So I just discovered this amazing website called Walk Score. You plug in the address of where you live and it rates your location on 'walkability' (how close you are to important and necessary places such as grocery stores, schools, parks, restaurants, bars, etc.) It calculates how easy it is to live a car free, or car lite lifestyle.
Well, it turns out my location in Westport Kansas City is a wopping 98%! Woah! Curious as to how this stood up, I punched in my location in NYC and it was only a measly 85%. Can you believe that? I didn't have a car in NYC and the vast majority of my travel was done by walking. Mostly because I preferred it, but also because sometimes the subway/bus lines were just slightly out of my way. I walked EVERYWHERE in New York. And in Kansas City... well let's just say I have fallen into a car slump. I can come up with with legitmate excuses: the weather is cold, my neighborhood could be labeled as slightly shady, no one else is walking and therefore it's not walkable, it's not safe to walk around during hours that I normally leave the house(super early) etc. etc. etc... Lame.
I live in the heart of downtown Westport which is actually listed as number 10 on the Walker's Paradise list for the entire country. I wouldn't expect Kansas City to show up among other cities such as New York, San Francisco, Portland, etc. but apparently the exact area whereI live is actually extremely walkable.
It's time I took advantage of this gem I've found myself in...
Walk On!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Choice: Box or Trash Can Once Again...
Well here I am - moving once again. Does anyone see a pattern? Hmm.
As I sit here late at night sorting, packing, discarding, and donating I find myself full of reflection and wonder and what my next few days and weeks will hold. This has become a familiar place to me. I think I am more comfortable at this moment that most of the moments I have found myself in the past two months as I have left New York and have spent some much needed time by myself and with family. So much is happening right now in my heart, in my mind, and in the very essence of who I am. I look back and realize how much I have changed and how much I have learned, but I also feel as though I am getting back to who I have always been. Does this make any sense to anyone else? It's ok if it doesn't; because it does to me.
I'm going to resist the urge to dive into the depth of my emotions and thoughts right now because if I have learned anything, I have learned that it is best for me to take my 'moving thoughts and feelings' at their face value and not try to analyze them too much.
The real question is: can I keep this blog 'Megan in the City' even though I am only going to be in Kansas City instead of New York City? Whadya' think??
As I sit here late at night sorting, packing, discarding, and donating I find myself full of reflection and wonder and what my next few days and weeks will hold. This has become a familiar place to me. I think I am more comfortable at this moment that most of the moments I have found myself in the past two months as I have left New York and have spent some much needed time by myself and with family. So much is happening right now in my heart, in my mind, and in the very essence of who I am. I look back and realize how much I have changed and how much I have learned, but I also feel as though I am getting back to who I have always been. Does this make any sense to anyone else? It's ok if it doesn't; because it does to me.
I'm going to resist the urge to dive into the depth of my emotions and thoughts right now because if I have learned anything, I have learned that it is best for me to take my 'moving thoughts and feelings' at their face value and not try to analyze them too much.
The real question is: can I keep this blog 'Megan in the City' even though I am only going to be in Kansas City instead of New York City? Whadya' think??
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Do you need any milk with that?
So I realize in reality I am not a very good 'blogger' but here's a fun blog story for the day:
Ever wonder how this guy takes his coffee?
Ok, so in all honestly you have probably never really considered this, but humor me...
Well it just so happens that I know!
How you might ask?
Well I waited on his table of course. He came into my patisserie (bakery) yesterday and while I was taking his order I kept thinking, 'this guy looks familiar.' I brushed it off because after all, this is NYC and everyone looks like someone. Why should I impose 'actor' status onto this guy who clearly looks like he is just your average joe in a faded pair of Levi's having his breakfast out at a local place? Well after I put his order in I walked into the kitchen to see another server talking with the cook to try and figure out who this guy was. Our manager walked in right after and says, "it's Steve Buscemi guys. He comes in all the time." Huh.
So there you have it. I've seen various stars in New York, some as popular as Julia Stiles, but this was my first encounter where I actually had a conversation with them. Granted, 'what can I get for you?,' 'how is everything?,' and 'are you finished with that?' don't really qualify for great conversation pieces, but it's something.
He was a nice guy. Sat in the corner and kept to himself. Enjoyed his coffee (which he takes black by the way) and jumbleberry muffin over the morning paper. Even though he probably doesn't know it, he added a little bit of excitement to our day. And for that, we say thank you steve buscemi. :)
Ever wonder how this guy takes his coffee?
Ok, so in all honestly you have probably never really considered this, but humor me...Well it just so happens that I know!
How you might ask?
Well I waited on his table of course. He came into my patisserie (bakery) yesterday and while I was taking his order I kept thinking, 'this guy looks familiar.' I brushed it off because after all, this is NYC and everyone looks like someone. Why should I impose 'actor' status onto this guy who clearly looks like he is just your average joe in a faded pair of Levi's having his breakfast out at a local place? Well after I put his order in I walked into the kitchen to see another server talking with the cook to try and figure out who this guy was. Our manager walked in right after and says, "it's Steve Buscemi guys. He comes in all the time." Huh.
So there you have it. I've seen various stars in New York, some as popular as Julia Stiles, but this was my first encounter where I actually had a conversation with them. Granted, 'what can I get for you?,' 'how is everything?,' and 'are you finished with that?' don't really qualify for great conversation pieces, but it's something.
He was a nice guy. Sat in the corner and kept to himself. Enjoyed his coffee (which he takes black by the way) and jumbleberry muffin over the morning paper. Even though he probably doesn't know it, he added a little bit of excitement to our day. And for that, we say thank you steve buscemi. :)
Friday, January 18, 2008
It's hard to explain how homesick I am for Thailand right now. I woke up this morning and my heart ached for that place. And those people. What I wouldn't give to be back there. But the only problem is that eventually I would have to leave again. I don't know how to satisfy that longing without making the separation again. I fear it would be harder the second time around.
So what do I do with that?
So what do I do with that?
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Server question of the day...
So help me out and let me know what you deem to be the right decision in this scenario:
A lady comes in to your store, sits down and seems as though she will be staying for awhile considering the fact that as you hand her the menu she has just completed hanging up her coat and is currently setting up her laptop. Her coffee order consists of a DECAF SKIM caffe latte with 1 1/2 shots of SUGAR FREE vanilla syrup. Obviously, this is not a simple order. You personally make the drink considering its complexity and are excited about finding SUGAR FREE vanilla syrup after rummaging through the cabinets. You work your magic and even add a little 'latte art' on the top of the drink to heighten visual presentation. You serve the drink and am happy the deliver the news that yes! you did in fact have SUGAR FREE vanilla syrup. You move on to your next table and are proud to have done such a good job...
15 minutes later...
you suddenly remember that it was a DECAF caffe latte...not a NORMAL caffe latte...
here begins the dilemma...
The drink has been on the table for a solid amount of time at this point, and although it is not completely consumed, it has already been started. Telling the customer that it was actually made with normal espresso is somewhat of a tricky decision because although you could easily remake the drink, part of it has already been consumed and it's caffeine-enriched goodness has already been ingested...
So, I ask you...
what would YOU do??
A lady comes in to your store, sits down and seems as though she will be staying for awhile considering the fact that as you hand her the menu she has just completed hanging up her coat and is currently setting up her laptop. Her coffee order consists of a DECAF SKIM caffe latte with 1 1/2 shots of SUGAR FREE vanilla syrup. Obviously, this is not a simple order. You personally make the drink considering its complexity and are excited about finding SUGAR FREE vanilla syrup after rummaging through the cabinets. You work your magic and even add a little 'latte art' on the top of the drink to heighten visual presentation. You serve the drink and am happy the deliver the news that yes! you did in fact have SUGAR FREE vanilla syrup. You move on to your next table and are proud to have done such a good job...
15 minutes later...
you suddenly remember that it was a DECAF caffe latte...not a NORMAL caffe latte...
here begins the dilemma...
The drink has been on the table for a solid amount of time at this point, and although it is not completely consumed, it has already been started. Telling the customer that it was actually made with normal espresso is somewhat of a tricky decision because although you could easily remake the drink, part of it has already been consumed and it's caffeine-enriched goodness has already been ingested...
So, I ask you...
what would YOU do??
Monday, November 5, 2007
I am a blogger...
Well. As hinted in the title of this blog, I am living in the city.
Which city you ask? Well, the one and only:
New York City.
For those of you familiar with how the city is set up, I live in Park Slope, Brooklyn. It's a nice neighborhood with tons to do and see. I just recently started working at a place called Sweet Melissa's Patisserie. My official title is that of waitress/barista. It's somewhat of a new industry for me, but one that I have wanted to work in for awhile. It's about a 1 1/2 mile walk from where I live, which I really enjoy doing on a consistent basis, but we'll see how I feel when it starts to get colder. ;)
In other news, I had a really great weekend this past week. Upon finishing my day shift at Sweet Melissa's, I was picked up by my good friends Matt and Pamela and was whisked off to the Highline Ballroom in the heart of the meatpacking district to watch a magical live show. It was a really cool venue and a neat experience as all these random people sat down on the floor to be calmed by the music and lyrics of Rosie Thomas. It was nice to be a place where for once you can let your guard down a little bit even though you are basically surrounded by strangers. There was just something safe knowing that you had the same music interests in the person sitting Indian style next to you and that somehow you felt comradery with them. We were all lulled by Rosie's serene voice, which was a nice opening to the main act, the one and only Over the Rhine. Words cannot describe the feeling of hearing Karin's strong well trained voice echo throughout the silent building as the lights slowly rise to show her standing front and center surrounded by her fellow musicians. I was held captivated for over an hour and a half by not only the beauty that is their music, but also the occasional story that explains the inspiration behind the song, or the tidbit of information that gives you a broader understanding of the people that write this music. Although the opening song was impressive, nothing was to match the intensity that arose when they performed the title track off of their new album: Trumpet Child. The lyrics filled me with hope and wonder and the musicality kept me mesmerized and inspired. Let's just say that overall, I was quite impressed and so thankful that I had the opportunity to experience this.
The next day, after opening the store at 7:00am I returned home to great conversation with friends and some getaway community prayer time at Greenwood Cemetery's prayer chapel. Upon arriving at home we quickly decided that we should drive over the Southern New Jersey and take advantage of our last opportunity this season to sleep in a yurt. What is a yurt you might ask? Well, I would recommend referring to this picture. It was a fun experience accompanied by some needed talks the next morning.
Like I said, it was a great weekend. More to come...
Which city you ask? Well, the one and only:
New York City.
For those of you familiar with how the city is set up, I live in Park Slope, Brooklyn. It's a nice neighborhood with tons to do and see. I just recently started working at a place called Sweet Melissa's Patisserie. My official title is that of waitress/barista. It's somewhat of a new industry for me, but one that I have wanted to work in for awhile. It's about a 1 1/2 mile walk from where I live, which I really enjoy doing on a consistent basis, but we'll see how I feel when it starts to get colder. ;)
In other news, I had a really great weekend this past week. Upon finishing my day shift at Sweet Melissa's, I was picked up by my good friends Matt and Pamela and was whisked off to the Highline Ballroom in the heart of the meatpacking district to watch a magical live show. It was a really cool venue and a neat experience as all these random people sat down on the floor to be calmed by the music and lyrics of Rosie Thomas. It was nice to be a place where for once you can let your guard down a little bit even though you are basically surrounded by strangers. There was just something safe knowing that you had the same music interests in the person sitting Indian style next to you and that somehow you felt comradery with them. We were all lulled by Rosie's serene voice, which was a nice opening to the main act, the one and only Over the Rhine. Words cannot describe the feeling of hearing Karin's strong well trained voice echo throughout the silent building as the lights slowly rise to show her standing front and center surrounded by her fellow musicians. I was held captivated for over an hour and a half by not only the beauty that is their music, but also the occasional story that explains the inspiration behind the song, or the tidbit of information that gives you a broader understanding of the people that write this music. Although the opening song was impressive, nothing was to match the intensity that arose when they performed the title track off of their new album: Trumpet Child. The lyrics filled me with hope and wonder and the musicality kept me mesmerized and inspired. Let's just say that overall, I was quite impressed and so thankful that I had the opportunity to experience this.
The next day, after opening the store at 7:00am I returned home to great conversation with friends and some getaway community prayer time at Greenwood Cemetery's prayer chapel. Upon arriving at home we quickly decided that we should drive over the Southern New Jersey and take advantage of our last opportunity this season to sleep in a yurt. What is a yurt you might ask? Well, I would recommend referring to this picture. It was a fun experience accompanied by some needed talks the next morning.
Like I said, it was a great weekend. More to come...
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