Just when I had you convinced I’m a lazy cow, I took some action. The weather’s gorgeous, I have many a short little dress waiting to come out, and frankly, the time has come for me to take your advice, which has been much appreciated. I’ve started walking to and from work rather than hopping on the subway, and so long as it’s sunny and nice, I’ve decided that my new habit is going to be a post-work run, and that the thirty-block walk home can be a nice little warm-up.

I started slow, running about three quarters of a mile outside without falling over dead, and walking briskly after for another twenty or thirty minutes. May not seem like a lot, but in the city, speedwalking is essentially a slow jog. I have to say, it felt pretty damn good to take in the scenery of New York while bobbing and weaving through crowds on the sidewalks.

Fortunately I live fairly close to a park on the East River (one of those waterways that’s pretty from a high-rise, but should never ever be touched for fear of hepatitis or happening upon a dead body), and was able to set my route accordingly. I’m actually looking forward to going out again tonight, with my goal of extending by a few blocks and hopefully getting that extra quarter mile into my routine by the time next week starts. Read More »

Senior year of college marks the beginning of an entirely new lifestyle. Here are a few of the top post-graduation destinations, what brings people there, and what you should know before renting a U-Haul:

Chicago, Illinois

Kanye West’s hometown is clean and pretty, giving Midwestern culture a big city to call their own. This is where about eighty percent of my college friends moved after graduation.

Yea!
It’s right on the beach for summertime. You also have tons of grad schools to choose from if you don’t want to work just yet, and a great laid-back vibe. It’s a driving city, too, so you’re not obligated to give up your car. Go to Cubs or Sox games, or start supporting the ‘da Bears!
Nay?
Ever heard of lake-effect snow? The Chi can get bitterly cold in the winter. Traffic is rough, so you may want to study up on your public transportation. Also, it has the potential to feel like undergrad relocated. Read More »

The 2008 Grammy nominees were recently announced.

In case you don’t know, winning a Grammy is sort of similar to winning the superlative for “like the most coolest, most awesome, most fabulous person EVER!!!” in your 12th grade yearbook.

The Grammy Award is one of, if not the most prestigious award to win in music. Unlike the American Music Awards or MTV’s Video Music Awards, feathered boas and pasties aren’t exactly appropriate attire. Artists don their Lorraine Schwartz jewels and their vintage haute-couture gowns and put their classiest act forward.

So naturally, when I read that Amy Winehouse is up for six Grammy noms (including both record and album of the year), one must wonder how a girl who is too drugged out to function will manage to:
a) Dress appropriately
b) Give a speech in the event that she wins
c) Actually show up (and not be totally obliterated)

The Grammy’s just got so much more exciting don’t you think??

Kanye is leading the pack with 8 nominations, and others up for awards include Justin Timberlake (What Goes Around Comes Around), Beyonce (Irreplaceable), Rhianna (Umbrella-ella… that song is STILL in my head) and Plain White T’s (Hey There Delilah… and that song STILL annoys me). Read More »

I used to be a PM gym-goer. Considering I spent about 99% of my college mornings in a state of hung-over, getting to the gym before class was not an option.

Instead, I would roll out of bed, drag my pajama’d ass to class and take a nice long nap before heading to the rec building for my pre-drinking workout.

But now that college is over (and no, I am still not over it), I spend ten hours a day behind a desk and can’t muster the energy to get out of my car after work to pick up my take out, let alone make it through an hour long kickboxing class.

I have been left with no choice but to do the AM thang. 5:30 in the AM to be exact.

And let me tell you, it is not fun. It is still quite dark outside when my alarm starts screaming at 5:30. I stumble around my house looking for my workout apparel and don’t even open my eyes until my feet hit the treadmill.

The only thing that gets me through this early morning hell is music. And I have finally perfected the art of the motivating playlist. These mixes put some pep in my ellipticizing step.

I may even be found boogying on the gym ball. Read More »

Kanye West likes to complain.

Remember last year when he rushed the stage at the MTV Europe VMA’s, flipping out about the fact that his video cost “1 million dollars!” and that he had “Pam Anderson” and “jumped across canyons and shit!”?

Most people were like, “Whoa, Kanye. You’re talented and stuff…but calm down.”

And he did, for a little while.

Then of course, came the VMA’s on American soil, and West was shut out again, winning no awards for his “genius”. Instead of having a tantrum in front of however many millions of people, Kanye upgraded his whining to backstage…and the radio.

“That’s two years in a row, man … give a black man a chance!” He exclaimed while waiting for a elevator, stomping around and hitting things. “I’m trying hard man, I have the … No. 1 record, man!”

After flipping out the night of show (much like I used to flip out when I was 4 and my mom wouldn’t let me have a second cookie…give a toddler a chance, man!) Kanye went to New York radio station Z100 last Monday and said he felt “betrayed” by the network.

He went on to say it wasn’t because he didn’t win, it was because of the programming; namely, allowing an unprepared Britney Spears to open the festivities and relegating him to a luxury suite at the Casino where the VMA’s were broadcast to perform instead of the main stage. Read More »

For those of you halfway through your first school week, relaxing with a cold one may not be the first thing on your mind. But why not? It’s Hump Day! Celebrate your first (half) week back with a little get together!

Everyone knows that a party is not complete without a decent mix of pump-up songs. Besides, who doesn’t enjoy chugging your beers to a bumpin’ beat? It’s important for every college lady to know the best tunes to guide you along the beautiful road to tipsy:

Fiddy & JT: She Wants It (Ayo Technology)
Justin’s always a no-fail, but make sure to resist the drunken lap dance. You’ll always manage to feel a lot hotter than you actually look, bumping and grinding and simultaneously knocking over your roommate’s laptop. (Oops.) Read More »

Yup, the list is out. MTV’s annual VMA noms have been released, and the list looks a little…repetitive, if I do say so myself.

And um, lame. Did I mention lame?

Of course you’ve got your Kanye and Justin, Rihanna pops up a lot, and at least there’s a little justice in this world- Amy Winehouse is on the list, but did someone fail to notice that the Plain White T’s, Hey There Delilah came out last year? This year’s “sudden hit” was a re-release. Cheap. Read More »

Kanye West (w/ Daft Punk): “Stronger”

From the forth coming album Graduation set to drop September 11, 2007. Download the single here.