Some of you may or may not know but after a little over 6 months time I am leaving New York Times Digital. My last day is Saturday July 22. I have accepted a position as a sports producer for Sports Illustrated.com and will be focusing on the NFL. I start July 31.
I'm excited and nervous at the same time. It was an extremely hard decision to leave. Walking away from the New York Times is no easy endeavor. You have to weigh all options and consider the future of your career. What it came down to was work/life balance. Since working at NYTD I don't have a life outside of work and anyone that knows me knows I can't last but so long in a situation like that. I want to go out, meet people, have fun, enjoy being single, in my twenties and living in NYC. And ultimately I want to get married, have kids...do that whole American Dream thing. My new position at SI.com will allow me to do that and to still do what I love...online journalism. It's the work/life balance my life has been lacking.
Some day down the road I may have to explain to some curious future employer why I left the New York Times after only 6 months but I plan on staying at SI.com as long as I can. To be able to be a journalist and work normal Monday-Friday 9am-6pm...it's gonna take something like Osama Bin Laden blowing up the entire Island of NYC and even then I would just transfer to the SI offices in Atlanta. The only other thing that could possibly pull me away from this new job is a serious relationship (meaning marriage) and right now I can't even get a date so the chances of a serious relationship happening anytime soon is next to nil.
Wish me luck and always keep me in your prayers. And expect to see a lot more interesting posts cause I'm going to be painting the town Carolina Blue...lol.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
NYC Visit
One of my friends and former co-workers came from Atlanta to visit and we had a great time. I love when people come to visit because in some ways they know more about the city than I do. They see the city through the eyes of a tourist, while as a resident we take a lot of what NYC has to offer for granted.
So I picked her up at the airport on Friday and it was my first time driving to the airport. I live a lot closer to LaGuardia than I thought. We dropped her bags and hit the subway because the subway is the best way to travel. I had to take her to Bar 89 because it was Friday and Friday is the only day of the week they serve shrimp cocktail...in addition to all the other tasty and not too pricey foods and beverages. Then we went to the Yankees game and it was a lot more exciting than I thought it would be. Our seats were high as hell but we still had a great time.
Saturday my friend wore me out. I have NEVER travelled on the subway so much in one day. We went all the way to Coney Island so she could ride the Cyclone at Astroland. She had to go on that one by herself because I have an aversion to rides where I feel like I'm going to come out of my seat. Then we took the subway to the Brooklyn Bridge and walked across to the Manhattan side. Again, as a resident, I wouldn't have even thought to walk across the bridge. We had to come home because by that point I was seriously in need of a nap. We ended the day with a trip to Little Italy for a fabulous Italian meal and the dessert spot we found really hit the spot. I will definitely be heading back there.
Sunday she was heading back to Atlanta but she still had one more spot to hit and what a great choice. As a fan of Sex and the City I was happy to try this place out as well. It's a bakery called Magnolia's and it's on Bleeker Street. It was actually much easier to get there by car only because it was a Sunday. I was even able to find a great parking space. We sat in a park across the street from the bakery, enjoyed our treats and people watched. I love people watching. All in all it was a great weekend.
I spent most of Monday recovering. I felt bad because my niece spent the night on Sunday night and I was asleep mostly while she was there. I did take her to a taping of Quite Frankly and I think she enjoyed the experience of being in the audience for a TV show.
All in all I learned a few things about the city so the next time someone comes to visit I'll have even more options of things to do.
So I picked her up at the airport on Friday and it was my first time driving to the airport. I live a lot closer to LaGuardia than I thought. We dropped her bags and hit the subway because the subway is the best way to travel. I had to take her to Bar 89 because it was Friday and Friday is the only day of the week they serve shrimp cocktail...in addition to all the other tasty and not too pricey foods and beverages. Then we went to the Yankees game and it was a lot more exciting than I thought it would be. Our seats were high as hell but we still had a great time.
Saturday my friend wore me out. I have NEVER travelled on the subway so much in one day. We went all the way to Coney Island so she could ride the Cyclone at Astroland. She had to go on that one by herself because I have an aversion to rides where I feel like I'm going to come out of my seat. Then we took the subway to the Brooklyn Bridge and walked across to the Manhattan side. Again, as a resident, I wouldn't have even thought to walk across the bridge. We had to come home because by that point I was seriously in need of a nap. We ended the day with a trip to Little Italy for a fabulous Italian meal and the dessert spot we found really hit the spot. I will definitely be heading back there.
Sunday she was heading back to Atlanta but she still had one more spot to hit and what a great choice. As a fan of Sex and the City I was happy to try this place out as well. It's a bakery called Magnolia's and it's on Bleeker Street. It was actually much easier to get there by car only because it was a Sunday. I was even able to find a great parking space. We sat in a park across the street from the bakery, enjoyed our treats and people watched. I love people watching. All in all it was a great weekend.
I spent most of Monday recovering. I felt bad because my niece spent the night on Sunday night and I was asleep mostly while she was there. I did take her to a taping of Quite Frankly and I think she enjoyed the experience of being in the audience for a TV show.
All in all I learned a few things about the city so the next time someone comes to visit I'll have even more options of things to do.
Friday, July 14, 2006
A Secret Revealed
I'm going to make a BIG announcement in the coming days. But I'll get y'all warmed up with a small one.
Remember when I was interning, well I can finally reveal where I was interning. I was working at Forbes magazine on the Celebrity 100 issue that came out July 3. I contributed to the research of the entire list and I wrote one piece about the Top Earning Dead Celebs. The website for Forbes turned my article in to a small photo gallery.
But wait...there's more. I'm going to be on TV...lol. You can hopefully catch me (if my stuff isn't on the cutting room floor) on E! television this Sunday July 16 at 8 p.m. EST. Stunts: Forbes Celebrity 100: Who Made Bank - This two hour show counts down Forbes Magazine's top 100 richest celebrities of 2006. I had #44 - Jessica Simpson, #79 - Sean Diddy Combs and #100 - Ty Pennington. Given that we had 100 celebrities to squeeze in to 2 hours don't go to the bathroom you might miss my cameo.
Things are really looking up for me and expect to hear even more EXCITING news from me. But for now I'm going to enjoy a long and well deserved 4 day weekend off from work ;)
Remember when I was interning, well I can finally reveal where I was interning. I was working at Forbes magazine on the Celebrity 100 issue that came out July 3. I contributed to the research of the entire list and I wrote one piece about the Top Earning Dead Celebs. The website for Forbes turned my article in to a small photo gallery.
But wait...there's more. I'm going to be on TV...lol. You can hopefully catch me (if my stuff isn't on the cutting room floor) on E! television this Sunday July 16 at 8 p.m. EST. Stunts: Forbes Celebrity 100: Who Made Bank - This two hour show counts down Forbes Magazine's top 100 richest celebrities of 2006. I had #44 - Jessica Simpson, #79 - Sean Diddy Combs and #100 - Ty Pennington. Given that we had 100 celebrities to squeeze in to 2 hours don't go to the bathroom you might miss my cameo.
Things are really looking up for me and expect to hear even more EXCITING news from me. But for now I'm going to enjoy a long and well deserved 4 day weekend off from work ;)
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Get Your Game Up
An interesting tidbit from one of the conversations I had with my nieces and nephew.
We talked about dating...apparantly all of us (me and them) are single. One of my nieces has double D's but my brother is a former Marine so he doesn't even let males of any age look at her. She's not allowed to sit in the front seat of his ride because grown men stare at her and he has been known to flip people off. So she sits in the back cause the windows are tinted.
My other niece is a workaholic, like me, but I think she be big pimpin in Paterson because truthfully she is probably related to every other person in Hackensack. My family and her dad's family have been in Hackensack for generations so you get the idea. Before you can date someone from our town you have to damn near research their family tree to make sure they ain't related.
And my nephew won't admit it but I think he is far too selfish to give a girlfriend the kind of attention she would want. But he does love to talk on the phone, like his father (my brother), and so talking a good game is in his genes.
But one of my nieces was with me when I was hanging out with one of my friends from college that recently moved to NJ. She asked me why I didn't date him because he is really cute...and she started talking about his sexy build and I cracked up laughing cause I didn't realize she had paid him that much attention. I told her he has a girlfriend and we are just friends. She said, "So." I was like what do you mean so...he has a girl which means he is unavailable. "Well Auntie you can take him from her." I just laughed because I couldn't believe what she was saying and that my 17 year old niece was giving me dating advice. She finally said, "Auntie, you need to get your game up." And my other niece and nephew nodded in agreement. That was like a moment from the twilight zone.
We talked about dating...apparantly all of us (me and them) are single. One of my nieces has double D's but my brother is a former Marine so he doesn't even let males of any age look at her. She's not allowed to sit in the front seat of his ride because grown men stare at her and he has been known to flip people off. So she sits in the back cause the windows are tinted.
My other niece is a workaholic, like me, but I think she be big pimpin in Paterson because truthfully she is probably related to every other person in Hackensack. My family and her dad's family have been in Hackensack for generations so you get the idea. Before you can date someone from our town you have to damn near research their family tree to make sure they ain't related.
And my nephew won't admit it but I think he is far too selfish to give a girlfriend the kind of attention she would want. But he does love to talk on the phone, like his father (my brother), and so talking a good game is in his genes.
But one of my nieces was with me when I was hanging out with one of my friends from college that recently moved to NJ. She asked me why I didn't date him because he is really cute...and she started talking about his sexy build and I cracked up laughing cause I didn't realize she had paid him that much attention. I told her he has a girlfriend and we are just friends. She said, "So." I was like what do you mean so...he has a girl which means he is unavailable. "Well Auntie you can take him from her." I just laughed because I couldn't believe what she was saying and that my 17 year old niece was giving me dating advice. She finally said, "Auntie, you need to get your game up." And my other niece and nephew nodded in agreement. That was like a moment from the twilight zone.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
The $600 Oil Change
I have this love/hate relationship with my car. I love my car when it's not having any issues and I hate it when it does. The car is almost 10 years old and I just hate investing any large sums of money in to it. But at the same time I need a car and I can't afford to buy a new one so I have to do what I have to do to preserve this one.
I think way back in January I blogged about how the cap on my engine came off some time during my move from Atlanta to NYC. Oil was all over the inside of the car. Every time I would go to Firestone for an oil change they would tell me that I needed to get the engine steam cleaned...I stalled. The car was running fine, didn't smell like oil...I just didn't take the time or money to do it.
When it comes to my car I get in to moods about it. So this week I was in the mood to get some maintenance things done. So I decided to get the engine steam cleaned before I got an oil change. WHY DID I DECIDE TO DO THAT?
I'm all about supporting minority business so I took it to this shop that is Hispanic owned that EVERYONE including Firestone recommended. They said it would only be $25 to do the engine so I decide to go all out and get the car detailed. Total - $116
Well I get the car back and as soon as I started it up I knew something was wrong. The car was shaking like a crack head. Standing still it was shaking uncontrollably. As I sat in the car I could see the stick shift shaking. So I asked the guys why is my car shaking. They told me that was normal and that the engine is old. BULLSHIT...my car is almost 10 years old but that is not old for an engine. I try to drive off and the car stalls. OH HELL TO THE NAW! I go right back to the guys they say it is fine, it just needs to dry. WHATEVER! My car was no longer drivable. If I can't get around the corner without the car stalling out there is no way I can drive it back in to NYC. I was pissed and I had my niece with me so I was now concerned for her safety too.
Luckily Firestone is down the street from the car wash place. I barely get the car in to the parking lot of the Firestone. It stalled out FIVE TIMES from the car wash to the shop and finally stalled out in the parking lot. I tell Firestone what had happened and they said maybe I should let it dry. I'm like I can't even get the car to my mom's house let alone back to NYC. So they agree to check it for $99.
By this time I know I'm going to be late to work. I call my mom to come and get me and my niece and I catch a bus in to the city. On the way there Firestone calls to tell me that my car is FUCKED. The car wash place got so much water in my engine that I needed to have a whole bunch of shit replaced...like every wire and spark plug that was attached to my engine...and it would only cost me $500. I was fuming.
Luckily I have a Firestone account so I was able to pay for it..or at least defer payment. Can't wait to get that credit card bill. When I picked up the car the next day I went right back to the car wash place. After an argument they finally agreed to give me $270 of the $500 I paid. I cut my losses and let it go. My rationale was if I had to go through the process of suing it would cost me more than I paid. The other $230 was a combination of the initial diagnostic fee, the cost of a tune up and an oil change. So my net loss is like $350...if you take out the oil change I was going to get anyway my net loss is like $325. So I'm sucking it up, gonna eat the dreaded ramen for a week or two, not order lunch at work and probably have to raid my momma's refrigerator and freezer for the next few weeks.
I just hate unexpected costs and you can't plan for the unexpected like a car wash and an oil change suddenly costing you over $600.
I think way back in January I blogged about how the cap on my engine came off some time during my move from Atlanta to NYC. Oil was all over the inside of the car. Every time I would go to Firestone for an oil change they would tell me that I needed to get the engine steam cleaned...I stalled. The car was running fine, didn't smell like oil...I just didn't take the time or money to do it.
When it comes to my car I get in to moods about it. So this week I was in the mood to get some maintenance things done. So I decided to get the engine steam cleaned before I got an oil change. WHY DID I DECIDE TO DO THAT?
I'm all about supporting minority business so I took it to this shop that is Hispanic owned that EVERYONE including Firestone recommended. They said it would only be $25 to do the engine so I decide to go all out and get the car detailed. Total - $116
Well I get the car back and as soon as I started it up I knew something was wrong. The car was shaking like a crack head. Standing still it was shaking uncontrollably. As I sat in the car I could see the stick shift shaking. So I asked the guys why is my car shaking. They told me that was normal and that the engine is old. BULLSHIT...my car is almost 10 years old but that is not old for an engine. I try to drive off and the car stalls. OH HELL TO THE NAW! I go right back to the guys they say it is fine, it just needs to dry. WHATEVER! My car was no longer drivable. If I can't get around the corner without the car stalling out there is no way I can drive it back in to NYC. I was pissed and I had my niece with me so I was now concerned for her safety too.
Luckily Firestone is down the street from the car wash place. I barely get the car in to the parking lot of the Firestone. It stalled out FIVE TIMES from the car wash to the shop and finally stalled out in the parking lot. I tell Firestone what had happened and they said maybe I should let it dry. I'm like I can't even get the car to my mom's house let alone back to NYC. So they agree to check it for $99.
By this time I know I'm going to be late to work. I call my mom to come and get me and my niece and I catch a bus in to the city. On the way there Firestone calls to tell me that my car is FUCKED. The car wash place got so much water in my engine that I needed to have a whole bunch of shit replaced...like every wire and spark plug that was attached to my engine...and it would only cost me $500. I was fuming.
Luckily I have a Firestone account so I was able to pay for it..or at least defer payment. Can't wait to get that credit card bill. When I picked up the car the next day I went right back to the car wash place. After an argument they finally agreed to give me $270 of the $500 I paid. I cut my losses and let it go. My rationale was if I had to go through the process of suing it would cost me more than I paid. The other $230 was a combination of the initial diagnostic fee, the cost of a tune up and an oil change. So my net loss is like $350...if you take out the oil change I was going to get anyway my net loss is like $325. So I'm sucking it up, gonna eat the dreaded ramen for a week or two, not order lunch at work and probably have to raid my momma's refrigerator and freezer for the next few weeks.
I just hate unexpected costs and you can't plan for the unexpected like a car wash and an oil change suddenly costing you over $600.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Kickin' It With the Fam
Last night I got to spend some time with my family, particularly my teenage nieces and nephew. I don't think they realized how much this auntie loved that. I can't really remember the last time all 4 of us hang out.
One of my nieces is visiting from Virginia for the summer. The other one is like me and works ALL THE TIME. And my nephew bounces between his mom's place and my brother's place so I usually only catch him in transit. But for some reason the stars aligned last night and they were all together at my mom's house.
So me and one niece picked up the other niece from work. She came over to get her braids taken out. And my nephew was chilling in his dad's bedroom in the attic making love to the phone. I called him for some help with connecting his dad's computer to the internet. Instead of running back to the phone he stayed downstairs with us and I talked and laughed and danced (Auntie be dropping it like it's hot) and we had such a good time until 2am.
Last night is one of those nights I'll treasure. Just seeing all of them together laughing and talking and reminiscing on some of the stuff that has happened in our family...both good and bad. I have to say they have survived relatively unscathed from some of the BS that has gone on in our family. I'm just glad to see they still talk to each other cause my siblings and I barely speak.
The picture that will forever be ingrained in my mind is the 3 of them laughing so hard that they were all tearing and literally rolling on the floor of my mom's living room. That was one of those moments I wish I had a camera. My nieces will be seniors and my nephew a junior so I know last night is one of the few times they will be together like that again. *SIGH* I wish they didn't have to grow up so fast.
One of my nieces is visiting from Virginia for the summer. The other one is like me and works ALL THE TIME. And my nephew bounces between his mom's place and my brother's place so I usually only catch him in transit. But for some reason the stars aligned last night and they were all together at my mom's house.
So me and one niece picked up the other niece from work. She came over to get her braids taken out. And my nephew was chilling in his dad's bedroom in the attic making love to the phone. I called him for some help with connecting his dad's computer to the internet. Instead of running back to the phone he stayed downstairs with us and I talked and laughed and danced (Auntie be dropping it like it's hot) and we had such a good time until 2am.
Last night is one of those nights I'll treasure. Just seeing all of them together laughing and talking and reminiscing on some of the stuff that has happened in our family...both good and bad. I have to say they have survived relatively unscathed from some of the BS that has gone on in our family. I'm just glad to see they still talk to each other cause my siblings and I barely speak.
The picture that will forever be ingrained in my mind is the 3 of them laughing so hard that they were all tearing and literally rolling on the floor of my mom's living room. That was one of those moments I wish I had a camera. My nieces will be seniors and my nephew a junior so I know last night is one of the few times they will be together like that again. *SIGH* I wish they didn't have to grow up so fast.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Coke Rewards Update
About a month ago I blogged about how I was collecting Coke Rewards so I can get airline miles with Delta. Here's the blog if you don't remember. Well I am proud to say I am halfway to my goal of 1600 coke points equaling 10,000 Delta Sky Miles. I redeemed 800 points today to get 5,000 miles.
This endeavor has turned me in to an ebay-aholic. I'm on Ebay every day looking for bargains on the sale of coke points and you wouldn't believe how many auctions there are. So to everyone who has sent me codes, thank you...I'm still soliciting.
And I'm sure the question on everyone's mind is what am I going to use my miles for. Sadly, I don't have an exotic trip or anything planned. I will probably use the miles to fly to Atlanta one weekend or possibly Vegas. I'm still holding on to my Air Tran points so that I can finally take that vacation to the Bahamas.
This endeavor has turned me in to an ebay-aholic. I'm on Ebay every day looking for bargains on the sale of coke points and you wouldn't believe how many auctions there are. So to everyone who has sent me codes, thank you...I'm still soliciting.
And I'm sure the question on everyone's mind is what am I going to use my miles for. Sadly, I don't have an exotic trip or anything planned. I will probably use the miles to fly to Atlanta one weekend or possibly Vegas. I'm still holding on to my Air Tran points so that I can finally take that vacation to the Bahamas.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Not Going to Grad School
I got my rejection letter from Drexel. Based on the personal rejection letter they sent me everything was tight BUT my GRE scores. So I just have to face reality that if I want to go to graduate school I'm going to have to take the GRE again.
But some other changes are coming in the near future and I'm not motivated to pay almost $2,000 to take a Kaplan class and pay for the test. Plus the GRE is going to under go a whole bunch of changes in 2007 so I might as well wait until after the changes are implemented to seriously reconsider taking the test and re-applying to Drexel.
Initially I was disappointed, no one likes rejection...but given the other life altering changes that are about to take place, graduate school wasn't as attractive an option as it had been when I applied.
Some of you already know what's up but I'm not going to make my official public announcement until July 22 ;)
But some other changes are coming in the near future and I'm not motivated to pay almost $2,000 to take a Kaplan class and pay for the test. Plus the GRE is going to under go a whole bunch of changes in 2007 so I might as well wait until after the changes are implemented to seriously reconsider taking the test and re-applying to Drexel.
Initially I was disappointed, no one likes rejection...but given the other life altering changes that are about to take place, graduate school wasn't as attractive an option as it had been when I applied.
Some of you already know what's up but I'm not going to make my official public announcement until July 22 ;)
Thursday, June 29, 2006
I Need a Hug
I am seriously in need of physical contact...and I'm not talking about sex. In New York people try to avoid each other if anything else. When we get on the subway or walk down the street we go in to our own worlds by listening to our Ipods, reading magazines, books, newspapers, anything so we don't really have to interact with each other.
The only people that hug me are my mom (which might explain why I have been going home so much lately) and my friend German Girl. I don't even think GG realizes how much I appreciate her hugs. And my girl Nadira, every time I see her she gives me a hug...always makes me feel good to get such a warm greeting.
So the other day I hung out with a friend from college that just moved to NJ. It was so nice to get a big, warm, man-squeeze. We were so happy to see each other we hugged twice. That is one thing I really miss about the south. People really are friendlier and warmer. If I needed a hug all I had to do was drive around the corner to the Honey Comb Hideout. Or I had my big brother Unk T or the Big Black Man was always trying to hug up on me. He tested my nerves but at least his hugs were warm, strong and he surely always smelled good.
I'm not saying I want complete strangers to touch me but I just feel so disconnected. Hugs and sex are great stress relievers. I can't get enough of either and right now I'm getting neither...so I would really appreciate a hug.
My niece is coming to stay for the summer with my mom...I know I am guaranteed a hug from her. When ever she is around me she is always up underneath me because my brother ain't the most lovable guy. He's a military guy and he acts like he is allergic to hugs or giving attention. So I don't mind her being under neath me and I'm looking forward to me and my niece hanging out, having a blockbuster night and cuddling up on the couch.
The only people that hug me are my mom (which might explain why I have been going home so much lately) and my friend German Girl. I don't even think GG realizes how much I appreciate her hugs. And my girl Nadira, every time I see her she gives me a hug...always makes me feel good to get such a warm greeting.
So the other day I hung out with a friend from college that just moved to NJ. It was so nice to get a big, warm, man-squeeze. We were so happy to see each other we hugged twice. That is one thing I really miss about the south. People really are friendlier and warmer. If I needed a hug all I had to do was drive around the corner to the Honey Comb Hideout. Or I had my big brother Unk T or the Big Black Man was always trying to hug up on me. He tested my nerves but at least his hugs were warm, strong and he surely always smelled good.
I'm not saying I want complete strangers to touch me but I just feel so disconnected. Hugs and sex are great stress relievers. I can't get enough of either and right now I'm getting neither...so I would really appreciate a hug.
My niece is coming to stay for the summer with my mom...I know I am guaranteed a hug from her. When ever she is around me she is always up underneath me because my brother ain't the most lovable guy. He's a military guy and he acts like he is allergic to hugs or giving attention. So I don't mind her being under neath me and I'm looking forward to me and my niece hanging out, having a blockbuster night and cuddling up on the couch.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Someone Noticed Me
Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. Quite a few things are happening with me but you'll hear more about that in the coming weeks.
I think I keep a sporadic schedule. I never leave for work or leave from work the same time every day. It's very rare I see the same people twice on the subway. But apparently I don't pay enough attention.
My MO is when I ride the train at night I usually read a magazine as I'm waiting on the platform and as I'm riding the train. I subscribe to enough magazines that I'm able to read a magazine a day. So one late night after work I'm walking down the platform sipping on my Chai Tea Latte from the 24 hour Starbucks in Times Square. I sit down, pull out a magazine and commence reading.
I guess the guy next to me was getting up the nerve to speak to me or to figure out what to say. He finally says, "Do you work in the area?" Startled a bit because no one ever talks to me I say, "Yes." He says, "I see you some times, around this time." I laugh. He says, "What's so funny?" I tell him that I usually never see the same people each night and that I keep a pretty sporadic schedule so I didn't think anyone would notice me. He said, "I noticed you. You are always reading a magazine or something. So when you sat down next to me and pulled out a magazine, I knew it was you."
He was a pretty cool guy. Born and raised in NYC, he's leaving at the end of the month to pursue his hoop dreams in Israel. We had a cool conversation until he reached his stop. He never asked me for my number which I'm glad because I've learned my lesson giving my number out to nice strangers. He said I hope I'll see you again on the train. He was nice so I wouldn't mind if I ran in to him again.
But part of me was a little concerned. How many other people have noticed me? Is my schedule not as unpredictable as I thought? Do I need to switch things up? I'm not going to worry about it too much because my schedule is about to DRASTICALLY change so my days of riding the #2 late at night are numbered.
I think I keep a sporadic schedule. I never leave for work or leave from work the same time every day. It's very rare I see the same people twice on the subway. But apparently I don't pay enough attention.
My MO is when I ride the train at night I usually read a magazine as I'm waiting on the platform and as I'm riding the train. I subscribe to enough magazines that I'm able to read a magazine a day. So one late night after work I'm walking down the platform sipping on my Chai Tea Latte from the 24 hour Starbucks in Times Square. I sit down, pull out a magazine and commence reading.
I guess the guy next to me was getting up the nerve to speak to me or to figure out what to say. He finally says, "Do you work in the area?" Startled a bit because no one ever talks to me I say, "Yes." He says, "I see you some times, around this time." I laugh. He says, "What's so funny?" I tell him that I usually never see the same people each night and that I keep a pretty sporadic schedule so I didn't think anyone would notice me. He said, "I noticed you. You are always reading a magazine or something. So when you sat down next to me and pulled out a magazine, I knew it was you."
He was a pretty cool guy. Born and raised in NYC, he's leaving at the end of the month to pursue his hoop dreams in Israel. We had a cool conversation until he reached his stop. He never asked me for my number which I'm glad because I've learned my lesson giving my number out to nice strangers. He said I hope I'll see you again on the train. He was nice so I wouldn't mind if I ran in to him again.
But part of me was a little concerned. How many other people have noticed me? Is my schedule not as unpredictable as I thought? Do I need to switch things up? I'm not going to worry about it too much because my schedule is about to DRASTICALLY change so my days of riding the #2 late at night are numbered.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
And They Say I'm Not a Journalist
People don't think you are a journalist unless you have a byline in some publication or your face is on the tv screen. Well there are plenty of behind the scenes jobs and those people (myself included) are journalists. But every now and then I'll write a story, column, blog...something...to remind people that I do have the basic journalism skills and I know how to put a story together.
So my internship has come to an end. I got a single byline for my story and a group byline for the entire package. But you'll have to hit me up offline or on email misadventures@gmail.com to get what the exact publication is....so you can look for it online and/or on newsstands.
My main job is known as "The Golden Shackles," and there is the ever so slim chance I could get in trouble for writing for another publication even though I :
A - Do not write for my current employer.
B - Do not work in the section of the paper of which my internship would be associated with.
C - My name is not associated with my employer as if I was a reporter because I get no credit for backend production. Basically my name will never appear in the newspaper or on the website.
The other freelance assignment also ended, but that won't hit newsstands until October, so you'll have to check back for an entry about that. I thought I was only going to get a research credit but it looks like my cover story for that publication will be a double byline. The reporter I've been working with is hella cool. I was surprised she would agree to share a byline with me cause you know how people are about sharing bylines. But we both busted ass on the story and I know it will turn out well.
So I'm still in the hunt for my next internship or freelance assignment. But for the next week I'm going to enjoy not having to get up during the day and catching up on 11 weeks of missed sleep.
So my internship has come to an end. I got a single byline for my story and a group byline for the entire package. But you'll have to hit me up offline or on email misadventures@gmail.com to get what the exact publication is....so you can look for it online and/or on newsstands.
My main job is known as "The Golden Shackles," and there is the ever so slim chance I could get in trouble for writing for another publication even though I :
A - Do not write for my current employer.
B - Do not work in the section of the paper of which my internship would be associated with.
C - My name is not associated with my employer as if I was a reporter because I get no credit for backend production. Basically my name will never appear in the newspaper or on the website.
The other freelance assignment also ended, but that won't hit newsstands until October, so you'll have to check back for an entry about that. I thought I was only going to get a research credit but it looks like my cover story for that publication will be a double byline. The reporter I've been working with is hella cool. I was surprised she would agree to share a byline with me cause you know how people are about sharing bylines. But we both busted ass on the story and I know it will turn out well.
So I'm still in the hunt for my next internship or freelance assignment. But for the next week I'm going to enjoy not having to get up during the day and catching up on 11 weeks of missed sleep.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Facebook Frenzy Finished
I think I'm over my temporary facebook frenzy. Because when what someone posts on the wall of one of your friends pisses you off...it's time to keep it moving because you are clearly taking facebook way too seriously.
This chick is literally throwing herself at my boy on his facebook wall. It's one thing to let your interest be known but to publicize that -ish on someone's facebook wall is ridiculous.
People need to be careful about what they post on their facebook, myspace, etc. pages. As illustrated in a recent story in the Times it may prevent you from getting the job of your dreams.
This chick is literally throwing herself at my boy on his facebook wall. It's one thing to let your interest be known but to publicize that -ish on someone's facebook wall is ridiculous.
People need to be careful about what they post on their facebook, myspace, etc. pages. As illustrated in a recent story in the Times it may prevent you from getting the job of your dreams.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Do I Look Spanish To You?
This weekend is the Puerto Rican Pride parade. Part of me wants to go but given that I'm not fluent in Espanol I think I will skip it. I'm already mistaken for being Hispanic, even by my own people. So I don't want some cute pappi chulo rolling up on me and I can't respond.
But I just don't understand it...well I do understand at night...from a distance...I may look Hispanic. But in broad daylight I don't see the confusion. Black men will start off saying, "What's Up?" and I guess they think I must not understand English when I don't respond so they will pull out some broken spanglish. "Hola Mommie...Come Estas?" I just smile and keep it moving.
German Girl and I look very Hispanic when we are together and both having really curly hair days...but it's rare that our curly hair days coincide and that we are together. Is it really that hard to discern race?
But I just don't understand it...well I do understand at night...from a distance...I may look Hispanic. But in broad daylight I don't see the confusion. Black men will start off saying, "What's Up?" and I guess they think I must not understand English when I don't respond so they will pull out some broken spanglish. "Hola Mommie...Come Estas?" I just smile and keep it moving.
German Girl and I look very Hispanic when we are together and both having really curly hair days...but it's rare that our curly hair days coincide and that we are together. Is it really that hard to discern race?
Sunday, June 04, 2006
My Coke Rewards
I have this thing about collecting stuff to get free or low cost air travel.
Like last November/December I would buy Wendy's Cups to get free travel on Air Tran. And it worked. If you did the math it was cheaper to buy medium sized drinks from Wendy's than to buy actual one-way tickets from Air Tran. So I bought cups from Wendy's and from E-bay and from Craig's List and I scored the maximum amount of airline tickets you could get. But when you combined that with the points I already had with Air Tran it came out to about 6 one-way tickets or 3 round trips. Unfortunately because of the issues with my tenant and my house I had to use some of those airline tickets for business rather than the intended pleasure trips (Las Vegas, Grand Bahamas). But I still have some flight credits left and hopefully I won't have to fly back to Atlanta any time soon.
So now on to my new addiction. Coke is the official drink of Atlanta. Well it is the official drink of all my jobs as well. Everyone has Coke vending machines. Well I average 3-5 bottles of Coke a week at work. And one day it hit me, I was throwing away valuable points every time I threw away one of my Coke bottle caps. So I started saving them and then I started looking on E-bay and Craig's List for people selling them. And now I'm hooked. My goal is to get 1600 points which is the equivalent of 10,000 Delta sky miles. I have a little over 15,000 Delta Skymiles so 10K would be just enough for me to get a plane ticket. The cost calculation hasn't been as clear as with Wendy's. I knew with Wendy's I was getting a deal.
But let's do some math. I need 10,000 miles or 1600 points. So far I have been averaging about $10 for every 120 points. If I keep with this average those 10,000 miles will cost me about $130. If I was to straight up buy 10K miles from Delta it would cost me $320.63. So that's a savings of $190. I'll keep y'all posted on if I hit my goal or not. I'm considering flying Delta or American Airlines to the NABJ convention so that may help me to reach my goal faster as well.
P.s. - If you are not using your coke bottle caps...give them to me, you can email me the codes...or at least think of me each time you drink a Coke ;)
Like last November/December I would buy Wendy's Cups to get free travel on Air Tran. And it worked. If you did the math it was cheaper to buy medium sized drinks from Wendy's than to buy actual one-way tickets from Air Tran. So I bought cups from Wendy's and from E-bay and from Craig's List and I scored the maximum amount of airline tickets you could get. But when you combined that with the points I already had with Air Tran it came out to about 6 one-way tickets or 3 round trips. Unfortunately because of the issues with my tenant and my house I had to use some of those airline tickets for business rather than the intended pleasure trips (Las Vegas, Grand Bahamas). But I still have some flight credits left and hopefully I won't have to fly back to Atlanta any time soon.
So now on to my new addiction. Coke is the official drink of Atlanta. Well it is the official drink of all my jobs as well. Everyone has Coke vending machines. Well I average 3-5 bottles of Coke a week at work. And one day it hit me, I was throwing away valuable points every time I threw away one of my Coke bottle caps. So I started saving them and then I started looking on E-bay and Craig's List for people selling them. And now I'm hooked. My goal is to get 1600 points which is the equivalent of 10,000 Delta sky miles. I have a little over 15,000 Delta Skymiles so 10K would be just enough for me to get a plane ticket. The cost calculation hasn't been as clear as with Wendy's. I knew with Wendy's I was getting a deal.
But let's do some math. I need 10,000 miles or 1600 points. So far I have been averaging about $10 for every 120 points. If I keep with this average those 10,000 miles will cost me about $130. If I was to straight up buy 10K miles from Delta it would cost me $320.63. So that's a savings of $190. I'll keep y'all posted on if I hit my goal or not. I'm considering flying Delta or American Airlines to the NABJ convention so that may help me to reach my goal faster as well.
P.s. - If you are not using your coke bottle caps...give them to me, you can email me the codes...or at least think of me each time you drink a Coke ;)
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
The Wait Begins
Back on April 7 I told y'all I was debating applying to graduate school. By April 9 I decided there was no harm in applying especially since I didn't have to pay an application fee.
So as of today, Wednesday May 31, my graduate application is submitted and complete. Thus the waiting game begins. According to the email I received I should allow approximately four to eight weeks for the review. I will receive an offer of admission or a denial by mail. So I'm going to give it a month...by June 30...if I haven't heard anything I will be on the horn bugging the admissions office.
So as of today, Wednesday May 31, my graduate application is submitted and complete. Thus the waiting game begins. According to the email I received I should allow approximately four to eight weeks for the review. I will receive an offer of admission or a denial by mail. So I'm going to give it a month...by June 30...if I haven't heard anything I will be on the horn bugging the admissions office.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Pulling an Enron
Every day, regular people like you and me commit Enrons.
What exactly is committing or pulling an Enron? I define it as moving your debt around to make it look like you are not as broke or not in as much debt as you really are.
How do you pull an Enron? You transfer the balance from one credit card to another, always shifting the debt around to the credit card with the no interest or low interest rate. Eventually you have to pay some significant amount of money or transfer the debt again. But until that time you do your best just to keep the interest collecting on your debt as low as possible.
The responsible people that commit Enrons don't accumulate more debt by spending on the credit cards they just paid off with balance transferring. The bad Enron-doers will do the exact opposite and end up in even more debt and more interest to pay than what they started with.
I committed yet another Enron today. For months I have been moving my debt around but I'm being responsible and not spending on those now cleared credit cards and since I have less credit cards to make payments on, I make bigger payments to the few I have (sorry, I'm not at the point where I can pay my balances in full at the end of each billing cycle). But one of the credit cards I "paid off" made me a sweet offer. No interest for 12 months on a balance transfer. So what did I do? I transferred the balance from my Macy's store charge because the interest rate was 26%.
I'm saving on interest but I'm not really saving on the amount of credit card bills I have to pay each month. I essentially just swapped the debt. But if I'm consistent in my game plan to get out of debt the one I transferred the debt too will be paid off long before they can start charging me interest.
What exactly is committing or pulling an Enron? I define it as moving your debt around to make it look like you are not as broke or not in as much debt as you really are.
How do you pull an Enron? You transfer the balance from one credit card to another, always shifting the debt around to the credit card with the no interest or low interest rate. Eventually you have to pay some significant amount of money or transfer the debt again. But until that time you do your best just to keep the interest collecting on your debt as low as possible.
The responsible people that commit Enrons don't accumulate more debt by spending on the credit cards they just paid off with balance transferring. The bad Enron-doers will do the exact opposite and end up in even more debt and more interest to pay than what they started with.
I committed yet another Enron today. For months I have been moving my debt around but I'm being responsible and not spending on those now cleared credit cards and since I have less credit cards to make payments on, I make bigger payments to the few I have (sorry, I'm not at the point where I can pay my balances in full at the end of each billing cycle). But one of the credit cards I "paid off" made me a sweet offer. No interest for 12 months on a balance transfer. So what did I do? I transferred the balance from my Macy's store charge because the interest rate was 26%.
I'm saving on interest but I'm not really saving on the amount of credit card bills I have to pay each month. I essentially just swapped the debt. But if I'm consistent in my game plan to get out of debt the one I transferred the debt too will be paid off long before they can start charging me interest.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Back in the Hunt
When I decided to do an internship it was because I was bored as hell and was tired of working, coming home, watching DVD's, sleeping late, going to work and doing that day in and day out. So I got a 10 week internship and I thought I would use the extra money to pay off a credit card or something.
Then all hell broke loose. I had to evict my tenant so that left me with rent in NYC and a mortgage in ATL to cover. Now I'm in a position where I need another job.
Through the six degrees of seperation I was able to pick up an extra freelance assignment at another magazine but I probably won't see that money until after the issue comes out. I'm grinding six days at week at the full-time job, internship and now on this freelance assignment. But come June 16 the internship ends and June 19 the freelance assignment is over. So I'm back on the hunt for another internship, freelance position, part-time position or full-time day job. I have applied for damn near everything I think I qualify for. The list is quite interesting:
- Freelance Blogger
- Temporary Fact Checker
- Freelance Fact Checker
- Part-Time Photo Researcher
- File Clerk
- Summer Adminstrative Assistant
- Outreach Assistant
- Confirmation Clerk
- Public Relations Intern
- Library Information Assistant
- Web Producer
- Associate Web Producer
- Part-Time Associate Web Producer
- Editorial Assistant
- Full-Time Intern at a website
- Summer Intern at a website
Pretty much anything I think I could qualify for I IMMEDIATELY apply. I apply to at least one job a day including on the weekend. I spend my days on mediabistro.com and journalismjobs.com checking periodically for updates of new job postings. Something just has to come through because with all my overhead I am clearly a part of the working poor class.
Then all hell broke loose. I had to evict my tenant so that left me with rent in NYC and a mortgage in ATL to cover. Now I'm in a position where I need another job.
Through the six degrees of seperation I was able to pick up an extra freelance assignment at another magazine but I probably won't see that money until after the issue comes out. I'm grinding six days at week at the full-time job, internship and now on this freelance assignment. But come June 16 the internship ends and June 19 the freelance assignment is over. So I'm back on the hunt for another internship, freelance position, part-time position or full-time day job. I have applied for damn near everything I think I qualify for. The list is quite interesting:
- Freelance Blogger
- Temporary Fact Checker
- Freelance Fact Checker
- Part-Time Photo Researcher
- File Clerk
- Summer Adminstrative Assistant
- Outreach Assistant
- Confirmation Clerk
- Public Relations Intern
- Library Information Assistant
- Web Producer
- Associate Web Producer
- Part-Time Associate Web Producer
- Editorial Assistant
- Full-Time Intern at a website
- Summer Intern at a website
Pretty much anything I think I could qualify for I IMMEDIATELY apply. I apply to at least one job a day including on the weekend. I spend my days on mediabistro.com and journalismjobs.com checking periodically for updates of new job postings. Something just has to come through because with all my overhead I am clearly a part of the working poor class.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Black Tax
Last night I was watching the movie "Something New" starring Sanaa Latham. I was reminded of the "Black Tax," a term I have never used but I knew what it was.
As defined by the movie and the urban dictionary the black tax is "The notion that Black people have to work and perform regular tasks twice as well as White people." Up until today I had never personally experienced the Black Tax.
Then I get in to work and there is a certain person that has been uncooperative on a project. Two of my coworkers have tried to work with this person and have not gotten the desired results. So somehow working with this person was assigned to me. Of course no one is going to say it's because I'm young and black and this person is young and black but I'm no fool. I have been in the biz long enough to know the logic.
But little do they know that if this person has been uncooperative with them it won't be any different with me. I'm going to do my best but I know I might have to take an L on this. Unless this person understands the power of the Black Tax...that will be my only redeemer. Two other people weren't able to get the project accomplished but because I'm the last one assigned to this it will be remembered as I wasn't able to get it done. Dayum that Black Tax!!!
As defined by the movie and the urban dictionary the black tax is "The notion that Black people have to work and perform regular tasks twice as well as White people." Up until today I had never personally experienced the Black Tax.
Then I get in to work and there is a certain person that has been uncooperative on a project. Two of my coworkers have tried to work with this person and have not gotten the desired results. So somehow working with this person was assigned to me. Of course no one is going to say it's because I'm young and black and this person is young and black but I'm no fool. I have been in the biz long enough to know the logic.
But little do they know that if this person has been uncooperative with them it won't be any different with me. I'm going to do my best but I know I might have to take an L on this. Unless this person understands the power of the Black Tax...that will be my only redeemer. Two other people weren't able to get the project accomplished but because I'm the last one assigned to this it will be remembered as I wasn't able to get it done. Dayum that Black Tax!!!
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
"I Will Cut You"
Jokingly I will say to people..."I'm from Jersey...I will cut you." But most of the time I don't really mean it. I'm not trying to go to jail for cutting people. But this Sunday I noticed that I do have a lot of knives. I have so many knives that I have a set of knives in NJ and a set of knives at my apt. You would think I was Chef Boyardee with all the knives that I have.
And I honestly have no idea how I have accumulated so many knives. Let me think about that...The set of knives that I have in NJ were the set my mom bought me when I was in college. When I moved to Philly after graduating from UNC some how my knives (along with a few other things) didn't make it with me. And then when I moved to Atlanta the knives still did not make it from NJ so my mom bought me another set when she came to visit me that Christmas.
But if I was actually to take all the knives that really do belong to me I would have a pretty impressive and possibly scary culinary collection. Edward Scissorhands ain't got shit on me. I just hope I never get in to a situation where I do have to use any of the knives I have on some crazy fool...and trust there are plenty of crazies in NYC.
And I honestly have no idea how I have accumulated so many knives. Let me think about that...The set of knives that I have in NJ were the set my mom bought me when I was in college. When I moved to Philly after graduating from UNC some how my knives (along with a few other things) didn't make it with me. And then when I moved to Atlanta the knives still did not make it from NJ so my mom bought me another set when she came to visit me that Christmas.
But if I was actually to take all the knives that really do belong to me I would have a pretty impressive and possibly scary culinary collection. Edward Scissorhands ain't got shit on me. I just hope I never get in to a situation where I do have to use any of the knives I have on some crazy fool...and trust there are plenty of crazies in NYC.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Facebook Frenzy
Boredom is a bitch because for as long as I could I avoided the Facebook and MySpace trends. My thought was I spend enough of my life online I do not need to participate in anything that will have me online even more. But than boredom kicked in.
Working in sports my job is sporadic. There is never a steady period of work to do. It's a lot of waiting around for stories to come in and then busting ass to get them published and online quickly. And this is the cycle for my entire shift. So there is quite a bit of down time between the bursts of copy.
When you work nights you can only check your email so many times before the only thing coming in is junk mail because all your friends are asleep or out. So during one of these down times I decided to sign up for a UNC alumni account and to sign up for Facebook. So now I'm hooked. I'm constantly checking facebook, looking at other peoples profiles and photos and sending friendship requests to the various people I find.
Facebook proves that the black community at UNC is very small but very tight. It's like 2 degrees of seperation. There are some people that I didn't know other people knew. I actually think Facebook would have been handy if it existed when I was in college. But it's here now and I'm using it as a way to see what's up with some people and reconnect with others.
Working in sports my job is sporadic. There is never a steady period of work to do. It's a lot of waiting around for stories to come in and then busting ass to get them published and online quickly. And this is the cycle for my entire shift. So there is quite a bit of down time between the bursts of copy.
When you work nights you can only check your email so many times before the only thing coming in is junk mail because all your friends are asleep or out. So during one of these down times I decided to sign up for a UNC alumni account and to sign up for Facebook. So now I'm hooked. I'm constantly checking facebook, looking at other peoples profiles and photos and sending friendship requests to the various people I find.
Facebook proves that the black community at UNC is very small but very tight. It's like 2 degrees of seperation. There are some people that I didn't know other people knew. I actually think Facebook would have been handy if it existed when I was in college. But it's here now and I'm using it as a way to see what's up with some people and reconnect with others.
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