Birthdays and Valentine's Day

Usually my birthday tradition involves some sort of "sick" day or personal day, but this year Mother Nature gave me an extra present. We seem to be in a winter pattern not seen in about 20 years - or what winters used to be: snow about every other day, a precipitation mix that lasts about 12 hours and sees sleet, freezing rain, snow, white out conditions, slush, ice and temperatures that cause snow to fall while the icicles melt - and then just as quickly freeze.

Or you know, a typical nor'easter.

In ye olde days, this would be a true SNOW DAY: a day free from work responsibilities, a day to watch movies, read a book, or hang out. (If you had a car or property it would involve snow removal. Blessed be the poor aka Nettie, for doth she have neither of these?) In ye new technology days, this means working from home, conference calls on Bluetooths, email, .pdfs, and "track changes/insert comments."

Still, it was a most excellent day - to work, take phone calls, listen to voice-mails sung in 5-part harmonies, and get well-wishes... and open presents.

Me thinks my friend Jenn hath heard the tales of my people one too many times. Forsooth, it came to pass that some of Nettie's present came hidden in this box. As in ... "I hope it's not what's in the..."

I started to laugh, but had to stifle it, in case it actually was. Friends make sure that their friends are of the "regular" variety and all. I mean, Jenn and I are "not normal," but ...

My Valentine's Day also start off treat: I got to sleep in. The snow was bad enough to alter train schedules and cause a late opening.

Sleep. Sweet Sleep. 

YOU are my true love. YOU hold the key to my heart.

Hearts by 'Cupid' for various colleagues

Scenes from the commute:

Still life: Shadows and Shovels

Snow is so deep, it covers the Arts for Transit at Hartsdale

Guess I'm not sitting there to wait for my ride!

Despite the snow, doesn't the Rosen House look happy to have people on the property?

Caramoor Rosen House

Next Stop: 42nd Street

 Happy Year of the Horse!

Amber, UWS, NYC

 Wait. What's that? Stop being an ass?

Right.

So.

 I guess it's time to get on the right track*.

 That's right.

The weather here is about -42 with the wind chill, 

and my arctic glare about asking me my age.

Whatever.

I'm coming to terms with it. 

I've been practicing saying it for a while.

Or have I?

Even the subway signs seem to be speaking to me.

* The number of roads a man must walk down, before ... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTUG9CehwhY)

OR

• 42, the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything, from Douglas Adams' series The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy;
• "42" (song), a song from Coldplay's album Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends
•  Jackie Robinson's number, retired by all Major League Baseball teams

iTouch photos all
various NY and NYC transit

Photo of the Day: Winter Moonrise Arch

Caramoor Rosen House, 

Dusk, Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Moment of grace: Bring able to see a moon rise during a brisk evening dusk

photo by iTouch

Hi(gh)! It's almost your Happy Birthday!

 Why do I feel like someone is watching me?

It was about nine years ago about this time, the week around my birthday, when a delivery man showed up at my place of work and gave me a present - blue legal papers saying I was being sued for $5.5million. So you can understand why I am a bit paranoid when people show up at my place of employment with a delivery directed to whatever butchered version of my name they can stumble over.

Flash forward to yesterday around lunch, when I ran over to the building with the fridge holding my leftovers and ...
a deliveryman stumbled over a version of my name - holding these.

Believe me. I have checked and doublechecked and then verified it with them. Thanks Mom & Dad.

We all look forward to seeing how long these hold up - and them re-appropriating some of the helium for some antics. If they don't set off the motion detectors first ...

photos by iTouch

Photo of the Day: Weathervane

Caramoor Rosen House

Morning forecast: Clear Skies on the horizon

photo: iTouch

Photo of the Week: Sno Much Snow

Scenic view of Bronx River from train station window earlier this week.

Someone was half joking, after the snow on Monday, icy snow mix Wednesday, and freeze today and tomorrow, that this winter was a marketing ploy from Disney for the movie, Frozen.

We are not amused, but I am grateful to be easing into the new job at the old/new place. Monday I left at 3/snow. Tuesday I left at 4/ ride and train meeting. Wednesday/ work at home due to snow. Today was first 8:30 to 5 day and I was in meetings most of it.

I still am surprised how welcoming and happy everyone seems to be that I am back. Such a 180 from where I was. I keep looking around for the cameras and someone from PUNK'D.

It's a lot to dive into.

Maybe there will be more snow/work at home days?

/iTouch

Photo of the Day: A Long and Winding Road

c.Caramoor.org, Probably Gabe Palacio, c. 12/2013

And a new chapter begins ...