Injury Update 2.0

Today was supposed to be a good day.  Me and my doctor were going to have a nice chat then he was going to use whatever tool was necessary to cut off this cast from my left leg/ankle. Unfortunately that was not the case when I went to see Mr. Ankle Doctor.  He told me to "listen to my body" and my body was telling me that the ankle was still not happy with me.  It still hurts like a jackhammer pounding against the concrete.  But that is what chick flicks are for. Basically this means that for the next two weeks I have the chance to get through over 100 DVD's that are part of my movie collection.  I'm so looking forward to diving back into the great characters of Pacey Whitter, Sydney Bristow, Elizabeth Barrett, Captain Jack Sparrow, Oedipus Prime and Frodo Baggins.  

One evening about a week ago I was in severe pain and my Joani just happened to call that night.  I started crying fiercely and that was when the decision was made to bring a family member to the great NYC to take care of me.  I'm so incredibly grateful that my sister Moocher was able to fly out and take care of me for the past few days.  She is absolutely excellent at taking out my trash, buying groceries, doing my laundry @ the laundromat, making some fierce spaghetti, and overall keeping me company. Thanks Mooch!

Let's hope the good times continue to roll...

A New Hobby

Due to my injury imposed house arrest I have determined that I need a new hobby.  Daytime television doesn't cut it.  I'm almost to the point where I want to take my beautiful television ED and chuck it out the window from frustration.  

Today I determined that a new educational hobby is the best medicine for my irritation.  I bought myself a guitar.  I have wanted a guitar for so long because I can't have a piano in my apartment.  My creative juices always seem to flow freely through musical expression.  Without a piano to keep those juices flowing I am forced to find an alternative.  That alternative is an acoustic guitar.  So sometime this week my new Yamaha acoustic guitar will arrive and I will begin my guitar education.  Super duper excited!

Stomping in the Shower Concert

When I am upset my favorite way to release the tension and aggravation is to put on loud rock music and stomp around in the shower.  It also makes for crying to be less overt because I already have a wet face.  During my teen/college angst years the best rockers to stomp in the shower to were the power rockers of the mid-1990s.  Alanis Morrisette had the angry chic stuff down while Matchbox Twenty had the ultimate "I'm mad and need to release the aggression" song called Push.

It was beyond fantastic to hear that Matchbox Twenty was releasing a new album and going on tour.  The icing on the cake was that Alanis Morrisette was coming along for the ride.  I bought my ticket to MSG for the concert.  Only problem was the show took place last Thursday meaning I was still on crutches.  Not ideal for getting to the show or on my front row seat of section 206.  It was so difficult that I had to be wheelchaired out to the street.  The tragedy of it all was that I didn't get to hear Matchbox Twenty's Push because it was the final song of the encore and I had to leave before to meet my car.  It was purely tragic.  I did get some great shots of the bands.  So the test of my new camera came out brilliant but the pain wasn't worth it.

Injury Update

Friday was a momentous day.  I met a new doctor and paid another co-pay.  Woo hoo!  But the highlight was that now I get to sport a very attractive fiber glass cast that stretches from my knee to the base of my toes.  It is super hot!  The only problem is that it is heavier than the last cast so more muscle development in my legs, arms, back, etc. as I climb four flights of stairs each day.  Just what I need to do...tone up.

The Broken Ankle

Truly I don't know why I have lost the ability to walk without falling; but my clumsiness has struck again.  This past weekend I fell while visiting Claire in CT and obtained a hairline fracture and severe sprain of my left ankle.  Why oh why can't I walk down a stair without falling flat on my face?  At least now I have two sets of crutches for any other "emergency".

Some beauty shots of my broken ankle.  As a precaution...these pictures aren't pretty but my toes are.

Bring on the Falls

Having recently visited Niagara Falls with the family I am now most intrigued by waterfalls. This summer I will get to experience waterfalls like never before because the East River will have four man-made ones from July to October. New York is hoping to use this art installation as motivation for tourism to increase, a la "The Gates" from February 2005. You better believe I will be taking my fancy new camera to document the falling water to share with all of you.

Click here for more information on the upcoming falls.

Always Be

Jimmy Eat World recently released their latest single "Always Be"...love, love, love this song. Not sure how I feel about the video though. Watch it and tell me what you think.

Rude Awakening

Okay...so I'm aware that New York is constantly changing and I'm more than in favor of new fun places to see, eat, or experience joining the greatest city in the land; HOWEVER, apparently I'm not okay with something new when it occurs outside my apartment. That's when I get cranky.

Every morning for the last week or two I have been unpleasantly awoken but the loudest banging, clanging noise ever. It is somewhat shocking that I wake up because I'm a deep sleeper, my bedroom door is always closed and the banging comes from construction located across the street!

This rude awakening by the always pleasant construction men will continue until mid-2009. At the conclusion of the construction will stand a very large what New Yorkers refer to as a "luxury building" (i.e. elevators, doorman, gym & roof top access). So the biggest tragedy of all is that I get to deal with this building and all the noise necessary to complete it and don't have a snow ball's chance in you know where of being able to move into it and enjoy the doorman, elevator, laundry, gym & roof top access.

This is the part where you feel great sympathy for me and my plight. :)

Here's the proof. 

Blasted Ankle

On December 4th I fell crossing the street in front of my apartment.  It was the kind of fall where another person has to literally pick you up from the ground and then you grasp street light because your ankle can't hold your weight.  It was not a fun situation trying to climb my four flights of stairs after that incident.  My good friend Netter went with me to the ER for some doctoring and crutches.  I did my exercises, used the crutches and tried to pay more attention to where I was walking.

I give this background because tonight in the pouring rain I fell AGAIN on the same ankle.  It became swollen and painful all over again.  I'm annoyed because of the street holes in New York, the pounding rain and the fact that my ankle hurts like the devil.  There goes my big plans of partying all weekend long.  Gosh darn it!

My View

This is the view I get to see every night when I leave my office building.  How cool is that?

A Saturday in January

My life over the last month has been all about work.  I don't mind the work but I haven't really had a weekend to do something completely frivolous.  Today I got my day of frivolous and luckily I got the day with my friend Claire.  

This morning we had some great coffee cake for breakfast, watched some Gilmore Girls episodes, then hopped on a bus to go to Macy's in Herald Square for coat shopping.  I bought a new coat because my poor red coat has reached the end of its life.  The last straw came when I attracted paint to the bottom.  I needed a replacement because New York is cold.  Hence Anne Klein came to the rescue in the form of a black wool coat.

After Anne Klein we headed to Sam Ash music to try to achieve enough confidence to buy a guitar from really cool guitar people.  It still hasn't happened but I did venture into the store.  :)  After the attempt I dragged Claire to my office to check in on the contractors who were taking care of some punch list items.  Oh the good times I show my friends who visit me.  (hee hee)

The icing on the cake came when Claire and I ventured to Burger Heaven for some yummy goodness.  It was at this point that I realized I hadn't used my brand new camera that I LOVE LOVE LOVE.  Now through the magic of photo you are able to feel like you are with Claire and I as we stuff our faces.  (I ate the entire plate of sweet potatoe fries)

Our lovely Saturday ended with me purchasing a new DVD player and some female primping. We got manicures & pedicures before returning home for more Gilmore Girl episodes.  

Overall it was a truly delightful day to be out and about chillin' with a friend and not doing manual labor.  Hopefully tomorrow will be just as chill with time spent at Church and home napping.

VH1 Remembrance

I just relived my teenage years thanks to VH1 and their 100 Greatest Songs of the 90's.  The charters were songs that I remember vividly.  Where I was, who I was with and what I was doing clearly came back to me as I listened to the songs on that countdown.  It was truly amazing to go back in time and relive certain emotions and moments of my life.   The best part was I was doing it through music videos on VH1 on a Saturday night in January.  

I bought my Alanis Jagged Little Pill CD at the Best Buy off the 101 Freeway in Tempe, Arizona; the last dance at my senior prom was Live's "Lightning Crashes"; my boy band era began with 'Nsync's "Tearing Up My Heart"; I danced with my 8th grade crush Mike Requa to Mariah Carey's "Visions of Love" and I promised God I would never ever listen to Color Me Badd's "I Wanna Sex You Up."  

Sometimes it is good to remember your life and then realize where you are now.  It often shocks me that I am the age I am and doing the things that I do in my life.  I've traveled to Europe, got my own apartment in New York, bought furniture, and realized how utterly blessed I am that I am no longer a teenager.  But thank goodness I can remember the good times because of the wonderful people at VH1.

So what was the #1 Greatest Song of the 90's...any guesses?  Here's some options:

A)  U2 "One"

B) Sir Mix-A-Lot "Baby Got Back"

C) Backstreet Boys "I Want It That Way"

D) Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit"

E) Britney Spears "Hit Me Baby One More Time"

Light at the Tunnel's End

My head is somewhat spinning right now. I am in charge of a 40 person office move this weekend. I have done an office move before but that was for only 4 people. Big, huge difference between 4 and 40 people. Right now I'm glad that this function is my only function...I don't have to put together computers, test phones, run A/V equipment, etc. Give me boxes, labels and tags and I can move stuff.

Since my life has been effectively consumed by the tasks of the move I haven't had really any time to enjoy "life" outside of work (except for Persuasion on Masterpiece Theater). I have desperately been searching for my light at the end of the tunnel. Last night I saw a glimmer beckoning from amidst the darkness of my responsiblity.

The men of Lifehouse are coming to Roseland Ballroom in April! Hooray! I needed something to get excited about in the near future since Hawaii is still months and months away. So my light at the tunnel's end is my Matchbox Twenty in February and Lifehouse in April. It's amazing that a good rock concert can take all the weight of work responsibility off my shoulders.

I'm glad I live in New York where the rockers come to play.

Jane Austen Collection

Thank you to those wonderful British people who support the work of Jane Austen.  Masterpiece Theater is running four new versions of Persuasion, Northhanger Abbey, Mansfield Park and finally, Sense & Sensibility.  

Gotta love the heroes and heroines developed by a woman who never married or left the country side of her birth.  She is very sincere and accurate in her interactions between the characters.  And she is funny.  

Bring on Northhanger, Mansfield, Sense & Sensibility, Pride & Prejudice and Emma.  This Sunday's first installment is the beginning of four months of joy.

My Time with T

In mid-December I attended my first ward activity with my new ward.  I'm so very grateful I did because I was able to see a wonderful friend from my Bath & Body and college days.  I was sitting with Dancing Queen & Netter when suddenly I spotted T walk into the gym with her sister Doctor Diane.  I shot out of my chair and literally ran towards her.  I have never been so excited to see someone since my brothers came home from their missions.  It was wonderful to hug my friend and reconnect with her.  I loved that it felt like we had never lost touch for years.  

I'm so grateful to be blessed with such wonderful friends both near and far.  It is a blessing I cherish and always will.  

Until the next time T and I see each other...

Happy New Year!

I'm a little late, but "Happy New Year"!  

Thus far my new year has been extremely hectic.  My office is moving in about a week and a half to Rockefeller Center.  Life has become consumed with boxes, drawers, trash bins, new flatware, setting up coffee & water machines, etc.  It is somewhat crazy all the things that need to be taken care of for this move to go smoothly.  

All I can say is that I will finally have a good night's sleep once I know everything has been put in its proper place and all computers, phones and files are correctly set up.

Cross your fingers that all goes according to plan.

Just Because

I wanted to post this picture from my attendance at the So You Think You Can Dance concert in September because my friends Em & Dancing Queen look beautiful and I have a slight tan from my hours watching tennis at the US Open. Generally I'm a pasty white girl so this is proof that my skin can obtain that coveted glow.

New York Fun Day 2007

The Sixth Annual New York Fun Day commenced with Brunch at Corner Cafe. After filling ourselves with yummy goodness we headed out into the wilds of tourist mecca New York to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells that make Christmas in New York such a destination location.

Our first stop was the Macy's windows. They were so cute with each window depicting a point of time for Santa's journey. It was shocking about how thin the crowds were. We were able to see all the windows with considerably less jostling, poking or pushing. It was great!

Netter & her sister "Floridian" in front of a Macy's window

The next stop on our NYFD adventure was to walk up towards Bryant Park where we take a moment to R&R and watch the ice skaters on the "Pond". Netter, Doc and Floridian spied a carousel and bee-lined it to the ticket booth to partake of its rotating goodness. The glee on their faces was a thing to behold.

After the carouseling was completed we made our way up Avenue of the Americas to snap some photos in front of the giant ornaments and Radio City. It is habitual that Doc, Netter and I pose in front of the red ornaments...so of course that had to happen again. Don't we look gorgeous? ;)


After taking a break for some sugar at Au Bon Pain we continued towards the Christmas mecca that is the Rockefeller Tree. It is always pandemonium and pain to make your way to the tree to snap a few photos; however, the good tourists remained away so that we could enjoy some space to immortalize ourselves with the tree from CT.

New York City Public Schools have been collecting pennies throughout the year for the charitable "Penny Harvest". This year all the pennies were displayed at Rock Center so of course we needed to get in on the fun but supporting the over $1 million dollars worth of pennies collected.
We ventured to the front of Rockefeller to enjoy the Saks Fifth Avenue Snowflake Light Show. It really is fun to watch the lights on the building going "blinkety, blink" in tune to Carol of the Bells. This location is also prime for taking pictures amonst the Rock Center Angels.

We grabbed some pizza at Bella Napoli and stopped for Doc's new addiction, Pinkberry prior to our final NYFD destination...Christmas Karaoke! Generally we attend the Pops concert at Carnegie but because of scheduling we needed an alternate ending and Netter in her infinite wisdom came up with Christmas Karaoke. It was awesome. We sang some holiday staples, 80s rock and new tunes. The time together in the little room with loud music and vocal stylings was the perfect ending to our 6th Annual New York Fun Day. I know that 2008's event will come before I know it.

Love of Live Music

I am fully addicted to the live music. The month of December has fed the madness. I was able to attend not one, not two, but three live musical events. The first of course was Jimmy Eat World in Florida. Great show and fun to be in warmth again.

The second was a spur of the moment ticket to Z100's Jingle Ball with Netter. She got some free tickets and there were some decent performers so I decided to tag along. By far my favorites were Avril Lavigne, Alicia Keys & One Republic. It was fun to let loose after a long week at work.


The third musical event has become my holiday tradition of attending the NY Pops Holiday Concert at Carnegie Hall. This year we even splurged for the $40 seats in the Dress Circle. Oh yeah! Netter & Dancing Queen came with me to enjoy the stylings of the Pops. Unlike past years there was some drama when a woman in the choir FAINTED during a song. Luckily she recovered and continued on. They did some fun arrangements led by conductor Doc Severinsen, in all of his red leather glory.


Living in New York has given me the chance to truly feed my musical cravings whether at a large venue (Madison Square Garden) or a small gathering at a bar downtown. I will continue to enjoy musical stylings throughout 2008 starting with Matchbox Twenty. Woo hoo!

An Adult Perspective

As a kid I looked forward to Christmas with immense anticipation and glee. As an adult the level of my excitement about Christmas hasn't changed but the motivation has. Instead of looking forward to the gifts I would find under the tree, as a 29 year old I now look forward to sleeping in until noon rather than opening presents. The shopping crowds at the mall used to be so fascinating, now the milling tourists just get on my nerves.

Thankfully the purpose for Christmas will remain eternally the same. I still love to read the Nativity Story and sing songs around the piano with the Moocher, Joani and the Hoodlums (collectively known as my brothers). Christmas will always be eagerly anticipated regardless of my favorite parts.