July 31st

Helped move Pat and Terko in today. And when I say "helped" I mean, sat on a chair in the back yard and caught some rays. I was more useless than the last time I helped the guys move in a year ago. At least that time I brought pizza...even if the pizza guy ended up carrying it all up the stairs for me. I paid for it and it is the thought that counts! I did get them their first (new) bottle of Absolut, so I think that counts :)

The most exciting thing that happened today was the formation of my first official book club- Pat, James, Jess, Jenn and I will be starting with The Great Gatspy. All meetings will require a case of beer and a bottle of wine for discussions. I approve.

Future books include: Catcher in the Rye, To Kill a Mockingbird, Sex, Drugs and Coco Puffs (James's pick...is that even a real book??) I am currently in the middle of the "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" series (reviews to follow) so I might have to juggle two books at the same time, but I spend enough time on public transportation that it shouldn't be a problem.

Andrew is currently snoring...I may be awake longer than expected.

My first NYC celebrity sighting!!

Well, not really...let's start from the beginning. I have been working in NYC for 2 years at a store with a high profile address with some pretty high profile customers. I figured at some point I would see a celebrity come into the store especially after hearing stories about Jim Carrey, Daniel Craig, Kim Cattrall etc. but I to this day have not seen a celebrity in the store. I have seen the likes of Andy Roddick, Brook Shields, Mary-Kate Olsen, Fergie (Dutchess of York) and others at special events, but they don't count because they're supposed to be there.

I never really thought about seeing celebrities on the streets whether it was walking around like normal people or filming a movie UNTIL everyone else I knew was talking about who they randomly saw during their lunch break. My friend Mara makes me jealous almost on a daily basis with her sightings. So I changed up my lunch time routine and decided it was time well spent wandering the avenues of NYC just to catch a glimpse of someone...anyone. It is pretty much the old "a watched pot never boils" type situation. I had pretty much given up hope of having a random encounter and went back to eating indoors (this also may have something to do with the fact that NY was hit by a MAJOR heat wave, and staying outside for long periods of time was not an option).

Yesterday, everything turned around. You could say it turned into a "when you stop looking you will find the one" type situation. I leave for my lunch break and 1 block away is a movie set. My first "active" movie set since I've been here. I had absolutely no idea what they were filming or if it was over, but after walking around the block 7 times (that is not an exaggerated number) I got lucky! As I am approaching one of the trailors, Russell Brand is walking in. I immediately send a text (in all caps) to Mara that "I JUST SAW THE GUY FROM GET HIM TO THE GREEK!! I'm so happy". At that point I knew who he was but I couldn't remember his name...worst. fan. ever.
The signs around the block said they would be filming there yesterday and today. I bet you can guess what I did today for my lunch break. This time I was sure to have my camera on my phone ready for action. As I am standing outside the Bloomberg building looking like a tool he comes walking by and I took this little snap shot. He looks funny in suspenders...and a little like Michael Jackson. Anywho, I will continue to keep my eyes out!