Still Loving New York

September 26, 2008

It's finally fall. There are only three things I don't like about NYC - the humidity, the subway platforms in the summer, and spit on the sidewalk. The rest is great. I'll be glad when the humidity subsides completely.

This evening I went for a walk in Brooklyn. I had planned on doing my usual walking around the Heights and returning home. But I walked toward DUMBO instead.

As I headed down the cobblestone streets of DUMBO (the artsy area of Brooklyn that lies down under the Manhattan bridge overpass), I came across a huge book/art show in a large warehouse-type building lined with windows on Water Street. It was all lit up, with music blaring, and full of people looking at the exhibits and tables piled with wonderful books - many about New York. As I wandered from table to table, I kept wondering if I somehow had snuck in without paying admission. How could this be free?

I didn't know what the event was until I stepped back outside and saw some "Art Under the Bridge Festival" signs. Turns out the whole event is free. After gazing at the beautiful lit-up Manhattan bridge above the cobblestone streets for a few minutes, feeling grateful for my life in New York, I walked across the street. Soon I found myself inside another show at the festival. I stepped into a big, old, dark loft space with mortar walls set up with three huge video screens, a bar, and lots of large round benches facing the screens.

It too was packed with people, some eating and drinking, the screens showing video interviews of New Yorkers on the street. One question posed was "Do you make enough money to live in New York?" I smiled as most responders answered in the negative, except for a doctor and a handful of others. It was interesting. A server was handing out those paper 3-D glasses, but I didn't stay to see what was next (it was too hot in there for me).

When I checked the Web at home, I found out I'd come upon video_dumbo.

When I left there, it had started to drizzle. I walked to the Brooklyn Bridge. The famous Brooklyn Bridge Ice Cream Factory, for once, had no line out the door. I'd never seen it like that in all the dozens of times I'd passed by it. Since it was on my list of things to do, I finally stopped in tonight and bought a chocolate chocolate chunk cone.

Walking home in the rain from there, I stopped to pet a dog tied up outside a grocery store on Henry Street while its owners shopped inside. And all I could think about is how much I love NY and wouldn't want to leave. Unfortunately, due to a recent unexpected change in my job status on Wall Street, I might be forced to go elsewhere to find work.

It's been a crappy year for Wall Street. I'll never forget the words of one of my two British bosses several months ago, "You couldn't have picked a worse year to join financial services." (Real motivating, eh?)

Yet it's true and is the story of my life. It's just like me trying to do something simple like have LASIK surgery - these life changes just never seem to go right for me. The only right thing about taking the job on Wall Street was that it put me back in my favorite city and allowed me to meet some wonderful people (bossholes excluded).

When I gazed at the two bridges I so love earlier tonight, it almost brought tears to my eyes. It's a sight I always enjoy and will miss dearly if I'm forced to leave. If I do go, I'm going to have to move to another major metropolitan city and visit New York frequently.

Maybe I'll go back to my second favorite city in the U.S. - Seattle. We shall see.

I Did It!

Today was the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Central Park. I completed the 5K run/walk in about 41 minutes. I know what you're thinking - "She's really slow!" Actually, for me that was excellent time, as I am not a runner.

I managed to run from the starting gate past the first mile marker. I kept pushing myself and almost made it to the second mile before slowing down to a walk. Just that 1.75+ miles was an amazing feat for me, being the non-runner that I am. And I was really pushing myself! Thank goodness for the volunteers along the sideline cheering us on.

This was a neat event. There were over 30,000 people there, but I started right near the front of the pack and ran right past the little stage where Judge Judy and Stephen Colbert sat. It was also pretty neat to see Cynthia Nixon in person (many people know her as Miranda from Sex & the City - I couldn't get over how long her hair is today). She was there with her mom and kids, and even she ran in the race. Both she and her mom are breast cancer survivors.

I was walking down 14th Street on my way home today, switching from the 1 train to the R (because the trains were messed up as usual on the weekend), when a woman walking toward me turned as she passed me and said with a smile, "Great job at the race today!" I guess I didn't realize until then just what a huge event this is.

I want to do it again next year! Thank you, everyone, for all of your donations. The support I received from friends, co-workers, and family exceeded my expectations by hundreds of dollars.

Thanks again!

A Good Cause

September 6, 2008

Next Sunday (September 14) is the Komen New York City Race for the Cure®. It's a 5K run/walk that takes place in Central Park. I've signed up and am ecstatic about the amount of money my friends and co-workers have pledged. Thank you, everyone, for your outpouring of support! I've had to raise my goal several times. I ended up targeting $1,500 and, thanks to the generosity of many people, I have managed to surpass that goal! I can continue to collect donations through October 31. Who knows - maybe I'll surpass $2,000.

The cool thing about the Susan G. Komen foundation is that 85% of every dollar donated goes to the worthy cause of finding a cure for breast cancer. Since its inception over a quarter century ago, the foundation has invested over $1 billion in breast cancer research, and is the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.

This year alone, Komen will invest $100 million in research grants, representing the largest single-year investment in research in the organization’s 26-year history. The 2008 grants move Komen closer to accomplishing its goal of investing another $2 billion in breast cancer research and community health programs by 2017.

Remember, one in eight women is diagnosed with breast cancer. Early detection is saving more and more lives every year. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2006, when she was 72 years old. She underwent a lumpectomy the following January, followed by several months of chemo and radiation treatments.

Today she is a healthy, happy woman enjoying her golden years with my dad in northern Georgia. She frequently visits with her young granddaughters from Atlanta, swims several times a week, and still cooks the world's most fabulous meals for her family.

My mom's 80-year-old older sister Geraldine was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year and underwent a mastectomy. She too is a survivor. Help continue the fight! Thanks to Nancy Brinker and organizations like the Komen foundation that Nancy kicked off in honor of her sister Susan G. Komen, we can beat this thing. To see where your money goes, go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation web site.

For anyone interested in helping me run breast cancer out of town, please donate here.

Thank you so much for your support, and please pray for Nadine, the wife of one of my employees, who underwent a double mastectomy on Monday.

Can Your Lawyer do This?

August 12, 2008


Not only did I have my day in court this week, but I also found out I have the world's most talented lawyer.

My court date in Howard County District Court, Ellicott City, Maryland, was yesterday.

It was the day previous to that when I actually met my lawyer in person for the first time. (I'll just call him "Mike.") Prior to that, we'd handled my entire case via phone, fax, and email.

I was the plaintiff in a landlord-tenant dispute. Essentially, when I took the job in NYC last October, I'd signed a lease with a tenant who was due to move into my Ellicott City townhouse on November 3rd. I didn't want to rent my immaculate townhouse out to a stranger, but the sales market had tanked, and the place wasn't selling. It was either rent it or try to sustain the hefty mortgage simultaneously with an exorbitant Manhattan rent in hopes the place would sell for a loss I could live with. I was over a barrell - I opted for Door Number One and signed the lease just six days before I moved to Manhattan.

Well, by November 3rd my tenant still hadn't come up with the rent. I didn't let her move in until she came up with the cash she owed me (which also consisted of the remainder of the security deposit). Oddly enough, this pissed her off and so, on November 7, she decided that because this appeared to be the start of a "long and unpleasant business relationship" she had "changed her mind" about our lease.

She was in breach of contract; I sued.

Of course, this all became very expensive and time-consuming. I compiled documents, wrote letters, took multiple trips to the post office to get letters certified, sent emails, researched MD code of law, called the attorney general, tried to re-rent the place, had to move items out (from afar) that my tenant had agreed to buy, consulted various attorneys and property management firms, created spreadsheets, etc.

Not to mention, I paid my attorney, I paid court filing fees, I paid utilities while the place was empty, I paid a management company a stiff fee to find a new tenant, etc. All in all, this cost me a bundle in time and money.

I did everything possible to mitigate her damages. (Yes, this was all while I was unpacking and starting my new, stressful Wall Street job, and enduring the death of my beloved cat, etc. Aaaargh.) The tenant, however, was unresponsive to my pleadings.

To make a long story short, we tried to settle out of court and even came to an agreement that she'd pay me less than one-third of damages she'd incurred. She was supposed to send some of that money by July 15 but (once again) didn't pay. So Mike and I said "screw this" and proceeded to the trial date of 8/11.

Hence, on Sunday I needed to meet with my attorney in order to prepare for Monday's court date. I took the train from NY Penn Station to BWI at Baltimore and rented a car. I went straight to Mike's office. I'd never met him face-to-face before, but I felt as if I'd known him for years. I walked right into his office. He didn't look anything like what I expected. Because his voice sounded so much like that of my old attorney in Washington state, I guess in the back of my mind I had always pictured someone like my previous attorney.

Mike was a hoot. After we got through our case preparation he pulled out this huge bag of balloons, and suddenly I saw the other side of my attorney - the side that went with that friendly and humorous voice I had come to know so well. Come to find out, he's quite the artist. He proceeded to create the balloon animal of my choice. I, of course, picked a black cat. Then he showed me how to make a swan. (OK, so my swan sucks, but these things take practice!) When I showed up at my friend Rashmi's doorstep later that evening holding out two balloon animals, the look on her face was priceless - she just laughed with a look that said, "What in the heck are you doing now, Susie?"

So how many people can say that their attorney makes balloon animals? Not only that - he juggles too! And if you go down to the Baltimore Inner Harbor on a nice weekend day, you just might see him engaged in these activities, entertaining the crowd.

Now that is a multi-talented attorney. What a great guy. Usually a law suit is a pretty stressful event. And I've had enough stressful events lately that this one very well could have put me away for life. But Mike managed to make it fun (you know, as 'fun' as a law suit can be). And that makes his services worth every penny I paid.

To top that off, he won my case. I was ecstatic and smiled all the way home on the train yesterday! We got not only the full judgment against the defendant, but another $49.46 that neither of us can figure out. Not sure where the judge came up with the number, but I'm not complaining.

Don't get me wrong. The real work for me isn't over. I've won the judgment; now it's up to me to collect. You've heard the phrase, "Can't get blood from a turnip . . . " Well, I'm about to set out to do just that - after the 10-day post-trial waiting period.

No More Greedy Edy's for Me

Several years ago in Seattle I discovered a wonderful thing called Edy's ice cream. Their "light" ice creams, to me, are just as good as the real thing, and it's the only brand of ice cream I've put in my freezer for about a decade.

A few weeks ago I was shopping at my local Key Foods over on Altantic Avenue in Brooklyn. As I passed the ice cream case I thought about getting a container of Edy's light French Silk. But as I looked through the frosty glass I was taken aback. Some of the cylindrical containers were shorter than the others. They were all Edy's brand - same markings, same flavors - everything was the same except the size. Even the price was the same - $5.99. The smaller containers looked like little mutant ice creams, they were so out of place.

I thought, "No way." I opened the door. Sure enough, some of the containers were 1.75 quarts, and the rest were 1.5 quarts. I double-checked the price: $5.99. No!!! This can't be! Say it isn't so! I knew I was going to be pissed.

Sure enough, I was pissed. First of all, I didn't realize that, all this time, they've been ripping us off with their fancy schmancy cylindrical containers. Ice cream is supposed to come in half gallons. Growing up, I remember ice cream being packed in those rectangular half-gallon containers. Remember those? I didn't realize that the maker of Edy's, (Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream), had tricked us years ago by packing their ice cream into round containers that were 12.5% smaller than the traditional ice cream container - for the same price, actually more. It just never occurred to me to look at the size. Why would it not be a half gallon? Who would do that?

When I moved to NYC in 2005, it took me a long time to adjust to the idea of paying six dollars for (what I thought was) a half gallon of ice cream. Then, all in one blow I find out that I've been paying that much for just 1.75 quarts of ice cream the past few years, and now Dreyer's expects me to pay the same ludicrous amount for another 15% less ice cream?! Are they nuts? Do they think that consumers are that stupid? Like we won't notice?

Oh, oops. I guess we were that stupid with the advent of the cylindrical carton (or at least, I was).

Well, you're not fooling me this time, Dreyer's. I have been a loyal customer for years. I'm done with you and your stupid tricky carton and your new mutant sized ice cream container for the same price. This type of scam is downright wrong. I'm so tired of being ripped off. My god, if it's not the LASIK "surgeon" (I use the term surgeon loosely) or the local so-called emergency veterinarian or the lousy fence contractor who can't tell fpur inches from six, does it have to be the ice cream man? What is this country coming to?

Besides 1.5 quarts is like two bowlfuls for those of us who are serious about our ice cream. What good is that? You want me to pay three bucks a bowl now? Forget it.

Sure, I'd be mad if they'd raised the price of ice cream by 90 cents (that's 15%) and kept the carton the same size. But I would have continued to buy it when it went on sale, as I've done in the past. This is different. This is underhanded. This is a ploy. It's a scam. It's a scheme. It's consumer cruelty. I'll bet that a bunch of overpaid marketing muckety-mucks spent weeks on end in conference room meetings with their Starbucks lattes, pecking away at their Blackberries and making stupid customer jokes while dreaming this one up. I have news for those idiots: Bad idea.

I'm done with Edy's. I hereby officially boycott Edy's ice cream. Forever. Or until the 1.75-quart (or 1/2-gallon) container is reinstated. Even then, I might never go back. I'm just too mad.

Beach Observations

July 19, 2008

Today I explored quite a bit of the local Long Island coastline on foot, and I'd like to provide this brief report of the three main Brooklyn beach areas that I visited:

• Sheepshead Bay - for those who can afford to gas up their Hummers
• Manhattan Beach - for those who buy their bikinis from the "gigantic" rack
• Brighton Beach - where the thin, young, beautiful people are
• Coney Island - where you'll see some downright un-pretty folk wearing 80's hair and way too much clothing for 97-degree weather

I must say, it's blistering hot here.

Weekend Explorations in the City

July 13, 2008

Yesterday I took the 2 train to the Upper West Side. It was a beautiful, hot, breezy day. Not too humid, for a change.

The express train dropped me off at W. 96th Street, where I was going to jump on the 1 train and ride up to 110th St. I was trying to save on footsteps because I knew I had a long walk planned for later in the day. But, unbeknownst to me, the 1 train was out of service at that stop.

So I walked to my first destination at 110th and Amsterdam, where I toured the massive Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. Together with its outlying buildings, gardens, camp ground, and school, the cathedral encompasses an entire city block.

The massive church itself is 146 feet wide and the length of two football fields. The interior space is overwhelming. The first cornerstone was laid in 1892, but the church, now in its 200th year of construction, is still only two-thirds completed. Once completed, it supposedly will be the largest cathedral in the world.

They say that the world's largest cathedrals can take 500 years to complete - I guess St. John's is living proof.

Inside, it is more than just a church. Beyond the main pulpit is another series of smaller chapels, each designed in its own unique style, and a baptisry.

My favorite things about the church were outside the church. The huge Peace Fountain scultpure was surrounded by lots of smaller, hand-size nature sculptures created by children - dolphins, penguins, birds, and more - plus an intricate Noah's ark sculpture.

Back behind the church I came upon a beautiful Biblical Garden. In the center of the carefully designed, colorful landscape was a three-tiered fountain that was alive with small birds bathing and playing about in the water. It was so serene. This must be the most peaceful place in the city.

From there I walked over to the edge of Morningside Park, which has a panoramic easterly view of Harlem. The architecture of Morningside Heights really caught my eye. I passed by St. Luke's Hospital, Columbia Law School, and walked through Columbia University - a beautiful campus.

Near the library I sat down briefly on a bench to eat a raisin bran muffin and was quickly joined by three sparrows. I threw a few crumbs, and suddenly there were 10 more sparrows and a pigeon. Within moments the number of birds at my feet had doubled, then tripled.

After that I walked west, past more beautiful architecture, to Riverside Park. I thought, "This must be where the upper half lives."

I'd never been that far north in the park before. And I headed south. I trekked south along the Hudson from W. 116th St. all the way to W. 13th St. (yes that's over 100 blocks!).

I'd been on this route many times before, but never this much of it at one time. One thing I noticed (in the west 60's) was that Donald Trump has added yet another apartment building to Trump Place. Each time I walk by that area it seems Trump Place has grown.

In the west 50's (near where I used to live), I passed a huge Norwegian cruise ship docked. I think it is the largest ship I've ever seen that close up. Later, further south around 18th Street, I stopped momentarily to gawk at this funky contemporary all-glass building labeled "IAC" over near the Chelsea Piers that I'd never seen before. It's really something. Wouldn't that be a cool place to work?

From W. 13th I turned into the city and headed toward Greenwich Village. My feet were about to fall off by the time I got to Sheridan Square. Of course, the train schedules were still all messed up, meaning the 2/3 wasn't running to Brooklyn, so I took the 1 to South Ferry and walked over to Bowling Green where I took the 4 home.

After my shower, I left the house twice to run errands (to the pet store for 30 pounds of cat litter, then out to grab some dinner). By the end of the day I determined I'd walked over 130 blocks yesterday - at least 7.4 miles. When I fell into the bed last night, I thought I'd never get up again.

So today - (another beautiful day!) - I limited my walk to Prospect Park and back - about six miles. :) God I love New York! It's such a great walking city.

The New York City Waterfalls

July 5, 2008

They are calling it "Nature and the City," this waterfall art exhibit that lasts through mid-October.

Several weeks ago, on one of my walks around Brooklyn, I noticed a lone scaffolding rising from one of the piers beneath the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. Mystified, I wondered what purpose a scaffolding could serve there in the middle of nowhere. I see scaffolding going up around buildings every week (never see that being used, either), but this seemed really bizarre.

Later, I saw scaffolding going up under the Brooklyn pier of the Brooklyn bridge and thought that they must be doing some work under the bridge.

Then, week before last, someone at work asked me if I'd seen the waterfalls yet. He told me to go look out the window. Sure enough, there on Governor's Island was a waterfall. I then put 2 and 2 together and finally realized what the mysterious scaffolding was for. We could see that waterfall, too, from our southeast window on the 9th floor at One New York Plaza.

My employee remarked, "Fifteen million dollars it cost the city." Yikes!

So, one evening this week I took a walk to see some of the falls close up. I think the waterfalls are nice, but not 15 million dollars' worth of nice. For that kind of money, I'd like to see some fans installed in the subway platforms. (I'll never understand how the city can possibly think that it's OK to not have ventilation down there where it's well over 100 degrees this time of year. Five minutes' wait will leave you soaked with sweat on your way to work.)

Anyway, here are some photos, and a link to the official web site for the falls, where you can meet the artist: http://www.nycwaterfalls.org/.

Cat Food

Hmmm. I'm in the mood for a snack. Do I want Triscuits and cheese, Goldfish and peanuts, or a . . . . um, Baby?

New Kitty = Old Kitty

June 28, 2008

After 24 days with the spastic New Kitty, we finally have some peace and quiet at home. I'm no longer saying "Don't!" or "Get down!" or "Noooooooo - not that vase!" or "Oh my god - anything but the coffee decanter." No longer do I hear things come crashing down in the next room. And no longer am I awakened several times a night by a 9-pound creature tearing across my Calvin Klein duvet cover and doing gymnastics on my bed. I've never had to yell at Baby. All this yelling was getting old fast.

Today New Kitty went to a new home. Baby and I couldn't take it anymore. She was just too rambunctious for us. Baby is so mellow and sweet. New Kitty, at 11 months old, is still a kitten. Even Baby had a reached a point where she just sat calmly and collectedly watching this cat run around like a chicken with its head cut off. Baby had a look that said, "My god, woman. Chill. I'm trying to relax here. Can't you just sit down for a minute?"

I had the same look. Frequently. So New Kitty is going to live with a couple in the Heights where I think she'll be happy. The woman works from home a lot, so she'll be getting a lot of attention. Now, don't get me wrong, New Kitty had her good qualities - like it was cute the way she turned her head sideways sometimes and did back-flips when playing by herself with her little rainbow puff balls (which she loved and I was constantly fishing out from under the furniture). She also liked to play fetch with those balls, as I learned a few nights ago. And she was like a slinky maneuvering the 3" clearance under the love seat (still not sure how she got her whole body under there).

Alas, enough was enough on the other antics.

I'm so relieved she is gone and I have my happy home back. June has been so hectic. In fact, I can't believe we're in the last week of this month. I had a trip, two overnight guests, a Yankees game, a sick kitty, a psycho kitty, and two major desktop trading outages at work that managed to consume a week's worth of work.

On Thursday the 12th I flew to Tidewater, Virginia to attend my 17-year-old nephew Jason's high school graduation. He is the first of my six nieces and nephews to graduate, so it was a special occasion for me. My mom and dad met us there, as did my sister Lisa from Tennessee. I'm so proud of my nephews - both Jason and his brother Matt have turned out to be interesting, well-read individuals with integrity. They're fun to talk to, as well - both are smart guys. (A shameless plug, but I really love my nephews!)

Here are Jason and I at his parents' house in Chespeake:
















Here are my parents (and that's me at the buffet table, of course):















My sister Lisa:





















My cool nephew Matt and the proud mom:





















On Saturday, several of us took a ferry over to the Norfolk waterfront one day. A sign said, "Eat at Joe's," so we did but we have to recommend that you don't. Filthiest restaurant I've ever seen. My salad was crap, although I have to admit the hush puppies were good, and I think these two gals enjoyed their bucket of crab legs. That's my sister-in-law Jacqui on the right and her hysterical sister Joan Marie on the left:















Later that evening, Jacqui threw a great party, attended by the rowing crew team that she has worked so hard with for the past couple years. Since Jason, the crew coxswain, is leaving for the Marines in August, the group of 40-ish and 50-ish women that he led to many rowing victories was sad to see him go. And with the Navy transfering Jacqui to JAX, Florida, next month, it was a double-whammy for this close-knit team. A fascinating bunch. Jacqui's sister Joan Marie had me in stitches the rest of the time. I hadn't laughed that hard that much in a long time.

Love the pop-tart story, Joanie! Ha!

Anyway, I'm off to finally have a relaxing weekend (what's left of it). Ah.....

Kitties Update

June 11, 2008

See the naughty kitty up on the kitchen counter? Hmph. She'll learn. (Which in cat language means she'll learn to jump on the kitchen counter only when I'm away.)

I'm still unsure if the kitties will work out their anxieties and get along. There's no guarantee that'll happen, so I haven't picked a name for New Kitty.

Day before yesterday, during one of the many times that Baby chased down New Kitty and cornered her, I realized that Baby is literally scaring the pee out of New Kitty. It wasn't the first time that New Kitty ran into the bathroom and crouched behind the door. When I went in to check on her I realized she'd just squirted on the bathroom rug. I felt terrible that she'd been scared enough to momentarily lose control. Then I noticed another little yellow spot on the same rug in the same area, so I knew it wasn't the first time.

That's when I became concerned. I feel sorry for New Kitty. I'm quite sure that Baby is just playing with her, because she's not attacking her. But New Kitty doesn't know that. I'm sure she thinks she's being tormented.

It's quite possible that, in time, things will get better. This could still work out. So I'm going to give them another week together and see how it goes. If New Kitty is still scared out of her you-know-what, then I'll find her another home.

And then I'll go adopt another kitty and give it another try. Baby would probably do better with a male (as I suspected all along), and with a mellow cat. New Kitty is still a baby, so she's probably a bit too rambunctious for Baby's liking.

We'll see. This might all work out, but I'm not getting my hopes up. Meanwhile, here they are after Baby chased New Kitty under a piece of furniture:

Kitty Contention

June 8, 2008

It's amazing how this relationship between Kitty 3.0 and Kitty 4.0 changes every day, and sometimes more often than that. Today the tables have turned again as the balance of power has, once again, shifted.

Last night it was Baby who slept under the bed. When I got up this morning, that's where she was. Meanwhile, New Kitty was running around as if the apartment was her domain entirely.

This was after New Kitty kept me awake from about 3:00AM to 6:00AM with her antics. Supposedly she is 10 months old. If that's the case, then she is still a kitten, and she's certainly beginning to act more and more like one as she gets over her fear. She's all over everything! And I am forever retrieving her toys from under the furniture. Of course, that could also be the Maine Coon in her. They are forever kittens.

Baby is much more laid back.

A weird thing I noticed: By Day 2, New Kitty had started drinking from my night stand water cup. Every night. Just like Martin used to do. I couldn't believe it. That must be the Tabby in her. Only her head is much skinnier than Martin's, so she can get to the water level no matter how far down in the cup it is.

That I don't mind so much - I was used to having cat hairs in my iced water (in the old Martin days). But chewing on my big fake palm tree, that I mind! That must be the Coon in her because Madison used to do that, too. It's a fake plant, so I don't understand the appeal of this one tree to both of the Coons I've had. I'll just have to chalk it up to being more silly Coon-like behavior. . . .

So New Kitty is adapting well. She is much more brave now, as of her fifth evening with us. Earlier this afternoon and evening, Baby was giving New Kitty more space. I was so proud of her! In fact, when New Kitty went nuts with the spinning mouse toy, she was playing literally inches from Baby's head; Baby sat by nonchalantly while New Kitty dove time and again at that mouse.

Later when New Kitty, (who is something of a contortionist--to the point I find myself calling her Upside-down Kitty), raised a paw to the toy, Baby took it as an aggressive moved toward her. So Baby reared back and raised a paw right back at her, but that was as far as it went. New Kitty just wanted that mouse.

It's all talk with these two. Neither is overly aggressive - they just aren't sure what to do with one another yet.

I thought, "Wow, Baby has chilled out," right? Yeh, but not for long. I guess Baby got into her nocturnal play mood later on because she started chasing New Kitty down at every sighting and cornering her in the bathroom or closet. She seemed more interested in playing than attacking, so I think she meant nothing by it.

Anyway, the alpha kitty struggle goes back and forth, back and forth. At least we are making progress! And both of them are starting to eat more normally now. That's a relief.

Kitty Compatibility?

June 7, 2008

In an interesting turn of events last night, the two kitties both slept on my bed. That never would have happened with Madison and Martin - especially on their third night together.

I was sitting on the bed playing with New Kitty (she was sitting to my left) when suddenly Baby jumped up on the bed (on my right), and hissed in surprise at the presence of the other cat on her bed. Baby held her ground in the very spot where she'd landed on the bed as New Kitty stayed perfectly still and growled back at her. But Baby remained calm, laid down exactly where she was, and New Kitty did the same. Within moments, both had closed their eyes to snooze.

I think they were both on and off the bed all night. There was one quick hissing scuffle on the floor by my nightstand at some point in the morning.

They still hiss and growl at each other but things are definitely improving. I just wish they would both eat more. Baby's intake is half what it was before New Kitty arrived, and I'm only able to get New Kitty to eat once a day. It's better than nothing. No doubt it's all stress-related and will improve in time. If not, I'll have to take New Kitty to the vet sooner than I thought.

Today it was 92 degrees and humid here in New York! I mean incredibly humid. I put on my tank top and shorts and began my weekend trek to Manhattan at about 11:30 this morning. I was sweating buckets off my forehead before I was even halfway across the Brooklyn Bridge, which was cramped with tourists as usual. I walked north through Soho and then west past Washington Square Park, and over to the Village. It's a great area - lots of neat little shops and beautiful architecture. I want to spend more time exploring that area.

I walked north and then east to Union Square where I was so hot and soaking that I went straight down into the subway to the R platform (I hate the R, so I'm not exactly sure why I went to it instead of the 4/5 - the pathetic R is always such a long wait). But there, hanging on the ceiling above the platform bench was a big round fan.

Never seen one of those in the sweltering subway before. It was heaven. As soon as the Q came, freeing up space on the bench, I sat on that bench and suddenly no longer cared how long the stupid R took to arrive because I was finally cooling off. It was a long but cool-ish wait.

The sophisticated lady sitting next to me on the train had traveled with her husband all the way from New Zealand to see their new grandbaby in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. I love that about New York - every day there is an opportunity to meet someone from another place with their own story to tell.

Two Days with New Kitty

June 6, 2008

I haven't named Kitty 4.0 yet, so I'll just call her New Kitty for now. The shelter always doles out a name, and this one got "LadyBug," but I'm not so sure it fits her.

As of about 24 hours ago, the tables were turned. Baby was no longer as nonchalant as she'd been the first 24 hours of having a new cat living in her territory. She took to chasing down New Kitty at every sight of her. Poor New Kitty would run and hide behind the shoes in the closet, or dash under the bed.

So it's been like that at every meeting between the two girls now. Hissing, growling, and running. But no biting. This is good. But each time, I felt sorry for the poor New Kitty being terrorized by my little Mean Girl, so I'd coax her away from the scene of her crime.

The funny thing is, I don't think I really needed to intervene. Once Baby catches up to New Kitty, as I noticed tonight, she has no idea what to do. She just stops short. Silly girl. She's all bark and no bite. As I watched, I noticed that Baby chases New Kitty into a corner, stops, gets bored, turns around, and saunters away.

So no more interventions. I'm letting them continue with their mini-alpha kitty battle.

I'm not as worried as I was yesterday. This just might work out after all. If only I can get the new little gal to eat. She's all skin and bones (except for her fluffy tail). I know she's stressed out, and that's probably killed her appetite. But sooner or later she has got to get really hungry. Sooner or later she's bound to eat. I hope so.

Kitty Intro

June 5, 2008

So the girls (Kitty 3.0 and Kitty 4.0) have met. But their first couple meetings consisted of hissing and groaning. Baby is a bit less concerned about the stranger in her home than I expected her to be. She really seems more curious than anything. But New Kitty is scared of Baby. New home, new food, new litter box, new owner, new water bowl, new everything - and another cat, to top it all off.

Here they are, with Baby getting as close as possible to just look at New Kitty:



Baby stretches a tad closer, and New Kitty takes a step back:


Baby gives up and sets herself on the arm of the love seat, watching New Kitty. Somehow, with my back turned, New Kitty made it past Baby and under the love seat. She's been there ever since (going on an hour now). This was also where I found her hiding early this morning when I was (for the second time this week) awoken by a page from work. There isn't much space under there, but she manages to squeeze in.

Baby takes up watch as close as she can get, not moving a muscle until she gets bored with it all about 15 minutes later:

Eventually she abandoned her post and crawled up in my lap to be petted.

Kitty v.4.0

June 4, 2008

Deja vu. In spring 2006, when I lived in Maryland (ick) with my cat Martin (may my sweet boy rest in peace), I decided to try to get him a playmate. Some of you remember Madison (a.k.a. Kitty v.2.0).

That April, I adopted 7-year-old Madison, a gorgeous, gray Maine Coon, from the county shelter. I swear that I did everything I could at home to make it a smooth transition. I read all the articles about keeping the cats separated for x weeks, I used the methodology behind adapting each kitty slowly to the scent of the other, and then went to brief supervised visits, etc.

None of that crap worked. After three months of tremendous, time-consuming (and increasingly agonizing effort), I had to find Madison a new home. Of course, by then I'd become attached. But Martin wanted her to be as far removed from him as possible. He'd have nothing to do with the playful little gal who was invading his territory. Off she went.

When Martin passed away last October 16, I went out looking for a new kitty. My search for a new companion actually helped me survive those first few grief-stricken weeks. On November 1, I brought home Baby, a 5-year-old Tiffany/Chantilly from the NYC Animal Control Center in Manhattan.

Baby is nothing like Martin, except that she tends to be somewhat laid-back. Martin was beyond laid-back. He was downright lazy. And fat. And happy. A play session with the ever-mellow Martin might have lasted 45 seconds--on a good day. He just wasn't into mobility. Activities that didn't involve belly rubs, eating, or napping just didn't interest him much.

Baby, on the other hand, is more playful than Martin. God she loves to chase the laser beam, chew on her mouse toys, and bite my appendages when in "attack" mode. (Just play bites, mind you - completely harmless.)

Martin was a pillow cat. Baby is a lap cat. Martin wasn't big into being brushed. Baby goes nuts with when she is being brushed - she acts like she's in heaven.

Now that I've had Baby for over six months, I figure she's settled in enough to maybe get her a playmate. For the past few weeks I've searched and searched for the right young, male, declawed cat to be Baby's new daytime companion. The process is a pain in the butt because you always have to deal with kooks, disappointments, and misleading ads before finally locating the right pet to adopt.

Yesterday a new ad came up on Craigslist for a 10-month-old Maine Coon that was dropped off at the shelter on May 31. They called her "LadyBug" at the shelter, not knowing the name given her by the family that abandoned her to be euthanized. A nice woman (Jennifer), who rescues cats and volunteers at the Brooklyn shelter, took LadyBug home with her. I saw the ad before Jennifer even had a chance to post photos, and I called her from work this afternoon.

Before I knew it, I was headed to south Brooklyn on the unfamiliar M train and walking into a small apartment in an old row house inhabited by 22 cats. We were out of time, as the woman was ready to go to her volunteer job. So I quickly gave her $50, filled out the one-page form, and took LadyBug home in a cardboard carrier.

She's mostly been under the bed ever since. I put her in my bedroom with food and water, shut the door, and immediately walked the four or five blocks to the pet store where I bought a small litter box and extra litter. She came out from under the bed not long ago this evening and drank some of her water, rubbed up against me, explored a bit, played a bit with a toy on a string that belongs to Baby, and then went back under the bed.

Earlier I'd brought a little margarine-sized tub of catnip in and held it under the bed to coax her out. She came closer, sniffed it, and shoved her paw into the tub, spilling cat nip all over the floor under the bed! I guess she likes catnip! (Although she didn't fall for the trick and come out.)

She's a funny-looking cat. Her head and torso are pure Tabby. In fact, she's kind of skinny for Maine Coon. Her feet have a lot of Coon in them, but her tail - that's all Maine Coon, as is her Madison-like waddle. Her tail is so broad compared to her skinny body that it looks off-balance.

Ironically, her facial features are nearly identical to Martin's. In fact, Kitty 4.0 very much resembles a cross between Kitty 1.0 and Kitty 2.0! It's strange.

Baby is curious but not freaking out. She knows that there is another creature in the bedroom and has sat calmly outside the door in wait. For this evening, I'm trying to keep the routine as normal as possible for Baby and plan to keep them separated over night, which will require some juggling later, before bedtime.

So we'll see if Kitty 4.0 is good enough to keep. Backward-compatibility with Kitty 3.0 is a pre-requisite. Only time will tell. But this time I'm not making a big deal about it. I'll keep the two versions separated for one or two days then see what happens.

No way I'm dragging this out for three months! Let's see how it goes this week. . . .

Happy Birthday, Brooklyn Bridge

May 25, 2008

It was 125 years ago yesterday that the first pedestrians crossed the finished Brooklyn bridge. The bridge was started when John Roebling completed the design in 1869.

It took 14 years to build, at the sacrifice of 21 lives, including Roebling himself. He died of lockjaw 16 days after having his foot crushed by a ferry that crashed into a pier upon which Roebling stoodon the NY side of the river.

I think the bridge is amazing. I am seriously in love with it. On my frequent evening walks in Brooklyn Heights, I gaze at it in awe each time I lay eyes upon it. The Brooklyn Bridge is my favorite historic landmark.

Fascinated by its 1,595-foot span that floats about 135 feet above the East River, I read a book about the building of the bridge last weekend--before I even realized we were closing in on its significant birthday. It was an amazing engineering feat in the late 1800's, back when some attempts at suspension bridges failed as the bridges crashed down with the first gale winds.

In honor of its anniversary, Brooklyn has been celebrating this week. Friday evening I walked over to Fulton Ferry Park (also known as the Brooklyn Bridge Park), just beneath and to the north of the east tower of the bridge. Free movies were being aired on the big lawn. Kids were running around, adults were flashing photos with their digital cameras, and there were lots of viewers with their picnics laid out on blankets. There was also plenty of free popcorn.

Just after 9PM, the light show on the bridge started. A friend of mine at work had told me about it. I didn't know at all what to expect.

Looking up at the Brooklyn tower, suddenly the arches of that tower was alive with color. It was a spectacular sight! The NY tower also changed colors--from yellow to orange to an azure blue, then green, bright pink, and white. Even the roadway along the side of the bridge was lit.

Saturday night was a repeat of Friday night's festivities, and this time I took my camera with me. I could have stared at that beautiful bridge all night.

Walking home on the Brooklyn Heights Promenade last night, I glanced back at the bridge one last time. The long roadway was lit up in blue, and the towers were orange. I recall thinking, "If only Roebling could see this now."

Yesterday afternoon I jogged across the bridge, against the hordes of Saturday tourists meandering along with no regard for the other pedestrians on the narrow path. The only reason I ran instead of walked was to avoid being pushed into the bike lane one more time.

The bridge gets crowded on sunny weekend days, so normally I take the Manhattan bridge on my walk. But, in honor of its May 24 anniversary, I fought the crowds of walkers, runners, picture-taking tourists, bicyclists, roller-bladers, and even a bride. . . .

On the other side, I walked across Manhattan to the Hudson, and then down the promenade to Battery Park. It was a gorgeous day, but clouds rolled in when I got to the other side. Today is supposed to be even better - sunny and 70. And I'll be off to my first visit to Yankee stadium soon.

Celebrity Near-sighting

Saturday May 17, 2008

Today turned out to be gorgeous - sunny and 70 degrees, a beautiful spring day, instead of the cold rainy weather we'd had Friday. Residents of NY were beginning to think that spring would never show up and stick around. Hopefully it's here now.

So I did my errands then left my apartment in Brooklyn Heights at 12:23PM to go walking. I didn't have much of a plan except to cross the Manhattan Bridge and, this time, go north instead of south when I got to the other side of the East River. Last time, I went south and returned home via the Brooklyn Bridge and Brooklyn Heights Promenade.

When I got to the base of the bridge on the Brooklyn side today, a guy sitting up on the concrete wall next to the stairs told me that the pedestrian walkway (on the south side of the bridge) was closed and that I had to use the bike path on the north side instead. Cool - I'd get to see the world from the other side of the bridge, for a change.

As I was walking along I failed to notice that there were no cars heading into Brooklyn on the bridge. Finally I did notice when I came upon a spot on the bridge where the road off to my left (on the south side) was blocked off by several NYPD cars. My first thought was "bad accident." I continued to walk and look, being wary of speeding bicyclists zipping past me with no warning.

Beyond the cop cars was a row of stopped vehicles full of people waiting. Many had their windows open. Some were out walking around. But it was eerily quiet. It was several minutes later when I realized what was missing - the sound of horns blowing.

Meanwhile, I came across a nice-looking man who had stopped to watch the commotion. "What's up?" I asked. He said that they were filming a movie - "they're remaking Pelham 1-2-3." I said, "Oh, I remember that one!" Actually, I didn't remember the movie - just the name and the timeframe (the 70's). The very nice man told me that John Travolta was in it. I love John Travolta, so that bit of news got me all excited.

"Ooooh! Is he here?!" I asked the fellow. "No, he was earlier but I think they're on a break."

Drat!

Had I left a tad earlier I could have found myself within spitting distance of the John Travolta! So I kept walking, slowing my brisk pace down just a tad, craning my neck to get a glimpse of a celebrity. I wondered how Mr. Travolta would make it back to the set and thought maybe they'll use a golf cart on the pedestrian walkway on the other side. A minute later I saw a golf cart, albeit on the roadway, making its way through the parked vehicles. I stopped and looked for him, but it was just some of the crew.

As I walked, I kept my head turned left. Lots of golf carts and guys in headsets but no John Travolta. There was a point on the bridge where there were no cars - just empty roadway (that's always a bizarre sight to behold in NYC) - so I wondered if the people in the parked cars were there deliberately, as extras. Probably.

I looked up the movie on IMDB when I got home. It turns out that the Taking of Pelham 1-2-3 was made in 1974, when I was 10 years old. It starred Walter Mathau and Robert Shaw. Tonight I immediately moved it to the top of my Netflix queue so I can watch it next week.

Funny, last weekend when I took a tour of landmark homes in Brooklyn Heights, the gray clapboard row house on Hicks Street that I toured was also recently featured in a movie starring George Clooney, John Malcovich, Frances McDormand, and Brad Pitt - it's called Burn After Reading. I'll have to watch for that one in September.

What a gorgeous day today. My walk took me all the way up the East River (along FDR Drive) as far north as E. 38th Street, where the walkway came to an upbrupt end, much to my dismay. I wound my way over and up to the Chrysler building at 42nd and Lex, then walked up 42nd Street to Bryant Park. I grabbed a slice of pizza and did what hundreds of other people were doing, which was soaking up rays on the great green grassy lawn of the park. It was just wonderful. My feet were aching after walking nearly 9 miles, so I took a 30-minute rest.

I watched as this one large gray and blue pigeon made his way deliberately through the park, walking from one party to the next, very patiently seeking a hand-out.

I'd planned to go home afterward and was very close to getting on the subway when instead I stopped in a runner's store inside Grand Central Terminal. There was a particular sneaker I'd been looking for and wanted to see if they had it. No, but the woman told me to check out Paragon at 18th and Broadway. They have everything, she told me. So, instead of going home I took the 5 train down to Union Square and walked from 14th Street to the sports store at 18th.

Sure enough, they had the shoes I'd been trying to find for a week or two - or at least the new model of the same shoe. (Asics brand.) And they were on sale! So I got those and thought I'd head home.

Out on the sidewalk I remembered I needed something at Home Depot. It was just another 6 or 7 blocks, so I thought What the heck? I went there and got the home items I needed. My feet were screaming at me to go home. As I headed to the 1 train on 7th Avenue I glanced over and noticed the Burlington Coat Factory. I'd been needing a light-weight coat. I may as well go in, I'm so close and it won't take long.

Well, I ended up spending way more time in there than I'd planned, stopping to try on clothes that I didn't need. Not sure why I did that because dressing rooms always make me feel like I need to lose a thousand pounds.

After nearly an hour I left without buying anything and decided I was definitely going to go straight home! It was already 6:30PM. I also decided I was going to keep the tags on everything I'd bought today until next week when I find out if I'm getting laid off from my job or not. Ha!

I had to wait for the train. By the time I got home from my walk (that I'd started just after noon), it was after 7:00! My poor feet. I filled up my large jetted tub, lit some candles, and soaked my tired bones. That was my kind of Saturday.

So remember when you see the new "Pelham 1-2-3" movie this fall, I was on the Manhattan bridge (that's the blue suspension bridge) the same day they were shooting there! How cool is that? (Well, not quite as cool as seeing John Travolta. . . . Oh well, can't win 'em all.)