Another Manhattan

I've been in NYC for the past three days trying to rent my Union Square apartment. When I arrived in the city, the sites and smells filled me with euphoria. I love the bustling streets, the incredible array of well priced and delicious food, the shopping deals! When I lived in Manhattan, I always had somewhere important that I was going, with people I adored. But as a visitor, after a few days wandering in the city night alone, I began to feel trapped by the concrete jungle.

"It's one big shopping mall," my sister said to me over $10 salads. I told her she couldn't have the extra avocado because I wanted to pay and couldn't do a $25 lunch.

"I know," I told her. "I feel like every time I step out the door of my apartment I am spending money. A taxi, the subway, bottled water, internet access, a magazine, a homeless guy, a pair of designer shoes on sale for one-day-only."

My sister groaned the familiar actress/waitress groan heard around the city.

"Just do what I do. Don't go out. Don't leave your teeny little apartment. Don't even open the window. And if you have to leave, just look down until you get to work."

That explained a lot about my sister.

My sexy, fun and fabulous former city has paled in the reality of my financial situation. Surely I haven't forgotten how to enjoy a city without spending any money. Surely.

Accidental Artists

This little kitty was sculpted out of stone by my grandmother Mimi. She said that as she explored her medium, the cat emerged. From jagged rock came this sleek creature.

Mimi never saw herself as an artist or of having an extraordinary talent. She sculpted only because she loved it and never exhibited her work except in her condo in Longboat Key, Florida.

My grandmother is no longer alive, but I continue to be inspired by the whimsy and love contained in this piece.

This watercolor painting is how my father recorded his passion for the ocean and beaches. He would photograph them with fine brushes and shards of paint melting into each other in water splashes.

This painting is special because I remember that trip to Florida (to Longboat Key to see his parents Mimi and Pop). I am wearing a sweatshirt my boyfriend Greg gave me. Sadly, those times are gone. My father passed away from cancer in 1990, Greg became a doctor and settled in Long Island, and I am no longer the 18 year old girl I used to be.

So I consider myself lucky to have my apartment decorated by great artists who loved their creative process greatly.

parenting is the anti-blog

I wish I had time to write something fascinating, but after an evening of playing with about seven older girls and then reading a chapter and a half of Harry Potter, my boy is still not in bed. I'm past the "okay, sweetie, let's try another book" and am into the "go to bed now, sweetie, NOW" stage. So you'll have to excuse the meager post. I'll share with you a cool picture though ...

Needlework and Stimulus Plans

Happy Hour Samba Pagode Session

Tuesday, June 2, 2009, 5 - 7PM

Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom St., Philly, PA 19102

$6 cover

Looking for a bangin' happy hour? I could say I saw Alex Shaw when he performed with Alo Brasil at World Cafe Live but I think the word 'saw' implies passiveness. Everyone in my group of friends was dancing and bopping.

"What You Should Know But Don't"

Thursday, June 4, 2009, 5:30 - 7:30PM

PNC Bank Center, Center Hall

1600 Market St., Philly, PA 19103

FREE: Pre-registration required, Business attire

About what? The Economic Stimulus Plan... Brought to you by Innovation Philadelphia, the panel "will address important topics within the entrepreneurial community including how stimulus funds will be used for acquiring business loans, stimulate job creation, business tax incentives, and 'going green'"

Tatreez: Palestinian Women's Embroidery in Philadelphia

Friday, June 5, 2009, 6:00 - 8:00PM

Philadelphia Folklore Project, 735 S. 50th St., Philly, PA 19143

FREE 

First Friday. Again. If you're weary or wary of the traditional Old City scene or even the new FF hotness, the Piazza in NoLibs, venture to West Philly. The party: Celebrate the Philadelphia Folklore Project's 22nd birthday. The exhibit: "making and sharing traditional needlework, stitching patterns belonging to villages that no longer exist, local Palestinian women artfully sustain heritage and community through the beauty that is tatreez". 

2009 Songwriting Contest Final Show

Sunday, June 7, 2009, 4:00PM

MilkBoy Coffee, 2 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore, PA, 19003

$10

I've been to several Philly Songwriters events. I perennially leave them fired up with a desire to learn guitar and take voice lessons so that I might to be able to write songs and perform them and in doing so, connect. At this special annual event, the twelve finalists (out of 200 entries) will compete live. Winners will be booked at pre-eminent local music festivals like Bethlehem's Musikfest. If you are looking for a night-on-the-suburb, this would be it (4pm Sun. is sleepy time by Ardmore standards).

Sundae Grand Opening

Sunday, June 7, 2009, 3PM - 2AM?!

Octo, 221 N Columbus Blvd., Philly, PA 

RSVP for guest list

From what I've heard, this is the dance party for those who dance because they dance.

Keith Ferrazzi Keynote Event

Tuesday, June 9, 2009, 6:00 - 8:00PM

Park Hyatt, 200 S. Broad St., Philly, PA 19102

Pre-registration required

"Who's Got Your Back: The breakthrough program to build deep trusting relationships that create success - and won't let you fail". Best-selling author Keith Ferrazzi of "Never Eat Alone" is coming to Philly. If you have any latent or active desire to become a better leader/networker/-er, you might benefit from getting out and attending this.

Credit: Creative Commons photo by klynslis

Day 8 - Blogger Challenge