Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Cupcake Cafe and cracker


O.K. I've got to stop seeking cupcakes or I'll have to visit the cardiologist! Cupcake Cafe has a little counter inside Books of Wonder on 18th Street. I used to live near the 39th Street store and visit to get fresh made donuts on the weekend (Dounts? I know, what's the point?). They also used to make waffles at that location. Mmmm. We have the recipe from their book, but it was nice to walk two blocks over and have someone else make them for you. No dishes, no fuss, no egg white whipping, no batter folding. Just eating!

Try the maple cupcakes here. I've got a sweet tooth for them.

I can't imagine it ever happens, but even a Cake Wreck from Cupcake Cafe would still be lovely.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Tonnie's Cupcakes and cracker

We've got the best cupcakes in NYC in our neighborhood. They are just delightful, and they're inexpensive too. Your cupcake tour is not complete without a visit to Tonnie's Cupcakes. From left to right we had the Sweet Potato Pie, the Cappuccino cupcake, and a Strawberry Vanilla cupcake. The little cup had an espresso to wash it all down.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Kiki, Tulips, & Cracker


I was out on a Sunday afternoon and came across this amazing community garden on 90th Street between Columbus & Amsterdam. I met a clown who was taking self-portraits with the tulips so, as every New Yorker has done from time to time, I offered to take the picture for her. When I walk through Times Square I almost always find a tourist group who would have had one person missing in the photo if I hadn't volunteered.

It turns out that this clown is rather well known! I'm touched by fame having met Kiki. She does face painting and balloons for kids parties. She also does dress-up as the Prettiest Princess. She's been featured on Good Morning America. You can check out her site here: kikisfacesandballoons.vox.com

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Dr. Crispy and Cracker

My friend Chris Poultney (a.k.a. Dr Crispy) is officially a doctor now, although he's no Marcus Welby. He's much smarter than that. He doesn't just play a doctor on TV. Congrats on defending your dissertation!

Friday, April 23, 2010

Flaming Lips and Cracker at Vassar


Flaming Lips released their cover of Dark Side of the Moon this past Saturday on vinyl. We were in Poughkeepsie to see them at a small intimate venue.


Wayne walked over the audience in a bubble to start the show.

They did all of their usuals like Yoshimi, The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song, Do You Realize??, along with a lot of chill-out psychedelic experimentation.

Before the show ushers passed out handfuls of laser pointers. Then, Wayne asked everyone to take them out and point them at him with the lights off. He held up a large mirror and shot the beams back at the audience through show smoke. It was a really amazing moment. I'd be surprised if Mr. Coyne isn't blind from all the beams in his face.

He then put on the giant hands with high power green laser beams in the palms. He swept them over the audience up to the enormous half disco ball where the beams scattered in every direction.

The Flaming Lips make great tunes, but their show is pure performance art.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

New for Earth Day: Green (brown) Packaging


To celebrate Earth Day 2010, POTUS31 redesigned all of our packaging with recycled paper that contains 30% post consumer content. Also, the brown box uses no bleach or paper whiteners/brighteners, lowering the accumulation of organochlorines in the environment. All boxes are printed and hand assembled in the USA (although sometimes New Yorkers like to think they live on an island off the coast of America). Complies with Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) guidelines.

These boxes also vend from the familiar Art-O-Mat art vending machines (except for the fortune cookie which you can get here) so look for them at your Arto venue.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Rafi and Cracker



If you're ever in New York in Hell's Kitchen or the Theater District before or after a show and are hungry, make your way to Ariana Afghan Kebab House on 53rd and 9th Ave. You will be greeted by either Wali or Rafi. Rafi will serenade you with a harmonium or jump rope for you to make you laugh. He is always entertaining and fun. Check out his video on YouTube if you don't believe me. {Rafi on YouTube} Oh yeah, I highly recommend the curried pumpkin, but everything is tasty there.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Moe at Create with Cracker

This guy is amazing! Moe cooks for a non-profit called Create in a small brownstone kitchen in Manhattan and then goes home to cook for his family when the day is done. He often works on holidays too. I sometimes catch him on breaks between breakfast and lunch. This was a particularly nice day. The branch shadows you see on him and the steps are his shady spot to cool off in the summer when the leaves are back. Even at 90 degrees in the shade, it's cooler than his kitchen.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

My UPS guy, Francisco, and Cracker

This guy is the best when it comes to my deliveries. Always on top of things, and always smiling. Thanks Francisco!