Reflecting on November

November sped by on wings of fire (and ice? and rain, definitely rain), but it was a very necessary month ... a healing month, a month when I settled, when I branched out, when I found a routine, when I made friends and money and food, when I stopped worrying and learned to love the bomb.

I reread all seven Harry Potter books (in a row this time, no two- or three-year wait in between books) and remembered what was like to be really and truly enchanted with a (well-written! I'm looking at you, Stephenie Meyer) story for all ages.

I saw "Fantastic Mr. Fox" at a theatre in Union Square two weeks before its wide-release date. It was maybe the best film I've seen all year.

I embraced Twitter (I know this isn't necessarily a good thing, but it's something that happened). My cat jumped on that bandwagon long before I did.

 

More bingo in New Haven hosted by a man dressed as Joan Crawford and other delightful members of the Connecticut Gay Men's Chorus. This time with my Domo and some transcendent cupcakes from Crumbs. And finally...

 

...duck on Thanksgiving. Who could ask for anything more?

Photography 101

There's something clichéd about taking and posting pictures of subway stops.

I mean, there's just something that screams "12-year-old budding photographer" about the whole thing, you know? The giant signs, the poor lighting, the lack of upkeep, the ridiculous people. Not to mention the subtle undertones of "I live in New York and I am better than you" that lace every photo.

 

I guess what I'm trying to say is ... I'm not above it.

 

Chambers Street = the apocalypse.

 

Beautiful fish made of tiny tiles at the Essex/Delancey station.

 

This is my stop.

Capricious Contemplations

EVERYTHING'S COMING UP MILHOUSE
I found a delicious, well-priced sushi joint. I reconnected with a couple of people. I found an old Starbucks card with a $31 balance. I finally got Time Warner to install wireless Internet in the apartment. I spent an impromptu weekend with my family in Wisconsin — tying up some loose ends, drinking loads of Caribou coffee and reclaiming all my Harry Potter books. AND! I started working. However...

SWINE FLU'DDDDD!
No, I don't have H1N1. But I have been slightly miserable the last couple of days. Nothing super serious — sinus pressure, head and body aches, a bit of a cough, general fatigue. Symptoms of a cold. BUT ALSO! POSSIBLY SYMPTOMS OF SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS! I am absolutely paranoid about contracting the swine flu. I'm leaning away from all the coughs and sneezes on the subway, stocking up on hand sanitizer, taking echinacea and vitamins ... you know ... all of those things that make you feel like you're warding off illness, but will most likely do nothing to stop the inevitable.

"HAPPY?" "NO, NOT SINCE I WAS A CHILD."
For the first time since last season, "30 Rock" aired a really solid episode. And Grizz lost a lot of weight! Good for you, Grizz.

GOD BLESS YOU, MR. ROSEWATER
I have seen maybe three or four old men on the streets or the subway who look startlingly like Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. I always thought Mr. Vonnegut was a somewhat unique-looking man, so this has all been a bit alarming.