October-November

In recent weeks a lot has been going on. Marcus' university friend, Jonas, and his fiance Mirian, stayed with us for a week. They were visiting from Brazil, and taking in the sights here. We had a great time---ate a lot of good food, went shopping, and they got to see the good old Zuccotti Park protesters for themselves. (Augh). For Halloween, we also had a good time...we ended up at a loft party in SoHo...a very good time! Last night I met up with my vet school friends. We all live in the Tri-state area, yet it's close to impossible to meet up! We had dinner at Fatty Crab, then headed over to the Meatpacking District. I had come straight from work, meaning I was wearing my scrubs and carrying around a frumpy backpack. Here's where it gets good and shameful all at the same time: We ended up in the Boom Boom Room...yes, I hung out in the Boom Boom Room in my scrubs and a backpack. I demand a do-over when I'm prepared and looking fashionably hot!

Thursday

It's kinda chilly in our apartment...the heat hasn't been turned on yet. So I am lounging in my One Piece! My in-laws gave it to me for my birthday. I just finished watching the documentary "Dark Days" about homeless people who lived in the Amtrak tunnels in Manhattan. Really good! But I never found out what happened to the pets at the end...and that bothers me. Last night was the premiere of the show "American Horror Story" on FX. And I loved it! I hope it keeps up. Meanwhile outside our apartment window the "Occupy Wall Street" protest goes on...and although I am all for expressing your right to voice your opinion, do it legally. I mean I am not condoning police violence, but I am tired of hearing about protesters breaking the law, then complaining when there are consequences. And I'm tired of hearing the beating drums and cheers from our window every night! Hmm what else, I watched the Sci-Fi flick "Equilibrium" and I really liked it!

Don't Mess with My Movie Watching Experiences!

Dammit, I just spent 36 minute on the phone (mostly on hold) with Restoration Hardware's customer service. And ended up hanging up when on hold...I couldn't take dealing with this guy anymore. All I wanted to know is when on Earth the table lamp I ordered back in July was finally going to arrive. It's been on perpetual backorder, and we've been patient. But the guy I got on the phone was completely not up to the job. I don't know if he was new or what, but he sucked, I have to say. He changed the story three times and when I asked to talk to a supervisor he couldn't do that. Anyway, I was in the midst of watching the movie "Permanent Midnight" with Ben Stiller. And even though it wasn't Oscar material, I was interested. But I had to stop because of the half hour phone call. I ended up calling back and talking with someone else who could actually help me. Augh. I just took two ibuprofens. But the lamp's cute, right?

The Flor Floor

This past weekend I took our second bedroom one step closer to being presentable. So far it's been a storage facility with unfinished floors. I installed Flor tiles wall-to-wall. And it looks good! So easy to do; I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to change up their floors and do it easily, with the ability to change it up later on. Right now Marcus is in Sweden visiting family. So I've been flying solo with Gustaf at home. I called in sick today, and I still feel crappy. But at least I wasn't at work feeling crappy. I watched this movie called "The Fourth Kind"...a mockumentary about a woman who believes her daughter and people in her town in Alaska were abducted by aliens. Sorta creepy, and entertaining, even though the storyline wasn't as tight as it could have been. Also watched the season premiere of "The Martha Stewart Show" and the pastry chef from The Dutch was on, and she made her Devil's Foodcake with Black Pepper Meringue Frosting. I don't know about the black pepper---I mean, I am sure it's delicious, and I'm sure the foodies out there would love it, or at least appreciate the juxtaposition of the pepper with the chocolate...I may bake it sometime.

Win Win

This weekend was the weekend of Hurricane Irene along the Eastern seaboard of the US. So thankfully my job closed early on Saturday, in time to catch the trains back to Manhattan before the whole system was shut down. The streets were pretty desolate as the heavy winds and rain kicked in. I was supposed to meet some friends at Fatty Crab, but we had to cancel and reschedule. Marcus, Gustaf, and I made it a movie and food weekend. We watched a couple of things, including "Win Win", about a low on funds lawyer who's also a high school wrestling coach. In order to continue supporting his family, he does something a little shady, which bites him in the #ss later on. Great movie!!! So glad I watched it. Today I chose a bad one--- "The Caller". Some indie movie that was supposed to be suspensful and scary. It was bad. You know when you're watching something and you just wonder..."well if the apartment is haunted, why the hell don't they just move out???" Ya, well that was the case...We also watched the mini series "Battlestar Gallactica" with Edward James Olmos...really good! We can't wait to get the rest of the DVD discs in the mail! In the quest to kill time under the spell of having cabin fever, I did make a batch of sangria, and tried to drink some. Well, I don't drink, don't like alcohol. So I had half a glass, and asked Marcus to drink the rest. Oh well, so much for my wild night of drinking during a storm. Tomorrow the train to NJ is up and running, and I have to say, I wish it wasn't, because I'm tired and I need a little break. Oh well.

The Dutch, Flor, the Department of Health...

This past weekend Marcus and I went out to dinner and then out to a club to celebrate a friend's birthday, and it was a good time. I love staying out late, and I feel like I never do these days! Then on Sunday, my sisters and I headed over to Zarin's, an impressive upholstery fabric store in the LES. My sister found something for her apartment. We then headed over to SoHo and met up with Marcus to eat brunch at The Dutch. Marcus and I have been trying for a while to eat dinner there, but we haven't been able to get reservations. Well...the brunch was exceptional! YUMMY. That's all I have to say. On the topic of restaurants, I've been religiously cross referencing NYC's Department of Health restaurant review website...when it comes to ordering food online on Seamless, or going to a restaurant, I highly recommend it...it brings you peace, and sometimes, well...horror. Jennifer, my sister, also told me about Flor, this carpet tile design store. Before you cringe a little at the sound of carpet tile, give it a chance. We have a second bedroom that we need to sort out, and we're going to deal with the floor, well, with Flor! Check it out. It's a pretty cool concept. Today I watched "Of Gods and Men"...good flick, but very depressing. So you gotta be in the mood. I mean, who wants to hurt a monk???

It's the Best!

So now that we've moved downtown (well even more downtown) I've developed a couple of local favorites. I'm really into Financier down here....friendly people, reliable food, good seating area, and only two blocks from home. Well, there's always Seamless.com (formerly known as Seamlessweb.com). And the latest favorite is the show "Wilfred". So wrong, right, perfect, crazy, funny. Highly recommended. So hard to explain, but you'll laugh your butt off! Some not so favorites---well, Time Warner Cable. It's archaic. I miss FiOs! Augh. Otherwise Marcus and I are trying to enjoy summer, which is almost done! We're going to the beach again next week. In the meantime, trying to fight off my constant craving for chocolate, and trying to get the next week of work...