Sunday, April 26, 2009

coney island pictorial

Coney Island failed to meet my already-low expectations - it's essentially a very, very run-down carnival. There were only a handful of rides running, including the 89-year-old WonderWheel.

Jeremy and I played some skee-ball (between us we won two army men, yess!), saw treasure-hunters with metal detectors and watched people playing handball. Because of the beach, it was a good choice for a hot day, but I'm not sure I'd go back. Coney Island is decades past its prime, hopefully the city will do something to revive it!

Jeremy and I waited in line for Nathan's "famous" (mediocre) hot dogs and fries for far too long. Nathan's is the host of the hot dog eating contest broadcasted by ESPN.

The Freak Show was advertising "THE TATTOOED WOMAN," who is, naturally, covered head to toe with tattoos. I could just go to Williamsburg to see that.

The Coney Island beach was littered with glass (I kept my shoes on). After a while we walked up to Brighton Beach, where I read happily in the sand for a couple of hours. My previously-pale skin is now rather pink.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

brooklyn botanic garden

The weather yesterday was gorgeous and I had the day off. There was no excuse to stay inside.

With this in mind, I schlepped (yes, schlepped - I'm picking up vocabulary from my landlord!) to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden just north of Prospect Park.

From April 4 to May 10, it's "Hanami" at the BBG - cherry blossom viewing season. Since I missed out on the cherry blossom season in DC, I was very excited to go.

Cherry blossoms are a big deal. The BBG website even has a Cherry Watch, where you can track the bloom status of the garden's cherry trees. Unfortunately, most of the trees - including the Cherry Esplanade - weren't in bloom yet. I'll have to go back in a week or two to see how magnificent the Esplanade looks with all the trees decked out.

A selection of photos from my day at the garden:

A mama cardinal! I took this picture with Grandma Trixie in mind.

I like the contrast between the garden's foliage and the city landscape. This particular building is the Brooklyn Museum, which I still need to visit.

The plants in these specially-designed boxes are being tested for use in rooftop gardens.

The Japanese pond, complete with koi and sunning turtles.

My favorite photo of the day. Pretty good for a 3-year-old clunker of a camera which is consistently dropped.

Cherry trees yet to blossom

Part of the garden's mixed perennials, these tulips are so perfect they don't look real!

One last cherry blossom photo for good measure.

That's it for now. It's even brighter and hotter out today, so I'm going to check out Coney Island with Jeremy. Updates and photos to come!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

nyc words of wisdom

New York City is like a wise Buddha, it can teach many lessons. Here are some that Ashley and I learned last weekend.

[1] Upon leaving for an evening out, ensure you have a form of legal ID

For her first evening in the city, Ashley and I planned an extensive evening in SoHo, NoHo and Nolita. First, we were to dine at Snack - an awesome Greek restaurant I ate at a couple of months ago. Then we plotted a route between three or four highly rated bars and nightclubs in the vicinity. It was a fantastic plan: sexy, practical. It was going to be magical.

We made it to Snack, where we shared a delicious meal (lemon avgolemono soup, calamari salad, a fried cheese triangle thing and baklava). It wasn't until I opened my wallet at the end of the meal when I realized I'd forgotten my ID at home...in my other pants.

Damnit.

We headed home, where we bought a bottle of wine and watched Weeds in an attempt to salvage our evening.

[2] Future career goal: mail carrier for Jacques Torres

Stopping at Jacques Torres has become a necessary activity for any time I entertain a visitor in Brooklyn. I mean, their chocolate is so tasty, the cookies are melty and loaded with chocolate discs, and the shop is just so darn cute! Plus it's close to the Brooklyn Bridge, which I have now walked three times.

Ashley and I stopped in to JT on Saturday. I bought some chocolate for a certain someone (who I already spilled the beans to, ugh I can't keep secrets at ALL), along with a cookie and a couple of chocolates for myself. While paying, a postal worker walked in with their mail. This is how he was greeted:

JT Employee: Hi! Want a cookie?
Mail Carrier: Sure!

Um, HELLO?! I want this sweet, sweet hookup. Jealousy!

[3] Strangers don't normally time jump photos correctly

Exhibit A: jump fail

[4] Boulderers can find challenge in any rock face

After walking the Bridge, Ashley and I headed uptown to relax in Central Park. We settled onto a rock near some boulderers who were equipped with chalk bags, crash pads and bulging muscles. They were climbing this:

The size of that rock! Come on, right? It looked really difficult though.

I couldn't stop watching. Now I realllly want to go rock climbing, too bad I have zero muscle.

[5] Just because someone seems confident in their advice, don't necessarily take it for truth

Once again, parts of the F line were under construction last weekend, so the trains got confusing. At one point, we were uncertain if we had gotten off at the correct stop, but a nearby woman reassured us she was waiting for the same train.

It never came.

We figured out that she was probably wrong, tried to leave, but she reassured us again that this is what we were supposed to do - but it wasn't. She meant well, but I should have listened to my own instinct/knowledge of the subway. (See? I totally know this city!)

[6] There is no such thing as a gin & seltzer, nor should there be


I thought seltzer and tonic water were the same thing. They're not. We were drinking gin and waters. Actually, as I think about this more, it is kind of hilarious.

[7] Adding marshmallows to brownies is an EXCELLENT idea

This pan of Mississippi Mud Brownies was demolished in approximately 30 hours

[8] "Doing brunch" in NYC is different than brunch in the Midwest

What do you get when you cross brunch at The Sunburnt Cow ($18 for an entree and unlimited mimosas), distressingly handsome Aussie bartenders and easy conversation? The answer, my friends, is "sloshed by 3 pm".

Another answer is "shopping fever." Instead of our original plan to grab cupcakes and head to the Met, Ashley and I hit up American Apparel and the Brooklyn Flea in DUMBO. We bought things.

[9] Two types of people emerge when the weather warms up

We had beautiful weather Saturday for the first time in weeks, and I could definitely tell that people were (A) more friendly and (B) creepier than usual.

Ashley and I talked to multiple helpful people in the park and on the subway, I acquired an overly-friendly admirer and a different man (who was harassing us) told us "I'm not trying to harass you or anything...I like you guys! You match."

[10] Take two girls exploring New York, add a camera. The result?

Lots and lots of photos. (Miscellaneous photos from the weekend)

A view of the Brooklyn Bridge from Empire-Fulton Ferry park on one gorgeous day

Perched atop the bridge. It's kind of scary, but produces nice photos!

These were taken after brunch. Obviously.

All photos courtesy Ms. Ashley Jacobs!!

Sunday, April 19, 2009

mad for my madtown

Wow guys, visiting Madison last weekend was wonderful! I never thought I'd have such an action-packed couple of days.

Nick and I hit up the Terrace...

...caught up with our old friend, Bucky...

...and even ascended the Wisconsin State Capitol building! The security guards were simply tickled that we made it up!

Along the way, Nick modeled some sweeeeet hats, and I apparently got a great tan.

...

Sadly -- and shockingly, as I am a master photo forger -- none of the above is true. We didn't make it to the Terrace (too cold), hang with Bucky (we're not acquainted) or climb the Capitol (we'd probably be sniped). But I DID get to do lots of fun things with Nick, including:

-- A cookout with beer and brats
-- Hugging and playing with my cat for the first time in four months
-- Working with much-missed coworkers at the bookstore, netting enough money to cancel out my $13 St. Louis airport burger
-- Cooking dinner with Nick for Dallas and Alli
-- Lunch at Amy's Cafe - oh how I've missed their soup, salad and baguette
-- Listening to Nick's friend's band perform in Sellery Hall
-- Apple pie and good conversation with BH friends at the Vintage
-- Seeing my mom, brother and Ping, then eating massive amounts of crispy/juicy cheese curds at the Old Fashioned
-- Catching up with Alli, Amanda and Nora. I won't get to see Amanda again until August because she's going to Ireland for the summer
-- Meeting up with Mason for lunch at Med Cafe
-- Getting hugs. Lots and lots of great, warm hugs.

The weekend was happily idyllic, and it was very difficult for me to go back to New York. I just wanted to ditch my flight and my internship and stay in Wisconsin.

I mean, I really do like it here - I can easily see myself living in New York someday (soon). But not having friends around really hurts. I am constantly missing everyone I love, and I wonder if I wouldn't be having a better time if I knew a few more people in the city better.

And flying into Madison on a beautiful cloudless bright day, it really hit me: Madison is HOME-home.

I no longer feel that happy sense of familiarity when I go back to Menomonie; I'm just a visitor there. I won't be in Madison for much longer (I'm planning on moving out - hopefully with a job in the city lined up but let's not count our chickens - next summer), but it will always be special to me.

I could not be more ready for June.

(My next post will be much more optimistic and focused on why NY is great: Ashley visited this weekend, and we had a ball! Expect something tomorrow or Tuesday)

oh, AND: I was very glad to see Sarah last weekend. Sarah and I are living together next year. I really miss Sarah and wish Sarah lived in New York so we could go stalk Penn Badgley and eat calzones! Sarah is the best ever! Sarah! ...happy now? ;)

Thursday, April 9, 2009

nearby friends needed

Though I have made some friends here in New York, they live in different parts of Brooklyn - in some cases up to 45 minutes away.

That's the one thing I wish I had here: a friend who lives within walking distance.

In this case, I really want to go out for bahn mi and then to Barnes and Noble to buy a book for the flight back to Madison tomorrow. I guess I'll wait for my roommate to get home and cajole him into coming with me.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

a transformation

I've been feeling like a real New Yorker lately. Don't laugh.

Yes, I still wear shorts patterned with cartoon cows. Yes, my roommate still makes fun of me when I pronounce the word "caramel," "car-mel." (My Canadian roommate! Making fun of my pronunciation! What's wrong with this picture, eh?) No, I don't use a Blackberry, iPhone or similar smartphone. And yes, cheddar cheese still makes up approximately 25% of my diet.

(P.S. The cheddar they sell in New York delis is terrible. What the heck does "ULTRA CHEDDAR" mean, anyway? It tasted like I Can't Believe It's Not Butter mixed with paint...)


But I've become somewhat city-savvy.

I can navigate the subways with the best of them - and I haven't just learned the train routes. I pay attention to my surroundings like a deranged tracker.

A slight wind can tell me when a train is approaching - and from what direction - before I see or hear it coming.

I've learned that when a group of people rush off a car, at a stop that isn't normally very busy, and relocate to the next car over...well, do not enter the car they are so hastily departing. Your nose will thank you later: someone reeking of stale urine is probably sleeping there.

And when Train A is a bit late during rush hour, there's simply no need to pack yourself in amidst the masses when it arrives. Avoid the claustrophobia, discomfort and awkwardness caused by inevitable jostling - there's sure to be another, less crowded Train B directly behind it. Furthermore, Train A is almost certain to go express to further itself from Train B. Your stop may be skipped. Train B is the way to go.

Maybe I've even become somewhat jaded. I can spot creepy people out of the corner of my eye (seriously, there are some creepsters here) and, in turn, avoid them. I have perfected the art of walking around pushy street vendors, ignoring subway performers and beggars (yes, I'm heartless) and jaywalking mercilessly.

I did almost get hit by a taxi today, but that's another story.

So, I'm feeling like an adopted New Yorker. One who can't wait for Friday and her weekend return to Wisconsin and its clean air, cattle and cheese curds.

[This post inspired by a certain Parisian]

Sunday, April 5, 2009

the rats of nimh =/= the rats of nyc

On one of my last trips to Strand, I happened upon one of my favorite children's books, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH.

Every sticky grade school summer, I toted giant stacks of books home from the public library. NIMH, along with other favorites like A Wrinkle in Time, From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and The View from Saturday, was checked out many times.

The re-discovery of the classic rat-centric book a couple of weeks ago sparked two trains of thought:

1) Someday, I'd like to amass a collection of all my old favorite children's books (as an ex-children's section librarian, I have a huge soft spot for Amelia Bedelia, Chrysanthemum and Blubber). Basically, I want to live in a library - complete with different areas of interest.

2) I hadn't encountered many rats since I moved to New York. When I did see one, it was usually late at night, while out at the bars or waiting for the subway afterward. Circumstances considered, many of the "rats" I'd seen at this point could have easily been a piece of trash blowing in the wind or a trick of the mind.

I found New York's lack of rats rather curious (but not unwelcome), as the vermin are kind of a symbol of city life here.

Things have changed since I last pondered the ratless state of New York. I've seen more and more of the rodents appearing as the weather warms up. Last weekend, I saw a rat hiding behind a trash can outside a local coffee shop. Sometimes I see them darting between the tracks in subway stations.

And last night? Last night, the rats were out full force at the Nassau G stop in Greenpoint. I saw a handful scampering around the platform. One was literally HALF THE SIZE OF MY CAT.

Rat 'A' - average city rat
Rat 'B' - rat king of the Nassau G
Cat 'A' - Henry


And the biggest rat I've ever seen? It ran. Fast. Chasing and being chased by its brethren. These rats were bold - completely unfazed by the humans sitting and standing yards away.

New York City rats are nothing like the intelligent and hardworking rats of NIMH. To be frank, they're utterly disgusting.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

a formula for happiness?

I spent a long time on the phone with American Airlines this morning trying to figure out if there was any way I could get to Madison two days earlier than the flight I booked for next week. I have an extra day off of work and would love to spend more time with friends and family in Wisconsin.

I'd heard that I could a) try to fly standby or b) change my flight for relatively cheap. Both options turned out to be untrue: you can only fly standby on the day of your existing ticket, and it would have cost me between $275-325 to change my flight. I simply can't afford to pay double for an extra day or two.

Ugh, so maddening - hopes dashed. I was in a really, really bad mood.

To battle this, I was able to book a long overdue hair appointment at a local salon. The experience was kind of humorous because I haven't had a cut in probably six or eight months. My hairstylist was simply appalled at the quality of my hair - she had to cut an inch and a half of split ends off.

And oh man, baking always puts me in a better place: I had no choice but to make something. I found a recipe for banana chocolate chunk muffins through my friend Allie's BH blog, The Amateur Gourmand. As I expected, they are very delicious and my mood has nearly recovered...the only thing that could have improved my evening would be a new episode of 30 Rock.

Stupid ER finale.