Weekend Snapshots

"Art Around the Park" exhibit in Tompkins Square Park

NYC <3, Band Perry at Today Show Summer Concert Series, Pink lipstick #MOJO at Freeman's, images from LES and Village exploration

Sunday at DayLife in the LES, Mexicue, Sons of Essex, listening to the tunes of 8 year old prodigy DJ Kai

And These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

Happy Friday!  In honor of this beautiful day here in NYC and being that the weekend is upon us, I thought I'd share my top ten things that make me smile and lift my spirits. Not in any particular order...

1. Soul Cycle.  I know people say that it's a cult and if so, hand me the cool aid.  The reason why I love working out so much is because its an opportunity to take time for yourself, listen to music, and let everything go.  Soul Cycle takes all of these to the extreme.  There's nothing like it.  For 45 minutes you put the pedal to the medal and rock out.  Soul Obsessed is right.

2. Coffee Bean Chai Tea Latte. Over the last year I've gotten really into chai tea.  Most recently I tried it from Coffee Bean's new location on the UWS and it definitely makes me smile.  Whether in winter or summer, hand me a steaming cup of this sweet treat. 

3. Breaking Bad (and by extension Aaron Paul). Thank goodness for Shay for introducing me to this show.  There is no better show on the planet.  Aaron Paul is pretty nice to look at as well.

4. Running on the West Side highway. I usually only get to the make the trek once every other week or so but when I do, its worth every step.  The views by the water and landscapes along the path are beautiful, and nothing makes me love NYC more than when I get a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty from Battery Park.

5. Reading in Union Square.  It's no secret that I love me a good book and become easily engrossed.  Union Square during the spring/summer has a wonderful ambiance, and, more importantly, phenomenal people watching.  The West side highway is also a good second option.

6. Live Music.  Whether it's jumping around to the tunes of Avicii on NYE or having a glass of wine while listening to the lesser known talents of Mikey Wax with Jess,  no matter the show, I'm ready and willing to hit up a concert with friends.  It's likely that I will be obsessing for weeks. Or at least until the next concert.

7. St. Simons and Spanish Moss.  Pretty much just being in St. Simons, Georgia, where my parents have a house, means that I'm already in my happy place. Driving down Fredrica Rd. and being surrounded by all the gorgeous spanish moss really brings it home.

8. Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding. This. is. the. best. dessert. ever.  Since there is a location in Grand Central across from my office, we have it at nearly every work function.  It also comes in a dangerous individual size.  A perfect combination of my favorites, bananas and vanilla wafers.

 9. Grey Dog Cafe.  In a city with so many restaurants, I don't often like going to the same place.  Grey Dog's is probably one of my very few exceptions. With four locations around NYC, you can often find a line out the door on Saturdays and Sundays.  Trust me, it's worth the wait.  The menu is vast, the coffee is delicious and the atmosphere yields an uncanny relaxation and homey feel that can't often be found in such a busy city.

10. Lululemon.  It may sound weird that a clothing company could be one of my favorite things but their innovative ideas have no bounds.  Their clothes are all expertly designed, flattering,  and comfortable.  Their stores offer free yoga classes and massages.  Their blog offers limitless advice on running, meditation, and self help.  I love Lululemon's emphasis on the importance of positive thinking by exercise.

It's quite often that on a Saturday afternoon you can find me leaving the Lululemon store after my Soul Cycle class, having worked off last night's Magnolia banana pudding, walking to Grey Dog's with chai tea in hand. Hope your weekend is filled with all of your favorite things!

Grand No More

On Monday my one month service on Grand Jury for the great city of New York came to an end.  All in all, I had bitter sweet sentiments as I was leaving.  I'm happy I don't have to shuffle back and forth from Lower Manhattan to Midtown, then working overtime to catch up on what I missed, but the experience is one that I'm glad I had. I'm not good with change or leaving people, so when my co-worker jokingly asked me if I cried when I said good-bye to the other jurors he wasn't so far off.  I seriously felt pangs of sadness and tears scratching the surface.  When you spend three hours of your day for twenty days on end, learning about one another's day jobs and families on our down time, arguing over various views and interpretations of the presented stories, listening to disturbing cases, and watching crying witnesses, you are bound to become somewhat attached to those you share the experience with.  With that here is my list of things I will miss, and things I will most certainly not:

Things I'll miss as much as I miss laying out in Sheep's Meadow with Pinkberry in hand:

• The entertainment of inexperienced DA's.
• Mike's morning greeting and more importantly call for 11am break time.
• The 18 year old next to me who was paid $40 a day to catch up on sleep.
• Our amazing foreperson who reminds me of my Grandma, who I love.
• The restaurateur yelling at his employees. 
• Playing the "that witness/DA/juror looks like..." game.  We had Dilbert, Alan Ruck, Valerie from the Princess Bride, etc.
• My new friend and fellow Hoosier.
• Seeing all the couples going to City Hall to get hitched.

Things I'll miss as much as trekking through two feet of slush:

• The stupidity of inexperienced DA's
• Jurors 1, 4, 7, and 17. I had about enough of all three of your stupid questions.
• Listening to heartbreaking stories from victims. 
• Duane Reade cases, note to all - don't try and pull a fast one on them, they will prosecute you.
• Listening to thirty minutes of the dictation of stolen check numbers and amounts. 
• Listening to two hours of seventy charges of shoplifting. 
• Going through security every morning - Yes people, change in your pockets will ALWAYS set off the metal detectors.

Without going into any detail, we heard offenses ranging from metro card tampering, robbery, assault, drug possession and sales, child pornography, and murder.  You name it - we ruled on it.  I learned so much over the past month and I wouldn't take it back for one second.  Though I've become a more cautious and weary about what lurks behind every corner, I feel a little bit more connected to NYC.  Now my duty is done.  See you in eight years!

Commuter Community

When you take the same route to work for 260 days in a row, you are bound to pass the same people. Every morning I pass by five or six of the same commuters. Over the last year, I've created stories in my head about each one of them.  Let me introduce you to some of them...

The morning always starts out with Holly from the 6th floor who I ride down with in the elevator. She typically stares straight ahead and rarely talks to me, but I guess she is somewhat paying attention as I often wear my "commuter chic" running shoes to work and one day I came home from work to find a note under my door with a request to join her 36 hour relay run team, needless to say I opted out of that one.  Next is the old man on 23rd st walking (or should I say wheeling) his dog without two hind legs.  This image breaks my heart a little when I see the pup, but he is always so smiley and cute that I know he is doing just fine! 

As I continue up, I pass a guy who has gradually put on about 50 lbs since I first spotted him many many months ago.  He's always on his blackberry and in a hurry so I'm convinced that work has been a major factor in the stress weight.  Next, which is my favorite commuter, is Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome.  He's so cute and I've always wanted to say hi to him or drop my purse in front of him only to have him help me pick it up, but of course, I chicken out.  Usually following close behind Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome, is who I refer to in my head as "Tanya" because she is a doppleganger for my old bosses sister.  I crack up every time I see her, because I'm reminded of Tanya, who is hilarious.  Typically around the same time, I pass the homeless man in front of the 38th St. D'Agastino's.  He is always jamming to Billy Joel or Tom Petty, my kind of guy. 

Lastly is my second favorite commuter, a young Asian woman who went from not pregnant to VERY pregnant.  I would have to guess that she is ready to pop, and every morning I can't wait to see if I will pass her because not passing her could mean that she had her baby! I also keep a close eye on her as she is my gauge as to whether or not I'm really early or need to speed up my pace to work.   When I pass her all the way down in the early-30s then I know I need to start booking it. 

I love passing the same people every day, even though we may not know each other.  I can't help but wonder if they notice me as well as they go along with their daily commutes.  What about you, do you have a Commuter Community?