Photo No. 30,001

So. . . When you go to openings, parties, concerts, dinners, fundraisers and events, and you always go with the same one or two people, you end up with about, oh, 30,000 versions of the same photo. This is Kristie and me enjoying a couple glasses of red at the opening of Matt Baumgartner's new club, Noche. The building that houses it is an old fire station. It's a great spot--very classy. We are standing in front of the centerpiece work of art, by Albany's own Tommy Watkins.


*Note to Kristie: I'm really going to count and see exactly how many pics like this we have. I don't know how, but I think we generally end up on the same sides in most of them. Odd.

More Birthdays

Kristie turns 26 today!

(Here she is with her dog Sage.)

Everyone be sure to call and say hello.

She's in icky Staten Island.

Goddamn...

I'm tense.

Rough Time for Kristie

Kristie's birthday is on Thursday (Dec. 22--she'll be 26), but she can't be in Albany to celebrate with her friends because she's taking care of unpleasant family issues in Staten Island. If any of you want to call to wish her a happy birthday or happy holidays, or to let her know that your thoughts are with her, e-mail me and I'll pass along contact info.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATE!

Kate P.

turns

26

today!

Happy

birthday!

Another 20-Something Bites the Dust

HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY, BRODEUR!

This Just In . . .

We are expecting the first major snowstorm of the season tonight--they're saying 4-12 inches!
Now's your chance to stock up on hot chocolate and marshmallows.

Guys, Pay Attention.

This is a bit sad, but surprisingly brilliant.

Borrowed Post

My sweet, sweet friend Jan wrote the following post on his blog last night, and it's such a beautiful little piece of writing that I could not resist but to post it here as well (with his permission, of course--thanks, Jan!). Enjoy.

"It's funny how something so mundane can become so much more. For example, when I was with my last girlfriend we went to the grocery store. A simple mundane event. But when we went, we spent a lot of time there, we joked, argued about what to buy. These little things take on meanings, sort of rituals.

But all these rituals, whether you realize or perceive their roles within yourself, make up bits of you. Parts of your intimacy. They are your world. They are the places you frequent and slowly you share it with someone. Let them into the places you go and do the things that you do.

And when that intimacy isn't there anymore, then those trips, those small baubles turn back into the ordinary. Or even worse, they become a spot of pain, a reminder of rejection or a shot of indifference where there was once more.

Because you can't go home again. Things change, people change, evolve, regress, adapt or fall behind. Everyone takes bits and pieces of us, changes us around, turns us on our heads, makes us feel happy, sick and desperate. Even if you can't see it, or don't notice it, it's there. The minute I met the world, it altered me.

All that you can do is accept change. But sometimes you have the wind knocked out of you and you have to gasp for a little while. Find your bearings, straighten up and cop to your emotions. And sometimes people can ease your transistions through love and life, like a crutch.

Sometimes I feel really winded and other times I think that I'm really good at rolling with the constant flood of it all.

The truth is I'm probably somewhere in between."

--Jan Thomas

Yum!

We'll call this one

Photographic Evidence of My Re-Entry Into the Burger-Eating World.

Photo taken by Mr. Travis Durfee.

Expanding My Online Presence, Sorta

Visit my MySpace site. Become my friend! It's fun. Really.

Nate

This is my dear friend Nate, driving on the Palisades to New York for his weekly gig at the Stonewall Bistro in the village. Don't worry, he kept his eyes open for the majority of the ride.

My New Hat (Wink!)

Getting Ready For the Family Ambush

I'm getting ready to leave town tomorrow for a few days to spend Thanksgiving with the family. Before I do, I have to:

1. pack
2. take Asa to be boarded for the weekend
3. go to my dentist appointment in the morning
4. bribe Kristie to watch my cats
5. get my oil changed
6. come up with some sort of gift to bring to the dinner/household
7. pay rent
8. go to the bank
9. make my apartment somewhat liveable for when I return home
10. mentally prepare for inevitable ex-boyfriend sighting


I'm wasting precious time. . .

Happy Birthday to Me. . .

Today I am 26. And that is that.

Lyric of the Day

"That deaf dumb and blind kid sure plays a mean pinball."

--the Who's Tommy

Feeling Homicidal. . .

. . .

A Couple More Cancun Pics

Click on 'em to see 'em full size.

Line Dancing, Cancun-Style

Cancun, Mexico

OK, I know I went a little backwards here--Cancun was before the fashion show--but here's a pic of me and the ladies (Kristie and Kate) at one of the many hotel bars at the resort at which we stayed for about a week in mid-September. The beer was cheap, the weather was great, the ocean was like bath water, and all the Mexican waiters we came across showered us with attention.

Eyeliner is a Guy's Best Friend

Here's Mitch in hair and make-up for the fashion show at the Lark Tavern on Saturday night. He modeled clothes for Tommy Watkins' line, called Liability.

Here's Sam

Sam thinks she's cute. She's a smart kitty.

Freakin' Out.

You would think that as you got older, the people around you who you now have to deal with would reflect some sort of relative maturity. You would think. I am realizing more and more these days that people much older than me have no problem acting like infantile morons. And I'm not talking specifically about a class of people, or coworkers, or politicians, or whatever. I am talking about every-frickin'-body. I can definitely delve into fits of regression as well, don't get me wrong, but I try to be as professional and upbeat as possible when dealing with, well. . . work, and when dealing with anyone I should just be frickin' polite to, just because.

I am completely unmotivated. And I feel an extraordinary sense of sorrow.

To Be Honest. . .

This was a secret posted on Postsecret.com. I think it's hysterical.

Has Katrina Saved US Media?

Thanks to Rick for the link to this story.

Look Here...

Here's the Jackson Free Press' Katrina blog.

Heartbreaker

Please read the transcript or listen to the interview with New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin on WWL-AM.

A Better List of Resources to Help Victims of Hurricane Katrina

. . . Can be found here.

WAY TO GO, Ted Koppel

Ted Koppel interviews head of FEMA, Michael Brown.

Summing Up the Federal Response to Katrina

World stunned as US struggles with Katrina Sep 02 10:08 AM US/Eastern

By Andrew Gray
LONDON (Reuters) - The world has watched amazed as the planet's only superpower struggles with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, with some saying the chaos has exposed flaws and deep divisions in American society.
World leaders and ordinary citizens have expressed sympathy with the people of the southern United States whose lives were devastated by the hurricane and the flooding that followed.
But many have also been shocked by the images of disorder beamed around the world -- looters roaming the debris-strewn streets and thousands of people gathered in New Orleans waiting for the authorities to provide food, water and other aid.
"Anarchy in the USA" declared Britain's best-selling newspaper The Sun.
"Apocalypse Now" headlined Germany's Handelsblatt daily.
The pictures of the catastrophe -- which has killed hundreds and possibly thousands -- have evoked memories of crises in the world's poorest nations such as last year's tsunami in Asia, which left more than 230,000 people dead or missing.
But some view the response to those disasters more favorably than the lawless aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
"I am absolutely disgusted. After the tsunami our people, even the ones who lost everything, wanted to help the others who were suffering," said Sajeewa Chinthaka, 36, as he watched a cricket match in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
"Not a single tourist caught in the tsunami was mugged. Now with all this happening in the U.S. we can easily see where the civilized part of the world's population is."
SINKING INTO ANARCHY
Many newspapers highlighted criticism of local and state authorities and of President Bush. Some compared the sputtering relief effort with the massive amounts of money and resources poured into the war in Iraq.
"A modern metropolis sinking in water and into anarchy -- it is a really cruel spectacle for a champion of security like Bush," France's left-leaning Liberation newspaper said.
"(Al Qaeda leader Osama) bin Laden, nice and dry in his hideaway, must be killing himself laughing."
A female employee at a multinational firm in South Korea said it may have been no accident the U.S. was hit.
"Maybe it was punishment for what it did to Iraq, which has a man-made disaster, not a natural disaster," said the woman, who did not want to be named as she has an American manager.
"A lot of the people I work with think this way. We spoke about it just the other day," she said.
Commentators noted the victims of the hurricane were overwhelmingly African Americans, too poor to flee the region as the hurricane loomed unlike some of their white neighbors.
New Orleans ranks fifth in the United States in terms of African American population and 67 percent of the city's residents are black.
"In one of the poorest states in the country, where black people earn half as much as white people, this has taken on a racial dimension," said a report in Britain's Guardian daily.
Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, in a veiled criticism of U.S. political thought, said the disaster showed the need for a strong state that could help poor people.
"You see in this example that even in the 21st century you need the state, a good functioning state, and I hope that for all these people, these poor people, that the Americans will do their best," he told reporters at a European Union meeting in Newport, Wales.
David Fordham, 33, a hospital anesthetist speaking at a London underground rail station, said he had spent time in America and was not surprised the country had struggled to cope.
"Maybe they just thought they could sit it out and everything would be okay," he said.
"It's unbelievable though -- the TV images -- and your heart goes out to them."
(With reporting by Reuters bureaux around the world)

I Love Little Girls

. . . especially these little girls. Kristie's nieces, Fiona (top) and Maeve (bottom) Donnelly. They are my little Irish angels. My predictions for the teen Donnelly girls: Maeve will be the sweet, well-behaved, steady-boyfriend, straight-As (probably on the debate team or in the glee club) kind of girl, and Fiona will be the punk-rocker, restless, pierced, rebellious, creative, straight-Bs (and probably in detention at least once a month) type of girl. They are sweet as honey and I love hanging out with them.

Is It Just Me, Or. . .

. . . are the members of our government just not taking the devastation of Hurricane Katrina quite as seriously as they should be?

Also check out this study in photos. (Thanks to Rick for the link.)

Kristie's New Car

Help the Victims of Hurricane Katrina

. . . there are a bunch of different numbers to call in order to donate money, and in some cases, volunteer to help rescue, and there's going to be a huge need in terms of cleanup volunteers. CNN has compiled a pretty comprehensive list. I'm sure any little bit of help will be extremely appreciated.

I'm in Love With Harry (and Proud of It!)

For those of you who are big Harry Potter dorks like I am, check out the teaser and the trailer for the new movie, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

(By the way, thanks to Mr. Marshall for my "Republicans for Voldemort" sticker. I love it!)

Goin' to the City

Here's Kristie's new tattoo, which she got last Thursday. It's a version of the Celtic Tree of Life. Miss Kristie also bought a brand-new Toyota Matrix yesterday! It's very very cute and fun. Congratulations, doll. You have been promoted to chaffeur. :-)

In other news, I'm outta here!! This weekend Mitch and I are going to the city and to visit our grandmother. We'll go to MoMA (I haven't been there since the renovations), we'll see Fiddler on the Roof (starring Harvey Fierstein, yay!), and we'll eat at my favorite comfort-food spot, the Second Ave. Deli. I can't wait, it'll be great! John, don't forget to feed Sam and Jonah tomorrow! (Thank you.) See y'all next week!

Pain In My Own Ass

It's a familiar situation as of late: a ton of work to do, and absolutely no motivation to get it done. Hence the post (I'm too unmotivated to even write a longer one, though). I'm either overtired or pissy or lazy. I really can't figure it out. I need to get some sleep, I think.

A Pic of the Spanish Steps

Here is the view from the top of the Spanish Steps at dusk. It really is a beautiful spot. The street that starts at the bottom of the Steps is lined with designer shops like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana and other uber-expensive namebrands.

The German

I met a boy in Rome. Of course in Rome. But he's not from Rome, he's from Germany. Of course. He's very sweet and very handsome and he lives a hundred million miles away. And because we only spent two evenings together, and because he's such a mystery, I am very attracted to the idea of getting to know him better and (possibly?) visiting him. Or him visiting me. We've been emailing long letters and photos, but I have to wonder if any of it will amount to anything. Yes, it's nice to have him as a contact . . . a friend, even, but where will it go, if anywhere? And it's not like I am trying to take the spontaneity or impetuousness out of anything, I'm just wondering if it's worth all the thought I've already given it, which, for the record, has been too much. I guess we'll see. . .

Online Confessionals

They seem to be all the rage. Protected by the veil of anonymity, one can be fearless. Though a lot of these confessions/secrets are sometimes very disturbing, a lot of them are oddly comforting, and some are downright comical. No one I know (or so they say) has submitted a secret or confession to these sites. I have been tempted, but I will never, for fear of them being able to track my secret to my town, to my office, to my desk, to my computer, to my head. Really, I'm not paranoid. But there are a couple choice secrets that I will never commit to writing. Not in my journal, not on my blog, and not on an anonymous online abyss. They are just too secret. But I do enjoy reading them. It's the sensationalist in me.

Check out postsecret.com, grouphug.us, and notproud.com.

I'm Back! Damnit.

Well, August is already halfway over and autumn will be coming very shortly. I love autumn, so I'm not disappointed about the retreat of summer. I am, however, dreading yet another Northeast winter. I'll whine about that later, though. . . it's still warm and sunny out, thankfully.

Italy was fabulous; I visited Positano, Pompei, Sorrento, Capri and Rome. (The photo above is of Positano, where I spent the majority of my trip.) It was a beautiful vacation; to be on the West Coast of Italy was fantastically beneficial to my mental health. And, of course, Rome. . . quite the difference in security compared to the last time I was there in March of 2001. Instead of a few Swiss Guards here and there at the Vatican, there were many heavily armed police officers. Where you used to be able to walk right into San Pietro, there are now queues and metal detectors. But regardless, Rome is still stunning and wonderful and friendly and ancient. I spent most nighttime hours on the Spanish Steps, where I drank lots of chianti and met all sorts of people and watched fire throwers and guitarists perform for the crowds. It was so disappointing to leave. But, I threw a coin into the Trevi Fountain, which supposedly insures your safe return to Rome someday. So hopefully I'll get back there eventually.

Lyric of the Day

Sometimes you get what you want, sometimes you get what you get.
--Paddy Kilrain

One of Those Days

I'm very very sleepy--it's one of those days where I just can't completely wake up. I think I need another cup of coffee--and a catnap--before I try to go to work at the restaurant. *YAWN*

This is a pic of where I sit everyday: my desk. My bulletin board is more interesting than my desktop, so this is the angle I chose to blog.

I have a trip to Italy coming up in two weeks. Very exciting. I'll be traveling with my gram and we will hit fun cities like Naples, Pompeii, Rome, and Positano. Countdown commences: 13 days to go.

Best of the Best of the Best

Alright, people--we can't make this any easier for you. Go to the website and fill out this year's Readers' Poll! Here's your chance to give props to your favorite waitress, band, website, restaurant, reporter, and anything else you want. And, if you're not related to me or anyone else who works at the paper, you may win a prize (you can read about the prizes on the website). Don't forget to vote LOCAL! Thank you and goodnight.

It's All About Perspective

Over the past week or so I have spent time individually with three different people (with whom I am extremely close) who have moved out of Albany over the past couple years (two to western New York--Ithaca and Syracuse--and one to Baton Rouge). Each one of these three precious people says that he misses Albany, a lot. This is the regret I do not want to have. I am staying (for now). I will take a sabatical from my life at some point and scoot off to Barcelona for a year or two, but I'm almost positive I'll end up back here. Jan (Baton Rouge) asked if I've become bored (bored here, bored with my job, bored with my life). After a minute of contemplation, I answered no. The thing is, I told him, I have a great appreciation for the little things in my life (cliche or not, it's the truth). I love being by myself in my tiny apartment that I share with my cats. I love that I have no one to answer to, and I have all the freedom in the world to do whatever I want, whenever I want. I treasure that I get to be close to my brother and that I can be there for him whenever he needs me. I appreciate that I enjoy my job, because a lot of people aren't that lucky. I love that I have good food in my fridge, a car that's fun to drive and still in good shape (and almost paid off!), three parks within walking distance from my house, and an excellent theater in the Spectrum. I love that the Egg's super close, the river is close by too, and I can walk down the street and know at least half of my neighbors. I love that I came here with no family, no connections, and I have made a very comfortable place for myself to live. I love that I have found girlfriends that have become like sisters to me, and I love that I still feel optimistic about my job and my future (at my paper and elsewhere). I don't take these things lightly. I make sure every day to remind myself how lucky I am to have the life I have, the friends and family I love, and to live in the environment in which I feel the most fulfilled. So Jan--that was the long answer. :-)

Party in Tijuana

So I was in San Diego from last Wednesday until Sunday for the AAN conference. (Here, I'm hanging out with my editor and Jamie from the sales department of the Baltimore City Paper waiting for a bus in Tijuana where we partied Saturday night.) The conference was great--I learned a lot and met a ton of people from the industry. I went to the zoo on Thursday morning and took a ton of photos of all the animals--I'll blog one or two soon.

Row Row Row Your Boat

Hey local peeps!
Tomorrow morning at 10 AM, be at the Corning Preserve to cheer on the Metroland row team as we battle other media outlets on the Hudson River. The competition is part of tomorrow's sports expo--the Albany Rowing Center is holding it. I am one of four rowers (the other three are Rick, JRo and Kristie). I think the only one of us who has any rowing experience is JRo--and the experience he has involves being a member of the M'Land team in years past. Alright, team, don't forget to do some pushups these evening! We have to kick some Times Union butt!

I Love the Killers Guy

What can I say? He's gorgeous. He's the one in the red.

Mini Diva

Travis and Isobel are coming to hang out tomorrow. This is very exciting for me since I haven't seen Is since Christmas time. She's such a cutie, and she knows it. Such a smart kid, too. I miss her. Now to figure out something kid-friendly to do.

Ok, About the House. . .

Is it really true? A mortgage should be three times what your yearly salary is? Because if that's true, I really doubt that I can afford any house, much less one in a nice neighborhood. Yes, the restaurant gives me supplemental income, but it's not that much. Hm. And of course, I talked to a voice of "reason" last night who asked me all these questions about why I was married to the idea of staying in Albany. Which I really don't think I am. Who knows, maybe I am. I hate how he makes me second-guess myself. Is it so wrong to like it here?



The season finale of Lost is on tonight. I have to say, this show is brilliant. I love it. So the finale better not suck, because that would be most disappointing.

I Want a House

My parents and stepmother have convinced me it's time to invest. So, I have been house-hunting and procrastinating on my mortgage pre-approval application. It's not like I'm leaving Albany any time soon. So, the process has commenced. I met with a broker yesterday who I really like. I think I shall hire her. I will keep the blog updated with my progress. Wish me luck!

Sad Day

I feel very, very sad today. If you have to deal with me today (and probably tomorrow), I apologize in advance for my mood.

Marvelous Martha

Wainwright, that is. I popped her CD in when it came into the office and found that I really, really like it. It's not exactly the type of music I would typically go for, but it's interesting and unusual but still melodic and beautiful. It's weaker lyrically than I would prefer, but I can deal with that. For you local peeps: She's going to be at Valentine's on Friday, May 20.

If This Morning is Any Indication. . .

It's going to be a tough week.

Damn it.

Tomorrow Better Be Sunny

I was late to work today and I think that threw me all off-kilter. I worked late last night at the restaurant and overslept, right through my alarm, so I didn't make it to the gym, which sucks. My morning workouts have done wonders for my mood going into the day. And of course today has been gray and rainy. Of course.

I saw a great film the other day that I forgot to write about. For anyone needing a reality check, go see Millions. Not that it's realistic. It's just such a sweet story, and it helps keep things in perspective.

Lyric of the Day

When I wake up early in the morning,
Lift my head, I’m still yawning.
When I’m in the middle of a dream,
Stay in bed, float upstream.
Please don't wake me, no, don't shake me.
Leave me where I am, I'm only sleeping.

--The Beatles, "I'm Only Sleeping"

Can't . . . Make it . . . Without . . . Coffee . . .

I tried. I did. I came to work this morning completely bypassing the Dunkin' Donuts on the corner and drank black tea all morning. Then, at about 3 o'clock (which is usually when I get an intense chocolate craving), my eyelids became heavy and I could feel myself slowly drifting away from consciousness . . . and then I snapped to attention and realized that my experiment didn't work. I need coffee. So I went and grabbed a cup. Now I'm sipping it and I am hoping to come out of this fog before I have to go to work at the restaurant in an hour. YAWN!


My brother just started working in the kitchen at the Lark Tavern. It's good money and it's much better for him than working with a bunch of juvenile delinquents at a fast-food joint. And the kitchen manager just gave him a car. A car for goodness sake! What can I say? Sometimes the kid gets lucky.

Update on Asa

OK, so for those of you who don't already know, I'll give you an update on Asa, our sweet little pitbull. He had surgery last Thursday and he now has a pin through his hip bone and three wires wrapped around the outside of the bone to hold it in place. A quarter of his coat was shaved and he had about 30 staples in his leg. We've been back to the vet twice since the surgery, once because Asa's ankle swelled, but Dr. Dries, our vet, said that was normal. We went back yesterday too (I swear Dr. Dries must think we're moving in!) because Asa had bitten some of his staples out. So Dr. Dries put some more staples in. Luckily, we didn't get charged for either of those visits, which is great. We decided that while Asa was under that we should just get him fixed at the same time, so that is taken care of as well, thank goodness. Now, he's going to have the staples in for at least one more week, and he will have the pin in for at least two months. So that's that. Asa, however, thinks he's back at 100 percent--he's been running around with the other dogs at the park like nothing ever happened. I love that dog.

My Fashion Directorial Debut!

So for the last three weeks or so, I have been concentrating on putting together spring fashion for the paper. My models were three people I work with at the restaurant and my brother Mitchell (pictured here in one of the fashion shots with my friend Corinne). It was a whole lotta work, but fun too. And the models had a really good time. I am just really glad it's over. For those of you who have access to real papers, I highly recommend getting one instead of looking at the pics online--they are really not that high-quality on the Web site.

Representin'

This is Brodeur, me and Rick as we arrive at the New York Press Association gala a couple weeks ago. We (M'Land) won three awards at the conference. The gala was fun, lots of food, lots of booze. Lots of watching a roomful of journalists dancing and looking ridiculous.

Asa and Mitch

Asa and Mitch
Originally uploaded by kathrynjo.

Augh! My brother's dog Asa shattered his hip bone by falling down the treacherous back staircase of my brother's apartment building. So this (production day) morning was spent at the vet and calling various members of my family to try to gather the couple thousand dollars it's going to cost for Asa's surgery (which is tomorrow at 8 AM). The poor dog needs a pin through his bone to secure it in place--the bone is broken diagonally in two spots. What a terrible morning. Then I have to deal with my family who (with the exception of my mom, who's broke) are less than willing to help Mitch out financially. And I have to deal with all the "this why I don't have pets" comments. SO NOT THE POINT, PEOPLE! It's enough to drive a girl absolutely crazy. Regardless, Asa will have his surgery and he'll be just fine, and Mitch will be in debt for the rest of his 20s because of it. Oh well.

Conversation Going On In My Office Right Now

Why I find discussion between these two people so amusing, I don't know. Maybe it's just that they're the two who are usually talking.

Rick: "So, do you think Bono will be the next Pope?"
John R.: "Ha, that would be a demotion."

Thank Goodness It's Friday!

Sad news: My favorite comedian, Mitch Hedberg, died a couple days ago from what looks like an OD. I liked him a lot because he was hysterical without being very crass--which takes more creativity. For example: "Swiss cheese is such a rip-off. It's the only cheese that you can bite into and miss." He was only 37.


P.S. John R. is currently trying to prove that Fight Club was really a coming-out story. I say it's a stretch.

Just Another Manic Wednesday

Ah, Wednesday, production day. I have given up on trying to finish my column for this week considering I'm so far past deadline. There's always next week.

I saw a great show last night. . . I would post a photo but I have used up my space for March on my Flickr site. Maybe in April. Anyway, Jason Martin, darling of Troy, put on a really fun set at the bookstore. And John Brodeur opened. (We won't discuss Brodeur's website--let's just say it's not indicative of his talent.) I really wish that boy would get his new CD pressed and packaged. It's so good, and nobody knows.

So I have made it to the gym everyday before work except for yesterday. I woke up feeling completely ill, and spent the morning puking (fun) and therefore I did not got to the gym. I made up for it this morning, though, with an extra half hour on weights.

In other news, I'm hungry, and I want sushi for dinner. Badly. I'll probably end up eating cereal, or rice and vegetables. Again. I need some variety in my diet.

P.S. I cannot wait for this book to come out. I've had my copy reserved for months.


Conversation going on in my office right now:
Rick: "Anyone know where Lisben, New York is?"
John R.: "Portugal."

I Like Big Books and I Cannot Lie

This is hysterical.

Pink Pants Day

I had an explosive confrontation with an irate club owner last night (Kate, call me for details). I actually got kicked out of his bar! I have never been kicked out of a bar in my life. Well, I guess there really is a first time for everything. He was really, really angry about something I wrote, but his rage is unfounded, to say the least. I wonder if he even read the article. . .

Today, Friday, March 25, marks the end of one whole work week during which I made it to the gym every morning before work! I am very pleased with myself. I am wearing pink pants today. They are a great pick-me-up. I recommend them to everybody. . . well, maybe just for the ladies.

Proud Kitty Owner

Jonah
Originally uploaded by kathrynjo.

This is what my cats do every time I'm about to go away. They're smart little critters. They think that if they lay in my suitcase, I won't be able to pack it. This is a picture of my sweet big fat cat Jonah. I also have a little black cat named Sam. She's adorable. I'll post a pic of her sometime in the near future. If they were human, Jonah would be the more conservative of the two. Sam wears her heart on her sleeve and is not shy about wanting to be loved and adored.

Bookworm

For those of you keeping score, this morning marks three days in a row that I have made it to the gym before work! I am very proud of myself.

I bought three new books last night. Enduring Love by Ian McEwan, Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, and Roscoe by William Kennedy. I had originally gone to buy McEwan's new book Saturday, but ended up with these three instead. I hear that Anna Karenina is quite boring, but I figure it's a classic, and I should read it eventually. I will not read any of them for quite a while considering I am a quarter-way through a book I am deeply enjoying, Independent People by Nobel Prize-winning Icelandic author Halldor Laxness.

Ah well, I'll get to them in time.

Very Important Announcement

I went to the gym BEFORE work today! This is a very exciting accomplishment for me. I awoke at 6:25, was at the gym by 6:45, and home by 8. . . shower, breakfast, making of the bed and feeding of the cats followed, then work by 9:15. Damn, that felt good. Now let's see if I can repeat this all tomorrow. . .

For the Waitresses

I'm convinced that having been a waitress for many years has helped build my character. At least that's what I tell myself. For years I was a full-time waitress, and for the last three (as long as I have been working at the paper) I have been part-time. Being a waitress has definitely helped define the kind of person I am, and I'm sure it's at least partly due to the profession that I have a hell of a lot of patience. The other day I read an article from The New York Times that my grandmother had clipped and sent to me about being a server, and about how servers can often be writers, or bloggers, or website-posters, so beware of how you treat your server because who knows if they're logging in late at night (maybe after you've stiffed them on a tip) and bitching about you online. I checked out a couple of the websites they reference, and I have been getting the biggest kick out of them. To read these server (and chef) rants, go to bitterwaitress.com or stainedapron.com.

Just as I Suspected, Iceland Rocks

bl31
Originally uploaded by kathrynjo.

I just got back from Iceland. This is the beautiful Blue Lagoon, located outside Reykjavik. It was an amazing experience to swim here. It's a geothermically heated spa in the middle of this gigantic lava field. The water is milky with all the minerals and silica. It's fun to have your hair freeze while your body gets over heated in the hot water. I highly recommend everyone to get to this place.

I Hate the IRS

I am not happy with the way my taxes have turned out this year. I hate owing even more money to the government! Hate it! I was all ready to get my car paid off (I'm almost done with this loan, damn it) and instead of getting any money back, I owe them. I want to move to the Bahamas. I hear they don't have to pay taxes there. Screw 'em.

Free Screen Cleaner

This is quite possibly the cutest thing I've ever seen.

I'll Give You a Quarter to Transcribe My Interview For Me

I am procrastinating. I have a ton of transcription to do and I don't want to do it.

I'm getting sick! I've been drinking a ton of water and juice, eating healthily and working out like mad. So why am I getting sick? Maybe it's my body going through detox or something. Whatever it is, it's a pain in the ass.

I screwed up in my column this week--I wrote a blurb about an art show that the Underground Artists are putting on and forgot to put the date! It happens to be tonight. Luckily I can use the excuse that I'm helping keep the show "underground."

Anniversary

Twelve years ago today, my family fell apart.

Watch What You Say, Oscar

It is unbelievable how dumbed down the Oscars were on Sunday night. I was completely satisfied with the awards and recipients, but Chris Rock's monologue was not nearly as funny as it could have been for fear of offending anyone. For example (I heard this on Howard Stern this morning so who knows if this is accurate), when Rock said that Renee Zellweger had to put on 20 pound to play Bridget Jones, and that she'd have to put on another 80 pounds if she were to play Deacon Jones (which was a pretty old reference), he was supposed to say Star Jones instead. Interesting.

Read more on this.

Lyric of the Day

This isn't technically a lyric, but it is on the disc.

"For my next trick, I will paint my face on the Mona Lisa while using the Shroud of Turin as my dropcloth."
--Jim Carrey, on singing "I Am the Walrus" on a George Martin compilation disc.

Alright, Kate, I'm Updating. . .

I've had some hesitations about keeping this blog, but I've decided not to be ridiculous. So, upon the request of my girl Kate P., I am updating.

So I joined the gym finally, and I am addicted. I would love to be able to get up in the morning to go work out, but unfortunately, my attempts at being a morning person are futile at best. Therefore I have been working out in the afternoons. Hey, it's better than nothing.

On Friday night, Kate and I went to see Paranoid Social Club at E. O'Dwyer's in Saratoga Springs. It was a great show, but the crowd was obnoxious! I don't mean to sound old, but when you have to practically mosh in order to keep standing upright, it gets annoying. People were throwing strings of green plastic beads from the balcony; I had a lump on my head on Saturday as proof. I smelled like gin from at least three mixed drinks being poured on my jeans. And Kate got her sweatshirt stolen that she bought in London. People are asses.
(Look for a pic of the show in the paper on Thursday.)

This is a damn funny blog for those of you wishing to waste a bit of time at work.

How Does One Afford A Gym Membership?

Actually, the question is, how does one afford a gym membership AND an apartment AND a car payment AND car insurance AND two cats AND credit card payments AND two school loan payments AND my measley $10-a-month cable AND groceries AND my phone bill AND my payment for my glasses AND my electric bill AND everything else I need to pay to live?

That, my friends, is the question.

Rest in Peace

. . . Hunter Thompson, 67, death by suicide.

I Want Jennifer Gonnerman's Career

Listening to a debut EP from a local guy and sipping my coffee, resenting that I have to work at the restaurant tonight. The DC conference was really inspiring. I am halfway through a book whose author conducted a seminar about "Giving a Voice to the Voiceless." Her name is Jennifer Gonnerman and I am just so intrigued by her dedication to her work. She works for the Village Voice and she's written for the New York Times Magazine and other distinguished publications. The book is called Life on the Outside--it tells the story of Elaine Bartlett, who served 16 years for a first-time offense under the stifling Rockefeller drug laws. It's an interesting read, and I can't imagine the amount of research that went into it. I am in awe.

Off to Washington, D.C.

. . . where they have great mojitos, trendy bars, and a certain man called Dubya. Some of the paper's staff (including me) are off tomorrow morning to attend the AAN (Association of Alternative Newsweeklies) East conference. Lots of lectures, workshops, schmoozing and drinking to be had. Fun!

There is a Man . . .

There is a man outside my window. He's been there every day for about a week. I see his reflection in my computer moniter and I am repeatedly startled. He stands on the scaffolding he built for himself (my office is on the second floor) and chips and drills and picks and prods at the brickwork of the old police building that houses our little paper. Every day. For a week.

Lyric of the Day

From "Nothing Better"

I feel I must interject here; you're getting carried away feeling sorry for yourself with these revisions and gaps in history.
So let me help you remember--I've made charts and graphs that should finally make it clear . . . I've prepared a lecture on why I have to leave.

--the Postal Service

Flowers from a Republican

Happy Valentine's Day to all. . . . This year I am a valentine to someone, and he is a valentine to me. And my valentine sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers at work. I usually despise the holiday (too much pressure all around), but flowers are a fantastic gift, and if the reason that I have them is because it happens to be Valentine's Day, then so be it. And . . . if my valentine happens to be a Republican, then so be it.

What my coworker John R. said upon spying my flowers:
“It smells a little flowery in here. But there’s something else. . . something. . . what does the GOP smell like?”

Lyric of the Day

from "Handle With Care"
If I knew there was one more chance to win your heart again, I would do things differently, but what's the use to pretend?
--Traveling Wilburys

Meltdown at KeyBank

Why oh why did I stick with KeyBank all these years? Yes, I admit, it's the closest bank to my house . . . but that is no excuse!! I finally stood up for myself, went down to the bank and screamed "stop charging my account all these crazy $30 fees!" And they did! So I closed out my KeyBank accounts and opened a checking account at SEFCU (our credit union) where they are very nice. They gave me a car loan two years ago when KeyBank laughed in my face at my meager $3000 request. Moral of the story: hooray for me, hooray for SEFCU, down with KeyBank.

Taking Back My Thursday Nights

I have cut my Thursday night shift at the restaurant at which I work for supplemental money. I have worked at a restaurant (this one and another) almost every single Thursday night since I started working at the newspaper three years ago (and of course, for years before). (I've also worked Saturday, Sunday, and Monday nights as I've worked at the paper, but in various spurts.) Now I work at the restaurant on Monday nights only. I am thrilled that I don't have to work Thursday nights anymore! I don't even know what to do with myself! I'm sure I'll figure out something. . .

Lyric of the Day

From "Sucker"

You're dirty, lowdown and full of tricks, like a used-car salesman in politics. . . . No one could be better at selling a lemon.
--John Brodeur of the Suggestions

Very Sweet Song

I carried the world on my back
to your front door
but darling you weren't home.
And Amelie
was baking her plum cake
she wakes from her dream state.
Love is pain,
pain is weakness leaving.
Love is weakness
leaving me.
It used to hurt my heart
to breathe your name
but darling
I'd say it anyway.
Cause love is pain,
pain is weakness leaving.
Love is weakness
leaving me.
And whether it's a dance, or a realization
my imagination
or a serenade. . .
between the devil and the deep blue sea,
I'm daydreaming
in Albany.
Love is pain
pain is weakness leaving.
Love is weakness,
leaving me.
--the lovely Laura Boggs

Lyric of the Day

This lyric comes from a song on a new yet-to-be-released album from my friends Jeb and Clayton.

"It takes money to make money; it takes love to make love, honey."
--Hector on Stilts

The Conversation Taking Place in My Office

Rick: A lot of people like the movie Willow.
John R: Real people, Rick?

Creatures of Habit

My morning routine usually includes getting a call at approximately 9:15 from my best gal Miss Kristie (who works at my office). She yells at me that I'm running late and I give her an estimated time of arrival. She waits while I gulp down my tea, drag my ass out of my apartment and have an internal battle whether to drive or walk to work. (This morning I walked.) When I finally arrive, she gives me a dirty look, and we go for a coffee at the corner, and I watch her inhale a cigarette as we chat on the front stoop at our office. Then we yell at each other while we toast bagels in the kitchen. Love that crazy girl.

I Heart the Nice Woman at City Hall

I've been thinking about starting a blog for a while, wondering if I'd keep it up, or if I'd grow weary of a blog's navel-gazing implications. But then, there are some things that happen to you that should simply be shared. For example, today I went for a jaunt down to the much-dreaded traffic office of City Hall to pay for a couple parking tickets (one from last year--$85--and one from two weeks ago when I was double-parked outside my bank--$90) . . . and they reduced both of my tickets to 50 bucks a piece. This act of benevolence makes me very happy. And so begins my blog.