Holy Crap!

Those were the words that came out of my mouth yesterday as I looked to see if I got in the ING New York City Marathon.

Orange shoelaces for those training for the marathon. I will wear them with pride!

I do believe the exact words were...

"Holy Crap Vanessa, I think I just got into the marathon!" Vanessa is my good friend at work who shares a cube with me. A tear swelled up in my eye. For the time being it is a tear of joy as I have dreamed of being in the marathon. Literally. I had a dream that I was in it so I thought I'd jump in the lottery to see what would happen. 

Now I have to dream that I am a millionaire while I'm on a roll!

Needless to say my summer/fall just got a lot busier. But Lee said he'd learn to cook since I'll have less time to prepare our meals. Had I known this, I'd tried to get in a lot earlier.

Anyway. Today is painting day. I finished up 2 of my pin up girls- Saucy and Bubbles. Now I'm moving on to my commission piece for the remainder of the afternoon.

This is Bubbles. I'm using the Iphone app Instagram now for the photos. I like it better than the Hipstamatic for right now.

This is Saucy. And saucy she is.

Saucy in the window!

Busy, busy bee

Where does my time go?

Probably the same place everyone's goes- Into never never land.

I like to do a lot of things and there lies my problem. If I have extra time on my hands I'm going to fill it with something.

Since my last post at Easter I've been...

1. Painting. Working on a commission piece as well as trying to get some pin up girls painted for a show at Dye Pretty Salon in Winston-Salem this July.

Two pin up gals in front with a portion of the commission piece in the background

2. I've been to see J. D. McPherson. A young guy with an old soul and an old timey brand of music to match.

J.D. McPherson and his bass player at Mercury Lounge

3. I took a bicycle safety class. Since I've been riding my bike up to work at mid-town I figured a little safety wouldn't hurt.

This is not MY bike but I thought it was pretty cool. Brooklyn.

4. I've been running I did 8.5 miles yesterday.

5. I entered the lottery for the New York City marathon. It is highly unlikely that I get in but I had a dream that I did so I've got my fingers crossed.

Me cheering on a runner in the NYC Marathon a few years back.

6. Today I did a vintage pin up girl photo shoot. Photos coming later.

My hair all up in curlers.

7. I took a burlesque class and signed up to take more. 

Hmmmmm. That's about all that I can think of. After I write this blog I might go take a nap!

A New York Easter

Easter back home in NC was always a big deal. As a little girl, my parents always prepared me an Easter Basket and we dyed eggs.

When I got a bit older we always had a nice ceremony at Church then a yummy meal of ham, deviled eggs and all the yummy southern trimmings.

Here in New York it is just Lee, the pups and myself. I figured we'd do something a little different...

We jump on our bikes and head to a bahn mi Vietnamese sandwich shop then head over to Union square for a picnic.

Catfish Bahn Mi. So good!

Lee enjoys his pork belly sandwich

Next it's off to the Easter Bonnet parade. It is really more like a block party of crazy hats and some dolled up puppies.

Puppets at the parade

St. Patric's Cathedral

On the way home I did actually get a basket- well it wasn't an Easter basket but a bike basket in stead!

Back home we grab up the girls and take them in a nice walk. They were so happy.

For dinner we opted for the closest thing we could find to a good southern meal- Low Country over in the West Village. They did have deviled eggs. They were not as good as mom's but they made do!

Shrimp and grits for me and fried rabbit and waffles for Lee

Deviled eggs

I hope everyone enjoyed their Easter as much as I did. Happy Easter!Here are a few more pics from the day.

This gals hat was so big she had to have someone help hold her up

I even found some sweet tea for dinner. I had two big glasses!

I see this man everywhere along with his parrot and puppy

Animals, animals everywhere!

When I mention to someone that I am a painter. They always ask, “What kind of stuff do you paint?” My typical short answer goes something like...
“I paint a lot of creepy kids and circus side show people.”

The other day I started thinking, “I should paint some animals, awwwwe, I don’t really know how to paint animals. Animals seem kinda boring. Nahhhh I don’t think I will paint animals.”

Then I realized- I DO paint animals and never really noticed it. The creatures are never my main focus but it seems like about 80% of the time my painted humans have animal companions.

Who knew?!?

Here are a few from times past.

Dolly and her Dandy Doodle

Lulu's Lamb wouldn't Listen

Puppet Show

No More Room

Red Lipstick on a Grey Train

Bunny Wasn't So Lucky

Sweaters For Snakes

Stroll

Road Kill Kitty

I Bike NYC

I've now been living here close to 5 years. I've never had a bicycle here. I've just always walked, taken the subway or hopped in a cab. Seems to work just fine for the most part.

Friday we were walking to dinner and there was a man on Houston Street selling old "beater' bikes I call them. These are bikes that in NC you could find at any given yard sale or Goodwill for about $20 or free on the side of the road for that matter. I decided to have a look at them. Right there on the end was a little bike just for me! Not for the $20 price tag but for a $160. I knew this was actually about going rate for such, but Lee knocked him down to $150. SOLD!

I felt just like a little kid. I pictured myself not having to wait on the subway. Not having to spend so long walking places and not having to fork out a lots of money for cabs. Fist things first- a helmet.

Me posing moments after my purchase.

After dinner I did a little research and found Nut Case helmets. So I went to Adeline Bikes in Tribecca. They sale beautiful bikes and if I had an indoor place to keep one, I'd get one from here. So for now I'll settle with a brain protector. I chose a pale matte blue. Of course I had to adorn it with a little pink and reflective tape bow. At Heavy Rebel this year I plan on getting it pinstriped. For now it'll do just fine.

The gray part is reflective tape. Safety first!

Next on the list is a basket. I must have something to carry my stuff in when I go out shopping. That'll have to wait till next week.

Sunday was a fine day (as fine as it gets here this time of year) for my first outing. It's over to the East Village. First stop was at some weird flea market. There was really nothing worth buying here and everyone seemed crazy. Believe me- I can usually find something to buy ANYWHERE!

Agua Fresca at the weird flea market.

Lunch was fabulous. Criff dogs. I've only been here once as hot dogs are not my cuisine of choice, but sometimes a good dog hits the spot!

The decor here is quite fun!

After a bit more peddling about it was time for dessert. I'd heard about an ice cream delight called the Salty Pimp from the BIG GAY ICE CREAM STORE. Even though the day was a bit chilly, the Salty Pimp was still quite yummy in my tummy! It is soft serve vanilla with caramel drizzled on and injected into it, then there is a powder fine salt sprinkled on top then the whole thing is dipped in that chocolate that hardens on ice cream. Yum!

Good stuff!

We continued our trip for a bit more, passing other interesting shops and the like.

Nice murals on the B-ball court

Looks like an urban light house

It was a good time out on my two wheels. I am so glad I got my bike. I think that I will really get some use out of it. I am already planning my route to work. I just want a route with the least amount of traffic especially once I get up to mid town.

Riding down Sullivan Street

More adventures to come!