"Are you alive?"

That was the subject of last night's blackberry message from Elise, followed by:

You've been MIA in blog land...

I know. I've missed blogging but have just been consumed by other things. Life's been crazy, and I've had to invest my spare time in other, more pressing matters.
A lot's gone on in the past month, and there's a lot to come in the next six weeks. I've been out of town, I have to move, I'm going to Portland to be in a weekend long wedding over Labor Day, etc etc etc. Basically I haven't had a whole lot of "doing nothing around the apartment time." My own brother came into town last night with his peach of a wife and darling of a daughter, and I had to inform him I can't even get together with them because the next three days are filled with things I can't really get out of. Sad.
Anyway, I'm hoping to at least post some of the bigger recent events in the next bit, and then come September (besides the move) I'll be back in business because someone who consumes most of my time will be moving to Kansas City. (Who does that?) Oh yeah, and besides that, next week he leaves for two weeks to go hike Mount Kilimanjaro. (Seriously.) I think I might suddenly find myself with time to blog.
Stay tuned.

Maddy McFaddy

Isn't little Mad so darling?  She finally got the booties I sent her and I just die over this picture of her.  I just want to squeeze her darling little hand.

Here's a better shot of her new kicks.  (Yes Meggan, I got the referral from your page.  Thanks!)

Happy birthday Elise!

Hysterically funny.  Incredibly patient.  Creative.  Super organized.  Giving.  Understanding.  Hard working.  Ambitious.  Nurturing.  Perfect wife to my brother.  Oh yeah, and I can always count on her to catch my glance from the other side of the room and be thinking the exact same thing as me.

Another late shout out.  Elise's 24th was Tuesday the 15h.  I hope it was fabulous!  Love you! 

My Darcy list

My friend Dave coined the term "Darcy List."  It's basically "a place where you can put all of those things that you consider to be undeservingly popular....this isn't supposed to be a list of things that you simply dislike-there are other lists for that.  There must be some aspect of them that you find enjoyable, well done or otherwise good for them to be on the list.  So basically, you think they're good, but you don't understand why everyone thinks they're 'fantastic!'"  Dave calls this the "Darcy List" because, in a nutshell, he just doesn't see what "every" Mormon girl thinks is so great about Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, from Pride and Prejudice.  I've never seen any of these movies, or read the book, but I'm going to take Dave's word for it.

Dave blogged his "Darcy List", and I'm going to blog mine (and I encourage you to blog yours!)

At first thought this was kind of hard for me because my initial thoughts turned to all the things I despise, which others LOVE, and I just don't get it (ie Lord of the Rings-boooooring, all the trendy cupcake businesses-YUCK!, and the Twilight series-LAME......no offense.)

Here's what I came up with:

• Wicked: I'm going to have to go with Dave on this one.  I saw the show about a year ago on Broadway, after hearing for about three years how AMAZING it is.  I tried to go in with lower expectations but honestly, I just didn't think it was complete euphoria like everyone else did.  Was it good?  Yes.  Did I enjoy it?  Definitely.  But is it the best show I've seen and would I see it again over a show I haven't seen?  Absolutely not.  
• Pirates of the Caribbean: Yeah, I don't know, I mean, they were okay, and entertaining, but I don't get why people were so obsessed.
• So You Think You Can Dance: I know everyone else lives for this show, but I just have no desire.  I've seen about a minute of one or two episodes.  The dancing was cool, but I don't think it's worth watching (sorry Maria!)
• American Idol: While I do enjoy this one more, and find myself getting into it, I don't think it's everything the rest of the world does.  I've watched the last two seasons and have had my favorites, but when the finale aired (both times) I missed it, and never got around to watching it on the dvr.  I think the hardest thing for me to get past is the length of the episodes and number of days per week it's on (at least at the beginning of the season.)  I feel like two hours episodes could easily be cut down to 30 minutes. (Sorry Chels!)
• Johnny Depp: I hate to say it, I know I'm the outsider here, but I just don't see it.  I know, I know, those of you who know me well can DEFINITELY say my choices in celebrity boyfriends are definitely odd, but hey, what can I say?  I guess my taste is just different.  It's not like I'm saying I don't see what's so hot in Brad Pitt.  But Johnny Depp is just strange and half the time looks filthy.  Colin Farrell pulls off that look much better.
• Going to the beach: (I know I'll get a lot of backlash for this one.)  I DO like the beach, the waves are fun, the salty ocean smell is great, and there's just something about having your feet in the sand.  But if I had a choice (while living in California) I would take the pool over the beach 6 or 7 days out of 10.  I'm just not a fan of the drive to the beach, dealing with the traffic, looking for parking, paying for parking, hiking all your crap down to find a spot, and then carrying half the sand back with you into your car.  Now that I live in New York I appreciate the beach much more, and love to go, but just not nearly as much as a lot of other people.
• Mac computers: Yes, I have to admit it.  I like mine, I do, but I've never gotten that feeling I had expressed to me so heavily by other Mac users when I was in the market for a new computer.  Am I just not using it right?  
• Bonfires: Kind of the same reason I'm not a huge beach person.  I'd rather just chit chat with my friends in the comfort of my home.  I don't really feel the need to drive out to dunes or the beach to make a fire in the winter so I'm either A) on fire or B) freezing, and in the dark and not able to find anyone, and getting all sandy.  It can be a nice atmosphere sometimes, but not as frequently as people liked to go in college.
• Jack Johnson: His music's nice at times, but he doesn't make me glaze over and become super mellow.
• Ellen: She's funny sometimes, but I don't get the hype.
  

So now I'm feeling super negative; maybe I'll make another list sometime of things I LOVE that other people don't really get into.

What's on YOUR Darcy List?

You know how I usually blag (blog brag) about my wonderful job and how great things can be there sometimes?  WELL, the last two days have been awful.  AWFUL.  My life has basically been like Anne Hathaway's character in The Devil Wears Prada. I won't go into all the details because it would take years to explain but basically it's been a hellacious 48 hours of being on call after hours, having a headache from two constant fast paced stress-filled/tense days, working 10-11 hour days, having virtually nothing go right, praying the worst case scenario wouldn't happen, and then finding out the worse case scenario would have been better than what actually did happen, getting to the point of just about sobbing in front of half my team, boss, and three other assistants, constantly feeling like an idiot, feeling like I need to be a mind reader, dreading when my phone would start buzzing, having to argue with people on the phone after getting to that point where I'm told there's nothing anyone can do to help me, and I have to tell them that's not an acceptable answer, and then going back and forth like that until one of us gives in (and it couldn't be me), etc etc etc.  Finally, everything is worked out.  Well, after some serious travel adjustments.  But it wasn't good.  Not good at all.  And on top of all that?  Yesterday (ps stop reading here if you're going to be grossed out) I almost stepped in the HUGEST piece of poo in the subway.  Like, so big there's no WAY it could be human.  It was like, horse size....but how would a horse be in the subway?  AND I saw a homeless man's pubes, AND a lady blatantly cut in front of me in line at Pinkberry, and the Pinkberry serving was totally stingy.  Oh yeah, and it was like 92 degrees and about 1000% humidity.  Not to mention a few other stressors that are too personal to go into, but they themselves would have made for a bad day.  Oh yeah, and it wasn't until 6:30pm today that I realized I'd gone all day not even noticing the fact that I never put on mascara this morning.

Luckily I have some wonderful wonderful wonderful people in my life who were there to console me when I finally had the breakdown.  I realize my job is cushy and a lot of people work a lot longer hours and with much more stress daily.  But, I guess that's the beauty of this being my blog; I can complain if I want to.

Point of post: can't wait to get on the plane Friday and head west for a couple days.  The flights will suck royally with a ridiculous 3 1/2 hour layover in Denver Friday and 2 hour layover in Chicago Monday, but at least it only cost me $301.

But I am super bummed I'm missing the FREE Bon Jovi concert in Central Park on Saturday.  Boo.

Dear readers:

Lately I've thought a bit about how I post a million pictures on the blog, and most of them include me.  I realize it probably makes me look like I'm really in love with myself.  I wondered if I should start cutting back on not only the "me" pictures, but the pictures all together.  I mean, it does take forever for them to load.  But then I got to thinking, it's not like I have kids that I'm taking pictures of.  And usually when I'm out with a group of friends it's sort of a "hey let's ask someone to take our picture" sort of thing.  Other times I'm out with a particular person who likes to grab my camera and start snapping.  Usually when I have to take a picture by myself, I feel kind of awkward.  But by the time I load them onto my computer and start picking which ones to post, I just pick the ones I think turned out okay, or had the most fun editing, and post them.  It's so hard for me to narrow pictures down to only a couple, and I keep reminding myself that I'm going to print my blog off into a book (if I can EVER get caught up.)  Since I almost never actually have pictures printed, I figure this will be my way of having (sort of) hard copies to have around, which is why I like to include so many.

Anyone who's spent time with me (or has read my blog) knows I just can't summarize.  My stories take about an hour; I just have such a hard time leaving out details.  So while I wish I had the skill of making short and sweet blog posts that are witty and enjoyable, I've come to the conclusion that's just not me.  I'm sure when I have kids I'll be taking way too many pictures of them.  (I think when my nephew turned one I took about 32 pictures of him just eating his first piece of cake.)  So yes, as much as everyone gripes about "those people" I guess I'm just "that person." So I'm okay with it, and hopefully you are too.  If not, you don't have to look at my blog.

There.  I feel better.

7.7.77

He turned 31 on Monday.  (So I've been slacking on posting bday shout outs on actual birthdays; I guess I rationalize that it's okay because I'd rather be out celebrating the birthday than blogging about it?)

He wanted sushi, so we went to a nice place in our neighborhood, and he rocked his new fedora.

Yep, I even ate some.  See those cucumber rolls up top?  That was all me.  Had a couple California rolls too, and two Philadelphia rolls.  Oh yeah, and we got King Crab Dumplings to start, and I actually really liked them!  And obviously edamame, which I love.

He wanted to be mellow so we got dessert from jubilee; him a brownie, me a slice of red velvet.

But today was the real treat.  I told him I had a surprise for him and to meet me in midtown after work.  He said he had a few ideas of what we might be doing, but when we showed up at City Nails the look on his face was complete shock.  He's never indulged in a mani, or pedi, so I treated, and he actually really liked it.  The best part was watching him be in such a confused state.  I never thought about the fact that he's never stepped foot in a nail salon, and didn't even know what to do.  I guess the first time I went I just knew what to do from the years of watching my mom get hers done.  He stood there, nervous, and tried to sit in the manicurist's chair.  I had to inform him the cushy seat with the massagers in it was for him.

My pedi took longer since I was getting paint so he reclined and enjoyed more massage.

I loved all the things that made him excited and nervous.  He was most nervous about the filing, and most intrigued by the tool they use to cut off your cuticles.

He asked me if I was going to blog these pictures, and I said of course.  His requested quote for this picture was, "I got my nails did!"  I'm so glad he loved it.

PS How cool is it to have been born on July 7th, 1977?  7/7/77, so cool.

Happy birthday (yesterday) Ryno!

Happy birthday buddy!  I can't believe you're 4 years old!  Time sure does fly.  I'm so happy you've been my buddy for so long.  I have so many great memories of you.

I remember how adorable your little feet looked in your first pair of Rainbows.

And loved all the times you let me give you a crazy faux-hawk.

I'll never forget the night you told me your Mommy and Daddy were having another baby!

And how you have always been such a great big brother to little Megan.

I remember you in your chunker days.  You were so cute (still are) and I just couldn't stop squeezing you!  (Still can't.)

You're always doing funny things, such a silly goose!

I remember coming home from college for your very 1st birthday party!  We had so much fun in the pool together and you LOVED eating the cake!

You are always such a joy to your aunts and uncles (and grandmas and grandpas!)

I remember coming home right after you learned how to walk.  It looked so funny after seeing you only crawl for so many months.  You got the hang of it really quickly!

Happy happy birthday handsome!!  I hope you had so much fun at Lego Land with Mommy, Megan, and Grammy!  I love you SO much, more than you will ever know.  I'm so excited to be at your 4th birthday party this Saturday.  See you soon!

Last of the birthday posts

So we ended the birthday week with a Trifecta Birthday Rooftop party.  My roommates Maria, Chelsie, and I all had birthdays within a week of each other.  Since it was officially summer time, what better way to celebrate than on the roof?

Maria, Chelsie, me, and Jaclyn.  Jac bought us the tiaras.  :)

Love love love these girls.  We laugh all the time.

Of course Pepper came to the party.  

The music man.  Curtis bought a new system that day and we were SO thankful.  It sounded awesome.

Rachel and Gina.  Love them for coming down from Boston.

It was SO hot that night, once the humidity set it we all started to look a lil nasty and shiny...

Me and Dan

Sooooo, we'd seen lots of lighting over in Jersey and were just keeping an eye out.  I was nervous about the rain, especially since Curtis had set up his brand new system, and we had tons of food out.  I was on the opposite side of the roof chatting and felt a rain drop on my cheek.  I immediately started to walk towards Curtis to let him know and LITERALLY took about two steps and BOOM!  It was like the movies where out of no where it is just POURING huge raindrops.  Just dumping.  Luckily a lot of people had shown up by then and everyone totally helped grab things so we were out of there in just a minute or two and nothing got ruined (minus our hair.)

So we headed to the clubhouse room.

Anita's a trooper and made the shlep in the rain clear downtown from the Bronx.  Love her.

Colin is maybe the nicest guy I know.

Chelsie's friend Josh was visiting from Vegas and he was darling.

And of course, we danced.

Jamar is amazing, and Brit is darling.

So maybe at this point Maria, Chels, and I were dancing to Fiddy Cent's birthday song...

Steveo, friends since summer '03 at the Ridge.

Ed kept his promise and gave me a little lap dance, haha.

So THEN the management closed the clubhouse down at 11pm so we moved the party to our apartment.

Mikey Perkey, and yet another Rachel.

Birthday cheesecake!

Heidi and Chels.

Dan is quite the ladies man.

Nick and Gina

We like to dance, even though his moves put me to shame.

Heidi's so cute.  She's one of those girls who's always happy.

Paul and Gina getting down with the ugly dance.

The night I finally met Rustin.  Amazing.  And maybe he said our party was the best he'd ever been to in NYC.....I'm just sayin.....

I LOVE Ed.  He cracks me up.

Okay so maybe I look like a total freak, but I just love Ed's face, and how on the last picture he's trying to act like he's not enjoying himself.

Jac knows how to get down.

Jac and Chels are really excited about seeing each other.

Rach and Helen

So at about 2am when the last of the partygoers were still chatting in our kitchen we passed out on the lovesac (remember how we'd only gotten 4 hours of sleep and had gotten up at 6am to go skydiving?  Needless to say, we were EXHAUSTED.  The next day I slept until 1pm, took two naps, and still passed out around 11pm.  Yeah, I don't even know how that's possible.)

So clearly I had the best birthday ever.  Thanks again to everyone for making it all so great.  The weekend was amazing, and exhausting, but so so so perfect.