When was the last time you heard me bitch about Savannah? Oh, has it only been a day? Hm, time goes by fast, huh. Well, I don't care...I fucking dislike Savannah.
Despite all of the great things to like, or dare I say, even LOVE, about this town, there are just so many issues that just get under your skin. Savannah trys to cloak a sophisticate air around what is essentially a year long Spring Break. It wants to be creative, sultry, cosmopolitan. But it's hard to be all of those things when you're allowed to walk around town with a plastic cup filled with beer. It's proud of it's 'southern hospitality.' But being hospitable means that instead of verbally sneering you, they'll just ignore you (why, isn't that nicer?).
Savannah is like that scene in Beetlejuice, where Gina Davis and Alec Baldwin are in the 'other-world' waiting room. No, it's worse than that. This is the place where big city Northerners have come when they've given up.
Politics are just as cut-throat at any big town. They count on community ignorance and inactivity, and it's amply provided. Crime here is frequent and difficult to control. Cultural entertainment is presumptuous and pompous. The good stuff is so far underground it's in China by now. New residents are like the tourist; only stopping by for the night on the way to a bigger tourist-trap of a town.
To be honest, I'm not having a bad day. I'm totally lucid and am in a focused place right now. I've made friends with a few genuinely great people. And I've carved a little place for myself. I think I'm social enough to make the best of any situation or location. I just want better for myself. And it's not here.
2.07.2012
12.15.2011
christmas time
I am determined to make this a wonderful Christmas; so help me god if it kills me and everyone within a 15 foot radius. I finally have the space to put up my tree, decorate my windows and other interesting architectural accents, make wreaths (yes, I made two so far), and a closet big enough to really hide the presents. I even made homemade bows. Me...handmade....fluffed bows made from ribbon with wires...too cool.
The best part of all....I am constructing a play kitchen for the babe. I was all set to purchase a wooden one from somewhere and then I saw a mommy-blogger's site and she had made a toddler-sized coffee shop made from cardboard. Genius! Toddlers don't know their own strength, so if it gets destroyed or if she grows out of it I won't cry from having spend over a hundred dollars on a toy that lasted for a short while. Plus, I can put all of that money I spent on accessories for the kitchen, like a play coffee maker and toaster so my daughter can get into the habit of making mommy breakfast. I hope I can remember to take pics of the process. I've got one piece 80% constructed. Woohoo, mom's on fire and she's smokin'!
Ah, now for the worst part of all....no snow, no friends, no big f'in tree surrounded by tourists. I'm sick over not being in NYC this year. My in-laws were in town earlier this week and one of them asked my other if he missed NY. "Yeah, sometimes." Insert knife in heart. Every time I asked that to him the answer was always, no. I was starting to believe that he either A. didn't have a heart, or B. was protecting mine because I made a huge leap of faith to follow him down the I-95 corridor for a job when he already had a pretty good job back in NY. *sigh*
I guess I'm trying to overcompensate the Christmas cheer around here. Oh well, at least I'll have my creature comforts and my handmade wreaths. (and my family).
The best part of all....I am constructing a play kitchen for the babe. I was all set to purchase a wooden one from somewhere and then I saw a mommy-blogger's site and she had made a toddler-sized coffee shop made from cardboard. Genius! Toddlers don't know their own strength, so if it gets destroyed or if she grows out of it I won't cry from having spend over a hundred dollars on a toy that lasted for a short while. Plus, I can put all of that money I spent on accessories for the kitchen, like a play coffee maker and toaster so my daughter can get into the habit of making mommy breakfast. I hope I can remember to take pics of the process. I've got one piece 80% constructed. Woohoo, mom's on fire and she's smokin'!
Ah, now for the worst part of all....no snow, no friends, no big f'in tree surrounded by tourists. I'm sick over not being in NYC this year. My in-laws were in town earlier this week and one of them asked my other if he missed NY. "Yeah, sometimes." Insert knife in heart. Every time I asked that to him the answer was always, no. I was starting to believe that he either A. didn't have a heart, or B. was protecting mine because I made a huge leap of faith to follow him down the I-95 corridor for a job when he already had a pretty good job back in NY. *sigh*
I guess I'm trying to overcompensate the Christmas cheer around here. Oh well, at least I'll have my creature comforts and my handmade wreaths. (and my family).
10.27.2011
it's not my party and I'll still cry if I want to
A family member of mine is getting married this weekend. Instead of being happy, I'm pissing and moaning (internally, of course) about the whole thing. It cuts into my Halloween weekend. It takes 8 hours to drive to the destination and 8 hours back. With a toddler, that means two days of travel for a 3 hour event. I was asked to be a bridesmaid. I spent $40 on a dress and $140 on alterations. The dress HAD to be floor length. Going to this event cuts into any other potential friend or family visiting. I don't even get along with this family member. I'm just participating for the sake of the family.
Ugh!! I have so many conflicted and unresolved issues with this person and the family has a general consensus to NOT bring up grievances with this person for fear of causing problems. This person has spend their entire teenage and adult life causing others problems and we don't discuss with this person because we don't want to upset them. CRAP!
I just had to type this out because there are some other people in my life who do not want to hear my complaining. So, I say, thank you. Thank you, dear faceless internet, for not judging and just being there to hear my bitching and moaning.
Ugh!! I have so many conflicted and unresolved issues with this person and the family has a general consensus to NOT bring up grievances with this person for fear of causing problems. This person has spend their entire teenage and adult life causing others problems and we don't discuss with this person because we don't want to upset them. CRAP!
I just had to type this out because there are some other people in my life who do not want to hear my complaining. So, I say, thank you. Thank you, dear faceless internet, for not judging and just being there to hear my bitching and moaning.
10.25.2011
just sayin'
I'm not crazy about Savannah. Oh, sure, the historic homes are beautiful, there are some good entertainments, the culture is better than decent, and the people watching is top notch. But......
....I hate that everyone who lives here is looking for another place to move to or they are southern-snob. Either way, it's very hard to be friends with them.
....I hate that for all of the "food festivals" they have here (and OMG, peeps, they have one every month), the food is sub-par. Seriously, people, just because it's the south and because the perception is that everyone here is a raving alcoholic does not mean it's okay to soak your baklava in ouzu. It taste like ass.
....I hate that everything of general necessity has to be gotten to via car. I live in a great "walkable" neighborhood. I should be able to walk to most of the places I need to go to, like the doctor's office.
....I hate that crime is just something everyone here lives with, because it happens to just about everyone.
....I hate that I don't feel at home in the city that is supposed to be known for it's southern hospitality.
....I hate that everyone who lives here is looking for another place to move to or they are southern-snob. Either way, it's very hard to be friends with them.
....I hate that for all of the "food festivals" they have here (and OMG, peeps, they have one every month), the food is sub-par. Seriously, people, just because it's the south and because the perception is that everyone here is a raving alcoholic does not mean it's okay to soak your baklava in ouzu. It taste like ass.
....I hate that everything of general necessity has to be gotten to via car. I live in a great "walkable" neighborhood. I should be able to walk to most of the places I need to go to, like the doctor's office.
....I hate that crime is just something everyone here lives with, because it happens to just about everyone.
....I hate that I don't feel at home in the city that is supposed to be known for it's southern hospitality.
5.17.2011
My brain can't catch up to my eyes.
I know you've missed my "alleged misreadings." Here's a new one for ya'll:
Actual article title: "Aerial spraying under way"
What I read: "Anal spraying under way"
I don't even KNOW what anal spraying is. But it does sound messy.
Actual article title: "Aerial spraying under way"
What I read: "Anal spraying under way"
I don't even KNOW what anal spraying is. But it does sound messy.
3.26.2011
lowcountry news
Wow, I am really behind in reporting my happenings in Slow'vannah. Where to start?
Eliza is growing and changing so much every day. When we go out for our daily walk, lots of people comment on how cute she is or giggle when she waves to them. If someone stops to chat, they are thoroughly impressed with how social and talkative she is. Well, not full words talkative, but when we practice talking at home she thinks she's being understood and therefore everyone in the world can understand her, too. Like, full on conversations. With inflections, dramatic pauses, and sometimes, run-on sentences. Too cute.
Her sign language is good. Really good. With in the last month, she's picked up 5 new signs. She's recently begun to use them by her own imitative. Today, she put two of them together to make a sentence (milk, please). I'm pretty sure I've never be prouder of anything in my entire life!
Oh, and one last thing... she gives kisses. Big, opened mouth, wet kisses, complete with a great big "aaaahhh" thrown in for emphasis. I adore it every time.
I need videos of all of these moments. Our camera had died. I put PK in charge of the task of purchasing a new one. I'm pretty sure he's waiting on me to do something. I have no f-in idea what that something is, but when he wakes up from his nap with Eliza I'll have to use my powers of nagging for good, not evil, to get him on this.
We've starting planting. We found a seed store and purchased peat pots, potting soil and seeds to begin our foray into home gardening. That was last week. Veggies, flowers and herbs were planted and so far we have a few seedlings that we are patting our selves on the back for. Mesclun, broccoli, radishes, and a bunch of wallflowers and marigolds are beginning to make themselves known. As for tomatoes and lavender (the two I really want flourishing in my garden) and a spattering of other random fun plants, they have yet to arrive. Maybe this week.
Eliza and I attend an art class at a really cool railroad museum. The last 4 weeks we have gone to The Roundhouse Railroad Museum to take a Toddler Art class meant for kids under 2. Nice and messy. Eliza seems to like being there and adores the teacher, but she'd rather take things from one table to another than play with the paints. I'm not sure if it's because she doesn't have the manual dexiterity to hold onto and manipulate crayons and brushes or if she's not really into it. At home, I'll keep encouraging and trying some new art projects for her to do (perhaps a toddler-safe form of collage or finger paint). But she recognizes what a painting is and appreciates it aesthetically. I'm blown away by the thought that my daughter already has an aesthetic opinion. Amazing. I think when this class is done, we'll try a music class. Hopefully nothing as manic as the music class we took at Kidville.
PK starts the new academic quarter on Monday. I think he really likes the challenges of what he's doing and has a new appreciation of what it takes to be a college professor. He also puts in 150% of his time and energy to that job.
Me, well, I tried to sign up for a class at the college, but since it was a free class as a part of the hub's benefits I'm not sure if I was even eligible to take the class at all. Since the class starts on Tuesday and I haven't heard back from admissions if I could even take the class, I'm taking that as a sign that this quater is not a go. That's okay. I can either attend a Stitch n Bitch locally or take a cake decorating class at Michaels. But both happen on the same night. What would you do? I'm sure it doesn't matter what I take, as long as I get out of the house. It's dawning on me that I'm meeting potential friends through my daughter. Unknowingly, she's my social secretary. I'm not sure how to feel about that.
Eliza is growing and changing so much every day. When we go out for our daily walk, lots of people comment on how cute she is or giggle when she waves to them. If someone stops to chat, they are thoroughly impressed with how social and talkative she is. Well, not full words talkative, but when we practice talking at home she thinks she's being understood and therefore everyone in the world can understand her, too. Like, full on conversations. With inflections, dramatic pauses, and sometimes, run-on sentences. Too cute.
Her sign language is good. Really good. With in the last month, she's picked up 5 new signs. She's recently begun to use them by her own imitative. Today, she put two of them together to make a sentence (milk, please). I'm pretty sure I've never be prouder of anything in my entire life!
Oh, and one last thing... she gives kisses. Big, opened mouth, wet kisses, complete with a great big "aaaahhh" thrown in for emphasis. I adore it every time.
I need videos of all of these moments. Our camera had died. I put PK in charge of the task of purchasing a new one. I'm pretty sure he's waiting on me to do something. I have no f-in idea what that something is, but when he wakes up from his nap with Eliza I'll have to use my powers of nagging for good, not evil, to get him on this.
We've starting planting. We found a seed store and purchased peat pots, potting soil and seeds to begin our foray into home gardening. That was last week. Veggies, flowers and herbs were planted and so far we have a few seedlings that we are patting our selves on the back for. Mesclun, broccoli, radishes, and a bunch of wallflowers and marigolds are beginning to make themselves known. As for tomatoes and lavender (the two I really want flourishing in my garden) and a spattering of other random fun plants, they have yet to arrive. Maybe this week.
Eliza and I attend an art class at a really cool railroad museum. The last 4 weeks we have gone to The Roundhouse Railroad Museum to take a Toddler Art class meant for kids under 2. Nice and messy. Eliza seems to like being there and adores the teacher, but she'd rather take things from one table to another than play with the paints. I'm not sure if it's because she doesn't have the manual dexiterity to hold onto and manipulate crayons and brushes or if she's not really into it. At home, I'll keep encouraging and trying some new art projects for her to do (perhaps a toddler-safe form of collage or finger paint). But she recognizes what a painting is and appreciates it aesthetically. I'm blown away by the thought that my daughter already has an aesthetic opinion. Amazing. I think when this class is done, we'll try a music class. Hopefully nothing as manic as the music class we took at Kidville.
PK starts the new academic quarter on Monday. I think he really likes the challenges of what he's doing and has a new appreciation of what it takes to be a college professor. He also puts in 150% of his time and energy to that job.
Me, well, I tried to sign up for a class at the college, but since it was a free class as a part of the hub's benefits I'm not sure if I was even eligible to take the class at all. Since the class starts on Tuesday and I haven't heard back from admissions if I could even take the class, I'm taking that as a sign that this quater is not a go. That's okay. I can either attend a Stitch n Bitch locally or take a cake decorating class at Michaels. But both happen on the same night. What would you do? I'm sure it doesn't matter what I take, as long as I get out of the house. It's dawning on me that I'm meeting potential friends through my daughter. Unknowingly, she's my social secretary. I'm not sure how to feel about that.
1.18.2011
tk in the garden of good and evil
Hey y'all! The baby's sleeping, so I thought that I'd write a quick note to my loved ones and devotees.
Sooooo.... we're in Savannah and the vacation mode that I've been living in for the last month is still there. It doesn't feel quite real to be gone from NYC. Perhaps because the last year of my life there I've been uber-localized in Astoria with the baby, and haven't been my social self, that has added to my the thoughts of, "oh, I'll see so-and-so next week," and "and I'll try to see such-and-such before it closes." There was a line about 'old so-and-so' in Urinetown, but I can't quite remember how it goes. Oh, well, and off track.
I've been very adamant about living a NYC lifestyle in the south, and Savannah seems the most likely place to do that. We live in the Historic District, which is only 1 sq mile in area. Astounding! Considering Astoria was 3 square miles. And I don't nearly see as many people walking about, besides tourists, which I'm sure will pick up more towards spring. We live very, very, close to Forsyth Park and a wonderful playground (bonus) and 2 blocks away from the only grocery store that serves the neighborhood. We've found our local breakfast diner (world famous Clary's) where the waitresses already know us, and know our post man and UPS driver by first name, already. We've found one of the local bookstores (E. Shaver) and seem to be integrating ourselves in a friendly manner, thus far.
Let me dispell some thoughts and questions you may have. No, I have not seen Paula Deen in person (but I am on the look out for either one of those cute sons of her's); I have not done "the Book" tour... yet; I am waiting until Eliza is a bit older before I wait in line for Mrs. Wilkes or until one of you visit; and finally, I am not one of the groupies of the Lady Chablis.
If you haven't seen "the Movie" or read "the Book" (which is what the locals , or I believe just he tourism industry, call "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil") please do both. They are really excellent and romanticize Savannah and the Historic District to the point of making things seem like the area is one large Southern Gothic side show. The closest I've seen thus far is Mrs. Bradley, the wife of Mr Bradley of locally famous Bradley's Lock and Key. Her bleached blond, over blown-out and sprayed hair and half pound of make up make her ripe for a local legend. All I've seen in my 3 weeks of being here is a bunch of college students molding themselves into starving artists and frat boys.
I'll try to post pictures, but in the mean time, check out my FB profile for random camera phone shots. I miss you all very dearly and feel melancholy about missing out on the snow-ins this year, Christmas and New Years in the city, and warm visits over cupcakes with friends.
Hugs and kisses to everyone.
P.S. Should I change the title of my blog? I'm hesitant, because I feel you'll never really be able to take NYC away from me.
Sooooo.... we're in Savannah and the vacation mode that I've been living in for the last month is still there. It doesn't feel quite real to be gone from NYC. Perhaps because the last year of my life there I've been uber-localized in Astoria with the baby, and haven't been my social self, that has added to my the thoughts of, "oh, I'll see so-and-so next week," and "and I'll try to see such-and-such before it closes." There was a line about 'old so-and-so' in Urinetown, but I can't quite remember how it goes. Oh, well, and off track.
I've been very adamant about living a NYC lifestyle in the south, and Savannah seems the most likely place to do that. We live in the Historic District, which is only 1 sq mile in area. Astounding! Considering Astoria was 3 square miles. And I don't nearly see as many people walking about, besides tourists, which I'm sure will pick up more towards spring. We live very, very, close to Forsyth Park and a wonderful playground (bonus) and 2 blocks away from the only grocery store that serves the neighborhood. We've found our local breakfast diner (world famous Clary's) where the waitresses already know us, and know our post man and UPS driver by first name, already. We've found one of the local bookstores (E. Shaver) and seem to be integrating ourselves in a friendly manner, thus far.
Let me dispell some thoughts and questions you may have. No, I have not seen Paula Deen in person (but I am on the look out for either one of those cute sons of her's); I have not done "the Book" tour... yet; I am waiting until Eliza is a bit older before I wait in line for Mrs. Wilkes or until one of you visit; and finally, I am not one of the groupies of the Lady Chablis.
If you haven't seen "the Movie" or read "the Book" (which is what the locals , or I believe just he tourism industry, call "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil") please do both. They are really excellent and romanticize Savannah and the Historic District to the point of making things seem like the area is one large Southern Gothic side show. The closest I've seen thus far is Mrs. Bradley, the wife of Mr Bradley of locally famous Bradley's Lock and Key. Her bleached blond, over blown-out and sprayed hair and half pound of make up make her ripe for a local legend. All I've seen in my 3 weeks of being here is a bunch of college students molding themselves into starving artists and frat boys.
I'll try to post pictures, but in the mean time, check out my FB profile for random camera phone shots. I miss you all very dearly and feel melancholy about missing out on the snow-ins this year, Christmas and New Years in the city, and warm visits over cupcakes with friends.
Hugs and kisses to everyone.
P.S. Should I change the title of my blog? I'm hesitant, because I feel you'll never really be able to take NYC away from me.
9.02.2010
(uuuuuuuh)
It has taken me over 3 months to think up something to write on this blog.
And I think the well is still dry. *sigh*
And I think the well is still dry. *sigh*
5.16.2010
wouldn't it be loverly if.....
...10 Hershey's Kisses made up for a day of half-eaten meals, a 2 hour walk with a baby who refused to sleep (only to fall asleep 1 block away from home and therefore extended that walk by 30 minutes), and another "conversation" with my other about how his presence on the weekends around baby during naptimes actually IS disruptive. Realistically speaking, 10 Hershey's Kisses does not make things better.
*sigh*
Guess I'll have to eat the entire bag.
*sigh*
Guess I'll have to eat the entire bag.
3.28.2010
wasn't it sunday yesterday?
I think this is the first day since the bebe was born that I stayed up to post and futz on the interweb. Eliza is sleeping and so is her daddy and I'm okay with taking this time to get some stuff done. After all, I put her to sleep and had to get up 3 more times to calm her after she woke up. I deserve this.
On a different note, I want to say that this year the Easter Bunny is going to kick some ass. I just put together a beautiful basket for my daughter. It's filled with all sorts of goodies only an infant and her mother could love: stuffed bunnies, books, clothes, and a tummy-time toy. And I'm proud to say that all of her items are Easter and/or Spring themed (I rock!). It is also decorated in a most green way (from items I already had and all of it can be reused again). I'm also setting myself up for a few years of trying to top the greatness that I will be achieving each and every year (I'm just a little modest, aren't I?) but I'm up to the challenge.
Lastly, I love, love, love being a mommy and have an awesomely cute baby. I think that I work hard at making sure Eliza is happy, active and loved, but I didn't expect the sort of attachment that she and I have created. For example, because we're co-sleeping, she'll turn on her side towards me and with her eyes closed she'll find my nose with her hand and grab on tight to make sure I don't leave her. I think that's totally sweet, even if she inadvertently deprives me of a little oxygen every now and then.
On a different note, I want to say that this year the Easter Bunny is going to kick some ass. I just put together a beautiful basket for my daughter. It's filled with all sorts of goodies only an infant and her mother could love: stuffed bunnies, books, clothes, and a tummy-time toy. And I'm proud to say that all of her items are Easter and/or Spring themed (I rock!). It is also decorated in a most green way (from items I already had and all of it can be reused again). I'm also setting myself up for a few years of trying to top the greatness that I will be achieving each and every year (I'm just a little modest, aren't I?) but I'm up to the challenge.
Lastly, I love, love, love being a mommy and have an awesomely cute baby. I think that I work hard at making sure Eliza is happy, active and loved, but I didn't expect the sort of attachment that she and I have created. For example, because we're co-sleeping, she'll turn on her side towards me and with her eyes closed she'll find my nose with her hand and grab on tight to make sure I don't leave her. I think that's totally sweet, even if she inadvertently deprives me of a little oxygen every now and then.
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