Take me to the Opera! 

Post-Easter Opera Tips

Have you ever been to the opera at the Met? I have, and it's lovely. The sets are elaborate, the hall is beautiful, the voices blow you away. The orchestra amazes. But sometimes there are noises that distract. Coughing, the occasional whistle of a hearing aid whose owner has fallen asleep, and the dreaded crinkle of candy wrappers can all be disturbing.

Luckily for me, when I went to Don Carlo last night, my mom thoughtfully brought a sweet treat that is perfect for the opera-PEEPS. You do have to open the cellophane in advance, but once that is done, you have a sweet treat that makes no noise when you eat it-especially if you eat the head first.

Unluckily, this did not prevent one noticeable noise. In the scene when Rodrigo is shot, I was so surprised that I actually yelled out. Sorry fellow opera queens. I wasn't expecting gunplay.

I did my taxes!

Amongst other things that were much, much more fun, I did my taxes this weekend. Someone told me about a site that helps you figure out what you need to file for, and does all the work for you for $15. This is probably a similar cost to buying the software, but I'm still glad I chose to use the site. It was super fast, and they have a whole system of 'alerts' letting you know if you are being inconsistent or have done something wrong. State and federal can be filed at once, and you can even e-file and arrange direct deposit. Good news-my refund is enough for an i-pod. Better news-I'm being mature and using it to pay down my credit card instead. Good for me.

Didn't your high school clique look like this?

Weekend Plans?

I have been seeing ads for this movie, D.E.B.S., and I guess I will just have to force myself to see it. Hmm, high school girls in uniform fighting crime due to their 'special' skills in lying, cheating and manipulation...sounds like entertainment to me.

Otherwise I'll be home alternating between eating Peeps and Hamentaschen.

S Shuttle in Prospect Heights 

Welcome to the Nabe!

In honor of one of my loyal readers, Chris, I'm posting this picture of the Prospect Heights Shuttle. Before Chris & Fred moved to my neighborhood (or at least much closer than LIC), I hadn't even heard of this train. I thought I knew 'em all. I guess I'm due for a trip to the transit museum.

Walking my way? 

Walk this Way

After a lovely walk over the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday, I saw these funny light-bright-ish walkers at the Tweed Courthouse. I thought it was a much prettier picture to start the blog with this morning. No more dental post until next week, I swear.

At least they're not wood!

As a friend of mine kindly compared me to George Washington last night, I reflected on the latest tale from the Dentist. I guess in all my root canal research a few weeks ago, I should have also researched the dreaded "crown." I guess I had no idea what this was. My dentist did a very very poor job of explaining it. I can't even bring myself to write the details here, though you can follow the link. All in all, I now have a temporary (thank god not permanent) crown on that seems to be much larger than all my other teeth. Is this where dental technology has advanced to?

Hey, next time you see me, tell me I look nice. Thanks.

One of these things is not like the others!

Happy St. Patty's 

Mazel Tov! It's St. Patrick's Day

Well, it’s St. Patrick’s day. In honor of the holiday, I am choosing to honor not one, but two, parts of my family heritage. Yes, I am an Irish Jew. Who knew we were out there? You know us Jews, can’t get rid of us no matter how hard you try. Actually there is a whole history of Irish Jews. There is even a book and movie about it (Shalom Ireland). Any other interesting mixes out there? Irish Buddhists? Jewish folks from Papua New Guinea?

Wing Man, Wing Woman, Wing...Bian?

First, thanks to my brother for inspiring this story (credit where credit is due).
We have all heard of a wingman, a guy who helps his pal pick up women. Apparently, an article recently came out about men who prefer a lesbian as their wingman, or “wing-bian” if you will. This is a woman who picks up women and hands them over to her male pals. Reflecting on this definition, I guess I have done this for a friend or two. I guess this is a good strategy for guys, unless you have a greedy wingbian, out to steal your prospects and using the winbian thing as a cover (I would never do that).

In researching this story I found you can even be a professional wingwoman. I’m not sure where the line falls between this and an escort service, but all my friends who need work, check this out make sure to tell me about your adventures in wingwork.

Happy Housewarming! 

The Perfect Gift

I have always thought it important to be a "good gifter"- that is to put thought into gifts and really think about the recipient and occaision when shopping.

I saw this item and was immediately intrigued. It was the perfect housewarming or wedding gift, for that special someone that you don't like. I hardly ever know what kind of presents to give people I dislike. Luckily someone has come up with items like these that say "Enjoy your new life. Now leave me out of it or else." Maybe it comes from my background working at Hallmark as a teen, but I love finding something that can sum up my feelings for someone this way.

Abstinence-Now for Hipsters

That's right, even those in Williamsburg can now experience the Joy of (no) Sex. Abstinence isn't just for young Christians, neo-cons, or President Bush. With gear like this trendy hat below, you can tell your friends on Bedford Ave that they will not be gettin' any from you.

Abstinence Only Gear 

Yeah Photos!

When I first started my blog, picture posting was an extra fee, but now Picasa 2 has made it free again. So enjoy Go-Go, and more pictures to come in the future!

I think I have photo posting! 

Oatmeal Scotchies = Happiness

Sorry the posts have been slow lately. It was a very busy weekend. Details will be provided another time. It was so busy, in fact, that I spent part of Monday afternoon at my sister's apt recovering and receiving some very intense TLC. And what form did this special tender-loving-care take? Why, what could aid my mental and physical recovery better than some delicious oatmeal scotchies? If you don't know what these cookies are, you are missing out, and should go out and get the ingredients to make this recipe right now. They are a signature dish in my family reserved only for occaisions of extreme joy or extreme drama. Please enjoy in moderation.

How Delightful

I was doing some serious, work-related research on the Ann Taylor website this morning (stalking a dress that will hopefully go on sale one day). In reading over the site, I noticed something. Ann Taylor has a mission. "Ann Taylor's mission is to delight you." Doesn't that just sound lovely? I always thought thier mission was to create an army of pastel colored working women. Or maybe, like any business, their mission is to make money. No, they are interested in the practice of "delighting."

Working for a nonprofit, I'm familiar with the concept of a mission, but I've never read one that is quite so..well...delightful. Maybe they really are an evil corporate giant that tries to push conformist gender stereotypes on women, but they just seem so sweet. Ann Taylor, you have delighted me.

Maybe tomorrow the Gap will hug me and Banana Republic will bring me breakfast in bed.

Finally, Top Model Returns

A busy day of working leaves me with little time or energy to blog. But I couldn't resist a reminder that America's Next Top Model is Returning for it's 4th "cycle" (as they call it). Tonight is a "where are the diva's now" special about Cycle 3, but tomorrow at 8, and most wednedays after that, you'll find me hanging with Tyra. Did you know they have an AMTM newsletter? Well, they do.