Have a Fun Weekend.

I loved this too, so sweet!

Rebecca it’s not “jumping on any bandwagon that comes along” to believe in and fight for basic human rights. The progressive movement isn’t a bandwagon. It’s been hard fought and we are beginning to see the fruition of that. The blinders are off and establishment politicians are being seen for who they really are. We could have had Medicare for All years ago if not for Congress bowing to health insurance industry lobbyists etc. It’s just time to end this nonsense. Period.

Eeks, I responded in the wrong thread ! My apologies. It’s early here. :(. My reply belongs one thread down :(

Agreed. It also takes away the incentive for anyone to build, which contributes to a lack of affordable or even sufficient housing.

I think there’s a careful balance here, too much rent control and what you’re saying becomes true. However, the opposite is also true where rents can increase too quickly and landlords are price gouging. During COVID, my rent increased 20% each year for a few years while conditions actually degraded, and most other apartments were doing the same so moving wasn’t a simple option. Agree that honest landlords and tenants must be protected while slumlords need to be reigned in.

Maybe it’s just not “profitable” to run affordable housing – maybe there’s no profit to be made off of the basic human need for shelter. Maybe we should consider what that means as a society.

We are in such a weird era right now, Stacey, right? It’s like people are just so fed up with the current political climate (and, rightly so), that they are basically jumping on any bandwagon that comes along, so long as it is completely the opposite of the current climate. Unfortunately, along with that, lots of critical thinking skills fall by the wayside.

I love the idea of rent control and rent freezes and think that there needs to be a housing solve that allows for more affordable housing. However, so many economic studies show that they end of harming most renters while helping just a few with new renters getting harmed the most, I am just not sure the studies can be ignored. We need to think more creatively.

I don’t think people understand that that many buildings in NYC are mixed market-rate and rent-stabilized units. Ours is one. We are market-rate and moved in nearly 20 years ago. Our rent has gone up nearly 40% in recent years, to offset the stabilized units. Something needs to be done about the runaway market rate rental market, but rent freezes artificially shrink availability. (The vacancy rate is already just 1.4%!) Also, those living in stabilized units aren’t means-tested; some of our neighbors are high earners who were lucky enough to acquire their apartment decades ago. It’s a strange system for sure, and arguably not the best one for this city.

That link takes one to an opinion piece by a law student, and it doesn’t present a strong argument in this reader’s view. In any case, landlords are absolutely allowed to increase rent to recoup the cost of building and individual unit improvements: https://hcr.ny.gov/apartment-iai-and-building-mci-improvements

ahh yes, the “incentive for anyone to build” I am sure when we check back in a year there will be nothing that has been built in NYC because they will have all taken their toys and gone home. with all due respect (actually, not that much, because these talking points are old and tired) we have had more than 40 years of policy choices that have made a permanent schism that grows ever wide between the haves and the have nots, so let’s give this a try and if it does not work, you can bring back the RR trickle down (which I am sure will get to the rest of us, any day now.)

“Our rent has gone up nearly 40% in recent years, to offset the stabilized units.” I’d posit a different explanation, that the rent went up 40% because that’s what the new market rate. Landlords are allowed to pass along increased increases in maintenance costs and improvements so it’s not as if your rent is directly subsidizing their rent. Whether your building is 10% rent controlled or 50% rent controlled matters less than the overall dynamics of the housing market. The housing market right now is viewed more as a speculative investment, an asset that could return extraordinary returns. But housing is also a fundamental human right. I think that housing as an asset class should be viewed (and regulated) like a utility. Because it’s virtually impossible to have a pure free market for a utility it’s highly regulated. The utility is allowed to maintain a small profit margin after expenses ensuring a consistent dividend but the upside is capped.

Lauren again, reread my comment while it was pending approval and holy moly that’s a lot of typos! The downside of pecking out my comment in a smallish box on my smallish phone while lying in bed :) The goal of my comment was to push back on the belief that support for rent control was a abdication of critical thinking skills and to push back on the belief that the economics is unanimously opposed to rent control. It’s a difficult topic, with nuance but I’ve studied housing economics and generally consider myself a strong critical thinker and I’m also in support for some form of rent control. Housing, health care, electricity and water.. these are, in my opinion, human rights and the unfettered free market might be ill equipped to provide those good to everyone at a reasonable price.

Right on, Karen and Mado !! Agree 100 %.

Without rent control I would not be able to live in my city. I am all for means testing for rent control, but we need to have some common sense. Landlords are not obligated to buy rent controlled buildings and as long as tenants are paying their rent, why should the rest of us care? It is one thing when millionaires have rent controlled city apartments and also own homes in the countryside, but for those of us who work hard for a living and need affordable housing, rent control is very important.

Rebecca, my disagreements with trump and fascism haven’t in any way dimmed my ability to think critically, and I haven’t noticed a decrease amongst thinkers on the left either. Lack of critical thinking skills is often just a put down for “I don’t agree with that”. I wholeheartedly agree with Mado, and Karen too. It’s the capitalism that’s the problem here, and all of our rearranging furniture under this system will not solve the basic problems of extreme inequality within it. And I’ve been a devoted socialist since I first learned the meaning in the late 80s. Growing up under Reagan will do that to a kid.

I agree (re 2008), and the actors in that one also seemed closer to the actual age of the book characters. But the ET S&S was a much needed update to previous productions, and i wore out my VHS tape with re-watches back in the day. :)

Agreed, the BBC with Dominic Cooper AND Dan Stevens is THE best one IMO.

Please don’t make me choose! Sincerely, loves them both

Ingredients 1½ cups coconut water ½ cup canned cream of coconut 2 cups pineapple juice ½ cup orange juice, 1 ½ cups rum (light or dark) ½ tsp freshly grated nutmeg (optional) 2 cups frozen pineapple chunks 1 cup frozen pitted dark sweet cherries Preparation Step 1 In a large pitcher, whisk together the coconut water and cream of coconut until evenly blended. Add the pineapple and orange juice, rum and nutmeg (if using), and stir to combine. Step 2 If making ahead, refrigerate until ready to serve. Right before serving, add frozen pineapple and cherries.

https://thirstytales.com/coconut-pineapple-punch-cocktail-recipe/ This one looks delicious!

Here’s a gift article, it looks super delicious: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/782155025-pineapple-coconut-punch?unlocked_article_code=1.tVA.L0_H.8qZz-Ead4jwd&smid=share-url

Thank you guys!!!! You rock!!

I live in Michigan and passed a cow farm regularly with my 2 & 3 year old grandsons. The 2 y.o. would say “moo” every time we passed by. The 3 y.o. would always correct him with a stern “TOW”!! Cant tell you how many time I’ve said “moo. tow” when I pass that farm. It’s my sweetest memory of those now 21 y.o. guys.

Shel, Paula, genuinely adorable stories. I’m curious if this is a regional difference, but what do we call an agricultural operation where cows are raised for beef, where you live? And a dairy cow operation? In Montana, at least where I grew up, and live now, the first is a cattle ranch (as opposed to a sheep ranch, or horse ranch, also called horse farm). And for dairy, it’s a dairy, or a dairy farm. A pig farm, a chicken farm too. But I’ve never heard cow farm. Just genuinely curious, as I drink my pop and ponder regional differences:)

this is lovely advice Margot – congrats on 30+ years! i think you may be onto something with all personalities being different. my husband I are laid back – he is the easiest thing in my life by far! i sometimes ignore a lot of marriage advice I see online!

Such great advice Margot. This is working for us too. I’ll add an emphasis on empathy and assuming good intentions. And often reflecting on the positive, look how far we’ve come, remember this sweet time, look at everything we’ve been through. How lucky are we? 31 years in 2 weeks.

Beautitfully put. That was also my initial reaction when reading the marriage advice. Some of it is the exact opposite of what I would write. Interesting how different people experience relationships

Congratulations on 30 years! Great advice. Completely agree with you. I couldn’t read the article after a while. It seemed like 2 roomates who don’t want to do anything or be involved in anything in the other person’s life. I have been married for 20 years now and together for close to 26 years now. We are poles apart and have so many different interests, but we align on everything important. I don’t know if the author was joking when she said that she signed up for Tennis.com 3 years ago and doesn’t watch at all or paid for Atlantic and doesn’t read. Financial prudence and intelligence is one the biggest kindness you can bring to your relationship. Have seen too many families being clueless about finances and suffer and it is the biggest source of frustration in their lives. I lost my job this year and after I received the news, the first thing I told my husband was, “ Thank you for all the right financial decisions and the stability we have, so that I am not stressed out.”

Lol i found the article relatable (and Sam Irby is hilarious), but lots of good advice in these comments as well. As said, do what works best for you. :)

I agree Margot. One I would add that I have not seem here yet is forgiveness. It is a continual thing.

Yes I agree a lot of this marriage advice seemed quite negative, and just very unloving? Maybe I’m not picking up on some of the satire or something?

I think the blog post was mainly meant to be silly, but the one piece that resonated with me is having a fail safe “go to” restaurant – no one wants to figure out where to eat when you’re tired and hungry! Especially when you have kids, you need a spot that will satisfy everyone. (celebrating our 20th anniversary this October)

Margot, I agree with this almost completely. Every marriage is different, but many of the “boundaries” being recommended like separate finances, separate bedtimes, living largely parallel lives, etc., wouldn’t feel much like a marriage to me. I think the healthiest boundaries are often the internal ones you described: assuming the best of each other, extending grace, communicating honestly, apologizing quickly, and choosing kindness over keeping score. The one thing I’d add is that I don’t think separate vacations are necessarily in the same category. Spending time pursuing individual interests or taking the occasional trip apart can actually be healthy if it’s something both people genuinely enjoy. The key is that it strengthens the relationship rather than creating distance. My husband and I try to do a solo (or with friends) trip each year as well as our time together on trips.

Love. Also formerly Mormon! Agree that the quote made me think of shame. And the patriarchy. Love everything about your beautiful response and outlook on life!

Bravo <3

Yes to this! Could be my life exactly…and, you know what, it is extraordinary! Because it’s extraordinary to me and I’m the only one who gets to decide. You are the one person who decides how ordinary or how beyond ordinary your life is.

I love this so much Emily. We are not a home improvement project. Accepting ourselves, as our wonderful selves, is such a gift.

Emily, I nominate you for next weeks comment of the week. I too have ADHD and I to felt a wave of shame reading that quote. While the way my brain works often reduces the ratio of ideas to finished projects, it has in many other ways helped see the world with more openness curiosity and excitement. Thank you for the reminder that we get to decide what makes a life extraordinary and thank you Sasha for reminding ourselves that our one wild and beautiful life is not a home improvement project.

Emily I also have ADHD, and YES does that quote feel ableist. However, the entire concept behind that quote is for the birds, in my opinion. I STRIVE for an ordinary life. A small life, where I get to be with my family and friends, and see the sun rise and set and watch ice cream drip down my kids’ fingers and marvel at the cherry blossoms every year like I’ve never seen them before and create ordinary every day magic for my kids and read them books and watch a good show with my husband at the end of the night. It’s an ordinary life, and what could be more extraordinary than that?

Yes to all the ” ordinary” lives described here so eloquently and touchingly. “The sacred is in the ordinary”

I have never been diagnosed adhd but it’s true I rarely finish anything because I don’t get satisfaction from completion I get satisfaction from figuring it out. Once I’ve done that I am instantly bored and move on, sometimes before I’ve even realized it, lol. Forcing myself to finish things has been an act of sheer will/discipline aquired in my adult life because it is a necessary life skill for adulting. I did find the quote helpful, though, as a motivating factor for the required completions in my life. I’ve saved it for reference because I am also going to try to use it as a working meditation/experiment on some of my many ‘projects’ and ideas and see what happens.

I totally agree, Emily! “Bias toward action” quotes like that are sad to me, because we’re each entitled to our own process. There can be such incredible beauty and nuance in something that takes years to build. It’s a very underrated skill to sit with something, turn it over in your head and hands, and then give it time and space to grow into itself.

Whoa! I’m gonna try this- and I will make it with spruce or pine tip sugar too (we got hella pines on our land)!

I have “fucked up toes” and also need wide/tall toe boxes with laced shoes to manage my workdays (on my feet for 10hrs at a time) – I LOVE camper. If you can find a store near you before your trip, give them a try.

Altras! All have a wide toe box. All zero or low drop. I wore mine every day for a month on a recent long trip walking, hiking and biking and never had a single issue. They are not super cute but they are kind of low profile so they don’t look dumb at least. I live in Europe and a lot of people wear them.

Perhaps Altra shoes would work? They have a wide toe box and zero drop. Have a wonderful time in Europe!

Not cute, but I like my Topo sneakers! I always need a wide toe box, and they are comfy without having tons of extra stuff in them (no high arch support).

Open toe sandals and wash the wound well whenever you have the chance? It’s also really hot, so I wouldn’t want to wear closed shoes anyway. We have 32 celsius in Scandiniavia right now… Southern Europe is pretty much a furnace.

Poor you! I hope it heals quickly. New Balance come in extra wide widths.

My husband likes the traditional altra trail runners because it has a very wide toe box and very minimal arch support (to him). Good luck! I hope Europe is a blast.

Altra running shoes! Have a very wide toe box

I love my Altras for a wide toe box and pretty neutral arch support.

Try Kizik, specifically the Siena have a wide toe box and cute options.

the heatwave & rain will be winding down- so good timing but it’ll still be warm for hokas- maybe get some tamari/ecco like sandals that are super supportive? women here are a lot more casual than they used to be so wear whatever will make you forget you have a toe and just enjoy yourself.

I partially tore my calf muscle last month and have been going to physical therapy. Turns out I a flat footed and really need arch support. My physical therapist recommended the Hoka Bondi 9 and I was like ahhhhh those are some thick ass soles! BUT I went to Nordstrom, picked them out in a cute color (lilac) and have been rocking them with dresses and biking shorts and button shirts. You know what doesn’t look cute? Pain. Take care of your foot and I hope you find a pair that works for your healing journey. Go hard with an unexpected color and have fun with it ❤️

Adidas tennis shoes sre super popular here in Germany. I finally got a pair this year and they are very comfy with lots of toe room. Bonus points: they are cute and stylish here with basically any color combination you can imagine.

Lem’s sneakers have a wide toe box and are rather flat. Good luck!

Pro-tip from a runner: take that flimsy inner sole out of whatever sneakers you want to wear, and trim the top part off (just where the toes would be, cut at an angle). Put the sole back in the shoe. It totally opens up the toe box and gives you more room. You don’t need to buy anything new or too fancy.

S. Ahmad, I’m filing your advice away so I can think about it any time I need to make a decision about what to wear: “wear whatever will make you forget you have a toe and just enjoy yourself.” Truly so wise and so funny out of context! : D

I also feel conflicted about the use of the word “extraordinary” in that quote, though I think there is something valuable in actually *doing* the thing. I just read an interesting article on The New Yorker this week, “Why is it so hard to be ordinary?” (https://www.newyorker.com/culture/open-questions/why-is-it-so-hard-to-be-ordinary) which I unfortunately cannot share a gift link for, but it’s a nice compliment to this quote to go a bit deeper into the discussion. He talks about “responsible ordinariness” which is quite interesting!

Couldn’t agree more @PNWTeacher . Slow down, enjoy the small things, have a wonderfully ordinary life, this is happiness I think. I’d say closing the gap between what you believe and how you live is more important for yourself and everyone around you, but perhaps that’s the kind of doing implied.

Yes, agreed, I had a similar reaction. I don’t agree with the quote, or that it’s a good life strategy, or a valid metric to use to pass judgement on the quality or value of one’s life. We are all doing our best out here. (Lately I am having an adverse reaction to the firehose of random internet life coach advice, and question the integrity of it.)

Beautiful perspective. I too embrace the concept of slow living now.

100%… plus the author is an extremely affluent music/tech exec and writer of self help books. His advice is probably useful for people from a similar background who share his understanding of what success looks like. I’m not sure why he feels that qualifies him to judge what constitutes an extraordinary life.

Here here!

Agreed. Not a fan of the message and your comment is much more eloquent than I could come up with about why it didn’t resonate.

Totally agree. Also the phrasing “single most reliable predictor” suggests that someone has actually run a study on what makes a life extraordinary vs ordinary…as if there can be a rigorous scientific classification between ordinary and extraordinary lives. To me it reads quite self-help TED talk pseudoscience. I think it is a “good for her but not for me” moment:)

I appreciate that you chose to respond to this quote; it made me slow down! I believe I understand the intention of the quote, that imagining the possibilities is not the same as actualizing the realities, but I agree that there is space for good decision-making. For example, I have some family members who insist that they could do X, but have never attempted anything like it and so those statements remain magical thinking. I want to embody a reality closer to this quote in that my actions align with my words. But I also agree with the space and opportunity to marvel and appreciate.

As someone with a vivid imagination and BIG ideas lol, lots help us all of it actually put most of my thoughts into actions. The ideas and thinking is good for me, I work so much out through imagining. Now… stuff that ADVISING needs done? Yes, please, someone give me a kick in the butt to move me out of adhd inertia. I have a whole box of tricks to get myself going. But I don’t think that’s what’s being spoken of here. I’m so ok with my very quiet, calm, ordinary, dare I say mediocre, life. I grew incredible peonies this year. That’s enough for quite awhile thank you very much!

How interesting, I read it a very different way; maybe not at all what the author meant but I understood it as – commit, even if it’s small, commit. It could be wanting more friendships in your life or going for a walk everyday… I don’t know, I didn’t read extraordinary as narrowly defined. I think there’s plenty of extraordinary in the everyday, and in most people.

Could both of these be true? I read the quote as actually doing the things you should do, rather than putting it off. Things like, “I should grow peonies,” or, “I should learn to take my time”. It’s letting you decide what it is you feel like you should be doing, and it’s not telling you what pace to do it at. Rather it’s asking what you think you should do for your definition of success, and if it’s slowing down and enjoying it AND you are taking action to do that, then it’s aligned with the quote. Slowing down is the action. :)

I think this concept can be incorporated into the idea! For instance, if you want to live a slower, more intentional, less attached to your phone kind of life….(which I really do!), I think the quote is saying start that NOW. So whatever your soul is saying is important to you, start acting right away in accordance with that. It can mean slowing down and taking your time but starting now, and not later wishing you had done it. That’s my take anyway.

Ooh, interesting conversation here! I took the quote to mean stop ruminating on things and just do what you want. Whether what you want is to start a business or take a nap. I struggle with overthinking and worrying and analysis paralysis. “I should do this, I can’t do that, What if…” So this quote made me think that there is more joy to be found if I can stop thinking about it and just do the thing!

we are strangers, but i would like you to know that i am over here nodding in deep agreement with this statement. alan rickman is always the correct answer.

This is exactly what I was coming here to say. No one can ever play this role as well as Alan Rickman.

I love Alan Rickman and the world is a poorer place without him (have you seen him in Blow Dry?) but, do watch the 2008 BBC adaptation of S&S, if you can get hold of it. It might just change your mind :-)

You are correct ma’ams.

He is and always will be one of my favorite actors! that voice ( he overcame a speech impediment and became famous for his voice). Have you ever seen “Truly, madly, Deeply” ? One of his best roles.

So much so.

Nice

wow! what a view – literally no bad seat there!

Thank you for sharing kirby. I think being like your friend’s mother is definitely something worth aspiring to. “Love people and support them for trying” is a very good way to live your life, I love that thought.

What a lovely, lovely tribute to what must have been a lovely, lovely woman!

Thank you for your note! I hear you, but I read this really different actually — I wasn’t thinking of it as big things (quitting a job, moving, changing careers, etc) but instead as small daily things like inviting over a neighbor or starting a little garden or checking out a new book. Like, having an idea and doing it :)

Amen, Charlotte; couldn’t agree more!

I read it as very capitalist way of thinking/toxic productivity. Do more, more, more!! Be “extraordinary” (whatever that means)! But I’m also a recovering overachiever/perfectionist, so obviously that lens colored my interpretation. I like Joanna’s take!

Aw thanks for the response Joanna, I see what you’re saying now. I like it much more that way! :)

When I read the quote I thought about things I want to do and think *someday…* Like booking a trip or adopting a dog or something. You can spend your whole like thinking*maybe someday* or you can realize you want something and just go make it happen right then. I loved this quote and agree that life is yours for the taking, don’t sit around and wait!

I came here to say almost the same thing. It is a privilege, an absolute privilege, to have enough resources to have an ordinary life. If you get an extraordinary life on top of that, wonderful for you. But we don’t want to to lose gratitude for the ordinary.

Just read this piece today and enjoyed it and I think you will, too: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/open-questions/why-is-it-so-hard-to-be-ordinary

I interpreted it as, this quote isn’t directed at regular achievers (so of course, forget about the high achievers). Unfortunately I know *so many* people whose mental health is spiraling and whose needs aren’t being met. My observation about them is that, due to overanalysing/overthinking every action or, conversely, not being focussed enough (on any one thing), what happens is mostly inaction. As Joanna said, this isn’t about grand actions like, Should I move across the country? and more like, Should I take a walk? Should I try to initiate meeting up with a friend? so to me that quote is really apt.

The exhortation to shorten the time dithering around about a simple, doable, life-enhancing thing and just go ahead and do it . . . that’s a good thought. The way the quote is couched, in such inspirational “BE EXTRAORDINARY!!!” language, and lack of any realistic context . . . it lands in the place in me that is exhausted and sad, after a hard week, where just being ordinary and not dealing with hard things sounds like . . . enough.

I like this thread. I think the quote is actually badly written (if she meant the lovely idea that Joanna took from it) or a bad idea. To me, it seems like a call to recklessness from someone who is trying to cast her impulse control issues in a positive light. Damn, girl, actions have consequences. Don’t light your life on fire just because the movies always make the manic pixie chick look like the fun one!

I agree with Joanna- I read it as a middle aged woman who wants to look back at my life and say I lived MY life, was true to MY goals, was the main character in my story, not someone who had a lot of good ideas but got sidetracked by someone else’s story.

So well said Charlotte. Here’s to a life lived for ourselves, on OUR terms, that delights US. Who cares how anyone else might measure.

And I love your take Jo! I didn’t get that, but I agree, it works read like that.

the reaction to this quote (including Jo’s response!) Is just so much of what I love about this community. I’m in a 12 step program and one of the pieces of collective wisdom I use a lot is “don’t just do something, sit there!” Which I take to mean, if you feel urgency to solve a problem with immediate action, you probably are trying to avoid pain and you need to sit with your feelings some more. So, I disagree on this one with the author, respectfully!

I read the opening line: “The distance between deciding and doing is the single most reliable predictor of whether your life will be extraordinary or ordinary” and bristled. I thought of Donald Trump and Elon Musk living their extraordinary lives while forcing their worldview on the rest of us without thought or consideration. Is chasing ‘extraordinary” the goal? People living “ordinary” lives are quietly nurturing relationships, caring for sick relatives, and raising kind children.

It’s wild how many people read that quote and immediately thought of Musk and Trump. It shows where everyone’s headspace is these days. I like Joanna’s take, and it is similar to what I thought when I read it. Inviting a neighbor over or starting a little garden IS extraordinary. If we are only seeing Musk and Trump when the word extraordinary is used, then whoa…please pay attention to the beautiful details in your own lives! Chasing extraordinary IS the goal, but please make yourself the person with the starring role in your life. And, while I’m not a “do more, be more” person, doing more and being more comes in many forms—there’s nothing wrong with goal-setting and achievement, as long as kindness is always centerstage.

I’m sure not — but I really am!

I’m very excited about them!! So great to see support for progressive candidates! <3

LOL everyone I know is beyond thrilled. Get ready because you’re about to be sad about other races. Change is coming.

I’m devastated about them, as a centrist.

It makes sense to be upset if you don’t want rent prices to stay stable, healthcare to be inexpensive, groceries to be affordable, education to be available for all, corporations to pay fair taxes, and worker’s to have rights!

I’m with you, Lola. I’m a progressive, love AOC and Bernie Sanders, but am absolutely appalled by the candidate my district just chose. I would love to see sweeping change, but without the racism, antisemitism, or unserious/impractical policy ideas. – A resident of NY-13

Of course not, but that is the nature of elections.

Ok Lola, what’s the reaction you’re looking for. 🙃 You new here?

So Jo’s post said “what a hopeful week” (because of the primaries in New York) – where did it say “everyone” believes or says this? This kind of self-victimizing comments is what exhausts me about so many conservatives and centrists. You want everyone to live the way you live – most of us on the left want everyone to be able to live they way they want to. There’s a difference.

I am also very excited about them! Really hopeful for progress!

Well most voters were. That’s why they won. :)

Katie S, YESSS GIRL!!!! SAY IT PLAIN!

100%

1000%!

10000% !

but let’s recognize that Bernie did not endorse all 3 candidates

So true. I work with a lefty political party in Canada and we have a lot to learn from these wins about how to create consistent messaging that motivates and moves people to put themselves behind a politician. Feeling inspired!

Levain!!! (north 4th street)

Actually following up on this, I’m having coffee with a friend in Queens next Friday morning – any recommendations for a cute cafe?

I’m out here in California, and I read your question about the best chocolate chip cookie in Brooklyn, and then I read Courtney’s answer: Levain. Made a note in my head to try and remember that whenever I get to visit Brooklyn again…and then tonight my neighbor (who used to live in Brooklyn) randomly left a Levain chocolate chip cookie on my porch to try. I cannot believe my luck. :0

Queens is huge Tosin – what neighborhood?

Elaine, I don’t know what part of Cali you’re in, but if you’re in OC or nearby, Levain is opening a store front in Fashion Island in Newport Beach. Yay!!