12/29/03 Rich & Santo at Astor; w/Bri at Kura; Tipping the Doormen:

Rich and I wait for Brian at Astor Place. We came up via the 4 and 6 trains. Brian comes across from his Apt. and we take the M8 bus to 1st avenue. Of course, the time you save by taking the bus is often mitigated by the wait for a bus that only runs 4 times an hour at this time of the evening. And although the warm bus can keep away frost bite, so can standing still instead of just walking and keeping the blood flowing. Oh well. The one thing waiting for the bus does is open the opportunity to run into people we know at Astor Place. In this case, Richard's close associate in the film biz, Matthew Santo. I interrupt their chatter for a photo op.

Brian arrives. So does an M3. No help.

We finally get to Kura. I try a new dish. Tuna Tataki over a salad. Not one of my favorites but the color of the tuna was astounding.

This is one of lifes little joys. Tipping your fleet of concierges. You think you've bought into this whole "concierge" thing though your slightly elevated rent as compared with a non-doorman building. But no. These lovely services they provide throughout the year; the smiles; the friendships; the sense of security (and I say SENSE OF because of Richard's still-missing stolen laundry = 2 demerits); the cab calling, lady watching, tenant gossiping, and the late night banter... all this... for a price. And to make matters worse, we moved in around the holidays last year and didn't tip, because we were new, so we have to make up for it now. 5 doormen and a bunch of other workers start to add up pretty quickly. So here I am, doling out the cash. And cards. And envelopes. And love. To be delivered tonight (at the last second as the holidays are almost over).

Tada!

Richard is now the very proud owner of a butt-load of DVD's. The entire ALIEN movie collection. Jeeez. This was hundredS of dollars!!!

Late night snack. The last of 2003.

Ponegranite Juice? What is this? The bottle is irresistable, the promise of tart sweet goodness without added sugar is enthralling, and the price is REALLY HIGH. $4.49. Jesus.

Richard spends the late night hours reading his new favorite book. It was a christmas gift from his parents.