Guevara's look-a-likes:
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Park Slope and a Theremin
Friday I had a great day at work, and am really happy at the new job. My Art Director took me out to lunch, and we had sushi and chatted a lot.
After work, I headed home and talked to Guevara a bit. "Lucy, you've got some 'splainin to do!"
Natalie and I made plans with Rick the night before when we were waiting for Julie and made plans to meet up. Rick had taken Turner and I to a place called Union Bar (Union and 5th Ave in Park Slope) and we liked it a lot, and now Natalie wanted to see the area, so I thought of that place. It's a really cool bar with a wall of books to the left when you first walk in. It feels like a study in a mansion. The lighting is nice, and they have a bocce ball court upstairs, a little side garden upstairs, and a room downstairs with live music (and a cover). Not to mention the huge unisex bathrooms, where "think airplane" is posted on the door.
Natalie met me at my house, and after I finished getting ready, we caught the F to Brooklyn and got off the 4th Ave stop, then walked East and North. Rick met us while we were walking, and we got there around 9pm. We thought we'd sign up for bocce ball later, but it ended up being too late by the time we thought of it again. The bar filled up quickly around 10:30. We had a couple drinks and talked at the bar. Natalie was hungry, so we took a break and headed to a Mexican restaurant, where we split some quesadillas between the three of us, ate some chips, and headed back.
Rick's friend showed up after we got back, and was telling us about the Idiotarod race from Brooklyn to Manhattan in October. You have four people to a team and a shopping cart. All four people must be connected to the shopping cart at all times, and your team has to have a theme, which means dressing up and building your cart up appropriately. You can even sabotage other teams. Prizes are given out to 4th, 5th, 6th, and last places. I thought it sounded like so much fun, and hope that we can participate!
I was exhausted after a long week, so was glad to get home at a decent hour. I didn't go straight to bed, though.
When I walked in, there was a weird high pitched sound coming from Guevara's room. I walked in, and discovered that he had fixed the Theremin that he built. It's a musical instrument of sorts, and has two metal pieces protruding from either side - one that controls pitch, and one that controls volume - all by moving your hands closer or farther from the poles. It reacts to electromagnetic energy and comes out in sound waves, and was originally designed by a guy named Theremin while trying to create a mind-control device for the KGB. It didn't work, but instead, he got an instrument that made all the "spooky" sounds in movies many years ago. Very cool to actually play with one, especially considering I'd learned about them in New Media Art class, and they're so rare.
I eventually hit the hay, then slept in, which was divine.
After work, I headed home and talked to Guevara a bit. "Lucy, you've got some 'splainin to do!"
Natalie and I made plans with Rick the night before when we were waiting for Julie and made plans to meet up. Rick had taken Turner and I to a place called Union Bar (Union and 5th Ave in Park Slope) and we liked it a lot, and now Natalie wanted to see the area, so I thought of that place. It's a really cool bar with a wall of books to the left when you first walk in. It feels like a study in a mansion. The lighting is nice, and they have a bocce ball court upstairs, a little side garden upstairs, and a room downstairs with live music (and a cover). Not to mention the huge unisex bathrooms, where "think airplane" is posted on the door.
Natalie met me at my house, and after I finished getting ready, we caught the F to Brooklyn and got off the 4th Ave stop, then walked East and North. Rick met us while we were walking, and we got there around 9pm. We thought we'd sign up for bocce ball later, but it ended up being too late by the time we thought of it again. The bar filled up quickly around 10:30. We had a couple drinks and talked at the bar. Natalie was hungry, so we took a break and headed to a Mexican restaurant, where we split some quesadillas between the three of us, ate some chips, and headed back.
Rick's friend showed up after we got back, and was telling us about the Idiotarod race from Brooklyn to Manhattan in October. You have four people to a team and a shopping cart. All four people must be connected to the shopping cart at all times, and your team has to have a theme, which means dressing up and building your cart up appropriately. You can even sabotage other teams. Prizes are given out to 4th, 5th, 6th, and last places. I thought it sounded like so much fun, and hope that we can participate!
I was exhausted after a long week, so was glad to get home at a decent hour. I didn't go straight to bed, though.
When I walked in, there was a weird high pitched sound coming from Guevara's room. I walked in, and discovered that he had fixed the Theremin that he built. It's a musical instrument of sorts, and has two metal pieces protruding from either side - one that controls pitch, and one that controls volume - all by moving your hands closer or farther from the poles. It reacts to electromagnetic energy and comes out in sound waves, and was originally designed by a guy named Theremin while trying to create a mind-control device for the KGB. It didn't work, but instead, he got an instrument that made all the "spooky" sounds in movies many years ago. Very cool to actually play with one, especially considering I'd learned about them in New Media Art class, and they're so rare.
I eventually hit the hay, then slept in, which was divine.
AD Club Social, Beer Garden
On Wednesday night, I got a call from a friend from high school (really from 3rd grade). He's in the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and was spending a few days in NYC, touring with the band. He came and met me at my office, and we got lunch around the corner at the Crooked Knife (30th and Madison). This is the same restaurant my Art Director took me to on my second day, and also where I met up with the SCAD professors and students on the off campus trip a month and a half ago). We had a nice lunch, then planned to meet up later that night, since the band was playing in Astoria.
Natalie and I already had planned to get together on Thursday night, so we tried to incorporate both of our ideas for the night (we emailed each other with plans the night before at the exact same time...weird!). So, Natalie met me at 6:30 after work, and she, my coworker, Ashley, and I all went around the corner to Red Sky (29th, btwn Park and Madison). It was for a Young Art Directors Club social, and they had some drink specials and free food, but we definitely didn't feel like fighting for it. We hung out, and also met up with my friend Zeid (also from SCAD). We all chatted and had a few drinks on the rooftop bar, then left a little before 8.
Natalie and I hopped on the 6 uptown to meet Julie, then the three of us caught the N to Ditmars Ave in Astoria (the last stop on that line). We walked about a mile to the park, and unfortunately, got there just as the band was packing up. Darn it! I wanted to hear at least one song, but maybe next time...
Greg and his friend Michael met up with Natalie, Julie, and I after they were done, and we all walked to the Beer Garden in Astoria. There's a giant wall around it, and a lot of picnic tables, live music, and they sell a lot of meat in there, but Natalie and I opted for portabello burgers. We headed out around 11, and made the long trek back to Manhattan from Queens.
Natalie and I already had planned to get together on Thursday night, so we tried to incorporate both of our ideas for the night (we emailed each other with plans the night before at the exact same time...weird!). So, Natalie met me at 6:30 after work, and she, my coworker, Ashley, and I all went around the corner to Red Sky (29th, btwn Park and Madison). It was for a Young Art Directors Club social, and they had some drink specials and free food, but we definitely didn't feel like fighting for it. We hung out, and also met up with my friend Zeid (also from SCAD). We all chatted and had a few drinks on the rooftop bar, then left a little before 8.
Natalie and I hopped on the 6 uptown to meet Julie, then the three of us caught the N to Ditmars Ave in Astoria (the last stop on that line). We walked about a mile to the park, and unfortunately, got there just as the band was packing up. Darn it! I wanted to hear at least one song, but maybe next time...
Greg and his friend Michael met up with Natalie, Julie, and I after they were done, and we all walked to the Beer Garden in Astoria. There's a giant wall around it, and a lot of picnic tables, live music, and they sell a lot of meat in there, but Natalie and I opted for portabello burgers. We headed out around 11, and made the long trek back to Manhattan from Queens.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Sunday Fun Day!
Liz and I woke up, got ready, and headed out for a bit before she had to go meet her fam for the drive home. I dropped off my laundry on the way to South Street SeaPort, and a short walk later, we were there. We went up on the balcony of the pier, facing the East River. It was afternoon, so we decided to get daiquiris and stood on the pier, looking at the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, and chatting. We would've liked to have sat in one of the lounge chairs, but they are apparently very prime real estate.
After we finished, we walked back to my house and I picked up my laundry on the way. It was ready in an hour and a half, and was only $10 for 17 lbs. Not too bad, considering my total effort involved. I also wanted to show Liz the Chinese grocery stores and fish markets before she left, and all of the fresh (still kicking and flopping) seafood had us both in a bit of shock and awe. There are of course crabs, lobsters, fish, but there are also turtles, frogs, and eels. Anything remotely edible (and I use that term very loosely) can be found in Chinatown. If you like freeze-dried squid and salted freeze-dried olives, you're also in luck. You want some Lays? Not so much.
We caught the train up to Times Square, her suitcase in tow, and met her mom at the parking garage on 9th ave and 42nd St, right by the Lincoln Tunnel. On the way there, I got a text from Maggie, who I met my second night in town at Guevara's friend's party, and she was going to a concert that I was considering going to alone. I met up with her in Brooklyn at McCarren Park (where the rained out show last week was). Again, the free concert had a HUGE line, this time doubling up the length of the block. We got in line, and met up with Maggie's boyfriend, Paul, and his friends Wes and Chris. There was a guy who worked there who came around with a bullhorn, telling everyone that they were only letting one in, one out at that point. We still had a way to go in the line, but so many people were discouraged from his proclamation that we actually got in to see the last five songs by Blonde Redhead. The lead singer is so cute, and used a stuffed horse as a keyboard stool. It was really a great show.
After the show, we all grabbed margaritas in styrofoam cups from the Turkey's Nest, and took them to the park. Paul tried flying a kite, but there was barely any wind, so we watched the adult kickball league games instead. There, we met a couple other of the guys' friends, one named Sholmyk (more about him later). The highlight was probably the guy selling empanadas out of a cooler for $1 each, especially since it was now 8pm and I had only eaten a banana and cereal all day.
A little after 8, I said goodbye, and Maggie walked me up to the subway station. I caught the L back to Manhattan, then the 2 up to Lincoln Center. There, I met Natalie and Julie for a free outdoor concert of the Dave Brubeck Quartet. I only caught the last few songs, but that included their most famous song, Take Five. They're pretty old at this point, so it was nice to be able to see "living legends" live in concert.
After the concert, we headed across the street to Natalie's favorite restaurant, Rosa Mexicano's. It has an amazing interior, with a big blue glass tile wall and 150 little diver sculptures, all covered in a thin stream of water. Upstairs, the top of the wall is exposed behind the staircase, and the rest of the interior is very warm and inviting. The chairs are made of woven red and orange seatbelt material. It was great, not to mention the amazing guacamole, made table-side ($14 serves 2), the crab empanadas that Natalie and I split, or the pomegranate margaritas.
We parted ways, and I headed home on the subway. I was nowhere near home yet, but while changing trains underground, I passed Shlomyk in the tunnel. We both thought it was so weird that we had just met a couple hours earlier in Brooklyn, and we're now seeing each other in Manhattan, so I got his email address and told him he'd be invited to my house warming party the last weekend of August.
After we finished, we walked back to my house and I picked up my laundry on the way. It was ready in an hour and a half, and was only $10 for 17 lbs. Not too bad, considering my total effort involved. I also wanted to show Liz the Chinese grocery stores and fish markets before she left, and all of the fresh (still kicking and flopping) seafood had us both in a bit of shock and awe. There are of course crabs, lobsters, fish, but there are also turtles, frogs, and eels. Anything remotely edible (and I use that term very loosely) can be found in Chinatown. If you like freeze-dried squid and salted freeze-dried olives, you're also in luck. You want some Lays? Not so much.
We caught the train up to Times Square, her suitcase in tow, and met her mom at the parking garage on 9th ave and 42nd St, right by the Lincoln Tunnel. On the way there, I got a text from Maggie, who I met my second night in town at Guevara's friend's party, and she was going to a concert that I was considering going to alone. I met up with her in Brooklyn at McCarren Park (where the rained out show last week was). Again, the free concert had a HUGE line, this time doubling up the length of the block. We got in line, and met up with Maggie's boyfriend, Paul, and his friends Wes and Chris. There was a guy who worked there who came around with a bullhorn, telling everyone that they were only letting one in, one out at that point. We still had a way to go in the line, but so many people were discouraged from his proclamation that we actually got in to see the last five songs by Blonde Redhead. The lead singer is so cute, and used a stuffed horse as a keyboard stool. It was really a great show.
After the show, we all grabbed margaritas in styrofoam cups from the Turkey's Nest, and took them to the park. Paul tried flying a kite, but there was barely any wind, so we watched the adult kickball league games instead. There, we met a couple other of the guys' friends, one named Sholmyk (more about him later). The highlight was probably the guy selling empanadas out of a cooler for $1 each, especially since it was now 8pm and I had only eaten a banana and cereal all day.
A little after 8, I said goodbye, and Maggie walked me up to the subway station. I caught the L back to Manhattan, then the 2 up to Lincoln Center. There, I met Natalie and Julie for a free outdoor concert of the Dave Brubeck Quartet. I only caught the last few songs, but that included their most famous song, Take Five. They're pretty old at this point, so it was nice to be able to see "living legends" live in concert.
After the concert, we headed across the street to Natalie's favorite restaurant, Rosa Mexicano's. It has an amazing interior, with a big blue glass tile wall and 150 little diver sculptures, all covered in a thin stream of water. Upstairs, the top of the wall is exposed behind the staircase, and the rest of the interior is very warm and inviting. The chairs are made of woven red and orange seatbelt material. It was great, not to mention the amazing guacamole, made table-side ($14 serves 2), the crab empanadas that Natalie and I split, or the pomegranate margaritas.
We parted ways, and I headed home on the subway. I was nowhere near home yet, but while changing trains underground, I passed Shlomyk in the tunnel. We both thought it was so weird that we had just met a couple hours earlier in Brooklyn, and we're now seeing each other in Manhattan, so I got his email address and told him he'd be invited to my house warming party the last weekend of August.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
A Neighbor!
Saturday, Liz got up early and headed out for more fabric samples and to meet up with her brother, his girlfriend, and her mom. She was out for most of the day, and I ended up sleeping in, then taking care of a few things in the apartment.
Around 9:30pm, my friend Erik, another SCAD friend (graphic design), called to see what I was up to. I was unpacking my kitchen at the time, but decided to hop in the shower, and after Liz got home, we headed out. We met up with him at Motor City bar (Ludlow, near Delancy St.). Erik brought his roommate's coworker, Jennifer, who works for a handbag company. She, Liz, and I started chatting, and it turns out that not only does she live in the same neighborhood as me, but on the same street- only 2 blocks away! What a small world. There are a lot of Asians in my neighborhood, so it's kind of nice to meet someone who speaks English and is a neighbor. She and I exchanged numbers and plan to attend each other's get-togethers when we throw them.
We all moved on to the infamous Bar 169, and after dancing to a bunch of old school hip hop, Liz and I said goodbye and headed home.
Around 9:30pm, my friend Erik, another SCAD friend (graphic design), called to see what I was up to. I was unpacking my kitchen at the time, but decided to hop in the shower, and after Liz got home, we headed out. We met up with him at Motor City bar (Ludlow, near Delancy St.). Erik brought his roommate's coworker, Jennifer, who works for a handbag company. She, Liz, and I started chatting, and it turns out that not only does she live in the same neighborhood as me, but on the same street- only 2 blocks away! What a small world. There are a lot of Asians in my neighborhood, so it's kind of nice to meet someone who speaks English and is a neighbor. She and I exchanged numbers and plan to attend each other's get-togethers when we throw them.
We all moved on to the infamous Bar 169, and after dancing to a bunch of old school hip hop, Liz and I said goodbye and headed home.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Three Free Bands
On Friday, Liz came and met me for lunch. She was already in mid-town, after having breakfast with Guevara, and then looking for fabric and ribbon shops for her senior show samples. We walked quite a ways away, since there aren't many restaurants for lunch in midtown. We eventually ended up at Big Bowl Noodle, on like 36th and Park? It was basically a Chinese lunch place, and I had cashew chicken. Liz had the lo mein.
Liz walked me back to the office, but I ended up getting out of work early since my Art Director was out for a vacation day, and I was done with the work. I left around 3pm, and headed back to the subway. I took a nap once I got home, and woke up a little after 7 when Julie called me. I hopped up, got ready, and Liz and I headed out to meet Julie in Union Square.
One we met up, we hopped on the L train to Brooklyn. We got off at the first Brooklyn stop, at Bedford Avenue, and walked quite a ways with a Polish kid, an Austrian guy, and a girl to Studio B (Banker St.). We were not so happy to find the loonnnng line, wrapped completely around the back of the block, but it moved pretty quickly. The concert was free, and we were just happy to get to see Dirty on Purpose, Shout out out out out, and CSS.
When we first got in, a guy at the bar "dared" me to drink a Colt 45, and I "dared" him back, then he bought one for each of us. His name was Will, and we ended up running into him later in the crowd, where everyone was dancing. It was really crowded and hot, and we got out of the concert the moment it ended, where we ran into Will again outside, along with his friend, Aurora. We went with them to a bar called Enid's (Driggs St.) for a drink, then Julie, Liz, and I headed home.
Liz walked me back to the office, but I ended up getting out of work early since my Art Director was out for a vacation day, and I was done with the work. I left around 3pm, and headed back to the subway. I took a nap once I got home, and woke up a little after 7 when Julie called me. I hopped up, got ready, and Liz and I headed out to meet Julie in Union Square.
One we met up, we hopped on the L train to Brooklyn. We got off at the first Brooklyn stop, at Bedford Avenue, and walked quite a ways with a Polish kid, an Austrian guy, and a girl to Studio B (Banker St.). We were not so happy to find the loonnnng line, wrapped completely around the back of the block, but it moved pretty quickly. The concert was free, and we were just happy to get to see Dirty on Purpose, Shout out out out out, and CSS.
When we first got in, a guy at the bar "dared" me to drink a Colt 45, and I "dared" him back, then he bought one for each of us. His name was Will, and we ended up running into him later in the crowd, where everyone was dancing. It was really crowded and hot, and we got out of the concert the moment it ended, where we ran into Will again outside, along with his friend, Aurora. We went with them to a bar called Enid's (Driggs St.) for a drink, then Julie, Liz, and I headed home.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Happy Hour with the New Coworkers
On Wednesday (my second day of work), a group of about 25 people from my company met up at the Galway Hooker pub, which was a 5-10 minute walk from the office. I walked there with my Art Director, Roy, and my contact/biggest cheerleader there, Grant. Grant bought me a drink, and we all hung out in a small room to the side that they had reserved. I met some new people, and although they definitely already had their own groups of friends, quite a few of them made the effort to come and talk to the "new girl." One girl that I talked to most was named Megan, so that will be easy to remember. I stayed until around 8, then headed home.
On Thursday, I got a text from my friend, Liz, who was also from SCAD (fashion major, and we worked in tours together). She and I had spoke a week or so prior, and she said she was coming to the city, and wanted to stay with me. She text me in the morning and said she'd be in around 1pm. I wouldn't be home, but arranged for Guevara to let her in, and she entertained herself for most of the day.
After work, I had plans with Lila for dinner. We met up in the East Village, at Una Pizza Napoletana (12th St btwn 1st & 2nd Ave). It's an old-school pizzaria, and they even have the wood-fired oven, and buffalo mozzarella, shipped in from Italy. We tried both the margherita and bianca pizzas, and they were both delicious. We also each had a glass of sparkling red wine. It was a bit pricey ($65 total), but worth it for an occasional treat.
After dinner, Lila wanted to see my apartment, so she and I took the train home. While walking home, we ran into Liz, who must have been on the same train. We all hung out in my apartment for a little bit, then Liz and I walked Lila back to the train station so she could head home (she has quite a commute).
Liz and I decided to grab a drink at one of the two local bars, Bar 169. They wanted to charge us an $8 cover to see the band, but I said that I lived around the corner, and the doorman waived it. Thank goodness he did, because the "band" was so bad, you couldn't have paid me to stay any longer than we did. Kelly Jo and the PREverts plain old suck. Por ejemple: "Speaking of hair ties, I've started a collection. There are so many in the city, you just find them everywhere. Girls, remember, if you don't belong, take your belongings! Speaking of cupid..." Whew. It was nothing shy of torture.
We headed back home, and Guevara convinced me to take Liz out to Good World, which is our other local bar. It has a much cooler scene, and the three of us (and his blind, deaf, arthritic Chihuahua, Henri), enjoyed a couple drinks and conversation there before we wrapped the night up.
On Thursday, I got a text from my friend, Liz, who was also from SCAD (fashion major, and we worked in tours together). She and I had spoke a week or so prior, and she said she was coming to the city, and wanted to stay with me. She text me in the morning and said she'd be in around 1pm. I wouldn't be home, but arranged for Guevara to let her in, and she entertained herself for most of the day.
After work, I had plans with Lila for dinner. We met up in the East Village, at Una Pizza Napoletana (12th St btwn 1st & 2nd Ave). It's an old-school pizzaria, and they even have the wood-fired oven, and buffalo mozzarella, shipped in from Italy. We tried both the margherita and bianca pizzas, and they were both delicious. We also each had a glass of sparkling red wine. It was a bit pricey ($65 total), but worth it for an occasional treat.
After dinner, Lila wanted to see my apartment, so she and I took the train home. While walking home, we ran into Liz, who must have been on the same train. We all hung out in my apartment for a little bit, then Liz and I walked Lila back to the train station so she could head home (she has quite a commute).
Liz and I decided to grab a drink at one of the two local bars, Bar 169. They wanted to charge us an $8 cover to see the band, but I said that I lived around the corner, and the doorman waived it. Thank goodness he did, because the "band" was so bad, you couldn't have paid me to stay any longer than we did. Kelly Jo and the PREverts plain old suck. Por ejemple: "Speaking of hair ties, I've started a collection. There are so many in the city, you just find them everywhere. Girls, remember, if you don't belong, take your belongings! Speaking of cupid..." Whew. It was nothing shy of torture.
We headed back home, and Guevara convinced me to take Liz out to Good World, which is our other local bar. It has a much cooler scene, and the three of us (and his blind, deaf, arthritic Chihuahua, Henri), enjoyed a couple drinks and conversation there before we wrapped the night up.
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