5 Days of Captivity

So it was my first week with my new year plan and wouldn't you know it, I get the flu. It was so bad that I missed 3 days of work. 2 of those days I attempted to go in only to have them send me back home. I tried at least. Friday morning when I came crawling back home it was the last I would see of the outside world for 3 days.

I can't tell you a time where I have slept so much. Friday when I got home I had soup, a hot bath and slept for 4 hours. When I woke up I took another bath and had more soup and then slept again. It was like that pretty much all weekend. I would try to get on the computer to work some but my mind just wasn't functioning. It was even hard to watch TV and we all know that seems impossible for me.

I feel sorry for my roommate because I am sure she is sick of seeing me there on the couch coughing up a lung. She was a sweetheart and played mom when she was there though. Making me tea, bringing me soup and getting me a Starbucks from the outside world.

For 5 days all I had was soup and juice. I think I lost a few pounds which is one bonus of being sick. So I guess I am doing one thing on my list, right? Nothing like the Mary Kate Olsen Diet to get you started. I couldn't have picked a better weekend to stay in though. It was 14 degrees out and windy. Who wants to be out in that anyway?

This thing came out of nowhere and knocked me on my butt. It definitely told me that I am not taking care of myself though. I never get enough sleep, I run myself in 3 directions and never slow down and I probably should eat better. Skipping breakfast and lunch and only eating chips and salsa for dinner does not equal the five basic food groups.

Today I am back at work and feeling much better. I still have a cough that sounds gross and scares every eligible bachelor off but I will take that over not being able to breathe, eat, move, think and finish complete sentences any day. I will attempt to get started on my list this week. I promise.

What To Do Before I am 35...

Ok 34 years old here we go......

I can't believe I am 34. I don't feel that old and in now way do I even feel that I am where I wanted to be at this age. Therefore I am providing the following list of tasks I have to accomplish, fears I have to overcome and dreams I have to fulfill in order to be ok with turning 35. Now remember, this is NOT everything I want to do in life, there is plenty more on my Life's To-Do list. These are just some things I want to do before I turn 35.

Also, you may notice that I have left 1 blank. Well this task are in your hands. Whoever gives the best idea I will do it. They can be as silly as you want them to be. They don't have to be life changing at all.

to turn 35 (I, Jamie Chitty, will set out and accomplish everything on this list starting today and ending on my 35th (aka the scary age) birthday, January 22, 2011. If I do not succeed I will not be allowedhmm maybe I will fail on purpose). I will document each one accordingly.
Here is my list (to be complete in no particular order):

1. Make my home MY home - For years I have been living as if I am in a temporary location. I have never seen as my apt as my permanent home. Well it has been for the past 5 years and I am sick of living in a place that doesn't represent my personality. This will require a home makeover.

2. Become a Volunteer for a worthwhile cause

3. Find what my Hobbies are again - I used to be so active and do everything. When recently asked what my hobbies were I had no idea. Shopping? Is that considered a hobby? So I will go out and redefine what my true hobbies are. Tennis? Golf? Book Clubs? Who knows.

4. Eat Seafood - If you all know me you know that my biggest fear in life is fish therefore I never have eatin seafood because I am afraid of it. So I have to at least try it this year. As simple as this may sound this will be one of the hardest things on my list right along with...

5. Hold a Fish - Umm ya, I really don't see this one happening but I am sick of my fear controlling what I eat and where I vacation. It's a stupid fear and I am going to take control of it. I will probably attempt this Jan 21, 2011 haha. At least it will make a funny video for you.

6. Start my own business - I know this seems like a huge goal but I have been talking about it for a while and this year I am going to do it. More details on this to come.

7. Trapeze Lessons - Ever since I moved to NYC I have wanted to take trapeze lessons. What other city can you do that in? So I will attempt to fly through the air with the greatest of ease. And P.S. No I'm not doing this because it was on Sex and the City. It's because I sit out there and watch them every Summer and never do it, geez.

8. Get MY Body Back - Or maybe Kelly Ripa, Jennifer Aniston and Kate Hudson's body. Nonetheless, I am going to be rock solid in a year. There is no excuse. I HATE working out and come up all kinds of excuses to not. But if you guys call me fatty that will make me go.

9. Go see a concert at Madison Square Garden - Yes, this seems easy to do but I have been here for over 5 years and have yet to do it. I wonder who it will be. Better be someone big!!

10. Get out of Debt - Realistically I can not be debt free in a year. But I do plan to have HALF of it paid off. This will be such a great feeling!!

11. Get my Groove Back - I was a dancer. I danced ALL THE TIME. I loved it. But 5 years ago I quit. It's time to see if I still have my rhythm and take dance classes. Hopefully there will be a recital at the end of the year you all can come to .

12. Learn to fall asleep WITHOUT the TV - This has been a challenge for me since 6th grade. It's time to be an adult.

13. Take a writing class - I really enjoy writing and want to be good at it. I would love to learn how to write dialog so I can finally try to write the sitcom that is going on in my head. No, it will NOT be pitched to NBC.

14. Try 12 New Foods - I am the pickiest eater. And only picky because it's all in my head. If I say I don't like something it's because I've never tried it and am afraid of food. I'm pretty sure it's the reason a few of my past bf's have broken up with me. I have to eat 12 things that I am afraid of in 12 months. This does NOT include seafood. That will only be done once because I am not sure if I can eve get through that.

15. Read 6 Books in 12 Months - This may be simple for all of you but I have been reading the same book for a year. I have the attention span of a nat and it's hard for me to focus. But something I want to be better at.

16. Learn How to Rollerblade - Get out your video cameras. This is sure to be a hit on Youtube. I should go ahead and call the hospital and let them know to expect me.

17. Bake for the Firemen - 5 years ago when I moved here I said that I would bake for every firehouse in NYC. Have I? Not a one. And seeing how there are a million in the city I am planning every 2 months to visit the stations in my neighborhood and bring them goodies. Ladies, I will film this for sure. Ouu la la.

18. Learn Italian - 13 years ago I went to school in Italy. I took Italian while I was there but never learned it. In a year I want to be able to have a conversation and understand. Shopping terms do not count. I already know them.

19. 12 New York Somethings in 12 Months - I have to do 12 things in NYC that I haven't done yet. This might be more of a challenge than I think because I feel that I have don't a lot. It will take some thought.

20. UP TO YOU GUYS!!!! (be nice)

So there you have it. Sure some of them may not be that exciting but this is only a year. I have the rest of my life to travel around the world and date foreign politicians.

Wish me luck!!

Mid-Thirties Life Crisis

I remember when Birthday’s were fun and exciting. It was just a day of getting gifts, having slumber parties and everyone celebrating YOU. I loved getting older. I looked forward to it. Now it’s a completely different story. All I want to do is hide and stay inside and try to pretend that it’s another day. That it’s nothing special at all while trying hard to ignore the fact that I am about to reach my mid thirties.

34!!! I’m not so afraid to turn 34 as I am to hit 35 and feel like I haven’t accomplished anything with my life. Sure I’ve moved to NYC and traveled to some amazing places and have enough horrific dating stories that I could write a book but what have I really done? And lately I have asked myself “What have I done for ME lately” (cue Janet Jackson).

I have spent all of my adult years (from 18-34) trying to please other people. Thinking that my life can’t really start until I get married. Putting things on hold because I think that I can’t do them alone. It’s kinda what the South teaches us, that a woman’s life is not complete without a family. Well seeing how I don’t see a husband or family anywhere in the near future and the fact that I am a year away from my scary age it’s time to do things for myself. Make them happen for me and because I want them to. No more excuses and no more putting my life on hold. Let’s face it; I’m not getting any younger.

So why am I writing all of this?? Because I need my fellow bloggers and followers support. I am setting a list of things that I have to accomplish from January 22, 2010 to January 22, 2011. I will have one year to do everything on my list and I need you ALL to hold me accountable. This way, maybe, I will feel better about turning 35. I have been working on my list and I am sure I will add things as I go but it’s things that I have been putting off to do tomorrow or later in the future for a long time. Things that I don’t like about myself and want to change or things that I want to prove my doubting self wrong.

I will be documenting each event either with photos or video but always a story. I am sure I will want to quit mid way through or probably wait till December to do some of them. Let’s face it, I am a procrastinator. But that is where I will need you guys to step in. Push me to, more like shove me to do these things.

We never know if we will get another day much less another year. I don’t want to roll in to 35 feeling like I am waiting for my life to begin. And more importantly, I don’t want someone else determining my own life and happiness.

I will post the LIST Friday and that is when I will push the play button. But in the mean time everyone pull out their pom poms and start stretching. I want big and flashy spirit fingers.

NBC-ya

I am sure all of you have been keeping up with the Battle for Tonight Show. Team Conan or Team Leno? Which one are you? I will argue to keep Conan till the death. Now I know some of you are Leno fans, which I have no idea why, so I will try to be as kind as I can. Here's my thoughts on it:

Leno is a has-been. He is old, can't deliver a joke to save his life, has no comic timing, makes sexual passes to guest which is creepy and has had his time on the show. If you all remember, 5 years ago he decided to retire. He announced it on his show that he was wanting to retire and he would pass down the show to Conan. 5 years came fast and it was time for him to leave. And like a spoiled, pouty little brat at an arcade "he didn't want to leave" (to be said in the most annoying little kid voice possible.) He threw a fit and you could see him getting jealous that his time was up.

So after stomping his feet on the ground and screaming "It's not fair" NBC agreed to give him a Prime time show. NBC was trying to save money so they thought the best way was to cut out the 10:00 EST pricey dramas and put a talk show. We all know that one hour drama's cost way more than talk shows or reality shows. They thought this would save them money. Instead it lost the company more money than planned and it lost what's the most important thing to them, their viewers.

No one wanted to watch an old man trying to be funny and steal ideas from other talk shows. Therefore at 10pm everyone tuned in to the TV dramas such as Criminal Minds, Law and Order, CSI, etc. They turned the channel to CBS which lead them into watching the CBS news. Which ultimately lead them to watching Letterman. This was not Conan's fault, as Conan and Letterman have most of the same viewers. And now that they were competing on the same times people watch Letterman out of convenience.

So now, only after 7 months, they are saying that Conan is not pulling in the viewers that he needs to stay on. Do they not remember that he had an amazingly successful show for 17 years? Do they also not remember that it takes a few months to get in the swing of things? And do they not remember that he is competing with Letterman, someone that shares his viewership? Oh ya, and do they not remember that THEY are the ones that screwed up the network buy putting a talk show before the news? I'm not sure that they do.

Also, lets flash back to 1992 when Carson retired from the Tonight Show. They offered the show to Leno (when Carson was fighting for Letterman to have the spot). At that time Letterman was on after Carson on NBC. He later went on to host the CBS time slot that he is in now. After only hosting the tonight show for a few months NBC told Leno that he wasn't making them happy and threatened to give the job to Letterman. Funny how history repeats himself.

It's like Leno is in an abusive relationship with NBC. They constantly knock him how telling him that he is not good enough and he stays around defending them even though he knows what they are doing is wrong. At least Conan is defending himself and not sticking around to put up with it.

So now Conan is leaving on Jan.22nd and Leno is coming back to the Tonight Show. He's such an Indian giver. Does he not know the meaning of retiring? Does he not have a consequence about pushing Conan out of a job? All he had to do is turn it down and show some respect and Conan would still have his job. Instead he is being a selfish child and taking the toy back after giving it to the other kid. Way to be a man Leno.

They tried to ruin the late night spot all together by putting Leno at a 30 minute spot before Conan. How would that work? And how would it be the Tonight Show if it comes on at midnight? That my friends is the next morning.

So yes, I am blaming NBC first and Leno second. I have written 3 letters voicing my opinions to NBC and Leno already. I am also banning Leno from my house. NBC used to be my favorite network but my loyalties have changed. I will watch The Office, 30 Rock and SNL but that is it for your network.

I know most of you don't really care about this because you have families and other things to worry about. But according to TV Guide 85% of the viewers are on Team Conan. If I were in charge of a network, and I so should be, I would listen to that.

Shame on you NBC and shame on you Leno!

Oh Captain My Captain

According to the papers I have less than 11 months to break up this wedding. Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter, and number 1 guy on my heartthrob list, is officially engaged. I knew it was coming. It was the talk of all last season. So why am I upset? Well, it's one more guy off my list. First Matt Damon says I do, then Jimmy Fallon (and not even to a cute girl) and now Jeter. So now I have till November to get his attention and steal his heart. Do I really think that it can happen? No, Of course not. But I will not go down without a fight.

Here he is, the adorable Captain of the Yankees. The hardest working man in the MLB. Well... I don't know that for a fact but I'd like to think so. Coming in as a rookie in 1995 at age 21 he went right to the Yankees and won Rookie of the Year. Winning his first World Series a year later in 1996 he went on to win 4 more in 1998, 1999, 2000 and the most recent in 2009 bring his total Championship Rings to 5. In 2000 he was voted All-Star and World Series MVP and in 2003 he was named Captain of the Yankees. In 2009 he broke Lou Gehrig's Hitting Record. All this accomplished at the ripe ole' age of 35. Makes me feel lazy.


So here is the break down of the culprit.
Name: Mika Kelly
Profession: Actress (ugh)
Age 29 (Still a child), Born in Los Angelas (as are most actors, original), Only child to father, former Aerosmith guitarist, and mother, former Vegas Show girl (Spoiled and probably was taught how to pole dance at a young age).
Previously dated John Mayer (who hasn't) and actor Chris Evans (I dated a Chris Evans in high school, what of it).
Known for her role in Friday Night Lights where she "plays" a Cheerleader. (I actually WAS a cheerleader. I didn't just play one on TV).
Sure she pretty, I can't argue that. But she's an actress, how can he tell if she is being real? And what does she know about baseball? Did she ever play? Probably not. She probably has a pink Yankee cap which we all know is for sissy's. And Mika Jeter?? That doesn't sound right. Jamie Jeter rolls right off the tongue.
Ok, so I am not seriously upset about Jeter getting engaged. I am happy for him and I do like his choice in woman. She seems nice and seems a little more down to earth. More than some of his past girlfriends (Mariah Carey, Vanessa Minnillo, Jessica Biel, Scarlett Johansson and Jessica Alba). At least this one is not a camera and fame hog. I do know that I really don't stand a chance with him being a "normal" girl. Well, "normal" is still in question.

Nonetheless, if I see Dreamboat Jeter walking down the street I will not hesitate to catch his eye and win him over. I just hope I am not wearing all my I Heart Jeter paraphernalia when it happens. No one wants to look like a fool.

My Christmas in NYC

Christmas in NYC with my makeshift family for the Holidays!

If You See Someting, Say Something

The terror threat is heightened in New York City. It has been for a few months now. You can tell just by the police presence everywhere you go and down on the subways they are holding machine guns once again. I, of course, am always on guard. I look people up and down and stare at them till they get really, really uncomfortable. I secretly think that I am an undercover FBI agent while doing so. How are they to know that I’m not? I could be. No one would suspect it.

So the other day on my daily packed subway ride home on B train I gave the car my once over. There was an extra seat in the middle of two people so I squeezed my J-Lo bootie right in-between them. I read a “how to survive a terrorist attack in a subway” that there is a higher survival rate if you are sitting due to debris. So I sit any chance I get on crowded cars.

(Do we need to go back to the fact that I read articles and books on this matter? I can’t help it, I always want to be prepared. And I find them completely interesting.)

It was packed. More than usual. Must be the holiday season. I noticed a man, fitting the profile (sorry, but there is a profile to be aware of, not being racist just stating a fact). He was holding a backpack in front of him and looked nervous. He was shaking and sweating a bit and seemed to constantly be looking in the bag. It was like he was holding on to it for dear life. My heart began to race. Everything fit the list of what we are to look for. I turned to the woman sitting next to me and said, “You see that man?” She was already aware of him and told me that she was getting off at the next stop. The people standing by us heard us and pretty soon we all were either about to take action or get the heck off the train. Problem was, we were on the express train and the stops are less frequent. We had to wait and endure the train ride all the way from 34^th St stop to West 4^th St.

I decided that as soon as I get off the train I would run and find a NYPD and make them aware of the man while telling people to NOT get on the train. I didn’t want to run and scream frantically or other people would think I was the crazy one. So off the train and out of the subway I flew taking 2 stairs at a time in heels. When I go to the top of the stairs I looked behind me and noticed that the Terrorist was behind me. He was running just as fast as I was and still holding on to his bag for dear life. I waiting and let him pass me and then followed him. I followed him out of the turn stile and up to the street. I noticed 2 NYPD officers outside and walked over to them and right at that time the man sets his backpack/bomb down on the ground…..unzips it…….and…………..

Out ran a little puppy.

Yep, seriously. I over reacted once again. But hey, I was not the only one this time. I explained it to the cops, as they were wondering why I ran up to them out of breath. They laughed but said that I was a good New Yorker for reacting the way I did. Thanks cute NYPD dudes!

We have signs everywhere that say, “If you see Something, Say Something.” 65,000 New Yorkers last year followed those rules and reported suspicious actions. I think I single handedly reported 54,000 out of the 65k.