Introducing The Hybrids

So the one thing that you notice about NYC and New Yorkers (imported or native) is that the majority are serial daters. Monogamy is dead, Relationships are dead and most of all Romance is dead. It’s all about playing the field, playing the game and certainly not playing for keeps.

Then you meet the “I’m not a serial dater” which really translates to “I’m either too [insert bored/uninclined/lazy/over] to date a number of people”. But at the same time these non-serial daters (let’s rename them “The Hybrids”) have either an inability or lack of desire to be in a committed relationship. Hence “The Hybrids”. Not a relationship yet not a casual partner. Somewhere in between.

These individuals are creating a new genre of relationship. And unfortunately it is too new and untested to understand how it works or the rules. But I tell you – this new hybrid is advantageous to the party that doesn’t want or can’t commit to a long term relationship with someone. They do not need to invest themselves emotionally but get all the conveniences you get when in a relationship.

My prediction – this is going to catch on. It’s almost perfect for the commitment-phobes and players amongst us. It’s going to take a stronghold in the dating world in NYC (to the extent it hasn’t already) and it’s going to spread to the rest of western society.

Lifestyles of the (not so) rich (Me) and the Famous (Yummy Liam)

So the past week has been - well lets just say long live the weekend!!! I've been involved in a "negotiation" (if you could call it that) where the idiocy of the people on the other side has gotten me to the point where I am close to going off each and every time they speak. This is their approach:
Customer: "We're not agreeing to change that clause. It stays as it is"
Me: "But the word is mispelt. It's "there" not "their" - we're not talking about people.
Customer: "The clause stays as it is"
Me: "But it doesn't make sense"
Customer: "The clause..... " and so it goes.

Anyway it was that painful that I ended up skipping out in the afternoon on Friday to join K and Dee (with daughter) at the annual Rubber Duckie race. Yes you read that correctly. But what you will love even more..... is that K and I got stuck looking after a friends stroller. So there I was with another friend of mine, with stroller in front, beers in our hands, looking at what we though was the start of the race (ended up being the finish line) and who should walk past, but someone from the very office I had left early. What the? How small is NYC?

So no doubt the stories going around the office on Monday will be I am married to K and we have a child but we were more interested in having a drink than watch our child - who was nowhere in sight.

Well as the infamous Dorothy Parker used to say "I don't mind if people talk about me as long as what they say isn't true".

But the week didn't end on a too bad note (even if I was not paid once again). I had my first celebrity sightings. Mr Liam Neeson. Yep that Liam Neeson. The hunky actor (who is much more hunky in real life). Then there was one of the girls from Gilmore Girls. We go to the same beauty salon. :-)

Twilight Zone aka Barbie does Scottsdale

Here's a joke for you... what do you call 2000+ American sales men and 50 women and an open bar?
A: A Pig Pen.

I must say these past few days have been enlightening (in a not good way). I can't say I even though I would see such an appalling display of undersexed, over randy men making complete and utter pigs of themselves - nor a group of women do so much to undo the good achieved by a feminism movement. I can't even say it was entertaining. So that's what I had to witness. What I had to experience was even worse. I have NEVER in my career ever felt as objectified as I did at that conference. Nor treated with such a complete and utter lack of respect. So much for the "sophisticated people" I was going to deal with at work.

You don't need to outrun the bear - just your slowest friend.

Ok - so I arrived in Phoenix where it topped 113degrees Fahrenheit (45 Celsius) today. Actually saying I am in Phoenix is a complete misrepresentation. I'm in Scottsdale which is NE of Phoenix. No wonder they didn't put the address of the hotel on my itinerary. But on the plus side - I lucked out and have my own room. How's this for a company - requiring attendance to a series of meetings - and then making us share rooms like we were back at year 7 camp.

Don't know who was looking out for me - but I thank them dearly for their efforts in getting me my own space.

Anyway for all the pain that is Phoenix (Scottsdale) I think I have stumbled on the mecca of cute American boys. Must be something in the water - but damn. I am seriously thinking about moving here. If nothing else but for the eye candy. :-) I don't mean to sound superficial (ok I do) - I just love what is aesthetically beautiful (and the scenery here sure as hell isn't)

Rock is Dead - Long Live Paper and Scissors

I've just gotten back from Charlotte (again) and am as per usual procrastinating on packing. I'm heading to Phoenix - Arizona tomorrow. Yay! Heading to what could effectively be the 6th floor of hell. It was 110 degrees yesterday (that's in the 40's), it's in the middle of the desert and apparently the best way to spend the day (according to a native) is to hire a car and drive as far away from Phoenix as possible (ok - he suggested 3 hours north of Phoenix - but you get the point).

Charlotte was as interesting as ever. Of course there was the obligatory fire alarm incident. This time however I was fully dressed and armed to deal with all of the Charlotte fire brigade. It's nice to know that even in the blurry state I was in last fire alarm (due to lack of glasses) my eyes were still accurate in spotting those buff firemen. Charlotte is really starting to grow on me.

Black Listed

Well it's end of week 5 - and I cannot believe how quickly it is all going (or that I am still living in this tiny little hotel room).

Has been an eventful week. For one thing I have most likely been black listed from a rather swanky NYC restaurant. Known as the "Spice Market" it's located in the Meatpacking district and definitely the place to be seen. Anyway had dinner there the other night with a friend - and when it can time to leave we split the bill and walked off. Only to be accosted by one of the wait staff. Apparently "it's typical to leave a 15-20% tip". And we didn't. Not deliberately so. It was 1.30am, in the middle of the week and the last thing I was capable of doing was adding 15-20% to a $69.43 bill. Anyway I suspect that I won't be scoring a table there anytime soon.

Info on Spice Market: Click Here (although not like I'll be allowed back anytime soon).

Anyway I'm ending my day rather relaxed after a trip to the salon and a spot of shopping in SoHo. It's been raining though - which makes for a rather unpleasant and smelly NYC.
Mum - Bradley is as much of a laugh as ever. He had me in stitches. Especially when he showed me his pics when he was in Aus with Koala Bears and Roos.

Insanity breeds Insanity

Just spent the last couple of days in Charlotte - North Carolina. Definitely an interesting place. Much like the travel guide quoted - it doesn't seem like a city with an oversupply of soul (if any). But - I must say that in only 4 weeks of living in NYC - I already seem to be becoming an arrogant and self involved New Yorker. Inpatient for things to happen, for people to get to the point and for my life not to be held up by others. Now take that personality and plonk it smack bang in the South.

The people in NC are nice and for those that work for big corporations and that are traveled and worldly - not much different from people in NYC. But - for the locals - talk about a laugh. To the extent that they can understand you - they treat you like this foreign thing (ok so technically I am a foreigner - but you get my point).

I was listening to this guy in the NC airport - he was chatting to his friend about how he met this girl in Charlotte - and he really liked her and "oh my god she had an accent. I had trouble understanding her - but it was soooo cute. And so cool. And oh my god - she's from Boston...." etc etc And that's the Boston that is in the same country as Charleston. I don't think the guy gets out much. :-)

Anyway - after a somewhat embarrassing incident with 2 x firetrucks full of firemen - and a 3.5 hour wait on the Charlotte International Airport Runway as we waited for a storm to pass - I got out of that place.

This weekend went by so incredibly quickly. I went shopping for things for my apartment. A TV, rug, DVD player, Iron. I ended up with:



As you can see - not a rug, tv, DVD or iron in sight. Damn Madison Ave! Ok - so it would appear I have absolutely no self restraint - but I did manage to leave the $1000 Christian Louboutin's behind (alright I'll admit it was because I couldn't walk in them - they were too high even for me. I'm talking around 5 inches at a minimum. But they were hot!)

Stoopid as a Stoopid Does

I saw the absolutely funniest thing Thursday. I was in a cab to go sign my new lease (which I did not do .... long story but something to do with signing my life away). Anyway I was just west of the park (Central) and I saw all these police cars. Amongst the cars I noticed a van - similar to a SWAT van often seen on the TV. Only this one had in massive yellow and black letters across the side "Witness Protection Relocation". Now correct me if I am wrong - but isn't the whole point of Witness Protection for it to be secret. In which case wouldn't you consider the massive yellow and black sign a little obvious and likely to draw attention?

Survival that was week 1

Day 1 at the office today. And anyone that saw me would have cracked up. I leave my hotel room (notice room) looking all styled, cool, sophisticated (Kez - you would have been so proud - I made use of accessories). Well this is NYC for you. While I was getting all prepped into the fashionista goddess ready to take the office by storm...... I made the monumental error of deciding to walk to the office rather than take that air-conditioned cab. The humidity today was off the record - it was around 37degrees with the humidity. And by the time I walked the 9 blocks to work (carrying all of my books and laptop and H2O) I walked in and looked as if I was melting (I actually think I was melting). So much for styled, cool, sophisticated me. The "living piece of art"* that started out like a Da Vinci ended up into a Monet.

But my day improved. I went to get myself a mobile number and something became bleedingly obvious to me (or rather cemented the debacle that is now referred to as the Social Security Office Nightmare). This place is more about choice than convenience. Convenience would be actually being able to order a mobile phone without it taking an hour just to fill in the form (1/2 of which you don't know what you are getting). Do I want 100 free text messages?..... if yes do I want PSC Vision [don't ask - I don't know]. Oh and then there's the option to get roaming so that you can use the phone outside of the immediate metro area..... this is a choice? Isn't that the whole point of a mobile phone?

Whatever it costs - add another $4 a month. Then do I want to be able to make international calls? Ummmmm? Yes I do! Another $4 a month. So all of a sudden my $30 month plan jumps up to $64 with all the extras. Oh and then the fine print...... you pay a surcharge of $1.50 month, then taxes (8% for NYC). Wow!!!!! All I want is a damn mobile. Now I am on the search for a pre-paid card. But given that the concept of EFTPOS is foreign here and they still pay by check - I won't hold my breath.

Which is a very different picture than the weekend. SuperVee actually got on the subway for the second time in her life.
All by myself..... without help, guidance or a map. I made it to my destination safe & sound(72ndSt via Times Square to Central Station), without getting lost, on the wrong train or mugged. Except I think I stood out a bit. Firstly it was the fact I ventured on the subway with heels (my poor Manolos - never again - they get carried in a bag). Then there was the clutching of my bag to my chest...... no way this chicky is getting pick-pocketed. But all in all - an exciting and interesting 12 minutes. So I was super cool (in my own mind) - on the subway. :-) Now the subway is an efficient system.

So I've started to piece together my schedule for the next couple of months. Here I thought I was moving to NYC to live the life of high glamour with side trips to Europe or at least somewhat interesting places in the US (San Fran, Chicago, Washington). But..... my first 2 trips. Phoenix, Arizona (and before you ask - there's nothing in Phoenix, Arizona) and Charlotte, North Carolina. Well what can we say about Charlotte, NC. I don't mean to be a pessimist (I haven't been there as yet) but this is a quote from the Yahoo Travel Site re Charlotte: "They like to project the image of a sophisticated, fast-lane cultural metropolis – in fact its center is somewhat soulless, though many nearby neighborhoods are delightful and stuffed with good places to eat.". Given the quality of the food here....... not exactly an enticement.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -
* c/o Urby

Question of the Day: To outsource or not?

If I had a manifesto (ok I admit I actually do [refer to entry Mon Oct 18th 2004]- but doesn't quite read the same) it would include the statement that one should outsource what one can outsource.** At least so I've started to believe. But time will tell - no doubt tomorrow when I pick up my laundry from Lee's Laundry and Cleaners I'll learn exactly how effective outsourcing can be. There's hope for me settling here yet. I dropped off my package, didn't even question the fact that I was actually handing over my prized possessions to "Laaaarry" (where was Mr Lee?).

I think I may have had a win today. Good old trusty(?) NAB broke with their "company policy" and have - at least verbally - agreed to send me a much needed reference letter. Again time will tell if this actually comes to fruition when I receive the faxed version of the letter. And how - may you ask - did I achieve such a great feat? On wit? charm? grace? Nope - it was the whole escalation card. When they say no (which they did 4 times on that call) keep getting them to escalate a level of management. I was happy to keep on going - right up to calling in some favours with the local management team. They really are not out to make one's life easy now are they. Just hopeless.

Anyway I sign off from what was a beautiful NYC day. It was HOT HOT HOT (34 degrees) - but we saw the end of the humidity (and we saw blue sky) and I must say I loved it. I've even learnt how to walk the streets of Manhattan while not actually breathing in. It's amazing. No doubt I'll get used to the reek that comes from such heat mixed with pollution and 1.5 million people occupying 23 square miles (that's 66,940.1 people per square mile - and doesn't take into account visitors or workers that commute outside of manhattan).


_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

**With the caveat that this applies to ones personal life (we all know how disastrous outsourcing ones core competencies can be).

My Quest for the Holy Grail (otherwise referred to as a Social Security Number)

I never thought I'd ever say this - but I actually think that the Australian "customer facing government departments" (specifically Centrelink) may be worlds best in class. Or at a minimum a hell of a lot better than say - I don't know - the US Social Security Office perhaps. Not only do we contemplate online applications (we are living in 2005 are we not?), but (and again can't believe I'm saying this) the staff are friendlier and more helpful, the processes easier - oh and when you a read a form - 9 times out of 10 you can understand it (obviously the tax pack being the exception) :-) .

I went to apply for a Social Security Number (hereafter SSN) today.

To be honest - the issues started when I downloaded the application form. 4 pages of explanations to explain filling in a 1 page form with around 7 questions? Only to discover after reading the application form - the most difficult question was "what is your Mother's maiden name?". I can understand the 4 pages though - apparently they took literacy lessons from George Dubya himself - because they found a way to make that question harder to answer than the solution to achieving World Peace.

I walk in to the Social Security Office (SSO) to be greeted(?) by a security woman (actually I was looking around somewhat dumbfounded as I couldn't find one sign to indicate where to go or what to do - and she apparently took pity and pointed towards what looked to be a relatively short line).

But looks can be be oh so deceiving. I will admit - I was forewarned it would take a while. But OMG 2.5 hrs standing in a line!!! For what eventually took 3.58 minutes (yes I was timing). There were approx 13 people in front of me - not a great number considering there were 14 in the whole place (I found an apparently fairly unknown SSO just around the corner from the hotel). But damn they are slow.

And then - after I get to the front of the line with only 2 people to go..... the SS Officer walks off. Never to be seen again. I think it may have been her lunch break. So we wait, and wait, and wait. People are dropping like flies, leaving the office followed by a string of huffs, puffs and the occasional profanity (some woman went so far as to scream - yep scream - at the SS officers from the line). Then one of the people in the line made the monumental error of asking the security woman if anyone was coming back - not pretty I tell you.

Finally - it is my turn....... but the new SS Officer is off again. So I wait and wait and watch the clock as it looks like I will miss my 2 o'clock appointment. And then voila - "sign here" I hear. But I can't - she typed in the data wrong - and damn was it scary telling her. Then she's off - again - and then back - form correct. Signed. Done?

So I'm sure you're wondering if I ever got that damn SSN. And the answer is (do I really need to tell you?) NO!!!! I did not!!!!!!! Apparently the official visa stamp in my passport issued by the US Consulate - was not enough to verify I have a visa. They needed to "check" (what the? It's ok for customs to let me in the country but not to get a SSN?). And the check - takes 6 weeks!!!!!!!!

And that's when it all came to me - they don't want to make it easy. If you cut down the numbers, make people wait in line for hours, bark or ignore the person you are speaking to - then maybe, just maybe, that's one less piece of work to be done because you drive everyone away. Online or postal application process anyone?

So there - I vented. I feel better. I am still down one SSN - but such is life right.
A special thanks to Miss Melly - for which I would never have survived the 2.5 hours standing on concrete in stilettos without my copy of the Fashionista Files - which I have now finished thanks to the inefficiency of the US Social Security Office. So it was not an entire waste of time.

Are the planets out of alignment?

So the Manolo store has 2 sales a year. All season items in the store on sale. And me….. what am I doing the one day of the year that Blahnik’s has a sale? Could responsibility have actually overtaken the desire to purchase designer shoes? I am apartment hunting - or more accurately at the time the Manolo store opened after restocking – I was walking through the MeatPacking District – in sweltering heat. And yes it did smell as bad as you imagine it would. I think I may actually be losing it. Since when does a fashionista ever pick practical over couture?

My experience apartment hunting has been an interesting one. I discovered today there’s only one way to apartment hunt – and that’s with a broker, a city guide and town car. I was picked up at 10am this morning but a rather lush green Lincoln town car. First stop Trump Place (yes that Trump). Unfortunately – it set a fairly high standard for apartments for the day. Everything paled in comparison. With it’s high ceilings and 665 square footage – it’s a reasonable sized apartment. Complete with health club, doorman, concierge, security guards, valet parking, outside a 20 acre extension of Riverside Park, shuttle bus to the subway station, views of the Hudson etc etc – who could knock it back? Other than it’s not exactly in the part of Manhattan I wanted to live. Small price to pay? Check it out: www.trumpplace.com

After what felt like viewing 100+ apartments later (actually only 10), eating in the smelliest (yet apparently being the “it” place to eat – upper east side) and being accosted by a tenant in one of the apartment blocks - I got down to the one part of Manhattan I was interested in living. Other than the reality check that: 1. the apartments in the West Village are dumps; 2. the area is noisy and kinda smells; and 3. the prices are way out of the average persons price range – I think it went well. J

And I get to relive the experience again tomorrow and Thursday. Such Joy. I’ll still be a pair of Manolo’s down.

Welcome to NYC?

I never seem to be able to get over quite how different the US is from Aus. We have this standard of living, service, cleanliness that is missed here (unless of course you are living the life of luxury - where someone does all that for you - at a high cost). Take the hotel I am currently living at. It's classed as one of the nicer in the area and yet it just doesn't compare to say the equivalent rating in Aus.

But I can't complain - it's a much bigger room than you would usually get here. I think the BellBoy took a liking to me - and upgraded my room. I have a view of the Hudson river and the east side of the city. Pics per blog.

Where have all the good men gone?

For all you fabulous fashionistas out there in Aussie land - I've discovered the answer to why there are no eligible men in Aus - because they are all apparently in the US. Who would have thought. Almost adopted myself a cute little Aussie boy in the security line at SFO. Damn if only he was flying to NYC instead of Chicago. :-)

Does Anyone Care Anymore?

So answer me this question. Why is it that we have seemed to have lost all sense of consideration and respect for others around us?

I cannot get over how just a basic level of polietness seems to have been lost by what seems to be the majority. Where are we headed exactly?

The Travel Bug

I've been travelling again this past week. I don't know what is worse. Being on the road all the time (and therefore getting somewhat used to it) or travelling more sporadically - but feeling the effect of it even more.

I've seem to be averaging at least a trip a month and it is wearing thin. But how can one complain? I get to see so many amazing places in the world thanks to my work. I feel ungrateful for complaining.

This past trip I've been in Singapore. Not the most exciting city in the world. In fact it can be downright boring at times. Beautiful as it is - it just lacks the character of... well some of the European cities. Like clockwork - every day at 5pm it storms. And then the day becomes a quagmire of humidity. You can cut through it - it is so thick and suffocating.

I'm off again this week. As usual I will probably leave everything to the last minute. Including packing. But this trip is all for fun. NYC! One of the most interesting cities in the world I have had the pleasure of visiting.

Am so looking forward to just getting away from my work - which is smothering me at the moment. I get to have 9 whole days where hopefully the only thoughts of work - is how much I am not missing it.

Simu Date, Circa Now

Why does there always seem to be a direct correlation between the magnitude of a bad date to the older we become? Does turning 28 really turn you into flypaper for freaks?

Case in point - "Carrot Man".
Date 1 47mins in: (yes I was timing.... this was the highlight). Carrot Man informs me that he just "cannot possibly consume carrots.... they grow in the ground you know..... they are practically a root."
52 mins in: I couldn't resist. "what about potatoes? I noticed you just ate those. Isn't that a double standard?"
55 mins in: End of date (I think my question struck a nerve).

So now I am left wondering..... are there still men out there that are not carrot bigots. Or do I just need to accept what is fast becoming my reality?

Storm

It's storming outside. The windows are shaking!
Reminds me of just how insignificant we really are.
And it's only a mild storm compared.

Lessons Learnt

Life Lesson 1: I didn't think. We couldn't find the best solution

Life Lesson 2: "Best if we keep it quiet instead. Everyone here's to blame and we are caught up in the pleasure and the pain"

Life Lesson 3: No matter how many life lessons we think we get.... Until you believe enough to make changes you will never really learn anything.

My Dream

I dreamt last night I was in a freezer. It wasn't on. It was dark and I was just sitting in it. And not one of those big ones either. One of those 1/3 fridges that sit on top of a fridge.
Could this be the start of the end? Do I need to call the white van myself? :-)

Naming the Puppy - But only when it's all bad.

For some of us - in our minds we allow our sense of reason to be overridden by emotion. Rational thinking takes the place of that emotion as we distance ourselves and allow ourselves to escape the burden of those emotional "chains". A mind that never stops but constantly torn between a rational and logical sense of reason and the emotional confines we allow to permeate through our thoughts.

So easily identified yet so difficult to prevent. Maybe we are not supposed to beat it down? Perhaps it's the way we are meant to process? Whatever the reasoning it's almost too hard.

And that is why we do not name the puppy.

For Kitty

Kitty

I read this recently. For the start of the manifesto?
Have a play and see what you can come up with.

"She smiles at the future
Lives life magnificently
Executes justice on the earth
And places value upon humanity"

My First Blog

Well I think I have officially joined the geekiest of the geeks. My first blog!

What blows me away the most about the whole concept of blogging is that people are actually interested in reading others entries.

It's all very tragic really. Where we are headed down the tech road. We're headed to the point where we will be communicating with more people in more places around the world much more efficiently than imagined yet never really have to speak to anyone ever again (yep - even with the strong telco phone industry - where sms/mms etc are quickly taking the place of actual calls).

And the tech industry is dead? Yeah right!