RIP My Sweet Chariot

Thank Goodness I'm Alive. I am fine, and I wasn't there when it happened. I was upstairs at work.

Funny thing- I took a photo of it locked up before I went into work this morning. It was really close to the street, but it's been THIS CLOSE to the street every work-day since October (When we moved to this office location - previously, it was indoors at work.)

No- I don't not work at "Winner's Circle" not that there's anything wrong with that! I'm sure it's super cool and I know it's patrons loved to leave used tickets in my basket. Grrr...

This morning on what I did not realize was our last ride- Things were Beautiful!
I got stopped at a light at Madison Avenue, so I decided to spice things up and take my outfit pic right there.

Our last ride.

We even rode very slowly past Rumsey Playfield this morning to listen to The Go Go's singing "Vacation" (GMA Summer Concert Series) The Go-Go's sounded Great!

I had a baby milestone- I rode through Times Square cool, calm and collected. I find my anxiety level higher in that area and find myself riding faster than I want to sometimes. Today I rode so calmly through there.


I did notice at one point during the day when I glanced out the window at my bike it had been turned from parallel to the street to perpendicular, but I didn't find it that strange. There are always guys working down there and UPS trucks, FedEx, etc. And Pepe and his hot dog cart.

I first noticed the handlebars:


I even decided I could probably ride it. Then I realized the seat-post was severely bent backward.


I called my husband. No one could help me, so I just walked it down to City Bicycles. The guy who always helps me was like "WHAT?!" and checked it out and said it was beyond repair.

He takes good care of me.


We went through a little list of parts that I might like to keep, but I realized almost none of it mattered and I would want different things on my next bicycle so I just walked out with the bell.

I didn't cry until I walked out of the shop with just the bell in my hand.


I found out a way to get people to get the heck out of your way on the New York City sidewalks - JUST CRY. It's like Moses parting the river.

Then I went to Crumbs, a really kickass bakery and looked at beautiful cupcakes but wanted none. I walked out with an iced coffee.

Yes- It's NYC Law for Calorie counts to be posted and it does help you stay a skinny bitch.

Then I went into another stage of grief - ANGER. Why am I riding the nasty old subway?!
I don't deserve this?! I'm too good for this! It's a beautiful day! I should be enjoying a bicycle ride! I'm carrying a six pound bike lock in my purse!

Anger.


Here's a before & after montage of sadness.


Last Panda.


Goodbye Schwinn Cream! Even though I never gave you a special name, you meant a lot to me and I Love you very much!

I'm already reeling thinking of my next bicycle and Scwinn Cream on Clearance is on the short-list. ;)

...But the scenery is pretty!

We aren't even going to discuss this bad outfit. I have so many different pinks going on. The End.


I changed my commute for the new office location and I'm IN LOVE with what I've chosen.

I'm riding through such a pretty part of Central Park in the morning now. It feels good to start the day riding through here.

These clear glasses were awesome because it was drizzling and I need to protect my mascara spider-eyes.





I work right by the Big Button statue now. Awww...

Friday = Fly-Day

Friday night after the Dmitry Gudkov photo shoot that yielded these gorgeous photos...


And...

Wow! I can't wait to mail a print to my Grandmother for her apartment!

$5 Walmart Fake Keds
Billabong Dress bought on Clearance from Swell.com
Bolero-sweater I got for FREE at work - I'm glad I added it, because it made my lip color pop and that would have been a lot of white chest/shoulder.

Matt and I rode over to the Apple/Mac store on 5th Ave around 10pm.

Matt's lockin' his bike up.

Our bicycle styles are so different! I secretly wish he had the Schwinn "Coffee" to match my "Cream."

This is in front of The Plaza Hotel. I love that we live close by. Our ride was pretty fast and very pleasant due to the nice, night air and minimal traffic.

Just wanted to show this awesome 80's Romper I got at a Cat Rescue Thrift Shop in Hot Springs, Arkansas!

P.S. I carried the iMac in a canvas tote bag tied to my rear rack. Probably not the best idea. Transport home will be more civilized.

We knew this machine was old - the one that we had to take to the Genius Bar, but we were informed that it was over 5 years old. The "Genius" was very nice and let us know that in many cases they don't work on machines over 5y/o, but they'll still look into it and let us know in a few days.

This computer is another example of why we are "Blind Faith" Apple product lovers. 5 years and never an issue. It's still alive, but barely.

So that made for 3 separate Bicycle Rides for my Friday - Work Commute, Photo Shoot with Dmitry and Apple Store Late Night Ride. Good Work!

Fresh little cut

I love my salon + it's/my girls (Eva Scrivo Salon - Gwynne & Amanda.) I didn't know what my hair needed exactly, but I emailed and got a next-day appointment. I sat in the chair and talked aimlessly, and got up and demonstrated how I look at the back of my hair to my colorist. She actually paid attention to my crazy paranoid hair issues. We started looking at it, and decided the real solution was a cut. My colorist does not cut hair. At all. I was about to beg her to just cut it a little bit in a few places. Turns out my cutter was in the house and completely not expecting to see me - she was actually getting her hair colored/glazed, but she was totally down to give me a bit of a cut.

I got a fresh Glaze put on and a little but cut. Very cute! She cut 2 key places and that really fixed me up.




Today I got out of work at 2pm for the Holiday and I rode up to West Elm on the Upper West Side. Upper West Side means I needed to ride across Central Park to get Home. It was AWESOME! No traffic means SO MUCH LESS BICYCLE commuter STRESS!


Nothing but carriages (which STUNK! Horse Poops!) other bikes and joggers/walkers and rick-shaw taxis.







Helmet, always! I'm still loving this bike. I wish my lock wasn't so heavy because I can never-not-have it. Boo! I think it weighs 6 pounds.

So today when I came home, I parked my bike in the courtyard and carried my purse, basket and bag of new super-clearance West Elm towels upstairs then carried a pretty naked bike down the stairs into the storage room. Bicycle commuting is a whole new world of strategizing.

Shopping requires strategy too. You have to find a place to lock it up, then secure it and carry all of the crap you were previously carrying into the store to buy more crap to carry. I've been lucky tying on cloth grocery bags.

And here's my work/bicycle outfit for today - Ultra casual day at work:


I've gotten my money's worth out of these $4.99 flip-flops! I wish I could find more of them.