Kerri Brings The Sunshine

So I got some photos back from Kerri from her weekend here, which I'd like to share with you!

On Wednesday night, Kerri met up with me and Shannon (directly from the airport! What a trooper) at a bar in Midtown. We reenacted our tattoo experience, as we always do.


Skip ahead through nights of me working late and Kerri hanging out with Shannon... we went out dancing on Friday night and Saturday morning, after several hours of lolling around and slowly getting ready for the day, Kerri and I decided to head into her old 'hood in Queens for brunch at her fave place. I ran to catch the train in the subway (the only rushing I did all weekend) and caught it, holding the door open WITH MY BARE HANDS so Kerri could squeeze inside. Minor hand injuries only; that's the price you pay as a superhero.


We had a lovely outdoor brunch at Grand Cafè, directly downstairs from her and Shannon's old apartment. I had french toast, coffee, a Bloody Mary and water all for $11!




It was still rather summer-y that day, and the two of us had a grand time walking around aimlessly.


We took the LIRR to Long Island that evening to hang out at Shannon's for painting and conversation. Getting on the train, we barely squeezed out some young chicks who tried to beat us out for our seats. But Kerri was way too quick for them. These are our "fierce" faces.


I think Kerri took this photo to illustrate my complete transformation into New Yorker-ness.


I was going to read my mag while she listened to her iPod gazing out the window, but her battery died before we rose aboveground, so instead we spent the whole hourlong trip talking about men.


I guess I don't really have any pics of that night. But the next day, we strolled (again, verrrrrry slowly) to an adorable little LI town for a picnic. They were having a festival that day. I swear, I've never walked as slowly as I did that weekend. We only accomplished like three things all weekend. It was GREAT.




Okay, so there are these AMAZING (and I mean mind-blowing!) cupcakes at this little shop in Long Island. Every time I visit Shannon, I make her take me there. My favorite is the red velvet (I'm sure you're shocked, right?). So we got some of these cupcakes for our picnic, but walking along on our way, I was overtaken by low blood sugar and decided to take a few bites to tide me over.

Then the unthinkable happened.


I totally dropped it. Oh well, I still had eaten half of it already.

Then we ate lunch, Italian meats and cheeses and a baguette. Mmm mmm good.


Then guess what we did? More strolling. The sun was about to set over the water. I think we were somewhat near Billy Joel's house.


Isn't the town too cute to be true?




On our way back to the car, we decided to stop for a beer, and ended up in the HUGE backyard of a bar full of very typical Long Islanders (no offense, Shannon).




And then it was time for Kerri to go. I rode the train with her back to Jamaica Station (which is where JFK is) and on our way we saw our man, Mr. Mineola, whose several billboards we had none-too-subtlely noticed on our way out to L.I.


Yeah, we'll probably get married. Something tells me Mom will approve.

Anyway, splendid weekend all around! I relaxed more than I have in eons. Next blog post I'll tell you all about my Obama weekend, but for now, it's ciao.


love,
*jenna*

Art Fiesta!

Oh Em Gee you guys, it's been sooooo long. Just like that, the air has snapped into chill, summer drawing its final breaths before the early-darkening autumn. Here's what I've been doing while the air's been changing.

First, art. I began this painting months ago with Shannon, a collage of paper and paint, then didn't like it so I painted over it, but then the liquid made the paper too easy to pull off. So I pulled it off. Then it felt like my heart and I loved it.





Shannon came over a few weeks ago for wine and painting at my house. We made quite a mess.


She made this beautiful painting, and gave it to me as payment for one I gave to her (which I'll show you in a minute). Isn't it gorgeous?




It so perfectly matches the loverly birds guarding my closets.


So she gave me that in payment of the following piece. When I bought my bureau from the thrift store, in addition to the fortune inside I also found this very old, torn, crumpled-up photograph of folks at a wedding reception tossed in the back of one of the drawers. I thought it was so interesting, mysterious - you just know there's a story there. It is beautiful in its degradation. So I integrated it into my next piece and called it The Girl At Table 56.


Some details.


























Next, New York. Here's my view every Sunday, waiting to ride the N-train home from the Superhero Supply Store. Kind of cool, like spray-painting with a cutout cardboard.




There's a moment on the N-train, between Brooklyn and Manhattan, where the train ascends aboveground and you catch a glimpse of the city rising before you as you cross the East River.






Now what's up with this?


Love this.


Finally, coming to rest at home, with my sweet candle holder, my first housewarming gift, from Mom.


Which I look at while typing on my Mac, surrounded by books, cigar boxes full of writing utensils, and the city before me thru the window.


The morning after our painting adventure, Shannon and I went to Nice Matin, that amazing brunch place.


She had some amazingly fresh eggs, while I relished in my usual maple baked banana french toast.


AND COFFEEEEEE


Things have been a little exciting around PS260 lately. Our roof was rented out for a 2-day shoot for "Ugly Betty." I guess there's an upcoming episode centered around a Dia De Los Muertos fiesta, and in a matter of days the crew transformed our roof into this amazing set.














It wasn't without its price - our whole office was overtaken by gaffers, grips and extras.




But holy crap! Was it stunning.


They shot from 6pm to 6am each night, and, working late, I hung around upstairs a bit and caught glimpses of America Ferrara and some of the other cast members. At one point, I was in the kitchen and saw a fella coming towards me. He had on this corduroy blazer and glasses and my first thought was, "He's HOT! I want to flirt with that guy!" Then I realized he's THE STAR OF THE SHOW.


Yeah. Imagine him with glasses. And a blazer. Anyway, there was no flirting, as you can imagine.

More dècor.










This was cool: they got massive lights and lit the nearby NYC landmarks just for this shoot. Usually you can't even see the Flatiron at night.


Also last weekend, Kerri came to town, which was AMAZING and fun but I have no photos of it because I left my camera at work all weekend. Ergo... just believe me, it was a great time: dancing, wining, dining, reminiscing about Italy, picnicing, riding the Long Island Railroad, talking, laughing, loving.

This weekend I'm off to Pennsylvania to campaign for Obama. Until then.... ¡Adiòs!


love,
*jenna*

Wisdom On The Body

I've had this picture sitting on my desktop at work since the Mermaid Parade (which was where it was taken) and I love it.


'Tis useless to wish for another life. The only reality that matters is the one in which we live now. If one longs for something different, the only thing to do is move forward in the direction of one's dream.

love,
*jenna*

Wilderness Bound!

First of all, I just wanted to share the newest entry into the "weird things scrawled on bathroom stalls" department, this one from a unisex bathroom at Union Hall in Brooklyn:


Amen to that. Secondly, last Sunday I had the whole dang day off (and took a break from my writing, which I had done for almost twelve straight hours the evening before) and went "hiking" (read: walking along a path in the woods) with my friend Ned from the Superhero Store (also, he is only the second Ned I've ever met. Second only to PS Ned). We took a train up to adorable Tarrytown and walked around till we found the trail. Along the way we stopped by this cute antique store. Well, everything upstate is "cute."


I made some wishes near a Honda dealership.


Then we just walked around in the woods. It was a hot day, but the light was lovely.


Ned is into photography, so he shared my appreciation for light upon the crags of a rock.








Then we saw a deer! I felt like I was camping in Arizona.


It was soooo cute! She just kept putting her head up to hide behind the tree trunk, then ducking under it to peek at us curiously.


We came across a few li'l towns along the way, and everything was just too perfect. I really like the bench outside of this house.


And I don't know why the convenience store found this to be so important they had to reiterate, but evidently they have some savory foods.


I honestly thought this was a castle. But no, it was just a gorgeous church where some people were getting hitched on a beautiful August day.


This clock tower reminded me of the one from "Back To The Future."


Ummmmm.... random!


This building was just soooooo Italian cloisters.




After several hours of walking around, then some chicken fingers and beer, we headed back to the city, just before sunset.


On the ride back, I was still photographically stimulated.




I love the sight of traveling, from the traveler.










A good time was had by all. Or both. It was just nice to get out of the city and into some fresh air, and to give my legs their reason for living. Happy Labour Day! Hope y'all got a good rest in.


love,
*jenna*