Birthday Week 2010 Recap & Highlights

Every year I take off from work the week of my birthday. I don't like to travel, so I stay home and plan mini-adventures for each day of my stay-cation. I try to have a 'theme' every year. In 2007, I painted my entire apartment. 2008's stay-cation was a mish-mosh of transit, brunch, candy and other local adventures. And 2009 was all about biking & eating at famous NY pizza places - since I knew I was about to go vegan. This year's theme was even more biking, my luxurious gym membership, and eating at vegan establishments.

But this year also had one extra special element - I actually celebrated my birthday - and allowed others to celebrate with me; something I haven't really done in 10 years. (I don't mean to discount the nice dinner I had last year with my Dad and a dozen friends, but it was more of an intimate meal, there was no cake or anything - it wasn't an official 'celebration') My friend & neighbor, Jaci made sure it happened, and I'm really thankful to her for that. Thanks, Jaci!


Here's how I spent  Birthday Week, 2010:

Friday the 13th:

At 5pm, Birthday/Vacation Week 2010 began! That night, Lainy and I went to a goth club in the west village. 4 words: Hil-ar-i-ous!

Vegan Meal/Establishment of the Day: Dinner at Boneshakers in Greenpoint

Saturday, August 14th:

I started that morning by biking into Manhattan for NYC Summer Streets. I also swung by Times Square where dozens of tourists photographed me. Some asked for permission, others did not, some posed with me. (Tourists love photographing the crazy tattooed girl on a pink bike and high heels.) Finally, I made one of them get a photo of me with my camera:

That's also the day I picked up my new Droid X, only to leave Verizon in tears because I was so frustrated with it and couldn't figure out how to use it. (Very embarrassing) Many upset tweets were sent and texts were ignored for days...


That evening, against my better judgment, but out of love for a friend, I went over to the Frying Pan on the West Side of Manhattan (in the Hudson River) to celebrate Lainy's boyfriend, Sean's 30th Birthday. (If you have not read his blog, you really need to) (Note to self - do not ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, EVER go back to that awful place. It's full of drunken frat boys. Did I mention how much I hate the west side?) I had a lovely time. No, really, I did!

Vegan Treat & Establishment of the Day: Vegan Ice Cream from Stogo in the East Village-

Sunday, August 15th:

I biked over to Equinox on 33rd @ Park to activate a one week free membership my friend Malaika gave me. That gym is so beautiful, I can't stand it. I wanted to move into the locker rooms!

I did 40 minutes of cardio and from there I biked over to Brooklyn where I met a blog reader, Heather, in Carroll Gardens for coffee. We had a lovely chat and I met her adorable dog, Andre, too!

Then I biked over to Whole Foods in Union Square to meet another blog reader, Alexia, where we had some girl talk and did some shopping. Another delightful meeting!

That evening I watched Mad Men with my neighbor Jaci (you'll see her later)

Vegan Treats of the Day: A Vegan "power bar" from Naidre's in Carroll Gardens and Marianna Pizza (minus the cheese) from Paulie Gee's in Greenpoint.

Monday, August 16th:

I started off my morning at the MTA's Adjudication Bureau to pay my fare evasion fine *and* get an appeal form (that story is not over yet, folks! I just haven't had time to blog about it yet)

Then I went to Spring Street to not only meet a blog reader, but to use her stairs for my weekly stair workout! I put out a plea to my blog readers that I needed a building to walk about 100 flights of stairs during birthday week off, and Susan came through for me! Her co-worker, Andrea also reads my blogs. So it was a double bang for my buck!


Andrea, me & Susan:

After the workout, they were good enough to join me for a coffee and we chatted for a while about food, weight loss, activity, and men - all my favorite topics. It was a great afternoon!

That evening, I met my friend Dolly in Williamsburg for dinner. Here we are at the L Train on Bedford Ave. (we did *not* plan these outfits, I assure you!)

Vegan Establishment of the Day: Soy protein basil vegetable dish, extra spicy, from Wild Ginger on Bedford Ave in Williamsburg.

Tuesday, August 17th:

I met my friend Amy for a delightful lunch (although with terrible service) in Williamsburg (you'll see her later).

I didn't do much else this day except bike to my Weight Watchers meeting that night and then attend my first ever spin class at Equinox with my friend Malaika (the one that gave me the guest pass). Holy moly, that class was intense and fun!

Vegan Food of the Day: Tofu scramble tortilla thing at Bliss Cafe on Bedford Ave.

Wednesday, August 18th:

I rode my bike to Manhattan that morning to attend another WW meeting with my leader, and to meet another leader who I only knew from the interwebs. Then I ran into a guy, Chris, who had messaged me on Flickr just days earlier about photographing me (totally random coincidence!) We set up a time to meet on Saturday evening for photo fun!


From there I biked to Broome St to visit Babycakes vegan bakery, then headed back to Williamsburg to Verb Cafe, and ended up back in Greenpoint at Boneshakers.

I stopped by Assemblyman Joe Lentol's office to visit my friend Amy (the one I had lunch with on Tuesday):

And get a personal birthday wish from my favorite Assemblyman, Mr Lentol!

That night I went to the Y for my strength training class and punk rope.


Vegan Treats of the Day: Several things from Babycakes Vegan Bakery:

Peanut Butter bar covered in chocolate at Verb Cafe:

And salad at Boneshakers:

Thursday, August 19th:

My last day as a 38 year old...

I started off the day biking to Equinox for Pilates -

After pilates class, I got on the treadmill for what would turn out to be the best run of my life! I ran for two miles consecutively without stopping - that's 20 minutes straight! I was so impressed with myself, I can't even begin to tell you. That was a HUGE accomplishment. I was so proud!

After the run (and a shower) in the amazing Equinox ladies room

As luck would have it, right after that run, I bumped into my Weight Watchers leader on Park Ave - another totes coincidence. I couldn't wait to tell her of my amazing run I just had (she's a marathon runner herself). I knew she'd be proud, and she sure was! Melanie and me:

Then I biked through the LES but before getting on the Williamsburg Bridge to get home, I stopped at Lula's Sweet Apothecary on East 6th St for some vegan ice cream. I got "birthday cake" flavor:

I went home and prepared for that night - there were two things I was SO looking forward to. First, there was a ride on the Metro North Bar Cars - something I've never done! And I got to do it with my gal, Lainy! (I take Metro North everyday to get to work, but I take the Harlem line and I do a reverse commute. The bar cars are only on the New Haven line during the evening rush of the regular commute.) Here are some pics of that:

And where were we going, you wonder? Well none other than beautiful, art deco RYE PLAYLAND! - where Lainy and I like to think the magic of our friendship began, 5 years ago. I love Rye Playland! (you may recognize it from the movie, Big) I grew up in Yonkers, not far from Rye, so my family used to visit every summer. IMHO, it's way better than Coney Island (sorry, Brooklyn) Here are just a few photos from our visit:

My favorite ride in Playland is the Dragon Coaster - the beautiful wooden coaster from 1927.

Lainy faced her fears and rode with me. Not once, but twice! And we bought the overpriced souvenir keychain because the photo is just soooo funny!

I love that girl so much! OMG we had SO much fun!!!! I will never forget that night with her. Thank you, Lainy!

When I got back to the city, I took the 7 Train home from Grand Central. Since it was late and I didn't see the bus, and it was such a nice night, I decided to walk over the Pulaski back to Greenpoint.

I figured I'd burn off some of the calories of the cotton candy, candy apple, beer & fries I consumed at Rye Playland (not to mention everything else I ate that day!) That was a great idea except I ended up stopping at Habitat on Manhattan Ave for *more* fries and beer. Oh well, it was my birthday and I enjoyed them. :)

I met a guy named James while I was there, and he was kind enough to offer to buy me a birthday shot (it was now after midnight and technically my birthday), but I knew liquor was a bad idea. So I opted for a shot of beer:

Vegan Establishment of the Day: Vegan Ice Cream from Lula's Sweet Apothecary

Friday, August 20th, my birthday

The morning of my birthday, the first thing on my agenda was to return to Equinox for another spin class. So I biked my ass over there, just so I could then ride a stationary bike (ironic, no?)

From there I rode my bike to Grand Central. I took my usual "morning in Grand Central" shot in the bathroom:

And the woman behind me told me I remind her of a Barbie doll. I love her! I left there and went to Starbucks and they told me I look like a Vegas showgirl! (what the what?! Thanks!)

From there I biked to the LES again for another vegan ice cream from Lula's:

And as luck would have it again (my life is truly magical), who should I run into but my friend Greaser Mike walking down the street as I'm unlocking my bike to leave!  Awesomeness!

Then I picked up some donuts from Peter Pan and my special vegan cake from Champs, and got ready for my birthday celebration at Gutter Bar. Here are a bunch of my fave photos from the night-

My friend and neighbor Jaci (who I mentioned above), without whom, this would not have happened-

Look how sassy she is!

My friend Sherry's Mom-

Just some of the super cute staff from Fred Flare-

My friend Elaine from Greenpoint-

The super cute and sweet young men from B's Bikes (Alex, Ted, Andre)

Greenpointers (and 1 Williamsburger) Sherry, Judy, Diana, Me & Sam

Amy and me-

Impossibly beautiful Jarred stopped by-

I have some really awesome friends!

There's always room for cotton candy! (Sean brought it straight from Yankee Stadium!)

Lainy & Me:

I had *such* a great time and was so touched by how many people attended or stopped by. I was really overcome with emotion, I felt so loved. I was so happy. Thank you to everyone who came out!!

Vegan Treats of the Day: Dinner from Wild Ginger (again), Vegan ice cream from Lula's (again), Vegan Cake from Champs Family Bakery in Williamsburg

Saturday, August 21st

Another Saturday and the last of the 3 summer streets, so I started off my day by biking to Park Ave in Manhattan.

When the streets were reopened to traffic, I went to Equinox which would be my *sniff* final visit of the week. 

I got this great photo in front of these pink doors on Park Ave:

On my way back home, I stopped by Food Swings, a vegan 'fast food' place in Williamsburg Brooklyn and picked up dinner to bring home. I also took this photo, which was used in Gothamist the next day!

That evening I had my photoshoot with the guy, Chris, I mentioned bumping into a few days earlier. I wore this:

We biked over to Grand Ferry Park and other points along Kent Ave/the East River. Take a look at these stunning shots he took of me and my beloved Hello Kitty bike!

Photo 1           Photo 2           Photo 3           Photo 4

After that I hit up Matchless (one of my favorite local bars) and had a few delicious Brooklyner Weisse beers (and more fries) with him. Thank you, Chris! That whole night was super fun and I love the look of the shots!

Vegan Treats of the Day: Italian (vegan) sausage, pepper & onion wedge with fries (of course! I love fries!) from Food Swings in Williamsburg.

Sunday, August 22nd

This was the last day of my vacation and I was actually thankful it was raining. It gave me a chance to do nothing - no biking, no running around. I just did laundry and stuff in my apartment. I needed the rest!

So that's my recap for birthday week 2010. As you can see, I ate a lot, drank a lot, biked a lot (191 miles total!) and saw a ton of friends. It was perfect. :)

(And here's the entire set of Flickr photos)