The Nominations Are In!!

I've always been obsessed with The Academy Awards. Not as much as The Tony Awards, but pretty close. Yesterday the nominations for the Oscars were announced. I always try to see all of the movies nominated for Best Picture. And now since Tim & I started dating, we are on this mission together! Out of the 9 films nominated, I've seen 4 and Tim has seen 5. Here's a re-cap of what we have seen so far.....

THE ARTIST

THE ARTIST is an amazing film for many reasons. First off, it's a silent film. Yes, I said silent film. Tim and I saw it a few weeks ago. I wasn't sure what to expect when we sat down but the music and acting swept me away. I was so enthralled with it that I caught myself holding my breath at the end. I really enjoyed it and I plan to buy it when it comes to DVD.

THE DESCENDANTS

THE DESCENDANTS was very entertaining. Sad but funny throughout the whole film. George Clooney was great in this too. He will probably win an Oscar for it. I enjoyed this film even though it was slow in parts.

THE HELP

THE HELP was a lot of fun. My best friend Adam and I saw it when he was in town a few months ago. It's really funny but also very inspiring. Hard to believe people lived like that in the south at one time. I enjoyed this movie also. I heard the book is great too. I'd like to read it eventually.

WAR HORSE

WAR HORSE is an epic Steven Spielberg movie. I saw the stage version of WAR HORSE at Lincoln Center a few months ago and balled my eyes out. It's an amazing story about a horse's journey throughout years at war. When I watched it on the big screen, I didn't get as emotional as I did when I saw it on stage. Maybe it's because I knew what was coming, or maybe it's because the stage is just more intimate. All I know is that Tim and I were making fun because it was just kind of creepy how obsessed characters were with this horse. All in all a good movie, but I liked the stage version much more.

The rest are movies we need to see before February 26th. 

Tim has seen MIDNIGHT IN PARIS, but said he really enjoyed it and would see it again. I'm excited to see it. I've heard great things.

I am currently reading EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLY CLOSE. I wanted to read it before I saw the movie. I am anxious to see it! The book is great!

HUGO, we hear, must be seen in 3D. It looks really fun too. Even though I am not a fan of 3D movies, this one could be the exception. Plus, it's a Martin Scorsese kid's movie?? I'm intrigued!!

MONEY BALL starring Brad Pitt & Jonah Hill... plus they are both nominated. Jonah Hill is nominated for an Academy Award. That is a sentence I never thought I'd type. I am interested in seeing this movie because a) I heard good things about it, b) I like Philip Seymour Hoffman and c) I need to see this Jonah Hill acting. I feel like he finally took a role that wasn't the same role over and over and/or wasn't goofy, therefore people now "think he can act". No, he just isn't playing the same character he always plays. We'll see this movie and decide, I guess.

TREE OF LIFE.... I haven't really heard anything about this movie. I didn't even know Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain were in this movie. Did anyone see this?? I have no idea what it is about but I will see it so I can round out my opinion for BEST FILM.

So there you go.... Have you seen any of these movies?? Are you a fan of the Oscars?? Now, to have an Oscar party or not to have an Oscar party! Ummmmmmm..


xoxox

Delaware: The First State

This past weekend Tim and I went to visit his friends, Mike and Kim, in Delaware. Tim went to high school with these friends in DE, so I knew I'd get to hear some good stories. We left Penn Station on Saturday morning at 9am. We took the NJ Transit out to Trenton, NJ, then Kim picked us up. It is about a 90 minute drive to their house. I wanted Kim & Tim to be able to catch up, so I sat in the back. Whoa, that was a dumb idea. I forgot how car sick I get in the back seat, especially now, since I am hardly ever in a car anymore. Luckily, we stopped for gas and snacks right before I felt super sick. The rest of the way, I sat in the front.

Mike and Kim live in a great neighborhood. I met Justin and Quin, their kids. We had lunch and relaxed with the family. Around 8pm, we went to dinner at a steak restaurant called FIREBIRDS. It's Mike and Kim's favorite restaurant. They've been going there for years. Kim & I ordered these amazing pineapple martinis. We all ordered steaks. I had a peppercorn one! I was so delicious. I couldn't eat the whole thing, so I ended up having it for lunch the next day too.

After dinner, we went back to Mike and Kim's and played some board games with them and also Tim's friend Craig. We all had a blast. Tim made me his signature drink, a Seven & Seven. I had a few of them actually. We had a fun time & didn't wake up with a head ache! :)

On Sunday morning, we woke up and played with baby Quin. He just turned 1 yr old on Christmas Day. He's a cutie for sure! Kim made us bacon & french toast with texas toast!! It was yummmmy! I thought Tim was going to pee his pants he was so excited about the french toast. It's his absolute favorite... well, that and pancakes/waffles! :)

That afternoon, we all took naps and were completely lazy. It was wonderful! After that, Kim and I went grocery shopping for dinner. She drove me through the town. The University of Delaware is located there and it reminded me a lot of my college town of Bowling Green, Ohio.

That night was TACO NIGHT and the guys did the cooking. Well, Mike cooked and Tim watched while he drank his Jack & Coke. I could hear Mike giving him instructions from the living room. It was funny. After dinner, we all watched the Golden Globes and relaxed. It was really nice.

Monday morning we woke up to Kim making pancake cupcakes. Pancake Cupcakes? What are they, you ask? Well, it's pancake mix with cooked bacon bits & eggs put into a cupcake pan. They look and tasted delicious. And so easy to make!!

I also tried something called SCRAPPLE, yes SCRAPPLE. Yea, I never heard of it either. It's a east coast thing. The week before we went to DE, Tim sent me the Wikipedia link explaining SCRAPPLE. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrapple   And this is the picture I took of it frying in the pan.....

Tim had me try it with ketchup & Mike had me try it with syrup.  It tasted like burnt sausage, which essentially what it is. Lol. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't the best breakfast food ever! So I guess it's the equivalent of Ohio's SKYLINE CHILI. You rave about Skyline to out-of-towners, then they try it and they are like.... "eh". Those who live in Ohio, know what I mean! :) 

Mike drove us back to the Trenton train station so we could grab the 2pm train. Check out what street the train station is located.....

Kinda cool, eh?? :)

Our train ride on the way back to NYC was nice. I slept a little on Tim's shoulder while he listened to music on my ipod. I'm not sure what he listened to though since most of the ipod is loaded with musical theater recordings. Ha! Ha! It was nice to get away from the city for a few days but it is also nice to be back into the swing of things. 

 

Thanks to Mike, Kim, Justin & Quin for hosting us for the weekend. Love you guys! :)

2012 Resolutions

1) Save at least $20 per week

2) Call Grandma at least once a month

3) Write a blog at least once a month

4) Work out at least 3 times a week

5) Read more books

6) Healthier eating

Welcome 2012!

I am currently sitting at ABC on a Saturday night at 9pm because I'm working for the New Hampshire Republican Debate. Even though I am working on the first Saturday night of 2012, I am hoping to be doing a lot of these after hour events since it's an election year. I'll work as much as they need me.

Give me experience!!! Give me work!!! Give it to me 2012!!!

The first week of 2012 has been really nice. Tim and I went to his apartment in Astoria on Sunday Jan 1st and hang out then went to my friend Justin's New Year's Day party. Justin only lived 2 blocks away from Tim, so it was really nice to not have to travel too far.We had a fun time eating a yummy dinner and playing games.  On Monday Jan 2, Tim and I didn't have to work, so we were lazy all afternoon, then went to see the George Clooney movie THE DESCENDANTS. It was good, sad but good.

Wednesday night was a good bye party for my friend Blake. He has been a fantastic friend for the past 2 years. He's a radio DJ and he was offered a full time job in Houston, Texas. I know, he's going to be soooooooo far away, but this is an amazing opportunity for him. He is an incredible talent and an incredible person and I know we will always be friends. I wish him nothing but the best!!

Next weekend, Tim and I are going to Delaware to visit his best friend Mike and his wife Kim. I met them when they came into the city to see Tim's Christmas show. They are super fun and awesome and I can not wait to spend the weekend with them. They have 2 kids too. The youngest just turned 1yr old so that should be a lot of fun! :) I'll write about that next week! :)

Until then.... xoxo 

Happy New Years Friends!

Hello Friends,
I know it's been 2 months since I've blogged. Mainly because this blog was about the horrible dates I've experienced in NYC and now I'm in a relationship and nothing bad is happening. :) But I thought I'd update to let you know I'm still alive and well.

Tim and I are still together & it's be amazing. We have spent every weekend together ....and I'm not annoyed with him at all. What does that mean?? HAHA!

We've spent both of our birthdays together. He bought us tickets to see "MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG" that is having a limited run at the New York City Center.... but here's the cutest part. He bought them for Feb 14th. This is awesome because: 1) he bought them for waaaaaaaaaay in the future and 2) The tix are for Valentine's Day and I haven't had a date on Valentine's Day in I don't even know how long! He also got me 2 Broadway posters that I've been searching for and couldn't seem to find. On our 2nd date, I was looking for them at the Broadway Flea Market and he remembered. :)

Also, for my birthday, my Mom came to visit for the whole weekend. She met Tim on the first night. She was very impressed by him. She kept telling me how much she liked him and that we seem head over heels for each other. (which is very true!) We had such a fun weekend. It was so much fun to introduce her to all my friends at my birthday party too. I think she had a blast!!

Mom & I

Tim and I

Tim was in a hilarious Christmas play this month, THE ASPHALT CHRISTMAS. It was great. He was great! The show received a lot of awesome reviews. I saw it 3 times. I hung out with him and his cast mates after shows. It was so much fun! Seven of my friends saw the show too. They all really like Tim and wanted to support him. It was so nice to have them see the show. I really appreciated it.

My hot boyfriend in his pin stripped suit in THE ASPHALT CHRISTMAS

We just celebrated Christmas together too. He went to visit his parents in Maryland over the weekend but came back on Christmas night to spend it with me. He asked me if I wanted to go with him for Christmas but unfortunately, I had to work at the theater. I would have loved to go. We got each other pretty good gifts I think. I got him a really nice messenger bag, a bath robe with his name embroidered on it, 3 ties and 2 packs of socks. He was so excited about the socks that I should of just bought him $150 worth of socks. HA! Tim gave me the best Christmas present ever! He gave me some slippers, lotions, The Muppet Movie soundtrack and this......

A MUPPET!!!!!

He made it for me online. He said he was on the website for 45 minutes picking out all the pieces. He gave it green eyes and brown hair for me. He also said that online it's called the "Broadway" outfit... which of course I LOVE!! We named her Dixie. We believe she's a bit of a drama queen, but who wouldn't be with a name like that?? :)

Now Gonzo has a girlfriend! 

We are hosting a New Years Eve party this weekend at my apartment. We bought all sorts of finger foods and a few bottles of champagne. I also bought some fun NYE hats and tiaras too. It should be a good time. We invited 5 of Tim's friends and 5 of my friends. It will be fun to get two different groups of friends together. We think everyone will get a long great. :)

All in all, the last 3 months have been completely wonderful. We are planning a visit to Delaware to visit Tim's best friend Mike and his wife Kim in January. Also, I asked Tim if he would be interested in coming to Ohio with me in March for Kathy & Chad's baby shower and he said, "I'd love to, count me in." :) So we are planning a trip to Ohio Thursday March 22nd to Monday March 26th.

I feel as if 2012 is going to be my most favorite year to date, so I've decided to start blogging again. This time, about happy things and New Yorky things. I hope you will continue to read it.

Have a fabulous New Years.

xoxox

The Big Step.....

So as most of you have seen on my FB, I am now "Facebook Official" (FBO), with Tim. (I've never been FBO with anyone, so it's a little weird! ha!) He's the actor that I was telling you about in my last blog. He's awesome. We've been talking to each other for 6 weeks but it seems like longer because we talk pretty much everyday. Today, we both had the day off of work, so we went to lunch then hung out in Central Park for a few hours.

Throughout the conversation, he threw out, "My friend always has a huge Thanksgiving dinner. I'd love for you to come." ---- which made me think, Whoa, that's over a month away & he's thinking about that already!!

Later on, we were sitting on a bench, listening to a man play his saxophone, his arm around me, my head on his shoulder, and all I could think of was... So this is what it's like to be in an adult relationship.

I think I've only ever dated boys, but I'm ready for a man. Tim is a man. He's a grown up but not too serious & I really like that about him. He's so nice, caring, funny and genuinely likes me. He isn't afraid of commitment. I don't necessary mean commitment for a romantic relationship, but a commitment to things... like jobs, his schedule.... not floating around anymore like we all did in our early 20s. He is committed to making his life better everyday and wants to include me in that. I already feel more adult! :) But at the same time, I feel like a 12 year old again.....butterflies and all!

So to make a long Blog short..... He brought up the conversation and told me that he wasn't seeing anyone else but me & that he didn't want to see anyone else. He asked if I was seeing anyone else, and I said "No."--because I haven't even looked at okcupid since we started talking. (Whoa! I just realized that!)

I told him that I haven't had a boyfriend since right after college in 2003 and that "I didn't know how adults did this but....are you asking me to be your girlfriend??" It was cute... but also true. How do adult "commit" to each other? Check Yes or No?

We talked some more and......I'm dating Tim. YAY!! I really like him!! YAY!! He's a grown up. YAY!! He wants to introduce me to his friends this weekend. YAY!! He's adorable. YAY!!

Since my blog was originally for all the horrible dates I went on... and obviously, I won't be going on any more, any time soon.... this blog is defunct for now. Maybe I can twist it into a different subject someday soon, but for now, I'm going to focus on dating Tim.

xoxo
Jamie

The Blog Update You've Been Waiting On!

So a lot of you have been asking for this blog... so here it is.....

Here is a short re-cap:
He emailed me on Sept 1st. We emailed for 2 weeks before he asked for my number. Then we talked on the phone twice before he asked me out on a date. We went on our 1st date to a bar on Monday Sept 19th. We drank a few beers and talked and talked! The 1st date lasted 4 hours.

He's very nice. I feel like he's a little too nice for me. But I deserve nice, right? I can attract nice and not just asshole, right?? He's going to be 35 in November. He's an actor. Not musical theater. Film & commercials have been his focus this year. He is a long term temp at a financial office until he is hired for a project, then his agency finds someone to cover him at the office so he can do the project. He's been living in NYC for 11 years. He went to college at Marrietta College in Ohio, but he was born in Philly but grew up in Delaware.

Okay... 2nd date. We met at the Broadway Flea Market last Sunday Sept 25. We walked through the market, then went to lunch, then walked up 8th avenue into Central Park. We walked through the park about 40 blocks. I wanted to make him dinner so we headed to my apartment but we weren't really hungry so we watched a movie. He had always wanted to see Love Actually, so we watched that. We cuddled on the couch but that was all. We held hands and cuddled. It was nice.

After the movie, I made dinner. We ate and talked on the couch. After dinner, he made his move. We started kissing. Nothing intense. He actually joked about feeling like he was in high school, kissing on the couch. It was cute. He asked me when he could see me again. I told him I was available Saturday night. That date lasted 7 1/2 hours.

We emailed back and forth everyday this past week. Lots of "getting to know you" questions. For Saturday, I decided to finally use those Dueling Piano tickets that I purchased a few months ago. I wanted to treat him since he has been paying for everything since we've met.

Last night, I wanted to stop by my friend Jason's party for about an hour before the Dueling Pianos and he wanted to come with me, so we met at 7:45pm. We hung out at the party. He was so friendly and nice to everyone. He started conversations and he's very personable. I was in the kitchen when Jason gave me the "I approve" look.

We left at 9pm and headed to the Dueling Pianos. There were six couples on each side of the stage, and we were one of them. He put his arm around me the whole night. We had such a fun time. He was singing along with some of the songs. He actually has a nice singing voice, even though he told me he can't sing at all. He made me laugh so much.

I really like him. I actually REALLY LIKE him.

We are seeing each other again in a few days. He's also a city tour guide for when schools come into the city. He's been doing that for a few years too. He has a school coming in this weekend so we are going to try to meet up again before then.

That's all for now! :)
xoxo