In Remembrance - September 11, 2001

This isn't going to be my most eloquent post. I find words to be inadequate today. Eight years ago, the journey my family was on took a sudden turn, as did the journeys of so many other families. I was in NYC that day. My memories are of that. The story doesn't end there. New York City and the World Trade Center was only the beginning.

Remembering September 11, 2001 - a nice piece on remembering at the Pentagon.

President Bush Launches Attack on Afghanistan - I was going to pull some of my favorite quotes from this speech, but realized it was going to be nearly the entire speech. I will pull this "We did not ask for this mission, but we will fulfill it." and this "We will not waver; we will not tire; we will not falter; and we will not fail. Peace and freedom will prevail."

My journey got me to safety that day. Ultimately, it took my father to Afghanistan, but that had a happy ending as well - my family members are all safe, happy, healthy and on US soil today. Not all families were that lucky. And so many families are still in the middle of their journey.

Please take a minute and remember those lost eight years ago and in the time since, as well as those still in the struggle.

Photo from www.september-11th.us

Music to My Ears?

I was treated to the musical stylings in the video below on my way home from the 'burbs this weekend. I found it mildly enjoyable. Similar acts can sometimes fill me with instant rage - particularly when I'm commuting to/from work. That time of day is no time for impromptu music on the train.

Also, the video quality kind of sucks. I didn't want to be obvious that I was recording the guy, because then I would have felt compelled to give him money.

You're Going to Need to be More Specific

Dear Girl Walking Behind Me,

Using Starbucks as a landmark when walking through midtown Manhattan does not even remotely indicate that you are heading in the right direction.

Good luck!

Love,
Mel C.

Coming Soon to a Theater Near You

Well, actually, probably not all that soon since this week it is being filmed in my work neighborhood - Salt. Starring Angelina Jolie and Liev Schreiber, the film synopsis from IMDB:

When CIA officer Evelyn Salt is outed as a Russian sleeper spy, she evades capture by those who are convinced she's aiming to assassinate the president.

Sounds promising. And not just because maybe you'll be able to catch a glimpse of me in the far, FAR, way background.

Things That Make You Go Hmmm...

1. Didn't someone notice they were missing something?

2. The rain boots with the lime green trim that are in the background? Belong to a DUDE.

Looking for Public Facilities? Look No Further.

Just came across a genius article on a new site called Sit or Squat.

From the site:

Sitorsquat.com is a site that is dedicated to telling you where the closest place to relieve yourself is and whether or not that place is worth even sitting or squatting (or standing) at. We all find ourselves needing a public restroom every once in a while, whether it's walking down a city block or driving on a highway with a few whining kids in the backseat.

Currently, mobile applications are available for Blackberry and iPhone, with others being worked on.

Genius.

In Remembrance - September 11, 2001

I'll never forget...

Photo from www.september-11th.us

I love this city, more than ever.

The Murphy's Rock (or I Love the Suburbs, Part II)

The Reintroduction to Society Summer Tour brought us the infamous Dan Gordon Party at Casa de Murphy this past weekend. I'm pleased to say that shirtless DanGordit! lived up to the hype - not just for Sally (who was obsessed with him), but for all of us I think. To recap:

• I kicked off the weekend with Dan and his shirt at Wheeltapper Pub. Hilarity ensued.
• I continue to awesome Alisa's house (well, technically Boyfriend Matt's) for the Olympic Opening Ceremonies where I feast upon delicious Chinese food, Alisa's killer Olympic cake and Matt's dynamite lychee martinis. A lot of lychee martinis.
• I take the most entertaining ride home where the driver tells me about the men who don't have any money to pay the driver because they've spent all their money at the clubs trying to get the "boom boom." Pretty sure this would have still been entertaining even without a pitcher of lychee martinis in my belly.
• I wake up to pack and make my way to Penn Station to meet up with Dan. I may not be sober from the night before.
• I stop to get breakfast sandwiches for the train, as Dan is bringing the gatorosas. I get a text from him telling me he's running late. I immediately text him back to hurry as I'm almost sober.
• We commence our train ride with fierce blue gatorosas. I decide Dan Gordon might actually be a genius.
• Some red-headed lady tries to make a move on Dan Gordon, or maybe just his gatorosas. I refrain from shanking her because I do not want to get kicked off Amtrak for life just for that biotch. Besides, Dan didn't think she was "pretty from the front." And more importantly, he didn't dare offer her a gatorosa or he might have gotten shanked himself.
• We run out of gatorosas just as the cafe car closes. Dan valiantly tries to score some booze at 30th Street station, but comes up empty. We're booze-free for about 30 minutes until the train is moving again and the cafe car reopens. Dan comes back with a half bottle of pinot grigio that we proceed to mix with cranberry juice. It is a vile combination that we chug down and finish in about 15 minutes. Because we are committed.
• Kate picks us up at the train with Sally who is a little surprised that Dangordit exists, but is pleased about it - especially when he presents her with a stuff Big Bird. She pauses in her celebration long enough to ask Aunt Meyahnee if she remembered the M&Ms. Luckily, I did. She resumes celebration.
• We get to Casa de Murphy, where John is prepping some of the most delicious food we will ever eat. Dan falls in love with the 16 pounds of ribs the Murphy's have on deck. Much eating and drinking commences.
• Kate's brother Tom shows up with the Future Mrs. Tom, aka Rebecca. They bring soft pretzels. I immediately fall in love with the pretzels.
• Other activities that took place? Frisbee, Sally showing us her muscles, Kate showing us her muscles, Kate letting/making us feel her muscles, arm-wrestling (Dan Gordon knocked down both Aichele kids before John Murphy reminded him who's house he was in), a push-up competition (a dispute over proper form and Kate sabotaging John kept us from crowning a clear winner but Dan did take his shirt off so we had that going for us), and perhaps a short demonstration of how I would perform Proud Mary at karaoke with Kate as back-up.
• The following morning Sally showed us all how awesome she is at running and jumping and Dan even showed off his somersault skills - all pre-breakfast. A trip to the diner (bacon!), a drive around to see houses we can't afford and then back to the house to pack up and head out. And most importantly, pick up the makings for a round of gatorosas on the way home. SWEET!
• Cap off the weekend with Dan leading me out of Penn Station through a secret tunnel (well, maybe not secret but I wouldn't have gone that way on my own. I watch Lifetime, I know how that can end) and then weaving through the crowds waiting for the Jonas Brothers. We both manage to get through it without shanking any screaming little girls. Barely.

Best exchange of the weekend:
John (watching the Olympics - men's swimming): He's just not a good breaststroker.
Melanie: That's what she said!
FYI - That kicked off a full scale "that's what she said" assault by me for the rest of the day and evening. I had mixed success - not all instances were accepted by the crowd - but even when I was denied they were still pretty amused. So, mission accomplished!

A picture is worth a thousand words. Behold:



And a video is priceless, especially if it is video of a push-up competition. I can't figure out why they are so dark, but I'm going to see if I can do anything to fix it. The videos are much better in their full glory. Suggestions welcome.

The Shirtless Wonder Dangordit shows what he's made of

Tom trys a slightly "different" approach

John gets sabotaged by his own wife

So, who won the battle of the burbs? I think I did because I got to have two really awesome weekends with great friends. I would road trip with Dangordit any day of the week - even with his shirt on. And as for the Murphy Family and Los Fitzes? I guarantee I'll be back to visit each of them as soon as they'll have me. Wait - that's what she said? Hmmm... Nah. She probably didn't say that. But she might. She just might.

Reason Why I Love New York #268: Getting Propositioned in the Cereal Aisle

Nicole and I got to participate in the following scene in the grocery store while looking for cereal last night.

Melanie: Do you see (insert brand name here)?
Nicole: Hmm, it's not on this shelf.
Crazy Cereal Shopping Guy (to Melanie): You should let me take you out. I'm a revolutionary.
Melanie: Um, no thanks. I'm ok.
Crazy Cereal Shopping Guy: Maybe you're not okay and you don't even know it.
Melanie: Um, could be.
Nicole (to Melanie): Don't see it here either...
Crazy Cereal Shopping Guy (to Nicole): What kind of country are you from?
Melanie: This kind.
Crazy Cereal Shopping Guy (to Nicole): You look exotic.
Melanie: Okay, let's go.

End scene.

I love this city.

Reason #708 Why I Love New York: Police Horses in Random Places

A horse is a horse, of course, of course, unless of course that horse is parked on West 48th Street.

Jason and I had quite the view from the Mexican restaurant we went to after tonight's show. Excellent photography, I know, but I had to hurry because they were closing the door to take him away.

Reason #301 Why I Love New York: The New York City Waterfalls

This is at the top of my list of things to do this summer. Well, actually #2 - behind eat Dinosaur BBQ.

From the press release:
NEW YORK: JUNE 16, 2008 -- Public Art Fund, in collaboration with the City of New York, begins preparation for the opening of The New York City Waterfalls, a major new work of public art by internationally acclaimed artist Olafur Eliasson. Opening on June 26, 2008, the exhibition of four man-made waterfalls of monumental scale will be on view until October 13 at four sites on the shores of the New York waterfront: one on the Brooklyn anchorage of the Brooklyn Bridge; one on the Brooklyn Piers, between Piers 4 and 5 near the Brooklyn Heights Promenade; one in Lower Manhattan at Pier 35 north of the Manhattan Bridge; and one on the north shore of Governors Island. The 90- to 120-foot-tall Waterfalls that have been erected on the shoreline will operate from 7 am to 10 pm daily, except on Tuesdays and Thursdays when they will run from 9 am to 10 pm. They will be lit after sunset.

I really love this city.

Reason #476 Why I Love New York: Lucky Brand Jeans Cares

After a hard evening of shopping at the Lucky Brand Jeans store for some more killer jeans, I needed to use the restroom. I think it's generally for employees only, but you spend enough money, you can get access to plumbing. While in there, I took a minute to snap this picture of the sign on the back of the door.

Lucky Jeans cares, y'all. Recognize. Respond. Refer. And buy some expensive, tight pants while you're at it.

Reason #342 Why I Love New York: Random Art Exhibits on the Street

Ran into Chris Burden's "What My Dad Gave Me" on my way to meet Jason last night. Don't let my pathetic attempts at photography mislead you - it's kind of neat looking. And it's made with Erector set replicas - which brings back fond memories of my brother not wanting me to touch his "toys." He never made anything this complex though. Lazy.



If you find yourself near Saks Fifth Avenue/Rockefeller Center - take a peek.

Reason #215 Why I Love New York...

...because during lunch one day at work, I stumble across this.



And weirdly, the last two are fountains. With the water coming from their eyes. What the?

It's Raining Men! (Or Reason #523 Why I Love New York)

Sweet, sweet Fleet Week is upon us. That means that a ton of Navy soliders and Marines have descended upon the city. In uniform.

God Bless America.

Also - I do believe this is my 100th post (not counting posts for TV listings). Yay for me!