Coffee Shop Families

I am a frequent frequenter of coffee shops. I work, drink coffee, make friends, procrastinate and make discoveries in them. My favorite coffee shop of all time, ever in the history of coffee shops, the be-all-end-all of coffee shop awesomeness is The Little Bird.

The coffee was as delicious as Abraco's but it had something, well, lots of things more. The counter was as comfy as my mom's kitchen, and the relationships and conversations on both sides of it were warm, genuine and lasting. The staff and regulars are still in touch even though the shop's been closed six months and some have moved away. Also, the food. Holy hell, best salads and sandwiches ever!

Since the Bird, Jo, its founder, started a blog to share her amazing vegan recipes. I used to get out of bed and go for a run, the whole time CRAVING her Cucumber Avocado sandwich (with a giant iced coffee and Oatmeal Jam cookie)!

After today's 8 miles around the tip of Manhattan, I was craving Jo's Rainbow Quinoa Salad, so, I tried my hand at one:



It was delicious! I don't have quite the touch she does, and could really use a Vegan Treat and Tea Latte to wash it down... The Little Bird lives on!

Rollin' Around

Went for a morning run with the dogs (sans iPhone); it was gorgeous. The day continued to get more gorgeous, and after a few hours of putzing in the park and wiggling around at the Loisaida Festival (by wiggling I mean awkwardly dancing to the Carribbean beats of Ave C's, aka Loisaida's, Puerto Rican parade), I headed back to the East River on my newly constructed and totally beautiful skateboard (technically, a longboard).



Rollin' around on that thing is NOT easy! This was the longest cruise I've made since learning to ride, and, I gotta say, I'm a little sore.

The board itself is custom. Zach from Project Green Skate constructed the deck and I prettified it with my crafting skillz. (See photos of it in progress here.)

My new addiction: GraFighters.

I met the extremely talented GraFighters guys at TechCrunch and we became instant BFFs. Here's why:



Yes, that is the EBA Ostrich opening up a can of whoop-ass on that poor panda.

TechCrunch DISRUPT: Battlefield

I have not been running. I mean, I ran today, but all last week, nada. Why? Because I was at TechCrunch Disrupt unveiling the Everything Butt Art iPad app and web experience in Start-Up Battlefield with our CEO and founder, Brian, and CTO and co-founder, Dave. It was a huge compliment to even be there, let alone present in Battlefield (thanks, TechCrunch!)...

Here's the EBA Ostrich on stage:



Oh, look! A link to Brian's kick-ass presentation at Disrupt!

Inspired by a Muddy Shoe

Aight. Running the Apple is back.

Shortly after my last post, I moved to the East Village... not far down the street from that amazing coffee place! (Score!) My two dogs moved with me, and now, I get to run with them instead of my iPhone. Hence, the year-long death of this blog. (Oooh! Zombie blog!)

Most of my running happens along the same gorgeous route along the East River, sometimes over one of the bridges and back, sometimes around the tip of the island and up the west side along the Hudson... In any case, in true New York circumstance, the same-ish route continually surprises me with unique experiences. For instance, this muddy shoe.



This muddy shoe... Its just brilliant! I spent the next 8 miles (well, maybe not all 8, but at least 3) imagining the fisherman who dredged it up's reaction. Was he just annoyed? Did he think it was as silly as I did? I hope he got a good chuckle in over it. Anyway, the muddy shoe inspired the return to Running the Apple. (Manu, I hope you're as excited as I am!)

45 blocks and back for great coffee...

... and it was totally worth it. The NY Times has an article about NYC's coffee, with a list of recommended coffee shops. It is my mission to visit every single one. Today, I ran down to E 7th St to sample the first place on the list, Abraco Espresso, poke around the neighborhood, and run home. Ordered a black drip coffee (brewed by the cup) and a slice of olive oil cake. Oh, man... I will run 90 blocks for coffee any day as long as its for this coffee! Its teeny tiny inside with standing room only, and outside there's a small bench and bar. Since today was slightly chilly, and I was boiling hot from running there, I people watched outside. The people watching is as good as the coffee.


To get there, I ran down 1st Ave, past the UN. There's a cute little park across the street from the UN, surrounded by an equally cute little neighborhood, so I detoured a bit to explore.



Post coffee, I putzed around Abraco for a bit before running home and decided the East Village is magic. Have only been there in nighttime drunkeness, so I've never been sure if it was as interesting and wacky as I remember, or if it was just me. Drunk. It fits my sober brain, too.

Gorgeous Run!

Yesterday, I met up with one of my best friends ever in life (and college roommate/partner in silly crime) for a run, followed by dinner and putzing around. Our run started in the West Village, took us down the West Side Highway and into Battery Park City. It was totally beautiful, and after the 4 miles it took us, made us ravenously hungry. So, we had cheap, delicious burgers at Corner Bistro. Good day.

This guy is just crazy awesome. On roller blades.

Coffee, wine, chocolate & outdoor WiFi?!?!

Its real. Had a meeting with my most fun freelance client in Park Slope at the coolest coffee shop ever. Why is it so cool? Because it also has wine, chocolate and free outdoor WiFi. More points for Brooklyn, as far as finding a real place to live goes! Se llama Cocoa Bar. Le amo.

Crazy busy...

For serious! Here's some fun stuff from the past few packed days:


and, of course:

This life is fake. Right?

I'm starting to feel like I live in a movie... as I sit, doodling and social networking (fancy term for Facebook? yes.) in a mid-town coffee shop (getting super high off incredibly strong black brew) on my MacBookPro listening to a Pandora crooner radio station on a rainy New York day. Even have on my Chuck Taylor's.

A little sore from yesterday's run; have a long walk on the schedule for today, which should loosen my legs up a bit. More photos on the way (should be some fun ones, as the next few days are slated to be pretty awesome as far as fun stuff to do)!

Night Running & Imaginary Friends

There are tons of runners out at 9pm. Also, tons of other people doing other things. Ran 40 blocks up 2nd Ave, then 40 blocks back down Lex. 2nd was bustling, so I bobbed, weaved and dodged like a scared rabbit through a pack of dogs (and I was that fast, too)! Lex was much more relaxed as far as people traffic, so I sprinted every other block. My legs hurt, already.

Unfortunately, I didn't take a single picture. Though, I did spot tons of things to take pictures of... but since most of then were human beings, and stopping a run to snap a photo isn't all that inconspicuous, I decided photog-ing wouldn't be a great idea.

The most memorable thing I wish I had captured would've been impossible, anyways - I accidentally bumped into an invisible woman named "Carol." Carol and her invisible friends, whose names I didn't catch, were accompanied by a visible and irate Archie Bunker look-alike, who, while trying to convince his invisible posse all people are "stupid," excused me from Carol's way. Interesting. Scary. Awesome. I love the eccentrics.

Today is too pretty to be sittin' on a train.

So, I'll just have to take a later one back into the city. On a running note, this movie about running made me pee my pants a little (not really, but it was pee-inducing funny)! I kinda feel like I look like this guy when I run... I know I don't, but sometimes... Also, love the soundtrack, the man fight, the spatula dude and the skivvies.

This has nothing to do with running or New York.

But I'm so super excited about it!!!! Polaroid's back!!!

Missing MY dogs.

Got to run with my dogs, today. I miss them! They can't live with me in NYC, yet, since I'm sleeping on a futon in a friend's studio for the time being... Cannot WAIT to have my own place with my little family back together! Although, I'm pretty sure Izzy will totally hate New York. The rumble of the subway underfoot will completely freak her out. Roscoe, on the other hand, probably won't even notice the location change (he's just that dumb).

Was planning on a 4.5 mile run, but had to cut it short and made it 3. Its super hilly, here, so I'm ok with it. Also, might go for a skateboard at the beach, later!

Found a dog, today!

In Connecticut for a couple of days, and had Easter dinner in Mystic. While walking around outside with a delicious Easter anginette cookie (made by my little chef friend, Rachel), I found a dog. A giant Bernese Mountain Dog. He wanted my cookie. I wanted to cuddle. We made friends. I later found out he was the neighbor's dog and walked him home (have to admit I was kinda sad he couldn't come home with me, instead).

So, tomorrow's run will be in my hometown 'hood, with my dogs! Yay! (They're the best running dogs, ever - well, one of them is. The other one is just pathetically cute at everything, even if he sucks at it.) Thinking maybe a beach run because of this beautiful weather. Have to work off all of that Easter dessert!

Empire State for Spring

The street where I live (for now)...

... is pretty with its karaoke bar and dogwood tree. (Is that a dogwood? Not sure, but its pretty, nonetheless.)

Union Square in the Dark

Walked back through Union Square later that night...

... and found some Ugly Dolls.

Beets. Bears. Battlestar Galactica.

Union Square Market is just the best. Its the super-est super market pretty much ever. Fresh from the farm milk (in glass bottles you're supposed to return to the vendor the following week), eggs, fish, meat, baked goods, flowers, all kinds of seasonal fruits and veggies, ciders, syrups, art, "Rolexes" and crazies can all be found there. And, its got organic beets (though, their farm vendor was disappointingly not Dwight Schrute). Oh! And its got a crazy awesome holiday fair, too. During the holidays. Duh.

My feet hurt but its ok cuz the sun's out!!!

Not only am I getting a run in everyday, but I have yet to use my MetroCard since I got here; even in the pouring rain, I can't help but walk. My feet hurt. Fo'reals. Not going to stop me from walking everywhere, though... too much to gawk at!

Today, I took it easy on the run (only about 2.5 miles) - up the Central Park side of 5th, and a slow meander back. Stopped by the Frick Museum, and realized I should make a "to-do" list of fun. Haven't visited the Frick since an art field trip in high school.

The short run was followed by a manic shower and dash out to meet a friend for lunch 20 blocks away, then back to the apartment to finish up on some freelance work before heading back down to Union Square this afternoon. I love it here. My feet will forgive me.

Fire in the Sky!

This photo was taken around midnight... the glow between those buildings is the lit top of the Empire State Building, hidden in dense fog. Cool, right? A few blocks later, I got a clearer picture, but the top of the building is still just a giant glowy cloud.

Even when its pouring rain, New York is gorgeous.

Lexington

I love Lexington Ave. Mostly because its easy to pretend I own every café, bodega and deli on it. I've decided that someday, if all my little Lex businesses make me so filthy rich the only thing left to do would be to become a self-made techie super-villan or vigilante, I'd change my name to Lex Lexington.

Also, its still raining. And is going to rain all day tomorrow, too. Bleh. The tulips seem to enjoy it, though.

Maybe this is about more than running.

The rain finally stopped, I was craving coffee and I knew hunger was just around the corner... So, I went for a walk. Today, I managed to clock 4 miles at a crowd maneuvering run and another 4 miles at a caffeinated walk.

It was beautiful - dusky and crisp. Walked up 3rd Ave until I realized I had walked over 30 blocks (coffee induced fog) and was now somewhere in the high 80's. So, I headed over to 5th to walk back down along Central Park and get a glimpse of the Metropolitan Museum of Art lit up for the evening. The Upper East Side is much quieter than everywhere else around here - more doormen than chinese restaurants. I enjoyed not having to play Frogger with the sidewalk, and just take pleasure in the walk. Also, I noticed there are different cements used in the sidewalk; one of the cements is glittery and super cool! It looks like someone spilled glitter all over it, and then the glitter settled into all the cement's grooves. Tried to take a picture of it, but the photo didn't catch the sparkle. Keep an eye out for bedazzled walkways.