Do you ever get the line, "Where have you been?"

My everyday behavior consists of a pretty regular routine - example, I go to lunch around the same time every day and go to the same place every day for a month straight - order the same meal, have short conversations with the same workers and I'm happy. After I get sick of the routine, I completely drop the place and switch to something else. Relationships are built with the morning coffee guy, the fruit stand guy, the Boston Market women ... well, until the binge ends. If I go back, they ask "where have you been?" as if they were hurt. I understand I am not obligated to go back every day, but when there is a lapse after being there everyday rain or shine, I feel the hurt of betrayal as I order. Ultimately I feel cannot go back without feeling a bit awkward.

I have received free food, $10 gift cards, bumps to the front of the line - such affections for building a relationship are great but then I'm trapped. I can't have Subway everyday - I'll die. It happens a lot and I have to walk on the opposite side of the street or look the other way as I pass - maybe it would have been better if we didn't get so close.

Funny how things are.

drill drill ...

It's been almost two years since I've visited the dentist's office (no coverage till now) I have a cavity the size of a bb pellet which finally started to hurt today. I went onto Empire's website and took down a long list of names. It's okay as long as I hold the lower part of my jaw while trying not to visibly cry. It's my first tooth ache and man it's not fun. I understand what everybody is talking about now. I'll try to have an appointment set by the first week of November - owwe owe

**UPDATE** 01/27/10 - I am finished with my root canal and 3 fillings - I feel good! I've never had a cavity prior so I was surprised with all the mess but I'm A-okay from here on out.

if we had a water cooler ... we'd be surrounding it, talking about the Yankees

Jason and the morning quest for quenepas ...

So, this morning I bought two pounds of quenepas. I was so happy, the funny thing is I've never had a quenepa. Two weeks back I got off the 23rd st PATH stop, instead of my usual 33rd st stop - malfunction of some sort. I passed a fruit stand guy set up in front of the Chipotle and picked up three peaches for $2. Then something caught my eye - little green fruit still attached to the twig. I asked the guy, "what's that?" "Quenepas" he said, "Spanish people love them." I didn't think anything of it and walked to my office.

The next morning I passed by his stand and curious about quenepas, I decided to buy a bunch - but he didn't have any. "tomorrow" he says. So every day for two weeks I woke up early and got off the 23rd st stop to see if I could buy some quenepas. Of course this is when the city was baking in consecutively humid 90 degree weather. I walked an extra 7 blocks just for the chance to buy these fruits which I've never tasted. I'm not sure why I was so determined - the videos on YouTube and the articles on Wikipedia made them sound like they'd be awesome. And perhaps it was because I already invested a few days of walking and sweating every morning - I was going to see this one through.

This morning I passed a stand a block below the fruit stand guy and they had quenepas! So I got a pound just in case he did not have them. Sure enough he did, so I hid the other bag behind me and handed over the $3. I enthusiastically thanked him twice and walked away with a strong sense of accomplishment - I finally did it - two pounds of little fruits in two little black plastic bags.I had maybe ten of them when I got to work. The funny thing is I don't really like them. I can see why they are popular, but they're not for me. I don't regret any of those heated long walks on those muggy mornings. It was an adventure where I got the prize.

hahah :D - I liked the quest, the treasure not so much.

lunch time, eat fresh!

I'm eating at Subway now since its only half a block away. Boston Market is too hard to walk to in this extreme heat muggy weather. They've gotten to know me since I go everyday and order the same thing, everyday - they ask about work, the weather, my sister's wedding - I'm such a loser. I've been eating the $5 Foot-long Meatball sub, the thing is a calorie monster - nearly 1200 calories just for the sandwich, then add the 32oz soda drink and two cookies - no wonder I'm getting love handles. I'm like the anti-Jared. I'm guessing it's time to turn that fat into muscle :)

lunch time

I walk to Boston Market everyday. 7 blocks down, 7 blocks back. Not a bad walk, keeps my legs moving considering I sit all day long. Anyway, today Im ordering and as I move down the line I notice a suction cup sound - squish pop, squish pop. Its the floors, somebody must have spilled something. So funny, everyone's sneakers, boots, flats, and oxfords making a jumble of squish pop noises. My amusement for the day, well ... not really, but still funny :)

the city is wet

kinda funny how the past entries have all been about rain. These past few months have been a rather interesting ramp up to the coming summer - cooler and humid and rainy. anyway ...

so today on the Path heading into the city, I saw water leaking from the ceiling into the train. Not dripping but leaking (like the faucet in my apartment ;) I step out to let the other riders off on the 9th st stop and head back in to grab a handlebar further into the train. I move my hand down to pat my umbrella to check if its there, it's a habit. The umbrella was hooked onto my bag but wasnt there. I do that quick motion of turning around, left, right, then make the face of 'what?!?' I tried to play it cool and started to turn around and scan the floor of the train. Nowhere, my cheap $5 umbrella was gone. :o

So when the train pulled up to the 33rd st stop I prepared myself to get drenched. This wasnt drizzle, or mist, it was pouring outside. Surprising enough it wasnt so bad. I was drenched and dripping, yes. But it's just water after all. The dry clean pants didn't handle it too well. Exciting start to my day - good thing I have a spare umbrella at work.