In keeping with our “we love NYC and can’t stop talking about” theme, we purchased a permit to have a picnic in Central Park.  Food was ordered, travel arrangement arranged, significant others cajoled, etc.  Sadly, though, the forecast was for rain.  And, not maybe-drizzling-wear-a-hat rain, but don’t-stand-in-an-open-field-thunderstorm kinda rain.

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The US Open is in Full Swing!  (Sorry about that. Though, our extensive research shows only 300 people or so have made that same pun online, so it’s not that bad.)

While there are a couple of tennis fans among us, the real treat is what happens to our nearby park (previously mentioned, here and here) during US Open season:

Madison Square Park [is] transformed into the ultimate tennis experience, including giant viewing screens, stadium seating and concessions from NYC-area restaurants, Country, Hill Country Barbecue Market and Rickshaw Dumpling Bar.

An official link is here.

Sadly, convenient dumplings and pulled beef sandwiches are only around until Sunday.  So enjoy ‘em while you can.  (After Sunday, we’ll have to walk a couple of extra blocks for dumplings again!)

p.s. Yes, it’s another food post.  I promise we’ll put up the “results” of the last mix CD really soon.

p.p.s. Oh, and people are still wearing ties etc. on Fridays, if you were curious.

To get our games done for holiday 2008, our big deadlines happen in the spring and summer previous. So, as you might imagine, there’s a lot going on at Powerhead Games, what with the multiple awesome projects in the pipe, forthcoming client visits, and of course, all the Formal Friday-ing you could ever want.  Between hitting our deadlines, and the New York City heat, it can get pretty hectic at times.  Luckily there’s folks like David Gallaher, writer of the hit web comic High Moon and all around great guy, to remind of two very important things:

1.  Ice cream makes everything better.
2.  Dry ice is one of the neatest things ever.

A Fed Ex guy showed up to the office this morning with a box full of joy in the form of six pints of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream addressed to “Team Awesome c/o Powerhead Games”.  Flavors include Steven Colbert’s Americone Dream, Sweet Cream & Cookies,  Vermonty Python, Cake Batter, and perennial favorites Strawberry and Vanilla.  As great as the frozen treats are, though, half the fun was disposing of all the dry ice they came packed in.  As seen in the pictures below, my poor memory of sixth grade science class and what happens to a box of dry ice when exposed to a sink full of hot water resulted in turning our humble office bathrooms and hallway into a lost Flock of Sea Gulls video.  Or maybe a Rob Liefeld comic.  Behold the hilarity, and click to embigginate:

(Editor’s note: We probably should have saved some of the dry ice for the next Rock Band night!)

Thanks again for thinking of us, David.  A Powerhead T-shirt is on its way to you, and drinks are on me for the next several years at least.

Our office is located a couple of blocks from Madison Square Park — former home of Madison Square Garden, and current home to the Shake Shack. Once a year the park dons a big bib and gets its BBQ on. That is to say, this weekend is: the Big Apple BBQ Block Party!! Their website is down at the moment. Hopefully, it will be up by the time you’re reading this. In the meantime, here’s a quick summary:

“The Big Apple Barbecue Block Party, Danny Meyer’s annual, free mega-event in Madison Square Park, just announced the participants for June 7 and 8, and we are pleased to see familiar, delicious names. Ed Mitchell of North Carolina will do his legendary whole-hog BBQ, and Chris Lilly of Big Bob Gibson’s in Decatur, Alabama, will be on hand with his pulled pork. Jimmy Hagood of Black Jack BBQ in Charleston, South Carolina, is a notable newcomer, bringing his state’s distinctive mustard-based sauces to a city more familiar with the North Carolina tradition. The New York contingent consists of Blue Smoke, Hill Country, Dinosaur, and the rarely mentioned but worthwhile Rack and Soul.” (Quoted from NYMAG.)

A couple of us will be working this weekend. And more of us will be playing Fourth Edition. But, all of us will be enjoying BBQ.

(Apologies to our non-meat eating cohorts.)

Every now and then we’re going to use this space to feature something about NYC, especially our neighborhood, that gives us much joy. Today we focus on: The Shake Shack. It’s only a few blocks south of our office, in Madison Square Park. Here’s a nice write up. It’s not for the cholesterol conscious. In fact, I don’t think we can legally recommend this place without also reminding you to exercise regularly. Oh, then we should probably mention that you should consult a physician before any strenuous exercise. Of course, don’t see a doctor without checking their references. And eat an apple. Unless you’re allergic.

All that said, the lines can get pretty crazy, so it’s good to go during off hours. Fortunately, the clever folks at The Shack have provided a quick way to check out the length of their queue. In fact… there’s no line right now!!!

(Disappears in a puff of smoke.)