It's been a while...

...Life is good.

And that is a huge understatement.

In the past few months I've kind of petered off the blog scene. There was lot happening. Not like wild crazy jet-setting.


But now this blog is about to change direction.
If you've read my earlier entries you know that this whole journey started off as a solo mission. I was living on my own, and out in the field dating.

Not the case anymore. Now I've got a super fun roomie and an incredible boyfriend.
 I have (another) new job too. Isn't it funny how things like that happen. It's sort of like when a sitcom changes an actor/actress between seasons. It's not horrible but you aren't sure exactly whats going on.

The summer went by pretty fast. I turned 30, fell in love, figured out how to not suck at my job, stayed quit from smoking, lost/gained friends, and rearranged my room/priorities.


I've got lots to say moving forward and I promise that it won't be just about how cute my * "shmoopy boopy" boyfriend is, or how responsible I am (insert gagging noise here). While some things in my life have shifted, and changed, myself included....it's still pretty(mildly?) interesting.






* I would never seriously call my boyfriend my shmoopy boopy anything. What the fuck dude? I'm not an asshole.


Ok, so total non-sequitur.


Here are the top 10 way's to make somebody's day/ 10 altruistic things to do for fun




10) Pay the toll for the person behind you (this obviously only works when you're not using EZpass. So thats me and 6 other people I guess). If you do have EZpass, pay for the person in line behind you somewhere, like a cup of coffee, or a news stand.


9) Hold the door for somebody who wouldn't expect a door held for them. I'm barely 5'2", and not a big girl, but will hold the door for a construction worker just to see the bemused look on their face. Small acts of consideration are meaningful and easy to do.


8) If you see an expired parking meter- put a quarter in it. Nobody likes getting a ticket- so help prevent others from that fate. It's us against the meter maids!! (Obviously with so many muni-meters being put up, this too is becoming more difficult, but when you can, you should try :D)


7) Smile. Seriously, something so simple and free can change an entire day for somebody. I've been in Penn Station during rush hour and it looks like everyone is sucking on lemons. SO sad. And unfortunately a large majority of people look at me like I'm crazy when I offer a "hey there, we're all waiting for a train lets not look so sour" smile. It's worth it when you see the people who need a friendly face break into a grin and you know you've made a difference.


6) Over-tip. At Starbucks, at a diner, at Le Cirque. Just do it. Don't whip out the tip calculator app on your phone...don't fight with your dining companions on who pays what and if the server deserves 5-10% or the full 15%. The people (PEOPLE) who handle your food work really hard for their money. Just give them 25%. It feels good to know that you made somebody's night/day.


5)Surprising a friend with snail mail. It's always nice to get a letter in the mail that isn't a bill. ALSO, help keep the U.S. Postal service in business.


4) Let a mom with kids go in front of you at the supermarket. Even if she has a gazillion things. Don't make her wait behind you and longer than she has to with the chorus of " mommaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!! Can we pleeeeeeeeaaaaaaase get thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis?!!!" from her miscellaneous 3-7 year olds? Have a heart. One day you're going to be the one with the screaming kids begging for the 10 gallon drum of blue #40 and hydrogenated pokemon bones


3) Compliment. Loudly, Sincerely, and often. People love to be complimented. Those who say that they don't are lying or Amish. And try to go for something less obvious. Eyes? Too romantic (unless you're trying to woo the person you're complimenting...but on the subway the lady in the "I'm K-ray-Z for Kats" sweatshirt is better being complimented on kick ass vintage handbag, or not at all. (also, I don't know why a woman with that sweatshirt would pair it with a kick ass vintage handbag, but I've seen it and it happens. Also when I complimented her on the handbag I swear she purred. Fucking New York City Man....) But I digress...


2) Call your graandma/great aunt Lulu, mom- whomever. They want to hear from you. They love you. They worry about you. Are you cold? hungry? Who are you?! ...wait what? Just call them. Now.


1) Wipe down the equipment you use at the gym. Meticulously. While this might not be changing the world, or the lives of millions- the next person who hops on that elliptical/bike/ab-smasher- will be extremely thankful.




There you have it. More madness to come.


!S

I'm Not Gay With My Roommate.

Enough was enough.

This past Spring I decided that as much as I wanted to be "out there, on my own"- the level of stress in my life was getting to be just a bit ridiculous.
And I am perfectly fine not living on my own- I suppose having a roommate would be a fine way to learn how to be a better partner in so many ways for certain.
So while I didn't really want a roommate, I decided to let my bff/soul sister Melanie move into my apartment. She coincidentally needed to move out of her current situation so it did make sense. Plus we always had fun together. Why not?

Well- just some back ground info to consider:

Both Mel and I have both recently ended long-term serious relationships (a marriage and engagement respectively). Our instinct is to nurture and take care of our partners. Now since we are eerily similar on so many planes, it's very strange to most people to see us interact. Often it's presumed that we are a couple. While I happen to be VERY pro-Gay rights/marriage/etc, (seriously if I were more Pro-Gay I'd actually be a rainbow)- I am not gay with my roommate.

This assumption proves to be more amusing than anything else, but sometimes we hear the things that come out of our mouths, or watch the way we're behaving and stop to say "this is so gay". And not in the way 18 year old the mall say it referring to somebody's bad outfit or choice in meal from the food court.
We just take care of one another.
If one of us is hungry, we'll get the other food. If one of us is sad, we're there for one another.

So, no- I may not be living on my own, but very often in life we find ourselves stranded up shits creek without a paddle; why not have good company while you are?