The Produce Man

(photo via movingtonyc.wordpress.com)

It's been really *neat* (totally decided to bring back the word "neat!") lately to have a regular schedule (sort of) and see the same people during my walks to work. The Produce Man on 9th Ave and 49th Street waves to me every morning. And, I wave back. Perhaps I should introduce myself before I take off next week... I feel like we've developed a little bond!

The City Got Smaller

 (photo via dablogter.blogspot.com)

Alright, while having a conversation with my friends Aaron, Alix, and Rachael recently, we were discussing our adventures in the city. They, too, are heading out after graduation (5 days!). By chance, I had walked by a restaurant they had just walked into. I called their names and they were surprised to see me standing there, just as I was surprised to see them standing there. Small freakin' world! We bantered back and forth and then decided I would return for a beer after running a few errands. So, this encounter sparked our conversation.


When I first moved out to New York, two years ago, I was nervous to go outside. I looked out my window and there was his whole world bustling below me. I had no idea what street was in front of me, no idea which way was South, North, etc. I didn't even know where the nearest grocery store was, and I was starvinggg! The city seemed like this huge pond with big fish everywhere, and I, a new little fish, was uber nervous to jump in.

But, I did. I quickly became acquainted with my neighborhood, and finally figured out where a grocery store was. (Psh!) I started visiting the sites uptown and downtown. I started getting involved with extracurricular activities. I started seeing my friends randomly on the street. And it was then that I noticed, the city got smaller. Ahh, perhaps it's more appropriate to say this little fish got bigger...

Housing Works: Design on a Dime

(photo via housingworks.com)

Heard of this place, Housing Works? It's an organization offering services to two populations - the homeless and individuals suffering from AIDS. It's a rather fantastic organization with services like case management,  health care, legal aide, job training, housing subsidies. Ahhh, I could keep going. Anyhoo, they have an event coming up - Design on a Dime. It's a huge fundraising event at their flagship thrift shop on 18th Street celebrating progress in this field of work. And, I reallyyyy want to go! Bummer I have a test that night, but I'll definitely make it to their public sale on Friday and Saturday! Isn't it lovely to do something fun - like shop - and still make a difference? :)

*Wink!

(photo via glasshousepresents.com) 

I'm bringing back the wink. I decided it long ago. The wink is fun, sexy and oh-so sweet, and absolutely, no doubt about it, guaranteed to bring a smile to your target's face (ish)... 

Today, walking home from campus, I made eye contact with a total doll on 48th street and 9th Ave. As we both waited for the light to change, he asked me what I was listening to. I replied, "just a little bit of mellow jazz," as I smiled. He said: "Good call. Have you heard of Jules?" (It's a jazz bar in the village.) "I have, actually - on St. Mark's?" He said: "Yes! It's the best." The light changed to green and the "WALK" sign lit up. It may have been one of the more depressing moments in our conversation... Because it ended it. He *winked at me and said: "Good night." I sputtered a bit and was able to manage, "Thanks, you as well!" Pssshhhhhh. Laammeee. The wink sent me overboard. It was 60 degrees outside and I was sweating bullets over the casual conversation with a total stranger, which was topped off with the simple and sincere wink of an eye... 

Too dramatic? Ha!

My Singing Neighbor

(photo via postsecret.blogspot.com) 

Alix and I have some fun neighbors. Adjacent to us are *Sophia and *Jaclyn. They're Broadway performers and we can always hear them belting out the high notes. I won't lie, I didn't realize what was happening at first. (The expression on my face was surely priceless.) I was lying in bed - eyes half closed, when I began to hear near-opera singing mingle through the wall. I thought perhaps it was a blaring television, or the radio playing at 7 o'clock in the morning on a Sunday (I know, right?) But as it turns out, Sophia and Jaclyn enjoy a little early morning voice lesson. I've come to appreciate this, really. It's a unique situation, isn't it, community living?

The Man's Hair was Blue

(photo via stateofthemedia.org)

New Yorkers are pretty candid. And, it's pretty refreshing. 

As I sat on the subway on my way home from Brooklyn this evening, a nice looking gentleman got on board at Wall Street and sat down in the free seat next to me. I glanced up from my book (currently reading Lolita) and gave the man a courtesy smile. 

And then a double take. 

The man's hair was blue. I grinned sheepishly and he grinned sheepishly back. An interesting conversation ensued... 

Blueberry Man (BM): "You can say it. I know my hair is blue." 

(I bursted out laughing.) 

Giggling Lauren (GL): "Wow, yes it is." 

BM: "I fell asleep drunk this weekend and my friends dyed my hair. One of them is a cosmetology student." 

GL: "Crappy weekend, huh?" 

BM: "You have no idea. Work was a lot of fun yesterday."

GL: "Haha! Happy Monday! And it won't come out?" 

BM: "You bet I tried."  

GL: "At least you're not lacking any good nicknames now." 

BM: "Haha! You have no idea." 

And then we chatted casually about the weather. I'll admit I like a good joke as much as the next gal... But blue hair falls in the sketchy friends category. Bless this guy's heart for not shaving his head. Haha!

A Good Shoe Repair Man

(My black Nine West boots. Bummer!)

Bless the soles of my winter shoes. Bless the soles of all my shoes, for that matter. As it turns out, this concrete jungle does a number on my boots, flip flops, and sneakers... 

It would be ridiculous to go out and buy a new pair of boots (when a good pair runs around $100), so I've become rather friendly with my shoe repair man. He's a little rough around the edges. So, I walk in with a smile, say please and thank you. He seems to appreciate my sincerity, as he does a fantastic job repairing my shoes. Although I had to barter a bit... I got the man down to $20 for two heel replacements, two sole replacements, and a shoe shine. He seemed to buckle under pressure when I mentioned the reasonable price I payed for a shoe repair in Phoenix... I won't lie, it was odd to discuss the price of a standard service. Is this a New York thing? I figured there might be a sign on the wall listing the standard price for different repair options. Maybe not? 

It seems I've developed some great professional relationships with my neighborhood's small business owners. These types of relationships are those that develop well over time. I walk in, say hello to "Charlie," and discuss my newest sole issue. And, I kind of love it. It's nice to hob-knob with the locals. And then I have to remind myself, I'm a local, too. 

She said whatttt???

(photo via ffffound.com)

So Alix, my dear roommate, made a wonderful blog suggestion to me yesterday. She knows how much I love the whole blog world...

This blog is DOWNRIGHT hilarious!

Overheard in New York... 

It's an open forum for people to post the silly things they hear in New York City. (Please note, some of these are kind of gross...)

My favorites...

Conductor: You do not want to take the 4 or the 5, because they will not be setting any land speed records.
--6 Train
Guy: She's vegetarian?! I thought she was an alcoholic?
--B7 bus
Stylish 20-something woman to overweight pug breathing heavily: Well, Winifred, you're out of breath because you're out of shape. (pause) No, you're not fat. You're voluminous. (pause) Yes, I am aware it's not all your fault. Mummy likes to watch you eat powder doughnuts. (pause) Pugs that look like they have a coke habit are very funny for mummy, yes they are.
--Central Park
Conductor: This train is very crowded. If you cannot fit, please step back and wait for the next train. If you manage to get onto this very crowded train, look at the person next to you and tell them, "Howdy!"
--Queens bound F train


And, they don't stop there! You can take a peek at... 
Overheard on the Beach
Overheard in the Office
Overheard Everywhere

Good Week? Bad Week?

(photo via ffffound.com) 

It's been a bit of a week! And it's only Tuesday! I wanna wrap up the shenanigans of the last 7 days with a little game of good week/bad week. Hold on, this is kind of a roller coaster.

AmyJane and I got into APA!!! Good week.
I spilled coffee on myself. Bad week.
And my cell phone. Bad week.
And a staff member at my externship. Bad week.
But I got a new phone! Good week.
I started my new externship! Good week.
Buuuut, I'm not getting paid for it! Bad week.
It's gonna look phenom on my resume! Good week.
But I'm actually paying John Jay for the credit. Bad week.
I broke my bed. Bad week.
Twice. Bad week.
I fixed my bed! Good week.
Twice. Good week.
I opened the emergency door at my externship. Bad week.
Everybody laughed at me. Bad week!
I had brunch with a few friends on Sunday. Good week!
We didn't have mimosas. Bad week.
But we did have sexy sangria! Good week!
I slammed the door on my finger. Bad week.
But my uber attractive neighbor heard me yelp and he stepped outside to check on me! Good week.
I start school on Thursday. Bad week.
I start my final semester at John Jay on Thursday. Good week!
I haven't fudged on my austerity program. Good week!
But I'm bummed - Gap is having a sale. Bad week!
I re-heeled my favorite pair of boots! Good week.
One of the new heels fell off. Bad week.
I started reading a new book. Good week!
But I don't really like it. Bad week.
So I finished it real fast. Good week!
And started another new book. Good week.
And I don't like that one either. Bad week.

And so it's Tuesday. Good week.
And tomorrow is Wednesday. Gooooood week! ;)

Christmas Lights, Take 2

I've been so consumed by all the jib jab happening with school and work the past few weeks, I've hardly had the opportunity to trulyyyy appreciate the goodness of the season. For me, one of the big things I really enjoy is the decorations. Christmas lights have this enormous power over me - as they should. They shoot me back to my childhood when my mom used to drive me and my friends around the sparkly neighborhoods in Phoenix to see the holiday come alive in people's homes. Now, I'm oh-so smitten with the decor here in the city. It's marvelous. If you take a swing down 56th street between 9th and 8th Avenues, you're surrounded by a bridge of trees hung with the sweetness of the holiday. Happy Wednesday! :)

Healthy Wagers

(photo via nbc.com)

New Yorkers are serious about their sports. I'll tell ya, they have a ton of pride. Arizona - eh, the Phoenix Suns have a big-time following, but everything else - not so much.

Since the Yankees are heading to the World Series for their 50 millionth time, there's quite a bit of friendly jesting with the opposing team - the Phillies. However, there have been several healthy wagers established in light of the Turnpike Series.

I'm giving major props to the city mayors - Michael Bloomberg (New York City) and Michael Nutter (Philadelphia) for coming up with a creative way to stay competitive. Pending the completion of the series, the losing team's mayor will have to devote himself to a community service project in the winning city sporting the winning team's colors. (AKA - If the Yankees win, Nutter will come to NYC and wear pinstripes for his community service project. If the Phillies win, Bloomberg will head to Philadelphia for a community service project wearing the classic Phillies red.)

But, it doesn't stop there. Two markets - The New York City Hunts Terminal Market and the Philadelphia Regional Produce Market - have agreed on a bet as well - and it's definitely a good one! The loser will donate TEN TONS of food to the winner's choice food bank in the winner's city. How phenomenal is that?? It's so heartening to see the community use their pride for their city as a way to give back. The next two weeks should be pretty amazing. :)

Ruth, from 16

(photo via ffffound.)

Meet "Ruth," from 16.

As I was climbing aboard the Camelot Express, I was followed in by Ruth, from 16. I was just hanging up the phone with Hayley when dear Ruth's little dog began nipping at my toes. "SWEETIE! Stop it!" (What a nice name for a dog.) "What kind of service do you have, dear?" as she pointed to my cell phone. "Oh, Verizon, I'm just so thrilled with their customer service." She smiled and said: "You know, I just switched to Verizon from TMobile and I'm happy I made the switch." (This entire experience was beginning to feel like a cell phone commercial.) As the elevator arrived on my floor, I began to exit when dear Ruth began to explain her recent obsession with downloading ring tones. "I just downloaded 'Shiny Happy People' and I call myself to hear my phone ring with that song!" I started to laugh. The door closed and she gave me a thumbs up.

Dear Ruth. You're close to 70. Your dog smells, and likes to bite my toes. But, you rock out to R.E.M. on your cell phone. You're a pretty amazing gal. Oh Ruth, it was a pleasure chatting with you tonight.

Meet Hank

(photo via 3bpblogs.com)

If you've EVER been in an elevator, you can appreciate this.

Sharing an elevator with somebody is awk. Sups awk. You're not sure how to stand, where to stand, who's getting off first, who's getting off last. Do I say something like: "Hi," or do I keep my mouth shut? What if an attractive fellow climbs aboard and I want to say hi, but he's putting on his iPod, so a short chat would be inappropriate. What if he says something, and I didn't hear him because my iPod is blasting something ridiculous like "The Call" from an old school Backstreet Boys album... Whew! So many things to think about...

This morning on my way to work, I climbed aboard the Camelot Express (my elevator) and was joined by "Hank." Hank lives on the 7th floor. Hank loves to sing. (Every once in awhile, I'll hear Hank singing at the top of his lungs, or a man I believe to be Hank.)

Hank was in a rather chipper mood this morning, as he hummed the tune to "Oh Chariot," by Gavin DeGraw. BTW, Hank is probably in his early 60's. Hank has great taste in music. (Go, Hank!) He invited me to step off the elevator first, so I obliged. As I stepped into the lobby, Hank hit the high note... And scared me half to death. I jumped. The doorman jumped. Hank laughed.

Thanks, Hank. I do cherish our awkward elevator rides.