Confessions Of A Splenda Stealer

Jan 07 2011

It’s Snowing Gloves And Mittens

courtesy of keyinherpocket on Flickr

Ever since the blizzard a few weeks back, the streets of Hoboken have still been a little messy.

It’s not the town’s fault—it’s only a matter of time before the purely white snow turns to mucky brown and gray sidewalk hurdles, and keepers of curbs.

There’s another natural phenomenon that tends to litter the sidewalks along with the salt as soon as winter arrives. I’ve found them on the steps of the PATH station, the intersection of Washington and Second St., even in the doorway of CVS.

I’ve discovered some red ones, black ones, and white with polka dots. Some are woolen, and some leather. Have you seen them too?

I’m speaking of the occurrence of single mittens and gloves and hats (oh my!).

Over the past few weeks, especially after 20 something inches of snow, I’ve come across many a single glove. And, every time I come across one in my travels—it has to be one of the saddest sites.

My hands feel chapped just looking at them. All I can think about is how their poor owner is probably searching through her handbag, saying over and over…I just had it! I seriously just put it back in my bag…where…where??

Maybe I’m so sensitive about it since it’s happened to me many times. It even almost happened to me the other day. There I was, taking off my wool, insulated, cozy glove to take out my Smartlink card, and before I knew it, I’m standing in front of a train, staring at my other hand—which was supposed to have my other glove in its grasp.

I also then made another discovery. I answered my lingering question as to how there are so many lost gloves—it’s because you can’t ever feel anything when you’re wearing gloves. I had pinched the glove I took off in between my thumb and pointed finger, but no matter.

As I stood there, in disbelief that I yet again lost another glove, while trying so hard to piece together the puzzle before any coffee that morning, a good and decent citizen of Hoboken walked over to me, and told me I dropped this—my glove.

Do you see what we all need? If everyone had someone like this, a little guardian glove angel to let you know when you’ve dropped a mitten, not only would the world be a better place, but also, the streets wouldn’t be so littered with woolen orphans.

Town resolution for 2011, perhaps?

Dec 16 2010

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Awesome Finds: Deals, Freebies, Etc.

Simply Apple, Simply Free

It’s been a longggg time since I’ve been able to post about any free goodies. But lo and behold, on my way to work today–ta da!! Free apple and orange juice were handed out by Grand Central. I guess on a day like this, when it’s 26 degrees out, you don’t have to worry about refrigeration. Plus, the apples in the juice are apparently from Canada, so I guess they are used to the cold.

It’s delicious. I don’t know if I’d go out of my way to buy more of it, since I’m not a big apple juice drinker, but the free factor is greatly appreciated with perfect timing since I have no breakfast today.

Nov 03 2010

New, Shiny Object

My mind is full of a lot of useless information.

So–it does not amaze me that I can quote the site, What White People Like, almost two years after its 15 minutes of fame (and a book deal).

This reference refers to #72: Study Abroad:

“By attending school in another country, white people are technically living in another country. This is important as it gives them the opportunity to insert that fact into any sentence they please. ‘When I used to live in [insert country], I would always ride the train to school. The people I’d see were inspiring.'”

Case in point: my new Gelaskins iPod cover, for my NEW iPod (thanks CP), which now gives me the opportunity to insert the fact that I too, studied abroad, and like to refer to it as much as I see fit.

This British WWII poster design, resurrected by interior designers in 2009, allows me to wear my heart for the UK on my iPod sleeve, which reminds me of when used to live in Bath, England for a semester, which was clearly very inspiring.

I’m a little too excited.

Nov 01 2010

It’s Time For The Domesticator…

Sometimes, nothing seems more comforting than to move it into the kitchen and whip up some tasty baked goods. It also helps that I have an affinity for whisks.

The urge to domesticate can strike when you least expect it. Last Tuesday, all Maria and I could think about were chocolate chip pumpkin muffins, and banana tahini bread.

We are not bakers. I cook once or twice a week; Maria is famous for her assembling practices, namely, crackers and cheese. She also does not understand how I never get sick of eating hard boiled eggs at 8 am. But, we pushed our differences aside to make room for a night of baking. Good thing too, because we don’t have a ton of counter space.

About two hours later, including an extra run to a bodega at 10:15 pm when I realized that I bought pumpkin pie filling instead of real pumpkin (d’oh), the discovery that Maria was actually following a vegan recipe, Rach’s realization that all-spice actually exists, and a sink full of dishes, our doughnut-shaped apartment was filled with the scent of thirty-two muffins, and one square loaf of banana bread, with a corner missing. (We had to sample.)

It was a good Tuesday.