Day 363 - Treat Self to a Slightly Overpriced Mani/Pedi

Complimentary "Girls Night Out" Cosmo @ Dashing Diva

So... my nails don't look the greatest here (the shot is pre-manicure) but I am very happy to cross the Dashing Diva experience off my list!

I'm not sure why this chain has intrigued me for so long.  Maybe it's all the pink.  Maybe the DD exclusive line of polish choices.  Maybe (and most likely) the promise of a free cosmo with a Thursday evening treatment.

By contrast, what I've been held back by are the prices.  Most of us know that nails are one of the few bargains to be had in this city, and I've typically opted for the last minute quick-and-dirty variety.  Here and there, though, I think it's a nice thing to treat yourself.  And at $50, pre-tip, it's not like we're talking about TOO extravagant a spend.

The divas threw in a handful of extras that make the evening feel a little special.  In addition to the aforementioned cocktail, you're asked to choose an essential oil for use on your hands and feet.  I chose lavender while my roommate went with peppermint.  These were deliciously aromatic and R also got an "invigorating" tingle from her choice.  The atmosphere of in the salon was also a big plus for me.  Shamefully, I'm still one big Barbie-loving moth drawn to a pink-on-pink flame.

Was it the best mani/pedi I've ever had?  Doubtful.  Overall, the treatments were a bit shorter than some I've had in less flashy salons.  I also felt like the techs were a little aggressive with pushing pricier treatments and add-ons.  My nails do look great, but only time will tell how they'll stand up to a weekend at the beach!

The point of this experiment, though, is not to love love love everything I try.  I might even hate some of it.  The point is to cross off as many of those "things I've always wanted to do" and "things people say you must see" as I can while I have the time and freedom to do them.  I think tonight's experience certainly fits that bill! 

Were this not enough for day 363, the roommate and I also went for dinner at Seven's Turkish Grill post treatment.  I tried several new dishes including zucchini pancakes and something called "yogurtlu adana kebab".  It basically amounted to ground lamb kebab over delicious homemade croutons soaked in a yogurt sauce.  All pretty tasty - I'd definitely order each again.


Here's hoping the double whammy yesterday makes up for my probable lack of any major excitement today.  I'll be flying South!  Can't wait to see what kinds of sunshine filled adventures I can find.

Finished Toes (with a little beachy hipster photo adjustment)

364 Days to Go... A Date with Green Day

Marquee at the St. James Theater

Welcome to day two of my year long journey.

Tonight's 20-something adventure: enjoy some of the best music of your teen years on Broadway.

As I mentioned yesterday, I have actually seen this show once before.  I almost considered it "cheating" on the challenge because of this fact.  My rationale, though, was that this performance would be different because it featured Billy Joe Armstrong - front man for Green Day and the real driving force behind this play.  I could not have imagined how right I would be.

The performance was just as good as the first time.  The music moving, the dances energizing, the story poignant to our generation in a way that you can't quite describe with words alone.  What I was most amazed to see, though, was the how the simple presence of BJA affected the audience.  The songs were all too familiar, but something about the merging of those lyrics with that familiar face and voice brought out the maximum amount of emotion.  His appearances effectively brought us all back to the days of listening to Green Day records in our high school bedrooms. 

After the show, he performed a solo version of Basket Case from the Dookie album (easily one of the cornerstone records of my adolescence) that had the entire audience crooning along.  It made me think about fame and about music.  About how crazy it must feel to have this massive crowd of strangers all intimately familiar with your life and work.  To have them looking up to you - or at least at you - for answers about life and emotion and community.

On our walk home, my boyfriend raised an interesting question.  Do you think movie stars or musicians are "bigger"?  My gut response was movie stars.  It doesn't get any bigger than Will Smith or Angelina Jolie.  Those are your "A-listers" who have the most power in their Hollywood circles.  They enjoy an elitism that most musicians do not.

He, however, argued in favor of music based on the experience we had just had.  After some thinking, I have to agree.  Music transcends generations and sticks with you in a way that a movie never could.  I can name countless songs and artists from my mothers youth, my youth, my present.  We still perceive many of these talents as  insightful, groundbreaking, tragic, or familiar.  I can scarcely say the same for films and actors from generations gone by.  Sure, there are exceptions.  We all know Marilyn Monroe and Jimmy Stewart and Vivian Leigh.  I would dare say, though, that few civilians are fanatical about any one of their bodies of work.  By contrast, we are often loyal to musicians for years.  Collecting every record, memorizing every word.  We are able to get close to our musical idols at their live performances and become further convinced that they are familiar.  That we are the same.  You'd be lucky to ever cross paths with Nicole Kidman.

The whole thing has redirected my attention to a long buried item on my life's to-do list: "Learn to play a musical instrument".  I'm not counting that 6 months of piano lessons when I was 7 or the 2 years as a saxophone player in the middle school band.  I want something with more of a rock'n'roll edge - like guitar or drums.  Something that makes you want to jump and shout and dance.  Lucky for me I have 364 days of new things ahead.  Add it to the list...

Birthday Dinner

Panna II for birthday noms!

In the spirit of my goal, I decided to try a some new things last night.  Pineapple poori, a little extra spice added to my paneer, and a sweet shiraz called "Jam Jar".  I also made a pact with my friend Katie to try the Man v. Food featured, prepared with a gas mask, super duper spicy-spicy Phaal at Bricklane Curry House.  I sincerely hope I don't damage any internal organs in this pursuit.


Tonight, however, I'm going in a different direction with my goal.  At countdown day 364 I'm going to see American Idiot on Broadway.  I've actually seen the show once before, but this performance will feature Billy Joe Armstrong from Green Day.  I'm interested to see if and how the show is different and excited for my BF to watch it for the first time.

Two days down... so far, so good!

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365 Days of 20-Somethings

One of 10 Yellow Tulips given to me by my co-workers today. =)

Today is my 29th birthday.  This means that I have exactly 365 days left as a 20-something.

They say that 30 is only the beginning, but I see it as a major milestone toward "real" adulthood.  You can't be a 30-something and be all without direction and "finding yourself" and mess.  Or, more precisely, I don't want to be.  At the same time, I'm not sure I'm ready to give up those freedoms.

My solution: find something fun/exciting/new/scary/challenging/eye opening/beautiful in every day for the next 365 days.  Some days this may be major.  Some days this may be tame.  Either way, it's a way of holding myself accountable.  A way to make sure I don't squander these remaining days of my youth.

So today, day 1, I'm taking the time to appreciate all the amazing people I've had the pleasure of crossing paths with in life.  From the co-workers who surprised me with cake and flowers to my uncle who mustered the strength for a phone call just one week after heart surgery.  Those people who I may not have spoken to in a decade, but who took time to write "Happy Birthday" on my facebook wall.  I have had a very pleasant day reminiscing about my memories with them all.  Small as the gesture may be, I feel so lucky and humbled to have had the opportunity to learn something from each of these amazing and unique people.

In kind, I will be spending my evening with some of my great friends here in New York.  Indian food, BYO vino, and great company.  A great kickoff to what may prove to be the greatest year yet!

Oprah Don't Make No Brownies - Stupid IM's to Pass The Day

Roommate: apparently this was one of oprahs favorite things and i think its genius - http://www.fredflare.com/customer/product.php?productid=2962&cat=369

 

HoneyRocks: I have seen that everywhere and I don't get the point of it

HoneyRocks: is it that hard to cut a square out of a regular brownie pan?

Roommate: no its not that hard - but its everyone like the edge part the best

 

HoneyRocks: that's not true I like the middle

HoneyRocks: and in other places I've seen the pan, it is advertised as helping you make perfect cuts

Roommate: oprah did it as everyone loves the edges i guess

 

HoneyRocks: like Oprah bakes her own brownies

HoneyRocks: if that woman wants edges she could have an army of Kenyan children do a tiny brownie home economics class

HoneyRocks: or make that fat chef she has do it

HoneyRocks: they must have donated those pans

Roommate: LOL

MADRID

Madrid airport
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Gypsy Souvenirs

Espana is A-MAZE-ING. Suprised at how much fun it is here. Madrid!!!!
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