The Musings of the Absolutely Fabulous Ms. N.

I am so proud of myself! I backed into a parking spot at my apartment complex in one shot. I have been practicing for months with this one spot at the end of the row. I use this spot because its wider than the others and there is no parking on the left hand side. It used to take me a few tries as I was very anal about how much space I left between me and the car to the right and how much my car hung over the grassy part at the end. Well tonight I was driving in and saw that the spot was open and swung around and backed into it. Perfect! Yay! Go me!


You know its the little things....

Wow. This has been one crazy year for me. I'll try my best to review the major happenings in my life and not make them boring. So if you are interested then read on....

I finished my 1st year at the Bureau. Overall I can say that I very much enjoy my job. The people that I work with for the most part are funny, smart and pleasant. There are two exceptions, but one retired and the other knows how I feel about her so we generally avoid one another. I dont care for the commute but what can you do, right?

I ended two relationships this year. The first with a long-term boyfriend and the other with a "friend" whom I knew for a long time. The break-up was a long time coming but I couldn't muster the strength to do so. I didn't want to hurt his feelings as he is a great guy, just not the one for me. We continue to be friends and share custody of the Cat. The other I loosely term "friend" or as my therapist called this individual "Poison". That one took me a lot of therapy and hundreds of dollars to end. Oh and five years of bullshit that I dealt with. It took a toll on my mental and physical health but now it is all over.

I also started another relationship with Mr. K , a wonderful person who makes me laugh and smile like I have never done before. Its amazing how one person can make you feel like you are the most special person in the world. I hope I make him as happy as he makes me.

One of my best friends got married and the other is on the verge. Boy do I feel old. My favorite cousin is starting college in the fall. Once again I feel old. Could be because I turned 29 this year.

I renewed my lease for one more year. God willing this is my last year in B'more. I am looking to move back north of the Mason-Dixon line. I have had enough of the south and need to be amongst my own people and I don't mean PRs. More like normal people.

Well that's it for now. If I think of anything more I will add it on.

Ciao!

Its the 30th! You know what that means!

New Cartoon on Illwillpress.com

YAY!

Syracuse Fires Football Coach Pasqualoni

Could it be because we suffered a horrendous loss in that last bowl game? Or because he's a douche?

This about sums up the season:

"Syracuse began the season with a 51-0 loss at Purdue on national television, the most lopsided season-opening defeat in the program's 112-year history. And after nearly upsetting Florida State and beating Connecticut and Pittsburgh, Syracuse lost for the second straight time at lowly Temple, a team with a total of 13 Big East wins that has been booted out of the conference. That loss ended up costing Syracuse the Big East's BCS berth in the Fiesta Bowl, which instead went to Pittsburgh".

From ESPN.com.

Wow, I just saw that the actor Jerry Orbach died today. I am so sad. I was just watching one of the many Law and Order's last night and it was a particularly good one with him in it. He brought a sense of realism to that show. I loved how he loved to bash his ex wives :) Rest in Peace Lennie Briscoe .

Jerry Orbach Dead
Bio for Jerry Orbach

Memorable Quotes:

Even though you are a taxpayer, you know, we don't actually work for you personally.

Love - a dangerous disease instantly cured by marriage.

Det. Mike Logan: I thought she said she hadn't spoken to her ex in over a year?
Det. Lennie Briscoe: Maybe she got her dates mixed up.
Det. Mike Logan: You remember the last time you talked to your ex?
Det. Lennie Briscoe: July 17, 1994 2:35pm

Law & Order Trivia courtesy of IMDB

Law and Order Sound

Remember: Nobody puts Baby in a corner.

This morning I was so looking forward to the breakfast that I had made myself when I realized that I left it in my apt. I must have put it down when I was picking up my gym bag. AARRGGHH! Anyway I go downstairs to the crappy little cafe that is in my building to get a bagel. I wasnt even there a minute when this chick who works up on the 6th floor comes rolling in. Wearing open toe shoes nonetheless! She kills me. I met her briefly once when we were in an orientation class last year around this time. She wore open toes shoes then too. As a matter of fact I think it was the same damn pair she had on today. Either that or she owns multiple pairs of open toe kitten heels. I so wanted to say "Girlfriend, I can appreciate that fact that you want to come into work looking all cute and shit, but you gotta lay off the open toe shoes, its fucking DECEMBER!". I know that this was a flagrant violation of some fashion code somewhere. Thanks open toe shoe girl for totally ruining my appetite.

Wow, I still cant believe that there are people out there who are actually reading my blog. Muchas Gracias. One of the cool features that I added on is the hit counter on the bottom of the page. I can check my stats and see not only how many hits I have but exactly who is reading my blog. It tells me what a reader's ip address is, what part of the country you are from (or what country you live in) and what pages have been read. Pretty cool if I say so myself. Keep reading on!

I am sitting here at work listening to a DVD that I got from Netflix on Thomas Jefferson. I am listening to it rather than viewing it because it is the type of DVD you dont necessarily need to view. Plus I get to do some work and it is more like a book on tape (or DVD as the case may be). Anyway this DVD reminds me that I want to go to Monticello and UVA this summer. I have been to Colonial Williamsburg twice and I love it but I think that it is time to branch out a bit more into VA. Thomas Jefferson is one of my favorite historical figures (the others are King Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, and Richard the Lionheart). So since I dont see myself going to Europe anytime soon I'll stick to the good old USA. Here is a list of other places I hope to visit this summer:

Charlottesville
Antietam
Boston
Gettysburg
Savannah

Oh and of course New Jersey (and New York too). And Philly on occasion. :)

As a Yankee fan one of the best things about going to the Stadium (Yankee not Shea mind you) was the atmosphere that surrounded it on gameday. There is this buzz that makes fans excited to be there to support the Bombers. Thus, I was very sad to hear this morning that Eddie Layton, the longtime organist for the Yanks passed away yesterday. Mr. Layton was an institution to both the Yankees and Knicks and will surely be missed. Games just wont be the same. RIP Mr. Layton.


Yankee Organist Passes Away

My DVD Collection

After a lunchtime conversation with Mr. K, I realized that it had been some time since I had added my newer DVDs to my online catalogue. Yes, I have an online catalogue of my DVD collection? Why? Because I am a dork, that's why. I dream one day of having my own home theater. That means more than a 19" tv hooked up to an old stereo :) One day maybe. Right now there are other things that need attention to...like my rent (and the occasional handbag).

Right before I left for NYC last week I got some cds to take on the trip with me. One of the ones that I picked up was one of The Cure's greatest hit albums. I never considered myself a fan though I am familiar with some of their catalogue. Actually, I never really liked them when I was younger and that might have to do with the fact that I had a college boyfriend that loved them and drove me crazy by playing "Galore" over and over again. As a matter of fact I think it was a Cure song that he had dedicated to me on one of the local Syracuse radio stations. Mind you I didn't even know that he had done this till I got a few phone calls from friends asking me if Jim (the college boyfriend) had requested a song for me. I had no freaking idea as I generally avoided the local area radio stations like the plague. After the fifth call (and all my friends trying to convince me that it was indeed a sweet thing for him to do) I called Jim and asked if it was indeed him. It was. I was furious. 1) Because he caused me embarassment (and I had my tough girl from Bklyn reputation at stake) 2) he chose a local Syracuse station (he was at double fault here because he was originally from the area) and 3) it was the Cure. Anyway, now that I look back on it maybe I was a little harsh......Nah!

Below are the lyrics for "Just Like Heaven" the song dedicated to me on the fateful night back during my sophmore year.

"Just Like Heaven"


"Show me how you do that trick
The one that makes me scream" she said"
The one that makes me laugh" she said
And threw her arms around my neck"
Show me how you do it
And I promise you I promise thatI'll run away with you
I'll run away with you"

Spinning on that dizzy edge
I kissed her face and kissed her head
And dreamed of all the different ways I had to make her glow
"Why are you so far away?" she said
"Why won't you ever know that I'm in love with you
That I'm in love with you"

You soft and only
You lost and lonely
You strange as angels
Dancing in the deepest oceans
Twisting in the water
You're just like a dream

Daylight licked me into shape
I must have been asleep for days
And moving lips to breathe her name
I opened up my eyes
And found myself alone
alone
Alone above a raging sea
That stole the only girl I loved
And drowned her deep inside of me

You soft and only
You lost and lonely
You Just like Heaven


PS: I wonder what ever happened to that Goth Girl I went to high school who looked exactly like Robert Smith? I will borrow the words from my friend Michelle who loves the term "a very unfortunate looking man". Indeed he is. Not that there is anything wrong with that :)

I am sitting here in Brooklyn watching a bootleg copy of The Incredibles trying to gather the strength to get dressed for dinner. I went to bed late last night because I was hanging out with my cousin Jenny while being on the phone with the Woo-er. He got to hear just hot crazy my family really is. I just hope he doesn't suddenly decide that he no longer wants to resume his wooing because he saw just what crackheads my cousin and I are when we are together.

Earlier I went grocery shopping with my Titi and cousin Eddie. I had him drop me off in Greenpoint because I went to go look for a skirt for tomorrow night. I wasnt able to find anything that I liked and I didnt pack one in my bag. So Woo-er I tried and failed, just dont hold it against me. I was going to take the bus back but never actually sat the #61 as I was walking down Manhattan Ave. I saw plenty of #24s though. So I decided to walk the way back home. It was a nice yet cold, long walk. I saw a lot of places that reminded me of my childhood. I was tired when I got back home and took a nap. I still need to get dressed.

I am so very looking forward to tonight. My uncle Joe is hosting 25 PRs who will soon be drunk and loud. We'll open gifts at midnight, go to bed late and start it all over again in the morning. Then I will shuttle myself over to the other uncle, open gifts and eat dinner. Then hopefull drive to Jersey and spend the evening with the Woo-er. Oh and don't forget all the football that will be on this weekend. YAY!

Merry Xmas All!

I just had my 666th view today. WOOHOOO!

On a nicer note: Merry Christmas everyone. I prob wont be updating my blog till next week. I hope you and yours enjoy the day :)

Ciao!

So I go out today and get my nails done and what do I do I smooshed one! I decided to flip my mattresses and I happened to look down and I smudged my left thumbnail. DAMNIT! This is going to drive me crazy all damn week.



AAAARRRGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!

This post may be a little graphic for most so don't say that I didn't warn you...

This morning I was in the bathroom (won't get too detailed here) doing my thing when Leo (my cat) decided that he too needed to come in and use the facilities as well. So he waltzes in and starts doing his thing. I look over and there he is with his back to me peeing more than a cat his size should. He finishes and does his scratching ritual. Mind you he doesn't ever cover up his doings more like he scratches the side of the box, the bathroom wall etc. Never to cover up what is inside the box. Anyway I am watching this fascinating ritual when I notice that Leo is balancing himself on the edge of the litter box scratching the edge. I couldn't believe it, he was like an acrobat. He then jumps off and goes on his merry way leaving my with my jaw open. What a wierdo.

The moral of this tale is I need a bigger place. That or Leo and I have to work out a schedule for bathroom breaks.

Here is a photo that a college buddy of mine took while backpacking in Nepal. This is too cool not to share. Thanks Gary!



Credit: Gary Miller

I can seriously say that I am addicted to this little bastard.

Scary Squirrel World

Be sure to check out the Non-Holiday Special.

This weekend I pulled out a bunch of CDs that I had not listened to in years. I found myself playing one of my all time favorite bands Great Big Sea. They are a Canadian folk/rock band from New Foundland. Now how, you may ask, did a PRican girl from Brooklyn find herself liking such a band? I tell ya, if it weren't for Sonia (a Canadian girl I went to grad school with) I never would have heard of GBS. I saw them for the first time at the Bottom Line Club (which is no longer open) in the Village (once again in you need to ask which Village, tsk tsk). I also saw them at Artscape the year that I moved to Baltimore and at the Recher Theater in Towson. Anyway, one of the songs that I found myself listening to a few times is off of their Sea of No Cares album. You can listen to a 30 second snippet of the song here.


"Sea Of No Cares"

When you're in love, there's no time and no space
There's a permanent smile on your face
Your friends all complain that you're going insane
But the truth is they're just afraid

[Chorus]
Hey somewhere,you threw your fear in the Sea of No Cares
Hey somewhere,you threw your fear in the Sea of No Cares

When you decide that what counts is inside
Your friends all say it's a lie
But there's no brighter light than the look in her eyes
When you're walking her home through the night

[Chorus]

Let your self go with the tide
There's an angel by your side Tonight

Back at the bar getting cynically stoned
Your friends are drinking alone
But it's funny, they don't even cross your mind
When she asks you into her home

I have been addicted to this site I Will Press.com You have got to listen to the Foamy rants. The one about the "Fatkins Diet" is hilarious. He's a squirrel who sounds like he has been sucking on a helium balloon for waaaayyyy too long.

PS: I fixed the link that contained the Foamy cartoon regarding Xmas. Sorry for those who clicked the link and got an error, my bad.

Of to pimp myself for some aspirin. Ahh mi cabeza. :(

Is that how the saying goes? Anway, it is freaking freezing here in Baltimore today. BRRRRR. We got a dusting of snow last night but I was unprepared for how cold it would be in the morning. I dropped by the bank on my way to work and when I opened the window at the ATM I swore my arm was going to freeze off. But I went to Dunkin Donuts and that made it all better. MMMM coffee and a donut.

How can anybody hate a fat guy who gives out free stuff?


Not safe for work: you have been warned! God bless the internet.

Thanks to W you may not be able to use your handy dandy GPS unit in the event of a national emergency. He (or his administration) is planning on shutting down satellites that are used to provide GPS coordinates so that terrorits can't use them (for evildoing of course). I am sure that this is sitting well with all those GPS manufacturers who are pimping GPS systems like they are going out of style. As a Geographer (that is what it says on my business card) I never thought the GPS devices were all the exciting. You should have seen what they used to look like back in the day. They were these huge devices that you would have to carry around in a backpack that had a long antenna sticking out of it. It looked like you wee trying to contact the mothership. I refused to wear one or even learn how to operate one. (I had fashion standards). I broke down a few years ago when my friend Carolyn showed me how to turn one on. I have to admit they are cool toys but you can certainly live without one. Or atleast you will have to if W has his way.

Bush Prepares for Possible GPS Shutdown
How a GPS works

So now that I am all on my own, I have tons of time on my hands. One of the nice things about being in a relationship is that a lot of your time is scheduled. My weekends are totally free now so I have to find things to occupy myself. Other than the occasional visitor or road trip I will have to start keeping myself busy. Here is a list that I have compiled of things that I want to do now that I have the time to do them:

Go see more films at the Charles Theater.
Adopt another cat (Leo is lonely).
Read more (I have a pile of books I need to get thru).
Visit my friends more often (Road trips?).
Have more friends visit me (More sleepovers).
Go visit Civil War sites (Even if I have to go on my own).
Visit NYC more often (Even if I am just going to see my family).
Volunteer (I really miss doing that).

These past few days have been somewhat difficult for me. I ended a long term reltionship with someone who was wonderful just not the one for me. I had been unhappy for a while but refused to come to terms with it. I didn't want the relationship to fail but at the same time I knew that things weren't right. In the end I think that things will be fine, we have agreed to remain friends. Leo isnt happy though. He's been downgraded to a one bedroom apt. He'll have to get used to being without a male figure (at least for a while). But I have a feeling the the future is bright. :) Because "I Believe In A Thing Called Love".

My all time Food Network celebrity chef is Alton Brown. His show, Good Eats, is both highly entertaining and educational. Where else can you learn the chemisty behind why a souffle rises?Plus he rides a bike, how cool is that? He has a new book out so if you are interested in buying me a Christmas gift now you know what to get me :)

Alton discusses cooking and his motorcycle

"I am Just Here for More Food".

PS If you have a blog (and aren't ashamed that you have one- ELIZA!) and want me to link to it, send me your blog address and I will add it to my page.

Over the Thanksgiving holiday I came to the conclusion that I would add my mother's first name (Felisa) as my middle name. I was never given a middle name and I always wanted to fill this void with an appropriate name. When I was confirmed I chose the name Gabriella but never adopted it offically. The Saturday after Thanksgiving I drove my cousin Jenny to the cemetary where my mother and grandmother are buried. While we were standing there making chit chat (Jenny and I that is) I blurted out that I was going to take Felisa as my middle name. Jenny thought that was a really cool idea. The more I think about it, the more I like it: Noemi Felisa Mendez. It seems right. Wonder why I never thought of it before. Maybe the timing wasnt right. So I am going to be going to the Baltimore City Courthouse after the holidays to make it official . I will keep everyone posted when it is all done.

I usually catch a cold once a year and it seems that my ticket was called this past week. The last time I was sick was last October and I was at a client site at Owensboro, KY. My boss at the time was observing me teaching a class to the local municipality. I was so ill and I was amazed that I was able to actually finish the class. If you are ever in that area, they have some killer BBQ joints, though I am still partial to Dinosaur BBQ in Syracuse (Get the peeled shrimp they are delish). Anyway, here's to hoping that I can make it through the day today. I am taking advantage of the fact that I have no sense of taste by drinking my least favorite juice, orange. I think that my body is in shock from the lack of caffeine in my system today. Oh joy.

Don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya.

NY Yanks may terminate Giambi's contract

I have been listening to a lot of music lately because, well just because. I have finally come to the realization that my favorite type of music is Freestyle. I don't really own a lot of freestyle cds and I think that is because I was afraid to admit how much I liked it. Most of my collection is rock and followed by R&B. But freestyle reminds me of growing up in Brooklyn (NY that is) during the 80s. I have a cousin who used to have a turntable in the house that we grew up in. He used to play the music so loudly that I would hear the thumping up throughout the house. I remember being in my room (which was over his) and dancing and lipsynching. I not a dancer at all (I think that Puerto Rican gene wasn't passed on) but I wouldn't let that stop me. Right now I am contemplating buying a box set on Amazon that has a lot of my faves. Sometimes you need to treat yourself, you know?

Freestyle Explosion (Amazon.com)

Some of my favorite songs from the cd:

Did It Feel Like Love - Geniune Parts
Inside Outside - The Cover Girls
Party Your Body - Stevie B
Come Go with Me - Exposé
Where Are You Tonight - Coro
I.O.U. - The Freeze
Love Letters - Giggles

I don't really consider myself to be one of those eco-freakos (termed coined by my friend Steve) but I try to eat organicly (is that a word) when I can. With all the crap that you find in food, the very nature of organic food is supposed to be comforting. Then I read this article about how the FDA found trace amounts of perchlorate in milk, lettuce and some other foodstuffs. I am not a big milk drinker but I like an occasional glass or a shot in my coffee. So I am not sure what to do now. Keeping my very own cow in Baltimore can be expensive and a logistical challenge plus I refuse to milk it. So I don't think that is an answer. What's a girl to do?

Rocket Fuel Chemical Found in Organic Milk

I always like Bruce Springsteen when I was younger but it was only recently that I really began to appreciate him. His lyrics and voice really affect me in ways that few muscians have. So Bruce I gotta give you props! (For those who need the translation- he's prety damn good). Here is a song that I especially love.

HUMAN TOUCH

You and me we were the pretenders
We let it all slip away
In the end what you don't surrender
Well the world just strips away

Girl, ain't no kindness in the face of strangers
Ain't gonna find no miracles here
Well you can wait on your blesses my darlin'
But I got a deal for you right here

I ain't lookin' for praise or pity
I ain't comin' 'round searchin' for a crutch
I just want someone to talk to
And a little of that Human Touch
Just a little of that Human Touch

Ain't no mercy on the streets of this town
Ain't no bread from heavenly skies
Ain't nobody drawin' wine from this blood
It's just you and me tonight

Tell me, in a world without pity
Do you think what I'm askin's too much
I just want something to hold on to
And a little of that Human Touch
Just a little of that Human Touch

Oh girl that feeling of safety you prize
Well it comes at a hard hard price
You can't shut off the risk and the pain
Without losin' the love that remains
We're all riders on this train

So you've been broken and you've been hurt
Show me somebody who ain't
Yeah, I know I ain't nobody's bargain
But, hell, a little touchupand a little paint...
You might need somethin' to hold on to
When all the answers, they don't amount to much
Somebody that you could just to talk to
And a little of that Human Touch

You might need somethin' to hold on to
When all the answers, they don't amount to much
Somebody that you could just to talk to
And a little of that Human Touch

Baby, in a world without pity
Do you think what I'm askin's too much
I just want to feel you in my arms
Share a little of that Human Touch
Feel a little of that Human Touch
Give me a little of that Human Touch