I'm Being Good. And Bad.

We all do things we aren't exactly proud of... Like eat an experimental cookie, become upset because it wasn't perfect, and proceed to enter the second bakery in ten minutes... Someone stop me. If I used hashtags, I'd say #HellsKitchen. It's fantastic. And a menace to my health. Though I would like to add that I walk everywhere... I'm keeping active between my mouthfuls of sweets... Whatever, I don't even care. I don't have to prove ANYTHING to you. I'm gonna love this biscuit to pieces. 

So.... Favorite spots in New York? Yeah, I have a half-baked list; let's see here...

I love Prospect Heights (the only neighborhood of Brooklyn I've visited thus far), Hells Kitchen, the Upper West Side, and the West Village; I want desperately to explore Queens. I actually just adore the west side of Manhattan at large. I realize that that is geographically an expansive area to love, but I do, I really do... And anyway, I've listed more specific locations below...

Riverside Park
The final scene of You've Got Mail was filmed here, at the 91st Street Garden (the park is four miles long). My cousin and I talked to one of the groundskeepers there last week; he was 93, had been caring for the gardens for over 50 years. He doubled over laughing when Kenny said he looked 83.

Riverside Church
I'd say go, regardless of anything and everything. The prayer room is reason enough; it's marked by silent reverie and Hoffman's painting of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. Also, I might be extra-partial due to my meeting a new friend here... God works wonders every day.

Museum of Natural History
I HAVE SPENT SO MANY HOURS HERE--I NEED TO SPEND MORE HOURS HERE.

9th Ave and the 1,000,000 Thai Restaurants It Is Home To
Pretty self-explanatory if you know me at all.

Chelsea Market 
Shout out to Sara Clifton (my Brooklynite-turned-Salt Laker neighbor) for highly suggesting a visit to this indoor hub of food, clothes, books, and material goods of other sorts. My visit(s) are now biweekly... Seriously, I buy half of my groceries here because YUM, and there's no shortage of options for lunch, dinner, or dessert. In the midst of my longing for Winder Farms, Ronnybrook, housed in Chelsea Market, has really come through for me. Winder is still better. 

Bleecker Street
It might just be that I like listening to Simon & Garfunkel's song whilst strolling down the tree- and brownstone-lined boulevard, but that's reason enough for it to be one of my favorite places in New York. 

Cones Ice Cream Artisans
Possibly the best ice cream I've had in New York so far... The pistachio was simply splendid, as was the cantaloupe... And every other flavor I've tried thus far.

Brooklyn Museum
This place is a giant palace of artistic expression and learning... The Beaux-Arts Court (below) is where I want everything important in my life to happen, and where I want everything important to my characters to happen. It's the stuff of whimsy, really just so exquisitely beautiful and tranquil! I wouldn't mind running away and living in this museum rather than the Met (sorry, Claudia). They have plenty of fully-furnished rooms and houses to choose from... No joke.

There are others, but I'm pretty much done for now... Oh! This would not be complete without mention of my favorite bakeries! The list includes Levain, Sullivan Street, and Amy's, though the first two far outshine the latter, in my humble, teenage opinion. I like Amy's because it's more accessible to me than the other two: there's one near the office and one near my apartment. 

Anyway, I love you all and hope everyone is taking advantage of the wonders that surround them this summer season, wherever you may be. Don't waste time moping--the wind is calling your name!

Love,
Scout

P.S. Bleachers full album came out today. I totally dig it. 

Come Here Often?

No, I don't. That should be very clear; it's been months since I've posted. So no, nice try.

Well, what to say? So much happens every day, and I am never eager to give out information online. A blog is like a public diary, which to me is an oxymoron; if only I had realized this when I first started a blog, such a long while back. Oh well, it is what it is: the starved blog shall starve some more, no doubt, until it withers away into nothing...

Isn't that sweet?

Whatever, let's tear off this bandage. I'm in New York City, have been for nearly three weeks, and will be until the 31st of July. It's been an excellent learning experience, and I have also had a great deal of fun; no doubt I will continue to do so. I live in the West Village, which is (in my humble opinion) the best place to live on the island - Queens and Brooklyn seem pretty cool too. The West Village is well-situated by the Hudson (where I run) and has a neighborhood vibe that I have not found anywhere else in Manhattan. Besides, living in the West Village means I'm within walking distance of all the delicious food I could possibly want (I just indulged in pistachio and peanut butter-caramel ice cream from Cones, which is five minutes from my apartment, max). It is truly a fantastic area.

...And it makes up for the fact that the MongoDB (where I'm "working") office is located at 43rd and 7th...right next to Time Square. I don't much like Time Square; it functions as the sweaty, infected bellybutton of Manhattan (I also don't much like bellybuttons, but recognize the need for them). Anyway, "work" is great, and I actually do "work"--stop that! I do work! Thank you! 

 Somewhat manic smile... Don't fret, Henry's still alive.

The Guggenheim is cool, the Highline is cool, Chelsea Market is waaaaaayyyyyyyy cool... I like calories. It's, like, whatever... Yep. (To the tune of "Meow Meow:) Yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum--can I go home now? I hate this gig... Which I realize I force myself to continue... Yeah, I'm leaving. See you later.

Hole-in-the-wall theater in Brooklyn... Saw a show here that was better than some of what I've seen on Broadway. Also, the tinfoil wall-lining was 100% legit. 

Oh hello, Public Library. You are a thing of beauty. 

Hello, poignant street art from Brooklyn. 

Have a lovely evening not blogging,
Scout, the Reluctant Blogger 

91st Street Garden at Riverside Park: site of the final scene in "You've Got Mail". Very beautiful; the picture does not do it justice. (Come on, Snapchat.)