How ironic was the title of my last entry. A week ago, my dear neighbor from the salon next door, Akiro san, passed away after years of battle with cancer. His farewell party was on Saturday night, which I had an honor of serving some food. It was quite a turn-out as expected. Many of his loyal customers also became mine, since he often sent them my way, and I also befriended his employees who were also my neighbors. Seeing all the people who took over the sidewalk Saturday night, I realized the depth of his six-degrees. He was mostly a quiet neighbor, not extremely chatty, but still sweet and generous. He was also a character, everyone will tell you. For many years, he would go with his dog to dine out, which I was invited to join them one night. I also got many hair-cuts from him, but he always wanted make me look like a 'lady' which I didn't feel appropriate for me. I met so many people through him, and some people I've met already knew him anyway. But the most painful memory associated with this event was the fact that I've lost a dear friend in that very space next door years before Akiro moved in. It was in the spring of 2001, before 9-11, before SOY. I never told Akiro, but he left a part of the space raw, a large mirror near the back wall, that he used while cutting hair to see the side view. I always loved to see that still there while getting my hair-cut. So this weekend was so overwhelming with memories of Akiro and Bartholomew. I know that Bartholomew's spirit tried to protect Akiro, since he was a cool good neighbor, but Akiro couldn't beat the disease. He loved my Tofu Steak and Cod with ginger sauce. Sometimes he would ask for ramen with a croquette on top, which is a funny thing in Japanese standard. Farewell, and rest in peace my friend Akiro. His six-degrees will continue for many years to come.

Although it's been such a long hot summer, now that the end is approaching it feels like we haven't had enough. So last Saturday we headed out to enjoy another weekend of "Summer Streets," traffic-free ride through the city on Lafayette to Park Avenue all the way up to the park. But we made a late start, and we had only 20 minutes left to enjoy it. They were going to open the streets at 1 pm. "We have to go really fast." I pedaled heading uptown. "Faster! Go faster!" Taiyo chanted in the back seat. We almost made it to the Grand Central, but at 10 minute before one o'clock they already closed the coolest section of the course on the upper level where it's normally inaccessible to bikers. We continued on to the Central Park Zoo and did our usual routine of viewing of penguins and feeding of goats. Despite of heat Taiyo fell asleep in the bike seat on the way back, and of course some motorists told me he was sleeping. "I know," I replied.

Thanks to the hundreds of toy cars I scored on ebay, Taiyo is making a progress on his potty training. This was a tip I got from his pediatrician, to use a reward to encourage potty use. One of the 'present' he got was this little potty car, quite appropriately, which is the most hilarious potty on wheels equipped with a plunger! He used to jump up and down clapping his hands saying "I love it!" every time he got a little reward. Now it's getting a routine to get another toy car after using potty. By the time the supplies run out, I hope he's going to know that he's not going to get a reward after each toilet use.

Today, we almost headed out on bike to Brooklyn's Children's Museum, but I was so glad we didn't since it began to rain when we got out of subway. I had to buy an umbrella a few blocks down, because it began to pour. When we arrived at the museum, my pants were all wet knees down, but my sandals were the most uncomfortable for the first time in the second season. Taiyo spent quality time in the toddler section, then we went 'shopping' at the grocery store, and of course he had to make some fake pizza at the pizzeria. We always love this place with so many cool things to do, and he was totally knocked out when we left although the rain was coming down the hardest on the way back to subway. I was seriously drenched after 15 minute walk, but Taiyo was comfy enough under the rain cover. It was my chance to get wet since we haven't made it to beach or swimming pool this summer.

Only one more month of summer left! We've been still busy getting out despite of the stifling heat. On Saturday we headed out and enjoyed riding in the "summer streets," traffic free green streets in the middle of the city. It must be so terribly annoying for automobile travelers, but I think this is one of the best cool experience for cyclists and runners in summer. It was a bit too hot to make it all the way uptown, so we stopped for lunch at Big Daddy's on Park Ave and 20th Street. Diner is always Taiyo's favorite choice, and this one was definitely more fun than the other usual diner.

As we entered, Taiyo caught a sight of muffins on the counter, and his mind was so set on it. Very friendly waitress brought him a cup with a straw for water, and there were crayons and a coloring sheet waiting for him at the table. Themed Americana decor was fun and cute, and there were enough room for him to run around. We dined next to portraits of Pamela Anderson and John Wayne, and Taiyo also loved to study Trivia cards (for young people) on the table. Other diners, mostly young or family, were enjoying the sight of this little caped boy bouncing around. Food was ok, a little better kind of diner food, and I did enjoy my bloody mary and he did very much enjoy his muffin, although I thought they were a bit dry. He didn't need one any more, but there were plenty of high chairs in the back, and this is certainly a good place to hang with a little one. Recommended. On the way home we caught a bit of theater acts on 10th street. There's so many things we stumble upon in summer it's really fun time of the year.

On Sunday he was quite undecided. First we were thinking of going to Intrepid, but by the time we were ready to go out he wanted to go to the zoo. But when we went downstairs he changed his mind again, and we settled for a movie- which was good for me. It was damn hot and humid again. So hoping to have some relief, appropriately, we went to see Ice Age. There was a Simpson's short movie titled "The Longest Daycare" starring Maggie Simpson. I thought this was the funniest, cleverest thing I've seen in a while. It was the thing that made it truly worth seeing Ice Age, which was ridiculously over-the-top kind of movie. Oh, yes, it was entertaining, but every minute was action, disaster, fights, running, sliding, crashing, and so on. Taiyo enjoyed it very much after all, although he always gets a bit whiny in the second half, and we stayed until the very end of the end credit, which always make us the very last to leave the theater. He held the bit of remaining popcorn in a bag in his hands as we mounted on the bike outside.

In the evening, we made our trip to the South Street Seaport, which has often been our Sunday night outing. Since it started pouring out, the kiddy rides in the food court was especially busy this week. After spending some time around the ride, we tried to get some burger downstairs at Johnny Rockets, but after 15 minutes there were no sign of getting any service, so I said, let's go to another place. We went a block down to Paris Cafe, a place that's been there forever.

Fairly empty dining room was perfect for us. We got a big table by a fish tank, where Taiyo enjoyed watching some colorful fishes. Although he asked for a burger, he didn't have any of it, not to my surprise, and he only had some fries and bread and oyster crackers that came with seafood chowder which I enjoyed very much. The older waitress was so nice to him and before we left the guys playing golf game in the bar area let Taiyo mess up their game a little. As we left the place Taiyo said, "That was a good place." Recommended.