Home this evening? Invest an hour or so and watch this documentary about outdoor hockey, which centers around an adult pond hockey tournament in Minnesota.

I spent a lot of time around ice hockey when I was growing up, and although as an eight-year-old girl I kind of loathed it, I've since developed a real appreciation for the game. At least once a day someone asks if Andre is going to be a linebacker, but the truth is that I plan to get him onto skates as soon as I can. I think hockey is a great sport -- especially for boys -- on many levels. It takes physical and mental agility to play, not to mention finesse to do it all on skates. It's a very social game as well.

One aspect that I feel is overlooked is the calming effect hockey has on its players. I grew up knowing a lot of guys who played hockey, and none of them were ever spazzes off the ice. The sport has a way of burning off the excessive energy that plagues boys. I'll spare you my diatribe about ADHD -- which I think it totally over diagnosed and likely not as pervasive as drug companies and child psychologists would have you believe. I do think there's much to be said about the calmness the men in this film have and their love of hockey.

, originally uploaded by La Pauline.

While TR and the boy slept last night, I slipped out with some friends for live band karaoke, at a bar that had a bathroom that looked like this. It's very CBGB's, circa 1983.

I rocked 'Sweet Caroline' with the band, which was one of the tamer selections of the evening. Sometimes you have to get your ya-yas out.

Also: After my genius rendition, which apparently went better than I expected, someone asked me if I was part of my friend Jen's "karaoke mafia." I don't know what that entails, but it's definitely a mafia I would want to be part of.

A Very Merry Christmas Was Had!

It's Christmas night and for the past two days I've been in super Christmasy mode. On Christmas Eve we headed out to Connecticut for dinner and gifts with the Millards. On Christmas Day I pried La Madre from the house in Connecticut and into Manhattan, where I took her to lunch and a movie. She was starting to collect dust hanging around the house all day long.

If you have any sense at all, go see Sherlock Holmes! It's a wonderful, fun film. The stars are kind of handsome as well.

Here's an attractive little family on the Metro-North.


Papa bear and his cub


Lotsa prezzies


Dinner cam


I brought the petits-fours, naturally. It's just not a meal without them.


La Madre and Milton have a complicated relationship


But they make nice for the camera


Andrew and Kristin


Jayne et Frank


Andre et La Madre


Part of Andrew's gift from La Madre was a collection of school papers from when he was in the fourth grade. His report card indicated he had trouble taking direction. Ha! Nothing's changed.


Andre in his awesome panda hat.


TR's a big guy.


Andre considers his three blonde fans.


Christmas morning, opening Andre's prezzies.

Seen In Murray Hill

IMG_0869, originally uploaded by La Pauline.

A Snowy View

, originally uploaded by La Pauline.

Juan Loves Me

Yesterday a gift I ordered from Amazon for a 17-year-old cousin arrived. Inside was this little note from the seller. I thought it was very sweet.

I filled the cosmetic bag with lip glosses and a gift card. Methinks she is going to like it.

Lamest. Snowstorm. Ever.

The weathermen totally blew this snowstorm out of proportion. It's so lame TR and I and the boy went out and about our normal business in Union Square. No battening down the hatches for us.

Andre fell asleep shortly after this was taken.

The Quotable TR: Storm Edition!

TR: OK, so. The Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man, The Pillsbury Doughboy and the Michelin Man are all distant relatives.

Me: According to whom?

TR: According to me.

My Plan Of Attack Today

IMG_0862, originally uploaded by La Pauline.

Apparently New York City is supposed to get some snow today. After spending four years in Syracuse, N.Y., a few flurries don't concern me all that much.

Nevertheless, I've got some magazines to keep me company. As much as I like to nerd it up with the smarty magazines, I've been reading Vogue since I was 13. It feeds me.

How about some Sarah Haskins for your Friday night?

Six Months Of Andre!

I took some photos of Andre this morning to keep both sets of his grandparents happy. He's six months old today!

No teeth yet, but he's working on that.

The Quotable TR: Holiday Edition!

Me: Can you sign this Christmas card for me?

TR: Huh? What? Can't you see I'm busy looking at a photo of a woman in a bikini holding a bat?

New Huffington Post Piece: Why Are We Surprised E&P Closed?

I am amazed every time there is outrage when a print publication closes. Is no one aware that the internet exists?

Check it out here.

Allison And Jason's Wedding = Best Time Ever

Saturday afternoon found me on a random bus into Middle of Nowhere, New Jersey, but it was well worth braving the Port Authority to get to Allison and Jason's wedding. Congrats, you crazy kids!

Allison, a friend from college, married Jason, who is 6'7. (His two brothers and father are just as tall.) Their nuptials were glam and the food was plentiful. Full set is here.

I also must offer accolades to the Woodcliff Lake Hilton, where I stayed. Since I came earlier than the other guests they sent the shuttle to pick me up literally on the side of the road where the bus from New York City left me. Free of charge! I felt like such a rock star coming out of that conversion van once we got to the hotel.

First things first: pre-game shots. I had literally an hour and a half to pull myself into black tie mode before the bus left for the wedding venue, the Rockleigh Country Club.

Not too shabby with the hot rollers.


In front of the Christmas tree in the lobby. So festive.


Sydney et moi. I need to stop slouching in photos.


With Kate. Keep it klassy, Sydney.


The Rockleigh Country Club is one of the loveliest places I've ever been for a wedding. This was just the reception area.


Allison's wedding was genius because they had the cocktail hour right when we arrived. I thought this meant a few passed hors d'oeurves. Oh, no. There was an entire room full of amazing food and drink. There was also a trio of a piano, saxophone and a violin, playing jazz standards and traditional Hebrew music. Unreal. They also used this time to sign the ketubah, the Jewish marriage contract.

Let's sign a ketubah!


How gorgeous is Allison?


I got into the Kir Royales, as is my way at such events.


The Chuppah. I should add that this wedding was one of the most audibly pleasing events I've ever been to. I don't know who arranged their music, but where ever we went there was beautiful, live music. The music aficionado in me appreciated this.


Horah time! Note the special Horah chairs with extra bars for lifting. TR totally would have been recruited to lift a chair. For this reason alone, he is glad he missed the wedding. TR isn't into lifting heavy objects.


I admire (feel for?) the guys who got enormous Jason up.


Jason and Allison's mother. I'm not sure why, but I love this shot.


Father of the bride. I love Allison's expression.


OK, enough Horah, although is was a quality Horah. The cake!


Fleurs!


First dance.


Cake cutting. They played "When I'm 64" during this part, which is the sweetest little love song ever written.


The very happy couple et moi. I'm 5'6 and Jason is clearly a foot taller than me.

The Quotable TR: Saturday Afternoon!

Me: (turning on a recording of the Hava Nagila) This is the song that they play during the Horah. It's so much fun.

TR: I've never been to a wedding where they did that.

Me: It's awesome. And then they put the bride and groom up in chairs and spin them around.

TR: Chairs? That sounds dangerous.

And Happy Birthday Rob!

Rob and I, originally uploaded by La Pauline.

My brother Rob is 34 today! We're only 18 months apart. When we were growing up everyone at school thought we were twins, me being the better looking one, of course.

It's Allison's And Jason's Wedding!

Jason and Allison, originally uploaded by La Pauline.

I'm off to the Dirty Jerz for Allison and Jason's fancy, black tie wedding. TR is staying at home with Andre since La Madre, my regular overnight sitter, is still on the mend from her car accident. Me, at a big wedding full of old college friends alone sounds like a good time that I may not even be prepared for. Feet don't fail me now!

I'm can't wait to do the Horah! Mazel Tov!

The Quotable TR: Friday Night!

TR: And after that wedding tomorrow night, could you not bring anyone back to your room, please?

Me: Ha! At least you said 'please'.

TR: No, I mean no after-hours parties in your room. I don't want to have to pay for damages.

TR would be a great stay at home dad

, originally uploaded by La Pauline.