Fifth Grade Journal Friday-My Second Boyfriend

 Ok, a few things here:
-What does it mean Eric "sort of" asked out Nicole? I didn't realize it was something you could kind of do.
-The next time I ask a guy out and he responds with "I don't know", and then after much deliberation accepts my offer (by giving me an ice pop), I'm definitely going to rescind my offer!
-Wow for a citizen of Australia, I sure had a hard time spelling the country's name back in the day! "Astralia"? And my personal Favorite: "Assie"!! You should be ashamed of yourself 11 year old Aussie Sam!

Staten Island: Harry Belafonte, Amazing Food, the Ferry

Well, last Wednesday was my first time in Staten Island, and I have to say: I LIKE!!!

Transportation: And they say you can't get a free ride (Or do they only say that about free lunch?). Well I got one last Wednesday: The Staten Island Ferry! It was magical, breezy, and FREE! And I passed Lady Liberty along the way. What more could you want?

The Event: My friend Emi and I were heading to the opening night of the Staten Island Film Festival (her short film, "The Retreat" was in it). The new Harry Belafonte documentary, "Sing Your Song" was being screened, and lucky for us, Harry himself was there to answer questions after the film. Very cool!

The Food: The screening was over by 10pm and we still hadn't eaten dinner. We were STARVING! Luckily, we stumbled upon this adorable little Italian restaurant, Enoteca Maria, RIGHT next door to the theater. And BOY was this place authentic. Pretty much everyone that works there is from Italy, including the chefs who are actual Grandmas (or Nonnas) from all over Italy. I was pretty sure this was going to be the best Italian feast I had eaten all week/ever (Sorry, Frankies! You're pretty darn good yourself)! At first, I had some difficulty actually procuring food (the waiter told me they were out of both dishes I tried ordering (not until AFTER after he raved about them though! DO NOT MESS WITH HUNGRY SAM! It is not pretty!). Once the food started coming out I was transported directly to Italy. It was definitely worth the wait!

A postcard from the Enoteca Maria. Those are the Grandmas acting like the Beatles!! Awesome, eh?

Favorite Part of the Night (besides seeing Harry Belafonte, eating amazing Italian food, and having the most amazing hair day ever): As we were walking back to the ferry at the end of the night, a garbage truck flew around the corner at an alarming speed. Emi screamed "NOOOO! I can't be hit by a garbage truck in Staten Island. That's not how i want to go!!". Hilarious! Perfect way to end to a magical night!

The Avocado Dilemma

WHY OH WHY is it so hard to use an avocado before it's overripe??? Am I the only one who struggles with this on a regular basis? You buy it when it's hard as a rock, it sits patiently on your counter for days, and then by the time you remember its exists: BROWN AND MUSHY! The window of opportunity is too small, it's impossible! But I must say, there's nothing like catching an avocado at that moment it's perfectly ripe, so perhaps it's worth the struggle!

Introducing a New Blog Segment: Superimpose Me!

Would you believe that after visiting Australia for years and years, I've NEVER held a koala? This got me thinking about all of the other things I've never done, places I've never been, people I've never met etc...Instead of feeling bad for myself, I decided to take matters into my own hands: HELLO PHOTOSHOP! With a few clicks of the mouse, I can be transported anywhere in the world! And so here is the start to a new series on my blog called "Superimpose me!" Thanks to Adobe, nothing is out of reach. I present to you, Sam holding a koala...

Adapted from a photo by Rob & Jules

Awww, How cute is that koala? I'll never forget that day for as long as I live (but simultaneously, it is quite hard to remember, considering it never actually happened!). Don't I look like a natural? I always thought I would freak out when I actually got to hold one, but I just felt so at peace. Animals love me!

Is there anything YOU'VE always dreamed about doing? Some island you've always wanted to visit? Or can't ride a bike, would love to see what you would look like on one? Email your request and a clear photo of you to SuperimposeMe@thesupergreat.com and I will try my damndest to make it happen (in Photoshop anyway!)....Of course, I will post the results on my blog, to inspire others to make their dreams come true! In the meantime, I will continue to photoshop my own face onto things...

Pretty Sure I'm Not Going To See the New Tom Hanks Movie

I'm sorry, Tom Hanks, but your new movie "Larry Crowne" looks BAAAAAD. So bad I want to crawl under my seat every time the preview comes on. Badder than bad, bad Leroy Brown, the baddest man in the whole darn town. BAD!! Getting Oprah to plug it was a good idea, and asking your best friend Julia Roberts to co-star could have helped a movie slightly better than yours, but I don't think anything can save you here, Tom. They can't all be winners!

p.s. Part of me doesn't want to piss you off because who knows, maybe you could direct the movie version of my blog one day. But who am I kidding, with a movie as bad as "Larry Crowne" coming out I might have to rethink offering you the position anyway.

Reasons I Loved NY This Week-Vol. 5

-Driving over the Brooklyn Bridge....in an actual car (not in a cab).....with my hands on the steering wheel. EXHILARATING!
-New York street parking signs weed out the weak. It is extremely difficult to process all of the rules/times/restrictions listed on each sign: survival of the fittest!
-You can get pizza at any hour of the day! And you're probably not the only one with that idea, the pizza place we went to last Saturday was packed at 2am!
-Randomly bumping into people you know. In a city with over 8 million people, it's amazing how often this happens.
-Andrew Bird at Prospect Park: a little birdie (my friend Dave) told me free concerts were starting up again in Prospect Park and boy was I excited! Free! Friends! Fresh Air! Food! Did I mention FREE?

Fifth Grade Journal Friday-The Post Relationship Recap

OH TRAVIS!! It's like I meant nothing to you at all! After me, you jumped from "relationship" to "relationship". I stood by and watched as you romanced all the other women in our 5th grade class. When I told you I loved you and hoped we would stay boyfriend and girlfriend forever, I meant every word (and am actually quite shocked I didn't see a Travis shaped hole in the wall that day. What a trooper you were for staying with me after that!). But how easily you moved on! That's ok, you and I (and the 10 other girls you went out with that year) will always have 1991...But I'm not bitter, really I'm not!