Smiles Awake You When You Rise

Ms Hope and I visited the Bronx Zoo this morning, a magical haven that exists just a 45 minute subway ride away. We often find ourselves out in the city wandering in the cold or rain, seeking a place to sit and have a chat.  I thought what an amazing backdrop to just leisurely walk and lay out our thoughts.  I've wanted to go for some time, even felt a yearning to see these animals, smell them and look them in the eye.

The most bizarre zoo creature award goes to this pheasant that you can barely see.  His tale was almost that of a fish and went straight back behind his body about 3 feet.  

It was that but also different and much more than imagined.  The animals seemed very receptive to the visit and many times were just as curious of us as we of them.  The structures are surprisingly beautiful and there is enough empty space in between that you feel like an explorer.  Sure, it's not that at all but it worked for me.  It's a little sad, but in the end, having the animals on display serves educationally and not just for kids.  They may be just as baffled by their circumstances as we are of ours but getting the chance to view them is wildly exciting and special.  If you want the peace of walking through Central Park but more of an intimate experience, I would highly recommend the zoo in the winter.  There were some groups of kids and on one hand you're happy that a family can share in the experience for free each week but I do wish there was more training on how to respect the space.  I think young children could easily be taught how to visit the animals properly.  How taunting or yelling in their presence could truly stress them out day after day if confined to a small cage.  It's easy to imagine.  It could also teach them how to live in the moment, to really stop thoughts and be observant of another amazing life form.  And to spend the entire day doing this with hundreds of species could change a child, or an adult.

The Brown Bears chose to face away from everyone.  We could totally understand that behavior.  I would most likely be in that cave all day.  We did see the big one on top walk across that bluff and you could imagine seeing him in the wild all majestic and glorious. 

Seeing a lion poop is a first especially since he was looking at me.  I'm pretty sure this was life-changing but trying to figure out how. 

Giraffes are under-rated.  They are certainly incredible, unbelievable specimens.  I've always had the eeriest feeling seeing them with the painting behind of the vast Sahara but this time, it felt very peaceful.

My personal favorite is the African Wild Dog. They follow the leader all day in some heavenly, oblivious bliss

A grilled vegetable panini and fries from the Dancing Crane Cafe.  I loved it, just the right amount of cheese, sauce, freshness.  This is a well thought out sandwich.  The fries were the good kind, crunchy on the outside, well salted, hot and flavorful.  

The tiger walking right towards Hope.  Seemed all the animals gave us a little personal touch of love that day. 

Best moment!  When the lion stood facing us and acknowledged our presence. 

Seal feeding time.  Circus-like which could be sad, but they seemed to enjoy it and what else have they got to do anyway.  They probably invite the interaction. 

The Rhinos in this Cathedral like room, quite and gigantic. I suppressed my inner 14 year old by not sharing the enormous morning wood on display as well. 

Seconds after this peaceful setting of monkeys quietly foraging for food, this giant caped Baboon comes running over the hill as if in slow motion, complete with full long-hair coat and performs the fastest rape on record.  Before we can get out all our jokes about him being the asshole, we see him getting banged by another smaller monkey by force moments later.  Confused, we moved on.

The indoor exhibits were very special as well, finding all the hidden creatures tiny and not so tiny.  

At home 8 hours later reflecting on the day, I enjoyed a huge plate of linguine with meat sauce.

Time is Only a Thief

Went to the famous Junior's Restaurant and Bar here in Downtown Brooklyn.  They've served up the most delicious cheesecake since 1950. It's a NY institution.  But what they don't tell you is they also serve up old Brooklyn in the most delightful way. They've never left, it's everything and one around them that has changed over time.  High rises have gone up around and down the block but there they stand in this winter night, all lit up like a Christmas tree in the new cold world.  When you walk in, you feel as though you're in a food church of sorts.  You realize manners are still a thing and dining out is an experience to respect in every way.  I'm sure they still do great business but on a weeknight, you might find what we did sitting in the multiple dining rooms, single patrons, mainly an elderly African-American crowd.  Stately male waiters recited the daily specials, busboys and large vinyl menus with too many choices.  In attendance that night was multiple pairs of old women friends and me and my pal, Hope.

That's an oversized portion of their famous cheesecake and Hope ordered the Carrot Cake, her favorite. 

We, too, are old city foundations that are lost in time.  We're not the old ladies we're seated next to but we're also not the young women we were when we met 20 years ago, moving and shaking in the big city, sharing an office and cab rides home after long nights of trying to change the world...of music retail.  But none of that matters once you begin talking and sharing stories, laughing and at least for me, remembering that we're not our jobs, or our hair styles, we're certainly not the last cool thing we did. Thank goodness, because I haven't done anything cool in years.  I might not understand exactly what I really am but when I can let go of any preconceived thoughts of self and just let myself have a great time, that's when I feel most real and alive. 

When the waiter mentioned Pot Pie was the special, I imagined a cute Banquet tin container set in front of me.  This was a full sized ceramic platter bowl, possibly 15" wide.  But that crust was so light and delicate, vegetables and sauce seasoned just right with the perfect amount of chicken-y goodness, atop another flaky bottom crust.   I could have eaten it all, truth be told but I was anticipating dessert.

As always, like any respectable diner, you receive tiny separate bowls atop tiny plates of beets, coleslaw and pickles for the table regardless of your dinner choices.  Also offered was a bread basket but we declined that, unfortunately.  Hope who has no issues with weight reminds me of how carbs can really weigh you down and in my insecure brain I hear that as, you're too fat, you don't need bread. 

Because you can have moments of clarity but in the end it's super hard to shed the ego when out in a social environment and even though I was smart to wear my elastic waist pants, I was so quickly reminded of this mortal coil. 

Idiot Wind, Blowin' Down the Back Roads Heading South

Now more than ever, I appreciate how friends can talk about anything, even the taboo subjects.  When considered from a place of love or truth, I feel you should be able to discuss anything openly.  And we do, and we did!  A diner dinner and a movie with my bud at Kitchen Sink on 2nd Ave on the lower east side.  There is this safe zone that I feel exists with people you trust.  They know you're not an asshole and you value their feedback when bouncing off not so popular thoughts.  This is heightened by doing this while eating grilled cheese sandwiches and tons of french fries.

My friend has biked for years and now has added Brooklyn to her road adventures due to work.  I was thrilled that she shared some of these hilarious thoughts on the new wave of riders.  Female bikers become bigger in number each spring.  I always assumed that would make the road a cooler place because women are more considerate, careful.  But no, turns out many of the young gals are competing with the big, dumb aggro males, which is so disappointing and surprising.  This has become comedic at times if it wasn't so dangerous.  Everyone racing to be the fastest most daring jerk, whizzing through lights on what should be easy, commute lanes.  These are real vibrant neighborhoods, with school kids popping out in the street, dog walkers, stroller moms, delivery trucks, opposite side parking hustlers, morning joggers in the lanes.  I mean anything can happen in a second. No one should be riding at these high speeds. We both have ridiculous stories of riding along with these herds.  You begin to notice common behavior.   

Citi bikers can be super annoying because they're so unpredictable.  Its an amazing program and I'm happy people are taking advantage of it's accessibility.  But there are a lot of giant goofballs on these things that are out of control and now they think they can compete on the road when they should just peddle and try to stay out of the way.  They'll never win races on those fat tires but for whatever reason, they get it in their heads to act up.  If you find yourself sharing the road, most likely some asshole will come flying past within inches of you(without announcing himself). Remember when everyone was so cool as to say, 'on your left', such a courtesy that I really appreciated.  It was as if to say, no worries, carry on, no big deal, just gonna pass you with absolutely no silliness.  In the past this was usually the 6ft Jamaican guy that has been biking for centuries or the giant calved white dude with all his expensive bike gear and five thousand dollar bike.  I knew my place.   They would glide by and you'd notice them in the far distance seconds later, never to be seen again.  But now it's these clowns that you will ultimately have to awkwardly pass one minute later because they are not equipped to keep their speed.  Usually you'll find them stopped at the next light in the middle of the crosswalk, as you pass through, usually checking their phone as if this somehow makes them look cool instead of like a big asswipe that's blocking pedestrians.  We laughed at how many times they insist on these idiotic games back and forth.  It becomes embarrassing for them and a true nuisance when you're just trying to get to work. No wonder everyone hates bikers.

These are just some of the incredible conversations you can have at a great New York diner with a good pal.

And In the End, The Love You Take Is Equal To The Love You Make

Set off from Brooklyn to Manhattan to see a friend and to check out another friend's art gallery showing in Midtown.  I took the long way and walked up the East side from Union Square.

Walked through Grand Central Station. Admired the room for a nanosecond and then plowed on.  I had 20 minutes to make it to 59 and 6th.

Forgot to cut over and overshot the park by about 10 blocks, then had to race and backtrack.

Made my destination and was only 15 minutes late.

It's always good to see these art installations on the sidewalks.  Conscious rebels leaving their mark. Nothing about the city feels connected to this statement but it certainly feels relevant.  Everyone is always rushing off to their own private somewhere.  Confident strides to separate worlds. I can't help but feel an emptiness.  If you don't have cause to be here, a purpose, then perhaps the city gently guides the tides to push you back to your home borough.

But I did have purpose. I came to see incredible art by Sara Nili.  I wasn't sure after a long walk in the sun, a little sweaty and hungry how much I would consume but as soon as my eye settled in the quiet room I instantly felt nothing of the city.  The white walls and warm hallways seemed to extract the previous hours and all there was this.

You shouldn't try to describe art. It's not necessary.  But trees at night and all those little subtleties that your eye catches in the dark.  It was all there.  I mean all of it. Things you didn't even realize you noticed.

I was moved and affected.  I felt different when we left like the paintings changed the dimension we walked in now.

Everything was better.  We talked about art and creating and how that is everything now.  We talked about when we were so caught up in silliness that we forgot what is important years ago.  How you get tricked into believing it's interesting to be busy.

Lunch at Ramen-Ya on West 4th.  Japanese comfort food at it's cheapest best.  I died and saw heaven in that broth.

TOFU VEGETABLE GYOZA
– VEGETARIAN DISH

pan-fried dumplings stuffed / tofu, cabbage, edamame, shiitake-mushroom and chives / ginger ponzu sauce mustardtomato sauce and shis

These were delightful!

Artisan Ice Cream from Van Leeuwen on 7th.  My friend needed something with a cherry on top damn it and if that meant I had to eat salted caramel ice cream than so be it.   Excellent.  Two points off for not being able to warm the hot fudge though. 

And in the end, I got my very own piece of art, from my friend,  made especially for me.  I quietly ducked back into the subway that took me back home.