I am Thankful for...

So Thanksgiving has come and gone and now we are moving on to Christmas. I can't believe this year has gone by so fast.
I went home this year for Thanksgiving and feel like I put on a gazillion pounds in the process. I always have to load up on my favorites i.e. Johnny's Pizza, Mexican Food, sweet tea and all the Icee's I can handle. Not to mention that there was Thanksgiving home cooking. How could I not eat all of it? Thank goodness I got a stomach flu when I got back to NYC so I lost the weight.
We went to Magnolia to my mom's side again. That is where the best food ever is made. We had almost everyone except for Cary, Jacqueline and the new twins. My whole family was there this year. The kids are getting so big, it kinda makes me sad. They will outgrow me eventually and then see me as an old lady and not cool, fun Jamie.
At least Tyler will still do these photos with me. Our normal photo shoot. Another reason to go home this year was for a Multi-Year High School reunion. Classes 1990-1995. Seeing how I missed my 10 year, this meant the world to me. It was so great to see my old friends and to realize that some things never change. It's amazing to me that I have known most of these people for 30 years of my life. Insane that you can still be friends with someone that long.
This is who from our class showed up. I feel that there was more of us there but I guess this is who made it for the picture. There were about 200 total at the whole reunion. A few of the ex-Cheerleader's. I wanted to stunt but no one was up for it. I guess my 4 inch heels didn't seem to be the right stunting shoe.
A few of my oldest friends.
And of course my oldest and bestest (i know that is not a word mom) friend in the entire universe. Danielle (Yale) Turner Bryant. Since the first day of kindergarten she has been my best friend. We were always together and still are as much as we can be when you live in 2 different states. Our lives are completely different but we have everything in common and still never run out of things to talk about. We have only been in one fight (over me putting a necklace in her mailbox and saying it was from her secret admirer with a picture of Shane Campisi in the locket. She didn't like that too much). There is no one in the world that I feel this bond with. So yes, my thanksgiving was pretty good. I was so happy to be home with my family and get to have time with family and friends. I will be back home over Christmas. I refuse to spend Christmas alone again.

2 Months Left

I have a little over 2 months before my 35th Birthday and boy am I slacking on my list. As I was talking over dinner last night to a darling gentleman I was reminded of what I have to accomplish and the short amount of time that I have to do it in. I NEED to get to work. Here is my status:
1. Make my Home a Home - Getting there. I have painted and hung a few things on the walls. I will have this one done by the year.

2. Volunteer - Hmm, totally forgot about this one. Anyone know what I can do? I can volunteer to babysit.

3. Find my Hobbies - I am convinced that shopping IS a hobby. So is going out to dinner. And so is reality TV. And so is dating. But if that is not good enough for you then I will get back into tennis. I now have someone to play with. Let's just hope I don't embarrass myself.

4. Eat Seafood - Umm ya, this will happen but it has to be on my terms. No more of my friends trying to force it down me. There will be plenty of wine involved as well.

5. Hold a fish - No idea where I will find one of these. Maybe in China town. I say one in a bucket on the pier the other day and just got the shakes thinking about it. Ughhhh

6. Start My Own business - I have toyed and toyed with this idea. I'm ready, I'm not ready. This is for sure the biggest decision and I will do it if I feel that It will be worth it. Still going back and forth.

7. Trapeze - Winter is around the corner so I am really running out of time. While I was talking last night I have someone motivating me to do it so we will see what happens.

8. Get my body Back - thanks to physical therapy I am on the right track. My thighs no longer touch so that is a huge plus. I now have a routine and like seeing a flat stomach. I will get there.

9. Concert at Madison Square Garden - Totally forgot about this one as well. I need to see who's playing.

10. Get 1/2 out of Debt - DONE!!!!

11. Start dancing again - Well I was about to do this one and then the knee incident took place. I will look in to classes again now that I am doing better.

12. Sleep with No TV - DONE

13. Writing Class - Does one online count?

14. 12 New Foods - Collard Greens (gross), Brussel Sprouts (yum), 10 more to go. I can knock those out fast.

15. Rollerblade - another one ruined my the knee incident. But will try to get this one.

16. Bake for the firemen - Oh man, why would I have not done this one yet? So easy and so fun. What's wrong with me?

17. Learn Italian - Well maybe will switch it to French. But I know for sure that I will not KNOW either of them in 2 months.

18. 12 New NYC Things - I know I have done some of these. I just have to make my list.

19. Read 6 books in a year - I am still on book 1. I know, I know. It's just hard for me to sit still for that long. I also didn't have very much beach time this year so there is that excuse.

20. That one has been left up in the air. There will be something great here.

So there you have it. I am a slacker. What have I been doing with my time, you ask? Well I have been working my butt off and trying to find time in there to have a social life. It seems that everything is a go, go, go that I have no time to sit and stop for a moment. I am in need of a vacation bad. The kind that all you do is sit and stare at the ocean. I want to do that for at least 30 days. If anyone wants to sit next to me while I do that let me know.

Halloween 2010

This Halloween I was at a loss. For some reason I was not feeling it. Maybe it was because Britney wasn't giving me any new ideas, or maybe it was because I am starting to feel closer to my age, or maybe it was because I haven't has a week off to just sleep or maybe, just maybe it was because the guy I had been seeing was being a total jerk. Whatever the reason was, this Halloween was not all I wanted it to be.

I had spent the entire month of December trying to decide on what costume I would be this year. As some of you know, Britney Spears has been my costume of choice for the past 9 years and this year was not going to be any different. She was staying out of the lime light which was challenging my creativity. The only thing I could do was go as the Britney they portrayed in Glee, that she guest stared on this year.
Me Against the Music
I haven't gone as this one before and thought, well at least I will be warm. I also was excited about owning half of the costume already.

We started our Halloween as we have the past 3 years with a pre-game at Rachael and Tim's place. Photos, cocktails, trying to finalize our costumes, etc.
Tim and Rach as dead Hooker and Pimp that made one deal too many.
Ayla as David BowieSig as Bruce Willis from Die HardJeremy and Maggie as John Lennon and Yoko
Then we take it to the streets and hit up our hood, which by the way is the most popular place to be on Halloween in NYC. There is a HUGE Halloween parade that is just a mess of random drunk people dressed as everything and anything you can imagine roaming up 6th Ave which brings about 2 million people to my block in one night. It also seems that every girl feels like they have the green light to wear the least amount of clothing as possible. I don't get it. Why do you want to dress like a hooker?
We decided to get out of the village this year and go to a private party at Norwood, a members only club on 14th St. Am I a member, you ask? No, but some of my friends are and I know the owners therefore making it a "Members Only... and Jamie's friends too Club".Courtney Love, Debbie Harry (Blondie), Brit and David - The Dream TourEmlen as another version of David Bowie. Ayla and Emlen really turned it out this year. Thanks for that.

This year my cousin, through marriage, Heather Wiese happen to be in the city. We quickly came up with a costume for her and it was a hit. Courtney Love.
Norwood was a lot of fun with great music and yummy punch of some sort. Not sure what was in it but it made us all feel like better dancers by the end of the night.
It was time to go around 3Am and as I was standing outside waiting for my crew to come out and chatting on the phone. As I was chatting away I noticed a cute, but could be crazy, guy watching me. Once I got a better look I realized it was a guy that I have had my eye on for a few weeks that just happened to be walking down 14th. (What are the odds of running into someone you know out of your area on a random street in a city of 9.5 million people?) He said that he saw me and thought, "hey it's someone dressed up as Britney Spears. I think Jamie is going as Britney Spears. Hey, that IS Jamie as Britney Spears." I was so embarrassed as he was not dressed up and I was in full gear with full extensions. (obviously this is not him, it's Ryan Reynolds. But I think he looks a little like him. Hey, a girl can dream).
He offered to walk me home, which we all know that I would preferred to have just taken a cab but when a cute guy offers to walk you home you take it. Costume and all.
So that was my uneventful night in a nutshell. I am thinking that next year I am going to retire the Brit Brit theme and not dress up at all but we all know that will probably not happen. Halloween is too dang fun!

Top 10 of What NOT To Do...

Top 10 Ways to be Uncool when meeting Jimmy Fallon:

10. Have sweaty palms.
9. Have a very odd smile/almost cry face on.
8. Tell him that you are a huge SNL Fan.
7. Tell him he is your #1 adult heartthrob.
6. Be shaking uncontrollably.
5. Tell him that you love him.
4. Make him actually feel your heart racing.
3. Tell him that you dreamed of being on SNL.
2. Speak nonsense gibberish that makes him ask you, "Are you speaking English?"

And the number one way to be uncool when Meeting Jimmy Fallon.....
1. Tell him that you always wanted to marry him and almost cried when you heard that he was getting married.

Why did this happen?? The one time I get to meet him and I revert back to Jr. High. Jimmy is my Adult Kirk Cameron.

Not sure what I was doing in this pic but it symbolizes how uncool I was I think.

What's Happening??

Lately it seems that I can not keep up with my own life. It's going so fast I don't have time to sit and relax and eat my sunflower seeds. I can't tell you the last time I was home and in bed before 2. I need a vacation so bad that the only time I think I will be able to get away is in February.

Here's an update on my world...

Work - To quote Rachel Zoe, "Ba Na Nas". I am so overwhelmed but in a good way. Sure it causes stress every once in a while but it's the kind that means everything it going well. We have been working with people that I respect and people that will only increase the business in the company. You obviously have read about the Lennon party, but other than that it's been an event with Bruce Springsteen, legendary photographer Mick Rock, musician Lucy Wainwright (and i will get to meet her brother and my favorite musician Rufus this month), Danger Mouse, OAR, etc.

35 Goal List - Umm ya, I have been so busy that I kinda have been forgetting about the list. But I am trying my best to get them all accomplished in some way. I might have to cheat a little. Overall I feel that I may be in a good enough mindset to turn 35 and not freak out. Well... that's the status for today.

Love Life - I am enjoying it right now. Of course it's constantly confusing, as it usually is, but like where my options are taking me. Do you feel like I am leaving you in the dark? Sorry, if you want the scoop just email me.

Misc -
- Well the Yankees and playing terribly so that's not fun. If they loose tonight they are out. It's not looking good.
- I saw Social Network and now I want to be a computer nerd.
- Bailey (my kitty) got sick and it cost me $600 for them to tell me that she was just stressed.
- Going home for Thanksgiving and get to have a High School reunion so should be fun.
- Decided on my Halloween costume and happy that I will be warm this year. Me against the Music Britney.
- Decided that I am taking a trip somewhere warm for my 35th
- Roommate is moving to LA and getting a new one from LA.
- Able to run now thanks to Physical Therapy
- Have a serious shopping problem because I bought a sweater with a Giraffe on it.
- Went to the circus and was not impressed at all
- Enjoying the last few days of "can be outside" weather.

Gotta Get back to work now. Have a Great Week!!

The Key To Life...

Communication

This is the KEY tool to any relationship. Whether it be work, love or friendship. I think us women have figured it out but I am wondering why men have no clue of the importance. You would think that over years they would realize that this is what makes things work and for you to have success in anything you do. I thought that this is what men learn when they get married but apparently that is not the case either. SO I am guessing that there is NEVER a time that they really learn this and put it in practice.

Work Example: The COO of a major company that I work with wanted me to write a press release on some new business that was going on in the company. Now, I know NOTHING of this new business as I was not in the private business meeting that they had. All that was said was, "I need a release done on xyz." I asked if he can tell me more about it. He gave me very limited information. I tried googling all i could find on it, but of course nothing is online yet as I will be the first to post something. So I go ahead and write a press release with the limited information I have.
The next day I get an email back saying, "Let's talk. Needs work." Duh it needs work. You only gave me limited information about it. So the next email I get from him states more information, but still not everything. I ask if there is anything more and ask for a quote for the release. He responds back saying, "Lets make the quote something about how I am excited about this new business." that's it.... Nothing more. So I go on to add the new additions and make up a quote for him. I get an email back saying, "Needs work".
This continues to go on for several more emails. in each email is gives me something new that i need to add. Almost like I should have already known all of this and should have read his mind to put it in myself.
Communication is Key to work.

Love Example: A friend of mine has been traveling a lot for work and has been out of town for months at a time. He and his girlfriend just got a place together and he hasn't even got to spend more than a week since they moved in. Things have been a little off with them and he thinks it might be ending soon. I asked him what's going on and he says that she just isn't happy. He has taken her on several trips and everything seems fine but then when he leaves for months she is unhappy. He bought her kittens to keep her company and sent her flowers to help but it's just temporary. I asked him, how often do you tell her you love her? Do you tell her how you feel about her? No, he doesn't. Turns out all she needs is him to express his feelings for her. Not all the gifts and trips. She needs COMMUNICATION. This totally made sense to me seeing I too had a long distance relationship. When all you have is words you have to use them. Trips do not tell someone that you love them. Flowers and kitties don't say it either. Sure they are all great but how else are we supposed to know if someone loves us if you don't communicate it.
Communication is key to Love

Friendship Example: I while ago, almost 3 1/2 years ago, I was seeing a guy. He was a friend of mine first for about 2 years. We started hanging out more and more and went out on date after date. It was basically a relationship, or so I thought. 6 months after going out with this guy almost 4 nights a week I decided to have the "DTR" (Determine the Relationship). Turns out, he thought we were just friends and that's it. His exact words, "I thought we were just friends hanging out. I don't really want a girlfriend." Ouch! This could have ALL been avoided with simple communication upfront. Not leading one on and making one think that this is the start of something more. Besides, you don't kiss your "just friends".
Communication is key to Friendship (or whatever that was)

So... the moral of the story is... MEN ACROSS THE WORLD (and more importantly the city of New York) please communicate with women. Tell us what it is you are asking for, want or feel. We can not read your minds and we try but always fail when we assume. We will be more than happy to ask questions but you have got to work on responding to the questions with more than one word answers. Trust me, your life and ours will be a whole lot easier.

Hey Jude...

I have had several moments in my life that I will never ever forget but a few weeks ago I had the highlight of my PR career happen.
We were asked to work all the press for Julian Lennon's photo/art show at The Morrison Hotel Gallery and it was insane. Weeks of preparing and pitching we had a guest list of over 800 people and a press list like I have never ever seen before. I actually would look at the list and amazed myself that we actually got all these people to cover the event. Rolling Stone, Access Hollywood, CBS Sunday Morning News, People, US Weekly, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Vogue, etc...

I was asked to write the Press Release for the event as well, which I normally don't event think twice about. But this time, as I was writing it, I realized that Julian himself would be reading it and proofing it. YIKES!!! John Lennon's son will be reading something i have written?? The God son of Sir Paul McCartney will be editing my work?? I had a small panic attack when I hit "send" on the computer. It came back with a thumbs up. whew!!

So anywho... night of the event we had a huge line around the block. A mob at the door. I was in the back when Julian arrived, with his baby brother in tow, through the back door. They looked like a good mix of John. Julian was the 60's version and Sean was the 70's. Both Lennon brothers were friendly and smiley.

While he was in the back doing private interviews I made a walk around the main room to make sure everything was going according to plan. That was when Dawn came up to me and whispered in my ear, "Yoko will be here in 3 minutes". I knew she was coming but hearing those words made my heart race. Seriously? I was about to meet Yoko Ono?? What?

All 5 feet of her arrived through the front door with body guards on each side of her. I escorted them all to the back to see the boys. When we got back there Julian's mom, John's first wife, Cynthia Lennon was back there. Really? I was in the presence of John Lennon's ENTIRE family. Cynthia Lennon (his first wife, who he had to keep a secret when the Beatles first came to the US), Julian Lennon (his son with Cynthia, also kept a secret), Yoko Ono (the woman who he cheated on Cynthia with and later married) and Sean Lennon (his son with Yoko). All 4 of them just chatted away and there was a moment where Cynthia and Yoko were sitting down and just holding each others hands catching up. Sean turned to me and said, "this is amazing. This NEVER happens". I was witnessing history.

To make it even more of a moment for myself, Mrs. Patty Boyd (George Harrison's first wife and later on Eric Clapton's wife) shows up. We become fast friends and end up on a first name basis. "Jamie darling can I trouble you for a glass of red wine?" asks Patty.
"Sure Patty, anything you need. Want the whole bottle?" Jamie says in a joking way.
"Haha Oh Jamie darling do you think I need it?" Patty chuckles
"Well you are the one who married 2 musicians, you tell me."

As I was walking out to the main area to fetch Patty her wine I ran into May Pang. May Pang is a Press House friend and she comes to several of our events. She is also the woman that Yoko fixed John up with when they decided to separate for a while. May and John were lovers, if you will. When Yoko wanted John back May Pang put up a fight and there was drama. So...... the fact that May was there was a problem for Yoko. May was trying hard to get in the back to see Julian. Yoko wouldn't have any of it. This was the first time EVER that Cynthia, Yoko and May Pang were in the same room. Awesomeness!!

By the time we were ready to bring the family out to the public the place was so packed. We had to push and scream at people to get them out of the way so that the camera crew and the family could go look at the prints. It was a mad house. I have NEVER been around so many flashes.
By the time we made it back to the back everyone was amazed.
Sean said to me, "holy cow, that was insane!"

Julian walks back and says, "Wow!! I had no idea there was that many people here. Thank you guys for doing all of this for me." and then he gave me 3 kisses. One on each cheek and then one close to my lips. Yes, I just kissed Julian Lennon. I think we might date now!!

Yoko walks back and says in her little Yoko accent, "That was amazing. I haven't been around that much press in a long time." Then walks over to me and says, "Thank you for doing this for Julian. It is such a great thing during this trying time for our family." I think she was referencing to the fact that in December it will be the 30th anniversary of John's death or that the man who killed him was up for parole and was just denied, or that in a few days it would have been John's 70-something bday.

I told he that it was an honor to do this for her family. She grabbed both of my hands and said, "You are so precious." I said back to her, "No Yoko, you are precious."
I was officially part of the Lennon family.

To see photos go to http://www.wireimage.com/SearchResults.aspx?sr=1&igi=453412&s=Morrison%20Hotel%20Gallery&sfld=C&vwmd=e


Later that night after they all left and the party was winding down I had a moment where I burst into happy tears. I could not believe what just happened to me. That if you would have told me 7 years ago that New York would have opened these kind of doors for me I would have not believed it. It was a moment that I will never forget.

Oh ya, And to that guy who once told me 7 years ago that, "New York will eat you alive" and "You will never make it there"... I am now one degree to the entire Beatles family.

How about them apples???

Mr. Wiggles

(this is not a pic of the actual perv)

There are always strange people on the subway. It's expected. I feel like I've seen them all. The drunk homeless man, the angry at life messed up in the head woman who thinks everyone around her is out to get her, the skitzofrenic person who is rocking back and forth repeating the same thing over and over, the subway pole dancers that are too ugly to be strippers, the drugged out woman who drops a syringe by my flip flop feet and the typical "homeless" person with the speech, "May I just have a minute of your time. I am not a drug addict. I just have fallen upon hard times. Could you find it in your hearts to...". But never have I ever been flashed before.

While traveling home, on a Monday on the D Train from 42nd Street it was a typical commute. Crowed trains, men not getting up to give you their seats, people ipods turned up too load that everyone on the train can hear them listening to Jay-Z's Empire State of Mind.
I was standing by the doors, as I like to in case there is an emergency and I need a quick escape. I get on the train at 42nd street and the train proceeds downtown. The D train is an express train so it makes limited stops and there is only one stop in between my work and home stop, 34th street.

We pull into the34th street stop and it is business as usual. It's a over busy stop due to the fact that it's at Penn Station and a lot of people get off here to commute to the LIRR or the NJ Transit to take them out of the city. I stay on the train and stand by the door as I people watch. I notice a normal looking man in his 30's standing front first close to a wall. "That's weird. I wonder what he's doing", I think to myself as I lean to the right to try to get a better look. The though goes through my mind that it looks like he is peeing. Really dude?? Peeing on the Subway platform during rush hour? Ya, you are sure to get caught.

As that thought crosses my mind I see that he is staring at me while I am staring at him. The look on his face goes from a smirk to a HUGE smile with a little of his tongue out. He slowly turns towards me and as the train doors are closing I notice that he was not peeing at all. Instead he was pleasuring himself and shakes and wiggles his "thing" right there for me to see. All with the biggest, grosses smile I have ever seen. Right there on the platform at 5pm rush hour. I let out a small scream and say "Really? Really." in the way the do on SNL in the skit, "Really! With Seth and Amy".

I was shocked and felt very violated. Did I really just see a man penis wiggling on the 34th Street platform? I thought to myself, "welcome to New New York! and now I need a shower."

SO I feel that I have almost seen it all. I was prepared for grime and grit when I moved here. I was ready to see things that would send our parents generations to an early grave. I guess I just am never ready for ALL that I do see. So pretty much you name it I have seen it or experienced it.
Man, I still LOVE this City! Mr. Wiggles and All!!

And She's Down for the Count...

I thought it would be a good idea to try something new this summer. I thought that doing something from my childhood would bring me joy and happiness. Umm, ya. I am pretty sure that I am not a child anymore.

I ordered a kick scooter from my Chase Rewards Points, I really love those things. It makes you buy things that you don't really need, i.e. a Crock Pot, Thigh Master, steak knives and a Shake Weight. So why would ordering a Kick Scooter be any different?
I am so excited when it is delivered to me in the mail at work. I thought about scootin' home but decided to wait till I was dressed a little more appropriately.

Jamie, why a scooter? Well friends, I will tell you.

1. I sometimes need to get places faster than normal and it has been hurting my knees to walk as fast as I do so i thought, "Hey, how about I scoot instead."
2. I see Hugh Jackman, Mario Batali, Matthew Broderick and Susan Sarandon Scootin all over the West Village so why can't I?
3. I can't seem to save enough money to buy a Vespa.
4. I want every guy in Manhattan to think I am 12 rather than 16.
5. Why Not?

So my first day out I scoot over to have dinner on Christopher and Washington in the West Village. It normally would take me about 20 minutes to walk it. Scooting it took me 8. Think of all the time I will save scootin' around the city. I will be able to get so much done.

The Cobra, that is what I named it, handled well. It was a little uncomfortable going over cracks and bumps but on smooth surfaces it was perfect. Thank goodness NYC doesn't have any cracks in their roads (sarcasm inserted here). By the time I got to the restaurant I was sweaty and looked like I had just been through an entire hour of bikram yoga but I still had a great time so it didn't seem to bother me. Someone pointed out that the scooter seemed small. That maybe it was a child's scooter. I denied it and tried to blow it off as if I had done my research on them and knew that I had bought the right one for my size. Little do they know that i DID in fact buy it off of the child's section on the Chase Rewards Catalog. Whoops! Oh well, "good thing I am small so it doesn't matter so it still fits," I thought.

4 days after my first scootin' adventure, when the above picture was taken, I decided to scoot the farthest I had ever gone. 20 blocks to Bed Bath and Beyond. I had to pick up an item that only they carry so I had to make the trip.

Scooting there was a easy. Through Washington Square Park, Up 5th Ave and cross over on 19thth Ave. Sidewalk to street, sidewalk to street. Easy Breezy. On my way back i had my bag hooked to my handle bars since it wasn't too heavy. But what was heavy was the traffic on 5th. I was trying to avoid car traffic and people traffic at the same time. I even got a little air while ramping off the curb. I was confident and had full control.

As soon as my confidence kicked in my front wheel wedged into a deep crack on the sidewalk. The scooter came to an abrupt stop while I kept going. Head first I flew over my handle bars and flipped on to the sidewalk making a sound like a walrus when I hit the pavement. As soon as I hit I thought to myself, "there is no way I will be able to stand after hitting this hard," but with the embarrassment of EVERYONE IN MANHATTAN staring at me I quickly got to my feet, with the help of 2 business men in suits, and got right back on my scooter.

I began to scoot away when I hear, "miss, I think these are yours." I was handed a Jumbo size box of Tampons that I picked up in the "Beyond" section of the store. I know at age 34 I shouldn't be embarrassed about that but if i hadn't just flown over a child's scooter on 5th ave during rush hour I think I would have said thank you and walked off. Instead, I say, "Oh those... huh? No they... um... ya.. ok," and then get on my scooter and scoot away.

As I get closer to home, almost in tears due to the pain and the embarrassment, I decided that the scootin' days are over. I see my supers kid on the way in and just hand the scooter over to him saying, "here, have it. It's yours now."

The very next week I go to the doctor and have my knees looked at. Now I am in physical therapy and have to look like a robot 2 times a week.
Thanks Chase Rewards Points! Thanks for giving me the opportunity to bruise my body and my ego at the same time.

Fatty Fatty 2 by 4...

7 years ago I started noticing sharp pains in my right knee while driving. It would lock up on me and I couldn’t move it. Kinda like a Toyota. I went to see a specialist in Nashville and they did a MRI. The doctor was able to find broken cartilage floating around in my knee that was causing the pain. So he sent me to physical therapy, which I hated, to help solve the problem before surgery was an option. A year later I moved to NYC and never got the surgery.

7 years later I am having more pain in my knees than ever. So yesterday I go to see one of the best surgeons in NYC. We schedule a MRI and x-rays on both knees. During the MRI you have to remain completely still for about 30 minutes. THIS is so hard for me as my knee locks up if left in one position longer than 3-5 minutes. So there I am, stuck in this noisy machine in massive pain trying to not move and focus my energy elsewhere. I focus so hard that I fall asleep. Bad idea. I ended up jumping so the images were blurry. Have to do it all over again and stay awake this time. UGH.

After the x-rays I make my way down to see the doctor. I am left waiting for a while as they review my MRIs. I am convinced that they will find something so wrong with my knees that I will need surgery for sure. After all, that is what the great doctors of Vanderbilt Medical Center told me.

Waiting and waiting and waiting….

Finally the Doc comes in. He asks tons of questions and then makes me walk, which I can do just fine. Then he bends my knees in positions that you only do if you are a contortionist. Ouch!! He hears all the popping going on in there and then it’s on to look at my results.

X-rays show that there is nothing wrong with my bones and alignment. Great news seeing how I fall constantly and just recently flew over the handlebars of my kick scooter last Monday.

MRI results. Dun dun dunnnnn. I’m waiting for the news, “Jamie, we will have to do a small procedure on you. You will be on crutches for a while and we will have to operate on both knees.” – is what I thought I would hear.

Instead it was, “Great news, everything seems to be in place. The popping is from Patella Femoral Syndrome. No surgery required, just Physical therapy.”

What?? Really? Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t want surgery but I would rather surgery over physical therapy. Only because I hate working out.

Ahhhhh there it is. There is the key phrase “I hate working out”. We will come back to that later.

So he signs me up to go to a clinic that he tells me is “Dance Therapy”. Cool, so I will be dancing as my therapy? Sure, that’s it. Awesome. Ummm ya, I was wrong again. It just treats the dancers from Baryshnikov’s school. I will not be taking dance with them. Duh, Jamie. Good thing I posted that on my Facebook status before I actually looked into it.

So I get there to the clinic. There is a lady with a thick Russian accent screaming something at the front desk girl over paperwork. I assume she is a friend of Baryshnikov’s since she’s Russian. First impressions, pretty cool. All the therapist are young which is a plus. And there are several cute male ones. Which is a plus plus.

I am sent back to see mine. His name is John. He is blonde, built and thinks my jokes are funny. So far so good. He begins doing things to my knees that make me think he is just trying to break them so I have a real reason to be there. 30 minutes of him bending and pushing and lifting and rolling and he comes up with a conclusion.

Here is what he said, “8 years ago when you said you stopped dancing and basically stopped exercising everyday your ITB began to tighten up because you were not stretching. Over the 8 years it has gotten so tight that it is pulling your knee cap out of place which is causing the pain and popping. Your muscles around your knee are no longer strong enough to counteract this action. This usually occurs in women because of the hip line being wider. And this often occurred in ex dancers or athletes who stop being active. So we will need to work all this out and retrain your thigh muscles.”

Here is what I heard, “You have been so lazy for the past 8 years that you now have fat thighs and you need to get off your lazy butt and do something with yourself you wide lazy load. How do you expect those knees of yours to carry such heavy gorilla thighs?”

I have always hated my thighs but how come all of you never told me that I was getting fat. Thanks friends.

SO now I have to go in 2 times a week for 3 months to “retrain my muscles”. I knew this day would come.

Negatives – I’m fat, I still hate working out, it’s painful and all the cute PT's know I’m fat and lazy.

Positives – I will finally get my fat thighs in shape, my knees will stop hurting, I might get used to and enjoy working out and I will get to flirt with the cute fit physical therapists 2 times a week for 6 weeks.

It’s a win win for everyone involved!!

Update on Where my Update Is:

Have I been slacking on updating my blog? Yes, yes I have. Why? I have been traveling out of town like crazy. I haven't had a time to sit and focus. But, I am home for a while so I will do my best to update you with my whereabouts the best I know how.
I have a lot of photos from the Chitty trip to Disney World and from my recent trip to Seattle.
I even attempted to eat Seafood for the first time. I failed. BUT, it's all on video with my meltdown and everything. Good times.

Update soon!!

Oh ya, I am doing a benefit on June 24th for Gulf Aid. All proceeds go to help support the animals and those dealing with the the disgusting oil spill in LA. If anyone wants to help out let me know and I will send you the details on how you can.

Amazing and Successful Event!!

We had an AMAZING event!! Cherry Lane Music Publishing was celebrating their 50th Anniversary and we had the honor of working the event. Cherry Lane has artist such as Black Eyed Peas, David Cook, John Legend etc. Here are a few highlights from the event. Also, watch E! News tonight. We will be on there. And I will let you know when it's in People Magazine.

Location: Brooklyn Bowl. It's an amazing venue where you can eat, drink, listen to live music all while bowling. So much fun!!!Here is our Press House Team on the Red Carpet: Me, Dawn and Emma. Kiva was taking the picture.
One of the artist Antigone Rising

Moe looking dapper in their suits.
Antonella Barba. She was on American Idol. We are working her now. She is a doll!!
Jamie Hilfiger. Model and Designer and daughter of Tommy.
The Amazing John Legend performing.
John Legend on the carpet. I was getting him set up to do the interview with E! and after I lightly touched his arm his bodyguard rushed over to ask me if I could "Not Man Handle Mr. Legend". Haha What? Is he made of clouds or something? So delicate.
To check out more photos go to
http://www.wireimage.com/ItemListings.aspx?sr=1&igi=433808&nbc1=1

Our Press was awesome. People, E!, Cosmo, NY Post, NY Times, Modern Drummer, Rolling Stone, Village Voice, Billboard Magazine, Fuse TV, Examiner, Guitar World, Huffington Post, In Tandem Magazine, London Entertainment, Lucid Culture, Men's Health, NBC i Village, NY Daily News, Redbook, Relix, Reuters, Right On! Magazine, Sirius Radio, SPIN Magazine, USA Today, etc.

Whew! It was an awesome night and we, as well as or clients, were very happy.
After a long month of working this event to make it perfect I am ready to relax at Disney World with my family. We leave on Saturday.

Jamie Chitty Takes the Gold!!

Getting my Body Back:

I joined a gym with a pool to start swimming. I was a little nervous about this because my swimming usually consists of pool games and breaks to lay out. I’m not really a lap swimmer and wasn’t sure if I could handle it. I also wasn’t sure if I wanted anyone to see me in a swim cap and goggles. So off to the sports store I go to buy all the top gear that I will need.

How is it that I can look bigger in a one piece than a bikini? I ended up paying $60 bucks on a suit that I feel fat in. Why? Then I try on swim caps. I ask the guy if there is any of them that won’t make me look like a big dork. Apparently there is not. So $15 later I buy a black one to match my suit. Goggles are next. I can’t tell you the last time I wore goggles. $25 later I have the exact ones that Michael Phelps uses. Why? Because they are the only ones that don’t make me look like an 8 year old in swim class.

I am on my way out and then what do I see??? A case so that you can swim with your Ipod. Hmmm, it’s going to get interesting now. I must have the case! I HAVE to HAVE the case!! How else will I be able to swim? But is it really worth it? I know me and work outs, I do it for a couple of weeks and then get bored and move on to something else. I better not buy it. $70 later, plus an extra $30 for the underwater headphones, I can now run, swim, kayak, water polo, scuba, snorkel and skinny dip all to the hits of Huey Lewis and the News.

Off to the gym I go with swim gear in tow.

When I arrive I head to the locker room and get dressed, or undressed I guess. Swimsuit on, Swim cap on, goggles on, rockin' Ipod underwater arm band on, Pray to God that the water doesn’t leak in and ruin my ipod, done. I feel like a complete dork and hope that I will not see a single cute man. I walk into the pool area and it’s me with 10 or so men my age, 5 Asian women that are just sitting at the end of the pool whispering to themselves and one other girl in a floral bikini. Really? A bikini to swim laps? I looked like a pro. I felt like a pro. Now I must perform like a pro.

Music switches to my “Work my A** off” play list. I shake my arms and legs, because that is what I see the pros do, and then in the water I go. I am going at a great pace, so I think. Yes, made it to the end and with an underwater flip and turn I am off to finish lap one. Half way through I start to feel pain in my arms. A burning sensation. I think they call this “Show Off Syndrome”. My breaths for air are getting less and less successful but as I end my lap the pride in me makes me turn and flip for lap 2. What was I thinking? I am insane for not easing into this. But I can’t stop now; I have all this gear on. It looks like I know what I’m doing. Flip and turn and the end of lap 2 is coming to a close. I am drowning. I am on fire, not in a good way, and I am drowning. My form is not even good anymore. I look like I am in desperate need for a paramedic.

I decide to stop and come up for air after lap two. When I do I am so out of breath that it hurts. The guys sharing my lane with me say, “Wow, you are so fast. Do you swim a lot?” This is when I look around and notice that everyone else is going a normal speed. Not a gold medal speed. Another guy notices that I am having trouble breathing and recommends that I take it a little easier on the next laps. Ummm, you think??

So after an hour in a half of swimming back and forth, trying to regain my coolness I decide to go home. But wait, I bought a new lock for my locker and where did I put the locker combination?? Oh yes, IT’S IN THE LOCKER!! I looked at the number once and that’s it. And seeing that I have number dyslexia I forgot what they were. So now I am in my suit, tired and wet and now have to get someone to come cut my lock off my locker all because of my stupidity. Nice Jamie. Way to be cool.

I have since returned to the gym, with a new lock and my composure. I take my time with the laps now. I am getting better but still think I look like a big dork. I am not sure when I will feel that the one piece looks good on me. I seem to think never. But if an Olympic scout ever comes to my gym looking for swimmers I will be ready. I will dive right in there and swim my heart out.

Watch out Michael Phelps. I have my eyes on your Gold.

I love NYC in the Spring time...

What is it about spring that I love so much? Is it that New Yorkers start walking with their heads up and smiles on their faces? Is it that this Northern city turns into a Southern small town with everyone chatting it up with people they hardly know? Maybe it’s that I get to burn all my heavy winter coats that I develop a deep hatred for? Or maybe, just maybe it’s because I just function better with the sun in my face instead of sloppy wet snow. I am pretty sure it’s all of the above.

Regardless what it is I am SO SO SO thankful that it’s here/around the corner. Last weekend we had a very warm day. It was in the 70’s and we were able to sit outside in the sun, in swimsuits and actually have to put sunscreen on. I even had a snow cone but ended up having to throw it out when it melted all over me due to my fear of getting my tongue and lips stuck to the ice. I think the freezer was a little too cold. It was an amazing weekend full of friends, sun, park days, sun, wonderful dates, sun, runs along the water, sun and brunch outside. Did I mention it was sunny? It makes me so happy!!

I like to wear Bright Socks...

Here is a video of every guy I have been out with in the past 6 months. How will I ever pick just one?

Spring is in the Air...

This is basically how I feel that Spring has arrived to NYC!!

One Month in....

And I think I am doing ok. I have been so exhausted lately that it's tough to find the time to fit everything in. But here is what I have accomplished so far...

Make my Home MY home: I finally painted my living room. I have been living with paint swatches on the walls for months now and finally picked out a color. I picked out a color after slowly eliminating them one by one. And of course as soon as I walk into Ace Hardware to buy the paint I change my mind and am standing there looking at different colors for hours. I am happy with the color I picked but now wishing I would have gotten a lighter color for the hallway. Oh well, I can always go back and paint the hallway a different color. Who knows, I could always move to a whole different apartment.

I have ordered some decor for the new living room as well but those will be delivered soon and photos will be up on the next blog post Hopefully.

Falling Asleep without the TV: I haven't accomplished this 100% but I am getting better at going to my room when I start feeling sleepy instead of falling asleep on the couch and waking up in the middle of the night to sleepwalk to bed. It also might help if I hang all the clothes up that are on my bed So it is more appealing to sleep there. I have this problem of doing my laundry and then leaving it on my bed and not putting it away. Then days go by and after trying something on, not liking it and then throwing it on my bed day after day night after night the pile grows larger and larger. My goal this weekend is to have a clean room. We will see if that happens.

12 New Foods: I am such a pansy. I am counting this for right now but I am not happy with this "try". Collard Greens. I tried them. Fail. Did not like them at all. They have never been on my list to try so why did I even attempt this? Well it's the only thing I have attempted this month. I almost want to punish myself and try 2 new things next month. But nonetheless I tried them. Why do people eat them? They were not good at all.

12 New Things in NYC: I went to Lincoln Center to Dizzy's to hear Jazz. It was awesome!! I have wanted to go to real Jazz clubs here in NYC and Dizzy's is one of the best of the best. I had a blast and plan to go hear more. I recommend it to everyone when they come visit. I went with Miguel and Bethany for B's 30th Birthday. (She is due with a baby boy in 8 weeks. So excited!!)

Company: In the process of getting the name trademarked. Excited to share with you guys once it is.

Getting my Body Back: Having the flu for a week helped me loose about 5lbs. I wasn't really wanting to loose weight but I am not complaining. I was wanting to "tighten up" instead but this will work for now. I have decided to start swimming. Running is hurting my knees more and more and making me get closer to surgery. I want to avoid surgery as long as I can so swimming will hopefully help me get in shape and build the muscle around my knees for support. Picture of Meredith in our swim caps and goggles coming soon.

So that is about it for right now. It doesn't seem like a lot but I barely have time for sleep much less my personal life. I work about 80 hours a week in a 40 hour time frame then I usually have something every night after work, don't get to bed before 1:30am then wake up at 6:30am to start the day over again. On the weekends i beg to sleep in but usually have something planned with the girls and then dates or dinner with friends planned for the night. I am worn out.
Yes, I have been dating. It's.... ummm... interesting. None so far I have been excited about and a few of them I just wanted to run away from. I didn't think I was picky but I am starting to think that I really am. If a guy is my height that is a deal breaker. If he says "like" too much when he talks that is a deal breaker. If he has never lived outside of his hometown that is a deal breaker. Come on friends, you can find better men to set me up with than that.

So that has been my month in a nutshell. I think it's been pretty good so far. They only thing that worries me on time is the reading thing. I better get to work on that.
I will do a better job at posting as the month goes on.