Fail #2

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Yup. Forgot to post on Friday. We had a half-day in the working world, and I just got distracted with, you know, work. And, also (mostly), my late-afternoon-I-have-a-half-day plans. But please don't take that neglect of this blog as neglect of you, my amazing, incredible, supportive handful-of-readers. I have nothing but love and admiration bursting my little heart for you all. Due to that love, I am keeping this post short and sweet, to simply say that I had a wonderful, relaxing weekend with good friends, a bit too much inebriation, but also some good hopes for the future. I hope everyone else's Memorial Day weekends yielded the same positive results. Also, a belated thank you to all the men and women who have served our country in its past, are serving our country now, and will serve our country in the future. Your sacrifices are appreciated more than you know. And not just because we Americans take the Monday off work as a legitimate excuse to spend the entire weekend drinking. Well, not completely. Thank you.

Better late than never...

A friend and I took a walk to Rockefeller Center while New York City was in the midst of spring fever, before rains started and the humidity set in, making for 80 degree walks to work. In typical me fashion, I neglected to post the photos, but I thought they might add some nice pops to color to your Thursday. Enjoy, and tomorrow we'll have made it!

Amazing

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I woke up at 5 am today because my room was so bright and it was already too hot to be in bed. This is not a good sign for the summer, but an amazing one for my appetite which just falls to the wayside in the heat. I have nothing for you kids today, so just enjoy this pretty piccy, and enjoy the beach if you're lucky enough to live near one, and to not have to be at work today.

Humid!

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I think this morning was the first taste of the humidity that this summer I've so been yearning for will bring. 68 degrees on my walk, but the air was literally thick and heavy, making it seem much warmer than that. It's supposed to get to 85 degrees today, and I can tell you that I dressed wrong! There's been so many calls for rain and thunderstorms I threw on a light sweater this morning. It should have been a tank top. Still, I must say, I'm very much looking forward to seeing what an east coast summer is like! And to finding the beaches. A friend and I also discovered the Central Park zoo this past weekend, and you'd better believe I'm excited to spend some time this summer wandering through that!

PS - Is it sad how many of these posts I dedicate to talking about the weather? What dull reading! Why did I even start a blog if I honestly have nothing to talk about except the weather?! And yet, to moi, this amount of weather is intriguing. So, I guess I'll continue on. Sorry suckas!

Speaking of music...

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I must introduce you all to my sister's amazing music blog, The Wise Bean. While I am a pop fiend to no end - please see the post below this one. AKA my homage to Miss Britney Spears - my sister has an incredibly varied and diverse taste in music. [She's even very slowly beginning to appreciate show tunes, thanks to years of tutelage by her elder sister. And by "tutelage" I mean being forced to listen to show tunes ad-nauseum when we lived in the same house. You're welcome.]

She has always made the best mixed CD's because the amount of music she knows about goes far beyond anything I could ever keep in my mind. And she always knows the back stories to the groups, artists, and/or song specifics. It's incredible. She's the perfect person to go to when you hear about a band you think is new. I have found that they never, ever are. In fact, when we used to drive in my car together and a song would come on the (Top 40 or Alternative) radio she, very often would say, "Oh! They're finally on the radio!" It was amazing. Every. Single. Time. As a proud sister I find her blog to be a lovely way to get to peek into her day-to-day goings-on via the music she posts, and I think you all should check it out, too. Immediately.

Mondays with music....

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...are always better, somehow. This Monday - which looms grey and humid and threatens thunder storms - has been made infinitely better by my girl Britney's new album. I am a willing devotee to the madness that is Ms. Britney Jean Spears - I have supported her since sexy school girl days and it's just continued on.. While I'd be loyal no matter what - I even bought "Blackout" -  I'm legitimately loving the "Femme Fatale" album. It's making this Monday pop, which is a godsend. Of course it is making me want to go dancing something awful, so Friday has never seemed so far away. And now, some piccys of my girl crush for, while I can honestly hear her lack of vocal talents - what have we talked about regarding slow jams Britney? "Trip To Your Heart" is still too much. Your people tried for trance. It was not achieved. - her producers are strong, and she is just a very pretty girl. What can I say? Apparently I'm superficial girl. I'll take pretty over talented any day. Happy Monday all, we'll get through it, thanks to this girl, I will be dancing til the world ends! (I know, cue sad trombone music here. Wah-wahhhh.)

And PS - Don't you doubt that the new studio will be christened by me singing Britney into a hairbrush as I unpack. Britney and show tunes. Sorry in advance neighbs.

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Let the sunshine in!

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I was listening to the "Hair" soundtrack a bit yesterday and lo and behold, this morning I awoke to faint sunlight through my open curtains. Hooray! There's still a threat of thunderstorms and rain throughout the evening, but I prefer rain, thunder, lighting, wind, et. al. in any kind of sunny skies or cloudy skies or dark skies or bright skies, to just gloomy, hanging clouds day in and day out. So I say, bring on the storm! Anything would be better than the droopy, gloomy, stagnant weather the past couple of days have brought. Having enormous office windows that look out onto straight gray is hugely depressing. And, not only did this morning bring a bit o' sunshine-y change-of-pace from constant-gray, but today is also the day that I sign the lease on my itty-bitty-studio-home! Eeep! I can't believe I'm so excited when I'm not entirely certain my bed won't literally hit the tile that designates "kitchen", but I very much am. Bring it on, move! Sorry this post is so scattered, it is definitely a Friday today.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!

Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. 

~William Morris

I am getting very excited to move into my own studio. I haven't lived alone in a couple years now, and I have always wanted to try life in a studio. The compact size and requirement that you live a specified existence is very appealing - I'll be excited to see if I can pare down my life even further, to the true essentials that bring me happiness and security. Having said that, time will only tell if posts will soon start popping up with, "I hate how small studios are! What a crock of an idea for landlords to make more money by selling apartments utterly lacking in bedrooms! Blargh!" Until that day, however, I shall eagerly look forward...

I forgot to post!

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I'm sorry friends and countrymen, I completely forgot all about blogland yesterday! I'm planning a move - the fourth one in a year - as my current roommate will be returning to her home city earlier than originally planned, and it completely took over all my consciousness yesterday as I met with brokers, emailed listings and began the organizing, viewing, and financial reallocation that moving always requires. Please know my love for you is no less, I was just completely neglectful and 100% forgot that things such as blogs exist, and that I myself have one. My world became relegated to brokers fees, move-in dates, budget limitations and location, location, location. In the spirit of my impending move - and because all the places at which I will be looking will be small, tight little quarters (even by New York City standards) due to the fact that I will be staying in the city and not going above my monthly rent budget (still a full paycheck, 50% of my take-home earnings. I'm not exactly being cheap here) - here are some photos of rooms of brighter, roomier homes, that will hopefully serve as inspiration when I get my own place!

Rainy Days

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I am officially lost when it comes to seasonal weather. I understood there would be snow in the winter. I understood there would be rain in the early spring, that April showers bring May flowers, and all that. However, I did not know that winter would equate to ice storms and blizzards and months upon months of snowfall. And I did not know that spring would equate to pouring, pelting rain late into May, with no end in sight. I am severely confused by the fact that last weekend the weather was gorgeous enough to make me put all thoughts of the winter I'd survived behind me, and yet here is rain, and endless gray, with no respite for the rest of the week. And, while I rather wish I had plans to go home to an old movie and perhaps some bread or muffins to bake, I'm still looking forward to going home to a cozy room from which to watch the rain come down out my window. How thankful I am to have a warm home in which to seek refuge from this sometimes-bothersome weather. Happy Monday all, may your weeks start off swimmingly!

PS - Yes, I realize there is beach and sun and warmth behind this model with the maddeningly fabulous hair and the umbrella. But an umbrella is an umbrella is an umbrella, yes? And who really uses an umbrella to keep sun off? Thus, this piccy fits this post. Also, I just rather enjoy it.

Sunshine!

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I worship the sun. It's an unhealthy obsession, and one that I've become evermore aware of since moving to a land of seasons. Spring is fully upon us now - mice and water bugs are out in full force to prove that fact as true - and the sun that has been shining through my window when my alarm goes off in the mornings, and the sun that remains shining on me as I walk home in the evenings, is doing wondrous things to my moods. I had missed it so! This winter was so incredibly long, I can't even tell you the sweet relief that comes from having sunshine more often than not. Now as soon as I find myself a mildly convenient beach, I'll be all set for summer! After all, I'm already halfway there. To clarify, no, that piccy is not of me. But doesn't it just look like summer? I yearn to be tawny and toned, frolicking around in a light little tunic, my long hair blowing free in the breeze. Trust me, I get it, I'm a sturdy Sicilian, I'm not blonde, and while I am working on the toning up, I would look significantly different from the model above - and would be significantly closer to the ground - but I still can't wait until the weather allows for such dressing minimalism!

New York, New York

Cole Porter, a great musical songwriter

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I am a musical theater junkie. This is presumably no secret to anyone who reads these posts, and it is definitely no secret to those who know me with any modicum of familiarity. In my life, I don't hide it. I relish it, truly, in the form of jazz hands, occasional high-kicks, and belting (albeit flat or off-key). I was always perfectly content to keep my work self and my home self mostly separate, so I had not been too bothered that the world of corporate America rendered a dwindling quota of coworkers who knew theater. I get it, trust me, theater is not everyone's bag. Especially not musicals. I was content that this would be my lot in life, to nod and smile at those who, upon hearing that one of my favorite hobbies was theater, would launch into the fact that they just loved "Phantom" and owned the soundtrack to "Le Miz." Don't get me wrong, I love those shows too - they became huge hits for a reason, after all. They're just rarely the favorites of those who could engage in discussions of "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" or "The Wild Party" - two of my favorite shows. Or go bezerk over the chance to see Elaine Stritch live onstage. But they worked with me in our shared cubicles, enjoyed eating sushi, and had kids' dentist appointments, husband's softball games, and personal hair appointments to contend with. This was just who they were, these were their work selves, and we all got along famously.

However, all my (mis)perceptions regarding those who work outside of theater changed when I moved to New York. It was not a lack of interest for my previous home and its worker bees, I realized, it was a lack of options. Theater, and cultural pursuits in general, are readily available here. You have to actively ignore them to remain oblivious. So people have a basic comprehension. Why, one of the heads of our department hums classical music, operas, symphonies, and show tunes as he passes our maze of cubicles. One coworker of mine is preparing to sing Cole Porter hits for a family party and I can hum any portion of the chorus of any movie or stage musical and she can finish it up. My boss knows theater better than anyone I've yet met - and I know people whose jobs require them to stay up on the industry - and she can chat about it just as easily as she can answer my questions about a work-related deliverable. Even my just-out-of-college coworkers - boys with libation-heavy weekends, rotating girlfriends, and long days in the office - can throw out a just-revived show, ask if its worth getting tickets to.

It has been so eye-opening, and so fabulous, for me. Because this is just the way it is. No one is making extra efforts, no one is trying to impress. They're just being their workplace selves, and for the first time, my home self and my work self don't have to stay quite so separate.

Stephen Sondheim, another great musical composer

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Rodgers & Hammerstein, I think you know these greats

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Andrew Lippa, the composer of "The Wild Party"

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Rupert Holmes, the composer of "The Mystery of Edwin Drood"

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Wide Awake!

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It is truly amazing how much good a solid night's sleep can do for one's outlook. Or at least, for my outlook. I was exhausted all day yesterday - too much fun on the weekend without the sleep needed to balance it out - and I conked out at 9:30. I don't think I even shifted positions until 6:30 this morning. Lovely, Lovely, Lovely. I woke up refreshed, rested and clear-minded. Sleep is my most needed life staple, I do believe. I'm a 9-hours-a-night girl, easily, and it was so nice to get that solid chunk of sleep-time in. It had been a long time coming. And is something I'm going to need to keep up.

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

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My family was in town visiting me this weekend, and it was a truly, wonderful time. They fly back to California today, and thus this Monday is a rather sad day. Which really only serves to prove that my family rocks, because we really do have fun times together. I will get to see them between now and Thanksgiving though, thank goodness, so for now I have that to look forward to. And the onslaught of an east coast summer to experience, as well. All good things, and reasons to keep the chin up, as they say. I hope Monday treats everyone well!

Casa Mono = Delicious

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I am thrilled to tell you that my family is in town this weekend. And even more thrilled that their first meal on this trip to the city was a crazy success. After everyone arrived last night - with slight delays due to Obama's wreath-laying at the World Trade Center, the wonder of living in this "center-of-the-world" city is still with me in droves - we dined at Casa Mono, a Spanish tapas restaurant in Gramercy. May I just say, this restaurant was truly a delight. We sat at the counter - although to call is such is to demean it in the style of a diner, which this eatery most certainly was not - and while I would have preferred next time to wait to sit at a table, our location was passable. Add this to the fact that the food was beyond delicious, and we had the anti-Havana Central experience. The scallops with tomatillos and palomitas and the whole sepia a la plancha with salsa verde  were my top choices, and I was also a fan of the enselada mono with manchego. Without a doubt, I will be returning to Casa Mono, and I recommend anyone living in New York or planning a trip here, to check it out. Added bonus? They sell gift certificates! (My birthday is in the summer. I'm just saying.) And now, I leave you all to enjoy your weekends! We made it to Friday!

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Casa Mono is located at 52 Irving Place, New York, NY 10003. Reservations can be made at 212-253-2773 or online.

Havana Central

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I went to my second Cuban restaurant ever for dinner this week - this time it was at Havana Central, a New York "chain" of sorts with a handful of locations. I must admit, I didn't really like. Especially compared to Cafe Cortadito. It felt too chain-y, and to be honest our service was pushy rather than attentive. Add to this the fact that the ambiance was not much to speak of, and the food was good but not swoon-worthy, and I can readily admit that I'm content not returning. However, there is a location ridiculously close to our office so I have a feeling coworker events may take place there with some frequency. I am fairly easy to please when it comes to dining out; I don't do it too often - even since the move to the restaurant capital of the world - so just eating dishes beyond the pathetic things that I can whip up in the kitchen is a thrill. Thus, my thoughts on this restaurant really say something. Which isn't to say that I didn't have a wonderful time dining with my feasting-partner-in-crime. Nor to say that I won't be enjoying my leftovers today for lunch at work. After all, there is nothing I've grown to love more than leftovers!

Eek! A Mouse!

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No, not the band, the real thing. I got out of dinner with a friend last night, turned my phone back on, and was greeted with a distraught voicemail from my roommate that she'd just seen a mouse run into our kitchen. There was utter, chaotic panic in her voice. I called her back, and assured her I would get mousetraps on my way home. This morning, the traps were still empty - I'm assuming the little fella has a hole someplace and presumably ran back in when those two housemates saw each other and one of them screeched - but I'm finding myself a little sad at the prospect of killing him. Granted, I haven't seen him myself, just his little mouse-remnants, and I'm not even sure where one would release a mouse in the city. I'm not sure it's allowed, not sure how frowned upon mouse-entrapment might be without proper places to release them. So, instead, part of me hopes the little guy evacuates and just steers clear of our apartment altogether, rendering the traps wasted, yes, but salvaging his own little life. I guess only time will tell.

Adding awkwardness to the fact that there are now mousetraps in two corners of my kitchen and one in my dining nook? My family is coming to visit this weekend. And, if things continue in this vein, they will see said mousetraps, empty, and waiting. "Welcome to New York City! Everything you've heard about infestations and rodents is true! And your daughter is living amongst it! Yippee!"

Just because

 Everyone needs a little Pretty in their day. Thanks to the ever-fabulous VogueandCoffee for all the photos.

Carol Channing: Larger Than Life

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This weekend I was lucky enough to be invited by a friend to the viewing of a film at the Tribeca Film Festival. The movie she had tickets for was "Carol Channing: Larger Than Life" and I have to tell you that it was just a lovely way to spend two hours. As a musical theater junkie, I had of course always heard of Carol Channing, and I knew she was the originator of the role of Dolly Gallagher Levi in "Hello Dolly" as well as Loreilei Lee, in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," which Marilyn Monroe made famous. However, this film focused much more heavily on the fairy tale love affair Carol had with her now-husband, a relationship which began when the two were merely tweens, the tender ages 12 or so, and then went on hiatus for 70 years before he reached out to her after being told she had a memoir out. Can you imagine? Proves there's no timeline for love, I suppose. And on that lovely note, Happy Monday!