Bad Cheesesteak....

A bad cheesesteak....errr…..wrap!? That’s what Philly gets (a bad wrap…). So it’s a city that poses itself a little rough on the edges. In all reality, it’s pretty cute and cuddly once you look past the (dropping) crime rate and homicides. Not to mention, it’s fabulously full of art, food and culture. It has a little something for everyone. Whether you’re a crazy ass sports fan or love to go to 1st Fridays to view the latest on the art scene they (ahem, WE) have it.

I’m not going to lie. When I first moved to Philly I didn’t know much beyond the Rocky movies and the two stops I made for cheesesteaks while I was on my way to Atlantic City. At that time I viewed it with simple pleasure of ‘another large city.’ In all reality, I didn’t think what I thought of the city would really matter, ever. Funny thing....just a few months after my 2nd pass-through I was visiting for another reason. A job. Again, I didn’t look into it much. And I pretty much took the job based on a two things 1) I needed to move on from ‘then’ current job and 2) I LOVEEEEEE the Rocky movies which had to equal to me loving the city. Made sense, no?

Luckily, it is true. I love this city. I love that it’s not preppy nor is it a slum. I love that it’s not full of crazies of one kind (e.g. political hacks or hippies or white trash). It’s pretty diverse place with it all (okay, there isn’t much for politics here). Yeah, you have your shady parts….but need I remind myself that just a few blocks from my highly esteemed Big 10 University and our very own U.S. Capitol are some of the most shady ‘hoods you can find out there. Plus, more homicides have occurred within a mile of where I lived in my previous two cities than they have in my new neighborhood. Nice.

So the next time you hear that there’s been another homicide or Philly was named the “City of Uglies” again, hop on a plane and visit me. I can prove it all wrong.

Easy Mac....Ain't that Easy

True Story:

(E-mail)

Date: 11/26/07
To: Friends
From: The Idiot (me)
RE: How dumb am I?

Okay -

I found this great Mac & Cheese product today when I was at Harris Teeter. It's Easy Mac, easier than EVER!! It's already in a microwaveable cup....all you have to do is add water.

Guess what I forgot to do?

Yep. Forgot the water. Our office now smells of burnt noodles cause I'm an idiot and forgot to add water. I was THAT excited over showing the new product to my boss that I popped it in the nuker before adding the H2O.

I just won the "idiot" award for the YEAR

Best Reply:

And they let you go to Egypt?

****

And this is for the lady who created a traffic hold up in the gym parking lot last night. I don't care if it was chilly out. How LAZY are you when you drive to the gym and then wait 8 minutes (following a gym-goer to their car) just so you can park four spots closer to the front door?! Lady, need I remind you that you are at the gym to get EXERCISE. Guess what a few extra steps gives you???? THAT'S RIGHT! Exercise! Amazing, isn't it? And don't worry, you only made about 3 cars wait while you sat there hogging up the parking lot waiting for the person to walk (slowly) to their car, get in and then finally leave. You managed to be both rude and lazy. Congrats.

uggs

There are a lot of things in fashion that I do not get. The most recent one being Uggs. What the hell? Right now while waiting for my Thanksgiving flight home I have witnessed about 10 people with them. First of all, I think they are ugly. It's like some cartoon character should be wearing them. Then there is the whole 'practicality' of them. I have seen COLD and SNOW only a few times since their major arrival. Example, it is currently 60 degees out......do you really NEED to be wearing what constitutes as snow boots? If so, then I totally forgot to wear my insulated Carhartts!

What I am saying is that A) you are crazy for wearing those hideous things when it's so warm out and B) you are a complete sucker to waste money on something you can get the functional equivalent at Fleet Farm for way less$$.

But that is just my opinion.

The New Britney?

I'm listening to MPRs' The Current and what do I hear? The song, "Baby One More Time" and it's not Ms. Spears. Nope. It's Fountains of Wayne

I like them but now I don't know what to think. Were they on crack when they said, "Hey! Let's sing a Britney Spears song!!" Cause that is the ONLY thing that would make sense to me. C'mon boys!

By the way, fave sone of theirs (which is featured on their site) is "Strapped for Cash," amazing.

'Drive' Me Nuts

Scene: AADPI office 8:41 am. Boss at his desk, co-worker at his typing away.

Me: walk by in a huff and plop bag down on chair. "Hrmph."
Boss: peeks around his cube, "Nice to see you all in smiles!" in an overly chipper voice.
Me: stomp over to him, "Well let's just say I'm for a state mandated driving etiquette test. I'm sick of all of these rude drivers and I'm tired of this crazy commute!"
Boss: a man who commutes at least 3 hrs a day, "Oh, I'm so sorry." (in complete and utter sarcasm)
Me: realizing I can't complain, "Whatever." plop into chair and type away.

In the past 48 hrs people have become as stupid does as stupid gets. I know, that doesn't make much sense but it's the nicest way of complaining about the idiot drivers. The etiquette is easy........ for busy on ramps, you go every other. Don't try to shove a car with 50 cars behind them off the side of the road. Or how about the person who changes the lanes 20 times to get ahead without even using their blinker?! Oh and my favorite, the person who doesn't even see the billion signs saying that only oncoming traffic (this is in a busy parking lot) can take that route, hence closing the gap for any outgoing traffic.

The latter was today. First, I'll embarrassingly admit that I was in a drive-thru line for a certain restaurant. The thing with this is that it's smack close to the bank infront of a Montessori school (i.e. there's little room for moving). I starting to go into the lane only to realize it's the "out" lane for outbound traffic. But I corrected in time and got in line (Note: The drive-thru lane is split by this "out" road). The thing is, there were a thousand signs for our drive-thru lane and a very apparent line which I was the tail of. Well this car comes up the "out" lane to get in line, hence cutting me off and blocking the "out" traffic flow.

I'm a little ticked but think she will overcome her obliviousness and figure out why I'm just chillin' right next to her. But nope, she doesn't. She just sits there. And then a car comes to the out lane and see's her blocking it. They attempt to show her it's their lane, but she stays oblivious. I'm getting annoyed and the "out" car turns around and makes a very illegal detour. Really, how can you miss the signs, miss the apparent line and then ignore a car standing right infront of you?

And to top it all off.....I saw that she's busy slurping down a soda from the fast food chain across the road. Really woman, I feel guilty as it is going to this place but look at you! You obviously have already been to one, why are you at another one and being dumb and not reading the stupid signs?!?!?! Gah!

Read the signs people. It's amazing how much your driving etiquette will improve.

p.s. I got fed-up and just left. I couldn't handle any more of the abusurdity.

Thoughts on the Side

I just spent the weekend up in New Haven, CT for the Yale vs. Harvard game. Even though I didn't attend either school I have close relations with many of Yalie family. This all started with one friend I made during my time in DC. Over time I was adopted by the DC Yale Alumni group; them becoming my home base for friends and events. With the level of surrogate for my 'alum' family I ended up being invited to attend the Y-H game in New Haven. I was, at first, a bit apprehensive seeing I wasn't a real alum and I didn't grow-up with an Ivy league background, but I figured that it wasn't too odd seeing I DID play on their Alum Softball team and helped host a few events. So I gave in and went. And OH MY GOSH. It was so FUN! I'll give it to them; they know how to tailgate. Though their football team is far from the level of the SEC, Big 12 or Big Ten....they at least knew how to have a good time.

I spent the majority fo the game day on the Alumni Tailgate field and by the end I was the girl....
- who's uncle is Dick Cheney
- TD '03
- Studied philosphy
- Midwestern Yalie
- Flag runner
- Girl who knew what Corn Hole was (the game)

It was fun. Not my Gophers....but close enough.

Informed... Are you?

I think I sometimes know more of what's happening back home than those who live there. Yes, I read the Strib online almost daily and listen to about 4 hours of The Current a day (which can be confusing when they give the weather reports; forgetting that I don't live there when I look out my window and see no signs of the announced rain!).

I didn't realize how much I keep track of until recently. Here's the past occurences that have brought me to the realization:
1. E-mailed an article about a Benson, MN election re-count to my aunt (in Benson)
2. Told my Grandma up in Felton what her weather is suppose to be like for the weekend.
3. Texted my cousin to remind him to get me the new Cities 97 Mixer that just came out.
4. Called and left a voicemail for my mom informing her of the electronics recycling days at MOA (today through Saturday).
5. Posted they recylcing article on my FB profile for friends to see.
6. Checked and called about the latest committee hearings for agriculture in MN.

That all happened in the last two days. Maybe I am insane but I do also have my own weather page where I can track the weather for Philly, DC, Waterville (home) & the TC. I do watch the local news for Philly, read a few DC blogs and the WSJ. Oh and perhaps I may check a few gov websites too....(USTR.gov & USDA.gov).

I like to be informed.

So people don't forget to recycle your electronics, get your emissions checked, donate clothing (it's gettin' cold out there!) & food to shelters! Good citizens = less need for govn't!

Where were you two weeks ago!?

Hrmph! I'm grouchie. "Why," you may ask.... well it's because of Papa John's.

Now first of all, let's get this clear. I love their pizza. It's the only kind that I have ate for weeks straight and never tired of it. The dough is just right and well the cheese is the utmost cheesiest. Other than that, they just seem to do it for me. Nothing fancy but not that bad of quailty either.

So the reason why I'm seething. . . .

Two weeks ago I thought it would be excellent to call them on the way home from work, equalling perfect timing to swing in and pick-up the 'za. Good idea right? I thought so. So I google the my local PJ number and punch it in. Two rings and a female answers in a muffled voice saying, "Wellshhhh oh PHapa Joooons *static*" and then flips me to an annoying recording about PJ deals. Three minutes later (which feels like enternity) I hang-up thinking maybe I'd done something wrong. So I dial again. Get the same thing. I go for a third round and was sent, yet again, to the recording. Tell me, how busy are you on a Thursday at 8 pm to be doing this? Especially in my neighborhood where it's dead by 6pm. I gave up, seeing I was almost home and chose to make mac and cheese instead. A far cry from my BBQ Hawaiian Chicken pizza.

I was sad.

And now I found that you can TEXT your friggin' order.....

Oh PJ....you better not let me down on this one.

And if you were wondering; yes, I do have an online account with them. What can I say, I'm a fan of convienence.

Buzz Kill

You know you're over someone totally when you see a picture of them (by random) and think "Oh God......I liked that?!" And then the next thought being...."FINALLY!" It was so nice. Just had to throw that one in there cause it just happened to me.

Anyway, things are getting back to normal for once. Nothing crazy. Egypt is done. I'm back and it's good. Business is good. I still do my typical weekend of heading down to DC but I'm finding it quite tiring. Trust me, I'm not going there for kicks and giggles. This past weekend it was for my bestfriends birthday and then I had the joy of getting two crowns, for my teeth. Yes, I'm back to having my horrible teeth being takin' care of. Seriously, if I ever end up homeless it's because of all the dental work I need to pay for. Just think, for what I paid for yesterday I could have gotten a the new Burberry hand bag that I've been dying to get, or pay for 2.5 months of rent. Whatever would have deemed more necessary.

And for those of you back in the TC. I do plan on being home for Thanksgiving. I will be around the area for a drink or two on Friday (Nov. 23rd). If I don't get ahold of you beforehand it's because I have a horrible memory and/or secondly, I'm lazy. Probably the latter of the two. But if you're free let me know. I'm sure I'll want the 'regular' (i.e. Sterbs for beer and cheese curds).

This isn't Chicago?

Well my first real round of int'l travel is done...errr...well kinda seeing I have yet to land on US soil. It was a good trip where I not only learned a lot about my very own product (please note that I had been with my new co.less than 3 wks when I left for Egypt) so needless to say it was very educational.

I am happy that I got to go there (the ME) before heading to Korea or Japan. There are several reasons for this. First of all; businessmen in the ME remind me of old conservative men from my grandfathers day. Yes, they see me as this young girl who knows little, but for some odd reason that only makes me want to fight harder for a sale. The other reason is that the EU had much influence over the ME. Most people know English well. And thirdly, prior to my new job, I had made some good contacts within the industry, so I knew who I was going to be dealing with. Oh, and I can't overlook the fact that I LOVE ME food. Though I wish they were cool with pork. I don't think I could live without pork in my diet.

Baker for a Day

Today was my first full day in Cairo, Egypt. It was a beautiful day; I think.... You see, I was never outside. I instead woke up, thew on some clothes and stumbled down to on of the many kitchens at the Sheraton. That is correct. I spent the day baking.

Funny thing is, I loved it. It was me, a food science professor and my old boss. We did several applications with some using my products. They turned out amazing! Thus, it makes my job a billion times easier.

I think tommorow I will at least attempt to see a pyramid or two before I get back to the kitchen; supposedly they are pretty big. (Ha). I do like this place so far and have found the people quite charming.

Painful Joy

Iam sitting at the Heathrow airport right now and bored beyond all means. My flight does not board for another five hours....argh. But I must remember that I signed up for this. It is cool to be cosidered a world traveler but more so, nowadays, it's almost like a feat. The long waits, security giving you mile long lists of rules for baggage and of course the infamous flight delays.

My family is proud that I have no issues with trapsing around the world by myself. I guess I am too. I forget that I work in such a small sector; one where your co-workers are overseas a good part of the year. I think nothing of booking a flight to Seoul or giving a trade office in the UAE a ring. All things are int'l to me.

I am afraid of the day when foreign is home to me and home is foreign.