Things I am thankful for today

...in quasi-order, but not really:

• My faith
• Family
• Friends (as in, the people in my life who love and encourage me)
• Friends (as in,my favorite show ever that I watched five consecutive episodes of tonight while decorating our Christmas tree, including The One With Ross's Sandwich.  Bhahahahaha)
• Chick-fil-A sweet tea.  A whole gallon.
• Parades
• Christmas music (Mariah = Best. Christmas. Album. Ever.)
• Heat
• Pumpkin pie
• That feeling around 8pm on Thanksgiving night when you think to yourself, "I haven't eaten dinner yet, I should eat," and then you realize, "Oh wait, I ate enough lunch to feed all of the Jolie-Pitts; it is humanly impossible for me to be hungry for dinner," and then you think, "So what if I am absolutely, without a doubt not hungry - I still want to eat something," and then it suddenly dawns on you, "THERE IS LEFTOVER PUMPKIN PIE IN THE FRIDGE, and I will eat it for dinner, and it will be good."
• Christmas lights
• Laughter
• Books!
• Winter boots
• Country music on the radio
• Scented candles, particularly ones that smell like a holiday, like Cinnamon Spice or Evergreen
• Hope

I'm tired just typing

It's a good thing I wrapped up with '30 blogs in 30 days' last Wednesday (note: I actually extended it to '31 blogs in 31 days'...what can I say, I like to go the extra mile), because this week has been quite a doozie.

On Monday, I attended '24 Hour Plays.' Tuesday, the Terry College of Business hosted a New York Alumni Happy Hour. Since most of my UGA friends in the city are fellow Terry grads, we had a great time hanging out and catching up with folks in town from Georgia. After the happy hour, a few friends were going out to dinner. I started to decline since it was late, but alas! - I realized it was Tuesdays with a Twist! Seriously, this is how my brain works; I make way too many life decisions based on how I can blog about it later. Anyhow, we went to a late dinner at L'Express, which turned into a full night out (mostly because our food took at least an hour to come out). It was quite fun, though, and I was glad my blog was propelling my social life full steam ahead.

Wednesday was, quite honestly, a very bad day at work. In order to console us, my boss organized an impromptu team gathering SINGING KARAOKE. Yes, karaoke with my bosses and team...it was awesome. We sang ridiculous songs and came up with some awesome personalized lyrics and dance moves, and I probably haven't laughed that hard in my entire life. But the fun didn't stop there! After our team gathering, I headed with my roommates to Emily's small group Thanksgiving dinner. It was one of the most New York nights (because New York is not only a noun but an adjective) I've had in a long time. We gathered in a beautiful huge apartment on the Upper West Side, ate a full out Thanksgiving dinner, and enjoyed group entertainment, including piano performances, a rousing rendition of 'Sisters' from White Christmas, a comedic bit where someone sang a phone book, and much much more. It was such a lovely time and a great way to end a hard day.

Yesterday, Thursday, Lauren, Bethany and I attended a Pat Green concert at Irving Plaza. Pat is one of my favorite country artists in concert, and we had a blast at the show. It's the third time I've seen Patty in New York, and he never disappoints!

And here we are on Friday. The week is wrapping up...I have a friend's birthday party tonight, plus I have to pack - I head to Atlanta for a week tomorrow!

Phew...I'm tired just typing it all. Can't wait for a nice long holiday week off!

24: Broadway Style

Tonight, my friend Megan invited me to a Broadway event, 'The 24 Hour Plays.' An annual event, the concept behind The 24 Hour Plays is unique: Last night (Sunday) around 10pm, a group of actors, writers and directors convened at a Broadway theater. Over the course of the night, six different writers wrote six sketches, and starting in the morning, the directors and actors memorized and rehearsed what had just been written. As of 8pm tonight, when the event began, most of those involved had been up for (as the name suggests) 24 hours.


The 24 Hour Plays were chock full of great stars - Cynthia Nixon (Miranda on SATC), Elijah Wood, Julia Stiles, Rosie Perez, Justin Long (the Mac guy), Horatio Sanz and Rachel Dratch from SNL, Jennifer Esposito, Matthew Settle (Rufus from Gossip Girl), Maura Tierney, Alicia Witt, David Cross (Tobias Funke from Arrested Development), Brittany Snow and more. On top of all of these great actors, Laura Bell Bundy, the former star of Legally Blonde: The Musical, performed musical numbers with M. Ward between each sketch. Also rehearsed within the 24 hour timeframe, their numbers ranged from 'Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend' to a hilarious song about a chocolate addiction.


The 24 Hour Plays made for an incredibly fun, unique New York evening. All proceeds went to charity (the event raised $360,000 for the Urban Arts Partnership), and you could just tell that the actors were having a ball with it. They all gathered to the side of the theater to watch the others' sketches and cracked up with the rest of us. And the inevitable slip-ups - at one point Jennifer Esposito pulled out her script from her pocket - and cracked smiles made it even more entertaining. I left thoroughly amused and impressed at what this group was able to do in 24 hours...I'm fairly certain only Jack Bauer could accomplish more.

Fearless

"To me, FEARLESS is not the absence of fear. It’s not being completely unafraid.

To me, FEARLESS is having fears. FEARLESS is having doubts. Lots of them. To me, FEARLESS is living in spite of those things that scare you to death.

FEARLESS is falling madly in love again, even though you’ve been hurt before. FEARLESS is walking into your freshmen year of high school at fifteen. FEARLESS is getting back up and fighting for what you want over and over again...even though every time you’ve tried before, you’ve lost.

It’s FEARLESS to have faith that someday things will change.

FEARLESS is having the courage to say goodbye to someone who only hurts you, even if you can’t breathe without them. I think it’s FEARLESS to fall for your best friend, even though he’s in love with someone else. And when someone apologizes to you enough times for things they’ll never stop doing, I think it’s FEARLESS to stop believing them. It’s FEARLESS to say “you’re NOT sorry”, and walk away.

I think loving someone despite what people think is FEARLESS. I think allowing yourself to cry on the bathroom floor is FEARLESS. Letting go is FEARLESS. Then, moving on and being alright...That’s FEARLESS too.

But no matter what love throws at you, you have to believe in it. You have to believe in love stories and prince charmings and happily ever after. That’s why I write these songs.

Because I think love is FEARLESS."

- Taylor Swift, in the liner notes of her new album, aptly named "Fearless"

A typical Gchat conversation with my roommates

Emily: You've been invited to this chat room!

Hannah has joined

Emily: JAMIE MARTIN HAS JOINED!!

Hannah: hahaaaa

me: helloooooo

hahaha

Emily: ha ha ha ha ha

Hannah: jamie we have a question for you

me: ok! whats up?

Hannah: on the left side of your gmail, click the tab "All Mail" its above trash.

how many do you have?

Emily: How many, how many??!?

me: 10568

Hannah: bahahahaaaaaaaaaaaa

Emily: AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hannah: i have 5,999

me: hahahaha! how many do y'all have?

Emily: I thought 451 was a lot

Hannah: emily has 400

Emily: ha ha ha ha ha ha ah ah aha ha a

me: lol

i don't file or delete my gmail!

Emily: Today I deleted 27, and now I have Deleter's Remorse.

me: hahaha

Emily: I should save them all, too. But i hate when it says "You are cyrrently using ### of your 7261 MB. I hate going over 2% ha ha ha ha ha ha ha aha

I think i might have a problem.

me: yes. i am currently using 2224 MB (30%) of my 7261 MB

Emily: :P HA HA HA

me: 2%! what are you planning to do with the other 98% of your MBs???

Hannah: bahahaaaaaaa lol for real!

Emily: SAVE THEM! for a time when I need them! One day I might get a HUGE email and then I will need that 98%. And, when i die I don't want someone to have to go through 5029734 emails. Is that morbid?

Hannah: bahahaa oh my gosh. way to think thorugh the future

Emily: HA HA HA I told you, I HAVE A PROBLEM

me: hahahahaha

how wlil anyone go through your emails when you're dead? no one knows my password, haha

Hannah: omg! for real! hahaa thats intense!

Emily: I'm sure someone will find it out, and hack in- and i do not watn them to go through all of those emails.

me: lol

Emily: Jamie, I can't get over that you have that many emails.

me: hahaha

Emily: YOu are my new role model. I will begin using some of those 7261 MB. No more deletions.

me: lol

i am cracking up

Emily: ha ha ha ha

me: i delete junk and facebook emails but i think that's all

Emily: So funny, I am saving this Gchat forever

me: me too! i might copy and paste it onto my blog, haha

Emily: YESSSSSSS! Wait, have I said anything too stupid????

And where is Hannah?!

ha ha ha ha ha

Hannah: Sitting at my desk laughing at yall

Emily: Ha ha

me: hahaha

Hannah: I do like that chats are stored on gmail

comes in handy

me: yes. they go into the 'all mail' tally, too!

Hannah: bahahaaaaaaa of course jamie would know that!

Emily: HA HA HA HA HA HA I deleted four chats earlier today

me: lol i have 1391 chat convos alone

Emily: (FALLS OUT OF OFFICE CHAIR) 1391?!?!?!?

me: i'm snorting

like snort laughing

not like drugs

Hannah: bahahhaahaaaaaaaaaaaa

Emily: HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

"not like drugs"

me: lol

Hannah: thanks for the clarification.

me: np

A subtle twist

Today's 'Tuesday with a Twist' was, I must confess, kind of a flop.

I set my alarm for 6am with the high hopes of rolling out of bed and going for an early morning Starbucks visit.  I had it all planned out - I was going to go in my pajamas, get some hot tea, take my book, and curl up in a purple arm chair until it was time to get ready for work.  Doesn't that sound like a lovely way to start a Tuesday?

Except I slept through the alarm.  Strike one.

My next idea for Tuesday with a Twist?  Go to the Lincoln Center Barnes & Noble for a Ted Turner book reading and signing.  Hey, we have an Atlanta bond, right?!  Wrong...the event was too early for me to make after work.  Strike two.

My final idea was a joint one with Jessica.  We decided to 'go to the movie together' by both attending 7:30p showings of 'Secret Life of Bees.'  She stuck with it, but I worked late and couldn't make it yet again.  Strike three.

Quite defeated by my twist-less Tuesday, I finally gave up and just headed home.  I did catch up with my mom and Lindsey on the phone, though, and I spent time with all three of my roommates discussing the pros and cons of technology/email/Facebook.  Perhaps a quiet night at home with all four of us together is just the twist this day needed.  :)

Luck Be a Lady

This weekend, my friends Angie, Lauren and I made plans to celebrate Angie's 27th birthday. We knew it had to be something fabulous and monumental, as last year was, well, kind of anti-climactic for Ange, while two years ago was an all-day/all-night ice skating/ Dave & Busters/ movie/ karaoke extravaganza that had to be topped.

After tossing around a few ideas (Googling the nearest Medieval Times, considering a trip to the mountains), we landed on the golden idea - a trip to Atlantic City. A mere 2 hour bus ride away, Atlantic City offers all of the adventures of Las Vegas, but on a slightly smaller, cheesier scale.  Always up for a fun/funny (not sure which one) time, we set our sights on the Jersey shore and kept our hopes high.

The trip began on Saturday afternoon. Decked out in sparkles and bright red lipstick (because when in Rome...), we headed to Port Authority and purchased a round-trip bus ticket to AC. The best part about the already cheap bus ticket? They give you a $20 voucher for the casino right off the bat! It was already turning out to be an efficient, yet fun, birthday vacation. While on the bus, we witnessed an array of characters...mostly people our age and/or little old ladies ready to makes some serious cash at the slots. But this was only the beginning...

We arrived safely in Atlantic City at Caesar's casino. These casinos are hilarious little (or big, depending on your frame of reference) adult Disney World bubbles. Seriously - once we stepped off the bus, we did not leave the comfort of the indoors for the entirety of our trip. After a bit of wandering and admiration of the lovely, yet unbelievably corny Julius Caesar statue, we headed to our first quintessential Atlantic City stop - the buffet. That's right, ladies and gentleman, for a small price, you can eat at a Roman-themed Golden Corral, complete with crab legs, Chinese food, pasta, cake and all-you-can-drink Diet Coke. Angie even got a birthday cake and candle.




After we finished our meal, we rolled out to Caesar's casino. Now, this was my first time in a casino, ever, so I was hesitant to say the least. We spent an hour or two at the nickel slots playing with our $20 bus vouchers. Angie and Lauren spent theirs pretty quickly, but Nervous Nellie over here played so slowly and so cautiously that I walked away with $11 (which I promptly cashed in for my first taste at casino victory). 

After a few hours at the slots, we slowly made our way toward the Blackjack tables. Although none of us were planning to gamble much, we made friends with some folks at the table, and it was only a matter of time before they were showing us the ropes, teaching us about their hands, and inviting us to join in on the fun. And how did it pan out?  Let's just say that we all walked away with more chips in hand than we came in with. :)

After some rousing games of Blackjack, we hung our gambling hats and headed to the adjoining casino for some boogying. The martini bar just happened to have a big ole dance floor and a 10-piece band that was rocking out to hits like "Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough."  Despite the fact that we were the youngest people on the dance floor by at least 20 years, we danced the night away and had a blast...minus the one small hitch when I looked over to see my scarf, which I had set on a table, ON FIRE from the table's votive.  Fortunately, I reacted quickly and blew it out, and the casino did not burn down (although my now holey scarf has certainly seen better days).

Because Atlantic City is a 24/7 windowless playground, it's not hard for your night to pass you right by. Once our little oldies band retired, we called it a night (all of us stil in the black, thanks to our skills and all-around smartness) and, what else, decided it was time for breakfast. So around 5am, we headed to the cafe for some eggs and bacon. We laughed about the night and just enjoyed our time together, and it will be something I remember for the rest of my life.

We had considered getting a hotel room, but since it was daylight by the time we finished our meal, we figured we might as well just head back to New York. We boarded a 7am bus, promptly crashed the second we sat down, and arrived safe and sound at Port Authority at 9am. And of course, slept all day. :)

Happy Birthday Ange!

Quote of the day

“I shall soon be six-and-twenty. Is there anything in the future that can possibly console us for not being always twenty-five?”

Lord Byron

The New Yorker

In this week's issue, Time Out New York wrote an article about when you can call yourself a New Yorker.  I find that this question comes up often, and that conventional wisdom gives an arbitrary 'seven years,' so I was particularly interested to hear what TONY had to say.

The results are as follows, based on a TONY reader poll:

The consensus, as TONY puts it? "It takes longer to become a New Yorker than it does to learn a new language, endure New York’s firearm-purchase waiting period or grow out your bangs."

After reading through the article's tips on how to "fake" being a New Yorker (learn how to use a Metro card, pronounce "Houston Street" correctly, stop dressing fratty and learn elementary facts about Judaism (all of which I am proud to say I have done, but then again, that might only make me a faker)), I was left to ponder my own opinion - what do I think it takes for someone to be a true New Yorker?

In my version of NY Mag's '21 Questions' column, I answered the question 'What makes someone a New Yorker' with the response, 'Flying into LaGuardia, looking out the airplane window at the skyline, and feeling like you're home.'  My point at the time was simply that I believe someone is a New Yorker when they feel like it's their home.  For at least my first year in New York, I felt this way only when I flew into Atlanta...Atlanta was home, and New York was some sort of extended vacation in a foreign land.  But somewhere along the way, something shifted; suddenly, I felt like I was flying home when I flew to Atlanta, but I mysteriously felt the same way when I flew back to New York. 

A mere 41% of TONY readers, based on the poll above, would qualify me - a resident of 2 1/2 years - as a New Yorker.  For 21% of those polled, I will never be a New Yorker since I wasn't born here.  And for the remainder - and by the way, the majority - I would have to live here for another 3-7 years to make the cut.  

Despite a variety of responses, the thing I think that most people in this poll have in common (minus the 11% that said a year or less) (ps can you tell how much I love math and pie charts?), is that qualifying as a New Yorker takes commitment.  The level of commitment is still to be determined, but most people who were polled agree that New York demands a certain level of dedication.  You can't flit and fly in and out of New York, indifferent toward the city, half-heartedly living, day in day out, to call yourself a New Yorker.  The city demands - no, deserves - more.

So it all comes down to this - what makes someone a New Yorker?  Donny Deutsch says, "Guts!", Lori Levine says, "When you firmly believe anywhere outside Manhattan is a suburb," Tatiana Boncompagni says, "A one-time or current address and a thick skin," and John McDonald says, "Attitude and energy, and a desire to be great at what you do."  But I perhaps like Sean Patterson's answer the best -

"Feeling like a New Yorker is the only requirement. There are people who live here for ten years who never feel it. Conversely, I felt like as much of a New Yorker on the first day I lived here as I do now, eighteen years later."

I'm still not sure if I qualify to call myself a New Yorker or not, but for now, I'll accept the fact that I feel at home here, and I feel like a New Yorker, and that is enough for me.

Confession of the day

I am more interested in what kind of puppy the Obamas are going to get than his pending choices for cabinet.

After meeting Toby, my vote is totally for a Goldendoodle.  They're hypoallergenic, Malia!

Shall we dance?

Quick post, because tonight Lauren, Bethany, Kristen and I are going to the So You Think You Can Dance tour! If you recall, Lauren, Andrea and I went last year, and LJ and I had such a good time that we obviously had to get tickets again.

To celebrate how excited we are, please enjoy our favorite two dances from the season:

Chelsie and Mark's Briefcase Dance



Katee and Twitch's Door Dance

Gone Country

Tonight People magazine hosted a singer/songwriter's night to celebrate their December People Country Special issue. The event was at Hill Country, one of my favorite Texas barbecue spots in the city.

After a delicious meal of pulled pork and mac and cheese, we settled in for the main event - a performance by three Nashville singer/songwriters - Sarah Buxton, Michael Peterson and Robert Ellis Orrall. Sarah Buxton (my new favorite country singer!) is best known for writing Keith Urban's Grammy Award winning song, "Stupid Boy." Michael Peterson recorded "From Here to Eternity" and "Drink, Swear, Steal and Lie"...taking you back to late '90's country, no?! Finally, Robert Ellis Orrall is a legendary Nashville songwriter and producer; he wrote Reba's hit "What If It's You," among many others, and produced Taylor Swift's debut album.

The night was so much fun; I didn't want it to end! Sarah, Michael and Robert sang, played the guitar, told stories, laughed and cried...it was such a raw look into the lives behind the music. Sarah, who is only a couple years older than me, told us that she wrote "Stupid Boy" about her ex-husband, who she married in her early 20's and divorced after a very short time. Robert played "What If It's You" and shared that he wrote it for his wife during a time when they were broken up. All three of them were so entertaining, so charming, that I was just about ready to walk out of Hill Country, pack up my bags and move to Nashville.

Election Day!

For today's Tuesdays with a Twist, I did a plethora of twisty things.  And to clarify, I mean twisty not in the Meredith Grey "dark and twisty" sense, but more of a "twist and shout" and/or "twist of lime" kind of twisty.  You know.

• Woke up early with no problem, as I could not sleep out of anticipation for the election.
• Watched Angie do her Sarah Palin on the Today Show.
• Went to Dunkin Donuts for coffee rather than Starbucks.  Delish.
• Stood in line at 8am to vote.  Made friends with a CNN news producer who was voting, too.
• Cast my vote.  Did not get an "I voted" sticker.  Boooooo.
• Due to my polling location, I took the C train to work instead of the 1 train.  What can I say, I like to live on the edge.
• Made my own "I voted" sticker, thanks to Google Image.
• Made an Election Night dinner with my roommates.  And, obviously, by "made dinner" I mean "Lindsay Ann made lasagna and I baked a pumpkin pie."  And by "baked a pie," I mean "prepared a no-bake pie."  Semantics schemantics.
• Stayed up late watching CNN.  Let's all admit that will.i.am's hologram was simultaneously the high and low point of the evening.
• Watched as Obama was elected; listened to fireworks, honking and screaming that ensued on Broadway outside my window.

 

Rock the vote

"People often say that, in a democracy, decisions are made by a majority of the people. Of course, that is not true. Decisions are made by a majority of those who make themselves heard and who vote - a very different thing."

- Walter H. Judd

Back in February, I implored you to vote in your state's primary.  And now that Election Day is almost here, it's time for me to put on my social studies teacher hat one more time.

There is no question that this election is one of the most significant ones in our nation's history.  We are in the midst of two wars and on the verge of an economic depression.  And while the polls look to strongly favor one candidate over the other, if the last two elections have shown us anything it's that it's always closer than it looks, and every single vote counts.

If I were a newspaper or a pundit, now would be the time when I endorse John McCain.  And I do, and I stand behind this decision for a host of reasons.  However, what I care most about conveying not who I am voting for...it's simply the importance of voting.  

I could wax poetic about the constitution and and suffrage and democracy and rights, but I'm not going to.  I simply urge you to vote.  Even if it's inconvenient.  Even if you are a Republican in a blue state, or a Democrat in a red state.  Even if you are on the fence.  Even if you think your one vote won't matter.  Because the fact is, when it's all said and done, you owe it to yourself and to your country to make your voice heard. 

"Tomorrow, there's a presidential election, and this is your country and your future.  So vote.  And do that, whether you vote for me or my opponent.  Although if you vote for me, we can possibly arrange a ride to the polls."

- John McCain on tonight's Saturday Night Live Presidential Bash '08 

Weekend Update

This weekend was, as you know, Halloween.  In case you've never been to New York for Halloween, the only way I know to describe it is, "Seriously?!"  Yes, seriously, it is one of the wackiest days that I have ever seen in every form and fashion.  For example, as I was walking home from work on Friday, I witnessed throngs of children trick-or-treating on the street.  First they hit up the movie theater (hmm), then the bodega (hmmm) and finally the LIQUOR STORE (hmmmm!).  

Elementary school children trick-or-treating at liquor stores = Seriously?!

Later on that night, as I went to a Halloween party in my neighborhood and then ventured down to the East Village, I witnessed all kinds of sights.  I think Lindsay Lohan said it best in "Mean Girls" - "Halloween is the one night a year when girls can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it."  Except that I would very much like to say something about it, because regardless of the fact that it is October 31, I still believe that pants are required in public.

Men dressed as slutty women, slutty women wearing mere lingerie, pets dressed as people = Seriously?!

Regardless of the many "Seriously?!" moments of Friday night, I still had a great night out.  I dressed as a butterfly, Angie as Sarah Palin and Hannah as a cat.  We traipsed all around town, mostly impressed with the closet Republicans who slyly came up to Angie and whispered, dead serious, "I'm voting for you." It was like a secret society.

Republicans in New York = Seriously?!

If the theme of Friday night was (one more time), "Seriously?!", then the theme of Saturday was heartbreak, sadness and utter devastation.  Yes, I'm speaking of the aforementioned Georgia/Florida game, and beyond that, well, let's just move on.

In the wake of a disastrous football day, today had nowhere to go but up.  After a great morning at church and a lovely brunch with old friends, Lauren, Caroline and I cheered our friend Michelle on in the New York Marathon.  Marathon Sunday is one of my favorite things in New York.  It is almost impossible to put it into words...it's just so moving, so inspirational to watch people run that far to achieve such a rewarding goal.  Add all kinds of characters (runners in tutus, afro wigs and fake knives sticking out of their heads) and stories (an older couple crossing the finish line while holding hands, a man running with two prosthetic legs, a woman who could barely finish being carried by two other runners), and you have a great New York Sunday afternoon.  Michelle did a great job running, and I'm so proud of her accomplishment!

So there you have it, my Weekend Update.  It may not be as funny as John McCain on Saturday Night Live yesterday, but it certainly entertained me.

I don't want to talk about it.

A brief post, as I am in mourning over the fact that Georgia didn't get the memo that the Georgia/Florida game was today and, as a result, failed to show up.

And a quick note to Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Sporting News and anyone else who may or may not have seeded Georgia pre-season #1:  Let's not do that again.