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Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Testing...1,2,3
So I waste a whole lot of time on the subway and I don't blog anymore. I think we have a solution to the problem. I'm testing out blogger mobile, where I can post to my blog via email message. Rock on!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
My Surgery!!
I really need to get Blogger on my Blackberry. I waste a LOT of time on the subway when I could be updating my blog. Sigh.
Anyway, I thought some of you might be interested in my surgery experience, and now that I'm no longer fuzzy (due to antibiotics and Tylenol with codeine) I can actually form coherent sentences.
So, I showed up at the hospital and walked up to the admittance desk and told the woman my name and she goes, "Oh you're Roxanne! We have a room waiting for you! Fill this out!" Apparently since they changed my time (18 hours before I was supposed to check in) they wanted to be sure to get me in at my new time. Awesome. So, I filled everything out, they sent me through some doors where a nurse asked me some basic medical info + my name and birthday. I was asked my birthday about 10 times by about 10 different people. If someone in the medical field could explain to me why this is relevant, or whether it's used to make sure I'm coherent, or whether they just couldn't read it on my bracelet I'd greatly appreciate it.
Then I was given my hospital gown and some fancy puce colored socks with rubber on them (so I don't fall down obviously). I was also given a locker to store my things and asked to change and come back to the original room. First, I opened up my gown, and I'm not really sure how many of me they thought there having surgery. I realize that hospital gowns must be one size fits all but the gown I was given would also fit someone who is 7'0 and weighs 400 lbs. Now before I proceed, this wasn't a TYPICAL gown. It was a lovely lavender colored gown, and by far the fanciest paper gown I have ever encountered. There were vents, and Velcro at the shoulders and a cute little paw print. I put it on, tied it, put on my puce socks and headed back to the main room.
About 5 mins later my doctor came and got me and I left my new friend, the 50 year old man in the lavender one-size-fits-all gown, and walked through the surgery wing. I walked RIGHT past the surgery board which made me feel very Grey's Anatomy for a second. Then he put me on a gurney and left to find my anesthesiologist. BTW, I don't know how a tall person fits on a gurney. I remarked that is was the perfect size for me and that I don't know how a tall person fit (my feet were about 3" from the end) and they said, "one size fits all". I think I need to find the person they're basing all of these gown and gurney measurements on.
Then I found out how cool my gown really was! The nurse asked me if I was cold, and I said, that I was fine. She said, "Are you sure? I can plug you in." I was intrigued and said, "Yes, I am a little cold". She then proceeded to pull what looked like a vacuum hose from the wall and plugged it into my gown. Suddenly warm air was rushing into my gown. Fancy.
My anesthesiologist * came along with her resident who I thought had put in my IV and when I said, "that wasn't so bad" said, "No, that's the shot we give you to numb the area so when we put the giant needle in it's not so bad." THANK YOU DR. JOHNSON! Doctors who numb the area before putting in needles are my favorite. My dentist in KC used to give me laughing gas, then rub my gum with Anbesol before giving me the Novocaine. Favorite. Dentist. Ever.
Then they wheeled me away to outside the operating room where my anesthesiologist said, "Now I'm going to make you work" and made me get off my gurney and walk into the operating room. When I walked in I must have had a "huh?" look on my face because she said, "an operating room can be kind of disorienting". Yeah, the "huh?" had more to do with it being an ACTUAL operating room and not some alcove where they move them in and out quickly. For some reason, because it was an outpatient procedure, I thought it would be like the room where I had my endoscopy. Yeah, not so much. Real operating room. Luckily the drugs were already flowing so I just hopped on the surgery table.
Then some wonderful nurse started laying warm towels on me. I felt just like Oprah. I asked the doctor if they were going to be taping the surgery, and unfortunately they said were not. The last thing I remember is saying to them, "that's too bad, my sisters would have liked that."
My first memory is shivering and my teeth chattering. I thought, well that's rather dramatic Rox, but then I heard them say, her temp is 95, and then they threw some more warm blankets on me. I REALLY need to get a blanket warmer. It's LOVELY.
I had an amazing nurse in recovery named Neven who came every time my blood pressure machine went off. Which I think at its highest it was 178/122 which is my best ever; I usually get an A+ for blood pressure which is what I told her. I think she thought I was still drugged up from surgery. She also gave me lots of drugs and made my first nose diaper for me when I told her my nose was leaky. Loved her.
Then I went to recovery II (no idea what this is called) and Rommi came and hung out with me, I was told what to do/what not to do before going back for my checkup on Monday and sent on my way! By the time Rommi saw me I was pretty coherent and we grabbed a cab and headed up to the Upper East Side! Thanks for coming to get me Romms!
I'll write more about my recovery later since this is getting pretty long, but let me assure you that I'm feeling great 1 week and 1 day post surgery. The body heals very quickly.
* I have nothing but respect for anesthesiologists and them keeping me alive during surgery, etc. I still think this is funny.
Anyway, I thought some of you might be interested in my surgery experience, and now that I'm no longer fuzzy (due to antibiotics and Tylenol with codeine) I can actually form coherent sentences.
So, I showed up at the hospital and walked up to the admittance desk and told the woman my name and she goes, "Oh you're Roxanne! We have a room waiting for you! Fill this out!" Apparently since they changed my time (18 hours before I was supposed to check in) they wanted to be sure to get me in at my new time. Awesome. So, I filled everything out, they sent me through some doors where a nurse asked me some basic medical info + my name and birthday. I was asked my birthday about 10 times by about 10 different people. If someone in the medical field could explain to me why this is relevant, or whether it's used to make sure I'm coherent, or whether they just couldn't read it on my bracelet I'd greatly appreciate it.
Then I was given my hospital gown and some fancy puce colored socks with rubber on them (so I don't fall down obviously). I was also given a locker to store my things and asked to change and come back to the original room. First, I opened up my gown, and I'm not really sure how many of me they thought there having surgery. I realize that hospital gowns must be one size fits all but the gown I was given would also fit someone who is 7'0 and weighs 400 lbs. Now before I proceed, this wasn't a TYPICAL gown. It was a lovely lavender colored gown, and by far the fanciest paper gown I have ever encountered. There were vents, and Velcro at the shoulders and a cute little paw print. I put it on, tied it, put on my puce socks and headed back to the main room.
About 5 mins later my doctor came and got me and I left my new friend, the 50 year old man in the lavender one-size-fits-all gown, and walked through the surgery wing. I walked RIGHT past the surgery board which made me feel very Grey's Anatomy for a second. Then he put me on a gurney and left to find my anesthesiologist. BTW, I don't know how a tall person fits on a gurney. I remarked that is was the perfect size for me and that I don't know how a tall person fit (my feet were about 3" from the end) and they said, "one size fits all". I think I need to find the person they're basing all of these gown and gurney measurements on.
Then I found out how cool my gown really was! The nurse asked me if I was cold, and I said, that I was fine. She said, "Are you sure? I can plug you in." I was intrigued and said, "Yes, I am a little cold". She then proceeded to pull what looked like a vacuum hose from the wall and plugged it into my gown. Suddenly warm air was rushing into my gown. Fancy.
My anesthesiologist * came along with her resident who I thought had put in my IV and when I said, "that wasn't so bad" said, "No, that's the shot we give you to numb the area so when we put the giant needle in it's not so bad." THANK YOU DR. JOHNSON! Doctors who numb the area before putting in needles are my favorite. My dentist in KC used to give me laughing gas, then rub my gum with Anbesol before giving me the Novocaine. Favorite. Dentist. Ever.
Then they wheeled me away to outside the operating room where my anesthesiologist said, "Now I'm going to make you work" and made me get off my gurney and walk into the operating room. When I walked in I must have had a "huh?" look on my face because she said, "an operating room can be kind of disorienting". Yeah, the "huh?" had more to do with it being an ACTUAL operating room and not some alcove where they move them in and out quickly. For some reason, because it was an outpatient procedure, I thought it would be like the room where I had my endoscopy. Yeah, not so much. Real operating room. Luckily the drugs were already flowing so I just hopped on the surgery table.
Then some wonderful nurse started laying warm towels on me. I felt just like Oprah. I asked the doctor if they were going to be taping the surgery, and unfortunately they said were not. The last thing I remember is saying to them, "that's too bad, my sisters would have liked that."
My first memory is shivering and my teeth chattering. I thought, well that's rather dramatic Rox, but then I heard them say, her temp is 95, and then they threw some more warm blankets on me. I REALLY need to get a blanket warmer. It's LOVELY.
I had an amazing nurse in recovery named Neven who came every time my blood pressure machine went off. Which I think at its highest it was 178/122 which is my best ever; I usually get an A+ for blood pressure which is what I told her. I think she thought I was still drugged up from surgery. She also gave me lots of drugs and made my first nose diaper for me when I told her my nose was leaky. Loved her.
Then I went to recovery II (no idea what this is called) and Rommi came and hung out with me, I was told what to do/what not to do before going back for my checkup on Monday and sent on my way! By the time Rommi saw me I was pretty coherent and we grabbed a cab and headed up to the Upper East Side! Thanks for coming to get me Romms!
I'll write more about my recovery later since this is getting pretty long, but let me assure you that I'm feeling great 1 week and 1 day post surgery. The body heals very quickly.
* I have nothing but respect for anesthesiologists and them keeping me alive during surgery, etc. I still think this is funny.
Monday, January 19, 2009
My Sniffer
At the beginning of next month I have a somewhat big event. I'm having surgery to repair my sniffer. When I moved to NYC I started being more aware of the fact that my nose runs pretty much constantly when outside, at the gym, etc. and that I do not enjoy this. Whenever I go to spinning I take a wad of Kleenex to blow my nose throughout the class, regardless of whether I have a cold. This bothers me. Additionally, I'm always sick which I attributed to riding on public transport but apparently could be related to other issues.
I went to an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat doctor) in November to talk to him about my nose issues and what I assumed to be a deviated septum. While we chatted he talked about a variety of health problems related to my throat (adenoids and tonsils - removed), ears (tubes when a kid and constant itching) and nose (constant draining). I've never checked off more boxes in my life. Snoring...check. Breathing through nose issues...check. Ear issues...check.
Anyway, he said, let's get a CT scan to see how bad your nose is, and a sleep study to see how bad your snoring is. He also shoved an incredibly long instrument up my nose which I can only assume was to have an up close and personal talk with my sinuses. Basically the CT scan found that I have a severely deviated septum which is likely to blame for my faucet nose and breathing issues and the sleep study found that I do NOT have sleep apnea like my dad. No Darth Vader mask for me. Woot! (FYI - it sounds more like Darth than looks) However, we did have this conversation:
Dr. Cohen: Did we discuss your snoring last visit?
Roxie: Not really, I told you I snored. You asked how bad it was and I said, people tell me it's loud.
Dr. Cohen: Well, I didn't realize how loud it was. Most people are +2 decibels above their baseline read, you are a +12 decibels. You snore impressively loud for such a small woman. I'd expect that reading for a very large man who is a hundred pounds overweight.
Did you hear that Internet? I snore like a lumberjack. Awesome.
Net-net, I'm having surgery in a couple weeks. There are two objectives. One, repair my sniffer. He'll basically cut out the cartilage that is blocking me from breathing and put in splints to ensure that it stays straight while it's healing. Two, he'll insert some implants into my soft palate that'll toughen it up and make it vibrate less while I'm sleeping (decrease snoring). The second part is elective but I figure if I'm going to get surgery to correct my snoring someday, I might as well do it while I'm under general anaesthesia. All surgery that is done under local anaesthetic freaks me out. "Roxie, open your tiny mouth really wide so I can shove some matchsticks into your soft palate, you won't feel a thing." Yeah, no.
So, basically, that's what's going on in my life in the next month or so! I'm really hoping that it has an effect on my breathing, etc. I've heard from a lot of people that it will completely change my life and be incredibly painful for a week. Come on pain pills!
If I'm not feeling self conscious I'll post post-op pictures of me with puffy face and bruised eyes but there is definitely a possibility that I'll be a touch self-conscious about looking like someone from the Goonies and will keep those under wraps.
Send out good wishes to me February 3rd!
I went to an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat doctor) in November to talk to him about my nose issues and what I assumed to be a deviated septum. While we chatted he talked about a variety of health problems related to my throat (adenoids and tonsils - removed), ears (tubes when a kid and constant itching) and nose (constant draining). I've never checked off more boxes in my life. Snoring...check. Breathing through nose issues...check. Ear issues...check.
Anyway, he said, let's get a CT scan to see how bad your nose is, and a sleep study to see how bad your snoring is. He also shoved an incredibly long instrument up my nose which I can only assume was to have an up close and personal talk with my sinuses. Basically the CT scan found that I have a severely deviated septum which is likely to blame for my faucet nose and breathing issues and the sleep study found that I do NOT have sleep apnea like my dad. No Darth Vader mask for me. Woot! (FYI - it sounds more like Darth than looks) However, we did have this conversation:
Dr. Cohen: Did we discuss your snoring last visit?
Roxie: Not really, I told you I snored. You asked how bad it was and I said, people tell me it's loud.
Dr. Cohen: Well, I didn't realize how loud it was. Most people are +2 decibels above their baseline read, you are a +12 decibels. You snore impressively loud for such a small woman. I'd expect that reading for a very large man who is a hundred pounds overweight.
Did you hear that Internet? I snore like a lumberjack. Awesome.
Net-net, I'm having surgery in a couple weeks. There are two objectives. One, repair my sniffer. He'll basically cut out the cartilage that is blocking me from breathing and put in splints to ensure that it stays straight while it's healing. Two, he'll insert some implants into my soft palate that'll toughen it up and make it vibrate less while I'm sleeping (decrease snoring). The second part is elective but I figure if I'm going to get surgery to correct my snoring someday, I might as well do it while I'm under general anaesthesia. All surgery that is done under local anaesthetic freaks me out. "Roxie, open your tiny mouth really wide so I can shove some matchsticks into your soft palate, you won't feel a thing." Yeah, no.
So, basically, that's what's going on in my life in the next month or so! I'm really hoping that it has an effect on my breathing, etc. I've heard from a lot of people that it will completely change my life and be incredibly painful for a week. Come on pain pills!
If I'm not feeling self conscious I'll post post-op pictures of me with puffy face and bruised eyes but there is definitely a possibility that I'll be a touch self-conscious about looking like someone from the Goonies and will keep those under wraps.
Send out good wishes to me February 3rd!
It's hot in heeerrrrrrr
Ask my family, I'm SUCH a baby when it comes to being cold. At all winter holidays I walk around wrapped in blankets or my favorite poncho and the space heater in my room is always set at high. It's in particular contrast because my family members are mammalian and can withstand a normal range of temperature without complaining.
This past weekend I rearranged my room (there are two possible arrangements, I went back to the original) and when doing so, decided to take my air conditioner out of my window. It has been there since summer '07 and I just dealt with the draft from Winter '07/'08 by sealing it with a blanket and some packing tape. Well, it's been particularly cold in my room in the mornings lately (approximately 60-65 degrees F) and basically I WANT TO DIE.
So, now that the A/C is out of the window I'm experiencing something I call, "Tropics in January". For example, when I took the A/C out of my window my room was a comfortable 73 degrees (from a space heater...ahem, I'm a baby). Now that the A/C is not letting in a draft, my bedroom is approximately 83 degrees. My window has been open for approximately 1 hour (at 32.2 degrees) and it's still 83.3 degrees. I'm not sure that removing my A/C was such a great move. I mean, I like being warm, but this is no blankets, tank top and shorts warm.
I'll keep you posted on my baking while sleeping status and maybe be a better blogger. No promises.
This past weekend I rearranged my room (there are two possible arrangements, I went back to the original) and when doing so, decided to take my air conditioner out of my window. It has been there since summer '07 and I just dealt with the draft from Winter '07/'08 by sealing it with a blanket and some packing tape. Well, it's been particularly cold in my room in the mornings lately (approximately 60-65 degrees F) and basically I WANT TO DIE.
So, now that the A/C is out of the window I'm experiencing something I call, "Tropics in January". For example, when I took the A/C out of my window my room was a comfortable 73 degrees (from a space heater...ahem, I'm a baby). Now that the A/C is not letting in a draft, my bedroom is approximately 83 degrees. My window has been open for approximately 1 hour (at 32.2 degrees) and it's still 83.3 degrees. I'm not sure that removing my A/C was such a great move. I mean, I like being warm, but this is no blankets, tank top and shorts warm.
I'll keep you posted on my baking while sleeping status and maybe be a better blogger. No promises.
Friday, October 03, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
OUCH!
July 16th was the most recent post. Huh. Sorry y'all.
I've been getting some, are you updating your blog questions lately and I can only answer. Um...yeah, no. Sorry, I've been lazy.
So, lots of things have happened since July 16th, for example:
I've been getting some, are you updating your blog questions lately and I can only answer. Um...yeah, no. Sorry, I've been lazy.
So, lots of things have happened since July 16th, for example:
- My birthday was held at a bar that didn't allow flip flops (had no idea before) and looked A LOT like the Ministry of Magic (see 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'). Regardless, it was a really great time.
- I went home for Beers 'n Ears at the beginning of August. It was a lot of fun and I forgot how much I enjoy being home in South Dakota during the summer. I love being home when the corn is tall and green and the lawn and flowers are in their peak and when I'm surrounded by my whole family. Due to a sickness of Trent Reznor, little sister was able to stay for the whole weekend and it was really great.
- While home in the Southern Dakota I went to a street dance, which was AWESOME. I've never been a street dance before, and since I knew everyone there, it was particularly fun. I had a great time and am really looking forward to next June and my 10 year reunion and the sesquicentennial of Elk Point, SD. It'll be a very fun weekend!
- Two weekends after the South Dakota trip I went on the annual trip to Ocean City, NJ. Friends from PSB and I have gone on this trip for about 4 years which is amazing. What is more amazing, is that we do the same thing every time. Friday, get in late, hit the hot tub at Erica's mom's house. Saturday, go to the beach (play in the ocean, almost drown --waves kick by butt), Saturday night, go out in Atlantic City (wait until Michael Phelps wins gold), Sunday, lay by the pool, order Sack'o'Subs and head back to NYC. It's so much fun and I look forward to it every year.
- Since then I've just been hanging out in NYC. My friend Rommi found an amazing bar called the Frying Pan that is on a pier in the Hudson River which allows you to enjoy living on an island. I have to admit, my biggest complaint about Manhattan is that, "I LIVE ON AN ISLAND! WHEN CAN I HANG OUT ON THE WATER?!?!" Ok, a little extreme with all the caps, but seriously, there are a limited number of locations that you can really enjoy the water.
- Summer in New York was very mild in my opinion. Now that it's getting cold and fall/winter is coming I definitely feel that I got jipped.
- New Yorker Festival: Ok, so this hasn't happened yet, but I'm going to the New Yorker Festival for the first time since starting to read the magazine. My friend Gretchen turned me on to the New Yorker when I was living in DC. When in DC I looked at the NY festival as something that'd be so fun to attend, but because I didn't live there, would be something I aspire to. Well, last year, I wasn't able to attend because I was out of town, this year, on October 4th (I think) I get to attend, 'Humor in Politics' at the NY festival. I'm thrilled to see Samantha Bee from the Daily Show, hopefully I'll update after the event.
- I'm hyper interested in the state of presidential affairs right now, and because I'm assuming 90% of the people who read this know where I fall politically I won't state it here, but I can't promise that I won't mention my thoughts in the coming weeks. Part of the reason that I haven't been updating lately is likely because of my political feelings and not wanting to offend people. If I do, I apologize.
I hope everyone is well and I apologize for not updating more regularly.
xoxox
Rox
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Beers 'n Ears
Anyone who knows me personally knows that I talk frequently about my family's annual charity event, Beers 'n Ears. This year's event will benefit, Support Siouxland Soldiers which is an on-going care-package program that sends flat-rate boxes full of snacks, games, hygiene items and more to the deployed, Siouxland members of the Armed Forces.
We typically raise money through sales of meal tickets (all you can eat pulled-pork sandwiches, sweet corn, various salads and desserts, oh and ice-cold Miller Lite), through our live auction, and through sales of T-shirts adorned with the Beers 'n Ears logo.
Over the years people have asked me, "Where can I get one of those shirts?", well the answer is...right here. An image of this year's shirt is below but I want to mention a few "tweaks". The color of the shirts is "olive" so not identical (but close) to what is below, the logo will be a bit larger, and the logo will also be distressed because...10 years baby! We're vintage!
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If you're unable to attend this year's bash, and would like to purchase a shirt (no pressure, if you don't want one, I will not be offended) please email your name, mailing address and size to deb@beersandears.com.
The total cost per shirt is $15 (add $2 for XXXL) + $4.80 shipping and handling. The shirts will be shipped around the day of the event (August 2nd) as long as you've paid the handy PayPal invoice my mom, Deb, will send you once she's received your order.
We typically raise money through sales of meal tickets (all you can eat pulled-pork sandwiches, sweet corn, various salads and desserts, oh and ice-cold Miller Lite), through our live auction, and through sales of T-shirts adorned with the Beers 'n Ears logo.
Over the years people have asked me, "Where can I get one of those shirts?", well the answer is...right here. An image of this year's shirt is below but I want to mention a few "tweaks". The color of the shirts is "olive" so not identical (but close) to what is below, the logo will be a bit larger, and the logo will also be distressed because...10 years baby! We're vintage!
If you're unable to attend this year's bash, and would like to purchase a shirt (no pressure, if you don't want one, I will not be offended) please email your name, mailing address and size to deb@beersandears.com.The total cost per shirt is $15 (add $2 for XXXL) + $4.80 shipping and handling. The shirts will be shipped around the day of the event (August 2nd) as long as you've paid the handy PayPal invoice my mom, Deb, will send you once she's received your order.
**We need all orders by July 21st, 5pm EST (sorry for the rush) so if you want one, you better respond fast.**
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Crazy day
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...
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 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!
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