What else is on my mind grapes?

If I had enough money and a lot of talent, this would be my American Express print ad:

Occupation:editor/paginator/confused college graduate

Proudest accomplishment:always finding ways to work my way up, and reaching my goals in New Zealand.

Perfect day:coffee/read my favorite blogs and newspapers/survive boot camp class/walk around an outdoor market/find a great dress/grab drinks and dinner with friends while wearing said dress/nightcap with classic AD episodes. During winter, insert snowboarding and hot tubs; in the summer, add passing out at the beach and kayaking. 

Most unusual gift:extremely oversized pushpins and safety clips. But I loved them.

Recent impulse buy:a Dundie award at the NBC store.

Retail therapy: stewing around an Anthropologie, trying on things I can’t afford and quietly imagining I could decorate my apartment with the home collection.

Can’t shop without: a mission and Starbucks.

My card: needs to be paid on time so I can one day get an Amex.

Here’s the best American Express commercial starring Wes Anderson:

As I wait for my flight, which has been delayed 13 hours (curses, United!), I have decided to acknowledge my blogging duties and reflect on the past 12 months, while also looking ahead. If anything, this is for my own future reference.

 First, my favorite moments of the past year - in no particular order.

• Every moment in New Zealand was amazing, but several stick out, especially my first trip around the north island. Five girls, one MITCH-AH-BITCHY and no sense of direction. It was the best way to start a 5-month adventure. Equally enjoyable was the 9-person, 2-day hike around Mt. Holdsworth, and the evening in our 12-person van.
• My 22nd birthday is another NZ memory. A night I wanted to keep low key turned into an evening worthy of a coming-of-age dramedy. Topping it off was an intense dance-off between myself and one of the guys from our program, whom we ran into on the street. It captured the attention of all who were left in the danceclub/bar.
• Before I left for the other side of the globe, C-mose and I took an eventful roadtrip. Highlights: The sunset in Utah accompanied by Aimee Mann, getting stuck in Grand Junction thanks to a flat tire and truly believing we were going to get beat up, ‘We’re at Sonic! Fun!’, hitting the slots in Vegas exhausted and giggly surrounded by old Irish gents, and a drive to Santa Barbara along the coast with Matisyahu blasting in the ‘Stang.
• I also went to Vail prior to my NZ trip. Sadly, and injury put a slight damper on the weekend plans, but overall it was a relaxing and time spent with the Hero Squad.
• I had a lot of mix feelings during my return to the U.S., but being reunited with my family and friends was wonderful. In a matter of a few weeks I went to California, Colorado (where I’ve had the greatest piece of toast!), Washington, Hawaii and New Jersey/P.A. It was the only way I can think of returning to my ‘real life.’

Since these fantastic snippets of my year, I’ve moved once again, started my career and had several northeast adventures in N.Y., Boston, NYC. and Penn. I’ve been able to take trips on my weekends - which have since become somewhat limited - and began an entirely new, scary period of my life. Talking to a friend today about the impact of moving for a job, I began to question if my lack of concern/contemplation over just picking up and relocating in the name of my personal career goals is somewhat heartless of me.

I mean I miss my friends and family more than I’ll ever let anyone know, but I know I can be selfish. And reaching professional goals has always been too important to me. The move hasn’t been easy; starting something new and stressful without your best friends by your side is tough. But I’m trying to gain a solid base so that I can have to option to move somewhere that my friends will want to move to as well, a city near more of my family perhaps.However, I am completely aware of how unusual and selfish my rash decisions can be.

Thus, I am inspired to make some new year resolutions goals.

1. Stop taking work home with me - in an emotional sense.
2. Despite having a job, keep networking, full throttle - Charlies Angel’s 2.
3. Continue traveling on any weekends I get, and try to go to Montreal.
4. Start writing again, either in a class or by finishing the personal projects I’ve begun.
5. Stick with Boot Camp class. I feel physically ill by the end of each class, but it’s worth it.
6. Finally start the Hero Squad blog.
7. Play my drums more.
8. Make sure my sister has a stellar 21st birthday in either NYC or Vegas.
9. Curse less. My workplace/stress has not helped this goal, but I need to maintain some control.
10. Finally, in honor of specific friends, say ’sorry’ less.

Lastly, they - the all-deciding consensus - say how you ring in Jan. 1 is a sign of how the new year will go. My options for Dec. 31 are:

1. Work.
2. Attend a party at a bar in The Village thanks to the fabulous social coordinator, Vanessa. Open bar, good music, NYC and fun people.

Two polar opposites, yet I have little control over which option will play out. Luckily, some vacation is supposed to come my way, but I won’t know my schedule until next week. New Year’s Eve has never been a big deal to me, as I’m usually disappointed, but attending a solid party in NYC can’t NOT be fun. And probably has more potential for setting off a fabulous new year.

Spotted: Amy Poehler on 50th and 6th Avenue in NYC on Monday.

Fabulous things happen whenever I go to New York City, and this last trip was no exception. I seem to find myself running into a celebrity or participating in some unique event. My cousin, who I visit there, has confirmed this pattern.

I went this last weekend because I rarely get 2 days in a row off and needed a mental health/shopping break. I also have a secret desire to move there someday (I’m always proud of myself when I get asked for directions while walking around … luckily “Where is the ‘Today’ show filmed?” is easy to answer) and become friends with Michael K.

We went to a Thai restaurant the first night, then heard “Noel” sung as though it were a showtune at her church. The second day, when I did a good chunk of my Christmas shopping, is when I saw Ms. Poehler. We brushed shoulders and she obviously didn’t want to be recognized, as noted by her looking away quickly. Lucky for her I couldn’t speak when I realized who I had just passed and could only smile stupidly.  But it was the second time I have seen her in person since she was a guest when I went to see “Conan.”

That night we went to a PR-type event at an art gallery. I thought it was going to be cheesy but we ended up getting free dinner, drinks, desserts and a lot of samples.

Sadly, the next morning I had to hop on the train and head directly to work. I hope the strike ends soon so I can return to see “Conan” again and maybe run into Jack McBrayer whilst grabbing a meat sandwich.

And the photo above cracks me up - Will’s double and his scalp piece are the real heroes.

Thanks to this NYT article Jamie - Liz Lemon’s fling - from last week’s “30 Rock”  is identified!

He is Val Emmich of New Jersey and he’s kind of perfect. He acts, sings, made a documentary and has written a novel. Apparently he was the first unsigned artist to be on TRL back in 2004, according to Asbury Park Press. I had stopped watching that mess of a show by then, so I don’t remember him being on MTV.

His music is actually pretty nice, especially if you like rock-pop songs performed by a good-looking lad. I just bought “Sunlight Searchparty” - his latest - on iTunes and it’s really catchy. Raw, with some recording/tuning mistakes, but it’s endearing.

Personally, I’m more excited about his book and role in Lucy Liu’s upcoming TV show “Cashmere Mafia.”

Here’s a clip from his documentary:

I really have nothing to say about above photo other than those would be amazing to have on a water slide. Or to wear and then get pulled by a ski boat. I found these gems here, on Boing Boing.

More relevant to the title of this post …
Reading things like this about a rumored Judd Apatow film about biblical times starring Jack Black, David Cross, Michael Cross and McLovin’ make me want to gather my creative friends and just constantly keep each other employed. Or seek out the shooting of this movie just to catch a glimpse of Cross and Cera.

Creeeeepy!

Be sure to catch the end.  

I’m already sick of snow, and there have only been a handful of snowfalls. To make matters worse, a storm is a’brewing and I have to work tonight. I may have to make an emergency bed out of first edition prints and the Christmas decorations we don’t have time to put up.

Snow storms are only fun if you have access to the back bowls of Vail. Or when you go sledding with a thermos of champagne behind your house, leading to a paranoid visit to the ER. Just a hypothetical scenerio …

• that when I see lawn ornaments I get high school flashbacks and think about what strategy would be best to take them? I never actually stole them myself, but it was a popular evening activity. With nativity scenes everywhere I’m reminded of the  Baby-Jesus-stealing controversy of senior year.
• that I still have to say “righty-tighty, lefty-loosey” when assembling things?
• to dislike Kristen Bell/Elle while the entire country seems to be in love with her? It doesn’t help that she is everywhere, and with her Slurpo plug in last week’s ”Heroes” she even has a distant connection to the J.J. Abrams movie now. What is going on?!
• to miss the West Coast when I see the cheesy ”Visit California!” ads that play here?
• that an episode of the ridiculous “Keeping up with the Kardashians” made me tear up?
• to love Conan’s strike beard?