C-Side

Me, Preethi, Maggie

After a long day at work we had a networking event in Jersey City. It was nice to get out and have some time away from work with coworkers. They had free appetizers and drinks... the appetizers weren't very good but we were hungry so we ate them anyway. The best part about the event was that it was only a few blocks from my house. Not really anything exciting to write today but I had pictures so I thought I would post.

Me, Thejas, Maggie

My Favorite Commutes

I love days like this. You know, it's hard to wake up early and go to work. Most people in the world have to hit their snooze a few times before they get out of bed. But, days like today just make getting out of bed so nice. I opened my eyes after Gizmo repeatedly smacked me on the head with his paw (an every day occurence) and right there in front of me was a great sunrise. I used to love it when I lived in Salt Lake City and I got up every morning and saw the sun coming over the Wasatch Mountains. The sun over the city is still beautiful, just in a different way. I snapped this on my way to the train.

Under the Bridge

This weekend was pretty interesting for me personally. Friday I was worn out from work and then came home and went to bed. It has pretty much turned into my usual Friday. Most people look to Friday night to go out, I look to Friday to relax. (Although I do like going out sometimes too!) Saturday was typical - all the stuff caught from the week that needed to be done. I went back to my laundry routine which is this: go to the Laundromat, put the stuff in the washer, then go out to breakfast at a sidewalk cafe near by and read. I forgot how much I enjoy that.

I met a kind of crazy lady at the dog park. Really nice lady but definitely bonkers. She's a "narrator". Everything her dog does, she narrates.

"Oh, he's sniffing your dog. Oh Oliver, do you like the other doggies fluffy tail. Oliver says this one is fluffy, and this one is not fluffy. Oh, how different. "

Then she talks to her dog like a person which is really funny.

"Should we take the water taxi to Battery Park? I know you like the doggies there. Should we go see John over there? You know, John is mad at you for eating his couch last time we were there. Or should we go see Donna? She is probably off work by now. You know, we could do both.. We have plenty of time. Oliver... Stop It!! Stop IT!!! If you don't stop trying to hump that dog mommy is going to be very very upset and I will not talk to you the rest of the day. And, NO you cannot go into the river. Mommy cannot give you another bath".

I tried not to laugh at her. But she was just funny.

Saturday night I went to bed early like a complete loser. I think it was 9:30, but I haven't been feeling well the last few days and I think I needed it. This was after I replayed "Under the Bridge" By the Chili Peppers about 10 times. I just felt like the song was my life at that moment: "Sometimes I feel like I dont have a partner. Sometimes I feel like my only friend is the city I live in, the city of angels, lonley as I am, together we cry."



Sunday was great. Despite still not feeling well, I got up and met two of my friends (Julia & George) in Hoboken. We had decided to go to the Arts & Music Festival. Pre-Festival we went to Rue De Jardin - my friend's Turkish Coffee shop and had Crepes & Coffee. I LOVE his crepes!!! My favorite is Cem's Nutella, Chocolate and banana crepe. I splurged and it was good.

Then wandered around the festival. It was nice - even rained but I didn't mind. I love going to those festivals with all the art. It inspires me to want to do something creative. Lots of great paintings (one that I adore but it was $3200!!!!) So, I just had to look at it for a long time. I have been wanting to redo my bedroom into my fave color orange and this painting would have been perfect. But, I have it all in my head and can remember it forever.

Came home and read some of the book I am reading recommended a few months ago by my friend Glenn. It is called Turning the Mind into an Ally. It is a book along the Buddhist line of thinking about clearing your mind and self realization. Its funny, these are things that I believe in and have read about before, but it seems that sometimes when not refreshed you can lose sight of everything. I think it is good to have reminders of what your purpose is here and how you fit into the world around you. You know, to focus on gratitude and trying to be a good person.

The most ironic thing was that I decided to check my horoscope for the day on a whim and it said that today "has strong spiritual overtones for you". I guess they hit the nail on the head! Probably kind of silly but still I thought it was cool.

Also, my dog got his head stuck in an empty dog food bag today. Hilarious.

Not sure why I decided to blog a friggin book today..maybe it was all the inspiration (the art, the book, yada yada yada).

Solitary Confinement

So, this weekend I spent alone. I don't necesarily mind being alone most of the time, but this weekend was different. I don't know why. I managed to keep myself reasonably distracted by going to the gym, doing some work, cleaning my apartment, taking the dogs outside, creating playlists on iTunes, singing in my dining room to the songs (solo concert for my dogs), going to the coffee shop, working on my book, reading, and catching up on my email. But I felt like I was going a little bit crazy. I did manage to make small talk over breakfast with two neighborhood friends though for about 30 minutes. I feel like I was in solitary confinement - like the crazy people in the movies who live in the woods with no running water or electricity. Did I mention that I listened to Dueling Banjos too???????

--The crazy lady with cabin fever at the beginning of fall

Guest Bartending

So, I never heard of this but I guess people "Guest Bartend" here in NY. According to my friend Marsha (Pictured with me) this is a big thing in New York. Even if you have no clue what you are doing, sometimes bars have people come in to guest bartend. As explained to me, it helps to bring new people into the bar (because the guest bartender tells all their friends).

So, one of the guys from work was doing a guest bartender gig and we went to check it out. The place was packed and it was fun. Marhsa stuck her tounge out in 90% of the pictures and it was hilarious to look at them the next day.

Champagne & Pizza

My friend Myra turned 29 today and had a nice rooftop party in alphabet city courtesy of Josh's new place. Quite a traumatic beginning to the evening for me. I got stuck in the elevator of Josh's building. I got to the 6th floor and the doors wouldn't open. I almost freaked out. My phone worked, and I called Josh. He came out and tried pushing buttons but nothing worked. He got a screwdriver and was trying to pry the door open to no avail. I pushed the help button, and no one was answering. Thank God I had a bottle of champagne with me for the party... If I really got stuck I could have at least gotten drunk... :-) Needless to say, the elevator started going down - back to the first floor. The doors opened there and I was free.


And then we enjoyed champagne and pizza on the roof. Awesome 360 view of the city. Kudos to Josh on his new place.


PS, I went to the park earlier today and randomly got this pic of the city reflected in the Morris Canal. The water is never this still there.

The Moon & New York City

Ahhhhhhhh.... there was a full moon this week and I took full advantage. After work and blowing off the gym (due to hospital visit last week, not because I was *really* blowing it off) I got home and walked the doggies. That's when I saw the moon hanging over the city like it does in the movies. I hurried inside, because I normally miss the shot since the moon actually moves pretty quickly through the sky. Grabbed my camera and walked over to the water. The shots didn't turn out as well as I wanted but they didn't turn out bad either.



Afterwards, I treated myself to a salad in the neighborhood. I have been trying to be good and eat at home. But it had been about two weeks or so since I ate out.. so I felt justified. I had my camera with me since I had been trekking around taking moon pictures. Glenn, my friend in the hood, was working at the restaurant as usual. He wanted to see how the camera worked so here is his pic.

Taj & The Hospital - Labor Day Weekend

Today we went out for drinks after work to a place called Taj. They are an Indian fusion restaurant/bar that has dancing and music later. We ate, had some drinks, danced. Lots of fun.

The next morning, I wasn't feeling so well and ended up having to call an ambulance to come get me at home. (Not from having too many drinks). I will spare all of you the details of my hospital visit but I was in the hospital all day Saturday much to my dislike. It was quite an emotionally challenging day for me and I had a pretty hard time being there alone. I hope I never have to go again. I spent the next few days laying around the house recovering.