Quick update...

I found out a few days ago that Ro is not gonna make it so that totally sucks ass to put it mildly. Apparently, she's had several strokes and loss of oxygen and blood to her brain so even if she did wake up from the coma, she'd be a vegetable basically...I can't tell you how much this sucks and how angry it makes me but I'm sure you can imagine. The other thing that kinda gets me is that this is the second friend who I was supposed to call and then the next day, tragedy struck. I was supposed to call Ro the day before she went to the hospital. We never spoke. That bothers me. When I was 22, a good friend from HS was in school in Berkely and while driving, she was hit by a mack truck and was killed instantly, I was supposed to call her the day before that happened. So, basically...I'm not gonna put off phone calls anymore. I know it's a somewhat trivial thing but it's really gotten to me. That's that update.

As for my computer...obviously not at all as important at Ro but still a pain in the ass...it died. I put in a new hard drive and now I can't connect to my wireless. I can connect to every other wireless but mine. I was on the phone with verizon for like 5 hours and made multiple trips to circuit city. I hate the computer. It's aggravating me.

Oh and lastly...I am SO wrapped up in this Gov. (well almost former Gov.) Spitzer thing. Everyone I used to work with in the Senate is all over it. It's pretty good political gossip. Come on...80 grand on hookers. Well, he can afford it. Side note...some of you may know but others might not...Spitzer's brother performed my spinal surgery...this whols scandal ALMOST makes me want to have some issues again so I could have reason to make an appt. I won't go that far though, I'm happy that my back is fine. But oh...that would be kinda fun. I have to admit.

Well, I'm off. I've been using an old computer of my dad's that is so slow that it drives me insane. I can double click on IE and then do about 12 things before the web page actually opens. I just can't be bothered. So, I'm just checking email really. Hope everyone is doing well. Miss you guys.

Watch Make Me a Supermodel...

I will admit that I've been watching this stupid show but it is amusing....I got a cool email the other day though. My mom's boyfriend's nephew's girlfriend (I know, I know) owns a vintage clothing store here in NYC. Well, she and the store are going to be on tonight's episode of Make Me A Supermodel onj Bravo. I thought that was pretty cool. Shannon, the owner of the store is a really cool chick and she's super talented. She started ths store from practically nothing and it's become a booming business. She works with a lot of stytlists and dresses a lot of celebs as well. She also supplied clothes for some movies.

She lent me a dress for a rehearsal dinner last year. It was beautiful...vintage Belenciaga. OMG, totally gorgeous and all I had to do was dry clean it so that worked out really well for me. I got SO many compliments on the dress and it was fun to tell people that it was designer and vintage.

The store is beautiful and Shannon has just put so much work into it. Each item has a handwritten tag on it that describes the garment, says what year it's from, the designer and anything else that might be interesting. They tags are really pretty and you can just see how much work Shannon puts in. I felt like she deserved a shout out.

This is the store info:
New York Vintage117 W 25th StNew York, NY zip codePhone: (212) 647-1107
http://newyorkvintage.com/
Take a look.

Oh and my bad news...because of course there's always some...for those who don't know...my computer died Tuesday night. I'm told it's on life support. I hope it can be fixed. We'll see. I will say that I feel like I lost an appendage since my computer was always on it was always within arms reach in the living room. I always multi task and am online while I watch tv at night...I think I'm going through withdrawal. That's it for now...over and out.

Another wonderful week begins....

Well, the good news...my cousin's twins had their first birthday party on Sunday. It was nice to see them so cute and happy after all they went through being born so early. They arrived at 29 weeks for those who need a refresher. I don't have any pics yet but when I get some, I'll post em. They're still little for a year old...just to give you an idea...Isabella's party dress was a size 3-6 mos. Jacob is a little bigger but not much. They're little munchkins but cute nonetheless.

My dad had cataract surgery today. He's doing well...he had the 1st eye done December 17th. Not such a huge deal but spending the day in the hospital is just not fun. At least Susan was there to keep my company. I went to get my dad some water after the surgery and was asked if I wanted some...I declined and the woman asked if my mom wanted some...I told her I didn't know, I'd have to call her and ask. I think she felt kinda stupid since Susan's my dad's girlfriend and not my mom but I thought it was funny. I never understood why people just always assume. Don't they know the saying that assuming just makes an ass out of you and me? Anyway...dad's home resting and I get to play chauffeur for the next week or so...until he is able to resume his own driving....fun stuff.

Lastly but certainly not least...I got some new news on my friend Ro, the one who had the aneurysm in LA. Unfortunately, I didn't get good news. She's no longer in an induced coma...she just hasn't woken up. So, the doctors are not really pleased with that. They've been doing tests to check her brain function and she's not responding well to these tests. So, the doctors will wait and retest because sometimes it takes more time for some people to regain their brain function. I wasn't happy to get this news...obviously but Ro is a fighter and I have to believe that she's gonna pull through. Also, the doctors are going to have to perform a tracheotomy because she's in the coma and she may need a ventilator to make sure her lungs are getting the air they need. I guess the pneumonia has some effect on them. She's been getting a lot of visitors and that makes me happy since I'm not able to be one of them. I want to go out there but I'd rather go when she's awake. I have to just keep a positive attitude and keep hoping and praying for the best.

The other great thing is that a few of her friends opened a bank account for her because well, money isn't coming in. Her last job was doing some freelancing. Though she has medical insurance, she doesn't have money coming in and she's been supporting her mom. When her mom retired, she moved to LA to live with Ro and she basically just has her social security. I'm so thankful she's got such amazing friends who are close to her and have been there for her mom as well. I also feel a little better because now I can at least do something for her since I can't send anything to the ICU. I can help her out a little financially. I can't do much but at least I can do a little. She really is an amazing friend. We've only been friends about a year and a half but she's made such an impact on my life and she's just been an amazing friend. I can't tell you how many times I go to email, call or text her something because something reminds me of her or it's something I know she'll want to know or she'll just laugh at. I can't wait til I get my friend back. I really miss her. Get better Ro! Now damnit!

I guess that's about all I have to report for now.

Sleepwalking...

As a kid I used to sleepwalk ALL the time. I would leave my apartment and just walk up and down the halls. My parents and my neighbors came to expect it so I was always returned promptly.

In sleepaway camp, I once left my bunk and caused quite a stir. I had most of the camp up in the middle of the night looking for me. Turns out I left my bunk and walked across to another bunk and found an empty bed and curled up in it and continued to sleep. I had NO idea what happened. I was about 6. I woke up with one of the male head counselors holding me and carrying me back to my bunk. Oops. It didn't happen again in camp but I know I did give everyone a scare since I was just gone for a few hours.

As I got older, I didn't really sleepwalk anymore. It just seemed to stop. There were times where I would be half awake kind of and get up but I never remembered. I was always told later.

Last night the sleepwalking came back. I woke up around 4am and my room was really warm and I was uncomfortable so I went to the living room and set up camp on the couch with a pillow and blanket. I remember going back to sleep on the couch since I was really sleepy. I woke up in my bed this morning. I have absolutely NO recollection of going back to my bed. My pillow and the blanket were also back in my bed. I remember NONE of this. I woke up all startled because last I had remembered, I was on the couch. It really was a shock because nothing like this has happened to me in like 10-15 years....at least that I can recall. I wonder why all of a sudden this came back. I wonder if it'll happen again. I guess I'll find out.

This week just sucks ass...

I thought I had gotten all the bad news I was gonna get this week....nope. I got a call this afternoon that my friend's mom died this morning. NO idea what happened. She had breast cancer several years ago but she was in remission. I have NO idea what happened. Funeral is tomorrow though. I feel so bad...I just saw her at my friend's wedding in December. Totally sucks.

As for my friend in LA...she's in surgery again. Apparently, the drs were afraid of a stroke and her brain was swelling so they are removing a portion of her skull to allow for the swelling. Here's the thing that was REALLY odd to me...they put the piece of skull in the abdomen for safe keeping. Eventually, she'll need a 3rd surgery to put the piece of skull back. Just nuts if you ask me. Hard to wrap my head around but I just hope everything is ok. So, she's in surgery as I type and I hope it goes well.

As we all know...bad things happen in 3s...well, I really hope that isn't the case this week. I've had enough bad news to last a LONG time.

Well, that's my life at the moment. Fun fun fun...

I'm taking a break...

Unfortunately, I got some really bad news today. A good friend of mine is in critical condition in the ICU with a brain aneurysm. She's stable but it's still not great. I'm told she's going to have some non invasive procedure to try to fix it and if that doesn't work...surgery. The doctors are optimistic...or so I'm told but it's still a rough road ahead. Honestly, I feel kind of numb at the moment as well as feeling a bit impotent since she's in LA and I'm here in NY. I feel like there's absolutely nothing I can do but hope everything is ok. Anyway...I just really don't feel like posting but I'll be back. So please...everyone just hope she's ok and put her in your prayers or whatever it is you do. I appreciate it.

UPDATE: First off, thanks guys...second...she had surgery, she's ok and stable. She'll be in the ICU for at least 2 weeks but it looks like she'll be ok. So far she's been sedated and on pain pills and she's a bit of a demanding patient but it's all good. I hope to try and make a quick trip out to LA when she's feeling better and up to seeing people. :)

RIP

I generally don't do the celebrity death tribute but I felt I had to acknowledge this one. Almost ever day for about 20 years, my father ate breakfast at our local diner. Roy Scheider would eat there as well. After a time, the 2 started realizing they were always there at the same time and started eating breakfast together. So, for many years...he was my father's breakfast companion. I didn't go for breakfast since I was in school but there were other times I went to the diner and I did meet him on occasion. He was a really nice man. My father always said wonderful things about him and really enjoyed his company so I read this news and broke it to my father. As expected, he was kinda upset by the news. So, his family are in my prayers and I hope he rests in peace.

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (AP) -- Roy Scheider, the actor best known for his role as a police chief in the blockbuster movie "Jaws," has died. He was 75.

Roy Scheider speaks at a gala in 2004. Scheider died Sunday at an Arkansas hospital.
Scheider died Sunday at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
hospital in Little Rock, hospital spokesman David Robinson said. The
hospital did not release a cause of death.

However, hospital
spokeswoman Leslie Taylor said Scheider had been treated for multiple
myeloma at the hospital's Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy
for the past two years.

Scheider received two Oscar nominations,
for best-supporting actor in 1971's "The French Connection" in which he
played the police partner of Oscar winner Gene Hackman, and for
best-actor for 1979's "All That Jazz," the autobiographical Bob Fosse
film.

However, he was best known for his role in Steven Spielberg's1975 film, "Jaws," the enduring classic about a killer shark terrorizing beachgoers and well as millions of moviegoers.

Widely hailed as the film that launched the era of the Hollywood
blockbuster, it was also the first movie to earn $100 million at the
box office. Scheider starred with Richard Dreyfuss, who played an
oceanographer.

In 2005, one of Scheider's most famous lines in
the movie -- "You're gonna need a bigger boat" -- was voted No. 35 on
the American Film Institute's list of best quotes from U.S. movies.

That year, some 30 years after "Jaws" premiered, hundreds of movie
buffs flocked to Martha's Vineyard, off the southeastern coast of
Massachusetts, to celebrate the great white shark.

The island's
JawsFest '05 also brought back some of the cast and crew, including
screenwriter Carl Gottlieb and Peter Benchley, who wrote the novel that
inspired Spielberg's classic. Spielberg, Scheider and Dreyfuss were
absent.

Scheider was also politically active. He participated in
rallies protesting U.S. military action in Iraq, including a massive
New York demonstration in March 2003 that police said drew 125,000
chanting activists.
(from CNN.com)

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Hell Update...

I spoke to the mother of the bride and all is well. Apparently the maid of honor didn't tell her I offered my house. Nor did she tell her anything that I had said. Also, MOB said she heard the restaurant that the MOH had suggested sucks. Isn't it nice when people communicate? Yeah...it is. That said, I have calmed down. I feel MUCH better and I think everything will work out JUST fine.

I also have to say this even though it has nothing to do with the post....OMFG...that was the best Superbowl. I almost had a heart attack in the last 2 minutes but it was a great game and I am SO happy that the Giants were able to give it to NE. Such a nice feeling. My friend walked in front of the tv when there was about a minute and a half to go. I had to push her out of the way and tell her she's not see through. ;) Oh, she's the bride in the above story actually....I'm still in the wedding. lol The only thing is...I have to go run some errands in Manhattan tomorrow and I think I'm gonna get stuck in the middle of the parade area. I'm not so thrilled about that...oh well. Once when the Yanks won, I was working near city hall at the time and I left to go get lunch and a glimpse at the parade (I had some kind of special ticket that would get me in to see the who to do. I couldn't deal with the crowds so I went back to the office (my window overlooked city hall park) yeah, they wouldn't let me in to the area to get back to my office. I was like...fine, I'll go home. I even showed my work ID and all my info...I was working for a state senator at the time...he found out I was stuck and I was telling the office manager on the phone that I was stuck. He got on the phone...yelled at me and demanded I put the cop not letting me through on the phone. Well, I was allowed to go back to work.

OK, so this post went off on a tangent...it happens. Deal. :)

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GO BIG BLUE!

It's a few hours to kick off and I have to do a little Giants post. I really hope the Giants can pull this off. I'd LOVE to see the Giants put an end to the New England perfect season. It would just be so perfect. Oh how I hate those cheating bastards. I'll leave it at that and tonight we'll see what happens.

I'm off to a party at a friend's apt and I'm looking forward. She just bought a 46 in LCD so that should be real nice. :)

I had a little mishap earlier. I was making Guacamole. I used FUCKING HOT pepper. A tiny little orange pepper that packed some punch. I think it's a scotch bonnet. Anyhow...kept telling myself NOT to touch my face til I washed my hands. Well, hand RIGHT to the eye....MOTHERFUCK...it hurts. My eyeball was on fire. I flushed it with a bottle of saline and that helped a bit but lots of ice water later...I was still burning. Lesson learned...wear gloves. Anyhow...I'm ok now. I hope the guac tastes ok because well...I was injured in the process. And again....

GO GIANTS!!!!

P.S. I still want feedback on the post below so don't forget about that one. :)

I'm in HELL!!!!!!!

Ok, I know I've been absent...sorry...well, I always say that but whatever. I have to vent about something and this is my blog so I will. Here goes...

I am a bridesmaid in one of my best friend's weddings. I'm happy to partake and I'm really happy for her. There are 6 of us in the bridal party and we're all friends too. It's a good group and there's really no drama at all. Thing is, we're planning her shower. Most shower's I've been to have been paid for by the family of the bride...I guess that's just how my friends and family have been thus far. We'll, this particular friend's parents don't really have much money and they have a whole host of medical issues....I love them dearly. I'm just giving some background. Well, there have been some emails going around between the girls about the shower and we were talking about ideas, dates, logistics, etc. I was on the phone with one of the girls and I was discussing paying for the shower and I mentioned that I assumed that it was on us...she confirmed. Well, this wasn't discussed in any group discussions. So the long and short of it is that the plan is to have it at a restaurant which will be about $25 a head and my friend (the bride) has a list of about 40 people to invite. So basically, with favors, decorations and whatever else, it'll probably be around $300 a person...this is in addition to all other expenses. Well, I can't really afford to do that. Also, 2 of the bridesmaids are getting married within weeks of my friend. So some of the girls have several weddings to be in and that REALLY adds up.

I had mentioned having the shower at someone's house/apt...well, the mother of the bride is in a wheelchair and some places aren't accessible. In addition....40 people in a Manhattan apt doesn't really work unless you're Donald Trump. Also, the bride is one of the nicest people. She's the kind of person who is ALWAYS there for everyone and she always goes to everyone's birthday, she plans events for people. She's the one who is always doing for everyone else. So, she really deserves everything to be great. I touched on her family's issues...well, her mom has depression issues, weighs like 300 lbs and had polio as a child so she can't really walk, her dad has MS and her brother has Downs Syndrome. You can see there are issues. Even though life dealt them a crappy hand in the health dept...you couldn't meet nicer people. They are just good people. I'm close to the whole family.

So, there's my dilemma. Help!

I just sent this email to the bridal party...we'll see what I get in return:

Also, I have another concern and that is a financial one. I know we
haven't touched on this but I am assuming that this is being paid for
by us. That said, I figure it'll be close to $300 a person or so
because in addition to paying $22ish a person, there will be tax and
tip as well as favors and I assume decorations and whatever
incidentals. So to be on the safe side, I'm rounding to
$300...well...that's something that I really can't do. I also know
that many of you have a lot of other wedding related financial
obligations in the same time period so, I wanted to bring up this issue
and see where everyone else stands and what you're all thinking.

Let me know.
Thanks

Got one response while I was composing this:

I totally understand. Although I am not sure how we can get away with
less than $200 each. I figured 22 a head plus 30% for tax and tip was
around $1200 for 40 people and divided by 6 is $200. I do not think
many people are drinkers at 12 and think we can certainly forgo to
alcohol to save some money. We can also just get the $80 cake and not
pay for the cake woman. I think you are right that we are looking in
the $200-$300 range. It is very difficult but unless we have a house or
someone's club room or something to have it at I am not sure what our
other options are...


:(

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