New York City, as described by E.B. White

I adore this description of New York City by E.B. White. It seems as true today as it was 60 years ago.

from "Here is New York"(1948)
by E. B. White
There are roughly three New Yorks. There is, first, the New York of the man or woman who was born there, who takes the city for granted and accepts its size, its turbulence as natural and inevitable. Second, there is the New York of the commuter--the city that is devoured by locusts each day and spat out each night. Third, there is New York of the person who was born somewhere else and came to New York in quest of something. Of these trembling cities the greatest is the last--the city of final destination, the city that is a goal. It is this third city that accounts for New York’s high strung disposition, its poetical deportment, its dedication to the arts, and its incomparable achievements. Commuters give the city its tidal restlessness, natives give it solidity and continuity, but the settlers give it passion. And whether it is a farmer arriving from a small town in Mississippi to escape the indignity of being observed by her neighbors, or a boy arriving from the Corn Belt with a manuscript in his suitcase and a pain in his heart, it makes no difference: each embraces New York with the intense excitement of first love, each absorbs New York with the fresh yes of an adventurer, each generates
heat and light to dwarf the Consolidated Edison Company. . . .

What color are you?

I found this fun 'Color' Career Test on CareerPath.com. All you have to do is answer a series of questions about your color preferences, and it gives you a list of occupations and attributes. I have to admit, I was skeptical about this, but the results seem to be in line with not only how I view myself, but also with the results of more traditional language based career tests that I have taken. Does it work for you?

My Profile:
Best Occupational Category
You're a CREATOR
Keywords

Nonconforming, Impulsive, Expressive, Romantic, Intuitive, Sensitive,
and Emotional

These original types place a high value on aesthetic qualities and
have a great need for self-expression. They enjoy working
independently, being creative, using their imagination, and constantly
learning something new. Fields of interest are art, drama, music, and
writing or places where they can express, assemble, or implement
creative ideas.

CREATOR OCCUPATIONS
Suggested careers are Advertising Executive, Architect, Web Designer,
Creative Director, Public Relations, Fine or Commercial Artist,
Interior Decorator, Lawyer, Librarian, Musician, Reporter, Art
Teacher, Broadcaster, Technical Writer, English Teacher, Architect,
Photographer, Medical Illustrator, Corporate Trainer, Author, Editor,
Landscape Architect, Exhibit Builder, and Package Designer.

CREATOR WORKPLACES
Consider workplaces where you can create and improve beauty and
aesthetic qualities. Unstructured, flexible organizations that allow
self-expression work best with your free-spirited nature.

Suggested Creator workplaces are advertising, public relations, and
interior decorating firms; artistic studios, theaters and concert
halls; institutions that teach crafts, universities, music, and dance
schools. Other workplaces to consider are art institutes, museums,
libraries, and galleries.

Inspired by… Nathan Turner

There is a great profile of Nathan Turner and his Los Angeles shop in Introspective Magazine on 1stdibs.com.

His interiors are composed of a fabulous mix of styles that give you a lot to look at and mull over, without appearing cluttered or fussy. His shop reflects his fantastic style. He is also the designer of the actress Amanda Peet’s lovely home in the Los Angeles area, which was featured in Domino Magazine before it shuttered last year. I love the homey, bohemian, but still sophisticated style of her home. I have posted a few pics here.

Project: Cover that Amp!

One of the home improvement projects I am working on is to sew a linen table skirt in the style of the one seen here on Wisteria.com. I have nothing against buying a pre-made skirt and table. The table on Wisteria even has a handy shelf where you can hide unmentionables. However, my main goal is to hide at least one of the two big fat guitar amps we are somehow squeezing into our 1 bedroom apartment, and turn it into a nice stylish console for our entryway. It is currently being hidden by a hot pink table cloth, which is not quite our style but at least the amp is covered and somewhat protected. But it’s really time to remove the hot pink. More on this project in the future posts...

Kool Keds!

I found myself on the Keds website the other day, and I stumbled across these super cute shoes titled 'Kitty Shoes by seltzergoods'. This is only one of the many pairs of designer Keds available for sale on their website. In addition, you can design your own pair if you choose. How awesome is that! I am very tempted to purchase this particular pair... I love the bright yellow and the pattern is reminiscent of waves or fish scales.

Home cooking slacker...

(This is an unpublished post from February 10th... Left unposted because I didn't have a quality photo...but I've decided to post it anyway...)

I have been completely slacking on my home cooking lately. Cooking is usually something that I love to do. I find it soothing and meditative. Sometimes I wonder if I find such joy in cooking in part because I live in New York City, and I don't HAVE to cook all the time in order to eat awesome food. But eating out can become tiresome too - even in New York City. Especially when you are trying to eat healthy food.

Earlier this winter I was successfully cooking a few times a week... This included making a big batch of some type of hearty soup on Sundays so I could freeze the leftovers. But the last few weeks my inspiration has stalled. It could be in part that all traces of my local farmer's market have faded. My onions have been used up in the hearty soups and my frozen butternut squash has been consumed. All the produce now for sale in most of my local shops has been delivered to the city by airplane from thousands of miles away. The only open farmer's markets in the city are fairly inconvenient to my apartment.

These are the times when I wish I had a home on a small farm somewhere, perhaps in an appalachian hollow, where I could have a garden, and maybe some chickens and this time of year I would be savoring the labor of my harvest in the form of the basil pesto I froze last summer a la Barbara Kingsolver.

Snow Joy!!

Snow is here...finally!! 12-16 inches is predicted. We have about 7 so far... And my office closed at noon. Snow Day!

Snow Envy...

We were completely skipped over by the winter storm that hit the East. Not a flake of snow or even a drop of rain has been sighted out my window. Even Staten Island received a significant amount of snow, but it did not seem to make it across the Harbor to Manhattan.

Wide Open Spaces

Welcome! This is my first post on my new blog, Green Shoots & Sparks. I am not setting any restrictions on content since this is an idea blog - a space to record ideas, thoughts and display images that inspire. The sky is the limit. I took this picture 10,500 feet up in the Rocky Mountains on my Honeymoon. The world was wide open that day.