Celebrity Sighting #2

So, you might have been wondering if I got lost on my way to work the first day and never found my way back, but never fear, I'm back. And excited, I had the day off today (Thank you, government job...). To celebrate, last night Erika and I went to Upright Citizens Brigade, which is the stand-up comedy show the MVC girls frequently frequented last year. We were sitting in line as usual when I looked up and saw Will Arnett (GOB from Arrested Development) walk right past us on the sidewalk and into the building (he's married to Amy Poehler, who usually hosts the show). I don't usually get too excited about celebrities, but woohoo this made my night. Mostly because I love Arrested Development. Well, completely because I love Arrested Development. But anyway...

As for my work assignment, I have spent the week doing a lot of reading and researching, and trying to get up to speed on the programs in my department. So far I've learned a lot about financial education and financial tools for people with low income. I even went to a conference at NYU on "Reaching the Unbanked." ("Unbanked," is one of the worst invented descriptions I have ever heard...). I also got to tag along to some meetings with the presidents of some large non-profits in the city. It's been really interesting, but I still haven't gotten a handle on what exactly I'm going to be doing. I think I'll find out more next week.

To catch you up on the fun things, if you're so interested. Last weekend Ryan visited and we spent the weekend enjoying the city. It is nice to be able to do things like, say, eat out, without having to worry about staying under $100 for the entire month. We also checked out the farmers market in Grand Army Plaza, and I got some New York apples that tasted like fall itself. Yum. Next week I'm getting cider. That's the one good thing about being back in a place that actually has fall...

This weekend was Open House New York, which is the program that opens up a lot of private spaces in the city that are usually closed. They give tours and talks at each of the sites. Erika and I climbed to the top of the arch at Grand Army Plaza (pictured below in the Sept. 20 post) and we saw the inside of several very cool churches and Jewish temples. We also went to a former bathhouse that this guy turned into a theater and arts performance space and coffee shop. We mostly stuck to Brooklyn - there is so much to explore in this borough that I didn't know about last year. Pictures from Erika's camera will follow soon, I hope.

Anyhow, that's all for now. Tomorrow starts a short week of work and the return of fall weather, so they tell me. Have a great one,