A Place of Peace

I always forget the solace that a library and a research task or project sitting in stacks (or on the Internet as the case may be) in front of me brings. The instability of the past few months and the drain of the past few years has left me with difficulties in focusing and thinking clearly — two attributes I most seek and most prize.

Today, I walked into the New York Public Library’s Science Industry and Business Library and was greeted with a sense of peace and a recharge of sorts. I found that feeling for a fleeting moment at an indie coffee shop near my apartment a few days ago as well where people had books and laptops strewn about, but I couldn’t stay that day. I would say that it is a calm in the air that brings this about, but I think it is something more. It is the industriousness, the growth that is being undertaken around me. No matter what these people are doing or learning or reading, they are in the pursuit of growth in some form and that is what changes the energy.

It’s an energy I am working to harness just a bit more, and rediscover the focus and clarity I used to have, which when you get down to it wasn’t nearly as clear and focused as other people, but was more clear and more focused than I have been recently. I have to clear the mind clutter to find (and enjoy) the happiness in my soul. But we will get to more of that as I continue my read of The Happiness Project.

OK, now to focus on the job hunt and reading all the interesting bits and pieces I have found on the interwebs while I am here in Peaceful Libraryville.

Subtle Flavors

When you are saving money and you have a tiny kitchen not stocked with the appropriate cooking utensils, your food options can be limited and quite frankly, somewhat bland. The subtle blend of flavors call for foods that are chopped and minced and sautéed and roasted. All of which are difficult to do with dull knives, no chopping board, a skillet that sticks, and an oven that requires clearing out and the pilot to be lit. On top of that, an unstocked kitchen means that not only must you buy the ingredients, but you must also buy the olive oil, the spices, the salt and pepper…not the most cost efficient option when saving money.

So, needless to say, that the diet has been very basic and simple. Ramen, box pasta, frozen veggies, soups, etc.

Last night, we did slip away to a place I THOUGHT was just going to be a simple pizza parlor. Lo and behold, however, we found ourselves (well, at least I found myself, C doesn’t care so much) at a thin-crust pizza heaven – Vezzo. Now granted, sometimes you want a down home pizza pie. Tomato, cheese, pepperoni, etc. You could get this at this parlor, but you could also get some deliciously intriguing flavors. Last night we ended up with the Salcissia Dolce – Marinara sauce and cheese, sweet Italian sausage, caramelized onions, fresh basil. The caramelized onions coupled with the Italian sausage made that pie extra delicious.

I have never been a huge fan of thin-crust pizza. In my experience it is usually too dry and overdone. Although Vezzo’s pie was a slight bit blackened on the edges, it was perfectly done. The fancy-schmancy toppings may have helped it out too. Perhaps I just think of traditional pizza toppings as needing a thicker crusted pie rather than this paper-thin layer, but add a little caramelized onion, subtle Italian sausage and fresh basil with some quality cheese and sauce and viola! I apparently like the thin crust.

Now granted, I will have to go back and try it again after my diet of packaged ramen and Progresso soups has eased. Last night, however, my subtle flavor deprived tongue was very happy (and my wallet wasn’t screaming either actually, because we were conservative with our dining out…pizza pie only for us!)

Yum!

Bored in New York?

Ok, so I am not REALLY bored in NYC, but I definitely have a stimulation imbalance. The irony of fate has landed me here in this ginormous city filled with so many things to do, yet I constantly feel guilty if I am not job hunting AND I really shouldn’t be spending money. To top it off, wandering the city streets makes my foodie sensibilities wake up and start whispering and then screaming WE MUST EAT THERE THERE THERE THERE THERE AND THERE!, but they can’t be placated because of that same lack of job and fiscal responsibility.

So Friday afternoon and I am trying to figure out just one more job hunting effort to put in today. Then I will quit and go wandering for a while to dream about the wonderful treats I will consume when I finally land that job (sometime soon).

It’s like I am an overstimulated 3 year old at Disneyland. So much is going on around me that I can’t figure out where to begin or what to do and ultimately end up in my stroller with my blanket over my head having a half-hearted temper tantrum.

The Decorated Cider Quest

Last night we hit up two local pubs.

First we went to Molly’s Shebeen at 3rd Ave and 22nd St because the food was recommended and I am on a bit of a quest to find cider on tap and Irish pubs are certainly a solid starting point to find just that. The pub was nice and cozy with a roaring fire. It was on the small side, but definitely not overcrowded and had a crowd that ranged from college kids to retirees. Many looked like regulars and the age netted out in the 30s and 40s I’d say. First, they didn’t have cider on tap and they Irish waitress served my bottle of Manger’s with a glassful of ice…so that was a new one to me. The burger Cory ordered was delicious (the mashed potatoes accompanying it were standard fare, unadorned). I ordered the chicken pie, but have to say it was just so so IMO. Actually very fresh ingredients and well made, but in my rather extensive sampling of chicken pies, it was just lacking some sort of yummy oomph others have offered. It did come with a rather large green salad that had some quality lettuce. I only mention this because bars usually have pretty skimpy salads with obviously bagged lettuce as sides. We will return because that fireplace and the authentic atmosphere is alluring. I might have a burger next time…or the Shepherd’s Pie, which is supposed to be quite good.

On our way back to the apt we hit up McCormack’s Pub at 3rd Ave and 26th Street…again in my quest for cider on tap. Unfortunately no cider on tap (despite the fact that their website says that they DO have Magners on tap, but we stayed for a beer and watched the Jets finish off the Chargers. The bar was nice, neat, classy with nice wooden trimmings. The top corners of the bar sported the twinkled-lighted branches pictured below. They were white branches that “grew” up from the bar corners and spread out across the ceiling of the bar. I had to take a picture of them. I really want to put those over my bed…whenever I get one!

White lights in white branches trailing across the ceiling at McCormack's Pub on 3rd Ave and 26th St.

So no cider on tap for me last night, but an idea for the decorating file.

Needless to say this cider on tap quest is ongoing….

Becca’s Back on the Carpet!!

Golden Globes tonight. I have to say, it was a good looking carpet tonight. What is up with the lack of umbrellas instead of tenting? Cute, but cumbersome, Hard to choose my favorite carpet looks, but here are 3 of my top choices…

Christina Hendricks -- I mean really, need I even explain? Although I don't believe I could wear this, Christina wears is so so well. (via Instyle.com -- gown is Christian Siriano.)

Zoe Saldana - Something about the casual, yet completely put together cascades of this berry Louis Vitton gown is intriguing to me. (via Instyle.com)

Ginnifer Goodwin - I always love it when a short dress holds its own in the sea of floor length fabulousness. Sure a short dress brings sophistication to the table, but this blue Vionnet goes beyond and completes with the glamour of the floor lengths. (via Instyle.com)

A Girls Gotta Eat!

Finally in NYC. Yesterday we arrived by train, lugging two overstuffed suitcases each through Penn Station. We headed straight to our sublet in Gramercy. It’s a studio, but has quite a bit of space, albeit the space is a single room. Not great for an semi-introvert, but I suppose I’ll survive.  The kitchen’s tiny, but adequate for a sublet. We aren’t ready going to stock the shelves just yet; waiting to find more permanent accommodations.

Speaking of stocking the shelves…the grocery store situation is a bit of a conundrum for me. I get the tiny independent (or small chains) grocer situation that is here in the city. I also get that most people don’t buy their groceries in bulk, both because of space considerations, but also because this city’s restaurants beckon you at every turn. I am still learning what is the “standard” for restaurant meal costs — how can I gauge cheap if I don’t know the average going rate? But the real problem today is…is it possible to buy cheap groceries? Are the stores we are going to normal or are we going to pricey stores? I mean, the food prices are SO expensive.

I am suspecting that grocery shopping here is a combination of buying up deals when you hear of them and finding particular purveyors for particular goods. Some stores might have good dry goods deals, other less expensive dairy others fresh produce at reasonable prices. Of course, maybe groceries are just ass expensive and that is why everyone eats out…costs the same in the long run.

All I know is that I didn’t buy my cranberry juice today because it was about $5.20. Not having my cranberry juice makes me unhappy. Very very unhappy. I need to figure out quickly if $5.20 is the going rate or if I can find my cranberry juice a few blocks away for cheaper.

New Year Slump

Aren’t you supposed to start the new year motivated? I typically do. This year I am in a slump. So hard to motivate…

Must make lists. Many many lists.

And on to Arkansas…

Read all about my (and Cory’s) cross country move at our moving/trip blog 2,791 Miles. (excerpt post below).

———

Next state??? ARKANSAS! It was quite pretty, but we raced through it because we were on a road trip roll.

Welcome to Arkansas!!

A memorable Arkansas moment…

Nice Cory....nice.

Pepper was afraid because of all of the stories she heard about Arkansas (well, and of Onnie too). She hid out here quite a bit.

St. Gertrude...PROTECT PEPPER!!!

We hustled through Arkansas into Tennessee. In hindsight…probably should have stayed in Arkansas and had a few hours of peace before the idiot drivers came into play.

- B -

Out With the New and In With the Old.

My looming departure from the day to day grind of entertainment industry petulance is starting to re-pique my interest in all things celebrity gossip blog. I used to be a People and Fug Girls addict, but lost my taste for it while in Los Angeles. I mean, it was just work and not fun like before. Will absence (or at least pending absence) make the heart grow fonder (again)?

Maybe…

But actually it is the re-emergence of my interest in fashion — something that has lain dormant for many a year here in LA when I was working locked up in an office where I wore jeans and flip flops for 12+ hours a day and had a fairly lean social life because all I wanted to do was veg out and disengage every weekend.

Hmmm…I remember a girl who loved high heels, new and sometimes funky clothes and checking out the newest restaurant or a fun gallery or some crazy outdoor festival focusing on something tasty or fun. This girl seems to be poking her head out thinking about a new bag she might be buying herself once she gets herself settled in the city. And she is definitely thinking about all the cute, toasty cuddly duds she needs to buy to wear in the winter weather.

Wonder how long I will hold out until a People magazine subscription shows up in my mailbox?

My 2009 Photo Theme was…

Apparently it was sticking out my tongue.

On the trolley in San Fran (with Cory!)

Delicious Delicious Cider!

Camp Cooking in Texas for Labor Day