Bikram Yoga Challenge: The NYC Sessions.

I made it from my hotel in midtown to the 3:30pm class in the Flatiron district this afternoon.

The studio looked different than both BYB studios, but it felt the same. The look was not as clean. Old. Dingy. But that's like a lot of places in NYC.

I grabbed a spot right in the front of the empty studio, which has space for about 50 people. The room began to fill up, and was maxed out by five minutes till start time. Right away, I got the sense that some of these people weren't very serious about their practice...

About 15 minutes into class, after a few postures, there was a bit of an uproar...

"Can you please turn this heater off?" screeched out one woman standing in the second row on the right side.

A few people nodded in agreement that it was getting too hot for them. I begged to differ, however.

The room was NOT any hotter than I have seen it get in Boston. In fact, it felt quite nice. Toasty. And the teacher had been opening a window when people started to whine.

And I have to confess, I find it extremely disrespectful to question an instructor. (I know, some of you may be wondering. "Since when do you find it wrong to question authority?")

These teachers have gone through extensive training. They know what they are doing. We are the students. So our only job is to show up and do yoga. We're not supposed to think. We're supposed to clear our minds and move.

Heck, I occasionally take classes in Boston with other instructors... And they NEVER question whoever is teaching. Because they know that they are not there to "back seat" instruct. So if they don't do it, then students shouldn't be doing it.

If it's too hot, sit down.

I will be going again, to the same studio, tomorrow morning. I hope the students have better attitudes. But the instructor was great.

This Ain't My Town No More.

I got to NYC this afternoon.

I was FINALLY able to take the subway from the airport. Back when I was young, and had no money whatsoever, I always made damn sure to fly into Laguardia airport, as that was the closest on to my apartment in Brooklyn... And it meant a $20 cab ride, max. Now, I prefer to fly into JFK and hop on the Air Tran to Jamaica, where I can catch the E train into the city. Took me 45 minutes to get to my hotel. So that was a nice change.

But despite this nice change, I am coming to the realization that this city doesn't "fit" me any more.

I was walking around the Flatiron district after my yoga class this evening. And the city doesn't feel the same to me. When I moved here seven years ago, I was young and naive. I was eager to soak in all the energy around me. I was eager to learn. I was eager to uncover a different life than the one I had been sleeping through until that point. I woke up when I moved to NYC.

And since leaving this city, I have lulled back into a nap of sorts. And I've been dying to wake up.

I don't know quite when I will wake up. But I am starting to stir. And my gut tells me it will be a gradual wake. Not an abrupt one. So it could be a little longer. But I am much closer to it than I was yesterday... Because now I know with out a doubt that there is no part of me holding on to the life I had in NYC.

It was charmed life. But it has no appeal to me any more.

Bikram Yoga Challenge: Week One.

I've made it through seven days of my latest Bikram Yoga Challenge. (Yay!) So this means I have 23 days left to go.

This time around, my body is "detoxing" a little more quickly. I've been fairly good about sticking to my food regime this time around. But there have been a few slips. The main slip has been with my water intake.

I normally rely on the BYB studio to get my water after class. They usually have a great stock of various waters in the studio fridge to buy. I typically get a coconut water and a fruit water. But yesterday and today, they have been missing both of these things. At least in the flavors I like them in.

I prefer my coconut water to be flavored, and not plain. Plain coconut water requires a refined taste. And with the vitamin water, they have only had peach flavor... And despite being born in the great state of Georgia, where peaches grow a-plenty, I do not like peaches. I have nothing against nectarines. But when it comes to the fuzzy fruit, I hate it.

So instead of getting a fruit water or coconut water, today I grabbed two vitamin waters. And this is dangerous. All that chemical goodness is NOT good for you.

But aside from the water, the challenge is going well. I have gone every day. There have been no issues getting to class. And for the next three days, I will be taking class in NYC while on va-cay.

So one week down, and about three weeks left!

TG's Guide To Style.

I JUST found out about this new series on Bravo this week... And I am so pumped for it!

Tim Gunn, who is a part of one of the few reality TV shows I love (Project Runway) has his own new show starting next week called, "Tim Gunn's Guide To Style." And it is going to be a winner from the start.

The premise of the show:

"...Gunn leads fashion-challenged women on an emotional journey to unearth their personal style. From wardrobe essentials, tips on how to shop, to finding the right fit, Gunn uses advice from his book, Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality Taste and Style, to arm each woman with the basics to own her look and make it polished and stunning."

Sounds awesome. True fashion advice for people. And from a man who knows what he is talking about. I can totally see Tim's advice being tactful and useful to all the women he tries to help in each episode.

"Such Beautiful Form."

That's what my trainer said to me this morning when I was working out with her.

Despite waking up 20 minutes before I was supposed to meet her, and then hauling ass to the gym, I was able to keep my form while doing various presses and pulls with my arms.

First, she had me try push-ups. But because I have a cyst in my left wrist, I can't put pressure on the wrist. So she 86-d that and had me do presses out, in push-up form, with the Free-Motion machine. Then I did pull-downs. Then we switched to the Kinesis machines and did similar exercises.

"Your form is so good," she said.

She says this to me often enough that I have point out something... My form is good because of my yoga practice. No lie, people.

I have tried talking people into taking a Bikram class with me a couple of times. And I always get the same response... "I need to get into better shape before I try it."

Huh?

That's "crack" talk, people.

Bikram is perfectly fine for anybody to try at any time in their life... Unless they're pregnant and haven't ever practiced Bikram before.

I've been practicing for nearly three years. I am till a beginner. It's a gradual progression with Bikram. There are poses that are a serious challenge for me still (hello, "standing-head-to-knee"), and there are some poses that are way easier for me than other people (triangle pose).

But one thing that is great about Bikram is that with each pose, you get into it, and then you hold it. Sometime for as long as a minute. Other times, you only hold it for ten seconds. Depends on the pose. But holding the pose allows your body to open up and fall into form.

You're not quickly moving from one pose to another, like in other forms of yoga. (As one instructor pointed out to me the other day.)

So, my yoga practice has definitely helped me prepare to work out with a trainer at the gym. Sucking in the tummy. Locking the legs. Holding shoulders back. Tucking your butt in. These are all things I learned in yoga first.

They're why I have beautiful form.

Fall Fashion: The Over-Sized Clutch.

I keep seeing this trend popping up in magazines over and over again. At first, I wasn't a fan... Because hauling around a big ol' clutch filled with stuff didn't seem practical. But now, I kinda like it... And am considering it for the Fall.

Here are a few over-sized clutches I like so far:

Python R Clutch


Marc Jacobs Quadri

Patchwork Toggle Clutch

Shamanic Healing.

I was able to connect with a Shaman who lives in NYC yesterday. I am finally going to be able to get a shamanic session (which I've been wanting to do since the Spring) while I am in the city this weekend. I want answers about my crazy dreams finally.

I'll keep you posted! But yay! Another reason to look forward to the trip this weekend!

Oh Holy Hell... BARNEY'S WAREHOUSE SALE!!!

Umm... This is why I need to be living in NYC again...



My friend Bon-Fier had to inform me of this glorious event. I hadn't even heard that it was going on because, well, see, I live in Boston.

I am SO gonna hit up the warehouse sale this weekend. It's up to 75% off on the stuff! I can not wait to get to NYC!!!!

Dreams: The Beach.

The Husband and I got a new mattress this weekend. And it is a wonderful thing. So last night was our first night sleeping on it. And we had a wonderful sleep. (More on it later though.)

Especially me. I ended up having another odd dream...

In this dream, I was on a beach. And had to take a buffalo to the water with all the other buffalo that were standing in it wading. The water was clear and aqua, like it is in the Turks and Caicos. The water was also calm. And there were hundreds of buffalo wading in the water.

I stepped into the water and walked my buffalo in, though I was worried at first. I was afraid
it wouldn't be able to stand up in the water. But it was fine.

Then, I turned around to do something else on the beach... I picked up a blob of something and placed it on the sand in a little ditch. I poured water into it, and a dolphin grew from the blob.

I have dreamed about dolphins a couple of times in the past. But never buffalo. Anyway... Here's what the dream dictionary says the symbols in my dream mean...

Beach:
To dream that you are on the beach and looking out toward the ocean, indicates unknown and major changes that are occurring in your life. Consider the state of the ocean, whether it is calm, pleasant, forbidding, etc.

Buffalo:
To see a herd of buffalo in your dream, signifies tranquility and plenitude.

Dolphin:
To see a dolphin in your dream, symbolizes spiritual guidance, your intellect, mental attributes and emotional trust. Utilize your mind to its capacity and you will move upward in life. Alternatively, it suggests that a line of communication has been established between the conscious and unconscious aspects of yourself. Dolphins represent your willingness and ability to explore and navigate through your emotions.

Hmm... Could it be the next evolution in the "Year of Me?" I don't know. But the water at the beach was calm. Perfectly calm. And I have no idea why the buffalo were there.

Miss Teen South Carolina: Take Deux.

If you loved her the first time... You'll ADORE her the second time around, with SUBTITLES!!!

Work Fridge.

So... A brave co-worker of mine, A., went into the fridge at work this afternoon. She was quite disgusted by the contents of he fridge... So she proactively began cleaning it out.

The sounds of her and another co-workers "Eww!"-ing were enough to make me run over and begin snapping pictures with my cell phone. Here are the lovely shots... (And, by the way, NONE of this stuff was my food.)

Apple-licious

Avocado-licious

Holy Salad Dressing

Moldy Baked Beans In a Can

Moldy Creamed Cheese

Moldy Goat Cheese

Potato-licious

Some of the stuff in the fridge is so old, it pre-dates me starting this job back in February. There were things in there with expiration dates that included "2006" on them.

And I have no idea why someone felt the need to open a can of baked beans, eat half of them, and then put them back int the fridge still in the can. You should never store things in a can. You should always put it in a seal able container to store.

Cruggs?

What the hell are these????




Actually, I know what they are... Maybe the better question is, "Why the hell would someone wear these?"

Seriously... I do own a pair of Uggs that I bought about four years ago. I have worn them out, and they are now in need to being replaced before next winter. But I wear them as they are meant to be worn... In cold weather. And I would never dare tuck my jeans into them. (T-t-t-tacky!)

And I have gotten used to seeing small children wearing the Crocs. And it's kinda cute. I can admit that.

But I will DAMN anyone who I see wearing these new pieces of crap... I will DAMN them to FASHION HELL.

These are not attractive. They're not practical. And they are fugly. Wear at your own risk.

Gaslight Bistro: A Bit Disappointing.

The Husband and I were able to get in at Gaslight, the new Bistro in the South End, for dinner tonight. And while not all of the dining experience was a "thumbs down," it was certainly obvious that this was a new place. It had a few kinks...

First, as a person who has spent more than her fair share of time waiting tables, I know when a person has too many tables in their "station." Our server appeared to have about six. That's WAY too many for a waiter at Applebees... Let alone a nice little bistro.

Second, the sound in the place was AWFUL. The music was fine. And I loved the chatter of all the other guests... But... There are tiles everywhere. And the acoustics were murderous at times... Especially when some other diner had the audacity to bring their toddler who (though they were across the restaurant a good ways from us) proceeded to scream and shriek in high pitched octaves throughout the 8pm dinner.

Third, I have to question the "freshness" of some of the food. I ordered the beet salad as a starter. The beets tasted "tinny" and old. As though they had maybe been prepped and roasted the day before... Which, quite frankly, is unacceptable.

Also, with regards to the freshness of the food... A colleague of mine went the night before we did and noticed bread was very stale. It was obvious that they had simply re-heated the bread, but it tasted like it was a day old. The Husband and I never got any bread. Everyone else around us did. But for some reason we were over looked. And since I couldn't bear the taste of my beets, I would have actually eaten the bread.

The entrees were excellent. I have to give them a "thumbs up" on that. We both enjoyed what we got... Steak frites for him and Pasta with short ribs for me.

Dessert and coffee though, that was another conundrum... We ordered the almond cake to split,and I ordered a cappuccino. I've made an almond cake before... I know what it's supposed to taste like. And again, we had a "staleness" issue. The Husband took his first bite at the same time I did. We stared at each other.

"I have to take another bit," said The Husband. And keep in mind, this is a man who will eat anything and have no problems with it.

We both agreed: STALE. Again, it was as if it had been made the day before and simply reheated.

Then my cappuccino... It was really more a latte. Some people just don't understand the difference between the two. Let me clear up the confusion for you:

Cappuccino: A third espresso, a third steamed milk, a third milk foam.

Latte: A third espresso, two thirds steamed milk. NO FOAM.

What I had was CLEARLY a latte. And CLEARLY not what I had ordered.

Now, given that The Husband loved his entire dinner (minus the cake) and the rest of the menu is promising... I am just going to call this one a "wash" since it was opening weekend for the joint. Plus, my dinner and drink were both quite good. I am just going to figure that I "ordered" bad things and should try something else next time.

Plus, all of the staff were very friendly. You could tell they were trying very hard. I am hopeful that my next visit in a few weeks won't be disappointing.

And if you can, avoid the beet salad. (Yuck!)

I Love U.S. Americans.

Especially this one.



Holy crap. Where the hell are this girl's handlers? She obviously isn't capable of thinking on her feet. She should stick to just thinking on her back.

How Hot Is It Out There Today?

It was DISGUSTING outside today. It was so hot, I couldn't handle walking the mile and a half to yoga... I took the SUBWAY. Now, that is just sad.

But seriously, it was also so hot that for a good portion of today's Bikram class the heaters used to spice the room up were NOT used. I walked into the room 20 minutes before class, and it was a 102 degrees... WITH THE HEAT OFF.

Needless to say, the class was not the best for me. It was rough. Too dehydrated. Tomorrow morning's class will hopefully be better.

10022-SHOE.

Oh... Only a week till I leave for my vacation in NYC... And one of the things I am looking most forward to is visiting the new shoe department at Saks Fifth Avenue.

It has it's own zip code, for crying out loud... 10022-SHOE! Check it out...



I don't know that I will buy a pair of shoes while there... But I will definitely be checking it out.

"So What's Your Major?" "Homemaking."

Getting ready this morning, I popped the Today Show on TV and saw a story about a new field of study available at a college in Texas... "Homemaking."

It's a major that includes courses in clothing construction/design, housekeeping, biblical family studies and the "value of a child."

And this, to be quite honest, sounds nice. It's not a major I would choose. But, if the students at this school have a genuine interest in it, then why not offer it?

However... I do have an issue with this new major at this school.

The major is ONLY OPEN TO WOMEN.

What the fuck?

Now, again, it's a major you choose to take. No one is being forced to study these courses. However, not having it open to men as well CLEARLY sends the message that this school thinks, ultimately, the caring for home and family resides with the woman of the house.

That isn't the type of society I want to live in... Where it is expected that the woman take care of the home and the children, while the man goes out into society and earns the money.

Let's be real people, money equals power and freedom. You don't have to have a lot of it, but everyone needs to be capable of earning enough to take care of themselves when they are an adult. And I'm sorry, but there are very few jobs that a person can get that will pay them enough with having a "homemaking" degree.

I think classes that teach people how to take care of a home are fine... But don't call it a "major." And don't let it be open only to women. That's just sexist. And this religious school is perpetuating the sexism.

Shame on them.

Sinking Floor Dream.

Had a vivid and odd dream last night.

Lately, I haven't been remembering too many of my dreams. The ones I do remember seem to always include a house, and me trying to find a bathroom. But last night's dream was different...

I dreamt I was living in an older apartment. It wasn't a pretty apartment. But it was charming and cozy just the same. The floor was made of a decrepit old, slanted wood. And there were boards missing from it.

I was sleeping in this apartment when my cell phone started to vibrate, as I had set it as an alarm to remind me to get up. I went to pic it up, but it fell out of my hand. And it bounced on the floor and into the slit of one of the cracked floor boards.

I went to go pick it up out of the crack, but I wasn't quick enough. It started to slip further and further into the crack. And then, all of the sudden, the floor started to crumble into the dirt below the boards... And I watched the cellphone, still vibrating, sink further and further down.

I couldn't reach it. But I wasn't really worried. I wasn't expecting a call or anything. It was just set to the alarm.

I left the room to go get help with the mess from my landlords. I couldn't find them. And when I came back into the apartment, almost the entire floor was gone. Just empty space beneath it. There were a few slabs of boards for me to hop from to the other side of the room.

Then I woke up.

I have no idea what the dream met, even after consulting a dream dictionary...

Cellphone:
To dream that you lost your cell phone, represents a lack of communication. You have lost touch with some aspect of your feelings or your Self.

Floor:
To see a slanted floor in your dream, foretells that you are deviating too far from your original plans and goals.

Sinking:
Some important and significant stage in your life may be coming to an end. Consider what is sinking and its significance.

You're Not A Loser...

I find the word "loser" to be such an ugly and negative word.

No one wants to be a "loser." And to be honest, when you think about it... There are varying degrees of "not winning." For example, you could be the "runner-up." Or one could say you came in "third out of five teams."

The simple fact is that some teams "lose" more than others. So not everyone should be lumped into the same group when it comes to "not winning." So I have come up with a better term to describe these people/groups...

"Win-Lessers."

I often say to people (especially random children), "You're not a loser. You're a 'win-lesser.'"

And it's true. In my world of magical ponies, unicorns, rainbows and fairies, there are no losers.

But not everyone is a "winner." So keep that in mind.

B.S.: What The HELL Is This?

I was busy at work today and didn't get to read much Perez till I got home this evening. But... Did anyone else get a chance to read his post on the new single from Britney Spears that is being developed?

Listen for yourself. It's complete crap. So very bad.

Raven "Stella" Wide Leg Jeans.

While I love the new Paige jeans I wore the other day, I must confess... My Raven Stella pair are my most favorite pair of jeans right now.

Check 'em out!


(Raven Stella Jeans, Marc Jacobs tunic top, Mar Jacobs Black Velvet "Mouse" Flats)

The color of the denim is fantastic. They have a stretch to them too, which is always appreciated. And the denim is a light-weight version... So the jeans actually feel like trousers and not heavy, study denim.

I got looked up and down quite a bit on my walk to work this morning. Mostly by girls checking out the jeans.

I'll be rockin' these probably once a week till I wear them out. They're that cool.

It's Very Gouda!

Yeah... Because I'm sure you haven't heard that joke ever...

Anyway...

The other day, while at the Whole Foods in Beacon Hill (which, I must confess, is the BEST Whole Foods I have ever been in to), I came across a package of butternut squash and Vermont maple syrup ravioli. It sounded yummy. And on my way home from work today, I was thinking how divine it would be to make for dinner.

But first, I realized I needed to figure out what I was gonna top the pasta with...

"Butter?" I asked myself. "Sure! But what else? Cheese? But what kind of cheese?"

So I hit the little gourmet shop next to Garden of Eden on Tremont Street. The cheese lady there was able to make a great recommendation...

"Well," she began, "It it's got maple syrup in it, you'll want something to compliment that. So how about the aged Gouda? It has a butterscotch aftertaste."

She was right. It did.

I purchased a huge chunk (because I like to nibble on cheese) and brought it home.



The pasta was yummy. It tasted like pumpkin pie with the squash and the syrup. And the salty snap of the Gouda was, indeed, the perfect compliment.

I love it when a plan(ned dinner) comes together!

He Can't "Take It" Anymore.

Wow...

I've been with the man for a total of 6.5 years (3 years married), and I have never seen him this passionate about something. (Other than me, of course!)

But The Husband is totally serious. He's had it. He spent quite a bit of time last night and today talking to me about our "problem" again. He's pretty much beating a dead horse though. I mean, it was initially my idea.

I was the one who suggested it MONTHS ago. And he never once took me seriously. He just grunted in "agreement" at me. But he never once took the initiative. But I did research and came to my own decisions. And then I dropped the idea.

I wanted something different, and he wasn't ready to admit it yet.

But NOW... He's in agreement with me. AND, he's acting like this is all his idea.

"We NEED something different," he says to me. "I just can't take it anymore!"

So, we have decided to part ways soon...

With our mattress.

My husband does not like to plunk down large sums of money for a single item. But the man has a passion right now for finding a top of the line, quality mattress to replace the nine year-old piece of worn springed crap we currently have on our bed frame.

It's the mattress the bedroom set came with when my parents bought it for nine years ago. It's been through about seven apartment moves... Two of which crossed state lines.

When we lay down on it, we can feel the coils pressing into our back. This is part of the reason I sometimes sleep on the futon in my home office, and he sleeps on our couch.

The mattress has been flipped many times... But it's worn. There's even a section in the center of the bed... a thin strip... that is the same thickness the mattress was when I got it. The two sides are worn down though.

So we are scoping out the Tempurpedics and the Posturpedics... And this weekend, we are hitting a mattress store and plunking down a small fortune for something that will prevent our backs from getting whacked out. (Though, we won't be going this crazy with spending on a mattress!)

To be a "happy couple," you need to have a "happy bed." And right now, our bed is deteriorating like the Bush Administration. (Crappy Administration = Unhappy Country.)

30-Day Challenge: I Start Friday.

I've decided that I will start my third Bikram Yoga 30-Day Challenge this Friday.

I haven't done a challenge since January. And now that I have an annual pass at the BYB studios, I really should be going more than once or twice a week. (Which is what I've been averaging lately.)

This time though, I'm going to be following a stricter diet to go along with it. In the past, and lately, I get a sick feeling in class because I haven't been healthy prior to class. So here are the rules:

• Only one cup of coffee each day. In the morning. But not right before an AM class.
• Water, water, water. At LEAST one liter, before class. (I actually don't drink enough water. Pretty sad.)
• No white flour or white sugar. (It slows you down.)
• Absolutely NO sports drinks... Including Vitamin Waters or Gatorade. They are loaded with sugar. Fruit Water and Zico water are fine.

The white sugar thing will be the hardest. I eat a lot of white sugar. Also, I will be doing three of my classes while I am away in NYC over Labor Day weekend. It's fun to mix it up a little. I can't wait to see the difference between BYB style and BYNYC style.

Uppers: Sometimes I Need Them.

Sorry to disappoint... I'm not really referring to "drugs" here. The"uppers" I am referring to are cookies.

A while back I saw this cute ceramic storage vessel by Jonathan Adler in a magazine.

It's quirky and fun.

I had forgotten about it until the other day when I was walking home and saw it in the window of Motley Home.

It's a cookie jar with spunk. And I think I may have to get it.

Are You Trying To Tell Me Something, God?

Seriously...

Do you ever have those moments in your life where you keep finding yourself blocked over and over again, that you have no choice but to conclude that God/Fate does not want you to do something?

How am I supposed to interpret these signs?

It's quite funny, actually.

"They're NOT Bell Bottoms!"

... This is what I screamed at my husband this morning after I got dressed and he looked me up and down.

"I guess they're not technically bell bottoms," he said. "But you're not fat. And you keep wearing clothes that are too big and over power you!"

(Nice recovery dude.)

I however, really love my new Paige Premium Denim Hillhurst Wide Leg Trousers that I got from Jean Therapy. And other people have complimented me on them today. See for yourself... Today's full outfit...

(Paige Jeans, Chloe Flats, Chloe Edith Satchel, Anthropologie Button Down, J. Crew Tank)

I'm telling you... Wide leg trouser are gonna be all the rage this fall/winter/spring.

Hair Cocktail.

When it comes to my hair (which is wavy and uncontrollable lately), I have to be very intentional with my conditioning.

I can't just slather on any old conditioner. I need a conditioner for uber-dry hair. And it has to come in a bulk container, because one "quarter-sized dollop" ain't gonna cut it. Try a quarter of a regular-sized bottle. And that's with my hair in it's new shorter do! (Although, I swear I only cut my hair a month ago and it has already grown an inch!)

But in addition to piling on a lot of conditioner, I have to let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then I comb it out with a huge wide-toothed comb while in the shower. Then I let it sit for a few more minutes. Then I rinse it out.

Next comes the "leave-in" sprays. First is Bumble and Bumble's Hair Tonic. This is to get the hair primed and tingling to receive the next two elements of the cocktail...

Next comes the Ojan Revitalizing Mist. It smells awesome and really, truly works. If I hit a knot or two in my hair while combing it out, I spray some more of this stuff on and the comb passes right through.

Finally, I sleek on some Bio Silk Silk Therapy Treatment. I don't always (usually) straighten my hair... But even if I wear it wavy, this stuff helps control the frizz.

Ah... The things one does for their hair! I need to actually start fixing it nowadays. I've been to lazy the last two years. I usually just "wash it and go." But now it's time to actually start fixing it again.

Crazy, but I often wish I had thin hair. It would be a lot easier to maintain.

I Am A "Cultural Artist." It's In My DNA.

A friend from work sent me the link to this posting on a Media Post blog today. The piece is about how women spend money.

A survey was completed by women ages 18-49 where they were asked how they spend money, and how they identified themselves in terms of being an "influencer." The survey also asked how much they spent on average annually on fashion, beauty, health, wellness and food. Here's how it broke down:

Cultural Artist will spend an average of $7,672 annually
Natural Hybrid $5,383 Annually
Social Catalyst $6,035 Annually
Content Responsible $4,778 Annually

About the "Cultural Artists": This 11% of consumers falls at the highest end of the influence spectrum as the super influencers. Almost half stated they frequently go shopping just to see what's new in the stores. They are always shopping and almost all of them (97%) are willing to try new and different things and generally, want to be the first to try new things on the market , with a significant 85% reporting so. Surprisingly, they do rely strongly on information from friends, particularly across fashion, technology and health and beauty.

All so very true when it comes to me. I am open to trying different things. And I always read and ask others for opinions on what they think. I mostly rely on others when it comes to technology. When it comes to fashion, there are only a few people whose opinions I value.

Karl Rove Is A Stupid Fucking Liar.

Anyone else watching Meet the Press right now?

Anyone else angered by the smarmy-ness and evasion of Karl Rove in this interview?

I wish him the best in whatever he goes on to do next.

My only words for him, "You're an asshole. And you're 'spinning' is transparent. It was transparent to many of us from the beginning. But it's more transparent to so many more now. Asshole."

"Bitch!"

LOL!

I was able to get out yesterday and get some of my fall shopping done in town. I picked up the two Vince items I wanted...

The black cashmere sweater dress. (Which looks great with tights under it or jeans.)



And the cropped plaid jacket.


I chose to purchase the items at Saks instead of Neiman or Barney's. I don't like that Neiman only takes cash, American Express or the Neiman Marcus credit card. I wanted to use my debit card, since I have saved the cash. And I couldn't find the black dress at Barney's.

Saks is always crowded on Saturday afternoons. Whenever I make the trek in, I always see a slew of men (husbands and boyfriends) who are stuck sitting in the women's section while their women (wives and/or girlfriends) are running around trying stuff on.

"Poor bastards," is what always goes through my head.

I would never make my husband come shopping with me and wait around while I tried stuff on. That's just cruel. And he hasn't done anything bad enough to warrant that. And besides, I don't want his opinion nor his money to pay for my clothes.

I was walking around the women's section with my two items when a sales associate asked me if she could start a dressing room for me. I handed her my stuff and thanked her. She was dressed very cool. Jeans, a caramel-colored leather motorcycle jacket (by Vince!), jeans tucked into high boots and a faux-hawk styled on top of her head.

After I tried my clothes on and determined that both were indeed "must-haves" for the season, I brought them up to pay for them. The stylish sales associate assisted me with this.

"What size is this Vince jacket?" she asked, pointing to my cropped plaid piece of divine pleasure.

"It's a 'medium'," I told her.

"BITCH!" she whispered to me loudly, looking right at me.

I LOVE sales associates with cheekiness!

I laughed hysterically at her audacity and asked, "Is this the last one? You wanted it?"

"I think there are some more in the stock room," she laughed back at me. "These weren't selling until we put them on the mannequin. Now everyone wants them."

It's a really cute jacket. I'm glad I snatched it up. She and I continued to talk about how much we love the Vince line. And also Jean Therapy. She was very knowledgeable about style.

So if you're ever in Saks at the Prudential Center, Cheri is THE sales associate to help you. She knows her stuff.

In Celebration Of Gabrielle.

Bust out your pearls and your little black dresses ladies (and gents, if you must.) For today is (was) the birthday of Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel.

The only Chanel I can afford is the nail polish. But I long for a 2.55 bag.

Maybe someday...

"Did You See Me On TV????"

Oh Husband.... We've been married three years... And yet, you still don't realize the following...

I don't give a crap about watching baseball on TV.

Even if you are lucky enough to score seats directly behind home plate, next to the whoever owns the team... I will still not watch baseball just to see you on TV.

Why?

Because that would entail me having to watch baseball. And watching baseball on TV (for me) is B-O-R-I-N-G. I would rather go to mass in Latin than watch baseball. (And I won't go to mass in Latin.)

Really Husband... You should know this by now.

You should know how I spent my evening:

• I read the New Yorker.
• Then three fashion magazines.
• Re-read the article in Vanity Fair on Judi Nathan Guiliani. (What a BITCH!)
• And watched season two, disc one of "Weeds."

It was a very nice evening. Watching baseball on TV, alone at home would have ruined it for me. It would have been a good evening wasted.

I can certainly appreciate, and in fact have many girl friends, who do like to watch the Red Sox play baseball on TV. I admire their ability to enjoy the beauty in the game. I just don't have it.

I am beauty-less when it comes to baseball.

Vacation Days Dilemma.

Dang!

I just realized I have 15 days of vacation left to take after August. And so far, I only have plans for 9 more days to take. So that leave 6 days of time off that I have to use or lose.

I need to plan another vacation on top of the two I'm already taking in November (Turks & Caicos) and December (Phoenix.)

Ideas, anyone? Six whole days...

Fall Shopping List.

So far, I have purchased a few of my fall season items.

Two wool cardigans from Vince. (Navy and dove grey.)
Elbow-length cashmere fingerless gloves from Vince. (Black and dark grey striped.)
Paige Premium Denim "Hillhurst" wide leg trouser jeans. (Jean Therapy rocks!)
Raven "Stella" (I think they are "Stellas") wide leg trouser jeans in a dark wash. (Again, Jean Therapy.)

I'm trying to focus on getting things that are "fall appropriate." And, I only have about a third of my shopping budget left for the season. Also, these items HAVE to transition into my Winter/early Spring wardrobe as well. So I have to be selective about what else I need/want.

I had been hoping for a new pair of knee-high boots. (Black leather or grey, with a four inch heel maybe?) I haven't bought a new pair of boots in about three years. But, I am also craving a new bag. (Balenciaga "Part Time" bag!) But I can't have both.

So, do I get my old boots re-cobbled and get the bag? Or do I get a pair of boots and a few more tops for the season?

I also wanted to get the Vince plaid cropped jacket and the sweater dress. (Which would look so SWEET with the boots!)

I guess I have my answer as to what I have to get...

He's Tuckered Out.

We have a really nice back deck off our bedroom. Not only do we love it, it's a big hit with a family of squirrels living in a nearby tree.

They like to run along the banister, and jump off it. Occasionally, I catch one lounging on it, like this morning...

Totally blurry picture, I know. But it was difficult to shoot fast and clear. But you can see that the squirrel is flopped on the railing with his arms and legs hanging off.

The life of a South End squirrel is so rough.

Girl Crushes: Ginnifer Goodwin.

My friend Bon-Fier and I were chatting online this afternoon about female celebrities we are currently fascinated with and crushing on... And we both came up with the same celeb...

Ginnifer Goodwin!


(Pictured here with my other celeb girl crush, Zooey Deschanel.)

Ginnifer is so petite and so cute. Beautiful skin, gorgeous hair and entrancing eyes. What's not to love? On top of that, she is adorable as Margene on HBO's Big Love. Who are you celeb girl crushes?

"Girl! Yo Ass Is Fine!"

Wow!

All the training sessions must REALLY be serving their purpose. I mean, why else would the Downtown Crossing BostonNOW paper hawker scream that my bum is "fine?"

I am disappointed though. What about my face? Am I ugly?

Great! Now I have self esteem issues.

Another SEO Pirate? WTF?

I have some serious ass-kicking to do.

Brevitt sent me this site earlier today... There's another SEO Pirate out there? Someone has stolen my search marketing identity!

I knew I should have trademarked the name! But at least I can claim it in Gmail and AIM.

30-Day Challenge: It's That Time Again.

September is only a few weeks away. I was thinking that it will be time to do another 30-day Bikram yoga challenge again.

I haven't done one since January of this year. So the transitioning from summer to fall would be an ideal time to go for it again. And with the new fall schedule, it'll be easier to accommodate work, training sessions, acupuncture and Bikram all together.

I can't wait! I should hit Lululemon for a few more yoga tops!

No, I Don't Have Time...

... to help save children. (People in red t-shirts.)

... to learn about the ACLU. (People in black shirts.)

... to understand how I can help defeat Dick Cheney and get him impeached. (People in dark blue shirts.)

or

... to hear about Greenpeace. (People in light blue shirts.)

There are too many eff-ing people on the street trying to raise money for causes today. It's getting ridiculous.

Best Film Of The Year So Far: The Waitress.

I realized on my flight from Boston to Seattle last month that I had never written about a great film I saw earlier this summer... The Waitress.

I was playing on one of the bazillion channels you get on the Jet Blue flights. But I had seen it earlier in the season at the theater. It is a fantastic film. Total chick flick though. But one I think men can appreciate too.

It's the story of a waitress (played by Kerry Russell) who lives in a small town and lack self esteem. She hates her husband, as he is an asshole. He lets her have no social life. And he makes her give him all the money she earns as a waitress in a pie diner.

She is a gifted pie maker, and spontaneously comes up with new recipes while working. She is plotting to leave her husband when she discovers that the one time they've had sex in the past few month has made her pregnant.

Life sucks for this lady. She just can't get a break to freedom.

Here's the trailer. But it doesn't do the film justice. I can't wait for it to come out on DVD. I will definitely be picking it up to own in November.

Evil Downstairs Neighbor Is Actually Cool.

I don't know exactly why the wind changed in favor of this acquaintanceship... I only know that it happened when I wasn't looking.

Some of you have seen me post about my evil downstairs neighbor... And how he occasionally liked to play his music too loud on Saturday mornings while I was trying yo watch TV. And, he was never friendly to any of us in the building. He seemed angry.

Then, the day of the Gay Pride parade, he invited me to a block party... Which I wanted to go to but couldn't I was having energy work done.

Then the strangest thing happened two weeks later...

Saturday afternoon. About 1pm. The Missus is walking home from her gym, sweaty and gross. All she wants... All she needs... Is a shower. A LONG shower. Because she is that sweaty and gross.

Up the stairs of the bow-front brownstone. Into the inside doors that are usually impossible to open. This is where she encounters the evil downstairs neighbor looking flustered with his apartment door wide open.

"Hi!" sez The Missus.

"Ohmigod!" sez E.D.S.N. "I am flustered! I don't know what to do!"

"What's wrong?" asks The Missus.

"I have like THE most important date tonight at 6pm and I don't know what I am going to do!" sez E.D.S.N.

"That's five hours away," sez The Missus. "What do you need to do that will take more than five hours?"

"Hello!" screechez E.D.S.N. "This place is a WRECK!"

The Missus looks around. E.D.S.N.'s friendly dog is lying on the ground. The apartment looks pretty fab. The Missus tells E.D.S.N. this.

"Nothing is right!" he sez. "And this is like the most important date of my life! It's with an ex from 15 years ago!"

"How old are you?" asks The Missus. "Because you look like you're in your late 30s. And that means this guy has to be someone you knew in high school."

The Missus isn't trying to butter up E.D.S.N. She genuinely thinks this. The guy looks fairly young still.

"Ohmigod!" sez E.D.S.N. "I'm older! But this is the ex who was a jerk to me. And he's now come crawling back. And he told me he wants to get back together and spend his life with me. And he is so hot now! And he wants to marry me!"

This is when E.D.S.N. takes The Missus to his computer across the room and pulls up a website for her.

Manhunt.net. (Please don't visit this site during work hours people.)

E.D.S.N. starts navigating through pages. A lot of the pictures posted online are of guys showing off their rock hard bodies as well as pictures of their rock hard something else's. (Eww!)

But The Missus does not outwardly judge (often). She has a great poker face (occasionally).

E.D.S.N. finds the picture of his ex he is looking for.

("Thank god!" thinks The Missus.)

"Ohmigod!!" sez E.D.S.N. "See how hot he is? What am I gonna do?"

The Missus looks at the picture. The guy is good looking. And he still has all his hair.

"Here's what you do," sez The Missus to her new confident. "You play hard to get. You play hard to get for a good while. You do that, and every thing will work it self out. And you'll get an even bigger rock for your finger than you were expecting. Just don't give in too soon."

What else could she say? It's been way too long since she navigated the love lives of gay friends. It only makes sense that she applies the same advice she would dole out to her straight female friends when it comes to love and marriage.

Worth A Watch: Alpha Dog.

Yeah.. I'm just as surprised as you probably are with the title of this posting.

I heard negative things about the movie Alpha Dog. But people got it wrong. And I only rented it to check out Justin Timberlake's acting skillz. (He's so dreamy. Enough school girl crush crap though.)

This is a movie about people who like to get high. They like to get high, and help others get high. So much so that they end up seriously eff-ing up their lives. They let their anger get the best of them. And before you know it, they are all in some serious crap.

The journey with the characters definitely pulled me in... And I really enjoyed watching it. Though, it was so sad in one part, that I had to fast forward through it. I couldn't bear to see the bad thing happen.

Anyway, it's a good movie. And Justin Timberlake takes off his shirt a whole lot. So that was nice too.

Annual Turks Va-Cay!

FYI people: This is a good time to be searching for cheap vacations to the Caribbean.

I was just online, as I have been occasionally the past few weeks, searching for cheap flights to the Turks & Caicos for American Thanksgiving this year.

The Husband and I love the T&C so much. It's low key. It's quiet. It's a great place to even take toddlers and small children for a nice, quiet, family vacation. But if you do crave the excitement and night life, you can always stay at the Club Med.

As for us, we are staying at the Royal West Indies again. These are incredibly conveniently located resort condos on a great part of the beach. In fact, they're right next to the Club Med, but far enough away from it to get some quiet... Because all The Husband and I like doing is laying on the beach and reading.

Another great thing about this particular resort is its proximity to the Ports of Call. This is the shopping area on the island. You can pick up food supplies there to make some meals in your condo.

But, the BEST thing about this trip is the price I just paid. Less than $2k for five days and airfare!

Holy crap! I can't wait to go!

A Blog About Nothing.

I was pretty lazy this weekend. I worked out. And met a friend for coffee. But other than that, I didn't feel like doing a dang thing. I lacked motivation, even though it was beautiful out.

How lazy was I? Well, let's just say, nothing would excite me enough to leave the house on a Saturday night. Imagine the following scenario...

Saturday evening. 7:16pm. The Missus is in her home office, flipping through online fashion sites.

"BRRRRNG! BRRRRNG!"

The silence of the room is disturbed by the loud shrill of the ugly-assed, bedazzled cell phone she longs to chuck out the window.

She looks at the number. It's a New Jersey number.

"Does anything good ever come from Jersey?" she wonders out loud. "And, do I know anyone in New Jersey?"

She does not. But she decides to take a chance and do something she never, ever, ever does. She answers her cell phone, despite not knowing who is on the other end.

"Um, hello?" she says in her best Zonie imitation.

"Hi. Is the The Missus there?" asks the voice on the other end.

"Umm, not right now."

"This is Person X. I am an editor from L & S magazine. I found her info online through ZZZ website. I was wondering if she was available to go to a bar tonight to check on a rumor?" asks the lady on the other end.

"Umm, she's like not in right now. But I can leave her a message if you like, yeah?"

"Sure!" says the lady. "I wanted to know if she could go to J.J. Foley's tonight and get some one to confirm if a rumor we heard was true."

"Oh! Is this the Justin Timberlake and Kate Hudson rumor?"

"Yes!" screeches the lady. "Do you know if it is true?"

"We heard about it earlier today. But we don't know if it's just a like, rumor. Ya know?"

"Great!" says the editor lady. "Well, can you have her call me back at 973-555-5555 when she gets in? It's urgent!"

"Sure lady. Let me get a pen."

The Missus pretends to get a pen and takes down the info.

Yeah... I read gossip online. But there's no way I want to write it. Or scoop it out. That's not what I am about.

So what am I about?

Well, as someone I recently met told me...

"You have a blog about nothing," he said, taking another sip of fruity wine.

"Yeah," I agreed with him. "It pretty much is about 'nothing.'"

"But you do it well," he said.

I guess this is a compliment from him. But it's true. I blog about nothing in particular. Just whatever happens to pop into my head.

Sometimes, "nothing" is entertaining.

THE Trouser Denims To Buy.

Was flipping through glossies this afternoon and came across a picture of the most fabulous trouser denim jeans I HAVE TO HAVE...

Paige Premium Denim "Hillhurst" Wide Leg trouser jeans in the dark "Celestial" color.



Ohmigosh... They are incredible. Have I ever told you how much I love jeans? And these are totally dressy and work-appropriate.

I must e-mail Jean Therapy to see if they have them or can get them in...

It's So Easy...

... to get sucked into sitting in front of the TV on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon when you happen upon the Anne of Green Gables marathon on WGBH.

I'm such a sucker for this mini-series. I was seven or eight when it came on TV originally. It's one of my favorite television things from my childhood. This and when Michael Knight became "evil Michael Knight" (also known as "Garthe Knight") on Knight Rider.

You could tell he was evil because he had a mustache. I am sometimes evil. But I don't have a mustache. (Because I shave it off every day. It grows back every night though. A circle has no beginning or end.)

Anyway... I think it's a "girl thing."

The Anne of Green Gables thing.



Not the "mustache" thing.

Husband's Out of Town... Dinner Is Still On Him.

The Husband and I have separate financial accounts. We don't share checking savings, retirement or portfolios. We are the beneficiaries of each other's accounts. But I don't want anything joint until we decide to have children or buy a home.

However...

I do know his credit card number by heart, including the three digit code on the back.

I know it because I am the one who does all the online purchasing of dinners, plane tickets, vacations and gifts for friends from their registries. Often, The Husband will just pay for these things. So he gives me his credit card. And now I have it engraved in my memory.

I just ordered a nice dinner in for this evening. On him.

Ha! Ha!

Lady-Like Pumps.

My husband would be in serious trouble if Marc Jacobs wasn't gay.

Not only is he a gorgeous man, but he makes incredible things to wear. It would be impossible for me NOT to stalk him.

My latest obsession from MJ? The Ruffle-Front pumps!


These are perfect for a Fall work outfit. They are a sage-green leather, with three and a half inch heel. That's the perfect size heel to stay in all day! Not too high, but high enough. And I wouldn't necessarily make myself go completely "lady" in them... I would dress them down a little...

I'm picturing these with denim wide-leg trousers, the perfect long sleeve white tee, and a cropped plaid jacket.

I Kicked Out!

I haven't had a chance to sit down and write about my special yoga class from the other night.

It was a great class!

Esak Garcia set out a challenging class for everyone in the packed room. He kept telling us to go further in the postures and challenge ourselves. He also talked to us about yoga competitions... And said that even if we didn't think it was something we could do, we should consider competing.

"You're competing against yourself in these competitions," he said. "When everyone comes together for competitions and commits to doing their best, it's a positive energy."

He was basically saying that even if you are a beginner, you should compete because you will be better off after having challenged yourself than if you hadn't.

The highlight of the class for me, though, was finally kicking out in Dandayamana Janushirasana, the "standing head to knee pose."

This pose has been problematic for me for the nearly three years I have been practicing. I have only kicked out a few times. But in Tuesday night's class with Esak, he told me to kick out. (At least, he said it in my general direction.) He said I was ready. No more just holding my knee up to my chest.

I'll be going to yoga tonight after work. I can't wait to see if I do it again.

"You Need to Eat More Meat."

This is what both my acupuncturist and my doctor hinted at recently... Apparently, I AM a little anemic, even though I thought I wasn't. My acupuncturist called it too.

In this week's session, she asked me how I had been feeling. I listed the status of some of my conditions from the previous week, and she asked, "Did your doctor check you for anemia? Because what you are listing are symptoms of anemia."

I told her the doctor last month said I was fine. But my recent blood tests from earlier this week show slight anemia. So you know what that means...

I gotta start eating more meat again. Red meat, ideally. And it shouldn't be too hard to find places to get some... I mean, there are three steak houses all within two blocks from me here in Downtown Crossing... Moo, KO Prime and Ruth Chris.

Ugh... Meat. But I would rather eat meat than eat more spinach. I have my standards.

Cold and Sleepy.

It is freezing in my office today. My fingers are icicles now. Makes working a little difficult.

In addition to the cold, I am really tired today. My company had an outing yesterday afternoon, which lasted into the late hours of the evening. We started with beer before we left the office, and ended with wine at a co-worker's roof deck in Back Bay. I didn't get home till close to midnight.

It was a lot of fun though. And I was even a bit mischievous and left a "surprise" in our business manager's desk drawer.

(It's a half-drunk bottle of Sam Summer Ale. I was buzzed when I took it. Sorry!)

Sometimes I am evil.

Hmm... Coffee...

Wow! I haven't had coffee in a few days and needed a buzz this morning. (Got "worked" in the AM workout.)

So here's a picture of me drinking coffee.

Yes, I posted a picture of me. But I am slightly obscured. Plus, I am having a good hair day today. So I felt comfortable posting this one.

An Unnecessary FedEx.

Umm...

I worked from home yesterday because of doctor's appointments that I had in the morning. But I got an IM mid-afternoon that I had received a FedEx.

I wasn't expecting anything... And I had a sneaking suspicion I knew who it was that sent it.

I swear, this vendor wastes a LOT of money on FedEx envelopes to me. And I have told them repeatedly, "no thank you."

Yesterday, they FedEx'd me a triple-highlighter.

Good times.

They're Very "West Egg."

I read The Great Gatsby way before I ever watched the movie.

It's a great summertime read. My place of choice to read was on summer afternoons that I had off from the Evil Empire while in Central Park.

I liked the book much more than the film. This is because I had a whole vision in my mind as to what the fashion from the 1920s would look like set against the story. It was similar to that which I saw in the film.... However, in my mind, there was much more focus on the shoes. They barely showed the shoes in the film.

Well, while browsing Anthropologie's website earlier this week, I began to take note of the shoes they have available that are very "Gatsby-esque."

Crisscross Booties


Suede Noisemakers


Scale Skipper Heals


I love these shoes... But I wouldn't even know how to translate them into my every day casual fashion. Maybe once I find more dresses to wear to work, I will consider these shoes. I just don't see them working with jeans for now though.

Possibly wide leg trousers though...

Podcasting Is Really A Two-Person Thing.

So, a few months back I was tooling around with Garage Band on my Mac. I discovered it was super easy to actually do a podcast. And my intention was to do them at least once a month.

But I have discovered something...

Podcasting should really be a two-person (at least!) thing. It's not as exciting when it's just one person.

So... I just wanted to put the word out that if anyone in Boston would like to help me brainstorm a theme and put one together every few months, let me know.

You can email me at commongroundblog (at) gmail.com if you are interested.

How To Break Up With Your Significant Other.

LOL!

A friend of mine at work sent this to me. I thought it was hilarious.



This is why I never did the "break-up/make-up" thing in relationships.

Bottom line: If two people are that unhappy together that they need to end it, then it should probably just end. And stay "ended" for a long while.

Till after you both have gone on and dated other people and had other relationships. And then maybe you should get together in the future.

I Am Frigid?

This happens every time after acupuncture...

Last night's session was relaxing. (They all are.) I am having some issues with stress and my liver. No, I don't feel stressed. But I have been having pain in the area on my right side where my liver is... And when Emily stuck the needle in the pressure point on top of my foot that corresponds to my liver, it freaked out.

We deduced that I must be subconsciously stressed about something. But consciously, I feel very good. And quite happy.

Anyhoo... I left acupuncture very relaxed. And I again had a very vivid dream last night. It's actually one I have had before (I think, it felt familiar).

In this dream, I was walking through very thick, very highly piled frozen stiffly snow. It wasn't soft. It was as if it had fallen, and then because it was so cold, re-froze. I was able to walk through it easy enough. In some cases, I was able to stand on top of it and climb to higher snow drifts.

So this morning, when I woke up, I hopped online and looked up what this could mean...

Snow
To see snow in your dream, signifies your inhibitions, repressed/unexpressed emotions and feelings of frigidity. You need to release and express these emotions and inhibitions.

I have no idea what I am frigid about. It sounds sexual. But it probably is not meant that way. It's gotta be something else. Something I am repressing. But I am pretty good at expressing my emotions. That's never been a problem for me.

I am always more sensitive after energy work.

A Very Special Bikram Class.

I am really pumped for tomorrow night's Bikram class in Boston.

They're having a guest instructor teach the class... Esak Garcia. He's a championship yoga instructor. I was checking out his bio and pictures from his site... And all I can say is "Holy crap!"

Check out his bow...



And his triangle...


And his full locust...

Hot Chocolate Ice Cream.

While wandering around Whole Foods last Friday afternoon (skipped out on work early), I got a nice surprise in the Frozen Foods section... A new flavor of ice cream peaked my interest.

Red Fire Ice Cream by Vosges Chocolate.



It's dark chocolate ice cream with ancho and chiptle chillies and ceylon cinnamon. The bites taste sweet. But it's the after taste that tingles the back of your throat.

They have a few other unique flavors in addition to the Red Fire. But I am a fire sign. And besides, I love spicy foods. So this is probably my new favorite ice cream. After strawberry. (It's a classic.)

Love the Louboutins. Not the Ad.

I was watching TV the other night and caught the ad for Sarah Jessica Parker's new fragrance, "Covet."

The ad has it's high points... Like the gorgeous dress SJP is wearing. And the Louboutins on her feet that she to kick in the window. But other than that, I don't like the ad.

I don't get "crazed" and "starving for the perfume" from her. She can't do crazy.

Watch for your self. What do you think?

Shit Cliches.

When I worked at the agencies... Very little sometimes got accomplished because everyone was too busy throwing around "shit cliches."

I've since moved out of the agency world, but I miss hearing the cliches. So I thought I'd bring it into my current work place.

An exchange with my boss from just a few moments ago regarding my work...

The Missus: I'm going to be proactive while moving forward so that I can go the extra mile.

Boss: As long as you think outside the box.

Yeah... No one wants to be boxed in.

Pink Hair Has To Go.

So, you may recall (if you read this blog regularly) that I wrote a few weeks back about how I was going to have an eggplant-purple streak put in my hair. Well, I did have it put in. Bu it didn't come out purple.

It came out hot pinkish-red.

I do like the color. But it's novelty has worn off. And to get the color to stick, they had to bleach my hair first. And that has fried a portion of my hair. So I am coloring it all back to black tomorrow night.

And now I can say I have rebelled and colored my hair... Which is something I never did when I was younger.

Ah youth... Trying to hang onto the last few shreds of it now.

People From The Suburbs Are Afraid Of Catching "Gay."

(My sincerest apologies to those of you who saw this posted on Universal Hub. I took this original post down after re-reading it later last night. I felt it was a bit to too bitchy. But I realize now that this is what blogging is about for me... "Getting things off my chest."

I didn't realize Adam at Universal Hub had posted this entry to the site.

And, I don't hate suburbanites. I just don't like hearing people hate on my hood. And yes, I do see the irony in this post. So comment-away people! Namaste.)

Sorry. I know I shouldn't generalize.

The Husband and I have friends who live in the suburbs... But what I am talking about are people who live in suburbs WAAAAY outside the city.

So, I'm sure you're wondering, why do I think people from the suburbs can be stupid? Let me take you back a few days...

It was Thursday evening this week. I hopped out of a cab across the street from my building after an early evening Bikram class. I am sweaty. Tired. Cold. (Yes, cold. You get cold very easily after practicing in extreme heat.) I just want to get across the street and into my apartment. But something is blocking my path.

Parked in front of my building is a large limousine bus. The driver is standing in front of it. He looks kind. That's when I notice a gaggle of khaki shorts, BoSox t-shirt-wearing men with twin sets and mom-jeans wearing women walking towards the limo bus.They look annoyed. They look out of place. They sound obnoxious.

"Paul!" one of them screams to the driver, in a heavy Masshole accent."What the fuck? You take us to a fucking gay bah-restaurahnt?"

They all laugh, and others scream the same sentiment to the driver. He looks ashamed. I feel bad for him. These are obviously out of touch jackasses.

Here's a tip for all you suburbanites who don't read up on or frequent the city that often...

The South End is a gay neighborhood that is"straight-friendly."Actually, it's now a very diverse neighborhood. And we try not to go around attacking other people's lifestyles too often. All are pretty much welcome anywhere. Straights, gays, all races and even little babies are all welcome pretty much any place at any time. Hell, we even tolerate some people's noisy pets at restaurants!

The restaurant they had just walked out of was Tremont 647. They took offense to the huge rainbow flag hanging outside of the establishment.

Guess they were afraid of catching the gayness. I wonder if they were at all afraid of catching the "yuppy-ness" populated in this neighborhood too?

Fucking "burbanites!"