Ok - so I DO NOT like living with strangers I've decided. I didn't realise that my flatmate (who I barely know) had her boyfriend stay over.... so in the middle of the night I decide I need to get a drink.... open the door 1/2 dressed only to run into (literally) this guy. Bring on the 28th when she is officially out!
The thing is - I blame the guy.... you need warning on this type of thing.
So it will be really interesting when C goes back to London in Oct and her friend moves in..... I have already encouraged C to inform the poor guy that I may sometimes forget that I have a housemate and that there may be times that I forget I do not live alone or with a girlfriend..... I guess I will [as suggested by a friend] invest in a robe. ;-)
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Bugger!
I have to leave Manhattan again on a work trip. Unfortunately I've used up all my "get out of jail free" cards so this one is a must. Wish me all luck. Broomfield, Colorado here I come.
Week of Cold Hard Truths.... who said you have to be cruel to be kind?
So the interns I have been "supervising*" over the summer ended their internship last week. Reason this is relevant ..... their thank-you gift was among other things a mug that reads:
"The Leading Lady:
...is Diva-Licious!
...has many adoring fans.
...is no stranger to drama.
...is all that and more!"
This has certainly been a week for hard truths. I guess they were trying to tell me something.... and thanks to all my work-mates that have seen the cup and burst out in laughter at the fact It's so obvious (massive and bright pink/purple).... while nodding your heads as if in agreement??!!?? Great support! Over the past week I have called "intimidating", "direct", that I have an "attitude problem", "a diva", "a drama queen", "pessimist", "cynic" and "stubborn". What's next? .... "Heinous Bitch"? [***Anyone that disagrees feel free to let me know..... my ego is taking a pounding this week.]
Directness is a part of the culture of NYC... it's what makes this city run. I think it's hilarious though. You would think that I would thrive in this environment but it makes me want to
* A "Sun" term..... which means you are effectively managing staff without getting the kudos, title or additional pay.
"The Leading Lady:
...is Diva-Licious!
...has many adoring fans.
...is no stranger to drama.
...is all that and more!"
This has certainly been a week for hard truths. I guess they were trying to tell me something.... and thanks to all my work-mates that have seen the cup and burst out in laughter at the fact It's so obvious (massive and bright pink/purple).... while nodding your heads as if in agreement??!!?? Great support! Over the past week I have called "intimidating", "direct", that I have an "attitude problem", "a diva", "a drama queen", "pessimist", "cynic" and "stubborn". What's next? .... "Heinous Bitch"? [***Anyone that disagrees feel free to let me know..... my ego is taking a pounding this week.]
Directness is a part of the culture of NYC... it's what makes this city run. I think it's hilarious though. You would think that I would thrive in this environment but it makes me want to
* A "Sun" term..... which means you are effectively managing staff without getting the kudos, title or additional pay.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
The SandMan
It's fairly common knowledge these days (probably thanks to my griping about it) that I have been suffering from insomnia for the past..... well I worked out about 18 months, 5 days and ..... 3 hrs - but then who's counting. Even references in my blog to "sleeping" means I got around 4-5hrs (rather than the usual 3-4).
So for all of my dear friends and family that are:
(a) sick and tired of hearing about my lack of sleep;
(b) who I encourage to stay out until extraordinary hours to keep me company;
(c) have to tolerate me in the morning prior to getting my caffeine fix;
(d) who are over hearing me rant about my anti-sleeping pills stance;
(e) Who receive texts/emails/calls from me at ungodly hours because I am bored .....
you will all be very pleased to know that I am doing something about it. What exactly I don't know - and whether it will work remains to be seen. But bring on a decent nights sleep..... it is so needed at the moment.
Which begs the question.... if one only sleeps a couple of hours of disrupted sleep a night.... which means you never get into REM sleep.... then are those "dreams" actually hallucinations? :-) I guess it's a cheap alternative to conscious altering drugs.
So for all of my dear friends and family that are:
(a) sick and tired of hearing about my lack of sleep;
(b) who I encourage to stay out until extraordinary hours to keep me company;
(c) have to tolerate me in the morning prior to getting my caffeine fix;
(d) who are over hearing me rant about my anti-sleeping pills stance;
(e) Who receive texts/emails/calls from me at ungodly hours because I am bored .....
you will all be very pleased to know that I am doing something about it. What exactly I don't know - and whether it will work remains to be seen. But bring on a decent nights sleep..... it is so needed at the moment.
Which begs the question.... if one only sleeps a couple of hours of disrupted sleep a night.... which means you never get into REM sleep.... then are those "dreams" actually hallucinations? :-) I guess it's a cheap alternative to conscious altering drugs.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Wall Street..... The Sequel
Ok - so maybe the heading is a bit of a misrepresentation - there will be no inclusion of a trading floor, Charlie Sheen or Gordon Gecko in the following blog.... but you never know.... it's only been a week and a bit.
So I have moved into the new place..... and I miss! miss! miss! the UWS. As all my NYC friends like to so thoughtfully commented (note AFTER we agree to sub-let) Wall St is definitely a quiet part of town after hours (the days are filled with people. We couldn't have moved down there at a worse time.... Sept 11 is coming up so there is a LOT of construction going on.... which starts before the sun comes up and continues ALL weekend. The commute to work is better though - 1 subway line - 3 stops on the express. Except on the weekends when they decide to change all the rules .... and not put up any signs (and of course the announcements on the actual subway are usually intelligible unless it's one of the new cars with the clear recordings). I ended up 1/2 way across Brooklyn the other day when they decided to make the local line an express (and not tell anyone).
Fortunately the girl that is currently still living in the apt has been staying with her folks in PA so I've had the place to myself. Looking forward to Claire moving in...... 2 bedroom apts are lonely I've decided.
So I have moved into the new place..... and I miss! miss! miss! the UWS. As all my NYC friends like to so thoughtfully commented (note AFTER we agree to sub-let) Wall St is definitely a quiet part of town after hours (the days are filled with people. We couldn't have moved down there at a worse time.... Sept 11 is coming up so there is a LOT of construction going on.... which starts before the sun comes up and continues ALL weekend. The commute to work is better though - 1 subway line - 3 stops on the express. Except on the weekends when they decide to change all the rules .... and not put up any signs (and of course the announcements on the actual subway are usually intelligible unless it's one of the new cars with the clear recordings). I ended up 1/2 way across Brooklyn the other day when they decided to make the local line an express (and not tell anyone).
Fortunately the girl that is currently still living in the apt has been staying with her folks in PA so I've had the place to myself. Looking forward to Claire moving in...... 2 bedroom apts are lonely I've decided.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
The Adventures of Wonder Women (Marial) and She-Ra (Me)
It was pointed out to me the other day (refer to Blog Entry [Week of Cold Hard Truths.... who said you have to be cruel to be kind?]) that my life is reminiscent of a TV Sitcom. I don't necessarily agree however I guess it's more entertaining watching things happen to other people than going through the ordeal yourself. Life lived vicariously through others (hell I do it....... everyday when I think about my little sis Kat living and working in the tropics.... or my buddy living the life in cosmopolitan Melbourne) helps get us through the mundane.
Anyway's there's a point to all of this.... which is to retell how C and I got ourselves into yet another situation the other day. So we spend our Sunday shopping along Madison and at Bloomies (aka Bloomingdales). We decide after many hours walking that we couldn't be stuffed catching the bus back to the UWS so we grab a cab - however as the cabbie is about to turn into Central Park we notice this guy chasing another guy on a bike - catches up with him.... pulls him off and then starts beating him with a metal bar... all while 20+ people stand around watching (and doing nothing)! So before we even have time to think C and I are out of the cab (we even remember to grab our MANY shopping bags and attempt to break up the fight (while still holding our shopping) as this poor guy is being beaten to a pulp with the bar. As soon as things calmed a little and the guys had stopped fighting we jumped back in the cab and was promptly reprimanded by the cabbie and everyone else that we were silly enough to tell the story to (and before you feel inclined to write a comment ..... I have already been reminded that yes we may have "been shot", "stabbed", "hurt" or combination thereof).
Of note.... the 20+ people failed to .... during that whole time..... move a muscle.
What has this world come to? It's ok to stand around and watch people get beaten and not even bother to pick up a phone and call 911?
Anyway's there's a point to all of this.... which is to retell how C and I got ourselves into yet another situation the other day. So we spend our Sunday shopping along Madison and at Bloomies (aka Bloomingdales). We decide after many hours walking that we couldn't be stuffed catching the bus back to the UWS so we grab a cab - however as the cabbie is about to turn into Central Park we notice this guy chasing another guy on a bike - catches up with him.... pulls him off and then starts beating him with a metal bar... all while 20+ people stand around watching (and doing nothing)! So before we even have time to think C and I are out of the cab (we even remember to grab our MANY shopping bags and attempt to break up the fight (while still holding our shopping) as this poor guy is being beaten to a pulp with the bar. As soon as things calmed a little and the guys had stopped fighting we jumped back in the cab and was promptly reprimanded by the cabbie and everyone else that we were silly enough to tell the story to (and before you feel inclined to write a comment ..... I have already been reminded that yes we may have "been shot", "stabbed", "hurt" or combination thereof).
Of note.... the 20+ people failed to .... during that whole time..... move a muscle.
What has this world come to? It's ok to stand around and watch people get beaten and not even bother to pick up a phone and call 911?
Monday, August 07, 2006
FireIsland
C and I headed out to Kismet Beach recently. I love going out there. It's a small residential community on FireIsland (off Long Island). To get there it takes us a couple of hours and involves the NY Subway, Long Island Rail Road, Shuttle Bus, Ferry and then walk to the beach.
The community does not allow cars so it's just unreal - very peaceful. The beach is great - at least as great as a beach in this area can be (nothing like back home though). There's this area for nudists which suits us fine as it's not near as busy as the other parts. But explain this to me (and no offence to the nudists out there) - why must you all be old crusty men with awful bodies. Seriously.... we don't need to see that.
Anyways I enjoy going because the people are cool and it's a great day out of NYC (even if it does take us 2+ hours to get there). We basically spent the time alternating between the beach and the bar [shock horror]. It's very much a small community and we're starting to get to know the people that work and/or live there. They are friendly considering their proximity to NYC :-) We kind of stand out a little.... in our NY gear (apparently noone wears heels [technically they are sandals] or black) . ;-)
Highlight this trip though....... when I freaked out at the reindeer wandering on the beach while I was up in the lifeguard chair (dont ask) after dark. What community allows a massive reindeer to wander around without putting up a sign!!???!!!
Many thanks to the guys that offered to put us up that night rather than go back to NYC on the last ferry. In hindsight we should have taken up one of the offers instead of venture back to NYC that night (we didn't get back until around 2am) and have to sit next to the most obnoxious drunk American I've had the displeasure of meeting and not being able to run away from (we were on a shuttle bus).
The community does not allow cars so it's just unreal - very peaceful. The beach is great - at least as great as a beach in this area can be (nothing like back home though). There's this area for nudists which suits us fine as it's not near as busy as the other parts. But explain this to me (and no offence to the nudists out there) - why must you all be old crusty men with awful bodies. Seriously.... we don't need to see that.
Anyways I enjoy going because the people are cool and it's a great day out of NYC (even if it does take us 2+ hours to get there). We basically spent the time alternating between the beach and the bar [shock horror]. It's very much a small community and we're starting to get to know the people that work and/or live there. They are friendly considering their proximity to NYC :-) We kind of stand out a little.... in our NY gear (apparently noone wears heels [technically they are sandals] or black) . ;-)
Highlight this trip though....... when I freaked out at the reindeer wandering on the beach while I was up in the lifeguard chair (dont ask) after dark. What community allows a massive reindeer to wander around without putting up a sign!!???!!!
Many thanks to the guys that offered to put us up that night rather than go back to NYC on the last ferry. In hindsight we should have taken up one of the offers instead of venture back to NYC that night (we didn't get back until around 2am) and have to sit next to the most obnoxious drunk American I've had the displeasure of meeting and not being able to run away from (we were on a shuttle bus).
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Lesson learnt when considering leaving Manhattan.... Don't
As many of you know - my lease has come up for renewal and thanks to the hefty increase in rent (ridiculous) I was to move in with a friend of mine temporarily. And then eventually find an apartment together. You also know what they say about best laid plans. So now with me having to leave the apartment by the 14th and C at the end of Aug....... we are in a bind. Finding a decent apartment in NYC within 2 weeks?
How was I to know that the holy grail would be the quest my friend and I found ourselves on this week? You'd think given the city that the quest would be simple. Clean, 2 bedroom apartment in decent area of Manhattan..... not too expensive, not too small, short term lease.
What can I say about apartment hunting in NYC? After going through the experience twice in the last year - I have to say that I am hard pressed to think of worse ways to spend my time (ok maybe attending a Manolo sale without my credit card).
NYC moves at the speed of lightning for everything. Including apartments for rent. Apt's disappear faster than free beers at the pub. And those are the crap apartments. Apartments smaller than most people's bathrooms in Aus and where you'd go through at least 2 bottles of antibacterial cleanser just to get through the door. In the words of my friend "they are all muck!"
So we have desperately been scrambling.... including actually considering New Jersey, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. Am not kidding.... so serious - we trekked all the way up to South Bronx to check out a "fabulous 1400sq ft apartment" in an "up and coming area". Hmmmm After it took us close to an hour to get to SoBro (the new name for South Bronx) which meant passing through Harlem in order to change subways, we made it to a rainy and "not so up and coming" area. After walking a mile to the apartment (pass a number of project buildings) we made it to what was certainly a 1400sq ft apartment - however what he omitted to tell us was that there was so much junk that there was no room for either C, me or either of our shoe collections. The fact that there was a "police precinct" around the corner that was stated as a positive to living there and McDonalds and KFC were actual "restaurants" we might want to consider dining at.... pretty much helped us decide we were not quite ready to leave Manhattan. I will not be leaving Manhattan for quite a while to come thanks to this experience. And yep D ..... that includes any pub crawl in Brooklyn.
Anyway not all is lost... we finally found a great 2 bedroom down near Wall Street. Should (hopefully) be signing the sublease this week with move in on Fri. It's got partial river views, a kickass rooftop area, games room with massive plasma and pool table which should keep us out of trouble. Ok so the high population of yuppies is a bit of a downer..... but who can complain when we're a short walk to the subway and to the east river/battery park. Will at least keep us covered until the end of the year.
How was I to know that the holy grail would be the quest my friend and I found ourselves on this week? You'd think given the city that the quest would be simple. Clean, 2 bedroom apartment in decent area of Manhattan..... not too expensive, not too small, short term lease.
What can I say about apartment hunting in NYC? After going through the experience twice in the last year - I have to say that I am hard pressed to think of worse ways to spend my time (ok maybe attending a Manolo sale without my credit card).
NYC moves at the speed of lightning for everything. Including apartments for rent. Apt's disappear faster than free beers at the pub. And those are the crap apartments. Apartments smaller than most people's bathrooms in Aus and where you'd go through at least 2 bottles of antibacterial cleanser just to get through the door. In the words of my friend "they are all muck!"
So we have desperately been scrambling.... including actually considering New Jersey, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. Am not kidding.... so serious - we trekked all the way up to South Bronx to check out a "fabulous 1400sq ft apartment" in an "up and coming area". Hmmmm After it took us close to an hour to get to SoBro (the new name for South Bronx) which meant passing through Harlem in order to change subways, we made it to a rainy and "not so up and coming" area. After walking a mile to the apartment (pass a number of project buildings) we made it to what was certainly a 1400sq ft apartment - however what he omitted to tell us was that there was so much junk that there was no room for either C, me or either of our shoe collections. The fact that there was a "police precinct" around the corner that was stated as a positive to living there and McDonalds and KFC were actual "restaurants" we might want to consider dining at.... pretty much helped us decide we were not quite ready to leave Manhattan. I will not be leaving Manhattan for quite a while to come thanks to this experience. And yep D ..... that includes any pub crawl in Brooklyn.
Anyway not all is lost... we finally found a great 2 bedroom down near Wall Street. Should (hopefully) be signing the sublease this week with move in on Fri. It's got partial river views, a kickass rooftop area, games room with massive plasma and pool table which should keep us out of trouble. Ok so the high population of yuppies is a bit of a downer..... but who can complain when we're a short walk to the subway and to the east river/battery park. Will at least keep us covered until the end of the year.
Another Junket.... another glimpse into pig like behaviour
This entry is going to be short..... and probably not that sweet.
So I was once again required to attend our national sales meeting last week. This time we were told it would be in Orlando. But to me that was such a lie. Walt Disney World Resort may be in Orlando but it's nothing like a city. It's by far the cheesiest place in the world that I have ever visited (as compared with Vegas which is the tackiest - there is a difference). I shouldn't really complain - only had to spend 1 night and it was in a massive suite at the Hilton (thank god for being Hilton gold card member).
I was once again subjected to the most inappropriate, lewd behaviour of many a sales person. Thanks to finance and a couple of my friends who made the 2 days bearable and redeemed (somewhat) my view on men and the way they behave in public and when intoxicated.
So happy to be back in NYC. :-)
So I was once again required to attend our national sales meeting last week. This time we were told it would be in Orlando. But to me that was such a lie. Walt Disney World Resort may be in Orlando but it's nothing like a city. It's by far the cheesiest place in the world that I have ever visited (as compared with Vegas which is the tackiest - there is a difference). I shouldn't really complain - only had to spend 1 night and it was in a massive suite at the Hilton (thank god for being Hilton gold card member).
I was once again subjected to the most inappropriate, lewd behaviour of many a sales person. Thanks to finance and a couple of my friends who made the 2 days bearable and redeemed (somewhat) my view on men and the way they behave in public and when intoxicated.
So happy to be back in NYC. :-)
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