Saturday, April 21, 2007

We Smell Like Summer!

(Title attributed to Squidette who uttered it just after we finished slathering up with sunblock for today's ride.)
The sock hit the road again, along with all us Squid as we did our first two-borough ride of the season. The Sun Building. (scroll down the linked page)View from the west side of the East River.Squidlings.Squidling safely flags.The Tweed Courthouse. Now home to the New York City Department of Education.
The Manhattan side of the Manhattan Bridge.

On this trip, we rode down to Chambers Street, adjusted the seat on Squidette's bike, rode east on Chambers passing the Sun Building and the Tweed Courthouse on our way to the Brooklyn Bridge. Over Roeblings masterpiece, make a left and a right and there is the Manhattan Bridge. Over the Manhattan Bridge, through the streets (Allen and Pike have bike paths) to the East River. Uptown to the 10th Street overpass and then via the streets to the bakery (half-price baked goods for cyclists) and then the Union Square Greenmarket. At this point we were really enjoying our ride and decided that we needed a little more mileage so off to Chocolate Haven it was for a quick stock up. It was a nice, easy ride and we all did the bridges pretty easily.

Both kids needed their seats raised and I got to use my new bike in it's almost final configuration with my new custom fit stem. Tomorrow I will bring it in for a quick tune up to fix the minor injuries it suffered during my fall (slightly out of adjustment front derailleur and torn handlebar tape).

Friday, April 20, 2007

Good Friends and Pretty Socks

I came home from a doctor's appointment to find a mysterious box from California. Inside ...Yum! A week or so ago Cookie mentioned that she was off to find half-price Easter Candy. I jokingly asked her to look for Cadbury eggs for me. And she did! (The eggs are actually for the Squidlings, the jelly beans are all mine!) The timing was perfect.

Meanwhile, I have been a busy girl and finished these,
as well as Squidette's sweater. No pictures of that until we get the buttons on Sunday.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Second Guessing

The t.v. is off in the Squid home tonight.  Papa Squid is out for a while and Mama Squid is tired of listening to the news.  It makes her too sad and too angry.  So tonight, at least until Papa comes home, the t.v. will either be off or tuned to prerecorded shows.

As a mother, the events of this week hit hard.  As a school administrator, the reactions of many people just plain hurt.  How dare we second guess the administration of Virgina Tech or of any school in a situation like this.  We do not know what they knew and what they didn't know.  Those men and women were working with what they had and made the decisions that they felt were right.  It is not our place to second guess.

Unfortunately, I have been the recent victim of second guessing.  It led to my new title "the Bureaucrat in the Hallway."  I stick with the decisions I made to earn that title and I would make them again.

Five years ago my husband's Principal was in a situation where he had to decide if and when to evacuate their building.  After the fact, I second guessed him and was angry.  I was angry because I felt that those I loved had been in danger.  In truth, he was working with what he knew to be true and did what he and other authorities felt was best for those in the building.  Ultimately, they evacuated as the second tower of the World Trade Center fell, a few short blocks away.  They ran, as if for their lives.  I hereby, publicly apologize for second guessing those decisions.  It's tough being the person in charge.

What can we take from these experiences?  Instead of second guessing, we can use the information to make our own plans and to adjust those that exist.  Use this time to make things better instead of laying blame.  Let something good come of our heartache.

My thoughts go out to those affected by this latest tragedy.  No one should have to deal with this kind of thing.  No one.

Monday, April 16, 2007

Thoughts of Swaps

Over the last few months I have participated in several swaps. As a general rule, all have been pleasant experiences. I love the idea of "stalking" someone and trying to figure out what would make them happy. Finding new friends and discovering new blogs are all a part of the fun. That is why I do swaps and why I will continue to swap.

By nature I am a rule follower. Lay out the guidelines and I will follow them to a T, breaking them only to exceed. Tell me I have to have an active blog, I do it. Post to a special blog? Check! Reply to my upstream partner and let them know how much I love their gifts? Got it! Send nice goodies to my downstream pal in a timely fashion? Yup! Brag publicly on my blog and a group blog about goodies I've received? Roger!

How do I feel about people who don't follow the basic rules? Mean. Grumpy. Unwilling to acknowledge subsequent contact due to an inability to be nice while feeling not so nice.

My feelings about Angels? Love them! I've volunteered to be one in the past but had to be Angeled myself in two recent swaps. I promise to volunteer to Angel in future swaps. No one should feel unappreciated because their partner bailed on them.

Both upstream and downstream partners have responsibilities and should fill them so that all parts of a swap feel appreciated. If you don't like your gifts? Fake it! Sometimes you take a chance and it is all a part of the fun of the exercise.

My thanks to all my wonderful partners and Angels. You guys are all great!

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Daddy and the Times


Overheard in a diner on a Sunday morning. "The magazine section is missing."

My thought: "Didn't your father teach you how to count your sections before buying the Sunday Times?"

When I was a kid, my dad would go out, late, every Saturday night to pick up the early edition of the Sunday New York Times. As teenagers, my siblings or I would sometimes go along for the ride. That is where we learned the important lesson of how to check the sections.

The Sunday New York Times has a huge number of sections and the true connoisseur, at the very least, glances at them all. Therefore you must make certain that you get all of the sections at the point of purchase. That, and why pay for missing sections, even if you don't read them?

So, we learned to count the sections, in our heads. The ritual requires being able to keep track of the section numbers as they appear even though they are out of sequence in the pack.

You start, by looking at the top section (not always the main, or "1") and quickly flipping through them all, keeping a verbal or mental count. "3, 4, 8, 10," then "1, 3, 4, magazine (6), 8, 9, 10, 11" then "1, 2, 3, 4, damn where's the travel section?, magazine, book review, 8, 9, 10, 11, oh, there it is! Done. (During the holiday season there are more sections and specials are periodically added as needed.)

Then we went home, the child in question made tea for daddy and we settled in for the night as daddy started in on the puzzle.

Sadly, we no longer perform the ritual as we get the paper delivered. And so another skill is lost to the next generation.

Who would think that a simple overheard comment could turn in to a trip down memory lane?

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Turtle and Fish Cam

Now and for a short time only! The all new Turtle and Fish Cam! Watch Sparky, Natasha and Gym harass and perhaps eat a few fish. Yes, folks, you too can see just how fast a turtle really is!

Lights out at 9:00 PM DST (Eastern Time Zone)

Busy Squid

It is a lovely day, lots of sun and the temperature is rising. Are we riding? Nope. Still too cold and way too windy with a Nor'easter due late tonight.

Instead, it is 11:30 a.m. and I have already cleaned the turtle tank, packaged and mailed 5 items including the taxes and have taken some of the lighter items off of the balcony in anticipation of said storm.
The packages include a gift to a sick colleague (some nice knitting stuff), a small gift to an original swap pal (down stream) who got dropped from the swap, and a return of some bike shoes that were too tight. More on the swap-pal issue in another post.

I should be blocking the pieces to Squidette's sweater but instead am taking a break before sashaying off to the Opera with my favorite fourth grader. We are seeing Turandot and we are really excited about it. This will be the second time we are seeing this opera and I am curious as to how it will be different from the last time. During this opera there are three riddles asked and the first time we saw it, during a dress rehearsal, Little Squid was upset because one of the riddles did not have a question mark after it in the seat-back titles. This was a good two and a half years ago but we still tell the story. Love that kid!

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Lessons Learned

Who would have thought that one little accident could teach me so many lessons?

1. Towels are effective exfoliation devices. Try this experiment: during a two week period, wash your face, gently and dry one side vigorously while gently patting the other side dry. Don't be surprised when the patted side starts flaking at the end of the experiment.

2. Sleeping with my hair in a pony tail is actually a good thing. I started it after the accident to to keep my hair off of my wound, now I'm still doing it because I like it! It used to get it caught under me at night and it woke me up.

3. Forgetting the pattern to the sock you are knitting does not necessarily translate to an unusually long wait in the doctor's office. As a matter of fact, my ability to translate the pattern from the sock's mate meant that I was in and out of the doctor's office in record time!

Here's hoping that there are no more lessons to learn. *grin*

Not Really a Sloth

O.k., I did manage to accomplish some stuff over break. I still haven't finished plying my yarn but that is because I spent much of yesterday doing some spring cleaning on my balcony.

We first made a quick trip to Ikea to get this flooring. I've been lusting after it for a few years but each time I tried to get it, I waited too long and they were sold out. This time, however, we scored. (We will not discuss the cost of the scoring, I'm just adding it to the figures for last year's renovation.)
Above is the "before" and below, the "after" even though it is not all laid yet. Some heavy moving has to be done before I can finish the job. Mike has a friend who will cut the partial tiles for me so I will not have to wield my hack saw.Doesn't it make a huge difference? Saturday should be warm enough to finish the job and maybe fill the pots with soil.

On other fronts, I finally finished my ruffled Marietta Rib Socks from Cool Socks, Warm Feet. The are worked in Regia Silk and feel so cozy on my feet. The cuffs are shorties so that I can be comfy while cycling (if I can every find bike shoes that work over handknit socks.)Now to do some on-line yarn shopping for a colleague who is laid up for a few weeks.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Buildings Galore!

Today I give you buildings. Nothing but buildings. And a piece of the Berlin Wall.

On our walk, yesterday, I kept stopping to snap pictures of interesting buildings or quintessentially New York stuff. I was assisted by my family's insistence in popping in to each and every Duane Reade on our path in search of discounted Cadbury Creme Eggs. Each time they popped in to one, I snapped some more pictures. Sometimes I snapped the pictures while they kept walking. This meant that I jogged more than a fair amount of the way home as I kept catching up with them.

And so, for those of you who are visiting my fair city via my blog, I give you some theaters.

Hmm ... maybe I can make this a project over the summer ... walk the theater district and photograph all of them. Too geeky? Hey, a gal and her guy have to do something while the kids are in camp.

How about a store devoted to accordions?


As promised, the Berlin Wall. Nope, not kidding, it is really a piece of the Berlin Wall.
How about a really cool building? I took ten shots of this before I got one I liked and it still does not do the building justice.A clock -- just for the heck of it. Yes, the time was correct.

A side view of the main Post Office. This is the building in to whose facade is carved those immortal words ... "Neither snow nor rain ..." It is also my post office. Yup, when I miss a delivery, this is where I have to come to pick it up. Others may brag about their zip code but I have THE BEST zip code in the city and the coolest post office. The front is not photo worthy right now as it is totally covered in scaffolding due to its impending renovation and transformation in to the new Penn Station.

Monday, April 09, 2007

Too Cold!

Too cold to ride. Too cold for a really long walk but just cold enough for a quick trip uptown by subway and downtown on foot.First stop, FAO Schwarz.
Really!
Some of our favorite animals.

On the way home we stopped by Rockefeller Center and took in the sights.
One of these days I'll get photos of more of the reliefs on the buildings. I just love them!
Some pocket parks. Quiet places in the midst of the hustle and bustle of our city.

Tomorrow, some more pictures from our walk, including a piece of the Berlin Wall.

Sunday, April 08, 2007

Sloth-like Squid

We have spent most of this week essentially hibernating as the weather turned cold again. Seems like a good time to answer some questions.

Knitseashore asks "What will you be planting? I'm intrigued by those large pots! Will you have a balcony garden?" and

"Will you be doing the five boro bike tour in May? My husband and I signed up, along with some friends, and it will be my first time, his second. I hope those metal plates are not on the bike route, but I know at least to avoid them if they are."

Into the flower pots will go pumpkin, cucumber, pepper and tomato. Smaller window boxes will hold flowers and maybe basil. (The basil is not happy right now, I may have to reseed it.)

Five-boro bike tour is now a YES! (Assuming it does not rain -- the kids are not equipped for wet weather. Both Squidlings have agreed to miss Hebrew school for the day just to do the tour. As for "my" metal plates -- they are not on the tour. I have no promises about other plates, however. Look for us -- the kids will be sporting orange flags on the back of their bikes -- and the flags have our Squid on Wheels logo on them. We should be wearing our Squid on Wheels t-shirts assuming it is warm enough. The first rest stop, by the way, is at my school.

Ina asks: "Did you get to see Bello's bitty bicycle, lost and then found?"

Yup! It was so small and really neat. Papa Squid thinks it was taken by the Critical Mass Police. (NYC biker joke)

Meanwhile, some crafting has been going on here. Squidette made and gifted this lamb to me (no, not for Easter).Then she put this elephant hanging together for her brother.I spent today spinning and finished the 9 ounces of silk-alpaca-merino that I got from Indigo Moon at Rhinebeck this year. So far I have Navajo plied about half of it. Hopefully I will finish the plying tomorrow so that when I finish Squidette's sweater I can start one for myself.Tomorrow, maybe some riding, more likely more sloth-like behavior.

Friday, April 06, 2007

This City is a Circus

Oh, wait, no it isn't. The Circus is a Circus!

This morning the Squidlings and I headed a few blocks uptown to fight the crowds at Madison Square Garden. We did this last year and practically walked right in to the show with barely a wait to buy tickets. Today, however, we made it to our seats with barely a minute to spare. This meant that we missed the pre-show but we'll survive.
Here is the sock taking in the sights. I was a bit fearful that I might finish the sock during the performance and then have nothing to work on but it turns out that the circus requires all of my attention most of the time so very little got done on the sock.
Clowns. Yup, we were up way high.
Elephants! As always, Little Squid's favorite part.

Squidette decided that the human cannonballs were her favorite part. Hmmm ...

My favorite? The gymnasts, acrobats and trapeze artists. This tour is touted as a "Bellobration," celebrating the talents of the clown Bello. Turns out that he is a talented gymnast / acrobat as well. The courage and skill that these folks have is amazing to watch. (Read the article attached to the link. It is written by my absolute favorite clown!)

What didn't I like? The animal stuff -- except for the part where one elephant relieved herself while performing. I found it absolutely hilarious that she was dumping what seemed to be gallons of liquid and pounds of semi-solids while half perched on a stool. I found the tiger show to be somewhat cruel and the dog act to be silly. But then I'm an adult and these things are not aimed at us. After last year's show I had figured that big animal acts, aside from the elephants, were out of fashion but I see that I was sadly mistaken. Poor tigers.

Apparently Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey run an elephant sanctuary where they care for and breed Asian Elephants. I think I can deal with that. More research is necessary though, but since my first negative hit was from PETA, I'll keep looking.

Will we go back next year? Maybe.
***

The conversation is still going on regarding this post. Feel free to keep speaking up. I'm really curious as to your feelings on this subject.

Thursday, April 05, 2007

Sock-ret Pal Reveal and an Update

First, thanks to Socky-the-second, Emily.Wonderful goodies and the socks fit just right.

***
For those of you who have expressed concern -- and to those in who I have confided my fears -- thanks for your understanding and kind wishes. I went back today for a follow-up and if my face fractured it did so in an almost imperceptible manner. I go back in another two weeks. In the mean time this adventure has given me the kick in the tush that I needed to make an appointment with my g.p. for a physical. It's been too long ... she's probably totally forgotten me ... which is why I haven't done this before. You get in to kind of a cycle once more than a year has gone by.

Kind of funny story -- early on in my relationship with our pediatrician I did not make a single call, from the time of the kids' annual physical one year until it was time for the next one. When I did call to get the appointments, they thought I'd left the practice! (This is why they take me in as soon as I call between physicals, I just don't do it and never have.) Yes, I do better for my kids then I do for myself. This is also why we do dentist and optometrist en masse with all four of us taking back to back appointments. Forces the adults to go and saves trips.

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Thoughts on the Medical Professions

A couple of months ago I posted a meme containing "things you don't know." One of them was my hesitancy around medical professionals. I know that my anxiety around medical folk is not rational -- after all, I have two degrees in Biology and the second one was done at a medical school. I know my science. After my adventures over the last week or so, I have tried to figure out what it is that makes me nervous. I have come to some conclusions and feel the need to share them. These are my own opinions and stem from my own experiences. They are not meant to demean or insult anyone. (And I don't think that they do.)

My Conclusions

One: Medical folk are like anyone else, there are really good ones and really bad ones, just fine ones and so so ones.

The EMTs I have encountered (and I meet a lot of them in my line of work) all really seem to care. I haven't met a brusque one yet. The ones who treated me on Saturday were lovely and caring and gave off oodles of concern. We will forgive the odd helmet comment -- everyone is entitled to a verbal faux pas.

I've never met a nurse I didn't like.

On the MD end, however, I've met all kinds and they are the ones who drive my anxiety issues. There was the pediatrician who, when told that I was lactose intolerant, gave me lactose-free formula for my breastfed child. Um... breastmilk has lactose in it. When I mentioned this I was met with "well if you want your child to have colic ..." This was the same woman who walked out of a well child visit 3 times without even an "excuse me." Gee, I know that emergencies come up but at least have the courtesy to utter those two words especially if you are leaving me in the middle of a sentence. By the time Little Squid was a year old I had gotten up the courage to leave her and found our current pediatrician. We rarely see him beyond annual physicals but when we do he is wonderful. From Squidette's adventures with puberty to Little Squid's migraines, the man is just super supportive. I don't want a doctor who prescribes lots of drugs, just one who really listens and makes judgments based on the whole story. The fact that he spends tons of time with us is the cherry on top of the sundae. I see the insurance statements, I know that for his hour with us (half an hour for each kid) he gets only a smidgeon more than I do for two hours of overtime. I know teachers are undervalued but I also, honestly, would pay more for this doctor's services.

Then there was the clinic doctor last week who was wearing a dirty lab coat and didn't seem to believe me when I said I was injured in a bike accident. For his five minutes with me (maybe), he received, from the insurance company and copay combined, the equivalent of more than an hour's overtime for me. Do I feel the experience was worth it? Nope. I left with my stitches intact (fine by me) and a slightly dirty feeling.

Then there was the gyn who was wonderful while I was having my kids but then not so good with issues that arose afterwards. Fine, everyone has their forte. Loved his manner, hated that he never returned calls from a patient who rarely called. He reinforced the feeling that my questions do not deserve answers. He also reinforced the stereotype that doctors always run late. A friend hooked me up with a gyn who really listens to my issues and works with me to solve them. She also doesn't make me feel negligent when I go too long without a visit. The first gyn took my insurance, the second does not. Again, fine by me, the fee is not so outrageous as to keep me from going when I have to but then we are not fiscally challenged and do not have major medical issues. I'm sure there is someone equally as wonderful out there who takes my insurance but I played that field for a while and couldn't find her.

Dentists fall in the same categories. When I moved in with Mike, he was still using his pediatric dentist and she was kind enough to add me to her caseload for a few visits. When Mike needed more adult-type work done we started using a dental clinic that took our insurance but used the pediatric dentist for Squidette. While we loved her, Mike's sister hated her. Said she had no patience for the nervous. Shows how people view others through different lenses.

Regarding that dental clinic ... well we no longer use it and pay a premium for the dentist that we do use. He takes our entire family since our pediatric dentist retired. As a person, I love him. As a dentist I also love him. He has his "thing" -- very much concerned with cosmetics where we are not -- but he doesn't push. We've watched the staff shift and settle as he has established the practice and I like the staff that has stuck around. He also cared enough to call ahead and make sure that his friend saw me last week. I found out later that I was "slipped in" to the schedule before official office hours began. Says a lot for both my dentist and my new doctor. (My dentist had also "slipped me in" for a quick look-see and the patient he kept waiting was very understanding. (Something about my green face, I suspect.))

Two: Support Staff can make or break a patient's experience

Yo Doctors! Don't forget about your staff! You can be the nicest, most concerned medical professional in the world but if your staff is brusque or doesn't give you messages, YOU will get a bad reputation. A rough dental hygienist will kill your reputation for a light touch. The receptionist who says "I recognized you" when walk in and I've only met her by phone -- a gem. A stable, rarely changing, caring staff says a lot about you as a person. Remember the gyn from before -- his staff was constantly changing -- hence the communication problems. A long-time assistant will know the patients who call for the smallest thing and those, like me, who rarely call. My pediatrician's staff is like that. The receptionist will move heaven and earth to get me in if I say I need to see the doctor because she knows that if I call then I have to be worried -- because I never call.

Support staff that lets patients know if a doctor is running significantly behind ... priceless! Support staff that stacks the patients like cordwood and estimates a one to two hour wait when the waiting room is bursting ... well, let's just say that we walked out of there without ever seeing the doctor.

My only two E.R. experiences have left me without complaint. I only have the one personal experience and the one ancillary experience when my mother-in-law had a stroke. Taking the latter experience first -- they were great! Kind, caring and professional. (The kind and caring went a long way for the worried family.) As for my own experience, also professional -- they did their job and I have no quibbles. I do not expect caviar service from any E.R. and certainly not Bellevue which is probably the busiest E.R. in the city. The E.R. was quiet when I went in. I was seen, treated and released fairly quickly. The resident who stitched me up couldn't find some stuff but he got it all sorted out in the end. Everyone and everything was clean and professional. No complaints other then I probably should have been told not to carry my bike out of there since the exertion is probably what reopened a part of my wound and sent me back a few minutes after leaving. I'd have no problems going back there. By reputation I know they do good work even tho my dentist said "Bellevue!" with a tone in his voice. (Two different links to Bellevue -- it really has an interesting history.)

Three: Time is Money?

In my profession, time is not money. We put in far more hours then our salary structure takes in to account. Time is only money if we are tutoring at market rate and not at contract- negotiated overtime. We are expected to have at least one graduate degrees and lots and lots of continuing education in order to keep current. Gee, much like doctors. Teachers, however, see our clients in groups of 34 at a shot. Do I begrudge my salary, no. This is what I chose to do with my life and it makes me happy. At the same time I have to recognize that other professionals are more realistic in the valuation of their time. If they can essentially self-value, then they do it. Good for them. I could do it, too, I just chose not to.

I am not the kind of person to ask a medical friend or relative for advice. I'm too embarrassed and why should they work off hours and for free? No one expects me to tutor in social setting. When I find a Doctor I like, I stick with them, even if they do not take my insurance. Some things are worth the money. Having someone who believes me (ie., bike accident, not spouse beating) is very important. Our last visit to the pediatrician ended with him reassuring me to call with the slightest question. Given how rarely we see him, this went a long way towards allaying my medical phobias. My experience at the clinic did not but was mitigated by the caring attitude of my dentist who steered me to someone like-mind.

There is the saying "time is money" and I know that is the case for doctors. The more patients they see in a day, the more money they bring in. Overhead costs have to be paid and I understand that they can be steep. Many insurance companies do not reimburse at what I view to be a fair rate -- my insurance company included. Should I switch to one that reimburses more, at a greater cost to me? Probably. Am I going to? No. I have a few doctors who take it and those who don't ... I pay full price.

A family like mine, coming with minor issues, is not a cash cow. A doctor who values time as much as money is a gem, a flower to be appreciated and cultivated. If any are reading this ... Thanks. (And if you want to read a really good essay about the time versus money thing, click here.)

(That said, it should also be noted that I coordinate a program for kids who want to be ... you got it ... Doctors. During my periodic visits to our partner hospital with my students,l I do get, you guessed it, nervous.)

Bits and Pieces

For those wondering about Passover, I found a really short version yesterday. It hits the main points. Enjoy! Need an explanation? Feel free to ask.

Cute Otter video tho I hear that my favorite Otter already knows.

How does a Squid prepare her home for Passover? She brings these up from the car.

I have BIG plans for this summer. There is one more bag of soil and another pot still in the car. Now to just finish clearing construction debris off of the balcony.

Yeah, bringing up the planting supplies and opening the matzoh is about all we do. Papa Squid did LOTS of cooking of yummy food. Pot roast and chicken soup with matzoh balls, compote and home made almond macaroons. Yum! Yes, the bread is still in the house but it won't be touched until next Tuesday evening. We Squid are more of "in the spirit" observers instead of "letter of the law." That said, I'll be cleaning up matzoh crumbs for the next week. (Please note, we are Squid and as a species are not kosher.)

Today, shopping for wedding clothes -- my kid brother is getting married in May and I need a dress and Little Squid needs a suit. Papa is taking Little for the suit and Squidette is taking me for a dress. In return, I will take Squidette for shoes to match her dress. Given how fast these squidlings grow, it did not make sense to do this any earlier. I'll take the camera and see what sites we can get for you guys!

Monday, April 02, 2007

Foggy Day

Some foggy shots of Lower Manhattan from our ride this morning. (All fog shots taken from outside Castle Clinton.)



Built as fortification, Castle Clinton later served as an arts center and still later as the precursor to Ellis Island as an immigrant receiving center. It now serves as the ticket purchase point for the ferries to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and is a convenient bathroom stop during our rides. (Yes, the helmeted ones are Squidette and Little Squid. Mama Squid is wielding the camera and Papa Squid is using the Castle as mentioned above.) Heading around the tip of Manhattan and back north again, we came upon this building ...
and this metal plate. Yes, the scene of the crime accident. Current theory is that my front wheel got caught against the edge and the forward momentum of my back wheel -- in a slightly different direction -- sent me skidding and falling. No, you will not find evidence of my fall here -- it rained last night.
Then on to get some fresh horseradish for the holiday. And pickles, too!
Then back home for a total of 11.7 miles.


These? Oh, these are my anniversary present from Mike. Isn't he sweet!Happy Passover to all who celebrate!

Awake at Last!

Both me and my city!

Forsythia! My absolutely favorite flower because it implies that winter is finally over.

The first street fair of the year! Also a sign that winter is over in New York City. (23rd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues)
This has got to be the first day in over a week where I am awake and actually feel awake. Yea!!! Now to use that energy to clean up this place for the holiday.

Sunday, April 01, 2007

Times Square and the Road Home

Not as many photos this time because by the time the concert let out we just wanted to get home and get to sleep. I promise to go back during the day so you can have some contrast, however, I find that Times Square is most exciting after dark.

The Barrymore and Biltmore Theatres
Benash Delicatessen. Don't you think there should be a space in the name?
Carnegie Deli where Mike and I enjoyed our first dinner as a married couple.
One Times Square
-- from which the fabled ball drops on New Year's Eve. Don't hold your breath for a New Year's shot. No way am I being jammed into a pen with no access to a bathroom for multiple hours in the cold. Nope, not doing it. Yes, Times Square is named after the New York Times and no, it is not a square but rather a triangle or trapezoid.Contrary to what I wrote earlier, we did not go biking today. The weather is too damp and iffy with regards to rain so we did the grocery shopping instead. If it is sunny tomorrow morning we will go for a ride before going out to my folks for the first Passover Seder.