Send-off to Soul

I've never thought about what my funeral would be like - but I've been covering 2 all day, and I can now say I want a send-off akin to James Brown's service. Music, celebration, MC Hammer, Michael Jackson - it just kept getting better and better! Really something. In extreme contrast, the revered and solemn service of late President Gerald Ford. His body's en route to DC - and we'll be covering that event into next week. But for now, it's all about James Brown. I feel good!

My Life!!

This has pretty much been me the last few days - with James Brown biting it, Ford death, Saddam execution, and such. Talk about stress trifecta - you have no idea! I now know why our newsroom has no windows. It's to prevent people like me from jumping out of them at various points in the day. Anyway, some updates:
PEACE TALKS
The Wye River peace summit has been scrapped, but there are some mild developments. Met with crucial Third Party last night (friend of Second Party) and was quizzed about peace talks. I maintained my indifferent position, which may or may not spur some type of action. Diplomatic means have been exhausted on my end. I'll keep you posted on any future situation - but I myself am not holding breath.
NYE IN NYC
It will be my first New Year's in New York - and I'm looking forward to festivities. Youngest brother coming up to help me ring in and make sense of 2007. Visit comes at wonderful time - as he's shipping off to Africa soon and I'm going to really miss him!

Bah Humbug

I have just eaten a pound of mashed red potatoes - in protest of working this Christmas Day. So when I can't get my body out of the front door - it will officially become a "sit-in" demonstration.

Back in the Blog

Haven't written in a while - and there's so much going on!
HO HO HUM
I'm not feeling very Christmassy because I have to work this year. Okay, I have to work EVERY year but this year is different because this is one of the first years my family is all together - except I won't be there.
UPTOWN GIRL
Last night I went to go visit everyone's favorite Uptown Girl - Sarah. I actually guilted her into meeting up with me - because I'M SO SICK OF EVERYONE LEAVING FOR THE HOLIDAYS - I needed to get some sort of friend fill before she jetted out of town. We threw back some wines in Wash Heights and I showed off the BEST BLOWOUT OF MY LIFE.
EX SHUTDOWN
So it's white-out conditions earlier this week in Denver - and while I'm at work in NYC - I'm trying to gather some real sound from real folks about some real snow. Anyway, 2 of my exes live in Colorado - so I decide to give them a call, being on friendly terms with them post-break-up drama and such. I did phoners with both of them. Then after editing and shooting them out to the anchors - I realize that in my amazing plan to get some real people sound fast, I had not thought about the fact that I was now going to be HEARING MY EXES ALL DAY - IN EVERY NEWSCAST - on the radio. It was very surreal - and left me with break-up flashbacks of ages 23 and 28 - when self-esteem was shattered by boys and spurred pizza-face break-outs. Needless to say, "More of Allison's exes get their news from ABC News than from any other source."
HOLD THE REMOTE
The main dude in "Men in Trees" makes me weak in the knees. Seriously - drop dead husband.
BODY COMPOSITE WHA?!?!
My personal trainer tells me she wants to do a body composite evaluation/measurement when we get back from the holidays. After shaking off the massive internal freak-out attack and nearly face-planting off the treadmill - I said sure because I was in denial. Later, I ate five cookies as a way to deal with this latest personal training development.
THE ABC'S OF DATING
My friend Keen insists that "playing games" is really the only way of being in a relationship... and that if you don't "play games" the only relationship you'll ever be in is the one with your cat or dog or TV. He says that women he knows who are currently hitched work it from the beginning - and that includes constantly switching gears on on the man - from challenging him to baffling him to keep his interest. Keen told me I play the "cool chick" too much when it comes to guys (which probably explains why I do phone interviews with exes now) - and that I should "baffle" and "challenge" suitors more. So in the New Year, my resolution is to be baffling and challenging.

All these Sag Parties

Just got back from Linda's birthday party. We rocked the drink in Murray Hill tonight. She's so fab - and beautiful - and smart - and fun. Happy 30th Linda!

UpDATE

Date with lawyer-man last night was a disaster... wasting about 3 hours of my life. I just wasn't feeling it at the onset - but the problem was, he was totally feeling it, which made it lopsided experience. Ended awkwardly, and I feel a little bad because I totally fled the scene. Ahhh... dating...
Reminds me of a few nights ago when I was walking up 9th - and I saw a man sitting on the ground - leaning against a building. He appeared drunk - as was his girlfriend who was talking over him. She was saying very loudly as she sobbed: "I will never leave you. I am here for you. I will never leave you." He was just looking at her saying, "How could you do this to me?" It was all very sad... and my guilt was two-fold; for I was captivated by the messy drama unfolding in front of me and yet also glad I wasn't in that kind of messy drama myself.

Deep Thoughts

Painted town magenta and ruby red last night with Brandy. From hip club to swank hotel bar to fratty wall street bar to neighborhood hole-in-the-wall - we ran the gamut of NYC nightlife. Was very fun - but one of those nights that prompts the next day statement: "I gotta start making some changes in my life." Shook off cobwebs and rolled into work.
BEEN THINKIN'
1) Thank goodness I've got a blowout tonight; my hair is slicker than Greasy Bear Brandon Davis.
2) No clue what to get my brothers for Christmas. Hit me with suggestions.
3) Text messaging to cancel plans is such a cop out - in most cases, it's just so that someone doesn't have to hear the disappointment in voice of that of whom they're disappointing. Man up and make the call.
4) I'm going on date tonight with new guy. Venue selection was made on midpoint location - which puts us at "Mustang Sally's" around 10pm. Might as well head to "Applebee's" and "Olive Garden" in Times Square next for more cheese.
5) I really like the Old Navy slogan "Get Your Fash' On" even though I hate their clothes. That said, the complete opposite applies to the new "Love, Peace, and Gap" marketing campaign, which I hate but like their clothes.
6) Anyone know where I can find bar trivia in this city? Not the lame electronic kind - but the kind where I can gather smart friends, answer team questions, and dominate.
7) Frank Stallone showed up in the newsroom today. He is dead ringer for brother, Sly - and has music in the new "Rocky" movie. The dude seriously has a website. I checked it out for a chuckle: www.frankstallone.com
8) I've got some crazy, green handbag envy going on. I thought I had the killer Michael Kors bag - that is, until Daniela at work showed me her new Michael Kors bag. It's bigger, shinier, and newer - but I think mine still has more character. Battle of the bags continues...

Tights and Tutus!

Tonight was a wonder. I met my friend Heather near Lincoln Center promptly after work - to find that she wanted to surprise me with tickets to the NYC Ballet's "Nutcracker" performance! It was WONDERFUL. I cannot even begin to explain how moved I was - from thinking about past performances when I was a little girl accompanied by my Dad to the Washington Ballet - to now... the way Tschaikovsky’s incomparable score is set to story - and the amazing grace and power of these amazing performers. I did have some tears well up when thinking about the beauty in which I was witnessing. Everything about tonight was perfect; company, experience, and after-event dinner. We ducked into an intimate French bistro and - over wine and pate - reminded ourselves why we were alive. I think the French waiter even winked at me. Even better!

In the "Completely Random" category...

Rev. Jesse Jackson just walked into the newsroom and asked where the men's room was located. It was just random and weird and made me question how many glasses of wine I had last night - and whether I had properly slept them off...

Shout Out to Jules!

Today is my dear friend Julie's birthday. A big birthday shout-out to the funny girl with the big heart!

Cookie Monster

Spent today eating WAY TOO MUCH holiday cookie icing - and now I feel like I need to sprint 3 miles to burn off the sugar rush. Seriously - I'm talking a mile-a-minute, and thinking even faster. It's not a pretty scene. Anyway, some updates:
PEACE TALKS
Finally heard from second party on Wye River peace talks. The message was left on my voicemail - and pretty much constituted to a boy-child going gibberish on me. Seriously - I don't think I could even tell you what he said - he was all over the place in his message. He actually said, "Hi Allison, it's Sunday or something..." Upon listening, I was like - wow, it is Sunday - and you're a mess. Think the second party missed the window for peace talks... which is fine because I have a new date tonight.
SONYA SPEAK
Tomorrow it's personal trainer day, and I'm trying to keep my cardio up. Just kidding - the only cardio I've been getting is turning my ipod to major-fast music and strutting down the street to the beat. I did get in about 40 blocks today... but then I downed all that icing...

Brandy Will Have A Scotch...

Once upon a time, I lived in a studio apartment in DC. Seriously, the apartment was the size of a shoebox - but the benefits of that "shoebox" proved amazing. For it was there, when I was nursing a broken heart - that I had the phenomenal opportunity to meet my downstairs neighbor. I was the jounalist - she the actress. We would have informal gaggles nearly every night - about our hopes, dreams, and what wine we should switch to once the current bottle emptied. Her name is Brandy, and she is truly an inspiration. What makes her inspirational is her will - her grit - her positive attitude, towards herself and others. She moved up to NYC months before me - and has always offered kind words, enormous support, and never-ending directions and NYC destinations. She is a success in her own right - a bonafide star on HBO's "The Wire" and getting set for a cross-country theater tour. She's a wonderful mother to her beautiful son Henry, and partner to her amazing beau, Tim. If you're not yet a fan, you will be...

JILTED BY JOE FIX

I knew it was a mistake at the time. As I poured the caramel flavored coffee from the bowels of the work break room into a warm mug at 11:30pm - I knew I would never get to sleep. Well - here I am, wide awake at 3am! Worked tonight - so this is a rundown of where my head has been for the past 9+ hours:

1) Congress blitzed through a bunch of bills (funny enough - a Democratic measure to give Republican staffers who will soon be out of jobs as a result of midterm election outcome - severance pay - sailed through the House floor. Probably will move through Senate just as speedily).
2) Chicago high-rise shooting
3) Iraq, Iraq, Iraq - Violence, Violence, Violence
4) IL terror suspect
Those are just the highlights. Plan to sleep them off, and attack new mind-benders tomorrow... in just 9 hours from now - hooray!

A HAIR AFFAIR

UPDATES
OUT AND ABOUT:
Last night was the ABC News Radio Christmas Party - and man, was it a hum-dinger. I had plans to hit it up, then head to roller disco at the Roxy with my gal pal Heather - but was cornered by colleagues and couldn't get away in time to hit up the skate date. So thanks to Heather's understanding, maternal quality - we rescheduled via text - and I dove headfirst into the full bar. Here's a picture of me and my new bar buddy James:

Now - pay close attention to my hair. I had it down at the night's start at the urging of my roommate and fellow ABCer Mary Ellen. But I was completely self-conscious about its curly madness - as I felt like I was either channeling CHEETARA from the Thunder Cats or trying out for MUSTAFA in the Lion King. Anyway - threw it back mid-party - and then, as you can see, it was all smiles.
PEACE TALKS:
Waiting for the Wye River peace summit with boy I was dating proved fruitless - so I sent out a diplomatic email in the spirit of being above the fray and civil. It looks as if both parties will never meet again, but I remain committed to peace in the aforementioned scenario. The situation has led my mind wander - and not knowing where the said party stands - I take comfort in the humor that are my friends on the subject. As a wise friend once wrote in a similar boy drama situation: "I wish I could sue for alimony or something... or assholimony."

THE ONE:
This brings us to the next subject of "The One." I have heard several guys say in recent weeks that former girlfriends just weren't "The Ones." What constitutes "The One"? Are these guys waiting for a woman to walk into their lives at a diner - and get a tingling sensation? I have taken up the subject with many people - and we're pretty much in agreement that men - for the most part - when they're ready to settle down - just kinda look to their left or right and whomever they're dating at the time is "The One." A girlfriend of mine said that when a guy used the "You're just not THE ONE" line after a handful of dates - she laughed in his face and wryly smirked out, "You know - The One doesn't really exist. Good luck with all that." Anyway, open to a back-and-forth debate on this issue... so fire away... especially the fellas.
PARTY CRASHERS:
Friend Julie offered up a fantastic mission - that I'm TOTALLY feeling this time of year. We all know that Manhattan is a-go with Holiday parties galore. Companies really go ALL OUT at these functions - some hosting in the 5-star hotels you or I will likely never see. Anyway, considering crashing some of these holiday parties, especially the big ones. Think it would be hilarious to greet security with "I'm not on the list? I'm Allison from Accounting, and this is Heather from Payroll." Once inside, we can mingle with random people with statements like "I haven't seen you since the LAST party - how are you?" and "How's that analysis on the Johnson account going? Did you get the spreadsheet?" Anyway, it's just in spit-balling phase at current. Will let you know what comes of all this and more...

Things that make you go OUCH!

She is a soft-spoken, petite woman but she delivers a big blow. I'm talking about my personal trainer, Sonya, and after today's session - I'm not sure if I'll ever go back. Seriously, I'm literally not sure I can go back - because EVERY MUSCLE in my body is in anguish and by this time tomorrow, walking and breathing will be an issue.

I basically pay her to say "Five more, Allison... five more" and take my dirty looks. But she gets me to the gym on time and ready to go - and without her, there would certainly be no "five more." I'm liking this personal training thing; it's just so personal!

DEADSKINS

In early stages of applying to be a foster mom for a new football team. The Redskins are so very sad this year; I am left with little choice but to look elsewhere for sideline excitement. Even though Santana had stellar performance yesterday, he can't save the team. WPost's Jason La Canfora's Monday morning H-Back analysis is pretty spot-on - especially his references to JC/first-time starter clunker performance and the fact that Nick the Kick will be no more. It's depressing - and I'm now taking suggestions for new teams.

HOLIDAZE

Oh yes - and big ol' helping of pre-holiday cheer - as well as birthday shout-out to Keenan. Lincoln Center tree lighting had me feelin' warm and fuzzy. Or maybe it was the thermos full of vodka.

HERE WE GO!

Hello all. Or you. Or just me.
First time blogger here, and I'm ready to rock out with the random!

The fellas were in from DC last night - and I'm still recovering. Went to Marie's Crisis - where my liver actually had an out of body experience, floating high above fantastic looking men in fierce Burberry scarves.

But my liver didn't see the light - and the God of Gay told it to return to my body and shape up... which I completely ignored. Pix from the wild night below:

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To other randomness - hoping to secure time and date for Wye River peace summit with boy that I was dating 2 weeks ago - but since then - he has apparently become a conjoined twin surgeon at refugee camps around the world. That's the only logical explanation one can make because he has dropped off the face of the earth. In fact peace summit may not even happen - as I believe it's easier to convince Hezbollah to disarm and open a stationery shop in Chelsea. Somewhere right now - there is a troll who used to chase me down with gigantic, glaring red flags who is chuckling indeed...

In other news, met a bonafide mover-and-shaker gazillionaire for drinks the other night, and his story was truly inspiring. At one point, my mind gave chase to the idea of him being my life coach. If you too want him to be your life coach - catch his blog at www.fabricegrinda.com