Sortin' out Superbowl

SUPERBOWL XLI
Who's doing what for Superbowl Sunday? Give me a time and place to get my nachos on.
And since I've drank with Ditka - my money's on the Bears.

Fashion & Fun

CLOTHESHORSE
If you get to the Nan Kempner exhibit at the Met, go for the guided tour. Daniela and I hit it today, and it was wonderful. The woman's closet is unbelievable - top designer works everywhere: YSL, Lacroix, Valentino. It is a stunning display of the private fashion of one of New York's most fashionable and charitable women. As a Project Runway fan, I can say it was some serious eye candy and I wanted to steal all her handbags!
MARTINIS IN LES
Was able to wrestle Alex away from her blackberry long enough to continue our quest of trying new bars and restaurants. We headed to Double Happiness in LES last night. The bar is underground, nestled in Chinatown - and kind of hard to find (Alex and I walked by it twice and had to call - like idiots - before locating it). It was all very good - and on a quiet Monday night - a perfect place for us to catch up on the past week. So we toasted this Double Happiness find as women who are indeed doubly happy in our lives. Her energy and zest for new experiences in this city is infectious - and I hope we can keep up the mission of expanding our "hotspot horizons."
WORK AND PLAY
Tomorrow, I have to be in at work at 4:30am - ugh - and begin a 7-day stretch in the newsroom. Double ugh. The bright side is that I have a lot of after-school activities planned in the evenings, so that should make the work grind a bit more bearable. On the radar, a couple of dates - dinner with friends - and hopefully, an outing to find a bar trivia joint... which I've pretty much wanted to find ever since moving here.

Thundercats!

Totally getting my Cheetara on today - now that Dori, my salon stylist, has abandoned me. Cheetara isn't so bad, of all the Big Cats to leave Planet Thundera, right? I mean - I recall she was quick - and that she had a staff or rod or something. She also 'sensed' things - which would be plausible because she was the lone feline fe-lion, and girls are good at 'sensing' things.
AMERICAN CHIC
After a blowout of course, Daniela and I are checking out Nan Kempner exhibit at the Met tomorrow. I'm super excited to learn more about the woman YSL called “the world’s most famous clotheshorse." We hope to get a tour guide, just to get the full scoop of the woman wrapped in fabrics!

Snow & Sid

SUCH A FLAKE
Exhilarating feeling to emerge from subway and see snowflakes blowing all around you.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOWN UNDA!
A big birthday shout-out to Sid today! Well, actually it's tomorrow - but since he's in NZ where tomorrow's already happening - happy birthday today! I'm confused.

Dates & Figs

SUITS & SUCKERS - SWEETIES & MEANIES
I've had some hilarious and heart-wrenching dates the past several years as a single girl with the world as her oyster. Laughed endlessly with girls a couple nights ago regaling... some of them too funny not to pen. From the official "Sucks and the City" vault:
1) Went on one date with a seemingly normal pharmaceutical sales rep when I first moved to NYC. He said he had started his own business, which had nothing to do with pharmaceutical sales. When I inquired, he told me trapeze. No joke. I walked the tight-wire outta there - but got a business card just to make sure he was for real.
2) Went to first date dinner with a suit in DC - who couldn't stop talking about how important his lobbying job was, and how much he made. He also suggested an inappropriate ending to our evening, which hit the turn-off tilt. So when he excused himself to the restroom, I ordered one of the most expensive bottles of wine, watched the waiter cork it, took a sip, and left.
3) Lived with a guy and he broke up with me over email when I was working overnight shifts covering the War in Iraq. Thus, "Shock and Awe" campaign became "Shock and Ouch" campaign. Awesome times.
4) Have gone out with guys who have wanted to learn guitar, guys who play guitar in bands, and guys who teach guitar. Needless to say, I've plucked that supportive string.
5) When I was in college, one guy even serenaded me with a song he said he wrote for us... and I can remember not knowing where to stare. "Do I look at him? Do I look at the ground? Do I look at the guitar?" The uncomfortable factor hit a high note, and days later - the band broke up.
6) Once seriously Bridget Jones'd it during a date. I was crazy about a guy named Bill - so crazy, that I needed half a bottle of wine beforehand to settle nerves. Ended horribly - him fleeing my apartment because he just wasn't over his past girlfriend. You would have though I would've accepted this unfortunate fact and found peace in it. Well, forget it. I chased him down a DC street around midnight - screaming at him to come back - too tipsy for ANY SORT of self respect. He fumbled quickly for his car keys as I approached, and peeled off. I apologized in an email the next day. He accepted apology but probably blocked my email after that.
7) One blind date guy this past summer gave me a serious complex when we met for coffee - he excused himself to the bathroom - and upon returning to table, excused himself out of there. What's worse - random guy sitting next to me leaned over and said "That was rude." Thanks.
*Aside: Shortly afterwards, called a girlfriend to get sympathy - but got none as she informed me that she dumped herself - over the phone and at work, because her boyfriend at the time didn't have the nerve to do it himself. I still remember that day like it was yesterday, standing on a street in Harlem on a hot summer day - talking to my friend who had just broken up with herself - laughing hysterically at the pathetic nature of our lives.
8) First real boyfriend from college was Greek, and whenever he started fighting with me in Greek - I mocked his native tongue back... a very childish move, I admit - but it succeeded in making us a modern day Lucy & Ricky, which is kind of amusing.
9) Ran into a NBC editor at the gym I had dated years ago. He walked right up to me and said, "Allison Browne - you look amazing. How are you?" I beamed at the pull-up bars and quickly entertained a dating reunion... which was just as quickly dashed when he said "I'm great - got married, bought a place, and we're now expecting a baby!!" I was like, "Of course you are! My life sucks."
10) Dated a guy long distance who needed to "find himself" - spurring our subsequent break-up. Well, he found himself soon moving to my area - and he found himself a new girlfriend too - also in my area. That was awesome. Think he's still finding himself - as he's moved again, and moved out of another relationship.
11) Most romantic award goes to Sid of NZ. I met him in front of the White House on a crisp Spring day... which in retrospect, was one of the most romantic moments throughout our entire relationship. The rest was arguing and arduous circumstances, and Allison being her usual stubborn and impatient self.
12) Picked up a Air Force guy during Fleet Week in NYC... I picked him up because I had made it my purpose to pick up an Armed Forces guy during Fleet Week. Therefore, he became forever known as "Aim High."
HEARTFELT ADVICE
Some pretty great advice has come from all these dating twists and tumbles, turns and yearns:
1) My college friend Ryan once told me that you should be over your last boyfriend (or girlfriend) by the time the last movie you saw together as a couple at the theater - starts showing on HBO. Great benchmark.
2) "When in Hell, keep moving." My favorite, and obvious nod to Churchill.
3) "Stop thinking about him, because I can promise you - he's not thinking about you."
4) "Old Yeller was a good dog, until he went mad and we had to shoot him. We were all sad for a while, but it wasn't before long until we learned to love puppies again. You will too."

Senior Prank?

BC-MT--School Vandalism,0348
Vandals glue door locks at Bozeman HS
BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) -- Vandals put super glue in the locks of about 40 doors at Bozeman High School, causing damage that may cost as much as $10,000 to repair, a newspaper reported Saturday.
"It is not going to be insignificant, unfortunately," Ed Sondeno, who's in charge of school buildings and repairs, told the Bozeman Daily Chronicle.
The vandalism occurred Wednesday night or early Thursday. Wednesday evening the high school was full of people: The speech and debate team was hosting its parents night, girls teams were playing basketball in the gym and the school was open to the public.
Sondeno said he got a call early Thursday morning from head custodian Arnie DeHaan.
Locks on classroom doors had been glued shut in the B, C, D, E and G wings, said Gary Griffith, who's in charge of the district's major construction projects.
Mountain Locksmithing & Security Center was called and sent a crew of six who spent four hours getting all the classrooms open, said company owner Winston Morrissey.
"We've been able to salvage about 26 of the 40 locks," Morrissey said. Salvaged locks were reinstalled Friday.
Some of the locks date back to 1957, when the school was built, and repair parts aren't available, Griffith said.
School officials now must decide what to do about the remaining doors that cannot be locked.
The district can't simply go out and buy new locks at the hardware store, Morrissey said. The old locks were Corbin Unit locks, extremely specialized and expensive items used in government buildings and hospitals, he explained.
"It's a terrible waste of taxpayers' money," Morrissey said. "It's a hardship on the students, a hardship on the administrators, and it's going to continue until this is resolved."
The school district had already planned to seek bids to replace the old high school locks with a new computerized electronic security system, similar to the electronic "key" systems used in motels, Griffith said, but going out to bid would take months.
------
Information from: Bozeman Daily Chronicle, http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Love, Weather, and Kinda Hilarious

NO LOVE FOR CUPID
Jeremy Piven guest of "The View" and subsequently in our building this morning. He seems to be everywhere these days - takin' his mom to whatever awards ceremony is happening, or people gushing over him on red carpet while he's wearing some "I'm trying to be different with the ascot" ensemble. I'm over him. And now that I'm thinking about it, I'm also over Eva Longoria.
BRRRR...
Temps took a nosedive overnight. Result is sub-freezing temps with wind tunnels howling between skyscrapers. My first official NYC winter, and I hate it. If there can be any good news it's that I'm officially rocking my Michael Kors down puffin, which I love.
CAN'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP
BC-Moose Head Suit,0089
Student sues Penn State over moose head fall
UNIONTOWN, Pa. (AP) -- A Penn State student is suing the school, claiming she has suffered from headaches ever since a stuffed moose head fell on her in a classroom.
Amy Walters said she got hurt while taking a biology test at the university's Fayette campus in 2005. The lawsuit, filed Thursday, seeks unspecified damages.
A school spokeswoman had no comment.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Herbal Polonium: An ABC News Exclusive

The former Russian spy murder investigation gets more fascinating today with the latest from ABC News investigative unit. This story begs a captive audience for its international complexity alone. Click this title for the blotter.

Whirlwind

GIRLS GONE WILD
Meghan was in town from DC and we went into serious go-mode as soon as she stepped off the train. Many adventures as follows:
1) Aquavit dinner with Alex was a great scandi meal. We even made new friends with our neighboring diners, who joined our discussion of lame dates - and laughed in unison with us about a date who once tried to "impress" me by announcing that he really wanted to get an Ironman tattoo. Idiot.
2) Singing at the top of our lungs to show-tunes at Marie's Crisis. I told some guy that I was Elaine Stritch's niece, and we got free booze for rest of night.
3) Holy Hangover Tuesday! At least Meghan and I weren't working. Alex not only had to clock in to CNN - she had to stay all night for the State of the Union. Ouch.
4) Biggest adventure for Megs and I Tuesday was getting knock-off bag on Canal Street. We waited for some man to whisper, "Handbags, handbags" to us - proceeded to follow him for 4 blocks - then entered a warehouse that can only be described as a demilitarized zone. We then were passed off to a woman who led us up a 12-story walk-up - getting keys in secret places as she led us up. After a series of floors and doors and feeling like we were going to be murdered - she led us into a sweat shop and took us to a back room full of handbags. There, we gazed at beautiful Chanel knock-offs, Coach fakes, Louis phonies... marvelous. Megs picked out a stunning Prada bag - and we got out of there before we became a "Law & Order: Special Handbag Victims Unit" episode. Anyway, quite the adventure.
5) Tuesday night I felt a little under weather - so we just took in Comedy Cellar show - which was awesome because line-up included Darrell Hammond and Sherrod Small and we sat in the front row.

Blah

HEADS UP
There is an unidentifiable foul odor at the SW entrance to the 34th/Penn subway station. I've noticed it over the last few days - near the stairs by the 1,2,3 trains. I would avoid this area - or at least, don't drink a strawberry/banana smoothie while walking through this hazmat... like I did...
MUSIC MOOD
If you're in a great mood, don't scroll to Richard Buckner or Amos Lee on your ipod. Your mood will take a nasty tumble.
MONDAY, MONDAY
Hitting uber-trendy Aquavit Restaurant tomorrow night with Meghan - who'll be up from DC. http://www.aquavit.org/flash.html Will provide review once we pay the check.

Celebrity Skin

PIPPIN!
Friend Daniela and I discussing celeb sightings in the Big Apple. I've got some pretty good ones in my 9 months here:
1) Saw Ben Vereen at Dinosaur BBQ. I actually belted out "Pippin!" and he flashed me an amazing smile.
2) Saw Tom Cavanaugh (from "Ed") at the Lincoln Center subway platform. He was coming, I was going - and for about 7 seconds - our eyes locked and we both fell in subway love.
3) Matt Dillon leading a lanky blonde on a Sunday night in the UWS. She was chatting his ear off - he could have cared less.
4) Usher hitting the rink for roller disco at The Roxy. He owned his own skates, and had mad good moves.

Hola Barcelona - Bonjour Paris!

CAVA AND BRIE!
Just booked tickets for Barcelona and Paris trip, and feeling great to have another overseas vacation on the radar! Julie's wedding outside Barcelona being the catalyst - Heather and I are also heading to Paris on same jaunt. We plan to live dual lives while there - thoughtful American tourists by day and flirty girls who dance on discotheque platforms by night.
HELL'S KITCHEN HELL
Love how high-class nights can turn into low-class nights so quickly. Last night was a good example, as started at the very nice Market Cafe on 9th with Kenny and Alex and ended with Alex and I at a dive crap bar with what seemed like circus freaks - talking to a guy named Justice from Harlem for far longer than we should have, and screaming at the bartender to play Pink Floyd.
WINDSWEPT EFFECT
Windy walk to work today had my hair looking like I was in a Beyonce music video.
REAL ART
Yesterday, pang of sadness upon hearing news that famed satirist Art Buchwald had died. His columns were a big part of my literary diet. Loved his wit... even the humor he used to describe dying. For an instant smile, go to the NYTimes website and listen to the first line of his "Last Word" video. It's a pearler.
SID CALLS
Ex-boyfriend Sid from New Zealand keeps calling to catch up, but I keep missing him BECAUSE HE CAN'T DO MATH AND REALIZE THAT I'M EIGHTEEN HOURS BEHIND HIM - so his 3am rings go unanswered. I gotta get that guy an international time zone clock.

Craigslist Love

ONLINE BAITING
From the "only in New York" category, my friend Heather found this on Craigslist missed connections:

to the cute assistant DA who arraigned me yesterday - m4w - 25 (Downtown)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reply to: pers-264150195@craigslist.org
Date: 2007-01-17, 2:52PM EST

I noticed you in the courtroom as soon as they let me in from the bullpen; you arraigned me on charges of making graffiti, posession of a graffiti implement and misdemeanor posession. any chance I can buy you dinner when I'm done with my 2 days community service?

Tagged

My friend Nate tagged me - and now I have to disclose 5 things that you don't know about me.
1) I had to wear headgear with my braces... but only at night, thank goodness.
2) I still have a permanent retainer. It hides behind my bottom teeth, and has suprised some boys during kissyface.
3) My passport picture is the absolute worst picture of anyone alive or dead, and is a source of extreme embarrassment. In fact, I will only show it to someone I'm dating if I'm looking to get out of the relationship.
4) I once got head lice from a girl I babysat, right after she came back from a trip to Central America. My mother got RID of it with some gunk and a tiny little comb that hurt my tweeny head ("Oh my god, like totally like embarassing and like serious ouch factor.")
5) My senior superlative was "Class Heartbreaker." Let's just say karma's taking care of that one...

"Hair"rified

EMERGENCY SITUATION
There's an emergency situation in my life - and yesterday, it played out like this:
PHONE: {RING, RING}
RECEIVER: "Hello."
ALLISON: "Good Afternoon. I'd like to schedule an appointment for a blowout with Dori tomorrow."
RECEIVER: "I'm sorry, Dori left this place of employment."
INTERNAL ALLISON: "NOW WHAT!?! MY LIFE! KEEP BREATHING; DON'T PASS OUT."
ALLISON: "Oh hi. It's Allison. Do you know where Dori is working now?"
RECEIVER: "Hi Allison. She went to a salon in Brooklyn. We'll have a new stylist later this week."
ALLISON: "Thank you - I'll call back. Goodbye."
EMERGENCY AFTERMATH
In light of this news, I actually tossed my cell phone clear cross the room and buried my head in my hands. I felt completely abandoned. After all, Dori knew so much about my hair, and subsequently, my life. In fact, I scheduled her and Sonya (the personal trainer) on a rotating basis because I certainly couldn't get a blowout before working out - that would ruin everything! I was even getting ready to let Dori CUT my hair - we had become that close. Now it's meaningless. And to think how much I invested... Ladies, please toss me hair master suggestions around midtown, or a kleenex if you see me on the street.
TOOL BELT
Clubs in NYC are pretty much tool-infested, and this past weekend was no exception. I personally have only been to clubs twice in past the year I've been here - so I consider that a pretty good track record. On Saturday night - decided the girls should go dancing as Heather's friend was spinning at at a club on 28th. It was insanely ridiculous. After passing the bevy of bouncers out front, we made our way inside to a sea of silicone breasts and eurotrash men with more hair gel than all 3 Gotti brothers combined. We rocked our moves on the dance floor, not forseeing the fact that we had become dangling meat targets of literally every man that walked by. One man was like a human pinball - as he was so drunk, that he kept forgetting we had rejected him earlier - and he continued to bounce back in to us several times. Heather told him we were lesbians, and he aborted. Heather and Alex were "attacked" too - so much so that I told one guy it was her bachelorette party, and she was getting married the next day. Seriously, why can't a group of girls just go out and dance and enjoy themselves without getting groped? Next time - wait, there'll be no next time...
WHY MOMA WHY?
So MOMA has a fascinating exhibit with a great concept: a "Streetscapes" Donald Sutherland film based on life in NYC on the actualy facade of the building - so as to create a drive-in movie feel. http://www.moma.org/exhibitions/2007/aitken/
People will be able to view it from 53rd street. It will be shown every night, from dusk to 10pm until next month. Everyone is praising the fact this glowing exhibit is free and uses the streetscape as its focal point. It's evident, however, that I was missing in the MOMA board of directors meeting - because I would have pointed out that temperatures each night are sub-freezing, meaning it's likely no one will see it.
WIND WHIPPED

Got beat up this morning on my way into work. The wind off the Hudson really delivered a pounding; bruises now forming from the battering. After work today, I'm going to take pictures and head to a police station to report. Abuse in any form will not be tolerated!

Bed Bugs

VERY ALARMING
My ability to snap snooze quickly on my alarm clock and do the fastest, most lucid math possible while entering a new wake-up time in the mornings is truly amazing. After all, I hate math - in all forms - especially TIME MATH! But there I am, half-asleep with pillow marks all over my face, and bed covers strewn - blazing through advanced time math problems as I race for more sleep. Truly remarkable.
ALARM AMBITION
Why do I set my alarm so early in the first place? Well, I apparently suffer from nighttime "I'm-going-to-wake-up-early-and-get-a-lot-of-stuff-done-before-work-wishful-but-totally-false-ambition-syndrome." And for the life of me, I don't know why I suffer from this condition EVERY SINGLE night.
DREAM/NIGHTMARES
Speaking of sleep, I haven't been getting much the last week - because I've been having nightmare dreams of work. These are the dreams when I'm at work - all hell's breaking loose - I'm missing feeds - people are angry at me - no one's doing anything right - and I'm fumbling under extreme stress. Then I wake up and have to really go to work, and that's when depression and hopelessness join up with me on my walk into the newsroom.
DOUBLE-EDGED SONYA
So with everyone's New Year's resolutions to get in shape and lose weight, my personal trainer has become a personal enigma. She sets up times with me to meet - and then by virtue of my wacky schedule or her over-booking - it won't work and we'll have to reschedule. Problem is, she has NO time to reschedule because she's booked with other clients like a month ahead of time. It feels like I'm trying to make that elusive gynecological appointment! Anyway, she's booked solid - my schedule's unpredictable - and I haven't seen her in about a month. Something's gotta give, and it may just be my ice cream willpower.

Iceland!

I went to Iceland last night - or at least I think I did. Was invited to the UN Ambassador from Iceland's apt. by his daughter and old college chum, Anna. It was one of those "only in New York" experiences - because the elevator opened up right at the apartment, and we played trivial pursuit on what was pretty much a state dining room table. Rad.

Ouch!

Apparently I had Ewok eyebrows when I went to the salon today - because my threading session hurt like hell.

Brain Dump

Okay, everybody - we've got a lot of ground to cover with this blog... as so much has been happening!
OUT-AND-ABOUT:
1) I still owe a review of the East Side Company bar, where Alex and I went last week. Well, it was applejack amazing! The "mixologist" made us applejack sours, and after one sip, I had wondered why I went so long without more applejack in my life. Thumbs up all around... will definitely draw me back the LES... which seems like the end of the world from the west side.
2) 3rd consecutive night with Alex consisted of us shaking our "thangs" at the Delancey, also a LES hangout - but that was a little too "guy skinny jean" for me, and I was still not feeling it due to the prior 2 latenights. Anyway, did see my dear friend Scott and his girlfriend Lynne - up from DC - so that was well worth it!
3) On Sunday - hit up East Village to meet with DC crew again... went to Forbidden City and Mona's. Solid night of socializing - even though I was exhausted.
4) Tonight I went for the gold with Heather - having a "fon-duo" night... meaning we polished off our cheese fondu with chocolate fondu. Two courses of bliss - and we laughed our faces off as we regaled horrible date/boyfriend stories.
FOOD CRITIC
I've been thinking about this for a while, and definitely am ready to make some calls about our favorite "Food Network" chefs.

- First and foremost, I've always been crazy about Alton Brown of "Good Eats." But lately, he's been doing a little too many skits in his show - which kind of annoys me. But still - his show is so amazingly informative - so he's on top.
- There is a person who's closing in on Brown, and she is quickly becoming my absolute favorite. Barefoot Contessa takes the "soothing voice" prize - and I could listen to her for hours.

Plus - she's always smiling, uses enough sticks of butter to make you feel crazy healthy, and always has some fabulous man-friend do flower arrangements.
- Giada makes me insane - mainly because of her gigantor head. It looks like it's going to roll off her body because of the weight, and is totally distracting. I can't concentrate on her homemade ravioli.

- Others of note:
*Bobby Flay is a tool - and somebody should tell him to stop wearing shirts that are too tight for his barbeque sauce gut.
*Sandra Lee is out of control. She's a mess who ends every show with a cocktail, and the cocktail doesn't even compliment the meal. Evidence of this is when she paired chicken parmigiana with a "mango fizz" cocktail. Wha?!?!
TACKY? OR TOTALLY!
I've been thinking about this for a while, just because I feel there is a huge inequity amongst couples and singles. Pros and cons abound on both sides, but what about the registry? We all know the traditional vision of a young couple starting out - getting married, and thus, creating a registry for things they need - like appliances, China, etc... But in this day and age, with couples cohabitating years before marriage - why still register? Is it necessity or excess? I mean, I can't understand why a $400 piece of luggage is showing up on registries either! If anyone should be registering for stuff needed, it should totally be singles. I still don't have a freaking coffee machine - oh yeah, and I don't have that 2-person income either! Okay, okay - I know I'm getting way out of control and bound to be offending many of you marrieds - but it's partly because I walked by my dream China pattern the other day and began salivating. Do I have to wait until some man decides I'm "The One" - so that we too can join other couples in pointing those gun-scan thingies to get more thingies at a wedding registry department? I'm not even DATING anyone seriously, much less on the married track. So - I'm thinking about registering for myself - for me - for my life. Hit me with your thoughts - Tacky? or Totally!

So Mike Ditka Walks Into A Bar...

Yes, he did. I was not about going out tonight, as work was stressful and I needed some time by myself to unwind. Fortunately for me - Sarah knows what I'm about and was game for meeting up - even though my mood was far from stellar. Anyway, did dinner and hit a close bar (save the blowout!). So there we were - at a rinky dink bar on the Upper West Side having a nightcap glass of wine. Sarah goes to the bathroom, and Mike Ditka walks right by me! He sits only a few seats away, and when Sarah returns - we're already on him for a picture. We took this one on Sarah's celly. Anyway, after alerting my brothers via text about how I was now watching the Ohio/Southern Miss game with legend Mike Ditka - my night was pretty much made. Oh - and Mike was with a hot mess tonight - who put Cover Girl make-up on AT THE BAR! He kept calling her crazy, she kept ordering more wine, etc.... Also - Ditka drinks pinot noir and had a shrimp satay and nachos - for all you sports stalkers.

Mix It Up

MIXOLOGY
Hitting up East Side Company bar tonight in Chinatown. This place is one of those spots with no sign, no address, no front window. Alex and I are up for the "Amazing Race" adventure of it all. It's also supposed to be one of those places that doesn't have 'bartenders' but rather 'mixologists.' Don't know about you - but when I think about 'mixologists' I think of mix tapes. Wish I was getting one of those tonight...
MIX TAPE
Anyway, speaking of mix tapes and CDs - we got one in the mail the other day - but it was for someone who doesn't live at our address. It was hilarious - because song selection was very metal to melody to metal without any real transition. Also came with letter from a guy pouring his heart out - albeit sloppily - to the addressee. And if you're freaking out that we unlawfully opened someone else's mail, we did. But only because addressee's last name was also last name of my roommate - so there.
JITTERY BOSSES
Heather and I agree - a great way to get noticed at work is to just wear nice suits for a couple of days... and if you're like her, opt to go out for lunch instead of staying in. That way, bosses think you're out on job interviews. She's gotten a couple of bonuses/promotion offers in recent months, so I'm betting she's worked the "suit theory" this year. I'm toying with the theory application myself, and will report back on its success/failure.
SONYA'S BACK
Uh oh. I got caught up in the holidays. I went out with friends. What can I say - I imbibed and I partook. And just like a jackal sneaking up on its prey by moonlight on a Namibian plain - my personal trainer Sonya readies her pounce and sets up our next appointment. I just hope she gives me more time before whatever that "body composition/measurement" idea was she talked about while clearly tripping on Robitussin.

Mirror Image

You know how sometimes people will ask you who you'd like to meet, if you ever could - like presidents or celebrities?
Well - I now know my answer to that question. It's the person who designed the mirrors in the Macy's jeans department fitting room. AWESOME.

Moroccan Mass

MOROCCAN NIGHTS
So gal pal Alex and I sought out a chic and underground place called Kemia - in Hell's Kitchen. She had heard the mojitos were amazing, and I was game - so we headed to this hip joint and tried to see if it lived up to the hype. It did... major league. http://www.kemiabarny.com/
After a couple rounds, we started talking about one of her Match prospects, an Irish guy named Martin. Now, Martin is straight-up Irish, and indicated to her that he should go to Mass soon. She, being half Catholic - half Jewish decided that if he asked her to Mass, she would go. Now her mother converted from Catholicism to Judaism - so Alex was raised, for the most part, in a Jewish environment. She, however, is mild in her following and wants to be ready if he asks her to Mass. So we have decided that she and I will attend a Catholic Mass in the city sometime soon - to waylay any fears that she will break out in a rash in a Catholic church - which for her, is a very real fear. We both have Mass plans in the works, and she seems to like the guy - so we feel it will be a good experience nonetheless.
PEACE TALKS
Before mojitos with Alex, I had a very nice diner dinner with the Third Party of the Wye River peace accord process. I have to say that even though the peace talks will never happen, I have now realized the power of the Third Party. He's a good lot, and I feel that the Second Party may have brought me to the Third - a decent man who is becoming a real friend.

Your Chance to Vote

OH NO
Think I'm getting sick again. Have nagging cough and feel like I could take a nap at any juncture. Think it's the schizo-weather that's doing a number on me...
THEME PARTY
After Brandy and Tim's nice dinner, I think I'll throw an elaborate dinner party at some point. Think it should have a theme though, and you can vote now!
1) Deconstruction Dinner Party
2) Highbrow Hoo-Ha
3) Lovers' Quarrel
4) Ides of March
HATE THIS
So I'm in the work bathroom - doing my usual bathroom thing - and there's a woman a couple of stalls away from me. And besides doing her usual bathroom thing - she's also talking on her cell phone. Does anyone else think this should be banned, along with trans fats in NYC?
EURO
Ate dinner at Tao last night - and I didn't feel European enough to be there.
ASIDE
That Betty Ford must be exhausted.

Pass the Wine

DINNER PARTY DISCUSSION
- So at dinner party tonight - discussing how great it would be to go to a dinner party and fake an allergic reaction to something being served at the dinner party. Awesome practical joke.
- I'm constantly amazed at how domestic my friend Brandy has become. The dinner was homemade - she even talked us through how she put together the pop-overs. WHA?!? Oh yeah, and she knitted me a stocking for Christmas...
- Dinner was scrumptious - but kind of 'Bridget Jones Diary-ish' - as I really liked this one guy there, but of course, he had a girlfriend who was also there. So I just proceeded to dive into the wine and hang with my gays.

New Year Magic!

NYE IN NYC
Chris and I ventured out with boozed-filled thermos cannisters to Times Square around 9pm. We left in a sprightly state with every intention of getting a little tipsy, but not too messed up. Well - by midnight, you be the judge...



The night's lowlights:
-Getting kicked out of Rudy's bar
-Allison falling
-Allison swearing that her wrist was broken (later at home - putting a frozen chicken tariyaki on it to prevent swelling)
-Some guy doing a tequila "stuntman" shot - in which he snorted a line of salt, drank the shot, and squeezed lime juice in his eye - then ate the entire lime with the rind
-Some guy buying us WAY TOO MANY "duck fart" shots - amaretto, crown, and kahlua
-Chris trying to reenter bar we just got kicked out of
-Cab ride with strangers
GOOD VIBES
I have a really good feeling about 2007 - don't know why, but I just do.
Some things I'd like to do in the New Year:
1) give up tabs
2) spend more time writing for fun, not for work
3) take an artsy class