When I’m staying at hotels, I’m always itching to get out of the room, no matter how immaculate it is. And then I saw this and figured my hotel ways would for sure change.
The Algonquin Hotel just announced a partnership with Simon & Schuster that will feature a Simon & Schuster Suite and Package. The Suite, stocked with bookcases of classics, book memorabilia and advanced copies of new releases, features a living room and king-sized bed and a turn-down service where you walk away with a soon-to-be-released book.
This past summer, Amanda and I had one hell of a time touring the East coast and now, thanks to Sandy, those are very distant memories as we look at the photos of destruction. Thankfully, the friends we made along the way, and ones we already knew, are all safe and sound. But seeing those images of deserted bridges, tunnels, roadways and water rushing through the Subway turnstile like it’s the Titanic is extremely eerie. Warm (and dry!) wishes to all those dealing with the aftermath.
The silence is over, sort of. My apologies for not writing nearly as much as I should have been…the month of July just got lost beyond me. And I’ve returned from my coastal adventure to the East where my friend and I attended a few concerts and slept on a pirate ship. It was to say the least, amazing.
But instead of rehashing a vacation, I want to talk about something else, friendship. Amanda and I affirmed a friendship a year ago when we went on vacation to Colorado. Since that last summer, we’ve logged four other trips and most recently, this eastern adventure. I could not imagine a better travel companion to navigate a city alongside.
My true aha! moment of man, life is good, came while we were in New York. We made our way down to NYC to catch The Lumineers and Old Crow Medicine Show in Central Park and decided to hit up our New York friends for couches to crash on. Most of the “closer” friends were traveling, so we were coming up empty-handed. Then I reached out to Christin, a girl I studied abroad with in Ireland and hadn’t seen since we left the Emerald Isle. And to be fair, we hadn’t really talked much. But she insisted we come and crash with her.
The minute we walked in to Christin’s place, it was like we were back in Ireland. As we readied ourselves and wandered the city, we managed to find a bar with a vacant rooftop where we spent the afternoon catching up on life. It was just perfection and as if this was an everyday thing we did. When we got to the show, I was so overcome with joy that I nearly started crying. It was just so moving to know that there are people in this world that vouch for you and want to spend time with you, no matter how much time has passed.
I have many friends like this in Chicago, but I’ve certainly taken them for granted over the years…just assuming they’re always there. But upon our return to Sweet Home Chicago, I realized how truly lucky I am to live in a city I love, surrounded by water and people that I cannot help but have on fantastic time.
It might have taken all of July for me to realize this, as well as a northeastern adventure, but I’m going in to my 27th year with a much better grasp on life. And I for one, I am eager to see what awaits next.
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And here’s the lastest Mumford & Son’s song (saw them in Maine last week), which I think is so very fitting:
Last week, I won tickets (thanks to CitySwarm!) to WineRiot–a wine tasting event at Union Station‘s Great Hall from Second Glass. Naturally, I turned to my partner-in-crime/fellow wino to accompany me to the shindig.
It. was. amazing. And we definitely were blown away. With a $50 price tag, it’s definitely something I would have done without winning tickets (just didn’t know it happened here!). There are three more shows this year (San Fran, NYC, LA) and if you’re in the area(s), I highly recommend grabbing a gal pal and heading over there. If not for the endless wine tasting, for the photobooth. Because really, who doesn’t love a good photobooth?
There also was a wine group there called Diving Rod. And they talked about water witches and having “the power” to find water sources. Naturally, we could not pass up an opportunity to see if we were witches. All you had to do was take the rods, chant “Show me the water source, show me the water source” and move towards the water bottle. If the rods crossed, you have the power and are a water witch. Guess how this ended for me:
It’s that time of year again, when the seasons change and moving trucks start hunting for places to park: Moving Day. Thankfully, Maggie and I have signed on for another year and we’ll embark on our…fourth year of living together. It’s crazy to think it’s already been three years and yet, it seems even harder to believe it hasn’t been longer.
We love our current condo (and not really into apartment hunting), so staying was a no brainer. The amenities are fantastic, the location cannot be beat and we get a ton for what we pay. Plus, Maggie’s just spruced up that place to no end and I can’t imagine packing it all up and having to recreate her masterpiece of decorating somewhere else.
As I think of the amenities we have (doorman, pool, gym, BBQ grills, laundry), I cannot help but wish we could add a library to the mix. In NYC, libraries are quickly becoming a perk in many residential buildings, just for the sense of peace, tranquility and calmness it exudes.
The building with a library will have to wait another year, at least, though it’s something I’m for sure adding to my list when I have to do the hunt. Maggie and I decided we would marry off before we stopped being roommates, which means the day that we go out to find our own spaces, this will be us. End of an era indeed.
It’s no secret that I love volunteering. And I especially love volunteer events where I have a high potential of meeting a boy. Or ones that reap serious benefits, like partying with Edward Burns. Or ones that pertain to things I enjoy immensely.
Yea, you read that right. There’s an International Quidditch World Cup. And it’s in NYC. Which means that I could potentially catch the real Harry Potter in his Broadway show when I’m there.
I just became infinitely more excited for 2011. Despite the fact I’ll turn 26 (woof).
If I ever manage to have kids and live in NYC, they are so going to a PS 22 or PS 150. Between this and Mad Hot Ballroom dancing, these kids show that arts really do have a place in schools.
And how cute is the little drummer boy in the beginning?! Not sure what the fist pumping is about, yea, I’m talking to you crazy front rower, but I’m liking it nonetheless. Check out the PS 22 blog for more renditions. They. Are. Phenom.
Today has been stellar, despite the weird encounter at lunch I had…
1) My hair was actually straight today. And not Mufasa like, probably due to…
2) The 70 degree weather today makes me so excited for Fall!
3) Ray LaMontagne and David Gray concert tonight (like in 2 hours). And it’s at a park. Millennium Park. Which is right across the street from my office. Word.
4) Birthdays Wednesday in the office. Props to Ryan for picking Ice Cream Snicker Bars. (Note: We legitimately have a birthday party every Wednesday for the past week’s birthdays. Yea, it’s pretty amazing).
5) I got my business cards. Important to note: I never received business cards at my last job…which is interesting to say the least. I’ve been at MW for 8 days and already have something that makes me feel like a permanent part of the team.
6) Came up with a stellar tagline for the Verizon Wireless booth for People en Espanol’s event in NYC. Feel big time. Especially with a stack of #5s on my desk.
Meet Brian. He just moved to NYC from Milwaukee and instead of the typical dating path, he’s doing something to stand out as the alpha male in the largest U.S. city. He’s going on 30 dates in 30 days. He set up a Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and website. Basically, EDtv just birthed on the dating scene.
Here’s why I want to date this kid:
1) Clearly, he thinks in a whole different realm. If he’s putting this much thought in the strategy of dating, can you even imagine what his dates would be like?
2) I can get pointers for my new documentary/book “30 job interviews in 30 years”
3) I’ve been hesitant about traditional online dating. I’m glad Brian upped the ante on this one.
4) You know someone’s going to make a movie off this kid. Maybe a TV show? He seems like he would still be grounded in the glitz of it all. Another reason he’s sane.
5) I always loved those Coca-Cola commercials with people running with their friends on the train to a song. I’m sure we could get Brian’s friends to tape on our dates (yes, I would totally be asked back for more), edit in Final Cut and lay a fantastic track down.
Thoughts on Brian? And Chicago, step it up! Brian starts his dates on July 19. I can only imagine more commentary on the matter later this month.
Hanna (Non)Tana 