Given the size of the bag I'm packing for Tales of the Cocktail, I'm starting to wonder which requires more gear (and more stamina): Tales or the NYC Triathlon?  I am going to give the carry-on-only thing one last try (with a spare bag for carrying home swag), but odds are slim. I'm usually very careful about never checking bags; the last time I had used my enormous suitcase was -- you guessed it -- my last trip to Tales. This picture is from the trip home. Maybe I'll ship some stuff . . .

Already planning/plotting out my NOLA eats, and I can't wait to see so many good friends down there!!

The next question is, of course: which requires the longer recovery time?

photo by Nora Maynard

Apparently yesterday was National Daiquiri Day. Yes, there is such a thing. A daiquiri is one of those classic cocktails that is ideal for the summer, and it's simple as hell -- fresh lime juice, white rum, and either superfine sugar or simple syrup. I'm actually fortunate enough to have a nice selection of white rums around the house at the moment, including Flor de Cana, Plantation 3 Stars White Rum, and Brugal Extra Dry, so perhaps I'll make a mini daiquiri flight with each to see which I prefer.

Daiquiri
2 ounces white rum
juice of 1/2 lime
1/2 tsp of superfine sugar or 1 tsp simple syrup
Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Sip & enjoy, preferably at the beach.

Dedicated to my brother.

Miss Moxie had a bit of a rough weekend -- she got her dew claw caught in a puppy friend's harness while they were playing on Thursday night and it tore down the the quick, so Friday I had to take her to the vet to get it clipped off. She had to be sedated and was a druggy mess on Friday night. She's still wearing the cone of shame so that she won't lick her paw and she's on antibiotics which seem to be taking away her appetite, but is otherwise in good spirits. At the very least, she's better than another of her dog park friends, Winston, who we ran into at the vet. Winston, a daschund, had burned his nether regions on some hot asphalt . . . Here's to a speedy recovery for everyone, but especially Winston!!

In other news this weekend, Mox & I had a lovely visit to Smorgasburg, I joined the 8th Street Winecellar for their 5th birthday celebration after a BYOB Italian dinner in the East Village, and I had a fun Sunday at the SuperDuper Market (Shorty Tang sesame noodles and Humphrey Slocumb ice cream!) before heading off to the Bastille Day celebration on Smith Street. Wound up the weekend with a few episodes of Breaking Bad Season 4. Not too shabby!

Sangria. It goes down oh so well, especially in the summer. Too well, often. Plus, it the kind of thing that you make by the pitcherful -- who makes one glass of sangria?!  The possibilities are endless, really -- start out with a wine of your choice, toss in some fruit, maybe some brandy, curacao or liqueur of some sort, some sparkling water, adjust to taste. You really can't go dreadfully wrong. If you're looking for places to sip sangria in NYC, check out my latest on CBS New York. If you want to try something a little different, try this lovely looking Sangria Blanc recipe from Jaimie Boudreau.

Sangria Blanc

1/2 bottle of white wine
2 oz St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
1 oz Martin Miller's Gin
2 slices lemon
2 slices lime
seasonal fruit (berries would be great this time of year)

Build in a pitcher full of ice adding liqueur last. Stir, top with ice and more wine if necessary. Serve in an ice filled goblet or Collins glass with fruit.

Looks lovely, but unfortunately I know what it smells & tastes like. Takes away a bit of the beauty.

My 5th NYC Triathlon is now done. Once again, I marvel at my own consistency. I was a bit faster than last year, likely because I wasn't contending with rain on the bike course. My total time was 3:34:16. For comparison's sake, Laila Ali, Mohammed Ali's daughter and world champion boxer, finished in 3:06:22. I think that makes me fairly badass, given that I am *not* a world champion anything.  That said, I'd love to get another one under my belt in under 3:30. Many thanks to all who donated -- together we raised over $3000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. It's not too late to donate if you still would like to.  Also a special thanks to Mom & Stephen for coming out and cheering me on along the way.

Memorable moments: noticing the dead fish in the Hudson before having to jump into the water, being called pretty by a guy on the bike leg, getting/giving a high five to a woman in what appeared to be her 70's during the run -- an inspiration!

2012: Swim 23:28 T1 9:55 Bike 1:44:50 T2 5:02 Run 1:11:05 Total: 3:34:16

2011: Swim 22:19 T1 12:27 Bike 1:51:54 T2 4:58 Run 1:11:40 Total: 3:43:17

2010: Swim 20:54 T1 11:39 Bike 1:42:43 T2 6:26 Run 1:08:01 Total: 3:29:41

2009: Swim 24:30 T1 10:17 Bike 1:40:57 T2 4:01 Run 1:07:22 Total: 3:27:06

2008: Swim 24:30 T1 10:55 Bike 1:36:47 T2 4:00 Run 1:08:40 Total: 3:24:51

Sunday's the big day, kids, and I'm just back from France. Jetlag seems to be relatively under control and today I'm heading up to pick up my race packet. Tomorrow (when the weather report is predicting a high of 99 degrees), I'll ride my bike up to the transition area, where it will stay (protected by garbage bags), until I rejoin it very early Sunday morning.

If you're an early riser, and want to watch the race, you can find detailed info on that here (I'll be starting at about 6:30; will hit the run around 9 and finish around 10ish), and you can find me at the Team in Training tent near the bandshell at the end of the race.  I'll be wearing a purple Team in Training tank, Team in Training black and purple tri shorts, a yellow number 2388 and a white visor (for the run) and will be on a blue bike with pink handlebars (for the bike). Good places to watch the run are along 72nd Street from Henry Hudson Parkway to Central Park West, Cherry Hill before we head to the finish on Dead Road in Central Park, and Dead Road in Central Park near the bandshell off the 72nd Street Transverse. If you want to watch the bike, head to the West Side Highway. A detailed version of where to watch each event can be found here.

There's also an athlete tracking app this year! For a mere 99 cents you can track my progress on your phone. Android and iPhone versions are available.

If you're not an early riser, come celebrate anytime after 6 pm at the 8th St. Winecellar.

Regardless, please support my efforts by making a donation to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society -- it'll make you feel good!