Its time for me to gush about the holiday season...so much fun and its only jusy begun! To kick things off I was in new york for a week. If that doesnt get one into the holiday spirit I dont know what will! Festive holiday shopping, the tree lighting at rockafellar center, and lots of going out at night was what made up the majority of my trip. Smoke Jazz Club, Vitae, and Gramacy Tavern were all awesome places to get the party started! I was really hoping to throw a party this year, but with all the travel its been difficult. Next week Im migrating to warmer weather...San Diego and La, then on to Hawaii!

While in San Fracisco, I ended up seeing the movie 12 years a slave. Now I am also reading the book and have become completely obsessed with slavery in the us in the 1800's! There were actually running slave markets or pens in washington dc...very close to the capitol! I dont know why my mind is drawn to this terrible thing in history, but I do remember my grandfather telling me our ancestors were involved in the underground railroad. Im going to dc next month and will hopefully be able to find the buildings that used to be slave pens and take photos. Heres a good documentary I found about americas journey into slavery: Journey through slavery part 1

So I was working on keeping this blog clean, until I saw the movie Lovelace and am now reading her book Ordeal. I was amazed to find out that she was actually pimped by her husband and quite possibly even forced to do deep throat! I was astonished to say the least, as Ive always felt very strongly against this subject and am curious to read about her final years when she spoke out. Her courage inspires me to bring up a modern day pimp we had around several years ago before he was sent to prison, although the full spectrum of his crimes may never be know since many of his victums havent spoken out. Im talking about Dave Elms...the founder of The Erotic Review. My involvement with him is much more kind than others Ive heard, so those of you that want to chime in here youre most welcome to do so:-) I guess I met him before he started getting really bad, and somehow by chance was able to slip through his fingers until he was arrested. You can imagine the releif I felt when I read that article! Since then Ive reached out to human trafficing sites to volunteer, but havent gotten any responses yet. I have so many opinions on this in all levels that putting it into words would be very difficult. I just know that it feels good to let it all out. At the time, my response was to put up The ExtortionReview.com, which I see is no longer up...a message board where victums can anonimously post about what Dave Elms did to them. Guess how many posts I got? Thats right...zilch! Maybe now that some time has passed people will speak out more...

Whats the best Italian restaurant in New York? According to Zagat its this: http://blog.zagat.com/2013/01/new-yorks-12-best-italian-restaurants.html Time out says this: http://www.timeout.com/newyork/restaurants/100-best-new-york-restaurants-italian Yelp says this: http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Top+Italian+Restaurants&find_loc=New+York%2C+NY
 And New York magazine: http://nymag.com/restaurants/wheretoeat/2006/15441/ Now that weve established what a controversial subject this is, Ive decided to interject my own opinion from experience. Lets examine the candidates...

Babbo: A delightfully crowded place that takes quite a long to to get in with a reservation...though we slipped in at the bar one night unplanned! Ill never forget it...it was the first time I ever had osso buco, and man was it heavenly! Melt in your mouth veal and marrow thats done perfectly. Fantastic wine list, although I usually leave that up to my companion...

Del Posto: A Mario Batali creation, whom we actually met once sitting in the restaurant having dinner! My companion went right up to him and he stood up and shook his hand. Amazing moment...but the visit that really stands out in my mind was the time we went there for Christmas Dinner. It was a meal beyond decadence with homemade pasta, and everything is outsourced locally. In fact, I think Mr. Batali is actually married to the heir to a creamery giant. The whole place has a warm glow and a quiet buzz enveloped my senses in elegance...

Marea was magnificent...a bit more of a place to see and be seen but absolutely incredible food! Exotic pasta with sea urchin is what I remember most...so divine! Its right near Columbus circle, so dont miss it next time youre in New York!

Peasant: This place is a little more rustic than the others, but no doubt just as fabulous in its own way. I remember a delicate homemade pasta with rabbit and a savory sauce that was to die for! The whole place was lit with the glow of a wood burning fireplace, of which they used for cooking! May I have some more please?

So these would be my picks for best Italian restaurant in New York. I see they made various spots on other lists, but I may have a biased opinion, as I was there with the most incredible people! I hope you guys are reading:-)

Sometimes you just know youre doing something right when everything seems to fall back into place! Im back in New York after I dont know how long, and this sense of elation is starting to wash over me now. Its my first morning here and I have a list of places to visit and things to do! Join me on this wonderful ride...

So here I am in Seattle...not able to leave for a few months after constantly being on the road for several years. Feels a little strange, but Im making the most of it. Lots more time to work on projects which seem to have been piling up. I was also hoping to catch up more with friends, but lately it seems like theyre all used to me being out of town all the time. Its interesting to see the way things unfold. When the rain clears up I definately want to do some more bike riding and enjoy the spring. As far as good restaurants go, I found this place. One I definately plan to return to soon:-) Anybody out there have more recommendations?

London is so delightfully different from the us! Everyone seems so much more practical minded here...an attribute I hope to adapt. They like to get right down to what needs to be done without dilly dally, so things always seem to be going along much smoother. I also noticed on the tube yesterday that the girls seem much more casually made up than the americans...another thing I resolve to do for myself. Ive got to hit boots before I go. There seems to be so much more of a make up and hair coloring selection! Who knows...I could show up back in the states with pink hair;-) Im much more chipper today, having adjusted well to the time change and also figured out how to get a good cup of american style coffee from the machine. Of all the times Ive been here before, I cant beleive Ive never been to the royal opera house! I had to remedy that by getting tickets yesterday:-) Photos to come...

I just got back from a family vacation which was really rejuvenating but now im excited to be heading out to London and New York! Ive been purposely been staying home for the past month to take care of the car situation and the like so now im totally rearing to travel. Since doing away with my appartment in new york I really havent been there much so itll be so nice to return and hopefully see some old friends. The same with London but its been even longer...probably close to two years. Reconecting with family/friends/loved ones is so good for the soul! I try to do it as often as possible...

Presidential Inaugural Ball

Last night I attended the presidential inaugural ball. It was nothing short of magical! The place was huge, and there were so many people but it was suprisingly mellow compaired to other large parties ive been to. Im sure it being a black tie occasion had something to do with it, but I also couldnt beleive how nice everyone was! If I ever had any doubts about the nation being united this event has truely changed my mind. The obama's came out and had a dance to "lets stay together" sung by Jennifer Hudson, which was so fitting for what we as a country need. There were some amazing artists: Katy Perry, Alicia Keys, and Smokey Robinson...just to new a few. They were all dressed in ball attire and were so close it felt very intimate and like we were all together as americans. I am so inspired...