Yesterday was one of the most mundane yet satisfying days I’ve spent in the city in a long, long time.
I’d gone to bed early Saturday night (the day had started somewhere around 3:30AM with a good drunk dial that seemed to segue into an early brunch), so yawn, stretch, shower, I was up and at ‘em before 9AM. My inner teen was pissed, but by 10, I was breakfasted and off to do laundry, sip coffee and wander Barnes & Noble while I waited for the spin cycle.
Satisfaction #1: New good book.
A collection of short, magical stories, that somehow manage to be both disturbing and whimsical, made babysitting the dryer totally painless. And by the time I wandered home with my fresh laundry and a belly full of coffee, my head was filled with silly ideas of magic handbags and zombie convenience stores. Not a bad place to be.
Now, I know this will be an unpopular sentiment, but I hate the New York City Marathon. Hate it. I don’t know why, except that for how much I loathe it, it’s gotta be more deep-seated than the crush of gawking pedestrians right outside my front door (though they really don’t help matters). So when I heard the stampede of marathon watchers on the roof, and the first cheers coming from First Avenue, I tossed my book into my purse, grabbed a scarf and mittens, hit the pavement and headed west to Central Park.
Satisfaction #2: Fall time in the Ramble.
After walking aimlessly, I sat for the longest time next to the water, reading and listening to tourists churn by in their rented rowboats. Then I wandered south, redirecting my path every time I could hear cheering seeping in past my headphones. Damn marathon, you will not ruin my day! I crunched through leaves, watched puppies and nibbled on a hot pretzel. Then I wandered back into the city noise for some shopping therapy.
Satisfaction #3: Betsey Johnson lingerie.
Victoria’s sad little secret is that she lost her imagination years ago, but on happy accident, I discovered that she now carries lingerie by other designers. Think flirty and sexy, instead of tired old whore. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t go directly home and prance around in my apartment wearing a new frilly babydoll.
Satisfaction #4: Hot bath.
By the time I got home from my adventures, it was dark and glory to the baby jesus, all the marathoners had disappeared. So after prancing got old (no audience, after all), I decided to kick the relaxin’ into high gear. I filled the tub with smelly bath salts and lounged around in blue-green water nekkid and happy until my fingers pruned. It was heaven.
When my sister called later that night, she asked what I’d been up to.
“Oh, not a whole lot. But it was awesome.â€ù
So fish, What’s the new book?
THAT’s what I call a perfect sunday afternoon… I do that every now and then. Just camp out on my couch with a good book, a steamy cup of coffee or tea, some cookies, a cozy blanket, relaxing music and voila!… happiest I could be, ever!
“How Heather Got Her Groove Back….”!
Btw, what was #4?
I stumbled across a very whimsical yet disturbing book a few weeks ago and was glued to the spot in the bookstore for quite some time – St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves. Wondering if it is the same one.
I’ve been reading your blog for a few months, though I’ve never commented before. Your insightfulness combined with your sense of humor make for an enjoyable and captivating read. Thank you for that.
that does sound like an awesome day. i did a similar central park thing on friday, but if i had added the book, tub, and lingerie parts that would’ve taken it to a whole new level
What a relaxing, carefree day! Lucky you.
Are you saying Victoria Secret has other designers now?
Photos of #3, please.
Days like that are awesome.
I lounged around and napped like a cat yesterday. I hadn’t done that in a long long time. It was great!
Oh yes, #4 is conspicuously absent … hmm, after the lingerie dance & before the bath … :wink wink nudge nudge:
That’s why I love weekends! Sigh, it’s Monday, but I can’t wait for the next one . . .
I need more weekends like this. Only a month to go!
the twin thing again….lingerie on sundays. prancing around with no audience in the room. HA i love it! thats how i got a booty shot in return. lol jeannie says hey!
Thanks Fish. I needed this one today. I’ve let too many weekends just be filled with dread for the impending week. Sieze (and enjoy) the day!
what was the book?
For a collection of whimsical and disturbing short stories, try Aimee Bender’s “Willful Creatures.” From your description of your new book, I think you’d like this one.
It’s called, “Magic for Beginners.” The first story is so far the best.
This post sounds like you’re flirting with someone…..
The Chicago Marathon used to go right past my front door. I loathed that my street looked like the aftermath of a Lollapalooza mosh pit. Lazy Sundays are the best days.
What’s wrong with the marathon?
Sounds like so much fun. I love doing a whole lot of nothing.
Every once in a while you need a whole day of nothing, it’s good for the soul.
Loved your day! Sometimes I wish I wasn’t a student… my weekends wouldn’t be filled with writing papers and reading research articles.
i totally concur with megan. thought that before she wrote her comment, actually.
Wow I love living vicariosly through your life as a New Yorker…I live in Canada but read your blog religiously…sounds like a total SJP day
I haven’t been to New York in years…however reading this put me back in the city!
Hmmmm…what is the new book…
There is a new (big selection of English books) book store that opened in Taipei, we are gonna check it out in a couple weeks…looking forward to English books!
sounds like an amazing day to me.. I’m hoping to live in NYC in a year or two.. and I hope to have days like that..
I thought this weekend was supposed to include a trip to a crypto-rainforest.
(From This Fish: Nope, that’s next weekend. Cover your children’s eyes, ladies and gents!)
Great day, good recap. Wish I was there.
that sounds like a great day!
i too dislike (can’t say i hate it) the marathon… we planned ahead specifically not to drive on that sunday or really do anything else outside of the apt.. altho i did end up driving to the supermarket, which thank the marathon, was emptier than usual
So your date book for the coming weekend includes the word “rainforest.” Mine features “cat stool sample.”
(From This Fish: HA! Well, not *this* weekend, next weekend. T minus ten days til Operation Rainforest. But um, sounds like a pretty ****ty weekend. Get it? ****ty? Ba-dump-bum!)
Posts like this make me wish I lived in NYC.
I am so jealous, Heather! I have been so busy with wedding planning lately (blech!) that I haven’t been able to actually ENJOY a weekend. Lucky you…
Now I want to hear more about said booty call!!