Superhypochondria strikes again!

Ever since I was a small child, I've had a relatively overactive imagination. I used to be exceptionally good at inserting myself into story lines -- during playtime, I seamlessly transitioned from being the 6th Fraggle to the 6th Babysitter in the club (or 8th, or 12th, or how many they ended up with). I spent days exploring the yard as Indiana Jones' long-lost archaeologist daughter or as the youngest agent for CONTROL (in this I often played alone -- I was the only 8 year old I knew who watched Get Smart).

To be honest, this didn't change as I got older. My college friends will not hesitate to tell you that I tried very desperately to learn how to apparate (a la Harry Potter) on cold Central Pennsylvania nights.

But now it's gone too far. I've recently started reading The Stand by Stephen King for a book club. For those of you who didn't know (because I didn't!), this book is about a virus that wipes out over 99% of the human population. It begins with flu-like symptoms. I started this book 2 days ago, and today at work, I started feeling feverish. A few moments ago, I was fighting off sniffles. If the entire population of the United States has been infected by a deadly virus in the next few days, I swear that I'm never reading another Stephen King book again.

Send in your resumes now...

I noticed something odd on Tuesday, and I'm trying to wrap my head around what this scenario means. Basically, as I was leaving my office and walking to the subway, I saw a police officer....on horseback.

Now, one might argue: It was St. Patrick's Day. They probably had police officers on horseback at the parade. And that's what I thought at first -- until I remembered that I work about 70 blocks from the START of the parade. And I don't think there are any stables in the financial district, so unless that cop was getting on the Staten Island ferry with his equine companion, I'm still at a loss.

Perhaps its because I work two blocks from Wall Street, but this unusual sighting got me to thinking about what having cops on horseback actually means in these tough economic times. Is this a reflection of the recession (cops can no longer afford cars?) or a sign that we are rebounding (I mean, if HORSES aren't getting laid off, that has to be good, right?)? Is this particular police officer being rewarded, or is March horseback duty some sort of punishment? Are there any real perks and/or REASONS to ride a horse while protecting our fair city from anything other than Jesse James somehow coming back from the dead?

Does anyone have any thoughts on the issue? Or at least more creative ideas as to why a horse would be fighting heavy traffic on Broadway on a Tuesday afternoon?

Famous Relatives

So my life has been rather hectic lately, but not incredibly exciting. Aside from choosing a wedding date*, I've really just been stuck at work and trying to get to the gym and have some semblance of a life.

However, while I've been trudging along, my cousin's "kids" have gone and gotten famous. Scroll down about 3/4 of the page to check out Ricky and Mia in the cutest picture ever:

http://www.greyhoundfriendsnj.org/


*no, I'm not engaged, nor am I anywhere close to it. My roommate just decided that I was nerdy enough to get married on "Super Pi Day." So mark your calendars kids. 3/14/15. The time will be determined by a mathematical equation. The altar will be shaped like a pi symbol. Also, byo-pie [I'll supply the alcohol...and probably more pie]. Math nerds -- am I forgetting anything?

Subway Performer Quote of the Day

Guy (with a surprisingly good voice) after singing a one man 3 part harmony of "Under the Boardwalk" on the subway:

Enjoy your stay in New York City
Where all the girls are very pretty
And they've all got jobs.


Loves it. If he would have thrown a bird in my face, I probably would have given him a dollar.

My apartment should be the new UN

Apparently tomorrow is Purim (a holiday that I only partially understand...mostly because I missed half of the story because you are supposed to make loud noises when the bad guy's name is mentioned), and for Purim, you are supposed to make hamantaschen. Never being one to skip baking, I decided to join in on the fun. I felt that this was only fair, especially after forcing a Christmas tree on my two Jewish roommates. And because Hailey valiantly attempted to give up hummus for Lent (a direct quote: "I gave in and ate a full container yesterday. But I thought about Jesus the whole time.")

Tonight I learned a few things about Judaism, what flavor combinations go well together (pumpkin butter + raspberry preserves + chocolate = epicfailmantaschen), and that sugar is important but strangely not crucial in the baking process. Also, I believe that maybe, just maybe, a Lebanese girl and her Jewish roommates baking cookies together makes the world a little more peaceful. At least it makes our apartment a little more delicious.

Baby we were born to run

I use this title not because of my love and respect for The Boss (who looked AMAZING at the Superbowl, by the way), but for the love and respect I have for my friend Taylor, whom I equate with this song.

Here is why.

And I was excited about my work blog....