Snow Day R.E.P.O.R.T.
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SNOW DAY R.E.P.O.R.T.
Last night, after a home cooked meal and vicious game of Scrabble, we went to sleep early. At 9:10 PM, I missed a call from my office. When my alarm went off at 6 AM I rolled over, grabbed my phone, and learned that due to inclement weather in the forecast, we could work from home today.
Because I am one of those people that can’t go back to sleep after waking up, I got out of bed anyway. I quietly padded on the cold hardwood floor into the living room, which was brilliantly illuminated by the blue-gray glow of city lights reflecting off fresh snow. I felt poetic for a moment then realized we were out of coffee.
Tuesday through Thursday I have an hour-and-change long commute, so suddenly I had a bouquet of time on my hands. As a result, I decided I’d try and write something brief for you.
The last time I logged into my TikTok account there was a trend called “REPORT,” which consisted of someone making a video about what they were Reading, Eating, Playing, Obsessing over, Recommending, and Treating. The idea stuck with me, and since I have been making period journal entries fashioned as a REPORT.
Here’s today’s R.E.P.O.R.T.
Reading - American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.
No, I did not see the movie.
I’m only 55 pages into the 600-page saga, so I can’t really speak to the book overall, but my grandmother bought it for my boyfriend for Christmas and I generally trust her taste. So far, I can confidently say that it is a detailed and immersive biography, containing several interesting historical points about upper class New York Jews at the turn of the 20th century. Also, I am way jealous of the myriad of opportunities lavished upon the young Father of the Atomic Bomb.
Not something I would typically reach for, but I am the sort of person that will read anything I can get my hands on.
Eating - NYT Cooking’s: Baked fish with shiitake, ginger, and bok choy
Forget massages, long walks in nature, or watching TV. Chopping vegetables and drinking red wine is peak relaxation.
On faux-Sunday night (Monday night of a long weekend, obviously) I tried a self-concocted variation of David Tanis’ Baked Fish with Mushrooms and Ginger. Basically, I did away with the garnishes and added a clove of grated garlic, a dash of sesame oil and a teaspoon of rice vinegar to the tamari/shiitake mix. I baked the seabass, drizzled in the mix, in a cradle of bok choy and served it on a bed of rice.
Per usual, I killed it.
Playing - Scrabble
Shit talking included. My boyfriend won by 60 points, but I beat him three times in a row prior to this face off.
And I will be avenged.
Obsessing over - Julia Fox’s audiobook recording of Down the Drain
I listened to over eight hours of Julia Fox telling her story in one day last week, and I am still thinking about it. To be honest, it took a lot of mental stamina to process three decades worth of Trauma with a capital T in one day, but I just couldn’t put this book down (turn it off?). What a story...
I hear the kids are making fun of Down the Drain on TikTok. Shut up and get offline, losers. This book is mesmerizing, and Julia’s voice is a siren song.
Recommending - Tonchin Ramen in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
We met friends here Sunday night for the third time in a month, which, when you live in a city with thousands of restaurants, means it's really, really good.
My friend and I had the original ramen, and the boys ordered the dashi ramen. Both varieties received glowing praise from everyone with chopsticks. I particularly like the thinly sliced pork in the original.
We always get the scallop crudo app, because not only is it delicious but it comes with mini hard taco shells, which is adorable. Tonchin also has a huge selection of sake, locally brewed sake, and organic/natural wines. Yes, it's one of those places, but it is actually worth going to.
I should note that they serve something called “pizza ramen,” a collaboration with Leo’s Pizza also in Williamsburg. We have never tried it, and the fact that they offer lactaid as an optional topping for this dish means that we probably never will. But it seems to be a big attraction.
Treating - Hot Pilates/Yoga at Yo BK
While out for a walk on Saturday I passed the Greenpoint location of Yo BK. I was freezing cold, so “hot” anything sounded nice, even exercise. The studio offers an introductory two weeks of unlimited class for $89, so I decided to treat myself to two weeks of savasana.
The second sentence is funny if you realize savasana means “corpse pose.”
All jokes aside, these classes are a great, but relaxing, way to workout. One of my new year's resolutions is to continue to prioritize mindfulness, and this two-week trial was a fantastic way to honor that. I will definitely be going back for drop in’s once this introductory period is over.
Enjoy the snow, or at least stay warm and dry. Till next time Xx