A few things I noticed on both cross-country flights:
Tubby, bald white men, Eastern European women and surfer brahs hold up the boarding process more than anyone else.
When sitting next to a mother and her three-year-old, if she ignores said child, what she's really doing is hoping you'll take an interest in the little ankle-biting monster that is kicking the crap out of you and be her free babysitter for the duration of the flight.
Fanny packs are back!
There are a lot of hot, young dads. It's weird.
Watching Criminal Minds while sitting next to a child is ALWAYS a good idea.
Continental Airlines needs to redesign their uniforms ASAP. All the flight attendants look like majorettes in the saddest marching band in the world and the air stewards look like they're doing a half-assed impression of Dick Tracy.
The flight attendants hate their jobs. Trust me, they totes do.
Moving on, my trip to The Bay City was amazing. The weather was gorgeous, the people are so nice and Miami Ad School kicks major ass. What really struck me about San Francisco is the energy. It's very different from here. Don't get me wrong, I love the South but in California, people were so positive and healthy. I saw more runners in two days then I've seen in a week here. Sure, there are seedy parts of town and a large homeless population (as is true with any major city) but I never felt like I was in any sort of danger.
What I do know is, if/when I move out there, most of my monthly budget will inevitably go to food. Oh the food! So many vegetarian options, farmer's markets, wine and countless specialty stores! My foodie self was overwhelmed.
As for MAS, I had a ball. I sat in on a class and all of the students were welcoming. Plus, they are in advertising so they did their best to sell me on their school. And it worked. It was refreshing to sit in a room of witty creatives. I was still the odd ball but I suppose that's my lot in life.
It's taking everything I have to not quit my job (which, isn't bad, it's just waiting tables), pack my stuff and figure it out once I get there. Lo, I cannot. I have four more months and then, THEN I can go. Boo.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Time to Get Personal
Almost two months ago, I made the decision to go see "Food Inc." as part of Greenville Forward's lecture series and I haven't eaten meat since. If you haven't seen "Food Inc." it's currently available on Netflix instant watch. So, watch it instantly. Now to be honest, I miss meat. A lot. Especially bacon. God, do I miss bacon. But, I just can't bring myself to actually purchase it, let alone consume it. Now I'm not about to claim that I've never put my mind to something, been a stubborn ass about maintaining it and then renege on said conviction a few months later. Guilty. However, I am in no way claiming that I will never eat meat again. So there.
I'm a vegetarian at the moment. By vegetarian, I mean I'm eating bread, pasta and cheese. Super healthy I know. Instead of meat, I'm eating fish and seafood, which got me called out by my dear brother. Last week, I made a tasty ahi tuna taco with broccoli slaw while my family ate ham. What did Kit have to say about this? Let me tell you, he took a huge bite of ham and looked at me and said, "So, you won't eat ham but you'll eat an endangered species? How does that make sense in your moral compass?" Kit - 1, me - 0. My response...? Do what any nerd would do and buy books. Lots of books. What books you ask; "The Kind Diet" Alicia Silverstone, "The Omnivore's Dilemma", "Food Rules" Michael Pollan, and various other Vegan and Vegetarian cookbooks. What have these books told me? That there's a lot of things I love that I can't have but there are a lot of benefits to no longer having those things. Plus, eating out will be a pain in the ass.
Recently, I found out that at the ripe old age of 25 I'm pre-menopausal. Yes, Mrs. Reel, you were right, my eggs are old. My testosterone levels are so low, that it's affecting my life and probably has been since I was a teenager. Thank you prescription drug companies for giving bonuses to doctors who peddle your products without consequences. The pseudo tumor cerebri is probably due to being prescribed the most powerful oral contraceptive on the market when I was in puberty. Not only that, the pseudo tumor was never actually treated. Also, my hormone levels (which, I have consistently asked my doctors to check) were never checked because I was/am "too young." Another thing, it's the reason I've struggled with my weight for a decade. What's the solution: Hormone replacement therapy. Cost: $3,000 per year. What are these replacement hormones made out of: Plants. See a pattern here?
Here's what I'm thinking. I'm going to be vegan one day a week. I'm going to try to be vegetarian the rest of the week. I'm going to cut out processed foods and refined sugar and flower (something I've been slowly doing since college). I'm going to go to Whole Foods and not buy what I usually buy:
Cheese
Sushi
Wine
Bread
Brownies
Cake
Microwavable Meals
Frozen Veggies
Olives
Eggs
It feeds a nice delusion that I'm being healthy because I'm shopping at Whole Foods. Granted, it's healthier because it's organic, but it still ain't healthy. I just gave myself a ridiculous reality check. Hope y'all are proud.
If I were to do what all of these books tell me to do and choose a plant based diet, my skin will clear up, my weight will be under control and my hormones will balance themselves out naturally. Thus, no more acne cream ($300 per year), no more hormone replacement therapy ($3000 per year) and no more vitamin supplements ($150-300 per year). That's a shit ton of money I can put in savings. Do I think I can do this? At the moment, hell yes. Do I think I'll never eat meat again? No but I think I can start wanting to eat veggies and fruit instead of those Chick Filet nuggets dipped in high fructose corn syrup sauce. At least, I hope that's what happens.
Side bar- Currently, my dad is in the kitchen with his hands in a vat of chopped packaged ham mixed with microwave potatoes to make ham croquettes. And I wonder why my system is screwed up after years of that food.
I'm a vegetarian at the moment. By vegetarian, I mean I'm eating bread, pasta and cheese. Super healthy I know. Instead of meat, I'm eating fish and seafood, which got me called out by my dear brother. Last week, I made a tasty ahi tuna taco with broccoli slaw while my family ate ham. What did Kit have to say about this? Let me tell you, he took a huge bite of ham and looked at me and said, "So, you won't eat ham but you'll eat an endangered species? How does that make sense in your moral compass?" Kit - 1, me - 0. My response...? Do what any nerd would do and buy books. Lots of books. What books you ask; "The Kind Diet" Alicia Silverstone, "The Omnivore's Dilemma", "Food Rules" Michael Pollan, and various other Vegan and Vegetarian cookbooks. What have these books told me? That there's a lot of things I love that I can't have but there are a lot of benefits to no longer having those things. Plus, eating out will be a pain in the ass.
Recently, I found out that at the ripe old age of 25 I'm pre-menopausal. Yes, Mrs. Reel, you were right, my eggs are old. My testosterone levels are so low, that it's affecting my life and probably has been since I was a teenager. Thank you prescription drug companies for giving bonuses to doctors who peddle your products without consequences. The pseudo tumor cerebri is probably due to being prescribed the most powerful oral contraceptive on the market when I was in puberty. Not only that, the pseudo tumor was never actually treated. Also, my hormone levels (which, I have consistently asked my doctors to check) were never checked because I was/am "too young." Another thing, it's the reason I've struggled with my weight for a decade. What's the solution: Hormone replacement therapy. Cost: $3,000 per year. What are these replacement hormones made out of: Plants. See a pattern here?
Here's what I'm thinking. I'm going to be vegan one day a week. I'm going to try to be vegetarian the rest of the week. I'm going to cut out processed foods and refined sugar and flower (something I've been slowly doing since college). I'm going to go to Whole Foods and not buy what I usually buy:
Cheese
Sushi
Wine
Bread
Brownies
Cake
Microwavable Meals
Frozen Veggies
Olives
Eggs
It feeds a nice delusion that I'm being healthy because I'm shopping at Whole Foods. Granted, it's healthier because it's organic, but it still ain't healthy. I just gave myself a ridiculous reality check. Hope y'all are proud.
If I were to do what all of these books tell me to do and choose a plant based diet, my skin will clear up, my weight will be under control and my hormones will balance themselves out naturally. Thus, no more acne cream ($300 per year), no more hormone replacement therapy ($3000 per year) and no more vitamin supplements ($150-300 per year). That's a shit ton of money I can put in savings. Do I think I can do this? At the moment, hell yes. Do I think I'll never eat meat again? No but I think I can start wanting to eat veggies and fruit instead of those Chick Filet nuggets dipped in high fructose corn syrup sauce. At least, I hope that's what happens.
Side bar- Currently, my dad is in the kitchen with his hands in a vat of chopped packaged ham mixed with microwave potatoes to make ham croquettes. And I wonder why my system is screwed up after years of that food.
Friday, March 12, 2010
My New Idol
Kelly Cutrone is a true industry hero. Granted, I in no way want to go into fashion PR, but her philosophy and brutal honesty are refreshing. It's about time the Millennial Generation realizes that the world isn't going to hand them whatever it is their spoiled little hearts desire without hard work. Bravo, Kelly Cutrone, bravo!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
In Response to Shawn's Nudge
Okay, okay. I get it. It's been over a year since I've updated this thing and although I have wanted to write many a time since my last post, I simply haven't. So, here's to the reawakening.
Lately there have been a lot of conversations about women who choose career over love or vice versa. My close circle of friends have all stated that they want the career. I agree but it's not without it's conflicting feelings. I want success in my career. I want to own a home without a man involved. I want to be promoted. I want to be the "Big Guy". I want to not only raise the bar but become the bar. Most importantly, I don't want to feel guilty about it. To quote Lady Gaga via Katie's blog,
"Some women choose to follow men, and some women choose to follow their dreams. If you're wondering which way to go, remember that you career will never wake up and tell you that it doesn't love you anymore."
See? See what I mean? I know that if I bust my ass at my job I will eventually make it to where I want to go (well, in theory) but I don't know that if I sacrifice for a man it'll pay off. In fact, in my experience (outside of my parent's 40 year marriage) relationships suck. Someone screws up and it seems like it's harder with my generation for those screw ups to be resolved.
BUT speaking of career women, a friend of mine gave me a book to peruse recently and in spite of a cheesy title ("Women Don't Ask") and even more ridiculous and lame cover art, it's actually been a really eye-opening book. Basically, it's research from an economist and a psychologist on the real reason why women earn less money for the same or more demanding job, take care of more household issues and usually give up their career ambitions for their husband's. It's because we don't ask for more money/help/benefits/etc and from a young age are taught to not place monetary value on our tasks. I'm fascinated by this book. Why? Because everything they argue is backed by notated research and it just makes sense. It also pisses me off.
On the flip side, I made the colossal mistake of watching "Up In The Air" this afternoon, which is a love letter to the find-love-above-all-else-or-you'll-wind-up-with-ten-million-frequent-flyer-miles-and-an-empty-apartment argument. The more I think about it and the more I see the couples around me the more I realize, as a woman, you really can't have both. At least, you can't have both and maintain a normal blood pressure. Do I want the empty apartment and an amazing jet-setting life or do I want a warm body to come home to and an unsatisfying career?
There are times when I truly hate seeing both sides of most arguments.
Lately there have been a lot of conversations about women who choose career over love or vice versa. My close circle of friends have all stated that they want the career. I agree but it's not without it's conflicting feelings. I want success in my career. I want to own a home without a man involved. I want to be promoted. I want to be the "Big Guy". I want to not only raise the bar but become the bar. Most importantly, I don't want to feel guilty about it. To quote Lady Gaga via Katie's blog,
"Some women choose to follow men, and some women choose to follow their dreams. If you're wondering which way to go, remember that you career will never wake up and tell you that it doesn't love you anymore."
See? See what I mean? I know that if I bust my ass at my job I will eventually make it to where I want to go (well, in theory) but I don't know that if I sacrifice for a man it'll pay off. In fact, in my experience (outside of my parent's 40 year marriage) relationships suck. Someone screws up and it seems like it's harder with my generation for those screw ups to be resolved.
BUT speaking of career women, a friend of mine gave me a book to peruse recently and in spite of a cheesy title ("Women Don't Ask") and even more ridiculous and lame cover art, it's actually been a really eye-opening book. Basically, it's research from an economist and a psychologist on the real reason why women earn less money for the same or more demanding job, take care of more household issues and usually give up their career ambitions for their husband's. It's because we don't ask for more money/help/benefits/etc and from a young age are taught to not place monetary value on our tasks. I'm fascinated by this book. Why? Because everything they argue is backed by notated research and it just makes sense. It also pisses me off.
On the flip side, I made the colossal mistake of watching "Up In The Air" this afternoon, which is a love letter to the find-love-above-all-else-or-you'll-wind-up-with-ten-million-frequent-flyer-miles-and-an-empty-apartment argument. The more I think about it and the more I see the couples around me the more I realize, as a woman, you really can't have both. At least, you can't have both and maintain a normal blood pressure. Do I want the empty apartment and an amazing jet-setting life or do I want a warm body to come home to and an unsatisfying career?
There are times when I truly hate seeing both sides of most arguments.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Arg
I got into a yelling match via cell phone with my manipulative bitch of a boss about four hours ago. Funny thing about this whole situation is that I turned in my two-weeks notice, oh, over a month ago. I agreed to work one day a week because she begged me to and she somehow twisted it around to make it sound as if she's doing me a favor. I'm sorry,but what about a two-weeks notice is unclear? I quit and yet now I'm praying to be fired...?? This is the type of nonsense that only happens to me. Hopefully, when my anger subsides, I'll laugh because I'm sure this is funny.
The most pathetic sight I think of is a semi without anything to pull. It looks so lost without all 18 wheels. Like a turtle on its back. I think I'm the semi. Stubby and with no purpose for the moment, but hell if I don't know where I'm going.
The most pathetic sight I think of is a semi without anything to pull. It looks so lost without all 18 wheels. Like a turtle on its back. I think I'm the semi. Stubby and with no purpose for the moment, but hell if I don't know where I'm going.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Okay Universe, I'm putting it out there.
I am attempting to be uber positive. I am sending out good vibes of what I want to do/have/be into the ether and I believe, without a doubt that it will happen. The funny thing about this whole new perspective is that I'm being very secretive about what exactly it is I'm sending into the universe. Normally, I am too open about my desires but for some reason I'm very protective about this. I suppose I'm testing my faith in a way. I want this to happen to prove me right; to prove that I can do anything I set my mind to without other people cheering me on. It's lonely and isolated but I've relied too much on encouragement from outsiders in the past. Now, it's my responsibility.
Universe, you know what I want, now bring about the situations that will help me get it.
Universe, you know what I want, now bring about the situations that will help me get it.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
A Moment in History
Up until November 4, 2008 the only moments in my life that I would tell my kids about have all been sad. Princess Diana's death and funeral, 9-11, Iraq...you get my drift. Now, I can say that I have witnessed something spectacular. Barack Obama's acceptance speech in Grant park and the ensuing celebrations in the streets across the world. I am so proud to have been a part of this historic campaign as a donor to Obama and as a voter. My generation stepped up and spoke out against failed policies and Republican greed. I am so proud of my country, of my peers and of my generation who measured a man by his character and not his color. I am so very, very proud. Congratulations President-Elect Obama. Yes we did!
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