I saw two white fluffy dogs (who didn't know each other) walk up to each other very, very slowly and then they sniffed noses. It made me laugh. I think they both had sweaters on. I found it laugh out loud funny somehow. They were the most urban, civilized little dogs ever. NYC dogs say hello with a nose sniff instead of a kiss on the cheek. They almost seemed a bit shy, or apathetic maybe? Like they're so tired from their day of lounging on the penthouse sofa and avoiding the maid, they can barely bring themselves to say "oh, hello there new dog."
My fridge has been broken for a while now. I started out only buying non-perishables, but I also don't own a can opener. Last night, I got salad, juice and a vegetable platter and put them on the fire escape. They stayed just about as fresh as a working fridge would have kept them. Luckily the lettuce didn't freeze or anything. This is a benefit to cold weather really. I guess, when it snows someday, I can buy frozen things! Hopefully the fridge will be fixed by then...
And I managed to use scotch tape to temporarily fix my running toilet. Anyway, it was really loud and annoying. It proves my theory that tape can be used to fix anything.
It was warmer today...maybe 40ish. I heard some guys say "wow, it's nice out! Not cold." And I agreed silently. I never would have thought I would think that.
I went to Midtown for a Life Coaching session and realized I should go there more. I almost never go there anymore and I miss how clean it is. And the dogs are clearly more civilized than in the LES.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Winter rocks my socks
I love the avocado salad at Bcup cafe. It is the best ever. Plus, unlike pretentious and crappy Cocoa Bar on Clinton St. (which also has the most horridly disgusting drinks and evil customer service), this place always has laid back yet nice and fast service -- very fast service. I can get a whole, fresh delicious salad here, with friendly and polite (and fast) guys behind the counter, while listening to cool yet not pretentious songs in French, in the time it takes for that dumbass untrained guy at Cocoa Bar to notice he has a customer -- did I mention that on a Monday night, they told me at Cocoa Bar that he sometimes kicks out everyone on laptops after a certain time (that happened to be right when I arrived -- yet had already purchased a drink) so they can feel like a bar, instead of just a coffee place. Though the place was so empty when I was there, I lucked out and didn't need to be removed.
Anyway, so despite it being super close to me, I've grown to hate Cocoa Bar. And Bcup is just nice in every way. PLUS free wifi and enough outlets if you know where to sit.
I really love this weather. Gray, but fresh. And leaves! all over the place. It's just so cute. I feel like you're suppose to feel when summer comes around. I'm strangely excited for freezing cold.
Did you know you could bake pumpkin bread into little cupcakes? I didn't either, but it said to on the side of the box and, it's actually really good!
I've officiallly had 6 paid Life Coaching clients for the first time ever, so I'm really excited. And I'm writing two ebooks about topics within the self-development category -- more to come.
Best of all, my non-cold fridge should be fixed tomorrow!
I'm taking classes at a new salsa place a friend recommended and really liking it! It's so hard to find a place where it's serious enough for you to learn, but not so serious that they consider salsa to be life and death!!
I realized though, I need to learn to tie scarves better. I only know the basic way and no one is wearing it that way this year. They put all of these extra loops and knots in there or something. I find myself staring at people's necks -- probably creeps them out.
There was a roach on the subway platform and everyone scurried away...as in, running. I assumed it must be a huge rat or something. When I saw the little roach I was sort of disapointed in my fellow subway waiters -- seriously. Just a little bug. Not even a big rat or stray dog with rabies or anything.
Anyway, so despite it being super close to me, I've grown to hate Cocoa Bar. And Bcup is just nice in every way. PLUS free wifi and enough outlets if you know where to sit.
I really love this weather. Gray, but fresh. And leaves! all over the place. It's just so cute. I feel like you're suppose to feel when summer comes around. I'm strangely excited for freezing cold.
Did you know you could bake pumpkin bread into little cupcakes? I didn't either, but it said to on the side of the box and, it's actually really good!
I've officiallly had 6 paid Life Coaching clients for the first time ever, so I'm really excited. And I'm writing two ebooks about topics within the self-development category -- more to come.
Best of all, my non-cold fridge should be fixed tomorrow!
I'm taking classes at a new salsa place a friend recommended and really liking it! It's so hard to find a place where it's serious enough for you to learn, but not so serious that they consider salsa to be life and death!!
I realized though, I need to learn to tie scarves better. I only know the basic way and no one is wearing it that way this year. They put all of these extra loops and knots in there or something. I find myself staring at people's necks -- probably creeps them out.
There was a roach on the subway platform and everyone scurried away...as in, running. I assumed it must be a huge rat or something. When I saw the little roach I was sort of disapointed in my fellow subway waiters -- seriously. Just a little bug. Not even a big rat or stray dog with rabies or anything.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Your ideal city...
I really think everyone has one, or two or three, ideal cities. Places you're sort of born to go and live. Sometimes, you luck out, and the life and place where you grow up matches your heart and soul. And other times, you have to go far away to find that place that makes you feel most at home.
I never really thought about that before. We don't get to pick where we grow up, but we do get to pick where we end up. It's nice to have that choice. But it doesn't make it easy when everything you know and understand is one place, and everything you want to be is another. I'm now realizing it was a leap I made, and at the time I was too implusive to really think through the meaning of it. Or maybe, I was too scared to think through the meaning of it, because then I probably wouldn't have had the guts to move. That's probably it.
I can see now how poorly suited I was for Arizona. I was never a fan of the heat. I'm impatient. I love art. I like walking fast and never was the best at parking. Never had a thing for big open spaces and I don't really care about big houses or owning things. I think blunt people can be charming. I like a cold breeze. I don't mind the gray, because I only half-notice it, since I'm usually thinking about something else anyway. Plus, it cheers me up, because regardless of how awful a day I am having, the sky is clearly in a worse mood. Back then, I remember being sunburned a lot and waiting for buses, counting down the minutes to skin cancer.
There of course, are those wonderfully familiar things too. 4th avenue and downtown. Tater tots at...wow, was it called The Grill? Playing pool. Cowboy paintings in most establishments -- dentist offices, drycleaners, etc. Dive bars that were ever so slightly scary -- not just carefully constructed to look that way. The gorgeous foothills and that view. Hiking is pretty amazing. The Rialto, back when swing dancing was in for that year. And the smell of thunderstorms. Family and friends of course.
And Phoenix had it's moments. It was cool to drive down the street, park, and climb a mountain. The views were pretty and the sunsets nice. Some nice restaurants and very green golf courses. It's where I learned to salsa. And pool parties and going out in Scottsdale every weekend in our standard uniform of jeans, heels and tank top. But I'm pretty sure a drug dealer was living across from me in the apartment complex. People were always screaming outside and not in a New York way. More in a "should I call the cops because that guy is about to beat her up?" way. I remember the apartment hiring police to patrol and they posted a flyer with the reasons including drug dealing, guns being fired, parking lot violence and...get this...barking dogs. lol. And then I remember hearing the car parked next to mine as it was stolen. My ex had his car window broken in and his stereo stolen once in my parking lot, and again at a store down the street...poor guy. I did get really tired of that, and I lived way too far from my friends. There are lots better places in Phoenix and Scottsdale and I probably should I have just moved. But I guess I knew it wasn't forever. I've always felt safe in New York. And everything here is not far away.
I never really thought about that before. We don't get to pick where we grow up, but we do get to pick where we end up. It's nice to have that choice. But it doesn't make it easy when everything you know and understand is one place, and everything you want to be is another. I'm now realizing it was a leap I made, and at the time I was too implusive to really think through the meaning of it. Or maybe, I was too scared to think through the meaning of it, because then I probably wouldn't have had the guts to move. That's probably it.
I can see now how poorly suited I was for Arizona. I was never a fan of the heat. I'm impatient. I love art. I like walking fast and never was the best at parking. Never had a thing for big open spaces and I don't really care about big houses or owning things. I think blunt people can be charming. I like a cold breeze. I don't mind the gray, because I only half-notice it, since I'm usually thinking about something else anyway. Plus, it cheers me up, because regardless of how awful a day I am having, the sky is clearly in a worse mood. Back then, I remember being sunburned a lot and waiting for buses, counting down the minutes to skin cancer.
There of course, are those wonderfully familiar things too. 4th avenue and downtown. Tater tots at...wow, was it called The Grill? Playing pool. Cowboy paintings in most establishments -- dentist offices, drycleaners, etc. Dive bars that were ever so slightly scary -- not just carefully constructed to look that way. The gorgeous foothills and that view. Hiking is pretty amazing. The Rialto, back when swing dancing was in for that year. And the smell of thunderstorms. Family and friends of course.
And Phoenix had it's moments. It was cool to drive down the street, park, and climb a mountain. The views were pretty and the sunsets nice. Some nice restaurants and very green golf courses. It's where I learned to salsa. And pool parties and going out in Scottsdale every weekend in our standard uniform of jeans, heels and tank top. But I'm pretty sure a drug dealer was living across from me in the apartment complex. People were always screaming outside and not in a New York way. More in a "should I call the cops because that guy is about to beat her up?" way. I remember the apartment hiring police to patrol and they posted a flyer with the reasons including drug dealing, guns being fired, parking lot violence and...get this...barking dogs. lol. And then I remember hearing the car parked next to mine as it was stolen. My ex had his car window broken in and his stereo stolen once in my parking lot, and again at a store down the street...poor guy. I did get really tired of that, and I lived way too far from my friends. There are lots better places in Phoenix and Scottsdale and I probably should I have just moved. But I guess I knew it wasn't forever. I've always felt safe in New York. And everything here is not far away.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
A few quick things...Costco and what not
Thank you guys SO much for the comments! I've been meaning to write long comments back to you all because I've recently gotten some really nice ones. I really appreciate the support!
So I got glasses at costco. It took me maybe 1.5 hours to get there! Maybe it wasn't that long but it seemed like it. The Costco here is 2 trains away deep in Brooklyn. It was kinda ghetto, but not scary ghetto...still, not like the Costco I'm used to in Phoenix (which is pretty darn ghetto being at the "Spectrum" mall, but in a slightly diferent way that I'm used to). hard to explain.
I went there to get glasses, because they are waay cheaper at Costco than those little rip-ya-off Manhattan stores. I got a pair of really cheap ones. Under $100 for frames and lenses. I wasn't sure how they looked on, as I went alone -- and glasses are like hats, right? can't tell if it looks OK on your own head. So I asked the middle-aged guy behind the counter who had an accent I couldn't place. I don't know if he was eye-glass fashion savy or not. He said "they work." There was an old man behind me, maybe late 60s who said they were "hot," but his idea of hot may be the much larger frames that the older women wear. sigh.
Before leaving, it seemed like I should get something in bulk, since I'd taken this day trip to the Costco and all. So I got a gigantic thing of daily vitamins and a huge grouping of lint brushes all stuck together (about the same price as one lint brush at the Duane Reades). I wanted to get more items, but the idea of carrying them for the whole minumum 15 block walk plus extensive train ride back coupled with the fact that most of the bulk items would not even fit in my studio, made me change my mind. I would have had to install some Ikea storage solutions just to house cereal, or dish soap, if i had bought any. Even the swiffer seeper refills were ginormous. I was sort of in awe, and also dissapointed since the prices were sooo good.
I did enjoy walking around and picking up huge mega sized things and admiring them. Like seven or eight chapsticks for the price of one. But what the heck am I going to do with eight chapsticks?
When you check out, they don't give you bags or boxes or anything. They have a collection of short, flap-less boxes in the back in a giant bin that you're allowed to rumamge through. nice. So I had to stuff it all in my bag (was sticking out a bit) for my trek home. If I ever go again, I'm taking my own bags with me! I guess everyone else there has cars...so shopping cart to car.
It was strange to see a parking lot that big. And to arrive there by subway and not car was also a bit odd. I had to walk under a highway bridge thing. I'm not sure what my point is.
I was then excited that the falafel place lets you include any beverage you like instead of the lemonade that comes with the combo -- even vitamin water. Those things are up to $4 a piece at the delis. For some reason that kinda made my day. And the guy did a great job making the gyro thing and was...get this....POLITE. I was a bit shocked.
I should go to bed. This is way too much rambling about some very insignificant things :)
later gaters.
So I got glasses at costco. It took me maybe 1.5 hours to get there! Maybe it wasn't that long but it seemed like it. The Costco here is 2 trains away deep in Brooklyn. It was kinda ghetto, but not scary ghetto...still, not like the Costco I'm used to in Phoenix (which is pretty darn ghetto being at the "Spectrum" mall, but in a slightly diferent way that I'm used to). hard to explain.
I went there to get glasses, because they are waay cheaper at Costco than those little rip-ya-off Manhattan stores. I got a pair of really cheap ones. Under $100 for frames and lenses. I wasn't sure how they looked on, as I went alone -- and glasses are like hats, right? can't tell if it looks OK on your own head. So I asked the middle-aged guy behind the counter who had an accent I couldn't place. I don't know if he was eye-glass fashion savy or not. He said "they work." There was an old man behind me, maybe late 60s who said they were "hot," but his idea of hot may be the much larger frames that the older women wear. sigh.
Before leaving, it seemed like I should get something in bulk, since I'd taken this day trip to the Costco and all. So I got a gigantic thing of daily vitamins and a huge grouping of lint brushes all stuck together (about the same price as one lint brush at the Duane Reades). I wanted to get more items, but the idea of carrying them for the whole minumum 15 block walk plus extensive train ride back coupled with the fact that most of the bulk items would not even fit in my studio, made me change my mind. I would have had to install some Ikea storage solutions just to house cereal, or dish soap, if i had bought any. Even the swiffer seeper refills were ginormous. I was sort of in awe, and also dissapointed since the prices were sooo good.
I did enjoy walking around and picking up huge mega sized things and admiring them. Like seven or eight chapsticks for the price of one. But what the heck am I going to do with eight chapsticks?
When you check out, they don't give you bags or boxes or anything. They have a collection of short, flap-less boxes in the back in a giant bin that you're allowed to rumamge through. nice. So I had to stuff it all in my bag (was sticking out a bit) for my trek home. If I ever go again, I'm taking my own bags with me! I guess everyone else there has cars...so shopping cart to car.
It was strange to see a parking lot that big. And to arrive there by subway and not car was also a bit odd. I had to walk under a highway bridge thing. I'm not sure what my point is.
I was then excited that the falafel place lets you include any beverage you like instead of the lemonade that comes with the combo -- even vitamin water. Those things are up to $4 a piece at the delis. For some reason that kinda made my day. And the guy did a great job making the gyro thing and was...get this....POLITE. I was a bit shocked.
I should go to bed. This is way too much rambling about some very insignificant things :)
later gaters.
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