Three

So 24 hours before I leave for Texas, for some warmth- on my skin and in my heart- it is 93 degrees here. Ninety-three degrees on the pavement, walking to and from, feels much hotter than 93 in the open spaces of Texas. It's more like 93 when you are sitting in traffic on LBJ in your car with no air-conditioner. Or on the back of a motorcycle. It's sweltering and heavy with humidity.

I couldn't even make it through my lunch hour in the direct sun at Bryant Park (my esthetician friend would be thrilled!), but hid in the shade and let my legs peak out, eating my broccoli and pear.

I'm hopeful for the summer, for parties, and rest and getting off at 1:00pm on Friday's until Labor Day. My sister will be in NYC completing an internship. My husband will have a car, to travel and explore. And, hopefully I'll be able to get away to the beach or some place new I've never been to, like Delaware or Rhode Island. Who knows? With a car the possibilities are endless...

My sister(s) hopeful, will pick me up from the airport tomorrow night. I love my sisters; I don't know where I'd be without them. I can not imagine growing up, in a world all my own, without these to sisters. Seriously, this is why I hesitate to have a kid. I mean if I have one kid, then I've gotta have like 3 or 4, because big families are more fun. But then again, I'm partial. Family time Friday and Saturday (maybe dad will take me for a ride on his Harley) followed by friend time on Sunday and Monday.

I can not wait!

My hair has just gotten long enough that I can pull it all back in a low ponytail without little strands falling out all the time. So today, I wore it half pulled back in a large barrette. So, I feel like a look a little like a bobblehead. Seriously, like with my hair swooped out of my face, my head is ginormous, or maybe my neck too small? I don't know.

A friend gave me these HUGE oversized sunglasses she was going to get rid of (and a coach bag... but that's another blog/story about how I'm a freeloader and proud of it) and today when I caught a glimpse of myself in the H&M window as I walked to bask in the sun at Bryant Park I thought- yikes, what a big head!

While trying to appear graceful and feminine like Jackie O., I think these sunglasses with this hairdo make my head appear frightfully big. (this pic was taken this weekend, I didn't to to work in a t-shirt and hoodie)

The sun is hot, Hot, HOT today and on my way to the subway I couldn't help but notice how we were all wearing sleeveless, or spaghetti straps or even strapless flirty dresses in bold prints and patterns. Of course we all "dressed it up" with a sweater, or cardigan or blazer- which helps for sunning during ones lunch hour, walking home at sunset, or after hours beverages. As long as I have on heels, nice jewelry and a cardigan then I don't feel like I'm going to the beach.

I realize this is unfair; the fact that many women become scantly clad in the office during the summer while men still wear suits and ties. In my office the dress is business/ business casual and I usually wear a suit or slacks and dress shirts. But in the summer, it's so temping to not to, because it's warm and business casual can mean cropped pants and khaki skirts.

But how far is too far? I tend to toe the line, to see what other girls wear do the same, even if I wouldn't normally consider it office appropriate. And not in the sense that it is too short or too low-cut, but jersey dresses, sleeveless tanks, flip-flops and beach skirts really don't have a place in the office, I don't think. And paint your toenails please, if you are going to show them off - in the office. (I have other "rules" for day-to-day living regarding toenails.)

I will say, however, I do work in an office full of European men who don't wear undershirts. And on Friday's I have seen loafers with no socks. I'm just sayin...

Road Trip!

"I am back at equilibrium," Chris announced to me yesterday. "Everything is perfect in the world."

What a rebound from the drama's of the weeks past. But in all sincerity, I think we all go through really crappy seasons- weeks where it seems like the only solution to maintaining any sort of desirable and otherwise joyful existence would be to either a.) move far far away or b.) (in Chris's case) retreat & prepare for all out life change.

In his lowest of lows he declares to me-

"You're going to leave me, because after all who would want to be with an unemployed man in NYC. Then I'll sell everything, break our lease, and live out of a van where I'll play guitar for people along the beaches and shorelines across the country." I picture him driving and old church van barefoot, with some gray haired mutt hanging it's head out the passengers side window.

Quite frankly, I like it when Chris has a five minute meltdown- even if they are only once a year. I had started to feel a little mental with my monthly explosions. But I know he doesn't talk about work to protect me. And I know he doesn't want to burden me with all that is weighing him down (even when I have no problem whatsoever telling him every detail of every problem I encounter every day...women!)

Speaking of living in a van, he's decided what his summer adventure will be, after purchasing a 1989 Volvo Station wagon yesterday. So, let the planning begin! He's thinking East Coast- Maine, Jersey Shore, and possibly as far south as Myrtle Beach, North Carolina. My husband is SUCH the wanderer and forever exploring. I've tried to encourage him to stay "in one place." Perhaps a friends home in San Francisco, or an cheep room in Vermont or Maine or anywhere, but for him the joy is in the journey.

He likes not knowing where he'll be from day to day. Not knowing what he'll see or what he'll experience. Truly living hour to hour. Me- not so much. It stresses me out just thinking about "not knowing" where I'm going or what I may encounter along the way. Plus, the drive from my hometown of Athens, Texas to Houston was about as much as I could handle. I still don't get the whole "road trip" mentality. Let's just get there already!

I prefer total immersion in a city/ culture/ destination, which is why I had to actually LIVE in New York City. I'm still trying to figure this place out. I like to vacation among the locals and get away from the tourists traps and "normal" hot spots of a city. Chris and I are very much alike in this, but I just don't see the appeal in being in a car for 5-6 hours every day, driving and looking and driving and looking. I want to get out, buy some stuff, walk in the grass, sit, write, eat some local produce or something.
...

The month before we moved to NYC we basically did just this: traveled through Yellowstone, up to Wyoming & Montana- staying in KOA's (which I had previously never heard of) and living out of our Nissan Altima, with our best friends the Stockhammers. While this was fun and I'd do it (with them !) again in a heartbeat, I was ready to be home. I don't like all the sitting involved. And all the meals in the car. And all the times that I wanted to stop and take a picture and was responded to with, "Drive by!" being yelled at me from two males in the front seats. Meaning, "Roll down your window and get ready to snap a photo because we are not stopping and you'll be lucky if I slow this car down to 40mph!!"

Chris loves the open road. I do not.