best subway performance

I remember as a child, my dad would tell me he had security cameras up so he would know if I practiced piano or not. I believed him. Perhaps I would have been the piano prodigy they had dreamed of if he had employed this method. 

This kid was playing like Beethoven. I thought it was a recording at first. The dad is tapping out the beat. And every so often the kid would look up, as if checking for approval (which we all know is never going to happen). After his piece, he runs around the platform like he's a superhero while his dad looks on shaking his head dissappointedly and beckoning him back to his seat. After his next piece, he looks up and his dad shakes his head like the child has just shamed the whole clan. And then people drop money into their bag. Kid makes bank! This is amazing. His fingers! So fast! So nimble! So musical!  

 Somehow, these guys are not quite as impressive.

windy city

It was super duper windy yesterday. A good place to be would have been inside. I would much rather listen to the wind howl and try to walk against it. Sometimes I find myself being tossed around like a rag doll in the gusty breath of New York winters. 

things I don't like

I stopped by the produce cart on my way back to the abode. I asked for romaine lettuce, and the guy says, "That's it?" So I also got carrots. And he says again, "That's all? Are you sure? We just got some ginger." So I go for the ginger too. I don't even like carrots, or ginger. So now I have to use all this ginger. We made gingersnap cookies, but they don't have the snap. They're actually good. Better than I expected. I'm impressed with my roommate and I. 

carbon packed roses

The guy I met at the airport brought me roses! How romantical! I love this pink on the white. Gorgeous.

 I removed all the petals and dropped some eucalyptus oil A left last year on them. It's a touch early for mosquito repellent, but my roommate allegedly saw one 2 weeks ago. Fingers crossed for a mild mosquito season this year.

beating heart

Times Square beating heart installation. It's supposed to beat faster if you touch it, and faster if more people touch it. Cute. I went to visit with a friend. What? Friend? I have friends? Be still my beating heart! It took little persuasion seeing as how the alternative was working on her thesis. Life is better with a travel buddy. I'll remain eternally grateful for friends who will go on whatever tame or wild journeys with me.

little pie company

On the way to my rock climbing gym - no, next to my rock climbing gym, lives a bakery called the Little Pie Company. They have a screen door they cool their goods in front of. You can smell the pie from the beginning of the block. There is an aura/cloud/bubble of good smells around the establishment. It's a wonder I ever make it to the climbing wall. This week they gave out a scoutmob for Little Pie Company. I got Mississippi Mud, Old Fashioned Apple, and Triple Berry - in order of preference after the taste test.

dinosaurs once roamed the land

Roar.

I got this dinosaur mold before I left for break. I've been excited to use it. I haven't had the bast record with cakes. Remember my attempt for A's birthday senior year? I'm not sure I remember what it was about, but I think we can both agree it wasn't my best work. I also remember burning out the hand mixer on that cake. It was quite a fiasco. But this time, S even asked for a 2nd piece. That must be a good sign, right?