New Day, New Shopping

They are calling it the bigger-than-Black-Friday shopping day. I am calling it, "get your ass out of bed and go shopping day!"

It's 8 a.m. and I've already purchased a white wool blazer and black sequin top. I've updated the flight and travel news blog (news: the DOT will reduce the number of flights allowed at New York's LaGuardia airport) checked my email for any last-minute content crisis (there are none) and called Dad to wish him a happy birthday (he was already in the car heading to the malls).

It's time to get up and get shopping - or at the very least, window shop my little heart out.

Traveling Back in Time...Bon Jovi Style

I'm off for the weekend and won't post again until Sunday night, so I leave you with this awesomeness.

Bon Jovi was in town last night and sadly, I did not see the concert. So out of respect for the band - to show my Bon Jovi support - I devote today to Bon Jovi. Let's take a trip back...

To 1989...The MTV VMAs. The performance that started the "Unplugged" series.
Rock on.

My Drug of Choice: The Gym

I was up at 6 a.m. this morning and on the elliptical machine by 6:30 a.m. I watched 10 minutes of the morning news before switching over to the treadmill for the last 15 minutes of the news program. I focused on upper body weight strength before hitting the showers and getting ready for work. Was plugged into my computer by 7:52 a.m. So far, so good.

I'm feeling good - energized. Although, let's be honest, if someone offered a nap I would take it -- I'm still not sleeping well and fighting with my REM cycle. While I waited for my computer to boot up this morning, I thought of the reasons why I love my new gym:

• The towels for the shower are bath towels, not skimpy handkerchief-sized towels that are scratchy and barely cover your bare butt.
• The TV monitors are not only flat-screen, but you can watch the TV and read the closed caption without having to plug your headphones in. In other words, if you want to work out to music but also read the news scroll at the bottom of the TV, you can do that. (At Boston Sports Club, you couldn't watch the TV unless you plugged your headphones in, which means you couldn't use your iPod).
• I didn't have to wait for a machine. The gym is small but even during the peak hours (pre-work) I wasn't waiting to work out.
• The bathrooms are clean. There is no mold in the showers and the shower mats are clean (unlike the above-mentioned gym).
• The staff is so friendly. At BSC, they virtually ignored me when I walked in the door. A mere glance and a towel thrown my way was the closest thing to a greeting I got at the gym. This morning, I was greeted with my name, and on my way out I was asked "How was your workout?", and told to have a nice day. It was very pleasant.

That's it for now. The new gym is my current drug of choice and I'm happy to be addicted to it. Let's hope this addiction lasts.

"Something" is the Feel Good Moment of Today

If I haven't told you before, I'm a big fan of the fab-four from Liverpool. Paul is my favorite. My sister loves John. George was perfection in everything he did. I'll admit I cried watching Ringo Starr accept accolades at this year's MTV Music Awards. But what gets me every time is Sir Paul and his guitar.

I know it's not for everyone, but today's feel-good moment is courtesy of The Beatles (sort of).

To those of you who aren't Beatles fans, and I don't hold it against you, please just trust me and watch the video in its entirety. You'll be pleasantly surprised by the mid-song guest and his electric guitar. See how long you last before you start singing along.

Enjoy...

Moral of the Story: Laugh Out Loud

I've said it before -- to laugh out loud is one of the best forms of therapy. Whether you're with your best friends or alone with a good book or movie, a good laugh is good for the soul.

So do your soul a favor and go see "Sex and the City: The Movie". Forget what the critics are saying; forget what you're reading in Page Six. Grab a bag of popcorn, some Twizzlers and a good seat and enjoy the laugh-out-loud movie.

I thought it was wonderful. It's no surprise that our heroine finds her true love in the end, but in her soul-searching she discovers that laughter really is the best medicine. And that with a little tequila and a great pair of shoes, everything seems better (if only for one night).

Tea Challenge Over

I gave it a good 12 hours and I'm calling it quits. But not because I'm tired and have a headache. Actually, I have a better reason.

I'm going to Rome in a week. AS IF I'm not going to have coffee when I'm there! Of course I'm going to have coffee when I'm there. I intend to sit and linger at as many outdoor cafes as I can find and sip coffee and wine as if it's water.

Tea challenge to resume post-Rome.

Mid-day Tea Update

I have a headache and I'm falling asleep at my desk. I just brewed a cup of green tea -- waiting for it to kick in. Meanwhile, I researched some coffee vs. tea stats and found this bit rather enlightening:

Starbucks Grande coffee: 320 mg/caffeine
Speciality brewed teas: between 40-120 mg/caffeine (depending on the type of tea)

I've basically cut my caffeine intake in half. This would explain my headache. I've alerted my co-workers so that when I crash at my desk they won't be alarmed. I've also alerted my editor in the event my words don't make any sense. I blame the lack of caffeine.

Coffee vs. Tea Debate

Here's the thing about coffee addicts -- we are obsessive about the quality of the coffee. This water-downed brown liquid that is served in airplanes and in airports is for amateur coffee drinkers. Sadly, sometimes that's the only choice. Unless you're a tea drinker. Tea drinkers usually have a choice and so today I've decided: I am now a tea drinker.

I'm switching my caffeine addiction from coffee to tea. Instead of starting my morning with a cup of freshly-brewed strong coffee, I'm going to enjoy a hot and steamy cup of tea. I've already warned my co-workers and my friends who are reading this are likely shaking their head and making mental notes to not be around me in the morning BUT... I think it's a good switch for a few reasons:

• Tea is healthier for you.
• Green tea is loaded with herbs and antioxidants.
• In some cases, tea has more caffeine than coffee.
• Personally, I like the flavor variations of tea better than coffee.
• I am sick and tired of brown water being served as a substitute for coffee on airlines.

I started my day with a cup of Bombay Chai. It's strong, it's spicy, and so far, it's keeping me awake.