Random Tea Memories by Catherine,,with ellipses...

I remember when Barnes and Noble had Republic of Tea at their cafes.  It was a highlight of working across the street from a B&N that one winter...

Now I think there's Tazo teas.  It's been awhile since I've been to a B&N cafe - it's not as fun without Bonnie, and there are fewer bookshops around to begin with...

...Guess I can always have whatever tea I want in my home library!

Favorite

Two of the colors I most enjoy, but it doesn't end there!

I'm not an intensely private person - there's a few things I keep to myself, and I love my alone time, but generally I'm not even close to an enigma.  I wouldn't have a blog if I minded sharing details about what I'm interested in, and preferences.  Though I rarely post my quiz results here anymore (leave that for Facebook), online quizzes are a delightful time waster.

There's one problem with quizzes - and interviews, or conversations in general.  The dreaded question...

"What is your favorite ______________"?

This could be anything from color, to book, to scent, TV episode, even animal.  When I see this question, I blink first and then say, "Oh come on...."

Do people like to narrow down their lives this way?  Why must there always be a Number One?

It's particularly frustrating when it comes to the things I'm passionate about.  For instance, if I'm introduced to someone as a Book Person, I'm often asked either "What is your favorite book of all time?" or "Who is your favorite author?" How do I answer this?  This love can't be expressed in one or two sentences.  By pigeonholing this pursuit into such a narrow response, one is likely to receive a bumbling answer from me, or something some rambling they will want to move away, quickly...

I believe, and don't stone me for saying this, that someone with an easy answer to such questions is not really a Book Person.  Now, if I'm asked about a favorite genre, I'd likely say History, or Historical Fiction, though I'm not limited to these in my reading life.

Color is another problematic one.  Questions arise: favorite color to wear, to paint my walls in...what?  I have said before that my favorite color flower is yellow, and this continues to be true, but yellow is not my favorite color.  That would be green. Or purple.  Or sky blue.  See what I mean?  

Food?  Okay, I'm a lover of dairy products (not always a healthy thing).  But how do I pick between pizza and ice cream?  And chicken, the reason I've failed at being a vegetarian?

Scent?  I could go on and on.  Fresh cut grass, citrus fruits, lavender, fresh baked bread - and cats that smell like fresh baked bread...

Of course, tea.  A staple in my tea diet is English Breakfast, but I'd be bereft without Jasmine Green and Earl Grey.  Darjeeling, Rooibos Chai, I'm mean, it's all about mood baby!

This is also why I don't like the term 'best friend'.  I have friends that I absolutely love, and the ones that move far away break my heart.  How can I call any of them 'best'?  Doesn't that pull up a wall to anyone else?  

I'm rambling again, but my solution is to dispense with Favorite.  If I volunteer that something is my favorite - for instance, ducks are my favorite birds, then okay, but don't make me choose the top when there's so much room for variety up there.  How about "What are some of your favorite teas?  Which writer are you most in the mood for reading?  What kind of food are you craving at the moment?"

In then end, there can only be (more than) one.

Haven't Been There, Haven't Done That

There used to be only a handful of tea-related places to visit in New York, and a to-do list could possibly be fulfilled within a short amount of time.  Over the years I have missed a few spots, some of which I really missed as they are gone now.  Here are some places I intend to take tea at, though whether I will or not is left to Future Catherine:

Cha'an - I don't get down to the East Village as often as I'd like, and when I do it tends not to be when I'm in a tea mood.  I know that sounds odd coming from me, but it does happen.

Harney & Sons (upstate) - I've been to their shop in Soho once, and even that was about four years ago.  It's not open late into the evening last I checked, and I have little cause to be in Soho during midday hours.  There's a Harney Fest in their Millerton, NY location, but I can't make it this time around.  Such is life.

Palm Court Plaza Hotel - I have had tea in the Plaza Hotel, but only a quick chamomile in the Food Hall.  I recommend it, but someday I need to take it upstairs.

Lady Mendl's - For years, and years, and years I've failed to make it here.  Sadly, recent reviews have hinted at a downturn in service quality, and I hope I can pay a visit before it goes concave.

The Russian Tea Room - Honestly, I'm not dying to go here.  But it's there.  So maybe.  

Rose House (Flushing) - It would've been better to try when Bonnie still lived in Flushing.  Also, this has mixed reviews online.  The thing about Queens, though, is that we don't get too many full-on tea rooms that aren't bubble tea.  I love bubble tea, and FYI visit Tea and Milk on 34th Avenue if you get a chance, but until something more formal opens in Astoria, this is what we have.

The Lowell/Pembroke Room - I prefer dedicated tea shops to hotel tea rooms, mainly because it's easier on the wallet most of the time, but more than one person has recommended this place to me.  It's also not too far from where I work, and super close to an Alice's Tea Cup and a David's Tea.  I need to complete the Tea Strip!