Trade Coffee for Fresh Watermelon Seltzer

I have been slowly weaning myself off of coffee, either drinking decaf
or none at all. (minus yesterday when Seth accidentally got me regular
coffee that is extra strong... I spent the rest of the day with my
head floating over my body like a balloon.) It's hard to give up
coffee, but not because of the caffiene... More because I love love
love the way it tastes. And I really enjoy having something yummy in
the morning while I am waking up.

So this morning, as I was waking up after only 4 hours of sleep (last
Sunday night in a while that I have to worry about getting enough
sleep for), I started thinking about what could motivate me to wake
up... And at the wee hours of 4:45 a.m. I came up with watermelon
seltzer. I might have found a perfect replacement!!! It's really easy!
Have a try:

Watermelon Seltzer
•fresh chunks of watermelon
•fresh seltzer water
•ice cubes

Blend the watermelon and some ice. Add seltzer, stir gently. Let
settle. Add some more ice & enjoy!!

New Etsy Shop Postings!

I spent the evening posting my first photos on Etsy! I have about 20 more photos to post, so keep an eye out for more to come!!!

Etsy beaphotograph

Marraige Eqaulity

VICTORY!!!

Marriage Equality in New York!!!!

It's about time!

Pop-Up Piano

Seth and I headed up to Grand Army for lunch at the monthly Food Truck Rally (more on that later), and while we were waiting to meet up with Bric, we took a seat on some steps outside one of the pillared shelters. Inside sat a woman playing piano. We sat and listened to here. I was impressed by the set up - but not surprised. I've seen people playing pianos that were transported way below ground on the subway platforms. 

 Then she got up and walked away. It took me a moment to realize the piano was not her piano, but instead a piano for anyone to play.

 

So, Seth sat down and played for a moment. 

Pop-Up Pianos have placed 88 pianos throughout the city. They will be out until July 2nd and after that date, donated to different organizations. The purpose, according to the website, is provide all people with access to the arts. Such a cool cause! And the piano in Grand Army is beautiful! As soon as we move into a house, I want to get a used piano and collage it the same way this one was! 

I love this photo of Seth playing. I want so badly to get a piano, so he can play for me everyday!

Mermaids on Parade

Yesterday was the annual Mermaid Parade in Coney Island, and our second year to attend. I have been looking forward to it since last year's parade ended ;) We arrived right as the parade was starting. The weather was perfect and the costumes were amazing.

Peace

 The band came marching by. 

 Most of them displayed signs of protest against the condos planned to be built in Coney Island. (For more information check out Save Coney Island.)

 They head straight for the water. 

We were talking about how we should actually participate in the parade next year. My costume would probably not be as extreme as some of the others :)

UmbrellaUmbrellaUmbrella

These are the words I am hearing quietly chant as I sit outside of
Barnes & Noble on a tiny ledge waiting for the rain to stop. Not that
the rain stopping means I have anywhere to go... Waiting for Seth to
get off work and everything is soaked from the afternoon storms & rain.

My summer begins in a mere 7 days (6 & a half if we wanna be EXACT). I
very much need to spend some time to myself. I need to give myself a
chance to breathe, think, cleanse my soul, refresh.

NY Heat Wave

New York feels a lot like Kansas today. Luckily, my time out of cool
air conditioning has been limited (so far). Not that I don't love some
heat - I mean, it is the true sign of summer, in my book! And I have
spent many years of my life dealing with 100 degree summers sans a.c.

Right now, I am in a bus (& shouldn't be typing because I am terribly
prone to car sickness). We are heading upstate on a staff retreat
(where there is no a.c. and 97+ degree temps forecasted). And did I
mention that I work with all women!?! Who are all absolutely
fantastic!! It should be a fun trip - 25 women, wine, and relaxing!!
And, of course, lots of laughs! (for example, my boss, who just put
socks on with her fliplops because her toes were cold ;)

I have a most amazing job this year!

Yeah it's beautiful outside!

A very clever stoop seller (is that the right one? - asks the teacher) wrote messages on the sidewalk for a stoop sale that probably took place this last weekend... I read them as I walked to the subway this morning and had to smile. The first one said something like Hey man, it's been a long time. Then it went on I'm good how are you? To this one. Followed by You should come by and check out my stoop sale.

I'm hoping to convince Seth to take me on a walk here soon. I think I have a good way to trick him into it... Either walk in the park or do the dishes!! ;) I need a little relaxer after spending so much time figuring out plane tickets for our summer travel! Which I am VERY excited for... we booked flights to Portland, Oregon to see Seth's brother, sister-in-law, and our nephew, Phoenix. Seth has to head home after a week in Portland, while I head up to Anchorage to visit my dad's family :) Can't wait to head west!

The Writing's on the Truck

Good Morning Monday

Another Monday morning on my commute to work. After today, I only have

3 Mondays left until I start my summer drawing classes every morning

instead of going to work. It can't come fast enough! ;)

There is a lot going on this week... An upstate overnight retreat 

Wednesday night, my first June drawing class Thursday, and the first 

free summer concert in the park. Hopefully the weather will be nice 

for the outdoor stuff and the forecasted storms won't be like storms 

from back home!

we got inked!

We didn't actually plan to end the day with tattoos, but sometimes, things just happen :) Seth and I have been talking about getting tattoos for a while. About a month ago, we agreed on what we would get and also decided to get the same thing... I did a little research on tattoo places. Found some with good reviews from other neighborhoods. But we never got around to making appointments or setting a time when we'd actually get them.

This morning, over coffee, we decided today was the day. I found a tattoo place in our neighborhood that had really good reviews called Hand of Glory Tattoo.

The tattoo was small and simple and the artist, Derik, told us it would only take 3-5 minutes, depending on how much we moved. Unfortunately, we weren't the quickest customers... I went first and lost my color a few times, needed a few breaks, and finally was able for him to finish after a sugary drink and a few gummy sharks. Seth followed with similar bouts of almost passing out. It wasn't the pain but the needle (we think). Not sure how people do more intense tattoos. I obviously can't really handle it!

My tattoo right after it was done.

I definitely recommend H.O.G. Tattoo. The artists were really cool and nice. Ours made us feel comfortable and answered all of our questions. Most of all, he was really patient with us, letting us take our time to complete :)

Calexico

About 2 years ago, Seth and I went on adventure to try these yummy tacos I'd heard about online. Unfortunately, when we arrived, the place was closed. This morning, as we were trying to think of how we'd spend our day, I remembered the tacos (plus, I saw a mention to a taco crawl, awesome idea, on this blog). It took a moment for me to find exactly what the place was and where it was (thank goodness for the photos I take, I finally found it in my archives ;)

Anyway, this afternoon, we headed to Carroll Gardens to try the tacos at Calexico. They were definitely delicious! I had the Carne Asada taco & pinto bean taco, and Seth had the chicken taco. Plus, they have their own beer brewed by 6 Point.

AND they have a cart at the Brooklyn Bridge Park... Next time I'm there, I'll definitely be getting a taco!

Dear Subway Gods,

Dear Subway Gods,

I am a LOYAL subway rider (honestly, I love you 100% - minus the smell, sometimes), but lately, you are testing me! 2 days in a row of almost 2 hour commutes home after LOOOONG days of work is REALLY, TRULY getting to me.

I also know I am lacking a little patience lately as well, because quite frankly, I want summer to start and my daily commute to drastically change. YET, I need you to cut me some slack! PLEASE! Can we go back to an hour and a half at most?

Love, Alicia

PS: If you have any suggestions for improving my subway karma, I am taking suggestions ;)

New Pier in Williamsburg

in exploring williamsburg with my new lens, i happened upon the new pier they've built on the east river. it's absolutely beautiful, & i really want to head back to spend more time there. yet, it's weird walking to the pier with the brand new shiny, beautiful windowed apartment buildings towering over. quite an interesting change to the neighborhood in that part.

Sand Artist

With the nice weather, I am spotting artist Joe Mangrum more often. On Sunday, I was not surprised to find him creating in Union Square.