Awake

That's Roopa in the pic - she's one of my two favorite cousin's kids - I know I shouldn't pick favorites, but I can't help it. She has to be the smartest and most creative 4 yr old I've ever met, not to mention the cutest. I love them to pieces and get sad everytime they squeeze me when I leave. I taught the other sister, Anisha, over the weekend how to rock out to We Got the Beat on the keyboard in their house after making her learn some scales first.

Yesterday, my first day back after the holiday on my way to school, and I was back to NYC craziness. You know how people get on the train and lose their balance right as the train gets moving again while they're trying to take a seat? Well, a certain 6"6 gentleman weighing about 200 lbs or more did this and fell on top of my hand that was holding out my Diane Arbus biography. Not only did he dent my book, but he bent back my wrist as well. Instead of getting back up immediately and apologizing, he sat there on my lap for a good 10 seconds while I screamed in pain and said "What am I gonna do?" Not even a fucking apology.

Then as I tried to walk into my building at school, I was detoured because of a film taking place right on our campus. It's called Awake and it has something to do with doctors who dress up in Halloween costumes. They even transformed the Fordham University sign outside to say Varick Hospital. The filming continued today. I was walking into the dining hall to grab some grub when guess who walked right pass me unnoticed? Balthazar Getty and the lead guy from Hustle and Flow! Both looked really great in person I have to say. I wonder if this is a fairly normal occurrence going to school in NYC. I'm sure the school gets mucho dinero for a location fee. I just hope some of that goes to our miniscule computer lab of 12 computers for a total of several hundred FTers attending the school, not to mention the other PTers.

Tandoori Turkey

Before I left for Thanksgiving, my friend Leo told me I should make my mom make some Tandoori Turkey since our family usually does both American and Indian food on Thanksgiving. This way she could kill two birds with one baster. Sorry, bad turkey joke. Turns out, someone's already come up with this same idea before. No Tandoori Turkey this year, but my mom's gonna try it next year.

My cousin in law's brother got married in India, but they had the reception in Poughkeepsie this Thanksgiving weekend. I went straight to the open bar to get some wine with my mom, and can you believe it - I got IDed at a wedding reception with my Mom standing right next to me! I was like, "She can vouch for me, she's my mom, and I'm definitely 30." To which they responded, "God bless you honey cause you look like a teenager."
Turns out we were all being watched by a camera, and the bartenders were just following protocol.

Of course the night was pretty boring until "DJ Raj's Cousin" starting kicking it up a notch with the music. It always shocks me how such subdued Indian weddings can take a turn for the crazy as soon as the dancing begins. Unfortunately, because of all the youngins' bedtimes we had to leave right as he started playing Punjabi MC.

As we were driving home late that night, much to my suburban shock, two gentleman mooned our car and I'm sure our relatives car directly behind us. Thank god, I was the only one who saw this - looked like everyone else was too focused on driving or just passed out. I quietly tried telling my cousin who was driving what I saw, but his kids were like "What's mooning?!"

Well, right before I left for Westchester my power went out. Last night when I returned, my toilet started and continues to leak...I no longer use my pots for cooking, but instead use them to catch leaks throughout my apt. The technical difficulties continue!

NYC is funny/Bouncing Berries/Pumpkin Pie

NYC is funny - two days ago, I swore I'd move to the suburbs by next fall. Today I was basking in the quietness of Brooklyn with everyone already hightailed out for the holiday. Only New Yorkers understand this fight and flight response. It's like that bad-but-oh-so-good boyfriend you just can't quit.

I passed by a deli and heard a grocerer telling a customer about "bouncing berries". I thought he was just joking and picking on this family visiting for the long weekend. I Googled it when I came home - apparently, cranberries that bounce are fresh or good ones, and those that don't are bad. I'll have to impress my mom with my new knowledge this Thanksgiving weekend.

After passing the deli, I headed over to Key Food to buy some groceries. All I could think of the whole time was Pies! There were some Sara Lee ones on sale for $1.99. Then I thought about how broke I was right now, and decided against the junk food craving. On my way home with my bags of groceries, guess what I found on someone's stoop on my block? A paper folded into a card written in green crayon by a child that said "Happy Thanksgiving! Happy Thanksgiving!" In front of that card were a set of orange plastic plates, a set of fork silverware, a plastic knife, and YES!!! A Homemade Pumpkin Pie! I know, I know...I should have left it for someone more needy, but goddammit, I am needy right now, and I had a bad week, ok? I thought about that and the possibility that it could have been some Thanksgiving sicko's idea of poisoning someone with the temptation of "the pumpkin pie". I tasted a bit to make sure it wasn't anything lethal, and boy did it taste good. Just the right amount of cinnamon. I ate two pieces for dinner tonight, and I plan on eating two more pieces for breakfast as I do work and watch some of the parade on the tele. I'm sure my aunt will have pie later in the evening too for dinner - hopefully, it's apple. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

I Feel Like I Can Breathe Again!

Due to a manhole explosion in my neighborhood, I haven't had any phone or internet service for the last two weeks. I sincerely apologize for not being able to post any blogs - I truly felt helpless. I know everyone heard me complain the whole time, but I literally had a spell where my phone, internet, stereo, cell phone, AOL were ALL not working.

Everyone should switch to a cable modem if they don't already have one. Any reason to boycott Verizon. I must have filed complaints against half the customer service folks at Verizon.

Ran into my friend Human near school the other day, and he would not stop taking pics of me. It happens every time we see each other, so I decided to get him back.

Advanced Yoga Techniques, Not for Amateurs

2005 Marathon

I wasn't able to see my two friends run in the parade today, but I caught the tail end...

Serendipity

After another exceptionally bad day, I headed out to run some errands. My cell phone has been possessed lately turning on and off on its own will, so I was at the Verizon Wireless on Joralemon St and again encountered some particularly rude customer service. There was a gentleman in line who I started commiserating with. We ended up having a lovely conversation, I handed him my card and left. As I left I thought, what a shame he lives in Boston although he said he used to live here in Brooklyn and comes here a lot still to visit. I dropped off my bags at home and then ran out again for some more errands. Guess who I ran into at Sahadi's on Atlantic Ave? He told me his phone would be ready in an hour, so he had nothing to do but wander around. We ended up shopping together for groceries at Sahadi's, and then he accompanied me to Key Food as we became fast friends. I felt oddly comfortable paying for our groceries together, and buying toilet paper with my $1 off coupon in front of him. As we arrived to my apt, we said goodnight and joked that we might even run into each other again. Here's hoping...

On another note, I finally watched the rest of Napoleon Dynamite tonight. The movie totally picks up on the last 30 min. I especially loved the dancing scene to Jamiroquai's Canned Heat, and the scene with his older brother and La Fwanduah (sp?) at the picnic table. I swear I have a kid in my Marketing Creativity class named Steven Zelnick who looks, talks, and acts JUST like the older brother turned do-rag wearing b-boy! Vote for Pedro!

GROUPTHINK

The show was pretty great if I do say so myself. It was an eclectic mix of singer-songwriter stuff, trip-hop/soul, metal, rock, and some funky quirky stuff. Just glad I didn't lose any money on the show.

Here's a pic of Bill Ricchini & band - photo credit goes to Hilary McHone. My digital camera battery won't take a charge. I felt useless without it last night.

Good Night, and Good Luck

I decided to skip out on my first class this eve since my second one was cancelled. Upon recommendation of our Media professor, my friend and I went to see the Steven Soderburgh produced and George Clooney directed film Good Night, and Good Luck.

The most interesting part of the night was when the two old women sitting next to us asked our opinions on the film. One of them told us a story of how Senator Taft came to speak at their school where they were studying to be teachers. Because of the general fear of Senator McCarthy, they never got to see Taft speak at their school since he had made comments 21 yrs prior to that date of proposing that Communists and Socialists be allowed to teach in schools. The women didn't want any possible connection to Communism, which might hinder their chances of getting their teaching degree.

The topic of the movie, although it happened years ago, now seems pretty timeless.

Peter This Hungarian Guy Contacted me through MySpace
Date:	Nov 1, 2005 6:34 PM Flag spam/abuse. [ ? ]
Subject:	Peter
Body:	Hi Sara ! How are you? I`m very happy!!! I saw your picture! You are a very nice girl! I like you! I`m sorry, but my English is very poor yet! I`m looking for a relationships. I`m a hungarian guy. I`m 39 y.o. but I`m forever young! :-) I`m live in Brooklyn, Bensonhurts. I have red hair, blue eyes. My heigth is 5`8”, my weight is 160 lb. I go 2 times a week to the Bally Total Fitness Club. I like to gym and to swim. But I`m not the Body Builder! My body is normal. : -) I like to rove in Manhattan. I like to walk on the beach in Coney Island. I like the good food and the good beer. : -) I like to listen music, I very like the live music! My favourite place is a Bitter End in Manhattan. I can play the piano. I have a very good keyboard!!! I`m looking for a band. I like to dance too. I like the rock, funky, disco…almost every type music. I like the movie too. I have a good sense of humour, I like the joke. I`m offen happy. Thank you for the taking the time to read my letter! I`d be interested in getting the reply from you very soon... Have a nice day! Peter peternewyork@freemail.hu

I thought I'd lost all faith in mankind until...

today when I received an unexpected kindness - I was trying to get an am-NY out of a jammed newspaper receptacle thing, but I gave up after several tries of prying the thing open to no avail. I walked away in frustration and had gotten as far as at least one block, when a gentleman was calling after me "Excuse me, excuse me maam!" I turned around to see who he was talking to, at which point he handed me an am-NY and then walked away! I was stunned. A true gentleman indeed.

Halloween 10.31.05

Must have been the worst Halloween night I've ever had, but at least I got some funny photos of parade revellers. Next year I'm skipping the party scene and just going to the parade to capture some shots.