Birthday Boy

Kurt turned the ripe old age of 29 this past weekend (September 5th if you are curious or just want to mark the big 3-0 on your calendar for next year). The proximity to Labor Day lends itself to a nice long weekend but generally means many people will be out of town, so Kurt just wanted to have a low key party on his rooftop in the evening.

He requested we go for a bike ride during the day. We talked about going on a long ride, but since I had dubbed myself party planner extraordinaire, I didn't think we would have time. Instead, we rode up to the northern tip of Greenpoint in Brooklyn.

Luckily, we found some delicious ice cream half way through the ride. We also called my friend Christian who has recently moved to the city and found an apartment nearby. We stopped to see his new studio apartment. He was utterly embarrassed by the mess of his place but I was so jealous! I can't wait to have a tiny little place to call my own. Anyway, back to the birthday boy.

After grabbing some supplies, we headed back to Kurt's apartment to get ready for the party where I gave him (one of) his present(s). I like getting him books for special occasions and gave him this one. We both read it earlier this year and found it incredibly interesting. I definitely recommend it. It's very science-y but also steeped in everyday logic, so it is easy to follow.

Kurt normally has parties in his backyard, but he always gets roped into manning the grill all night long. He wanted to relax on his birthday, so we called it a potluck and had it on the roof. Everyone brought beer and some food and we hung out for a while. Luckily, it was a small gathering so there were just enough chairs.

(See all those trees in the background? Yeah, that's a cemetery. Kurt enjoys having quiet neighbors.)

I thought I was going to Martha Stewart Jr. for this party. Sadly, I've got nothing on Martha.

I had a whole lighting scheme worked out with plastic cups and tealights. But it was too windy and they kept blowing out. So we decided to use mason jars instead. It was actually a nicer look and more effective but also blew out often and weren't quite as numerous as I would have liked. And now the Martigs have a bunch of waxy mason jars. Whoops....sorry!

Also, Kurt didn't want a cake. I can make cakes and make them look pretty! But no, he wanted a pie. I don't know the first thing about pies! I procrastinated so much that it came down to the day of the party. As a last ditch effort, I made two blobs of whipped cream I called cream pies--one lemon and the other chocolate. They both used Jell-o pudding and a store bought graham cracker crust. Martha would be so disappointed in me. I'm hoping to make up for it next year. Party planning for his 30th birthday has already begun.

Oh, this was too gross to leave out. As Jenn's contribution to the potluck, she ran down to KFC and got a bucket of chicken and sides. (I'll admit it, I had some and it was delicious) Her boytoy friend Scott (a story in itself) insisted that as a birthday present we needed to also get Kurt a Double Down. Its a sandwich without bread. It is bacon, cheese, and a mayonnaise sauce in between two fried chicken pieces. Disgusting. The sodium content is enough to give you high blood pressure on the spot. We're convinced it contributed to a next day hangover, but Kurt was a champ and ate the entire thing!

The party ended up being too chilly on the roof and eventually moved inside where the boys took part in a thrilling foos ball tournament.

The next day, Kurt, Erik and I walked to T-Mobile and replaced Kurt's former phone with this shiny new one. He's thrilled. Between college football and this new toy, I barely get any attention...but I'm not jealous or anything. I hope Kurt had a great weekend! Happy 29!!

New Read

I just started reading this book. I've been meaning to read it for years, ever since it was strongly suggested in school, in fact. I finally requested it from the library and started to get into it while waiting for my laundry one evening (one of the only times I can make myself sit still long enough to read and not fall asleep). I only got a few pages in, but it was so interesting! A lot of the things the author talks about are from her experiences in New York City, so it really strikes a chord there.

I had it for a couple weeks and never really took the time to sit down and devote attention to it, so lo and behold, I get an email from the library saying they need it back because someone else has a a hold on it. Ugh. But I wanted to read it!! The library would start fining me if I kept it, so I begrudgingly returned it yesterday. Kurt, being the sweetheart that he is, bought me my own copy to add to my permanent collection (which currently only includes a cookbook, an art book from a flea market, New York tourist books, and many many magazines). Thanks, Kurt!!

Maybe I'll post a review later? Maybe...probably not...but it is possible. Better yet, go read it for yourself!

2 Years

As of yesterday, I have been living in NYC for 2 years.

I recall the move. It involved my dad and myself and several suitcases. It poured as we navigated our way to Staten Island over the Verrazano Bridge. I don't remember crying when he left and I was truly on my own. The tears would come weeks and months later as I began to get a taste of adulthood and the cruel irony of loneliness in a city of 8 million people.

Year one was rough; I will attest to that. The second has been a bit smoother. My experience has had some ups and downs. I've made new friends, lost track of a few, and rediscovered some old ones along the way. I feel more settled without yet being too comfortable.

My morning commute takes me over the Manhattan bridge where I get a daily eyeful of the city skyline. This place is incredible and I am lucky to be here. It puzzles me on a regular basis how I found my way here from Alabama. Little me?! What was I thinking?! I don't do crazy things like that!! At times I feel like I could stay here forever. Some days I can't wait to escape. Lately, my mindset has been more of the former. In two years, I've barely cracked the surface of the city and can't wait to explore the rest.

Look forward to more adventures from year 3!

The Folks

My parents visited New York this week! They arrived in the city on Wednesday, hung around for a few days, and headed up to Connecticut on Saturday. This weekend was my Dad's 40th high school reunion. They are visiting my dad's side of the family up in Moosup, CT. (I will be staying in New York this weekend to watch Auburn play their first game of the season!)

We all walked across the Brooklyn Bridge one evening after I got off work. I always walk my parents to death when they visit. They should be used to it by now. There are just so many great things to see in New York and none of them happen to be very close to each other. Plus, not having a car gets you accustomed to considering your feet your primary mode of transportation. If you ever come to visit me, you better bring your walking shoes!

My dad's birthday was on Saturday, so I got him some balls and golf club rental at Chelsea Piers.

Luckily, my lovely bosses closed our office on Friday (woo hoo! 4 day weekend!), so I had an extra day to tour around with my parents. We did lots of running around and lots of eating during their stay.

AND I added a new celebrity to my sighting list! My mom loves to look around at design stores and showrooms, so I took her to Waterworks, a bath and tile store my office works with often. As we walked in the store, guess who was walking out and held the door for us?!? Clinton Kelly from What Not to Wear!!! He was so tall and well dressed (of course).

Apparently I'm working on the whole What Not to Wear crew because one of my first celebrity sightings when I moved to the city was the hair stylist, Nick Arrojo. Look out Stacy and Carmindy...I'm coming for you next!

I want this...

At Sephora

...but this will have to do.