Hey There Coffee Girl

I like coffee, except not when it takes like V8, since ur coffee to-go mug had V8 in it from the day before.  That kinda sucks.  This bug is out.

LadyBug Wants a Pug

Because she needs an unconditional little face.  Who wouldn't love a fat squishy wrinkly face staring up at you in the mornings?  No, I'm not talking about your drunk-one-night-stand-with-the-unemployed-quote-financial-broker-end-quote-from-the-local-pub-who-you-thought-was-24-years-young-until-you-felt-his-breathing-at-6am type of guy.

A pug.  A puggle would do too, but they kind of creep me out.  Like a hybrid human, who would want to see that all the time?

Thank god I'm a lady bug.  No one's been able to hybrid this species with anything else yet.

LadyBug Goes Hiking

I heeded the call of the wild, on an early Sunday morning.  It started out innocently enough.  Upper East Side, parking spot (shocker!), and lots of tea to hydrate.  After boarding the van with like minded individuals, we headed off to the mountains of New Jersey (who knew jersey had mountain ranges?)

Anyway, a short trip and a snack away, we arrive and begin our hike.  A little ways in, I learn that this was a 9 mile hike uphill.  To the top of a mountain.  For some reason, the preliminary 8 mile hike listed online at Outdoor Bound was less threatening, and the pictures of everyone just smiling and jumping around made me confident.  I thought, "I could be them! I could be smiling after hiking 4,973,850 miles.  Yup, that'll be me."

Let me tell you - it was tough.  But, it was worth it.  The leaves in the fall you think are so beautiful?  Yeah they suck when they're on the ground.  I was slipping everywhere like a maniac.  Those yoga classes really made me test my balance.

Now, as a LadyBug I love those leaves - especially eating them!  That's why when we got to our lunch spot, I was well fed.  Hmmm look at that view!

Chief was our chief look out.  While he may be little, he packs a powerful bite.  And doesn't like hummus.  But he does tricks!  I wonder if he liked my summersaults.  I was too tired to wind myself up, and plus, we were on the edge of a cliff so acrobatics probably wouldn't have been the best idea.   

 And then we continue our ascent.  Check out that steep view!  We were climbing along rocks for recreational purposes, I know.  

And we kept losing the group.  It was a beautiful day, so they were overbooked (seriously, 65 degrees in November!?) Our tour guide was trying to rally up the troops with chief.

And then... We almost... We made it!  Check out that view from the top.  Whew!  There were some times I thought one of my 6 legs would trip and I would face-plant.  Well, numerous times.

And then, onto the descent.  These berries looked tasty though.  But, even LadyBugs know they're a no-no.

And that folks, was my rigorous hike.  Back to the city we went.  But here's one last shot for you to admire.

Ahhh... mojitos...

I like mojitos.  Almost as much as I like that red concoction there.  I don't know what it is.  But look how happy I am sandwiched between them?  Yup, it was a good day.

My Body is a Temple, My Body is a Temple...

OUCH! What was that?  A cramp? Ekkkk.  I'm that loser with her arms up in the air in the middle of Central Park.  No, I'm not trying to get a better cell signal.  I'm running 4 miles today.  UPHILL.  Why you ask?  Why, since you are a LadyBug, don't you fly?  And you know what sassy smart guys, I do not know.  I'm doing it for my health.  Literally.

A gorgeous day, I woke up bright and early to discover both my roommates and myself, up and making tea and coffee - at 7:30 am.  On a Saturday morning.  That, my friends, is when I realized I'm all grown up.  And off we went, to our respective jobs and jogs.  Friday nights?  I don't remember what that's like. Maybe when I get that first paycheck, I will celebrate... in a small way.  For now, it's all gravy.

Today is my last free Saturday.  From here on out, I will be working weekends.  In light of this, I'm going to get out of here and get some brunch.  A LadyBug needs a mimosa every now and then.

LadyBug Doesn't Have Health Insurance...

But she got her blood drawn, had to pee in a cup, and was psycho-analyzed.... to make 40 dollars.  In LadyBug terms, that is a pocketful of change.  In the words of my uncle, "She is a girl of many sorts."  Indeed, I am.  Although I still am not sure what that means.

At least there was a cute research guy (wink, wink) who got to ask me my entire life history.  Mostly questions in the realm of if I talk to invisible people... and if they talk back.  Or if I think the TV is talking directly to me.  Or if I thought I was a superhero (that would be sickkk).  Seriously, that would be amazing.  What kind of cool things can a LadyBug get into?  Lots, if you ask me.

Luckily, this LadyBug found out she was not insane, which was a nice little pick me up when life gets you down.  I may have some crazy tendencies (most notably driving to long island to take part in a study that involves having a MRI) but hey, at least I'm not hearing voices!  And that sassy kids, I will leave you to ponder.  Do you hear voices?  If you do, tell them you want to be a superhero.  Word out.

And Another One Bites The Dust

Ah, another interview.  Which I thought went well, which also means dum dum dummmm... the position is on hold.  Much like every other position.  Keep your fingers crossed, this one is a great one.  Nonprofit work, here I come?

LadyBug Does Google

That sounds promiscuous doesn't it?  I just love those Google ads.  It's like they know what I am thinking, all the time!

Wait, they know what I'm typing right?  Total disappointment.

I still want to work for them.  I heard they had massages weekly, in house.  And even afternoon tea?  Sign me up.  They might be short on lady bugs.  Google, I'm available!

A LadyBug, In Training

This running thing swiftly turned from a chore... to a necessary evil... to a welcome relief.  I never thought I'd say this, but this LadyBug prefers running to flying.  Yup, that's right.  I said it.  Never in a million years right?  Don't doubt me folks.

So in light of this, keep my momentum going!  Donate here and make sure I make it to race day.  Without you, I may just cower in my green shell and avoid the snow in central park.  I don't want to run off with all my ladybug friends to brunch and mimoas.  Well, maybe after my run.  And you are more than welcome to join.  I love me some bananas foster pancakes.  And ice cream of course.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/nyc/joekl10k09/chackett

In case you are new to this adventure of yours truly, I am training to run a 10K for Team in Training.  I never ran before in my life - if you don't count trying to catch the bus or stop a parking attendant from writing your car three tickets.

Soy Lattes with LadyBug

Remember my dream of serving fancy no whip, no foam, ultra skinny super large double soy lattes to the luxury starved customer?

Yeah, they're not hiring.  Anywhere.

In my complete desperation, I almost applied to Jamba Juice, but I remembered I might jamba around too much and become traumatized when we cut open the bananas and oranges.  They're alive too, you know.

I'm not a vegan, what I am talking about?  Well, it's back to the drawing board sassy bugs.

LadyBug Goes To The Left, To The Left...

a little to the middle?  to the right?

LadyBug likes to learn.  She likes to learn more than she likes to dance with all 6 of her feet, simultaneously.  She also doesn't understand why she is talking in 3rd person?  Or why banks and libraries are closed on Election Day.  Don't we all need to continue paying you Big Brother AND taking advantage of free internet when we are unemployed?

Regardless, let's hit this one, since it's Election Day and all.  Politics.  After much research and deliberation, I have decided that I am a Democratic Centrist.  First thought I was a Libertarian, but that proved to be a little too right-wing for me.  Either way, I am friends with everyone, regardless of your beliefs.  Hey, I would actually with agree with you on most of what you believe!

In light of that, I have always liked to understand why people stand on certain sides.  I don't care where, I like to have friends from all walks of life.  I'm friends with mammals AND tortoises of course!  As long as you have a strong, independent mind free of all convictions and stereotypes and ingrained beliefs you were taught to trust, I'd honor a fun conversation about it.

Over nachos of course.

And I wouldn't be against you buying me a beer.  Helping out the needy on Election Day is a worthy thing.

Listening to Webinars and Drinking Tea

with LadyBug!  I just came back from a second interview, and now I hear there's a THIRD!  Now, fellow lady bugs, who has THREE interviews for a part-time position?  It leaves me quite bemused with the economy, as a weekend job proves to be more competitive than any high paying corporate job I had in my career.  Hopefully I won't have to wear heels.  I'm quite tall for a lady bug.

So now, I'm listening to a webinar to be a Nutritionist.  I would feel great about this when they get to the price part.   Anyone know anything about Public/Urban Health programs in New York City?

The NYC Marathon and LadyBug!

No, I did not run it.  Me? a LadyBug?  I'd just end up stuck on the Verranzo. Well, I ran it, just did not complete it.  I needed to get to the other side (insert chicken joke here) and the cops literally told me - just run with them and bolt!  It was worse than trying to merge onto the Cross Bronx Expressway at rush hour.  I almost crashed into the folks handing out gatorade, thinking I was a runner.  What, did the LadyBug shell not give it away?  Or the fact that I was holding a purse and wearing high heeled boots.  You decide.

My favorite Cuban Cigarette and I had brunch in Long Island City, watching the runners.  Not to get all sappy on you sassy bugs, but it truly was an emotional sight to see.  You can feel the energy, the excitement.  I could not help but smile after exciting the 7 train, just following the noise to Vernon Blvd.

It was the half way point, and these runners needed some motivation.  So after brunch, and after the hard-core runners passed through (and the runners running into the restaurant knocking over tables to get to the bathrooms) we stood outside and cheered them on - to the very last person.  We even saw the "sweep bus" go by.  We saw an older man with - what was it? - his 119th marathon?  God knows.  It was amazing, and these are the people who needed the cheering.  And they loved every second of it.

Look at me with the ING sunglasses on.  Don't I look hip?  That's an apple next to me.  That'll be my dinner for the next two weeks, its a chemically imbalanced apple so its extra large.

LadyBug Dances to Lady Gaga

I just had to do it.

Well, I did have a point.  Halloween.  I was in Brooklyn roaming around with Lady Gaga, among others, most notably, someone with a gun as a leg.  I had a needle in my chest and ruby red lipstick.  10 points if you know who I was...

10 points will be served to you in the form of leaves, because that is the only cash I have at the moment, and since I'm a ladybug I subsist on them.  They're like gold in my parts.

Thank G-Dog for the fact that beer was 3 dollars.  That was fabulous.  I love Brooklyn.