'Fro -> Hawk

Sometimes in life, you've just got to break out of your mold and get a little crazy. Or at least, you have to let your co-workers force you out of your mold and make you look a little crazy. Such was the case with one Ned Borgman (of Borgfest '07 fame)... he had been letting his usually clean-shorn hair go long for awhile, and I would catch him running his hands through his almost-afro and tugging at it whenever he got stressed or distracted.

So, one day in the kitchen, I asked, "When are you going to cut that stuff off already?" Everyone present agreed it was time for it to go. "Ooohh!" I exclaimed. "You know what you should do? Shave it into a mohawk!" Now, if you remember my previous descriptions of Ned, you know that a mohawk is the most anti-Ned thing anybody could do. However, our boss Zarina happened to be in the room at the time, and she excitedly agreed with my idea (probably because of that fact). And once she gets excited about something, she doesn't let it go. It must be done.

Therefore, on Friday afternoon, after our usual Five O'Clock Friday Hi-Fives, we took Ned into the kitchen to go all Edward-Scissorhands on him.

Ned Before:


I was the elected shaver, and we discussed the game plan.


He is awfully "The Thinker"-y.


We were both a little nervous, I think. I just didn't want to mess up his head... or accidentally take off an eyebrow.


(See what I mean about the nervous hand-running?)


But away we went.





Our coworkers looked on laughingly.





That hair is THICK, let me tell you! I wish I had hair that thick and lustrous.











I felt like I had a lot of power over poor Ned... I mean, I easily could have taken an eyebrow if he'd pissed me off.


But after the initial shaving had taken place, we needed a conference to decide how to proceed with the fine-shaven details.


I let Reilly take over from there, just to get into the nitty-gritty hairline creation, since I don't really trust myself at that level of head shaving. But not before a triumph photo.








Ned took it like a pro.


If he'd been new to PS, this would have been his hazing ritual. But no.... it was just something fun to do on a Friday afternoon.











Now at least he has a focused strip of hair to grab onto in times of stress (like while getting a mohawk against his will).


Ha ha ha...


Good times.


He was such a good sport about it. I think it turned out pretty awesome... too bad CBGB closed down, or we could have taken this preppy punk out for a wild night.


In addition, our newest assistant, Colin, cut together this little video of the experience. You can see it here.


love,
*jenna*

Hot Pink Petals

Well, as it turns out, it's supposed to rain this weekend (and I'm supposed to work), so the Cherry Blossom Fest will have to wait. But I will sate your floral appetite with something that might be even better than a designated super-garden: little mini-gardens found in simple places around town.

Sure, it's clichè to wax poetic about flowers in the springtime, and springtime itself (and God knows I've subjected you to it two years in a row) but the beauty of it never fails to amaze me. The smell of the air as it changes a mere ten degrees, becoming downright pleasant to the lungs. The nine o'clock sunshine. The twelve-deep line of people waiting to get an ice cream cone at the Mister Softee truck. The sunlight turning brightly-colored flora nearly neon.

Here were some of my favorites, a small garden of magenta tulips at Madison Square Park after work on Monday. I can't believe these exist without dye.




And its twin, a rectangle of the same lining a fountain at Rockefeller Center as I walked to work on Tuesday.


Sigh. Do your best, rain. See if I care. I've got photos of spring to keep me warm.

love,
*jenna*

Records And Flowers, Together At Last!

Last week, spring was finally, fully sprung. It got all the way up to 78 degrees out, so everyone at PS260 celebrated by eating on the roof 3 out of 5 days of the week. It's a wonderful perk to a job that can be demanding at times.




On Friday, Kerri emailed me and Shannon to alert us to the fact that one of our (rare) shared favorite bands, The Black Keys, were going to be at a record shop called Other Music in honor of International Record Store Day, and they were going to DJ from 2-3pm. Shannon wasn't able to make it, so I decided to brave it alone.

I was expecting there to be a thousand people there, but it was just the regular ol' record store, and they just happened to be standing there DJ'ing (and playing a lot of oldies songs). On my way there I was imagining all of these coy, witty and adorable things I would say to them, and what they might say to me, and all of these scenarios ended with me hanging out with the Black Keys all weekend. But when I got there, I got all nervous because there was really no one around them, so I could just go up to them. I promptly began sweating and forgot everything cool or funny I've ever said. I just stammered, "Ummmmm... are you guys signing things?" as well as the classic, "I love your new album. It's really good." Jeez. That was not in the script. I was completely star-struck, like a nine-year-old meeting the New Kids On The Block. The whole thing lasted about two seconds: I had them sign my CD, then I took this picture of them. I didn't even think to count to three.


They sure are cute. So I walked away all nervous and stupid, then walked around the store mindlessly. I decided to buy a record for them to sign for myself and give the CD to Kerri because she was the reason I got to go, and would have been all over it if she were here. The second go-round was pretty much as embarrassing as the first, only involving a record. As I left the store I realized I should have gotten something for Shannon but by then I was too embarrassed to go back a third time and look like a stalker.


One thing I thought was funny (and kind of sad) was that in a record shop, in honor of Record Store Day, standing in front of two turntables, signing record albums, the Black Keys were DJ'ing using two iPhones.


After I left the store I had to take a break and collect myself. I walked all around town and found that street fair season has begun! Now we can buy $2 socks and cheap jewelry and gyros all on one block.


Near NYU, I saw this beautiful tree swaying in the wind, and although you can't tell from the photos, it was shedding its blooms ever so gently, the petals covering the sidewalk below.




I'm a window-lover.


*gasp.* You would not believe how good this bakery smells, from a whole block away. It smells like... cupcakes. If they were made by angels. Floating on a cloud of icing. Mmmmm.


Sunday was a bit chilly and overcast, but I didn't let that stop me from taking myself to brunch at Nice Matin (unpictured, but it was my birthday breakfast place, if you remember that... they have the best coffee I've ever had). Afterward, I took a stroll across the park. I walked slowly, which, if you know me, is a feat in itself.




There weren't a great many people there as it was cold out, but at least enough for a family game of soccer.


And a birthday picnic. It reminded me of going to Eldorado Park for my cousins' birthdays as a kid, except... you know... way cooler.


The blooms were bloomin', and fallin'.


Families were out in full loving force.


I sat myself down below that big tree and alternated between reading my book and half-napping.


It's easier to relax when this is above you.


And on the way home, I celebrated the return of the Park Avenue Tulips, so lovely and demure in their neat little rows.


And that's that. Think you've had enough of my obsession with spring flowers? Think again. I think next week I'll be going to the Cherry Blossom Festival, which you've already seen a couple years in a row, but guess what - you're gonna get it again. Be ready.

love,
*jenna*

Playing Dress-Up

A few weeks ago, Shannon saw this photo of Audrey Hepburn and just fell in love with it. Being the aspiring cosmetologist that she is, Shannon decided she wanted to try to make me over with this as the inspiration.


The first thing she did was give me some raging eyebrows. With my new haircut, I really felt boyish.


But the rest of the makeup balanced it out. I didn't look exactly like Audrey (I need longer hair), but she got close - and at least I got to glam out for the night. Here are some pics of our dress-up and photo fiesta.






Dig the fake mole?












These don't have much to do with Audrey Hepburn, but don't they make you wanna snuggle?


























I think this is the closest we came to recreating the photo... not bad!








Okay, now I'm sick of looking at myself and I'm sure you are too. Ciao babes!



love,
*audrey?*