San Antonio

Went home for the 3-day weekend. Almost forgot my luggage at the office. Had to run back after boarding the subway and thinking it strange how I didn't have anything heavy to schlep to JFK. Luckily I still had time to make it out to the airport since I caught the very next subway into the city. Far Rockaway is rather far away. Ugh.

Got into SA Friday night. I went back to visit my folks and a friend I reconnected with via FaceBook. FB is truly amazing as it brings up all these old faces I hadn't thought of in years. There are a few negatives but mostly it is an amazingly great way to update friends and family on all the adventures and updates you can't squish into Christmas and holiday card updates. I hadn't heard from my college roommate and her husband in years, so my update with them was two additional children!

Spent most of Saturday doing the tourist stuff downtown. Walked a good portion of the Riverwalk. Picked up the River Barge for the most of the old section of the river. Lots of new construction but I still love the more natural section with the cypress tree knees jutting up and the vegetation bring in the organic calming elements to the stroll. We popped into the mall for a quick bite to eat and bathroom breaks. Walked up to street level to walk past the Alamo. Yep, it's still there. Yep, you still remember it. Back across the street to wind over to the bus stop to head back to T's parents place. Haven't done the downtown loop in years. Learned a few things from the boat guide but mostly it's the same.

Dinner was from Chit Chats Bar-B-Que. Really good stuff from these gals working in a small place near the AlamoDome. Everything was great - brisket, ribs, very lean pork.

Spent Sunday with my folks. We tried going to chamber music at the synagogue but noticed the parking lots surprisingly spare. Everyone in Texas drives everywhere. Turned out one of the musicians was ill so they had to cancel. Weird since my last visit when I went to hear a quartet play they started late due to one of the musicians getting stuck on a delayed flight. Maybe it's me.

We ate at Pappasitos, one of my favorite places. Start with the fresh guacamole which comes with the good chips; table chips are too thin and sometimes stale. They have the best grilled quail. It comes with a lime butter sauce and really fresh tortillas. Damn good stuff.

We went to see It's Complicated. Rather simple and silly plot but the cast delivers the subpar material with enthusiasm. I personally hate this recent genre of film - older woman fantasy flick. The formula includes a 'mature' woman with a great career, fabulous home and wardrobe, can't seem to get guys her age, often her ex, to take notice. AH, but by the end of a series of goofy incidents, some involving a one-upsmanship over their younger competition, she gets the guy, not her ex. Ref: Something's Got To Give, Nights in Rodanthe, I Could Never Be Your Woman. Ugh! Pure fantasy drivel. Sadly most of these lame films are directed and/or written by women, sometimes very talented women. WTF? Why keep perpetuating the myth that a man will complete the happily ever after story? Maybe they need to read some Bella DePaulo.

That rant out of the way, I did enjoy Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin's performances. And I did like the negative reaction to the use of plastic surgery. Good for that message. And John Krasinski delivered great comedic reactions in the supporting role as the future son-in-law. Steve Martin was too restrained, not that they needed to use him in all his chaotic craziness but I wanted to at least see something beyond an impression of being stoned. But it was entertaining escapist material, only because I didn't have to pay ;)

Monday I had to head home. Before boarding the plane back to NYC, I needed a good Mexican breakfast taco fix. Our first choice was closed so we headed to Panchitos. It's across the street from Julian Gold, which is so great to see since most local fine clothing stores have long been gone post Macy's, etc.. Good restaurant switch. I had two tacos which were great. They do great migas and chilaquilas but the standout item was simply the corn tortillas - OMG! This is what all tortillas should taste like - fresh masa, warm, fluffy, cooked yet soft, bursting with flavor and no hint of dryness. Why, oh why can't I get this in NYC?

Ah, I miss food, family, friends. But could I ever live here again? Time will tell.