Hot chocolate

Hi Mom,

At City Bakery the hot chocolate cups are about as tall as shot glasses. At first glance you'd think, well, they're just trying to stiff me the hot chocolate and save themselves some money. Then you take the first sip and almost double over from the intensity.

I don't know how they make it. They keep it in a vat they seem to stir intermittently. If you sit at the top of the stairs on the tall stools and look over the railing, you can see them ladling it out. It's thick like syrup. I've never made it through a small cup; they also carry regular sizes. I'd never dare to order one.

Instead, I'm happy to take small sips and debate if it'll be a pretzel croissant or the world's largest, most buttery chocolate chip cookie for snack. Oh, choices.

Love,
Karen

Pickled

Hi Mom,

You are looking at a platter full of tongue/beet skewers. Beautifully presented, but tongue/beet skewers all the same. Third Ward, which hosts artsy events and cheap beer nights at its location out in the middle of Brooklyn, had a Last Supper event. Can't tell you why it was called that, but we donated money to get in and then got to eat some art. They also had spoken word and short films.

I ate gingerbread walls off of miniature hi-rise buildings and sampled kale made by volunteers. They grilled corn out back and apples in a basket appeared from nowhere.

I think people come from far and wide to attend these parties, though I simultaneously get the feeling a lot of attendees are from the nearby up-and-coming areas. Reconfirmed: I'd make a lousy hipster. I do, however, really like their events. Last one I went to was a Bluegrass festival on their patio. Reminded me of when I was a country fiddler back in the music camp days. I still can't believe I memorized all those songs!

Night was great. Tasted, listened, watched and then went home.

Love,
Karen

Barbara sings here

Hi Mom,

I had never heard of the Village Vanguard, but apparently I'm about the only one in New York who hasn't.

I had stumbled upon a very excitable crowd. Apparently Barbara Streisand was performing a private, one night only concert inside. I hadn't realized she was still so popular. Or ever so popular.

Polling the crowd, I discovered that indeed, she wasn't. Rather, a bunch of famous people had showed up to see her perform. Hence, the group gathered outside was a mish mash of fans of hers and fans of her fans. Get it? It took me a minute.

I didn't stick around, but there were cameras and limos and lights and professional looking badges; the works. Next time someone famous comes to town, I'll have to figure out how to get tickets ahead of time.

Love,
Karen

Cheers to that!

Hi Mom,

Remember these earrings you like, the ones that dangle that we bought together at the street fair? Well last night at a bar, a fine young man turned to me and said by way of greeting, "Hi, I like the way your earrings flow into your hair."

I hadn't thought about it before. I guess they probably do flow into my hair pretty nicely. Flattering AND original, I thought from my barstool. That got an A+ for creativity in my book, though I didn't wind up giving him my number. He was a writer, a poet and a scholar of some sort who lived vaguely in the area. I drank a Blue Moon, a lovely Belgian beer if you haven't tried it.

The bartender was from Ireland, the owner from Texas, and me from Michigan. The fun fact of the evening--apparently in Ireland, the bartenders are Asian. Go figure.

Happy Friday, Mom.

Love,

Karen

At the theater

Hi Mom,

Graceful is not my thing. I took dance, as you recall, for a brief moment, inspiring audiences near and far with my interpretation of "Pretty Little Angel Eyes." That was the start and end of my illustrious career.

Luckily, the performers in Fall for Dance have been doing it way longer and are way better at it. I got tickets to the sold out event from a friend--most people stood in line for hours to attend--and found myself on the main floor, orchestra seating not even all the way back.

From the ballet to the tap dancing all the way through the lounge that sold $2 wine, it was quite an event. It was the opening night to boot, so I got to hear the speeches, the welcomes, and a partial history of Capezio shoes, which in some way seemed to be a sponsor.

Fun things to do in New York City.

Love,

Karen

Back at my desk

Hi Mom,

After nearly a week away--conference, holiday, etc, I return to my desk.

It's just the way I left it.

Since leaving, however, I have eaten my weight in gefilte fish, chicken soup, spaghetti, and cowboy cookies.

My chair sags a little lower.

It was great fun being home, seeing you and helping put together enough food to feed an army. I still don't know how you do it.

Love,
Karen

Facebook friends

Hi Mom,

Today I had the rare opportunity to genuinelly surprise someone--Bonnie's sister Katie. As it happens, Maureen, who I've known for years, is directing a play that Katie is in.

How did I find this out, you ask? Facebook! I was somewhat reluctant to join the internet age as far as letting everyone snoop around my life, but so far, Facebook has yielded me sources, Scrabble partners, and now, the chance to actually astound Katie, who I've known via Bonnie since college. So what if a few unflattering images make their way into cyberspace?! This was way worth it. :)

She came flying my way from the other side of the auditorium seats. I was there to see the play rehearsed, since I won't be in town when it actually runs. You should go see it--she's playing the ditzy girl. Plus it's a Mitch Albom script...

We got to catch up, blitz Bonnie with pictures...all in all, a success!

Love,
Karen

Shrek, the vehicle

Hi Mom,

Would you drive this car to the grocery store? To the post office? To the gym?

It's sitting out in front of the conference I'm attending. I like that it's green. They're releasing the two person version in the next month or so, but this is their prototype. They're hoping to sell a bunch of them, at $30,000 a pop to young ubranites and other folks looking to save energy and go "green."

They let me sit in it. I want one!

Love,
Karen

Parking lots

Hi Mom,

I haven't been in a parking lot in ages. I lost my rental car twice today in this one. It's strange how my senses, which used to be radar-keen for finding automobiles, have dulled so much over the last few years. Now I can weave my way through large crowds and watch for elbows to the head instead, I guuess.

I spent a long time wandering the parking lot looking for my car. It didn't help that I had forgotten which one I had rented. Or that the beepy thing wasn't working. These all just added to my adventure.

Next up, which windy street leads back to my house, and other suburban adventures.

Love,
Karen

Too much noise

Hi Mom,

Remember the kids' book where the guy has a creaky floor, then is told to get all kinds of animals, which in turn leads to him learning to appreciate that after all, it's just a creak?

I'm thinking of getting a goat, some chickens, a pig and a few horses to drown out the construction going on outside my window. The people behind me seem to be constructing some kind of rooftop patio. That gets an A+ in my book for neighborhood beautification, but a C- for early morning hammering. 

It's just two guys, two very dedicated workers to be constructing away at 8 in the morning. 

I'm sure it'll look great when it's done. I hope they let me invite myself over, as I'll have been so much a part of the process--or rather, enjoyed its symphony for weeks at that point. 

There goes the electric saw again. 

Love,

Karen

Diana Ross

Hi Mom,

Tonight I saw Diana Ross, LIVE! I had only seen covers of her songs previously; thought this was a pretty good impersonator. Turned out, it was actually her!

Was attending a conference and it was the evening event. It was on Ellis Island, with fabulous fireworks, free liquor, and picnic-style food. I and the 3,500 other people there sure felt special.

Wonder what all those immigrants would think of Ellis Island, party central. I wouldn't have imagined it to be the spot for private events, but hey, you learn something new every day.

Speaking of learning new things, a juggler at the event told me there was a tunnel that ran to the island--allegedly he drove through it to get to "work" and needed a passport to get through security. Two new things today.

Love,

Karen

Tag, part two

Hi Mom,

Tag update: attended the conference with my jacket, security tag and all. I draped it over my arm, folded so nobody would know I would beep at most major department stores. My outfit looked complete--I just never put the jacket on.

As for actually solving the problem, I went to four nearby stores to see if they'd remove it for me. Turns out anti-theft policies are a big deal around here, so even IF the store doesn't carry the brand, it is thoughtfully unwilling to remove the tag, as the garment may have been lifted elsewhere. I could not elicit enough sympathy to get them to budge on this one. Next up, shady-esque places in Brooklyn. And/or a pair of pliers.

Love,
Karen

Tag, you're it

Hi Mom,

So I'm back at work today, getting ready to get into the swing of things for fall. I'm all dressed up for a conference: notebook, pen, heels, the works. I drop by my desk to pick up my business cards and I hear "hey, hey, look at your jacket." There are snickers. This is not good.

I grabbed it on the way out the door this morning. I thought it had the right almost-fall look to it. I wondered why I didn't wear it more often. I quickly ran through the list of possibilities--I spilled coffee on it, somehow splotched deodorant/toothpaste/cheerios and milk on it, brushed past a powdered donut stand on my dash through the subway station...

The security tag. I've been foiled again. It's hanging off the right pocket of my suit. I paid a pretty penny for this outfit. And now I'm going to the conference in my tank top.

It's a Wednesday, feels like Monday. How do I get this thing off without them thinking I lifted it?

I'm sure the receipt has already gone through the wash. More than once.

Love,

Karen

Dark chocolate

Hi Mom,

Today I got home and found that Soojung, who had been staying at my house, had left half of a bar of Godiva dark chocolate on my nightstand. I'm not sure if she left it on purpose, but today was a perfect day for large squares of melting chocolate goodness.

So I ate them, all four, figuring it'd be easier to apologize later than just keep staring at them from my bed. Each one tasted better than the last. I washed them down with a glass of milk. You can't just leave food laying around or it'll attract bugs, right? So I was doing the apartment, which she'll certainly stay in again, a service. I even disposed of the wrapper appropriately.

Plus, I still have her suitcase, so I'm sure it'll work itself out somehow.

Love,
Karen

Weather wars

Hi Mom,

See this? This is my trusty fan. Work is having weather wars again, whereby half the office is hot and half the office is cold. That goes for the people individually as well as their respective sides of the room.

Nobody's to blame, really. It's a huge space with giant air conditioning tubes going across the ceiling. They deliver more cold air to some parts of the floor than to others. But we have reached the point where we almost need a weatherman. Or clothing advisories.

On one side of the room, a co-worker is bundled into a sweatshirt, hood up, blanket covering her knees. I'm wearing a tank top and a skirt, plus sandles for good measure. I can't wear any less in public! People are instant messaging about desk swaps based on temperature preferences.

The boss is explaining to the man from the air conditioning company our issue. He looks perplexed. It might be that there is nothing to be done. People have taped paper over some of the vents to block the cold air. My solution: a desk fan.

Special thanks to Honeywell for producing such a fabulous fan. It's small and high-powered. Sometimes it even helps me reorganize my desk.

Love,
Karen