Ha! No such animal. Or should I say, “No such thing”?
I’ve never seen a cat shed more than my Martin. It doesn't matter how much I brush him. And the thing is, he sleeps in my bed. So my pillow case and sheets quickly become covered with cat hair not long after washing them. After so many days, the cat hairs on my pillow case begin to tickle my nose, and it’s time to either flip the pillow or swap out the pillow case.
Seeing as how washing the sheets is an expensive thing to do in NYC, I thought it best to keep a couple spare pillow cases hidden so that I can occasionally swap mine out with one of the clean ones, thereby washing the sheets less often.
Yesterday I made the mistake of leaving the drawer of my night stand open just a moment too long. Before I could close it, Martin was in it, making a little nest for himself.
Guess where I store one of the spare pillow cases?
Sigh. Time to do laundry.
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Sunday, December 19, 2004
42nd Street
Yesterday was a perfectly clear winter day—just right for exploring the city. I began on foot on 42nd Street on the West side and followed that road all the way to the UN building on the East River. I came across the 42nd Street Flea Market and got a good deal on two winter hats with “No tax! No tax!” Come to think of it, I’ve never actually purchased a winter cap in my life. But here in NY it is a necessary commodity. I immediately donned my five-dollar white knit cap. Now I looked like a true New Yorker, and my ears thanked me.
I ventured to Bryant Park, which was a spot on my to-do list. Lo and behold, there was a huge Christmas bazaar going on in the park - lots of craft booths and Christmas lights and people doing their last-minute shopping. I have such luck! After a while, it seemed a bit too crowded, so I bought a hot apple cider and proceeded up 42nd past the New York Public Library. The views of the Chrysler Building are pretty good from that standpoint. I think just about everyone else on 42nd Street took the same photo that I did yesterday!
After walking down to the UN grounds and back through a neat residential area built in the 1920's called Tudor City, I headed to the subway station at the library so I could head to Brooklyn—to the JC Penney store closest to Manhattan. They had a bracelet on sale for over 60% off that I wanted to look at. It would only be on sale from 6pm to midnight yesterday, so I timed my trip to get there about 45 minutes before the sale started.
It had been a while since I had a subway fiasco. I guess I was due. I wound my way through the long tunnels to the D train and got on. It was 4:30 pm. The train didn’t move for several minutes. Finally the conductor announced that there was a stalled train ahead and that we’d be moving “momentarily.” (Why does this happen every time I intentionally get on a train to Brooklyn? Whenever I accidentally get on a train going to Brooklyn, it runs right on schedule.)
Twenty minutes later they announced that there was no telling how long the delay would continue. I waited a few more minutes before crossing the platform to the crowded F train, like everyone else on the D. I knew the F went to Brooklyn, but not sure where in Brooklyn. So while crammed between people standing just inside the door, I studied my laminated map (I don’t leave home without it). At first I thought it looked do-able, so I stayed on. Finally I decided that the transfer would be too complicated, so I jumped off before the doors shut.
I went up and over to the other side of the track to get on the uptown D train. While there, I noticed the previously stalled D train pulling out. Drat! I’d just missed it. I went back to the other side and got on the downtown D. We left a couple minutes later but the train was traveling pretty slowly. At the first stop I debated whether to stay on or get off. I decided to give this train one more chance. But the train kept crawling to a complete stop between stations. Who knows how long it would take to get to my destination. Finally, at 4th Street I got out and decided that JC Penney wasn’t meant to be.
This was where the real fiasco began. I was in a strange subway station. There were signs for the C train, but I never found a C platform. Signs didn’t seem to lead where you’d expect them to. I had to exit the subway system to talk to the man in the booth. He said “Take the L to 8th” or something like that and told me which stairs to go down to get to the L platform. I went there and couldn’t find any train heading uptown. So I started navigating the tunnel maze in search of any uptown train—a 1/9, an A/C, a D—anything. After running around in circles I finally found a 2/3 express and got on. Whew. An hour had passed since I’d first gotten on the D to Brooklyn. It was great to get home and have dinner.
I don’t think of it as a waste of an hour. I look at it this way: that hour saved me 149 dollars that I would’ve spent on a bracelet. :)
I ventured to Bryant Park, which was a spot on my to-do list. Lo and behold, there was a huge Christmas bazaar going on in the park - lots of craft booths and Christmas lights and people doing their last-minute shopping. I have such luck! After a while, it seemed a bit too crowded, so I bought a hot apple cider and proceeded up 42nd past the New York Public Library. The views of the Chrysler Building are pretty good from that standpoint. I think just about everyone else on 42nd Street took the same photo that I did yesterday!
After walking down to the UN grounds and back through a neat residential area built in the 1920's called Tudor City, I headed to the subway station at the library so I could head to Brooklyn—to the JC Penney store closest to Manhattan. They had a bracelet on sale for over 60% off that I wanted to look at. It would only be on sale from 6pm to midnight yesterday, so I timed my trip to get there about 45 minutes before the sale started.
It had been a while since I had a subway fiasco. I guess I was due. I wound my way through the long tunnels to the D train and got on. It was 4:30 pm. The train didn’t move for several minutes. Finally the conductor announced that there was a stalled train ahead and that we’d be moving “momentarily.” (Why does this happen every time I intentionally get on a train to Brooklyn? Whenever I accidentally get on a train going to Brooklyn, it runs right on schedule.)
Twenty minutes later they announced that there was no telling how long the delay would continue. I waited a few more minutes before crossing the platform to the crowded F train, like everyone else on the D. I knew the F went to Brooklyn, but not sure where in Brooklyn. So while crammed between people standing just inside the door, I studied my laminated map (I don’t leave home without it). At first I thought it looked do-able, so I stayed on. Finally I decided that the transfer would be too complicated, so I jumped off before the doors shut.
I went up and over to the other side of the track to get on the uptown D train. While there, I noticed the previously stalled D train pulling out. Drat! I’d just missed it. I went back to the other side and got on the downtown D. We left a couple minutes later but the train was traveling pretty slowly. At the first stop I debated whether to stay on or get off. I decided to give this train one more chance. But the train kept crawling to a complete stop between stations. Who knows how long it would take to get to my destination. Finally, at 4th Street I got out and decided that JC Penney wasn’t meant to be.
This was where the real fiasco began. I was in a strange subway station. There were signs for the C train, but I never found a C platform. Signs didn’t seem to lead where you’d expect them to. I had to exit the subway system to talk to the man in the booth. He said “Take the L to 8th” or something like that and told me which stairs to go down to get to the L platform. I went there and couldn’t find any train heading uptown. So I started navigating the tunnel maze in search of any uptown train—a 1/9, an A/C, a D—anything. After running around in circles I finally found a 2/3 express and got on. Whew. An hour had passed since I’d first gotten on the D to Brooklyn. It was great to get home and have dinner.
I don’t think of it as a waste of an hour. I look at it this way: that hour saved me 149 dollars that I would’ve spent on a bracelet. :)
Friday, December 17, 2004
I'm Gershwin-Bound
I almost forgot to mention it: yesterday I found that my application was accepted at the Gershwin. I'll move over there in the third week of January. I'm anxious to get there, but as long as I can live free at the pricey Longacre, I may as well take advantage of corporate housing.
So I'll be on 9th floor, facing 50th Street (north), just a block off Broadway. The apartment is tremendous--775 square feet. And only $2,750 a month. And I mean it when I say "only."
On the other hand, that is nearly three times what my mortgage was when I had a lovely 1,455sf townhome in downtown Bellevue, WA. And it is over $1,000 more than the mortgage on my gorgeous 2,000sf lake-view home near Redmond, WA.
My, my. Things have changed!
So I'll be on 9th floor, facing 50th Street (north), just a block off Broadway. The apartment is tremendous--775 square feet. And only $2,750 a month. And I mean it when I say "only."
On the other hand, that is nearly three times what my mortgage was when I had a lovely 1,455sf townhome in downtown Bellevue, WA. And it is over $1,000 more than the mortgage on my gorgeous 2,000sf lake-view home near Redmond, WA.
My, my. Things have changed!
Heel Spur at Tiffany's
Yesterday I wasn’t feeling well enough to actually present myself in front of the customer—been fighting off a cold since last Friday—so I worked sick from home. Between the kitty mewing (Martin crying to get out of this tiny apartment), the congestion in my head, and the smallness of the space around me, I started to get anxious for a different scene. By mid-day I was begging my boss to reinstate our previously cancelled one-on-one meeting for that day. He wasn’t having anything to do with that. “Stay home and take care of yourself,” he told me. And I did. Oh, well. I was finally able to catch up on some tedious work chores I needed to complete, stir-crazy or not.
Today I felt much better so I worked at home like I usually do on Fridays, and then went out in the 45-degree sunny day to get some exercise and fresh air. I trotted over to 5th Avenue @ 52nd St. and started walking north through the throngs of tourists on the sidewalks. I wanted to see Tiffany’s. That I did. It was wall-to-wall people. I automatically envisioned Audrey Hepburn with her coffee cup and croissant, peeking in the windows early in the morning, dreaming of diamonds and gold (and a rich husband). There are no price tags on any of the items in the display cases.
The Christmas decorations on 5th Avenue are great. I saw a big tree made of ties in the Brooks Brothers store window. The Bergdorf Goodman building had a wreath on almost every window. Another building had these huge candy-canes hanging off of it. None of the stores were places where I could afford to shop—but it was still fun to browse…and without ever having to touch an elevator button. That’s what the elevator man is for.
I finally got to see the official Trump Tower. Did you know that it’s actually a shopping mall?? It was jam-packed with people. There’s a huge 2- or 3-story tall slate wall fountain and marble everywhere! The golden trim and Christmas decorations made it feel like its own Oz. I didn’t ask how much the glass-encased Ferrari fountain pen goes for. I can only imagine….
Ignoring the plantar fasciitis pain in my left foot, I walked down 57th Avenue then Broadway, stopping in at the David Letterman Show to inquire how to get tickets. I didn’t know it, but they’re free and available on www.cbs.com/lateshow. Cool. That’s on my to-do list.
Back at home, Martin was very demanding of my attention. He’s been that way the past few weeks. He wants to go OUT! I feel so sorry for him being stuck indoors for the rest of the time we live in NY. But I must keep reminding him that before he came to live with me in my various castles in Bellevue, he lived in a tiny 500sf apartment with his previous owner in Belltown (the yuppie area of downtown Seattle). Whenever I recall that detail about his past, I don’t feel as bad.
I just noticed something when looking at the Alaska Airlines receipt for Martin’s plane ticket. (This was something I’d forgotten to expense on my final relocation report to my employer, so I jumped through all appropriate hoops to get a copy of the receipt from the airlines for Microsoft.) Anyway, it wasn’t until now that I noticed the boarding classification that is printed on the ticket: EXCESS BAGGAGE. Poor Martin. I know he’s 16 pounds, but is the verbatim description really necessary?
Speaking of Martin, the kitty-drinking-out-of-my-water-cup thing never really bothered me. I got used to it. Here’s the routine: I get in bed at night with my book and my big cup of iced water. Martin jumps up on the bed, crawls right over my head, sets himself down on the nightstand, and partakes of my water—but only after making several paw-scratching motions on the table top – I suspect this is to jiggle the cup so that he can determine where the water surface is for lapping. He always does that before drinking.
It’s been like this every night for a couple years. That routine was fine. But now he’s taken it one step further. My adorable kitty is now using the cup to bathe his front paws (after drinking a substantial bit of my water). He sits there and carefully dips each paw in, and licks the water off his furry pads. That’s just a tad too unsanitary for me. I can’t help but wonder when was the last time those paws were in the litter box. At that point (after his bath), I am forced to get up out of bed, rinse out my cup, and refill it for myself.
Time to get Martin his own big cup.
Today I felt much better so I worked at home like I usually do on Fridays, and then went out in the 45-degree sunny day to get some exercise and fresh air. I trotted over to 5th Avenue @ 52nd St. and started walking north through the throngs of tourists on the sidewalks. I wanted to see Tiffany’s. That I did. It was wall-to-wall people. I automatically envisioned Audrey Hepburn with her coffee cup and croissant, peeking in the windows early in the morning, dreaming of diamonds and gold (and a rich husband). There are no price tags on any of the items in the display cases.
The Christmas decorations on 5th Avenue are great. I saw a big tree made of ties in the Brooks Brothers store window. The Bergdorf Goodman building had a wreath on almost every window. Another building had these huge candy-canes hanging off of it. None of the stores were places where I could afford to shop—but it was still fun to browse…and without ever having to touch an elevator button. That’s what the elevator man is for.
I finally got to see the official Trump Tower. Did you know that it’s actually a shopping mall?? It was jam-packed with people. There’s a huge 2- or 3-story tall slate wall fountain and marble everywhere! The golden trim and Christmas decorations made it feel like its own Oz. I didn’t ask how much the glass-encased Ferrari fountain pen goes for. I can only imagine….
Ignoring the plantar fasciitis pain in my left foot, I walked down 57th Avenue then Broadway, stopping in at the David Letterman Show to inquire how to get tickets. I didn’t know it, but they’re free and available on www.cbs.com/lateshow. Cool. That’s on my to-do list.
Back at home, Martin was very demanding of my attention. He’s been that way the past few weeks. He wants to go OUT! I feel so sorry for him being stuck indoors for the rest of the time we live in NY. But I must keep reminding him that before he came to live with me in my various castles in Bellevue, he lived in a tiny 500sf apartment with his previous owner in Belltown (the yuppie area of downtown Seattle). Whenever I recall that detail about his past, I don’t feel as bad.
I just noticed something when looking at the Alaska Airlines receipt for Martin’s plane ticket. (This was something I’d forgotten to expense on my final relocation report to my employer, so I jumped through all appropriate hoops to get a copy of the receipt from the airlines for Microsoft.) Anyway, it wasn’t until now that I noticed the boarding classification that is printed on the ticket: EXCESS BAGGAGE. Poor Martin. I know he’s 16 pounds, but is the verbatim description really necessary?
Speaking of Martin, the kitty-drinking-out-of-my-water-cup thing never really bothered me. I got used to it. Here’s the routine: I get in bed at night with my book and my big cup of iced water. Martin jumps up on the bed, crawls right over my head, sets himself down on the nightstand, and partakes of my water—but only after making several paw-scratching motions on the table top – I suspect this is to jiggle the cup so that he can determine where the water surface is for lapping. He always does that before drinking.
It’s been like this every night for a couple years. That routine was fine. But now he’s taken it one step further. My adorable kitty is now using the cup to bathe his front paws (after drinking a substantial bit of my water). He sits there and carefully dips each paw in, and licks the water off his furry pads. That’s just a tad too unsanitary for me. I can’t help but wonder when was the last time those paws were in the litter box. At that point (after his bath), I am forced to get up out of bed, rinse out my cup, and refill it for myself.
Time to get Martin his own big cup.
Saturday, December 11, 2004
The Holidays, New York Style
New York loves Christmas. I've never seen a town that loves Christmas this much. I don't think I've ever enjoyed the holiday season this much--at least not since I was a kid on Christmas Eve.
I took the subway downtown this afternoon to explore Wall Street and the South Street Seaport Historical District. The temperatures here are still in the 50's, although we should expect a turn in the weather soon. Skies were gray today but I was prepared with my John Olerud #5 cap just in case it rained. (I figured that Yankees fans would respect me in this particular Mariner's cap, seeing as how they acquired my favorite Mariner last season.)
I wasn't expecting to see more than one HUGE decorated tree amongst the towering bank buildings downtown, but I did. There were several. In fact, there were Christmas trees just about everywhere--even on boats at the seaport. It was my first time on Wall Street, (named for the wall built in 1653 to keep enemies and warring Indians out of Manhattan). I'd never seen the famous bronze Bull - the symbol of Wall Street - until today. The street was closed off to cars--I don't know if that's a daily thing or not. Lots of tourists in NYC on Saturdays.
The architecture of the buildings--old and new--is positively amazing. It's like stepping back and forward in time. You might see an 1883 brownstone sandwiched between two fancy skyscrapers ten times its height. The 17-story New York Stock Exchange is really something. It was built in 1903. Encompassing at least half a block, it actually seems small and unprotected when you consider that it is the hub of the world's financial markets. I will post a picture of it at the end of this blog entry. The front pillars of the building are all decorated in lights formed in the shape of the U.S. flag. You can't help but feel a pang of pride and empowerment when you stand in front of such a sight. It's pretty neat. Speaking of flags, I noticed that the flag next to the Bull was flying at half-mast. Is that in honor of the souls lost on 9/11?
I saw lots of world-famous buildings in the Financial District--the U.S. Custom House, Trinity Church, Federal Hall National Monument, Bank of New York, and the Trump Building with all of its gold trim. Nearly every building has a Christmas tree on display behind the glass panes of the lobby. The street lamps up and down the street are decorated with white lights in the shape of shooting stars.
From there I walked over to South Street Seaport. I'm glad my girlfriend Vonceil told me about it. It's a big tourist hit--full of shops and cafes, complete with tall ships, water taxis to Staten Island, and awesome views of the Brooklyn Bridge. I'd like to go there at night some time.I enjoyed the shops. The first one I entered had a million sea-shells in it, which reminded me of my good friend Shelley from "back home in Bellevue." She is the only person I know with a beach in her guest room. I couldn't resist getting her a couple of souvenirs there. The Christmas shop inside Pier 17--(now a huge mall)--was great! I wanted to buy one of every ornament in the store! But I only got as many as I could carry. :) I got one for myself commemorating my 2004 arrival in the Big Apple and some to take to family at Christmas.
I was there at Pier 17 for a couple hours, at least. I left and started heading toward another big lit Christmas tree in the middle of a wide cobblestone street. That turned out to be the Fulton Street Market. As I got closer to the tree, I noticed that it had some scaffolding in front of it. I finally figured out that it must be for a chorus. I thought, "That would be neat to see," and started to walk away, toward the subway to go home.
I paused to get a couple bucks out for the blind man manning the Salvation Army bucket at the base of the tree when I heard the PA system come on, announcing the Big Apple Chorus' entrance. I watched as two or three dozen men of all shapes and sizes, dressed in solid green and red (like elves!), climbed up on the platform and arranged themselves in the shape of a tree. A very real Santa Claus was entertaining kids on the ground at the front of the crowd. I took my place right in front, and others joined around me until the whole square was full of people.
Then the Chorus Tree began to sing! It was beautiful! I stood there a long time enjoying the spirited Christmas carols and the smiles of the crowd. I felt so lucky to have happened upon this treat at the most opportune time. What fun! When I finally got on the subway to go home (after taking my 97th picture of the day)--I couldn't wait to tell the old lady next to me all about the chorus. I even bought one of their CD's and have played it twice this evening.
On the subway I bought a pair of AAA batteries that I needed for a remote control at home from the "giftbelt lady," as I think of her. This was the second time I'd seen her. She has this big wide belt with all kinds of knick-knacks and items attached to it with safety pins. Everything's a dollar or two. I was reminded that I needed two batteries. A dollar for two seemed like too good a deal to pass up. Next I asked the dumbest of all questions, "Do they work?" She smiled and assured me they would.
After she walked to the next car to peddle some more, I said to the the lady next to me, "I hope they work." She replied with a grin, "Well it's not a big investment." That made me laugh. After all, what's a dollar in New York??
Happy Holidays!
I took the subway downtown this afternoon to explore Wall Street and the South Street Seaport Historical District. The temperatures here are still in the 50's, although we should expect a turn in the weather soon. Skies were gray today but I was prepared with my John Olerud #5 cap just in case it rained. (I figured that Yankees fans would respect me in this particular Mariner's cap, seeing as how they acquired my favorite Mariner last season.)
I wasn't expecting to see more than one HUGE decorated tree amongst the towering bank buildings downtown, but I did. There were several. In fact, there were Christmas trees just about everywhere--even on boats at the seaport. It was my first time on Wall Street, (named for the wall built in 1653 to keep enemies and warring Indians out of Manhattan). I'd never seen the famous bronze Bull - the symbol of Wall Street - until today. The street was closed off to cars--I don't know if that's a daily thing or not. Lots of tourists in NYC on Saturdays.
The architecture of the buildings--old and new--is positively amazing. It's like stepping back and forward in time. You might see an 1883 brownstone sandwiched between two fancy skyscrapers ten times its height. The 17-story New York Stock Exchange is really something. It was built in 1903. Encompassing at least half a block, it actually seems small and unprotected when you consider that it is the hub of the world's financial markets. I will post a picture of it at the end of this blog entry. The front pillars of the building are all decorated in lights formed in the shape of the U.S. flag. You can't help but feel a pang of pride and empowerment when you stand in front of such a sight. It's pretty neat. Speaking of flags, I noticed that the flag next to the Bull was flying at half-mast. Is that in honor of the souls lost on 9/11?
I saw lots of world-famous buildings in the Financial District--the U.S. Custom House, Trinity Church, Federal Hall National Monument, Bank of New York, and the Trump Building with all of its gold trim. Nearly every building has a Christmas tree on display behind the glass panes of the lobby. The street lamps up and down the street are decorated with white lights in the shape of shooting stars.
From there I walked over to South Street Seaport. I'm glad my girlfriend Vonceil told me about it. It's a big tourist hit--full of shops and cafes, complete with tall ships, water taxis to Staten Island, and awesome views of the Brooklyn Bridge. I'd like to go there at night some time.I enjoyed the shops. The first one I entered had a million sea-shells in it, which reminded me of my good friend Shelley from "back home in Bellevue." She is the only person I know with a beach in her guest room. I couldn't resist getting her a couple of souvenirs there. The Christmas shop inside Pier 17--(now a huge mall)--was great! I wanted to buy one of every ornament in the store! But I only got as many as I could carry. :) I got one for myself commemorating my 2004 arrival in the Big Apple and some to take to family at Christmas.
I was there at Pier 17 for a couple hours, at least. I left and started heading toward another big lit Christmas tree in the middle of a wide cobblestone street. That turned out to be the Fulton Street Market. As I got closer to the tree, I noticed that it had some scaffolding in front of it. I finally figured out that it must be for a chorus. I thought, "That would be neat to see," and started to walk away, toward the subway to go home.
I paused to get a couple bucks out for the blind man manning the Salvation Army bucket at the base of the tree when I heard the PA system come on, announcing the Big Apple Chorus' entrance. I watched as two or three dozen men of all shapes and sizes, dressed in solid green and red (like elves!), climbed up on the platform and arranged themselves in the shape of a tree. A very real Santa Claus was entertaining kids on the ground at the front of the crowd. I took my place right in front, and others joined around me until the whole square was full of people.
Then the Chorus Tree began to sing! It was beautiful! I stood there a long time enjoying the spirited Christmas carols and the smiles of the crowd. I felt so lucky to have happened upon this treat at the most opportune time. What fun! When I finally got on the subway to go home (after taking my 97th picture of the day)--I couldn't wait to tell the old lady next to me all about the chorus. I even bought one of their CD's and have played it twice this evening.
On the subway I bought a pair of AAA batteries that I needed for a remote control at home from the "giftbelt lady," as I think of her. This was the second time I'd seen her. She has this big wide belt with all kinds of knick-knacks and items attached to it with safety pins. Everything's a dollar or two. I was reminded that I needed two batteries. A dollar for two seemed like too good a deal to pass up. Next I asked the dumbest of all questions, "Do they work?" She smiled and assured me they would.
After she walked to the next car to peddle some more, I said to the the lady next to me, "I hope they work." She replied with a grin, "Well it's not a big investment." That made me laugh. After all, what's a dollar in New York??
Happy Holidays!
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
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