Lately, I’ve found myself sitting in a bit of a daze, staring at those around me (even more so than normal) and I’ve been writing down all the behaviors I’m noticing. This morning in particular I saw a couple that made me think either: “thumbs up my friend” or “boo, that, thumbs down.” I think a lot of us are too oblivious of our actions, and don’t step outside ourselves enough to help, or notice, or just understand the people or environment around us. Here are some of my thumbs up & thumbs down situations.
~A male teenager left his group of friends to help a shaky elderly woman with a cane cross a street after a taxi almost took her out (yes, I’m generalizing since this is not behavior I often expect or see of teenagers in general, let alone boys)
~A businessman letting the door slam into my hand leaving starbucks, causing me to spill coffee all down my pants and stain my flip-flops
~A construction worker picking up a coffee cup someone threw away and missed the garbage can
~A teenage girl unwrapping her gum and throwing each piece of the wrapper she takes off on the sidewalk without any hesitation
~Watching under cover cops communicate and then pull a drunk man off the subway for being racist and harassing a woman near him
~Having to see teenage boys tighty-whities because they insist on having their pants so low they end up walking like penguins
~A soldier getting up from his table and sitting down with an elderly man sitting by himself in a NYC diner when he sees him struggling with the sugar packet for his coffee
* For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone* – Audrey Hepburn
Several times I’ve taken the train home to Long Island and back into the city, I’ve sat either in front or behind the same woman, content with the company she keeps in her head, calmly carrying on conversations of a past life, a different life.
The other day, I couldn’t help but write as I listened and watched this lady find comfort in her reflection and the stories it kept.
Train Reflections
by me
She sits with her reflection It comforts her wild mind. Talking to an old friend Who’d never leave her behind. She listens to her stories She’s a shoulder when she cries, An unquiet mind put at ease, Watching as the world passes by. “Tell me friend, how have you been? How are you spending your days?” “I’m okay, it’s quiet in here, Riding my days away… Hey! Look at all those cars So many places to be, Remember when that was you and me? People to see, places to go, But my hair is gray & there’s nothing left I know.” Sitting with her oldest friend She looks into her eyes Pleased her friend is looking back, She loses all sense of place and time. “Let’s open another store, We could really make it work, Harlem would work for sure this time, Half would be yours, half would be mine.” She waits for her friend to answer She bows her head in praise, “You always were much smarter You always knew just what to say.” A smile comes across her face, Even though the rain, obscures the plastic pane The familiar face always remains. “I can always count on you to stick around Loyally following me from town to town.” She listens to her dear friend reminisce She listens to the stories she tells, Here her unquiet mind is peaceful, Sitting with her reflection, all is well.
This Music Monday…well, Music Tuesday, (I got a little behind getting this up last night) I wanted to share some music with everyone, even if it is a day late. A singer/songwriter whose voice is haunting and soothing all at once; then put to a melodic piano and poetic lyrics, it’s hard not to get hooked.
With words like:
*Who do you think you are? Running ’round leaving scars Collecting your jar of hearts And tearing love apart You’re gonna catch a cold From the ice inside your soul So don’t come back for me*
Christina Perri is sure to find a place among the Adeles, Colbie Caillats, and Regina Spektors in like-minded music lovers like myself! Happy listening!
Ten Degrees is a quaint wine bar comfortably placed on St. Mark’s Place between 1st Avenue and Avenue A.
Come sit around the U-Shaped wooden bar hosting 4 select taps: Brooklyn Lager, Six Point Sweet Action, Checker Cab Blonde Ale, and Southpoint IPA; surrounded by walls of wooden shelves filled with top shelf wines and champagnes, you get a true wine-bar feel. If bar-sitting isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other seating areas, as well as several high-top tables and low cafeteria tables, and a more exclusive lounge in the back.
With 2 for 1 specials on Wine, Signature Cocktails and select Beers, a growing food menu, and always pleasant bar tenders, Ten Degrees has become a favorite of my friends and mine. Helping step up St. Mark’s from platforms and PBR to wellies and Wine, Ten Degrees is a neighborhood gem.
My personal favorite is their Montepulciano d’ Abruzzo, served in a very large glass, it is a steal during happy hour at $4.50 a glass. Pair that with the Pick 3 platter (choose from cheeses, meats and olives), you have my favorite happy hour meal!
Lately I have been on a kick to update and upgrade my wardrobe. Trying to follow the trends and pair pieces I already have with new ones, all pulled together with accessories. An area I definitely need some help!
We all know, clothing can be expensive! Especially if you’re someone like i am, who gets overwhelmed in the bargain stores like century 21 and Loehmanns!
I saw this People article and had to share it! Trying to dress like the stars just got a little easier! Unless you’re me…who got every single one wrong! Some of the answers are shocking!
After experiencing another amazingly moving show on Saturday at the Highline Ballroom, I wanted to dedicate this Monday to two of the most talented songwriters I’ve experienced – Karin and Linford of Over the Rhine.
Although I’ll admit to being mildly disappointed they didn’t play my all time favorite song – I Don’t Wanna Waste Your Time, they did play my other favorite, Suitcase. After all, the concert was about debuting their new album, The Long Surrender. An album filled with so much raw emotion sung by Karin’s enchanting soul-filled voice, and accompanied by Linford on the piano, it’s not uncommon to literally be moved to tears.
If you like the songs – please support the band and purchase their new album, no stealing.
Set list: 1. Laugh of Recognition *Come on boys, it’s time to let it go, everybody has a dream, that they will never own. Come on boys, it’s time to let her down you might be surprised how far she’ll get with her feet on the ground*
2. Rave On *Bear down deep into the soul, the floorboard groans the rubber rolls, rock on, rave on*
3. Suitcase *Why’d you love me in the first place, you were always closer than a brother, I can barely look at your face. I’ve said my, I’ve said my, I’ve said my piece, I’m on my, I’m on my, down on my knees, whatcha doin’ with a suitcase*
4. Sharpest Blade *But you cut me quick, in the light of the shade, with the edge of the green, of the yard’s sharpest blade; when nothing I knew was all that it seemed. I still dreamed of a love to outlive us, I still prayed that this night would outlast us, and redeem some small thing*
5. Undamned *Don’t count me out just yet I’m not your little lost lamb, God might still get my world, get it undamned*
6. I’m On A Roll *This oyster is my world my oyster’s got a pearl, this ain’t no dress rehearsal I’m a very lucky girl, I’m on a roll*
7. Oh Yeah By The Way *Oh yeah by the way, oh yeah by the way, what a waste that I still love you, after the mess you’ve made. What a waste that I’m not jaded, once in awhile I even smile, what a waste you’re just a stranger to me now*
8.The King Knows How *Is that a jukebox altar call, or just a soft smoky place to fall? I’m thinkin’ I might be tempted to slide on over, slide on over. I’m thinkin’ I need a little somethin’ to tide me over, tide me over, till Memphis*
9. Infamous Love Song – (one of the most beautifully written & sang songs) *This love’s the affirmation, of everything good, the oxygen coursing through the blood, the feel of being understood, the belief that, oh yes, somehow we could, and the milkyway looks, like a flimsy blouse, but now we’re gentrified in our civil war house, safe as a painting by Currier and Ives, baby our love song must survive*
10. Only God Can Save Us Now♥Love. This. Song. Explained on the OtR website, “Set in a nursing home, where Karin has spent countless hours since her mom suffered a devastating stroke nine years ago, the humorous and heart-wrenching ‘Only God Can Save Us Now’ celebrates the tenacity of the human spirit. ‘We came to describe the nursing home as ‘a head-on collision between comedy and tragedy,’ says Karin. ‘Obviously, we’ve gotten to know many of the residents there and have found it impossible to ignore them and their stories. And we have our favorites. For example, once I leaned in to ask one of the residents, a little bird-like woman named Geneva, ‘How are you today, Geneva?’ She replied, ‘Only God can save us now…’ While listening to Karin explain this story in person, the majority of the venue looked visibly moved. *When my time has come and it may be comin’ soon, don’t mind me if you come to find me howlin’ at the moon, I’ll need a busy apron and a half-sedated crowd, only God can save us now. A baby doll some chocolates and flowers made of silk, a clean room with a window and some Prozac in warm milk, and sneak us in some whiskey ‘cause it’s prob’ly not allowed, only God can save us now*
Karin explaining Only God Can Save Us Now
11. There’s a Bluebird In My Heart *There’s a bluebird with a song with little effort how she sings it so well, like a lover with a broken-throated story to tell I’ve kept her secret for so long*
12. Trouble *If you came to make some trouble, better make it good, your sexy cocktail hour stubble is doing what it should, looks may be sweet and subtle, I think it’s trouble honey, I think it’s good*
13. Days Like This *Days like this you think about the ones that went before you days like this have you ever seen the sky it’s such a clear blue all I wanna do is live my life honestly*
14. All My Favorite People *All my friends are part saint and part sinner, we lean on each other try to rise above. We’re not afraid to admit we’re all still beginners, we’re all late bloomers, when it comes to love*
15. Drunkard’s Prayer *And in that motion, I long to drown and be lost not to be found, you’re my water, you’re my wine, you’re my whiskey from time to time*
16. No Kill Shelter *I’m a no kill shelter I’ll say it again, I may never get best in show but then again one thing in my life I’ve found to never fail, if I’m feelin’ real good I’m gonna wag a little tail*
I hope you enjoy all the lyrics and music so clearly written from everything inside the heart and soul of Karin and Linford to create their latest album, The Long Surrender.
Thank you to everyone who’s been reading and following my blog!! Today I reached 1000 views!! I’m pretty excited about how its growing, and owe it all to my readers! ♥♥♥
In honor of this important step in my blogging life, I thought today I’d do a “Today in History”. After all, it appears March 25th has been quite a busy day – here are some snippets of history!
~421, the city of Venice was founded
~1634, Maryland was founded by Lord Baltimore
~1669, in Sicily, Mount Etna erupted destroying Nicolosi and killing 20,000 people
~1807, Britain abolished slave trade.
~1911, the massive fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist factory occurred, killing 146 workers, mainly young immigrant women. This fire helped radically change the labor movement.
~1994, American troops completed their withdrawal from Somalia
~1971, The Boston Patriots became the New England Patriots…super…
~2004, The US Senate voted on the Unborn Victims of Violence Act making it a separate crime to harm a fetus during the commission of a violent federal crime**my personal favorite
Happy Birthday to Elton John – 64, Gloria Steinem – 77, Sheryl Swoopes (my basketball idol growing up!) – 40 and Sarah Jessica Parker – 46
Lots of Love again to everyone who’s been supporting me & my blog! Happy Friday!
After a long week at work, many New Yorkers look forward to their Thursday nights. The night they can go out for Happy Hour and just forget about the day’s stressors for a bit. A place my friends and I love to do that at best is City Crab & Seafood. Although, mostly an upscale seafood restaurant, they offer an affordable and delicious Happy Hour to the twenty somethings, not making 6-figure somethings.
City Crab is located in an area lacking in suitable happy hours. Flatiron / Gramercy has few places offering specials for the young and employed, who occasionally prefer a more upscale locale for their thirsty Thursday than an Irish Pub.
I’m partial to their popcorn shrimp, which never ceases to please, while their Cajun peel and eat shrimp is perfectly seasoned in Old Bay and other such spices making it irresistible – especially when half priced.
Happy Hour is 4pm to 7pm Mondays – Thursdays & Sundays, and an extra special 10pm to 12am on Fridays & Saturdays. With 1/2 off wines, select beers, and shelf liquors, as well as 1/2 priced appetizers and $1 oysters, City Crab is a perfect place to cozy up to the bar, get to know the bar tender & catch up with your friends after a long week at work.
Grab your friends and order a $5 Pinot Grigio, $8 Peel & Eat Shrimp and $7 Popcorn Shrimp and enjoy the cozy coastal feeling bar surrounded by live lobsters, crabs and oysters all waiting to be enjoyed on your Thirsty Thursday.
This Wednesday I’m featuring a jewelry website – Gemma Redux.
Not only do I LOVE the name because it reminds me a. of my favorite restaurant in NYC – Gemma and b. It sounds like one of (in my opinion) the best directed films – Apocalypse Now (obviously, I prefer the Redux version).
Gemma Redux has all the necessary pieces to complete your today-trendy outfit. With big necklaces made of metal links and stones they create the perfect layered look.
A celeb favorite – Gemma Redux is definitely worth a website Wednesday shout-out! You Know you’ve seen this piece in the style mags!
*Death makes angels of us all and gives us wings where we had shoulders, round as ravens claws.* – Jim Morrison
for my dad ♥
Anyway
by me
It’s the George Strait
Streaming through my speakers.
It’s the Starbucks
Coursing through my veins.
It’s the watermelon
that’s not in season But I find a reason to buy it, anyway.
It’s the brownstone
Standing proud for the broker.
It’s the Southerner
Asking, ‘Which way to Broadway?’
It’s the Pecan Sandies
That I shouldn’t eat But I will treat myself to, on a bad day.
It’s Disney World
Bringing on smiles, miles wide.
It’s Wild West movies
Brimming with guns and love
It’s the office number
That’s disconnected But I keep in my phone, just because.
It’s the golf shirts
Hanging from me like a dress.
It’s the tattoo
Shaped like the home you loved, but left.
It’s your story, cut short early;
And if you ‘Don’t call me Shirley’
