Closing time...

"...every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."

- Semisonic

Confessions of a Pack Rat

Things I have acquired in my cubicle over the almost three years that I have been at my job:

• Books, including “Peace, Love & Barbecue,” “Thirty Ways of Looking at Hillary,” “Clapton: The Autobiography”
• MoMa’s “New York in a Bag”
• DVDs, including “No Country for Old Men,” “Last Holiday,” “Frosty the Snowman” and seasons of “Weeds,” “This American Life” and CBS fall pilots from 2006
• A t-shirt reading “Nashville is the new LA,” a Burt’s Bees t-shirt (front: “Vote Natural”) and an Initiative long-sleeved t-shirt
• Emeril Grill and Panini Maker
• Crate & Barrel Holiday Cocoa
• Restaurant guides from Time Out New York, Zagat and Blackbook
• iHome desk lamp
• A Spalding gym bag full of John Frieda hair samples and Schick razors
• Jamba Juice gift card ($5)
• Ceramic salt and pepper shakers that magnetize together
• A black fleece blanket
• A bottle of Tanqueray, a bottle of Ketel One, and corresponding bottles/cans of tonic and Red Bull
• A strand of colored Christmas lights
• Eight full page magazine photos of John Krasinski
• CDs (16!), including “Not Too Late” by Norah Jones, “As I Am” by Alicia Keys, “Greatest Hits” by Tim McGraw and “Three Flights from Alto Nido” by Greg Laswell
• A host of puppets, including Miley Cyrus and a 3-D, two-sided Harry Potter/Voldemort

ps My Oscar prediction poll prizes were comprised mostly entirely of above items. What?! It's good stuff! :)

And the Oscar goes to...

Things we know: I love award shows. And the Academy Awards are the pinnacle of them all, the night to end all nights. To celebrate, I hosted a little viewing party last night, complete with hor d'oeuvres, prediction ballots and (forthcoming) prizes. Impressively, everyone stayed through the entire show, a testament primarily to the fact that the 81st Oscars were the best in years. Really, really great.

My favorite Oscar moments/quotes/people/etc, in no particular order:

- HUGH JACKMAN. Dancing with the Craigs List dancers, speaking with that adorable Aussie accent, a great duet with Anne Hathaway ("Frank Langella was sitting right next to me!")... I was a big fan.

- Kate Winslet's dad whistling

- "Domo arigoto Mr Roboto"

- Tribute to musicals featuring Beyonce, Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens. To echo @jimmyfallon, "Best Tony's ever!!!"

- Tina Fey and Steve Martin as the most charming presenters of the night

- Sean Penn's speech, including "I want to be very clear that I do know how hard I make it to appreciate me often." And of course calling everyone Commies.

- The five-actor presenter thingy for the best actor/actress awards. Though it dragged at first, and I was really hoping for a Javier Bardem/Penelope Cruz Oscar hand-off, I was a teary-eyed fan by Best Actress. It was very moving to see five great actors/actresses emerge together and speak personal messages to each of the nominees.

- The James Franco/Seth Rogen Pineapple Express spoof. Hilarious.

- Anything involving Slumdog Millionaire


As for the red carpet looks... Let me just say that I loved the white dress trend. And I thought everyone looked beautiful in an Old Hollywood kind of way. Thank God weird and provokative are out (at least for a while).

My Best and Worst of the night:

BEST: Taraji P Henson. Stunning from head to toe (fabulous haircut, no?!), and cute as a button personality to match.

BEST: Sarah Jessica Parker. Stunning couture dress, and, I'm just gonna throw it out there - her boobs looked great.

WORST: Amanda Seyfried. Jessica McClintock called, she wants her bow back.

WORST: Beyonce. Weird silhouette, neckline and pattern, and hair that looked like she just stepped out of the pool.

Poem of the Day

“Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all...”

Emily Dickinson

Things I dreamed last night

Scene 1: Gallery Church, PS 9, before the Upper West Side service

My pastor, Aaron, is suddenly married to Jennifer Garner (donning a bob and thick-rimmed glasses, but looking cute). I am confused by this, as I know his wife Carmen. I ask, "I thought you were married to Carmen?" He says no, he is indeed married to Jennifer Garner. As Paul, our worship pastor, and Freddy, our teaching pastor, rehearse "Holy is the Lord" together, Aaron asks them to stop mid-song. He then proceeds to tell his wife, Jennifer Garner, that she always sings the wrong words to this song and it annoys him.

End scene.


Scene 2: Molly from the Bachelorette's house, which happened to look a lot like my neighbor's house from my childhood

Molly is suddenly a friend from college, an acquaintance who was in my pledge class. We don't really know each other that well, but for some reason, I am spending the night with her and her family. We sit on the bed and gossip about Jason, and I grill her about all of this Reality Steve spoiler business. (She offers no insight.) Molly has like five brothers and sisters, and her younger brother is totally hot. I decide immediately that I have a crush on him. Molly and I go to bed around 8PM because Molly is tired from traveling from New Zealand. I am not tired, though, so I wander around her house. I decide to eat some ice cream that I find in the freezer, and am promptly caught by hot brother.

End scene.

[Conversations on] Love in an Elevator

My super is really into my dating life.

Let me back up.

I have a dear, dear super in my apartment building, Joe. Joe is in his 60's, is from Yugoslavia (err, I don't think Yugoslavia still exists, but it did when Joe last lived there), and has been the super of my building for roughly 30 years. He has a quick wit and the charm that only an Eastern European, New York bred, older, adorable super could. Plus, he fixes things in our apartment, takes us on his roof deck and signs for UPS packages. Joe = grandpa + doorman + Tim the Toolman Taylor. Or maybe Al Borland, because he actually fixes things rather than setting them on fire.

When my roommates and I were considering renting our apartment, one of Joe's first questions was, "Do you have boyfriends?" I should have known then that this would become a sticking point with him. Joe also asked if we had kind hearts, which just goes to show you his priorities for his young, single tenants - our marital status and how nice we are. Adorable.

Fast-forward six months later to me leaving to go to my friend's wedding, Vera Bradley bag and bridesmaids dress in hand. Joe and I ran into each other on the elevator and had the following encounter:

Joe: "Ver ahr you going?" (Disclaimer: He has an Eastern European accent, not a Count Dracula accent. But you get the idea.)
Jamie: "My best friend is getting married! I'm going to Atlanta!"
Joe: "Ven are YOU getting mahrried?"
Jamie: [laughing] "Good question, Joe! I need a boyfriend first!"
Joe: "Hopefully you vill meet boyfriend at wedding."
Jamie: [laughing even harder] "Hopefully!"
Joe: "Good luck!"

The wedding was right before Christmas, and unfortunately I did not see Joe again until after the new year. So, we pick our story back up about a month later from the above conversation, again, in the elevator:

Jamie: "Hey Joe! Happy New Year!"
Joe: "How was the wedding? Did you find boyfriend?"
Jamie: [sighs] "I didn't, Joe!"
Joe: "That is okay. Next time."

Double sigh.

And once again, we fast forward to this morning. And once again, I have not seen Joe since our elevator conversation in January:

Jamie: "Hey Joe! Long time no see!"
Joe: "Goht any weddings cahming up?"
Jamie: [confused] "Weddings?"
Joe: "Weddings! We need to find you boyfriend!"

I'm beginning to think that Joe and I will never get past this topic of conversation, that it's our little rhythmic thing. Kind of like in college when you run into a classmate at a party and all you can think of to discuss is, "So... have you written that paper yet?" and then you see them again on campus and it's, "Man...how 'bout that test." We're all creatures of habit, I suppose.

Bitter Sweet Symphony

I have always loved paradoxes and oxymorons...words and phrases that seem contradict themselves.  (Fact:  The word "oxymoron" is itself an oxymoron, deriving it's meaning from the Greek words "oxy," meaning "sharp," and "moros," meaning "dull." (Thanks Wikipedia.))  Etymology aside, I am fascinated by the way that two diametrically opposed concepts can collide to create something counterintuitive and, oftentimes, powerful.

I think my fascination primarily stems from my own paradoxical personality:  I have a haphazard pile of sweaters on the floor in my color-coded closet.  I was voted 'Most Likely to be a Soccer Mom' by my college class, yet I barely know how to turn on my oven or boil spaghetti.  I am from the South, yet winter in New York is my favorite season.  I graduated from college with a 4.0 GPA, but I consistently mix up my right and my left.  I could go on and on, but in each example, the idea is the same:  that I am who I am - a colorful, slightly eccentric, unexpected me - and I would not be me if these contradictions didn't exist side by side.

Such is the case with life and the words we use to describe it...it may not, and frequently does not, make sense or follow logic, but it's the strange combinations of emotions and circumstances that give it color.  For is there any other way to more accurately describe a pronounced silence than "deafening?"  Or to better classify the unique friendship between a rich white man and an impoverished black man that is narrated in the book, "Same Kind of Different As Me?"  Or to describe a sad, lonely relationship more poignantly than as "alone together?"  Or to pray a more sincere prayer than the one found in Mark 9: "I believe; help my unbelief!" 

It is with this fury of emotions, this collision of thoughts and feelings and colors and ideas, that I write now.  But today, the oxymoron that describes me best is bittersweet.

I am working through my last week at a job that I have passionately loved for the last 2 1/2 years, and everyday is bittersweet.  I am bitter that things didn't work out as I had hoped, but it is sweet that I was ever given the opportunity to do something I loved so much.  It is bitter to say goodbye to coworkers who have become family, but it is sweet to be reunited with old coworkers who are just as dear.  Bitter is the feeling of sadness and nostalgia that I have of days gone by that will never return, but sweet is the hope I have that exciting new opportunities may be just around the bend.  As I go through the ups and downs of this last week, no other word could possibly portray the combination of thoughts and feelings the way that bittersweet does.

But as I've already said, it's the oxymorons, the paradoxes that make life life.  They give it meaning.  They make it art.  They tell the story.  They keep it interesting.  The wonderful disasters, the organized chaos, yes, even the bittersweet moments... Why would you want to live without those?

'Cause it's a bitter sweet symphony, this life...

- The Verve

File it under Travel, Loves To

If I could sum up my friend Angie in one word, it would be travel (comma loves to).  If I could sum her up in twelve-ish words, including a combination of nouns and adjectives, they would be hysterical, journalist, adventurous, smart, blogger, dynamo!, publicist, fab writer, life of the party, entertaining, risk-taking, island-lover.

This killer combination makes Angie the PERFECT candidate for The Best Job in the World, a position with Queensland Tourism to be the "Caretaker of the Islands."  Seriously - it is unfathomable to me that anyone on the whole planet could be better.

So, check out Angie's video application*... and watch a few times and vote (5 stars only, please)!

* I make a cameo appearance in the video at the Today Show...see me in the green jacket?!

High above the earth

I spent the long weekend at home in Atlanta.  I had a lovely time with family and a few friends, celebrating Valentine's Day, seeing some great movies, relaxing.  I always love my time at home, but as I flew into New York tonight, I was treated with what I believe to be the most spectacular sight in the entire world - the Manhattan skyline.  

Although I fly in and out of New York often, you just never know how it's going to work out...what the plane's flight path will be or if you're going to be on the correct side of the aisle.  But tonight, both were just perfect for me.  The plane flew slowly over Brooklyn and then Queens, offering me a crystal clear view from my left window seat of the Brooklyn Bridge, then the Empire State Building (red, white and blue for the holiday) and finally, my favorite building of all, the Chrysler Building.  As we flew, I listened to Glass Pear on my iPod - 

Let me take you to
My secret place
High above the earth
Into outer space
Only God knows where
Only God knows how
I will take you there
Somehow

I tried to take a picture of the city, but it was blurry, of course.  Even still, I wanted to remember the moment...the beauty of the skyline, and the emotions it stirs up inside of me.  After a minute, though, the view passed.  I smooshed my face against the glass to relish every moment of it, but eventually, our plane descended (I could have sworn we were going to land in Citi Field, thus ending the Mets hopes and dreams), and all that was left of my view was the Empire State Building, with it's bright blue tip piercing the sky.

I believe that God speaks to us - to move us, to teach us, to help us to experience his love, to connect with us in ways that are personal and unique.  I believe He does this through scripture.  Through other people.  Through the Holy Spirit.  Through nature.  For some, the soul stirs at the sight of a sunset; for others, it's the peaks of a mountain range.  But for me, my soul will always be stirred most by the wonder of that Manhattan skyline.  It moves me to tears.  It takes my breath away.  It feels wondrous and familiar and magical, all at the same time.  

I know God loves me, but I believe he gave me the Manhattan skyline to make sure I feel it in my heart.

A Valentine's Sonnet

Sonnet 116

Let me not to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediments. Love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds,

Or bends with the remover to remove:

O no! it is an ever-fixed mark

That looks on tempests and is never shaken;

It is the star to every wandering bark,

Whose Worth's unknown, although his height be taken.

Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks

Within his bending sickle's compass come;

Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,

But bears it out even to the edge of doom:

If this be error and upon me proved,

I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

–William Shakespeare

Like a willow bending with the storm

"stitch in your knitted brow
and you don't know how
you're gonna get it out
crushed under heavy chest
trying to catch your breath
but it always beats you by a step, all right now

making the best of it
playing the hand you get
you're not alone in this

there's hope for the hopeless
there's hope for the hopeless
there's hope

cold in a summer breeze
yeah, you're shivering
on your bended knee
still, when you're heart is sore
and the heavens pour
like a willow bending with the storm, you'll make it

running against the wind
playing the cards you get
something is bound to give

there's hope for the hopeless
there's hope for the hopeless
there's hope"

- "Hope for the Hopeless," A Fine Frenzy

Media Miscellanea

Okay, okay, so I totally flaked...I redesigned my blog to look super pretty, and then poof! I disappeared.  Mea culpa.  (I particularly apologize to Bethany, who pointed out, "Your blog told me to tell you that, while she appreciates the makeover, she is awfully bored. She said she would like you to make more frequent use of her beauty... please."  Duly noted.)

If it's any consolation, though, I have been Twittering like a fiend, which is kind of like blogging only you only get 140 characters.  Question to fellow Twitterers:  Do you get a thrill out of making your posts exactly 140 characters?  Because I do... I will edit words and punctuation for a good two minutes in order to bring it right in at the limit.  It rarely/never enters my mind to leave a Tweet at <100.

BUUuuuuut enough about blogs and Twitters and other social media.  Let's talk about more important things, like real media.  Like the Grammys.  And movies.  And the Bachelor. In that order.

First up, the Grammys.  I'm crazy about award shows, but the Grammys are usually my least favorite.  This year was no exception, save for a handful of performances, listed below in the order that I would recommend YouTubing them if it weren't for the fact that there are no Grammy videos on YouTube anymore "due to a copyright claim by Grammys." Bust.

• Radiohead/ USC Marching Band.  I'm not the biggest Radiohead fan in the world, but this was by far the best performance of the night.
• Taylor Swift/ Miley Swift (They are SO not BF's, though, as Miley claimed.  Because Miley's best friend Leslie says, "She's just bein' Miley.")
• "Swagga Like Us," MIA (performing a crazy 9 mos pregnant with polka-dotted, um, patches... whaaa?), TI, Jay-Z, Kanye, Lil Wayne.  Insane.

• Jonas Brothers/ Stevie Wonder.  Let's all agree that baby Jonas, Nick, is the cutest and that Joe is kind of a tool for straightening his hair.  And for dumping Taylor Swift.

ps Really Chris Brown?!  Really?!

Next up, movies!  Everyone who knows me knows I LOVE movies... love to go to the theater, love to NetFlix, love to buy On Demand.  And the best time of the year for movies is now!  I am proud to say that I have officially seen all five movies nominated for Best Picture, which is quite a turnaround from last year when I was afraid to see "No Country for Old Men" or "There Will Be Blood" and was, as a result, kind of in the dark on most categories.  

Of the movies nominated, my two favorites were "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "Slumdog Millionaire."  If you haven't seen them, I firmly believe that both are worth a $12 ticket, or less, should you reside anywhere besides Manhattan.  I know the critical darling thus far has been "Slumdog," but my vote is for "Benjamin Button"... the unusual story line, great acting, unbelievable dialog (with some of the best, poignant, quotable lines), the cinematography and art direction... I LOVED it.  Plus, Brad Pitt kind of takes your breath away with his hotness.  I'm just sayin'.

"For what it's worth: it's never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There's no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you're proud of. If you find that you're not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again. "  - Benjamin Button

But let me tell you what I didn't love:  "He's Just Not That Into You."  And by didn't love, I mean HATED.  I have never been more depressed about how desperate and psycho women were portrayed in a movie.  I was embarrassed on behalf of the female gender!  And it was too long.  And it was horrifyingly awkward.  And Scarlett Johansson was kind of a slut.  (But then again, isn't she "kind of a slut" in every movie she's in?)  Ughghh... Just save yourself the trouble and put this one on your "to rent" list, and hope for the best for "Confessions of a Shopaholic."  And watch this hilarious video instead:

And finally, The Bachelor.  Be still my heart, I am IN LOVE with Jason (except for the fact that he is, according to last night's episode, not-so-much into Jesus).  But he is adorable.  My favorite girl is Jillian, hands down.  Melissa's second, but I'm feeling like she's going to win.  I don't care for Molly at. all.  And let's all be honest - Naomi was going home last night from the minute Obama walked off that press conference stage.  I mean, "Be one with the hula hoop" and reincarnation and Rosie the dove?  Oy vey.

So that's it.  A long-awaited - yet full of meaningless, mindless, frivolous content - post.  Time to go read a book.

Lulled by a new and improved train

Hi everyone, and welcome to the new and vastly improved and super cute lulled by the train. If you are reading this in Google Reader, a) thank you very much! but b) today is a great day to click on through.

Now that I have you all here, ta-da! Sharon of Red Bud Designs created this adorable new look for me, and I think she did a great job. Do you agree?! On top of my favorite New York City quote, which spawned the name of my blog, Sharon also incorporated two 'streets' that are meaningful to me - 86th St is my subway stop at home, while Madison Ave represents the New York City advertising industry that I am blessed to be a part of.

Now would also be a great time to make sure that you are paying attention to all of the fun stuff I have hanging out over on the right (particularly for you Google Reader readers) - in addition to the usual stuff (friends' blogs, archives, etc), you can also read my Twitter updates (or follow me!) and check out my favorite new music. Note: I update the 'On the iPod section' of this blog more than anything else! Note, part II: While I don't claim to know about the coolest music ever, I do watch a heck of a lot of Gossip Girl and The City, which certainly helps.

And that's it! Thanks for reading my blog.