Dog of the Week

My favorite part of this picture is the dog's tennis ball he has placed at his owners feet. You know what he is ready for after his nap!!

WSP

Washington Square park is the emotional heart of Greenwich Village. This beautifully bazaar square ties the city together into a fanatical package that is bursting with New York character. Tucked comfortably between NYU, mom and pop sandwich shops, hot bars and upscale brownstones, this park is a gathering place for musicians, entertainers, public assemblies, movie shoots, chess and scrabble players, dog owners and people of all ages from Villagers to visitors. This weekend dear friends and I took an after brunch stroll through the park. I truly believe no other spot in the world attracts so many over-enthusiastic locals.

Who says grown men aren't children at heart??? This man proves that he is just a fun loving 13 year old girl inside. He and his friend had a serious baton twirling practice session. This wasn't for tips folks, this was the real deal.











As we were admiring our boys new found love of baton twirling, we suddenly found something much better (believe it or not) in the distance. Just a few yards in front of us was a real life re-enactment of Star Trek. Right between the dog park and the chess tables, an "instructor" was giving sword fighting lessons. Where do people like this coming from?? I couldn't help but snap a few pictures. Let's just hope the baton men and the sword fighters don't decide to join forces....that could get ugly!

Although it was hard, we had to keep moving through the park. Within seconds we had found our next target. Now everyone can appreciate a good pianist, but this man brought his entire piano to the park. He tilted his head back and belted tunes through the park and his fingers vigorously punched on the keys. He was pretty good and I definitely had to appreciate his effort to lug that piano around town.

I love this park. I love the old people dancing to the jazz band in one corner while couples relax in the grass. I love the hippie NYU students painting and writing poetry in the center while kids run around eating Magnolia Bakery cupcakes. This park is the heart strings of New York City. Not all strings are pretty or even normal, but they play a vital part to keep this crazy city alive and kicking.

New York Cares

I want to start volunteering in NYC, so I went to New York Cares website to review volunteer opportunities through out new york. They must have 1,000 projects on the site and I couldn't find a single one I liked. I have decided I'm pretty picky with who I like to serve.

- I don't like homeless people
- I don't care for old people
- I hate AIDS
- I like animals, but I won't go to Harlem to walk them
- I'm not good at math, so SAT prep courses are out

I finally gave up and joined New York Young Republicans instead.

Dear American Dream

Dear American Dream-

First and foremost, I would like to thank you for all your hard work over the last 231 years. You have single handedly formed and molded the citizens of this great land to abide by simple rules to make the country a better place. You have given every child something to strive for. From the time we were tots we understood we would go to school, not do drugs, graduate from college, marry my college/high school sweetheart, get a job, quit my job a year later when I got pregnant and be a happy mother of 2.3 kids and a golden retriever in my 3 bed 2 bath house in my safe suburban neighborhood, all by the age of 25. You have provided this safe path and I am grateful you have set the guidelines so we know our course in life. Many of my dear friends have already completed this entire list and they say it is just as perfect as you have promised. I too look forward to one day checking off my to-do list of life just as you envisioned.

Today is not that day.

Today my age changes to one year older. I know you disapprove of me overlooking my list yet another year and I hope I have not disappointed you as a citizen. I have reviewed your list at great extent and although I appreciate the steps, I have decided it is not for me.
Not today.

Instead, today I will continue to be happy, healthy and loving life, but at my own pace.
Today I will keep working long, hard hours and enjoy the success at my career which I love. I will continue to act younger than my age, stay out too late, dance more, and laugh too loud. Today I probably won’t go on a date, but I will go on a long walk with a dear friend. I will skip lunch today and save the calories for a late night milk shake with my roommate. I will walk home instead of taking the subway so I can soak in this beautiful city I live in and smile at the characters I pass on the street. Today I will finally tip the old woman under the bridge that sings hymns loud enough to echo through the park. I will sit by myself at a café and do nothing but enjoy my cup of coffee. I will listen more, remember more faces and be more observant. I will buy fresh flowers today and actually make time for the friend I have been putting off. I will watch less TV and replace it with knitting, cooking and reading. I will act like a tourist and take lots of pictures as I stroll through a new museum. I will go on a longer jog and show off my curvy figure in an expensive dress I worked hard for.

Today I won’t get married, I won’t have a baby, I won’t buy a house, dog or car. But I will continue to be blessed by the people surrounding me and live my life to the fullest!

With all my love and respect,

Your (happy) American problem child

Morning dip

At least this homeless man is bathing! The best part was watching him WALK from his wheelchair to the fire hydrant, then using his tools to unscrew the top of the hydrant to create his bath water. Guess in the city, ya do what ya gotta do for a little bath.