happy thanksgiving

Obsessed

I'm obsessed with this show called Eco Trip. The host is very easy on the eyes and a bad ass leader in the "eco-world." If you don't have a tv like me, you can watch it instantly on netflix. The plastic episode is my favorite thus far.

New Sustainable Materials

Good article on new materials

Meet My Unit

Update on life in Cambridge coming soon.

Studying indoors on a nice day leads to...

distraction!

Manhattan, from Queens

:)

New York, I Love You

Sunday was gorgeous, wasn't it?

Summer Summer Summertime!

Today is a beautiful day!

Joy Division Forever!

I anxiously sat at my desk, studying for a Physics test. My head was clouded with metric conversions and formulas. Clearly, it was time for a break.

I checked for blog updates on my google Reader. To my surprise, a friend posted about New Order's song, Ceremony. He found an old clip of Radiohead performing the song. The video reminded me of how much I loved the song and the melody alone miraculously cleared my mind of Physics hysteria. Not that I knew I was seeking solace going in.

I recalled a fond memory of watching Control, a documentary on the life of the band, Joy Division, at the Angelika theater a couple years ago. The black and white film was dark in the most beautiful of ways and I was amazed at the exactness of the actors' performances. (Although I never saw Joy Division live. Come to think of it, I think they'd been broken up before I was even born.) The movie solidified my appreciation for the music of Joy Division and New Order (band that one of the founding members of Joy Division started after Ian Curtis' death). Before I knew their story, I listened to it because I liked the melodies. Now the music resonates with me more profoundly. This just goes to show how essential music is in our lives. It was just the tune I needed to hear to freshen up. The joy of music and friends who blog. Back to studying...

Original with Ian Curtis singing vocals. The quality isn't so great because it is an early recording.

New Order's version

Exercise

I never noticed how many "joggers" there were in my neighborhood until I became one (well, if I can even call myself that two days into it). I saw about three couples and four singles. It's awkward when you pass each other. It feels like we're in some lame club where you have to show pride through wearing sports bras and lycra/polyester blend shorts. Running gear looks so stupid. Yoga gear looks so much cuter. I should do yoga. Anyway, I hope I don't give this up. I'll be in my mid-twenties soon...it's now or never.

Beefy Weekend

I am all beefed out. I hope you enjoyed your Independence Day weekend.

Hose It Down

They sure know how to keep the streets clean in Newark's Ironbound.
This guy is having so much fun.

Good-Bye Asphalt, Hello Green

I don't care what anyone says, Michael you deserve that extra term.
The elementary school I attended was chosen to become a public playground/park under the Schoolyards to Playgrounds project. Some 290 other schoolyards are undergoing renovations to meet the goal of having "every New Yorker live within a 10-minute walk from a park."

While I'm at it, I will add to this open space talk. I've also been appreciating a car free Herald Square and a safer traffic zone by Madison Square Park in the Flat Iron district. I used to resent walking around these areas, but the pace is so much slower now. Nobody bumped into me and I didn't have to dodge anyone or anything for once. Again, another project under Bloomberg! We might not have as many cafes as some parts of Europe, but now we have an increasing number of parks and open spaces. I know the Herald Square and Time Square open space plans are a one-year experiment, but I'm optimistic that it will be made permanent. I'm excited to see how much more our city changes for the better.

Check out the vantage points we get of the Flat Iron building due to the new open space! The very location I sat in used to be a dangerous crosswalk with cars coming from every angle.

Plastic Irony

As I walked back from recycling my plastic garbage, I saw a plastic bag helplessly fly across my lobby window on the sixth floor. This broke my heart.

In other news, I'm collecting plastic bottle caps for a project, so if you happen to have some (for some reason), send them my way.

Some Songs Never Get Old

This woman makes me so happy.

Triplet Boys

My cousin had triplets!
Pictures from the baby shower a month ago. Guess which one I made.

And of course, this one was made by their dad.

Coffee To Go

After lunch at a Portuguese seafood restaurant, I ordered coffee and it came in a to go soup container. So back at the office, I sipped my coffee like it was coffee soup.

Mushrooms, why?!

They are cute in my mouth, not in my plants! Please explain..someone?
I've been having all sorts of problems with my plants. About six months ago, I noticed tiny black flies (aphids?) appear after I filled some pots with a different brand of soil from Home Depot. I tried spraying a dishwasher soap and water concoction and I've tried drowning them, but they haven't gone away. Much to my dismay, this has led me to abandoning a little group of four herbs i was trying to grow. The only plants doing well are my cacti and snake plants. Help!

I put them on the window sill in my lobby, hoping someone could care for them the way that I could not! Sniff. Those damn flying pests eating my food..

Lovely Long Island City

Every time I go by Long Island City in Queens, I try to document as much as possible, because in a year's time I'm sure a lot of it will be nonexistent or have gone through a makeover. Even in the past few years residential buildings have risen up to create a skyline that's starting to mirror that of the neighboring borough. One change I am absolutely looking forward to are the plans to spruce up the neighborhood with trees and shrubs because right now, there ain't no greenery except in people's backyards. Like this little building block.



This would be a lovely little venue for a summer party, no?

Soul Clap

A good tune that I've been listening to all morning on my day off.
Love Light Edit

And guess what. They're based in Boston. :)

Tea

I usually have Echinacea tea when I have a sore throat, but this time I turned to Chrysanthemum tea because I had none left. Of course I googled it and learned that in addition to looking beautiful in your teacup, it also has medicinal uses as well. It is known to have cured cases of influenza and even acne. Random. And according to traditional Chinese medicine, it is known to prevent sore throat. I had five cups and the next day my throat was all better.

Someone was watching out for me.

High Drama

Miami, May 2009

Obama By Happenstance!

Yesterday night was unforgettable. I got back from a weekend in Miami, changed and went to a Black Star reunion concert. Afterward, we walked through the car-free zone (Bloomberg's one year plan) in Times Square and noticed barricades and a light crowd of people. So we joined the crowds that lined the streets and little did we know Obama was going to be rolling down the street. We sat like gargoyles on top of metal posts (according to my friend Ric) and waited anxiously, but I have to admit we waited with little expectation. We weren't sure if the tint on the car windows would be too dark or if he'd even be looking out at us. But I took out my camera and began documenting anyway. All of a sudden, I saw Obama waving at us so sincerely with a big smile from the backseat of a car. The crowd wasn't big and I'm sure it was a random accumulation of passersby, but I hope he felt our support. We were beyond starstruck. It made my night..

He was in this one! I was so shocked I couldn't focus the picture..

Peony Season!

K picked these two from his parents' garden! I once heard peonies only bloom for five weeks out of the whole year. Is that true?? Their life-span is short, but truly sweet.

Pionen in Amsterdam. Now that I think about it, this was also during the last days of May last year. (Just checked photo info. and this was taken on May 29th last year. Off by one day -- coinkydink!)

Yankee Stadium Went Green!

Compostable!

A. Rod made a home run in the 11th inning! We got two innings worth of free baseball due to a tied game. That's what I'm talkin' about!

Everything leads to the Ocean

in La Jolla, San Diego, CA. It's one gorgeous coastal town.

Entertainment Industry

Chinatown, at sunset.

Too bad the lights were up only temporarily for a movie/tv show taping..

This American Life LIVE

I should be working, but I'd rather write while the experience is fresh in my mind. Avid live show/concert-goers might not understand how I could say this, but I'll say it anyway. I saw This American Life Live tonight (as a surprise from K) and I think it was one of the best live shows I've seen in my 24 years of existence. The only thing that could've made my experience perfect was if our theater got a shout out, but I understand that it would've taken half the show to do that!

Ira Glass and the producers always manage to bring such mentally and emotionally fulfilling content to our ears. I saw the show in a College Point theater in Queens, NY although it was filmed live from NYU in Manhattan. Supposedly, the NYU show sold out quickly. The satellite waves fed live streams to 400 theaters and performance spaces across the country. In the end, I felt the Queens theater was fitting because I am a loyal Queens girl after all.

The show was (as always) personal, funny, witty, concise, and deep. But seeing Ira Glass host and witnessing the people tell stories made it all the more intimate and REAL. Something about seeing the guests changing expressions made their messages hit the spot more directly and powerfully. When you see someone's own words bring a tear to their own eye, you know it's a story they hope will impact others. The theme tonight was Return to the Scene of the Crime. This American Life regular contributors such as Dan Savage, Starlee Kine, and Mike Birbiglia came on and told heartfelt stories of life experiences. I don't know if it was good timing, but I found myself so easily relating my present life to the stories they were telling. I could try to summarize all the stories, but I don't think I would do them justice so I will just name some topics for each speaker. Dan Savage talked on religion and death. Starlee Kine spoke about dealing with the effects of being the offspring of bad parents. And Mike Birbiglia comfortably described the experiences that led him to realizing that trying to be "right" isn't always right.

In addition to storytelling, there were many bonuses such as a musical performance and a few charming animations with accompanying music by Andrew Bird. It was interesting to experience the show with no commercials also. We were 'behind the scenes.' The show ran smoothly without edits and they even showed footage of the first show Ira Glass hosted many years ago, at a bar in Chicago. Priceless.

I left the theater with a quiet calm in my heart. And I have to say I'm so grateful for Public Radio programming, especially This American Life. It acts as a reminder to the fact that everyone else has gone through or is going through similar experiences, whether good or bad. So, tune in to the show on the radio or sit back and watch an encore presentation on May 7th in select theaters! (Sorry if you found this entry too touchy-feely - but hey - that's how it went down.)

Overcast Sunday Afternoon

I hope you got to spend all of Saturday outdoors, because I didn't! I was inside shooting episodes of Non Sequitur all day! (All worth it of course!) At least I enjoyed the last hour of sunlight at around 7pm. Thank goodness! To make up for Saturday, I spent the muggy Sunday afternoon at The New Museum, had a bland prosciutto and egg lunch in an adorable cafe, and went to my first auto show, followed by a delicous meal at the High Line cafe. I can't wait for this weekend - three consecutive days of sun!

You'll be seeing more of this..

Miracle of Science Bar and Grill/Periodic Table Style Menu

as I begin an M.Arch. program in Cambridge, MA this Fall . I like the town so far because they have music and food down. The music scene is surprisingly eclectic. In the three days of my visit, I heard 90's hip hop one night, minimal house the next and 60's funk at a 60's mod fashion themed party. I had the famous lobster roll and oysters at Neptune Oyster in Boston's Little Italy. Too bad it's not close by. There aren't too many eateries and cafes around school, but I'm happy to say the ones that exist are of good quality and have grad student-friendly ambiance. (No rowdy frat boys!) There are a handful of all-in-one places that are open all day (Miracle of Science being one) - serving breakfast, beer, coffee and dinner and even a corner to study. Of course Cambridge/Boston is no NYC, but I'm excited to see the kinds of 'by happenstance' moments I experience in this entirely new neighborhood. I'll have to get used to it sooner or later because I am in for a long ride. Tune in!

Flower Power

Great finds in the last week. Old mug from Stray Vintage and More and a tin sign from a man in Union Square. He sells a mix of original used signs and unused reproductions. They are not all are great, but his collection is worth perusing if you have an appreciation for signage or graphic design.

Sol Lewitt at MIT

Bars of Color Within Squares, 2007

I guess I like alleys..

(Cambridge, MA)

Heads of State

Shadow Series: Geometric

Grateful!

Hey Folks!

This blog was among the first three sites to come up after I googled By Happenstance. That's exciting news, because that wasn't the case at all when I began, let alone a few months ago. Thank you to my few loyal readers - friends and strangers alike. I really appreciate the visits. If you have any comments or suggestions, please let me know. This blog is, after all, as much for you as it is for me.

Yours Truly,
Nancy

Photo by M.P.

Red Face and Alcohol

I'm sitting here all flushed.

I felt a cold coming on so I got myself some Kombucha (a Chinese tea that is filled with antioxidants) to try and wash out the bacteria. After drinking half the bottle, my face got unusually hot. I looked in the mirror and I was all pink in the face and my heart started to beat fast. (This is the way I get when I consume more than one alcoholic beverage.) I checked the ingredients and nothing seemed abnormal or suspicious, but below it there was a mention of the drink containing less than .5 percent alcohol due to its 30 day fermentation. There I was, thinking that I was drinking a nutritious 'cosmic cranberry' tea drink. Instead, I was drinking an alcoholic cranberry beverage. Don't get me wrong, I still like the drink. I'll just think twice about downing half the bottle in a matter of seconds next time.

Coincidentally, K sent me an NYTimes article that's all about the red face. Supposedly, individuals who turn red after alcohol consumption lack acetaldehyde enzymes. And continual consumption can lead to greater risks of esophageal cancer. It states that even with half of a drink, people get nauseous and their heart races. Folks, this is exactly what happens to me! I never minded getting a little flushed, but I always got sick from just drinking half of any alcoholic drink. I love the taste of beer though, so sometimes I just call it a night with a good ol' non-alcoholic Grolsch. Now, it all makes sense. I'm glad this topic is getting more press.

I'm not going to get all crazed because come on, what doesn't cause cancer these days. We can't even sunbathe for too long or else you'll suffer premature sagging and possibly worse. Sorry to be so cynical, but c'est la vie.

White Light

Do you have any idea?

It looks like the person responsible for this is up to something good. I just have no idea what it could be. Do you?

Brooklyn, NY (Gowanus Canal area)

Cracks and Pom Poms

I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner. About a year ago, one out of a set of four hand blown juice glasses cracked and I kept it in the cabinet not knowing what to do with it. It was too early on and too wasteful to recycle. I hardly got a week's worth of use out of it. So I just kept that one tucked away and used the others. Today, while I was too aggressively trying to shove my pom pom flowers into an old milk bottle, I had a small epiphany. Baby pom poms had fallen out in the process and had no place to go. So I collected them and gave them a home in the glass that I'd been neglecting. Now, everyone's content. Healthy stray pom poms and no bloody lips.

Today was also a good day because fabric from purl soho finally arrived! Except it came from Tustin, California and not Soho! Anyway, now I'm just waiting for my sewing machine to get here so I can start my Spring projects.

Happy Birthday to My Big Sis!

Wonders of Grand Central Terminal..

..in case you forgot! You must try some seafood under the gorgeous vaulted ceilings at the Oyster Bar Restaurant in GCT. My partner assured me that the seafood pan roast was to die for - and yes I concur. I also had the most perfect fries. This might sound lame, but my favorite fries are from Burger King and the fries here were exactly the same - not too hard, crunchy at the edges and mushy in the center! Oh, and before you dine don't forget to whisper messages back and forth with a friend in the Whisper Room right in front of the restaurant! The geometry of the vaulted ceiling allows your voice to be carried through to the top and down to the other column that is diagonally across. It's a real treat to experience such a thing from New York City's past.

Easy-to-Make Cards

This is the result of color copying my favorite vintage fabrics onto bright colored paper. It's also fun to experiment with composition by collaging different prints on the scanning bed.

And this would be my favorite flower of the season - the pom pom. I love that it's monochromatic. Green on green.

Train Ride to Newark

Introducing...

Broadway Alley, folks! I guess alleys are sign-worthy now. I'm cool with that. I always liked the back streets and shortcut paths better anyway. They possess different qualities than the main streets. I think of them as contemplative spaces, whereas main streets are more functional. Both are necessary. Could this be a revival of alleyways? Perhaps, an initiative to make them safer?

I spotted this around 27th Street in the east side.

Fancy Feet

Each pair is a little piece of art in itself. I am certain you will feel special wearing Hansel from Basel's sock wear this Spring. I know I do! They are based in L.A., but offer really fast shipping and their customer service couldn't be better!

Hansel from Basel (New Spring/Summer '09 collection on site)

My first pair of polka-dot stockings.

Overexposed Series

I was trying to capture the moonrise, but ended up with corners of a Queens suburban house.

My Favorite One Stop Shop

Supporting local small businesses is where it's at - especially during a recession! Stray Vintage and More, located at 48-09 Skillman Avenue in Sunnyside, Queens sells one of a kind treasures - old and new. A lot of the items are things you don't need, but make you extremely happy. Especially, when you find a bargain. It's a great place to get gifts for people who appreciate vintage knickknacks. The next time you're free on a weekend and bored with Manhattan or Brooklyn, do come by Sunnyside and visit this gem of a place in the historic stomping grounds of jazz musician Bix Beiderbecke* and one of my role models, Lewis Mumford.

Stray Vintage on Yelp.

From top: Glass 'frog' for arranging flowers, 60's vintage necklace, Anchor Hocking Depression Glass Plates, 40's Faux Pearls

These measely images aren't a great representation of the range of products they sell. You will also find vintage furniture, old CD's and vinyl records, books, clothes, soy candles, and even mexican wrestling masks!

*I googled Bix Beiderbecke to get a good website for you and I just read that March 10th (couple hours) marks his birthday. Is this not the strangest coincidence??

Armpit of America No More

Who said New Jersey was the armpit of America? Okay, okay, I wasn't the biggest fan of our neighboring state, New Jersey either. But it's because I didn't have many reasons to visit. Growing up in New York, I only went there when there was an event to attend - like a wedding or a school trip.

But as of February I am embracing its very nickname. I recently started working in Newark, NJ. The commute is a little over an hour. Yes, I know it's quite long, but before you start to feel bad about my commute let me tell you that it took just as long commuting to Brooklyn, where I previously worked. I take a couple of trains to get to the World Trade Center site and then I transfer to the Path train, which is very retro with its brown seats and orange walls. The train ride is special because most of it is above ground. You see a changing landscape of industrial New Jersey. It reminds me a lot of the Gowanus area of Brooklyn. You see overlapping bridges, dirty shipping containers, graffiti, somber looking abandoned factory buildings that I wish I could renovate and live in, and dead weeds fluttering in the wind. Yes, the views are not for everyone, but I like it because you witness the back-end work being done. When do we ever see shipping containers get loaded up in a shipping port? And I also get inspired easily so anything novel is a good thing in my eyes.

If the train ride isn't enough, Newark Penn Station is small, but quite nice. It's like a mini Grand Central Terminal or more like New Haven station in Connecticut. The food isn't good enough to make you come back for more, but there's good cheap Spanish barbeque and Brazilian coffee. I work in an old loft building, which reminds me of the brick buildings near Dia Beacon. I haven't wandered around farther than just a few blocks near the office, but I'm excited to explore a region I've overlooked for so long.

I wonder how you have experienced New Jersey?

The most inviting office bathroom. Pictures of the train ride coming soon. I was busy looking out the window to see what I should take pictures of instead of taking them. And I also didn't want to draw attention to myself by appearing like an overly excited tourist. I will shoot the pictures very soon.

Reviving Lower Manhattan

If you are ever craving comfort food in an easygoing environment, you must pay a visit to Kitchenette. I had the crab cake dinner, which offered a choice of two sides. I chose oven roasted garlic french fries and wilted greens (escarole that night). All the other sides are just as healthy and appealing. For example, brown rice! Oddly enough, very few eateries besides vegan ones, serve brown rice! (I think the only other place that I've happily ordered it was in Dojo and maybe Rice?) For dessert, I had a tiny but dense Boston Cream cupcake. It was perfect because it was just sweet enough and not spongy. If Boston Cream is not your thing, do not fret as there are tons of sweets to choose from. After all, they are also a bakery! While in the ladies' room I read a sign that said they were offering a recession special, where the prices would be the same as when they opened 15 years ago. Sounds like a good time to try it out. If I were better about updating my yelp, I would give this place 3.5 stars. (There's also a huge and I mean huge new Barnes and Noble nearby on Warren Street and it doesn't get crowded, which means seats galore!)