the diary of antoine roquentin

This is mostly going to be a photo post. I’ve been having tons of fun in the city lately. My orientation at William Paterson was Thursday, which sucked terribly. It started at 8:30 a.m. in the pouring rain. All the presentations were done in PowerPoint in the Impact font. There were a few typos on the signage (which I fixed with a Sharpie).

You can tell a college that doesn’t have a graphic design major.

Anyway, on Friday I went into the city and saw Away We Go with Jove. It was basically A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius + Juno. Which was very cute. Afterwards, I went over to the Strand bookstore and picked up a compilation of Dorothy Parker’s work (Taylor loves her, so I thought I should check her work out). I also got another canvas at Utrecht for another piece I’m making.

Afterwards, we headed uptown to check out folding bikes. I bought my baby and rode it around Central Park until rush hour was over and I could take it on PATH without pissing people off. People were transfixed by the folded-up bike, and I got a few odd questions. “So…you just unfold it and ride it?” “Uh…yep.” “Wow, that feels like such a dumb question now that I asked.” (no joke, that conversation really happened)

on Saturday, I went out with Jove. I was supposed to go to this Golden Filter show (I had their song stuck in my head all week), but it turned out to be at this really swanky venue in Hell’s Kitchen that I wasn’t dressed right to go in, so we went over and talked at the waterfront for a while.

Midnight rolled around, so we decided to take the Staten Island ferry in the middle of the night. It was beautiful out, with the skyline of Manhattan in full view. We were the only people on the ship. After that, we went to my favorite spot in the city, French Roast in the Village. We got gourmet French toast and macaroni and cheese and talked for a few hours. It was wonderfully fun since we were nearly the only people in the candlelit restaurant.

On Sunday, I went into the city to meet two of Jove’s friends for thai. They were very fun. Adrienne was talking at length about this interesting performance artist. Sara and Jove were going on and on about the crazy antics that had happened when they went to this acquaintance through school’s wedding. After lunch, we went for a walk in Central Park with Adrienne and Jove’s little dog. Jove had to go to work, so I went back to the house and did some of my own work. I came back at midnight when he was off.

Of course, we headed down to the Village and French Roast. I got mussels and champagne, while Jove got the (real, as in made of French bread) French toast that I had ordered last time. While we were eating, this character named Moses came over and started chatting us up (first me about the best way to eat mussels, then by buying us drinks and telling us cute date ideas). He was three sheets to the wind and telling us all about this Greek cruise that he was stage managing for. When our sense of judgment was failing us, we took our leave and headed back to Jove’s place. We were supposed to go to the beach in the morning, but it was raining like hell when we woke up.

Not sure why, but we were suddenly in the mood for Chipotle. Jump on the A to 14th St, and there we were. Burrito bliss. A great meal deserves an equally great dessert, so we walked over to Magnolia, this incredible bakery (also in the Village) for delicious cupcakes. These birds were begging us for cupcake crumbs.

We were only a few blocks from the waterfront, so we went over and walked up the path they have there as the sun began to set.

We passed the most beautiful building ever. I think it’s a law firm.

I just got back at midnight or so. I felt this wonderful feeling while I rocked out to Out Hud walking up my block.

I’m actually here. It’s actually happening.

Sometimes, it’s just great to be alive.

PS: Here’s a shot of my little organic garden. Isn’t it cute? We had to enclose it in chicken wire (I built the enclosure) to prevent the squirrels and woodchucks from eating our crops.