My Life in the Big City

The Blog Move

2009-11-09T12:48:00.001-05:00

My life in the big city is now at itsaPowerSfulLife.blogspot.com

Labor Day

2009-09-16T00:05:00.001-04:00

For my last post here. I leave you with a picture. Rob and I went to Coney Island Beach on Labor Day to get some video footage for a project he's working on, and to eat some Nathan's Famous hotdogs, and to walk on the beach.

Coney Island boardwalk in front of the Parachute Drop

Two Year Blog-a-versary

2009-09-16T00:00:00.000-04:00

Wow, I've been blogging for two years now. And I've mostly been consistent. I'd say I'm going to stick with this thing. So for the surprise. I've been thinking about this for awhile, and really it is still as ready as it was on Sunday, but it's a special occasion of sorts (being a blog-a-versary and all) so here it is.

I've decided it's time for a blog overhaul.

The info you don't really need: I want to get my blog tied to my correct email address. I started before I got married and was using my name as email (kaseykakes as my new email actually came from my blog because kaseypowers was taken)

So my BLOG IS MOVING! to a new and improved home. This time around I actually did more of the coding myself in setting size and color and image parameters. As I don't know a ton about html, I really just modified the template I have here, so there are a few pink and purple things that I am working on changing. So, when you are done reading this click on over to itsapowersfullfe.blogspot.com and read all about our PowerSful Life. Make sure you make it your new favorite. After tonight I won't be updating here anymore, but it will stay active if you really miss my pink city.

Rob says the new blog is a little more masculine looking. I think of it as gender neutral. And half of my posts are about Rob anyhow.

AND MORE NEWS!!!!!
Since I started school, I know I want to blog about this new endeavor in my life. But I also want it to be a safe place where if I decide to maybe vent a little it won't come back to bite me. So, I am introducing DoctorK-Pow My Journey to a PhD as a private blog.

This does not mean I don't want you my friends and family to read it. It's just I need to add you to the reader list. And because Google has decided they want to take over the world, you need a google account to sign in (this does not mean you have to use google email, just create an account - if you have a google account you just need to be signed in) Anyhow, if you want to be added to the reader list, send me an email.

And that is the little project I've been working on. Check out the new blog and let me know what you think.

Oh Blog...

2009-09-13T17:51:00.001-04:00

you think I have been neglecting you. But I have some surprises coming. And school, school is hard, and is keeping those surprises from showing themselves. But just wait. Soon the changes will be revealed. And they will be awesome.

First Day of School

2009-09-01T08:12:00.001-04:00

Today is my first day of graduate school. In leiu of the traditional first day of school picture, here is one from the archives. Approximately 20 years ago, I'm pretty sure this is second grade in 1989. This denim jumper was the coolest.

Fancy

2009-08-22T09:32:00.004-04:00

Last night I made a fancy dinner for Rob and I. I pulled out the china and the crystal and the good serving dishes. There were even candles. Why use this stuff only when we have company, it's for us to enjoy too. There was no special occasion, just a because I love you dinner. And I didn't work yesterday and had lots of time.

I made Columbus's Pork Chops from Rachel Ray 365 no Repeats. Basically pork chops with with a strawberry, basil, balsamic topping. We also had a spring salad and some bread.

It was a ton of fun to sit down and enjoy a meal with French Cafe playing in the background.

P.S. for anyone who is wondering. The pictures of both Rob and I are taken with a timer on the camera.

Howe's Cavern

2009-08-20T09:00:00.000-04:00

Last weekend Rob and I headed up to Saratoga Springs to visit Peggi and Tyrone. Always up for adventure - we headed to Howe's Cavern, along with Peg's new camera.

Here we are about to go down 168 (i think) feet in the elevator.

Inside the cave where it is a nice cool 52 degrees year round.And when we emerged - sunset.

Anniversary part 2

2009-08-18T21:54:00.004-04:00

It's been over a week. The anniversary vacation was awesome. Saturday we went on a sailboat ride around lower Manhattan. After we got some Pommes Frites for lunch. A quick stop at the hotel to get cleaned up and a little wine and cheese (and bread and fruit) buffet. Then we went to Madame Tussauds (neither of us had ever been) followed by a stop at a chocolate bar where we had a 20 layer crepe cake with a creme brule topping with some chocolate martinis. Ahh.... delicious.

Sunday was spent sleeping in and reading the newspaper over breakfast. Then we just hung out in the hotel room until check-out. Monday was our actual anniversary. We went to the Guggenheim to see the Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit. It was pretty cool. Then dinner at a Mexican restaurant in Astoria to take us back to our honeymoon.

Most of the good pictures from the sailboat are on Rob's camera...I have a few. And some from the wax museum. No pics from Sunday or Monday. Here's what I got - enjoy!

Anniversay Getaway

2009-08-12T23:59:00.000-04:00

For our anniversary Rob and I planned a little vacation to Manhattan. (Actually it was all Rob's idea - he asked and I thought it sounded awsome - it was)
We spent two nights in the Library Hotel. At first it was just because I really like libraries and books, and have wanted to stay here since I read about it. But then I realized the first anniversary is "Paper" and what better way to spend an anniversary than in a place full of books.

We checked into the hotel on Friday afternoon and this is what awaited us.There is just something about that little bit of extra service that makes a nice hotel soooooo worth it.
Friday night we went to dinner at Nobu.
And on the way back to the hotel, the sky was really pretty so we did a little photo shoot.

One Year Ago Today...

2009-08-10T10:27:00.006-04:00

I got all dressed up

Married the love of my life

And couldn't be happier.

Happy Anniversary!

New Work Space

2009-08-02T18:11:00.003-04:00

Last night Rob's new monitor came in the mail. It's special. You can use the pen to work directly on the screen. No mouse needed.
Rob no longer has to draw then scan to animate. He can work DIRECTLY in the computer. How cool is that?

So I got the old monitor. Hello, new work space. My laptop lives hooked up under the desk. I have less desk space, but who cares - spreadsheets will be infinitely easier for me.
I've been looking forward to getting this big screen.

Relaxing

2009-07-31T08:47:00.004-04:00

Last night after I got home from work and finished the dishes...

I went outside with this.

This is where Rob found me.

It looked like fun so he joined me. And brought a snack.

We spent a nice evening talking on the balcony.

We went inside after the sunset.

The End.

Tomatoes

2009-07-20T09:30:00.005-04:00

We've actually had ripe tomatoes for a couple of weeks now. We chopped up the first plateful for tacos last week. Neither Rob or I is a huge tomato eater, but we grew 'em so we'll eat 'em. We've decided that our gardening ability has been maxed out - due to space more than actual ability. But our balcony is full of planters and pots that will be refilled each year. And we can eat the tomatoes.

What a Funny Bunny

2009-07-15T17:00:00.002-04:00

From Sunday:

This morning I brushed the bunny. He's still in the midst of the summer shedding and the fur was flying. When I'd finished, or rather he'd had all he could take, he jumped over to his carpet. I dropped his towel (which we use to protect our clothes some) on his head and walked away.

The following video shows what happened next. Usually he gets out from under the towel in one hop. Today there were problems.

Enjoy!

Something Cute

2009-07-13T21:40:00.002-04:00

This evening I went to the grocery to pick up an onion (the missing ingredient) and ice cream (desert). On the way home I walked by two little girls holding a stoop sale. They were maybe 10. I noticed the one girl from the corner. She was wearing white leggings and a white tee-shirt with a sparkly pink super-hero cape. When I got closer I saw she was also wearing pink bloomers over her leggings. Oh yeah. I remember dressing up at that age, although my super-hero of choice was Laura Ingalls.

Anyhow, when I got close they asked me if I wanted to buy anything today, they were having a sale to raise money for their dad's birthday. With a half-hearted look at the treasures (junk) of 10 year olds I kept walking. Then remembering the 84 cents in my pocket from the store I had a change of heart and gave then a little donation. They asked me what I wanted to buy. I took a closer look, some of their jewelry and books (some of which I totally read as a kid, and were tempting - for nostalgia you know) and a few random wall plaques and bookends. I told them I really didn't need anything today. They asked me if I had a daughter to buy something for, that made me smile, as I realized how OLD I must seem to them. I declined again.

I asked what they were going to get for their dad. They told me it was hard to raise money, but that it was a surprise, and he didn't know why they wanted to have their stoop sale. They were very excited about their plans to get some decorations, and sneak up when he was sleeping to decorate. And they had some poppers. And they were going to make a cake for him.
It all made me smile. They thanked me for their generosity. I wished them luck.

I hope they have enough to make the cake.

A photo essay: Walking the Queensborough Bridge on Bastille Day

2009-07-12T19:30:00.009-04:00

To start the day of right we made a stop at the Starbucks around the corner. Thank you to Cynde and Marty to keeping us caffeinated this summer!

Coming up on the bridge entrance, about two miles from home. It is also the NW7 subway stop.

Here we go!

Bikes and Peds only - in case you didn't read the sign.

Scenes from the bridge...

In case you want to join the traffic?

Roosevelt Island Tram

East River Rapids

The Manhattan side of the bridge.

Bastille Day! (a street fair with no tube socks)

Our only purchase: and now we need to learn to make our own wine sorbet. Delicious!

The End.

Birthday Boy

2009-07-06T09:31:00.002-04:00

Today is Rob's Birthday! And it's been a birthday celebration weekend.
Friday night I surprised Rob with some friends, who came from Boston and Josh, who joined us for the birthday dinner he knew about. Ninja New York. We were served by real live people in ninja costumes with swords and daggers and all kinds of cool stuff. Five course meal - Appetizer, Sushi, Fish, Meat, Desert - I don't know how fancy people used to eat that much all the time. I brought two courses home with me...

Saturday was the 4th. We took it easy. Worked some at home, then took a walk to a street fair and heard the NYPD Jazz Band play for awhile. They are pretty good.

"Sunday we attended to some much neglected chores around the house. But then took a nice long walk through Astoria all the way over to a Sculpture Garden we'd never heard of and a kayak launch point. Nice long walk. Rob then got to spend the afternoon before church playing video game - woo! - while I made his fun-fetti boxed chocolate birthday cake.

He really wanted it for desert last night, so I gave him the candles and birthday some a bit early.

Happy Birthday. I love you.

Our tiny garden

2009-06-27T18:29:00.003-04:00

The tomatoes are starting to grow!

And I've learned that Dill is a weed, which has taken over the Cilantro. The parsley is doing well.

Wedding Fun

2009-06-24T18:13:00.000-04:00

Vince and Kaylene got married! Woo hoo! I was so excited to be at their wedding and get to hang out with college friends. We spent the weekend with Sara and Dave, and Carrie and her new husband Dave came in too.

Here is the one picture of the ceremony I got.

Vince and Kaylene's first dance.

Sara and Dave.

Carrie and Dave.

The college crew - Vince, Sara, Kasey, Kaylene, Carrie.

The girls.

Somehow I didn't get a pitcure of me and Rob. He was the cameraman. But here is one of us hanging out. I included it because you can see the flowers I wore in my hair.

After the reception there was an after-party at the hotel, where we all changed into our casual clothes and hung out and got to talk some more.

A very fun weekend.

27

2009-06-18T18:08:00.001-04:00

On my birthday, it rained...a lot. It poured non-stop. I had already decided to wear my pink shoes. I didn't want to change my outfit. I was wet. It was worth it.

After work and a meeting Rob took me out to dinner. We tried a new (to us) Mexican restaurant. The food was good. The margaritas, not so much. I wore my black mini-skirt with my pink shoes. It was fun.

My Favorite Place

2009-06-12T11:12:00.004-04:00

It's summer in New York. I think. Yesterday it was cold and rainy. Today it is rainy and humid and feels like about 90 degrees outside. My hair is crazy. Yesterday I forgot a folder I was supposed to drop off. So I had to bring it in today, on my day to work from home. I don't work from home well, I tend to do a lot more baking than working, so it's not a total loss. Since I had to come to the city anyhow, I decided to finally utilize one of my favorite places and work from the New York Public Library - the big one, with the lions, on 42nd street. They have wireless now, they didn't use too. But last week I came in one day to kill an hour and read for a bit (so I guess this is really my second time to use the reading room) and saw that there is now wireless! I mean I CAN work on my laptop without the internet, but what fun is that, you can't take a pre-work break to blog without the internet.

So today I sit on the third floor of the library, at a table with claw feet and specialty tabletop plugs, and I work. I am entering data, and writing a report, and answering all of the email I have allowed to pile up this week. And if I look up there is the plaster made to look like wood molding with paintings of sun peeking through the clouds. And BOOKS everywhere books. Definitely my favorite place to be right now.

Hit and Run

2009-06-06T23:38:00.002-04:00

Why are people jerks? I really don't get it.

Rob and I went to dinner in Manhattan tonight and afterward were walking up 9th Ave. At the corner of 55th street we heard a loud sound, we thought a car hit another car. We turned around, there was no wreck, my next thought was his bumper fell off or something of the like. Then the girl sat up.

About five people immediately called 911, the driver got out, someone laid her back down and told her not to move. She didn't loose consciousness, thank goodness. The driver got back into his vehicle, at first it looked like he was going to pull forward some to keep oncoming traffic one more lane away. Then he sped off! Who does that! Seriously!!!

So what was an accident - girl was crossing on a walk signal, and the car made a fast turn - is now a hit and run. What the driver didn't count on is the helpful people of NYC getting his license plate as soon as he hit her.

The police took some statements - and the license plate number. The paramedics arrived and shooed everyone away. I think she's going to be ok, she had someone call a friend. I think she broke her arm. Not sure about anything else.

Both Rob and I were shaking the rest of out walk. It could have easily been us crossing the street. I hope she's ok. And I really really hope the guy who hit her gets caught. It was an accident - unless he was drinking or something - but you just don't drive away.

I've never seen anything like this. It really shakes you up.

Be safe.

Free Donut Day

2009-06-05T12:11:00.001-04:00

Rob called me this morning on his way in to work (he goes in before I do) and said Dunkin' Donuts was giving away FREE DONUTS!!!

Then I came across this blog post on The Happy Housewife (click the link and get the details)

You get a FREE DONUT at Krispy Kreme. And a FREE DONUT with purchase of beverage at Dunkin' Donuts.

If you go though, make sure they don't make you pay for it. I got my coffee and donut and then was asked if I'd like a free donut (she meant in addition to the one I already had in my hand). I said isn't this one free? So I just paid for my coffee NOT the coffe and donut plus a free donut, cause really I don't need two donuts.

Go get your FREE DONUT now to have a little pick-me-up on a rainy Friday. And if it's not raining where you are, go get a free donut anyway.

Memorial Day 2009

2009-06-01T22:11:00.004-04:00

For Memorial Day weekend Mom came to visit. Saturday night we went to see Avenue Q, hilariously inappropriate. I wore a mini dress and new shoes, I cant believe we didn't get any pictures! And I lent Mom some of my clothes to wear...and it was a good thing she brought a back-up because we are totally not the same size anymore.
Sunday Mom went to Ellis Island in the morning, while Rob and I stayed home and worked. Then we all met up for church. After church I was sooooooo looking forward to Island Burgers and Shakes, and we get the and it is CLOSED!!!! For Memorial Day. What kind of crap is that! We ate at Five Napkin Burger instead. Rob spilled his beer in my lap. The food was good. After dinner we walked over to Rockefeller Plaza for Top of the Rock. Here is a picture of me and Mom. It doesn't look like much, but that bright light is the Empire State Building.

Here are all of the reasons that I recommend Top of the Rock as an attraction (especially over the Empire State Building) The price is about the same. (ESB is more if you pay for the line cutting express ticket) There is NO LINE, I mean NO LINE at all! The first area has a history of the building and a model of the Plaza and buildings. The photo op (which we didn't do) is a green screen where they sit you on the famous beam where the workers are having lunch (when we saw that we kind of wished we had done the photo op). Then there are some short videos to watch if you choose. Then you go up. And there are THREE FLOORS with different patio over looks. The 67 gives great north and south views - this is where we took the picture. Then you go up to 68 and get a 360 view (and a gift shop where I talked mom into buying a black mug that reveals a picture of men on beam when filled with a hot beverage - does it work mom?) We couldn't go to the 69th floor because of possible lightening that may have been spotted. But I don't think we missed much.

Re-Cap: NO LINES, GREAT VIEW, GOOD PRICE, and did I mention NO LINES!!!

Monday we went to Mom's favorite restaurant, Max Brenner. Where we got there 5 minutes after they stopped serving breakfast, but convinced our waiter to ask teh chef if we could still order anyhow - we could. So we ate a HUGE breakfast, and I had the bright idea to get a peanut butter crepe for desert. I was so full I couldn't walk. But walk we did - a nice stroll through Central Park.

Thanks mom for visiting. I had a great time.

PS - a couple of pictures of me and Rob.

Top of the Rock - see the Empire State Building

Being Lovey

How to Win a Wii OR The one with all the run-on sentences, Beware OR Sorry I've been remiss in blogging...

2009-05-30T12:42:00.004-04:00

...as my mom pointed out. But I have been busy. I'm here to re-enter blogging after a two-week hiatus (much better than the months long breaks many of my friends take if I may point out) by letting you know how you could win a free Wii or an iPod.

Thanks to my hobby of reading random blogs I can across this one where in addition to reading about how others are making a go of it by not spending much, is written by a fellow Hoosier, which makes it read worthy in and of itself, but the tips are good too. Sorry for the really long run on sentences here, or maybe not sorry but I am aware of it. In the comments of one of Karen's posts I came across this blog, which isn't as helpful for me personally, but it's so interesting to read how different our lives are. Oh, and in addition to the fact that she is also a fellow Hoosier, her name is Kacie, so I must read. AND TODAY I READ ABOUT HOW I AND YOU TOO COULD ENTER TO WIN A FREE Wii. Which is a video game system for those who may not know (mom) and is something we definitely don't NEED, but really WANT.

So go to THIS SITE to see how you could enter to win a Wii or an iPod. And it's a Christian Personal Finance site, so you can also read the tips on how to maybe get a handle on all that spending that is sure to happen as soon as you win the Wii, because you totally have to go out and buy all the games and accessories!

Ok, done with the run-on sentances. I'm off to a bachelorette party soon - depending on the party I may or may not be able to blog about it - just kidding. But look soon for a post with pictures from Mom's memorial day visit. And maybe one about all the work I've been doing, hence the too busy to blog. ok now I'm done for real.

Super Summer Spaghetti Salad

2009-05-12T09:00:00.000-04:00

I made the recipe last week when Bill and Jessica came over for dinner. And my mom made this a lot for pot lucks, etc... I'm posting this for you Jess.

Note: Modify as you wish. I change up the veggies based on what I have on hand.

1 lb spaghetti
1/2 bottle of Italian Salad Dressing
McCormacks Salad Supreme Seasoning (I haven't had great luck finding this in NYC and had my mom send me some. The ingredient label says: grated romano cheese, salt, sesame seed, poppy seed, paprika, celery seed, garlic, black pepper, and red pepper. I would use grated cheese - parm if you don't have romano, salt, garlic, paprika, and black and red pepper if you have to make your own)

Chopped Veggies:
Green Pepper
Red Pepper
Cucumber
Onion

Mix the veggies, dresssing, and seasoning with cooked spaghetti. Toss and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

Enjoy!

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T00:01:00.000-04:00

To all the mothers in my life. And yes these are lot's and lot's of wedding pictures, because everyone is dressed all snazzy, and I have many pictures from that day. Above is my mom and my mother-in-law. I don't think they've ever seen this pic, it was a snapshot from my cousin that has just been pulled from the archives.

To mom, You're awesome. I absolutely love this picture of you. The things you have accomplished in life are amazing.

To Val, I'm happy I can be your daughter. You raised a son, who is also a wonderful husband.

To my grandmas. You are both so special to me. I love you.

Happy day to all the mothers out there.

Garden in the City

2009-05-02T12:26:00.000-04:00

I am trying my hand at gardening again, and expanding some this year. In one box I'm sticking with flowers, the other is devoted to herbs. I have Sweet Basil, Dill, Cilantro, Curly Parsley, and one TBD, because I have room for more than I thought. I bought two new pots for the floor, one for flowers, then we have two tomato plants and one squash plant. We'll see how these veggies do. And now that the balcony is all clean, I swept and washed the table we are beginning the season where we eat all meals outside. Ah, the fresh air. I like this city gardening thing. Not so sure I ever want the responsibility of a garden like my Dad's, but baby steps, and this works for me.

Day Date

2009-04-27T12:08:00.004-04:00

Last Saturday Rob stepped up his game. Now that the music video is finished he is able to focus a little attention on me rather than the computer. So Saturday he packed a bag with some wine and picked up some hero sandwiches from Luigi's and took me to Central Park for a picnic. We sat on a rock and watched some Little League action while we ate. Our biggest mistake was forgetting what 80+ degrees really meant - we were both wearing jeans. After finishing our lunch (half of it anyhow, great leftovers) we walked through the park and over to Dylan's Candy Bar. A sugar overload that was giving away snow cones and had a chocolate fountain set up. We went upstairs to the ice cream bar. Where we shard the cookie explosion sundae (cookie mess ice cream, caramel topping, peanut butter chip cookie, candy, whipped cream, I'm sure I'm forgetting something) for $9. It was worth every bit of that, and it defeated us. We could not finish. I ate to much. Definitely ate to much of it, but oh man, it was heavenly. After we left the candy bar Rob took me shopping. Now this is why he is the best husband ever, not the only reason, but one of them, he takes me shopping and is good at helping me find things that look good and fit well.

There was this dress at Ann Taylor that I have been eying, and when we were in Boston, Rob saw the dress in a window and pointed it out. So we went to Ann Taylor, the only dress left in the whole store was the one in the window. So she looked up in the data base if any nearby stores had it. There was a store that had 3 left in my sizes. So Rob said let's do it, but if they don't have it we are going home. OK! I found a 4 and a 4 petite. I tried them on. Rob wasn't so impressed with the 4. He said it was too loose at the top. So I tried on the 4 petite. This one Rob liked, but wasn't so comfortable (as I'm not really petite) because the waist was a little too high. as I was in the fitting room contemplating, another woman in the fitting room wanted to know if I was getting the dress because if not she wanted to try it on. She really needed a 6P but the sales lady was explaining how the sizing worked, which is when I realized that I actually needed a size 2! I am back into a size 2! This is exciting for me. They had one left in the store, on the manican in the window. She got the dress, and it fits so nicely. Rob said I could buy it (there was no waiting for it to go on sale, there are like 3 left, it's sold out online) and I did. I now have the perfect dress for the summer weddings lined up this year.

Recap: Rob is awesome for his date planning and shopping.
I am a size 2 again, and that means there is a 90% chance all my summer clothes will fit this year.

My Sister

2009-04-27T12:00:00.001-04:00

Emily is leaving in about a week to take a new job. She will be leading camping trips around the country. Just her, a van, a duffel bag, and a bunch of tourists. She will be gone for months. I will miss her, but I am proud of her for getting such a cool job. Before she goes, she has lots of packing to do and family to see, and she went turkey hunting with Dad. I went turkey hunting with Dad in college, it was more fun than I ever would have imagined (which is why I was 18 before I went for the first time). So here is Emily with her Turkey.

And so she doesn't kill me for posting this on the blog, a picture of us all dressed up at my wedding.

Love you sis, and I will miss you.

Boston

2009-04-25T09:52:00.004-04:00

Last weekend Dad was in Boston for the marathon (he was not running), so Rob and I took a Bolt bus up. We love the Bolt bus because of the cheapish price and the on board electrical outlets and wi-fi. I can't be without the internet for too long.
We had a great weekend visiting - here are some pics. And there is only one of an old building. Who wants to look at pictures of old buildings, but on the other hand how can you go to Boston and not get pictures of old buildings...

Rob and I in front of the Old South Meeting house.
Independence Hall
Dad and I at Kingfish Hall where we ate.
Dad being goofy.

A passing Duck Boat. The tour was lots of fun. I went on one back in 2003 when I was living in Boston, and it is just as much fun as I remember. I mean its a truck AND a boat, and the crazy driver telling you all about Boston, some I which I am pretty sure is made up, but my radar isn't so good on that.

Rob and I on the tour. See how cold we are.
April in Boston is COLD. And we were outside in the wind AND on the water. I had the perfect windblown hair going though. And Rob is all bundled up.
Aunt Mary - the coat was the best gift! It is light enough for spring, and so warm and toasty to keep me warm in the wind.

OSD Party

2009-04-18T10:57:00.005-04:00

A big thank you to all of our friends who came out last night. The screening at Blondie's was a hit. We had close to 200 people show up for the live performance by The Subterraneans and the screening of the music video "Test" lovingly also known as the Robot Video. We sold some CDs and shirts, and had a great time.

The crowd

Rob giving his intro speech

Mesmerized by the awesomeness

Check out the website www.onestuckduck.com to see the film and you can also view "Talking to Strangers" and "Stormin' the Castle" (also known as the "Cat Shorts") on the site.
T-shirts are for sale. $15 and FREE Shipping.

Party Like a Robot: the video is finished

2009-04-16T18:03:00.003-04:00

Only in New York...

2009-04-13T13:56:00.002-04:00

..can you go to the library and share an elevator with a man dressed in drag, (mini-skirt, fishnets, heels, etc...) who starts changing from heels to more suitable walking shoes...and no one bats an eye.

So weird!

Easter Hat Parade

2009-04-13T09:42:00.004-04:00

A tradition that dates back to at least the 1890's and started with people walking around and admiring (or showing off) the Easter finery which includes the Easter hat. It takes place on Fifth Avenue from 47th to 57th streets - in front of all the big churches. Today the parade has deviated some from it's origins, people still come out but the hats are more like costumes. One NY Times archived article called it a Halloween-like festival in the spring. After taking in the sights, we went to mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Here are some pictures from the street.Cathedral HatCathedral Close-upBunny got run over by a taxi.See his tongue sticking out...

Easter bunny caretaker - see the carrots

Windmills

Easter Bonnet Chicks (they're name, not mine, they even had cards)

These carrot hats had bubble machines inside!

Ladies on the church steps.

Science and all that Jazz

2009-04-05T14:17:00.005-04:00

Yesterday was a day date! I'm so glad it's warm and we're doing this again. We only went on one in the first three months of this year. Day dates are when we spend the whole day out together and not doing errands etc.

Bank of America has this great program of offering free admission to museums and attractions the first weekend of each month if you show your BoA card. (Thanks Sarah for this tip) So we finally made it to the New York Hall of Science. Rob has been wanting to check it out for ages, and the one time we tried to go last year, I didn't check online first and it was closed.

It's a fun museum, and it's not just for kids (there are two designated pre-school areas). Although except for a group of teens we may have been the only adults sans kids. It's a museum all about discovery. There is a ton of learning to be done when reading the panels. Our favorite area was the lights and vision part. There were all these lights and mirrors and prisms to play with. Here we are on the anti-gravity mirror.

Then there was the biology section. The amount of grossness of every surface is pretty disgusting. I will continue my current train of thought which is to wash my hands often and try not to think about it too much. But this was pretty cool.It's a heat sensory monitor. So you can see which areas of your body emit the most heat. I opened my mouth to get more contrast. The picture doesn't really do it justice.

The last section we went to was the about how we move. There was a batting cage where you could throw different types of balls and see how fast you went. I threw the baseball at 30 mph as my top speed. I didn't do so well with the tennis ball. There were dragsters where it tested your reaction time in hundredths of a second on how fast you hit the gas after go. I did it once at 1! Go me, but averaged around 9. Rob got down to 9, but averaged a little higher. This was one of the areas that were crawling with kids, but most were just having a good time. The kid in the dragster next to me was having a great time just pushing the pedal, he had no idea what the purpose was, and was therefore uninterested in who won. Despite an annoying parent - who I think thought we (as adults without kids) just really shouldn't be there - we had a fun time.

We then went to lunch at Cheeburger Cheeburger in Forest Hills, and walked around this very suburban feeling neighborhood. When Rob said there were houses, he meant HOUSES. There is some great shopping here. I think exploring the neighborhoods of Queens is going on the summer to do list.

And now for the jazz. My friend Luke, from college had his masters jazz recital last night. So we went up to Broadway and 122nd street for that. Here is where I'm a little dumb. We got on the 2 train to go express and then transfer to the 1. But then I saw 116th street (our stop) on the 2 and thought that I had it wrong and we didn't need to transfer. So we stayed on the 2. What I didn't realize is that the 1 /2 split is at 96th street and the 116th we got off at was on the wrong side of the island. We had a very nice walk through Harlem, up the crazy stairs to Columbia, and through the campus to Broadway. Where the 1 train was, and then a quick walk up to the recital hall. It was all original composition. And reminded me how much I really do like jazz.

Day Date #2 of 2009 was a great success.

Another insurance update

2009-04-04T14:58:00.000-04:00

For those keeping track. Over the last two weeks we got back the overpaid insurance money (what we paid for insurance that we didn't have) The total $131.
I called two weeks ago and was told that my insurance claims check had been mailed. I didn't receive it, so I called and was told it had been mailed to BROOKLYN! OMG! I was beyond angry. I asked to speak to a supervisor about why this issue (with my address that I have changed on multiple occasions as has Viacom HR) was still unresolved. I was told there was no one at customer service who could help me. I asked again, and was hung up on. Viacom HR is now hopefully resolving this issue.

Happy Birthday

2009-03-29T14:57:00.002-04:00

Clinto is 25!On my fire escape in 2007.

Going to the Statue of Liberty.

Clinton at Fort Clinton.

Twinkie for the first time

2009-03-24T19:25:00.003-04:00

So after I read the book "Twinkie Deconstructed" (see review below) there was quite a bit of discussion and debate about it in my office. I recall Twinkies fondly, with a bologna sandwich at my mom-moms house. Someone confirm this is a true memory and not something I imagined. But I was always a little more partial to the HoHo, or the Little Debbie version, the Swiss Cake Roll (aka Drake's Yodel). I never really differentiated the brands until this discussion about the Twinkie, but all the big bakers have essentially the same cakes, with slightly different names, and I am sure ingredients and recipes. But debate about processed foods aside (I think hey in moderation it won't kill me, I've gotten this far, others say you should avoid at all costs) I was astonished at the number of people in the office who had NEVER tasted a Twinkie. WHAT! Maureen is from Taiwan, Arava from Isreal, Robert from Germany, and a couple of deprived Americans. Apparently my love of junk food, and snack cakes like the Twinkie is an American convention. (Side note: Marla has never had a McDonald's hamburger!) So we discuss and debate the virture of processed foods, and how some of these things are in your kitchen, and yeah some are probably just plain bad for you. But then yesterday, arava brought in a box of Twinkies. Determined to understand what all the fuss was about. Robert hated it. Arava was taken aback by the sweetness (she also had a yodel and some other cake to try). And I closed my eyes and took a bite - and it was delicious. I realized I haven't actually eaten a Twinkie in at least 5 years, and althoguh it wasn't quite like I remembered it was so worth it. I still prefer the HoHo though. (Those I had last month, when I was really craving a treat, and Rob surprized me with a box)

What's your favorite snack cake? And how long has it been since you had one?
Leave me a comment, then go relive your childhood.

Book Review "Twinkie Deconstructed"

2009-03-24T18:59:00.002-04:00

There is this book out "Twinkie Deconsructed." It is enlightening, although I did not find it life altering. Yes there are some crazy ingredients in industrial baked goods, and yes some of those ingredients are used in things, like rocket fuel, and explosives, and weed killer, but really they won't harm you. I mean anytime you sit and eat a box of something full of sugar it isn't good for you, and there are some things worse for you than others, but indulging in a Twinkie, or in my case a HoHo (they're my favorite), every so often won't kill you.

What I found most surprising in the book is the number of ingredients that are found in your kitchen. Sulferic acid is one of the main ingredients in Ferrous Sulfate, which is used to fortify white flour. I almost always have a five pound bag in my kitchen. They say the acids that make up the ingredients of the ingredients won't hurt you - I choose to not think about it too much. Yes, whole wheat unbleached flour (and yes white flour is bleached with that bleach) would be better, but I've gone this long, I'll take my chances for the time being.

Then there are the crazy sounding names, sodium bicarbonate, monocalcium phosphate, and sodium acid pyrophosphate. These rocks and chemicals combined are baking powder. And I find it better than the alternative - people used to use ashes. And we eat salt, that's a rock too.

The only ingredient that really makes me worry a little is the High Fructose Corn Syrup, and that is mostly due to the many articles out, and the heightened awareness made by the first lady. It's not good for you. But the process of actually making the HFCS, that isn't all that different from the numerous other corn and soy products. I do find it amusing though that there are, I think, nine ingredients made from corn on a Twinkie label. Why not just add corn?

So read the book if your interested in knowing what you eat. Don't take it too seriously, and really, sugar and baked goods aren't all that awesome for you, even though I wish they were. Fruits and veggies are the best.

Insurace Woes Update

2009-03-17T12:00:00.000-04:00

If you remember in an earlier post I talked about an outstanding insurance claim and what to do about insurance.

Well I still haven't claimed that check. But the very lovely HR Red from MTV is helping me now. I spoke with the insurance last week and was told they sent me a $970 check that had been cashed - I told them that they had the wrong person, because I would have remembered that. Then she found me, and said my address change was still pending. I submitted this address change August 25, 2008 - can you explain to me how it is still pending six months later? Then today I was told that since my address had recently changed it would be at least 15 days before a check could be sent. What @#$#%! Anyhow I think I am getting close to reclaiming this. That will make my grand total for reclaiming this year $605! But it sure is a lot more work than it should be to get money that is already rightfully yours.

As for our actual insurance - We got our COBRA information packet last week. Unfortunately it only lists Rob as an individual, so now I have to find out if I ever actually got added to his plan, which I should have as we have been paying for it. If I did, the COBRA monthly pay for employee and spouse comes to $1029.00 per month. That's A LOT of money when you don't have full time jobs (it's a lot of money when you do, but at least then you have a steady income)

The new stimulus bill that covers 65% of COBRA went into effect on March 1. But they are still writing the language for eligibility. If we are eligible for this break then we will owe $360 a month - this is kind of a lot, but totally doable. If we aren't eligible then we are going the no insurance route and will pray for no sickness or injuries.

Why are we not getting the major medical coverage? Well the cheapest I can find is $320 for a not so great plan with crazy rules and super-high deductible. I'm ok with paying that for good insurance, but not catastrophic. And the amount we pay for annual check-ups and teeth cleaning is nowhere near hitting that deductible.

Maybe we'll take our chances anyway. We have until April 20 or so to decide.

The Importance of Checking and Double Checking Checks

2009-03-16T17:02:00.003-04:00

So I learned a thing or two last week about watching out for my pay. I did some freelance for Nick Jr. a couple of weeks ago, and got my pay check. I was examining it for the number of hours worked because I filled out the invoice by hand, and didn't have a copy to compare to. As I was doing this I noticed that I paid medical and dental insurance. Now, my insurance was stopped November 21 of last year - but you know how HR is. But I had a feeling, and checked the two freelance checks from December and sure enough - insurance was deducted.

So I got on the phone and let the Production Manager know. He shook his head (I couldn't see this obviously as we were on the phone, but I imagine he did) and said he would contact the payroll company to change my statue (which should have already been changed) and get me a refund. Unfortunately since tax info has already been sent out, he couldn't do anything about last year. Oh well.

But then to satisfy my curiosity that HR is a winding labrynth of taking forever to make changes I took a look at one of Rob's recent checks. In his severance package he got half with continued insurance coverage and half without. And sure enough in the checks after our coverage was discontinued insurance was still being deducted.

So I called our very helpful HR rep, who has to be tired of hearing from me. I guess this because she recognized me instantly - this is not a good sign in a company as big as MTV Networks. Anyhow she said she would contact the payroll and have them correct this - and also look into getting me a refund for my pay last December.

All in all - if we recover all of the over pay it is just over $200 - that's quite a chunk of change to loose out on all because I'm usually not so vigilant about checking my pay stubs.

The other thing I learned is that you should always calculate hours by hand in addition to your excel formula on an invoice. Due to a minor formula error I was billing and getting approved for my Monday hours, but they weren't showing up in the total pay. This I caught by complete chance, as I only worked two days last week for the job I invoice on, so it was glaringly obvious half the pay wasn't calculated - but when it's 20% or less of the total, it's much easier to say my mental math was off than the formula. Luckily this only happened for two weeks, so it won't be too much extra work for them to cross reference my last invoice amounts with what I was owed. From now on I ALWAYS add with a calculator in addition to the formula.

The moral is that due to careless mistakes and not checking stubs - I could have lost out on $475, that I will be reclaiming.

Know what your deductions are - and make sure that is all that is being taken out.
Double check your invoices.
Make sure your checks and invoices add up - if there are unapproved hours find out why (this one hasn't happened to me yet)

Someone's Going to be a Doctor

2009-03-12T22:37:00.002-04:00

And that someone is me. I got my acceptance into the Graduate Center CUNY's doctoral program for Developmental Psychology. I guess the suit paid off.

Happy Birthday

2009-03-06T12:29:00.005-05:00

To someone special...

(wedding August 10, 2008)

Today is my cousin Haley's 7th Birthday. I can't believe she's 7! In my family there are kind of two groups of kids. My brother, sister, and I, and three (male) cousins who are our age. And then there is a gap of about 10 years to the little boys (who are hitting their teenage years) and the kids (Haley and Grant.)

Haley has the distinction of being my only female cousin. We were so excited that she was a girl. I was 20 when she was born, and almost the exact age my mom was when I was born. That was an interesting thought. I love the special relationship I have with Haley, and cherish the time I get to see her, especially because I live so far away. Once when I was home visiting Haley asked if I lived on the airplane. It made sense though, I always stayed at her house on my way to and from the airport.

So here are some pictures of Haley as a baby and toddler and kid, and from when she took on the role in my wedding as the flower girl and ring carrier.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

(first picture together, one week old, 2002)

(first birthday party, 2003)

(my college graduation, May 2004)

(2005)

(summer 2006)

(Christmas 2006)

(Christmas 2007)

(wedding, 2008)

Monkey Loves Pudding

2009-03-05T09:30:00.000-05:00

Robots Revisited

2009-03-03T09:30:00.000-05:00

Robots have entered my life again. If you remember the posts here and here, the living room was taken over by a robot cockpit. This time it is a cute little tin toy robot, two actually that were delivered by mail this week. They are for the same music video as before. The music video that is soon to reach completion. This is very exciting news.
This robot, when batteries are inserted, walks and shoots sparks, just like the box says. The sparks are really lights that flash to robot spark noises, and he spins in a circle, then he walks again. The most amusing part: upon closer inspection of the box, the toy robot isn't a toy at all.

Suiting Up

2009-03-02T09:30:00.000-05:00

So last week I had my grad school interview. I think it went well. I'll find out in a couple of weeks if I get in. But before the interview I needed to buy a suit. I actually do own one - but have never worn it, and it wasn't an option as it was procured when I was a size smaller than I am today. Luckily I have the best husband in the world who too me shopping last Saturday. Since my interview was on Wednesday there was no time for tailoring, so we went with the skirt option. Here I am looking all corporate.Really, the material is so nice and silky feeling I don't know why I haven't been wearing suits for years. Oh yeah...I work in animation. Dress code: casual.

Cufflinks

2009-02-28T11:07:00.002-05:00

Rob finished his first batch of cufflinks recently. Check them out HERE for the Etsy store. Custom orders are available.

Poconos Part 3 - Eagles

2009-02-22T09:51:00.003-05:00

On Sunday we went on a little drive to the Delaware River. We saw parts of the old canal and the aqueduct that is now a road. We also were on the lookout for Bald Eagles. We were not disappointed.

This picture is from the aqueduct to the boat landing. We had been on the landing just a few minutes before looking at an eagle in a tree across the river through binoculars. We also saw a couple soaring through the sky. Then while at this location we saw an eagle flying so close to the people on the landing. He was looking for fish or bait hoping the fishermen dropped something. If you click on the picture and make it big, you might be able to find the eagle in this photo. We packed up and drove right back over to the landing.

Here is the eagle. Sitting on the top of the tree right next to us. My camera doesn't have a very big zoom. It's great for snapshots, not so great for close-ups of wildlife in trees.
Rob did a little Maverick like maneuvering and got the camera set up so that he could take a picture through the binoculars. Here is a first attempt where you can see the binocular ring. But look how close that eagle is! You can see the beak.
To get the shot Rob set the camera to macro. Because with the binocular magnification the eagle was at macro distance. He put the camera against the binocular eyepiece and then used the viewfinder to get the eagle centered.
He sat like this for the 30 minute we watched, and probably stayed for awhile. It was somewhat difficult to get his profile because he was looking away from us to the fishermen on the boat. He never got any dropped fish or bait while we were there. But we did hear his call.
Very cool day.

Poconos Part 2

2009-02-22T09:32:00.006-05:00

Rob had a great time on the ice. Here are some movies to show how much fun.

I didn't do this, but I did try to spin on my shoes and I fell. Then Rob told me to sit and he took my feet and spun me like on one of those old toys with the disk that spin. That was fun too.

Poconos Part 1

2009-02-22T09:21:00.003-05:00

Well, I am finally getting around to blogging. But the culprit in my lack of time was not the work - it is that my laptop has died. I am taking it to get fixed on Tuesday, but I have had to share a computer with Rob. Sharing is no fun when the person you are sharing with has actual work to do and you want to sit and blog and check facebook. But now it is the weekend so here I am.

Some friends of my cousins have a house in the Poconos, right on one of the lakes with a funny name that I cannot remember. They graciously invited us for the weekend. Of course we accepted.

This is the view from the back window.The lake was completely frozen. The house had no internet (well there was a dial-up connection - but who needs that). And in some places we had no cell service. Perfect for a weekend getaway. The first day we were there we stayed in our pjs and did a jigsaw puzzle, and some of the millions of crosswords. I actually finished a few almost by myself. Then we went out for a birthday dinner for Peggi.

Day two we went walking across the frozen lake. It was fun.

When we weren't outside or doing crosswords, we watched the birds on the feeders. This picture was taken with Rob's new technique to read about in the Eagle post.

Out of Town

2009-02-12T10:00:00.002-05:00

Today we head to the Poconos to get away from it all. My cousins have friends who have a house and have graciously invited us for the weekend too; so no champagne hot tubs for us. Someone asked what we are getting away from. It's not like we are exactly working 9-5 at the moment. We are getting away from the same daily grind of the city, and the cabin fever of our apartment, and the stress of applying to an endless number of jobs. It is nice to get away from reality for a few days, even if ours isn't traditional at the moment. So pictures next week - but it might take a few days because we both have PAYING freelance jobs lined up for next week when we return.

Spring Is in the Air

2009-02-08T13:13:00.003-05:00

It sure feels like it anyhow at a sunny 52 outside. A far cry from my last post with all the snow.

(pic from Brooklyn Botanical Garden 2006)

Rob and I went out this morning for a bakery breakfast where we clipped coupons from the bakery newspaper - a good tip if you don't get the paper delivered. And then headed to Stop and Shop for the weekly groceries. It was warmer than expected, but there was a little drizzle. We discussed how we need to pull out the dead plants from our planters and turn the soil - maybe mixing in some rabbit droppings from our very own rabbit to make the soil more fertile to plant something in a couple of months.
As we left the grocery the sun was shining, and only a light wind. That is a big change as the wind has been killer. Last night was warmish, but I was still bundled up. Today though, I unbuttoned my coat and kept the gloves off. When we got home, first thing was to turn off the heat and open the door to the balcony. When you get a chance you have to air out the apartment. It's amazing how warm it feels in here today at 62 when I'm usually under a blanket at our normal winter temp of 68.
Ah, it's these days that I cherish because even though I know spring is a ways away, and that there is a good chance of frigid weather soon, at least I remember that it is a possibility.

The View From Here

2009-02-03T17:57:00.001-05:00

Resume Overhaul

2009-02-02T12:25:00.002-05:00

I have always prided myself on the fact that I have a good resume. I wrote my first resume in High School, and it was simply awful by my standards today. I made that one from a template in the Career and Life Skills class that was required. In college I updated this same template for a few years. And then I started looking for internships. I went to a Resume Talk that my dorm was hosting and saw what my resume could be. I spent several weeks going to the Career Building (I can't remember what it is really called, but is in the house across from the Health Center at IU) which I recommend to anyone who is getting ready to graduate or start the intern process. They helped me re-format and learn to write in an active voice. I have sections. I have a good resume.

As I have worked for the last few years, I have had to update my resume, probably more than most do to the fluidity of my chosen profession. I've added jobs, deleted substitute teaching, moved Education to the bottom under experience, and deleted "Software" cause really you should be able to use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. What I didn't realize I was doing, well I knew I was doing it but didn't realize it could hurt me, was tailoring my resume to my chosen field. This is great when I am looking for jobs in Research and Production. I took out the administrative jobs, and put emphasis on the production management and research analysit skills.

This morning I spoke with a Recruiter that a friend had recommended. I need a job, and I am open to anything. As we were talking I mentioned my experience as an Executive Assistant. She asked where, and I told her at Stretch Films, and listed some of those duties. She then pointed out that none of that was on the resume. WHAT! Oops! I had totally forgotten that except for the title which is on there as "Executive Assistant / Production" There is virtually no mention of my many administrative skills. Which includes typing, proofreading, booking travel, and a surprising (to me when I really thought about it) amount of data management.

I made a fatal mistake. I didn't write to the audience. Especially in the current economic atmosphere, there are plenty of qualified candidates who have worked in admin jobs in a business field that is not television. So I spent the morning revamping my resume's job duties to include the administrative skills. I also re-vamped the language, because while someone in television looking at my resume knows what post-production coordinator or storyboard editing means, someone in the traditional business world probably does not. Or at least don't see how that skill translates. I feel good about this - except for one more small point.

I have had A LOT of jobs. And they often only last a few months. While in television this is normal, and a wide amount of work is a good thing. To a business (and the mortgage company) it looks like you are flighty and can't keep a job. So I also re-organized with long-term jobs on top, followed by a list of "Freelance Experience." It's the best I can do.

I now have three resumes for 2009. One that I sent to the recruiter, who so kindly asked me to re-submit with changes and she will pass along my resume to the correct department. One that I re-vamped for Production Coordinator and Admin jobs, I realized that including some of the administrative skills is actually a plus, and some of the language is a little more professional. And then I have my original 2009 resume that I will continue to submit to animation production and research jobs.

I'm hoping this resume overhaul does good things. Now on to the dreaded cover letter...

Insurance Woes

2009-01-30T13:04:00.002-05:00

The saga continues. (If you don't want to read all of this - mom - skip to the last two paragraphs, I am asking for advice there.)

Last summer - July and August - I had a couple of doctors visits that were not covered due to my doctor leaving my insurance and me not wanting to deal with finding a new doctor for two visits,I have out-of-network claims. And as you know, I got married in August. Upon return from our honeymoon I processed my name and address change with HR and filed the out-of-network claim.

Now my insurance says they will cover 70% of reasonable and customary charges. What they actually cover is 37% of what I paid. I really want to know where they are finding this reasonable and customary - because my doctor actually charges a little less than several others that I looked at in Manhattan. This kind of stinks, but I still want my $130 back. It's not a ton, but when you are unemployed, it's a godsend. Why then is the insurance making it so hard to claim this smallish amount.

In October I got a call from my doctor saying that the insurance had reimbursed her, not me. Which is wrong. So she sent that check back with a letter explaining to send to me. I heard and waited. Finally November 30 I called about the claim. I felt it should have been issued by now. And I was told the check had been mailed four days earlier to Kasey Powers at MY OLD Brooklyn address. Unfortunately because Kasey Powers never lived in Brooklyn, Kasey Frazier did, the check will not be forwarded. And until 30 days have passed the insurance won't send a new check. Also they tell me that they can't correct my address. I have to do that through HR - which I did when I changed my name. I confirm with HR that the name and address were both submitted.

I called on January 13 and was told a new check would be sent to the right address and I should expect it in 7 - 10 days. Because the address has now been fixed.

This brings me to today. I spent 45 minutes on the phone with a very nice customer service agent at the insurance company. Who can find no record of the check that was authorized on the 13th. And says that it looks like the check was cut under a different claim number than originally submitted. I told her I didn't care how it was submitted as long as I get my check that was authorized for me nearly six months ago. We found that the problem finally. The name change went through on my old address, and my maiden name was attached to the new address. You would think this is an easy fix. But no, I have to fix it through either my company (where I don't work anymore) or the overall insurance - there are all these sub-divisions in the insurance we have (where I am no longer insured because I don't work there anymore) So the very nice customer service agent tells me that she will put through the authorization (why couldn't she do that without all the explanation and my HR department (where I don't work) already submitted all the information TWICE, because I made them re-do it in December. Anyway, it will take up to 30 days for the name / address issue to be resolved but I should call back in 10. And then, only then will I be allowed to receive my check. Ridiculous I say.

And as the eve of losing all insurance coverage through Rob is upon us, I am trying to weigh the options. I know we can't afford good insurance, or COBRA, a downfall of the no-job thing. I have been looking into catastrophic coverage, also known as major-medical. But I can't find anything for under $320 a month. And I'm not sure I can justify spending $4000 a year on the chance that something might happen and we'd still have to pay $10,000 before insurance would start covering most costs, where there would still be co-pays, and most likely physicians fees (which surprisingly are not covered under many of the catastrophic plans)

So what do we do. Insurance companies are a nightmare and expensive. Any advice on how to go when stuck in the place of having to buy your own insurance.

Nothing to Write Home About

2009-01-28T15:13:00.002-05:00

The monotony of nothingness has set in. I have no job. (I am freelancing some - those are good days, and sending out resumes from home) It is cold out. And today it is snowing and raining. And overall just not fun to be out walking around. So I bake. And watch Gilmore Girls. But there is really nothing new and exciting. But I want to keep updating this blog. And I wonder - is the nothingness worth writing about, does anyone want to read it. This week I am considering it a good day to shower and get dressed each day.

My week:

Last Thursday and Friday - I had freelance work. Out of the house - it was awesome.

Saturday - I finally got dressed late in the day. I won't say how late. And we went out to dinner at TJ's Asian Bistro and had sushi. For those in Woodside I highly recommend the Tokyo Roll.

Sunday - Sunday's are always good because we have church. And last Sunday Sarah had all the girls over for muffins and coffee. A great way to spend the morning.

Monday - Rob had some of the One Stuck Duck guys over to talk about progress on the music video. When they were done I turned off the Gilmore and did some socializing. Oh yeah, and in the morning Rob took me grocery shopping.

Tuesday - Hmmm, I guess here is where the nothing really set in. I watched Gilmore and made sugar cookie dough. And Rob made chicken parm for lunch. Yum! Then we walked to the mall. Yes, there is a mall in Queens, about 3 miles from here. So we walked to the mall, looked around, and then walked home. We were SOOOOOO tired.

Wednesday - This morning I made the cookies. And was showered and dressed at a decent hour. Today is a good day so far. And as I sit here typeing about nothing, and the play-by-play of my week, it really hasn't been that uneventful after all.

Still Got It!

2009-01-21T11:33:00.003-05:00

The spark in our marriage that is. Yesterday I was sitting on the couch and Rob leaned down to give me a kiss, and he felt a little shock. And started laughing. You see we've been wearing a lot of fleece in the cold weather and it really kicks up the static electricity. So Rob rubbed his arm on the back of the couch and kissed me again. A bigger spark! One more time, and yep it happened again! So that's it, the secret to keeping the spark in your marriage: static electricity.

Funny Kid

2009-01-17T13:59:00.002-05:00

So we were at this school Friday with Sesame. And we showed the video and I was asking this kid some questions about the show. The conversation went something like this:

Me: What was the show about?
Kid: Diego.
Me: Yeah, but what was the show we just watched on the tv in there about?
Kid: Dora
Me: (ok let's go on) (show picture from show) Can you tell me what happened in this part?
Kid: Elmo.

Ok, we are getting somewhere. I ask the rest of the direct questions about the show, and the kid gives correct (or at least Sesame related) answers. Then we have a minute to wait until he's ready to go back to his classroom.

Me: Did you have fun today?
Kid: Yes. It was awesome! I got to see Diego!

Oy! He was only three, but come on.

Back to Work

2009-01-17T13:38:00.004-05:00

This whole working thing - it's hard work. I've grown accustomed to sleeping in 'til around 10, eating a breakfast type snack, checking email and blogs, sending job hunt related emails and searching online for jobs, making lunch, running a few errands, dinner, tv, and more blogging as late as I want. It's been a nice surreal existence. But I was really happy when Tuesday I was asked to work Thursday and Friday, with a stop by the office on Tuesday afternoon. This has been a crazy week. I worked. And I forgot how exhausting it can be. Wow. And in reality I didn't even truly work a full week. Two networking events (I was too tired for number 3) and two days of work.
Monday I went to an even on how to network better. It was insightful, and I made it through without too much anxiety in talking to new people. We talked about the biggest setbacks encountered when networking and some techniques to overcome them. Then on Tuesday I was asked to freelance at Sesame Workshop Thursday and Friday. I stopped in for awhile that afternoon to view the tape we were going to be showing the kids. Then onto How to Get York Book Published, part 1. It was interesting and not that I'm planning on writing a book or anything, knowing the process can't hurt. (Unfortunately I skipped part two - Editors and Publishers because I was just too exhausted.) Wednesday was frigid cold, so luckily all we had was a condo board meeting and then a dinner with Bill and Jess. Of course since these were in the evening - it was frigid cold. The downside to the first three days of this week was I didn't fully prepare myself for sleep deprivation and an early rise. I spent several hours on Wednesday with this blog, posting and updating the format, and finally told myself I'd fix it later it's after midnight and I have to be up at 6! This is not so good for a non-morning person who has been sleeping in for a month.

Thursday, I was up at 6:20, showered, I even made lunch, and out of the house at 7. At Sesame by 7:35 and on the way to the school. We hit a little unanticipated snow (unanticipated because I never checked the weather) and when we got to the school the lack of cars in the parking lot was of some concern, but the kids were there and ready to go. We set up, and research was on! We showed a 40 minute (so almost full length, missing short segments) episode of Sesame Street to the kids. Then asked them some questions. Then we did it again. And again. I got to watch three episodes of Sesame Street in a row. Or I should rephrase, I got to listen to the SAME episode of Sesame Street three times in a row. I had almost forgotten how there is a threshold of how many times you can watch something before you never want to look at it again. I did not hit this on Thursday. I did hit the threshold of how many times I can listen to others sing the Elmo's World theme though, as it wasn't stuck in my head from watching, but only after the repeated singing. It's almost gone. When we got back I entered data for awhile, and then headed home. It was 4pm when I got there (just after the plane landed in the Hudson) and I took a nap. When I woke up for dinner at 5:30 I knew there was no way I was going to be heading back out into the cold for the book event. But I did watch a little tv and go to bed at a reasonable hour so that I could get up at 6 on Friday.

Friday I did it all again. When I got home I decided that I really just wanted to hang out on the couch. If it's not too windy we MIGHT take a walk to get some air, and break up the cabin fever. This working thing is hard stuff, but I am so happy I'm back in the rat race. Let's hope I can do it again next week.

Family Photos

2009-01-15T09:00:00.000-05:00

When Rob first moved into the condo, the small bedroom / office looked a little like the picture to the left. Or maybe that's exactly what it looked like. The room was full of furniture we weren't sure what to do with, the artwork waiting to be hung on the walls, and boxes of stuff from the storage unit where Rob put the things from Uncle Al's house. We spent a couple of months cleaning out this room to make it a respectable office and now guest room. In the process there were all the family photos to deal with. There were thousands of photos and slides to look through. Rob was at first tempted to just toss the lot, but instead we sorted. The photos from Rob's childhood, and his Dad's were all put into a box. Along with slides of family events that someday we may have transferred. Tossed were pictures that were blurry and out of focus, and there were a ton of nature pics of birds and such that also went. What we were left with was two photo boxes full of Rob's family pictures. When we got back from New Mexico I decided to do something with them.

I had an empty photo album, so I went through the boxes and found the best 200 pictures. Then with my limited knowledge of chronology, dates on the back of some photos, and Rob's really awful sense of time, I organized and made an album. The only downside is after I was all done I found the roll of Rob's first birthday party, and there is no way I'm moving everything back to put them where they belong. So now we have a Power's family photo album. I'm going to have to enlist Val's help in labeling some of the people in the photos. I think I can get them all.
For my next project I want to print out the best of the digital photos from the last few years and put those in albums. I really love having them and that is the downfall of the digital camera.

Addendum

2009-01-14T23:51:00.002-05:00

To my earlier post. As I was spending much to much time online today, as I didn't have work to do and it was really really cold out, I decided to look for a new layout for the blog. What I liked about the old layout is that it allowed for a wide space for teh body of the text. But what I like about the new one is the pretty pink skyline - so perfect for My Life in the Big City. I'm hoping to sit down this weekend and maybe figure out how to widen the posting area, maybe I will maybe I won't (you decide if I mean try or actually figure it out)

The other downside is somehow in the process of changing I accidentally deleted all of the links on the right sidebar. So now I have a clean slate - do I want to be the blog hopper / stalker. I decided I do. So in my trying to recreate, I added a space for the links to blogs of people I don't know, that aren't necessarily written for the masses, or maybe they are. So read and hop with me if you dare.

Also, if you are a friend who has a blog that used to be linked (or maybe not and you want to be linked) but aren't seeing your blog at the moment, send me a message or comment and I will add you. I am having a hard time remembering who all was there, what with all the blogs I read and everything.

The First Step is Admitting the Problem

2009-01-14T13:44:00.002-05:00

I have a problem, or I might say had a problem, because through not purposeful steps of my own it is seeming to resolve itself. You see I am a blog-stalker, a more polite term is blog-hopper. It's when you are reading the blog of someone you know, and then decide to look at what their friends are posting and find a couple of really good ones, then start looking at what their friends are posting, etc., etc. This isn't the worst of problems, I mean some blogs are meant to be read by the masses. And the whole reason you post on the web is so people can read it. It's just that the blogs I like to read are just about people's lives. Reading about the everyday fascinates me. I think the most I was every reading consistently was 12. But really 12 blogs about people's lives who I don't even know. And I change the blogs that I read some, when people stop posting often I lose the urge to check in everyday, or sometimes life circumstances change and it's just not as interesting., sometimes I get a little bored and find someone new who is more interesting through the newness, and sometimes I realize that maybe it is a little weird to feel so invested in someone else's life. Like my Grandma when she watches her soap operas, you don't know these people but you feel like you do. So yes I have a problem.
But I'm finding that lately I'm not reading as many blogs, or at least not checking in quite so often. My blog is my homepage, so I do look to see who's updated in the last day and check those every morning. What changed this is that I am home now. And I'm not sitting on the computer all day, for the most part - now I'm watching tv :) Really I am getting a chance to hang out with my husband, and I'm going out and doing errands. And more importantly I am going to networking events and working a little. All things that pull me away from the screen. I still get the urge to hop around and find new blogs, but I don't check in as often. So is it really a problem, I don't know. There is a small part of me though, that hopes there are a few other freaks like myself who find this blog worth stalking. We'll see. If admitting the problem is the first step, do I really need a second. What's one more blog hopper in the world really going to hurt?

What a Week For Good Things

2009-01-10T11:40:00.004-05:00

Going down a roller slide on a playground, definitely a good thing.

This has been a crazy week to start my new year. It all started with an email. In my quest to find a job, and my hope that my old one will start again soon, I keep going back and forth between wanting to find a full time job and wanting to wait it out. Depending on several extraneous factors my anxiety over what to do fluctuates. Some days I am calm and able to believe that everything will be fine. Other days I am scouring the web for any and every job opportunity that may be out there. I've even met with a couple of recruiters at staffing agencies in the hopes of finding some full time work, knowing that if my hope (of more Bubble Guppies, that I do not believe in these moments) does come true, that I may have to pass...if I am in a full time position that I like that pays well and I have committed to. Of course this is also all resting on the fact that you snap your fingers and have a job. I found that really I can relax because the job market right now stinks, and if I just trust that when I do get offered a job it will be the RIGHT job for me then all is well. So back to the email. Last week, before I went to Indiana, I sent this email. It is one I had debated on for awhile, I don't know why. I think it has to do with me not promoting myself well, and being shy when it comes to networking. Most people I know don't really get this, I have an open and outgoing personality...with people I know. Talking to strangers...no way. And even people I kind of know, unfortunately for me that is what networking is all about. Working those minor connections. So I sent the email. To someone I have never met, but emailed with in the past, and not knowing what would happen, but it's just cyberspace so how bad can it be?

Then I got on a plane and went to Indiana (I can't say home anymore, cause when I did that to Rob he said, "no you're not here" so Indiana it is. On Sunday I check my email and there are four of importance. One: for an event on how to network better in times of needing a job. Check - signed up for that one. Two: for an event on how to pitch a children's book; Rob wanted this one because it may give us ideas on how to pitch a show too. And it is a two night event, so more networking. Check - I'm in, and because it's through an organization I belong to, FREE. Three: from an old friend I haven't seen in awhile saysing yes to my invite for drinks. And as this friend is from somwhere I used to work - it counts. And Four: back to the email I sent, a response. Yes, he'd like to meet with me and talk about freelance, and when can I come in next week. I set the meeting for Tuesday. And enjoy the rest of my weekend.

Tuesday comes and I have my meeting, but not just me Rob has one too! (His was set while we were in NM) So we head into the city for our interviews. And a good day! Rob came back and was excited. He won't know for awhile if it's a go, but he has some things in the works, and his music video and website are coming along smashingly.

I had a great interview as well at (this is what you've been waiting for) Sesame Workshop! The dream job, what got me into this in the first palce. I was asked to come back on Friday for a training session and to bring my passport for the paperwork. YAY! Wednesday I had drinks with Jack. We caught up on life and work and what's going on. And he knows some people at "the Workshop" who aren't necessarily research but more networking... So I have those names to contact when I have a chance.

Friday I went in for my training on how to be a freelance researcher for Sesame Workshop. It's a lot like being a researcher at Nick Jr. So for me it was pretty easy to do the observation, but it's a new recoding sheet, so I have to get used to the format. At the end of the day, they'll call me. But I am officially on the freelance list, and that means work! And all because I finally got the guts to send one little email.

So I am finally able to relax a little. I am going to see where the freelancing takes me. And keep on the tight budget. And remember to trust that everything will work out and that Rob and I will be fine.

New Mexico, part 5

2009-01-02T08:30:00.001-05:00

Date in Santa Fe:

On Friday Rob and I took the car and drove up to Santa Fe. It snowed the whole time. Wet but pretty. We saw the cathedral on the square, then went shopping! I bought a small nativity from Peru. The Mexican and South American nativities are very different from the ones I'm used to seeing. We went into a pottery gallery and bought a little pot made with black clay, and a decorative band of sparkly green clay (it's made that way because of the minerals in the clay) There is a history behind the pot and the artists who made it, I'll have to do some research to remember everything the gallery owner told us about it.

We walked to a different part of Santa Fe and went to eat at the Cowgirl Hall of Fame BBQ. The food was alright, we had the BBQ sampler and sweet potato fries. The decor though was awesome, tons of pictures of cowgirls on there horses with their lassos. I should have bought a t-shirt.

On the way back the the car we stopped at the Church of Our Lady Guadalupe and took some pictures of the statue there. Many people have left candles and flowers at her feet. Then headed out of town before the snow got worse.

Oh, and on the way back to Mary's we stopped at one of the casinos and gambled away $4.91.

And when we finally did get back we had some peppermint cake and pie a day early for Valerie's birthday.

Here are pictures from Santa Fe:

New Mexico, part 4

2009-01-02T08:00:00.003-05:00

Christmas Day!Christmas morning we woke up and once everyone was ready and dressed we opened the presents from Santa. It's so nice to know he found us in New Mexico. I got moccasins and Mary gave me some silver bangles that had belonged to Rob's grandmothers. Rob got a vest and a new shirt. Everyone liked the wedding pictures we gave them.For lunch we had a huge meal of steak, garlic mashed potatoes, broccoli with white cheese sauce, and delicious sweet potato pear soup. I really can't believe how much and how well we ate. After lunch we went to see the Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Interesting movie - definitely a go see.

When we got back to the house we built a fire and settled in for another snow...and some more singing. Merry Christmas.

New Mexico, part 3.2

2009-01-01T09:02:00.000-05:00

When the sun started to set on Christmas Eve, we drove into Albuquerque to see the illuminarias. The tradition in New Mexico is that there was no room for Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus; so if your home is open to the Christ then illuminarias are lit. These are paper bags with sand and a candle, that is lit. They line the path to the door, and sometimes the sidewalks, porch walls, and roofs. Everyone in downtown Albuquerque lights them and it's miles and miles of lights to show the way for the holy family. We walked though the neighborhoods for about an hour, then headed to a Christmas Eve candelight service.

Here are some pictures of the walk. And because hot air-ballooning is so big in New Mexico there was a balloon glow too.

New Mexico, part 3.1

2009-01-01T09:00:00.001-05:00

Christmas Eve:

This is the first Christmas I've spent away from my family. It was a whole new experience to find some new traditions with my new family.

We spent a relaxing morning and of course some hot chocolate before heading up the mountain. Mary and Ahad took Rob and I up a different trail to see their "elephant." We packed our pockets with sweets and off we went.After a hike in the warm weather, don't be fooled by the snow, I took off my coat I was sweating so much, we got to the "elephant." Do you see him hiding in the rock? Look carefully.And this explains the sweets in our pockets, they were for him. At the crack that is the "mouth" we gave our offerings and made a wish for the new year. I took some candy, of course. Rob brought cashews, Ahad, a cookie, and Mary, a cucumber slice. Here she is wishing and feeding.Also by the "elephant" Mary recently found a GEO box. This is a game I guess, where someone puts a tin with some object, and then posts the coordinates. Then others go looking for the box. When you find one, you leave something, and take something if you want. Kind of cool.

We returned home to the lunch Valerie had put together, then Mary and Ahad taught us some songs. And we sang some Christmas songs, that are favorites of Rob's and mine. Easily, the favorite of the week was "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" (Rob is still humming it.) I really like that they sing. It's something we did a little when I was in college and my dad started to play the guitar. I enjoy the family sing-a-long. And Ahad and Mary taught us some of the songs they sing at the dances they lead. We learned a few of the dances too.

Happy New Year...

2009-01-01T00:01:00.002-05:00

...From our home to yours

A little photo shoot of the family, Me, Rob, and Mr. Theodore Monkey.

Goddess of Cocoa and Chocolate

2008-12-31T16:30:00.001-05:00

Aunt Mary has decided that I should be called the Goddess of Cocoa. Probably because every other sentence out of my mouth was "You know, chocolate / cocoa / sugar _______ would go really great with this. I made candy, pudding, hot cocoa, and cake. We had a bit of chocolate with almost every meal. This won't surprise anyone who knows me and my sweet tooth, but I kind of like the new moniker, Goddess of Cocoa - it suits me. In honor of this title here's my Mom-Mom's candy recipe, which is what started this whole thing. We used to have this always at Christmas - but I'm sure it's delicious anytime of year. This recipe takes patience, and doesn't always turn out right (it didn't set completely in New Mexico) but even the mistakes are delicious.

Mom-Mom's Candy
3 cups sugar
3 heaping teaspoons cocoa
1/8 teaspooons salt
1 1/2 cups milk

Mix the dry ingredients in a medium pot
Stir in milk - heat on low and stir continuously
Let mixture boil (about 20 minutes)
When the mixture begins to thicken (approximately another 15 minutes) Add 1/2 stick a butter

Test every minute with the cold water test:
Use a spoon to drop a drop of the candy mixture into a cup of cold water
When the mixture forms a ball in the water take the mixture off of heat

Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla and 1 heaping tablespoon of peanut butter

Pour onto a buttered platter (13 - 18 inch oval or round) one with a vertical lip works best. Let platter sit until candy is hard. (several hours)

If the candy sets correctly it can be cut into squares of a hard sugar like consistency. If it does not set correctly it will be more like taffy and should be eaten with a spoon.

Enjoy!

New Mexico, part 2

2008-12-31T16:18:00.001-05:00

On Tuesday we had a breakfast of english muffins and hot cocoa. (The first night we made a quick trip to the grocery for cocoa and sugar, two things every household should never be without.) Then Mary and I took Valerie shopping for some boots, so we could hike some. She got some UGG like boots with "LOVE" on the backs from Marshalls. She is so stylin' now.

After breakfast and shopping I made come candy (gotta love the cocoa) then we went for a short walk / hike in the snow covered foot hills of the mountain. Somehow we found the perfect mix of exercise and relaxation.

After lunch we went to Old Town Albuquerque for some shopping and sightseeing. We went to the old church there and saw the nativities and walked through some of the galleries and stores. There is so much artwork to be found. And everything is decorated for Christmas.Then when it got dark we went to the botanic garden for the Christmas light show. All the trees have lights. And there are hundreds of mechanical lawn lights. I liked the elephants that sprayed water on each other - of course that one we didn't get a picture of...

For dinner we had some authentic Mexican food. The first restaurant had a super-long wait so we went to the back-up. The food was pretty good, but the memorable part were the sopaipas. These fried dough pieces that you fill with honey are one of the most delicious foods I've ever eaten. Yum! (There is much talk of food in these posts from our trip, but we ate oh so well.)

New Mexico, part 1

2008-12-30T17:09:00.005-05:00

Catching the Plane and Seeing the Mountains:Last Monday Rob, his mom Valerie, and I flew to Albuquerque to visit Rob's Aunt Mary and her husband Ahad. We got in right on time after some early morning airport drama.

I travel frequently alone, and rarely check bags. Hence, I forgot all about crazy Christmas travel and people who don't fly often, and also forgot to take into account that we were checking bags and traveling with someone who has not flown since before 9-11. So I only allotted an hour and 15 minutes to check-in and get through security. The car was 15 minutes late, and by the time we got to the airport at 6 for a 6:55 flight, well you can imagine. The kiosk wasn't working for us because we had a flight that had been changed several times or some other unknown reason; and of course the line to see an agent was at least 90 minutes. Uggh. So we got to cut in line to get our boarding passes, and then I talked our way in to cutting in the security line too. Luckily we had no liquids or gels to worry about. And we made our flight just fine. Or bags however did not, and upon arriving in Albuquerque we left our address with the airline, and our bags were delivered about 8 hours later. Crises averted; I'll file this under things to remember about holiday travel.

Monday with Mary and Ahad was pretty low key, we were all jet lagged and stuff. They have the most beautiful house with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

Oh how beautiful!

We're Back and Ready for 2009

2008-12-30T16:49:00.003-05:00

We're back from New Mexico and starting to settle back into a routine. We are coming up with this theory that time moves faster on the east coast. Sunday was spent lounging around after the nearly 12 hours of travel on Saturday. Then yesterday and today, so much to do on the "To Do" list, and as I am looking at it now a lot has been crossed off, but there is still so much to do. There just aren't enough hours in the day.

I am spending this week cleaning and organizing for the 2009 plan. I'm going to visit my mom this weekend, hence the jump-start. We are starting off this year in very different circumstances. Last year we were working at Nick Jr. and talking about getting engaged, this January we are married and jobless. It's a scary place to start the new year, looking for work, but we have a plan.

We have been trying to simplify our lives and minimize our possessions since Rob and I combined households. I've found a few good blogs that give lots of ideas on living simply, and on a budget. One idea implemented this week is that of meal planning. I've been doing this somewhat for awhile, because it is much easier to go to the grocery with an idea of what you're going to make with the food bought. What we are doing now, is putting a budget to the plan. $50 a week. I sat down on Sunday night and made a list of 25 meals (some are repeats) for January. No 31, because there will be leftovers, and the occasional meal at a friends home. I planned the first week, and loosely laid out the other four. This way we can move things around and try not to have beef four days in a row for example. And since I have more time, we can watch the sales and cook around that.

This week's menu:
Monday - stuffed salmon with grilled aspargus (we had salmon in the freezer)
Tuesday - Chicken Broccoli Casserole
Wednesday - Skyline Chili
Thursday - French Bread Pizza
Friday - Indian chicken from Natascha

We came in at just under $60 for the week. That is $10 over budget, but food for lunches and some of the ingredients will be used next week. Hopefully we can make up the difference later in the month.

We are also cutting all unnecessary spending with the exception of a $10 fun budget for each of us each week. Yesterday we each spent $2.50 at Alpha Donut. There is so much mindless spending that goes on in our lives. I'm going to keep on the blog searching for more ways to simplify and budget our lives.

We are keeping hope that by mid-year those awesome jobs will once again have come to us, and we can have the occasional dinner out.

I just remembered one more thing. We FINALLY dropped off two bags of clothes, kitchen supplies, and a CD player to the Salvation Army thrift store. The unexpected upside is that we got a tax write off form from them, and since it is December 30 I don't have to keep it on file for a whole year - just until tax season is over.

Here's to living simply in 2009.

Traveling for Christmas

2008-12-21T19:53:00.002-05:00

We leave for Albuquerque early tomorrow morning. I'll post about the trip next weekend when we get back. I'll miss the Frazier and Ables family Christmases this year. I'll miss you all.
Merry Christmas!

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothing and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
- Luke 2:6-7

December 19

2008-12-19T14:35:00.005-05:00

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Chloe had so much fun trying to make snowballs this afternoon.

Angel Tree at the Met

2008-12-18T22:11:00.001-05:00

Fifteenth Day of Advent - too warm for words

2008-12-15T19:50:00.003-05:00

Since today was so unseasonably warm, here is a picture from a summer day at the beach.

Undercover Ops

2008-12-15T19:32:00.003-05:00

Location: Chinatown, New York, NY

Mission: 1 Louis Vuitton purse, and 2 Coach purses

I am occasionally asked to buy purses for those who don't live in New York for gifts. The last two missions to buy purses in New York, I have bought from the guys selling out of boxes and bags, once on 42nd street and once at World Trade Center. This time I tried Chinatown. There were no suitable bags hanging in the stores so after lunch we went "undercover" and when one of the many women whispering what they had to see said "Coach" I stopped. She didn't have a Louis Vuitton (LV) but a cohort did. So she walks us down the block and told us to follow the man she met. We did, down a side street and thought we would be taken into another building. Then the man said only two could come. We were three, and I had already made it very clear that the LV purchaser in the group was NOT splitting from the coach purchaser and husband. So I sent Rob and said I would wait on the street. The man unlocked a van and said get in. They did (Rob first checked that there was no driver in the driver's seat), and a few minutes later they emerged with a LV bag. Mission part one accomplished. Oh, and the guy first called someone he had on the street to make sure the coast was clear.

Then we had to get the Coach bags. We walked back to Canal street and found someone else whipsering "coach", we followed. This time only half a block and all three of us could get in. There were bags hanging all over the back of this seatless passenger van. I found the goods I wanted. then asked the price. Too high. I told her what I would pay. (Here is where I don't bargain well, always say LOWER than you want to pay) She gave another offer, still too high. We met in the middle of my first and her second. She said no. I stared at her, then the bags, then back at her. I waited. She said "ok, ok, here, here" took the bags from me and took our second offer. (why I should have started lower, then my second offer could have been my first)
Mission accomplished!

The bags are now on their way to thier new home.

Day Fourteen - Weekend Update

2008-12-15T19:12:00.005-05:00

Krystle and Rob on the ponies.

So Krystle arrived on Saturday afternoon. We dropped her bag off at the apartment and headed back to Manhattan for some New York cuisine. To Ninth Avenue we went for Krystle's first taste of Thai food. I think she's a covert to it's deliciousness. Then we walked over to Rockefeller Center to see the tree at night. (no pics - oops) Then to St. Patrick's (see day 10) and Sak's (day 12). Oh! and we got chocolate covered marshmallows and strawberries on a stick for desert before heading home again.

Then today. We started the day by going to Central Park. But the N train just kept not coming, so we walked to the R train. And we saw the special holiday old train. So cool! So we got on even though it wasn't going to the stop we wanted. We got to ride a car from 1931.

Note the "real" fans on the ceiling used for ventilation.

After getting off the train, we walked up to Central Park, and saw the skating rink, and the carousel. Oh how we love the carousel. Here are some pictures of that, even though it's not really Christmas.

And then to Chinatown! Where we walked canal street. Then ate at Wo-hop, where we get the best chinese food ever. And then we had some purses to buy (see newer post). Mission accomplished.

We headed home to rest a bit before dinner. We went to the Jackson Diner in Queens for some Indian food, another first for Krystle.

Overall a busy but fun day. And Krystle enjoyed the taste of Asia.

Thirteenth Day of Advent

2008-12-15T09:10:00.003-05:00

On the thirteenth day of advent we started out the day by giving our blood. Williamsburg Church was supposed to have a blood drive - but the truck's heat was broken, so they got another truck but it's heat was broken too. So those of us who were there got to give blood, then the rest of the drive was canceled. We'll try again in the spring. Rob did really well this time, he laid down and didn't get sick at all. I on the other hand got super nauseous and had to lay down for 15 minutes after I was done with a trash bag just in case. I didn't need the trash bag, and once I sat up and had some water, juice, and cheese it's I did just fine. The guy told me next time to have a non-diet soda right before I give, I guess to help with sugar.

After that we spent the rest of the day walking around and did pretty good being down a pint and all. We finished all of our Christmas shopping and got a topper for our tree finally. It's silver and has lots of glitter. It's not our ideal topper, we really want an angel topper that isn't creepy. So many of the angel are little wierd looking; the star will hold us over til we find the perfect one - or forever.
Then we picked up my cousin Krystle from the train station and began our NYC sightseeing weekend.

Twelve Days of Christmas

2008-12-12T18:03:00.003-05:00

Here is a video of end of the Light Show on the facade of Sacks. If I go back I might try and get a better video of the beginning of the song.

The Bell Carol

Terribly Remis

2008-12-12T15:41:00.005-05:00

So I have slacked off on my post a day. I have no excuse really none at all. It is hard to take a picture a day of something new and exciting. And my mom told me no fair posting fromteh archives - as she didn't read the post explaining that I was not making buckeyes this year - and thought I had been busy.

So I spent a few mornings this week babysitting the lovely little Chloe and helping Michelle out some. On Tuesday we went to the playground. Chloe loves the slide and swings. And for added entertainment we saw a dog chasing the mailman and he climbed onto a porch pillar until said dog's human came to rescue the mailman. High comedy I tell you. I've only ever read about this phenomenon of dog vs. mailman, now I've seen it in action.

Then Wednesday through Friday I got to work. And how I have missed my job. We tested a show about Astronomy. When asked what kinds of things you see when you look in outer space one kid said "heaven."

I have an action packed weekend ahead where one of my cousins will be visiting and I will be finishing Christmas shopping, the little I'm doing this year. And next week back to my life of unemployment and job hunting.

I will try for more pictures. I want to finish my advent. I wonder if I can figure out how to back post???

I figured it out! Days 9 - 13 are posted on the 14th but dated so it looks like they are all in order. Sweet! (except for this one - which I actually posted on the 12th but updated on the 14th. TMI - probably.

Eleventh Day of Advent

2008-12-11T17:50:00.003-05:00

Christmas 2006 at the Frazier house. Grant and his fire-truck...eeee-oooo-eeee-oooo.

Tenth Day of Advent

2008-12-10T17:47:00.001-05:00

Nativity at St. Patrick's

Ninth Day of Advent

2008-12-09T17:39:00.000-05:00

EIGHTH Day of Advent

2008-12-08T19:11:00.005-05:00

Ornaments in a fountain, near work.

And a Santa near Rockefeller Center (he caught me taking his picture)

Day 7 - Give a Little

2008-12-07T14:46:00.003-05:00

'Tis the Reason. Another from my walks last week.

The Salvation Army Bell Ringers are out in full force. And as an added bonus, in NYC they are performers as well. With music on the portable speakers they sing along, or ring bells in time to the music. It is not your average mid-western bell ringer. For me it is also a reminder that even in unemployment I have much to be grateful for and that there are those in much more need than I. Give a little if you get the chance.

Day 6

2008-12-06T22:59:00.003-05:00

Here is another from the archives. Buckeyes! Classic Christmas candy. Unfortunately I did NOT make these yet this year, which means it probably won't happen. But I did have a Christmas party / get together tonight. Pics and a story to come...not tonight...tired.YUM!

On the fifth day of Advent

2008-12-05T12:55:00.003-05:00

Let's make some cinnamon ornaments! Here is a picture of two I made last year and they still smell great. It's the recipe we always made with mom, I grew up smelling cinnamon.

To do it yourself, Mix and knead:
3/4 c cinnamon
1Tbs allspice
1Tbs nutmeg
2 Tbs cloves
1 c applesauce

Roll out to 1/4 inch thick and cut with you favorite cookie cutters. Bells and stars worked best for me. (I tried angels but the wings kept falling off) Poke a hole for string with a toothpick and lay out to dry on paper towels. Turn as needed, they take about three days to dry out.

A New Do

2008-12-04T20:53:00.005-05:00

I got home from getting my hair cut this evening and did this little "photo shoot" with Rob. Can you guess which picture is his favorite. This is the hair when it's been blown straight. Look for pictures tomorrow of the wavy version. (Blogging is what I do to pass the time in unemployment.)

Fourth Day of Advent

2008-12-04T20:44:00.004-05:00

Being unemployed around the holidays has one upside: lots of free time during the day to walk around and see the city all decked out for Christmas. Last night was the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center. Here are a few pictures from the plaza.

Day 3

2008-12-03T17:00:00.003-05:00

Today's picture is from the archives. Christmas 2004 (I think) Someone correct me if that's wrong - it's the year Emily came back from Argentina. This is me and my Grandma Frazier at her house for Christmas morning.

On the second day of advent

2008-12-02T17:37:00.004-05:00

The plan for December is to post a picture a day leading up until Christmas.

Today's picture is from our date last night to see the Rockettes.And one of me.And now for those of you who like reading my ramblings: Some background on why we went to the show (paragraph 1), the great discount (paragraph 2), why I need to start a diet and exercise (paragraph 3), and a plea for help. If you read it all there is another picture.

The Rocketts are pretty awesome. When I used to dance, I always thought it would be the coolest job ever to be a Rockette. And I am tall enough to be the shortest Rockette. (Except I think they might have raised the height by half-an-in, so maybe not anymore) When the Rockettes are in thier kickline they line up by height giving the illusion that everyone is the same height (5'5.5" - 5'10.5" or 5'6" - 5'11") So much fun to watch. I saw the show for the first time a few years ago, and when I found out Rob had never been, it was really a given that we would end up at Radio City eventually. Last year is wasn't in the cards. But this year I was determined.

I found a $10 off per ticket coupon and went to the box office. I said I want the best seats in the second price range for any day the first two weeks of December. I got two tickets for December 1. And then the best present I could ask for, that I didn't even think of - I paid with my Capital One card. And because Capital One is sponsering the show this year, Capital One customers get 50% off. (I don't know this officially, but since I didn't ask why I got the discount it's all I can think of, if you have Capital One and live in NYC you should check it out) We got really good seats, five rows back, left section, and $36 EACH!

And now to why I need to diet. I know most people don't dress up for theater and shows and such, but I like to. Rob wore jeans with a blazer, and since it was warmish yesterday I planned to wear my spagetti strap Ann Taylor dress with the new H&M shrug I bought and heels instead of boots. So I started getting ready, I pulled out the dress and slipped it on and OH NO! I couldn't get the zipper up. At first I thought it was just that I couldn't quite reach the top of the zipper part. I debated put the sweater on and have Rob finish the zip when I get to the office to meet him. Or change. (This is when having a sister or husband at home when dressing is really really helpful) Unfortunatly it was just me. I looked at the zipper a few more minutes and came to the AWFUL and SAD conclusion that the 10 pounds I gained last winter / spring and have been trying so hard to avoid (I can still wear my casual clothes) have put me fully into a new fancy dress clothes size. The dress just didn't fit. So I went to option 2: my black skirt with a silk blouse and the shrug. This one fit, just a little to tight in the top, but too lowcut to work with the shrug. I was now bordering on running late due to wardrobe malfunction. I was left with three options: 1. wear a sweater and skirt and be hot, 2. wear my black strapless dress with a colored shrug sweater and hope for the best, 3. wear pants and just give up on fancy clothes. I went with option 2. The black strapless dress is all elastic, and doesn't fit as well as it once did in a time long ago, but it fit. With the sweater and boots I was good to go. I met Rob on time, we went to the show then out to dinner. A great night over all.

And now I am back to the delimma I and trying so had to ignore. Do I eat better and exercise (bearing in mind I am in one of those moods where I want to eat everything in sight, pizza and cheesburgers are the current cravings I don't have the food to fill in the apartment right now) or do I just accept it, donate all the old clothes and go on a shopping spree (bearing in mind I don't actually have a job at the moment) Any advice?

One more picture to reward anyone who actually read this far.A lameish picture - but we had awesome seats, and got to keep the 3D glasses.

On the first day of Advent

2008-12-01T16:12:00.002-05:00

I put up a tree. And some presents that my mom sent to me.

December is here. This year flew by. The tree is up and decorated. There are a few presents. I finished one of my homemade gifts this afternoon, and we are ready for some yuletide cheer.
Tonight Rob and I go to see the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes!

Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T21:01:00.002-05:00

Today I am thankful that I was able to cook a Thanksgiving meal for my husband, mother-in-law, and brother-in-law, and that it turned out quite tasty.

I am thankful that Rob decided to take the day off and no work on personal projects today.

I am thankful for the nap we got to take on the couch after the dishes were done.

I am thankful my husband lovingly did the dishes.

I am thankful that our rabbit is ok after his fall from Rob's arms last night.

I am happy I can put Christmas decorations up this week.

I am happy Rob and I are heading to visit cousins for the rest of the weekend.

I am happy because I am remembering not to stress too much.

I am happy that I am loved.

Triple Date Weekend

2008-11-23T20:53:00.004-05:00

This weekend has been great for me and date night. Three dates in three days! Thank you to my super handsome and incredible husband.

Date #1: Friday night Rob and I went to Aubergine Cafe for wine and cheese. This was a great date, because it really started the weekend off right and I was able to get some stress relief and was ready to relax all day Saturday. The funny story here is Rob fell out of his chair while we were there. If you know me you probably know I really like to kiss Rob. And at the cafe I decided I needed a kiss, and Rob told me no, I was too far away, so I sat forward a little so that he could meet me halfway over the table. Rob gave in to my need for incessant kisses when we are out, and stood a little to kiss me over the table. However, when he sat up, the heavy winter coat on the back of his chair pulled the chair over. So after the kiss Rob went to sit down, only the chair was not there, and he ended up sitting in the space between the chair legs. So not a full fall, but the woman who saw him going down was worried. Then all I hear is my name yelled - KASEY! I laughed and blushed a little. But the kiss was totally worth it.

Date #2: Saturday night we grabbed a bite to eat at a diner then went to see Bolt in 3-D. Cute movie, the 3-D is really good. I was reminded however of why we usually wait a couple of weeks to go see kids movies. The crazy kids that are running around hopped up on coke and candy, and three of their best friends. I was impressed though at how well the rowdy boys in front of us in line behaved once the movie started. You should see this movie.

Date #3: Tonight after church we decided on sushi for dinner. We usually order and eat at home, but since we were already out decided to eat at the restaurant rather than getting our food to go. An impromptu date, but it counts doesn't it?

All in all a good weekend. And to top it off I even got around to cleaning the bathrooms and doing the dishes. So the apartment is clean too. Now if I can just get the the pile of papers toppling off my desk...maybe after three more dates.

Robot Part 2

2008-11-22T14:42:00.004-05:00

So last weekend the shoot for the music video happened in our living room while I went shopping. Here are a couple of photos from the event. First is Josh performing, his song Test is for the video. Then there is a picture of the brothers hanging out in the robot together. Hopefully the video will be done in a few weeks. I'll post a link when it's done.

Memo on Me.

2008-11-19T14:04:00.002-05:00

This is something I saw on Candace's blog. I like it because it's different than most of the "about me" posts I've seen. Just copy and paste the list and then bold or italicize the statements that are true for you. Did you know all these things about me?

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (from the beach)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

What about you?

PS - I might elaborate on some of these later.

Robot Set vs. Living Room

2008-11-14T11:26:00.004-05:00

So last weekend while Rob and I were enjoying our weekend in DC, Rob's production partners of One Stuck Duck were using our living room to build the set for the upcoming shoot of thier music video. Rob's brother Josh is a musician, so OSD is making a video for his song, Test. This will be another Live Action / Animation short. See here for their other work. The video has giant robots in it, the robots will be animated the drivers will be Josh and Eric. So in order for them to have something to drive, I came home on Sunday night to find a messier version of this.

I say messier because Rob has spent the last few days adding elements - like the levers and lights - so that the pile that was on the carpet in front of the set is now nearly gone. It take up most of the room. We can't really sit on the couch. I can only see half of the screen that shows me tv. The table is next to the bathroom. The ottoman is against the wall on its side. The rabbit is totally freaked out because his running space is blocked. I'm not complaing really. But oh, will I be happy next week when this is dismantled and put away. What do you do with a giant robot cockpit you ask? Well return as much as possible. Use the wood to block the air conditioner holes that dont' have units yet, put the rest on the sidewalk, and hope for a really truly awesome music video that will win awards and make us famous beyond our wildest dreams. Ok, not really the last part, but come January, there should be a pretty awesome video.

Now if you notice I am sitting in the giant robot cockpit, because, well, if it is going to be in my living room I am going to play. Here are some photos Rob took of me driving the robot and singing my version of the song into the disco ball microphone. That part I might have to keep.

Tomorrow is the big shoot. I plan on being out of the apartment all day to keep my sanity. But when I return creative genius will have been at work. As my dad told me, it could be worse, Rob could be building a race car or montser truck in the garage.

3 Months of Wedded Bliss

2008-11-11T11:08:00.002-05:00

I can't believe it's been three months already. But at the same time, all bundled up in my winter sweater August seems like a long time ago.