I seem to have mislaid November...
These updates have grown far too infrequent, a sure sign that life has been both hectic and at least somewhat routine. There have been a lot of stressful things going on, but instead I'm going to talk about the good stuff.
Enjoying: The Bowery Boys podcast, a weekly exploration of New York City history. Each half-hour episode covers a particular topic, like the development of Central Park, the evolution of the Meatpacking District, the sordid sordid tale of Five Points, the construction of the Pan-Am building, and the history of McSorley's Old Ale House to name just a few. I've very much been enjoying their fun and upbeat (okay and completely flaming) storytelling style. Even topics that I didn't expect to be my cup of tea, or that were already fairly familiar, have been completely engaging. Highly recommended!
Watching: Along with the new season of Top Chef (because I'm a complete sucker), there's been a lot of Buffy and Angel for their comfort factor. And we've just begun the first season of Mad Men, which is full of tension and everything that was horrible about the 1950s and is incredibly HOT at the same time. (Note: I do not have the hots for any of the characters, apart from a healthy appreciation for the spectacular Christina Hendricks. But the stylish atmosphere of the show gets my graphic designer side all in a sweat.)
Online: I've joined this nifty photo site called Momentile, which is intended as a daily photo journal. Just a snapshot of some telling moment of your day, rather than a place for showcasing beautiful photography. (To the point where it's especially geared for camera phones, although it has a regular upload tool too for those of us who can't quite bring ourselves to use camera phones.) It's a little bit like the photo equivalent of twitter, except you can only submit one momentile per day. So far I've failed to update mine every day, but still it's been lots of fun. Here's my momentile stuff.
Making: Projects galore! I have completed the knitting on the Hemlock Ring blanket I'm giving to my parents for Christmas, and now just need to weave in the ends and figure out how to block the sucker without putting the bed out of commission for 2 days. Now making a crocheted hat for my mom (per her request); it's in luminous cranberry red Manos del Uruguay yarn (I keep having to remember that yarn is not actually edible), edged with some soft rose pink Debbie Bliss silk alpaca. Hopefully I'll finish it quickly in order to have a crack at some quick things for Tim's mom and sister. Meanwhile, have been cranking away on the scarf that Tim began for himself last year; it's in chunky Misti Alpaca and is just heavenly to touch. ("That scarf you were going to make for yourself? I'll knit it for you as an Xmas present! Now hand over that delicious yarn!") Have also completed the knitting on my pretty Anais sweater-tee and now have been procrastinating sewing up the sides. Maybe tonight I'll have a crack at that, because I've been itching to wear it.
Drinking: Killer caffè lattes at Café Pick Me Up, on Avenue A and 9th St. How is it I've never stopped in this place before? It's so cozy, with nifty old schoolhouse tables and a quiet side room. But the lattes, man, the lattes! THIS is how I like my latte: dense, dark and rich, made with quality espresso and just a hint of foam. Glorious! Most American lattes taste like wet brown paper bag. This stuff tastes like... coffee. Imagine that! It's probably good I'm not in the East Village every day or my caffeine habit would be back with a vengeance.
Eating: Eventually there shall be stew. Oh yes.
Married: Three whole months! Still smiling a goony smile. Also, there are more official pictures!
Enjoying: The Bowery Boys podcast, a weekly exploration of New York City history. Each half-hour episode covers a particular topic, like the development of Central Park, the evolution of the Meatpacking District, the sordid sordid tale of Five Points, the construction of the Pan-Am building, and the history of McSorley's Old Ale House to name just a few. I've very much been enjoying their fun and upbeat (okay and completely flaming) storytelling style. Even topics that I didn't expect to be my cup of tea, or that were already fairly familiar, have been completely engaging. Highly recommended!
Watching: Along with the new season of Top Chef (because I'm a complete sucker), there's been a lot of Buffy and Angel for their comfort factor. And we've just begun the first season of Mad Men, which is full of tension and everything that was horrible about the 1950s and is incredibly HOT at the same time. (Note: I do not have the hots for any of the characters, apart from a healthy appreciation for the spectacular Christina Hendricks. But the stylish atmosphere of the show gets my graphic designer side all in a sweat.)
Online: I've joined this nifty photo site called Momentile, which is intended as a daily photo journal. Just a snapshot of some telling moment of your day, rather than a place for showcasing beautiful photography. (To the point where it's especially geared for camera phones, although it has a regular upload tool too for those of us who can't quite bring ourselves to use camera phones.) It's a little bit like the photo equivalent of twitter, except you can only submit one momentile per day. So far I've failed to update mine every day, but still it's been lots of fun. Here's my momentile stuff.
Making: Projects galore! I have completed the knitting on the Hemlock Ring blanket I'm giving to my parents for Christmas, and now just need to weave in the ends and figure out how to block the sucker without putting the bed out of commission for 2 days. Now making a crocheted hat for my mom (per her request); it's in luminous cranberry red Manos del Uruguay yarn (I keep having to remember that yarn is not actually edible), edged with some soft rose pink Debbie Bliss silk alpaca. Hopefully I'll finish it quickly in order to have a crack at some quick things for Tim's mom and sister. Meanwhile, have been cranking away on the scarf that Tim began for himself last year; it's in chunky Misti Alpaca and is just heavenly to touch. ("That scarf you were going to make for yourself? I'll knit it for you as an Xmas present! Now hand over that delicious yarn!") Have also completed the knitting on my pretty Anais sweater-tee and now have been procrastinating sewing up the sides. Maybe tonight I'll have a crack at that, because I've been itching to wear it.
Drinking: Killer caffè lattes at Café Pick Me Up, on Avenue A and 9th St. How is it I've never stopped in this place before? It's so cozy, with nifty old schoolhouse tables and a quiet side room. But the lattes, man, the lattes! THIS is how I like my latte: dense, dark and rich, made with quality espresso and just a hint of foam. Glorious! Most American lattes taste like wet brown paper bag. This stuff tastes like... coffee. Imagine that! It's probably good I'm not in the East Village every day or my caffeine habit would be back with a vengeance.
Eating: Eventually there shall be stew. Oh yes.
Married: Three whole months! Still smiling a goony smile. Also, there are more official pictures!