Don't get your hopes up folks....it's just the best time to do laundry. Not a soul spotted for miles (okay, yards) around the laundry room, which by the way, is now down to only 3 operating washing machines. Most of you are probably wondering why this makes me so happy. I don't have to wait on anyone, fight with anyone and the process will not take over three hours. To me, this is about as exciting as it can get.
What a crazy couple of weeks. Dad came to visit, and we had a ball. He and I have taken a few trips together in the past, but none have turned out as great as this one did. We got to see the Apollo, went to see the musical, Rock of Ages (which I do NOT recommend seeing with your father after all), heard some amazing local musicians at a blues jam, got to be in the audience for a taping of the Late Show with David Letterman (and Will Ferrell!-one of my top 10 favorite New York moments, by the way) and top it all off with the Allman Brothers. I couldn't have asked for a better time with him, and I'm so grateful he got to come. I think I might have even changed his mind about New York. : )
I don't even really know where to begin about all the rest. But let me start with my cab driver on Thursday night. I usually take a cab home after small group, since it takes over 45 minutes to get home by subway. In twenty minutes, for around $15, I can be home by 11:00. I hate spending that kind of money on transportation, but for someone who goes to bed by 9:30 every night, it is well worth it. Anyway, I happened to hail a cab driver who was actually on break. He was nice enough to switch his light on and let me in. Usually, these people do not speak, and I really don't mind that at all. But this guy was quite a talker, and he was eating the most amazing smelling grilled corn. We talked about his corn for at least 10 blocks, and I went on and on about how much I loved it. Before I got out of the car at my apartment, he hands me a paper bag and says "this corn cob is for you." I took my corn cob, tipped him well, and was on my way. Love that guy.
Let me just tell you about St Patricks Day here. I have never seen people so happy, and the streets so crowded at 10 a.m. on a Saturday. I thought that when the Giants won the Super Bowl, this city had given all it had. Oh, how wrong I was. The day started off with a celebrity sighting on my way to the grocery store: Enrique Iglesias, post-mole. Much better looking without it. After that, I was invited to a coworker's friends house for a housewarming/St Patricks Day get together. My friend Michele joined me, and we did not expect to stay long...but five hours later, we were still having a great time. The rest of the evening was spent eating pizza, chicken wings and any other junk food item I could get my paws on. I was planning to start the Daniel Fast-round 2 the next day, so I had to get all of the good stuff out of my system. This is day six of the fast, and I must say, I don't really miss my old way of eating. The process has been a lot easier this time around, and I am grateful for that. AND I've already lost 4 lbs!
I have quite a few visitors coming over the next few weeks, and also a trip to Washington D.C. with some girls from church. I've never been there before, and we tried to plan it around peak cherry blossom time. I am proud to announce that so far, this trip has only cost me $100 which includes two nights in a hotel and round trip bus fare. BoltBus is my new best friend. I have to say that one of my favorite parts about living here is how accessible so many amazing cities/towns are, that I have never visited. Now that I have my car here, I can't wait to explore some local places as well, like Sleepy Hollow, Woodstock, Atlantic City and who knows where else. Since it already is starting to feel like summer here, I'm sure the beach will happen sooner than June. And of course, the most wonderful time of the year is just right around the corner...FLEET WEEK!!!
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Saturday, March 3, 2012
March Madness
After living here for a year and a half, there are times when it still feels brand new. Like today, for example, when I stumbled upon some new neighborhoods and shops after seeing my traditional Saturday morning movie (Safe House). I rarely go to the villages on the weekends, because of the crowds and the fact that I usually get lost. I was in a shopping mood this morning though, and there is no better place to fulfill that urge than SOHO. If you decide to go on a Saturday, plan to spend a good deal of time inching your way on the sidewalks of Broadway. It is the equivalent of a jammed pack parking lot at Cool Springs Mall. You won't get anywhere fast, so plan accordingly.
My first stop was the Top Shop (say this three times without stopping). According to one of Brian's model friends, this is one of the most fashion forward, and yet reasonable, stores in the country. It is a London based company, which he ranked above my own personal addiction, Zara. I must say, I was not impressed. I only found a few items that even fit me right, and that I thought may be considered "timeless." Everything else would have a closet shelf life of 9-12 months tops. At the top shop. I did make it out with a purple knit tank top dress, so all hope was not lost.
Next, was Uni Qlo, which is a Japanese based clothing store. Much more success here. Actually I just ended up with one sweater, but the clothes were cheaper and more my pace. I highly recommend it. One thing that stands out to me about shopping up here is the check out process. You can go in just about any department store, and be summoned to your respective cashier when they scream out "Following!" Now, sometimes they add "guest" into this command, but usually it's just condensed to this one word. I don't know why I find that odd, but I do. After finishing the day at Zara (where I waited in a fitting room line for 30 minutes), I headed home for rest and to play dress up.
For those of you who are Seinfeld fans, you can appreciate the fact that I had a Soup Nazi experience this past week. I was walking back to my office from a client visit, and saw a line of about 20 people standing outside a dingy looking restaurant. The Soup Spot on 31st street between 7th and 8th is apparently a five star lunch spot that is always packed in the afternoon. It works the exact same way as the one from Seinfeld, although I did not see anyone getting kicked out of line for taking too long to order. I had to fight back the urge to just scream "NEXT" as I walked by it.
I am almost finished with my salsa lessons, as this week will mark my sixth and final class. I have had the privilege of meeting two great girls during the process, since our class usually only consists of the three of us and maybe an occasional straggler or two. This past Wednesday, we decided to meet up beforehand for a light dinner at this great place called the Amsterdam Tavern, and walk to class together. As we were eating, I had a moment of gratitude to be in that place at that time with those people. I'm not sure if that makes any sense at all, but I am calling it another New York moment. I am glad to have made some good friends who enjoy doing random things, and we are looking into additional dance styles together. I am also considering starting a six week acting class this coming Saturday, which is led by Edie Sedgwick (Kyra's brother). I found a great deal on Groupon (addicted) and may book it in the next few days.
This coming weekend my dad will be driving up from Georgia with my car (because he's a great guy!). We plan to spend the weekend together, but the main event will come on Tuesday night when we go to see the Allman Brothers at the Beacon theater. I am so excited to experience this with him, since he has never seen them live, and since we have never been to a concert together where we both like the artist. I have also been invited to an 80th birthday party in Queens, which I can hopefully convince him to go to. It is one of my client's father's birthday, and they are Eastern Indian from Guyana. Apparently the food will be out of this world, and I am just honored that she thought of me at all. If I am not able to pull it off, I will definitely ask for a raincheck, as well as leftovers.
My first stop was the Top Shop (say this three times without stopping). According to one of Brian's model friends, this is one of the most fashion forward, and yet reasonable, stores in the country. It is a London based company, which he ranked above my own personal addiction, Zara. I must say, I was not impressed. I only found a few items that even fit me right, and that I thought may be considered "timeless." Everything else would have a closet shelf life of 9-12 months tops. At the top shop. I did make it out with a purple knit tank top dress, so all hope was not lost.
Next, was Uni Qlo, which is a Japanese based clothing store. Much more success here. Actually I just ended up with one sweater, but the clothes were cheaper and more my pace. I highly recommend it. One thing that stands out to me about shopping up here is the check out process. You can go in just about any department store, and be summoned to your respective cashier when they scream out "Following!" Now, sometimes they add "guest" into this command, but usually it's just condensed to this one word. I don't know why I find that odd, but I do. After finishing the day at Zara (where I waited in a fitting room line for 30 minutes), I headed home for rest and to play dress up.
For those of you who are Seinfeld fans, you can appreciate the fact that I had a Soup Nazi experience this past week. I was walking back to my office from a client visit, and saw a line of about 20 people standing outside a dingy looking restaurant. The Soup Spot on 31st street between 7th and 8th is apparently a five star lunch spot that is always packed in the afternoon. It works the exact same way as the one from Seinfeld, although I did not see anyone getting kicked out of line for taking too long to order. I had to fight back the urge to just scream "NEXT" as I walked by it.
I am almost finished with my salsa lessons, as this week will mark my sixth and final class. I have had the privilege of meeting two great girls during the process, since our class usually only consists of the three of us and maybe an occasional straggler or two. This past Wednesday, we decided to meet up beforehand for a light dinner at this great place called the Amsterdam Tavern, and walk to class together. As we were eating, I had a moment of gratitude to be in that place at that time with those people. I'm not sure if that makes any sense at all, but I am calling it another New York moment. I am glad to have made some good friends who enjoy doing random things, and we are looking into additional dance styles together. I am also considering starting a six week acting class this coming Saturday, which is led by Edie Sedgwick (Kyra's brother). I found a great deal on Groupon (addicted) and may book it in the next few days.
This coming weekend my dad will be driving up from Georgia with my car (because he's a great guy!). We plan to spend the weekend together, but the main event will come on Tuesday night when we go to see the Allman Brothers at the Beacon theater. I am so excited to experience this with him, since he has never seen them live, and since we have never been to a concert together where we both like the artist. I have also been invited to an 80th birthday party in Queens, which I can hopefully convince him to go to. It is one of my client's father's birthday, and they are Eastern Indian from Guyana. Apparently the food will be out of this world, and I am just honored that she thought of me at all. If I am not able to pull it off, I will definitely ask for a raincheck, as well as leftovers.
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