Colgate Clock River Crossing

Tonight I led my first river crossing trip!

The river traffic is scary and hard to see, but we made it!

We went to the Colgate Clock in Jersey City.

The crossing back across the river from NJ took 13 minutes!

This is likely to be the last trip this season... I'll be so sad when kayak season ends!

Verrazzano Wind

We had the annual boathouse picnic on Governors Island.

Of course I brought oil paint, I always do.

The wind was AWFUL.

Gusts at 29mph and it was constant.

It caused some issues with the painting, but I still got it done.

8x10 oil

Paddling & Art in Gowanus

This morning I went out on the water, it was such a beautiful morning with good company.

Kayak season ends this month; I'm dreading it.

After paddling I went to Brooklyn to meet up with Janae.

We went to the Gowanus Open Studios, where many different local.... "artists".... have their work on display.

It was...... aside from a few outliers, underwhelming.

Janae thought so too, for the same reasons I did.

There was very little technical ability in what we saw, and it was also lacking in aesthetics.

It was not beautiful, it was not skilled. Actually, to be blunt, it was garbage for the most part.

But it was still a nice time with Janae.

Here are some pictures of a few things I liked.

These are not skillful paintings but they are charming together in their own way.

The artist who id these small weird fluorescent paintings is an old-school illustrator, and I did like his work. He understands composition.

I loved these little creatures.

Again, from an old-school artist who knows what he's doing.

Tree topper....

Very Brooklyn....

These ceramics were nice.

I geeked out about paint with this painter in his studio.

This is the Gowanus Canal, which is one of the most polluted waterways in the country.

There is new construction right next to it and they are actually calling it "waterfront property".... 

I can't even.

No local would fall for that crap.

Yes please.

Just don't....

Sonic Vibes #2

Tonight we had a sound bath for volunteers at the boathouse.

I LOVE a good sound bath and tonight did not disappoint!

Sound baths are SO relaxing!

Sonic Vibes #1

Tonight Grace invited me to the seasoning opening performance of the NJ Symphony.

She works there so the tickets were staff comp.

Good thing too because they are really expensive!

Like almost $200 expensive!

It was amazing.

I have been to symphony concerts before, but not for a while and the music was wonderful.

People should take time away from the continual awful noise-crap and dumb awful cellphones and listen to a live symphony.

It's good for the soul.

NJPAC is in Newark, a short walk from NJ Transit and the PATH trains.

Daya and I share our location.

She texted me..... why are you in Newark?

A valid question!

I love us!

TMI about my IUD

I have had a Paragard IUD for 11 1/2 years.

They are good for 10-12 years, then are considered expired.

I have been so scared about getting mine switched out because the strings went all the way the hell up and they couldn't just pull it out. (It happens and can cause complications with removal.)

But I can't have an expired IUD in my body and also I really do need my vault to be locked forever.

This is the closest I can get to that short of surgery or a medical problem involving removal of my lady bits, which I do not want.

The Universe has been on my side with this... IUD insertion has to be done on your cycle, preferably the beginning. I was due tomorrow, but my cycle showed up yesterday afternoon which is literally perfect timing for my appointment today.

I was SO SCARED of this appointment.

I was scared of complications and pain from having to find the strings.

Last time the insertion hurt like hell... really bad actually, but only for a few seconds.

The Dr did dig around a bit but found the strings pretty quickly and was able to remove the full IUD.  It didn't break or anything, just came right out. PHEW! And she didn't have to use a camera after all!

Also it hurt less than I expected.

It did, a little, especially the speculum and clamps, and then the insertion but it was really truly not that bad. It was significantly better than last time.

I did take six Advil before the appointment, and it's freaky knowing what's going on but honestly the fear about it was way worse.

Best part, I was allowed to take my old IUD home, and she'll live in a cup on my drawing table.

Prowling on Long Island

I haven't been on Long Island since...... 2017? 2018?

I don't think?

Long Island is basically a different planet as far as I'm concerned.

Today I went kayaking on Long Island and it was so pretty!

What an awesome day.

We were on the water for three and a half hours.

There were excellent tacos afterwards.

Truth!!

I cannot agree more!!

If I still have my old ancient Blockbuster card around and I ever find it again, I'll definitely give it to Daya!

A nice fiery sunset

I was on the water last night for sunset.

There were also 2 rainbows when the sun started setting!!

It was one of the nicest sunsets I have seen on the water for a while.