There are many reasons why you should throw a yoyo. Here are just ten of the ones that I can think of from the top of my head:

1.) Have fun

2.) Relieve stress

3.) Feel a sense of accomplishment

4.) Entertain people

5.) Never wait for anything - you can always just throw a yoyo

6.) Stay busy

7.) Meet new and amazing friends

8.) Always have an innocent "ice breaker"

9.) Begin a collection

10.) Put your metal, wood, or plastic working skills to use (modifying)

So start today. Check out YoYoNation!

First of all, I'd like to just invite you guys and gals to check me out on Tuesday morning (if you're around, or if you have a TV handy) on ESPN's morning show "Cold Pizza." I'll be performing a bunch of yo-yo tricks for the two hours and it will include a 15 minute interview at approximately 9:45 am. I'll mainly be promoting the upcoming World Yo-Yo Contest in Orlando, Florida. ESPN re-runs the show from 10am - 12pm, I believe.

If you don't believe me, check out their website (click here)!



If someone could TiVo it or record it via tape, DVR, or DVD, please do! I would love a copy, if you could provide it! Even if you send me an mpeg or an avi, I'd appreciate that too!

In other news...

Information on the 2nd Annual Celebration of Celebrations party is now available.

Please visit the guestlist for details.

See ya there!

Talk about YOUR NYC Restaurant Week - Winter 2005 Experiences Here!!!

Joseph's Citarella

Click on the image to zoom :

Anything involving prosciutto tickles my fancy

Date: Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Time of Reservation: 8:00 PM
Restaurant: Josephs
Location: 1240 Sixth Ave. (49th St.) New York, NY, 10020
Attendees: Katie and Pat

Zagat 2005 Rating: F- D- S- C "E"
Pat's 2005 Rating: F20 D21 S21 C$54

Winter 2005 Prix Fixe Menu - Dinner ($35.00):

Choice of Appetizers:

- Market Squash Soup - Spiced Pumpkin Seeds

- Winter Salad - Arugula, Prosciutto, Robiola, Figs

Choice of Entrée

- Pappardelle - Braised Duck, Porcini Mushrooms

- Wild Salmon - Snow Peas, Potatoes

Choice of Dessert

- Golden Apple Tart Tatin - Pralines and Cream Ice Cream

- Eskimo Pie & Devil Dog - Butterscotch Sauce

Pat's Comments: For startes, the Market Squash Soup was delicious. It was perfectly seasoned, and the spiced pumpkin seeds added a nice touch to both the flavor and the texture. The winter salad was fresh, and the figs added a nice touch. As my caption in the picture above says, "Anything involving prosciutto tickles my fancy." The entrées were a different story. My salmon was a little too overcooked for my liking. Also, other than that, it was strictly just salmon. I would have expected more, given that the owner / founder of Citarella is supposedly a "fishmonger". I guess that's good if you appreciate simple food. (I do sometimes, but I was hoping for complex flavors tonight...). The pappardelle could have been a great dish, if the duck wasn't braised. It's probably just me, but the duck gave an aftertaste that I didn't enjoy. The aftertaste was almost gamey (not quite). The porcini mushrooms, however, did have a texture and taste that complimented the dish as a whole, so that was a plus. The desserts were okay. The devil dog tasted and felt like a Hoho (or whatever they're called)...you know, those Tasty cake or Little Debbie snacks.

Decor was interesting. First, I was surprised by the fact that the restaurant was four floors, and you had to take an elevator (or stairs) to your table. I've only seen the first and second floors, but to me, each floor wasn't very spacious. I'm guessing that's why they needed four floors. Otherwise, the place was organized well, with comforting colors. Wine cabinets are always cool, especially if it's the first thing you see upon exiting an elevator ride.

The service was friendly and unassuming. We even each received a $20.12 gift certificate to come back and dine at Joseph's, as a Restaurant Week "participant". I'll go again with that, seeing that the most expensive entrée on the "regular" menu was a $35 lobster dish (I think).

Overall, don't expect the Joseph's food to be on the same caliber as their gourmet food markets "reputation"(I shop at Citarella myself, if I'm not at Dean & Deluca). It is, however, a "non-touristy" spot in the tourist packed area of Rockefeller Center. Since I'm always looking for a good spot to hang out around touristy areas (I hate these areas), this is one I'll keep my mind on. Give it a try. It's in the right area for one of those "broadway show then shopping then ice skating then dinner" dates...not that I've ever been on one of those.


Market Squash Soup - Spiced Pumpkin Seeds

New Experience(s) of the Day: Hm. Eskimo Pie and Figs in my salad. Both tasty. I don't have too much else to say about that.

Click here to view all of the pictures from Joseph's

Talk about YOUR NYC Restaurant Week - Winter 2005 Experiences Here!!!

That's right, it's that time of the year again!

Go to the Guestlist to get on the Guestlist!

Details:

Venue: Social Club

Location: 14 East 27th Street (Between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue)

Date: Saturday, January 29th, 2005

Time: 10:00 pm EST 'til you drop

Music: The DJ will be spinning Hip Hop, R&B, and Reggae all night long.

Price: FREE for EVERYONE before 11:30 pm. After 11:30 pm, $15 dollars for everyone.

Specials: OPEN BAR until 11:00 pm

Table / Bottle Service: Starts at $225, and gives you free entrance for up to 6 people! Please let me know if you would like to reserve a table.

Dress Code: "Nice Casual" to "Dress to Impress."

I've booked the posh and swanky DOWNSTAIRS area exclusively for this birthday party (but of course we're free to go wherever we want!)

Downstairs is equipped with our own fully stocked bar with THREE bartenders (get those free drinks!).

There are also some "curtained" booths in the "Super VIP" area for you lucky guys and gals. Who knows who you'll meet at my party this year!

Oh, and we even have our own bathrooms! We've thought of everything...so that YOU can enjoy the party!

My birthday party at Eugene last year was a huge success, and SO much fun! Come celebrate my 24th birthday with me, and make it an even GREATER success than last year's party! Just take a look at what some people said about my birthday party last year:

"Great party + lots of ppl + good buzz + no cover + open bar = good f***in time! happy birthday dawg!" - TTGTOVR4

"Pat - your party was intense. I hope you didn't have to clean up too many bodies afterwards." - strawberry_pow

"When's Round 2 of this title bout scheduled? Looking forward to it...NYC, beware." - K.S.

"pat! had fun! woohoO! and we kissed! and fell in loVE! uh-oh!" - anonymous...I still don't know who this is!

I hope to see EVERYONE there!

Go to the Guestlist to get on the Guestlist!

Information on the 1st Annual TAP Holiday party is now available.

Please visit the guestlist for details.

More information about the dinner is coming soon.

See ya there!

That's right...my Yo-Yo performance is now on available on video!

Thanks to Josey McCormick aka (OSgecko) for hosting it for me!

FYI...the 1.5 minutes of darkness near the end of the video is not a glitch...it's just poor video encoding, but it's okay! Just to let you know, I was using two light-up yoyos during that "dark period."

Check it out at: http://www.flipoutcreations.com/nykollaboration04_cuartero.wmv

Enjoy!

Let me know what you think of the performance!!!