@YouTheReader this Pint&Pen&Paper falls on Valentine’s Day. I wanted to pick a song that both people with a significant other or without can relate to so I went with Brooklyn’s own Cyndi Lauper. This particular song reminds me of a movie that came out in ‘04. It is in the soundtrack so I decided to prepare a dance for everybody. Hope you like it!
Practiced this in front of the mirror for the last few weeks. Does anybody want to upload it on their TikTok for me?
Hey, @YouTheReader who refuses to admit this song is a timeless classic, c’mon how do you not like this tune?
For those who haven’t seen Napoleon Dynamite, I have no idea how or why it was a cultural phenomenon but it was high-key-low-key very rewatchable for about a summer or two. Maybe it was just because we only had DVDs and couldn’t stream things with two clicks of the finger?
@YouTheReader if you’re ever lost on the internet and looking for something to read while on your commute to work, tired of staring at TikTok while you’re hungover in bed, or looking for an insightful distraction coming from a Village Idiot while you're in the bathroom stall after 3rd coffee of a productive morning. Whatever the reason that gets you to click on the link - Week to Week Notes will be there for you… Time After Time.
Whether you’re happily married or as single as a pringle, hopefully, you have yourself a very nice Valentine’s Day!
Also if ever you’re wondering if I’m okay, c’mon I’m just having fun doing something I enjoy. My job is to wonder if you’re okay and attempt to make you smile, even if I have to look a fool on here sometimes!
“Time After Time” will be the permanent Valentine’s Day song on Week to Week Notes. I’ll probably just copy&paste this intro.
Alright, let’s get into some pints of Guinness and talking to people…
Guinness Challenge Season #1
@Kids don’t try this at home. Not just because you’re underage and will have plenty of pints to drink if that ends up being your thing when you’re older but also because Guinness is actually best served in a pint glass from a tap. A pint of Guinness varies depending on the drinking establishment. If the keg it sits in is rarely poured, it can lead to some underwhelming taste. Rather than stealing gimmicks, I’d like to start taking Notes while drinking Guinness. My grandfather from Connemara, who I never got the chance to meet, Thomas Davis, used to drink pints and by all accounts was a self-taught thinker. The one rule I’ve imposed on myself is that I will only have 1 pint per sitting from each establishment I review, so @AnyoneWorrying, don’t worry about my drinking habits. The Guinness Challenge is to “cut the G” on your first sip (more like a gulp and a half). If this is your first time hearing about it, I didn’t come up with the fun challenge @YouTheReader can try the next time you have a Guinness. I’m planning on this to be a SEASONal thing for me because I don’t know about you, but I prefer a pint in the cold weather months until the end of March. The 0.0 to 10.0 scale will be extremely nuanced but as a reference point, the only perfect 10.0 I plan to ever give out is at the Guinness Factory in Dublin one day.
The Hideaway 1/31 ‘23
Service & Staff: A+
Guinness: 9.1
Guinness Challenge: N/A (No Logo)
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: Hurricane by Bob Dylan on in the background. Jessie, Brooklyn born and raised, is the bartender. He works in live sports for SNY/MSG and writes on the side as well. He is a knicks and Mets fan, he was born into his fandom. Wearing a great 90s Knicks vintage T-shirt from Sam’s sportswear. “This is just one of a bunch own.” He’s been with the Hideaway for 2 years. It is corporate during the week but also a huge local neighborhood spot. “Dream come true with Steve Cohen spending. It is good to not feel like the little brother all the time. I already am one.” The Hideaway has the best Quesadillas in the city and the burgers are amazing. Mike next to me said, “all the food here is really good.”
The Super Bowl prediction Jessie gave was pretty spot-on. He runs a very interesting Instagram called @the_vintage_historian. He is the Thrift-Storian Historian where you can check out some great 90s vintage T-Shirts that come along with a story as well. He’s a very talented writer with some great pieces on sports history. @YouTheReader here’s an example below. I look foward to grabbing another pint at The Hideaway!
Puffy’s Tavern 1/31 ‘23
Service & Staff: A+
Guinness: 9.1
Guinness Challenge: I Failed.
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: Mike from Baltimore is the bartender. He’s been in NYC for 25 years and is a boxing fan. Marvin Hagler was his favorite. Mike has worked for Puffys for less than a year. The Matteo Sandwich is his favorite on the menu. “I like me a shot of Old Crow, you know what I mean?” He loves NYC, “the world comes to you. You don’t have to travel.” Puffy’s Tavern is a neighborhood bar, they “get a bunch of everybody.” Puffy’s serves deli sandwiches at the bar. They slice up the fresh meat right in front of you.
The Matteo consists of prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, arugula, and dressing. Not only do tourists come from all over to visit NYC, but we’re fortunate that we have a bit of everything that comes to us in the City. I’m looking forward to grabbing a pint and Mattoeo sandwich next time I’m at Puffy’s Tavern!
Quick Intermission…
…cover photo obviously…
…Guinness also sent me a pair of socks for all the free advertising…
…and a Chocolate Stout Cake…
…nah I’m only messing. Happy Valentine’s Day Mom!! <3
Toad Hall 2/1 ‘23
Service & Staff: A+
Guinness: 8.9
Guinness Challenge: N/A (No Logo)
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: Free Bird is on in the background. $25 card minimum. I’m “asking the bartender too many questions.” The owner of the bar is a collector of memorabilia. The bartender is a former baseball and basketball player. Made 2nd team All-County team as a power forward in high school and “is only 6’3”. I was all ass and elbows.” He’s been working at Toad Hall for 20 years. The owner of the bar used to manage the Fat Boys. They have a giant picture of Stan “The Man” Musial in the back. “The Wind In The Willows” had a toad hall in it and it was the original owner’s favorite children’s book for his kids. They have a book right above the bar.
Hmmm.. an undersized basketball forward all “ass and elbows”, reminds me of someone…“The Wind in the Willows” is a book of animal tales created by British writer Kenneth Grahame in 1908. It initially began as a series of bedtime stories for his son. The animals in the stories converse, philosophize, and behave like humans, each creature also retains its distinctive animal habits. Toad Hall is the setting for the story’s climactic battle and celebratory banquet. The U.S. President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt was a big fan of this children’s book as well.
Monk McGinns 2/7 ‘23
Service & Staff: A+
Guinness: 9.1
Guinness Challenge: I Failed.
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: You and Me by Lifehouse on in the background. Rare Middleton whiskey is on the shelf. They have exposed brick in the back and a rustic interior. Matt is the bartender. Monk McGinns is based on the Gangs of New York. The burger or filet mignon is recommended. Mostly corporate crowd. There is a ton of networking going on around me. Matt has worked at Monk McGinns for 1 year and loves it here. They do a ton of events upstairs. Matt is from LI and has lived in NYC since ‘07. Monk McGinns has 45 specialty drinks on the menu. Raspberry Gintimate Sour is his favorite drink to make.
I’m embarrassed to admit that I didn’t associate the fact that Monk McGinn was in the Gangs of New York until Matt mentioned it. Very interesting and cool name about NYC’s past. Sorry the historian in me now has to provide look up the biography of Monk McGinns. If you’re not all that into history, there is a GIF from the movie if you scroll on down. I’m looking forward to grabbing another pint at Monk McGinns again soon!
Mudville 9 2/7 ‘23
Service & Staff: A+
Guinness: 9.1
Guinness Challenge: I Failed.
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: Electric feel on in the background. “They’ve been here since 1977.” Shane is the bartender from Fermanagh, Ireland. Likes it “I’m still here.” There is a ton more networking going on around me where I’m sitting. They’re 20 oz. Guinness pints are coming in this weekend. Shane is a Liverpool fan. “Good to see the English lose to Scotland.” He plans to one day retire in Galway. Hole in the Wall (@BarHoleInTheWall) was his spot for a pint back home. Goes back “every now and again.” Mudville is known for its wings. His favorite drink to make is a nice old fashion. Shane plays you split the E in the Guinness Challenge.
I’m embarrassed to once again admit that I didn’t immediately associate the name Mudville 9 with the famous poem “Casey at the Bat” by Ernest Lawrence Thayer. It was first published anonymously in The San Francisco Examiner on June 3, 1888, under the pen name "Phin", based on Thayer's college nickname, "Phinney.” I totally agreed with Shane, great to see the English lose to the Scots. I’m looking forward to grabbing a pint at the Mudville 9 again soon!
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YouTube Rabbithole(s)
NAPOLEON DYNAMITE Dance Scene Jon Heder
Time After Time (Scene)
I’m Stumblin’ Along this Valentine’s Day on a Field Trip to The Museum of Natural History. Have a nice holiday, cheers!