This week's news of increased tensions and dangerously bad blood between North and South Korea made me think of how we live with neighbors. For the past few months I have had the joy of living next to an extremely loud woman who plays her TV loud and speaks even louder. The more and more I watch CNN the more I think "well, I guess it's a universal thing. If I can't deal with a loud TV, I guess maybe North Korea can't deal with its loud neighbor?"
So how can we all get along? How can we expect two large world superpowers to get along if we, humble New York apartment dwellers, can't do the same? Here are some simple rules for living graciously with neighbors:
-TV should never be higher than its volume's half-capacity. Past 12 a.m., it should never be higher than 1/4 capacity. Deal with it.
- Stereos are a thing of the past. Introduce yourself to headphones. If you MUST resist, the TV rules apply. Also, turn down the damn bass.
- Parties are fine on WEEKENDS ONLY! And when they will rage past 12 a.m., you must first clear it with your nextdoor neighbor. And maybe think about bringing them a baked good.
- Close your mouth in the hallway. Period.
- When walking up the stairs, try a little something called grace. You don't have to hop around like you're on an acid trip.
- When fighting with significant other, learn the silent and deadly trick: instead of raising your voice, let your anger show through your eyes. This will prevent anger from your neighbors, and it might also save your relationship, too.
-Last, but not least, learn that small talk is the devil's tool: a quick smile and acknowledgement with your neighbors is all that is necessary.
So next time you feel like you want to send a cruise missile next door, North Korea style, remember these tips to spare yourself high blood pressure (and possible U.N. sanctions.)
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
An Unfortunate Commuter's Favorite Things
Inspired by Friday's documented insanity of Oprah's "Favorite Things" episode (watch it here, and remember, those reactions are 100% real), I have for you here a list of an Unfortunate Commuter's Favorite Things. These are some things that I can't live without, and I don't think anyone who ever commutes, whether it be to school or work, can live without either. I do hope I can elicit some of the excitement that Oprah does, and if things get out of control, please make sure to document it.
1- Fossil Watch
Knowing the time is always important, but it's borderline critical when you are rushing on foot or by train to work or school. Miscalculating public transporation by a matter of seconds can be devastating. This watch looks amazing, so not only will you never be late again, but you'll be the best accessorized commuter in town! ($135, fossil.com)
2- Wool Peacoat- Gap
During the winter, it is essential for every commuter to stay as warm as humanly possible. Nothing slows down a good sprint to work in a late frenzy than cold appendages. That's why every commuter needs an awesome winter jacket. When you're bundled up tight, you, dare I say? might not even mind trudging through the snow.
This classic wool peacoat is as warm as it gets (without looking idiotic in one of those plastic puffy coats). ($135- gap.com)
3- Chuck Taylors- Converse
1- Fossil Watch
Knowing the time is always important, but it's borderline critical when you are rushing on foot or by train to work or school. Miscalculating public transporation by a matter of seconds can be devastating. This watch looks amazing, so not only will you never be late again, but you'll be the best accessorized commuter in town! ($135, fossil.com)
2- Wool Peacoat- Gap
During the winter, it is essential for every commuter to stay as warm as humanly possible. Nothing slows down a good sprint to work in a late frenzy than cold appendages. That's why every commuter needs an awesome winter jacket. When you're bundled up tight, you, dare I say? might not even mind trudging through the snow.
This classic wool peacoat is as warm as it gets (without looking idiotic in one of those plastic puffy coats). ($135- gap.com)
3- Chuck Taylors- Converse
Whether you're racing to your next class or to a morning meeting, nothing sucks more than when your feet hurt. I always have a good pair of Chuck Taylors in my closet for those days when all that matters is comfort. ($65- converse.com)
Most of the world's problems would be solved if we all had a reliable alarm clock. Luckily for us, here it is. This Emerson alarm clock is eye catching enough that you won't be able to get into bed without being reminded to set it. Plus, with its projection technology, you'll never have to turn over in bed to see how much longer you have to snooze! ($29.99- sears.com)
As Oprah would say, YOU GET A COAT! AND YOU GET COAT! AND YOU GET A COAT! But I'm not Oprah, so buy these things yourselves.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
A Fortunate Finding
Every once in a while I take a break from my whining to share with you what I like to call a "fortunate finding". These gems are what I've found while exploring the Upper West Side and are what I believe worth your time.
Last night I stumbled across a truly delicious meal, which automatically I have to share with everyone I know. The culprit? Blondies' Wings, located on 79th street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue.
A massive sports bar, I stopped by Blondies' on my way out for a quick beer with a friend. Never able to refuse food, I took a look at the menu when the waitress offered it to me. Being a bit of a buffalo wing snob, I didn't have high expectations but decided to give them a try anyways. What I found was one of the most delicious orders of wings I have ever eaten. Perfectly crispy, ample but not excessive meat, and a spicy yet flavorful sauce, these wings were definitely worth writing home about. The waffle fries (I split them, I swear) were equally delicious, perfectly golden and when paired with the buffalo sauce, a real surprise.
The only real downside here ( and it's a bit of a big one) is the price-- at just shy of $10 for 10 wings, this place isn't offering any bargains. But the fact that I am recommending this place despite the high prices should speak volumes about the quality of the meal: I, a cheap college student, would gladly drop another $10 for these wings again. Trust me, they're worth it.
With wings this good, I'd be hard pressed not to deem Blondies' a Fortunate Find.
Last night I stumbled across a truly delicious meal, which automatically I have to share with everyone I know. The culprit? Blondies' Wings, located on 79th street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue.
A massive sports bar, I stopped by Blondies' on my way out for a quick beer with a friend. Never able to refuse food, I took a look at the menu when the waitress offered it to me. Being a bit of a buffalo wing snob, I didn't have high expectations but decided to give them a try anyways. What I found was one of the most delicious orders of wings I have ever eaten. Perfectly crispy, ample but not excessive meat, and a spicy yet flavorful sauce, these wings were definitely worth writing home about. The waffle fries (I split them, I swear) were equally delicious, perfectly golden and when paired with the buffalo sauce, a real surprise.
The only real downside here ( and it's a bit of a big one) is the price-- at just shy of $10 for 10 wings, this place isn't offering any bargains. But the fact that I am recommending this place despite the high prices should speak volumes about the quality of the meal: I, a cheap college student, would gladly drop another $10 for these wings again. Trust me, they're worth it.
With wings this good, I'd be hard pressed not to deem Blondies' a Fortunate Find.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Unfortunate Fact #5.5- STILL THE DAMN PRICES!!
Went out with a friend last night who also moved into his first "real apartment" this year and got to talking about saving some money. He agreed with my sentiments and admitted that once bills are paid, there isn't too much spending money to go around. (Hence the dive bar we were sitting at, drinking the cheapest beer on tap.)
I asked him how he saves a few dollars and he gave me some tips. So, without further ado, I give you some guest tips on how to save some serious cash.
1- Buy an Unlimited Metrocard.
My friend rides the train to school three days per week and quickly realized that the unlimited Metrocard is the way to go. "It pays for itself after a few weeks. I was refilling my Metrocard twice per week before I realized how much money I was wasting. Even if you only ride the train 3 or 4 days a week, it's well worth it."
2- Generics, generics, generics
For as long as I've known my friend, he has always been a faithful Duane Reade worshiper. So, it was no surprise when he told me that he tries to buy strictly Duane Reade brand essentials. "There are always store brand items that are at least $2-$3 cheaper than the name brand. From dental floss to paper towels, Duane Reade has all the essentials in their own brand. Stick to them, and any store brand items you come across, and you'll easily shave 15 dollars off your total bill."
3- Forget cable
This one might be a stretch for some readers, but my friend swears (and I agree) that there are ways to stay entertained without cable television. "Netflix is only $9 per month. Compare it to over $70 per month for cable, it's worth it."
My two cents: catch your favorite shows on the internet. Look hard enough, and most of them are there!
Glad to know I'm not the only one trying to pinch some pennies!
I asked him how he saves a few dollars and he gave me some tips. So, without further ado, I give you some guest tips on how to save some serious cash.
1- Buy an Unlimited Metrocard.
My friend rides the train to school three days per week and quickly realized that the unlimited Metrocard is the way to go. "It pays for itself after a few weeks. I was refilling my Metrocard twice per week before I realized how much money I was wasting. Even if you only ride the train 3 or 4 days a week, it's well worth it."
2- Generics, generics, generics
For as long as I've known my friend, he has always been a faithful Duane Reade worshiper. So, it was no surprise when he told me that he tries to buy strictly Duane Reade brand essentials. "There are always store brand items that are at least $2-$3 cheaper than the name brand. From dental floss to paper towels, Duane Reade has all the essentials in their own brand. Stick to them, and any store brand items you come across, and you'll easily shave 15 dollars off your total bill."
3- Forget cable
This one might be a stretch for some readers, but my friend swears (and I agree) that there are ways to stay entertained without cable television. "Netflix is only $9 per month. Compare it to over $70 per month for cable, it's worth it."
My two cents: catch your favorite shows on the internet. Look hard enough, and most of them are there!
Glad to know I'm not the only one trying to pinch some pennies!
Unfortunate Fact #5- THE DAMN PRICES!!
Before I start ranting, let me first say that I am NOT one of those New Yorkers who are always complaining about how expensive this city is. However, I do appreciate saving a few dollars-- who doesn't?
Living on your own brings with it a whole host of new expenses. Rent, electricity, cable, and internet can break the bank, leaving not much "spending money." There are ways, however, to save a few dollars without feeling so miserly. You'll thank me when you have some cash to blow at the bar on Friday night.
Here are 5 ways to save $50 a week:
1- Brew your own coffee
If you're a coffee drinker, it is all too tempting to stop at one of the ten billion Starbucks on your way to work/class in the morning and drop four to five dollars. Do the math and you'll realize that every work week you are spending nearly $25 dollars on caffeine.
On the other hand, a container of Folgers coffee lasts nearly two weeks and costs roughly $6. (Check the CVS weekly circular before you buy- coffee is ALWAYS on sale).
Total savings per week: $22
2- Make your own lunch
My biggest expense of the week is food. As you know I love eating takeout and going to restaurants rather than cooking. But when it comes to lunch, it is so simple to save a ton of money.
An average salad or sandwich costs nearly $8. Eating lunch every day adds up to nearly $40 dollars. A homemade sandwich (meat, cheese, bread and vegetables), can be bought at the beginning of the week for about $20 at Fairway. Take some time in the morning (while you're brewing your own coffee!) to make your day's lunch. It pays off.
Total savings per week: $20
3- Always do your own laundry
How tempting is it when you see those signs in the laundromat that say for 99 cents per pound, your laundry can be washed, dried, and folded without lifting a finger? Well, here's a tip: stop being lazy. On average, your weekly laundry adds up to about 15 pounds-- that's 15 dollars every week just to get your clothes clean.
To do your laundry yourself takes about an hour's worth of time but, on average, costs a mere $7 (two washes for $2.50, two dryers for $2). Doesn't seem like much savings, but $8= 8 one-dollar drafts at your favorite happy hour spot.
Total savings per week: $8
Grand total savings per week: $50
Now nobody can tell me that they wouldn't want an extra $50 per week. And after rent and bills are paid for, you quickly realize that $50 is well worth three small sacrifices.
Living on your own brings with it a whole host of new expenses. Rent, electricity, cable, and internet can break the bank, leaving not much "spending money." There are ways, however, to save a few dollars without feeling so miserly. You'll thank me when you have some cash to blow at the bar on Friday night.
Here are 5 ways to save $50 a week:
1- Brew your own coffee
If you're a coffee drinker, it is all too tempting to stop at one of the ten billion Starbucks on your way to work/class in the morning and drop four to five dollars. Do the math and you'll realize that every work week you are spending nearly $25 dollars on caffeine.
On the other hand, a container of Folgers coffee lasts nearly two weeks and costs roughly $6. (Check the CVS weekly circular before you buy- coffee is ALWAYS on sale).
Total savings per week: $22
2- Make your own lunch
My biggest expense of the week is food. As you know I love eating takeout and going to restaurants rather than cooking. But when it comes to lunch, it is so simple to save a ton of money.
An average salad or sandwich costs nearly $8. Eating lunch every day adds up to nearly $40 dollars. A homemade sandwich (meat, cheese, bread and vegetables), can be bought at the beginning of the week for about $20 at Fairway. Take some time in the morning (while you're brewing your own coffee!) to make your day's lunch. It pays off.
Total savings per week: $20
3- Always do your own laundry
How tempting is it when you see those signs in the laundromat that say for 99 cents per pound, your laundry can be washed, dried, and folded without lifting a finger? Well, here's a tip: stop being lazy. On average, your weekly laundry adds up to about 15 pounds-- that's 15 dollars every week just to get your clothes clean.
To do your laundry yourself takes about an hour's worth of time but, on average, costs a mere $7 (two washes for $2.50, two dryers for $2). Doesn't seem like much savings, but $8= 8 one-dollar drafts at your favorite happy hour spot.
Total savings per week: $8
Grand total savings per week: $50
Now nobody can tell me that they wouldn't want an extra $50 per week. And after rent and bills are paid for, you quickly realize that $50 is well worth three small sacrifices.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Unfortunate Fact #4- Killing Time
This week has seen the first of what will be many cold days in New York City. Last year, I never let the cold get me down, as it was easy to avoid. Between classes, residents of McMahon Hall can scurry through the hall from Lowenstein to McMahon without ever facing the brisk weather.
Commuters, on the other hand, don't have that luxury. I found this one out the hard way. Faced with a 2 hour break between my classes, and 40 degree weather outside, I realized that there was no easy way to hop home for a quick lunch, or even better, a nap. I was forced to find a way to kill time in Lowenstein. What a challenge it was.
FCLC is in large part a commuter campus, but, in my opinion, lacks a lot of amenities for said commuters. Sure there are the three Ls (Lounges, Labs, and the Library), but there isn't really a place to kick back and relax.
The computer labs on the third floor of Lowenstein are often crowded with scurrying students trying to finish last minute homework. For someone looking to kill time, the labs are pretty useless. With an unsaid rule of "do work or get out", I find myself pretty uncomfortable in the computer lab browsing Facebook while others are waiting to finish a last-minute assignment.
Sure, the lounges are nice and airy, but they are often too crowded to even get a seat. The second floor soft-lounge offers comfortable seating and a laid-back atmosphere, but who really wants to sit that close to the financial aid office? You are really taking your life into your own hands, as there are hourly verbal disagreements and often threats of violence between dejected students trying to pay their bill and often clueless financial aid staff. (Maybe I exaggerated about the threats of violence. Maybe that one's just me...)
And don't get me started on the library. For anyone not cramming at 12 a.m. for a final or midterm, this place is the pits. Dark, cold, and totally uninviting, "relaxing" is a non-option.
So, here's my plea. To the people at Fordham who can make things happen: on behalf of all commuters here at FCLC, PLEASE give us somewhere comfortable to relax. We're not asking for much. Some comfortable chairs and a judgement-free zone shouldn't be that hard to provide. Can't we check our Facebooks and drink a cup of coffee in peace? Without braving the elements?
Until then, I guess I will have to suffer in the cafeteria. While it's loud, echoing, and downright uncomfortable, at least I can sit for a few hours without being chased.
Commuters, on the other hand, don't have that luxury. I found this one out the hard way. Faced with a 2 hour break between my classes, and 40 degree weather outside, I realized that there was no easy way to hop home for a quick lunch, or even better, a nap. I was forced to find a way to kill time in Lowenstein. What a challenge it was.
FCLC is in large part a commuter campus, but, in my opinion, lacks a lot of amenities for said commuters. Sure there are the three Ls (Lounges, Labs, and the Library), but there isn't really a place to kick back and relax.
The computer labs on the third floor of Lowenstein are often crowded with scurrying students trying to finish last minute homework. For someone looking to kill time, the labs are pretty useless. With an unsaid rule of "do work or get out", I find myself pretty uncomfortable in the computer lab browsing Facebook while others are waiting to finish a last-minute assignment.
Sure, the lounges are nice and airy, but they are often too crowded to even get a seat. The second floor soft-lounge offers comfortable seating and a laid-back atmosphere, but who really wants to sit that close to the financial aid office? You are really taking your life into your own hands, as there are hourly verbal disagreements and often threats of violence between dejected students trying to pay their bill and often clueless financial aid staff. (Maybe I exaggerated about the threats of violence. Maybe that one's just me...)
And don't get me started on the library. For anyone not cramming at 12 a.m. for a final or midterm, this place is the pits. Dark, cold, and totally uninviting, "relaxing" is a non-option.
So, here's my plea. To the people at Fordham who can make things happen: on behalf of all commuters here at FCLC, PLEASE give us somewhere comfortable to relax. We're not asking for much. Some comfortable chairs and a judgement-free zone shouldn't be that hard to provide. Can't we check our Facebooks and drink a cup of coffee in peace? Without braving the elements?
Until then, I guess I will have to suffer in the cafeteria. While it's loud, echoing, and downright uncomfortable, at least I can sit for a few hours without being chased.
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