lornagrl

At last a quick swim...

We got out of work at 2pm yesterday so I went out for my first swim.  (I'm not counting the martini addled dip I took on my birthday.)

I am not thrilled with living way out here for a lot of reasons but one of the nicest perks is that I'm right across the street from the beach.  All I have to do is put on a swimsuit, wrap, and flip-flops and walk across the street.  I can do this after work or early on a weekend morning before the beaches get crowded.  In the summer, it truly feels like I'm on vacation.  I didn't get to do this too much last year and the weather has not been cooperating this year.  It seems that every time I have an opportunity to go to the beach, it rains. This happened to me last Saturday.  After helping a friend move, I set out to take a quick dip but as soon as I got into the water I noticed a lightening bolt hitting the water in the distance. Hopefully I will get to do some more swimming this weekend but It's supposed to rain  according to the weather reports.

Have a nice 4th of July everyone!

Slacker!!

I have been labeled as a "blog slacker" by my friend Brad in O-town. (That's Orlando, Florida in case you're wondering.) I tend not to blog when things are ruminating and I know I'm being cryptic but I have to watch my words here. 

I had the best birthday ever!  I invited a bunch of people to have lunch with me at a sushi restaurant.  My brother said he was coming up from Nashville but then told me at the last minute he would not be able to come up.  This was a ruse because he showed up anyway as a surprise.  After lunch a few of us went to Coney Island and rode on the Wonder Wheel, and some other rides.  It was the Mermaid Parade so there were a lot of antics.  Afterwards we had a couple of martinis (too many) and ended up taking a midnight swim at Brighton Beach. 

I have sand all over my apartment.

Say a happy be-lated birthday to my birthday twin Erin, who is away on a cruise,the lucky girl.

Wasted Saturday....

This is the first Saturday in weeks that I did not have plans, so I pretty much did nothing all day.  I did not go to the gym last night because of the rain storm.  Instead I had sushi at my favorite local sushi restaurant.  I also had some sake...too much sake.  I just can't drink alcohol like I used to since the cancer treatment.  I seem to get drunk quicker and with very little, and the following day (like today) I feel as though I have been hit by a truck.  Maybe it's an after effect of the chemo?  Who knows.

The housekeeper was scheduled to come this morning at 8:30 am.  Yes, that's right I have cleaning lady who comes once or twice a month.  My brother hired this service while I was in treatment and I got spoiled.  I feel really funny hanging around while someone else cleans my house so I took my camera and wandered around Coney Island in the early morning hours.  I stopped for coffee at the coffee and flower place.  It turns out they have wifi there and their coffee is really good. Nobody seems to be hanging out in there yet. I hope it catches on and stays open because the Starbucks in Brighton Beach is way too crowded and I like supporting local businesses.

btw: The certified letter turned out to be a letter from my breast surgeon to let me know it's time for my six month check.  I guess they mean business when you've had cancer.

Coffee and Flowers?

There is a new coffee shop in my neighborhood. This one is a combination coffee shop and florist.  (There a lot of florists in Brighton Beach by the way.) This shop is located in what I believe is the only strip mall in Brooklyn.  I don't know how good the coffee is because when I stepped in for a cup, I was told by the florist (who at first spoke to me in Russian) that the coffee shop part of the place closes at 6pm.

Astroland opening day...cold and rainy

I headed over to Astroland this afternoon for opening day.  There wasn't as much fanfare as last year, but then we all thought that last year was going to be the final season.  It was cold and rainy so there weren't too many people.

As usual the Hungry March Band was performing.  I didn't get there until the end of the performance.  Boy, I love this band.  If I ever get rich and have a big party, I will totally book them. 

I walked over to the freak show.  They were open but nothing was going on outside.  I couldn't stay out too long because I didn't want to get caught in a downpour with my camera.  While I was walking home on the boardwalk, I noticed Miss Cycolone posing for photographs.

Feathered lady...

I wasn't feeling very well when I woke up this morning so I didn't go to work, but later in the day I decided to take a walk to on the boardwalk and head to the Coney Island post office to pick a package. I noticed this feathered lady standing in front of the SHOOT THE FREAK attraction.  Two other people were near her with digital cameras and she was begging us all to take her photo.  When I asked what the occasion was she wouldn't answer, just insisted we take her photo.  She had a British accent.

This can only happen when you live near Coney Island.

CIDC Information Session: Only one arrest (that I know of anyway)

The Coney Island Development Corporation held a community information session this evening.  This information session was to announce their plans for rezoning and how they plan to improve the area. Since I live a stone's throw away from Coney Island, I decided to go. 

There has been quite a bit of Coney Island hoopla over the last few years. If you are not from New York (or maybe you are) you may not know that there have been plans to refurbish Coney Island, which has had many incarnations over the years.  Local residents and business owners have been both eager and skeptical about the changes.  Debate on the hotel/beach front condo/amusement ratio has been a very hot topic of late. All this "redevelopment" may be a ruse to build overpriced luxury condos (like we need more of those) and force out long time residents and businesses.  Needless to say, there are people who are very sensitive to whats going on out here.

I sat near the front during the power point presentation of all the plans.  They showed us exactly where they were going to place the residential areas and hotels, and how the plans were not going to involve high rise buildings close to the shore etc.  Everyone was pretty quiet and listening with interest. 

Except for one man.

He sat two seats down from me, a heavy set man with leathery skin.  He reeked of alcohol and breathed heavily.  He was quiet at first but that didn't last. The poor woman conducting the presentation managed to maintain her composure while he belted out protests like: yuppie enclave, minimum wage jobs and dream based on the machine.  I think he believed that others would follow suit but he just pissed people off.  After a few outbursts some cops came by and stood next to him.  They didn't escort him out.  He left on his own when the presentation was completed, but the cops arrested him when he got outside. 

I'm not sure what they could have charged him with. Public drunkenness I suppose.

Brighton Beach Kitten

For the past few weeks I've noticed this little kitten in front of an apartment building on Ocean Parkway.

There is a cat colony there and I've seen a lot of cats come and go.  But it seems that all the cats have left, and this kitten is on his own.  I see him every morning on my way to the subway either eating some canned food that someone has left for him or playing.  The other night when we had that cold snap I noticed him curled up tight at the door of the apartment building.  He will walk up to people but won't let anyone touch him. 

If I could catch him, I would try to find a home for him.  He seems very smart and has quite a spark about him. 

btw.  This had me in tears.

Polar Girl

  polar girl 
  Originally uploaded by ConeyHOP.

Check out the chick on the right with the red hat, behind the camera...

That's me!!

(snagged from coneyhop.)

Coney Island Polar Bear Club Swim. 2008

I witnessed the Coney Island Polar Bear swim this year.  Every New Years day since 1903 the Coney Island Polar Bears invite other New Yorkers to join them in a swim.  The annual party I go to on New Years day was unfortunately canceled due to a bad case of the flu so I was able to see it this year.  I was surprised at the turn out. 

You can see my flickr set here.

On Gothamist.