2002-10-01 - 6:02 p.m.

Today I saw the White Stripes play a free show on my lunch break. That was definitely cool. They didn't play any new songs so no one missed anything world-shattering. Lotsa B-sides, as is their wont. Sounded really good, though Meg can't sing or put two bass drum kicks too close together without fucking up.

On the way back I introduced Nami to Rainbow Falafel, on 17th right off Union Square. This place has the best falafel in the city. God it's good. Now, it's not the best falafel in NYC, of course. That honor belongs to the Kebab Cafe on Steinway St. in Astoria, Queens. Like that's a secret. Now, when you're talking about the whole sandwich and not just the falafel patties, lately I've been favoring the Penguin Cafe (15th between 7th and 8th Aves). If you like cole slaw (with red cabbage), you owe it to yourself to follow the Penguin. Mmm. Yemenite glatt kosher, to boot.

What's the origin of the phrase "to boot"? No one has an answer for me so far. Tomorrow I might write about boxer shorts.