Monday, April 30, 2007

Generation X or Y?

Today while reading a marketing survey for work that revealed American trends, I wanted to see if I was classified as part of Generation X or Generation Y. Born in 1981, I discovered via this wikipedia entry that I was part of the late-wave Generation X or part of the early Generation Y.

I definitely find myself more in line with the thoughts of Generation X; I easily relate to people older than me, including some people that are easily ten years older than me (Mishy is a great example). But I'm dating a barely Generation Y-er (sitting on his bed and typing on his computer) and most of my direct colleagues at work are Generation Y, since they were born during or after 1982.

I also find it immensely amusing that people born during 1978-1981 are in question; we're definitely in the middle of Generation X and Generation Y. We're not on Facebook, we do Myspace but we remember a time with land line phones (rotary, even) and before the Internet. I think we will be the most interesting result of the young people of "my generation"---both of them, from people who identify with "Singles" to those who would rather watch "Napoleon Dynamite".

Now I'll get back to listening to the Mets rally on the radio and watching Pough clean his room.

Friday, April 27, 2007

207 Facts in 2007: Five

My apologies for not posting---I've been too busy attending Mets games and being in love with Pough!!!

#5:
One of my friends disagreed with me awhile back when I said, "I love being alone. I need to be alone..."--she said, "C'mon Meg, you can't live without attention!!"

And yesterday it occured to me that she was right. When I was sick, I was home alone for a week. At first, it was great. Then after a while, I found myself counting down the hours until my roommate came home, or Pough came over.

Like everyone else, I need my alone time. But I also feed on people. That's probably why, even when I lived alone, I had a cat. Someone to talk to, something to need me.

Have a great weekend, y'all! I'm working (reading) on Saturday night, so I'll probably have a more substantial post when my eyes start to blur.

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

An Interview with My Favorite Glamorous Redneck

Glam Redneck offered to interview anyone who asked, and I love to answer questions, so here we go. She's obviously been doing her reading on me, since these questions are both intuitive and interesting! I hope my answers do them justice. If anyone would like me to interview them please post a comment and I will dutifully oblige (and I'd be happy to be intervewed again as well).

Five Questions for Meg:
1. What was the hardest adjustment you dealt with when you moved to NYC?

I moved to NYC on Labor Day weekend in 2004, and I have to admit that most of my "adjustments" and life lessons learned since then are not directly because of (or even related to) my move to New York. I had my heart broken (while I was writing this blog), lost and gained a few friends, and learned to move on from my former Midwestern life while still holding on to what I loved about that life (and some of the people as well).

But I do remember seeing my first cockroach in an apartment, as well as in a restaurant (ew) and I distinctly recall not knowing what certain items were on restaurant menus (sometimes I still don't know!). But truly, the hardest adjustment was not having any built-in friends and a lack of social networking (unlike college, where you meet people everywhere) that I had to overcome and build a whole new group of friends. Now I have some of the greatest friends I've ever had, but for the first six months I was really lonely--and quite bored.

2. If you were going to show someone who had never been to NYC a day in the life (not just the tourist attractions), where would you take him or her?

I actually try to avoid tourist attractions with my friends who come to visit me. I usually ask them to make a list of three or four things they absolutely have to see and spend the rest of the time doing "normal" things. Most of my friends arrive on a weekday afternoon, so I'll bring them into work and show them my desk and offer them books off of our free shelf (and ship them to their home!). Then I take them to happy hour or to dinner at fabulously affordable places that my friends & go to; or somewhere that I've heard great things about. I tend to pick places that have cool decor or unique food; Vnyl in Hell's Kitchen, Room Service in Chelsea, or Grimaldi's in Brooklyn Heights are faves. Then, in typical Meg fashion we go out drinking with whoever of my friends I can round up. Usually we go out to a neighborhood bar and then to a hot spot to pick up men. I also offer to take them to a show/concert while they're in town--on me.

My friend Alison is coming to visit in a few weeks, and the plan for Friday night is a dinner at Vnyl or Carmine's, then we're going to see COMPANY, a Broadway show, and then we'll head to Pough's neighborhood in BK to go out on Smith Street (a bar street) and to my fave bar there, Lido, where I know Molly the bartender and sing karaoke. When we wake up Saturday with hangovers, we'll go to Everything Bagel on Henry & Union for sustenance, just like Pough & I do every weekend we spend at his place.

3. What do you miss most about where you grew up?

I'm going to sound like Willa Cather, but I miss the land itself. Everywhere I've lived I have a special connection to the physical geography of the place but at "home" (Merrill, Wisconsin) every inch of that land has a memory to me. When Pough and I go camping this summer, we'll be at a campsite where my friends celebrated my 18th bday and where Alison & I got drunk in the middle of the day the summer after I graduated from college.

My absolute favorite thing to do at home now is go for a long run/walk/workout with my fam's dog, Coji. He doesn't need a leash so we walk down the gravel roads together, and he runs in and out of the woods...I only come home twice a year, but when I get home he will whine until I take him. Dad takes him for walks, but he doesn't go as fast or as far as I do.

4. Do you think that growing up in the Midwest helps you or hinders you in your day to day life now that you’re out of here?

I definitely think it helps. Not to insult my friends that grew up in the city or the 'burbs, but I think I have a different perspective than a lot of people do. I grew up among blue collar people and snotty small town judgment from those who were "white collar." I never really fit in either group, and so I think I developed a good sense of self through that isolation. I also believe that being a country girl helps me to be focused on what really matters: friends, family, and faith.

Plus, I can handle any NYC bug, and I have a better sense of direction than everyone I know!

5. Any famous people sightings? If so, what was your favorite one? If not, who would you LOVE to run into and why?

Although I didn't really see her (I was too focused on avoiding the subway grates with heels on and wondering why a photographer was crouched down next to a newspaper stand to notice), Sarah Jessica Parker once checked me out in the West Village near her apartment. It was so obvious that she was checking me out that my exboyfriend saw it and then told me about a block later. Apparently I met with her approval.

On my way to a bar I realized I was behind Jeffery Dean Morgan (Denny Duchette from Grey's Anatomy) I've also met Anthony Rapp (Mark from Rent) quite a few times, mostly relating to his book, WITHOUT YOU ---which is an amazing read. I really like him and his work, so I was really pumped every single time I met him.

I would adore to run into any country musician on the street. Although I'd love to run smack into Mary J Blige or Beyonce, I have a sneaking suspicion that its a lot more likely to run into country artists, who aren't really going to get recognized outside the touristy areas since no one here likes or knows country music. One of the members from my favorite country bands: Nickel Creek, Sugarland, The Wreckers, Rascal Flatts---or hottie extraordinare Brad Paisley would be awesome. I would totally buy Sugarland numerous drinks to keep them in my company.

I hope I did all your questions justice! I've been spending a lot of time online this week, and check out my MySpace page. It reaped the benefits!

Monday, April 16, 2007

Obviously Picture Happy

After I fixed my links and spent some time in the posts from 2005 (so funny!) I decided to post this picture of my current life.

See? My boyfriend, Pough, is on the far left. I'm next in that snazzy purple top. Then, it's our friend Ted, for which there is no realistic substitute. Then it's my girl, Michelle, and Pough's buddy Andrew.

Seriously, though, every time I watch HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER I notice that not only does Pough resemble Jason Segel (Marshall) but they share the same mannerisms. This week, I also noticed that I share some personality traits in common with Alison Hannigan's character, Lily. The way Pough & I relate to each other is even strikingly similar.... but I comfort myself by knowing that there is no Ted out there, so clearly this is television.

Watchin' the CMT Music Awards


I'm seriously in love with country music today. I've been listening to it on my Ipod ALL day and I am watching the CMT awards (on DVR so I can forward through Hank Williams Jr, of course!).

I also visited The Glamorous Redneck today and I'm waiting for her to quiz me. But until then, please give my new favorite band, Sugarland, a listen. For some reason, they were advertising this album during the awards. I don't know if people aren't buying it, but country fans are notoriously stupid sometimes (after all, they snubbed the Dixie Chicks, whose album (Taking the Long Way) is one of the best I've ever heard.

But seriously, "Want To" and "These Are the Days" are my anthems. Pough, in deference to my devotion, has agreed to go to a Sugarland concert (with Kenny Chesney) in the summer, provided I don't make him listen to country during the drive.

He forgets that I get to control the Ipod/radio during half of a 34-hour round trip drive to Wisconsin. . . . passing through some serious country country.

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Healthy Again!!

I've been sick for over a week! 10 days to be exact and my health has finally returned. I missed an entire WEEK of work (I've never done that before) and I'm finally ready to go back tomorrow.

I'm so happy to be healthy I'm actually looking forward to washing dishes and cleaning the bathroom!!!

You'll hear more from me after I've actually been out and about in the world.

Monday, April 09, 2007

207 Facts in 2007: #4

Before I get into my fact of the day, I have to apologize for the lack of posts. I was sick all weekend and very busy last week---which I know is no excuse, but I nearly forgot I had a blog at all until I had a full cup of coffee and nothing to do this morning (except go to work, but I'm not really ready to do that until said coffee cup is empty).

#4: I used to want to be a famous singer/performer.

Yes, like every other 13 year old girl I wanted to be a famous singer, preferably a country performer. I thought I was the next Faith Hill, or Martina McBride. But instead, I perform Sugarland songs at karaoke with my friends on a regular basis, and act out RENT with my gay friend TS to the delight of the Bridge & Tunnel Crowd.

I did, though, write down in a list of goals that I wanted to sing on stage for people, and I had my opportunity my sophomore year in college when I played the role of Margot Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank. We sang a song about Hannukah and I had to start it. So I guess that counts for something, right?

Needless to say a lot of my other dreams came true (New York, high-profile and cool job, a boy who loves me) so I can't be too picky with God or whoever that I'm not Carrie Underwood.

Sunday, April 01, 2007

The Hottest Girl in the Room, Clearly

Most Saturdays, Pough leaves me to go to his mom's house and be a good son. Sometimes, I stay in and veg out. About half the time, I go out. Last night, I attended a friend's birthday party at a Murray Hill bar which proved my theory that I get hit on like crazy when Pough is not around.

Seriously. I know it must sound like I'm full of myself (which I sort of am) but this fact does not help. Last night, I got hit on my no less than 3 men. I could have actually gotten hit on by more (guys looking at me for signs of interest) but my hands were full enough with those 3. My single and cute friends next to me? No real action that I could tell.

This morning, while checking out my hungover complexion, I debated why I seem to attract entire groups of men while my friends seem to go unnoticed. I don't think I'm all that more attractive than them (in some cases I definitely am, and in others I'm not)---or even more attractive than I was when I was single. Perhaps men know I'm attached in some phermone-related sense and are attracted to that physically. Maybe I still give off a slut vibe (altogether possible) or I'm unknowingly flirting with these guys in some nonverbal sense.

I also think that I'm more open to talking than most of my friends, and have better game. I gave one of my guys (a really cute one) to a friend last night, she clammed up and he walked away. Talk, girl, talk! Anything flirty will do, really!

In addition to my seemingly stellar game, I do admit to shaking my booty a bit and sauntering back and forth to the bathroom. Despite that Pough and I have a solid, loving relationship and I'm assured he thinks I'm awesome, I still want to see my price tag out in the single world...which seems to be rising.

When I do talk to guys, I'm really confident--sinceI don't care if they walk away. (Some I do, the ones I would actually pursue if I was single, but I really can't care too much.) Flirting now is a complete game to me, because I get to decide when to cut their game off by saying I have a boyfriend, usually to their surprise. And my game has definitely improved, as well--I know what to talk about (baseball, music, other sports and girls) and I don't tell them jack shit about me other than the basic information that they need to know to buy me drinks (asst editor, from the Midwest, likes the Cure).

But I bet when I'm single, none of my boyfriend-having, flirting expertise will come in handy. I bet I'll still be the (moderately insecure) girl at the bar, waiting for a cute guy with a good job and a full Ipod to talk to me, or call me again after we hook up. When I'm flirting with someone who somehow seems better than Pough, I remind myself that Pough is the man in my life, the one who will always call me back, the one who I share dinner and drinks with, the one who my friends love as much as I do.

And that's more than a million business cards from randoms in my back pocket (today's is Mr. Seth M). But all the male attention does work magic for my self esteem (which in turn brings more men to my side at the bar).