Carolyn Barek

A coffee observation

Fri, 12 May 2006 13:19:56 GMT

This is something that I've always wondered about.

Why is it that Iced Coffee is an acceptable version of coffee when it is marketed as cold, while hot coffee that becomes cold is not in the least bit tolerable?

April Showers, May Flowers

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:28:00 GMT

I like the rain. The begining of a new begining. It holds the promise of things to come, flowers, new life, new season, new time to enjoy the sun. It might be bleak and gray oustside now, but in a few short weeks, bright colors everywhere. Rain even cleans the city, washes away the last bits of salt used to melt winter's ice and snow.

Rain has never made me want to stay inside. I feel like I need to experience it, especially the first big rain of the season. I was outside all day yesterday, one of the few New Yorkers that didn't look wet and harried. I was happy. Full of thoughts of things to come.

I can't believe it.

Thu, 13 Apr 2006 15:07:09 GMT

My partner snorts when he laughs.

He was telling me a story about the bar we went to a few weeks ago, he got to the funny part, started laughing, turned *bright* red, then snort.

"Morrison" is not going to hear the end of this anytime soon.

Peanut Butter Cups

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 20:07:18 GMT

So I walk over to the vending machine ten minutes ago...my heart set on peanut butter cups and what do I see? Empty slot.

So I go to the newsstand on the corner, ask him for peanut butter cups, nothing.

So now I'm pissed and in desperate need of peanut butter cups. I walk back to my desk and what's sitting on my chair? A king size Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Whoever did that, you made my day! Thanks.

It's been nearly 5 years

Fri, 31 Mar 2006 17:23:07 GMT

Since they fell down and 2,749 people died. Four years since I filed the paperwork to join the FBI, one year since I left. Five years since those experiences changed who I am as a person and as a member of the NYPD. Five years since it changed the country.

Now they release those tapes. Part of me wants to hear them, part of me wants to stay far away, and part of me wants to know if any of the calls are friends of mine. We all knew someone who died there. I'm just not sure if I want to know what their last communications were.

Work today

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 21:42:14 GMT

I guess everyday can't be an exciting day, because if it was, the exciting day wouldn't be as exciting. I've been bored for the last hour or so, hopefully a case will come my and Logan's way soon.

During the downtime I decided to sign up for AIM...Logan did too. Screen Names are carobarek718 and wobblydesk54. Feel free to say "hi"

and the day just keeps getting longer 19 minutes until I can go get some dinner...

Sometimes I just hate Mondays

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 05:46:35 GMT

Today was just one of those days.

While walking up the stairs from the subway, I tripped, fell (touching subway grime) and dumped my coffee. Then I get to work, and I can see the giant pile of work waiting for me, and I swear it wasn't there when I left on Friday. I sit down at my desk after getting some "coffee" from the pot in the break room (someone drank all the cream and didn't replace it) and spent the next fifteen minutes listening (because she's talking so loud that I couldn't help it) to a uniformed officer go on and on and on about another bad date she had. Her voice and the inanity of the entire conversation was getting on my nerves.

Then to make things worse, Logan shows up 20 minutes late, with a very content expression on his face. He saw the look on mine and wisely decided to just sit down and shut up.

At lunch, I went to get the turkey sandwich I made myself. I open the fridge and it's not there, someone ate it. (and if I find out who it was they will pay).

Then I spent the next two hours helping two detectives sort through phone taps.

The end of the work day could not come soon enough, and I'm very glad it did.

Live a Little and Dance

Sun, 26 Mar 2006 03:09:15 GMT

Last night was interesting to say the least.

Mike met me at my apartment, and since I wasn't quite ready to go, he waited and I'm sure checked out my tiny studio. Then we walked the 5 blocks to the bar. Never figured Mike would hang out anywhere near my apartment, let alone in an Irish bar in the middle of an indian neighborhood.

We walked into the small even for a New York Bar, paid the cover and found a seat against a brick wall near the stage. Logan got up to get drinks, then we waited. Mike actually talked to me about non-work related things. I was impressed, and a little shocked. He told me about his past, no details just general statements, relating it all to why he liked the band. He was right, I do know him better now. Thanks Mike.

Then the show started. They're very good, a drummer who looks like he's having the best time of anyone on stage, the disaffected bass player, a guitarist, a woman who sings very well, and the lead singer complete with traditional ethnic irish instruments. They're all very talented.

Then the unthinkable happened, Mike Logan asked me to dance. At first I said no, I usually look dumb doing fast dancing. Then he promised he'd show me what to do to not look like a total idiot, and I must say, we looked much less strange than the weird Irish dancing hoedown that was going on before we got up there. Mike is surprisingly coordinated for a tall guy managed to whirl me around a few times.

Then to continue with the evening full of discoveries about my partner I heard Mike sing! He sang right into my ear too, he wanted me to join him, I caved quickly thankful that I can remember things quickly. Logan isn't bad either. The three drunk guys behind us were much more fun to watch than the band.

I especially liked the song they sang in Italian. Here's the translation you asked for, Mike.

I WOKE THIS MORNING
AND ALL SEEMED PEACEFUL
BELLA CIAO, BELLA CIAO,
BELLA CIAO CIAO CIAO
I WOKE THIS MORNING
AND ALL SEEMED PEACEFUL
BUT OPPRESSION STILL EXISTS.
OH FREEDOM FIGHTER,
I WANT TO FIGHT TOO
BELLA CIAO, BELLA CIAO,
BELLA CIAO CIAO CIAO
OH FREEDOM FIGHTER,
I WANT TO FIGHT TOO
AGAINST THEIR LIVING DEATH.
AND IF I DIE, A FREEDOM FIGHTER,
BELLA CIAO, BELLA CIAO,
BELLA CIAO CIAO CIAO
AND IF I DIE, A FREEDOM FIGHTER,
THEN YOU¹LL HAVE TO BURY ME.
LET MY BODY REST
IN THE MOUNTAINS
BELLA CIAO, BELLA CIAO,
BELLA CIAO CIAO CIAO
LET MY BODY REST
IN THE MOUNTAINS
IN THE SHADOW OF MY FLOWER.
AND ALL THE PEOPLE
WHO WILL PASS BY THERE
BELLA CIAO, BELLA CIAO,
BELLA CIAO CIAO CIAO
AND ALL THE PEOPLE
WHO WILL PASS BY THERE
WILL SHOW THAT LOVELY FLOWER.
THIS IS THE BLOSSOM
OF THOSE THAT DIED HERE
BELLA CIAO, BELLA CIAO,
BELLA CIAO CIAO CIAO
THIS IS THE BLOSSOM
OF THOSE THAT DIED HERE
FOR LAND AND LIBERTY.

I'll happily go again, maybe by myself, maybe again with Mike.

Contemplating this evening.

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 18:33:58 GMT

Everyone has different facets of themselves that makes them who they are. Maybe it's past pain that helped shape them, maybe a rich heritage, maybe both, maybe other things. We are a summation of our own individual life and the circumstances of it.

Logan and I are going out this evening, a new experience for me. It's said that you learn a lot about others from watching them in a relaxed situation. Hopefully, this will give me some additional insight to my partner. Last week he was still too much of a Detective. This week there should be a difference, I hope.

Thoughts on my latest case

Wed, 22 Mar 2006 04:57:19 GMT

I saw it before, an agent killed, just never like that. Serves as a warning to the rest of us. No matter how careful we are, how well we plan, how well trained we are, we can't be prepared for everything. Logan and I had a long partner to partner talk. I'm not going to get into the specifics, but, suffice it to say, I'm glad he's the one that watches my back. I can trust him and I know it. We're still learning about each other, luckily, the more I know the more I like him. I forgot how nice and reassuring it is to have a partner, after working all that time alone at the FBI.

In honor of my randomly generated nickname, a new Userpic.

Deakins is in a meeting...and I thought this was silly.

Tue, 21 Mar 2006 15:58:36 GMT

Carolyn's new nickname is:

"Glam"

'What is your new nickname?' at QuizGalaxy.com

I think I am, I guess. Anyone have any opinions.

"I've walked these streets, in the mad house asylum they can be"

Sun, 19 Mar 2006 05:39:22 GMT

New York City is one of my favorite places on earth, and thanks to the Bureau, I've seen many. Things happen in this city that couldn't happen in the rest of the world. Take what happened to me this weekend.

A few months ago, I was taking the C train uptown and this 30 year old guy sat next to me and started telling me about his life, how he just moved to New York and has no friends etc. He asked me about myself, and against my better judgment I answered, emphasizing that I was a police officer. Right before I got off, he tells me we should go out to dinner. I just ignore him. Occasionally a too friendly person is on the Subway. I'll never see him again I'm sure.

Friday night, I was coming out of the World Trade Center PATH station and who do I run into, and I do mean literally. The same guy. He says to me, "You do come this far downtown! We should go get something to eat!"without missing a beat, I answered. "Gotta go, meeting some friends bye!" and walked as quickly down Fulton Street as possible toward the bar on Peck Slip that Logan, Eames and Goren were celebrating the holiday at. Seemed like they were all surprised to see me there too.

Fri, 17 Mar 2006 18:34:32 GMT

Logan finally convinced me to do this. I just set it up, after being out of work for a few days, I didn't have much time to do personal computer things.

Oh and Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!