star struck

So there I was sitting on a bench in Madison Square Park. I was on the phone with my good friend Sarah and we were catching up after a pretty shoddy game of phone tag. A camera crew walked passed me and continued on down the path--quite a common sight in New York City. I readjusted to make myself a little more comfortable and noticed that the camera crew was finally filming. My eyes shifted to the right to see the subject of their focus and there they were…in all their fashionista glory: Clinton Kelly and Stacy London from What Not To Wear. At this point I stopped talking and gasped. I fumbled for words as I stood up to get a better look. I finally managed to sputter a few intelligible sentences so that Sarah could understand what was going on. It was especially fitting that I was sharing this moment with her, as she was the one who introduced me to this magnificent show. I hesitantly walked towards them as they shot their second take. I stopped when they did. Then I remembered where I was, what I was doing, who they were….and what I was wearing. I bolted back to the safety of my bench as they casually mingled in their little group.

Now I wasn’t a ball of fashion disaster. I looked just fine. I was wearing black slacks and a jeweled tone blouse—totally appropriate for work and to be seen out in public. One faux pas, however, was my footwear. Not wanting to torture my feet, I always slip out of my heels and into flip-flops or flats when I take my lunch break. Today I was wearing my flip-flops and though black, I didn’t feel that they elongated my already short frame—a little trick of the trade that I was sure Stacy would notice and somehow condemn.

If you aren’t familiar with the show, dear friends, the premise is this: Participants are nominated by well-meaning and loving friends/relatives. Weeks before the episode, secret footage is taken, highlighting their fashion catastrophes. At this point, Clinton and Stacy surprise this person and go on to critique their current style. Though truthful, it can be harsh. The nominated participant has an opportunity to not only learn “what not to wear” but also gets a $5000 shopping spree….IF they agree to trash their entire existing wardrobe. A bonus makeup and hair makeover is also thrown in. In the end this person emerges with a new wardrobe, first hand fashion knowledge from the gurus of style, and a completely new look. It’s a dream.

Back to the bench…I continued to sit and watch as they were smiling and laughing and being their beautiful selves. And then my heart stopped…they turned the corner and started to walk down the path right in front of me. I couldn’t pull my eyes away and I felt myself smiling like a fool. My eyes darted from Clinton to Stacy and then back to Clinton. He was positively dreamy. As they approached, Clinton looked at me and began to grin. That grin turned into a full on smile. I was in love. He was absolutely adorable. Surely he saw the obsession behind my eyes but it didn’t phase him one bit. I was grateful that he was so gracious. I continued to stare as they walked down the path and then out of sight. Oh, how I love living in New York City.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JAMES!!!

(We like to do a lot of posing when there are cameras just lying around.)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BROTHER!!!!


So my family has a lot of Fall birthdays. It makes things a little tighter in the wallet area during this time of year, but that's all right. We wouldn't have it any other way. Although, when Kathleen was born, my mom told him that Kathleen was going to be one of his presents. He thought about it for a minute and then told her that he would rather have a truck. Funny story for a funny brother.


I admire James for a lot of reasons. In many ways, he is the kind of person that I am striving to become. He has innate qualities that some people work their whole lives to achieve. James is the peacemaker of the family. He is tolerant and kind. He is always willing to give people the benefit of the doubt and forgives just as easily as he breathes.



(James came to visit me in NYC...just him. It was such a fun trip. We had a helluva fun time running around the city together.)

He is also amazingly talented. Anything he attempts he is great at. He plays the uke, sings, is an amazing Poly dancer. He is an unbelievable artist. I am amazed at what he can do in every medium. And his creativity blows my mind.

James also has one of the biggest hearts I know. He is generous beyond words. He cares deeply for his family and his friends. Once you are in with him, you are in with him for life.


Anyway, James, happy birthday! I love you, brother! I am so glad that you are a part of my life!




(Sadly, James came during the writer's strike. We had tickets for David Letterman but the show was cancelled. Danged writer's strike!)

happy birthday, kathleen!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATHLEEN!!!!

No one in my family really reads my blog....well, my extended family does, but not my immediate. But I just wanted to post a little something about my little sister. It's amazing to me how much love can exist within a family unit. There are times when you absolutely hate each other, times when you are so annoyed that you need to run out of the room so that you can start to breath again, times when you disagree so vehemently with a decision that they are making that you nearly bite your tongue off in order to keep the peace, and times when you just need your own space. But when all is said and done, there is nothing more important than family.

Though six years younger than me, Kathleen is one of my best friends. There are maybe 2 or 3 people that know me as well as Kathleen does, only a handful of people that will ever really see all sides of me. There is something so liberating about unconditional love.

10 Things I like about Kat:

1. She is a beautiful, Polynesian dancer. She has got skills!
2. She makes me laugh harder than almost anyone I know. We can be totally silly together.
3. She feels things as deeply as I do. We both cry at the same things.
4. She is a good wife and takes that responsibility seriously.
5. She has a passion for family history.
6. She takes care of Mom. It is effortless for her and she loves it.
7. She does things even when they are hard for her.
8. She makes weird faces and sounds.
9. She looks great in hoop/dangly earrings.
10. She is one of the most supportive people I know.

Anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Kat! Hope the day is smashing! I love you forever and ever!


Our "whale of a watermelon salad". We made this as part of our cooking show "Fighting in the Kitchen".


We thought we were so funny posing with a vase with Poly flowers.



Waiting for the midnight showing of "The Dark Knight" on opening night.

M's Dilem

In a small effort to save money, I usually try to bring my lunch to work and I always eat breakfast at home. However, just recently, there was a two week period when the decision was to either make my lunch or to eat breakfast. Had I woken up the first time my alarm went off, the problem would have been solved, but nope, I love that snooze function. So I made my lunch and would leave on an empty stomach.

One block away from the office is a little cafe/market called Emma's Dilemma. They make yummy little breakfast sandwiches any way you like them. Nearly every morning I would order the same thing....whole wheat bagel, toasted, lightly buttered, turkey, eggs. I would also buy a quart of milk that would last me 2 to 3 days. Pretty simple, but heaven to my morning taste buds. I went in so frequently that the people would say, "See you tomorrow." And the best part about it was that it was only $2.50. I could afford $2.50.

As time went by, I noticed that the man helping me was getting more and more friendly, dare I say, even bold. He would tell me that I was beautiful or that he liked me and I would just laugh it off and walk to the other end of the cafe "to get something else" and would come back when I knew that the breakfast delight was done. Don't get me wrong, I was polite, but I didn't like him staring me down all the time. It was uncomfortable, at best.

A day or two later I entered Emma's for my same morning ritual. I placed my order with Mr. Creepy man. He again told me how much he liked me and then for the first time ever, he made kissing noises in the air.

Sick.

I immediately went to the other end of the store as usual. I came back and saw that another man was wrapping up my sandwich and that he was pricing it today. I got it back and it said $3.50. Now my order has been the same for 2 weeks and so has the price. At first I thought it was a mistake, but then it hit me. My little stalker friend had been giving me a one dollar discount for the past two weeks. I paid the $3.50 and hightailed it out of there.

Walking to work I weighed the options. Save a dollar and be creeped out or wake up 15 minutes earlier/starve (if the snooze alarm continued to tempt me). For a few moments, it really was a dilemma. I was tempted to take advantage of the savings and just continue on my merry way. But I decided that I couldn't. Since that kissy face day I haven't been to Emma's. My mind is at ease...and honestly, my wallet feels a little better too.

haven schmaven

I just decided that I am really not equipped to live alone. It’s not that I don’t have everything I need to be self-sufficient…nor does it mean I don’t enjoy the alone time, the flexibility, the absolute freedom that comes with living by yourself. It’s just that I’m a bit of a fraidey cat. Perhaps if I lived in a better building, I would be singing a different tune right now, but honestly, folks, sometimes I just get scared.

Granted, my overactive imagination does nothing to help me with this problem. I am the queen of worst-case scenarios. Just now someone rang my doorbell and my mind began to race. A normal person, when they get a knock on their door, would think, “Hey! Someone is coming to visit me!” They would jump up from what they were doing, check the peephole, and would then answer the door. If you were me, however, you would freeze in your tracks and as quietly as humanly possible retreat to the bedroom, the farthest place from the door. Also, you would start to think of exit strategies, fighting tactics, whether or not you could actually use a knife to defend yourself, and what you would say to the emergency dispatch should the situation necessitate a 911 call.

And so with that unexpected ring of my doorbell, I did just that. I tiptoed to the bedroom. I debated whether or not I should put some clothes on (I was just about to work out) and decided that I should put my sneakers on just in case. Then I sat down and pulled out my phone. Much to my dismay, my phone was “searching” for a signal. How terribly inconvenient. If I needed to make that emergency phone call, there was no way that I could because my “now more coverage than ever” T-Mobile phone plan wasn’t picking up a signal. Should I die, T-Mobile would be partially responsible.

Just to finish out the story, I didn’t die. I was even able to exercise and cook dinner in peace. I am pretty sure that I will even be able to fall asleep and stay asleep unless someone visits me again at 2:30 in the morning. (Yes, that happened last week.) So much for my home being a complete haven from the world. But here’s to hoping it will be.

(P.S. If you are wondering why I am so paranoid, just come for a little visit. But before you come, call me so that I know you are coming…otherwise I probably won’t answer the door.)