First snowstorm of the season

It's beginning to look a LOT like Christmas!

I enjoyed the weather, got a lot done, but still was exhausted. Decided to take a nap and did not get up til after midnight!

Everyone got a gift, so no one went without opening up something for Christmas.

Tomorrow is Saturday so they'll be tons to do.

first snowstorm of the season - Dec 19 2009

It started this afternoon.

Don't know what's going to happen tomorrow.

Learning to pay attention to signs

What happens when you tempt fate? It's bound to throw you a m-fu-king curve.

Woke up early enough, 7:30. checked emails, no messages or replies, so I got dressed. Had only slept a couple of hours as I've been having trouble sleeping.

By 8 am I was scrambling looking for a shirt that T brought up the other day that I decided I wanted to wear today. Well, that just about did it. I went through every inch of my room and nothing. Went through piles of clothing, drawers, cabinets, closet. Nothing. Where the hell could this little black shirt be? Now I have tons of black clothing, so I figured it was tied up into something. I had just done the laundry so it wasn't in there. T mutters half asleep that I was seen putting it away in a drawer.

Of course, I know immediately this is bull but diligently look through whatever drawers I could've possibly put it into. Still nothing. I notice I'm falling behind schedule and throw on whatever I find which is wrinkled and makes me look like someone's mom. Meanwhile, T is up and looking in the same spots I just looked in. Now because I'm notorious for looking but never finding anything, T goes over the same areas. I feel bad for waking T.

We keep looking. Nothing comes up. Now I'm really late. I check my handbag for my camera, fresh batteries, and of course, sunscreen. I grab my keys and try not to look at the mess on the top of my head called my hair lately and tried to smooth down unsuccessfully with some hairspray and a rubberband to pull it into a very short poni-tail.

I know I don't look good but twenty minutes have gone by and I'm still not out the door. I had woken up early specifically to avoid having to rush. Before I trudge down the subway steps I go into the bodega to pick up a bottled water. Turns out I have no cash, I'm checking every pocket. Shit. I thought I had put the money in my pocket. I re-check my pockets after putting the water back. Still nothing.

I trudge back home, texting C that I'm still stuck at home. I figured I would be delayed, whatever, and C would understand and we would meet up later.

Instead, when I got home, I checked and found the money was not in the place I had last seen it. I checked my pockets and voila there it was. Now I KNOW something's up. It's a sign. I need to stay put or just not go to this gathering. So I looked at my phone and noticed the text message was still 'sending' and was delaying in sending the message. How odd. The weather is clear today and I'm not underground, why would my phone be delaying sending a simple text?

So I tried again. Same thing. I turned on my computer and sent C two messages, one direct text via email to C's phone and again another one through through another email account that I knew dinged C's phone.

Don't know if C received the messages in time, but I know that things happen for a reason. I'm not going to question it.

Meanwhile, I started gathering clothes I'm no longer wearing (or no longer fit) and taking them to Goodwill. I can't take the mess anymore. I still haven't found the stupid shirt, but this inspired me after going through a ton of clothes that no longer fit or are trendy. It's time to say goodbye to them and start clearing up my place. I also have to remember to run some errands today and not let this day go to waste.

So much for planning. Well, if you can't make one plan, make another, right? Sigh.

Dragon Boat Races

I'm so excited -- I have to leave the house early but it'll be worth it. A friend is bringing a picnic lunch, I'm making sure I bring my sunscreen and a bottle of water and a hat because I hear there is little shade where we'll be taking pictures.

Tomorrow's weather is supposed to be beautiful so even better. I am so excited!

A couple of hours ago I sent a reminder to my friend so hopefully all's well. Have yet to get a response. If anything, I'll know by tomorrow morning.

first day of heat -- almost 80 degrees!

Had to take a quick picture while walking the dog today. Did not have my camera with me, so I decided to shoot with my cell. I have to say, considering it's from a cell phone camera, the quality is not too bad.

Just wanted to keep a memory of today. Gorgeous weather -- it was not wasted.

Today was Three Kings Day

Drums. I hear drums.

And I start to realize that it's coming from the street.

So at 11 am, I pulled on a fresh pair of jeans, my ballet flats and a hoodie sweatshirt and rushed out with camera in hand, only checking briefly for my set of keys and that the batteries and camera disc were accounted for and in place.

The elevator could not come fast enough as I followed the rhythmic sound of the drums and youthful happy shouts coming from the street below. As soon as I was outside, I got my camera ready and found the parade had already started, and the front group was already several blocks ahead.

I could visualize the front of the parade. Symbolic of the Three Kings using the North Star as a compass, there ahead of me several blocks away was a big bright gold sparkly star held up high on a pole by one of the parade participants. It wasn't that far. So I started to walk briskly and broke into a jaunt. I realized as I started running that the air was pretty crisp and cold, and my recently repaired lungs would pay for it. I heard a woman cough as I passed block three to cut ahead of the parade. There were some observers on the sidewalk, and at one point a woman was warned apparently to get out of the way of the middle of the street for the parade to pass. Turns out it was probably the Mayor's security leading her away and she turned towards people and spotted me and several others with their cameras. "Do you see this?" she demanded, her voice going up in anger. "See how he's handling me!" None of us said anything. She had been warned and wanted to discuss something that needed no discussing. Her not being in the way.

It didn't occur to me that Bloomberg could be there. It was only when I fixed my focus, I found him suddenly in my lens along with a couple of Council members walking along with him behind a big blue banner announcing the Museo del Barrio.

That's when I turned on my heel and kept moving, I hadn't completely broken my stride, and I thought I heard the security guy tell the woman something along the lines to follow what several of us were doing, moving ahead of the parade and shooting from a distance with our zoom lens, out of the path of the parade. She got the message although she looked steamed as she passed me by as I headed back after taking my final shots.

Different versions of the Three Kings appeared. On stilts, on floats, in variously intricate or simple costume/gown. This guy waving looked familiar but I couldn't place him. He was standing very close behind the Mayor though, in that crowd.

Seeing three camels, real, live camels was an unexpected delight. It's not every day one sees camels except in zoos or if you're in the Saudi Middle East or Africa. This camel actually looked at me and seemed to proudly pose. I realized my mouth was open in surprise, promptly shut it and snapped the picture. Looks like the camel's kind of grinning, eh?

There were five sheep, one particularly very white amongst the others. Three in front, two in back. They came not far behind the camels. Again, a pleasant surprise. Guess these guys herding them are the modern day symbol for the shepherds who saw the Star.

It was not a very long parade but it was a colorful one.

First major snow storm of the season in NYC

It started yesterday, Friday December 19, it was already snowing hard when I woke up. For a split second, I felt like a child again, staring in wonder out the window as the white flakes fell hard and thick.

Today I went out to look at the snow. It was white, bright and gorgeous. The squirrels were nowhere to be found, and only a stray finch bird here and there was hopping around, braving the elements. There was a good strong wind and it didn't take long for me to feel a bit winded. I went to the supermarket and picked up some supplies for the kitchen, some snacks, some drinks, before scurrying back home to a waiting dog who didn't see all that put out to not be walked. She seemed to just know it was majorly cold out, with the temps in the 20 degree level, and she was not in a hurry to get out there and experience it herself.

As soon as I got home I put the grocery items away, changed into comfortable home clothes and climbed into bed with a hot cup of tea. The dog followed me and within minutes was snoring loudly and contentedly wrapped in the comforter with me. And we were both content.