Random things

I don't like that it's now dark when i get home from work in the evening. But I LOVE LOVE LOVE watching the colors of the sunset reflect off the buildings. The colors are just amazing. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE watching the sun go down over the water. I recently put into words something that I've felt a long time: "Everything in nature is prettier when a body of water is involved." (of course this picture doesn't do it justice but you get the idea. It's even better looking at the buildings from among the buildings. so awesome)
Also if I stay at work late enough, then I get a good view of the city at night, which is SPECTACULAR. (this isn't the best picture but I chose it because it is the actual financial district)

Also, I got to go apple picking last weekend and the drive was GORGEOUS. And the company was wonderful. I don't have a picture of the lovely landscapes I saw or the people I was with, but here a picture of me at the orchard. Because I haven't published a picture of myself in a while (but just be aware that I"m normally cuter than this).

Also, I got to go to Ikea a few weeks ago. I am a firm believer that Ikea can hold it's own against Disneyland for the "Happiest Place on Earth" title. It was my first time going without having the meatballs, but it was still pretty awesome.

And to report on my goals, on Saturday, I played the piano AND jogged. It was my first time jogging since I gave it up last December, but I put pieced together a fairly cute jogging outfit (if you just ignore the large stain on the hoodie), put on my better running shoes that I brought from Michigan this summer and I was off. One of the secondary gains I've notice joggers enjoy is getting to know their neighborhoods. And I discovered an awesome park close to my house. There a overlook to see the East River (prettier in real life, of course) which, need I bother to mention, was incredible with the leaves. And it was really neat to be able to see about 13 different streams of traffic (counting lanes going both ways and exit ramps). And the paths were beautiful and there's even a swimming pool there. I was surprised. Also, I didn't not run faster than I had strength and I felt fine (more or less) the whole time, which was pleasant.

A System That Just Might Work

It occurs to me that I failed to mention why it is that I was so exhausted last Thursday. It was, in fact, a more than unusually busy week. In four days I hosted three major social events--one for more than 150 people, one with less than two hour notice, and a dance party in my living room. Three days previously, I had hosted a party in my home for about 50 people. I made 10 pies from scratch, although I did use my beloved food processor (or as the French say "Robot Culinaire") to help with the crust. I really WISH I had taken the time to blog about my mass pie making--sufficient to say it involved a pie literally EXPLODING in my oven. I still need to clean that up.

Pertaining to the above, in September my three very closest friends all left the city. This is very sad. But I am choosing to be optimistic and trust that more good things will flow into my life. In preparation to spend more time alone, I have prepared a "Winter To Do" list, which I hung on my wall beside my "Shows to See" list (down to three--can you believe it?!!) and "To Read". Among the "Winter To Do" list are "take up jogging" and "learn to play the piano better." All day long I was looking forward to jogging after work, but as so often happens, the excitement left once I got home. After a while of laying in my bed, gchatting and sincerely wanting to work on my various self-improvement and fun goals, the system that might actually work occurred to me--every day I can choose to EITHER jog OR play the piano for thirty minutes. My suspicion is that I'm going to get very good at piano. It's a good thing I had the foresight to buy my keyboard from a guy in my ward for the reasonable price of 50 cupcakes. Of course, I still owe 48 cupcakes on it, but, like everyone else, my creditor has moved out of the city. Hehehe.

[no pictures. sorry.]

A nice lazy evening at home

Subtitle: these are a few of my favorite things.

This may not be accurate, but I feel like i have not had an unscheduled evening for more than a month. And while I do love having a life so full of so many fun and exciting activities, I also love me some downtime. Since I was feeling fairly exhausted, I decided to skip my Hebrew class and have a nice, relaxing, lazy evening at home.

The first order of business upon arriving home, obviously, was to put on appropriate lounging clothes. Right now is the splendid season in New York when it starting to get a little chilly, but the supers have not yet turned on the heat. Once that happens, adios to wearing nice snuggly clothes because individual apartments can't control the heat and it gets HOT. Which is nice for getting to sleep with windows open and fans on in the middle of winter, but not nice for getting to wear comfy sweatshirts and turtlenecks at home. I put on my bright red SVSU Football hoodie which is great for such an evenings (but not, by the way, good for night games of capture the flag in Harlem if you're trying to blend in, as I learned from personal experience).

Then I decided to make a half batch of vegan chocolate pudding to test and see if it would be good enough for the Pudding Party on Sunday. (It was, especially with peanut butter! Yum!)

Then I decided to make peanut butter cookies.

Then I decided to eat some leftover curried potato carrot soup. I was standing in the kitchen, minding my own business, adding salt to my soup when all of the sudden the handle of the mug broke off and the mug fell to the floor sending soup everywhere--my face, the floor, the rug, the stove, the wall, the ceiling, and even the wall in the next room. And just so that the picture in your mind is accurate, please be aware that the carrots and potatoes involved in this soup were not cubed, they were shredded, which makes for a more interesting clean up process--too liquid-y to sweep, too solid-ish to mop. Since it was my designated lazy evening, I cleaned it up from the floor and rug, but left it on the walls and ceiling. Although as I sit here typing this I'm reminded of curry's staining ability (largely because I just spilled some of the same soup of my white blouse) I'm wondering if that delay was a good idea. Time will tell.

While cleaning the mess, I realized that with socks on the kitchen floor is perfect for sliding/dancing. So I did that for a bit, rejoicing in my lovely lazy evening.

Then I watched the end of the movie Scoop which turned out to be just as (pardon my French) stupid as it appeared it was going to be from the first 20 minutes I watched a week ago. But I had to finish it because I am in love with Hugh Jackman.

Then I watched part of the vice-presidential debate.

Then I watched the season premiere of Pushing Daisies. I love that show!!

Then I went to sleep.

I love my life.

The church building did not blow up. You're welcome.

Subtitle: If you smell something, say something.

So I decided to make the call to 311 who transferred me to 911 who transfered me to the fire department. Each time, clearly stating that I wasn't sure if this was a big deal or not, but just in case....

Next thing I know four (4) fire trucks (enough to fill a full avenue block), lights a-flashing, show up in front of the Union Square building with approximately 30-40 firemen (who are, interestingly enough, every bit as attractive as you'd expect them to be based on TV and the movies).

I was only able to flirt mildly because I was too busy being distressed by the fact FORTY firemen had showed up and, quite frankly, I was not sure the situation warranted such. I guess I had forgotten just how seriously NYC takes the threat of a possible gas leak (especially one coming from under the street I suppose).

After an extensive investigation into the situation, they gave me a figurative pat on the head, said "You did the right thing" and left one fire truck until the ConEd Emergency truck came, which was there for at least three hours.

So I pretty much feel like a hero. I'm trying not to let it get to my head.