Thirty Days of May

Day Thirty One of May 2011 - So-rry

2011-05-31T19:35:00.000-07:00

I am sorry that Kelsey and I abandoned you this May. You know how busy and serious May can be. So busy.

Day Twenty-Eight of May 2011 - Little Rascals

2011-05-28T19:21:00.000-07:00

So, I just let myself get mugged. I was walking uptown from Caleb's place, and I got surrounded by a bunch of boys who were quite large, but obviously very young. They said "Empty your pockets." I laughed "You empty them." So they snatched my iPod and passed it round the circle until I couldn't tell who had it. Then they said "I'll shoot you." And I said, "On 104th Street? I don't think so." I pushed out of the circle. They grabbed me and tried to take my man purse but I struggled away, and then followed them around demanding my iPod.

The humiliating part about it was their youth. I feel like I should have been able to stop the whole mess, but at the time I couldn't figure a way out. Once they had hidden my iPod among them, there was no one to confront, and I was outnumbered. It was like being mugged by the Little Rascals.

I'm going to make this announcement and I feel fine speaking on Kelsey's behalf: 2011 is a crap year. The trains don't come, the weather won't lift, the money doesn't flow, kids mug you, the tax returns are nominal, and I have something like an intense case of athlete's foot. ON MY LEFT NOSTRIL. And it's disgusting.

Day Eighteen of May, 2011

2011-05-18T22:27:00.000-07:00

When I first wrote the header for this post (ie: today's date), I wrote Day Eighteen of March, 2010. What do you think that means?

It means my head is not screwed on this month. I feel like the entire month has passed by why I have been pondering whether I should get on board. And suddenly, there goes the month and I am grasping at air.

But I am not deterred. NAY! I am empowered. Today I left work during lunch, which in-an-of-itself is a rarity now. But it was sunny and warm and gorgeous and we Seattle-ites know that when a day like that comes around, you must force yourself into the outdoors. So lunch was a walk to Whole Foods where I purchased two scoops of gelato. And that was what I had. For lunch.

And it was delightful.

Day Seventeen of May, 2011 - On Writing

2011-05-17T20:10:00.000-07:00

When I was in first grade, my teacher and a nervous looking specialist pulled me out of class and used a variety of tests to determine that I could read at a twelfth-grade level. That same year, I was kicked out of a spelling bee, fairly early, for mis-spelling "paid." Why did I struggle with such a simple word? Because, though I could read, I usually chose not to. Ever. In fact, I ignored words to the point where I forgot what they looked like.

This was a problem. Throughout grade school, high school, and college, I refused to read more than 25 pages of an assigned book, yet I was asked to discuss them. So I learned to take one very small idea from the first chapter, and draw it out into pages of text. I learned to do what we call "writing."

Here are the two secrets to writing: (1) Write about only one idea. When you repeat yourself, people will call you "consistent"; when you repeat yourself rhythmically, they will say your writing has "structure." The heart of Virginia Woolf's MRS. DALLOWAY is contained entirely on the first page--the rest is just a mournful echo of that one thought, or what we call "a novel." (2) Write about things that do not exist, and no one will be able correct you. In fact, people will think you are a genius. This is why all the "greats" wrote fiction, moral philosophy, and love poems.

See? All I wanted to say is that I do not like reading, and I took up 300-some words in doing it. And now you know a trade secret.

Day Fifteen of May, 2011- On Living

2011-05-15T21:02:00.000-07:00

AIDS Walk New York generated 6.2 million dollars today, and I was proud to join early this morning. I am proud of my friends who live well with HIV, and my friends who support them. Here's to life!

Day Fourteen of May, 2011

2011-05-14T23:11:00.000-07:00

Remember that tickle in my throat? Yeah, that kicked my ass this week.

Wanna know what I accomplished in the last three days? Nothing.

Not. A. Thing.

I did, however, find inspiration on NPR. I was switching through the channels and happened to hear NPR mention Spaghetti Westerns. And we all know that where there is a Spaghetti Western, there is a Clint Eastwood reference. Naturally, my interest was peaked.
Essentially some famous music-guy loves Ennio Morricone (composer for The Man With No Name series). And this famous music-guy connected with other musicians and together they made some beautiful new western music.

Mainly, this is my new obsession. Check it out: Rome

Day Thirteen of May, 2011 - Work

2011-05-13T13:55:00.000-07:00

All day yesterday, I sat up straight in my best clothes, excited for the Robin Rhode opening at 6 PM in Chelsea. Actually, I had been waiting for this opening since January.

Good thing I called ahead. At 5 PM, I found out the show had been postponed indefinitely, thus kicking the chair out from under the article I planned to write for Art South Africa.

But it's May. Instead of falling apart, I did some research, switched tracks, and headed up to see The Global Africa project at the Museum of Art and Design. I arrived sweating, but by some odd chance I happened to catch a special one-time-only tour by the curator and several artists. I even got autographs in my catalog, and talked to a lady who makes her own hats.

The whole evening ended with some exciting drama where I knocked Caleb's phone out of his hand, he slapped me, I yelled at a bar-tender, and then we left laughing. There was a time we would have been mad at each other. But at this age, we know that all of our fights are purely for other people's entertainment. Isn't... isn't everything "just for entertainment"?

Day Eleven of May, 2011 – What Goals?

2011-05-11T07:27:00.000-07:00

I didn’t have time to run yesterday, because it took me two hours to get home from 42^nd Street. Apparently, track problems halted 1, 2, and 3 trains (the only trains I use) so I had to join a throng in walking west across town to catch a C train. On the bright side, I made friends with a nice Jamaican man at Times Square, and we had a lot of laughs. On the darker side, he turned out to be really creepy, and I had to sneak around the block to lose him before going home. “There’s never a dull moment in this city,” he said at one point. Yeah. Right.

The hardest part about 30 Days of May is defining your goals adequately.

Do I have to go running—even if it’s 10 PM and dark in the park?

If one goal is to “remain sober every day,” can I order an alcohol free beer? Or does that simply re-enforce my drinking habits?

If one goal is to “improve my home and life every day,” can I just sweep my room and leave it at that? Not really. Sweeping is something that happens all year round. I have to get out of the house and do something extraordinary—like buy a new shower curtain. (Miraculous!)

Day Ten May, 2010

2011-05-10T21:58:00.000-07:00

I was trying to think of a goal I met recently. And then, I realized that it was last night. Last night was dedicated to me. The evening started with a ten mile run, then segued into Graham going out with a friend and me watching a girlie movie, eating an ice cream bar, painting my nails, and drinking a beer.

Lately I have been trying to see more people and hang out with different groups of friends. And while that is lovely, the one person that I always enjoy spending time with is me. So, it was nice to rekindle that relationship last night.

And I fear I may be spending more time with me... I have a mischievous tickling in my throat... ... ....

Day Nine of May, 2011 - Pot Tired of Being Called Black

2011-05-08T07:37:00.000-07:00

My high school drama teacher had some good advice while we were rehearsing "Our Town." The play had the potential to be sickeningly sweet, she said, unless we poured all of our hearts into the characters. In other words, sincerity is only effective if you utterly abandon yourself to it--because half-assed sincerity is repulsive.

30 Days of May is like "Our Town." It's just a bunch of optimistic fluff unless you do it with soul. Here goes.

Today's home improvement activity was washing a pot. Sister Mister recently told me that my apartment was filthy, damp, and dank, like the brig of a pirate ship, and ever since then I've seen how true that is. So I started to change things by picking up one of my room mate's hopelessly blackened pots to scrub clean with steel wool. Listen--I didn't know it was possible to remove that kind of cooked-on filth. If I do just one pot a day, that'll give me a clean set in less than a week. One step at a time...

Day Seven of May, 2011

2011-05-07T19:59:00.001-07:00

Backsliding. I admit that I may have had a few drinks last night, but at the same time, I also forced myself to network at a gallery opening--so I lose points in one category (sobriety) and gain points in another (new experiences). Does that mean I flunk May, just because I'm imperfect?

It's hard to be perfect in every category at once! I think about my soul mate over in Portlandia. She hits the gym every day after a long shift at work, putting us all to shame. What's the secret to her dedication? She puts vodka in her Gatorade. So she's a saint and a devil in the same skin. G-d bless her! I'd rather be complicated than pure.

Above: Maggie in the Mexican sun.

Day Six of May, 2011

2011-05-06T19:25:00.000-07:00

Another May goal is to not take life too seriously and laugh more...

Baha ha ha ha ha hahahahahahahahahaha ha ha ha ha heee he he heee he he he he ehhhhhh.

Stupid cat.

Day four of May, 2011

2011-05-04T20:12:00.000-07:00

There was something about moving back to Seattle that zapped all my energy or interest in cooking. Perhaps it is because I am just cooking for Graham and I now (boring) or maybe it is because I no longer stare at cooking books all day. But regardless, I just don't care.

But, I am taking back the kitchen. This month is dedicated to cooking and experimenting with new meals. And this month is also dedicated to actually inviting people over for dinner. Yesterday it was Maggie and Tilapia with vegetable quinoa and black beans. Tonight it is Tecate Chicken pizza with a side of Sayward and Joey.

Who needs Max when I can cook my chicken in beer?

Day Three of May, 2011 - Little Things Add Up

2011-05-03T15:40:00.000-07:00

TO PUT IT BLUNTLY, I wish I were back in Mazatlàn. But I'm making the best of things here.

Yesterday, I swept the floor, got rid of some things I didn't need, and handled some of the bills on my desk. My sister was right when she told me that clearing a few surfaces can make a huge impact—the process took no more than 30 minutes, but it transformed my room and took a lot of weight off of my shoulders. That's the whole point of May, I guess: doing small things that add up.

Egg story: I was walking home, dancing my Max dance along Amsterdam, when I felt a thud against my back. I turned around to see what it was but, finding nothing, I ignored it. It wasn't until I got home that I noticed a streak of yolk running from my shoulder blade to my knee.

Day Two of May, 2011

2011-05-02T22:02:00.000-07:00

How is it already May? Sunday was a perfect Seattle day, one of those days where the sky is blue, the sun is warm and everyone is out because you can't squander a single moment. So what did Graham and I do? We stayed inside and took a two hour nap. But, I have no regrets over that decision because it was needed. By both.

As to the May goals, I am harking back to the original. Yoga and less drinking will be on the books for me, along with a few other personal goals that I have been procrastinating on. I am also trying to read more; I find that I invest more energy into other outlets (mainly the internets and alcohol). So, lets see how this month goes.

As always, please let us know if you have any May goals that you are following up on. Max and I hate being the only crazies in a room.

Day One of May, 2011

2011-05-01T18:53:00.001-07:00

Dear Readers,

Here's the first blog post, and though it's nothing fancy, it's enough to get us going. I am hoping that Kelsey will fix the design on the page, which I have royally messed up and don't know how to fix.

Already on day one, I had trouble meeting my goals. I thought "I should do my exercise tonight, but my yoga mat is allllll the way in the back of the closet, so I guess I can't." Ah, the obstacles between me and a healthy lifestyle...

My favorite part of the month so far was walking home late and getting egged. More on that later. For now, post comments about your first day of May!

Yours,

Maxwell

Intermission part deux

2010-11-21T23:10:00.000-08:00

"They wonder how we do what we do, Panorama Porsches me and you. Stuck to your side like glue--be by your side whatever you're goin' through. We were high, we were low, but I promise I will never let you go. I got, I got, I got, I got your back booooy. I got, I got, I got, I got your back boooy.

I keep my swagger, keep it lookin' good for ya, keep it lookin' hood for ya, shawty if you don't know, I got your back boy."

Intermission

2010-11-20T19:58:00.000-08:00

Indeed, for I have pondered for many nights, wondering: "How shall I say it plain and true?" This is the best I can do:

Shawty, I know you be hearin dis n dat from here n there but please trust and believe me mama: I see you gwan ride for me so I gwan die for you, is you wid me? From when it's all good, to when it's all bad, you got my back, right? I know you keep yo swagga, keep it lookin good for me, keep it lookin hood for me. No matter what occur in life, every day wid you is like a plus. I'm a love ya tell ya be like "Das enough."

Day Nineteen of November 2010 - Gangsta

2010-11-19T23:49:00.000-08:00

What are some things I need to do? Visit Jeanette, revise my article, pay some debts. I'll do all these and more very soon. But today I went out with two co-workers for drinks like a grown up to exchange advice, gossip, and praise. Maybe I don't want to be an assistant forever, maybe I don't want to work in an office forever--but that doesn't mean I can't have martinis with a few fashionable ladies from the cubicles next door.

Day Seventeen of November 2010 - Missed Out

2010-11-17T18:40:00.000-08:00

Here is the most amazing photo I have seen in years--from Sudan!

Anywho, I did not do a task today. I got to work early, worked non-stop, and then went directly to George's apartment to help him with the deepening crisis he faces there--files everywhere, no record of payments made, no editor, &c. Do I call this a failed day? I had fun wherever I went, and even stepped out to the Ace Hotel for coffee at lunch--but I didn't do my task!

All I can say is that I've been running in a frantic circle between my place, the office, and Caleb's apartment for, oh, two months without a break, and I need some kind of variety or I'm to kill somebody.

Day Fifteen of November 2010 - Not Me, No Sir

2010-11-15T20:49:00.000-08:00

Was my day easy? No. I had to bathe out of a bucket because we had no hot water this morning, my newspaper didn't come, two of my bosses were sick and left me to run today's meetings, and I have three pimples, red as bullet wounds, on the upper left side of my face. But, Lord Almighty, I went to the Old Navy and returned my hideous shorts. They've been sitting in my closet for months, daring me to hate them more.

Day Thirteen of November 2010 - Art

2010-11-14T07:58:00.000-08:00

Well, for two weeks I put off writing my review of The Diver, Paul Thek's posthumous retrospective at the Whitney Museum--and now I have til Monday to write it. I'm about 550 words in, which is not bad if you consider that I've only got to hit 800. But usually, I need to rewrite these things two or three times, so I have many hours of work ahead. Wish me luck. This week, I'll return those horrible Old Navy shorts that have been sitting in my room for two months unused...

Day Eleven of November 2010 - Bloodwork

2010-11-11T22:02:00.001-08:00

I love the above picture, taken by Caleb. I appear both elegant and silly somehow. This seems very much to define Max in one image.

My onerous task for today was to wait hours for blood work. I sat around in a waiting room, had a giant chili hot dog from the vendor outside, sat in waiting room yet again, forced Caleb to join me, and then got my blood work back from the lab. I'm just fine. Bronchitis is all.

Day Nine of November 2010 - Lazy

2010-11-09T19:16:00.000-08:00

I was lazy today. All I did was return my book on artist Richard Grober's work (see above) to the library on time, which DOESN'T COUNT under the rules of the November challenge.

Still, it felt amazing to visit the library at night--the marble rooms sat silent, but I knew that beneath my feet, dozens of workers ran through shelves of books! I think every city must be judged by its public transit, its postal system, and its libraries. May New York be wise enough to care for them all.

Day Seven of November 2010 - Pants

2010-11-08T10:17:00.000-08:00

When I leave bed I get dizzy and weak. So the mountain must come to Muhammad. Today, Nora came by with chicken soup and read to me from the (unintentionally) hilarious book of days Life is Meals for nearly three hours, bringing lightness to my otherwise loathesome day. Later on, Caleb came by to cast his eye over my room and share good talk about what it means to be a New York boy. I can't say how much these visits meant.

Meanwhile, I staggered over to the tailor to have my old slacks repaired. I've been putting that off for about three months. Good news: it's finally done, thanks to the November challenge. Bad news: I asked, on the spur of the moment, to have the hems done, among other things--and the total came to about $2 over the original price of the pants. Ah well.

Above: My book-designer friend, Rita, from earlier this year.

Day Four of November, 2010

2010-11-04T19:24:00.000-07:00

I shall plan ahead. I need to plan ahead. My job is to plan ahead for other people, so I know I have the skills. I just need to transition them to my personal life.

Thus, time to actually acknowledge that, yes, there is a future, and yes, I can work ahead and begin some projects now.

Therefore, this week, I will begin looking towards Christmas. Oh yes. Planning ahead indeed.

Don't worry, Thanksgiving is already planned. Planning for that started in June.

2010-11-03T18:17:00.000-07:00

Context: I just got off the 6 train, after waiting underground for 30 minutes. What happened? The signal lights on the track went out--and all trains had to be guided into Grand Central Station by semaphore. I'm not kidding.

Meanwhile: When Kelsey left, she burdened me with a big bag of financial paperwork that needed shredding. Since then, I've been putting it off. Today, I walked all over midtown looking for a place to shred it. And, G-d damn it, I had it shredded. One task down.

Day Two of November 2010

2010-11-02T18:44:00.000-07:00

I too have a list of tasks that need attention ASAP. Some of them needed immediate attention a year ago...oops. However, the first and foremost task I am tackling is:

OPERATION GET RID OF COLD

Since October 25th, I have been riddled with every cold/flu symptom there is. Fever? Check. Runny nose and sore throat? Been there, done that. Chills? Oh yes. Pounding headache? Of course! Dizziness, lethargy, why not? Over the weekend I rid myself of all these annoyances and now only two remain: A persistent, hoarse, loud, annoying cough. And mucus. In my nose. And throat.

So, OPERATION GET RID OF COLD continues. I am battling it on all fronts: early to bed, many piles of blankets, buckets of peppermint tea. Oranges, Emergen-C, pho, soup, more soup, water (yes, I am actually drinking water), not doing anything interesting, pills, cough drops, cough syrup (gag), nyquil and pumpkin bread.

So far, there have been 5 Kleenex boxes have been counted as casualties in this war. Invest in Kleenex stock. I recommend it.

Day One of November 2010 - Ladies!

2010-11-01T19:03:00.000-07:00

We're starting the month off strong with the two most beautiful women in the world! My challenge this month is to take care of one too-long-delayed task every other day. There are definitely at least 15 tasks... and Lord how I would like to avoid all of them.

2010-10-24T12:51:00.000-07:00

Gaga (above) is already doing interviews (with Anderson Cooper!) that will be aired in February. Why am I not thinking that far ahead, too?

I don't know about y'all, but I'm ready for 2011. I don't want to come up with New Year's Resolutions on January 1--I want to be living them already by that time.

I propose that, for November, Kelsey and I will come up with our own individual challenges to jump start our lives. We will post about the experience briefly every other day. We will divide the days according to our usual rule: Max gets odd, Kels gets even. That has a ring of truth to it, doesn't it?

Please join us. Raven, are you out there? I hope that everyone joins us in challenging themselves this November, and writing about it here!

Over & Out,

Maxwell

30 Days of... of... YAWWWWN. Sigh. What?

2010-10-20T15:04:00.000-07:00

You're probably wondering where Kelsey and I went. Welllll. We're taking a break, didn't we tell you that? We'll be back in November.

October

2010-10-04T16:38:00.000-07:00

Well folks, it's now October. What do you have in store?

Day Twenty-Four of September 2010 - Kill Me Now

2010-09-24T14:56:00.000-07:00

1) I was going to post an image of a miserable sea creature, but the Google image search offered this. Harry Potter + horse. So. How could I not?

2) Wednesday's special lunch was me working at my desk and chewing on some pop tarts.

3) Thursday's special lunch was me taking the new girl out to lunch.

4) Today's special lunch was therapy.

5) I messed up so many different things at the office this week, Direct Brands, Inc., actually had to close. Sorry to all those who worked with the company. Max ruined it for everyone.

Day Twenty of September 2010 - Mooncake

2010-09-20T19:28:00.001-07:00

Today's AWESOME LUNCH? Mooncake Foods for delicious miso soup with book designer Rita Lascaro. I haven't seen Rita since I left George Braziller Publishers, so we had a lot to talk about. I gave an impromptu lecture on overseas art book printers, why it's so hard to print a book that's loooong horizontally. She let me know about an antique shop on 9th Street and 1st Avenue where I can get some spectacles and pocket-watches, etc. Remember those cross streets, Caleb. And I met her wonderful boyfriend, Skingle. Skingle. Yes, that's what I said. The best parts of New York? (1) Keeping connections and learning from them, and (2) meeting people with bizarre names.

Hey, **MAKE SURE** to congratulate Kelsey on her new job, her new car, her new hair, and all that other stuff Caleb and I will slowly pick apart via text this week.

Day Nineteen of September 2010 - State Your Date! 19.

2010-09-19T13:39:00.000-07:00

My AWESOME LUNCH today wasn't a lunch at all, but it was awesome none the less. I've been feeling unhinged lately, so I went to a bookstore, got an art magazine, and went over to the gardens of St. John the Infinitely Repentant (or something). They've got a big absurd sculpture of St. John vanquishing the devil there, along with some pea hens, among which I read ArtNews and made a list of galleries I'll see this week. If I go nuts this Autumn (don't I always?) I hope that weekly planning will keep me alive. Discouraging factor: three of the items on my list are labeled "#5", which means I'm having trouble with the whole counting thing. But let's not panic right away.

Day Eighteen of September 2010 - Drag

2010-09-18T09:04:00.000-07:00

When I first saw Caldwell, he was struggling to carry a bookshelf home all by himself, so I offered to help, and have been fortunate to learn more about him since then. Though he is a towering guy, he is extremely shy and very quiet--the kind of person who has developed an amazing sense of humor because his life has been very dark. Anyway, I also found out that he does drag, and I last night was the first time I saw his show.

It was more like performance art. He lip synced to the speaking voices of Anna Nicole Smith and Fox News news anchors, sang a caustically vulgar version of All That Jazz, and did 13 shots of Tequila from a tray held by audience members. It was a comment on drag in general, I think--on how drag queens are expected to become real wrecks in for the sake of entertainment. And maybe it was a comment on the human tendency toward self destruction. In any case, it was incredible--and I was delighted to see how drag allowed him to leave behind his timidity.

Day Seventeen of September 2010 - Therapeutic

2010-09-17T19:03:00.000-07:00

Today's AWESOME LUNCH took place on 7th Avenue, where I went to visit my distinguished therapist. Now that I've put this picture up on the site, I can see a distinct similarity between my therapist and the great Freud--but my therapist looks much Ed Harris-ish. I think I chose him out of all the therapists in New York because I like his fascinating selection of books. And because he doesn't talk. A quality I admire in all people.

Do I accomplish anything by going to therapy? Not in great leaps, but in slow shifts. I have a great Empire of dysfunction built up inside, and therapy is the barbarian invasion that sets it crumbling.

Day Fifteen of September 2010 - Glass

2010-09-15T20:22:00.000-07:00

On my AWESOME LUNCH today I hit several galleries, walking in the crisp newly cool air.

The first was Cheim & Read, a show by Adam Fuss that opened with two large format photos: one of snakes strangling a mattress (on the wall), and one of a dilated vagina (on the floor). Frankly, I found the themes too obvious. I don't see what the Fuss is about.

Next came "between you and me" at Doosan Gallery. It was Korean art. So... anyway.

I liked Kim Uchiyama at Lohin Geduld Gallery. She's a like a neat Sean Scully, or a bold Agnes Martin--that is to say, she really does the stripes well. One sees a lot of stripes these days, but few artists are willing to do almost the exact same painting 30+ times like Kim. I'm not being sarcastic--there's something admirable about exploring a simple theme intensely like that.

They're installing some glass by that Tacoma glass artist, the one we needn't name (above). I always get vertigo when I see a West Coast artist here. It's like seeing your mom at a dance club. Um... who brought her? I'm glad to see her but... is she okay all by herself?

Day Fourteen of September 2010 - Didn't Happen

2010-09-14T18:18:00.000-07:00

Lunch... didn't really happen today. I made an effort to help the new girl out, which I should get kudos for because that's why I didn't get a lunch. But... I didn't do anything AWESOME. I feel like not much awesome is happening so far in my weekday lunches. And we're already halfway through the month.

Day Thirteen of September 2010 - Blood!

2010-09-13T15:15:00.000-07:00

First off, a picture of my boss, Anastasia. It is available on an internet near you.

There's a new girl in the office today. She's pretty, shy, and very nervous because everyone has work for her to do, but no one knows how to explain it. I felt bad as I watched her struggle, and recalled how sad I felt when no one took me out to lunch on my first day. So, in honor of my AWESOME LUNCH ambitions, I peeked over the cubicle and said, "Hey, looks like no one's taking you to lunch. Lunch is on me."

"Oh. I... can't. Thanks though."

FINE! FINE! I'll eat my own lunch. Alone!

So today's AWESOME LUNCH consisted of my going to visit the doctor for a little bloodwork. Not awesome per se--but I feel awesome for forcing myself to do it.

Day Eleven of September 2010 - Awesome All Round

2010-09-12T09:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday's Awesome Lunch starred Caleb. Both of us realize that we have to start saving money, eating more healthily, and drinking less--so we met at a fancy spot in Chelsea to discuss this over a three course breakfast and seven or eight mimosas. Here's what we accomplished:

1) a dining plan for the week
2) a promise to make further prudent plans.

We also went shopping at Kesner, and a few other places I can't remember, where I realized how much I admire my dear friend Caleb. His impeccable sense of style made the high-end store boys ask "Wait, are you a designer?" and his candor made total strangers burst into laughter. He and I have already blindly stumbled into a much better life over the last year--I think that if we really work at it, we can make it even better.

Day Eight of September 2010 - Pizza

2010-09-08T20:14:00.000-07:00

30 Days of May is all about pressing forward, but I can't press forward without goals, so today my AWESOME LUNCH was a planning session: I sat down, ate leftover pizza and drew up a few ideas.

I made a list of galleries to visit. I wrote down the phone numbers of some museums I need to call.

I also confronted a few hard truths. For example, whenever I say "I'll have one beer before I go running," I usually mean "I will have so many beers that I can't run at all." Today I admitted that I need to schedule my beer and running sessions on separate days.

I also admitted that things aren't going well, goal-wise. There's no one here to compete with, and I need competition to keep myself going. How, dear reader, can I prevent myself from backsliding? I can print out as many goal charts as I want, but they don't matter if I don't use them.

Day Five of September, 2010 - Life is a Cabaret?

2010-09-05T10:53:00.000-07:00

What good is sitting alone in your room (doing all the work you've put off for six months) when you could go to a café to work? And by work I mean DO AN AWESOME LUNCH.

Today's awesome lunch stars my neighbor downstairs, let's call him Mr. Tibbs. He's a man in his late 30s, he has published a very well known book about himself, plays the piano, directs a performance program at Columbia, really dislikes me--and spends every Sunday morning at the coffee shop near my place. So I planned an accidental meeting.

It went well! We talked about the wonderful French translator R______ who (I learned today) maintains an intense libido even in his golden years. We talked about piano players, and why I'm not one. We talked about Israel, and who should or shouldn't be there. On the whole, I managed to make a good impression, and maybe a fantastic connection.

NOW THE MOMENT YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR. I know I know, this has been a delightful tale, but you almost can't believe it's true. This is a Max story--where's the slap stick? Well, here it is: When I got home from this high brow lunch, I smiled in the mirror and realized that there's a dense forest of spinach stuck in my teeth so that you can hardly tell they're white. So much for good impressions.

SEPTEMBER, SEPTEMBER

2010-09-04T13:48:00.000-07:00

Dear All,

August had very little flavor for me. Actually, it mostly tasted like beer and the whiskey I inherited during Kelsey's move. Because Kels is in Seattle, both of us are stressed (like cats in new houses), and it's very hard for both of us to take on life's challenges, let alone 30 Days Challenges.

With this in mind, I have made two very different challenges for September--one for Kels, one for me--both intended to shock our systems, get us back on track for 2010, and bring 30 Days of May back to life.

Max's Challenge: Every day, I will do something remarkable with my lunch hour to make my life feel good again, and I will tell you about it. I will make 5 posts per week.

Kelsey's Challenge: Struggling to reorient herself in her new home land, Kels will force herself to stay in touch with family, friends, and her own thoughts by maintaining a month-long Twitter feed (see sidebar). She will make at least one post per day.

It's 2010, folks. Let's get it together.

Day Twenty-Four of August 2010 - Art for Life

2010-08-24T15:14:00.000-07:00

I stripped down my cubicle, placed all files in a filing drawer and concealed all office supplies in a drawer organizer. Right now, a dozen roses grace my desk. And Nora's chic modern art is prominently displayed.

Day Twenty-Four of August, 2010

2010-08-24T10:33:00.000-07:00

Breakfast of Champions: Tea, Toast, and Job Applications.

Day Twenty-Three of August, 2010

2010-08-23T10:25:00.000-07:00

I realized that 30Days was sorely lacking in photos of Marlowe. He posed.

Day Twenty-Two of August, 2010

2010-08-22T22:39:00.000-07:00

I apologise for my lameness. A few days was due to utter laziness, to be sure, but the other missing posts were due to no internet. You see, I was up at Birch Bay, the land of crabs and drinks, and which is completely devoid of any electronic entertainment.

Since there is no internet, all you can really do is admire the view.

This post brought to you by legs.

Day Twenty-Two of August 2010

2010-08-21T21:24:00.000-07:00

Kelsey, I call lameness. You must rise to the challenge! In 2010, it is never too late to begin succeeding. Start now and finish the month out with a post per day--give me some competition here. COME ON! Put down that delicious buttery crab leg and post something. Or I will post a new Blob Fish picture every day. (Yes, that's a real kind of fish.)

Day Twenty-One of August, 2010

2010-08-21T10:35:00.000-07:00

Crabs. Freshly caught. Quickly devoured.

Day Twenty of August, 2010

2010-08-20T10:21:00.000-07:00

Street fair in Lynden, WA... A bit more folksy than the New York variety. Shoulda brought my banjo.

Day Nineteen of August, 2010

2010-08-19T10:24:00.000-07:00

The majestic Space Needle... If only NYC had a building that could compete.

Day Sixteen of August 2010

2010-08-16T20:06:00.000-07:00

This here is Nora, the hostess who made Fire Island possible for me. Without her, it would have been a mindless beach spot. With her, it was a forum for discussing New York Times articles over coffee and bagels.

Day Fifteen of August 2010 - Back

2010-08-15T22:02:00.000-07:00

If you go to Fire Island
You have to come back.

Day Ten of August, 2010 (re-do)

2010-08-15T18:37:00.000-07:00

This. I want this painting. Seriously. Call it a housewarming gift.

And ideally, it would come with a matching Clint Eastwood portrait.

I am just saying... My life would be complete.

Click on Christopher Walken's face for a hidden delight.

Day Sixteen of August, 2010

2010-08-15T18:32:00.000-07:00

Blue skies. 91 degrees.
Wait a minute... I thought it always rained in Seattle.

WRONG, SUCKERS!

Day Fourteen of August, 2010

2010-08-14T18:25:00.000-07:00

$3 beer at John Howie Steak.

Did I mention that the beer was only $3?

That means, if I had two beers, then I only had one beer according to NYC prices.

So if I have 4 beers, then I really only had two.... and so forth.

Delish.

Day Thirteen of August, 2010

2010-08-13T18:30:00.000-07:00

At Marymore for a Rodrigo Y Gabriella concert. It was a wonderful show, but even more wonderful was the view of the fields, mountains and trees.
That, that is what I returned for.

Day Eleven of May 2010 - More Than

2010-08-11T19:36:00.000-07:00

Right now, I love my job, hanging out with Caleb, and seeing the art galleries in Chelsea. There's really nothing outside that. I can't wait to be back on Fire Island with Nora and her wonderful family.

Day Nine of August, 2010

2010-08-09T13:07:00.000-07:00

Last night, I made my very first pie. With homemade crust, naturally.

I will say, for a first foray, it was quite delicious. Peach pie, with leftover blueberries and raspberries tossed in. Maybe this will be my schtick. Maybe I will be the girl who bakes pies.

At least until I get a job.

Day Eight of August, 2010

2010-08-08T21:31:00.001-07:00

The highlight of today was a young woman being arrested right outside my building. First it was just one car, and then the policeman called for backup, so four more cars showed up, sirens blaring. And then a firetruck arrived. And then the paramedics.

It ended with her being cuffed and put in the back of the original policemans car. To be honest, I was hoping for some tazing.

Day Eight of August 2010 - Founding Fathers

2010-08-08T11:11:00.000-07:00

Fire Island is a New Yorker's dream--a suburb populated entirely by urban folk. There are trees, walkways, no cars... perfect.

Day Seven of August, 2010

2010-08-07T21:28:00.000-07:00

Graham and I woke early this morning to scout out a huge garage sale near Greenlake. Upon arriving, we realized that garage sales are simply a way for people to get rid of their crap, and for other people to accumulate more crap.

We walked away empty handed, but not before seeing this man in his jean utili-kilt. Oh Seattle...

Day Five of August, 2010

2010-08-05T23:27:00.000-07:00

There are certain benefits to unemployment. The black specks are the Blue Angels as they flew over a beach in Bellevue.

Day Five of August 2010 - Where?

2010-08-05T20:17:00.000-07:00

In 36 hours, I will be here. Where will you be?

Day Three of August, 2010

2010-08-03T23:25:00.000-07:00

As Maxwell wrote, I... sunbathed.

Day Three of August 2010

2010-08-03T21:01:00.001-07:00

And by beers, I mean days. I guess... working at the bar doesn't... work? Okay, tomorrow I promise to work at home from 5:30 onward.

Day Two of August 2010

2010-08-03T20:59:00.001-07:00

How many beers does it take to get to the center of a 700 word article?

Day Two of August, 2010

2010-08-02T08:58:00.000-07:00

Resume writing on Maggie's deck... Anyone hiring?

Day One of August, 2010

2010-08-01T22:41:00.001-07:00

Rejoice! Books are unpacked.

August 2010 Challenge

2010-07-31T20:34:00.000-07:00

Hey! Remember those months before July? Before Kelsey moved and Max started a new job? Remember how nice and relaxing those months were? Well, we are hoping that the coming of August brings a return to that relaxing mindset.

Augusts challenge:

Max and Kelsey will, at agreed times, take photos of their view. They will then post these photos on the blog that day, no later than midnight, pacific time. That way we can see where these two love-birds are at the same time every day. And perhaps we will find that though the distance is far, the separation isn't. Or, we will simply see how much alcohol they consume in a month.

Day Fifteen of July 2010 - Brooklinnnn

2010-07-15T16:26:00.000-07:00

THAT'S RIGHT EVERYONE, New York's favorite duo prepared for Kelsey's departure by visiting the rat-infested streets where it all began--we paid a final visit to Troutman Street, our old home at the heart of Bushwick. Actually, it didn't seem like such a bad place. I mean, yes, it was 40 minutes from the city center, but it... had... Anyway, while we were walking on sunny sidewalks, it was easy to forget the bed bugs, electric shock, flooding, plumbing breakages, break-ins, sirens, and gun shots of yesteryear. Like old veterans returning to a battle ground, we stared in horror, but felt a kind of nostalgia too. I think that this picture of Kels sums it all up rather well.

Too Many Days of July

2010-07-13T15:49:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since we posted, so I thought I'd give an update. Maggie came to visit us for an incredible trip, during which we (literally) laughed, cried, argued and embraced while enjoying 103 degree weather (no joke). Also we watched the third Twilight film. No we didn't heh heh heh, no. (Shhh. We did). First off, I took my hard-won runner's body to the beach with my ladies...
Kelsey rocked her shades (and later lost them).
Kels and Maggie were the hottest white chicks on Long Beach.
Back in town, Caleb shunned the camera, but got his picture posted on the internet anyway.
Maggie carefully observed Caleb as he talked about cleaning products, and determined that he is worthy of a place in the WA WA Sisterhood of Traveling Washingtonians.
We watched a film on the lawn of Bryant Park.
Kelsey hated on Spain while we watched men play the soccer.
And after ten beautiful days, our dear Maggie left us to fend for ourselves.
Whereupon Kelsey locked herself out of her apartment.

Day Thirty of June 2010 - Fail Grade

2010-06-30T05:41:00.000-07:00

Meanwhile, back in New York...

Day Twenty-Eight of June, 2010 - Hugs!

2010-06-28T13:38:00.000-07:00

Here is me hugging Elmo and a Zombie.

Day Twenty-Third of July, 2010

2010-06-23T20:40:00.000-07:00

Tonight at 10:30 pm, it was 83 degrees in NYC. Which means it was 88 degrees in our apartment. Which means that neither Graham nor I wanted to be there. Thus, Graham walked me to my favorite non-dairy frozen-yogurt-esque concoction: Tasti D-Lite.
Three blocks later, I have a swirl cup with mint-chocolate-chip topping, and we are wandering our neighborhood. We walk past the Natural History Museum. We walk into Central Park, passing the Delacourt where we can hear The Merchant of Venice being performed. We circle the great lawn, Tasti-D long gone, discussing the impending move, what it means, what our expectations are and what they should not be.
And all this while, we can see the lights of the city, the surrounding skyscrapers bearing down on our conversation. The coolness of Tasti-D in my stomach battling the heat of the summer. And I know that I will long for these moments in the difference of Seattle.

Day Twenty-Two of June, 2010

2010-06-22T20:52:00.000-07:00

Sometimes people have great ideas. And sometimes these ideas are beautifully executed. Take today, for instance. Maxwell, my friend Julie and I signed up for free yoga in Central Park. The event organizers registered 10,000 people for this class--and we just so happened to snag a spot. And so we went to Central Park. And waited in a long line. And got water, and a free bag, and snacks, and free yoga mats. And we got a space in the middle of the Great Lawn. And we listened to horrible chant-music. And joked around. And got excited for the class.

And while all this is going on, when we looked downtown, all we saw were heavy, ominous, dark clouds.And just as the class was starting, just after the organizers thanked all the sponsers and the visiting teachers, just after we were on television, lightening flashed.

And then the rain started.

We got in a few moves--but innevitably, the event was canceled. Or postponed.

So we wound up at Julie's place. Where we tucked into wine, burgers, and Bravo.

It was a perfect evening.

Day Twenty-One of June, 2010

2010-06-21T21:06:00.000-07:00

Movies in Bryant Park! Movies in Bryant Park!

We sat on a blanket, ate sandwiches, drank wine, and watched Goldfinger.

In Bryant Park.

What is it about outdoor movies that makes movie watching so much fun?

I dunno.

But I love Monday Movies in Byrant Park!

Day Twenty of June, 2010

2010-06-20T20:58:00.000-07:00

This is the view from my apartment.

I will miss this view.

Because regardless of the weather....
I think it is beautiful.

Day Nineteen of June, 2010

2010-06-19T21:12:00.000-07:00

I love my subway stop. Since it is the official stop for the Natural History Museum, instead of advertisements, we have murals. On the uptown route, you are greeted by mosaics of dinosaurs, whales, birds, and various other animals. The downtown route is decorated by fossils. It is beautiful and a welcome break from the walls of advertisements that accost you at every other station.

However.

Graham and I encountered this today:

Its gone now, this graffiti. But it made me angry. Because why? Why do this? If 34th street was covered in graffiti, I probably wouldn't even notice. But this stop is so clean, so nice.

And besides, the graffeti was ugly. And amateurish. Really, either go big, or go home.

Day Eighteen of June 2010 - Stuff

2010-06-18T08:45:00.000-07:00

Birds bathe in the a fountain at the Central Park Conservatory.
Sister rubs the silly bare belly of Nora's cat, Monk.
People wait in an endless line for tickets to Shakespeare in the Park.
Kelsey fades in and out of consciousness awaiting tickets.
An Upper West Side sunset as seen from Caleb's window.

Day Sixteen of June, 2010

2010-06-16T21:02:00.000-07:00

This is one of my biggest fears in NYC.

These are not mine. But they could be. For this person probably uses the same laundromat as me.

I will not miss this fear.

Because I will now insist upon having laundry machines in my building, if not my apartment.

Day Fifteen of June, 2010

2010-06-15T20:55:00.000-07:00

Whenever my parents visit, they stay at the Holiday Inn on 57th. Its a clean, nondescript, somewhat dull hotel. But. In the summer. There is a rooftop pool. And I just so happened to keep the extra room key after Jill and my mom left.

And I just so happened to keep the free drink tickets.

And it looks like it will be 90 degrees with 40% humidity this Saturday.

Can you guess where I will be?

As I said before, I will miss these visits...and the pool access.

Day Fourteen of June, 2010

2010-06-14T20:42:00.000-07:00

I had some visitors these past few days. And it was great. And tiring. And touristy. And shoppy (I just made that word up). We gave back to the economy, celebrated a graduation, packed for a move, pounded the neverending pavement, took cabs, rode the subway, went up, down, east, west, sideways, backwards, and even horizontal. We ate, drank, ate some more, had dessert, got pedicures, saw three Tony award winners, saw an Oscar winner, saw that bald guy from 30 Rock. We tried to get frozen hot chocolate, we did get delicious veggie burgers, and we visited Times Square. Three times.

Believe it or not, I will miss these whirlwind visits.

Day Thirteen of June, 2010

2010-06-13T20:30:00.000-07:00

Don't be jealous.

Don't be jealous that Graham, Maxwell and I awoke at 5:15 in the morning to get in line at 6 am.

Don't be jealous that we spent seven and a half hours curled up on yoga matts in Central Park.

Don't be jealous that we sat near a loud group of actors who insisted upon playing board games from 6 in the morning until noon, complete with loud exclimations and guffaws.

Don't be jealous that my mom and Jill brought us coffee and pastries. And trashy gossip magazines.

Don't be jealous that we got to listen to some guy play the trumpet (he shows up every season and is getting much better).

Don't be jealous that we got six free tickets to see Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice.

Don't be jealous that Al Pacino was Shylock.

Don't be jealous that Shakespeare in the Park is awesome.

Seriously. Don't be jealous that I live three blocks away from this event.

Day Twelve of June, 2010

2010-06-12T20:21:00.000-07:00

After you live in Manhattan for awhile, it becomes just another town. Given, this town is, arguably, the center of the universe, but it is still where you reside. I buy groceries in the city, do my laundry in laundromats, hang out and watch television at friend's houses. And you tend to forget a bit that this is the place where people long to come. This is the city that they have seen through the eyes of Friends, Seinfeld, Law & Order (RIP), and every Woody Allen movie that is worth mentioning. This city if the stuff that dreams are made of, and I forget that sometimes.

So I will miss seeing NYC through the eyes of visitors. Like my younger cousin who, while we were walking on my block, stopped suddenly and exclaimed, "Laundromat!" I raised my eyebrow, and she quickly explained that she had seen countless NYC laundromats in movies and on TV. And I had to smile, because even though that laundromat was pretty dingy, it was, in it's own NYC way, pretty awesome.

Day Eleven of June, 2010a

2010-06-11T20:12:00.000-07:00

I will miss being able to post pictures of my cat online.
Oh wait...

I will still be able to do that.

Day Ten of June, 2010

2010-06-10T13:49:00.000-07:00

Every Monday through Friday, I get off the subway at 34th and 8th, turn East, and see this view. Everyday. And everyday, I smile, because it is a pretty wonderful view.I have so many photos like this on my phone--quick snaps that I have taken as I walk to work (which is that monolith on the right side of the pic). I send these photos to family and friends, generally to gloat about the weather and remind them that I live in NYC and see the Empire State Building daily.

While it is a glorious image when it is sunny, I (being a true Seattle-ite) like the view better when it is gray:
To me, this is far more interesting. There is more dynamic, more texture--it is a very tempestuous illustration of the city. Right before I snapped this, the top of the Empire State Building was mired in clouds--there was no antenna, no pinnacle, no end. The building just vanished into the sky.

I will miss that.

Day Nine of June, 2010

2010-06-09T10:37:00.000-07:00

Today I am sleepygrouchy (definition: to be so sleepy that you are incredibly grouchy and may rip out the throat of the next person who talks to you. Incurable by a shower or caffeine. Kelsey is sleepygrouchy every time she wakes up before noon. ). Graham and I got home at 12:30 last night, didn't get to sleep until 1:30, then spent the night in a restless sleep of mutual tossing and turning due to the heat of our apartment. Thus, I am sleepygrouchy. But, my current state is almost worth is, considering what we did last night...
We played The Settlers of Catan for 3 hours.

Ok, let's backup. Graham and I have another couple that we see at least once a week. They are awesome and adorable and are the only people who can pull me into Brooklyn (they live near our old 'hood). As our time together dwindles, we have been seeing one another more frequently, and recently they introduced us to their favorite board game: The Settlers of Catan.

I will miss playing The Settlers of Catan with Chris and Genevieve.

I will miss the weekly hangouts with Chris and Genevieve.

I will miss Chris and Genevieve.

But luckily they are moving to L.A. So, I will be in L.A. a lot to visit Chris, Gen, and The Settlers of Catan.

Day Eight of June, 2010

2010-06-08T12:13:00.000-07:00

Maxwell and I both work in the same street in midtown--I on the west-side, and he on the east. When the weather is nice, we escape our offices and meet for lunch in Harold Square, right in front of Macy's. We chat, stare at people, eat and enjoy the hour of not staring at a computer. And though I know that in Seattle I won't have to contend with the tourists and the crowds of commuters that bombard 34th street, I will miss these lunches. Because you never know what you will sit next to in NYC--a model who is on the billboard across the street, some obscure celebrity whom you just can't place, a pigeon, or a painter.

And yes, most likely they will move after five minutes, because the conversation between you and Max is just that annoying.

Day Six of June, 2010

2010-06-07T13:51:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the weather was hot and muggy. Go figure.

But then, around 5, the black clouds released a refreshing rain that broke the city's fever and offered a cooling that was much needed.

Half-an-hour later, the skies were blue with nary a cloud, so Graham and I went in search of a nice outdoor bar to enjoy the suddenly bearable weather.

I will miss Manhattan's park-side bars. Along the Hudson river parkway, there are two outdoor bars (that I know of). One is near our place on 79th, the other near Maxwell's on 105th. We decided to enjoy the walk and trundled up to 105th.

The bar appears almost out of nowhere. It doesn't have a name. It just is. And we appreciated it's existence as the sun went down over New Jersey and the breeze from the Hudson cooled our humid bodies.

Day Five of June, 2010

2010-06-05T20:44:00.000-07:00

To leave the city limits of NYC is always viewed as an accomplishment, and I think I will miss that sweet, sweet release. Since we Manhattan-ites very rarely have a car, it takes a lot of planning/money to get out of the city. And, when you live in NYC, it is very easy to get sucked into the idea that there is nothing but Manhattan and the boroughs. Sometimes, you even forget about the boroughs.

But when you leave, the escape, the breath of fresh air, the quiet, is all so extraordinary. I don't think you can replicate it with any other city. Or, at least, I haven't been able to.

So I will miss that release. That exhale of all the crazy that is pumped into the Manhattan air.

Day Four of June, 2010

2010-06-04T20:38:00.000-07:00

I will miss the walkability of New York.

Within a five block radius of my apartment, I have everything I need-- a grocery, laundromat, numerous bars and restaurants, a park, hair salons, two museums and a movie theater.

If I walk up ten blocks, I am at a good girlfriend's apartment. And there I can find wine, cable television and air conditioning.

And if we walk two blocks from her house, we will find ourselves at a Mexican restaurant, which will lead to the drinking of margaritas. Which will then lead to a very slow start on Saturday morning.

But don't fear! When Saturday morning rolls around, I just have to walk downstairs to the convenience store for some Advil. And Gatorade.

Day Three of June, 2010

2010-06-03T16:35:00.001-07:00

Another thing I will miss is the sense of acoomplishment that comes with living in New York. If people ask you where you live, and you say, "Seattle," the automatic response is: "Oh, it rains a lot there." But, if you reply, "New York," you will get many various responses, all of which revolve around, "Wow!"

And I must say, there is something to be said of living in this city of more than 8 million people. To find that apartment, and that job. To make the friends and find the perfect bar. To know your way around Central Park, Soho, LES, UWS, mid-town, Chelsea and Greenwich. To be able to handle the bustle of not only New Yorkers, but also tourists from every area imaginable. To be able to take friends to the best Chinese restaurant in the city. To be able to make rent, pay for food, drinks, clothes and maybe still be able to tuck some aside into savings. To be able to do all that is an accomplishment in this city. And the amazing thing is that, when you leave, someone is always ready to take your place.

I am not saying that these ideas aren't accomplishments in Seattle as well. I guess the difference is if I can figure out life in NYC, I truly think I will be fine anywhere else.

Except Guatemala. Because I can't compete with sinkholes.

Day Two of June, 2010

2010-06-02T19:44:00.000-07:00

Lets get the obvious out of the way: I love NYC transportation. I love that I don't have to drive, that I can get to anywhere I need to go in the city with minimal transfers. I love that I can read as I hurtle underneath the towers of mid-town, oblivious to the hoard of tourists that are trying to figure out how to get to Times Square. I even love that I can gripe like a true New Yorker when the MTA hikes the monthly rate. Again.

But, to be frank, I will not miss the the subways in the summer. Because I believe that humidity doesn't rise, but falls into the subway cars. The crowded subway cars with broken air-conditioning, where you can feel the sweat roll down your back and, inevitably, you stand next to the man who forgot deodorant.

Nope. Won't miss that.

Kelsey's Choice

2010-06-02T07:26:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

This month, I challenge Kelsey to consider all the New Yorky things that she will be leaving behind. Each day, she will meditate on one item, telling us why she will miss it, and why she will be glad to leave it behind, the pros and the cons together. For example, she might tell us that she will miss reading the New York Times as her home town paper because it makes her feel like she's at the center of the world, but that she will not miss being shunned by other New Yorkers on days she fails to read it. Nothing is too large or too small for examination here.

Best,

Maxwell

2010-05-31T19:06:00.001-07:00

On Sunday, Graham and I decided to go trail running. And, since we live on the East Coast, we knew we had to hit up:

The trail head started though a swampy area, but soon turned into a beautiful shaded forest. With a 1,00 foot elevation gain. We walked up the hills. And ran through the fields.

Needless to say, it was lovely. We were trying out our trusty new running packs. They turned out to be amazing. See that field near my right arm? We ran through there to get to this magnificent view.

And then we kept running. We ran seven miles to a beautiful lake. And then we turned around and ran seven miles back to the rail depot.
Fourteen miles later, I made love to the burrito that Graham had packed for a snack.

It was delicious.

End May at the Beach

2010-05-31T15:17:00.000-07:00

Glamorous Graham and Kelsey headed to the hottest beach in New York today in celebration of May's end. So I hear. I was mostly unconscious, apparently.

BONUS for RAVEN

2010-05-29T21:37:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, Raven posted the following in response to our random-phrase post:

"Dear Pirate Station. Unfortunately, the first phrase I received was too obscene+graphic for me to post here or to ever see photos of. My morning is damaged just thinking of it."

Raven, you are one of our best readers! I am so sorry to hear that this happened. I will make an entirely new random phrase for you one day, hopefully repairing the damage.

—Maxwell

Day Twenty-Nine of May 2010 - Fleet Week

2010-05-29T12:22:00.000-07:00

Looks like it's up to me to man this ghost ship we call 30 Days of May.

Speaking of ships, it's fleet week in New York, which means sailors abound and patriotism feels fun again. Moved by our nationalistic spirits, Caleb and I went to our favorite bar, Flight 151, to celebrate. The evening was a success. How can a night be bad when sailors give shoulder rubs, your bar tender gets drunk and trades clothes with them, and all beers are paid for by a San Francisan couple. Kevin and Steve, thanks for serving our country. Tom and Angelique, thanks for serving the drinks.