The Birthday Sandwich

On August 22, 1980 God brought a little something special into this world and created Robert Ryang. The world rejoiced and 26 years later, the employees of PS 260 rejoiced as well.

For the last 4 years, Robert has asked for a big sub sandwich for his birthday celebration instead of a cake. And every year, when he got a cake instead, his face fell, and not in the subtlest of ways. This year we finally pulled together and got him a big sandwich.


We all waited patiently in the kitchen for his arrival. We remained steadfast in our silence so as not to ruin the surprise. (Sarra even hid.)


You know Jenna and Nicole were psyched.


But Robert kept not showing up. "Where is he?!" we all whispered. "Oh I think I hear him coming," somebody else said quietly.
He was pacing the hallway, on the phone with Dustin (who was at The Mill at the time).
He even drifted towards the kitchen, and we didn't know if we should jump out and yell "Happy Birthday!" or just stay clustered in the corner.


So we stayed clustered and said, "What the hell?"


But finally he emerged, telling Dustin, "I've gotta go, people are waiting for me in the kitchen," and acted surprised.


Upon seeing the Big Sandwich, his face lit up like we'd rarely seen.



(Though we also got him a regular cake [Superhero-themed] to go with it.)


Everybody celebrated the glorious day and had some sandwich-and-cake-and-ice-cream.



To some people's surprise, the entire sandwich was eaten... and only half the cake!


We told Robert we'd give him a dollar if he ate both (with ice cream) in one mouthful.


Not one to shy away from a dare, he piled on the Haagen-Daaz vanilla.


And threw in a He-Man for good measure.



We all owe him a dollar now (small price to pay for such entertainment).



Happy Birthday, Rigoberto!

Emily, We Hardly Knew Thee.

Sometimes in the PS 260 Post World, fun-filled field trips flow fabulously. Like when we get an invite to the frou-frou SoHo house for a ping-pong tournament.


Our fearless adventurers Jason and Dustin answered the call.


Dustin, hitting a high-seeded player in the first round regrettably lost. But his honor was saved by the ever-victorious Jason, who went on to win the entire tournament.


Later that week, they both found went to the Bloc Party Show.


At McCarren Pool.


And found an old friendly face from back in the shooting days of “On The Road With Judas,” production designer extraordinaire Jenn.


Thus we arrive at more sad news. Our dear new runner Emily thinks she is too good for us.


Look at her waiting for her replacement, all cocky.


Aha. There he is, and she won’t even look at him.


But wait, what’s this?


Oh no she didn’t!?!


Oh yes she DID! Damn! This is even worse than her introduction to the blog 8 posts ago.


Oh Em. You don’t have to be that happy that you’re leaving.


Or feign sadness.


Just keep being your cool self.


Emily O. The most ambitious, yet low key chillest runner that we ever hired. Take care, and good luck!


But worry not friends, we have a new replacement toutesuite! Austin L. from, believe it or not, Emily’s same alma matter, NCSA and originally the glorious Pennsylvania.


Welcome to the PS family, Austin. Let the fun begin.

Bye Bye Bry Bry

There has been a changing of the guard here recently, with many sad farewells. To this we add one more, our beloved Bryan has flown the coop, but we said our goodbyes in a classic PS 260 way: the exodus diner.


Every one came out.


And filled two large tables at the very loud tex-mex joint Tortilla Flats.


Check Jason out in the back, sneaking in to frame from the other table.


Even old assistant Patrick made it out say his adieus.


Every 20 minutes, a round of bingo would be played, and if someone at your table got it…


Then you get free shots for all!


Which of course leads to some crazy behaviour.


Or just being wild.


Or plain old cool.


And our favorite, frightened.


As the shots kept coming, the action escalated with an impromptu arm wrestling challenge. JJ and Bryan started it off, JJ taking the cake.


Followed by Jenna losing to the power of Nicole.


But she was a good sport.


Nicole crowned herself top female by defeating Steph.


Who went on to beat Mitch.


Who came in dead last when she lost to Jenna. It was a full on arm wrestling fest.


Then, even though it was not a Karaoke joint, Nicole played chanteuse and bid Bryan bon chance with a dulcet tune.


The other Nicole, Bryan’s girlfriend, really enjoyed it.


Oh Bryan.


What good times.


What good memories.


Don’t ever change. BFFs man. Forever.