if you can, play hookey today!!!

damn gorgeous out. I won't be home untl dark, but atleast I am outside on my lunch.

started the day off extra early by stopping at the Orange Cat before making my way out to work. I grabbed some tea in
both iced and hot forms then ran into a friend I hadn't seen in awhile, Stiffler. He had a super soft retreiver puppy with him..sunshine,friends,puppies..not a bad way to start the day!

I want be outside all day! alas, I cannot..maybe a night walk will be indulged later...

enjoy the day, peeps..get out into the sunshine. you know who you are.

ooh, 'Heroes' is on tonight, bonus!

Random thoughts and pcitures to go with them. No particular order. I'll add more over the course of the day, so stay tuned.

Our first night in the city, (e:pyrcedgrrl) and I wandered into China town. I was a bit disappointed with the excessive commercialism of China Town. All of the little shops were carrying the *exact* same items and the merchants were all using the same tactics- "wanna buy a (watch, purse, scarf, parfum, shoes,)"etc. I did see some sparkly hair clips- but I didn't buy any. Actually, I was easily bored with the merchant scene. Toronto has a better selection and better prices.

What I wanted was to talk to people, watch them, interact etc. And see some cool stuff- not see the same shoes and be harassed with the same words basicially asking us to buy their crap. I did enjoy just walking past/ignore people when they tried to stop me.

(e:pyrcedgrrl) and I continued to walk around and jump on the subway. She was in charge of the map, as I, well, rely on my great sense of direction. haha.

Little Italy was essentially the same as China Town. Who knew Italy and China were so close? ;)

I gave directions multiple times and mananged to know where to send the person. I was fitting right in.

AFter walking around all evening and building up quite an appetite, I had to have lo mein. Figured the greasy/salty stuff was the perfect sustenance I needed. I also needed to order fried dumplings as I never had them before and they smelled yummy.

This didn't look so yummy:



If I had to look at that all of the time, I would probably never eat meat. I only ever deal with the end product- so it doesn't gross me out. However, if I had to go track down a chicken and kill it just to feed myself, I doubt I would bother.

I also ordered some General Tsao's. :)

As my phone/camera froze shortly after Teany, I didn't have anything to take pictures wth, so all of these following pictures cames from (e:pyrcedgrrls)'s camera.

A few more pictures from Teany



heading to China Town


I was most amused with my encounters with people. I dropped something, someone quickly picked it up. Twice I was timed out of my entance into the subway. The first time, a gentleman used his card for me and said that he would wait- proceed to next subway entance to get in. All I needed to do was wait seven minutes on the side..but he used his card anyways. Then this occured the next day as well, and pretty much the same thing happened. Very helpful and appreciated.
Then I was amused with the flirtations throughout the days. I wasnt thinking about any of that, but it happens, so ofcourse I will flirt back. nice distractions. cute cute cute, lots of cute men.


ok, so another picture of my tea.
My Green Sea Anenome tea; or as (e:jenks) called it, "tea anenome". It was tasty-I bought extra. I'll be sure to order more when I run out. (e:matthew) you do not have to put a lock on your aquarium quite yet ;)












My and aunt and uncle have property in the city. The have an apartment on 72 (or maybe its 77th) which is hers and a studio-loft in Greenich Village, which is his and he only uses maybe once a week. The are both artists as is most of my family. They have together, a place in the country- an hour or so outside of the city, which they usually stay at. I was given keys to the studio. VERY COOL, and that is where we stayed. I didn't take pictures of the interior. As imagined, it has super high ceilings, big windows, lots of floor and wall space that is filled with various artwork. Then there is a small kitchen, bathroom and bed area.

My aunt and uncle wanted to see us on one of the evenings and take us out for dinner. We went to a very nice italian place, where they seated us next to a fire place- perfect for the cold windy evening. After dinner was over, I was ready to do more exploring. I wanted to see more of the city, and thought, what better place to see it than from the vantage point of the Empire State building- at 10:00 at night? I didn't want to do anything "touristy" exactly- but even if I lived in NYC, I would make it a regular occurance to head up to the 86th or 102nd floor to take in the view of all directions of the city. I am a very visual person and this was perfect. OOOH I need a camera!!!!!!
It was crazy windy- I had on so many layers, it was hilarious to see myself in a mirror. I didn't want to wear a jacket- I had one, I just didn't want to wear it. So four shirts, a tank top, a sweater, a hoody, hat and scarf completed the look. Oh, also, leggings, hunting socks, regular socks and jeans. I was HAWT. well, fairly toasty.

trying not to get blown off the edge..


We tried several times to get a picture of ourselves, but it was so windy we were off balance..finally got it!


a view or two..





Since Times Square was so close, we proceeded to walk down Broadway to check out the scene. This was definitley a tourist area. However, since we were sooooo close, and it had been awhile, it was fun to go check it out.


Across the street from the studio loft we stayed at is Washington Park:





A movie is being filmed in the park. All of the lights, wires and "character placememnt" tape gave that away. I only recall one of the characters, "Flamey" written down.

we jupmed on and off this a lot. We bought metro cards and just went wherever we wanted.


It was open, but I (we) didn't dare go inside it. I would have been broke on the spot. We also spotted a Lush store- but we usually go to T.O. for that.


uh, Dana, take a picture of that please:

I'd have to get that Lamborghini out on the open road.

oh, found some more (this is a disorganized post!)
Background: I have several "dork pose" pics. This is one of many- which I will spare you from the others. Carey strikes a dork pose with various backgrounds- emp state building, times square.. etc. Other people were taking pictures of me!


The entrances were manned by super hot guards carrying machine guns. Dana failed to get a picture of *that* !








For extra money we could have rented "Tony the Cab drivers" audio tour of the city from the Empire STate building. We both declined the 10$ charge to carry around a walkman.

Seriously amazing view. One of the cute guard guys sans huge weapons chatted with us about the city- and proceeded to give us a "tour" ooh lala cuteness and accent-- he is from Morocco

I am supposed to go back in the near future. There is one leg of the trip that I knew I wouldnt be able to squeek in, and thats meeting some people from NYU. Just to talk-network- etc. Its one of those, "I know people who knows people" who knows that we should actually meet for lunch or somehting. So on a subsequent trip, I am supposed to do this. Again, no basis, just a meeting. I intend to have a camera by then, in which I will scour the boroughs for photos to take. I am very intrigued by the whole area- more so than I have ever been in the past. I wouldnt know where to begin. I would like to go when it is snowy outside. My Moroccan friend would be happy to give me an extended tour..

Long train ride home, sans cock roaches this time. We danced and sang in our seats. Not sure if we annoyed anyone- but it was a long ride and both of us were antsy. I ate a lot- and since I could barely sleep, there wasnt much else to do. And so, I enjoyed my Spelt cakes. I thought they were SPELT-astic, SPELT-errific, SPELT-acular. Dana just made fun of me and my spelt cakes.


she just had spelt-envy.

Views from the train going to NYC. Various pictures from the train (taken with the cell phone). Not sure where we were at for most of these. It was nice to see New York from the train perspective. I would love to be able to stop and take pictures- there were some spectacular views along the way!



























I didn't take many photos after my phone froze. I was quite bummed after that, as I wanted to upload this next photo the moment after I took it. This little shop is located just off of Rivington. For (e:paul) and (e:mike) der, who else? ;)



From the courtyard of the studio loft we stayed at. I still have the keys, hehe. This one is crappy, now that I look at it. I have more pics to post soon..



sup, playa? If you have read any of my journals before this, my grungy and very well broken in and super comfy hoody shows up- a lot. Well, I lived in my 'Unibomber hoody' (as it is affectionately known as) pretty much the whole weekedn, with numerous layers of clothing underneath. (e:pyrcedgrrl) teased me for wearing it since in small letters on the hood says, "NYC". She claims that wearing it to NY is like wearing a bandshirt to the concert. I just gave her the finger.


I couldn't read much on the way there as the ride was a bit bumpy and I would have vomited. I was able to read a little while on breaks/stops/delays. This is what I brought with me. I also took pictures of other stuff while bored. I will spare you the multiple pictures of myself and the pictures of the pile of travel pillows I managed to procure- well, before the Pillow Nazi took them from me.


From one train car to the other.


I bought Coach Class seating tickets. Apparently I was mistaken, as we instead got settled in Roach Class seating. Although Mr and Mrs Cockroach were willing to share their seats with us, we moved to another section as soon as we could. ick! The babies were frolicking on the window ledge. Mom and Dad were meandering in and out of the holes of the grate.

The train cars coming back were significantly nicer- no roaches in sight. I don't think I had ever seen one before until then.

Unless otherwise explicitly stated, "sleeping with someone for five months naked" does not make it a relationship; romantic kind, filler kind, any kind.

If you are not sure, ask. If your still not sure after that, then that should be your answer. There are messages in what isn't said as well as what is said out loud. And if you are still not sure and find it necessary to track them down in a community blog (or worse, find a friend to do it) then that should make you start asking a whole new set of questions, ones about yourself.

I am not sure why this annoyed me today, but the uncalled-for-drama that I noticed in the chat this morning had me thinking about this on and off all day. I suppose for various reasons..

Ofcourse I don't know the details, I only know that an issue (if there even is one) was brought up publicly and in a stalkeresque manner. Join the site- have plenty to say in the chat, but no blog? hmmmm.. Shameful.

And even if everything about the situation is 'valid'- why the fuck find that person here and harass them???? This is not the place and what purpose does it really serve? Find an AOL chat room for that.

Whatever case you may have had- I think you lost it.

"he told her awhile ago that he was confused about wanting to be with her"
Damn, I think that is admirably honest of him. I know I have behaved in less than stellar manner in the past.

"and now he is trying to meet new people on the same night"

so?? Although I don't jump into the chat much, most of the peeps are quite friendly, (e:vycious) included--and not just last night. Why not meet new people? Maybe that will help the 'confusion'. Maybe it isn't anyones business who he, we, any of us meet.

Yes, abnd here I am ranting about someone elses business- about stuff I don't really know about..

but atleast it is in a blog.

I am dealing with a stalker or two of my own. Fortunately they havent found me online or sent a friend to harass me. I am not sure what I would do at that point- especially if they found me here, in my community. Maybe my stalkers are a bit more mature, heh.

ok, flame away..

Halloween is the coolest time of year. 5his is probably the first year that I didn't do anthing directly related to it. I didn't even have a pumpkin!
However, Halloween night Jesus gave me a full body massage. I sprung for a nice treat to polish off my weekend. It wasn't candy, but it was sweet. I felt both relaxed and rejuvinated afterwards. While I was lying there naked, I had to supress a fit of giggles. If I hadn't already checked out his belt line, It would have been more strange than what it was to hear the sound of unzipping while I lay there with my eyes closed.
But I had seen a little pack attached to his belt...
if I had started to laugh, I know I would not of been able to stop. There were too mnay humorous and lewd things rolling through my mind. Thanks jesus.

I think I can afford a monthy self-spoiling activity..

so my night of relaxation quickly dissappated upon arrival to work. bah.

a hot bubble bath and a glass of wine is in my future this evening..

Dana and I enjoyed a lovely breakfast at the Teany cafe. There are 98 teas to choose from. I was just where I needed to be with that many choices! I had a pot of Green Sea Anenome tea along with a toasted scone and a side of fresh jam and clotted cream; a sweet cream cheese. The atmosphere was fun, bright and cozy. We had a wonderful seat in the corner by the window; a great view of everything and everyone. It was a nice warm retreat from the very cold windy day. I had to strip down all of my layers as I was bundled under three shirts, a tank top, sweater and scarf, hat, etc.

Although Moby did not make an appearance, his ex girlfriend cashed me out. I had hoped that they spilt on friendly terms, but alas, he is no longer part owner of this super cute cafe. Ok, I don't really know the story between them, maybe they are pals.

I didn't leave with a Moby sighting but I did walk out with my own tin of Sea Anenome tea.

Teany was the only note worthy establishment on Rivington Street.

The clear pot has the anenome and the little tea plate has an extra dried anenome in case I wanted it stonger.





















More tales of New York City to come...

on a train working my way back from new york city.
tried several times to post from manhattan, but either the connection wasn't strong enough (darn big buildings!) or my phone froze; yup it froze. I hope that was the end of that. i need insurance on it stat!

I like to pack extremely light.

If it can't fit into a back pack, I don't need to bring it.

Ofcourse, I havent even begun packing for my NYC trip this weekend. I supposed I should get to that soon, huh?

Rain Rain go away., I don't want to pack an unmbrella.

omg hahahha, my mom just got a computer. I am not sure if she has ever been on one. She's smart and resourceful, I am sure she'll figure it out. Still funny though..

Well off to pack, then heading into B-lo. Where's the trouble tonight?

Its getting to be that time of year for suggling- preferably not alone ;)

brrr. I think I will bust out the hot cocoa soon. I hear Baileys has come out with a chocolate mint liquer. That might be a nice addition to the hot soothing liquid..

I am starting to read, Paulo Cohelo's, The Alchemist. Well, actually I began reading it before the summer began, then I found myself with no extra time or mental energy to read it as I was finishing up school. Now I have returned to it. I think it will be helpful to me on various levels.

I am looking to pick out a book to read after that, which should be very soon as it is simple book.

I want to read something that isn't scholarly-- unless it comes highly reccommended. I am looking for something that I can wrap my mind around, become completely emerged and lost in. Something that I don't want to put down. The weather is colder, the days shorter and it is time to nest a bit. Reading is a perfect compliment to that. Besides, I haven't really had the opportunity to just read for the fun of it in quite some time.


How about some suggestions fellow (e:peeps)??

btw, nice theme, (e:leetee) love the bats!

Some of you know that I am renting a room/office in Buffalo. When I first moved in, I tossed it all together very quickly. I was just finsihing school, then I found myself in a new job-- and everything became unbalanced. I just needed some transition time. My room looked nice, but it hadn't been worked on since I tossed it together. I needed a few more details -- such as books and a consistent internent connection ;)
At the house warming party many peeps had mentioned doing something to separate the office area from the bed area. Seemed like a great idea and that thought planted itself into my head. So this weekend I went out to buy things that would do just that.

A ton of material and hardware (and friends) - thanks (e:pyrcedgrrl) and (e:terry) - contibuted to the change. We spent the entire evening on Saturday putting it together. When "done", I didn't like it. I mean, there was just something about it. I know that when I perseverate on something like that, I have to figure it out. It must be changes, it must be the way I want it in my head. OK, so I thought I was doing that when I began.. but in the end, I thought it looked tacky and Bordello-like. Or clown tent like-- ironic since i hate circus's and clowns, etc-- not sure what it was exactly that I didn't like, but something didn't sit well. I knew I had to figure it out or I was going to tear it down. I figured that I would give it a day and so I slept on it.

Well, the next day I didn't have to tear it down as it all fell down. ALL of it. Oh, and my mirror that I put up, haha. One by one I heard one crash after the other. I just laughed--with a few curse words mixed in there.

I took it as an opportunityt to get it the way I wanted and to engage in some creative problem solving.

I hope it is still attached. I ended up attaching material to the wall to make a bit of a wall- to separate from the office area.. but it has more of a canapy look around the bed as oppsed to the prior Bordello-circus tent look. Its cute and cozy now. YAY. A few more details and tweaks will finish it off. I still want to hang a mirror or three and add a plant- but that can wait.

haha, someone pointed out that the way my desk is set up (its a big one) looks like a reception/secretary desk. *insert all sorts of bad jokes/scenerios here*

It humored me to work on that this weekend. It was a nice change from the environment in which I work...

Every move I make is dictated by rules and regulations as put forth by the state. Not just State Ed but the sector of government that oversees developmental disabiltiies as well, actually even more so. State Ed is lenient in comparision. So a lot of my freedom to think is squelched because I have to reference it to some S.O.P. (more like, S.O.B?)When there isn't a standard operating procedure, I have to ask ask ask someone higher up, as figuring it out on my own may lead to some legal damage, etc.

bah.

I'm a risk taker, a visionary and creative, energetic and enthusiastic by nature.

This job that I have is great in that it affords me the ability to learn and network and have the time off to pursue something that I really want. I have an entreprenureal spirit-- I like to build, create, and move on to the next project.

So I dot my I's, cross my Ts and juggle a slew of details with such an air of seriousness, that I am concerned for the long term effects it could have on my spirit. (for a few weeks I couldn't even write much on here as (e:imk2) noticed). So.. long term effects.. I say this because, constraining my creativity, energy and freedom to think outside the box has been amputated, at least in the job environment. I don't dislike my job. I rather enjoy it- it certainly is a shift of gear from my last job. I just want to be able to loosen up a bit. My prankster ways are no more. Fortunately, I am getting good, I am really organized, I have great follow though, and I manage to get things done in a timely manner. There are a few thinsg here and there that slip-- or I just didn't know exist yet-- but that is all part of learning. Not that everyone I deal with remembers that, lol.

I like making decisions, working on tough problems and chipping away at huge challenges. I would just prefer more of an energetic environment and the use of all the characteristics that make me, well, me. Maybe I can influence others to have some fun- change the culture a little bit-- encourage people to "let go" and not take it all so seriously. Sure it is some major stuff we deal with-- but if it isn't going to kill you, then why let it weigh you down?

As usual, with the abiltiy to see the positive, I enjoy learning something new, to think about how what I do effects so many others and that I am indeed making major progress and have the opportunity to take on more and all sorts of high level responsibilty.

What intrigues me about this time in my life and in particular about this job, is trying to figure out a way to find balance again. Also to work through this period of dissonance to determine my future direction. Am I uncomfortable because I don't have a full grasp of everything yet-- that I am used to being the one who really knows everythng about what they are doing? (which isn't always great either, as I need to learn, be challenged, etc) Or am I uncomfortable because this particular positon isn't the best/ideal match and I have to think long and hard about my next step? hmmm.

Funny, I already know what it is-- my next step is to build a business. That mentality has been in the works for awhile now- before school ended. Being in this situation is helping me to see yet another angle of business. I think this is all good for me. As long as I keep what I really want in mind-- and go after it. It does no good to just talk about it. So I gave myself 'homework' this week in regards to looking up/researching/talking to people about some ideas. I find myself thinking about all that is related to that. Again, this all began in the summer, but it is only now that somethings have settled down that I have been finally able to return to it. Thats where my mind/heart is.

I'd rather work 16 hours a day at something I am passionate about than 8 hours at something that pays the bills (and i am grateful for that much!)-- but I am using this time to learn all that I can, network like mad, and use it as yet another stepping stone in my life.

So I have to figure out what I want to learn, what I want to take away and what I want to contribute while I am there.

damn the red tape!

Beside my original job responsibilities, I have been tossed a section of the company into my lap- that was recently taken in by my department a few weeks before I began. It needs a major overhaul and it has a lot of bad history to it.

Now its mine!! -- and I think that is the most exciting element to me so far. Its something I can get my hands into- get dirty a bit-- and have some use of my "think outside of the box" mentality. Its got a bad rep, morale is down, its a general mess and its been shuffled around for years. This is the one area that while the progmatics, protocal and such need to be adhered to-- the change element is all mine. At first I thought it was a matter of patching the weak spots-- then it was determined through analyis that it needs to be dismantled-- all the while helping those involved to transition, build buy in and increase morale-- and encourage them to be part of the process- something they may not have had before. How can I lead unless those I am leading provide me with direction? Sure I could ride in, just say, "this is how I want it"-- but I'd much rather ask, 'how do you want it?"

blahblahblah

my grammar and spelling is really bad on here- feeling half asleep, partly laying down, with Kayla prancing back and forth across my lap I am typing, rather "pecking" as I think and without really looking.

so yeh, spending time working on my bedroom/office was a pleasant creative diversion this weekend. Next weekend will be an even better diversion!