Best... Birthday... Ever

I'm exhausted, but I can't sleep. It's nearly 12:30 am Sunday night/Monday morning as I type this. I've spent the past hour going through pictures from the amazing birthday weekend I just had. I find I can't stop looking through the pictures. I turned 30 on Friday, but the fun began on Wednesday night when I treated myself to a new haircut and color. I have always wanted blue hair of some kind, and I finally mustered the courage to do it. I darkened most of my hair, and put in a panel just under the crown of very rich midnight blue. It looks amazing, I've never loved my hair more. Thursday was fun at work where I got many different reactions. People are staring at me on the subway. I didn't do it for the attention, but it is fun to watch.

Friday, the birthday, was a busy day at work and I wasn't even able to answer most of the birthday calls that came in. I was truly touched at all the heartfelt and funny messages people left. The day flew by and before I knew it I was in my apartment with Jenna, waiting for Kristen to arrive from Chicago. She was only an hour late, which is considered on time for air travel these days. Starving, we went to a very fun Turkish restaurant in Park Slope. I was so happy to be spending the night with one of my oldest friends and one of my newest, both of who mean the absolute world to me. It would turn out that the three of us would be together for much of the entire weekend to come.


Saturday morning we went to brunch with Jerry and Jenna at this great diner called Tom's Restaurant. It's the kind of place where you actually wait in line to get in, but the entire time they are bringing food and drinks around. There was water, coffee, cookies, sausage and orange fourths. Once we got in the food was absolutely amazing. It is definitely a must visit brunch spot for all future visitors. And here are the girls, sharing a chocolate egg cream...


Saturday was a really hot day, but Kristen wanted to see the city so Jenna and I took her on a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge. We took lots of fun pictures, even though it was hazy. From there we walked to TKTS to get half price Sunday matinée tickets to see The Drowsy Chaperone. We planned to take the Staten Island Ferry just for the boat ride, but we missed it by two minutes and ended up in Battery Park. Which turned out to be really nice. Hot as we were, when we stumbled across a fountain a bunch of kids were playing in we couldn't help but join them. I would have been soaking wet if it weren't for my new blue hair, as it still runs blue when it gets wet!

Now as I write it's Monday night. That day went by fast, didn't it? I finally succumbed to the tired last night. Which leaves me to talk about the big party Saturday night. It was amazing. I was so incredibly happy to be surrounded by all my fabulous New York friends. The only one missing was Megan, but she was excused because she and her boyfriend Paul got engaged the night before out on Long Island. So it was perfectly acceptable that they were missing, although they certainly were missed.

We started the night at Wined Up, my favorite place for an after work bottle of wine and fondue. There's just no better way to erase a bad day than with a good Meritage and a vat of melted cheese. But that's another post. Back to the party. It was like my own little tasting. We ordered a bunch of different wines and I got a glass of each. I had three glasses in front of me at all times. And everyone else was doing the same. We closed the place down (I think) and went to another bar called Flatiron Lounge at 1am. We lost some people at this point. We closed Flatiron at 3am, or maybe 4am (I think) and at this point we were down to four revelers... me, Andy, Ashwan and Matt. Ashwan led the way to the next bar, which I couldn't name and couldn't find again if I had a gun to my head. I was just being led around by the boys. I'm pretty sure we closed this place down but I have no idea what time. I was hungry so we went to a diner, at which point we lost Ashwan very suddenly. So it was down to Andy, Matt and I having burgers at 5am. In the cab on the way home it was getting light outside and I can't remember the last time I was home at dawn.


The next morning, after three hours of sleep I woke up at 10am ready(ish) to show Kristen around Brooklyn. We walked to have a great brunch and then walked around Prospect Park. Afterwards we got ready and headed to see The Drowsy Chaperone with Jerry and Jenna in Times Square, which I despise with the passion of a thousand suns, but is a necessary evil if you like Broadway shows. The show was an absolute blast, and our seats were wonderful. Kristen even got me to pose in the middle of Times Square... this is how much I love her.


But the day wasn't done yet. We went out for dinner in Union Square, and unfortunately I had to stop into work for an hour while Kristen walked around exploring and taking a bunch of great quintessential New York City photos. Afterwards we went for ice cream in Brooklyn and our butts finally hit the couch around 8pm at which point we only had the energy to look at our pictures and watch some episodes of my TV boyfriend's show. We were so tired, but even then I was wired, which brings us to the beginning of this post last night.

Many thanks to everyone who made my 30th birthday weekend the super-duper amazing technicolor party that it was (especially Kristen and Jenna, I love you both so much). This includes all my amazing friends and family from Chi Town who couldn't be here but still gave a phone shout out. My weekend could have only been better if all of you were able to be here in New York!

So, yeah, awesome birthday... and a weekend I'll never forget... at least what I remember of it.

Turns out, 30, not so old

I've been 30 for nearly 8 hours now, and I've got to tell you, doesn't feel much different. Granted, I've been sleeping for 7 of those hours, but still. I will say that there is a general feeling of awesomeness, but I felt that way yesterday, and a few days before, and pretty much since I moved to New York and found my job and a slew of amazing friends. I guess this is what it feels like to be happy with your life. Sweet.

The birthday well wishes may commence.

Birthday Baklava is back!

This weekend my mom managed to make it out to visit me. It was quite a trek for her to get here. I think between the time she spent in the airport trying to get here 3 weeks ago, and the time she spent this past Friday, it was a greater total time than she actually spent in New York itself. We had a great time while she was here, but the to and fro was really a hassle for her. Freaking LGA.

While she was here we went to the Whitney Museum for a special exhibit on the art of the psychedelic 60s. It was a really cool exhibit. Our favorite was taking pictures in the felt rainbow room thing because of the fluid shapes and colors. I'm really not sure how to describe it. Below is a cool picture of Mom , and I've posted more in my NY Visitors album from the weekend, so you can get an idea there.


We also went shopping to Bloomingdales where I was very successful in finding two pairs of new jeans, which was quite a triumph for me. I actually had a few pairs to choose from, whereas I usually just buy the single pair that doesn't make me cry. I attest my big win to two things; stepping up my workout to running and biking every time I'm at the gym, and the selection in the store. Megan was right all along, it really is the best jeans department I've ever seen.

Saturday night we went out for dinner at a Moroccan restaurant in Park Slope, which was amazing. We had some wine beforehand, a big glass with dinner and some port with desert, compliments of the owner for my birthday. I also saw the return of Birthday Baklava! Last year I regaled you with my story of Birthday pie. But there have also been many instances of Birthday Baklava. For some reason a bunch of years ago we got in the habit of having my birthday dinner in Greek town in Chicago, so I would order a piece of baklava as desert. It always makes me laugh when it comes with a candle, and who doesn't love Baklava?

Sunday we had brunch at a wonderful Irish bar, I was full the entire day. Oh, so full. We got tickets to see Curtains on Broadway, which was just wonderful. It is just one of those fun comedy musicals that you can't help but feel leaving good. Then it was off to dinner with the NY Family, Jerry and Jenna, at one of my favorite restaurants.

Even though it was hard for Mom to get here I'm glad she was able to. It was a really fun pre-birthday weekend in the city. And now I have rockin' jeans to wear to the big party on Saturday. Sweet.

Chicago, you're TOTALLY OUTRAGEOUS!!!

Get ready Chicago, you are about to play host to the hottest conference of the year. In just over a month the city, or at least the Springhill Suites Marriott - Chicago/O'Hare, will be bustling with the world's craziest fans. That's right, it's JemCon 2007!

For any of you thinking this is a conference showcasing rubies, sapphires and topaz, you would be wrong. Really, really wrong. It is, indeed, the third annual conference for fans of Jem, the animated series and Hasbro dolls from the 80s. The first conference in 2005 in Minneapolis was attended by over 50 (that's right, 50!) Jem fans, vendors and collectors. The sky's the limit this year. Could get crazy, there could even be 100 people in attendance, singing and dancing on top of a pink guitar shaped stage.

Personally, if I could make it into town for "Showtime in Chicago!" I would want to be part of the scheduled panel discussion; "Triangle Built for Two: Does Jem/Jerrica/Rio work?" I feel pretty strongly that it doesn't, but only because Rio was always hitting on my Barbie dolls, and Pizzazz was always hitting on Rio, and Jem/Jerrica felt pretty hopeless about the whole thing. It just can't work out between them.

While you are on the site make sure to check out all the newest Jem fashions. Apparently Jem got sick of her trendy 1985 clothes and got herself back on the updated fashion track. Oh, no wait, that doesn't seem to be the case.

In case any of you are wondering how I might have stumbled upon this fabulous piece of information, it's not that I'm a closet Jem fan. I don't have Jem dolls in my closet. I don't. It might, just might, have something to do with Halloween.

I've definitely narrowed the costume idea down to something from my 80s childhood, coming off the success of Punky Brewster two years ago (sadly last year I didn't get to dress up). I was batting around a few other ideas, but now that I've discovered this insane online Jem community of freaks, I must say I'm a little sucked in. Now I just have to choose who to be... any votes?

More from Yankee Stadium

Okay, I'm not in this picture because I'm the one taking the picture... but here is most of Team IOMEDIA:From the back: Newest Guy Jason (awesome second day on the job), Simon, Chris, Mark, Steve, Andy, Blanka, Alex (up high), Johann, Rosanie, Justin and another Chris. Love my team!

More Yankee fun times

This morning I headed back up to Yankee Stadium again, this time to take reference pictures for our renderings. I went with my architecture partner in crime, Andy, and our boss, Eugene. While we were there we got to walk through the players tunnel into the dugout, which was pretty cool. We also got to hang out in the dugout.

And stepped a little on to the field, even though we weren't really supposed to...

And I made a huge fool of myself just after this picture was taken. There was a tour going through, exiting in front of us, and Eugene pointed out a guy wearing a Cubs shirt. Without thinking, obviously, I shout "GO CUBS!!!" Oh holy Zeus, it was loud. I heard the echo come back at me. Soooo embarrassing. I was rightly taunted the entire way home by Eugene and Andy, who then made it the first order of business at our architecture production meeting to share my little outburst with all the artists. My new nickname is now GC, for Go Cubs. In an office of men, I guess it could be much worse.

The funny thing is that I'm not even a baseball fan. I root for both the Cubs and the White Sox, but I barely ever see either of them. I was just so excited to see a hometown shirt. Although I do have to say, spending all this time up at the stadium is making me a bit of a Yankee fan, but don't worry Chicago, I'll always root hometown first!

More cool Yankee pics to come tomorrow as everyone working on the project is being taken on a private tour of the entire stadium by their lead historian. I can't wait to get a picture of all of us together in the dugout!

Why it always pays to be the one with the camera

Because you can take pictures of your drunk friends and post them to your blog.

Jenna feeling herself up... Kate was surprised, but not nearly as surprised as when Jenna moved over to feeling her up next. Be happy Kate, the girls got rave reviews.

Harris' reaction when asked how newly married life is. Clara seems fine.

Sorry Jerry, but you wanted more pictures on the blog. Lets hope we get many more like this in two weeks at my birthday party... unfortunately I'm pretty sure I'll be the one making a fool of myself that night.

Lookin' for a fight

On the subway tonight I saw one of the classic New York characters, "Strung Out Avenger Looking For a Fight." As I boarded the train a woman wanted to sit in an empty window seat that was tricky to get into. Truth be told, the guy sitting on the end didn't do much to help her out. Really, he didn't move at all, not even the leg swing or the bag shift. And then the Strung Out Avenger Looking For a Fight (SOALFF) made his presence known.

He began his taunting by asking, "What's wrong with you man?"

This is where Inconsiderate Finance Guy (IFG) made his first mistake by replying, because he didn't hear what SOALFF said, "Sorry?"

And so it began. "Yeah, you are sorry." SOALFF got into it. How dare he not stand up for a lady? How could he be so disrespectful of women? Slur I can't repeat. When he stopped for a few minutes his foot would stomp and his leg would shake and he was right back in on the guy with the lecture about how to treat women right.

"You always get out of your seat for a woman. You better start respecting women. You ain't nothing but a bitch. BITCH! That's right, bitch, I know you can hear me. You ain't reading. You're hearing me. You know you're a bitch." Slur I still can't repeat.

He stopped for a little while again, muttering to himself and darting his gaze all around the train, looking over the top of his dark sunglasses. Stomping his foot when you just know he got all pissed about it again. He continued to mutter to himself mostly for most of the ride into Brooklyn. But just before he rushed off the train he made sure to finish his point, "You had better not be disrespecting women ever again because next time someone's gonna kick your ass, bitch [slur]."

The entire time I was pretty sure this was actually going to escalate to a fight. SOALFF was real jittery and definitely looking to get into it. His comments were far more colorful and full of expletives than I've recorded here. The only thing that stopped it was IFG just ignoring him the entire ride. Had he engaged this guy past his initial reply it would have been over. I'm pretty sure I read a chapter of my book on the ride home, but I can't remember a word of it because I was way too involved in listening to the rantings of SOALFF. Usually you don't see those guys until the sun goes down, it was quite amusing.

Oh New York, you saucy minx

Last week I was convinced that NY was totally and hopelessly in love with me. The City has made me so happy this past year, and then gave me that wonderful Yankees game anniversary present. I thought everything was going swimmingly. But you know how relationships can be sometimes... hot and cold. Today, NY really surprised me. I should have known better, I know The City really well, I knew deep down it had problems. Way below the surface it was hiding something devastating. That's right, NY has a problem with... gulp... infrastructure.

It rained this morning. A lot. Something like three inches in a half hour. Although that number was only 2.5 this morning so I think there's some telephone thing going on there. Either way, it was a lot of rain in a short time. I was determined to have a good day. I was up early, I felt good, I was ready to get in to work and get jamming. When I got to the subway station everyone was coming up, not down. The minorly helpful MTA worker only knew how to say one thing, "No trains at this station, all trains are running at Atlantic Avenue." So I walked a half mile in rain boots to mega-station, Atlantic Avenue. When I got there everyone was above ground, because, as it were, there were absolutely no trains running because the tunnels were all flooded. With no MTA workers on site I hear people talking about how to get in the city: multiple buses, walking over the bridge, and just going home to shower and try later. I was about to walk back home when Jerry called to see where I was. He suggested at least we could walk over the bridge together. Sure, why not, I'm already completely drenched in sweat, what could a brisk walk through Brooklyn, over the Manhattan bridge and probably all the way to work hurt?

So we met up and off we went. I think it took about a half hour to get to the bridge. We were drenched in sweat. Just before getting to the bridge I remembered there was an F train stop right nearby. We figured since it was one of the few trains that doesn't go through Atlantic Ave. it might actually be running. We got down to the station and sure enough, a train was already pulling up. It was tight, but had air conditioning! So happy!

As the train got into Manhattan it became more crowded. It was easily the most crowded train I've ever been on. This chick with thick blonde hair was crushing against me, I had to turn my head to not breathe her hair in. The guy packed behind me was somehow still trying to read the paper. As we were stopped at West 4th street an R train pulled in on the express track. People getting off said it was a B express. Since Jerry was heading all the way up to midtown, he bolted on to that train.

I somehow made it to work by 9am, before almost everyone in the office. Long before people actually coming from elsewhere on the island. Of course I was soaked in sweat, but luckily I keep a pair of shorts in the office for when the air conditioning breaks with no notice. So I put on those shorts and looked ridiculous all day. Jerry called me at 9:45 to say he finally made it to his office. Apparently the B express not only stopped at every stop, but also just stopped for a while. He may have been better off on our original local F, but who knows.

So I've had my hell commute in hot, humid, gross NY summer weather. It could have been worse, would have been if we hadn't thought to try for the F train. But still, it's going to take a little time before I forgive New York, because that sure was a dirty trick.

One year and counting

Can you believe I've already been in New York for a year? I guess that's not really a lot of time, but it is one of those time periods that people take note of. Birthdays, anniversaries, parole hearings... cause for reflection. And as I reflect on the year I've spent in New York a few things come to mind:

• I like this city more every single day. It will wear you down, steal your soul and destroy your faith in air conditioning, but at the end of the day anything can happen here. Any day. When I leave the apartment in the morning I'm never surprised anymore where I end up and who I end up with (more on this feature later).
• I like living alone here. I came here with someone I was expecting to live with for a while, and that didn't work out. At the time it was heartbreaking because it's what I thought I really wanted. Back in Chicago I hated being single. But here, not so much. I'm delighted living on my own and experiencing this city however I so choose. I go out with who I want, come home when I want and pass out drunk in the middle of the bed again.
  
• I love my New York family. In NY people don't see their actual families as much as they do elsewhere, so they create very close knit groups of friends and seem more open to letting new people in. At least, this is my theory. Whatever it is, I've made some very close friends very quickly here, and I love all of them so much. You know who you are.
  
• I'm finally happy with my career. Sure, I had to start over and take a leap of faith that I would find a job here, but it was worth it. Things are still in flux, but it's looking like I've finally moved into something that keeps me in the creative realm but also makes use of all my marketing and communication skills from my past life. And I love the company I work for. Many of the aforementioned friends can be found here, so it makes for a great work environment. Dysfunctional, but great.
• I do still miss Chicago. New York is fabulous, but Chicago will always be the gold-standard. My family is there. My oldest friends are there. Oberweis ice cream is there. Garbage is stored in cans in the alleys. The heat in the summer doesn't make you want to kill yourself. Snowstorms don't shut down the city. Strangers are nice. Da Bears. Wrigley Field. The Bean. The Lake. A lifetime of memories. Yeah, Chicago is still #1 in my book, and I'm sure I'll be back, it just might be a lot longer than I thought. But that's okay, Chicago will always be there, an oasis of awesome in the middle of the country.

And now, bragging time. On Wednesday, I was surprised with a very cool perk from one of my clients, The Yankees. I was joking about my embarrassment at the White Sox's 16-3 loss from the night before when my contact asked if I would like to go to the game that night. "Hell yeah!" was my response. I brought Andy, the new guy from London. He's never been to a baseball game and I thought he would have the most fun. We got to the stadium and when we picked up the tickets at the executive entrance the guy asked us to follow him and he would escort us to our seats. Holy hell, we were being escorted... these were going to be good. We entered behind home plate, and kept walking towards the field. Closer and closer. I was looking at Derek Jeter's ass. Our tickets were second row behind the plate. We were both in shock. We spent a fortune on food and drinks that we ordered from our seats that came right to us. We had hot dogs and peanuts and beer, just like you should have at a baseball game. I might have snuck in a cosmo first, but that's only because I have to have something taste good before I can switch to beer.

It was an amazing night, and I had no idea it was coming until the very end of the work day. Of course, it was the one time I didn't have my camera with me. I was kicking myself. Andy made sure to send a picture message to our boss saying "wish you were here." He he. He's going to fit in well at the office.

I considered the game my one-year anniversary present from New York City. Happy Anniversary New York, I heart you too.