Weather Schizofrenia and falling in love

Perhaps it is this country's preference for extremes or having it all - in a big way. But we went from even-if-i-wear-all-my-clothes-i-will-not-be-warm-enough on Monday to absolute gorgeous Spring weather 1-cotton-layer-is-perfect on Saturday. We met two seasons in one week! Sunday night there was a weather warning for a snow storm and the schools were closed on Monday! And then came Saturday..62*F (16*C)..a warm breeze through the city.. What a beautiful end of the week it was! Amazing! and I fell in love with NYC..

One of my favorite chains in the United States is Trader Joe's. Love their stores, love the concept...but there is only one in ALL of Manhattan. ONE, EIN, UNO, UN, EEN! One store for (I googled it..but the answers vary) 1.5 million people on the island itself! And 2 stores for the 8 million inhabitants of New York City (there is one in Brooklyn too).. So, okay not EVERYONE shops at Trader Joe's..but still..
Having been there twice now I have learned that there are 3 categories of TJ's-shoppers: 1. The new ones like me: probably new NYC inhabitants looking for some TJ's comfort and good vitamin deals. They come in by themselves and try to blend in with a basket or a card. Shopping, searching and observing at the same time. Then there are the new ones who do not live in NYC but are welcome visitors; tourists and the like. They shop around in mere oblivion..Enjoying the store and it's variety of products. That is..if they are not scared away by the register line which often starts at the door or somewhere in the middle of the store..giving you a good 20 minutes to exercise patience. And then there is the third group: the TJ's trained customers. This group knows the store and has a plan. They come with a partner - a spouse, a friend, a date, a child, a neighbor or grandma - who, as soon as they enter the store - park in line with basket or usually a cart. And THEN they roam through the store looking for all they need and return to the cart time after time with their treasures. Since the line goes right by the cheese, milk, cereal and yogurt those items are collected while passing by. Sometimes things are reversed..mom will stand in line and child will hunt. I guess it is a way to train youngsters about how to collect food and necessities in the world "no no, i mean the other soup..to your left..LEFT! yes..no the green pack. Yes that's the one! Okay, now go get bread..the one we always have." And child heads out to hunt some more..

So it got me thinking (20 minutes in line gives you time to think or read if you brought a book). It would be an interesting dating arena. You match with someone online or where ever. And decide to meet at TJ's to chat a bit while shopping. Park him in line (cause you're part of the trained group now) and find your stuff while at the same time chatting so now and then. Then you switch - he goes and collects and then you wait together in line while getting to know each other. It is perfect, casual - a little conversation, a little action, and you can learn a lot about someone by looking at what they buy. Of course you each pay for your own groceries..maintaining independence. And if you clicked, there could be a real date later or a drink right away at a nearby establishment. And if you happen to lack any kind of similarity, no biggie..you've got your TJ's groceries in an effective way..and parting ways at the stores entrance provides the chance to forgo the whole weird goodbye (should I let him walk me home..do we shake hands? or kiss on the cheek? or kiss?). But, I'll think about it some more before I place an ad :)