Oh no! My new hero is a fraud!

OMG — Bear Grylls is a fake.

Such a shame.


(Also, he named his kid Marmaduke. Eek.)

I <3 the Discovery Channel

Last night, I fell asleep on my couch watching Man vs. Wild, because for some bizarre reason it’s entertaining to see a sexy ex-special opps agent (complete with British accent) drink his own urine in order to survive.

Gross.

That Line Again

When do you cross that line? What personal pieces are ok to reveal in your “professional” world?

I’m very bad at it; very little remains serious & professional in my life. I’m personal by nature. I once tried to have a strictly professional relationship with someone I met in a quasi-work environment… and then he discovered my blog. (But it’s way more fun this way!)

This weekend I pose the question is for a much stranger reason. Vintage opened up around the corner from our office and provided a much-needed, classy outlet for cocktails.

We were early adopters. Within weeks, all the ladies in my office were regulars. At this point, we’re on a first name basis with everyone that works there, and they kiss us hello & goodbye everyday. Because we’re there every day.


Last night, however, was the first night I showed up not in non-work attire. David, the owner, said hello and “Gee, Catherine, I’m used to see you a little more…umm… buttoned-up.”

Julie and I were on our way from a rock bar, so I fit the description — platinum shoes, ripped black jeans, big hair, red lipstick… and a sparkly top that reveals much.

“Yes, this isn’t exactly something I’d show my bosses.”

That night I dreamt about driving David’s Ferrari.

This morning I realized it was all over. Vintage is now a mirage of personal and professional, and they knew more than just one side. When it comes to work outlets, a certain level of anonymity is nice.

So… needless to say, I think it’s time for a break from the bar. Onto someplace new?

Fun Friday

And I thought my life was going to slow down.

Hah.

Summer hours just lead to sloppy nights.

The first was fairly unsuccessful; I left the office at 4:30 instead of 2:00.

Friday #2, July 13th, was far more… exciting? My two Public Affairs teammates & I decided to spend the sunny afternoon doing a public service… helping Lindsay get rid of the leftover booze & snacks from the previous weekend’s roof deck party. (There’s nothing like looking over the skyscrapers of Boston with two good friends.) One thing led to another… and sometime around midnight we were drinking sake in Chinatown with three of Lindsay’s closest friends.

The 20th, however, takes the cake. As Lindsay’s time at the firm comes to a close, I reserved the afternoon — 2:30pm to 2:30am — for “Fun Friday”. Fun it was!

2:30pm: Harry Potter & The Order of the Pheonix movie
My favorite book, mostly because my favorite character — Sirius Black — plays a central role. The movie was also a lot of fun… and Lindsay taught me the thumb game with the previews. (You’d never know we were twenty-somethings instead of kids…)

5:00pm: Rendezvous
Lindsay’s best friend & sister-in-law, Leah, who also has summer hours, met us after an afternoon of shopping. For fitness, we walked home (women will be women…) where we met more friends.

5:30pm: Arrive at Barking Crab
…where it’s packed. But we pile in and, after waiting forever, order pitchers of beer… that disappear quickly. Desperate for more but lacking patience, they nominate me to go to the bar. All I could think about was Martine, my Dutch friend from France, saying: “Make use that you’re a lady.” Armed with a smile, I plowed my way through the easiest crowd to breach… the construction workers. After a few minutes, I returned to our table with pitchers of beer.
Apparently, while I was en route, the bouncer approached the table and said, “Damn, that girl is brave.”
I do what I can. Especially for beer.

10:30pm(ish): The Vault
It’s starting to get sloppy… which means it’s time to move on. So to the Vault we walk, where we proceed to drink some more.

11:45pm(ish): The Tavern
Onto Beacon Hill. Hilarity ensues. We start hearing random pick up lines like, “I live in Charlestown. Do you want to come home with me?” No. Then five minutes later, “Are you sure?” Yes, I’m sure. Twenty minutes later. “Still don’t want to come home with me?”

12:30am(ish): Cambridge Street
I put a friend in cab because he’s too drunk to make it. It funnier for a lot of other reasons, too.

2:30am: Chinatown
We’ve reached our goal: We had a solid 12 hours of fun… but it’s still going on. Time for a post-drinking dinner. In addition to it being absolutely delicious, Lindsay & I start to realize we’re the only ones left still articulate and standing. Her husband takes a nap under the table. Seriously.

3:30am: Home
Tequila and I pass out… knowing tomorrow might be just as crazy.

11:30am: Breakfast
Roll my tired & aching body out of bed just in time for Alex to make eggs… yumm…

Just to embarrass my mother…

Remember that time I pitched that story? The interview is tonight… So all of you should start reading All You magazine in hopes to see the love story of Bernice & Richard!

Hahah

Friend & Inspiration

There are some people you really can’t help but admire. Lindsay Hyde is definitely one of them.

It’s been an incredible ride: Through meeting her and helping her with her DC tour, I’ve learned a lot and realized the amazing potential. Through getting to know her, I’ve realize what an awesome person she is… and what a fun friend she could be.

It’s been nice. Earlier this week the article I seeded came to fruition, complete with a giant picture of Lindsay’s smiling face. It’s led to other leads, including a radio interview this weekend. I’m so impressed by her work and her organization, and pitching her story is ridiculously easy. It’s just that interesting. She’ll definitely beat me to Time’s 100 list. ; )

Anyways, a few weekends ago I received an e-vite from her for a housewarming party. I’m not very familiar with the whole e-vite process… so I figured it was sent to a mass mailing list and I was on it accidentally, as a work contact.

But when she thanked me re: the Globe piece, she added, “And I really hope to see you at my party on Saturday!”

Gulp. “Of course!” I responded. And quickly ran out to get a nice housewarming gift.

The party was last night, and I ventured over after my father’s birthday dinner at Sel de la Terre. It was so great to see her… and see her as a friend, a fiancée (as of yesterday!), and totally in her own, social, causal element.

That’s about when it dawned on me. Truly, “ordinary” people can do extraordinary things. She’s just a smart girl with a good idea, with passion, and with loving support from friends and family.

Now all I need is a good idea.

A Letter to Tony

Tony is my favorite (& only) Australian friend. He’s important in my life. I met him in St. Tropez, and I miss it all — the country, my friend, and the adventures we had there — very much. So today I wrote him a letter:

Do you know when we met? It was June 3rd, 2005. I adopted Tequila one month later. On August 3rd, we waved to each other — me on the balcony of "my" lighthouse, you on your boat near Bastide Blanche. By September, my family was in Camarat & I spent most days at L'Esquinade. On October 3rd, you & I drank outside on the balcony of the Sube, admiring the boats in town for the Nioulargue. We walked along the port afterwards, remember?, and you told me about Mariette.

Every night I spent in France, I wrote some story from that day's adventures. On days like today — rainy, cool, unfocused — I reread them. It does nothing to help my motivation.

In fact, it just makes me miss France more than usual; the dull longing becomes an overwhelming pain. And you, my dear friend, are so much of my memories of France (& afterwards!) that it makes me miss you even more, too.

So please tell me of your adventures. I’m in desperate need of some excitement. Through your stories of the Med, I will live a dramatic life on the high seas!

@ the beach

It’s been about two years since I went to the beach. I’m loving every second of it.

There’s no better feeling than your skin baking in the sun...

BBQ & Fireworks

For having lived here all my life, there are many basic Bostonian things I’ve never done. Until this year, I had never gone to the marathon. And I had never seen the Boston Pops/fireworks spectacular.

I fought my way through freezing, gross, drizzle to watch the marathon for a whole five minutes before I deemed myself miserable and went inside for a beer.

Fourth of July, however, I decided to stick it through. Visited the fam for a wonderful barbeque under the gorgeous July sun... Unfortunately, the sun suddenly disappeared behind thick gray clouds, and the rain started. It was light, but it was cold. My cousins, aunt and uncle, who watch the fireworks every single year in the exact same spot, were undeterred.

We braved the rain. I didn’t have a raincoat, an umbrella, or even a hood. And I was in heels. (Yes, my own fault, I know. Still, I’m going to wine about it.) We arrived in the “usual” spot... three and a half hours early. Seriously.

“Normally you can’t even move by now, because it’s so crowded,” the family explained. Maybe that’s true... but this year, we were just one of three very small groups standing in the middle of Storrow Drive.

That’s what struck me immediately. I’m standing, totally unprotected, feeling oddly vulnerable, in the middle of the asphalt that — every other time in my life — has been packed with quickly moving cars. I’m standing in the middle of a highway.

The rain continued to fall, washing away the excitement of location. By the time the Pops started, I was on the brink of bailing. It was cold. It was wet. And I was less than intrigued.

Hanging out with the family kept me rooted to the spot. When the fireworks started, I was glad.

All my life, I’ve only ever seen fireworks on Cape Cod... or in the distant horizon, as I watched them explode over the Med from the safety & height of Cap Camarat. The year the Falmouth barge caught on fire — that was a show... and every other year was a cute little display of lights. We made our own fun with sparklers and, later in life, beer.

But Boston does it differently. I have never seen anything like it in my life! It was magic. An impressive half-hour display of synchronized lights and music, gloriously exploding shapes, a mirage of sparkling colors. I was in awe of ancient China… and impressed by how much technology today allows us to do.

But the street was empty(ish). When I headed over, an veteran Boston Pops/Fireworks goer said, “The most amazing thing is that you’re there, sitting in the middle of Storrow Drive, with a half million other people. It’s like New Years in Times Square.” That, I missed.


I did, however, encounter the millions of other people on my travels home… which absolutely sucked.

Halfway There

This January, for the first time in many years, I made a list of resolutions. Six months later — halfway through the year — I decided to look back and see what kind of progress I’ve made. Quite honestly, things are not looking so good.


Those that have failed:

“Take a photography class.” — You know, I tried to take a 2-session writing class, but didn’t show up for the second half. I don't think this bodes well for my commitment issues.

“Learn French. Seriously.” — No progress. In fact, I think I’ve lost a lot for lack of use, and I can't afford to even visit France this year. So immersion is out.

“Cut my credit card debt in half.” — I have instead increased my existing debt 1.5x. Thank God I’m moving home.

“Visit some place totally new (in addition to France).” — Again, money's tight. But the year’s not over yet.

“Write the first draft of my first book.” — Hah. I bought a journal to start jotting down notes? It’s still blank.

“Volunteer. And do something good for humanity.” — I am volunteering time to mentor a refugee from Africa, but it’s going a lot slower than I would have liked. I’m also serving on the board of a local non-profit, but again, my role is limited. So, while these are steps in the right directions, results are limited… and impact certainly won’t affect all of humanity.

“Go to the gym (at least more than I currently do — which is once every six months… or so).” — Seeing as I haven’t been since January, and probably won’t go ever again, I’d say no. I failed here.

Those that have potential:

“Get something in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and/or The Washington Post.” — Well, I was pretty good at nurturing someone at the WSJ, but it’s kind of quieted down and not looking so promising. But that doesn’t mean we can count this one out… yet.

“Meet a boy... that I will actually date.” — Hahaha. I did try! Twice! And more are in the pipeline?

“Keep a regular blog. Again.” — It’s not very interesting, but I’ve been pretty successful here!

Those that I have fulfilled:

...ummm... check back later for updates.

Goodbye, June.

I can’t believe what a month this has been. Party after party… girls nights out, boys on the radar (after what — 2 years?!), promotions & birthdays, warm weather & summer fun. I love June.

I started by saying every weekend I’d do something fun. But then I gave up recalling weekends, because they just blurred into the weeks. The weekends started on Wednesdays and lasted until Tuesdays. I spent more off-nights at Vintage Lounge (the local bar of choice) than I know what to do with. All month, I had 7 nights off (including Sundays). I can’t believe I’m still standing.

To wrap the month up, tonight we celebrated an early 4th of July at my favorite married friends’ annual roof-deck BBQ. What fun it was. Perfect weather. Good company. Harpoon Summers & spicy cheeseburgers. I’d write more, but I couldn’t possible capture the chilled out, grown up kid-like atmosphere. Plus, sheer exhaustion has taken over. And my body is sick of alcohol.

…so goodnight, everyone. And goodbye, June.