Saturday, June 27, 2009

Getting warmer

Hi Mom,

It's getting hot in the city. We seem to have skipped spring and sped right along to summer, which promises to be its usual sticky self.

Last night I was down at the Seaport for a birthday party at a New Zealand-themed pub--Michael Jackson was making a fortune, his songs blasting from every bar on the entire street! It was nice down by the water. I watched boats for awhile and looked at the city's pretty lights. Also saw a guy toss his girlfriend's purse into the water mid-argument. Takes all sorts.

Today a responsible me would do some work. This may, however, be one of the last weekends before it gets even hotter. These are life's big decisions.

Love,
Karen

Friday, June 26, 2009

Michael Jackson

Hi Mom,

Not sure if you recall, but I researched Michael Jackson when I was in fourth or fifth grade.

It was Black History Month and I had picked him as my subject. I read all about his family, his fame, and Captain EO (remember the Disney World EO thing?). They put our reports on some kind of swanky backgrounds and put them around the room for parent-teacher conferences.

I remember being impressed by how many siblings he had, plus all the stuff he had done as a kid. I'm not sure how I picked him, but I distinctly remember sitting on my floor with a stack of books and articles about the guy.

Coffee shops full of people in New York seem to be talking about his death. Last night everyone was buzzing about the vigil at the Apollo, and there seem to be rumors of more related events this weekend. If there are, they'll be competing with Pride and the BAM film shorts festival also taking the city by storm. Never a lack of things to do around here.

Hope the weather's good back home, and Happy Friday.

Love,
Karen

Thursday, June 25, 2009

NYC

Hi Mom,

I'm back. After almost two weeks out and about, I return to the smelly streets I've come to know and love.

I had a great last day in Chicago; Zac and I had breakfast at seven a.m. before the conference, tucked into a booth eating skillet fare. They don't really do skillets in New York that much: I'm trying to decide if it's a Chicago thing.

I reported a lot, met David to split an inordinate number of fantastic cupcakes from Swirlz, got to see Jeremy's swanky new apartment (complete with stainless steel-front appliances), and met up with Kay, who raced with me to the airport. I was shockingly on time, maybe even what some would call a touch early.

To top it off, I caught an earlier flight, got upgraded to an exit row free of charge, and sat next to a really neat lawyer from Jersey who wound up giving me a ride to the train station in his company car, saving me several dollars and multiple hours of my life.

Having arrived back at my apartment, I'm ordering buffalo wings and going to bed. Tomorrow it's back to the office...

Love,
Karen

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Lups!

Hi Mom,

Another crazy day of wandering the conference hall floor, meeting interesting people and trying to find out their companies' stories. I meant to get up early and see the lake, which Zac lives a block and a half from, but that of course didn't happen. Rather, I was happily snoring away in his extra bedroom when he left at six a.m. for spin class.

He was nice enough to call to rouse me from my slumber on his way back from the gym, meaning I actually got to the conference with time to spare. I hit up the press room for a tall cup of coffee--they usually know its best to feed the press at these kinds of things--and get to my first meeting.

Tonight we amassed a great group of people for Italian food. Monica was among them. She works in Chicago now for the botanic gardens doing event planning. Catching up was excellent. Then we all went for a drink at a nearby bar. They were all trying to get me to stay for the weekend. Another time. I'll be back. Chicago's that kind of place.

With most of Michigan residing somewhere between Lincoln Park, Lakeview and Rogers Park, I always kind of wonder if I'll wind up living there at some point. For now I'm pretty happy where I am.

Love,
Karen

Monday, June 22, 2009

Monday

Hi Mom,

Strange parking signs in Chicago. I stared at this one for about ten minutes, trying to figure out if it was actually legal to park there or not. Usually signage is pretty valuable in determining where to put a car, but this time, well, not really.

I'm happy to have landed in the last city on my tour, though I've really enjoyed coming back across the US one little hop at a time. I've almost got the airport security timing down so I can get my things off the conveyer belt before they get all jammed up at the end. I remain immensly glad I decided to do this trip with a carry-on and a hanging bag as opposed to something larger, or I'd be spending my life at baggage claim. I've also been able to take a shot at switching flights around more--the first question they ask is if you have bags checked. Gleefully negatory on that one. Today was the first day of the conference. Now I'm going to eat sushi.

Love,
Karen



Sunday, June 21, 2009

Red Rocks

Hi Mom,

When I visit family, all I do is eat. I eat dinner, I eat dessert, I eat breakfast and lunch and snack and ice cream for good measure. Then someone comes by to ask if I've tried the homemade dip, the brie, the chocolate chip cookies and the eggplant. It's unavoidable, wonderful and horrific all at once.

That's why a trip to the red rocks, which does NOT involve eating, seemed like such a good idea. We saw the ampitheater, which gets great concerts like the one in Greece. I liked how they had carved seats and the whole thing seemed to fit in among the rocks.

It was raining. We walked around and slid down some muddy parts in the foothills, took pictures, stood on picnic tables and eventually started our journey back toward the city. We passed Buffalo Bill's grave--it rapidly became clear that I was the only one with any kind of alleigance to said Bill. We drove on.

Between my two skilled navigators we only missed the freeway twice, maybe three times. Added bonus; on the way home we stopped at The Morrison Inn, a Tex-Mex place with world-renown margaritas, even if they weren't very good! The place itself is something of an icon, and now I've been there. If it had not been raining, we would have sat on the patio.
Welcome back!

Love,
Karen

Friday, June 19, 2009

Friendly skies

Hi Mom,

Wound up flying through Las Vegas. I had fallen asleep on the plane and awoke very surprised, as it were, to find myself at that particular juncture. The airport is full of slot machines and smells like Vegas--it's a very distinct smell, though I can't exactly describe it.

I tried to get on an earlier flight. The excitement mounting (I had started the day in San Francisc0), I waited by the gate. It didn't happen. So I waited some more. Funny how waiting for your normal flight feels so much more disappointing after you thought you had a chance at getting on an earlier one.

I used free internet, checked the car rental, ate an omlette at California Pizza kitchen (outsmarting the Johnny Rockets look-alike serving much worse looking food at the very same prices), and was on my way. I slept almost the entire flight, woke up briefly to see red rocks out my window, and made my way into the sunlight.

Love,
Karen

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Motivationally speaking

Hi Mom,

I went to a luncheon as part of the conference today (it was nice of them to let me in). We heard a motivational speaker talking about her can-do philsophy and how commitment and consistency in our actions can improve our lives. She talked about taking positive action instead of saying you can't, and making sure even your voicemail message is positive so people are glad they called and know exactly when and how to expect a return communique. It was wise words for the women assembled, and for such a tough sector, it was rather inspiring. We ate cobb salads, drank coffee and soaked in Shawna Schuh.

She has made an entire career far as I can tell out of getting people on track, getting them up and going and motivated. She has even written books. Next career possibility?

Love,
Karen

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

To the ready

Hi Mom,

This is what a conference center floor looks like before they set up all the booths. Tomorrow it will be full of companies and people and homebuilding products. I will be wandering around it.

The conference is smaller than last year, notably so, but should still be spunkily attended. I know what markets to buy in and where the smartest places to live are now! Maybe I should start flipping houses or buy a building or something. I think it'd be great to be in real estate--my favorites are the architects, the way they talk about building communities and the ways people use public spaces and such. They have entire lexicons for how people conceive of and talk about the concept of home, what they want out of their living areas and how to make the most out of foot traffic on neighborhood streets.

Talked to a guy this morning all about it. If I could draw, I think that's what I'd do.

Wearing comfy shoes, nametag around my neck. Happy travels.

Love,
Karen


Monday, June 15, 2009

Julie's Wedding

Hi Mom,

Julie got married today. She looked so beautiful. I got the chance to hang with all the old crew, find out what everyone was up to, and re-roam the halls of Shaarey Zedek.

Her little brothers are so much taller. They really towered over me this time, and both are doing interesting things in random cities to boot. Seems like people are really finding things that fit them well, or at least, giving it a good shot. Her sister works in law in Chicago. Might see her when I'm there next week.

In case you were wondering, the food at the wedding was great. Beat out those Hebrew School leftovers we used to eat by a landslide. The first thing I thought when I sat down (after congratulations, Julie) was that I'd been to David Lipton's bar mitzvah in this very same room, and further watched his cake tip over and all 13 plus candles hit the dance floor. That doesn't seem like as long ago as it was.

Maybe they should start handing out wedding t-shirts and I can add them to my collection!

Love,
Karen

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Detroit on a Saturday night

Hi Mom,

Met up with Julie's friends from abroad tonight; they're in for the wedding and we all decided to toodle around town together. They had already toured our fair city (with a guide, nonetheless) and their cellphones sported pictures of the swinging fist and several dilapidated buildings downtown. Hence Emily, her friend and I took them to Novi, which makes a decent attempt at having a downtown, though it still mostly makes me think of glorified strip malls (not a criticism, I am not a New York City snob). I had never been to Lucky's, which has pinball machines, bowling, a bar and a band all sprawled out in a giant rec space.

It was rather unexpected and actually pretty cool, though Julie's friend forgetting his ID sent us across the street to a rather normal sports bar with big screens instead. They were a nice and incredibly international bunch. We drank beer until it got late out and then headed home--wedding to get ready for in the morning and all.

Hope everything's going well over there--I'm tuckered out from a night of adventure.

Love,
Karen

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Muse

Hi Mom,

With so many museums and three free hours to see them in, it's hard to decide. Every year I swear I'll plot ahead of time, with shortcuts involving jumping hedges and skateboarding around, not through, the crowds. Never works.

The Museum Mile is a night set out to perplex frequent museum-goers who try and balance their interest in getting into every museum they've ever wanted to see with their fascination with whatever performances are happening on the blocked-off, pedestrian-friendly street on a warm summer evening.

I mill around in the middle of the street, smelling the sweet corn and crepes cooking at small stalls on the sides. I try and elbow my way in to seeing some artwork, but since it's free pretty much everyone shows up at once. The music doesn't lose its luster but seeing art with everyone on earth crammed in around you is a little bit less powerful. At least I know what to go back and visit when I have more time, like doing a whirlwind tour of six countries in a week.

Anyway, saw the MET, always a favorite, and watched a street performer juggle, and then subsequently eat, fire.

Hope you're having a great birthday. I'm thinking of you.

Love,
Karen

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Fresh Air

Hi Mom,

I have just solved one of my apartment's mega-mysteries. The motion-activated air freshener I bought, which I was convinced on multiple occasions I had moved to various other strategic locations throughout the apartment, kept showing up back on my dresser. I had entertained the possibility that I had dreamed the whole thing up, that I had never moved it at all. I had briefly considered whether the puffs of scent it emits could propel it somehow from various places back to its previous perch. Turns out, my roommate hates the darn thing and kept waiting for me to get the idea.

We both dissolved into peals of laughter as she explained how it had puffed her in the head from the ledge in the bathroom, made her hand stink all day when I had left it on the sink, and shot her in the face when it was atop the toaster. Each time she had placed it back in its dust ring on my dresser, wondering what kind of passive-aggressive odor-prevention program was in place around here.

I feel much less crazy now. I'll tell you, when you walk in, flip on the light and hear its telltale wheeze when the contraption's supposed to be 100 feet away and on the other side of the door...
well, it's strange. 

That was this morning's great discovery. Stay tuned and see what we think of next.

Love,
Karen

Hey there, Mac

Hi Mom,

Just came in from the 24-hour Apple store, the big glass one with the Willy Wonka-style elevator. It must take vats of Windex to keep the thing clean but they always manage to make it look easy.

I think you should buy a MacBook. I was staring at them for awhile earlier and I think you'd like the portability and style. They come in shiny colors. The only real dilemma would be if you aspired to move things between a Mac and a PC. Or if you decided to use specific software that is still only made for PCs. Development is slow sometimes because most things go PC first, except some design software, I think.

In related news, on a whim I decided I should buy a business school book. Don't fall over. It was just to keep my options open, see if I still have a passion for standardized tests, all the usual reasons. I picked up a Kaplan GMAT book for thirty-odd dollars and as the CD started whirring realized it was only for the PC. So much for that study aid. Since I had already opened the CD (you have to in order to put it in the computer and all) they won't take it back at Barnes & Noble. So what I need now is to find someone with a PC who plans to take the test and needs a book. Doh!

Maybe it's a sign--people with Macs shouldn't go to business school. Or people named Karen. Also saw Up tonight. Very cute. I recommend.

Love,
Karen

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Keep the change

Hi Mom,

A guy with a fancy umbrella stopped me in the street this morning on my walk to work. “Funny, you don’t look like a tourist.” I was trying to get the parking lot shot at the exact right angle to get in all the crazy verticals. “I’m not. It’s for a blog for my mom.” He still looked confused. “I take pictures of things I think are interesting around the city and send them to her.”

He walked with me for five blocks. We talked about GM and cars and parking lots, then briefly about jobs, hedge funds (he works at one) and layoffs. He was shocked to find I walk all the way to work. I turned the corner. He waved.

I was walking down Broadway, where city employees are now called upon daily to set up a barrage of lawn chairs. A man with a grey hat and a black messenger bag jogged past me in street clothes, pausing as I did when a series of quarters and pennies hit the ground. “Are those mine?” he asked. “I think so, yeah,” I said, reviewing any open pockets or pouches that could have shed approximately 46 cents. He picked it up and jogged off. I kept walking.

I took a shortcut down the bike lane, imagining the street lined with pink flamingo lawn ornaments. About ten minutes later, he reappeared. “I think they’re yours,” he said breathlessly. I didn’t drop them.” He dropped the 46 cents into my palm and disappeared down the street.

Love,
Karen

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

30 minutes, walking briskly

Hi Mom,

I saw my old roommates the other day, the Brooklyn crew from when I lived out near Coney Island. It remains a great apartment--my old room looks even better now, they fixed it up and unlike my minimalist approach, decorated. It's still too far to get me to work on time. Or that just could have been me dismembering the alarm clock and waking up late. Hard to say.

These days I walk to work. It's a little over a mile and a half and winds me through Times Square, Herald Square and down to Union Square, where I can stop by the farmer's market for some fresh cider and snacks. 

I try to vary the route to see what's going on in the city. Going the fastest way though, or what I've until now perceived to be the fastest way, I can watch them setting up the chairs in Times Square, check out the windows in Macy's down by Herald Square, and watch gobs of locals hit up Starbucks amidst confused, map-bearing tourist throngs. 

Other streets are less picturesque but also a lot of fun. One sells wholesale jewelry for about six blocks, big costume pieces you can't buy individually but can sometimes sneak in to admire in their plastic wonder. Another is just knockoff perfumes and non-name brand t-shirts, storefronts blank due to today's economy and large red going-out-of-business signs. 

Every time I make the walk downtown I notice something new. It's a nice way to start the day. Speaking of which, I should probably go do that. Have a great Wednesday!

Love, 
Karen 

Calls for a glass of milk

Hi Mom,

I have made a recent and unfortunate discovery--the Treats Truck comes to rest within five blocks of my office on a routine basis, bringing cookies, brownies with jam, rice krispie squares and other manner of dangerous, diet-obstructing goodness to a corner near me. 

The treats are only a couple bucks each, making it super-easy on a dreary (insert day here) afternoon to look up from one's desk and exclaim gleefully "TREATS TRUCK!" before heading out like the pied piper with ten people and twenty dollars worth of requests from individuals still glued to their seats.

I usually let the lady pick my treat for me. I know that's not the way it's supposed to be but somehow I just get overwhelmed by the sugary possibilities. When I'm feeling even more concrete I'll just go to City Bakery and get a buttery chocolate chip cookie because there's no decision to be made there. They hands down make a great chocolate chip cookie and also marvelous hot chocolate, which you can only drink in tiny cups because it's so rich and thick. 

The Truck lists its destinations on its website and sometimes we get so desperate we even have a countdown going until the truck arrives. Today we even went in the rain. This lady has no idea how addictive the treats are. Or maybe she does, and that's how she makes her living.

Send me the cowboy cookie recipe and save me from myself. :)

Love,
Karen