Mary C Wolff.

A couple weeks ago I started having this awful feeling in the front part of my lower leg.  Kind of felt like a shin splint.  But one that never goes away.  So, after doing the asinine approach- ignoring it and not taking proper care of it right away, I allowed it to get worse.  I think…  After a visit with the doc, it was determined that I have tendinitis.

Recovery regimen: RICE. That’s it?! No time frame. Just RICE.  

So, he popped a shot of cortisone in my leg and sent me home in a boot.  A BIG boot.  It’s been two weeks and I’m still in recovery mode.  I haven’t been good about resting it because of work now, instead of 2 weeks without dance and gym time, I’ll most likely be 4 weeks without.  And let me tell you something… it is NOT easy to sit still in the city or in general for that matter.  This is my nightmare. 

Take home note: All of you machines out there- take care of yourselves. Stretch and take it easy sometimes.  Or else you might find yourselves in the exact spot I’m in…  On the couch, taking off work and bored.  

Going. To. FIght. This. 

A broken machine,

- Mar

We are going downtown folks!

In one month Katie and I will be packing our things and heading down the east side of the island to a precious little place people like to call Stuytown.   Our rent, however, will not be traveling down.  Worth it though.  Aside from it being steps away from the East Village, one of my favorite neighborhoods in New York, our apartment is kickass.  Laundry IN THE BUILDING Eugine (please reference older post on who this shmuck is), elevator, nice wood floors, a dishwasher! That’s a luxury here.  Our apartment is in a community of other buildings and we have exclusive access to several outdoor activities and even a farmers market.  We will also be taking on a new roommate! Miss Sarah Heeney! Can’t wait for you to join us out here :)

And the process for applying for this sweet ass place was easy as pie.  Worlds different from what we had to go through last time.  Once again, you suck Eugine.  It just took a couple of gathering papers, signatures here, mailing there, and boom, apartment! Not only that, we did it without having to pay a brokers fee!  Aka, saved myself about $1200. I’m so savvy. But as always, still an expensive process.  Either way, I’m excited.  

So much more to update you on too!

But for now, 
from sunny NYC,
an excited new home renter,

Mar

And I still hate you Eugine.

I booked a new gig! And it’s well, different…

It’s brand new and they call it a “collective”.  Basically it’s a group of dancers who want to choreograph and put on a show and don’t have the funds to do it alone.  So, they collectively came together, auditioned dancers, and are creating pieces for a future show! Neat idea.

All of the choreographers could not be more different in terms of choreography. Cool because, I think it will make the show that much more interesting. Case in point, I was cast in two pieces and not only are the styles polar opposite, but their ways of teaching and running rehearsals are different.   

The styles of dance being presented are… interesting.  Definitely not what I am used to recently.  But, even though I feel completely out of my comfort zone (not saying it’s negative), it’s not a bad gig. I have one rehearsal a week, so, minimal time commitment.  The choreographers are completely lax on everything (probably because they don’t know what their doing most of the time.)  And it’s SOMETHING for me to do.  After not doing anything, but taking class for a little bit, it’s always nice to know I’m still worth the craft I came out here to love and do.  

I just finished my first week of rehearsals.  Details to come. And oh boy, I especially cannot WAIT to tell you about one of them.  Let’s just say for now that my “homework” was to watch videos and research Stevie Nicks. <— Click ;)

Amazing.

Keep your mind free and heart open.
Cheers to new and interesting experiences.

- Mar

I met Tom Hanks.

Sure did! 

No joke. 

He was rehearsing for a play in a studio space I was dancing at all week.  I walked past him on my way to the studio and we casually said hello and asked how each other were. (I’m short of breath and sweating).

“Oh, I’m fine and tired!”, I respond.  
He continues, “Yeah, I don’t know how some of you guys do it.”
Me: “Yeah, you know, it’s not really a question sometimes.  You just have to love it and do it.”
Tom: “I like that.”

We part.

Nailed it. 

You never know.

thenovl:

finishingschoolbooks:

Now remember, a lady rides sidesaddle, NOT astride. Your mother would be in hysterics at the very idea that a daughter of hers would ride a werewolf astride! Why, next you’ll be showing ankle…

A how-to for your Tuesday.

I foresee good things happening in 2013. In fact, good things have already commenced. 

I re-bought my iPhone.  It was a risky move, seeing as that my last one was stolen not too long ago. That little taste of sweet, beautiful Apple iPhone was too short lived though. Had to have it back.  Expensive? Yes. Stupid? Maybe. Do I regret it? Nope.

While we’re on the topic, I am also now the proud owner of a brand new Macbook Air!  And damn, it is sexy.  I know all of you are asking yourself, how the hell is she affording all of this?! Well, thanks to my bucket of quarters I have saved over the past year from bartending at Brother Jimmy’s, my Macbook was pretty much my holiday bonus.  Thanks Bro J’s! 

Big things are happening with dance too!  I just got done with the David Dorfman Winter Dance Intensive and it was just what I needed to start my year off.  My last post will give you full detail on my amazing experience with that!

And now we are moving into February and I will be preparing for a whole lotta dancin! So many auditions this month that I cannot WAIT for!  Even if nothing comes from these auditions, I’m ready to start back up with what I’m out here to do.  Well, I dance pretty much everyday, but kicking ass specifically.

And the last big thing to happen this year so far… Jenni Miller has joined the Nebraska Flock in NYC!! HOLLA!!! Congrats on your new position girl and welcome to the family :)

And that was just January! What a month! Cannot wait for what lies ahead in this one.

Cheers to a new month filled with love, inspiration, and warmth.

- Mar

Hello and Happy Thanksgiving!

Had a splendid and special holiday last week because… JOE AND DIANE WERE HERE!  YES! We did thanksgiving together, NYC style and it was awesome.  

I must first sidetrack before some of the turkey day details and tell you about my extremely Polish moment I had when they arrived…

So Diane and Joe got in late on Tuesday with no real plans for their trip because they have been here before.  Frustrated at their indecisiveness, I start thinking of fun and unique things we could do.  ”I’ve got it! Maybe the Knicks are in town!”  I look up their schedule on my phone but for some reason it looks a little jumbled… But it shows that they are playing the Mavericks.  Perfect!  Diane is pumped and says the tickets are on her.  I book our sweet priced $90 tickets and confirm.  But wait… As I am looking through my confirmation email I’m immediately confused.  ”American Airlines Arena…?” 

Holy shit, the Knick are in Dallas NOT at the Garden!

WHAT AN IDIOT! I feel awful and I’m almost in tears.  I have to wait until the Ticketmaster office is open at 9am to see if I can get a refund.  RHONDA explains that there are no refunds the day of events.  I am pissed.  Understandable though. SO I end up having to create a ticket exchange account and sell them for $30 less than original price.  Nervously checking my email throughout the day, they eventually sell 4 hours before tip off.  I’m out $110 but it was better than $290.

In conclusion: ALWAYS fully go over your order details before you click confirm.

Or don’t be a moron and learn how to read. 

Lesson learned.  

Until the next game time,
A very Polish,

Mar 

casualnewyork:

I’ve been rehearsing with the Matthew Westerby dance company for a little over a month now and things are going so great! 

So, I was in deep thought the other day and was thinking about how lucky I am.  This is definitely not your exciting, huge paying gig, but the experience is awesome.  I genuinely like his material, love his process in rehearsals, and enjoy everyone I am working with.  I found out that I will be able to perform with them in December, which is REALLY exciting.  I’ve been missing that performance adrenaline a bit. 

While everything with rehearsals is peachy, my schedule is a bit rough.  Nothing I can’t handle, but it will eat you up if you’re not careful… Here’s a peek:

Thursday:   1.2 hour commute
                 10am-2pm rehearsal
                 3:30 get ready for work
                 5:30pm- 4:30am ish… work
Friday:        1.2 hour commute
                 10am-2pm rehearsal  <- hurting
                 Short, sweet nap. Hopefully
                 7pm-4:30am ish… Work
Saturday:    10:30am Open for work
                 11:30am- 8pm Work
                 10pm- Find what ever energy I have left to go out with the family.

No, it probably doesn’t help that I take a shot (or 10) at work. But it’s almost a part of my job description.  I make it out of those 3 days okay though.  Just in time for some fun on Sunday. I just can’t let go of my Sunday’s.  I will find energy for those.

This is what it’s all about right? There are just no excuses. In the words of a good friend,

Because it just has to be done.

Until next time,
An exhausted daytime and night time dancer,
Mar

          

Well folks, it is true what they say.  It has been 1 year of life in NYC and it has indeed flown. 

HOLY SHIT ONE YEAR OF MY LIFE HAS PASSED.

What just happened?
I’m not really sure.

Let’s do a little recap shall we. In one year of living in New York I have…

1. Taken the one-way flight from the Good Life to NYC
2. Settled on my first NYC apt.  Okay it was a sublet. And a studio apt.  Smaller than the UNL dorms.  But a place to live.
3. Got my first job.  Shout out to Thunder Jacksons.  Holler.
4. Figured out the subway system. Not a huge feat but has its challenges.
5. Found my favorite dance spot: Dance New Amsterdam (DNA) Just amazing.
6. Gone to a NY Giants Game. AND sat in the owners suite with the owners, no less.  Because why wouldn’t we?  Thanks Prince :)
7. Made it through my first dance auditions.
8. Had my first pickleback.
9. Made it through a holiday season away.  I was back for Thanksgiving and Christmas but luckily, I have my NYC family here to really make me feel at home :)
10. Survived an NYC Winter.  And by Winter, I mean there wasn’t really one this year.  I’ll report back after 2012’s Winter.
11. Discovered my fav digs:  Restaurants, buildings, neighborhoods, trains (ha), grocery items, dance classes, and shops.
12. Lived like Anne Frank. So Katie and I weren’t really subletting legallyy… We were told by our Super, Vinny, in the nicest way to “keep our mouths shut!” Followed by a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. Miss him
13. Became a freak thrift shopper. Craig, whoever you are, I was on your list daily.  Thanks for the furniture, appliances, new bed, and current apartment.
14. Left my first job and was hired at Brother Jimmy’s. And am just in love with it.
15. Started to like Bourbon…? God, who am I? I blame you JM, DC, and J.R.
16. Fell in love with NYC Brunch.  Sunday Brunch is an EVENT here.  I would rather stay in on Saturday night so I can go hard on Sunday.
17. Survived my first St. Patty’s Day.  Barely. And I was working.
18. Found a new apartment.  Please refer to the post I Hate You Eugine.
19. Moved to a new apartment. #17 and this one coincide.  Never again.
20. Took on a new roomie! Oh hey, Court :)
21. Had my first Holiday away from home.  It was Easter and I even cooked my first Easter Ham
22. Hosted countless guests.
23. Got my first dance gig :)
24. Remained a tourist.  Even after one year, I still feel like a tourist aimlessly wondering through the street, looking up a buildings and the interesting people passing me on the streets.  I don’t think that will ever get old. 

At this point, I don’t think this place will ever get old. I’ll be the first to admit that my first year was a slow start. I’m figuring it out. I think. But more importantly, I’m enjoying the ride…

From the Big Apple,
And still attached to the tree,

Mar

whatshouldwecallme:

Well, Momma Wolff came for a nice long visit last week and I’d like to think we did some pretty neat things.

She’s been here before so the last thing she wanted to do was aimlessly roam through Times Square again and travel to the end of the island to see the Statue of Liberty.  So that was nice.  We did COOL things.  I wanted to show her a little bit of what I do on a weekly basis, my favorite spots, and things to do.

Day 1, Sunday: Well first off, we went to church.  It’s important to her and so it is to me as well.  She of course insisted on taking a picture of the church as we were leaving to show the grandparents. Haha.  I tell ya, she makes me smile.  I wanted to show her what Sundays are all about here, so we went to brunch afterwards and then walked to Chelsea Highline.

I then took her to see the Brooklyn Bridge at night, which I had never seen as well, and let me tell you, it was just spectacular.  We then headed to Little Italy to be swooned by some nugget Italians for a late dinner and wine.  Whatta first day!!

Day 2: We got up from our Italian food coma and headed to Hoboken.  Why in Gods name would you go to Hoboken when you are in Manhattan you ask?  Carlo’s Bake Shop of course! As some of you might know, Diane makes weddings cakes, (damn tasty ones too), and so we of course had to go visit the house of the Cake Boss. We each got a couple of treats to eat that day and with it being my birthday last week, Diane had the genius idea of getting cupcakes too! After our sweet breakfast, we headed back to the island and walked around Soho for a little shopping.  Didn’t go crazy here though.  Diane isn’t much of a shopper. She would rather hit up your local pub and watch whatever sporting event is on. I love her for that.  We went back up to my hood after that and walked around the Reservoir in Central Park.  One of the BEST views of the upper part of the city.

Day 3: Diane bike rides every day at home, so I though I would take her to rent bikes in Central Park.  I think this was her favorite part of the trip.  Probably partly because I was smoking her walking around all week.  But Diane is hell on wheels, let me tell you.  She was just flying past me.  It was totally fun though.  Then, it was off to Wicked!  It was SO good. I find it amazing that those performers put on that show 5-6 times a week and make it seem like it’s the first or last time they’ll ever do it again.  After the show, we headed to Brother Jimmy’s for a little birthday at midnight celebration.  Tuesday nights are a fav at Brother Jimmy’s for me.  Great atmosphere compliments of the band, 3 Guys 1 Cup.  Well, I have ALWAYS wanted to be sung the happy birthday song from them, and I got my wish :)  And natually I had a few too many birthday cocktails and headed home pretty late.  Great birthday celebration to say the least. 

Day 4: Got up and went to the 9/11 memorial. Bartered our way through Chinatown and found ourselves BACK in Little Italy for a late afternoon lunch.  We headed back uptown for a quick nap and to get ready for the birthday dinner at my favorite spot in Manhattan, Tortilla Flats.
              

I like to call it the Mexican Brother Jimmy’s.  Great food, loud, drunk at times, and just an all around good time. Always. Most of the Nebraska crew was able take time out of their busy weeks and join us for dinner and drinks. And not surprising at all, also a hula hoop contest and unofficial karaoke session.  Yes, we were probably the hated ones at the bar.  Birthday, don’t care.  Congrats to H. Jurgensen for being hula hoop champ of the night. 

Day 5: Lastly, I just wanted to show Diane Grand Central Station.  It is hands down my favorite place to go.  Even though it is completely touristy/busy, it is an absolutely breathtaking site. 

Diane then packed up her belongings and headed back to the Good Life. I wasn’t too upset because I’ll see her and the JOE WOLFF come Thanksgiving time.  Don’t worry, she started planning the event the minute she stepped into my apartment.  She told me to tell you all that EVERYONE is invited. Haha Thanks Diane.  If we can all fit.

Cheers to you Mom, an amazing visit, and many more where that came from.

All of my Love,
Mar

whatshouldwecallunl:

Running through Central Park and getting compeletely lost in it.  Not to mention the EXCELLENT people watching.

The list is endless…

casualnewyork:

Well, hellooo there.

It’s been quite some time and I feel like too much has happened!

Here is the run-down in a list form:

1. Jess and Jenna visit- SO GREAT!  Saw the 9/11 memorial with them.  I didn’t think I would get emotional, but being there really sets in.  The memorial is getting more beautiful every day.  Miss you guys.

2. NDA dance camps started up again!  It’s my 6th summer with the company and still just as great!

3. Friends join us for the summer!  Jenni and Ajoww were here for summer internships.  And dance teacher, Noelle, was here for an internship! Once again, NE taking over Manhattan.

4. Fourth of July- JUST PERFECT.  I was extremely sad I was missing out on of the festivities that went on in NE.  The 4th meant, lake parties, block parties, street fireworks, hamburgers, and delicious cold beer.  However, the 4th turned out to be one of THE best.  We made our way to Rockaway beach for an afternoon of sunbathing and beer drinking.  Then we made it back into the city in time to make it to a rooftop on the West side for the spectacular NYC firework show.  There was seriously nothing better.

5.  Various scandals and boozy brunches.  Standard.

And the big news…

I got my first official “gig”!  I put gig in parentheses because well, it’s unpaid…  But that’s ok! I think.  The gig:  I will be an apprentice for the Matthew Westerby Dance Company.  This means that I will be working/dancing/rehearsing closely with the company, but not actually be IN the company.  Think of it as an internship.  Hence why it’s unpaid… I’m convincing myself that you have to start somewhere and I’m kind of excited :)  I start going to rehearsals at the beginning of September.  Updates to come! Wee!!

Nicole and Natalie Johnson just left us and started KT Court and I off for the season of visitors.  Three this month and Momma Wolff joins me in one month!! I could not be more excited! And lots more in September, October, and November.

Until next time,
Stay cool.  Because it is not here.
Go team USA.

Mar

Truth.

casualnewyork:

Summer is ON here in NYC and… it really doesn’t feel like it…

It’s the first summer where I haven’t been let out of a 9 month school session.  Ready for warm weather, a break, and change of pace and schedule.  Ok the weather part is true, but nothing else will really be changing. 

I want to override that though.  NYC has some of the best things to offer in the summertime and I want to be better about taking advantage of them.  Street fairs, concerts, and other various outside events! Yes! 

But I have onefor sure summer GOAL:  Make it to the Hamptons.  And like really make it.  I want to go to a ritzy summer shindig with a nice pool, cocktail in hand, and my dancin wedges on.  It’s an outrageous goal, I know.  But hey, it could happen.

Either way, I’m ready for anything the summer has for me. Bring on the heat and party on.

Hot child in the city,
Mar

whatshouldwecallme:

If I’m sober:

If I’m not:

I’ve been at Bro J’s for about 5 months now and I’m really starting to get to know some of the regulars.  By choice and force… I mean, it’s pretty much in my job description.  When you’re held captive behind a bar, it’s inevitable that you’re going to have some solid conversation time with the people sitting on the other side of that bar.  And you can only imagine the words said between a group of grown, mostly single, men.  I may not be the SOLE reason they stroll into Bro J’s (yet) but without fail, I am graced by their presence for the majority of my shifts. 

These men honestly do want to go to a place where everyone knows their name, have a few (too many) drinks, watch some sports, and give each other shit.

These crazy cats are a hand full sometimes, but they really do listen to you and even care about you.  They always ask me how I’m doing.  How Nebraska was, how dance is going, how my roommates are, what I did over the weekend.  Hell, I even walked away with a ham one time! Yes, an 8lb cured, smoked Easter ham.  Just when you think the conversation you had with that customer will be forgotten immediately upon walking out the door, you’re wrong.  Because even though I had one conversation with Bill about the meat markets in New York, I still some how walked away with the main course to my Easter feast. First ham. Thanks Bill!

The regulars are always fully invested what ever you talked about. It MIGHT BE the one true coversation they have that day.  Some are divorced, some widowed, and some single.  Whatever their story, they come to Brother Jimmy’s to feel welcome and accepted.  And even though these people aren’t necessarily the folk I would go out on a Friday night with, I still enjoy and get a kick out of their wacky stories and lives.  I mean, somebody has to keep me entertained during my slow happy hour!

I’ll introduce you to everyone in my next post.

Until then,
CHEERS :)
Mar    

Had a much needed trip back to the heartland this past week.  It kind of felt like I was gone for forever too.  Probably because I did absolutely nothing while I was there.  It was funny…

My mom: “What’s the first thing you want to do when you get back?!”
Me: “Ughhh… I don’t really know?”

I mean, it’s great being home, but it’s not like rolling into New York and being like, “I want to go to Times Square, Central Park, and Lady Liberty!”  No no, when I go home, I really just want to sit.  And be.  And I did.  Diane took off work THE ENTIRE TIME I was home.  I’m sure she was also taking full advantage of an opportunity to take off of work too.  We did some serious bonding time.  Dinners, movies, grocery shopping, gym, errands, you name it!

Then it was off to Lincoln for the weekend for some graduation festivities!  Which was the real reason I came back in the first place.  (Congrats to my little grad Braden and all of the other husker grads!) A little overwhelming seeing everyone.  It was like catch up time overload!  The sentence, “Yess, I love New York, it’s really great!” was on repeat all weekend.  I wish I could have had a little more quality time catching up with everyone.  Buut, taking numerous rumpy and lloyd shots was a great alternative.  I did my best to say hello to everyone that I could though.  Except for I missed my old bosses S&G and I couldn’t be more sad! They’re like ghosts, I swear they are so sneaky…

Not sure when I’ll be back next but excited for some upcoming visitors… Jess, Jenna, Braden. Hollaaa.

Back in NYC now, Jack shots and all.  It’s starting to feel so right though.

Until next time,
All my NE love,
MAR

I’ve already mentioned a little bit about my new Super, Rob.  But I want you to get to know him a little more.

He hates me… Already.  I told him we were going to move our stuff in at noon on Sunday but showed up at 10am without letting him know that we were there.  Sorry for the inconvienence on your “day off”, Rob.  All he had to do for us was put up drapes in the elevator mind you.  So you can imagine when I asked if we could move some more furniture in on a different time, he was not so willing.  Apparently I, “burned bridges with him”.  Good god, what a great start.

At a later time, I called Rob at 6pm on a Tuesday.  We needed a step stool so we could tape and paint our kitchen.  But before I could even finish my request, he stops me mid-sentence with, “No no, I can’t do anything for you.  My hours are from 9-4.  Only for emergencies.”  ….. Uhhh….. You are our SUPER! You are supposed to be there for your tenants.  I could care less if you have been at this job for the past 10 years, ROB.  All I need is a stool.  Which requires ZERO work from you. 

Paired with various awkward run-in, Rob and I are just not destined to get along.  It’s going to be a looong year with that cat. 

I did, however, get a sweet giggle at this gem that Rob left in the elevator one day. Looks like hooked on phonics did not work for Rob…

Haha

Tenant Love,
Mar

So naturally we chose the day after St. Patricks Day as the day we wanted to move our entire apartment. Not only were KT’s parents there to see me in my finest hour, but I was pretty much useless all day. 

Moving to and from an apartment in New York is not easy or fun.  It might be if you are willing to fork over a couple hundred dollars for some professional movers to do it for you.  However, like most people in New York, we were trying to save a couple of pennies and use our resources.  The kind man, Dave, who we stayed with in Westchester, drove down to the city with his truck and KT was nice enough to offer up time with her family, who was visiting, so they could help us move our things.  It was pretty much a great situation and it saved us hundreds of dollars!

We were lucky to have moved in on Sunday because our new Super, Rob, informed us that we were only allowed to move in on weekdays…

“Umm… but why Rob?”  ”Because weekends are MY days awff! (in is Long Island accent).”  What aSuperSuper we have.

BUT because I had a bit of an emotional day the first time I met him (all thanks to Eugine), he felt bad and let us move in on a weekend!  Hooray!

Our next couple of attempts to move furniture in and out of the apartment were not so easy.  But after all was said and done, we pretty much have everything IN here.  It’s just pretty much, scattered all over our apartment.

I think it’s going to look pretty cool after we are all done with it!  We plan to create a new room (my room), paint the kitchen, put up to home decor and some other little things!  So here is what it looks like BEFORE:

First Floor- Living Room/ My room.  It will make more sense when it’s all done

The lofted bedroom

First Floor- Different angle and our kitchen!

It’s going to be a bit of a project, but thanks to Pintrest, I have been allll over this decorating thing.  Hopefully I’ll have the AFTER photos sooner rather than later.

Until then…

All of my Love,

Mar

So I moved to a new place. Definitely bittersweet.  Never thought I would say that about the little box I called home.  KT and I’s apartment on 90th and 2nd was our first place in NYC though! It was awkward, small, and a little filthy at times but we made it a home. 

Change is a good thing though and we have moved onto bigger and better things! But it wasn’t easy getting here.  It alll started with a 2 bedroom craigslist post….

I met a real estate agent name Euvgeni who prefrerred to be called Eugine.  Ha OK.  After he showed us a couple places, we decided to kind of stick with him.  He seemed like a stand up guy. Wrong.  EUGINE took us through so many twists, turns, ups, downs, and lies I can’t even keep track.  I won’t bore you with all of the details, but lets just say that I think I know what hell is like. And Eugine is the ruler.  To think, we even paid that yuppie makes me want to barf.  Hopefully Eugine with get a kick out of the fact that he will be featured on Yelp now.  With this many rating stars              . 

I learned a lot about my experiences with him though and never again will I ever make the mistakes I made again.

Enough about him though. What’s done is done and I love my new pad.  And with the addition of new roomie, Miss Courtney Nuss, HOLLAA, it makes it that much better.  Operation: NEBRASKA TAKES OVER MANHATTAN continues. I’ll tell you more about the move in my next post, but here is a preview of the view from the roof top of our new place:

                    

It has been quite some time since I last posted.  So, I’m not going to make this post about EVERYTHING since then.  So I’ll just start with my hot mess of a St. Patty’s Day. 

I bartended yesterday at good ol’ Bro J’s and it was absolute madness.  I have never in my life served a crowd of that volume and that drunk before.  St. Patty’s Day in New York is a city wide event.  Irish, German, Japanese, Greek, it didn’t matter.  I think everyone and their kids was inebriated yesterday.  It’s amazing how one holiday is capable of gathering a bunch of people together, encouraging them to wear green (which I decided looks pretty good on just about everyone), and then drink beer, Jameson, and Irish car bombs all day.  By 4pm we were completely out of Guinness and I was dishing out cases of beer to people.  The person who invented the festive green BL cans was a straight idiot however. I don’t know how they ever thought it would be easy popping those caps off when serving crowds of people. 

I didn’t quite feel on my ’A’ game yesterday, but tried my best to keep a smile on and move fast.  Definitely glad I was working with some major vets who probably picked up much of my slack.  I may not be the quickest bartender, but I still had a damn good time. And learning more and more each time I work.

One of the best things about bartending, especially on days like yesterday, has to be that we get to have just as much, if not more, fun than everyone who is there drinking.  We get the pleasure of having some shots, good conversation, and a spacious bar to do it in.  Not a pushy, drunk crowd.   

After a solid 9 hours of work, I left from behind the bar.  My shoes and socks were soaked and my hair smelled and felt like I had mopped the bar down with it.  So the other bartender, waitresses, and I decided it was time for a drink.  Not that we hadn’t been doing that all day, but for some reason the effects of the alcohol didn’t quite hit me until I sat down for the first time after being on my feet for 9 hours.  After one too many celebratory cocktails, I’m embarrassed to say that my night started to get a little blurry. Needless to say, it didn’ end well.

But I survived. I’m happy to say I made it through my first St. Patty’s Day in New York.  I still hate Irish Car Bombs though.

Until next time,
MAR

Well, 5 to 2. My schedule is flip-flopped with most of my friends and it definitely has it’s ups and downs.

I’ve been busy busy since I’ve been back from my little Christmas break in NE.  Well, busy for only having a bar job ha.  But it DOES take a lot out of you!  When I was slingin drinks at the DT I would usually mozy on in at 10pm, have a fun little chat session with my fellow co-workers, slowly count my drawer, then wait for it to get busy. I would work hard for a couple hours, dance behind the bar with Jess and Courtney, make countless shots for all of our friends and gleefully clean up and go home. Mayyybe head on over to after hours. It was awesome.

It’s quite a bit more exhausting here.  I leave for TJ’s at 4:25 so I can get there at exactly 5pm.  There is already a small happy hour crowd when I get there and I immediately start workin the tables.  Each day is different in terms of crowd volume, but for the most part, I’m consistently busy.  The personalities are all variant too!  We get everything from your cheap NYUer to local neighborhood goers, to small business groups and foreign families and friends who stumbled upon the corner bar.  I wish I could say that I’m a kickass server who makes my customers fall in love with me, but for those of you who have ever served a day in your life, you know it’s not easy.  You are going to have those customers where, no matter how attentive, kind, and flexible you are, they just suck.  By the time the kitchten closes at 12am, it is time to start winding down my tables or decide if I want to work a little harder, stay and cocktail, and make $15 more dollars.  By the time I close everyone out, head out, walk to the train, and arrive home, it’s usually around 1-2am. Woof. But I’m not necessarily complaining…

One thing I can say about a serving/bartending job is that it makes for some interesting encounters and stories.  I feel fortunate to work in an environment where I get to meet new people, with a different background and story, every time I go to work.  Regardless of any shitty tip I may get or a-hole person who complains about their food or drink, it all makes for an interesting experience.  I could be working a 9-5 (or 6 or 7), go home exhausted every night, maybe find time to work out, eat a quick meal, go to bed, get up, and do it all over again. While this stability and organization is a completely satisfying notion for me, it just not an option right now!

I don’t want to serve the rest of my life, but I’m kind of diggin’ it right now. I just hope the economy doesn’t go to complete shit because that means no money for me.  So have a drink, eat good food, and don’t for get to tip :)

Cheers!

Mary

Just to clarify right away, this blog is not about sex. 

If there is anything I learned from my Women in Pop Culture class (turned Ethnicity of Women in History and How They Impacted Society) I learned that the show Sex and the City is a completely unrealistic and a fantasy.  Okay, I know it’s a fictional show, but we ALL thought that Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda seriously went to lunch/brunch/out for Cosmos/shopping like that was their actual jobs. False.  Unless they were shitting $20’s, there is no way they could have afforded any of these things. But, this is all besides the point.  There is one thing that I did get out of the harsh lesson… The bond these women had was irreplaceable. 

Since I promised myself I would be more thankful, I would like to express my next Thankful Thought: Friendship.  I would, without a doubt, be lost without friends here in the city.  I think moving to a new place, meeting new people, and creating new bonds is wonderful.  However… there is something great about knowing there are people in your life who you can always make dinner plans with, who create false alter-egos to chase away (or not) creepy guys, who spend Sunday afternoons with you drinking unlimated mimosas and bloody marys, or can just be your source of a piece of home.  We have this little Nebraska (and a little Texas) bond going on here in NYC and I kind of like it.  I feel so blessed and fortunate to have such wonderful friends here with me in what could be a very overwhelming and lonesome city.  Though not exclusive, we are always thinking of ways to make new friends… because we all decided we need to all be in the Hamptons this summer with our new friends :)

And I cannot wait for our little Nebraska club to grow when Miss Nuss makes it out here.  And visitors are alwayss welcome. Nebraska is taking over Manhattan.

Best,
Mary

It feels a little like I’m still in college. My first semester in New York was SO hard but I think I passed all of my classes just fine.  Fortunately, I’m in a field where grades are irrelevant and it’s your EXPERIENCES that really put you to the test.  But if I had to grade myself, I think this is what my report card would look like…

1. Getting a Job-                      A-                  Note: It’s not a dance job, but 
                                                                          it pays the bills.
2. Finding an apartment-            B+                 Note: Entire apartment about the 
                                                                         size of my sorority bedroom,
                                                                          but quaint and homey :)
3. Social Life-                          C+                  Note: Could be a lot better if I  
                                                                         could afford to go out more.
4. Touristy Things                     B                   Note: Pretty good for 3 
                                                                          months, but still so much to
                                                                          see!
5. Navigating around NYC           B+                  Note: Thank you smartphone
6. Dance (General)                    B                    Note: This will take some 
                                                                           time and practice :)

All in all, not bad.

I can’t believe I head back to the Big Apple in 4 days…January 1st, 2012.  Couldn’t think of a better start to a new year.

Happy New Year!
Mar

The Holiday’s are a special time for SO many reasons. 

1. It’s a tradition.  And we love traditions.  There is nothing better than holiday traditions, whether you are at home or making a new home for yourself.  Tis’ the season for 2. seeing familiar decorations up, 3. hearing all of your favorite holiday jingles, 4. watching the classic holiday movies, and 5. making AND eating all of the comforting winter dishes and treats. 

I decided each of those deserved their own number because they are all of vital importance to the wonderfulness of the holiday season. 

6. Our economy gets a boost. Yayyy. We are, after all, excellent consumers when we need to be or can afford to be.  In turn, the economy gets a little happier around the holidays.

7.  We become more thankful.  Why are we all of a sudden so much more thankful for the things we DO have in our lives around this time of year? I suppose it’s better than never at all!  SO in keeping in mind my last post, I am going to continue to be thankful for things in my life.

8. People are nice(er).  Do you ever notice how much more nice people are from the middle of November to about January 2nd?  How many more, “Oh, go ahead, you were in line first!”, “No, no. You grabbed that paper first”, or “Have a great day!” do you see other than around this time of year.  It’s like everyone’s inner Buddy the Elf to comes out.  There is something about numbers 1-7 that make us all better people.  There REALLY is such thing as ’holiday spirit’ or ‘holiday cheer’.  But can that cheer only be seen during the holiday season so that we don’t display all of these random acts of kindness year round?  Why do we have to wait until December to given a donation to the Salvation Army?  Even if it’s just a small one.  Is it possible that we can still smile at each other, hold doors, and shovel our neighbor’s sidewalk after December 25th?  I can’t imagine what life would be like if instead of just holiday cheer we had Life…Cheer…?  I’m not saying people should go around yelling, “The best way to spread Life Cheer is singing loud for all to hear!!!” Even though that would just be awesome.  Haha. But it wouldn’t kill people to channel some of that holiday spirit with them 365 days a year instead of 40 days. Either way, it’s a different idea to grasp and would be a pretty big task to take on.  But I think everyone is capable of it. 

If not, then I will of course enjoy the kindness I do receive at this time of year.  The list goes on and on for why this time of year is so wonderful. But It’s no wonder the weather is so cold this time of year, because we sure do feel lots of warmth in so many other ways :) 

And who knows, it may be the ‘spirit of the holiday’s’ forcing me to write this.

I’ll end with my thankful thought…

Thankful thought #2: Christmas lights.  I swear they could be up year round and be just as magical.  Especially white lights.  The ambiance they give off is pure warmth and happiness. 

Happy Holiday’s every one.

Mary Christmas

24 Days.