Summer Adventures pt deux - Savannah, Georgia

I was just there for a weekend which was perfect. Savannah's biggest claim to fame is the book "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" (I'm on page 2) which sat on the best seller list for about 4 years. But it's a beautiful place. Very charming and picturesque with big old oak trees and spanish moss. Old historic buildings with wrought iron railings and court yards. Houses that stay in peoples' families for generations.

This is the courtyard of the famous Mercer house- that's central to the book.


We stayed at the River Inn beside the river- and enjoyed beautiful views of the water
and of ships passing in the night. (literally)


We also went to the beach which was an unexpected treat. I love the ocean so much- and spent about 4 hours playing in the water.


This is us our first night- just out bar hopping.


We also went to karaoke where Rose belted out some classics and we made some new friends.

Stolen Moments

Pencils down. Heads up. Stop working on your client emails. Stop looking at your monitor. Look out the window.

Enjoy.

Those were the words I heard tonight in my office amidst the cacophony of office noise. Lots of people were gone but there were a dozen or so of us left- working diligently away. Back at the grind after the summer was clearly over. Not talking to each other (even though we work in the most open of open office environments). Not lifting our eyes from our desks. Not enjoying our time.

And we did stop and look up. (Hearing someone boldly break the silence with such orders does cause one to listen and obey)


In about 5 minutes time the sky had gone from a dim twilight to being flooded with this pink light. It was so unexpected and beautiful. (picture does not capture it at all)

I loved it because it was this unexpected, shared moment- where we all stopped and got up, went to the window and just took it all in. Just for a minute before going back to work.

And the flip side

Love facebook for the immediate feedback it provides. And while I do still stand by my last post- I also recognize that things are not so black and white. And I'm so very thankful to have the input of my friends to provide love and reassurance.

One shared quote that gives a little perspective:

"I make mistakes. That's what I do. I speak without thinking. I act without knowing. I drink so much that I can barely walk. I'm a fantastic lover though, and an amazing friend. God knows I mean well."
- Carrie Bradshaw

I wasn't even trying to live like SITC... but there you go.

The Integrity We Have. The Choices We Make.

So.... I was kicked out of my apartment at the beginning of this month. One month notice. Out by Sept 30 (not to worry-I've likely found a studio in my same building). Does this make me a bad person? Well I've lived in roughly 15 different apartments over the course of 17 years. And though I won't say I'm the best roommate- I'm also not horrible. And I'm not a bad person.

But I may have made some bad choices.

I believe who we are is an amalgamation of all of the choices we make. And whether or not we make these choices with integrity. These range from what we have for breakfast (if we have breakfast) to whether we choose to tell the bank if they've made a $500 deposit error in our account. Choices of where we spend our money, how we choose to make it. Who we choose to spend our time with and whether or not we give up our seat on the subway to someone less able. Do we treat our colleagues with respect? When faced with a difficult choice is it something we face or avoid? How do we choose to deal with adverse circumstances?

And all of our choices have a right and a wrong. Good and bad.

And at what point do the bad choices we make mean we are bad people?? I'm sure that the guy who accidentally shoots someone when robbing a convenience store for money to feed his family thought he wasn't a bad person. But a series of bad choices, and how he chose to respond to circumstances in his life lead him to that negative place.

So one should live with integrity in all of their choices. Right??

Except sometimes it seems more fun to make the wrong choices. The reason my roommate gave for parting ways was because a few months ago we walked into his bedroom at 2:30 in the morning in order to get out onto the patio. Yup- just barged right in. "We'll be so quiet they won't hear us or even know" is what we told ourselves. 7 grown adults who'd been drinking all night are not quiet in any way shape or form. It seemed funny at the time. Of course apologies were issued and regret was expressed in the dim light of morning but the damage was done.

A good person who made a bad choice.

I'm not perfect. I think I'm still a good person. But I can honestly say I look back at the last 12-18 months and can identify a few slip ups. And I'm kind of happy I was asked to leave- as it gives me reason to pause. And re-evaluate. And maybe hit re-set.

And start to make choices with more integrity.

And the upside: this time the choices I made really only hurt me (and not even as I'm excited about getting my own place) and I hadn't gotten to the stage where my choices would negatively affect someone else.

Except for the poor sucker who now has to move into my room. He/She will have to deal with my purple wall.

Summer Adventures pt 1

I know I have been terrible about writing in my blog lately... and only because I have been so busy with 1001 adventures- so I guess that's a good thing?
I also no longer have a camera (sure would love to get one for Christmas- hint hint Mom) and am reluctant to post without visual interest. But I've gathered a few photos with the iphone and will post mini updates on what I've been up to. Starting with...

My first trip to the US Open.

Last week Rose and Becky and I went for a day session to see Nadal playing (and winning). We spent the afternoon there- watching smaller matches before heading to Arthur Ashe stadium for the big match. It was pretty cool. What's even better is that another friend of mine got us tickets to see the Men's Finals next Sunday!!! So awesome!
This is a view from the Arthur Ashe stadium of the whole grounds- specifically the practice courts where you can catch some of the biggies playing.


This is the view from our seats - watching Nadal play. Pretty high up- but I loved just being there.


All in all a really great day. It was hot hot hot with blue blue skies and a perfect way to spend a Wednesday.

It's been two weeks?!

Miami, Toronto, Weddings, fun stuff. Lots going on which is why I haven't had time to write. And am going to Savannah this weekend. Will try to write an update tomorrow with news of my impending move (yes another move)...

but until then you're in my thoughts always.

The Hills are Alive

The hills are alive with the sound of music
With songs they have sung for a thousand years
The hills fill my heart with the sound of music
My heart wants to sing every song it hears

My heart wants to beat like the wings of the birds
that rise from the lake to the trees
My heart wants to sigh like a chime that flies
from a church on a breeze

To laugh like a brook when it trips and falls over
stones on its way
To sing through the night like a lark who is learning to pray

I go to the hills when my heart is lonely
I know I will hear what I've heard before
My heart will be blessed with the sound of music
And I'll sing once more

What a lovely day to be kidnapped

"Come and join me on a tale of adventure"

As you may know- I'm currently watching the TV show "Lost", which means I've kind of cut myself off of all inessential human contact. Friday night I spent 5 hours watching it. In a little over two weeks I have watched 3.5 seasons. It's sick.

(But not as sick as this picture of O!)


*ahem* Saturday I had some good friends call me at 10am and ask what my plans were for the day (being that it was a beautiful 30C no humidity day in one of the best cities in the world). "Er... well I'm just... running errands" I evasively said.

"Come have breakfast/fun/errands with us!" they exclaimed.

I promised that I would go for breakfast (a girl's gotta eat afterall) and then see how the day would unfold- fully planning on having my toast and getting back to my couch.

Luckily they didn't let that happen and my breakfast date lasted until about 2am that night.

(This is a not-that-related picture of my friend Gene with his new daughter at E's birthday... to add visual interest since I didn't take a picture of us eating)


After breakfast we walked across Central Park to get to the East side where E was picking up some race registration. On the way through the park we modeled it up and re-enacted "The Sound of Music" on the hills of Central Park. Pictures to come.

We then went to the Met to see the Impressionists paintings. There was also a really cool exhibit on the rooftop which we enjoyed with a glass of wine. Here's the view from the roof.

One our way back through the park we stopped at the Boathouse for some lunch.

Here's a picture of Olivia having some of her own lunch while in Winnipeg a few weeks ago. (Completely relevant)


Then through the park where we listened to a guy who has been singing/busking there for 18 years.

Um- this is a picture of the exhibit on the rooftop at the Met. I didn't take a picture of the busker.

Back to John and E's house for a nap/drink/rest before heading out to dinner.

Then John and I went to play pool (1-1) while E and her friend got ready for their race the next day.
And yup- here's that exhibit again.

Sunday ended up being a good day to lay in bed. And I watched Lost.

Private Karaoke

I've never been a karaoke person. I can't sing. Yes I might love to sing but I'm really quite tone deaf (and this isn't false modesty as I've had other people tell me I can't sing).

Last night my friend Jocelyn had a birthday party at a karaoke place where you get a private room- Duet 48 in New York. The only karaoke I'd been in before was in a bar where you stand up and sing in front of a huge room of strangers. Regardless I had insisted I wasn't going to participate as I was with a whole group of people I'd never met before.

I sang
"Human Nature" by MJ
"Man in the Mirror" by MJ
"Living on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi
"Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen

At one point Jocelyn and I were singing -up on our feet at the front of the room waving our hands in the air like we just didn't care.

It was so much fun. I loooove Karaoke! I've just been doing the wrong kind all of these years!!!

I guess I lied..

A non O post wasn't coming. No post was forthcoming... and you know why?! Because I STARTED WATCHING LOST.

Add to that: some rellies were in town this weekend and we were watching some Broadway shows (9 to 5 good, Rock of Ages- GREAT) and eating in sketchy backroom burger joints. I was accidentally serving $110 champagne belonging to my roommate to some friends, and watching the Red Sox go down in defeat FOUR GAMES IN A ROW. All of that sprinkled through with bits and pieces of season 1.

So I haven't really had time to write.

1 season down and 4 to go. The hardest part is not going online to read about it ahead of time.

(oh and if you'd like to see O frolicking at the beach) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5B5t90UmTc

More O

For my family who likes to see what little O is up to. It's really tres fascinating.

She reaches for my phone. Doesn't get it. But she perseveres- and still doesn't get it. Loses interest for a bit. Looks around. Makes a noise similar to what Wilbur sounds like.
Not one to give up she tries for the phone again with her winning smile before turning her attention to my friend's bag. Which she tries to eat.

Good stuff.

A non Olivia related post is coming.

O and Monkey

When Olivia is really happy she does this wiggle thing- seen here in the video. And what amazes me about babies is how quickly their mood shifts. In the span of 30 seconds they will be giggling with joy, then crying in utter despair and then onto complete wonderment. It's quite something.

Airline travel

I purchased a plane ticket last week on delta.com. It was for a flight to Winnipeg to see my family.
I got to the airport and went to terminal B which serviced both Delta and Northwest airlines.
I tried to check in at the automatic check-in kiosk but no luck. It didn't recognize my e-ticket for some reason. I enlist the help of one of the staff. He looks at itinerary and tries to check me in. No luck for him either.
He tries again. At this point I'm feeling a tad anxious as there is only 40-45 minutes to my flight.

"ooohhh" he says. I see here that your flight is being operated by Continental in Terminal C.
What?!
No time to argue- I just run over to the tram and hop on to get to Terminal C. I run up to the check-in and they direct me to the top floor for internationals as I'm flying to WInnipeg CA. Once I get there they say "oh no- you're passing through Minneapolis so it's domestic -main floor at the other end of the terminal"

I get there and tell them that I now have 30 minutes before my flight and I've got to check in. I'm told I can stand in line. I ONLY HAVE 30 MINUTES I try to explain as politely as I can.
I'm told to wait in line where I wait to miss my flight and get told that I need to be re-routed.
But because it's a Delta flight(?!?!?!) I need to go back to terminal B to make the change.
I drag my now angry butt back to Delta where they tell me they can't help me because it was a Continental flight I'd missed -what did I want them to do about it?!

SERIOUSLY!

So I just firmly told them that I needed to be in Winnipeg tonight and they had to do what they could to make that happen. After a quick chat with the manager (who was actually very nice) I was on my way with a new flight to arrive 3 hours later.

So a mixed bag of some nice people who proved to be helpful and some not so nice people who were so checked out they couldn't check me in.

Keep the Pace

I was out with friends on Saturday night and one friend made the comment that we need to "Keep the Pace". There are going to be ups and downs in life. Sometimes really high up so you're dizzy with happiness and sometimes really low so you feel like you're almost 6 feet under. But you have to keep on keeping on. Just have faith. Tortoise and the hare type of thing. And it will all be okay. Like the stock market.

It felt reeeealy profound after the second bottle of wine (shared!) but now in the cold harsh sober light if feels rather common-sense-y.

But I still thought I'd share because I promised that I would.

Quiet times indeed

For a quiet weekend with very little plans the last two days have been pretty jam packed. I had a great Friday night watching an old movie (see earlier post). Saturday I went to the Museum of Natural History and saw one of the LAMEST Space exhibit I don't know what you even call it thing. Honestly- that museum has such potential- and though I really like it- it falls short.
The afternoon was then filled with running into random friends, seeing other friends in the park and then wine with another friend. Though I live in one of the largest cities in North America I sometimes feel like I live in a small little town where people still do spontaneous drop bys.
I also went to see "500 Days of Summer" - very good. I heart Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Charming little movie about love found and love lost. It's actually 200 days of joy/summer followed by 300 days of pain and heartbreak/deep dark winter.
Today was a bit more relaxed though I did attempt to bike around the island. I started at 70th on the West side- and biked all the way down to the southern tip of the island and then up the East side to 70th again and across the park home. It was a good 2 hours with a couple of stops and dealing with detours and traffic. Next time I'll do the northern half- and then eventually the whole thing.
Finally to round off my weekend plans: my dear dear friends J&E came home today and the core group (we call ourselves that- yes we are nerds) was reunited. We had sushi and made some plans for a trip to the Maritimes in the Fall. It's the best time of year to go since the colours are beautiful and the weather is perfect (yikes- that was a total Grandma comment!). I'm excited to take them there and show them my second home.

Oscar's Choice

I watched the movie "Sophie's Choice" last night, starring Meryl Streep. It's from 1982 (I like watching older movies and seeing current aging stars when they were 'young and fresh'). She received a best actress Oscar for her performance. You know how everyone is always on about how great Meryl Streep is?? This is why.

Her performance was amazing. Her acting ability is brilliant. She was so good I feel cheated by every other performance I've ever seen by another actor in any other movie. ever. In fact I think they should just keep giving her the best actress award every year because she makes all other "best actresses" look like the keanu reeves of best actresses.

"You, you, you, you and you. You're okay- and great you got a nom but you still suck compared to Meryl Streep's performance in 'Sophie's Choice'. You're just the best of the worst this year which is not good enough. And the award goes to.... Meryl Streep for her performance in 'Sophie's Choice' (gasp!). Next!"

Quiet times

I have been so busy and so social the past few months that I am now faced with a weekend with no plans. But it's supposed to be hot hot out- so I might bike around the island.

Odd to have no plans with most of my friends out of commish...

Music in the Park

Something I quite enjoy doing is going to listen to classical music. I don't do it that often but more frequently than some (eg. more than just Christmas).

Tonight was the annual NY Philharmonic free concert in Central Park. My friends arranged it (and by arranging I mean they told us about it and then went early to stake out seats with wine and cheeses and with balloons to make our territory).


There was a good crowd, which was great. The downside of which is that we were all so happy to be together, and outside enjoying the beautiful weather and having a picnic, is that we didn't stop chatting long enough to actually listen to the music!

I know it was aggravating to some around us- though to be fair nearly everyone in the park was talking. And by everyone I mean about 215,000 people!!!


I really enjoyed myself and it was a perfect way to spend a Tuesday night in the summer. I just wish I'd had maybe a few more minutes of "quiet time" so that I could listen to and appreciate the music while laying on the grass under the setting sun.

But that's just me- and I'm a bit weird/old that way!!

Ebbs and Flows

You know how sometimes you become friends with someone and there is an instant connection? You are best friends that hang out all the time, sort of like you did in grade 4.
You have so much in common.
You have so much fun together.
It's just easy to hang out, and as we get older that is harder and harder to find.
But then.

Well life starts getting in the way. Work interrupts. Schedules get harder to work around. Other commitments/friendships creep in and take over. Other people now require your time and attention.

The friendship that was so overwhelming at its' start suddenly becomes this annoying white background noise that is so indelibly inked into your life that you can't ignore it because you're not aware of it on a conscious level, nor can you get rid of it. It's just a part of you. An unpleasant, undesirable, impossible to remove part of you.

OR

I've never really had that experience. For me, the love remains. Maybe it tapers off or becomes less intense. But it's there in some form of another. In face, most of the friendships I have, I'm the one that refuses to let go. I might not see the person for months, or even years at a time. But once I'm in- I'm in.

Try to get rid of me. Just try.

My first fourth

I recently celebrated my first fourth of July weekend. I don't know what I was expecting but lots of rah rah America kind of stuff. This was kind of hard to do considering the dozen or so people I spent the weekend with were anything but American.


Festivities began on Wednesday when J&E invited us over to theirs for 'spagbol' which is short for a 'spicy delicious fantastic spaghetti dinner'.
I'm posting the table so E can show her mom.


Thursday we went to visit some fellow Canadians Rob and Lindi and Annika (she's brand new!). For a set of new parents they were remarkably laid back and relaxed! In fact the most animated person there was Annika- she was so alert and wonderful. It was immediate love.


Friday was full of adventure when I had people over to mine for a wine and pizza party on my newly and nearly finished deck. People who know me know that I don't relish the idea of hosting (casual drop bys where there are zero expectations -sure but actual parties... nope). But Friday was pretty decent- except when I poisoned all of my friends and they left by 11pm. That part wasn't so great. (Of course I should point out that 11 of the 12 people who came all told me afterwards that they had a great time!!)


Saturday was a bit of a write off - but we went to K&Cs for a bbq where we watched two amazing sites. First the fireworks off of the Hudson.


Secondly our friend JP doing the lemming being chased by a tiger dance. Or maybe it was a springbok (which I've never heard of so I think it's a made up animal anyway) being chased by a lion.

*VIDEO TO COME* (it is not in the best interests of certain parties to have the video out on the www at this point in time!!)

Sunday we watched the AWESOME tennis match (I am now convinced I need to drag out my tennis racket from when I was 12 and start playing again) at Nadine's house- and had a lovely brunch.

Finished the weekend just as it began- with J&E over to mine to sit on our patio with an impromptu dinner party (the kind I can do).



For a fourth weekend it ranks up there.

Come hang out Friday July 10

For anyone that's in the NY neighbourhood July 10- come check out my roommate Neil Nathan as he plays a set at the Highline Ballroom.


I'll be there. Should be fun.

Check out his music at :

http://www.myspace.com/neilnathan

Working it.

Elizka and her beautiful smile.

John and Rose striking a pose.

Gratitude

A good friend of mine made a comment today which is worth sharing...

Friendship is not about keeping score. Friendship is about giving love.

You are not friends because someone does something for you. You don't keep track of what you do for them or because they paid this time and you pay next time.


You do nice things for your friends because you like them and you want good things for them. And anything you can do to make their life better you do. And the good news is that if they are your friend they are doing the same for you. Win-win.

Lately I've been lucky enough to be surrounded with exactly those types of people (though I shouldn't say "lately" as I've been lucky enough to have those types of people in my life pretty much throughout!)
It's such a lovely and giving way to look at friendship.

Sunday

Here we are on Rose's rooftop


Oh and something I forget...when I put something 'out there' into the www... people read it. It's not just something that goes into the abyss.
Sometimes this is good because what I write is funny or thoughtful. Sometimes not so good- because it's just annoying. (like me writing MJ lyrics constantly for the past two days). Ah well... you can't please everyone.

Just more memories

I heard a quote today on NBC that I liked:

"He was the soundtrack to people's lives."

Someone at work today told me "Well he only had like 10 songs or something..." and I wanted to hit him. I spent the rest of the day sending him 'factoid' emails about the things that Michael accomplished to the impact he had on truly the world.

Small things like being the first entertainer to get $2 residuals off of each album (ground breaking in the industry) to big things like - selling the number one album in the world of all time.

Another quote on facebook read :

"I feel as though a piece of my childhood has died." which resonated with me as well. Maybe it's because I'm just thinking about it- but I have real memories associated with his songs like no others.

- 55 Bearberry Crescent in the living room dancing to "Off the Wall".
- Learning about the accident with his hair while in the cafeteria/gym at Beddington Heights Elementary.
- Going shopping with friend Sandy to get the HIStory album.
- Watching the "Scream" video in my living room at 15-28. (We moved around a lot in the early years!)
- Dancing to "Man in the Mirror" with a junior high crush...

Ok it's late: I'm watching youtube videos and drowing myself in tributes. Time to go to sleep.

He will be missed

"Thriller" – his second solo effort as an adult – was released in November 1982 and spent a record 37 weeks at No. 1, producing an unparalleled seven Top 10 singles.

My Mom and I were talking tonight- I called her to tell her that Michael Jackson died. I was on the phone with my brother when I read about it. A tweet from my friend Edlynne- that I didn't initially believe. Because I didn't want to believe. My Mom said (and it's been repeated often in the media in the last few hours) - "It's just like when Elvis died."

It's true- he's gone. And it's sad.

Yes he was a musical genius. (First and foremost). Yes he was eccentric (no denying). Yes he had a tragic history. But he was a part of my history.

I remember "Thriller". I remember "Bad". I remember "Beat It". I remember "Billie Jean" - so many songs that broke the mold with such brilliant talent.

I was looking forward to his comeback. But instead I will enjoy his legacy of music and I will wait to see what will become of his other legacy- his children.
And I will mourn with the rest of the world. And he will become another figure in history- alongside John Lennon, Elvis Presley and Princess Diana.
And I will remember being a pre-teen and dancing to "Man in the Mirror" and loving every freakin' single second.

You know ...

...that feeling you get when you meet someone- and there's that immediate "warmth throughout your body tingly" feeling? And when they smile you think it's only for you? And there is an instant level of ease that lives comfortably with yet somehow in contradiction of an excitement?


And even if it doesn't go anywhere or you never see them again you feel better for having had that interaction. For just that moment you remember: "oh there's that spark, there you are."

(Though it would be nice to see him again.)

Weekend Update

Went to a Mets game on Friday night at Citifield- was super fun to get out there and see a game (mostly fun to be outside and eat burgers and drink beer).

This is me drinking a custard shake: and realizing I really don't like custard.

Citifield: a really great stadium.


After the game we went to my local and had drinks- and our friend J & E showed up. We stayed a bit later than intended and then they wanted to see my place. Here is Rose and John- I think they wanted to stay even longer!!!


Two of my good friends were also in town this weekend and I took them shopping and eating and showing etc.
Here is Rob on our first day together minutes after he'd dropped his bbstorm and the screen broke. Oddly enough when I was in Rome with Jen she dropped her iphone and its' screen broke as well. (I'm screen bad luck maybe?)


I also saw the much anticipate movie "The Proposal" today- and recommend it.

Sorry so brief: am tired. And I think I'm getting sick.

The perfect Sunday afternoon

Given the festivities of Saturday it seemed appropriate to go and see "The Hangover" on Sunday.
SO FUNNY. Go see it.

An "O-date"

Here's an update on little O. She went to the Zoo with the family the other day. She's started crawling and as such, has no interest in hanging out in Mom or Dad's arms. She wants to be on the ground exploring.

Mid Summer Party

Lifted from Wikipedia: "In modern Sweden, Midsummer's Eve and Midsummer's Day is arguably the most important holiday of the year. The main celebrations take place on the Friday, and the traditional events include raising and dancing around a huge maypole.

The year's first potatoes, pickled herring, sour cream, and possibly the first strawberries of the season are on the menu. Drinking songs are also important at this feast, and many drink heavily.

Traditionally, young people pick bouquets of seven or nine different flowers and put them under their pillow to dream of their future spouse."

Yesterday my Swedish friend C hosted a Midsummer party at Central Park. Though it rained a bit it couldn't keep the revelers away and we had an amazing time. It was fun to do something so different- and C really tried to bring in some of the elements of her culture so it wasn't just another picnic in the park. I know it was a lot of work but worth the efforts as we all had a great time.

Here are our hosts at the start of the party, after they'd taken care of setting us all up with Pimms (traditional English sweet bevvie).

Caroline made the wreaths from wild flowers for all of us- I tried but was taking too long. But she did it in just a few minutes- I guess that's a lifetime of practice.


Of course me and Rose.



We did do all of the things wiki mentions- like eat pickled herring (actually pretty good) and drink schnapps (veerrry strong) and sing traditional songs. We didn't have the maypole- but I did do a lame rain dance to try and keep the water at bay (it didn't work and my embarrassment was for naught!).

And for the record I had a dream about Kanye West (the rapper) and my friend Eric (who is gay) last night- so I'm not sure about the whole 'dream about your spouse' part of the lore!!

Blog Traffic

In the last two days the traffic to my blog has jumped CONSIDERABLY- and from places ALL OVER the world. Anyone care to comment what drove you here? Has a link been placed somewhere??

Finished product

Purple Rain

When our family moved into the house in Santana we were told to pick out paint colours for our rooms. I picked purple. It was painted pink. A very real, very solid pink. They told me it was 'violet'. Now to be fair- maybe the card said that -but it sure wasn't violet especially when they accented it with a pink quilt, pink blinds and a rose colour carpet.
Anyhow- it's been a few years, clearly I'm having trouble letting go... and so today I decided to right some wrongs. Life has come full circle.
Today I painted one of the walls in my room PURPLE. To be precise "Plum Royale". I LOVE IT.
Here it is after the first coat (I then did a second coat- and will take a picture once it dries and I have my room reassembled).


THANK YOU RK for spending a BEAUTIFUL Saturday afternoon indoors helping me!!!

This is us hard at work. Though compared to my other painting jobs (that take weeks) this one was relatively painless.

A double edge sword

Often enough I get comments from people "you're HOW old?!" when they find out my age- as they are usually surprised to learn I'm the age that I am.

(not shocked- but a bit of a double take)

Most of the time I'm flattered and humbly mutter something about "Oil of Olay..." and look away shyly, but lately I've been wondering...

Maybe it has nothing to do with my youthful dewy looks and stems from the fact/perception that I'm just incredibly immature?

Or perhaps a combination of the two -bringing my estimated age to a grand total of 12!!

sigh- something to think about.

Amen Sister

"The Good Wife's Guide"

You can click on the picture to enlarge and read. This has been making the rounds on the "net" for a couple of years now- but never fails to make me laugh- and shake my head - and also feel a little ashamed that I might secretly a tiny-little-bit- pine for days like these...
An ad from "Good Housekeeping" in 1955.

my commute

I have started biking to work again. Last year I didn't start until August and regretted the late start. This year it's June and hopefully I'll keep it up. In addition to being faster than walking or the subway it's an awesome way to start and end my day. Invigorating and peaceful. (might seem like a contradiction but it's really both)

The sunset (it's darker than it looks outside) on my way home. That's the Hudson river.