Serious About Video Games

just had a little fun on my computer and at my friends expense while waiting for a few things to download. Here is what 30 year old dudes do on Saturday mornings.

Christmas and New Years in a Nut Shell

So this year I decided to go home for Christmas and not stay in NYC alone. I was told that the whole family would be together but turns out I was wrong. It was just me, mom and dad. Don't get me wrong, I was excited to see my mom and dad and spend time with them but it just would have been nice to have the whole family together. Especially since I don't get to come home that often. It would have just been nice to know ahead of time before I booked my ticket. Oh well, what can you do? (Plan ahead of time)

Since it was going to be an adult Christmas we invited over the Baker's and had a great time. Nothing beats good food, great family trip photos and sitting next to your parents while watching the uncomfortable parts of Black Swan on Christmas Day.

The trip home was basically hanging out with mom and dad and Danielle and her two adorable kids. And it was good to spend time with my Grandmother. A good trip home over all.

When I returned home to NYC I missed "The Great Blizzard of 2010" by 2 days. I wasn't sure if I was going to make it in but we didn't seem to have a problem, unlike everyone trying to get OUT of the city. Apparently there was so much snow that people were stuck in their apartments and were not able to get out and about. Now I think that is a little much but it's what I heard. Frankly there is no reason why you could not get to work, or out in general, if you live in the city. If your legs work then you can make it anywhere around here. But what I DID see when I returned was the snow that was shoveled to the sidewalks from the street were giant mounds, taller than me. It was insane. Since then we have received 54 inches total. More to come this week!

So for New Years I stayed in the city. Meredith and I were the only ones here out of our group because the rest went on romantic beach holidays with their significant others. That leaves Mere and I alone to suffer in the city. Thanks everyone! 

We really were not excited about new years. After all when you have no one to kiss at midnight what's the point of staying awake. We sat in her apartment debating all day and night about going out. We fought long and hard about the decision. And after 2 bottles of Champagne of making mimosas all afternoon we decided to just walk downstairs to our trusty Slane. At least we were regulars and know everyone there so technically we were not alone.

The clock struck midnight and within the hour we were home sound asleep. Exciting, I know. I know some of you think that I am constantly living an exciting life of parties and whatnot, but for the most part I just want to be at home and in bed. 

I was really excited to say "bye"  to 2010. It started off as a great year and just went into the toilet fast by the end of the year. Job situations making you not trust anyone and screwing you right when it counts, Friends/Love walking all over you therefore depleting your trust for the human race even more, Feeling that if you don't reproduce soon you won't really be considered important enough to plan a family get-together around and to top it all off medical issues that leave you scared and stressed for over a month. SO you can see why I was happy to put 2010 behind me. 

So far 2011 has had a happier, less stressful year. Sure it's only been 1 month in but this 1 month has changed my outlook on my stresses dramatically. Booked a trip to Italy for just some good old selfish time, weeded out the bad people in my life and getting better at just cutting out the negative environment, starting my own company that will hopefully be up and running come Spring and hearing positive news from doctor. 

"Out with the old and in with the new" I guess is the saying for the New Year. I would like to rephrase that to "Out with the crazy and in the classic". Sometimes the original plan is better than the new and improved one.

Where? What? Huh???

Sure it's a new year and I have fallen on my new posts. Why? well maybe it's because I have been busy. Or Maybe it's because I haven't felt like writing. Or maybe it's because I have the flu. Yes! That's it! I have caught what all New Yorkers have right now. The horrible disgusting flu. I am sure you all will get it just by reading this because I have sneezed all over the computer screen several times since writing this. Also, with the fever and meds in my system it feels right now that my hands are not attached to my body and I am having to tell them what to type.

So here is what's to come in the new blog posts:

Christmas Updates

New Years Updates

Prince Concert

Birthday list Updates

New Travel Plans

Life and Love updates (or lack there of)

I will get around to it. Possibly this weekend since I am not allowed to do anything except get better. That might mean going to V Bar Coffee Shop and sipping cappuccinos and writing. That is, if my fever allows me to think clearly and not confuse the man next to me on the train as my pillow.

New Blog

If you are a TV buff like I am then you may enjoy my brand spankin' new blog.

WHAT IS NEW ON THE TUBE!
http://whatisnewonthetube.blogspot.com/

Please add it as a blog you follow or one you like. I am getting paid for this and need tons of hits.

Thanks Blog Readers!!!

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!