Super Manny!

It's no door, but still worth it.

Door Hunt

So due to a lack of motivation on my part, I took this week and the upcoming holiday break to post 2 doors for extra fun. The door on the top better look familiar. As for the lower door... I'll accept cross streets as close enough.

just reminiscing

not sure if i spelt that right! miss you hot chics

U Like?

I couldn't resist snapping a picture of this restaurant on the Upper West Side.  Classic.

PA Lock-Up Scavenger Hunter

In a effort to familiarize locations with the many locations of the stages at Pier 62 we've begun our find the lock-up-ed door. As this is our first trial run, there will unfortunately be no prize for the winner.

Who Knew?!

Gawker Stalker IV

Chevy Chase was spotted at the Gotham Girls Roller Derby bout!  Didn't get a chance to stop him and ask him about his guest-starring role on "Law & Order" and confirm how much he loved us, but he did manage to be escorted down to the VIP seats to Cat's fav, Suzy Hotrod.

Production of Wild Things

I went to see "Where the Wild Things Are" this weekend- having heard mixed reviews- I am one who enjoyed it...but I don't really like reviews- I like to go into movies having as little knowledge of the plot and other perception- that way you aren't expecting anything but to be entertained.

So anyway- I love behind the scenes kind of stuff- hence I work in production. I think its really fun and fascinating to see how much thought and work is put in to make a movie or television show- even the really bad ones...so naturally, I was excited to find out more about how Wild Things came to be- and found these interesting videos. The first one I watched was with KK Barrett, the Production Designer. After watching, it has me wondering if his process is similar to our Production Designer- I'll let you know if I find out...

The Head of Television

Its Rich Sommer! AKA Harry Crane from Mad Men!! Here is a picture featuring him, Manny, and me dressed as Harry Potter:

Ready to Roll

Sadly, the Haulin' Cass/Cassie Hay media blitz is over -- but you can catch my teammates as they conquer their world with roller derby-ness.  This morning, they were on the Wendy Williams Show.  I'm currently in the process of converting every female in the office into a roller girls.  Gillian, you're next!  I personally think Bridget would be fierce....but for now, I'll just have to be content with the fact that we've gotten a gaggle of L&O-ers to come to the next bout!  October 24!  Not only will you get to see me hit people, it'll be your chance to hang out with some super cool people -- I'm referring to an appearance by the one and only K-Kat!  And Jacob's family!  And Bridget and Moe!  And CRISTA!!!!  It just keeps getting better.  www.gothamgirlsrollerderby.com for tickets

Burritoville Chelsea

If you are wasted away in Margaritaville, then what are you in Burritoville? Full? Hungry? Satisfied? I would say lost and starving because you couldn't find Chipotle.

Burritoville Chelsea closed at the exact time I started working at L&O, and I often felt left out when my coworkers would reminisce about Birrtoville- now I know they are just crazy and have some sort of mutant taste buds. I will assume that things have changed with this re-opening, or perhaps the chef has forgotten how to perfect his craft, and just needs a little time to tweak it. But for the time being, I will stand by my unimpressed review, and next time, just make my own quesadilia, or crawl out of my hole (office) and venture to the far off Chipotle at 34th and 8th.


P.S. Why did they think I said my name was Kote?! Maybe I could understand Cathy, or Kate, or Katie...but Kote?

Happy Birthday Patti!

Today is one of our #1 reader's birthday - Patti, Gillian from the Production Office's Mom! Patti, we appreciate your interest- if you didn't read the blog, I don't think we'd write anymore- I mean, what's the point of telling each other whats going on in the office when we are sitting right next to one another?! Thank you, and hope you have a fantastic day!

Gillian informed me that you were concerned about K-Kat's departure. We were all sad to see her go (and still are!) but she had a great offer from her Alma Mater to help students get started in the TV/Film/Communications. So shes still got her toes in the Entertainment pond, but now is trying to help other get their feet wet too. Plus, she still has access to the blog, so hopefully we will still be hearing from her.

...and we're back

Sorry I disappeared- I recently moved- and spent all of my free time looking for an apartment, then filling it with things, and then buying more things to fill it with. In fact, last night I had the pleasure of perusing Ikea with the Former Law & Order Scout, K-Kat. It was a night full of giggles (loud ones from Kat), and tiresome wandering around the maze of furniture. We deliriously found our way to the end to pick up or selections and were presented with a stack of boxes to chose from. We sat and "discussed" which box to pick- one was dented on the side, one was dented on the top, one had swear words written all over...after much debate, we went with the one that was dented on the side. Turns out, neither one of us has great luck- seeing as we actually agreed upon said box, and said box was missing a few pieces. Thats right! I have to go back to Ikea, and hope and pray that they will give me the replacement pieces- otherwise I have a rather functionless dresser I need to sell. Cross your fingers for me!

NEW POSTS! NEW POSTS!

Not sure if you are aware but I left LAW AND ORDER. Sad to leave my friends, but happy to start a new chapter in my life. WITH THAT BEING SAID (OR YELLED THROUGH CAPS), I EXPECT TO SEE MORE POSTS DURING THE WEEK SO I KNOW WHAT I'M MISSING! Don't you want me to feel bad for leaving? DONT YOU WANT TO THROW IT IN MY FACE ABOUT HOW MUCH THERE IS WITHOUT ME BEING THERE?!

LOVE YOU ALL

I, on the other hand, am from...

...a little-known burg called Union, NJ. Not Union City. My little town, of formerly-pristine picket fences is a traditional, if not over-crowded, NJ suburb. Nestled snugly between such mammoths of Jersey industry and commerce as Elizabeth and Newark, it's not overly-industrialized, and has many schools, parks and playgrounds that are beautiful and fun to be in.

Two of my favorite town events just passed: the Greek Festival, held annually at my home parish of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church (where, growing up, I attended Greek School, Sunday School and served the altar). Yes, I was an altar boy. Delicious food and good times were a bit dampened by the weather, but a good time was still had by all.

The second, The Italian Feast, in Union Center, almost completely passed me by, except for a late-night photo session (that you can check out here, if we're cool like that). I don't mind missing the annual Where-Are-They-Now of locals and townies, but I did want a Sauseege sangwich, which my sister was so generous to bring me back later.

I long to one day be on the Union High School wall-of-fame, alongside gilded head-shots of such luminaries as successful doctors and lawyers and also, show-biz talents like Robert Wuhl and Goodfellas' Ray Liotta. Artie Lange, another illustrious UHS alum, is not honored, but still cherished. That'd be some night out drinking, eh? The Wall of Fame would certainly be plastered that night!

Union is also home to the world's tallest Water Sphere.

We all know Greeks are proud. So are Union folk, so I'll cut it short here, before I ramble on too much with hometown pride.

What I look like on the weekends lately...

I am from...

Queens, NY baby. Since Cassie started this whole 'where are you from' blog? I decided I would jump on the band wagon and share my side. I was born and raised in Middle Village, Queens, NY and have been living in Flushing since '04, just 10 min away from my moms and pops.

Til this day, the only pizza that holds the highest standards for me is ROSA'S PIZZARIA. I still remember their phone number - 718-894-4707. I can guarantee if you call that number, an italian-accented man will answer yelling out "ROSA'S!" Every wednesday, I would get out early bc my school had a CCD program for public school kids. Not sure if you know what that is, but bc I went to Catholic school, all the public schools in our area would come in on Wednesday afternoon for religious programs. Oh how I loved Wednesdays! We would go to Rosa's every Wednesday and I kid you not I would get tomato sauce on my white button down catholic school uniform shirt. Bleach even wouldn't help that!

My mom is from North Dakota and my father is from Argentina. Imagine that combo. My parents are great peeps and they help their "baby girl" out all the time. Here's a pic of my pops, Julio Tula. Every September, you can find him roaming the US OPEN. Such a fun man!

My poor car...

HAS LOTS OF DIMPLES!!!! From last night's journey home. WAHHHH WAHHHHHH

Don Giovanni's

Donny G's - Mediterranean Salad w/ Chicken

A side-note to start: I spelled Mediterranean correctly above the first time I tried and it made me think not "wow, I'm a good speller!" but "something must be wrong with the spellchecker in blogger..." Me of little faith...

The Mediterranean Salad, aka a heavily chopped lettuce based salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, white onions, radishes (don't belong), peppers and the pleasant surprise of artichokes was dressed with some sort of oil based dressing but a little bit different than a vinaigrette (that I had to spell-correct). My deduction: oil dressing w/ a mixture of juice and grease from the grilled chicken sliced on top.

The chicken breast was delectable. The outer-layer charred to perfection with the right mixture of crispiness outside and succulence within.

Recommended because of chicken excellence but the salad itself is weird. Next time I will purposely and with authority request dressing on the side, to investigate further, AND a side of oil & vinegar, just in case the dressing, in it's rested form, is skivatz.

I insist...

On one last food-related post before I update myself to the new general store attitude of this blog.

Today we had SPICE - and I had the Thai Volcanic Chicken...the spices weren't characteristically Thai, more like Thai-basco sauce. The container was full of oils and spices and some zucchini, kale, onion and oil and oil. I mixed in my brown rice. I ate most of it. Then I exploded. It'll be a while before I randomly choose SPICE from the binder of menus or lunch orders. A long time.

I enjoy Asian food, but not in the glasses down, scarf around way. It's too heavy. I enjoy salads, then cookies. And lots of coffee.

Love you.

Where are you from?

In Locations, we get to see fabulous, funky, icky, creepy, quaint places everyday.  The anthropology labs at the American Museum of Natural History?  Seen 'em.  The most expensive townhouse in Manhattan?  Seen it.  The freaky-deaky cool Dyckman Marina?  Frank found it.  We're a department of explorers.  Very few of us actually grew up in Manhattan; maybe that's precisely why we're good at exploring it.  Lately, though, I've been wishing I saw pictures of where everyone from "L & O" came from.  Hearing about Manny's trip to Greece every summer, or Cat's St. Louis, Bridget's Minnesota, or Kat's Catholic school in Queens...I mean, we weren't always eating Bottino. 

I don't know if I've ever said this (ha!) but I grew up in Texas.  I went back over hiatus, and I just recently found these pictures.  Here's my favorite thing in the world -- the Blue Bell Ice Cream truck -- at the Country Store outside my family's ranch.  And here's me next to my oil well (I own 1/158th of it, and it brings me about $20 per year, hollah!). 

Where are you from?

Running Bunny

Annie's Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks are so delicious we RUN out faster than this running bunny:

Whoopsie Dooddles!

UPDATE: I didn't really wait to tell Kat until after she ate it...I actually called her right away to inform her of the catastrophe and we worked it out from there.


Sorry Kat- they didn't put the lid on tight! It was all over- the part thats in the bowl wasn't even in the bowl...it was a mess! I hope you see this after you eat...Sorry!!

Kat All Tied Up At Work

We work and play equal amounts at the same time.

Happy Birthday Sunshine!

LOCATIONS!!!!!

Let's give it up for Charlie Parker Crowell! Every time he walks into the locations department he screams "LOCATIONS!" He's always in a great mood and loves to cause havoc with his scouts. We love to tease in our department and Charlie is great at it!

Galamar means Calamari?

Teamsters: you gotta love 'em. They provide some of the best quotes and always keep you laughing. The SVU Teamsters also provide 3 and half minutes of donut entertainment:

Take 23rd to the 6...

Most days, if Kat and I are both in the office at the close of the day, Kat will give me a ride across Manhattan to the 6 stop at 23rd Street. This tradition started within a few weeks of my starting at L&O- Kat would drive me to Grand Central, where I'd then take the Metro North to my sister's. Her efforts not only cut my travel time, but most importantly gave us a chance to get to know each other outside of the office. I remember trying to censor myself the first few rides, but quickly became comfortable and ended up sharing all sorts of tidbits about myself. Now, its almost been a year since our friendship first bloomed- we've shared far too many tidbits and are far too comfortable around each other- all of which has resulted in far too much stupid, unnecessary, and most times predictable bickering.

Train wise, the current arrangement doesn't really make my commute much better. I take the L train, and if I simply got on at 8th Ave., I would have a seat. Transferring at Union Square rarely results in finding a seat- but the entertainment Kat provides is far superior to that of the train talent between 8th Ave and Union Square.

Why, take for example, on our ride to the 6 today, we were making our way across 23rd, between 6th and 5th Ave, when Kat took her foot off the break, allowing the car to roll forward- she wasn't looking at the road, mind you, she was looking off to the side, reading store signs. Of course a woman stepped out in front of the car to cross the street, at which time words almost failed me. Luckily I was able to mutter "K-k-k-kaaat", and she slammed on the breaks, just in the nick of time.

Then, half a block later at 23rd and 5th, we pull up to a stop light, and Kat says: "Gosh, that building looks fake." To which I respond, "uh, which one, Kat?" She replies, without a gesture- no point of a finger, no twitch of an eye "that one." At this point I am wondering, is she doing this on purpose to annoy me, or is she serious? Either way it doesn't matter, I can't resist: "Kat! Which one?! We are sort of in the middle of New York City, there a lot of buildings around here!" Success. She did it. She got a reaction out of me. But I also got to poke fun at her, so we both won.

And thats how it goes, day in and day out. Kat and I bicker and bicker just to annoy and entertain each other...and if we're lucky, some of those around us as well.

"X" That Will Change Your Life

You know it when it happens: You have a meal/drink/movie-watching/music-listening experience that changes your life.

Last summer, when I was driving across country, I had a rack of ribs that changed my life. If you're ever in Memphis, believe the hype. Charles Vargos' Rendezvous ribs* really are that good.

*The steak at Wolfgang's here in New York changed my life as well. As did the pizza at Otto's. Who knew an egg on a pizza would taste so good? Oh, and taco truck at the corner of 8th Avenue and 14th Street. And who knew I'm such a fatty and all of my life changing experiences involve food?

Nuestro Amigo y Maestro de Español

Tenemos un amigo que se llama Carlos. El trabaja en el parking lot en la avenida 10 y 20th St. El siempre tiene un gran sonrisa puesta y nos ayuda con nuestros carros. Cada noche cuando camino con Cat a mi carros, Carlos habla con Cat en español y el quiere que se practica y aprenda su idioma. Cat le gusta hablar en español pero hay veces que ella se pone nerviosa porque necesita la confianza para hablar el idioma. Gracias a Carlos por su ayuda y su trabajo!



Translation:


We have a friend named Carlos who works at the parking lot on 10th Ave and 20th St. He always has a huge smile on his face and y helps us with our cars. Every night when I walk with Cat to my car, Carlos talks with Cat in Spanish and he wants her to practice and learn his language. Cat likes to speak in spanish but there are times when she gets nervous but she just needs to be confident to speak spanish. Thanks Carlos for your help and your work!

"Best of" Harlem

The scouting team of L & O put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into Harlem in the past week. Well, sweat and tears anyway. One street gang fight, punch-in-the-back (Kat), and delicious serving of candied yams later, I have compiled a "Best of" list for Harlem:

1) Best air-conditioning: Hands down, Subway. Give those folks at 117 and Frederick Douglass Blvd a hand. While all other establishments have turned off their A/C to "stay green," the good people at Subway keep it crankin'. Extra points for telling me the merits of "Tomato Ranch" versus "Cheddar" flat chips.

2) Funnest bathroom experience: Starbuck's on Frederick Douglass Blvd. The light is out, and there don't seem to be any plans to fix it...but it's the only bathroom on the block, so Kat and I just kept watch for each other. Going to the bathroom in the pitch dark was a little like camping, except it was noon.

3) Best developer to know: "Bill" from K & R Realty. Man, that guy controls everything! He seemed to know our every move, and then suddenly we saw an unassuming guy leaning against a new building. "Law & Order?" he said, casually. "Yes...."I replied. "You called me." "BILL?!" He shifted his weight and said, "You know how to reach me." And just as mysteriously, he sauntered away into the shadows of another new condo construction...

4) Best super to know: Chris Cruz. He broke both his knuckles falling down the stairs, but he still had a smile on his face and also recommended a good Spanish restaurant. Gotta love good people.

Am I really a....

So as ALL of you know... I'm getting married in April '10. Does this mean that the fiance thinks that I'm a biatch? Is this something that should bother me or should I be proud? I'm not sure.

Scouting in Harlem

Can you believe that someone actually lives behind this door?

Its the Sophie Blog!

I might have to rename this blog- its turning into everything Sophie.

Our Little Dumpling

My little dirty sugar cube/ewok/muppet was pretending to be a kitty, and I couldn't resist recording it:

No fun in the Heights

No smiling either, schee?

He Died of Dehydration...

...and was later found in the trash.

Answer

Apparently it takes two scouts and one assistant location manager to jam the copier (twice), attempt to clear it, and then give up and leave for the next person to fix. Good job guys!

Question:

How many Non-Coordinators does it take to clear a jam in the copy machine?

I'm a figgy fool.

Got some fig newtons from crafty and tried to offer them to Crista. NO, I HATE FIG NEWTONS! Crista says... Is she allergic to them? Did her mother force feed them to her when she was a kid? NO, apparently she doesn't like the sandy texture to them. THEY ARE SEEDS CRISTA! SEEDS. Maybe one day you will like them... Maybe one day I'll give them to you as a present. Yum Yum Yum

I'm a Celebrity! Well not really!

So before working at Law and Order, I worked over at NBC in 30 Rock (NOT THE SHOW). Back in '06 I was on the corporate softball team for NBC. Our NBC team was asked to participate in a Celebrity Softball Game for Autism speaks that took place at Brooklyn Cyclones in Coney Island. It was so much fun and a lot of NBC talent played softball as well, including the one and only Alana De La Garza, one of the leads of Law and Order. We took a photo together and I just remembered today and showed it to her. Don't you think it's pretty ironic that I took a picture with her and now I work at Law and Order? Hmmm I say it's quite interesting... Da Da DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

PS. We lost BUT i was ONE (THANKS CAT) of the scoring runs! the first of 2! AND I struck some dude out on the other team. I want to play again. Anyone in?

YESSSSSS

Can we please get one of these for the office? Please?

Cat Fight Wednesday

Crista and I are both a little crabby today...we just had a little cat fight about me liking (not liking) cats. She is offended that I think the cats pictured above are cute. Now we are arguing about how there is nothing for me to say, and I just can't make this post interesting. Except we are agreeing on this fact- but are being brats nonetheless. Can someone please bring us two little puppies? Its the only way we will stop fighting.

Ris-kaaay Craf-taaay

Check out what they're serving at crafty! Scandalous!

An Open Letter

Dear Republic,

Your forbidden rice is extremely tasty, but please do not give me like two cups of it with my chicken dish; I will attempt to eat it all and have the hiccups for an hour.

Thanks,
Charlie

Employee of the Week: Crista Barrasso

Congratulations, Crista! We love having you here at L&O (and we're not just saying that to get cupcakes.)

Scouting today...

I decided that "Tranny Cooler" needs to be the next new bar in the Meatpacking District. Or a roller derby name.

Its Debatable... Gallard(o)

Crista and I always get in an argument whenever we order lunch from Guy & Gallard. I turn the name Gallard into a spanish name, and change the double L's into that y noise, so phonetically it sounds like guy-yard. I couldn't understand why she didn't understand, when it hit me- I got the pronunciation from Casa Gallardo, a Missouri mexican chain restaurant. She thinks I am just making it up...has anyone else out there dined at Casa Gallardo? Please back me up here- they really do exist!

Whooooopie Pie!

YEAH! WOOPIE PIES!

Scouting today...

This guy was licking my legs the whole time I was scouting a beautiful apartment in Brooklyn Heights. Apparently my lotion tasted good. I didn't mind it. He was cute. His name is George!

It's Debatable...

Some would say that Crista and I sit too close for comfort. I think its nice: I tell her stories, get her advice, and make her laugh. She thinks its annoying: I won't stop talking, always ask questions, and make her cry. It's debatable!

No, but seriously, we sit so close together that if I make a comment out loud to myself, she thinks I am talking to her, and will start talking back. As a result, many odd conversations have arisen, and I decided its due time to share them. Actually, the fact about 7-11's name came up from such conversations...and so did the illegality of owning small turtles (with the help of Kat). I actually don't have time to discuss a specific instance, but check back later for our next ridiculous discussion.

New Friend!

The newest, softest addition to the Law & Order family.

I'm Sorry...

...but I had to. It's just that kind of day.

Answer:

Apparently Size Does Matter...

Did you know that the sale or distribution of a turtle that is less than 4 inches in length is illegal? It's been banned since 1975 and you can still stroll in China town and see these little turtle guys swimming around together.

You're probably wondering why such a cute thing can be banned from buying. Well apparently all turtles carry salmonella. They (Food and Drug Administration) chose 4 inches because they thought that kids wouldn't put an animal in their mouths that is larger than that size. But wouldn't you keep an eye on your kid to make sure he/she didn't put anything in their mouths that could cause harm? Like would you really leave your kid alone with a turtle that is less than 4 inches?

Ok so sorry for the rant, but I have a pet turtle named Crush and he is the easiest and funnest pet to have! He's from China town and my boyfriend's sister got him for her daughter who is now 8. After a year of owning Crush, she then wanted to get a pet bearded dragon. She was only allowed to get another animal if she got rid of Crush. We offered to take care of him and we are happy parents of 4 inch green dude.

He eats every other day and sunbaths when his heat lamp goes on. I wish I can take him with me everywhere, but I wouldn't want to get arrested because he's ILLEGAL!

Law & Order: G.S.U. (Gawker Stalker Unit)

Spotted: furry sweetheart resting in the locations office. Who could it be??