Taking the Long Way Home

At the end of the work day, I aim to get on my bike and get home as quickly as possible. I use one of the shortest routes possible with the least amount of incline. It's a beautiful ride, but I hardly see anything new. I took a different route on Tuesday and took a right on 5th Avenue when I normally would have headed straight. I like 5th Avenue. It has a lot of shops that are really adorable, and some cool-looking bars. It's one of those places I don't think to go because it's just far enough to be inconvenient, but not far enough to seem like a journey. Riding down it during the evening rush hour was nice. It's a share bike like, so it can get a little tight when there is traffic moving in both directions. I made a left on Union Street to begin heading home. Union has a much steeper incline than my normal route, and intersects with Grand Army Plaza. The tree line street was lovely:


It made my ride a little tougher to take a longer route. But it also meant I didn't just pop on my bike and go home. I took a much more leisurely approach, and arrive a with a slight pep in my step. Thanks LGRAB Summer Games for making what seemed like an annoying task really enjoyable.

Scavenger Hunt

Last Sunday, Maya and Blake organized a scavenger hunt as part of the Robert Moses Walk Project. In March, Blake did walks with individuals exploring parks in their neighborhoods that Robert Moses had created. During each of the walks, a photographic image was noted, and used as the basis for the scavenger hunt. My team did an incredible job with the 15 images we were sent out to find. My favorite was the task of finding a location dedicated to children that never sees sunlight. We went to the Brooklyn Public Library main branch in Grand Army Plaza, and found an area in the children section of the library where no natural light exists. Here is our interpretation of the photographic memory from an earlier walk:


It was interesting to explore parts of the city with friends and keeping our eyes peeled for things we might not have been looking for (i.e. clothes on a clothesline). More importantly it was fun to explore the concept of memory and how things are constantly changing, and the difference between people's memories.

Key to the City

Last week, Charell and I got the keys to the city. It's an interesting art project that explores the idea of reclaiming the city. There are locks in all five boroughs. Part of receiving a key to the city is to bestow one to someone else as well. Charell and I had to express why each of us deserved it. I gave Charell a key for being an excellent mentor, and she gave me one for being her office lifeline. I'm really looking forward to opening the locks with my new key:

Three Year Day

Last week I met up with Brett to celebrate my three year anniversary in New York. It was also the one year anniversary celebration for his workplace. We met up in Red Hook, and walked to The Good Fork for dinner. En route, Brett showed me one of his favorite pieces of street art in the area:


I think it's really beautiful.

After the party, Brett helped me fix my wobbly seat. The seat was knocked askew when my housemate borrowed it, and had taken a fall.



I still can't believe it's been three years since I arrived in the city. It's become less scary and intimidating. I still find it hard, but it's just a matter of taking it a day at a time.

I like this World Cup thing.

The World Cup has taken over my office. Brainstorms are cut short. The conference rooms are booked with fans watching. My co-workers have it open on their computer screens while working on PowerPoints. I thought I would finally watch a game, especially since USA hasn't done this well in ages. Brett and I rode to a local bar, Tavern on Dean, which sadly is closing due to landlord issues. So I raised a glass of beer and cheered team USA on, and shed a tear for the loss of a local watering hole. In support of the USA team, I decorated Brittany with an Americana scarf. One of the tasks for LGRAB Summer Games is to decorate a bike. I'm sad my extra spirit and decorations didn't help us move to the next round, but I did realize I like this whole World Cup thing.

Meet Ody

Ody is short for Odysseus. He's a lovely cat. Rather loud in the morning, but one of the best cuddlers ever! When I moved out for college my junior year, I told my Mamma that if I could keep a cat, a plant, and myself alive for a year then I knew I could make it. The plant died early on, but Ody is still with me today. Many years, many moves, and a plane flight later we're still here for each other. At present, he's really into sitting on a particular window ledge and staring out.

I needed to pick up some new litter for his box. It's part of our deal. I supply love, food, water, and a clean litter box. He supplies endless love and an alternative alarm clock option. One of the tasks for this section of the LGRAB Summer Games is to carry a load on a bike. Seven pounds of litter is certainly a load, but Ody is totally worth it!

Meet Brittany

Recently, a lovely lady stayed in my home and purchased a bike for her visit. I have wanted a cruiser for some time. I really love the Pashley Princess Sovereign, but I'm terrified of buying that bike while I'm living in New York City. So, I made her an offer she couldn't refuse, and now have two bikes. Brittany is lovely. She's one of my favorite shades of blue and is sparkly. When I ride her, I feel so la di da.

Brittany needs some real love. I'm really excited that one of the challenges for the LGRAB Summer Games is to perform a maintenance task on your bike. In order to take Brittany out the other day, I tightened her brakes:


Brett showed me how to do it. I'm looking forward to really cleaning Brittany up, and making her one special bike. I think a basket of some sort will be soon.