Courtesy of LK's future mispucha
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Free Taco Tuesday
Q: What's 35 minutes of my time worth?
A. $1.04 (shhh...don't tell my boss)
If you haven't already done so, take a break and grab your free Taco Bell today from 2-5. Mom and I just went to the one in Walpole - I got the crunchy, she opted for the soft. Diversity: it's what makes our family work. Sure the line was wrapped around the parking lot but I definitely haven't seen that many happy Sharon High faces since I walked through the Common during Hemp Fest 97. Kudos to you, Taco Bell, for curing my mid-day blues.
A. $1.04 (shhh...don't tell my boss)
If you haven't already done so, take a break and grab your free Taco Bell today from 2-5. Mom and I just went to the one in Walpole - I got the crunchy, she opted for the soft. Diversity: it's what makes our family work. Sure the line was wrapped around the parking lot but I definitely haven't seen that many happy Sharon High faces since I walked through the Common during Hemp Fest 97. Kudos to you, Taco Bell, for curing my mid-day blues.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Sox in the City
The series was a run-away from the start, and my liver and sleep habits are grateful that the Sox managed to sweep Colorado in four straight games. I hardly ever go out on a "school night" but there was something about Mama T's text message that caught my attention. "It's not everyday that the Sox become the World Series champs", Mama T implored. As I watch every Sox game with the impression that they're going to blow it (until they prove otherwise), I fired up the Crossfire and headed into Town.
The main catch to watching the game with Mama T is the fact that she lives in Kenmore Square, home of shinanigan-loving underage students. We ended up at Copperfields, which incidentally enough was teaming with patrons who almost looked old enough to date. People were overwhelmingly polite - they were simply there to watch a baseball game. I gave a sigh of relief knowing that there would be no drunken brawls on my watch.
To be clear here, I went into Kenmore knowing full well that there would be a heavy police presence. Rather than add to the problem, I decided ahead of time that I would spend the night on Mama T's futon so I could enjoy the game responsibly. Despite the fact that both of us attended UMass-Amherst, we have never participated in a riot nor did we want to start now. After the Sox clinched it 4-3 we barreled towards here place, where we were intercepted by cops decked out in full riot gear.
There are a lot of things that the Boston Police could've done last night to prevent law-abiding citizens from getting completely frustrated. They could've posted which streets were going to be blocked off on their website or kept the T open later so people could take the T directly from Fenway to Kenmore without passing through Commonwealth Ave on foot. They could've had uniformed officers directing pedestrians through side streets or simply shut down bars in Kenmore Square for the game (like they do in Andrew Square for St. Patrick's Day)
Of course none of that actually happened.
The main problem for us was the fact that the police blockades barred us from getting to Mama T's house on Comm Ave. If we had known this ahead of time we definitely would've made alternate plans. I understand that the Boston Police were under orders to prevent riots like the ones in '04 and I'm grateful that a violent one didn't break out but let's be realistic here: some of us actually work for a living and simply want to get a good night's sleep.
Since I tend to get annoyed with stupidity rather quickly (when an officer explained that we couldn't go home because they didn't want last night to turn out like '04 I politely reminded them that the only reason that night was violent was because they shot someone in the eye with a rubber bullet) I let Mama T do all the talking. After pleading for almost a half hour she finally found a police lieutenant to take pity on us. To ensure that our intentions were honest, he literally escorted us to the front door.
Despite the post-game frustration, there was truly no better place to watch the Sox clinch the title than Kenmore. However, if the Red Sox are going to continue to dominate major league baseball, the Boston Police had better have more coherent plans for controlling celebrations without making us all feel like criminals. In all fairness, Boston isn't quite used to winning the World Series. One can only hope that the kinks between the BPD and reality will be worked out by the Sox win it again in '08!
The main catch to watching the game with Mama T is the fact that she lives in Kenmore Square, home of shinanigan-loving underage students. We ended up at Copperfields, which incidentally enough was teaming with patrons who almost looked old enough to date. People were overwhelmingly polite - they were simply there to watch a baseball game. I gave a sigh of relief knowing that there would be no drunken brawls on my watch.
To be clear here, I went into Kenmore knowing full well that there would be a heavy police presence. Rather than add to the problem, I decided ahead of time that I would spend the night on Mama T's futon so I could enjoy the game responsibly. Despite the fact that both of us attended UMass-Amherst, we have never participated in a riot nor did we want to start now. After the Sox clinched it 4-3 we barreled towards here place, where we were intercepted by cops decked out in full riot gear.
There are a lot of things that the Boston Police could've done last night to prevent law-abiding citizens from getting completely frustrated. They could've posted which streets were going to be blocked off on their website or kept the T open later so people could take the T directly from Fenway to Kenmore without passing through Commonwealth Ave on foot. They could've had uniformed officers directing pedestrians through side streets or simply shut down bars in Kenmore Square for the game (like they do in Andrew Square for St. Patrick's Day)
Of course none of that actually happened.
The main problem for us was the fact that the police blockades barred us from getting to Mama T's house on Comm Ave. If we had known this ahead of time we definitely would've made alternate plans. I understand that the Boston Police were under orders to prevent riots like the ones in '04 and I'm grateful that a violent one didn't break out but let's be realistic here: some of us actually work for a living and simply want to get a good night's sleep.
Since I tend to get annoyed with stupidity rather quickly (when an officer explained that we couldn't go home because they didn't want last night to turn out like '04 I politely reminded them that the only reason that night was violent was because they shot someone in the eye with a rubber bullet) I let Mama T do all the talking. After pleading for almost a half hour she finally found a police lieutenant to take pity on us. To ensure that our intentions were honest, he literally escorted us to the front door.
Despite the post-game frustration, there was truly no better place to watch the Sox clinch the title than Kenmore. However, if the Red Sox are going to continue to dominate major league baseball, the Boston Police had better have more coherent plans for controlling celebrations without making us all feel like criminals. In all fairness, Boston isn't quite used to winning the World Series. One can only hope that the kinks between the BPD and reality will be worked out by the Sox win it again in '08!
Friday, October 26, 2007
Out of all of the crappy articles that MSN produces to keep their content "fresh", I think that this has got to be one of the worst. It tears into the fact that many of our fellow Americans think that it's less expensive to eat out then simply go to the supermarket, especially when they factor in their "hourly" rate. Apparently we're so obsessed with work that we make it known loud and clear to our families that when we pause to prepare and enjoy a meal that we are in fact on the clock. Nothing like rubbing in how busy and important you are to make your kids feel like overhead I suppose.
I had the pleasure of waiting tables in college. When it was slow, I used to like to watch the chefs prepare and cook the meals. I did learn a lot about cooking, including how horrifying the ingredients are that go into your restaurant food. As Paula Dean put it to Oprah "darling, I'm your chef, not your doctor". Aside from eating a plain garden salad, there isn't a single meal that you can order at any of the one million restaurants that dot the American landscape that is even remotely healthy for you - trust me. Even things that seem innocent are likely loaded with butter, cream, or oil.
Aside from walking off my shifts feeling ill from the smell of the fry-o-later, I learned that there are very few meals that you can get a restaurant that you can't cook for yourself. If you're a good shopper and spend 15 minutes a week planning out your weekly menu and shopping list, I guarantee that you eat better, spend less money, and appreciate your meals a lot more. The key here is planning and doing your best to stick with it. It's not easy, especially if you don't generally roll through your front door until 7 o'clock at night, but in the end it's at least worth a shot.
So try it for a bit, see if you like it. If not, you can always go back to your take-out ways. Should cooking become habit, you'll save beaucoup bucks (the average meal mark-up is 40%), feel healthier, AND have enough cash saved up to get your friend pahkcah02 a bottle of scotch as a show of gratitude. Better start DVRing the Food Network, dear readers.
I had the pleasure of waiting tables in college. When it was slow, I used to like to watch the chefs prepare and cook the meals. I did learn a lot about cooking, including how horrifying the ingredients are that go into your restaurant food. As Paula Dean put it to Oprah "darling, I'm your chef, not your doctor". Aside from eating a plain garden salad, there isn't a single meal that you can order at any of the one million restaurants that dot the American landscape that is even remotely healthy for you - trust me. Even things that seem innocent are likely loaded with butter, cream, or oil.
Aside from walking off my shifts feeling ill from the smell of the fry-o-later, I learned that there are very few meals that you can get a restaurant that you can't cook for yourself. If you're a good shopper and spend 15 minutes a week planning out your weekly menu and shopping list, I guarantee that you eat better, spend less money, and appreciate your meals a lot more. The key here is planning and doing your best to stick with it. It's not easy, especially if you don't generally roll through your front door until 7 o'clock at night, but in the end it's at least worth a shot.
So try it for a bit, see if you like it. If not, you can always go back to your take-out ways. Should cooking become habit, you'll save beaucoup bucks (the average meal mark-up is 40%), feel healthier, AND have enough cash saved up to get your friend pahkcah02 a bottle of scotch as a show of gratitude. Better start DVRing the Food Network, dear readers.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
It's Social. Demented and Sad, But Social
Like many of you superstars who became of age in the 90's, most of us chipped our social networking teeth on AOL instant messenger (aka: AIM). Unfortunately IMing your roomate that was 5 feet away wasn't nearly dorky or impersonal enough, so we spawned bastard step-children like Friendster and Myspace. I recently moved on to Facebook where I am completely overwhelmed by the updates from everyone I've ever met. Dan is peforming voodoo for the Red Sox? Harry met Sally using Friend Finder? Am I seriously expected to give a shit?
Because I obviously have way too much free time, I stumbled upon twitter.com today which allows users to update their friends on their life via SMS messaging. Every mundane activity you perform (eg: waited in line at Dunkin Donuts for 7 minutes, got a large extra extra) can be documented and broadcasted to everyone you hold near and dear. I suppose it gives a new meaning to the word "alibi".
Subconsciously, most of us are micro-managing our friends via these constant bullentins. Without them personally telling me, I know when my friends have gotten promoted, bought new homes, landed jobs, and aced an exam. To be honest, it completely sucks. Sure I'm happy for everyone's accomplishments but what happened to picking up the phone (or at minimum, an email) to let your friends know of your proud achievement? Even if you're a person who steers clear of the limelight, a happy, live reaction to something positive is warranted every once in a while.
Social networking is a powerful tool but these constant generic updates are a little much. Updates: use 'em, don't abuse 'em and for goodness sake, let me know personally if you have something exciting to share. I work out of my bedroom and completely get off on knowing that my friend's professional and personal lives are way more exciting than mine. As far as keeping me in the loop next time you make a DD run, please don't update blast me unless you're kind enough to grab me a medium, milk no sugar.
Because I obviously have way too much free time, I stumbled upon twitter.com today which allows users to update their friends on their life via SMS messaging. Every mundane activity you perform (eg: waited in line at Dunkin Donuts for 7 minutes, got a large extra extra) can be documented and broadcasted to everyone you hold near and dear. I suppose it gives a new meaning to the word "alibi".
Subconsciously, most of us are micro-managing our friends via these constant bullentins. Without them personally telling me, I know when my friends have gotten promoted, bought new homes, landed jobs, and aced an exam. To be honest, it completely sucks. Sure I'm happy for everyone's accomplishments but what happened to picking up the phone (or at minimum, an email) to let your friends know of your proud achievement? Even if you're a person who steers clear of the limelight, a happy, live reaction to something positive is warranted every once in a while.
Social networking is a powerful tool but these constant generic updates are a little much. Updates: use 'em, don't abuse 'em and for goodness sake, let me know personally if you have something exciting to share. I work out of my bedroom and completely get off on knowing that my friend's professional and personal lives are way more exciting than mine. As far as keeping me in the loop next time you make a DD run, please don't update blast me unless you're kind enough to grab me a medium, milk no sugar.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Restaurant Review: Flat Bread Company
Restaurant: Flat Bread Company
Location: Amesbury, MA; Portland, ME; North Conway, NH; Portsmouth, NH; Canton, VT; Bedford, MA; Paia Maui, HI
Website: www.flatbreadcompany.com
Grade: B+
My friend Reppin and his girlfriend recently moved from New York City to Portland, ME (obviously for a graduate program, not the free birth control). Seeing as food is more of a lifestyle than a hobby in the greater 212 area code, I knew I could depend on Reppin to pick out a restaurant that served food "almost as good as they have in New York" (heaven forbid a New Yorker admit that something outside the City actually tastes decent). We decided on the Flat Break Company located 138 Congress Street in Portsmouth (NH).
The decor is typical North Country, complete with futons peppered with "Legalize Marijuana" leaflets and exposed wooden beams. I immediately wondered which charity a portion of the proceeds from my meal would be funding. The rustic look is completed with solid-looking wood tables and a large brick-oven stove in the middle of the dining room.
Naturally, all of the ingredients served at Flat Bread are either organic or free-range, which is a nice touch. We decided on a large Community Pizza (caramelized onions, mushrooms, roasted tomato sauce, cheese, herbs) and a small Punctuated Equalibrium (kalamata olives, rosemary, red onions, oven roasted peppers, goat cheese, mozzarella, garlic cheese, herbs). Both pizzas were complimented with a wonderful, smoky taste courtesy of being baked in a brick-oven. Seeing as my only brick-oven experience has been with Bertucci's and Upper Crust, I was pleasantly surprised by how wonderful and non-commercial everything tasted.
As far as service goes, the Flat Bread got everything right. Crushed red pepper was already on the table (I generally have to ask for it more than once) and the waiter brought a second round of Diet Cokes without being prompted. Also, nobody seemed to mind the fact that the three of us sat around for almost two hours catching up. I seriously wish that the closest location wasn't 45 minutes away.
Flat Bread Company has multiple locations throughout northern New England. According to their website Flat Bread hasn't announced any plans to move in on the Boston area, though there is a location in Bedford for those of you who work/live between the Pike and 495. The location in Portsmouth offered metered street parking or (if you're feeling like a high roller) you can park in the city garage for $1.50 on a weekend afternoon.
Location: Amesbury, MA; Portland, ME; North Conway, NH; Portsmouth, NH; Canton, VT; Bedford, MA; Paia Maui, HI
Website: www.flatbreadcompany.com
Grade: B+
My friend Reppin and his girlfriend recently moved from New York City to Portland, ME (obviously for a graduate program, not the free birth control). Seeing as food is more of a lifestyle than a hobby in the greater 212 area code, I knew I could depend on Reppin to pick out a restaurant that served food "almost as good as they have in New York" (heaven forbid a New Yorker admit that something outside the City actually tastes decent). We decided on the Flat Break Company located 138 Congress Street in Portsmouth (NH).
The decor is typical North Country, complete with futons peppered with "Legalize Marijuana" leaflets and exposed wooden beams. I immediately wondered which charity a portion of the proceeds from my meal would be funding. The rustic look is completed with solid-looking wood tables and a large brick-oven stove in the middle of the dining room.
Naturally, all of the ingredients served at Flat Bread are either organic or free-range, which is a nice touch. We decided on a large Community Pizza (caramelized onions, mushrooms, roasted tomato sauce, cheese, herbs) and a small Punctuated Equalibrium (kalamata olives, rosemary, red onions, oven roasted peppers, goat cheese, mozzarella, garlic cheese, herbs). Both pizzas were complimented with a wonderful, smoky taste courtesy of being baked in a brick-oven. Seeing as my only brick-oven experience has been with Bertucci's and Upper Crust, I was pleasantly surprised by how wonderful and non-commercial everything tasted.
As far as service goes, the Flat Bread got everything right. Crushed red pepper was already on the table (I generally have to ask for it more than once) and the waiter brought a second round of Diet Cokes without being prompted. Also, nobody seemed to mind the fact that the three of us sat around for almost two hours catching up. I seriously wish that the closest location wasn't 45 minutes away.
Flat Bread Company has multiple locations throughout northern New England. According to their website Flat Bread hasn't announced any plans to move in on the Boston area, though there is a location in Bedford for those of you who work/live between the Pike and 495. The location in Portsmouth offered metered street parking or (if you're feeling like a high roller) you can park in the city garage for $1.50 on a weekend afternoon.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Grab a Pen, I'm Giving Advice
This week MSN's "Gut Check America" is dedicated to the Middle Class Squeeze or Why the Whiney Brat Pack Generation Can't Get Everything They Want. I understand that stagnant incomes and rising home prices force a lot of us to make tough financial decisions. However, I think complaining that this generation has it worse than our parents is a bit of a stretch.
I wasn't around 30 years ago, but from what I've read in history books and old magazines, the world was a lot different than it is today. A lot of the stuff that we take for granted, such as dishwashers, air conditioning, and microwave ovens were luxuries owned only by the very well-to-do. Calling someone "long distance" was a special event. Color TV's were a steep investment; cable and the Internet hadn't even been invented yet.
In terms of how primitive our parents grew up, our generation has it pretty good. So why do we feel so "squeezed"? Are housing prices really to blame?
I'm no economist (on the contrary, I barely scraped by with a C in micro and macro) but I'm pretty sick of people hemming and hawing about how tough things are. Compared to the rest of the nation, Boston has always been an expensive place to live and surely this recent housing boom didn't help. But taking out a risky interest only loan for a house that you can't afford? Are you serious? And now you expect me to listen to your sob story and for our government to bail you out?
As as whole we are paying for luxuries that are so ingrained into our culture that we now feel as if they are basic necessities. A seperate bedroom for every child? A necessity (personally, I believe that giving each kid their own bedroom breeds self-centered behavior but I'll blog about that at a later date)! These days it seems like every housing ad I read advertises "master bedroom suites", "hardwood floors throughout", and "industrial kitchens with granite countertops". Since when did stainless steel appliances become the minimum standard for homes? No wonder why we are so house poor.
I have always been a strong believer in social programs to help those who are seriously struggling to make it in this state. People who have been dealt a lousy hand and use assistance to better their lives have always been heroes of mine. However, people that have degrees and make decent salaries but are living way beyond their means and then bitch about it do not get my sympathy.
If you have the cash to finance that type of lifestyle then good for you. However, if you categorize yourself as "middle class" (as 90% of Americans do) then the sense of entitlement needs to end. As many of us were taught as children, you can't always get what you want so we had better learn to make do with what we've got. It's about time that people take full responsibility for their financial decisions in lieu of a government bailout. After all, with our expensive health insurance premiums, at least we have our health, right?
I wasn't around 30 years ago, but from what I've read in history books and old magazines, the world was a lot different than it is today. A lot of the stuff that we take for granted, such as dishwashers, air conditioning, and microwave ovens were luxuries owned only by the very well-to-do. Calling someone "long distance" was a special event. Color TV's were a steep investment; cable and the Internet hadn't even been invented yet.
In terms of how primitive our parents grew up, our generation has it pretty good. So why do we feel so "squeezed"? Are housing prices really to blame?
I'm no economist (on the contrary, I barely scraped by with a C in micro and macro) but I'm pretty sick of people hemming and hawing about how tough things are. Compared to the rest of the nation, Boston has always been an expensive place to live and surely this recent housing boom didn't help. But taking out a risky interest only loan for a house that you can't afford? Are you serious? And now you expect me to listen to your sob story and for our government to bail you out?
As as whole we are paying for luxuries that are so ingrained into our culture that we now feel as if they are basic necessities. A seperate bedroom for every child? A necessity (personally, I believe that giving each kid their own bedroom breeds self-centered behavior but I'll blog about that at a later date)! These days it seems like every housing ad I read advertises "master bedroom suites", "hardwood floors throughout", and "industrial kitchens with granite countertops". Since when did stainless steel appliances become the minimum standard for homes? No wonder why we are so house poor.
I have always been a strong believer in social programs to help those who are seriously struggling to make it in this state. People who have been dealt a lousy hand and use assistance to better their lives have always been heroes of mine. However, people that have degrees and make decent salaries but are living way beyond their means and then bitch about it do not get my sympathy.
If you have the cash to finance that type of lifestyle then good for you. However, if you categorize yourself as "middle class" (as 90% of Americans do) then the sense of entitlement needs to end. As many of us were taught as children, you can't always get what you want so we had better learn to make do with what we've got. It's about time that people take full responsibility for their financial decisions in lieu of a government bailout. After all, with our expensive health insurance premiums, at least we have our health, right?
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Aliens in America
Thanks to DVR, I'm watching about a billion hours of additional television per week. While I wasn't much of a TV junkie before, there have been a number of decent shows that have graced our airwaves this Fall season. One of the better (and my opinion, truly under-rated) sitcoms to debut has been the CW's Aliens in America.
16 year old Justin Tolchuck's main goal in life is to fly under the radar screen of high school just long enough to graduate and attend college far, far away. Fearing that her son isn't out-going enough, Franny Tolchuck is on a mission to host a foreign exchange student that in her mind will win her son instant popularity at his suburban Wisconsin high school. Her dreams of taking in a Nordic, athletic genius are quickly shattered when learns that she will be hosting Raja Musharraf from Pakistan as her adopted son.
The interactions between Raja and his stereo-typical American hosts are hilarious. A devout Muslim who dresses in traditional garb, Raja is wide-eyed to the pecularities and flat-out ignorance of most Americans. During his first day of school, a fellow student calls him out on the fact that Pakistan was responsible for the events of Sept 11 (obviously not true). When he refuses pork chops in the school cafeteria a lunch lady bemoans that "now she's seen everything". During last night's episode Raja attempts to buy supplies for the rocket club and is interrogated by local police, fearing that he must be a terrorist.
With his good manners and desire to become part of our society, Raja manages to rise above the fray during each cultural hiccup. He is helpful around the house, an outstanding student, and is slowly giving Justin the confidence he needs to scrape through his high school tenure.
In 2007, being a television geek is almost cool. However, for anyone that's ever been considered a geek and also happens be part of a religious, race, or cultural minority, Aliens in America will likely be resemble the biography of your high school existance. Aliens follows the hit show Everybody Hates Chris on Mondays at 8:30 on Channel 56. After watching back-to-back episodes of Chris and Aliens, you'll be very happy that you somehow managed to survive the tenth grade.
16 year old Justin Tolchuck's main goal in life is to fly under the radar screen of high school just long enough to graduate and attend college far, far away. Fearing that her son isn't out-going enough, Franny Tolchuck is on a mission to host a foreign exchange student that in her mind will win her son instant popularity at his suburban Wisconsin high school. Her dreams of taking in a Nordic, athletic genius are quickly shattered when learns that she will be hosting Raja Musharraf from Pakistan as her adopted son.
The interactions between Raja and his stereo-typical American hosts are hilarious. A devout Muslim who dresses in traditional garb, Raja is wide-eyed to the pecularities and flat-out ignorance of most Americans. During his first day of school, a fellow student calls him out on the fact that Pakistan was responsible for the events of Sept 11 (obviously not true). When he refuses pork chops in the school cafeteria a lunch lady bemoans that "now she's seen everything". During last night's episode Raja attempts to buy supplies for the rocket club and is interrogated by local police, fearing that he must be a terrorist.
With his good manners and desire to become part of our society, Raja manages to rise above the fray during each cultural hiccup. He is helpful around the house, an outstanding student, and is slowly giving Justin the confidence he needs to scrape through his high school tenure.
In 2007, being a television geek is almost cool. However, for anyone that's ever been considered a geek and also happens be part of a religious, race, or cultural minority, Aliens in America will likely be resemble the biography of your high school existance. Aliens follows the hit show Everybody Hates Chris on Mondays at 8:30 on Channel 56. After watching back-to-back episodes of Chris and Aliens, you'll be very happy that you somehow managed to survive the tenth grade.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Who Wants to Become a Citizen?
Most of us didn't have to do anything besides be born here to become a US citizen. However, hundreds of thousands of Americans (including many of our ancestors) had to take a written or oral examination in order to claim the rights we now take for granted. The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration services recently changed the exam to reflect our changing time. So, my proud, flag-waving fellow American, do you have the brainpower to pass the new exam? Be honest....Bonus points if you can sing the Star Spangled Banner without tripping up the words!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
When it comes to dating, I'm woman enough to proclaim that I've definitely got some issues. Living in a city with an overwhelming number of good-looking, highly educated men can be an underwhelming experience, to say the least. I've definitely never been the type of girl that needs a man in my life in order to feel complete. While companionship with the right person would be great, after what seems like a million first dates I've come to the conclusion that I'm much better off single than subject myself to a miserable relationship.
As Michelle Singletary often says, "Prince Charming ain't coming", therefore it's up to me to use my survival instincts for the greater good. I've thrown myself into my career because if the time does come to have a family a secure career will equal more options. I surround myself with good, moral people who are driven, and more importantly, the best friends you could ever ask for. I take pride on my Yankee values of hard work and loyalty and then generally find a guy with polar opposite traits, date him, and then wonder where I fucked up.
I've definitely dated my fair share of people who raise alarming issues and then resent them for it later, which is completely selfish and unfair. People are who they are and nothing I say or do is ever going to change that. Every once in a while I wonder if I'm holding the people I date to an impossible standard but to be honest I don't think that seeking someone who's confident and of good character is reaching.
I am trying to be optimistic on the dating scene. I've given up on JDate (seriously? For the $35 a month membership I could either go on bad dates OR buy a bottle of Glenlivet. In general, scotch makes me happier) but I am pretty certain what I'm looking for. Obviously any good relationship is a never ending struggle of "give and take" which is great, so long as I am not forced to kick my values to the curb. Believing the old Yiddish theory of "hey, you never know?", I'm throwing a challenge out to my Pahkcah02 readers: I challenge you to find me a good looking Jewish guy. Ideally, this man is between 25 and 32, has a job with clear career goals (goals = sexy), lives in his own place (roommates are fine), and like a West Point cadet doesn't lie, cheat, or steal (or tolerate those who do). Bonus points if he cooks and enjoys Married With Children reruns. Think this sounds simple? Well, if it was I probably wouldn't blantantly announce my frustration on a blog. Good luck to all of those Bridget Jones-worshipping singletons out there - I am proud to be among your ranks.
As Michelle Singletary often says, "Prince Charming ain't coming", therefore it's up to me to use my survival instincts for the greater good. I've thrown myself into my career because if the time does come to have a family a secure career will equal more options. I surround myself with good, moral people who are driven, and more importantly, the best friends you could ever ask for. I take pride on my Yankee values of hard work and loyalty and then generally find a guy with polar opposite traits, date him, and then wonder where I fucked up.
I've definitely dated my fair share of people who raise alarming issues and then resent them for it later, which is completely selfish and unfair. People are who they are and nothing I say or do is ever going to change that. Every once in a while I wonder if I'm holding the people I date to an impossible standard but to be honest I don't think that seeking someone who's confident and of good character is reaching.
I am trying to be optimistic on the dating scene. I've given up on JDate (seriously? For the $35 a month membership I could either go on bad dates OR buy a bottle of Glenlivet. In general, scotch makes me happier) but I am pretty certain what I'm looking for. Obviously any good relationship is a never ending struggle of "give and take" which is great, so long as I am not forced to kick my values to the curb. Believing the old Yiddish theory of "hey, you never know?", I'm throwing a challenge out to my Pahkcah02 readers: I challenge you to find me a good looking Jewish guy. Ideally, this man is between 25 and 32, has a job with clear career goals (goals = sexy), lives in his own place (roommates are fine), and like a West Point cadet doesn't lie, cheat, or steal (or tolerate those who do). Bonus points if he cooks and enjoys Married With Children reruns. Think this sounds simple? Well, if it was I probably wouldn't blantantly announce my frustration on a blog. Good luck to all of those Bridget Jones-worshipping singletons out there - I am proud to be among your ranks.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Ocean State of Mind
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Life Is (too) Good
Lately I've been living well, a little too well in fact. After losing 35 pounds on Weight Watchers last year, I noticed while scarfing down Spanish food in Baltimore that my suits were a heck of a lot snugger than I could last recall. Good bye tapas, welcome back point system. Beer, chicken fingers, and ravioli are exiting for the moment as well.
Truth be told, I really don't have that much weight to lose - 6 pounds to be exact. Yeah, it's not earth shattering and a lot of you are probably scratching your head and thinking "shut the fuck up about your measly six pounds" but for me it's kind of a big deal. While it's definitely a lot more fun to gain weight (I seriously miss scotch and Shaw's cookie Tuesdays), I worked pretty damn hard to shed my double digit pant size. Thanks to long, romantic walks (by myself) during lunch, I've managed to ditch the Weight Watchers prescribed 2 pounds since last week.
I should reach my target weight by November 1, then the easy part is over. The hard part is going to be maintaining my weight throughout the cold New England winter. While I shudder at the thought of joining a gym (using equipment that someone just sweated on is fucking gross) I may have to suck it up and deal. I know that a lot of you are members of fancy gyms in the Back Bay/Beacon Hill/Brookline but if anyone knows of a good gym in the Canton/Stoughton/Norwood area or perhaps a magic pill then I'm all ears.
Truth be told, I really don't have that much weight to lose - 6 pounds to be exact. Yeah, it's not earth shattering and a lot of you are probably scratching your head and thinking "shut the fuck up about your measly six pounds" but for me it's kind of a big deal. While it's definitely a lot more fun to gain weight (I seriously miss scotch and Shaw's cookie Tuesdays), I worked pretty damn hard to shed my double digit pant size. Thanks to long, romantic walks (by myself) during lunch, I've managed to ditch the Weight Watchers prescribed 2 pounds since last week.
I should reach my target weight by November 1, then the easy part is over. The hard part is going to be maintaining my weight throughout the cold New England winter. While I shudder at the thought of joining a gym (using equipment that someone just sweated on is fucking gross) I may have to suck it up and deal. I know that a lot of you are members of fancy gyms in the Back Bay/Beacon Hill/Brookline but if anyone knows of a good gym in the Canton/Stoughton/Norwood area or perhaps a magic pill then I'm all ears.
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