Oh. Holy. Crap. Somehow my elbow has worked a hole into the sleeve of my shirt. Curses. Same thing happened to a new-ish sweater the other day. Same arm. Have my elbows all of a sudden gotten sharp??? sheesh, feel like Shanty Irish here.

Oh. My. God. There are kids all over Penn Station. I mean they are everywhere! I couldn't even get into my building. Seriously.

Greatest (non-alcoholic) beverage invention ever: Dunkin Donuts Extra-Large Coffee -- fabulous.

Managed a bit of a run tonight in the little annexed park that sits above Forest Park. Some people were there socializing while their dogs played, so I let Lola off her leash so she could join in the fun too. Kind of like an informal dog run. Was rather nice that it was dark as the park was empty of the usual kids and strollers and obnoxious teenagers and such. Except for one kid alone with her father screeching her head off (and most apartment buildings don't like to have dogs because of the noise -- sheesh). I ran a few laps around, ended up being not much in the way of exercise, but it felt good anyway. On the way home ran up this one hill and almost choked after passing man in leather pants doused in a ton of fumey cologne. UGH.

Did anyone catch ER tonight? Holy fuck. I hope I don't have nightmares now.

fuuuuuck! Just dumped an entire bottle of Diet Coke out all over my desk. Typical.

Gaaaah! everyone is running the NYC Marathon this year. I just found out that my former running partner will be running on Sunday. She used to meet me in Central Park on weekday mornings at 6 AM while I was marathon training. Wish I could have returned the favor. Got to get my ass in gear. Was going to go spinning tonight, but think will go run instead. Its a beautiful day, besides I don't have the dog walker today and should get right home to let Lola out.

Chrissy read in the Daily News this morning that H&M plans to launch a line of ("50s inspired") dog clothes and accessories in February. I told her not to mention it to Lola as she likes to spend my money.

Scary rumors flying around the company again. This time about some supposed layoffs that happened yesterday with rumors of an enormous layoff planned for the first quarter of next year. V. unsettling.

Horrible, pouring down rain day. Lola just stood there in the rain with her tail between her legs and wouldn't poop. ARGH! You would think I was torturing her. Announcements at the LIRR station said that all the trains were delayed 15 to 20 mins. This is actually a good sign as once they bother making the announcement, the trains are usually pretty much back on schedule. Sure enough, my train showed up "on schedule" about 3 minutes after it's advertised arrival time.

so tired... can hardly keep eyes open...

Sort of a lame spinning class tonight. I knew it didn't bode well when the instructor (who was a sub) showed up 10 minutes late and wearing ton of pancake makeup. To a spinning class. Sheesh.

What I was saying about the NYC Marathon earlier in the week? Scratch that. It's supposed to be in the 70s on that day! Gaaaaaaah! Gaaaaaah!

Will be great for spectating though. Might even be able to sit outside in a cafe somewhere with Lola the Pug.

Sorry for being such a whinebag all day. I was in a pissy, whiney, grouch-ass mood. AND my workstation was unbelievably hot. Really.

Anyway...

Managed a short workout in the basement gym tonight. Luckily, I had the place to myself. Did 20 minutes on the elliptical machine and 20 minutes running on the treadmill. Yes, running. While running, I had the misfortune of watching part of the Radio Music Awards. Saw a segment with Michael Jackson. He just gets weirder looking everytime I see him. He looks like a marionette. So strange. But I guess I don't have to tell you that.

GUH! like a sauna in here...

I am so hot in this &*$#@ cubicle that I'm about to spontaneously combust! I swear.

so cranky today... need something interesting to do...

Another dreary, bleary Monday. And humid as Hell... GAH! I thought we left this kind of weather on the other side of September?

I need a new project to do at work.

Wine with The Girls last night... argh! why can't I ever remember how drinking (even a little) wine makes me feel the next day??? And I did not have just a little. And somehow we never got around to having dinner.

I'm feeling really special today.

So all the alarms were going off here for awhile earlier. Finally, there was an announcement that the "situation is under control". What situation? You mean like the situation was under "control" in Tower II when Tower I was on fire?

For those who were wondering... Yes, I did make it to Spinning class last night. Also squeezed in an upper-body weights workout. So there.

and I thought that I needed to get out more...

... (see below)

Heard in the ladies room (two women talking to each other from different stalls):

Woman1: "It's cold today, think I'll go out and find some soup."
Woman2: "And then what?"
Woman1: "And then I'll go to KMart and see what's exciting. See if there is anything juicy up there."

juicy. At KMart.

So another New York Marathon approaches and another year wraps up during which I could have re-established my running program. The NYCM always brings these feelings of regret to the surface. The year I trained for and ran the NYCM (1999) was among the happiest and most memorable of my life. In hindsight. At the time I was exhausted, and most likely overwhelmed, but I can only look back fondly. I'm older now and heavier and no longer living next to Central Park, so it is definitely much more difficult to train. Difficult, but not impossible. Besides, running the marathon doesn't necessarily have to be a goal (it's just an inspiration to get and keep a running program going), just being in reasonable running shape with a consistant schedule would be fantastic. Looking at the bright side, I am a lot farther along now, than I was this time last year. I do get out there and run (sometimes). I'm pretty good about making two spinning classes a week. Weights twice a week. I just need to do more of all of this. Running at night is not so easy in Kew Gardens once the days get shorter, but that doesn't mean that I can't run in the mornings, or after work in Central Park, or along the Hudson Bike Path. I just need to get myself out there. Also, my biggest pitfalls (for some reason) are weekends. I am the most incredible lazy-ass on the weekends, it's unbelievable.

So, tonight is spinning. I will go to spinning. And do some upper body weights. Tomorrow I told Carolina that I would have dinner with her and watch a movie, but I can maybe hit our apartment building gym first. Even if it's only for a half an hour. Or take Lola for a quick run/walk. But Saturday I vow to do something! So somebody please hold me to it...

UGH! Such a slow day at work. I'm not used to this and I don't like it. Not one bit.

The phone call last night and the resulting "arrangements" now have my birthday on my mind, which has me now... depressed. My birthday always turns out to be a disappointment, this year I get to obsess about it for almost a month beforehand. Great.

ARGH! Phone was ringing and I was stupid enough to pick it up. Ended up being my father's new wife wanting to know if I had plans for my birthday and, if not, would I go to dinner with them. I was caught off guard and couldn't think of an excuse fast enough, so now I'll be stuck on my birthday making casual chit chat with my father and his wife whom I'm just having a hard time liking. As if my birthday isn't depressing enough already. And, while we're talking about it, why did she call and not my father anyway??? ARGH!!!!

I hate my life.

Damn. I was going to post the website for "The Newlyweds", but I was denied access to the MTV website. Bastards. That's what I get for blogging from work.

New Guilty Pleasure: "The Newlyweds" on MTV. Jessica Simpson & Nick LeChay have just gotten married. MTV follows their every move ala "The Osbournes".

One random episode:

Jessica is on the phone discussing her upcoming birthday.
"23 is old. It's almost 25, which is almost mid-20s!"

Another random episode:

Nick & Jessica are out to dinner with some friends. Before them on the table is a platter of various appetizer items, among the food, a pile of Buffalo Wings. One friend offers Jessica some wings. Jessica's response:
"No, I don't eat buffalo."

Friend's response:
"When was the last time you saw wings on a buffalo?"



You just can't make this stuff up.

Took a run/walk with Lola tonight. It was cool, crisp and very dark. Wanted to go to the Park, but didn't feel safe. So, instead we did some meandering around Forest Hills Gardens. Among the million dollar homes. So peaceful and beautiful. Although I feared tripping on crooked pavement, the streets were so dark. We came away unscathed however and I now feel a little refreshed.

We also met a pug puppy named "Alex" as we started out. So cute, he is about 8 months old and reminds me of Lola at his age. Of course Lola acted unseemingly mature around him. I think she was showing off.

All of my friends continue to move on with their lives. Having babies. Buying houses. Leaving me behind, stuck in my boring old rut of a life.

I think I'll have a salad for lunch. Wait. That's what I have everyday.

Rant of the Day: Greedy freaking Hudson News bastards! Why does a soda cost $1.60 there, when everywhere else in Penn Station it costs $1.50. And if you're going to charge more than everyone else, the least you can do is give me a damn straw! You would think straws were a precious commodity. And then on top it of it all, the greedy bastards always have such a nasty attitude. I was reminded today of why I try to never shop at the Hudson News stands.

So, the Yankees won last night. I'm glad. I'm not much of a baseball fan, but if I have to make a choice, it's Yankees all the way. I actually even watched part of the game. Ellen, Ken & I went to a sports bar after Spinning last night for a couple of beers, so we caught part of it there. The atmosphere was pretty charged. I actually kind of like watching baseball in a bar, you're comfortable, you can drink beer (going to the ladies room is not an ordeal) and there is this spirited sense of camaraderie with all the other people in the bar rooting for the team (assuming you're all rooting for the same team that is). Anyway, they were losing when we left (the game started so late! I had to work today -- sheesh!) but apparently they pulled it off with a homerun in the 11th inning -- amazing. So now we've got another series. NYC is an exciting place when the Yanks are in the Series. Even if you're not a baseball fan.

Have you ever tried to cut up an apple with a plastic knife? It's not easy, believe me.

Cher said: "Hey, I didn''t know what was scarier, Santa or Kmart. Tell me, do hillbillies flock to Kmart in NYC?"

No, do you want to know what the scariest thing is? Walking through Kmart and having people stop you all over the store because they think you work there. Happens to me every time I shop there.

Update on the Staten Island Ferry thing. Well, not much of an update, but I went to one of the local news channels sites and found a video from earlier and it said that the accident happened around 3:20 this afternoon, so Lares wouldn't have been on a boat that early. He never did call me back however. hrrrmmmphh.

OMG! I'm sitting here watching Oprah and there is this segment about P.Diddy running the NYC Marathon and they're interviewing one of his coaches and who is it but Neil Cook! I know him! Too funny.

God, I just heard about a terrible accident on the Staten Island Ferry tonight. 10 people killed and many others severely injured. I've been trying to get in touch with Lares who lives on SI and commutes on the Ferry! But there's been no answer. Hopefully he is safely in a bar in Penn Station drinking beer.

Oh, I forgot to mention: I saw the scariest thing yesterday while I was in KMart shopping for yet another gym lock. Life-sized mechanical dancing santa. Caught it at first out of the corner of my eye. Scared the crap out of me. Looked at it full-on and it scared me even more. shudder.

Kick ass Spinning class tonight. There was a sub, the regular instructor couldn't make it, and while I usually really like her class and appreciate her enthusiasm, I thought tonight's class was the most well-rounded Spinning class I've take so far at NYSC. He had everything in this class. It was unfortunate that he didn't have a microphone however, so it was hard to figure out what he was saying. I had a pretty clear view of him, so between his words, and watching him I mostly always knew what he wanted us to do, but I know others in the class didn't feel the same way. Oh and the room was HOT -- ARGH! I thought I was going to just melt into a puddle underneath the bike by the time the class was finished. I came out of there (between the workout and the heat) limp like a wet noodle. It was great.

Oh, and I had a rant for tonight, but now I can't remember what it was. Bummer.

Rant of the Day: People who try to "piggy-back" through a locked security door! This is just so... rude and it really puts the person you're trying to piggy-back with in a hard position. You end up having to be the bad guy. We have security doors for a reason! There have been rapes in this neighborhood. This is NYC, there are robberies, etc. Whatever, it's just plain rude.

Why am I sore today, from a weights workout I did before Spinning class on Thursday? GAH!

So I took Lares out for a birthday drink tonight. He really seemed down in the dumps on Tuesday (his actual birthday) so I offered to buy him a couple tonight. I think he misses the good ol' days when he and I and Chrissy and Psycho and Sergey (Psycho II) used to hang out on a regular basis. Now Chrissy is working on her second kid, Psycho is a housewife in NJ, Sergey is driving 'ho's around Brooklyn (don't even ask, I really have no idea) and I am just old and boring. Amazing how life changes so quickly, all of this was really at the most three years ago. Anyway, we had a good time at the newly made-over and mod Niles bar. Lou also stopped by for a beer. Both guys commented on how "white" everything is. I just liked it because there is now more bar space. And the bartender bought a round. And there was free hot wings. What more could you ask?

Seen today when I ran out to grab my lunch: Black dude on Down escalator wearing baseball hat 3 or 4 sizes too big, decked out in sports jerseys etc. Two gold earrings, mouthful of gold teeth. Well-dressed black dude on Up escalator leaning over and laughing hysterically at first black dude.

Rant of the Day: People who smoke cigarettes while riding up an escalator -- GAH! So rude and inconsiderate.

don't even get me started on smokers, I may never stop.

Because I'm lazy, here is an Instant Message conversation I had with Chrissy this afternoon (about my father, his new wife and the holidays):


me: so I got into a sort of fight with my father on the phone yesterday

me: he was talking about me coming to Taos for t-giving and when I said that it probably won't happen, he said, "well I hope you'll come out here for christmas!"

me: ACK!

me: somebody just shoot me

chrissy: so what did you say to that?

chrissy: all of a sudden he wants his family together

chrissy: not that that's a bad thing

me: something about how I really hate going out to NJ

me: yeah, he, Lori and me all cozy for christmas

me: I think I may throw up

chrissy: well he's trying

me: I get out to NJ and feel so completely... trapped

me: I wouldn't mind it so much if I could just go for dinner and then go home

me: but three trains, etc. that's not doable

chrissy: oh true

chrissy: did you say you would come or you just ignore him

chrissy: why don't you invite them over for an x-mas dinner this way they come see you and then leave. and I dont mean on x-mas day maybe one day that weekend

me: oh, that's a good idea

me: or the day before or something

me: come for xmas eve and leave

chrissy: right so they come for 2 hours or so then leave

me: lololol

chrissy: right

chrissy: lol

me: "okay, you have to leave now"

me: lolololol

chrissy: well they come for dinner they would not expect to stay over

me: right

chrissy: and if they have plans on x-mas eve and x-mas they can come that sat or something

me: plus they can drive

chrissy: yep

me: well, whatever

chrissy: you'll figure it out as it gets closer

me: or even better, we call all meet for dinner somewhere in Manhattan

me: around christmas

chrissy: true

chrissy: easier

me: and I don't have to cook or anything

me: and Daddy pays

me: heh

chrissy: what was the reason you gave as to why your not going to Taos for TG

chrissy: lol

me: told him that I've already taken a lot of vacation time and I still have to make until april -- true

me: that I have this project with a deadline for the end of the year and don't know if I should be taking vacation time much anyway -- true

me: told him that even with him paying my a/f that it will still cost me money as I will have to pay the dog sitter, etc. -- true

chrissy: yep

me: what I didn't tell him was that I couldn't stand the thought of being cooped up in my sister's house with he & lori for a week

me: ACK!

chrissy: lololol

me: which is probably the biggest reason why I don't want to go

me: I asked him if they were planning on staying at my sister's house and he said yes

chrissy: yikes

me: which would mean, if I came, I would have to sleep in Sophie's room

me: which would mean I wouldn't really have much of my own space

me: not so bad for a couple of days, but for a week I start to go crazy

me: need my space

chrissy: me too

me: so all around I am really not into it

chrissy: a couple of days or a weekend but any longer

me: and I'm just exhausted thinking about a trip out there

chrissy: no thanks

me: between all the travelling to get there and then not getting much rest while there

me: and the emotional exhaustion

me: I just can't deal

me: of course I didn't tell him all of that

chrissy: right and no need to

me: oh so the latest is that Lori is taking catechism classes so that she can convert to catholism

me: I was like, what the F*???

me: seems so ridiculous

chrissy: well maybe not to your dad

me: he said it is all her idea

chrissy: weird

me: well, it just seems crazy to me

me: I can see if you're young and you're going to have kids

chrissy: right

me: but that's obviously not the case

chrissy: even if she wants to go to mass with him on sunday

chrissy: go

me: and it's not going to change the fact that she's divorced

chrissy: no need to "offically" convert

me: so they still can't get married in the catholic church

chrissy: well she is a weirdo from what you tell me

me: and I really find it hard to imagine that you're brought up jewish, you're jewish your entire life, and all of a sudden your beliefs are going to change b/c you're married to a christian?

chrissy: right

me: it just seems like it's a conversion for convenience more than anything

chrissy: I am sure it is

Did anyone happen to catch, "Trading Spaces: 100,000 Grand" this weekend?

I happened to walk past an oil delivery truck this morning and it reminded me that this is definitely one of the things I don't miss about living in Manhattan. In my old building anyway. The brownstones across the street and the building next door had oil heat and it seemed like one of these trucks was pulling up in the early morning a few times a week in the Fall, Winter and Spring. First you would hear that deep, diesel rumble and then the air breaks. I would lie in bed with a pillow over my head muttering, 'oh, no, dear god, don't let it be another oil delivery'. The next thing to be heard was the metal-on-metal banging as the service man opened the receptacle on the street. And then the truck would sit there, idling loudly for at least a half an hour, long enough that any thought of further sleep was long gone. If the delivery happened to come a little later (say at 8 AM, rather than 5 or 6), I would have to turn my TV up so that the Today show could be heard over the rumble and rattle. Nope, I do not miss that at all.

I managed to drag myself into Manhattan yesterday morning to take a yoga class at the NYSC in Chelsea. Ellen, Ken & Harriet joined me. This was not like the laidback yoga classes I took while on vacation -- oiy. The funniest part of class was, however, when the instructor was attempting to tell Harriet how to do something, and his instruction was prefaced by, "first get the look of terror off your face". The whole class enjoyed that.

Yoga was followed by lunch and beer at a sports bar in the neighborhood.

I am very sore today.

I have this vague feeling of unease today, that I forgot to do something. But I can't figure out what...

Feeling very Fall-like today in a burnt-orange sweater that I bought the other day at Old Navy. I was really looking for some Fall pants. I had it in my head that a pair of dark brown cords might be in order. Of course, all I found were cargo pants up the ying yang, and the only cords that didn't have pockets on every conceivable surface were light blue, pink, or cream. I just can't get into these pastel-y colors for Fall. Gimme chocolate brown, deep reds & purples, black (well black for every season), charcoal gray, etc. And what's the deal with all the damn pockets??? I don't mind owning a pair of cargos or two, but not every single pair of pants, comeon.

So, I lent my friend Lares $20 the other day. He was going to a Springsteen concert after work and had forgotten to bring his wallet that day. So, no biggie, I happened to have it on me and we had just gotten paid, etc. So yesterday I ran into him and he was telling me about the concert and there was no mention about the money (he had said at the time that he would pay me back the next day). I didn't mention it either. So now I feel a little awkward about it. Do I bring it up? Do I wait for him to remember? I hate to come across as a cheap-ass or a nag, but I also can't afford to be throwing $20 bills away. Maybe I'll give it until next week (by which time he is sure to have completely forgotten about it). ARGH!

Thanks go out to the brainiac at the LIRR who thought that the only schedule worth posting at the Kew Garden's West-Bound station was the East-Bound version. Why would I want to know about trains headed into Queens when I'm already in Queens and on the side of the tracks that heads West into Manhattan? grrrrrrr. Bastards.

How can one be insanely busy AND bored at the same time? Sheesh!

damn. I didn't win the lottery. again.

(back to dull normal)

Call me crazy, but I scheduled another massage appointment for this Friday evening. The chiropractor wants me to do another half hour massage, and I just can't see going there for only a half hour session, so I'm going to pay the difference again and have a full hour. Even though I really shouldn't be spending money like this right now. This is my last one for a while, I swear!

(maybe I'll win the lottery tonight)

Dinner last night for Harriet's birthday. A great time was had by all. We went to a little Italian restaurant on the Upper West Side -- my old neighborhood. Now everytime I go up there I am reminded of how much I miss it. Anyway, good food and fun and only 2 glasses of wine (which is a good thing on a Tuesday night). If I only had two glasses of wine, how come I got on the wrong car going home to Kew Gardens (you have to be in one of the first four cars). Luckily I realized my mistake at the Forest Hills stop and had time to make my way forward. Otherwise I would have ended up in Jamaica (which is not pretty -- trust me). Today I feel as if I have garlic oozing out of my pores. I pity the chiropractor at my lunchtime appointment.

Oh, and we went to Pomodoro, the Colombus Avenue (Manhattan) location, of course.