The artist also just released a map of DC's Metro system based on Super Mario Bros. 3; a second version includes the full Silver Line as planned.

If you must shorten it, it's "Paddy" not "Patty." To wit:

Paddy is derived from the Irish, Pádraig, hence those mysterious, emerald double-Ds.

Patty is the diminutive of Patricia, or a burger, and just not something you call a fella.

So there you have it.

Had I planned my weekend better, I'd have gone out of my way to make some sort of Irish-themed brunch today, complete with a Guinness-based cocktail: the Black Velvet Royale. From their Facebook page (because I can't find this recipe on their regular web site):

BLACK VELVET ROYALE RECIPE 
Ingredients
• 1 part GUINNESS® 
• 1 part Champagne
• Splash of Cassis (to taste) 

METHOD
Make sure all ingredients are well chilled. Start by mixing the Cassis with the GUINNESS to increase density of the GUINNESS. Slowly pour the GUINNESS/Cassis down the side of the champagne flute until it half fills the glass. Top with champagne poured over a bar spoon.

Well, there's always next year for the brunch.

Whether you celebrate with a pint or a parade, sláinte!

In one of those ceremonies, I'll perform best man duties to the best of my ability. Oddly enough, that wedding is for my first ex, as he marries the man he dated after me. Life gets weird like that sometimes. We all get alongfortunately, but my best man speech is sure to involve awkwardness at some point.

Another of these ceremonies – this time for one of my colleagues – takes place a copule of weeks earlier in New Orleans. I'd love to be there; I have great respect for him and he is fantastic to be around. When I returned to work after a month-long absence due to illness, he welcomed me back with a big hug and let me know how great it was I returned. 

The third event for a pair of very close friends takes place in late Septmber. I had this date in the back of my mind and given my plans to relocate to San Francisco in July, I expected to fly back to DC to celebrate with them. I received their invite today and much to my surprise, it's in Long Beach. Certainly, this will be an easier trip to swing at that point. And after a brief text exchange this afternoon, I suspect there's more for me in store personally with this one.

The mystery lingers on – at least until I have dinner with them next.

2013 is shaping up to be a celebratory year, and we only just begun.

Oddly, I remember him less for his mayorship and more for his many television and movie appearances, most set in New York City of course. His credits include Gimme a Break!, the Muppets Take Manhattan, Spin City, and Sex and the City.

Koch was also the first sitting mayor to host Saturday Night Live. Below is a clip of his opening monologue, where he takes jabs at President Ronald Reagan, Governor Mario Cuomo, and even himself.

How'd he do?

Just over a month ago, I came to a big ol' decision: I'm moving.

This year.

To San Francisco.

No, really.

Alright, so I actually came to that decision ages ago. After my visit there early last month – and after several pieces finally fell into place in the last year or so – I finally set the date. I gave myself six months to get myself there. If all goes well, I'll be there by July.

So why San Francisco? I considered many places to relocate over the years – Philadelphia, Chicago, Boston, my hometown of New York, even Toronto – but none had the emotional impact on me that the city by the bay does. Each visit I made, I grew more fond of it; the vibe, the climate, the people, the surrounding natural beauty all got me.

What really spurred me toward this decision, though, was a big life change that happened in the last few months. That's a topic for another entry, if I decide to talk about it publicly. I will say this: it made me realize that my time on Earth is to short to not go for something like this while I can appreciate it. I deferred this goal before, and now that I have virutally nothing holding me down, there's no reason not to persue it.

Washington, DC, has been home for over 20 years. I'm over it and due for a change.

The countdown has begun.

As a result, my online presence is spread too thin and any content I generate on those services can questionably become someone else's, despite assertions to the contrary. Ain't nobody got time for that!

One of my many goals for the coming year is to return to blogging and streamline my "social networking" profile. Why wait until the new year to start? The best time to start any goal is right now. Those of you who remember the previous iteration of this blog will notice entries from 2000-2009 are gone. Remember to back up your work, kids.

So here we go – let's reboot.