It’s readership appreciation day! Perhaps there are, indeed, at least fourteen of you out there.
Update — apparently Erika has started a roll call — feel free to join in! (now I’m curious . . .)
Courtesy of Gapingvoid.com.
Author: Laren
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Welcome to My World
Courtesy of Gapingvoid.com.
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We’ll Be Right Back After These Messages
Happy New Year, everyone! I ended 2003 and started 2004 with a bang, and got all dolled up for the big night in a 50’s retro pink satin dress with black polka dots and a crinoline. Why the hell not, right? I think it’s the first pink item of clothing I have owned since I was about three. Did a bunch of party-hopping, drank way too much champagne, and still feel rather hung over. I will admit, however, that lunch at Sammy’s Noodles and dinner at the Corner Bistro did help quite a bit. Nothin’ like a little grease to help a hangover. That, and a lot of Advil.
I’m off skiing for the weekend, so no new posts for the next few days. I know — I can almost feel the disappointment oozing through the internet. I am slowly realizing, though, that my readership is steadily increasing. I think we may be up to about 10! It helps to have a big family. See you next week!
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We’ll Be Right Back After These Messages
Happy New Year, everyone! I ended 2003 and started 2004 with a bang, and got all dolled up for the big night in a 50’s retro pink satin dress with black polka dots and a crinoline. Why the hell not, right? I think it’s the first pink item of clothing I have owned since I was about three. Did a bunch of party-hopping, drank way too much champagne, and still feel rather hung over. I will admit, however, that lunch at Sammy’s Noodles and dinner at the Corner Bistro did help quite a bit. Nothin’ like a little grease to help a hangover. That, and a lot of Advil.
I’m off skiing for the weekend, so no new posts for the next few days. I know — I can almost feel the disappointment oozing through the internet. I am slowly realizing, though, that my readership is steadily increasing. I think we may be up to about 10! It helps to have a big family. See you next week!
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She’s Crafty*
Well, I survived my birthday — what better way to celebrate than with a week off work!? This week will be spent seeing movies, socializing, and trying to get to some of those little projects that have fallen by the wayside during the past year. One such project is my knitting. In true urban hipster chick style, I started knitting what was supposed to be a scarf last year. but as you can see, it has become way too fat to be a scarf, and it’s made of very fat, squishy yarn, so even if I made it long enough to be a scarf, it would never fit around anyone’s neck.
I turned to the internet for help. I found three yarn stores in my neighborhood — Purl, in SoHo, Downtown Yarns, in the East Village, and Knit New York, a knitting store/coffee shop. I chose Downtown Yarns, since some of the reviews I had seen online spoke very highly of the place. I had already decided that I want to turn this thing into a purse, and I knew I would probably need supplies to do this. When I went to ask questions, one of the women there was somewhat nasty to me, saying that they don’t generally tend to help people who bring their own yarn and who don’t buy things there regularly. She also acted as if I were a complete and utter moron when I asked basic questions. I felt like saying, “look, lady, I haven’t made anything with yarn or a needle and thread since home ec in junior high — cut me some slack.” I got a little bit of guidance, two tapestry needles, and some big, fat needles with which to start my next scarf. It will be very narrow. Not sure I’ll be heading back to Downtown Yarns anytime soon. Luckily, I have a friend who knits who will not be so condescending when I ask moronic questions. Perhaps I should try another crafty hobby — suggestions are welcome!*A tribute to the Beastie Boys song of the same name.
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She’s Crafty*
Well, I survived my birthday — what better way to celebrate than with a week off work!? This week will be spent seeing movies, socializing, and trying to get to some of those little projects that have fallen by the wayside during the past year. One such project is my knitting. In true urban hipster chick style, I started knitting what was supposed to be a scarf last year. but as you can see, it has become way too fat to be a scarf, and it’s made of very fat, squishy yarn, so even if I made it long enough to be a scarf, it would never fit around anyone’s neck.
I turned to the internet for help. I found three yarn stores in my neighborhood — Purl, in SoHo, Downtown Yarns, in the East Village, and Knit New York, a knitting store/coffee shop. I chose Downtown Yarns, since some of the reviews I had seen online spoke very highly of the place. I had already decided that I want to turn this thing into a purse, and I knew I would probably need supplies to do this. When I went to ask questions, one of the women there was somewhat nasty to me, saying that they don’t generally tend to help people who bring their own yarn and who don’t buy things there regularly. She also acted as if I were a complete and utter moron when I asked basic questions. I felt like saying, “look, lady, I haven’t made anything with yarn or a needle and thread since home ec in junior high — cut me some slack.” I got a little bit of guidance, two tapestry needles, and some big, fat needles with which to start my next scarf. It will be very narrow. Not sure I’ll be heading back to Downtown Yarns anytime soon. Luckily, I have a friend who knits who will not be so condescending when I ask moronic questions. Perhaps I should try another crafty hobby — suggestions are welcome!*A tribute to the Beastie Boys song of the same name.
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Me! Me! Me!
Today, it’s all about me. It’s my 33rd birthday. A birthday is the one day a year that I think everyone should get pampered, spoiled, and given special treatment. Especially me. 🙂
Having a birthday the day after Christmas very often results in having a celebration or a present sort of squished in among Christmas/Chanukah festivities. This is not good. Over the years, I’ve trained friends and relatives pretty well — they tend to avoid the dreaded “combo” gift. “I don’t give you a combo gift,” I explain, “so you shouldn’t give me one.” Over the past few years, I have had a celebration with a group of friends on my actual birthday. There’s usually a strange mix of people in town, which simply adds to the fun of the evening. This year, I have a family dinner tonight. The friend-based birthday festivities will happen later, on a surrogate date.
So — Happy Birthday to me! Woo hoo! (PS — if you’re looking for a gift for me, food always works!)
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Me! Me! Me!
Today, it’s all about me. It’s my 33rd birthday. A birthday is the one day a year that I think everyone should get pampered, spoiled, and given special treatment. Especially me. 🙂
Having a birthday the day after Christmas very often results in having a celebration or a present sort of squished in among Christmas/Chanukah festivities. This is not good. Over the years, I’ve trained friends and relatives pretty well — they tend to avoid the dreaded “combo” gift. “I don’t give you a combo gift,” I explain, “so you shouldn’t give me one.” Over the past few years, I have had a celebration with a group of friends on my actual birthday. There’s usually a strange mix of people in town, which simply adds to the fun of the evening. This year, I have a family dinner tonight. The friend-based birthday festivities will happen later, on a surrogate date.
So — Happy Birthday to me! Woo hoo! (PS — if you’re looking for a gift for me, food always works!)
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What I Like About Jew
It’s always a little odd being a Jew in New York during the Christmas season. Despite all the political correctness in our midst, it really is still Christmas season. No doubt about it. Christmas decorations, Christmas trees, Christmas music . . .
But yesterday I saw it. A sign from above that, yes, it is Chanukah season here too. As I was smack in the middle of Herald Square (which might as well be Christmas central), I heard the tinkling of “Rock of Ages” being played over a loudspeaker. I turned, and in all its glory was — The Mitzvah Tank.
For those of you who aren’t in the know, the Mitzvah Tank has been around since 1974, prompting Jews to do good deeds, or mitzvot. Now, I don’t know if it makes more appearances during Chanukah, but it was a comforting sight nonetheless. Later in the evening, I also saw a jeep-like vehicle with a large, blue menorah strapped to the top. It was one of those moments when I really wish I had my digi-cam with me. Damn.I have never done the “traditional” Jewish Christmas of movies and Chinese food, so this year, I am going to Makor to watch Woody Allen movies and eat Chinese food with fellow Members of the Tribe. I am seriously considering following that with going to the Knitting Factory to see What I Like About Jew, a parody rock revue with a Jewish flair, with songs such as “Hanukah with Monica” (She put that age-old myth to bed – ’bout Jewish girls not giving head). Oh yeah.
Granted, as a Jew, I have never felt truly left out during Christmas. My stepfather isn’t Jewish, so I always have Christmas eve with him and my mom, and Christmas day with my (step?) aunt and cousins. Basically, it’s the best of both worlds. Happy Chanukah everyone — even the goyim!
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What I Like About Jew
It’s always a little odd being a Jew in New York during the Christmas season. Despite all the political correctness in our midst, it really is still Christmas season. No doubt about it. Christmas decorations, Christmas trees, Christmas music . . .
But yesterday I saw it. A sign from above that, yes, it is Chanukah season here too. As I was smack in the middle of Herald Square (which might as well be Christmas central), I heard the tinkling of “Rock of Ages” being played over a loudspeaker. I turned, and in all its glory was — The Mitzvah Tank.
For those of you who aren’t in the know, the Mitzvah Tank has been around since 1974, prompting Jews to do good deeds, or mitzvot. Now, I don’t know if it makes more appearances during Chanukah, but it was a comforting sight nonetheless. Later in the evening, I also saw a jeep-like vehicle with a large, blue menorah strapped to the top. It was one of those moments when I really wish I had my digi-cam with me. Damn.I have never done the “traditional” Jewish Christmas of movies and Chinese food, so this year, I am going to Makor to watch Woody Allen movies and eat Chinese food with fellow Members of the Tribe. I am seriously considering following that with going to the Knitting Factory to see What I Like About Jew, a parody rock revue with a Jewish flair, with songs such as “Hanukah with Monica” (She put that age-old myth to bed – ’bout Jewish girls not giving head). Oh yeah.
Granted, as a Jew, I have never felt truly left out during Christmas. My stepfather isn’t Jewish, so I always have Christmas eve with him and my mom, and Christmas day with my (step?) aunt and cousins. Basically, it’s the best of both worlds. Happy Chanukah everyone — even the goyim!
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Tips on Tipping
As mentioned in my last post, many people come to my site to find information about holiday tipping for doormen in NYC. I have no concrete information on this, but the New York Times had an article addressing the issue this weekend. One of the points made in the article was that nobody likes to talk about how much they tip people. So — here’s my info, out on the internet for everyone to see. NY1 also did an article about tipping a few weeks ago, and New York magazine addressed it in a not-so-helpful Q & A.
Let me preface all this by saying that I work for a non-profit, so my salary is by no means exorbitant. To deal with holiday tipping season, I opened an ING Direct Orange account, and have been siphoning money into it for a few months now. Every year we get a holiday card from the staff of my building. There are well over 30 people that work in my building. They are very helpful and really stepped up to the plate during the blackout. That said, my buidling hasn’t adopted any sort of pooling practice, so it is up to each tenant to figure out who each of the people on the card is, when they are working, and then track them down to give them their tip. This stresses me out to no end — there are so many people, and I am much better at faces than names. I’m never sure that I’ve gotten around to everyone that I’ve encountered during the year, and there are always a few people that I’m trying to track down, even after Christmas proper. Ugh. So today I went to the bank and took out a fat wad of cash in 5, 10 and 20 dollar bills. Tonight, I will put $15 or $20 into a bunch of envelopes, and try to figure it all out and distribute them all over the next few days. The super gets $40 or $50. Am I cheap? No idea. Can I afford to give more? Not really. If I gave every staff member in my building $20, I would be out $680. I can’t do that and still give gifts to my family and friends. Granted, it’s part of the price I pay for living in a doorman building. Well — maybe I’ll start now with my campaign for a tipping pool next year. Wish me luck!