NJ MARATHON UPDATE
So. Friday night, E and I went to look at apartments. We definitely weren't going to sign a lease, and I think E really wasn't even interested in moving at all. Well, 2 hours later, we had signed about 200 pages (no joke) and set a move in date. HA! Funny how things work out. We got a crazy deal; it was so good another couple tried to fight us out of it. In the end, we both got apartments and about 5 other couples are S.O.L. Oops.
I'm completely in love with this place. I was kind of scared to sign because it seems TOO perfect, but...I dunno, maybe it IS perfect? The only problem I have is...
I kind of feel like it's a requirement I act like a huge douche bag if I live in this joint. Apparently this building is Phillipe Starck's "personal project". Needless to say, it's HEAVY on the design. If anyone wants to check it out, try dwellonwall.com. I NEVER thought I'd be moving in to a luxury building (actually was trying to stay away from it while apt hunting), but to be honest, this was a better deal than anything else I saw. Not sure E and I will really fit in but...whatever. :)
The big day is 6 weeks away, but I'll only be around to pack this weekend and one more weekend before the move. Yikes. I started packing today and uhm...packing SUCKS. I guess I expect to see instant progress, but there's so much crap everywhere...there's no progress at all.
To make matters worse, I'll miss about half a day of packing with all the superbowl hoopla tomorrow. Maybe I just shouldn't sleep? Oh well, everything will work out and I will have an awesome new home.
Thanks Staten Island, it's been fun.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
G'day!
NJ MARATHON UPDATE
I had a really good day today. I know this might be a ridiculous thing to put in a blog, but frankly, I don't care. I do this as much for me as for you. So there. Sometimes I like to remember nice things later, so here we go:
1. It was sunny today. After the complete crap-fest yesterday was, this seemed like a really big deal to me.
2. Even though I was running late, and saw the bus fly by while I was still at the apt. complex front gate, I took off running and because of the long line of people waiting to get on, actually made the bus.
3. The bus apparently was empty enough that even with the long line I got a seat. Normally wouldn't be a big deal except making sharp turns on all these friggin' hills actually makes standing on the S42 kind of difficult. That is if I don't want to borderline sexually violate people as I fall into their laps.
4. I ran to the bus and didn't think I was 1.) Having a heart attack, 2.) Pulling a muscle, 3.) Running a lot farther than the 200 ft. to the bus stop. This sounds completely ridiculous, but marathon training has actually helped me run to the bus. Running making other aspects of my life better?! Maybe these running people were on to something.
5. Speaking of running people, I bought a Runner's World this morning and actually knew what the hell they were talking about. I won't lie, I felt kind of cool. With all the references to marathon running/training I was like booyah, I'm doing that.
6. I ended up leading half of the training lectures today, which is great because the day flies by and I'm not incredibly bored for half of the day.
7. I was a trouble-shooting BEAST today. Might not be a big deal (frankly, probably 25% of my job is figuring out what the hell is wrong with the finicky software anyway), but it was great validation that I'm actually really good at what I do. I guess it came at a good time since I'm generally.....really bored.
8. My co-trainer was carrying some kind of magical medicine that cured my ouchie tummy. I think she's some kind of magical medicine woman.
9. I actually got my eTicket, which was kind of up in the air, so I can definitely get to NFK 100 next weekend. That should be...interesting. I'm not sure I'm ready to re-enter the Newman Bubble. Especially after living my 'life of sin' and becoming...*gasp* kind-of-something-approaching-liberal-but-not-really-just-not-psychotically-religiously-conservative. Yah, this might get weird. At least I'll have one fellow sinner along with me for the ride.
10. I met with a broker who was actually a cool guy and got to see 8 Wall St. apartments. E said it best, it would be pretty badass to say we lived on Wall St. AND be able to eat...
11. Which takes me to dinner. Salad, bottle of Argentinian wine, mashed potatoes, sauteed mushrooms, 16 OZ STEAK. Good God, I love meat. (That's what she said)
12. Watch Illinois completely and totally SUCK against Minnesota. Ok so that's not really a plus, but I still enjoy watching the Illini. I think my ridiculous looking scarf/glove/puff-ball orange and blue hat set may have been cursed. I won't wear them Sunday and we'll see what happens.
13. I learned about a new baseball statistic and because I'm so horribly and lamely math-inclined, I got pretty excited. And in case anyone cares (I know, you don't), 13 days until pitchers and catchers report. Frankly, I don't care either, but at least it means we're moving toward baseball and that makes me really damn happy. Especially if ILL keeps up this poo-fest of not-basketball.
And now, if I may take a moment to outline my moving dilemma:
Awesome, huge, cheap Staten Island apartment
vs.
Awesome, ridiculously tiny, expensive Manhattan apartment.
Thoughts, comments, ideas, cash for my rent?
I had a really good day today. I know this might be a ridiculous thing to put in a blog, but frankly, I don't care. I do this as much for me as for you. So there. Sometimes I like to remember nice things later, so here we go:
1. It was sunny today. After the complete crap-fest yesterday was, this seemed like a really big deal to me.
2. Even though I was running late, and saw the bus fly by while I was still at the apt. complex front gate, I took off running and because of the long line of people waiting to get on, actually made the bus.
3. The bus apparently was empty enough that even with the long line I got a seat. Normally wouldn't be a big deal except making sharp turns on all these friggin' hills actually makes standing on the S42 kind of difficult. That is if I don't want to borderline sexually violate people as I fall into their laps.
4. I ran to the bus and didn't think I was 1.) Having a heart attack, 2.) Pulling a muscle, 3.) Running a lot farther than the 200 ft. to the bus stop. This sounds completely ridiculous, but marathon training has actually helped me run to the bus. Running making other aspects of my life better?! Maybe these running people were on to something.
5. Speaking of running people, I bought a Runner's World this morning and actually knew what the hell they were talking about. I won't lie, I felt kind of cool. With all the references to marathon running/training I was like booyah, I'm doing that.
6. I ended up leading half of the training lectures today, which is great because the day flies by and I'm not incredibly bored for half of the day.
7. I was a trouble-shooting BEAST today. Might not be a big deal (frankly, probably 25% of my job is figuring out what the hell is wrong with the finicky software anyway), but it was great validation that I'm actually really good at what I do. I guess it came at a good time since I'm generally.....really bored.
8. My co-trainer was carrying some kind of magical medicine that cured my ouchie tummy. I think she's some kind of magical medicine woman.
9. I actually got my eTicket, which was kind of up in the air, so I can definitely get to NFK 100 next weekend. That should be...interesting. I'm not sure I'm ready to re-enter the Newman Bubble. Especially after living my 'life of sin' and becoming...*gasp* kind-of-something-approaching-liberal-but-not-really-just-not-psychotically-religiously-conservative. Yah, this might get weird. At least I'll have one fellow sinner along with me for the ride.
10. I met with a broker who was actually a cool guy and got to see 8 Wall St. apartments. E said it best, it would be pretty badass to say we lived on Wall St. AND be able to eat...
11. Which takes me to dinner. Salad, bottle of Argentinian wine, mashed potatoes, sauteed mushrooms, 16 OZ STEAK. Good God, I love meat. (That's what she said)
12. Watch Illinois completely and totally SUCK against Minnesota. Ok so that's not really a plus, but I still enjoy watching the Illini. I think my ridiculous looking scarf/glove/puff-ball orange and blue hat set may have been cursed. I won't wear them Sunday and we'll see what happens.
13. I learned about a new baseball statistic and because I'm so horribly and lamely math-inclined, I got pretty excited. And in case anyone cares (I know, you don't), 13 days until pitchers and catchers report. Frankly, I don't care either, but at least it means we're moving toward baseball and that makes me really damn happy. Especially if ILL keeps up this poo-fest of not-basketball.
And now, if I may take a moment to outline my moving dilemma:
Awesome, huge, cheap Staten Island apartment
vs.
Awesome, ridiculously tiny, expensive Manhattan apartment.
Thoughts, comments, ideas, cash for my rent?
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
I miss my bike.
NJ MARATHON UPDATE
I'm angry. Five Boroughs Bike Tour is the same day as my marathon. WTF?! I guess there's always next year, but seriously? No fair. Luckily I have a list of at least three other bike tours in the area, so not all biking is lost. I miss my bicycle :( The good news is, if we actually decide to move to Manhattan, I can probably do some biking again. Hooray!
I'm angry. Five Boroughs Bike Tour is the same day as my marathon. WTF?! I guess there's always next year, but seriously? No fair. Luckily I have a list of at least three other bike tours in the area, so not all biking is lost. I miss my bicycle :( The good news is, if we actually decide to move to Manhattan, I can probably do some biking again. Hooray!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
EMHE
NJ MARATHON UPDATE
Nothing makes Extreme Makeover: Home Edition better than finding out it's a 2 hour episode! Wheee!!! Tonight's episode: the parents are 25 with 4 kids plus are taking care of their nephew, the dad was shot through the neck in Iraq, a year after he miraculously survived his house was destroyed in a tornado, along with most of their rural Kansas town. It's all pretty crazy to think of what these people - younger than me - have/are gone/are going through. The design team is doing stuff for other town members and of COURSE my favorite is Miss Edna. She's 78 and looks as if she's afflicted by some sort of neurological disorder and somehow her rose garden survived the tornado. I have no idea what it is about the elderly that affects me so much, but it really does.
The best part about this show - for me - is that it provides weekly motivation to continue giving back to my community. After moving to NYC I truly think it was a combination of EMHE, Oprah's Big Give, and being tired of feeling sorry for myself that led me to start getting involved again. Who knew it would lead into this obsession with community service.
I've discovered recently one of my favorite parts of community service - it's starting to give me a chance to grow. I've been able to go from a volunteer to a team leader. Now I'm looking for more opportunities to transition to more of a community organizer role. Also, there are so many things I want to learn and do - with service you can always use or learn a new skill. I just hope that I can start to inspire other people to...basically get off their butts...and experience all the fantastic things I have and will.
Ok enough preaching, I have to get back to EMHE.
Nothing makes Extreme Makeover: Home Edition better than finding out it's a 2 hour episode! Wheee!!! Tonight's episode: the parents are 25 with 4 kids plus are taking care of their nephew, the dad was shot through the neck in Iraq, a year after he miraculously survived his house was destroyed in a tornado, along with most of their rural Kansas town. It's all pretty crazy to think of what these people - younger than me - have/are gone/are going through. The design team is doing stuff for other town members and of COURSE my favorite is Miss Edna. She's 78 and looks as if she's afflicted by some sort of neurological disorder and somehow her rose garden survived the tornado. I have no idea what it is about the elderly that affects me so much, but it really does.
The best part about this show - for me - is that it provides weekly motivation to continue giving back to my community. After moving to NYC I truly think it was a combination of EMHE, Oprah's Big Give, and being tired of feeling sorry for myself that led me to start getting involved again. Who knew it would lead into this obsession with community service.
I've discovered recently one of my favorite parts of community service - it's starting to give me a chance to grow. I've been able to go from a volunteer to a team leader. Now I'm looking for more opportunities to transition to more of a community organizer role. Also, there are so many things I want to learn and do - with service you can always use or learn a new skill. I just hope that I can start to inspire other people to...basically get off their butts...and experience all the fantastic things I have and will.
Ok enough preaching, I have to get back to EMHE.
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