Saturday, December 30, 2006

the new year

Since my last post, I have moved into a new apartment, started a new job, and had a date with a new fella.

In a day and a half, it will be a new year.

First, the apartment: beautiful, grown-up, spacious, wonderful. Pictures to follow. Four quick train stops away from Kate Moss and all of the lovely restaurants in her 'hood. Roommate seems great. All in all, a real find.

Next, the job: I've definitely got my work cut out for me, but I think it will be challenging and (hopefully) rewarding. Met two new friends on Friday. Work friends, I think, are key, though I certainly will not be getting into another co-worker sitch like in the last gig.

(Speaking of J, he's completely out of the picture.)

Finally, the fella: whoa, y'all.

So, things are good! I'm officially anchored in Brooklyn and things haven't been finer.

Monday, December 25, 2006

merry xmas


Tuesday, December 19, 2006

2006 comes to a close...

...in, like, a couple weeks or something.

So, here are some 2006 memories (not really in any sort of order):

  • Caesar's Palace at 12:01 AM on January 1st
  • Meeting swingers at Bally's casino
  • J kissing me at Madame Tussaud's and the drama that followed (in January, May, November, December)
  • Having a photograph published in a vanity press
  • Buying my semi-fancy camera
  • Taking pictures of anything and everything
  • Hip hop dance class on Broadway
  • Seeing Tom Wolfe, Ed Koch, Ruth Reichl, and the Sterns at the 92nd Street Y
  • A trip with Kate Moss to PS1
  • A trip with Kate Moss to the Steve Keene Gallery
  • Wolf Parade show
  • The Plug Awards and, via text message, debating the redeemable qualities of The National with the Agent
  • Implementing cooking demos at work
  • Meeting Warren St. John and some VH1 celebs
  • Turning 29 at Planet Thai and the Greenpoint Tavern
  • Being there when Stephie took her first shot
  • A trip to Roosevelt Island in the tram with the Agent
  • The Big Ol' Blizzard, brunch at Enid's, and Thai food in bed
  • That on-again, off-again (and ultimately off) relationship with the Agent
  • The commencement of Brunch Club NYC
  • Starting my food blog
  • Several trips to Georgia (including one for a beautiful wedding)
  • Twilight Delirium in Athens
  • Gutting an elementary school in New Orleans
  • Unabashedly reading "The Da Vinci Code" on Kiawah Island
  • Eating bagels and drinking coffee on the East River promenade
  • Drinking wine on my fire escape with J
  • Trips to Mars 2112
  • Thanksgiving with KM, KB, Scarny, my bro, and others -- my favorite meal of the year
  • Dancing the Kid 'n Play with my brother on two separate evenings (March and November)
  • Taking pics of that nut-job David Blaine in the bubble
  • Mermaid Parade on Coney Island
  • Baseball game on Staten Island
  • Six Flags trip with Stephie
  • Eating that kimchi sandwich in Chinatown
  • My "Lost" obsession
  • Quitting my job
  • Actually leaving my job three months later ('twas bittersweet)
  • Spending QT with Coley
  • Discovering love for the NFL
  • Going to "Cringe" and being inspired to read my old diaries
  • Watching a Georgia game with Scarny in the East Village
  • Drinking many beers with Scarny at McSorley's
  • Civil War reenactment with AW (and watching the entire Ken Burns documentary)
  • Seeing the US Congress turn blue
  • Catskills weekend with J
  • Making out with J at that hookah bar in the East Village (while still in the suit I wore to an interview in Atlanta earlier that day)
  • Being flown to the ATL on the CDC's dime
  • Moving in, albeit temporarily, with my parents
  • Having the opportunity to get to see my parents in a different light
  • Getting a new job
  • Getting a new apartment
  • That on-again, off-again (and ultimately off) "relationship" with J
  • Deciding that New York (Brooklyn!) is home
...and I know I'm leaving many things out.

What's planned for the rest of the year? Moving into my new apartment, starting a new job, and (hopefully) a rockin' New Year's Eve with Scarny and Kate Moss.

pivot: begonia

What is your favorite word?
rambunctious

What is your least favorite word?
buttock

What turns you on?
that is a private matter

What turns you off?
strong odors

What is your favorite curse word?
i usually don't like to curse, but when i do curse, i say "scheisse"

What sound or noise do you love?
the cooing of a mourning dove

What sound or noise do you hate?
some people make honking sounds when they blow their noses. i hate that.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
politician

What profession would you not like to do?
butcher

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
Come on in!

Sunday, December 17, 2006

it's a myspace survey

Name: JBD

Birthday: March 2.

Birthplace: Glendale, CA.

Current location: Can I just say NYC? Do I really have to say New Jersey at this point?

Eye color: Blue.

Hair color: Blonde-ish.

Height: 5'9"

Right handed or left handed: Right.

Your heritage: English, Irish, German.

The shoes you wore today: Steve Madden brown leather knee-high boots.

Your weakness: Apparently, musicians.

Your fears: Being pushed in front of a subway, sharks, snakes (especially in water), and someone running their fingernails down a chalkboard. Oh, and never finding love and dying a lonely, sad woman, but the chalkboard thing is probably number one.

Your perfect pizza: Pizza Bianca, with pear, gorgonzola cheese, and arugula. Or, alternatively, extra-spicy sauce with soy pepperoni and sharp cheddar.

Goal you would like to achieve this year: To travel somewhere exotic with my lady friends.

Your most overused phrase on IM: InDEED!

Thoughts first waking up: Coffee? Coffee!

Your best physical feature: Eyes, thank you very much. Or maybe my eyeLASHES. Or my ankles.

Your bedtime: Midnight-ish, unless I'm unemployed and partying like a bloody rock star, in which case it would be 7:00 AM.

Your most missed memory: Being a girlfriend.

Pepsi or Coke: Coke -- gotta rep ATL, son!

McDonald's or Burger King: Neither. Gross.

Single or group dates: Single.

Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: I don't drink tea. (Apparently I'm not really reppin' ATL properly.)

Chocolate or Vanilla: Chocolate.

Cappuccino or Coffee: Coffee.

Do you smoke: On occasion.

Do you swear: Of course.

Do you sing: Beautifully.

Do you shower daily: No showering before Brunch Club! Not allowed!

Have you been in love: Yes.

Do you want to go to college: Will you pay?

Do you want to get married: I do.

Do you believe in yourself: On occasion.

Do you get motion sickness: When I'm reading in a car.

Do you think you are attractive: Not when I've been drinking and develop Drunk Hair.

Are you a health freak: I have a M.Ed. in Health Behavior and yet I smoke, drink, and love saturated fat. My answer is NO on this one.

Do you get along with your parents: Better than ever.

Do you like thunderstorms: As long as I am in no risk of being struck by lightning, they are fine by me.

Do you play an instrument: I just play musicians.

In the past month have you drank alcohol: Try the past 24 hours.

In the past month have you smoked: Try the past 24 hours.

In the past month have you been on drugs: Um, yes.

In the past month have you gone on a date: Not a proper one, no.

In the past month have you gone to a mall: Today! And I loved it!

In the past month have you eaten a box of Oreos: An entire box? In one sitting? Um, no.

In the past month have you eaten sushi: Tonight's meal was a Christmas roll, a California roll, and a small salad with ginger dressing.

In the past month have you been on stage: The world is my stage.

In the past month have you been dumped: It's hard for me to answer that one. I'm going to say no.

In the past month have you gone skinny dipping: I can't remember the last time I did. Is that sad? Or is that just growing up?

In the past month have you stolen anything: A heart.

Ever been called a tease: I usually just go through with it.

Ever been beaten up: Emotionally.

Ever shoplifted: Some socks. Some lip gloss. Some cranberries.

How do you want to die: Not sad and lonely, having never found love.

What do you want to be when you grow up: A lawyer for the ACLU.

What country would you most like to visit: France.

In a Boy...
Favorite eye color: Brown, blue, green, hazel.

Favorite hair color: Brown.

Short or long hair: Messy.

Height: 6'0" and above.

Weight: I like bellies.

Best clothing style: Jeans.

Number of CDs I own: Many.

Number of piercings: Two.

Number of tattoos: One.

Number of things in my past I regret: Zero.

i love it.

I present to you my submission to O'chum's "What the Snowman Means to Me" contest. It's an original piece entitled "Jeezy and Gucci Mane" and in the words of KB:

[It] explores the intricacies of the embattled relationship of the two rappers who both rep the "A."... I especially love this entry because it represents one of the most intriguing disputes in recent rap history.


Ride 'til I die!

pivot: psmee

What is your favorite word?
i have lots. some include pseudonym, synecdoche, serendipity, verisimilitude

What is your least favorite word?
tits. it was even hard to write that.

What turns you on?
forearms, kindness

What turns you off?
arrogance, stinkiness

What is your favorite curse word?
fuck!

What sound or noise do you love?
my dog licking her lips while she sleeps

What sound or noise do you hate?
my alarm clock- ahhhh!

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
line chef

What profession would you not like to do?
corporate anything

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
"hey girl! hope you like japanese food!"

Friday, December 15, 2006

pivot: manx

What is your favorite word?
Today, it is Cyclops. Reminds me of Clash of the Titans/Jason and the
Argonauts, and drawing as a kid.

What is your least favorite word?
Toe. I don't like feet. There's another word that can go after toe,
that I can't even say. Jam. Can't say the two together. Christ, it's
a horrible thought!

What turns you on?
Eyes.

What turns you off?
Garlic or tuna breath.

What is your favorite curse word?
Apeshit. As in, 'he's going apeshit.'

What sound or noise do you love?
Shoes and/or tapping on metal bleachers at a playground or ballpark.

What sound or noise do you hate?
Any kind of fabric materials being rubbed together.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
A detective.

What profession would you not like to do?
A businessman or executive at a corporation.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
'You can now relax for as long as you like.'

Thursday, December 14, 2006

pivot: alex

What is your favorite word?
My fear of commitment won't allow me to carry just one, but the words svelte and sohbet will do til a better one comes along.

What is your least favorite word?
Any phrase with an 'oo' sound such as canoodling or pooh poohed.

What turns you on?

Intelligence, wit, an impressive vocabulary, and quoters of Karl Marx or Oscar Wilde.

What turns you off?
Sloth, complacency, and blind acceptance. Even more so when coupled with excessive complaining.

What is your favorite curse word?
The word fuck when whispered by a woman.

What sound or noise do you love?

Bare fingers plucking the steel strings of a guitar.

What sound or noise do you hate?
Digital static. Errant zeros and ones be damned.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

Minor religious cult figure with a rock star entourage.

What profession would you not like to do?

Any profession that distills meaningless authority such as middle management or law enforcemnent.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
Inside the Kaaba it doesn't matter which way you point your prayer rug.

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

calling audibles

First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATE MOSS! Mama bought you a pony, honey!

Now, it's Day Two of the Master Cleanse. I've known of this detoxifying fast for a while, but read the NYT article on Sunday night and it spoke to me. This is the perfect time, mentally, physically, emotionally, for me to fast! Indeed! I mean, hell, I don't have to do much besides empty the dishwasher in the morning and occasionally take Maggie Dog outside. Plus, it fits in nicely with the whole new job, new apartment, new life theme I've taken on. So, it is Day Two. Yesterday was not bad at all -- chugged salt water like crazy in the morning, sipped on my yummy lemonade drink all day, drank my tea at night. Last night, however, I had some of the wildest dreams I've ever had -- think changing baby diapers and dancing drill team on a basketball court.

(And yes, I recognize the irony in my doing this when I have a professional background in nutriton education, but la la la -- I'm on vacation! So there!)

Okay, no more of that.

Chug, chug, chug.

Finally, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATE MOSS! Throw down like there's no tomorrow in ATL for me.

pivot: a.w.

What is your favorite word?
Belligerent. And Guantanamera. And yes.

What is your least favorite word?
Fart. And when people write "LOL" in emails.

What turns you on?
Confidence. Watching Deadwood.

What turns you off?
Mean-spirited humor at the expense of others. And bad teeth. And facial hair.

What is your favorite curse word?
Effing. And cocksucka.

What sound or noise do you love?
Laughter. And my "Final Countdown" ringtone.

What sound or noise do you hate?
THE EFFING ICE CREAM MAN CAN GO TO HELL. Who does he think he is? Sitting on my goddamn block for hours with that effing song blasting over and over? Fuck it.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
The oldest profession. Wait, maybe I already attempted that. I want to be a Professional Baby Namer. Pets too. Or I want to run the Jolie-Pitt Foundation or some other celebrity charity.

What profession would you not like to do?
Drive an ice cream truck. But I wouldn't mind driving a zamboni every now and then.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you
arrive at the Pearly Gates?

"Bloomingdale's to the right, orgies to the left."

Sunday, December 10, 2006

let's just say, he didn't make me cry

Kate Moss, Scarny, and I hit up a killer party last night in Prospect Heights, which was also attended by half the staff of The Onion. Comedians run in packs, apparently, because as I climbed out the window to smoke on the fire escape, I came face-to-face with Rob Huebel, Aziz Ansari, and Nick Kroll (with whom I spoke for a few minutes).

It was almost as if I had found myself in the middle of an episode of "Best Week Ever".

(I think Scarny can more effectively write something poetic about the weekend on O'chum and I hope he does.)

HMOG, it was a good one!

(Oh, and I found an apartment in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn -- one roommate, gorgeous place. I move in on December 26. See? It all worked out.)

Saturday, December 09, 2006

pivot: attagus

What is your favorite word?
Can't say I have a favorite.

What is your least favorite word?
Horny. The first time a girl told me she was horny I almost burst out laughing. I don't know why - I just think that word is stupid and juvenile.

What turns you on?
Fireplaces. One day I'll buy a house, and that house will have a fireplace.

What turns you off?
See least favorite word.

What is your favorite curse word?
Fuck. And I use it a lot in various contexts. What a great fucking word.

What sound or noise do you love?
There are several - how about the sound of bourbon spilling over ice cubes?

What sound or noise do you hate?
Screeching.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Professor.

What profession would you not like to do?
Embalmer.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

"It's about time"

pivot: allison

What is your favorite word?
Yes

What is your least favorite word?
Should

What turns you on?
A sufficient quantity of red wine (or champagne)

What turns you off?
Bad smells, arrogance

What is your favorite curse word?
Fuck.

What sound or noise do you love?
A hum (like from an air conditioner, fan, heater)

What sound or noise do you hate?
Sirens, car horns,cellphones and the people using them

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Chef, photographer, writer

What profession would you not like to do?
Anything corporate or high-stress (like medicine, air traffic control, etc)

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
I forgive you.

Friday, December 08, 2006

pivot: scarnsworth

What is your favorite word?
globule

What is your least favorite word?
hangover

What turns you on?
absurdity

What turns you off?
fanaticism

What is your favorite curse word?
motherfucker

What sound or noise do you love?
coffee percolation or the clinking of ice cubes

What sound or noise do you hate?
the sound that radio personalities make when they have a thick film on the insides of their mouths and they open and close their mouths in the moments of silence on the air.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
forensic pathologist or cab driver

What profession would you not like to do?
orderly

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you
arrive at the Pearly Gates?

"the first round's on me, the second round's on her."

pivot: kate moss

What is your favorite word?
Funner and words that start and/or end with A

What is your least favorite word?
Urgh, I can't even type it. The boob word that ends in -ie... makes me shiver with distaste

What turns you on?
Fellow vegans, dog lovers, bike riders, jokesters, board game players, and ohhh, also a good pair of jeans

What turns you off?
Gum chewers and Republicans and more so Libertarians

What is your favorite curse word?

Fuck

What sound or noise do you love?
Unexpected church bells, Polly's yawns, the clicking noise of the train schedule signs when the times/tracks/etc. change

What sound or noise do you hate?
Gum chewing and dramatic-I-want-attention sounds like sighs

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Boutique owner and/or animal activist - back office of course, ohh or I'd like to work for Martha Stewart or someone along those lines

What profession would you not like to do?
Make gum in a factory or be a miner of any sort

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
Polly's just on the other side.

Thursday, December 07, 2006

the pivot questionnaire

I'll be posting others' responses as I receive them. Thanks for playing along!

What is your favorite word?

Undulate

What is your least favorite word?

No

What turns you on?
Intellect

What turns you off?
Lack of confidence

What is your favorite curse word?
Fuck

What sound or noise do you love?
Blissful sighing

What sound or noise do you hate?

Nails on a chalkboard

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

Pastry chef

What profession would you not like to do?
Tollbooth worker

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
"Who wants a cocktail?"

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

representing bk

I did, indeed, get the job -- and got more money than I had anticipated. So, there you go. Will be living AND working in Brooklyn come 2007.

It all worked out.

(I do want to tell J this news -- but won't -- and the less contact we have, of course, the more I realize how much a part of my life he'd become. It's almost as if we broke up before we had the chance to attempt dating. So, J, if you're reading this, I got it.)

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

the air quotes

What a difference a couple of days make, right?

I just missed a phone call from the gig in Bay Ridge. He sounded like he wanted to talk to me ASAP. I assume this means I'll be offered the position shortly -- and now it comes down to salary. I'm not as afraid of negotiation as I once was. Thank you, experience.

(I once heard that experience was a good thing 'cause it allowed us to recognize a mistake when we made it again.)

My insides, for all to see: Talked to J today. The online chatting was a bit, well, sad and angry. On both ends. Not good. We scrapped it and decided to talk on the phone. In the end, we resolved to create some real distance for the remainder of '06. I think this is a good thing. It is imperative that he figure things out -- I mean, breaking off a relationship is no easy task. I recognize this.

(Thank you, experience.)

For those of you who can recall, it took me many years to finally end my relationship with the ex-in-a-certain-band (ahem, Maserati) after much back-and-forth messiness. It's not lost on me that break-ups (especially when dealing with engagements) aren't fun and cause one to second guess every single step.

So, yes. We're taking some time off so that he can figure out what he wants -- and so that I can figure out what I want, as well. I'll miss him immensely, as he's become one of those rare individuals that I look forward to speaking with at least every other day.

In the end, whatever happens, happens for the best.

Heading back to the city tomorrow for another interview but will be back in the 'burbs by nightfall.

Still haven't tackled that gingerbread house and I'll be damned if it's not completed by mid-month.

Monday, December 04, 2006

just so you know

I'm back from five nights in the city and this time, I'm actually going to enjoy the 'burbs and all the relaxation. No more complaining. Life is good.

Wednesday: Took the bus to the city. Met up with KM and ate a variety of Middle Eastern foods. Went to bed (and attempted to sleep) at a ridiculously early hour.

Thursday: Awoke at 3:30 AM. Took black car at 4:30 to Midtown. Took bus to Newark. Caught 7:00 flight to Atlanta. Took cab to Chamblee-Tucker Road. Interviewed. Was not wowed in the least. Decided to stay put in New York. Hit up Six Feet Under (catfish tacos!) with SM for a 90-minute hangout. Took MARTA to airport. Caught 5:15 PM flight to Newark. Took bus to Midtown. Took cab to East Village. Met up with J. Made out with J in hookah bar until 1:30 AM. Crashed.

Friday: Awoke at 9:00 AM. Took train to Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Interviewed. Was wowed. Took train to Midtown. Interviewed. Took train to Carroll Gardens. Crashed.

Saturday: Awoke at 9:00 AM. Got text from J. Got call from J. Decided we wouldn't hang for a month. Checked out apartment in Windsor Terrace with KM. Hit up Manhattan. Shopped. Got call from ex-in-a-certain-band (ahem, Maserati). Went to dinner at Mexicali in Brooklyn with KM and Scarny. Got sassy text from J. Called J. Went to first ska show in ten years. Watched audience members skank. Left. Hit up Greenpoint Tavern in W'burg. Met up with ex. Hugged ex excessively. Left the Tavern for Lulu's. Did shots at 4:00 AM. Watched sun come up.

Sunday: Awoke at noon-ish. Was still drunk. Listened to AC/DC a lot. Got ride (with KM) to AW's birthday party. Ate food. Watched "Serpico". Crashed.

Monday: Awoke at 10:00 AM. Had enjoyable lunch at Kati Roll with J in Midtown. (So much for that whole "we won't hang for a month" shit.) Took bus to 'burbs. Hung with Mom at her shop and befriended a New York Giants fan who, despite being 4 years old, knew that Eli Manning hasn't had the best of times as of late. Made sweet potato peanut stew.

The end.

Must crash.