Here we are, at the last Hurrah of summer. I’ve been having one of those weeks when it seems that either I’m being punked, or the world has gone nutso. It reminded me of one of my favourite sites in Jerusalem, the aptly named ‘Bonkers Cafe’ which is a fitting metaphor for the whole Middle East, nay, the whole world.
If I tell you that I’ve been re-reading Frances Hodgson-Burnett’s ‘The Secret Garden’, what would you deduce from that? Yep, I’m so stressed, I fear my head might actually explode. I believe that most people have these stress markers – the mental equivalent of a security blanket. Mine? Easy.
What a week! Having spent the week being a nutter-magnet as usual, TGIF! The wretched full moon didn’t help, and God only knows what effect a blood moon has. Actually, I am yet to see any sign of images of this so-called red moon. All the ones I’ve seen just show ye olde regular moon; must have missed it.
It’s been an interesting couple of weeks, what with the football, Trump, and the Brexix debacle. Firstly, the football. England did not win the World Cup, thereby depriving me of my hat trick. They should have won but it was not to be. I blame the people who were in favour of ‘strategic losing’ with regards to the first Belgian game which wrecked the mojo of the whole thing.
What else did I do in New York? Well, I walked loads, just taking it all in. Went to some of my favourite places: MOMA, St.Patrick’s, the Fred.E.French building, the building of absolute beautifulness, or the Chrysler Building as I believe other people refer to it, Barnes & Noble (can I just say how much I love this store. I wish I could just put a futon in a corner and move in xxx). I even made it downtown to the new WTC site though I have to confess I wasn’t sightseeing, I had business there. I ran into one of those hypervigilant FBI types with a shaven head, extremely alert eyes, and no hint of a smile whatsoever. I asked him for directions, just for my own amusement; I could see him considering whether to put me in a headlock or not. Too many witnesses 🙂
I’ve also noticed that my pics seem to have a heavily food-related theme. Hmm. I ate loads but because I walked so much, I actually lost a couple of pounds while I was away. RESULT! That fab-looking breakfast was from my fave, Brooklyn Diner, and the market pic is from the Grand Central Station food market. The sweets photos are of The Sugar Factory which was extremely expensive but very nice. I bought white and dark chocolate gummy bears, apple flavour haribo-style sweets and red velvet caramels. Incredible. I also found peach-flavoured haribos in Duane Reade. Who knew? What a great shop- also the source of Goldfish crackers and Ghirardelli chocolate. I believe they have a pharmacy attached also, but who cares? To top it all, I discovered a new fave restaurant for breakfast: Smith’s bar on 8th avenue. I ordered the Lumberjack breakfast. The waitress smirked when I placed my order. It consists of one plate-sized waffle with syrup, and on the other plate, 2 sausage patties, 4 rashers of bacon, 3 scrambled eggs, home fries and toast. I also drank four cups of coffee. She removed my plates with what I can only describe as reverential awe. Amateurs 🙂 I have to admit that I didn’t eat all the toast, and the waffle did have a strawberry on top of it so it was practically a diet breakfast. I highly recommend it if you have easy access to a defibrillator. I was engrossed in my novel and a couple came and started asking why it was so interesting. We got chatting etc, and I told them about AlaraApothecary. The lovely man said ‘Oh, that’s why you have such beautiful skin!’ So there you have it, I couldn’t have come up with a better endorsement if I’d paid cash.
Post brutal jet lag, I’ve been working and sweltering. I also made a bold prediction that England will win the world cup. Readers, I have been mocked, pitied, and sneered at. Just wait and see: I’m hoping to complete my hat trick of Brexit, Trump, and the World Cup. And yes, I know they’ve just lost to Belgium. Pish posh, I’m still right; they are going to win. I leave you with my all-time fave cartoon song, from the inimitable Ren & Stimpy. Warning: it’s an ear worm. Log!, from BLAMMO!!
