So, we went to NYC this weekend. It was great. But freezing.
I just wish I could afford it a little better and not be angry about how expensive everything is.

But we took the train in friday and then saved on cab fare and walked to the hotel. BRRRRRR. Got to our super-sweet priceline deal hotel around 9, and then went to the Carnegie Deli for dinner. It's probably not the best deli in NY (as they claim), but we did it "for the experience".
BF got a "reuben". I decided to try to go a little "lighter" and ordered the turkey sandwich.

This is what we got:


reuben


turkey

yeah. Not so light.
It's just ridiculous though. The sandwiches cost $25 each. TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS. And there's no way in hell anyone can (or should) eat that.
Why not just give a reasonable portion, and charge half as much?
Oh right, because then you wouldn't get written up in all the tourist books.
So, I probably let about $17 worth of sandwich go to waste. Ah well. Better for my waist, if not my wallet.

Then on saturday we went to MoMA, which was awesome- and infuriating. Cool to see Starry Night and the Warhol soup cans and all sorts of other famous pieces up close and in person. But then the "art" like bricks laid on the floor in a square, or a piece of rope hanging from the ceiling, or a plain black canvas, just make me nuts.
There was also a big Tim Burton exhibit, which I would have LOVED to go to- but we didn't have time. Also hit the MoMA store- which I think was just as good as the museum.

Then went to an old college friend's baby shower. Great to see her, and her awesome view! Saw a bunch of people I haven't seen in years.

Then found a lovely little hole in the wall italian place for dinner... awesome homemade pasta, and reasonably priced.

Then off to a party for a friend who just got back from 2 years in Australia. She was my neighbor growing up, but I haven't seen her in years. And then her brother was there too, and another friend from my DC days, who I haven't seen in 12 years. Fun, fun, fun. Stayed out til 2, which is the latest I've been up in a long time, which made me feel good- maybe I'm not TOTALLY a boring old lady yet.

Then sunday morning met up with yet another friend I haven't seen in years- from when I was in Chicago. And met her fiance. We had breakfast at a place they'd been dying to try. And don't get me wrong- it was delicous. But (with tip) it came to $200 for the four of us. For freaking breakfast. Pancakes were $22. And the best of all- when the bill came, we saw that coffee was $7 per person. I mean really?! New York is expensive, I know that, but this was absurd. And yes, it was delicious, but not $50 each delicious. Ah well... I just had to take a deep breath and remind myself it was a mini vacation and to stop being a scrooge....

Then caught the train back, and on the way got a call from my sister- a power plant in Middletown CT blew up yesterday, and so far 5 are dead and maybe 100 injured. People in towns ten miles away felt the explosion and thought it was an earthquake. Yikes. My hospital was on alert for 'mass casualties'- but nothing trickled down to me.

then a super bowl party, where I swore I was going to eat only veggies and fat-free dip to make up for the weekend- but instead I ate chips and cookies and lasagna and garlic bread and....
Oops.

And now, it's back to the grind.

But six days til florida!!!!!! can not WAIT to get out of the cold for a bit!!!

xoxo
-J

p.s. WTF is the big deal about the Tim Tebow commercial during the super bowl? After it aired everyone was like "that was it?" I of course had had no clue a) who tim tebow is b) that he was in a commercial c) that it was controversial.
But in said commercial his mom talks about him and says "there were so many times i almost lost him" and holds up a baby picture... then she blabs some more, and he comes and tackles her, and she calls him Timmy. That's it. if anything I thought it was an ad for the March of Dimes or something.

But that was it. That was the big controversial ad.
whoop de effing do.

I guess it was supposed to be a pro-life ad, though i don't know how you were supposed to know that. and it was paid for by Focus on the Family or something like that... some right wing pro-life group. and I guess THAT is the big deal. that the network let something 'political' be shown.

Ok, and one last comment.
Who picks the halftime acts? The Who? Really? I mean, yeah sure I like Pinball Wizard... but couldn't they pick someone a little more current/relevant/popular? They looked like a bunch of old men dragged out of the retirement home.

Ok, enough blabbing.
Later peeps!

Ok, so I'm a little embarrassed that I'm actually going to be that sappy giddy girl that makes you want to puke, but.... this is so freaking cute I have to share.

So, yesterday was our 6 month anniversary. Not a HUGE deal, I suppose, but kind of a big deal I guess...

But so I wasn't even sure if he'd remember. And sure, I'd love to get flowers and presents and all sorts of romantic stuff. I was secretly HOPING he'd do something- but I wasn't expecting it.

So, I made dinner reservations at a nice place, and didn't tell him, so it could be a surprise. They're actually for tonight, since the place is closed on mondays. And then I figured that's good- b/c on the off chance he planned something, I could cancel mine.

So, yesterday came, and he totally remembered and said happy anniversary. Then I was at work really late and he had stuff to do, so I didn't see him til way later.

So, once it was pretty clear we weren't going to do anything, I told him we have reservations for tonight. Not to rub it in- but just to make sure he didn't have any plans or anything.

And all of the sudden he looked all sad and started apologizing that he hadn't done more.

And then I felt like an ass for making him feel bad.

And then he walked over and picked something up off my desk. It was a card, and he had left it there so I'd find it in the morning.

So, I opened it. And it's super adorable. And perfect, b/c it's from the heart, and he did it without me nagging or anything.

Please pardon the iphone picture quality.

Cute joke I got from my dad-

Language Lesson
================
A linguistics professor was lecturing to his class one day.

"In English," he said, "A double negative forms a positive. In some languages, though, such as Russian, a double negative is still a negative. However, there is no language wherein a double positive can form a negative."

A voice from the back of the room piped up, "Yeah, right."

------

In other news... eh, not much. Got a little snow yesterday. Was pleasantly surprised to learn at 2pm that the guy I am scheduled to work with today is going to be in Vegas, so I get the day off. Of course, would be nicer to know about 3day weekends in advance, but still. Not complaining.

Going to NYC next weekend for a baby shower and another friend's "welcome back after 2 years in australia" party. Should be fun.

Got my W-2 from work here, and it looks like I might get a refund, for the first time in like 6 years. I am sooooo excited! I know a lot of people plan on their refund and have practically spent it before they get it- but since I never get one, this is just like totally unexpected extra bonus money. Of course, I haven't gotten my W-2 from UB yet, so there's still a chance that will fuck it all up and I'll get nothing.

What else...

Monday is our 6mo anniversary.... (awwwww)
Wondering if he'll remember.

Then to Florida- leaving on Valentine's day. Can not WAIT to get a little sun on this pasty skin.

Apparently it's "celebrity doppelganger week" on facebook- people are posting pictures of celebrities they've been told they resemble. I've heard I look like Andie McDowell before, so I found a smoking hot picture of her and put it up. Most of my girlfriends were like "omg yeah! i can see it!" And yes, I know I don't look like a movie star. But still, little white lies from girlfriends brighten my day a little. Until one stupid douchey ex just added "yeah, in your dreams".

Thanks, asshole.

Bleh.

Ok, time to be productive with this day. Have a good one peeps!

So, I haven't checked in in a few days, but I was SURE this place was going to be full of ranting about the election last night.

But really?
No one?

Fine with me, I don't relish talking politics- I just thought people would be all fired up.

In other news, we managed to find some shady internet car rental deal, but... we have an official confirmation number from Budget, so fingers crossed it will all work out....

Now just to make it through the three weeks until then.

Including a presentation I have to give tomorrow on Tennis Elbow that I haven't started yet, blehhhhhh.

And, I reeeeeaaaallly need to start job hunting. I buffed up my CV this weekend, I guess that's the first step. Now just to find places to send it to... :/

Ok, so we finally figured out the plane ticket situation.

(cut a day off the trip, used his parents' miles for one, and will split the price of the other. And, thanks to farecast, we locked in a good price today.)

But now...

RENTAL CARS ARE $115?????!!!!

Per DAY????!!!!!

$500/week is the best I've found.

Ho-ly shit!