Day Two

Spring has seemingly sprung the last two days in New York, which feels amazing.  I'm suspicious, however, as I've been burned before by banishing the boot prematurely, usually on the day that a freak snowstorm hits.  "Ha ha!" says sleety rain to my blue ballet slipper flats, "Not so adorable now with water stains on your precious little toe-flower!" (wow, sleety rain is mean).  So, I've learned that Hubris + Vengeful Gods = wearing boots for the next month just in case.

 

I did, however, actually haul myself out of bed to go for a run this non-frigid morning.  It's the same old four miler trek DK and I did regularly this past summer/fall, but before last Saturday, it has been a solid two months since I so much as loped along the Westside highway.  I huffed and puffed a bit, bobbed along to some Kayne West, weaved among people walking down the sidewalk, skirted past a cab or three, narrowly avoided several spit-blobs in the street (so. gross.), enjoyed the view of the Statute of Liberty on the way back in and generally felt a little more alive.  Verdict: my shin splints are mildly cankerous, but the lingering feeling of virtue worth it. 

 

My goal for the day is to find the right Valentine's day gift for DK.  I'm going for the experience gift over the bricks and mortar variety (which actually neatly fits into category three of my Master Heal Thyself List: "(iii) get out and enjoy the city"), and have been almost ashamed to see how much wonderful stuff is out there.  Cooking classes taught by David Bouley, wine and cheese tastings at Artisenal, free Juilliard-student performances at Lincoln Center, small theatres, readings by favorite writers, concerts.  Well, well, what do you know, New York has stuff to do.  Of course, I managed to find the most perfect Valentine's day present for myself (concert to see Paul Simon on Saturday), but am passing since I'm pretty sure this holiday is really about telling the person you love how very much you love them.  And as DK finds my grand affection for PS a little perplexing (in my defense: Hearts and Bones), I'm going to find something we'll both like.  He makes my heart so full and happy and is a damn fine valentine.  Even if he on occassion drives me up the wall.  Usually when he's got a lint roller in hand and a crazed critical look in his eye. "I. Will. Tidy. The. Girl. MUST. TIDY. GIRL. TIDY. CLEAN. GIRL." 

 

I'm a little overwhelmed by all the options but am determined to press go on at least one of the offerings.  It's a little par for the course for me to relentlessly research and then peter out without a decision – but not today, hand to heaven. 

 

In other news, our cat is seriously insane, I made ten tons of butternut squash risotto last night, and am now going to go in search of some hot chocolate downstairs (they put in this fancy steamed milk machine that whirrs and buzzes and has flavoring options and makes a mean cocoa).  Then push through on my work to-do list and call my little sister.  She is in a similar . . . emotional state (and is currently looking for a job, which is a terrible bummer) and it's her birthday coming up.  I think I'll invite her to have dinner tonight and make her a little chocolate soufflé before she heads to Philly.  Who can stay bummed out in the face of a soufflé? 

Comments

[hazelblackberry]

If you write every day, I will comment every day. How's that for a trade-off?

Your description of the weather and the hot chocolate makes me wish it was winter. Not that we get sleet, or that I very often drink hot chocolate.

But a girl can dream.

[Ris]

Back to say I'm glad you're back. Love your writing.

[Anna]

Longtime lingerer just saying that I'm glad youre writing more. Its a pleasure to read - and I hope it helps to get you out of your funk...

[TeeDee]

Very, very glad that you are writing more often.