Plum

Issue's out! First as Managing Editor. Who else thinks going from intern to Managing Editor in 9 months is ridiculous?! Not that I'm complaining...too much ;-)

I also have a byline! On something I am completely qualified to write about...breastfeeding!

Also, I got this great CD in the mail just now, some PR thing...it's by a band called Kula Shaker. Totally awesome! Very different, but I recommend.

Sorry to sound like a broken record, folks, but I had yet another baby dream last night! This one was mine, a girl, and she kind of popped out unexpectedly. Apparently, no one knew I was pregnant, including me, but it also wasn't a huge surprise. In fact, when I walked into work with my new baby, my boss actually said, in a surprisingly casual tone, "Well, I guess you can go on leave now." And then she proceeds to give me a month of maternity leave, just like that! This would never happen, even at a business that celebrates and encourages having babies and maternity leave for mothers. So while all this is going on, my new "baby" doesn't even look like a baby. She's more like a doll, a very realistic doll mind you, but one that looks more like a Cabbage Patch Kid than an actual baby.

So, who thinks I need to be analyzed?

Don't Worry Baby

Hahaha, oh boy, I can already tell that this is going to be one of those times when I obsessively blog because once I get started I can't stop.

Anyway, I forgot to mention that, as I was walking to work this morning, I was feeling all down and out about going in, when The Beach Boys' "Don't Worry Baby" comes on my Mp3 player. Another crazy random Beach Boys reference! And it made me feel better! I actually walked into work (it came on literally as I walked into my office building) with a smile on my face...weird!

I felt even better when a certain tall, dark drink of hot chocolate met me for lunch :-)

And another thing, just for laughs...our beloved cat, Hershel (aka Mr. Poopy-butt, Kershel McNershel, Crazy Bitch) has been exhibiting some, shall we say, rather randy behavior of late and we are at our wits' end. We were a little confused because he's neutered and other cat-owning folk say this is not normal. But apparently, it is (and is quite hilarious). Oh well, I guess we'll have to let him be a "teenage boy" for a while. God, I hope it stops at some point.

Oh man, it's been ages since I've posted. I can't believe I let it get this out of control. And now that I'm writing this, it seems almost silly to begin again, like I need to dust off that part of my brain a little bit more before I can properly organize my thoughts. It's true, my mind has been feeling a bit jumbled these days. I've been alternating between hating and loving my job, but mostly the former considering I'm working 12-hour days, and I'm feeling way overwhelmed and not feeling like any of it is worth it. But then I turn around and feel proud of the work I've done and proud to be a part of this small operation that produces this huge thing twice a year. I don't know, I really have to reassess once the issue is out and then see how I feel. I know I won't be there for much longer. We'll see.

Another subject of note is that this may be the first year I've noticed the time slipping away faster than I even know it. I seriously can't believe it's November...I know everyone says this, but I've always taken it for granted and now that it's happening to me too, I finally understand. I guess this is what it means to grow up and be an adult, huh? WTF!

I've been having some good times, though, thankfully, which is the main reason why I don't hate my life right now. Because, seriously, if my life were my job, as I imagine it is for many people, I don't know how I'd get through. I guess we all take a bit of our work into our personal lives from time to time, like the fact that I'm constantly editing every stupid little thing, looking for typos in other magazines, even editing my own damn thoughts! Another WTF for that one...sheesh!

You know, this is good, I'm glad I decided to post again. It's really helping me organize my thoughts...hmmm, could this be why people write in journals? Let's hope I can keep it up. Definitely once December comes around I'll have kept up some kind of consistent posting schedule...I'll be freeeeeee! If not, there's always January, when I start my writing class. That's write folks (haha pun intended), I've decided to sign up for the Gotham Writers' Workshop 6-week nonfiction course. Looking forward to it muchly. Hmmm, maybe it'll help me come up with a new way to express that thought without using made-up words...on second thought, I doubt it.

Let it fly in the breeze and get caught in the trees...

Yesterday Marissa, Josh and I traipsed into Manhattan early in the morning (and by early, I mean 9 am...c'mon it was Sunday people) to try and get free tickets for the concert of Hair, a 40th anniversary celebration of the musical at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park.
We didn't get tickets of course because we aren't obsessive freaks who like to camp out all night just for the sheer pleasure of attending a CONCERT of a play that we've already seen. We got there around 10 am and the first person in line had been there since 1 in the morning! I had a feeling that would happen, but I thought that maybe if we got there somewhat early, we might have a chance. But no, even those that got there at 5 am were waaaaay back in the line and we were informed that our chances were "not good."

So we decided to come back later, have a picnic on the lawn in the back of the theater and hopefully be able to hear the music. If not, we were okay with just enjoying the weather and a picnic. The picnic was a bust due to some bad Brie and cheap wine (although, come to think of it, maybe the wine contributed to the fun). The weather was amazing all day...not a drop of humidity or a cloud in the sky, mid-70s...but by sunset the temperature dropped considerably and we were freezing our bums off on the damp grass. Then the music started and it was, in a word, disappointing. I don't know that if we had gotten tickets it would have made a difference...perhaps it would have because we would have heard the band better and seen the costumes and set. They had these speakers playing outside near the box office, but it seemed to only project the actor's voices. But again, it wasn't the play, only a concert of the music, so I think that's what made it less than stellar for me.

Anyway, the evening was a disappointment, but the day more than made up for it. We took Josh out for a birthday brunch at this amazing Latin American restaurant and ate some awesome food. We wandered around a Farmer's Market for a bit. We took ourselves down to the Paley Center for Media, formally the Museum of TV and Radio. It has a library with thousands of archives of almost any show you can think of, plus scheduled screenings of certain shows on the big screen. We watched the 30th Anniversary show of the Muppets, which was so much fun and really brought on some flashbacks. Then we went to the Godiva store to buy chocolates for Josh, did a little shopping, bought some lovely pashminas, and went back to the park area to get provisions for our picnic. A lovely day, somewhat blah evening, but that's okay. I heart NY!

Introducing...Hershel Moishe Shaloum

We're getting a cat! He's my cousin's 12-year-old brown and white Maine Coon. This is great on so many levels. 1. He's the same type of cat as Butterscotch, so I know what to expect re: fur everywhere, cuddlyness factors, etc. 2. My cousin is so in love with this cat (he has to give him up due to several factors, one being his daughter is possibly allergic), that he's willing to pay for everything, including grooming, vet fees, etc. , so we technically don't have to pay for a thing (although of course we will pay for standard everyday supplies). 3. We were planning on getting a cat anyway (albeit a kitten, but hey, a free cat's a free cat). 4. He's supposedly lovely and has a dog-like temperament (very friendly). 5. He's GORGEOUS!

His name is technically "Hershey" but doesn't he look like a little old Jewish man? Hershel is pretty much the only name we can get away with calling him as it sounds close to Hershey. And frankly, the name Hershey just does not do it for us. We added the middle name Moishe for fun. Also, all my cats had middle names--Butterscotch's was Caramel and Smokey's was Robinson--is that crazy? We're still getting Milquetoast A. Shamato, our soon-to-be kitten, once we're more settled.

But, of course, let's not forget the late Butterscotch, a.k.a. Buddy, may he R.I.P. And Elijah, Petunia, Max, Cosmo, Coty, all the D'Amato's beloved family pets. They can never be replaced.

Gah! I have The Beach Boys' "Surfer Girl" imbedded in my brain. Can't get it out!

On the train to work this morning, it suddenly popped into my head that I had another baby dream last night, and this one was a doozy. I vividly recall breastfeeding a baby that I presumed was mine, but as it turned out later in the dream, was not my baby! WTF! I never really found out whose baby it was, but I do remember thinking that the breastfeeding was not as painful as I would have imagined. Also, time was moving really fast and I kept forgetting every few hours that the baby needed to be fed. Then, all of a sudden, the baby was a few months older than I thought it was...bizarre. Ummm, I finished that breastfeeding article nearly two weeks ago...why is this happening now?

Dress shopping with my sis and ma tonight after work...this will be fun! I think underneath it all, I'm really just a girl who loves girly things. But shhhhhh, don't tell anyone.

Movin' Out, Movin' In

Marissa and I are all moved in to our new apartment. The move was going so well until the damn U-Haul broke down in the middle of the Van Wyck! My poor parents were stuck there for almost 2 hours waiting for the tow truck. Needless to say, I do not recommend U-Haul for your moving needs. The tow truck guy said that ours was the third U-Haul he had to tow that day! Regardless, we still made record time, moving Marissa out of her g'ma's in an hour and myself out of my folks' in an hour as well (thanks to Josh and Jay). Then, once we had the truck, we moved everything up in about 2 hours (thanks to Kevin, Alli, Ed and my 'rents)! Not too shabby. Plenty of unpacking to do of course, but I feel really good about the place. It's cozy and homey, and pretty damn spacious (except for the bathroom, but I'm sure I'll get used to that). After we had emptied the truck last night, one of the neighbors from across the street, an older gentleman named Pascuale, came over and gave us a bottle of wine! Now that's what I call neighborly, folks. I love the feel of the 'hood, very down-to-earth, family-oriented, but still plenty of young people. What I love most is that people sit outside on their stoops and hang out (I would if our building had a stoop)...a very Brooklyn thing to do. But what killed me was there was a little, old lady sweeping her steps...whenever I see something like that, it signals to me that this is going to be an awesome place. There's also a gorgeous little park around the corner with some very charming buildings surrounding it. Ahhh, Greenpoint love...I'd better like it 'cause I ain't moving for a good, long time!

This is one of my favorite photos from Costa Rica. This was taken from the ferry ride across Lake Arenal. I just thought it was one of the most dramatic-looking landscapes and looked so other-worldly, not to mention beautiful. In fact, during the whole journey from La Fortuna to Monteverde it really struck me that we were in the middle of nowhere. It was one of those moments where I felt that I had somehow dropped off the face of the earth. No one in the world knew where I was, I could have slipped away from existence so easily, and in fact that's how it really felt: that I had momentarily ceased to exist. It was a feeling that wasn't scary or strange, but kind of cool, like it was natural for that time and place.

I'm back

WHOA! What a whirlwind the past few weeks have been. I returned from my 10-day trip to Costa Rica more than a week ago and only now have I had a chance to write anything here. First of all, CR was amazing! Heather and I had such a good time together and I encourage anybody who has even a passing interest in wildlife to go. I have never felt so much admiration for nature. In the wild, we saw three different kinds of monkeys (spider, howler, and white-faced capuchin), sloths, racoons, three different types of tarantulas, bats, butterflies, birds, leaf-cutter ants, and a wild boar named Charlie. Not to mention tons of flora of the rain forest variety. The landscape was absolutely breathtaking, a cross between the rolling green hills of the English countryside, the peaks of New Zealand, the otherworldliness of the Scottish Highlands, with sprinklings of randomness such as volcanoes, beaches and rain forests, sometimes all mashed together! We went white-water rafting, did tons of hiking, and I went on a canopy/zipline tour while Heather went horseback riding to coffee, sugarcane, corn, banana and guava plantations. The people were so friendly and, even though I speak maybe five words of Spanish, I was able to get around okay. Of course, I relied mostly on Heather's proficiency in the language to get us from A to B and to not get ripped off by taxi drivers. Our last destination, Manuel Antonio (or Mantonio as Heather calls it) was practically paradise. Many people come there to visit and just never leave. There are billboards everywhere for real estate and property. The land is very inexpensive and who the hell wouldn't want to live on a beach on the Pacific coast that boasts it's very own tropical rain forest where the wildlife comes right up to you?

As soon as I got back, Marissa moved from Florida back to her home state. She is currently staying with me at my parent's house while we prepare to MOVE INTO OUR OWN APARTMENT! That's right, folks, you read right. We managed to find a place in Brooklyn through a friend and we move in Monday, Labor Day. So excited! It was extremely fortuitous indeed because the space in my parent's house is getting cramped. Now, all we need is a few good (and strong) men to help us move and we're set.

Also, congratulations to Alli and Ed on their ENGAGEMENT! Finally. We all knew it was going to happen, it was just a matter of time. Apparently he was going to ask her over Christmas in Wales, but the moment just felt right last Saturday apparently. I finally get a brother (-in-law)! Best of all, as Maid of Honor, I get to wear any dress I want. Not that the wedding details are even close to being decided. It might not even be a big one, perhaps a small destination wedding in, say...Wales :::wink wink:::.

It's been hectic and stressful, but exciting, and I can't wait to get settled into my new place. I'm really hoping this will be the first in a string of homes that does not include my parent's house, although it's so nice to know I can always go back if I needed to. They have been incredibly amazing and supportive of me and while I mucked about foreign lands and through various jobs until I landed on my feet. I just can't believe that I actually have...it took me long enough.

Reflective

Okay, I realize my previous post painted me as kind of a sentimental sap who only lives in the past (cue Pan-like flute). Also, the idea that I'd rather be settled down than jet-setting around the world is only partly true. Most of the time the idea of being settled somewhere for the rest of my life makes me feel trapped and anxious. But I can see the appeal of it to other people and I feel like someday I'll want to do the same...just not in my 20s.

I'm actually very lucky in that, although most of the time I'm either reminiscing or looking forward to something, I can actually live in the moment from time to time. What I mean is that--as morbid as it may sound, I sometimes get tired and fed up with life--but I can also recognize those moments when I truly love living. Most of the time, this corresponds with good weather ;-), good friends, and good music. But it can also be something simple like accomplishing some small task. This feeling sort of washes over me and fills me with contentment. Too many people don't recognize all they have. I guess it's human nature to take things for granted. Hell, I do it all the time--I get impatient and grumpy with my loved ones. But in the end, I'm so grateful to have them at all, even when I feel like I'd be better off without anyone.

Summer Doldrums

I am one step closer to moving the f$%# out of Long Beach, what with Marissa finding a temporary sublet in an apartment in Queens. As soon as I get back from Costa Rica she's moving back to NY and we're going to crack down on the apartment hunt. This is good as I'm so over the commute and living on Long Island, though I hardly venture outside Long Beach, unless it's to visit Josh in Freeport. I can hardly bear anything else. However, although I can't wait to move out, I have to say I think I will miss some of the LB community, mostly the people (although I'm sure I'll be back plenty once I move away to visit my folks). It strikes me every once in a while (and for some reason, a bit more lately), that Long Beach is a very small, tight-knit community. In reality, it's pretty large, but there are so many circles that are intertwined that I often find myself talking to someone who knew someone else I knew years ago. I think I like that. I just came from a shivah call...a friend of my parent's, ex-neighbor, and former employer (I babysat his daughter) just passed away from lung cancer. I feel really emotional about this, mainly because the family is very close to mine and the kids are so close in age to me and my sister. It's just not fair to see a family torn apart like that. But what really got me was all the friends that were around and helping out, without needing to be asked and without over sentimentality...it's just a given that they'll always be around to help out and this to me is what defines a true community. I only hope that one day I live in such a caring, supportive environment. I almost want to be that eccentric old lady who lives alone, but is never physically alone...always has friends and family stopping through to visit, to share a meal, share a story, play music. Right now I envy my parents that sense of stability, of rootedness, what with all my own friends so scattered over the land and sea. I know now that I could never live far from home for too long. Perhaps I'm feeling sentimental myself, but I've always been one for nostalgia. It hinders me somewhat, I think, but most of the time it's what gets me through the day. That, and looking toward the future...

Can't sleep

I'm writing this relatively late at night, since I can't really sleep. It feels like that last night of summer vacation before you go back to school and you can't get to sleep because you're used to going to bed much later. I've just had a 5-day vacation, courtesy of A) Independence Day and B) My boss, who is currently vacationing in Spain and decided to be generous and give us the rest of the week off. Really nice in theory, but it's totally throwing my schedule off. I basically just lounged around and did nothing. I even brought some work home with me but barely looked at it...too many distractions at home. Now if I had some notice for this mini-holiday, I might've actually planned to go somewhere, but alas, I was not foretold and therefore spent much of my time outside getting sunburned.

Now, it's not that I got sunburned too badly, but I do have these unattractive red patches all over and they're kind of itchy...not fun. I decided that I'm pretty foolish for sunbathing at all. It's not like I get tan. Any color I do get is usually pink/red and it's never even; just sort of blotchy everywhere. I thought I would at least lay out to even out the stupid v-neck shirt tan line I always seem to get from walking around at lunchtime, especially since the dress I'm wearing for a wedding next month is basically strapless (the straps are just two thin beaded chains). I think I'm going to abandon that idea and stop going out in the sun, because even when I put sunscreen on, I get burned. Really, the only reason I even enjoy going to the beach is the ocean. I don't like sand, especially how it gets EVERYWHERE, and I hate how hot it gets in the sun, and the gloppy sunscreen I have to apply every hour. However, I really really love swimming in the ocean and since I'm already at the beach (and it's so close to my house) I figure I'll stay for a few chapters of my book, or a quick nap. Invariably, I always leave after an hour and a half or so, when most people are still arriving. I also feel like I shouldn't take the beach for granted, especially since this will be my last summer in such close proximity to it. Sometimes I feel like I'm going just because I feel I should. I guess it's better to get too much of something, so that you get your fill and don't end up wishing you'd had more of it. I think that's the goal for me with some things. I'm just trying to fill up on things, experiences, sights, places, people, so I can get fed up and not want them anymore later when they are no longer available to me. Does that make sense?

Cyrano de Bergerac

I just had to copy this poem by Edmond Rostand, from Cyrano de Bergerac, translated by Anthony Burgess. It made me laugh...and hungry. Spoken by poet/pastry chef Ragueneau:

A Recipe for Making Almond Tarts.

Poised on steady legs,
First your poet begs
Several eggs.
Froth them to a mousse,
And then introduce
Lemon juice.
Shimmering like silk,
Aromatic milk
Of almonds will c--
--ome next. And next prepare
Pastry light as air
To coat with care
Each pretty pastry mold,
Which sweetly will enfold
The liquid gold.
Smile--a father, fond,
Wave your fiery wand,
Bake till blond.
Melting mouths and hearts,
Ummmmm, saliva starts--
Almond tarts!

HAHAHAHAHA! Love it! I can't believe it took me this long to read Cyrano. I've adored the story ever since I saw the film, starring Gerard Depardieu, in high school French class. Then, of course, there's Roxanne, which is actually more true to the spirit of the original play, being very comedic (the former is just a touch too dramatic). I'm really enjoying the artful language (Rostand is truly a gifted linguist), and the adaptation is brilliant! It's somewhat Shakespearean...full of double entendres, dueling playrights and poets. Hmm, maybe I'll even take a stab at reading it in French!

Book Trouble

Wow, this is the company I used to work for...looks like I got out just in time.

Pregnant

Last night I had a dream I was pregnant...I suppose it's a side effect of working at a pregnancy magazine, but it was bizarre nonetheless. I wasn't just pregnant though, I was really pregnant, like way into the third trimester. I was also sitting on the edge of a banister over a long drop. I could really feel how huge my belly was and I remember thinking I'd better be careful not to fall over. Who the hell dreams of shit like this?! It reminds me of my old baby dreams. I used to dream every so often about babies, not just me having them, but people giving them to me, and once I was one myself. I mean, I really want to have babies, but that's so not going to happen for another ten years or so, as long as I have my way.

On a completely different note: I'm going to Costa Rica!!! Heather and I just booked the flight tonight (finally, after months of deliberation) for August. Can't wait to dust off my old backpacking gear and get out into the wilderness again! Whoopeeeeeeeeeeee!

I am now halfway through my week of living my sister's life (minus her job and the British boyfriend), which is turning out quite nice. In a span of 10 minutes yesterday, I bumped into one of her friends at the gym and another on the train...weird. I love the 30 minute commute to work (as opposed to one hour 20). I like not worrying about catching the train back to the Island. I enjoy the coziness of the apartment in all but one respect: the kitchen. But despite the tinyness of the area, I still managed to cook twice this week. It's definitely giving me ideas about what I'd like for my own apartment: a larger kitchen for one (at least more counter space). I find that I don't mind living in a small space. But a small space with a roommate is another story.

I'm getting antsy about moving to the city. Yes, I know I should enjoy the central air, the proximity to the beach, the amount of space, the money saved on rent, and that's fine. I'm cool with staying through the summer. What gets me is the obsession to check on Craig's List for apartments all the time when I know I'm not ready to sign a lease until August/September. I know it doesn't hurt to look, especially since it'll give me an idea of what's out there, but I still can't resist the urge to email myself listings...

Monday Monday

Yesterday was one of those days that turned out to be surprisingly pleasant, despite it being a rainy Monday. All went right in the world as, in a span of mere minutes, Heather graduated from Brooklyn Law, Josh got into the improv company he auditioned for the day before and thought he'd bombed, and a fantabulous job opportunity for Alanna presented itself. These days I'm really excited when great things happen to my friends, especially with so many of them starting out with careers, apartments, relationships, etc. Hey, when my friends are happy, they're less moody and that's always good for me!

Other things that added color to my day: a lunchtime walk (rain-free!) during which I discovered Stuyvesant Square, a pretty little park near Gramercy (I am always struck by how much beauty exists in NYC, amidst all the grime, of course); and a book reading and signing by Sherman Alexie, who was reading from his new book, Flight. I haven't read the book yet, but the chapter he read was very good. I actually saw him last year at the Sydney Writers' Festival, and he is such a comedian. He was really funny at last night's reading too. If you ever have a chance to hear him read, go because it's like seeing a stand-up act. It's funny, because I don't go to readings thinking I'll definitely buy the book, but I almost always inevitably do. I guess that's the nature of readings. Plus, it's cool to meet authors.

Finished the evening by watching the rest of Happy Feet. Very adorable penguin movie. I was a little less into it than I thought I'd be, and I think it has to do with the fact that almost all the characters look alike (as penguins generally resemble one another). I can't get invested if I can't tell the characters apart, as shallow as that sounds. Regardless, it was a very cute film.

Chicago

Yay, the weekend in Chicago was a resounding success! It's very reassuring to know that Josh and I are good travel-mates, but that's not really surprising. His friends, Scott and Ray, were extremely hospitable, generous, and freaking hilarious! It was a laugh riot most of the time. Except for the theatre, everything about Chicago exceeded my expectations. We saw a Second City show and it was just okay...a bit disappointing. It wasn't the Mainstage show, but the Etc. show, which is still supposed to be hilarious. However, the show we saw on Sunday night sucked so bad, it made the SC seem like the funniest show on earth. If you are in Chicago, DO NOT go see Dr. Amazing, America Needs You at Annoyance...so bad it hurt.

What wasn't bad: the Bean, reflecting the entire skyline; the 96th floor Hancock building bar at sunset; North Beach right in the city, not like in Sydney where you have to travel half hour to get there and you're way outside the city center--you can literally see the city skyline from the lake (Michigan); Lincoln Park Zoo, where the monkeys eat their own poo; Pizzeria Uno, although it's not really pizza, more like a quiche, but delicious nonetheless; waiting over an hour for Sunday brunch, apparently the most popular meal in Chicago; jazz at the Green Mill to wash out the bad taste of Annoyance; renting a quad bike at Navy Pier, biking over a heavily trafficked bridge, and stopping for a drive-thru hot dog.

Ah, good times. Oh yeah, why are the trains in Chicago so slow!

It seems I've reverted back to my original travelogue-style blog. Let's hope there are even more trips to write about...

Wow, work is getting so crazy! How did I go from being an intern to having half of the Managing Editor's responsibilities in two months?! I really need better time-management skills because the day starts and, before I know it, it's over. Meh, I suppose it's better than being bored out of my mind at work, which is something I was experiencing not too long ago. Ah, those were the days...but who am I kidding? I like being busy. I just wish I could snap my fingers sometimes and get it all done. I often leave work feeling like so much is left unfinished and that I have such a short amount of time to get it done, which really isn't true at all. I definitely feel pressured, though, but I attribute that to the fact that I haven't really felt true stress at a job before...at least not like this. So this is what being an adult is like, eh?

Fun side note: Chicago this weekend (4-day weekend thankyouverymuch)! Anybody got some good tips for my trip? Already going to see Second City and perhaps The Neo-Futurists (yay for TMLMTBGB). To be honest, I have no concept of what Chicago even looks like. It's not like one of those cities one sees images of regularly. Well, can't wait to find out!

Plum

Plum is finally here! Get your copy today! In bookstores May 22. See the fruits (pun intended) of our labor (another pun intended)...haha, I'm full of 'em today.

Spring!

Yay, Spring has finally sprung! It actually feels like I won't need a coat for much longer. Might I remind you that this Spring is extra special because it's my first in two years (I missed it last year on account of my being on the other side of the world).

Now all I need is the Cherry Blossom Festival at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens next weekend and I'm set!

In addition to my last post...

I'm currently reading The Best American Travel Writing 2006, edited by Tim Cahill. It's really quite a good read. There are so many diverse, eclectic stories about so many different things, not just places. I highly recommend it for anyone who is interested in learning about foreign cultures, locations, and about the heart and soul of travel. Some of my favorite stories include one about a giant in Russia, one detailing the crossing of the Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan, and one about an old river guide in the Grand Canyon. There are so many more too, each offering a different perspective and insight into travel. But more than travel, it's about the people, which I've always felt is the main reason for traveling. A common link in each essay is an account of the locals, the indigenous, both good and bad. It blows my mind to think about how some people live in developing nations, and even in some developed ones, as compared to the way I live. I'm so used to being a young woman who lives in New York, such a techologically advanced city, that I almost feel entitled to certain things. But you read about women in other countries and they don't even bat an eyelash at atrocities and disadvantages they experience. It's fascinating to me how I got so lucky while so many others...well, I don't want to say they're unlucky per se, because that would be incredibly ethnocentric, right? It's just...different. Anyway, enough pontificating. It's a good read regardless of where you come from.

First of all, I'd really like to have the ability to touch things without receiving a most painful shock...I'm talking sparks flying (well, not flying exactly, but there are definite sparks). How can I prevent this from happening?

Also, I'm under the spell of The Chapin Sisters. They have such magical voices; I've never before wanted so much to be able to sing like anyone specific, but these gals have IT. I bought their record (on vinyl, no less...looks like I'll have to bust out the old turntable), and there's a beautiful Joni Mitchell-like drawing on both sides (the other side has music by a group called the Winter Flowers).

Equally as inspiring is the book I'm reading: The Best American Travel Writing 2006. Some really amazing stories in there. I think I need to get back into the creative nonfiction writing. Although, arguably that's sort of what I'm doing here, right?

Commute

Man, people are really grouchy on these commuter trains. Not only that, but they have approximately zero manners. I have since sworn to curb all loud gum-chewing, lower the volume on my Mp3 player, and avoid talking on the phone unless absolutely necessary. Nonetheless, while I go OUT OF MY WAY to be as polite as possible, I still get the occasional asshole making me feel like I'M doing something wrong. Take today, for instance: I'm squeezed into a 3-seater like usual between two men. I hardly pay attention to the seats around me when I'm on the train because I'm either engrossed in a book or sleeping. So naturally I don't notice when seats around me empty out as the ride progresses. I'm one stop away from my station when the man in the window seat next to me glances around anxiously and turns to me saying in an irritated & exasperated tone, "Well, I guess ONE of us should get out as there are plenty of empty seats around." Then looks at me pointedly as though I should be one of these people. Meanwhile, I had just awoken from a nap and was getting out at the next stop anyway, which btw is only one more stop away from THE END OF THE LINE. Yes, it's unpleasant being squeezed in, but he could have simply excused himself and gotten out of the seat OR patiently waited like a normal person until the last stop, which was coming up shortly. Instead, he expects one of us (me or the man in the aisle seat) to take the initiative when we are completely content staying where we are. I swear, some people just do not know how to talk to other humans.

Pardon the rant, suburban commuters suck, which is why I plan on not being one for much longer. I'll just have the sunny subway commuters to deal with...

Spring?

Come on now Spring...I know you want to come out. I realize that Winter is bullying you into postponing your warmth, but please, for the love of sunshine and flowers, hurry the f$#* up!

I spent a frosty, but beautiful, Saturday in Ithaca, NY with Josh. We drove up to hike in the gorges and see some waterfalls. Although the trails were technically closed, we got around the shoddy barrier fence and went through anyway. Amazing. We saw the falls as people rarely see them: covered in ice and snow. Just gorgeous...or should I say, gorg--ok I won't go there LOL. As we rounded a bend in the trail, however, we came across a dead deer. It looked like it lost it's footing or something and fell off the cliff; it hadn't been attacked or anything. But man, was that an upsetting thing to see. Not to mention shocking. It took me five full minutes to work up the courage to walk past it. And even then, I couldn't look at it, I had to hide behind Josh as we passed. And I was shaking for a good five minutes thereafter. So sad.

After that trail, we visited a few other waterfalls, one of the more spectacular being the Taughannock Falls. Just a huge, tall wall of water rushing down. Awesome. We were both remarking at the fact that even though both of us had visited Niagara Falls, this was still breathtaking. We drove along Cayuga Lake and visited a winery. Tasted some nice wines and bought a bottle of really sweet, but surprisingly tasty, dessert wine. I'm shocked that I actually liked it. It's especially good with chocolate ;-)

It's nice to get away...I think we've caught the bug. Well, we always had it (especially me), but now we're more into it...we're already looking up flights to Chicago LOL.

Vernal Equinox

Happy first day of **Spring (yes, it really is today)! And what a glorious one at that: the sun is brighter than I remember it being in a long time; the snow is melting, creating pools of grimy water around corner curbs; even the damn birds are out chirping their damn lungs out. All is right with the earth.

Nothing much to report here, except a bit of amusement on the commute this morning. On the train I sat next to a man who, incidentally, was reading James Joyce's Ulysses. I was reading my own book nice and quietly (a similarly academic novel of great importance...oh hell, it was Harry Potter, okay?!) when I felt the man noiselessly, but violently, shaking. I glanced over to make sure he wasn't having an epileptic seizure or anything and realized he was laughing! This went on for almost a minute, I kid you not. I would have rather he laughed out loud as the shaking was a bit unnerving. I certainly have no problem laughing out loud in public...do it all the time. Nevertheless, I was amused. I'm so glad to know someone gets so much enjoyment out of reading a *1,000-page exercise in torture (just kidding, I'm sure Ulysses is a wonderful book).

*EDIT: I actually went home and looked at my own copy and realized it's only about 500 pages...my bad.
**My bad again...today is the first FULL day of Spring. Spring began last night. Whatever. It still felt like Spring yesterday more than it does today :-/

Central Park

What a day it was yesterday! Yay to Daylight Savings for keeping the sun out an hour longer. Went to Central Park for a wander and discovered so many things I'm actually ashamed I've never seen before. I can't believe it's been a year and a half since last I was in the park. It seems everyone was out enjoying the late winter weather...and there weren't even any leaves on the trees yet! We entered the park at the Museum of Natural History (81st and 7th) and immediately came upon the Swedish Cottage, Shakespeare Garden, and the Belvedere Castle that overlooks the Delacorte Theatre, the amphitheatre where they show Shakespeare in the Park. Cool stuff. Great views. Then we wandered around and came across a huge fountain with a trio of string musicians playing. Just past the fountain was a cavernous tunnel with mosaic tiling underneath which knelt a man playing the violin and singing the most beautiful operatic tunes. Josh said this guy was on a Discovery Channel special or something...it seems he's something of a CP institution. Further down South we were walking along the arboretum behind the bandshell and heard some loud drumming. We walked over to find a large group of people just dancing to music playing through a boombox and some rather large speakers...some were roller-skating dancing. It was so much fun to see these people let loose and have a good time as though they were in a nightclub on a Saturday night, not in broad daylight in the middle of a park on a Sunday. We stayed for a little and then headed for the exit on Central Park South near the Plaza. All of this we encountered in a mere hour and a half!

I can't wait to revisit Central Park in the Spring, when the weather turns really nice and the flowers are blooming. Three cheers for NYC!

Operaaaaaaaaaaa

We went to the opera last night, a really cool and somewhat posh experience. Josh stood on line for the $20 rush tickets and scored two orchestra seats! We saw Die Zauberflöte (or, The Magic Flute) by Mozart, produced by Julie Taymor of The Lion King, Titus and Frida fame. Josh studied Taymor in school and so really enjoyed the production. It was so lavish, with bright set designs and gorgeous costumes, all designed by Taymor of course. There were some amusing visuals involving animals (a Taymor staple I think), such as a family of giant puppet bears dancing to the flute's music and some brightly-colored feathered ballet-dancing birds. Overall, a fantastic performance and just a really awesome experience altogether. We felt so high-brow for those few hours, even though the opera isn't exactly as it used to be with everyone wearing gowns and such. Maybe it's like that on a Friday or Saturday night, but on a Wednesday night, it's just like a good ol' night at the theatre.

Dreams

It's amazing how vividly one can experience emotion in dreams. It's nearly impossible to feel physical sensations, yet immense grief, fear and love can all be felt with such intensity as to make it feel so real.

Every once in a while, I have a dream in which I am in love...I am actually experiencing the emotions, not just superficial infatuation or lust. It's real...in my dream, that is. When I wake up, I'm often disappointed that it's ended. It feels good to be in love (shock of the century). Most of the time my object of affection is a man I've never seen before, but every so often it's someone familiar like a celebrity. Last night it happened to be Robin Williams, which is extremely odd as I've never found him to be particularly attractive. Such is the nature of these things.

Usually, the dream plays out like real life, not like a movie in which I meet someone and spend the entire time trying to win that person's affections. Most of the time, this is established love, something that feels more genuine. Last night, however, it felt like I was in a novel or a movie and experiencing this through a linear narrative. There weren't many of the hallmarks of a dream such as bizarre and implausible imagery. I woke up wanting to turn the dream into a story.

However, I'm troubled by these emotions. Lately when I think about love, I can't help thinking about how arbitrary it is, how unrecognizable. It's not as easy to identify as things like grief, fear, or even happiness. I don't think there is any one emotion that is as hard to recognize. I feel like a lot of the reason is because love is so commodoticized. How the hell are you supposed to know you are in love when everyone (the media, friends, books, movies, wine, food, airports, etc.) is shoving it in your face? I realize this is an age-old question that has been contemplated since the beginning of civilization, but there must be a reason for it. In my dreams, I have no doubts I am in love so why is it so easy to spot in those situations? Is this not real love? I mean, obviously it's not because it's just a dream, but if I can be so sure of something in my unconscious mind, surely that must mean something in reality.

I suppose all it really means is I'm in love with Robin Williams LOL.

Quitting

I would really like to relish this. Below is a funny article Josh sent me. I think I'll just stick to the normal two weeks notice route.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/75164/five_fun_and_creative_ways_to_quit.html

Stuff

Very full weekend...started and ended both Friday and Saturday nights almost the exact same way: meeting up with people in Union Square and eventually ending up in Brooklyn. I hardly ever spend two nights a row in the city, but the opportunities were there so I had to take advantage. Fun times...

I actually attempted to watch the Super Bowl last night. Josh wanted to watch for the commercials and I agreed as long as we could play Trivial Pursuit in between them. I haven't watched the Super Bowl since I was 14 or so, and I couldn't care less for the commercials really, but I actually wanted to see the pre-show with Cirque du Soleil (which we missed) and the half-time show with Prince, which I partly saw since we were cooking throughout and had to pay attention to the food. From what I heard, though, Prince was awesome! The food was even better...we made teriyaki chicken drumettes and pizza using Pillsbury dough topped with homemade tomato sauce, mozz cheese, spinach, onions and peppers (green AND red). Yummmmmmmmm!!! I swear I've never cooked so well in my life as these past few weeks. Now I am such the domestic goddess.

Yech, it's so cold in the office right now, I have the space heater on. Luckily no one's in the office yet so I have some peace and quiet. I don't think I'll be here for much longer as I've had a couple of interviews in the past week and a half that seem promising, one in particular at a magazine, but I don't want to jinx myself by talking about it. I really cannot wait to give them my two weeks notice. It's imminent, I can feel it...

Beach

Went for a walk on the beach/boardwalk yesterday, which I rarely do in the winter, and was surprised/amused by the amount of people out also. Perhaps it's because I don't get out to the beach in the colder months, but there seemed to be an unusually high number of people out walking, surfing, even swimming (aside from the surfers, there was a guy with just a swimsuit on!). The temperature was somewhere around 40, but compared to the past few days, it felt absolutely balmy. I was definitely amused by the fact that when there's even the slightest bit of warmth/sun, people lap it up like dogs, going so far as to pretend it's an actual beach day. But hey, I guess I was one of those people too.

C-C-C-C-Cold!

It's f%$#ing freezing outside! I went to the gas station this morning to fill up and the stupid machine wouldn't take my card after trying twice. So I used a different card...it was accepted, however the gallon reader read "Error." When does that ever happen, except on frigid days like this of course. So then I drove the car to another pump and again the machine was all out of whack...WTF! Everyone else seemed to have no trouble with their pumps.

It's beautifully sunny out, that's what kills me. With this amount of sunshine, it should be warm dammit. It's too deceptive. I almost wish it were snowing...that would totally make all the cold worth it. But no, every time it snows it has to melt right away. Stupid winter!

Funny dream last night and car-related: I was driving and got pulled over by a cop. When he got to my window, he was all mean and asked me for my license and registration in a very gruff manner. When he got back to my window after checking the license, he all of a sudden started acting all chummy, like we were friends, and said I wasn't doing anything illegal and that he wasn't going to give me a ticket, but he had to pull me over to please his boss. Then he started shit-talking his boss. He asked what I was doing that night and I said hanging out with friends and asked if he wanted to join us. Then, we went to a diner or Nathan's or something equally as random and hung out like we were friends. Strange indeed. Maybe all this car stuff has to do with the fact that I got my new driver's license in the mail the other day.

Anniversary

It's our one-month, not a milestone I usually celebrate, but it also happens to be exactly a year (yesterday, but I was too busy to update) since the day I arrived in Oz. It was Friday the 13th (not ominous in the least), January 2006. I still remember every detail about that day. What the weather was like (chilly and rainy, but still warmer than NY), what I did as soon as I checked into the hostel (went next door to buy a chip for my phone and walked up George Street), what I did that night (met some IEP kids including 3 people I would remain friends with, went to Scruffy Murphy's for $5 meals and then to a bar in King's Cross).

It has been quite a year. A lot has happened, more so than any other year I believe. I traveled an entire continent (almost) and beyond, met lots of great people, got my heart broken, met my male counterpart, lived in 5 different houses, moved out of my childhood home, worked 3 different jobs, and saw so many mind-blowing things it's hard to wrap my head around.

I don't want to make this day a New Year thing every year, because it's time to move on. I really am looking forward to the next stage of my life, the following year, and what's to come. I really feel like huge things will happen for me. And I will be the one to make them happen.

Weather

It's 68 degrees right now.

Are we in some alternate universe or is this global warming thing really out of control?

Eh, so what if the world is ending...at least we can work on our tans!

Happy 2007!

I really love when NYE turns out to be just like any other weekend night...there's too much pressure for it to be "special" or "different." Why must this be? The only thing that's different about this night is that the year happens to go up a number at midnight. That's all folks.

That said, this Sunday December 31, 2006-Monday January 1, 2007 was a good time and I'm glad I finally got to kiss someone at midnight! Also, I got my first ride in a hybrid car...yay for energy efficiency!