Running on Empty

My eyes are blood red and adorned with puffy circles, my hair hasn't been brushed in over 24 hrs, and my brows are in desperate need of grooming. Unfortunately, though, my schedule this past week hasn't granted me much time to take care of my personal appearance. With the Flower Show in town, an annual and quite popular convention here in Philly, I've had to work nearly every shift due to the heavy influx of customers at the restaurant . I haven't had a day off in six days, have worked almost fifty hours since then, and won't have off for another three days. I've spent nearly every minute at work on my feet, running all over the spacious restaurant, trying to please hundreds of cranky old ladies.

The crazy thing is, though, that I love it. I love the chaos, I love the drama, I love the surprises. In many ways, I even love the stress and exhaustion. I'm definitely craving that day off, but I really love my job. I'm making great friends and having so much fun. I would never have thought I could find a place I like as much as The Harbor Grill, but in less than three months I feel so at home here at FH and have met people who I hope I will remain friends with for years to come.

Most importantly, working at FH has made me realize how much I love this industry. Its hard work and long hours and unpredictable circumstances, but its damn fun. I think I've found what I'm supposed to do.

But I'll know a lot more where my future's headed in the next week or two. Updates to come. ; )

Home Again

Well, its been almost five months since I left Block Island to move back to Philly. Its hard to believe that this is the most amount of time I have spent here in the past four years. Until now, the longest I'd been back was the summer after my sophomore year-- just three months. Mostly its just been Christmas vacation, a weekend here and there, a few days around Spring Break. It's sad to say that Philadelphia had started to become a place to visit, rather than my home.

Five years ago, I never would have thought things would turn out this way. My first year at college, friends wanted to kill me for my incessant talk about Philadelphia. Every thing was a story about my high school, a lesson on a "true" cheesesteak, a joke about The Phillies. Like most Philadelphians, my pride for this city was just as big as my mouth, and I couldn't stop talking about all the reasons we were better than everyone else.

But long semesters at school, Spring Breaks on vacation, and summers in Block Island kept me away from Philly. I started using words like "wicked" and "cawfee"; Clam chowda and bagels became staples of my diet, while Tastykakes lay dusty in the corner; my car's tires wore down the stretch of I95 between New York and Rhode Island. After the Harbor Grill closed up for the season, coming back to Philly for more than a month-- especially to a house that was not my childhood home-- felt oddly uncomfortable.

After a couple of weeks, however, things quickly fell back into place. Seeing so many friends and returning to places I hadn't visited in years made me incredibly glad I returned. Now, nearly every day I am reminded of what makes this city so great. Riding the train to work, I pass through several of the city's neighborhoods, appreciating the individual character and nuances of each; I gaze at the historic streets and architecture while walking through Center City; during Eagles games, I smile as burly men draped in green jump out of their seats at every touch down, and petite mascaraed women curse off the screen at every fumble; I rush through Market East with a mix of fear and amusement as a crowd of the homeless venerate at the blank wall beneath the escalator. There are just so many diverse reasons to love this city.

However, my favorite aspect of Philadelphia may be its love for a good story-- and the many ridiculous ones it provides. Despite the significant size of the city, gossip tends to run through the streets like in a small town. For a city that both Hillary Clinton and Paris Hilton have recently chose to promote themselves in, a city that hosts several professional sports teams, a city that provides the namesake and location for numerous TV shows and movies, the local news can still be dominated by stories of high school students who let chickens loose in the school halls.

I myself witness many good stories here every day. Working in a Center City restaurant of course provides its amusement, and SEPTA, the city's public transportation system, is filled with characters destined for novels. My friends here as well, with their eccentricities and lack of social grace, never fail to provide their share of comedy and drama. And, of course, as readers of this blog know, I too have been known to find myself in an awkward predicament or ten.

So, while I have been wildly negligent of my writing in the past nine months, I'm going to strive for now on to keep up with my blog and capture these and other stories in print. With so much to work with, there's no reason not to. This city is filled with passion, absurdity, and humor-- just what I try to instill in my writing. So, to the few people who may have read this blog in the past, I hope you'll rediscover it and enjoy hearing about the pathetic stories that are my life and the awesomeness that is my hometown.


And if that doesn't peek your interest, I'll have you know I live with my parents. If that doesn't provide some awkward and hilarious moments, I don't know what will.

Where to Now?

Having finished college and returned from Block Island, I don't exactly have solid plans for my future. For awhile, i had been planning on moving to Boston this winter with Sara. I was really looking forward to it and had been telling everyone all about my exciting plans. However, just two weeks ago, I got a surprising email from Sara, who is currently traveling around parts of Europe. Apparently, she is having so much fun there that she is seriously contemplating renting an apartment in Florence and attending grad school there.

While this is a huge surprise and would affect me considerably, I couldn't help but be excited for Sara. Though she is not positive about her decision, she would love to live in the same city as her sister and new brother-in-law, and I know that it would be an amazing experience for her-- one I would never expect her to give up for some previous idea we may have had. I would love to do Boston, and I would miss Sara like CRAZY if she moved away, but I completely understand-- it's Italy!

However, though there is still the possibility that Sara won't stay in Europe, I need to start making some decisions. I'm not working and I need to get a job soon- either here or in Boston. Since receiving her email, i've been going back and forth-- do I take the chance and wait for Sara to make up her mind, or do I just get a job here in Philly and stay local for the winter?

There are certainly advantages to both. In Boston, I would be in the same city as many of my friends, just a few hours away from Block Island, and have the opportunity to see new things and meet new people; In Philly, where I haven't spent significant time since high school, I would be able to catch up with family and friends, save money by living at home, and would be just a short trip away from DC and NYC where, like Boston, I have several friends living.

I've gone through the pros and cons of both a million times, but in the end, it was one small thing that swayed me. Browsing through Myspace yesterday, I noticed my friend Anna had changed her profile picture. It was a snap shot of me and her alongside our friend Cindy, our arms thown around each other's shoulders, huge smiles on all our face's.

It was a simple picture, one in which I didn't even look particularly good, but it made me so happy. It was like so many pictures we had taken in highschool, when the three of us were inseperable, always acting wierd and getting ourselves in trouble. It made me long to have some of that back-- minus the curfews and homeroom meetings, of course.

And, along with Cindy and Anna, there are many other friends I have missed so much over the past four years, and who I would finally have the chance to spend time with if I stay here. There's my cousin Emily, who is planning for her wedding this summer; My friends Kim and Danielle, also Springsiders, who have just returned to Philly after long absences; My girl Megan down in Maryland who, despite our tri-weekly phone calls, I haven't seen in well over a year; or my dear Nana who, at eighty six years old, won't be around forever.

So just as Italy is an opportunity I think Sara should not pass up, this is one I can not let get away. I can't keep neglecting the people that I love so much who are living here in Philly and places nearby. And, more importantly, I WANT to spend more time with them. Boston will still be around next year, and I can always take weekend trips to BI and visit my loves there. But, right now, i'm ready to get reconnected to my hometown. So if you need me, you now know where I'll be.

Important Announcement

Because I haven't updated in weeks now, i think it is important that my latest post reveals some of the most important news to have occured in the past decade, the release of my new fragrance, Heartbreaker by J. Lachat. It's something I've always dreamed of doing, and it's a project I take very seriously. Trust me, I have taken a very active role in the entire process-- its not just a bunch of businessmen and chemists I hire to take care of it all, but a project I aproached hands on and wholeheartedly just for you.

Heartbreaker, my very first fragrance, is designed for both men and women and of course priced reasonably, because I care about the "Normal", "average" people out there-- ya know, folks just like you and me. Hearbtreaker is a versitile scent and can best be decribed as a blend of roses, lavender, and jagermeister.

Expect the full Heartbreaker line to hit all Boscov stores in November '07. After all, if Paris Hilton, Hilary Duff, Sienna Miller, Gwen Stefani, Sarah Jessica Parker, P Diddy, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Mariah Carey, and Vice President Cheney can all do it, why can't I?

Better Late Than Never

Ok, I know: I suck at updating this summer. But, really, you can't blame me. I've been working crazy hours and, when not, I'm out having crazy fun. Finally, though, I'm buckling down and writing a little something.

As everyone who has ever spoke with me knows, I absolutely adore Block Island. I'm always talking about it, always thinking about it. If you haven't been here, you can't understand, nor do I expect you to, but it really is an amazing place. With every day, I am more and more in love with the island and all the wonderful people on it. This summer I have become closer with so many of my friends, and have made some great new ones as well.

In particular, I have been so grateful that I have been able to spend more time with my friend Leah B. Leah and I first met three summers ago, the first summer both of us worked on the island. We became fast friends, spent tons of time together, and have kept in touch throughout every winter since. And, though she has taken on a "real" job, working at a private school in Connecticut, she is back for the summer, keeping me company here at the Harbor Grill.

However, though we've been chillin a lot at work, and out at night at the bars, we have yet to sit down and really spend some "quality time" together this summer. So last night we finally had a date night and made plans to have dinner. We do it every summer-- dress up, go to a nice restaurant, and chat over a few glasses of wine. It's a nice change of pace from the noise and crowds of the bars: to catch up on the happenings in each other's lives and, more importantly, swap some juicy island gossip. All day yesterday I couldn't wait for our quant little date.

There was nothing quant about last night.

Thouh I thought things would be tame, it all quickly took a turn. Moment's after sitting down at Winfield's, one of the finer dining establishments on the island, sweet little Leah had convinced me to split a bottle of wine with her. We got a bottle of the Sauvignon Blanc, a delicious wine that went down so smoothly and, quite honestly, so fast. Half way through the bottle, and 30 minutes into our gossip sesh, the wine was clearly hitting us both and we dished and giggled like forty year old women from a bad chick flick. And our food was DELICIOUS! We split a tuna tartare appetizer and I had a unbelievable duck and scallop entree that was so yummy I wouldn't be surprised if I order it every time I go there for now on (which I'm planning on doing A LOT). By the end, my pants were feeling significantly tighter and I felt as if my stomache would burst.

But, when Leah B and I have date night, we don't stop at full. Dessert was next, and with some more (gentle) arm twisting, my innocent companion convinced me to join her in ordering a coffee drink-- Kahlua and Baileys for the both of us. Though the night had not made my body any lighter, my wallet was definately missing some of it's previous weight. I knew it was worth every penny though as Leah and I laughed ourselves out the front door, trying not to trip in our rarely-worn high heels.

Of course, after a bottle of wine and a very strong coffee drink, we weren't ready to call it a night. Next we were off to The Grill to take advantage of our connections and have some free drinks. Just a block into our walk, though, our mission was disturbed when we ran into our friend Rick, a former coworker and member of our favorite island band, The 007s. Rick, being the charmer he is, soon had us following him into The National for drinks with him and his brothers. Inside was chaos-- dozens of people crammed into the bar, music playing, and guys getting quite grabby. The three of us found a nice little spot, however, and were soon drinking three 007s, the drink that inspired the band. And of course, as it always goes with Rick, a round of shots were done as well. We talked and laughed our faces off for a good hour, reminiscing about our times at the Grill and making plans for the remainder of the summer.

After another round of drinks, we made a quick stop at Nick's before heading over to Kittens to cap off the night. Many more of our friends were there and an awesome band was playing so we danced our faces off and made complete fools of ourselves-- not that that is ever hard for us to do. Again, another round of shots occured, and when I heard "Last Call!" I almost wept. I was having so much fun and was completely unwilling to let the night end.

Lucky for me, I forgot who I was hanging out with. Moments later, Rick had us on a boat in New Harbor, hanging out with some strangers and drinking beers. It was a perfect end to an incredibly unpredictable night. And, though I nursed a hangover all day at work, I wouldn'tt trade in last night for the world. Not only was it silly and crazy, but-- more importantly-- I got to really talk to Leah. Our conversation at dinner was so great, so fun, so needed. I am immensely happy to have a friend who really understands me, and who is possibly the most genuinely caring person there is. Plus, she can drink like a champ-- what else could I need?

Slow Days and Fast Nights

Where to begin? So much has happened in the past three weeks that I can't believe its actually only been three weeks since I returned to Block Island. From the begining, it was clear that it was going to be the craziest summer yet. Just minutes after arriving on island, as I greeted friends at The Harbor Grill where I work, I was forced to step into my new position as Assistant Manager. I was out in the hotel lobby, which adjoins the restaurant, when I heard a loud crash from the bar. Several others and I rushed in to find D Fagen, a notorious local drunk, lying on the floor next to his barstool. Fagen, who has been banned by the majority of the bars on the island, had apperently fallen asleep while drinking his red wine and slipped off his seat. Lying on the ground, he began to yell and curse, refusing help from George and Berger, who had come out from the kitchen when they heard the commotion. Attempts to call a cab for him were made, but the poor drunk was extremely resistant towards the idea. "You're all bitches!" he yelled. "I own this place!". Arms flailed, shoving ensued, and I desperately-- and hopelessly-- tried to talk some sense into this completely senseless man.

But nothing we said or did could calm him down. He was drunk, angry, and becoming increasingly violent. Teetering by the edge of the porch, i was certain he was going to topple off the side. Poor Trish hadnt yet seen more than a block of the island, and here she was now, watching a poor old drunk take swings at me. Finally, George and Berger made me step away since it was becoming more and more likely that I was going to get pushed over the porch railing. It wasn't until he fell over-- and couldnt pull himself back up-- that we acheived some sort of calm. Minutes later the cops arrived and carried Fagen off the porch by his belt loops, swinging his frail, limp body like a duffle bag.

Luckily, since then, we have not had any more scenes like that in the restuarant. In fact, besides a busy memorial Day Weekend, it has been extremly slow on the island. Schools aren't out yet and the weather is still crappy, so the hoards of tourists that will eventually come are still absent. Though we aren't making a lot of money because of it, on the bright side we have had plenty of time for goofing off in and out of work. Last Thursday was the second annual Toga Party at The Albion and this Tuesday marked the beginning of the Block Island Music Fest at Captain Nicks. Words can't fully describe the debauchery that has taken place, but believe me, it's been epic. If these events are any indication of what's to arrive, I can only hpe I'll make it out alive.

Ride or Die '07...let's do it!

Finally!

Finally tomorrow I will leave for Block Island! I have been waiting for months for this day, and I am SO excited. I'm sure many a fun, crazy, and absolutely unforgettable times will be had. And I'm also pretty sure that, on at least four occasions, I will want to take my own life. Those days will likely be Fourth of July, VJ Day (Aka white trash day), Labor Day, and that random day when it rains uncontrollably and everyone in the inn decides they should go to The Grill to get wasted and/or have their kids order sodas and color for three hours.

Regardless, though, those few terrible days are totally worth it for the dozens of fun ones. Summer '07 will have its goods and its bads, but I wouldn't trade any of them for the world.

7 am tomorrow my summer begins. Block Island here I come!