In which I have a revelation

There's been a lot of talk on this blog lately about compromise and choosing and picking.  There's also been a lot of griping off-blog about quality of life and not having enough time and not *wanting* to choose.  I was in a really grumpy state - always having to compromise felt like never really having what I want.

Then, something amazing happened.  One morning this week, I opened my eyes around 6am and instead of groaning and rolling over for another hour of (fitful) sleep, I got out of bed.  Then I had a cup of coffee. And then I. Went. To. The. Gym.

I know.  Shocking.

And that night I realized something.  As 6pm rolled around, and I got ready to leave work, instead of feeling the dread of having to choose, I felt liberated.  I could DO ANYTHING.  Last night, I went and spent an hour with a dear friend.  Then I went home and cooked dinner and watched a few of these while I knit.  I know!!!  Those are, like, all the things that I wish I had time for every day!  

This is not news for many people.  I know this because my gym was packed at 6:30am.  But it's news to me!  I'm one week in and so far, it feels like it might stick.

I'm on vacation next week.  We'll be staying in the city, mostly and I have a long list of stuff I'd like to do, which includes

visit the zoo

amateur night at The Apollo

Mets vs Nationals

 happy hour at Small's (no cover!)

opening night in Chelsea

 maybe see this, if I'm lucky

oh, and definitely at least one trip here

 

Anyone have any other suggestions?

Weekend Escape

Whew!  What a weekend, right guys?  I was a pretty un-happy camper most of the time, content to hide in the bedroom (where it's easier to cool down), eat breakfast and bed, and read slightly trashy books.  

I couldn't hide away the whole weekend, though, and so when I did venture outside, it was all about escaping the city.

 

We didn't have to go to far on Saturday afternoon.  We waited until about 3pm and then took the Q39 bus to Rockaway beach.  It's only an hour ride from Sunnyside, but you feel worlds away.  The above picture was taken at Rippers, on the boardwalk, where my friend asked me, "Where are we?"  It certainly didn't feel like New York City.

A few hours later we walked over to the Rockaway Beach Surf Club (where there's a constant reminder where you are) to watch the New York City premier of Here & Now.  On the way home, we dozed on the bus  and walked home in the middle of a tremendous downpour! 

Sunday, we still had designs on leaving the city, even if only in the planning stages.  We visited a few big Outdoor Gear stores and actually bought a tent!  We hope to escape later in the month to the Great Outdoors.

While we were downtown, I wanted to visit the Manhattan outpost of Despana Foods.  I was familiar with their tiny story in Queens, but in the city, not only do they sell all their wonderful foods, but they offer a small menu of sandwiches and tapas, along with wine and beer.  We shared two bocadillos and pretended were back in Barcelona for an hour.