May 2013
6 posts
9 tags
One-Uppers
A few months back, I blogged about “Negative Nancy’s;” AKA the kind of person who exudes a severe doom-and-gloom mentality, bringing down everyone around them. When I wrote that post, I thought extreme negativity was one of the worst personality traits that a person could have, until I recently realized: nope…I found something worse.
The “One-Upper.”
A...
11 tags
Tattletale
It’s nighttime. Sometime in the late 1980s. I’m not sure exactly how old I was, but I was in elementary school at the time. 7 or 8 years old maybe? It doesn’t matter.
My mother was out, and I was home with my dad. I don’t recall exactly what I was doing; but knowing me, I was either playing with Barbies, writing one of my ridiculous stories, or watching Full House or something....
15 tags
A Mother's Day Tradition
A few years ago on Mother’s Day weekend, my wonderful and spunky Grandmother decided to throw a German-themed “‘Wurst” party (‘wurst’ referring to the foods that would be served: bratwurst, liverwurst, etc.). My entire extended family showed up to enjoy the nice Spring day, and got a pleasant surprise: my brother and his girlfriend (now wife) showed up to the...
12 tags
Attack of the Cicadas
If you live on the East Coast between Georgia and Connecticut, get ready for the air to be filled with billions of large, buzzing insects known as cicadas, a massive brood of which have been feeding on roots underground for the past 17 years — all in preparation for this one moment.
A small number of the “Brood II” cicadas, which are one of seven different species of the...
14 tags
Bravado
It’s been almost three weeks since the tragic bombings in Boston, and I think I speak for many people when I say… we’re all a bit uneasy.
You all know how much I love living in New York City, but it’s kiiiiiiiiiiind of a bummer that we have a bullseye directly on us, and we are (and always will be) a prime target for terrorist attacks.
I think about this often,...
19 tags
Oh the Weather Outside is Weather...
What ‘concrete jungle?’
Enjoy some pics of a glorious Springtime in NYC - just try not to have an allergy attack while viewing:
April 2013
8 posts
12 tags
Run As One
Cause sometimes you just feel tired; feel weak
And when you feel weak, you feel like you wanna just give up
But you gotta search within you, you gotta find that inner strength
And just pull that shit out of you and get that motivation to NOT give up
And NOT be a quitter
No matter how bad you wanna just fall flat on your face and collapse…
-Eminem-
...
12 tags
It's Gonna Be Alright
Apologies for the radio silence this past week, but in lieu of last week’s events, writing blog posts about random nonsense just didn’t seem right.
Obviously last week started off on a crappy foot for my family personally, and then it escalated into a weird, scary, intense week for the entire country: a manhunt and shootouts with the bombing suspects, an explosion in Texas, the bill...
9 tags
Boston
When I first heard the news of the bombings at the Boston Marathon, my initial reaction was that it’s becoming harder and harder to have faith in humanity these days. School shootings, mass murderers, terrorist attacks… it’s sadly all become “the new normal.”
But as I watch the continuous coverage and continue to see and read about all the heroes and first...
4 tags
Grandma
My Grandmother — my dad’s mom — passed away unexpectedly this weekend. While I’ve been no stranger to loss (especially in the last few years), I’ve never experienced losing someone when I wasn’t prepared to do so. Cancer is a nightmare, but the one — literally, ONE — good thing about it is that it gives you the gift of time. Time to prepare,...
6 tags
North Korea Conversations
NEWSPAPER OR WEBSITE HEADLINE: “North Korea readying rockets to aim at U.S. targets, state media says.”
Me: Whoa, should we be worried about this?
Matt: Eh, nah. They make this threat once a year.
...
10 tags
Spring Cleaning
Spring cleaning is the practice of thoroughly cleaning a house in the springtime. The practice of spring cleaning is especially prevalent in climates with a cold winter.
The most common usage of spring cleaning refers to the yearly act of cleaning a house from top to bottom which would take place in the first warm days of the year typically in spring, hence the name. However it has also come to...
10 tags
Kardashian Kruelty
I can’t believe I’m doing this, but…
I’m about to defend Kim Kardashian.
Now, let me be clear: I am NOT on the Kardashian bandwagon. I don’t particular kare for their krazy family and their annoying nasally voices or their lack of any discernible talents. They’re literally famous for nothing, are horrible role models, and I’d rather get a root canal...
14 tags
C h a l l e n g e
What is it about 2013?
Every other year before this, I was unadventurous, non-risk-taking, and continuously played it safe. I didn’t like to step outside of my comfort zone and I definitely, definitely didn’t like being challenged.
But something happened in 2013. Instead of just THINKING about my ‘bucket list,’ I actually started doing things on it.
And that, ladies...
8 tags
Easter Antics
My Easter Sunday, in a nutshell:
We don’t do normal.
March 2013
8 posts
8 tags
An Ode to Grumpy Cat
What can I say… I love a good meme.
Whether it’s the ‘hide ya kids, hide ya wife’ guy, or my dear, dear Sweet Brown (LORD JESUS IT’S A FIRE!!), I embrace all the weirdness of the internet.
Don’t even get me started on the ‘goats yelling like humans’ videos. I could watch them all day. Actually, I think I may have.
But a few months ago, I...
6 tags
Gym Etiquette
Approximately 6:05 pm: I’m in the locker room of New York Sports Club, changing into my gym gear. And that’s when I hear it.
It’s faint, and at first I can’t tell who it’s coming from, but I’ve clearly identified what the sound is. HUMMING.
Someone in my vicinity was humming. While in the gym locker room. It lasted for the entire time I was in...
8 tags
Here is New York
As a self-proclaimed book nerd; I’m always looking for new things to read.
While perusing GoodReads for the next novel, memoir or biography that I could order for my Kindle, I stumbled upon a book — well, it’s an essay, really — called ‘Here is New York’ by E.B White. Only 58 pages long, it was published in 1949 and it’s considered to be a famous...
10 tags
This is 30
And it’ll happen once again
You’ll turn to a friend
Someone that understands
And sees through the master plan
But everybody’s gone
And you’ve been there for too long
To face this on your own
Well, I guess this is growing up
—Blink 182
...
11 tags
In The Black
If you live in or around Manhattan, it’s essential that you partake in all the activities, history, culture, and unique experiences that this great city has to offer.
Go to the museums, famous landmarks, parks, and bridges. Take in a Broadway show or head to Lincoln Center for the Ballet. Go to a taping of the Daily Show or a concert at BB Kings.
Orrrrr, ya know, go to a restaurant...
8 tags
JUST DO IT.
Motivation: the general desire or willingness of someone to do something.
———————————————————————————————————-
Where does motivation come from? Whether we need it for dieting, chores,...
6 tags
Unsolicited Assistance
“There’s the kind of support you ask for, and the kind of support you don’t ask for, and then there’s the kind that just shows up.”
—Carrie, Sex and the City
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
I’m that annoying feminist “I don’t...
February 2013
9 posts
6 tags
Pursuit of Happiness
I’m on the pursuit of happiness and I know
Everything that shines ain’t always gonna be gold…
-Kid Cudi
Wayyyyy back in 1776, the Founding Fathers of our country signed a little document called the Declaration of Independence. Ever heard of it? One of the most well-known phrases in that document — or perhaps the ONLY known phrase in that document — is:
...
8 tags
Schoolin' Life
Well I never lived the dreams of the prom kings
And the drama queens
I’d like to think the best of me
Is still hiding
Up my sleeve
-John Mayer
...
7 tags
Damsel in Distress
Monday morning. President’s Day. I SHOULD have off from work, but I don’t.
I step outside my apartment building around 8:30am and immediately feel the biting, piercing cold. I cross over 1st Avenue and within seconds I hear a quiet yet commanding voice: “EXCUSE ME!!!!!!!!!!“
I look to my right and there she is — a very old woman, sitting in her wheelchair...
8 tags
Web of Lies
“The trouble with quotes on the Internet is that you can never know if they are genuine.” —Abraham Lincoln
—————————————————————————————————
I have many pet peeves. More than the...
7 tags
Let it Snow
As you may know, the Northeast got pummeled with a blizzard yesterday/early this morning. This snowstorm, warned by our local newscasters to be of epic proportions, was named after a fish from a kid’s movie:
This is the opposite of intimidating.
While those unlucky suburb dwellers had the unfortunate task of waking up to shovel and snow-blow this morning, us lazy city folk (as usual)...
6 tags
Random Acts of Kindness
I’m on the subway this morning. As usual, it’s crowded. I’m standing with my fellow commuters, shoulder to shoulder, and uncomfortably close.
I start to feel someone’s eyes on me, so I look up. A large black woman with a shaved head is staring at me. Hard.
I look down. Did I step on this woman’s foot when I got on the train and not realize it? Is she now ice...
5 tags
Love Letter
…I don’t usually do this. I’m not the romantic type, or the kind to profess my love publicly.
But I couldn’t hold it in anymore, and needed to tell the world how I feel about you.
I think about you all the time — from the minute I wake up, to the moment I fall asleep.
I rush home from work to see you, and spending time with you is easily the best part of my day.
...
8 tags
Born to Perform
Aside from the Beyonce concert Super Bowl this weekend, I had the pleasure of going to The Great White Way (also known as Broadway) to see ‘Annie: the musical.’ Ever heard of it? If you haven’t, just stop reading now. On second hand, just don’t read my blog at all! Ever!
Sorry, where was I? My mother, sister-in-law and I all went to the Saturday matinee to see the...
8 tags
Why I Love Super Bowl Sunday
1. The food.
Matt and I are making chicken wings and pulled pork sandwiches - NOT this creation above. In the words of my favorite internet sensation Sweet Brown: “Ain’t Nobody Got Time for Dat!!”
2. Commercials.
Fine, sometimes they’re over-hyped and not that great, but as a person who works in online advertising, it’s my job to watch and critique the ads.
...
January 2013
9 posts
6 tags
Your Own Worst Enemy
Have you ever gone to work on a Monday morning, tired and groggy, cranky and out of it, gotten to your desk and realized you have a crap-load of work to do? Your to-do list is long, your Outlook calendar is full and there are Post-It notes sprawled all over your desk reminding you of all the tasks on deck for that day. It then dawns on you. YOU are your worst enemy here. Your brain thinks...
5 tags
Unnecessary Spending
Confession: I like to shop. I like nice things. I have a Louis Vuitton bag. I have a shoe fetish. I enjoy handbags. Clutches. Online shopping. Real life shopping. I like cute work clothes. And cute going out clothes. Nice dresses. I’m a big fan of costume jewelry. Designers.
You get the point.
But ladies… LADIES! WHAT is this new trend I’m...
4 tags
Hidden Talents
You know those kinds of people who are seemingly good at everything? They’re natural-born athletes who also happen to have angelic singing voices, can cook a delicious five-course meal seamlessly, and also can fill out an entire New York Times crossword puzzle?
I’m not one of those people.
I don’t have some amazing skill or talent that I’m known for, and I’m not...
12 tags
Superstar
If you are what you say you are,
A superstar
Then have no fear, the camera’s here
And the microphones, and they wanna know…
If you are what you say you are,
A superstar
Then have no fear, the crowd is here
And the lights are on and they want a show…
-Lupe Fiasco
_______________________________________________________
I think it’s clear to anyone who knows me...
6 tags
iPhone Haze
I drank the Kool-aid.
When my Samsung cell phone kicked the bucket last week and I found out I was due for an upgrade, I caved and got an iPhone. I’ve always tried to be someone who is a non-conformist and doesn’t just follow the crowd, but… whatever, this thing is awesome.
Also, I admittedly am one of those annoying phone people. I’m always looking at it, checking...
4 tags
The Dash
It was pretty obvious from my last post that a family member passed away this week, and it’s certainly been a trying couple of days. Today we laid to rest a man who lived a long 83 years on this Earth, and the services were a wonderful tribute for a wonderful man.
I’m not a religious person, and I can’t say that I enjoy church, sermons and prayers, but today the Priest at the...
Cliff
I recently realized when you got sick that I have NO idea how to refer to you to people. My “step-grandfather?” That might technically be what you are, but it sounds impersonal. Sure, my younger cousins all call you “Pop” but I always felt weird calling you that. To me, you were just Cliff. That’s your name, that’s how I met you, and that’s who you...
10 tags
Carefree
“Do your thing and don’t care if they like it.” - Tina Fey
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
I stumbled upon this Tina Fey quote from her book ‘Bossypants,’ and it really resonated with me. Truthfully I think we all care a little too much about what others think of us and our decisions, our choices, and...
11 tags
2013 - Times Square Style
When you think of New Year’s Eve in Manhattan, where’s the absolute LAST place you’d want to spend it? I’m guessing most people (including myself at one time) would answer: Times Square.
Sure, we all see it on television: the excitement, the lights, the celebrities, the music, the chaos. But I’m sure most of us would collectively agree that we’d rather get a...
December 2012
15 posts
8 tags
Auld Lang Syne
“Champagne for my real friends, and real pain for my sham friends.”
Cheers to new beginnings!
H A P P Y N E W Y E A R everyone… have fun tonight and be safe!
You know I love me some music, and I’ve been jamming out to this all week… you should too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aop6YF1Xqqg
11 tags
THINGS I'D LIKE TO FORGET ABOUT IN 2013
Poorly written porn.
This sad, obnoxious little child.
CANNOT. HEAR. THIS. ANYMORE.
Please, go away.
And you can go with her.
Big ass guns.
Ugh.
Vampires for teeny-boppers.
This.
No-no.
Constant threats about the impending Apocalypse. Just stop, guys. The world is NOT ending. Not yet, anyway.
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD STOP TALKING ABOUT RAPE.
...
7 tags
525,600 Minutes
It’s time now, to sing out,
Though the story never ends…
Let’s celebrate,
Remember a year in the life of friends
-Rent-
————————————————————
In just a few days we’ll bid farewell to the year 2012. This is always a season of retrospect for so many;...
5 tags
Hey Jealousy
“Don’t waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind. The race is long… and in the end, it’s only with yourself.”
-(Everybody’s Free) To Wear Sunscreen
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Money. Beauty. Brains. Talent. Success. Possessions. Luck.
It can start at an early age: your friend in elementary school...
7 tags
Christmas, As Told Through Photographs
Pretty table & homemade centerpieces
Light bulb snowmen favors
Ugly Christmas sweaters
Really, REALLY ugly Christmas sweaters.
.
Adorable kiddies :)
ELVES!
Lots of laughs during the family grab bag
Fun grab bag gifts like “Hot Dog Toasters” (AKA wienie roasters)
Light shows in the dark
One sassy Grandma in a helmet
Goofiness and...
7 tags
The Pinterest Nightmare Before Christmas
It’s become a new tradition in my family that while the aunts and uncles (OK, fine, just the aunts) slave over a huge Christmas Eve meal, the girl cousins are now responsible for making and bringing the desserts.
Easy enough, right? …not if you’re me, no.
I signed up to make brownies (my personal fave) but thought to myself, those aren’t really festive enough. No red or...
5 tags
8 tags
These Are a Few of My Favorite Things
Christmas is literally days away, and while I already told you about my favorite holiday stories, I still have a few other favorite Christmas-related things of mine that I’d like to share.
People argue that Christmas is overly commercialized; all the Hallmark mumbo jumbo, the Black Friday stampedes, the long lines waiting for that hot new toy or gadget, and people arguing over parking...
4 tags
Imagine.
Imagine there’s no heaven It’s easy if you try No hell below us Above us only sky Imagine all the people Living for today… Imagine there’s no countries It isn’t hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion too Imagine all the people Living life in peace… You may say I’m a dreamer But I’m not the only one I hope someday you’ll join us...
7 tags
Sandy Hook
Where is there to say? An unspeakable tragedy occurred yesterday and although it pains me to say this, it seems like these mass shootings are becoming the norm.
It feels like just yesterday I was writing about the movie theater shooting in Colorado, and sadly there have been several other shooting sprees in the past year. Past two years. Past five years. Past ten years. When will it end?...
