My New Room mate: I think I'm in love

Thursday, August 30, 2012

For the first time in my ENTIRE LIFE I think I can truthfully say I am in a very happy living arrangement and it has completely lowered my stress levels. This time last year I was living with two room mates: one who was a penny-pincher in the worst ways possible and a complete airhead, another who was so pissed off and passive agressive that I was afraid to be in the same room as her.

Now I live with my sister, my new room mate A, and her orange kitty Bentley. Living with my sister is awesome. She's neat, we share, and we're comfortable around each other. We can both be honest with each other without getting all "girl-bitchy" or secretly fuming. A is really awesome. She is also very neat, so nice, and also knows how to share. I feel like we are a little family. Last night the three of us watched "The City" (shocker) and drank a bottle of wine. It's just so comfortable and homey. I'm so excited to not be afraid to sit in the living room!  It's like the three of us cat ladys found each other and are living in harmony.



I'm serious about the cat lady thing though. It's actually getting quite embarrassing...that's my average shopping cart.

25 Things

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Ever since I started this blog I have always included a birthday blog with a list of things I've accomplished in the last year/life...whatever. While I am 3 days late on this posting, I knew I needed to post it because a) they are fun to look back on and b) I have been incredibly lacking in the blog world as of late. So here it goes, a list blog.


25 significant things I experienced before the age of 25:

1. Grew up in the same house that I still think of as home and had an incredibly happy childhood. I will always look back with fond memories and know that I was a child for as long as I wanted to be and I didn't grow up too fast.
2. Learned another language. Even though I am not fluent, I am surprised by how often I find it useful that I speak Spanish. Earlier today I even had to write an email in Spanish to someone in Spain. Who knew?
3. Went on student exchange. Experiencing another culture is so important and to do so at 15 helped to open my eyes to how other people in the world live.
4. Lost a best friend. Sometimes you need to know who will be there and who won't and how truly precious your friends are.
5. Was a geek in high school and college.  I never strayed from my true self and I have life-long friends because of that.
6. Learned to swim. I will always feel comfortable in any body of water and I'll have a form of exercise when I'm older and my joints aren't as good (like now!)
7. Learned the piano. I have a keyboard in my apartment and am so thankful that I can play whenever I want to. It's something I love to do when I'm alone.
8. Went to college out of state. While I absolutely hated it at the time, I really learned how to grow up and take care of myself. I learned that I am the only person who can choose to make myself happy. Being depressed about a situation is not going to change anything. Change must come from within.
9. Became a gym rat. I taught myself how to exercise and how important it is to stay active. I know that if I'm feeling sluggish a workout is just the thing to pick me up.
10. Had a high school sweetheart. I learned that love does exist and how happy one can be when they fall in love. And how terrible it is when your heart is broken. After that, anything can be overcome.
11. Had an older boyfriend. I learned that I can't just be a spoiled brat when it comes to relationships. It's about giving to-when you're ready.
12. Had a college boyfriend. Practically living with someone else for a year teaches you what is important to you in another person and in yourself. I learned to appreciate someone else but not to lose sight of myself and my goals.
13. Went to film school. I found my passion and learned how important it is to express myself. Film school taught me that my ideas are not stupid and that I should not be afraid to speak up or be open.
14. Directed my first film. I wrote and directed a film about a very tough subject and was incredibly rewarded because of it. I was almost too afraid to make it but a Drew Barrymore quote told me “If you don't take risks, you'll have a wasted soul.”
15. Went to Hawaii with my girlfriends. Because that was just the most fun ever and probably the last time I didn't have any responsibilities or anything to worry about. That's over.
16. Discovered that I wanted to be an editor. I suppose in a way I always knew that, but it feels good to have a passion to set my mind to. Listening to my friends as they still try to figure out what they want to do makes me feel lucky that I already know.
17. Made lasting friendships with incredibly talented people who I am sure I will work with in the future.
18. Followed my dream and moved to New York. A lot of people didn't believe that I would do it. But it was one of the scariest but most liberating things I've ever done.
19. Learned that just because she is your friend doesn't mean you'll make good room mates. Fighting with someone you're close to is never easy, but I'm so happy we're still friends now.
20. Lost the job I was promised from my internship. I'll never forget: I was on my way to the airport to spend a week with my parents in Scotland when I learned the job I thought I was coming back to had been pulled. I was absolutely terrified. What was I going to do? Where was I going to work?
21. Spent a month in Scotland with my parents. Seeing the highlands and Lake District in England was amazing and it felt so good to be able to recharge and figure out my life.
22. Took a temp job as a receptionist at a post-production company at which I am now an assistnat editor.
23. Battled cockroaches and bed bugs. No matter what living situation comes my way, I'll always know it could be worse. And I'll know that I can handle anything on my own.
24. Asked for a raise. I was terrified. But I did months of research and I got it!
25. Raised $10,000 to make a documentary about Trichotillomania, something I am passionate about and something I hope will make a difference not only in my life as a film maker but also in the lives of all the trichsters out there.

I'm sure there are things I left out but those are some major things that came to mind. I've done a lot in 25 years, but I also haven't done much. I look forward to the next 25 and hope that I continue to push myself to become the person I want to become.

Thanks for reading!

Another year gone

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

So I've been spending all of my time working on the film, which is going very well. The response from the community has been fantastic and we are so excited about it!

Other than the film, my sister moved into her own room in our apartment and a new room mate is moving in next weekend. We are so excited to have a new start! It's so much better living with your sister than with room mates. So much homier and more comfortable.

My mom comes to visit next week and we are really excited about that as well. I'll be turning 25 (eek) on the 6th of August so she'll be here to celebrate with me. I can't believe I've been in New York now for more than 2 years! It's crazy how much has changed. Hope everything is well with everyone in the blog world!

Documentary

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Hey there bloggers!
 It's been forever since I've written but my life have been incredibly insane lately! I'm on the creative team of a documentary film called Trichster, a feature-length film we are producing about trichotillomania. It's a subject that's very dear to my heart so I've been throwing my heart and soul into it! Trichotillomania is an impulse control disorder where people pull out their hair. Please check out our video and let me know what you think! Also, if you could post in on your facebook and twitter it would really help us out. Thanks so much!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1024153773/trichster

Jack Off Cabi

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

I suppose it wouldn't hurt to mention that I'm shooting a documentary. I wont tell you about what just yet...it's in development and I'm not sure I want to fully reveal my identity to the world on this blog yet...I've told too many embarrassing things!

But, let me get back to the point of this post. I'm shooting a film. So this past Sunday my friend A (who is helping me film) and I decided to meet in Union Square to grab some people off the street to interview. However, before that I needed to go over to B&H to grab some needed supplies. Before I go any further, I want to say how much I LOVE B&H. It's like a candy store for major geeks. Editing stations, cameras, pro-audio, accessories, everything a (tech)girl could ever want! Coming out of B&H I needed to catch a cab because I had way too many things in my arms. A camera, two tri-pods, audio equipment, a Macbook.....the subway was NOT happening. So I hailed a cab.

Unlike many cab rides I've had in the past, everything was going well. The music wasn't too loud, there were no creepy smells, the driver wasn't arguing with me about which way to go, he wasn't on the phone or texting, and he was even fluent in English. But then we hit our first stoplight. I was on the phone with my mom so I didn't really think anything of the shaking sound I heard. You know, like someone's scratching an itch over top of their clothes?

But then my phone lost service.

I was no longer on the phone with my mom, but I could still hear the noise. And then I saw that the cab driver was shaking his shoulders...and only driving with his left hand. At first I really did think he was just scratching an itch....I just didn't think he would be scratching that itch. It took a few blocks of me making up excuses as to what he could possibly be doing. When we finally arrived at Union Square, I had to scoot over all my equipment to try and get out of the car. I stood up on me feet and was able to see very clearly that he had his right hand down his pants. And all of my suspicions were instantly confirmed. Needless to say, I didn't take the receipt.

When I told my mom, she asked me what I was wearing. Just jeans, a t-shirt, and my Toms! I wasn't exactly dressed to the nines. No, I don't think that was about me as much as he was just bored. I read an article recently that confirmed that 31% of men have masturbated at work. Hey whatever floats your boat I guess. But next time, try to be a little more discrete. Please and thank you.

An Evil Plan...

Friday, May 25, 2012

My friend (in this blog she will be referred to as friend X as I don't want to reveal her identity) once dated an asshole. I know, you're thinking "everyone's dated an asshole!" but this asshole my friend dated is the biggest assholes off all the assholes. Allow me to provide a brief list off assaults this jerk committed on my friend:

  • Said he was divorcing his wife
  • Was really living with his wife while he insisted that she was living in a different state
  • Wouldn't allow Friend X to go over to his house because the "neighbors might see" or "the wife might call"
  • Told Friend X that all phone calls placed to the house were forwarded to the wife's house
  • Told Friend X he didn't have a cell phone and couldn't be contacted (he was a freelancer)
  • Told Friend X to start looking for apartments for them to move in together
  • Ditched Friend X after she had been searching for months for an apartment for the two of them, forcing her to find one on her own
  • Told friend X he was coming over after work almost every night while she waited up for him...usually he never showed
  • Friend X broke up with him and found out a year later that he is still living with his wife and kids...did I mention he has children and never let her meet them?
  • Told Friend X a year after they broke up that he would do anything to get her back and that they were signing divorce papers that week....this was months ago
  • Oh, and lied to Friend X while they were dating telling her he was in Texas with his guy friend when he was really at a wedding in Mexico with his "ex-wife"
  • Has since offered to take her to Italy...or Aruba

I think this short list is enough to convince any rational human being that this man is a bad man. I don't feel the need to go into further detail. What kind of girl would put up with a jerk like that, you say? Here are a few things you should know about my friend:

  • She's a hopeless romantic and believes in love and happiness
  • She's gullible
  • She wants to believe the best in people
  • She was in love

Now this friend has been on OKCupid as well, and stumbled across the asshole's profile. I need not point out how messed up I think it is that he's on an online dating website while also trying to pursue my friend and...oh ya! while married!

As some of you may recall, I cancelled my profile a few months ago, but earlier this week Friend X and I were looking at his profile and scoffing at the mere fact that he has one. Just then, I got a somewhere brilliant, albeit evil, idea. What if I created a fake profile, with a fake name, a fake job, a fake age, a fake personal history, and went out on a date with him? I could try to see what he would say about his children or wife....or if he would mention them at all. I could catch him in his lies and then report back to Friend X what I had learned. Oh the Grinch within me smiles at the thought! What an evil thing to do to such an evil human being. But then the more we talked, the more we thought this might be a good idea. What could it hurt?

My biggest fear? That I would ruin him. There isn't enough room on all the pages of the internet for me to describe how I detest this man. I've often told Friend X how I would love to run into him on the street so I could make him bite the curb. The feeling of joy and satisfaction I would get from causing this man pain scares even myself. So could I go on a fake date with him? Could I allow myself to sit across from him drinking one martini (it would need to be one...lord knows what could happen if I had two) listening to his bullshit and lies? What would any of it prove? Would it really make Friend X feel totally over him?

What do you guys think? Is this the craziest idea I've ever had? ....or is it brilliant?

I Can't Wait!

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Baz Luhrman is a genius. I can't wait for The Great Gatsby. If it's anything like Moulin Rouge (which it looks to be from the trailer) it's going to be good!


I love New York

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Ahhhhh...summer! Each day that I walk out of my apartment I feel it in the air more and more. The mornings are growing warmer (but not yet too hot!) and the sun is setting just past 8pm.

Yesterday I had nothing to do after work so I decided to walk home.

I walked up through Soho and over to Washington Square Park where there were musicians playing guitars, drums, violins, an other instruments. I walked through the arch and up to Union Square where people were playing chess and the farmers market was just wrapping up for the day.  I walked straight up Broadway and was confused by all the people taking pictures until I realized that they were all staring at the Flatiron building in amazement. There's a little market just north of it that has a bunch of food trucks and stands where you can buy beer and wine that people were enjoying. I walked west through Chelsea and laughed at the gay bars that I passed: "Rawhide," "Cubbyhole," and "Flaming Saddles Saloon." I walked through Hell's Kitchen and envied all of the people sitting drinking wine at outdoor tables. I looked down 49th street where I used to live. I can't believe it's already been a year since I battled roaches and bedbugs on a daily basis! I walked up past Columbus Circle and remembered how in awe I was of it when I first came to New York as an intern almost five years ago. I can't believe it's been that long!

Just as I was getting home the sun was low and pink over the Hudson River yet the air was still warm and humid. I love summer nights in New York. My sister and I are going to have a blast this summer. While there are times in the winter or during heavy rains that I question why I moved here, nights like that remind me what it is that I love about this city.

....And then when I got back to my apartment there were giant blisters on the bottom of my heels. Because I had just walked over four miles in flat sandals. And now today I can't walk. I hate New York.

Subway etiquette

Friday, May 11, 2012

I would like to detail for you a recent experience I had on the subway, and would like to lay down (but likely not enforce) my own rules for subway riding.

This post was spurred by a terrible experience I had recently with a terribly-smelling man during rush hour. Ah, rush hour in New York City. The air is pungent with end-of-day BO and damp with years of trapped-underground air. People are hot and pushy; everyone just wants to get home right now and will show no mercy to those unfortunate enough to get in their way. I've been elbowed, bumped into, shoved and stepped on. I've dropped my ipod, phone, purse, and umbrella due to these hooligans and having to compete for a 6 inch space in the center of a crowded subway car doesn't exactly put me in the best mood at rush hour either.
 Fortunately for me, the B and D trains are not nearly as crowded at the 1,2,3,4 and 6 trains are at rush hour and I can sometimes even find a seat. A few weeks ago, I was lucky that the train was somewhat empty. I took a seat next to the door on a 3-seat bench happy to have the entire bench to myself, or so I thought. As I got out my Kindle and began to read Harry Potter (what, I'm reading them again, they're damn entertaining!), I was incredibly disappointed when a rather portly fellow took the seat next to me. Now, let me ask you a question: When you go to the movies, do you sit next to someone you don't know if the theater is rather empty? No. New Yorkers avoid eye contact, verbal communication, and certainly invading others' personal space in an uncrowded vicinity. You can imagine my shock at the complete invasion of space this stranger was putting me through. The seat to his right was open, why did he choose to sit next to me when he could have sat one more seat away? Suspicious. But it gets worse.

I've never understood why some men sit with their legs so far spread apart, especially on a crowded subway. I mean, seriously? Don't you see how rude you're being? You're so entitled that you need to take up half the space of the people to the right and left of you? I mean what is that??

...Rant aside, this guy started to creep his legs apart. Slowly, but surely, his left leg started breaking the personal bubble and heading into my "chair area." One inch...two...three...his leg kept touching mine! I decided that he was a pervert. I crossed my legs away from him and pretended to keep reading although my eyes were trained on his leg. He probably had three feet of space between his knees before I decided to move. I should have said something, and maybe next time I will. He was almost taking up half of my chair! Why is it that we (and by we I believe I mostly speak of women) are afraid to say something to those that make us uncomfortable? Because we are afraid of sounding rude? Mean? Irrational? Perhaps it's a combination of all these things. I stood up and crossed across the car to lean against the door. The man quickly adjusted his "leg position" and a few of the other riders glanced in my direction and then back at the man who had invaded my space. They knew something was up. So, with this in mind, these are some rules I would love for MTA passengers to follow:

1. As much as you can, try to respect each others' personal space. Yes, the subway is crowded, but we can all make it better by showing each other some respect.
2. On that note, try not to shove. Say "excuse me" and "sorry" rather than plowing by some old woman (or me!) and knocking her down.
3. Realize that subway rush hour is crowded and that chances are someone will accidentally bump into you. Please try not to start fights. I can't tell you how many fights I've witnessed because someone wasn't "respecting" someone else and was standing too close on a subway where people were packed in like sardines. If there are 50 people in a space meant for 25, you're gonna end up touching a stranger. Get over it.
4. For the love of god, WALK ON THE RIGHT!
5. Please don't spit in the tracks. Or on the ground in front of me.
6. Deodorant. Just buy some.
7. Take your backpack/guitar/trashbag off your back in a crowded train!
8. LET THE PEOPLE OFF BEFORE YOU GET ON!
9. Smile. Try to be a little friendly to those around you. You never know what's happening with someone's life.
10. Give up your seat for an elderly person. Or a pregnant woman. Or, and this is for those guys who are feeling extra chivalrous, for any woman in general. It goes a long way in a time when chivalry is perceived as dead.

If everyone would just follow these rules, the subway world would be a better place. Sadly, in today's world of iPhones, iPads, ipods, Kindles, books, computers, and any other device which takes people away from the environment around them, I doubt anyone will really follow these rules. In any case, happy Friday everyone.



And also...

Thursday, May 10, 2012

I just got my first smartphone. An iPhone to be exact, and it has changed my life. It's so cool what you can do with this phone! Not only can I send and receive text messages and phone calls (the only thing I used my previous "dumb-phone" for) but I can send and receive picture mail, take videos, set reminders and alarms, find out what time the subway is coming, go on facebook, check email, check the weather...there are no limits! I'm completely amazed!! You can expect to see a TON more pictures on this blog and soon. Maybe I'll even be able to take a picture of some of these losers I've been going out with.

Yes, I realize that most normal human beings have had iPhones for upwards of four years, but I just happen to be a little behind the times, ok?

Transition!

Hi blog readers! It has been exactly one month since my last post. Why has it been so long? Well, as recently noted, I have not gone on any bad dates. I have not gone on any good dates. I have not done much of anything, actually. However, I do have a few things going on which I can detail, and I'm really excited about them!

Work. I have recently begun assisting a younger editor who is savvy in all things Final Cut, Avid, After Effects, Photoshop...and pretty much everything else. He really doesn't need any help, but it's amazing working with someone who can teach me things. I'm learning something new everyday and it's really going to improve my skills as an editor and it will make me a faster, better worker. The editor I had been working with for 8 months is currently working with a freelance assistant who knows Avid way better than I do so he's a much better fit for her. I have learned an incredible amount working with her, but unfortunately it's all been from google and trial and error. I can't say trying to solve huge problems with a gun to my head has been any fun for me or for her.

Roommate sitch. GREAT news! My sister is transferring to New York to go to film school! And that means she'll be taking over my roommate's lease in mid-June which is fantastic because now I can live with someone who is NOT passive-aggressive, defensive, dirty, or annoying. Yay! Both of my roommates will be leaving and my sister and I will get to pick our new roomie. We can make the apartment homey and maybe, just maybe!, spend time in the living room! I never do now because the mess drives me almost as crazy as my roommates do.

Two Saturdays ago my friend H and I went to California for a mini-vacation. She had never been to Cali before and I was very happy to be home and take her to Napa. My sisters just turned 21 and it was great being able to spend a little time with them as well as my parents. Below are some pictures from the trip.
Santa Cruz- Seagull chasing...yes, it's mature.
The Chinese gardens at Chateau Montelena
That's me in the background, wine tasting at Duckhorn. Yum yum!



Spring

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

I recently bought a groupon to a yoga place in my neighborhood that I'm becoming increasingly obsessed with. I did yoga pretty consistently in college but I've missed it since I moved to New York. I find it's difficult to find a teacher that I like; many teachers to a lot of chanting, meditation, or very slow movements. I want a yoga class that makes me sweat!

Enter YogaGil, the studio I'm now obsessed with. I found a teacher I really love (Lana is her name) and she is able to push me hard because the most people that I've ever had in a class are five! For New York, that's unheard of. I used to go to YogaWorks and you can't even stretch your arms out to the side. With the small classes I feel as though I'm getting private yoga instruction and I challenge myself because I'm more afraid of messing up! Anyway, as I sit at work every muscle in my body is aching and I'm loving every minute of it.

In other news, I'm waiting to hear from my sister if she's been accepted into Hunter College or not. If she does, there's a possibility of her moving in with me. I'm pretty sure my parents are against it, and perhaps I have selfish reasons for wanting her to move here, but it would be so great to get rid of my messy and sometimes stupid room mates (one left the oven on for the 3rd time last night!!) and live with my sister. It would just make my apartment feel more like home, and I wouldn't have to worry about having any awkward exchanges of any sort. My fingers are crossed that 1) she gets in and 2) she decides to come. We would have so much fun, especially since she's about to be 21!

It's only about 2 1/2 weeks now until H and I are going back home (to California) and I'm so excited about that. I'm looking forward to some time with my family and away from the city. Some warmer weather and sunshine couldn't hurt either. I can't wait to be strolling down this path:


H and the Teeth

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

My friend H recently had two dates with a guy we came to call "Christian Bale Guy." If only this was true. I'm writing her story because it's just too funny not to put out into the universe. So here goes.

H met this guy on OKCupid. Go figure. When looking through his pictures, we decided that he was cute, and in one of them he even looked like Christian Bale! So, of course, she decided to go out with him. Below, I will recall the conversation to the best of my ability.

Me: "So how was the date?"
H: "Meh. We had fun and we laughed and everything. I dunno."
Me: "Did he pay?"
H: "Ya."
Me: "Was he cute?"
H: "I think so."
Me: "You think so?"
H: "Well it was really dark in the bar and...I dunno...I just need to see him again to decide."
Me: "Ok."

PAUSE

Me: "What are you not telling me?"
H: "Ok, don't tell anyone this....but.....I don't know, I think he may have had some sort of...tooth thing."
Me: "A tooth thing?" (At this point I'm holding back my laughter. H is very...particular.)
H: "Ya, like you know people that have fake teeth?"

I stare at her blankly.

H: "Well, I just need to see him again to be sure. I couldn't tell if maybe there was something going on there."

At this point I'm laughing hysterically. We both go through her pictures of him again, making sure to closely examine the teeth- all of which look normal.

Cut to the second date. She decides, against my brilliant advice, to meet him at 10:30pm on a Friday night at a bar that is "more divey" (his words!) than the first. I told her that this was a booty call. 10:30 for a second date? No way. But she went anyway.

He seemed ok when she got there. Conversation was flowing, as was the whiskey. Each of them had the same amount of drinks, but somewhere along the way H noticed that Christian Bale Guy was very heavily intoxicated, much more than her. And, even more horrifying than an obnoxious drunk, the guy COULDN'T REMEMBER HER NAME! She kept asking him if he knew it, even at one point screaming, "Bastian! Call my name!" (fellow nerds unite please) but yet he couldn't come up with it. One might ask why he didn't just go to the bathroom and look at her number in his phone, but either way it was pretty bad. On top of his memory lapse, he kept trying to make out with her in the middle of the bar! (Did I call that one or what?) She said she was pushing him off her and he was belligerent. Plastered, as my mom would call it. Towards the end of the night she got fed up (don't ask me why she didn't leave once she discovered he didn't know her name) and told him she was going home. He had the nerve to ask if he could come with her. If it was me I would have laughed in his face.

Once home, she continued to receive nonsensical texts from him. The next day, as she was explaining the story to me while we walked the loop in the park, he even texted her asking if she could get him Nick Jonas tickets. Hmmm....this lad is not very clever.

So there you have it, ladies and gentlemen, another bad date in Manhattan. It seems these monsters are lurking around every corner, just waiting to drunkenly humiliate us or forget our names.

I wonder what they must think of us.....

Oh, and I hope we can all see that the lesson to take away from today's post is: never accept an invitation to a "booty call date." Or agree to go to a "more-divey" establishment. Really boys, please try to impress us at least on the first 5 dates.

I Messed Up. Big Time.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

So, taking a break from the dating world, I'm going to tell you about the colossal mistake I made at work this week. I would rather not humiliate myself, but I suppose these are the lessons we learn in life, and if I'm going to have an honest blog, I might as well be honest!

Obviously, it was an accident. I would never have purposefully deleted an entire freaking project!

That's right. Somehow, the drive I was archiving to was a drive belonging to another project, not the archive drive I had intended. Technicality aside, I single-handedly managed to completely delete and entire project. I freaked out. My hands were shaking, my mouth went dry, and I covered my face with my hands as I told my editor what I had done. I quickly spoke to the IT guy and had him try to recover the drive. I spoke to my boss and told her what I had done. Surprisingly, no one freaked out on me. I was able to get most of the footage back from the production company, but still I won't be able to recover it all (why the director of photography didn't keep a back up is beyond me). There may be some re-shooting involved, which would be terrible. But, there are many ways to look at this:

It could have been worse. It could have been for a major client who was coming in that day (it was a personal project my editor was working on). It could have been shot on the Red camera (in which case it would cost thousands to re-shoot). It could have been someone with a giant ego.

Thankfully, everyone at the office has been very supportive. Maybe it's because I admitted to my fault right away and was visibly upset. Maybe it's because I was honest and didnt try to cover anything up. Either way, the owner of the company came to me, put his hand on my shoulder and said, "nice going." I could have just died.

So, mistakes happen. Hopefully nothing like this will ever happen again. In a few years, I'm sure I won't ever think of this terrible terrible time. But for now, I'll keep my head down and tail between my legs. Maybe this is just a reminder to me to not get too comfortable. Maybe it's a lesson on reconnecting media in Avid. Or maybe I'm just that stupid.

Glasses? No, no, Jerk.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

So glasses guy. He seemed innocent enough. Wearing a suit (he's a lawyer in Midtown) + a point. Nerdy (we talked about Star Wars online) + 2 points. Decent pick of place + 1/2 a point. Jerky attitude? Minus 2 million points.

It all started to go downhill when I met him outside and realized that he's a geek, not a nerd. If you have any confusion as to the difference, feel free to read about it here. He seemed nervous and kept assuring me that he thought it would be warmer and we could sit outside, and he didn't know about the place, blah blah. The rest of the date can be best summarized in dialogue.

Jerk: "So are you a vegetarian because of animal rights, health, environment, religion...?"
Me: "All of them....."
Jerk: "RELIGION?!"
Me: "No, all but religion."
Jerk: "Is it going to bother you if I eat meat?"
Me: "No, no, of course not."
Jerk: "Ok. Because I would only do it for environmental reasons."
Me: "Well I read this book about animal cruelty and I just couldn't eat meat again-"
Jerk: "Oh, I've seen all those videos but I don't really care."

Silence.

Ok....maybe I'll try to find something else to talk to this guy about.

Me: "I was going to email you this funny article I read about the Death Star today. It talked about all the weapons aboard and how many people would be needed to man it and the different levels it would have-"

He leans across the table towards me, looks me right in the eyes, and says, "I don't really think Star Wars could have happened..."
Me: "I wasn't trying to say it could, just that the article was really funny-"
Jerk: "Well, I think it will always be a mark of the twentieth century, but I in no way think it's possible."

Silence.

Me: "So are you close with your family?"
Jerk: "Not really. They live in Germany. They want me to visit more, but this year I didn't even go home for Christmas."

Later.

Jerk: "So what do you do?"
Me: "I edit commercials."
Jerk: "Oh, like what?"
Me: "Do you watch tv?"
Jerk: "Ya..."
Me: "Have you seen ____ commercial? Or _____?"
Jerk: "I don't care about commercials, I fast-forward them."
Me: "Well, we all do. But I bet you watch the Superbowl commercials!"
Jerk: "Ya, do you?"
Me: "The Oscars are my Superbowl."
Jerk: "So do you like...pay attention to who wins editing and stuff like that?"
Me: "Well, ya..."
Jerk: "Because people like me, we don't care about that stuff; it's pretty boring for us."

Fifteen minutes later:

Jerk: "Well I have to meet my brother so..."
Me: "Ya I should get going."

Outside the restaurant:

Jerk: "Good luck."

So, in conclusion, that was a pretty bad date. Now even the geeks are getting jerky? I took myself off of the dating site this week. My friends at work have decided to stay on it. As for me? I have decided to try to look at the world in a different way. I'll take out my headphones, put down my kindle, and try to smile more (I'm horrible at this). Maybe the real world is the better option?

...or maybe it's just New York.

upDATE

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Once again, I would like to point out how bizarre it is that my blog has turned into a dating blog. I think the reason for this is because I was originally blogging about trying to figure out my career, and now I have one. Everything at work is going really well. I love everyone I work with and I feel lucky to work at this company. So...there's nothing really to say on that front. I suppose the most interesting thing about my life are these terrible dates I continue to go on. If you are enjoying reading it, I suggest you check out TwentySomethingDating which has become one of my favorite blogs about dating. Anyway, onto my story.

The guy who I fell in front of (twice) texted my two weeks after the date and explained that he hadn't asked me out again because he met someone else and things had progressed quickly, but that he would still hold onto my number in case that didn't work out because he found me intriguing. Ya, like that will happen.

Tonight I have a date that I really don't want to go to with a guy called "glasses guy." I'm not holding my breath- he wants to go to a dive bar. Can't they come up with some originality??


In other news, my friend H and I have been walking the loop in the park (6 miles!) every Sunday which is great because there are all these pink and white flowers blooming and people are starting to show their legs! It's wonderful! In just over a month H and I are going to California to visit my family. H has never been before and I'm excited to show her around. It will be nice to get away from the city for a bit and have a vacation. Anyways, that's all for now. I'll keep you posted.

Dating in New York. Who knew it would be such torture?

What NOT to do on a date.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

I'd like to tell you all about my most recent humiliation. It happened to me on Saturday night and I still wince every time I think of it, which seems to be a lot.

I met "Ashton Kutcher Guy" aka. AKG at 675 Bar below Dos Caminos in the Meatpacking. I walked down the stairs and through the door at about five till eight. I was most definitely the only living soul there. And 675 Bar is most definitely a club. After what seemed to take hours, the bartender finally emerged with my Kettle One martini and it was not long until I met AKG. He was quick to tell me he had never been to the bar either. Ok, good...I'm not one to go clubbing!

After the initial awkwardness the two of us fell into good conversation. I switched to beer to avoid becoming the drink girl on the first date (nobody wants that!). We watched people filter into the bar dressed to the nines and discussed who was looking to hook up with whom. After a while we drifted into the foosball room where I kicked his ass at the game a handful of times. Go me!

At this point it was nearing midnight and we made our way back into the main room which had become a club. People were dancing. Girls were trying to be super sexy. AKG and I had our own moves and we made fun of everyone else. We really were having a great time. I looked to my left and who did I see? K was there dancing her butt off! We ended up hanging out with her and her friends for a while but by the time 1am rolled along I was starving. Note to self: never go on a date without eating beforehand!

This next bit gets tricky: I was wearing booties with a heel-but nothing crazy; I wear them to work all day. I had also, obviously, been drinking, but I was in complete control and was not acting like a sloppy fool or anything. What happened next was really unfortunate.

We were walking up the stairs from the club and I fell. Hard! It was so embarrassing! He was completely nice and made me feel better about it, but as I walked into the next bar (which was fully packed, by the way), I fell again! There was a puddle of water on the floor. It was completely mortifying. Honestly, it was one of the worst moments in my personal dating history. But, I kept my head up and ordered my veggie burger. He texted me the next day and asked to see me again. Why? I'm not sure. I was certain he was going to write me off as a crazy drunk girl, but he didn't.

Note to self: Next time, wear flats.

TRX is NOT for Sissies

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

My weekend in Virginia was fantastic. I drank great wine, ate great food, relaxed....well, I relaxed and worked my butt off! My aunt goes to a personal trainer on Saturday mornings and she brought me along with her and signed me up for a TRX class. My options were spinning (which I find to be excessively boring), zumba (dancing around? ....something harder please), and TRX cross training. So I picked cross training. Can't be all that different from a Jillian Michaels work out video right?

At 9am on Saturday morning it was just me and two other people in the class; a man and a woman, both much older than me. Psf, I got this! Our class instructor gave us a cycle of exercises to do five times.

5 rolly-ab move things
10 push ups
10 pull ups (from the TRX rope)
15 kettle bell.....swings?

5 times

No problem, I do these moves anyway, I can do this. What I failed to consider was the fact that I have almost no upper body strength and that I'm very competitive. Also, since there were just three of us, the instructor was able to stare at us the entire time- very uncomfortable.

It started out ok. I was feeling confident. I was even doing the full push ups! But quickly, things went downhill. The other woman was somehow a cycle ahead of me and I got to the point (on my knees!) during push ups that I could go down...but I just couldn't...come back up! Needless to say it's been five days and I'm still in pain. But that's ok. I'm inspired to push harder and work out more often!

More updates on that later.

The Ego Guy

Friday, February 17, 2012

I'm on a train. My very first Amtrack train experience. Some like it hot? Maybe...a little bit.

After working until at least 9 at night every night for the past three weeks on a greuling project, I'm looking forward to my weekend away at my aunt's. Being at her house is like being home, and I think some relaxing time is well deserved. Three day weekend, here I come!

The entire Amtrack system is really interesting. Essentially you just have to be there ten minutes before your train leaves and show your ticket and you're good to go. Cool- that was easy.

For the first half of the trip I sat next to an Coast Guard alumni. He talked briefly about how difficult it was and how he wouldn't change anything. One thing which I have yet to mention in previous blogs is the difference between west coast people and east coast people. There are many noticeable subtleties which can be observed on a daily basis, but one that I find fascinating is the differing view points of the military, navy, marine corps, what have you.

West Coast view: Military? Isn't that what people do when they don't want to go to college?

East Coast view: There are many different types of ways to serve your country: government, military, Coast Guard, Naval Academy, Airforce, Marine Corps.

I can't wrap my heard around it! My cousin is in the Naval Academy and that is the only reason I know anything about it. Apparently being in the Naval Academy means you are really smart and will be some sort of officer which, I gather, is a highly coveted role. There are football matches between...Naval colleges(?) and the entire east coast (outside of New York) seems to be really into them.

I'm digressing. What I was going to talk about was the "Ego Guy." I've met him before, many times. He is the reason I avoid bars and clubs, and largely the reason I think I'm judgmental of men upon first meeting.

Of course, he is the type I am initially attracted to (and I'm sure many other girls are too!) He dresses well: dark jeans, nice shirt, tailored jacket. Well groomed. Nice watch on his left wrist, the perfect amount of masculine product in his hair. Looking at this guy next to me, I notice that he has a fresher manicure than I do, which may or may not be really pathetic on either one of our ends. While pausing in between chapters of my book, he strikes up a conversation with me. My eyes immediately fly to the silver band on his left ring finger, and I question his motives. Are married men allowed to strike up conversation with young strangers on the train? I did notice that he sat next to me even though the two seats to his left were empty.

Immediately he jumped into talking about his start up company, and the other company he sold, and the funding he has for this company, and his actress friend in Hollywood, and his film friend in New York, and his huge property in the country with a large estate and his new apartment in Baltimore. Mmmmmkkkk.

See this is the thing guys. No girl wants you to ramble on about all your achievements and start name-dropping on first meeting. Yes, we want you to have these qualities, but do you have to be so cocky about them? My number one turn off is cockiness, yet it seems the world is full of them. But, I should add, on the other side of the spectrum are the shy, lazy, doing-nothing-with-their-lives kind of guys that are equally grotesque, yet which are more difficult to decipher because their quietness and awkward company might be endearing.

Is there no one with the perfect amount of balance in between these two extremes? Oh ya, they are all taken.

Has my blog turned into a dating blog? God help me. I promise to report on interesting non-guy happenings in the very near future.

Who's excited for the Oscars next weekend?!

Whine and wine.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Here's my whine (and this relates very much so to my last post): In the past month I have now had two separate guys send me messages asking about the brunette in my picture. Specifics below:

Guy #1: May I humbly ask who the stunning brunette in your picture is?

Guy #2: The brunette in your picture is really hot and has a great rack, something you should aspire to. Can I have her number? (Her boobs are not real.)

So, not only is Valentine's Day one week from yesterday and I have to come to terms with the fact that I have zero plans, but now complete strangers are hurting my feelings? What has the world come to?!

Obviously, I didn't reply to either asshole. I didn't want to lower myself or continue a meaningless conversation with a meaningless jerk who would likely just make me feel worse. Why would someone write those things to someone anyway?

What I'm telling my friends: "Whatever guys, they were just jerks, I don't care."

How I really feel: Fat, ugly, boring, and pretty insignificant.

How I will nix those negative emotions: Wine. And perhaps the latest Gossip Girl. (And crying myself to sleep!)

A Single Girl in New York

Thursday, February 2, 2012

I was thinking that this might be a more appropriate name to change my blog to. It makes a lot of sense. Valentine's day is approaching and my "date" (my friend H) will likely be doing something with the new guy she's dating, therefore my plans thus far consist of watching movies whilst eating copious amounts of chocolate and drinking at least one bottle of wine. I know I will enjoy that!

Yes, all us single girls know that Valentine's day, like Halloween, was invented by the candy companies to help sell chocolate. And to make single women (not men) feel bad. And I would have to say that I wouldn't be here complaining to you today (this is very Bridget Jones of me) if I didn't read a brutally honest article written by a New York city guy yesterday.

He makes a very good point. In New York, single women outnumber single men by 210,000. Why should a guy settle? He could meet his "dream girl" at Whole Foods on a Saturday morning and then run into an even better version of her that afternoon at the Union Square market. For every attractive, smart, funny single girl there are a hundred just like her. And yet we all want to be special and find the right guy, right? We all have great jobs, are stunningly gorgeous, have top-tier IQ's, and could give Tina Fey a run for her money in the humor department. Well, perhaps that's an exaggeration. But what's stopping a guy from hooking up with any girl he wants? Nothing, because if one girl can't give him what he's looking for there are ten more right behind her. The minute a guy decides he wants a relationship, he'll have no trouble finding one. Devastating, but true.

From Freshman year of high school until about Junior year of college I had a date almost every Valentine's day. It's just the past few years that I've been undeniably single, and that's ok, I'll make due. At least I have the memories of what it's like to receive chocolate and flowers on V day. I actually still have some "kiss kiss bears" in my childhood closet. But this year, I'll be buying the chocolate myself. Hell, I might even buy myself some roses for my room, because, well, why not?

The SAGs

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

I was going to do a whole review of the show and the fashion like I did with the Globes, but I've been too busy at work to write a long post and, frankly, the SAGs were so lacking this year that there's not much to say about them anyways. The highlights?

Lea Michele wore another silver dress, but this one looked good!

More on fashion: just a repeat of the globes. Lot's of pretty strapless dresses, but nothing very thrilling. I did like the lack on two-toned dresses at this event! And Angelina went back to her usual all black ensemble, as to be expected.


They obviously tried to move the show along quickly, which was nice, and I was very surprised that The Help took home so many awards! The movie was good but it wasn't that good.

And, once again, who was the most annoying person in attendance? Sofia Vergara everyone! I don't watch "Modern Family" but you can bet that I'm certainly not going to start watching now. Thank god she won't be attending the Oscars...I hope! Here's her interview where she talks about how people don't pay enough attention to her butt. Gag.



That's enough about the SAG Awards. They just weren't that memorable this year. That's ok, the Oscars are only 26 days away! I'm so excited! I need to start planning my Hors d'oeuvres!

Fill in the Blank Friday

Friday, January 27, 2012

So here I am trying out my first...widget...thing? Apparently in blog world you can connect to other bloggers this way...I'm still not sure how this works. Any explination would be much appreciated! So here we go:

Fill in the Blank Friday:

1. My favorite place i've ever traveled to is Hawaii
. How can you not love it?

2. Italy, France, Spain, Costa Rica, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Brazil, Japan, Amsterdam are someplaces I'd love to go someday.

3. I pass the time on a plane (or bus, or car ride or train) by reading my Kindle on the subway, watching a movie or reading a magazine on a plane, or singing my loudest in the car.

4. My three must-haves when I travel are a book , my headphones and A trashy magazine or 3

5. My favorite travel companion is can't remember the last time I traveled with someone...

6. The craziest thing that ever happened to me while traveling is when my Mom and I thought we might get murdered by the "Singing Potter" in Moffat, Scotland. Creepy.

7. The most exotic food I've ever tried while traveling is Guajolotes in Tulancingo, Mexico. Look them up....yummm

8. If I could live anywhere else, I'd live in California, and I will again one day!

9. I have been to eleven...unless airports count
states in the U.S.

So What if He's....Gay?

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Ok, he wasn't really gay, obviously, or else he would be asking me out via an online dating site. Right? Or maybe it was a cover-up, I don't know.

So there I was. Last Friday night, at one of my favorite places (Pravda) waiting, sipping a "Leninade." He actually suggested Pravda which bumped him up in my book!

He arrived a few minutes late, which was fine. He was of the correct height (6'4), was dressed well...could have looked less like a fifteen year old but I could let that slide. Until......he opened his mouth. Within the first five minutes of meeting he did the best impression of a sorority girl I've ever seen, complete with hand-flop. Sitting with him I felt like I was hanging out with my gay guy friend. Or slightly blond girlfriend.

What sucked the most about this? I really liked almost everything about him. He was very polite, obviously kind, funny. But...I just can't go out with a gay guy! So what did I do to ditch this guy, you ask? Well, ya know...

Two martinis in (and on an empty stomach I might add) I decide to be completely myself. No holding back. That should probably scare him off. So I discuss why I detest children, how much I love my cat, all the things you are supposed to avoid as a single girl. Also I said fuck a lot, ya know, just to help emphasize my points. Poor guy.

After my third martini he asked if I wanted another (uh, no!) and then if I wanted dinner. Such a nice guy. I told him I was so tired that I just had to go home. The date had lasted only an hour and a half. He tried to hail me a cab....but I told him I'd get one myself. After which I skipped (or perhaps jogged) around the corner back to my office where my coworkers were on to their 3rd...or 4th...or 5th drinks. I was happy to be "home" and readily spilled the details about my awful date.

Now I feel bad. In this situation, I was the bitch. I've been feeling terrible about it each day since it happened. I don't think I was mean, I was just clearly uninterested, and this was his first blind date. Well, he hasn't contacted me and I don't expect him to. I don't want him to either. He's probably sitting on a couch somewhere drinking a pink cocktail telling his room mate about this crazy girl he went on an awful date with. Ahhh, such is life.

So my advice to you single girls out on a hopeless date:

1. Be yourself. I mean your most unfiltered, disgusting, unflattering version of yourself.
2. Drink one too many. This will give you confidence to follow through with step #1
3. Finally, swear. A lot. This way they see you as one of the guys. Or as a person with no manners. Trust me, I think this should work.

Shit New Yorkers Say

Thursday, January 19, 2012

If you spend as much time online as I do, you've probably come across at least one of the increasingly popular viral videos, "Shit _____ Say." The blank can be filled in with many things: sorority girls, girls, gay guys....you get the picture. Well, today I came across this video and found it to be pretty close to true with one exception: there just aren't enough swear words. Enjoy!

Online Dating in New York

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Ok, it has taken me a while to admit this but, alas, here it is. I've been online dating for a couple of months now and it's only just recently that I feel I can openly admit this to the world without hiding in a corner, wearing a mask, or at least holding an over-sized pillow over my face. Before I plunge into the odd specifics of online dating, first let me justify to you why I think this is ok.

Looking outside of the obvious "you don't meet anyone at a bar" and "I only know the people I work with" reasons that we can't seem to find any suitable dates, there are many reasons to online date. Look people, we're not in college anymore. We aren't going to meet that cute guy in our English class or just wait till next semester to find someone new. There are no study groups or Laguna Beach parties (yes these did exist and I was a member, please hold back your judgment) on Monday nights. And work hours are NOTHING like college hours. My last two semesters of college I only had class two days a week and that was only for four hours. That adds up to 8 hours a week total of actual class. I easily work at least 50 hours a week and sometimes more. After working out, catching up with my friends outside of work, and watching that latest episode of "The Bachelor," that doesn't exactly leave a lot of time for....man hunting? Gag.

In addition to the aforementioned legitimate and brilliant examples of why online dating is ok, let me introduce just one more. We live in an online world. I don't just mean online as in the internet. When I ride the subway I'd say that at least 90% of passengers are using technology of some sort. Kindles, ipods, ipads, iphones....I could go on. Even if that cute guy or girl was sitting right across from you, would you even notice? I don't think I would. The same goes for all public streets, parks, and benches. As a race, we are no longer comfortable just sitting by ourselves without looking distracted by something. What is happening to us!! I realize I'm drifting. My point: if technological networking is increasingly becoming the way we communicate with ourselves and our world, then doesn't the natural next step consist of meeting singles online?

Did you say yes? I thought so!

So what began as a fun night with a friend morphed into a site I consistently check. It's called OkCupid. It's a free website where you can see other singles in your area. It has questions you answer and then it matches you to people based on those questions. You fill out a little profile and add pictures and everything.

Filling out your profile is an interesting feat. How do I do this? What do I write? "I like long walks on the beach?" How do I show that I'm a little nerdy, but not geeky, a little weird, but not creepy, and, of course, show that I'm not terrible looking without coming across like I'm trying too hard? In the end, I just tried to stay honest and upbeat. I didn't write or post anything I would be embarrassed to read five years from now. I think.

Turns out, everyone has profiles. At work two of my girlfriends and one of my guy friends has them. Of course, the three of us girls check out each others' potential dates and giggle at the guys who message us who clearly have no chances. Why would we be so mean, you might ask? Well, let me just explain:

Mistakes Guys Make On Online Profiles

1. Taking a picture of yourself in the mirror with your cellphone and a super-cool face on (ie. duckface). This is perhaps the worst offense of all. These are the types of guys that look like they fell right out of "Jersey Shore." Their shirts are off, their hair is gelled, their collars are popped, their skin is tanned. Nothing makes me want to puke more than a cocky asshole. NEXT!

2. Putting up pictures of lots of girls. So....this proves that you have at some point had contact with the opposite sex? Me too! But I'm not trying to show potential dates that I hang out with lots of hotties. That just proves that they are insecure.

3. Putting up pictures with yourself and playboy bunnies. See item #2.

4. Putting up pictures of yourself in front of expensive things like cars. Or just putting up pictures of expensive cars. Or famous people. What does this tell me about yourself? That you're vain. PASS.

5. Saying things like "I don't know how to fill out this profile." Neither do I, buddy, but I tried and put effort in. You want to talk to me? You need to put in effort too.

6. Putting up pictures of you and your "bros" holding red cups. Do I even need to elaborate here?

7. In your "you should message me if" section you write things like: you're not crazy, you know how to dress, you don't have baggage (everyone does if you're older than 16), or, my personal favorite, no fatties. Nice. Classy.

8. Where it says "What are you looking for?" you say "Casual Sex"

Don't even get me started on mistakes guys make while messaging me. How about you at least pretend like you read my profile? And please, if I didn't respond to you the first time, what makes you think I'm going to the second or third?

What should you post? Pictures of you doing your favorite activity. Pictures of your family, or you and a pet. Pictures of you and your favorite places. Stop trying to play it so cool and be yourself. You're obviously on the website for a reason. The cooler you try to seem, the lamer you come across. And the same goes for girls.

So, in conclusion of the madness that is this post I leave you with this: I have a date this Friday with a guy I'll call "Engineer Guy." So far, I like him. He doesn't seem to be playing any games. But I can't truly know until Friday rolls around. Perhaps I'll ask him what his opinion of online dating is. OkCupid is, after all, a free social networking website. No way am I desperate enough to pay for something like Match.com or eHarmony.....yet.

The Globes

Monday, January 16, 2012

Award season is here! It's my favorite time of year.....on television, that is. And there's so much to recap! There are a lot of surprising movies nominated, and so many on my list to see! I don't know how I'll ever be able to have the time (or finances) to see them all! Still on my list:

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The Iron Lady
The Artist
In the Land of Blood and Honey
We Need to Talk About Kevin
The Skin I Live In
Hugo
War Horse

I tried to go see The Artist two weeks ago but there was such a long line to get into the theater that I just decided to wait until the buzz died....although apparently that won't be happening any time soon. The problem is in New York each movie costs $13...and if you add that up I could potentially spend over $100 on movies. Not likely to happen!

Of course we were all looking forward to seeing Ricky Gervais once again pick on Hollywood's darlings, but he seemed much more toned down this year, other than his jabs at Kim Kardashian which were really pretty funny...and horribly true. Ya, he's a funny guy, but he wasn't outrageous this year. Perhaps he wasn't given enough time?

I was pretty surprised that Moneyball had so many nominations. I mean it's a zero to hero sports flick. How many of these have we seen?? I'm so bored. And why was My Week With Marilyn nominated in the comedy or musical category? Did anyone find that movie funny? I thought it was fantastically sad and Michelle Williams totally deserved best actress. And of course Meryl Streep had a nomination, and I'm so glad she won! She must be one of the best, if not the best, actresses of all time. But enough of this, lets get to the really important stuff: fashion.

Now is it just me or were there a lot of really blah dresses? Dresses that were pretty but with not too much flavor. Reese Witherspoon, Natalie Portman, and even Angeline Jolie were all members of this category. Strapless dresses that were nice. But that's really all you can say about them. Yes all three of them looked stunning but that's mostly because they are all, well, stunning. Rooney Mara's dress was also a safe choice. Black. Black pony tail. Blah. There were also a lot of two-toned dresses which I really didn't like, unlike my good friend H. I mean, what's with one color on top one on the bottom? Thumbs down. Unlike past years, nothing really stood out to me as "wow" but there were a few that I liked more than others. These included:

Jessica Alba


I know this kind of fits in with the "boring strapless" category but I loved the color on her and the beading is beautiful. And could her chest get any sexier? That must have taken hours of airbrush tanning and make up!

Charlize Theron


This is one of my favorites with an exception. If the bow wasn't there I think this would be my favorite dress of the night. It's a great color, she didn't play it too safe, and I love the glittery headband, but I'm a sucker for anything that sparkles. The shoes are perfect and I love the slit. I just wish it didn't have that giant bow!

Nicole Richie


This screams classic Hollywood to me. She looks perfect. I don't know if anyone anywhere has ever looked that good in bangs and I love the shimmery silver.

Evan Rachel Wood


I have to choose this as my number one. The deep green looks fantastic with her fair skin. I like the shape much better than the usual mermaid dress and look at the detail!

I also want to comment that though I found her dress to be a boring strapless, Julianne Moore's emerald colored earrings and ring looked great on her:



And who were the worst dressed? Oh dear...

Zooey Deschanel


Here we go with the two-toned dresses. What is going on here? I really don't like her hair- did anyone else notice those winged sideburns she had going? Too much black eyeliner. Not one thing about this look is good. It's really too bad because I like her a lot and she's so pretty. She could have done much better. And tuxedo nails to the golden globes? This isn't the Grammy's!

Jessica Biel


I know she's just recently become engaged to Justin, but that's no reason to slip into her great-grandmother's wedding dress. I like white lace, but her hair color is disastrous with this dress and on her. All this dress did was add the somewhat shocking appearance of a third boob hanging limply over her belt. If she lost the sleeves, went back to dirty blond, and tightened the top this look might have been ok.

Sarah Michelle Gellar


It's almost a blah strapless...except that it's so busy and exacerbating that I want to squeeze my eyes shut. "My daughter picked it out" is not an excuse. You had the dress in your room to begin with. Shame on you. This looks like a wedding dress that accidentally fell into a pool of blue dye. And with a pony tail?

There are a few dresses that I can't make up my mind about.

Madonna


The more I look at this dress the more I like it, but I'm not sure why. It's two-toned, though I have a soft spot for green and silver, and I felt like she could have worn a size up in the chest. Come on Madonna, haven't you been showing too much as it is lately? I'm a Madonna fan, and I officially want to go see WE but she seemed just a tad cocky for me last night.

Tina Fey


Who doesn't love Tina Fey? I also like this dress, and I think the color is very nice on her. I'm just not sure this dress is her. She looks a bit awkward in it, no?
Claire Danes


Claire Danes is the perfect image of grace. Do I like this dress? Yes and no. She looks very elegant. I like the back. I think it would have been better as either solid black or solid white. But there I go again hating on the multi-colored dresses.


And what happened to the Glee girls? I think these dresses were just a bit too....confusing:

Lea Michele


I like silver. I like "peek-a-boo" lace. I don't like this dress. I can't even say why. There's just too much going on.

Dianna Agron

The tiered lace, the little bird-like things by her shoulders, the see-through-ness....I don't like any of it. Good color on her though.

And the most annoying guest of the night? I name Sofia Vergara a winner!



Yes, her hair looked like silk, the color of her dress was lovely (although to me it also falls into the nice strapless catergory), and she is clearly one of the most beautiful attendees but her awards speech combined with the interviews she gave just drove me crazy. A little too cocky I'd say. Although you could argue she has a reason to be.

Well that about wraps up the Globes. I can't wait for the Oscar nominations to come out in two weeks. I just hope the host is a bit more entertaining, the fashion more captivating, and some of the attendees a little less...annoying.

Why I Think it's ok to NOT Act My Age

Monday, January 9, 2012

I have several friends who tease me, room mates included. Sometimes I feel I am being berated for being the way I am. I'm always caught between two sides of myself and sometimes I don't know which one to pick.

Most recently, one of my "unresolutions" is to go out more. Why? I don't really feel the need to go out more. I know that I'm always happiest when I can wake up early, get my day going without a hangover, and my idea of a rockin' Friday night is cuddling with Sasha, watching a movie, and having a glass of wine. One of my room mates recently said to me, "why don't you just go be 35 already? Your life is my biggest nightmare."

Does not going out warrant that I'm a nightmarish 35 year old inside? Does that make me uncool or not fun? My last room mate used to call me boring for not wanting to go out. I don't like being called names or told that my idea of fun isn't good enough. Sometimes I just want to tell them the truth. The truth? "I do like going out....just not with you!"

I have friends I like seeing, but whenever they invite me out, I usually say no and suggest brunch or dinner later in the week instead. This way I get to spend time actually talking to my friend, rather than straining to hear her in a crowded feet-stick-to-the-floor kind of place.

This past weekend I tried once again to "step out of my shell" as my room mates call it. I let them drag me out. We went to a place in Chinatown- another dive bar with ex frat boys and beer pong. The problem is that my room mates' idea of fun is to take shot after shot and choose which guy they will be going home with that night. That is just not me. Yet I feel ridiculed for not joining in with them. I don't want to get wasted. I don't want to spend my weekends hungover in bed.

After spending an hour talking to finance people about....well, nothing noteworthy, and paying $12 for a watered-down Absolute soda, I went home. Why do I even bother? I spend all this time getting ready and dragging myself out to dirty bars just to spend money I can't afford to spend and talking to the same kind of people who introduce themselves to me over and over again. Hmm...lesson learned; stick with what you know.

I know I like going out to lounges, dinners, martini bars, wine bars, and other places which attract a different clientele, one who enjoys a good drink but not getting drunk, one who is creative and likes interesting conversations about a variety of topics that doesn't include who you are going home with that night. So I'll keep going out. Just with people who are 35 and above- both inside and out.

Am I a freak for feeling this way? Anyone feeling like it's not fun to act like a freshman in college anymore?

On Working Out in the Winter

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Ah, the new year. A time for resolutions. For bettering yourself. A new outlook on life. Some people, like my dad, resolve to have no resolutions this year. Others, like myself, have more than they can reasonable accomplish. Let's face it: resolutions are made for breaking aren't they? But at least they get you thinking a bit more. Of course, every year I'm going to "be healthier." I'm going to eat better, or work out more, or cut back on chocolate. Sure.

Yesterday was my first day back in the city. I'm still adjusting to the time change, so it's difficult for me to go to sleep earlier, but that's no excuse. Last night I came home from work, convinced that I was going to work out. I put on my yoga pants, grabbed my ipod and headed downstairs to the gym. Halfway down the steps I realized that my ipod was out of battery. Great. I trudged back up the steps and asked my room mate if I could borrow her ipod. Halfway down the stairs I saw that her ipod was out of battery. Hmmm....I grabbed my kindle. Please, give me a distraction from the blandness of the treadmill! Anything!

My kindle was out of battery.

At this point I figured that the universe, or at least the year 2012 was screaming at me to get in bed, "What are you thinking you crazy person? There's a -1 degree wind chill out there!"

"Ok, I'll just watch Gossip Girl reruns instead." After all, what a better use of my free time. But I did clean the kitchen too, just to relieve a bit of guilt.

But, I knew that if I just slept in my cozy yoga pants then tomorrow I would already be dressed and ready to work out. Perfect plan! When my alarm went off at 6:30 there was no way I was getting out of bed. I'm pretty sure my building's heat isn't working so obviously it was pretty cold. And, who can get out of bed and pretend to be energetic when it's dark outside? No, no. I snuggled with Sasha instead. At least I got the kitchen cleaned.

Walking to work this morning, it was 13 degrees. But it's supposed to be 45 by Saturday. Maybe this winter is almost over? ....Maybe I'm just trying to "stay positive" (one of my mom's resolutions).

So what are my resolutions that I am clearly not going to accomplish? (I can hear my mom now, "If you say you're not then you're not!") Well...work out at least 3 times a week- entirely doable, limit myself to a two drink maximum at all occasions- somewhat doable, and stop caring so much about what other people think, essentially, try to pursue what I want without worrying about others- almost impossible.

Well...there's always tomorrow.