TAL

For a few of my readers, those three letters may mean nothing. For others of you, they are synonymous with super geek black glasses frames and the unmistakable voice of Ira Glass. RJR got me into the podcasts on long trips back and forth from PA to LF and now I'm spreading the love. He is slightly more of a fan than I, hence we are going to see, in a theatre, with surround sound (so advertises the banner ad on their site) a big screen event of This American Life. This all takes place tomorrow night.

Now typically the radio program features stories from plain old Americans. This event however will have images. There is an accompanying TV show now that I've never experienced. In part, because I think it will make me annoyed.

Plain old Americans aren't that nice to look at. We have goofy mannerisms that detract from the story. Our fashion is often bad. On the radio, I suspend all judgment and listen for the plot to unfold, to scare me, to thrill me, to make me chuckle or perplex me.

I'll try to bring you back a full Ira style report after tomorrow evening. Too bad I won't be wearing my new glasses yet, they are of a great librarian style that Ira and his minions would approve.

back to reality

Basically, I'm a little slow in getting back to reality after being away last week. And, I'm still reveling in the trip. Scholarship, cities, good friends, warm sun, roadtrip CDs, gelato...what you might ask does gelato have to do with Urban Studies or a person who cannot consume dairy?

The answer is Pitango Gelato.

They have sorbet. Non-dairy, organic, delicious sorbet. Locally cultivated, nothing artificial. In Fells Point in Baltimore. Oh my gosh. Of course, there is a price tag to match, but, mojito sorbet? With real mint? Please.

I had 1/2 and 1/2: Tangerine and Mojito. My traveling companion selected Bourbon Vanilla and Coconut reports that the dairy choices are just as tasty. Must find an equivalent in or near the Capital District. If you know of one, please post below--the summer is swiftly approaching and I need to not loathe ice cream eaters--much better to find my own indulgent treat.

Baltimore in bloom

I am at a conference of the Urban Affairs Association and loving every minute of it. Such incredible scholarship and amazing people. Last night after my presentation, I went out with a number of colleagues to meander the Inner Harbor. The weather was perfect for a drink on the terrace overlooking the water. This morning I skipped the standard hotel breakfast to wander a bit for a bagel and a decent cup of coffee. I ended up in Federal Hill at the Metropolitan. A most perfect, quiet way to spend the morning. All around the narrow streets were dogwoods, lilacs, and other spring blooms.

spring on my street

Apple-Blossom

Blossom of the apple trees!
Mossy trunks all gnarled and hoary,
Grey boughs tipped with rose-veined glory,
Clustered petals soft as fleece
Garlanding old apple trees!

How you gleam at break of day!
When the coy sun, glancing rarely,
Pouts and sparkles in the pearly
Pendulous dewdrops, twinkling gay
On each dancing leaf and spray.

Through your latticed boughs on high,
Framed in rosy wreaths, one catches
Brief kaleidoscopic snatches
Of deep lapis-lazuli
In the April-coloured sky.

When the sundown's dying brand
Leaves your beauty to the tender
Magic spells of moonlight splendour,
Glimmering clouds of bloom you stand,
Turning earth to fairyland.

Cease, wild winds, O, cease to blow!
Apple-blossom, fluttering, flying,
Palely on the green turf lying,
Vanishing like winter snow;
Swift as joy to come and go.

Mathilde Blind

(Mathilde Blind, an important late-Victorian poet, biographer, novelist, essayist, translator and editor, was born Mathilde Cohen in Mannheim, Germany in 1841. Mathilde's radical politics – which would eventually be felt in her strong feminist and socialist works – helped to engender a considerable independence of mind which was evident as early as her school years. Due to her increasingly unorthodox views...She was subsequently expelled from school for atheism and later she followed her hero George Eliot in her commitment to the work of David Friedrich Strauss. -The Literary Encyclopedia.)

etsy love

One :: Pink Fire Designs

Two & Three :: VerreEncore

Four :: ES Designs

newbie

The last time I was on a bike was in Florida in 2005. We had nice touring bikes that we rode along the shoreline. Yeah the sand was tricky at first, but it made for a soft fall should you tumble. The bikes were also standard touring style, no hunching over and a very comfortable seat. Very comfortable. In Philly, I watched my 540B housemates take their bikes everywhere! Busy roads. Parks. Cobblestones! Totally inspiring me to conquer my fear of riding in the city.

Yesterday, RJR and I took off on two bikes that are on loan to us from friends. They live in Queens, and with a new baby soon to arrive, all the non-essentials were getting kicked out of the apartment. Hence, we are like the godparents to these bikes, keeping watch over them and making sure they get out and about, taking them down the right path--ha ha!

Our destination yesterday afternoon was Washington Park. All sorts of individuals and families were out enjoying the glorious sun. What those unsuspecting folks did not know was that I was also out there amongst them, a newbie. Tottering about in a balancing act--dodging the other riders and moms with strollers. And one point we crossed a footbridge over a stream and this guy, fishing rod in hand, waited for me to slowly pedal up the arched bridge before he cast his suspicious looking bait into the foamy water below. I apologized for my slowness, he just chuckled.

Surprisingly, I made it back entirely in one piece. The boyfriend was infinitely patient with my questions about shifting gears and the fact that I walked the last hill to the house. That was yesterday. Today, I am realizing that a touring bike has that seat for a reason. Oh, pain.

five40B

Decisions, decisions.

I was going to start a new blog for my sewing and design business, but now I'm trying to determine if I really have time and energy to manage two of these things. Hmmm...for now, I'll merely say that Five40B will be selling at the Art on Lark Festival June 21st here in Albany, with the possible addition of a special guest...more to come soon!