Harry's Burg V2: Soy Loco for Solo Taco / NY the return / The Gap
Alright buds. We’re doing a speedrun for this blog post because it’s past 11PM and I want to squeeze in some Overwatch before I go to sleep.
Had a very fun week.
We start the week off in Harrisburg Pennsylvania. Harry and I squeeze in a lot of activities before I head off.
Get birria tacos at Taco Solo and holy cow they are fantastic. I had a shitty day at work and this was one of those meals that completely revamped my fighting spirit. Crunchy, cheesy, gooey, fatty, meat-so-soft-your-teeth-slice-through-like-knives. Got the al pastor and the carnitas. Carnitas were some of the best I’ve ever had.
I like this trend of serving tacos with consomme. The consomme was a flavorful, soul enriching broth that transformed the entire taco experience. A sauce and a soup. What a world we live in~
I am a city elitist. I’ll fully admit that. Having lived in NY/SF for the past four years I’ve developed the snobby mentality that these places are where all the good food’s at. Taco solo knocked me off my arrogant ass and reminded me—once again—that great food can exist anywhere.
After dinner we crossed the bridge to City Island, which is an island right in the middle of the river running through Harrisburg. Good size. We lapped it in 30-40 minutes. Saw a groundhog.
I liked the vibe. Kinda reminded me of Huckleberry Finn where he camps out on that random island after floating down river on a raft. Felt like it would have been a fun place to hang out on as a kid. Baseball field, mini golf, ice cream, parks, trees, woodland creatures, minion trash can art. That kind of vibe.
Anyways, goodbye Harrisburg! Who knows how long Harry will live here. Without him here there’s no sensible reason for me to visit (besides Taco Solo but that’s a hard sell). Makes me wonder how much there is in the non-popular parts of America. Would love to see what the rest of middle America has to offer.
NY Subway eyes
Had to swing by for a Levain’s cookie upon arrival
Got back to New York and hung out at the office for the next few days. Caught up with some work friends who happened to be at the office. First question they asked me was when I’m leaving the company…
The company does feel so different from when the pandemic started. So many have come and gone. Morale has been down, abysmal, and now back up again (but maybe back down now due to certain regulations/stock price movements?).
In any case it was great seeing some faces I’d completely forgotten about during the certain times of the pandemic. Makes me feel like the city really is rebounding well from the pandemic.
Got to see a bunch of people before my departure later this week.
Met up with Chris and Chynna to get chicken at Frangos Peri Peri. I was missing some context but apparently this is a copycat of Nando’s chicken? At least according to the Aussies at the table.
stop squinting Chris
Chicken was pretty decent. The sauce was unlike anything I had before. Tangy, a lil spicy. I don’t think I’d go out of my way for it again but I’m glad I went.
Afterwards we went to Black Crescent for a buncha random cocktails. Met a mutual friend who works as an actor so it was cool asking her questions.
Met up with Dan and Tony for biking. I went from Prospect Heights to World Trade Center to Chick Chick in Upper West Side.
I truly love biking. Within my top three favorite physical activities hands down absolutely 🙏
Chick Chick was great. I wanted to eat Korean fried chicken before I left and this definitely scratched that itch.
Apparently the restaurant is known for Korean fried chicken as well as Nashville hot chicken. I’ll try the Nashville next time.
Upper West Side in general was great. We grabbed boba afterwards and chilled on a bench in Riverside Park which frequent readers will note is one of my favorite activities.
Later that night Tony and I went drinking with Annie and Raymond at Crown Alley and Jungle Bird. We got a punch bowl at Jungle Bird. How many years has it been since I’ve had one of these?
Played the classic fingers on the bowl game where each player has the option to lift their finger or keep it on the bowl each round. We go around in a circle and guess how many fingers will remain on the bowl. The correct guess means you’re safe and no longer need to play. Last one to guess correctly drinks.
I lost several times and Raymond delighted in my misery. “Finish your drink bitch” — haven’t heard those words in a while either :’).
Fun night.
I am slowly re-acclimating to going out with friends again. Earlier this pandemic I could only go an hour or two before burning out socially but now I’m getting back into the game.
Speaking of games one of my favorites from back in college. Was too drunk and stupid to play properly but had fun
Got to see Dominic and Jess before I left too (and Sherry via video chat).
Random photo of Dominic chillin on my sofa. He sublet my place and I’m glad I can share that experience with someone. This was a great apartment.
Dinner with Jess at Miti Miti. Coconut shrimp taco was great.
Jess dropped the bomb that she’s quitting soon and staying unemployed for the rest of the year (?) to figure out what she wants to do for the rest of her life.
What an incredible move.
I don’t know a single person who has done this or would currently do this. Her plan is to pursue some creative stuff. Make pottery, make music, maybe go back to study something interesting unrelated to tech.
We talked about how we have decades ahead of us to focus on our careers. We’ve both done decently well career-wise, put in the groundwork and can probably afford to take a bit of a detour.
I don’t know if I’d be comfortable living unemployed for months (especially since healthcare is more of a concern for me vs Jess who’ll live in Canada) but I applaud her and will live vicariously from the sidelines.
I think it makes so much sense to take this gap year. Work life/work culture has been a non stop ride since college. Gotta take some time to see what you want/like. It’s a privilege to do so.
Your decisions are always influenced by the people around you so who knows maybe I’ll end up doing something similar too.
And here we are at the end of the post. I’m off to finish one last task and play some Overwatch until sweet sweet sleep takes me away.
Before I go here are some random photos from this week
pre-Sherry-video-chat cold brew
Even the cows wear masks in Upper West Side. This is THE PLACE TO BE
The gates out of ToAnnie’s place. Possibly the last time I see it since they’re moving to the Bay but I will always remember the sentiment :’)
Pigeon art near the office
Frank Ape in candle form!!!!! Currently one of my favorites