Hey! Remember me?

I'm still here…just over at my other blog!  Have you checked it out recently?

http://laurensyearwithout.blogspot.com

I'll be back here soon - don't you worry!

Crap.

Do you ever have a moment where you are just absolutely miserable and you want to talk to someone about it - and you realize the one person you'd like to talk to about it is the one person you shouldn't talk to about it?

Crap.

Sidenote:  Adele steals my feelings out of my head and puts them in song.  Apparently so does James Taylor, Miley Cyrus (I just had to look up how to spell her last name.  I am proud that I don't know that off the top of my head.), Augustana, The Newsies, Joni Mitchell and Carole King. 

I cope with music, if you can't tell.  And I have weird taste.  Don't judge me.

I'm a sink with an open drain.

All of my friends are getting married.

Everyone.  I swear.  And I'm happy for them.  Like I really am. 

But it just makes me think, "Huh.  I did that once............"

It's been awhile...so let me dance for you.

I know, I know...this blog is suffering due to Lauren's Year Without.

I am sorry.

But I have something fun to share with you!

The show I did in 2010 - LLO - is doing another production in June!  And they are fundraising for it now.  So they created an Indie Go-Go page. 

And to celebrate all the excitement - we made a go-go video pitch!  It's pretty awesome, if I say so myself!  And I think you should check it out!

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/331167/

You can also go to www.lesbianthemusical.com for more details about the show! 

Enjoy me dancing like a fool!  :)

NEW GLASSES - The Reveal!

Thank you, Warby Parker, for making my face look fierce.

First I give you the Huxley frames:

The picture makes it a little difficult to tell, but these are "Revolver Black" - and I like to call them my Clark Kent glasses.  Because I feel like I should be working at a newspaper and then, in my spare time, saving the world.

Now, the Marshall frames:

These won me over as soon as I put them on!  I used to have big red glasses as a kid.  And these brought me right back to 1st grade.  And surprisingly, I swear they go with everything.

There you have it!  The new glasses!  I'm in love.  I never want to wear contacts again.

It's that time of year.

Twice a year I get to take a trip to the Ocularist. I call it a doctor's appointment, though technically it's not. He's not a doctor. He's an Ocularist. He makes artificial eyes. (Don't worry, you have to be certified and it takes like 7 years of training...you just aren't an MD.)

It's so strange to me that people aren't familiar with it.  As it has been a part of my life for the past 15 years. 

It's a pretty simple process most visits (unless you're having a brand new one made...then it's like a crazy 2 day process).  They do a check-up, make sure that it's fitting properly, do a thorough surface cleaning and then I'm out the door. 

Unless it needs some tweaking, which it did today.  This tends to take awhile because they have to figure out exactly what they need to change for it to fit properly and then he goes back, makes the changes, comes back out, I have to sit there for a bit to let it settle in and then we look at it and make sure it's alright.  And if it's not, we do that whole process over again.

Today it was just one fix.  Not so bad.  But still, I always sit there thinking "nobody else I know ever has to do this". 

Just me.  I am the only person I know with a prosthetic eye.  I have met other people with prosthetic eyes, but I don't have any friends or acquaintances who have one. 

Which means, I can't have one of those complainy convos with a buddy like "ugh, y'know when you go in and they have to make an impression of your socket?  and it stings so badly?  ugh I hate that" and they're all "me too!  so annoying."

No, if I said that to you (or perhaps if you just read it), you'd probably just have a look of fear/disgust/confusion on your face.  It's ok,  it's really not so bad.  Don't have nightmares from reading my blog.

I'm just saying.  I'm sort of on my own out here in the world of prosthetic eyes. 

Want to know something cool though?

I used to hate talking about it.  I would cry anytime anyone asked me anything.  Because, well, it was sad for me.  And a somewhat traumatic thing for a 12 year old to go through.  And I was still so ashamed and embarrassed and uncomfortable about it.

But now...I don't cry anymore.  It's so matter of fact to me after this much time.  And honestly, I like educating people about it.  Because what makes it uncomfortable sometimes is people asking questions that, to me, feel insensitive.  But they're usually not.  It's just that the person literally has had NO exposure to something like this.  So I tell them.  And then they know.  And then if they run into someone else with a prosthetic eye (tell them I say hello!) - they will understand and perhaps sympathize and make that other person a little more comfortable.

So, yay that I can write about my prosthesis on my blog and not be afraid.  (Or at least, not be nearly as afraid as I would've been 5 or 10 years ago.)

It's just a part of who I am.

Other truth?  Sometimes I sing Van Morrison's Brown Eyed Girl as "One Eyed Girl" and jam out with myself.  Why not?  Don't judge me.  It's kinda fun.  Doesn't sound quite as good, but it's a song about me!

One of those days.

It's one of those days, people.  One of those days where it feels like the world is just totally mocking me.  Laughing at my existence.

Honestly, this may sound silly, but I need SoulCycle today.  More than ever.  It has this amazing ability to take the world away from me for 45 minutes and let me focus on my heart and soul and mind.  I am pretty sure this is why people like yoga so much.  Yoga doesn't quite get me there like SoulCycle does.  But if this is that feeling they are trying to describe to me, I get it now.  (they being "the yogis")

I'm just second-guessing all of my choices today.  All of them.  Everything.  Literally everything.  Except maybe...whether or not to keep breathing.  I'm not second-guessing that.  But everything else is up for debate on whether I've made a good choice or not. 

I really don't have anything else to say about it.  Because I haven't come up with any answers.  But boy, do you ever just sit back and look at your life and wonder "how did I get HERE?" 

How did I get here? 

Seriously.

Good thing I'm going to SoulCycle tonight.  Just a few more hours until I can disconnect and re-evaluate. 

Hey, that's another choice I'm not second-guessing.  Giving myself that class tonight.  Good for me.  Yay.

New Glasses!!!

Oh my goodness, I don't think I could love Warby Parker anymore than I already do.  I am obsessed.  I just ordered my new glasses today.  I'm getting two pairs because EVERY time I go, I can't decide on one!!!

Which will bring me to 4 pairs of glasses.  Too much?  Yeah, probably.  But think of all the choices I will have!  And I'll always look so smart!

I'm sure I won't be able to resist posting pictures once I receive them.  I'm so dang excited I could break some glasses!

But I won't.  That'd be terrible.

A New Year, A New Blog

Now don't worry, this one won't be going anywhere….though it may get slightly neglected.

I am doing an exciting resolution this year.  I am giving up something different every single month.  And I'm not talking easy stuff here, people.  I'm talking things I LOVE but that may not be the best for me.  (cough, cough FACEBOOK PERHAPS cough, cough SUGAR MAYBE cough, cough)

So please, go over and follow me!  It should be an exciting year of me trying to keep month long resolutions…and probably struggling like CRAZY.

http://laurensyearwithout.blogspot.com/

THIS HAPPENED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OHMYGOSH OHMYGOSH OHMYGOSH OHMYGOSH!

 

I am still just REELING over the fact that one of my dreams has come true.

 

Last Thursday I went to see A Christmas Story on Broadway because my fabulous friend Nick Gaswirth was making his Broadway debut! 

 

The show was adorable and wonderful and they had REAL BLOODHOUNDS for the Bumpus hounds!  I mean, honestly, you won me over right there. 

 

But then, after the show, the most amazing thing happened.  I met my TV Dad. 

 

My TV dad, you say?  What the heck am I talking about?

 

Ok, so here's my Dad:

 

 

And here's my TV Dad:



 

That, my friends, is Dan Lauria.  You may recognize him from a certain late 80's/early 90's television show called THE WONDER YEARS.

 

I have loved this man ever since I first saw him on TV because he has always reminded me of my father.  In later years, I have had this feeling confirmed by multiple boyfriends telling me "Your dad looks like the dad from The Wonder Years." 

 

I know.  I know he does.  That's why I cry anytime his character on TV (or in movies) goes through anything more difficult than a papercut.  He is my dad, just on TV.

 

You're judging me now, aren't you?

 

Whatever.

 

Anyway, I posted the picture of Dan Lauria to my facebook the next day because I was so darn excited (excited enough to write this whole blog post about it...which is turning out to be longer than most posts I write...what does that tell you?) - and I kid you not, multiple people thought it WAS my dad in the photo.  (read my comment and you would've realized that wasn't the case, but that's fine.)

 

No, it's not like they were twins separated at birth, but my gosh, my dad couldn't have a better celebrity doppleganger.  And I got to meet him.  And he was SO NICE.  And I'm still really excited about it.

 

So, there you have it.  That happened.  And I can cross that magical dream of mine off my list.  Because...it SERIOUSLY HAPPENED.

 

Ok, I'm done now. 

 

Just don't forget that it happened, ok?  Cause it did.  It really did.



2-7.

Well, it's happened.  My birthday.  I am now 27 years old.  Why does that sound SO much older to me than 26 did?  And trust me, I had a mini panic attack about 26.  Ugh.

But honestly?  My birthday was great.  I have amazing people in my life who made my day (and basically my entire weekend) super special.  27 feels like a special year.

Every year since I was about...23, I tell myself "this year is going to be the best one yet!"  And uh, every year seems to kind of suck overall.  I'm not saying I haven't had good things happen to me - I've had some great things happen, but I would say ages 23-26 have probably been the suckiest times of my life (can we say, "divorce"?  "death of soulmate dog"?  "some serious yo-yo dieting"?  "career troubles"?  ....yeah.  you can say it all.  and more.)

So this year, I will say two things:  I don't expect anything more than a mediocre year!  BUT I do expect (if this weekend/birthday was any indication) my year at the age of 27 to be full of surprises. 

Are you wondering what kind of surprises I have had these past few days?  Ok, I'll share a couple....

Surprises like this:

My co-workers surprised me with, not one, but 3 birthday cakes!

 

And then I got flowers from another co-worker!!!!!  Puppy shaped ones!

AND...maybe the best surprise ever.  My 3 favorite people in New York City schemed together to throw me a surprise birthday party on Sunday!  I was brought to a super cool Steelers bar to watch the football game with my friends!  Thank you so much to everyone who was there.  I love you.  :)  I ate so many buffalo wings...oh boy.  AND they had pierogies!!!!!!!!!!!  I mean, could you make a Pittsburgh girl any happier?  We had so much fun.

 

The Steelers didn't win...but we had some good moments.  I believe this was after we scored the touchdown and got ahead in the 4th quarter.  I had to snuggle the terrible towel.  

 

 

"Who are we?  USC!"  The Upper St Clair Alumni ...and a random guy photo-bombing the picture. 

 

 

The Inner Circle:  Amanda, Taylor and Abby - thank you so much for an amazing celebration!  I am so lucky to have each of you in my life. 

Some Christmas Confusion

So....I've got a Spotify playlist of Christmas tunes going right now....11 hours worth of music.

It's basically been playing constantly for about 3 weeks. 

So now I know a lot of these random holiday songs (that maybe I wasn't as familiar with 3 weeks ago) by heart.

For example:  Christmas Island

I fell in love with this song a few years ago, actually.  But I kind of just hummed along and never really cared what was being said because it was so cute and pretty.

I've listened closely the last few weeks and now I am confused.

The lyrics say....

How'd ja like to spend Christmas on Christmas Island?
How'd ja like to spend the Holiday away across the sea?
How'd ja like to spend Christmas on Christmas Island?
How'd ja like to hang your stockin' on a great big coconut tree?

(No problem here...Christmas Island?  Sounds great.  Stocking on a palm tree?  Sure!)

How'd ja like to stay up late, like the islanders do
Wait for Santa to sail in with your presents in a canoe
If you ever spend Christmas on Christmas Island
You will never stray, for ev'ry day
Your Christmas dreams come true
HOLD UP.  What does Santa need a canoe for?!  He has a SLEIGH.  WITH REINDEER.  IT FLIES.  NO NEED TO GRAB A BOAT AND PADDLE YOURSELF ALL THE WAY OVER TO THIS RANDOM ISLAND.

And wait a second, do the islanders get to SEE Santa every year?  How come everyone else has to be asleep?!?!  Why are they so special?  Just because their island is named after the guy's favorite holiday?

Now, I'm also not sure if they are talking about the literal place, Christmas Island, or just some fictional island of their dreams.  But I'm going to guess it's inspired by the actual Christmas Island - and in that case, Santa canoeing there is just about as unrealistic as hoofed creatures pulling a giant man in a sleigh with presents for ALL THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD.

....We're already suspending reality here, people.  Let's not go overboard.

But the song is actually sort of cute, so I'm going to try and look past this MAJOR issue I have and enjoy the islandy Christmas joy.

Photo booths are the funnest things ever.

I'm sorry, they just are.

Photography by Alpha Smoot!  And she rocked it.

And this is how I feel today...

http://canifindamanwho.blogspot.com/

Sigh.

On the bright side, 11 days until my birthday! 

Yes, I'm counting. 

No, I'm not excited to be a year older. 

Yes, I am excited for potential presents.

Scout told me she's not getting me anything this year.  I'm hurt.

Grateful.

Y'all.  Less than a month until my birthday.  Let's just start with that. 

So, I said I would actually blog something of substance soon....I guess it's that time.

This week is Thanksgiving.  Can you believe that?  We are already there....shocking how quickly this year has gone by.

I have so much to be grateful for.  I really do.  My life is not at all where I thought it would be...I've had so many ideas of where I would be around this age...I am not really anywhere near any of them.  But things are still ok.  And because I feel so lucky that even if life isn't what I expected, it's still pretty fabulous...I would like to give thanks.  Here.  On my blog.  For the things I am so very grateful for:

I have amazing friends and family.  You all mean the world to me.  Like...you are seriously good people.  Seriously, seriously good.

I have the sweetest little dog on the face of the earth - and another little doggie up in Doggie Heaven watching over me.  (boy, do I miss him.)  I have the privilege of taking this sweet little pup to work with me basically anytime I want.  And she is so freaking well-behaved, I don't know how I got so fortunate.

I live in an adorable little studio in the best neighborhood in New York City.  I'm minutes from my absolute favorite spin classes.  There are about a bajillion amazing restaurants within walking distance.  The parks, the parks, the parks.  And...the streets themselves...are just adorable. 

I'm so darn grateful for SoulCycle - I wish I could afford to do it every single day.  It makes me happy.  And really, what exercise ACTUALLY does that?  Like legit you want to do it all the time?  I'm sorry, but nothing.  Nothing else is like that.

Ok, maybe dance sometimes. 

But truly, for me, nothing else kicks my butt and makes me smile at the same time like SoulCycle does.

I am grateful for my body.  I'm grateful that it lets me run and cycle and dance and stretch and sing and skip and laugh and oh-so-much-more every single day.  I'm grateful it lets me train for the half marathon I will run in February.  I'm grateful for its ability to adapt. 

I'm grateful for heytell.  Cause it's freaking hilarious.  Please, friends, connect with me on heytell.  It makes my day to be able to send stupid messages to people so quickly.

I'm grateful for vacations.  For the ones I've gone on this year and the ones coming up.

I'm grateful for the chocolate chip scones at the Lincoln Square Farmers Market.  And suncrisp apples.

I'm grateful my coworkers like my baking.

I'm grateful for Brandy, who does my hair, for literally letting me walk in EVERY time and say "I don't know what I want to do, I just want to change it" and she does her magic and I always love it.

I'm grateful for the Steelers for giving me something to cheer about and believe in.  Though you made me a little sad last night.  But regardless, nobody else gets me to yell at my TV like you do, my little bumblebees.

I'm grateful for Spotify.  For letting me listen to all the Christmas music I want.  I'm grateful to the Feinberg (and Feinberg-Rowe) children for introducing me to Spotify. 

I'm grateful for L.A. Burdick having a location in New York City.  Holy crap. 

I'm grateful for Christmas decorations - and for my ability to convince myself that it's all actually there to celebrate my birth instead of Jesus.

I'm grateful for people at work who make me laugh.  I'm grateful for an assistant who knows what he's doing.

I'm grateful for manicures and pedicures.  They make me feel instantly prettier.

I'm grateful for New Yorkers and their amazing bravery and resilience in the face of disaster.  And for caring for others when times get rough.  It amazes me how strangers can quickly become friends in the face of a crisis.

I'm grateful for snow.  And sunshine.  And crisp autumn air. 

That is just a sampling of what I am grateful for this year.  There is so much more that I'm sure I could add to this list, but you probably want to stop reading now, right?

Oh, did I mention that I'm grateful for you reading my blog?  And humoring me and my crazy thoughts?  Yeah, I'm totes grateful for that.

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all.

In case you were wondering...

All is well here after Sandra ripped the city a new one.

Sorry, was that crass?  I've feel like I've been camping for a week. 

I promise I will actually blog something soon.  In the meantime, why not check out this blog: 

http://canifindamanwho.blogspot.com/

3 things

1.  Scout is at Doggy Daycare today and I can't help but imagine her having this fabulous time making puppy friends and never wanting to come home again.  In reality, she's probably having a mini panic attack.

2.  It's Mani/Pedi day with my friend, Aubrey!  Huzzah!

3.  I need to move someplace where snow comes before Christmas.  Because I am getting SO jealous of my friends who are already getting snow.  I guess that means I need to go either north or west.  Someone give me recommendations.

10-11-12

Doesn't it feel like it should be a special day?  That some sort of momentous occasion should take place? 

I feel that way, at least.

But nothing is out of the ordinary here. 

Got up, went for a run, came to work, going to babysit later...It is a beautiful day though.  Perhaps God knew it was a special day, so he gave New York City some sunshine and crisp fall air. 

I've heard a lot recently about being grateful and counting our blessings.  So that is what I am doing today.  Counting my blessings.  On a special day.  Where nothing is out of the ordinary.

I honestly don't know what to post on here anymore.

My life is so uninteresting and after my whole "photo-a-day" thing...I just seem uninspired.

I guess I can fill you in on some STUFF.

I ran the Tower of Terror 10-miler!  And more importantly, I finished it!

That's me.  Yep.  We were encouraged to wear costumes.  The theme was "Disney Villians" so I went as Prince John from Robin Hood!  ....do you even remember who that is?  I'd say half of the people did.  But I saw about 100 Cruella's and Captain Hooks each.  I think I was the only Prince John.  :) 

Bonus of the trip?  Got to bum around Disney for a couple days! 

I made some new friends. 

And visited with old ones.  (my very favorite picture from Disney as a kid *age 5!* was with Chip and Dale...21 years later, we still look good together!)

And fooled around while waiting for my "fast pass" time.  (boy do I love this roller coaster, by the way.  fabulous.)

Then, uhhh, I came home.

Right now I'm party planning!  I'm throwing a Bridal Shower/Bachelorette night for my friend, Abby.  And then in less than 2 weeks (!!!) I will be in Mexico for her wedding!!!!!!  I'm very excited about that.

Oh!  And I signed up to run another race.  The Disney Princess Half Marathon in Disney World.  February 24th.  So now I have to get ready for that.  And frankly, I am not motivated.  Please send me some awesome motivation vibes so I get my tush in gear.

...that's about all that's new here.  Aside from autumn sweeping in and making it gloriously chilly.  I love that I can finally wear long sleeves again!  And boots!  Ahhh, boots.  It's the little things in life.

Hope all is well with you, reader.  Until next time!

More Video!

Sorry to just keep posting myself singing, but I already miss rehearsing and performing this!

My "Capacity for Joy" song: