Public Speaking

So, have I mentioned that I have to take a speech course for work? Well, I do. And I gave my first speech (my 'icebreaker') today. Here is a rough outline of the speech...I can't remember exactly what I said, but this is the basic idea...
The purpose of the speech was to introduce yourself to the group...so, here I am:

On January 21, 1984 I was born in a small hospital in Troy, Ohio. I arrived before the doctor had a chance to put his second glove on – and some would argue that I’ve been going full-speed ever since.

When it was time to take me home, my parents drove less than 5 miles to the house on 876 Hickory Lane that I would live in for the next 8 years before moving to our new house less than 5 miles from there.

Troy, Ohio is a pretty small place. The kind of small town where the lady who owns the penny candy shop knows you personally and will occasionally slip a few extra candies into your bag if you’ve been good. The kind of small place you see on movies with soda shops and spectacle-wearing librarians that you think haven’t existed since the 50’s. Well, I’m living proof that they do. Growing up there has really shaped who I am, and is part of the reason I still love sun dresses, homemade chocolate chip cookies on Sunday afternoon and Shirley Temple movies.

My summers were spent by the pool eating frozen candy bars and relishing the way the hot pavement felt beneath my wet feet as I ran with the other children – completely ignoring the reprimands from the lifeguards.

I’ll never forget the way the heat lingered on my skin as I sat outside on our porch watching the sun go down and the fireflies frolic among the sprouting fields. Nor the way the scent of the corn floated wistfully and mixed with the freshly cut grass as crickets chirped and the warm breeze drifted aimlessly.

My four siblings and I would build forts and climb trees; we’d have squirt gun fights and run through the sprinklers in our lawn stopping only to eat a few slices of watermelon before picking up our play again.

In the summer my family would do one of my favorite things – we’d take our boat to the lake several times a week for an evening of waterskiing – slalom, of course. I first learned when I was 7 or 8 years old and have been passionate about it ever since. The evenings concluded with homemade ice cream from Young’s Jersey Dairy in Youngstown, Ohio –which is hands down the best ice cream you will ever taste in your life…creamy and fresh. And there’s just something about the combination of that ice ream with the big, thick onion rings that would lull us kids to sleep as we drove home. We’d wake up upon arriving at our house and sleep-walk to our beds where we’d fall into a heavy, contented sleep.

Another thing I looked forward to immensely was our town’s Strawberry Festival because I love strawberries. When I was little, we would go pick strawberries from the fields and my parents always joke that they always felt like they should pay for an extra bushel because I would eat just as many as I picked and my pinafore would be stained with the juice from the berries I had thoroughly enjoyed. That being said, it’s easy to see why I loved the strawberry festival so much…how could I not when it was centered around one of my favorite things? There was strawberry shortcake, strawberry popcorn, strawberry burritos, freshly-squeezed strawberry lemonade, strawberry ice cream…I was always in heaven and never knew quite what to do with myself.

Yes, summers in Ohio are wonderful, which is why I’m looking forward to my trip home with eager anticipation. Now, I may be too old to run around the pool and my metabolism too slow to eat frozen candy bars all day, but I can still enjoy the fresh strawberries…and so can you…I hope you’ll take some and enjoy them as much as I.

Oh, Brother!

My brother arrived Thursday night; hot and sweaty, not used to the stifling atmosphere more affectionately known as our subway, and I was so glad to see him. We’re pretty close. Ha, but let me tell you, the boy can pack! He was here from Thursday to Tuesday and he brought a rollaboard, one of those big suit carriers and a big messenger bag…I do not profess to be a light packer, but even I was surprised.

On Thursday we just hung out, picked up some Chinese food and chilled at my apartment. Friday night we went to the Village Vanguard. I really enjoyed it! It’s a small little venue that has been graced by some of the greatest names in jazz. We heard “Warmdaddy” Wessell Anderson Quartet (with Aaron Diehl, Kengo Nakamura, Jaz Sawyer). I love live music and I love it in small settings, so this was great. I think I loved it even more because this is one of my dad’s favorite places (he is a HUGE jazz fan) so he was so excited for us to go…I don’t know, that just kind of added to the experience.

Saturday we went to brunch at, where else? Normas in Le Parker Meridien. I love this place and will continue to come back.

Then we wandered around a street fair on 6th. James bought a white belt, modeled in the picture below, haha: Saturday night I had an event. OH MY GOODNESS. This was one of my favorite things ever; by far my favorite work event ever. First of all, I had to rent a car. I was scared out of my mind at the idea of driving there; but at the same time excited because I have been wanting to drive a car for a while…there’s something liberating about driving I think. But, we got caught in some ridiculous traffic unfortunately, and somehow, creeping along just doesn’t have the same exhilarating effect as speeding…hmmm…go figure. But, we made it there in time. We checked in and proceeded to the cocktail tent for a little mingling before dinner. There was a lady in a strapless pink gown with a white fur sable who I really wanted James to go talk to/dance with later in the evening – she just looked like SUCH a character! But she disappeared after the concert so he couldn’t ask her to dance. That could be a good thing because she probably would have tried to take her home with him. Ha!
Dinner was amazing. We sat at a table with some really nice people. One man, Michael, has been coming for several years and warned us that the dessert/dancing later can get a little crazy (with all the older persons – James and I were definitely the youngest people there!). The food was excellent: chilled sweet pea soup with minted avocado; roasted lamb served with sugar peas, coconut simmered fingerling potatoes and rosemary garnish; and assorted breads.

Following dinner we went to the Venetian Theater (outdoor) for the concert. Absolutely amazing. Is it bad that I was kind of happy the original soloist had to cancel so we could hear Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto? That is one of my favorite pieces. There was an intermission, during which we walked around the magnificent gardens. Talk about an ideal place to come with someone on a date – I’m going to have to keep this in mind. Gardens (where you can picnic during the day), magically –lit paths…it’s stunning. I was blown away by the music and the atmosphere. It’s such an enchanting place!!

After the concert we went back to the tent for dessert and dancing. I wasn’t planning on eating any dessert but oh my heavens, these were no ordinary desserts! The chocolate torte was dense yet moist and had to be one of the most decadent things I have ever tasted. It was filled with a thick cream and garnished with sweet cream and raspberry hint of raspberry sauce dotted along one side of the plate. The second dessert was an organic raspberry yogurt tart with whipped cream and a lemon coulis. The crust seemed to have a hint of ginger in it…it was thicker and softer than the traditional cookie/crumb crust and didn’t crumble under your fork. I think it was my favorite; despite the sinfully deliciousness that was the chocolate torte.

Okay, and dancing was so much fun!! James and I had a good time. And it was a riot watching the old people (I did not meant that in any sort of derogatory way, just couldn’t think of better terminology) bust out to Moulin Rouge – Lady Marmalade. Hilarious! And then the guy wanted James to meet a few of the young girls that worked there…it’s the story of James’ life, I tell you what. So funny.

All in all an absolutely amazing evening!! One of those you hope the memory of which never fades away or becomes muted…

Hot Chocolate

Have I ever mentioned how obsessed I am with hot chocolate? Well, I am. I have at least two cups a day. I thought about the ridiculousness of it all as I sat in my office, in the summer, drinking a cup of hot chocolate. It's a little weird, even I'll admit it...

*Sigh* (I'm lost for words)

So, earlier today Kristan forwarded an email notifying us that the one and only McDreamy was filming a movie outside of Saks. I didn’t think I would be able to get out there to see it (it’s two blocks from my office building) so kind of brushed it off as I let out an aching sort of sigh.
Well, I needed to meet up with a few people at 12:45 at 51st and Park so I headed over there. I seriously totally forgot about it and just started crossing the street. They weren’t letting people on the sidewalk and I was going to go around but then they let me on! Then it dawned on me…duh! They were filming and McDreamy was there! I could be in a movie with McDreamy!!! However, it didn’t dawn on me to postpone my meeting up with my friends to pick up my racing supplies in order to be in said film. HOW RETARDED AM I?!!! So, I stopped to look for McDreamy and when I couldn’t see him, I crossed the tape and went back out into the public. AGAIN…HOW RETARDED AM I? I SHOULD SERIOUSLY HAVE MY HEAD EXAMINED.
Well, after I had about 40 minutes to become fully aware of my stupidity and completely regret my decision, I was on my way back to work…and hoping he would still be there. This time they were clearing things out and I was like “shoot, I missed him”…but then, I saw him coming through the crowd. There were a few people asking for his autograph but his bodyguards kept saying “no”, and I didn’t want to be a crazy, psycho fan so I just stood off to the sideline as he started coming toward me while I tried to make sure I looked good…fluffing my hair, putting on lip gloss, etc. He was, no joke, like a foot away from me when I saw him. He looked shorter than I expected, but was nonetheless the devastatingly attractive McDreamy that we all know and love. So, he looked at me and I tried my best to seduce him with my gorgeous eyes and smile (totally kidding, I probably looked like I was in shock). I didn’t think much of it as I blissfully watched him walk down the street. But he turned to look back…twice…

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is my first ever celebrity sighting in NYC. And what a way to begin!
Again, to show how retarded I am, I didn’t whip out my camera phone in time to get a picture. I am so lame.

Persistent

Not only do they email, but they're very persistent!

This is from the pimp:
"Hey Karen cute girl, where have you been? This is my second email, I am very much interested in getting to know you. Let me know if that's okay with you!"

Seriously, don't let me out of the house!!!

More strange encounters

I should not be allowed to go places by myself…I need a chaperone.
I walk in front of speeding cars, get lost and CONTINUE TO GIVE MY EMAIL TO RANDOM MEN. Seriously, did I not JUST blog about this?!
I’m telling you. Guys on the street stop me so often it’s a little ridiculous. I wonder if they’re all in on some inside joke together because they know how uncomfortable it makes me. Did I write about the time the guy at the deli told me not to bend over otherwise he might grab my [bottom] and he didn’t want any harassment charges…EEK!!!
Anyway…so, I think it’s a conspiracy…
So, I was waiting outside Kristan’s office waiting to drop something off and this guy (at least it wasn’t a cab driver this time) starts talking to me. The conversation basically goes like this:
Him: I like your short hair (he repeated it a few times because I was pretending I couldn’t hear)
Me: Oh, thank you (turning away)
Him: What nationality are you? (Stepping in for a second here – I get that question ALL the time, do I look that different? Seriously…) Where’s your accent from?
Me: Oh, I don’t have an accent, I’m from Ohio.
Him: Well I can see now that you’re talking that you don’t. You are just beautiful. Could we have lunch or dinner or something?
Me: Ugh…
Him: Well, give me your email then. I want to see you again. I work for (insert some film company here, I can’t remember exactly which one it was) and maybe we can get you to a premier some time. (I’m thinking…yeah, right, do girls usually buy this?)
---and this is where I need a chaperone to take me away or I should at least have a fake email ready to go…you’d think I’d learn by now!!
So, I gave him my email and he proceeded to email me (about how I was a cutie) right away from his blackberry.
I told my mom that at least this was a step up. He was good looking, wearing a suit and had just gotten out of a Mercedes…My mom, always one to comfort me, suggested that maybe he was a pimp. Thanks mom. I feel so much better now. I now have a psycho cabbie and a pimp from the film industry emailing me…