F THE SNOW.

Well, apparently because of my recent interest in politics and my politically slanted blog posts (please see my one previous blog post concerning Madeline Albright's brooch collection), Mayor Bloomberg has taken the initiative to contact me in an attempt to sway me into a career with his office. I am, of course, completely taking things out of context and overexaggerating - is this considered SLANDER!?!?! But I was, however, invited to Mayor Bloomberg's Lunar New Year reception which took place on this fine, snowy, rainy, slushy evening.


The crumpled envelope that suffered being dropped in a pile of wet snow and slush and the invitation donning a SNOWY TIGER, in honor of the Chinese year of the tiger. P to the S, did ya'll know that this is the year of the WHITE TIGER which signifies TERRIBLE LUCK and MISFORTUNES and comes only once every 48 years!!?!? Stay on your toes, my friends...


They transformed the Surrogate's Court with this festive Asian theme - red lanterns and red lighting aglow.


There was also plenty of yummy Asian food from various restaurants in Chinatown being served up...and most importantly, OPEN BAR! Thank you, Mayor Bloomberg!!!


Ah, there's the big guy now. Apparently he was born on February 14th which coincided with this year's Chinese New Year!!! New York has the highest Asian population compared to other cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston and the population has drastically increased. throughout Mayor Bloomberg's 8 years in office. Which is no wonder he felt the need to address and celebrate with the Asian people this evening.


The surprise performance for the evening was Columbia University's LION DANCE Team. There is the gong, trying to wake up the lion!!!


Ohh!!! I SEE HIM!!!!


And who would have thunk that the underneath the lion costume was a GIRL?? I have never seen a girl lion in all my years of watching the Lion Dance. Truly inspirational, Columbia University Lion Dance Team!!! The drums were loud and invigorating, and it was nice to take a quick stroll down memory lane to those years in Chinese School when we would perform the Lion Dance every year. Watching this performance makes me proud of my heritage. Unfortunately, Mayor Bloomberg took this opportunity when the entirely Asian audience was obviously CAPTIVATED and DISTRACTED by the Lion Dance to slip away. GRRRRRRRR. So no picture with the Mayor...boo.


I ended the evening on a sweet note - with a scoop of Almond Cookie ice cream from the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory!! Delish!!!


Then it was off to Gallery Hanahou in Soho for the opening night of Lisa Grue's "Owls Have More Fun" exhibit. Uhm...an art exhibit dedicated to OWLS?!?!? YOU KNOW I'M THERE.


Here is a shot of the artist talking about her work. Grue is a graphic artist/illustrator from Denmark. When I spoke to her, I asked her why she chose owls as her main subject and she responded, "There are many areas in our lives where we can be more wise and remember to be wise. Owls remind us of this...and remind us of the magic of everyday life." Lovely!! I could always use a little reminder to think twice and to appreciate the present.


HUGE carpet trimmed with adorable, florescent pom-poms. This child (I believe she may be Baby Hanahou) thought the floor rug was quite comfortable. My dream home will, mark my words, include this rug.


One one side of the gallery was a large mural with graphic illustrations of owls and fauna. On the other side was Grue's hand-designed plate collection. I am unsure of the larger pieces, but the smaller plates were priced between $100-150.


Here you will see her resounding message to "Be Wise" and "Don't Howl with the Wrong Wolves".


I love that "STAY AWAY" owl...ugh, so ME and my emo self!!!!!! I need this plate in my life!

So go on down to Gallery Hanahou (try not to get lost - it's right next to the Crate and Barrel) and purchase some gifts for me. You can't go wrong!! KTHXBAI!