Be a Tourist (Even in Your Own City)

I'll never understand how some people will ride in a plane for 7 hours to see "must see" sites, when they have some of the best sites in their own backyard.  I'm fortunate to have been born/raised in New York City, where you could conceivably find anything you can think of (Cameroonian restaurants, tattoos at 4am, or a Naked Cowboy).  Its amazing how many New Yorkers have never walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, been to the top of the Empire State Building, or ice skated in Rockefeller Center.  My only regret is not going to the crown of the Statue of Liberty (I've been to Liberty Island) or the observation deck of the World Trade Center (I've seen the view from Windows on the World). My suggestion....come up with your own Bucket List and knock out all of the local things first.       

Is Everything Overrated?

There is definitely a relationship between expectations and disappointment.  The more I look forward to something, the more disappointed I get.  I'm learning to trust Yelp less and less (I'll try the most mentioned dishes at restaurants, but it seems like people are easily impressed).  Here are a few lessons that I've learned:

1) You can't go wrong with Pork (pork belly, pork tacos, pork buns, pulled pork, pancetta)

2) You can't go wrong with Brunch (except when you're waiting in the cold for 2 hours on Valentine's Day - I hate you Clinton Street Bakery!)

3) Risotto is an art

4) Just because something has truffle oil in it, doesn't mean its automatically good (I think I might have a truffle oil fetish - along with basil, cilantro, and lemon zest)

5) Alcohol makes every meal better

6) Never rule out eating anything (I used to hate mushrooms and who would have thought that I would have liked pate/foie gras/duck)
7) There's nothing worse than a good meal and a bad dessert

The Top Feels So Much Better Than The Bottom

I haven't gone skiing in a couple of years.  I used to organize day trips with friends to Hunter Mountain, Windham, or Mountain Creek and we always seemed to drive home in blizzard conditions.  I've tried snowboarding once (I did well until the back of my helmet-less head met the slope), but I prefer the control and less demanding nature of skiing.  The rivalry between skiers and snowboarders is fiercer than Team Edward vs Team Jacob.  Personally, I have a pet peeve for the snowboarders who sit lined up, taking up the whole slope (the physics of stopping my 230lb frame going downhill at 30mph is like trying to stop a wave in the ocean).  Anyway, enough about my dislike of hipster snowboarders....

I recently went skiing with friends at Mt. Snow, VT and my rustiness definitely showed.  After "conquering" the bunny slopes, I hopped on the ski lift ready to take on the mountain.  I should have known that things were off to a bad start after I wiped out getting off of the ski lift (first time ever).  I should have checked the slopes map before getting on the 20 minute lift - my only option down was intermediate blue slopes.   There is nothing more humiliating and demeaning than having to walk uphill to retrieve lost skis, trying to put your foot back in the binding, all while sliding downhill.  Did I mention that we went skiing during a heatwave (70 degrees) and I went skiing in a t-shirt and no gloves?  There is nothing more fun than skidding to a stop on your forearms and hearing the most dreaded words ever: "Are you ok?"   That phrase scars more than any pain!  My only saving grace (on Day 2) was the Belgian waffle cabin I found at the bottom of the slopes....mmmm waffles.