I'm actually wrapping up this weekend before the weekend's over, for a change.  After a somewhat draining week at work, I stayed in Friday night, stopping briefly at Von Singh's for dinner on the way home, then flopping on the couch watching The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and knitting presents for my brother and my mom.  Exciting, huh?   Actually, it was perfect.

Saturday I made up for it, frantically cleaning up my apartment in time for brunch with the lovely ladies who blog.  Now, I generally have a latke party every year, but this year I didn't plan one, so I took brunch as an opportunity to make latkes, and to use the platter my friend Deb thoughtfully gave me last year (thanks to Nichelle for the photo).  I was so much fun just catching up, eating, and gossiping, and we certainly missed the ladies who weren't in attendance this time around.

Next, on to a haircut, then off to dinner with my brother and stepmom at Angon on the Sixth, where I've wanted to go for a while, given all the raves on Chowhound.  Unfortunately, I was so full from brunch I could barely eat, and the service was dreadful for some reason.  I'd like to go back and give it another chance.  After dinner, my brother came along with me to my friend Sara's holiday party out in Fort Greene.  We walked a route from the subway that was new to me, and I have to say that I really liked the neighborhood out there.  The party was lovely, and we bonded with some very friendly folks over the varied and plentiful cheese selection.  I impressed one party-goer, not to mention myself, by pulling out the name of a cheese that was there -- an ubriaco.  I had tried one in the past, and enjoyed it so much that I remembered it, and was able to identify it immediately.  We talked food and cheese for a while, then headed back to Manhattan so I could get to my next stop, which was Jake's Chanukah party.  Since it was a bit late, I ran into a few people I knew on their way out as I was on my way in, but stayed chatting with my friend Ethan for a while.  Finally, we headed out, and I stopped in for a nightcap at Otto, knowing full well that someone I knew would be there.  And, of course, Nic and Luke were at the bar. 

Today is a pajama day -- I had leftover latkes for brunch, and have been lazing around, reading the paper, chatting on the phone, and am going to head uptown in a bit with my friend Roopa for dinner at our friend David's.  He's been threatening to have us over to his new place for a while, and I'm glad we finally managed to pull it together, so we can catch up and taste these chicken tacos he's been telling us about all this time.

This week is my last full week of work before a much needed two week vacation.  I can't wait.  But, have to make it through the week first.  Wish me luck.  Okay -- I'm off hit the shower and get out of my pajamas.  At 4:30 in the afternoon -- nice job, lazy girl.