laughing lantern: August 2012

Friday, August 31, 2012

Missed Flight

Have you ever missed a flight that wasn't

because of a delay by the airline or traffic?

Me neither...until tonight.

Photo by Brian Burton Arsenault via Shutterstock
I must be more preoccupied (carefree) than I realize because I was sitting just feet from the gate having a pre-packaged (sophisticated) sandwich for dinner, waiting for my 9pm flight. I even walked (strolled) by the gate, and continued on to look at some magazines at Hudson News only to return a couple of minutes later to see"Louisville - DEPARTED."
This is the very first such incident in all the years I have been traveling. I have never been at an airport & just missed the flight. Is my subconscious trying to tell me something? Is something serendipitous going to happen because of this change of plans? Or will it simply be for no reason other than a lack of attention?

Of course my first reaction was panic, then frustration & then absolute sadness. I eventually got over that and began to realize it could have been much worse. I could have been out of town and have to pay for a hotel room instead of just returning to my apartment. I could have been flying home for a particularly special event that was to take place only tonight. The airline could have charged me a change fee for re-scheduling my flight. I could live further away from the airport than a $12.50 train ride.

So while I am not where I had hoped to be tonight, I know there is a reason why. I just hope it's something more "story-worthy" than just absentmindedness.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

The perfect summer day

We went tubing on the Delaware River today & I gotta say that it was a darn good way to spend an August Sunday afternoon. It was the laziest, most peaceful experience, but with the usual company, it was of course filled with many belly laughs along the way too (unfortunately many at my expense - it's hard to be graceful getting in & out of an inner tube). I didn't take a camera with me on the river because I was not convinced that my 10-year old water-proof bag was still as water-proof as it was in its younger years. So, there are no pictures of us floating, but I took plenty while we were waiting. So many of everything made for fun photos.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Kenya

I just realized that I still had quite a few photos that I had never posted from my June trip. Looking back, I realized I had only posted Tanzania previously. So I figured it was about darn time to add some from Kenya. Sadly I didn't take any photos with the guys from the office or the fun peeps I joined, so the Masai Mara wildlife will have to do.

Elephants in the distance

The last thing (besides a cheetah) that I had not seen was lion cubs...then the day I drove out of the Masai Mara, we came upon this pride of 7 that included 4 wee-ones.

These Ladies were so close to me, I got a little shaky...I could have reach out the door & touched their backs.

Lake Nakuru... sans flamingos (sadly)

Monday, August 20, 2012

The Big Chill

Photo by Julienne Schaer
This past Thursday night, I went with Bryan to see the Big Chill in Brooklyn Bridge Park. It is such a great place to go for a movie, because the scene behind the screen is fantastic. But I had forgotten how much I love that movie and I don't think I once looked to the city to appreciate the view. I would never have included the Big Chill on my "top 10 movie list" before, but seeing it for the third time (or...maybe it was the fourth) did it - it has moved into the top 10 for sure; maybe even the top 5. I can't say what it is that I so love about that flick, but I do love it.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Vacation day in Brooklyn

What differentiates a "vacation day" from a normal day off of work?

Is it great company?

Is it great food?

Is it being a bit tipsy at 3pm?

Is it exploring new places?

Maybe it is a combination of all of these things, or maybe it is just one. I'm not sure.

But what I am sure of is that I LOVE vacation days no matter how you define them.

The adventure started in Manhattan with tasty ginger barbeque brisket and pulled duroc pork sandwiches from Cambodian sandwich shop num pang - there is no better way to start an exploration expedition.

Then it was off to Dekalb Market for a bit of retail therapy, which soon turned into Toasted Blue Point Lager therapy.

We wanted to buy this tee shirt for Lucy.

With no set agenda, it's great what one finds while searching the streets for ATMs.

We eventually made our way into the Fort Greene area and the real wandering began.

Oh how we both fell in love with the quiet, tree-lined streets.

Sprinkled in with some lovely drinks - this one from the Cornerstone.
St. Rue's - a lovely combo of gin, St. Germaine, lime juice, simply syrup & sauvignon blanc.

This little gem got the dreams started, as it was for sale and not at a bad price...

The candlelight sneaking out of an ajar door made me notice this little hidden gem. I simply pointed it out for it's visual appeal, but within less than 60 seconds, we found ourselves at the bar awaiting our perfectly crafted cocktail.