| In these tough economic times... |
[Mar. 18th, 2009|03:17 pm] |
ps - if I hear this phrase one more time, I'm likely to kill someone...
Still - in these... ::muffled:: - I can't help but sit back and re-realize how lucky I actually am.
I complain about my job - a lot.
It's menial and trivial and why the hell did I go to BU only to be supervised by people who went to community college.
But - it affords me the life I want to be living right now.
Hell - I HAVE a job - 1UP for me.
Media planning and buying certainly isn't my life's passion, but it's interactive, I'm always surrounded by fun, young, interesting people, and I get perks up the wahzoo!
Today, the perks had a particular affect on me.
My New York Times rep finally pulled through and got me tickets to the Fleetwood Mac concert tomorrow. Say what you want, but I LOVE Fleetwood Mac. I was very bummed I couldn't make it back to LI last week to go with my family.
When I told my mom, she responded as she usually does when I tell her about my work perks: "Whew, it's good to be Paul, huh?"
Since I was delighted with myself, I decided to go to the pier for lunch. It was GORGEOUS out and I got to listen to great music while taking in some much-needed vitamin D. I texted my "guy who I'm seeing/dating/pseudo bf, but with no clear definition," Mark (ha) to share my little sliver of happiness with him and he responded, "Can I be Paul Beswick for a day??"
The poor guy is stuck in midtown in a finance job he hates - but without a pier and certainly without Fleetwood Mac tickets. (He has a prior engagement, or else I'd take him - obvi)
When I came back to my desk, I had a reminder flash on my computer screen that read, "Francis, 3:00, 11th floor board room."
Francis is a masseuse that comes to my agency once a week. We sign up with HR, and first come first serve - we get a free massage.
Yes, it's only 12 minutes in a massage chair, and Francis happens to be a semi-scary, old Indian man (I think he's lovely) - it's FREE.
I told Francis I had a horrible knot in my neck and, by god, it feels better now.
So even though you may not get tickets, a pier, or massages, chances are there are some things in your job or everyday life that you take for granted.
Step back. Remember there are many people that are worse off than you.
Enjoy the nice weather. Put a smile on your face and spread that smile to a stranger.
(god - when did I become an inspirational speaker??)
this is why I post so sporadically
:o) |
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| Things I love (dot com) |
[Aug. 25th, 2008|03:57 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  excited | ] |
So Boston was amazing - pics on facebook
Day time drinking, AMAZING food (and far too much of it) and partying/dancing until the ugly lights came up. Add in rockband the next day...seriously - just what I needed.
Next is San Fran!
I'm meeting Vanessa (from BU, now in LA) there and we're staying at her mom's house.
I emailed her mom just to say I love her and to tell her my flight info etc and this is the response I get:
Paul -
I am really really looking forward to having you, and I'd enjoy doing some orientation stuff (light on the tourism, but QUALITY stuff) in SFO with you on Friday. We can have dinner in the City (as it's called here - never Frisco!) before picking Vanessa up on Friday night.
Pack layers. The City and Golden Gate are foggy and cool (you'll definitely need a jacket), while it's 15 degrees warmer and sunny up here - 60s in the AM and 80s in the PM. There's no chance of rain this time of year, but the fog can make you feel like you are heading into winter. We'll do some walking - maybe even light hiking, so be sure to wear or bring tennies!
And prepare to fall in love with the place!
My wine cellar awaits you.
Love,
Cyn
My wine cellar awaits you??
This is gonna be a good one |
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| What a lovely, relaxing weekend |
[Aug. 11th, 2008|09:30 am] |
Friday night began with some family funnery in Coney Island. It was the NYPD/FDNY charity baseball game at the Coney Island Cyclones Stadium. This was our third year at the event, and NYPD finally won one! (My good friend Erica's fiance is an NYC cop). There were about 25 of us in our group - fun Levittown people.
There was this moment of absolute American patriotism and (not gonna lie) I was feelin' it.
9th inning - NYPD pitcher had just returned from two tours in Iraq.
It was baseball - America's passtime - beer, hotdogs
All of the sudden - FIREWORKS - like right beyond the outfield
There was a high-hit ball and it passed right through the line of sight of the fireworks - it was gorgeous.
I screamed, "Who wants apple pie and some turkey?!"
It was hilariously amazing.
Saturday was a "me" day. First - watched the Opening Ceremony on DVR - holy shit - gorgeous.
Then - I walked the esplanade on the Westside Highway for basically 5 hours. Stopping on benches and laying out in parks - listening to music. Then met up with Melanie and Tom and wound up at the New World Stages Plaza (49th/50th, btwn 8th and 9th Ave) and just chilled, they ate - we talked. Lovely.
Then I met Todd and Jer for some Thai up in Hell's Kitchen. I can safely say that I never laugh harder or more consistently than with these two boys. We just feed off eachother. Gonna miss my Todders - he's moving to Boston.
Sunday - massage - meh, sub-par.
Then met Jer at Central Park for some more chill time. We laid out on blanket - chatted - played cards.
Then back to good ol' JC - some Olympics watching with the roomies - early night.
All-in-all. Fantastic weekend |
|
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| Sure, why not |
[Aug. 5th, 2008|10:52 am] |
Such updates.
I live in Jersey City with some friends from work - great place, great friends, great time - SAVING MONEY
so....
I just bought a camera! Its blue
http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=207310&om_keycode=8360
Because I have to document...
Crazy trips/vacations coming up (AGAIN). Some are mini though.
8/13-8/14
Atlantic City
Going with Mama. Everything's comped cause she's an addict (and I love her for it)
8/22-8/24
Boston
Mike from school is moving from Boston and Todd from NYC is moving TO Boston.
I find it only fitting to go and party to celebrate the exchange of friends.
8/28-9/2
SAN FRANCISCO
Super-psyched
I'm meeting Vanessa (BU friend currently in LA) at her mother's house. We are all just so extremely chill and see a lot of wine in my future
9/11-9/14
DISNEY
Going with a friend from work, her sister and her sister's fiance
We're staying at Ft. Wilderness and doing Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Essentially they keep the park open til 1am for those that'll pay for it and there's a new parade/fireworks, fun treats and NO lines
Not to mention all sorts of Disney magic
9/26-9/28
DC
Laurie, her fiance Bill, and I are FINALLY visiting Richard in DC.
He's only been there like 7 years - I guess it's time.
So yea - life's good
woooooo |
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| Vacation Bonanza! |
[May. 21st, 2008|10:51 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | excited | ] |
It begins tomorrow!
I fly into LAX to stay with Jenny and Vanessa (of BU fame) in LA for 3 days.
Then I'm off to Vegas for 4 days to see my darling Katie (Grace to my Will).
THEN back to LI for long weekend camping in Montauk with my Ltown cronies.
My first day off is Thursday 5/22 and I'm not going back to work until Tuesday 6/3 (AHHH)
I just booked my Spa Day for Vegas.
It is tradition - whenever I go (and this will be my 8th time to Vegas, I believe) I treat myself to a massage.
Now that I'm making a little more money and thanks to good ol' economic stimulus - I'm doing a whole day!
Sensory Journey
25 Minute Aroma Wrap
50 Minute Aromatherapy Massage
50 Minute Aromatherapy Facial
50 Minute Peppermint Pleasure Pedicure
Peppermint Pleasure Pedicure?? I wonder where they stick the candy canes...?
Super excited - obviously
You may commence jealousy |
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| Why do you let me dance like that?? |
[Apr. 27th, 2008|10:25 pm] |
So I love to dance - especially with my Ltown friends
We went out on Saturday to Wicked Willy's and had a blast.
When I've had a few, I often do this "move" where I slide onto my knees, lean back, and the girls dance up on me/over me. It's fun for everyone.
Until injuries happen.
Apparently, there are consequences to doing this several times over the course of a night....
oh me
:o) |
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| Just call me Sinatra :o) |
[Mar. 10th, 2008|08:41 am] |
It's official - I'm moving to Hoboken!
April 5th - 8th and Willow - I'm VERY excited.
I'm moving in with a couple - David and Blake.
They're awesome - and it turns out, one of my Zenith friends lived with them like 3 years ago and LOVED it and them.
20-25 minute commute to work (vs. my now hour and a half)
ahhhh
My own bedroom AND bathroom.
Central air
Sick TV, leather couches - HOT kitchen (marble counters, stainless steel everything)
Seriously - very excited.
Dirty Jerze? - No no no - THE SIXTH BOROUGH
:o) |
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| BACK TO THE GYM WITH THEE!! |
[Mar. 3rd, 2008|01:48 pm] |
SO since I've moved home, the following has transpired:
Much more beer.
I really have never drunk (drank/drunk...?) it in the past, but it's starting to grow on me. Nice and slow buzz.
Far LESS walking.
Where I used to walk the 10-15 minute walk from the apt. to the subway PLUS all the way from the Bleeker St. stop to my office right near the Hudson River every morning (about 1.5 - 2 miles) - now, I walk about 20 ft. to my mom's car and then half a block from the 1 train to my office.
An INSANE amount of MORE FOOD.
Regardless of how many people are eating dinner at my house(and it's usually 4-7) my mother cooks for 10.
And it's delicious. Like - the best food I've ever had. And mind you, I eat at all sorts of fancy places with work and such. It's just mama's cookin - and I can't resist it.
Not to mention the fact that I've been to the gym ONCE. With all this commuting I'm just TIRED
So as expected, but still - Woah - I gained 8 lbs.
EIGHT POUNDS?!?! In like a month and a half???
Today I went to the gym during lunch. Didn't wanna go too crazy since I'm just getting back. I ran for 25 minutes then did abs and arms.
Since it's nice (SO NICE), I plan on taking a walk at like 4:00 with one of my work friends who's getting married in November (so she wants to do as much cardio as possible)
And tonight - if still gorgeous - I'm gonna walk home from the train station.
Cause for real - 8 lbs? Come now. |
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| Ski Trip 5! |
[Feb. 27th, 2008|09:05 am] |
So I went to the Poconos this past weekend with my Ltown friends. It's our fifth time there - the first being senior year of HS.
Togas(mumus), booze, games, snowman, DANCING, sliding down the stairs...
It was FUN - plain and simple.
( Ski Trip 5!! ) |
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| When it rains it POURS |
[Feb. 21st, 2008|11:17 am] |
So it's no secret that I want to move back into the city soon.
It's been looking pretty grim - then today BAM.
I'm looking at two apartments tonight and I have two more on the horizon.
Tonight:
Apt #1
Studio. 102nd and Bway
My old college room mate lives there now, but he's moving back to Cali.
I hear from people that its gorgeous. Great Neighborhood. But MEGA expensive. He pays $1380 now and it will most likely go up if/when I sign the lease.
Apt #2
2 BR on 68th and 1st
With Kenton. HILARIOUS co-worker/co-chorister. (Will we be seeing too much of eachother...?) It's a rental from a renter so it's a SMIDGE sketchy. Rent due in cash. Plus I'm a little wary about what happens if the guy wants his place back like...now. There's no lease. SKETCH - but it's cute.
On the Horizon:
Apt #3
3BR in Astoria (exact location unknown at this point)
A friend from college and one of her friends.
VERY CHEAP ($618). 15 minute walk from the nearest subway (boo). Don't know much about it yet, but i'll check it out for that price.
Apt #4 (most excited about)
2BR in Astoria. Steinway and Northern Blvd. This neighborhood is REALLY nice (Movie theater, great resturants/bars, and they just opened an Applebees!)
Co-worker, Ahmad. We get along very well. The apartment was recently GUT RENOVATED. It's a block from the train. My rent would be $700 (!!) And he has Rock Band. For real - does it get better? But he has a current room mate where he lives now that he wants to ditch so badly - but he's very nice and doesn't want to leave him high and dry (but he really does)
SO IT'S ALL UP IN THE AIR.
One thing's for certain. I will be back in the city one way or another before....May?
Yes. May. It's in writing now. |
|
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| I sing. I float. |
[Feb. 12th, 2008|10:12 am] |
Amazing night of karaoke on Saturday which ended with me walking into by door at 6:45am to my grandpa asking, "Want some breakfast?"
Two highlight pictures:
Next time with feeling
I don't ask how - I just remain in awe
So. Much. Fun. |
|
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| Weekend! |
[Jan. 28th, 2008|09:41 am] |
Note After reviewing this post - It's pretty long. My apologies.
It was interesting to say the very least.
Went out with some close and amazing Levittown friends. Friends that I've had since HS or beyond.
Names that will surely be reappearing in LJ entries whilst on LI:
Mike - Big, football playerish, but also was in the plays. Karaoke god - His Twist and Shout guarantees to make the whole bar crazy.
Kristi - Mike's girlfriend of seven years. Buxom, blond dancer who rivals my Harry Potter obsession.
Katie - Fiery red head. Always dancing by my side at the end of the night. We also dated in Kindergarten. (lol)
Jay & Mary - Definitely one unit. Been together for soon-to-be TEN years. Get one drink in Mary and you have constant source of comic relief for the rest of the night.
Erin - The brunette bartender. Shares my secret love for some country music. Her old-school Nintendo is still hooked up.
Tom - T-bone. The "newest" of all these friends as he was in the grade behind mine. Still - awesome people.
Friday night began at Mike's house. I was welcomed with "Paul! You're back!"'s from his parents and we climbed the stairs one-by-one to go to Mike's room. There we played Scene It on Xbox 360 (with buzzers!) and formed the night's plans.
Faddy's - An L-town bar - walking distance from Kristi's.
It quickly occurred to me that, even when I came home for breaks from college, I had NEVER been to a bar in my town.
We walked in and I instantly saw 15 faces (literally) that I had no intentions on seeing ever again.
We got a table in the back. I gathered my bearings for a bit and then got a drink. I nursed two drinks over the course of 3 hours of amazing conversation, side-splitting laughter, and excitement of plans to come in the upcoming months.
We ended the night with a toast from Mike.
"To Paul. We may not have him for long, so let's show him what he's been missing!"
Amazing.
Saturday. The day of cleaning. I threw out a whole lot of old stuff and unpacked everything else. I finally have a room again.
Saturday night at another bar - Who-ville - not in my exact town (thank god).
Same crew as Friday - add Melanie & Carl.
Melanie BEST friend in HS. We're quickly realizing it's still there. :o) I hope her sublet plans fall through so we can move in together.
Carl Drummer. Hard-ass when he's around other hard-asses. Heart-of-gold when it's just us.
Live band, bar games, making friends. Again - an amazing night.
Sunday. Late wake up. Katie and I went to a kickline/dance competition. Melanie and Kristi are the coaches.
It was actually a lot of fun. They did well, but we had to leave at 4. (They had been going for over two hours and they were about a 1/3 of the way through the list!)
Got home. Took a quick nap. Helped unload my sister's haul from her bridal shower (AHH THE WEDDING IS SO SOON). Then hopped on a train to the city to see WWE's ROYAL RUMBLE with some work friends.
It was awesome of course. I texted Justin results of every match. Awesome food, lots of screaming, our rep's 7 year old son threw his glow stick over the railing when he was disappointed with the result of a match. The entire box exploded with laughter.
After, I took a 1 train to 86th street and slept at Catherine's. She was quite the hostess (complete with a morning cappuccino). She looks forward to my future sleepovers.
Pretty busy! Now to work.
:o) |
|
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| So I'm like ready to move back |
[Jan. 23rd, 2008|09:25 am] |
I slept at a friend from choir's place last night on 81st btwn Bway and Amsterdam. I woke up at 7:45 and I was at my desk before 8:30 (and I showered, played with their cat for a bit and got coffee after the train)
I could totally do that every day.
Optimally, I think I wanna do a 3 bedroom/2 bath thing with 2 other people that I know, love, and trust.
This is not likely - but I WANT THAT.
My best friend from HS is looking to move into the city soon, but she is def not stepping up to the plate and answering my questions about what she wants out of an apartment - where/how much/etc.
So - it's back on the LIRR tonight to go home to Levittown.
It'll get better.
It has to.
In other news, I started reading The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay - recommended by ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) jjirish79 (love it so far, so good choice)
Every day it's getting better
:o) |
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| LIRRetchid |
[Jan. 22nd, 2008|10:51 am] |
So I was welcomed back to the joys of LI commuting this morning with wide arms of delays and freezing on the platform.
But I got a seat and listened to my iPod. Could've been much worse. (seems to be the theme lately...)
I need a book. Suggestions?
Things are ok.
I miss Justin - plain and simple.
The missing of the actual "us" is pretty rare-but I don't deny it if/when it comes.
I just miss him. I miss laughing - those tangential jokes that lead us to forget why we started laughing in the first place. I'm sure those jokes will happen again sometime soon. They actually have kinda started already.
He seems to be doing very well. Much better than I ever anticipated which I guess threw me for a loop. Add a dose of jealousy.
I'm staying in the city tonight because we're starting up chorus again.
Todd is house-sitting on the UWS, so we're gonna have a slumber party :o)
It's gonna be ok. One day at a time. Insert any other inspirational thought here. |
|
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| A new beginning |
[Jan. 18th, 2008|09:12 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  peaceful | ] |
Paul,
You're out the door, baby. But you're not leaving my heart/soul/mind anytime soon. Or ever. Maybe a year from now we'll see this was meant to be. Or maybe we'll see it was never meant to be and we should have been best friends from the start (I never did have a best friend, so it's not like the slot's been filled).
Thank you for five beautiful years. For kisses and hugs. Cuddles and shivers. Nail trims and forced jeans washing.
Even the bad parts, even the unpleasant parts, I would not trade a single thing. Not change one iota. I have enough memories of you to keep me churning through fresh ones every day for twenty years. And I look forward to the memories we'll create as we enter the next phase of our lives. I don't see this as a death anymore, which I think is helping. It's a rebirth. A phoenix from the ashes (go ahead, you can think of Dumbledore, it's okay). But it is. We are moving into the next phase. Not marriage, but distance. To see if this meant anything. Because we were smart enough to jump from a sinking ship before it drowned the both of us.
I love you unendingly. And that's never going to change. Never. Ever. Ever. Be safe and don't drink too much tonight! (I'll continue to nag you, scout's honor!)
All my love,
Justin |
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| SPINTASTIC |
[Jan. 16th, 2008|09:27 am] |
Awesome day at spinning today
I have never had the resistance up to full and I was PUSHING THROUGH (thanks to Madonna)
I am not sleeping well at all.
It's becoming normal for me to just get up at 3am and be totally awake. Pee - get a sip of seltzer...
I fall asleep again eventually, but still - WHATS UP WITH THAT?
Work is gonna be mega crazy this morning.
We got a request at the end of the day yesterday and it's due at 11am to the client.
All my emails and calls are out to my reps so there's really nothing I can do now but play the waiting game (and post to LJ).
Whew - quads are feelin' that hill right now
:o) |
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| Thank GOD |
[Jan. 14th, 2008|07:52 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | ecstatic | ] |
I have been hoping and praying for this since I read the last words of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows a mere 35 hours after purchasing it. Ah addiction - Harry Potter is thy name.
The final movie will be split into halves!!
There really are far too many crucial plot points to have it fit into one film.
As a confessed Potterfile, I've been angry at cuts in the past. But I always had to admit - the movies all still made sense (thus far) with out those tiny nuances that - although make the books that much more amazing - are not integral to the main plot.
AHH
And now all we have to do is wait - something we Potterfiles are more than used to at this point.
The love for HP is on a severe upswing right now - even before I heard this epic news.
Todd, Jer, and I watched HP5 on Blu-ray on Friday after some delicious sushi.
And I watched HP1&2 during my sans-Justin weekend (aka laziest weekend ever)
Having just finished Dry (amazing-thanks Jer!), I think I may re-read the Deathly Hallows - cause yea - I'm crazy
:o) |
|
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| Wedding Breakdown |
[Jan. 8th, 2008|10:26 am] |
So my mom had her first Wedding Breakdown this morning.
My sister is getting married in March. After she was maid of honor at my cousin's wedding last year, she made a promise to herself and my mother that she would not be as crazy bride-zilla bitch as my cousin was.
And she's still not.
They're actually getting along better now than they ever have. They just laugh and enjoy every moment. Dresses, DJs, flowers, seating charts - all with a smile. They even work together at my mom's store every Monday and get wedding input from the rich Huntington bitches that come in for their Chanels and Oliver Peoples.
Until this morning.
She calls me on her way to work.
"The inevitable is happening now!!" She honks the horn. Thank god she has the hands-free...
She proceeds to tell me that no one is stepping up to the plate. All the brides maids are relying on my mom for the shower. True, it's in the same town and her job so she is the closest, but she shouldn't have to worry about bingo cards, and bingo prizes, and balloons, and anything else.
The groom's mother is in charge of favors for the shower. 60 favors are needed in 2 weeks and she hasn't started them yet.
The invitations for the wedding need to go out in less than a month.
Bob (step dad, graphic artist)hasn't finished making them and Kristin and Darren (bride and groom)haven't given anyone a finalized list.
"Not to mention the fact that the carpet guy is coming tonight and the dog just ate his 5th phone so we don't even have a land line!"
"MOM - chill."
I tell her the following:
- Flat out tell the girls that you've done too much as it is and it's time for them to take the reigns for the shower. These are awesome no bullshit girls and they need to hear it. They know you can do it and you will do it if necessary - that doesn't mean you should do it.
- You can only control what you are doing. Everyone else is responsible for what they're responsible for. And they love Kristin - They won't let her down.
Bob procrastinates - he'll get the invitations done.
Darren's mom is a craft-freak - she can get 60 favors done in one Sunday afternoon.
The dog eats things - there's nothing you can do about except give the people that matter your cell phone number and keep it on you at all times.
"Whew. Ok. I feel better. Call you later Shmoo!"
God she cracks me up. |
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| Justy's Bday!! |
[Jan. 7th, 2008|09:08 am] |
Today marks Justin's official birthday (wooohoooooooo)
26.
Half the number of weeks in a year
Half the number of cards in a deck
TWICE as much fun as 25 !!!
We began the celebration on Saturday by seeing The Seafarer.
A bunch of Irish drunks, some devilry, and Christmas cheer.
Then we had a laaate dinner at Tony's where we ate like a bunch of gavones.
(Totally had enough leftovers for Sunday's dinner as well)
After a snuggly morning on Sunday we went to Big Daddy's with ten people and got fat some more.
Then Justy, Jer, Ricardo and I went to the 1 screen theater on 85th and 1st and saw Juno - A-Mazing.
And here we are at Monday. My first full week in a very long time.
Maybe I feel a sick day coming ::cough cough:: :o)
Hope all is well! |
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