Out of Office Autoreply: The Burgs are in Rome

We will not have access to voicemail, email or the internet from October 12 until October 18th in honor of Karen's 29th birthday and our 4th Anniversary.

I bet you're a little jealous. Don't worry, we have many photos to share.

King Rut

Steve Martin will be playing Carnegie Hall this week. He is touring for his recently released album of banjo music.
This is great news. Erik is for anything that keeps Mr. Martin from being in front of cameras as he now only appears in horrendous remakes (and sequels to said remakes) and makes smug cameos in TV shows. Erik wouldn't care but he remembers when the man was actually funny....his stand-up, "The Jerk," "The Man with Two Brains," "The Lonely Guy," "King Tut." Hilarious.
Fifteen years and untold spins in the grave by Peter Sellers later, he's making "The Pink Panther 2." So keep up the music career and...wait, nevermind...a quick check of the IMDB reveals that a remake of "Topper" will be slated for 2010. Mr. Martin will be playing the Cary Grant role. Well played, Mr. Martin. Well played.

Rats!

This sign was posted at a park near us once the weather started changing.
I picture the rats looking for their new digs carrying their hobo bundles tied to sticks slung over their shoulders. Maybe that's just me. I blame this on too much "Tom & Jerry" as a child.

He sends one of yours to the hospital. You send one of his to the...church.

On December 30, 1918, Al Capone and Mae Josephine Coughlin were married at the St. Mary Star of the Sea Church in our neighborhood. The Carroll Gardens natives moved to Long Island a year later to raise their son Albert Francis Capone. Al and Mae were married for nearly 30 years until Al was gunned down by federal agents in a Chicago speakeasy. *

* That last part was a lie. If you ever read a book on Al Capone, do yourself and skip the last chapter. Spoiler alert: Syphilis.

Mrs. Robinson's Neighborhood

Instead of taking 5 million of the same photo in different locations. We could easily stay home and digitally swap out the backgrounds. Or Erik could get a tripod, I guess. We're certainly not trusting the guy renting the boats. He could bolt at any minute!

We could probably just use photoshop.

Instead of taking 5 million of the same photo in different locations. We could easily stay home and digitally swap out the backgrounds. Or Erik could get a tripod, I guess. We're certainly not trusting the guy renting the boats. He could bolt at any minute!

Way scarier in person . . .

They look harmless, almost majestic in this light. But let me tell you something . . . when these giant geese surround your paddle boat in the middle of Prospect Park, you'll know the true meaning of fear.

Ok . . . maybe that's just me and my lifelong fear of swans, geese, and all other large birds. Thanks Mom!

Somebody's favorite Beatle is Ringo.

Well, Mr. Starr was very popular and he did get the most fan mail but naming your company after "Octopus's Garden"?  Maybe "With a Little Help From My Squids" was taken.

Erik wishes we had a back yard.

Just so he could pay this guy to come over and paint a mural on our back wall. Frankly, I can't blame him.

Wow . . . please take a closer look.

Normally I don't like to break the fourth wall like some people who write on this account, but you need to click on that little magnify lens and enlarge this photo RIGHT NOW! Did you do it? Did you see the detail? It's absolutely amazing. This is exactly what a litter bug should look like . . .

Who designed this sign and why were we not aware of it sooner? Please note: this is a city sponsored sign and not some hipster attempt at artsy commentary.