We're Captive on the Carousel of Time

A few weeks ago my old roommate (or shall I say ten roommates ago) emailed me asking about my dealings with our old apartment. After six years in our East Village, St. Mark's apartment which I lovingly referred to as a small dark hole, she was moving out. Naturally I suggested we celebrate over drinks and asked her for an update on how the apartment has been since I moved out about four years ago. The St. Mark's apartment had been my first New York City apartment, a sublet steal. In fact, its very location inspired questions like "who did you have to screw to get this place." While it was a privilege to live on New York City's most iconic streets in one of my favorite neighborhoods, the apartment also provided enough creative fodder for Girls-like blog posts and novel-worthy story elements. There's nothing like a little pain to help the creative juices flow.Or to give you a full picture; when asked for an update on the apartment, my roommate's response was:

"I am actually moving back to parents for a few months, then moving in with my boyfriend.  I just can't deal with the building anymore.  Slum lord is right.  We literally didn't have gas for six weeks over the holidays - so out of control!  Let's see what else you missed - They redid the gas lines in the building two years ago, we literally had no wall outside of our apartment for the last two years.  They just replaced it last week and repainted because they were fined by the city.  They replaced the lines at least three times cause they kept doing it wrong.  Our bathroom ceiling caved in last summer because the person above us rents the apartment like a hotel - a new person every 3 days and they broke the shower or toilet, it leaked down.  Old Man Winter, and M both died (90yr old+ building tenants) :(  Old Man Winter left behind a hoarders delight - literally men with hazmat suits were removing things from his apartment to dumpsters that were 12' high and half a block along the length of St. Mark's, it was insane.  This went on for two days.  And the little clog man who wears the heels and always used to say the elevator is broken has taken to peeing in the hall, in fact, I've caught him numerous times standing on the stairs holding his junk.  Awesome.  Never a dull moment at 22 St. Mark's.  The one good thing is that the newish super is actually the nicest man and responsive.  As crazy as it was in that building I will miss my usual surroundings for sure."

If you don't live in the fantasy world of Carrie Bradshaw and have to live within a real budget, you sure as hell better have a sense of humor. Despite the daily trials of the apartment, I still walk by it with fondness and I'm sure my former roommate will do the same. We made it out with steal resilience, tons of memories and our sense of humor in tact.

Favorite East Village Halloween Shots

I had one of the best weekends I've had in a long while. After recovering from a fun Friday night party, and before getting ready for Halloween, I walked around the East Village with my camera. Here are some of my favorite shots. What are yours?

Weekend Update

My mom told me that I don't love her anymore. Then she said that I don't update my blog enough. I'm not sure if the two comments are related but as an ode to my mother.. here's the good ole weekend update:

Thoughts about my new hood- it's really nice being able to walk around Central Park and explore Uptown. It's hard not to think that everything doesn't happen for a reason considering how happy I am. Or maybe as humans- we just adjust to our surroundings and make the best of things. I spent the afternoon walking through Central Park and reading. When I say walking, I mean I walked across the park to the Shake Shack which as of last week has become a weekly habit. Even worse, I stood in line in a downpour. But it was soooooo worth it. I savored every last bite of my cheeseburger, fries and chocolate milk shake. I worked it off by walking slightly North, then all the way across to East End Avenue and back to my apartment.

On Saturday, I had a similarly satisfying and relaxing day. I got highlights downtown. It was weird being downtown again in my old hood but sort of reinforced how much prettier uptown can be (at least East Village vs. uptown). Then had a lovely dinner with a good friend at a restaurant I used to frequent back 3-4 years ago before I moved into the city. After dinner, I met up with a coworker for my first real Upper East Side bar experience at Wicker Park. Well- at least first time as an Upper East Sider. I can't say whether or not the crowd was better- I was told that everyone is away during the summer. But I did feel like the atmosphere was possibly more condusive to meeting people- and the crowd closer to my age.

And finally, my weekend got off to a good start on Friday. I actually hit up a spinning class, then meandered back uptown to my apartment and saw Harry Potter with my roommate.

I have to admit, it feels soooo good to walk through Central Park. I think being able to do that on a regular basis will help keep me sane in the city and not need to go home to quieter New Jersey as often as I do. I just feel so at peace and relaxed.

New Apartment

I'm totally late on the new apartment update but have still spent the last few days unpacking and then simplifying my possessions so they fit in a smaller space. So yeah, for those of you who don't know, I moved from the crazy East Village, St. Mark's between 2nd and 3rd, to the Upper East Side (or Lennox Hill) in the East 60s on 1st avenue. I went from an insane street with a quiet oasis of an apartment to a quiet oasis of a neighborhood with a loud apartment from cars, buses and trucks on 1st avenue. Such is life. I'm waiting to hear back from my architect friend on what to do to block the noise but am so far, relying on my ear plugs. It's hard not to regret a decision that cost about $500+ in movers along with countless other costs associated with moving when the apartment is so noisy.. I guess neither my roommate or I heard the noise when we visited and we were under some serious time constraints. Such is life.

BUT I love my new roommate. We have tons in common and similar, sunny outlooks on life. I love the neighborhood. Despite flirting with the thought of moving to Brooklyn, I'm happy with my decision to stay in Manhattan. There will be time for BK when I'm knocked up.. or at least coupled up. I'm excited to explore upper Manhattan and feel I'm already familiar with most of downtown from Tribeca to Chinatown. I'm hoping being surrounded by the wealthy and the successful will inspire and motivate me, or at least one might accidentally hit me with their Lexus so I can sue.

Will update more when I have a legitimate internet connection. OH! And you'll be so proud, haven't watched TV (minus today) since last Thursday. New roommate and I are just getting internet and no cable which I'm totally okay with. I may not even watch any TV until I get a newer digital TV (makes no sense to drag my old TV and buy a $50 converter). So more time for blogging/ writing my novel/ coming up with an amazing business plan/ or getting serious about going to grad school.

P.S. There's an awesomely adorable cafe directly across the street from me called Java Girl with coffee and food far better than some old faves that shall not be mentioned. (Nothing beats Abraco so far YET).

Life is Good

Have had a lovely weekend so far. Wow, what a difference a day makes. Or a week. Good lesson to keep trekking through the bad because the good is always around the corner. Okay, so sometimes the block is really long.. Overall, I spent my last weekend in the East Village very appropriately.

Friday night, I had a lovely dinner with one of my best friends. I'm excited that I'll be living less than 10 blocks from her in a week! Post dinner, we tried seeing The Proposal but during the trailer, the film actually burned right in front of our eyes. So alas, it wasn't meant to be and we met up with her friend and friend's sister. It was very nice to have a girls' night. Especially since I feel like most of my friends are guys.

Today, I was fairly productive. I dropped off my $3000 + check for my new apartment. Yikes! Then started basically walking back to my apartment from 59th and 3rd. I think subconsciously (or maybe consciously) it was an attempt to avoid doing laundry and going to my intense spinning class. I met up with another best friend and we snacked while sitting on a bench that overlooked the East River in the East 30s. From there, I walked home, through the Union Square farmer's market and Whole Foods. The universe reminded me why I'm moving. It's been a day, and I still have no hot water. I went to the gym and attempted the most pitiful excuse for a workout just so I could shower.

My lovely weekend concluded with seeing The Proposal at the same theater (East Village on 2nd Ave and 12 street)-Check out the old school, beautiful theater if you get a chance. The movie was hysterical. I laughed uncontrollably and am totally in love with Ryan Reynolds. It's obviously predictable but visually somewhat stunning.. makes you want to move to Alaska.. and Sandra Bullock was great. As a tribute to St. Mark's, we got a hot dog at Criff Dog. It was total serendipity. Neither of us could figure out what to eat, and we were on our way to a Mac & Cheese spot when someone near us mentioned hot dogs. At Criff Dog, I ran into this guy I used to have the biggest crush on. He skated at the ice skating rink I used to frequent and we'd race each other around the rink. I'm pretty sure the last time I saw him, I was 12. Now he's married (as of last week) and apparently his wife used to work in my building. Jesus. Small freaking world. On top of that, another guy I know walked in the joint. And this afternoon, spotted a former coworker. And Thursday night, spotted a former college classmate, along with one of my spin teachers, all while walking home from an event. I'm curious as to what cast of characters from my past I'll spot while living on the Upper East. Must remember to always look presentable when exiting my apartment :)

Short story long, if it's not already obvious, I'm really looking forward to moving. There is no question that I need to change my lifestyle and develop more healthy habits. And a move is the fresh start that I obviously need. I can't wait to regularly run in Central Park, cook healthy meals with more than 4 inches of counter space, develop buns of steel from my 5th story walk up, NOT regularly stop at Criff Dog, Ray's Pizza, Pinkberry, Red Mango, etc. on my way home, save money, not stop at Solas... and get serious about applying to a master's program this fall. So yeah, feel free to hold me accountable and I'll happily entertain you with my progress. Maybe even be an inspiration.. but yeah, I may miss Pheobe the cat.

What are your goals? Are there things you keep saying you are going to do but don't? Or better question, how did you manage to develop the good habits?

Weekend Update

Had an amazing weekend. Worked late on Friday and stayed watching Ugly Betty and Grey's Anatomy. Then actually got up early for the gym, and spent all day Saturday walking around with one of my absolute best friends. It's so relaxing spending time with someone I feel completely comfortable with especially since I've been meeting lots of new people lately. We walked through Park Slope, mostly Northern but I don't know the area enough to say for sure. Ran into the kids I babysit for who were a bit confused to see me. Then took the train to Downtown Brooklyn and walked through Cobble Hill and Carrol Gardens. Good times had by all. Saturday night, I met up with a friend at Solas and was stupid enough to have 3 of Allan's ridiculously strong drinks. I felt queasy around 6am this morning but somehow it subsided by the time my parents got into the city.

Today, I went to brunch with the folks, then we sat in the Tompkin Square Park doggy park for a good hour. I spotted my favorite singer, Sia who was with her dog. AND, Dr. Lisa Cuddy from House. I had my camera and walked over to where there was some serious doggy "action," then made a joke about doppledangers.. that she laughed at. Just as we were leaving, my parents wanted to know what kind of dog Sia had. I finally got the courage to talk to her and she was super duper nice. Told her one of her songs was actually in my head when I saw her.. and she seemed to appreciate that I was a fan. She has two dogs, one who's three-legged and another who needed to go to "rehab." Okay, I know, I know.. if I move into Brooklyn, I won't see celebs on a daily basis, but I'm so okay with that! My day ended with an awesome loft party in Williamsburg for a college friend. I met a ton of super cool, artsy, interesting, sweet people and took some good pictures. Also got a lead on finding an apartment.. hmm. Okay, so maybe Williamsburg isn't that bad after all.

Peace and love.