I am writing to you from the lovely village of Cooperstown, New York - home to the Baseball Hall of Fame, and also (temporarily) to Emily Leonardy, a friend from school. Emily is becoming an Episcopal priest, and I will have the pleasure of hearing her deliver a sermon tomorrow!
It was wonderful to have a relaxing day outside of the city. Emily and I sat by a mountain lake and caught up before heading home to make shrimp scampi, have a glass of white wine, and enjoy a peach crumble dessert. I doubt I will be ready to return to New York City tomorrow afternoon!
My computer is about to run out of battery, so I will have to give a full summary of my travels later. Goodnight!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Day 19: Severe Weather in the Big Apple
Am heading out to my college roommate's party, but wanted to show you some interesting pictures I just took of the current severe weather. We were actually under a Tornado Warning when I took these photos.
The Edge of the Storm, from my corner:
Funnel Cloud?
This one reminded me of Captain Hook.
**EDIT** It turns out that Tornado Warnings are extremely rare in New York City. I guess this heat couldn't last forever without causing some sort of atmospheric trouble!
The Edge of the Storm, from my corner:
Funnel Cloud?
This one reminded me of Captain Hook.
**EDIT** It turns out that Tornado Warnings are extremely rare in New York City. I guess this heat couldn't last forever without causing some sort of atmospheric trouble!
Day 19: An Unusual Day at Work
For this story to make sense, it is important that you know that I work for a website. This website's name is Track.com. The purpose of the site is to provide sophisticated investors with independent research on different aspects of the financial markets - like foreign exchange, commodities, equities, etc. But remember: a website. Which explains why it was a bit difficult for everyone to work today when we arrived at the office and discovered that the internet was out.
Within a few minutes of discovering the problem, one of my bosses suggested that the business who owns the floor below us, the sixteenth floor, had said that we could use a part of their office and access their internet. I found this rather amusing, because the business on the sixteenth floor is another website that publishes finance and market information. Its name? Tracked.com, naturally. Isn't this starting to sound like a scene out of an office comedy movie?
These two businesses are, of course, not in the same building by coincidence. They are funded by the same investor, who believes that both will be a success. It is still funny to me though that part of my office at Track.com was working at Tracked.com today. I felt like there might have been a secret competition, but it was probably only in my imagination!
Today there was a relief from the heat that had settled in for most of the week. Unfortunately, I couldn't walk home from work as I usually do because it was raining. Lately I have taken to strolling down Seventh Avenue in the evenings, a walk of about 25 blocks. The street is lined with every kind of restaurant you could possibly imagine. There are always lots of people, which would be more interesting if half of them weren't puffing away on cigarettes and blowing the smoke in my path. I can't understand these New Yorkers who smoke, because they are so unlike the smokers I saw in Beaufort growing up. In Beaufort, people who are smoking stand in one place and sort of pace about, smoking and thinking or talking to someone else. Here, the smokers are power-walking down the street, sucking in on their cigarettes and elbowing through the crowds as they rush to their destinations. They must have fantastic lung endurance; for me, it is already so hot outside that I would die if I had hot smoke swirling around inside of me too!
Tonight is the going-away party for my college roommate who will be leaving shortly for Hong Kong on the Fulbright Scholarship. I'm about to head out to find some dinner before the party!
Within a few minutes of discovering the problem, one of my bosses suggested that the business who owns the floor below us, the sixteenth floor, had said that we could use a part of their office and access their internet. I found this rather amusing, because the business on the sixteenth floor is another website that publishes finance and market information. Its name? Tracked.com, naturally. Isn't this starting to sound like a scene out of an office comedy movie?
These two businesses are, of course, not in the same building by coincidence. They are funded by the same investor, who believes that both will be a success. It is still funny to me though that part of my office at Track.com was working at Tracked.com today. I felt like there might have been a secret competition, but it was probably only in my imagination!
Today there was a relief from the heat that had settled in for most of the week. Unfortunately, I couldn't walk home from work as I usually do because it was raining. Lately I have taken to strolling down Seventh Avenue in the evenings, a walk of about 25 blocks. The street is lined with every kind of restaurant you could possibly imagine. There are always lots of people, which would be more interesting if half of them weren't puffing away on cigarettes and blowing the smoke in my path. I can't understand these New Yorkers who smoke, because they are so unlike the smokers I saw in Beaufort growing up. In Beaufort, people who are smoking stand in one place and sort of pace about, smoking and thinking or talking to someone else. Here, the smokers are power-walking down the street, sucking in on their cigarettes and elbowing through the crowds as they rush to their destinations. They must have fantastic lung endurance; for me, it is already so hot outside that I would die if I had hot smoke swirling around inside of me too!
Tonight is the going-away party for my college roommate who will be leaving shortly for Hong Kong on the Fulbright Scholarship. I'm about to head out to find some dinner before the party!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Day 16: Alone in the City
If an alien ship were to hover above my New York City block, and with its super scientific x-ray powers could see into every apartment on Perry Street, I wonder how many people the aliens would find sitting alone and thinking?
That is what I often do at night here in the city when it is too dark and hot to walk outside, and when I don't have plans with my friends. I have a television, but most evenings I prefer to put on some music, sit in bed with my laptop, and discover things. I look at pictures on facebook, read the news, and Wikipedia diseases, languages, events in history, schools . . . the time seems to fly by.
Tonight I am reading a book of short stories by an author called Miranda July that Caitlin gave to me when she visited this weekend. So far I have only read one. It was very interesting, and ultimately rather refreshing to be able to read a story with a beginning, middle, and end in half an hour. Books are difficult because you have to stop and start and stop and start; short stories are compact, but still powerful. I'm looking forward to reading more of this collection.
Today I walked home from work for the second day in a row. Why take the subway when the weather is nice? I enjoy being part of the rush hour bustle on the sidewalks. It makes me wish that I could walk more easily around Durham. How I miss the days of living on campus!
That is what I often do at night here in the city when it is too dark and hot to walk outside, and when I don't have plans with my friends. I have a television, but most evenings I prefer to put on some music, sit in bed with my laptop, and discover things. I look at pictures on facebook, read the news, and Wikipedia diseases, languages, events in history, schools . . . the time seems to fly by.
Tonight I am reading a book of short stories by an author called Miranda July that Caitlin gave to me when she visited this weekend. So far I have only read one. It was very interesting, and ultimately rather refreshing to be able to read a story with a beginning, middle, and end in half an hour. Books are difficult because you have to stop and start and stop and start; short stories are compact, but still powerful. I'm looking forward to reading more of this collection.
Today I walked home from work for the second day in a row. Why take the subway when the weather is nice? I enjoy being part of the rush hour bustle on the sidewalks. It makes me wish that I could walk more easily around Durham. How I miss the days of living on campus!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Day 15: A Wonderful Weekend
I had a great New York City weekend, and it really made me enjoy being up here. Several friends came into town and we ate out, went to the Metropolitan Museum, had Sunday tea, and - most importantly - played some serious bocce in Central Park.
Team England (members: Alex Stapleton & Caroline Mix) was part of the epic showdown in the championship game, but was ultimately defeated by Team California, comprised of two NYC residents who clearly know their lawn sports. The loss was heartbreaking, but everyone had a great time!
It's hot again in the apartment, but at least the air conditioner works in the living room. Too bad the internet connection is in my sweltering bedroom! More tomorrow, hopefully when things have cooled down.
Team England (members: Alex Stapleton & Caroline Mix) was part of the epic showdown in the championship game, but was ultimately defeated by Team California, comprised of two NYC residents who clearly know their lawn sports. The loss was heartbreaking, but everyone had a great time!
It's hot again in the apartment, but at least the air conditioner works in the living room. Too bad the internet connection is in my sweltering bedroom! More tomorrow, hopefully when things have cooled down.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Day 11: A Frustration, Followed By A Fix
This morning I awoke at 5:30AM to the sound of ruffling feathers outside of my window. I sat up in bed and looked outside through the spinning blades of my box fan. I could barely make out the shapes of two pigeons perched on my window sill in the early morning light. At that moment, the ruffling stopped and they were silent. Images of disease-ridden feathers, pigeon poop, and bird mites began to fill my mind, but I was too tired to really let them bother me. I snuggled back into the covers.
Mr. Pigeon began to coo. At first, it was just a short burst of cooing. Then, it became more rhythmic. I sat up again. Mr. Pigeon had a look in his eye that I've seen in many other pigeons' eyes this week. The look said, "Mrs. Pigeon, you are looking very attractive this morning." The coo was for emphasis.
Not wanting to hear what I had a feeling was about to go down on my window sill, I stood up and began banging my flip flop against the window pane above my fan. The pigeon couple was startled, and after the third slap, they finally flew away. It was then, standing close to the window, that I noticed that the spikes I had seen through my window were actually on the inside of the screen. They were useless at preventing birds from sitting outside of my window!
In my delerium, I sent an email explaining the situation to the woman who is subleasing the apartment. She was very kind and got someone from the building to fix the spikes by moving them to their proper position outside of the screen. Needless to say, I am looking forward to an uninterrupted night's sleep tonight!
Other events of the day: I bought Newsweek because it had Nikki Haley on the cover, and it's always exciting to see South Carolina on the front page of a national publication, especially when it's in a positive light. I also cleaned my apartment thoroughly because it was cool enough to move around without breaking a serious sweat. It feels good to accomplish something!
Good night all!
Mr. Pigeon began to coo. At first, it was just a short burst of cooing. Then, it became more rhythmic. I sat up again. Mr. Pigeon had a look in his eye that I've seen in many other pigeons' eyes this week. The look said, "Mrs. Pigeon, you are looking very attractive this morning." The coo was for emphasis.
Not wanting to hear what I had a feeling was about to go down on my window sill, I stood up and began banging my flip flop against the window pane above my fan. The pigeon couple was startled, and after the third slap, they finally flew away. It was then, standing close to the window, that I noticed that the spikes I had seen through my window were actually on the inside of the screen. They were useless at preventing birds from sitting outside of my window!
In my delerium, I sent an email explaining the situation to the woman who is subleasing the apartment. She was very kind and got someone from the building to fix the spikes by moving them to their proper position outside of the screen. Needless to say, I am looking forward to an uninterrupted night's sleep tonight!
Other events of the day: I bought Newsweek because it had Nikki Haley on the cover, and it's always exciting to see South Carolina on the front page of a national publication, especially when it's in a positive light. I also cleaned my apartment thoroughly because it was cool enough to move around without breaking a serious sweat. It feels good to accomplish something!
Good night all!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Day 10: Wines and Carolines
I got home a little while ago from a great little wine bar near 52nd Street and 9th Avenue. Caroline Spencer, one of Alex's close friends from Rhode Island, had invited me to have dinner and a drink with her after work. We had a great time catching up! It was fun to hang out with someone that has known Alex for longer than I have. We certainly had a lot to talk about. At the end of the meal, we both reached into our wallets and pulled out the same Bank of America check card! I thought about how confusing it could have been to the staff, since we were both named Caroline.
Tonight the West Village was alive with people out on the streets as I walked back to my apartment from the subway. Straight couples, gay couples, several groups of laughing girls, two women walking dogs, an old man struggling along with his cane . . . and me, walking alone and looking at everyone. I saw for the first time what everyone means when they tell me I am living in a very "cool" area of town.
Tonight the West Village was alive with people out on the streets as I walked back to my apartment from the subway. Straight couples, gay couples, several groups of laughing girls, two women walking dogs, an old man struggling along with his cane . . . and me, walking alone and looking at everyone. I saw for the first time what everyone means when they tell me I am living in a very "cool" area of town.
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