Apparently I'm The Most Unorganized Organized Person

Ummm since when does it snow in mid-November and then go up to 60 degrees like 3 days later?!  What is going on lately?!?!?!?  Seriously - I can't handle it.  Everyone is getting sick, my migraines have been out of control, can we please just pick a temperature and somewhat stick to it?? 

Which brings me to my dilemma this morning.  I've been really trying to go to the gym before I go  into work, which, yes, is totally gross.  But my nights have been so nuts lately and that's always the first thing to go.  So I've been trying to get into a routine of 6:30 am wake up, on some sort of equipment by 7 am, showering by 8 am and work by 8:45 am at the latest.  It gives me time to do what I need to do and then on the weekends I can enjoy a spin class or Pilates.  I digress…this morning I walked out in cropped pants, sneakers, tank top, thankfully I put on a long sleeved shirt over my tank top and then my coat.  I walk out of my building and literally it's like monsooning out.  The wind is insane, it's raining and it's about 1 degree.  I was completely unprepared for the elements.  Which led me to thinking that since I've been doing this whole morning routine I have been unprepared in more ways then one.  My intentions of being all good and healthy and doing this in the morning are good, the outcome...not so much.  Every morning I look into my bag with this same expression:

I have either forgotten or brought the wrong thing…examples:

- No undies (had to go to the Gap when they opened to purchase a new pair)
- No bra (had to wear my gross sports bra until I could go to the Gap to buy a new one)
- A sweater that matched my outfit…only to find a huge hole in the armpit
- A skirt that totally fit last year…not so much this year
- Stockings…with a run
- Tights I thought were opaque tights but were really just sheer stockings (not a good look when you need tights)
- No moisturizer for my face (which sounds stupid, but I'm using things now that make my face basically feel like cracked clay without it)
- No commuting flats (so I had to rock the tights & sneakers look)
- No brush - which is just awesome
- A dress that is blatantly too short (shrunk in the wash and wasn't that short last time)

I know there is probably more, but this is all I can talk about at this point.  I've come to work more times than I'd like to think about dressed like a complete maniac.  Good thing no one really talks to me.  Womp womp.  Or maybe they just don’t talk to me because I either look like a crazy person or the office slore…either way...I need to get more thoroughly organized in this routine!!!

 

Working for the Weekend

Ugh - so here we are again.  Monday.  You are my Everest. 

 I hope you all enjoyed your weekends.  I managed to squeeze some fun out of mine!  Friday was another ridiculous co-worker extravaganza.  Once again I found myself out until 2:30 am with some work peeps.   So that happened.  I don’t even know - so ridiculous.  Saturday I wasn't as bad as last week, but managed to be a complete POS until about 1 pm when I actually decided to get off my couch and embrace the day!

I had a day of "me" on Saturday.  Honestly - I think it's so important and every girl should have one, at least every few months.  I knew I was having my lil bday swaray (by swaray I mean I told friends to meet me the Rusty Knot on Saturday night), so I wanted to get myself dolled up and ready to go.  my first stop was Denim Habit on the UES.  I know I've discussed this place before, but I'm so obsessed.  I literally stood in the doorway pathetic and said "dress me".  Well challenge accepted - I walked out with a bagful of new clothes!  Including an outfit for the night and a new pair of jeans that I'm obsessed with.  This never happens.  Jeans shopping for me is up there with bathing suite shopping - actually I might even think its worse. But these girls know their shiz…they nailed the style and size in the first shot!  Here's what I got…

Henry & Belle's Super Skinny Ankle

Luxe Junkie camis - UNREAL

Zoa shirt - you can see the look better with the pic below - but i got this color

After that I went to Benefit to get some new makeup.  They proceeded to just do my makeup.  The girl was really sweet - a lil bit of a flake/wing nut.  For example when she started doing my eye make up she got pretty far along and then freaked out, wiped it all off and started over.  She was a treat!  But I got a few new things that I really enjoyed using this morning…

Amazing eye primer

Pore-fessional - it's great to put under moisturizer

Amazing concealer - Boi-ing

My last stop was a blow out.  I'd never been to one of those places before - so it was really fun.  I went to Fix Beauty Bar (Vicky did my hair).  It was so nice to just sit back and let them do it for me, but also not have it look "done".  I also had a manicure while I was getting my hair done which was amazing - time saver and you just felt pampered!

I then took myself home and got dressed to go out.  we had dinner at Frankie 570 which was delish, not too $$, but great food/drinks.  Then we proceeded to Rusty Knot and Automatic Slims for a lil dancing action.

Sunday I did my closet - worst task ever!  I hate changing summer/winter stuff.  It's such a process and I dread it every season!  That is one thing I can't even wait to have - a closet big enough that I don’t have to partake in the ritual every season!  I finished my weekend with a fab TV line up of…Big Rich Texas, Revenge & RHONJ Reunion.  Umm can we discuss the reunion - did not disappoint.  Love it - and some people are still continuing to just bring on the cray-zay!

Oh Ron...Do Go ON!!

Hello friends!  Happy gross Tuesday!  It's raining and not pleasant here - so hopefully it's a lil nicer where you are.  How were all the weekends?  Mine was pretty solid!  I'll recap for you.

Well my bday was on Friday, so there's that.  I woke up, got out of bed and said - make this a good day!  I didn't feel like doing anything, but I was trying to pump myself up.  So I took extra time doing my hair & makeup, put on new outfit, and embraced the day.  I left my apartment and it was kinda misting out, but not too bad.  I literally didn't even make it up the block and the skies opened up - TORENTIAL down pour.  I was like a drowned rat. 

I had an umbrella but it didn't do a thing with the sideways rain that was going on.  I finally got to work and I was basically wearing no shirt because I had on a white button down.  So it was like I was just wearing a skirt and my bra.  One of the "head guys" at work who's about 78 years old was like "umm do you want a shirt, I have an extra in my closet".  Totally sweet, but I just stomped passed and mumbled "I'll be in my office wringing myself out - see you in an hour".  And then my secretary scurried in and gave me her desk fan which she set up for me so it would blow in my face and try to dry me off.  Oh and did I mention that my hari was a rats nest and I had makeup streaming down my face?!  Oh I didn't - well that happened!  And don’t worry I'm still using bronzer to pretend I'm still tan from the summer - so my face was basically half brown/half white and I had mascara dripping down.  So that's how the day started - awesome.  The rest of the actual day didn't improve by much.  And all my friends here weren't going to be here that night, so I planned on just going home and wallowing. 

So I left work, went and got a mani/pedi - trying to salvage the day.  After that a girl I work with (who was supposed to be going out of town) texted me and told me to meet them at this bar because she was going to stay in the city after all.  So I was back and forth and then forced myself out.  And I'm glad I did - it wound up being a great night!  Just a few work peeps and a lot of alcohol.  We went to a few different bars and things were getting a lil cray.  We randomly met these 2 men from Haiti who were amazing.  They were older and talking to us for awhile.  Oh this was after some other man spilled his glass of red wine down my leather bag (that I got in Barcelona) and I almost lost it/burst into tears.  Anywho…the one guy, Ron, was quite a character.  At one point I was standing with my work crush (oh don’t worry he was there all night buying me drinks and having fun) and this was our exchange with Ron:

Ron:  Are you 2 brohter and sister??

Us:  (giggling/shocked because we look nothing alike) umm no!

Ron:  Well good because you 2 need to date!

Us:  (laughing awkwardly, giggling, me looking at the floor/turning purple, etc.) 

So basically we're married now - at least according to Ron.  Soooo after that we wound up at this dive bar. Really fun - and this is when things start to get hazy.  I know I invited myself to a co-workers wedding (awesome) and I know I took myself home around 2 am.  I also know that I changed my shoes on the sidewalk. I also know that I woke up on my couch in a t-shirt and undies around 6 am with the TV & lights on with Whole Foods mashed potatoes in front of me.  So choose your own adventure as to how my night ended. 

Then Saturday morning came and I felt atrocious.  I was heading to West Chester, PA to see some of the girls.  I made a miraculous recovery though by the time I got there and it was all good.  I was able to power through and have another fab night!  We went to a great dinner, caught up, and went out to few fun bars.  All of us pretending we still "have it"!!

All in all it was a great weekend - despite it being my birthday!  Happy work week - we're almost there!! 

Cupid's Arrow Must Have Missed Me

Happy V Day!  Not to be confused with "VD DAY", which is something I'd never want to be involved in!  Sooo I've had a bit of an interesting day today.  Let me break this down for you.

- Wake up, as per usual.  The girl living above me screaming "HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY"…this is not as per usual and this was certainly NOT the way I wanted to begin my day.  Nevertheless, here we are.

- My hair was like static central.  I had taken a shower the night before (after the gym) and so I decided to throw it up in a cute ponytail, but the static was uncontrollable.  So I tried to curl it a bit, put it up, sprayed it and now it won't move - apparently I have like ammmaahhhzing hair spray. 

- Can't choose what to wear.  Didn't want to wear "red" and be cheesy, but didn't want to wear all black and be "that girl".  So I choose a black dress, black tights & red pumps - cute right?! 

- Got caught up in the Today Show…annnnd now I'm late!

- Roll into work late, awesome.  Go to my office, I'm sweating because I basically ran the mile to work.  My wrap dress is all discombobulated and basically my boobs are hanging out.  Quickly fix that. 

- On my way to get my daily breakfast of grapefruit, I run into the "head boss" guy here.  This was our exchange:
 
Me:  Morning!
Him:  Ohhh you're all dressed up today!  You look nifty!!
Me:  Umm I dress up everyday!
Him: Welllll sometimes.
Me:  Awkwardly giggle and slow jog back to my office. 

Sooo basically I thought I was dressing up for work most days - apparently not so much.  Sweet.

- Back to my desk to receive this card from my bestest Valentine - Isabella.  This pretty much made my day.

- Filed my taxes.

- Went to the school I volunteer at during lunch.  I swear if you ever need an ego boost - just catapult yourself into a first grade class.  I literally opened the door and they were screaming "I missed you" "We love you" "Will you be my Valentine".  It was great!  Made me smile!  So they were bananas today - they had a few "parties" and were literally off the walls.  The hour went by quickly - I almost felt bad leaving the teacher - literally they were insane today!

- Grabbed a salad on my way back to work.  The salad guy was the most action I got all day.  As he was handing it to me, he winked at me and said "Happy Valentine's Day".  Awesome - I heart you! P.S. the salad was awful - not sure what happened - but I basically had to throw it out. 

- So now I'm hungry and I'm heading to a spin class after work - hope I don’t pass out. 

- Celebrating tonight with a glass of wine and some last nights' episode of The Voice & Real Housewives of Orange County! 

I hope you all have fabulous Valentine's Days!!  XOXO

Holi-DON'T

It's that time of year again for all sorts of holiday gatherings and celebrations!  I had my company party last week and it was relatively tame - no major stories to come out of it!  Except for when I became a Southern Belle for a fraction of a second and then was awkward.  Recap:

My Boss (passing me in the hall):  Hey Lizzie, are you going to the holiday party tonight?
Me (turning around):  I sure am!  (in the Southernest of Southern voices - aka I was from Savannah holding a parasol).
Then I turned on my heels, he looked quizzically at me and I awkwardly slow jogged back to my office.  Off to a good start!!

So that aside, all these parties that I've been attending/that I'm going to have reminded me of how NOT to behave at functions.  Obviously everyone should let their hair down a bit and have a good time, but there are a few things that you shouldn't do - let me tell you a lil story about a MAJOR don't at the company party…

At my last job we had this amazing holiday party every year - I mean it was like black tie-esque, at a hotel ballroom, dinner & a live band.  Sooo much fun!  We all went to someone's house before and pre-gamed…aka it was a show.  Let me also remind you that this was back in the day that Ruby and I worked together - so things got a lil cray to the cray.  We were each other's "dates" and were feeling pretty good before we even got to the party!  BUT we had nothing on what was about to ensue.  It was all going swimmingly, we were schmoozing with the "big guys" and having a lovely time.  The band was amazing - nbd but I may or may not have had a "tap dance off" with our top top guy. 

I mean I don’t wanna brag - but I broke my heel - I was that passionate about my dancing.  It was amazing. Anywho, it was dinner time and everyone was just relaxing, finishing up their meals, having pleasant conversations.  The music was slow.  When all of a sudden - IT happened.

Let me give you a lil back story - we had this receptionist - let's call her Mystic.  She was very "free spirited" and a lil off center.  Extremely nice, but just not "all there" if you will.  She had been with the company for a good amount of years, so everyone was pretty used to her antics.  But no one understood what exactly she was capable of. 

So back to the story…finishing dinner…everyone having a pleasant evening…cut to the empty dance floor and slow classical music being played (by a CD, not even the band).  All of a sudden Mystic takes the dance floor.  She begins what would be about 5 SOLID minutes of lyrical dancing.  

I'm talking full out LYRICAL dance.  All over the floor, flailing about, arms swaying, legs jumping.  Just when you think it was about to end…nope!  She runs and slides onto the floor on her knees, rolls on her back and does a few scissor kicks/fan kicks in the air.  Oh and did I mention she's in a dress?!  I mean - undies were flashed.  At one point one of my colleagues begins videoing and when I prompted him to stop, he replied "Are you kidding?!  This is going on You-Tube as 'what not to do a company party'".  Unreal.  Finally someone went out and told her maybe she should not be doing this.  

And if you were wondering - she didn't even care - she simply  informed everyone that she "never really had any training" - oh I'm sorry?!  Shocking - you NEVER had training?!  You were flailing about on an empty dance floor in front of 300 co-workers - and that's what you have to say for yourself?! Hilarious!

Soooo next time you get that itch to entertain 300 of your nearest and dearest on an empty dance floor … think of Mystic.  Please for the love of God  - think of Mystic!

Story Hour

HAPPY FRIDAY YOU FOOLS!! I'm so sorry I've been so MIA and I PROMISE to be better - is swear. And by just saying that - now I have that song in my head "And I swear by the moon and the stars in the sky…" Ok - so back to reality here. Work situation has been out of control and I know I've used that excuse in the past - but it has been a lil cray cray. But I'm here now - so let me just give you 2 quick update stories that I know you'll love for your Friday afternoons!

Story #1:
My brother and his family are in town for the week - which means one thing - NEPHEW TIME!!! And obvs he's my favorite person of life. We had dinner last Sunday night. Oh and let me give you a back story. That day I went to the park - sweat my butt off laying out - then took myself to a movie - I'm such a fun date! So before I met them - I ran home jumped in the shower and threw on a dress - aka I did NOT look cute. No makeup, hair askew, dress - meh. We were finishing up dinner and my nephew was getting a little antsy, so I offered to take him next door to Pinkberry (our fave). So I picked him up, walked next door and a guy was holding the door for me. I look up and who is it - oh yes - that's right - I guy I used to make out with in college. Awesome. I was like a deer in headlights.

I haven't seen him in about 9 years and quite honestly - the next time I ever (if ever) wanted to see him again is if I was a size 2 wearing a huge rock on my finger. But we all know my luck and that just wasn't in the cards. So this was our awkward exchange instead:

Me: oh umm hi
Him: hey - umm hi
Me: so been awhile
Him: yeah - I mean I guess it really has (glaring at my nephew)

Then I walked inside and him and his girlfriend/wife/lady friend were behind me in line and no other words were exchanged. And of course my nephew took this opportunity to hug/kiss me and tell me he loves me. Obviously - I melt and can't get enough of that! So then we sat down to eat by the window - he left - tapped on the glass and waved. Amazing - now it's prob a common misconception that I'm a poor single mom living in NYC. Looking hella tired and awful. Sooo there's that.

Story #2:
So last night I was out with work peeps and obvi I invited Chase to come along. We don’t get to see each other on the weekends lately and so we try our best to find a way during the week! We're at this divey bar and of course mid-way through the night I start having kinda stomach pains and just need to use the bathroom. Oh and btw - it’s a unisex bathroom - like all the stalls are unisex and you're all in there together. So awkward - esp with work peeps. We all know I have stomach "issues" and of course last night they decided to re-affirm their place in my life. Lets just say about 15 (possibly 20 - don’t judge me) minutes later I emerged from the bathroom to find Chase running towards me all "where have you been?!?!?!"

Clearly I explained my situation to her - but then all the work people started chiming in. So my excuse - there was a line (which clearly there wasn't and someone called me out on it) and then I got into a deep conversation with the bathroom attendant. And there you have it. Why is this my life?!

I hope those little snippets will get you through the rest of the day and spring you into the weekend! I'm headed down the shore for some much needed R&R. Let's just hope I don’t melt/come back looking like a lobstah! XOXO

Book It

Today I feel kinda like this:

Like I'm spinning and spinning but not really getting anywhere. I feel like I'm all over the map and need to just situate myself! Work is hella crazy and I'm kinda over it. Hence taking a lil break to write this up! I just needed to not talk about "work things" for about 15 minutes. Then I'll be ready and refreshed to plow through these last few hours!

Is anyone else really tired today?! Like to the point that you can barely keep your eyes open?! Guess who feels like that?!

This girl!! Right here! I did not sleep a wink last night and I'm really dragging. I need a little boost - but I just don’t know quite what that is. I believe me laying on the couch may or may not be involved. I don’t know if it's the sweltering heat or the fact that I'm burning the candle at all ends possible. I just need a weekend of absolutely NOTHING. And unfortunately - that is not in the foreseeable future! However a beach weekend is on the horizon - next week - so I'm almost there. I can make it - I can do this.

Speaking of the beach. To all my readers out there - I need a good book! I saw this one in B&N last night - but wasn't sure.

Any recommendations?? I'm in need of a good beach read - so nothing TOO heavy! I generally like light, fun books - think Shopaholic and things of that nature. However - the last REALLY good book I read was The Help and that was phenomenal. If you haven't read it yet - do your self a favor and pick it up! It is worth it! And the movie comes out this fall - I can't wait!! It seriously was the best book I've read in quite some time - possibly even since my high school English class days of The Great Gatsby, Catcher in the Rye, and To Kill A Mockingbird. It was just THAT good.

So send some suggestions my way!! Who's got fun plans this weekend?? I have a work thing tomorrow night - that's about negative fun. And then a few things out there for the weekend. And it's gonna be a nice one!!

Red-Sweatitis

Here’s the thing – I have some sort of syndrome/issue.  Every freaking time I get caught off guard/someone comes into my office/I have to talk to a group of people unexpectedly/etc. – I turned PURPLE/RED and immediately start SWEATING!  It has nothing to do with being embarrassed or hot or even shy – its some sort of “red-sweatitis” – I think that’s the medical term.  It’s seriously starting to get RULL old. 

For example (and I have a million) – take today.  My work crush came into my office to just “say hi” and chat.  The second I turned around and saw him in my doorway – this was me…

And here’s the thing – I wasn’t embarrassed at ALL to talk to him.  I was not hot - I was actually quite comfortable with the room temperature.  So why was this happening?!?  And the more that I thought about it – the worse it got.  And then I was even more awkward.  I wasn’t even doing anything weird when he walked in – I was actually working!  So while we were chatting – I could feel the flushness going down and my sweating was coming to a halt.  I tried as best I could to just carry on a normal conversation and interaction.  But the damage was done.  I was/am MORT.TI.FIED. that this happens when he catches me off gaurd.  I had seen him the day before in the kitchen, when I walked in, and nothing – no problems.  What is wrong with me?! 

I think the main cause is when I get caught off guard.  When I know I’m going to see him, or know that I have to give a speech – I’m totally fine.  Calm, cool & collected.  Well that might be exaggerating a bit – but you get the point.  It’s just awful though.  I mean the sweating is bad enough – but my whole face turns red and it travels down my neck!  Atrocious!  It’s just so obvious and out there!

So my question to all of you – is anyone with me?!  Am I in this alone?!  And if you know what I’m going through/suffer from red-sweatitis – do you have any advice?!  HELP ME!!

Bills, Bills, Bills

Today I had a few interesting moments.  Another installment of “bills, bills, bills”! 

• In my office building at lunchtime they bring in a piano player to play in the lobby.  I think it’s a little odd – but whatever sometimes it’s nice to hear the music.  Normally they play things like show tunes – a little Beauty & the Beast, sometimes Billy Joel, things in that genre.  So today I go down to head out to grab my lunch and guess what was playing??  “I Wanna Know What Love Is” – oh, I’m sorry, what?!  What the heck kind of song is that to play at lunch piano time?!   Oh I also think it’s worth noting that the “pianist” was about 45, with long curly Michael Bolten-esque hair.  He was also swaying back and forth and mouthing the words to the song.  Awesome.
• I then go out to grab my lunch at the salad place down the block.  As I’m calmly walking – singing the rest of “I wanna know what love is…” in my head, this woman comes flying at me.  She was about 80 and heading straight towards me on her Razor scooter.  I’m sorry – I thought that those went out in 1998.  She was sailing along on the sidewalk and almost rolled right over me.  Good thing I have cat-like reflexes and was able to jump out of her way!
• When I got back to my office I came across this website – which completely changed my afternoon.  It’s a blog called – I’m Remembering – and it’s pretty much a legit “blast from the past”.  I was totally enthralled.  It’s all about toys, games, foods, etc. from our growing up era.  A few things caught my eye – things I haven’t thought about in awhile. 

This actually still gets me through my hung-over Sundays - reruns!

My sister actually had one - totally jealous!  It was mint green.

I mean - Rainbow Brite - it doesn't get much better!

We all had one - mine was a fabulous purple/pink.

I totally heared my sticker book - don't worry I had Michael Jackson stickers - Thriller!!

Best before bedtime snack in the summer!

          What are some of your things you’re “remembering”?

•  I made this great dinner tonight – totally low carb/fat.  I’m kinda obsessed and it was ridic easy and quick!  It was Deep South Shrimp & Sausage.  I subbed the turkey sausage for chicken (it cut the fat that much more).  I just ate it without any “sides” – and it was perfectly filling.  A simple salad would be a good accompaniment, too.

• I then rounded out my evening with a few episodes of Modern Family.  That show – honestly – I can’t even stand it.  I literally laugh out loud EVERY TIME!!  I. Just. Can’t.  So freaking hilar!  I don’t have that many shows that I have this reaction to – but this one – gets me every stinking time!  Cam’s facial reactions are priceless and all of the characters are just so on point!  If you don’t watch it/aren’t a fan yet – do yourself a favor and watch it/enjoy it!

Nashvegas

Before I get into this fun lil recap – I have to take a quick side-step.  I walked into spin class today and low and behold the lady from hell was back!  Only this time – her music choices have shifted.  It seems now she enjoys hard-core rap.  We only listened to the likes of T-Pain, Snoop Dog. Lil Kim, etc.  Unreal!  And she just swayed away up there!  I don’t even think she said a word other than “1^st position”, “3^rd position”, etc.  Redic!

Ok, so Nashville!  I was heading down to this fine lil town for a work conference.  Basically I was dreading it and not totally excited, but ever the optimist, I figured it’d be an opportunity to see a little bit of the city.  It has been on my “list” for quite sometime, so a free trip doesn’t hurt! 

I got to the airport for my crazy early flight (8 am) and finally got to my gate.  I was in throws of reading my “guilty pleasure” magazines (People, Us Weekly, etc. – I treat myself when I travel) and I glanced up.  There was this short lil woman standing in front of me with a full fur coat and an entourage behind her.  I stared figuring it was prob someone famous and low and behold – it was Joan Rivers!  Amazing!  She was very “put together” at that hour of the morning and was cracking jokes with the airline people (that’s prob the only time I’ve seen them smile and it was most likely just because she was famous).  I just kept looking at her smiling awkwardly hoping she’d take me under her wing and make me famous.  SURPRISE – that didn’t happen!  But we were on the same flight – so I guess that’s a step in the right direction.

I got to Nashville with enough time to explore the city a lil bit before the conference started.  So I ventured out on the streets!  We were staying in Downtown Nashville,  I figured there’d be enough for me to do within walking distance.  I started walking, looking all around, feeling so “cultural” that I’m out and about all by myself!  Then I began to pass all these prostitutes and homeless people and began to pick up the pace a lil more.  Finally I got to the “honky-tonk” area where all the action was.  I walked up and down that street and saw the Country Music Walk of Fame.  But that was it.  I had heard so many great things about Nashville, but I was kinda disappointed.  Granted, I’m sure there is SO much more to it than just the area that I was in, but for some reason I just envisioned it differently.  Anywho – I found this place that came highly recommended for lunch, Jack’s BBQ.  And it did NOT disappoint!  AMAZING!!  Prob the best BBQ I’ve ever had – by far!  Which I think it is worth noting that I did not know I was in a different time zone (and didn’t figure it out until much later that day) and I felt like an idiot because basically it all came together and made sense why I was getting weird looks at lunch – umm maybe because it was like 10:15 AM and I was all about my BBQ – sometimes I wonder how I function on a daily basis!

So the conference was good and your typical work conference.  A lot of “networking” and learning and talking and discussing.   But the best part was that I me these 2 other girls that were so fun.  We wound up becoming “besties” and went out the both nights we were there.  The first night we wandered up to where I had been that morning.  There is just a huge stretch of “honky-tonks” and bars.  There were so many to choose from.  So basically one of the girls spotted a cute bouncer and that is how we made our decision.  Obvi – the best way to decide EVER.  The place was awesome – it was called Tootsie's.  Soooo much fun.  All the bars down there play live music – which I love – and the bands/singers are actually really good.  I feel like some of them are all trying to be the “next big thing” and I wouldn’t be shocked if some of them made it. 

The next night was a bit more entertaining.  We went to an obligatory dinner and then out again.  The first place we went to was great.  We met this most random “couple” ever.  The guy looked like he was about 12 years old and almost like a bad Dana Carvey character on SNL.  He had a cast on one hand and was just all a mess.  The woman was about 45 years old and was seemingly having a good time!  They were all over each other in a disturbing/your making out with a  mom kind of way.  Then the kid took a liking to one of the girls I was with.  She discovered that he was “trucking” down through the south and he broke his hand so that woman was his new “trucking partner”.  What?!  So many things about that statement.  I mean that’s gonna make for an awkward ride in the morning!  So we left that bar because people were starting to get creepy and went back to our old stomping grounds – Tootsies.  And there we met a few more for the books.  When we first got there this woman came flying at us.  I’m not sure if she was albino or what really was going on.  All I can say is that she had white hair – like not blonde – like fluorescent white – and it was spiky and short.  Next she didn’t blink.  Her eyes were constantly open and wide and big and DID NOT blink.  I kid you not – it was the weirdest thing ever.  And I’m almost positive she was on something – she was flailing around the bar and dancing like a lunatic.  So bizarre.  And then, one of my favorites, was the old “cowboy” that just made you feel uncomfortable.  He approached me and I was trying to just look the other way.  Then he came over and started twirling my hair – yup that’s right – twirling my hair.  I tried to get away and his finger was actually tangled in my hair – so disgusting!  I literally wanted to die – I hate when people touch me – let alone old cowboys that twirl my hair!  WTF?! Why is this my life?!  After that – we pretty much decided to call it a night.  But we did have fun and the music was awesome!

So the next day was the last day.  We all said our good-byes and off we went.  It took me like a million years to get home because of all the bad weather.  But , seeing Joan Rivers, Jack's, Tootsie's, making new friends, and having my hair twirled – all while in Music City  -  totally worth it! 

It’s In The Mail

So I’m new at my job. And while I won’t go into job related details, I thought you’d enjoy this story. There is this guy, Ross. Basically he is the only young, cute, “single” guy I work with. So you can imagine my delight when I talked to him for the first time at a summer work event. We chatted for a bit. Realized we knew mutual friends and we went to rival colleges. Let’s just say I was already smitten! I had my first “work crush”. I personally think that a “work crush” is a valuable asset to your workday. It allows you to have that “giddy” feeling after you see them in the hall.  It just makes it easier to to overcome that “pit in your stomach feeling” when you’re in the throws of some awful task. So there we have it – I was now the proud owner of a “work crush”!

So a few short days after our first encounter, I was doing filing in my office. Hair askew and not wearing a cute outfit at all. I hear a knock on door, spin around only to find Ross standing in my doorway! It was like out of a movie- he was all cute and casually leaning against my doorframe. So what do I do – turn purple and start sweating! Equally as “casual” and “breezy”. So there I was in throws of an embarrassment hot flash! I tried to compose myself and just be normal. We chitchatted for a few minutes and then he said, “I thought your office would be decked out in all your college gear, like flags and stuff” (knowing my love for my alma matar). To which I replied, still to this day not knowing why, a simple “IT’S IN THE MAIL”. Oh, I’m sorry what?! It’s in the mail!! What does that even mean?! After these fateful words were uttered from my mouth, I quietly looked away, hoping he didn’t hear me. He then said, “well good talking to ya” and off he went. What is wrong with me?! Why can’t I just be normal?!

Update – Ross apparently has a GF – and no it’s not me! I’ll keep you posted on if things change and obvi I’m sure I’ll have more awkward encounters - let's just call a spade a spade!