Magic Bus

Happy New Year!

As I wrote the last post, I began thinking of that ill-fated bus trip from Athens to London during the summer of '85. It was on a coach line really called the Magic Bus and it amounted to roughly three days riding in a rotten, stinking bus mainly with junkies who were shooting up in their seats and, without a bathroom on board, peeing in old Coke bottles. We, of course, spent hours in pain dying to go to the bathroom -- especially since we shared a bottle of wine each night in an attempt to catch some shut eye.

Given that we had no running water for a shower for days prior to departure, we weren't exactly the cream of the crop during that adventure either.

We encountered our first real potential problem as we entered what was then Yugoslavia and Oliver and I were Americans without visas. The bus driver was ready and more-than-willing to leave us at the border. I'm still not exactly sure what ensued as we couldn't understand a word they were saying; however, at the last moment possible, we were allowed back on the bus and the driver was angry at us for the delay.

The next day we stopped at a gigantic, clean rest stop where we bought apples, cheese and more wine. I entered the ladies room to find Gail with her head in the sink attempting to wash her hair. The dirt was coming out in thick, dark, tar-like rivulets. I helped her get the tar out; she did the same for me and Oliver.

Minutes later, the driver wouldn't let us on the bus again. At first we couldn't comprehend why then we realized what was wrong: he didn't recognize us. Fresh faced girls sans grime. I think it was our accents that saved us.

Somehow we made it back safe and sound and headed off to Jersey, Channel Islands upon our return for a warm bed and some pampering from Gail's parents. Two weeks later, I was back in Rochester, wearing professional attire as I sat behind a desk at my internship at Eastman Kodak Company. I think, at that point, I missed the stink . . .

Like a Rolling Stone

Hunkering down inside today given that we're having another 12-17" of snow. It's beautiful.

The other night, when the hubby's family came for Christmas, we began talking about Crete because my sister-in-law's best friend married a Greek man who now lives barefoot and begrudgingly on Long Island.

My girlfriends, sister and I were barefoot and begrudgingly poverty stricken on Crete many moons ago. After spending a few days in Athens seeing the sights, we had taken an industrial tanker to Crete and slept on bunk beds overnight just to save a buck. What we hadn't counted on was that there wasn't another cheap return to the mainland for another few weeks. So, after a number of days at the beach and nights at the disco, my sister and my roommate Bae flew back to London. I can't remember exactly when the others left. I just know that my girlfriends Gail and Oliver stayed in the little town of Malia with me until we could take the next tanker off the island.

Highlights of our visit included a) the creamy yogurt, b) the freshly made moussaka, c) dancing to "Vamos a la Playa" which was a big Eurotrash hit at the time, d) Oliver getting kissed on the lips by some Greek geezer who said, "You have such big, strong legs" (over which she was distraught for weeks -- not the kiss from an old man, mind you, but the fact that "he said I had big legs") and e) getting propositioned as we walked down the street by every guy who saw us (i.e., a crowd of young blonds and one gorgeous redhead). "Are you American?" "Will you marry me?" (Why not? Let's just skip the boring getting to know each other part.)

Once we finally arrived back in Athens, we found out that the bus we were planning to take to London was broken so we scored a fleabag hotel for approximately $1/night (i.e., $0.33/each). It had cockroaches the size of a man's shoe on the steps and the water didn't run. There was enough of a trickle in the sink to brush our teeth but no showers were to be had. We didn't have enough money to do much so we saved it for grilled cheese sandwiches each night in the deli across the street.

(Note: I'm sure our parents would have helped had they known but this was pre-cell phones and international ATMs. On a side note, the only call we did make from a payphone was to Scott Spezzano at Rochester's own WPXY because we heard "Sister Christian" one day and no one could remember the band. For those keeping score, it was Knight Ranger.)

Every time we walked in for "dinner," the owner of the restaurant would immediately play Dylan in the jukebox and call out "Three Cheese of America Sandwiches" as if he had known us for years.

How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown

On our last day, we were trailed through the city by some middle eastern guys and we became a little fearful. When they hopped on the bus that we took to the beach, sat a few seats behind us, jumped off where we did and followed us onto the beach, we were scared to death. As the first group of guys we passed called out to us, Gail threw her towel and bag down and pretended we were the best of friends. "Hi!" Oliver and I followed and we ended up spending the day at the beach with these kind strangers who ensured our safety and drove us back to the hotel.

The next morning, we awoke to the cops outside. Our hotel was being condemned and we were being evicted. Oh well. When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose.

B-e A-g-g-r-e-s-s-i-v-e

Last night, after thanking God for our blessings, I asked Son #2 what one word he would use to describe our family.

Son #2: Aggressive.

Me: Huh? Aggressive?

Son #2: Yeah, dad always cross checks me.

Me: Wow, I wasn't expecting that.

Son #2: After that it would be "funny." Well, at least daddy and I are funny. You can be sometimes, too, but not really.

Son #1's response was "playful." I didn't have the heart to know if I was included in that or not.

Merry Christmas!

From the kids' mayhem, glow stick (turned light sabre) Christmas service at BCC last night to the peaceful, inspirational mass at St. Louis Church today, I am filled with the joy of the season.

Merry Christmas from our Star Wars Legos/Jaromir Jagr hockey house to yours.

Twas the Day Before Christmas

And all through the RAC, not a treadmill was stirring . . . so, would someone please tell me why the gym is closed on Christmas Eve?

Anyhoo, before the Christmas carnage begins, highlights of my soon-to-be-a-distant-memory birthday include:

1. A cannot-stop-shoving-food-in-my-mouth-because-it's-so-good meal that my brother-in-law made complete with tenderloin that could melt in your mouth
2. Awesome presents from gorgeous sweaters to a trendy salsa/chips bowl, from iDogs to iPods, from wine to kahlua, and from furry purses to giant, fluffy pillows -- once again, spoiled rotten -- and one donation made in my name to the Smile Train which somehow tempers the greed a little and, for which, I am grateful
   
3. A fun-filled dinner at Tastings with my girlfriends where I had a beautiful and delicious (red and rimmed with gold sugar) fruitcake martini: two things that remind me of my Uncle Ed who I love and two things that, when mixed, prove that the whole can be greater than the sum of its parts
4. A birthday card that addressed the manly "why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?" question with its feminist counterpoint, "why buy the pig when you just need a little sausage?"
5. Getting my Christmas bonus . . . ahhhhhhhhhhhh
   
6. Leaving work on time for two whole days in a row; OMG, 44 is empowering! I feel like Oh Mighty Isis. What's next? Commanding the forces of nature?
   

Twenty Two Times Two!

Yea! Today's my birthday. My acupuncturist was telling me that 44 denotes a powerful year in numerology. She also mentioned how Barack Obama will be our 44th president. Coincidence? I think not. I'm looking forward to brandishing my new found strength by dominating the world this year, too!

On an unrelated note, if you're sick of online shopping and want a few minutes of browsing fun, head over to Sleeveface which describes itself as "one or more persons obscuring or augmenting any part of their body or bodies with record sleeve(s) causing an illusion."



Inspiring, right?! Makes me want to create a photo of my own to submit over the holidays!

Marshmallow World

In honor of the local preemptive school closings, the start of our first really big winter storm this season and the fact that I watched a jogger jump into a snow bank this morning to avoid becoming road kill from the town salt truck, I decided to play one of my favorite peppy winter tunes: Marshmallow World. Nothing can beat the Phil Spector "Wall of Sound" from one of the best Christmas albums ever. I just wish I could sing as sweetly as Darlene Love (as does anyone who can hear me).

You're a Mean One

This lazy blog thing is fun. Well, for me at least. Today's selection is an old remake of an even older classic from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Not sure if the Whirling Dervishes had any other hits but I love hearing them on the radio throughout this time of year.

Speaking of Christmas classics, I went to my friend Pam's CAbi sale over the weekend where she was selling a black wool vest with green and red crosshatched lines running through it. Without thinking, I commented, "Wow, I could channel Burl Ives in this!" and she responded, "I love that. I wear it all the time with jeans and a white blouse." I didn't quite know how to recover so I just left it alone. She's beautiful and can get away with it, I'm sure.



Anyhoo, enjoy!

Till He Appeared and the Soul Felt its Worth

I was going to save this song for last given that it's a Christmas classic in the true sense of the definition. But after spending the morning in church celebrating the life of my girlfriend Christine's dad who passed away last week and singing along to a number of my favorite hymns including both Ave Maria and Amazing Grace (which, circumstances notwithstanding, always bring me to tears), I thought it would be best to select a proper Christmas hymn today.

"Oh Holy Night" is also a favorite that I share with my mom which makes it even more special for me. While I'm not a fan of Celine Dion and almost went with the Tracy Chapman version, I opted for the traditional rendering. The words, if you take a moment to listen, are beyond compare.

Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born

It makes me want to drop to the ground and thank God for such an amazing gift. Yes, the weary world rejoices!

Christmas in Hollis

Today's video is being brought to you by another guest blogger: Son #1! Welcome.

Question: Hey my friend, what do you like so much about Run-D.M.C.?

Answer: Don't know.

Question: Don't know? I thought for sure you would pick The Ramones, "Merry Christmas I Don't Wanna Fight Tonight" (another great choice, I may add). Why "Christmas in Hollis"?

Answer: I don't know. The music. Sheesh.

Alrighty then. Thanks for blogging with me. And I 'll tell you why I like it: It was a letter from Santa and the dough is for me!

Snowball Fight

Today's video (not the Jimmy Fallon original but the preferred video for little boys) is being brought to you by today's guest blogger: Son #2.

Question: Why do you like this song so much that we listen to it 700 times each winter?

Answer: I like it

Question: That's it? It's as simple as that? Nothing about the speed of the music? The snot?

Answer: Its allll good

Okay then. Without further ado, welcome to my life with crazy boys.

Christmas Eve Babe in the Drunk Tank

As someone who doesn't keep her Christmas lights on -- on my front porch all year long, So happy Christmas, I love you baby. I can see a better time when all our dreams come true . . .

The Pogues - A Fairytale Of New York
Uploaded by vince_suelze. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

Catholic Guilt

I coerced Margaret and Martin to go to St. Patrick's with me last weekend since we were headed next door to Saks anyway. It was so crowded that you could barely inch your way to the front. We ended up saying a quick prayer while Martin sat behind us Googling places to eat for dinner on his iPhone. As we sat back in the pew, Margaret and I began talking (quietly I may add) about the Virgin Mary and the Catholic vs. Protestant viewpoint of her. The next thing you know, an old man in his priestly garb (perhaps a monsignor?) came and rapped me on the shoulder, shock his head at us in a reproaching manner and repeatedly put his finger to his lips to shush us.

Oooo, how shameful!

Key learning: It's okay to walk around as a tourist, chat about the architecture and stop to take pictures but do not, under any circumstances, whisper about religion! What do you think this is? A cathedral?

Next time, I'll have to remember to text God while I'm there. I'm sure he won't mind.

Thankfully, as I walked alone to meet Janette and Laura for lunch later that morning, I happened to pass St. Malachy's, the "actors church," where years ago my grandfather would meet me on weekends while I was visiting friends in Hell's Kitchen. There I had a few minutes of real peace and prayer. And I lit a five-day candle in memory of my grandfather whom I miss a lot. Still. Wild to think that it may still be burning right now!

Grad School Reunion!

They tried to make me go to rehab but I said “no, no, no.”

Okay, where to start with a fun-filled four day trip to NYC? Definitely with friends because I have the best friends anyone could ever wish for. Margaroo – definitely my best friend in a “past life” too (per her beliefs!) with heaps of continued common music/God interests to talk about. Martin – generous beyond belief, funny and kind to boot. Melissa – gorgeous, sweet, fun and spunky. Laura – awesome friendship that, over this weekend, included much schlepping about while I tried on clothes. (Sorry!) Petey – absolutely love him. Period. Janette – inspirational, energetic, driven and my future business partner, right?! Not to mention I loved meeting her gorgeous kids. John C. – really funny, as always. And it was nice to meet the “ex” girlfriend. Anu – elegant, beautiful and kind. Lastly, Ann and John – classic, upscale, reserved and probably wondering how on earth they ever became friends with us to begin with! (Read conservative: Ann rolled her eyes and promised to take in an episode of the Colbert Report in return for me trying Gossip Girls. I’m definitely game for that.)

I’m just sad that four days goes by so quickly.

If there’s a recession, it’s only noticeable by the crazy markdowns in the stores. Amazing sales but I’m not sure they’re warranted just yet. I have never seen so many people shopping in all my life. It was virtually impossible to navigate the sidewalks in the midtown/Rockefeller Center areas. I don’t remember it being quite so crowded in the years that we lived there. Or maybe I just shopped more wisely then than I do now as a tourist.

From dawn to well beyond dusk, we never stopped. We shopped at Century 21, Reiss, Zara (total crap), Bloomies, Saks, Designer Resale (my fave), ABC Carpet and Home, myriad shoe stores and the holiday fair at Union Square – which is one of my all-time favorite things to do at Christmas time. And the dude in the Celtic jewelry stand where Margaret bought her cross even played The Pogues “Fairy Tale in New York” just for me.

After all that, I only came home with two fat-ass-covering, cashmere sweaters and some cheap bracelets. Oh, and two hats: one orange and the other a leopard skin cap that Martin bought (i.e., one for each of us). Fun!

Speaking of fat asses, walked throughout downtown on Bleecker to find the best cupcakes in the world at Magnolia Bakery and then found them right up the street from our hotel at the Sixth Ave. branch again the very next day. Yessiree! A two-cupcake weekend!

Ate at normal but fun restaurants like the Shake Shack, Heartland Brewery, Chat 'n' Chew and a cool, newish bistro called Five Napkins (where I had a yummy frozen strawberry mojito at lunch – hey, I was on vacation). We also had a tasty meal (with a lychee martini) at Indochine where our cute waiter was great. Actually, we pretty much tested every appetizer there, too – all were fabooo. I even tried and liked the lamb appetizer. Who knew?

We ended that night at the Apartment in Grand Central Station where I had a big punch drink in an oversized brandy snifter. The next night Martin treated us to an unbelievable meal (read: non-economic downturn prices), with delicious wine, at Valbella a modern industrial space in the meatpacking district. Our waiter there was topnotch, too. Especially since his specials list went on for the better part of five minutes. Uh, could you repeat that? I opted for the shrimp stuffed with crabmeat stuffed with lobster stuffed with whatever else they could find appetizer followed by the white truffle linguini. Low fat for sure. And then we shared a Grand Marnier soufflé, two chocolate soufflés and crème brulee. Hello.

And my favorite of all favorite things to do in NYC? I went to church at Redeemer Presbyterian where Tim Keller preached a sermon on, of all topics, work! It was as if he knew I was going to be there . . . Also, the choir brought me to tears. It’s simply powerful to hear hymns echoed by a throng of hundreds. Just beautiful, I say, beautiful.

It was a perfect weekend. Perfect. However, now is the time to detox and I'll say, "yes, yes, yes."

Let's Say Thanks

Back at my desk after a fabulous weekend in NYC. No time to write about it yet but I thought I would pass along this site where you can write a thank you note to a soldier who is currently serving in Iraq and it will be printed/sent for free.

The cards are designed by kids and they're really sweet.

Light at the End of the Tunnel

I have a client who typically says at the end of his presentations, "I'm the only thing standing between you and happy hour . . . with that said, does anyone have any questions?"

Today I have to attend a meeting on a sales commission structure that we developed for a manufacturing client, write a terms & conditions document for a new business venture, develop one side-by-side comparison of a boutique client v. their nationwide competitor for a sales pitch, review/edit an RFQ for a website redesign, complete some remaining secondary market research for a client presentation, attend a client meeting to review a software application they're considering, pull together some interview questions to kick-off two strategic planning projects and have a conference call regarding a contract we wrote months ago to support a fledgling business partnership . . .

These are the only things standing between me and my four day weekend in NYC! Yippee!