Slightly Off Target

LeeAnn and I had made plans to go to IKEA today but she wasn't feeling up to it. Except for a cabinet light and some Swedish meatballs in the cafeteria, I didn't need to go. I still wanted to get out of the city though since it was a blue sky day. She was feeling down and just wanted to stay in, so I thought it might cheer her up if I met her in Brooklyn for brunch. This is a big deal because when I lived in Jersey, I never liked going to the outer boroughs. Dave calls it the two river rule deterrent. It was just a hassle to stay out late and catch a train to Manhattan and then wait to transfer to a NJ PATH train to go all the way back home. But it's not a problem now that I'm living in the city. She lives in Fort Greene. Pretty close to the city. I took the 4 train to Atlantic Avenue. It's a major train hub that's a little confusing and comes out onto a busy, wide intersection and a shopping center. I realized I went the wrong way towards Park Slope. I had to walk the long way back around the Target store mall to get to her house. I didn't mind, getting lost is a great way to find your way around. Strolling around her neighborhood I saw some beautiful residential streets filled with grand brownstones and quaint old houses. Lovely to explore. Especially on this day. I could see myself living in this neighborhood. We went to iCi Restaurant (pronounced "e-Cee", not "e-Chee") for brunch. Emily had recommended it. Too bad she was already in the city and couldn't join us. My blue fish sandwich was tasty but the Bloody Mary's were thin. But we had a good time. I was glad to be a distraction for her. Before going home I stopped by Target and it was chaotic. I like the one in Jersey better. A much larger selection. I was going to pick up some stuff but the lines were long so FUHGEDDABOUTIT! Went straight home to catch up on some of last season's Sopranos. Gotta get ready for tomorrow's season opener.