Back to the Grind

Well Im back in NY/NJ. The trip went well, I love Michigan, we all know that, however this place feels semi like home now. So strange. Anyway, along the way I caught a cold, boo hiss. There's nothing like going to work hopped up on dayquil and zycam.

The police in the 14th street subway station started riding around on segway scooters recently, which is kind of ridiculous in itself, however every time I spot one I think about this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glGhmqOYqNA

And then I laugh...aloud... and a lot.

It's December today. Also, it's 60 degrees outside and rainy. What the eff?! Wasn't it supposed to snow a month ago? If it were February with the same weather, I'd be all for it, but what is Christmas time without snow? If I wanted THAT I'd go live in Florida.

Leaving on a jet plane

I am sitting at LaGuardia Airport, getting ready to board. I'm heading to Indiana, pit stop in DC not by choice, and then eventually Michigan. I had no problems with TSA. No groping, no nudie pics. I win.

OHMIGOD PRINCE WILLIAM AND KATE (or KATIE?) SET A DATE FOR THEIR WEDDING. heh... Im only poking fun at every television in this place. THIS is the important news update that I'm getting, you would think the weather would be on atleast one. NOPE.

My coworkers got me a cake for my birthday. Red Velvet, and cream cheese frosting, and absolutely adorable. I'm in a sugar coma, the best kind ever.

This is it

Surreal is the word I would use to describe living here. For instance, yesterday they were filming Gossip Girl outside the door to my work. Then at night I had gone to an AIGA (American Institute for Graphic Arts) lecture in Brooklyn and the doe-eyed blonde that was runner up on America's Next Top Model was our server. So strange. She's not so "model-y" in person.

The lecture was amazing. The venue that it was at was amazing. It was in DUMBO, Brooklyn at a place called Galapagos. Rightfully named as all of the seating was on islands surrounded, literally, by open water. A girl sitting across from us dropped her purse in it, actually. Sucker.

Also, it was raining last night and I had been thinking about how outrageous it is that people's umbrellas turn inside out, wouldn't you just turn and have your umbrella not catch the wind...then the next thing I know my umbrella is inside out, i'm a douche bag.

I will be/am illustrating a childrens book for a friend of my mom, because I have a lot of spare time (but not really). I'm pretty excited about it, mostly so I can say that I've done it. Anyway, I went to Barnes and Noble to do some research, look at Childrens books, maybe find a tutorial type drawing book, etc. I ended up walking out with some non-fiction, and Shel Silverstein. While I could argue that Shel was a Children's writer, and one of my favorites at that, it was not what I was supposed to be buying. Better luck tomorrow?

Dogged

My favorite kind of dog is the one on a leash that refuses to walk while the owner desperately tries (or begs) for it to do so while dragging it across the ground. I saw two today. One lady was literally begging her dog to walk. Also, both of these animals were wearing clothes. I'm guessing it was some sort of doggie-revolt. I would revolt if I had fur and had to wear a pink plaid vest. I imagine it's similar to people wearing gloves in the summer. No one like a clammy hand, so why would a dog want a clammy body?

Speaking of dogs, please send puppies.

give an inch

I realized why I am unable to successfully walk in heels. It's because my legs are short. When I put heels on the lower part of my leg becomes longer than the upper part of my leg, in turn, throwing off the equation ... and then my balance.

I feel like I can sleep at night now.

Read Reed red

I was browsing the Barnes and Noble website looking for some good reads, and there are so many books that perked my interest, but I am not willing to spend money on them because the cover is so poorly designed. I do all of my reading in public spaces, and if someone saw me with these books it could be embarrassing.

PLEASE STOP TAKING CHEESY PICTURES OF YOURSELF AND PLASTERING IT ON YOUR BOOK, THERE ARE BETTER SOLUTIONS.

I blame my career for my lack of book collection.

I get so easily annoyed here, which is weird because I thought I had a lot of patience. Apparently not. But people just don't seem to use their brains. Three things that people this did week to make me want to punch them in the face:

1.) On Monday, I got off the subway as usual, exited the platform as usual, went to walk up the stairs as usual and there is woman at the bottom of the steps zipping up her child's jacket, and chatting with him. Why on earth would you do this at the place where everyone is trying to exit, AT RUSH HOUR none the less. Really. Did the large crowd of bustling people not terrify you into thinking you were going to get trampled? Because that's what they wanted to do, at least I did, but a one person trampling is not very effective. blergh.

2.) This was not a specific incident, as it happens ALL the time. People like to hug the bar on the subway, or lean on it. That's fine when it's not busy, rub your face all over it for all I care, but when it's packed and I have to scoop my hand around the bar and into your back to hold on it automatically makes me hate you.

3.) This morning I had time to stop at Dunkin Donuts to get a breakfast sandwich. I was waiting and waiting for them to bring it to me, and this woman comes up and is also waiting. The guy knows I have been waiting for a long time and says that bacon, egg and cheese will be right up. I nod, and the woman says "ok." She knows that I was there before her, I have obviously been waiting. So when the guy returns he has a bag and says what it is, and I go to take it and she says "No, that's mine" to which I say that I had also ordered that. The only difference in our orders is that hers was on a bagel and mine was not. This sandwich was on a bagel, so indeed it was hers, and she says "See, I told you" gives me the stink eye and walks away. Apparently she is the only person in the entire world that orders THAT sandwich in the morning...except for the 8 other people that were behind her and ordered the exact same thing. Some people only think about themselves and are unable to be civil.

BRAAAAIIIINNNSSS

Well, it's official, I had the BEST halloween weekend anyone could ask for.

Every year I wait until the last minute to get my costume. This year was no exception. The difference is you don't have to wait outside to get inside of a costume shop in Michigan. Once I was actually in the store, and they wouldn't sell me the hat I wanted because it was the last one (makes sense, right?) I decided enough was enough, people are annoying, and I left. I had originally planned on being Amelia Earhart, but defaulted on Rosie the Riveter because buying a men's work shirt was far less work, and on my way home.

Saturday morning my room mate, Laura, and her boyfriend (Kyle) picked me up at home and we roadtripped our way to Washington DC for Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert's Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear. We met up with a friend of Kyle's, Laura's Mom and her friend Dawn in Maryland where we caught the Metro into the City. THE METRO WAS PACKED. I was hugging strangers. Good thing it was halloween weekend because I was also standing by a man older than my father (who doesn't look a day over 30...) dressed as the Cat In The Hat, which is not normal... Or maybe it is for DC, I'm not too sure.

It literally felt like a zombie movie coming off the metro, there were mobs of people, who were only able to move as fast as the person in front of them. Plus everyone was tired, so that didn't help.

As per usual, I was unable to see anything due to short stature, but lucky for me there were loud speakers and everyone quoting what the people on stage were saying. Next time I will wear tall shoes and tote a periscope. At this point in the day Laura and myself had not gone to the bathroom in 9 hours, and we were ready to pee ourselves. I'm not sure the strangers we were hugging would have appreciated that.

The trip back to MD was not any different people-wise. Except for the lady who did not get the memo that crazies were supposed to stay indoors that day. She tried pushing two members of our group out of the door at one of the stops. I think she may have heard one of us call her douche judging by the glare she gave on her escalator ride down to the station exit. At one point they kicked everyone the train at a very tiny station. Why? Nobody will ever know, it's one of the great mysteries of life. The best part was that we ran into The Cat in the Hat AGAIN, seriously, how does that happen?! Good thing I like cats.

I never dressed up in my costume, and I'm ok with that. There's always next year, plus I live in NY so it's possible I could wear my costume anytime and it would be considered normal.

Danke

Saturday, I was heading home from Queens to take a shower, and then go back into the city to meet up with some friends. On the train (not the subway) there are four-seaters, where two open seats face each other. These are especially nice because when you sit there the likely hood of not having to sit right next to some one is 99.5% in your favor. This is because the space between the two facing seats is about 4 inches and everyone knows it's awkward to knock knees with a stranger unless you've been dipping into the booze. Well, I have experienced the .5% in which no one should have to go through. When I sat down, I waited for the other person who would sit kiddy corner from me, because us solo travelers stick together, and understand the awesomeness of this seat. Then a woman turns to sit, and she sits right next to me, and then a man sits directly across from her. The next thing I know I am smushed against the nasty train wall/window because they are making out, practically on top of me. I could tell them to stop, if they didn't speak German AND I literally had to climb over them when I got to my stop. New Jersey Transit is my worst enemy.

Busy Little Bee

The person who said "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" was, obviously, not friends with the one who said "out of sight, out of mind." Or they were friends, and one had a stronger like than the other. Absence does not make my heart fonder. Absence makes me bad at staying in contact, therefore forgetful and unfonder. Unfonder is a new word, use it, love it. I'm more keen on the whole "out of sight" thing, but knowing full well as a woman, nothing is out of mind, and it will never be because I constantly think about the same thing over and over again. Fudge.

I know I just rambled for a whole paragraph, whatever.

Also, I've decided I need to make more/new friends (but keep the old -- thank you, girlscouts) so that's what I'll do. Eventually. When I learn how. I joined meetup.com, but Im not sure I have to balls to actually go to any events. Words of encouragement are encouraged. Please and thank you.

Sickly being

I'm getting sick, I can feel it. My skin gets ridiculously sensitive, and my throat gets a "twinge" as I like to call it. I'm not looking forward to it, but at least it's happening now, and not around the holidays (knock on wood). Also I am attempting to drink more water. Maybe the whole "sick" thing is my body confused because I'm being nice to it instead of injecting it with beer. Nah.


I just (JUST) realized it's Thursday. WHAT?! awesome.

A (compass) rose by any other name

When I was walking to lunch today, I over heard a girl talking on her phone and she says"Well, I know which way West is, so East must be the other side, right?"

DUH.

Shorty, say what?!

Getting to the main floor of Penn Station from the train platform takes some strategy. However you have a player advantage if you are short like me. The double edge sword of being short is a) you get pushed around a lot in a crowd, vs b) you are able to snake your way through the toughest of crowds before anyone realizes what just happened. Ok, back to topic. Penn Station. The platform is like a long dusty runway, and every so often (and I say that generously) there is either an escalator or a stairwell. I have realized that the quickest way to the tops of these is to do two things.

1.) As people funnel in from both sides like cattle, stick to the middle, because if/when you do get shoved around atleast there isn't a way that you would be shoved out of the crowd, but more likely stay in the middle or better yet closer to the "stairway to heaven" -- so to speak. This is the step where the height factor comes into play.

and

2.) Stand by a man. Seriously. If they are a true gentleman they will let ladies go first (or atleast one...and hopefully me). If you'r ea dude and you're reading this, Im sorry about your luck.

Ring Ring Ring Banana phone

Monday.
As if it's not bad enough to have to go back to work after two days off, I rode the morning commute with someone who is brain dead. This person decided that they needed to change their ringtone on their cellphone, and, well you know, what perfect time than on a train packed full of people? I'm pretty sure their phone had atleast 100 options, and they needed to hear every single one. Seriously, dude? Much like getting dressed in the morning, this is something that needs to be done in the privacy of your own home. So please Mr. Canon-in-D-techno-remix man, spare us, because things like this is what makes a person hate the morning.

Athletes of another sort.

On Saturday, Canz Roadhouse, in Queens, opened it's door for 200 well-trained athletes for the 3rd Annual Beerlympics. I am proud to say that I was one of them. Events ranged from Beer Pong to Karaoke to Canoe Race. All though we didn't place (we did very well) my team of 6 did win the prize for best name which was "Surprise! You're Pregnant!" I am now the proud owner of a "Beerlympics 2010" Pint glass full of NYC condoms. That in itself is an achievement. Good Job Team.

Now I will say that Canz is the douchiest bar I've been to in a long time. It's the bar that all of the "Bro's" go to, where the girls are half dressed and their "shirts" say "Do you like our canz?" ....YES, that bar. Will I go back? Good God, NO. I do appreciate their hospitality though.

Laura and I cleaned our apartment this weekend. Ok, not only this weekend, but on a Friday night. Who are we?? It looks great, and smells normal again! We win. I don't think I've mentioned this but, the people on either side of our apartment have babies (that cry...a lot, because that's what babies do when they aren't pooping or eating) Personally, I think it's some sick joke that the universe is playing on Laura and I, but I also consider it some really great birth control.

Flood warning

I can only assume New Yorkers are made of sugar, and in the event of rain, they melt. Hence why, on a rainy day, you can find a majority of the people wearing galoshes up to their knees, a rain jacket (hood up and tied), plus the biggest umbrella you will have ever seen in your entire life (because walking through a crowd isnt hard enough, already).

My morning was made by a man wearing a plastic gold crown, whistling all of the lyrics to Stair Way to Heaven in the subway station, and concord grapes from the farmers market.

Good Knight

Chivalry is hard to come by, but, surprisingly, not in New York City. Yesterday, a man on the subway noticed that I was uncomfortable holding the handle near the ceiling since I am so short, so he offered me his seat. I told him no, and that I was fine, but he insisted, so I took it even though I was only going one more stop. Today the guy who hands out newspapers at the top of the stairs at the 14th street subway exit told me I was beautiful, he also always thanks me for saying "no, thank you" instead of blasting past him like a jerk.

Of course, there are the people who have to stand with their bodies pressed against you as you wait in line to get on the train to Jersey, because obviously you're going to get their faster if your tits are pressed into my back and your umbrella is jabbing my side. Oh, and when you do that, I tend to walk a little slower than everyone else... Perhaps that's not chivalrous of me at all, but it's ok, I will get over it.

Oh Mickey, You're so fine.

About a month ago, we had an incident in the office involving a rancid smell in the studio kitchen, and a dead mouse by my coworkers desk. We are infested.

FAST FORWARD.

Today, I walk into the studio get set up, put my jacket on my chair, get some water, etc...and then sit down. The head designer, in the mean time, had gotten out if his seat to get something from the printer, gasps and says "Courtney!" and points. I turn around and there is another mouse laying on the carpet. We didn't know if it was dead or alive so he starts throwing bouncy balls at it and it didn't move. So he goes into the other room grabs some plastic bags and goes in to pick it up, and the things starts inching along the floor. So naturally I turned a garbage can upside down and put it over it. Eventually my art director scooped him up and him outside, where we assume he will get eaten by a bird.

How did I not see a mouse by my chair when I came in???


On another note, I bought some delicious concord grapes from the farmers market. They are hands down the best grapes I have ever spent money on. Union Square FTW.

like a rolling stone

Courtesy of Rolling Stone #1027.



Focus your bile: forty things to loathe more than Paris
Lets start with (1) people saying "the Internets." same for (2) "the Interwebs" and (3) "the Blogtubes." But not as much as people saying (4)"the last time I checked" or (5) "you do the math." I don't do math, you haven't checked, and you obviously didn't get the memo about (6) "you didn't get the memo." so get over (7) "get over it," especially if you're (8) Mel Gibson. Old guys not trimming their eyebrows (9) -- if Don Imus (10) owned tweezers, he'd still have a job. Cigarettes being illegal in bars, but not (11) onion rings, which smell up the place worse. How about (12) Sisqo not being famous anymore? I hate that. Speaking of the Bloggernetspheres (13), how much do we hate the first-person plural (14)? Wacky periods, as in: Biggest. Cliche. Ever. (15) Describing anything as "the anti-" something (16) Saying "at the end of the day" (17) No deleted scenes on the White Chicks DVD (18)

What else? (19) Bicycles! Do they go fast? Yes. Do they have any safe way of braking? No. Who invented these things? Why are our streets clogged with ten-speed deathtraps hurtling at pedestrians whose only crime is walking dogs on (20) those leashes that take up the whole sidewalk? The only person that should be on a bike is the dude from Yummy Taco (21) who's late with my chicken burrito. All three discs of Yessongs sucked (22-24) but still using (25) the prefix "alt" (26) the abbreviation "tude," (27) the verb "morph" or (28)the punch line "zing"? I just threw up in my mouth (29) !

[Ironically nonracist noun], please (30)! Quad City DJs not making a record lately. (31) That party train isn't going to ride itself, you know. Saying (32) "ATM machine" when the "m" already stands for "machine," like (33) "PIN number" or (34) "MLB baseball." Speaking of which (35) Roger Clemens and (36) the three Hall of Fame voters who cast their ballot for Dante Bichette. Project Runway bringing back (37) Nina Garcia. Dogs are worth repeating (38) "It is what it is." (39) That brings us to 40, so let's add (40) Paris joining Nicole for FOX's Born Innocent '07 Incarcerated Scarfaces . Come on, that would be cool.

charmed

i LOVE surprises. I love giving them, receiving them, unexpected ones.

We have a few doormen at work, the one that was there this morning is probably early fifties, and barely speaks any english. As I waited for the elevator ... SURPRISE his ringtone is Sean Kingston. Made me smile. Good Friday.

an apology.

I'm reading a book called "Dirty Girls," and the author, who used to/or does (I can't remember) write for Maxim, talks about the secret life of girls that guys don't know about, ie not showering on the weekends, lack of shaving in the winter, and eating cereal for dinner. Every single word in that book I can relate to. There is a section about certain types of girls. The girl who needs to be in a relationship, and the perpetually single girl who get's "the dreads." The second one is me. I, like most girls, find myself wanting a relationship, I look for it, I hope for it, etc. Then when I find something good, or otherwise tolerable, the single girl inside starts to freak out. It's hard enough to keep track of one person (me), why would I want to try and add another into the mix.
Then once I realize that I don't want a relationship after all, I tend to drop off the face of the earth, for this I am sorry. k a dumb book for me to realize how big of a chump I am.

It's not you, it's me...really.

Apples and Oranges

I'm trying out this thing called The New York Diet. The key to it is working late, 2.5 meals a day, and walking everywhere. Occasionally it's required to stand by the water cooler and chat with coworkers.

I ordered new pants online, which is risky all in its self, but I also ordered them a size smaller. And they fit!

The New York Diet is my best friend.

Tiny Town, USA

How I love New York, let me count the ways.

This morning on my way to work (I've been walking to and from Penn Station, since the weather has been beautiful) I saw a group of people walking down 7th ave in white T's and tighty whiteys. There were probably 8 of them. I'm sure they were doing some promotion for something, I didn't have time to ask, but it made me smile. Then a block down there were a group of five guys dressed in suits and ties with sunglasses on solemnly telling people to go to an event which was on a postcard, that I didnt pick up. THEN further down, I saw a man dressed in a really fluffy pink dress, with striped stockings, high heels, a floral hat, and in the company of a poodle with rainbow fur... Of course the only thing this guy was promoting was women's clothing from the 80's, but this was probably the best morning walk of my life.

Everything is a production here. Go big or go home, in the Big Apple.

20 questions

I forgot to mention in the post I did this morning about the guy whom I stood next to on the train today. He is the man who everyone hates in the morning because he talks on his phone the whole entire time. Then you are excited because you are nearing the tunnel and there's noway he can still get service underwater. EXCEPT he does because his cell phone service provider is probably Zeus. "FUCK" -- That's what I think to myself, because I woke up with the worst headache, and I'm stuck next to stupid chatty cathy. So then I start listening to his one-sided conversation, because the person on the other end certainly cannot get a word in edgewise. He is asking a million questions, such as:

"Where are you?"
"What have you eaten today?"
"DId you get lunch?"
"Are you going to the parking ramp?"
"Are you by your car yet?"
"You're driving?"
"So do you like the street your on?"
...... (zone out).....
"So you think it's funny now? A second ago it wasn't funny."
......(zone out).....
"That's quite an accomplishment, I think. You don't"
"Oh now you do? You didn't a second ago, thats very non committal of you"
"You have to go?"
"Where are you going?"

The girl who was a across from him and myself making eyes, knowing what the other was thinking. I'm just thankful I will probably never see (hear) him again. KNOCK ON WOOD.

Midwest is for lovers

I went to the coffee shop across from work this morning to grab a breakfast sandwich and a coffee. When I was paying I handed the girl my card and she says "OHMIGOD" and I say "yeah it warped in the sun." (before I left for new york I left my wallet in my car, sitting in the sun, and all of my cards look like I set them on fire.) And she says "mid west!" Then I realize she is referring to the 5/3 logo on my card. She asks where I'm from and I tell her Michigan, and she says "Me too!! Royal Oak!" How weird. I told her to go home for the holidays, her family wants to see her, waved and left. I hope she goes home, she looked like she missed the mitten state.

halloween preview?

This is what you see when you search "orange clove" on shutter stock. It's terrifying. What I want to know is who would actually use this is real life?

Over & Over & Over ( it )

I am finishing my third coffee of the day. My stomach hurts. One I had at home while getting ready for the day, even though my alarm didn't go off and I woke up late. The other two from starbucks (pumpkin spice lattes, YES.) The first time I went there to get one they thought I was an employee there and gave me 50% off instead of the usual 20%. score. I win, fridays are good. I thought I would try and be sneaky and go for round two, but the cashier saw right through me. Aw, rats.

This much coffee is too painful and my body hates me right now. I will never let this happen again.

A dude.

You would be surprised to learn (because I was shocked) that 98% of people who give me compliments on my tattoo are middle-aged women. YES, WEIRD. Yesterday it was refreshing to hear something nice from someone MY age. I had actually seen this guy at "71" a coffee shop a few blocks from work, and then we left around the same time and walked the exact same way towards union square. I had just passed him when he told the person he was talking to on the phone "hold on" and then taps me on the shoulder and says "THAT is the best tattoo I have ever seen, Im a mathematician, I can appreciate that." I thanked him, blushed a little and turned to go into inside, when he picks up the rest of his phone conversation by telling the person on the other line that he had just seen the coolest tattoo and that it was better than theirs (the person on the other end). It made me laugh.

I like when people recognize it, I feel like it's some sort of exclusive club, and I also like when people don't know what it is and i can sound cool explaining it to them.

Also, it's september now, the cool weather can come anytime now......

The best I ever had.

So in comes the end of the summer. The most exciting/nerve racking/adventurous summer of my entire life and I absolutely cannot wait to see what's next.

My best friend since middle school, Rhonda, told me before she left to live in France for a year told me "I can't believe YOU have a job in New York Fucking City, you're SO passive." And she's right, I am passive, and really good things always fall into my lap. Spoiled? probably, but it's not my fault. I like my win-win attitude, it's the end of the world if something doesn't go your way, in fact I think it's one of my best qualities.

I'm excited for the fall in a new place. I need to find an apple orchard, and good pumpkins to carve. Plan my holiday festivities and travel time. I WILL be getting a real Christmas tree this year and Im so excited!

I find it kind of funny, I find it kind of sad.

I can't stop listening to Tears For Fears "Mad World."

Jersey is bunk

Last night after an outing into the city, and a couple of beers with 8 friends. Kyle (the guy who lives in my attic...seriously) and I decided it's time to head home. We get to the train, and it leaves at 12:58 or something like that. Not abnormal by any means. Then we arrive at the junction where we need to get off. OUR TRAIN DOORS DIDNT OPEN, and then next thing we know the train is moving again, and we are heading for Newark, New Jersey. Us and four other guys were unable to get off the train, and had to pay an arm and leg for a cab ride BACK to Secaucus, because there weren't any more trains running that way until the next morning. WTF New Jersey, you are the worst!

magic carpet ride.

Lately, I have been seeing these gems floating around the city. (No pun intended) I don't understand why. They must trap hot air in and they are ugly. The only good thing about them is that people can't see your thighs rub together, but why not jut wear a skirt?

TURKEY.

If you have never seen the show 30 Rock...well, you should. The main character, Liz Lemon, is pretty much me when it comes to boys. For instance in Kalamazoo I was notorious for giving "The Turkey" to boys that I just met.

*the turkey: a rendition of the high-five, where one's hand is fist shaped,
thumb facing out, and the other person goes in flat handed, fingers spread so that upon hand connection it looks
like a turkey.

So as if a high-five isn't dorky enough, here I am giving the effing turkey. I have a point to this...


Today I went and opened a Bank of America account, finally after living out here for 3 months. The guy who took care of me was younger, I'd say my age. We talked about baseball (see post below), how to say his last name, his love for soccer, how he was born in Italy, what I was doing out here, how I like Jersey, etc. Then after all is said and done, he says "here is my business card, call me if you need anything." I might be reading too much into this since, after all, I just set up my account with him, but I can't tell if he actually wants me to call him. He showed he me how to deposit my checks at the atm, and upon parting ways we shook hands and held eye contact for a longer than a second.

Now normally I would say that he was just doing his job, but during our conversation I found out that he doesn't actually work upstairs where he happened to be today, he works downstairs...so why would I have to call him if I needed anything? I am SUCH a girl right now AND I am so oblivious to hints. Im keeping his card, maybe someday i will need something.

have you seen my baseball?

On monday I went to my first Yankees game. New yorkers are excited when I tell them that, and then I ramble on about how I only went because they were playing the Detroit Tigers. Enter the angry glares. I can't help it, I wouldn't ask them to change their team if they happened to move out of the state and Lord knows they wouldn't. It was a sweet sweet victory for the good guys. Then they lost Tuesday and Wednesday, I have faith they can pull their shit together today, and atleast tie the four game series.

Chelsea's last weekend is this one. I'll only be able to hang out Friday night as I am heading to Baltimore to hang out with my sister, brother-in-law, and coolest two year old in the world. We're going to an Orioles game (we all know they need as many fans as they can get). I see foam fingers and mustard on my white-tee and lots of playtime with the little guy.

Also, I WAS offered a permanent position at my studio. Hellllo salary and benefits. I never thought dental insurance would get me excited, who knew growing up would be so...fun.

Weekend goodness

kindness matters

I was on my way into the city recently, standing in the vestibule of the train, when this girl (probably 19 or 20) comes and stands in the same area. She was carrying a few bags and a suitcase. Shortly after she came to the spot she was standing in, a man, early 30's came and stood by her. He was talking to her, asking questions, so I assumed they knew each other. He asked her about the boroughs of NYC to which she didn't have any answers for him. He asked about her apartment, and she told him it was a one bedroom, but her boyfriend had room to store some of his things. This, and when she shot me a look of "what the fuck," is what made me realize she didn't know him. She kept mentioning this boyfriend of hers in their brief exchanges. As the train came into Penn Station the man asked if she needed any help with her bags. This guy did not get it. She politely said no, and we all left the train. I don't know what happened after that as we all parted ways, but kudos to this girl as she was very patient and kind to this gentleman that didn't have a clue. I like people like this, there should be more people like her. Tolerance is nice, and kindness matters.

Big Eyed Fish

Throughout my internship I have been dreading the day that I have to bring up whether or not I will get hired, or if it will be extended, or if I am done for good. I had been trying to think of ways to tactfully bring up the subject with my boss (who sits across from me), but could never bring myself to actually say the words a loud. Then yesterday he sent me an e-mail asking if I wanted to get coffee on Friday, and I know it's to discuss this. He also included in the e-mail "you've done great here, keep up the good work." Now I could (and have been) taking this two ways.

1. He is giving me a clue about them wanting to possibly give me a job.

2. He is giving me encouragement to not lose steam, and say that they appreciate me, but they can't keep me, and want to be nice about it.

I am SUCH a girl. I'm terrified that this could be it, and then I have to figure out a plan in the meantime until I finish my other classes or find a fall internship ASAP.

Wish me luck tomorrow, and cross your fingers that they put me on salary.

One Inch Tall

If you were only one inch tall, you'd ride a worm to school.
The teardrop of a crying ant would be your swimming pool.
A crumb of cake would be a feast
And last you seven days at least,
A flea would be a frightening beast
If you were one inch tall.

If you were only one inch tall, you'd walk beneath the door,
And it would take about a month to get down to the store.
A bit of fluff would be your bed,
You'd swing upon a spider's thread,
And wear a thimble on your head
If you were one inch tall.

You'd surf across the kitchen sink upon a stick of gum.
You couldn't hug your mama, you'd just have to hug her thumb.
You'd run from people's feet in fright,
To move a pen would take all night,
(This poem took fourteen years to write--
'Cause I'm just one inch tall).

Shel Silverstein

Meow

I got an e-mail from my mom today saying that my cat, eloise, has a urinary tract infection. Now she has to collect a urine sample. Poor baby kitty, poor mom for having to sit around all day waiting for my cat to cop a squat. In some sort of demented way this kind of makes me giggle a little.

Sonic Youth is playing in New York on Saturday for a suggested donation of $3. How fun does that sound?

Also, I'm only eating salad for the rest of my life, except when I eat cereal.

Debbie Downer Moment

My friend/ old room mate Sean called me today while I was at work, this is odd because usually we keep in contact mainly through insults on facebook. Curiosity peaked. I called him back when I got home, and he had really awful news. Matt Miller, an old college "friend" had passed away from cancer at the ripe old age of 26 (maybe). I knew Matt because we lived on the same floor in the dorm, he roomed with Sean. We also saw each other on occasion after that year due to mutual friends, and eventually I ended up subletting his bedroom in an overpriced Kalamazoo apartment. We never spoke often, as we didn't have too much in common other than the people we knew, but he was a good man, with a big heart. Matt is the 2nd young person that I've know personally to have died of cancer. The other was my kindergarten "boyfriend" who died shortly after high school graduation.

It's unfortunate to have that kind of wake up call to realize how short life really is. I love where I'm at right now. No regrets.

I'm not sure what I thought I would accomplish by posting this, maybe I did it just because I could.

On another note, I have the apartment all to myself tonight. Win.

Sweaty pig

I got on the subway car today, and there is this mousy girl with her hands wrapped around, I assume, her boyfriends arm and her head on her shoulder. Did she not get the memo that it's a million degrees outside? If I were him I probably would have punched her.

accidental habit

I have a problem listening to, watching, reading the saddest things at the worst time. For instance today I came across a blog about a 25 year old woman who died of cystic fibrosis, and kept an online journal during her last years/months. Curiosity sparked. Listened to some of the video blogs while working, not the best idea considering my eyes welled up with tears, the story was heart-wrenching. Rewind a month ago when I was reading a few articles in a magazine about doctors telling their most intense moment at work. I cried on my commute home. I also remember a time where I was reading a book at the gym. cried. Moral of the story is to only read about bunnies and rainbows when in public spaces.

Monday at the end of July

Last night my new friend Henry played at Birdland, a pretty famous jazz club in NY, and by played I mean it was open mic night and he sang an original about Lindsay Lohan while rocking it out on the accordion. The venue was amazing, the drinks were amazing, the company was amazing. In the audience sat Celeste Holm, she starred in the original "The Women," "All About Eve," and something else that I can't remember, but here is a photo :

My celebrity siting list just got bigger... BAM!

I saved an ice cap from melting.

I went to Whole Foods for lunch today, not unusual. When they asked me if I wanted a bag I said no, also not unusual. When I was walking back to work I glanced at my receipt and they took off 10 cents from my total on account of "go green bag refund." Obviously 10 cents is not that big of a deal, but I like that aside from preserving man-kind and all other living species there is incentive to be smart about what is necessary to have and what isn't.

9:42am

This week is never ending.

Yesterday, after work, I met up with my room mates and some other friends for an open bar-happy hour, meaning we get free drinks for an hour so quit talk and order another. Awesome. We made our way down to the lower east side for some cheap falafel afterwards and decided the best decision was to leave (9:00-ish) after splitting a pitcher. On our way out we met some new friends, both named Andrew...long story short we ended up at a karaoke bar called "Sing Sing" in alphabet city. A private room full of strangers singing Metallica, so weird. We also bumped into Lech and Dorian at the door, I gave them my free song that we were given upon entering Sing Sing.

It's supposed to storm all weekend. I hope it does because that would give me an excuse to not leave my room.

Casual Thursday

Today is a White-T kind of day, business casual my ass.

Double time

1. Yesterday when I was leaving the train station I noticed a piece of masking tape stuck to the stairs that read "Work is Freedom." I suppose the interpretation of this is up to the reader, but at first I looked at it negatively. I thought "wow, what a miserable life this person must have if the only only way they can enjoy themselves is by sitting in an office (assuming that's their environment.) " How shitty would your weekends be if the whole time you're wishing for overtime? Or, on the flip side, maybe it was a homeless person looking for an out. I've been thinking about this piece of tape a lot lately. I don't know what my freedom is, and I'm going to explore al of my options. I want everything to be my freedom.

2. I sat 3 feet away from Jim Gaffigan last night. WIN.

Peas in a Pod

Lisa (college roomie/ best friend in the entire universe) visited this weekend. We did a helluva lot of touristy things was is good considering I'm still semi-tourist. We went to the top of The Rock for a kick ass view of the city, took the staten island ferry so we could see the skyline and Lady Liberty, New York style pizza in Little Italy, Central Park, and to the Bronx to see Yankee stadium. Speaking of which, we rolled up at the perfect time because the Yankees were driving out of the building, and Joba Chamberlain (the pitcher) was pulled over on a curb signing autographs. YAHTZEE! ...except that I didnt get an autograph. The Yankees mean nothing to me, even Granderson.

I'm so exhausted, today was a ten hour day at work, plus two hours for commute, lack of sleep over the weekend, and waking up early to get Lisa to the train station.

Over and out.

I live here.

Busy couple of weekends, I will update soon, in the meantime I LIVE HERE.

Alaska

Man in the 14th street station--

"There are as many people in this subway station as there are in all of Alaska."

glitz and glamor.

This weekend:

Thursday:

Laura and I had the girls over for dinner. She (Laura) had made delicious cornish hens and they were ready by the time we had arrived. So so good. We spent the rest of that night talking about girly things and dancing around the living room until late into the night. It was nice, I hadn't hung out with a whole group of girls in that kind of setting probably since high school.

Friday:

I made stuffed french toast for everyone in the morning. Laura and I bummed around town for awhile, watched a moving in the afternoon, and then headed into the city. We went to a club, yes a club (who am I?), and met up with Lech, and Chelsea, and later Dorian. First of all, I hate dancing, unless I've had enough cocktails. Anyway, it was just as I expected; over-priced, stuck up half naked people, smoke machines, and really terrible music. I had a mini anxiety attack as we waited to go outside to get a breather. I had never felt that way, I figured it was because I was getting shoved around, stepped on, and touching every single sweaty body surrounding me. We finally left around 3ish? to go to a diner down the road for a grilled cheese sandwich and shitty table service. Took the train into Hoboken, and a taxi back home. This city is so expensive.

Saturday:

The girls and I decided to stay in and try and save up since Sunday was the 4th and we knew we'd be out and about that day. It was a lovely day of sunbathing, eating New Jersey pizza (THE BEST PIZZA I'VE EVER HAD) and watching sex and the city. I'm excited to have girlfriends at arms length again, it's something I've been lacking for a couple of years.

Sunday:

Laura, Chels, and I went to Coney Island to watch Nathan's Hotdog Eating Contest, we followed that with a Circus Sideshow down the street. Then we took the train 40 minutes back into Manhattan where we waited 3 hours to watch the BEST fireworks show I've ever seen, and probably ever will. Everything was so well choreographed. When it was over New York looked like a zombie movie as thousands and thousands of people walked covered the streets. We ended the night with beer and Apples to Apples.

Life is good, I'm starting to get the hang of this place.

Quatro

I am 89% sure I had my 4th celebrity spotting this afternoon.

They go like this:

1. Zack Braff
2. Bill Nye the Science Guy
3. T.R. Knight
4. Liev Shreiber

I was walking to KMart to do some stealth photography (we needed on-shelf photos of the company that we design for) and a man, presumably Liev, turns the corner and continues to walk ahead of me. I wasn't entirely sure it was him so I had to do some research. After observing this guy I took some mental notes, and when I got back to work I scrounged the internet for clues.

• Does Liev Shreiber have two kids? YES.
• Is there photographic proof that Liev Shreiber owns/wears black classic Ray Ban sunglasses? YES.
• Does Liev Shreiber live in New York? YES.

There you have it folks, all signs point to the fact that I am 89% sure it was him. 11% room for error.

(He is wicked tan for living in the city, and has really great calves)

New York Minute

Friday night was my first night out in The City to experience the night life. It was my friend Chelsea's 21st birthday, we met up with that waiter that we met (Lech) from my previous post and he took us to a bar called The Continental. This place had a deal where you buy 5 shots for $10, how coincidental that we happened to have 5 people. Also, the beer "specials" were not too bad according to NY standards. Later, Lech's friend Dorian joined us. He is from Bolivia. From there we bar hopped all over Manhattan. Places included Beer-Only bars, a confusing night-club, a karaoke bar, and some place in Hell's Kitchen.

Laura and I missed our train out of town, which was early -- 1:30ish, so ended up taking a nap in Penn Station, which sounds radical, and disgusting (which it was) but everyone else was doing it too. When I say everyone else, there were other nicely dressed people, and not just bums. We were rudely woken up by the floor cleaner who honked and us and yelled at us to move, however he didn't do that to the people sleeping across from us. Then we kept getting in his way, and were pretty much chased around the large poles and getting honked at even more. We eventually ended up on the stairs, and then back to the floor. Then when we finally did get back home (5am-ish) we had to walk from the station to our apartment, it's daylight at this point, and it's not too far of a walk, but felt like 500 miles.

I only posted all that so I could justify sleeping until 7pm, yesterday.

Today is cleaning/walmart/don't do anything that requires brain-power day.

Picture update

(left) This is the basil plant that i bought at the farmers market for seven dollars, it is gigantic. Look how pitiful it makes my basil that I brought from home look. New York FTW.

(bottom) This is the view from my office in the middle of Union Square. We are on the top floor of the biggest Barnes and Noble in New York.

Down...but not out.

Today was interesting.

Everything started off well, and then exploded by the end of the day. Some confusion with files mixed with my need to not disappoint/ guilt about slowing the process made me pretty stressed out. I keep telling myself that I'm an intern, I'm here to learn, it's not my fault when shit gets screwed up, but it still makes me anxious. Then on my way home I missed my stop because I was too busy thinking about how I don't want the place I work for thinking that they made a mistake hiring me, and then cursing the graphic design program at WMU for not teaching me photoshop. Then on my next train, I read about a doctor who's worst moment was operating on a cervical cancer patient who was pregnant, and suddenly my dilemma didn't seem so bad.

So because of my melodramatic breakdown I missed out on an AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) event which was supposed to be super awesome. I fail.

Also, I really miss EVERYTHING about Kalamazoo. I still feel like I'm on vacation, a really long vacation.

I'm hoping I feel better in the morning.

Officially Official

I got my name badge at work, which also has a sensory key on the back of it, so all i have to do is hold it up to a thing that scans it, makes the door beep, and I can go to work. Also, to clock in I use this freaky space-age machine that scans the palm of my hand. Which would be fine, but there are metal bars that stick up that go in between your fingers and then you have to squeeze your hand inward so the sides of your fingers touch them. My hands are little so I have to assist with my other hand.

I also forgot to mention previously that I literally fell off my chair on my first day of work, two people saw, and showed concern for my well-being. I am SO graceful.

Tuesday night I had gone out after I got out from work to a bar, with a girl from WMU, and from my job to a bar called Black and White, which is supposedly owned by the drummer from the Strokes. Anyway, there was trivia and we failed miserably since it was mostly guessing literary titles from being told the first line in the book. Perhaps I should visit Barnes and Noble (I get a 20% discount since I work in the same building -- SCORE).

We went to a luncheon on Monday with work people to a place called Olives. To a girl who used to get a can of black olives in her Christmas stocking ever year, this is heaven. Also the most expensive meal I've ever had for lunch, that I didn't have to pay for. I choked down a salad that had fruit in it, not by choice, mainly out of politeness and the fact that I couldn't pronounce the name of the 2nd salad option. 2nd course was pasta with cheese and asparagus -- SO good. For desert, we had strawberry short cake and split a chocolate souffle. New York has some of the best food ever, and I'm guessing some of the worst (*cough, hot dogs, cough).

Today, Laura (my roommate, and former classmate), her mom, and myself went kayaking on the hudson river. It was between two ports over the holland tunnel. It was fun, not sure if I'd do it again, but atleast I can say that I went. The place that does this also does 3 hour trips from some beach, I think I will try this sometime, it might be more worth while.

I am

To and Fro

My commute from Jersey to New York consists of three trains there, and back. The one that takes me into The City is similar to an Amtrak train, in fact, if I'm not mistaken, it is. Today, and yesterday on my way back home I got a "free" ride, they never checked my ticket, so if I had not already paid for a monthly, wanted to be a rebel and try for a free ride, I would have gotten TWO!

Super Duper

Okay, so I knew the Superbowl was coming to New York in 2014, but I just found out that it's really coming to Secaucus, New Jersey, that's where I live. Super Duper.

Hustle and Bustle

Yesterday (Saturday) I rode into The City to meet up with a friend, Chelsea, who I used to work at Pizza Hut with, she is here interning for the NHL, how cool is that? We met on the north end of Central Park, and the took the metro to the south end after realizing that the Zoo (our intended destination) was in the south east corner and it was way to long of a walk. So when we got of at our stop we started in that direction. Needless to say we never made to the zoo, instead there was a free concert (part of a series throughout the summer) happening in the middle of the park, and the music was actually really good. I got a schedule so I can go back, they also have shows in Queens and Brooklyn.

After the sets were finished we headed to eat and wound up at this restaurant somewhere on 55th. There weren't any females servers, and all of the employees were foreign. For some reason we had about four servers take care of our table, I assume it's because we were young females, and the majority of the crowd that was in there were middle-aged tourists. Server #1, we learned, was from macedonia and had worked on a cruise ship prior to moving to New York, when he first moved to the US he lived in Chicago, but something happened (involving a girl, of course) and he ended up in NY. Server #2 was creepy. Server #3 told Chelsea she had beautiful eyes each time he passed our table, and when I asked if I could he have a drink menu, he replied with "You can have my heart." Oh Boy. Server #4 was from Poland or Holland, I can't remember, but he is a pianist, and works in the restaurant to get by. We chatted with this one a lot, pretty good looking, blonde hair blue eyes (surprise, surprise) before we left he gave us both his card with his phone number on it inviting us out sometime. He then walked us to the restaurant door, made a little more small talk, and we left. Chelsea went home from there and I met up with my friend Nico in Washington Square park where some dude was playing a baby grand piano. How does a person bring a piano in NY to a park? It's not like you can pull it onto the subway. It was cool though, there was a whole little band playing including that guy, and people were dancing by the fountain.

Today, I rode into The City to do a little shopping at the Kmart in Penn Station, grabbed some groceries (no produce, sad face) and headed back home. It looks like rain today, but nothing yet. I heard that Kalamazoo had some pretty bad storms, I hope they don't come this way.

City Slicker

It's official, I am here. New York City.

I arrived last Tuesday morning around 5am, was able to drive through Manhattan, and Brooklyn with ease as rush hour had not started yet. We stayed at Rhonda's friend's place where I was able to catch a nap before we headed out to lunch at a nice little joint in Brooklyn, then went and watched Sex and the City 2 since we were in The City, and well, you know. That night, plus two more we crashed at Rhonda's ex's apartment, also in Brooklyn since I wasn't able to move into my apartment until that Friday.

Getting to work wasn't any problem, since it's in Union Square, pretty much every subway car stops there. My first day (wednesday) was a little stressful, I was pretty much introduced to currently existing projects and then was told to start working on them, which is normal, and no problem but I was already overwhelmed, and so on.

Thursday night Rhonda and I went to a swing dance club-thing (I only went for moral support, and the booze) where low and behold Bill Nye the Science Guy was there! WHAT?! I need to start my list of celebrity sightings.

I'm at the apartment now, and it's Saturday, I haven't eaten since last night when pretty much the only thing I had eaten all day was a lean pocket and a glass of wine. I should probably make my way into the city and see what kind of trouble I can get into.

Subway station out

Found a place to live, well my roomate and her dad found me and her a place to live. It's in Brooklyn, on Bushwick. I, obviously, don't know where anything is yet, but I've heard good things.

Still packing packing packing. My brother is coming Thursday with my dad's truck, and trailer. He is the one who moved me to Kalamazoo, and he is the one to move me out. So weird. I've some of the best last days here, and I owe it all to my friends, they are the best thing to ever happen to me. I'm not ready to say my goodbyes.

Bum Day

I did nothing today, absolutely nothing.

The guilt will catch up with me soon.

Two Weeks Notice

In two weeks I move from Kalamazoo, MI (yes, it's real) to New York City. I accepted a design internship for the summer in the heart of Manhattan. I started this blog to write about my new adventure and share it with the world...well, mainly just for friends and family so I don't have to tell stories over and over again.

I don't have a place to live yet, but my friend/classmate Laura is moving out there also, and happens to be traveling there with her family and will be apartment hunting for the both of us. I completely trust her, so I'm not too worried. If worst comes to worst, I will be sleeping in the subway station, I'm sure I can find someone to cuddle with to keep me warm (kidding, Mom).

I found out today that I can wear jeans to work -- SCORE.