Not that I wasn't safe earlier today, but today's wanderings for my book led me to a friendly botanica (as opposed to the very scary one I went to in Queens a few weeks ago where a chicken foot dangling from a string of beads from the ceiling hit me in the head and I gladly paid at least five times the price of a good luck candle just so they wouldn't curse me) in the Bronx. Not only were prices not based on race, they were posted clearly for all to see. Imagine my delight when I discovered that the pink and white can of "GO AWAY EVIL" (aka "Aroma Frescante KITAMAL") air freshener was only $2.39! Not only that, but I got 30% more for free! There are definitely times after Husband or I use the bathroom that it smells like something from the depths of hell is hanging around, so this will be very handy.
Prior to my important find (supposedly this botanica is the largest in NYC), I took a subway and then a bus and then walked for 10 minutes across the SUNY Maritime College campus to reach the Maritime Industry Museum. Inside Fort Schuyler, this place is crammed to the hull with crazy shit that you can play with and also ogle. As I was poking around and taking notes, the director of the museum walked by.
"Are you writing a story about us?" he asked and adjusted his red bow tie.
I explained about the book, and he invited me into his office. As he gave me info about the museum, he asked me if I had read Maritime Museums of North America Including Canada.
"Um, no," I said. I guess I didn't do a good job explaining what my book is about.
"Well, we have a few copies lying around here," he said as he scanned a bookshelf. "Here!" He stretched his 6 foot plus frame a bit and plucked a book from the shelf. "You can have this."
"Thanks," I said as I embraced the 468 page (not including three introductions) tome. Suddenly, I had renewed hope that my desired follow up book on medical history museums of the United States (and the world!) could actually get published. Ah, to dream.
Incidentally, today is my parents' 35th wedding anniversary. Happy anniversary! I love you kooks!
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That's a lot of schlepping. I'm sad I was not there, and I am also sad (and glad) that I am in the midst of moving. Which is one reason I was not there. (The other being all the aforementioned schlepping.)
ReplyDeleteBut hey, keep-away-evil spray and a free book ain't half bad!
Happy anniversary, H&S!!
ReplyDeleteOh whoops.
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary parents!
Ahhhhh, SUNY Maritime - that's where my evil roommate Tracy's (from Goddard 2nd semester sophomore year) boyfriend Tommy the Morrissey wannabe went. When they went out on a boat, we used to call it "playing ship". Also, Happy Anniversary to H and HW! I'm glad your mom doesn't end phone calls with H the way Tracy ended them with Tommy. "I love you Tommy" in her annoying singsong baby voice. Can you just hear your mom saying "I love you Hermie"? No, I can't either.
ReplyDeleteSteph
Considering that people go on vacations to view graveyards? Yeah, you could turn this into a long and fruitful career. You could be the Fodor's for the Fringe Element!
ReplyDeleteTo go along with your "Go Away Evil" spray, I thought you might find these products fun. There's a bubble bath, too, but it's not listed, it's called "Baptism in a Bottle". Read the instructions....fun stuff!
http://store.washawayyoursins.com/index.html