Shang Dining During the NY Times Travel Show

I don’t know how Max does it between keeping GoNOMAD and the Café running but he once again surprised me. He arranged for us to try out a new restaurant in NYC during our stint at the NY Times Travel Show in Feb. I received a bit about Shang in the mail a few days ago, pulling out the menu frequently and rubbing my hands together in anticipation.

Yesterday the NY Post did a piece about three new restaurants opening up in NYC recently despite the free falling economy. The article was called, Bad Timing, Good Dining by Steve Cuozzo. The name chef at Shang is Hong Kong born Susar Lee, a titan once based in Toronto. Lee went head to head with Iron Chef’s Bobby Flay that ended in a draw, good enough for me. Till Feb I will just take out the menu and change my mind a few hundred times. Shang 187 Orchard St (Thompson LES Hotel) 212 260-7900

Joe Torre Chills on Lizard Island Before The Yankee Years, New York Post Piece

Let’s say you were one of the most successful managers in professional sports and revered. Add on that you just finished your book that promises to be a huge seller filled with juicy tidbits of some of biggest names in baseball. Where would you go to chill just before the books release, best choice Lizard Island in Queensland, Australia. His move to LA and the Dodgers made the trip six hours shorter.

Joe Torre left Lizard just a day before we arrived and by all accounts was a perfect guest. I was told this by guests and staff still there when we arrived. Affable and friendly were the words I was told. You cannot get any further from NYC than Lizard and Joe chose well. I expect Torre will get some nasty feed back from guys like A-Rod, Cashman, Steinbrenner and Jeter. The book is called The Yankee Years and is expected to be big. When the heat hits Joe no doubt will think about the beauty, tranquility and luxury he left behind on Lizard Island. Heck with the money he will make from the book he might consider a return and real soon. That’s what I would do! Check out the story in the New York Post. http://www.lizardisland.com.au/?gclid=CJGt4a30qpgCFQETGgodmUX5mQ

Advice From the NY Post for a Leo Travel Writer

When I finally got home from my long trip back from Queensland, Lil had the NY Post waiting. After a 12 hour flight from Brisbane to LAX and then a 6 hour one to JKF followed by my under dressed walk to the car in long term parking, it was great to walk into the home I love. The end of my Post horoscope stated that for me a Leo, life is for living, and loving and laughing. As a Leo I try my hardest but a travel day with such long stretches makes it hard sometimes, until I realize that I am living life to the fullest, the opportunities I have make to do so unthinkable.

Australia is a long way to go to spend 6 nights, unless you realize that the chance to explore some far flung destinations with fantastic islands is included in the time frame. I also thought about the amazing team of writers and photographers I bonded with, more about them later. With the international dateline fitting in with this trip I wasn’t sure if I was getting my horoscope today, yesterday or tomorrow. I do know that it was great advice.

The Jet Lag Study, A Perfect Fit

I awoke in a fog, perhaps delayed jet lag; I have been living with the lag for years. It is an occupational hazard that is well worth dealing with. That’s why I was sort of surprised when I came across a medical research ad in the NY Post today. The Jet Lag Study is looking for sleepy, cranky, disoriented travelers for flight to France. I rubbed my eyes and reread the piece, yes to France, one of my favorite places. I also can be cranky, sleepy and disoriented. I just might fit the bill. I have nothing against FDA approved chemicals, especially when they are used for other sleep disorders. Okay so if accepted for the study I would get a quick trip to France at no cost and maybe even get compensated $2,500. After reminding myself that I have an upcoming trip to Belgium, I tossed the paper down and closed my eyes. Is there any better cure for delayed jet lag?

Successful Pot Head, Bottoms Up

Back when I was a student at Franklin Pierce College, shopping for bowls and bongs was as important as stocking up on edibles. In fact the food choices were geared for filling up the bong and then dealing with the munchies. These days I am far more inclined to get a good bottle of red wine and pompously use phrases like, “full bodied with smooth silky wash”.

The NY Post's new Sunday Page Six magazine had a fascinating piece about NY’s young successful functioning pot heads struck home. Basically is pointed out how these movers and shakers all thought that some pokes on a dobbie made them so much more creative. All now state that it was quite the opposite, memory problems and clouded thinking was more like it. I’ll have to reread it over a glass Chateau Lafitte Rothschild just to make sure I got it right.