No More Cubicle 2010

Ah, 2010. Sounds like a Sci-Fi movie or an impossibly far off, distant future that could never actually exist. But, it's happening, it's here. And, considering the countdown to the end of the world is in full swing (in certain circles anyway... 2010 isn't it?), I decided now's as good a time as ever to re-evaluate my career. And, all that re-evaluating led me to one realization - my career sucks.

D'oh.

So, I'm launching my Attack Plan - and the end goal? No More Cubicle 2010.

A noble goal, really. World peace, worldwide literacy at all socio-economic levels, an end to AIDS, oh, and me trying to get the f*@% out of that little place known as Corporate America.

So, we're roughly 12 days in, and well, 2010 finds me in a cubicle. But, here's to hoping we close out the year somewhere different. Don't get me wrong, in the midst of all this economic meltdown business, I am more than thankful and more than fortunate to have a job - and I do realize that. But, I do think it's time to rethink an renegotiate - so, here I am - rethinking and renegotiating.

And, just to keep me honest, I'm going to share my little attack plan with you all ("you all" being my 1-3 readers...) and keep you updated on the progress throughout the year. And, see where 2010 takes me... or more honestly, where I take myself.

Attack Plan - No More Cubicle 2010

• Take classes at the Upright Citizen's Brigade here in NYC (for those of you keeping count, they begin this Jan - the 25th to be exact).
• Take writing classes (1st class kicks off at NYU in Feb)
• Blog weekly (I am aware that this has, so far, been a blog without the blogging. I'm going to work on changing that. Just hope I have something interesting to say. Or, if not, I at least just say stuff anyway)
• Write a children's book (already in draft form - the concept and storyline is there, now I just need to cmmit it to paper. Always my challenge.)
• Get Chocolate Chaos Chopstick (working title) into working order and submit it out for review

• Oh, and run the NYC marathon in sub 4 hours...

• And, one more thing, try not to be the most self-involved girlfriend ever while trying to tackle all this

So, there it is. I'm hoping something will stick - something. Something, out of all this, will lead me to something new, something different, something that doesn't involve a cubicle. I don't want to be one of those people that totally relates to Dilbert cartoons. Or Cathy cartoons for that matter, but that's a different matter entirely.

Guess we'll see what happens. At the very least this year I plan to fully enjoy the ride. And listen to a lot of Lady Gaga.

Peace.

Half-baked biscuits. Mmmmm.... biscuits

Oh, Clinton Street Bakery how I love thee. With your inevitable 1.5+ hour long wait for weekend brunch, and small, no frills atmosphere, I still love thee. I'd wanted to go there for nearly 2 ½ years now, since my early days in NYC living in the LES but I never could make the wait. No matter the weekend, no matter the year (at least since summer of 2007, as that’s all I can confirm), there’s a herd of hipsters mingling around awaiting a table. Despite hearing rave reviews, I’d never been able to wait it out, it’s pretty hard in NYC, the city of “the brunch,” with hundreds of thousands of diverse and delicious restaurant options throughout the city, to be told to wait.

But, at Clinton Street, weekend, week-out people wait. They wait in little hungry herds of irony, from all over the city. Heck, I think even some of the good ole’ B&T get in on the waiting action.

But, yesterday, well yesterday I came with a plan. After we were granted with our estimated wait time (the ubiquitous and expected and inaccurate 1.5 hour) we headed down the street to Cocoa Bar for some coffee and chocolate while we hunkered down and waited out the wait.

To start my weekend off with a drink called the “Funky Monkey" and a dark chocolate/cherry/coconut piece of deliciousness, followed by a biscuit-infused brunch was, well, awesome.

A great rainy, chill autumn Saturday…

2-9, yo

So, this is what 29 feels like. I think I'm going to have to grow into it, but it's a nice fit overall. Afterall, we all know (New Yorkers especially, in this little playground of ours...) 30 is the new 20, which makes 29 the new 19. And, this year is certainly going to rock a lot more than 19. It's like 19 with an expense account. 19 with more money, better clothes, and fewer loser boyfriends, and less exams. Sounds lovely actually...

28 was a pretty awesome year - can't lie about that. But, my career certainly wasn't the shiniest of spots - it wasn't exactly a year of creative, fulfilling, passionate work... And, while I happily took my paychecks, and refused to feel an ounce of guilt for bouncing out of my wee lil' cubicle at 5 on the dot, I still couldn't help but feel there must be something more out there... I just know another year of 9-5 cubicle monotomy is not going to make for a happy J. Nicole... So, this year? So, what's on tap for the 9th year of my third decade of life? Well, more satisfying work - it's the year of finding what makes me happy and going for it.

I've got the boyfriend (greatest in history, or so they say), the apartment, and some killer friends - and an ability to shamelessly gloat about it on my blog. But, this year? Well, this year, it's time to shamelessly go for something bigger, better, more creative, more interesting and less, well, life sucking in terms of work. I'm going to go back to my roots - and do what I do best. Take big risks, do crazy things, be adventurous and audacious. And, I'm not settling for just a paycheck paired with banal work.

So, this year? Well, this year is the year of the blog post. It's the year of improv classes. It's the year of finishing my first book (and submitting the heck out of it). It's the year of a different direction in my career and in my life. And, well, I guess it started today.

So, here's my blog post. And, the start of something more, something new, something different. Out with the old and in with the new...

Now, if someone could just tell me where Britney Spears will be this evening at 6p. I'm on a mission to find her and win those two damn front row tickes. Anyone?

Where's the other 1/2?

Ran the NYC 1/2 marathon this past weekend. And, it was pretty cool - a loop around Central Park (albeit a very loooooooong loop), then down 7th Avenue to Times Square (for the Cheer-along sing-along of various Broadway hits, complete with a jumbo screen of the words to follow along with...) then we went west on 42nd to the West Side Highway. And, continued south to the finish running, literally, on the West Side Drive- with South bound traffic closed for the race. For those of you who were driving on Sunday in Manhattan (or should I say, attempting to drive on Sunday), all apologies.

It was a good time, hot as...well, hell, and far. Far especially for a girl like me who didn't exactly bother with the whole "training" component of the 1/2 marathon. A key component really. But, like my entire year of races - I just keep showing up. Not sure I'll be able to "just show up" to the full marathon next year (2010), so hopefully eventually I'll try out that "training" thing. But, for now... well, I'm just sitting here with some sore quads - glad I did it, and glad it's over.

Next race - More Fitness 4-miler. In Central Park in September - an easy, 4 miles. In the meantime I'm just thankful for a little reprieve from races - and thankful to be sleeping in for the next few weekends to come....

And just counting down the last few days of being able to say "I'm 28" - 28 - a great year indeed.

Hey blog. How ya doin'? Say hello to your mother for me. I miss you, I promise to write soon... - J. Nicole

Both droll and inspired

Hit up the Sounds Like Brooklyn music fest to see Clap Your Hands Say Yeah at the BAM Opera Hall. And, it was pretty rad. All the chill but spirited and upbeat head bobbing, the use of four guitars and and a myraid of other instruments made for a rad evening. Valentine’s Day eve…

We will overcome H8

We will.

Let there be a repeal.

Let us look toward the future - NYC, let's legalize

Let the dialouge continue, grow stronger, change the minds of the close-minded

Let our country embrace love, in all its outlets, expressions and forms

Let us not discriminate. Let us not hate.

Again, this isn't just about California...
Arizona, Florida, Arkansas - ignorance nationwide,worldwide - we're looking at you too.