When the Computers Do Not Work

I'm at work right now, and there just isn't too much for me to do because our computers are being overhauled. Everyone is a little on edge about it, because, for example, we can take credit card info, but not process it. Which is a bit tricky. I can talk to students on the phone, start taking their name for a payment, and then be stuck when they ask me to look up their balance.

So, I'm not being a bad employee playing with my blog while I'm at work... I'm just finding something to fill the time! I have done this, and read some new comics and magazines!

I'm typing this on my phone, which I find pretty exciting. I love that this is possible right now. I wasn't aware that Blogger had such an awesome iPhone app, but now I know better. So, here are some photos and such of my day!

I'm not sure exactly how to format this mobile version... I hope it doesn't look too awkward. We shall see. If it looks really off, I'll reformat it in a few days or a few hours.

Thanks!

On the Line, the Highline

Highline Park is the coolest and most wonderful re-purposing project that I have ever seen, and, it might possibly be the best one ever.  I know I haven't seen many things in my life- I'm young, and haven't traveled a particularly large amount.  But, it's such a damn brilliant idea.  I was actually struggling when it came to writing about the Highline... in a few short monthes, it has gone from being an old, abandoned train track to one of the major tourist destinations in New York City.  So much is being said about this place, that I wasn't sure how to say something different.  It's the center of media, local, and traveler attention, and I feel like everyone seems to know about it.

But, maybe you don't. The Highline Park is an elevated park that runs for many blocks (more than 20!), from Gansevoort St to 34th St, on the West Side of Manhattan.  The park is often twenty or thirty feet above the ground.  It's amazing. The ground consists of constructed sidewalks and old train tracks with flowers and trees growing in between the old, rusty metal.  Instead of seeing the surrounding street at your level, you are on par with buildings two or three stories up, and you can look down at the busy intersections and streets below, watch the cars and busses going by.  If you look out to the west, it is easy to see the Hudson River, and, from a few points, you can even see the East River if you look out to the east.  Benches are plentiful in the park, and a few cafes and streetcarts serving gourmet foods, coffees, and even wine and beer are present in some locations.  The Highline is a wonderful experience, and it takes about 20 minutes to a half an hour to walk the whole thing, if you aren't stopping often.  If you really stop to take a look at the beautiful New York architecture around, the rooftop gardens, the rivers, the flowers, and the food and drink offerings, it could easily take an hour to traverse the whole thing.

The far West Side of Manhattan is very easy for tourists to ignore, and I sincerely hope that the Highline Park will help to change that.

It's beautiful.  If you are planning to visit New York City sometime in the near future, I think you should go.  If you live in New York City, go.  I waited monthes after it opened to check it out, and I'm just disappointed that I didn't go sooner!  It's so lovely.

More to come about the Highline this weekend.  There might be some flowers!
:-)

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Warmth

So, I know that I posted that "Autumn Falling" blurb a few days ago, but this fall has actually been very warm so far.  It's been in the 70's (Fahrenheit) all week long, and it is supposed to be for about another week.  Now, I'm not griping- as a matter of fact, I'm pretty happy about it.  The flowers are still blooming, the beach is still usable for sunbathing and swimming purposes, and I can still wear sandals and sundresses.  But, pumpkin flavored/ scented things are appropriate.  It's the best of both worlds.

Here are some phone photographs I've taken lately to chronicle this unusually warm early Autumn.

 Cheers to a few more warmer days before we descend into another winter blizzard-pocalypse.

Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Financier

Financier is a lovely little cafe right on Astor Place, near the cube. I know that they have other locations as well, but, for me, this is the one that matters.  I once took a photograph of some of their cookies in the window of their Grand Central Station location, but this shop is better.  The seating is quaint and lovely, the coffee drinks are rich and delicious, and the pastries are surprisingly well-priced for how tasty they are.  The chocolate nut madeleine is simply scrumptious.  Oh my god... so yummy.  I'm a coffee nut (obviously) and this place nurtures the love nicely.  Not to mention that the macaroons are adorable, and their sandwiches all look tasty.  I haven't actually tried any of their sandwiches, but Danny goes there for lunch pretty often, and he says it is fantastic.  He loves to get the sandwich called Financier... and the first time he ordered it, the person corrected his pronunciation.  Apparently it is pronounced with a very heavy French accent.  I'm down.

So, please, enjoy some handsome coffee (and a handsome guy).

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Moo

Here's some more fun from the park with the "duck pond"- the Arboretum Cows, which are, well, statues of cows!  They are awesome.  Danny apparently loved to climb on them as a kid, and I found that I like climbing on them as an adult.  It seems as if his fascination never disappeared either.  It was silly, fun, and just generally fantastic.

 

 

These three posts encompass what to me, is a perfect afternoon.  Bright sun, heat, relaxation, and just fooling around with someone you love.  Ideal.

 

 

Austin, Texas, USA

Roll with the Punches

Sometimes Danny and I like to fool around and take photographs of ourselves doing martial arts type things.  He is way better than I am- my form is sloppy.  I'm new, so I can't expect to have perfect form, of course.  If I was flawless right off the bat, that would be a tad bit unbelievable.  We were just being silly here.  None of these turned out anywhere near as cool-looking as I had hoped... but it was so fun.  Actually, that is a lie.  Danny looks cool.   The fun part wasn't a lie, though, we had fun, for sure!

I think I look a bit ridiculous, trying to be all athletic in my miniskirt, attempting to keep my balance instead of tumbling down the hill, but I love it.  We are in the same park that contained the "duck pond" from Thursday's post, on a hill, in front of a winding path and a bunch of rocks, which, incidentally, turns out to be the best place to impose justice upon the air in the form of punches and kicks that hit nothing but air.

Enjoy.  We did!

Austin, Texas, USA