Packing gratis. This isn't even all of it. Yikes.

I <3 NY

O.M.G.

Our hotel experience in Boston

Two Weeks by Grizzly Bear most amazing fan video

Two Weeks - Grizzly Bear from Gabe Askew on Vimeo.

Missed Connections

"I saw this captivating girl at the Metropolitan Museum of Art yesterday (Tues 8/11) around 2pm/2:30pm. I used to work at the Met so I went to visit some old co-workers and to see the new exhibits. When I was in the American Wing Statue Courtyard, and in the period rooms I noticed this beautiful, interesting brunette wearing a white tank top and peach colored skirt who was taking pictures of statues and writing something in a book. I regret not attempting to talk to her. It's a long shot, but if she's reading this, my name is TJ and I would love to get to know you to any capacity! You stood out more than the artwork... "

"tuesday aug 11

we were both waiting for the 4 train at union square, reading our books when we got on the train. someone near you got up and i took their seat. you got off the train before me. god, you were so beautiful.

you probably wont read this, but if you do...let's grab a coffee together."

"We switched from the F to the E, and didn't have to wait at all! You were wearing a black dress and worked in costume design, which I still think is really cool.

I don't know if anything long-term would work out between us, but i should have told you how beautiful I think you are."

On Wednesday I got on the D train after work. At the 2nd stop, the guy next to me got up, so I slid over to my favorite seat, next to the door. In moving, I thought I noticed the guy across the doorway from me checking me out. Things like this usually go COMPLETELY over my head, or I assume I just imagined it, and I've been trying to be a little more conscious and accepting of being hit on so I can take advantage of it and get myself out there. And I've also been trying to be more proactive. So I glanced over when more people were getting on the train, and our eyes met. He smiled. I don't have the guts to keep the eye contact going for long, so I pulled the look-away-and-smile move. A few moments later I looked back. Again with the look exchange and smiling. According to friends who are more experienced in the dating pool of Manhattan, the second look was my signal that he could approach me. So I waited for it. My heart was beating so hard. This wasn't just any guy, this was a maybe-35-year-old very attractive tall caucasian man in a nice suit. !!!!! By now I am used to guys in the Heights checking me out, but an attractive slightly older man in a nice suit is an ENTIRELY DIFFERENT BALL GAME. And so my bubble of considering myself not attractive enough has been popped. Just like that. And it feels amazing.

The reason why I write this post is not because I am conceited. Quite the opposite. I write this post because I have struggled with self-image concerns since I became aware of my looks. That magical age where you start comparing yourself to your classmates. I could write examples of the horrifying things fellow students have done to or said about me but suffice it to say, the struggle is deeply-rooted and difficult to conquer. 5 years at a college obsessed with marriage where no one wanted to date me didn't help matters. So here I am, in the center of millions of single men, finally learning the rules of the dating game. And Wednesday night was a big lesson. And a huge triumph. This man finally fit the demographic of what my 12-year-old self pictured when dreaming of her future. (Not that I'm expecting my man to look like what my 12-year-old-self pictured, but that particular demographic of man has previously never hit on me, being a curvy girl.)

I'm not sure why this man didn't ask for my number, as he was obviously digging me-- he kept his eye on me the entire ride. He stood up to let me know he was getting off at the next stop, but I didn't want to make the first verbal contact, that was supposed to be his job (and my heart was beating way too hard). I had done the look exchange three times. I felt that was enough to send my approval of approach. If I'd had business cards, I would have slipped him one, but all I had in my bag was a crumpled menu. After he got off he stayed on the platform with his eye on me. I guess he'll be a one that got away.

After coming up to the street out of the subway I immediately phoned a friend to squeal and jump up and down with. Confidence is key, and mine is growing.

The quotations at the top of the post are from the Missed Connections section of Craigslist. My roommate insisted I look for a post about myself. Reading that section is kind of magical. I doubt many people actually find the other person they found so mesmerizing, but what a romantic gesture! It's one of those things that restores your faith in humanity.

I love how these statements are someone's vain cast into endless cyberspace, on the tiniest chance it will catch on something.

It's really happening, folks.

Our hearts are still beating at an accelerated rate. October 21st is our departure date.

oh Brandon

Your face annoys me. But your dance has won me over. I think Jeanine is in her head in this dance. Brandon is the one I can't take my eyes off of. He risks and commits in every dance. He is the best dancer this season. I don't think he's taken a wrong step.

What a fantastic day

This was our view walking back towards the boardwalk.

Sarah and I had a correlating day off. This doesn't often happen. Our first plan was to go kayaking for free on the Hudson and then catch Harold and Maude in Bryant Park. But kayaking turned out to only be between 5 and 7, not ideal for movie-in-the-parking. And then when I awoke this morning at 9:30 (it is a beautiful beautiful thing when I just naturally wake up this early), I had the brilliant idea to go to the beach. Something I tried and failed to do a week or so ago. And boy howdy am I glad we did.

Sarah is not very tolerant of travel time. (Yes, she will have to get over this in South America.) And since it was kind of late by the time she woke up, we decided to do Coney Island instead of a couple of other free beaches attainable via public transit. It's slightly closer. And when I say Coney Island, that does not mean we planned to go to the amusement park. No no no friends. I do not feel the need. So we gathered our bath towels, beach reads (Sarah's: Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger, Mine: No One Belongs Here More Than You, Stories by Miranda July) and iPods, heading out the door for the D train.

I have not previously enjoyed that much beach time in my life. I remember a childhood trip or trips to the beach. North Carolina? Virginia Beach? I'm not sure. I remember something we called sand crabs (are they actually sand fleas?), dead jellyfish (creeeeeeepy!), and my dad and maybe Catherine holding my hands so I could go out into the ocean. A wave surprised me, I drank some sea water, and burped really loudly. Oh and boogie boards. Retrospectively, I don't know why the sand crabs didn't freak me out more, because I'm pretty sure they would now. But we were totally into capturing them and playing with them. Weird.

One college summer I spent a day on the Mediterranean coast in Italy, in a very small town with a fantastic ocean view (rocky though), called Livorno. But I was in too-ashamed-of-my-body-to-wear-a-suit mode and spent the day lounging on the rocks fully clothed. Much to the disappointment of my good friends Logan and Sylvia who were enjoying the sparkling blue waves without me. I loved all the Italians though, they have such a different attitude toward their bodies. No shame at all. No matter what shape and size you are. Different mentality than Americans.

So today was absolutely delightful. Coney Island beach is fairly trashy and dirty when compared to many other beaches, but still, for my first real beach experience in years, nice enough. Sarah and I just lounged, played cards, listened to iPods, waded into the waves briefly, and lazied away hours with the sound of water in the background. Sarah also protected me from this guy who dug me a little too much. We were out of the city for a brief respite (do not get me wrong I LOVE NYC), and I loved sitting on the subway in our beach get-ups instead of day to day wear. Since I work retail and whenever I am working I am aiding and abetting other people in their day-off or vacation hurrahs, I find special pleasure in flaunting my time-off activities. Hahaha, I see you young woman, heading to work, well guess what? I am obviously heading to the beach! How does that feel? Yes, Seph0ra certainly brings out the ugly in me sometimes.

So here we are back at home. A day of achieving nothing but relaxation behind us. And I am A-OK with that readers. Because a beach day here and there is what summer is all about.

And yes, of course I wore plenty of broad-spectrum sun screen. I am a Seph0ra Bot after all.

My view, brought to you by Coney island beach day

If only this just happened to be part of my transit every day

Up on the High Line

The Secret of Kells

Who wants to go see this film with me at the IFC on Saturday at 11 AM?!?!

love it!!

though the music is really low

Wade... and Travis!

So apparently the last number of Brandon and Jeanette's is not on youtube. How disturbing because I really need to post it. Wade+Roisin Murphy again, magic. And Jeanette, I love you! Please win this show. You can do no wrong. She totally commits every ounce of herself whenever she is performing.

But in searching for the number, I stumbled across this number of Wade's, in which he performs, with Travis!

Mia again

I loved this. It's no surprise that Mia choreographed one of my favorites of the week (and of the season). This was so gorgeous, so effective. Kayla's performance was really excellent. This number made me gasp out loud twice! (My roommate-- and doubtless others-- thinks I am ridiculous.)

That movement is such a powerful portrayal of this kind of darkness. I love dance.

Yes, we're in!!! I can finally breathe now.

In the voucher line... Still waiting...

My companion in waiting

2 raccoons gamboling in Central Park