Someone left her apartment today at 11:30am to go meet a friend and finds herself coming home at 1:00am. She did NOT plan to not come home all day, but this happens when you go to meet your friend for some needed catching up, then get invited to go see BON JOVI IN CENTRAL PARK, then have to find food, then go to a birthday party.
More to come on today's events, particularly fulfilling my 13 year-old's fantasy of seeing Bon Jovi. However, don't get uber jealous, somehow my pale self managed to forget sunscreen so I have a glorious sunburn and some pretty ridiculous tanlines that I will be working on correcting tomorrow.
Stay tuned for more on today's happenings...
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Just Call Me Butter, because I'm on a Roll
Since my movie is broken I'll just keep blogging away, la la la la.
I haven't blogged about music in awhile so I can write about that. My latest obsessions are Meiko and Katy Perry. I know, more chick singers, I'm going through a phase. A very long phase.
I probably mentioned her, but I heard Meiko at the Hotel Cafe Tour I went to this Spring. I bought her CD shortly after and I have been listening to it quite a lot lately.
Katy Perry has one of the hits of the Summer according to a lot of lists I've seen. Her single "I Kissed a Girl" is all over the radio and in my opinion isn't even the best song on her album. Yes, it's a little scandalous, so it's getting lots of attention, which is a briliant move on behalf of her label. But there are some other great songs on her album, like One of the Boys.
I haven't blogged about music in awhile so I can write about that. My latest obsessions are Meiko and Katy Perry. I know, more chick singers, I'm going through a phase. A very long phase.
I probably mentioned her, but I heard Meiko at the Hotel Cafe Tour I went to this Spring. I bought her CD shortly after and I have been listening to it quite a lot lately.
Katy Perry has one of the hits of the Summer according to a lot of lists I've seen. Her single "I Kissed a Girl" is all over the radio and in my opinion isn't even the best song on her album. Yes, it's a little scandalous, so it's getting lots of attention, which is a briliant move on behalf of her label. But there are some other great songs on her album, like One of the Boys.
Public Transportation
I gotta give WMATA (Washington Metro Area Transit Authority) credit, they are WAY ahead of MTA (New York's transit authority) in terms of efficiency. I love how many trains/buses run in New York, that you never have to walk far unless you want to, but dude, you go to WMATAs website and it tells you what time the next train is coming.
Yes, I get that this is not entirely necessary in NYC because the trains come so frequently, but it's awesome, and I'm sad I never used it when I lived here. It would have saved me a lot of time sitting at my metro stop trying to go somewhere on the weekend. Somehow I always got there as the last train was pulling away.
They also have the fancy screens to tell you when the next train is coming which again, not really necessary on some lines in NYC, but it'd be nice. Unfortunately, MTA doesn't have any money so it'll be some time until I see this stuff.
Yes, I get that this is not entirely necessary in NYC because the trains come so frequently, but it's awesome, and I'm sad I never used it when I lived here. It would have saved me a lot of time sitting at my metro stop trying to go somewhere on the weekend. Somehow I always got there as the last train was pulling away.
They also have the fancy screens to tell you when the next train is coming which again, not really necessary on some lines in NYC, but it'd be nice. Unfortunately, MTA doesn't have any money so it'll be some time until I see this stuff.
DC2NY
I am currently riding on the DC2NY bus, similar to Bolt Bus, and am having a lovely trip. It's about $15 more expensive than the Chinatown bus but they are new, clean, equipped with wireless Internet, they give you a bottle of water AND COOKIES. Guess what I'm most excited about? Well, you're wrong, it's the Internet. Don't be fooled by caps lock again kids.
I'm currently blogging and watching a movie on Netflix "Watch Instantly" which is my new favorite feature. It requires no explanation but I have time to kill so here it is. Basically you can watch older releases through streaming video so when I'm between movies I can watch stuff on my laptop. Ok, so my movie 'Bed of Roses' just stopped. Maybe not so great for the bus but great for lying in bed. Can't wait to get home.
I'm currently blogging and watching a movie on Netflix "Watch Instantly" which is my new favorite feature. It requires no explanation but I have time to kill so here it is. Basically you can watch older releases through streaming video so when I'm between movies I can watch stuff on my laptop. Ok, so my movie 'Bed of Roses' just stopped. Maybe not so great for the bus but great for lying in bed. Can't wait to get home.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Matt and Abby Visit
My sister Abby, and my brother-in-law, Matt, came to visit me last weekend for a few days while they were both on vacation: Abby for the rest of the summer, Matt's will only last for about 2 weeks. Why didn't I become a teacher or join the Air Force?
While they were here I got to do/see a lot of what New York has to offer that I haven't had the opportunity, or made the priority to see in my nearly 2 years in NYC. We attended the BBQ Fest in Madison Square with my friend Rommi and we all had a pulled pork sandwich which might have been the best BBQ I've ever had. And I lived in KC.
We also went to the Bodies exhibit which made my stomach a little queasy (and it was not the margaritas I drank the night before, at least, I'm telling myself that). We saw all the major muscles groups, bones, tendons, organs (if you are a smoker, quit now) and nerves (including the one that did not do a very good job of telling me "DROP THAT PAN! IT'S HOT!" earlier that morning. Finger nerve, you're on notice). It was really very interesting and Abby proved that watching surgery shows really does expand your knowledge. She was point out things to me like, oh, that's the [INSERT BODY PART NAME IN LATIN] and there's the [INSERT OTHER BODY PART NAME IN LATIN]. I had no idea what any of it was, except for the sacrum, because I am deeply jealous of people who have visible sacral sulci. You know, the two little dimples in the small of your back? Yeah, you can't see mine. Sigh.
We also went to the Empire State Building which I have never been to before. It was great to see the city from above. Central Park is huge, the Chrysler Building is still my favorite, and I loved picking out all the buildings and landmarks I knew.
A HUGE benefit of Matt and Abby coming was Matt's carpentry skills. I received a shipment of furniture from IKEA that I was very excited to put together and Matt was more than happy to help with. The furniture would have been put together and utilized without him being here, but it would not have been leveled correctly, or anchored to the wall. Two things that I'm sure would have made me less satisfied with the outcome. Matt - huge thank you for taking care of these things for me; they look fantastic. Dad, I know you're jealous. Next time you visit I'll find something for you to put together.
While they were here I got to do/see a lot of what New York has to offer that I haven't had the opportunity, or made the priority to see in my nearly 2 years in NYC. We attended the BBQ Fest in Madison Square with my friend Rommi and we all had a pulled pork sandwich which might have been the best BBQ I've ever had. And I lived in KC.
We also went to the Bodies exhibit which made my stomach a little queasy (and it was not the margaritas I drank the night before, at least, I'm telling myself that). We saw all the major muscles groups, bones, tendons, organs (if you are a smoker, quit now) and nerves (including the one that did not do a very good job of telling me "DROP THAT PAN! IT'S HOT!" earlier that morning. Finger nerve, you're on notice). It was really very interesting and Abby proved that watching surgery shows really does expand your knowledge. She was point out things to me like, oh, that's the [INSERT BODY PART NAME IN LATIN] and there's the [INSERT OTHER BODY PART NAME IN LATIN]. I had no idea what any of it was, except for the sacrum, because I am deeply jealous of people who have visible sacral sulci. You know, the two little dimples in the small of your back? Yeah, you can't see mine. Sigh.
We also went to the Empire State Building which I have never been to before. It was great to see the city from above. Central Park is huge, the Chrysler Building is still my favorite, and I loved picking out all the buildings and landmarks I knew.
A HUGE benefit of Matt and Abby coming was Matt's carpentry skills. I received a shipment of furniture from IKEA that I was very excited to put together and Matt was more than happy to help with. The furniture would have been put together and utilized without him being here, but it would not have been leveled correctly, or anchored to the wall. Two things that I'm sure would have made me less satisfied with the outcome. Matt - huge thank you for taking care of these things for me; they look fantastic. Dad, I know you're jealous. Next time you visit I'll find something for you to put together.
The Russo Wedding
Many of you may remember the post I wrote about how my friends Tim and Jana got engaged, but for those who didn't, you can find it here.
I attended their wedding on May 30, in Westhampton, NY. The location was absolutely gorgeous, as were the bride and groom. The food was exceptionally yummy and the best food presentation of the night goes to the french fries, served in champagne glasses with ketchup on the bottom. Pure genius.
I also loved the fact that I reconnected with so many people that I've met throughout the, um, 7 (I think) years I've known Jana. Yes, 7, she was an exceptionally bad influence on me my junior year in Lawrence. I remember.
I've never met someone who is so good at keeping people abreast of the happenings in her other friends' lives. So many people I met I said, "Oh you're [INSERT NAME]"! It was great to finally put a name to so many of the friends and family I'd been hearing about for years.
I've also met a lot of Tim's friends and family over the years that we've all be living in New York. They added so much fun and flavor to the festivities. I'm so glad I've gotten the opportunity to know them.
It was an amazing, moving wedding and it was a blast. I did a really poor job taking pictures but I'll be sure to post to the pictures their photographer took as soon as their available. You can see some pictures he took from the wedding on his website. If you're getting married, and need a wedding photographer, hire this man if at all possible. He takes amazing pictures, loves what he does (just read the blog) and is a nice guy to boot.
Jana and Tim, I wish you a very happy future.
I attended their wedding on May 30, in Westhampton, NY. The location was absolutely gorgeous, as were the bride and groom. The food was exceptionally yummy and the best food presentation of the night goes to the french fries, served in champagne glasses with ketchup on the bottom. Pure genius.
I also loved the fact that I reconnected with so many people that I've met throughout the, um, 7 (I think) years I've known Jana. Yes, 7, she was an exceptionally bad influence on me my junior year in Lawrence. I remember.
I've never met someone who is so good at keeping people abreast of the happenings in her other friends' lives. So many people I met I said, "Oh you're [INSERT NAME]"! It was great to finally put a name to so many of the friends and family I'd been hearing about for years.
I've also met a lot of Tim's friends and family over the years that we've all be living in New York. They added so much fun and flavor to the festivities. I'm so glad I've gotten the opportunity to know them.
It was an amazing, moving wedding and it was a blast. I did a really poor job taking pictures but I'll be sure to post to the pictures their photographer took as soon as their available. You can see some pictures he took from the wedding on his website. If you're getting married, and need a wedding photographer, hire this man if at all possible. He takes amazing pictures, loves what he does (just read the blog) and is a nice guy to boot.
Jana and Tim, I wish you a very happy future.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Totally Fired
If this was my job I would have been fired for abandonment. Many apologies to people who actually regularly read my blog. I promise, I'll try to be better.
Over the next few days I'm going to post the stuff that has been rolling around in my head for the past month. Some, but not all of the things I'll include:
1) Jana and Tim Russo's wedding - it was absolutely beautiful
2) Abby and Matt's visit to NYC and my ensuing visits to lots of NYC things I've been meaning to visit
3) More stuff...
Stay tuned...
Over the next few days I'm going to post the stuff that has been rolling around in my head for the past month. Some, but not all of the things I'll include:
1) Jana and Tim Russo's wedding - it was absolutely beautiful
2) Abby and Matt's visit to NYC and my ensuing visits to lots of NYC things I've been meaning to visit
3) More stuff...
Stay tuned...
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Road trip to Virginia
So I went down to Charlottesville, VA this past weekend, with Sabrina, to visit Gretchen who was finishing up her first year of law school. We had a great time.
I trained down to DC on Thursday night and hit the PSB happy hour. It was great to see and catch up with old coworkers, some of whom I haven't seen in the nearly 2 years since I left. There were a lot of new faces but everyone was very friendly. We ended up heading to Northern VA after the happy hour to continue the festivities and I ended up staying out a smidge late on a school night. Whoops.
Worked in DC on Friday then Sabrina and I headed to Charlottesville around 3:30ish. Yeah, apparently we didn't leave soon enough (doesn't anyone work in this town?!?) because we got stuck in some really bad traffic. The trip that is supposed to take 2 hours 30 mins took nearly 5 hours. It likely would have taken longer had Sabrina's boyfriend, Sean, not sent us directions to cut through side roads to get there. Rural VA is very pretty and made me miss home. SD, not NYC, not too many cows in NYC.
We saw lots of Charlottesville attractions, Bodos bagels, Buddhist Biker Bar, Cane's Chicken Fingers, the Downtown Mall, The Biltmore Grill (delicious drinks) and met a ton of new people. One of whom was nice enough to drive me back to NYC so I didn't have to take the bus. I fail as co-pilot, we kind of forgot to get of 495 and we looped around, about...270 degrees. Again, Whoops.
I've uploaded pictures on my Picasa site to the left. A lot of them are from Monticello (which was very pretty). Anyone heading to Virginia, you should be sure to add it to your list. Charlottesville too. Two, very enthusiastic thumbs up.
I trained down to DC on Thursday night and hit the PSB happy hour. It was great to see and catch up with old coworkers, some of whom I haven't seen in the nearly 2 years since I left. There were a lot of new faces but everyone was very friendly. We ended up heading to Northern VA after the happy hour to continue the festivities and I ended up staying out a smidge late on a school night. Whoops.
Worked in DC on Friday then Sabrina and I headed to Charlottesville around 3:30ish. Yeah, apparently we didn't leave soon enough (doesn't anyone work in this town?!?) because we got stuck in some really bad traffic. The trip that is supposed to take 2 hours 30 mins took nearly 5 hours. It likely would have taken longer had Sabrina's boyfriend, Sean, not sent us directions to cut through side roads to get there. Rural VA is very pretty and made me miss home. SD, not NYC, not too many cows in NYC.
We saw lots of Charlottesville attractions, Bodos bagels, Buddhist Biker Bar, Cane's Chicken Fingers, the Downtown Mall, The Biltmore Grill (delicious drinks) and met a ton of new people. One of whom was nice enough to drive me back to NYC so I didn't have to take the bus. I fail as co-pilot, we kind of forgot to get of 495 and we looped around, about...270 degrees. Again, Whoops.
I've uploaded pictures on my Picasa site to the left. A lot of them are from Monticello (which was very pretty). Anyone heading to Virginia, you should be sure to add it to your list. Charlottesville too. Two, very enthusiastic thumbs up.
As Cool in Person
Heather and Jon Armstrong are as cool in person as they are on their websites: Dooce and Blurbomat. For those that didn't read my last posting, you need to add these to your favorites and start reading! I still haven't read through all the archives though I have certainly tried. It's like when you find a band that you love only to find out they've released 3 albums prior to you hearing about them. It's like Christmas!
I went to the Soda Bar in Brooklyn for their book signing and I really didn't know what to expect. I got there around 6:30 (an hour after it started) and I didn't expect for all of Brooklyn to be sold out of the book or for the ones they had brought, to be sold out in the first hour. I did try to pick it up on the UES but everyone's shipment had been delayed. CURSES!
Anyway, There was a very long line to just MEET Jon and Heather. At one point I saw Jon and was shocked how tall he is. Pictures on the web can be deceiving. Heather is also ridiculously tall as you'll see in my pictures. They were very kind and gracious while I blabbered along about the love I have for them. Oh, and they love my name. THANKS MOM AND DAD! It DOES have an "x" in it. I agree, that is awesome.
The crowd was interesting, I was surrounded by some typical New Yorkers but also some stay-at-home moms that came down from CT "where the Stepford wives was filmed" to be accurate. They were REALLY excited to be leaving their house.
I got a picture with Heather and Jon which will follow when I get home. It's HERE! Tall right?!
I went to the Soda Bar in Brooklyn for their book signing and I really didn't know what to expect. I got there around 6:30 (an hour after it started) and I didn't expect for all of Brooklyn to be sold out of the book or for the ones they had brought, to be sold out in the first hour. I did try to pick it up on the UES but everyone's shipment had been delayed. CURSES!
Anyway, There was a very long line to just MEET Jon and Heather. At one point I saw Jon and was shocked how tall he is. Pictures on the web can be deceiving. Heather is also ridiculously tall as you'll see in my pictures. They were very kind and gracious while I blabbered along about the love I have for them. Oh, and they love my name. THANKS MOM AND DAD! It DOES have an "x" in it. I agree, that is awesome.
The crowd was interesting, I was surrounded by some typical New Yorkers but also some stay-at-home moms that came down from CT "where the Stepford wives was filmed" to be accurate. They were REALLY excited to be leaving their house.
I got a picture with Heather and Jon which will follow when I get home. It's HERE! Tall right?!
Monday, May 05, 2008
Backlog
Ok, you know when you know you need to call someone to catch up but it will be no less than a several hour call and you don't have the time for that? Yeah, well that's how I've felt about blogging lately. I have so much that I've wanted to blog about it'll take hours to update. I'm going to be lazy and bullet it out.
#1 - Funny story: I am currently knitting a sweater that provides the pattern in two forms, one with detailed instructions with what you should do for each of 12 rows, the other looks like this:
#1 - Funny story: I am currently knitting a sweater that provides the pattern in two forms, one with detailed instructions with what you should do for each of 12 rows, the other looks like this:
I find reading the pattern like this extremely confusing because I am constantly looking at the legend to see what the heck each stitch means.
Well I am standing on the bus and I look down and a woman is knitting something and I look at the pattern above. And then I say, "Are you knitting the Starsky sweater from knitty.com?" and she looked at me like I was crazy. I wasn't sure if it was because she was knitting the sweater, or whether she just thought I was crazy. But of course, she was knitting the Starsky sweater from knitty.com. I assured her I was also knitting it and that I wasn't a savant that went around memorizing knitting patterns. It was entertaining and we discussed the yarn we were using, how much we've gotten done, etc. All in all, pretty entertaining for a Wednesday morning!
#2 - All the fragrant spring flowers are at the flower stands in NYC: hyacinths, peonies, lilacs, lillies. I stop and smell them at one stand or another almost every day. I'm waiting for one of the flower guys to tell me that I'm going to take all the sniff out of them.
#3 - Marc and I are going to go see Jon and Heather Armstrong Wednesday night at the Soda Bar in Brooklyn. I don't think I've blogged about it before but Heather Armstrong writes my favoritest blog www.dooce.com. If you don't already read it, get on it. She is very honest about her family, her struggles and her happiness. Her stories about her 4 year old daughter make my ovaries hurt and make me want to have kids just so I can mess with them. Oh, I didn't mention, she is also hilarious.
So I read her blog every day, encourage all my friends to read her blog, then Marc, Ashley and I talk about her postings, and how we love her. Well, now I'm going to meet her, be in her presence, and I have to practice acting cool so I don't scream in her face, "OH MY GOD I LOVE YOU WILL YOU BE MY FRIEND?!?!" Because I think that would scare her.
#4 - CONCERT-MANIA! - Ok, I blogged about all the concerts I was going to but then didn't follow up on telling you about them.
Hotel Cafe Tour: Everyone set a reminder to look for tix to the Hotel Cafe Tour next January. The show was long, 5 performers long, and amazing. The performers alternated throughout the night and they'd come out for a song or two, then someone else would come on, then they'd do a duet with that person, etc. I got to see Joshua Radin (boyfriend, see previous post), Ingrid Michaelson (love her and her quirkiness), Cary Brothers (just got his CD), Meiko (got her CD) and Priscilla Ahn (she was good but none of her songs stuck in my head).
The concert was 3/24 and I was feeling particularly emotional and then on top of it were all these sentimental singer-songwriter types. I was worried it'd be a bad combo but they're all just so great in person! To the 3 men that read my blog: bowler hats and plain colored tshirts. Wow.
Tristan Prettyman: LOVED HER SHOW! She played a lot of stuff from her new CD. Unfortunately, her new CD didn't come out until the following week so I didn't know all the songs but check out her new album! It's really great. The week it came out her single "Madly" was the single of the week on iTuenes and then she had the 2nd top album of the week. She needs to get the credit she deserves. She was FABULOUS! Then...she had a surprise guest. G.Love came out to do her 2nd to last encore. It was a huge surprise and they have great stage chemistry. They sang their song "Beautiful" and it was great. Again, dudes, plain tshirt and bowler hat. A guitar doesn't hurt either. :)
Sara Bareilles: If you can get to a live show of hers, GO! My friend Rommi saw her live for the first time after hearing her CD once and was blown away. She was absolutely right, Sara is so much better live. The amount that her album producers held her back and gave her a "Little Voice" (the name of her album) shocks me. The girl can belt it, and belt it on key, while playing the piano. I mean, I guess a voice like that can't record well because you'd constantly be turning up and down your ipod so that you don't burst your eardrums. Still. The point of this story is to go see Sara.
#5 - Rebecca came to visit me!!! My best buddy from college and 4 year roommate came to NYC to visit me before she starts her residency in St. Louis. She graduates from med school May 17 and it's so funny to me that she's "practically a doctor". I experienced her doctory skills first-hand when my back really hurt and she fixed it! Like magic! We went to a Mets game, the Gaf TWICE, R Bar and we ate cannoli, and pizza and hot dogs. I make everyone who comes to NYC eat these things, moreso I have an excuse to eat them. Yummmm!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Star Spotting #? - Joseph Cross
Ok, so I saw this guy when walking to the subway last Saturday night and I thought...how do I know him? Then I realized, hey, I think he's an actor!
Today while walking, I realized I knew him from one of my FAVORITE SHOWS: Law & Order: SVU! So, then I went on IMDB and I realized that he's been in a lot of stuff, and not just on SVU. Anyway, Joseph Cross, I have no idea what you were doing on 86th and Lex, but kick it in my neighborhood anytime!
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Happiest Day of my Life.
Alright...I gotta clarify this post. Some people have been skeptical that last Monday was the "Happiest Day of my Life". Well...TOUGH! Ok, admittedly, I posted that after I got home from the bar somewhere in the 3's on a school night, but it was without a doubt, one of the top 5 days of my life, and had I been in Lawrence, would have gotten the number 1 spot.
As someone who is not married, and does not have any children, there have been few days that had a singular moment that made it memorable. Graduations? Meh. But beating Marquette in the Final Four semi-finals in 2003 then storming Mass St? Yeah, that's on the list. Besides the birth of my niece and nephew I have a tough time listing any other days that were in the top 5.
For those of you that don't understand, as I told my dad, my relationship with the University of Kansas Jayhawks has been the longest relationship of my life (with the exception of my family and a few friends), so my committment is pretty strong. The Jayhawks loss to Syracuse in the 2003 national championship, made me so depressed that I didn't watch TV, listen to the radio, or read a newspaper for 4 days. No one talked on campus. And it was a MONDAY. Talk about a long week ahead. THEN our coach decided to leave us to go to his alma mater. I admit, I, like most Kansas fans were very angry at Roy for not showing more loyalty to the place he spent the last 15 years of his life. However, after last Saturday's defeat of UNC, followed by Roy wearing a Jayhawk sticker at the national championship, I think the anger is gone. It is for me.
And one of the best things about this past week, Bill Self said no thanks to Oklahoma State. Those outside the Big 12 don't have any idea why Kansas fans were worried that he would ever leave. Well, we know what it's like when a coach gets a call from his alma mater. While UNC and OSU are not anywhere close to the same level, T.Boone Picken's millions could have made the transition a little easier.
Anyway, congratulations to the Jayhawks! Congratulations to Coach Self, I look forward to years of watching your teams. Man I miss Lawrence. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!
Friday, March 28, 2008
Prayer to St. Phog of the Allen
I really hope this isn't considered blasphemy. My friend Kari sent me this prayer and I found in hilarious:
Our Father, who art in Lawrence,
Hallowed be thy Game.
Thy tourney come,
Thy championship will be done,
In San Antonio as it is in Allen Field House.
Give us this day our deserved victories.
And forgive us our turnovers,
As we forgive Roy who double-crossed against us.
And lead us not into defeat,
But deliver us from East Coast bias,
For Kansas is the basketball kingdom,
And the tradition,
And the glory,
For ever and ever.
Amen.
Rock Chalk Jayhawk! Beak 'em 'hawks!
Friday, March 21, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
St. Patrick's Day Weekend
So while I probably haven't said it before on the blog, I've said it many, many times in individual conversations: New York is a hedonistic city. We live in small apartments so the upkeep is minimal, we don't have yards to take care of, to-go food is available and affordable, as are places to do your laundry, get your nails done, and there is an insane number of bars and restaurants to keep us occupied. Having fun is our secondary job and I definitely managed it this past weekend.
Monday: Actual St. Patrick's day was a hit! Nicole and I started the day at our favorite bar "The Gaf", conveniently located 2 and 1/2 blocks from my apartment. Then we were later joined by friends, Pete and James McNamara. We received AWESOME St. Patty's day hats from the Gaf bartenders. Thanks John and Brian! Then Nicole and I went to Stout where our favorite Irish band Scythian was playing and were joined by Meredith and Rommi and the McNamara bros! All-in-all, great holiday weekend. Now if there were a similarly fun Danish holiday I could get friends to play along with, this could be a BLAST!
Shout out to Rommi, Michelle, Carrie and James for supplying pictures. Approximately 3 out of 4 days I was dumb and forgot my camera at home.
I had great St. Patty's day celebrations with a lot of great friends in NYC. TECHNICALLY, the St. Patty's festivities were only Saturday-Monday I'm going to include my friend's party Friday night in the festivities, nothing like pre-party.
Friday #1: My friend Rommi had an amazing birthday party at a great Manhattan apartment. The likes of which I have NEVER seen nor probably will again. INSANE New York apt. I have never been in this big of an apartment ever, let alone in NYC. Anyway, this is me striking a pose with some guys I met. The one directly behind me was kinda tall.
Friday #2: This is me listening to said guy explain that, 1) women have no common sense, "well, except for you three" (indicating to me and my friends) and 2) that Title IX had ruined women's sports, and 3) "Not all apartments are 6 feet from another building" (Mine is, from two actually). Um, yeah, I kinda wandered off after that.
Saturday: My friend Katie's boyfriend, Reid, had a pre-St. Patty's day party at his apartment and it was a GREAT time. We had some beverages, watched the conference basketball tournaments and had a great time. Reid got some INSANE bonus points for turning the KU/Texas A&M game on in his room so I could watch the whole thing without having to share the TV with someone watching Clemson/Duke (I think). Mad props, Reid, mad props.
Sunday: I kind of threw a festivity the Sunday afternoon before St. Patty's day at a little bar called "Off the Wagon". This bar specializes in games like beer pong and flip cup which many of the attendees were proficient at, as can be seen in the pictures below. And, no, I'm not getting sick in the first one, just laughing hysterically. It must be said, we had the most fun group of people at the bar and our group continued to grow throughout the night because, as mentioned, we were fun.
Oh, and Kansas won the Big 12 Championship from co-regular series champion Texas. Rock Chalk baby!
Monday: Actual St. Patrick's day was a hit! Nicole and I started the day at our favorite bar "The Gaf", conveniently located 2 and 1/2 blocks from my apartment. Then we were later joined by friends, Pete and James McNamara. We received AWESOME St. Patty's day hats from the Gaf bartenders. Thanks John and Brian! Then Nicole and I went to Stout where our favorite Irish band Scythian was playing and were joined by Meredith and Rommi and the McNamara bros! All-in-all, great holiday weekend. Now if there were a similarly fun Danish holiday I could get friends to play along with, this could be a BLAST!
Shout out to Rommi, Michelle, Carrie and James for supplying pictures. Approximately 3 out of 4 days I was dumb and forgot my camera at home.
Thoughts on Basketball
Just a couple thoughts on Day 1 of the NCAA Tournament:
- Go Jayhawks!
- I'm rethinking the Democratic candidate I'm supporting.
- If there is potential to have gigantic 7'0 twin sons, don't give them androgynous names like Brook and Robin.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
It's Coming!
So I had my first sighting of buds on trees while walking to work today and some daffodils are struggling to come up on the patches around the sidewalks.
I've seen some fully grown tulips, daffodils and hyacinths (my personal fave) that have been planted in flower boxes around NYC, a practice that has given me a false expectation of spring and is actually very misleading. The best part about all of these flowers is that they just start popping out of the ground one day and you know, "it's spring!". Planting full-grown spring flowers just seems wrong. Did you hear me boutique hotel whose name I can't remember on 87th St. between Lex and 3rd? Yeah, I'm talking to YOU.
So even though its gray and rainy today, I think I might have survived another winter in NYC. Bring on the sun and warm and flip flops and skirts (without tights) and afternoon margaritas because I'm ready!
I've seen some fully grown tulips, daffodils and hyacinths (my personal fave) that have been planted in flower boxes around NYC, a practice that has given me a false expectation of spring and is actually very misleading. The best part about all of these flowers is that they just start popping out of the ground one day and you know, "it's spring!". Planting full-grown spring flowers just seems wrong. Did you hear me boutique hotel whose name I can't remember on 87th St. between Lex and 3rd? Yeah, I'm talking to YOU.
So even though its gray and rainy today, I think I might have survived another winter in NYC. Bring on the sun and warm and flip flops and skirts (without tights) and afternoon margaritas because I'm ready!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Adultery Prereq for NY Governorship?
Come on!
ONE DAY after Governor David Paterson is sworn into office in a very entertaining swearing in, this breaks. Ok, yada yada yada, full disclosure, but couldn't he have given us a little more time to enjoy the honeymoon period? After angry, arrogant Spitzer this guy was a breath of fresh air: making self-deprecating comments, telling jokes, entertaining stories about his kids, etc. I didn't even have time to blog about how much I liked him before this came out.
I'm curious to see what the New York Post will have on their cover tomorrow. For those of you who didn't see their cover last week, for your viewing pleasure:
ONE DAY after Governor David Paterson is sworn into office in a very entertaining swearing in, this breaks. Ok, yada yada yada, full disclosure, but couldn't he have given us a little more time to enjoy the honeymoon period? After angry, arrogant Spitzer this guy was a breath of fresh air: making self-deprecating comments, telling jokes, entertaining stories about his kids, etc. I didn't even have time to blog about how much I liked him before this came out.
I'm curious to see what the New York Post will have on their cover tomorrow. For those of you who didn't see their cover last week, for your viewing pleasure:
A friend asked me the other day if I viewed the Spitzer situation any differently than I viewed the Clinton scandal in the late 90s. Now I'm asking myself that again but can look at it with the same perspective, that of a 26 year old, not from the differing viewpoints of a 17 year old and a 26 year old.
Both Spitzer and Paterson cheated on their wives, one was asked to resign, the other we have yet to see the fallout. I'm assuming he will be in office for awhile.
I just feel like what Spitzer did was so awful that I debated all the different ways I could call out "so awful" to fully stress how awful I thought it was: underline, bold, CAPS, all three?
Paterson didn't break the law but that's really not what bothered me about the Spitzer scandal. Spitzer endangered the health of his wife, has three teenage daughters (not that much younger than Kristen), and it was so planned and pre-meditated there is no way that it was not intentional and that he didn't acknowledge the potential consequences. Oh and $80k?!?! Don't get me started.
Does anyone else have these somewhat conflicting opinions?
Friday, March 07, 2008
Desiderata
I haven't blogged in awhile but just looked up at my cubicle wall and saw a poem I thought I should share. My friend Marc sent this to me sometime within the last year and I read it frequently.
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, 1927
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, 1927
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