Project Runway

Wow were the comments harsh last night. Kayne's outfit was awful and I can't even comment on Andrea's.

I did think it was unfortunate that Andrea had to fly all the way to Paris to be eliminated.

It is so slow in the office today. Everyone is leaving town for the Labor Day weekend. Soon after Labor Day is the Toronto Film Festival, so things will be slow those two weeks as well.

back to work.

can't hang like I used to

Yesterday was bananas (I started saying that way before Ms. Stefani). I had a breakfast, a lunch, a pitch meeting all the way across town at Shutters on the Beach then birthday dinner/drinks with friends back in Beverly Hills. I was exhausted.

I did receive some great gifts, a gift certificate for a cooking class at La Sur Table, the Bella Figura book by Beppe Severgnini, and olive oil/herbs from Oliviers & Co. (not sure if I got the store name right).

I didn't write at all yesterday or this morning. I am going to try and write a little after work. Depends how I feel. I seem to function better in the morning. So looking forward to the long weekend and four days of writing.

Michael Jackon, the man I was supposed to marry, is 48 today

How is that possible?

I used to love MJ and the Jackson Five. I think it started when I was five. I still have the album "Looking through the Window." My parents gave me the ablum for my 7th birthday and it was one of the best gifts ever. Since my parents are West Indian I couldn't cover my bedroom with posters but I did have all the teen mags, books and anything about the Jackson 5. I wish I saved my lunch box, it's probably a collector's item now.

I don't remember this but my dad said he came home from work one day and I was sitting on the couch crying. He asked my mom if everything was okay. She said I was fine I was crying because the Jackson 5 were on TV. Ben, would make me cry (I didn't know it was about a rat), I Want You Back and The Love You Save, from the "ABC" CD still make smile.

Michael was older than me but I felt he was really singing to me and my friends. We were still living in New York then and all the girls in my building loved Michael too. We would talk about MJ all the time. Not only was he a great entertainer, he was so cute. He had the baddest 'fro and a great sense of style. Jermaine was cute too but waaaay too old for us.

As I got older I still had mad love for MJ. "Off the Wall" was/is one of my favorite CDs of all time. Produced by Quincy Jones, it was one hit after another. I did notice something seemed different. It would be crystal clear with his next CD, "Thriller".

I "broke up" with Michael Jackson when "Thriller" came out. I loved the CD, PYT, Billie Jean, Human Nature, The Lady In My Life, all great songs. It was a variety of reasons. He had a very wet jehri curl, his nose job was too severe and his skin was getting lighter. What was he doing to himself? Then he started hanging out a lot with Webster. He "dated" Tatum O'neal and Brooke Shields. MJ wasn't feeling the sisters so I had to cut him loose.

My parents sent me to Holland to visit some cousins one summer. I was walking through a record store and saw a poster for "Bad". It took me a minute to realize it was MJ. I thought it was Paula Abdul at first. That was when he started hanging out with the Culkin kid.

John Singleton directed the "Remember the Time" video and MJ had his hair styled like Veronia Lake. I met him a couple years ago for work and it was surreal. His skin is so pale it's almost translucent and his nose is literally about to fall off his face. He is taller than I expected over 6 feet.

When I left the meeting I was so sad. How much did his father mess him up? He hates being black so much he made sure his kids wouldn't be black. He clearly had a white sperm donor. I have bi-racial relatives and friends, those kids he had with Ms. Rowe are not. When you bleach your skin your DNA does not change. Why doesn't anyone in his family help him? I'm not even going to touch his fascination with young boys.

It's all too sad. However, I thank MJ for years of amazing music. I'm going to put on "ABC" now.

Weekend update

I miss my old spinning teacher. We had a sub today. He started out the class with that song "Life is a Highway" I don't know if that's the title but I liked only one of the songs he played, SexyBack. I have a hard time spinning to bad music. David was big on r&b, dance music, brasilian music, etc. he loved his Mariah re-mixes. I do not wish to hear "Since You've Been Gone" at 6:30 in the morning. If he is going to play popish rock, can we hear some classics like "Livin' on a Prayer"? :)

Sunday, a friend took me to brunch at Campinile for my birthday. I haven't seen her since I got from Rome. It was good see her and catch up. She just got a big promotion at a studio, so her life is crazy hectic right now. My mimosa was outstanding.

Saturday went to dinner with a friend at Massimo's in Beverly Hills. Food was very good. We had this artichoke salad with shaved parmesan that was amazing. I have never cooked with fresh artichokes. I am going to try. Our waiter was not Italian but from Eastern Europe so we couldn't practice with him. We exhanged presents. She gave me Eros Ramazotti's 9 CD and Adriana Trigiani's book "Rocco". I read her book "The Big Stone Gap" a couple of years ago for work and liked it. Speaking of books I'm in the middle of "Sarah Phillips" which I ordered from Amazon last month after reading "Lost Hearts in Italy." I was going to wait and read it on the plane but once I started to read it I couldn't wait.

I didn't get much writing done on Saturday. Yesterday was much more productive. My phone rang all day Saturday. I spoke to my family and the Contessa called me from her vacation in Italy. I received more gifts in the mail. One from my old college roommate and another from a friend in NYC. I was dreading this birthday but everything was fine. I can either freak out about still being single and broke or be thankful for the amazing people I have in my life.

One of those people took me out for drinks at L'Ermitage on Friday night. She just started a new, intense job so I might not be seeing her that often in the future. I received a beautiful gift from the store that has the infamous blue box.

I baked a cake yesterday. What is a birthday without cake? My mom used to make the best sour cream coffee cake. I was watching Barefoot Contessa and printed out her recipe. I had to go to Gelsons to find cake flour and Target to buy a 10' tube pan. I think I put a little too much salt in it but other than that the cake turned out well. Not as good as my mom's but close.

Feeling very motivated today. I enjoyed writing yesterday. I know my neighbors must be sick of me playing the same music over and over. Last night I was so close to telling the one next door to please ask her child to use her inside voice. I love kids but the one next door and the little boy in the apartment building across from me are as my parents would say, "some rude ass children."

I love the video for the group, Ok Go. It's the one that is done in one take while the group is on treadmills. Brillant.

I cannot say the same for Jessica Simpson's "Perfect Affair". Is it me or that song sounds too much like Madonna's "Holiday"? Madonna's roller skating video for "Sorry" is much better.

Happy Birthday

To my fellow Virgos Stacey and Nate. Nate may not even know about this blog but I want to put it out in the universe.

Off to the gym, then writing all day.

I heart flowers and Eros Ramazzotti

My sister and brother-in-law sent me a gorgeous bouquet of Gerbera daisies. Those along with hydraenas (sp) peonies, roses and tulips are my favorite flowers.

I was up at 5:15, went to the gym, then the supermarket and the dry cleaners.

I was trying on a dress I bought before my Rome trip, thinking I might wear it tomorrow night. Not going to happen. I am not going to worry about my ever expanding waistline this weekend (I'm doing the opposite thing). I'm still going to bake that cake I saw on Barefoot Contessa. I will bring it to work the next day.

I had a very productive morning working on the book. I have been listening to the same five CD's during this rewrite. My friend loves Eros. Another friend of ours is not a fan. I was indifferent, having only heard one of his songs. Then I bought Calma Apparente and have been playing it non-stop. Love it, love it, love it.

Thanks Mr. Postman, Runway and Beyonce's new video

The festival continues. I received a nice card from my parents with a very nice gift inside. As Snoop would say, "I'm pleased for that."

My boss bought me some gorgeous personal stationary for my birthday. We went to the store and picked out these Cranes Note cards. The stationary should be ready in about two weeks. It is a really thoughtful yet pratical gift. Who knew that stuff was so expensive?

There was no need for Jeffrey to be so mean to Angela's mom. I did not like Kanye's outfit at all. Laura is having her 6th kid? She looks great.

Saw B's new video at the gym. Hmmm.  I don't know what Sasha is telling her.

Spike's Katrina doc

I had to stop watching it. I was getting too upset. There is so much blame to go around. From the federal, state and city level, the people who refused to evacute, to the developers who build in places with a complete disregard for mother nature, the list goes on. A year later and things are still a mess.

One of my friends works for the non-profit Share our Strenght. She has been spending a lot of time in New Orleans. On the one year anniversary many restaurants across the nation will be donating money to help the Katrina victims. If I can find the link I will post it.

So I got to get up early in the morning

I am trying to get back on schedule for this rewrite. Waking up at 5 a.m., going to the gym for 30-40 minutes then writing for a few hours before work. It's really important I try to write everyday. I can't just wait until the weekend. I am so not a night person so after work is not possible.

Off to the gym.

Writing and a big thank you to Sen. Barack Obama, Clive Owen, and Daniel Craig

First, arrivederci to David, who taught his last spinning class this morning. David is leaving Equinox to go back to U. Of Michigan. I met half the people I know in Rome through David. I also heard some very good music. One of my "gym friends" asked me why I didn't go out with David. He's smart, funny, cute and has a sick body. Yes the brother is all those things and gay.

Second, continuing with my opposite plan, I am looking forward to Saturday. Before I was dreading this birthday and was planning to sit on my couch all day and eat pie. Instead this week is going to be AGfest. JCinNYC kicked the festival over the weekend. She is going to Nantuket for vacation so she sent a gift early. It was a nice surprise when I went to my mailbox and found a box addressed to me. She sent me a copy of her favorite book on writing, a mixed CD she burned, a CD on how to get unstuck, notes and my manuscript marked up. Man, I'm seeing a lot of red pen.

So that is it on the notes front for now. Overall, I am feeling really positive. 80% of the notes from three writers (different backgrounds and genres) were similar. I received some great feedback and very constructive critcism. I do have a lot of work to do but excited with how the rewrite is going so far. Saturday I wrote from 9 a.m. broke for lunch (and watched the Food Network then the Travel Channel which had a show about the Amalfi Coast. sigh) went back to writing until 7 p.m.

Sunday bought flowers at the Farmer's market wrote from 10 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Took a break to read Elle Decor around 4. I knew I really wanted to dig into the book this weekend so I read what I needed to read for work on Friday. This weekend I turned off my phones, cranked up the music and got to work.

Thursday I was walking past the newsstand with my co-worker when I saw a sight that tells me there is a God. The following magazines were next to each other: Men's Vogue, GQ and Esquire. The covers were: Senator Barack Obama, Clive Owen, and Daniel Craig. I almost passed out. These men are smart, charming and freaking fine. I think Daniel is the youngest at 39, the other two are in their 40's. I know some people are up in arms about Daniel Craig being the new Bond. The haters need to stop. He is the only reason I will be seeing this movie opening weekend.

I'm a grown woman, I like men not boys. There have been several articles already about what is going on with American male actors. If wasn't for Denzel, the Brits and Aussies, we would have maybe 2 leading men. Casting directors are complaining about it all the time. What is this about? Movies are geared towards teenagers so the actors are younger and smaller? Is it something about our culture, post 80's? Is it the cult of celebrity gone crazy, i.e. blank, pretty boys, who cannot act being cast in movies?

Think about Brando at 29 in "Streetcar", Newman in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" at 30, Redford in "The Way we Were", De Niro in "Godfather 2". All of these men were good looking but they are actors first. All came from the stage and when they were on screen you couldn't keep your eyes off of them.

Ashton is on the cover of Details, no comment.

My sister sent my the following link. Enjoy

http://men.style.com/gq

Paris Hangover and the Ghost of Saint-Michel

I read two Paris based books this week. An agent sent me The Ghost of Saint-Michel by Jake Lamar to read for work. Lamar is a former writer for Time Magazine who moved to Paris several years ago. His latest book is about a 62 year old African-American expat, Marva Dobbs. Marva has lived in France for decades. She owns one of the most popular restaurants in Paris and is married to very successful Frenchman. Their daughter is a recent Harvard grad and loves all things American, which drives her mom crazy.

Marva has a short, intense affair with the very good-looking North African number 2 chef, Hassan. He is 28. One day the police tell Marva that Hassan has gone into hiding. He is wanted for a terrorist act. Everything falls apart.

I really enjoyed it until the big plot hole at the end. I don't think the thriller plot quite works but I loved spending time with the characters.

I read Paris Hangover by Kirsten Lobe after reading an article in New York Times about the rash of expat French novels. Like Jake's book I enjoyed reading about Paris but I was not a fan of the protagonist named Klein. Yes, last name only. It could be because she is off to Paris so suddenly and we don't know much about the life she is leaving behind. All we know is she's tall, hot, rich and really wants to get married and have a baby. The rich French boyfriend she left behind in NYC doesn't want to have kids. Klein is obsessed with her clock and sleeps with half of Paris. Some of the sex scenes were pretty funny. Of course Klein learns what's important. However it happens so late in her "arc" it rings false.

There are some dead on observations about French culture. At times you just want to book the next flight out and take a trip. I wish Klein had more depth. She seems a little immature for 35. Maybe I was expecting too much from a fun chick lit book.

I read an interview with Lobe and she said about 90 percent of the things in the book really happened. Now that is funny. Like Lamar she now lives in Paris full time. The two books and writers could not be more different but they both have a passion and deep love for Paris.

I thought it was interesting in seperate interviews they both talk about how the definition of success is different there. Lobe is a former designer for Calvin Klein and Oscar de la Renta. She traded in her 2,000 sqaure foot loft in Tribeca for 550 square foot apartment in Paris. She paints full time and no one there thinks that's weird. Lamar said as a writer, people don't ask him how many books he has sold. Writing is considered a worthy thing to do with one's time, whether you sell a million copies or not.

Speaking of designers, I am meeting a friend at the Prada store to check out the "Waist Down" exhibit during lunch.

Yesterday was a really good day. I am trying to figure out this whole Rome thing and I received some excellent advice. For breakfast I reconnected with an American expat freelance journalist I met in Rome. He is in the States for a couple of days, then going back to Rome. He has lived there for 6 years and speaks fluent Italian. For drinks I went to L'Ermitage to meet with one of my favorite people in the biz. She has such a great perspective on what we do out here. She is British and broke it down. Regarding Rome, maybe I am being too pragmatic. Both of them gave me some things to think about.

Project Runway, WTF?

How is Alison out? True that dress and hair was tragic but what about her past work? How is Vincent still on the show? His model could not walk.

Congrats to Michael. Jeffrey is so ungracious.

Off to my meeting.

Madonna is 48 today?

Damn, where did the time go? Madge is still working it. I think Michael Jackson's birthday is next week. Didn't those two go to the Oscars together one year?

I have to drive all the way to the beach for a meeting with my boss and a writer at 9:00 a.m. After work I have drinks. Tomorrow I have breakfast, lunch, drinks meetings, and a conference call. The writer I'm meeting with tomorrow morning, is leaving town so there was no other time to meet.

I need to keep working on my rewrite but I don't want to get fired from my job. I was so busy yesterday I barely had time to proof what I wrote Monday night.

I am looking forward to this weekend. I am not scheduling anything Saturday or Sunday. I am going to get some wine and write.

My opposite weekend and lessons from Flavor Flav

Instead of spending all weekend reading I was very social. Friday after giving notes to a writer I made Spaghetti alla Puttanesca for dinner. This is the first time I have cooked with achovies. I never ate them when I was younger. Not sure why, I ate sardines. After a very good meal I started my weekend read pile.


Sat. morning went to the gym then to a Jr. League event. After the event met friends for brunch. One of my closest friends was in town from NYC. She still works in the industry but moved back east after living in LA for 11 years. My other friend lives in Laurel Canyon and this was the first time we have seen each other since I got back from Italy, in May. We are going to try to get together more often.

Sat. afternoon worked on my book. Sat. evening went to a dinner party. It was five of us ladies and so much fun. 3 of the women I haven't seen in a while so it was good to catch up. Our host made an AMAZING dinner (you can check out her journal w/recipes at Nichelletramble.com, or just clink the link under favorite blogs/the write stuff). These women are so inspiring and positive.

I love to entain but I don't like my apartment. I have to see what happens next year. It might be time to move. I hate to give up a rent controlled apartment in such a great neighborhood but our slumlord is horrible. I just went into the laundry room and it's a mess. I don't think she's had it cleaned since she bought the building last year. One of our neighbors did try to clean it but he gave up. I'm going to talk to some of my neighbors and see what we can do. I think it's hilarious that she wants all of us older tenants out so she can jack up the rent. I feel sorry for anyone paying $700 more than what I pay a month to live with such poor upkeep. I don't think living near Koi and the Marc Jacobs store is that important. Or mabye I should suck it up and stay, save the money for traveling. We'll see. I want to feel like I have a home at some point.

Sunday, day off from working out but I did walk to Trader Joe's. Read the NYTimes and some more of my weekend read. Wrote all afternoon. Another friend was in town for a wedding. I haven't seen her in years. She lives in Nashville with her husband and children. I was there when she and her husband first started dating. We all worked together on the 92 presidential campaign. She went to college with my boss. Small world. She was staying in Venice so I drove over and met her for dinner. People here do not like to drive too far from their neighborhoods. I get it, commuting during the week is a nightmare why drive all weekend? I have friends who live on that side of town and will not go west of Lincoln Blvd. on the weekends. I like that area, if my office wasn't on Larchmont (and I made more money) I would move to the beach.

Re: lessons from Flav. It is more important to be true to yourself than a fake. Therefore the woman who pooped on the floor got to stay, the wanna be actress did not get a clock. She was sobbing about it. Please.

Allora, off to do some italian homework before meeting with my gorgeous tutor.

Can someone explain to me the deal with a 17 year old British suicide bomber?

I was going to mention my Brad Pitt sighting today but I received an email from a friend at LAX airport. She is flying to Rome. She could not bring any lotion, contact lense solution, lip gloss, toothpaste, keys etc. She had to put her passport and wallet in a ziploc. She will be showing up ashy and with bad breath.

In an article in today's New York Times they posted a quote from the website. Someone said they don't know why anyone would travel now. Stay home. I don't think that is the answer but I do understand people's fear and frustrations. I am flying in a couple of weeks and not looking forward to it.

I don't know how long these new restrictions will be in place. I think back to traveling to SXM when I was a kid. Remember all the things people could bring on the planes back then? Why weren't these attacks or attempts happening in the 80's. Is it better technology, the internet? What is the ultimate goal of these bombers? Why are there no suicide bombers in other religions? I don't recall any Catholics trying to blow themselves up the Sony lot to protest the Da Vinci Code.

Sometimes we do take freedom of speech for granted here. A filmmaker (a relative of Van Gogh) in Holland was killed in broad daylight because his murderer didn't like what his film had to say about Islam and the role of women. In court the man said he would do it again. No remorse. I do know most Muslims do not condone these acts. All these religions have been around for centuries. Why all the hatered now? The Crusades were a long time ago.  Are the leaders worried that young people are attracted to the Western lifestyle? If the homegrow British bombers hate everything that the West represents, why are they living there?

I was talking to my sister this morning about our parents. They are flying into the States today from St. Martin. My sister was telling my parents what they could and couldn't bring. I said to her "I am so over these fucking terrorists." The thing that is truly scary is you cannot "win" the war on terror. You can try to anticipate what they are going to do. You cannot reason with people who have no problem blowing themselves up. What does a jail sentence mean to them? If you execute them, they are still marytrs for Allah.

We can talk about sprending democracy but won't the opponents dig their heals in deeper and try to stop it?

Project runway, doing the opposite, no carry-ons?

Big ups to Michael for winning last night. I cannot believe he made those short pants in an hour. He is very talented.

Last night I just wanted to come home after work and start on my weekend read. I did the opposite. Took a shower, put on a nicer outfit and went to good-bye cocktails for a friend who is starting a new job. I got to see my friend and some agents I haven't spoken to in a while.

Earlier yesterday walked across the street to the chocolate store with my co-worker who wanted to buy some candy. I was going to buy some swedish fish and jelly bellys. I did the opposite and bought nothing. The owner gave us a piece of chocolate for waiting on line so long. It was very fulfilling.

I have two friends leaving for Italy and my parents are flying to the east coast from the Caribbean this week. The latest terrorist arrests have me freaked out. It's still early, we don't have much info. On the news here it's saying, you cannot take ANY liquids on the plane except, baby formula and milk (and they are going to look at those bottles at the gate). All carry-on luggage has been banned on UK flights.

Off to boot camp class.

The power of positive thinking and George Costanza

I am having a hard time walking, sitting or moving in general today. Yesterday's boot camp class kicked my butt. I also ate no junk food yesterday.

I have received some very good notes on my book. Excellent and constructive criticism along with some encouraging words. One note that jumped out at me was, my protangonist can be quite bitter at times. If she hates L.A. so much why does she still live there?

Not to get all Norman Vincent Peale but there is something to be said about positive thinking. I have decided to do the opposite of what I have been doing, ala George Costanza. I feel like crap so I sit on the sofa, read bad scripts, and eat? No more. I feel invisible so I don't really care about how I dress? No more. I try to save every penny from my low salary and not travel? No more, life is too short. Guys here are not feeling me? Whatever, their loss. I refuse to be bummed out about this upcoming birthday. So I am going to celebrate it for the whole freaking week.

Now I have to figure out how to turn the power of positive thinking into action. I have made some progress by working out more. I feel better already. I need to buy some more sexy underwear. A friend has started her own lingerie line. It's not cheap but one must pay for quality. Let's see what else can I do? I will be going to see my family on the east coast next month, so very excited about that.

Heat by Bill Buford

I loved this book. I see why it's one of the best sellers this year. Buford is the former fiction editor for The New Yorker. In 2002, in his 50s, he went to intern at Mario Batali's Babbo. A good home cook he wanted to see what it was like to work in a professional kitchen.

This is more than about cooking. It's also about relationships, how food defines a culture, and the larger than life Mario Batali.

Buford retraces Mario's steps and goes to Italy. He learns to make pasta and later works for a Dante quoting butcher in Tuscany. If you are a vegan the butcher chapter might be a little difficult to read. One thing he brings up is how disconnected many of us are from our food source. I know what he means. I had a hard time eating chicken one summer in Anguilla. My aunt broke the chicken's neck, plucked it etc. and we were going to have chicken for dinner. I passed and eat tuna from a can (hello were we not on an island surround by amazing fish?). I couldn't eat the chicken I just saw clucking around chilling on the farm with his friends. Yes I know that chicken had a good life. Clean air, good food, and wasn't stuck in a little pen or something. However, I was used to seeing my chicken pre-cut, pre-plucked, and wrap in plastic. Don't get me started on curry goat.

Anyway if you liked Anthony Bourdain's KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL check this book out. It's also a great read if you love food, Italy, and good writing.

Flavor of Love

I feel so dirty and ashamed. My friend who used to work at VH1 warned me that the show would bring "it" to the next level. Yet, I was still not prepared for what my eyes saw last night. Fighting, drinking, outrageous hoochie wear, and pooping on the floor. Of course I will be watching this trainwreck next week.

Why did Flavor misspell everyone's name? Why did the chick who threw the first punch spend $800 on her tragic weave? Shouldn't a weave look like your natural hair? I think homegirl spent $750 too much for that hot mess.

Flav says he doesn't want a gold digger or someone who only wants to be on T.V. Can someone explain to me why these women are fighting over Flavor Flav? My man wears a huge clock around his neck that doesn't run. Does he still think it's 1987? Yes, he is part of one of the most influential groups of all time but come on! Poor Chuck D must be horrified. I have to play on "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold us Back" to wipe last night's show from my memory. Don't believe the hype indeed.

In these troubled times, some advice from Cher Horowitz; Fergie's new song

My sister sent me the following quote from one of the best movies EVAH! Of course Cher pronounced the word Haitians as HEY-ti-ans


So like, right now for example. The Haitians need to come to America. But some people are all, "What about the strain on our resources?" Well it's like when I had this garden party for my father's birthday, right? I put R.S.V.P. 'cause it was a sit-down dinner. But some people came that like did not R.S.V.P. I was like totally buggin'. I had to haul ass to the kitchen, redistribute the food, and squish in extra place settings. But by the end of the day it was, like, the more the merrier. And so if the government could just get to the kitchen, rearrange some things, we could certainly party with the Haitians. And in conclusion may I please remind you it does not say R.S.V.P. on the Statue of Liberty. Thank you very much.


I saw the Fergie "London bridge" video at the gym.  She makes the Pussy Cat Dolls seem like Aretha Franklin.

Keith Michael is "aut"

It's too bad, he was very talented and good T.V. with his arrogant self. However, he broke the rules and had to leave.

Why is naked Britney on the cover of Harper's? I used to love that magazine when the late Liz Tiberis (sp) was the editor. I stopped my subscription years ago. It doesn't have a strong fashion POV and most of their articles are boring. That's all.

Justin's sexy black

My sister has been going on and on about this video. I told her she needed to calm down and not act crazy in front of her husband. I finally saw the video at the gym this morning. I'm not mad at her. I get it. I like the song as well.

Funny how Britney was the biggest star to emerge from the Mickey Mouse club compared to Christina and Justin. Now she and K-fed are better know for fighting, stupidity, and tackiness than talent. I always thought Christina was the better singer (by far) and glad to see her still out there doing her thing.

Tory Burch, Boot Camp, and my new italian tutor

So the first day of this month (which I have been dreading) started out with a nice surprise. My friend is an exec with Tory's company and sent me 4 tops and dress. Me likey!! I love her clothes but I can't really afford to pay $500 for a top.

My friend's boyfriend also sent me a CD with a bunch of old school dance music. Can't wait to go home and play it.

Today is the one year anniversary of my job and the 11 year anniversary of the management company where I work. We are going to celebrate with a lunch at Crustacean. I cannot wait to eat those garlic noodles.

Went to Bootcamp today for the first time since April. Man I am out of shape. I have to figure out a way to write in the morning and still make it to class.

I met my new Italian tutor, Alessio, yesterday for our first lesson. Yes I am out of shape in that department as well. I couldn't remember common verbs. I need to practice more. Alessio is over 6 feet and gorgeous. That's all.