New Yorkers are great. Really. I’m not just saying this because I happen to be one. I am constantly amazed at how generous and weird the people of my city are. I am hardly surprised anymore, living here can do that to you. I am, however, happily and consistently reminded that I live in one of the greatest cities in the world.
We New Yorkers are known for being brash, loud, avant garde, snooty, social climbing, and judgmental. I assure you, this encompasses only a tiny portion of our 10mil+ citizens. Yes, if you try to get your kid in the 92stY pre-k, you’re quickly going to wish that you lived on a tiny desert island full of knives you could throw at anyone who dare approaches. Those people, do NOT represent my city. If you want to be a social climbing status whore, you know where to look. *hint, if you see someone with a stack of preschool apps a mile high on their bookshelf, right next to several volumes on social etiquette, and not a single Steinbeck or Christie to be found? You have yourself a winner.
Most New Yorkers, especially those in the rims of the outer boroughs, are simply fantastic. Just yesterday I saw, a GIGANTIC dude; seriously, he looked like he could’ve been a lineman for the Jets, rescue a TINY dog for a woman. The poor pup had run straight across a very, very busy street near Brooklyn College. This guy pretty much gave traffic the finger, held up his huge hand to the cars, and rescued the tiny mongrel. He then gently returned it to the very grateful elderly woman, who kissed his huge, bald head.
Not long after the curious incident of the dog in the noontime, I went to stalk my Gaysian, who was lecturing outside our fair city. His TA, who also resides in our fair city, offered to drive another TA, with whom he rarely has cause to interact with, all the way to SOUTH Jersey, since his car decided that it was a good day to die. Before you ask, the TA is decidedly NOT gay. I know because I asked. He’s super pretty, so I was pretty sure he batted for my Gaysian’s team. It turns out even straight men can desire a doctorate in the Romantics….who knew? (You have no idea how loudly my “who can I set this guy up with?” radar went off. He’s 32, getting a doctorate, oh so purty, and generous….text me later ladies.)
One final fantastic act of goodwill was bestowed upon ME whilst I was at the gym. I wanted to use the open weight bench, and it was completely loaded down with weights I didn’t have a politician’s chance in Heaven’s of de-vesting of its poundage. As I was looking at it, pondering my own super-strength, a kid of about 18 came over and offered to help. He was also muttering about “asshole old men who don’t put away the shit they get out…my mom would kill me…I bet their moms are dead, though.”
I replied with what was only appropriate; “If I was their mom, I’d kill myself, so you’re probably right. Thank you.” For some reason, the upper middle aged juicers always seem to be the biggest assholes. I think it’s what the juice does to their balls. Just saying.
The people of my city have me inspired. I want to make people’s days/lives better. I think we all should. We need to care for ourselves, yes, but how we treat others is a huge reflection on how we love ourselves. It is so easy to quarantine yourself. It is often the simplest route to put blinders on and go about life in a bubble with a disaffected attitude. That doesn’t make us better people, and it won’t make you happy. Do unto others, and all that rot…which is actually pretty true. We’re all guilty of ignoring the issues in front of us, and going about our day. I am really going to challenge myself to help MORE where I can, while still tending to me. I’m pretty sure it can be done.
On to food. Always food.
This recipe is so delicious, and so simple, you’re going to chide yourself for not thinking of it.
Pancake stuffed apple, drizzled with salted caramel.
Yup.
AKA salted caramel pancake stuffed apple
Did I mention these are made in the microwave? Oh yeah…the are apple mug muffins. Could you die!!???
Salted Caramel Pancake Stuffed Apple
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients (8-10 apples)
- pancake mix
- as much eggs, milk, and oil as they require for 8-10 pancakes
- I use Bob’s Red Mill buckwheat pancake mix
- 8 apples, tops removed, hollowed out
- salted caramel sauce…find the recipe here.http://breakfasttobed.com/2012/08/26/salted-caramel-brownies-2/
Instructions
hollow out the apples and microwave apples on a plate, empty, for 2 minutes to soften
fill each apple 3/4 way to the top with pancake batter
microwave each apple for 2 minutes
drizzle with caramel, top with butter or coconut oil or more caramel
eat
Oh. How. I. Love. This. Sentence. So true.
We need to care for ourselves, yes, but how we treat others is a huge reflection on how we love ourselves.
Agreed!!!!!! <3
I guess I should change my name on here. Balls
duh.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the dog rescue story!! thank you for sharing. I’ve only been to NYC once and found the people kind, and helpful. NOT the stereotype at all. Someday I’ll get back for a visit. Oh, and I hate it when Brutus doesn’t put his freakin’ 1000lb weights away! Glad there was a nice guy to help.
We do try.
You make me want to visit New York again. The last time I was there I was a senior in high school and “Just My Luck” was filming in Central Park. The producers (or some other film groupie) told us and the tour guide that we couldn’t go in the park because of filming, and the tour guide looked at him and said, “OK” very sternly. Then turned back to us and said, “Go whereever you want, these film companies think they own this park when they come in, but it’s ours – Have a ball!” He was an amazing guy who was so proud of his city that it made me happy to be there with him!
PS, I referenced “ladyflower” in my blog this morning and thought you would enjoy it. Pop on over to read the ridiculousness
I will!!
Your last ‘graph before the important foodstuffs was amazeballs. I think that not only is this a Major Truth(tm): “how we treat others is a huge reflection on how we love ourselves,” but also the converse is true. How we treat ourselves is a reflection on how we can relate with/love others.
I am working on my AGGRESSIVELY HAPPY project and, if you don’t mind, I would like to borrow (steal? appropriate? [v. not n.] purloin?) that phrase for my Keystones of Aggressive Happiness. (Although I guess if I’m asking permission, I am neither stealing, appropriating, nor purloining. However, I’m still mad at you over the whole pumpkin cream cheese thing, so I might take even if you say no!)
you may use whatever you like…including my body.
whoa. okay. (Have I told you how excited I am that we will be in the same city this fall? You’re still coming, right? Don’t break my heart!)
The dog story is great! I love that!
The stuffed apple pancakes look delicious!
Seriously!? Oh my gosh, would NEVER have thought of this combination. So creative…lend me your mind and your kitchen for awhile! That looks scrumptious for Fall!
it was such a filling breakfast!!
stop it! just stop. genius.
I think caramel apples are like my favorite fair food. So good.
I actually prefer cinnamon candied apples, as cinnamon is the king of candies.
ummm can you say delicious! these things look awesome! I can’t wait to dig in to some apples soon!
dig into a TON!! They’re delicious!!
It’s not just New Yorkers who are rude… I’ve lived in AZ and MO, and there are terribly nasty folks here too. It seems like it’s people 30-ish and younger. People older than I are usually polite.
BTW, that apple pancake thing looks like heaven.
It’s so nice to be surprised by peoples nice and caring behaviours when you least expect it
FUn recipe! Anything caramel is appealing to me…especially in an apple!
I stick to reading the same blogs day in and day out. Yeah, I know. Who doesn’t? Yours is one of about 10 that I’ve chosen to read on a consistent basis. I’ve never commented here but this post just hit me right where I needed it today. It’s not just about NY. It’s about everywhere in the world. I live in Mexico City. There are people like this all over the planet. Yet, day in and day out, we just focus on the people ready to run over the dog and inconsiderate assholes at the gym. I’m so glad you noticed these little treats today (or a few days ago, actually) and I thought I’d share my own. I’m a teacher here at a posh international school and ex-student came in to my room yesterday to ‘just chat and see how I was doing.’ Students just don’t do this anymore. They almost ALWAYS come in for something – a rec letter, their lab notebook from the previous year, to borrow a pencil, whatever. At first I didn’t believe this student from last year. I thought he’ll end with something like ‘oh, and by the way….’. But he didn’t do this. He is your 18-year old at the gym helping you with the weights. I wish I could say we need more of these people in the world but I believe we have more of these people. We just don’t focus on them. Thank you, thank you, thank you for noticing these details – and not even on the anniversary of one of the most tragic days in history.
Your faithful reader
Thank you so much for your kind words, Christine. They truly mean a lot.