NYC Marathon, 2009.




Right now, there are about 4,000 people behind this guy thinking, Man, even the guy wearing the 10-foot Eiffel Tower is faster than I am.

Lloyd United.

Red Bull New York vs. Toronto FC, Giants Stadium, Jersey.


The rain is pretty out of control.


Leave it to RBNY to wait until the very last game of the season, with no hope of even leaving the basement (let alone any post-season play) to have the match of the season. We win 5-0!


This is the very last match that RBNY is to play at the Meadowlands, as the brand-new Red Bull Arena in Harrison is receiving it's final touches as we speak. Now, being a relatively new fan of RBNY/Metro, I wouldn't be the one to speak about history. All I know is the new place looks cool, is TOTALLY easier to get to, has seating that is covered against the elements, won't have NFL logos and lines painted all over the "grass", actually has real grass, and already feels like "home".

And though the real grass will probably greatly reduce the number of training-related injuries, it will probably put an end to crazy-ass moments such as this:

Lloyd.

Dark chocolate Azteca cupcakes with cinnamon buttercream.

Roasted garlic white chocolate cupcake.

"i just need to be reminded who i am."
- matt nathanson

Bailey's mocha cupcake.

What can I say? They're perfect. :)

Far East to East Showcase 2009, presented by Superglorious and New York Anime Fest. Featuring the batshit-crazy-and-I-love-them-for-it Gelatine...


Echostream...


the lovely Swinging Popsicle (whose new record "Loud Cut" is out now)...


...and the almost-aggressively strange Kokusyoku Sumire.

New York Anime Fest 2009, Javits Center. Day two.


The lonely VHS aisle (trust me, the guys in the corner are looking at manga)...


...otherwise, the marketplace is doing fine. Model kits.


Doujinshi, and the ever-popular character goods.


Toys and more toys.


Love these Katamari cousins (Miki and Dipp, I believe. Right?)


Hardcore gamers are hardcore.


Yoshiyuki Tomino.


Gundam cosplayers.


And, here's a cool Spike Spiegel to go with yesterday's Faye Valentine.


That's it for this year. See you next year at the "amalgamated" (right) NYCC/NYAF.

New York Anime Fest 2009, Javits Center. Day one. Faye Valentine is one of my favorites.


The cast of Soul Eater signing many, many autographs.


Yoshiyuki Tomino, creator and director of Mobile Suit Gundam (as well as several of its subsequent sequels and spinoffs) and about a thousand other series.


Little known: did you know that Tomino is also a songwriter? Under his pseudonym "Rin Iogi", he has penned many songs, including the lyrics to the theme songs of several (most?) of the series that he created.


Vash the Stampede. Another favorite.


Zombie(?) Sailor Moons.

That's day one. More tomorrow!

Zach Hurd and band, Rockwood Music Hall, LES.

Tres leches cupcake.

These cakes are MESSY. From start to finish, MESSY. There's no other way to put it. A mess to make, a mess to eat, a mess to transport. They taste alright - the eggy cake soaked beyond saturation (I didn't think that was possible, either) with sweet milk gives the whole thing a very bread pudding-like quality - but I honestly don't see myself making these again anytime soon.

And yes, I am fully aware that this is my THIRD cupcake post IN A ROW. I swear I'm still getting out of the house as much as I used to, just not taking the photos. Might have some projects brewing, though.

Green tea cupcakes.

I swear that's not guac on top.

Flavorwise, they come out exactly as I'd wanted: light, not-too-sweet, and full of green tea goodness. Overall one of my better efforts, I think.

Olive oil, lemon, and thyme cupcakes with fresh balsamic whipped cream.