This week it's fall

If you don't take a picture of something, did it really happen? Well I've been slacking as usual on photographically documenting my life, so the following written (!!) description will have to suffice.

Tuesday night I hosted a dumpling party for the Mid-Autumn Festival (one night early, I know) and it was a great success! I was a little worried for a bit that there wouldn't be enough dumplings, since instead of subwaying it down to chinatown to buy some bags of frozen dumplings in bulk, I just walked to ktown and bought a couple bags from the grocery store. I thought it would be fine since other people promised to bring food as well... but then lo and behold, most ending up bring alochol instead! Which is cool, I will never turn down wine presents, but it was a DUMPLING party, not a party party. Anyway, like I said, it was fine in the end and everyone got enough to eat and drink and now I have enough leftover mooncake to last me until the next fall equinox.

Wednesday after work I headed down to 14th street with my coworkers for an annual literary agent cocktail party. This year it was held at the Norwood Club, and FOOLISH ME I thought there would be pictures of it online so I didn't take any with my trusty blackberry but of course it is an uber exclusive members only type establishment, so there aren't many photos. You can sort of get an idea from the website (norwoodclub.com) but actually the interior is about 75% cooler than the pictures would suggest. One lady told us that she had lived around the corner for 25 years and never known the place existed until now... yeah, that's how cool of a place it is.

My coworker liked the place so much that she emailed them and is going on a guided tour next week, and found out that fortunately right now they are doing a special discount membership fee for anyone under 30 (which she is). Only 800! And cue "Only in New York" comments from the rest of the world...

Anyway, twas another good week of catching up with old friends and meeting some new people and oh yes, TV is back on again! So far I am caught up with my shows except I still need to watch the premiere of Boardwalk Empire, since I've been hearing good things (and really, it seems hard for HBO to do a bad show). I'm going to keep fighting off this cold thing I've had going on the past couple days and enjoy the last couple days of sunshine and warmth before the real fall weather sets in. Happy Friday --> weekend!

an encounter

THE SCENE: It is raining. I have just crossed the street from the Times Square subway and am heading home. Luckily I have an umbrella.

Lady behind me: Excuse me! Miss! Miss!

(I turn at the corner, thinking I have either a) dropped something or b) she desperately needs directions. Two ladies with umbrellas approach.)

First lady: Hi, we're with the somethingsomething and we'd like to ask you a question.

(I brace myself. Where do I cut my hair?)

First lady: Have you ever seen the face of the Lady God in the Bible?

Me: (Blink. Stare.) No.

First lady: Could we show you?

Second lady: Are you Christian?

Me, cutting her off: I'm actually going to meet someone so I have to go.

Me, hurrying down the sidewalk: What? What???

The end. Definitely stranger than three guys in a cab soliciting with "You wanna go to a club and hang out? You wanna make out?" at 10:30pm, but no less ridiculous.


And on another note--Can a person live on wine and cheese alone? I'd like to think so.

I don't even know

A few weeks ago marked my one year anniversary at my company, and after just now going back through all my blog posts from the last year I am quite confused. Where has the time gone? But it's like... if time is a river, and I'm in a boat on that river, I am just drifting from shore to shore while the tide steadily pushes me forward. I may wish I could debunk on one shore and just stay there for awhile (and sometimes I am lucky to land on the correct shore and vacation there for a bit) but in the end I am back in the boat being ushered along to some unforeseeable destination.

Ok, clearly it is too early on a Monday morning for Homeric-type similes. Let's cover the basics. Work is good; successfully read two manuscripts this weekend and am about to finish a third. Gotta get some basic housecleaning done around the office that I've been putting off for too long. It's really a shame that the Procrastination Demon has clung to me even after school has ended... I think I indulged it too long and now can't seem to throw it off.

Friends and family have come to visit recently and that's always a good time. Excursions included: biking to Brooklyn and up the West Side of Manhattan, eating a looooooot of food in Chinatown, dining on the last vestiges of Restaurant Week (at Butter mmmmm) and visiting the Whitney. More friends are coming to visit this weekend for birthday celebrations (not mine), so that should be crazyfun times as well.

What else. Fall weather means I have finally started cooking for myself again, for realz. Also despite the necessity of (or is it for? Dear God my brain is mush after a year and some months out of school) sweaters, we finally made it to the Astoria beer garden last Saturday and that was quite enjoyable. I also finally made it to McSorley's, where I was pleasantly surprised that we weren't harrassed by the waiters, the beer was quite cheap, and we made friends with our neighbors at the table. (Note: by friends I mean we challenged them to eat 4 Saltines in one minute and it was a HILARIOUS FAILURE).

I will try my darnest not to be so neglectful of this blog but honestly I shouldn't make any promises (blame the Procrastination Demon again). Tally ho!