Why I hate USPS...

I am going to use my blog for purely venting out purposes this time around. Last week I had the pleasure of visiting the USPS location (aka post office) 3 times within a 24 hour period. The goal was to apply for a passport.

As you can probably tell from my earlier post, I recently have become a US citizen and couldn’t wait to become a proud owner of one of those little blue books with gold letters. Of course, as a true procrastinator I spend over a month gathering the paperwork, trying to convince myself to go get passport photo taken, etc. Finally last week, partially because I did not want to attend a 3 hour long company meeting, partially because the weather was nice, I actually left work early and headed towards my local post office.

It is worth mentioning that I have been burnt by the bureaucracy of this institution before and felt the pain of the spending cuts personally. I have recently found out the hard way that USPS no longer has the money to keep their online info up-to-date when I was turned down at their door at 6:30pm while their website clearly stated they should be open until 7pm.

Keeping all that in mind I double checked the hours, and verified online that I in fact can apply for my passport in person at my local post office. I ran into the first obstacle as soon as I entered the building – there was a huge sign on the wall stating that passport applications are done by appointment only. Why couldn’t they post a similar sign on their website remains a mystery.

I did not give up right there and immediately emailed to the address stated on the sign in an attempt to get that appointment. No more than 3 seconds later the email got returned to me with a “Failure to deliver” message. The lady at the window made it clear they would not be able to resolve this situation and advised me to go to a different location that accepted walk-in passport applicants.

The next morning at exactly 9am I was the 7^th person in line at Cadman Plaza postal office with my paperwork. An hour and only 3 processed applicants later I realized that at this speed I will be unacceptably late to work and was forced to leave.  The staff at the post office was nice enough to tell me to come in earlier the next day, but not nice enough to put more than one person at the windows to help process the growing line.

You would think at $135 fee to get a passport you wouldn’t have to wait in line for half a day. But unfortunately you do. I am still passportless and the application is sitting in my drawer. I might attempt to apply again in a few days when the mental scars left by the process heal. But for now I remain angry and disappointed, feeling not as an American citizen but like I am back in the USSR in a never ending line for bread.

Plan to turn friends into beer drinkers (like me)

I will start this post by saying I absolutely love beer. I drink it all year round, at different time of day and various occasions. I have been blessed with a lot of friends who share this passion of mine. However, I recently came to the realization that the majority of them are male. More often than not, while out with my girlfriends I find myself at some speak-easy cocktail place or wine bar. There is nothing wrong with a nicely shaken martini or a glass of a French red. But sometimes I just wish my female friends could understand or just be open minded enough to give the amazing world of beer a chance. This summer I will make it my mission to turn a few of them into beer geeks just like myself. All I have to do is a plan and here it is: 

Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier –

This one is a classic. Made by the oldest brewery in the world, this brew not only looks great with a thick creamy head and cloudy appearance, but also tastes phenomenal. Notes of banana, citrus, clove and orange zest make it too easy to drink. This one can be equally appreciated by folks with has limited beer knowledge as well as beer pros out there.



Kasteel Rouge –

This one is not an easy find but is definitely worth looking for. This beer will make my girlfriends forget all about their overpriced sweet cocktails (and possibly dessert). The ruby red color and rich sweet cherry flavor is absolutely irresistible. It is dangerously easy to drink considering the 8% ABV, but if I know one thing about my friends – it is that they do not complain about too much alcohol.


Left Hand Milk Stout – 

I would never start my course with a stout, but as an introduction for those female friends who can handle it, this beer may just open the door for more possibilities. Fairly light and smooth, this one goes down just like a glass of chocolate milk. And who doesn’t like that?



So these are going to be my first steps in attempting to turn a few of my snobby wine drinking friends into true beer lovers. It’s not going to be an easy challenge but if all I have to do is drink beer with my favorite ladies – I am up for it.

Favorite brunch spots in Brooklyn

Sunday brunch is by far my favorite meal of the week. I absolutely love the large time window , the variety of dishes and the lack of judgment coming from the servers when I order my bourbon bloody mary at 11am. Nevertheless, it is not easy to find a place that gets brunch done right – cheap, yummy and with a smile. These three spots below have never failed in any of those categories.

Southern Fried Chicken done right at Jimmy's

#1. Jimmy’s Diner. I can talk about this place for hours. All of my friends are probably sick of me bragging about it nonstop. But no matter what you can’t argue with the fact that this little tiny hole in the wall serves the absolute best comfort food brunch in Williamsburg (if not all of the NYC).  On the menu along the typical egg-bacon-homefries selection you can find absolutely fantastic items like “Hangover Helper” (fries topped with sausage, eggs and cheese), “Tater Heaven” (best tater tots in the world alert!) and very traditionally done “Chicken and Waffles” topped with a ridiculous amount of country gravy. Prices are more than reasonable ($6-$13) and the bloody mary’s are phenomenal.

#2. Lobo. One word – “Pancakes.” You can choose from traditional buttermilk or buckwheat pecan, and you won’t be disappointed with either option. Lobo is one of a very few tex-mex places in NYC and their margaritas (fresh lime juice, homemade ancho chili tequila) are worth trading your traditional brunch Bloody Mary for.  With the prices of $6-$10 per brunch entrée it is not only a treat but also a good deal.

Red Velvet Pancakes

#3. Two Door Tavern. Though I’ve only been there once this place has instantly become my favorite. I typically don’t go for lunch food during brunch, but I am glad I have made an exception this one time. The Breakfast Burger turned out to be one of the best breakfast meals I’ve ever had. Topped with crumbled bacon, a fried egg and cheese it is served on a big English muffin and is the definition of delicious. A lady next to me was having red velvet pancakes and made me wish I had two stomachs. The $16 price includes a cocktail and is a good deal for the amount of food you get (though I would avoid bloody marys).

I can only hope that by sharing these places with a large audience I am not increasing the time I sometimes spend trying to get into some of them. But I just couldn’t keep all this deliciousness to myself.