That (Sometimes) Funemployed Life

As I sit here outside of Starbucks on this beautiful day in sunny California, my friends and family on the east coast await a blizzard of historic proportions.  It's times like these when I know I made the right choice.  They weren't lying when they said the weather here is amazing.  I'm not entirely sure who "they" are but my guess is people from California.  I've been here almost 2 months and I don't miss the east coast weather at all...but I do miss the east coast.
I'm still working on my friend game here.  Also working on the job hunt.  Also working on the relationship of living with a boy/my boyfriend for the very first time.  Believe it or not, I think that's the easiest of the 3.
Everyone freaked me out that we wouldn't be ready for such a big step in our relationship considering we had only been dating for about 6 months when I moved here.  It's been challenging for sure but we are making it work.  We're not even sick of each other yet!  In fact, I look forward to weekends so much just so I can hang out with him more.  It helps that he's such a stud.
He works at LinkedIn so during the week, I have to find ways to entertain myself.  So far, I've done a lot of crafting.  That's an understatement, actually.  I go to Michael's so often, we have started referring to "Michael" as my other boyfriend.  I've crocheted, I've wood-burned, I've painted, I've scrapbooked, I've made jewelry, I started an herb garden, I've made things for the walls, I've made things on Pinterest that I've always wanted to make.  If it's possible, I've almost crafted myself out.  Hence, why I'm blogging.
It hasn't been easy so far.  It's hard to complain though, especially because nobody feels bad for me.  I quit my job to follow my heart and be with my perfect guy in his perfect apartment in a perfect-weather place that includes a heated pool and various hot tubs throughout.  Our complex has a gym so I also work out.  Ohhh girl look at that body.  Ugh.  Girl look at that body.  Sorry, I get easily distracted.
So any who...the other night I was in the hot tub doing some thinking (it's a rough life, I know.)  It's frustrating as hell applying for/getting rejected by what seems like thousands of jobs at this point and it doesn't help when people ask about it, either.  I guess I just thought by having worked at ESPN and having my Master's, that it wouldn't be this hard to find something.  It's also the fact that I don't know exactly what I want to do anymore that adds to the frustration and confusion.  I started to cry thinking about it.  Then, I wanted to slap myself in the face.  How can I feel bad for myself while sitting in a hot tub?!
So I know it's not exactly "whoa is me" but transitional phases are no walk in the park (although that's exactly what I'm about to do.)  Not having any friends is the worst.  My live-in lover is amazing but it's just not the same watching The Bachelor by yourself and commenting to your cat how crazy these bitches are.  Speaking of terrible television, another way of keeping myself occupied has been binge-watching Pretty Little Liars.  I'm not even embarrassed about it.
But this is where my life has taken me and I'm going to keep "struggling" to make the best out of it and continue smiling at as many dogs as I can find. :)

You'd like to see what I've been crafting?  Oh, ok.  I'll show you...

Key holder (My first wood-burning project)

Maine nail/string outline + wood-burned hoME

Herb Garden (wood burned + mason jars where herbs will live)

Dreamcatcher Bracelet

Crocheted headband

Crocheted Placemat

Crocheted fingerless gloves

Back By Popular Demand: THE BACHELOR NEWSLETTER

So I know I said I wasn’t going to watch this season of The Bachelor but I couldn’t stay away...at least the first episode anyway.  I say that now but I might just have to watch it.  The disasters that step out of those limos are my favorite part of the whole season.

Before I start my judgments, does anyone remember Jamie from Ben’s season of The Bachelor?  You know, the girl who was the most awkward, weirdest kisser & got kicked off immediately following their kiss.  Still not familiar?  Well, she also reprised her role on Bachelor Pad (season 2?) & was one of the many played by Chris Bukowski (you know him from leaving with crazy pants Elise on Bachelor in Paradise.)  He called Jamie desperate & based on the preview that I have just seen, she has taken it to a whole ‘notha level.  She is now on a show called Married at First Sight.  It is a show where 2 people enter into an arranged marriage & know absolutely nothing about their spouse & never even see them until they are walking down the aisle.  Hi, nice to meet you. I’m Amy. I do!  So yea...gotta love the winners that The Bachelor casts.

Speaking of!  If we were doing a draft, here are my pre-show thoughts based on photos alone:

My #1 pick: Tracy fo sho.

Call me a narcissist but I’m a sucker for a gal with dimples & green eyes.

Carly is the sister of Zak W. (from Des’ season.)  So maybe she has a bit of the inside track.  Could be a sleeper pick.

Bo is a plus-sized model & is fearless.  I’m glad the casting people are branching out a bit into the plus-sized arena.  And she wants to have lunch with Beyonce so she’s A’s in my book.

I think I’d pick Nicole last...

Just because.

Or maybe Kara...

What is that shirt all about?!  And you’re afraid of sweating on a date?  Wear deodorant.  Don’t wear gray.  Problem solved.

Mackenzie is only 21 & she has apparently not yet learned how to use a straightener.  She is also afraid of her dates smelling bad.

I think we can also cross off any city girls too, because odds are they don’t want to move to Iowa (sorry Courtni) or marry a farmer.

As I was clicking through the contestants, I started reading all of their biggest fears on dates & noticed a trend…

Becca: Having stomach issues and clogging up a toilet, a la Dumb and Dumber

Brittany: Gas or violent diarrhea

Kelsey: Diarrhea

Tara: Me having bad gas during the date and he catches on to me.

And then I got to Trina. Trina, Trina, Trina...Eating something that gives me "di-di"...for saying that, she should die-die.

I had no idea diarrhea was such an epidemic.  Perhaps you should postpone the date if such a thing is happening to you that day.  Common sense, girls.  COME ON!

And now onto the piece de resistance…
I started to watch the show sober & just couldn’t do it so even though it’s 2pm here in California, I’m drinking wine.  This is what happens when you don’t have a job.

Drink for farming broll.

Also drink whenever there’s a FarmersOnly.com commercial.  I haven’t seen any of these yet but you know they’re coming.

Amanda scares me.  Why are you single? Because I’m f’ing crazy.  You’re not supposed to say that on TV.  Secret Admirer might’ve been a good idea if you didn’t have CRAZY EYES!  I hope I’m not just creepily staring at him.

Was Mackenzie on teen mom?  Is alfalfa organic?

I think Alissa is funny.  I like her cheesy flight attendant routine.

Kelsey has the sob story.  LOVE her blue dress.  She looks like she makes it far based on the preview so a solid draft pick.

Whoa whoa whoa.  We weren’t the only people who did Fantasy Bachelor??? I thought we made it up.  Copy cats.  I asked Brandon to make me a draft/newsletter website so I might have to watch now. UGH.

Also drink whenever he talks about the harvest.

Holy awkward hug, Britt!  Seems a bit nutty but I like her.  Got a little ahead of herself but who knows...that first impression rose could be a big deal.

I like Whitney’s shoes.

Reegan is weird.  Not in a good way.

Tara is probably his best match.  Great idea with the shorts & then 2nd impression.  GF likes to drank though.  I was proud of her that she didn’t fall down during the rose ceremony.  That’s what happens when you cast girls right out of college, though.

Kaitlyn has a pretty rockin’ bod.  You can plow the f outta my field anyday.  She’s got some f’ed up teeth though.  I think her tight seal joke was funny.  I also think she’s got some funny comments in general. #TeamKaitlyn

I’m so glad I picked Nicole last.  Pig nose.

Ashley = the crazy one.  Wtf with the onion?  She got picked & that Yoga instructor babe didn’t?!  Now I need to watch next week’s episode to see what happens.  DAMN YOU BACHELOR TEASES!

This show SUCKS when you watch it by yourself.  This was once the highlight of my week just bc it was an excuse for everyone to come over & drink wine.  I NEED GIRL FRIENDS!!! I miss you guys!

2013: A Year in Review

Facebook has their link on your profile that says "See Your 2013 Year in Review". So I clicked on it.  It's been a really good year. You forget about a lot of things that happened. So I was just thinking of writing my own "Year in Review".  Consider this your Christmas letter from me, updating you on my life.

This year has given us the Beyonce Superbowl Halftime Show (shocked I listed that first?), an *NSYNC reunion (albeit not all we were hoping for) and a Miley Cyrus performance that is unfortunately burned in all of our minds forever. I personally went to quite a few concerts this year.  John Legend made me remember why I love him so much.  Justin Timberlake reminded me that he still is, always has been and will always be my #1.  Oh yea, Jay-Z was good too.  There was also Kelly Clarkson, Maroon 5 and of course, Bruno.

I got to see my Yankees play while in LA. Not only did we beat this year's NL Cy Young winner, but I also saw Mariano pitch in person for the last time.  My annual Miami football game was a bit of a wash...literally.  I did get to see us win a game though in North Carolina (while getting paid for it!)

This year, I laid by the pool. A lot. I discovered Gokul, the little Indian speller that changed my life. #Gokul2014. Texas Willie ran in a race, so there's another chapter of his book. I got tossed upside-down by a stripper and then ran away from him down the hallway (I wish I was kidding.) I got glasses. I finished a FitAthlon and then called out from work the next day because I couldn't get out of bed. An elephant snuck up on me.  I really wanted to try out for The Bachelor but would've had to quit my job.  Thanks a lot, Disney!

I switched departments at my job and have never been happier work-wise.  I bought a new car, which I love and got a new roommate, who I love even more. I made new friends and said goodbye to others.  I saw some of my very best friends in the world get engaged, married and even have babies!  I fell even more in love with both of my nieces and realize now more than ever how important family is.

Lastly, this year I discovered Game of Thrones and whoa my God, how my life has changed!  I was the baddest bitch ever for Halloween and Lily was a dragon. I don't really know how you can top that. 2013. Best. year. ever. Merry Christmas!!

Ladybugs

When I was a Freshman at Marist, I lived in a single.  As soon as it started to get warm out, I would literally have a swarm of ladybugs every morning in my room.  I'm not talking a couple, I'm talking like 20+ ladybugs every morning, flying into my face and waking me up.  I'm sure I ate more than a few.  It took me a long time to get over that and I HATED ladybugs for a while.  I would see them and say, "Ugh!" and spray them with Windex.  Eventually I started to show my merciful side and let them live.  A number of years have passed since then, and now when I see a ladybug, I don't think of that awful experience; that fades quickly.  I think of the experience of living in that room in Champagnat.  Oh, that room.  511.

I love to think about that room.  I remember all the memories that were made in that room and the friendships that are still going strong that began to take form there.  That, of course, always leads to me thinking of the other places that I lived with those same girls and the other friendships that were born along the way.   The places always changed but the friendships and the love has only grown.

One of those girls is getting married this weekend!  I cannot wait because every time I see these girls, I think of how unbelievably lucky I am to have them in my life.  (Should I call us women now or will you always be "the girls"?)  I look at the way our lives have turned out and despite everyone going in different directions, whenever we get together, we're always on the same page and it's always one of those nights that you can't help but love.  I see them and my heart fills with so much joy and I know that's super cheesy but it's absolutely true.  They are the greatest group of individuals as well as the greatest group of friends that a gal could ask for.  Love you bitches with all my heart.

But so anyway, ladybugs...yea, just saw one.

Andddd yea, thinking of getting a small ladybug tattoo with 4 dots (R4 duh), perhaps behind the ear.  Anybody in? Real talk.

Soothing the Savage Beast

I've been searching for a new apartment & it's such a pain in the ass. I've kind of reached my boiling point with it & have been in such an awful mood all day thinking about it. I decided to download some new music & it is amazing how much better I feel. I haven't gotten a bunch of new music in a while so it was time & it was such a good idea! I don't frequently write about music but I'll open up to new horizons because it is one of the great loves of my life.

Isn't it fantastic how music can totally change your life (cheesy but true!) I just discovered Laura Izibor & I am in love. She's got the same kind of vibe as like a John Legend, Alicia Keys, India Arie type. Oddly enough, I found out about her by watching One Tree Hill. I like her extra because I feel like she's all mine. I like to have favorite artists that nobody really knows about because I feel personally attached to them. That's how I feel about John Legend except now everyone knows about him. He's still mine though.

John Legend is the musical love of my life. My college roommate turned me on to him when his first album came out with "Ordinary People" (my 2nd favorite John song ever. If you guess the 1st, you win a prize.) I cried when he played O.P. at his concert & then when I told my mom about it, I cried again. I'm pathetic, what can I say? It's true love.

But the thing about music that I love the most, is the way it makes you feel. Certain songs bring you back to times in your life or remind you of people or places or times & that is what I love about it. There really is a soundtrack to our lives. I love listening to my iTunes & seeing what comes on. I frequently sit in the dark listening to music & close my eyes & see where it brings me. Maybe that sounds weird but I don't care. I also break out into dance parties on a regular basis. Get over it.

Snail Mail

Think about this for a second: getting a hand-written note/letter from someone. It's kind of funny to think about because it's really not one of those things you do frequently think about. I'm not talking e-mails or FaceBook messages or texts. Those are nice too but on a completely different not-as-good level. There's a reason why people would write love letters back in the day; "love e-mails" just don't have the same effect.

But the reason I thought about this is because sometimes when I'm a little lonely or miss my family, I put on my grandfather's old flannel shirt. It's just one of those silly little comfort things for me. But it got me to thinking about him & his little notes he used to send me in the mail. They were amazing. There was never a time that I got one that I didn't laugh out loud or at least smile. It was always such a nice surprise when I would check my mail (plus they always had money in them so that was an added bonus.) But I miss those notes terribly because they meant so much to me & not because of the money.

When someone takes the time out to write a note or draw a picture or whatever, I just find it to be such a nice gesture. This goes for "Thank You" notes, especially. I understand after weddings you have a lot of these to write out but when someone writes something specifically for me & not a generic one they write to everyone, I will keep the note because I love that they did it. It's just somewhat of a keepsake I suppose. Maybe it's the scrapbooker in me but I always like to see things on paper. [Tangent time: I would HATE it when I would go to a Sweet 16 & as a "Thank You" I would get one of the professional photos that was taken of the Sweet 16 girl. There is absolutely no reason that I would want a professional photo taken of you. Ever. Grandparents/families? Yes. Me? HEEELLLLL NAW! But so anyway, I digress...] I worked with a girl recently that I helped train. When she was moving on to another department, she wrote me a hand-written "Thank You" note. I couldn't get over it, thought it was so nice. I later found out she wrote the same note to another girl, but hey, it's the thought that counts. My mother would love to hear me saying this because she was constantly trying to instill in me the importance of writing "Thank You's". Job well-done, Linda. You did it!

So I understand why people send Christmas cards but they've gotten to the point where they aren't personal anymore, they're more of a pain in the ass than anything. I would love it if in every one of my Christmas cards this year, there was a hand-written note to me, so get on that all 2 of you that send me Christmas cards. But I love to send little cards to my friends for stupid reasons. In fact, I'm going to start doing it more. And maybe draw little pictures inside & cut out jokes for them. Pop Pop would be proud :)

PS I always enjoy writing so much, I really don't know why I don't do it more.

Crazy Dreams...

I have some pretty weird ass dreams & half the time I can't remember them all but I do remember the one I had this morning. So my cat Lily wakes up around 5 AM almost every day & sometimes when she makes too much noise or is too annoying I lock her in the bathroom so I can sleep. Such was the case this morning & then I fell asleep & this is what I dreamed...

She was banging against the door so I got up to let her out. When I opened the door, a large grizzly bear had somehow pushed aside my toilet & was climbing up through the hole in the floor. Lily ran out & I slammed the door (because you know, bears can't break down flimsy doors.) I'm not sure why I didn't flee my apartment but I guess I'm not much of a thinker in dreams. Instead I hid in my room with Lily & called animal control & decided it was safe enough to go back to sleep until they got there.

Then I woke up & just to be on the safe side, I let Lily out of the bathroom.

The Way Boys Watch Sports...

I'm going to guess that even if you don't enjoy watching sports, you have at one point or another sat through a game with a group of boys. Yes? Then I highly encourage you to read on. I am surrounded by boys watching sports on a daily basis so I have a lot of research in this area. There are various ways that boys watch games. Let me explain.

First there is the play-by-play guy. This one is kind of self-explanatory. This type of guy will sit through a game & comment on every play & pretty much state the obvious of what is going on. I'm not a huge fan of the play-by-play guy because sometimes you just want to watch the game. I have eyes, I can see what's going on. I don't need you to tell me. I'm going to guess that this guy doesn't know as much as he pretends to & he feels he needs to make up for his lack of knowledge with constant chatter to distract everyone else.

The color commentator. This guy can be interesting to watch with because they will add their little tidbits of info or factoids & they usually add to your viewing experience, just as the actual color commentator on TV does. This guy usually knows a little more about sports than your average guy. He'll say things beyond what you might know.

The referee. This guy finds it necessary to call every play. In basketball, they always yell whenever there's a foul or a travel or anything that a ref working the game might call. Football, every penalty or first down is brought to our attention by said referee. I sometimes wonder if these guys sit at home with their yellow flags, ready to pounce. Also see: umpire.

The analyst. If you enjoy sports, you enjoy watching with an analyst. This is usually someone very familiar with the game, like a former player. It's generally someone people respect because their opinions seem to hold more traction. Color commentators strive to be analysts but they are always a step behind. Analysts don't necessarily talk throughout the game but really break it down for you during commercials or half-time.

The sideline reporter. This guy doesn't talk a whole lot during the game but when he does, he usually has some useful info. He'll pop up with a note here & there & just as on TV, your play-by-play guy will thank him.

I watch a lot of sports but there's a significant difference in the way girls watch & the way boys do. Watching sports for boys is kind of like a fraternity so it doesn't matter who is playing or if they care who wins, they will watch & plays their parts. Of course I'll argue with the refs (the ones actually working the games) & yell & scream when the situation warrants it. If it's not my team or a game that somehow affects my team though, I'm not watching with a purpose. 9 times out of 10, boys are.

Enough is Enough?

This is gonna sound weird coming from me but I'm kinda sick of talking about sports. It's what happens when you live in Bristol I think, unless you're a huge sports nerd (which believe me, there are PLENTY here.) All of my friends here work at ESPN so everybody is a sports fan. When I'm at work, I talk about sports. When I hang out with my friends, we talk about sports & work. To be perfectly honest, I'm not 100% sure if I know how to have a full conversation without mentioning sports anymore. I mean, look at the header on this page. What does that tell you about me? (aside from the fact that I make some pretty kick-ass Halloween costumes.) Hell, I don't even know what to write blog posts about because all the things I think about are sports-related. You wouldn't think this would be a problem but I like to think I have more dimensions than just my knowledge of sports.

Don't get me wrong, I love sports. If I didn't, do you really think I'd work at ESPN & have lived the last 2+ years of my life in this place? But that doesn't mean that that's all that I am. Just like onions & ogres, I've got layers too. I think the problem is that I use sports as my go-to conversation. Hey, sometimes you gotta go with what you know! Also, boys love talking sports so as soon as a boy knows I work at ESPN, all they wanna do is talk sports. I'm not sure if I can change this about myself (at least not as long as I live, breathe & eat sports in Bristol) but the first step is admitting you have a problem, right? I should try to go 1 full non-work night without bringing up anything athlete-related & see how it goes. Challenge accepted.

What a Week

Boy, has it been a long & crazy week. I'm currently keeping busy on the train ride home from Delaware. Sadly, my grandfather passed away this past week so I had to be in Delaware for the funeral & everything. I try to keep this a pretty light-hearted blog, however so I don't really want to talk about it.

In addition to this news, I also had a lot of other things going on. On Monday, the show that I've been working on for the past 2 years got canceled. Selfishly, I think it's great. I didn't lose my job so I am getting moved into domestic & getting to do something new. I've been looking for a new job for a while now, so this is great in the meantime. I find out tomorrow what I'm going to be working on & I'm pretty stoked. People can finally see some of the stuff that I do on TV in the US! I also had that My TV 9 Star audition (see previous post.) I find out if I made the top 9 for that on May 4, so once again, fingers crossed!

On Friday, I took the Amtrak to Philly & my cousin picked me up & we drove to Delaware. My parents brought Maggie (my dog) & my cousins couldn't stop laughing at the greeting I got. It's puppy love, what can I say. We'll fast forward now to today. My brother Kevin was supposed to drive me an hour to Wilmington so I could take the train back but he had really low blood sugar & he's diabetic so he had a bit of an attack. It gets pretty scary sometimes when this happens but today it made me double nervous because I was cutting it close to get to the train on time. So I then had to drive his car to the train so he had an extra hour to feel better. Good news, I made it (& so did he.) So here I am & Netflix wasn't working so a blog post it is. I can't wait to see Lily. I left her home this weekend by herself so she prob invited over all the neighborhood cats for an orgy or 2. Or more likely, she slept the whole time.

TV Star Coming Through

Today was kind of an exciting day for me. As you may or may not be aware of, I work in the TV industry. It isn't exactly the easiest field to break into. In an ideal world, I'd be the sideline reporter on YES Network by now. Unfortunately this is not exactly the case. I did some freelance reporting & have been working in production for a while & have perhaps finally found my opportunity for a big break.

The good thing about living in Connecticut is that it's a much smaller market than NY. They had auditions today for the next My TV 9 Star. It's an on-air gig where I'd be a one-man band & also would make some public appearances for the station. I'd get to shoot, edit, write, do interviews, produce & do everything that my uber-expensive degree has prepared me for! It's definitely something I'm qualified for & I think it would be such a great opportunity. I also gave them my blog info so hopefully they go on here & read this & see how much I really want it! Vote for me, folks!

I'm not sure of the exact date we find out if we made it to the next round but it should be within the week. Top 9 then compete in various tasks to see who would be the best fit. So keep your fingers crossed for me!

Hey Abbott!

I told ya'll that I'd update you about my Jim Abbott day and I apologize I haven't done it sooner, just have had quite a bit going on lately.  He was the coolest guy ever and not just for an athlete.  A genuinely great person that I now love more than ever before.  He gave everyone copies of his book and he stuck around to sign copies for everyone, which I thought was great.  So I got my book signed and I also said to him that when I watched his no-hitter is when I fell in love with baseball.  He told me thank you and I said no, thank you! So I was glad about that.  Here's the photo...

Reboot. Restart. Let's try this Again...

I haven't read some of these old posts in a while & I seriously almost forgot how funny I was! Holy Hannah, I'm a hoot! I actually have quite a bit going on in my life right now & I always used to find this as a good way of therapy so I decided to start over. Welcome back, to me. I also live alone & get in these super creative moods & don't know what else to do. Sooo, you're welcome.

I am so pumped for tomorrow! I work at ESPN & tomorrow, Jim Abbott will be coming to campus! I always say that my very first actual baseball memory is his no-hitter. I now consider myself a bit of a baseball historian so I obviously know about all of the Yankees that came before him, but I don't actually remember them. People also always accuse this Yankee fan of just liking them only when they started getting good again. 100% UNTRUE.

That is where Jim Abbott comes in. When Jim Abbott pitched his no-hitter, I was 7 years old. But that is the day I officially became a Yankee fan. September 4, 1993. The Yankees hadn't won a title in forever & Donnie was in the twilight of his career.

Pop Pop was over our house for some reason, either bringing us a gift of some sort or over for dinner. Whenever he was at the house & the Yankees were playing, he would go in the living room & watch the game. It didn't matter what you were watching before & we only had 1 TV, so we had to watch what Pop Pop wanted to watch. My brothers would go upstairs but I would always sit & watch & talk with Pop Pop. I'd watch games but nothing ever really stands out to me as memorable. Until September 4, 1993. I was 7 so I didn't really comprehend the importance or rarity of a no-hitter but I did understand what I was looking at. A man with one arm was pitching & pitching really, really well. After that, how can you not be hooked on such a beautiful game!

I equate the amount I love baseball with the amount I love Pop Pop because those 2 things always went together. Whenever I think of 1, I think of the other. Now that he is no longer with us, I still feel like he's around every time I watch a game & so I think about him every day. So when it comes down to it, I want to thank Jim Abbott tomorrow, for making me fall in love with this game & keeping Pop Pop in my life.

I didn't realize what this post would turn into! I'm def crying now haha. I better not cry tomorrow in front of Jim Abbott! I'm really hoping for a picture with him & then I can repost it tomorrow & let ya'll know how it goes.

Oh hello, Blog

Oh hey, remember me. I used to write on this blog from time to time but apparently forgot it existed. I have been living in CT & have not had much to write about because my life has been pretty boring lately. I don't really think this is the life for me, but don't tell my bosses this. I'm quite sure I have seasonal affective disorder because it's always around this time of year that I am discontent with the life I am living. I become uber depressed & don't want to participate in every day life. Last year at this time, I happened to get a call about a job offer in CT & was excited about a change of pace. Now that I have been living that life for close to a year, I am thinking it is not what I want. But then that kind of leaves open the question: what is it that I want? I don't know for sure, but this is what I've got & it's kind of conflicting...
- I want to be close to my family & friends
- I want to be in a bigger city
- I want to live in warm weather near a beach
- I do still want to work in sports but not in Bristol, CT
- I do not want to spend my Saturday nights watching Jersey Shore while drinking by myself.

I have enjoyed living by myself & I'm not sure I want a roommate but at the same time, I'd like to be more social. Looking at photos from college I was thinking about how much fun it was to live with all of those girls but I don't want to live with just anyone, I'd like to live with them once again. My work schedule doesn't exactly permit me to socialize with people during the week, only on weekends. I think it's starting to get to me that I am always by myself during the days without anything to do. I've tried working out & keeping myself busy but the only thing that seems to help is shopping & that's not a good habit because I don't have the money for such things. I wish I could get into going to the gym more because that is a very good habit but I just can't get motivated. I have yet to meet a man in Bristol worth my time & this is adding to my depression (especially since I "broke up with" my 1+ year long "relationship" to start the new year off fresh.) One thing is for sure, I am sick of all the snow & I want to be tan.

Always a Bridesmaid...

So yesterday I was watching Sex & the City & it was that episode when Carrie & Aiden first start dating & she's not sure if she is just his friend or is his girlfriend. This kind of made me think about last week when I was at 519. Alyssa said how I am always our friends' boyfriends' favorite. So why then, if all of these guys love me have I not found a boyfriend? I am in no way saying that I wish I had my friends' boyfriends, that is certainly not it. What I am saying is that I am always the friend & never the girlfriend.

Am I not girlfriend material? Is it because I am too much like a boy in that I love sports & beer? Probably not because Sam is like that too & she always has a boyfriend. Is it because I am too picky & overlook the good ones? Perhaps. Watching Carrie trying to figure out if Aiden was her boyfriend also reminded me of a number of relationships that I have had. In one, we would get along like great friends & make out frequently but when it came to an actual relationship, it never really came about. Another had been my best friend but when it came to us being more then that, it never worked out no matter how many times we tried. I'm having a similar puzzle now. This guy used to be my best friend & then we lost touch & recently reconnected again. Now we talk everyday but it's hard to tell if it's more then just a friendship. Apparently it's a pattern that I have & it's a tough one to break, especially because I don't know how or what I'm doing wrong.

Ladies' Night Out!

So it's been a while but I'm coming back with a bang! You know that “Make a Wish” foundation? Well I’m not dying (knock on wood) but I got my wish granted last night! I attended CC Sabathia’s 30th birthday party at the 40/40 club in NYC & partied with all the NY Yankees. Thanks to Sam Sank’s former company, I get invited to some pretty nice events but they generally fall on weekdays that I’m in CT so can’t go. I happened to be home this weekend & due to some bad luck which turned out to be great luck, I got to go to this exclusive event not opened to the public. Players did not want any photos so I got whatever I could.

I walked in to be greeted by a live crocodile in a tank & girls walking around like Britney when she performed “I’m a Slave for you” with the snakes & all. After getting some liquid courage I even put my life on the line so you could all see me holding a giant snake so watch the video! Some hottie socialite/pseudo-celeb dared me if he did it then I had to, so I being a sucker for good-looking guys agreed. My friend & I sat at the bar & it was like a show going on & every time a new Yankee walked in it was exciting! Most exciting were by far Alex Rodriguez & Reggie Jackson (for me anyway). Cameron Diaz was also in attendance so those rumors could be true but she & A-Rod were not socializing whatsoever. Apparently I also missed out on Beyonce & Jay-Z which I would’ve died to see!

So we go up to the upstairs bar & Marcus Thames & I made eye contact & he must’ve thought I was someone else at first because he pointed at me & smiled & then walked across the room to come over to me & give me a kiss & hug hello. I think he then realized his mistake but was very cool nonetheless & we were like old pals. Once he started talking to Joba Chamberlain we decided to take a shot with them (Red Headed Sluts are Joba’s go-to, we have this in common.) So shots with Joba, old friends with Marcus & the night was only beginning. Got sandwiched between Alex & Joba while walking. Shook the hand of Reggie Jackson. Danced with Curtis Granderson (who is an amazing dancer!) Re-introduced myself to some current Yankees who were once upon a time Staten Island Yankees that I had to drive to & from the stadium when I interned there & they were both super duper nice. Francisco Cervelli was the one I was hoping would remember me & he at least pretended to & then the rest of the night would give me a wink & a smile every time he saw me. I wished CC a Happy Birthday & he gave me a big papa bear hug & said “Thank you & thank you for coming.” Happy to be there, CC. Had a few convos with Phil Hughes. Shoved several girls out of the way to introduce myself to Robinson Cano & I got to see that big beautiful smile in person & it was aiming at me & then I got a kiss on the cheek & could’ve died a happy girl. David Robertson cleared the way to the bar so I could get there. Bumped into (literally) Brandon Jacobs of the NY Giants & feared for my life because he is so big. I also played craps for a while & I won somebody $21,000 which I still am not sure if I was playing with real money or not. It was all-in-all AMAZINGG & I am pretty much the coolest person alive.

3rd Dibs!

So I've been living in Connecticut for about 2 months now & I can count the number of good-looking guys that I have seen (not met, just seen) on 1 hand. In a company that is more than half men, you would think there would be a few but there's really not. Aaron Boone is about the only one, except for this one guy. I see him all the time & we never spoke so I didn't even know his name. One night I noticed him talking to this kid I work with & also my other friend, Stephanie. She & I were not really that good of friends yet so I felt weird asking.
So last night, Erica & I went on our usual Friday night date & were at a bar trying to find at least 1 decent looking guy. In an entire bar, there was not one. Then we got to talking about how there aren't even that many good-looking guys at work & I mentioned this guy that I had noticed. She said she also only noticed 1 guy & she described him & said his name was Russ & my secret boyfriend certainly didn't look like a Russ to me, so I knew it couldn't be the same guy.
So later on, Steph texted me to see what we were up to & we decided we'd all meet up. After a few drinks I asked her who this guy was. I described him & she instantly knew who I was talking about & she had a crush on him too. What is his name? Russ. All 3 of us were talking about the same guy. He was even going to be meeting up with us later that night. We think, unfortunately though, that he has a girlfriend. And none of us were wrong in our assessment, he is a stud. Just goes to show, though that obviously I wasn't kidding about there being anybody that's good-looking if in a company of thousands of people we all liked the same one.

Texas Willie

I have been told by a number of people that I should write a book. I have a few ideas & I am definitely going to get serious about it at some point, but I'm pretty sure this past weekend has stepped up my game a bit. I have 2 very separate ideas & one is a children's book. The title? "The Adventures of Texas Willie: Big Excitement Based on the True Stories of a Little Turtle". It's a working title, but you get the idea.

This past weekend, the turtle wrote his own story: "Texas Willie's Great Escape". On Saturday morning I woke up & my turtle was not in his tank. Since he had been living in this tank for quite some time, I thought it was physically impossible for him to get out. So I looked around the apartment & couldn't find him but I knew he had to be somewhere around so I didn't really worry too much. I put food around & figured he would be sitting by one of them when I woke up. He was not.

Day 2 was a bit of a different story. This is when I turned crazy. I came up with several theories about what happened to him. Since I hadn't found him after searching every crook & crevice of my apartment, my theories made more & more sense to me. My main theory was this: I lock my door out of habit when I come home. Friday I was cooking & the smoke alarm went off so I shut it off. I got in the shower & after I got out, a little while later I noticed the door was unlocked. I didn't think much of it. That was until my turtle went missing for 2 days. The theory developed into somebody coming into my apartment while I was in the shower & stealing my turtle out of his tank. They took nothing else, only Texas Willie. I knew it sounded ridiculous at the time, but I rationalized it enough in my head that it was a credible idea to me. My mother was no better because she agreed with me that this could be true instead of telling me I was a reTard. I searched some more, flipped the couch a few times, flipped the chair, shook out every one of my shoes & then I did it all again. I went to bed crying & slightly overdramatic.

If you thought Day 2 sounded bad, you ain't seen nothing yet. I awoke Day 3 & before even brushing my teeth, I searched. Then I watched 90210 & called my landlord. I proceeded to tell her my theory that someone broke in & stole my turtle & she appeased my insanity by telling me she would have someone change my locks. I took out the paper to start making "Missing Turtle" posters but decided I would give 1 more good look around for the 10 zillionth time first. I flipped over my couch again & decided I should slice open the bottom to see if he was somehow inside the couch. As I was about to do this, I heard a bumping kind of noise. So I checked out the kitchen again but to no avail & figured it was something across the hall. As I was slicing & dicing open my couch, I heard it again. It sounded as if it was coming from inside my refrigerator so I opened it up & looked in the bottom drawer. It was at that point that I saw a space underneath the fridge that I hadn't noticed before. So I got out my flashlight & shined it underneath & TADA!!!! There was his little turtle shell lodged underneath the fridge all the way towards the back. How he got himself back there, I will never know. I didn't know if he would still be alive so I poked him with a curtain rod & I saw his leg move! I cried I was so happy. Then I had to introduce myself to my neighbor by asking him if he could help me, because my turtle was stuck under the refrigerator. So he & his wife came & helped pick up the fridge & we got him out. So Texas Willie is now back in his tank safe & sound & I have returned to being a sane human being (or as much as is possible for me.) I also have Chapter 4 of my children's book all ready to go.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Here's what I love most about being an ESPN employee: I am finally taken seriously as a real sports fan. This may sound odd because anyone who knows me knows that's what I am all about. I'm a diehard but yet before, there were still those non-believers who were ALWAYS men.

Why is it that when a guy says he loves sports, other guys simply believe him? I have met plenty a man who just says that so he sounds like a man, but when you really get down to it he has no idea what's going on. When I would tell people that I am a huge sports fan, they would have to test me. In general, I'd pass their tests but they wouldn't pass mine. This boy I was recently with never said it, but I knew he didn't give my sports knowledge enough respect. That was until we were at a bar & the show on SNY "Beer Money" came on. For those out of the NY area, it's a NY sports trivia show & the only show I will watch on that Mets channel. Aside from the astoundingly annoying host, it's a great show. It was a Yankees trivia time when we were watching & it was the hardest question that you either get all the money or lose it & the contestant had not a clue what the answer was. I happened to know the answer & what did this boy say? "Did you see this episode already?" No jackass, I am just a Yankee fan. This coming from the same guy who wears an Eli Manning jersey to Giants games. We're not speaking anymore, btw.

There was also a time that I was with another gal friend of mine who is also a very big sports fan. There was a guy that actually said the phrase, "I love it when girls pretend like they know about sports". He was lucky we just got up & left, rather then throwing drinks in his face or much worse. Are people really that archaic? And is anyone watching this Xavier/K.State game right now?? Madness!

I'm not saying that every guy is like that. I have plenty of gentlemen friends who totally get how much I love sports & they absolutely respect it. Loving sports is part of who I am, which is why my new job is perfect. I'm no Buster Olney "Baseball Analyst" but just the title of working at ESPN has certainly brought me several levels up in the minds of those non-believers. Speaking of good old Buster, I was on the scene today watching them taping BBTN (& by them, I mean him, Aaron Boone & Nomar...or Nomahh depending upon where you're from.) So I'll say it again, I love my job. :)

Move Over Erin Andrews

So you may recall this post from a couple months back, stating my New Year's Resolutions: 2010 Here I Am! Well, good new loyal followers! I have already accomplished 2 of my resolutions! I have found a job in my field & I will be moving out of my house in about 10 days! If you don't know me, I'll fill you in. I got my Master's in Broadcast Journalism & have been searching for a job ever since then. Not just any job, I want to work in sports.

So basically every week or two I would go along my list of websites to check to see what positions were available. Disney, Comcast, YES, Time Warner, NBC, CBS, FOX, MLBN, NFLN, etc. (you get the idea.) In total I have sent out well over 100 resumes & gotten a grand total of zero interviews. About 2 months ago, I came across a listing for ESPN International for a Production Assistant. Knowing I was more than qualified for this entry level position, I sent in my resume yet again to Walt Disney. Then something happened that had never happened on any previous resumes: I got a phone call back! An Australian man telephoned me & told me he wanted me to come in for an interview to Bristol, CT. Now I don't want to brag but I have never gone for an interview and not been offered the job (I'm pretty sure it's the dimples.)

The interviews were to be conducted the week that I was in Punta Cana so I would be the last to interview when I returned. After getting postponed several times because of a few minor sporting events, ie the Superbowl & the Olympics, I had a date to go in. The problem? There was a blizzard occurring that day. That didn't stop me from making the 2+ hour trip but it did almost stop my interviewer from making his 1/2 hour trip to come to work. Upon my snowy arrival, I was stopped at the gate because my name was not on the entry list. I waited for close to 45 minutes outside in my car before my interviewer even arrived. Points for that. The interview went really well & I stayed for the taping of the show. Two days later, I was offered the job!

So not only did I find a job at some company having something to do with sports, I found a job at the worldwide leader in sports! Keep focusing on your "Dancing With the Stars" gig, Erin, because this girl is moving in for the takeover.