What to do with your million$$$

This is the floor plan of an apartment that was advertised in the weekend papers recently. Click on the image to see a big version. I so want to see inside this display home.

Bloggy blog blog

Justin and I went and explored Tribeca the other weekend, a pocket we hadn't yet spent much time in and didn't quite 'get'. Where was it exactly and what was there? So we jumped on the train in frigid weather and wound up and down the streets: along Canal past the cinema where De Niro's Tribeca Film Festival is headquartered, down Varick, Hudson and past a clutch of the city's fanciest (Nobu) and star-spottingest (Bubby's) restaurants. It all became abundantly clear when we walked past our fifth spa/designer furniture/old style apartment building on cobbled streets that the area certainly has a cool vibe and a quiet, non-tourist, let's-get-on-with-living-in-Manhattan vibe. So now we know what we're in for .

The apartment flourishes, with a bit more furniture, some art and a growing book collection. It's definitely feeling homey and less of an echoing box.

Looking forward to spring as our palm (whose name is Gloria) is not coping too well with the automated heating. The heating is connected to a building-wide thermostat, so we can't actually adjust the heat or set the temperature. It's pretty toasty most of the time, which makes Gloria one thirsty plant whose leaves are in danger of getting crispy. We'll also be able to buy some flowers for spring and put them on our tiny balcony, so we can open the door and have a vista of flora.

Melbourne friends Jennifer and Mark have just moved to NY and we celebrated their Rose's 4th birthday at the park at Union Square. Dressed in her new ice skating outfit, Rose blew out candles on her unbelievably, deliciously rich chocolate birthday cake (it was breakfast for Jus and me- hello sugar rush) and we all sang happy birthday. It was pleasant to hang out in the sun. Then we realised it was -3c ,and we thought how inhumane people would think we were if we attempted to celebrate a child's birthday outdoors in below zero weather at home. When in Rome, though...

Took a wonder through the Columbia University campus on the Upper West Side too. It has stately historical buildings and grand grounds that reminded me of the South Lawn at Melbourne Uni. Quite striking with a smattering of snow.

If you've ever wondered, and you probably haven't, what Boston Cream Pie looks like, then here it is. Layered sponge with chantilly cream filling, chocolate frosting with nuts, with whipped cream from a can and a cherry on top, served with as much vanilla icecream as you can fit on the plate.

Sometimes when you go to a diner, your curiosity gets the better of you and you just have to order that exotically named item (Philly cheesesteak, silver dollar griddle cakes, corned beef hash) . Then it comes, and you wish you'd stuck to the burger, the club sandwich or the cherry pie.

I could not tell you how many hamburgers, turkey clubs and chicken salad wraps I have eaten in the past 9 months (and who really cares). I've realised that because of the extensive menus that diners have, they can pretty much make anything you feel like. So the menu is simply a guide and you can throw any combo of ingredients together to order exactly what you want. Substitution is the tip of the iceberg: if you feel like roast (broiled) chicken, with roasted pumpkin, grilled tomato, peas and gravy just like your nanna used to make, they'll work it out. But you better tip.

Snowy Day

happy snowman in central park
Originally uploaded by Meesy

Yay, it snowed. The novelty has not worn off at all. At work when the flurries start I wonder over to the window and watch awhile. It's so relaxing. I watched snow collect on the tops of skyscrapers and water tanks. The city softens for a moment in a pristine blanket. The sounds are muffled.

Jus went for a walk today in Central Park, where people were having snowball fights and building snowmen, skiing. He's doing a day trip to upstate New York on Sunday for a ski: $70 includes breakfast, bus, all day lift ticket and snack on the way home. The bus leaves from just around the corner. Ridiculously convenient. The prospect of spontaneous spring skiing is high. The locals know that east coast skiing isn't that wonderful but when its so close and so cheap, who cares?

We have a new winter ritual. On Saturdays we sip hot apple cider as we walk around the Union Square farmers market. The farmers can't shift the autumn apples fast enough: there is apple cider, apple juice, apple pies, apple cake, chutnies. And hot apple cider has been a revelation: spicy, warm, sweet, zingy.

Celebrity sighting #25

Lou Reed, spotted at PS1, a contemporary art museum in Long Island City. He looked surprisingly healthy in a martial arts jacket from 1986, wandering around a feminist art exhibition.

Nuff said

Trippy little website with trippy content, such as Tom talking about KSW. Does he think he's Jesus?

I hope he can

Everyone's talking about this clip, which Black Eyed Pea will.i.am put together over one of Obama's speeches. Lots of Obama posters on cubicles at work. He seems to have inspired a lot of iconical poster art.

As the parties get close to selecting their preferred candidate there is constant talk at dinners, drinks and lunchrooms about who who who for the Democrats. I've heard countless people say 'it's nice to have a choice' and 'i don't mind who gets in. they're both good', but I think it would be a bigger step for this nation, and mean more, if Obama was the Democratic candidate and elected.

To be honest, I don't think the US is un-racist enough to vote him in. Race still matters here, big time. If he did get in I think the world would have to reassess their perception of the US, as they take a fresh look at themselves.

Imagine the day when Australia has an Aboriginal prime minister...

In defence of germs

I used an office bathroom this morning where:

• the loo automatically flushed as I was rising
• the soap was dispensed automatically as I put my palm under it
• the tap turned on automatically when I put my hand under it
• the paper towel dispenser spat out paper automatically when I waved my hand under it

I didn't have to touch anything!

I couldn't tell whether I was impressed or disappointed that someone thinks that's a good use of funds & technology. Maybe they have fewer staff who get sick? Maybe the auto flush is a wee-sized flush volume and they're saving precious water? (I haven't seen any dual flush here). Or maybe the thought of public bathroom germs is just so gross that any attempt at hygiene is appreciated?

All I know is I wont hesitate to shake hands with anyone who works at the World Financial Center.

The rise and rise of 'no worries'

I thought this was a strictly 'no problem' land and that nobody would say 'no worries', but it is used all the time.

Sorry Day

I've been reading The Age online this morning about Sorry Day and Rudd's historic speech (and Nelson's disappointing and misguided contribution. just don't get it, do they?). Goose bumps material. It was the lead story on the front page of the NY Times.

I'm sad that I'm not at home to be part of this momentous occasion. The air of optimism, relief, hope and renewed excitement in Australia and what it means to be Australian was palpable from the video footage and articles.

I'm sitting here at my desk on a sleety day at 10.30am in the morning and have got all teary. Australia should feel so proud today!

It finally snowed

Helicopter Blows Deer Safe

While most of the rest of the country is getting its fair share of snow, NYC has been eerily snow-free. Until yesterday! We finally had some 'accumulation' and had snow on the ground for several hours, before it turned to grey slush.

So pretty when its all white and fresh, so gross once it is grey, stained with dog pee, and being sprayed as slush from passing vehicles. I came out of the subway and stood on the corner to cross the road and the puddle of melted snow was about 3 feet around and inches deep. Me, and a whole bunch of other commuters sans boots, had to step into the freezing water and slop home though the snow with wet feet. Lesson learned. Wellingtons on today!

Sprucing the goose

Decided to make a few changes to the old blog template. All those links I had on the right have now turned into widgets so you can actually see the time in New York, click to call me directly on Skype, preview some of our photos on Flickr and sync with my Facebook status.

For the blog's one year anniversary -only 3 months away!- who knows what I'll do.

All hail Vail

BBQ master in the snow
Originally uploaded by Meesy

Got back from a ski trip with the Lilleys last week in Vail and Beaver Creek (love The Beav, my best skiing ever). Great amounts of snow (59" base, 20" fell while we were there), some beautiful clear days with views to the Rockies, the coldest temperature I had ever experienced -17c + windchill, truffle fries, elk steak, boozy lunches and all the floor length fur coats you can handle. And Bo and Ruby providing off-mountain entertainment.

Now we are BROKE! Was it worth it? Hells yeah. Always.

A few photos...

chuckle on the way home from work

NY street humour
Originally uploaded by Meesy

New Year's resolutions be damned! Saw this outside a deli selling the fattest bagels, jelly donuts and beer.