wedding Annivesary in Poughkeepsie

2008-10-20T01:23:10Z

When I told people we were going to Poughkeepsie for our anniversary, everyone responded, "Why??"

The reason was that I wanted to get out of town, see fall leaves, relax, and not travel too far. And I'd never been up there.

Found a lovely Inn -- Inn at the Falls. 38 rooms with only 2 floors all facing a waterfall.

Took Friday, Oct 10 off and drove up. Only took 1 hr 15min to get there (Alex drives really fast). Chilled on Friday, had a teppanyaki dinner at O'Sho.

Saturday we have a lovely breakfast (in traditional bed&breakfast style) -- pastries, bagels, cereal, fruit, eggs, sausage. We sat on the porch overlooking the water for our morning treat.

Then we drove up to Hyde Park to see the Vanderbilt Mansion (Freddie's younger brother built the Biltmore House in NC, which is the largest house in the USA) and FDR's home. Also drove by the CIA (Culinary Institute of America). That evening we went to a fantastic dinner at Aroma Osteria.

On Sunday we drove around Vassar (where my good friends Jen & Merritt went to college) and up to Millbrook Vineyard.

Our Room:

view from room                                            our room (equipped w/ sweet flat-panel tv)

view from breakfast porch                        view of inn (reverse view of previous pic)

                                          beautiful houses in downtown Poughkeepsie

Vanderbilt Mansion

front of house                                 side of house                              back of house


gardens                         Holy Cross Episcopal Monastery - across the Hudson and view from the Vanderbilt Mansion
                                            He gave them 1/2 mill and his personal architect so not to "ruin his view"

FDR's Home


side of house                         front of house - taking down the flags     statue of the roosevelts


us on fdr's back porch                        us facing fdr's back porch   final resting place of frank & eleanor

the stable

mike easley on msnbc

2008-10-09T03:59:00Z

watching mike easley (nc gov) praising obama and saying that nc will vote dem this year. bout freaking time!!!!!

msnbc said nc has had the most negative ad campaigns in recent years, citing jesse helm's racist anti-gant ad from 1990 -- i campaigned for harvey gant. but did have my gant stickers removed from my car at app (those asses were in the minority of the school). point was if the candidates will use equally negative campaigns for this election.

i hope not.

speaking of that region -- barack was in asheville (western nc) while michelle was in eastern nc campaigning

come on nc -- pls vote obama!!!

my best photo ever

2008-10-08T02:52:00Z

there's no question...

Sabine (Ali's dog), Cleo, and the Budman, all in our pet crate!

September '08

2008-09-28T02:38:00Z

So, here are a few pix from the last month.

Started a new job at eScholastic (scholastic.com).

Hung out at Ali's apt right above us (but 1 apt over and she has a balcony).

Also celebrated Jen's bday, had brunch w/ the Chens and their beautiful baby girl and went to the flea market behind our apt and got some good finds (designer shoes, hat box, red champagne glasses). and received some very lovely gifts from our former neighbor, Heather (who passed away a few months ago) -- she left me a beautiful ink well and 2 oil lamps:

Labor Day '08

2008-08-31T20:56:00Z

I love my in-laws, but I have had more food than should be allowed by anyone!

We had bbq wings @ Firehouse on Thursday night w/ Alison, then Buddy, Al and I hit the road. Made pretty good timing.

Relaxed on Friday for Greggie's bday. Then had steaks on Friday night at KC Prime.

Then spent Saturday at Mercer County Park w/ the dogs.

Saturday night I had the best dinner ever -- at Za -- in Pennington, NJ

So, my mother-in-law must be trying to fatten me up for the kill, but after all that, we had a huge brunch at Rat's (worst name EVER for a restaurant. but pretty good). Had caviar and chilled vodka, crepes, fruit, pastries.

OY, my tummy hoirts.

Photos from the Grounds For Sculpture garden at the restaurant:

Chesapeake City, MD 8.22-8.24.08

2008-08-31T20:35:00Z

College roomie, Chris (who lives in Baltimore) calls me every year for my birthday. And every year she calls me on either the 14th or the 18th -- at least she remembers it's an even number.

We had originally planned to visit cousins Sally & Doug for my bday weekend, but Sally, being the Elvis fan that she is, had already made plans to have a girl's Elvis memorial weekend.

However, Chris drove up for the night.

We were supposed to leave NYC around noon. But Alex had to get his new fancy radio installed -- Sirius built-in, external antenna, cd, face-off, etc. Took till 4pm so we didn't get on the road until 4:30 on a Friday. We were a bit late, but as long as Alex has his car radio, that's all that matters (grrrrrr)

My Bday!

2008-08-17T17:51:00Z

This may have been the best bday ever. I had such a great time. Friday night, hung out w/ the newly-wedded Socas' -- played Monopoly (no idea ow many years it's been, but i still love that damn boardgame) and received gifts from Tanzania (African coffees) and Thailand (tapestry, scented soap carved into shape of a flower in wooden ball w/ momma and baby elephant metal top).

Then on my actual birthday, I kind of napped a lot. Then had dinner w/ Alex & Alison at Roth's steakhouse. Our waiter (and good friend), Justin, decided to be creative with the camera. Alison gave me a gorgeous bracelet and purse from Argentina (she already brought me a bottle of Argentinian wine, gave Alex Argentinian chocolates and a gift certificate to an local Argentinian restaurant (as thank you for taking care of her dog while she was away)).

And thank you to everyone for all the best bday wishes on my facebook page: www.new.facebook.com/reqs.php#/profile.php?id=523362700





(our freaky server, Justin .. we love him, but he's still a freak!)

Then we went to the park on Sunday for a picnic brunch:

Kate.. the SkateRat

2008-08-11T03:15:00Z

ok, not really. i haven't boarded since i was a kid.. i did some snowboarding in college (app is in a ski resort area and i worked at one of them -- hawk's nest w/ free passes and equipment) and up @ hunter mtn about 8 years ago. however, i do balance on the subway w/out holding onto a pole or door.

anyway, i had a client meeting and was dressed up -- power suit/pearls/stilettos. i've been thinking about getting a skateboard for awhile now. and after the meeting, i walk by a board shop.

walk in and say to this kid, "i want a skateboard." he shows me his favorite. i say "ok, i'll take it." he asks who it's for. i say me. he was in total shock, but then said, "cool"

boarding is more difficult than i remember. i got the balance going, but stopping has become an issue.

here's a pic of my boarding out behind our building. after alex took the shot, i tried to stop. i fell and board went flying into the drive and crashed. it wasn't damaged -- it's supposed to have a nick or two. however, my bum hurts. (click for larger image)

Mom Visit 7.17-7.22.08

2008-07-25T02:47:00Z

Flew mom up for her bday (5.13) and mother's day.

Had a lovely visit. Saw the in-laws for Dim Sum, she spent time w/ her good friend Kathleen.

Also got to see my cuz, Patrick -- who, btw, was recently promoted to the Asst General Manager of Porter House!! HUGE! Congrats, hon!

4th of July 2008

2008-07-25T02:34:00Z

Went out to NJ to the in-laws for the 4th. Been awhile since we've been out there b/c we've been wicked busy and the Goldens have been living in Paris for the last couple of months (Peter was teaching there as a guest lecturer).

So, was great to reconnect with the family. Leaving NYC on any Friday (hell, any day) is bad enough, but the night before a holiday starts is INSANITY. The Goldens were having a cook-out on Friday, July 4th and we had no need to go Thursday night. So had a leisurely Thursday evening and Friday morning, and set out on the NJ Turnpike around 1pm on the 4th. We flew down the 'pike. We were practically the only ones on the road.

4th of July @ the Golden household is pretty much the U.N.

The countries represented were as follows: Afghanistan, China, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, New Zealand, Russia, USA and of course the Jewish and Southern kind were also present.

We had a lovely visit!

Seeing best childhood friend!! june 3, 2008

2008-07-07T03:46:00Z

WOW. Thank the goddess for facebook. got a message the other day, saying, "KATE??? Is this really you? 5th Court?"

For those of you who do not know, i was born in HP hospital, but then 2 days later moved to my parent's home at 5th court, high point, nc. there was no one in a 10 year radius of my age in a mile radius.... until 1977.

that's when dustin moved in 3 doors up.

we instantly became best friends. we played every sport together -- i had the bball hoop in my driveway, but he had the skateboards. and then we both kicked each other's asses at kickball and football (i was the only girl and the even number in our 'hood, so was recruited often to complete the "teams").

stayed friends throughout high school, but as life is...people lose contact.

back to initial statement .... got this email and i was fracking blown away. it was really my best bud.... my absolute first friend on this planet (again, i may or may not have had friends from other planets...)

it was one of the most wonderful experiences to reconnect. and btw, his wife. alicia, is gorgeous. i am very impressed he did so well (and i truly mean that in the most loving way!!)

dustin and alicia.. it is amazing that after all this time.. we reconnect from that tiny dead-end street in high point (and i mean that literally.. it really was a dead-end street), to being in nyc together.

i look forward to seeing you often (and you cannot escape me now!!)

much love to all! ~k

Jen Bachelorette DayS

2008-05-29T02:13:00Z

This is only a couple months outdated, but I've been busy w/ work A LOT. working EST, PST, GMT can be quite trying. Therefore, I'm putting all of John & Jen's pre-pre-wedding, pre-wedding, and wedding pix all in one entry.

We had Jen's Bachelorette Brunch on March 22 at our apt -- then spa day, then off to things that shant be named

Then in April Jen's mum hosted a lovely tea.

On May 25 they got married

Pix below in reverse chronological order. click on pix for a larger image.:

WEDDING:





WEDDING TEA:

BACHELORETTE BRUNCH/PARTY: