1250

Yesterday: the heat.

There were two plans and both involved going to the movies and one was reliant on another factor and included the director doing a Q&A and the other was just two ladies getting together for a subversive comedy. First plan devolved and then the second shortly after. I went home to the cats.

The cats were happy to see me and I was unhappy to see their fur coming off their bodies in swaths. The heat! The air was thick not only with humidity but also cat hair.

I made myself comfortable and heated up my leftover Thai food and got up again to crack open that last Crispin cider in the fridge because did I mention it was hot? The humidity was making my hair reach out to there.

The second season of Orange is the New Black continues to prove that there are still many, many stories out there left to be told (let's stop re-hashing the same stuff, right?) and a lot of those untold stories are that of women and people of color. I admired the brilliant unfolding of the fourth episode with Lorna's backstory. It's just full of the kind of storylines and people I don't see in the media much. More of this! More, please, more.

My attempt to stay cool in the apartment were dwindling as my cider evaporated but lucky for me Adam was nearby and he too enjoys cider. I walked into the bar and he already had two ciders waiting. Somebody asked if we were hydrating by drinking pints of water. Oh no, dear friend. This is cider.

After I flopped onto my bed and slept barely in that warmth. The cat wanted to snuggle like most nights but I had to push him away; what are you crazy? I said.

Tonight, my own personal brand of torture: doing laundry.

1215

On the tenth of every month, sometimes I record it by taking ten pictures. It started on tumblr as "10 on 10," but since I'm trying to post every day I thought I would publish them all today, here.

 01 Pee Wee and S in the morning

Oh how innocent he looks!

My 10th of November actually began around 3am when the cats Pee Wee and Frito decided to have a wrestling match next to the bed. They were continually chased out of the room; but then they also decided to put up a united front on the cause "FEED ME." Their strategy is two-fold: Pee Wee sits next to me and headbutts my cheek and purrs loudly, while Frito finds things on shelves in the room to knock over. I am always defeated: and so I fed them.

While I was downstairs, I texted Jesse. I had tried staying up the night before to FaceTime with him, but different time zones didn't allow for it. When I texted him he immediately FaceTime'd me and he saw my bleary-cat-awoken face as I sat on the floor and talked. The cats were decidedly confused as to why I had made it downstairs but was now not feeding them. I admittedly enjoyed their confusion. I was then fully awake by the time I made it back upstairs that I spent the next 40 or so minutes reading more of S until I felt sleepy again.

A few hours later I woke up when the sun was up, and took this photo. After feeding time, Pee Wee always comes back up to bed and curls up next to me in a super cute way. Demon cat! I love Sunday mornings because I can roll over, grab a book, and spend the morning just so. Pee Wee sometimes gets disgruntled by my movement, which is why he looks so perturbed in this photo. That's what he gets!

02 A beautiful, brisk day in Brooklyn

After reading for a couple of hours, I showered, dressed, and made it out of doors to meet up with Jaime for brunch. The sun was shining and the sky was blue as I walked to the restaurant in the cool weather.

03 & 04 Friend Brunch

I'm not sure these need much of an explanation. Let's be honest, Jaime is beautiful even when she's making that face.

 05 Afternoon at Home

I came back home to make some phone calls and for my new daily ritual of blogging. Pee Wee always makes sure to get in the way and to proofread. Especially since his dinner time was coming up soon.

Jesse and I tried to FaceTime but his hotel in Texas didn't have internet! We settled for a regular ol' phone call instead.

06 Vanessa Bayer introduces her brother

Later, I changed into a flannel and dark red lipstick ("Nighttime Jessica") and headed out to Greenpoint to meet up with Jaime again in order to see our friends Jonah, Geoff, and Lukas play a show. They're in a band called United Nations and performed at St. Vitus. Jonah's sister Vanessa warmed up the crowd with a few metal jokes, though I'm sure her Jennifer Aniston impression would have gone over great with all the long-haired tattoo'd guys in the audience.

07 United Nations

The band is so. good. live! At first I was afraid to be in the front due to the screaming-nature of the band, and crowd tendencies towards throwing their bodies at each other, but everybody remained energetic and non-threatening. I wholly enjoyed their set.

08 Nightwalk

I made the mistake of the taking the long way back, since it meant walking with Jaime longer. Mistake because I did not account for how cold it would be and my lack of hat. When my ears get cold I get the worst headaches and pain, and well, that certainly happened last night. It was a pretty night besides the bitter wind.

09 Subway wait

Luckily, it wasn't that long of a wait.

10 Finally home

I was home by 11pm, the nerves on my face dead from cold. I curled under the covers with Pee Wee and S, just as I'd started my day. (The second time!)

And that was my Sunday. How was yours?

+

I should also mention that today is Veterans Day and since I grew up as part of a military family, it's always an important day to reflect and remember those who were or are in the service. Like my dad; he wrote a nice post today about it. He writes more thoughtfully about this day of remembrance than I ever could. Thank you, Dad, and to all the veterans of this great country!

 

1214

Yesterday I woke up relatively late yesterday, rolled over, and opened up S. I had a few hours to read before heading into Manhattan to meet up with some ladies for a movie date. In that time I also had to get dressed and eat, but I was more interested in the book. After completing another chapter instead of eating, I quickly got dressed and was out the door to make the movie.

And true to my habit, I showed up 40 minutes early. I always worry about being late. Alas.

+

I waited in the theater, continuing to read the truly magnificent The Lowland, until Amy, Amber, and Kelly arrived for a showing of About Time. After such a week, I was in need of a light-hearted romantic movie. I also am recently fascinated with the lead actor, Domhnall Gleeson, whom I loved as Levin in last year's Anna Karenina.

The movie itself made me bawl, as most movies and books and songs and everything does. It was a well done time travel movie, though everything's very nice. There's not much um, fighting? I'm not sure how to explain it. I recommend the movie, especially if you want a funny, drama-free romance with a few family-centric situations to make you weep. I loved Gleeson. I hope to see a lot more of him in the future. Perfect feel-good movie for four ladies on a Saturday afternoon.

+

Later that evening, I went to Clinton Hill with Jaime to visit the demo site of one of our friend's new restaurant. It won't be opening until next spring, but we got to tour the work-in-progress and sip on champagne in celebration of what it will be. It's going to be called The Finch and be a seasonal American restaurant focused on produce -- I'm very excited!

We took the opportunity to take a creepy photo in the future coat check closet, and then wandered around the neighborhood for a bite to eat.

+

We ended up sitting at a bar chowing on delicious greens and burgers and discussing, y'know, life. We chatted with a lovely bartender who also happened to be a tour widow. Our bonding began after she got a drink order and I tried figuring out who ordered it. It went something like this:

"Four dirty martinis!" from the table waiter.
"Ladies night," I said.
"You think?" said the bartender.
"Totally. No guy orders a dirty martini," I said as I scanned the bustling, crowded restaurant. I pointed to a corner table of four shiny-haired ladies in pastels with only waters in front of them, "that's the table."
The bartender went back to the register to check the table number.
"You're right! You're good at this."

And so we continued for a time. I wasn't always right. But taking tiny clues and surmising where they might originate? So up my alley. (See also: S.) And we got a free round for playing the game and mildly entertaining the bartender during her busy shift!

+

Then I went home and read S in bed while I waited for Jesse's call from San Antonio.

1205

So this month I am going to post every day. Get ready for a lot of mundane posts, everyone! An exercise in daily life observations, let's say.

+

And how to start writing on November 1st? By discussing the 31st. Or in my case, the 26th.

Last Saturday, Jiscilla and Lea hosted a Halloween party in Brooklyn! You may or may not recognize me as Lydia Deetz from Beetlejuice. I was even carrying around a camera around my neck, but, y'know, that's what was taking all these photos...

The lovely hostesses! 

I ended up coming in 3rd place for my costume! And as you can see, there was a lot of competition! I mean, almost all of the Rockford Peaches were there!

Jesse was the creepy guy in the mask that all video game players ("gamers") know, but he was still scary nonetheless. Perhaps more scary for not knowing what character he was playing...

+

Last night on actual Halloween I walked home from work as the little costumed children scurried around Madison Ave.* And then I esconced myself in my apartment with the cats and watched Scandal.

*WHERE DO THEY THINK THE CANDY IS? BARNEY'S? (Actually...maybe?)

+

Work has been especially busy lately, but today is Friday: my favorite day of the week. I came home to the cats, cooked some steak, and sat down to catch up on my progr'ms. It's quiet around here without Jesse greeting me.

I've got some packing to do tonight, though. Tomorrow I'm heading to a wedding in Carlisle, Pennsylvania -- a place I spent a formative year of my life. I moved to Carlisle in 2000 with my family to spend my senior year of high school. It was a short but profound year of my life, and I'm not exaggerating. I met my best friend and maid of honor that year! And tomorrow we're heading back for her mother's wedding. 

I expect a lot of fun! And a good distraction from Jesse being a few timezones away.

1197

 

I'm happy that the weather is turning cooler. I'm much more comfortable at work in fall layers than summer ensembles. During the summer the building blasts the air conditioning and my cute summer dress suddenly becomes a horrendous idea while I clamor for my 'office cardigan' to wrap my shoulders and 'office pashmina' to wrap around my legs. Then I leave the building and the long thaw walk begins. My shivering becomes sweat and my body is probably near convulsing at the temperature change.

So today I'm wearing OPAQUE TIGHTS and a skirt, silk blouse, and closed-toed shoes. And I feel great. I will be putting on a non-office pashmina and cargo jacket before I step outside! Hooray! HOORAY I SAY!

+

I've been trying a lot more of the new restaurants in the neighborhood. Last night my old roommate Sam and I grabbed dinner in the beautiful back patio (above) of a French bistro. Though it was a little cold, we were glad to be sitting there on probably the last outside-eating evening of the season.

Then we nightcapped it at another new bar a block away--the same one we went to last week for prosecco on tap. But last night? With the weather? Pumpkin ale!

+

Sam is getting married this weekend and I'm excited!

+

Something ELSE is happening this weekend. Can you guess can you guess can you guess? MWAHAHAHA!

+

You know when you were in college and you were kind of obsessed with a band and now that lead singer is texting you whenever he rolls into town, most likely because his newer band doesn't sell out venues as quickly as his last band? But he always remembers your name and that one party after that one show years ago where he typed his phone number into your phone and texted himself your own? Because you're married into the industry now so that means you're in the club he said. He always gets you on the list +1, though. Good chap.

That's what's happening to me right now, and I'm off to the show...

1189

Below, a digest of my weekend.

The husband delighted me with tickets to the Red Sox/Yankees game on Friday. We rejoiced through most of the game and became friends with the only Sox fans sitting nearby--a man wearing a Nomar Garciaparra shirt and his young Sox-jersey clad son. We watched the father lean over to explain certain plays to the boy, and the boy learning to high-five with his baseball glove on.

It's the second time I was able to witness a Red Sox grand slam live - a most welcome sight at Yankees Stadium.

And now a comparison: this is a photo of me when we first arrived at the ballpark, excited to be at a game. Then there is a photo of Jesse and I (taken by the Garciaparra fan) after the game. When I'm over-excited, my smile shrinks my eyes to oblivion. Or perhaps it was all the beer?

When we arrived back in Brooklyn flush with pride (and beer) for our team, not even subway-replacing hellish shuttle buses could deplete our energy. We decided to walk home through the streets of Brooklyn. This photo encapsulates how great the scenic route on a Friday night in Brooklyn can be:

Saturday I traversed Brooklyn in the shuttles to meet up with friends, and because it was a terrible experience, I'd rather not even think about it again nor discuss it here.

But my friends are another story. I laughed so much throughout the day, usually with a glass of wine in hand. At one point we gathered at my friend Amber's lovely home and discussed new jobs and tree snakes and eyebrow shaping.

These two recently began new positions and they were comparing their respective acclimations here:

Then we went to a bar, and the ensuing fun and BFF'ing can be summarized in the quietest moment of the night:

I crawled into bed with a smile, fielded a call from a girlfriend with a boy problem, handed off sage advice I hope, and texted Jesse goodnight since he was still out with all my girls' better halves. This strategy works well; when we tell the guys we're having a ladies night, suddenly a dudes night is scheduled.

Today was an (at first) exciting day of football. However, my fantasy teams both languished and the Patriots were not looking too good. In other news, I re-shaped my eyebrows, or, rather attempted to re-shape my eyebrows and let's all hope for the best.

This week I hope for good news on all angles and a quieter week at work.

And so it begins!

MOH, Bridesmaid, MOH, BRIDE

My spectacular weekend kicked off with the bridal shower for Erica that co-maid of honor Kells and I had been planning for months! It was deemed 'Nacho Average Bridal Shower' and when you get a group of our friends together, no doubt it will be fun.

The bride herself made the glorious lettering above, and the bridesmaids and I provided the delectables which included a rose sangria I concocted (recipe coming soon) and later margarita cupcakes and pina colada ice cream, handmade by Jiscilla. 

Kells decided that we should make pinatas, and they turned out lovely though it took roughly eight million hours to make. And I really only worked on the G. NEVER MAKE A G PINATA IF YOU WANT YOUR SANITY! Here is the lovely tutorial from Kelly's blog.

We played three games between hanging out eating tacos and playing with the photo background: one in which you had to play 20 questions with the female half of a power couple strung on your back, the Newlyweds Game in which we recorded the groom-to-be answering questions about the Bride the week previous and played his answers to the Bride after she guessed them, and our old favorite Celebrities! Like we said, Nacho Average.

Groom on computer, me, Bride, bridesmaid!

Our old friend/roommate Eko joining in on the festivities.

The best faces during Celebrities

That photo above is one of me in pure ecstasy as I gorge on a margarita cupcake. It's classy, I know. The party was also facilitated by a playlist that mixed some fun dance songs, Bride-centric songs (everybody has their favorites), and Cinco de Mayo-themed songs. We were shaking (is it called twerking now???) along to it throughout the afternoon.

I've also had this neon yellow dress in my closet for years without having a place to wear it because it's just so damn bright. It came QUITE in handy for the bridal shower, plus the drop waist gives it an air of Great Gatsby-ness, right? I mean, that's what I'm going to tell myself. Fashion!

It was so much fun, and I was exhausted that evening as I came home to Jesse. After a night of backgammon, on bright and sunny Sunday we walked around Brooklyn, enjoyed watching the Five Borough Bike Ride for a bit, and then settled in for Iron Man 3, which I loved. My review is on Letterboxd, obviously!

Sunday night was spent on a double date with one of our favorite couples and then all of us coming back to our place for GAME OF THRONES. I mean, another couple you can sit and talk to about the show for an hour afterwards (and before!) is a good couple. Plus, a good show!

I'd say the summer season has begun...even though the weather hasn't reached over 70 degrees in these here parts. We've got a countdown going for our best friend's wedding and the weather is getting warmer and the summer blockbusters are revving up! YES! EXCITEMENT!

(Okay, I'm done now.)

Do whatever that it takes, he got a winner's mind.

My view on Saturday from Chelsea Brewery.

I tend to look forward to weekends not only for the time away from work but also to refresh me for another week. I aim to relax for the most part, but this weekend proved too busy with fun to reenergize. Not that I minded in the slightest.

On Friday evening a few people gathered at a delicious Thai restaurant in Williamsburg for a send-off to our lovely friend Jess who is moving to San Francisco. I arrived in the area early (I'm always early, to everything), but luckily another friend was nearby to catch up with over a glass of wine at the Brooklyn Winery--one of my favorite places in Brooklyn.

The dinner was joyous and the opposite of how sad goodbyes can be. Jess is moving on to another coast with positive vibes emenating; I am sad that SF is capturing a neighbor, friend, book club member, and writer's colony founder, but I am so happy for her.

Afterwards, another friend was in need of a social partner after having done the 'trading our stuff back' deed post-getting dumped. I met her at a nearby bar and we proceeded to clink our glasses to good riddance. Liars: not worth a damn.

I was most excited for Saturday when two of my favorite people, the pinnacle 'Good People' were in town. This couple, Bob and Erica, are so loved that no less than 15 people gathered for a brunch to enjoy their presence. Many college-era stories were rehashed and newly remembered with laughter. (If you were nearby you may have heard some phrases like: "And then he walked out of my apartment at dawn with my sheet wrapped around him to drive back to D.C.," "[Redacted] was in the hallway in her underwear because nobody was around to see her," or "Her mom walked into our apartment and blasted John Denver at 7am when everybody was still sleeping.")

The day was as long as it was fun: a great margarita-fueled brunch, a walk to Chelsea Piers to embarass our friend Dan who was playing hockey (hooting and hollering commenced), a stop in at Chelsea Brewery to enjoy the sunny day, and then a moment of respite and take-out at Kells' and Jon's apartment.

It was a moment needed since by 10pm we had to gather our second wind. This was also fueled by my latest collection of pump-up songs. Kells, Erica, and I proceeded to dance around the living room with Riggins jumping in unison. Riggins, a fun-loving French bulldog that you can see all over Kelly's blog is the best jump dancer.

We went to a nearby bar to meet more friends and as I am wont to do as of late, I entered in a long conversation about Game of Thrones in terms of the books and television show. I promised myself I wouldn't stay out late, but then, you know, a discussion of Book 3 happened.

On Sunday after leisurely getting up from bed, I met my friend Amy for lunch at Momofuku. We discussed our favorite movies and tv shows and books and then went to her apartment to watch a foreign film called A Royal Affair. We are both avid Hannibal fans and equally creeped out by the actor who plays the titular character, Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen. You may remember him as the 'leaky-eye villain' from Casino Royale. Anyway, I saw something on the internet about this Oscar-nominated film had a romantic storyline and in my astonishment told Amy we had to watch our old friend 'Mads,' (how great is that name?) in this period drama. And so we did. And it was GREAT; Mads is superb and I must admit he made me weep. Review here on Letterboxd.

Mads be smilin'!

Afterwards I came home and prepared myself some dinner and cleaned around the house. I was washing the dishes when I heard the key slip in the lock. I held my wet hands dripping over the kitchen sink while I leaned over to see who it might be.

It was Jesse. OF COURSE.

He was supposed to arrive Tuesday night but surprised me like he almost always does. It was wonderful to see him walk in the door and kiss him and pull at his ever-growing beard. The usual friends came over for Game of Thrones and Mad Men and then Jesse and I settled into bed as Pee Wee lay between us, purring loudly. We were both out within minutes of hitting the pillow; such a fun weekend it had been.

You're on a different road, I'm in the milky way.

On Tuesday afternoon I was able to leave work early. I'd shot a text to a friend in a fragile state about meeting up, and as so often happens with a friend in need of conversation, she asked that we meet at the nail salon. Over the acetone fumes she divulged her recent hardships, and after the purging and venting of the emotional situation, we were ready for food -- and a drink.

We're classy ladies, though, so it was off to a local eatery where we toasted my French '75 to her Southern Sea. After taking in some good greens (breakups don't always manifest in sugar, but in living well...) we wandered towards a nearby hotel bar with great views of Manhattan. We were joined by a third friend and after the first round, the bartender must have sensed our drama-tinged conversation and offered us a free shot and a free second round. And then we toasted to endings and positive mental attitudes and the future.

Hotel bars are strange. Sometimes I get the impression the clientele is simply out of towners looking for some excitement. Perhaps I just always think of that scene from Out of Sight, the one just prior to the great 'What If?' scene in which Karen Cisco deftly handles some businessmen trying to hit on her. But I digress.

I walked to the subway that night with the wind chilling my face and a big wide smile, because why not?

Last night I spent at home doing some chores and for some reason felt compelled to rewatch Brian De Palma's 1976 horror classic Carrie. I honestly don't know why I did, but I hadn't seen it in over a decade. It was creepier than I remembered, and it holds up so well. Sometimes movies can become such 'icons' or have iconic imagery that that's all that comes to mind. I'd forgotten about the odes to Hitchcock within, the great cinematography, and the still-relevant themes. By movie's end, I may or may not have also been taken by Sissy Spacek's ultra '70s locks. My obsession became somewhat solidified by the fact that I took a shower and then parted by hair down the middle, something I never do.

Below, Carrie White and myself this evening trying to rock the center part. Some strands were obviously fighting it; I have naturally wavy hair. After having short hair for a while, I'm now all about growing my hair as long as possible. Should probably keep up with watching '70s film classics for inspiration.

Carrie and Tommy

This is my attitude face with the lovely Jaime tonight in Brooklyn for an El Sportivo show.

Okay fine, here is my PMA face.

Lady winery hangs.

You'll be happy to know I didn't spend my evening just thinking about the Oscar nominees, but hanging with friends at the nearby Brooklyn Winery. I'm a fan of red wine, especially on a cold winter night, so when I knew we were going to the winery I decided to wear my deepest wine color - my trick to keep the wine stains unnoticed. You know what I'm talking about!

Beca, Jaime, me

When Jesse's around I try to wear nothing on my lips that can rub off on him. Fortunately, my favorite red lipstick stays put for hours and never gets a mark on him! The wine-colored lipstick I chose tonight is actually a mix of three tubes I've acquired, and very sticky. Perfect for a night with two of my favorite ladies, Beca and Jaime!

My favorite room at the Brooklyn Winery was open; it overlooks the sidewalk out front at a slightly elevated angle perfect for people-watching but is secluded from the rest of the bar so there's the bonus privacy. It's warm, cozy, and full of old furniture and artwork that makes it feel like a comfy grandfather's study - good vibes emanate.

Leaving said cozy room was pretty tough for the three of us, as you can see the pain of the wind on their faces above. When I got home, Jesse had sent me an e-mail that he was just waking up in Australia, and now I'm watching Project Runway. Good vibes emanate.

Last weekend.

The time has come again. Jesse has been home for a good two months, and tomorrow he leaves for a whole one. It's probably the reason I've been slacking on updating -- spending my downtime with Jesse was priority the past couple of weeks. (And updating will most likely take up as a distraction upon his departure.)

It's been some time since he was out of the country on tour, and we've haven't been apart for an entire month since the very beginning of our relationship. In fact, the beginning of our relationship started February 27th, 2007 -- a six-year anniversary coming up! He will be in Sydney, Australia that day. But I don't dwell on these things; it's corny but we do have the rest of time to hang out... which he takes care to remind me of every now and then.

We spent his last weekend in town like real hardcore cool people by going to a backgammon meet-up. Yeah, you read me right. Jesse loves the game backgammon, and while I find it frustrating to play him because he is simply streets ahead of me in the game, I like it too. Jesse heard about a meet-up at SPiN, the Susan Sarandon-owned ping-pong bar in Manhattan. Backgammon aficianado Jaime also joined us and we descended into the back room a bit nervous for what type of crowd backgammon brings around. Turns out it wasn't only octogenarians, but a pretty diverse crowd of young, old, foreign, etc.

Jaime remarked at one point, "dang, if I was single I would totally come here to pick up guys." You heard it, ladies: BACKGAMMMON MEET-UPS! Better start learning the game!

On Sunday, Jesse and I had a double date brunch with Kells and Jon, to La Palapa where brunch is $15 for a coffee, a delicious margarita, and the best huevos rancheros I've ever eaten. It's our favorite Manhattan brunch spot - at least the most frequented. After having a laugh as we always do with those two, Jesse asked me if I wanted to see a movie since we had no plans for the afternoon.

Me, see a movie?

Sometimes it's hard to get Jesse to go to the theater with me, especially since I go so often. My Letterboxd is telling me that I saw 40 films in the theaters last year. That's...a lot. I like going with Jesse because he is highly opinionated about films. Even when he's not with me I leave the theater wondering if it would be something Jesse would enjoy. I'm getting better at predicting his love/hate levels!

Anyway, I checked my phone and the new Williamsburg Cinema was playing Soderbergh's latest (and last?) feature film, Side Effects. Soderbergh can really go either way with me, and I wasn't sure if this was something that would be any good. I thought it might tread a little too political (for a movie starring Channing Tatum, if you know what I mean), but it ended up being something entirely different than what I expected. I really liked it, and Jesse did too!

That evening we went to a new restaurant in our neighborhood that had been getting good reviews and is up for a 'Best New Restaurant' award. It was delicious food! And had great cocktail to boot. It was a fitting ending to a great last weekend.