Angela's Visit

My friend Angela came to visit last weekend. After she convinced her husband it was safe to fly, she arrived Friday afternoon.

We went to see "In the Heights" on Broadway Friday night. It is a hip hop Latin play based on the Washington Heights area of Brooklyn. It was so good! Of coarse there was an old lady sitting next to us who had no clue what to think of it but we enjoyed it and that is all that matters. Plus there was plenty of eye candy to look at :)

Saturday we started the day out eating at the fantastic Pancake house by my apartment. Then we headed into the city to start our 2 day double decker bus tour. Yes you heard me right we totally did the double decker bus. It was a good way to see all of NYC in two days. I am a nerd so I would of liked to learn a bit more about all the things we saw but it was perfect for Angela. All she cared about was not walking and taking a picture of every damn thing she would never remember.

Our first stop off the bus was at Central Park.

We took a rickshaw around with a guide and got the whole tour. We were going to rent bikes but thought this would be better in case we got lost. We warned the guide about hauling our fat asses all through central park but he was a good sport about it. It was such a nice day in NY that day. 63 and sunny. Would of never guessed we had 6 inches of snow earlier that week. Everyone was out running and riding bikes in the park. Needless to say we felt like lazy asses while this poor guy biked us around and all these fit people are out running.

I took this picture for Michelle so she could finally see the John Lennon memorial. And a reason I love Angela...she didn't know who he was. Gotta love her.

After the uptown tour we headed to Harlem and then to the World Trade Center. It was hard to see ground zero because of all the construction but we did visit the tribute museum. They had original police artifacts and items on loan from families. It really made it all so real to both of us.

Next was off to Chinatown. The only place you can find what use to be a Jewish Synagogue turned into a Buddhist Temple with a 99 cent store on the first floor.

Then we took the night tour circling around to see the Brooklyn Bridge and Time Square all lit up.

The next day we took our tour of Brooklyn. Starting off viewing the Brooklyn Bridge again and getting upset our ice cream place was closed. OMG they had the best butter pecan ice cream I have ever tasted. We stopped to take a few pics and then were off to Brooklyn to see the sights. Nothing too exciting in Brooklyn but at least I can see what I am not missing by living in Jersey.

When we visited the bridge on the night tour there was a Chinese lady getting her picture taken next to a coke machine. You have the Brooklyn Bridge and all of NYC as your back drop and you take your pic next to a coke machine? WTF, damn tourists. Angela and I took pictures to pay tribute.

After our tour of Brooklyn we just went shopping ate more pizza and went to Junior's for the best cheesecake!!!!

Needless to say I was struggling at work on Monday because of the long weekend and the time change, but I was so glad Angela came up to visit.

Fire

"The fire alarm has been activated, please exit the building" This is what I woke up to at 3:30 am this morning. And of coarse the intense flashing of the emergency light above my bed. I put on my coat and trucked down 6 flights of stairs to stand out in 10 degree weather while the fire fighters figured out what was going on. As I looked at the building I noticed all the tenants standing in the lobby. Shoot if they want to stand in the lobby of a possibly burning building let them, my ass went across the street and stood in their lobby. My momma didn't raise no dummy.

So after about 20 minutes and no cute firemen :( we had the all clear to go back in. Turns out some idiot was smoking in the common areas and set off the damn alarm. Bad enough I have to smell that shit everytime I go out and about, but damn is it so much to ask to go outside to smoke in an apartment building. If you don't like smoking out in the cold, chew some gum or get a patch damn it!

So after I finally get back into my apartment I notice the emergency lights are still flashing. Needless to say I had to sleep with my head under the covers to avoid the strobe light above my bed. Not exactly an ideal way to sleep, I felt like I was suffocating. Every time I would almost fall asleep I must of removed the covers only to wake up again because of that damn light. Long story longer, when I left at 7:20 in the morning the lights were still flashing. I hope that damn idiot smoker couldn't sleep either!

DDR

Dance Dance Revolution my new favorite thing. I invested in a Wii a few weeks ago and just purchased DDR. I love it! I consider myself pretty coordinated for a white chic but I must admit even I only made it to the difficult level this weekend. It is a good work out though. I feel sorry for my neighbors below me, but considering he almost caught the building on fire trying to fry something, I think he owes me.

Weekend in Jersey, not JAX. Damn Wind!

I WAS headed to Jacksonville this weekend but due to the insane wind we have been having here, my flight was delayed and I would of missed my connection in Chicago. Needless to say, supposedly every airport (there are 3 in the NY area) and every airline was totally booked and I couldn't get to Jacksonville until really late on Saturday. At least that is what the idiot at the United desk told me. I opted to cancel the trip and suck it up as a loss. I was upset because I didn't get to see Erika and Addison. Addison was even saying my name, well sort of...she was saying Shann-a but hey I'll take it. I am almost over it but still sad I couldn't go.

So what does a single girl in Jersey do for Valentines weekend you ask.....

She cleans house, grocery shops, plays her Wii and sees a movie. I at least got out the house a few times, so hopefully the weekend is not as pathetic as it sounds :) Ugh...maybe not.

5 Years

5 years ago today, my dad lost his battle with cancer. It is hard to believe it has been that long. It is harder to believe all the things he has missed. I would like to think he is looking down on me so proud of what I have accomplished. Even though he wanted me to be an Architect he would laugh to know sometimes I am smarter than them anyway :)

As some of you know I usually have a nice steak or a really good beer on my dad’s anniversary. I am flying to Jacksonville today so I am thinking this year it will be a beer in the airport. As I toast to my dad, using what will probably be a $20 beer, I will remember the good times like these….

Flying kites at Folly Beach - Me with my K-mart plastic Octopus kite and my Dad with his professional 5 Decker kite. Hey, but mine was pink and that was all that mattered at the time.

Sailing on our Catamaran. - Especially the time my mom was on the ship while my dad and I were swimming. She leaned on the sail and a gush of wind came, and there went the boat. Back then my parents use to tie me to the boat with a long rope. I would float in my life jacket and get dragged by the boat. This was probably before they had “tubing,” hey ghetto fabulous. Use what ya got. Anyway….so here is the boat sailing off with my Mom alone on it, me being pulled behind it and my Dad trying to swim and catch it. Ah fun times.

Helping smoke the turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. - I was always in charge of soaking the wood. Very important business when it comes to smoking.

Lighting fire works on the 4th of July. - We would drive up to the local fire works stand at the last minute to get the best deals. My dad would go all out when it came to fire works. Roman candles, sparklers, cherry bombs, and we always had a big finale. I would light my sparklers and eat boiled peanuts while he did the show.

Jamming on Saturdays - My dad had the best vinyl collection and stereo system. At least for back in the day. He would open all the windows and doors of the house and blast classic rock and roll. He would sit out in the back yard beer and cigarettes in hand and I would play with my dog Mickey. I remember listening to Steve Miller Band, CCS, The Who and The Cars. Back then I could care less but, now any classic rock song makes me think of my Dad.

Body Surfing and Boogie Boarding at the beach. - He was always better. I tended to surf at the bottom of the ocean if you catch my drift, but I eventually got the hang of it.

Riding bikes in Forest Lake subdivision. - Only my Charleston peeps will know about this. I grew up on a street not really in a subdivision so if you wanted to ride bikes more than up and down the street you had to venture out. My Dad on his 10 speed and me on my pink and grey bike with the banana seat and streamers. I eventually upgraded but this is the time I remember most.

None of us are perfect in this world and although time does not heal all things, remember that family is still, and always will be family. My Dad was far from perfect but these are some of the good things I remember. This is how I will remember my Dad when he is not here for experiences in years to come. I will remember the good times and remember my Daddy who would tuck me in and tell me to “Dream Angels.” I love you Daddy and hope you are having a beer today too.

Buffalo

I headed to the happenin city of Buffalo this past weekend. I was ready for 18 inches of snow instead I got a heat wave. Well a heat wave in Buffalo that is. I packed all my snow gear for 50 degree weather. Who would of thought. I went to visit my friend Michelle while she was enjoying her un-prompted vacation, via a lay off.


Saturday we visited the holy ground of Wegmans. For ya'll that don't know it is like a Whole Foods with Kroger prices. I must admit, it did live up to all the hype. Then we went to the movies. Now there are some interesting folks in Buffalo but Kathy was by far one of the best. As Michelle and I stood in line to get our popcorn and sodas, (cause neither one of us can go to the freakin movies without spending 50 bucks on popcorn) we of coarse got in the slowest line. So the whole time we where talking about how slow the man behind the counter was. Damn if when I got closer his name was Kathy. Shock of the night. But we couldn't decide if she was just a homely woman or a Shim. Any whoo, we went to see "He's just not that into You." Not as funny as we hoped, so my advice would be to rent it. After the movies we hit up Anchor Bar for some wings.



Yes we were both looking rough at Anchor Bar but damn it who needs to get all gussied up to eat wings. Shoot!













On the way home from eating wings we stopped by the local condemned mental hospital. Gotta love Buffalo. I thought it was cool but Michelle was freaked out. I am sick like that though. They had cages on the patios and are turning it into a hotel. Cool huh!


Off to Canada Eh!


Sunday we headed north to Canada to see Niagra Falls. It was pretty warm for what it could of been but the wind was something else. The falls were so pretty. Mostly ice but you could still hear and smell the water.







And yes being the perv I am I had to take a picture of the ice penis.













Next we were off to the Butterfly conservatory. Lots of pretty butterflies and just enough humidity in that hot box to screw up my hair.




The best part of the entire trip was Souvenir City. This was the tackiest souvenir joint but only I would love it more than anything.





I mean ice penis and moose balls what more could a girl ask for in Canada, really.




Later we went up in the heated Farris wheel and saw the falls from 175 feet in the air.

All in all a very eventful day.

The next day we slept in, had lunch at Wegmans and went to a park by Michelle's old house. It was really cute it had a waterfall and all! Then it was home to relax a little and back on the plane I went. Thanks to Michelle and her Mom for making my trip to Buffalo so great!

Things I've Realized

No matter how hard I try I will never walk as fast as these freakin people up here. Seriously when I feel like I am one of those old women, hips switching, heals digging, all out power walking, people still pass me like I am just out for my Sunday stroll. I know I am tall but my legs are short but still it is like the Kentucky derby on my walk to work sometimes. Don’t bet on me, there ain’t no coming from behind with these folks up here.

I have officially become the big purse chic. I remember back when I was younger and hated carrying a purse to begin with. I was the girl who walked around with her wallet in her hand and her pager tucked in her pocket. Don’t act like ya’ll didn’t have a pager, and you know only the COOL kids put it in their pocket with only the clip sticking out. That way you could really feel the vibration when someone left you those secret numbers. Ya’ll remember. Or maybe not, some of you young bitches went strait to cell phones. Kiss my old ass J. But I digress; so I now only look at the huge purses. I have too much crap to carry; besides it has to fit my lunch and a pair of shoes if necessary. I try to take up as little space on the train as possible, so one bag has got to do it all. It is just funny how I went from the girl who hated purses and never could figure out what the hell to fill them up with, to the chic with the overnight bag on her shoulder every day. No wonder my back is all out of wack.

How did I ever live without my flat iron? Oh yeah my hair was out of control and I never had a date. I remember now. Well Monday was the day from hell for me. Halfway through straightening my hair my flat iron died on me. So the bottom was straight and the rest was curly. Needless to say I pulled it half way up but you can only imagine how lovely I looked. I would have gone curly but damed if I ran out of gel too. Then as I was finishing trying to salvage my hair I clawed the side of my face with my thumb nail. So I look like crap as is and now I have a huge red scratch across my cheek! After that awful experience I realized as I was walking into the train station that I had left my Metro Card, my badge to get into my building and my badge to get onto my floor at home. I’ll be damned if I am walking all the way back home to get it, so I bought a freakin ticket and luckily one of my co-workers was outside and let me in. This all stemmed from that damn flat iron. I guess neither my hair nor I can live without it. God bless the inventor who thunk it up!

What is it about people up here who insist on clipping their fingernails at work? Seriously almost every morning someone around me is clipping away. I don’t know why but it just grosses me out. Isn’t that part of the grooming ritual that should remain at home? I hope come summer time they don’t clip their toe nails too. GROSS!