I am officially homeless in New York - well until next week when I move into my new apartment in the Financial District. Thanks to the kindness of friends I have a place to stay this evening, then in the morning I am headed up to Provincetown for the interim days prior to moving into the new place. What better way to bridge the stress of moving that resting at the beach for a few days

Am hopping the train from New York to Boston in the morning, followed by a fast ferry from there and I will be in Cape Cod. Not sure exactly what to expect, but with some friends from work also staying over it will be a nice time I am sure.

Apart from that, just trying to get in a few enjoyable days of summer while they last. Headed out to Fire Island last week, which was relaxing as well amidst the drinkies, beach and lots of sleeping in until midday - must have be the salt air

Categories: Apartment, New York
No Comments »

Moving day – holy ostrich wrap (tell you – there are some strange but tasty morsels to snack on in my neighbourhood). Well the move in has gone as smoothly as a smooth thing – keys were ready, the moving man was ready, the boxes were all up and being unpacked within 30 minutes. Only damage was one of my art pieces that has slight mounting damage, but nothing too serious by the looks of it. I have so much wrapping paper right now it is insane.

I will confess to finding some very obscure items in my packing boxes, including but not limited to empty hair-gel containers, ¼ can of liquid starch, and rosary beads that I was given by an Orthodox monk when in Jerusalem. I will confess also to salivating when I unrolled my chefs knives – slight problem is that the kitchen is the size of a crushed matchbox. I am thinking of ways of extending the virtual kitchen – a free-standing granite top bench could do the trick – where the hell I will find one of those is another matter.

Did I mention to anyone that in the 5 weeks I have been working, I have only been paid for 1 week. Escalating these sort of issues takes time over here. I am living on credit – go figure.

My next main challenge is to get furniture – seriously hahaha I so have to do this. My excuse is that I needed to understand the size of the various curves in the apartment before I could go purchasing furniture that may never fit. My more pressing issue is to first go out and purchase cleaning supplies – either they didn’t clean it prior to my arrival or my standards are above having an apartment as clean as a New York sidewalk.

Categories: Apartment, New York
4 Comments »

There are times when you remember how easy it is to take the fundamentals of good housekeeping for granted. I mean how many of us would sit down with Martha Stuart to discuss the in’s and out’s of a basic toilet brush, even with her prison-bitch knowledge (haha subtle toilet humour and its only 3 in the afternoon). Or the lack of a shower curtain in a bathroom that has no curtains (sorry – window treatments for any of my virtual American friends – Kiwi’s prefer economy of language, why use two words when one will suffice – simple but effective concept). Maybe this is my opportunity to become an exhibitionist.

So off to get some basic goodies for my furniture-less apartment. Via Joe’s the Art of Coffee … I can highly recommend the Latte’s (a much smoother espresso than Dean & Deluca – not better, just smoother, and the silver fern etched on the top of the milk is very home). Oh and a “snowball” – melt in your mouth sponge cake, with coconut-ice icing all rolled in desiccated coconut … and just to be sure we are in a gay area … the snow icing is pink … really I am going basics shopping … soon.

Here’s the real ripper though – 10 days before the internet guy can come and install me to the world – you may as well rip hairs one by one off my left ball … that is truly insane, how will I survive without the internet. I am fortifying myself for the experience, by consuming espresso and pink snowballs.

Categories: Apartment, New York
5 Comments »