Hitting Home

This is my last Saturday in Boston. I have no home. Strangely, that hasn't hit me as strange yet, despite the fact that it's been over 3 weeks since we moved my stuff to New Iersey. I'm still working like crazy trying to train my replacement, so I guess I don't really have time to think.

I think I wore the same pants to work every day this week. I don't think that will fly at my new office. It's probably time to go shopping. Luckily, I will be working in the fashion capital of the universe, Soho, New York.

Tradition among my friends is to take each other to the Top Of the Hub for dessert when one of the group is leaving. Well, I'm the last one, so I guess I'll have to go sit at the bar and take my chances.

I guess that was the random thoughts about moving post.

Not So Invisible in Harlem

Yes, it's true. I found a place in New York where men still turn their heads when I walk by. And they talk to me. It feels like home. Plus, I almost talked myself into a ride on the back a of a garbage truck. Pretty sweet ride.

There Comes a Time in Every Woman's Life When...

...she realizes that a minute on the lips might actually lead to a lifetime on the hips.

First of all, I don't have cravings for chocolate, candy, sweets of any sort. Until now. I've realized that I'm going to have to actually do something if I don't want to be a cellulite covered slob, so I'm trying. But the minute that started, I also started wanting Snickers, Pay Day, cheese, cheese, more cheese, candy, fried food, pizza, the list goes on.

Second, I have never used gym equipment in my life. I only do yoga. And I've been out of practice since last February. You do the math because it makes me sick and feel sorry for myself to think about it.

So here I am, 24 years old, 5'8" and 125 lbs, learning how to go to the gym. My university now has a state of the art gym including a rock wall, but it was a dank old armory when I was in school. I paid a steep price to get into the rock climbing class last month and discovered just how nice it is.

So what's so hard about the gym? Everything.

How do I walk in the door?
How do I get a locker to work properly?
What do I do with my key?
Should I bring water?
What if I sweat too much?
How do I take a shower?
How do you turn this damn elliptical thing on and what does it mean that my heart rate is 170?
Why does it feel like I bruised my ribs on the ab machine?
What's the locker room etiquette? Can I just walk around naked or do I have to wrap up in a towel? Or is it weird to use the towel? What if it's on my head and I prance through the room? Can I thoroughly dry my crack or will people look at me funny?
Is it normal to weigh naked?
How do I gracefully bend over to pick something up when in the buff?
Why does yoga class feel like an aerobics/dance class?
What the hell is a smartbell?
How do I change the TV from cheerleader movie to the news? No, not Fox news.
What does a personal trainer do?

That's what.

Why's She Talking About New York?

Because she's moving there, silly.

That's right. I have a new job, a new apartment, and a new outlook on life. Well maybe not the outlook. However, I will be a few short blocks from Central Park at home and in SoHo at the office, so things are looking up.

If you're interested in finding out more, I'll tell you offline, but I'm already non-anonymous enough and I don't know who reads this anymore. Not sure I need everything broadcast.

Looks like I will need a new web address though...

Why is it that...

...in Boston guys will walk into walls because they're busy staring at me, but in New York I'm as good as invisible? It's sort of amazing how different it is down South.

Why do people lie? They do and it's sickening.

Why am I so tired all the time? Oh wait, I know. Because my life is ruled by craigslist and other people are insomniacs too.

Why do people ask for more than they deserve, and when will I learn to do this? I tried tonight and failed. Can someone help me?

Why don't I go to bed?

Wobbling for a Weber

It was my birthday (and Easter) weekend and I desperately needed to take advantage of the sudden 70+ degree weather. So I planned a barbecue party in the back yard--about 2 days before it happened. It was the day of the party, about an hour after people were supposed to show up at my house, and there I was with the boyfriend at Sears waiting for someone to return with an answer about a particular grill when we heard an announcement asking the Easter Bunny to return to the ground floor. That in itself seemed humorous enough for me, but the day had more laughs in store for us. The next thing we know there's a backroom stock guy walking by who notices our amusement. He stops and says, "You know, our manager is crazy about Easter. He painted the staff break room yellow. . . Every time I walk in there it makes my mind wobble."

Needless to say, that phrase has been used a few times since then.

I'm Not Dead

From the lapse, you might think so, but no. Just busy and secretive.

You might also think that the flooding in Boston would stop us, but no again. However, people are getting seriously angry about the weather. Today, I had a 10 minute conversation with someone about how angry she was about the weather. I was sure she was about to assign personal blame to someone. (She didn't). It was so visceral! Another 6'+ woman had just "ugh! I was almost blown over by the wind at South Station" to say. She was pretty drenched too. No bikes were ridden to the office this morning--especially not mine. However, one colleague wore a sweater. No jacket. No umbrella. Just a soaking wet sweater.

I had a water proof jacket, which I wore over the backpack, an umbrella, and I ran most of the way. Sure, I didn't smell that great, but I had some endorphins going for me and I wasn't too drenched. I suggest my method--especially if you're just going (indoor) rock climbing later anyway.

O the Places I've been!

I just found a cool new site where you can map where you've been, and since I have a pretty impressive track record within the US, I thought I'd show you. If anyone knows anyone in North Dakota, I'd love to have an excuse to get out there. The rest somehow seem manageable on my own.



visited states for you

Less Impressively, my country count (7):


visited countries for you

Great Plains?

My most recent experience proves otherwise. Iowa was certainly Great, but definitely not Plain. There were rolling dips, valleys, and hobbit-like hillsides. Plus it was incredibly green. Granted, the last time I was in Iowa, I was praying that I would find gas before having to stop in a cornfield over night and couldn't get out fast enough since it was so muggy, buggy and gross, but this time was different.... and windy. I even managed to have a slight wardrobe malfunction with my dress due to the wind. Luckily, my dad, the alleged mobster that he is, brought a big black raincoat, so I covered up.

This particular scene is from a cattle round up that we accidentally delayed--being the city slickers with cameras that we are. Needless to say, Amy was embarassed.

Family

Wouldn't it be nice to discover after about 10 years that you have an awesome family? Well that happened to me this weekend. True, I knew they existed, and I knew they were pretty cool, but man, I win. Last weekend I went to Iowa to visit my family and celebrate the life of my great grandfather Harold, who passed away in February. Thanks to him, I had a great weekend meeting my relatives as an adult, witnessing my very first auction, learning why you don't sell your cows, and how to find asparagus growing on the fence line.

There are tons of pictures from me and my dad if you want to take a look.