Day 20

September 26, 2009

My parents are here and I am so excited to see them! Before their trip starts, my mom tells me they look like the Clampett's. When they pull up, I laugh because they do! A large, white cargo van pulls up with two middle-aged people stepping out. One is wearing a Florida souvenir t-shirt, the other, a t-shirt and silky gym shorts. Elly May and Jethro are in the house! We unload some boxes and dad goes to park the van. Literally, an hour later, he returns--no parking garages take vans that big. Poor guy!

I introduce my dad to Mel, my apartment agent, and she thinks he is my boyfriend. If I had a dollar for every time I've heard that, I'd be rich! I am contemplating whether or not I look that old, or he looks that young. Dad and I come to the consensus, he looks that young! ;) My parents love my place and are really happy with the building and the attendants/supers.

Let me back up--ever since I have moved into my apartment, I have been reassuring my parents the area I live in is safe. We leave my building and literally half way down the street, a crazy, cross-eyed man starts yelling towards my parents! Rambling about ridiculous things! Great. Another man passes and we hear a water sound. Yup, the man posts up by a pay phone and starts peeing. We turn around and laugh, hysterically. He peaks his head around the side of the pay phone, to reinsure no one is watching. Gotta love your neighbors! ;)

We continue our trek through the city. My parents, bless their hearts, need to learn the concept of fast-paced walking. I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt because of being tired from the long drive, but let's keep up! Tomorrow--no excuses! =) I hate to say it, but those people I blogged about a few days ago--those who stop and stare in the middle of the sidewalk at a dead halt--are my parents.

They have NYC pizza tonight! The popular, "white pie." A white sauce instead of marinara. It's so good! Following pizza is Pinkberry. The fro-yo place I was telling you about. Dad loves it!

Upon our return home, we get more boxes and unload. Dad and I take the boxes to the trash, but along the way he decides to have a parade of peanuts--the image reminded me of a flower girl at a wedding. Dropping packing peanuts in a nice row. Those Erie Pack-n-Ship people know how to box up a TV! He doesn't notice, so he continues walking. I follow, picking them up, like I was following a trail at Easter. If only they were made of chocolate!

Dad forgets the right bag with the extra air mattress. So his bed is the hard wood floor. Comfy! I'm banking on getting no sleep because they both snore something fierce! I'm a light sleeper, so snorers and I do not mix well. No sleep and moving--sounds fantastic! I do tell them it's quiet where I live. Well, of course everything I have told them has been thrown completely out the window. Just now, a fire truck drives by, blaring their alarms. Peachy. They both jump and wake up! "Yeah, it's quiet on this street," my mom says sarcastically. Yeah, yeah, just go back to bed. How could you hear the sirens over your snoring anyway? =)

Note to self: When a news station does a story on the filthiness and grotesque behaviors of the street vendors in NYC, listen to it! Even though those delicious smelling, sugary nuts are making your taste buds water—watch the vendor and check out his cart.  When you see him talking to himself, with drool hanging out of his mouth, walk away fast. Don’t stay and watch him wipe the spit with his hands and then stand up to help the customer that just walks up. Stick with the deli's and bakeries to fill your sugar craving.

Day 5

September 11, 2009

As the city paid tribute to the tragedy of 9-11-01 and Fashion Week continues to be all the rave here, my day did not start off well. I know I'm posting a day late, but let me tell ya'...

I woke up to rain...and I mean lots of rain! It was probably not the best day to venture out and look for jobs! But it has to be done! As I leave, I realize my umbrella is broken. I go buy another one from a convenient store next to the apartment. $7 later I leave...only to find out that the fierce wind is bound and determined to break the damn thing! You should have seen it--blowing and turning the umbrella inside out; coming off of the hooks--it was a mess. But all I did was laugh at myself (and cuss to myself, somewhat out loud). =)

Job hunting is NO fun! But I did get an interview at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company and Planet Hollywood in Times Square! So, that's exciting! And...I signed my lease today!!! Yay!!! Move in date is set for September 16th!!!! My apartment building is so awesome and the staff could not be better to work with!!! And...thanks to my broker for accidentally finding the place for me!!

The day only got better when I found a place, close to my new apartment, that makes BBQ Chicken Pizza. My favorite!!! Probably the best BBQ Chicken I've ever had. The sauce is amazing!! It's called Two Boots Pizza--a cute little shop with wildly painted windows and a great chocolate chip cookie! ;)

On a Friday, why not go out? It's my first weekend in NYC! It's a must! We go to a bar in Midtown East only to be surrounded by the "frat boy" type. Hey, I'm not complaining! ;) It was fun! Good music, cheap drinks! After getting MORE pizza and some garlic rolls, I go to bed!

Note to self: Even though umbrellas can be expensive, pay the extra money for a good one. The cheap ones cause nothing but problems. You know this when people are staring and smirking at you because you are spending more time trying to fix the umbrella then it is serving its purpose. But you have to learn to laugh at yourself. In a situation like this, you will look like a bigger ass being serious about the situation, then laughing at yourself and how ridiculous it is that Muhammad sold you a janky umbrella.

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.