Happy December!

Contrary to popular belief, I am still alive and well. My absense was caused by a convergence of many things: work, travel, holidays, sudden general aversion to the computer, etc., but I'm back in action. What has been happening these last few weeks?

Workwise, I had been working to put together an evening event to get Bronx shelter residents enrolled in bank accounts. I was VERY nervous about it all, since I was principle planner, but it seemed to go well. Attendance seemed low, by my accounts, but in general it was declared a success. I am happy to have it over with, but I also have three more to go (we're trying to do one event in each borough), so no rest for the weary. After the event, I went with some coworkers to a restaurant in Little Italy in the Bronx that supposedly has the best Italian food in the entire city, no mean feat. There was no menu; the waiter simply stood at the head of the table and told us what they were serving that day. The food came out heaping on steaming plates and the red wine flowed in abundance (in general, I mean, not necessarily for us...) with Italian Christmas carols as a backdrop. Mmm, my eggplant parmesan lived up to expectations!

Travelwise, I made it down to Texas the weekend of Veteran's Day for some warm and balmy fall weather. For Thanksgiving, I traveled with Ryan to his home in New Hampshire, then onward and upward to his relatives in Lowville, NY. Despite cold weather and much time spent on the road (Friday was the only day we didn't spend at least 4 hours in some type of vehicle), a good time was had by all, with great food and lots of Euchre. Many thanks to the Condons and Sunderhafts for hosting me. :-)

Citywise, I'm working hard not to let the recent descent into bitter cold keep me from enjoying life in NYC. The roomies and I ventured out tonight to see the Rockefeller tree and all the accompanying Christmas hoopla. It's not as awe-inspiring the second time around, but still fun, although a bit overwhelming. There were actually crowds of people lined up to get into the stores on Fifth Avenue like they were waiting to ride a roller coaster. Trying to get through the hoards of people on the sidewalk involved dodging families with bulging bags from FAO Schwartz and American Girls. I think I'll stick to weeknights to visit the holiday sites. (PS, most of the window displays were still cool, and also I can't help liking the light display at Saks Fifth Avenue that blasts "Carol of the Bells" all the way down the street...)

Anyway, that's it!