city things

So far, on my vacation in the city:

*I've watched one of the best films of the year, Headless Woman
*Biked to Astoria for brunch with Kim at Ovelia
*Written three-out-of-four syllabi (Jim, I will email you copies of my syllabi once I've finished editing them.)
*Visited the rooftop farm two buildings down from Joe's apartment

*And...


taken a break from planning with two other teachers for some collective anxiety-release bowling at Gutter.


Kasey at bowl.


As usual, I lost all four games; I don't think I allow myself to be the bowling champion I truly am.


Joseph won three and Kasey won one.

What will happen next? Nobody knows.

Day three: Contempt on screen and in house

Last night, we biked to Socrates Sculpture Park to watch Contempt on the big screen. I'd watched it once before, but it made such a difference to see it again. After the film, Joe and I biked back to Greenpoint. It was a perfect night for a movie in the park and a bike ride.

Back in Brooklyn, we switched the cats (to give Nancy a chance to sleep in the bedroom with us and Cornelius an opportunity to investigate the other half of the apartment). Everyone seemed fine at bedtime.

We woke up early in the morning to Nancy and Cornelius rolling around and hissing at each other. Apparently, Cornelius scaled the barrier and then got into trouble when she realized Nancy was on the other side.

We separated them again, but decided we can't wing this feline-merging without some professional help.

This weekend, we're going to try an organized plan created by a vet technician to (fingers crossed) integrate the beasts once and for all.

The theme of this summer: Making the impossible possible.

a distraction

While I continue to make changes to my blog, please enjoy pictures of my bike ride around Roosevelt Island.

According to Wikipedia, the following people were prisoners on Blackwell's and Welfare Island (former names of Roosevelt Island):

* Emma Goldman — several times, for activities in support of anarchism and birth control and against the World War I draft.
* Madame Restell — for performing abortions
* Mae West — served eight days on public obscenity charges for her play Sex
* Billie Holiday — served on prostitution charges.


More time online: I've found a fabulous blog, which chronicles a biker's life in Astoria and beyond.

"And that's why you don't teach lessons."

Lesson: Biking to my work is not only doable, it's super easy.

If I had actually entered the bridge at the correct entrance last weekend, I would have had a week of riding my bike to work under my belt.

This morning's route:

home ----> Queensboro Bridge ----> E 60th St and 1st Ave ----> Loop all the way around Central Park ----> Scone, coffee, and the nyt at Alice's Tea Cup on East 64th ----> back home

All before noon.

Afternoon Update:




Biked to Long Island City for some reading and a cold beer at Harry's Water Taxi Bar. Can you tell that I am frantically trying to make the summer last up until the last hour?

foiled twofold

I took an early-day bike ride to Long Island City/Hunters Point. I love this area of New York, and secretly wish I lived there. Maybe my next apartment...

This morning, my goals were:
1. To bike into Manhattan so that I could figure out the best commute to work.
2. If that goal failed, which it did, to drink and enjoy lunch at the Water Taxi Bar. My second goal failed, too.

Here's why I was unsuccessful:
When I arrived at the Queensboro Bridge, I talked to the police guy on duty. He said that he's never seen anyone bike onto the bridge and that there isn't a bike lane. But there was a sign instructing bikers to enter the bridge. I was too scared to go over the bridge when the police dude was advising me against it. I need to do more research.

I arrived at the Water Taxi and realized I had left my wallet in my apartment. The woman at the gate was super friendly and said she'd let me in without my wallet, but then I wouldn't be able to drink or eat, so I biked home.

I'm refueling and deciding if either of my goals is worth the effort today. At least I had a nice bike ride.

G-D doesn't want me to fly.

*Thursday, August 14: Stefanie and I attempt to go up in the hot air ballooning in Central Park. The rides have been shut down for the night due to stormy weather.

*Tuesday, August 19: Stefanie calls just to make sure the park hasn't closed down hot air ballooning for the night before we head out there. She is told that there are no rides due to high winds.

*Thursday, August 21 (tonight): Stefanie and I head to the park with hopes as high as an untethered hot air balloon. The rides have been canceled due to the possibility of high winds. THE AIR IS NOT MOVING!! NO WIND IN SIGHT!

*Tomorrow is the last day of hot air ballooning in Central Park. We have given up. The line will be too long from all the days of canceled flight. Will I ever get to be in a balloon, soaring "freely" through the air?

Astoria crime update: Remember my citation for riding my bike on the sidewalk? I just received notice that the charges have been dropped. No need to appear in court! Freedom!

I have tomorrow off! (No idea why...) So excited for CHER (Moonstruck) in Central Park!!!

A reason to stay in bed all day

I was just biking home over by Astoria Park when an unmarked red van flashed its lights at me and two officers pulled me over. I was issued a citation for biking on the sidewalk and I will have to appear in court in September for my wrongdoing.

The cops explained that there are video cameras everywhere because there have been a lot of shootings lately in the projects (where I was passing through) and since everything was on tape, they had to give me a ticket. I looked up and saw two heavily-armed police officers on top of a building, staring down at me. I felt like I was on the set of The Wire.

As I was waiting for the ticket to be filled out, three kids biked by on the sidewalk. I pointed them out to the cops, but I was told they’re allowed because they're children.

The officer’s nametag read, ELCOCK. I held myself back from asking if that was his real last name.

Missing person

I know I kind of disappeared this week.
Since I've returned from Boston, I've hit the ground running. My new job doesn't begin until this coming Tuesday, so I've had the week off.

Sadly, I haven't remembered to take my camera with me, so I'm recycling a picture from Providence.

Tuesday, Scott and I went to Harry's Water Taxi Bar. We reminisced about the Bay Area and we wondered if the difference between nostalgia and sentimentality is time.

Wednesday, I met up with Matt D. for after-work drinks (though I skipped the work part) at the No Idea Bar. I don't really drink very much, so I was a bit overwhelmed by the time I left and marched across town to meet Kim.

Kim organized dinner at a fancy-pantsy restaurant in Soho, Aqua Grill (I found it on yelp), to celebrate my graduation. We ate the finest of foods surrounded by the wealthiest, most privileged people. Kim was taken (as could be predicted) and I tried to let some of her easily pleased attitude rub off on me. We fell in love with the bread and the pan seared Alaskan halibut was pretty outstanding. Thank you, Kim!

Yesterday, I was stopped on the street in the West Village by the CBS Evening News to answer questions about a Free Bike Program in New York. I said that I thought it was a good idea and I talked about how much more bike-friendly other cities where I've lived have been: Amsterdam, San Francisco, and Minneapolis.

Speaking of bikes, this afternoon, Scott is going to help me pump up my tires for a ride around town.

Other good news is that I'm writing everyday. So far, I'm less than thrilled with the work, but I'm maintaining a schedule.

I believe that brings my blog up to speed.

Media report:
Best television discovery: Slings and Arrows
First attempt to read historical fiction: Charity Girl by Michael Lowenthal (my mentor)
Can't get enough of: Road to Ronderlin sung by Vetiver

Awkward First Date

You wanted posts; you're going to get them.

Here's my brand new (actually, used) baby. I bought this bike yesterday and so far it's taken me to Greenpoint and back. I am learning how to ride without indexed gears, and it's been a hard adjustment. Because of this, I'm thinking of naming my bike, Awkward First Date.

Also, my apartment is flooded due to last night's big storm. Cornelius and my computer are okay, but a lot of my stuff is soaking in New York grossness.

Songs in my head: You Are The Light by Jens Lekman and Where You're Been Hiding by Architecture in Helsinki.
Food: Lemon Zest Luna Bars

Knit Me Baby One More Time

I can't believe the beauty! The sun has been shining for two days! It's supposed to be another warm one tomorrow. I've been basking in the hot 40 degrees.

Last night was semi-productive. I read some more of McEwan (still not a fan). Also, I wrote my outlines for my annotations and reread my story.

Tonight, for the first time since I lived in San Francisco two years ago, I started knitting. Alyssa and I went to Happy Ending Music and Reading Series. It was craft night and the publishers of a bunch of craft books donated a bunch of knitting needles and fancy yarn. I got really into knitting during the music and the crafty people giving talks about their books and their crafts. Alyssa was convinced that this was going to be the ultimate event in New York and I can't say that it was, but we had fun. We even got yelled at more than once for talking during the lectures. The hostess, was weird and nobody laughed at her jokes, but that didn't stop her from trying. I felt like the bad kid in school. But I was also the master knitter of the night (not including the presenters). Here's the scarf I started. It's just like riding a bike, it came right back to me. The band that played, Mason Dixon was really good.

Big excitement of the week: Veronica volunteers tomorrow, which means I get another fabulous haircut!

Oh! Today at work on the radio there was some weird radio gimmick where people were supposed to call in and choose between Chaka Kahn and Whitney Houston. For a couple hours it was all Whitney and Chaka all the time. Ultimately, Chaka won the battle for most-played, which was a bit disappointing.
Whitney song of the day would have to be: All At Once
And Chaka song has got to be: Tell Me Something Good

*health restoration of the week: No coffee; just hot water with lemon

The Life Of A Dysfunctional Metronome

So, tomorrow afternoon I have another interview in the Bronx. Then I’m going to try to meet up with my other possible roommate.

Back and forth, back and forth…

I can’t believe how all over the place I am right now.

Tomorrow, off to Bronx and Brooklyn.
Then, Monday, I leave for Minneapolis and Duluth.
Then I come back to Boston a week later.
And finally, I move to Brooklyn on the first of October.

It’s not like me to be this go, go, go.
I’m excited to get to settle down a bit.

Went out dancing last night with Kimberley. At first, the music was kind of slow. We requested Prince and the bisexual DJ must not know anything about Prince because he played “Pop Life,” which is a good song, but not a fast dance song. The music started to pick up and we really got down. I’m going to miss our dance-a-thons when I’m not living here.

Oh! Kimberley and I saw a guy on his bike get hit by a car last night. He was okay, but it made me think about when I hit was on my bike and hit Adrian on his bike. So scary.

Fruit of the day: avocado

p.s. I realize this image is incredibly cheese-ridden but I couldn't help myself. I heart google images.

Today I Almost Killed A Man

My friend, Adrian and I have been biking to work together. We live across the park from each other and he’s a really nice person to ride bikes with…

Until I almost killed him.

On our way to work this morning, he was telling me to turn and I was going forward and when I realized I was supposed to turn, I smashed my bike into his. He flew, I mean flew, off his bike and rolled onto his back.

He stood up and immediately declared, “I’m okay.” It was horrifying. He was indeed okay, but holy crap. Thank G-D for helmets.

His arm was sore and scraped but apparently nothing else hurt because he was protected by his backpack. It is one of the worst things in the world to think you could cause physical injury to another person, especially a nice person.

My front tire was totaled and we walked the rest of the way to the Book House. He says he still wants to bike with me, but who knows how he’ll feel by Monday. I kept trying to give him an out, but he’s not angry or anything. This was not how I wanted to start my day.

It brought back horrors of my experience as a child when I was chasing a soccer ball and accidentally knocked over a grandma of a friend of mine. Then she had a broken hip and had to use a walker for the rest of her life. Basically, I shortened her life-span dramatically. True story. Good job, Gili.

Song of the day: Killer Queen by Queen.

Up Stream And Loving It

I feel like a little salmon swimming upstream to spawn. And today I think I made it. Or at least I made it to a nice resting point on my journey upwards.

Everything is feeling so good today. The hot hot summer is a little cooler today.

(Inspired by Ellen) Here are 10 happy things in my life:

1. I went for my morning swim, which I haven't done since last week because of business.
2. I reconnected with two west coast friends yesterday that I have been out of touch with. One of them is Riva and I know we haven't been out of touch, but it's been A WEEK since we talked and that's just not right.
3. I bought a bicycle today. I already have one but I don't like it. Tomorrow I start riding my bike to work with my coworker, Adrian. He lives across the park from me and I just know he's going to be a great bike-riding buddy. The bike I just bought is white, which is something new to me, but I think I'm really going to love her. Now, I need a good name for her.
4. I listened to Prince. Not much else I need to say about that.
5. My manuscript is coming along (although I'm supposed to be spending two hours on it and I haven't started yet).
6. The librarian was nice to me and she knows me. She said I get more holds than most people and I felt proud to be such a good citizen.
7. I had a breakfast quesidilla this morning. Frenchmeadow Bakery is the place to go. Plus, the tortillas are a great source of fiber.
8. I've been coloring in my anatomy coloring book, which the owner of the bookhouse gave me for free since some of the pages are already used. It helps me get in the creative mood to start writing.
9. No more flying mammals.
10. I smell like wood from the sauna at the Y.

And one more for good luck:
11. I had my favorite coffee from French Meadow this morning. It's really sustaining me. They do it up right.