Exhale

Party's over - and it turned out pretty great. Some pictures of the big event honoring Julie & Marc:

Sub-Zero

Hilarious Heather gets my sides-splittin' again. Hit the title for a hoot!

Brain Dump

NOBODY HOME
What's worse than working for 7-days in a row last week, with wall-to-wall VA Tech? That's right - double shifts this week - and they're overnighters.
STRESS UNCUT
Hosting Julie and Marc's big engagement party this weekend in DC, and the planning process and subsequent headaches have caused such a code red stress threat - that I've decided to totally elope (you know, if I'm ever The One).
DEBBIE DOWNER
If you see a couple madly in love, it means one of two things. 1) One of them is internally panicking the relationship is about to come crashing down. 2) The relationship is just about to come crashing down.
S1, PHONE HOME
I haven't talked with Sarah in a while - which means one thing: she's in cocoon mode after getting back together with her ex.
SONJA WRATH
Punishing work schedule means I haven't gotten a training session in with Sonja over the past 2 weeks. She's so going to kick my arse when I do see her.
ACRIMONIOUS ACRONYM
Good Morning America tries to be all smooth and stuff - using TSS as an abbreviation for its Times Square Studios. It also stands for Toxic Shock Syndrome - and I know some people who intentionally confuse the two.
HISTORY LESSON
Did a little history of Hells Kitchen the other day, and discovered that a quaint tea and coffee shop on 9th that I pass daily used to be a gay bar called "The Loading Zone".

Blacksburg Insanity

So Alex returned from her Walmart-wearing booking job for CNN in Blacksburg, and oh - the tales she told! So glad I wasn't down there.
STAND-OUT STORY:
After booking a guest for Paula Zahn show, a producer from Fox News (clad in Hokie gear) - began talking with the guest and leading him away from Alex and crew. Fox guy then shoved the guest in a car and the sedan peeled off... to Fox's remote base. I kid you not - people were kidnapping guests.

Blacksburg Troops

Sometimes I'm glad I'm not thrown into the midst of breaking news. I like being in a newsroom for the big stories, able to process stuff with a bit of perspective - and not be rushed to locate interviews, fiddle with travel, find newsmakers, and track down media handlers. Don't get me wrong, there's no better place to be for a journalist than on the scene of something truly big - but I know that I operate best from home base. For me, the field has too many changing variables.

Friend Alex is down in Blacksburg... booking for CNN, which I'm sure has a staff there the size of a college campus.

She called me the day of the shooting - about midday - saying she was heading down. She sounded a bit frazzled, as was I - called in early to work. I briefly tried to calm her stress level, before she hung up and was on a plane.

She called again today - I think just to get a brain break. She was on her cell phone, and told me she was walking to a dorm. This is what I can remember of our conversation:

Allison: "Hey, how are you holding up?"
Alex: "I'm okay - but we're kinda getting served down here on some exclusives."
Allison: "Yeah, I saw your show last night - good thing the vigil was going on at the same time."
Alex: "Yeah really. I look like a mess."
Allison: "Why?"
Alex: "They sent me down directly from CNN on Monday. I came down here without any clothes - without anything. I had to buy clothes, even underwear, at WalMart!!"
Allison: "Oh dear."
Alex: "Listen, I'm at the dorm - and I have to go and harass a student. I gotta go."

And like that - my friend continued on her dizzying, sleep-deprived journalistic journey. I don't know how long they'll keep her down there. I think most of our troops are coming back this weekend. Anyway, I find the image of her itching and miserable in shapeless WalMart clothes - romping around campus trying to book guests (and more importantly - preventing Anderson 360 and Larry King from stealing those guests) pretty hilarious. But I'm proud of her - as well as all the journalists down in Blacksburg - many of whom I bet are trying to keep themselves together around all that sadness.

Trip The Light Fantastique!

While shaking off day at a bar near work last night - a really cute Frenchman tried to pick me up - insisting he had seen me somewhere before. I waved off his advances until he asked if I had ever lived in Washington. Hiccup.

Anyway, he said he recognized me and he started rattling off DC haunts. I felt like I had made an instant bud. He also played for the DC United (which explained his fantastic physique and gave laughable status to amateur soccer players everywhere). The Frenchman and I talked for a while - and he even suggested restaurants for when Heather and I will be in Paris.

At the end of the night, he walked me home - and near my apartment, when I ran into a bodega for bottled water as part of "Allison's Great Hydration" tour - he bought me 2 bouquets of daisies from the outdoor vendor. On the street, with the flowers in hand, I blushed and gushed. Those Frenchmen are so smooth. Les Romantique!

I gave him my number, and he pledged to take me out for proper champagne one night. The only thing is I can't for the life of me remember his name. I know - it's pathetic, but he only said his name at the beginning of the night - when I was fending off his advances. Anyone know a 31-year-old Frenchman who played for DC United? Beer to the person who googles him first.

Frenchy must've given me my mojo back - because guys at deli across the street kept calling me each other's "girlfriend" on lunch hour romp today. The manager even told me that if I bring a picture of myself in, they'll name a sandwich after me. That would be the ultimate. It would HAVE to be the french dip...

Les Schmoop!

CD Burn Yearn

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my friend Brad. He just stopped by my edit room, and handed me the new Gwen Stefani CD to burn. Sometimes friends just make your day. Thanks Brad!

Still at Work

This VA Tech story really takes a toll when you're working it all day long. Very, very, very sad. Being a native Virginian adds to the sting.

Coming Undone

have. been. through. the. ringer. today.
just. had. third. mini. meltdown.
still... at... work...

The Loo Rawks

Pujols is a god today - rockin' 2 outta the park and landing 5 RBIs. He's so money.

Inventor on Acid?

At movies, Heather and I spotted snack so hilarious - we just had to snap it! Who would eat this?!

Girly Date at Manly Movie

Saw Grindhouse last night, and it kinda rocked my world. Besides the usual Tarantino gore stuff - there were some great one-liners, and the "Machete" and "Don't" trailers were hilarious. Both features were solid, though I liked Death Proof a little more. Go see it - so we can talk about it!

A big you're-amazing-I'm-so-lucky-your-my-friend-gold-star-and-sticker medal to Heather for not only dragging me out and providing to-go beverages - but also having a man at the theater for me, in case I wanted to test new waters. What a gal!

Top of World To Bottom of the Shoe

WALKIN' ON SUNSHINE
One morning last week - I strutted out of my apartment to an upbeat song in my head (since I still don't have an ipod) - and toward the subway for work. The weather was nice, people were opening doors for me, I was feeling great about my shoes, a woman even game me a flower as I rounded a street corner. I felt fabulous - like I was in a movie or something. It was going to be a great day indeed.
I got off the subway at Lincoln Center, bounding up the stairs, and right into dog poo. Of course.

Good idea. Bad idea.

WYE RIVER PEACE SUMMIT
Good idea. Bad idea. Good idea. Bad idea. That was the back-and-forth in my brain for about 1.5 hours last night - during bilateral discussions at a restaurant in the West Village. I asked myself a million times why I was even doing this - sitting at a table with someone who clearly didn't think I was worth the effort when we were dating. Why did I facilitate this meeting? Do I enjoy self-torture? Do I want closure from this guy? Do I need some answers? Do I still have a romantic bend toward him? Do I just want to do the right thing and be friendly and civil and nice? Am I capable of being friends?
I think it was a combo platter of all of the above... but those burning questions pretty much came out like this: "How's your food?" and "Any vacation time coming up?" and "Are you still playing soccer?"
I've really never been good with pink elephants in the room, and last night there were 3 from the Barnum & Bailey circus at Madison Square Garden sitting in our bread basket and pouring our wine. One even helped me take my jacket off.
Departure at the subway was one of those awkward brother hugs. That one act gave me closure... not bankable closure - no - but with this guy, it's clearly all I'm going to get. I walked away knowing that he didn't care about me - didn't want to care about me - and even if he did, I would probably always be up against his limitations. It's all really a shame, because last night - for the first time - I realized and admitted to myself that I had fallen for him 6 months ago. Yeah, it hurt that bad.
I don't think I can stomach another peace summit right now, so I may just send my Deputy Secretary to the next meeting.
BACK ON THE HORSE
After the summit, I had plans to meet UN guy I'd been out on a date with earlier in the week. He's super sweet and nice, and is attentive and attractive. It's funny, because he just looks like a West Village guy... shaggy, soft hair - cool jeans - deconstructed blazer. I can't describe it - but I think he'd look out of place in another neighborhood. Anyway, I probably ruined the date with my mood, but he was accommodating and nice - and while internally, I was whooping it up at a my own pity party - I just wanted to be around someone accommodating and nice. He succeeded in putting a smile on my face before I headed home.
BRAIN BREAK
I need some time away from my life right now - to sit with myself and shake some feelings. And I need hugs more than anything.

Diplomacy

SHUTTLE BUG
As mentioned in a previous post, shuttle diplomacy with guy that pulled "The Fadeaway" in November has yielded a unilateral agreement to meet. And tonight, bilateral talks are expected to resume for the first time in 5 months. I've thought a lot about what the outcome should be of such a high-level meeting. Here are my objectives:
1) To re-establish dialogue
2) To re-assert my own commitment to dialogue
3) To throw a drink in his face
Just kidding on #3. Truth is, I have a lot of feelings going into this meeting: very trepidacious, a little nervous, and excited. In short, I'm a mess.
*I so wish my girlfriends and others that believe in me would hide in a bathroom at the restaurant - checking my moods at every "bathroom break" and preventing me from drinking too much (because I tend to really throw 'em back when I'm nervous).
**Fitting that this is all happening Friday the 13th. It has all the makings of a disaster

Pearls before Breakfast

Best experiment ever. Click on the title above.

Pumping Iron

You know you're getting older when your prescription list gets longer. For women, that means getting something other than The Pill on their pharmacy romp. For men, well - that usually means making that first pharmacy stop... that is, if they've gotten a regular doctor check-up in the first place, which I'm sure - unless they have a nagging wife - they haven't.

Last time I met with my doctor, she told me I was teetering toward being anemic - and that I needed 2 horse-pill size doses of iron every day. I thought about it over a hamburger, and called my mom. We talked about who else in our family was anemic - and then she said, "Well, if you go on iron supplements - you'll need to get Metamucil or something." I was shocked. Why? What for? I'm a vital 30-year-old who just needs more steak dinners - I do not need anything to keep me regular. My mom offered clear warning that iron supplements meant trouble for the ol' intestinal rodeo, so my pharmacy list got longer.

Now - with muscle relaxers, iron supplements, "regular enhancers" and ordinary vitamins - my medicine cabinet looks like something my grandmother would have shelved away. Great - I'm only 30.

Salon Warning Sign

Walked into random DC salon to get a blowout - and had to pay the 40-bucks in advance. As I was thinking about how strange it was that I was paying ahead of my service - it all made sense when I read this plaque on the wall:
Dear Customers,
We are an establishment that places a high value on different cultures and customs. Please refrain from using curse words, shouting, or walking out without paying in response to our services.
We do not want to have to make an embarrassing 911 call as a result of behavior in this establishment.
YIKES! At least it was just a blowout, which an idiot can pretty much do. Then again, I pay 40-bucks for an idiot's service - so who's the real idiot?

DeeCee

I'm in DC, and the Cherry Blossoms are gorgeous.

Cash Cab

After a drink with Alex tonight, I joked that we should find the "Cash Cab" for her ride home. She had no idea what I was talking about - and I was shocked she was still curbside on the game show. To non-NYers or those who don't watch Discovery - it's the best money-maker around. Click on the title to get the gist.
Many nights, while tipsy in The Village - I have tried to hail the "Cash Cab" - actually screaming it to minivan cabs as they've whizzed by.
One day, I will find it - and one day, you might find yourself face-to-face with me yelling at you from a cab - looking for a street shout-out answer. Be ready for this day.