Christian Ross

Start spreading the news…

We have arrived with 7 week old in tow and intentions of painting this town red. Plane rides were pretty good. On time from DFW to the dirty, dirty (Atlanta) with mostly sleep involved and only a little fuss towards the end. Hartsfield was like most other, just an airport. Atlanta to LaGuardia was fine until the lengthy sit on the tarmac. I was warned.

Made it to the City about 5pm local and got picked up by a hefty 15-passenger van. Apparently van and mini-van are hard to decipher over the phone when English isn’t your first language and your taking the reservation from a man in Texas. Either way, plenty of room was available and provided for an exciting trip from LGA to the upper east side.

Melissa’s 300 sq/ft is cozy, can’t believe it goes for only 2500/month.

Once settled, we bundled up to venture out. I strapped Cohen to my belly and we headed west. Grabbed a real NYC pizza (pie) at Totonno’s (like every other pizza joint in town it was of course voted best pizza by somebody). Was as good as I remember. The place was festive, some nice Christmas decorations and a few menorah’s scattered about. Speaking of menorah’s, there are a large number of Jews in NYC and tonight it was very evident. Rabbi’s, families, boys and girls with yamaka’s, tracts, menorah’s, and blue ‘Christmas’ lights abound.

From Totonno’s we walked (yes, I walked) to 77th and Lexington to catch the 6 (subway) to Grand Central. A quick ride on the S (subway shuttle) kicked us out in the middle of Times Square. Bright lights and a pretty small crowd made for a nice walk around for a few minutes. Of course we stopped in at Starbucks to keep warm as we walked. One quick spin through the TS Toy’s R Us to see the (indoor) ferris wheel, lego creations and more. We decided it we were pushing it on C’s eating schedule so we started making our way back.

A good way to start the trip. Will try and keep updating as we go along. Agenda for tomorrow to probably include the Statue, Ground Zero, Macy’s and Santaland, and any other fun we can stir up.

Some pics below.

Jimmy V week

Some of you know, every year about this time ESPN sets aside a week called Jimmy V week to pay respect to the memory of Jim Valvano and raise money for the V Foundation for Cancer Research.

In short, Jim Valvano was a college basketball coach at North Carolina State University (National Champs, 1983) and then became a broadcaster a little later in life. He was diagnosed with cancer in the early 90’s and it took his life in 1993. Two months before his passing, he was honored at the first ESPY (ESPN Sports Awards) awards show with the Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award. He delivered one of the most powerful speeches I have heard in my life, and I try and take the 10 minutes to listen/watch it every year this week. A powerful message and a more powerful delivery make it worth your while. (This year I made my wife sit and watch it with me as well).

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up. RIP Jimmy V.

Get WiiFit

Doesn’t say when it will be out. Not that I have a Wii, I would find a Wii if I could afford one, or even would attempt to fool myself into thinking I would actually exercise on it. But it looks like fun.
http://e3nin.nintendo.com/wii_fit.html

America shuns Hollywood’s take on Iraq

British paper The Guardian’s take on the American public letting Hollywood know that they don’t speak for the majority.

All is well…

I’m not being biased when I say there has never been a better looking baby in the history of the entire world. Face it, it’s fact.

Here is also proof that the cutest baby ever will also have amazing feats of strength as he grows. Yes, that is spit up. And yes, he projected it from the position he is in all the way up to his mother’s shoulder. They’ll probably make 3 movies and two remakes about this kid before his life is over… (more…)