shocking

... to me how much time has passed since my last post. and how much has not only happened but faded even from memory -- jarred by the photos i've just downloaded. like the first friday night in december fireworks that larry and i bundled up to see in poughkeepsie before heading off to synagogue for my dad's 75th birthday oneg shabbat. at the synagogue i grew up at. i'll add in links later, for now i'm just typing and trying to catch up.
working backwards: the transit strike in nyc was an amazing experience for us. larry and i are so on the side of the union politically. this strike pushes buttons for us about fairness, management vs. workers, and okay, just the state of affairs right now in the u.s. between the haves and the have nots. but like all things in life there are the idiosyncracies. we can hate bloomberg out of one side of our mouths, but a freelance gig larry has at bloomberg leaves him wanting to work there. from a corporate standpoint, it looks like people are well cared for. and that's the obvious corporate trap - i see it myself working for lauder as a freelancer even. these companies in some ways treat their employees so well, maybe it keeps them quiet.
if i'm rambling, i have to admit it's because we are celebrating larry's 55th birthday. our tradition is to make it a week. so this week is the week of larry. which means a week of dinners out, which takes the pressure off the actual birthday itself, which we spent driving home from the city, unloading the car, and getting readjusted to being home again. a nice thing. because we'd already had a few lovely evenings out in the city, we're able to nest here at home in front of the fire with home made martinis for me and a very special beer for larry.
so for photo recap -- earlier this week i was honored to be a part of la superette at exit art. it's a funky gift giving venue that tali hinkis has been putting on for a number of years, more recently with her beautiful children in tow. it is absolutely amazing to me how some women can handle it all. it's not about being superwoman, it's about being human, and a multi-armed goddess gathering everyone to your breast at once. it's beautiful and touching to see in action. and i don't mean zena action at all.
other pics shown here: a chandelier at grand central and snow scenes from the train i've ridden since i was a child, between grand central station and poughkeepsie. when i was a kid the seat were oversized and covered in velvety red. despite the commuter sized seats, the trip is still magical, whether i am headphoned and chanting, knitting or staring out the window.
here's to travel, real and imagined.