The Human Carpet

So I assume that not everyone knows about this odd and, in my opinion, disturbing phenomenon. I had not known about it until I was almost standing right on top of it.

This past Saturday night, I went to a Michael Jackson Mashup Bootie Party. First we went and pregamed at my roommate's friend's apartment right off Union Square, and then we walked to Le Poisson Rouge where the party was thrown. On the way there, of course, it started pouring rain (good thing I was so worried about my hair when I got ready...),  but eventually we made it. Once we made it to the party, we walked up on the platform area and started dancing. It is then that we stumbled upon...

The Human Carpet

If you don't have time to read the above article, I can just tell you a little bit about it. This man wraps himself up in a carpet and lets people walk/stand on him while at clubs and bars. He gets paid to do this. Let me rephrase that. Clubs PAY THIS PERSON to let people WALK AND STAND ON HIM ALL NIGHT LONG as ENTERTAINMENT for other people.

I personally find it super disturbing, and I am not 100% sure why. OI think I find it disturbing because it's kind of perverse that humans find it entertaining to literally walk all over another life. What is it thats good about that? I know that its out of the norm, but there was a real person in there. No one cared about him or who he was, though. I know he signed up for it, but its not just uncomfortable that he is letting people do this. Its that people want to do this. What are your thoughts on all of this blog world?


Also as an update on the Facebook thing, my life is so much happier without it and I can't pinpoint why. I think this merits its own post if I remember, but things are going well.

Also I have started running, and I fell on my face/ scraped my knee today. So good for me, bad for my knee.

Anyhow, thats that.

10J Partay

Last night my suitemates and I threw a huge apartment party, and I am so happy to say that it was a huge success!

Since we moved in a month ago, we've wanted to throw a suite warming party, and last week we finally decided we're doing it. We sent out the invitations, mostly through facebook (so by we, I mean my roommates who have facebook), but we also wrote index cards to slip into the people who live on our floor's doors. We've been here for what feels like a long time, and we still knew hardly any of our neighbors. So even though its super 1L (I suppose) and dorky, we did that. Also we think it was a good idea to invite them so that we could avoid potential noise complaints (hey- if they're with us, why would they be against us?)

After we first put the cards out, we were nervous that we made a huge mistake. One of my suitemates said she even got laughed at in the elevator because of the cards! We toughed it out, though, and I think it was definitely worth it. Two guys we had never met before each came over on their own, and seemed to have a really great time- they stayed for the entire party!  It was Friday night, and they had nothing better to do then come to our party- which I think is great because maybe they were just looking for an opportunity to get out and meet new people. We provided that, and now they are our friends! How lucky for all.

As I said, the party was a huge success. There was good music, good drinks (I drank the right amount- no hangover!), casual dancing, and even some love in the air (alas, not for me, but for some really good people)-- an all around good time.

Yay 10J.

Two Things

All I want to say in this post is that there are two things that could make me love you, whoever you are. Anyone really. Two specific things that instantly win my heart. 

The four people who may read this blog may actually know what they are since you actually know me, but yes. I am sure of it. Two things.

That time Busi and I saw Zack or Cody

Today I am once again thankful for my good friend Busi and the magic of New York City. 

We at a brunch spot in the village called mud. Things were normal at first. The sun was shining, the weather was glorious, and I was sitting around reading Game of Thrones while waiting for Busi to arrive. She gets there, and we walk in to wait for a table. Who appears to serve us but the TOTALLY CUTE AND CHARISMATIC Zack/Cody (not exactly sure which...) from Big Daddy and The Suit Life of Zack and Cody! He was a fun and flirty guy, totally cool. I was staring a little because it was so unexpected--- but hey, its nice that he works a normal job. He seemed down to earth. 

Anyway, the restaurant was such a hipster spot- totally adorable and laid back. For $15 you get your brunch meal and a beverage (which included mimosas and beer) so a little pricey, but definitely worth it. I got french toast and Busi got a pancake. We both got chai (mine hot, hers iced.) All in all, such a lovely wonderful day. Good food, good discussion, and a good little twist to the weekend. 

Here are some pictures of our adventure! 

(I didn't ask Zack/Cody... I couldn't be that guy)

Mud!

307 East 9th Street

New York, NY

To go? No, we'll stay.

The  quazi-outdoor seating area.

Mmmmm- Chai!

Busi's Pancake (She forgot her leftovers in my fridge!)

My French Toast 

Lets just say we had our nosh. 

My adorable and intelligent friend Busi, always up for an adventure but not quite as up for me posting pictures of her uncensored cleavage. 

So there you have it! And now I take my leave until I have a new adventure to share, Blog.

Announcement!

For the three of you out there reading this blog, the deed has been done. My facebook is deactivated.

Maybe one day I'll get into all of the reasons why this move is good for me, or maybe one day I will decide I want it reactivated.

Notice how when you get rid of facebook its deactivated, not deleted. Friends come and go, but facebook is forever.

Hm.

A "Food Blog" Post by a (Mostly) Non-Cook

As many of you know, I don't really cook. I don't have a history of being particularly good at it, and when I do make things, they typically come out edible- not particularly good, just edible. I spent an entire semester abroad eating mostly ramen, fruit, cheese and bread (thankfully I had the most caring host mother in the world who fed me real food throughout the week).

Now that I am living on my own, I feel the need to step up my game. I want to make sure I'm eating healthy- a girl can't live on ramen forever! This past summer my friend Amanda said "Its all about the vegetables." I am trying to take that message to heart, but I am a long way from really having a veggie-centric diet. For the most part I use chicken as my protein, but I am hoping to start cooking more fish. The DREAM is to make my veggies tasty enough to give some life to tofu, too, but lets be real. Baby steps.

Here are some of the meals I have made so far! I am pretty reliant on tomatoes, as you may observe, to ensure that my dishes have some nice taste and color. If anyone has some simple healthy veggie recipes please let me know!!

(No. Really. This post is actually a call for help- good, simple, vegetable heavy recipes!)

O Meu Restaurante!

Above is the dinner I made tonight! I sautéed some onion, tomato and kale, and mixed it with a pre-made (I do my best) masala sauce and some chopped up chicken. I also made quinoa for the first time! (In the microwave- voilà!) 

Onion, garlic, tomato and asparagus with chicken and feta. So, not too exciting, but tasty. 

Ah!  A little more creative! So for this guy above I  sautéed some onion, garlic, a cubanelle pepper, and a jalapeño, mixed in some black beans and tomato, and then added in chipotle sausage. Mmmmmm...

And now snacks... Which may or may not double as whole meals sometimes....

My mom hooked me up with the goods for this delicious treat my roommates and I shared! Fresh mozzarella from the Italian Deli, farmstand tomatoes, and basil from her garden drizzled with EVOO and balsamic vinegar. Classic. Tasty. Perfection. 

And finally, the tried and true snack of champions. Strawberries, whipped cream and tea. Sometimes, you just have to treat yourself. 

 Most other nights I've been sticking to frozen veggies and simple proteins. 

So! Thats that. More courses to come!

Who wants to go on a walk?! Want to go on a walk?!

So here is a fact about me. I love going on walks. My love for walks is probably equal to most dogs' love of going on walks. Seriously- when people want to go on walks with me, I develop great affection for them. I constantly try to influence people to take me on walks, and it is rare that I say no when asked. I like walking with people. I like walking alone. I just like it. Can you tell?

I think I may enjoy the experience so much for a few reasons. One, I am an adventurer. I love exploring new things and seeing what the world has to offer. I don't want to miss out on any of it. Two, i think that the action of walking is calming. It soothes both my mind and my body. Three, I love people watching, and it gives me the opportunity to see so many people. Four, I get a good layout of the land so I know where many good spots are (for tea, and reading, and inspiration). Five (I guess, its situational) I like walking with people because its good get to know you time. You gain a shared experience of the walk you're on while getting to spend some time just shooting the breeze. Very nice.

So there you have it. I am a walking girl. Here are some pictures from the one I went on today- I love walking around Brooklyn. The brownstones are beautiful. I think the pictures speak for themselves. If they don't, well... just ask?