Say Cheese[cake]

The first snowfall didn't stay long, but the light dusting on the dead boughs (and the muted colors) made me think of a Japanese painting:
Lower East Side - Delancy Street:
You may be wondering: How do sophisticated New Yorkers spend their time? What kinds of high-falutin' activities do they undertake to unwind on the weekends? The answer: They head out to the suburbs to hang out with small children at places like The Cheesecake Factory.

(Fashionistas, take note: the model in this picture is bedecked with small butterflies in her hair and on her sweater. You saw it here first.)

The ostensible purpose of the gathering was to celebrate Rantik's release from - er, I mean successful completion of - his second residency program. (He's now licensed to knock people out.) But it was really just to give him a chance to mug for the cameras.

To see this next picture in its proper orientation, simply rotate your computer monitor clockwise 90 degrees. (Other helpful technical tips available upon request.)