Covet A Brainy Tune

My girlfriend and I had a bit of an adventure this past Monday. She was able to take a day off from work, so we took the train into the city while the car was being repaired. We stayed in SoHo for the day, and (despite the clouds and scattered rain) it was lovely. There weren’t tons of tourists, which made wandering around from place to place rather easy. Here are some of the shops/stores we visited.

1) The Evolution Store

120 Spring Street
New York, NY 10012

This place has framed insects, animal and human skulls, skeletons, fossils, minerals, teeth, taxidermy…. I could go on. There is so much to see in such a small space; I make sure to visit whenever I’m in the neighborhood. Make sure to bring some money! This stuff is a bit on the pricey side, but who DOESN’T want a 250 million year old trilobite necklace??? I admit, it can be a bit of a tourist hot-spot, but it’s definitely worth seeing.

2) Vosges Haut-Chocolate

132 Spring Street (between Greene & Wooster)
New York, NY 10012

Guys, they’ve got SPICY chocolate, chocolate-covered bacon, and maple bacon chocolate pancake mix. They’ve even got some vegan truffles for sale! This is paradise. We went early, so we were the only ones inside, perfect for browsing in peace and for having undisturbed conversations with one of the NICEST sales associates in the world. If you ever go, chat up Jen, the blonde with blue eyes, and you’re bound to get some free samples. (Also, if she likes you, she’ll pretend you live in the city and give you 10% off your purchases.)

3) Lucky Strike

59 Grand St (between Broadway & Wooster)
New York, NY 10013

I was craving a burger for lunch, so Lacy took me to Lucky Strike. It’s a cozy place with typical New York prices for burgers and sandwiches, but I have to say the food is amazing. I ordered a JALAPEÑO GUAVA MARGARITA (omg spicy booze?!?!) and a hamburger with bacon and Swiss cheese. I like my burgers well-done, but this burger was the juiciest, most tender well-done burger I’ve ever had. They don’t skimp out on the cheese or veggie toppings, and they’re generous with the fries (the crispy shoestring kind). Also, the burger comes on an English muffin, which was a nice surprise. I hate when buns overpower the MEAT. Lacy ordered a DARK AND STORMY (a cocktail made with Gosling’s rum, ginger beer, and fresh lime juice) and the steak sandwich off the lunch menu. Both were divine. I really can’t wait to go back.

4) Babeland

43 Mercer St
New York, New York 10013

We visited because of…reasons. I love this place because it’s different than your run-of-the-mill sex shop. It’s less raunchy and in-your-face, more professional and sophisticated, even. The staff is always friendly and helpful, and the merchandise is varied. Anything you want, they’ve got it. The displays are neatly organized and always hands-on, and the prices go from super cheap to “HOW CAN ANYONE AFFORD THAT?” Want high-quality goods? Babeland’s the only place to go.

5) Housing Works Bookstore Cafe

126 Crosby Street
New York, NY 10012

The great thing about this place is that 100% of the proceeds go to Housing Works, a non-profit organization that provides housing for the city’s homeless and treatment for those suffering from HIV/AIDS. ONE-HUNDRED PERCENT. The place is well-stocked with a variety of books (all donated!), and they’ve even got a mini cafe in the back. They also host several events every month like poetry readings, lectures, and other forms of live entertainment. And, amazingly, it’s run almost completely by volunteers. Go get your read on and feel good doing it.

6) Midtown Comics

200 W 40th St (between 7th Ave & 8th Ave)
2nd Fl
New York City, NY 10018

Okay, so this one’s not in SoHo. Lacy and I had some time to kill before our train back home, so we went to what can only be described as nerd heaven. Hundreds upon hundreds of comics and graphic novels line the walls here. They also sell popular fiction novels, collectibles, action figures, shirts, and toys. After finally getting my hands on the first volume of Tank Girl comics, I couldn’t leave empty-handed. Two thumbs up!

Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to visit Wafels & Dinges or the Big Gay Ice Cream Shop, but it’s always nice to have something to look forward to for next time.

I will admit, I wasn’t looking forward to my birthday. Somewhere along the line, I stopped feeling like my birthday was special. But today? Oh my goodness, yesterday was different. Yeah, I had to work ten grueling hours and then catch up on some homework, but that doesn’t even matter right now.

I received several messages yesterday, reminding me that I am not forgotten. That I am loved and appreciated. And let me tell you, that feeling is amazing.

One person in particular made today extra memorable. She got me a framed poster of one of our favorite “Keep Calm” phrases, and we hung it up on the wall this morning. It’s our first wall decoration. And then later, when I came home during my break, I walked into our apartment and immediately froze when I saw what stood before me: a beautiful Fender acoustic, sitting perfectly on a stand in the middle of the room. My jaw dropped. I was blown away. And then there were tears. A whole lot of them, because nobody has ever done something like that for me. But it wasn’t just the guitar, it was the sentiment, the endless love which inspired that surprise. I’m going to write her so many cheesy songs with that guitar.

All of the love and surprises and good news in the past 48 hours made yesterday such a good birthday, and the celebrations aren’t even over! She’s taking me out to dinner tomorrow, and I get to have her all to myself.

I’m the luckiest person in the world.

I am so fucking proud of her.

You should absolutely be jealous.

Immediately after buying, Lacy and I sang a beautiful duet along to the music.

That’s what one black woman said to me at the train station this morning after I hugged and kissed my girlfriend goodbye. (She later added, “After my husband and me,” which I thought was pretty adorable.)

I adore my girlfriend and refuse to censor my love and affection, but sometimes I feel like Lacy and I stick out like a sore thumb in our neighborhood. I sure haven’t seen any other lesbian couples around here, and, when we hold hands walking down the street or kiss at the station before she leaves for work, sometimes I feel as if a thousand eyes are watching and judging us. However, this one woman’s compliment and acceptance truly lifted my spirits.