30 B4 30 Day 9: Take Myself Out on a Date

The other day when I went to the yoga class by myself, TK said, "I really admire you that you go do these things by yourself. I wouldn't be able to." This confused me because I could never understand why people would need anyone to go anywhere. You came into this world by yourself and you will leave it by yourself. You are the only one stuck with you for the rest of your life, so you might as well start liking your own company. In order to practice this belief, I chose to Take Myself Out on a Date for today's 30 B4 30 activity.

My date started out at the Sayville Cinema because movies only cost $5 before 6 p.m. I am not a cheap date, I just like to save money. When I walked in, the employees didn't seem to care that I was by myself. They probably see it all the time. I even saw a few other girls that were alone for the flick like I was. No big deal. No one talks while watching a movie anyway, or at least they shouldn't. And, as an added bonus, you don't have to share an armrest. Aside from the loners in the crowd there were also older women and gay men. Typical for a chick flick. Eat, Pray Love was very good, just like the book. I just finished it last night and figured it would be a great fit for a day of spending quality time with myself because it is the story of a woman who decides to travel alone to 3 destinations and balance out her life. TK told me the other day that he thinks this is exactly what I would do if I ever left him. I have to say, he is right, but I am not actually planning on it. My future trips will include him, for now. ;)

After the movie, I went for a bite to eat. I figured that if I am really going to do this, I should go all out. I went to Cafe Joelle and they sat me at the table right in front of the window. It was like I was advertising how enjoyable the food was for those passing or driving by. I honestly enjoyed being in the front window because at least there was entertainment while I had no one to talk to. I also sat next to a couple and was secretly hoping they saw my ring so they knew I wasn't lonely, which I wasn't. Ironically, one of the songs that played in the restaurant was "You're Only Lonely" by, I think, Roy Orbison or someone similar. Interesting how things just click together.

Humanity began with a pair, Adam and Eve, but I believe that one is sometimes enough. I have never lived alone, but I can dance alone, work alone, drive alone, draw alone and now, eat and be entertained alone. In certain circumstances, I just don't think there is a need to be with anyone else. I have told TK in the past that I don't need him to be my husband, I want him to be. I wasn't trying to be mean, I was just being honest. I have no problem doing things all by myself. Sometimes it is nice to be able to make decisions without compromising what you want. When you share a life with someone or you travel with a friend or friends, you have to learn to make accommodations and adjustments to reach an agreement. Even though compromise is good and I am very chatty, I do enjoy my quiet, alone time with no one to talk to or deal with. You can learn a lot about yourself by being alone.

I would have liked to finish my date up with some ice cream, but I already had plans for the night. At least she has my number for next time...

30 B4 30 Day 8: Write a Fan Letter to Conan O'Brien

There are some people in this world who are just naturally funny without having to try. Of all the funnies, I think this is the best kind of funny. For these people, it just comes up on a daily basis without provocation, like a vurp. My brother is one of these people, so is TK's friend Greg and my friend Jonelle. Sometimes TK even comes out with a few quick one-liners and just cracks me up. A sense of humor is one of the best qualities to have and I really admire funny people. One of the people that I admire most because of his wittiness, creativity and intelligence is Conan O'Brien. So I chose Write a Fan Letter to Conan O'Brien as today's activity for my 30 B4 30 project.

In all these years of watching television and movies, listening to music and reading magazines, I never felt compelled to write a fan letter to anyone. So, this is the first fan letter I've ever written:

Dear Mr. O’Brien:

So, I am writing to you because I am turning 30 in less than a month and I created a 30 B4 30 project that requires me to do 30 things I have never done during the 30 days that lead up to my 30^th birthday. (Sorry about all of the 30’s in that sentence.) One of the items on my list is to write you a fan letter, so that is what this note is supposed to accomplish. Do you feel flattered yet? No. OK…I will go on.

Basically, I started watching your show while I was in college at Penn State from ’98-’02. I was an art major so I could stay up late and not study. I continued to watch your show for years afterward, up until you went off the air in January of this year. And, in my honest opinion, you got robbed! I guess the choice for who should host The Tonight Show was based solely on seniority because Jay Leno is not funnier than you; he is just older and has more cars and a bigger chin. I wanted to know if most people felt the same, so of the 600 people I polled, only 12 answered, but 10 of them said they like you better than Leno.

Like many folks, I am anxiously awaiting your return to television to entertain the world. Late night television is just not the same. Now I just scan the Food Network, the Travel Channel and sometimes the History Channel, in hopes that something interesting is on. Maybe you should make a guest appearance on Down Home with the Neelys as their pasty neighbor or Pawn Stars trying to sell some memorabilia from The Tonight Show? It’s just a suggestion and it would kind of make things a lot easier for some of us.

Also, I included a graphic design project I did in typography class while in college. I had to use the letters of someone’s name to create a rendering of them and I chose you. You had an “interesting” look and I figured I could do a lot with your image. Let me know if you agree…or don’t, whatever.

Thanks for the laughter,

Melissa

Yes, that part at the end is true. I created the image to the left in my sophomore typography class. The people who have seen it have told me to send it to him because maybe he will put me on his show. What? That won't happen. Do you know how many crazy people send him stuff they made for him? There's probably a Conan potato chip and a Conan pot holder out there somewhere. Anyway, tomorrow I am sending this letter, along with my pride, to California. We'll see if I ever get a response. I'll keep you posted.

UPDATE: It is 2013 and still no response ... What the heck, Conan?
UPDATE: It is now 2014, and still nothing. I am posting this to his Facebook page. Take that!

30 B4 30 Day 7: Try Bikram Yoga

Practicing yoga makes one more aware of their body, mind and spirit. It really tests your limits. I know I have made jokes about it testing the limits of my bowels, but I am serious when I say that yoga works its way into your body and makes you push yourself. Once it gets under your skin, you want to know what else you can challenge yourself to do. This desire to push myself motivated me to choose my activity for day 7: Try Bikram Yoga. Bikram yoga, or hot yoga, is a practice that incorporates 26 asanas (postures) for 45 minutes to an hour in a room with the temperature turned up to 95 to 100 degrees.

Preparing for yoga class, I did a little research on what to bring and wear. My Google search led me to pages that said I needed a hand towel, a lot of water and my own mat. The hand towel is to wipe any dripping sweat, the water is to rehydrate myself and the mat is needed to keep my sweat in my neighborhood. The gift certificate TK bought me covers 10 classes at Yoga is Life in Setauket, so I chose the hot yoga class at 9 p.m. and like the nerd that I am, I left my apartment at 8 to get there.

Obviously, I was the first one to arrive, so I signed in and waited for the class to start. When we were allowed in the room, I figured if I was going to do this right, I had to park my mat in front of the heater. So, that's what I did and as we went from posture to posture, it got hotter and hotter. It wasn't like a sauna where I couldn't breathe because I hate that suffocating feeling you get in a spa. I actually found myself thinking that it could get hotter. When I was in high school, I played basketball outside during the summer, so I was prepared to feel weak and tired, but I didn't. I felt exhilarated and accomplished when the class was over.

Let me be honest, sweat was definitely dripping down my face and down my shoulders, but it felt great to sweat. It also felt great to do this one power pose where you punch your hands down to your sides, kick your knee up and say "HA!" as you walk back and forth on your mat. The purpose of this act is to let out your frustrations and I definitely thought about TK's socks all over the floor (HA!), Duncan crying at me to go outside (HA!) and the jury duty I will have in 2 weeks (HA!). Also, as I was going from balance pose to breathing technique, I looked up to the ceiling and enjoyed that the panels had suns or clouds painted on them, a welcomed detail.

The setting was pretty peaceful, but that was until I was in a resting pose and had to lie my forehead on my mat. The rug under my mat smelled like a sweaty foot. People warned me that I might smell the body scents of my classmates, but they didn't warn me about the smell of the rug. It was the only disappointment I had during this experience and it was a small one being that I was standing up or sitting down most of the practice.

Tonight's class allowed me to let everything out...well not "everything" because I kept my bowels in check and only released sweat, frustration and toxins, and it felt good. I plan on using the rest of my gift certificate as soon as possible. Namaste!

30 B4 30 Day 6: Learn to Say Thank You in 30 Languages

Good manners were instilled in me early in life with my mom asking, "Whatdya say?" after I received an ice cream cone from Mister Softee or when the big kid from next door went to get the ball that I accidentally tossed across the street. After a few years, it stuck and now I shout, "YOU'RE WELCOME!" to people I knowingly hold the door open for at the mall who neglect to say thank you. I just feel that there is no excuse to not say thank you or you're welcome or even please, well unless you have a mouthful of food and the waiter comes by to ask how the food is. Then, it may take a minute...but you should still say it.

In addition, I have always thought there should be something else to say after someone says, "you're welcome," because sometimes saying, "thank you," is just not enough to convey how thankful you really are. So, for my 6th item on my 30 B4 30 list, I chose to Learn to Say Thank You in 30 Languages because sometimes "thank you" is the most important thing you can say in any language.

Now, some of the words were easier to learn, like asante (Swahili) which was said in The Lion King and arigato (Japanese) which was sung in "Mr. Roboto" by Styx. Also, I already knew the big 4: gracias (Spanish), merci (French), grazie (Italian) and danke (German), which every person should know regardless of what subject they chose to study in high school. Then there is the one I have used before: mahalo (Hawaiian), and the one I have heard before: mesi (Haitian Creole). But, after I got through these eight, the rest were slightly difficult to learn and even more difficult to remember, and I have been repeating them over and over. See for yourself:

1. ARABIC = shukran, shoe-krahn
2. BENGALI = dhanyabaad
3. CHINESE, Cantonese = do jeh, daw-dyeh
4. CHINESE, Mandarin = xiè xie, syeh-syeh
5. CROATIAN, SERBIAN, SLOVENIAN = hvala
6. CZECH = děkuji, deh-ku-yih
7. DUTCH = dank u wel / dank je wel
8. FINNISH = kiitos, kee-toas
9. GREEK = ευχαριστώ, ef-har-rih-stowe
10. HEBREW = toda, toh-dah
11. HINDI = sukria, shoo-kree-a
12. INDONESIAN = terima kasih, t'ree-ma kas-seh
13. KOREAN = kamsah hamnida, kahm-sah ham-nee-da
14. LATIN = gratias ago (from 1 person), gratias agimus (from more than 1 person)
15. LATVIAN = paldies
16. NORWEGIAN, SWEDISH, ICELANDIC, DANISH = tahk
17. PERSIAN = motashakkeram
18. POLISH = dziękuję, dsyen-koo-yeh
19. PORTUGUESE = obrigada (female speaking), oh-bree-gah-dah
20. RUSSIAN = спасибо, spah-see-boh
21. TAHITIAN = mauruuru
22. TURKISH = tesekkur ederim, teh-sheh-kur eh-deh-rim

Not as easy as it seems, is it? At least there were pronunciation hints included with some of them. I would be completely lost if that wasn't the case. For instance, try to read the Greek term without the pronunciation assistance. That's what I thought...

So far, I can remember several of the words listed but I fully intend to learn all 30 and keep them in my mental Rolodex for future use.

And, I would like to say a special thank you to Louise DiCarlo who suggested I add this item to my list. She can pick whichever thank you she wants from the list to accept my appreciation. Personally, I would choose mahalo because it is my personal favorite. Hawaii is an amazing place and the only location of the 30 that I have been to. Wow, apparently, I need to travel more and practice what I have just learned.

Oh, and thank you for reading about today's activity!

30 B4 30 Day 5: Create My Mission Statement

If you didn't know, I am not Jerry Maguire so I am not writing a pamphlet on how to create a happy life as a sports agent, but I do think it is important that you know your purpose on this earth and that you live every day with that purpose in mind. That is why I chose Create My Mission Statement as my item for today.

All day, everyday, people do what they want or what others want them to do, and I think my 2 year-old friend Kaitlyn is on point when she asks, "Why?"

I like going to restaurants, museums and traveling, but why? I enjoy taking classes, watching educational programs and learning fun facts. Again, why? These statements are true about me, but why do I like these things and why do I do the things I do? These are all questions you should ask yourself too. What makes you tick? What makes you, well, you?

I analyzed myself and my craziness for a little while today, and this is the simple statement I created to explain me:


Melissa Anne (Gonzalez) Kuehnle's mission is to create memorable experiences, use her creativity and consistently learn from her surroundings. She continues to enrich her life by remaining open to new ideas and people, while staying realistic and honest. Melissa has made the commitment to live life with a sense of humor, an imagination and a smile...all while saying please and thank you.

Ask the question. Take the journey. Live. That is Melissa's mission.


On day 5 of my 30 B4 30, I came up with the answer to my question, so I ask you, "Who's coming with me?"

30 B4 30 Day 4: Make Creme Brulee

Nothing for me is ever easy. I honestly don't remember ever coasting through anything. Baking is no different. I enjoy it and most of what I bake comes out delicious, but how it gets to that point is always a disaster. I am not graceful and would never be able to have a show on the Food Network because I make a mess and I am no one's Paula Deen or Giada De Laurentiis. I've made cakes, cupcakes, cookies, truffles and even souffles, but since my kitchen is a shoebox, I wear a red polka dot apron and create a tornado. For instance, today's item for the 30 B4 30 project is to Make Creme Brulee, which was a very interesting experience.

First, I bought the Creme Brulee set at Bed, Bath & Beyond and it came with a torch and 4 ramekins. Then I went to Pathmark to pick up the ingredients that I didn't already have in my cupboard. They didn't have vanilla bean, so I had to get pure vanilla extract instead. Sometimes substitutions have to be made.

Then, I got home and started the process. I had to combine the cream, milk and vanilla and then bring it to a boil. After I saw it starting to boil, it started to boil over and like an idiot, I let it happen. It was like watching a car accident and not being able to do anything about it. After the mess was made, I picked it up and moved it to another burner but not before it spilled all over the stove. Then I foolishly tried to sop up the mess with a paper towel and hit the hot burner by mistake, igniting the paper towel. Then I screamed like a girl. It was a good thing I was lazy this morning and didn't wash the dishes because there was a bowl in the sink filled with water so I threw the flaming towel in there. Then TK rushed in to see if I was setting our apartment on fire, which I was not...anymore.

Finally, I blended the rest of the mixture and poured it into the ramekins, created the water bath and placed them in the oven. Phew! But, that wasn't the end of my problems. After the 30 minutes was up, I took the ramekins out of the oven and realized that there was no fuel in the torch. Can't caramelize the sugar without a flame. The burnt sugar crust on the top is what makes Creme Brulee, well, Creme Brulee (it means burnt cream in French). So, I put everything in the fridge and decided that this had to be put on hold until tomorrow. Now, where the hell do I find butane?

P.S. I will add photos upon completion of my task. My apologies.

UPDATE: Here are some photos of the Creme Brulee I finished today after I bought butane at Home Depot. Unfortunately, I put too much brown sugar on the top so there was no glass-like coating. But, the custard part was really good. Even TK liked it after I told him to just scrape the burnt sugar off the top. All in all, a slight success! Now to master the kitchen torch...

30 B4 30 Day 3: Order Something I Have Never Eaten

Who doesn't love food? I will try anything I am offered, at least once. Sometimes I need to try it a few times before I can really decide if I like it or a don't. Like caviar for example, I tried it a few times and still hate it. So, for my 3rd item on the list, I decided to order something at a restaurant that I have never tried before.

TK and I headed out east to The Lobster Roll in Riverhead so I could try none other than the lobster roll. Tah dah! We started with blowfish bites called Puffers. I never tried blowfish before and it was really good. It wasn't as adventurous as if I would have chosen the more unique blowfish dish: Fugu. Chefs have to get certified to make it so that they don't kill anyone. Anyway, this wasn't that.

Then, I ordered the restaurant's namesake. I have always wanted to try a lobster roll because it has fish, mayo and celery, and I like all those. It was pretty tasty but I should have known it wouldn't be my favorite because I don't like cold fish. I don't even eat shrimp cocktail. Anywho, it was big chunks of lobster, which I would have loved if I could have heated them up and dipped them in butter, but that is beside the point. This didn't taste like fish and it was really fresh. To me, that's quality food. I enjoyed my $22 sandwich but I am not so sure I would order it again. Another quality lesson learned...

30 B4 30 Day 2: Leave a Note in a Library Book

It may seem a little odd but I love the library. It may be because it is a building full of knowledge or maybe it is because you can borrow whatever you want for free. I love free. I also love solving a mystery or learning about historically significant stories. So today for Day 2 of my 30 B4 30 project, I left a note in my favorite book at the library for the next person who borrows it. My favorite book is Angels & Demons by Dan Brown. It's a thriller that mixes symbology, art history, religion and modern culture together for a fast paced, gory novel that I actually read in 3 days. It is the first of the series of books by Dan Brown that feature the fictional character, Robert Langdon, a religious iconology professor from Harvard University that helps solve murders, decipher codes, read ancient texts and analyze artwork. I think Angels & Demons is better than its overrated successor The DaVinci Code and I actually make sure to tell my new friend in the little note I left today.

When I walked into the library with the note in my book tote, I felt like a cat burglar on the job even though everything in the library was open and ready for the take. I went up to the fiction area and headed to the Mystery/Thriller section. I saw 3 copies of The DaVinci Code and 6 copies of The Lost Symbol, but zero copies of Angels & Demons...WHAT? I started to think my bad luck had found me again and I would have to go to another library to complete my task. Then I remembered that there was a General Fiction section and went there. Phew! There was one single, yellowed, copy of the book. So I took out my little note with its burnt edges and slipped it into the book. Then I took the photo to the right and really felt like a little sneak. Who takes pictures at the library? Yep, I do.

Anyway, here's what the note said:


So, I am about to turn 30 and in commemoration of this monumental event in my life, I started a 30 B4 30 project that began yesterday, 30 days before I turn 30. This is Day 2 and for the second item on my list, I am leaving a note for the next reader of this book.

This is my most favorite book and I hope that you are enjoying it so far. I also hope that you will share my opinion in the fact that Angels & Demons is a faster moving, more interesting book than The DaVinci Code. If not, that’s OK too. Everyone has the right to their own opinion, and in saying that, I would like to leave you with a few of my favorite quotes:

- “Use what talent you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best.” - Henry Van Dyke

- “A love affair with knowledge will never end in heartbreak.” - Michael Garrett Marino

- “Embrace your uniqueness. Time is much too short to be living someone else's life.” - Kobi Yamada

- “After the game, the king and the pawn go into the same box.” - Italian Proverb

- “Minds, like parachutes, only work when open.” - Anonymous

I hope you enjoy these quotes and feel some inspiration from them. Thank you for helping me accomplish my 30 B4 30 and enjoy the rest of this exciting book!

Maybe it seems a little trivial and ridiculous, but to leave a note to a stranger in a book that I have read and loved just seems interesting and exciting to me. That person will try to envision what I look like, what I do for a living, if I have a husband or a wife and what my interests are. This person will create my back story and may even leave the note in the book for another person to see or for my kid to discover in 20 years when he or she finds out I did this 30 B4 30 project. Maybe it's just wishful thinking or maybe it is just my mini-legacy...or maybe no one will take out the book and it will just sit there for years to come never to be seen again by the human eye. Nah! That can't be.

30 B4 30 Day 1: Eat a Big Mac

On Day 1 of my 30 B4 30 project, I thought I would start with the most shocking item of all 30: Eat a Big Mac. If you know me, you know I eat like a dude. When all the ladies are ordering salads, I get a bacon burger with fries and when there is a buffet, I make 3, maybe 4, trips. I am not saying I am morbidly obese because I'm not, I'm just saying that I like food. I am a foodie and for many it is shocking that I haven't eaten my share of Big Macs, especially while in college where junk food was a staple and the freshman 15 for me was more like the freshman 25.

So today, after running 2.02 miles on the treadmill, I headed to McDonald's with TK to embark upon the first part of my journey through 30 B4 30. I didn't think that burning 190 calories would cancel out the triple-decker burger I was about to eat, but it made me feel a little better about the whole ordeal.

All 29 11/12 years I have been on this earth, I haven't eaten a Big Mac mainly because I thought it was too fattening. Little did I know that eating one Big Mac has less calories than eating 2 small cheeseburgers at McDonald's (it's true: Big Mac = 540 calories, 2 Cheeseburgers = 600 calories). I always go for the #2 thinking I am doing my waist a favor, but now I know this is certainly not the case. But, I do know that I really should make the smart choice and go for some leafy greens next time, and not the kind that are covered in bacon bits and ranch dressing.

So, let me tell you, this so-called "Big" Mac wasn't so big. Judging by television advertising alone, I always thought the Big Mac would be this giant sandwich that barely fit in my mouth, well look at the picture to the right...my man hands are covering up the sandwich because the burger is just not that big. Yes, it has 3 layers, yes, it has 2 all beef patties, but if I ordered this burger at a restaurant, I'd be pissed. Don't get me wrong, it was tasty and I did enjoy it, but next time I may have to just get a salad or maybe next time, I'll just get two.

The Suggestions That Did Not Make My List of 30

A few weeks ago when I came up with the idea to do my 30 B4 30 project, I received a lot of suggestions from my friends and family as to what I should put on my list.

Some ideas were a little too brave for me, like "Go skydiving" and "Go on a submarine" because I am not into jumping from a plane that is not on fire and has a fully functioning engine, and I don't know where to find a submarine that gives rides. So these ideas received two big NOs.

Then I received more interesting suggestions, like "Watch The Lord of the Rings trilogy without leaving your couch," "Take a road trip with no plan of where to end up" and "Be part of a flash mob." A few years ago, I watched The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers with my brother for one big wastoid of a day. When the movie was over, we realized neither of us had showered, we ate most of the food in the fridge and it was 8 p.m. Not really how I want to spend a sunny summer day, especially when I am trying to steer clear of elastic pants.

Taking a road trip without an idea of where I want to end up means I have to relinquish all control and my indelible tendency to plan. I just don't think that it's possible. I am sure I would end up with a spreadsheet of what I'd hope to do, a Mapquest printout of where I'd want to end up and borrowed tour guides for every state I think we will drive through. I know it's annoying, but it's just the way I am programmed and it comes in handy when getting married and hosting a 35th birthday party.

Now, being part of a flash mob would really be cool, but I am almost positive the Grand Central Station performance took longer than a month to plan, so I couldn't add that being that my deadline is 30 days. Also, I have a hard time staying quiet for a long time...which leads me to my most humorous request that was given to me by my loving husband. He suggested that I "Don't talk for a whole day." Now, I know it isn't the sound of my voice that irks people, it's the constant presence of it. I used to get notes sent home from teachers in elementary school because I didn't shut up. Teachers would tell my mother, "It is amazing that Melissa learns so much in class because all she does is talk." I've also been told by middle school teachers that my voice carries and high school teachers that I don't know how to whisper. So, I sympathize with TK because he doesn't understand how my brain works, why I think out loud or why I ask so many questions, but unfortunately for him, I will never be a quiet girl. I won't even be a shy or a soft-spoken girl. There is just no chance. Besides, I am Italian and Puerto Rican...are these people quiet? I think not.

Starting tomorrow, you will see what 30 items I actually did pick and I am going to talk about it for 30 days straight...sorry TK!

(P.S. I read this whole post to him and his response was, "DAMN! It was such a good idea too.")

Turning 30...but not yet!

Everyone has been asking me how I feel about turning 30. Well, it feels fine. At first I thought, "Well here is where it all goes downhill." But, then I thought, "At 30, I am more aware of who I am now and how I feel." Just thinking back to who I was at 20 brought back some uncomfortable memories.

On my 20th birthday I was at Penn State starting my junior year and I was feeling pretty down on myself. I remember feeling lonely and not sure where I was going in my life. I was sharing a closet-sized room with my friend Jessica because I didn't win the coin flip (I never do and I warned her of this fact). We shared bunk beds and she was on the top and I was on the bottom. I even had a poster of The Rock stuck to the underside of her bed. I actually still have a "thing" for him. That hasn't changed in 10 years.

In this shoebox of a room, we used to laugh until we cried because if I was sitting at the desk clicking away on the computer, she couldn't get to her clothes in the dresser. It was pathetic and funny at the same time. We really bonded that year and I think she really helped me through most of my rough times. From scream crying because the guy I liked told me I was "wife material" and he didn't want to date me anymore to staying in Pennsylvania for Easter because my parents wouldn't pick me up. She was there for me and I am very thankful for friends like her.

I have learned, after three decades, that there are true friends and there are fair weather friends. True friends stay with you when you are at your best and remain with you while you are at your worst. Fair weather friends are just around for a good time without any depth or focus on any particulars. It is good to have both in your life, but true friends will remain with you for decades to come and that will add value to your life. So, Tom, Alyson, Colleen, Allison, Leslie, Jonelle, Nicole, Jessica, Jen, Terri, Aneta and Jessica...you are true friends and I am thankful for your loyalty. And for all those friendly folks who I haven't mentioned, I feel your worth and I thank you as well. Friends are the family you choose.

Also, I am far less apprehensive about turning 30 because I will begin my 30 B4 30 project on Thursday of this week. One more day...

A New Project

As the end of my third decade on earth approaches, I have come up with a little plan to rid my life of "no I haven't" and "not yet." I am introducing a 30 B4 30 project where I choose 30 things to complete in the 30 days before my 30th birthday. Every day I will do something I have never done before or learn something I don't already know. Then, I will come on this blog and write about the eccentricities of the day, how that activity affected me and what I learned from it. I am hoping it is an exciting and fun process.

Currently, the list only has 22 items on it, but I am still in the process of populating it and I am soliciting help from everyone I come across. I took some items off of my Life List to add to the 30 B4 30 list because they were important to me when I added them to that list and it would be great to get them done while on deadline.

For the 30 B4 30 project, I have made some stipulations; everything on the list has to be something realistic and close enough in proximity that I can get there or accomplish it within the 30 day limit. So there is no "Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro" or "See the Mona Lisa." It has to be in NY and available.

So, the project begins on August 5 and ends on September 4 when I turn the big 3-0! I will make updates as needed, so keep your eye out...And, make some suggestions of things I should do or learn before I turn 30 because I still need 8 additions to my list.

DMB at Citi Field

This was the second year in a row that I went with my friends to see Dave Matthews Band play on Long Island. This year, fortunately for me, they were preceded by the Zac Brown Band, who I seriously love being that I am a country music fan and have recently traveled to their mother land in Nashville. One of their first songs was "Toes" which is an excellent summer song that requires a beach chair and a Bud Light Lime to fully enjoy, but I was standing in the middle of a crowd of thousands, so I didn't have either and enjoyed it just fine.

Towards the end of their set, they sang "Chicken Fried" and I teared up a little when they got into the part about saluting "the ones who died and the ones who gave their lives so we don't have to sacrifice all the things we love..." It's a fun song, I just get a little emotional when they talk about the pride that lives within being an American. (Pause) But, then I went back to screaming and dancing along with them. Zac Brown even made an announcement about autism awareness and how important it was to help children. Very commendable. They ended their set with a cover of "Killing in the Name of" by Rage Against the Machine. It was pretty great and we rocked out.

Then, around 8:30 p.m., DMB came out and I only knew a handful of the songs they played. I do love Boyd though. He plays the violin and is pretty sick. It always impresses me when a big dude chooses to play such a female-dominated instrument. And, back off with the Yo-Yo Ma comments because you know what I mean. It is just very unexpected. I also noticed that Carter, their drummer, had the best smile. He was just beating on the drums and smiling away, the whole concert! He is part of a pretty amazing band with more than a million fans, so I don't know what there is to frown about, but it was good to see he was having a good time along with the rest of us.

TK was a little perturbed with their choice of encore songs, but I didn't mind because I knew I wouldn't know the words to them anyway. DMB ended with "All Along the Watchtower" and TK started the walk to the car. I stayed with my friend Nicole because I just love and appreciate live music. This may be because I only played the recorder and clarinet in middle school and they never really caught on. I do sing though...alone...in my car.

The entire DMB set list from Saturday is listed here: http://road.davematthewsband.com/SetlistsDir/setlist.asp and my favorite songs of the night were "Funny the Way it is," "Satellite," "Crash" and "Shake Me Like a Monkey." We had a great time and I am looking to go to another concert this summer, but preferably one that I can sit in a seat at least part of the time.

Hairspray at the Patchogue Theatre

I went to see Hairspray at the Patchogue Theatre on July 15 with some colleagues and it was like being transported back the the 1960's where segregation was still prominent and big ridiculous hairstyles were first popular. For this energetic and enterprising era, the costumes were on point and the set design was fitting. It was just so upbeat and fun.

Some people think, (including myself) "How good could the play be? It's in Patchogue," but when I'm wrong, I say I'm wrong and I was definitely wrong this time. Patchogue Theatre really puts on some good shows, especially shows from the Gateway Playhouse. The actors were funny when they were supposed to be and were so lovable. And, whoa, did some of them have some pipes. Especially Motormouth Maybelle who was played by Fran Jaye and really killed it with every song she sang. She practically rattled the theater.

I will admit, for the first 15-20 minutes I really thought Edna Turnblad was played by an overly stocky woman because Jerry O'Boyle was so convincing as the heavyset mother of Tracy Turnblad. (I had to check the playbill.) Edna Turnblad really goes through some personal (emotional, not physical) growth throughout the play and O'Boyle really embodies the development of that part. You really end up admiring him/her.

Tracy Turnblad (Brooke Shapiro), the main character, was a cute and courageous teenager and her friend Penny Pingleton (Sara Jayne Blackmore) was quite the little comedian, especially when she sings that she's, "tasted the chocolate" and is "never going back." She was so expressive, I actually laughed out loud. And, Todrick Hall, from American Idol fame, was Seaweed in this production and didn't try to steal the show or go overboard. He accepted his supporting role status as he belted out the necessary tunes and grooved his way across the stage in dance numbers. I was completely impressed because I wasn't a fan when he was a contestant on Idol. My view has changed, for the most part.

If you don't get it by now, I really liked the show and forgot that I wasn't in NYC at a Broadway version. It was great and the cast worked very well together. What a fun night out!

Down to Tennessee

I just got back from a vacation to Tennessee with my parents and sister-in-law, Erin. We drove down on a Saturday and stayed over in Strasburg, VA. Then on Sunday we continued our journey to Gatlinburg. When we got there we saw a whole string of huge log cabins and a water park at our resort. One of the employees showed us to our room and we had to drive up a winding road all the way up a mountain. Then the guy gave us the news about the black bears that have been known to hang around the mountains, and my mom flipped. She was not happy in the least. Honestly, I think it would be cool to see a bear...from the comfort of my window or a car. I would rather not get my face ripped off for a bag of trash though. After we settled in and my mother yelled a little, we went down to the barbecue restaurant in the main building and then headed to the grocery store to buy some snacks and breakfast for the week. The rooms were nice. We had comfy beds, two shower heads, a jacuzzi tub, plasma TVs and a balcony that overlooked the forest. It was pretty nice, despite the dozen or so centipedes that graced us with their presence every morning and night.

The next day we headed to Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg. They had several really cool exhibits and a Plexiglas tunnel where you can view sharks, stingrays and other fish from underneath. There was also a touch tank with horseshoe crabs and stingrays and a penguin playground, which I obviously loved because they are my FAVORITE. I was able to take some really cool pictures of jellyfish and other interesting sea creatures. After the aquarium, we walked around town in Gatlinburg where I had the most delicious donut at the Donut Friar and then made a few stops in Pigeon Forge, including Cici's Pizza which I have seen one to many commercials for.

Tuesday we left for Nashville and started with lunch at Joe's Crab Shack, another spot I see commercials for but haven't seemed to find in NY (Not sure if you are seeing a trend, but I like to eat.). We then took a bus tour of the area learning about recording studios, history, civil war and music. They have a replica of the Parthenon in a park in Nashville. Why? I don't really know, something about a cultural rebirth of the city...I still find it odd. I also took a walk through the Charlie Daniels Museum and I could smell a musty, moldy smell that was probably left over from the huge flood the area suffered from earlier this summer. Attractions have just started opening while we were there and in full force, which I was happy about. I was especially happy that The Wildhorse Saloon was open because that's where we ate, drank and line danced that night. We also listened to live music by someone named Les Richardson and he was really good, but he played a few too many Tom Petty songs. Sorry fans.

The next day we took a local's recommendation and took a visit to Cheekwood, a botanical garden that had a visiting Dale Chihuly exhibit. The Chihuly pieces were scattered around the gardens, carefully placed in specific spots to emphasize the shine of the glass or the organic shapes of the artwork. They were massive and amazing. After Cheekwood, we headed over to Belle Meade Plantation and took a tour of the mansion the housed the owner of Bonnie Scotland and Iriquois, the most important and most famous horses, respectively. One of the original owners of the plantation was a racist, but the history of it all was interesting. They also had a winery where the employees were so very nice and offered us a free tasting. We ended up buying bottles of Muscadine, a varietal of grape that is popular in the south and creates a very full, sweet tasting wine. It was very good. After stopping at a Sonic, we headed back to Gatlinburg and enjoyed dinner at Mel's Diner. A wonderful name for a food establishment, if I do say so myself.

On Thursday, we waited for my parents to get sales pitches from the timeshare folks and then we headed to Dollywood. The Mystery Mine and Tennessee Tornado roller coasters were great but the Thunderhead left me with a splitting headache and Blazing Fury was more '80's than neon spandex pants. My parents were very impressed by the live entertainment and the talented performers. I didn't see it, but apparently some musician played the banjo like a champ. Then we headed to the buffet dinner that was complimentary with our online ticket and it was called Aunt Granny's. The staff was very friendly and loved our accents.

Friday was our last full day in Gatlinburg so we headed to a Flapjacks for pancakes since we saw about a dozen of them, tried some wine at the Mountain Winery (it was after noon) and then to Zorb Smoky Mountains. I changed into a bathing suit and some shorts that I purchased and headed to the top of the mountain to get into my wet zorb. I got a running start and Super Manned my way into the zorb. Then Erin got in and the girl told us to lie on our backs with our arms crossed, then she zipped up the side and pushed us down the hill. It was so fun, odd and hysterical. We just sloshed all over in the zorb until we got to the bottom of the hill and swallowed a whole gallon of water. It was one of the craziest things I have ever done and it was awesome. My nutty mother did the dry zorb and got strapped into it and flipped over about 30 times. I would have thrown up but she loved it. We made a few more stops at places we wanted to hit before we left, like Smoky Mountain Brewery, the Donut Friar (again), Mayfield's Ice Cream and a few more souvenir spots to make sure we didn't leave anyone out at home.

On Saturday we got up at dawn and started our long journey home, but at least the drive was picturesque and smooth. Nothing unpleasant about it.

Sun + Bomb Pops = Summer!

When the mercury starts rising and the sun starts to make itself more visible, I get excited. Summer on Long Island is so much fun and is full of so many possibilities. This year is no different. It's the taste of a refreshing lemonade, the smell of the ocean, the warm breeze that blows through your hair as the sun sets and, of course, the ringing of the music from Mister Softee as he coasts passed your house. (If he was a real person, I would consider having a torrid affair with him. Sorry TK.) I don't even mind the occasional sunburn because it means I don't have to wear blush for a few days. Ah, summer.

To start off the season, I will be heading to Tennessee with my parents to do a little sightseeing, eat some barbecue and create a few memories. When we get back, it will be Fourth of July, which, as far as I am concerned, is the kick-off of summer and fireworks displays. My Uncle Frankie always has a huge family barbecue at his house with food, drinks and fireworks, and I make it a point to be there early and leave late. I don't know if my family enjoys spending time with me as much as I like spending time with them, but I really don't care. I have a great time.

Since we all love summer, my friends and I have created a whole list of things to do before the leaves start to turn. The list is as follows:

1. Go to Shelter Island (never been)
2. Go to other beaches (we always go to Smithspoint or Corey, snore!)
3. Go mountain biking (I own a very nice, expensive bike)
4. Go to Montauk
5. Go to the wineries
6. Go to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden (never been)
7. Go to the Bronx Zoo (haven't been since I was a child)
8. Go to a Ducks Game (always a nice day out)
9. Go golfing (my new hobby)
10. Go roller skating (haven't roller skated in several years)
11. Go upstate to a drive-in (didn't know they were still around)
12. Go hiking
13. Go to Fire Island
14. Go to Great Adventure (haven't been since 1999)
15. Go to festivals/fairs (one of my favorite things to do)
16. Visit the Pollock Krasner House (always wanted to go)
17. Eat/drink at the Southampton Publick House (I hear the micro brew is great)
18. Go to the GSB Music Fest
19. Go canoeing
20. Have a picnic
21. Hang at a boat club
22. Go to a Dave Matthews concert (already have the tickets)

And then after making the list with my friends, I was motivated to make a list of my own that covers the things I want to do, even if it is by my lonesome:

1. Eat a lobster roll
2. Frame artwork
3. Shop at Loaves & Fishes in Sagaponack (in search of chowder)
4. Ride in a zorb
5. See the Grand Ole Opry
6. Try Tennessee rub BBQ
7. Play golf with someone other than TK (maybe I should branch out)
8. Go fishing with Dad (always some nice QT)

Maybe you have noticed that I like lists, from this post and prior posts, but it keeps me motivated and organized. I just cannot wait to start checking things off the lists, and now that I am leaving for my vacation in a week, I can get started. Bring on the sunshine!

Happy 35th Birthday TK!

I wanted to make TK's 35th birthday a hit so, I planned a big Mets-themed surprise party for him and invited 60 of our family and friends. The food was all ballpark food with a few specialties thrown in, like Spanish rice and Guiness mac & cheese. We had soft pretzels, corn dog bites, hot dogs, hamburgers, salads and fries...all things you would find at Citi Field without looking very hard. I decorated with pennants, signs, blue and orange. For centerpieces, I got mit-shaped bowls and filled them with peanuts, and I got red and white popcorn boxes and filled them with (you guessed it) popcorn. Then I put together a play list on my iPod that included all songs that TK and I like (because I can't completely trust his taste in music) and named it "Party Like its 1975" because I like to be pithy and insult my husband even when he doesn't know I am. I also rented a tent and spent a large part of my tax return on it.

So, it went down like this...my dad took him, my uncle, his friend Matt and his brother Steven golfing that day. TK was pissed that he had to get up early to golf but if he didn't, people would have grown way too impatient waiting for him to arrive and would have left the party. So he golfed all day and then my dad brought him in for the surprise, and I was the only one to say "Surprise!" Oops. He was slightly surprised though because he knew something was going on but didn't know the extent of the planning, time and money spent on the party, of which I am glad.

After all of the planning, running around, secrets, food and fun, TK told me that this was the best birthday he ever had and it was ALL worth it.

Ah, Desert Bliss

We are back from Arizona and we had a great time. Our hotel, Westin Kierland Villas, was beautiful. We had a one bedroom suite with a balcony. There was a "relaxation pool" for adults at the resort so I took it upon myself to spend a couple days there. A woman even came over and brought me ice water as soon as I sat down. One day I even ordered a frozen beverage and a sandwich for lunch. It was lovely to get pampered. The other days of the trip we were pretty active...see below.

• Monday: We went to the Phoenix Zoo where the animals were closer than I have ever experienced. I even rode a camel. It was awesome! At night we went to the mall and to the Yard House. They had 150 beers on tap and gave us a tour of the keg room. It was a crazy sight and it was great to try beers I have never seen or heard of before.
• Tuesday: I hung by the pool, TK hit golf balls and then we headed to the Arizona Diamondbacks game at Chase Field. We started out down the street from the stadium at Alice Cooperstown. It was an interesting mix of sports and rock. The bartenders all had black eye makeup designs on their faces. After eating, we headed to the stadium and it has a retractable dome, a pool in center field and a TGI Fridays in left field where you can see the game. The game was great and corn dogs were only $1.50...What? That is unheard of at Citi Field or Yankee Stadium where prices are so inflated that you need to take out a second mortgage to feed a family of four.
• Wednesday: It was a little chilly out, surprisingly, but I managed to drag TK, kicking and screaming, to the Desert Botanical Gardens. Guys don't like gardens? What? Who knew? Well, this garden had mostly cacti, and a butterfly garden where butterflies landed wherever and whenever they wanted. It was so cool to see them flutter all around you. Then, I promised TK that I would go golfing with him, so we did back at our hotel. We had fun and I realized that I could not channel Annika Sorenstam for any of the 18 holes no matter how hard I tried.
  
• Thursday: We went to Casino Arizona which wasn't the best idea because we donated a large quantity of money in a small quantity of time. I left grumpy and with empty pockets. A quick visit to Sonic, however, helped to lift my mood a little bit.
  
• Friday: We headed to Arizona Mills Outlet Center and stopped at Joe's Crab Shack for lunch. I LOVED it there. The waitstaff dances, the t-shirts are inappropriate and the food is delicious. I am determined to visit another location this summer. After shopping, we found the Four Peaks Brewery and sampled some of their beer. I loved the Arizona Peach, it was crisp and refreshing, and TK loved the Leroy Brown which was a little too dark for me. We visited both of their locations in Arizona. Then, we went back to the hotel and got a car to take us out in Downtown Scottsdale. We hit Shotgun Betty's Rock & Roll Saloon first and that was interesting. Not somewhere I would leave my husband to hang out alone for the night but I did like it there. Then we went to a few others, including the Rusty Spur (where we saw people fail at riding the mechanical bull), American Junkie and Dirty Pretty...We were able to hop from bar to bar because people drive golf carts around the street and work for tips. It was really convenient.
  
• Saturday: It warmed up so I lounged by the pool again and then got ready to play another 18 holes of golf. This time we went to the Camelback Inn to do so. The course was beautiful and the cart had a GPS. I sucked again and this time I did in front of a couple from NY that were in front of us. After my poor showing and a little cleaning up, we went to dinner at McCormick & Schmick's and it was delicious.

On Sunday, we left Arizona and headed to Atlantic City because our trip just wasn't over yet. During our flight from Vegas to Long Island, we had to make an emergency landing in Virginia to reroute around some weather and fuel up. It took us an extra 3 hours to get home. All I was thinking was, "It could be worse. We could have crashed and died," and it helped me through a throbbing headache. Then at 3 a.m., we jumped in the car, made a quick pitstop at 7-11 for eyeopeners and headed to Atlantic City. We stayed at the Showboat, lost more money, ate at Carmine's and Ruth Chris.

In conclusion, I enjoyed Arizona and would go back again and Atlantic City was OK and I don't have to go back for a little while but it is an option if I need to just get away for a long weekend.

Back to the Grind....COUGH!

I went back to work on Monday, but, unfortunately, I fell ill and took Tuesday off. That figures! I have a whole week off and go back for one day before taking another day off. Not a great track record, but I have the days stored up so, what the hey! I am not planning to get preggo or have a serious illness so there is no way I am taking 28 sick days during my tenure here.

Anyways, I returned to work with only a few checks off my t0-do list for the week. I did not attend a yoga class, visit any galleries, have lunch with friends or rent movies. But, I did do a few things. My previous post detailed my pioneer visit to Whole Foods and, unfortunately or fortunately for you, that was in great detail. I took a trip to the mall to get some clothes for my trip to Arizona, that is coming up in two weeks, and came back with a tank, a necklace and a headband. Not my idea of a success. I also got my car washed and placed a lovely papaya-scented air freshener on the rear view and had the car inspected, which led to getting new brakes. However, the hub had the whole car inspection and brake attachment done while I was in the city with a friend. We went to the Museum of Modern Art to see the Tim Burton exhibit. The MOMA is an interesting entity in itself. The artwork is great but some pieces don't fit my fancy. I do appreciate and admire all of the art and artists that are present, but wouldn't exactly hang it in my living room or bedroom where it would be in my viewfinder every day. There was a special "live" exhibit where a female artist sat at a table in what seemed to be a red Snuggie across from an empty chair that any guest of the museum could sit in for any amount of time. It seemed to me that she welcomed the viewer into the art and made them a guest in her creativity. Interesting idea but I didn't feel compelled to sit across from her while she kept a stoic expression on her face. Not my idea of good company.

Nonetheless, the Tim Burton exhibit was wonderfully uncomfortable. How's that for an oxymoron? The pieces on the walls were really interesting and kind of frightful too, but that's Tim for ya! There were clever cartoons, detailed sketches, penned letters to Johnny Depp, movie props and models of characters from the animated and live-motion movies he has created through the years. The images were awesome but eery. Innocent yet odd. Bright but dark. I loved it. The $20 price tag on admission is a little steep for a non-profit organization, but Tim Burton was worth it. I may wait until a free or half admission day, which they do have periodically.

All in all, the week was a good break. It started out really rainy, almost flooded but ended up sunny and cool. If only I could breathe out of my nose...now that would be great.

Day 1 of My Break

I'm starting off my stay-cation spring break on Long Island quite strong. I have already checked one item off of my list of things to do this week.

Today I took a ride with my parents to the new Whole Foods in Lake Grove. If you are unfamiliar with Whole Foods, they sell fresh, organic and natural foods in a comforting and modern atmosphere. The store is huge, but the aisles are slim. Maybe that is because they expect the patrons to be skinny as well, but this is not always the case (I know this firsthand). There are employees peppered throughout the store preparing samples for shoppers. I tried a Cajun tuna steak today that was so delicious. It tasted like a Filet Mignon, no lie. I also tried some apple wheat grass drink and if you could taste the color green, this drink is what it would taste like.

They also had recipes hanging from hooks randomly throughout the aisles. I am a big fan of the free take-away, so I obviously took a few of those. However, they do not have a frequent shopper card, which I also love, but I did get advised by customer service to sign up for e-newsletters and sales on their Web site (Check!). I will pay-it-forward and advise you to do the same. The products aren't the cheapest because you are paying for quality and purity, so you should, and I will, try to save money wherever you can. You can also sign up to have recipes sent to your inbox, an added benefit.

After walking around and enjoying the variety, I finally left the store with a few items in my newly-purchased reusable bag. Those items were:

• cold cuts: turkey, ham and yellow American
  
• two loaves of fresh Jewish rye and organic Italian bread, sliced by the baker
• German mustard
• a bottle of hard cider
• 1/2 lb. of chicken salad
• 1/2 lb. of potato salad
• 1/2 lb. of pasta salad
• cocoa butter lotion

I spent a little over $40 but am very happy with the result. I just wish I had a $100 gift card so I could give a few more things a try, like that seasoned tuna steak. Mmmm...

Yay for Spring Break

This week (March 29 - April 2) I have off for spring break. Time off is one of the benefits of working for a college. So, since I have this stay-cation off, I have made a list of things to accomplish while I am spending time on Long Island. These items are not too serious, but they do make a difference:

1. Attend a yoga class at Yoga for Life using the gift certificate I received for Valentine's Day.
2. Go to Whole Foods and buy some "good for me" foods.
3. Go to the MOMA to see the Tim Burton exhibit.
4. Get my car washed.
5. Get my car inspected.
6. Visit the C squared Gallery and the WH Design Studio, both in Patchogue.
7. Go shopping at H&M for Arizona with the gift card I received for Christmas.
8. Have lunch with a friend or friends.
   
9. Rent movies from the Red Box.

And, GO!

Hoping The Deep End doesn't go off the deep end

There is a new show on ABC that I really enjoy. The Deep End is about five first year lawyers at a very demanding law firm. One of the two first year females is the actress that played Deb in Napoleon Dynamite. The partners that mentor the first years at the firm are Billy Zane as the angry one, Nicole Ari Parker as the tough one, Clancy Brown as the nice one and Norbert Leo Butz as the crazy one (he's new).

The first years are brave, smart and charming and I think they are doing what most young professionals, like me, wish they were doing; they are kicking butt and taking names. They are beginning their careers with a full sprint. They are following their dreams no matter who tries to get in their way.

There have only been five episodes, but I am hoping that there will be more. I will go as far as to say that The Deep End is the Grey's Anatomy for the suits and ties of the world. This show is perfect for us Generation Yers who would rather cut people up with words than scalpels.

If you want to see what I am talking about, go to www.abc.com and watch a full episode or five.

Namaste!

I have begun taking yoga classes at work. They are free and taught by a colleague of mine who works in the wellness area of the College. She has the ideal yoga body and really knows what she is talking about, so I completely trust her and take direction from her whenever necessary.

For starters, I bought a new yoga mat because I think everyone should have their own, especially if they are going to sweat, which I have been known to do. I chose the mat in an olive green shade because I thought it would reflect the natural earthiness I am trying to absorb. Hey, every little bit helps.

Unfortunately, there have been some poses that I have felt like a chunk doing because I am trying to fold myself into positions that boobs and rolls do not fit into. My teacher does not have this problem. She contorts into whatever the next pose is with ease. I just get there eventually.

Yoga makes me feel relaxed and active at the same time. Not many things allow for the commingling of both of these emotions, but alas, yoga does. I also enjoy doing something good and natural for myself. Well, except for the part that I make sure not to let out a fart while I am stretching and contorting. If that were to happen, it would be very disadvantageous for me and my fellow classmates. So, as I hold poses, I also hold it "all" in. Ahhhhh...namaste!

I Will Never Learn...Enough!

Another semester begins tomorrow and I registered for two classes this time; Organizational Behavior and Process of Management. They are 100-level classes so I took two just to get them out of the way. I have taken two other classes already, HR Management and HR Law and only have one left to obtain a certification in human resources management. Since I already have a bachelor's degree and a master's degree, why not a certificate?

I have three basic reasons for taking MORE classes: 1. It is practically free, 2. I can never learn enough and 3. I enjoy being a student. Some people believe school is torture, but I like cognitive thinking. I enjoy the whole process. Expanding your knowledge base outside of your comfort zone and coming up with answers to questions that you would never ask yourself is just plain interesting. Knowledge is something no one can ever take away from you. That is empowering.

I could have taken classes in art or art history or even communication, but I didn't. I decided that employee relations is something I am unfamiliar with so, why not immerse myself in it at almost 30 years old? No one ever stops learning. It is like Duke says in G.I. Joe, "Now you know and knowing is half the battle." You learn something new everyday, no matter how resistant you are to it and even if it is just that Samoa puts more players in the NFL than any other location per capita. That's what I learned today.

Food Network Fiasco

I began my day today by writing a scathing, yet respectful email to Jim Dolan at Cablevision to describe and submit my displeasure with their choice to yank Food Network and HGTV from my television lineup.

The letter went a little like this:

"Good morning. First let me begin by stating that I am a Cablevision subscriber, with my cable, Internet, and phone provided by your company. I have been a subscriber for almost four years and am very upset by the recent proceedings. I have fast Internet service, which I enjoy. I have reliable phone service, which I am content with, but my television service, because of recent events, has made me very unhappy."

I usually wake up, reasonably late, on a Saturday or Sunday morning and turn on channel 766, Food Network in HD. Normally, I awaken my groggy self by watching Ina Garten, Paula Deen, or Sandra Lee make something so delicious that I wished I had smell-o-vision. But, not this weekend, Saturday there was a white screen where Food Network used to air a statement about how they are "sorry" played over and over, ad nauseam.

I continue:

"I have enjoyed watching the Food Network for years and do not think that it is fair to pull the channel because of a lack of compromise between Cablevision and Scripps. Your subscribers are loyal and have been slapped in the face by this maneuver when we want nothing but to turn on the television and watch what interests us. Families sit together and watch programming from the very channels you have omitted from your services. Your company's job is to provide subscribers with televised entertainment on a regular, reliable basis and we pay a lot for you to do so. You have sullied this experience for us by pulling the two channels from your programming that we enjoy and we will not be satisfied until they return."

I am completely prepared to stand behind this statement. How can I go to bed without Guy Fieri and Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on the TV? I can't! It has already affected my slumber. I put on Food Network because I know scary commercials don't air at night while I am in bed, something I heard Jennifer Lopez say and completely understand because I feel the same way. This is affecting a lot of people's lives, including my own.

"I know that there are a lot of viewers who are angered by the inability to watch the Food Network and HGTV and, unfortunately, I do not think that they will tire from their efforts to restore these channels to their rightful locations on our televisions."

There are a lot of people who are not happy with Cablevision's inability to negotiate a reasonable contract with Scripps. Whenever I bring it up in conversation or on Facebook or Twitter, people chime in with their disgust. This is a travesty and a violation of our rights as Cablevision subscribers and Long Island community members. We cannot be powerless to big business, we must let our voices be heard. I pay a lot of money every month and it is not to get disrespected and brushed aside. I will not stand idly by as my rights and interests are disregarded. I know you may think this a trivial cause, but it is like the late Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." And how true that remains!

Join the cause: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/427393 or send an ecard http://ilovefoodnetwork.com and help us fight for what we believe in, a life full of recipes we would rather eat than create and television chefs who have our stomachs growling before they are even finished introducing themselves. Ah...the Food Network! Culinarians unite.