It's Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine’s Day. (Yeah, I totally said it). Though I wasn’t sure if I was going to write a Valentine’s Day post this year. The past few years I have written articles about spending Valentine’s Day as a single gal. But this year I write from a totally different perspective – the gal who is in a new relationship. And I thought since I have a few good tips and some goodies to share, why not.

Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t totally jumped on the Valentine’s Day bandwagon or anything. Sure, I will admit that I am looking forward to celebrating with Mr. T, but I still believe that you have to find your own way to celebrate the day. And, if you’re anti it’s OK to avoid the day altogether. Just keep in mind that no matter what, Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be about being in a couple, it’s just about love.

Anyway, check out my article over on We Love Dates for some awesome ideas on how to celebrate the day. And, if you’re part of a new couple, head on over to the eFlirt expert to get a few tips on how to handle Valentine’s Day.

And, if you’re looking for some goodies in NYC, I had the opportunity to try a few last weekend at the event with Match.com. So definitely check out Marie Belle, Fat Witch Bakery, Elenis Cookies, Sprinkles Cupcakes, Sugar and Plumm, and Chocolate Works NYC.

A Review: The Performers on Broadway

Last Friday, I had the privilege of seeing David West Read's new romantic comedy, The Performers. And, I have to say, I was hooked from beginning and it’s totally not because of the almost naked man in the opening scene.

Evan Cabnet directs this World Premiere production, featuring the Cheyenne Jackson (Xanadu, 30 Rock), Ari Graynor (For A Good Time, Call..., Relatively Speaking), Daniel Breaker (Passing Strange, Shrek The Musical) and Jenni Barber (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), with Alicia Silverstone (Clueless, The Graduate) and Henry Winkler (Happy Days, Arrested Development).

The Performers is a romantic comedy about the ins and outs of life and love in the adult entertainment industry. The play centers on two high school friends, Mandrew and Lee (Cheyenne Jackson and Daniel Breaker) -- and the women in their lives, Peeps and Sara (Ari Graynor and Alicia Silverstone) -- who reconnect at the Adult Film Awards in Las Vegas. Peeps and Mandrew are the married porn star couple while Lee and Sara are the classic couple who have been together since high school. And then when the night goes array, Chuck Wood (Henry Winkler), the veteran in the business, steps in to help them out.

What I really like about the play was its overall humor. I mean, it was literally laugh out loud until you almost cry kind of funny. There were puns all over the place, many that you sort of saw coming. The characters are the opposite of serious and stuffy. In fact, I’d even consider them a little raunchy at times. But, given the overall feel of the play and the fact that it’s about the adult entertainment industry, it all came together and worked really well.

All in all I’d say there were very few moments where I didn’t feel entertained. So, if you’re looking for a good time, definitely check it out. It makes a great lady date and I would say it makes a great couples date as well.

Five Things I Want To Do This Month: October

I am a slacker. True Story.

OK. Correction. I feel like a slacker. And that’s the true story. I mean, let’s be honest here. On any given day I am doing 40 things on top of maintaining a social life. I do a pretty good job and I’d say that’s pretty far from slacker.

But, for some reason the list of all the things I want to do always gets shoved aside. In my defense, though, it’s usually for a good reason and it’s totally not on purpose. For instance, I am usually doing one of the 40 things or something that’s not on my to-do list that someone suggests I should do.

If you remember, last month I was supposed to:

Go to a zoo

Visit the Farmer's Market in Union Square

Go to Brooklyn Bridge Park

Visit the Museum of Sex

And, well, I did none of them.

However. I did walk the highline. 

I also found a fantastic new breakfast place with a bakery near my apartment. And ate pancakes. I love pancakes.

And, I checked out five or so new bars that I am a huge fan of. One that inspired this amazing night. I also went to a bar where there was karaoke and magic tricks (on a date!). Seriously, you can’t get better than that, can you?

And then I played tourist in Battery Park.

I would love (really, I would) to tell you that I will complete my list this month, but I will be in the Midwest for several days and when I get back the month will be almost over. Plus it’s my birthday and fall so there are so many other things I could add to that list. But, I am going to try.

And, I guess at the end of the day I shouldn’t pressure myself so much about this whole list thing. After all, I am having a blast in New York so that means I am totally achieving my goal.

Why I love New York City

Everyone always asks me why I love living in New York so much. And, as weird as it is, I find it hard to have a clear cut answer. It’s hard to put it into words. New York is just New York. 

So here is my attempt at an explanation.

Last night, I met one of my favorite gal pals for some drinks in the Village. $3 beers to be exact. We ate fried pickles and cheese fries too.

I saw a guy walk past wearing some sort of shoes that looked like teddy bears. Fluorescent green teddy bears. I have since found out that said shoes are pretty pricey. In fact, here’s the listing for them on ebay.

A woman near us started dancing to the disco music which inspired a random gentleman walking on the sidewalk to start dancing too. He continued to dance while he was waiting to cross the street (and was almost hit by a car).

The woman dancing also came over to our table to strike up a convo. We talked about 9/11 and other things. The woman was there meeting her girlfriend (who we later met) and she also owned a yoga studio. Apparently it’s a super fun yoga studio and she gave us free passes so we can try it out.

There was also the Nesquik bunny who was wandering around, taking pictures with people, and dancing.

We ended the night in a little bodega so we could buy flowers. While waiting for the guy to wrap the flowers, we talked to another guy (also buying flowers). The guy told us a joke about an unsalted nut and another that I can’t remember. All inspired by a container of Nutella sitting on the shelf.

And then I walked to the train. As I was standing on the platform waiting, a clown came up and stood next to me. This is the second time I have been waiting for the train with a damn clown next to me. (I wish I had a picture, but I am too afraid of clowns to make nice with one)

And, once off the train in Brooklyn, I could see the beams of light in the sky in tribute for 9/11.

So if anyone can name any other place where all this can happen on a Tuesday night, while totally sober, I would probably love living there too.

Five Things I Want To Do This Month: September

My mom is coming to visit in a couple of weeks, so I thought it was a good time to revisit my "things I want to do this month." I know, I know, I have been slacking and I am sorry about that. But, if you remember, I started the lists to help me do all the things I want to do around NYC.

And, since I have been slacking, I am just going to go ahead and make a new list. I also know I am a little late to the game this month, but I was in Chicago for most of the first week. So, enough of my babbling, here are the things I want to do this month:

Go to a zoo -- When I lived in Chicago I went to the Lincoln Park Zoo all the time and I loved it. And, since moving here, I haven't been to a single zoo and I think that's just crazy. Yes, I am 31, don't judge.

Visit the Farmer's Market in Union Square -- I've seen it many times when coming off the subway, but I never really have the time to actually stop and check it out. Actually, it was near there that the guy tried to sell me the weed lollipop (it's totally legal I swear). So, now I am going to make the time to actually stop and explore.

Go to Brooklyn Bridge Park -- I've done the Brooklyn Bridge, so I think it's time to do this.

Explore Little Italy and eat at a restaurant there -- I've been to Little Italy and eaten at restaurants there, but I have never taken the time to actually walk through it and explore. My mom is a huge Italian food fan so I figured it would be fun for both of us. And, I added eating at a restaurant even though I already have because you can't go to Little Italy and not eat the food.

Visit the Museum of Sex -- I've wanted to go there since I moved here. Possibly even before.

Happy Anniversary: One Whole Year in New York City

Exactly one year ago today, I arrived in New York. The night before, my mom and I packed all we could in her car in the middle of a rainstorm. I cried a lot that night. Partially for the belongings that I left behind. Partially out of fear. Partially out of excitement.

We came  to Brooklyn, from Chicago, by way of a 14-hour drive. Overnight. I seriously have never eaten that many gas station hot dogs in my whole life. But we made it without much of a hitch. We only managed to get lost once. Seriously Google Maps, you have to make directions to the Holland Tunnel a little clearer. This is the second time I’ve had to guess my way through it. Did I mention it was also raining here?

So here I am, a year later and I honestly can’t believe it’s been a year. And, I have to say that I am pretty darn happy. I’ve had some fun times and some not so fun times. But, Brooklyn feels like home. I feel like my life is here (that’s still really hard for me to say).

All in all, I think moving here was a lot like how I expected it to be. And, you’re stuck with me for another year Brooklyn (and I’m pretty sure I’ll be here a lot longer). So, with all that, let’s take a happy anniversary stroll down memory lane. Shall we?

• A few days after moving here, I met up with a guy from OkCupid. A few days after that, the guy came over to my apartment, touched my boobs, and then left. True story.  

• I discovered a tattoo place near my apartment that only has a $40 minimum -- that's a rare gem in NYC. Really lots of places for that matter. But I also discovered that I have no self-control when it comes to visiting said tattoo shop. 

• I dealt with a couple of crazies from OkCupid. One who, after I rejected him, said he was just taking one for the team anyway. And the other who said he'd like to have sex with me, but I might make his penis look too small.
  

• I dated a freegan who liked to dig things out of the trash who also ended up in the psych ward just after I ended things with him.  Though, I don't think being a freegan had anything to do with that and I am not sure if ending things with him did either. That's a story that I haven't had the courage to share yet. Another time, another place.

• I tried fried pickles. Then, went to Hoboken and had them again. And made a little trip to the Brooklyn Bridge.

• I went to The Strand where I found cheap copies of Are You There God? It's Me Margaret, Silence of the Lambs, and that book about men and women being from different planets -- whatever it's called. Something about Mars and Venus. It was $1.

• I discovered that Brooklyn is a pretty amazing place to live. In fact, I really love it here. And, no, it has nothing to do with that damn hologram Jesus. I am pretty sure they have those everywhere. 

• And let's not forget about the Badoo Project.

• I also realized that Mr. BST can suck it (am I allowed to say stuff like that when I'm almost 32?). I'm not technically sure if that has anything to do with being here, but I think it helped some.

• I've made trips to Central Park and Prospect Park. And, had more than my fair share of drunken nights (not in the park). One where I didn't get home until 7am after making out with some guy in the bar and being proposed to by the cab driver. Though he was the only one after three cabs who would actually take me to Brooklyn, so maybe I should have married him. Also, the guy at the bar wanted to take me home but Taylor wouldn't let him because she said (and I quote) "he's going to murder you."

• I met a guy who I actually considered seriously dating. It didn't work out, but we've managed a friendship. It's a good friendship and he's actually becoming one of my most favorite people to hang out with. And that's not because he has a car and took me to Ikea (and bought me two hot dogs). He's also super creative so we are working on a really cool project together. Stay tuned for all of that.

• I met the most amazing hairstylist named Rocio who works at a salon called Rare in Tribeca. Seriously, she does awesome things to my hair. And I'm not just saying that because she tells me how cool I am and how much she loves when I come in for a hair cut. She also did not pay me to say that.

• I met a guy off of OkCupid locals. He was a refugee from hurricane Katrina. He took me to all these crazy old man type of clubs (and was also a little offended when said old men kept checking me out). We ended up going back to his place and it was the scariest thing I have ever seen in my life. I didn't stay very long.

• I finally had the courage to rock red lipstick. And, figured out that it suits me pretty well.

• I've also met many amazing people and made lots of friends. There are too many of them to name in this post (especially since it's already 994 words long). But, they know who they are. And, they are largely responsible for all the awesome experiences I've listed on here.