Friday, August 31, 2007

New York New York

New 5-7yr. plan - purchase apartment in Manhattan.
It's got to happen. I can't fight it. Not to say I'm ready to move back now - I've still got to head out to the West Coast and give that a try. But now that I know that that is a serious goal, it feels good. Of course, I say that NOW when prices for a 1BR are under 500k - hey I'm not talking total luxury here, just my own space. I'm sure 5 yrs from now prices will be totally different. Either way, I guess I have to start saving...

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Food and Bev Twins


It has come to my attention that I have a food and bev twin (though I'm not sure how she feels about mayo, and well, I love it. THERE I SAID it OK!? I LOVE MAYO). We shall call her Lisa Frank (for privacy purposes. That and our OBSESSION with all things Lisa Frank). I was telling her how much I enjoy my Venti Non-Sweetened Black Iced Tea from Starbucks (for it's deliciousness AND the fact that it only costs $2.00 before tax) and her response was:
"omg
venti unsweetened black teas are my fav
stop being my food and bev twin!"

Which, on it's own, doesn't really constitute being a food and bev twin had it not been that we had just had an hour long discussion on food and beverages. (Me, have a convo about food? Weird, I know.) It actually started with our love for wine, and beer, and vodka, and, typing at the same exact moment, "and tequila" - and discussing that it really is great to be able to drink tequila. I'd hate to be one of those people that couldn't enjoy it. And that morphed into a conversation more on food and how I was tired of battling my weight, but I enjoy what I eat so much that it's hard and all things failing dieters say. To which she pointed out the rebel instinct to say, "fuck all, I love food and I will eat it" - which is great, but invariably leaves me with an extra pound (and not just of fat, but of shame).
Anyway, we had been discussing how it's hard to want to lose weight and exercise when you enjoy eating and drinking so much. And I'm not talking gluttony to the max stuff your face with bad potato chips (not that that isn't enjoyable and not that we both have not participated in that activity complete with white creamy dip of some sort...) but really good food. When she asked me what three foods I would choose if I could only have 3 for the rest of my life (bevs included) I quickly responded, "bread, cheese, and wine" - I mean, if that's all you could have - there is so much variety there, and also, it TASTES good. It's pleasing to the palate and to your psychological state. Lisa Frank responded with, "ME TOO" - I mean, I'm sure there are others out there that probably feel the same way (read: the French) and they aren't supa fat and gross. Though, probably because they a few slices of bread, a sprinkling of cheese and a couple of glasses of wine, and don't think they need to eat the whole loaf of bread, the whole block of cheese and the whole bottle of wine. (I mean, not that I'm saying I do but...) I mean, I have thought about reading the book "French Women Don't Get Fat" - so thanks for the suggestion in advance. But that bitch doesn't live in the U.S. and while I'd love to run off and live in Paris, I've got to be a little bit reasonable.
I could go into the whole European way of life and blah blah blah, but everyone already knows that I love Europe and everything it stands for so I won't. Instead I'll just say, that at least I know that someone out there feels the love for (and battles with) the same foods/bevs that I do on a daily basis, and that person, is Lisa Frank.

Dumb. "THE Iraq"

I know it's been awhile since I last had an entry. Forgive me, I sort of forgot I HAD a blog for a hot sec there.
Anyway. The news is chock full of "dumbness" today.
I give you - Miss South Carolina!! highlights include: THE Iraq. A lot of "uhs" and Mario Lopez' (yes, that would be Slater from Saved By The Bell) reaction when she finished speaking. You can just hear him thinking, "Wow, even I'm smarter than THAT."

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Headwraps

So today I am wearing a gigantic yellow headwrap/head band. It is not the first time, I enjoy a good wrappy type thing on my head. But I've gotten more comments on it than anything else I've worn in probably the last 6 mos. I wore it last night out to dinner with my roommate and her man-friend. They stared at me when I walked out the door but ultimately said nothing. I think my roommate is used to my occasional foray into odd fashion choice land to see if I can pull something off or not.
However, people at work were apparently not prepared at all for my headwrap. haha. That's pretty swell. I mean, after all, it is BRIGHT yellow. We are talking brighter than a banana. I paired it with a simple green tank, tan linen baggy trousers, and a white linen jacket. And of course some drop earrings. It's a nice outfit, if I do say so myself, and is definitely more put together than I normally am on a daily basis. It must have been a big difference because I walked in and someone in the elevator gave me "WHOA" look, but not necessarily a bad one. Then I walked over to some other sections of my office and I got some really nice compliments, "Hey Miss Fashionista!" "Lookin' Good!" "You're so fashionable today!" "All you're missing are the big sunglass Jackie O." Great! Sweet! Super nice comments! I said thank you to all and mumbled something about pulling the outfit out of the back of my closet and came back to my corner of cynicism. Later, in a meeting, after getting a couple more of the "Whaaaa?" stares I sat down next to someone who almost immediately got up and moved. I jokingly said, "What? Do I smell?" And he smiled and laughed and said he needed to be on the laptop for the meeting, but then someone else cut her eyes to me and said, "I think it must be the bandana." She gave a little awkward laugh and I just sort of looked at her, unsure if this was meant to be a joke or a "what the hell are you thinking wearing that thing?" Ah well, no worries I suppose.
See, I rather like the brightness, and I think I look sharp in head wraps. (no, seriously) For instance, when I lived in NYC I shared an apartment with one of my best friends from long ago and she had a really pretty brown headwrap that had the illusion of raw silk, though, I think was from H & M. Anyway, this one was perfect because it scrunched up in the middle and tied in the back, and was a really pretty chocolate color. It was really ideal as headwraps go (the one I'm wearing today is just an extra extra wide knit cotton elastic headband) and I stole it to wear every single chance I got. I used to get great compliments on it, I thought it showcased my face and eyes nicely, and was the PERFECT excuse for not washing my hair. (This really is probably the root of my love for anything that covers a large portion of my head. It's simply the best solution.) Alas, we both moved away, she to the other coast, me to Phila, and now, I find myself about once a month standing naked in the middle of my room thinking to myself, "I wish I had C.'s brown head wrap right now. I could totally build an outfit around it." I really miss it. And while I've attempted to re-create the look today with the day-glo banana strapped tightly around my dirty head, it's just not the same, I miss the glorious brown one. So C. if you're reading this, I'll be moving to Cali in January, and you better watch out, because your brown head wrap just might go missing.

Friday, August 10, 2007

For the Wages of Sin is Death (repost)

I wrote this on my myspace awhile ago and felt the need to re-post it here. That and so a friend could read it...
So today I decided that we all must have one SIN that really gets to us, (and I write using that term in the 7 deadly sins) and by that I mean, we really walk the line for that sin. These 7 deadly sins, as classified as the CAPITAL or MORAL sins - the major ones, and they are (as many of you may be familiar with) Lust, Gluttony, Avarice, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, and Pride. Many are familiar through the haunting and appealing movie, "Seven." All of the sins entice from time to time, but I think it's one of them really fascinates a person, and maybe this is just for me. I'm not sure, but I have a feeling that we, as individuals, identify with one sin in particular. One that really makes us smile deep down, and not in an elated, happy way, but a sinister (ha) devilish way, a naughty secret smile that we may or may not choose to share with others.
The sin I have decided I identify most with, is pride. That's right, pride, an oft overlooked sin in my humble (ha) opinion. Sure it's easy to choose lust or sloth, I mean, lust actually would be my second, close on pride's heals, because I relate the two in my mind, but I digress. I choose pride because I know that I tend towards narcissism, and exhibionism - two qualities closely associated with said pride. And I'm sure it has something to do with being an actress too, but it rears its haughty head in many facets of my life.
Sure, I take pride in things I do. When I feel I've done a job that deserves praise and recognition. Yet, my pride goes to a deeper level and a sinful level when I look to things that one wouldn't necessarily take pride in or for. Harmful addictions, damaging habits. Drinking, for example I take great pride in the fact that I am a drinker. That's not something most are proud of, but I wear it like a badge of honor, something that goes with being an "artist", and inevitability of this path I have chosen. My destiny. I am thrown together with alcohol because it is in my blood, I take pride that it is the one thing I can bond with my father over (in quite the happy and loose manner) as an avenue for other such topics as literature, history, and writing for which it seems cannot get started without a bottle of wine, or tumbler of vodka. And through association of my father, I then take pride in the fact that I am a drinker, like him. Emination and imitation is the highest form of flattery after all. And to be like my father, the harmful qualities are the ones I am drawn to the most, well, I take great pride in that.
I take pride in my sexual exploits. One might say, "you shouldn't air your dirty laundry, sex is something that should be kept private," and while that might be so I take delicious fancy over exploiting any conquest/accomplishment I have encountered in (or out) of the bedroom. Inside of me, in my deepest parts I picture a cheshire smile, a hint, a glimmer in my eye, an excited electrice pulse that courses through my blood at the mention of the word, "sex." It sizzles. And not in the way that the mention of the word or act creates a taboo or a naughty thought, but in a way that makes me want to shout to everyone, "I own sex. Sex is mine. I will raise your fucking to 10 trillion and bet the ranch that I delight in it more than you do! I am master of my domain, and my domain is sex!" - which is probably where the lust comes into play. I am proud of promescuity and flaunting a primal act (that almost all of us participate in) so much to the point that it grinds on peoples morals, gets hung up in their mouth and oozes down their chin.
I love seeing someone out of their comfort zone, and take a secret happiness to seeing them squirm. Sadistic and mean? No. Pride at seeing someone taken to a place in their mind that they don't normally visit. Proud even more, if I have lured them there. I take pride in what some say "the wrong things" - don't get me wrong, I also take pride in "the good things," like doing well at my job, finding the perfect present for a loved one, feeling like I have nailed a role on stage, and I even, and especially, take pride in others. Though there is another side to pride, and most likely why it is called a sin in the first place, where I place the wrong thing in the center of that pride. A "bad" behaviour (but what really qualifies as bad? I won't get into semantics on "good" and "bad" right now...) is suddenly front and center, is it the adrenline rush from knowing that I am doing, and worse taking pride in, something viewed as "wrong" by most in our (meaning North American) culture? I think we are drawn to the forbidden and taboo because they are just that, and while we may be drawn to them and tempted, not everyone takes the pride in them that I do.
Does all of this mean that I am a sick, twisted individual? Absolutely not. Most people who meet me upon first few meetings think I'm a fairly innocent, good natured, and nice person. And I am. (ha) But surface appearances aside, when you get to the blood and bones level, and what lurks beneath an everyday personality, lies a questionably sinful, languid, prideful individual. One whom I take secret pride in.

Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. [Proverbs 16:18]

Thursday, August 9, 2007

money

I really really really really really don't like worrying about money and/or the fact that I am STILL struggling to barely make it. Why can't I get it together?!?!?!?! I am terrible with money and I want to be saving money, not just barely breaking even.
ARGGGGGGGGGH.

Ok vent over.

Friday, August 3, 2007

17 WHA?!

I just read an article (thank you Yahoo) about a couple in Arkansas that just gave birth to her 17th child - 17th!!!! What?! Who has 17 kids??? And there are only 2 sets of twins. I am just so flabbergasted. (People should really use that word more often.) My god. I just don't even know. That is a boat load of kids. The woman is only 40 and the kids range in age from 19 down to the one born today. Apparently they are fairly well-known, esp. after a discovery health channel program about them. They are from the mid-west (weird) and are God-fearing (strange I know) and have a huge, 7,000 sq. ft home or some such huge farm. AND they are debt-free apparently (which really blew my mind). I guess this guy is a former State representative or something. The most shocking thing about this whole story is that the woman has been pregnant for 10 years of her life!!!!!!!!! 10 YEARS PREGNANT! And she's only 40 - that means a 1/4 of her life has been spent being totally pregnant and all things that go along with it. I cannot imagine. Not only that, but they have no plans on stopping! They want more!
I always wanted a big family, but this is beyond my comprehension. I cannot even fathom.
I mean, best wishes and all that, and if they are a happy family that's great and all... All I ask, is why oh why did they insist on giving all of their children names that begin with 'J' ? (I'm just not a huge fan when parents name all their kids with names starting with the same letter... but 17?!)

Thursday, August 2, 2007

Dog shoots owner, Fiance laughs

This is the most ridiculous story EVER.

A. The girl seems entirely unconcerned for her fiance's well-being despite the fact that he was just shot in the back by her dog.
2. She's laughing the entire time.
3. WHY WAS THERE A LOADED GUN SITTING OUT ON THE TABLE WITHIN REACH OF CHILDREN AND A GIANT GREAT DANE?!?!

Oh America.

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

conflicted

So as I have been contemplating a move out to LA for some time now it hit me recently how hard it's going to be. I mean, I know all the expense of moving etc. etc. and stuff like that, but mostly I began to think about my sister and how far apart we'd be. Not that I wouldn't visit home or not that she wouldn't visit me, but still. It won't be easy being so far from her. Far from anyone for that matter. I can't really explain it though because I feel as though I've got to go. Just a feel a pull out there and I've got to listen to that. It becomes a wrestle of doing something for myself and living my life the way I want to live it, but also feeling an obligation of remaining on the East Coast. I know I have to do it now, and it feels right to move out west now rather than 10 yrs from now with who knows what kind of responsibilities... And then of course, I have yet to stay put anywhere very long so chances are I'd be done after a year anyway, but then again, maybe not. I JUST DON'T KNOW.
I don't want to leave my boyfriend and my pup. I don't want to be so far from my mom and sis. I don't want to be even further from my dad. And my grandparents. My whole life is on the East Coast, so why uproot it all and head out west?? I love the East Coast, but I just want to see how the other half lives ya know? I have some friends out there now, I LOVE warm weather, and I am a laid back, relaxed kinda gal, I think it will agree with me. At least for now.
I've got to go. It's either that or back to NY - and while I love NY - I LOVE NY- I want to try a diff. city, some place new as always. If I really am going to be acting, and really acting, and not just saying that while I do something else, then I have got to be in one of those two cities, I really believe that after being in NY then now in Philly. It has to be one of the 2, and I've already lived in one of the places, why not try the other one. I understand that simply the AMOUNT of work out in LA is even more than in NYC because you not ONLY have the theatres, but you have a majority of the television shows, and still the mecca for movies (and I am NOT moving to Canada anytime soon...)
This isn't a very good explanation of anything I'm feeling at all, mainly because it's jumbled and confusing and all over the place, but I still felt the need to mind-dump all over the page because I am feeling so strongly that I want to go, and my roomate and 2 of my best friends will be with me out there, but it has started to sink in that a lot of people I love won't be coming with me. It will be a strain on my relationships with my family, and my boyfriend. It WILL be difficult.
But then, maybe I need that...
sigh...