Day 134 - Day 136

January 15, 2010 - January 17, 2010

I wake up Friday and decide it's time to re-organize my apartment. This feeling doesn't come by very often, so when it does, I jump on it! My apartment is so organized, I'm insanely impressed with myself. Everything is in bins and bags, labeled, and put away nicely! I'm so proud of my OCD with organization! Since I don't have cable, TBS is my best friend today! I catch up on the shows The King of Queens (my favorite), Everybody Loves Raymond, Friends, Seinfeild, and the Fresh Prince of Bel Air! It's fantastic! I made it a completely indiot-filled television day!

I meet a friend to see the movie, "It's Complicated." So cute! It's hysterical! I really enjoyed it! And there are so many cute movies coming out- "The Bounty Hunter," "Dear John," "Valentine's Day," "Spartacus," etc. Awesome flicks! On my way to the theatre, I head to Duane Reade to pick up some candy and a Diet Coke--I refuse to pay $10 for a bag of candy! On the way, I walk by two guys, and one says, "Dannnnnggggg giiiirrrlllll...you look like ketchup!" Excuse me...what?! Ketchup?!? Really? What the heck does this mean?? Another guy I used to work with says, "At least he didn't say you look like pickle relish!" LOL! He makes a good point! ;) I tell ya', I've heard some pretty good pick up lines in my day, but this has to be towards the top! Ketchup! Yum! Maybe it means I look tasty! Ohh la la! Hehe, gross!

After the movie we head to The Snug for Happy Hour! Yes, their Happy Hour is from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.! It's awesome! Four bucks for a martini! It's a hole in the wall place, but it's so much fun! We then venture to a cheap pizza place, where I get what New Yorkers like to call, "white pie." It's loaded with three different kinds of cheeses. Sounds amazing? It is. However, I often forget that I am lactose intolerant, so it makes me a little sick. Yeah, yeah...lactose intolerant is funny, I know. But it's no fun, let me tell ya'!

We then head to Latitude--it's a bar in Hell's Kitchen, where we meet up with friends from Planet Hollywood! It's so great to see everyone! Once we realize it's 4 a.m., we all head home. I'm walking home with three other guys from work, and once they realize that I'm the only female walking down the streets, they decide it's not a good idea I walk home alone. Especially since I'm with three other guys, and other men are still cat-calling me, saying things like, "Hey baby, everything will be okay." No, it's not going to be okay! I want to wake up and see tomorrow! So, one walks me home! So nice of him!

Once I get in my building, guess who's working? The doorman I asked on a date the Friday before that. We don't mention it. But I do talk to him for about twenty minutes! He 's a chef! He just works here temporarily! How cool is that?!?! A man that can cook? Sign me up! Good-looking = check! Good cook = check! Good personality = check! I've got all of the necessary qualities covered! ;) Another guy walks in and starts talking to the doorman. (I keep calling him doorman because I honestly don't know his name. I know that's bad! I'm awful with names!) Anyways, I say goodnight and the one guys says, "Oh I'm sorry, keep talking. I'm going to bed." I say, "Oh it's okay!" He says something and I respond with, "Oh, well are you going to go to bed?" (as I motion my arms to the elevator). He says, laughing, "Well, sure, if I'm going with you!" Yikes! That's not what I meant! He looks like a black Krusty the Klown from the Simpsons!

So, at 5 a.m., I finally get to bed. Not with Krusty! I wake up on Saturday and head to IKEA! I love that place! It's probably the best home furnishings store ever invented! And it's in Brooklyn. It's my first time going by myself there! I love it! It's so homey! I could live in Brooklyn! I get to IKEA and just have a hay day! I'm buying things for my best friends wedding shower in March! She's from Des Moines and since we don't have IKEA there, I decide to get her a few things. As I'm walking around, they have the neatest little trinkets! I realize that I'm talking out loud to myself as I'm looking at things. "What the heck is this?" "What do you think you use this for?" "This is cool!" Yeah, I wondered why people were staring at me. ;) So, I come across this trinket called a "skimmer." It looks cool and it's on sale for 99 cents! So, I buy a couple! I figure I can use it sometime while I pretend I'm Semi-Homemade with Sandra Lee! ;) Another thing I'm fascinated with...mini-stainless steel bowls! Only two inches tall! How funny is that?!

I realized while I'm on the subway, how much it reminds me of the ride Space Mountain at Disney World! You know on Space Mountain, how it's dark, makes funny noises, and you're constantly ducking for fear your head might get chopped off? The subway is somewhat similar. You go through dark tunnels, the lights randomly turn on and off while you're riding, and you're somewhat nervous you may die!

While sitting on the subway, there is a really cute Englishman. I know, me and Englishman...it's meant to be! He's tall, slender, blonde, wearing glasses, with jeans, a button down shirt, blazer, and Converse. I know what you're thinking...he sounds gay. My luck...he probably is! I do tend to attract the men that are sexually confused--hence, a guy I once dated in Chicago, who turned out to be gay. But that's a whole other story! I keep checking him out and think I'm being conspicuous because he hasn't noticed yet. Another gentlemen, sitting close to this guy keeps looking at me. I keep thinking, why is this old man staring at me? I will tell you. The guy I keep checking out...turns out to be his son! After the blonde, British babe, says something along the lines of, Dad, we're getting off at the next stop, I sink into the bench and want to die! I just got caught on dad-radar, checking out your rather attractive offspring!

Sunday, it rains all day and the wind is ferociously blowing. I get a really nice umbrella for Christmas--it's a necessity in this city. I laugh to myself, at other people, who are carrying cheap umbrellas, like I used to. I'm thinking, haha suckers! Wish you had one of my umbrellas! Well...karma sucks! As I'm walking home from work, I'm talking on the phone and a HUGE gust of wind comes, turning my umbrella inside out, and pulling me down the sidewalk! I'm saying, "Oh my God! Oh my God, Maddie! My umbrella is out of control!" People are laughing at me as I'm trying to get this monstrosity of an umbrella turned right side out! I continue to walk home, and am now talking to my mother. Again, the umbrella pulls it's rather un-humorous stunt. I just close the umbrella and walk home in the rain! I'm not even dealing with the thing anymore. I can't see walking down the street because my glasses are covered with water drops--I need windshield wipers for them, my hair is wet, and my clothes are soaked. Whatever!

Note to self: Don't back down against other city-goers who are vicious with their umbrellas! Why do you have to be the one to always move? Stand your ground! Even though you poke pretty much every person that walks by you with your huge ran catcher, don't feel bad! They deserve the love tap...it's your kind, Midwestern way of saying, Move it or lose it jack-o!

Day 76

November 21, 2009

Saturday is an early start. We’re out to find the best breakfast in Hell’s Kitchen. I’m pretty sure we found it! Georgio’s Country Grill has amazing breakfast! Check out the picture below! It’s cheap too! Plus, unlimited coffee? Yes, please! Hype me up on some caffeine in the wee hours of the a.m.!

The whole theme of the trip. “We’re not that far away.” I always say this to Brett, forgetting that three blocks to Iowans is a quite a hike. So, when we eat breakfast on 53^rd St., and I tell him we have to walk to 78^th St., he freaks out a little. “We’re not that far away?” he says, “that’s so far!” Fun fact: 20 blocks equals one mile. Another thing, I’ve learned to walk fast—something else Brett isn’t used to. I forgot that pretty much every time I took a step while he was here.

So, we make the trek to The Museum of Natural History. It’s where they filmed “Night at the Museum.” I can’t even explain how amazing this place was. The pictures below don’t really do it justice, but it was so interesting. We saw dinosaurs, sea animals, the history of evolution, Indian artifacts, etc. You name it, they have it! We were there for four hours! It’s a place you can easily spend two days in! Brett and I were talking about how insanely awesome it would be to get a huge game of hide-and-go-seek going in that place!

   

We leave the museum and it’s time for the “best” NY style cheesecake. At the time, I was unsure, so I take us to Junior’s. We order dessert and an appetizer. They claim to be the best cheesecake in the city. Liars! It’s good, but it’s not the best! It’s right off Times Square, so tourists will believe them when they say it really is the best. I know better, now that I live here! But it looks good in the picture, huh?

Next stop, and probably the most anticipated place for Brett’s trip…the Penguin store. Brett’s all-time favorite brand of clothing! He was in heaven! He was like a kid in a candy store, or better yet…he was like a 25-year-old girl, who is broke and just moved to the city, who found a dollar on the street! He got some great stuff and the whole store was an extra 30% off everything! No better time to go!

It is now time to head home and get ready for my birthday extravaganzas! So, I work at The Capital Grille, as you know. And every Saturday, Dan Marino comes into our restaurant, so naturally I have to take my brother there to eat. My bosses are so incredible. I got my whole meal for free, except Brett’s steak! And…Brett got to see Dan Marino, up close and personal! That’s what made my night! The food…I can’t even explain how delicious it is. If you ever have a chance to go, go! It’s a tad expensive, but so worth it! I promise you!

Now, it’s time to celebrate! Being 25 is actually pretty exciting! I have met some incredible friends out here and I was so happy they all came out to celebrate with Brett and me! We went out in Hell’s Kitchen to a few really great bars. One bar, Rudy’s, gives you free hot dogs! Ha! I didn’t eat one, but you bet your sweet cheeks Brett did! My friend Morgan, and another guy Brett likes to call Prince Charming from Shrek, convinced him it would be a good idea to eat one. Check out some pictures below! We had so much fun, we didn’t get home until 4 a.m.!

   

Note to self: When you know it’s going to be an extremely late night, and you know you have to get up early the next day, set your alarm. You know when you don’t go to bed until 4:30 in the morning, your body is probably not going to wake up at 7 a.m., like you want it to. When you have a big drive and long day ahead of you, a good night’s rest is important, right? Nah! I’m only 25, Brett’s only 21, we can handle it. Yeah…right.

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Day 47

October 24, 2009

I wake up today, feeling worse. Not good. It's a pretty low key day, with me not doing much. I run some errands and then come home. I get ready and go out with a friend from work. We go out around Hell's Kitchen and have a blast.

Note to self: When you don't feel like writing a blog one day, don't do it. When there is nothing really interesting to say or tell, don't waste other people's time, filling in the blanks with useless information.

Day 12

September 18, 2009

So, today proved to be a day from hell. I wake up, thinking it's Saturday, and completely space off going to my internship. However, since my boss in mega-cool, she lets me work from home today. And I was workin' it--five stories in two hours...done. I go into Planet Hollywood for my shift, only to find out I forgot to go to the training session they set up for me. Shit. Where is my head?

Planet Hollywood is a great success. I met my goal in sales and met O'Anna--we have a lot we want to see and do in the city, so we're making a checklist. Poor O'Anna--she went to a bar to save us some seats, only to have to walk all the way back to P.H. because she locked my things in her locker. I'm not going out wearing a black skirt and panty hose. Yeah, I said it...panty hose. I know the eighties are coming back, but really? Panty hose? It comes with the job.

So, I finally get changed and we head to a bar called "The Snug." It's in Hell's Kitchen, close to my place. So much fun! It's a small bar, with a chill atmosphere--not to mention killer Appletini's. It's Happy from 11p.m. to 1 a.m. I love this place! What a great Happy Hour time! Martinis for four bucks--now I don't feel so guilty when guys buy the drinks! ;) We sit next to a couple of handsome gentlemen--names will be left disclosed. Two words: Greek and Italian. You can only imagine. ;) We become friends with them rather quickly and they make plans to take us dancing in the near future. Dance club? Sign me up!

It's 3:15 a.m. and we call it a night. As I'm walking home, I call grandma. An Irish man and his buddy are standing outside a bar, just wasted. He asks, "Excuse me, are you good looking?" Was he expecting me to say, No, I'm ugly as sin. But thanks for asking. Men are just dumb. So, I say, "Of course, you can't see this?" =) He responds, "Oh yes, yes I do." I say, "Well okay then, have a good night." His persistence of walking with me and stepping in front of me so I can't keep going is getting on my nerves. So, I simply say, "Okay, you know what? I'm not good looking anymore and you are getting on my nerves. Get out of my way and go get more drunk."

Men don't like to hear no, but arrogant persistence is not a turn on to me in the least bit. Then in my ear I hear, "Ashley, you can't talk to people like that there. They will kill you. You just can't say things like that." Whan! Whan, grandma. ;) I have my mase...thanks to Tim. No one will mess with me if I spray that in their face. Plus, the killer ninja moves Tim taught me in his living room will definately scare away any predator. Okay, probably not "scare" per say. They will probably leave me alone because I look like a mentally-instituted, crazy person trying to karate chop a leg or the throat.

Note to self: When people ask you if you like to "party" in NYC, just say no. When your friends looks at you to answer the man, who by the way, just bought both of you a drink, don't take that as cue for let's go. Because you will soon find out his definition of "party" means drugs and sex. So, when you don't know this, and tell him yes, you do like to party, you look like a cracked-out hooker. Sweet.