Alternate side parking is a bitch. Having to think everyday about where you parked the car and having to move it for street cleaning is just awful. Luckily, I have to move my car before the street cleaning rules go into effect so I can get to work. I found that a few streets above my apartment the parking rules are a bit different and I don’t have to move my car until 9:30.
Yesterday, I went to go get my car and noticed that on this one particular street people were doubled parked against the side of the street where the cars did not have to move that day. I believe the police do not frequent this block as I have seen this happen before. Unfortunately for me, I had parked the night before on that side and a car had chose to double-park and block me in. I wouldn’t dream of leaving my double-parked car unattended but this person did not care. My head was starting to explode when I saw there was another person double-parked behind the offending car. That man chose to stay with his vehicle so I thought maybe he would have seen where the person went who left their car next to mine. I asked him but he had no idea. So I walked back to my car to think what my next steps would be.
The person had parked their car about halfway up on the side of my car so there was some room but I was not sure I could maneuver it out of the spot alone. I have great parking skills but didn’t feel like testing them when I was angry. I walked back over to the man in the parked car and asked for his help directing me out of the spot. He said he would and at the same time a man was walking down the sidewalk offered his advice.
“Just turn the wheel and jump the curb and you can get out of the spot.”
I was not going to “jump the curb” in my low to the ground Camry and risk damaging the bottom of my car but thanks for your helpful advice mister.
The other man stood next to my car and directed me back and worth allowing me to get dangerously close to the double parked car without hitting it. After about 30 turns of the steering wheel, I was free! I thanked the man and off I went to work.
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Forwarding smiles
I found out today just how much my friends and coworkers love me and know me. There was a DailyCandy email sent out today with 5 fun biking accessories that are basically aimed at women cyclists. When I opened my email this morning I saw the title, clicked open the email and read about the products. There were some fun items featured but nothing that I would really use.
Forgetting about it, I went through the rest of my emails and went to work. I opened my work email and saw that my boss and my best friend had both forwarded me the email! There were a pair of biking heels featured and my best friend wrote, “you totally have to get these!” I opened my personal email and there was another email from a college friend who also wrote “You should totally get the pumps!”
I smiled and laughed. I must talk about my biking all the time for everyone to have forwarded me the same email. Those shoes will totally go with my biking skirt. Gosh, I am such a girl!
So anyone have an extra $127 they want to give me for these shoes that I just must get?
Forgetting about it, I went through the rest of my emails and went to work. I opened my work email and saw that my boss and my best friend had both forwarded me the email! There were a pair of biking heels featured and my best friend wrote, “you totally have to get these!” I opened my personal email and there was another email from a college friend who also wrote “You should totally get the pumps!”
I smiled and laughed. I must talk about my biking all the time for everyone to have forwarded me the same email. Those shoes will totally go with my biking skirt. Gosh, I am such a girl!
So anyone have an extra $127 they want to give me for these shoes that I just must get?
Thursday, July 08, 2010
A Bean goes to Brooklyn
What would you do if you were invited on an adventure to a warehouse the middle of Brooklyn at midnight on a Wednesday night? An old friend of mine was in town from California and wanted to meet up. We started out in the East Village and enjoyed a nice scotch before dinner. Then we ventured off to a Peruvian place for a delicious meal. We filled up on lots of fish and seafood (mine was hot and spicy!) and talked about the plans for the rest of the evening.
Both of my friends are music lovers. They live and breathe all kinds of music. One is in a band and a high school music teacher. So when he tells me that we have to go check out a group then I follow him. Even to a warehouse on an empty street in Brooklyn. As my loyal readers know, it takes a lot to get me to leave my borough.
So after dinner we walked to the L to take it 5 stops into Brooklyn. We had a street address and a number that my friend thought was right but he didn’t really remember. After we exited the train, we took out our handy phones with map apps and found our location and began the walk to the venue. The numbers were going up from 223 very slowly and we were looking for a number in the 600’s. As we continued to walk the apartments disappeared and were replaced with old graffiti covered warehouses with trucks parked on the street. I am a tough New Yorker but knew that this could not be a good neighborhood to stroll at night. We got to the 300’s and the street looked as though it would hit the water in a block or two. Certainly we were not going the right way. We went to take out our phones when we heard a muffled sound of music coming from a building a few steps away. This had to be the correct place! We opened an unmarked door and sure enough it was the venue and by venue I mean a small room for a “bar” and behind it a small room with the band playing.
The bar was serving cans of miller high life and some energy malt beverage with 12% alcohol and caffeine and guarana and artificial crap. I tasted it and it was like a carbonated watermelon jolly rancher with a nasty aftertaste. I am glad I didn’t drink more of it because I would have never fallen asleep as my insides glowed radioactive pink.
We stood and listened to the opening band play and then much later we heard the band we had come to see. It was fun but standing in one place for 2 hours was exhausting. There were tons of people smoking inside and my poor lungs are not used to that anymore. I knew I would smell real bad and have to shower when I got home. We left early so that I could get home and get enough sleep so I would not be a zombie at work.
We walked down the deserted street without incident back to the subway. Shockingly, we did not have to wait long for a train and I made the transfer and got home pretty fast!
What a fun Wednesday night!
Both of my friends are music lovers. They live and breathe all kinds of music. One is in a band and a high school music teacher. So when he tells me that we have to go check out a group then I follow him. Even to a warehouse on an empty street in Brooklyn. As my loyal readers know, it takes a lot to get me to leave my borough.
So after dinner we walked to the L to take it 5 stops into Brooklyn. We had a street address and a number that my friend thought was right but he didn’t really remember. After we exited the train, we took out our handy phones with map apps and found our location and began the walk to the venue. The numbers were going up from 223 very slowly and we were looking for a number in the 600’s. As we continued to walk the apartments disappeared and were replaced with old graffiti covered warehouses with trucks parked on the street. I am a tough New Yorker but knew that this could not be a good neighborhood to stroll at night. We got to the 300’s and the street looked as though it would hit the water in a block or two. Certainly we were not going the right way. We went to take out our phones when we heard a muffled sound of music coming from a building a few steps away. This had to be the correct place! We opened an unmarked door and sure enough it was the venue and by venue I mean a small room for a “bar” and behind it a small room with the band playing.
The bar was serving cans of miller high life and some energy malt beverage with 12% alcohol and caffeine and guarana and artificial crap. I tasted it and it was like a carbonated watermelon jolly rancher with a nasty aftertaste. I am glad I didn’t drink more of it because I would have never fallen asleep as my insides glowed radioactive pink.
We stood and listened to the opening band play and then much later we heard the band we had come to see. It was fun but standing in one place for 2 hours was exhausting. There were tons of people smoking inside and my poor lungs are not used to that anymore. I knew I would smell real bad and have to shower when I got home. We left early so that I could get home and get enough sleep so I would not be a zombie at work.
We walked down the deserted street without incident back to the subway. Shockingly, we did not have to wait long for a train and I made the transfer and got home pretty fast!
What a fun Wednesday night!
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
The curse of the Blackberry!
I am officially addicted to my Blackberry. I knew it would happen which is why I resisted the call of the phone with a data plan for so long. But I knew I had to enter the connected world or be out of the loop so I decided to get a Blackberry. In actuality, it is a Purple Berry which makes the girly girl in me very happy.
I have started to download apps that I think would be helpful to me. I know that the droid phones and iphones have many more capabilities but I chose to not be overwhelmed and just to use the phone for some other uses. About two days ago, I downloaded an app that reads my text messages to me when I am driving. The temptation to grab the berry while it is buzzing is very strong and so I thought this app might help me to be a safer and legal driver as it is illegal to play with your phone and drive.
Today was the first day of using the app while driving to work. I didn’t think anyone would text me in the morning but about 5 minutes into my drive I heard : "message from Jen: Did you bring the camera in today?" The computer voice spoke well and of course I decided to pick up the phone to text back. Yes, I know, bad bean. I wrote “Nope” and put the phone down. After about 30 seconds passed, I hear my phone say “message from Jen: fuck.”
I burst out laughing in my car. The computer voice cursed! HAHAHAHA! Yep, I have the maturity level of a fifth grader but you know you would have laughed too.
I have started to download apps that I think would be helpful to me. I know that the droid phones and iphones have many more capabilities but I chose to not be overwhelmed and just to use the phone for some other uses. About two days ago, I downloaded an app that reads my text messages to me when I am driving. The temptation to grab the berry while it is buzzing is very strong and so I thought this app might help me to be a safer and legal driver as it is illegal to play with your phone and drive.
Today was the first day of using the app while driving to work. I didn’t think anyone would text me in the morning but about 5 minutes into my drive I heard : "message from Jen: Did you bring the camera in today?" The computer voice spoke well and of course I decided to pick up the phone to text back. Yes, I know, bad bean. I wrote “Nope” and put the phone down. After about 30 seconds passed, I hear my phone say “message from Jen: fuck.”
I burst out laughing in my car. The computer voice cursed! HAHAHAHA! Yep, I have the maturity level of a fifth grader but you know you would have laughed too.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Hit on while driving…
I was pulling my car out of a spot this morning when a man in the car next to me motioned for me to open my window. I thought he was going to ask me if I was moving my car as so many people do in the morning. You see, a parking spot on the correct side of the street is more exciting than free ice cream. So as I opened the window I said “Yep, getting out.”
Well it turned out he didn’t want a parking spot. He wanted me. This guy was in his 40’s and had his Blue tooth dangling from his ear. He said “Hey, whatcha up to girl?” With my finger on the window button, I replied, “Going to work”. The window started slowly moving up when he said, “I wish I was your job. Don’t go to work girl. Let’s play hooky.”
I rolled my eyes thinking that no one really uses lines like that. I looked up at the traffic light begging it to change to green before this creep could say anything else. The window closed as I heard, “Come on baby it would be fun.”
The light changed and I made my left turn only to have to stop at the red light. I made the mistake of looking to my right where the guy was sitting stopped at the light too. He started talking and I rolled down the window all prepared to say something witty and obnoxious. Before I could bitch him out he said, “I’d love to take you home with me.”
So at this point I said, "Sorry, I have a boyfriend“ and was about to drive off when I heard “I can be your other boyfriend, baby.” Luckily, the light changed and I slammed on my gas to get away from this line-spewing weirdo.
Ugh this all happened before 9:30am. I felt like I needed a shower. Icky!!
Well it turned out he didn’t want a parking spot. He wanted me. This guy was in his 40’s and had his Blue tooth dangling from his ear. He said “Hey, whatcha up to girl?” With my finger on the window button, I replied, “Going to work”. The window started slowly moving up when he said, “I wish I was your job. Don’t go to work girl. Let’s play hooky.”
I rolled my eyes thinking that no one really uses lines like that. I looked up at the traffic light begging it to change to green before this creep could say anything else. The window closed as I heard, “Come on baby it would be fun.”
The light changed and I made my left turn only to have to stop at the red light. I made the mistake of looking to my right where the guy was sitting stopped at the light too. He started talking and I rolled down the window all prepared to say something witty and obnoxious. Before I could bitch him out he said, “I’d love to take you home with me.”
So at this point I said, "Sorry, I have a boyfriend“ and was about to drive off when I heard “I can be your other boyfriend, baby.” Luckily, the light changed and I slammed on my gas to get away from this line-spewing weirdo.
Ugh this all happened before 9:30am. I felt like I needed a shower. Icky!!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
A rant about interests vs. other people's lives
I will be doing a 100 mile bike tour this coming Saturday and an argument I had with someone started me thinking… How should your interests affect others and how much support should you expect in life?
I am aware that cycling is more or less a solo activity (unless you are on a bike built for two). Does that mean that you shouldn’t talk about it in detail to others? Isn’t running a solo sport too? Then why do so many people come out to support the runners during a marathon?
I was told that my bike riding has a negative effect on other people and that in return I am being selfish. It just so happens that the ride is the day before Father’s Day. I was told that my exhaustion and soreness, that I am sure will be present the next day, is going to ruin Father’s Day. This thought had not really crossed my mind. Would the correct thing be to not do my tour when I figured out that I would be ruining someone elses happiness? Not doing the tour would make me upset but how much does that matter? This is my interest not my dad's but he is still supporting me and is very interested in the activity that makes me happy.
I am proud of myself for signing up for this activity. I have been training and hope that the ride is perfect. On the other hand, I’m sure some people are sick and tired of hearing about my interest and the miles I have been riding. When I tell people about this tour I usually get positive remarks and support in terms of the ride. Should I expect support or just stop talking about my interests? Could talking about my interests make people feel uncomfortable? I need to really think about this...
Support comes in a bunch of ways. Buying things or donating to a cause is a popular way to support people and events but is it really support? Anyone can plunk down some money. But being there at the finish line or helping to train or just offering words of encouragement… that’s support. That’s what I look for and what keeps me going.
I was accused of biking for attention. First of all, I was appalled. Could doing a physical activity when most of the time I am riding alone be a quest for attention? But then after some thought maybe that’s what I am doing. I like to brag about how far I bike and talk about the new gear I buy. Is talking about a hobby looking for attention?
Maybe I am selfish but this is my life. I want to ride and that’s what I am doing. I guess if I was married and had to share my time with someone then I would think differently. I am planning to ride my 100 miles and everyone will just have to deal. I guess I will just be the selfish and attention seeking bean on a bike.
My head is exploding from this.. Who would have thought that doing something as innocent as riding a bike would open up a can of worms?
I am aware that cycling is more or less a solo activity (unless you are on a bike built for two). Does that mean that you shouldn’t talk about it in detail to others? Isn’t running a solo sport too? Then why do so many people come out to support the runners during a marathon?
I was told that my bike riding has a negative effect on other people and that in return I am being selfish. It just so happens that the ride is the day before Father’s Day. I was told that my exhaustion and soreness, that I am sure will be present the next day, is going to ruin Father’s Day. This thought had not really crossed my mind. Would the correct thing be to not do my tour when I figured out that I would be ruining someone elses happiness? Not doing the tour would make me upset but how much does that matter? This is my interest not my dad's but he is still supporting me and is very interested in the activity that makes me happy.
I am proud of myself for signing up for this activity. I have been training and hope that the ride is perfect. On the other hand, I’m sure some people are sick and tired of hearing about my interest and the miles I have been riding. When I tell people about this tour I usually get positive remarks and support in terms of the ride. Should I expect support or just stop talking about my interests? Could talking about my interests make people feel uncomfortable? I need to really think about this...
Support comes in a bunch of ways. Buying things or donating to a cause is a popular way to support people and events but is it really support? Anyone can plunk down some money. But being there at the finish line or helping to train or just offering words of encouragement… that’s support. That’s what I look for and what keeps me going.
I was accused of biking for attention. First of all, I was appalled. Could doing a physical activity when most of the time I am riding alone be a quest for attention? But then after some thought maybe that’s what I am doing. I like to brag about how far I bike and talk about the new gear I buy. Is talking about a hobby looking for attention?
Maybe I am selfish but this is my life. I want to ride and that’s what I am doing. I guess if I was married and had to share my time with someone then I would think differently. I am planning to ride my 100 miles and everyone will just have to deal. I guess I will just be the selfish and attention seeking bean on a bike.
My head is exploding from this.. Who would have thought that doing something as innocent as riding a bike would open up a can of worms?
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Biking to nowhere (right now)
There are numerous reason why I refuse to join a gym. #1 is that I get bored easily and with no one there to tell me to keep my ass moving, I will fake some workout and then leave without even have broken a sweat. I hate being in a smelly room with other smelly people jumping up and down trying to remove my belly pouch. Yeah I’m a lazy bean, I know. But if you put me on my bike and tell me to ride to a destination then I will. Happily.
I have done a few bike tours but never a full century and that is my goal for this summer. I just signed up for the Ride To Montauk, a full 100 miles! I have a week to get in shape to do it. Solo! I can do it!
Last night, I decided I was going to ride the park but the raining dripping out my window at work took that idea away fast. I cringed... that meant I was going to have to ride in my apartment on my bike trainer. This is torture for me because it’s like I turned my living room in a gym. I decided I would do it so I went through with it. I put my bike on my trainer and turned on the TV. Maybe that would help me focus (or not focus) on actually working out. I pedaled straight for a half hour and got nowhere. Except through my DVR’ed TV show. Not the best ride but enough to make me hot and sweaty. I just couldn’t do it much longer plus I was hungry.
I hope the rains stays in the clouds tonight so I can ride in the park when I get home!
I have done a few bike tours but never a full century and that is my goal for this summer. I just signed up for the Ride To Montauk, a full 100 miles! I have a week to get in shape to do it. Solo! I can do it!
Last night, I decided I was going to ride the park but the raining dripping out my window at work took that idea away fast. I cringed... that meant I was going to have to ride in my apartment on my bike trainer. This is torture for me because it’s like I turned my living room in a gym. I decided I would do it so I went through with it. I put my bike on my trainer and turned on the TV. Maybe that would help me focus (or not focus) on actually working out. I pedaled straight for a half hour and got nowhere. Except through my DVR’ed TV show. Not the best ride but enough to make me hot and sweaty. I just couldn’t do it much longer plus I was hungry.
I hope the rains stays in the clouds tonight so I can ride in the park when I get home!
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
My car wont be a movie star..
Some gentle nudging from a friend has prompted me to start the blog again. So here goes…
Last night, I parked my car on one of my normal streets and saw a yellow sign attached to the pole by my car. Mid-parallel park, I jumped out of my car with my door hanging open to read the sign. It was a big NO PARKING for Tuesday night through Wednesday, great. They were shooting some movie. What an amazing location for a movie, the construction vehicles for the second ave subway project are lurking at the bottom of the street and the mosque is chilling across the street. Well at least I was safe for that night. I pulled into the spot and went home.
This morning I decided to plug myself into my I-Pod while I walked to two blocks to my car. I have been unable to stop listening to my fun mix of random music lately. When I got to my car, I noticed a man standing next to my car talking on his cell phone. My car had an orange cone on each side of it. The guy motioned to me asking if that was my car. I popped my headphones out of my ears and said yep. I asked him what movie they were shooting and he told me Messiah of Darkness (or Dark Messiah? I can’t remember). So as I attempted to pull out of the spot be moved the cones from around my car and directed me like I was some important celebrity! When in reality he wanted me to move the green Toyota so he could put a big filming truck in my spot.
Wish me luck finding parking tonight.
Last night, I parked my car on one of my normal streets and saw a yellow sign attached to the pole by my car. Mid-parallel park, I jumped out of my car with my door hanging open to read the sign. It was a big NO PARKING for Tuesday night through Wednesday, great. They were shooting some movie. What an amazing location for a movie, the construction vehicles for the second ave subway project are lurking at the bottom of the street and the mosque is chilling across the street. Well at least I was safe for that night. I pulled into the spot and went home.
This morning I decided to plug myself into my I-Pod while I walked to two blocks to my car. I have been unable to stop listening to my fun mix of random music lately. When I got to my car, I noticed a man standing next to my car talking on his cell phone. My car had an orange cone on each side of it. The guy motioned to me asking if that was my car. I popped my headphones out of my ears and said yep. I asked him what movie they were shooting and he told me Messiah of Darkness (or Dark Messiah? I can’t remember). So as I attempted to pull out of the spot be moved the cones from around my car and directed me like I was some important celebrity! When in reality he wanted me to move the green Toyota so he could put a big filming truck in my spot.
Wish me luck finding parking tonight.
Monday, April 12, 2010
NYC Freebies!
Last night I went out with an old friend who has a rule… she never pays for her drinks. She will go to a bar and magically the guys will flock to her side to offer her a beverage. When she told me she had made the acquaintance of a bartender in a very classy bar, I knew this was going to be a fun night.
A general rule of thumb for the start of a fun night, do not take the 2nd Ave bus down from the UES to Alphabet City. It takes about an hour off of your life. Once we finally got to dinner we were ravenous, devoured the food and moved on to the next part to the night.
My friend wanted to take the bus uptown to midtown and I offered to pay for a cab. My previous bus trek was too fresh in my mind. A guy who was standing at the bus stop called out “Are you ladies giving up on the bus?” He promised that if we took the bus he would provide entertainment. The bus arrived at that moment and I agreed to get on. Then my Metrocard failed me. Only 50-cents leftover (darn, uneven fare!) meant I couldn’t ride. The nice guy offered to swipe my ride for me. Freebie number one ☺
After some entertaining conversation and an offer for us to go to a bar with him next week, we got off the bus to the next part of the adventure.
We entered the classy bar to find out we were the only ones there and the bartender wanted to test new drinks on us. He attempted to make an avocado shake drink, without a blender. It did not work very well. So he created two other very interesting martinis for us to try. All on the house.
After some great conversation, he offered us some fancy chocolates and we nibbled and enjoyed round two of our fancy (free!) mixed cocktails. By now the restaurant was closed and we had a private bar.
It was a work night and it was approaching 1:30 am. A couple hours past my bedtime. So the bartender locked up and in true gentleman fashion hailed us all a cab uptown.
What a fabulous freebie night in NYC.
A general rule of thumb for the start of a fun night, do not take the 2nd Ave bus down from the UES to Alphabet City. It takes about an hour off of your life. Once we finally got to dinner we were ravenous, devoured the food and moved on to the next part to the night.
My friend wanted to take the bus uptown to midtown and I offered to pay for a cab. My previous bus trek was too fresh in my mind. A guy who was standing at the bus stop called out “Are you ladies giving up on the bus?” He promised that if we took the bus he would provide entertainment. The bus arrived at that moment and I agreed to get on. Then my Metrocard failed me. Only 50-cents leftover (darn, uneven fare!) meant I couldn’t ride. The nice guy offered to swipe my ride for me. Freebie number one ☺
After some entertaining conversation and an offer for us to go to a bar with him next week, we got off the bus to the next part of the adventure.
We entered the classy bar to find out we were the only ones there and the bartender wanted to test new drinks on us. He attempted to make an avocado shake drink, without a blender. It did not work very well. So he created two other very interesting martinis for us to try. All on the house.
After some great conversation, he offered us some fancy chocolates and we nibbled and enjoyed round two of our fancy (free!) mixed cocktails. By now the restaurant was closed and we had a private bar.
It was a work night and it was approaching 1:30 am. A couple hours past my bedtime. So the bartender locked up and in true gentleman fashion hailed us all a cab uptown.
What a fabulous freebie night in NYC.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Free Burger night..
You know it's a serious situation when you haven't done your laundry in almost a month, which included a ski trip where I changed clothes 3 times a day! Last night had to be the night I attempted to wash it all but I had promised a friend I would go to free burger night at a bar. Lucky for me, the bar with this awesome deal was right across the street from my apartment buildings basement. There are a ton of washers and dryers just steps from a bar making it possible to do my laundry while I was eating and drinking. I loaded up the dryers with 3 loads of clothing checked my watch. I had exactly 32 minutes to eat and have a beer.
The Second Ave subway construction had destroyed businesses that are hidden behind the scaffolding so this bar decided to have some specials to lure people in. On Wednesday nights and all day Saturday and Sunday when you order a drink you get a free burger. Pretty freaking awesome… if you aren’t a pescatarian like yours truly. The deal is for a grilled BEEF burger and if you ask for a veggie burger like I did they say nope, sucks to be you and hand you a menu.
My friend was thrilled because not only did he get his burger but he got mine wrapped up to eat for lunch. I was stuck paying for not only my beer but a veggie burger and fries for $11.45. So much for a good deal.
As I ate, my laundry dried. I paid the bill crossed the street and magically came back to three fully dried batches of clothing. (You’d be surprised as to how many times I came back to a dryer filled with still soaked jeans).
Just another fun night in NYC ☺
The Second Ave subway construction had destroyed businesses that are hidden behind the scaffolding so this bar decided to have some specials to lure people in. On Wednesday nights and all day Saturday and Sunday when you order a drink you get a free burger. Pretty freaking awesome… if you aren’t a pescatarian like yours truly. The deal is for a grilled BEEF burger and if you ask for a veggie burger like I did they say nope, sucks to be you and hand you a menu.
My friend was thrilled because not only did he get his burger but he got mine wrapped up to eat for lunch. I was stuck paying for not only my beer but a veggie burger and fries for $11.45. So much for a good deal.
As I ate, my laundry dried. I paid the bill crossed the street and magically came back to three fully dried batches of clothing. (You’d be surprised as to how many times I came back to a dryer filled with still soaked jeans).
Just another fun night in NYC ☺
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Goldfish on the subway!
Last night, I attended a press event sponsored by Post-it. The event was held at a place called Carnival which was in fact a carnival on the fifth floor of a NYC building. I received my tickets and went into the room where they had fun games for us to play, ring toss, toss a ball in a basket, get a ping pong ball into a fish bowl and darts.
After spending most of my tickets, another editor handed over her extras. I played the fish game a few times and finally landed the ball in the bowl. Thinking about it now,I was pretty excited after winning such a cruel game. Here is a somewhat crappy cell phone picture of the game.
Those bowls have live fish in them. These poor fish must freak out every second a ball smacks their bowl. If the ball actually makes it in, there is a giant while meteor attacking their home. Poor fishy... I guess it was very nice of me to save a fish from this fate by bringing him home!
After the event, I went to take the subway home. I was carrying my fish in a plastic baggy down the street to Union Square and received a bunch of interesting looks.
I got on the subway and was lucky enough to get a seat for Post (his name.. I'm clearly original) and I. The man next to me struck up a convo with me. Apparently a fish in a bag is a conversation starter. I noticed the couple across the aisle from me pointing at Post and talking in another language about the fish. They looked up at me and smiled. I'm glad my fish could make others happy.
Here is Post on the subway. Hold on fishy!
Post is now at my apartment in a vase with some nice rocks at the bottom and is hopefully still alive. I ran out this morning to get him food. Let's see home many days my carnival fish lasts :)
After spending most of my tickets, another editor handed over her extras. I played the fish game a few times and finally landed the ball in the bowl. Thinking about it now,I was pretty excited after winning such a cruel game. Here is a somewhat crappy cell phone picture of the game.
Those bowls have live fish in them. These poor fish must freak out every second a ball smacks their bowl. If the ball actually makes it in, there is a giant while meteor attacking their home. Poor fishy... I guess it was very nice of me to save a fish from this fate by bringing him home!
After the event, I went to take the subway home. I was carrying my fish in a plastic baggy down the street to Union Square and received a bunch of interesting looks.
I got on the subway and was lucky enough to get a seat for Post (his name.. I'm clearly original) and I. The man next to me struck up a convo with me. Apparently a fish in a bag is a conversation starter. I noticed the couple across the aisle from me pointing at Post and talking in another language about the fish. They looked up at me and smiled. I'm glad my fish could make others happy.
Here is Post on the subway. Hold on fishy!
Post is now at my apartment in a vase with some nice rocks at the bottom and is hopefully still alive. I ran out this morning to get him food. Let's see home many days my carnival fish lasts :)
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
I may be crazyyyy
As I was driving to work this morning, I had the radio on when a Billy Joel song came on. I love every Billy song, so I cranked up the volume as the car inched forward. I was singing along to "You May Be Right" when I noticed the license plate on the SUV in front of me.
Lunitk
I couldn't help the wide grin that appeared on my face. I tried to take a picture of it but my cell phone camera didn't save the photo. :( What a fun way to start my day.
In case you aren't a Billy fan here are the lyrics to the chorus...
You may be right
I may be crazy
But it just might be a lunatic you're looking for
Turn out the light
Don't try to save me
You may be wrong for all I know
But you may be right
Lunitk
I couldn't help the wide grin that appeared on my face. I tried to take a picture of it but my cell phone camera didn't save the photo. :( What a fun way to start my day.
In case you aren't a Billy fan here are the lyrics to the chorus...
You may be right
I may be crazy
But it just might be a lunatic you're looking for
Turn out the light
Don't try to save me
You may be wrong for all I know
But you may be right
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
The Anonymous Note
A few weekends ago, I drove out to NJ for bridesmaid dress shopping . Yep that trip added a sixth day to my presence in Jersey, plus another $8 donated to my favorite bridge, the George Washington. I really feel like I should own a tiny piece of it by now. Maybe a screw or something.
I parked my car by the bridal store and dropped a few quarters into the meter. After shopping for the dresses, I went back to the car to drop a few more quarters in and went to eat lunch.
I came back to my car and found this sticker stuck to my car.
This was stuck right above the keyhole. I looked around and didn’t see anyone by my car or on the sidewalk. I smiled at the randomness as I peeled the sticker off my car. I was wearing boots but was still very confused. Also, doesn’t that handwriting look like a girls?
The sticker now lives on my dashboard and makes me smile whenever I get into my car.
I parked my car by the bridal store and dropped a few quarters into the meter. After shopping for the dresses, I went back to the car to drop a few more quarters in and went to eat lunch.
I came back to my car and found this sticker stuck to my car.
This was stuck right above the keyhole. I looked around and didn’t see anyone by my car or on the sidewalk. I smiled at the randomness as I peeled the sticker off my car. I was wearing boots but was still very confused. Also, doesn’t that handwriting look like a girls?
The sticker now lives on my dashboard and makes me smile whenever I get into my car.
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Human Decency
When someone sneezes, the response is“Bless you”. It’s almost automatic but even if you barely know the person, it slips out. When someone hurts himself or herself, the proper reaction should be “Are you okay?” It’s not really that hard of a concept, especially if something happens in an office to a co-worker. It’s common decency or so I thought until this morning.
I dress up for work every so often (most days you can find me in jeans and a sweater). I own a great collection of high heels thanks to a fabulous friend who works in the shoe world. Today I chose to wear a 3-inch pair of red heels that are not too uncomfortable (high heels are never comfortable, never believe anyone who tells you that). I got to work and walked on our leopard-carpeted floor toward the kitchen. Why yes, isn’t every office carpeted in leopard? Anyway, I was holding my Tupperware filled with my lunch in my hand ready to place it in the fridge. I stepped onto the tile and felt myself slip. I tried to catch myself with the counter but forgot my food container was in my hand and slipped again and very ungracefully crashed down onto the floor. Once I was on my, now tingling, tush, I looked up to see a coworker making her breakfast. She looked down at me and simply said, “Have a problem with your shoes?” She turned back to the toaster as I struggled to get up and inspect the damage. I mumbled something about my butt hurting and she asked, “Are those new shoes?” They weren’t but where was her concern for the fact that I had just landed on the floor. I didn’t expect her to lift me back up, all I had expected was a simple “are you ok?” but nope. Then she walked out of the kitchen and said, “Remember toe to heel!”
This coworker and I are not really friends but come on! I have been giving the back of her head daggers all day but I kind of wish I could revert back to kindergarten and push her down in the kitchen.
I am left with a rip in my tights, a bruised tush and a little taste of reality.
~Bean
I dress up for work every so often (most days you can find me in jeans and a sweater). I own a great collection of high heels thanks to a fabulous friend who works in the shoe world. Today I chose to wear a 3-inch pair of red heels that are not too uncomfortable (high heels are never comfortable, never believe anyone who tells you that). I got to work and walked on our leopard-carpeted floor toward the kitchen. Why yes, isn’t every office carpeted in leopard? Anyway, I was holding my Tupperware filled with my lunch in my hand ready to place it in the fridge. I stepped onto the tile and felt myself slip. I tried to catch myself with the counter but forgot my food container was in my hand and slipped again and very ungracefully crashed down onto the floor. Once I was on my, now tingling, tush, I looked up to see a coworker making her breakfast. She looked down at me and simply said, “Have a problem with your shoes?” She turned back to the toaster as I struggled to get up and inspect the damage. I mumbled something about my butt hurting and she asked, “Are those new shoes?” They weren’t but where was her concern for the fact that I had just landed on the floor. I didn’t expect her to lift me back up, all I had expected was a simple “are you ok?” but nope. Then she walked out of the kitchen and said, “Remember toe to heel!”
This coworker and I are not really friends but come on! I have been giving the back of her head daggers all day but I kind of wish I could revert back to kindergarten and push her down in the kitchen.
I am left with a rip in my tights, a bruised tush and a little taste of reality.
~Bean
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
It's been a long time
The bean in the city is back!
A slight recap on things I haven't blogged about since April…
The bean in the city took a trip to another city and visited San Francisco. I had a great time camping, meeting new friends, visiting with my cousin and exploring their city and vineyards. But don’t fret NYC; I have no plans to leave you for SF. Here’s a shot from Big Sur. 
I started biking all over the place and in September I biked in the NYC Century bike tour and completed 90 miles in about 11 hours! It was exhilarating and a beautiful way to see all of Brooklyn and Queens. Here is a picture of my bike and me in Queens by the Throgs Neck Bridge.
I don’t know if I have shared my love with eating and taking photos of food I eat with my blog readers but as I attempt to keep writing regularly I think I will include details about meals I have enjoyed. These will include homemade creations and also restaurant delights. These are a few shots from my visit to Citi Field to see the Mets over the summer. We got a feast of food to celebrate my dad's birthday.
Lobster rolls YUM! 
The first bite is the best!
Looking forward to getting back into blogging!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
The missing gloves...
I am not only navigating the street of NYC by car but also by bike! That’s right I am braving the crazy NYC drivers while gliding around on a light blue bike with my purple helmet securely fastened on my head. If you thought my driving adventures were fun... you are sure to enjoy the tales of my two spinning wheels!
A few weeks ago it was getting warmer but it was still a bit chilly to be outside. I really wanted to ride my bike so I bundled up in three layers and put on gloves. I lent my riding buddy a pair of gloves too and off we went to navigate the streets and the park. We rode for a while and as it got warmer we removed layers. After riding in the park, we visited the bike store to try to find out why my bike was not working well. We refilled the tires with air and off we went! At that point, my riding buddy realized that he had lost both of the gloves I had lent him. We tried to retrace our route but then just ended up back in the park. I figured I would never see those gloves again and they were old so I wouldn’t miss them too much.
As I rode down the east side river park, with the traffic from the FDR whizzing by on my left and the river splashing against the city on my right, I was actually really happy and forgot about the missing gloves. I looked down and there was one of the gloves lying in the pathway! I excitedly picked it up and thought that if one had just been lying there the other could have fallen out a few steps away. So we continued the ride and a few spins of my tires later, I noticed a green object on a park bench! It was the other glove. What are the chances that an hour later in NYC I could find two lost gloves? Just another NYC story to smile (and blog) about!
A few weeks ago it was getting warmer but it was still a bit chilly to be outside. I really wanted to ride my bike so I bundled up in three layers and put on gloves. I lent my riding buddy a pair of gloves too and off we went to navigate the streets and the park. We rode for a while and as it got warmer we removed layers. After riding in the park, we visited the bike store to try to find out why my bike was not working well. We refilled the tires with air and off we went! At that point, my riding buddy realized that he had lost both of the gloves I had lent him. We tried to retrace our route but then just ended up back in the park. I figured I would never see those gloves again and they were old so I wouldn’t miss them too much.
As I rode down the east side river park, with the traffic from the FDR whizzing by on my left and the river splashing against the city on my right, I was actually really happy and forgot about the missing gloves. I looked down and there was one of the gloves lying in the pathway! I excitedly picked it up and thought that if one had just been lying there the other could have fallen out a few steps away. So we continued the ride and a few spins of my tires later, I noticed a green object on a park bench! It was the other glove. What are the chances that an hour later in NYC I could find two lost gloves? Just another NYC story to smile (and blog) about!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Thanks taxi driver!
The other night I was heading down to the Penn Station area from my apartment and needed to get there fast. I was running late and my friends were upset that I wasn't at the bar yet. I hailed a cab and told the cabbie to get me there fast.
I turned off the annoying TV screen in the cab (ugh they make me feel carsick). Then I noticed that he had the radio on and it was playing just the song to get me in the mood for a night out, Beyonce's "Single Ladies". So I leaned onto the cab partition and asked if he could turn it up a little. He turned the volume way up and I swayed in my seat. After the song was over and we were still speeding down 5th Ave, the cabbie asked me what stations I liked to listen to. We went through a few different ones until we found another dance song. He was a fan of 103.5 while I like 95.5.
A few minutes later we arrived at the bar and it had only taken about 3 songs worth of time to get me to midtown!
I gave him a good tip and left the cab happier than when I had gotten in!
I turned off the annoying TV screen in the cab (ugh they make me feel carsick). Then I noticed that he had the radio on and it was playing just the song to get me in the mood for a night out, Beyonce's "Single Ladies". So I leaned onto the cab partition and asked if he could turn it up a little. He turned the volume way up and I swayed in my seat. After the song was over and we were still speeding down 5th Ave, the cabbie asked me what stations I liked to listen to. We went through a few different ones until we found another dance song. He was a fan of 103.5 while I like 95.5.
A few minutes later we arrived at the bar and it had only taken about 3 songs worth of time to get me to midtown!
I gave him a good tip and left the cab happier than when I had gotten in!
Monday, December 08, 2008
How I hate you NYPD.. let me count the ways!
This morning I went to my car to go to work but when I arrived at the street where I left it, it was closed off and the cars were gone! I asked the police officer where my car was and they said they "relocated" them. Great. He couldn't get the guy with the list on the phone, so I had to walk an avenue to a police van. The police officer then asked for my car make and color and license plate number and said to me, "It's in Brooklyn." I blurted out "Are you serious?" He said "No". What an ass!
My car was relocated on 2nd Ave where I had just come from. I walked down the street and found that my car was parked and left in a spot... next to a fire hydrant! The cops towed my car to an illegal spot. So then at 7:35 am a nice cop came along and wrote me a nice $110 ticket. Fabulous.
I was fuming and should have gone and yelled at the cop in the car that the NYPD is evil and made me get a ticket when they moved my car after only posting a sign on a Sunday when i didn't have to move my car till Monday!!!
I wrote a nice long letter explaining why I am not paying them any money.
I just hope I don't have to go to court to fight it.
Car adventures are tons of fun!
My car was relocated on 2nd Ave where I had just come from. I walked down the street and found that my car was parked and left in a spot... next to a fire hydrant! The cops towed my car to an illegal spot. So then at 7:35 am a nice cop came along and wrote me a nice $110 ticket. Fabulous.
I was fuming and should have gone and yelled at the cop in the car that the NYPD is evil and made me get a ticket when they moved my car after only posting a sign on a Sunday when i didn't have to move my car till Monday!!!
I wrote a nice long letter explaining why I am not paying them any money.
I just hope I don't have to go to court to fight it.
Car adventures are tons of fun!
Friday, December 05, 2008
NJ is paying me to drive...
There is some new program that NJ has developed to provide incentive for people who live and work in NJ to carpool. I found out about this program called "Carpooling Makes sense" and signed up. While the website doesn't exactly tell me how long this promotion is going on.. I think that they will send me a gas card for $150 to carpool to work 24 days in two months. So far I have carpooled 3 out of the 4 days of December. I'm on my way to getting my gas card.
Although I'm not really sure how they can prove that you really had another person in the car with you, they told me they will be sending me a packet with information.
I never say no to free money in this craptastic economy so thanks for a little something extra NJ. Now do you think you could do something about the $8 toll on the GW bridge that i have to pay every freakin day?
Although I'm not really sure how they can prove that you really had another person in the car with you, they told me they will be sending me a packet with information.
I never say no to free money in this craptastic economy so thanks for a little something extra NJ. Now do you think you could do something about the $8 toll on the GW bridge that i have to pay every freakin day?
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
I was on auto pilot as I am most mornings while singing along to the radio and driving over the GW bridge yesterday. I was behind a truck which is very common on that bridge. All of a sudden a huge chunk of what i believe was sheetrock came flying at my windshield! I screamed and luckily didn't lose control of the car. The sweat began to pour out of my pores and I trying to put the whole thing together in my head. Once i figured out that my windshield was still intact and that there were a few white marks and that I was fine, I was able to calm down and get to work.
I was a bit freaked out about the whole thing but am so lucky that the windshield didnt shatter. I felt like i was in some action movie where the heroine is dodging the villan tossing things at her speeding car!
A toast to only smooth, safe trips back and forth to the Jersey every day!
I was a bit freaked out about the whole thing but am so lucky that the windshield didnt shatter. I felt like i was in some action movie where the heroine is dodging the villan tossing things at her speeding car!
A toast to only smooth, safe trips back and forth to the Jersey every day!
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