Free and the City

It's summer in New York and that means tons of free stuff to do - sweet. Working for virtually nothing means it's great to find free stuff. Here's a list of things I've found to do in and around the city.

Ongoing through September 30 (a.k.a. Sarah's new work out schedule)
Tuesdays - 6:30 p.m. - Pilates in Rivereside Park
Wednesdays - 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Game Night in Bryant Park - Southwest Porch - free games like taboo and jenga! Also, a really fun outdoor bar. There's porch swings, rocking chairs, benches, $9 drinks. Ok, the $9 drink part I'd change if I could, but it's a fun spot. Whatever you do, don't go to the Bryant Park Grill. It's just not good.
Thursdays - 6:00 p.m. - Yoga in Bryant Park
Saturdays - 9:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. - Yoga in the Socrates Sculpture Park
Sundays - 10:00 a.m. - Pilates in the Socrates Sculpture Park

Now - August 1 - Shakespeare in the Park - Uh, free show with Al Pacino and Jesse L. Martin. There's no question I'll go at some point. Yes, you have to wait in line starting at the crack of dawn to get tickets, but it's totally worth it. (You can pay $175/ticket too, but why do that when you can get them for free?)

Now - June 27 - Key to the City - This is perhaps the coolest thing I've heard of so far this summer. You go to a kiosk in Times Square with a friend where you pick up a key to the city. You bestow a key to your friend and they bestow one to you. (These aren't my rules.) Anyways, the keys unlock one of 25 secret places in one of the five boroughs. For example, one key opens a closet in Gracie Mansion. Another gets you a special treat at an ice cream shop. Most keys unlock a secret through Labor Day.

Now - October 8 - Free Bike Fridays - Governor's Island - trade your driver's license for a bike.

Now - October 31 - Pool in Battery Park - uh, who knew there were free pool tables in Battery Park? Head to Rockefeller Park (in Battery Park) to pick up cues. Not me, but I do know there's ping pong in Bryant Park.

Now - Fall - New York Outrigger - apparently these things are Hawaiian canoes and more difficult to navigate. Sure, I'll take a lesson.

Now - Fall - Kayaking in the Hudson - the mafia dropped bodies in the East River so you'll be fine in the Hudson.

Wednesday, 6/9 - 8:00 p.m. - Norah Jones Concert - Prospect Park

Saturday, 6/12 - Brooklyn Botanic Garden Bee-Day Party
Saturday, 6/12 & Sunday, 6/13 - Big Apple BBQ - not free but only $8/plate.

Saturday, 6/19 - 2:00 p.m. - Mermaid Parade - Coney Island

Sunday, 6/27 - Polo on Governor's Island - Prince Harry will be there. Need I say more?


Sunday, 6/27 - 12:00 p.m. - Grits Throwdown - Not free and no Prince Harry, but GRITS! Some 
friends are trying to convince me to enter my shrimp and grits, but I'm pushing for a day of polo matches followed by making shrimp and grits. That should work, right?

Mondays, 6/28 - 8/23 - Movies at Bryant Park - I'm trying to figure out if I can get food delivered to the park. Otherwise, I'll just send someone out to get us something.

Thursdays, 7/8 - 8/12 - Broadway in Bryant Park - different performances each week.

Tuesday, 7/13 - New York Philharmonic in Central Park - Great Lawn
Wednesday, 7/14 - New York Philharmonic in Central Park - yes, it's two nights. That's not a typo. Branford Marsalis guest performs.

Wednesday, 7/21 - Daily Show and Friends at Summer Stage - hosted by Lewis Black.

Friday, 8/13 - Blondie and Pat Benatar - Seaside Summer Concert Series at Coney Island

Ongoing
Sony Wonder Lab
New York Classical Theatre
Shakespeare in the Parking Lot
Nurse Bettie - ooh, la, la. Burlesque shows. Find them on Facebook for a password for a free drink.
Right Rides - Right Rides provides free rides home for women and members of the LGBTQ community. That's right, free. It's a pretty awesome organization. Donate to them.
Museums - most of them have a suggested donation amount, but you can donate less if need be.

Stephen Colbert and Peaches

Still one of my all time favorite clips.

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
National Peach Month
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Fox News

Things Not to Include in a Dating Profile

1. I like fencing, swimming, and video games.
 - You like one of them? Sure. Put it in. All three? Don't admit it to strangers.

2. I'm working at Best Buy.
 - Congrats on the job after college (seriously), but don't spend all your money on video games.

3. I'm really good at . . . , , , Left 4 Dead 2.
 - Sarah shakes her head and says, "Oh, lord."

Little Girl Goes East

Back in February, I had a pretty rough week. The boy and I were no longer the boy and I, work was ridiculous because of crazy snow storms, and to top it off, my dog died. Like I said, not one of the best weeks ever.

My sister called to tell me about Belle, my 12 year old yellow lab. It was time for her annual check up, and my sister and my mom loaded her up in the car to take her to the vet. While there, they learned that Belle had some serious health problems and that it would be in Belle's best interest to put her to sleep. They decided to go ahead and put her to sleep at that visit. Fortunately, Belle wasn't in pain, and I'm glad that my mom and sister were with her.

Before calling to tell me the news, my sister Kate called my friend Erich to tell him the news in case I needed a hug. Crying on the phone to him, she explained that Belle was put to sleep and asked that he check on me. I've heard the story from both of them regarding the incident and it makes me smile every time I think about it a couple of reasons. First, Erich knew that something serious had to have happened for Kate to call him. Having talked to my sister on the phone while she's crying, I know it's sometimes difficult to decipher what's going on. When he realized she was calling to tell me about my dog, he thought she was crazy. Second, the fact that Kate called Erich in the first place to tell him what happened and to tell him to check on me shows me what a fantastic sister she is. I can't imagine life without her. We didn't always get along as kids and we're still pretty different, but I know she'll always be there for me.

And now, Kate's moving to China. She heads to Guangzhou, China on July 30 where she'll be the new Athletic Trainer for the American International School of Guangzhou for the next school year. I'm super excited for Kate and definitely a little bit jealous. It will be an incredible adventure, and I can't wait to visit her. (You know I'm gonna figure out a way to get there even if it's by boat.) I'm excited to hear about her culture shock (because you know it's gonna happen) and how she adapts to living in a large city. (Kate doesn't really like NYC because it's too big. Guangzhou has 12 million people. NYC has 8 million.) She just started a new blog to document everything.

Little Girl - I hope you have the most amazing adventure possible. I can't wait to hear all about your experiences. I'm so proud of you. I love you, and I found this song just for you.

Katz's Deli

This past August (I think it was August) I went to Kat'z Deli for the first time. For those of you who don't know, Katz's is one of the four delis you'll probably make it to as a tourist (Carnegie, 2nd Avenue, and Ben's are the other three). Besides being delicious, Katz's is where Meg Ryan had one of the best orgasms caught on film ever. (Get your mind out of the gutter if you don't know what I'm referring to and go to the link.) Anyways, I'd been to Carnegie Deli on a family trip to NYC in 2001. We went to Ben's over Christmas in 2006. I made it to 2nd Avenue Deli, which is no longer on 2nd Ave, with a friend when she was sick. Katz's was my last of the delis to go to.

So, back to my story. FD3 and I decided to go one afternoon for lunch. Katz's is one of his favorites, and I'm always up for new things, so it seemed like a good idea. Of course, it being a beautiful Sunday afternoon (maybe Saturday, I don't remember) the place was packed. No surprise there. However, I was surprised to be handed a ticket by a security guard as I walked in. Unlike at Carnegie and 2nd Ave where a waiter comes to your table, most people at Katz's go stand in line at the counter to order. You give the person behind the counter your ticket and they mark off what you ordered so that when you leave the person at the register knows what to charge you for. If you don't get anything, you hand them your blank ticket. I'm not sure who invented this system and I see how it makes sense, but it still doesn't all at the same time. Moving on . . .

Not wanting to lose a chance at a table, I immediately found an empty table for two right beside the counter. I told FD3 what I wanted, a roast beef sandwich on wheat (I know, I know - I've since learned that I like pastrami, but I still don't like rye), and he got in line. The table I grabbed was the closest to the door and right next to the sandwich line which meant there were 50 butts in my face when I looked to at the line. I'm not even kind of kidding. They were right there. After I'd been sitting for a few minutes, the table just to the left opened up and I hopped over there. Somewhere in the span of that 30 seconds, I lost my ticket. I checked the table. I checked the other table. I checked the floor. I checked my pocket. I checked my purse. I checked my other pocket. It was gone. At some point FD3 came back with our food and I told him what happened. Mind you we'd been dating for maybe a few weeks at this point. Maybe. We weren't even at the point where you're dating someone, but rather you've been on a few dates. What he must have been thinking of the crazy girl who lost her ticket I will never know, but I can't imagine it was all that good. (And he didn't even know about my bad math skills at that point either.) 

Neither of us knew what happened when you lost a ticket so we continued on with our lunch until one of us noticed a sign: Please return all tickets (used or unused) when leaving. The tickets are your check and exit pass. Any lost ticket will incur a $50 lost ticket charge (minimum). Do not lose or discard tickets. Thank you, Mgmt.

My jaw dropped. They had to be kidding. I searched under the table, under all the plates, under the old table, under the napkin dispenser. No ticket. Finally, it was about time for us to leave and I still had no idea where the ticket was. Defeated, I went up to one of the security guards and told him I'd lost my ticket. The expression on his face did not allay my fears. He came over to my table to help me look again. I must have looked like I'd lost my puppy because the security guard went to talk to the manager. (What can I say? I can pull out the dramatics when I need to. I'm no Meg Ryan, but I can pout.) The security guard came back and said it would be ok but to see him when we left. We made it out of the restaurant only paying the crazy amount for two sandwiches, two waters, and some macaroni salad. No $50 charge added.

Why FD3 didn't think I was completely crazy and end things then I'll never know. (I like to think it's because I'm charming and alluring, but it's also because he's a good guy too.) I made it back to Katz's this past Friday night. I'd been at a biergarten in the East Village with friends and we decided to head to Katz's for late night sandwiches. You better believe I held onto my ticket tightly. At the end of the night I still had it and paid $20 for a pastrami sandwich (still no rye) and a bottle of water. 

I still have no clue what happened to my ticket the first time, but part of me hopes that some day I randomly find it in my jeans pocket.

We can't move forward until you send it back.

It's 2010. (Duh, I know.) I completed my first census last month, because I wanted to be counted. And because I was scared that some poor college kid was gonna show up at my door to actually count me if I didn't send it back. Problem is, I think I filled it out wrong!

Eek! It's not like my taxes where I can make an amendment and fix it. I don't think I can get it back.

 - Sarah, how could you have filled it out wrong? It's only ten questions.
I know. I know. My critical thinking skills may not have been with me.

 - What part did you fill out incorrectly?
My race.

 - Really? How is that possible?
Oh faithful blog reader, you may recall that 3 1/2 years ago I learned I was mixed-race. Yup. I'm a mutt, which I always knew, just didn't know that I was actually a mutt in terms of race as well. (Stranger things have happened.) I never forgot this, but apparently I didn't know how to fill out my census form until it was too late.

Today at work (ur season just ended, so I've got some time on my hands), I happened to come across the website for the Network of Arab-American Professionals. Under the Upcoming Events for New York, I saw the following:

(It's ok to laugh. I laughed out loud. My coworkers think I'm crazy sometimes.)

The NAAP suggests that people check "other" instead of "white" and write in "Arab" or "Arab-American." I suppose I could have written in something other than that too, but I failed this test. I also missed out on the NY Arab-American Comedy Festival! and the Afterwork Networker in Bryant Park. Ah, such is life.

Now I just have to file away this information for another 10 years when hopefully I don't fail the census again.

Dear Josh

Remember FD1?

Remember when he winked at me a month or so ago?

Remember when he winked at me again on Sunday? Remember when I sent him the following e-mail?*

Dear Josh,


Thanks for winking at me. It's good to know you think I'm attractive and still (yes, still) think we might be good together. Unfortunately, we're not a good match. How do I know? Because we went out once before and then you asked me out again and I politely declined saying we're not a good match. Why aren't we a good match? Unfortunately, I don't like baseball and I know you have season tickets for the Yankees. Also, I'm not going to hang out with you at your place a.k.a. your parents' place. As much fun as I'd probably have with your parents (parents like me), I don't want to go with the three of y'all to your country house this summer.


I am glad you're "getting out there" and meeting people, but honestly, you're making my self-esteem plummet. Please stop.


Best of luck,
Sarah


*I may not have sent the e-mail above, but I am this close.

PowerPoint Makes Us Stupid

In honor of not moving forward in an application process solely based on a 3 slide PowerPoint, I give you "PowerPoint makes us stupid."

Don't be such a pill

Fifty years ago next week, the FDA approved the birth control pill as first oral contraceptive. Like all matters regarding sex, the pill's approval was not met without controversy. Some doctors claimed that the birth control pill would be the end to the world's poverty problem, to divorce, to unwed pregnancy. Others feared it would make men impotent because, if on the pill, women would become the more dominant sexual partner which, duh, would make men feel inferior.

Obviously, the pill has stuck around. While most women go on "it" to prevent unwanted pregnancy, there are other benefits such as clearing up acne and regulating cycles. Getting a prescription for birth control pills is almost like a rite of passage. Every woman has her own reasons for doing so, but fortunately, taking birth control correctly usually produces the same end result: no babies.

That's where birth control pills end. Yes, there are no babies (usually). There's clearer skin. There's the fact that you're period comes like clockwork (unless you're me and you have a period for a month and you're not having sex - super fun). But, there's still diseases. For some reason a lot of people (who don't want to get pregnant) think that getting pregnant is the worst thing that can happen if you have sex, but it's not. Don't get me wrong. Pregnancy is life altering even if you're not on 16 and Pregnant. Birth control pills can prevent pregnancy when used correctly, but they cannot prevent STDs. End of story.

I am glad that women have the choice to use birth control pills as a type of contraceptive, but I hope that most are smart enough to only use them in monogamous relationships.

Running Across the Grass

As far as parks go, it's hard to beat Central Park. I'm sure you can, but there's something about a massive (843 acres) park surrounded by skyscrapers that makes it magical. There's a zoo, two ice-skating rinks, and a castle. Come on - how do you beat a park with a zoo and a castle?

Amazingly, this post is not about Central Park but rather Bryant Park. Bryant Park sits steps away from Times Square and is home to the New York Public Library. Not surprisingly, Bryant Park used to be a bit shady (not in the tree-lined sense of the word) and was the frequent site of muggings and drug deals. (It says so on the park's website. I'm not just exaggerating.) Now, Bryant Park hosts Fashion Week twice a year. It's also the permanent home to public ping pong tables, chess tables, restaurants and bars, and a carousel. During the winter there is a skating rink on the lawn surrounded by a holiday market. In the summer time, they hold free outdoor movies on the lawn.

Normally, the lawn opens in the late spring for the local business person to enjoy during lunch. Because of all the rain we had over the winter, the lawn is currently roped off. There's a sign that says it will open on April 30 - only a few more days! Amazingly, people don't cross the rope and walk through the grass. I was incredibly tempted to run across the park the other day, but resisted. I envisioned being tackled by Bryant Park security guards like those crazy people at baseball games that jump into the outfield and run across the grass before they're tackled and arrested. I don't think I would have been arrested for running across the park lawn, but I didn't think it was a good theory to test.

On Friday, I worked from Bryant Park for the afternoon. (Did I mention free wireless?) A coworker and I got there right around lunch time and it was packed. Luckily, we found two seats next to a couple finishing up lunch at one of the few tables in the park and slipped into their seats once the left. They offered to let us sit with them, but I didn't want to crowd them. (Who says New Yorkers aren't nice?) As the day progressed, the business people left and more tourists and families arrived. I looked up and there was a couple next to me waving to someone behind me. I turned to see who it was because I'm nosy like that and saw a little girl, perhaps 2-years old, wandering on the lawn. Her parents were beckoning her towards them, but all she saw was freedom in the grass. She ran her waddle-y run further into the middle of the lawn. Not wanting to cross the barrier onto the grass, her parents followed along the edge of the lawn. Unfortunately, hundreds of people sat along the perimeter of the lawn, myself included, and so they had to walk behind a few rows of people sitting. The little girl went deeper and deeper into the lawn and thus further and further from her parents. Everyone sitting along the perimeter began to watch as she ran uninhibited through the grass, jealous that she was free from judgment for running through the yard. As the little girl approached the far end of the lawn she realized her parents were "lost" in the crowd and she turned around to run back. Sensing that this was not the course she should take she turned back again. Then she started to cry. Her parents called her name and waved to her frantically. She saw them finally, started waving back, and ran towards them.

Inhibitions are one of those weird, learned behaviors that are introduced at a young age. The little girl never cared that people were watching her run across the grass. It was only when she couldn't find her parents that she noticed something was strange. Still, she didn't care about the people watching her. Although I don't know for sure, I would put money down that the little girl would be much more cognizant of all the watchful eyes in a few short years. Certainly, some are less concerned with what their peers think than others, but most people have some level of inhibition.

I wish I was a brave as the little girl running through Bryant Park.

Project Plans - Part 2

Interview for job 1 - nice.

Project plan for job 2 - 3 slide powerpoint.

Job 1 already has a pool for the specific location I applied for, but good thing we have the same job for alternate locations. NYC for the year; somewhere else for 7 weeks in the summer. It'll be like summer camp, right?

Project Plans

I've applied for two jobs . . . I'm on my way.

Ready, set, project plan.

No really.

Plan a conference for 50 people in Houston by Friday at 9:00 a.m.

Perhaps one of the most random posts ever

Ugh. I did something super stupid last week. Really, really stupid. Hopefully, forgivably stupid, but stupid all the same.

You know those conversations that you shouldn't have with people? I'm talking about the kind of conversation where you know what the answer is before you ask the question, not just where you think you know the answer. The kind of conversation that you wouldn't normally have, but after a few drinks and very little food you decide should be had anyway. The kind of conversation where the other person tries to change the subject but indulges you anyway at least for a little while - longer, perhaps, than he should have and definitely longer than he wanted. The kind of conversation where you wake up the next morning not sure of the damage you may have done and a week later you're still unsure.

Know the kind of conversation I'm talking about? Yeah, I did that. I turned what would have been a really good night with a friend into something awesomely bad. Ugh. 

I'm one of those people who really does learn from all the experiences in my life, but I kind of wish I could edit that one mostly because I don't like the feeling of uncertainty. Fingers crossed I didn't completely cross the line and kill a friendship. Why do I care that we still remain  friends? Because I do. That's who I am. I move forward, and I try to bring it all with me. (It's super fun being me sometimes.)

I supposed time will tell. Bah.

Men in Tights

I went to Boston for the weekend not too long ago. It was the same weekend as Anime Boston which, according to the events website, boasted over 17,000 attendees. It's "New England's largest celebration of of Japanese animation, comics and pop culture." Events included an auction, panels, karaoke, and game shows, as well as a costume contest and starlight ball. I can appreciate the artistry of the comics. I can even understand thousands of people coming together to celebrate something. I draw the line when grown men dress as an animated character. Yup, that's right kids, grown men dressed up as animated characters. While waiting for the bus back to New York I stood next to a man dressed in all black, leather, a sword, and a funny hat (pointed, made of straw). That I don't get. Why would you spend your weekend dressed up in such a silly way? I just don't get it.

Instead of attending the anime convention, I spent the weekend with a good friend enjoying the historic sights (and sites) and seafood. Who doesn't love history and seafood?

This nice fellow let me have my picture taken with him. He's dressed as a colonist (a.k.a. Revolutionary War soldier) at the Battle of Concord.








Oh the hypocrisy. Love it.

Quick Snapshot in Time

Train ride to Pleasantville, NY.

Birthday celebration (not mine) at Milon.

Central Park Dance Skaters

Central Park Dance Skaters

Barnum and Bailey elephants stroll down 34th street in the rain.

The elephants can't go up the escalator at Penn Station,
so they have to walk to Madison Square garden.

Pickling - you know you're jealous.

Judge Me If You Will

So I know I'm a bit judgmental at times. Ok, maybe I'm a lot judgmental. But, there's a guy I'm friends with on facebook that I knew in elementary school and then we worked at The Limited together one summer and now he's married and obsessed with paintball. He has an entire photo album of his paintball gear. (Correction: he has multiple albums of his paintball gear.)

And if your name is xxleyecandy, I really don't want to talk to you. I don't care if you think we could be good together. I can't get over the fact that your name is xxleyecandy. Perhaps I'm a little worried that you think I'm xxleyecandy. But even still, just go.

And I really want to rant about some stuff from work right now, not work itself, more like stuff I'm fortunate enough to encounter in my day-to-day, but it would be a bit unprofessional. And, seeing as how anyone could stumble across this blog, I'm gonna just avoid that. Those stories are perhaps best for vocalizing instead of writing, but boy did I come across some winners recently. I do just want to say . . . nope, can't even do it.

FML

Remember FD1? I woke up to an e-mail telling me he "winked" at me the other day. Ugh.

Matching 102

It's Friday night and I'm sitting at home watching episodes of What Not to Wear. I've decided it's time. Time to get back out there. Time to jump back into the dating world. I resubscribed to Match.

I'm still not sure what I think about trying Match again. I know my experience will be different than it was last time, and I'm kind of excited about that. If nothing else, I know I'll get some good stories out it. I hope to find more than just stories, but I'm keeping my expectations at a lower level for the moment.

The boy and I broke up a month ago. I know myself well enough to know that I won't completely let go until I find someone or something else (take your mind out of the gutter) to occupy my time. Even still, I don't usually let people go completely. We'll see how that goes.

Yesterday, I decided to walk home as much as possible. I started on 34th street, walked up 6th ave to the park and over to Lex. While walking up 6th I passed one of the boy's doormen. We made eye contact and said hi to each other. It was kind of strange and funny all at the same time. I wondered if he knew that the boy and I aren't dating anymore. Maybe he didn't even know where he recognized me from, but I feel like doormen in NYC are like middle and high school teachers - they know everyone's business without letting on that they know. Of course I then started imagining how ironic it would be if for some reason I started dating the doorman. (Hey, he's attractive. I just wish I learned his name.)

Anyways, sitting on the couch watching tv is good and all, but sitting on the couch watching tv with someone else is better. Hence, Match.

Sledding in Central Park

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Sometimes you have one of those weeks

After almost 6 months, things with FD3 have come to an end. In January, when he said we were in different places in the relationship I thought he meant I was more invested and he was just "behind." It turns out that is not what he meant. Instead, he was done and I wasn't ready to let go. The worst part is that the few weeks after that were some of the best. I suppose I still knew the end was coming.

Logically, I'm fine. Emotionally, I'm still a bit of a mess. There's pretty much no way to take it except personally when someone tells you they don't see a future in something. Why not? What's wrong with me? What did I do? Yeah, I know it's not my fault. Doesn't help. Like I said, logically I'm fine. I know it's that we're not right together. That we can still be friends. That there are other guys. That I won't be alone forever. That I deserve better. Still sucks.

We awkwardly saw each other once so far after the break up. He brought the stuff I left at his place to my office. Not the most ideal place for trading stuff. It was made even worse by the fact that I was having one of the most stressful weeks of work ever and that my dog was put to sleep the day before. That's right, work was hell, my boyfriend and I broke up, and my childhood dog died all within the same week. And then I got sick. I think it was my bodies way of letting go for just a bit - stop thinking and stop pushing or you'll get really sick.

I'll be ok soon. I just need some time to grieve a bit and feel sorry for myself. I have friends to lean on, and I've definitely been leaning. I just feel like I've lost one the ones I want to lean on.