Come Together

Wow- things are really coming together. The movers come tomorrow, my loveseat should be delivered soon (hopefully tomorrow, but is yet to be scheduled- still, it's here in the city), and I just checked the status of my bed and it's on target for Wednesday!! My apartment is about to go through a little shock from my single air mattress and lamp, with a few things on the built-in shelves (though my closet, bathroom and kitchen aren't totally empty) to full-on furniture in the matter of a couple of days. I was secretly hoping we'd be able to arrange for the loveseat today, but I didn't get around to ordering it until late this afternoon. I am very much looking forward to real places to sit and sleep!! Ah, the comforts of home.

The air mattress is getting old. It's not horrible, but not the best for more than a couple nights. After tonight, I'm guessing it won't get much use. I don't think there will ever be enough floor space to put it once there's furniture here. I'm having trouble sleeping. I think just 'cause I'm physically uncomfortable. Plus, I got up a bit late. I haven't quite gotten back in rhythm from the other morning when I finally got to bed at 7am after being up all night (no, nothing crazy).

I had a friend over tonight to see the new place. Nice for someone to actually see the "before" in person (I'll post pics when I have a reliable net connection). He really liked it. I think he was afraid that this was an 11th-hour decision apartment vs. one that was actually good, lol. His first comment was, "Wow, it's big!", which made me laugh. Yeah, by area standards it is roomy, although not huge by any means. Really, it just means there's room for more than a bed and a lamp. It's definitely larger than a couple others I saw, especially when you consider the kitchen (with a window- ooh, lala), uncramped bathroom, and good closet space.

We had a nice dinner at some place on 48th. The food was good, but I can't remember the name. It's one of those places I'd have completely dismissed and not even noticed walking by. Not the healthiest of places, but not completely terrible (old school NY Italian, but since I don't eat cheese these days, I get by a little more easily. Plus, I maybe ate half, if that). I'd probably not venture there on my own much, but that can be said of a lot of restaurants. I'm ignoring the fact that I can get just about anything delievered to my apartment 24 hrs. a day, haha. It'll be handy in winter, I'm sure, but take-out isn't something I want to get used to. Frustratingly, however, the good online grocers don't deliver to me by a matter of a few blocks. Others, I need to go actually buy the stuff and then they deliver it (which is about half the point). There is Food Emporium, which apparently takes online orders, and is also the most convenient "full" grocery store to my place, but it sucks. It's expensive and has terrible selection. I'm sure during a blizzard, however, they'll suit me just fine. Of course, there are plenty of delis and the like within steps of my building, all of whom also deliver. For those new to NYC, delis are more like corner markets- they have a small amount of groceries, etc.

I've actually been really good lately. It's AWESOME building a kitchen from completely from scratch (food-wise). It's been years. I've got almost all vegetables in the fridge (plus a few things like salsa, hummus, sprouted grain bread, small whole wheat pita) and the picture of health in the pantry-- dried lentils, black beans, brown rice, etc. I have to build up the seasonings, though. I've bought very little in that arena so far (some I'll probably specifically need from Whole Paycheck, which I've been avoiding). I'm looking forward to being able to actually cook, but I've been living off of good fresh veggies while waiting for my cookware, good knives, etc. to arrive. I haven't even opened the peanut butter (rare to have peanut butter in the house and not have opened it for several days, although I did buy some boiled peanuts I sprinkle on salads or grab small amounts as a snack). Salad has become my favorite midnight snack, with plenty of crunchy sweet peppers (anything but the green ones- eew), especially those late nights when I've forgotten dinner. Add a smidge of hummus and balsamic dressing (no oil) and yumm! Cereal with a bit of fruit is keeping me going, too.

I still don't have reliable internet access, only getting spotty (and very weak) wireless here and there unless I take my laptop across to the business center (more convenient, but not comfy) or a wireless cafe or such. Hopefully, that should be remedied Wednesday evening when service is turned on, barring any wiring issues (*knock wood*).

Did I mention my piano arrives tomorrow? And how much I've actively missed it lately? Did I? Mmmm... 88 weighted keys under my fingertips... soon, very soon. I've decided I'm not going to get a TV any time soon. More music time. I don't even have a place laid out in the apartment where I'd even put a TV, although I'm sure I'll set something up eventually when I'm tired of watching DVDs on a 17" laptop monitor (although it is widescreen at least).