30 to Midnight

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day, even if you're not a mother. Yesterday a store clerk wished Sara a HMD. Happened last year too. Translation: you don't look young and why don't you have any kids? Sara's response: You too. As in, guess Mother's Day is a universal holiday like Thanksgiving.

City Hall Park, Manhattan

Monday, 11:30am

City Hall Park
Broadway, Park Row, and Chambers Street, Manhattan

You know we love love this City, even though we (well, Sara) recently lost an entire toenail which has completely changed her perspective on everything. Lost meaning there is no longer a nail on the toe. Well, there is a freaky baby nail. Eew. Why doesn't her toe hurt now, but it did hurt in January? It's so confusing.

What's not confusing is this - New York City is the greatest place in the world, even if we (well, Sara) recently had $980 stolen from her checking account in some sort of ATM fraud. Stolen meaning someone followed her $20 transaction (needed a little something for the OTB for the Derby) with 2 balance checks,  a $800 withdrawal (luckily for them the day prior was payday), a $100 withdrawal, and 2 $40 withdrawals. Eew. Why not take it all at once? Who even knew you could get $800 from an ATM?

What's not confusing is this: if we could marry the City, flaws and all, at City Hall, in the newly redesigned muni court chapel, we would, even with the rampant number of InAppropriates. And another thing, we apologize for being too busy to post daily. If you're angry with us, consider the toe, and the fact that the $980 is still out of the aforementioned account, pending investigation.

Sometimes the Tooth Fairy is Too Tired

There's a great story in my family, to most of us, about what happened the time sibling #4 lost his first tooth: the Tooth Fairy fell asleep on the couch watching some sort of made-for-tv movie. That would never happen to sibling #1. But that's exactly what happens when you have multiple childs. 

The point is, 30toMidnight is suffering from sibling #2 status while sibling #1 - ScoreboardGourmet - is having a pre-baseball-season rally. Also, it's Scoreboard Gourmet's 3rd birthday today. But don't worry, 30toMidnight has not been forgotten. Regular reporting will resume soon. In the meantime, let's show some love to the eldest child. Go read about sports+food. And let us know what you think.

The Facebook Breakup, Part 8

The Facebook Breakup, Part 8

Continued from Part 7...I responded to the Friend’s text message: “Considering the cut on my face and my swollen jaw it’s hard to disagree with that sentiment. But I am curious to know what you think happened.” I wasn’t expecting a response but I did hope the words would provide a window to what was essentially assault.

The Facebook Breakup, Part 7

The Facebook Breakup, Part 7

Continued from Part 6...I checked my voicemail at 9:46pm. In my hysteria I’d not noticed the calls.

The first one said, in relatively sober-sounding voice, “Seriously, Sara. I’m very sad about how this ended up because I actually enjoyed being friends with you but obviously we won’t be friends. I’m so fucking sad. And it’s such a shame. So, you know, live your life. And do whatever it is you do.”

Things To Do On A Snowy Night In Manhattan

We interrupt our quest to get you out of your homes for social Age Appropriate interaction with this message - Reading Is Fundamental. Remember those commercials? But we're serious. Turn off your TV or iPod (or computer) and pick up a book. It will make you smarter and give you something to talk about.

Below (and pictured) are the books currently on Sara's bedside table. The one on top she finished reading last night. The one on bottom she finished reading last May. Not sure why that hasn't made it to a shelf since others have. No matter - these are our current recommendations, a varied list, with something for everyone. Click and you'll get the Amazon descriptions, etc.

Fiction:
-The Gathering
-The White Tiger: A Novel
-The Arabian Nights: Tales from a Thousand and One Nights

Nonfiction:
-Boy: Tales of Childhood
-In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex
-Serve It Forth (Art of Eating)

Next Up (also Fiction):
-The Inheritance of Loss -or-
-The Shipping News
Clearly we have a thing for the Man Booker Prize.

The Facebook Breakup, Part 6

The Facebook Breakup, Part 6

Continued from Part 5...She’d called me from her home the day before. I remembered seeing the number.
“Hi,” I said when her husband picked up. “I can’t help her. She punched me. She’s out on her own. Tell me what you want me to do. I want to help her but I can’t.”
“She’s calling me now,” he said, “I’ll call you back.”
I cried for five minutes before calling my brother. He didn’t pick up. I called a friend, a real one. She didn’t answer. I tasted blood. My lip was bleeding, my jaw was already sore, and when I went to the bathroom mirror to check it out, I noticed the cut not far from my eye.

The Facebook Breakup, Part 5

The Facebook Breakup, Part 5

More Foul Language Here. Continued from Part 4...She didn’t come all the way in. She stood by the door in my long narrow hall, part blocked by my bike and part blocked by her lack of recognition.

I put on a coat, put my wallet in my pocket, grabbed two bottles of water and her bag.
“Here’s your bag,” I said, handing it to her. “And a water.”

Reader Says: What are u putting in there?

A reader just informed me that 30toMidnight is blocked at her workplace because of an error message that reads something like: the website you have attempted has been ID’d as containing content that could pose a risk to the firm and its policies. You know you're someone when you're being banned.

Cougar Town

You know how we feel about Cougar. But that's not why we never watched Cougar Town. We never watched Cougar Town because we had no idea when it was on. We blame it on Wednesday pool class (showtime is 9:30pm, ABC).

Anyway, we've caught a couple episodes and have to say it's funny. Funny enough to make the DVR roster. Kevin Biegel and Bill Lawrence, we like you. Those are the writers. You can't find them on the About The Show tab because, apparently, ABC thinks actors just make up their own lines. Oh the world is always giving credit to the wrong people. And we are not not not criticizing the actors. Not at all. We like the Felicity-Drew Carey reunion. We think you will too. Watch it tomorrow and let us know what you think.

I like that your ex-husband lives on a boat, there is no possible way I can let you down. -Jeff (aka Noel)