Secretly Unstable

2012-01-03T07:08:00.000-08:00

Best I Ever Ate: Pizza

Recently the neighborhood group KWT, that I subscribe to on Facebook had a 90+ (and counting) comment thread about the best pizza in the neighborhood. The discussion about who has and where to get the best pizza has got to be the long running and most heated debate in this country ever... Forget politics, religion, child rearing philosophies - people what to talk about their opinions on pizza. Even my 4 year old daughter weighs in on the debate, I note her favorite below. Some people will even spend their time debating whether or not there is such a thing as "bad pizza" and that all pizza is inherently good. I don't know if I agree with that - if there is a good, there is a bad - it is the law of nature.

So here is my list of the best pizza I am ever eaten... I have tagged some folks who I believe are pizza experts and people who live in various parts of the city and the country because I would like to hear where your favorite pizza is from... It is very important that you give me your favorites- last month when I wrote the note about burgers the crowd suggested that I try Minetta Tavern's burger. Yesterday I did - and it was delicious. I would like you to tell me what pizza I am missing out on! (If I did not tag you, you were missed by accident, I just quickly tagged - please weigh in!)

Best Neighborhood (KWT) Slice: Korner Pizza (Ruby's Pick)
In the KWT group Korner Pizza got slammed for high prices. I totally agree that the price of a slice is ridick. But I think it is the best that the neighborhood has to offer - taste wise. The others in the neighborhood fall short on the dough - too thin or tasteless, the sauce - tasteless, or the cheese - not stringy and tasteless. Korner pizza is also the closest to us, and proximity and ease of acquirement is very very important when it comes to pizza. If I have to travel or wait too long for pizza it defeats the purpose of pizza. I also enjoy their fountain soda. Which is a key accompaniment to any pizza lunch. I will slam them on price for their slice, we usually get a pie cause it is a much better deal.

Best Square: L&B Spumoni Gardens
I heard someone say it is overrated - I immediately wanted to punch this person in the face. If you think this pizza sucks, you are one of those people that is just a hater - you hate just to hate, you are contrary just to be contrary (aka you are an asshole.) Every time I have had L&B I have sat and spoke poetically about the marriage of the sauce (I want to rub it on my face), the cheeses (absolute perfection) and the crust (crispy with just the right amount of grease.) It is the perfect square pie in creation. Bonus: the Spumoni, double bonus: the pumpkin ice cream in the fall. I eat L&B and thank Jesus that I live in Brooklyn. And not to be forgotten, L&B always has a pie (1/2 or full tray) waiting for you. You will be served in under 2 minutes if you want a square pie. That is genius! No wait! That is a hungry girl's dream.

Best Coal Oven: Lombardi's
So it is a tourist trap. So what? The pizza is damn good, and the service is fast. Bonus: their calzone is sick. Derek told me that coal ovens in NYC are illegal, and that the only places that have them were "grandfathered in" after the ordinance was established. And like most things that are outlawed, it is awesome. Something about the coal and their ingredients just makes it damn good. I have been to a couple of the other coal oven pizza joints in the city, and while they are less touristy, I think the product at Lombardi's is great. If you show up right at noon, you don't even have to deal with the crowds.

Best Slice Manhattan, 1998-2002: Famous Ben's Pizza in Soho
It is not very good anymore, but I had to give the place a shot out for the time period when I worked at Kirshenbaum Bond & Partners across the street. Best slice for its time, best foundation soda I ever had to got with it. It was the quintessential NYC pizza joint. Antoinette: your Dad made a damn good pizza!

Best Pizza Queens: Singa's
Queens in my motherland. Born and raised. I have since defected to Brooklyn. And I will say that Brooklyn overall has the best pizza of all of the boroughs. But growing up my Mom would take us to Singa's - and it is not traditional, but it is damn good. I think there is something about the small pies that appeal to kids. As a kid I loved it, and my Mom brought Ruby and I there recently and she loved it. It might be more about the nostalgia then the pizza itself, but there will always be a place in my heart for those little pies. It is a franchise now, with locations every where, but as a kid I went to the one in Elmhurst, bring the kids.

Best Fancy Pizza: Franny's
As a Filipino it is in my DNA to believe that if you put an egg on it, it will be 100% better. Franny's has a pizza with an egg on it. This appeals to me. Pizza really should not be fancy, maybe it is more of "flatbread" if it is, but I enjoy what Franny's has to offer. Nice bottle of wine, fancy pizza. I like.

The places I have above, will probably not spark much controversy. I think most folks would agree with my picks. But I think I will get call out for not mentioning Da Fara's and Grimaldi's. Here's why I didn't mention them - they are both a hassle. Pizza should be easy. I shouldn't have to wait 60 minutes on line outside or wait 90 minutes in my car for a hand made pie. They are delicious, I get it. But WAIT is a four letter word for me. And I am not pretty when I am hungry and have to wait. Pizza should be fast. If you disagree, well you have a lot more patience than I do.

2011-12-03T07:06:00.000-08:00

Best I Ever Ate: Burgers

I posted a picture recently of something wonderful I ate, and I declared it one of top ten things I ever consumed. I don't think that I "spoke" too soon, but I do think that I had to take a step back and really think about what the other awesome things I ate. And I've eaten a lot of really good food. I am blessed with an adventurous palate, a job that comes with a decent amount of free lunches, a little talent for cooking myself, and good people around me that can also rock a kitchen. So here is the first of many a "list," the best I ever ate: Burgers.

1. In N Out's Double Double- I would go Mormon for the opportunity to open my own In N Out in NYC, it is seriously the one thing we are missing. I've had In N Out in Vegas, Phoenix, and Tucson - and to quote my favorite eating partner, Derek "It is not called In N Out cause it is fast, it is called In N Out cause it is like sex." So so so true. It is the a great quality burger - but I swear that there is something about the bun, the bun is like special.

2. Shake Shack's Double Burger - We don't have In N Out, but we are blessed with a close second. Unfortunately you have to wait like 2 hours for one on average, (gotta love New York, we have the best lines). Is it worth the wait. Yes. If In N Out has the perfect bun, Shake Shack has the perfect grease. The grease is good. I knew I was my Mother's daughter when we took her to Shake Shack for the first time and she could not stop saying, "Oh this is worth it." She said it like 15X. Their peanut butter milkshake is also sick. Sitting there with a burger and peanut butter milkshake - I mean kill me now, cause it doesn't get any better.

3. DB Bistro Moderne's DB Burger - The priciest burger I ever ate (but didn't pay for, thank you Conde Nast.) DB Burger is stuffed with truffle-and-foie gras-laced short ribs. I mean holy shit. Absolutely delicious. I don't care that foie gras is cruel, stuff those damn ducks, top of the food chain!!! The fancy fries that is comes with is damn good too. (Plus when you go with Bon Appetit magazine they send you all kinds of other food off the menu to taste... I mean media planning is a sucky job in general, but it does have it perks.)

4. Breslin Bar's Lamb Burger - Now lamb is like a crazy meat, people love, people hate, people don't know they are eating it. In general I don't think burger when I think lamb, but the Breslin Bar totally helped changed my thinking. I now crave the taste of a lamb burger. Breslin's lamb burger has a big chuck of feta cheese on it and this cumin mayo that is outrageous. (Thank you WSJ for this eye-opener.) I highly suggest checking it out!

5. Rare Bar and Grill's Classic with a fried egg on top - I am Filipino, I don't know this for certain, but I am pretty sure that Filipinos came up with putting a fried egg on top of greasy meat to make it that much dangerous and delicious. There are a couple of good burgers on their menu, but I go for the egg.

So that is my top five - I have not been to the Parker Meridian burger joint, I will have to try it soon. And there are some notable runner ups - Dumont Burger - But I am not the biggest Williamsburg fan. Jackson Hole has some good big ass burgers. And I am a Five Guys fan - I like all of the toppings and easy access.

List to come: sushi, hot dogs, BBQ, pasta, tacos, and sandwiches

I tagged some folks who I would like to hear their favorite burgers... and go! (But please if you happen to read this and want to share and I didn't tag you PLEASE SHARE. I tagged folks that have posted about burgers and commented on the photo that sparked my list writing.)

2010-11-15T07:05:00.000-08:00

So now that we know we are having a girl we have to think about names. Ruby is the name of our 3 year old daughter, and a big challenge is naming #2 a name that is on par with #1....

So how about names inspired by gemstones:

Amber
Amethyst
Beryl
Crystal
Diamond
Emerald
Garnet
Jacinda/Jacinth
Jade
Jewel
Opal
Pearl
Sapphire
Topaz
Turquoise

These names are probably too "matchy matchy" to Ruby......
The search continues.

2010-10-05T14:00:00.000-07:00

Rally for the cause... of making rich people richer...

I am no financial analyst. I can hardly manage my family's finances and I think any letter about my 401K is written in Spanish. So I might not know the real reason why the stock market today closed at 2.1% increase and has been rallying for the last couple of weeks - but I have a theory....

My theory is that in the past 1-2 years companies (small and large) have improved their profits by laying off people. People who maybe have been working for 25+ years and making big salaries. People who have been working for a couple of years and were considered expendable. Companies have also not been hiring and there are salary freezes across the board. So there is a huge saving for companies since their payrolls and the benefits that they have to pay out have been shrinking. The lost of these workers haven't impacted there business in any short term way because the workers that remain are so scared of losing their jobs that they take on the responsibilities of those who have been laid off. And they do so without complaining or (god forbid) asking for more money. Those of us who still have jobs and strong work ethics say "thank you sir, can I have another." No demands, no requests, no back talk.

Sure lay off the assistant, lay off the manager, leave the mid-level worker who will step it up (and step it down if need be) and work more hours, work harder, get more stressed out, and have no hope for relief. If the company is functioning without the extra staff, well... why should it ever hire more people?

Wall Street may have recovered, but Main Street has not. Wall Street makes money for the same people who are making money on the back's of the working and middle class. Their companies grow, their portfolios grow. Then they groan when the idea of taxing them more comes up. Meanwhile the employees that are left behind to pick up the slack and take over for where their less fortunate collegues left off are unhappy, under appreciated, and eventually they are going to burn out. They are hardly making enough to get by, to pay the bills. They aren't getting raises "because of the economy." But their cost of living continues to increase. So they aren't uping their consumer spending. And the people who are unemployed and staying unemployed because companies won't hire since "they are doing just fine" aren't spending money either.

Unfortunately this blog is only good for pointing out a theory I got, no solutions know here... Part of me thinks that the only way out of this slump, is to work even harder--- make even more money for the company--- then maybe, just maybe they will hire more help. But then we will still be dividing up more work among fewer people. Greed is a bitch.

2010-09-28T11:43:00.000-07:00

Prove It

Why have mosques become so contraversial? They are places of worship. Like churches, synaguoes, temples, etc. Prove one instance of a mosque in America promoting violence and terrorism and I will eat my words and get on the picket line with these fools. Prove that a mosque in America is recruiting terrorists, or training terrorists, or is in fact causing any harm to the communities that they are established in. Such a case does not exist, because it is not happening.

When did it become ok in this country, founded on the concept of freedom of religion to restrict where someone can worship? After 9/11? Well not right after, right after we appeared to be a country unified. Why in 2010 are we seeing protests across this country where mosques are set to be built or expanded? Are people looking to blame their troubles on our 21st century bad guy Muslim?

At the end of the day I think that what it comes down to is that our society has made it acceptable to hate and discrimate against Muslim people. Plenty, I even dare to stay the majority, of people in this country are racist to a certain degree. But society frowns upon n-words, Asian jokes, Jewish stereotypes - you know your basic racism 101. So most people save those feelings for private conversations. In the past couple of years it has become fine to associate Muslims with terrorists, and therefore it is fine to hate an entire religion. So that means we can stand up in line with signs of protest the building of a mosque.

This country has to be reminded that face of terrorism is not solely a Muslim face. England consider American Revolutionaries terrorists. In modern times the Irish blew up each other. Even in this country, Timothy McVeigh was the face of terrorism when he killed hundreds in Oklahoma City. 9/11 will forever remain, for me, the biggest tragedy that I have lived through. But Muslims, Jews, Hindi, Christians, Atheists.... were all murdered that day. The Muslim religion did not cause 9/11. Fanaticism and hate did.

I would hope that this country and the people protesting the building and expansion of mosques throughout the US wake up and realize that by not allowing people to worship freely they are the ones that are killing this country. They are the one stomping and kicking aside what makes this Nation great. They are taking away our freedoms and giving into the fear - and in the end that is how the terrorists, no matter what color they are, win.

2010-05-12T07:04:00.000-07:00

Weekend of Twos

Looking back on a very fun weekend I realized something that happened by accident, we had a weekend of "twos."

Friday Ruby and I went to Kasey and Jackson's house for an afternoon playdate. Ava and Amalia came over to play too. That is two sets of twins (also twos by definition.)

Saturday we went to the Queens zoo in the morning and then on the carousel. In the afternoon we went to the Prospect Park Carousel and then to the zoo. That is two zoos and two carousels.

Sunday we went to Carroll Gardens purchased two pounds of Italian cookies. In the afternoon we went to two BBQs, one in backyard, one in a front yard. Ruby ate two hot dogs and two cookies.

Our weekend of twos is done, time 2 go 2 bed.

2010-05-04T13:39:00.000-07:00

Arizona

I have much love for Arizona. It is a beautiful place, filled with beautiful people. Some of them I love dearly. But the passing of SB1070 making my bleeding liberal heart cry.

Arizona's immigration law SB1070 is wrong for many reasons. I think that its biggest fault is that it opens up a can of worms that once unleashed this country will be less than what it can be. It is just another tactic in the "smoke and mirrors" that is our nation's security measures.

First, as an American I am personally distressed that someone can ask me if I have the right to legally be here. Sure I can prove that I am an citizen by pulling out identification, but the fact that it is questioning that is allowed if I am pulled over for running a red light is insulting. And do not insult anyone's intelligence about how "racial profiling" is not allowed. I doubt that a white cowboy or an upper class white lady will be asked for their proof of citizenship. So as a non-white American I am also distressed and fear that I could be harassed just because I don't look like my friendly state trooper.

Second, Arizona's reasons that illegal immigrants commit crimes and steal jobs is dangerous terrority to want to lock up and deport every illegal immigrant. What would happen to Arizona's economy if every illegal immigrant got kicked out? Would landlords lose renters? Would retail sales drop? Would the price of services sky rocket? Yes, to all of the above. These things will cause more Americans to actually lose their jobs. Less people shopping at Walmart, less need for cashiers, stockboys, etc. It criminalizes every illegal alien. The majority are not criminals. If that was true, then it wouldn't be safe to leave your home in Arizona. The majority are people's neighbors, friends, employees. They take care of people's children so family's can have two incomes. Their children are the classmates of our children. They do the work that most Americans won't do. Work for tips, or even less.

Third, it is not a solution to a problem, it is only a punishment. A solution means there are real positive outcomes. Crime isn't going to disappear. The job market is not going to open up. The only thing that is going to happen is that it will cost tax payers more to process these new "criminals." And illegal immigrants will see police as the enemy. They will not assist in investigations, they will not report crimes. Children will be separated from their parents. And nothing is better at creating criminals then a lack of parental support. A solution with positive outcomes would be to 1. Fine illegals, 2. document, 3. allow them to apply for legal status, 4. require that they learn English, 5. make them legal and tax them. Arizona would benefit from a larger tax base, you would have documented workers. You would be able to identify them if they do commit a crime.

Fourth, illegal immigrants do not have a monopoly on crime, and they have not been responsible for acts of terror in the USA. Kicking out illegals as a way to reduce crime is a false promise. It smoke and mirrors. It makes people think that the government is busy protecting people. Doing their job. But it is a false sense of security. Citizens and legal immigrants alike commit crimes. All of the 9/11 terrorists, McVeigh, and the alleged Times Sq bomber arrested today were here in this country legally. Terrorists aren't sneaking in our borders. They are arriving on planes. Being issued visas, getting their work documents.

Fifth, we are acting like America is some hot commodity right now. Irish immigrants have been returning to Ireland for lucrative job opportunities. Folks are moving to Canada for socialized healthcare. Americans are learning Chinese to better prepare for a economy run by the Chinese. India is the fastest growing technological hot beds in the world. We are not all we think we are. We are lucky that people want to live and work here. We are lucky that some people still believe in the American dream. Most of the Americans I know do not. A law that can criminalize wanting to provide and make a better life for you and your family in America is wrong. Give people the opportunity to become legal. If they take it great. If not, goodbye. But without a real chance to make their wrong (living/working in the US illegally) a right, it is not a fair law.

Lastly, I find it humorous that Arizona finally comes around to criticize the federal government for its inaction to protect its borders when there is not a Republican in the White House. McCain's good buddy President Bush ran the show for 8 years. Why not call out that administration in the 8 years that this became a problem? Why create stupid legislation now? Are they finally fed up? Or is this just the opportunity to blame someone else for the problem? President Obama himself says that the federal government failed Arizona, but two wrongs never make a right.

I hope Arizona has a change of heart. Right now this is a big pimple of the face of a state that I really do think is beautiful.

2010-04-14T06:30:00.000-07:00

Sunday Night Anxiety

It is 10:30PM on Sunday night. Ruby is put to bed, Derek is playing XBOX, and I am laying in bed staring at the ceiling thinking about horrible* things. I toss, I turn, my heart races, I shoot out of bed, I get up I pace the floor, I go to the bathroom, I get some water, I go back to bed, and then -repeat 3X + I search for the Golden Girls on television-. It is 12:30AM now, Monday morning and I am thinking, "I am so fucked." Sunday night anxiety has hit me, again.

This plays itself out almost every Sunday night. I say "almost" because if I am buzzed/tipsy, I fall asleep just fine. So the answer is drink more on Sundays right? Well, unfortunately we all know that is not the "right" answer. So Xanax right? Xanax is the answer. Well, unfortunately I don't like that answer. To be pill dependent is just sad to me (although I do enjoy my "mommy's little helpers".) And yes booze and pills would help with the Sunday night anxiety I am still left wondering, "What the hell is wrong with me?"

I know I am not alone in this. Many of the people I have spoken to casually about Sunday night anxiety say "Me too!" or "Ugh, Sunday nights I am a crazy person." or "Sundays are the worse." It is probably because we are all thinking about the work week ahead. And our dread that we had as a kid about going to school has turned into neurotic obsessing to the point of anxiety attacks about going back to work. The dread of the week cause a snow ball effect and I start thinking about *horrible things like: death, dying - myself and loved ones, being forgotten, growing old, going insane.

I "star" the word horrible because horrible is relative, and really my irrational fears about whatever are nothing compared to people suffering real horrors in their lives. Maybe I should start thinking about how terrible other people have it to put things in perspective. No. That probably still isn't as comforting as Xanax and the Golden Girls.

Someone call the looney bin. I am ready.

2010-03-09T11:56:00.000-08:00

Fantasy Blog.....

This is a fantasy blog. I recently found an old rent payment stub as I was getting rid of old files. The rent was $1545 for our 1 bedroom apartment in Fort Greene Brooklyn. We lived there from 2003 to 2007. Derek and I look back at that time as the time before responsibilities. Sure we had our worries, but really they were of no importance. Especially when we compare them to our worries of today.

At this time we were earning salaries similar to what we are making today. The current recession has done a nice job of keeping our salaries steady over the past few years. (But who are we to complain, at least we have jobs.) The big difference is that we more than doubled our cost of living from renting to mortgage, and we have a nanny. For those of you also struggling with a mortgage, you know "house poor." But for those of you struggling with both a mortgage and a nanny, you know there is a whole other level of "nanny poor." Given our mortgage we have no choice but to both work, so we have to pay a nanny, and paying a whole other person's salary is brutal. It really pushes you to the limit.

So where is the fantasy part of this blog?... well... The fantasy part is what I would now do with the money that I had in that 1 bedroom-nanny-free apartment, that I spend on mortgage and nanny now - knowing what I know now. This is what I would do:

TRAVEL
I would go to Europe. I would buy Italian leather and eat pasta in Italy. I would eat French cheese and macaroons in Paris. I would eat jamon in Spain and wander around like a gypsy. I would go to Istanbul for Kabob. So yeah I would basically eat my way through Europe. Trips to Europe on our budget and with a toddler is not going to happen. I miss my window (for now) and I hope once the kid is grown and my budget is freed of nanny and mortgage I will get to tour Europe. (So no more World Wars or environmental disasters until I get there. Please.)

I would buy a timeshare in Kauai, so that we could visit every two years and pretend that we live there.

I would plan a trip to California, since I have never been. San Francisco, San Diego, and LA for good measure.

Finally I would go to other kick ass cities and party party party. Sure I can go to Nashville with Ruby and see the sights. But can I party there? NO. So I would hit cities like Nashville, Austin, Miami, Seattle, --- you get the picture and party, shop, and wander.

SAVINGS and INVESTMENT
What was I thinking when I was blowing all of my cash on things like a wedding? I should have been saving, so to not be in a future predictment. I would learn about investing and diversitfying. These things would help pay for travels and more saving.

PERSONAL TRAINER
I would have someone whip my ass into shape. Sure I go to the gym now, but I would have the meanest most brutal trainer yell and scream at me to move my fat ass.

Why didn't I do these things when we were mortgage and nanny-free? I am not really sure. I will go with blaming stupidity, because it was really stupid. I could write a similar blog, but I would replace "money" with the other thing that I lack, "time." And write another fantasy blog about what I would do with all of the time I used to have. But that is for another day. Money and time - people without mortgages and nannies. MONEY & TIME - spend it wisely.

2010-03-08T08:26:00.000-08:00

Ruby Humor

Ruby has proven to be just as funny as her Mommy and Daddy, which as you know is pretty damn funny. She is smack in the middle of her terrible twos, and I love it because she is just as funny as she is terrible. Her language development is taking it to a whole other level, and I find what makes her laugh to be hilarious. The girl knows funny.

Funny quote:
After a trip to the Prospect Park Zoo Derek asked: "Ruby what was your favorite animal?"
Ruby: "Pig. OINK. OINK."
Now, there aren't any pigs at the zoo, so Derek inquired further, "I know you like to eat pig, but what is your favorite animal not to eat?"
Ruby: "Horse."

Funny & Terrifying quote:
During a 2AM melt down, I gave up and Derek took over, and said, "Ruby calm down" very nicely.
Ruby: "I WILL NOT CALM DOWN!"
Derek: "You are such a woman"

Funny observations involving Sweetpea:
While Sweetpea was drinking water, Ruby: "Sweetpea kiss water"
While Sweetpea is getting a bath, Ruby: "Sweetpea naked"

Breakfast food request:
Ruby at 7AM: "my body"
Alaina: "What about your body?"
Ruby: "hungry"
Alaina: "What do you want to eat?"
Ruby: "French fries, donut, chicken"

What cracks Ruby up:
- Sneaking up on me lifting my tshirt and poking me in the belly button
- Burping
- Sweetpea chasing the flashlight beam
- Jumping on Derek's stomach after dinner

2010-02-17T20:33:00.000-08:00

Drama, not for this mama...

I have this amazing talent for keeping friends that are awesome, and ditching the ones that are... well... just lousy at being friends. I can honestly say that I don't have anyone in my life that drags me down. No one that creates drama and is a selfish freak. No one that makes me feel like crap. I am pretty proud.

It might seem obvious, don't be friends with assholes. But if we all think about our lives we usually have people that are around us that are less than the company that we deserve. People who may have gotten into the inner circle before you realized, this person is a whack job. Sometimes it is difficult to get rid of the person. You think that it is you and not them. You have too many other connections to them, like you have common friends, work together, or see them a lot. Or the worse, you are actually thriving on their drama. I have learned though that eventually you wake up and realize: It is them and I am not really enjoying this person's company. And all of those connections usually fix themselves: like everyone else realizes they are an asshole, you leave that job, or you get that just because you see them a lot you don't actually have to be their friend.

Now, just because I don't see a person doesn't mean I ditched them because they are crazy. The people that I realized are toxic friends are really out of my life. I don't think about them or miss them. I am not their Facebook friend. And they definitely do not get a Holiday card. Something happens (most likely something in the "last straw" category) and I just walk away. (sometimes figuratively and sometimes literally.)

I suggest that more people do the same. You don't need a huge fight. You don't need to send a goodbye email. You just have to realize, "this person sucks, there are too many awesome people to be around and too little time." And then everything else falls into place. You start making plans with the awesome people, you stop communicating with the crazy-asses. And when you see them you just smile and say hi. You are smiling cause you don't actually have to spend any time with them. And it is amazing.

2010-01-25T11:28:00.000-08:00

That is more like it....

I haven't written a blog about fine dining in a long time - two reasons - 1. No money to go out to fine dine. And I am not even talking about my money, (which is little) but the money of the media vendors that used to take me out for fancy dinners and lunch all of the time. I used to live it up, on someone else's dine. Not I just eat at my desk. Sad. 2. No time to fine dine. Even if I had the money personally, few are the nights that I can go out for 4 hours to indulge in a 4-course affair of the taste buds. It just does not happen.

Last Thursday I had the priveledge of going out to Convivo, in Tudor City, New York. I went with some amazing friends, one of whom knew the entire staff because she is a talented and charming restaurant professional. (She is so impressive, and I can say I knew her when...) It was so much fun. We were treated so well and I think we ate at least 80% of the menu.

Foodies come and gather around. Here is what we were lucky enough to eat:

SFIZI course - small bowls of what I describe below:
Funghi - grilled mushrooms, vin cotto
Olive - marinated castelvetano olives - Outstanding olives, totally different, yet wonderfully olive
Stracciatellea - fresh cheese curd, pomodoro - Serves with toast, amazing, could dip in this forever!
Salame Piccante - spicy salami - Is what it is, but it was still better than anything else I have had.

ANTIPASTI - appetizer portions (1st official course)
Testa - house made pork terrine, fried egg, parmigiano - I think I am going to dream about this dish, it was beautiful. The consistency and flavors, the egg, the creamy sauce - I was sad that I had to share.
Fegatini - rustic chicken liver crostini, marsala onions - How do they make chicken liver so damn good?!
Polipo - grilled octopus, chickpea panissa, olives, red peppers - Probably my less favorite of the three, but the charred taste of the octopus, and the huge portion was great.

PRIMI - pasta course
Cicatelli al Forno - baked ricotta dumplings, red wine braised veal osso buco, fresh mozzarella - SICK, is a GREAT way! You knew it had to be good based on the menu description, and it did not disappoint.
Maccheroni all Carbonara - pancetta, pecorino, scallion, egg, black pepper - This is pure comfort food. Pasta is not just pasta after you taste this.
Cuscini - braised oxtail filled ravioli, chicory, pecorino sarda - Light and perfect pasta, with amazing filling, again a generous portion.

SECONDI - choices of fish or meat main course
Scoottadito di Agnello - grilled lamb chops, salsa verde, escarole
tomato, beans. - Rich and full of flavor.
Anatra - crispy long island duck breast, swiss chard alla romana spaghetti squahs, vin santo - Perfectly prepared duck, best I have ever had.
Maiale - roasted hampshire pork chop, wild mushrooms, brocolli rabe, marsala - HUGE chop - my least favorite of the three, but it was wonderfully prepared and cooked perfectly.

SIDES - all three of these were amazing, how they make such simple things taste so good is a mystery to me.
Fried cauliflower
Pecorino potatoes
Bruxelle - fried brussels sprouts

DESSERT - my favorite was the affogato, but each dessert was unique and notable. It was the perfect ending to a great meal.
Panna Cotta - vanilla panna cotta, fresh local strawberries, lemon sorbet
Budino - warm dark chocolate, hazelnut gelato, candied hazelnuts
Affogato al Caffé - "super punch" amaro gelato, freshly-brewed espresso
Crostata di Mela - spiced apples, walnut crumble, caramel gelato

We also had wine parings with each course. Some things that I have never had before in my life, and cannot wait to drink again. Here is a list of what we drank, now this is just a copy and paste from what my wonderful friend sent to me, I will go armed with a post it note to a wine shop and try to buy the $30 version of each. I really really love the La Stoppa. It is a white wine where the skins are left on the grapes. Like nothing I ever drank before:

Extra Brut Fidèle Vouette et Sorbée NV (Champagne)

Ageno La Stoppa 2005 Malvasia Aromatico/Ortrugo (Emilia-Romagna)

Gattinara Antoniolo 2003 Nebbiolo (Piemonte, Italia)

Taurasi Fatica Contadina Terredora di Paolo 1999 Aglianico (Campania)

I will ride the HIGH that is this meal for a long time. One thing that is good about hardly doing the fine dining thing is really appreciating it when you do. I am a lucky foodie girl, indeed.

2009-11-04T08:56:00.000-08:00

What does it matter?

What does it matter to a straight person if gay people get married? Nothing.
What does it matter to a gay person if gay people cannot get married? Everything.

Fuck you Maine.

2009-10-28T20:19:00.001-07:00

Making New Friends

About six to seven years ago I decided that I had enough friends. Derek and I were planning our wedding and decided that we couldn't make any new friends because we could not afford to invite anymore people. We were already pushing 250 guests, so it just made sense at the time to say no new friends. The wedding passed and slowly awesome people started creeping into our lives. So over the last six years we have made some awesome new friends. Some of these new friends are now our closest friends. And I wish they were at our wedding, because I think of it as the moment were all of the people we cared about were in the same room.

The new friends that have entered my life between 2004 and 2007 came in slowly. A person here, a person there, someone introduced through friend, someone that I met at work. A pretty steady stream of new friends in this time period. And as a mentioned some of these people I would consider my nearest and dearest.

Enter Ruby in October 2007, and everything changes. Life is turned upside down and rightside up and back again. I truely believe that we have not lost any friends during this time. The bond between some friendships has grown stronger, other have been redefined, and for the people that we don't get to spend as much time with I still consider them my friends. Part of friendship is understanding and I know they understand why we aren't as available as we used to be. I understand that hanging out with me and my toddler isn't the most interesting thing in the world.

Added to the list of things that "I didn't count on when I became a parent" is that Ruby would make friends for me. (Ruby and Beth (nanny) more accurantly.) In my entire life I never actually had neighborhood friends. I had friends that lived in my neighborhood, but they were my friends before I moved there, so they don't count. Ruby and Beth hang out in the neighborhood, they go to the playground, library, pizzeria... real neighborhood activities. Through these activities they have met other kids and nannies. And through these relationships that they started I have met some really cool people.

It has been a lot of fun, sometimes awkward, and hardly disappointing to go on what are essentially "blind dates" with other couples that have toddlers that are Ruby's friends. I have met musicians, artists, designers, performers... I actually think I am most least interesting of the entire group, which is kinda of intimidating.

Generally, most of our get togethers revolve around the kids. Playdates, birthday parties, holiday parties, playground, etc. But us "cool Moms" (as I have named us) have also gotten together at a local dive bar for drinks after the kids are in bed and the husbands are on duty. We have gotten together twice so far. The first time we talked about our kids for an hour, complained about our husbands for 30 minutes, and talked about how awesome we were before we had kids for 30 minutes. The second time we talked less about the kids and didn't complain as much about our husbands. A good sign that we actually enjoy each other's company and have figured out other things to talk about. (Things other than H1N1, organic vegetables, and nursery schools at least.)

So I consider myself a very lucky person. I have an incredible family. I have great old friends, plenty of fab new friends, and I made super cool Mommy friends. Plus I see that my Ruby girl is well her way to making her own old/new friends. This makes me very happy, since I personally know how important it is to surround yourself with good friends.

2009-10-04T19:22:00.000-07:00

My Gender Made Me Like It

There is a ton of chick television on this season. I have no idea what you are watching if you are a dude, I guess sports. But can you really watch sports all of the time? Ok, stupid question. So this season's "what I am watching" is all about the chick programs.

First the new programs:

Glee: premiere season, and so far the most "facebook status" pick of the season. The show is basically a musical comedy about a glee club. Thank you FOX, you are entertaining me with popular music and I am not resentful at all.

Vampire Diaries: it is not Buffy, Angel, Twilight, or True Blood, but it is the little bit of vampire that I need to get through the week. The characters are attractive, the plot mysterious, and the good hearted vampire is a tortured handsome soul. You can't beat that with a stick.

Eastwick: If vampires aren't enough to get me going, Eastwick gives me witches. Plus that 1/2 Asian lady that I like. Whatever her name is... So far it is cute and the lead male is hot like "Mr. Big" hot. Speaking of Mr. Big:

The Good Wife: The premise of the show is a sad one, the wife of a prominent government official is forced back to work since her hubby (Mr. Big, Chris Noth) had a scandalous video of a hooker-romp leaked and was convicted of a whole bunch of crap. But most of the show is about the case that the wife is handling at her new job and the bigger back story takes a bit of a backseat. You get enough mystery about the back story to keep you interest in the series and the individual episodes are compelling enough to entertain for the 60 minutes.

Flash Forward: the least girly of all of the new shows that I watch. If you like Lost, you will probably like Flash Forward. Mysterious thing happens to the whole wide world, everyone sees 6 months into their future during a 2 minute and 17 second "flash fwd." The first episode gave me a nightmare, but I will just have to watch it during Ruby's naps so not to lose any sleep.

Older Shows:

Gossip Girl: Can't stop watching those over indulged spoiled rich brats that think they rules don't apply to them. I wouldn't cross the street to pee on them if they were on fire, but I'll watch them on TV.

Bones: I watch for Angel, but if he and Bones get it on, I will lose interest.

Dollhouse: I watch for Joss Whedon, and the actors from BSG .

Castle: I watch for Captain Malcolm Reynolds, see a pattern here?

The Big Bang Theory: I am not a sitcom watcher, as funny as I maybe, but I do enjoy this show.

Army Wives: This show is awful, the acting, the story, but the male actors are hot. And I can watch the show and write this blog and not miss anything.

2009-10-02T18:49:00.000-07:00

Fun stuff for the near future

I must always be planning. The wheels must always be turning. What is next on the horizon? What are we doing this weekend? Next weekend? This month? Next month? Next year? A good plan equals good fun. And there is nothing better than having something to look forward to. So here are the plans that I am planning to plan. Plan on participating.

October
Apple picking, cider donut eating, and corn stalk mazing. This has been a tradition for at least 7 years. We usually go to a place in Princeton, NJ. This year I am thinking about changing it up and going to a place is northern NY. Much more research must be done. But we have two places in mind and two dates in mind 10/17 or 10/18.

But really October is all about Ruby's second birthday and Halloween. Ruby's birthday party has been planned in June 2009. I booked Gymboree for her actual birthday and for the kids. And we will have another party at the house the day before. (My parents are going to throw that party. Proof that I get my planning skills from them.) Then there is Halloween. Ruby has one hand me down costume, one costume from Grammie, and she will probably get one store bought constume. I am thinking a tiger. She like to roar. I was considering taking Ruby down to Breezy Point where people might spike the punch but no one would put razor blades in the apples, but we were invited to a party in the hood. So it is better to keep it local. Also I cannot imagine having to explain to Ruby that she only gets one piece of candy from each house, can't go inside the house to play, and has to walk holding a bag of candy but not eat any of it.

November
If October is about Ruby and Halloween. November is about me (my birthday) and Thanksgiving. I am thinking about going with a large group of my favorite people for dim sum breakfast. There is a place that we like in White Plains, but there are many places to be explored in Brooklyn and Queens. I think the location will be decided by whomever will take a reservation. It will be fun for grownups and kids. There are also two true and true Brooklyn places that I wouldn't mind taking my favorite friends too... L&B Spumoni Gardens and Brennan & Carr.

Thanksgiving we spend at Howie and Maria's in Douglaston. Great food and great company. Ruby enjoyed turkey and gravy just this past weekend, so I think we are all set for that. I think I am going to consider channeling a little Martha Stewart and making a couple of fancy pies. I could also just show up and eat.

December
Christmas, all about Christmas. We throw our biggest party of the year on Christmas Eve for all of the O'Callaghans (plus my folks). We have no least than 40 people in the house and we are responsible for most of the main food. Again, I want to channel MS, but for 40 people I need a professional kitchen, a week off, and a couple of thousand dollars. Usually I try to think of how I can feed a ton of people efficiently, but this year I want it to be a bit more planned out. My people always to their antipasto, I can do another pork roast (3rd year in a row) or we can do something bigger and better.

January
Right after the madness of the holidays we go to DISNEY WORLD! We are going with my brother, his wife, our friends Nancy, Greg, Justine, and their son Louis. Going to Disney World is a person who loves to plan DREAM. I get to plan where we stay, which parks, which rides, where we eat. It is going to be so great to see Ruby's reaction to Disney. And I cannot wait for the pretzels in Germany Pavillon.

2009-09-11T07:54:00.000-07:00

Every Year

Every year I cry during the reading of the names of the people murdered on 9/11. The people that lost their lives that day were doing nothing different from what we all do everyday. They were at work, flying on a plane, or serving the community. They didn't know that they kissed their families goodbye for the last time. They were no different then any of us are.

I would have been in front of the WTC at the moment the first plane hit if it wasn't for a doctor's appointment in Brooklyn that I had that morning. I would have been with Candace on the express bus from Bay Ridge. I didn't have to witness the panic, see the people falling from the towers, or run through the streets of lower Manhattan. I am thankful for that and I am thankful that Candace made it out of the area ok.

I know many families that lost loved ones on 9/11. Today I think about your lost and I cry. I cry for a past that cannot be changed and a future without the people you love.

Always remember that any of us could have taken the path that would have lead us to being in those buildings or on those planes. Always remember the lost that NYC and America suffered that day. Never forget the strength, compassion, and heart that got us through the days after. And never use the memory of 9/11 as an excuse to hate.

Firefighter Daniel O'Callaghan - always in the heart of your family

2009-09-08T09:54:00.000-07:00

Playground Politics

I have a love/hate relationship with the playground. We frequent the Greenwood Ave playground in Kensington, Brooklyn. But really the location or specific playground doesn't matter. I think I would have the same thing to say about any playground. As I look at my feelings towards taking Ruby to playgrounds I realize that it is truly a love/hate relationship. I can put how I feel about the playground in two distinct buckets. One labeled "love" and the other labeled "hate," there is no gray area.

Love Bucket

Ruby loves it. She sees a playground and is instantly excited. She wants to go "HIGHER" on the swing and "WEEEEE" down the slide. She wants to climb everything and run around and play with all of the kids. She is very happy on the playground.
Being outside, especially now that it is getting a little cooler. It boosts my energy (and Ruby's) and it just feels good.
Meeting all of Ruby's friends and their Moms/Dads. Ruby goes to the playground with the nanny, and when I go with her I get to meet all of the kids that she hangs out with and it really is sweet.
Feeling like I am a part of the neighborhood. I never felt like I was a part of a neighborhood that I lived in before I started going to the playground. There is something about being around all of the kids and the locals that makes you feel like you are a part of something bigger.

Hate Bucket

Mean children that Ruby is exposed to. I want to think that people are mostly good natured, but when you see some of these kids and the hateful things they do and say to one another it really makes me think that some people are born to be assholes. This is horrible to say, but there are little assholes running around the playground. And I want to do to them the same thing I want to do with big assholes.
Stupid parents. There are two groups of parents. One group that watches their kids, one group that doesn't watch their kids. I want to yell and get into a fight with the group that doesn't watch their kids. Sure you can't and shouldn't be there at every moment. But you should make an effort to have an eye/ear on your offspring at all times. (Usually these are the parents of the little assholes.)
Toys on the playground. Toys are for at home, keep the toys at home. That is all I am going to say about that.
Teenagers and pre-teens on the playground. I didn't like teenagers and pre-teens when I was one, I definitely don't care for them now, especially when they are acting like animals and not being mindful of the 2 year olds wandering around. Why aren't the smoking pot in Prospect Park somewhere like a good teen would be doing?

So there they are. Two buckets. Hate and love. No matter what I will always take Ruby to the playground because she loves it so much. I just only hope that I don't tramatize her too much when I get in a screaming match with one somebody, someday. I try to focus on the things I love, so I don't get into with a Mom that is sitting there on her blackberry or socializing with other loser Moms while her 3 year old stomps on the fingers of a 15 month old. But I am just not that good of a person, I enjoy telling people they are idiots too much.

2009-07-17T06:41:00.000-07:00

What makes me sad about this country....

I think I live in the greatest city, in the greatest state, in the greatest region, in the greatest country on earth. I really do. But a place is only as great as the people who live in it, and I have to say that the misdirected outrage and anger towards the healthcare insurance reform makes me feel that this country is made up of people who are selfish, uncaring, and short sighted. So what does that say about us as a nation?

We are the only major power in the world without a public health insurance for all. If you lose your job, work for yourself, or work for a company that does not offer insurance you must pay out of pocket for preventative treatments, emergency care, and life saving procedures. Sure a hospital won't turn you away, but they will come after you with bills that will haunt you forever. Even if you have insurance you have to deal with corporate greed that feeds into caps on service, push back for necessary procedures, and having to pay out of pocket anyway while you and your employer pay into your coverage every month. So what does that say about us as a nation?

What is on the table is a chance for people to have insurance regardless of employment or current health conditions. What is on the table is the choice for Americans to pick from a corporate insurance company and a government run insurance plan. In this job economy where I or my husband can lose our jobs and thereby our health insurance for ourselves and our daughter I think it is prudent to have the option to still be covered by a government plan. That is just common sense. Why wouldn't people want that option?

The insurance companies, the ones that make billions off of your sickness and wellness are the only ones to benefit from there being no public option. Why should the corporations have a monopoly on health insurance? Why can't the government be given a chance to prove that they can offer a better option? I do not see the harm in it.

The government already provides insurance for people over the age of 65 and people who are living below the poverty line. Why can't the working class be given the same? The government already regulates corporations to protect people. Why can't they regulate the companies that are deciding how much they should pay to make you well?

The three proposed bills for health insurance reform are not a path to socialism. They are a path to a healthier nation. I should want the best healthcare for my family and my neighbors.

2009-06-22T20:08:00.000-07:00

Jon + Eight, Minus Kate, + Some Sluts

Hot off the press Jon and Kate are divorcing. Surprise, surprise.

I started watching the show because the kids are 1/4 Asian, and being 1/2 Asian myself I was interested. And I got caught up in the freak show of their lives. I lost interest when their true colors reared their greedy, ugly, selfish heads. Here are a few thoughts about them that have popped into my head in the last few weeks...

1. Maybe they will auction their kids off to the highest bidders, since money is more important than their children.
2. I think Jon will be sleeping in those crooked houses.
3. They are really religious and make money doing speaking engagements for churches, do you think that churches will want their divorce asses?
4. When will a producer just quit and spill the beans about what is really going on?
5. Will sponsors still be jumping at the chance to be on the show? Maybe, since the ratings will be higher with everyone watching the unhappy couple.
6. "Next on Jon and Kate Plus 8, Daddy moves out"
7. Vanity and parenting don't mix. Between hair plugs, teeth whitening, personal trainers, and tanning these are the vainest parents I have ever seen. I have one child and I sometimes forget brush my teeth.
8. These kids will get to relive this terrible time in the reruns.
9. Is divorce organic?
10. I wonder who is going to come out smelling like a rose? I am thinking Kate, since Jon seems to already have a Plan B in mind.

It is just really interesting to have watched how money and fame ruined these people. It was probably doomed to end, but money really sunk this ship.
8.

2009-06-17T20:05:00.001-07:00

Memories

I know I had a happy childhood. No major traumas or loses to speak of. Lots of good times and special events. But my memory has been so bad lately. I don't know if it is stress or just the way my brain works. I seem to only remember good times when they are connected to a photograph. I have to take the time to think harder, but I have no problem remembering embarassing or painful moments without the help of a photograph.

The past is the past, and if I can't remember every little thing, well that is fine. But I don't want to forget the little sweet things that happen now. Especially when Ruby is concerned. I don't want every memory have to be connected to a photograph to remember it. So here are the little things that Ruby did today that made me happy.

Ruby pointed to the fish in her storybook and said, "fish"
Ruby finished her bottle and looked at me and said, "moooore plez"
Ruby saw that her highchair was wet and said, "wet"

Three little moments that I would not remember 10 years from now. But they make me so happy now. I hope to remember all of the good times, and forget about the bad times. That is what I would like.

2009-06-03T05:52:00.001-07:00

Baby Steps to a Slimmer Me

I was recently told, "make little changes a couple at a time and your won't notice you are dieting." Sounds like good enough advice. I have tried the whole "jump into a diet" thing, and well, that doesn't work for me. So here is a list of the little changes I am going to make. One at a time:

Slim milk in my coffee, instead of half and half
Skip the rice/potato/pasta at dinner
Have a salad for lunch at least twice a week
Walk up the steps instead of the escalator in the morning
Eliminate the "sweet snack" after lunch
Eliminate any after dinner desserts during the week
Egg whites, instead of eggs
Cut my dinner portions in half
Walk to 6th Ave for the train
Skip the bun
Skip the chips

Not a bad start. At least this way I won't get any fatter. I might even lose a few pounds.

2009-06-01T07:11:00.001-07:00

Politics, not usually for me....

I usually reserve blogsphere for ranting about food, commuting, motherhood, and television. But recent events have sent me over the edge and on search for a soap box. Apparently soap boxes are a thing of the past, so thankfully we have blogs.

The Nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court
Rant start: Yes it is wonderful that she is a Hispanic female that is self made. But it is also wonderful that she has more experience than anyone else on the Supreme Court today. Republicans are trying to poke holes into her story, trying to kill her chance, taking things out of content and focusing on sound bytes that meet their own agendas. Republicans need to do this because their position on most things are based on the following: greed, religion, and racism. Three things that shouldn't be a part of our government. Sotomayor is a strong candidate for the Supreme Court, maybe the strongest in recent history. It would be a shame if she was blocked.

Republicans: Greed, Religion, and Racism
After I wrote the above I figure it was worth a bit more explanation. Rant start: Everything that frustrates me about the Republican party and the people that consider themselves a part of it stems from greed, religion, and racism.

Greed is based in their position on "small government" and "less" taxes. I am not a communist, but I support my government taxing me to fund programs that support the country. Support can be defined as protection, education, healthcare, economy, even things like giving people home and food. I believe in welfare support. I believe that a society should be based on the lesser of its members. Yes, people abuse welfare. But I would rather 100 people abuse welfare than a child be homeless and hungry. You can't take your cash with you, might as well elevate all citizens than sit on a pile of cash.

Religion is always behind the excuse for denying someone of their rights to be free. I don't hate religion, but I hate that it used to deny gays the right to marry and women the right to choose. Your religion is not my religion, and don't tread on me. Unfortunately our government is influenced by Christian morals. Not that all Christian morals are wrong, I believe is most myself. What is wrong is the arrogant belief that Christianity will always be in power here. We can easily live in a society governed by another set of beliefs, and would you want to be forced to live by their creed. Probably not. Some republicans wear their religion on their sleeve. They should keep their religion at home, where it belongs.

Racism is our dirty little secret. Just because we have a black president, doesn't mean we have risen above as a society. There are some republicans that are republicans because it is the white man's party. Granted it works both ways, but there are a lot of people that function and make decisions based on superficial beliefs, like race. I believe that these people tend to be on the right, rather than the left, therefore are republicans. But they would never say it out loud... at least not to people who they are not related to.

The Murder of Dr. Tiller
Rant start: 4 doctors murdered by Pro-Life radicals. 0 Pro-Life radicals murdered by Pro-Choice movement. Who is really pro-life? The pro-life movement has officially come out as against this crime. They say they support non-violent protests only. But have you ever seen a pro-life rally or protest. Screaming at people entering clinics, threatening staff, displaying gross and in-accurant images of fetuses. Related to my above rant about religion and its use to deny women the right to choose what should happen to their own bodies, it is a shame that someone can be murdered in cold blood and people dismiss the act because their belief that "he had blood on his hands." Shameful. No one is pro-abortion. Women who have to make a decision about abortion, especially late-term abortion, are not making their decision lightly. Dr. Tiller supported women who were faced with a decision no one should be faced with. Their lives or the life of their unborn child. Until someone walks in their shoes how dare they judge her or the doctor they use.

Gay Marriage: Stupid California
Rant start: Recently social media and media has been buzzing about the Supreme Court in CA uploading the Proposition 8 decision. Well duh. The citizens should be able to vote and make changes to the constitution. The unfortunate part is that CA citizens voted YES to Prop 8 to begin with. Again religion getting in the way of basic human rights. But shame on CA with their divorce rate for straight marriages being the highest in the country talking about "family values" and the importance of keeping marriage as it traditionally should be. Marriage in terms of government and law is nothing more than a civil contract between two people. You shouldn't be denied the right to go into a contract with another human being based on race, religion, gender, social status, nationally, etc. Gay marriage is not a gay issue, it is a human rights issues. Get with the program California and the rest of the country.

Rant end.

2009-05-31T18:34:00.000-07:00

Another Summer Begins In the Twilight Zone

Growing up in Queens New York, I considered myself pretty familiar with most neighborhoods in Queens. Not that I did much exploring, but I had the lay of the land figured out pretty well. We spent the summers between the Long Island Beaches, like Jones Beach and the Queens Beaches like Rockaway. I went to Rockaway with my friends and went to Jones Beach with my family. Things pretty much continued this way until the summer of 1996.

I met Derek in the Spring of 1996. A week before the senior prom that I never to went to, a month before my high school graduation. In June Derek invited me to his parent's summer house in Breezy Point. I didn't know where or what Breezy Point was. I don't think I asked too many questions. I just knew that I was going to a beach house someplace in Queens. I didn't realize that I was about to get my introduction to one of New York City's best kept "secrets."

Derek and I took the bus to Flatbush Avenue from his house in Brooklyn. (The house that we currently own, weird.) And Derek's Dad picked us up in front of the liquor store across from Kings Plaza. He drove an older Cadillac, which I learned once belonged to Derek's maternal Grandfather. We went over a bridge, down a long road, into a private community. You need a card to open gates into parking lots, and the houses seemed to be laid out in no particular order and right on top of each other. Derek's sister Deirdre was playing basketball with a bunch a kids at the playground in front of a place called "The Dug Out." Derek asked, "I wonder if she is winning." Derek's Dad said, "She better be." (Funny how I remember the smallest details sometimes.)

We got out of the car and there I was. This small beach community filled with Irish-Americans, and some Italian-Americans called Breezy Point. The houses were right on top of one another. It was just strange from the start. People don't lock their doors, or even have keys to their own homes. Kids run around free. We met up with Derek's friends, spent half of the time figuring out how to get beer, 1/4 of the time getting beer, and 1/4 of the time drinking the beer. (Such is the life of an underage drinker.) Went to the beach, and did it all again the next night. And the next visit. And the next visit after that. Pretty much went that way for the next couple of years. Getting beer got easier once we turned 21, so there was more time for drinking. But that was pretty much it. Beer and beach. Beach and beer.

Breezy is awesome for many reasons. The beach is not nearly as crowded as the other city beaches. It less than 30 minutes from our house in Brooklyn. There are playground and lots of kids for Ruby to hang out with. We have 3 Ruby Aunts around and 1 little Ruby cousin to hang out with. The stores make kick ass beach sandwiches and have the best chip and beer selection ever. Ruby's Great Grandma and Derek's cousins are always around. It is a close community where everyone is pretty friendly. Plus everyone is having a good time... I think it is the Breezy/beach/beer thing. I am truly lucky to have access to this oasis that is a 30 minute away.

This summer is going to prove to be an awesome one. Ruby is beach lover, and she even made her Mom one too. So get ready to load up the car with beach chairs, towels, sunblock, and snacks, cause Breezy Point here we come.

2009-04-03T22:23:00.000-07:00

I am the Ebert and Roper of Children's Television

Ruby loves television. She is like her Dad. Derek and Ruby go into a television trance. Derek with the History Channel, Ruby with Noggin. Derek's parents called him "TV Stevie." Ruby is "TV Stevie Jr." Some people are against television for their kids. But I always see a lot of value in television. We sit with Ruby or dance with Ruby or sing with Ruby along with the shows. We don't ditch Ruby in front of the television to take care of other things. Since we always watch with Ruby, Derek and I have developed our own kiddie TV favorites. We also have some interesting theories about some of the shows. Actually we have an opinion on all of the shows.

Noggin Shows: a sister network to Nickelodeon, Noggin's tagline is Preschool on TV. Which is perfect since there is no way I am sending Ruby to a preschool that costs more than my college tuition. Ruby is going to be a good American and learn what she needs from television, just like her parents did. Noggin airs kids shows with no commercials, and as a new parent and media planner this shocks and amazes me.

Wonder Pets: three classroom pets, Linny the Guinea Pig, Ming-Ming Duckling, and Turtle Tuck, travel around the globe helping to rescue animals who need their help. They do it all while singing opera style and using teamwork. They celebrate by eating celery. Derek and I joke that Sweetpea put a call into the Wonder Pets, "Hello Wonder Pets, get your asses over here, they forgot to feed me breakfast." The Wonder Pets are cute and boring, perfect for little kids.
Dora: even if you are without kids, you know about Dora. I have no idea why this show got so popular. Dora and her friend "Boots" a monkey who wears nothing but red boots walk around and with help from her backpack an map go around on little adventures. Dora constantly asks for the viewer's assistance, and after she asks a questions she stares blankly at the screen waiting for the answer. I want to clock her in the grill. POP!
Diego: a spin off of Dora and like most spin offs, with the exception of Frasier and Angel, it sucks. Diego seriously is a crap show. The animation is bad, the story lines are dumb. I think Ruby even knows how bad Diego is. Someone call immigration cause Diego has to go.
Franklin: Franklin is a turtle, and a d-bag. He lies, complains, whines, brags, and is all around irritating. I don't know why Franklin has any friends and I don't know why he is not in "time-out" for all of his bad behavior. The show is Canadian. I think that says a lot.
Yo Gabba Gabba: from the first episode we watched we (Derek, myself, and Ruby) loved Yo Gabba Gabba. They have cool musical guests, like Biz Markie, and one of the dudes from Devo. They sing catchy tunes about eating and being nice, and they encourage kids to get up a dance. The show is hosted by DJ Lance Rock and the characters include Muno (who looks like a dildo), Tootie, Plex, Brobie, and Foofa. As much as we love the show we still make fun of it. Muno gave Brobie the lamest Christmas gift, a framed portrait of himself. Brobie in return gave Muno a mustaches that we think he made from his butt hair.
Max and Ruby: The show is about a brother and sister bunny. We wanted to love the show since Ruby is the name of the character. Not only is the show bad, the character Ruby is a little bitch. She is so mean to her brother Max. And I am not alone in thinking this. My ex-boss once said, "I am waiting for the episode where Max pulls the chair out from under Ruby. " My friend Madeline said that she would like to "bury Ruby in her dolly garden." Derek said that Max should "push Ruby down the steps." These are the feelings this bitchy little bunny provokes.
Jack's Big Music Show: This is another gem in the midst of a bunch of duds. Jack is a "muppet like" character and all of the episodes are about different kinds of music. The show is a lot of fun. And you know you have a winner when the adults watching the show are cracking up laughing.
Backyardigans: This show is basically the Muppet Babies for the next generation. The most entertaining part of this show (for Mom & Dad) is that the Backyardigans obviously live in a really bad neighborhood. The characters are Uniqua, Pablo, Tyrone, Tasha, and Austin and they never leave their backyard. See what we mean. We are waiting for the episode where the stray bullet hits one of them.
Wow Wow Wubbzy: From the opening song to the final credits this show is annoying. I don't even know what to say about it other then that the main character is what I think is a yellow cat or dog with a long crooked tail. For some reason I have seen the same episode like 3 times and it is the only one that I have ever seen. So there is either only one episode or the episodes are all pretty much the same.
Pinky Dinky Doo: I have only seen one episode of this show, I think she tells stories to her little brother while sitting in a cardboard box. There is some singing. What I find most interesting is that her name is "Pinky Dinky Doo." What a ridiculous name.
Lazytown: This show is for children who one day aspire to be eurotrash. The premise of the show is that everything can be solved by being active and exercise. The problem is two folded the puppets are creepy and the humans are creepier than the puppets. "Sportacus" the hero of the show has a strange (and inappropiate in my opinion) relationship with a little girl. The villian is this weird guy in a purple jump suit. The two main male characters wear pants that are way to tight for children viewership. Ruby is not allowed to watch Lazytown.
Blue's Clues: Steve and Joe are the two humans that interact with a dog named Blue. Is Blue a girl dog or a boy dog? And are Steve and Joe real men? Cause they don't seem like it. Steve is better than Joe. I can't put my finger on why I prefer Steve. They are both as dense as they are asexual. You know you have watched too much Blues Clues when you sing, "We've just got a letter, we've just got a letter. We've just got a letter" and so on when the mail comes.
Toot and Puddle: This show is about two homosexual pigs who live together. They like to travel, hang out with their niece, they have a hunky kangaroo staying with them for free, a parrot that is their houseboy, they enjoy the ballet, and they wear turtlenecks. Ok, so maybe they don't come out and say the pigs are gay. As you can see from the rest of my assestment they are gay.
Sesame Street: Too much Elmo nowadays. Not enough Grover. Not enough Cookie Monster. Way too much Elmo. And I don't enjoy the new characters. I do love noting how much plastic surgery Luis, Maria, and Gordan have had. Bob looks so freaking old, I think he scares the children. Sesame Street is damn funny though, they know how to entertain and teach the children and be witty at the same time, and they have been doing it for a long time.

Today when Ruby and I were hanging out I couldn't put the kid's shows on. I was too tired, and I thought I would fall asleep. So we watched NCIS and Jeopardy, and we played with fake fruit and colored. It was awesome.

2009-03-31T09:20:00.000-07:00

A Refreshing Change

I so often blog to bitch about commuting. I spend about 2 hours of my day doing it, and it is not an enjoyable experience overall. But recently I have been excited about one thing on the subway. And with the inevitable fare hike that we are going to be slammed with, I thought it would be nice to note what made me so happy these past couple of commuting days.

The brand new F trains! On Friday of last week (3/27) I was coming home from an appointment in the city and waiting at Broadway Layfette for the F, when something new and exciting came down the tracks. It looked similar to the "new" 4/5/6 trains that were rolled out a few years back, only it was shinier and newer. Upon entering the car you were hit by that "new train smell." For those of you with cars you are familiar with it, the new train smell is way better than the old train smell. I bet you trust me on that.

The MTA improved the inside of these new cars. The seats are more comfortable, and instead of those scary sounding fold down seats at the end of the cars, there is no seat at all. (I hate when those fold down seats slam up!) The best new feature was the "next stop indicator" (as I have named it) that runs along the side over head. It tells you the next stop, but even better it tells you how many stops away you are from your destination! I love that.

I took at picture:

So thank you MTA for the new F trains. They made my commute. See, I am not above thanking the MTA for when they do something right. Of course the V line still exists, and that will piss me off until the end of time. And I will be enraged when they charge me more for less. But we can save that blog for May.

2009-03-30T11:55:00.000-07:00

The Search Over

Every time I go to a good Mexican restaurant it happens. I sit down to eat a wonderful meal filled with all of my favorite things about eating: cheese, beans, food wrapped in something (burrito, taco), dipping, spicy, and booze. Mexican food is all of these things. And at every good Mexican restaurant I experience some kind of really good green salsa. Even stinkin Chipotle has a decent green/verde salsa. But as soon as you go to the store to buy some green salsa you are left disappointed.

Something just doesn't package right about green salsa. I feel like I have tried them all. One disappointment after the other. What a waste of time, what a waste of money.

So finally I decided that I had to make my own. It turned out to be really easy, cheap, and tasted better than anything in the jar.

First I roasted the tomitillos, jalapenos, onions, and garlic in the oven, under the broiler for a little bit. Then I let them cool and puree it all in the blender. Added some salt, and there you have it.

Now it may not be better than some of the restaurant stuff. But it beats the jar stuff anyday!

2009-03-28T18:10:00.001-07:00

End of an Era

I blogged a lot about the early months of motherhood. (See http://sercetlyunstable.blogspot.com/2007_12_09_archive.html) A main focus of these blogs was breastfeeding. If you read then, or ever spoken to me about breastfeeding you know that Ruby and I had a tough time in the beginning. But practice, patience, and persistence paid off! Ruby is now 17 months and 1 week old. And we have ended our era of breastfeeding.

I can't believe we made it this far and I can't believe it is over. Bye bye worrying about drinking, mercury, and drugs (prescription that is.) Bye bye nursing bras and boppy pillow. (Although the boppy pillow is also awesome for the laptop computer.) Bye bye breastfeeding mother membership. I said bye bye to the breast pump 6 months ago, but bye bye none the less.

Nursing was such a big part of Ruby and my relationship. In the beginning Ruby nursed every two hours, basically for the first 6 months of her life that is what she lived off of. And until she was a year old it was still the main source of nutrition. Since it was such a big part of Ruby's development I took nursing very seriously. I probably stressed it too much, but really, can you expect me not to stress.

It is a bittersweet ending. On the one hand I am so happy to be done. I feel free. I am also proud that we were able to shift and evolve to a new era! (I had a huge fear that I wouldn't be able to get Ruby off the boob, ever.) On the other hand it is the ending of something special that only Ruby and I shared. Ruby is raised by me, Derek, the nanny, and our families. Everyone loves her. But I was the only one that could nurse her. This is what made it special for us. It was exclusively between her and I. Now it is over. I am trying to think of what is going to replace it, and I haven't figured it out just yet.

I think I am going to go back and read one of my early blogs about breastfeeding. I am sure it will be good for a laugh.

2009-03-20T07:33:00.000-07:00

Man up Alaina!

I do not think I have ever blogged about my fear of driving. This is surprising since I have been blogging for a while, and my fear of driving is a notable personality fault worthy of comment.

Ok, so I don't drive. I have a license, but I have driven exactly this many times in the 10 years since I got my license:

1. Derek got drunk on his birthday in 1999.
2. Derek took me to practice in Breezy in 2000.
3. I drove to Fairway with Derek in 2005.
4. I drove to Fairway with Derek in 2006.
5. Derek got drunk on his birthday in 2007.
6. I drove to Shoprite with Derek in January 2009.
7. I drove to Shoprite with Derek in February 2009.

So basically unless Derek is drunk or I need to go to the grocery store I don't drove.

Now that Derek is hoobling around on crutches with a broken ankle it has occurred to me that I should "man up" and drive. I could drive Ruby and I around. I can run errands. I can schlep Derek around when he is sober, instead of only on his birthday. I think about myself behind the wheel. Maybe driving down to the beach this summer with Ruby on a Friday. Can I make this happen? Can I get over my fears? What am I really afraid of? I just got to do it right?

If you see me this weekend please tell me to "man up!" I need all of the encouragement I can get.

2009-03-17T18:48:00.000-07:00

Sometimes We Are Our Own Little Comedic Duo

Setting: Last week Derek came home around 10PM. As per usual I was sitting in the dark bedroom on the computer. Ruby was sleeping in our bed (grrrr.) And Sweetpea was sleeping in her bed (snore.) From there the laughs ensued.

Derek: whispers> "Is Sweetpea alright?"
Alaina: looks at Sweetpea, who is snoring, and whispers> "Seems to be."
Derek: whispers> "There is a dead cat in the front yard."
Alaina: makes disgusted puke face>
Derek: whispers> "Do you think Sweetpea did it?"
Alaina: looks at Sweetpea, who is snoring, and whispers> "I don't think that is possible"
Derek whispers> "Maybe it was sickly and she finished it off?"
Alaina: looks at Sweetpea, who is snoring, and whispers>"I don't think she has it in her. Which cat was it?"
Derek: whispers> "I dunno, the dead one"
Alaina: whispers, dryly> "very funny"
Derek: whispers> "I am going to clean it up, any final words?"
Alaina: whispers> "Double bag it"

2009-03-16T19:34:00.000-07:00

Bringing A Little Ahola Home (aka SPAM Blog)

I posted an album on Facebook that included the food pictures that we took on our recent vacation to Hawaii. One of the things that make Hawaii our paradise is the room. It is all good, and it spans everything that makes food memorable. Two of our favorite Hawaii specials are Saimin and Spam Masubi. Recently we decided to do our best and bring a little ahola to Brooklyn.

Spam Masubi.

I know most of my friends cannot get down with the Spam. But I really have to question your judgment. Have you had Spam? Probably no. Can you really talk smack about a food you haven't tried? Do you eat hot dogs? Probably yes. I do not really see the difference between a hot dog and Spam. It is all pink hodgepodge goodness. Filipinos (me) and Hawaiians (them) are big on Spam for the same reason. The Americans brought it with them to our islands. Now your average American is turning their nose up at this awesome food, when it is your fault we eat it in the first place. Spam is by no means good for you, it is filled with preservatives, sodium, fat, and is processed beyond belief, but it is not very different from the cheese doodles you are snacking on or the MSG in your General Chow's Chicken.

Back to Spam Masubi. In its most simple form it is a hulk of rice with a piece of Spam on top wrapped in nori. I made a copy of the Spam Masubi we had in Kauai at Joe's. After figuring out the ratio of rice to Spam to egg, I did pretty well. I used the empty Spam can as my mold, and my maki making skills that I previously learned to shape it. It was fun to make, and next time I am going to use fried rice!

Saimin

Saimin is like really awesome ramen noodles. A good bowl of Saimin is better than a great bowl of soba noodles. There are tons of ways you can throw together a bowl of Saimin. You can clean out the fridge essentially. Derek made us bowls of Saimin last Sunday. He included, noodles, imitation crab, chicken dumplings, Spam, scallions, garlic, and eggs. It came out really awesome, especially after we threw in some hot sauce.

Recreating the food you enjoyed on a vacation is the best way to bring yourself back to that place. Especially if you put on some island music and have some coconut candy for dessert.

2009-03-16T12:30:00.000-07:00

Signs of Aging

I turned 30 last November, plus I had a baby the year prior. These two things combined mean that I am officially an adult. Like officially old. People say that you are as old as you feel. Well that doesn't help my outlook on aging, because I feel like I am about 46. (Thankfully I look like I am 15, so I guess averaging that out, I am back to 30ish.)

Beyond the "number" and the mommy head that I now have, I have noticed a few other signs of aging. These signs mark for me that I am officially old, and I might as well get the tattoos removed and start buying clothes from Dress Barn.

1. I don't get the emo look. All of the bangs on boys, the girl pants on boys, the eye makeup on boys, the sullen looks on their faces.... I just don't get it. On top of what the boys are doing, I really don't understand the emo girl "comb over" and the Tammy Faye eyelash thing. I think in the history of bad looks, this has to be up there. I once sported an ugly punk rock hair do, so I am not saying that I am above an ugly hairdo. But the emo girl comb over and eyelash thing takes two universally BAD looks and combines them. So here I am, I find myself saying, "She is such a pretty girl, why is she doing that to herself?" It is the same thing that Doris Kaufman said about me and my black nail polish when I was 13.

2. The music is too loud. It is either too loud cause it sucks, it is going to wake the baby, it is going to bother the neighbors, or it is giving me a headache. I used to blast music. I didn't care if it ruined my hearing or bothered someone. I didn't care if you were offended. Now I find myself taking off my headphones on the train to make sure that I am not disturbing anyone around. I am such a loser. I remember the old ladies that used to yell up from the park benches outside my bedroom to lower my music. I was 4 floors up, and blasting whatever. I turned it up louder when I saw it annoyed them.

3. I am scared of teenagers. I will change cars on the train. I will avoid eye contact. I will walk quickly pass them. There is a part of me that thinks they will harass or harm me in some way. I dunno what it wrong with me, other than that I am just old. I remember when people were scared of me! Not so much anymore.

4. I am annoyed by change. I don't see any of the younger folks that I am friends with on Facebook complaining about the homepage changes. I swear it is going to take me like 2 weeks to get used to the changes.

5. I find myself talking about the past more than about the future. You hang out with old friends and you spend most of the night talking about when we used to do this and that. We don't really talk about the fun that we are planning to have. Maybe cause we know the best times have passed for now and we have to ship our kids away to college before we can party like rock stars again.

6. I watch CBS. As a media planner I know this means I am old. If I see the ads that I am placing for the Visiting Nurse Service of New York I am old. One of my favorite shows is CBS Sunday Morning. It is a news/magazine show. I also like catching 60 Minutes on Sunday night. What is wrong with me? I used to watch the CW, MTV, and VH1. Now I find MTV confusing, I officially "don't get it."

So there it is. I am old. Crap. Well, even if I am old, at least I am not square. I will never be a square.

2009-03-13T17:52:00.000-07:00

Lunch Worth Blogging About

Since I left 285 Madison Avenue for 708 Third Avenue I have been a wandering soul in terms of breakfast and lunch. These are the two meals that I eat at my desk Monday to Thursday. Occasionally I have a rep lunch that can take me away from my desk, but times are tough and getting a freebie in this town is near to impossible. When I was at 285 Madison Avenue I went to Homefront for breakfast, everyday. I hardly went anyplace else, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. (We got free bagels on Wednesday.) I split lunch between Homefront and Cafe Zaiya.

Now at 708 Third Avenue I have had a very hard time finding my breakfast and lunch spots. Places around the office are fine. But none of them have hooked me in, until last week, when I started getting lunch at Crisp. It is blog worthy in itself that I finally found a lunch spot that I really enjoy. But I found as I was enjoying my falafel sandwiches, seven days in a row, that Crisp was worthy of a blog for a number of reasons beyond my own desperate search of a lunch default.

Reason #1: Quality of the food. I find the ingredients to be fresh and delicious. I enjoy falafel. As I said to a well known picky eater, "you will like falafel, it is fried and comes with toppings, there isn't anything not to like." I have enjoyed many levels of falafel. Street falafel, take out falafel, fancy falafel. It is all good in its own way. Crisp doesn't have the best falafel I have ever eaten. (Fatoosh in Brooklyn Heights have the best.) But I enjoy the entire package. The pitas are fresh. The falafel is not greasy. The toppings are varied and enjoyable.

The Crisp

Reason #2: Variety. Sure it is all falafel, but it is all different at the same time. There are 7-8 sandwich choices. I ate 6 of them. They all have falafel. The Parisian: Sundried tomato spread, goat cheese, roasted peppers, garden greens and red onions. The Mexican: Cilantro pesto and avocado, corn, salsa, nachos with jalapeño dressing. The Mediterranean: Sundried tomato spread, eggplant, parmesan flakes and garden greens . The Crisp: Layered with hummus, cubed salad. The Athenian: Herbed yogurt, greek salad and green onions. The African: North African peanut sauce, sweet potatoes, corn salad, cherry tomatoes, green onions, habanero harissa sauce.

The Mexican

Reason #3: Technology. You can order online and pick it up like 5 minutes later. They even give you 10% off for ordering online. You totally skip the line. I love it. The less people I actually have to speak to in my daily life the better. I have to talk to a lot of people.

Reason #4: The packaging. You unzip your sandwich out of a paper handbag. I kinda get a kick out of it.

Reason #5: Nice People. Even though I don't have to deal with them, (reason #3) they are very nice. A coworker had a complaint once and they gave her like 2 sandwiches for free and they were very attentive and open to her comments. I hear they also give you extra sauce and they don't charge you.

Reason #6: Illusion of Health. It is all vegetarian and generally healthy. They are still fried balls.

Reason #7: Its got a Kick. I lika-da-spice. Most of the sandwiches have a kick to a lot of kick to them. Not too over powering, just the right amount. It tastes really good it what it comes down to.

Nothing is ever perfect, sometimes there is a distribution of the ingredients issue. Like all of the hummus is on the bottom and all of the jalapeños are on the top. And it is pretty pricey for falafel, but I like to think that I am paying for fresh ingredients and friendly people.

So thank you lunch gods for giving me Crisp, I will enjoy until I decide to start walking west to Homefront and Cafe Zaiya.

2009-03-12T19:31:00.000-07:00

All of the things I said I wouldn't do as a parent, an evolving list...

1. Let my child slept in my bed. Yep she is there right now, I am looking at her right now, sleeping in my bed. I don't know what I thought it would be like to put a baby, now toddler to sleep. I think I thought I was going to kiss her on the forehead, tell her "nite nite," toss her in the crib, and close the door. Yah, that doesn't happen. She sleeps through the night and doesn't cry when she is in our bed. Sold.

2. Nurse a child that can ask for it. I wrote many a blog about nursing. We had a hard start. Ruby has a lot of teeth, she is 16+ months old and we are still at it. She nurses once a day now, at night. Soon we will be done. "Soon" is relative.

3. Let my child cry on the plane. Ruby screamed. Really really loud. I didn't necessarily "let" her cry, but I couldn't stop her either. I tried. But honestly, I can say that the dirty looks from strangers didn't bother me that much. In other words, bite me.

4. Have the kid with the snotty nose. Unless I follow her around with a tissue 24/7, it is impossible to stay on top of the snot. It is just not possible.

I don't believe in parenting techniques or parenting philosophies. Following anyone's advice to the letter just doesn't work. Every kid and every parent is different and nothing is the same day to day. You can go into the world of parenting with all of the ideas you want, but you will just drive yourself nuts trying to live up to some doctor-from-a-book's expectation. Dr. Sears, Dr. Spock, and Dr. Whoever isn't helping me when the diaper explodes and it is 2AM. Even saying that "following your instincts" is your philosophy is a bunch of bunk. Sometimes your instincts are wrong, and on 2 hours of consecutive sleep, you can bet that your instincts suck. Derek's father said to us, "you can't figure anymore." He was right.

Derek and I have taken a "by any means necessary" approach to parenting. We got a toolbox worth of tricks, we have a little patience (Derek more than me), and we have the basic goal of keeping Ruby alive. That is about it. My list of things I never thought I would do will grow and grow and grow. I have learned to be okay with that, and I think that helps me get back to being a healthy and functioning adult and not a child crazed loon.

I just love when I hear someone without a kid talk about, "well I wouldn't" or "I will never." I roll my eyes and say, "good luck with that."

2009-01-31T11:43:00.000-08:00

Crazy is as crazy does.

We all live in our own little worlds. Within our little world everything seems normal. We don't realize that we are unordinary or extraordinary until we compare ourselves to others or until someone else is kind enough to point out the differences. I never thought I was crazy until I took a hard look at myself and had people actually tell me I was crazy. Go figure. I am crazy.

I thought everyone:
- Talked in the voice of their bulldog out loud and to anyone who would listen
- Pretended they were being filmed for their own cooking show when in the kitchen
- Laughed at everything, really really loud
- Had races with other people on the sidewalk, unknown to the stranger you are racing against
- Got really mad when people are late for dinner reservations
- Stalked elementary school classmates online
- Made a joke out of everything
- Enjoyed being a nerd

These are only the things that make me crazy that I am aware of. I am sure there are many other things that make me crazy that I haven't noticed about myself yet. I really don't mind being thought of as crazy. I would rather be crazy than boring.

The scary thing is that I am sure that I am only going to get crazier with age. I am on the young part of the age spectrum, so I imagine that by the time am 60 I will be yelling on the sidewalk about my pantyhose and the mayor. The good thing is that I probably won't care about being considered crazy then either. Yes, something to look forward to. "Goddamn pantyhose always falling down and this stinkin' mayor and his laws about dancing on tables!"

2008-12-22T07:24:00.001-08:00

Just in time for the holidays, a blog about puking....

I have not blogged in ages. There are many reasons for this, most of them revolve around just not having the time between family and work. But I think the topic of vomit is important enough for me to take a moment this holiday season and reflect around this god awful subject.

I have thrown up once in my adult life. (Thank you Union Pool and vodka and cranberry.) And I can recall one vomit incident in my childhood/teen years. I have a deep fear of puking, I cannot vomit, and I cannot be around people who are vomiting. I just cannot. One of my many fears about being a mom is having to deal with puke on more regular basis. Not just when Derek doesn't listen to my warnings and drinks hard liquor. I was especially afraid because the O'Callaghans to my knowledge puke a lot. Derek as I mentioned pukes whenever hard liquor is consumed. And I have heard many a story about Derek's sisters tossing their cookies. One story involved bunk beds and Barbie's Dream House. So I knew that the chance of Ruby inheriting my no-puke gene and Derek's puke gene was 50/50.

I think Ruby got the puke gene. There was one incident that involved bananas and puking directly in my face, and there have been a number of incidents in the past week since she has a cold and has been coughing. (Coughing = Puking when snot is involved.)

Here's the real reason for my blog, though... I am not nearly as grossed out by Ruby puking as I thought I would be. Sure I don't enjoy the incident. But there is something about your own child's vomit that is different from when Derek had shots and is puking in the elevator. Maybe it is because I am more concerned about Ruby's well being than my own personal issues with puke. Maybe it is because it comes from your kid and that means it is like an extension of yourself. Maybe it is because the process of pregnancy and childbirth causes your gross tolerance to increase.

So this holiday season I am grateful for many things, one of those things is that I am not as disturbed about Ruby's puke as I thought I would be. It might seem silly (and gross) to all of you, but for me it is comforting. For me it means that I am a better Mom than I thought I would be.

Merry Christmas!

2008-09-22T07:25:00.000-07:00

Winds of Change....

(Now stop whistling, I know I got the song stuck in your head.)

After almost six years at Y&R's BrandBuzz I finally quit last Tuesday! It is time for a change. And even though I can't decide whether it is the best or worse time for changing jobs, I decided the pros out weigh the cons and I took the leap. I am going to miss being a part of Buzz, cause well, I really am a part of Buzz. The folks here have been my friends for a long time and I enjoyed working with pretty much everyone. The work hasn't always been fun, but I do think everyone at Buzz is smart and crazy, which has made the last 6 years been interesting to say the least.

Between pranks (500+ marbles falling out of your over head cabinet, 500+ high bounch ball attacks, and the infamous Annoy-a-tron caper), the quote wall ("it doesn't swing my thing" and "phat snatch" are some of my favorites), unofficial awards ("first to free food" and "best booty" for example) and countless of ridiculous scenarios, it has been fun. And no one got fired for harassment. Pretty amazing. So I hope I can being some of the fun with me, and I hope someone keeps the fun alive.

My new job is at a small privately owned advertising agency called The Seiden Group. I will be their first media person working on the Visiting Nurse Service of NY . On top of joining a group of smart folks, working on a feel good not-for-profit, and starting up their media planning offering I was offered a 4 day work week! So more Ruby time, and hopefully a little more Alaina time. It will hopefully be the work/life balance that I have been craving ever since I returned from my maternity leave in January. 4 days on, 3 days off. Sounds sweet.

So wish me luck and say a little prayer for me the morning of October 6th. Change is good. A four day work week is even better.

2008-09-05T07:26:00.000-07:00

Being Politically Incorrect But Right

I have to take a moment to sound off about the GOP VP nomination, Sarah Palin. Sure she scares me because of her politicial views and how short sighted her conservative views are. (How can you not think you are just a little bit wrong when you stand up against sex education in schools and your teenage daughter gets knocked up?) And her inexperience is troublesome. (She is a heartbeat away from being president if McCain is elected, and McCain doesn't have a ton of heartbeats left.) But here is my biggest issue with her...

She has a 4 month old at home!

I can hardly do my mid-level management job with a baby! Sleepless nights, baby brain, shifting priorities. I am hanging on by a thread. I swear they are trying to figure out how to get rid of me. No one is nominating me for anything, other than most likely to fall asleep in a 3:30 meeting.

To be her right now, she either has to sacrifice her family or her job. And I am sorry, but family comes first. And if it doesn't that is a bad thing. When you have a little one at home, you can't "have it all." Nor should you want it all.

In the future I will get to focus on my career again. Not that my family won't need me, but Ruby will probably be sleeping through the night at some point and I won't be sleep deprieved. For a woman there is a time for her career and I time for her family. When you have a 4 month old, it is time for your family.

Is it a double standard? Absolutely. Is it unfair? Yes.

2008-06-19T07:28:00.000-07:00

I am in a very bad mood.

Recent weeks at work have been more frustrating than usual. See my actual job is easy, and could be fun at times. What makes it frustrating is dealing with people. As with everything that involves social interaction you have to deal with all kinds, smart, dumb, petty, generous, fun, dull, mean, nice, crazy, and average people. Right now I am dealing with a mix of all of the above, but that isn't anything new. The type of people who are putting me in a bad mood are the judgemental people.

Let me explain. Before I had a baby I put in at least 10 hour days in the office. Sometimes it was warranted, I would be working non-stop. Sometimes I took my time, cause I had the time. Sometimes it was a combination of both. Whatever the case people love it in advertising when you work 10+ hours a day, even if you are inefficient and lousy at your job. It makes the "bossmen" feel good that there is a warm body in the office at 7PM, regardless if it is necessary. But as with everything in my life post-baby I can't work 10 hours a day. I have to leave at 5:30. And I can only come in so early since baby needs tending to in the morning. So where does this leave me?

It leaves me by the elevator at 5:30PM freaking out about possible train delays and thinking that I am leaving the office without getting everything done. Oh, and it leaves me getting the evil eye from all of the people that are working past 5:30. To be honest I probably gave the evil eye a couple of times to someone who was leaving at 5:30. So maybe it is karma. But let me make one thing clear... Being at work is EASIER than being home. Being at work is EASIER than running to the subway and freaking out that train delays are going to cost you $10 extra to the nanny. Being at work is EASIER than dealing with a cranky baby that is hungry, tired, and wet.

Yes, I enjoy my time with Ruby, and I would rather be home than with the people I work with. But while they "work" (aka Facebook) until 7PM, they get to go home, smoke pot, and watch reruns of Law & Order. While I get to rush home at 5:30 and BUST MY ASS taking care of business at home until 9PM, clean, prepare for the next day, move my cars in Parking Wars on Facebook and go to bed at 10PM, only to be woken up by baby at 12, 3, 5, and alarm at 6:30AM.

Sure, no one told me to have a baby. Even though it sounds like I am complaining about taking care of Ruby, I am not. I do what I got to do. Ruby is also a hella of a good time. I am complaining about the judgemental co-worker who doesn't get that I need to go home at 5:30. I am complaining about the co-worker who thinks I am "lucky." I am complaining about the co-worker that doesn't get that just like I had the choice to have a baby and stress myself out, they are making the choice to stay late every night. That's right I said it! In the end it is each individual that chooses to put in the 50+ hour work week. You are choosing to be a "hitter." To get the promotion. To be the hero. To be the person that makes the bossman happy. I get that I made the choice to not be that person anymore. I understand that my raise will probably be less. That I won't get picked first to work on the sexy piece of business. That I won't get a promotion as quickly as I would pre-baby. I get that. I even think it is fair, cause that is the way the game is played.

At the end of the day I am happy with my choice. And the judgemental co-worker needs to come to terms with their choice.

2008-05-31T18:29:00.000-07:00

It goes without staying that having a baby flips your entire life upside down. I cannot think of a single aspect of my life that was not impacted by Ruby's arrival. Of course I believe that things changed for the better. But there is a change none the less. Some things you notice more than others. For example I now have to run out of work by 5:30 everyday, or now "sleeping late" is 7AM, or a hot date consists of Derek and I seeing the new Indiana Jones at 1PM on a Friday at Kings Plaza. One major change is our social lives. The smart ass in me wants to comment "or lack there of" to follow. But the truth is that we are still social. There are just new "rules" or "wishes" that go along with it.

Here is a brief commentary of the New Social Order that goes along with parenthood. Mommies and Daddies will agree, Non-parents go an have fun without us, we kinda understand....

* Dinners out should start at 5PM. This way they don't conflict with naps, bedtimes, baths, or actually being hungry. Oh and they have to be on Saturday or Sunday only.

* Don't expect to see us out before 10PM and after 12:30AM. We have to make sure baby is put to bed, before leaving baby with babysitter. I know it is a little ridiculous to think that someone else can't put baby to sleep, but it is true. And even if baby sleeps through the night baby will still be awake at 6:30AM and won't understand that Mom and Dad were dirty stay outs.

* We need notice, lots of notice. 4 weeks are preferable. Sure you don't have to send a "save the date" for your 32nd B-Day party 4 months in advance, but honestly it wouldn't hurt. Babysitters need to be arranged and Moms need to psyche themselves up and think about what they are going to wear for at least 3 weeks to be properly presentable.

* Visitors are always welcome. But don't actually expect to be entertained, feed, or paid attention to. Oh, and we breastfeeders may do it in front of you. Get over it, it is our house.

* Parties will start after 9PM, so that we don't have to breastfeed in front of you and so that baby is put to bed. But don't ring the doorbell or make any noise in general in fear of waking the baby. (See above too.)

* Canceling should be expected. Fevers, teething, vomit, poop, fire, or forgetting are all valid excuses. But childless people cannot cancel on us. EVER. We planned way too much for your ass to cancel on us.

* Naps. They get in the way. Deal with it.

* "Child friendly" is subjective and depends on our mood. Sometimes "child friendly" is a bar at 4PM on a Sunday. Sometimes "child friendly" is your black tie wedding. It depends on the day. We mostly assume that day events that are outside are "child friendly," we are disappointed when the beer spitting/wet t-shirt contest begins, but that is the risk we take.

* We travel in packs. There is safety in numbers, plus it is harder to tell that it is your kid making all of the noise when there are 5 other kids.

* If you have not seen us in 6+ months, that just means that no one has gotten married or died. Don't take it personal.

* When we are out, and child-free we will act inappropriately and be obnoxious because: a. We hardly drink and one glass of wine wrecks us; b. We are so happy to be out we can hardly contain ourselves; c. Us moms are 20% dumber than we were before the baby (this needs a whole blog to itself); d. We are feeling guilty about being out and must hide our shame with stupid jokes and babble.

* Three hours out with the baby is a lot of time. We probably changed a diaper, did a feeding, dealt with crying, been spit up on, and missed a nap. So understand when we don't want to repeat the whole thing over again and opt to go home.

* We like to come visiting. But we expect to be entertained, feed, and paid attention to. And we might breastfeed in front of you. Get over it, we are your guests.

* If we do come to visit it would be helpful if you: a. Have at least 2 episodes of YoGabbaGabba on your DVR; b. Vacuum; c. Have Cheerios. We are also scared of your pets, even if we loved them before and have pets ourselves. We are dumb, we know.

* Taking a walk with you and the baby is like the most awesome thing ever.

* And lastly, since we hardly ever get out, when we do go out we have really high expectations. Don't disappoint us.

2008-05-19T18:28:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe it has been months since I have last blogged. My goodness, I must have so much to say. So much that you all have missed out on. Actually, no not so much. I have not blogged because I haven't really had anything much to blog about. Now, I wouldn't say that life is boring or un-notable. Maybe life right now is just un-bloggable??!!

So the following is my account of all of the un-bloggable things that have been going on.

Entertainment Category
Thank goodness the writer strike is over and Gossip Girl is back. Sure I am about 15 years older than the intended target of the show, but I like to watch it and pretend I am 16. (And rich, and skinny.) Maybe the real reason that I haven't been blogging is because of Facebook. In another attempt to be 16 I have gotten myself up to speed with Facebook, and even though my heart will always belong to Myspace I have enjoyed Facebook, and PARKING WARS! Who knew a silly application that has to do with parking fake cars on fake cars and issuing sassy fake tickets would be so freaking awesome. Finally in my tradition of getting into shows that are no longer on the air, I started watching The Wire. It is awesome!!!!

Food Category
I eat cereal for dinner now. Derek works crazy hours now, Ruby isn't ready for lasagna and stir fry just yet. Although she does enjoy her fruits and veggies. So I eat cereal. I also haven't been dining out much, so I can't blog about that. i have discovered a new love of cheese doodles. Puffy Cheetos!!!

Ruby Category
She sits! She eats baby food! She plays! She makes real turds! We are so proud. Ruby is almost 7 months and she is so much fun. At around 5 months the whole world opened up to her. Including the fact that we have a dog. She thinks Sweetpea is so funny. One glance at Sweetpea and she is cracking up laughing, which then in turn makes me laugh. I am entertained hourly about the joys and annoyances of motherhood. From playing with Ruby to listening to crazy people and their advice.

Work Category
I am just searching for a better balance. Would love to work 4 days a week, have 3 full days with Ruby girl. But there is this crappy reality of a mortgage and bills. It blows. I am still striving to be my best at work, unfortunately it is difficult to get it all done in 8 hours. Oh well. I am hoping to score New Kids on the Block tickets for free, that will make it all worth while.

Commuting Category
I was tempted at one point to write a blog about how people's morning breath on the subway makes me want to go postal. I don't get it. Do people really leave the house without brushing their teeth? Stinky morning breath in my face makes me want to kill.

See now how unblog worthy all of this is?! Ridiculous.

2008-03-31T18:28:00.000-07:00

It is the start of a new season. Thoughts of summertime dance in your head. The winter is almost behind us. You get a little spring fever to compliment your cabin fever. Yes, tis the season for skinny bitches to collapse on the subway.

Every year like clock work it happens. The weather warms up, people are still bundled up, the subway is still blasting heat, and women start dieting in preparation for the summertime. And not healthy dieting. The diet where you stop eating to make up for all of the Dunkin Donuts you have been pounding for the last 6 months. And low and behold skinny bitches are passing out left and right.

This morning was the first in the new season. Between Delancy and 2nd Avenue on the F train at around 8:40AM I hear "IS ANYONE A DOCTOR?" Of course no one answers. You hear a bunch of shifting and people are trying to see what is going down. I didn’t even have to pick my head up. I knew what was going down. A mal-nutrious woman had just fainted. The people around her shove her into a seat. Someone panics and thinks they are witnessing a tragedy. Sorry. But she just needs some sugar. Usually the person that passes out comes to and has the sense to get off the train at the next stop. But we got to 2nd Avenue and she didn’t want to get off the train. We get to Broadway Lafayette and bam, she passes out again. This time some genius suggests pulling the emergency brake. Now why do people think this makes sense? Oh yeah, lets trap the sick person in the subway car where no help can get to them. The doors open and 3 people drag her out on to the platform.

She wakes up again and starts screaming about her bag. Seems like one of the concerned citizens stole her bag. Nice. Meanwhile an express train arrived on the opposite track. And Mrs. Paciulli didn’t raise a dummy. I got off the train and got the hell out of there. (As a got off at 42nd street they were making the announcement that uptown F and V service was dead.)

Now I could be totally wrong and this poor woman has a serious medical condition and her passing out has nothing to do with eating or not eating. And if I am wrong I am sorry. But by the looks of the situation, I think a banana before her commute or a small glass of OJ would do her some good. My theory about the skinny bitches is based on this: I have been in this situation about a dozen times and it is always a skinny mini that passes out. I have never seen a big girl go down. Never once. And by big girl, I don’t mean fat. I mean a girl that looks like she eats three meals per day.

Consider this a public safety announcement. Eat a muffin. Not eating slows the whole system down.
Thank you.

2008-02-11T18:27:00.000-08:00

As with most major life changes, good or bad, you usually learn to appreciate the little things that were over looked for the most part in your daily life. Having a baby as definitely brought me to a place where I have a new appreciation for the smallest things. Here are a few examples:

1. Uninterrupted sleep. Before baby (baby and pregnancy) I never thought that sleep was such a big deal. I took for granted closing my eyes at 11PM and waking up to the sound of the alarm at 7AM. Now it is a glorious feeling when I get 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Once in the last year I got 7 hours of straight sleep, it was worthly of the record books.

2. Smiles. Maybe I have seen millions of smiles in my brief life, and maybe I will see millions more, but when Ruby smiles it is such a big deal. It is a run and great your camera deal, it is a tell people on the phone deal, it is a brighten your day and forget about everything else deal. When Ruby smiles it means all is right in her world, which means all is right in our world. She smiles in her sleep, she smiles when you make a funny face or a silly noise, and she smiles when you get home from a day at work. The latter are the best smiles of the best smiles.

3. Sitting down while eating. When I get home from work I am super thrilled to spend some quality time with Ruby. I am also super hungry. So I manage to cook dinner (15 minute meals, beat that Rachel Ray) while Ruby is in a bouncy seat. The problem is that she lets me cook dinner, but she doesn't let me eat dinner. So I eat most Monday-Friday dinner standing up while holding Ruby at the kitchen counter. Every once in a while Ruby is chill enough to sit in my lap while I sit down and eat. It is so lovely to eat while sitting. It is almost special.

4. One beer. I had a Guiness and a half on Friday at Magnetic Field. Ruby's aunts babysat. The first sip of a cold Guiness on a Friday night while hanging out with adults and making bitchy chatter about hipsters was magnificant. The one beer got me totally tipsy. It was so relaxing. Who knew a simple beer would have such an effect and give me enough happiness that I am looking forward to the next one.

5. Leisurely bathroom time. No matter what is going on in the bathroom it is a great thing when Derek has Ruby and I can take my time in the bathroom. Maybe I am sitting there flipping through a catalog, maybe I am twizzing my eyebrows, maybe I am just leaning against the shower wall thinking about whatever. It is so nice. I never thought I would miss the days where I could spend as much time as I want in the bathroom.

6. Leaving the house with nothing. Well maybe not nothing, but just a purse with a wallet, phone, keys, and ipod. When I leave for work in the morning and I am just responsible for myself I am actually relieved. I love going places with Ruby. But I can't stand all of the stuff. Diaper bag and all of its contents, car seat, stroller, baby, boppy, toys, and your adult stuff like phone, keys, wallet. The baby stuff makes you so crazy that sometimes you decide you don't need the adult stuff.

7. Walking around in nice weather. This is partially due to our current season, but when it is 40+degrees out and sunny I love walking around outside with Ruby. She sits happy in her stroller, looking at me, and looking around. Sometimes she falls asleep and sometimes she doesn't it is lovely either way. I can't wait for the spring time, and I swear I will never have a winter baby ever again.

8. Taking my sweet time at work. Gone are the days where I can think that I can get my work done at 7PM at night. I have got to be out of work between 5-5:30 everyday. 1. Because I miss Ruby, and 2. because it will cost me $10 for nanny overtime. I got to get it done between 9 to 5 and in this freaking industry where people think the most devoted and best workers pull 60 hour work weeks it is a challenge. Thank god I stopped caring about what people think. My priorities have shifted as they should have, family is first, work is second. And I got to go.

Speaking of having to get my work done......

2008-01-25T18:27:00.000-08:00

I am wrapping up my first week back, and I think I have been asked "how are you doing?" about 1000 times. Sometimes I lie and I say, "Great." Sometimes I say something humorous, "For sucking, it is fine." Sometimes I just grunt. And sometimes I tell the truth, "I dunno."

I don't know how I am doing. I guess it is too early to really know. I haven't really done any actual work. I have sat in a few meetings, replied to a few emails, I even picked up my phone. (I haven't returned any phone calls, I opted to delete the 166 voicemails without even listening to a one.) I have ran out of here at 5PM everyday. (There's a lot of people on a the train at 5PM, what do they all do that they can leave work at 5PM everyday?) Besides the pain in the ass of pumping breastmilk 3 times a day, things are pretty easy. I know how to do my job, that hasn't changed. The hardest part is that I am totally pre-occupied with baby.

Ruby is doing well. Her schedule is working out pretty good, knock on wood. Teresa, her nanny, is working out well too. Baby is not crying when I call, and is clean and not crying when I get home. I guess that is well enough.

I still haven't gotten over how sad it is that I have to be away from Ruby for at least 10 hours every day. 50 hours per week. That is such a ridiculous amount of time. I am going to request that I work from home for 1 day a week. I still have to have Teresa come on that day, but I least I can be with her. 3 days a week seems a hell of a lot better than 2 days a week.

One notable change in perspective is how I look at being at home. When I walk in the door now I am no longer consumed with, "what are we eating for dinner?," "when am I going to to clean that?," "what am I going to watch on TV?," and "when can I get out of here?" Now it is grab the baby. Sit with the baby. Smile at the baby. And that it pretty much what I have planned for the weekend!

2008-01-18T18:26:00.000-08:00

The day that I have been looking forward to and dreading all at the same time is almost here. Time to go back to work. I return to work on Tuesday, January 22nd. The day couldn't arrive any sooner, but I can't stand that it is almost here. I have never been so conflicted about anything more in my entire life.

Now I have no choice in the matter. Like millions of families we need two incomes. So if doesn't matter how conflicted I am, i must go back to work. So I can look on the brightside: My time away from Ruby will help with "mommy-burnout." We will have quality time together, not just quantity. I will be able to talk to grown-ups about grown-up and non-mommy related topics. Derek and I can discuss our days apart from each other and the baby. And most important i will have a daughter that respects me as a career women the same way I respect my Mom. What a wonderful brightside.

The reality is that no matter how good it is for me to go back to work, I can't stand the thought of being away from Ruby. We hired a nanny, and i think she will work out fine. But she isn't me. She isn't going to just hold Ruby for hours on end and stare at her in awe and wonder. She will answer Ruby's cries, she will feed her from a bottle, she will play with Ruby, change her diaper, take her for walks, and put her down for naps. And most importantly she will keep Ruby safe. But she isn't me. And like Derek told me, I don't want her to be me. That doesn't make it any easier. Of course I fear that she won't do her job. That she will ignore Ruby, or lose her patience. Are my fears because of me (hormonal mess, over protective, worrisome) or because of her? This week Teresa, our nanny, started. We have spent the week together, and I have observed her taking care of Ruby. And things are fine. Sure I think it is strange that she watches Lifetime Movies and soap operas. And yeah it is a little annoying that she eats everything we got. I worry about reasonable things to be worried about, but I worry about irrational crazy things like - is she going to sell Ruby to the highest black market baby bidder? I hate how difficult it all is.

Tuesday is going to suck. I want to work, I want to be with Ruby all of the time. The women in third world countries who work in the fields with their babies strapped to their backs don't know how good they have it. They get to work and be with their babies.

UGH. Yeah, UGH, about sums it up.

2008-01-01T18:25:00.000-08:00

This is a terrible way to start off the new year, but I have to get this off my chest. I hate this man:

You know who he is, it is Billy Mays of Oxy Clean, Kaboom, Orange Glow, etc infomerical fame. Given I am watching a ridiculous amount of daytime TV I think I see more of this man then the average person. If I was at work, I would research how much this product are on television and then I would wonder why marketing people have invested so much in this man.

I don't have to even be looking at the television to know that he is on hawking one of his wears. You hear that irritating voice... that monotone scream with no inflection. It makes me so mad. I am not even saying that the products are crappy. I am sure they are all terrific. I just can't stand Billy Mays, and I will never buy any product associated with him. Here's a list of these products (don't you just love Wikipedia):
* OxiClean, Orange Clean, Orange Glo
* Hercules Hook wall hangers
* Simoniz Fix It Scratch Remover
* Ding King automotive dent remover
* Gopher reaching tool
* Zorbeez absorbent towels
* Lint-B-Gone lint brush
* Samurai Shark knife sharpener
* Liquid Diamond car waxing product
* AwesomeAuger Ground Auger, Weed Auger, and Power Extender gardening tools
* Grip Wrench
* Turbo Tiger vacuum cleaner
* Fix It car scratcher remover
* FreeFone wireless phone holder
* Swamp Busters
* Handy Switch remote light switches
* Mighty Putty[12]
* Easy off bam!
* Crocodile Cutter
* Rogaine Facial Hair
* Sealtite Tire Sealant
* Genco Power Solutions
* Vidalia Slice Wizard
* Steam Buddy wrinkle remover/creaser
* Sticky Puddy
* Kaboom! products
* Bang! Automotive dent remover

Now there is no way that you haven't seen one of these commercials. But just in case you have had been living in a distant third world country without television here a beautiful blopper video:

After watching this video, not only do I dislike this man for being annoying, but he seems like a real douchebag. I think he might want to kick my ass for writing this blog. But I say bring it on.. Ruby, Sweetpea, and I will kick his ass and shave off that creepy beard!

And since I am on the topic of daytime commercial icons, what happen to Mario Perillo of Perillo Tours? His son Steve is now selling tours of Italy on TV! Steve Perillo??? Why would I buy a tour of Italy from Steve Perillo? Mario Perillo sounds much more credible. What is next? Will Mount Airy Lodge close? You know you can sing the jiggle!

2007-12-31T18:24:00.000-08:00

Dear 2008,
Please be boring, cause 2007 was quite a year.
Thanks,
Alaina

2007 was crazy. I hope 2008 is nice and dull. Granted we have a lot of surprises and more unknown out there than we could ever imagine, so I doubt "dull" is going to happen.

In January 2007 we bought a house. I still can't believe that we own a house. That reminds me, I have to pay the mortgage. Fucking house. In 2006 we spent stupid money on stupid things. Ah, the good old days of fancy cheese and Vans Prison Issue sneakers.

In February 2007 we made a baby. Of course we didn't realize this at the time. I am not exactly sure, but Ruby might be a Valentine's Day baby... how cheesy of us.

In March 2007 we moved into the house. Bye bye apartment that I loved so much. I was able to vacuum the whole place by plugging into one outlet. I loved that.

In April 2007 Derek turned 30. We are getting older. Thank goodness I still look like a 14 year old. Yeah people think I am a teenage Mom.

In May 2007 we paid our first mortgage payment, what a bitch.

In August 2007 our car died. The Subaru was with us for 8 years. Farewell (we got it out of the garage in December.) A tornado also came down our block and destroyed a tree in our backyard. No tornados in Brooklyn until we own property here.

In October 2007 we had a baby. See other blogs.

So I would really like a quiet 2008.

2007-12-30T18:31:00.000-08:00

Motherhood has been filled with surprises. I was surprised that babies like to pee and poop when their diaper is off. I was surprised by how hard it is to get anything done. I was surprised by how fast the day goes by. But the one thing that really stands out as a huge surprise is how much dirty laundry a baby makes.

In the previous blog I mentioned how much laundry Ruby makes, but I thought it best to describe it in a photo:

Above is 5 days worth of baby laundry. 5 DAYS! That is less than a week. Ruby is 10lbs! Derek and I are much bigger than Ruby and we make much less laundry. Ruby is not even a big spitter-upper! Mind you that some of the dirty laundry is due to our novice parenting. I am sure experience parents make much less dirty laundry.

Each pile of clean laundry you see here is a different category of clothing:
First row from the left:
Warmer onesies without feet, warmer onesies with feet, cotton onesies with feet, cotton onesies without feet, longsleeve body suits, shortsleeve body suits, burp rags.
Second row from the left:
Hats, bibs, socks (notice no matching pairs), nightgowns, wash cloths.
Third row from the left:
Sheets, light blankets, heavy blankets, waterproof pads.
Fourth row from the left:
Towels, sweaters, baby, new clothes that don't fit yet.

It is bananas, it is 5 days worth of laundry.
Our next baby (5+years from now) will be a summer baby. I think there will be much less laundry that way.

BTW: I go back to work on 1/22, so I promise less baby blogs, more commuting/work bitching blogs.

2007-12-29T18:31:00.000-08:00

Living in a big old house has advantages and disadvantages. The heating bill is ridiculous and it is only out done by the mortgage. I hate cleaning rooms that I really have no use for, and the outdoor areas of our property are a disgrace because we have no time to focus on them. One advantage is that we have a ton of space for our stuff, and now we have a ton of space for Ruby's stuff.

Ruby is 10lbs now. She hardly takes up any room herself. She is very compact and travels well. It is all of the stuff that comes with baby that takes up so much damn room. So far everything that we have opened up for her is bigger than I expected and takes up more room than I thought it would. In all honesty most of the baby gear is unnecessary. But as a new expectant Mom I thought that we would need everything. I was wrong. All of this stuff is nice to have, but there are really only a few key items that we really couldn't live without for the past 9 weeks that Ruby has been with us. Beyond Derek, diapers, and breastmilk here are the items that I really need.

The Boppy
It is a horseshoe shaped pillow that has multiple uses. Its main function is a breastfeeding pillow. You sit down, place it around your waist, and it supports the baby and helps bring the baby to the boob. You can also prop the baby up in it so she is elevated. Ruby likes to sleep in it and she will even stay quietly awake in it for about 15 minutes. (15 minutes is like 2 hours in baby time.) I carry the Boppy with me wherever I am in the house. We will also bring it with us wherever we go. That is the sign of a good product.

Baby Wrap
When I first opened the package to this baby wrap and saw that it came with a DVD instruction video I was instantly turned off. At the time I was overwhelmed by everything, so I couldn't imaging learning how to use this baby wrap. But just this past week or so I decided to learn how to use it and it was much easier than I expected it to be. I can wear Ruby all day long in the wrap and she is so happy. And by happy I mean she sleeps in it and doesn't cry. I can do things around the house and we even might venture outside with it.

Aquaphor
There are so many options for baby skin care. Babies have so many skin issues, and you can go a number of ways with all of the options. But Aquaphor rocks. Not many products are good for your butt and your face, but Aquaphor works awesome on dry and irritated skin and on preventing diaper rash.

Waterproof pads
Gerber makes these awesome waterproof pads. We use them on anything that Ruby lays down on. It is way easier to change out one of these pads then it is to change the entire sheet or changing pad. We tell Ruby not to be offended when we slip a pad under her, all babies leak.

Pack and Play
AKA fancy playpen. This is one of the items that is much bigger than that thought it was going to be. But it is completely fuctional and worth every inch of space it takes up. If we still lived in a one-bedroom apartment this is all we would need. It is a great changing table that wipes clean. It has compartments that hold diapers, wipes, and everything else you need. It has an elevated bassinet for infants. And it vibrates to calm baby, plays music/nature sounds, has a light, and a canopy with a mobile. When ruby gets bigger it converts into a traditional playpen. Worth every penny. You don't need any other piece of baby orientated furniture.

Hand pump
I have the big ole machine pump that makes you feel like a milking cow. The electric pump is fast and you can do both boobs at once. But I actually think the hand pump is more practical. You can bring it with you anywhere you go. And I can have Ruby in my lap and use the hand pump if I need to. It is also less machine like and I feel less like Bessy the prize milk cow.

Bouncey Chair
We are lucky enough to have gotten the one we registered from plus two other hand me down ones. This way Ruby will stay happy enough in one to let us cook dinner, eat dinner, take a shower, and go to the bathroom. (One per session.) She might even last long enough for me to fold all of her baby laundry. (You can't imagine how much clothes we go through. Most outfits are ruined due to our amateur mistakes, we are getting better.)

2007-12-15T18:23:00.000-08:00

I have debated writing this blog for a few weeks now. I usually write blogs that I think other people will want to read and I am pretty sure that very few people want to read about breastfeeding. But I typically blog about what I obsess about, food, television, commuting, efficiency in general, etc. And it is fair to say that I am obsessed about breastfeeding.

If you have spoken to me lately, (thanks for speaking to me between talking to Ruby and Sweetpea all day is fine, but neither talks back) I have probably gone on and on about feeding Ruby. All I obsess about lately is how much Ruby eats. I used to obsess about a lot of things, see above. Now I only care about Ruby and how much she eats. Breastfeeding is the biggest challenge of my entire life and I am truly obsess about everything having to do with it.

My obsession started when Ruby was 5 days old. Before this point, I did what all of the breastfeeding books tell you to do, not obsess. Then I realized that my baby wasn't eating. We were having so many problems with breastfeeding, and she just wasn't eating (or wasn't eating enough.) I told the nurses in the hospital that we were having problems, and they told me not to worry and that newborns aren't interested in eating. But even with all of their reassurance that everything would be fine, I knew better. I had a lactation consultant come and visit and she informed us that Ruby was definitely jaundice and not eating enough. Based on her recommendation I started pumping and supplementing with formula and we spent 2 nights back in the hospital clearing up her jaundice.

When we got home I continued to pump and feed Ruby from a bottle. Feeding a newborn that you want to breastfeed from a bottle is like breaking the first rule of breastfeeding. Everyone warned me about "nipple confusion." But screw them, she had to eat and she wasn't latching on. It sickens me how people get on high horses about breastfeeding. They are so nazi-like that they don't get the most important part, the baby has to eat. It was hard to pump and feed Ruby, but what else do I have to do anyway. The best part of this stage is that Ruby was eating! And I knew exactly how much.

I still dreamed about just being able to feed Ruby straight from the tap. So we kept trying and all of a sudden she latched on! How great right? WRONG. We traded one problem for another and it hurt like hell! So enter lactation consultant 2. She came over and informed me that Ruby had what they call "tongue-tie" and couldn't bring her tongue down. She said that Ruby would need a procedure to fix it if we wanted to breastfeed like normal. After she left, I cried. And I cried more than I usually cry these days.

After I composed myself, and remembered what is really important: BABY EATS. I decided that we would just continue to pump and give it to Ruby via bottle. After a week of solely giving Ruby a bottle, I wondered if she would latch on without me crying... And wouldn't you know, Ruby latched on perfectly! From then on we have been breastfeeding straight from the tap! 3 weeks and counting!

I am very happy that we beat the "odds"! We are breastfeeding rebels. Looking back on this whole experience I am bitter about all of the "breastfeeding rules." In the end the only advice that worked was "don't give up." I truly understand why Moms decide to formula feed. And I actually think we should blame the breastfeeding nazis for the reason why women give up. They scream all of these rules at you, whether via book, internet, on the phone, or in person, when all anyone needs to say is "keep trying, but remember baby has to eat." If a new Mom is told it is "ok to give your brand new baby a bottle, pump breast milk and supplement with formula, just try to get your baby to latch on at least two times a day" it would be so much less stressful. Why does it have to be all or nothing?

Women are pushed into believing that they ruin all chances of getting their baby to breastfeed if they give their baby a bottle. So if they are in a situation where they have to give the baby a bottle (baby won't latch, it hurts, milks not in yet, or one of the other thousands things that can go wrong) they figure they blew their chance at breastfeeding and they give up. I don't blame them. These breastfeeding pushers need to relax themselves and remember that it is more important for the baby to eat then it is to fear "nipple confusion."

I am sure this is only my first experience as a Mother in dealing with self-righteous, narrow minded advice. But I think I learned a few very important lessons:
1. Just because I paid someone for their advice it doesn't mean that advice is right.
2. Trust my instincts.
3. Asking people who are actually breastfeeding is best.

On top of these lessons, I would also like to call out what I refer to as "breastfeeding lies." If you listen to any of the breastfeeding nazis, you have to sit through hours or pages of the benefits of breastfeeding. The real benefits of breastfeeding can be stated in about 5 minutes or one page. And a person of average intelligence can pick up on these benefits quickly. Here are the lies:
1. Breastfeed baby's poop doesn't smell. LIE. It doesn't smell like poop, but it smells bad.
2. Breastfeeding is free. LIE. Breast pumps are like $250. Lactation consultants are $250-$350 per hour. Breast milk freezer bags, pump accessories, bottles to feed baby expressed milk, breastfeeding classes, breastfeeding books, nursing bras, nursing tops, breast pads, breastfeeding stools and pillows, etc all cost real money.
3. Breastfeeding is easy and natural. LIE. LIE. We don't live in a society where women share and teach their breastfeeding experiences to other women openly. We have lost years and generations of knowledge when formula feeding came into fashion. There are a number of obstacles to overcome. Breastfeeding is possible. Not easy.
4. Formula is evil. LIE. Formula is not poison. Baby will not be sick, stupid, or unloved if baby gets formula. Baby will be just fine. How do I know this? I was formula feed, along with millions of other people. We are all fine.
5. Baby will reject the boob if baby gets a bottle. LIE. Ruby got a bottle for the first 3 weeks of her life. She is now going on 4 weeks of only getting the boob. Nipple confusion crap caused me unnecessary stress and worry.

Here are the truths about breastfeeding as I see them:
1. Newborns have no immunity, breastmilk gives baby Mom's antibodies to help baby fight disease. Formula doesn't have antibodies.
2. Breastmilk contains nutrients, proteins, and fats that are tailored to baby's needs.
3. It is cheaper than formula.
4. You wash less bottles and nipples.
5. Have boob, food travels.
6. You burn about 250 calories per breastfeeding session. (This equals more cookies for Mom.)

So Ruby rocks the bottle and the boob. She is my little overachiever rebel already!

2007-11-20T18:22:00.000-08:00

Many have you have inquired about Sweetpea's reaction to the baby and her over all well being. Sweetpea appreciates the concern, and here in her own words is her reaction to her little sister Ruby:

"Why did you get a monkey with no tail?"
"It is 3AM, why aren't we sleeping?"
"Food comes from the Grrl's boobs, get out of here!"
"Grrl got fired and they gave her a howler monkey."
"Why is it funny when the baby pees all over the floor?"
"I can't believe the baby can poop in the house."
"Daddy, there are too many girls in this house, get rid of the bigger one."

Sweetpea is actually doing pretty good. She was totally confused, and probably still is. She is curious about Ruby, but she is not aggressive. There is a bit of a jealousy factor especially when it comes to Derek, but she has been a good sport about Ruby turning all of our lives upside down. The first night Sweetpea was very concerned at 3AM when the baby was crying. The second night she looked at us with puppy eyes and wondered why Ruby doesn't appreciate sleep like she does. The third night she slept through the crying. We are really happy that Sweetpea is still getting a full nights rest.

Sweetpea got to give her sister a kiss two days ago... She said she doesn't taste too good. So that is good. We think they are going to be great friends.

2007-11-13T18:19:00.000-08:00

The title of this blog should actually be "Daytime TV Sucks." But I figured I would stick with the "Bringing Up Ruby" theme for a bit.

So it is week 2 of being home without Derek with Ruby and Sweetpea. Everyday I get slightly better at this "Mom" thing. We have less wasted diapers, and I am able to apply my usual efficiency goals to a couple of things. But in general I expect the unexpected.

In between the madness of feedings, pumping breastmilk, changing diapers, and calming Ruby there are periods of quiet. During these times of quiet, that can last between 1-60 minutes I do a couple of things:

1. I have the TV on pretty much all day. I am trying to figure out whether or not this is a bad thing or a necessary thing. It is pretty much background noise. I don't actually devote any time to watching anything, but occassionally during these quiet times I do notice the crap that they call daytime television. In the morning I am subject to morning shows. I used to be a fan of Good Day New York back in the Jim Ryan/Lynn Brown days. Now it sucks and what is with the "Good Day Dance." I am tempted to boycott Fox, that is much how hate the "Good Day Dance." After the morning shows you have the Regis/View and the cheap copy cat shows. There is a copy cat show on Fox. Yet another reason to boycott Fox. Next there is the talk shows... Tyra, Maury, Rachel. Ugh. Bad, bad, and bad. I can't even have it on the television as background noise. Tyra especially. Who told her that she has a point of view that any one wants to listen to? Of course there are the soap operas. There is no way in hell that I am going to watch a soap. I couldn't risk actually enjoying it. There are some moments that I am tending to Ruby and I can't reach the remote to change the channel. It is scary. Cable TV isn't any better. I can only watch so much Food Network, I am too picky about my Food Network personalities. And forget about all of the dumb makeover, home shows, and baby programs. Just cause I have a baby doesn't mean I want to watch other people with babies. I wait for 6PM to come around so I can start watching Law & Order. (I can't do Law & Order during the day because they repeat the episodes at night, and if I watched them during the day I would have nothing to watch in the evening.)

2. I talk to Ruby and Sweetpea. And no one talks back. I read a Mother Goose story to a sleeping Ruby and to the dog yesterday. Sad. Sad. Sad. Sweetpea was at least awake. One of them needs to start talking soon.

3. I read the stupid baby book. It is like the modern day "Dr. Spock." I hate this book, but I keep referring to it. I am obsessed with how much Ruby is eating, how much she is sleeping, the noises she makes. Does she hiccup too much? What is the right temperature the room should be? How much breastmilk should I be producing? So I read the book, the book is either too vague or too opinionated. I am going to set fire to the book once she reaches toddler age.

4. I write lists of the things I need to do. The list includes tasks like "cut fingernails, pay bills, write thank you notes, toss out dead flowers, tweeze eyebrows, etc." Now I write the list. But I haven't done any of these things.

5. Write blogs.

Mind you as I have this quiet time, I am still holding Ruby. So right now I have to end this blog. The laptop is on my lap, Ruby is laying on my chest and her butt is on my left arm. I am losing feeling in my lefthand so I have to stop typing.

2007-11-05T18:13:00.000-08:00

Now I must start this blog off by saying that there will be typos, bad grammer, and I may just have to stop short at any given second. We are now on Ruby time.

Oh... maybe I should have started by introducing my daughter, Ruby Louise O'Callaghan. She was born about a week and a half early on October 25th, at 5:49PM. (Like I said, we are on Ruby time now.) She weighed in at 7lbs, 3ozs, 20in. She looks like me, and has big O'Callaghan feet.

Now, I don't know how many of you are wondering how labor and delivery went. I fretted enough about it in previous blogs, so I guess I better give you the verdict. I must say that it wasn't that bad.

Next I will say, PRAISE THE EPIDURAL. I wanted to tough it out and see if I could give birth to Ruby without drugs. Who was I kidding? I asked for drugs while they were giving me the IV. And the best thing was that they were back 5 minutes later to hook me up to the epidural. It was all good from there. The contractions I did experience were a bitch. Like bad cramps times ten. And I got the epidural before the contractions got really bad. The even better part is that I was on the epidural for the pushing part. I proved to the doctor that I could push Ruby out with the epidural and I did a kick ass job out of fear that they were going to take me off the epidural. The doctor said I had "the perfect epidural." I had no pain, but I knew when to push. Granted it was still one of the hardest things I have ever done, but it was painless. (And I swear I am not lying.) I was VERY lucky.

Note: I have key advice for any pregnant woman. I will not share the advice here, because it is too graphic. But if anyone reading this gets knocked up, ask me what my key advice is.

When Ruby finally arrived I was happy about three things, 1. I was not pregnant anymore, 2. She was healthy, 3. I am glad I married Derek. Derek was awesome. He was supportive and he didn't annoy me. He also hid whatever horror he witnessed in the delivery room, and didn't show any distress on his face. At one point the doctor asked if I wanted them to bring in a mirror so I could watch the baby come out. "No thanks," I said. But Derek watched the whole thing. Brave man. Derek is continuing to impress me. Those of you who I have spoken to have heard my hormonal lamenting about how, "No one told me that I was going to fall in love with my husband again." And it is the truth. I couldn't delivery Ruby without him, and I couldn't care for her now without him. Plus we have something new to talk about, and after 11 years together, that is very valuable.

Now about the hormones... if labor contractions are 10X as bad as regular cramps. The hormonal rollercoaster that I am experiencing is 100X worse than PMS. I cry around 6:30PM everyday. About what, everything and nothing. It is bananas. Again, thank goodness for a supportive husband. And I figure half of the battle is knowing that I am insane.

The past 11 days have been crazy. We spent 2 nights in the hospital, 2 nights home, 2 nights in the hospital again, and have been home (FOR GOOD KNOCK ON WOOD) since. The second stay in the hospital was crappy ass crappy. Poor Ruby was jaundice and had to be in a light box, tortured by RETARDED residents, and had to deal with a Mom that had 2 hours of sleep in 48 hours. The experience makes the madness of being at home seem easy.

The best part of this saga is Ruby. She is awesome. Today was my first day alone with her, since this country doesn't understand the importance of paternity leave and Derek had to go back to work. She treated me really well today. I mean I have a moment to write this blog (mind you I have 25 minutes until the next feeding.) My first day with her has been a combination of joy, confusion, frustration, fun, exhaustion, crying (her and me), laughing (me), insanity, and quiet. I go mad for one hour, I sit here for one hour, repeat. There is no predicting, there is no "figuring." There is no control and no plan. But there is Ruby, and she rocks. My mini-me.

2007-10-22T18:15:00.000-07:00

Remember my previous blogs about how I am scared of labor and the baby? Well I have turned a significant corner. Now I am afraid of being pregnant forever. The human body and biology in general has amazed me the last 9 months. From the basic fact that we can grow people inside of us, to how the fear of labor and delivery subsides towards the end and you just want to baby out (by any means necessary.)

I have been pretty comfortable up until the last month. But now I am ready. And I think the baby is cooked. So now it is just up to her to get motivated. I don't sleep anymore. I am up every 2 hours. I watch the Weather Channel instead of sleeping. I have never been so up date on current weather conditions. Sitting is uncomfortable. Standing is uncomfortable. Walking is tiring, unless I am walking to the bathroom to pee, then it is painful. And god forbid I have to pee and sneeze at the same time. It is a tramatic nerve racking experience. (It is one of those things that they don't tell you in the pregnancy books, even the ones that tells you that they tell you what the books don't tell you.)

Everyday at work is a significant challenge. I find myself more irritated by the usual stuff then before. I want to answer all requests with the statement, "Ya... I don't care" or "Nine months pregnant, bye!" I don't want to just be sitting at home, but I don't want to be here. You know you have had enough when you prefer labor to work.

A weird waiting game has started. When and where will I go into labor. On the subway? At work? In a bar playing Wii? At a restaurant? In the middle of the night? The lack of control is scary. I like to control everything. Looking at the month of November is weird. It is like things are going on, but what will my capacity be? My birthday is November 19th. Baby will definitely be here by then. Do I make plans? I am kidding myself about making plans? Have baby will travel? Or lock yourself in the house for at least the first 8 weeks? I figure all of these questions will be answered in the very near future, right?

People always ask, "Are you ready?" And the answer is "yes." I am ready to be not pregnant anymore. I am ready to be a Mom. The baby's room is done. The baby's stuff is assembled. We are ready to have our lives turned upside down. We are ready as we will ever be. The better question is actually, "Is baby ready?"

2007-10-08T18:17:00.000-07:00

In our adventures into the world of Baby Land, no experience thus far has been as uniquely uncomfortable as Breastfeeding Class and Accerlated Childbirth Class Part I. Now my first thought about all of this, is "women have been giving birth from the beginning, and they didn't need a class." My second thought was, "I have never changed a diaper." So I signed up for the classes.

The purpose of Breastfeeding Class is to communicate the wonders of breastfeeding, show techiques, and pretty much confuse me and confirm that breastfeeding is going to be one of the biggest challenges I have ever faced. Lovely. So glad I paid like $125 for this.

The whole thing was weird on so many levels. First it is weird to be in a room with 21 other women who are just as pregnant as you are. (There were also 4 uncomfortable husbands, I didn't make Derek come, aren't I sweet.) Second I get the giggles. I have the sense of humor of an 12 yr old boy. So the mention of nipples, boobs, etc makes me want to crack up laughing, add to that the overall boredom and nervous atmosphere and the stupid ass questions that people ask, I was on the verge of cracking up the entire time. Third, I haven't been "lectured" by an adult since college, and I didn't like it much then, and I didn't like it much on Thursday of last week either. For the first hour the lactaction consultant lectured us about the importance of solely breastfeeding (from the boob) for at least the first 3 weeks, she then went on and on about "the breast is the best." And all I kept thinking was, "YAH I GET IT, I am drinking the breastmilk kool aid, that is why I paid $125 to figure out how to do it, NOW SHOW ME SOME BRASS TACTICS!"

At the end of the 3 hour class, I did learn some tactics and "how-to" tips as well as some of the scary realities of the situation. (Which I won't share, no need to scare innocent folks.) But at the end of the day, learning to breastfeed without a baby is like someone teaching you to parellel park without a car. And we all know how well I drive.

So Derek was spared the Breastfeeding Class, but there was no way he was getting out of going to the Accerlated Childbirth Class. Yesterday we went to Part I. In the first half they went through the process of labor, and reminded us that first time Mom are in labor for an average of 14 hours. (Since it is an average I am looking at the bright side and thinking that my chances are still good for a 2 hour labor, since there are women on the other end of that scale.)

And yes, they showed the dreaded video.

The dreaded video, The Miracle of Birth 2 (apparently watching 1, isn't a pre-req.) We watched 3 births. An epidural birth, a demerol birth, and a natural birth. Watching the babies actually come out, wasnt that bad. I think I was tramatized by "The Miracle of Life" video they made us watch in the 7 grade and thought it would be worse. But ask the husband that was sitting to my left if the video wasn't "that bad" and I think he would disagree. As soon as they showed the baby crowning, he started what sounded like a chant of "Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God." He said it for the whole time the baby was coming out. Poor wife of his. I hope we end up at the hospital at the same time as them. They should prove to be entertaining. The sadest part about the video is that women were sitting around saying, "oh I am definitely getting the epidural." Since the epidural example was to them the lesser of the three evils. I wanted to burst their bubble and mention how most of my friends that had epidurals had to have the epidural lowered to the point that it didn't make much difference because they could actively push the baby out. I know I am such a cynic.

After the video we got to practice breathing techniques, massage, and labor positions. Wearing my denim maternity mini-skirt wasn't the best choice. I hated all of the touching. Breathing (and having Derek breathe with me) and rubbing my belly is GAY. Laying on my side while Derek massaged my head also GAY. Facing one another and breathing while rubbing my shoulders, GAY GAY GAY. Watching the oxthordox Jewish couple's husband massage his wife's ass, funny.

Then we got to do prenatal Yoga. I thought Derek was going to walk out. You can't make Derek do Yoga, it just isn't fair. The poor guy wants a beer and a cigarette, don't make him bring his hands to his heart. Thank god that the prenatal Yoga was the last of the activities, and we got out of there 2 hours ahead of schedule. (We were the first ones to the elevator.)

This Sunday we have Part II, which includes a hospital tour and an infant care class. (I think the next blog will be entitled, Don't Shake the Baby, cause we are pretty sure that they are going to lecture us about that for at least 2 hours.)

2007-10-02T18:12:00.000-07:00

Excuse me Miss, you forgot your pants.

This morning I saw five women who forgot to put pants on. They were just going to work with no pants. Completely "Donald Ducking" it. I have noticed this going on for the last few weeks. I am averaging spotting at least two women per day without pants.

Where have their pants gone? Did they leave them someplace? Is there an anti-pants movement? Are pants to them a representation of the repression of a male dominated society? Or are they just not realizing that the sweater dress, babydoll dress, long t-shirt look still requires pants (perhaps leggings) or shorts of some kind?

Me thinks it is the latter.

I love leggings. I am their 1 fan. I was thrilled when they made a comeback. I enjoy leggings under skirts or dresses that I deem too short for myself. Now I don't understand why all of these women who are walking around (to and from work, I might add) have neglected wearing leggings undernealth their cute dresses. Some have opted to wear tights, but the program is that there are few tights out there that are opaque enough in the direct sunlight to fully cover. (I know they look opaque in their dark LES apartments, but in the sunshine, I can see your tushy.) Those who know my fall and winter fashion style know I enjoy tights as well. So I am not knocking tights, but tights are from when you have a skirt on that covers your butt.

Here are some basic questions that I think these ladies should ask themselves when thinking, "should I put pants on with this outfit?"

1. Do the tips of my fingers fall below the hem of my skirt/dress/shirt?
2. If I was to bend over would the whole city see my bottom?
3. When walking up the subway steps will I be exposing the people behind me to my behind?
4. Are my tights one size to small for me, therefore making them less opaque?
5. Do I have a big butt?

If the answer is yes to any of these questions, I think these ladies should walk back up the three flights to their third floor apartment and put some pants on. I mean your average pair of leggings is less than $20. That is like 1/2 a cocktail in the Meat Packing District. They can afford them.

2007-01-26T17:22:00.000-08:00

The Straw That Broke My Patience
I would like anyone who is ever planning to buy real estate to save this blog to your harddrive, print out a copy, and create a back up archive file. I am saying this because I wish someone created this for me. I am also taking the time out of my INSANE day because once I finish the HELL process that is buying a house, I will block out the whole experience and just tell people that are buying a home that, "it sucks, but you will get through it."

Here's what you need to know.

1. Have cash, have a lot of cash. Have like $5,000 in cash. I am not talking about your down payment. I am talking about above and beyond the down payment. Do not attempt to buy a home without at least $5,000 in GREEN CASH. You will need this cash for the following:

a. Inspector

b. Moving

c. *Home insurance that you have to pay a year worth upfront

d. Mortgage Application Fee

2. Closing costs are ridiculous. Assume they are going to be $25,000. Believe no one that tells you they are going to be any less. They include:

a. Lawyer's fee, yours and the bank's

b. Cost of any points you buy

c. Mortgage Broker's fee

d. Taxes, from EVERYONE

c. Processing fees, there are like 1000 of them

3. Home insurance costs estimates are wrong. Assume they are going to be double what was estimated for you. (I am getting the hint that my taxes are going to be double what is estimated as well, I am sure there will be an addedum to this blog confirming this.)

4. Websites that give you estimated APRs are WRONG. Add a point and a half.

5. Websites that give you your credit score are WRONG. Base nothing on them.

6. Full disclosure doesn't happen in the world of buying a home. If you think anyone is going to give you the courtesy of telling you anything upfront (including me in this blog) you will be disappointed. Expect surprises that cost you money, cash money.

*The straw that has broken my patience is finding out today that I have to pay a year's worth of home insurance upfront. Anyone who thinks I should have known this, keep your comments to yourself. Now is not the time to explain to me the rationale behind this. I had the pleasure of a mortgage processor taking a condisending tone with me and saying, "Well if the house burned down the day after you closed who would pay for the insurance." They can subtract it from the half a million dollars that they are going to give me to rebuild house, asshole!

What irritates me the most about the whole process, is how people think its no big deal to shell out $1500 here, $600 there, another $200, $900, $500...I am sorry, maybe I didn't do enough homework, and I definitely didn't save enough money, but its bleeding me and people need to recognize that it is a big deal. The next person that take a condisending tone with me is going to get a schooling on how they are working for me and we can change that REALLY FAST.

So good luck to anyone who is going to do this, and god bless those who have done this already. I hate it.

2007-01-22T18:29:00.000-08:00

Money Saved!!!!
I know I have been a bad blogger. But I have been so busy. Hopefully I will have more free time in February to get some quality blogging done. All I can manage to do right now is share some good news: something happened that actually saved me money!!!

Lately money is being spent left and right on things like vet bills, work clothes, parent's anniversary present, and on buying a house. I can't seem to get ahead. With an upcoming trip to Florence (leaving on Monday), I thought there was no hope in sight to save some money. Then Janina came to the rescue. Our flights had to be adjusted for the Florence trip, and I was so scared it was going to be more money, which would mean that I would have to stay home. But Janina came through like a rock star. She saved me $700 on the ticket AND we get to spend a day and night in Paris!!!! How amazing is that?!

I am so happy I could dance. Finally a good thing happened that saved me money! I am tickled.

Now we need suggestions for Paris. If you were there for one day what would you do???????? (We have decided on eating cheese, but should probably do something else too.)

2007-01-02T09:44:00.000-08:00

An Open Letter of Thanks...

This is an open letter of thanks too all of my associates.

Thank you for only leaving me 2 voicemails and about 10 emails over the holiday break. Thank you for realizing that the last thing that want to do when I returned to work this morning was listen to your voicemails and read your emails. Thank you for recognizing that leaving me a voicemail or an email during a week that my office is close will in no way get you closer to a meeting or to securing business with me.

A special thanks to all of my clients who left me alone all week long and who have not called me yet today. I was able to not think about your business all week. But I promise to start thinking about your business today. (After 1PM today, but today still.)

Welcome back to the grind everyone.

Happy New Year!

2006-12-29T23:21:00.000-08:00

Frak December!

I am seeing a decent amount of "year in review" blogs pop up. I feel it is my duty as a blogger and a complainer to add in my own year in review. Unfortunately, this blog isn't as easy as my 2006 summer retrospective was to write. Let me put it this way, fuck December.

If I started and "end of the year review" blog at the end of November I would go on to say:
"2006 ROCKED! I had good times with Derek and with my awesome friends and family. I made new friends that are a FAB edition to my life. Our friends and family have announced great things like babies and engagements. I even lost a little weight and my hair got progressively better. I got a promotion at work and I can honestly say that I have been enjoying my job. And the icing on the cake is that we are finally out of credit card debit."

But since its the end of December it would go on the say:
"2006 HAS STRESSED ME THE HELL OUT! Sweetpea got sick and we spent pretty much all of our hard earned savings to get her better. I went from being in a healthy financial place to paycheck to paycheck once again. I have gained about 10lbs from stress and Christmas gift baskets. We are on the verge of turning our lives upside down and backwards with one of the biggest grown up steps ever. (And NO we aren't having a baby, we are buying a house.) And its 2AM and I can't sleep cause I am hungry due to dieting to lose those 10lbs and I can't stop thinking about how broke we are and how much more broke we are going to be."

Its been a shitty month. I am really mad that December has changed my perspective on this entire year. I haven't even had the heart to write any blogs in December, and that hurts me more than it hurts you. I have started a number of blogs. Hopefully I will be less distracted in the new year and I can focus on my in progress blogs like: "Life of a Lactard," "The Most Boring Conversation Ever Overheard," and "Why Do People Who Listen to Rap Music Rap Out Loud?"

This is what stress does to me. I am forced to focus on the important stuff and I can't obsess about the stupid stuff. I hate it. I want to go back to blogging about food and freaks on the subway. I want to take pictures of my sneakers and post them. I want to critize the general population for being so damn lame. I don't want to worry about money. I don't want to obsess about a budget. I don't want to spend my free time online looking up treatments for canine liver disease.

But I guess I am an optimist at heart and I can't help but believe that in the end it will all be ok. So I am going to leave 2006, and December in particular, where it belongs... IN THE PAST. And move foward knowing that even though we are going to be broke, we will still have fun, friends, and family.

Goodbye December! Hello January!

P.S.... If anyone knows of any parttime work that Derek, Sweetpea, or I would be qualified for please let us know. Derek can do print production work, wire your phones, bartend, and fix your broken stuff. I can do media planning, marketing research, cook, be a life coach, and plan your next gala event. Sweetpea can look cute and fart.

P.S.S....Derek and I can fart as well. And to those of you that got the Battlestar Gallactica "Frak You" reference in the title of this blog: You are special like me. You know in a special sci-fi geek way.

2006-11-11T13:27:00.000-08:00

Wanna piss me off?

If you want to piss me off this is what you should do: Take your dog and tie your dog outside of a store/restaurant/etc and leave your dog there while you go about your business. Nothing pisses me off more than the assholes that multitask with their dogs. I am all for multitasking, I hardly only do one thing at a time. (Right not I am watching Battlestar Gallactica and writing this blog.) But when I am walking Sweetpea I am walking Sweetpea.

Recent "pieces of garbage" that I have seen doing this to their dogs have lead me to the conclusion that not only to they not care about their dogs, they are irresponsible retards. Case in point: Two weeks ago a dog was tied outside of Associated grocery store to the rack that keeps the shopping carts. Everytime someone grabbed a cart the poor dog was scared and tried to get away with its tail between its leg. The dog was outside for at least 15 minutes, while the dumb selfish owner did her grocery shopping. So not only was the poor dog having an anxiety attack for being left outside, it was frightened everytime someone put back or took a shopping cart. Another fine example of an inconsiderated twit was the man and his two kids that dined in a local restaurant for 45+ minutes while their dog was tied to scaffolding. This dog was tied up so tight he couldn't even lay down.

Why do people do this? Do they think their dogs enjoy the fresh air? Do they pat themselves on the back for "killing two birds with one stone." Life is busy I know, but when you chose to have a dog you chose to make your life more complicated. Why don't people understand that they are leaving their beloved pets defenseless and anxiety ridden. How would these people like it if I tied them to a cactus in the middle of the desert and told them that I "might" be back?

Now, I am not one of those people that think my dog is the "same" as someone else's kid. I understand that my dog is a dog. But I also understand that my dog is my responsibility, and as my responsibility I have to keep my eye on her at all times when out in public. This protects her and me. What if a dog that was tied up bit a kid that walked over to it? What would happen is that the dog would be killed. Or what would happen if that dog was attacked by another dog? Or attacked another dog? Not to mention the fact that people steal dogs that are left unattended. And they don't steal them to be family pets. They steal them to fight other dogs and be bait for fighting dogs.

Its just irresponsible to leave your dog tied up outside while you run and errand, or get a coffee. And the people who do that deserve whatever misfortune falls upon them, unfortunately their dogs do not.

2006-10-26T12:39:00.000-07:00

In honor of the Halloween season I would like to take a moment to reflect on what can be considered the best candy ever: Hershey's Take Five chocolate bar. If you disagree that is fine, but this is my blog and my blog says that Take Fives are the best chocolate bar, even candy, EVER.

The Take Five represents the pairing of what is right in the world: Chocolate, Peanuts, Peanut Butter, Caramel, and Pretzels. Take away or add anything else and you would ruin the balance of what makes this candy so damn good.

Let's focus on each ingredient:

The pretzel part is extremely important to the mix. In life it’s all about the savory and the sweet. The salt and sugar. Just the perfect balance of these two things brings an eating experience to the next level. Hence why most people crave something sweet after a big savory meal. Or why sweet BBQ sauce is so good. The folks at Hershey have also picked the perfect pretzel shape. They chose the waffle pretzel shape as oppose to the traditional pretzel knot shape. The waffle evenly distributes pretzel taste in every bite. My intern Zoë, described the pretzel as the "foundation" of the candy, and she is right. She is a very bright intern.

Next the peanut butter. I know people that don't like peanut butter, and frankly thank goodness these people have other good traits, because it is not liking peanut butter and liking George Bush that makes me wonder the most about people. If you don't like peanut butter and you like George Bush I just hate you, point blank. The peanut butter in the Take Five doesn't over power the candy; it adds creamy texture and just the right about of richness.

Now for the nuts. Nuts are more for crunchy texture than taste. They are chopped up small so even your average nut hater can enjoy a Take Five. The nuts are closer to the layer of caramel than the layer of peanut butter, so it’s not like you are having "chunky peanut butter."

The caramel is the glue that holds this wonderful mix of heaven together. You get the caramel chewiness, without the "pull out you fillings" factor. The caramel is not overly sweet or sticky, it is just right.

The final layer of chocolate that coats the entire bar is more than the "icing on the cake," it’s the chocolate in the chocolate bar. Even with all of the other players, you still note the chocolate. The Take Five in general is a testament to the perfection of the ratio between ingredients. There is just enough chocolate.

So that is my ode to the Take Five. It’s the perfectly engineered candy bar. I suggestion you buy a bag of the minis and pretend they are for the non-existent kids that will come "treat or treating" on 10/31. That is what I did.

2006-10-20T22:10:00.000-07:00

Highly Recommended

If you have a random weekday off and nothing better to do, I highly recommend the following activity: ALL DAY MOVIE MARATHON!

I have some vacation days to use up so I took today off. Unfortunately Derek had to work. So it was just me trying to decide if I should stay home and bother Sweetpea or spend the day doing my favorite day killer, an all day movie marathon.

Here is how it works.
1. You have to take a random day off. This doesn't work on holidays or weekends.
2. Go to Moviefone.com and plan out your day at the movies. Its best to strategize which movies and what is the best combination of start times. In an eight hour period you can get 4 full movies in. (Note: The length of the movies noted INCLUDES previews.) If you are in NYC I recommend the AMC on 42nd Street. (If you go on a Friday shows before noon are $6.)
3. Highlight and note the movies and their start times. Also keep in mind what your alternatives would be. Be mindful of the movies and the order you are watching them in. You don't want to go from a 2 1/2 hour thinker to a 3 hour drama. I enjoy having a light hearted comedy every other movie.
4. Pack a lunch. One cannot live on popcorn and diet coke alone. Make sure its "quiet food," like a sandwich and a banana. Bananas are quiet.
5. Get to the movie theater about 20 minutes early so you will have time to figure out approximately which theater you will need to get to for your 2nd, 3rd, and 4th movies.
6. Pay for your first show and get a large popcorn. Most theaters offer refills on large size, and you have a long day ahead of you.
7. Enjoy movie 1.
8. Theater hop to your remaining movies. Here are my theater hopping tips:
- They really don't care that you are theater hopping, so don't act like you are doing anything wrong.
- Avoid elevators at all costs. Sometimes there is a dude in there taking tickets. Use escalators whenever possible.
- Watch out for exit only paths. Once you are out, you aren't getting back in.
- Note if one of the movies you want to watch are in multiple screens. This can make staking out which theaters you need to get to difficult.
- Don't go with more than two people. Going alone is good, but you won't have anyone to hold your popcorn when you go to the bathroom.
- You can risk letting movies overlap by 15 minutes to account for previews. 10 minutes if its an independent film.
- Use your refills. Large popcorns and large sodas get refilled.
- Since you are seeing 4 movies for the price of one, buy some candy and bottled water. Helps with the guilt.
- Be careful carrying around half empty bags of popcorn into theaters, it is a dead give away. Store it in a large bag or purse.

Today, Sarah and I saw 4 movies. It was awesome. We saw Marie Antionette at 11:55, Little Miss Sunshine at 1:35, The Prestige at 3:45, and Jackass Number 2 at 6:40. We ate 1 1/2 bags of popcorn, Kit Kat Bites, Twizzlers, and my homemade ham and soy cheese sandwiches. It was a great day!

December 15th is my next random day off. See you at the movies!

2006-10-18T22:11:00.000-07:00

Shame on me, I haven't blogged about food in the longest time. This week I did some multitasking in regards to making dinner. This is something that I love doing.... You basically get two dinners, but its like you only are cooking one. Its great because we are all super busy and we should all cook at home more. Here's the method to some of my madness:

So you love a home cooked meal, but can't see yourself cooking every single night. My advice is to cook two meals at once. You save cooking time and clean up time.

The first step is deciding what you should make. You need to pick one dish that is quick, and one dish that is hands off. By quick I mean something that you can whip up in less than 20 minutes. An example would be grilled chicken or stir fry. By hands off I mean something that you can "set and forget." An example would be a stew or roast.

These are the two meals that I made this past Tuesday and how I did them both at once...

Tuesday night's dinner was Hunter's Chicken Stew, a microwave only stew recipe that I got from my beloved Everyday Food magazine. Its a 20 minute meal start to finish with hardly any dishes to clean.

Ingredients: 8oz of sliced Shitake Mushrooms, 1lb of skinless/boneless chicken thighs cut into 1" chunks, 1/4tsp crushed rosemary, 1 1/3 cup crushed tomatoes, a strip of orange rind, garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper.

Steps: Nuke (covered) the mushrooms, oil (about a tbsp), and garlic with 1/4 cup of water for 2 minutes. Throw all of the other ingredients in the casserole (microwaveable) mix it up. Nuke (covered) for 12 minutes more. Serve with bread or whatever over carbs you deserve.

Now while the mushrooms are in the microwave gather your ingredients for Wednesday night's dinner, Meatloaf. While the chicken is cooking for the 12 minutes you can put together can bake your meatloaf for the next meal. You may have your own meatloaf recipe, so use that one... or you can use mine:

Ingredients: 1lb of ground beef (or one of the meatloaf packs with the 3 different kind of meat), 3/4 cup of breadcrumbs, one beaten egg, 1/3 cup of crushed tomatoes (use the same can that you did for the stew), 1/4 cup of diced onion, 1/4 cup of milk or beer, oregano, pepper.

Steps: Mix it all up with your hands (remove jewelry and leave the warm water running for easy clean up), form into a loaf. Bake in an oven that is preheated to 350 degrees. Cook it until it reaches an internal temp of 160 degrees. (About 45 minutes.) I also cut small red potatoes into quarters and bake them along side of the meatloaf, just season them with some oil and spices.

By the time your meatloaf is in the oven your stew is done.... And in less than 20-30 minutes you have two home cook dinners. Let the meatloaf cool, cover it and put it in the fridge. You can nuke it the next day or heat it up in the oven. Try throwing in some veggies that you can nuke/roast along side of the loaf with the potatoes

So that is my food wisdom for the week.

(Oh and lets not forget the meatloaf sandwiches the night after. Yum.)

2006-10-12T22:12:00.000-07:00

For the past 3-4 television seasons I have been searching for a replacement for Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Sad, I know. But its so very true. Once Buffy the Vampire Slayer was canceled I was left without a television show to obsess over. I like to obsess over things, and television is a healthy (or healthier) thing to obsess over than... well... I guess a lot of things. So my search started.

I had a year of Angel, which was a strong substitute, especially since Spike got on the show. Then it was canceled. I watched Smallville for awhile, but couldn't get into it. I started getting into shows like Freaks & Geeks, Roswell, and Firefly. The problem with this strategy is that these shows have already been canceled. So I would finish the DVD sets and that's it. I tried watching reality TV, but that was a bust. I couldn't obsess about crazy real people on television, that would be creepy.

So I gave up.

About a year later I heard good things about a show called Lost. I borrowed the 1st season from a coworker and I was instantly hooked. Now its no Buffy, and there is no Spike, but it was good enough to watch for a 2nd season. I was happy to have one show to watch. Then I started thinking, "if Lost is this good, maybe there are other good shows on television." So like a pathetic snow ball, in a give an inch, take a mile scenario, I started watching more television.

With the help of a DVR, cool new shows, a better attitude about reality TV, and advice of friends I now watch WAY TOO MUCH TV. I went from 0 to more than 0. Its crazy. Here's a list and my thoughts about all of the terrible awesome television I now watch.

Lost
Now in its 3rd season, they are still annoying the crap out of us with all of the questions. Sure we found out what is in the hatch, but that bought up a whole list of new questions. They never addressed that weird thing of smoke or the polar bears, but its still damn good. I love and hate how I have to watch every second the show is on, you really have to pay attention. No blog writing while Lost is on. No cooking dinner or playing tug of war with Sweetpea. You must watch every moment, and sometimes you have to rewind and watch it again. Don' be distracted. ABC-7 at 9PM on Wednesdays.

Grey' Anatomy
I can' believe I started watching this show. I had to catch up to the 1st & 2nd seasons and now I am on track watching the 3rd season. This is not my typical kind of show. There' no sci-fi element, no vampires, no aliens. Its a drama. About doctors. What the hell do I care about that? I dunno, but I watch the show. And I like it. Sure they make women look like they can' handle a career and a love life. But its juicy and high drama. Plus the men are pretty. Oh and it also makes me think I have strange disease. ABC-7 at 9PM on Thursdays.

Veronica Mars
I started watching this show because Joss Whedon (creator of Buffy, Angel, and Firefly) said it is "he smartest show on television." What he says is law, so I watch. And I like. Its not incredibly deep or complex. I can definitely write a blog and play with Sweetpea. Veronica Mars is like Nancy Drew + wise ass. I like to pretend that I am 17 again and watching this show helps. CW-11 at 9PM on Tuesdays.

Battlestar Galactica
Since I am a sci-fi fan and this is a science fiction show you aren't going to believe me when I say that this is a great show, regardless of it being in the sci-fi genre. Its a great drama. The writers take crazy risks and show kicks ass. The characters are deep and cool. The storyline is complex and interesting. Sci-Fi at 9PM on Fridays

Heroes
This is a new show this season. Lots of characters (seems to be a theme with the new shows). Its a sci-fi show, so again, you won't believe me when I say its good. There are been three episodes and they haven't explained anything or answered any questions. I have a feeling that its going to be a very long time until they start answering any questions. But you can tell its going somewhere cool. The story revolves around 5 people who have special powers but don't know each other and they somehow had to come together and save the world. Oh and there is a really cool bad guy that kills people with household objects. I told you its complex. ABC-7 at 9PM on Mondays.

Jericho
Another new show. I didn't think I had the time to take on another show, but I couldn't resist a potential end of the world story. It looks like all US major cities were blown up by nukes. Was it terrorists, aliens, or rebels? Are they going to have to repopulate the planet? When are they going to run out of beer? Trust me, these are the questions I would be concerned with. CBS-2 at 8PM on Wednesdays.

The Nine
Oh yeah, one more new show. I have only watched one episode, but I like the idea. Nine people, oh wait ten people are held hostage in a bank. 48 hours goes by and they are released and the story is about what happened in those last 48 hours. I dunno how they are going to do flashbacks for an entire season, but I am willing to find out. ABC-7 at 10PM on Wednesdays.

America's Next Top Model
This is my favorite reality show. I love to watch those skinny bitches fight and make fools of themselves. I just can't watch how they twist their ankles in those crazy high heels. Tyra Banks is crazy, but Nigel (one of the judges) is hot and he told a girl last week that she is "little fruit and nut, but I like that." Its also fun to talk about the next day at work. CW-11 at 8PM on Wednesdays.

Weeds
Even with all of these shows kicking butt, Weeds kicks the biggest butt. It really rocks. Best show on television right now. This show has balls. Big balls. I crack up laughing every episode. Its so well written and it goes to a very bad place, a very funny bad place, but a bad place. I ordered Showtime just for this show. Showtime at 10PM on Mondays.

Dexter
I am happy this show just started, now at least I pay for Showtime for two good reasons. Its twisted, scary, gross, and freaky. I feel like I want to hide in the closet when it is over, but it scares me so good. Who knew i would cheer for the serial killer. Showtime at 10PM on Sundays.

Ugly Betty
Selma Hayek is my girl crush and she is the producer of this comedy based on a popular novella. How can you not support a show about an ugly duckling that rocks the fashion magazine world. If you have anything to do with Conde Nast you would appreciate this show. Get those snobby publishing hoes! ABC-7 at 8PM on Thursdays.

Bones
The only reason I watch the show is because Angel (or the actor that played Angel, whatever) is an FBI agent that works with this forensic doctor lady that analyzes bones and such. Its pretty graphic and every show there is a nasty shot of rotting body parts, but the show is pretty interesting. And Angel, I mean detective guy, is hot. Fox-5 at 8PM on Wednesdays.

Little People, Big World
Reality show about a midget family. Enough said. TLC at 8PM on Saturday.

So yes, this is a lot of terrible television. But I promise I will never watch American Idol. Never.

2006-09-27T22:13:00.000-07:00

Secret to Success

I do not mean this blog to sound arrogant, or to act like I am "all knowing." But my short life experience has led me to some conclusions about how to be successful. Success can be defined in many ways, but in general we are talking about doing well at whatever you apply yourself at. Whether that be school, career, love, fun, cleaning the apartment, writing a blog, etc.

I was having a conversation with my good friend Candace. We are both successful in our careers. We are both 4 years younger than our peers. And we both agree that you just have to do 3 things to be successful. So here is the secret to succees:

a.) SHOW UP

b.) SHOW UP ON TIME

c.) STAY UNTIL IT IS DONE

That is it. Show up, show up on time, and stay until it is done. Simple as that. You can apply these three things to anything.

SHOW UP: Whenever I talk to someone entering college and they are nervous about doing well. My advice is: never miss class and never hand in anything late. I swear that is all I did in college. I was working full time and partying and I always went to class and I never handed in a simple assignment late. I graduated with honors. I hardly ever did the assigned reading, I am an average tester. And I never had time to kiss any professor's ass. All I did was show up and hand things in on time. I started with an A+... If you do not show up and/or hand an assignment in late you start with a B or worse. Why the hell would you do that?

SHOW UP ON TIME: Nothing pisses people at work off more than someone who arrives late for a meeting. Does the late comer not realize that its a form of disrespect to everyone that has showed up on time? Like their time is more valuable. So the late comer can present the best ideas in the world, but who cares, you are just the asshole that showed up late with no regard for anyone but yourself.

STAY UNTIL IT IS DONE: And nothing is worse than someone that can't commit to finishing something. You start, you finish. There is a beginning and an end to every project. You get the job done. You move on to the next thing. The more efficient you are the better, but in the end you just have the finish. So many people start something and walk away. Relationships, career paths, novels, party plans, etc. You have to see everything to it's end. Some projects take 10 minutes, others take a lifetime, but you have to finish.

So remember: Show up, show up on time, and stay until it is done. (Especially if it is my freaking meeting and project.)

2006-09-18T22:14:00.000-07:00

Dim Sum = Genius

I love a food experience. Not just food. I mean sometimes I love just food, but it is much more about the whole food experience. The people you dine with, the atmosphere, the character, etc, all have as much to do with enjoying food as the taste does. And a food experience doesn't have to be at a 4-star restaurant or something that you only do on a special occasion, a truely terrific food experience can happen on a Sunday morning in White Plains with your parents and friends and cost $15 a person.

This superior and down to earth food experience is Dim Sum. And this is going to be the first restaurant focused food blog that is not going to include the name of the restauarant because...well..... I don't know the name.... I also don't know the names of 90% of the things we ate. So bear with me because just like Dim Sum is not an ordinary dining experience, this is not going to be an ordinary food blog.

Let's start with this simple fact. Who doesn't love a dumpling? I am pretty sure the term of endearment, ("my little dumpling" for example) started because everyone loves dumplings. Dumplings exists in many, if not all food cultures. Jews have matzoh balls, puerto ricans have empanadas, southerners have hush puppies... some are fried, some are steamed, some are baked. A dumpling by any other name is still just as damn good. Given that, Dim Sum is a meal that focuses pretty much on dumplings.

On Sunday we have steamed pork buns, baked pork buns, fried pork buns, shark fin shumai, chicken dumplings, a dumpling stuffed with leeks, seafood dumplings, beef shumai, and probably three or four others dumpling like objects. It was so damn good. Who the hell knew what you were eating half of the time, but who cares? If it's good, it's good.

How do you end up eating all of these varieties of dumplings, you might be wondering? Simple, they bring them all to you. Dim Sum works like this: You sit. They push various carts over to your table. You choice want you want. Then you eat. Instant gratification. You are hungry. You sit. You eat. Such a simple concept. Friendly staff offers you a variety of yummy goodness to choose from and you get to eat it. You are charged by the plate. Plates run from $2.50 to $4.00. That's it.

While dumpling varieties are a Dim Sum staple, you have many other choices. You can try some chicken feet, bokchoy,chinese broccoli, clams, fancy scallops, egg custards, fried calamari, tempura, fried rice, fried taro, shrimp, pork spareribs, and many other items. It really is the best place to try new things and get over ridiculous food phobias. Plus there is something for everyone. Vegetarian? Have some vegetable dumplings, steamed rice, Chinese eggplant, and some sesame rice balls filled with mushrooms. Only eat fish? Sharkfin dumpkins, seafood salad, and fried taro with shrimp is the way to go. Never eat fish? Well, you can eat your weight in chicken dumplings and pork buns. Eat everything? Smart person you are, enjoy everything.

Dim Sum rocks the house. There is something about the chaos that is great. Pushy waiters wanting you the try what they have to offer. If you are indecisive you will end up trying it. Any hestitation to a "Leek dumpling?" question will leave you with leek dumplings. (Thank goodness, cause they were good.) Its freaking fun. You feel like a Roman emperor selecting this and that, rejecting, accepting, passing, eating. Its wonderful.

At the end of the meal, we were all stuffed. Dumplings are no joke. I felt like a dumpling. And not in the cute sense. $15 bucks a person. It was awesome. We went to a place on Central avenue in White Plains, next to the Trader Joes and behind the Best Buy. We got there at 11:30 and enjoyed ourselves for about an hour, and it was well worth it. I highly suggest you go out and try Dim Sum.

.....and don't forget to invite us.

2006-09-05T22:15:00.000-07:00

Ode to Summer 2006

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. So this blog is my way of complimenting Bitch Cakes on her superior blogs. She has inspired me to reflect on this past summer. It all went by way too fast. But it was a really good time:

* Sunday Drinking - we took Sunday Drinking to a new high this summer. Sure you can Sunday drink all year long, but this summer we took it to the max. Faye bartending the late shift at Magnetic Field was the perfect compliment to Mike bartending during the day at Iona. And to end the summer we had what will go down as the best Sunday Drinking day ever this past Sunday. Big ups to Derek, Danny, Janina, Mike, Sarah, Virginia, Milo, Carli, Faye, Devon, Brad, and Jeff for making it all possible. For those of you who weren't there, you missed a damn good time... two of the highlights: we sang "Summer of '69" at the top of our lungs and watch two drunk ass girls tumble to the ground in a loud bang.

*Chicago Trip - Visiting my brother and his fiancee was a lovely time. We ate well and enjoyed a great city.

*Maryland Trip - Kate hooked me us with a wonderful weekend get-a-way that included the beach, boardwalk, and booze. Not to mention the good eats.

*Summer Fridays - I am already mourning the seven Fridays that I had off this summer. I enjoy the four-day work week much more than the five-day work week.

*Fairway - Fresh Direct who? Fairway rules. It inspired me to drive for goodness sake. I really love Fairway. Who knew grocery shopping could kick so much ass.

*Girl Friends - I have the best friends in the whole wide world. They make summer so awesome. They are fun, true, and reliable. They are all smart and enhance my life. I beached with Sarah. I shopped/brunched/mani/pedi with Janina. I lunched with Justine. I BBQed with Virginia. I shared Ketel One with Carli. I dined with Francesa. The list goes on and on.

*Breezy Point - Its the weirdest place in NYC, but its the best beach experience.

*Catskills - My parents are the supreme hosts. They treat us so well when we go there. Cocktails anyone?

*Ghet-toes - $8 $5 for the design. You can't beat the pedicure deal I get at my local nail salon. Hot pink polish with a black star and black french pedicure... oh and don't forget the "diamonds."

It was a really good summer. Crazy how fast it goes by. Thank goodness I love the fall, or else I would be in mourning. That and the fact that we can Sunday drink all year round gets me through the day.

2006-08-23T19:19:00.000-07:00

A recipe may not be inspiration enough to get you all cooking. So here is a step by step picture process of a quick and easy meal. All of my ingredients are courtesy of the Fairway in Redhook. (Who would have guessed that a bunch of white people would be food shopping in Redhook. Crazy talk!) I recommend that you all get your butts to Fairway, ASAP.

Grilled Chicken with Carmelized Onions, Roasted Red Peppers, and Hummus.

(Carmelized onions can sex up any meal. You can make a bunch and enjoy them on pretty much everything. I bet they are good on ice cream.)

Start with marinating thin sliced chicken breast in your favorite italian dressing. Newman's Light is my favorite.

You don't have to marinate for long. And you may want to add some black pepper and/or garlic powder. You can even heat up the mix with some cayenne.

Next slice you onions. One of my favorite recent purchases was this mandolin slicer. I highly recommend this one over the more expensive stainless steel kind. I got it from Amazon.com: Slicer

Throw the onions into a small pot with a tablespoon of both butter and brown sugar. And cover.

Cook over a medium low heat stirring every once in a while.

Grill the chicken in a grill or fry pan, you may want to add some oil to the pan.

Medium high heat works, and it won't take too long, final cook time depends on the thickness of the chicken.

While the onions and chicken are cooking prepare your jarred red peppers and your package hummus. Now I now we can make our own roasted red peppers and hummus, but life is too short. And we want dinner now.

Slice the peppers into strips, and spread the hummus over whatever "bread vehicle" you like. This particular brand of hummas, Sabra, is super good. Its really outstanding. (Its even better with those evil "Stacy's Pita Chips," those are damn good.)

Once the chicken is done, cut it into strips and layer onto your bread vehicle. Derek had a sandwich tonight:

I had a wrap:

I made everything in less than 20 minutes. And the whole meal was probably less than $8.00. So get to Fairway, and get cooking.

2006-08-23T18:04:00.000-07:00

Cooking with Alaina, vol. 1

Welcome to cooking with Alaina. You all don't cook enough. Of course this is a generalization, but since it is a generalization, generally speaking you all do not cook enough. Ladies you can cook for your man to be, or your man of the hour. Remember, like Chris Rock says, "A man needs three things, food, sex, and silence." If you cook two out of three isn't bad. (Since I know none of you are silent.) And you gentlemen can use some help in the kitchen too. Nothing would make your lady happier than a home cooked meal. (And don't forget to clean, the biggest turn on is a man that cleans up after himself.)

So here is yet another easy (and could be perceived as fancy) recipe that I got from the Food Network. I "Alaina-cize" it, so its easier and still damn good.

Monkfish with Spicy Pepper Sauce

(Monkfish is the poorman's lobster. Its texture and taste is very similar to shell fish like lobster and shrimp. But its a hell of alot cheaper. Becareful not to overcook, it gets tough fast. In general when cooking fish, if you think "maybe it needs another 2 minutes" it doesn't.)

Ingredients
1 lb Monkfish, skin removed and cut into 1 inch cubes
8 ripe plum tomatoes, diced
4 jalapeno peppers, seeds removed and diced
1/2 cup dry white wine
4 cloves of garlic, sliced
Olive oil for pan
1lb of spagetti

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta. Cook pasta until its al dente. Add olive oil to a large 14" skillet, saute garlic and peppers until soft, 4-5 minutes. Add monkfish, tomatoes, and wine to pan. Simmer until fish is cooked about 5 minutes. Pour hot and drained pasta to skillet, remove from heat and toss gently.

Here's the final product:

I recommend finishing the bottle of wine with the meal. Delicious!

2006-07-02T14:03:00.000-07:00

I *heart* the Food Network

As I blog today I lay here in bed, (love the wireless) and I watch the Food Network. I love the Food Network. If there is nothing on I always default to the Food Network. (And you know television nowadays, and there is hardly anything good on.)

Right now I am watching Rachael Ray's 30 Minute Meals. I like Rachael Ray, which is an important distinction, since some people LOVE Rachael Ray. I like that she doesn't measure. She inspires me to work toward "eye-balling" my ingredients. She also doesn't bake, so we have that in common. I also enjoy how she is a cheeseball and she works it. She laughs at her own jokes, she says corny things like "YUMO." She has built an empire on being a food dork, and you have to respect that.

Above Rachael Ray on my Food Network *love* list is Paula Dean. I think I was related to her in a past life. Her recipes are awesome. Fattening and butter filled, but you have to appreciate someone that gives the finger to the "low-fat" and "low-carb" society that we live in. She embodies, "life is too short, so eat it" philosophy that I can relate to. She also loves to eat! She gets a little gross towards the end of the program when she is practically orgasming on camera when she takes a bite of what she has just created.

At the top of my list is Alton Brown, the host of "Good Eats." Alton teaches us cooking techniques via the science and chemistry behind the cooking. He also has some great recipes and tips on cooking gear, which I love. I have the same measuring cup and oil thingy that Alton has.

Now to have favorite hosts means I also have not so favorite hosts. That skinny-big headed-accent faking Giada De Laurentiis bitch needs to go. First off her recipes suck it. Second she has no accent, UNTIL she has to say an italian word, then all of a sudden the Lollipop Headed Bitch is right off the boat from Naples. She needs a cup of shut the fuck up. And she never eats what she cooks, which is weird and stupid.

Here is one of my favorite recipes that I learned from the Food Network:

Paula Dean's Black-Pepper Shrimp (this recipe is super easy)
3 pounds fresh shrimp, unpeeled
8 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons chopped garlic
4 tablespoons freshly ground pepper
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
Wash and drain shrimp, and place in a shallow baking pan. In a saucepan, melt the butter, add the garlic, and saute for 3 to 4 minutes. Pour the butter mixture over the shrimp and toss to coat. Pepper shrimp until shrimp are well covered. Bake until pink, approximately 5 minutes, turn, bake a few minutes longer, and pepper again. You must use a heavy hand with the pepper.

Serve shrimp with warm bread and salad.

2006-06-30T19:01:00.000-07:00

Functioning at 70%

I pride myself on being a very organized, sharp, and efficient person. My brain is always going. Going, going, going. It never stops. Always thinking. Looking at things and figuring out how to do them faster and better. After these last two weeks, I am functioning at 70%.

You may have noticed, that I haven't posted a blog in a while. Normally I post after work, unfornately in the past two weeks there has been no "after work." I have been working 14 hours a day. Its been mad. Work is always busy, but this is the first time that I have felt burned out. I get to work at 7:30AM, and I don't leave until 9:30PM. And all day long its just go, go, go.

I got put on another account, Burt's Bees, and I basically did a month's worth of work in a week and a half. All of that on top of my usual helping of the NBA, Town Sports, and Twinings Tea. All of this work has gotten to me. My brain is now working at 70%. Case in point:

1.Yesterday, I gave our Account Team 5 WRONG budget numbers. It was pathetic. I kept having to call them back and be like, "I swear these are the right numbers.
2. Today I walked into my boss's office with my presentation. Look at the packed of papers, and thought to myself, "I have to get my presentation." I proceed to walk back to my desk and when I got to my desk I was like, "that was my deck."
3. Today I forgot my keys. On my way to Derek's office to get his keys I took the subway in the wrong direction.
4. Tonight at dinner I wanted to have water, and when the waitress asked me what I wanted I said, "I'll just have WINE for now. NO WAIT, WATER." She thinks I am a lush.

Thank god for the long weekend. I think I should have enough time to recover and get my brain back to at least 100%. (Please forgive all of the possible typos in this blog, its hard to blog at 70%.)

2006-06-25T21:35:00.000-07:00

Three 30 Minute Recipes, Highly Recommended!

Yesterday the magazine "Everyday with Rachael Ray" came in to present the magazine. Besides the fact that I really liked the magazine, I thought to myself "Rachael Ray is so living my life." She gets to travel, cook, eat, and be famous for being "relateable." I can so do that.... You need proof? Check out the recipes below. Each at less than 30 minutes. Start to finish!

Meal 1: Baked Shrimp w/ Tomatoes & Feta, Orzo & Green Beans on the side (feeds two)
Ingredients:
1/2 lb Medium Shrimp, shelless and tails off
Oil
Garlic
1 pint cherry tomatoes
Oregano
Feta Cheese
1 cup Orzo
1/2 lb green beans, cut into 1" pieces
Lemon

Peheat oven to 475 degrees.

Saute oil and garlic until for 2 minutes, cut cherry tomatoes in half and add with oregano to pan. Cook until liquid is gone. Turn off heat toss in shrimp, transfer to baking pan. Bake until cheese is browned and bubbly. (About 10 minutes.)

While shrimp is baking, boil salted water. Add 1 cup orzo, after 4 minute add green beans. After 5 minutes drain and toss with lemon juice (1/2 a lemon), oil, salt, and pepper.

Meal #2: Panko Pork Chops
Ingredients
4 1/2" boneless center cut loin pork chops
Egg
2/3 cup of Panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
Peanut oil
Salt
Ground ginger
1/3 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoon dry sherry (cooking wine)
2 tablespoon soy sauce
Wasabi powder

Dip pork chops in egg wash, dredge in Panko. Heat peanut oil in non stick pan, and fry pork chops over medium high heat. Cook about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove pork chop. Combine remaining ingredients, add seasonings to taste. Bring sauce to a simmer in the same pan that you made the pork chops in. Serve sauce over pork chops, and you can serve this with rice and veggies. Sometimes I add bok choy or snow peas to sauce when it is simmering.

Meal #3: Middle Eastern Chicken Tenders with Couscous
1 can of Chick Peas, drained and rinsed
1/3 cup raisins
Oil (1 teaspoon)
1/2 cup couscous
Ground ginger
1 1/2 lbs of chicken tenders (trade hard tofu for chicken if you roll that way)

In a saucepan combine Chick Peas, raisins, oil, 1 cup of water, season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Stir in couscous. Turn off heat and cover. Heat oil in a pan, and toss chicken in ground ginger. Pan fry chicken in oil over medium heat 3-4 minutes per side. Fluff couscous with a folk. Serve with cucumer salad (seedless cucumer, fresh parsley, white wine vinegar and oil.)

All of these recipes use ingredients that are inexpensive and pretty healthy. On an average week I make at least 2 of these dishes. More recipes to come in future blogs!

2006-06-24T21:24:00.000-07:00

Pure Comedy

This blog is way overdue. So overdue, in fact, that I had to look back and make sure that I didn't write this already.

Farting. To me its pure comedy. I am a "laugher," and its easy to make me laugh, but when it comes to farting I crack up every single time. I laugh at fart stories, I laugh when others fart, I laugh when I fart, and I definitely laugh when Sweetpea farts. It cracks me up! I even laugh when I think about a farting incident that happened months ago. It never gets old. Case in point:

Last Christmas season, two of our favorite friends, Justine and Greg had their yearly tree trimming party. Its always a lovely get together and we were trimming the tree going through all of the pretty ornaments. We were all gathered around the tree, it was really normal and nice of all of us. Then one of their guests (the guilty shall remain nameless) says, "Shhhh everyone, did you hear that?" Then he farts. Loud. On Purpose. Of course I busted out laughing. And wasn't the only one. It was a great laugh. 15 minutes after the incident I turned to Janina and said, "I am still laughing about the fart." It was true. I was still laughing on the inside. In fact, I am still laughing about it 6 months later.

Farting is funny for a number of reasons. First off it makes a noise. Noises are funny. And fart noises are usually a surprise. Second, they stink. Now maybe the stink is a reason why farts may not be funny at all, but its quite the opposite. The gross stink creates a reaction that is funny. People make faces. People leave the room. People sometimes even get mad. Third, people "jazz" up there farts is various ways that makes the noise and the stink even funnier. Some people put a little leg lift into it. Some people do a fart fist punch or a fart crank. Some people throw up some finger guns. And of course there is the classic, "Pull my finger." And the main reason why farting is funny is because it's taboo. We aren't supposed to fart in front of people. So its either an accident or its an intentional dirty act. Either way it makes me laugh.

Fart stories are awesome. Many of you have shared your own stories with me, and you know how much they make me laugh. You can even re-tell a story to me that I have heard multiple times before and I will still crack up. For example, the following story has been told over and over again for the past 4 years, it never gets old. I believe Myfanwi told this story originally:

While on a crowded subway, a stink moved throughout the car. A poised gay man sat next to a large woman, and gave her the eye like she was guilty of dropping the bomb. The woman promptly turned to him and said, "You better don't! I saw you lean!"

Its a classic story that never gets old. "You better don't!" How freaking great is that!?

Here's the interactive part about this blog. Since we can all use more laugher in our lives I would like you all to post below with your own fart stories. You could be the farter, or you could have witnessed the fart, either way its funny, so post it! I know you all have stories, and I am sure I have heard some of them already, but even if they are repeats I will still laugh. Pass this along to friends and have them post their fart tales.

Farting = Pure Comedy

2006-06-23T21:16:00.000-07:00

Personal Hell

I am not a very religious person. I have my beliefs, and such, but in general I am not the type of person that goes around referencing my religion. One of the things that do acknowledge is my belief in a "heaven" and a "hell." And in my daily routine I look at certain situations and I think, "If I am a good person this will be my heaven." or "If I am a miserable person this will be my hell."

Today I experienced one of my own personal "hells": Costco in Brooklyn. If I am a miserable nasty bitch I will spend eternity in the Costco on 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn. I will spend my afterlife dealing with rude ass people who NEED to bring their entire extended families to Costco. I will have to be in the presence of people who are buying gallons of grape juice, tube socks, folding chairs, and mega jars of peanut butter fighting over a pizza bagel sample while ramming into me with their overpacked carts. Now don't get me wrong, I realize that Costco has a purpose, but the one in Brooklyn needs to go.

If you dare to go there on a weekend you will drive around looking for a spot, and eventually have to settle for the "overflow" lot where you will have the pleasure of parking next to their "shopping cart graveyard" and walking by a gross strip club before you have to walk around the entire warehouse to the front entrance. Then you will have to fight for a shopping cart. You literally have to stalk someone for their shopping cart, wait until they are finished unloading and fight off other people for your god damn shopping cart! Once inside you have to witness the gluttony that is the American pasttime. People buying processed food, junk food, large screen televisions, and 4 of everything they need and don't need. Looking at people's carts is enough to make a person never want to eat again. And then there are the children. People bring all of their kids with them to Costco. All of them. They let these rugrats push the shopping carts, they let them run wild. Who told them that Costco is a playground? Who????? Leave the village at home people! Leave them at home!

Now I do feel that there are some good deals to be had. I buy the following at Costco: Advil, Tampons, Ziploc bags, and Dishwasher Tablets. If we are entertaining I may go there to pick up a few things. And I might buy one of the big things of laundry detergent if I have the room for it. In my opinion most of the things they sell there are ridiculous. You can buy 5 things of dental floss. I am sure it is a "good deal" but how long would it take to use that much floss? Its madness.

For the record I do not pay for my own membership at Costco. My Mother supplies me with her additional card. My Mom still insists on going there, even though it is only her and my Dad at home. She buys the mega bag of baby spinach, and then she tries to pawn it off on me. I appreciate the free spinach, but I have no idea why she buys it.

So yes, if I continue to yell at people in my head to get off of the elevator faster, my personal hell would be to spend eternity in Costco on 3rd Ave. God help me.

2006-06-22T16:48:00.000-07:00

The Dreaded

You know how I feel about food. I eat food. I talk about food. I cook food. I blog food. I heart food. Not in an obsessive way. In a loving way. I appreciate food. Its a source of much happiness.

I am here today to blog about the most dreaded part about food. It makes me unhealthy. Due to this side effect, I must "diet." Not to get skinny (although being "less fat," since I will never be skinny, is a nice bonus). But to stay healthy. Genetics dealt me a raw hand when it comes to the chemistry inside of me. Heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure. It sucks my butt. (and makes it big.)

So here I am, on day 4 of my "new leaf." (Leaf = lifestyle and lettuce.) I am not on a particular diet, and I am not torturing myself, aka starvation. But I am taking into count everything I put in my mouth. I write it all down to keep me honest. Its not an easy task. I am also making better choices, trying to cook more at home, and I am skipping the afternoon sweet/salty cravings. And GODDAMN its hard.

Food is just so much fun. Fun=Food. Food=Fun.

My ties to food and happiness run deep. Recently while hanging out with my 1st nanny, Joyce and her baby, I notice Joyce giving the baby a cookie when she was crying. I said to Joyce, "Did you do that to me? Cause I am having issues now." Yes. Cookies stop me from crying. Maybe not actual tears, but figuritive tears. Ask anyone who has delayed me eating about "Hungry Alaina" and they will confirm what a bitch I am when hungry. Derek is a pro at this. As Derek says, "I give you something to eat, and watch the transformation." That funny thin husband of mine, who I love. My Dad is guilty of planting my love of food in me at a young age. When I was a little girl my Dad worked nights bartending. He used to pick me and my brother up from school. Everyday, and I mean EVERYDAY, I got a chocolate on a stick and my brother got a Matchbox car. And guess what? My skinny brother LOVES cars and I love chocolate. Nice.

Now I would rather be how I am, then be one of yous people who are afraid of food. You know who you are! You look at it. You smell it. You touch it with your dirty fingers. You might even eat it. But after you do, you sit there and worry about what that cookie is going to do to your delicate figure. You freak out about a little indulgence here and there. Life is too short.

Oh well. Such is life. As Derek says, "you don't get dealt all of the cards." I have a kick ass husband, a cool dog, my family rocks, I have a good job, a nice apartment, and the best friends a girl can ask for. Sometimes I think life is too good, and that there is "boogie man" around the corner waiting to ruin it all. Then I remember, "oh yeah----- still fat." All is right in the world.

Restaurant week is coming up (7/10-7/14 & 7/17-7/21)...... Who wants to get happy with me???

(This weekend Jana & Vinny's BBQ is going to be a source of happiness. I am making california rolls! They are the only people who I can honestly say out do Derek and I in the food department when it comes to hosting a party. Outstanding.)

2006-06-18T17:50:00.000-07:00

Almost the Coolest Thing!

As Derek and I were driving home from our weekend in the Catskills, we noticed a mini-van with the vanity plate, "BROOKLYN." We were blown away. I mean of all of the cars, on all of the highways, we happen to be driving behind the car that was able to secure "BROOKLYN" for a vanity plate. How freaking cool is that.

We folllowed the mini-van for a decent amount of time. The entire time we were totally impressed by the "BROOKLYN" license plate. And you know that Derek, the unofficial King of Brooklyn, was even a bit jealous.

Then the other shoe dropped. As we went to pass the mini-van I noticed the license plate was actually, "BRODKLYN." The "D" totally looked like an "O" from 20 feet away. The mini-van gets kudos for a clever solution. But it totally wasn't as cool as "BROOKLYN" would have been.

(This weekend has been filled with interesting vanity plates. We met a guy names Big Paulie, who had "BIGPAULIE" for a license plate on his white towncar, with blue roof.)

2006-06-16T18:02:00.000-07:00

My Favorite Work Perk!

For the last 9 years of working in advertising, specifically media planning, I have enjoyed many "work perks." The typical perks are: sporting event tickets (hence my awesome Father's Day gift), spa treatments, t-shirts, desk crap (Coach business card holder, various picture frames, Tiffany paperweight), books, keychains, pens, open bar parties, theater tickets, cooking classes, wine tastings, knitting classes, movie tickets, special screenings, DVDs, CDs, digital photoframes, BBQ/grilling sets, picnic baskets, fruit baskets, wine, vodka, etc. etc. etc. These perks get more and more ridiculous the longer you are in the business. My bosses are going on a golfing trip to Utah or Idaho or someplace like that. But with all of these "bonuses" my favorite work perk is the "rep lunch" or "rep dinner." Yes I am a lucky girl indeed. (see footnote.)

A "rep lunch" or "rep dinner" is a business meal that you go on with a salesperson at a particular media company. You dine at the restaurant of your choice usually and its all expenses paid. The only real difference between a lunch and a dinner is that you are probably drinking booze at dinner time, unless you are a hardcore old school advertising executive who needs to get slammed at noon. You usually indulge in three courses, and on average you go to about one a week. Here are some of the dirty details about my experiences at rep lunches/dinners:

Conversations
You talk business for about 2 minutes, or you skip it all together. Which is preferred. Conversation at rep lunches actually crack me up, not because they are funny, but because they always revolve around the same questions: (in this order, to everyone at the lunch)
1. How long have you been working at X? (5 minutes)
2. Where do you live? (15-45 minutes depending on whether or not you live in the same place as the rep)
3. Are you married/attached? (5-20 minutes depending on whether or not you have an interesting story about how you met you significant other)
3a. Are you engaged? (30 minutes, wedding planning talk can take a while)
3b. Are you married with kids? (15 minutes, unless you have twins, then its 60 minutes)
4. Any vacation plans? (10 minutes for winter plans, 15 minutes for summer plans)
5. Gossip about common people known in the business (4-25 minutes depending on the gossip, 30minutes+ for husbands leaving wives for other men stories)
6. Anyone watching American Idol? (Unfortunately this conversation can last 2 minutes or 45 minutes and usually ends the lunch)
7. And as we are leaving the restaurant you do the 2 minute business brief.... if you remember.
Something to note about rep lunches, I can answer and have a full discussion about all of my co-workers answers. We all repeat the same facts over and over again to different sales people. Sometimes they have a look in their eye that says, "Oh God, I am so sorry you have to hear this story again." But its all good, its part of the deal. I heard of one team that used to make crazy lies about each other. The rep would ask, "So any plans for the summer?" And someone would say, "No plans for me, but Bob here is going to climb Mt. Everest barefoot. He is really into adventure and being barefoot. Tell him about it Bob."

Ordering Rules
It is business for goodness sake, so you can't just go to town on the menu. There are many variables/rules to ordering, for example:

* If you are giving the publication business feel free to order the most expensive thing on the menu. No current business, no lobster.
* If everyone who has ordered before you doesn't order and appetizer, you don't order an appetizer. (Usually everyone orders an appetizer.)
* Let the rep decide on whether or not the table should order sides in addition to meals, and let them decide whether or not to double the order.
* If your boss doesn't want dessert, then there is no dessert.
Women order first. (This should apply to all meals, not just business ones.)
* When ordering family style let the sales rep or boss make most of the decisions.
* Sales reps always order the house salad for appetizer and 7 times out of 10 they get fish for a main course, oh and female reps never eat the bread. never.
* Alcohol ordering should be reserved to wine with dinner, unless its a "celebratory" lunch or dinner, in that case party on.

Pick the Place
Since it is usually up to us to pick the restaurant its good to know your co-workers likes and dislikes. And I am not just talking about food tastes. You got to know how far your co-workers want to go, how long they can spend there, if they are sick of the place, etc. For me I am not picky, and I love love love to use the rep lunch to get to places that I have not been. I like to go to other neighborhoods if time allows. And I really like to go for sushi. Its my personal favorite rep lunch. I believe my adventurous outlook on sushi is born out of my opportunity to pick and try things on someone else's dime. Its the perk of the perk. Here is a short list some of my favorite rep lunch spots:
* Koi, The Bryant Park Hotel - I love any place where I can order sushi, but others don't have to. They have this outrageous spicy tuna appetizer over krisy rice. Amazing
* Tropica, Grand Central - Fast service, diverse menu that has sushi on it
* Salute, 40th/Madison - Its right across the street from the office, enough said
* Chemist Club, 41st/Madison - Its around the corner from the office and its a quiet space
* DB Bistro Moderne, City Club Hotel - Yes there is a $35 burger, and yes it is worth it
* Asia de Cuba, 37th/Madison - Wonderful fusion place, only good to go to with non-picky coworkers since its family style
* Bryant Park Grill, 40th/5th - Lovely place for outside dining
* Michael Jordan's Steakhouse, Grand Central - Pass the sides please!

In general we tend not to wander to far from the office. That way the most time can be spent eating the food. Yummo.

I am definitely a lucky girl. I wouldn't go as far as to say its the best part of my job. But as mentioned, it is my favorite work perk. (and very helpful to my food blogs.)

Note: Yes I have lots of perks. And I am VERY grateful. But I also work 60 hours a week, work on excel documents all day, get abused by clients, and harassed by sales people for PESOS. So yes, I do feel I deserve it all.

2006-06-15T17:45:00.000-07:00

A Pause for Patriotism

There are some things I hardly ever do... I don't ever watch the news and I don't usually focus on the good about patriotism. This blog is related to both.

Two nights ago while on one of the torture machines at New York Sports Club, I was passing the time by watching the news. (Turns out I already saw the episode of "Everyone Loves Raymond" about 24 times, so I opted for the road less traveled, the nightly news.) In between the disgusting banter and the rest of the garbage was a story about the U.S.S. New York.

The U.S.S. New York is a warship built with iron from World Trade Center Tower Two. It is currently docked in New Orleans for construction and repairs (damage from Katrina.) The news story was about the people who remained in New Orleans to stay working on the U.S.S. New York. For the most part these workers lost their own homes during the Katrina disaster and are now separated from their families who were forced to leave New Orleans. The workers noted that they stayed working on the U.S.S. New York because of the sense of "importance" the warship has due to the connection to the World Trade Center tragedy and to the people of New York City. Us.

These workers are now living and working in "Kamp Katrina," a makeshift bunker camp. They are hundreds of miles from their families. They are left with no homes. They experienced a tragedy themselves, but their focus is on September 11th, and the tragedy at the World Trade Center. They are rebuilding the U.S.S. New York for us, New Yorkers and for us, Americans.

The people of New Orleans have for been treated like second class citizens by our government. The mishandling and lack of compassion our government had for the people of New Orleans in the wake of Katrina was shameful. Now these same people are being portrayed in the press as thieves that "milked" the system and committed fraud to gain more than their share of the FEMA relief pie. (That happened to be the lead story on the news that night.)

I would like to remember the U.S.S. New York workers in New Orleans that are sacrificing their lives to rebuild a warship that is connected to the September 11th tragedy. They aren't thinking of their own tragedy. They aren't thinking of their own lost. They are tending to a symbol of what our Nation lost. For that they are Patriots and I am very grateful to them.

For more information and history on the U.S.S. New York check out this BBC article.

2006-06-09T17:54:00.000-07:00

If I said it once, I have said it 100 times: I can high brow food and I can low brow food. For instance, I can go to some of the best restaurants in NYC, (I have been fortunate enough to go to 5 of the top 8 rated restaurants for food, according to Zagat 2006.) I can also write endless blogs about hot dogs. I heart hot dogs. So this blog here is dedicated to one of my favorite categories of low brow foods, Boardwalk Food.

This past weekend I was lucky enough to be invited down to the beach by Kate. Fenwick Island is in Delware and it border Ocean City Maryland, which is a top beach destination. Ocean City has a fun (and long) boardwalk. And the easiest way to describe it to my fellow New Yorkers is that its a cleaner, nicer, less tacky version of the Jersey Shore and its a more down to earth beach community than Montauk or (gag) the Hamptons.

With Kate as my guide I was able to enjoy some of the best Boardwalk Food I have ever had. (Now nothing beats a Nathan's Hot Dog at Coney Island, so I didn't go there with the hot dogs.)

First stop was for a crabcake sandwich and a birch beer at Dough Roller's right in the middle of the boardwalk. This crabcake sandwich was outstanding. No silly fillers, just the right bun, and so good who needed tarter sauce. The quality of the crabcake is no surprise, I mean this is Maryland for goodness sake. Others that I dined with had the soft shell crab sandwich and pina colodas. As good as my sandwich was, I must return for the soft shell crab sandwich. I must.

Next snack was the best popcorn that I ever had in my life. Courtesy of Fisher's Popcorn. Now if you have never had warm caramel popcorn or warm white chedder popcorn, then you have never had good popcorn. This caramel popcorn was such a treat warm, it was seriously outstanding.

After wining various stuffed animals (I got a Carebear) my eye caught a glance of something called a Rosseta Waffle. Its a crunchy thin layered waffle that they put powdered sugar on. The best part is that I was standing down wind, and everytime someone took a bite I got their powdered sugar all over me.

While I was waiting for my airbrushed t-shirt to be done (I got Alaina with cherries.) Kate introduced me to what I have to say were the best french fries I have ever had. And I have had alot of french fries, so you know I mean business when I say this. Trashers Fries did boardwalk fries to the extreme. What are boardwalk fries you may ask? Well check out this definiation and brief history about boardwalk fries and Trashers (courtesy of QuickSeek.com):

Boardwalk fries, are brine soaked fresh-cut potatoes, that are quickly deep-fried in peanut oil, served in paper buckets, sprinkled lightly with salt and malt vinegar. You will never find ketchup available at any authentic fry stands. Perhaps one of the most famous vendors of boardwalk fries is Trashers' French Fries of Ocean City, Maryland, founded in 1929 by J.T. Trasher. The term "Boardwalk Fries" was registered as a trademark by a franchising company in 1982. The company was formed in 1980, after the founders visited Ocean City (and presumably Trashers).

Now I am a huge ketchup fan. Its my favorite condiment. So for me to eat fries with malt vinegar on them would be unheard of (ask Derek about how I usually turn up my nose.) But these fries were out of this world. Take me back to Trashers anytime. I am there.

Upon returning to Fenwick Island the wonderful ladies I was with wanted to stop into an ice cream shop recommended to us by Kate's Mom. I believe the name was something like Hula Hut or something Tiki like that. Since I have been curse with a lactose issue, I was unable to participate, but from what I gathered and since we went back there the next day, the ice cream was outstanding. With flavors such as Wedding Cake and Blueberry Cheesecake you know it has to be good.

It was a great day in Boardwalk Food. And believe it or not we were all down for a seafood buffet dinner that night. We went to Philip's Seafood, and while there we went to town! Kate taught Kristen, Sarah, and I how to eat crabs the proper Maryland way. Kate is a crab genius. And I really appreciate the authentic schooling she provided. I became quite good at eating crabs, in part from the wonderful teaching and in part from my natural ability to eat. I also had "hush puppies" for the first time. Kate told me to dip them in butter. Holy shit, was that good.

It was the perfect Maryland dining experience to end a wonderful day (even though it rained on us) on the boardwalk.

hushpuppy; hush puppy
This Southern specialty is a small cornmeal DUMPLING, flavored with chopped scallions, deep-fried and served hot. Hushpuppies are a traditional accompaniment for fried catfish. Their name is said to have come from the fact that, to keep hungry dogs from begging for food while the rest of the dinner was being prepared, cooks used to toss scraps of the fried batter to the pets with the admonition, "Hush, puppy!"

2006-06-07T17:56:00.000-07:00

When I started writing this blog I realized that "Life in New York" will need multiple "Parts." I couldn't possibly write everything about life in New York in one blog. I would definitely lose my job for goofing off if I attempted that. So like my "food education" blogs, this one will have multiple parts.

Part 1 will be devoted to that taboo subject of money. Normally I wouldn't "talk" about such things so openly, but in its relationship to New York life I think its an appropriate subject.

I have said this time and time again: Living in New York City you never get ahead. You strive to break even. Its a big deal if you can manage to save a little money here and there. Maybe $100 a month, maybe $200 month... but the savings doesn't really matter... because you know what happens as soon as you have something saved for a "rainy day?" Your car gets towed. You break your leg and don't have medical insurance. You find out that you roommate is kicking you out and you have to move. You lose your wallet that contains the cash version of your weekly paycheck. ETC. ETC. ETC. The bottomline is that we are all going paycheck to paycheck. Every month the 15th and the 1st can't come fast enough. (And can I get an AMEN for the times the 15th and the 1st fall on a Sunday and for the entire month of February?)

One of the reasons why we are all screwed and living paycheck to paycheck is due to the cost of living in New York. I know someone is going to say, "well you make more money in New York." And you know what I say to that, "Bullshit." Whatever money I may make more than my fellow man living in Nebraska, the cost of living is not comparable. For example a 1st yr teacher in Nebraska makes $26,000 and has a two bedroom that she pays $900 per month for. A 1st yr teacher in New York City makes $34,000 and her two bedroom (in a shitty neighborhood) costs $1600 per month. If we really make enough money to cover the cost of living that teacher would make $46,000 or she would only pay $1170 in rent. No matter how you look at it, I don't want to hear "well you make more money in New York" ever again. The cost of living in New York is crazy, and I am sure I can write another blog about the reasons why I think the cost of living is so ridiculous, but that is for another time.

Beyond the cost of living that is associated with the basics (shelter, food, etc) there is the exterior crap that we all get bogged down in. There's the entertainment factors. Movies cost $10.50 a ticket, and there is no half price the first show in Manhattan. Your friend from Nebraska visits and they want to go to the trendy spot where the drinks are $15. You are invited to 3 weddings in the next two months, and in New York we give cold hard cash. You stay out too late and don't want to ride the train so you take a taxi. You girlfriends want to brunch, every weekend. You pay for a gym membership because you don't have the room in your studio apartment for weights and treadmill. There's a sample sale and you get caught up in the frenzy. You have to rent a weekend house for the winter to snowboard. The list is endless. Sure they all don't apply to everyone, but they are New York specific problems. And they suck. I always say that if I lived in Kauai I would get rid of the fancy handbags and shoes. I would have one wardrobe, a MuMu.... because I don't have to get dressed up to scoop ice cream all day.

I definitely get caught up in the bullshit. I must try this restaurant. I must buy these shoes. I must, I must, I must. But at the end of the day people in other places are doing the same types of things, but they don't live on the edge! New York pushes us all to the edge. No matter what your job, no matter how much you make, we all have worries.

(Now I am sure there are rich people in New York, who can spend spend spend, but I don't know anyone like, that so their lives don't matter.)

I love this town. And for now I can't picture myself any place else. I like my lifestyle. I am also very fortunate to have a good job and get payed a decent salary. But something has got to give in this city. How much more can I person be asked to pay for a 600 sq foot apartment? How much more can I pay when the car gets towed?

For now I will just look forward to the 15th... 8 days and counting.

Who wants to go to brunch on Sunday, I heard of this new spot and I will get to wear the trendy new sandals I just got!.........wink.

2006-05-30T17:57:00.000-07:00

Beer Garden Blog!

About 2 years ago I was introduced to the Astoria Beer Garden, and life has been better because of it. I had heard alot about the Beer Garden. People said that I would love it. And the People we right. I do love the Beer Garden. I love the Beer Garden alot.

There are a number of tangible things about the Beer Garden that are factors in falling in love with it. The beer is good, plentiful, and cheap. The food is good, plentiful, and cheap. Being outside, the drinking games, board games, smoking cigarettes, etc. But the main thing is that there is something about the Beer Garden vibe. There is something to be said about the feeling in the air when everyone is having a good time. Everyone. No bad attitudes, no drama, no prerequisites. All different types of people, all having fun. Or as Greg said Friday night, "All people with a common goal."

Everytime we go there we have a great time. Everytime we are with different people, although I think Danny has been a consistant presence, and we always have a blast. I say it multiple times each time we are there, but its like a BBQ with all of your friends, and you don't have to clean up after anyone.

Since I love the Beer Garden so much, I would like to invite everyone I know to join us on July 21st at 8PM. No special occassion, no requirements, or RSVP necessary. Just show up. If you have been there before, you will be back. And if you haven't made it out yet, even more reason to come out!

2006-05-16T17:21:00.000-07:00

Inspired by the Japanese market across the street from my office, I purchased all of the equipment and made sushi (maki) of my very own! Of course I was so impressed with myself, I took pictures:

California Rolls on the top, Spicy Tuna on the bottom:

Artful Shot:

Happy sushi maker:

Now it took me about 45 minutes to make 7 rolls, so don't expect a sushi party any time soon, but we will get there eventually.

2006-05-06T17:18:00.000-07:00

A History Of Gambling, My Perspective

I thought that everyone gambled.

I used to think that every family bet the ponies. I thought this for a long time. I thought that everyone had family picnics at Belmont Racetrack. I thought everyone's family got together once a month to play poker until 4AM. I thought that everyone's Grandmother fell asleep at the baccarrat table. I even thought that everyone's Godmother sat at a slot machine for 18 hours straight.

Leisurely, and not so leisurely, gambling runs on both sides of my family. And for those that know me, the sides of my family couldn't be more different. My Mom's side, affluent Catholic Filipinos. My Father's side working class, 1/2 Russian Jew, 1/2 Catholic Italians. All of them gamble. Even beyond my blood family, the people I grew up with, all gamblers. Now, no one gambled away their kids toys and missed rent, everyone was/is reasonably responsible. But while other families saved their pennies for vacations and fancy cars, my family likes to enjoy themselves at the track, at the casino, and at the neighborhood poker game. I wouldn't trade a single one of them for a more "financially responsible" person. In fact there is something about the whole business that makes me proud.

My Grandfather on my Father's side, Grandpa Joe, was a fan of the horses. He passed this on to my Dad and my Uncle Alan. My Grandmother on my Father's side also bet the horses, and she played alot of cards. Oh, and don't forget about their love of "their numbers." You know the lottery can be considered the "poor man's tax" and the Paciulli's have paid more than their share. My Uncle Alan, who passed away about a year ago, spent every Saturday at the track and after he retired he spent most of his free time at the local video store playing Quick Draw. He never married, never had kids. At first glance you may think that he lived a less than full life... But I think he lived a fuller life than most people because he lived his life on his own terms. He did his thing. He made good friends doing it. My parents have his ashes in an Urn with a Iron Horse on it. I think he would love that. Growing up my Dad use to take Keith and I to breakfast on Sunday. Lucky enough the diner was right night to the OTB. I was told to wait outside with Keith and hold his hand while my Dad went inside. My Dad didn't want us exposed to "that element." Like waiting outside the OTB on Queens Blvd in December wasn't "exposing us to that element." We never had to wait long, and we got hot chocolate afterwards. That was awesome.

My Mother's side may not be at the track, but they are definitely at the casino. My Lola would sit there knitting while playing baccarrat. Sometimes she would fall asleep at the table, they would just deal her back in when she woke up. And forget about the hours of Mahjong they would all play. Hours, upon hours, upon hours. I can hear the clicking of the tiles as they all reached in and mixed them up. My Titas and Titos still play mahjong and go to the casino, but no one can replace my Lola sitting their knitting and betting thousands of pesos.

And like I said earlier, all of the people that I grew up around had similar fancies. They ran football betting tickets. (I thought everyone was concerned with "the spread.") They sat for hours at shot machines. We had family picnics at the track, vacations at Atlantic City, and poker nights until 4AM.

If I look at my own generation now, the passion for gambling is still going strong. My brother is a VIP host at Harrah's Casino in Chicago. He likes his numbers and does ok with the scratch tickets. Derek enjoys a weekly poker game. And I just sent Derek with $40 to OTB to place my Kentucky Derby bet. (My brother and I both called my Dad within 20 minutes of each other to ask for betting advice.) Every year at XMAS we trade Lottery Scratch offs and sit around the tree with lucky pennies. We even have made our own friends that own racing horses and work at Belmont. And let's not forget about our yearly visit to Las Vegas.

Now I know that everyone doesn't gamble. But I doubt we are alone. When my Uncle Alan died my Dad had decided to keep his ashes, but take a little bit of his remains and sprinkle them at Belmont Park. As my Dad was talking to the funeral director my Dad mentioned taking some to spread somewhere. The director said, "yeah, alot of people do that. The two places that people usually spread the ashes are in the ocean and at the TRACK." Swear to god, my Dad didn't mention a word about the track. Think about that the next time you take a deep breath at Belmont. (Maybe they should incorporate that into their ads, "..2 destination for spreading ashes.")

Some people would take their family's history of gambling as a bad thing. Not me. I like that my family isn't vanilla. Who wants a boring white bread "no risk" family? Not me. The best part is that even though my family likes to gamble, no one ever really wins. We kinda break even. I guess we are lucky enough in love, family, and friends to win the big one. But that doesn't mean we are going to stop trying.

(Wish me luck, I got a $10 exacta box on Brother Derek and AP Warrior, plus $20 on AP Warrior to win. How can I not??)

2006-05-04T17:17:00.000-07:00

Goddamn Pumas!

So I twisted my ankle today walking back to my desk!!! For those of you who know me, you know that I chronically twist my ankle. The last time I twisted it I also fell down the steps, the result of which landed me in physical therapy for 3 months. That was a year ago.

The issue with me twisting my ankle is that I seem to do it for "no reason." Like today I was just walking back to my desk. The time I fell down the steps there wasn't anything to trip on, I just fell. (I was a little tipsy, but still!) The 5+ times before that, there didn't seem to be a reason either!

And before today I couldn't think of any particular factor linking the incidents... and then I noticed the shoes I was wearing today.... my pink PUMAS. It then dawned on me that 6 of 7 times I have fallen I have been wearing PUMAS... mostly the red Pumas that I have, but PUMAS none the less. Can you believe that?! Maybe it seems stupid that this hasn't dawned on me before, but why would I think that a pair of casual sneakers would be my undoing???

Here I am afraid of high heels, when my PUMAS are trying to kill me!

I am throwing out my red Pumas and my pink Pumas. And I am never buying Pumas again.

Up with ADIDAS and VANS!

2006-05-01T17:16:00.000-07:00

Bamontes.

(My dining experience at Bamonte's was so damn good that it deserves a blog all to itself. That is proof of some impressive eating.)

Friday I was smart enough to think about the upcoming weekend and realize we had no Saturday night plans. So I called up Bamonte's in Williamsburg and made a reservation for 8:30. I had heard great things about this restaurant, and I read even greater things:

""After 100 years, this Williamsburg "throwback" is still "keeping it real" with "no-nonsense" "red sauce Italian" and "local color" "so classic it's nearly a cliche."" -2006 New York City Restaurant Zagats

I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. I just knew it!

The minute we opened the front door we were greeted with a friendly hello from the bartender. He is reason enough to go back there. He was super friendly, and made perfect bartender conversation. He was like the Irish version of my Dad. And for those of you that know my Italian/Jewish Bartender Pop, Harvey Paciulli, you know that is a great thing. He talked about partying after hours in the 70s/80s, he made small talk about sports and FDNY, and he made reference to his daughters and son. It was a wonderful beginning to a great meal.

So after I enjoyed my house Chianti (always drink the house wine in an establishment like Bamonte's, wine snobbery will ruin the feel of the place) we were seated by a very nice hostess. I was instantly impressed with the decor. It was like my Grandma Jean's living room (my Grandpa Joe's mistress/girlfriend). I expected there to be a music box for me to play with while I waited on seven layer lasagna. The walls we rose pink, there were chandeliers and baroque style paintings, and we were warmed by the glow of dessert display unit. When I sat down I declared that I loved this place, even before cracking the menu.

Looking around the restaurant there was a nice mix of people. There were hipsters (who I am pleased to see are finally enjoying some good Italian food, I am sure they would impress their friends back home in Iowa.). There were Italian-American families with their Gotti kids look alikes. There were yuppies on date night. And couples in their 70s enjoying their bi-weekly visit. You know me, I enjoy diversity - it makes the world a better place, and it made this restaurant REAL.

Now the menu was one of the best traditional italian cuisine menus I have even seen. On top of the usual baked pastas and veal dishes, there was a wide variety of fish and italian specialities like Osso Bucco. And they had a specials section that had about 15 different choices. Very impressive. We ordered appetizers to share, Fried Calamari and Grilled Portobello Mushrooms and I ordered the lasagna. (I just couldn't get my Grandma Jean out of my head. Plus lasagna is a great way to judge an Italian restaurant. You get to sample their pasta, which is homemade, their sauce, and their meat.)

Our waiter was gruff, but attentive, and we didn't wait very long for our food. The mushrooms were so garlicy I swear I was tasting them until around 4:30 yesterday. The calamari was done just right. And my lasagna was out of this world. It was baked perfectly. No runny cheese, no watery sauce. There were little tasty meatballs through out and pasta was out of this world. It was easiely the best lasagna I ever had. EVER. (Sorry Grandma Jean.)

We ordered coffee and a little dessert, a Cannoli. And I am about to make a very very bold statement. But this was the BEST canoli I have ever tasted. I know cannolis. I have been eating cannolis my whole life. This was the best cannoli. The shells was thick and crunchy. Totally fresh. The filling was incredible. It was perfectly sweet and creamy. It was the best cannoli.

To top off the night, the check was reasonable, $35 per person and we were not rushed out of the restaurant. We sat and enjoyed just being there and meal we just had. And upon leaving every staff member smile sincerly and asked us to have a good night and come again. This restaurant was perfect.

I highly recommend checking it out. Make reservations, get there early and have a glass of wine at the bar, share appetizers, and order the cannoli.

Bamonte's, 32 Withers Street, betw Lorimer & Union Avenues. 718-384-8831

2006-04-24T17:15:00.000-07:00

Sunday DRINKING!

In my "things I love" blog the number one thing was Sunday Drinking. Not that the list was in any particular order, but I must admit, Sunday Drinking did come to my mind first.

Sunday drinking is so much fun, that if I look at my life and how it will probably change over the years, I think that I will always maintain some level of Sunday drinking. You all know me, and you all know I am not a very big drinker, so its not like I am looking for an excuse to booze it up. I just really like Sunday drinking.

The most important factor in enjoying Sunday drinking is Monday Anxiety. I don't know if you suffer from Monday anxiety like I do. But I literally am anxious Sunday night about the start of the work week. I used to think that I drank too much coffee on Sundays, or ate food that was too rich. But the reality is that Sunday nights suck. I am all nervous about the week ahead. Why? I have no clue. Maybe the thought of work makes me anxious. Maybe its the end of the weekend blues. Maybe I did have too much coffee. Whatever the reason for my Monday anxiety, I got it bad. Ask Derek. I toss and turn. I can't sleep. I think about horrible things. I wake up in cold sweats. I have bad dreams. Its terrible. Sunday drinking puts an end to Monday anxiety. Simple as that.

Sunday drinking is also great because I have all of this energy to do it. Usually I get to sleep in on Sunday, leisurely wake up and start my day. I get to the bar around 4ish and leave around 9. Which means I am not too tired or cranky. I can enjoy a pretty long run of drinking, without worrying about getting home too late. On Fridays I am usually too tired to stay out after a day of working and on Saturdays we start way too late, 10PM . Maybe we should all start drinking earlier in the day on Saturday. Drinking earlier might be a wonderful Sunday drinking learning that we can apply to other days.

There is also something about getting dinner delivered to you at the bar during the Sunday drinking. Around 7 or so, we call up for local food delivery of pizza, hamburgers, tacos, or other various bad for you food, and enjoy a fun dinner at the bar with friends. No stress. Good times. And we all know that being tipsy makes the food taste that much better.

Getting older to me means a getting annoyed easily by crowded bars. On Sunday this is hardly a worry. The bars that we have gone to are comfortably crowded. Which means everyone gets a seat, and no one is in bad mood from getting pushed around. Of course if the joys of Sunday night drinking are known to the general public this postive attribute of Sunday drinking is jeopardized. Hopefully the general public is too busy with church and regretting their Saturday nights to come out on Sunday.

Generally, you can enjoy the above Sunday drinking happenings at any bar you go to. But our Sunday drinking experiences as enhanced by the establishments that we frequent. Iona in Williamsburg is the number one Sunday drinking destination. First reason being that the bartender ROCKS. (Shot out to Mike, without Mike Sunday drinking wouldn't be as awesome.) Second the DJ is great. You get to sit and listen to reggae, while enjoying a Hoegarden. There is also the advantage of great food delivery nearby. There's Taco Chulo, Coney's, and Soma. You can even order some burgers from Soma and supplement the meal with Jalopeno Poppers from Coney's. Genius.

Our second Sunday drinking choice is Moonshine in Red Hook. Here at Moonshine we enjoy all of the usual Sunday drinking perks, with the added bonus of bring Sweetpea with us to party with her bulldog pals. The 3rd Sunday of every month we bring her to her bulldog meet up. She can play with her pals, while her parents meet new people, drink 1/2 price drinks, watch Pretty Woman on the TV, listen to county music, play Big Buck Hunter, order up some pizza, and eat dill favored potato chips. Its good times all around. (Shot out to Nick, the owner of Moonshine, who is a terrific host.)

Moving forward I believe we have a Plan B, if Mike is not working at Iona's and if its not a Bulldog meet up. (Which will occur this Sunday, 4/30, thanks to Janina and horseshow.) We have Magnetic Field. Magnetic Field is my favorite bar for every other day of the week, so why not Sunday!(Shot out to Lee, and their newest drink slinger Faye.) Magnetic Field will be the perfect Sunday drinking Plan B. Close to home, good delivery establishments nearby, and no meter parking on Atlantic Avenue on Sunday. I can see it now. Derek enjoying the IPA, me having some Fruit Punch (aka Rasberry Vodka and Cranberry Juice, shot out to Virginia and Maria for that introduction.) GOOD TIMES.

So to recap, nothing beats Sunday drinking. Its the best day in the week to throw back a couple of adult beverages. Its the best day to mellow out with friends and have good laughs. And it kills Monday anxiety dead. You all must join us in Sunday drinking. For those of you who already take advantage of Sunday drinking, testify here! Sing your praises. And for those of you who have yet to participate, you know what you are missing and you know where we will be this Sunday.

Now, ask me how it impacts Monday morning.... and that is a different blog all together!

2006-04-18T17:14:00.000-07:00

Things I Have Learned From Vegas

Over the past 6 years I have been to Vegas 6 times and after this last trip I have realized that Las Vegas has taught me alot. Here's some of the wisdom that Las Vegas has given me:

1. The bigger your drink the lower you moral standards. You know those big ass 3 feet drinks that people walk around with. Ya, good idea, let everyone know that you inhabitions will be gone in 20 minutes. (That goes for you folks drinking out of the plastic cowboys boots. You know who you are, FOR SHAME.)

2. In & Out Burger is wonderful. But 2X in two days is one time too much.

3. Getting away from the Vegas madness is a must! A day trip to Red Rock Canyon or the Hoover Dam is good for the soul and the liver.

4. Start with a good breakfast base of something healthy and wholesome. Stay away from corned beef hash, it is neither healthy or wholesome.

5. 3 night and 3 days is the perfect amount of time. Any less and you try to pack too much into the time you are there. Any more and you want to take a baseball bat to the Wheel of Fortune slot machine.

6. It takes at least an hour to get anywhere in Vegas. Don't believe you friend if they say they will be back in 10 minutes. They are lying. They will be back in 60 minutes. With all of the walking, crowds, elevators, and distractions there is no way they will be back in 10 minutes.

7. Pack light. Cause the baggage claim in Las Vegas is a bitch.

8. Rent a car. Cabs are mucho dinero, and they cabbies are chatty. You can rent a car for less than $30 a day. You won't have to worry about airport transportation and everyplace has free parking and valet.

9. Rent a convertible. Spend the extra $ to get a convertible, seeing the strip all lit up from a convertible is the best way to cruise the strip. F-walking it.

10. Raspberry flavor vodka and cranberry juice.

11. Bring your cell phone charger. Since you know your friend won't be back in 10 minutes, have them call you.

12. Do your own thing and wait for no one. Too many distractions to be waiting around for people to get their act together.

13. Local casinos are the best. Nicest people, no attitude, cheap tables.

14. Take an extra day off when you get home. Going right back to work is torture, spare yourself and take the extra day.

15. Fancy shoes are sexy. Sneakers are smart.

16. What happens in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas. Your friends won't let you forget so easy.

17. Taking naps are for wussies. Steamroll through the tough times.

So I think that is more wisdom than you would expect one would learn from Vegas. Good times!

2006-04-09T17:13:00.000-07:00

I Love the Following, as of Today

As of today, I love the following things... Tomorrow this can all change....
(in no particular order)

Sunday Drinking, it helps with Sunday night anxiety
Free Pizza, its pizza and its free, GENIUS
My husband, he deals with me and makes me laugh
Bangs, I like bangs, I am not ready to grow mine out
60 Degrees, you can wear whatever you like!
Greek Salad, feta and red onions yum
My brother, he cannot tell a lie
Wireless Internet, I can surf the web on the toilet
Documentaries, the only good for you reality TV
Excel, I am a media planning dork, I live and breathe excel
Blogs, great form of entertainment, who needs professionals?
America's Next Top Model, poor hungry bitches
My parents, they are just crazy enough
Bedroom alone time, that means I get to watch bad TV
Cancel TV Shows, including Firefly, Freaks & Geeks, and Roswell
Sweetpea, she makes me smile
Gossip, you know you love it too!
Mix CDs from friends, thanks Virginia & Sarah
Gay men, best wife sitters ever
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, its campy + Spike (punk rock Vampire)
Sushi, guilt-free gourmet
Flip Flops, good for my square feet
Skulls, they are the new Stars
Geena Davis, she's a tough cookie
Friends with Kids, inspirational
Kermit the Frog, he's a fucking funny frog
Fresh Direct, you can get TP, cupcakes, and beer delivered
Stoli Raspberry & Cranberry, thanks Maria and Virginia!
My gal pals, you know who you are... I love ya
Online banking, poop on checks & stamps
Barbeque, kill it and grill it
Goofing off at work, makes the day dealable
Farting, pure comedy
Cheese, its cheese, its good
The DVR, I watch the Golden Girls on my time
Kauai, paradise on earth
Engagement rings, my precious
Fancy Restaurants, I can work a menu
Dill Potato Chips, its a party in your mouth
Ghet-toes, my toe nails are tacky and cool
AIM, see goofing off

Since today is almost over, that's all I got for now!

2006-04-05T17:10:00.000-07:00

Best Of Food Blog!

It dawned on me today that I need to write a "Best of" food blog for New York according to me! Feel free to use for future reference, and if you disagree, feel free to post your own "best of." Note that there are Manhattan and Brooklyn categories for most:

Burgers:

Brooklyn: Relish, Williamsburg

Manhattan: Island Burger, Hells Kitchen

Fancy: DB Bistro, Midtown

Fast Food: In & Out, Vegas/Los Angeles/Phoenix

Pizza:

By the Slice: Driggs Pizza, Williamburg

Slightly Fancy: Pizza Grupo, Lower East Side

Fancy: Frannys, Prospest Heights

Sushi/Japanese:

Everyday: Yama, West Village

Fancy: Sushi Yasuda, Midtown East

Italian:

Manhattan: Johns, East Village

Queens: Parkside, Corona

Brooklyn: UPDATED 5/1: Bamonte's , Williamsburg, formerly: Noodle Pudding, Brooklyn Heights

Thai: Planet Thai, Williamsburg

Fusion:

Very Fancy: Nobu, Tribeca

Fancy: Le Colonial, Midtown West

Family Style: Asia de Cuba, Murray Hill

French:

Very Fancy: Bouley, Tribeca

Fancy: Chanterelle, Tribeca

Everyday: Chez Oscar, Fort Greene

Steakhouse: Peter Lugers, Williamburg

Chinese:

Brooklyn: Lai Yuen, Bay Ridge

Manhattan: Oriental Noodle Shop, Midtown East

Fancy: Chin Chin, Midtown East

Chinatown: WoHop

Mexican:

Brooklyn: Taco Chulo, Williamsburg

Manhattan: Los Dos Mulinos

Queens: Tequila Sunrise

Seafood:

Brooklyn: Lundy Brothers, Bensonhurst

Manhattan: Oyster Bar, Midtown East

Soul Food:

Brooklyn: Five Spot, Fort Greene

Manhattan: Old Devil Moon, East Village

Queens: London Lennies, Rego Park

Hot Dogs:

Brooklyn: Nathans, Coney Island

Manhattan: F&B, Chelsea

Greek: Spartan Souvaki, Bay Ridge

English: Chip Shop, Brooklyn Heights

American

Very Fancy: One If By Land, Two if By Sea, West Village

Fancy: Blue Ribbon, Park Slope

Everyday: Chat n Chew, Union Square

Junk Food:

Brooklyn: Coneys, Williamsburg

Manhattan: Earls, Midtown East

2006-03-28T17:11:00.000-08:00

Yet Another Food Blog

Of course I must blog about food. What else is there to blog about?

Last night Derek and I celebrated our 2-yr wedding anniversary and Derek let me pick any restaurant I wanted. So of course I referred to my modern day bible, the 2006 Zagat Survey, and I select Sushi Yasuda. Noted as the #1 Japanese restaurant in the NYC, yes they continue to beat out Nobu, I just had to highlight it in my Zagat. (I highlight all of the restaurants that I am lucky enough to go to, make notes, etc, and I transfer all of the information from year to year.) Derek made us a reservation, and I was looking fwd to dinner for like a month!

We arrive at the restaurant on 43rd, between 2-3Aves, and I am shocked by the decor. It was very simple, well lighted, and tiny. 20 tables at the most. From my past experience with going to highly noted restaurants they are usually over decorated, dark, and large. And I was surprised at the menu. It was simple, there were some special appetizers, and all of the sushi was bare bones. Which means that there weren't any "fancy" maki rolls that you see on so many menus. For a second I was disappointed, I thought that Zagat had led me wrong. How sad.

The waiter came over with the sushi ala carte sheet that the chef had highlighted with his recommendations for the night. This I like. I am far from a picky eater, and I think you do yourself a disservice when dining when you don't go with the chef's recommendation. So we selected the soft shell crab appetizer, edamane, 3 maki rolls (fatty tuna, eel, & trout), and 5 different kinds of sushi (2 pieces each of eel, red snapper, squid, tamago, & fluke.) Oh and we had a bottle of saki.

I have never had saki before, and I think I can definitely roll with some saki. We got a cold mild saki, and it was so good, it complimented everything we ordered. The soft shell crab was out of this world. Deep fried, with a dipping sauce to die for. The edamane was good. And the sushi and maki were all outstanding. There is something to be said about the quality of the food and the fact that it was not overdone at all. The fish spoke for itself. They didn't need avocado or tempura flakes, or whatever else is used to garnish sushi and maki.

To top it all off, the check was $99.86. Completely reasonable for what we ordered and the quality of the food.

I understand and completely agree with my beloved Zagat. Sushi Yasuda is the #1 Japanese restaurant I have ever been too. Better than Nobu and Bond St. They don't have to over decorate their restaurant or their food, the chef's quality selections can stand alone. The service was also attentive and knowledgable. Like my favorite steakhouse Peter Luger's, Sushi Yasuda is a one trick pony, and they do what they do the best.

So who wants to go with us next?

2006-03-26T17:12:00.000-08:00

Vegas To Do List

Now that Vegas is right around the corner we need to get more detailed in the plans... Let us know what you what to accompany us in, we need to figure out travel logistics....

Thursday (arrive 1:13)
1. Go directly to In and Out Burger for lunch from airport
2. Check in at Goldcoast
3. Get wristband
4. Check out vendors/do a little gambling
5. Dinner at Battista's Hole in the Wall (9PM)**
6. Go to Doubledown*

Friday
1. Breakfast at the Monterey Room
2. Leave for Hoover Dam (9:30 AM-2:30PM)*
3. Return to Goldcoast, maybe hit the pool or bar
4. Dinner at Ping Pang Pong
5. BINGO at the Goldcoast (9PM)*
6. Stars of Rockabilly (Nevada 11:30)
7. Extraordinaires (Showroom 12:15)

Saturday
1. Breakfast at the Seattle Coffee
2. Shopping at Vendors
3. Check out Cars at Show
4. Lunch at Ahola Island Grill*
5. Fremont Street/Neon Museum Walking Tour
6. Hit the Strip (visit Lions at MGM, Venetian, Wynn)
7. Dinner at Tilted Kilt at Rio* (9PM)**
8. Burlesque Competition (Showroom 10:15)
9. Do Wop Legends (Nevada 11PM)

Sunday
1. Order up some room service
2. Check out
3. Visit Supermarket of Porn
4. Fly back (hopefully we can pick up some In and Out Burger (11:30AM)

*Indicates something we haven't done before while in Vegas.
**Indicated something we would like to make reservations for, so let us know if you would like to join.

Links
http://www.alohaislandgrill.com/index.html
http://www.neonmuseum.org/
http://www.harrahs.com/our_casinos/rlv/dining/dining_detail_011.html
http://www.goldcoastcasino.com/index2.html (BINGO)
http://www.extraordinaires.co.uk/
http://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/

Those of you who have vacationed with the OCallaghan's before know that we are no joke. We would love company during all of our "todos" but no one will slow us down! That said the agenda is fluid and we are more than willing to switch it up for better prospects!

FUN FUN FUN!

2006-02-02T11:11:00.000-08:00

Networking? I think not....

So here at the lovely Brandbuzz we are looking for a Media Planner since my buddy Maria is leaving us to persue a life doing good instead of evil. We are going through non-traditional avenues, since its never in the budget nowadays to pay for a recruiter or post on a paid job board. We posted on Craigslist and we are keeping our ears to the ground.

I thought it would be a good idea to search on Myspace for candidates, I mean there's a "networking" section... So I search under "marketing" then "media planning," the appropriate zip code range, and an age range to help weed out the "too experienced." And lucky me! 200+ peeps!

I started going through the people, and all of them had that they were using Myspace for "networking." But I beg to differ. Out of the 200+ people I sent messages to 6. Why so little? Well, even though people mention they are there for "networking" most of the people's profiles were R-rated to say the least!

I just can't picture working with someone who writes in the first line of their about me: "I have little hair on my balls." or "I like to DRINK DRINK DRINK until I puke." Or has pictures of themselves posted doing body shots, or them and their 3 friend's grabbing their boobies. Granted I am sure that the people I work with do these things, and its all really no big deal. But if you are going to put that you are on Myspace for "networking" maybe you should consider that a potential employer is going to look you up on Myspace!

Anywoo... if you know anyone with a conservative Myspace page that is a media planner, send them my way. Here's the job description:

BrandBuzz, an innovative integrated marketing company thatâ€™s part of Young & Rubicam Brands (a WPP company), seeks an Integrated Media Manager who is looking to break away from the traditional media agency. Applicants should have 1-2 years experience in media planning/buying for this immediate opening in the New York office. A positive, enthusiastic, team-oriented attitude is a must. Experience outside a traditional agency is welcome. The right candidate: Â· will have a proficiency in media planning fundamentals with experience in a broad range of vehicles Â· will facilitate execution on a wide variety of accounts ranging from retail to durables to package goods Â· must possess ability to handle multiple projects with varying levels of complexity Â· will have executed a non-traditional/innovative media based program Â· will have experience with new technology and digital platforms Â· must thrive in a team atmosphere and be interested in all aspects of marketing Â· must have excellent organization and communication skills Â· must be proficient in all media planning software and possess excellent overall computer skills

2006-01-23T11:14:00.000-08:00

Connect Four is Hard!

Sundays are so good, and so bad for so many reasons.

First the bad: I am one of those people who has Sunday night anxiety. I toss and turn, dreading the end of the weekend and the start of the work week. I think awful thoughts: What happens when we die? What will I wear tomorrow? When will I die? Do I have any tights without holes in the toes? Its always sucky. One thing helps, booze. Sad but true... which leads me to the good.....

The good about Sunday: Hanging out at Iona's with Mike, Janina, Derek, Carli, Uli, Chris, Megan, and whoever else comes out. Drinking good beer, walking a bit around Williamsburg, eating some good food from Taco Chulo, Soma, and/or Coney's, laughing, smoking, good reggae, meeting new people, and now PLAYING CONNECT FOUR.

I dunno if any of you have played connect four lately. But it is a blast and it is hard. It makes you feel really dumb. It also makes you laugh. You sit and watch others play, and you wonder, "How can they miss that?" Then you play and you make stupid mistakes. Its madness. We played for like 3 hours yesterday and none of us got any better. It is the perfect and most inperfect game. And I am not sure if beer helps or hurts. But these are the things I am sure of:

As Derek pointed our, Connect Four is a game of mental lapse. You must wait for you opponent to fuck up to win. True with other games, very true with Connect Four.
As Megan pointed out, you must use your surrounding when playing Connect Four. A distracted opponent is a losing opponent. Food, songs, boobs, jokes, and beer are worthy distractions.
I learned that you must remain unfocused as well as focused to play Connect Four. If you fixate on a particular winning opportunity your opponent will swoop in and take you out. If you don’t play enough attention to winning opportunities you will miss key moves. It’s a catch 22!
As Janina pointed out, wearing a black shirt while playing “black” gives you a slight advantage, especially in a dark bar with a tipsy opponent.

I am sure there is more to learn. I will keep you all in the loop.

More importantly I would like to start a Connect Four Tournament of Champions. Picture it, 12 Connect Four games going on at once, best 2 out of 3, winners advancing until a champion is crowned. That would be freaking awesome. Cash prizes. I am so excited. We are so doing this.

2006-01-03T11:18:00.000-08:00

Today is my first day back after being off from XMAS to 1/2! Its definitely an awesome perk of the advertising industry. Most agencies are closed for the week, and you get this time on top of your vacation time. Its sweet! I didn't do much of anything last week, here's my top 10 of things I did, week of 12/26:

1. Had pigs in a blanket at Duke's in Union Square and I used a $10 off coupon from my Dine A Deck. (Monday)
2. Got a free Le Tigre CD from Virgin Megastore since the dummie clerk can't subtract or apply a coupon. (Monday)
3. Watched the entire 1st season of Veronica Mars (Tuesday)
4. Saw King Kong with Danny, Kate, Josh, and Andrew, I really enjoyed Andrew's commentary throughout the 3 hour movie. (Tuesday)
5. Checked out the Cobble Hill New York Sports Club. It was nice. (Wednesday)
6. Rode the bus for $1. (Wednesday)
7. Organized all of the kitchen cabinets. (Thursday)
8. Ate free pizza with Derek, Janina, Mike, Carli, Sarah, and Kate at Alligator Lounge, also enjoyed Carli's performance of Total Ellipse of the Heart, turn around bright eyes. (Thursday)
9. Spent the day with Justine and Janina walking all around Brooklyn, followed up by a wonderful dinner with Mary. (Friday)
10. New Years Eve at Janina's with some of my favorite people in the world.

But a wonderful week doesn't help make getting back to work after the holiday any easier. Especially with the awful weather we have today! When that alarm went off at 7AM this morning I could have whined loud enough to wake up Sweetpea. I finally dragged myself out of bed by 7:30, and was out and about by 8:15.

Everything on my commute was going fine, even though I had to push my way to the back of the bus (why do people think that they are still going to get into heaven if they don't move to the back of the bus when the bus is crowded? Straight to hell with them,) until I got on the train. The train sat between Wall Street and Fulton Street for 30 minutes due to a sick passenger that they couldn't move off the train in front of us. Now why couldn't they move this person? Did they suffer a neck injury on the train? Did they refused to get off? Or did some skinny ass decide not to eat for the past 48 hours in celebration of a new years resolution; pass out, and the MTA took their sweet time with them?

I walked into work 30 minutes late and have been answering a few emails, returning a few calls, and buzzing around on Myspace. The day is almost over and I am planning on going to the gym and reading fan fiction for Firefly on the ellipitical. Fun.

At least I have a trip to Disney and a trip to Vegas to look forward to! Oh and MLK day is coming up! THREE DAY WEEKEND!

Feel free to abuse me if you had to work last week. My spoiled ass would deserve it!

This weekend the Bluebeats are playing at Magnetic Field! See Magnetic Field in my top 8 for more information.

2005-12-17T10:49:00.000-08:00

Ah, the holidays. Friends, family, days off, and food. And I love these things about the holidays, (not exactly in that order.) Here are some of my favorite holiday cocktail party recipes.

Drink: now most of you have had store bought egg nog. Until I made this recipe that is all I ever had. This recipe blows any carton egg nog out of the water. It is amazing.

Egg Nog

Step 1 Ingredients
4 Egg Yolks
1/3 cup Sugar
1 pint Whole Milk
1 cup Heavy Cream
1 tsp Nutmeg
3 oz Bourbon

Step 1 Directions
Beat egg yolks until the lighten in color. Add sugar slowly until dissolved. Set aside.
Bring milk, heavy cream, and nutmeg to slight boil.
Temper eggs mixture w/ hot milk mixture. (Tempering bring temperature up in eggs so they won't scramble.) You add a cup of the milk slowly, while beating egg mixture quickly.
Then add the remaining milk mixture to the egg, beat the egg mixture as you add the milk.
Mix in the bourbon.
Chill mixture.

Step 2 Ingredients
4 Pasterized Egg Whites. (I like the ones in the carton.)
1 tablespoon Sugar

Beat the egg whites with a hand mixer until you have soft peaks.
Add sugar slowly while beating.
Beat the egg white until you have stiff peaks.
Combine egg white mixture and egg yolk mixture.
Chill.
Stir or shake well before serving.

Dip: everyone loves a good dip.

Spinach Dip

Ingredients
1 box package of frozen Chopped Spinach
1 package Vegetable Soup Mix, Knorr or Lipton works
1 cup Mayo
16 oz Sour Cream

Prepare and drain spinach according to directions. Its best to prepare this the night before, so the spinach is drained and chilled.
Mix all ingredients together.
Chill.
Best served in a hallowed out pumpernickel bread with crudite (veggies.)

Dip 2: Warm dips are decadent and a special treat.

Crab and Articoke Dip

Ingredients
6oz-7oz Can of Crabmeat
1 can of Articokes Heart
1 cup Mayo
2 cup Parmesan Cheese

Combine and bake at 350 until bubbly. Serve with crackers.

Enjoy!

2003-03-07T13:38:00.000-08:00

March 7, 2003
Ok, here I go, I am about the admit that I do not have it all together. I am about to admit that sometimes I think I am about to lose it. And even though I never "lose it" it can be just as scary to believe that I am going to freak out.
Lately more than ever the anxiety has been crazy. Work is nuts and things outside of work have been nuts. Lately I haven't had a haven of "calm." I really haven't been able to escape the stresss.
So I am going to start "blogging" and admiting to strangers that things right now are not so easy, not so fun.
Don't get me wrong, I am happy. I do laugh alot. But lately I have been feeling a little crazy inside, you might even say that I feel a bit unstable.