You're a Big Girl, Hold ItThursday, January 29, 2004
New York, New York
The blog not about New York is going to said place. To visit Hold-It's boyfriend, who misses her terribly. And to get out of Boringsville ... this place is so bad I can't even think of anything bad to say about it. It's not even the type of bad you can mock. It's the worst kind of bad ...
Anyway, we will return Sunday night. Don't miss us too much.
The blog not about New York is going to said place. To visit Hold-It's boyfriend, who misses her terribly. And to get out of Boringsville ... this place is so bad I can't even think of anything bad to say about it. It's not even the type of bad you can mock. It's the worst kind of bad ...
Anyway, we will return Sunday night. Don't miss us too much.
Shoe Strings
A blog about the neighborhoods of Philadelphia. I didn't know cities could be this, well, organized. I always thought Philadelphia was a poor excuse for a city. I mean, not like the way New Jersey is a poor excuse for a state, not that bad, but poor. Just a poor showing.
But then, I'm spoiled. The whole New York thing.
I still sometimes do think that, about Philadelphia, that is. The city's version of the Village Voice assembled a pull-out style guide on shoes. But the main stories highlighted how to avoid sore feet, how to match your shoes to your body, and how children have been demoralized by their footwear. Always the fashionable city, Philadelphia is.
A blog about the neighborhoods of Philadelphia. I didn't know cities could be this, well, organized. I always thought Philadelphia was a poor excuse for a city. I mean, not like the way New Jersey is a poor excuse for a state, not that bad, but poor. Just a poor showing.
But then, I'm spoiled. The whole New York thing.
I still sometimes do think that, about Philadelphia, that is. The city's version of the Village Voice assembled a pull-out style guide on shoes. But the main stories highlighted how to avoid sore feet, how to match your shoes to your body, and how children have been demoralized by their footwear. Always the fashionable city, Philadelphia is.
The (Sex) Life I Always Wanted
One of my friends clued me into this story today, entranced by the account of a $7 piece of fruit. I read this story and thought, this girl has my life! The life that I keep imagining, anyway. The column, the sex, the congressman -- I don't think I could have pictured it any more perfectly. I even forgot to include in my little daydreams talent scouts calling me sexy.
I'm drooling.
So I decide to find out more about this girl, Julia Baugher. I googled her name and found two of her recent columns for Georgetown's college newspaper, The Hoya. I squinted at the screen. I cocked my head to one side. Cocked it to the other. This girl can write, I thought finally (almost grudgingly.) And the picture of her with the pearls and the cleavage just about tops it off.
One of my friends clued me into this story today, entranced by the account of a $7 piece of fruit. I read this story and thought, this girl has my life! The life that I keep imagining, anyway. The column, the sex, the congressman -- I don't think I could have pictured it any more perfectly. I even forgot to include in my little daydreams talent scouts calling me sexy.
I'm drooling.
So I decide to find out more about this girl, Julia Baugher. I googled her name and found two of her recent columns for Georgetown's college newspaper, The Hoya. I squinted at the screen. I cocked my head to one side. Cocked it to the other. This girl can write, I thought finally (almost grudgingly.) And the picture of her with the pearls and the cleavage just about tops it off.
I Don't Want to Be a Chicken, I'd Rather be a Duck
Hold-It's Internet connection was screwy this morning and the only Web sites we could access were foreign ones. We were hoping that MyDoom had somehow hijacked the American Internet, but alas no ... there was no getting out of work today.
At any rate, we did learn 10 new things from the BBC, which kindly believes that everyone should learn 10 new things each week. Actually, we only got to learn nine new things, since we'd already knew about Winston Churchill's parrot. But we did not know that birds can dance. We still don't know if birds can juggle. Although, if we had to guess, we'd say no. Juggling increases brain size, and they don't call them "bird brains" for nothing. But we digress.
Hold-It's Internet connection was screwy this morning and the only Web sites we could access were foreign ones. We were hoping that MyDoom had somehow hijacked the American Internet, but alas no ... there was no getting out of work today.
At any rate, we did learn 10 new things from the BBC, which kindly believes that everyone should learn 10 new things each week. Actually, we only got to learn nine new things, since we'd already knew about Winston Churchill's parrot. But we did not know that birds can dance. We still don't know if birds can juggle. Although, if we had to guess, we'd say no. Juggling increases brain size, and they don't call them "bird brains" for nothing. But we digress.
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
Knitting Factory
Two years later, it's clear that the knitting trend is still strong.
Some facts about modern-day knitting:
* An estimated 4 million people started or rediscovered knitting between 1999 and 2000.
* The under-35 crowd is the fastest growing segment of the knitting community.
* Knitting was once associated with grandmothers.
* Even men can knit.
* Some famous knitters include Audrey Hepburn, Cameron Diaz, Debra Messing, Kate Moss and Isaac Mizrahi.
Two years later, it's clear that the knitting trend is still strong.
Some facts about modern-day knitting:
* An estimated 4 million people started or rediscovered knitting between 1999 and 2000.
* The under-35 crowd is the fastest growing segment of the knitting community.
* Knitting was once associated with grandmothers.
* Even men can knit.
* Some famous knitters include Audrey Hepburn, Cameron Diaz, Debra Messing, Kate Moss and Isaac Mizrahi.
Food Fears
Three months before mad cow hit the United States, I wrote an article about the impact of the disease in the United Kingdom. So I was a little giddy to see this strange story making headlines here over Christmas.
To clear up some misconceptions ... though it's always wise to be cautious, the truth is that the chance of contracting vCJD from eating infected beef is remote. So if you're going to eat beef ... just eat beef. You don't even have to sneak into your local Kosher Delight ... you'll probably be OK.
On the other hand, I do admire fatalism. If fast food is going to kill you, it'll more likely be from, well, heart disease. Or diabetes. Or cancer ...
Three months before mad cow hit the United States, I wrote an article about the impact of the disease in the United Kingdom. So I was a little giddy to see this strange story making headlines here over Christmas.
To clear up some misconceptions ... though it's always wise to be cautious, the truth is that the chance of contracting vCJD from eating infected beef is remote. So if you're going to eat beef ... just eat beef. You don't even have to sneak into your local Kosher Delight ... you'll probably be OK.
On the other hand, I do admire fatalism. If fast food is going to kill you, it'll more likely be from, well, heart disease. Or diabetes. Or cancer ...
Humor? Small Chance
Hold-It was truly touched by a recent interview with the star of Fox's new reality series, "The Littlest Groom."
"It's not every day you see a little person - let alone get to know their personal lives," 23 year-old Glen tells The New York Post. "All I know is that I had a great time doing this show and never for a second felt exploited."
But somehow we don't believe that this is a show that will celebrate America's diversity, as Glen tells it. We can't see this show as anything other than a crass attempt at humor, directed at the same people who would sue a restaurant for serving the wrong soup. (Yeah, you read right.)
Already the headlines scream, "Reality TV's First 'Mini' Series" and "FOX Thinks Small for New Reality Series." Yup, that's enlightened.
Hold-It was truly touched by a recent interview with the star of Fox's new reality series, "The Littlest Groom."
"It's not every day you see a little person - let alone get to know their personal lives," 23 year-old Glen tells The New York Post. "All I know is that I had a great time doing this show and never for a second felt exploited."
But somehow we don't believe that this is a show that will celebrate America's diversity, as Glen tells it. We can't see this show as anything other than a crass attempt at humor, directed at the same people who would sue a restaurant for serving the wrong soup. (Yeah, you read right.)
Already the headlines scream, "Reality TV's First 'Mini' Series" and "FOX Thinks Small for New Reality Series." Yup, that's enlightened.
Tuition Hikes
The great paradox of higher education is that as the economy falters, tuition increases forge full steam ahead. So, while last year saw a graduating class with the worst job prospects in roughly a decade, selective (and not-so-selective) colleges are nevertheless demanding ever higher fees for their services.
Now, of course, we understand how college tuition works, that it's based in part on a complex formula that takes into account endowment performance over a three to five year period. That the benefits reaped from, say, a Princeton education are still well below the sticker price. We understand the race to climb to the top of Mount Rankings. We get it. All of it.
You can't put a price on ambition. Or bragging rights.
The great paradox of higher education is that as the economy falters, tuition increases forge full steam ahead. So, while last year saw a graduating class with the worst job prospects in roughly a decade, selective (and not-so-selective) colleges are nevertheless demanding ever higher fees for their services.
Now, of course, we understand how college tuition works, that it's based in part on a complex formula that takes into account endowment performance over a three to five year period. That the benefits reaped from, say, a Princeton education are still well below the sticker price. We understand the race to climb to the top of Mount Rankings. We get it. All of it.
You can't put a price on ambition. Or bragging rights.
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
I like doing the dishes.
It reminds me of the water station in preschool.
It reminds me of the water station in preschool.
Eating Great, Even Out of State
I like food. I'm not a picky eater -- but I am a particular eater. When I walked into my first South Jersey supermarket to find the dog food and the female sanitary products sharing an aisle, I knew immediately that I could not patronize that establishment.
Not living in New York anymore, there're three kinds of food I miss: organic, kosher and Asian. (Actually, there are considerably more ... but let's work with what we have. As you can see here, there isn't much choice.)
I think I have found the answer.
Best organic food in South Jersey: Whole Foods, Marlton; Super G, Cherry Hill
Best kosher selection: Shoprite of Garden State Pavilion, Cherry Hill
Best Asian market: Hanahreum, Cherry Hill
I like food. I'm not a picky eater -- but I am a particular eater. When I walked into my first South Jersey supermarket to find the dog food and the female sanitary products sharing an aisle, I knew immediately that I could not patronize that establishment.
Not living in New York anymore, there're three kinds of food I miss: organic, kosher and Asian. (Actually, there are considerably more ... but let's work with what we have. As you can see here, there isn't much choice.)
I think I have found the answer.
Best organic food in South Jersey: Whole Foods, Marlton; Super G, Cherry Hill
Best kosher selection: Shoprite of Garden State Pavilion, Cherry Hill
Best Asian market: Hanahreum, Cherry Hill
They Grow Up So Quickly
Twentysomethings are moving back in with their parents and their parents are going on spring break. Gives a whole new meaning to the term "mid-life crisis."
"You don't realize how disconcerting it is for parents not to have a permanent address," Diana Hyman, 31, whose parents road-tripped across the country, tells The Washington Post.
I don't know, I mean, if my dad started a band and my mother pierced her nose ... yeah, I guess I'd be shocked too.
Twentysomethings are moving back in with their parents and their parents are going on spring break. Gives a whole new meaning to the term "mid-life crisis."
"You don't realize how disconcerting it is for parents not to have a permanent address," Diana Hyman, 31, whose parents road-tripped across the country, tells The Washington Post.
I don't know, I mean, if my dad started a band and my mother pierced her nose ... yeah, I guess I'd be shocked too.
Monday, January 26, 2004
Welcome to Hollywood
In the Sundance film festival's, "Super Size Me," an ambitious producer braves McDonald's food for a month to chart its effect on health and happiness. The result? He develops a gut, destroys his liver and nearly gets dumped by his girlfriend -- all in the name of investigative journalism.
This film is going to do the fast food industry what the fried egg did to drug dealers.
On a side note, you know you've been living too long in South Jersey when you've seen more Razzie award nominations than Golden Globe picks.
In the Sundance film festival's, "Super Size Me," an ambitious producer braves McDonald's food for a month to chart its effect on health and happiness. The result? He develops a gut, destroys his liver and nearly gets dumped by his girlfriend -- all in the name of investigative journalism.
This film is going to do the fast food industry what the fried egg did to drug dealers.
On a side note, you know you've been living too long in South Jersey when you've seen more Razzie award nominations than Golden Globe picks.
The Girl's Guide to Tire Inflation
After my first brush with death this morning -- or at least my first brush with a dented bumper -- I decided to have someone look at my under-inflated tire. Since I couldn't find any how-to guides on the Internet for accomplishing such a feat (I might have had more luck finding a guide to squeezing toothpaste from a tube), I decided to put together a handy reference for New York women who happen to find themselves in need of tire repair in another state.
Step 1) Choose your gas station wisely, if possible. Avoid heavily trafficked stations such as truck stops, highway service stations and anywhere with more than two islands or attached to a WaWa.
2a) Accept that there are two kinds of people in this world: those who will help you and those who won't.
2b) Don't prejudge people. The seemingly-kind grandfather type operating the gas pumps may dismiss you with an "I'm busy," but the thirtysomething mechanic with the nice blue eyes may rise to the occasion.
3) Smile.
4) Don't hesitate to mention that you're from New York City. Better to be taken for an ignorant urbanite than a spoiled girly girl.
5) Tell the blue eyed mechanic that you truly want to learn how it's done.
6) Watch closely. The mechanic will unscrew the cap on your tire. He will then attach a gauge (the short metal tool) to the hole where the air goes in. It will automatically display a weight. Next, he will replace the gauge with the air hose and squeeze (hmm ...) somewhere. He will then check the gauge again, repeating the process until the tire has the appropriate amount of air (generally 32-34 lbs. for your average-sized coupe or sedan.)
7) You're done! Congratulations. Thank the nice man. If you're lucky, he will answer, "I don't mind -- come back and see me anytime." And, there, you've made a friend in the process too.
After my first brush with death this morning -- or at least my first brush with a dented bumper -- I decided to have someone look at my under-inflated tire. Since I couldn't find any how-to guides on the Internet for accomplishing such a feat (I might have had more luck finding a guide to squeezing toothpaste from a tube), I decided to put together a handy reference for New York women who happen to find themselves in need of tire repair in another state.
Step 1) Choose your gas station wisely, if possible. Avoid heavily trafficked stations such as truck stops, highway service stations and anywhere with more than two islands or attached to a WaWa.
2a) Accept that there are two kinds of people in this world: those who will help you and those who won't.
2b) Don't prejudge people. The seemingly-kind grandfather type operating the gas pumps may dismiss you with an "I'm busy," but the thirtysomething mechanic with the nice blue eyes may rise to the occasion.
3) Smile.
4) Don't hesitate to mention that you're from New York City. Better to be taken for an ignorant urbanite than a spoiled girly girl.
5) Tell the blue eyed mechanic that you truly want to learn how it's done.
6) Watch closely. The mechanic will unscrew the cap on your tire. He will then attach a gauge (the short metal tool) to the hole where the air goes in. It will automatically display a weight. Next, he will replace the gauge with the air hose and squeeze (hmm ...) somewhere. He will then check the gauge again, repeating the process until the tire has the appropriate amount of air (generally 32-34 lbs. for your average-sized coupe or sedan.)
7) You're done! Congratulations. Thank the nice man. If you're lucky, he will answer, "I don't mind -- come back and see me anytime." And, there, you've made a friend in the process too.
Snow and Manure
I nearly died today when my car started skidding on an exit ramp. I didn't know I could have died until afterward, when I looked over the guardrail and couldn't see all the way down. I just didn't want to dent my car.
Since I graduated, I've been thinking a lot about mortality. I suppose that's suppose to happen when you become an adult. Although I don't suppose I ever could have imagined a more gruesome death than what this woman faced ...
I nearly died today when my car started skidding on an exit ramp. I didn't know I could have died until afterward, when I looked over the guardrail and couldn't see all the way down. I just didn't want to dent my car.
Since I graduated, I've been thinking a lot about mortality. I suppose that's suppose to happen when you become an adult. Although I don't suppose I ever could have imagined a more gruesome death than what this woman faced ...
Sunday, January 25, 2004
A Note About Safe Sex
The rate of new chlamydia infections in Philadelphia is increasing disproportionately to several similar cities, including Detroit and St. Louis.
The city Health Department has tried to target every public high school here, testing 60% of students for the disease. The findings? One in 12 teenage girls has chlamydia, and the percentage of infected students is as high as 25% in some schools.
One theory being circulated is that this current generation of teenagers isn't getting the same safe sex message as the twenty- and thirtysomethings did 10 or 15 years ago -- it was so effective then, health experts became lax. Now, I don't know if that's true, but it's certainly something to think about.
The rate of new chlamydia infections in Philadelphia is increasing disproportionately to several similar cities, including Detroit and St. Louis.
The city Health Department has tried to target every public high school here, testing 60% of students for the disease. The findings? One in 12 teenage girls has chlamydia, and the percentage of infected students is as high as 25% in some schools.
One theory being circulated is that this current generation of teenagers isn't getting the same safe sex message as the twenty- and thirtysomethings did 10 or 15 years ago -- it was so effective then, health experts became lax. Now, I don't know if that's true, but it's certainly something to think about.
Confession of the Day
I'm driving around with an under-inflated tire because I have no idea how to fill it. One gas station attendant even refused to help me; he said there's some rule about filling customers' tires -- it's his job on the line or something.
Goddamn state.
I'm driving around with an under-inflated tire because I have no idea how to fill it. One gas station attendant even refused to help me; he said there's some rule about filling customers' tires -- it's his job on the line or something.
Goddamn state.
All the Fun We Missed
Bloggers are lookers.
No, I didn't go to the Big Apple Blogger Bash ... but I did RSVP.
Bloggers are lookers.
No, I didn't go to the Big Apple Blogger Bash ... but I did RSVP.
Is Google God?
Six months ago, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman asked this very question.
From my quick skim of the article, Friedman appears to be talking about security concerns, but I was disappointed. The headline had led me to believe that it was about whether your ranking in the Google directory could make or break your site.
My site was just entered in the directory today. We'll see if my popularity climbs to divine proportions.
Six months ago, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman asked this very question.
From my quick skim of the article, Friedman appears to be talking about security concerns, but I was disappointed. The headline had led me to believe that it was about whether your ranking in the Google directory could make or break your site.
My site was just entered in the directory today. We'll see if my popularity climbs to divine proportions.
Bored No More
The worst part in living in South Jersey is figuring out what the hell to do with yourself on a Sunday. Especially when it's cold. Or when you're just too broke or too lazy to board a train to one of the Big Three (Philadelphia, New York, or D.C.)
I tried to find art in South Jersey yesterday. I tried the Markeim Art Center in Haddonfield. It was closed. Closed.
I therefore did a little sleuthing.
Two towns worth mentioning in the metro-Philadelphia area are Haddonfield (for upscale boutiques and yuppies) and Collingswood (for art, restaurants and South Jersey's definition of hipsters). Both are PATCO-accessible.
South Jersey also has its share of culture, believe it or not. My recommendation is the Ellen Levy exhibit at the Marlton Barnes & Noble. Personally, I'm thinking of going to the young professionals singles happy hour -- not because I'm single, but just to drink. I don't want to break any hearts, though.
Finally, the horticulturalists among us might want to try next Sunday's Orchid's show, sponsored by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Orchid Society. OK, so it's not actually in South Jersey, but worth the trip across the bridge. You know, I always imagined I'd buy fresh flowers each week for my new apartment -- that was a laugh.
The worst part in living in South Jersey is figuring out what the hell to do with yourself on a Sunday. Especially when it's cold. Or when you're just too broke or too lazy to board a train to one of the Big Three (Philadelphia, New York, or D.C.)
I tried to find art in South Jersey yesterday. I tried the Markeim Art Center in Haddonfield. It was closed. Closed.
I therefore did a little sleuthing.
Two towns worth mentioning in the metro-Philadelphia area are Haddonfield (for upscale boutiques and yuppies) and Collingswood (for art, restaurants and South Jersey's definition of hipsters). Both are PATCO-accessible.
South Jersey also has its share of culture, believe it or not. My recommendation is the Ellen Levy exhibit at the Marlton Barnes & Noble. Personally, I'm thinking of going to the young professionals singles happy hour -- not because I'm single, but just to drink. I don't want to break any hearts, though.
Finally, the horticulturalists among us might want to try next Sunday's Orchid's show, sponsored by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Orchid Society. OK, so it's not actually in South Jersey, but worth the trip across the bridge. You know, I always imagined I'd buy fresh flowers each week for my new apartment -- that was a laugh.
Saturday, January 24, 2004
A Blog From Topeka
It's only one post, but this site has captured the New York City blogging scene perfectly. At least we're honest here at Hold-It.
More or less.
It's only one post, but this site has captured the New York City blogging scene perfectly. At least we're honest here at Hold-It.
More or less.
The Traitor Among Us
So I'm trying to enter this blog into the network of New York City bloggers. I didn't mention that was a traitor. Instead I made it all sound very nice:
"A native New Yorker tries to 'embrace' life in rural America for the sake of her first job out of college."
Actually, I've found that there are two types of native New Yorkers: those who would never leave the City, and those who leave with the air of Dr. Livingstone forging the Great Unknown to civilize the savages.
I did neither. I tried to fit in.
So I'm trying to enter this blog into the network of New York City bloggers. I didn't mention that was a traitor. Instead I made it all sound very nice:
"A native New Yorker tries to 'embrace' life in rural America for the sake of her first job out of college."
Actually, I've found that there are two types of native New Yorkers: those who would never leave the City, and those who leave with the air of Dr. Livingstone forging the Great Unknown to civilize the savages.
I did neither. I tried to fit in.
Friday, January 23, 2004
Atkins Nation
My boyfriend thinks Mayor Michael Bloomberg can say what he pleases. I think he should have kept his mouth shut -- at least politically speaking.
After all, this country worships Dr. Robert Atkins. If he were alive, White House hopefuls would be signing covert deals, pledging to change the food pyramid in exchange for his endorsement.
My boyfriend thinks Mayor Michael Bloomberg can say what he pleases. I think he should have kept his mouth shut -- at least politically speaking.
After all, this country worships Dr. Robert Atkins. If he were alive, White House hopefuls would be signing covert deals, pledging to change the food pyramid in exchange for his endorsement.
Yeah, We Could Be Out Doing Something Cool Tonight ...
But we're not.
Eh, someone will blog about it tomorrow. There's nothing about like living your life from someone else's perspective.
(Good news is we've finally posted a picture ...)
But we're not.
Eh, someone will blog about it tomorrow. There's nothing about like living your life from someone else's perspective.
(Good news is we've finally posted a picture ...)
Thursday, January 22, 2004
Turf Wars
New Jersey used to have two sports team (well, two worth mentioning) and now they have one.
The New Jersey Nets are headed for Brooklyn as part of a $300 million deal that even the state's own senator couldn't top.
Don't let anyone tell you different, the real impetus of the decision is New York's resentment over the 1998 Supreme Court ruling conceding that Ellis Island is actually part of the Garden State. The New York Times that year grudgingly covered the story, the writer leaking contempt for the frivolousness of the suit.
I'm not sure what New Jersey will steal in return. I walk into Manhattan bars with my hand shielding my eyes and furtively present my New Jersey driver's license.
New Jersey used to have two sports team (well, two worth mentioning) and now they have one.
The New Jersey Nets are headed for Brooklyn as part of a $300 million deal that even the state's own senator couldn't top.
Don't let anyone tell you different, the real impetus of the decision is New York's resentment over the 1998 Supreme Court ruling conceding that Ellis Island is actually part of the Garden State. The New York Times that year grudgingly covered the story, the writer leaking contempt for the frivolousness of the suit.
I'm not sure what New Jersey will steal in return. I walk into Manhattan bars with my hand shielding my eyes and furtively present my New Jersey driver's license.
Even cartoons get older
I've taken up coloring. I have two coloring books (Care Bears and Winnie the Pooh) and a box of 64 Crayola crayons.
It's an odd hobby, really. Some people I know have turned to vice.
"If I didn't have other interests, like the freelance, and reading and going out with [my boyfriend] and his friends and stuff, I'd feel like I was 40 years old," one of my friends wrote in an e-mail. "I make [my boyfriend] take me out and get me drunk on a Tuesday sometimes just to remind myself that I'm still a kid, you know?"
I, meanwhile, have picked up Burnt Sienna and Timberwolf. I make beautiful pictures.
I'm not the only twentysomething feeling creative, though. My boyfriend bought a kite, not that we can figure out how to fly it. Someone else I know rollarblades in Central Park after work.
This is our the last stab at youth. My boyfriend hangs my colorings on his refrigerator with magnets.
I've taken up coloring. I have two coloring books (Care Bears and Winnie the Pooh) and a box of 64 Crayola crayons.
It's an odd hobby, really. Some people I know have turned to vice.
"If I didn't have other interests, like the freelance, and reading and going out with [my boyfriend] and his friends and stuff, I'd feel like I was 40 years old," one of my friends wrote in an e-mail. "I make [my boyfriend] take me out and get me drunk on a Tuesday sometimes just to remind myself that I'm still a kid, you know?"
I, meanwhile, have picked up Burnt Sienna and Timberwolf. I make beautiful pictures.
I'm not the only twentysomething feeling creative, though. My boyfriend bought a kite, not that we can figure out how to fly it. Someone else I know rollarblades in Central Park after work.
This is our the last stab at youth. My boyfriend hangs my colorings on his refrigerator with magnets.
Reckless Driving
No surprises here that speeding tickets are traumatic. I cried torrents when I got one -- and I still didn't get leniency. Instead the cop told me to buck up (it was upstate New York), and tried to pass it off as a growing experience, a rite of passage.
No surprises either that the kid is from Staten Island. I think we took defensive driving together.
No surprises here that speeding tickets are traumatic. I cried torrents when I got one -- and I still didn't get leniency. Instead the cop told me to buck up (it was upstate New York), and tried to pass it off as a growing experience, a rite of passage.
No surprises either that the kid is from Staten Island. I think we took defensive driving together.
'Flesh Can Freeze Quickly'
Four words in my inbox this morning. The Chicago Tribune, which sends me daily headlines, provided me with this gruesome teaser today:
'FLESH CAN FREEZE QUICKLY.' The National Weather Service issued a
wind chill advisory this morning. Latest weather forecast,
continually updated radar pictures and Tom Skilling's seven-day
outlook.
http://tm0.com/daywatch/sbct.cgi?s=173351081&i=984401&m=1&d=5706079
To be fair, there was also another link to a story about how the homeless survive (actually, I think this story is about homeless people who don't survive) in Chicago's unforgiving weather conditions. I didn't read it. I don't like gimmicks.
Four words in my inbox this morning. The Chicago Tribune, which sends me daily headlines, provided me with this gruesome teaser today:
'FLESH CAN FREEZE QUICKLY.' The National Weather Service issued a
wind chill advisory this morning. Latest weather forecast,
continually updated radar pictures and Tom Skilling's seven-day
outlook.
http://tm0.com/daywatch/sbct.cgi?s=173351081&i=984401&m=1&d=5706079
To be fair, there was also another link to a story about how the homeless survive (actually, I think this story is about homeless people who don't survive) in Chicago's unforgiving weather conditions. I didn't read it. I don't like gimmicks.
Wednesday, January 21, 2004
Happy Hour
Hold-It has decided to sponsor a Happy Hour for our fans so we can sit around and talk about the headlines we've made this week in the national media.
PJ Whelihan's anyone? Anyone?
Hold-It has decided to sponsor a Happy Hour for our fans so we can sit around and talk about the headlines we've made this week in the national media.
PJ Whelihan's anyone? Anyone?
The Local Runway
The Paris Haute Couture show is in full swing, with princess-y fabrics tulle and silk, flapper-inspired add-ons like beads and citrus colors like lemon and tangerine. In honor of the event, Hold-It has decided to bring you some of South Jersey's hottest fashion trends.
Here's what we've spotted on the streets of South Jersey's developments:
Handbags are big and heels are dainty. Red is worn liberally. Miniskirts and cigarette pants are being paired with blouses that are layered under pullovers. The winter material du jour is sherling. Young girls are ditching their jeans and wearing fitted sweatpants to the malls.
The Paris Haute Couture show is in full swing, with princess-y fabrics tulle and silk, flapper-inspired add-ons like beads and citrus colors like lemon and tangerine. In honor of the event, Hold-It has decided to bring you some of South Jersey's hottest fashion trends.
Here's what we've spotted on the streets of South Jersey's developments:
Handbags are big and heels are dainty. Red is worn liberally. Miniskirts and cigarette pants are being paired with blouses that are layered under pullovers. The winter material du jour is sherling. Young girls are ditching their jeans and wearing fitted sweatpants to the malls.
A Sad Day for the Underage
Underage drinkers are ruing the day the State of New Jersey decided to replace easily forgeable paper drivers' licenses with the digital kind.
A look at this writer's license reveals that she is not eligible for the new version until 2007. Yet while fighting a creeping disappointment, she realized that she hopes to be far gone from New Jersey long before that time.
Underage drinkers are ruing the day the State of New Jersey decided to replace easily forgeable paper drivers' licenses with the digital kind.
A look at this writer's license reveals that she is not eligible for the new version until 2007. Yet while fighting a creeping disappointment, she realized that she hopes to be far gone from New Jersey long before that time.
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
South Jersey Hits Prime Time
Rumor has it that a notable South Jersey company is going to be featured in an episode of Law and Order.
Slack Incorporated's Ocular Surgery News will be given a cameo in the Feb. 25 episode. The case is said to involve a victim with an acrylic prosthetic eye. According to OSN editors, producers contacted them because research on the issue identified the trade magazine as "one of the top publications."
Rumor has it that a notable South Jersey company is going to be featured in an episode of Law and Order.
Slack Incorporated's Ocular Surgery News will be given a cameo in the Feb. 25 episode. The case is said to involve a victim with an acrylic prosthetic eye. According to OSN editors, producers contacted them because research on the issue identified the trade magazine as "one of the top publications."
Look Who's Squawking Too
Winston Churchill's parrot was encouraged to give the big F-you to Hitler. He declined.
Winston Churchill's parrot was encouraged to give the big F-you to Hitler. He declined.
Blogging for Votes
A staunch Republican once said, "I'm not worried about Howard Dean winning the Democratic presidential nomination; I'm worried about John Edwards and John Kerry -- they're reasonable."
And, indeed, as candidates go, Edwards and Kerry are more moderate than Dean, particularly on issues of foreign policy, and more specifically on the war in Iraq, which makes them a legitimate threat to unseat President George W. Bush.
But the Democrats must not forget the lessons of 2000, when they were criticized for standing too close ideologically to their opponents. Of course, the issues are more serious in 2004, and there is the opportunity for real debate.
Whether Americans stand with the Democrats on these issues is another matter. While approval ratings for Bush are slipping, this young pundit has other worries about America's priorities. These are conservative times, folks.
On a final note, Dick Gephardt, the only major candidate without an official campaign blog, has always been the first to throw in his hat. Coincidence?
A staunch Republican once said, "I'm not worried about Howard Dean winning the Democratic presidential nomination; I'm worried about John Edwards and John Kerry -- they're reasonable."
And, indeed, as candidates go, Edwards and Kerry are more moderate than Dean, particularly on issues of foreign policy, and more specifically on the war in Iraq, which makes them a legitimate threat to unseat President George W. Bush.
But the Democrats must not forget the lessons of 2000, when they were criticized for standing too close ideologically to their opponents. Of course, the issues are more serious in 2004, and there is the opportunity for real debate.
Whether Americans stand with the Democrats on these issues is another matter. While approval ratings for Bush are slipping, this young pundit has other worries about America's priorities. These are conservative times, folks.
On a final note, Dick Gephardt, the only major candidate without an official campaign blog, has always been the first to throw in his hat. Coincidence?
Monday, January 19, 2004
I Blame Starbucks
Wal-Mart is the ultimate hick store. I had never heard of it when I was living in New York. The first one I saw was in a sleepaway camp town called Honesdale, PA. Right next to the Turkey Hill gas station.
Now they're taking something precious and making it ugly. Walmart should not be serving anyone coffee. It's a store for people in stretch pants who eat hot pretzels showcased inside glass cases.
Wal-Mart is the ultimate hick store. I had never heard of it when I was living in New York. The first one I saw was in a sleepaway camp town called Honesdale, PA. Right next to the Turkey Hill gas station.
Now they're taking something precious and making it ugly. Walmart should not be serving anyone coffee. It's a store for people in stretch pants who eat hot pretzels showcased inside glass cases.
Jesus Told Me to Eat Paste
For $1.52 and the cost of a mobile phone subscription, Jesus himself will offer you 24-hour guidance as you navigate your way through life's challenges.
That's a bargain. I paid $150 for High Holiday seats. And that didn't include the cost of synagogue membership.
For $1.52 and the cost of a mobile phone subscription, Jesus himself will offer you 24-hour guidance as you navigate your way through life's challenges.
That's a bargain. I paid $150 for High Holiday seats. And that didn't include the cost of synagogue membership.
You're Paid to Do What?
Fortune magazine this month released the top 100 companies to work for in the United States. Don't let them tell you different, the most distinguishing feature about any of these picks was the benefits package they offered.
The cozier among us enjoy such perks as a personal errands service, massage therapy, shoe shining, luxury cars, foozball in the employee lounges, gourmet lunches and tickets to sporting and entertainment events.
My ideal job would include something along the lines of dance competitions for vacation days and mandatory green attire on the Fridays before the Eagles play. Oh no, wait, that's my current job ...
Fortune magazine this month released the top 100 companies to work for in the United States. Don't let them tell you different, the most distinguishing feature about any of these picks was the benefits package they offered.
The cozier among us enjoy such perks as a personal errands service, massage therapy, shoe shining, luxury cars, foozball in the employee lounges, gourmet lunches and tickets to sporting and entertainment events.
My ideal job would include something along the lines of dance competitions for vacation days and mandatory green attire on the Fridays before the Eagles play. Oh no, wait, that's my current job ...
Sunday, January 18, 2004
Philadelphians Can Dream, Can't They?
It isn't that Philadelphia is uncool. It's just that there isn't really anything to brag about either.
What Philadelphia needs are celebrities roaming the streets in baseball hats and ponytails, movie crews and free food, a more extensive subway system, famous bloggers, writer types who feel compelled to set their stories here, snotty types, a cuisine that isn't based around Mystery Meat, a 24-hour news channel, the return of the Yuppies, and security in its status as the center of something.
The shopping is pretty good, though.
It isn't that Philadelphia is uncool. It's just that there isn't really anything to brag about either.
What Philadelphia needs are celebrities roaming the streets in baseball hats and ponytails, movie crews and free food, a more extensive subway system, famous bloggers, writer types who feel compelled to set their stories here, snotty types, a cuisine that isn't based around Mystery Meat, a 24-hour news channel, the return of the Yuppies, and security in its status as the center of something.
The shopping is pretty good, though.
Do Famous Bloggers Ride the Subway?
My boyfriends thought he may have seen Elizabeth Spiers on the subway recently, and tried to point her out to me. The girl I saw had short, dark hair and was sort of squat looking -- wearing a non-descript jeans, sweater and loafers type outfit.
I wasn't sure. She didn't look like anyone special. Or even like anyone who thinks she's special. But then again she is originally from Alabama.
My boyfriends thought he may have seen Elizabeth Spiers on the subway recently, and tried to point her out to me. The girl I saw had short, dark hair and was sort of squat looking -- wearing a non-descript jeans, sweater and loafers type outfit.
I wasn't sure. She didn't look like anyone special. Or even like anyone who thinks she's special. But then again she is originally from Alabama.
Saturday, January 17, 2004
The Right Kind Of Pretentiousness
Let me tell you about real pretentiousness. The stuff that I've been missing ever since I relocated to South Jersey.
Whenever I go to a bar with real twentysomething New Yorkers, the conversation always turns high school. Like, we can't sit down and have a drink together unless we're clear on how smart we are. Now, I embrace this part. After all, I went to the Best High School in America.
We had marble staircases, an indoor pool, our own bridge over the West Side Highway (now the Joe DiMaggio Highway), 10 floors, escalators, a handful of students with book deals, the children or grandchildren of several major city politicians, an internationally renowned oboe player (I dated him) and Deborah Glick's 15 year-old "boy genius" campaign manager.
And to top it all off, we had this one old guy who used to substitute in calculus and scream, "You are the best and brightest. Start acting more like the best and the brightest!"
We believed him too. That's what I mean by pretentious.
Let me tell you about real pretentiousness. The stuff that I've been missing ever since I relocated to South Jersey.
Whenever I go to a bar with real twentysomething New Yorkers, the conversation always turns high school. Like, we can't sit down and have a drink together unless we're clear on how smart we are. Now, I embrace this part. After all, I went to the Best High School in America.
We had marble staircases, an indoor pool, our own bridge over the West Side Highway (now the Joe DiMaggio Highway), 10 floors, escalators, a handful of students with book deals, the children or grandchildren of several major city politicians, an internationally renowned oboe player (I dated him) and Deborah Glick's 15 year-old "boy genius" campaign manager.
And to top it all off, we had this one old guy who used to substitute in calculus and scream, "You are the best and brightest. Start acting more like the best and the brightest!"
We believed him too. That's what I mean by pretentious.
Yes, You've Come to the Right Place
Dana Nicole isn't my real name. It's not even a name I like. Not particularly.
But my mother swears the following story is true, and -- I think -- very telling:
When I was 3 years old, I announced that I didn't want to be called by my real name anymore. I wanted to be called Dana.
And my mother, always the champion of creativity and independent thought, said, "There's nothing wrong with your real name. You're 3 years old; who do you think you are? You don't get to pick what I call you."
By middle school, though, Dana (and, later, Dana Nicole) had become my alter ego -- the eerily beautiful, more popular, more cosmopolitan, more foreign, richer, bubblier part of myself who got all the boys. And, at one point, she was even a vampire.
So (please don't gag) this name symbolizes the first choice I ever made for myself, had I such a choice to make. And, with that, the realization that my mother probably did screw me up early in life ...
Dana Nicole isn't my real name. It's not even a name I like. Not particularly.
But my mother swears the following story is true, and -- I think -- very telling:
When I was 3 years old, I announced that I didn't want to be called by my real name anymore. I wanted to be called Dana.
And my mother, always the champion of creativity and independent thought, said, "There's nothing wrong with your real name. You're 3 years old; who do you think you are? You don't get to pick what I call you."
By middle school, though, Dana (and, later, Dana Nicole) had become my alter ego -- the eerily beautiful, more popular, more cosmopolitan, more foreign, richer, bubblier part of myself who got all the boys. And, at one point, she was even a vampire.
So (please don't gag) this name symbolizes the first choice I ever made for myself, had I such a choice to make. And, with that, the realization that my mother probably did screw me up early in life ...
Also
I read that " The Station Agent" received three nominations from the Screen Actors Guild for various awards. That's the movie that's really going to put South Jersey on the map. Now I can hold my head up high and declare, "Look at me, I live in South Jersey."
Of course, I don't think "The Station Agent" was ever playing in South Jersey. None of the theaters here would show anything that you could see in the Lincoln Center area of Manhattan.
So apparently there's a movie about South Jersey out there, but no one from South Jersey has seen it. So never mind.
I read that " The Station Agent" received three nominations from the Screen Actors Guild for various awards. That's the movie that's really going to put South Jersey on the map. Now I can hold my head up high and declare, "Look at me, I live in South Jersey."
Of course, I don't think "The Station Agent" was ever playing in South Jersey. None of the theaters here would show anything that you could see in the Lincoln Center area of Manhattan.
So apparently there's a movie about South Jersey out there, but no one from South Jersey has seen it. So never mind.
In the News
The big news this weekend in South Jersey, of course, is Eagles mania.
One radio station here has even asked listeners to help raise $500 to bribe some high school student into turning in his tickets to Sunday's game. Apparently, the kid's a bad luck charm. He's 0/5 in home games attended to home games won.
And at work yesterday, my drunk, rallying coworkers sang this over the intercom. At first I chalked it up to home city pride. Or it may just be a a cry for help.
Of course, a couple of bribes and dirty talk is far less unsavory than what one Philadelphia radio station did for ratings. I don't know about anyone else, but I think there's something unsettling about being able to win surgery on a morning show. But Q102 Philly gave away a free gastric bypass to one lucky listener. I could not make this up. Check out the winner (you may need to scroll down.)
The big news this weekend in South Jersey, of course, is Eagles mania.
One radio station here has even asked listeners to help raise $500 to bribe some high school student into turning in his tickets to Sunday's game. Apparently, the kid's a bad luck charm. He's 0/5 in home games attended to home games won.
And at work yesterday, my drunk, rallying coworkers sang this over the intercom. At first I chalked it up to home city pride. Or it may just be a a cry for help.
Of course, a couple of bribes and dirty talk is far less unsavory than what one Philadelphia radio station did for ratings. I don't know about anyone else, but I think there's something unsettling about being able to win surgery on a morning show. But Q102 Philly gave away a free gastric bypass to one lucky listener. I could not make this up. Check out the winner (you may need to scroll down.)
Poll: Are you scared of everything?
The other day, a friend of mine confessed that ever since he graduated from college he's been scared of everything. What a coincidence, I thought. Ever since I graduated from college, I've been scared everything! Excited, I phone my boyfriend. Since you graduated, I asked, have you been scared of everything?
"Yes," he said, in a sort of marveling way, recognition creeping into his voice. "Ever since I graduated, I have been scared of everything."
So maybe my poll isn't scientific. But I couldn't help but thinking: Here we are, on the the dawn of our adult lives and all that bull, and we are scared of ... of ... well, everything.
Something needed to be done.
To introduce this blog, I wanted to share some of the most important advice that my younger sister imparted after I left the nest. I had just moved from Staten Island to a suburb of Philadelphia. The morning of my first trip into the big unknown, the City of Brotherly Love, I conferred with my sister.
"What if I get lost?" I asked.
"What did you buy that map for?" she countered.
"What if I get lost in a bad neighborhood?"
"You have a cell phone, don't you?"
"What if I'm lost in a bad neighborhood and there's a guy with droopy eyelids and velcro sneakers talking to himself and following me? That's just the kind of attention I used to attract on the Staten Island Ferry, remember?"
She sighed. "You know--"
"What if I have to go to the bathroom??"
At this point, she threatened to hang up. "You're a big girl," she said finally, raising her voice slightly. "Hold it."
I decided I need an outlet. (And at this point, you're thinking, the only outlet this girl needs is one where she can stick a wet finger. And you may be right.) Here goes ...
The other day, a friend of mine confessed that ever since he graduated from college he's been scared of everything. What a coincidence, I thought. Ever since I graduated from college, I've been scared everything! Excited, I phone my boyfriend. Since you graduated, I asked, have you been scared of everything?
"Yes," he said, in a sort of marveling way, recognition creeping into his voice. "Ever since I graduated, I have been scared of everything."
So maybe my poll isn't scientific. But I couldn't help but thinking: Here we are, on the the dawn of our adult lives and all that bull, and we are scared of ... of ... well, everything.
Something needed to be done.
To introduce this blog, I wanted to share some of the most important advice that my younger sister imparted after I left the nest. I had just moved from Staten Island to a suburb of Philadelphia. The morning of my first trip into the big unknown, the City of Brotherly Love, I conferred with my sister.
"What if I get lost?" I asked.
"What did you buy that map for?" she countered.
"What if I get lost in a bad neighborhood?"
"You have a cell phone, don't you?"
"What if I'm lost in a bad neighborhood and there's a guy with droopy eyelids and velcro sneakers talking to himself and following me? That's just the kind of attention I used to attract on the Staten Island Ferry, remember?"
She sighed. "You know--"
"What if I have to go to the bathroom??"
At this point, she threatened to hang up. "You're a big girl," she said finally, raising her voice slightly. "Hold it."
I decided I need an outlet. (And at this point, you're thinking, the only outlet this girl needs is one where she can stick a wet finger. And you may be right.) Here goes ...
Not Another New York Blog
I have to confess: I'm not big on the New York blogs. I don't enjoy reading them. And it's not because I'm jealous (thank you so much for your support, Love of My Life.) I can do New York with the best of them. Hell, I'm actually from the place. And I'm the good kind of New York pretentious, as opposed to the annoying, wrong kind.
So even though I may just be another New Yorker, this is not another New York blog. This is a blog about South Jersey.
I have to confess: I'm not big on the New York blogs. I don't enjoy reading them. And it's not because I'm jealous (thank you so much for your support, Love of My Life.) I can do New York with the best of them. Hell, I'm actually from the place. And I'm the good kind of New York pretentious, as opposed to the annoying, wrong kind.
So even though I may just be another New Yorker, this is not another New York blog. This is a blog about South Jersey.
