Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Slept in. Started getting a very mild cough and sore throat last night and which remained when I awoke. Walked to Ippudo (65 Fourth Avenue, New York, New York). Yamitsuki goma kyuri (Japanese cucumber seasoned with Ippudo's original sesame oil dressing, $8), akamaru modern (The original silky "Tonkotsu" (pork) soup noodles topped with Ippudo's secret "Umami Dama" miso paste, pork chashu, cabbage, sesame kikurage mushrooms, scallions, and fragrant garlic oil; $14) with kakuni (braised pork belly, $4): $28.31 before tip. Walked to Columbus Circle, rented a bike from Bike and Roll: about $31 for 2 hours with insurance, used a helmet borrowed from Brian and Kelly and bicycle gloves and water bottle that I brought from home. I did a loop along the major streets through the park, and 2 hours was perfect. I had time to rest and stop to see a few things along the way even though I didn't get a lock. Back to the hotel to shower and rest. Met Pete S for dinner at Yum Yum (212-956-9415, 658 9th Avenue, New York, New York): pineapple fried rice and soda for him, cashew tofu and thai iced tea for me. Dessert: green tea ice cream and fried bananas with coconut ice cream. $39.74 before a $6.50 tip. Among other things, we talked about Next to Normal and Elephant and Castle. Afterwards Pete and I walked to Broadway Comedy Club (318 W. 53rd St., New York, New York 10019), stopping briefly to browse at a very gay underwear store. Drew, Phil, and Reggie met us there a little late. The others were all there coincidentally to see Jamin Lin, and I went along, meeting Rene, Michael, and Matthew in addition to Jamin. Afterwards we wanted to get a drink and stopped in briefly at Therapy but a show was in progress and it was louder than we had wanted. We moved to Industry, which was better so we stayed, and Phil encountered an old acquaintance Devon. Drew, Phil, and I shared a cab to our respective homes: $22.50 after a $4 tip.