Things I've Been Enjoying, June 2006

In the spirit of focusing on the positive things around me (and inspiring myself to write more often!), I’m starting a monthly column here entitled “Things I’ve Been Enjoying.” Beyond the loosely titled subject, there are no rules to the actual writing. Things can range from stories to books to moments or anything else that I’ve found noteworthy in the last few weeks. It’s neither complete or extensive, just a few things that happen to be on my mind as I write.

With that said, here goes the inaugural column for the month of June, 2006.

Cooking at home Since moving into my pad in Brooklyn last month, I’ve developed a new found interest in cooking. This could have something to do with the fact that the first few weeks after the move, I was left without a working stove and had to eat out virtually every meal. Nonetheless, I’ve discovered the joys of the local farmers’ market, buying everything from fruits and vegetables to meat. So while a bit time consuming, cooking has found its way into my routine.

Brooklyn brunches This goes directly against the cooking bit, but I can’t deny the unique brunch spots around my ‘hood. Garden seating, prix fixe menus, lazy weekend mornings and a friend or two add up to just the right experience.

Wordplay I may have an affinity towards documentaries, but I think it’s unlikely anyone could dislike this movie. Wordplay dives into the subculture of crossword enthusiasts. I’ve done zero crossword puzzles in my life, but having watched the movie, I’ll try one or two early next week (crossword puzzles are presented in increasing difficulty from Monday through Saturday, starting from easiest to hardest). The crossword puzzle cult is led by none other than Will Shortz, the New York Times puzzle editor. Will has been organizing the annual crosswords tournament in Stamford, CT since he was in his mid-twenties. Each competitor’s character is as interesting as the cameos made of fellow CW addicts like Bill Clinton and Jon Stewart. I happened to attend on a night when a couple of the puzzlers from the movie took Q&A afterwards, and it was one of the most enjoyable sessions I’ve gone to recently. Go watch the movie for a unique, fun experience.

If you found this enjoyable, please feel free to start a “Things I’ve Been Enjoying” column at your local publishing outlet. »