i met adan in harlem friday after rich and i had a terrible breakfast at a diner. it's a strange sensation going underground at 23rd and lexington and coming up at 125th in harlem. i was sticking out like a sore thumb....we had lunch at sylvia's...soulfood.
http://www.sylviassoulfood.com/
it's been around since 1962. i had fried chicken (dark) and a waffle. yum. it was good to see adan. i see him periodically when he comes back to dallas. i wish i'd had more time in harlem, perhaps some other time.
friday night we met ted and stephany for cuban food on the lower east side. boca chica. it's at 1st and 1st. we walked from the gershwin. great neighborhood, lots of different restaurants, little markets, flowers, produce, dry cleaners, etc...the city is alive. from there we hopped around. otto's shrunken head tiki bar where i had 3/4 of a beer to the beauty bar where i had two cape cods, to the crocodile where i had half a beer and some pizza. (you get a small pizza with every beer!) some of ted's friends from denison met us at the beauty bar. good times. medha and i talked c-stands. she works in tv and convinced me upon my move to new york there will be no photo assisting. i had had a glass of wine at dinner forgetting wine and beer before liquor even sicker. all four of us were hungover in the morning. we had to change hotels, trucked it down to the wall street area, it was rough. ted and steph didn't make it to brunch at the essex.
very cool. $16 brunch includes three mimosas, bloody marys, or something else to cure your hangover. i had mexican matzo brei which is the best migas i've ever had. and there are creamy white tennis balls stuck to the wall.
http://www.essexstreetmarket.com/
Sunday, March 16, 2008
end of the week
thursday morning i took a morning stroll around the block. my camera battery was low, so i went back to the hotel for a bit and charged her up. we checked out shortly after that and dropped our bags off at the gershwin.
http://www.gershwinhotel.com/
cool place, funky...but it's really more like a super expensive hostel.
from there we stopped into a vintage clothing store before hitting the empire state building. the views of course were amazing. i got a little vertigo after i stepping out the door. new york has so many layers, i love it. we hopped on the subway at some point and got off in the financial district. had some pakistani food at this tiny place, i don't even remember what or where exactly it was. but it was tasty goodness. on we got to the wtc site. the plans for the memorial seem appropriate. i was expecting to feel some energy there but i didn't. maybe the energy from all the tourists was distracting.
we walked down wall street. so icy down there in the afternoon. we got some coffee and hopped back on the subway to brooklyn. walked back to the island over the brooklyn bridge. it was getting late and dinner time so we got back to our hotel and then headed over to little italy through chinatown for dinner. there's this little stretch on mulberry in chinatown of two or three funeral homes, a florist, and a funeral product store. i'd never seen anything like it. we ate at benito one. it was okay. i had steamed mussels and egg drop soup with spinach. we headed back on the subway, it was the most entertaining subway ride to date. this dude, 18-22 years old got on at the same time as us. his fly was down and totally exposing him in the fly region. at first i wanted to tell him, and then i thought maybe he was creepy and doing it on purpose. my camera was sitting in my lap and i took a couple of snapshots hoping he wouldn't notice. these two women were sitting across from me. he turned toward them, and i waited to see if they would notice. they did. we made eye contact and shared some laughs. a train wreck. i think he may have had a couple of drinks, peed before he got on the train, and just didn't notice. it was hanging out when we jumped off the train. bizarre.
http://www.gershwinhotel.com/
cool place, funky...but it's really more like a super expensive hostel.
from there we stopped into a vintage clothing store before hitting the empire state building. the views of course were amazing. i got a little vertigo after i stepping out the door. new york has so many layers, i love it. we hopped on the subway at some point and got off in the financial district. had some pakistani food at this tiny place, i don't even remember what or where exactly it was. but it was tasty goodness. on we got to the wtc site. the plans for the memorial seem appropriate. i was expecting to feel some energy there but i didn't. maybe the energy from all the tourists was distracting.
we walked down wall street. so icy down there in the afternoon. we got some coffee and hopped back on the subway to brooklyn. walked back to the island over the brooklyn bridge. it was getting late and dinner time so we got back to our hotel and then headed over to little italy through chinatown for dinner. there's this little stretch on mulberry in chinatown of two or three funeral homes, a florist, and a funeral product store. i'd never seen anything like it. we ate at benito one. it was okay. i had steamed mussels and egg drop soup with spinach. we headed back on the subway, it was the most entertaining subway ride to date. this dude, 18-22 years old got on at the same time as us. his fly was down and totally exposing him in the fly region. at first i wanted to tell him, and then i thought maybe he was creepy and doing it on purpose. my camera was sitting in my lap and i took a couple of snapshots hoping he wouldn't notice. these two women were sitting across from me. he turned toward them, and i waited to see if they would notice. they did. we made eye contact and shared some laughs. a train wreck. i think he may have had a couple of drinks, peed before he got on the train, and just didn't notice. it was hanging out when we jumped off the train. bizarre.
first couple of days in nyc
i had such a lovely birthday this year. rich surprised me with a trip to new york city. he had meetings most of the week including my birthday, so we spent most of the week there through the weekend. we had a fantastic time. it had been so long since i'd been, and i've never really gone for fun as an adult. we did do a couple of touristy things i'd never done, like a trip to the top of the empire state building. thank goodness there wasn't a line.
tuesday night after rich went through all his emails and i had circled the neighborhood snapping street photos, we had dinner at this little spot called cinema. can't find a website, it's on 2nd avenue between 69th & 70th. lobster spring rolls, spicy goat cheese pizza, frittes...tapas and such, delicious. a delightful birthday dinner.
wednesday morning was brisk and gorgeous. i had walked for an hour to 14th street in chelsea, when i got a call from shawnee's brother jacob. i met him (literally, for the first time) and his friend parisa at the whole foods in columbus circle for lunch. parisa is actually from my hometown...small world. i trecked up broadway through times square and made it there in an hour and fifteen minutes. after some indian food and birthday cookies, we walked over to central park to throw the frisbee. good times, they're both really fun, and what an incredible view we had. it wasn't crowded, but there were quite a few people out and about. and dogs, lots of dogs.
parisa had to go to work, she's a dances with a company and had a performance that night. jacob decided against his mundane responsibilities of laundry and kitchen maintenance, and we walked around the park. who could blame him, i've done the same thing. we only got as far as the Met before we walked out to park avenue. there, we saw a slew of media in front of the building where now former governor spitzer lives. we walked on and cut back into the park after the Met and circled back exiting the park again on the west side and cruising by lincoln center. jacob went into best buy, and i walked back to the hotel. i couldn't wait to call shawnee and tell her how much fun we'd had...
rich and i met my uncle for dinner at la colonial. french vietnamese on lexington and 57th. we were going to take a cab, but they were all full, so i got some more walking in. thirteen more blocks! we had a really nice dinner, uncle jim is fun. his new granddaughter arrived a bit early, so my aunt was in boston. she actually arrived on march 11 which happens to be my birthday, it's very exciting to have another pisces in the family.
tuesday night after rich went through all his emails and i had circled the neighborhood snapping street photos, we had dinner at this little spot called cinema. can't find a website, it's on 2nd avenue between 69th & 70th. lobster spring rolls, spicy goat cheese pizza, frittes...tapas and such, delicious. a delightful birthday dinner.
wednesday morning was brisk and gorgeous. i had walked for an hour to 14th street in chelsea, when i got a call from shawnee's brother jacob. i met him (literally, for the first time) and his friend parisa at the whole foods in columbus circle for lunch. parisa is actually from my hometown...small world. i trecked up broadway through times square and made it there in an hour and fifteen minutes. after some indian food and birthday cookies, we walked over to central park to throw the frisbee. good times, they're both really fun, and what an incredible view we had. it wasn't crowded, but there were quite a few people out and about. and dogs, lots of dogs.
parisa had to go to work, she's a dances with a company and had a performance that night. jacob decided against his mundane responsibilities of laundry and kitchen maintenance, and we walked around the park. who could blame him, i've done the same thing. we only got as far as the Met before we walked out to park avenue. there, we saw a slew of media in front of the building where now former governor spitzer lives. we walked on and cut back into the park after the Met and circled back exiting the park again on the west side and cruising by lincoln center. jacob went into best buy, and i walked back to the hotel. i couldn't wait to call shawnee and tell her how much fun we'd had...
rich and i met my uncle for dinner at la colonial. french vietnamese on lexington and 57th. we were going to take a cab, but they were all full, so i got some more walking in. thirteen more blocks! we had a really nice dinner, uncle jim is fun. his new granddaughter arrived a bit early, so my aunt was in boston. she actually arrived on march 11 which happens to be my birthday, it's very exciting to have another pisces in the family.
Monday, February 25, 2008
changes
green willow was the color i chose for a wall in the hallway six months ago. it was a green i had wanted on a wall for as long as i can remember. it wasn't long after the paint had dried that rich and i agreed the color was too saturated. i told him we'd get used to it. and we did. but last week i decided with all the clutter clearing and the 6-month renewal on our lease, that it is time for a new color. this time we went with a much more subdued hue. it's still green, pale parsnip, much more soothing.
i bought rosemary and lavender plants yesterday. i hope they get enough sun inside the loft. if not, they may become gifts for friends who are fortunate to have a yard with available spots with lots of direct sunlight. i also potted some cosmic kitty herbs, we'll see if they sprout. the seeds are a little old.
almost to the other side with the clutter clearing. a few spots left to be cleaned, organized, and purged. i'd like to be done by the end of the month. then once a week, i plan to maintain. we need to get a bookcase for rich's office area. i'm going to donate his old sofa to someone who will come collect it, but we haven't found a new solution for the space yet. oliver's claw sharpening habits are creating a problem. josh told me last night about rubber covers you put on their claws, it's a humane solution, and humorous too. http://www.softpaws.com/ rich doesn't understand that declawing isn't an option. i don't want to buy anything oliver will set out to destroy. it's a dilemma.
my other dilemma with the cats right now is changing their diet to organic. i wish i had started it when oliver was a kitten. i made some homeade cat food last week, they didn't want to have much to do with it. so we bought some organic wet food to mix with the remaining conventional dry. when that's gone, i think i'll get the organic dry and make homeade organic wet food. i'm switching their litter too. i hope this doesn't prove disasterous, though they mostly adapt well to change. i wish i had done this originally too, i didn't do my homework.
a styling job starts today. it may be a two week job, i hope, instead of just one. we'll see.
i bought rosemary and lavender plants yesterday. i hope they get enough sun inside the loft. if not, they may become gifts for friends who are fortunate to have a yard with available spots with lots of direct sunlight. i also potted some cosmic kitty herbs, we'll see if they sprout. the seeds are a little old.
almost to the other side with the clutter clearing. a few spots left to be cleaned, organized, and purged. i'd like to be done by the end of the month. then once a week, i plan to maintain. we need to get a bookcase for rich's office area. i'm going to donate his old sofa to someone who will come collect it, but we haven't found a new solution for the space yet. oliver's claw sharpening habits are creating a problem. josh told me last night about rubber covers you put on their claws, it's a humane solution, and humorous too. http://www.softpaws.com/ rich doesn't understand that declawing isn't an option. i don't want to buy anything oliver will set out to destroy. it's a dilemma.
my other dilemma with the cats right now is changing their diet to organic. i wish i had started it when oliver was a kitten. i made some homeade cat food last week, they didn't want to have much to do with it. so we bought some organic wet food to mix with the remaining conventional dry. when that's gone, i think i'll get the organic dry and make homeade organic wet food. i'm switching their litter too. i hope this doesn't prove disasterous, though they mostly adapt well to change. i wish i had done this originally too, i didn't do my homework.
a styling job starts today. it may be a two week job, i hope, instead of just one. we'll see.
Friday, February 22, 2008
obama rama
i went to reunion arena a couple days ago to see barack with loren and my mom. we got there around 10:15, the lines were daunting, we didn't know if we'd get in. after moving about 5' in 30 minutes, we joined a rush of people into a new line, and ten minutes later we were in our seats. i've been to mavs games at reunion that weren't as full. it was exciting, all the positive energy. i am ready for the change. we need barack and his inspiration. and we need action from the people. i've heard several women say they feel guilty for not suppoting a woman in the white house. but it's flawed logic. it's not about a person's reproductive organs, nor the color of his skin. it's about the message and his vision. if hillary were president, it would just be more of the same. we are a country so desperate for a positive transformation.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
pobrecito simon
simon started growling last night when i pulled out his 2-door deluxe carrying case. understandably, he doesn't want anything to do with a trip to the vet. first he had an ultrasound to check his heart murmer, they shaved a spot on his chest. then friday he had seven teeth pulled. we knew he'd have to have one pulled, it was in bad shape and digging into his lower gums. but holy moly, seven teeth, he hardly has any left! but he's happy now and frolicking around, which he wasn't before. so that's good news. he wishes he had some narcotics left, but he'll forget about them soon.
other good news is that i've finished the design for my website and secured hosting, so it should be live very soon. i'll post the link when it happens.
other good news is that i've finished the design for my website and secured hosting, so it should be live very soon. i'll post the link when it happens.
Monday, February 11, 2008
infinite clutter
believe it or not, i am still clearing clutter! melissa came over saturday night to have dinner and knit. while she added length to her scarf, i rummaged through shoeboxes and purged stuff i haven't thought about in years. the oldest momento is the cast from my broken arm, it's 20 years old. i've decided i'm going to photograph it and toss it. more recent things included my first driver's license and first speeding ticket, my eyebrow ring, photos and letters, lots of letters. i'm going to photograph those too and finally put them into a collage, or just send them to the recycling bin. i have lots of work ahead of me. this morning, going through more stuff i found more shoeboxes under a table in my closet! geez.
last week i did have an exciting find. in an old american express travel bag my dad used to carry his camera and lenses, there along with an unbelievable telephoto lens were two books of matches. (my dad has collected matchbooks since before i was born.) one book was from pizzeria due on wabash in chicago. (it still exists!) and the other is from brick church pipe shop in ridgewood where my dad used to buy his tobacco when he smoked pipes. as far as i can tell, it is no longer there. richard nixon used to go there as well. both books are full, never been used. i can't throw them away. but i will use them in photos.
in that book of birthdays, i remember it gives you a thought to consider, mine says something like, "imagine having to carry everything you own." i'd be totally screwed.
i'm off to tackle the remaining shoeboxes.
last week i did have an exciting find. in an old american express travel bag my dad used to carry his camera and lenses, there along with an unbelievable telephoto lens were two books of matches. (my dad has collected matchbooks since before i was born.) one book was from pizzeria due on wabash in chicago. (it still exists!) and the other is from brick church pipe shop in ridgewood where my dad used to buy his tobacco when he smoked pipes. as far as i can tell, it is no longer there. richard nixon used to go there as well. both books are full, never been used. i can't throw them away. but i will use them in photos.
in that book of birthdays, i remember it gives you a thought to consider, mine says something like, "imagine having to carry everything you own." i'd be totally screwed.
i'm off to tackle the remaining shoeboxes.
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