Million Dollar Listings
Just watched about 2 hours of Million Dollar Listings while I figured out the whole technorati thing and made a way too garlicy dinner. The show is sort of addicting and I guess it's always inspiring to watch young people become successful. Yeah, not one of those people who resent success. But.. I don't get why all the guys look like such super tools. I mean the bowl haircut??! You've got to be kidding. And why do they have to be all guys? More specifically all guys who grew up insanely wealthy. One thing is clear, they don't really DO much to make their money. Yes, they work during the weekends and are pretty much on call, but most people on Wall Street put in more hours and make less money than these tender 25 year olds. That's my gripe but I guess the producers are trying to paint a certain type of picture of this exclusive group of people.
Canon EOS 40D
Holy crap. I just bought a Canon EOS 40D today. Kind of freaked me out to spend that kind of money but it will definitely be a great investment. I basically researched DSLR cameras for about 3 months and here's what I concluded so if ya'll are in the market, you don't have to do the research. You just have to take my word for it.
I first had to have some idea of how much I wanted to spend (just like in The New York Time's "The Hunt" I ended up spending way more than originally intended) more than $600. I looked into buying a used camera which probably would have been okay, but a few people told me you can't really look into the mechanics of a used digital to see if it was in perfect working condition.
Next, the big Canon vs. Nikon debate. I tossed and turned over this, drove the guys at B&H nuts and one guy at Adorama obnoxiously told me to flip a coin. Most said it's all about how each camera feels. Great.. the Nikon and Canon booths were across the store from each other and I couldn't compare them side by side. And from what I remember, they felt pretty much the same. The Nikon guy convinced me Nikon lenses are historically known to be better, but I met more people passionate about Canons. Seemed everywhere I looked, people were rocking the Canons. And B&H closes at 7 during the week which meant I'd haul ass all the way over to 33rd and 9th Avenue only to walk out completely confused and undecided.
Eureka- last week I decided on the Canon. Okay, so I narrowed it down to 3 cameras- the "amateur" Rebel Xti, Canon EOS 30D and Canon EOS 40D. Both the Rebel and 30D were obviously more in my price range but the Rebel's manual features were not completely intuitive, the body not as durable and it was still considered an amateur camera. On the plus side, it's known for being a fantastic camera and came out this year, meaning it's equipped with the latest technology such as automatic sensor cleaning. The 30D has bee touted as a fantastic camera, considered "pro-amateur," and better than the Rebel despite being 2 years old and not having the sensor cleaning. And.. as you can imagine, the 40D has it all. That and my dad believing in it as an investment. No pressure.. So by next week, there will be a serious upgrade in my photos. Hopefully my skillz will be up to par.
At the checkout counter, I of course attempted to charm the sales guy with tales of my search in the hopes of some secret discount. No luck with the discount but he did confirm I made the right decision- that the Nikon camera on par with the 40D would be 90D which doesn't even exist yet (they're only up to 80D)! And final, most important tip-- be sure to have your camera shipped somewhere out of state if convenient. You don't have to pay sales tax and with such an obviously big purchase, that means saving some serious dough.
Spinning
I think the cute guy that was in my spinning class last just winked at me on Match.com. I still have an account from back in the day but it's not activated. I'm really curious about this but definitely not curious enough to go back on match for 3 months and drop around $70. Hmmnm.. mystery continues. In other news, my spinning teacher is breaking up our 7:30 Monday night family. He's teaching an earlier class at 6:15 but then another one all the way in the West Village on Thursdays. I suppose if I can make both of those classes, it will be better for me in the long run. But yeah, Monday nights are such a staple. Helps put my entire week on track. On the bright side, I'll no longer have trouble sleeping from my continued adrenaline rush Monday nights.
Wall O' Shoes
Yes folks, this is my wall o' shoes. Sadly, I probably only regularly wear about 10 pairs and one of them is being fixed. Still not brave enough to wear the light pink, metallic strappy sandals that I bought 3 years ago to wear at a Gen Arts event and haven't worn since. Too painful. And still can't bring myself to get rid of the top, red with gold ring sandals that I never wear. It's hard to match red and yet I own 5 pairs of red shoes.. And wedges look comfy but I've had to do deep breathing exercises to handle the end of the night pain, walking up my apartment steps. I pose this question to my readers (ladies)- how many pairs of shoes do you own? How many are broken? How many do you actually wear regularly? Any why does shoe shopping never get old?
Celebrity Sighting
Saw Blake Lively outside of Veselka today during brunch. She's completely gorgeous, not overly skinny, seemed friendly and I have a girl crush. More importantly, can't believe this is my first time going to Veselka for brunch. Was soo good.
Holy Crap- just IMDB'd Blake Lively cause I couldn't figure out who her boyfriend was.. and learned that she's the sister of Robyn Lively- from 80's flick "Teen Witch" fame. Best movie ever!!! Top that!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ00laVt62c&hl=en&fs=1&w=425&h=344]
Another Insanely Crazy Night
Last night I went to Union Pool with a coworker. It wasn't as exciting as I thought it would be but maybe we were too early. It was super chill and probably a good place to go to catch up with friends. But wasn't feeling the whole outside, people smoking next to you, super hipster, guys that looked dirtyish-vibe. Plus I was pretty much the only one wearing heels. So I convinced my coworker to check out my beloved Solas on 9th btw 2nd and 3rd. Needless to say, it wasn't her scene and she left around 1. Not one to call it an early Saturday night, I proceeded to text everyone I knew to try and convince them to head over, but had no luck. Was just about to leave when some Irish guys called me over... then after introductions were made and I realized they were all about 22, they left. Went to get water and was about to leave for a second time when my bartender gave me a free drink. Not one to turn down a free drink, I decided to stay, he introduced me to another "regular" - very cool girl who has known my bartender for years.
We danced with some guys and unfortunately, the one I was with was completely slimy and all over me. Finally, I decided I couldn't take it anymore and ran back to my bartender. Minutes later, my new friend (whose name I have forgotten) noticed he was trying to make out with some poor, unsuspecting girl. Before we could stop it, he got to her, stuck his tongue down her throat and left. I went over and she was freaking out, noting that that's about a minute of her life she could never get back. The perils of being a woman.
I finally got to know a little bit more about my hot Scottish bartender. Like that he lives a block away from me on the North side of the street whereas I'm on the South side. When I told him where I lived, he smiled and exclaimed that I must be the long haired brunette always walking around naked with the nice rack. I proceeded to completely freak out for a full five minutes, flabbergasted that this guy has been seeing me naked for over a year now. All this time.. to which he finally lets me off the hook and tells me he actually lives further west, not directly behind me. Phew. My curtains are now closed..
Another Squirrel Post
While walking through Washington Square Park, I saw a squirrel with an entire cinnamon bun in his mouth. It was hysterical, and about half the size of the squirrel.
Irish Vampire?
So kid pictured above was hanging with the big boys in the big city. I think he's about 22 and his brother is friends with all the guys I met last night. They wanted to show him a big time. Note red mark at bottom of cheek. Why yes, that is a hickey. Apparently some drunk Irish girl was all over him like an animal...
Holy Crap I just realized...
And I continue to strongly dislike my building. They locked the front, front door so people can't even get in to buzz you. I can't believe I just realized that this morning...
Had another crazy night. Was sitting, watching Legally Blonde on TV for the 5th time, almost excited to stay in, when my friend texted me. Asked if I wanted to see Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. Hell yeah, I said. Only problem was that I had 35 minutes to shower, get ready and up to 86th and 3rd. I threw something on knowing that we'd most likely go out afterward. The cab went up first and we somehow did not hit one red light. Knew it was a good indicator of how the night would go. Movie was just as expected- predictable and cheesy but fairly entertaining- my favorite line being "Greek women don't lose their pants."
Post movie, we grabbed a drink and waited for a coworker to meet up. When that didn't happen (phone turned off and drunkeness on his part) I hopped in the subway after hitting up a bank with a $3 fee. Good thing I didn't even use any cash after that..
In an exchange with my coworker before he flipped his phone off, he commented, "what does it matter where we go. You'll probably end up at Solas anyway." So that gave me an idea.. post subway, I headed straight over and figured eventually I could convince my friends to meet me there. Never mind the whole drinking at a bar alone thing.. I'd meet people and could always catch up with my bartender. Right after getting a free drink from my bartender (hey, I paid the last time...) he informs me that so and so in the corner wants to buy my next one and that he's a really good guy... So I go over and talk to him, meet all his friends.. get photographed by some other random patron with the group of guys, do some serious dancing.. long story short, have an amazing time. And get proposed to.... but that's a whole other story.
I used up all my good material yesterday. I'm debating if I want to go to Union Pool tonight in Williamsburg or some place in Manhattan.. Thoughts?
Speaking of Natural Beauty
Good for Julia. The Monday after my camping trip, I stayed home at my parent's house and wanted to go shopping. I didn't have any makeup but felt particularly good about my natural face given that I had just spent 3 days in the woods. So I asked my mom if I still looked good au natural... she hesitated and said not so tactfully, "You look better with makeup on." Thanks. I'm trying to embrace my natural (dare I say) beauty, while I still can!
The Next Airline to go Down
My friend just called. He arrived in Utah safely after a 3, layover, last minute flight that only cost him less than $200. Well, I guess you get what you paid for. He took US Air and described it as Greyhound with wings, thankfully without the crazy ax murderer. So apparently it's never a good sign when there's duck-tape on the windows and the AC is broken at a hundred degrees. And the water ain't free. It's $2 and you best have something smaller than a $20 cause they don't got no change. In fact, the flight attendant tried to get away with not giving change back to some lady.
And if the flight itself weren't bad enough, my friend had to check in an hour before the flight. Huh?! At 5am! He said the guy that checked him in was a super guido with a hairy chest and huge jesus cross. Plus the whole line process was completely unorganized.
Now he must contend with being surrounded by an entire city filled with unusually beautiful, healthy and fit people. And someday, he will be a guest writer on my blog!
And We're Back...
Why yes, that would be the royal "we." I was sitting outside next to my favorite cafe having my favorite half curry-chicken sandwich and people-watching on my crazy street. I group of slightly ghetto women were walking, 1 of them with a baby carriage and a son, probably around 7 yrs old. Her friends spotted the porniest porn shop located next to the cafe and loudly proclaimed they wanted to get "those condoms." The young mother tells her friends she can't go in, and beacons her son to come towards her, away from the store, only moments before he walks in. He's confused and thinks he did something wrong so he hesitates to follow her. He finally obeys, she notices me watching the whole scene, and we both look at each other, and burst out laughing.
I love New York.
P.S. The girl across from me during my spinning class was bumping up and down to such an unhealthy extreme that it nearly gave me an epileptic fit... minus the fact that I don't have epilepsy.
Marshmallows!
Did you know that there's something called Marshmallow Root? Do you think it grows next to graham crackers and cocoa beans? Sorry.. low on material today. Your normally scheduled program will be back as soon as something interesting happens.
Purple Shoes!!
It's like these shoes were made for me. Aldo designers please remove yourself from my brain!
Symphonics Live, Saturday, September 6th
I just purchased two tickets to the next Symphonics Show. I don't doubt that they will sell out. I think this will be my 7th show and they've all been amazing and inspiring. I'll try and find out more about the lineup but so far I know Annekei will be performing. Hey, Mr. Symphonics- does that talented young lady have a record contract in the US yet?? Next question is who to bring..
You can purchase tickets HERE