Turns out there are a lot of Christians in Brooklyn.

Our new apartment building comes with a surprise much like our last apartment building. (But this new apartment is way better! I can't wait to move next weekend.)

Dog days

It's been a long day at Higgins' and the whole gang is pretty worn out. On the plus side, I finally got to watch a marathon of Be Good Johnny Weir episodes. Happy to be home again.

Reading over your shoulder

Recently I was riding the train home from a long day. Next to me, this young hipster scribbled ferociously in his little notebook. I tried to nonchalantly read what he was writing; his handwriting was too messy. How can I explain how obvious it was that he was hoping someone would take notice? I've never seen someone perform writing as much as this guy.

So anyway, the train is slowly moving along until we are about to arrive at Bedford. Of course he's going to get off in Williamsburg. Where else? I look down one more time, hoping I can just get a sense of what all the fuss is about. And suddenly I watch him write, "If you're reading this right now--" but before he finishes his sentence, I look away. Then he snaps his notebook shut, gets off the train, and stands on the platform, watching me as the train pulls out of the station.

I couldn't read his expression and I was too afraid to spend much time trying. Guilt, confusion, and anger hit me all at once. Was he expecting privacy on the train? Should I have minded my own business? Did it make a difference since I couldn't read his handwriting?

Ultimately, I don't think I did anything wrong. Eavesdropping and picture-taking are standard protocol on the train.

I'd like to put this mystery to rest. I wish I had been brave enough to finish reading his sentence.

And just like that

The lease is signed! It's legal: Joseph and I are moving two blocks away in a little over a month.

Visitation Rights

Friday:

Jim and Pam arrive in New York
BBQ at Fette Sau




Saturday:

Join Jim, Kerry, and Higgins for off-leash in Prospect Park
Joe, Pam, and Jim go shopping in lower Manhattan
Paulie Gee's for pizza
Joe and Gili attend Jenny’s 30th birthday party



Sunday:

Visit Brighton Bazaar and other Russian food shops in Brighton Beach
Coney Island
Shop at Brooklyn Kitchen
Go to the Sarandon Fest and watch Thelma and Louise; Susan Sarandon speaks at BAM
Sri Pra Phai for dinner



Monday:

Joe's parents fly back to Iowa
Joe and Gili go to work
Valentine's dinner at Cafe Habana
Oscar Nominated Live-Action Shorts at IFC





(Some photos were taken by Joseph.)

A Little February-April Fool's

There's snow, ice, and general winter chaos outside. Inside, things have gotten chaotic, too. The current tenant of our (hopefully) new apartment has gotten cold feet and decided that she doesn't want to move out until May 1. Our new landlords are negotiating with her, and will try to persuade her to leave on April 1, so that we can move in. In the meantime, we are stuck in our apartment for two months with the dream of inhabiting our new space on April Fool's Day. Is that an omen? The tenant may choose not to sign a contract agreeing to leave, in which case the apartment will no longer be ours for the taking. It's up to her now. Only time will tell what she will do. How I loathe depending on flaky people.


To celebrate the theme of February, which is "Wait and See," here are three suggestions for what to do while you bide your time:

1. Watch the excellent documentary, Marwencol.
2. Read The Collected Stories of Wallace Stegner. It will take you a while.
3. Go through every season and episode of Northern Exposure. Appreciate that you aren't in Cicely, Alaska.

Our new(est) home

We're moving again! Our new apartment is about two blocks away from our current place. We're very excited to stay in the neighborhood but to get the heck out of this building.

Hopefully in this next apartment, we can stay put for a while.

Here's the craigslist advertisement:

REAL COZY 2 BEDROOMS - RAILROAD STYLE

HIGH CEILINGS - WOODFLOORS - FULL EAT-IN-KITCHEN

FULL BATHROOM - PRIVATE BACKYARD/GARDEN

HEAT/HOT WATER INCLUDED - SMALL PET OK- AVAILABLE MARCH

Snowy morning with the boys

The other best Joe ever

Haven't slept in thirty hours minus a thirty minute nap. The best food for sleep deprivation is a Belgian waffle with bacon from Joe Jr.'s in the East Village.

I walked to the train through the thick falling snowflakes and realized that this is the only acceptable weather for bagpipes. But not too much bagpipery, just a few notes while I dash away.

My emotions are fragile and frantic. I almost started crying on the train ride home as I admired all the beautiful New Yorkers going about their lives. Oh, home!

Here's to sleeping all day.

Changing climate calls for changing how we understand the weather

I’m obsessed with understanding the weather. For a long time, I wanted to become a weatherwoman on a local television channel, but I gave up the dream when I realized that there’s no science to the forecast. Everyday I check wunderground.com, weather.com, and my iPhone weather application. I compare each of these sites, which often vary wildly. An hour before a snowstorm, one site may claim that there is 0% chance of precipitation while another asserts a playing-it-safe 50% chance. I’ve checked the weather while it’s raining/snowing and witnessed a report of 0% chance of precipitation. How can the high temperature be lower than the actual temperature outside? What does it mean when the icon is a question mark on top of a cloud? How can it be 30 degrees outside, but feel like 11? Who determines what 11 degrees feels like? Where is the uncertainty coming from?

This meteorological chaos trickles down into many aspects of my life. How many layers do I need to wear when I leave the house? Is one pair of pants enough? Should I be slipping on my snow boots, rain boots, combat boots, Chucks?

Almost daily, I find some innocent friend or acquaintance to vent my frustrations about the inaccuracies in weather reporting. (If nobody else is around, Joe ends up hearing my rants. I just can’t let this go.) It’s a problem with an obvious solution: stop looking at the weather. Live in the moment.

Late at night, I lie in bed and report the weather to Joe. I’m thinking about creating a podcast or a video diary in which I rely on charm to win over an audience as confused as I am. There’s no harm in admitting that as weather people, we just don’t know.

“This is Gili, coming to you live from Brooklyn, New York. I’ve got good news and bad. The good news is that you’re alive and it’s a new day. The bad news is that it will most likely be cold for the next few months. Bundle up, wear your long underwear, and keep your feet warm and dry. Expect more useful tips about staying sane this winter in the coming days. As always, thanks for tuning in to my dependable forecast. This is Gili, reminding you not to pay attention to numbers, percentages, or predictions. I’ve been studying the weather for years and it’s as much a mystery to me as it is to you. You are not alone. Check back in tomorrow morning for more support from a person just like you. I make mistakes; heck, we all do. But you won’t have any phony clairvoyance from your old pal, Gili. Find yourself a fireplace, a good book, and a cup of coffee. At some point, winter will be over.”

No more unicorns for brunch

Goodbye Cafe Royal. We made an awesome whipped unicorn steak with vegan mash. Closing your doors wasn't a surprise to anybody.

It was fun knowing you.

Four things I love right now

1. Stargazer, Jack Horkheimer


2. Two Fat Ladies


3. I'm a Girl Watcher by The Okaysions



4. Pie from Blue Stove



During my ongoing detox from all the cynicism, I researched the antonyms for "cynic": believer, optimist, trustful. Even garbage can be beautiful.

If there's self-criticism involved, sign me up.

(Or should I say, Sign me up if there's self-criticism involved?)

Self-realization: All I want is to please the people who are impossible to please and hear about it at length.

(Photo credit: JET)

Speaking of reasons to leave the house

You never know when you'll stumble into a Three Kings/Gift of the Magi parade.


My neighborhood transformed itself into a petting zoo.


Oh, that's just a camel under the BQE. You'll have that.


The animals seemed as bewildered as the spectators.


Hipsters and costumed folk, this is Brooklyn.

Major Adulthood Update

Good Old Riva came to town after a year apart. I fell ill for the second time this winter, but we dragged ourselves to the neighborhood pub, Boulevard Tavern, which happens to be almost overly dog-friendly. Nukah didn't want to go home. When we left, the owner/bartender yelled after Nukah, "Goodbye, new assistant!" Hopefully this won't require an intervention.


And Major Adulthood Update: Joseph and I are officially couch owners. We have experienced the non-creepy, seemingly straightforward side of craigslist. And somehow this isn't too good to be true.

Films to Be Filed Under Must See: True Grit and Another Year

Looking a gift house in the mouth

We decided to offer up our gingerbread house to the birds of McGolrick Park.






But the pigeons didn't seem to know what to do with our gift.



When we realized that the house was strong enough to hold Joe's weight, we understood why the pigeons weren't biting.



Upon demolition, a feeding frenzy finally began.






Goodbye, gingerbread house; 2010.