Debauchaneer

So from nakedness and joy and Carib beers, the night moved into Keri, Sara and Tony getting provoked into a fight by some older gentleman's security guard at our favorite, the Buccaneer Bar. Keri took a few photos of our group's antics, which were still tame at this point anyway, and this guy got on her like chili on a dog. Who knew the man was a celebrity?? And who cared? I remember Willem Dafoe walking past me on the upper east side one St. Patty's day. I stood agog, struck, and watched him pass as if in slow motion. But he's the only celebrity who's ever gotten me. And maybe Bono. Anyway, the "security" got in Keri's face and ordered her to give him her camera. Just not gonna happen, buddy.

AnneMarie and I joined the fun after the incident (Keri and AnneMarie are the two in the picture) and quickly reached code level orange. After a few drinks and tons more photos, we headed into town and to Sopranos piano bar. The performer that night had a red guitar-shaped instrument equipped with piano keys instead of strings and struts. I think I had one in the third grade. So the guy came out from behind the piano to rock out on this instrument to a little Def Leppard, then some Van Halen. Had any of the Sopranos been there that night, he would have ended up being taken for a ride, most likely ending with a brand new pair of cement shoes.

Back to the Buccaneer, the real debauchery began. And it ended for Tony & me at noon the next day. One of the many moments that made all of it worthwhile was the sunrise on the beach that morning.

St. Maarten

So, here's the deal. My friend Keri's best friend Sara got a sweet condo in St. Maarten for the week. So Keri invited me. Hell, yes! Now Tony turns 30 this week as well, and I haven't been at his last four, say, birthday parties, so I asked if Tony could join. So that makes us four, and then Sara's girlfriend AnneMarie is, of course, a part of the original plan. So that makes us five total.

Have I mentioned lately how much I love vacations?!? Well, traveling period makes me happy. So we touched down yesterday in St. Maarten and it started out an adventure. Tony & I had no info on where the group was staying, no idea the name of the place or whose name in which the reservation had been placed, no cell service and really no clue where we were or should be going. But we figured, "Hey, we're in St. Maarten and it's warm and beautiful! Who really needs a place to stay when you can sleep on the beach?!?"

We ended up finding the gang, grabbing some dinner and gambling at the resort's casino into the night. A friendly neighbor at the blackjack table kept passing me chips, helping out the newbie. I love cards, but have never been into gambling or casinos. I occasionally play the lottery. Funny thing is, I think I'm the only one in the group who netted any money from the casino.

So today, Keri, Tony & I hit Mullet Bay. Not known for mullets that I saw, we made it infamous for a bit of nude sunbathing. A first for me, it's quite liberating sunbathing topless. Now, don't judge, people! We all have to remember to spice up our lives however we can from time to time. We laughed, swam, drank Carib (the island's local beer) and enjoyed the company. Keri kept an an eye out for her dream man to cruise up in his yacht and throw down the rope ladder for her.

God bless the Caribbean. The water is the most gorgeous thing in the world.

Guilt is like pleather. Man-made, unnatural, never cool, and all too often unflattering not to mention self-restrictive. And did I mention never appropriate for the beach?!?

Aflight again

Looking down at the water over JFK, we have lift off. I feel like an alien, or more in awe of this earth. There is a comfort associated with this planet and walking it day by day that makes you more nostalgic for it as you see it disappear underneath you.

Lines of beaches cut the water like blood vessels, only the reverse of human coloring. In this instance the solid sand bars the color of human skin reach out into the liquid blue of the ocean, a body all its own. And then a vessel--a sea vessel, the only speck for miles apart from tiny waves breaking and breaking upon themselves. They are the stars of the sea, an ocean of white dwarfs. As we ascend into the clouds, mere stepping stones seem to separate us, continent to continent.

St. Maarten, here we come!

9

Happy birthday, Mom! Love you.

Home

My friend Heather is in town for a few days. And what a lovely friend is she. We used to live together, with Tony as the third in our triumvirate, in a palacial Washington Heights three-bedroom when I first moved to the city. She is on her way to visit family in Florida, and to see her new niece for the first time ever. How exciting are new editions in families!

One thing that has changed in my life since I quit working 7 days a week, post traveling South America, friends stay with me in my tiny studio much more than ever before. And while my quarters may not be much, they seem to suffice, sometimes even for four! It makes me happy to know that what I do have can be shared. And even at times with as many as four adults, with little to no fighting. It's nice to see that home really is where your heart is.

Onion Square

When I was a kid, we usually went to Wendy's for our fast food fix. I think it was because of the Frosty. My friend the Sarge has never eaten a Wendy's burger because, in her mind, hamburgers are always supposed to be round. I, on the other hand, quite enjoyed my hamburgers square. Anyway, in good old Atlanta, GA, the one near Northlake mall had formica tables covered in old-timey newspaper. A century-old learning experience. Ads for those bicycles with one huge wheel in the front and a tiny one at the back, a woman in lace up boots and a heel-length dress, all-buttoned up to the neck, atop the bike.

My brother David and I got into an argument over the word union in one of the articles. I thought it was pronounced onion and spent the entire meal trying to convince him I was right. I was maybe 6 or 7, with hardly any words in my vocab arsenal. Funny to think I was already convincing people that I was right even at that age. Needless to say, I was mistaken. Anyhoo, here's an aerial shot of Union Square, the heart of downtown traffic in the city. I've learned to admit when I'm wrong...that progress, right?