Pearly Bites

I positively cracked up when I saw this recipe for "Pearly Bites" in Family Fun magazine today. They look gross and goofy and awesome all at once. I think it's the eyes.

Moment of Stillness

I know I’ve been remiss about blogging, but I’ve been go-go-go these days, between wedding tasks and an explosion of work. I’ve been trying to remind myself to be still for a short while every day. This morning I stumbled upon the very epitome of stillness; a rare sight that takes my breath away every time: a parked taxi cab.

The yellow color makes a cab seem like it should be in motion at all times. There’s probably science behind that, something about the wavelengths of light and the way my rods and cones equate that color with kinetic energy.

I see hundreds of cabs each day, careening down Broadway, the reckless drivers possibly not giving, deep down, a real crap about whether they live or die. The longest I see a cab pause is to let one passenger out and another in; to shuttle someone else at furious speeds around the buzzing blocks of New York.

So when, this morning on my tree-lined street, I spotted a clean yellow taxi shining bright, I stopped in my tracks. I took a break from pushing the limits, from hurtling through the day at death-defying speeds. I reached terminal velocity. I had my moment of stillness.

Image via benjaminseigel on Flikr. Apologies I did not get a photo of the still cab in its glory.

St. Bernard barrel

You know how, at least in cartoons, St. Bernards always carry a little barrel around their necks? At some point during my childhood, my mom told me the dogs carried hot chocolate in the barrel. Made sense to me—something hot to give to the cold skiers the dogs rescued from the slopes. 

I still thought it was hot chocolate until sometime last year, when Chris told me it's actually brandy in that little barrel. Innocence shattered. Thanks, Chris.

In a new children's book, Wiggens Learns His Manners at the Four Seasons Restaurant, the St. Bernard's barrel is said to contain "the spirit of helping others." Yeah, it contains spirits, all right!

De-sensitization

Remember how I cry at everything, even dog food commercials? So, I've been somewhat concerned that I'll sob through my vows and generally be a red, puffy mess at the wedding. I don't know if there's any real cure for being emotional, but I have prescribed myself a de-sensitization regimen. It is somewhat working. SOMEWHAT. I only teared up at a friend's wedding recently, but I sorta credit the bride's brother, who was making everyone laugh.

If you, too, would like to follow my regimen, you just need to repeatedly expose yourself to things that make you cry. *Note: This only applies to happy, "that's so beautiful" crying. Not sad crying.

Here's a sample diet of tearjerkers:

1) Bach Double Violin Concerto, 2nd Mvmt. This will be playing as I walk down the aisle. I find thinking about playing the notes on the violin helps me not cry.

2) The Where the Wild Things Are trailer. Gets me every time! I know I've been unsuccessful with this one because I saw it last weekend before Harry Potter and lost to the tears.

3) Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova's Oscar speech. Still losing this one. It starts when Glen raises his Oscar and repeats "Make art, make art," and comes back with Marketa's "No matter how far out your dreams are, it's possible...fair play to those who dare to dream."

The hope is that repeated exposure will reduce my emotional response each time, or at least teach me how to successfully trick myself out of crying. Any criers out there with tricks that work??

Cat belleh

It's been a while since your last cat belleh. Too late for a mid-week pick-me-up, but here's a nice little boost for the end of your week. Nothing warms the heart like a little blissed-out cat belleh!

Gal on the Flying Trapeze

Did anyone check out Meg's post about her kickass bachelorette party? She went skeet shooting. I got to do this in New Zealand and it was awesome.

I heard about another rad bachelorette party through a girl at work: a group trapeze lesson. Trapeze School of New York does lessons for parties. Genius!

image via TSNY

City scene, 7.20.09

9:18am: A young woman successfully applies liquid eyeliner on a moving 7 train as it approaches the Bryant Park station.

3 hours later: My amazement subsides. Sheer admiration remains.