Not that any one remotely cares who reads this blog, and not that I have a following of anyone in my area; but, I thought I would throw in my two cents anyways.
So, because one of my lovely roommates left the gas for our stove on (could have been me, but I'm 99.9% sure it wasn't), I made an effort to get out of my apartment and see the sights in Williamsburg for a change. I mean there is only so much of being a homebody I can do, I am starting to go crazy and get cabin fever.
Basically the gas was a godsend.
Anyways, the point of this post is that I found a mega cute coffee shop, with free Internet and quite possibly the best Latte I have had in New York City. I know that's a huge, huge accusation to make, but I believe it to be the best latte I have had in quite a while.
This wonderful little cafe is Variety on Graham Ave, just north of the Graham L Stop. Yes, I realize I am supposed to be cutting back on my coffee intake, but I am down to one cup of coffee a day. I think I am doing well.
Variety has a nice homey feel to it. To be quite honest, it reminds me of something I would find in my college town, a little country. What did you really expect? It is Williamsburg, after all, that I live in. This place, though, seems to have taken extra care in the aesthetic of the whole place, unlike some little hole in the wall coffee places. From the white paneling to the cool colored wall paper, to the silver plated ceiling, the whole place feels light and full of energy. A perfect place to sit, relax, have a cup of coffee and let the creative juices flow.
10 March 2009
05 March 2009
The Klutz Extrodinare
I am the queen of botching things up. I am a klutz, what can I say? You've already seen many forms of my klutzy tendencies. By now you really shouldn't expect anything less.
What did I botch up this time? You remember that guy my friends wanted to set me up with? Yeah, that. Here's how it happened:
So after our trivia night Wendy sent an email to the guy she wanted to set me up with. He seemed to take the bait, and she asked me how she should handle this. Stupidly I said group as opposed to just giving him my number. Clearly I wasn't thinking because if I were, then I would have realized that I am always quiet and come off stand offish if you meet me that way.
I mean we were supposed to have a larger group, but ultimately we ended with Wendy, Emily, Amy, the guy and myself. The three people who knew about the set up, and then me and the guy. This situation screams awkward... and why didn't I run?
I arrive and Wendy is already there, so is he. Go figure. Because of how they were already seated, I sat across from him. This would make it difficult later to have any kind of personal conversation with him. And, to top it off I'm not drinking so I can't even drink away the awkwardness. As a result, I started a dialogue with Wendy instead of him. It did become a discussion, but I still talked more to Wendy that to him. I know, I know I wasn't thinking or maybe I was thinking too much. I don't know, I was just in an uncomfortable situation that was spiraling downward... very quickly.
When other people arrived I talked more to them than to him, not to mention I was still sitting across from him making it difficult to talk directly to him.
Exactly what I did wrong:
All in all I'm sure I came across as nice but cold and stand offish. Yeah, not surprising.
He and Wendy left, I stayed with Emily as she finished her beer. They walked out the door and I hit my head on the table multiple times as I detailed to Emily why everything went wrong.
Why of all nights did I choose tonight to play the shy card?
I was going to shoot him an email, but before I had the chance to Wendy mentioned he wasn't interested. I didn't ask why, I didn't have to.
Please don't hold this one interaction against me. I promise, I am normally way more personable. I guess I just picked a bad night to have an off day.
What did I botch up this time? You remember that guy my friends wanted to set me up with? Yeah, that. Here's how it happened:
So after our trivia night Wendy sent an email to the guy she wanted to set me up with. He seemed to take the bait, and she asked me how she should handle this. Stupidly I said group as opposed to just giving him my number. Clearly I wasn't thinking because if I were, then I would have realized that I am always quiet and come off stand offish if you meet me that way.
I mean we were supposed to have a larger group, but ultimately we ended with Wendy, Emily, Amy, the guy and myself. The three people who knew about the set up, and then me and the guy. This situation screams awkward... and why didn't I run?
I arrive and Wendy is already there, so is he. Go figure. Because of how they were already seated, I sat across from him. This would make it difficult later to have any kind of personal conversation with him. And, to top it off I'm not drinking so I can't even drink away the awkwardness. As a result, I started a dialogue with Wendy instead of him. It did become a discussion, but I still talked more to Wendy that to him. I know, I know I wasn't thinking or maybe I was thinking too much. I don't know, I was just in an uncomfortable situation that was spiraling downward... very quickly.
When other people arrived I talked more to them than to him, not to mention I was still sitting across from him making it difficult to talk directly to him.
Exactly what I did wrong:
- I got quiet and reserved
- I felt on the spot
- I was short in my answers, not opening them up for conversation
- I avoided eye contact
- I talked to everyone else more than him.
All in all I'm sure I came across as nice but cold and stand offish. Yeah, not surprising.
He and Wendy left, I stayed with Emily as she finished her beer. They walked out the door and I hit my head on the table multiple times as I detailed to Emily why everything went wrong.
Why of all nights did I choose tonight to play the shy card?
I was going to shoot him an email, but before I had the chance to Wendy mentioned he wasn't interested. I didn't ask why, I didn't have to.
Please don't hold this one interaction against me. I promise, I am normally way more personable. I guess I just picked a bad night to have an off day.
27 February 2009
Fireflies and Freedom
So, I'm watching episodes of "Firefly." Yes, I am a nerd, just like every other nerd who realizes the brilliance of Joss Whedon. The episode I happen to be watching is this one where the ship's engine malfunctions and there is no power to the ship. The crew thus needs to flee in order to survive. Everyone, that is except the captain, who wants to go down with the ship. Horribly poetic if you ask me.
So while he is trying to reach some other ship out in space to hopefully acquire some help, the captain remembers how each of his crew comes to join the venture. Through out this we see how truly attached he is to his crew. He gets the part but gets shot in the process, demise is before him. In turn, when the crew returns and ends up saving him, we see how truly attached they are to him.
The last shot of the show says it all though. It flashes back to the captain first purchasing his ship. The used ship salesman is trying to sell him on another ship, but nothing to it. Mal sets eyes on his ship and he knows the sky's his limit. The look on his face was that of complete bliss, complete freedom. It gave me the kind of feeling I felt when I was first moving to NYC.
So while he is trying to reach some other ship out in space to hopefully acquire some help, the captain remembers how each of his crew comes to join the venture. Through out this we see how truly attached he is to his crew. He gets the part but gets shot in the process, demise is before him. In turn, when the crew returns and ends up saving him, we see how truly attached they are to him.
The last shot of the show says it all though. It flashes back to the captain first purchasing his ship. The used ship salesman is trying to sell him on another ship, but nothing to it. Mal sets eyes on his ship and he knows the sky's his limit. The look on his face was that of complete bliss, complete freedom. It gave me the kind of feeling I felt when I was first moving to NYC.
25 February 2009
Hair Dare
The wonderful think about New York is that you can find almost anything for free. Most recently I took advantage of a salon training night to get a free hair cut. Here is the account of my experience:
I walk into the studio... salon... classroom? I check in and they tell me to sit down. I pull out a book to read, as they mentioned it would be a little while for them to get settled. I am distracted by a woman across from me. She was heavy set, had a wide frog like face, and shoulder length combed over hair. She looked like a cross between Mary and Professor Umbridge, she had the temper of both as well. She was there for a free hair cut like I was and she was getting all up in arms when they couldn't accommodate her immediately. Its a free service, lady, get a life and stop complaining.
Anyways, I finally get called for my hair cut. Woo hoo. Unfortunately my student didn't quite comprehend what she was getting herself into. You see I straightened my hair and my hair is normally curly. Other than the fact that she was a little timid and slightly afraid of the power she herself had with the scissors in hand, she preformed well.
All in all, I would say i made out on this deal. Free hair cut in exchange for letting them practice with my wonderful hair... I let them chop so much off. The instructor loved my hair so much she asked me to come back as a color model!
I love my hair.
I walk into the studio... salon... classroom? I check in and they tell me to sit down. I pull out a book to read, as they mentioned it would be a little while for them to get settled. I am distracted by a woman across from me. She was heavy set, had a wide frog like face, and shoulder length combed over hair. She looked like a cross between Mary and Professor Umbridge, she had the temper of both as well. She was there for a free hair cut like I was and she was getting all up in arms when they couldn't accommodate her immediately. Its a free service, lady, get a life and stop complaining.
Anyways, I finally get called for my hair cut. Woo hoo. Unfortunately my student didn't quite comprehend what she was getting herself into. You see I straightened my hair and my hair is normally curly. Other than the fact that she was a little timid and slightly afraid of the power she herself had with the scissors in hand, she preformed well.
All in all, I would say i made out on this deal. Free hair cut in exchange for letting them practice with my wonderful hair... I let them chop so much off. The instructor loved my hair so much she asked me to come back as a color model!
I love my hair.
Answer in the Form of a Question?
One last hurrah before I give up alcohol for lent. Yes, I am going for the gold and giving up alcohol in effort to attack the New York social scene as me, without the influence of alcohol. So as a last hurrah, I went out with a couple of friends from production- Amy, Wendy and Emily.
We went to this bar in the west village and spent most of the time catching up as none of us had worked together since July. Sadness. I love these girls but at the same time I like what I have been up to. We get to catching up on everything and I go on a rant about all my guy problems as of late, I mean honestly why can't I just meet a guy who is cute, nice, funny, adventurous, smart and just up for something fun.
They deliberated a moment, then Wendy says they have a guy they want me to meet. I say okay and we leave it at that for the time (I'll reference back to this later).
So anyways, as it turns out, there is trivia at this bar and I decide it would be fun for us to play. I go up to register us and use the first name I can think of, "after party babies." Don't ask, you don't want to know.
Trivia commences. We have a blast, most of our answers are a little off due to one thing or another. Oh well, its still fun. We learn that the 4 or us know way too much random information and that we should find lives outside this world of useless knowledge. Yay trivia, we should play this again.
We went to this bar in the west village and spent most of the time catching up as none of us had worked together since July. Sadness. I love these girls but at the same time I like what I have been up to. We get to catching up on everything and I go on a rant about all my guy problems as of late, I mean honestly why can't I just meet a guy who is cute, nice, funny, adventurous, smart and just up for something fun.
They deliberated a moment, then Wendy says they have a guy they want me to meet. I say okay and we leave it at that for the time (I'll reference back to this later).
So anyways, as it turns out, there is trivia at this bar and I decide it would be fun for us to play. I go up to register us and use the first name I can think of, "after party babies." Don't ask, you don't want to know.
Trivia commences. We have a blast, most of our answers are a little off due to one thing or another. Oh well, its still fun. We learn that the 4 or us know way too much random information and that we should find lives outside this world of useless knowledge. Yay trivia, we should play this again.
15 February 2009
Friday the 13th and Other Such Happenstances
As I am currently between jobs and attempting to side step a possible stage five clinger, what better way to spend Valentine's Day than with my college roommates in DC (rather Alexandria). I made plans with my friends, booked my bus ticket and all was good to go. It never seems to matter what method I choose to travel, I am always a tad apprehensive as a traveler. In any event, I always seem to have interesting experiences. I would be traveling on Friday the 13th, it is guaranteed to be an eventful trip.
I woke up at 6am on Friday the 13th. I'm not entirely sure if my body is preprogrammed to maximize my Friday the 13th time or if I just so happened to wake up early, but at 7am when I couldn't fall back asleep I gave in and got up. I proved to be incredibly productive with my additional time, but I could have used the extra sleep.
Now earlier this week I sent out my resume and cover letter to various production companies in the New York area. To my surprise, I received a response from one. They want to meet with me next Thursday. They want to meet with ME next Thursday. If there is one person out there noticing me, there is bound to be more. I make the appointment and set off for my trip.
I arrive a half hour early for a 3:30 departure time, unfortunately I must have missed the memo because our bus arrived a half hour late. We were on the road by 4:15, but still, Kirsten warned me the trains stopped working properly in DC at 10pm. If traffic was bad, I could get caught in that mess.
The trip proceeds smoothly. That is until we make our first pit stop. The bus driver stands up and very rudely explains to us for a good 5 minutes that we have a 15 minute break. He talks to us, with his poor enunciation, as if we are children and unable to understand the concept of time. Believe me hun, I wouldn't spend more than 15 minutes at a rest stop on the jersey turnpike if I had to.
We are back on the road and I continue to alternate between reading and napping. Surprisingly reading wins out despite the fact that I have been up since 6am. As we get closer to DC we make a stop in Baltimore. It was an unexpected stop that the idiot driver turned into a 45 minute detour between waiting a half hour to fill two seats on the bus and stopping to ask for directions back to the interstate. Dude, I have never had this trouble with a chinatown bus... what the hell is going on here.
We land in DC around 9:20. that was a 5 and a half hour trip... that should have been 4 hours. I call Kirsten and Annie to let them know what was going on, but that I should be fine as far as the train goes. We arrange to meet up on King Street in Alexandria (I haven't been there since Poppop's funeral). I buy my ticket, find my train and get on to the platform by 9:30. I am in the clear.'
15 minutes go by and only one train has, one train that was not the one I needed. I look around the half empty platform and notice a gentleman standing near me. He looks like your typical film noir detective: white button up shirt, black pants, long trench coat, shiny shoes, and a fedora. I ask him if he knows whether or not the Yellow Line has stopped running for the night. He says he hopes not as he has to take it to get home. Apparently the Yellow line sometimes does not show up on the arrival board. We make small talk, I mention I'm from NYC and haven't been to DC in about 5 years. We find we are headed to the same stop, small world.
8 more minutes go by and still no train. He checks his phone and our route cannot be planned. Great, so we both missed the memo that told us the Yellow Line would be out of commission. He tells me he is taking a cab to Alexandria and offers to split it with me. Before I have a chance to hesitate, he says not to worry that hes a cop. Unless I have a problem with cops, then I'm out of luck. So he really is a film noir detective... stuck in a 2009 world. I concede and we introduce ourselves to each other. His name is Tyler. He thinks my name is pretty.
(Yes I might sound like a school girl with a crush... that's cause I am)
I call Kirsten and let her know whats up. Tyler and I grab a cab and are on our way. He calls his girlfriend, or wife, to let her know why hes running late.
We talk the entire trip to King's Street. Its not just small talk, once we got past the who we are and what we are doing in DC the conversation evolved into one that utilized our mutual skill in observation of others. Alas, we arrived at King's Street far too soon. We parted ways and got on with our weekends. He left me with payment for the cab and a crush on a cute, intelligent guy that I just don't seem to be able to find in New York.
When it comes down to it, I don't think Friday the 13th is about good or bad luck as so many people assume it to be. I thinks its a day of serendipitous happenstances thrown at you by the universe. An unexpected twist of fate that is neither good nor bad but rather determined so by the way in which you react and accept your fate.
I woke up at 6am on Friday the 13th. I'm not entirely sure if my body is preprogrammed to maximize my Friday the 13th time or if I just so happened to wake up early, but at 7am when I couldn't fall back asleep I gave in and got up. I proved to be incredibly productive with my additional time, but I could have used the extra sleep.
Now earlier this week I sent out my resume and cover letter to various production companies in the New York area. To my surprise, I received a response from one. They want to meet with me next Thursday. They want to meet with ME next Thursday. If there is one person out there noticing me, there is bound to be more. I make the appointment and set off for my trip.
I arrive a half hour early for a 3:30 departure time, unfortunately I must have missed the memo because our bus arrived a half hour late. We were on the road by 4:15, but still, Kirsten warned me the trains stopped working properly in DC at 10pm. If traffic was bad, I could get caught in that mess.
The trip proceeds smoothly. That is until we make our first pit stop. The bus driver stands up and very rudely explains to us for a good 5 minutes that we have a 15 minute break. He talks to us, with his poor enunciation, as if we are children and unable to understand the concept of time. Believe me hun, I wouldn't spend more than 15 minutes at a rest stop on the jersey turnpike if I had to.
We are back on the road and I continue to alternate between reading and napping. Surprisingly reading wins out despite the fact that I have been up since 6am. As we get closer to DC we make a stop in Baltimore. It was an unexpected stop that the idiot driver turned into a 45 minute detour between waiting a half hour to fill two seats on the bus and stopping to ask for directions back to the interstate. Dude, I have never had this trouble with a chinatown bus... what the hell is going on here.
We land in DC around 9:20. that was a 5 and a half hour trip... that should have been 4 hours. I call Kirsten and Annie to let them know what was going on, but that I should be fine as far as the train goes. We arrange to meet up on King Street in Alexandria (I haven't been there since Poppop's funeral). I buy my ticket, find my train and get on to the platform by 9:30. I am in the clear.'
15 minutes go by and only one train has, one train that was not the one I needed. I look around the half empty platform and notice a gentleman standing near me. He looks like your typical film noir detective: white button up shirt, black pants, long trench coat, shiny shoes, and a fedora. I ask him if he knows whether or not the Yellow Line has stopped running for the night. He says he hopes not as he has to take it to get home. Apparently the Yellow line sometimes does not show up on the arrival board. We make small talk, I mention I'm from NYC and haven't been to DC in about 5 years. We find we are headed to the same stop, small world.
8 more minutes go by and still no train. He checks his phone and our route cannot be planned. Great, so we both missed the memo that told us the Yellow Line would be out of commission. He tells me he is taking a cab to Alexandria and offers to split it with me. Before I have a chance to hesitate, he says not to worry that hes a cop. Unless I have a problem with cops, then I'm out of luck. So he really is a film noir detective... stuck in a 2009 world. I concede and we introduce ourselves to each other. His name is Tyler. He thinks my name is pretty.
(Yes I might sound like a school girl with a crush... that's cause I am)
I call Kirsten and let her know whats up. Tyler and I grab a cab and are on our way. He calls his girlfriend, or wife, to let her know why hes running late.
We talk the entire trip to King's Street. Its not just small talk, once we got past the who we are and what we are doing in DC the conversation evolved into one that utilized our mutual skill in observation of others. Alas, we arrived at King's Street far too soon. We parted ways and got on with our weekends. He left me with payment for the cab and a crush on a cute, intelligent guy that I just don't seem to be able to find in New York.
When it comes down to it, I don't think Friday the 13th is about good or bad luck as so many people assume it to be. I thinks its a day of serendipitous happenstances thrown at you by the universe. An unexpected twist of fate that is neither good nor bad but rather determined so by the way in which you react and accept your fate.
12 February 2009
Paddling Down the River
As a young girl I had always dreamed of finding my Prince Charming, who sweeps me off my feet and with whom I can live happily ever after. (How many of my posts have started like this... probably quite a few) I am finding, though, as I date more and more, I am no closer to finding my prince charming than I was when I was 6 years old. Maybe I'm not trying hard enough, maybe I am not cut out for a relationship, maybe all the boys in this city are duds, and maybe it's just not my time yet.
Most recently I have gone on a couple dates with a friend of a friend. Really nice guy, met him one night when we were all out. He seemed nice enough, I gave him my number and the very next day he called me. Truth be told I'm not used to this, but I rolled with it because it was unfamiliar territory. I am after all always up for an adventure.
The only problem presented is that even before our first date, he was either calling or texting every single day. I really wanted to say to him, "Look Hun, I don't even talk to my best friends every day, let alone someone I hardly know." I was polite and did not. He lived in Jersey and I in Brooklyn, there was hardly a chance I would see him every day. I continued to roll with it.
Our first date we met on neutral territory, Manhattan. Twas a little awkward, but perhaps he was just nervous. Despite the lackluster first date, I was willing to give him a second chance. The calls and texts kept on though, I might say I had plans on a particular night and he would still check in to see what I was up to. I ignored them and wanted to shake him and say, "Look, I have a life outside of you. No offense, but just because we went out on one date does not mean we are dating."
I did not. I had already gently coached him away from saying things like "baby" or "my girl," I can give this over zealous guy a second chance.
Second date I suggested Manhattan as it would be easier for him to drive to. He insisted Williamsburg. That is the point I began to freak out. Williamsburg is my territory, when I have dated before Manhattan is the neutral ground... no one wants to come out to Brooklyn... Brooklyn is reserved for more intimate relationships once I get to know a person better. It is my ground, my territory, and frankly I don't want people trying to invade my world. I mean its my kingdom so to speak, I even have a moat.... more like the east river, but still it serves as a barrier between me and the comfort zone that is the city.
What's wrong with this picture? I am looking it as an invasion, not a date. Who views dates as an invasion? Clearly only someone who is going on a date with the wrong person. I shouldn't feel threatened, or suffocated, or inhibited. I should be excited and giddy. Alas I was not.
I sat on the phone with one of my friends for a half hour ranting to her, as she has to me many times before. She said to me (stolen from Gilmore Girls), "Maura, you are a Kayak."
"What?" I asked.
"You are a Kayak, a relationship is a canoe. A canoe requires two oars and two people to navigate it. A kayak has only one navigator and one two-sided oar. You are a Kayak, you are independent."
In the words of Loralie Gilmore, "I am kayak, hear me roar."
I survived the date, but I will probably not be seeing this guy again.
Maybe one day I will transition into a nice canoe, more likely a second Kayak to travel with me. Unfortunately for this guy though, it looks like hes looking to share a canoe, and I'm not ready to turn in my Kayak yet. As for my future Prince Charming, well hes going to have his work cut out for him. He better start looking into acquiring a second noble stallion as I am not the type of Princess who will settle for sharing a steed
Most recently I have gone on a couple dates with a friend of a friend. Really nice guy, met him one night when we were all out. He seemed nice enough, I gave him my number and the very next day he called me. Truth be told I'm not used to this, but I rolled with it because it was unfamiliar territory. I am after all always up for an adventure.
The only problem presented is that even before our first date, he was either calling or texting every single day. I really wanted to say to him, "Look Hun, I don't even talk to my best friends every day, let alone someone I hardly know." I was polite and did not. He lived in Jersey and I in Brooklyn, there was hardly a chance I would see him every day. I continued to roll with it.
Our first date we met on neutral territory, Manhattan. Twas a little awkward, but perhaps he was just nervous. Despite the lackluster first date, I was willing to give him a second chance. The calls and texts kept on though, I might say I had plans on a particular night and he would still check in to see what I was up to. I ignored them and wanted to shake him and say, "Look, I have a life outside of you. No offense, but just because we went out on one date does not mean we are dating."
I did not. I had already gently coached him away from saying things like "baby" or "my girl," I can give this over zealous guy a second chance.
Second date I suggested Manhattan as it would be easier for him to drive to. He insisted Williamsburg. That is the point I began to freak out. Williamsburg is my territory, when I have dated before Manhattan is the neutral ground... no one wants to come out to Brooklyn... Brooklyn is reserved for more intimate relationships once I get to know a person better. It is my ground, my territory, and frankly I don't want people trying to invade my world. I mean its my kingdom so to speak, I even have a moat.... more like the east river, but still it serves as a barrier between me and the comfort zone that is the city.
What's wrong with this picture? I am looking it as an invasion, not a date. Who views dates as an invasion? Clearly only someone who is going on a date with the wrong person. I shouldn't feel threatened, or suffocated, or inhibited. I should be excited and giddy. Alas I was not.
I sat on the phone with one of my friends for a half hour ranting to her, as she has to me many times before. She said to me (stolen from Gilmore Girls), "Maura, you are a Kayak."
"What?" I asked.
"You are a Kayak, a relationship is a canoe. A canoe requires two oars and two people to navigate it. A kayak has only one navigator and one two-sided oar. You are a Kayak, you are independent."
In the words of Loralie Gilmore, "I am kayak, hear me roar."
I survived the date, but I will probably not be seeing this guy again.
Maybe one day I will transition into a nice canoe, more likely a second Kayak to travel with me. Unfortunately for this guy though, it looks like hes looking to share a canoe, and I'm not ready to turn in my Kayak yet. As for my future Prince Charming, well hes going to have his work cut out for him. He better start looking into acquiring a second noble stallion as I am not the type of Princess who will settle for sharing a steed
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