security

(this image has NOTHING to do with my entry, but shit...the SOX. WON. THE. SERIES!!!)

I love my bank, let me just get that out of the way.

I have been with Bank of America since 1998, when they were Bank Boston. Then they became Fleet, and now they're BOA.

This morning I got an email saying that there was suspicious activity on my account and in order to reactivate my card I would need to call them. I was wary at first, and then examined the email, its path, etc and called. It was Bank Of America, I even goggled the phone number to double check.

Anyway there is apparently some scam going on where companies/hackers this one was using (Comcast as a cover), test your account number by charging you a dollar. Nothing anyone would notice.

But my bank did.

Now they've canceled my card and dealt with the reimbursement. pretty sweet.

I just wanted to post this because I was NEVER one of those people who signed up for "extra care" or "security" with any of my cards, but let me tell you it's hella worth it.

I called BOA to confirm that it was them calling on the other line, just in case and alls well. Just peachy.

I am a very satisfied customer.

he FOUND her

proof that you really can get anything in NYC

how can you not love this?

(www.nygirlofmydreams.com)

inspired

(nytimes.com)

I saw this drawing in Maira Kalman's blog on NYTIMES.com. She's one of my favorite illustrators/artists and it really struck a cord. This comes from a poster that the British government used during WW2 to boost moral and inspire calm.

Life is busy and relentless and it gives me pause, kind of makes me realize I've got it pretty good.

Also tempts me to buy one of these posters for the apartment. (although I like Maira's better)

sock it to me

(image from flickr)

You'd agree it's getting mildly colder, yes?

Your legs or toes are eventually going to get chilly, yes?

GO.TO.THE.SOCKMAN.

He's on St. Marks in NYC, and is an overabundance of tights, socks, thigh highs, etc. Everything you need, seriously, or ever might need*...is there.

*and yes, Jo-Di they also have arm warmers.

by hook or by cook

(click here for source)

There are a select few actors/celebs that I happen to find very interesting. Anthony Bourdain is one of them.

He has been in the cooking field for over 20 years, but shot to fame with his book Kitchen Confidential which lifted the rock (so to speak) on the culinary industry and exposed hidden infestations.

I've read most of his books and find them entertaining and smart. Most recently he's been blogging (click here) and my affection for him has grown exponentially.

I scavenge for tidbits he's written and am rarely disappointed when I read what he's got to say.

He is like the Lou Reed of cooking. Cool, confident, funny and not afraid to tell you exactly what's on his mind.

(he's also not too bad on the eyes)

Here is a clip of a video Time magazine did with AB.
You may not like it as much as I did, but hey...you know what?! THIS. IS. MY. BLOG.

old as dirt

Tonight is Halloween, and people everywhere are cleverly dressed and trick-or-treating their way across the country.

I feel like I am watching it all on TV. This year, probably one of the first, I am really noticing that I am no longer as close to the "treaters" ages as I am slowing sliding towards the parents' ages.

I went to 4 different drugstores in the city to find the coolest "kid" candy (unlike my mother--love you--who geniusly would buy mini Snickers and Good 'n Plenties, because that's what she likes, dammit!)

I grabbed my stash and set myself up for the evening. Bought Roy a truly heinous mask, at his request, and was thinking pretty highly of myself.

Once again I got ahead of myself.

I am officially an old fart who gets ahead of herself. Get me one more cat or 12, and I'll be that crazy lady who wears a giant Santa sweater everyday and has moles with giant hairs sticking out of them.

This beautiful image just recently occurred to me as I passed out some treats one of the mothers tried to persuade her zombie daughters to "grab the Junior Mints for mommy."

Since when did Junior Mints, the candy of savvy taste buds everywhere become the stuff of parental wanderlust?

I mean, really? Junior Mints? Maybe they've had their heyday, they were in Seinfeld and my Father loves them....hmmm




Maybe this isn't so improbable.