“Impatience is the thief of success.”
Keep A 'New Words' Document
For about ten years now, I've kept a New Words document on my desktop. If you need a further explanation of what that is (well, you shouldn't because it's embarrassingly self-explanatory) - it simply means that every time I come across a word I've never heard before (whether it's from reading something or hearing someone), I write it down in this Word document. And at the end of each month, I look up the meanings and put them all on flashcards so I can carry them around in my purse and go over them in any free daily moments that I have. I eventually throw out each word after I'm completely positive I won't forget its meaning.
I can't tell you how helpful I've found this. And maybe you're the type of person to hear a new word, look up its meaning, hold that information inside you immediately and move on with your life. I should wish to be so lucky. Anyway, it's a good idea if you have a bad memory. Or you just miss the general sense of school-like activities.
You can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
Stop Motion Animation
I mentioned earlier how much I love the Museum of the Moving Image mainly due to its stop motion animation station on the third floor. This (above) is the most recent animation that I can proudly say is my own creation.
Shake Shack Teams Up With Big Gay Ice Cream for Layer Shakes
We're all aware of my feelings on Shake Shack as well as Big Gay Ice Cream. So I think it's safe to say that I will be ALL OVER THIS CROSSOVER.
These limited-time "layered shakes" cost $6.50 and are on sale from November 21 to 23. The one on the left (above) has got Bryan Petroff and Doug Quint's eggnog-flavored soft-serve at the base, then some Shack signature frozen pumpkin custard, shake-ified, on top, with a layer of La Newyorkina graham-cracker crumble in the middle. That order is flip-flopped on the right — it's eggnog shake atop pumpkin custard — and both are 16 ounces.
I'm not a huge fan of nog, but I'm still extremely pumped about this ludicrous concoction.
“Can someone start putting Chapters and Barnes and Nobles in airports? ‘Cause the book selections in any “Hudson’s” currently fucking suck. Who’s running this world? Put a real bookstore in an airport! I swear you’ll make a lot of money!”
NYC's First Cat Cafe Opens Next Month
On December 15th, Meow Parlour (in the Lower East Side at 46 Hester Street) will be open for business. It'll be offering rentable half hour slots to scratch, pet, and play with some (I'd assume only adorable) cats whilst having some sort of hot beverage. Pretty sure the cats will be adoptable, too. Visitors can secure their spots ahead of time online, if they so wish.
You can get half hour slots for $4 with the option to stay up to five hours, making use of their wifi and baked goods. The idea of eating food and being surrounded by cats seems to contort my face a bit, but I looked into and it says that "you can bring food into the cat area but not vice versa" so I suppose that's something.
Gimmicky as it may sound, places likes this are a pretty sweet opportunity for shelter cats to be surrounded by people who want to pet them a ton before they're (hopefully) adopted by cafe patrons. These cats come courtesy of KittyKind, a nonprofit rescue group, just one of many organizations dedicated to helping homeless kitties. All the more reason to help fund NYC's other potential cat cafe, which hopes to open next spring.
Tip of the Day - Romance
I strive to be a least 10% romantic with every person I care for in my life for the duration of each relationship. How did the idea of romance become pigeonholed and exclusively linked to sexual relationships? When did that happen? Has that always been the norm? And if it has, WHY has it? You're telling me that your friendships wouldn't benefit from a little romance? Romance doesn't have to have the undertones of sexual gratification, does it? No! I'm here to tell you that no, it does not.
How can you be romantic within your friendships? So many ways.
- I've been on the receiving (and giving) end of scrapbooks that have had lasting, romantic impressions which have span years.
- Decorative swan statues outposted on a front yard as part of surprising birthday declarations.
- Writing down funny things that someone says and keeping it somewhere so you don't forget.
- Impromptu road trips solely devoted to seeing Martha Stewart's home (and nearby jail) in upstate New York.
- Bringing your own wine and going to a pool with someone.
- Hiding small gifts in someone's house for them to find at a later date.
- Mailing someone a treat they've been missing from home.
- When someone visits you on vacation and not only lets you completely plan their daily activities, but also enjoys it.
- Insisting on someone taking a walk with you. (This doesn't seem special, but when someone insists on me taking a walk with them? I fucking swoon - it's so nice.)
- Private cooking lessons with a classically trained French chef in the storefronts of Paris.
- Sharing the most perfect post-steak nap after a beautiful dinner, thus wrecking the rest of your planned evening and not caring simultaneously.
- After a sad/ominous goodbye with someone, having someone run out into the middle of the street to grab you, turn you around and kiss you infront of waiting traffic.
If I'm boasting, that's a shame that you see it that way. I'm so proud and happy that all of those things above have either happened to me or I've done for someone. I only want that kind of romance to continue in my life. I'm only letting you know about it here as kind of a public announcement for you to be more romantic in your own life. Why? 'Cause I swear to God it'll make you happier. And of all of those points listed, only TWO of them were with Nathan - and that makes me so fucking glad that I get to have friends who make up the majority of romance in my life. And that isn't supposed to be a jab at him - I don't particularly care to list and describe the complete romantic goings-on of us since that isn't the point of this post. What I'm trying to get across to you is that romance isn't just for couples. We could all use some, so maybe you should get on that.
Mom Says
“Clothes worn inside out will bring good luck.”
Thanksgiving Poutine at Mile End
Photo: thesussmans/Instagram
Photo: thesussmans/Instagram
This baby consists of rosemary-and-thyme challah stuffing, smoked turkey, cheese curds, chicken gravy and fingerling potatoes. Mile End (the Montreal deli/poutine place in NYC and Brooklyn) will be offering these limited time poutines in honour of American Thanksgiving this month. Though, since they're a Canadian-run restaurant... shouldn't they have done this last month? Anyway, I'm willing to overlook that fact since I want to eat this thing bad.
“If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people.”