Just like her, other people have found me to be very “spiritually open,” or whatever. It’s an unusual day if no stranger intercepts my subway ride to work, date with America’s finest, trip to the grocery store, etc., to disclose their recent epiphanies. I’d be lying if I said I hate it.
Unlike Maja, though, my most recent run-in with a stranger wasn’t with an energy healer (although that did happen when I went to Utah in February). It was with a man of unknown origin on the corner of 42nd Street and 6th Ave.
“See that woman?” he mumbled.
“Huh?” I spun around, only to realize that this 30-something-year-old man and I were the only two people on the corner. He was talking to me.
“That woman in the grey pants?” he chuckled and gestured to a pair of people dragging a rolling cooler behind them. His eyes were high. “She has a fat ass. Don’t you think?” He said with a stealthy grin, full of admiration.
“Oh wow. I-”
“You know, I’m a scorpio,” he interjected. “So asses mean something to me.”
I laughed. Coming straight from my first pelvic floor therapy appointment, I suppose I was looking for any distraction from the graphic diagrams burned into my brain in the last hour.
“Do you know what I mean? Don’t you see it? She has a great ass!”
In observing that this man was respectfully awestruck by her butt (in addition to being totally high and harmless), I played along.
“Yeah! I agree. I see what you mean,” I chuckled, replying in admiration of the mystery woman and to comply.
“You know, there are other qualities that I look for, too.”
“I bet.”
“Having a big ass good, but it’s not the only thing that I look for. Kindness, brains…,” he trailed off. We laughed in unison. How ridiculous it was to be (kindly) admiring someone’s butt with a stranger in Midtown Manhattan.
Normally, I’m the kind of girl who walks five extra blocks to avoid the grimy gazes of construction workers. Normally, anything that I flag as an objectification of women pisses me the f*ck off. In this fleeting moment, I read him as an admirer rather than an objectifier. Part of the solace was knowing that I’d never see him again.
The entrance of my F-train was just steps away, to my delight, and so I abruptly pivoted away.
“So, can I have a hug?”
“Ew, no.”
Announcements!
My next ladies’ Substack meet-up is tonight, Thursday, April 10th in the West Village!!! I’ll be giving away day passes to New York’s finest coworking spaces to two lucky ladies in attendance. As always, there will be a special appearance by @notthatsweetco and her delightful samples of ‘better for you’ hot cocoa. Our May meet-up is on Friday, May 16th. Hope to see you there!
Hannah’s Recommendations:
Gold Star⭐: The top recommendation of the week in any category.
Sailor, Fort Greene. A neighborhood American bistro in Fort Greene, Sailor is well worth the trek three subway stops into Brooklyn - if you can get a reservation. The space is homey yet upscale, the grub is thoughtful and uses quality ingredients, and the vibes are fabulous. If I haven’t garnered your trust yet from the last two mediocre sentences, know that Sailor is brought to you by the same team as Jeffrey’s Grocery, Joseph Leonard, and Fairfax. It’s one of few New York restaurants worth visiting twice.
Food and Drink:
Casa Carmen, Tribeca and Flatiron. If Los Tacos has the best cheap Mexican food in New York, Casa Carmen has to be the best upscale Mexican. To start, they have delightful, thirst-quenching, Mexican-inspired cocktails, like a set of different-flavored mezcalitas. Their platos fuertes, that is, main courses, are of considerable size and are all well-seasoned with a Mexican flair. Zoe and I particularly enjoyed the crab tostadas and guacamole (as simple as guac is, if it’s done right it can be really, really good). The interior of the restaurant is thoughtful, refined, and comfortable. Casa Carmen is a perfect (upscale) spot for dates, friend catch-ups, and business meals. Its lively bustle makes a great evening restaurant to socialize.
Conwell Coffee Hall, Financial District. Housed in a historic Wall Street bank, Conwell is a newer coffee shop with a very old home. The coffee and assortment of pastries are nominal. However, the space itself is gorgeous; tall ceilings, tasteful murals, old bank paraphernalia, and chandeliers curate the Old Wall Street vibe that we know and love. Conwell is a solid WFH cafe due to its size, although beware: it does get busy and outlets are sparse (but findable).
Community and Events:
Village Vanguard, West Village. Uh-huh honey, jazz clubs are so back (to be very clear, they were never gone). Since its inception in 1935, Village Vanguard has led New York’s live entertainment scene all while hidden away in a West Village basement. While it originally presented folk music and beat poetry in the 30s and 40s, live jazz took over its stage in the 50s and has never wavered. Village Vanguard’s iconic red awning has welcomed countless big-name jazz musicians, from Miles Davis to Thelonious Monk. Currently, their house jazz band plays two shows on Monday nights. Other nights are full to the brim with visiting artists from around the world. A trip to Village Vanguard (whether spontaneous - which can happen if you’re lucky - or planned) is an aptly priced New York outing that I recommend for good friends and couples. Don’t take a first date here; you won’t be able to talk (well, maybe that’s what you’re going for...).
Good News, Just Because:
- /Flock App is hosting a pilates class and community meet-up tomorrow, 4/11 at 7:15a in Chelsea. It’s going to be good people, I promise (and good people means good news).
- is hosting a sculpt class on 5/31 to benefit Samaritans NYC, an org focused on suicide prevention.
Last week I won lottery tickets to Redwood, the Broadway musical, and Zoe and I had some of the best seats in the house (this always happens to us and we are just as grateful every dang time). Test your luck here.
Discounts on Past Favorite Things:
Othership, Flatiron; 2-for-1 class pack (new clients only), 11% off classes with code HANNAHCHRISTIAN (you can use the code once)
Sakara Life, use code NONOTESSAKARA for 20% off
Jamie’s Farm Granola, use code HANELIZAB3TH for 20% off
I appreciate you and your reading and sharing of this Substack. If you liked reading this, click the ❤️ button below so others can find me :)
x Hannah
LOVE casa carmen!!! Ty for posting this!