rachelpink rides the bus

Kitty

My sweet sweet Cupcake goes under the knife today. Poor thing--she howled all the way to the vet. Three avenues of howling is a sad way to start the day. But this is a good thing because she needed to be spayed stat, and it just happened to work out that my vet could do it while I'm out of town. Cupcake gets to recover under the vet's watchful eye, and I get to rest easy in L.A. knowing that she's in good hands.

OK. Time to check email and pack and try and get my work in ship shape before I head out.

Suburban Splendor

I'm quick to say I'd never leave the city for the suburbs. I love all the people watching and the sense of community and the public transportation too much to leave. But after a lovely weekend at Nancy's house in Huntington, my Queens-loving heart yearned for a backyard.

Strike that. I only want a backyard if it's got a Tammy and Matthew and Nancy in it.

I Googled myself today and found that I was quoted in a Woman's Day article on stress relief.

Pet a pet "Walking dogs and feeding kittens takes me to a complete Zen state," says New York PR expert Rachel Kempster, who volunteers at a pet shelter.

I knew this was coming because I sent in a quote and had a fact checker call a few months ago, but I'd forgotten all about it.

But I digress. Here is the latest iteration of me courtesy of Google:
1. I was quoted in a PW story about internet marketing.
2. I got promoted a few years ago.
3. I'm on Linked In, so my whole career is there for the asking.
4. I'm on Facebook.
5. I had bedbugs and for some reason a newspaper in Saudi Arabia cared enough to write about it.
6. Once I was the PR contact for a health book.
7. I'm on GoodReads and I read lots of books.
8. I was a PR contact for a book festival.
9. I was in an article about cohabitation.
10. I switched publishing companies a few years ago.

Not too embarrassing--except for the bedbug article. Ouch. That one's going to live on forever. Still, I'm glad my college-era posts about Tori Amos and the movie "Clueless" have moved deeper into the search results. That's a good thing. And it might seem vane to self-Google, but I consider it a necessary (and amusing) evil. It's kind of like monitoring your credit report.

ZZ

ZZ is the newest addition to D6. She's a zamioculcas (nicknamed ZZ by many) and hard to kill. Her stems aren't good for pets or people, so she's up on a plant stand where a certain 4-legged Cupcake can't get to her (although the plant store I bought her from has several cats running about and they're all alive--still, better safe than sorry with my darling kitty). I've been itching to buy a big gorgeous plant since I moved in, and now I've got it. One or two more small plants and I'll have a green and happy home.

If Only

Found on the Houston St. platform. It didn't work, but it's a nice thought.

A Song

Half-day Fridays start today, doo dah, doo dah.
Half-day Fridays start today, all the doo-dah day.

More reading time! More playing time! More volunteering time! More time to work on myriad secret projects!

Print might be dead, but half-day Fridays live on. Oh publishing, you're so good to me. I'll work until 5:45 Monday to Thursday, but it's worth it for the sweet nectar that is half-day Fridays.

I'm off to sing my half-day song to the cat.

Tuna Juice

My kryptonite is tuna juice. Arghughblugehh. TUNA JUICE. I hate it. And yeah, I'll eat a tuna sandwich a few times a year but only in the most controlled situations. And yeah, that makes my tuna juice phobia even more nutsy but c'est la vie.

Tonight I ran out to the store to get Cupcake cans of the scrumptious Fancy Feast she so enjoys. She'd greeted me so heartily when I came home tonight that I tore myself away from the final chapter of My Life In France to fetch her a delicious canned cat dinner.

I came home, beating the rain by two scant minutes, and opened up a can of Seafood Medley in Gravy. Cupcake purred and whirred and flapped her tail in anticipation. I peeled back the tin's lid to reveal a terrifying blend of ground up fish bits in a "gravy" that bested tuna juice in all categories. Oh god. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the food--wait, no, there was something wrong. It was tuna. And god knows what. And juice. Lots and lots of juice.

Cupcake loved it, and I realized that this was my own fault. The cat food aisle wasn't for pescatarian cats alone--there was a turkey feast, a beef feast, a chicken feast. But I chose the seafood medley, salmon, and tuna. The things I fear, the viscous gravy of seafood, the runny slimy fish juice--all of it I paid for and opened and scooped into my cat's bowl.

Which leads me to wonder if I'm somehow on crack and I just don't know it yet.

Julia

My Life in France has spent weeks on the nightstand. Now that I'm a good bit into it, I could kick myself for letting it sit unread.

Until yesterday hadn't given much thought to Julia Child. As a kid, I would watch her PBS show on rainy Sunday afternoons. In truth I preferred the Frugal Gourmet's eccentric, kindly uncle schtick to Julia's strange stoop. As is so often the case, my instincts were wrong. Julia Child rocked. She started really living in her late 30s. She was eternally hopeful. She recognized her limits. She wanted to improve improve improve. My Life in France was written with the help of Julia's nephew and a vast collection of letters and photos that chronicle the time Julia and her husband, Paul, spent in France. And this all sounds v. specific and maybe uninteresting to someone who isn't a foodie, but it's just not that simple. This book is joy, joy unbounded. The pictures Paul took around France of kooky maids and children playing and his awesome strong and tall wife lounging in the grass express joy and profound curiosity. Julia's outbursts and recollections and her love for her cat, Minette, have changed her in my mind from a caricature into a kindred spirit.

When I'm finished reading, I think I'll crack open a bottle of cheap french wine and gut a duck.

Cats is Cats

Today I was a team leader at the shelter. It's not too much extra work to team lead. In advance of the project I send a few emails. When the project is done I log the attendance. Easy peasy. But I will admit that I get stressed on the Sundays I lead.

When I'm just a volunteer, I show up and clean the cat cages. If there are other projects that need me, I do them. But when I'm a team leader, I need to pay attention to everything. If someone is new, I need to make sure they fill out a form and then tell them what to do. And since I've been working this gig for a long time, I just want to go go go. I want to cats to be happy, and I like to work fast. I don't expect a brand-new volunteer unused to the hectic shelter to speed through the project. But still, I need to make sure the work gets done. I need dogs walked and cats fed and cages cleaned. I need the floor swept and mopped and the dishes done. I need to leave the shelter in really good shape, but I also need to nurture the volunteers. Keep them happy and coming back. Today I could feel myself growing impatient. I trained, I explained, and then I took over tub duty. Tub duty is solitary. I scrubbed metal cage parts with steaming hot water and washed kitty litter pans until they gleamed. The tub kept stopping up, so I had to stop every few minutes and plunge the drain. I was wet and messy when I left, but it was OK. I kept my cranky self away--and the volunteers did a great job. The cages looked great, and they worked faster without me fluttering around them. I must remember to hole up with the tub next month when I lead again.

On a completely different note, take a look at this filarious picture of one of the shelter dogs. His name is Buster and this picture better get him adopted ASAP.

Not a Lazy Saturday

It's DIY Saturday at apartment 6D. This is the first time I've been off my feet since 10am with the exception of a 15-minute break for leftover tacos. Here I offer the photographic evidence:

First, let me present my new walls. They are yellow or 'lemon merengue' according to my fine friends at Benjamin Moore, and the whole room feels sunny and bright. After weeks of trying to choose the perfect color, I made the right decision.

And now that the walls are painted, I can put some pictures up. I've placed Grandpa Mousey's racing photo above the doorway.

This is kind of a messy picture, but it's full of happy. Notice I've placed my wand (made at Harry Potter Place when the final book came out) on my cabinet handles. Magic. And I've got my Heidi Kenney art up. Donuts and ice cream by the microwave, broccoli over the stove.

Here's a small little DIY project. This switchplate used to be two little kids kissing or playing the saxophone or doing something similarly creepy (it was the kind of thing Angela from The Office would enjoy). With Vince's help, I found a customizable switch plate. Today I popped in an Ashley G. postcard that came with one of my Etsy orders and viola!

Last weekend I bought these hanging bud vases from CB2. They're on the wall facing my bed. I need to get some flowers, it's a little lame with leaves.

And the final project of the night? I hung up some hooks in the hallway. I decided that I'm going to get a vinyl wall sticker thing from Blik instead of painting. It costs about the same as painting, and I found a pattern with tree branches that I love.

Cat in a Bag

Cupcake spent most of the day locked in the bedroom while I painted the living room. When I set her free, she headed straight for this empty tote bag.

Unaccustomed Earth

Last night I started reading Jhumpa Lahiri's new book, Unaccustomed Earth. I made it through the first three stories, and for a fleeting but happy-making moment I convinced myself that I should stay up and finish it. I didn't because I don't get paid to read books, I get paid to get up in the morning and publicize them. I tucked a french flap into page 84 and went to sleep.

Tonight I was eager to commute home so I could read more. And I was eager to finish dinner so I could read even more. And now I'm finished.

Unaccustomed Earth is a beautiful, beautiful book. Here's a bit I liked from the New York Times Review: 
Lahiri handles her characters without leaving any fingerprints. She allows them to grow as if unguided, as if she were accompanying them rather than training them through the espalier of her narration. Reading her stories is like watching time-lapse nature videos of different plants, each with its own inherent growth cycle, breaking through the soil, spreading into bloom or collapsing back to earth.

Yeah. What they said. Just read it.

Vrroom

In the morning my parents leave for Arizona. I'm not happy about it.

Some Thoughts

1. If you have a leaky sink, don't leave the dishes in the sink to soak overnight. You will wake up to face a mess of wetness.

2. I stayed up all night to finish I Am The Messenger. I've had v. good luck with my books this month. Can't decide which one to start next, and I also have a pile of Vertigo comics tempting me. . .

3. Cupcake wants some action. Anyone have a tom cat for hire?

4. Anna has the most beautiful boots in the world. Seriously--she looks like a superhero in the best possible way. Don't f with her. I'm betting those boots are dangerous AND beautiful.

5. I am FINALLY back in control of my work life. Oh that feels good. Busy but good.

Just Lucky

I told myself if I could make it through the mess that was April, everything would be alright. Make it to May, make it to May--that's what I thought on the worst days.

Now it's May and I was right. I'm in the happiest apartment (that soon will be painted "morning sunshine"--a sweet pale yellow). My cat loves the new windowsills. I just did my budget and discovered that I really truly can afford to live on my own without working a side job at Starbucks. I got a tax refund that will give me the cash to pay off a credit card and buy an air conditioner. When I look out my window, I see plants and flowers (and a screaming man--but only sometimes). I've discovered the love that is BSG. I'm starting to enjoy the N train.

Just to be on the safe side, I'm knocking on wood. But who needs superstition when things feel so grand?

Guilty Pleasure: Extreme Makeover Edition

Last week at the laundromat I got hooked on an episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. I was a captive audience because my clothes were wet and needed 30 more minutes in the dryer. The family getting the new house had lots of foster kids and I cried, right there in the laundromat, when the little munchkins opened the doors to their new rooms.

So tonight I decided to give it another whirl, and I've got to say it's kind of awesome. Emotionally manipulative and chock-full-o' product placements, it's a source of design inspiration and catharsis. Ty Pennington seems sincere enough in an I'm-a-frat-boy-who-likes-volunteering way. They give the kids fantastic theme bedrooms with slides and sparkles and giant wooden dinosaurs.

If I were on the show and I were a small child, I would ask for a unicorn and rainbow themed room with a working swing. Strike that. If I were on the show it would mean that some horrible tragedy had befallen me, and there's a chance I'd be a limbless torso with a house full of sad and sick orphans. Looks like I'll make do with my bird curtains and green couch.

A Warmer House

The new apartment needed a party. I obliged, and I'm glad I did because my friends couldn't be more marvelous. I almost had enough seats for everyone, and the whole apartment glowed with happy. The food rocked and everyone stayed for a good long while. And there was a baby! Babies are amazing--especially babies who lot my cat as much as I do. I didn't know a Saturday could be that good.

A Little Learning

I know I'm a year late to the party, but The World Without Us is a gift of a book. This ol' brain of mine can hardly keep up with the theories, history and speculation. It requires a thimbleful of concentration, and that's generally more than I can offer during my commute.

If you haven't heard about the book, the title says it all. What would happen if humans vanished from the face of the earth (ala Left Behind)? What would happen to nature, to structures, to the atmosphere? Weisman, the author, also considers what life would have been like had humans never inhabited it at all. I'm only 60 pages in and already I'm feeling smart and enlightened.

Here are two of my favorite bits so far:
"Long before, the wild predators finished off the last descendants of pet dogs, but a wily population of feral house cats persists, feeding on starlings."

In other words, CATS RULE.

And here's a bit that confirms my (not-at-all) irrational fear of monkey beasts:
"To stare into the eyes of a chimpanzee is to glimpse the world had we stayed in the forest. . . . Dr. Wilson vouches for their strength. He has watched them tear apart and devour red colobus monkeys Superb hunters,about 80% of their attempts are successful kills."

Hmmm.  So next time you're with me at a zoo, you'll understand why I break out into a cold sweat when I see a terrifying creepy monkey beast. Huzzah.

Food Thoughts

Sweet
Delaney: Do they have toys in New York City?
Me: They do! I buy them for you. And if you want ice cream, you can have ice cream too!
Delaney: Do they have strawberry ice cream? I like strawberry ice cream.
Me: Yup.
Delaney: OK. I don't like strawberries, but I like the pink ice cream. But with no strawberries.

Savory
Me: I'm having a BLT for dinner.
Donovan: Mmmm. Bacon. Salty salty fatty bacon I love bacon. Mmmm. Salty bacon.
Me: Well, it's actually turkey bacon.
Donovan: Bacon bacon bacon.

Magic

There's a news story out of Florida that hits a little close to home.

A substitute teacher does a magic trick for some middle schoolers. He makes a match disappear. Ooooh. Later, he's called into his supervisors office. Turns out he's being accused of witchcraft by a parent.

The school district, Pasco County? Why that just happens to be my nephew's district. HOLY FLYING SPAGHETTI MONSTER, HARRY POTTER! Oh this is worrisome.

A Curiousity

How can it be that I'm watching less TV lately? Last night I turned off an episode of Law and Order midway through so I could go and read a book. I didn't even soothe myself to sleep with BSG (even though my love for all things Gallactica remains unchanged).

Even so, I'm not getting up any earlier--and now I'm running late for work. Enjoy the sunshine, my fellow New Yorkers. And may your commute be unaffected by the protests planned for later today.

Happy Birthday, Donovan!

If you can believe it, Donovan turned 8 years old today.

The day Donovan was born was one of the best days of my life. He's the smartest, kindest, most curious and creative kid I know. He's the perfect complement to his awesome sassy sister, and a fiercely protective big brother.

Donovan and Delaney make me want to be the best person I can be. I want to make them proud, and do right by them because they both deserve nothing short of greatness.

For his birthday present, Donovan chose to go with his family to Busch Gardens. He went on every roller coaster--expect one he found too scary.

I simply can't wait for Donovan to come and visit this summer. He wants to go to the Empire State Building and a skate park. He's going to pack his board in his luggage. When did my sweet, chubby-cheeked, chocolate-syrup swilling nephew turn into a cool little guy wearing DCs and riding a skateboard? Sunrise, sunset.

A Little Lonely

Tonight I put away the 3-step ladder and cooked a real dinner. Apartment D6 is home.

And I when I wake up, I'm happy. When I take a shower, I'm happy. When I eat a sandwich, I'm happy.

I'm also a little lonely.

Living alone (ok, I've got Cupcake--but she doesn't talk), isn't my default condition. The last time I lived alone was my first year in grad school. I was a wreck, cried all the time, and ate lots of Hamburger Helper Beef Stroganoff. That was not a happy year.

Flash forward 7 years into the future and I'm alone again. Alone at home, at least. I know this is something I will get used to, I know it. And I also know that I'm getting a good shake up from all these changes. I worked for three hours at the shelter this morning, I did laundry on a Sunday night. I'm breaking some inexplicably pointless little habits. I'm watching less TV and more BSG.

Lonely will pass.

Library Haul

It's been a few weeks since I posted a library haul--so here you go. Already finished The Last Slice of the Rainbow (brilliant book of fairy tales from the 70's), started Born Confused, Under the Banner of Heaven, and Skipping Toward Gomorrah. Haven't started reading The Pirate's Dilemma, a Julia Child bio, and The World Without Us. Wow, that's quite the disjointed collection, but that's how the library reserve system rolls.

Today I bought a DVD player (for 29 bucks!) at Target and a little reading light. Now that I can watch BSG in the living/kitchen room, I can  start reading before bed again and powering through my May books.

Books for April

Does it surprise you that my reading was a little light this month? Probably not. But I still managed to squeeze a decent bit of book time into the nuttiest April ever. Here's the list:

I Was Told There'd Be Cake

Print is Dead

Candy Girl

The Book Thief

Petropolis

The God of Animals

The Monsters of Templeton

That's 7 books in April which brings me to 36 books so far this year. I'm a third of the way to my goal with a mere 64 books left to read. I'm halfway through 3 books right now, and if I'd stop writing this post, I could have my first book of May read already. . .