I finally found it!! I FINALLY signed a lease to a cute little studio apartment on the way upper west side of Manhattan...when I say small, I mean my old place minus the bedroom, but triple the cost...but it is adorable and it's mine. Such a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders, I can't wait to have a place for my shoes!!! And I can watch TV all day if I want and I can DVR the hell out of every cheesy show I am embarassed to admit that I watch...I can sleep on the couch again!!!
It is in an old brownstown on a very pretty street and half the walking distance to the subway than my current place. My landlord does all of the renovations himself (just like Tim in Cleveland) and he truly loves his places. It has a tiny little fake fireplace (I have always wanted one, real or not) and a little island. The kitchen is about as big as a bathroom and the bathroom is about as big as a closet so that makes the tub just my size so it is perfect!! The stove and fridge are brand new, stove is soo cute, about the size of an easy bake oven. I can reach every cupboard in the kitchen!
Best part...it has optional furniture in it at no charge...seeing as I came here with only 2 suitcases it is a great feature...
So now, when you come visit me, you can skip the hotel cost and sleep at my new palace....
Monday, October 29, 2007
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Sweet Pea??
I went to watch what ended up being the end of the Indians season at ESPN zone a week ago. Went with a few of my work friends. We hooked up with an Indians fan from Columbus who knew everything there is to know about sports. There was a really tall giant looking (compared to me) man there that you knew had to be some former star. Our new found columbus friend told us the guy's name is Lloyd Daniels, aka "Sweet Pea"
He played for six different NBA teams in his career, most notably the spurs. He was alone so we invited him to watch the game with us. It was fascinating to hear about his past and how he went from street ball legend in the streets of NY to an player in the NBA.
So a few drinks in and an indians loss later we were saying our goodbyes outside, I wanted a picture of Sweet Pea and I...so he grabbed me and then like REALLLY grabbed me, I got pissed off but didn't say anything...until he did it again, then I smacked his arm away...whatever I blew it off..
AND THEN
He starts asking me if I have any money?? I thought he was kidding at first, I mean, after all HE is the former NBA player, I am the one who could use the money here. He wasn't kidding, he proceeds to tell all of us he needs money to get home to Jersey..meanwhile we bought his damn dinner and drinks...Of course that part of me that guilts myself into everything gave him 20 bucks...you would think he would stop there, but no, he then proceeded to ask everyone else I was with for cash and before I knew it we were all paying for his "ride home"....Amazing
Now that I think about it, obviously the guy is a scammer, why else would a former NBA player go to ESPN zone to chill out, he WANTED to be recognized, for the free shit he was bound to get, we fell for it.
He called me the next day on my cell (yes, when I thought he was a good guy I gave him my number) I told him I couldn't talk because I, unlike some people, had to work for a living.
Well, I was a lot nicer about it than that, but he hasn't called since.
He played for six different NBA teams in his career, most notably the spurs. He was alone so we invited him to watch the game with us. It was fascinating to hear about his past and how he went from street ball legend in the streets of NY to an player in the NBA.
So a few drinks in and an indians loss later we were saying our goodbyes outside, I wanted a picture of Sweet Pea and I...so he grabbed me and then like REALLLY grabbed me, I got pissed off but didn't say anything...until he did it again, then I smacked his arm away...whatever I blew it off..
AND THEN
He starts asking me if I have any money?? I thought he was kidding at first, I mean, after all HE is the former NBA player, I am the one who could use the money here. He wasn't kidding, he proceeds to tell all of us he needs money to get home to Jersey..meanwhile we bought his damn dinner and drinks...Of course that part of me that guilts myself into everything gave him 20 bucks...you would think he would stop there, but no, he then proceeded to ask everyone else I was with for cash and before I knew it we were all paying for his "ride home"....Amazing
Now that I think about it, obviously the guy is a scammer, why else would a former NBA player go to ESPN zone to chill out, he WANTED to be recognized, for the free shit he was bound to get, we fell for it.
He called me the next day on my cell (yes, when I thought he was a good guy I gave him my number) I told him I couldn't talk because I, unlike some people, had to work for a living.
Well, I was a lot nicer about it than that, but he hasn't called since.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
My First Staten Island Trip
So I had my first Sex And The City moment on Saturday when I went to my first party...remember the episode when they all get on the ferry for the big party...anyway, the view was awesome (and I swear I will figure out how to post pictures) I saw the statue of liberty for from the ferry, and mom, you're right, there is something about that lady that can take your breath away. I can't wait til you get to see her.
The party was a birthday party for my new friend Chris that I work with, (yes, i now have like 10 friends!!!...he has a great place (much nicer than I will get here in Manhattan). There's a great view of the city from his patio. It was a lot of fun because I got to really get to know the people I work with and let them see the not so serious side of me...(hope i didn't scare em)
The party was a birthday party for my new friend Chris that I work with, (yes, i now have like 10 friends!!!...he has a great place (much nicer than I will get here in Manhattan). There's a great view of the city from his patio. It was a lot of fun because I got to really get to know the people I work with and let them see the not so serious side of me...(hope i didn't scare em)
My First Visitor!
Last week I had my first hug from home when Lana came to visit on Tuesday!! She was here doing her big wig job but was able to hang with me quite a bit. She came to the network and chilled out with me at my desk for awhile, it felt just like old times. I couldn't help but cry when I saw her walk in, I felt like an ass in front of my co-workers but I'm pretty sure they understood. You just kind of block out the fact that you miss soo many people soo much until you see them again...you're kind of wrapped up in all of your new surroundings.
Anyway, she brought me an Indians Rally Towel so I could represent while here in the city, it worked wonders that night when we went to ESPN Zone to watch the game, however, it lost some of it's magic once Lana left.
We had a great time...went to dinner with Helen at an italian restaraunt called Carmine's in time square, it was just Bucca style, huge portions and good wine. I truly felt like like no time had passed at all.
It was sad to see her go the next day, but I know we will be seeing eachother a lot (she can't resist Tiffany's and knock off hand bags for too long)
Anyway, she brought me an Indians Rally Towel so I could represent while here in the city, it worked wonders that night when we went to ESPN Zone to watch the game, however, it lost some of it's magic once Lana left.
We had a great time...went to dinner with Helen at an italian restaraunt called Carmine's in time square, it was just Bucca style, huge portions and good wine. I truly felt like like no time had passed at all.
It was sad to see her go the next day, but I know we will be seeing eachother a lot (she can't resist Tiffany's and knock off hand bags for too long)
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Phoenix Sun
So I'm sitting at work, my desk is just outside of the World News Tonight Studio, when I see a really hot guy walk into the studio..I start wondering what dept he works in, then I see his profile...it was freakin Joaquin Phoenix....I was on the phone at the time and I think I stopped talking, don't remember what I said but my jaw hit the desk.
He stopped for a second and I smiled at him and he smiled back...and then I puked...kidding, but I couldn't stop smiling, Im sure I looked like a weirdo to him. I couldn't concentrate at all, he was way too close. What I hated was that I was the only one freaking out, everyone else acted like it was no big deal...like he pops in all the time. What was worse is that it is a golden rule in television that you are not to bother the stars when they are there, it's a safe zone for them...SUX! Had I been outside of that building I would have hugged him I swear. I did, however, have to go to the bathroom when he was leaving, and guess what, he went to the bathroom too. I began to wonder who was in there at the time and how they reacted when he walked up beside them and took a pee, did they look? I would have.
He stopped for a second and I smiled at him and he smiled back...and then I puked...kidding, but I couldn't stop smiling, Im sure I looked like a weirdo to him. I couldn't concentrate at all, he was way too close. What I hated was that I was the only one freaking out, everyone else acted like it was no big deal...like he pops in all the time. What was worse is that it is a golden rule in television that you are not to bother the stars when they are there, it's a safe zone for them...SUX! Had I been outside of that building I would have hugged him I swear. I did, however, have to go to the bathroom when he was leaving, and guess what, he went to the bathroom too. I began to wonder who was in there at the time and how they reacted when he walked up beside them and took a pee, did they look? I would have.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Dawn's NY Top 10
10...The number of times I have had to ask people where the hell I am
9...The number of couples I have seen making out the subway as if nobody was there
8...The number of times a day I say F*** when I can't find my freakin subway metro card
7... The number of times I had to explain to people what the hell the bugs were about during the Yankees/Indians game last night (each version was very creative)
6... The number of guys I have seen openly peeing on the side of a building on Broadway, not bums either, just your average joes..crazy
5...What I tip a cab driver after I give up trying to find my way home myself
4... The number of real dinners I have gone to, all of them Italian and really good (not Bruno's though!!)
3...The number of drinks I had before I got up on the bar at the original "Coyote Ugly" bar, respectfully called Hoes and Heffers (dont get mad mom..I swear its what the bar is known for)
2...The number of songs I stayed up on the bar for
1... The number of times I watched the Browns win while in NYC
0... The number of Targets in Manhattan! I'm lost without it!
9...The number of couples I have seen making out the subway as if nobody was there
8...The number of times a day I say F*** when I can't find my freakin subway metro card
7... The number of times I had to explain to people what the hell the bugs were about during the Yankees/Indians game last night (each version was very creative)
6... The number of guys I have seen openly peeing on the side of a building on Broadway, not bums either, just your average joes..crazy
5...What I tip a cab driver after I give up trying to find my way home myself
4... The number of real dinners I have gone to, all of them Italian and really good (not Bruno's though!!)
3...The number of drinks I had before I got up on the bar at the original "Coyote Ugly" bar, respectfully called Hoes and Heffers (dont get mad mom..I swear its what the bar is known for)
2...The number of songs I stayed up on the bar for
1... The number of times I watched the Browns win while in NYC
0... The number of Targets in Manhattan! I'm lost without it!
Damn Yankees
10/6/07
So the hardest thing about this change hasn't been the cost, the schleping of bags to and fro or the fact that I have no permanent place to live...the hardest thing has been trying to openly route for the Indians in a room full of haters. Thursday's game wasn't so bad because there were other tribe fans in the bar, but last night, after they got their asses kicked on Thu, fans were not so understanding. For the majority of the game I was the only Cleveland fan in the bar (my friend Helen later joined me), I must admit that in the beginning, I was pretty quiet. But, after a couple bottles of liquid courage I was making Cleveland proud. For the most part, Yankee fans were polite and some even bought me a beer, but after they lost, well, the bar was quiet and they all went home with their heads down....it was beautiful...
So the hardest thing about this change hasn't been the cost, the schleping of bags to and fro or the fact that I have no permanent place to live...the hardest thing has been trying to openly route for the Indians in a room full of haters. Thursday's game wasn't so bad because there were other tribe fans in the bar, but last night, after they got their asses kicked on Thu, fans were not so understanding. For the majority of the game I was the only Cleveland fan in the bar (my friend Helen later joined me), I must admit that in the beginning, I was pretty quiet. But, after a couple bottles of liquid courage I was making Cleveland proud. For the most part, Yankee fans were polite and some even bought me a beer, but after they lost, well, the bar was quiet and they all went home with their heads down....it was beautiful...
Monday, October 1, 2007
I finally made it...
Hello
I decided to start blogging my adventures here in the big city as a way to keep in touch with my friends and family and to keep an account of my time here in the greatest city in the world.....
About me....
I am a 32 year old female that was born and raised in Madison, Ohio (hence the title of my blog)Madison is a small town in lake county about 40 miles east of Cleveland near Lake Erie. Population about 10,000. Nurseries everywhere, a bar called the Wagon Wheel and the closest movie theatre is about a half hour away...Needless to say it is a bit different from New York. After college I moved to the Cleveland area and was there until about a week ago...
I have been in the TV news business now for about seven years and spent all of them at NewsChannel 5 in Cleveland until about a month ago.....
I have always had the desire to move to NYC ever since my first trip here several years ago...I hit a point in my career and life where I knew it was now or never and if I didn't make a move fast I never would. Within a week after my resume went out I was on a plane to NYC and interviewing with ABC, 4 hours later I was hired and told I had 3 weeks to get here...
I packed everything up, sold all that I could and flew out of Hopkins with nothing but two suitcases and two fingers crossed..
Getting here.....
I spent three weeks on craig's list frantically looking for a place to stay when I got here, not knowing anything about the neighborhoods and not wanting to commit myself to something i would hate I decided to sublet a room from a woman in the Hamilton Hts area. I sent a friend of mine to take a look at the room for me (after i sent the money) and she assured me it had a door, a closet and a bed...Perfect
My Roomate.....
is a woman I believe to be in her late 40's or early 50's....she is a former actress who did some soaps and some off broadway musicals and plays. She is currently an entertainment reporter who has interviewed some of the biggest names in the business. She is a very caring and genuine person that has gone out of her way to make my first month here as painless as possible....and...she buys me diet cokes=)
My apt.....
Very big for a NY apt, the building is very old so it has tons of character. You can sit on the window seat and look at the NY skyline across the Hudson, I am sitting there now (very Carrie Bradshaw of me I know)
There's an elevator guy that knows my name and makes me feel at home, joins me for smokes sometimes..
It gets hot as hell in the apt sometimes, I miss my central air, and my damn DVR!! I am watching TV on a tiny set smaller than my head that sits on my tummy, I call it my tummy TV, but, it's better than nothing right?
Anyway, I stay here until November and then I need to find my own place.
My job.....
Scary as hell!! But in a good way...It is very difficult to go from being on top of your game to being the newbie in the group. Everyone here has tons of experience working on the national level, and me, well, I know the Cleveland market by heart. They are all trying their best not to make me feel like I fit right in but I can't help but wonder if they are asking themselves why I am there. I keep telling myself I got this job because I can handle it and that I am going to wake up one day and be a pro....it's only been 8 days so I am not too worried...yet
Famous faces.....
Okay, so I forgot the really fun stuff about working at the network, there is a cafe on the 1st floor with made to order breakfast and lunch with a pasta bar and hot pretzels...and, I get to see famous people
My first day it was Joey Lawrence, next day Nikki Syxx, not to mention Charlie Gibson and Diane Sawyer.....I love NY
The Cost.....
Yeah, it's freakin expensive...here's an idea of the difference in cost in this city
Diet coke in a can (from the vending machine) 95 cents
6 pack of diet coke from store 5.75 (you can get 2 12pax at Marc's for that!!!)
A bag of peanut M&M's 75 cents
Pack of smokes 7.50
Bud in a bottle during Browns game special 5 bucks
A glass of Cabernet with dinner 12 bucks (although I did find a dive with 4 dollar wine this weekend)
Movie (no food included) 12 bucks, NO DIFFERENCE in matinees
But, for as many hits as a wallet takes here in NYC, there is so much here that money couldn't buy that it just makes it all worth it.
I decided to start blogging my adventures here in the big city as a way to keep in touch with my friends and family and to keep an account of my time here in the greatest city in the world.....
About me....
I am a 32 year old female that was born and raised in Madison, Ohio (hence the title of my blog)Madison is a small town in lake county about 40 miles east of Cleveland near Lake Erie. Population about 10,000. Nurseries everywhere, a bar called the Wagon Wheel and the closest movie theatre is about a half hour away...Needless to say it is a bit different from New York. After college I moved to the Cleveland area and was there until about a week ago...
I have been in the TV news business now for about seven years and spent all of them at NewsChannel 5 in Cleveland until about a month ago.....
I have always had the desire to move to NYC ever since my first trip here several years ago...I hit a point in my career and life where I knew it was now or never and if I didn't make a move fast I never would. Within a week after my resume went out I was on a plane to NYC and interviewing with ABC, 4 hours later I was hired and told I had 3 weeks to get here...
I packed everything up, sold all that I could and flew out of Hopkins with nothing but two suitcases and two fingers crossed..
Getting here.....
I spent three weeks on craig's list frantically looking for a place to stay when I got here, not knowing anything about the neighborhoods and not wanting to commit myself to something i would hate I decided to sublet a room from a woman in the Hamilton Hts area. I sent a friend of mine to take a look at the room for me (after i sent the money) and she assured me it had a door, a closet and a bed...Perfect
My Roomate.....
is a woman I believe to be in her late 40's or early 50's....she is a former actress who did some soaps and some off broadway musicals and plays. She is currently an entertainment reporter who has interviewed some of the biggest names in the business. She is a very caring and genuine person that has gone out of her way to make my first month here as painless as possible....and...she buys me diet cokes=)
My apt.....
Very big for a NY apt, the building is very old so it has tons of character. You can sit on the window seat and look at the NY skyline across the Hudson, I am sitting there now (very Carrie Bradshaw of me I know)
There's an elevator guy that knows my name and makes me feel at home, joins me for smokes sometimes..
It gets hot as hell in the apt sometimes, I miss my central air, and my damn DVR!! I am watching TV on a tiny set smaller than my head that sits on my tummy, I call it my tummy TV, but, it's better than nothing right?
Anyway, I stay here until November and then I need to find my own place.
My job.....
Scary as hell!! But in a good way...It is very difficult to go from being on top of your game to being the newbie in the group. Everyone here has tons of experience working on the national level, and me, well, I know the Cleveland market by heart. They are all trying their best not to make me feel like I fit right in but I can't help but wonder if they are asking themselves why I am there. I keep telling myself I got this job because I can handle it and that I am going to wake up one day and be a pro....it's only been 8 days so I am not too worried...yet
Famous faces.....
Okay, so I forgot the really fun stuff about working at the network, there is a cafe on the 1st floor with made to order breakfast and lunch with a pasta bar and hot pretzels...and, I get to see famous people
My first day it was Joey Lawrence, next day Nikki Syxx, not to mention Charlie Gibson and Diane Sawyer.....I love NY
The Cost.....
Yeah, it's freakin expensive...here's an idea of the difference in cost in this city
Diet coke in a can (from the vending machine) 95 cents
6 pack of diet coke from store 5.75 (you can get 2 12pax at Marc's for that!!!)
A bag of peanut M&M's 75 cents
Pack of smokes 7.50
Bud in a bottle during Browns game special 5 bucks
A glass of Cabernet with dinner 12 bucks (although I did find a dive with 4 dollar wine this weekend)
Movie (no food included) 12 bucks, NO DIFFERENCE in matinees
But, for as many hits as a wallet takes here in NYC, there is so much here that money couldn't buy that it just makes it all worth it.
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