assorted

1 - i noticed that i get my most focussed reading done on the train on my way to the library (where i promptly waste time on the interweb) and then (dissilusioned with myself) on the way home (where, i tell myself, i will work harder, except that i don't...) so, yesterday, i just didn't get off the train at my stop. i was wary of getting too far out for fear of getting stranded at new lots avenue or somesuch (and, given events of yesterday, it turns out my paranoia was for once perhaps useful). however, i rode most of manhattan and read two law review articles. not bad.
i also got to people watch.

1a - the reason i'm wasting time blogging about nothing right now, actually, instead of riding the train so i can get work done, is that I'm waiting for a UPS delivery. of course, the "infonotice" slip does give the would-be deliverer four possible three-ish hour windows to check off for "approximate time of next delivery." on this slip, helpfully, three of the four are circled...

2 - i'm growing avocados. I've tried this before, with little success. However, I'm still hopeful, especially since this time i have real toothpicks (in the past i';ve improvised with everything from twisty ties to paper clips) and a very sunny window sill.
the toothpicks are courtesy of the new West Side mikvah. as far as i'm concerned, actually, the availability of toothpicks may be the most significant difference between the new and old mikvaot. (the new one is very shiny and somehwat more professionally run as well, for better and for worse. it's been discussed elsewhere)
basically, the way they set it up at the new mikvah, they bundle a lot of the provisions. so, if you want q-tips. you have to open a package that contains not only q-tips but cotton balls and toothpicks as well. (similalry, but even sillier, if you want soap, you have to open your own personal bag that conatins not only soap, but a low quality manicure set, nail-polish removal wipes, travel size toothpaste, disposable slippers, and other things that, unlike soap, one might very well not want at all...) but what of the things you don't want? they tell you the whole bag is yours to keep. so, while i try to leave the tings i will never use anyway, i figured it wasn't terrible to take home the toothpicks for a worthy cause.

now aren't you glad to know all that...