The Park Slope Accidental Tourist

greetings from Brooklyn. I have survived my first 24+ hours in NYC (including a low-blood sugar induced wandering from Columbus Circle in the opposite direction of Lauren's office) and have lots to report. it is wonderful to be here, surrounded by people that I love and having a wonderful time doing fun things.

to re-cap... last night there was the Freud drawings at the MOMA, Thai food and much lounging with Lauren and Gifford at 88 Sterling Place.

all before we headed out to the Catty Shack for Brooklyn Lagers and illicit dancing. I should mention that on the 2 TVs at each end of the upstairs bar was playing "Beetlejuice" and "Purple Rain," respectively. the evening included the exchange of sno-ball money and ironic minty kisses on Maggie Gyllenhaal's street past 3 am.

today was all about exploring. Lauren and I spent the morning in Park Slope, getting a late breakfast at Cousin John's and wandering the shops of 5th and 7th Avenues. we then donned our long underwear and headed to Williamsburg and the Brookyln Brewery.
rosy cheeked from the beer and the cold, we wandered amongst the hipsters (are you too indie rock for me?) and bought books and pain au chocolat.

we then headed back into Manhattan to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge as the sun set.
what a magical day! the finale was some coal-fired oven-baked pizza at Grimaldi's at the base of the bridge. Yum! and tomorrow... ice skating in Bryant Park, shopping in SoHo, the Tenement Museum, and Belgian beer in the Village.

we now return to your regularly scheduled programming

wow, I am sorry to say that we are into the last week of January and I have yet to put up a post in the New Year... murl. it's been a busy month so far and blogging hasn't really been on my radar screen. I should work on that.

there is lots to report. the house is on the market. I am writing a manuscript to submit to Neuron. thesis updates, beer dinners and festivals, game nights, movies, art openings, knitting, new friends, dates, and Sunday Spins. whew! it's hard for a girl to keep up!

some things that have been catching my eye lately:

• the lack of media coverage of John Edwards leading to this on-point ad from his campaign
• impending "Stagflation!"- what my AP Econ teacher taught me was the scariest economic situation ever... inflation with a stagnant economy. and he would know, he grew up in the 1970s
• the need to have a real debate about science and technology policy in the US

I leave for NYC tomorrow. I am looking forward to getting out of StL and celebrating my Golden Birthday (I will turn 28 on the 28th this year) in the Big Apple, surrounded by some of my oldest and best friends in the world. I am excited to explore Brooklyn for the first time, to drink Belgian beer and eat pomme frittes with mayonaise, to go ice skating. expect some posts and pictures from my home-away-from-home in Park Slope over the next 5 days.