Think good thoughts

Another beautiful spring evening, I went out again tonight for a bike ride. We have been in self-quarantine now for 3 weeks and a day, heading out only for essentials or exercise. A full moon had just started to rise, as I pedaled along, and fewer people seemed out. I'm glad I went out a bit later today. Folks are still abiding by the distancing rules and most of us had faces covered.

Facing such scary times, I have been focusing on the positive efforts and stories out there.

A full moon above a Brooklyn
building across the East River

While biking tonight, I saw that residents on the top floors of a building across the river in Brooklyn had coordinated their windows to form the shape of a heart. Impressive and appreciated. Every single person on the promenade stopped to snap a picture of the full moon shining brightly above their show of love. Every night at 7pm, people hop outside, on their stoops, roofs, and fire escapes, and hang out windows banging pots to show support for essential workers. My neighborhood has a robust supply of (illicit) firecrackers and the neighborhood kids have also been setting those off every night in support of those still working. In this sea of confusion and uncertainly, these daily reminders to show love, support, and kindness are crucial. Stay safe out there!

Schwinning

I rode my sweet Schwinn today for the first time since the ribs incident back in November.  I usually ride to and from work, but the ribs and winter had the bike indoors.  I believe the vernal equinox was March 20, but it's officially spring for me!  Carried the bike down the steps with no issues.  And off to the races! 

The East River Promenade and surrounding parks were abustle today.  Lots of folks looking for a bit of sunshine outdoors.  All walks of life, and all keeping a distance, some masked, some nude faces.  The track was the most concentrated space with lots of runners and soccer players.  I rode up to the bandstand and saw a family who looked like they were finishing homework together.  I always loved when class was outside.

Day 18 of Home Time

Today has been a blessing in many ways, and scary still in others.  My guy found out that one of his best friends tested positive for coronavirus and is dealing with some symptoms.  He lives with his wife and daughter, and they are all wonderful people.  We spoke this evening and everyone is doing ok, but I can only imagine how frightened they must be.  This whole situation is maddening for so many in so many different ways.  But he is healthy and strong. And we will all get through it!

We left the house today to venture out for groceries. Huge shout out to the company I work for: Happy Cooking Hospitality. The owners and management team, many of whom I'd be in the trenches with today at work, have created Happy Cooking Grocery to help feed employees during this difficulty. One of the spots used to be a grocery, so there ya go. And once a week, employees can come pick up a chockfull bag. For FREE. Today we got fresh cauliflower, apples, oranges, grapefruit, avocado, eggs, limes, cucumbers, bread. And we have for safe-keeping marinated chicken (too late, it was DELICIOUS!!!!), rice, pasta, green lentils, TP (!!!!), and paper towels. Not only is it beyond generous but it also helps rekindle our community. I saw a few co-workers I would normally see daily and haven't seen in weeks. Oh, and I forgot to mention that my boss handed us masks the moment we walked up! The latest news indicates that this thing can travel on someone's breath. So, thank you, Ed!!! Which, side note, wearing a mask for the first time, I was not delighted with the scent of my own breath. As a plaque that still hangs somewhere in Dr. Granade's office suggests, "You don't have to floss all your teeth. Just the ones you want to keep." We also stopped by Trader Joe's wine shop for what we like to call the Neapolitan: a box of white, one of rosé, and one of red. We ain't fancy!

Broadway @ Astor Place...
no cars or humans

While New York City is the epicenter, the city is still chugging along.  Just at at least six-foot length from others. Encountering people walking on the sidewalks, it is a regular occurrence for one person to walk in the street. With so few cars on the streets, getting hit isn't really an issue. We counted maybe 5 taxis on our walk from East to West villages.  We did hear the subway rumble below us on a few occasions.  And I saw a slew of buses pass, but they were mostly empty.  I am relieved to see that most New Yorkers are taking this situation to heart and STAYING HOME!  I read an article about how Detroit is handling this crisis...grim, indeed. The Chief of Police tested positive and so one of his captains is in charge. And the captain was quoted in the article saying that you basically have to commit murder to get arrested.  And, what do ya know...supposedly, murder is up in Detroit 50%. And let's not even go into the state of prisons there...

I texted with some friends today, doing my best to stay optimistic.  I also spoke with my mom briefly tonight about all this happening around us. Reach out to your loved ones, people. You have no idea how much they may need it, and in return, you'll find you probably did, too.

The Early Bird

I woke up early this morning and couldn't get back to sweet slumber without having attempted to find ground turkey.  Yes, the ever elusive runner-up for America's national symbol, a true original native of America, at least according to Ben Franklin.
 

The flower section at my local supermarket

Ground beef and pricier cuts of steaks have been the only options lately at most supermarkets at the hours I have visited.  These are funny times indeed.  So, I snuck down my street and weaved the two blocks and two avenues to Key Food, my local.  There are a few Trader Joe's in walking distance as well, but that seemed too overwhelming.  My little local will suffice for today's tactical mission.  I waited in a short line outside, mindful to keep the requisite safe distance from others, and three minutes later, bee-lined to the meat section.  Eureka!  Ground gobbler goodness!  This early bird is thankful to find another bird early.

Sightseeing

Freedom Tower

I decided to take in the sights as best I could today.  For a nice burst of exercise and sunshine, I headed to the roof of my five-floor walk-up.  With 100% of non-essential services getting the kibosh today, I was also curious to see how many people were out on the streets.

Con Edison stacks in the distance

I live on the back of the building, so it's generally quieter, which I like.  My veranda (aka fire escape), therefore, is also on the back of the building.  So, I am forced up to the roof for any sort of street view.  We have a courtyard in the back, which I also like.  Green space in this city is a treasure.

I did see a number of folks outdoors.   It was a beautiful spring day with temperatures in the 50s and clear blue sky.  I also saw the bus that runs down Avenue C today.  So MTA is still chugging along.

Empire State

My street also has a connecting foot bridge to the East River Park, meaning we are often overrun with joggers.  Today seemed like business as usual from my perch up on the roof.  Just me, the pigeons, and NYC sights.

Freedom Tower through the trees

As many of you know, we have been facing difficulties for years living in this building in NYC.  Those of us who are "rent-stabilized" anyway.  The latest situation seems crueler than usual.  The owner has changed the intercom service from a buzzer intercom to some app-based nonsense.  First off, this begs the question that every tenant has a smart phone.  Second, this new system requires tenants to take up space on their personal phones, download the app, and provide all personal info to this random app.  Third, the reviews of the app are shit.  Fourth, it is contrary to the NYC building code.  So, that will be another fun topic to tackle with the owner, our lawyer, and city and state agencies.  But more than that, it is especially disheartening that the owner would impede anyone's access to delivery services right now.  Heartless.

Day 6 of Home Time

Hello, Hello!
Happy to see you here on another edition of Home Time. I'm sure my mom is the only one reading this, if anyone at all! And if you are reading, thanks, Mom!

I am doing my best to stay thankful in these scary times. Sharing a tiny NYC studio apartment with my wonderful boyfriend of 5 and 1/2 years has its challenges, but we have not yet lost it. We are in good health and spirits for the now. We've been cooking daily, making new recipes, reading a lot, and yesterday, Victor and I began Day One of Boot Camp. We are both sore today and I, for one, am happy about it! Having cracked two ribs back in November of last year, I have to work out and strengthen to fully repair. And during my usual work week, I was not accomplishing what was needed to heal and restore. This break seems to be causing a lot of us to reevaluate whether what we've been spending our time on has been worth the time committed.

While thankful for a bit of time away from work, on one hand, on the other hand, I am missing the productivity, the schedule, and the friends I have the joy of annoying throughout the usual workday. Hospitality is an especially social industry. It's quite likely that I have made more phone calls in the last week than I have in all the weeks of this year so far combined. I imagine the combo of social distancing and the need to connect has caused a surge in calls worldwide. It's funny. I remember back in the 80s when we only had a landline, and even before caller ID, when you had no idea who was calling. I used to race to answer the phone for the sheer joy of the surprise as to who was on the other end of the line!  The culture with cell phones is definitely to text.  So it's been fun to reach out even if the person knows who's on the other end.

Walking home from a grocery and liquor run yesterday, a man and his son were walking the other way down my block. The man had a speaker and was playing the Temptations' song "I Can't Get Next To You."  I laughed the rest of my walk home.  Add that one to the list.

Should I stay or should I go?

Hello, family, friends, and whoever else may be reading this. Remember me?!?  I haven't written much creatively in years (neither in a journal or online, shameful!) until this very moment. I have written plenty of other things, just not the fun stuff.  What prompted such a return, one may ask? Turns out it was COVID-19. Like many of us, this outbreak has forced me and my guy into some unexpected time off from work. And as we are all on lockdown in many different places in this world, I figured I'd reach out and send warmest regards from NYC. I've got time on my hands, that's for sure.

In preparation for what would become serious social distancing, starting Friday and through the weekend, I hit the supermarket and got essentials before and/or after work. Then Sunday, my job closed. That day, a 93 year-old woman came to the bar with another woman who had to be her daughter. They both sat and enjoyed a glass of Friulian Sauvignon Blanc, and as they were leaving, the younger woman revealed the elder's age. I thought to myself, "Damn, you should not have her outdoors! Wish I'd carded her (because that's always fun) and refused to serve her (which is never fun)..." For her own sake. I surely hope both ladies are ok. And they bring up the very issue we are all talking about. Should I venture out into the world for a glass of wine and a slice of normal life, or does venturing out make me a total idiot?  Or worse, despite no symptoms or fever, in heading outside, am I endangering others?? It's maddening.

While I have already faced facts and have to tighten my belt, I am relieved that Gov. Cuomo shut down as many systems as he did, including bars and restaurants. Honestly, I think the city and state had to close doors because of how many people were out over the weekend celebrating St. Patty's Day, clearly not abiding by the social distancing recommendations. For me personally, I work in a hotel bar these days. We share a locker room with all hotel employees (Front Desk, Housekeeping, Room Service, everyone) and three other restaurant/bars. You want some protocol for all these disparate groups, but nada!  I hoped they'd take temperatures of each employee before entering the building, but ended up closing most services altogether.

This pandemic definitely has many panicked but NYC seems to be holding on for now. The subway is still up and running last I checked. Even though I have not left the apartment today, other than to throw out the trash, I spent the afternoon cleaning this tiny apartment. It's truly shocking how much dust can accumulate in such a small space!

Oh, shoot!  I'm late for Jeopardy! All in all, we are here, hoping for the best and hoping to avoid the worst. Ciao for now!

Ok, back for a minute, just to say "Happy St. Patty's"!