why did I put that into anything? I should have just eaten it.

When peaches are perfectly ripe, the dessert at Chez Panise is: a peach.

I mean seriously.

In other news of flavor, wow, British cheese and onion crisps really taste like onions. US sour cream and onion chips do NOT taste like onions.

Wow. I'm in love. With this: [link]

I test-road a Dutch bicycle today, and it was the most fun I've ever had on two wheels.

It was a Slate article [link] that got me interested in the bike. From the article:

My third test bike was the Batavus Breukelen ($1,150). Here at last was the iconic Dutch bicycle of my mind's eye. Batavus has been making these things for about a century and seems to have mastered the art. It was all there: the thick black tubes, the refined posture, the sturdy luggage rack (where might sit my imaginary Dutch girlfriend, her legs a-dangle).

Dutch bikes are designed to withstand the elements without deteriorating. Everything is internalized so as to be hidden from the weather: The chain is in a case, the brakes and the seven gears are tucked away inside the two wheel hubs, and all the cables are fully insulated. This bike can sit outside in the drizzle for decades with very few ill effects.

Which is good, because you'll have no choice but to leave it outside. Carrying it up a flight of stairs is nearly impossible. The Batavus weighs a staggering 47 pounds, and the elongated distance between its wheels makes it difficult to maneuver in a narrow stairwell or fit into a small elevator. That extra weight is less than ideal for climbing hills. And the pedal placement doesn't help such climbs, either. Batavus puts its pedals further forward than they are on most bikes, which makes it nearly impossible to stand up and stomp down when you need extra oomph.

That said, the same attributes that limit the Batavus also make it an utter joy. The heft creates inertia, smoothing out the ride. The elongated wheelbase handles potholes and curbs with ease. The forward placement of the pedals allows a more natural body position when you're riding at a casual pace. Put it all together, and you get the Rolls-Royce of bikes. You just won't find a more luxurious cycling experience. To ride this bike on flat ground is to hear a voice in your head let out a "Wheeeeeee!" that is without end.

That last paragraph perfectly describes the experience of riding it. I'm gonna have to buy it when I get my next paycheck....

eta:

It turns out my colleagues view urban cycling as a Darwinian contest, in which the cyclist who weaves most daringly between the delivery trucks is the glorious victor. Thus they chafe at the configuration of the Batavus, which does not encourage or enable aggressive pedaling. I, on the other hand, like to pretend I'm a European—rolling around the city at dawdling speed, occasionally dinging the bell to alert inattentive pedestrians to my presence. If you're like me, you'll adore the Batavus. If you approach cycling as a vicious blood sport, you likely won't.

Jesse, you're ahead of me on the cake-making. Though since you're three hours ahead of me, maybe that's only fair.

I've seen about 30 different people walking around the neighborhood with invisible dogs. I guess it's an Improv Anywhere thing.

Yep.

Improv Everywhere Takes 2,000 Invisible Dogs for a Walk in Brooklyn

Jesse, you're ahead of me on the cake-making. Though since you're three hours ahead of me, maybe that's only fair.

Indeed. And it's delicious! Although I'm totally one of those people in the reviews who says they love the recipe but the changed 100 things. Really, I just added ground ginger, to the fact that I made a berry recipe with peaches.

Got my long walk in AND I made 800m in the pool without stopping. It's always the last half, which is interesting. I guess I have to warm up to it. 200, 300,300, then 800.

I dropped by Taylor's and we had a great visit. Even better was her mom just came home friday, so she was there too (she had a major setback the day after I moved here and had been in the hospital, in the critical care unit, until now.)

I gave Taylor some Nepalese & Bhutanese money, postcards, N&B flags, a coinpurse of the type that were ubiquitous in Kath, and let her pick out a pashmina- she went for the royal blue (surprised me, I was sure she'd go with the pink!) Anyway, found out she's doing really well in school. She even figured out that one of her dad's work procedures was basically an algebra problem, converted it to a formula and solved it! They'd just been using tables, but they weren't fine enough detail. He's bringing the device home so she can experiment with it. That's really kind of cool.

And I got a A&W burger since I was right by there.

Kind of a good day!

Is it lame that it's 8 pm in NYC and I'm in my jammies? Yes, I know it is. I was planning to find an art house and go to a movie...but I suddenly felt super exhausted and my throat started hurting, so I had a quick supper and come back to the hotel.

Today I spent the good part of the day on Connecticut, visiting with my friend David and meeting his fiance. I may have to go to Cape Cod their wedding next summer.

In other news, msbelle is really the nicest.

Speaking of my friend David, is Sophia around? Does she live in Rochester? My friend in directing a play there this fall.

Is it lame that it's 8 pm in NYC and I'm in my jammies?

I really hope not!