Every time Kristie and I visit each other we take subway photos. Always from the same side. Always from the same angle. It's funny, you can almost chart our timeline in subway photos. We don't set out to take subway photos, and yet we do it. Every time.

This is the most recent set. I have new flippy hair. Kristie has kickass sunglasses.

Last weekend we spent a few days tooling around the city, going to new bars, eating lots of good food, and generally having a super fantastic time that neither of us wanted to end. Happily, I'm going to see her in about 3 weeks, so I think I can hold out that long. I think. I hope.

P.S. Wife Swap is a scary, scary show and it makes me nervous.
P.P.S. The commercials gross me out.
P.P.P.S. Chocolate macaroons are the yummiest. I'm working from home today and I've eaten half a tub of them from Whole Foods. Somebody stop me. Save me from myself!

Yesterday I saw a play that I really enjoyed. The ending left something to be desired, but I liked the rest of it so much that the whole overcame the finale. I like it more today than I did yesterday, and I liked it then! The more I think about it the more strongly I react to it. I went with a dear friend who I hadn't seen in way too long and that, I'm sure, added to my overall enthusiasm about the performances.
I thought the acting was great. Well, most of it was great and some if it was good - but that's a pretty encouraging report card for off-Broadway shows here in NYC. The director, Michael Grief, did Rent and Grey Gardens. As my friend said, "I'm shocked this doesn't have a catwalk." *snicker* Another plus is that it was put on by MCC, a really great company. (insider info: the female lead is in the new Jim Carey flick Number 23 - and as my friend and I both noticed she has a Meredith Grey/Ellen Pompeo quality about her) The male lead, the husband, blew my mind he was so excellent. So excellent, in fact, that I was utterly convinced that he was a real person - that the man onstage was that actor all the time. Really amazing.

I think the reason I enjoyed the piece so much is that it was moving. It was uncomfortable, lovely, very funny, heartbreaking, shocking at points... all those things in one show. I always appreciate when something I see moves me to emotion rather than manipulates my senses. Does that make sense? I appreciate a well crafted sadness onstage, but I can do without canned depression. The emotion in this play was very real feeling. Like a good cry, you know? I had a good, hearty cry last week in the kitchen while MT was making dinner. We were having some random conversation and I got very worked up and cried for what felt like no good reason. It came out of nowhere and really took my by surprise. And then it hit me - I've actually just been so happy lately that I haven't cried. I guess my body needed to get rid of some stress hormones or something, because I had no personal emotional reason to cry. It felt great. We ended up laughing really hard while the tears were rolling down my cheeks and my mascara was staining his t-shirt. It's remarkable how little you care about snot and makeup on your shirt when you love someone. Make a card for that one, Hallmark, I dare you!

But back to the play for a minute... I was so happy to have hung out with my friend, to have seen a piece of theatre that I really liked, to have experienced a wonderful New York afternoon. This is the best place for me. Even in my dreams I live here. What a cool thing.

Remember how I kept saying I wished it would get cold because it didn't feel like winter when it was 70 in December? Yeah, so, um... I got my wish. Apparently whining gets you somewhere - it gets you to 9 degrees. 9! NINE! That's it. Only 9. I mean, it's not like Chicago where it's so windy you might lose your whole face if you go out at the wrong time and catch a gust (just ask Retro Girl). It's not like Minnesota where everything freezes... including fast moving waters (Sandra could tell you).

It's not like those places, but it's still cold. Wicked cold, in fact. I had to put both of Duke's jackets on him just to take him outside to pee. Poor thing. That short hair doesn't do much in the way of insulation. I made him another jacket this weekend that covers his belly so he doesn't lose all of his heat that way. Even with both layers he was shivering. He was a chilly dog. Get it? Get it, huh? It was a pun, see. (I made chili for dinner, I guess I've got it on the brain.)

Apparently it's going to be 22 tomorrow and not get above freezing again until Saturday. Be careful what you wish for, people. I think next time I'm going to wish for hundreds of bolts of fabric, or piles and piles of money, or unlimited brownies hot from the oven. Any of those 3 things would be mighty nice. Nicer than the way 9 degrees makes my face feel, anyway.

Random aside: You know what's funny? MT is playing guitar at the moment getting ready for a gig type thing on Saturday. He's just warming up and he always plays difficult things to loosen his hands. Well, right now he's switching from Metallica to Van Halen to Jimi Hendrix to Better Than Ezra. Um, BTE? I love them, don't get me wrong, I love them a lot. It's just pretty funny to hear "Breathless" right after "Along the Watchtower". It's like that Sesame Street game - One of These Things is Not Like the Other.