It's been really hot and humid out lately. People are sweaty, smelly, and generally cranky as a result. Especially on the subway. Behavior that I can typically overlook really gets under my skin when the weather is this steamy. For example, people that block everyone else from holding on to the vertical poles in the subway cars really tick me off. Some of us can't reach the overhead bars without practically dislocating a shoulder. That pole is not just for you, buddy, it's for as many people that can grab on to it. A variation on this is when I am already holding on to said pole and someone gets in the car and proceeds to wrap themselves around the pole, crushing my hand. To the lady on the D train this morning, I would have appreciated you not enveloping my hand with your sweaty boob when there was plenty of space for you to position you boob elsewhere. And don't give me dirty looks when I try to reposition my hand. If I wanted to go to second base with you, I would have done a better job of it. Thanks.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Go see this
The BF and I went to see "In the Loop" last night. It is a fast-paced British political satire set during the Tony Blair administration that had me alternately cringing from the awkwardness of some of the interactions between the main characters (this is intentional -- the same sort of cringing as when I watch The Office) and laughing out loud at the stinging dialogue. Here is salon.com's review. I really hope this movie does well. I'm not sure if American audiences will get it, mostly because some people won't be able to understand what is being said. There are some heavy Scottish accents, and the dialog really is quite fast. I was ok with it, but I think it's because I lived in London for a while. It may need subtitles (a la Trainspotting) for it to really take off. Oh, and if you don't like profanity, then this movie is not for you. You've been warned...
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
An Evil Twins' guide to eating out alone
I find myself eating out alone often. I am a bachelorette and this is my way of life. If you watch a movie from the 30s and 40s you will often see a single man in the background eating his dinner. So why do we see less of this now? Is it a lost art? Is there a stigma attached to eating alone? Or is it that people are just intimidated? Here are some simple tips to get you through it.
1) Do not bring reading material, your computer, or an iPod. If you want to do another activity order take out and eat at home. Part of the experience of eating in a restaurant is enjoying the ambience. However, if there is a sporting event on the television, that is acceptable to watch.
2) You do not have to sit at the bar. If you want a table, then ask for a table. I like to mix it up. When I am feeling social, I'll sit at the bar. It is an easier environment to talk to people. But sometimes I just want to sit down and have a little bit of peace, then I take a table. Please tip your server at least 20 percent if you take a table in a busy restaurant, it is fair.
3) Do not harrass the staff. If you are sitting at the bar, do not make the bartender talk to you. They are there to work, and you could be distracting them. If things slow down and then they come to you, chat away.
4) Do not rush through your meal. There is no need to scarf down your food just because you are not talking to someone though your dinner. There is no need to give yourself indigestion. No matter what you do, you will still be finished in half the time as with friends.
5) Be confident. You can always spot a newby. They normally do not pay attention to rules 1-4 and are constantly checking out the room to see if anyone sees they are there alone. Take a deep breath. You would not act so crazy if you were eating alone in your house, would you?
6) Just try it, even if you have a significant other, with whom you cannot bear to be away for a millisecond. It is more pleasant that you might think.
7) The best times to go out by yourself is on the weekdays or the restaurant's not uber busy day. I like to go out on Wednesday. It is less busy for most restaurants and it is not the throwaway days of Monday and Tueday. The only reason it is nice to go on a quieter day, is that the staff will be kinder to you on average. If they are in the weeds, the last thing they want is a table of one, because as one person you will order less food, ie tip less. But don't be limited by this rule. If it is Saturday night and you want to go out, go out.
8) Try to explore new restaurants. Newbies often restrict themselves to solitary dining at diners or burger joints. Treat yourself to somewhere nice once in awhile. Sometimes I even order myself a champagne cocktail as an extra indulgence.
Go out and have some fun. Bon apetit!
1) Do not bring reading material, your computer, or an iPod. If you want to do another activity order take out and eat at home. Part of the experience of eating in a restaurant is enjoying the ambience. However, if there is a sporting event on the television, that is acceptable to watch.
2) You do not have to sit at the bar. If you want a table, then ask for a table. I like to mix it up. When I am feeling social, I'll sit at the bar. It is an easier environment to talk to people. But sometimes I just want to sit down and have a little bit of peace, then I take a table. Please tip your server at least 20 percent if you take a table in a busy restaurant, it is fair.
3) Do not harrass the staff. If you are sitting at the bar, do not make the bartender talk to you. They are there to work, and you could be distracting them. If things slow down and then they come to you, chat away.
4) Do not rush through your meal. There is no need to scarf down your food just because you are not talking to someone though your dinner. There is no need to give yourself indigestion. No matter what you do, you will still be finished in half the time as with friends.
5) Be confident. You can always spot a newby. They normally do not pay attention to rules 1-4 and are constantly checking out the room to see if anyone sees they are there alone. Take a deep breath. You would not act so crazy if you were eating alone in your house, would you?
6) Just try it, even if you have a significant other, with whom you cannot bear to be away for a millisecond. It is more pleasant that you might think.
7) The best times to go out by yourself is on the weekdays or the restaurant's not uber busy day. I like to go out on Wednesday. It is less busy for most restaurants and it is not the throwaway days of Monday and Tueday. The only reason it is nice to go on a quieter day, is that the staff will be kinder to you on average. If they are in the weeds, the last thing they want is a table of one, because as one person you will order less food, ie tip less. But don't be limited by this rule. If it is Saturday night and you want to go out, go out.
8) Try to explore new restaurants. Newbies often restrict themselves to solitary dining at diners or burger joints. Treat yourself to somewhere nice once in awhile. Sometimes I even order myself a champagne cocktail as an extra indulgence.
Go out and have some fun. Bon apetit!
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Time to Eat the Doughnuts
I must say that I am a little too excited about this. I have only ever been to Tim Horton's three times in my life. The first time was with D and H (during the Maine Lobster Festival -- stuffing myself with three lobsters, fried seafood and fried dough is not enough food for me, I had to have a doughnut and coffee after gorging myself at the festival). The second and third times were on the drive between Boston and NYC, which actually involved a slight detour to get to the Tim Horton's. I can hardly wait for them to be within walking distance of my office. Actually, maybe this isn't such a good thing (for my waistline).
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