But before I get to my problem, I'm going to briefly summarize the 2 blog posts that have been floating around in my head recently but that I never got around to actually writing in full:
1) If you're going to see the new Harry Potter movie, see it twice. For realz. I was able to pick up on so much more the second time.
2) I have a crush on my volleyball coach, Mark. (not his real name) (obviously his real name) He is tall and hot and foreign and I get excited whenever he comes over to tell me what mistakes I'm making. Also, one time we were playing a game and I took my place by the net and he was standing right opposite me on the other side of the net, and he was smiling as a residual from some conversation he had just ended with a teammate and then he directed his smile at me and I melted. Good story.
Okay, my problem.
Ever since I reformatted my computer a few months ago (lies, I had my more tech-savvy friend do it for me, whatevs), for some reason the album artwork for 2 of the Glee albums does not show up correctly on my iPod. This is weird because a) the artwork is correct in iTunes, and b) no other albums, to my knowledge anyway, have mixed up artwork.
Glee volume 2, instead of the nice happy picture of all the Glee kids, shows up as Ben Kweller, Sundress. Which is cool, I suppose. I'm down with Ben Kweller.
Glee volume 1, however, shows up as the album cover from Ashley Parker Angel. And this is simply not acceptable.
I listen to Glee songs quite often, which means this album artwork shows up frequently on my iPod. I have no qualms about accidentally displaying Ben Kweller but the world does not need to know that I have any Ashley Park Angel music (whatever, it's one song. So fun and upbeat! Let U Go! Yeah!).
I have no idea how to fix this. But seriously, um...how do I fix it? Ashley Park Angel is a secret between me and you guys and NO ONE ELSE. And no, I am not willing to delete my Ashley Parker Angel song in order to hope that it removes the album artwork from iTunes. Because...no.
I'm thankful for...
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Labels:
Arielle's favorite things
In keeping with the theme of the holiday and seemingly everyone's blog/twitter/facebook, here is a list of things for which I am thankful on this, our lovely Thanksgiving day:
- The health of my family. Some members of my extended family aren't as lucky right now, and it's in times when people are sick that you realize just how amazing it is to wake up in the morning and feel..fine.
- My dad and I both getting jobs in the last few months. Unemployment sucks and is depressing. Money for all!
- Glee, Harry Potter, book club, and all things nerdy and delightful.
- All the lovely friends, from kindergarten to high school to college to blogging and beyond, who drink with me, gchat with me, entertain me to no end, and keep me sane.
- Groupon and all of its offshoots, for providing me with massages and manicures and burgers and headbands and Indian food and scavenger hunts and everything else that I've been able to get on the cheap.
- New York City, the breath of fresh air only a 45 minute train ride away when I get fed up with living in the suburbs, forever reminding me that I'm 27 and my whole life is still ahead of me.
- Being Jewish. Listening to everyone talk about all the Christmas presents they have to buy makes me want to break out in hives. I'm buying exactly ONE present this year and it's for my Secret insert-some-PC-Santa-replacement here exchange with the besties.
- The internet, where I can find pretty much any item or any piece of info I ever need, for its endless ability to stalk people about whom I wouldn't normally give a crap if I didn't have open access to their wedding pictures, and for allowing people to post things like this, which will make me laugh so hard that tears run down my face and my nose starts running in the middle of Starbucks.
- College. Even though I graduated over 5 years ago, I'm still grateful for my entire college experience. Between reminiscing about crazy nights with sorority sisters, finding out last week that a dodgeball opponent is a fellow Jumbo, supporting our a cappella program at The Sing Off (and in Glee!!!! Btw the Bubs will be singing Hey Soul Sister on next week's ep, yo) and hearing that Tufts came in second at the Quidditch World Cup, not a week goes by that I don't express my insane Tufts pride at least once.
- Dogs. Between Daily Puppy, Fuck Yeah Puppies, Hipster Puppies and LOL Dogs, heading over to my friend Lauren's house to play video games and see her 2 awesome puppies, exchanging dog-related youtube videos with Crapface, and playing with my own dog, I spend a lot of time thinking about dogs and HOW GREAT THEY ARE.
With that, I'll end with a photo of my totally awesome dog, Roxy. This was taken today on my fancy new phone which I am slowly getting used to (thankful for that too, check).
ROXYYYYYY
- The health of my family. Some members of my extended family aren't as lucky right now, and it's in times when people are sick that you realize just how amazing it is to wake up in the morning and feel..fine.
- My dad and I both getting jobs in the last few months. Unemployment sucks and is depressing. Money for all!
- Glee, Harry Potter, book club, and all things nerdy and delightful.
- All the lovely friends, from kindergarten to high school to college to blogging and beyond, who drink with me, gchat with me, entertain me to no end, and keep me sane.
- Groupon and all of its offshoots, for providing me with massages and manicures and burgers and headbands and Indian food and scavenger hunts and everything else that I've been able to get on the cheap.
- New York City, the breath of fresh air only a 45 minute train ride away when I get fed up with living in the suburbs, forever reminding me that I'm 27 and my whole life is still ahead of me.
- Being Jewish. Listening to everyone talk about all the Christmas presents they have to buy makes me want to break out in hives. I'm buying exactly ONE present this year and it's for my Secret insert-some-PC-Santa-replacement here exchange with the besties.
- The internet, where I can find pretty much any item or any piece of info I ever need, for its endless ability to stalk people about whom I wouldn't normally give a crap if I didn't have open access to their wedding pictures, and for allowing people to post things like this, which will make me laugh so hard that tears run down my face and my nose starts running in the middle of Starbucks.
- College. Even though I graduated over 5 years ago, I'm still grateful for my entire college experience. Between reminiscing about crazy nights with sorority sisters, finding out last week that a dodgeball opponent is a fellow Jumbo, supporting our a cappella program at The Sing Off (and in Glee!!!! Btw the Bubs will be singing Hey Soul Sister on next week's ep, yo) and hearing that Tufts came in second at the Quidditch World Cup, not a week goes by that I don't express my insane Tufts pride at least once.
- Dogs. Between Daily Puppy, Fuck Yeah Puppies, Hipster Puppies and LOL Dogs, heading over to my friend Lauren's house to play video games and see her 2 awesome puppies, exchanging dog-related youtube videos with Crapface, and playing with my own dog, I spend a lot of time thinking about dogs and HOW GREAT THEY ARE.
With that, I'll end with a photo of my totally awesome dog, Roxy. This was taken today on my fancy new phone which I am slowly getting used to (thankful for that too, check).
ROXYYYYYYI hope all of you lovely bloggies are appreciating all the fabulous things in your lives as well. =) Either that or currently passed out from overconsumption of tryptophan.
FIRST PAYCHECK FRIDAY
Friday, November 19, 2010
Labels:
J-O-B
It's a holiday up in these parts!!!
After more than 2 years without a full-time paycheck, accepting measly amounts of money for working 60 hours a week as a caterer or for sitting at a reception desk doing nothing, I finally received a paycheck for a real job that pays real money.
It's only for 4 days worth of work since last week was my first week and I didn't go in Friday because I had a lovely flight to Tampa, FL for my cousin's bar-mitzvah (another post all its own), but still. I'M SO HAPPY I WANT TO MAKE OUT WITH ALL OF YOU.
Except those of you who may for whatever reason be under 18. Or married. I don't want to get in trouble here.
Now I need to decide what I should buy myself in celebration. But if you're thinking, "Why don't you buy yourself that smartphone you've been talking about?" then I say, "Been there, done that."
I am now the proud owner of an HTC Incredible. This, too, is another post all its own. It's quite an adjustment from my flip phone and not a 100% positive one either.
But for now, I celebrate. But seriously - what should I buy myself?
After more than 2 years without a full-time paycheck, accepting measly amounts of money for working 60 hours a week as a caterer or for sitting at a reception desk doing nothing, I finally received a paycheck for a real job that pays real money.
It's only for 4 days worth of work since last week was my first week and I didn't go in Friday because I had a lovely flight to Tampa, FL for my cousin's bar-mitzvah (another post all its own), but still. I'M SO HAPPY I WANT TO MAKE OUT WITH ALL OF YOU.
Except those of you who may for whatever reason be under 18. Or married. I don't want to get in trouble here.
Now I need to decide what I should buy myself in celebration. But if you're thinking, "Why don't you buy yourself that smartphone you've been talking about?" then I say, "Been there, done that."
I am now the proud owner of an HTC Incredible. This, too, is another post all its own. It's quite an adjustment from my flip phone and not a 100% positive one either.
But for now, I celebrate. But seriously - what should I buy myself?
Rethinking the Guinness World Records
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Labels:
Australia,
Our country has problems,
Random Observations
This morning, I read this article about the man who holds the Guinness world record for holding the most Guinness world records (how meta!).
I have no problem with the idea of world records. Fastest 100 meter dash? Tallest building? Sure, why not.
The thing that bothers me, though, is the creation of records for the sake of creating records. The pride and glory that people apparently get from holding Guinness records make them do things that no one would ever bother doing in real life.
For example, a few of the records that Mr. Furman, the ultimate record holder, has are: clapping his hands for the longest period of time (50 hours), longest distance covered by continuous somersaulting (12 miles), and the most apples thrown in the air and sliced with a Samurai sword in one minute (27 - okay, that's kind of awesome, but only because I wish I could slice even ONE airborne apple with a sword).
If people can think of the most arbitrary things in which to hold records, doesn't this diminish the importance of the Guinness institution? Am I the only person that thinks so? I know that Guinness doesn't accept every record application it gets, but still. Largest gathering of people dressed like characters from the Wizard of Oz? WHERE DOES THE MADNESS END?
All of this being said, I actually helped set 2 Guinness world records during my semester abroad in Sydney - the largest gathering of blondes in one place, and the world's longest tequila slam (a line of people all taking a shot one after the other). Both are pretty amusing stories, but I realize how utterly dumb they are, even as I feel some sort of solidarity with my tequila-guzzling peers. The blonde thing was a little bit of a stretch, even though I AM a natural dirty blonde. In more ways than one! HIYOOOO.
For all I know, one or both of those records have been broken by other groups in the 7 years since they've been set. I wouldn't be sad about it, to be honest. Until I can do something meaningful better or faster than the rest of the 6 billion people on this planet, I don't think I really deserve any recognition.
I have no problem with the idea of world records. Fastest 100 meter dash? Tallest building? Sure, why not.
The thing that bothers me, though, is the creation of records for the sake of creating records. The pride and glory that people apparently get from holding Guinness records make them do things that no one would ever bother doing in real life.
For example, a few of the records that Mr. Furman, the ultimate record holder, has are: clapping his hands for the longest period of time (50 hours), longest distance covered by continuous somersaulting (12 miles), and the most apples thrown in the air and sliced with a Samurai sword in one minute (27 - okay, that's kind of awesome, but only because I wish I could slice even ONE airborne apple with a sword).
If people can think of the most arbitrary things in which to hold records, doesn't this diminish the importance of the Guinness institution? Am I the only person that thinks so? I know that Guinness doesn't accept every record application it gets, but still. Largest gathering of people dressed like characters from the Wizard of Oz? WHERE DOES THE MADNESS END?
All of this being said, I actually helped set 2 Guinness world records during my semester abroad in Sydney - the largest gathering of blondes in one place, and the world's longest tequila slam (a line of people all taking a shot one after the other). Both are pretty amusing stories, but I realize how utterly dumb they are, even as I feel some sort of solidarity with my tequila-guzzling peers. The blonde thing was a little bit of a stretch, even though I AM a natural dirty blonde. In more ways than one! HIYOOOO.
For all I know, one or both of those records have been broken by other groups in the 7 years since they've been set. I wouldn't be sad about it, to be honest. Until I can do something meaningful better or faster than the rest of the 6 billion people on this planet, I don't think I really deserve any recognition.
Finding a challenge
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Labels:
Random Observations,
Volleyball
For a long time I used to say that I'm the kind of person who thrives on being busy. While that is definitely true, it's not the full picture. What really excites me isn't so much having things to do, but being challenged while I'm doing them.
I think for a long time I didn't really recognize that distinction. Just because you're busy, even if it's to the point of being stressed because there aren't enough hours in the day to accomplish everything on the to-do list, doesn't really mean there's a challenge involved. Time management is a fact of life, not an activity in its own right.
What I've also come to realize is that, while I love a challenge, I'm terrible at challenging myself. I need to be accountable to someone or something, or at least have someone pushing me.
This is why I loved being in school. Aside from the obvious fact that I wouldn't have been able to teach myself all the things I learned, I wouldn't have had the motivation to do it anyway. Having to study to pass tests and be prepared for class discussions was just the kind of external push I need in my life.
This is also why I love playing in a volleyball clinic every Tuesday night. After 13 years of playing there's still a ton I have left to learn, both strategically and physically. Getting to work with a coach and a ton of other really talented players makes me become better at the game because I have no choice. This week we focused on diving. While I certainly could have looked up instructional Youtube videos on how to dive for a volleyball and started rolling around on my kitchen floor, there's no way I realistically ever would have done that. There's also something really gratifying about getting banged up from launching yourself at the ground in a sport that's usually pretty contact-free.
It doesn't even have to be anything big. There was a period of about 2 weeks when Dan used to email me links to Wall Street Journal articles and asked me what I thought of the issues at hand. Even though I still don't know why he started doing that (or why he stopped? What happened, yo), I liked that I was being forced to think critically and even do some research about topics ranging from free trade to Sun Chips. This is also why I'm happy that I now have a book club in my life. Ordinarily I would just read a book, finish it, and move on. But having to discuss it with Lacey and others makes me take the time to think it through a little more and to develop opinions beyond "I liked it" or "I hated it."
As examples of how much I suck at motivating myself, things I have been terrible at following through on in the past include: learning to speak Spanish, learning to play the guitar, learning to solve a Rubik's cube. And probably a million other things.
The question now is how I go about incorporating more people into my life who challenge me and help me grow as a person. Thoughts?
I think for a long time I didn't really recognize that distinction. Just because you're busy, even if it's to the point of being stressed because there aren't enough hours in the day to accomplish everything on the to-do list, doesn't really mean there's a challenge involved. Time management is a fact of life, not an activity in its own right.
What I've also come to realize is that, while I love a challenge, I'm terrible at challenging myself. I need to be accountable to someone or something, or at least have someone pushing me.
This is why I loved being in school. Aside from the obvious fact that I wouldn't have been able to teach myself all the things I learned, I wouldn't have had the motivation to do it anyway. Having to study to pass tests and be prepared for class discussions was just the kind of external push I need in my life.
This is also why I love playing in a volleyball clinic every Tuesday night. After 13 years of playing there's still a ton I have left to learn, both strategically and physically. Getting to work with a coach and a ton of other really talented players makes me become better at the game because I have no choice. This week we focused on diving. While I certainly could have looked up instructional Youtube videos on how to dive for a volleyball and started rolling around on my kitchen floor, there's no way I realistically ever would have done that. There's also something really gratifying about getting banged up from launching yourself at the ground in a sport that's usually pretty contact-free.
It doesn't even have to be anything big. There was a period of about 2 weeks when Dan used to email me links to Wall Street Journal articles and asked me what I thought of the issues at hand. Even though I still don't know why he started doing that (or why he stopped? What happened, yo), I liked that I was being forced to think critically and even do some research about topics ranging from free trade to Sun Chips. This is also why I'm happy that I now have a book club in my life. Ordinarily I would just read a book, finish it, and move on. But having to discuss it with Lacey and others makes me take the time to think it through a little more and to develop opinions beyond "I liked it" or "I hated it."
As examples of how much I suck at motivating myself, things I have been terrible at following through on in the past include: learning to speak Spanish, learning to play the guitar, learning to solve a Rubik's cube. And probably a million other things.
The question now is how I go about incorporating more people into my life who challenge me and help me grow as a person. Thoughts?
Lair of awesomeness
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Labels:
Arielle's favorite things
Though I usually post in my other blog about things I find in the Wall Street Journal, this article about man caves seemed more appropriate here.
Yeah, sometimes I have no idea why the WSJ reports on certain things. Whatevs.
Reading about man caves made me think about what I would put in a woman cave if I had one.
First off, I wouldn't call it a woman cave, because that sounds like a weird euphemism for..well, you all know what it sounds like a euphemism for. Feel free to send me your clever suggestions.
In my lair of awesomeness I would include:
- Movies, of course. A healthy mix of chick flicks (only the ones I like) , 80s movies (Brat Pack!), Harry Potter, and other nerdy and/or girly and/or awesome movies.
- Lots of DVDs of TV shows. Glee, Project Runway (so Lacey and I can watch Santino singing in season 2 over and over and over), and anything involving dancing or modeling.
- Video games. Old school NES so I can play Super Mario 3, and a Wii with full Guitar Hero setup, Rapstar (my new obsession), and any form of Mario Party.
- Beer fridge. Multiple. Plus, full bar for martinis, margaritas, mojitos, and any other delicious drink that starts with "M." Or even those that don't. And Andre. Plenty of it.
- Snacks. Including hint of lime Tostitos, regular Tostitos to be dipped into queso, an endless supply of buffalo wings, Trader Joe's honey wheat pretzels, pita and hummus, and some kind of chocolatey deliciousness. This is a not-so-healthy lair.
- Posters of hot men to look at. Anyone from Cory Monteith to Eminem. And maybe the occasional hot woman (because whatever, women like looking at hot girls too), like Nicole Scherzinger.
- A playlist of awesome and ever-updating top 40 music to which we can have rockin dance parties.
- A huge nail polish selection. Because people always need to touch up their manis, yo.
What am I missing???
Yeah, sometimes I have no idea why the WSJ reports on certain things. Whatevs.
Reading about man caves made me think about what I would put in a woman cave if I had one.
First off, I wouldn't call it a woman cave, because that sounds like a weird euphemism for..well, you all know what it sounds like a euphemism for. Feel free to send me your clever suggestions.
In my lair of awesomeness I would include:
- Movies, of course. A healthy mix of chick flicks (only the ones I like) , 80s movies (Brat Pack!), Harry Potter, and other nerdy and/or girly and/or awesome movies.
- Lots of DVDs of TV shows. Glee, Project Runway (so Lacey and I can watch Santino singing in season 2 over and over and over), and anything involving dancing or modeling.
- Video games. Old school NES so I can play Super Mario 3, and a Wii with full Guitar Hero setup, Rapstar (my new obsession), and any form of Mario Party.
- Beer fridge. Multiple. Plus, full bar for martinis, margaritas, mojitos, and any other delicious drink that starts with "M." Or even those that don't. And Andre. Plenty of it.
- Snacks. Including hint of lime Tostitos, regular Tostitos to be dipped into queso, an endless supply of buffalo wings, Trader Joe's honey wheat pretzels, pita and hummus, and some kind of chocolatey deliciousness. This is a not-so-healthy lair.
- Posters of hot men to look at. Anyone from Cory Monteith to Eminem. And maybe the occasional hot woman (because whatever, women like looking at hot girls too), like Nicole Scherzinger.
- A playlist of awesome and ever-updating top 40 music to which we can have rockin dance parties.
- A huge nail polish selection. Because people always need to touch up their manis, yo.
What am I missing???
The anti-chivalry stance
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Labels:
Arielle's least favorite things,
Men
When I was in Chicago, I got into a nearly-heated discussion with Dan and my friend Anna about chivalry.
Dan and Anna are in the pro-chivalry camp. I am not.
Dan says he was raised to act like a gentleman and treat women well. I say that sometimes, chivalrous acts are really just a way for a man to help me do things that I can do more efficiently myself.
Do I want you to pull out my chair for me? No, because in all honesty I find that annoying. I'm going to have to adjust my chair after I sit down anyway, so your efforts are totally wasted. Just like the unnecessary bathroom attendant who insists of handing me my paper towel, I simply prefer to do it myself.
Another reason why I sometimes find chivalry off-putting is because I have no desire to be in any kind of relationship where I'm not viewed as an equal. And hello, chivalry kinda sorta originated in a time where women weren't viewed as equals.
This doesn't mean I want to be treated like crap, of course. If a guy insisted on paying for the first date (or the fiftieth) I would certainly let him, but I will always offer to pay my half, and unlike most women, I actually mean it (frankly, I think the game that women play where they pretend to take out their wallets but really don't want to pay is bullshit. If you don't want to pay, own it).
Similarly, if a guy opens a door for me, I'm cool with that, but only because I think it's a nice gesture to do for another person regardless of their gender. I open doors for everyone.
I just don't think chivalry is necessary in order to be said that you're treating a woman well. Dan gave an example of wanting to come home and talk about his day with his girlfriend while rubbing her feet. That's not chivalry in my eyes, that's just a normal level of affection between significant others. Do I want a future boyfriend to massage my feet? Certainly. But why shouldn't I do the same for him? Unless he has gross boy feet. Then he has to wear socks while I massage them. But, you get the idea.
There's just something about helping a perfectly capable woman put her coat on that screams to me, "SECOND CLASS CITIZEN." I mean, I can put on my own damn coat, and someone trying to help me implies that I can't. I wasn't swayed even when Dan and Anna made a dramatic display of Dan helping Anna put her jacket on when we left the bar. I responded with my own dramatic display of how well I've learned to put on my own coat after 27 years on this planet.
What it all boils down to is that I want to be with someone who enjoys my company, thinks of me as an intellectual equal, and expects the same out of me as he does out of himself. Sure, he can take care of me and do nice things for me at times, but I will always return the favor. I want a guy to feel like he's with a strong, independent, capable woman (and if that's not what he wants, he's barking up the wrong tree, yo), not someone who needs to be coddled and can't pay for anything or even get out of the car without his assistance.
Is that so wrong?
Dan and Anna are in the pro-chivalry camp. I am not.
Dan says he was raised to act like a gentleman and treat women well. I say that sometimes, chivalrous acts are really just a way for a man to help me do things that I can do more efficiently myself.
Do I want you to pull out my chair for me? No, because in all honesty I find that annoying. I'm going to have to adjust my chair after I sit down anyway, so your efforts are totally wasted. Just like the unnecessary bathroom attendant who insists of handing me my paper towel, I simply prefer to do it myself.
Another reason why I sometimes find chivalry off-putting is because I have no desire to be in any kind of relationship where I'm not viewed as an equal. And hello, chivalry kinda sorta originated in a time where women weren't viewed as equals.
This doesn't mean I want to be treated like crap, of course. If a guy insisted on paying for the first date (or the fiftieth) I would certainly let him, but I will always offer to pay my half, and unlike most women, I actually mean it (frankly, I think the game that women play where they pretend to take out their wallets but really don't want to pay is bullshit. If you don't want to pay, own it).
Similarly, if a guy opens a door for me, I'm cool with that, but only because I think it's a nice gesture to do for another person regardless of their gender. I open doors for everyone.
I just don't think chivalry is necessary in order to be said that you're treating a woman well. Dan gave an example of wanting to come home and talk about his day with his girlfriend while rubbing her feet. That's not chivalry in my eyes, that's just a normal level of affection between significant others. Do I want a future boyfriend to massage my feet? Certainly. But why shouldn't I do the same for him? Unless he has gross boy feet. Then he has to wear socks while I massage them. But, you get the idea.
There's just something about helping a perfectly capable woman put her coat on that screams to me, "SECOND CLASS CITIZEN." I mean, I can put on my own damn coat, and someone trying to help me implies that I can't. I wasn't swayed even when Dan and Anna made a dramatic display of Dan helping Anna put her jacket on when we left the bar. I responded with my own dramatic display of how well I've learned to put on my own coat after 27 years on this planet.
What it all boils down to is that I want to be with someone who enjoys my company, thinks of me as an intellectual equal, and expects the same out of me as he does out of himself. Sure, he can take care of me and do nice things for me at times, but I will always return the favor. I want a guy to feel like he's with a strong, independent, capable woman (and if that's not what he wants, he's barking up the wrong tree, yo), not someone who needs to be coddled and can't pay for anything or even get out of the car without his assistance.
Is that so wrong?
Adventures in the Windy City
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Labels:
I love New York
I had this whole post planned to talk about my trip to Chicago this weekend. And then life (and my first week of work!!!) happened. So instead, here's a little comparison of the Windy City and NYC:
Cleanliness
I mean, duh. Chicago wins. New York is down and dirty.
Cost of living
Chicago wins again. Things are cheap (except the taxis, apparently). I saw 3 friends' apartments and HOLY JESUS ARE THEY HUGE. And they cost a fraction of the tiny cramped things we New Yorkers like to call our humble abodes.
Public transportation
No one beats NYC in the train department. Though when we were on the L and it took the loop in the opposite direction from where it was supposed to go, it made me feel like home. Anyone who has ever taken the New York subway on weekends knows that it never does anything correctly. Glad it's not an NYC-only problem.
Public art
Chicago has awesome art all over the place. New York, not nearly as much.
Brunch
New York has some of the best brunches ever, but I have to say I had one sick ass time at Duffy's in Chitown. 16 bucks for unlimited buffet and unlimited mimosas, plus a DJ and a completely rowdy dance party starting at 10 AM. Best. Time. Ever. I mean, total and complete insanity. This is a toss up because NYC definitely has far more unlimited drink brunches, but I have yet to go to a brunch where we dance to DMX. New York has quantity, but Chicago wins out for quality for just this one place.
Nightlife
People in Chicago do NOT party like New Yorkers. End of story. Though my friends and I did randomly end up at a salsa club one night, which I have to say, has never happened to me at home.
Overall sense of adventure
I felt comfortable in downtown Chicago after about 3 hours. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it's not totally ideal. Where's the mystery?
In general, my trip was super fun. Chicago is a cute city with some cool people, but I have no idea what I would have done with my time there if I had stayed more than 3 days. In that sense, Chicago is sort of like Boston - a great place to visit, but it doesn't excite me enough to make me want to live there (also, it's COLD). It does, however, make me look forward to going back in November 2011 for my friend's wedding - and for Duffy's. Seriously.
Cleanliness
I mean, duh. Chicago wins. New York is down and dirty.
Cost of living
Chicago wins again. Things are cheap (except the taxis, apparently). I saw 3 friends' apartments and HOLY JESUS ARE THEY HUGE. And they cost a fraction of the tiny cramped things we New Yorkers like to call our humble abodes.
Public transportation
No one beats NYC in the train department. Though when we were on the L and it took the loop in the opposite direction from where it was supposed to go, it made me feel like home. Anyone who has ever taken the New York subway on weekends knows that it never does anything correctly. Glad it's not an NYC-only problem.
Public art
Chicago has awesome art all over the place. New York, not nearly as much.
Brunch
New York has some of the best brunches ever, but I have to say I had one sick ass time at Duffy's in Chitown. 16 bucks for unlimited buffet and unlimited mimosas, plus a DJ and a completely rowdy dance party starting at 10 AM. Best. Time. Ever. I mean, total and complete insanity. This is a toss up because NYC definitely has far more unlimited drink brunches, but I have yet to go to a brunch where we dance to DMX. New York has quantity, but Chicago wins out for quality for just this one place.
Nightlife
People in Chicago do NOT party like New Yorkers. End of story. Though my friends and I did randomly end up at a salsa club one night, which I have to say, has never happened to me at home.
Overall sense of adventure
I felt comfortable in downtown Chicago after about 3 hours. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it's not totally ideal. Where's the mystery?
In general, my trip was super fun. Chicago is a cute city with some cool people, but I have no idea what I would have done with my time there if I had stayed more than 3 days. In that sense, Chicago is sort of like Boston - a great place to visit, but it doesn't excite me enough to make me want to live there (also, it's COLD). It does, however, make me look forward to going back in November 2011 for my friend's wedding - and for Duffy's. Seriously.
My civic blonde moment
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Labels:
Blonde moment
When I woke up yesterday, after completing my Tuesday morning ritual of catching up on Google reader, email, Facebook and the previous night's Dancing With the Stars, I buckled down to do my voting research.
You see, there weren't any races here in my part of NJ that were particularly publicized. I wanted to do my civic duty but I wanted to know what I was doing. So I used the old Google to find out what was up with the candidates and made my choices. I felt like a good person. A good, patriotic, educated person.
Imagine my surprise when I walked into the little voting booth, pulled the curtain closed behind me, and didn't recognize any names.
Apparently I had done all my research for the wrong district.
WOH WOHHHHHHHHHH
So I did the only thing I could really do in that situation - I voted along party lines. I mean, there's a good chance I would have ended up voting for those people anyway. But I still felt like a traitor to my own ideals because I would never advise someone to vote blindly by party affiliation and nothing else.
And I mean, there was no way I was going to...NOT vote. I'm like a 4 year old. Must! Press! Buttons!
At least I was ready to rock NJ's one state ballot question.
They didn't have any "I voted!" stickers at my polling place. I was a little sad about it (because, again, 4 year old - STICKERS!), but I realized that considering my idiocy, I didn't totally deserve one.
Next time, Gadget. Next time.
You see, there weren't any races here in my part of NJ that were particularly publicized. I wanted to do my civic duty but I wanted to know what I was doing. So I used the old Google to find out what was up with the candidates and made my choices. I felt like a good person. A good, patriotic, educated person.
Imagine my surprise when I walked into the little voting booth, pulled the curtain closed behind me, and didn't recognize any names.
Apparently I had done all my research for the wrong district.
WOH WOHHHHHHHHHH
So I did the only thing I could really do in that situation - I voted along party lines. I mean, there's a good chance I would have ended up voting for those people anyway. But I still felt like a traitor to my own ideals because I would never advise someone to vote blindly by party affiliation and nothing else.
And I mean, there was no way I was going to...NOT vote. I'm like a 4 year old. Must! Press! Buttons!
At least I was ready to rock NJ's one state ballot question.
They didn't have any "I voted!" stickers at my polling place. I was a little sad about it (because, again, 4 year old - STICKERS!), but I realized that considering my idiocy, I didn't totally deserve one.
Next time, Gadget. Next time.
Arielle's Halloween rules
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Labels:
I'm awesome
Happy November, everyone! As you are all aware, the end of October means Halloween, and even though I rarely celebrated as a child (Jew school frowns upon that sort of thing), as an adult it quickly became one of my favorite holidays. Candy? Parades? Parties? Costumes? Parties in costumes? FOR. THE. WIN.
This brings me to my few very simple rules for partaking in the wonder that is dressing up on Halloween:
1. If you are going to dress up, DRESS UP. If you're not dressing up, own it. To the person who walked into the party on Friday night in totally normal clothes and devil horns: I hate you. Don't even bother with the damn horns. Just tell people you're too lame or too lazy or just hate costumes. Go big or go home!
2. If you're going to bother putting effort into a costume, you should probably do something that will be recognized by...someone. If someone out there doesn't watch Jersey Shore and thus has no idea who you are with your poof and fuzzy slippers, that's cool. But if your costume is too conceptual, no one is going to be impressed. And by "no one" I refer to myself. I am not impressed.
In any case, repeating Halloween costumes is thankfully NOT against my rules, since this year was the second time I repeated a costume. I recycled 2004's mildly slutty Santa Claus outfit in 2005, and on Saturday and Sunday I revisited last year's Little Mermaid outfit. For Friday night, though, Lacey and I did this:
BLUE BARRACUDAS! Freaking amazing. We even had homemade name tags and pendants of life! We are so insanely excited about these costumes that we're going to try to find some scavenger hunts to do in NYC (I did 2 this summer/fall) where we can wear these again. Because Legends of the Hidden Temple is SO worthy of recycling.
This brings me to my few very simple rules for partaking in the wonder that is dressing up on Halloween:
1. If you are going to dress up, DRESS UP. If you're not dressing up, own it. To the person who walked into the party on Friday night in totally normal clothes and devil horns: I hate you. Don't even bother with the damn horns. Just tell people you're too lame or too lazy or just hate costumes. Go big or go home!
2. If you're going to bother putting effort into a costume, you should probably do something that will be recognized by...someone. If someone out there doesn't watch Jersey Shore and thus has no idea who you are with your poof and fuzzy slippers, that's cool. But if your costume is too conceptual, no one is going to be impressed. And by "no one" I refer to myself. I am not impressed.
In any case, repeating Halloween costumes is thankfully NOT against my rules, since this year was the second time I repeated a costume. I recycled 2004's mildly slutty Santa Claus outfit in 2005, and on Saturday and Sunday I revisited last year's Little Mermaid outfit. For Friday night, though, Lacey and I did this:
BLUE BARRACUDAS! Freaking amazing. We even had homemade name tags and pendants of life! We are so insanely excited about these costumes that we're going to try to find some scavenger hunts to do in NYC (I did 2 this summer/fall) where we can wear these again. Because Legends of the Hidden Temple is SO worthy of recycling.