Pausing the PBL
If you were hoping to see some significant progress in April on the newly declared Paris Bucket List (PBL), you are about to be sorely disappointed in this month’s version of le blog. With less than 3 months to spare, you could have envisioned us flying around the city – sniffing last sniffs of the blooming flowers at Luxembourg, sipping last sips of espresso at Café du Metro, and chomping last chomps of steak frites at newly discovered bistros on warm spring evenings. But in fact, if all of those were check boxes on a multiple choice question representing our recent accomplishments, the Rue Cassetters would have simply selected “none of the above.”
But you know better than for us to completely disappoint our loyal RC readers – and so where we taketh away stories and photos of Paris this month, we giveth memories and treasured times spent with…many of you. Especially those of you living in some of the finer US cities – Washington DC, New York, or Seattle. And super-especially if you happened to get married on Long Island in April. That is right – for the first time in the history of le blog, we will not feature a single Paris-inspired reflection in the paragraphs to follow, but rather hit the symbolic PBL pause button and just show you what you showed us…during Spring Break USA 2009.
And for this month I can also reassure you that the “SBUSA2009BL” was just as aggressive and visually stimulating as the PBL – just….less foreign. There were the more weighty items like “Shannon to Get a Job”, “Buy a House”, “Be in a Wedding”…all the way to the more refined items like “Scoop Bo Obama’s Merde”, “Have former-roommate Jon Krisbergh make me breakfast”, “Dance Souja-boy Style in the Totten’s Living Room”, and "Host Canoe Races in the Montlake Cut”. If these types of adventures sound remotely interesting to you, then once again…this blog’s for you.
Stop 1: Washington DC
Here is a bonafied, 100% guaranteed offer of goodwill from the inhabitants of Rue Cassette. If you visit us in Paris 5 separate times, we will visit you once. It doesn’t matter where you live on the face of this earth – we will come and crash your pad and attempt to recreate the jubilating decadence that you shared with us – but this time on your home turf.
Shockingly, the only one to date that has taken us up on this proposition is Shannon’s sister Anne (aka Beauvert). But we are Frenchies of our word, and thus, started planning our DC-invasion shortly after her last November visit. Upon arrival, we couldn’t help but noticing some iconic images that we don’t believe were there during our last visit in 2004…
One thing that had not changed however, was Anne’s townhome residence in a quietly charming part of Capitol Hill (for the resident neighborhood buffs, I’m told that this is the House side).
Nor had the tradition of “Sis Pics” – the anything-but-candid, vertical pictures of the two beauverts together, in full-on spiffy dinner gear – prior to entering the restaurant. If you like what you see here and would like to peruse more of the collectible series, then I recommend you…read le blog more often…
When in our nation’s capital, we did some obligatory sightseeing. And some obligatory seagull-dodging….
Anne and I pondered the Washington Monument, which much like Eify, has two creepy red eyes at the top. We’re thinking Obama may want to make them a friendlier Democratic blue. Like airplane pilots can’t see blue?
And speaking about Obama, we checked out his crib. You can tell from the black bars that we were not so much granted a backstage pass to meet the newly announced Bo Obama (therefore not pictured). We didn’t even see any Bo leftovers on the front yard – a good indication of our tax dollars already hard at work.
And speaking of Obama AGAIN (I guess you could say he’s kind of a big deal), you couldn’t help but appreciate this original work, a recent addition to the National Portrait Gallery…
And before you knew it, we were leaving Anne in her plush office at the American Psychological Association to stop entertaining visitors – and get back to work! Thanks Anne for the many (unpictured) memories!
Stop 2: NYC
You may remember a certain March 2009 le blog segment featuring a pre-celebration of Ryan and Tracy’s love for each other. Sure, it may have been disguised as a modern day bachelor party at an undisclosed location in Nevada. But at its core, it was truly a preparation for the main event to come – just two months later in New York. Fast forward two blogs later…and surprise, here you find us…in New York.
Shannon and I love the in-and-out weekend trip – and le blog is our evidence. But from what I’ve been told from multiple sources, the Big Apple is worth more than a wedding weekend. Especially when you have friends in town. And double-especially when they are former Rue Cassette visitors who have enjoyed the fruits of absinthe and feisty Parisian cab drivers. Jon Krisbergh and Rachel Sherman fit that profile precisely.
And so on a spring day in April, we found ourselves in midtown Manhattan, pondering the beautiful monster that is….NYC.
Krisbergh’s part of town was choice – something that he described as simply “Grammercy.” I’m no expert at NYC hoods, but a quick stroll around the block had me concluding he had chosen, like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom….wisely. In fact, I found this a quite acceptable exchange for a few nights in the sixieme arrondisement. Here you will find a couple snapshots of the surrounding environs…
And what a host. There’s nothing that gets you going in the morning like a Fried Matzo-Ball Egg Scramble. I probably just completely butchered the name of the dish, but I think you can get the point. Jewish and Yummy….
Of course all our meals couldn’t all be home-cooked by Krisbergh. But apparently NYC has a couple of decent steak houses, and according to our hosts, ones worth trying as well. A good example of this was Bobby Van’s, pictured below. Two things to note in the photo, the first subtle and the second just blatant – 1) our French influence on Jon, who wouldn’t leave the table without an espresso after supper and 2) Rachel showing us up with her Caribbean-inspired bronzing, having just returned from a wedding in the US Virgin Islands that night…
This just in – Duke friends do live in NYC! There are many places Blue Devils disperse to after graduation, but sadly, Seattle is shockingly low on that list. NYC, au contraire, is shockingly high on that list. So when in town I just couldn’t resist having some catch-up time for people that I don’t see nearly enough of. Here we are with Adrienne Schamberg (by process of elimination you should be able to figure out which one she is), a good buddy of mine from the days of our freshman dorm…
And yes of course, there was some unavoidable NYC sightseeing as well. Times Square, Soho, Lady Liberty, Grand Central Station, 5th Avenue…you know them, we saw ‘em…
Rockefeller Plaza was especially festive at that time of the year, with a fully blooming display of pink and white lilies…That led to Shannon feeling especially festive as well, being serenaded by me AND her favorite flowers…
And I felt especially festive about being able to do a NYC deli properly. We dined at Katz’s for some top-notch pastrami and brisket, admiring the star-studded wall of photos of every single famous person who had done the same. Apparently stars stuff themselves, JUST LIKE US….
And given the pure blue sky, it seemed unavoidable to try some NYC corollaries of our favorite Paris spots. Instead of the Pont des Arts footbridge, NYC has the Brooklyn Bridge with a pedestrian zone walkway. With the exception of the Brooklyn Bridge being about 50 times the length, and 0% of the picnics – I consider it a very comparable experience.
And what was NYC’s answer to our very own Jardin de Luxembourg? Central Park of course, also 50 times the size, just as susceptible to seasonal beauty, and more flexibility on the daily hours of operation. If they could only import a French-style chateau and a nutella-crepe-making man, they would be nearly neck and neck…..
But while Krisbergh and his pretty wicked-cool city are worth applause – it’s important for us to get re-focused on the true NYC task at hand, which was not in fact related to Manhattan at all. It was instead more related to a charming town a mere 30 minutes away via Long Island Railroad (LIRR). So we crossed the Hudson and said our goodbyes and IheartNYs, preparing for the big weekend ahead…
The VanGrack / Zuckerman Main Event- How Marriage Should Be, Period.
If you are not impressed enough by Ryan and Tracy’s adorable engagement photo, perhaps consider that I took this one from the article about them in the New York Times. No, I didn’t mess that up. The New York Times. Shannon and I struggled to get coverage of our wedding in the Maple Leaf Community Gazette, quarterly circulation of 1,250 (if the Jensen boy has time to deliver them)…and Ryan and Tracy are featured in the fricking New York Times. Sorry, I don’t usually use exploitives like fricking in my PG-13 blog, but sometimes I am just humbled by the goodness of these marriage pros! All that aside, as diligent preparation you should absolutely read the article because I will struggle to represent the same level of detail and reporting sophistication in my account of the event….and it will help you get a warning of the caliber of celebration you are about to witness! Voila the lovebirds…
Seeking refuge in the picture-perfect Long Island town of Great Neck, the Duke contingency left their respective busy professional lives and descended upon the rehearsal dinner. Since the dinner was hosted at a quaint Italian restaurant in Great Neck, it seemed appropriate to eat pasta, drink red wine, tell long-winded embarrassing storied about Ryan, and eat the traditional Italian dessert – Fudgie the Whale. OK Fudgie may be a stretch for the Italian theme, but it fit perfectly with the “whatever the groom wants, the groom gets” theme…and the crowd seemed pleased as well…
Our table at the rehearsal featured two pairs of former distinguished RC visitors – On the left, Rachel and Jon (who you will be seeing much more of, assuming le blog continues to their August wedding!), and of course on the right, the couple that can only be known by their french-ified names – La Vievre et Le Tence.
The evening was magical, and the faces show it. The bride and groom (next to Shannon and I) were in top form, gracious hosts, and put us all in the wedding spirit…
As for the big day itself….how to even start to describe (especially in comparison to the Times)! Perhaps with three French words – charmant (a real charmer), touchant (touching), and INCROYABLE (WOW-like incredible)!! Shannon and I have been to some good weddings in our day (many of which are documented on le blog), and there are always so many X-factors. Sometimes it’s how you feel about how the couple is just-so perfectly-paired, and sometimes it’s about how much fun and non-stop action (which can be measured in perspiration). And best, sometimes it’s about all of the above! Ryan and Tracy’s was one of those times…
And as such, I feel as if I should recount some personal highlights, starting with the charmant part - the bride and groom both gorgeously dressed up, with a full cast of wedding party charmers mirroring them in black and white…
Touchant – the wedding ceremony itself, complete with heartwarming vows about each other (for which I had a pretty good seat!) and a proclamation of pure joy on their march back down the aisle…
With the groomsmen being outnumbered, it took a courageous volunteer to step up and assume double-bridesmaid-duty. I told Ryan if this is where he needed me, it was a responsibility I felt prepared to accept. I still can hear the wedding coordinator singing the perfectly appropriate Beach Boys “Surf City” lyrics prior to our triple-wide debut down the aisle…
Here’s something that I can classify as incroyable – the ultimate pre-party event. An hour-long of aperitifs and what seemed like no less than 50 appetizer stations – before the official reception even got going! This was important fuel for what was to be an all-night affaire. Add some of your favorite dressed-up peeps, and what’s not to like?
Classic speeches from family, including one where evidence was revealed that Tracy predicted her future-husband’s name over 20 years ago. Who knew? Here they go being charmant again…
The cadence of the wedding (Long-Island style apparently) was like nothing I had ever experienced– a fierce rotation of eating, dancing, eating, dancing, eating, dancing…all night long! We really should pick this up on the West Coat…Exhibit A: Eating
Exhibit B: Dancing!
A rare break in the dancing / eating continuum provided a nice opportunity for 9 members of our pledge class to reunite! From left to right: Jeremy Crystal, Matt Johannes, Jon Krisbergh, moi, Ian Doherty, Brent Johnson, Eric Tencer, and Eric Spencer (not pictured – lucky #9, the groom himself!)
Two telltale signs of an unforgettable event – 1) when your groomsman have excessive amounts of highly visible perspiration, and 2) when the same groomsmen are found attempting to eat their (non-edible) pink boutonnieres. Looks like its almost time to wrap this one up!
But not without some tearful goodbyes, and congratulatory send-offs to Ryan and Tracy – who would shortly be off to the Mediterranean for some well-deserved honeymoon jubilation. Thank you Ryan and Tracy for an unforgettable event – Rue Cassette LOVES YOU!
Stop 3: Sea-Town
What’s Spring Break is complete without a drop-in to Seattle? OK – don’t answer that. Maybe some Spring Breaks (e.g., the ones that involve sun, pools, beach balls, etc.), but not RC Spring Breaks! Sure – it may be little less glitzy, a tad more low-key…and arguably slightly more moderate temperature-wise…but it’s home. And we love it.
And when you land at sunset approaching Mount Rainier, what’s not to love?
Come to think of it, I’m not sure what restaurant could compete with two spots at Carol and Rich’s table – especially when they welcome us home to Seattle with a regional specialty – salmon and pesto. Rich has the right spirit of a proud father ready to dig in– santé et bon appétit!
Seeing that we were seriously overdue for some Pender-time, we planned some corrective action. This usually involves publicly making a ruckus without much concern for others around (Mr. Pendergraft often taking a leadership role) – and this night at Purple was to be no exception. The following is a signature double lap-sit in the middle of the restaurant, a pose that is likely to catch some attention…but really just observers that would rather have a lapmate as well. Even when the waiter had finished his 5th attempt of the photo shoot, I was fine with maintaining positions through dessert…who wouldn’t be? 
Then, the Tottens did something that was downright special – an urgent reconvening of our dinner group, referred to by some circles as “DP". Which let’s say in this particular situation – just stood for a “Dandy Party!’” And as many of these events tend to be – she was a dandy indeed! From the left-side going clockwise, the following DP-initiated members: Treva, Siri, moi, Jason, Tyler, Kasey, Demetri, and Brandon Roy…errr, David Totten. And those are his world-famous enchiladas, which should be familiar to the fine-tuned and detailed-oriented RC reader (Maria?!), as they are a repeat offender on le blog….
Obligatory “tough-guy” poses often are a common occurrence at DP events…if you ask me D went a little too far with the smile, but a nice counter-measure with the fist….
What business do a bunch of 30-year old white people have learning to dance hip-hop in the Totts’ living room? All too much apparently, as the “Dandy” in DP quickly morphed into “Dance” (an expected occurrence)…and in case you aren’t picking up on it, no one looks too embarrassed. Embarrassing? Yes. Embarrassed? Not a bit. Even that “shy” guy on the left?
He eventually found the groove too….Go Ty Free Go Ty Free GO…
And while Shannon had to depart back to Paris shortly thereafter to educate the global citizens of tomorrow, I had some additional work to do with the Microsoftees. Since most had flown in from around the world, introducing them to some real American traditional home-cooking was top priority – starting with Seattle Best Red Mill Burger, to the southern delicacies (aka fried cornbread) at the Kingfish…This surely helped change the perception of our healthy eating habits in the US…
And in addition to surviving potential heart attacks – these guys braved the waters of Lake Washington for canoe races in the Montlake Cut, Line Dancing amongst fellow Westerners at the Little Red Hen, an “unofficial” tour of the Red Hook Brewery, and much much more. And yet, my manager Corinne (left) and co-worker Simon Hughes (right) still did their best to keep a smile on their face…
Stick a Fork in Me…
And like with so many quality Spring Breaks, one can return home more exhausted than when they departed. And others can be exhausted simply because they are obese and furry, and laziness is just a way of life. Regardless of the reason, the ‘boys of Rue Cassette’ make for a great (and sometimes useless) pair.
With that, we thank all of you for your April hospitality and memories – and here’s hoping for some more productive progression on the PBL in May!
