Hair, Internal Freak Out, and Bathing

SOME STUFF:
1) Cut your hair Rapunzel, or the maintenance man will climb up it while your sleeping and take that snow shovel to your face.
2) I interface with a majority of men on a daily basis at work and today, I realize that we really do speak different languages when it comes to - well - anything. Case in point:
AB: Hey, what TV router number is the Times Square studio coming in on?
Man: I don't know - call TV-3.
AB: Shouldn't I call Newsone, as TV-3 is the White House pool - out of DC?
Man: Yes, call TV-3.
AB: But TV-3 is out of Washington - we need the Times Square studios - here in New York. We are here in New York.
Man: What's the status with David Muir at Kennedy airport?
AB: What?! (brain shift) I emailed him - haven't heard back but our edit bays are slammed - don't think we could take him in if he called to file now anyway.
Man: Okay - have we been in touch with JetBlue corporate? On the stranded passengers?
AB: Muir will likely have that in his Good Morning America package.
Man: Have we reached out to him to file?
AB: YES - I just told you I emailed him.
Man: Oh - look at the [inhouse] monitor, the stranded JetBlue passengers are at the Times Square studio - what TV router is that on?
AB: (Brain shift) I was trying to set that up - I asked you that earlier.
Man: Oh right - call Newsone for the router. And reach out to David Muir for him to file.
[[Internal AB: AHHHHHHH - SOMEONE SAVE ME!!! Please - anyone - walk into the newsroom, pick me up in a "crossing the threshold" kinda way, and cart me out of here! Am I speaking jibberish - or even jive? Am I fully alert? Is this coffee doing any good? Am I here? Where am I? Who am I? Who's on first?]]
3) Have the weekend off - which I'm fully excited about. Even more excited because DC Steve is coming into town for some fun NYC time. We are even going to try and check out the Russian/Turkish bath house - which from the look of the pictures and the menu of services on the website - mean men rejects from the 1989 movie "Gleaming the Cube" will beat us senseless with Platza Oak Leaves. www.russianturkishbaths.com
4) I'm also off on Monday and Tuesday - which means I've got some President's Day sales shopping to attend to.

Snap, Crackle, STOP!

LOUDNESS
Awoke at 5:30am - about an hour earlier than my alarm was supposed to go off this morning by one of our maintenance men scraping, and banging, and pretty much going to war with the ice outside, one floor below me. The silent sleep rage that followed involved flopping around in bed trying to throw covers and a pillow - and even my puffin coat - over my head to stop the noise. Right then and there, I vowed never to give the guy a Christmas bonus (not that I did this past holiday - but that's besides the point).
WIN WITH WEATHER
Speaking of weather, it's everywhere. Either I'm tramping through it, or hearing about it. There's a saying in the news business, especially local news: "Win With Weather!" which is really true. It's why weather is in the a-block - the first portion of a newscast - to provide the hook and tease for the c-block, where the weatherman usually does their 'extended forecast.' The audience, for the most part, predominantly watches the news for the weather anyway because it affects dress, education, work, and transportation - so it's always a safe bet to lead with weather on days like today. It's also a dream during sweeps because it's an insta-lead - can be as sensational as you want with crazy graphics and liveshots at the ol' Salt Dome. It also will usually validate buying the news station's WEATHER HUMMER (consisting of just a weather vane on the roof) which hasn't seen snow since its purchase. All around - "Win with Weather!"
VDAY
So it's Crap-entine's day, and I'm definitely feeling the solo swing in what I dub the 'Land of Downward Mood.' My friend Kenny - who hasn't dated anyone in years - even tells me he has a Valentine's blind date. What is that about?!?! I might as well finish myself off: lighting a black candle when I get home, sitting in a corner, listening to Sarah McLachlan, and journaling.
WHAT'S THIS?
So I was feeling all unloved and figuring out where I should go to get a new black candle, when an anchor walked into my edit bay and handed me a box from the mail. I notice 1-800-flowers is the sender, and suddenly I perk up. The anchor himself was so intrigued that he stayed while I opened it. He didn't really make me feel special when he added: "Hope it's not from your stalker." Thanks. Anyway, lovely suede box awaited my opening - inside, lovely truffles and an assortment of chocolate bath gels and salts. Awesome! I open the card and I immediately grin ear to ear: "Happy Valentine's Day. Chocolates are Better Than Boys! Love Heather" So very, very sweet of her. My ladies rock - best on the planet earth!

String Bean

If you're ever inclined for some ear-ringing culture, check out the New York Repertory Orchestra. I caught them Saturday night, courtesy Sarah's invitation - and they were great. Beethoven No. 8 was lively and lovely - capping a perfect evening of classical music. Hit the title for the link, as they have free shows throughout the year.

Afghanistan

Hit Ariana Afghan restaurant tonight with Alex. She had some work stuff to figure out while there and I had some Afghan wine stuff to figure out. All in all - a GREAT meal. We both had the lamb - as well as a pumpkin slice appetizer, and smiled as we caught up and regaled in the fact that we were both in such a cool city, worked at such amazing (though painful at times) jobs, with such amazing food. Afterwards, we hit Billy's Bakery for a cupcake (sorry Heather - but we clinked cupcakes in your honor!) and I walked home. Got home - watched the end of the Grammy's (Nate - when is Huck Slim's next show?) and collapsed. Great night overall. I love NYC!
**Best Quote of the Week: Sarah - I spend more money on ATM surcharges in a month than I do on tampons for a year!

They've Done it Again!

ImprovEverywhere has hit another high note, orchestrating the pantless subway ride. It, along with Even Better Than the Real Thing are now my favorite missions. Please tell me how I can start dating one of these organizers! Click the title above to hit the link.

Song Choice

AND THEY'RE OFF!
Wild day of presidential campaign blitzes by Hillary and Barack camps in NH and IA. Lots of speeches which meant lots of feeds. As we wait for these campaign events to begin (sometimes hours), it's easy to let the mind wander - watching people in the crowd, critiquing the candidate's campaign signs, etc... Today, the music that they select for these events caught my fancy.
Now we all know that candidates try to get jazzy, Rocky-esque "pump-up" music for these events, but I have to question the selection of Superfreak by Rick James at an Obama rally. Don't really know if this is appropriate music, as little children are hoisted on shoulders of parents at something billed as a family-oriented event. Then I started thinking about what would make good campaign music, and how to take these candidates into the 21st century and expose new, quality music to voters across the country. Some ideas:
1) Wake Up - Arcade Fire
2) Cellphone's Dead - Beck
3) Back Again - Boy Kills Boy
4) Strange Apparition - Beck
5) Steal the Blueprints - +/- (plus/minus)
6) War No More - Tommy Guerrero
7) This Modern Love - Bloc Party
**Hit me with more, and I'll send them along to the candidates' camps!
QUESTIONING SOCIETY
It's a sad day when "Norbit" registers as making $33.7(M) at the box office its opening weekend. What's happening to our society, especially when "Norbit" seems to be laced with African American stereotypes? Are people really laughing at this crap? What's worse - "Hannibal Rising" came in at number two.