New Motto for 2016?

Promises, Promises

If only I really believed in horoscopes:

Aquarius (Jan. 21-Feb.19)

Your workload is likely to increase during the early part of the new week but there is no need for concern. You will be able to deal with it and you will still have time leftover to do the things that make you happy. ~ Sally Brompton, The New York Post, 6/14/2015

Here's the thing:

My workload will increase during the latter part of the week as Opening Night and Gala and the Festival kicks off. As of Friday, I already have started the 9am to 11:30pm+ cycles, which lead me to staying up until 3am and then being a zombie on my one day off, with naps, and cleaning, and laundry, and nap no. 2.

Unless napping in that "thing that makes me happy"? I'm a little concerned for next week - and then next 7.

Color me skeptic.

At least the grounds are pretty. Here's a peek.

Altering course

By the time you will have read this, I will have given myself an early birthday present.

Like a month early – but …

Today, I quit my job.

Or, more precisely,

I gave my intent to quit my job …

In three weeks.

At the end of the month.

January 31, 2014

Last day.

WHAT A RELIEF.

Lots of factors have gone into this decision, as well as a lot of months of pondering. Some of which you might have seen in this forum. One of these days I’ll write down the whole story, but I’m not through the thick of it yet – and not enough time has gone by to gain some perspective.

It also may be because I have spent the last week working 10-15 hours days.  I even, briefly, considered sleeping overnight(s) at my office. But no. I didn't. I should have, but didn't. I feel a sense of responsibility on a project, so am staying through one benchmark on it.

Or I plan to. Telling the bosses at around 9:30 this morning may result in them being SO annoyed with me ... But I doubt that too. I'll let you know. 
They were fine with it. Shocked, but fine. Grateful for the rest of the month.

Stay tuned.

And the Rest is Cylon(s)

Apologies if you have come here for some of my normal babblings. It's that time of year when the time streams collide, I need to clone myself, all the projects are due, the Christmas to-do lists aren't shrinking, the end-of-year pushes, packing, and utter holiday madness coalesce into one cranky jam-packed just-push-through-to-survive  Nettie Zombie Drone mentality.

On top of that there are behind-the-scenes life issues being addressed, there are parties to bake for, there are neighbors TO LOATHE, and there is a) first a migraine-related bout of something, and b) NOW, a weeklong head-cold/sinus infection/flu thing to kick --- all before we fly in less than a week to climes that are colder than New York itself. I need another dose of The Doctor to head back in time, so I can better prepare. Or take yoga. Or again, CLONE myself.

Speaking of clones ... This year Grand Central decided to go and dress up like a frakkin' Cylon. I think to prove, once and for all, that the deus ex machina is going to get us. (That or the hordes of zombie commuters.)

It's good thing I have things to look forward to in Utah, Nevada, and Arizona, and Westchester, and then in the spring when HOPEFULLY, Mr. Simon can sing The Sounds of Silence to me.

Until then,
Blogging will be intermittent for the foreseeable.

Auntie Nettie's Attic Merchandise 2012 - October/November

I have previously stated that this entire year has has some warp-speed/worm-hole/timey-whimey issues, and that should be fairly apparent by the  (lack of consistent) blogging for the last few months.

I did manage to do the following in the last two months, when I
~ Worked too much;
~ Considered quitting;
~ Started networking;
~ Booked my tickets for vacation as a way to cope with the stress;
~ Barely rode out some of the job-related hoo-hah at the office;
~ Caught up on lots of television programs/past seasons of certain shows in marathon viewing sessions;
~ Got to see Casey for a few hours when she came to town;
~Went to a craft fair/street fair/spent the day with Jane;
~ Took a few days off to go up to Connecticut to see;
- Dad;
- Do some shopping/stocking up;
- Got my hair hacked off;
- Saw Wendy and Emily and picked up some holiday goods from my local small artisanal organic farmer;
- Saw Jess, Kel, 'little' Victor and Ms. Ro;
- Had dinner with Jenn and the family;
- wandered around and took lots of pictures of the olde family homestead; and
- booked out early before the hurricane;
~ Had lunch with Christine; 
~ Had "fun" with Sandy, so had time off/worked from home/had Halloween;
~ Talked to the Ironic Mother on the phone to catch her up on aforementioned hoo-hah;
~ Got a raise/promotion;
~ Made some charitable contributions;
~ The Twins arrived;
~ Had dinner with my friend Michelle, formerly of the Caramoor years, in town from Miami; 
~ Gave blood at Lincoln Center;
~ Went to a WNET/Great Performances taping at Lincoln Center;
~ Went to a Juilliard Orchestra concert at Lincoln Center;
~ Got sick;
~ Had a long Thanksgiving break; and FINALLY
~ Started the countdown for Christmas and my vacation trips West.

Crafting also took a back-burner for a little bit, but I did finish a few little things. Maybe the output reflects my state of mind/theme of the season: Bird-brained ... A bird in the hand ... Flying to warmer climates ... Partridge in a pear tree ... Canary in a Coalmine ... etc. etc. etc.

ANA 2012-83: Snowy Owlie

(Mixed yarns, chenille and acrylics, plus batting)
(as of 1/2013 no longer available, gifted)

ANA 2012-84: Snowy Owlie with button beak

(Mixed yarns, chenille and acrylics, plus batting and button beak)
(as of 09/2013, no longer available, gifted)

ANA 2012-85: Snowy Owlie

(Mixed yarns, chenille and acrylics, plus batting and buttons)
(as of 09/2013, no longer available, gifted)

ANA 2012-86: Snowy Owlie

(Mixed yarns, chenille and acrylics, plus batting and buttons) 

(as of 4/14, no longer available, sold)

ANA 2012-87: Snowy Owlie

(Mixed yarns, chenille and acrylics, plus batting and buttons)
(as of 4/14, no longer available, sold)

ANA 2012-88: Red-flecked Birdie

(Partial Big Lots skein mystery yarn, acrylic mix, plus batting and buttons)
(as of 12/13 no longer available, gifted)

ANA 2012-89: Yellow-winged Blackbird

(Caron black sport acrylic yarn, with partial Big Lots skein mystery yarn, plus batting)
(as of June 2013, no longer available, gifted)

ANA 2012-90: Yellow-winged Blackbird

(Caron black sport acrylic yarn, with partial Big Lots skein mystery yarn, plus batting)
(as of June 2013, no longer available, gifted)

ANA 2012-91: Canary with button beak

(Partial Big Lots mystery acrylic skein, with batting and button)
(as of 09/2013, no longer available, gifted)

ANA 2012-92: Canary

(Partial Big Lots mystery acrylic skien, with buttons and batting)
(as of 09/2013, no longer available, gifted)

ANA 2012-93: Canary

(Partial Big Lots mystery acrylic skein, with buttons and batting)
(as of 09/2013, no longer available, gifted)

ANA 2012-94: Red-flecked Owlie

(Partial Big Lots mystery acrylic skein with Caron black sport yarn with batting)
(as of 12/13, no longer available, gifted)

ANA 2012-95: Red Birdie

(Partial Big Lots mystery acrylic skein, with buttons and batting)
(as of 12/13 no longer available, gifted)

ANA 2012-96: Red Birdie with Button Beak

(Partial Big Lots mystery acrylic skein, with button and batting)
(as of 12/13 no longer available, gifted)

ANA 2012-97, 98, 99: Brown Sparrows

(Partial Big Lots mystery acrylic skeins, with buttons and batting)
(as of May 2013, no longer available, gifted)

ANA 2012-100: Brown Sparrow with button beak

(Partial Big Lots mystery skein, with buttons and batting)
(as of May 2013, no longer available, gifted)

Still in progress

2012:

UFO 1: Pink Blankie: needs final rows, edgings, and label

UFO 2: Green Holiday Stocking for Cannon

2010:

 UFO 1: Serbert Waves AKA the Bane of my Existence

Unfortunately, I am still very busy, so the esty.com shop is still shuttered for the foreseeable future (or until I really only have one job and finish traveling to see adorable nieces and nephews). 

However if you see something that you are interested in, contact me and I'll let you know prices and availability.

Hey there! Remember me?

I've been spending far too much time at the office - a situation that is HOPEFULLY coming to a draw-down soon. Instead of 12-13 hour days, I'm hoping for 8-10 (11?). However, the daylight hours are getting shorter, so I don't know if that means I will be tramping through the streets in the evening to get to the train station.

On the mornings when I am coherent enough, (or actually, still too bleary-eyed to focus on words in print), I stare out the window or flip through my iTouch. In doing the latter, I found a few things that I thought might illustrate some of the last month for me.

If you remember to look up from your book, Nook, paper or iPod, you might see thing like:

 

Ghostly graffiti

We paused in the Bronx one day under this overpass and I looked up to find this symbol about 4 inches from my face. I wasn't quick enough on the ball to get the camera out (or awake), so I keep trying to get a good shot, but the train has never stopped in exactly the right spot since then. It's so different from all the other tags I've seen on the East Coast. I will have to look up the symbolism. I think it's a protection/warding symbol and it doesn't seem disturbing to me, but it needs more research. It's unusual to see a First Nations tag out here - but maybe one of the People is visiting and trying to get protection from the great Iron Horses stampeding through the Bronx.

I had to work on September 11th this year. It was another beautiful day, and if you hadn't realized the date, the sudden appearance of many dress-uniformed FDNY on the platforms and trains would have given something away. They aren't "regulars" so they don't have the same "shuffle," "stare," "stance," or present the same commuter pass that we die-hards do.

Once on the train and engrossed in The New York Times, I happened to glance up to see the conductor checking passes and tickets. As we got to my neighbor here, he stopped, examined the one-day ticket, and quietly just handed it back to the fireman - unpunched- with no comment, but a quick hand on the shoulder--an unspoken recognition of the day.  It's THOSE moments that you want to be in tune enough to witness. On behalf of all of those on the train, thank you to the FDNY and our other first responders, and kudos to that conductor. He didn't know anyone else noticed that moment, but I did and good for you.

On the other hand, if you look quickly at this little vignette, it seems to say: "I don't care if you are man's best friend, I need to see your ticket too, Mr. K-9. I know it's ruff." I joke. Dogs do ride free. Also, this conductor may not have appreciated me trying to take the picture. One of the others shows a scowl in my direction.

  

Once you get off the train at Grand Central and start the dodge-and-weave that is part and parcel for the course to get to your egress, you also have to keep your eyes open. You never know when you are going to see some adorableness. Like the crowds parting and a vision of a teeny weeny ballerina in her tutu off to the Big City with her mama. It's hard to walk and shoot with an iTouch. The picture qualities of all of these are unfiltered and only 1 or 2 is cropped.

 

Once you FINALLY get on your subway, it's also interesting to see what New Yorkers haul around with them. I've seen arm chairs (seriously), trees (really), dogs of all shapes and sizes, same with bicycles and strollers; contractors bring their tools of the trade - and it's a good thing (???) that we don't have metal detectors or arms checks because some "tools" are deadly-looking. Amateur athletes of all kinds bring golf clubs, golf bags, rackets, hockey gear, pads, etc. etc. etc. However this petite lady caught my eye because of the juxtaposition of her bat and the title of her book.

Don't mock this woman for reading The Buddha in the Attic by J.Otsuka on the subway-or else she'll take a swing at you.

Once you get to work ... you have to find the things that get you through the day/week: 

Things like subtly rebelling one day, and using your "lunch hour" to get your first pedicure since Christmas. I feel "blue" so I matched my polish to my flip-flops

Medication: Carbs, caffeine, and chemicals - not shown: the rest of the pharmacy in my desk drawers

 

If you don't have time for a real lunch, find all the  reception/working lunch meeting leftovers you can find. Horde them. They will be lunch, dinner, snacks, for however long they hold out. Have no shame. Grab as much as you can. (What? "It's for the 'work-study' student." -- and sometimes it really is.) Also, if you must forage at the vending machine and can't find vegetables, at least make sure your junk food is green. That totally counts.

If your Dilbert-cube/office setting doesn't get you exposure to a window/natural light, create your own portal to nature. Make your own little altar. (They are everywhere.) I have sunny things, water views, sea shells and worry stones, stress balls, and the faces of some of my favorite little ones, as well as my girls to keep me from totally succumbing to the greys -- and the stabby-es. (The stress balls are also good as projectiles. Not that I would throw things at my colleagues -- NOOOOOO. Not me.)

Of course, after being cooped up in a building for 10-12 hours, you just want to fly the coop. Even if that means using another "lunch-hour" to run down to 34th street and back to pay a bill in person. If it's a $2.00 bill to hold a Macy's account open, why write a check and use a stamp? Plus if that means it will won't be late - go down there and use 1 crumbled up $1 bill and 10 dimes. Sadly, I didn't have a $2 bill to PAY my $2.00 bill. I looked.

Arts for Transit at 34th/Penn. Station

If you feel like you are trapped and have been in the airless build for too long, guess what? You aren't alone! At least your office isn't underground, and it's not a black-box rehearsal room, or windowless practice room.

This sign was taped up by the elevators for most of the summer, to direct the summer institute people on how best to exit the building. Someone else got "editorial" with it over the last few months - before it was removed last week. (Glad I snapped it when I did.) Perhaps it was a rebellious statement from someone locked into a practice room for as long as I was locked into my desk? To quote Braveheart:

"...they may take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR FREEDOM! "

Even though your real work starts after 5 p.m. when the office FINALLY quiet and you can FINALLY get some work done, you have to remember that the rush hour subways and trains don't run as frequently as during the morning and evening rush. It's important to make sure you leave plenty of time to catch the late trains and to check the clock to make sure you still have time to dash (sometimes barefoot - no exaggeration - I've done this a few times in the last month) across the halls of Grand Central. If you miss one by, say 30 seconds (again me, last week), sometimes you still can do some Christmas shopping or get some "real" food. But after 9? No such luck. Despite all that, it's important to pay attention, you never know who you'll see. Remember the bride? In addition to the National Guard, MTA Police, NYPD, and Metro-North authorities, you also catch a glimpse of superheroes.

Apparently even the Cap takes Metro-North home from Comic Con.

  

Oh my Captain, my Captain!

Once you stumble off the train at your stop, it's still important to pay attention to your surroundings. 

At this time of year, Halloween looms. Take this night - with eerie orbs in the sky
 Is it an Invasion of the iPod people? 
Night of the Living Dead?
or

Close Encounters of the Third Kind?

Nope. Just another late hazy humid night walking home from the train.

Once home: Get what sleep you can. Whether with NyQuil, 4 Advil, and/or meditation/relaxation techniques.  Reset your brain as much as possible. Reboot the neurons. Close the eyelids at the very least.

Even if it doesn't come out literally, remember -- the sun will come out tomorrow (thanks Annie!).

After the storm, there's a promise of a bright new day.

You just have to hunker down and wait the storm out.

Stay tuned. I hope to return to more regular blogging soon. I'm super back-logged. More Island Hopping, Retroblogging, Auntie Nettie's Attic entries, ... not to mention
The Shushing Librarian has things to say.
When doesn't she?

Photo of the Day: Just Another Day at the Office

Sometimes you just feel like all the animals at the zoo are out to get you - or your colleagues. Sometimes you are sitting at your desk, and you swear -- there's not much difference.

Spotted in an exhibition at Governors Galleries

August 2012

"Tattered and Torn (On The Road To Deaccession): May 26-September 30, Governors Galleries: An installation of costumes de-accessioned from various museums due to condition issues that make them undesirable for exhibit in the upper echelon museum world. Empire Historic Arts takes a different stance and offer them as an amazing resource to people interested in the design and construction of 19th century costume.

The Wild (Mid)west Adventures of the Shushing Librarian - Part 3

The next morning, after a very yummy country breakfast and having been given a large goodie bag of homemade deer summer sausage, jerky, and salsa, B and C followed brother Jesse back to Omaha to reconnect with C’s mom. The plan was to quickly unpack and then repack the Harley for an overnight stay with family in Big Lake, Missouri. C’s cousin, Lisa, along with her husband Tom and their three boys, recently rebuilt their cabin, after a major flood two years. In addition to seeing the new cabin, C and B couldn’t wait to see the family’s newly purchased pontoon boat.

Here’s the cabin. It’s the hangout for C’s family during the hot summers. Many bonfires have taken place here.
Upon our arrival at the cabin, B and C were greeted by aunts, uncles, numerous cousins, and most importantly, Zoe the German Shepard. Everyone was so happy to see C and B arrive safe and sound (and didn’t mind that they were a tad bit sweaty).

Before B and C could even catch their breath, C was whisked away by her mom and “redressed” for a surprise vow renewal ceremony in honor of B and C’s upcoming ninth wedding anniversary. I snuck away for a few minutes to help with the decorations.Sorry, neighbors. This is a private event. (This sign is super serious!)C’s mom planned the special occasion, with the help of C’s aunt and uncle (who brought the champagne) and C’s cousin-in-law, Steve, who did a lovely job of presiding over the ceremony. The beautiful, late summer afternoon ceremony took place down on the dock, next to the shiny new pontoon boat. The set-up was actually a bit similar to C & B’s actual wedding, which took place on the Long Island shore. (Sadly, I was not in attendance back then, as this pre-dates when Auntie Nettie and I met the delightful Ms. C!)

Here’s the lovely re-bride and re-groom! (They did ... again!)After the ceremony, the champagne flowed and many toasts were given to B and C. It was a joyous celebration!I, for one, had a lot fun (Maybe a bit too much fun. What’s new about that!?).***C’s family loved me and took me everywhere! They let me drive the boat. (Not really, they've heard about my driving record. Who finked?)They taught me how to dance on the stumps (a "special" family tradition).Since I was a non-family guest, I had this weird thing, were I felt I had to earn my keep at the party. (Too much of Auntie Nettie’s influence, I suppose.) I made myself useful.

I crushed the used cans. (It’s important to recycle).
I chilled the wine and made sure everyone had cold refreshments. As an anniversary present, Lisa and Tom arranged for B and C to stay at their own, private cabin along the lake.Mega Million Lotto tickets were purchased in hopes of hitting the big jackpot. B and C actually won – a whole $7! (Hey, you can't win if you don't play!)It was very comfortable there. I had to take a brief nap.A journal was available for the guests to jot down a few lines about their stay at the cabin. Of course, C wrote an entry expressing our happiness with the cabin.Later on that evening, everyone piled into the pontoon boat for a sunset cruise. Earlier in the day, C’s family noticed some odd behavior out in the lake and found out that Asian flying carp have invaded the quiet waters of Big Lake. Stories of fish nearly landing in the boat and hitting people in the head were described – scary! Still, we couldn’t resist seeing the beautiful sunset over the lake.We managed to go unharmed thanks to C’s brother, Jesse. With his bare hands, he managed to block a two-foot-long fish from trying jumping on board. (My hero!*swoon*)

C’s cousin, Matt, was also using his own scare tactics [patent pending] to keep the fish at bay. Since nothing could top that, we all retired for the evening. I asked if I could stay with the relatives, so C and B could have some "relative" peace and quiet!


That may have been a mistake. There was no where inside for me to sleep.


Stay tuned for the next installment of my Wild (Mid)West Adventures, to see where they put me up for the night!

*** Please see our early disclaimer.