Day 132

January 13, 2010

Ten cent wings, baby! Oh yes! We head down to Alphabet City to a little dive bar, called Croxley's! I get there and as I'm standing there, waiting for the rest of my party to arrive, me and this rather attractive man catch each other's eyes. I smile, he smiles back and continues to stare. Do you think he talks to me? Nope. Just stares and smiles.

Do I have something on my face? Do I have something hanging from my nose? What's the deal? And why do you keep staring at me all night, but not talk to me? I have an old-fashioned sense of dating. The man approaches the woman! Unfortunately, here in the city, women are like hawks! They will fight tooth and nail to talk to a man! Maybe it's just me, but I can't do this. That's the man's job. Yeah, yeah it's 2010, but I don't care. You want to talk to me...those flirty little eyes aren't going to get you very far. Maybe a, "Hey, how are you?" approach would work much better!

Anyways...the wings are delicious! I get Honey BBQ, which by the way, are actually twenty cents per wing! They get you with the small print! Even still, four bucks for wings is well worth it! Then, I'm convinced to try this Blueberry beer. I'm not a beer girl, but this is good! I love blueberries and it has the perfect touch of fruitiness to it!

On the walk to Croxley's, I pass a restaurant called, "Mocando." It's ironic because prior to me getting my first internship here in the city at Joonbug, the editor there had me write a restaurant review. Guess what restaurant it was? Mocando! I walked passed it thinking, thanks to that place, I'm living in New York City! It was pretty cool! I'm walking along Houston, (pronounced house-ton), and the area is really cool. Then...I turn onto Avenue B. Hmm...slightly sketchy. I'm the only light-skinned, blondie walking down the street. I'm slightly nervous, but thank goodness I don't have far to go.

So, I have a funny story. The other day, Kara and I were working, when a very attractive, blonde hair man walks in. I have a thing for the blondies! He's dressed very professional and has a great presence to him. He says, "I'm sorry, but I have a really weird question to ask you ladies." Okay, it's New York, I bet it's not that bad, cute-patoot! He says, "My girlfriend and I broke up on Saturday, and I have two tickets to the Bahamas for Wednesday through Sunday and need someone to take the ticket." All I heard was, "blah, blah, broke up; blah, blah Bahamas; blah, blah, two tickets!" I'm thinking, no way! Kara and I can totally spend the weekend in the Bahamas for free! Well, his baby blues eyes had me slightly confused! He wanted one of us to go with HIM for the weekend! Yeah right, hot stuff! By the end of the trip, my body would be swimming with the fish! No, thanks! Tempting, but no can do Romeo!

Kara got his card, so we decided to be adventurous and text him like we were curious about going. He responds to Kara's text by saying, "Can you please tell me who you are again, because I kind of gave my information out to a lot of different people." Hahahaha! What a loser! Kara's response, "Sir, do you not have any FRIENDS that you can go on this trip with? Why are you going into random places, asking random girls, to go with you? That's weird." Ha! His response, "....." Nothing! Weirdo! Such a waste of a cute face!

So, lately, I've really had the urge to adopt a dog! It's New York City that's getting to me! I want a little fury friend to come home to everyday! If I could afford it, I would totally get one! What kind, you ask? Anything that is fluffy, five pounds, and either white or tan! I would love, love, love a malti-poo or a dog like Fran Drescher's dog, Esther! Look at it here! I joined the ASPCA website newsletter, so I receive daily updates about what's going on in pet land. It breaks my heart seeing all of the bad things. I just want to save one!

Note to self: "Tough times never last, but tough people do." -Robert Schuller
No matter how tough times get in your life, you really need to appreciate where you are. So many people would love to be in your shoes, so don't take it for granted. Although life may not be going quite like you wanted it, it's going the way it's suppose to. You have been given such a great opportunity in a city where dreams are endless. When people tell you, "I would never have the guts to just up and move like you did, with knowing no one," take that in and really think about how strong of a person you really are. Sure, everyone has moments of weakness, but it's those weak times that make you the great person you are meant to be. Certain situations in your life happen for a reason--to test you, to teach you, to get you thinking. So, as much as you want to cry at your life right now, always remember, things could be so much worse. Thank God you are alive, healthy, have a great family and set of friends. A lot of people can not say this. You are more lucky than you're giving your life credit for!

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.

Day 11

September 17, 2009

I truly believe coffee is what holds New York City together in the morning. Without it, I think this place would go into mayhem. From 9 a.m. until about 11:30 a.m., about six different people ask me if I want coffee. Caffeine = function-ability, people. I grab a complimentary cup from my apartment before leaving for work--although more coffee would be nice, I don't need the extra caffeine. Those who know me are shaking their heads up and down right now, smiling. I know what you're thinking! ;)

You know what else baffles me, yet disgusts me at the same time? How a city, with so many smells, highlights just one: urine. It seems like everywhere I turn today I smell it. It must be the wind kindly blowing the stench in my face. Nothing says good morning like a fresh smelling dose of pee.

Work is great today. A girl that just irritates the hell out of me (and everyone else) is caught plagiarizing her story. Hmm...for someone who was an editor as a publishing company in London, wouldn't you think you would know the definition of this word? I learnt it in third grade. (Social studies assignment: we won't get into it.) All I'm saying is, next time you want to talk to me like I'm an idiot, check yourself, sister. I at least know journalism ethics.

I am finding so many affordable jewelry stores today, it's fabulous. I feel like I died and went to heaven. I don't have time to go in, but I jot down the names and addressed in my handy little notepad I carry with me. If you ever need to know the best place to get chocolate chip cookies, or see the largest U.S. Post Office you've ever seen, just ask me--I have all kinds of stuff in there.

You know how you've seen something 600 times and you tell yourself to make a mental note of where it's at? You actually think you're going to remember. You don't. I am walking around the same two-block radius, about three times because I swear on my life there's a Bank of America here. I lose hope when it comes time for circle number four. I did probably lose about ten pounds though!

Another calm night, but I'm okay with that. You know how long it's been since I've had "me time?" Probably about two years. It's nice to have, at least for a little while. Other than the fact I think my heat is broken. I have never curled up in so tight of a ball as I did last night. I think my leg hair grew ten inches last night. Not really, but I was freezing! It just likes to blow colder air. So, I'm going to go bundle up in my North Face, a scarf, and some pants, and call it a night. Talk to you tomorrow!

Note to self: You know the saying, "Be careful what you wish for?" Believe it. When you need something to happen in your life to tell a story, always be open for whatever is waiting. Like, getting stuck in your apartment's elevator; or being jammed together by two doors that do not seem to care you are trying to walk through them. Your wish may not always be what you expected, but after all, you are the one who "blew out the candles."

Day 4

September 10, 2009

It is a musical medley walking the streets of NYC today. People singing outloud are flooding the busy sidewalks, whether they have the beats of their iPod, or simply their own two hands and feet beating against the pavement. I love it!

I am having a pretty uneventful day today. I went to work and wrote more articles--check them out under www.joonbug.com-- GLAMdamnit. They are mostly about Fashion Week taking place in NYC this week! So much fun! I love this internship!

And...I get to move into my apartment even earlier than expected! Yes! September 16, 2009! Oh yeah... it's in Hell's Kitchen...sounds exciting huh? That's because it is! The area is full of bars, restaurants, delis, etc.; and pretty much everyone in the area is around my age, which makes it that much better! And I'm only a couple blocks from friends!

I come back to the apartment and just relax and start applying for part-time jobs. I need one ASAP! The city gets expensive real quick! I ate a veggie sandwich with hummus for lunch, that I think made me sick, so Val and I watched TV--Grey's Anatomy, to be specific. Love this show! Now it's time for bed...I need to rest up for a fun-filled day of dropping off my resumes at potential jobs!

Note to self: Sometimes believing a quote from a sitcom is not as corny as it sounds. Tonight, Izzy said something along the lines of, you never know when it's going to be the biggest day of your life. This is so true. You never do. Everyday could seem like the biggest day of your life. Just learn how to deal with it and embrace it! These "biggest days of our lives" are what make life exciting and shape how our lives come to pan out.

Day 3

September 9, 2009

9-9-09 is the start of my first day in the real world. I started my internship at Joonbug.com today, which proves to be amazing! After getting accustomed to the way they work, I start plugging away at stories. Check out the two that have already been published! http://newyork.joonbug.com/glamdamnit/anticipation-arises-around-gareth-pugh-glam-damn-it-new-york/sH6XchNbAFu and http://newyork.joonbug.com/glamdamnit/the-ouch-factor-glam-damn-it-new-york/wmSSariG3du. Feel free to write comments!

As sad as it sounds, I’m starting to feel the burn in my legs and shins. Who knew I was this out of shape—it’s kind of pathetic, if you really think about it!  After not eating all day, (completely my fault…I didn’t want to leave), I targeted the first eatery and scarfed down another piece of New York pizza. It never tasted so good! Then, come to find out, I got the apartment I wanted! I move in September 22! So excited!

Upon arriving back to my friends' apartment, it is decided we go out and celebrate a plethora of things tonight. We first hit up Highbar--a trendy rooftop bar in the middle of Midtown with a great view of the city and its skyscape. We then hit up another local pub, then off to the Meat Packing District where we strutted our stuff on the dance floor at the Kiss 'n Fly--a place I would like to start frequenting.  I'm pretty sure I have never spent so much on liquor before in my life! I need to remember that pre-gaming is a necessity on the budget I have for this cities nightlife.

I am then taken to my first "street meat" stand where Abraham, the owner gave me and Dee free lamb gyros since I am a first-timer at street meat. I remember his location and will be visiting him frequently when I go to those area bars. After eating this fabulous dish, I finish my blog and head off to bead for a good night's rest before my second day on the job! Good night!

Not to self: Don’t wear a dress on a day the wind decides to blow fairly intensely. It’s not fun when you have to walk 23 blocks, holding your dress down the whole way—only to have your arm fall asleep because the circulation is being cut off by your heavy tote bag.