Mary Marie Handmade Goods

So excited to announce (a bit late, I admit) that my good friend over at Failed Feminist, Cara, has launched her new Esty site, Mary Marie Handmade Goods.

Recycled candles, buttons made into magnets, and more re-made/handmade/lovingly-made crafts to come.

Get thee over there!

This was Fall

Although winter's upon us (Christmas? What?) I sadly neglected much of fall. Here was life:

Food

Running along the Brooklyn Promenade

Apple picking upstate (last picture by Sarah)

Pumpkin carving and cupcake making (cupcake photo by Jes)

NYC Marathon-ing (er, volunteering)

Celebrating

Reuniting in Boston

Ani

Back

When I was in Portland, I was always well aware of how long I'd been there. (Four months, two weeks. Eight months. Ten months. A year.) It wasn't that Portland was a perpetual ticking clock; the job was. I was painfully aware of how long I'd been there and how much longer I had to stay in order for it to be "acceptable."

Someone recently asked me how long I'd been in New York, and I strangely had very little clue. Two months? Four months? Ah, just more than three months.


Yup, it's true.

By the way, I know the last day I posted was Election Day, but I just have to say:

... best night spent with 500 Brooklynites ever. In short, best night.

Why have I been away so long? You know, busy, busy. But, I've taken up reading again (how I missed you!) not watching TV, and staying far, far away from the computer at night (really!). Won't stay away so long anymore.

I'm a Neglecter

Oh, friends. I know. I'm neglectful.

So much to update on: apple picking, babysitting, Halloween pumpkins, moving, the new job, the publishing meltdown, volunteering at the NYC Marathon, the election, visiting Boston, etc etc etc.

Apparently, though, I have black thumb when it comes to Internet and my new apartment's connection is more than spotty. When it returns, I'll be back in full force.

But for now, just this:

Am Alive and Kickin'

So sad that my last post that's been living on here forever was about an iPod when so many other exciting things have happened lately.

The most exciting thing: A JOB!

Yes, it's true. I'm no long an unemployed schlump. I'm thrilled. Beyond thrilled. I started Monday and so far it's busy, challenging, and slightly overwhelming, but also incredibly fulfilling. And it's a breath of fresh air considering the situation I came from. (My boss tells me to leave at 6 and scolds me if I don't leave for at least an hour's lunch.)

Second exciting thing: AN APARTMENT!

I now have a permanent place to lay my head, and it doesn't involve an air mattress. It does, however, involve a very cool Midwest girl and her very cool boyfriend from Maine. And best of all, it involves a very beautiful Australian Shepherd, the same kind of dog as my Tess and Haley.

It's all falling into place, friends. It just takes some time and patience and trust. I'll get more into that later. In short, I've learned so so so much.

Gus Jr.

After a good five years out of my old iPod Mini urging me on during runs, I've finally realized it's time to replace him. My runs used to be accompanied by Scissor Sisters and Bloc Party for a good 20 minutes. Now I get about 5 minutes, if I'm lucky.

I'm sorry, I loved you, but you gotta go. So with a birthday gift card (thanks, family!), I replaced Gus, my old stand-by, with Gus Jr.:

I'm a little obsessed with it already. Can you tell? Why else would I write about it? It's so small! And it clips to my clothes—no more sweaty armband!

Now if only my two-week old raging butthead of a cold would go away so I could enjoy the fall weather and go for a run.

New York's Great Tourist Traps

It's no secret: I will visit any New York tourist trap. Statue of Liberty? Sure! Those tourist buses that you sit on top of while a yappy tourist guide tells you where all the celebs live? Yes, please. And give me a day that's totally empty of obligations, weather that's gorgeous, a friend who's willing to traipse around with me (and, miraculously, a city that seemed empty of actual tourists), and I'm set.

So, that's what my friend Snow and I did last weekend. See, she's worked at a number of museums around the city, so she has a handy little card that gets us in anywhere free.

Our first stop: The American Museum of Natural History. Little known fact about me: I'm a big nerd for museums, and this museum makes me feel like a little kid every time I go. I love it there.

I will never get over my love of tigers. Rarr!

Hands-down, the coolest display in any museum, anywhere.

Next on our list was the Starry Night exhibition at MoMA. Sold out. Darn it. But on our walk there, we passed the Ed Sullivan Theatre, where David Letterman tapes. Now I was getting way too into this tourist thing, and sweet-talked Snow into taking a photo of me under the marquee. See, my parents (hi, Mom and Dad!) are huge Letterman fans. In fact, before I moved to New York, my mom would watch the show and see shots of Broadway, then call me and ask, "Doesn't it make you want to be there?"

Then I walked around the corner to see if Rupert was around at Hello Deli.


Right before we snapped this photo, Rupert walked out. "Rupert!" I said, sticking my hand. He shook it. "I'm Rachel, it's nice to meet you." "Nice to meet you, too," he said. "Love you on the show!" "Thanks," he said and went inside to make more sandwiches.

Some people have real celeb sightings. I have Rupert.

Our final stop of the day was Rockefeller Center, on a totally boring stop at the NBC Store. As we walked by 30 Rock, I told Snow how I'd really wanted to go up to the Top of the Rock. A quick glance at the line, a "why not?" glance at me, and she said: Let's just go. A great friend.

We pose like tourists, too.

So worth the $20. Best views of the city.

I'm not sure when people move here why they feel automatically too cool to do these things. I can sit at home on a Saturday in Iowa the same way I can do here. In Iowa you can't go up 70-some stories and see all of New York City, though. Can't see any skeletons of T-Rexes either. Gotta take advantage of it while I'm here, I guess.

So a bit of this is for Jessica, who told me to make my New York Bucket List. This was part of it, girl. Hope you approve!