Thursday, July 17, 2008

the best things in life are free

normally, i would answer this, and the equally vapid "money can't buy you love" with "then you're obviously not shopping in the right place". but a free new york philharmonic concert, al fresco in central park, is definitely one of the best things in life. every summer the philharmonic stages a variety of these in all the boroughs. this past tuesday the program was tchaikovsky's first piano concerto, beethoven's fourth symphony and sibelius' finlandia. it was a perfect evening of beautiful music with my honey and his niece shivann (love ya %^* ), and of course, food and drink. chicken from PIO PIO, macaroni, bean, and corn salads, some smoked gouda, mango chutney dip and toasted pita chips, delicious rosemary bread and tomato focaccia. we had cold gin and tonics to refresh us from the hot sun (and "the vapors" %^D ), a nice albarino and a cotes du ventou. if you've never tried PIO PIO chicken, you MUST! it is a peruvian place which only does chicken and a few sides. yellow rice, red beans, fried ripe of green plantains, and salad. check out their website on the side there and look for one near you. anyway, it was a beautiful moonlit nite, ending with fireworks. it's great to see people of all ages and nationalities and walks of life out enjoying one thing. there were two elderly women next to us, with big hats and long dresses, sitting on the grass enjoying their noshes and white wine. i hope i will be like that. i like to think that i will be. i'm finally taking time out to enjoy my time off from school, and this will be one of many great memories of summer '08. here's the great van cliburn performing the third movement of tchaikovsky's first piano concerto. have a great summer everybody, and enjoy!!!

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