quinnkdotme

Well, now that I am in New York and not working in the “world of burns,” this is the first time in 9 years that I didn’t have to:

>write a FAQ about burn injuries related fireworks

>attend and/or speak at a press conference on firework injuries

>scan the internet for gruesome yet appropriate photos of sparkler injuries for the public

So, it is with a somewhat lighter heart that I celebrate this year’s 4th of July.  Hope you all have a great day, and do be safe out there… I’d feel kind of bad otherwise.

As ever,

K. Quinn

Throughout my life, and I’m sure this isn’t singular to me, I have read books, plays, and magazine articles about aspects of living in New York.  I confess there are moments that felt so stereo-typed or even dated that I just thought, “This wouldn’t really be seen since being documented in literature.”  So,  imagine my enjoyment when one of those moments was recreated and observed by me this past weekend.  While shopping at the Whole Foods on the Upper West Side, I did indeed come across a gay couple arguing in the frozen food section!  “You know I hate lima beans, they make me gassy!” from a young man, practically weeping, was the coup de gras moment.  And, I thought to myself, “No way, so awesome!”

Yesterday, I headed to Central Park to watch a free performance of Hamlet.   I confess that I has low expectations given that this was a small company and 2PM on a Sunday, in Central Park, on the grass, and in the middle of a heat wave.  It wasn’t half bad.  In fact, the moment when Hamlet’s father comes back as a ghost was exceptional… even haunting, eerie, and a bit frightening.  All in broad daylight with bikers, tourists and assorted others walking behind and in some cases through the audience during the performance.

And, the ugly…. something I really didn’t prepare for, nor was I expecting to write about it…. but I have never before witnessed so many people vomitng.  I feel like I am living through a new time of cholera.  Weeks ago, when I was headed to the airport, I walked along Broadway at 430 in the morning.  To say that many cabs pulled over to allow their passengers ‘relief’  in my four block journey would be an understatement.  And, I have had the unfortunate distinction of witnessing additional purging on the subways, in the  parks, and on assorted sidewalks throughout the city, at various times and through various weather conditions.  I had no idea this would be such a common occurrence, and frankly, it’s one I could have done with out.  What on earth is happening that all these people keep upchucking around town?  If it was limited solely to the ride home from the bar, I could sort of understand it.  But there appears to be no particular reason, and it is certainly keeping the street sweepers busy and employed.  Ugh!

To end on a better note… my latest debate is whether or not I should cough up $29.99 to be able to watch the Tour de France streaming on the internet.  I really miss watching it while I get ready for work and then again when I get home to see the conclusion.  Hmmm.

As ever,

K. Quinn

So I ended up bailing on my French conversation meet up plan for tonight.  I actually even showed up at the cafe, but my worst fears were confirmed, albeit in a different way than anticipated.

It all began with a notice for a rather unambitious sounding friendly group of French speakers who want to get together, speak French, and improve their efforts.  I signed up.  Then came the email announcing that there were so many of us that we should move from the originally scheduled cafe location to an outside patio bar next door to accommodate our numbers.  Alcohol and French sounded like a great idea to me.  Twenty two emails later from a really whiney group of people, who argued it was too hot, too difficult, and much better at the little tiny cafe raised some red flags for me.  In fact, the one woman who insisted there was a heat wave currently happening (news to me – since when does 84 make it a heat wave?) so we should meet up at some indoor atrium…which to me is code for ‘mall.’  That sounds like the ultimate in fun, right?  Me and thirty other French speakers conversing in an atrium full of people looking to beat the heat.   Sign me up…hah!

Next came the fifteen emails about what topics we should discuss in French along with corresponding links to different French news articles.  Included in that barrage was an article about the French cracking down on drunk driving, but no, our host, who is an actual native speaker, said the article was more about politics than drunk driving.  There ensued a lively debate on whether the article was about drunk driving or politics; to which I might add 1) the rest of us are non-native speakers – really you want to argue with the one guy who is legit? 2) isn’t it very French to hold up one issue when you are really talking about another? (sorry to my French friends, but it’s true) and 3) why does this one legit Frenchie want to put up with us?

So I was getting nervous about this meet up.  Then, I show up.  Instead of the 33 respondents, there are 3 very smug married couples chatting intimately over a 4-top table.  And, it’s loud.  I don’t think I want to deal with this.  So, I check out and head to the subway stop.

Upon my return home, the host of the group has emailed… it’s now forty-five minutes past the start of this thing… and he is on his way.  Why I am remotely surprised is beyond me, because he is being truly French and fashionably late.  I no longer regret my decision, and instead of an over priced cup of tea, I am enjoying a rather tart chardonnay and writing to you all.

As ever,

K. Quinn

Yes, everything is still new and fascinating… a learning experience and highly entertaining.

Today I ran in Central Park… and this time I braved the main path for runners.  Well, it certainly forced me to keep pace!  So strange to have constant bike traffic whizzing by and people running up your back, it felt like running in rush hour which it sort of was for the exercise fanatics as it was 6AM.

Tonight, I experienced something I never had before in LA.  I went to Trader Joes near Union Square and waited in line behind about 50 people (seriously) for the cashier.  In fact, it is two peoples’ jobs to stand with big signs that say, “End of Line” to indicate where to queue to pay.  The line wraps around the store, making it daunting and hard to shop.   If you want to buy wine, you have to go two doors down the street and wait in another long line.  Sooooo strange.

Went to a nonprofit networking event this evening.  There was a lecture by a guest speaker which was OK, and then there was essentially speed dating.  Three minutes at a time to meet new people and introduce yourself and your organization.  So I met a lot of people, and in fact ran into one of them on the subway home, which meant I had more than 3 minutes to talk.

While changing trains, I had the painful experience of listening to a street performer… perhaps I should utilize air quotes because he was just awful.  He had recorded music playing La Bamba, but he didn’t know the words except for part of the chorus… and it looped so he had to sing it again.  He didn’t appear to be drunk, he just doesn’t speak Spanish or sing.  And, speaking of awful, or rather offal… sorry I couldn’t resist – on my way to work today, my sightings included… an eviscerated bird, part of what appears to be a beef liver, and 6 inches of a rather large-in-diameter mortadella sausage.  What was the universe trying to tell me?

As ever,

K. Quinn

Not in the case of my blog!

Every time I disappear so do my readers!  Well, my excuse this time is that last week was my brother’s wedding and so I was out-of-town and not easily connected to internet.  Because it was my brother’s wedding, I can’t share any stories.

However, back in New York I can share… and tonight I will share some brief nature moments.

Tonight as I walked through Riverside Park, I and several of my New York cohorts watched a raccoon family leave their cave which happens to be in the stone wall of the park.  We were all enchanted as they walked along the ledge and seemed as entertained and mystified by us as we were of them.

Less enchanting, but technically wildlife…. the gi-normous cockroach on the steps to the 3 train!  Ick, ew, gross doesn’t begin to describe my repulsion.

Also on the not so enchanting list:  the pigeon, or as my father calls them – air rat, that almost took my head off outside of Harlem Hospital.  His depth perception is definitely off.

More enchanting… the tabby cat who popped into the little market that I have been eyeing on my way to work.  They have fresh gazpacho and cucumber soup… and I still haven’t remembered to pick some up to try on my way home.  I wonder if the tabby has a penchant for soup?

Tomorrow I head to a nonprofit networking event… this is my attempt to combine work with socializing… and hopefully meet some people.  I really haven’t socialized with anyone here in the city… so tomorrow is a potentially dull event.  Let’s hope it’s a riveting group…. Please!

As ever,

K. Quinn

in most issues with my background check application.  Congratulations to me!

Let me preface this with the instructions included helpful directions such as:

List every residence over the past 28 years.

Seriously?  I have lived in 5 different states and 2 different countries, not counting the several months of house-sitting.  I don’t remember this stuff… and 28 years ago, I think I was in junior high… ach!

Only include residence locations of 6 months or more.

Ok, that helps…except!!!! My colleague was then given oral directions that the dates for each residence must overlap by a date because a criminal act can occur in just seconds.  Right, but not under six months.  Um, confusion?  So basically you want me to lie on my application?  At the end it says I have to legally swear all the information is accurate, and it is witnessed.  Um, more confusion.

So now, I want to add in every single address so that some poor person has to type in all this information.  That was until I learned that the form actually goes to some other office because the actual process of doing my background check is outsourced to several government agencies.  Ok… well, I don’t want to give them more work.

I am awaiting the next rejection of my application… which is making me feel criminal since I can’t competently fill out a bureaucratic form correctly.  Ugh!

Another sad note… my colleague explained that part of the reason for me holding the record on issues with the application is because all of our volunteers and many of my colleagues aren’t even 28… so they haven’t had to deal with that many residences.  Ouch!

As ever,

K. Quinn

As a recently arrived New Yorker, today’s events were a novelty. I can only imagine that in a few months or weeks that things will change.

1) My subway stop was closed this morning, so I had to walk 16 blocks to a different station. Note: If I had had coffee, I might have realized that I could have walked 10 blocks another direction and had a shorter trip. Problem being the newbie.

2) It rained. While rain in Los Angeles was a pain because it snarled up traffice and flooded streets, it was a relatively rare experience. It rained today, all day, and I had to traverse part of the city amid the raindrops.

3) Music man on the subway. Hopping on the subway to head to CUNY for a meeting, not only was the subway packed with people, but a guy with a harmonica stepped on and began a sort of medley of various old songs… Camptown Races might have been in there.

4) Museum Mile – which I am missing due to rain fatigue… would have been cool.

5) Discovered today that if I want to make a trip to Trader Joe’s it may be the equivalent of a trip to Mecca. It’s a journey that involves serious commitment… and wine isn’t a guarantee. What gives? Ok, notice the novelty beginning to wane.

As is my spelling, so that’s a signal to me to hit spell check and sign off.

As ever,

K. Quinn

As a recently arrived New Yorker, today’s events were a novelty.  I can only imagine that in a few months or weeks that things will change.

1) My subway stop was closed this morning, so I had to walk 16 blocks to a different station.  Note: If I had had coffee, I might have realized that I could have walked 10 blocks another direction and had a shorter trip.  Problem being the newbie.

2) It rained.  While rain in Los Angeles was a pain because it snarled up traffice and flooded streets, it was a relatively rare experience.  It rained today, all day, and I had to traverse part of the city amid the raindrops.

3) Music man on the subway.  Hopping on the subway to head to CUNY for a meeting, not only was the subway packed with people, but a guy with a harmonica stepped on and began a sort of medley of various old songs… Camptown Races might have been in there.

4) Museum Mile – which I am missing due to rain fatigue… would have been cool.

5) Discovered today that if I want to make a trip to Trader Joe’s it may be the equivalent of a trip to Mecca.  It’s a journey that involves serious commitment… and wine isn’t a guarantee.  What gives?  Ok, notice the novelty beginning to wane.

As is my spelling, so that’s a signal to me to hit spell check and sign off.

As ever,

K. Quinn

As a recently arrived New Yorker, today’s events were a novelty.  I can only imagine that in a few months or weeks that things will change.

1) My subway stop was closed this morning, so I had to walk 16 blocks to a different station.  Note: If I had had coffee, I might have realized that I could have walked 10 blocks another direction and had a shorter trip.  Problem being the newbie.

2) It rained.  While rain in Los Angeles was a pain because it snarled up traffice and flooded streets, it was a relatively rare experience.  It rained today, all day, and I had to traverse part of the city amid the raindrops.

3) Music man on the subway.  Hopping on the subway to head to CUNY for a meeting, not only was the subway packed with people, but a guy with a harmonica stepped on and began a sort of medley of various old songs… Camptown Races might have been in there.

4) Museum Mile – which I am missing due to rain fatigue… would have been cool.

5) Discovered today that if I want to make a trip to Trader Joe’s it may be the equivalent of a trip to Mecca.  It’s a journey that involves serious commitment… and wine isn’t a guarantee.  What gives?  Ok, notice the novelty beginning to wane.

As is my spelling, so that’s a signal to me to hit spell check and sign off.

As ever,

K. Quinn

As a recently arrived New Yorker, today’s events were a novelty.  I can only imagine that in a few months or weeks that things will change.

1) My subway stop was closed this morning, so I had to walk 16 blocks to a different station.  Note: If I had had coffee, I might have realized that I could have walked 10 blocks another direction and had a shorter trip.  Problem being the newbie.

2) It rained.  While rain in Los Angeles was a pain because it snarled up traffice and flooded streets, it was a relatively rare experience.  It rained today, all day, and I had to traverse part of the city amid the raindrops.

3) Music man on the subway.  Hopping on the subway to head to CUNY for a meeting, not only was the subway packed with people, but a guy with a harmonica stepped on and began a sort of medley of various old songs… Camptown Races might have been in there.

4) Museum Mile – which I am missing due to rain fatigue… would have been cool.

5) Discovered today that if I want to make a trip to Trader Joe’s it may be the equivalent of a trip to Mecca.  It’s a journey that involves serious commitment… and wine isn’t a guarantee.  What gives?  Ok, notice the novelty beginning to wane.

As is my spelling, so that’s a signal to me to hit spell check and sign off.

As ever,

K. Quinn