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.

rainy days and Mondays . . .

okay fine, its not raining - but it is Monday
Monday in the middle of May, and its quite cold.

nothing really going on
nothing good, nothing bad
it's the grind, the day in / day out
daily grind, its the stuff we lump together in retrospect but ultimately creates the meat of the memory of the job
the sounds of the city, the smell during lunchtime, the view from the windows
a glimpse once we leave the company, but its a whole day during
its hours and weeks and months to years
sometimes

this now will be a fuzzy memory to be
but I worked it, I sat in my adjustable chair
I typed in my blog while taking a break from my day

today was quite yucky in the city
rained then not, super humid then black as night downpour

I kinda liked it though
the rain reminds me of staying in and relaxing
(though 'staying in' in this case means staying at my desk ;)
haha, could be worse
not complaining at all :)

with the economy happening and the lessening headcount, I think about past employees . . .

I always believed the saying, "see you tomorrow"
was such a nice thing

its comforting, not really to know
but to assume and expect something
a pattern, a friendly face

it's a connection of place
a connection in time
it is a guarantee of sorts
to say, Im not worried
no need to question
this night will run it's course

with the rising sunlight
brings a new day
and the expectation to say, "good morning"

I say, I hear ... "see you tomorrow"
and my heart smiles