NY Kickoff...

It's a new year and I have new hopes. Much has changed since my last blog...mostly because my life got busy and I got lazy in my writing. My first hope for 2011 is that I won't be a blogspot drop out this year. I mean, here it is a Friday night and I am in flannel pajamas...I just ate a frozen burrito and I am watching E! run old episodes of Sex and the City. It feels like my single days of 2009. I am not single, I am merely the girlfriend of a boyfriend who ate bad Chinese food for lunch and is now sick as a dog...
and speaking of canines, I have since my last blog become the devoted mother of two rescue dogs who make up the little family we have. Mabel is asleep to my left and Cody is curled in a ball to my right. It's far from an exciting night on the town, but it's my life and it makes me quite happy. I went from a fancy-free, single, fun gal to a matriarch with a household who I take care of- and who takes care of me too. It's simple and sweet.


My other hopes for the year are a little more grandiose. I have hopes for a new home, that fits our needs for space and comfort. I am not sure how difficult it will be to sell the current, place, but St Joseph has been summoned to assist. It's been a little chilly to place him underground, where he does his best work, but in the coming days he will make himself at home in the front yard.

My 5th semester of grad school begins next week. I can hardly believe I have already put in five semesters. The time has flown by! Unfortunately, I still have about 5 more to go, but hey, overall, it has been a rewarding and enjoyable experience- and it's an investment in myself.
I know that the year holds great things for Steve and I. We work so well together and we have fun. We are starting to plan a long weekend to New Orleans in February. I am hoping to spend some time at a beach as well this summer.

My biggest hopes for 2011 are to improve myself as a person. I want to be a more patient person...a person who lets go of negative and instead focuses on all the good that surrounds me. 2010 challenged me in ways I didn't expect. I learned some hard lessons in love and friendship. Some of them continue to perplex me, but I try to think rationally and respond maturely. I tend to react on emotion, so I am trying to avoid that. If my feelings get hurt, that can't be prevented, but I can prevent hurting other people's feelings. I plan to pray for God to help me act with grace at difficult times.

Odds and Ends...and Jacks and Steves, and Nicks

My mind is all over the place right now, but there is no shortage of material packed in up there (despite popular belief).

First off, I would like to sympathize for all of my Pittsburgh and northern friends who are enduring this crazy storm. I have never seen anything like it! I do recall a few storms that I experienced growing up, but this monster takes the cake. The thought of shoveling makes me nauseous and everyone I know is complaining of a sore back from lifting tons of the stuff from their property. I really hope the 6 weeks that P. Phil predicted goes by quickly for those of you suffering through this winter blast. Just know that you all have an open invite to visit any time...and Charlotte might not be tropical, but it sure beats the arctic up there!

Next of mind would be the lovely weekend I just had! One of my oldest and dearest friends, Jack came to visit. Lydia and I hosted him for 2 days of hysterical laughter. Though it got off ot a rocky start with a dead car battery at the airport and a flight delay, it wasn't moments into our reunion that Jack had us laughing so hard we cried. We had a wonderful group dinner at Vivace, a new restaurant in the Metropolitan. Aside from being delicious and affordable, it gave Jack the chance to catch up with us and meet some new people in our lives. Both Lydia and I have boyfriends who got to meet and know our darling Jack. It was exciting to have my first friend (and one of my closest friends) from home meet Steve, my boyfriend. Jack has seen and heard of a slew of guys through the years who have come and gone...most weren't worthy of meeting Jack, but this time it was(is) different. It was best put by Jack himself...

" I am so happy that you girls have both found people that make you happy. Especially you, Age. For so long I would get calls from you saying 'oh, I met this guy and I really like him, but he disappeared and now I can't find him"

Needless to say, Jack was thrilled to meet Steve and gave me his seal of approval. Steve also seemed to really like Jack...they hit it off over discussions about the media and it was an easy sell, on both sides. I am not surprised, but quite happy with what I figured would be a great introductory meeting.

Aside from dinner and meeting the boyfriends, we also had a little wine and appetizer party for our girlfriends. Of course Jack fits right in. It was perfect...good food, wonderful wine, and the best company. Our last guests left at 2:30am and the entire time was enjoyed by all. I have such amazing friends that surround me. I feel so blessed!

This coming weekend is Valentines Day, a holiday I have loathed for years. Cupid and I have never quite seen eye-to-eye and for years there have been less than fairlytale endings to this holiday. I don't expect a fairytale ending this year either, but I plan on embracing it. Last year I vomited cheesecake all over a poor, helpless, guy because I was cornered with committment fear and pressure. This year is vastly different...I have some surprises up my sleeve for Steve and none involve cheesecake or upchuck. I am looking forward to enjoying it with someone special :)

Lastly, my final portion revolves around the less appealing part of this upcoming weekend. Nick Cicci, Lydia's little brother, and my adopted brother is leaving Charlotte to move back to PA. He found a great job opportunity. I am really happy for him, but selfishly sad that he won't be here to enjoy the southern family time like we have had for the past couple of years. From concerts, to Superbowls, to Sunday dinners Nick has been an asset to our little dysfunctional family in Charlotte and it's hard to see him go. I will forever think of him when I see a wolf shirt or a beer bong. "Me too Nick!" To celebrate his new ventures and pay tribute to the good times we have shared, we are having a little going-away party for him tomorrow evening at Strike City. Jello shots anyone?

Other things to mention----the Olympics begin Friday. The Westminster Dog Show is also this week (YAY!!!). The Saints won the Super Bowl on Sunday. I am meeting Steve's Dad and Step Mom this coming Sunday. Nicci is coming to visit next weekend. Sheesh! I can't keep up!

Ode to Phil

Today is Groundhog Day. For most of the nation this means little. I didn't realize how little it meant until I moved away from the homeland of the world's most famous slumbering groundhog. The mystery of whether Punxsutawney Phil would see his shadow was the question on every one's mind in the day leading up to G.H.D. and first and foremost when you awoke on February 2nd. It was rare that he didn't see his shadow, but the suspense was killer none the less. Here, in the lovely and much more temperate south (aside from this past weekend in which the city was coated with 4 inches of ice and snow) there isn't much fanfare given to old Phil. I would bet that most people might not even know his name. And, if they do it's likely because of Bill Murray and the movie in the early 90's which paid tribute to this overly unrecognized holiday. Perhaps it's because of the geographical location. I lived just a few hours from Gobbler's Knob, where the pomp and circumstance could never be more than on a bleak winter's morning when the whole town (plus a few thousand crazy drunk college kids) gather around a tree stump to waking the sleeping rodent. Once you leave the immediate zone, Gobbler's Knob, Phil, and the whole deal are pretty much insignificant. In grade school in PA we made groundhog puppets and sang songs about Phil and his shadow. I am pretty sure the kids of North Carolina didn't do the same. So, while the distance factor probably plays a part in the lack of interest in G.H.D., I would also place bets that the climate has something to do with it. In North Carolina, on February 2nd chances are, shadow or not, we will NOT be having 6 more weeks of winter. That is the main reason that I moved to this lovely state. Phil's predictions are null and void when spring usually pops up by mid March. There is something beautiful about knowing that daffodils and warm weather is but several weeks away. No, it won't be flip-flop season just yet, but the sounds of birds chirping and the sight of buds on the trees is enough to hold me until I can break out the bathing suit. Ironically, it seems funny that the indigenous PA folks who follow the furry guy and his weather predictions should know that chances are, shadow or not, that they are DEFINITELY in store for 6 more weeks of winter (at least). Many an April in PA have seen snow flurries and blustery winter weather. In fact, I recall a Mother's Day with snow. So, whether Phil sees his shadow (which he generally does), or he doesn't, or whether you live under the Carolina blue sky, or the Pittsburgh gray sky, we should embrace this noble weatherman who makes February 2nd just a little more fun.

Welcome to 2010

Hello 2010! Hard to believe that you are here. I mean, wasn't it yesterday I was ringing in 2000 listening to the Vengaboys and the ever so timely, Will2K by Will Smith? Yes, I was at Scott Pearson's house with a gaggle of gays, most of which were theatre majors from Point Park. We had jello shots and a whole bottle of Ice 101 ready for consumption. I think that shortly after midnight there was an in-concert performance of Les Miserables in his game room. Come to think of it, that pretty much describes every Saturday night of my life circa 1999-2001. Time really has gone by quite quickly, but thankfully I have come out of my fag-hag closet and taken to heterosexual men in addition to the gays. For a period of time my brother was really fearful that I was going to turn into Kathy Griffin. Happy to say that while a few of my favorite men in this world do happen to be gay, I also have a few other favorite men who aren't exfoliating their skin each night and obsessing over Lady Gaga.

So, I have declared that 2010 be "the year of common sense". 2007 was deemed "the year of the stripper"--mostly due to the fact that it seemed every rap and hip-hop artist and song was about strippers, stripping, and some form of pole performance. It also happened to be the year that my friends and I took a liking to the breakfast buffet at the Uptown Cabaret after nights on the town. It seemed scrambled eggs and lap dances made for a great way to end the night. The following year, 2008 was titled "the year of the lollipop" for precisely the same reason. Well, let me clarify...because of the music, not because my friends and I were counting the licks to the center of the tootsie pop. Thank you Lil Wayne and Three Six Mafia for regenerating the popularity of a whimsical childhood candy. 2009 was "the year of the black male". The biggest events of this year revolved around Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Kanye West, and Tiger Woods. For me, 2010 will be the year of common sense. I can't really say that the whole world of rappers, politicians, and athletes will abide by this idea, but for me it works. And clearly, no matter what it is for me, for the Chinese it will be the year of the chee-tah...oh, I'm sorry I meant Tiger.

Anyhow, it seems that right now the world needs us all to employ some common sense. I plan on utilizing common sense in several ways. By using reusable grocery bags, I plan to be environmentally conscientious. I have a collection of about 40 of them, but I frequently forget to take them to the store. I have already put a handful into my car so that I have no excuses. I plan on making many more meals at home to avoid excess spending on eating at restaurants. I will also be reassessing my finances to hopefully cut out some unnecessary expenses--starting with my car insurance, which I have just learned is insanely high for absolutely no reason. No more tanning membership. No more tanning period---common sense tells me that it causes premature aging and skin cancer. No more Net Flix---I watch one movie a month and pay for this service that I never use. No more trips to Target out of boredom. I probably give Target about 1/4 of each pay check; and as much as I LOVE the convenience of buying wine, groceries, deodorant, a new book, and a pair of pajamas all at once, the spending has got to stop. Of course with common sense also comes the fitness side of things, so I will be eating smaller portions and healthier meals as well as throwing in some exercise too. And lastly, I intend to use common sense in my personal life much more so than I might have during the 'year of the lollipop', or the stripper, or even at times, the black male. I have spent a lot of energy and put a lot of emotion into people who weren't worth it. No more will I do that. No more will I will things that just simply shouldn't be and fixate on things that I cannot have. I am going to try very hard to use my past experiences as a lesson in order to move forward. Welcome 2010, year of common sense. I think that Kanye and Tiger might also benefit from adopting some common sense in the coming year as well. Happy New Year!

Grown-Up Christmas

Like it or not, the Christmas season is upon us. Luckily, I like it, but for the Grinches and Ebeneezers of the world... well they are stuck with an early onset of holly, jolly, holiday cheer. This Christmas is a bit different for me. My family isn't exchanging gifts. I really don't mind not receiving them, but it will be very hard for me not to buy gifts. I LOVE buying gifts! I usually have ideas in my head in September for what I will be getting people. Unfortunately, due to my brother's January nuptials, this year we are cutting WAY back on the presents. On my Mom's side, with my little cousin we are going to use our normal "present time" to make a craft. This was my idea. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it's either that or we spend two hours having my six year old cousin, Megan direct us in reenactments of Hannah Montana performances. Bring on the glitter and glue! I have convinced my parents to let me buy them both gifts, but nothing pricey is allowed. Again, this is a challenge. I am kind of used to going over the top. One year I bought them a computer. Another year I treated them to an all-expense paid trip to Charleston, SC (not Charleston, WV...that would be punishment). I usually buy my bro Ipods and fun gadgets, or at least some nice clothes. This year I am getting him and his bride-to-be a coffee maker :-/

It's hard for me to stifle my holiday generosity, but I am doing my best.



I will say that in the absence of going over the top shopping and buying I have had some new perspective on the holidays. I am enjoying the season for all of the other wonderful things it brings; I have had my radio permanently set on the Christmas music station. I plan on going to church every Sunday in Advent this year. I CANNOT wait to decorate the tree tomorrow night, and the thought of all of my favorite TV specials makes me giddy inside. . Oh, I love this season! It makes me feel like a kid again.



I kicked the holiday season off at home, in PA with my family and hometown friends. I had four days packed with nonstop visiting and celebrating. It was a truly wonderful way to spend Thanksgiving and it made me REALLY appreciate the people I have in my life! Forgive me while I get sappy for a minute or two, but I have to. I don't go home for Thanksgiving every year...the past couple years I have stayed in Charlotte and spent the holiday with my roomate's family, which has always been fun and they have always made me feel like part of the family. I have also for several years had a pre-Thanksgiving get together with my Charlotte friends before the holiday, since we all go separate ways for the holiday. Whether I have been in the north or the south, every year I am surrounded by the warmth of my loved ones. Likewise, Christmas means I get to do it all over again....Christmas get-togethers with friends in Charlotte and family traditions in Pittsburgh. And, whether I am above or below the Mason Dixon Line; whether I am coming home with a car full of gifts, or buying popsicle sticks and glitter to make snowflake ornaments makes no difference. I don't need to open a single present this year because I am gifted to have family and friends in TWO places (and some in other places too). There is no better feeling than that! This holiday season I praying for the people who can't be with their families, and for those who don't have families. For people in nursing homes, overseas at war, or just alone in their own homes. I am sure those people would gladly pass up a sweater or a new watch to instead spend the holidays with a loved one. While the magic of Christmas makes me feel like a kid again, I am happy to say that I have adult perspective that makes me appreciate the true meaning behind Christmas.



Happy Holidays!



"Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more! "

Love in an elevator

I love today! Every 8 weeks I come across the best day...the day I get my hair done. Aside from removing 3 inch black roots and all traces of white trash trying to emerge, it's the greatest feeling ever to have someone do my hair for me. Considering I spend close to an hour drying and straightening my own hair every other day, it's joyous to have someone else do it for me every once and awhile. If I were a wealthy woman I would be going to a salon once a week. I guess old women do that too for their weekly shampoos. There is a greater probability I will make it a habit by virtue of old age rather than wealth, but either way it will be a treat when it's more regular than once every 56 days.

I'd like to raise awareness of something that I have found to be disturbing for years, but never had the proper venue to voice my concerns. The time has come that we need to learn and adopt proper elevator etiquette. Since I graduated college and took my first job not a day has gone by that I have not ridden an elevator. I have worked in a half dozen offices, but all have had the old Otis elevator in common. In these years I have seen an array of offenses that really burn me. The first is the person who dives between the closing doors like it's the last flight out of hell. Sir, there are eight elevators and another one will be here in 6 seconds. Is there a reason you had to go all Indiana Jones on us who are in the elevator preparing for takeoff? It just seems a bit dramatic for a simple routine ascent to the 4th floor. Secondly, I have to call out the smokers. I'm sorry but I really feel you ought to have a designated elevator for smokers or make them take the stairs. There is nothing worse than to be shoved in a 5x5 postage stamp with the Marlboro man first thing in the morning. I don't want to have to smell the remnants of exhaled Newports and more importantly, I would like to exercise my right to smell fresh and clean. After spending one minute confined in minuscule space with one heavy smoker I come out wreaking of nicotine and carcinogens. It's not right. Maybe those fake cigarettes sold at the mall kiosks aren't so ridiculous if it means I don't have to smell you, or worse spend the day smelling like you. The final, and most annoying of all of the elevator no-no's goes to those who get on before they let others off. WTF?!?!?! It happened to me just a few hours ago. The elevator gets to the ground floor and upon opening some overeager moron has wedged himself into the elevator and amongst 5 people who are at the same time trying to exit. He pushed me out of the way to get on to the elevator before I could even try to get off and out if his way. It completely disrupts the flow of elevator traffic and makes for really awkward shuffling, moving, and adjusting. If you just wait a few seconds we will clear off and give you plenty of space and time to board. There is no need to treat it as if it's the NASA shuttle Discovery preparing for lift off. You aren't going into orbit, you are being rocketed to you mundane job in your cubicle. What's the deal?

And finally to close this edition of my blog, I would be remiss if I didn't revisit last week's angst towards relationships and those who are in them. Let me apologize for being so judgmental. Let me also express that I have found a new outlook on things. It's amazing what one week can do for the psyche! I credit graduate school with giving me a broader view of perspectives and people's realities. I have come to realize that my idea of love--and what I look for in a relationship is not the same as the person next to me. We all as individuals place different meaning and value on emotions and on relationships. I cannot tell you that your reality is wrong, just because it's different than mine. That said, I just want everyone to be happy. If love that is convenient and cost effective makes you happy than have at it! To each his own!
I will however not adopt a broader view on acceptable elevator behavior. I feel that we as a species are capable of following common practices to make for better transport to our respective destinations.


Peace out

Gripes

It has been almost two weeks since my last blog. I have sort of been in a funk and whatever I would have written in that time frame would have been bitter and angry. I am a fairly upbeat person by nature, but sometimes I have pretty ugly mood swings which can send me plummeting into the depths of brief depression. It waxes and wanes and I climb out with a sunny disposition. I am "sunny" for a few weeks and then dip back into a few days of darkness. It's part of being a cancer...and I also blame it on my wacked out hormones from the lack of thyroid gland. I have been pseudo bipolar my whole life and I hate it. Anyhow, for those of you who read this (which I think might just be MB) here are some things I would like to get off my chest:

There is nothing more unattractive than people who can't do things for themselves. This comes mainly from my current job situation, but it can be seen everywhere around me. I wish I could say no. I am not a waitress, a travel agent, a secretary, a courier, a customer service rep, a printer repairman, a caterer, etc. Adults should not be this needy! I actually had someone ask me to provide landmarks of the building that SHE works in so that she could tell her guests coming to the meeting where HER office is. I know that my job is at the bottom of the corporate food chain, but someday I plan to be on the other end, and when I am I assure you that I will have the decency to earn my own paycheck, even if it requires me to do something unglamorous...like get my own coffee.

Dirty Dads. Okay so the weather in Charlotte was damn near perfect yesterday. It was a gorgeous fall day and I had every intention of enjoying it. I went to Freedom Park, where all of Charlotte seems to go in between lake season when we get a stint of nice weather. As I imagined, it was packed. Soccer players, strollers, joggers, dogs, geese, hippies, brides...there were all types meandering around the park taking in the sun. I showed up with my ipod in my normal workout wear- not sexy- eager to soak up some sun and take a jaunt around the park and surrounding "booty loop". Because of the bright sun, I was forced to wear my sunglasses (divots!) and from behind my sunglasses I started to observe a trend. During my 3-4 mile trek I must have passed four dozen families of mom, dad, and small tot in a stroller. I would wager to bet that of these two dozen of the dads chalantly (yes- the opposite of nonchalant) checked me out. It made no difference that they were walking hand in hand with their three year old daughter---or that their wife was two paces ahead with the Jack Russell terrier. Blatant gawks were made. And following the gawks from dad I would get a scowl from mom. Like it's my fault! I know the whole defense that looks are harmless and that "it's what guys do", but seriously amid your familial quality time I think men should be able to restrain themselves. And wifey, please redirect your anger towards your husband. I came here to loop around the pond listening to Akon and work off my egg mcmuffin. I do not have a hidden agenda to temp the poor beaten down husbands of Dilworth.

And lastly, I have to ask why so many people who are in relationships so obviously don't really want to be in relationships. Why are you wasting your time? Why are you wasting his/hers? Have you given up on finding someone that actually makes you happy? Do you care that your dishonesty is compromising their happiness? Have you given in to settling? Do you get a cheap thrill out of being a liar/cheat? I just have to ask these questions, because much like the needy people I mentioned above I also see more and more people who are in relationships for the wrong reasons...out of convenience. It's quite sad that people would rather be reckless with other people's hearts than be honest with themselves.

I digress. I feel a bit better now.