Children Need Not Apply in Vulgaria,...er Cork!

Yes, it appears we have arrived in Vulgaria with Jemima and Jeremy with a Child Catcher lurking around every corner in Cork City Centre (their spelling, not mine). Our efforts to find housing in City Centre have been stymied and thwarted at every turn by evil real estate agents who outright refuse or reluctantly offer to show us apartments in City Centre because they do not believe we should be raising children without grass, parks, other children, etc...As most of you know, our children have been denied those discretionary items from the day they were born. Today, this discrimination reached a pinnacle when Norma from Absolute Property Management outright refused to let us schedule an appointment with her office if we were intending on living in City Centre with Children. WE SHALL NOT BE DENIED OUR SORDID FILTHY CITY LIVING AND I SHALL FIGHT NO MORE FOREVER--NOT-- or something like Chief Joseph said.
This does not end here now!

First Impressions!

Began the day late as we were all a bit wrecked by a long day of travel. Looked at two apartments--small but near ODC's school (Older Dreadful Creature). Two unsolicited remarks that St. Maries is a great school and they were surprised we got her in. Fashion wise, Cork makes Seattle look like Milan--must have been a huge air drop of track suits. The people seem very stern and suspicious but met a bar owner and his family as well as a barista who were quite nice--no one walks around with lattes here--a bit refreshing. Well, it's pouring rain and I am off to walk the city without CW and DCs--and maybe a pint.

Date Line "Still" Southhampton

Getting off the boat went extremely smoothly--so smoothly that we have been at the Southhampton Airport for 5 hours with the dreadful creatures because the one daily flight to Cork does not leave until 4:20 p.m. this afternoon.  The dreadful creatures' white sailor suits have colored "airport grey",  every possible diversion tried, and this airport is becoming extremely smaller by the minute.  CW's mother and sister are meeting us at the  airport which means two taxis to CW's sister's loaner apartment.  What do you think?  Happy Irish family reunion in one and Daddy with the luggage with the other.  Well, final leg folks.  Assuming we don't have a "Quantas Air" enroute, my next post shall be from jolly old England, I mean Ireland--In Shallah! The photos are posting not so well right now so the one with this one will show the family sprawled all over the airport.  Cheers!

Dateline Southhampton

Well, that's it then.  Slowly piloting toward Southhampton early Monday morning, July 28th, 2008.  New country, new wife, new life.  Always good to leave the comfort zone and Edmonds was extremely comfortable for us.  The whole family was embraced by my hometown:  the Edmonds business community, Holy Rosary Church, the Montessori Mothers, my drinking buddies and especially the Daphnes crowd--hard to imagine finding those characters again.

What we did find however, with the exception of our best friends in Bellingham, those friends with whom we enjoyed long distance relationships while we were in New York were not necessarily the ones we became reacquainted with when we arrived in Edmonds.  We found that it is not always easy to arrive in a new place--hometown or not--and fit in perfectly with friends and family who already have established local lives.  If Ireland works out half as well as Edmonds, we will be thrilled.  Instead of arriving by circumstance of death, this time we made a conscious choice to move--albeit a decision made in little over a month.  Can we get that new bar open?  Will CW figure out how to fit in with her family's established routine let alone add me and the dreadful creatures?  Are we going to enjoy Ireland as much as Edmonds if we don't open a business?  And most importantly, can I get that pedicab driver job and are there Polar Bears in Cork?  Don't worry though--we won't get too comfortable.  I have already put the following moves on the table once we start enjoying Ireland:  Lisbon, Paris, Rome, Kathmandu and even our beloved Manhattan.  Stay tuned and I will report next from Ireland--God willing.  Time to disembark--that's Queen Mary 2 speak for get the hell off the boat!  

Going to the Chapel...

Yes, we finally did it! On Tuesday morning, July 22, 2008, we made it official and got married at New York City Hall. We stayed at the Duane Street Hotel a few blocks away for the two nights before, so we were able to walk over. The morning of, myself and one and half year-old headed out to the streets of Tribeca for a boys' morning after stbw returned from the flower market. One of stbw's fashionista friends sent over a stylist for stbw's hair and makeup and Tal, a photographer friend, spent the morning with us taking photos. Other than that, it was just the four of us and an unknown witness we grabbed from the line to sign for us. A bit of waiting after we paid our ceremony fee of $35, and the two kids managed to throw rose petals pretty much everywhere in City Hall. The ceremony was all of two minutes (Beats the hell out of those Church weddings--no offense Father Haddock). The fun part came after the wedding. Since we are moving overseas, we needed an Extended Form marriage license for it to be valid in other countries. So, you get back in line (5 people ahead of us) at the Records Office. At this point we made a good decision to send cw (current wife) and the two kids back to the hotel. It was 10:30 a.m. and car was picking us up at 1:00 p.m. for the trip to Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. After ten minutes in line, cranky Civil Servant gives me form, tells me how to fill it out, and tells me to get back in line after filling form out. I fill form out, get back in line (ten people ahead of me) and wait. Back again with cranky Civil Servant who takes form and tells me to have a seat until name is called. After twenty minutes, name is called (along with ten other people). I get in line (six people ahead of me) and wait. Cranky Civil Servant gives me a receipt and tells me to go to the next room and pay and then return to her line. I get in Cashier line (twelve people ahead of me) and wait. I pay cashier and return to cranky Civil Servant line (At this point I cannot believe that I have been in this line 4 separate times--this time I am first in line) Mayor Bloomberg, if you are reading this post, please do something--otherwise I cannot support your Presidential ambitions. So, cranky Civil Servant gives me my extended form Marriage License and I am home free! It's noon and I have an hour to pack and have wedding luncheon with the family. No wait, this is New York City and this Civil Servant is really cranky. Along with my extended form Marriage License, she hands me a piece of paper with directions to two separate buildings, which I know are not that close, especially on a 95 degree day in a tuxedo. It turns out, the signature on the license has to be validated by the New York State Supreme Court and the New York Department of State. I won't go into the messy details, but an hour later, I have my signature validations and cw and the kids are picking me up in lower Manhattan just in time for the boat. The process could take the romance out of a Danielle Steele novel!

Hello from the Atlantic!

Hi friends--just when I thought I had found a nice quiet spot on the QM2 for a relaxing posting, I am about to be dislodged due an early am Bridge class.  But hey, that's the life on board this magnificent ship.  So much to tell, and I apologize in advance for the non-chronological posts.  We are a little more than half way through our transatlantic voyage and enjoying every minute of it.  The free babysitting (9 am to Midnight) by English Nannies is as good as advertised though we usually use it mostly for the evening dining.  It's somewhat hysterical and frightening to see some of our fellow European passengers drop off screaming toddlers proclaiming, "You have 'speent' enough time with your Papa, go play!".  Yesterday was by far the roughest at sea, and the five-year old was a bit green.  The ship was built for 5000, yet full capacity is 2500 so there are plenty of places to get lost and find peace--unless of course you choose the card room early Saturday morning.  We have met a number of families who are traveling one way moving from the States to Europe as we are.  Our one and half year old has met a Swedish bombshell toddler and seems to be quite enthralled.  The five-year old loves the swimming pools and I am having a great time wandering the boat. Well, it's time to move on--Bridge is starting and I do not have a clue how to play.  Uh oh, Bridge cancelled due to twelve foot seas! Will try to get a photo of  the water later and pray my luck holds out for not getting sea sick!

Hot town Summer in the City!

Summer in New York is my least favorite season.  Fall, Winter, Spring so much better.  Too hot, too humid, too many tourists who don't know the unwritten rules of New York.  But, movie lines are short and so are shorts.  What is most amazing about this photograph however is that a pedestrian is actually crossing on a "Walk" sign.

More ice cream!

Even in Manhattan on every corner...

Must have it Now!

Four hour wait in line for the new I-phone in Soho yesterday--no thanks!

Sounder Train Suggestion #39

One of the few joys of coming to Jamaica, Queens is returning to the city on the Long Island Railroad.  A beer in a bag of ice is available for purchase on every platform which makes even the most mundane trip far more enjoyable.  Come on Sounder, get on it!

...but I play one on t.v.

I spent yesterday morning in a tiny room in Jamaica, Queens giving a deposition to an attorney representing a customer from one of our bars who was injured in a bar brawl on Father's Day three years ago.  In seven years in the bar business, it is the one incident we've ever had.  Yet we accept even in quiet places like ours, customers misbehaving is a hazard of the business.  On a side note, I am not sure I would hire an attorney named Salami.

Shotgun Wedding!

Apparently, New York City Marriage Bureau employees need to be behind bullet proof glass when issuing licenses.  This is the romantic place we picked up ours yesterday.

Left lane is for passing only!

Major New York subway etiquette breach.  This is one of the escalators that takes you out of the Grand Central Subway Station.  If you are not walking up the escalator steps, you stand on the right side.  You could write a whole book on "unwritten" subway etiquette and volumes on all those New York unspoken rules that you just know after living here for years:  the subway is the train, Greenwich Village is the West Village, Coffee Regular means with milk and sugar, you never wait for the walk sign, and every fourth drink should be a "buyback".

They're Everywhere!

There seems to be an ice cream truck on every block of our neighborhood tonight.  The one-year old's diet continues to go down hill!

More coolness in the Hood!

A clothing boutique across street from bar!

Joys of Jet Lag

STBW and I decided not to worry about the 1 and 5-year olds' sleep patterns this journey as we are crossing a number of time zones in a relatively short time.  So here they are wandering Greenpoint around midnight last evening after a wonderful dinner at Coco 68, a bar/restaurant across the street from our bar (fresh oysters in Greenpoint--who would have thunk it).  Washington State really needs to re-think its kids in bars policies.  I know there's a time and place but at times like this....

At meanwhile back at our other business...

Late lunch crowd at the Greenpoint Coffee House!

Lights, Action...

Scene from "Lipstick Jungle" being filmed across the street from bar in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

The anti-Times

A pure guilty New York indulgence--the New York Post!  I hate to pile on the guy, but I hope the Seattle fans give it to him when the Yankees visit in September

Mobile Vasectomy

I like dogs as well as the next person (Our New York bars have always been dog friendly and we even have a couple of mutts who enjoy an occasional pint of Guinness).  However, based on a recent stroll through the Edmond's Farmers Market, the Edmonds "dog situation" is getting a bit out of hand.  I was thinking about requesting this truck outside Daphnes one day as a public service.  I know there may be a bit of "animal issue" exhaustion with the Edmonds City Council after the months spent on the Edmonds Cat Trapping ordinance, but I think it's time to look at the number of dogs in the streets of Edmonds.  I know, I know..What's next, children and the elderly?

Hip to Hipper!

How do you know when Long Island City has gone from ultra hip to hyper hip?  Samantha from Sex in the City is apartment hunting?  No, when you see two guys with their kid in the Korean deli.

Tall house Small House

Owning and operating three businesses and caring for a child with one on the way eventually took their toll on our relationship and we lived apart for a year several blocks away from each other: Daddy had the "tall house" and mommy had the "small house".

A tale of two Parks

Without backyards, New York kid culture is based around parks and Long Island City had two of the best: Shady Park and Blue Park.

Front Yard New York Style

This group of folks has been sitting on the street just down from L.I.C. Bar for as long as I can remember.

Hmmmmm...

Daphnes is Long Island City?  Oh, alright, we're moving to Ireland.

Ice Cream New York City Style!

Would you like a little exhaust with that sundae?

Bar Management 101

Ouch, an L.I.C. Bar bathroom stall.  Once graffiti is allowed to exist, a bar has definitely taken a turn...

Good idea Bad Idea?

Returning to a bar after you give up ownership is always an interesting venture.  It's great when something breaks down and you know you no longer have the responsibility to fix it.  L.I.C. Bar has the same general feel with a few subtle changes.  The Photo Booth has always been a big hit--especially for late night make out sessions.  Obviously, the logo we had designed is a bit too understated for the new ownership.  Oh well, win some...

Sunday Rock and Roll BBQ at L.I.C. Bar

One of our L.I.C. bartenders started a concert series in the back courtyard of L.I.C. Bar every Sunday in the summer.  Our five-year old spent many a day dancing the afternoon away with her friends.  Thankfully New York isn't quite as puritanical as Washington State about children in bars.

Another "up and coming" Hood

After we opened Pencil Factory Bar in Greenpoint and around the time we were opening the Coffee House, we were approached by a Northern Irish gentleman who wanted us to duplicate the Pencil Factory in the neighborhood of Long Island City, Queens.  He made us an offer we couldn't refuse and eventually opened L.I.C. Bar.  We have since sold our interests in the place, but we had a great two year run in which we learned a fair amount about the bar business and partnerships.

Celebrity with a Price

Today is  a parking nightmare on our block in Greenpoint.  "Lipstick Jungle", a new series from the producers of "Sex and the City" is shooting scenes for the upcoming season.

Don't even think about It!

When we decided to move to another country, we made the decision to travel light: clothes and toys (for the children).  In Edmonds, we sold our entire household on Craig's List.  Hopefully here in New York we can store most of our belongings in the basement of the bar.  However, there still is some downsizing to do and I see stbw eyeing my beloved Pez collection for the dumpster.  I also see one-year old pulling off their heads.

Pre-kid Sunday Luxury

How easy it is to remember those lazy and luxurious New York Sundays with the Times and Bagels and no rug rats crawling all over you with their juice boxes and pop tarts.  The experience can never be quite replicated outside the city: the distributed Times has different sections (no City) and the bagels, well, not even close.

5th and Main

This is the intersection of Manhattan and Greenpoint Avenue, one block from the apartment and the bar.  If we were still living in Edmonds, this would be 5th and Main.  But instead of Starbucks, Kinderbrithches, Sound Styles and a Mexican Restaurant, you have duane reade (drugstore) HSBC (bank) McDonalds (yuck) and a burned out bodega (deli).

Typically Greenpoint

Generally speaking, our neighborhood of Greenpoint, Brooklyn has a hugely diverse population. However, two subsets typically standout:  the Polish and the artists.  But like most New York neighborhoods on the move, the Polish are cashing in on long-held Brownstones and moving to the Island (Long), and many of the artists are pioneering in other somewhat dodgy neighborhhoods in search of inspiration and cheap rents. 

A room with a view

Ah, Brooklyn, New York-the noise, the filth--we have missed you so as a family.  Our daughter spent her first four years in Greenpoint, Brooklyn and is excited to see old friends.  The flight from Seattle was fine: great fireworks out the window, the five-year old slept like a baby and the one-year old was a baby--so s-t-b-w and myself are exhausted.  Fortunately, we have an apartment over one of our bars and they are all asleep, recovering from jet lag.  On a clear day, you can see the Chrysler Building in the distance from the apartment window.  The window bars are for child safety and any apartment in New York which has children under ten is supposed to have them. You may recall a well-known rock and roller lost his son of number of years ago out a Manhattan apartment window and then went on to write a number one hit about his grief.  n.b. I am now writing on EST.

Time for us to fly!

Goodbye Edmonds--it's been great.  Signing off until the East Coast!

Guess the Carry-on!

One of us pretends to be a suave and debonair  single traveler.  One of us actually admits that we have two children and brings the basic necessities.  Can you guess which bag belongs to who?

Last Exit to Brooklyn

At the SeaTac  Airport kids play area trying to tire out the rugrats before we board our red eye to New York.  Had my last drink at Daphnes for a while but I know I have left it in good hands: the regulars.  Over the past few weeks, I have had a number of people tell me that Daphnes only works because I am behind the bar.  I tend to disagree--Daphnes works because of the regulars and their interaction with the new customers who walk through the door every day.  I could be wrong but I don't think so.

Free Beer!

Well, that's what it should have been.  As our last gesture to say thanks to Edmonds for all their kindness to us these past two years, we gave out two hundred ice cream cones today.  If you ever want to do a human nature experiment, offer something free and see how gracious people are.  I argue that even the most baseless drinker has a better sense of proper etiquette than those who don't get out much.  Well, anyway, thank you Edmonds--you have been truly lovely to our family. We will miss you and will be back for a visit.  Oh, by the way,  you better get down to Daphnes-the free beer line for next Fourth of July is starting to form!

Sad Sack!

This is my Dad enjoying a Rainier Beer overlooking the Puget Sound on Sunset Avenue in Edmonds.  Well, actually it's my Dad's ashes.  One of my last tasks in Edmonds was to deliver the ashes to my step-mother.  I have been carrying them around since his funeral this past February--and I have to say, Beck's Funeral Home does not cheap out on their paper bags for remains---this thing has withstood a couple of apartment moves, childrens' explorations, etc... Next summer, I hope to hike to Frosty Pass in the Washington Cascades and leave some of my Dad's ashes.  We hiked there when I was ten.  He wanted to be there when he passed.  Rest easy, Dad, and somewhere I know your listening to Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Lucinda Williams sing, "Reunion".

Independence Day!

Today is our last day in Edmonds.  This is truly an Independence Day--we fly to New York City this evening where we will spend the next two and a half weeks before departing for Ireland.  The Edmonds Fourth of July celebration is a pure slice of Americana:  a parade down Main Street, barbeque in City Park and fireworks at Civic Stadium.