Flickr Can Bite Me

Hey Y'all,

So I started to draft a warm and fuzzy sentimental wrap up entry... but when cruising down blog memory lane, I realized Flickr was being a real beeotch. Long story short, I decided to create a poster of my favorite photos from this year (see link to the right) and somewhere in the process all of them got deleted from the blog.

So before I can summarize a year, I have to go back and add 365 photos throughout different entries on the blog.

To be continued....

Miss Banana

It's Ma Birfday

July 6th

For my actual birthday, I wanted to cap off the blog with another sky dive, but timing with the job change and finances did not line up. As a substitute I thought it would be nice to spend my Sunday doing something New Yorky.

So I enjoyed a fancy pants brunch at The Central Park Boathouse with a few close friends.

BAM, all unconsciously knew it was a little black dress occasion. I joked that it was like attending the funeral of my 30th year.

A lot of times restaurants with kitsch value do not live up to their reputation. But the Boathouse certainly delivered on service, food, and scenery.

It was a nice relaxing birthday brunch. Later in the evening my friend Emina came by my apartment for a slumber party. We ordered Thai food and cracked open a bottle of champaign her brother gave me as a 30th birthday present and I saved to celebrate the end of this blog project.

So as this particular blog draws to a close (stay tuned for a wrap up entry coming soon) , rest assured that things are in the works for the future. I mean, I wouldn't want to deprive you all of photos and stories....

like how I had bird shit wiped off my fancy birthday dress!!!!
(And no, it's not good luck!)

Uh Oh

July 5th

Tonight Lori threw a well timed BBQ that doubled as my birthday celebration. In a throwback to last year, DJ Rocco made an appearance and I had a few out of town visitors. (It also means that most of the photos are not for public consumption.) I thought it was a good time to bust out my beer helmet given to me (in conjunction with a Heineken mini-keg) by my co-workers last year on my 30th. It was a great 31st birthday celebration.

America, Fuck Yeah

July 4th

Happy Birthday, America.

Today I went to the free Sonic Youth concert (part of the River to River festival) in Battery Park.

I discovered I'm not so much into that type of music. It was pretty amazing to see this indie icon rock that hard, but I just wasn't in the mood. I spent most of the show people watching and taking random photos.

Later in the day I attended a random party on 2nd Ave with an amazing view of the Empire State building.

Waiting for the fireworks involved a few umbrellas.

The clouds also made for some interesting photos, most of which look more like Baghdad than New York and some of which are downright abstractly beautiful . My firework mode didn't work as well as it did when I was in Moscow.

Celebrating this family holiday on a rooftop full of strangers was certainly a New York moment.

You can see the full set of images from my day here.

LOL Cat

July 3rd

It's is hard to believe that this desk will soon belong to someone different. As trying as times were in the past few months, I was truly sad to leave the office that had become my literal second home. Thankfully everyone had gone home early for the holiday weekend and weren't around to see my tears.

Not in a mood to get on the subway, I strolled down Madison to the F train at 63rd. Thankfully I was rewarded with this great photo opportunity that chuckled me right out of my funk.

I wish I could come up with a good caption to post this audacious kitty sleeping in a children's store window display on I Can Haz Cheezeburger.

Adios UES

July 2nd

Tomorrow is my last day at the museum and this evening I had a brief moment of sadness leaving the Upper East Side. Since I plan on permanently staying below 14th Street from this point forward, I thought I would take a final stroll around the hood.

I'm happy I decided to swing past the nutso store on Madison. Its bold summer display of zebra print chairs, storks, and horn chandeliers made me smile.

In addition to the return of the counter sunk alligators and hippos, they have this beautiful sculpture available for scaring the shit out of you.

My casual stroll lead all the way over to the East River for a peek at Randall's Island and Astoria.

Going somewhere new in just a few blocks of wandering a well known neighborhood reminded me to appreciate that there will always be something new and different just around the corner.

I was also reminded that funny photos can even happen somewhere as drab and boring as the 95th and 2nd Ave.

Milk And Cookies

July 1st

My blogging has never centered around airing my personal problems or expounding on serious topics. But when un-fun things happen to me, my close friends and family know I eventually turn some portion of the experience into a horrifically funny story at my own expense.

So in the interest of sharing a true tid bit...

Today I underwent a very yucky painful medial procedure involving my nether region. It was just about the most embarrassing uncomfortable thing I can possibly imagine enduring. With my legs hoisted in stirrups, mid-procedure, with her hands poking at said nether region, the nurse assisting with the procedure turned to me and said, "Oh I forgot...Hi. My name is Andrea and I'll be holding your vagina today."

Needless to say, instead of taking a photo, I spent 30 minutes waiting for my prescription shopping in Whole Foods with with post traumatic stress. (I somehow purchased four different types of cheese!) So my friend Filner sent me this virtual plate of milk and cookies to make me feel better.

Goodwill Treasure

June 30th

Who knew there was an entire line of Audrey Hepburn dolls? Not surprisingly there are some who love them with a little too much passion. One extra special person on the internet wrote, "She wears a long, sleeveless black gown offset by a dazzling white stole. The face sculpting and upswept brunette hairstyle (with gorgeous hair highlights!) truly capture the luminous beauty of Audrey Hepburn. Her accessories include long black opera gloves, triple-strand faux pearl necklace, rhinestone tiara, trademark black sunglasses, sheer hose, a white Schrafft's bakery bag and coffee cup, classic heels and a black handbag. *sigh*"

Unfortunately for this little lady, her owner gave her up to the Goodwill on 2nd Ave! One man's trash is another man's treasure.