Pedestrian Walkways

I have heard a lot of opinions about the new Broadway pedestrian walkway in Times Square. I have to say, I love it. It's a little thrown together right now with the big orange cones and lawn chairs, but I think it could become something really wonderful. I just read this great article in New York magazine about Department of Transportation Commissioner, Janette Sadik-Khan, whose idea it was in the first place. Her position is that New Yorkers are desperate for space and these public gathering spots will create a greater sense of community while allowing people to get out of their apartments and breathe. One of my favorite spots in NYC is Madison Square Park and right in front of it on 5th avenue is a pedestrian walkway. There are always people sitting at the tables or chatting with friends and I think if there was more of that in the city we'd all be better off. 

(Madison Square Pedestrian Walkway)

The Department of Transportation website also has a lot of details about creating more bike lanes, improving traffic flow in midtown, and the greening of NYC.  

Sweet Trucks

I love dessert. More than anything. On my way home from yoga last week I walked past the Treats Truck on 5th avenue and 22nd. I'd read about these mobile sweet suppliers that choose different spots in the city to park and feed whoever walks by. I decided I need to see what it was all about. This truck had fresh baked cookies and brownies with some milk/coffee beverage options. I decided on a caramel creme sandwich (two brown sugar cookies with vanilla cream frosting). It was delicious. Also, this truck runs on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) which is very environmentally responsible. This led me to do some more research and I found another option called the Dessert Truck. This one sounds a little fancier with menu items like creme brulee and warm chocolate bread pudding. You can find out both truck's schedules on their websites. If you're not so into the sweets, there are a bunch of these trucks all over the city preparing everything from korean bbq to waffles to tacos. I plan to find out where all of these trucks are parked and eat my way up and down the streets this summer.

Mike Birbiglia

John and I just got home from Mike Birbiglia's one-man show Sleepwalk With Me. This is the last weekend he's performing so if you have a chance, you really should check it out. He is a stand-up comedian, storyteller, monologuist extraordinaire. He is hilarious and heartbreaking. He has this amazing ability to stay consistently funny and still hold the audience's attention for an hour and a half. I first heard about him on This American Life and he just did their live show which you can listen to here. He is also going out on tour so if he's coming to your city you should see what he's all about. I love a good story and he's got some great ones.

Laughing Lotus Yoga

"If we practice the science of yoga, which is useful to the entire human community and which yields happiness both here and hereafter - if we practice it without fail, we will then attain physical, mental, and spiritual happiness, and our minds will flood towards the Self." -Sri K.Pattabhi Jois

I am on something of a yoga kick right now. In the past, I've found it really easy to practice outside of NYC and then as soon as I get back, I can't get into it in the city. I don't know if it's the timing or the place but I am loving my monthly unlimited-membership to Laughing Lotus Yoga. It's on 19th street between 5th and 6th and it's a really spirited, loving place.  So far, my favorite classes are taught by Bryn, Stacey, and Mara Dana (who just left but also teaches at Sankalpah). I've been considering doing a teacher training in the fall mostly because I've felt so good since I've been doing yoga in NYC.  I highly recommend checking this, or any yoga class, out.  

Mint.Com

So my friend Jill Apple introduced me to this website called mint.com. It's a personal finance website. Why am I interested in it? It takes all of your accounts, bank and credit, and looks at how you spend money. How much you spend on food, or shopping, or rent, or coffee. It can tell you how much you spend a week on coffee. Depressing. And you can compare yourself with other people in your region and see how you measure up.  I'm hooked.  It also lays out budgets, saving options, plans to pay off debt, and recommended credit cards. It's good for these times we're living in. Check it out. www.mint.com

The Wire

Ok, so I know I'm late getting on this train, but JEC and I just finished watching season 4 of The Wire and I think it may be the best television series ever. Or at least in my top three (up there with The West Wing and Six Feet Under). It is not a fun, easy series to get into. I could barely understand what was going on in the first three episodes. But I stuck it out and the rewards are enormous. This last season we finished, #4, deals with the Baltimore Public School system.  Growing up in Detroit and going through the public schools, this season hit so close to home. My experience was nothing like what the kids depicted on that tv show go through, but my mom taught a lot of kids who came from similar backgrounds. Our public school systems are broken and no one seems to know what to do about it. I think a place to start is with Geoffrey Canada and his concept of education reform that begins with Baby College. Listen to this feature, it's really great: http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=81. Oh, and watch The Wire.

Starting Out In Spring

Well, I can't really believe I'm doing this, but I love having sites to go to while I am procrastinating, searching, or enjoying some computer time. So let's see how this goes.   I don't really have a theme yet but maybe I'll come up with something as we go.