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!

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.)

"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!