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Reminiscing about how not cute the '90s were.

Fiestaware in a vintage shop (Ballston Spa, NY)

Treasures from Grandma's jewelry box.

     Going home to New York is always .... a process.  There are always too many people to see and things I want to do in a few short days.  Arriving in Manhattan makes me seriously question why I ever left, every single time.  But, coming back up to Boston and my simple little life, is a sigh of relief each time too.  I don't expect those feelings to ever change.  When I am in NY, I call Boston 'home', and when I am in Boston it is the other way around.  I'm obviously conflicted (but aren't we all??).
     Anyway, the highlight of my Thanksgiving weekend trip (on top of yummy food, playing with godson, and hugging my parents) was rummaging through my Grandma's bedroom.  She passed away in July from Alzheimer's, and my Grandpa asked me to have a look through her things.  I love vintage, especially sentimental vintage, so I was in heaven on Sunday.  My sister and I went drawer by drawer uncovering earrings, beaded necklaces, fake diamond bracelets, and colorful scarves. Her statement necklaces screamed '60s, and the stacks of bangles reminded me of the sound she made walking around the house.  Her 'arm party' was the original.
    Grandpa stood by watching us, sharing stories about his wife as we pulled things from her dresser. In Grandma's bottom drawer, we found a large green jewelry box.  In the box I found her wedding band- a thin gold loop, engraved with my grandparents' initials and the date.  "Take it," Grandpa hurried.  He could not remember exactly how he proposed, with the engagement ring that cost him only $175 in 1954.  The ring is now mine; it was gifted to me on my Sweet 16, which was totally unexpected and I had been afraid to wear it until a few months ago. 
    Now, I've stacked her diamond, wedding band, and another patterned gold band I found on my left middle finger.  I carry with me the only family heirlooms we really have, besides pictures, which I plan to keep safe until they are due to be passed down again. 
    It is these parts of 'home' that I miss while living in a different city. But, it forces me to truly treasure my time with my favorite places and, more importantly, people when I visit.  Not to mention I carry pieces of home with me everywhere, and there's no getting rid of a New York state of mind. 
   

Nostalgia

Holidays make me nostalgic.  Without fail, that yearning for home creeps up in me at Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, my birthday, Memorial Day, and Labor Day.  There are memories associated with each day that I play in my mind each year and smile.  Labor Day is the worst, because it’s the back-to-school time that I miss so much (nerd alert).  
Reflecting makes me extremely thankful for the life I have lived, the friends I have made, and the experiences I’ve had. This feeling seems to grow each year and I’m wondering if that will continue, morphing into a nostalgia for different things as I have my own family, get older, become a grandparent...  I don’t see this as a bad thing, in fact it seems like a blessing to be able to look back and sigh at the amazing things you have done.  Wrapped up in memories like a fleece blanket that just never seems to hold tight enough.

I am thankful4: 

pretty flowers

my mother's obsession with clean windows

Brant Lake, NY
the ocean 

Men vs. Women {Weekends}

Man-cave. Girl-talk. Mancation. Ladies Night.
    Sometimes, we desire a few blissful moments of single gender hangouts.  We need time for a boy to be a boy, and a girl to be a girl.  Sometimes, we turn that into a weekend getaway; it’s an excuse to throw away money and get hammered in the spirit of embodying our gender.  Cue, my weekend.
    While I spent last Saturday on a tour of vineyards in the Hamptons, the BF shot rifles and lit shit on fire in Vermont.  Recapping our stories on Sunday night to each other was like swapping articles from Cosmopolitan and Field & Stream.  We could not help but laugh at how opposite our travels had been.  Although both were similarly filled with great friends, lots of booze, and millions of much needed laughs! Throughout our relationship, our opposing interests have wound up in fun adventures and discussions.  Any reason to learn something new is exciting for us both. 

     I think it’s important to have times like these, when men and women separate to explore things they normally wouldn’t do together.  Not that the BF would refuse a wine tour, and I do plan on learning how to shoot a flaming arrow one day, but it is nice to have time apart.  Boyfriends do not want to listen to us talk about how wonderful they are, or how dumb their last birthday gift was (no matter how thoughtful).  That’s what girlfriends are for. That’s why we need Women Weekends.

Thank the universe for truly amazing friends. xx

Winning Party: Election 2012

     Before I say anything, know this: I am not a political person.  I don’t read about politics, I have little interest in foreign policy, and it is hard for me to wrap my head around our economic crisis.  I’m not proud of these things, but it’s the truth.  I’m proud to be an American and have options, and the ability to express my opinion (or non-opinion).  Today a friend told me I should run for office (HA!).   My response: “Maybe in CandyLand. I just want everyone to hug and get along, and be friendly. I want rainbows and happiness for all!”.  While I can’t make that happen globally, I can sure try in my own little life.  
Anywho, despite my lack of interest in the cold hard facts of political life, I ventured out Tuesday night to celebrate the election.  The truly American thing to do, drink!  Flanked by my best gay friend, sporting an election inspired outfit, I sipped cocktails with Boston’s finest (gays) at Towne.  

Thanks to @BostonMo for a fabulous shindig!

   Scanning the crowd, I guessed that most were Democrats, sprinkled with a few old money Bostonian Republicans.  The party invite stated “Open to all parties. Influenced by none”.  Well, the bar was definitely influenced by Obama.  His leads and state wins set the crew cheering.  I (over)heard little talk about politics, and saw more people tweeting their opinions, rather than sharing them.  My date couldn’t take his eyes off the huge projection screen.  (He would have led the pack in cheers had we actually known anyone there.)  He could not even gather himself long enough to make eyes at the cute boy he called his “dream man”. Now that is dedication to a cause.  

     The room was abuzz and I was thrilled to be apart of this little slice of Americana (last Pres Election I was studying in London).  Partying with lots of gay men, supporting them in their hopes to see a President who supports them in return.  And that was really my only stance.  The only thing I truly believe in: love is a human right. That’s it, no argument please.

    While I am as excited as a non-interested person can be that Obama won, I understand other people's’ woes.  But like Mother says, “Life ain’t fair”.  I think it’s very interesting to see how people used Facebook and Twitter the following day to express their anger or glee (or let you know they’re moving to Canada. Yeah riiight, eh.).  I ‘liked’ and ‘re-tweeted’ numerous statements, but removed some profiles from my mini-feed, and in one extreme case, un-friended a guy that posted the most ridiculously racist status ever.  

    I’ll keep dreaming about a day when everyone is content, and maybe the rain falls down as gumdrops. Until then, I’ll attend whatever soiree needed to support my friends with a Blow Pop Martini in hand (that will suffice, for now).

Sandy

Hurricane Sandy barreled through the East Coast on Monday.  It is a time that will forever be remembered; another destructive moment in New York's history.  My parents were two out of too many that are left with fallen trees, broken windows, and no power. This is a picture of our neighbor's tree which crashed into our patio late Monday night, taking out a window and power lines.  It is a minor mishap in the grand scheme of things.  Their town, like many, might be without power for another week, and people are starting to get frantic.  Speaking with friends in Manhattan and Long Island, and family in NY and CT gets my heart racing. My fears for their safety are slowly turning into a desire to be home to lend a helping hand as the slow process to recovery beings.