Saturday, July 28, 2007

You Think Your Schedule Stinks...

Typical workweek for me.
All different times, all different tasks.

Browne
Sun 8/5 - 12pm
Mon 8/6 - off
Tues 8/7 - off
Weds 8/8 - 6am
Thurs 8/9 - 430am
Fri 8/10 - 430am
Sat 8/11 - 12pm

It's really like staring down the barrel of depression.

Hilarity Ensues

Heather alerted me to this hilarious moment - Beyonce taking a stage dive. Sony yanked it pretty much everywhere on the web before I could catch it. But my good friend Ben did some digging:
http://my.break.com/media/view.aspx?ContentID=337789

This is just embarrassing: http://www.bestweekever.tv/2007/07/26/holly-hunter-bravely-takes-on-worst-celebrity-interviewer-ever/

When you care enough to send the very best:
http://www.someecards.com

Yummy Kimchi

Last night, headed to Koreatown with Heather to get some real Korean cuisine. Friend Kenny had promised to take me to Koreatown... but Kenny promises a lot of things... and I wait for no man. Heather was game enough for the gastronomical adventure.

Koreatown is awesome because you feel like you're in the middle another country, but it's not overwhelming and confusing like Chinatown. At least that's my opinion. It's also about 7 blocks away from my apartment, so that's clutch.

We had really great homemade dumplings at Mandoo bar... and a lot of Korean vodka. Overall - amazing experience. It's my new favorite Koreatown restaurant, though it's my only Koreatown restaurant so far...

Quitting

I had a pretty big moment today - or at least it was big for me. I passed a trash can and tossed half a pack of cigarettes away. A night out on the town usually means I dip into the tabs again - and since I pretty much go out every night - I'm now dipping into the tabs a lot. I got a dressing down on the subject from my trainer, Sonja last night... and I really have nothing to negate her on.

Anyway, quitting will be very difficult for me. I've got an stressful job - and I party a lot. But I've never felt the desire to really stop until now. This effort is going to take a lot of work - and I need my friends. I'll need tough love - like grabbing my lighter and throwing it down the sewer, like breaking a cigarette from my mouth and spitting in my face, like crumpling up the brand new box that I have bought and stomping on it. Yes, I will need my friends.

I will need friends with wills of steel - when I try to twist their words and manipulate their moods so that I can light up guilt-free. I will need sneaky friends who follow me to the ATM - running RECON to make sure money is all I take out. I will need a workout buddy besides Sonja to make sure that I'm always active - or have an active plan. I will need friends with children to be around me constantly, so that I don't fall to the urge. I will need random emails of support. This will pretty much be the hardest thing I've ever done.

A Sale?

Talking to my friend's fiancee and she tells me they're getting ready to raid a wedding store that's going out of business on the UES. I am actually tempted to go and raid this store myself - even though I lack the essential element in getting married. Sad, right?

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Breakdown Brink

Here's the set-up:

I am in DC - without car, running around - and without a way back to NYC.

I stop in a Kinko's and log onto the internet - hoping to secure a last-minute Amtrak ticket back to NYC tomorrow.

When Amtrak asks me to pay - I open my wallet and see that my ATM/Debit Card is gone.

I start flipping through my purse - freak-out forming at the thought of my lost credit card - floating around out there... anywhere. My thought turns to the last time I used it. I can't remember. FFFRREEEAAAAAAKKKKKKKK OOOUUUUUUTTTTTT MMMMOOOUUUUNNNNTTTTSSSS...

I think about how long it will take for me to get a new ATM/Debit card back - NEARLY A WEEK in most cases! I think about the pain of using checks to get cash. I think about how I'm going to manage a bulk cash payment now - to get me through the week of waiting for a new card. FFREEEEEAAAAAAKKKKKKK OOOOOUUUUUTTTTTTT BBBUUUIIIILLLLDDDDDSS.

I log out of the Kinko's computer, and I start thinking about what I need to do next. I come up with Plan A, Plan B, and even Plan C. Then... as I log out... my ATM/Credit Card pops out of the self-service machine. Yeah, I forgot that I used it to get on a computer in the first place.

I need a vacation.

Monday, July 23, 2007

Home

In DC and it feels wonderful!

Sunday, July 22, 2007

The Sweetest Thing

this morning... on the way to work... in a cab.... talking with a friend on the phone... i start crying... the taxi driver leans over and gives me a tissue. sometimes, i really love this city.

Friday, July 20, 2007

Am I on Mars?

Just now on 'The View' Barbara Walters told Ashley Judd that she was one of the greatest actresses of all time. What is that about? Maybe she's the best "over-actress" of all time; "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood." What's in Barbara's coffee mug?

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

On the Fritz

my camera, "the tank" broke beyond repair.
i still don't have another ipod.
my cell phone plan expires soon.

i'm technologically bankrupt.

Olivia's July 4th pictures

She sent me these pictures to showcase her superior photo-taking skills. Blasted - they are better than mine! Thanks Ol!






Sunday, July 15, 2007

One Night of Fire

One Night of Fire starts on Bkln Bridge and ends up at Coney Island.
Alex and I commit to trek, so we have a bubble contest on the train.

Alex becomes bored with the bubble blowing contest.

Fire Dancers, Stilt Walkers, and Neon Cowboys on the beach!



The Wonder Wheel to overcome my fear of heights!



'Dog stop before the trek back to Manhattan.
Push-up Contest on the Train
Avenue Q actor!
Kitty pose to fetch a fella!
Tired and Goofy!
Heaven & Hell - in love
Fabu-looking Rock Star Alex
Greasy Hair Rock Star Allison

Siobhan's Big 3-0!





Saturday, July 14, 2007

Friday, July 13, 2007

Brian Ross Continues to Freak Me Out

Umm.. this isn't good. I'm going to have to start rollerblading around town.

Exclusive: Terror Commander: U.S. Attack Will Dwarf London Bombings
July 13, 2007 4:37 PM
Brian Ross and Maddy Sauer Report:
As senior intelligence and law enforcement officials met again today in the White House Situation Room to deal with the "summer terror threat," a top terror commander said an attack was coming that would dwarf the failed bombings in London and Glasgow.
Taliban military commander Mansour Dadullah, in an interview to be broadcast on ABC News' "World News With Charles Gibson," said the London attacks were "not enough" and that bigger attacks were coming.
"You will, God willing, be witness to more attacks," he told a Pakistani journalist in an interview conducted just four days ago.
Just last month, Dadullah presided over what was termed a terror training camp graduation ceremony in Pakistan, supposedly dispatching attack teams to the United States, Canada, Great Britain and Germany.
In this new interview, Dadullah talked about the ease with which he and his men operate inside Pakistan.
"We have many friends," he said. "It is very easy for us to go in and out of the tribal areas. It is no problem."
Indeed, the rugged mountains of Pakistan have emerged as a safe haven for al Qaeda and the Taliban.
"They are the central front for al Qaeda," said Seth Jones, who studies the area for the RAND Corporation, a national security think-tank. "They are the area al Qaeda has based its international and regional operations. It is a very serious threat to the U.S. security," he said.
Pakistan continues to deny al Qaeda enjoys a safe haven in its territory.
"The problem is people don’t understand the local environment," the Pakistani ambassador to the United States, Mahmud Ali Durrani, told the Blotter on ABCNews.com.
"Pakistan is doing more than its share. We have done a lot, we have captured a lot, we've killed a lot, and we continue to do it not just for your sake, but more so for our own sake," he said.
In testimony before Congress this week, U.S. intelligence officials were straightforward in saying they believe Osama bin Laden is in Pakistan and freely operating there.
"It's not that we lack the ability to go into that space," said Tom Fingar of the office of the Director of National Intelligence.
"But we have chosen not to do so without the permission of the Pakistani government," Fingar told members of Congress who demanded to know why the U.S. did not take more decisive action against a known enemy.
U.S. officials say Pakistan consistently denies the U.S. military permission to go after known al Qaeda training camps.
The situation has grown even worse since February, officials say, when Vice President Dick Cheney traveled to Islamabad to demand Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf take action. 
"Their (al Qaeda's) situation is actually better today than it was even then," said the RAND Corporation's Jones.
"The U.S. has provided $5.6 billion in coalition support funds to Pakistan over the past five years, with zero accountability," said Congressman Patrick Murphy, D-Calif., at the hearing.
"Why is Pakistan still being paid these large sums of money, even after publicly declaring that it is significantly cutting back patrols in the most important border area?" he asked.

Another Secret Party!

The invite:

Our best moments are ignited by simple ideas. You are
invited to be a part of a renegade parade of guerrilla art
and performance, spontaneous acts of kindness and
indelible moments of beauty. In this era of conflict, One
Night of Fire is our indulgence in the best we have left.

One Night of Fire

Fire is our metaphor for the blood and fervor that this
city seems to celebrate and choke with every passing
moment. Dozens of artists and performers are collaborating
to create the experience we love: a free-form carnival of
decadence, risk and grandeur.

Expect: crews of drummers + stilt walkers + fire spinners
+ renegade aerialists + fireworks & rocketships + gifts of
liquor + brass march bands + a liberated water-front + the
unending spectacle of sparks and flame shining in the
faces of you, me and a thousand of our friends.

In an era of darkness, we light our own flame.

The Theme: Fire. Liberation. Paris, July 14th 1789,
but this time it's the battle for Brooklyn.

Dress: In white (the more costumed the better, you are the
Angels that keep this city alive and untamed.)

Bring: Drums, Parasols, Refreshments (discreetly), Music,
Gifts to Share, Friends, Lovers and your Metrocard.

You will receive another email at 3pm, with more details.

Late, But Great

Daniela takes me to the Jersey Shore!



Tuesday, July 10, 2007

More Than Meets The Eye

Saw late-night "Transformers" showing tonight, and it was pretty awesome. A little long, and you have to be prepared for some mega-battle scenes, but overall - special effects were worth the ticket. Also - it was awesome to see Optimus Prime in action. I remember him and his catch-phrases well... my favorite... "Autobots, let's roll."

Sidebar: Reminded me of a time when I was playing charades with some friends a couple years ago, and someone had the painful task of trying to impersonate Optimus Prime. It was hilarious. We were all so confused as to what he was doing when trying to "transform." The guy who tried to do it still gets ribbed every time we see him. Drop a Transformer in the charades hat the next time you play.

Sunday, July 8, 2007

Best Night Ever!

So last night after I got jazzed up by Roger Waters' performance, I was gearing to go out. Alex proved her party pulse by lobbying the Secret Party. These parties are put on in illegal warehouses, where fire dancers show up - along with a mass of humanity. She only knows about these parties because she gets an email right before the event. This is a portion of the invite:

On Saturday, July 7th Danger takes Manhattan. For your illicit pleasure we've taken over a massive new venue within the city of dreams. Prepare yourself for an all night explosion of fallen angels, public scandal, instant fame and performance perfected.
You are invited to: The Righteous & The Wicked
Saturday, July 7th @ Rebel - 251 West 30th Street
Details: http://www.thedanger.com

The Righteous is Hedonism:
You are the angels that keep this city alive. Come costumed as seditious saviors, cherubs or your best manifestation of fallen angel

The Delirious Spectacle:
At the climax of the party The Lady Circus viscerally displays the true meaning of miracle. Expect a full sensory spectacle dosed with a spectacular sense of Danger. You might get teased - you will be touched.

When we got there, this is what we ran into:










The night was amazing - definitely the most fun I've ever had in NYC. I danced a week worth of cardio - made new friends - and heard amazing music. Can't wait to do it again!

Saturday, July 7, 2007

Live Earth - Observations

We had 4 correspondents covering Live Earth today - which means I was inundated with concert stuff.
Some observations:

- Bald Phil Collins looked amazing and buff. Kinda hot.

- I nearly have Shakira's abs. Sonja - more crunches!

- Note to televised coverage: Show me Bloc Party, show me Kasabian.

- Got the sense that Jon Bon Jovi was not wanting to be all chummy with Richie Sambora. On stage and in interviews, Jon wasn't really warming to Sambora's attempts at camaraderie. Livin' on a Prayer still ruled though. My neck hurts.

- John Mayer is officially in love with himself. Post that on his blog.

- Aerial shots over Giants stadium showing the thousands of CO2-emitting cars didn't bode well for the cause. Cynical I know...

- Foo Fighters ruled the day in London. In my opin, Taylor Hawkins is the best on drums in the music-making business.

- Bravo to the person who sealed the deal in Sydney to get Crowded House in the line-up. I raised a lighter.

- I WANT, I WANT, I WANT MORE, MORE, MORE Roger Waters! His performance proves that Pink Floyd is truly one of the best bands of all time. However, there is no substituting Gilmore; get back together!!! Brain Damage, Eclipse and Pig blimp were spot on. I rocked out in my living room. The absolute best.

Friday, July 6, 2007