kevin barnett

Some people in college used to give me a hard time and call me “The Count” on the account of my power-brows and pointy nose. Now they’re my best friends. Figures. And so when I read this emotional Cookie Monster editorial on McSweeny’s, I couldn’t stop laughing:

How can they be so callous? Me know there something wrong with me, but who in Sesame Street doesn’t suffer from mental disease or psychological disorder? They don’t call the vampire with math fetish monster, and me pretty sure he undead and drinks blood.

I was just listening to Happy Mondays - W.F.L.

I’m thirty now and it feels pretty awesome. A big part of that is not experiencing anxiety about changing the first digit in my age much less having someone thoughtfully point that out to me. The great feeling also comes from a sense of learning from the mistakes I made in my twenties - what some people refer to as living - and applying those lessons learned to…

Actually, what it comes down to, is that I had a great birthday. I was surrounded by friends (some traveling from Chicago and Austin) and family (my father was in town on a well-timed business trip). I was spoiled with gifts, most of which should benefit any AAPL stockholders and employees. And I received a lot of birthday cards of which my favorite was enclosed in a translucent yellow envelope procured in France. Of course, the experiences was what made it fun.

Hill Country
This place can’t seem to get any negative reviews and/or press in New York and why should it? It’s objective is to serve one of the finest styles of cuisine in the world: Texas BBQ. Of course, after having my fill of Texas BBQ in Texas the weekend before, I wasn’t aggressive on the menu. But it does taste a little bit like home which maybe is worth $20.00/lb for the sliced brisket. Which is the perfect place to have a happy hour/dinner with all of your close Texan (and honorary Texan) friends. Maybe that’s why it is our De facto go-to for such occasions. Also, I don’t know who that sound engineer guy is working at Hill Country thinks he is but he needs to cut out the Kevin-Barnett-imposter-act because it’s pissing me off.

Perilla
Okay, I picked this restaurant at the recommendation of some New York editors and because the executive chef won the first season of Top Chef. As one of the newest and notable restaurants in town, it has received some stellar press and reviews. But what it comes down to is the food and service. Both were impressive. I loved the simple menu (read: not being overwhelmed by a menu adds to a dining experience) and the food really did seem to focus on whatever fresh ingredients were available at that moment. If this is what results from a reality television show, I say bring on Season 4.

Dominick’s
Ten years ago, my friend Luke visited New York with a college friend from Connecticut. When he requested italian food one evening, the friend’s parents drove them to Dominick’s on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. That night resulted in a legendary meal story that I have been curious to re-create ever since moving here. Finally, I was able to do that with Luke visiting along with his wife, sister-in-law and a group of mutual friends. We all took the North Line out of Grand Central to the Fordham University stop and made a 15 minute walk to the restaurant. There were no menus, only “Pasqi” making recommendations and asking us to tell him what we wanted. What ensued was a multi-course meal (antipasto, calamari, stuffed artichokes, veal marsala, chicken picatta, eggplant parmesan, etc.) and enough wine to get us all ubriaco. Considering what we ended up paying before tax/tip ($425 for 8 people), this may have been the best meal I’ve had in New York City.

Fresh Salt
AKA There Will Be Booze. I was surprised at how many people trekked it down to the South Street Seaport zone. We took over the entire bar, DJ’ing off my iPod with just the right amount of space to keep us cozy with room to move around. Two unexpected guests included a neighborhood regular who also shares a Feb 27th birthday (yeah, weird) and his pet Komondor (awesome hair). It made the evening even more special considering the service was excellent, drinks were stiff and the company was A-class. We had fresh baked cupcakes. From there it gets fuzzy.

The next day was not as awesome. But completely worth it. I hope everyone had as much fun as I did.

I was just listening to Ghostland Observatory - Robotique Majestique

I guess turning 30 means something profound for some, and for others it’s very similar to 29 and not too unlike 28. For me, it’s only an opportunity to reflect on my blessings and good fortune. And to skim books like 30 Things Everyone Should Know How to Do Before Turning 30. I think I am in pretty good shape.

1. wrap a present
   (thanks Mom and Dad, for showing me how to wrap gifts and the quick-fix usefulness of a gift bag.)
2. start a successful fire in a fireplace, at a campsite, and in a barbecue
   (I think those who know me can attest I have never had a problem starting a fire.)
3. finish a piece of furniture
   (Mike showed me the ways of furniture rehab in the summer of ‘97 or maybe it was ‘98…Damn, I’m getting old.)
4. get a raise (check.)
5. order wine at a restaurant without getting stiffed
   (check.)
6. parallel park in three breathtakingly beautiful movements
   (this has happened on occasions.)
7. dance a “slow dance” without looking like an idiot
   (well, I usually feel like an idiot in this scenaro but I think I’ve managed to pull this off.)
8. use a full place setting properly, including chopsticks and Asian soup spoons
   (love those soup dumplings at New Green Bao. check.)
9. clean your place in under 45 minutes, when friends, relatives, or prospective lovers are coming by unexpectedly, and soon
   (I am not sure that I have ever cleaned my place in any other circumstance.)
10. hold your liquor
    (like a champ. check.)
11. cure a hangover
    (yeah, it’s called sleep. check.)
12. do the Heimlich Maneuver
    (will doing it to someone who isn’t choking count? X)
13. use a compass
    (I carry one on my keychain. it’s my lifeline in the outer boroughs.)
14. change a flat
    (check. this is not fun to do on a land rover, fyi.)
15. jump start a car
    (too many times. check.)
16. open a champagne bottle
    (with little to no “pop”? check.)
17. send a drink to someone’s table
    (I know how to do this, just never have. X)
18. cook one “signature meal”
    (I have several but the crowd pleaser seems to be enchiladas.)
19. whistle with your fingers
    (this list is stupid. X)
20. take good pictures
    (I have a couple I am proud of.)
21. fold a fitted sheet
    (I was lucky enough to receive a personal lesson on this from a wonderful teacher…)
22. remove common stains
    (I guess the old method is soda water and salt but those marker-style stain removers are awesome.)
23. sew a button
    (but that’s what the dry cleaners do. X)
24. carve turkey, lasagna, and birthday cake
    (check, check and check.)
25. hold a baby
    (and without getting any bodily fluids on me, i might add.)
26. change a diaper
    (somebody has to do it. check.)
27. keep a plant alive for more than a year
    (succulents are great survivors.)
28. make dogs and cats love you
    (dogs, not a problem. cats? it took a few years, but it eventually happened.)
29. help someone (an older or ill person, a woman you’re trying to impress, your mother) out of a car
    (of course, any chance I get. my mother raised me proper!)
30. write superior thank you notes
    (not as often as I should, but it has been done before.)

26 out of 30. Does that means I’m really 26 years old? A friend once told me that to determine your age in “guy years”, you subtract 4 years from your real age. So I guess this test is pretty accurate.

Or it’s all for fun, which is what birthdays are all about. Here’s to 30 truly blessed years of life. Can’t wait to see what’s next.

I was just listening to MGMT - Time to Pretend

Fig 1. My Valentine of choice by someecards.com which has been unresponsive all day due to high traffic volume

So my manager (The Hoff) at MLB.com kicked off our Monday status meeting with a dramatic re-enactment of Terrell Owens’ emotion post-game interview after (gritting my teeth) losing to the New York Giants yesterday. The Hoff, who is not an actor nor does he look anything like T.O., delivered a flawless performance. He nailed the voice and T.O.’s maybe-not-but-probably-forced tears. Granted he was reading from a script so I don’t think he should change his day job.

The Hoff then segues into why there is a reason to be upset because our team is losing a team member: Kevin (i.e. me). At this point I realize I have to stop laughing because The Hoff is right; I am leaving MLBAM for an incredible opportunity with New York Magazine. And I don’t want to make it seem like I am stoked about leaving because I am going to miss the talented group of folks at ‘BAM, especially my TPG comrades. Our team’s motto is TPG for life. Compelling and rich, indeed.

By the end of the month, I will be on the design staff as the Creative Technologist/CSS Lead for nymag.com and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Almost everyone I know in the city either subscribes to the magazine and/or uses the website regularly. And besides nymag.com serving as my lifeline on what to do with myself and friends in New York, I have the utmost respect and high-fives for how invested the company is with regards to great design. My goal is simply to contribute as much as I can from my technical design toolkit while I practice the ancient Vulcan tradition of mind-melding with the talented staff.

Stay tuned for some schuper schweet features and enhancements on nymag.com.

I was just listening to Air - Femme d’Argent

I have lost count of how many years my family has sat down to watch Christmas Vacation during the holidays. It is, by far, my favorite tradition of the fun old-fashioned family Christmas.

Merry Christmas to all — and to all a good night.