And another good celeb sighting

Denise Richards food shopping at Ralph's in Culver City. Alone. Very preggers. In Juicy sweats. And I was annoyed b/c I couldn't then buy the US Weekly with her and Charlie on the cover.

Kris and I, with Greaux in the background. Yes, we are quite reserved. 

Back in business (kind of)

So, after finally getting used to my lack of internet access and actually allowing myself to chill for a bit, I finally have it in my apt and am back in the swing of things. Of course, it's not as tempting to play online for hours and hours when it is 75 degrees and sunny outside. But since my other option is to go furniture shopping and spend money that I don't have, this option suits me quite nicely.

I also FINALLY received my phone today. Once it is charged and activated I should be able to talk like a normal person. The apartment is coming along - the living/dining room actually looks like someone lives here. The bedroom still looks the way it did when I moved in. I really just need a coffee table for the living room, and end table for my keys, and a small bookshelf on which I can put my computer and home office stuff so I can actually EAT on the dining table. I also need stuff for the walls, but baby steps.

Had an interview this AM with a PR company that does automotive PR. I can tell they really liked me (why?? fashion, hello?) but I don't think its for me. They do some cool events, but I just hated the office, and got a weird vibe from the president. Plus, its all the way in the valley, which kind of sucks. But we'll see. Had the H&S interview on Monday. Sounds awesome, but I think I need stronger LA contacts. We'll see. I'm also waiting to hear back from the one from last week, that does consumer/tech, to see where that goes. At this point, I am most interested in H&S. Not that beggars can be choosers.

Tonight I am going out with this guy I met at the Hello Kitty party in November. Kinda random, but whatever. I'll hang out with Seth tomorrow night. I really need to make some new girlfriends though. You don't meet guys hanging out with other guys... at least I don't.

GREAT celebrity sighting over the weekend - J. Lo AND Marc Anthony shopping in Anthropologie in Beverly Hills. That's really all I've seen since I've been here, but what a great double whammy! The irony of course is that they live in New York. But whatever - I'll take what I can get.

Home sweet home

Welcome to LA! 

It is GORGEOUS today. In the mid-70's and sunny. It is ironic how nice the weather is here, and people are stuck in their cars all the time. I let myself sleep in this AM. I met Sara and a bunch of her friends for drinks last night at this bar on Main Street. It was really fun. Ryan brought some of his friends out, and Sara's friends were really cool - like really cool - and I am supposed to hang out with them tomorrow as well. The night before I went out with Seth and some of his friends, so I don't feel like my social life is lacking in any way. Oddly enough, we ran into Ted's ex-girlfriend, AND the "stock options" guy I sat next to on the plane out here last month. I didn't get a chance to say hi to him, because he was busy sucking face with girl. All night. Never came up for air. I guess he makes out just likes he makes conversation - doesn't let anyone have a turn.

My couches are supposed to come today between 2:30 and 4:30. Thank goodness. Then I can finally furnish the rest of the living room/dining room. I got my new cell phone yesterday, but it is BUTT UGLY, and I won't use it. So now I have to return it through the mail in order to get a new one that I will use, which will take another week, and means I have to bring it to the post office and then wait AGAIN for UPS/Fed Ex to deliver. All of this waiting around the apartment is frustrating, especially when it is so nice out.

I signed up for LA Fitness this morning. Seems like an okay gym. Cute boys, though many of them are probably UCLA students. Ted's brother goes there, but we'll probably be on different schedules, since he works nights. I may go to a party with Seth tonight. Otherwise I might stay in and relax - since somehow I have managed to go out just about every night this week. Sara and her friends are going bowling, but since I will see them tomorrow, no need to overdo it. Plus, I will have new couches to sit on - FINALLY!

My internet should be hooked up at home on the 30th. Thank goodness. I need to get back into the swing of things and start job hunting again, and putting myself out there. My Arbonne client (freelance) is so nice. She sent me a HUGE gift package of one of their skin care lines - about 10 or 12 products, worth a few hundred dollars, just to welcome me to LA. I was dying. I got them about an hour after I received and awesome flower package from Maria, and I have never felt so welcome anywhere in my life.

I got my pictures back from my going away party and also just some shots of my apt. I will post them on this site, as soon as I remember to bring them here. Oh, I can't wait to have my right arm back!

L.A. is like McDonald's - I'm lovin it.

I have been here only five days and it feels more like five weeks. That's a good thing. I can't believe that only a week ago I was still a New Yorker. LA totally agrees with me.

I had an interview yesterday at a company that I really liked. They were a small firm (15 people) and I met with four people, all of whom I liked. My next step is to forward writing samples, which I will do most likely tomorrow morning. I should probably do it this afternoon, but in all honesty, I am not that interested in the job, and I would rather be shopping for furniture. The company has some consumer accounts, which are moderately interesting to me, but it sounds like I would be working on a lot of tech stuff, which is of no interest. I also have to go through my files to see which stuff I want to send, and didn't have time to do it this AM.

I have another interview in a few hours. This is the second interview with the fashion pr firm, also about 15 people; not sure how I feel about this one. Hoping for more clarity after today. Then I have another interview on Monday, which I am looking forward to, although I am not quite sure what to expect.

Ryan got a bunch of people together last night - Jeff, Gabe, and some other girls who just moved from NYC to LA two weeks ago. I also brought Tracy. It was fun. I can't believe we all live here now - when we all used to live together in the city. A couple of Ryan's other friends were supposed to join us, but never showed.

I may meet up with Seth (Asian Waldo) tonight. I have to finish some freelance stuff, and it will depend on whether it is pouring out, but I really should go just so I can keep busy.

I absolutely love my apartment. It is SO not the same apartment I saw this summer when visiting Ted. He had a crappy bachelor pad; I have an awesome crib. An empty crib at the moment, but once my couches come on Sat I can start furnishing the rest of the living/dining room. In the meantime, I am trying to find bedroom furniture, but everything I have seen is SO expensive, and I can't justify spending a lot of money on something that very few people will see, especially when who knows where I will be a year or two from now. It's hard because my room is actually so big (at least compared to NYC) so I need something kind of substantial just to fill it.

My boxes came yesterday. I was able to unpack a lot of stuff, but I need more hangers, and also a dresser. I may make my third trip to Target in a week after my interview today. It's just kind of far, and I wish there was something closer. I found out that there is an Ikea in Burbank, but I am intimdated by the directions on mapquest, and may prefer to wait until I can bring someone with me to read them to me in the car. I think I could get there, but I really don't feel like getting lost in the valley just to do it. Ikea is a day in of itself.

So much to do when you are unemployed and furnitureless

Had a phone interview this AM with a PR company that does consumer products (food and beverage, tech, automotive). Not sure I am interested, but am not in a posistion to turn down opportunities, so scheduled an interview with them tomorrow at 11. I also have another interview Thurs, and one on Mon, plus these freelance assignments, so at least my brain hasn't completely turned to mush yet.

I need to go back to Target today, b/c my apt is so empty and I can't justify spending thousands on furniture. Even if I just get a bath mat I will feel better.

I am starving and want lunch, but haven't found the supermarket yet, and feel guilty about spending the $$ for takeout. I got a freelance check yesterday from Mary, but haven't set up a bank account here yet and not sure how to do so.

Went for a run last night around my neighborhood. Gorgeous. Every house has flowers, a lawn, a a garden, and the air smells sweet. I told this to my aunt who laughed and said LA was the most polluted city in the country, but I swear, I never smelled air like this in NYC. Or Sharon, Mass, for that matter.

Ryan is getting a bunch of people together tomorrow night, so I'm sure I will see Clayton and Gabe, maybe Jordan. Tracy will come with me. Tonight I will work on the freelance stuff, and also iron a suit to wear tomorrow. I have an iron, but I guess I should also pick up an ironing board from Target.

I'm here!

And I love it.
We got in late on Friday night. By the time we picked up the rental care and got to the apartment, it was 10:30, but 1:30 AM New York time. Didn't matter. Ted had left me a bottle of Champagne in the fridge, so Kris and I had that and watched the Brady Bunch in the empty apartment. I have more space than I know what to do with.

Ted left me his bed (well, I paid him $150 for it). It so uncomfortable, I may have to go out and buy a new mattress anyway - it is just awful. We woke up at 7:30 the next AM, found that Starbucks was half a block away, and got coffee. The first stop I wanted to make was Target in West Hollywood, since I had nearly $200 in gift certificates there. So we are stocking up on supplies, and I see a guy in a Syracuse t-shirt. I ignore it, but see him again and realize it is Phil Metz, who was in our dorm freshman year and is still friendly with a bunch of my guy friends - in New York and LA. I can not go ANYWHERE without a run-in, and I love it. We exchanged numbers.

Kris and I then hit Crate and Barrel, where I had another gift certificate, and the whole Rodeo Drive/Bev Hills area where it is located. It was drizzling, but warm and fine to walk from store to store. That afternoon, we went to the Westside Pavillion, where Macy's was having a huge home sale and I bought a couch, chair, and ottoman for a great price. That should be delivered on Saturday.

We had plans to see Ryan on Sat night. He came over to see my place, and then he drove us to a couple bars in Santa Monica. It was fun catching up. I guess Gabe just moved here, the most recent New York transplant after Jordan and Sahara and Clayton. The three of us just went to a few places and had a blast re-creating our Three's Company days.

Sunday we got up and went to the Toyota dealership in Santa Monica. I didn't like anything, and the saleswoman was awful - she had an attitude about everything and didn't really try and sell me anything. So, we remembered that Ryan had an Acura, and we liked it, and so we headed to the Acura dealership a few blocks down. I liked a bunch but loved one, and today I am the proud owner of a 2002 silver two-door coupe. It is so cute. I could have walked out with it yesterday, but it was Sunday, and couldn't take care of insurance until this AM.

So, since it was a GORGEOUS day, low 70's and sunny, Kris and I drove down the coast to Venice. I was trying to find Baha Cantina for lunch, but there was too much traffic, so we turned around and ended up going to the 3rd street promenade for lunch. We ate outside.

I wanted to take her to Malibu for dinner, since if I had to identify one single experience that convinced me I needed to move here, that would be it. Ryan was going to join us again. I suggested Duke's, because I had been there before and figured it would be relatively easy to find. I walked in, and remembered that the reason I had been there before was because Ted's brother worked there; as I am relaying this to Kristin, he walks right by. Sure enough, it was him, and so I exchanged numbers with him and his friend - who also worked behind the bar and whose couch he stays on. So, two days, two more friends. We had a window table, and even though it was dark by then, we got to eat with the waves crashing up against the rocks by our window. Unbelievable.

This morning we woke up around 8:30, got coffee. Called the insurance guy around 9:30, picked up my car around 11, and dropped off the rental, which Kris and I came to not-so-affectionately call Delores. I took her back to the airport at 2, and now I just have the rest of my life in front of me to work out.

I called to set up my cell phone. They were able to let me keep the same number and rate plan, but work it so I will not have roaming charges; LA will be my new home base. I set up an interview with H&S for next Monday. I have a phone interview with a company tomorrow, and then a second interview with SNL on Thursday. I also have to finish the assignment for Arbonne, and get the next one so I can have a few checks to pad my bank account. Speaking of, I have to figure out what I can do about a bank here. Tomorrow, maybe.

I still have so much to get for the apartment, but it is a little overwhelming. Every morning I have woken up to sun streaming in my window. We are supposed to get rain again soon, but I am going to try and get a run in around my neighborhood tonight before the weather changes. It has been chilly at night, but shirt-and-light-jacket chilly. In the sun it feels like the mid-70's.

I have met two of my neighbors, and both are very friendly. This whole experience is somewhat surreal, and I can't believe that this is actually my life and I don't have to get on a plane tomorrow and leave it behind. I OWN A CAR. I LIVE IN LA. I don't know what is stranger.

Aside from the space, costs of living are slightly cheaper. I have noticed that my coffee in the morning is $1.50 versus the $1.79 in NYC; even now at Kinko's, I am charged $0.25 per minute versus the $0.30 in New York. I should have internet in my apartment by the end of next week, which I am greatly looking forward to. I have come to rely on it for job searches, furniture needs, and everything "move-related"; having to pay out-of-pocket for it is annoying, especially when I am unemployed. On that note...

Moving Day, or the Apocolypse

Wasn't it written somewhere that when you start to experience deja voux, or your path crosses itself, it means the world is about to end or something? My last 24 hours in the city I feel like I have been unconsciously tracing my steps. First last night with Sala, and this morning, I had to go up to my aunt's to give her the aerobed. We had a nice time chatting, and I was actually very sad to say gooodbye. Then it hit me - she is the whole reason I came to New York - she offered me an opportunity and a place to stay and basically found my first apartment for me. So as I left and was walking toward the subway on 86th street, it was very surreal, passing the same stores that had been there since I had lived there, the gym, Orva, Gray's Papaya. That street was where it all started. Like Pond Street in Sharon, I knew 86th street like the back of my hand, or better (I was looking at the back of my hands last night and was shocked to discover that they were somewhat old-ladyish). And so it was a bittersweet last look this morning.

I am home now, and waiting for the cable people to come and pick up the box and my modem, which will put an end to my internet access for a bit. I found that there is a Kinko's less than a mile from my apartment, so I will make a point to hit that this weekend.

Once the cable people come I will shower, finish packing, and be done! At least for today. Tomorrow is a whole other story...

Memories

I've had a lot of time today since I no longer have a TV. And since who knows when I'll be able to do a good blog next, I might as well get in as many as I can.

I moved into this apartment in Aug of 2003. We were celebrating Cara's b-day that night at Sala, which is where I just came from. I remember coming home late night, to a half-unpacked apartment, and just being so happy that it was my own.

The next day was Sunday, and I did a huge food shopping - everything from what I eat daily to stocking up on condiments and things you just keep around for the sake of seeing something when you open your fridge. Four days later was the Blackout. It was five thousand degrees in my apartment, and I remember drinking ice cream out of the container because even lukewarm and liquified, it provided some cooling relief. Everything else in the fridge was ruined.

During the Blackout I met Noah Emmerick, the older bro in The Truman Show. Then I met Rob for drinks at Tavaru, because, in New York, during states of emergencies, people go out drinking. Even when drinks are lukewarm and flat, but hey, they are free.

That weekend we went to the shore house. Came back late Sunday night, and my nightmare at work began. That was the beginning of the end. I never actually furnished this place until late September, because I was too busy working all the time. That, and going to the shore on the weekends.

But then it became my own, and now I am moving into something twice the size, and I have no idea how I am going to furnish it. The bigger question is, will I make LA my own? It took a good two-plus years for me to make New York my own. Maybe five. And now I don't even want it. I guess part of the draw of LA is that it IS something new, something I am not just SO over the top bored with, that I look forward to the challenge.

Tonight we were reminiscing about one of the first weekends we were all in the city. Tom was staying at my aunt's place with me for a few days before hitting up Mike and Chris in the Normandy. So I guess we invited Cara to come in from LI and go out, and she would stay with us as well. For some reason, one of Nick's friends, Mark, was staying on my aunt's couch too, and when we came home from whatever bar we had been at, there was a pack of 14 year old boys (my cousin's friends) running around the apartment, looking for attention from us older, cooler kids. That night will forever be remembered as Romper Room; the funny part is that it didn't end there. Mark had a car, and the next day we went with him on some errand, ended up having drinks down at South Street Seaport, and maybe it was another day that we went to a playground in Central Park. Tom eventually moved his stuff to Chris and Mike's couch, and a few weeks later, was living 7 blocks away with Cara, Heather, and Jen. In a two bedroom apartment.

That was the summer/fall of 98. I moved here from college knowing Miki was in the city, Cara was on LI, and Greaux was in NJ. By Christmas time, Kris was in White Plains, Laura and Karen lived on 89th street, Tom, Heather, and Cara lived on 93rd, Mike and Chris lived on 96th, Miki was still on 23rd, I lived on 86th with Nick and Ryan, Hilary lived on the UWS, and that was just the beginning. Just the first four months! When I think of all the people we would come to reunite with or become friends with for the first time, it truly amazes me. How have I been so lucky? And why am I saying goodbye?

Shouts out to everyone who made New York what it was: My Aunt Barbra, who made it all possible; Kris, Cara, Greaux, and Maria - my four besties; the "early years /Melrose Place" friends - Alison, Hilary, Nick, Karen, Laura, Miki, Dakota, Mustang; the DKE's - Chris, Mike, Tom, Chachi, Darryl(BDD), Fornaro, Brendan, Eagerman; the Delts - Ryan, Clayton, Drew, Danbeck, Sharad, Martoken; Rob and his posse - Budabin, Guy in Cab, Dave Schwartz and Stewart, Martells; the SAE's - Mitch, Waldo, Patterson, Roger Rabbit, Mikey Marvul; and SO many others.

Seven years. Nearly a quarter of my life. A neat little pie chart. All gone when I lock my door tomorrow and get in the car. What can I say? It has been an amazing seven years, an amazing run. I will always remember my "20's" as the decade I lived in New York. And who knows, if I hate LA, I can come back just in time to start my "30's".
: )

And a partridge in a pear tree

12 months of Verizon phone service for the single purpose of DSL
11 days until I am guaranteed internet service from them
10 UPS boxes shipped ground - stuff upon stuff upon stuff
9:18 PM - Scheduled time of arrival at LAX
8 hours ago I stood on line at the post office for 45 minutes just to mail some photos
7 to 9 days until my boxes arrive in LA
6 PM tomorrow my flight departs from Newark
5 nights sleeping on an aerobed
4 friends going to dinner tonight (plus Cara for drinks)
3 bags to be checked on the plane (with help from Kris)
2 confirmed interviews for next week
1 day and counting...

Mossimo wishes you "Happy St. Patrick's Day"

For the past few days, I have been wearing the same pair of kelly-green velour pants to do all my errands, packing, etc. When I brought them home from work, I thought they could pass for Juicy, if you didn't look that closely. Um, no. I was in the liquor store the other night, and the wino in front of me looked me up and down and told me that I looked like I came from Emerald City in the Wizard of Oz. Seriously. For lack of a better excuse, I told him I was just getting a jump start on St. Patrick's Day. He loved that. If only he knew that I had the matching hoodie at home. I should bust it out today and see how many friends I make. Shout out to Moss and Aunt Becky.

When on earth did I get all this STUFF?

The walls are just practically giving birth to stuff I had no idea was there. Not that I am finding things I haven't seen in a while; on the contrary - I just apparently have a very large collection of daily necessities. I have five huge boxes packed that will go UPS ground. I will need to get a few more of those tomorrow for the rest of my non-necessities like framed photos and the little bit of kitchen stuff I will actually take with me.

I also packed one large suitcase that I will check, and have started packing the small suitcase that I will also check, but won't finish that til Friday morning. The problem is that I have an incredible amount of clothes that I don't want to part with for seven days, but can't fit into any of my plane allotment. I haven't even touched on my beauty products. I can tell that half of my career freebies are going to end up in the garbage. What a waste.

I have two people coming by tonight to buy my furniture, which is a relief, provided that they actually show up. One setback occured today when I called my new cable company, Dish Network, to set up my account, I found out that my new area is not yet wired for DSL. Neither Cablevision nor Time Warner offer cable service in that area, and I really don't want to get a land line for the sole purpose of getting a dial-up service. My options include going wireless, or selling my first child to Kinkos to pay for their service. Unfortunately, I rely on the Internet just to FIND Kinkos, and I don't know the first thing about wireless. My uncle, who is in the tech business, has actually been a great help in this area; however it is just one more thing I have had to add to my growing "to-do" list.

I am meeting Miki for drinks tonight. Haven't seen her for two years. Either we'll talk non-stop or have nothing to say to each other. I have been incredibly dehydrated all day; I woke up and my face was all tight and my fingers are all swollen like sausages. Must be the plane from yesterday. And I'm so annoyed that I don't have time to go to the gym today. Especially since I have purposely set aside so many sets of gym clothes for the next week.

A state by state guide to Apprentice cast members

This is weird.
I saw Apprentice Season Two winner Kelly Perdue at my supermarket on Sunday. Then, on Monday, I ran into a guy at the UPS store that I thought I knew from somewhere, but wasn't sure where. I realized fairly quickly that he reminded me of Andy from the same season, but knew it wasn't him, just looked like him. Today, I am on a plane to Chicago and who comes on board, but the REAL Andy! And, no, not the guy from the UPS store, but little 25-year-old Harvard grad map-loving Andy. So that was kind of funny, and of course we watched for him when he got off the plane. It turned out that he was greeted by yet ANOTHER member of the Donald Trump organization, a woman who has stood in for Carolyn/George on occasion. So that was interesting. What was even more interesting was that the flight had earlier announced upgrades to business class for only $30 -- but they both sat in coach. So now maybe I know one of DT's business secrets? Oddly enough, the same woman was on our return 5:30 flight back to the city. Perhaps little Andy was working with big Bill (Rancic, Season One winner, who I met in Chicago last summer) or perhaps there was an Apprentice convention in the city this week that I was not aware of. In any case, I always appreciate a good reality-show/c-list celeb sighting.

We actually ended up taking an earlier flight back, which was fabulous, since I am pooped. Got up at 5:30 this AM, and we never ate a real meal all day. The meeting was great, but one of those days where you are stuck in a windowless conference room for hours and time is elusive. Add that to our early travel and one hour time difference, and it felt like Alice in Wonderland, or Alice in Glam Land, Glam Rocks Alice, Rock Opera Alice, boy am I tired. But I don't even want to go to bed b/c the thought of sleeping on the aeorbed yet again is pathetic and depressing and oh so ghetto. I have about a quarter of a bottle of wine and unfortunately the liquor store is closed. I wish there was one that delivered. All night. I guess they do exist. They are called "crack dealers". Not what I am looking for, thanks.

My interview tomorrow was cancelled b/c she had to go to Miami a day early. So now I am to call and set up an interview directly with the LA office. Just as well. I have a feeling that despite the aerobed, I will want to sleep in a little and not be so "on". God forbid I wear work clothes two days in a row. I am happy to wear nothing but jeans and sweatpants for the next week or so straight. Work, what?

Step by Step

Ooh baby, gonna get to you gi-ir-irl. Thanks, Jordan. And NKOTB.

Step by step my apartment is becoming less my own and more just a blank canvas of empty memories. My aunt came yesterday and took my bed, the New Yorker prints, and my mom's trunk. Then a girl came and bought my butterfly chair and matching stools. Heather and Cara raided my book collection, but barely made a dent in my "stuff" library. Today I went out and got some boxes, and scheduled my UPS pickup for Thursday PM. I may decide to change it to Friday AM while I wait for the cable pickup - not sure yet.

Today I am going to start sorting everything - what will get shipped, what will get packed for the plane, and what will go in the garbage and goodwill. Simultaneously I must try to find buyers for the rest of my furniture so I don't get stuck on Friday paying someone else to come haul it away. I slept on my aerobed last night and had dreams all night long about John Stamos and the Olsen twins. That's my punishment for watching THS until 1 AM.

Tonight I am taking my cousin Josh out for his b-day. Have to make it an early night though because I have a car coming at 6:15 AM tomorrow b/c I am going to Chicago for the day. Why am I doing this? I'm not stressed b/c of the packing, but I am annoyed that I will be away from the internet for a full day and will no doubt lose opps to sell my stuff. Then, first thing Wed, I have the interview at H&S, which means I need to figure out my outfit today. Not to mention prepare for the interview. Kind of hard considering I don't even know if they have a position available in LA.

My party on Sat rocked. I only cried once - when Rebecca left. The rest was good old fashioned fun. Which led to a big funk yesterday, but I erased that with $2.50 beers at Mo's Caribbean, and the aforementioned Full House THS. And I saw Kelly from the Apprentice in Food Emporium yesterday, which would have been a high note, had he not been with another girl. Oh well - Nick Warnock, the copier salesman, is based in LA and he was my first reality show love anyway.

Goodbye furniture 

Around the Corner

I loved this poem in college, and it seems appropriate now as I contemplate my last Saturday in New York and need to remind myself to stop and smell the roses. Let's see if I can deliver this straight from memory:

Around the corner I have a friend
In this great city that has no end
Yet the days go by and the weeks rush on,
And before I know it a year has gone.

And I never see my old friend's face
For life is a swift and terrible race.
He knows I like him just as well
As in the days when I rang his bell.

And he rang mine, if
We were younger then
And now we are busy, tired men.
Tired of playing a foolish game
Tired of trying to make a name.

Tomorrow, I say, I will call on Jim
Just to show that I'm thinking of him.
But tomorrow comes, and tomorrow goes
And the distance between us grows and grows.

Around the corner - yet miles away
"Here's a telegram, Sir, Jim died today."
And that's what we get and deserve in the end
Around the corner, a vanished friend.
- Henson Towne

Okay, I cheated. Had to look it up after two versus. On the bottom of that original anonymous email that was forwarded to me in 1996, was more sage advice:

Remember to always say what you mean. If you love someone, tell them. Don't be afraid to express yourself. Reach out and tell someone what they mean to you. Because when you decide that it is the right time, it might be too late. Seize the day. Never have regrets. And most importantly, stay close to your friends and family, for they have helped make you the person that you are today.

March Madness

Last night was fun. It reminded me of the nights we used to have a few years ago, when every social gathering was a Syracuse reunion. Who am I kidding? My social life is still like that, minus all the fraternity guys. Why did it ever have to end?

Budabin has taken over Rob's position as party planner, and has been putting together bar specials at Martells for all the SU games. A few years ago, especially when we were in and won the tournament, these nights were out of control. Our friends behind the bar, people we hadn't seen since college or just-out-of-college popping out of the woodwork, craziness ensued. Last night was an older, tamer version of that, but fun nonetheless. Kris and I went not even knowing if we would know anyone. The first person we sw was Erica Green, the second was Doug Campbell. So two for two. Then, as the night wore on, we started making friends, always fun. Talked to Budabin for a bit, who said he was happy to see me without Rob, which I don't understand what that means, but okay. Steph Yaggy showed up. We had fun catching up. I of course invited everyone to my party tonight. That should be interesting.

Today I am going to relax. Get a pedicure, maybe a mani. Go to the gym. Concentrate real hard on losing five pounds by 9 PM tonight.

By the way, 6 DAYS AND COUNTING. This time next week I will be waking up on the west coast. In my new home. Who am I and how did I get here?

My head is spinning

After 48 hours without internet in my apartment (coming only 24 hours after I had been without it for four long days in MA), it is finally up and running, and the blood is rushing through my body as if my right arm has just been re-attached and my brain doesn't know just what to do with it.

I frantically checked my email for party updates and job-related items. The update on the party is that we currently have more people on the list than the bouncer allows, and Kristin has me all stressed out about it. I wish we hadn't chosen this location, but it's too late now. It doesn't help that the bar was JUST THIS WEEK featured in New York magazine's "Best of" issue as "Best DJ Bar in New York". So it is no doubt going to have tons of people waiting on line at a spot that is already notoriously hard to get into. My list doesn't even include the DKE guys who may or may not stop by after Luzine's party. I need to think of a late-night alternative in case people can't get in. Stress.

I also posted my furniture for sale, and have a woman coming over NOW to take the stuff I offered for free. I borrowed Josh's digital camera yesterday to photograph all my furniture, which turned out to be remarkably easy and will help me out a ton. My aunt may also take some of the stuff fo Grant, who is getting his own apartment this summer for his senior year at UPenn. I can't believe he is going to be a senior. If she does take the stuff, I could be virtually furniture-less by tomorrow or Sunday. Sunday I am having my friends over to paw through items that no one else would want. Aren't I charitable?

With all of these internet problems, I haven't even checked Dooce.com in a week. I feel more anxious about that than anything. I have serious issues.

What to do when you are officially unemployed

Speak to work people every day even though you are no longer getting paid.

No, seriousy, I've been so productive today I actually feel like I have a job. My job is called MOVING ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

I woke up at 7:30, finished the proposal for Mary, then proceeded to get many of my moving details out of the way so I can rest assured I will have water and electricity upon my arrival at 10835 La Grange. I spoke to my aunt, who may end up taking/buying my furniture for Grant, arranged to borrow my cousin's digital camera to photograph the rest of my stuff for selling, got the money from Doug for my futon, and arranged all the details for wrapping up my utilities on this end. All well before noon! I even invited all of my friends to a tag sale on Sunday so I can get rid of some of the crap that no stranger would want to buy (towels, books, etc.) but shouldn't really go to waste. So now, the next things for me to do are actually take the photos, post online, sell some stuff, and start packing. I will start the actual packing on Monday. Everything up until then will be considered "cleaning". I also need to book the rent a car - will do that by end of week.

It was great being home, kind of strange. My mom is so sad, which makes me feel bad for making her so sad, but I know she is also proud of me and knows it is what I have to do. She got some of her friends from Curves together on Monday night to throw me a little bon voyage party for me, even though they had never actually met me. I thought that was great. They obviously like her very much. My mom is so funny - she makes friends at the drop of a hat, no matter where she goes. It was the most motley crew you'd ever see, but everyone was hysterical and brought something to the table.

My dad threw me a party with all of the family on his side, which was great. Ever since he and Suanne bought their house back probably 15 years ago, I had been hoping they would have the family over. It always seems we go elsewhere, yet never are the hosts. So we had about 10 people - Gram and Papa, Sandra and Karl, Barb and Tim, Norm, and us. They had asked everyone in advance to send old and current photos, so I would not forget them; the photos were compiled into two albums that are absolutely hysterical. I have a million pictures from my mom's family, but so few from my dad's so these were extremely well received and much appreciated.

I got the interview with the NYC office of H&S for next week, so I am very excited about that. That is Wed; I am in Chicago on Tues so I guess I will have to prepare on Monday. OMG. I can't keep up with myself!

My last day at Romper Room

How sweet it is.

I never thought this day would come. But it has. I sent my goodbye email this AM to my professional contacts and have received many complimentary wishes in return. It's almost like being at my own funeral and hearing all the nice things people say about you only when it's too late. Fortunately, I am not dead, only moving, and people still say nice things. Whew.

I have set up a second interview at SNL for when I get out there. I am also hoping to have a meeting at the NYC office of H&S before I leave, which could be GREAT. Or not, who knows. But I feel confident I will have enough going on to sustain me, and now I should just concentrate on enjoying my time off. Unfortunately, I think I have already started enjoying it a little too much - I have been out just about every night this week. They say the body is something like 90% water; mine has to be at least 50% alcohol. But I love it because I love my friends and I am meant to socialize. The problem is that I am also meant to go to the gym, and that hasn't fit into the equation. Thank goodness I will gain some free time after today or else I will no longer fit into anything.

Things I will miss about work:
1. Veronika
2. Au Bon Gout
3. Free clothes

Yeah, that's about it. I could do a sarcastic list, but no need. I'd rather be positive and just forget the whole thing.

How to move to LA without a job

Edited on 6/15/08 to add: if you really want to know how to move to LA, read this post which is much more informative than the one below.

1. Have a trust fund.
2. If you don't have a trust fund, believe in good luck and that you can get some. Or, just keep the same credit card you've had for ten years so your maximum is really really high. Then, believe that the good luck fairy will let you pay it off before declaring bankrupty becomes a serious option.

I heard back from the small agency today. They loved my marketing strategy and want to fly me out there for a second interview within the next two weeks! Very exciting, but I just don't have the time. I am going to Boston Sat - Tues, and then I want to be back here for a few days before my "going away party" for wardrobe selection, tanning, that sort of thing. Also to continue my job search and begin selling my furniture, pack, etc. Then, next Tuesday, I am actually flying to Chicago for the day to do a final agency summit/transition, so that kind of cuts in my week. I'll come back late Wednesday night, and then I will only have Wed, Thurs, and part of Friday - because then, on Friday - I AM MOVING TO LA!

I liked Karen, the woman I met with, and I think the accounts would be easy. I'd also be flying into NYC on a regular basis. My big problem is that the company does not offer 401K or Dental, two deal breakers for me. I am also wary that they will be too similar to my current company, but that is a hunch; the other is fact. I am going to write her back tomorrow and see if the interview can wait two weeks when I am actually THERE, and possibly do another phoner in the meantime. In an ideal world, she could start dental coverage just for me, or hire me as a freelancer while I look for something permanent. I'm sure I am jinxing myself just by writing this. So we'll see. I'm in a good position right now. See Gemini on astrologyzone.com.

Also on the work and money front, M gave me a freelance assignment for a quick $500, and I just got my next two assignments for the skin care brand, so hopefully my first weeks in Los Angeles won't be spent eating the dirt in my front yard. (Yes, I will have a front yard - it is next to the DRIVEWAY). Last night I was laying awake worrying about money; today I am temporarily reassured. I also have a potential lead with H&S, so we'll see where that goes. Cross fingers, good luck fairy!