12th street

She said he's like a drug and I believe her. She said I act abused and I agree. I just need to turn it off. I just need to meet someone new.

chillin'

As I lay in bed this morning, Soterios Johnson warned me that it was nine degrees outside and that the wind chill would be negative ten today.

Negative ten!

style wars

I may have another date tomorrow night. I say "may" because he emailed me this morning and has yet to confirm. This, of course, will be looked back upon as what-they-call-"a-red-flag".

Tomorrow night is a big night for someone I know. This someone may occasionally read these here musings. (Okay, that narrows it down to what? Two? Three people?) If you're reading, I'm thinking of you.

I may have another date next week. I say "may" because we've yet to confirm a date and time and location, but his emails have been long and winding and interesting and chock full o' questions about me. He said "I can't get over your smile" which I thought could be looked back upon as what-they-call-"a-red-flag", but I kinda dug it.

The wind is howling outside. The wind chill is zero. Old Man Winter has truly arrived.

My muscles ache from the multiple sessions of weight training at the gym and from once-a-week yoga and from once-a-week Pilates but I know that they ache in a very, very, very good way.

I'm makin' some grub for Kate Moss and Scarny on Saturday; after much thought, I've decided upon the menu: the best damn chili in Brooklyn, the best damn cornbread in my 'hood, and the best damn maple apple crisp to ever come out of my kitchen. They're supplying the booze.

Y'all jealous?

grapevine left

Picture this, if you will...

Me.

Taking my first step aerobics (yes, step aerobics) class since 1992.

That is some Dance Dance Revolution shit if I've ever experienced it.

(How the fuck did I used to do it?)

I ultimately just stood in the middle of the floor, arms crossed, in awe. Had to take an extra hour-long weight training class afterwards to make myself feel like I got a decent workout.

(Note to self: no more step aerobics. Ever.)

Now my limbs are stiff and aching and I'm in bed, listening to "Hissing Fauna" and wondering who Eva (of "Bunny Ain't No Kind of Rider" shame) is. Athenians? Please divulge.

sweet pleasure

At some point last night, I brazenly introduced myself to a stranger on the sidewalk. I invited Scarny, AW, and my bro to a dinner party next Saturday and then promptly forgot doing so. I spent $40 on two different cab rides, the first of which included driving around in circles as we made our way from the Lower East Side to the East Village. I shared my miniature bag of Mini Eggs with my second cab driver and had him drop me off so far from my apartment, I still needed to walk 18 minutes to get home. I woke up wearing only socks, underwear, and a hand-knitted scarf. I did two loads of laundry and 45 minutes of yoga before 10:00 am this morning.

Kate Moss fell asleep on the train and ended up in Queens.

We found a new favorite bar, where apparently the liquor comes with crazy pills.

2008

It's getting good, folks.

What with this...

and this morning, this!

reasons to move to brooklyn

The following are portions of emails sent to me from my old co-workers, whom I saw yesterday:

"Seriously, you were just radiating..."
"I can't tell you how nice it was to see you looking both confident and happy..."
"It was so good to see you... you look great and happy..."

Apparently, Brooklyn does wonders for your mood and looks!

go out on a limb

I have done my good deed for the week: I have officially set up the friend and the guy.

He's interested, she's interested, and he's contacting her soon to set something up.

Hopefully this helps with my romantic karmic balance.

everything old is new again

Remember this time last year?

I'm having lunch with J today.

(I can hear you groaning from here.)

hypothetically speaking

Let's just say you meet someone.

He's intelligent, nice, successful, ambitious, interesting, attractive, and attentive. Let's say you go on a few dates and enjoy yourself, but after the third date, you cannot shake the feeling that this person is just perfect...

...for your friend.

She, too, is intelligent, nice, successful, ambitious, interesting, attractive, and attentive. She's single and though has actively dated, hasn't really found anyone special. He and she would be great together, you think.

(You don't mind this at all -- you're pretty sure that you and he [in Caddy's WDE's words] don't have enough in common to sustain a relationship, but you're pretty sure that he and she might.)

Is it acceptable to play match-maker?

brutha man lends his two cents

"I'd suggest not dealing with rock 'n roll cats. They're all pretentious and shallow. From my experience, they're all assholes."

(I know he ain't talking about my friends, though.)

i can't be up to my eyeballs in tchotchkes

Is my snarkiness always a defense mechanism?

Does possessing a beard mean you're a hipster asshole?

Does possessing hot tattoos mean you can treat me like shit?

Why start a scarf for someone you've known for two weeks?

Why is Kate Moss always right?

Why can't I embrace the word "ciao"?

Why does my supervisor have such a sad face?

Can I eat trail mix for lunch every day?

Is it going to snow?

Can I bring up the war on a third date?

Why am I so trusting?

Why am I so guarded?

Was it ever possible for J to clone himself?

Will I grow my hair long?

Should I quit smoking?

Is Caribbean food sufficiently festive enough for my 30th birthday?

Will Bay Ridge Sunset Park ever feel like Rockefeller Center?

(Feel free to answer.)

note to self

a) Don't talk about the war on a second date.
b) Trust your instincts.
c) Leave your local coffee guy a big tip tomorrow.

my worst fear

I want to shake this man's hand.

thanks, emma

1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before?
Developed a love of spicy hot food; moved to Brooklyn.

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more
for next year?
I have no idea what my resolutions were last year; this year they have
already been broken.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My former co-worker gave birth to baby Eden.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.

5. What countries did you visit?
Only the USA.

6. What would you like to have had in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
A more spacious apartment.

7. What date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
December 3.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting a new job; getting a new apartment; getting a new life.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not continuing to run on a regular basis; trusting too much.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No.

11. What were the best things you bought?
My anchor necklace from an artists' fair in Soho; plane tickets to
Georgia; cast-iron panini press for my mom.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My own.

13. Whose behavior appalled you?
J's.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Food.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
A trip to Kiawah Island; moving out of my apartment; J.

16. What song will always remind you of 2006?
"Ride Like the Wind" by Christopher Cross (though actually an 80s gem).

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

i. happier or sadder? happier
ii. thinner or fatter? the damn same!
iii. richer or poorer? richer

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Road tripping.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Waiting for someone to change their mind.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
With family in New Jersey.

(21?)

22. Did you fall in love in 2006?
Not really.

23. How many one-night stands?
Two.

24. What was your favorite TV program?
"Lost"

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No, I don't hate.

26. What was the best book you read?
"Candide" by Voltaire.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Yacht rock.

28. What did you want and get?
A gift certificate to an Institute of Culinary Education cooking class.

29. What did you want and not get?
An orange cast-iron Le Crueset saute pan.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
"The Science of Sleep"

31. What did you do on your birthday?
Had brunch in Tribeca with the Agent, visited Roosevelt Island, ate Thai
food with many friends, drank beer lattes at the Greenpoint Tavern in
W'burg.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
See 19.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
Tight.

34. What kept you sane?
Kate Moss & SM.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Bill Clinton.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The war.

37. Who did you miss?
Coley, Caro, Z.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Monique.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.
You create your own happiness.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I was a hero / early in the morning / I ain't no hero / in the night.

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.

merry xmas

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!

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.