EXPERIMENT: meditate 7 mornings in a row

So I settled down to do my meditation before heading out. And … apparently there’s some sort of PA system? In this room or every room? There was beeping and someone blowing into the mike. I called out HELLO? several times but they didn’t respond to me. Clearly someone testing the system??

That was startling. In the middle of it all I got a spam call on my phone.

My brain just immediately goes to we’re having a national cyber attack… cause I always go for the absolute worst case scenario.

The PA thing appears to be done. I guess I’ll try meditating again…

Day 1, 9:40 am, Weds 4/30, NYC hotel room…

OH MY GOD

Two minutes into meditation, PA comes alive again and they announce they’re going to test the fire alarm system. So I ran off to my day.

Didn’t think to meditate in the two hours I rested before dinner and theater. Do I meditate now, or try again in morning?!

NYC day two: 10050 steps

I had an ambitious day planned for today. But the rock n roll tour I was considering for Greenwich village is cancelled or full .. so scratched that. And I’m sure it’d be nice to see the fancy NYC board game store but then I’ll want to buy something which I’d have to lug around.

Most likely I wouldn’t find anyone to play a game with. Which makes the time and money to get there kinda wasted. Or I do play games (which I can do at home) and I stay and I miss out seeing Pirates of Penzance.

So I knocked off two big activities for afternoon allowing me to rest a bit longer this morning and have a rest in afternoon too. So I’m not unhappy about cutting back.

Morning:

Was all set to go out to start my day and was gonna just do a ten-minute meditation. Which was interrupted by a PA announcement in hotel that they were gonna start doing fire alarm testing.

Fuuuuuuuck. I got out quick then! 🏃🏼‍♀️‍➡️🏃🏼‍♀️‍➡️🏃🏼‍♀️‍➡️

Called for an uber. It was a black Camry. I realized a black Camry parked across the street, so hustled across 42nd street — thank you congestion pricing for making streets less busy with cars! As I crossed I saw a black Camry with uber sticker stopping at my hotel on my original side of the street. Crap, which one is it? That black Camry then pulled a u turn to get to my new side of street… but then another woman got in that one! So… I asked first black Camry if he was Carlos… and he was, and disaster averted! 🤪🤣

I was dropped off at a entrance to Highline that I picked BECAUSE it has elevator. I didn’t see elevator right away, so I just took stairs ‘cause I’m feeling good. Then saw elevator as I huffed and puffed at top of stairs. LOL 😮‍💨

At least the weather is gorgous and my curls are bouncy!

The walk along The Highline was magnificent. Gorgeous flowers and amazing architecture. Loads of people watching. And I heard lots of Italian — still not good enough to eavesdrop.

Had a snack of a tangerine — delightful. Loads of benches and side areas on The Highline. it’s such a fantastic job of community development, urban planning, landscaping. No trash cans — but that also means no overflowing trash cans! Found one finally towards the south end.

Was heading to the Whitney art museum but realized I had a full bottle of water which some museums get weird about. So I first walked over to Little Island to look around and drink up. Fantastic choice!

I could’ve/should’ve stayed there longer. I kinda thought no need to see Pier 57 since I could see it wasn’t as magnificent. But I decided to go there for lunch after all.

Had a delish speck, goat cheese and fig jam sandwich. Nice flowers, but Pier 57 park was less interesting. And no seating with backs to enjoy my book.

Finally off to the Whitney. Ended up I had a fresh bottle of water Tom lunch… but they were cool with it as long as it was capped.

i texted Phyllis:

I must confess to being a little underwhelmed by the Whitney. I mean I know it’s no Met… but I didn’t expect that. 

I allotted 2 hours for it, but eh. Love the Hoppers. Came for Calder’s circus. Enjoying the Louise Nevelsons — we have a small one at museum back home. But I’m underwhelmed by the signage and the layout and the lighting in one room. It’s like, hey, where’s the world class museum.

I think I might be a snob… LOL 

But as I was leaving, my point about poor museum planning was proven true… a British man came up to me and said, is this museum free? He couldn’t find the ticket desk just as I couldn’t when I arrived! He laughed and said I doubted it was free, when I pointed out the ticket area. 

I liked the art that I saw - I didn’t go through whole thing. But I’m unimpressed by the museum. 

Took a taxi back to hotel with an older Greek gentleman.

Afternoon:

I’ve been resting! My feet are starting to ache. I did not walk enough in anticipation of this trip and I’m 20 lbs heavier, so this is all harder.

I bought a partially obstructed view seat for Pirates of Penzance, literally half the price. Penzance is big and showy, I can sit far away and miss a small part of it.

Now I rest more… the show is not until 8.

Evening:

Dinner at the hotel: linguini bolognese and Chianti

I saw Pirates! A Penzance Musical. I had not clued in that it was *not* actually Pirates of Penzance, but a fun adaptation with a New Orleans theme. I saw it ‘cause it’s near my hotel and starred David Hyde Pierce of Frasier. I rarely go see something for a star but I loved him so much in that show. He’s just brilliant and adorable. And he was in this too. Very energetic show!

And! I made new friends! My college pal Laura had a Kentucky friend and sister seeing the same shows as me yesterday and today. Clearly my new Kentucky pal Stacey has good taste in theater and friends!

And next to me in my obstructed view box was a lovely lady from Brooklyn, originally from Cuba. She talked my ear off. She’s a serious multi-shows a week theater goer.

And I turned down tickets to a comedy show from a hustler. And made it back to room to find I’d left my wallet here. Whew.

NYC day one: 13,500 steps

Safely in NYC. Bags stowed at hotel.

My first stop: McGraw Hill Waterfall.

The water is turned off. 🙁🤣

Stop 2 on my exploration of non-theatery things around Times Square.

Church of the Holy Virgin Mary. Insane this is half a block off Times Square. Obviously this lovely gothic Episocpal church was here before the neon/tourist hotspots, and has stayed here steadily. Interior is insanely glorious. I don’t know how I didn’t hear about this place sooner.

Stop 3 and 3 1/2 of my walk:

I read about various cool “hidden” things to see around Times Square … and really they weren’t kidding. I unknowingly went by the sculptures on this building 3 times on my way to other things, then when I got to it on my list… I couldn’t find the sculptures! I thought the sculptures faced Times Square, but they are on a side street — the same one the pretty church is on.

These were put up by a shoemaker who made shoes for Broadway actors. It all got covered up until it was refinished recently. Shoe store is gone, but his monument remains!

Also there’s a map of all the theaters in Broadway area embedded into walkway on the Times Square side.

Stop 4 of my walk of “hidden” things around Times Square was really well hidden. I walked over it several times WHILE I WAS LOOKING FOR IT! 😆

This is a “sound sculpture” called Hum so photos show you nothing. And even as sound, it is just another noise in the hustle and bustle of Times Square. I thought it was closer to the buildings (there are no signs for it). And there, I could hear the hum of air conditioning units. And I thought: that’s it?

I re-checked the article and realized it meant the subway grating in middle of walkway. And if you listen closely, between the noise of cars and people and the subway below… you hear the faint hum, like someone rubbing their finger on the rim of a glass.

This has been here for decades and few people know. It’s no freak random sound — it’s purposely installed by an artist named Max Neuhaus and maintained by some art group.

NYC is weird, man. This made me smile when I found it though.

Stop 5 on my walk … was supposed to be St Cloud Bar at the top of the Knickerbocker Hotel. I planned to have a cocktail and a small plate at 1:30 and see Times Square from above. I’m not staying at the Knickerbocker but a cheaper place down the block. I’m waiting for my room to be ready for check-in at 3. This seemed the perfect refreshing diversion.

Except the St Cloud doesn’t open until 4! Ooops!

So I googled for nearest pizza joint. Something easy, right? Except apparently Joe’s pizza is like one of the best NYC pizza joints… wtf? There was a line down the block. Yes, basic thin crust NYC pizza. I gotta try it. But I was starving today and kept going.

[ADDED LATER: the hotel clerk told me theres a line in front of the place even at 5 am. ADDED LATER LATER: went by at 10 pm and line was longer, now around the corner!]

So I ended up with lamb and rice from a halal food truck! The pigeons are waiting for me to spill…

chilled in the room, rested my feet, posted all these photos, changed clothes. struggled with whether to wear a cardigan — I did and I got hot. But I might appreciate it more in a couple hours.

Went to see the AMC movie theater which had once been a Broadway theater. I was a bit underwhelmed. lol

Intended to go to John’s Pizza but it was sit down and buy a whole pizza place, not by the slice. I figured surely I’d see a by-the-slice place on way to theater but nooooo. Ended up with a black & white cookie from Juniors and a bottle of water. Far cheaper than whatever I’ll get in the theater!

funny thing. Before the community built St Mary’s church in the 1890s, its church building was located up the street. Where the Booth Theater now is. Where I’m seeing a play tonight.

gonna be an early night tonight [narrator: of course it wasn't] as I have much walking to do tomorrow! … although… there is a revolving bar right across the street from the theater. Maybe I’ll go there before Betty Boop on Friday.

Figured I’d eat at my hotel but their restaurant closed at 9:45 though it’s supposed to be open until 11. Weird. Clearly not enough traffic.

I went again to Joe’s pizza. Line was around the corner this time.

I walked another two blocks and bought $10 of pizza at Carnegie: thin, greasy, cheesy, hot. Good enough! One slice for tonight, one for breakfast.

Small Joys — memory of dad

Day 144

Random number 279

Write down memory of my dad

He taught me chess. He taught me the word scrumptious. He tried to teach me how cars work. He taught me to change a tire.

He thought I was amazing and funny and smart. He laughed at all my jokes.

A month before he died, he wanted to buy life insurance so he could take care of me and Maureen. But they never would’ve sold it to him.

He was a picky eater not that he’d admit it. He ate nearly the same thing all his life: meat, potatoes and a veg — and a narrow selection of veg. But he was *obsessed* that I wouldn’t eat a tomato.

He loved rock n roll. He even tried to stay hip in his 30s with The Tubes… but then retreated back to classic rock. He loved the Traveling Willburys so much.

Not any real concrete detailed memories here. Maybe I’ll think of one later. I wrote this on the plane to NYC… his birthplace which cracked him up. He has no memory of the place; he left when he was 1. It was a short assignment for his dad; they were really Philadelphians.

Small Joys — yass queens!

Day 143

Random number 436

Watch Broad city

We (me, Peter & Sean) did. Signed up for Paramount in the process. Saw Stores where they walked from one end of Manhattan to another. Saw B&B-NYC. Hilarious. Not a lot of views of Manhattan though. I recognized one park.

looking forward to my NYC adventure tomorrow ( er, today, cause I haven’t gone to sleep yet!).

Small Joys — postcards!

Day 142

Random number 281

Write 5 postcards

Well I wrote 6! Overachieving. 😆

Good to connect with people. Good to declutter the house. I’m mailing out the New Years Eve postcards too tomorrow. I’d wanted to wait, but I’m now in the mode of get things out of the house now.

The Watsons, Xtina, Nora & Jon, Kory in Wisconsin, cousin Joe, … I forget who else….

Experiment: meditate 7 mornings in a row

Day 1, Sunday April 27, 11:15 am, at home

Day 2, Monday April 28, 11:50 pm, at home

Day 3… did not happen. Too busy traveling. Didn’t make it a priority. First thought about it at 11:55 pm

Results: did not work.

Conclusion: must do in morning

Weekend

Had an unscheduled weekend for a change. Thought I’d get a ton of packing done. But we realized there isn’t urgency. We aim to get many boxes out and into storage about May 13. And we’re moving in June at best, so no need to rush now in April.

Gave the Willetts a book shelf and handcart and 2 boxes of Flamingocon stuff. Took a box of stuff, and a bunch of wine glasses and two large pillows to Goodwill. And I packed two more boxes and cleaned out most of a side table. So real progress has been made.

I leave for NYC on Tuesday. So excited! I’m sad about state of the world, but there may be fewer tourists in the way.

This weekend, we had a nice game and snacks with Willetts last night. I’ve watched tons of Survivor with Peter this weekend. Gotten some chores done and also just frittered away time. Maureen comes over this afternoon.

Life is good.

Also decluttered by making peanut butter brownies!

life!

 I posted on FB today:

You guyssssss!!!!!

Peter found out yesterday that he got back into University of South Florida. Yay! And today, Sean and I are about to pick a *moving company*… *deep breaths* We already have packed a couple dozen boxes and made a trip to Goodwill and decided on a painter.

Sooooo, I guess we’re doing this moving to Tampa thing.

It is exciting. And terrifying. And exciting. And terrifying. And so damned expensive!

I don’t want to move. But I want to move!

*deep breaths*

To repeat: Peter got back into University of South Florida. Which was key to even doing this whole thing. And we will be so happy in a one-story house. And we all could use a kick in the pants to get out of a rut of 22 years in one place. Decluttering is good! (But I’m reeeeeally gonna miss being around the corner from Barbara and Jerry. )

Tampa is less than 4 hours away. (How do people move cross country!)

I am nervous and excited. This got a lot of response on Facebook so I guess we gotta move now.

Just realizing how expensive it will be. Which means can't go to Maine. It will be good... to HAVE MOVED. Getting there is going to hurt. But so excited.

It is going to be good. Just ignore the state of the world. I will get back to my Small Joys at some point.

Small Joys — declutter time!

Day 141

Random number 426

Throw out ten things

Tossed two small art projects of mine, three old pottery projects of Ellie’s, a book (to goodwill), some trash, junk mail, a map of Prague, 1/4 box of stale dog biscuits, plastic cutlery, old birthday card, 5 painted Kamala Harris 2024 rocks, and 2 bookmarks. Good to tidy up before cleaning ladies and for packing.

Reward: I found Peter’s Easter chocolate that he hadn’t finished. Yum!

Plus Minus Next

PLUS

+ Peter’s drivers license

+Great party with Nora & Jon

+Great weekend with Sean, making good decisions, figuring out more what we like

+Survived tax season

+ bike ride

+packing progress

+old Survivor series with Peter

+Taxes filed

MINUS

-Skitty being sick

-Anxiety about economy

NEXT

***PACK!

***learn more about movers and painters and window repair

***email Chase the realtor

***buy tickets for NYC shows

***Electrophysiologist

*** morning meditation

LOOKED UP: NYC stuff

Subway art

Walking architecture tour

Hidden Times Square

Times Square Subway Station

Riding full loop Central Park

Map of Broadway theaters

Small Joys — cut back

Day 140

Random number 78

Cut back

Good week for this. Work has calmed down. But now I have a trip next week, and I need to pin down my schedule.

And we are getting serious about getting house ready. Have two moving companies coming to give us quotes. Have calls out to two painters. Gonna line up a storage unit. Oh, and a long-anticipated visit with my electrophysiologist..

So I cancelled plans to go to a labyrinth and I ended my violin lessons. And we’ve put off our rental shopping for a month to focus on house. Feels good to recognize I’m overloaded and to cut back. Something my daughter is good at and I admire her for that.

I will work on cutting back on carbs later…

Small Joys — celebration time!

Day 139

Random number 26

Celebrate

(I swear I wrote this on Saturday but clearly I did not save it. It is better now with photos.)

Saturday, we celebrated Nora & Jon’s marriage. They’re both so adorable and have such lovely friends. We had a lovely day at the park. Nora did a great job planning the event. But I prodded Sean to get bubbly and plastic cups so we could toast them like a proper reception. That was a nice capper. Sean gave a great toast about adventures off the top of his head.

In addition, it was my five-year pacerversary. Five years as a cyborg. I’m glad I had this option or I’d probably be dead, certainly miserable and bedridden.

And Sean and I celebrated being on the same page in our cautious big leap to selling our house and moving west. It’s going to be a big leap. We are trying to be smart and flexible but not frozen in place out of fear.

We enjoyed dinner and margaritas at Señor Tequilas two nights in a row.