Florent & The Meat Packers

WS Entry: #8

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In the past week, I chanced upon two articles that made me nostalgic about New York. One stirred up memories of the beginning chapters of my supposed "grown-up" life. The other pretty much summarizes the character of a New Yorker. One is the definitive proof that the 'sterilization' of NYC is practically complete. The other gives me hope that the true character of the city will never disappear.

Restaurant Florent is probably one of the last, if not the last stalwart in lower Manhattan's Meat Packing District (is Coyote Ugly still around?). Due to the endless gentrification and skyrocketing rents in the borough, the formica-packed diner will close its doors at the end of June. Gone will be another place where one's craving for steaks and 'moule frites' at 4AM can be satisfied underneath a canopy of cigarette smoke and flourescent lights.

Then, there is the Smithsonian essay answering the question if New Yorkers are rude. There are days when you just wanna smack them. There are days when you just feel like you could rant, rave and act like they do. Are they rude? You decide after reading this essay in the Smithsonian by Joan Acocella.

No News

Subic Int'l Triathlon, May-08

It was a highly competitive weekend with about 200 competitors participating in the ITU-Subic Bay International Triathlon this past weekend. Hong Kong's Daniel Lee Chi-Wo and Japan's Tomoko Sakimoto won the Men's and Women's Elite Race respectively. The competitive atmosphere was heightened by the quiet rivalry between the Polo Tri Team and the Fitness First team which both sent waves of competitors through Subic's murky harbor and all the way through to Ocean Adventure.

The Olympic distance competitors were spared the loops up-and-down the steep Binictican hill. However, the Elite racers were put through the test on this slope. As a safety feature, the organizers strategically placed crash guards against the railings at the bottom of Binictican in case the downhill momentum threw anyone off their bikes.

The "Manila Rovers", although short on people, were in the field as well. Congratulations to Rae for braving the waters and making it through her first Sprint. As for Will and Glen, I'm sure the beers were tasting good afterwards.

Elite Racers

Polo Tri Team

Fitness First

Manila Rovers

PANGEA: A Day of Film

In 2006 Jehane Noujaim, TED prize winner and director of the documentary Control Room, made her wish for world peace. As difficult as that may sound, she inspired others to pull together and organized a global day of film in which the world gets together and appreciate each other's perspectives through film.

On 10 May 2008 Noujaim's wish for PANGEA DAY comes to fruition. Twenty-four films by independent global filmmakers will be broadcast live from five different locations across the globe via television, the internet and onto mobile phones. Live broadcast starts at 1800 GMT time. Watch Noujaim's 2006 TED Wish below.

Links
TED
Noujaim Films