Sir, why must you sully my good name?

It almost killed me.

Yesterday I saw a giant roach under my desk, and ran and screamed like a little girl. Anna-Lo the Swede came in with her shoulders puffed and acted like I was a wuss. “I’ll get it….jeez, it’s just a roach.” This was no roach. I have roaches, and this was a street roach. This roach was so big it knew no fear. It was one of the roaches you see in the subway and think it’s a rat at first, but it’s not. Anna went and got a paper towel, and proceeded to just lightly throw the towel on top of the roach. I don't know if they have paper thin roaches in Sweden that die when the smallest amount of pressure is applied, but that's not how we kill them here and you, my friend, are no bad-ass. Thanks for the help Anna, but no thanks….plus, this wasn’t just any roach. This roach was in a gang, this roach had a tear tattoo for every person he had scared to death.
Alex, who is from the Bronx and understands this scary sub-culture of freakin’ huge roaches that don’t die when you just THROW A PAPER TOWEL ON IT came in and smushed it to death.
Matt thinks it my fault, cause of all the snacks I eat. “but I need the snacks!!!” “for what?” “for the journey!” “what journey?” “LIFE!”
Now I'm trying to keep my feet off the floor, but the arms of my chair are prohibiting me from sitting yoga style.
gross Magnolia, gross.

More Pics from Philly/Jersey

Rachel can't hold her wine....no, literally, she can't hold it. wow, this background is priceless.
Three hot ladies at the beach!

New York, I Love You

Ocean City

Yesterday Robin, Rachel and I went to Ocean City NJ. It was a beautiful beach. We were just laying there, minding our own business when a runaway beach umbrella impaled Robin in the arm. Okay, impaled might be a strong word, but there was blood drawn, and today there's a pretty raw bruise. I had a macaroon, that I might call the best of my life. Robin got macaroon ice cream from the same place, and when I went to take a bit of it, I dropped a big chunk of it on the ground. If I was her, I would have hit me. I mean, dropping ice cream, especially delicious, delicious ice cream is serious business, not to be taken lightly.

The 7 Habits

I am re-reading the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. It's a great book, that I find it easy to relate to and really enjoy reading. It's one of those ones that every morning when I get off the subway and I'm walking to work I can really reflect on what I just read and I look forward to trying to implement one or more mindset or idea.
Yesterday's idea was your circle of influence vs. your circle of concern. Your circle of concern might be huge, but there are only so many of those things that you can actually do something about, and if you don't work in that circle, you're overwhelmed by the circle of concern and less effective in the circumstances/things where you actually do have influence....the most important of these being your mind, your emotions, your reactions. That's definitely something I need to focus more on---only trying to control or worry about the things I can do something about.

Here's a summary of the 7 Habits:

habit 1 - be proactive

This is the ability to control one's environment, rather thanhave it control you, as is so often the case. Self determination, choice, and the power to decide response to stimulus, conditions and curcumstances

habit 2 - begin with the end in mind

Covey calls this the habit of personal leadership - leading oneself that is, towards what you consider your aims. By developing the habit of concentrating on relevant activities you will build a platform to avoid distractions and become more productive and successful.

habit 3 - put first things first

Covey calls this the habit of personal management. This is about organising and implementing activities in line with the aims established in habit 2. Covey says that habit 2 is the first, or mental creation; habit 3 is the second, or physical creation. (See the section on time management.)

habit 4 - think win-win

Covey calls this the habit of interpersonal leadership, necessary because achievements are largely dependent on co-operative efforts with others. He says that win-win is based on the assumption that there is plenty for everyone, and that success follows a co-operative approach more naturally than the confrontation of win-or-lose.

habit 5 - seek first to understand and then to be understood

One of the great maxims of the modern age. This is Covey's habit of communication, and it's extremely powerful. Covey helps to explain this in his simple analogy 'diagnose before you prescribe'. Simple and effective, and essential for developing and maintaining positive relationships in all aspects of life. (See the associated sections on Empathy, Transactional Analysis, and the Johari Window.)

habit 6 - synergize

Covey says this is the habit of creative co-operation - the principle that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, which implicitly lays down the challenge to see the good and potential in the other person's contribution.

habit 7 - sharpen the saw

This is the habit of self renewal, says Covey, and it necessarily surrounds all the other habits, enabling and encouraging them to happen and grow. Covey interprets the self into four parts: the spiritual, mental, physical and the social/emotional, which all need feeding and developing.

Get Better

Man, I love the Mates of State album Re-Arrange Us.
Especially this song. "everythings gonna get lighter, even if it never gets better." I'm not totally sure why, but I find that thought very uplifting.

Love the Little Burgers

Yummy! This place on Water St. is super yummy. I read about it on CheapAssFood, and I knew we should go.
It was delicious. We had little burgers and a Guiness Shake, and a cream soda, and lots of fries and onion rings.
Against my wishes Nick "dropped" the rest of my burger in ketchup. To me that's just blasphemy, dipping a great burger in ketchup. It's unholy and I will never condone it.
Mmmm, Guiness shake!

Crumbs--Crummy!

The condo that Nick and I are staying in is dangeriously close to Crumbs Wall St....which happens to be a cupcake joint. Well, the other morning, wanting to be fabulous and fantastic, I went and got Nick a cupcake and a cup of coffee. There were so many cupcake choices that I asked the woman behind the counter to make a recommendation. She did, and without really even listening to what she said, I said, "sure, I'll take that one." Well, that one was the Elvis-something, which was red velvet cake with banana frosting. First of all, fake banana flavor should be outlawed. Second of all, why would you ruin red velvet with gross fake banana. This cupcake was a disaster...we didn't even finish eating it, which for us is really saying something, since on the inside we are little fat kids.
Oh, and I don't think he likes it when I take pictures of him first thing in the am...but look at his hair, its so cute!

The 20 Best Date Movies?

I beg to differ with this list...in fact, I don't even beg to differ, I just plain disagree.
This is the worst list of date movies, barring maybe 5 or 6 of the choices, that I have ever seen. Uh, common theme in a lot of these movies? Cheating. Hey, so, you know, the whole monogamy thing didn't really work out for these people, but let's give it a shot anyway. Are things that different in the UK?
20. House of Flying Daggers--um, cause kung fu really puts me in the mood for love. NOT.
19. An Officer and a Gentlemen--okay, maybe just for the carrying scene.
18. Shortbus--um, are you on a date or a "casual encounter"?
17. Dark Water--there are better horror films than this if you're trying to get a cuddle-up.
16. Jerry Maguire--if I was in the mood to have someone fall in love with my kid and not me, then yes, I guess I would consider this a romance.
15. Crazy/Beautiful--if I were 13.
14. Monsoon Wedding-okay.
13. Ghost--definitely.
12. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind--now we're talking.
11. Dirty Dancing--hells yeah, because nobody puts baby in the corner!
10. Scream--eh...again, not so much.
9. North by Northwest--not feeling it.
8. A bout de souffle--okay, I've never seen this.
7. In The Mood for Love--also, never seen this, the title is promising, but also about affairs.
6. Before Sunrise/Before Sunset-- maybe if Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke weren't annoying
5. Sideways--depressing!!! what, am I going to do, be depressed into romance.
4. Say Anything-- "I gave her my heart and she gave me a pen." sniff, I love you Lloyd.
3. Brokeback Mountain-- again with the cheating.
2. Annie Hall--way depressing. This movie makes me feel like nothing ever works out, ever.
1. The Philadelphia Story--good one.

Thanks Marianne!

I get these little thoughts for the day from Oprah/Marianne Williamson that are from A Course In Miracles. Today's thought is: "The ego is the choice for guilt; the Holy Spirit the choice for guiltlessness."
I just finished reading the 4 Agreements, and I have to say, I'm starting to get the impression that forgiveness really is the answer to happiness. Forgiveness of yourself and forgiveness of others.

The Four Agreements are:
1. Be Impeccable With Your Word Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.
2. Don’t Take Anything Personally Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.
3. Don’t Make Assumptions Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama.
4. Always Do Your Best Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

Here is the prayer for forgiveness in the back of the book:

Prayer for Forgiveness

Today, Creator, grant me the courage and the will to forgive the people I love the most. Help me to forgive every injustice I feel in my mind, and to love other people unconditionally. I know the only way to heal all the pain in my heart is through forgiveness.

Today, Creator, strengthen my will to forgive anyone who has hurt me, even if I believe the offense is unforgivable. I know that forgiveness is an act of self-love. Help me to love myself so much that I forgive every offense. Let me choose forgiveness because I don’t want to suffer every time I remember the offense.

Today, Creator, help me to heal all the guilt in my heart by accepting the forgiveness of everyone I have hurt in my life. Help me to sincerely recognize the mistakes I have made out of ignorance, and give me the wisdom and determination to refrain from making the same mistakes. I know that love and forgiveness will transform every relationship in the most positive way.

Thank you, Creator, for giving me the capacity to love and forgive. Today I open my heart to love and forgiveness, so that I can share my love without fear. Today I will enjoy a reunion with the people I love most. Amen.

Movie Recommendations

Since seeing The Last Picture Show, I started thinking about all those other great movies that I've never gotten around to seeing, like The Conversation, Midnight Cowboy, The French Connection, The Sting, Chinatown, The Elephant Man....I'm forgetting a ton. Help me fill in the gaps and make some recommendations. Since I've never had a comment on this blog, I almost assume that no one reads it, so feel free to prove me wrong.

Accents

You know, I always thought I had a good ear for accents, but this test has proven me wrong. I totally sucked at it. CLICK HERE to see how well you know accents.

Comic Con recap

This is me and Iron Man.
















And here is Nick with two lovely ladies. I don't even care what they were promoting, its just fun to make him uncomfortable.

















And our cross country search for the best cupcakes continued at Cupcakes Squared. The shape was fun, but I'm not sure I would go back.














I fulfilled a lifelong dream of visiting the Hotel Del Coronado where they filmed Some Like it Hot...aka the best movie ever.







My trip to LA ended with me having blue hair...but oh, well.

I get that Goonies never say die, but this is ridiculous

why would they do this to me? don't they know that the goonies are sacred?Read more about the conitnuing rape of my childhood here.