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First snowfall, winter 2008, Brooklyn (taken from our living room window)
A few tidbits before I head off for the holidays:
1. From the "WTF?" department:
I absolutely despise plastic shopping bags. So, I always carry a small canvas or nylon bag in my purse, for those days when I stop on my way home to pick up a few things at the grocery or drug store. The dance goes like this: I put my purchases on the counter and announce to the cashier, "I brought my own bag." I place my bag on the counter, pay my money, get my receipt and...wait. The cashier does nothing. I wait. My purchases sit on the counter. The cashier looks at me impatiently. Where in the shopper's rulebook does it say that bringing your own bag means you are no longer entitled to having the cashier place your purchases in your transport device of choice? I can't tell you how many times I've been stunned to encounter a cashier who just stands there and waits for me to bag my own shit!
2. From the "Holy Shit, I'm Going Senile" department:
I eat lunch at Subway once or twice a week. They make so-so sandwiches, but on yummy bread. And they don't cost a fortune, like the majority of lunch spots around my office near Rockefeller Center. I typically order a drink with my six-inch sub, pay the cashier and proceed to the soda fountain to fill my cup with Diet Coke, my lunchtime drug of choice. That is, except for the other day, when I walked out of the restaurant and halfway down the block, empty drink cup in hand. Sigh.
3. Another from the "Early-onset Senility" department:
The other day, when attempting to brew the morning's pot of coffee with sleep not yet rubbed from my eyes, I took the coffee filters from the cabinet, placed one in the receptacle, took the can of coffee from the fridge (where we keep it for freshness), added that to the filter, then proceeded to place the coffee filters in the fridge. Yes! Nice, chilled coffee filters! Just what everyone wants on frigid winter mornings!
4. And (sigh...) another:
On yet another recent morning, I scooped some coffee into the receptacle, then filled the coffee pot with water as usual. Normally, I'd use this water to pour into the reserve and then place the empty pot on the hot plate to be filled slowly with piping hot liquid drug. But, on this particular day, I slid the full pot of water right onto the hot plate. Luckily, nothing bad happens when you do this. You just feel (as I did) like a complete idiot when you go to pour yourself a cup of coffee 10 minutes later and find a full pot of water where your drug should be!
(Imagine my relief when Jason did the exact same thing only a week or so later. Yay! I'm not the only one losing my marbles!)
More from the "early-onset senility" files in the coming months, I'm sure. Happy new year, everyone! And safe travels for those (like me) braving the airports this week.
How the hell is it winter already? My friends with kids frequently mention how quickly the weeks and months seem to whiz past when you have kids. And yet, here I am, no kids to speak of, and still, the months get away from me like puppies taken off their leashes at the park.
The snow has been coming down steadily since this morning--alternating between gently falling flakes and wind-whipped, icy chunks that sting your face when you dare step outside. I'm not looking forward to the slushy mess that has taken up residence on the sidewalks and will likely remain through the weekend. I just hope the weather clears up nicely for my flight out of JFK next week.
Despite the fact that I'm doing less for the holidays this year than possibly any other in my adult life, it's been a remarkably busy week. Jason and I had a wonderful time at MJ's dinner party Saturday (even the trek to New Jersey), enjoyed every friggin' second of the debut of our friend Josh's new band, Josh Diamond and the Brooklyn Soul, at a great little East Village venue, may drop by a few holiday parties this weekend and look forward to celebrating Hanukah with my aunt and cousins Sunday afternoon.
Then, it's off to Reno for a few days' visit with my parents, whom I haven't seen since May and am very much looking forward to spending time with. Or, if you prefer, with whom I am very much looking forward to spending time. Damn prepositions.
I know...pretty boring. But I did not grow up celebrating Christmas and never feel I'm missing out when I don't celebrate it as an adult. That said, I have enjoyed several lovely Christmases with Jason's family and am sad we won't be there this year to delight in the beautiful tree and lovingly decorated house, the sweet scent of gingerbread permeating every room.
Whether celebrating Christmas or not, I am always reminded this time of year how grateful I am for the real gifts I have. I hit the jackpot with my incredible family, devoted boyfriend, good health and loving, caring friends. Not to mention how lucky we all are to be weathering the financial shitstorm that has affected and will affect so many in this country. We may not have a lot, but we have more than we need--important to remember when we're feeling sorry for ourselves for having to trim the fat a bit.
So, let the holidays come and go in peace, with safe travels and plenty of joyful moments for everyone, a relaxing end to this eventful year and a healthy dose of renewed hope for the new year upon us.