Just One of Those Days

Today's Tweet:

I got the cookie at 3 and a glass of wine at 7:30pm, the punching bag didn't quite happen.
But I did walk home and it might have been better than the punching bag.  Cleared the head and relaxed me from the stressful day of "not curing cancer".

Just one of those days....

Red Heads: 2 Distinct Types

Angie Everhart was on the Kardashian's the other night and her appearance got me to thinking (1) Thank God for gorgeous natural red heads, its super models like her that give my breed a good name. And (2) There is a real distinct difference between the "pretty ones" and the "gingers" and we all shouldn't be grouped into one category.

First: Red hair occurs naturally on approximately 1–2% of the human population. It occurs more frequently (2–6%) in people of northern or western European ancestry, and less frequently in other populations.  Red hair appears in people with two copies of a recessive gene onchromosome 16 which causes a mutation in the MC1R protein (source Wikipedia).

That means I'm special (and not in the way my bother use to make fun of me), more special than all you poo and pee heads with brown and blonde hair.  How normal and plain you are - Boring!

Second: I never understood how my minority-haired group got such a bad rap, where did this "ginger" harassment come from?  Not all of us should be considered "ginger", we're not all soul-less and vampire-like, like described on urban dictionary. I'm pretty sure I have a soul (last time I checked) and I'm definitely not vampire-like.  Like a previous post, I'm the tannest red head you've ever seen so that myth is totally debunked. 

I personally think there should be two separate and distinct groups, just like brown and brunette.  There should be red and ginger.

Examples of what should now be considered Red heads:

Examples of what can be considered a Ginger: 

6 year NYC Anniversary

6 years ago today, July 5th, I boarded a plane in Oakland with a one-way ticket to Philadelphia (it was cheaper and it's a closer airport for my family to pick me up at) and started my life on the right/east coast.

I remember the day almost vividly.  July 4th was spent with Jordan and friends at the Kenwood pillow fights then back to my brother's house to finish packing up the last of my stuff.  Jordan offered to drive me down to Oakland where my Mom had reserved a hotel room for me by the airport.  Jordan being the good friend that she is, spent the night with me so I didn't have to take the airport shuttle at 5am.  On the drive to Oakland she gave me a black fabric box with pictures on each side of all my best friends and a few other mementos.  I still have the black box, I put my spare change in it and go digging for quarters every other Sunday when I do my laundry.  Jordan dropped me off at the airport, a tear or two was shed as we said our goodbyes.  Thank God for curb side because I had 4 large suitcases, this was before airlines charged you for every little thing, and a carry-on for my journey.  Non-stop to Philly.  My Uncle Dave's girlfriend Jen (but they've been together for so long, she's really like an Aunt) picked me up and I was a sight to be seen, me trying to maneuver 4 large bags without any help, because I didn't want to tip the skycaps or get a cart (sometimes I'm so cheap).  

Once in Jersey at my Uncle Mark and Aunt Dawn's, I was informed by my Uncle Mark I was going to work tomorrow, that was unexpected.  I thought I would have a few days to get settled and acclimated, guess not.  The next morning I took one of my large suitcases with me so I could drop it off at my new NYC apartment (oohhh!!), Shelly was kind enough to wait for me to arrive before going to work so I could at least unload some of my belongings.

The next few nights after work were spent getting all the necessities to move.  Bedding, towels, lots of containers (we all know I'm an organized freak), it felt like I was going to college again the way my Aunt Dawn and I went though BBB and used those coupons like mad women.  One night my Uncle Mark and I went into the Barn (it's a literal red barn next to their house full of my family's stuff - old furniture, my PopPop's old law books & case files, type writers, church benches, all kinds of random stuff).  In the barn I picked out my bedroom furniture - a chest of drawers (once belonged to one of my Uncle's), a side table to be used for my computer (once my Mother's) and a night stand (once my grandparent's).

So really Saturday, July 8th is my "official" anniversary because that was the day I moved into my first NYC apartment with Becky & Shelly.

That morning we (my Uncle Mark, Uncle Dave and my cousin Jonathan) packed up my uncle's truck with all my stuff and we drove to NYC on the way picking up my Uncle Matt and other cousin Max.  The drive itself was an adventure; 3 LARGE males, 2 scrawny 11-year old boys and me in a extended cab F-150 with a full bed of my stuff driving through the City.  

We get to my apartment and I think we slightly scared Becky and Shelly who I hadn't met in person yet (besides my quick intro to Shelly on Thursday) as my Uncles take over the move-in process.  It probably didn't help that at the time I was still rocking my multi-colored hair, I was not very preppy at the time.  They were carrying up the furniture and suitcases up 5 floors (that's right - walk up! Railroad to-boot), rearranging the apartment and taking over any conversation with their loud boisterous voices and personalities.  

My Uncle Matt rewired all the cable, Uncle Dave took over painting from Shelly, as she was doing it all wrong and Uncle Mark took me and Becky to Home Depot so we could buy cheap AC units for our windows all awhile Max & Jonathan were running around on the roof of the building.  By the end of the day the apartment was pretty much "all done" besides decorating and my Uncle Mark went to Dinosaur BBQ to bring back dinner for everyone.  My Uncles all left with crushes on Becky & Shelly and I made friends for life.

----

I've now lived in NYC for 6 years (effective Sunday, 7/8) and I can't say that I've never looked back. This was supposed to be a 1.5-2 year experiment and there were some rough times that made me re-think moving back to Cali or going somewhere else, but I've toughed it out and now I know NYC is home.  I guess my last official move to making myself a "true" New Yorker is giving up my Ca drivers license, and yes I've kept it all these years.

'Kenzie - In Vogue

I bought Makenzie this dress in February because it was too damn cute and I think it is my duty as her Auntie living in NYC to keep her in fashion forward attire even at a young age. 

I love the fact that my sister-in-law Teresa saved the dress for 'Kenzie's 18-month pictures so it could be memorialized forever and even though she's not looking into the camera in this picture, its still my favorite.

Becky got Married!

Becky & Max got married in Savannah and it was an amazing weekend of love, fun and my favorite Southern family!

I flew down Thursday so I could stay at the Creek House with Becky before heading to Savannah and I knew I would be put to work. First by Jon Stier to help him put up the new cover for his boat (but that was a disaster since we didn't have all the right parts and the directions were not clear).  I was also attacked by bugs while helping him put everything together in the grass, I should have covered myself in DEET before we started vs after the first couple bites but it was a lost cause. It looked like I was attacked by paint balls all over the back of my legs, the welts were so big.  Thank God my dresses would cover a majority of the bites/welts).  My second job was helping Becky put together the guests bags for the hotel, it turned into a little assembly line of goodies.

Friday we headed into Savannah and enjoyed the day at the pool.  Becky and I had Noah (her 11 yr-old nephew) with us, so as Becky ran around the hotel doing a few things Noah and I had swim races in the pool.  We raced the breast stroke, side stroke, butterfly & freestyle.  I haven't swam that much since I don't know when.  My arms were exhausted and my breathing was a little labored after all the laps.  I might be ready for the Olympic trials, watch out Michal Phelps.  After swimming it was time for rehearsal dinner on the River Boat.

The Rehearsal Dinner was so much fun, the cruise down the river was beautiful and the dance party was out of control.  And we had a visitor Jeremiah who joined us from the party on the 1st deck and he liked to bust a move in the circle more than any of us.

Shannon getting DOWN with Jeremiah

Saturday morning I toured the town with Pat, Melissa, Shelly & Rob.  I must come back to Savannah, Its GORGEOUS!!  After our walk about town it was pool time, we joined a majority of the wedding guests at the pool for an awesome pool party till it was time to get ready for the reason we were all there....

The nuptials itself took place in the courtyard of The Mulberry Inn and it was just perfect.

First Dance

Noah was an animal on the dance floor

I feel so lucky that I got to be a part of Becky's special day and be an honorary member of the Stier clan.

The worst part of the whole weekend was waking up at 4:30 on Sunday morning for a 6am flight home back to NYC. But Shelly made me feel better texting me that as I landed (12pm) everyone was packing up and going home and I wasn't missing much anyway, just a few hours of sleep.

Jon Stier told me that just because I moved in with the Girls (Becky & Shelly) six years ago in New York didn't mean that I got to continually show up at every party and family function he hosts.  Well, his weddings are now over, so now Jon's has to find new reasons to throw parties and I have to find more reasons to head South (baby Kenney,  vaca weekends with my favorite Southerners, etc)

More photos are on facebook

A Not So Pale Ginger Rant

This is my rant about people referring to me as "the palest person I know".

Yes, during the Fall/Winter months I can be classified as "pale" because I was cursed (depending on who you ask) with my Father's skin.  But in the Spring/Summer month's I can tan (thanks to some inheritance of my Mother's skin).  My tan might not be as dark as Snookie (gross) or my Dimon cousins (slightly envious), but for a Ginger, dammit I'm tan! And everyone better recognize'.  I am one of the tannest (natural) redheads that I know of.  I'm even tanner than some blonde's or brunette's out there.  Now those blonde's and brunettes that I see who are pasty white might not enjoy the Sun like I do, but regardless I'm tanner than they are.  And I would even go as far to say that maybe even in the winter months I could be less pale/white.  It's taken years to slowly build up the melatonin in my skin to allow me to bake in the beautiful Sun with spf 30 for hours at a time.  And yes, I know how to handle a sunburn unlike some of you pansies but that's just a benefit of years of hard work.

So please, think about it long and hard before the word 'pale' comes out of your mouth when referring to me in the Summer months.

And a special thanks to Becky for recognizing my tan this Summer.  She said I was the tannest she's ever seen me and I look like I have my Mother's skin from my stomach down (tears in my eyes) and my Dad's skin from my chest up (a girl can't have it all).  It was one of the best compliments I've ever heard.  I've worked so hard this Spring and Summer on my tan and it really made those hot days in the Sun worth it.  Thanks Bex!

Now everyone else better recognize this tan ginger!!

Low Country Bachlorette Party

We all know that I did something in a previous life to seriously piss off the travel Gods when I'm trying to go somewhere for pleasure, this time was no different. 

I was on my way to Becky's Low Country Bachlorette Party in Beaufort, SC for Memorial Day weekend and this is how it all started.
From my facebook post on Thursday night at 10pm "Oh the places I won't be going tonight... Missed NJ Transit train by 1 min, waited 20 for the next. Still got to airport hour before scheduled boarding time (Holiday weekend nonsense). Flight delayed 1, 2, 3rd times the charm that I'll officially miss my connection. Wait an hour in customer service to now leave tomorrow morning & arrive at a different destination. So, after spending my evening at EWR I'm heading home to try it all again in the am. Praying the weather & travel Gods will be on my side tomorrow."

Friday I get to the airport early because I'm so anxious to finally get to South Carolina to start the celebrations.  Shelly was amazing enough to drive all the way to Charlotte, NC to pick me up from the airport. Even though she drove 2 hours out of her way to come get me, it was really nice to spend some quality time catching up with her on our drive back to Columbia to meet up with the rest of the ladies before we head down to the Creek.

Before

The ever amazing pregnant Shelly drove the Stier van 2 hours to Creek house with a few potty breaks and "light" traffic. 

We finally arrived in Beaufort at sunset, had the kind neighbors make us a fire and enjoyed the 80s mix on my ipod and talked/sang the night away.  I also bathed in Skin So Soft but still got attacked by those pesky mosquitoes.

Her skin was soo soft

We spent Saturday on the Dock then took an adventure on the boat with Jon Stier to his Sister's house. 

After our boat ride and visiting time it was the ever impossible task of 8 girls to shower and get ready for dinner.  Needless to say Shannon changed the reservations 3 times for a restaurant that never really needs reservations.  Once we finally made it to down town Beaufort we learned that there was a festival that we should NOT attend, so we were happy to stay put in our restaurant.  I unfortunately got a migraine and went home with Shelly to sleep it off and the girls partied like it was 1999 with the band at the restaurant/bar.  The stories and pictures on Sunday morning were hilarious.

Dinner Time

Tropical storm Beryl made Sunday an inside day.  We had a few bits of outside sun time, but majority of the time was spent in doors lounging, eating dip after dip after dip.

My mumu was a huge hit, I hope it makes it to the wedding night

 Overall I really enjoyed the Low Country Bachlorette party as I always love spending time with my favorite Southern family and friends.

Official Late 20's

So I've officially entered my late 20's and I'd like to think I did it in the perfect 80's child fashion.

Everyone when preppy while I attempted the 80's rocker look

 At a DEBBIE GIBSON CONCERT AT 80'S DANCE CLUB! (where else?)
It was a blast and some of the best people watching I've had in years.  The music was totally tubular, I danced my socks off and sang off-key to almost every song.  By far one of my favorite birthdays in a long time.  I have to give major props to Michelle and Mike for participating in this crazy adventure, especially since we almost got in line for the all male review at the club next door.

Let's take a minute to just recap Culture Club.  The concert goers ranged from the Dad in American Pie, single ladies and couples in their 40's who are "dressed up" to young gays in bright neon's and tight cut-off jeans.  There was also Mike's new BFF and his entourage of Quiet Riot wannabes.
At the general admission area of the club you have club goers who dressed up in total 80's fashion like Boy George or Madonna from Suddenly Seeking Susan and then the just girls who just dressed like sluts.  It was a smorgasbord of people of all ages dancing all packed into a 2 floor 80's black lit dance club.  It's amazing!
(PS - I really want to go back, all dressed up in 80s gear and dance my ass off again all night long, wearing flats)

Who doesn't love a photobooth?

Mike made a new friend

I also have to give a big thank you to Michelle for giving me a great overall birthday weekend, as she pushed me to have a birthday party in the first place.  We also celebrated on my official birthday on Sunday with a Park day.  Michelle and David brought some summer salads, I brought beer and we watched softball games and gossiped in the Sun.  It was quite a perfect way to usher myself into the 2nd to last year of my 20's.

Slacker

I've been slacking a bit on my blogging, so be prepared for a barrage of posts to come at you all at once...

Official Late 20's
Low Country Bachlorette Party
Not So Pale Ginger Rant

Dirty Mouth Count

"Happy Easter! I dropped the F-bomb only 47 times this Lent, but I just renewed my baptismal promise at Church so I'm good to go for another year. F*#K!" -4/8/12

I made my Lental Promise on 2/22 and here is the recap of my dirty mouth slip ups:

2/22: 2
2/23: 5
2/23: 2
2/26: 3
2/27: 3
2/28: 2
2/29: 3
3/1: 1
3/5: 1
3/8: 1
3/9: 2
3/12: 3
3/17: 1
3/18-3/23: 3
3/24: 2
3/25-3/30: 6
3/31: 1
4/1:1
4/4: 1
4/5: 1
4/6: 1
Total: 47

I went to Church on Easter Sunday, but I didn't bring my check book because I spent Easter in Jersey and I didn't want St. Mary's soliciting me for money all year when I'm only a C&E parishioner.  I'll bring a check of $47 to my Church on Sunday to keep my promise.  But overall I think I did pretty well for someone who gets "props ... for displaying the best comedic timing with foul words. she's pretty much the michael jordan of f-bombs." -Michael Crooks