By the generosity of the Brothers Voight, I was given coveted edge in this city—the chance to bypass overnight lines for tickets to Shakespeare in the Park and breeze right in as a guest of the crew. Despite the drizzle that fell throughout the performance, I couldn't have enjoyed it more. In fact, the rain turned out to be a coincidental character, going right along with the dialogue at times. Daniel Sullivan did a terrific job directing a highly capable cast who made Shakespeare's work seem casually contemporary. That's not easy. The talent of Anne Hathaway as Viola/Cesario was a rewarding surprise for the night, along with a backstage view of the immensely impressive electrical veins that bring the set to life. I love being reminded of why I live in New York.

McSweeney's is a faithful contender in the race to be knighted my favorite quarterly (along with Cabinet, my true love). Not only do they tirelessly publish worthwhile reading with a visual sparkle, they run student tutorial centers across the country, award grants for new fiction, and keep my nightstand well weighted. And… drumroll… they're cleaning house with their Summer Garage Sale. I nabbed a stack last year, including What is the What by Dave Eggers and was blown away by its vivid depth. So, put down that vampire bodice-ripper and sink your teeth into some quality lit.

I wish I had an occassion for which these stockings by Bebaroque would not be completely absurd.

Visit the Laurence Miller Gallery before August 20 to see vintage prints from Burk Uzzle's Woodstock days. The legendary event that "defined the culture of a generation" celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Now, it's easy for a culture ripe with three-day music festivals to lose perspective on the weight of this particular moment in U.S. history. These works explain its poetry and its consequence through the gorgeous filth and candid whimsy that seem to be Burk's creed.

Pictured: Burk and his Leica, with writer/artist Bonnie Christensen on Silverlake in June. Taken by AC Berkheiser in Wilson, NC, on the boat of painter/captain Sarah Bowers.

Keeping on theme, we'd like to pass along a wonderfully creative and delightfully funny diversion for your day. The Sundance Channel's Season 2 of Green Porno features Isabella Rossellini telling childlike stories about oceanic sexuality. Thank you to Amy Armour for putting this wonderful project on the North Sea radar.

With all the recent news coverage of pirate scallywags, we at North Sea are beginning to take the defamation personally. Here's a graphically and emotionally fabulous reminder of the friendlier side of water.
Thank you, Esther Williams.

Dean & Deluca is slowly seducing me to poverty with their wicked product line. Sitting on the shelf was this oh-so-delicate display of delcious taste that just couldn't be left there—White Jasmine Sparkling Tea from the Golden Star Tea Co.

These were so pretty, they couldn't go undocumented. The tiny ones served as the inspiration for today's brunch in miniature: baby coconut french toast, fried quail eggs, and petite veggie sausage.

There's an unexpected discovery in Acme Notions, purveyor (and curator) of pretty little crafting bits. In addition to fresh supplies, they also offer a collection of vintage sewing relics for a kindly approachable price. Seen here are meticulously designed vintage needle books.

A glass jar with a golden lid, decorated with the gruff glamor of life at sea. With such transporting graphics, it didn't matter much what was inside. It was already in the shopping basket.

photo from Samuel W. Berkheiser IIIAlthough removed from the federal endangered species list, Peregrine falcons retain their status on the NY state list. Their population plummeted in the 1950s after the pesticide DDT made their eggs so frail they wouldn't hatch. Maybe because we have a kindred respect for their reign as fastest animal in the world, New York City has gone to great efforts to restore their numbers, and is believed to be home to one of the largest urban falcon populations in the world. We occassionally get the thrill of seeing their lightening-fast destruction of a pigeon, commonly known around here as rats with wings. This spotting is in Long Island City, Queens.