who's got the time?

so. it's been almost a month since we last spoke. i was obviously in a speakish kind of mood, no? on a roll for no good reason but to push my personal diary on you. you so loved it! let's catch up... i've missed you.

hard hats, hamburgers, heart-felts, and one hot mess

yesterday was habitat for humanity day here in ct&d at the great genentech [heretofore noted as "gne"]. when i arrive to these sorts of things i have to continuously wonder why [WHY?] must and do i sign up for them? i get dirty. i get sweaty [at times]. i have to wear an ugly, previously used, notably disgusting hard hat... and gloves... and belt thingy. most of all, i get hungry... quite early on.

we arrived by 9a and by 9.25 we, all four of us ckpy ladies, were still standing over the glove pail trying to find matching items to wear. the fact that they were sandy and sweaty was not lost on me, mind you, and i finally had to choose a pair that resembled ov'gloves... you know those... and, really, i'm not positive that they weren't.

by 10 i wanted to know what was for lunch. WHAT were we going to have to eat? more importantly, what the heck time was it? my back already hurt and chadrick [what a name!] had us building walls. the nerve. well, i guess since i was there after i personally signed up for this manual labor activity and then volunteered to actually build walls, he had the right to tell me to follow-through. off to work i went, me, my lowes belt, and my hideous hard hat.... motto for the day? safety first!

noon didn't come soon enough. by this time my sweatshirt was off and i was fully sporting the wife-beater [when written it just seems so awful, doesn't it??] removing nails from a misplaced wall. i was still dwelling on the fact that someone actually put a wall on backwards when we decided to take it to the streets to grab food. mcdonalds [!!!] it was. o.m.g. sogood. soooooo.good. today, a day later, my stomach hates me for it. after cleansing myself [nearly three months ago] from such utter toxins by body rejects that sort of processed/fake food like kim jong il pushes out the year 1968. it HATES it. i, however, loved it... every second of my delicious big mac [one of which i haven't had in circa 10 years].

it was here that i noticed i was one hot mess. seriously. my pants seemed to be see-through. my cheap tank was see-through [don't you worry, i sure did have a sports bra on underneath], i was just all around trash central. to make it better, after we were finished with our do-gooding for the day we went to grab a margarita, all of us looking disheveled and accomplished, at the most poppin' place in burlingame... my hot city. i'm not sure what i think of when i wake in the morning and pick out some of the clothes i do. i mean, i'm a fashionable gal, to be sure, but there are times where i think i lose my mind on these matters.

i had to go home immediately after the final bite of burrito was taken in because justin called and i needed to shower. justin is one of my besties. seriously, i had a bff just like him in college but that went south and i am so glad that i can sit over a beer with him for two hours, talking about the most random things - encouraging each other. i loved it! i can tell him anything and he doesn't, to my face, think i'm nuts... we talked about everything going on in life - from jobs, to crushes, to, well, the unmentionable and quite questionable story. it made my day.

in the end the day ended up being a stupendous success - i worked, i felt useful, and, most fantastically, i gained another tan line that i'll have to rid myself of before 9p on saturday night when i don a black-tie dress to the black and white ball in s.f. really, this event has been 10 years [give or take two years] in the making and i'm going to look like a crazy doof on speed street [that's for you north carolinians out there!]... i loved that i had no contact to the internet for at least 8 hours, i was outside, and i was helping others. will a peace corps application be in my future? it's possible. and i think i would love it. i love this stuff... i really wish i hated money as much as i love working with other humans in servanthood. well, i'm getting there. and, soon, i'll be wearing the same outfit day in and day out while i commune with those i serve with... yeah right, if by serve with i mean "race" with because i'd be on the amazing race wearing the same clothes, then sign me up!

in san diego, i am i am...

12.37p - (on plane) realize that though i finally chose dan in real life, i didn't choose to actually rent it. no internet connection = no video rental = sucks to my asthmar. way to pay attention to the most important details, nicole.

1.40p - flight was on time.... of course! have arrived to san diego with no incident... however, am feeling quite ill on the mr. pibb recently consumed. hopefully the bathroom is in near proximity at all times. speaking of which,

1.46p - the line for that joint. long. and the stalls! i mean, they are so small. so small. i don't want to be in confined spaces any more. as the bag lady of today, my laptop bag, purse, two large stinking books and my sack lunch are getting unruly. oh the wendy's. can someone get this away from me? i'm not hungry. and that soda freaked my system out.

2.05p - i look up. enter: total weirdo staring at me in THE most intense way possible. i stifle my laughter because it's just hilarious that he is sitting there, leaning forward, and staring like i've never seen before. hilarity.

2.08p - flight is now delayed. are we surprised? no. hopefully it's only the five minutes as listed.

oh to be back in the beautiful bay in two hours. having this layover has afforded me another opportunity to rent a movie. which shall i choose? the way we were? live free or die hard?! the assassination of jesse james by the coward robert ford? the truth about cats and dogs? our time restrictions limit and and dan in real life it is. justin lewis, i trust you. hopefully my computer won't conk out in the middle of it....

Of course I'm going to San Diego today!

just as planned... i'll be heading straight to SAN for a quick 35 minute trip. notsomuch.

let me begin my first chatter_flow write-up by saying my trip (obviously) started off quite well. it was last night that got me bugged this morning and out of sorts. whenever i have work trips that are about to end, i get all whacked out about leaving in the morning. i'm not sure when the day will come that i realize i cannot take morning flights! hello. seriously. helllloooo.

now, it's true that i am late for every flight i take - and every flight i've ever taken (unless i'm forced into a pre-45 minute arrival by an anxious relative... please).

let me describe (in great detail....):

10p, May 21, 2008 - decided it's better to sleep in next day, will call united/travel agency in AM to discuss alternate options of travel.

7.35a, May 22, 2008 - don't want to get up... am so glad flight will be changed. of course i can't make one at 10.30! that's nutty, i mean, who could get themselves together in three hours?

8.00a - decide i want to leave phoenix. i've been away from home for a week and a half and need to do nothing in my lovely room. must write emails first.

8.03a - don't want to go as there are clothes all over the room, bathroom, (walk-in!) closet... arrange a new flight with Fred which happens to be FIVE hours after my pre-arranged flight.

8.45a - have realized i've waisted no less than 45 minutes (give or take) on emails and music arranging on itunes... quite important given the circumstances, to be sure.

8.46a - call Fred and request original flight... have already paid money to confirm stand-by.

9.03a - panic. start to pack. frenzy sets in as time flies by. why doesn't it all fit!? eventually, after subtle throws of oneself on suitcase in (walk-in!) closet, zipper goes. wild-woman run around room ensues... ensuring all but my bridesmaid roses are ready to go.

9.35a - call bell desk and arrange a car to pick me up from my room. stupid computer will not shut down but before throwing it onto the patio, decide to just do a hard stop. we'll deal with that later! knock on the door, car is here... hallelujah! no hotel receipt is needed, they can email it. i'm going to make it as united has always been the most accommodating airline...

9.56a - think again. i've missed the 45 minute window and, thusly, my flight. crap in the toilet. that's what it felt like. daaaaangit! ronnie at the sky cap explains my options, like i don't ever fly... pay for car, credit card won't work. i have no cash. i'm so glad i'm paid to be a planner.

10.07a - reality sets in. i've missed the flight. go talk to stephanie about my options, as though i'm in the hospital talking about treatment decisions. stephanie has 'tude with me and i wonder if, by 10a, stephanie has had a bad day. then i realize she just works for united.

10.11a - next united flight is at 3.21p... ah, yes! that one i was supposed to be on in the second place. get real. i've been overzealous and am already at the airport. i'm flying out NOW!

10.17a - board shuttle bus to pop two terminals down to go to us airways... i still want my stinking united miles! sweet sauce - southwest is here and they're cheap. not that it matters... the biz will pick my faux pas up.

10.23a - arrive in terminal four. am hit with thought about discussing current situation with mother, harsh opponent to my airline arrival decisions. go through monologue about how irresponsible it is to miss flights and not plan, waste of money, time, yadda yadda yadda. decide to not tell mother unless abosolutely necessary.

10.35a - still in line at southwest. really?! call courtney. clothes are still in monica's wash in north carolina - it's been a week. they're rotten. discusting. we'll need to figure something out as no one wants to return from a honeymoon to wet, smelly clothes. will email michelle upon arrival in SF.

10.39a - my turn! boy, is girl at southwest so much nicer. too bad i can't remember HER name to save my life. discuss options again - apparently i needed a second opinion. flight going to san jose (note: not san francisco) leaving in less than an hour. have layover. no biggie, i'll take it. stupid system won't sell the ticket in short time period. crap in the toilet.

10.41a - will take flight to SFO via san diego leaving hour even later. 12.30p it is. i'll take it! credit card will not work. cursing plastic and all other fiascos happening today. boy comes over and brags about his ability to make it work. it works. i proceed to pet his is ego by saying what a hand he has at these sorts of things... fantastic!

10.47a - have officialy purchased first ticket at the counter for a flight taking off same day, noticing it was quite cheap given the circumstances.

10.54a - am finalized but wonder if us airways had something better. of course they did, i just didn't ask. i deserve my two hour flight to home to last circa four hours... which means i could be going to new york. decide not to think about it.

10.55a - want to throw two large books in my possession away... they have been nothing but a bother for the past week. feel it's better to keep them as one was a gift, the other is kristi's and she probably wants it back.

10.57a - through security without incident! am not hungry but there is food around. since i'm feeling sorry for myself i decide i'm depressed and therefore more than deserve wendy's. buy chicken meal with copious amounts of "stuff" in my hands - girl too quick for me and so i must grab it all and scuffle to the side.

10.59a - am in depression and need to get soda instead of something healthy... mr. pibb it is. wonder what it'll be like since i haven't had it since the tenth grade. can't find a top. locate all of my accessories including top and straw are directly in front of my face.

11.00a - where is my ticket. WHERE IS MY GOSH FORSAKEN TICKET!? have lost said ticket... panic ensues. if only that girl hadn't been so hasty! push people out of line to realize ticket is not on counter by hasty chick. decide to sit down at gate and figure this all out.

11.03a - walk with "stuff" circling my neck and arms - including two ridiculous books - wondering whether i'm going to make this flight. is someone going to be me? this mr. pibb is as good as remembered.

11.05a - ticket found! it was only upside down in my little holder. well of course that's where it would be.

11.06a - time to write-up experience as though a real-life autobiographist...

11.11a - mother calls to find out about travel plans. act as though i was always coming in at a quarter to four in the afternoon and don't know where she got 1.15p from. we'll attack this "miscommunication" head on upon my arrival home. oh yes! we'll see you soon... can't wait!

11.54a - realize that my wendy's, which i was never hungry for, is now cold and soggy on chair beside me. fries do not = mcdonalds'... dissapointing but not surprising.

11.55a - will rent movie on itunes... my treat to me! there will be blood it is. "i'll DRINK your milkshake! i drink it up!". i just can't wait. i've been through a day... and, according to me, deserve the most irresponsible travel award. i'm sure debs will concure as soon as we discuss my antics... which is nothing new and nothing less than typical...

12.05p - there will be blood not available for rental. atonement? do i want to be depressed even more than i am? yes. but maybe dan in real life? oh my...

12.06p - boarding has begun. how does southwest work? do i have a seat? who cares... i'm going to san diego today!

12.09p - wonder how this could all happen in five hours. it's really only noon? there must be more to come...

{let's talk fashion} Tweed, the ultimate in classy fabrics

I’m just going to say that “tweed” is the word for the month… no, make that the season. Am I right or am I right?

I am an avid reader of a certain weekly magazine and I know that it was announced a month ago that tweed is the new black. But hey, I only get to write this column every other week, so sometimes you readers just have to wait for my fashion forecast.

No matter, I have to admit that I enjoy the material, or pattern, and even my mom bought a pink tweed jacket when I traveled up to beautiful San Francisco two weeks ago.

This brings up a good point, reader of my column. Tweed is a fabric that all ages can enjoy. Why? Because it has to be, in my opinion, the definition of classic. Even “level-headed” Jessica Simpson paired it with a pair of jeans for her appearance on Live! With Regis and Kelly.

Now, as we all know, the bandwagon that I love to jump on and ride around town in is the one where I can stand up and say that women need to present themselves in a respectful light. Tweed jackets fit well, ladies, because they are so age defying and classy, and if I happen to find some pants in that same fabric, I will be the first to purchase them. Call me crazy but I enjoy things like this… don’t ask me why.

Oh! Newsflash: it’s still cold outside! That’s right… that’s fog swiftly moving atop the ocean, not some sort of sun-mist that you’re staring at outside your window. So that means wear pants and long-sleeved things. Just don’t be cold; Mom doesn’t like you getting sick.

Anyway, so there’s tweed. But get this, as we all know, trucker hats are out – um, yeah, now you know so take it off – but Ashton began another craze that has hit L.A. hard.

It’s not the fedora… no, no, no. the fad (because this one, as well, is going to fly out the door by next month) is religious wear. We have seen over the past year the “Jesus is my Homeboy” shirts all over the place – worn by the likes of Jennifer Garner and Pammy Anderson. But those tees are only the beginning.

Hollywood is going religion-happy after Mel Gibson’s release of “The Passion of the Christ” last month, and there is a sudden manifestation of celebs wanting to wear things that promote religion. Notice the influx of made-for-TV “Jesus” movies?

Now I read about this fad in a magazine that I am forced (wink, wink) to read at my internship, so I know it’s the truth. But I don’t know how these shirts and other items of clothing will come about, or what clever sayings they will bear.

Just note that the “Homeboy” shirts aren’t the only shirts that Urban Outfitters is selling down on Third Street. My apartment-mate also has a “God Squad” shirt that represents the essence of the Trinity. I mean, how great is that? I think it’s a simple way to spread the Word… but I could just be insane. I think you should check some of these things out… I don’t know, maybe buy something.

That’s right, cohorts, I am encouraging you to go out and purchase a shirt that mocks all that you know and borders on the blasphemous… but it’s all for the sake of fashion, right? Right.

Life is too short to live it by the wayside, watching everyone else wear red while you sit and wear a pale taupe color. Unless you really like taupe – it looks good on many skin tones.

Anyway, the idea here is to think outside the box. Some may hate what you wear and judge you for it; forget them. Wear that shirt from your wacky wardrobe to church and discuss the pros and cons of its message.

Find a color that you’ve never worn and dress it up for your class on Tuesday morning. Take that sweatshirt that you wear every day, toss it on your bed, and throw on a button up shirt.

Wear white.

If you like army green, wear it.

Your fashion is all about you. So play it up and flatter yourself. It doesn’t matter what sex you are, as long as you know who you are and what you like. Because, in the end, it doesn’t matter if people see who you are by what you wear, it matters if you like what you see in the mirror bright and early each morning.

{let's talk fashion} Jeans on guys: It’s time to get rid of the one-pair system

It’s another week for fashion and I’m loving every minute of it! I can hardly wait every other week to pen these words to you. However, my roommates can attest that I never really know what I’m going to write until I sit down and actually start typing away.

Good news all the same, readers of my column… last night I had an epiphany, which, as the dictionary.com defines it, it: “A sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something”

Readers! I definitely, yet unfortunately, did not come to know the purpose for our lives. That is indeed not my forte, for as you can see I am a simple fashion writer. Ergo! I did come across the idea that I should emphasize the importance of the famed material of denim in our everyday lives. This thought was brought on by my good friend… well, to protect his identity we’ll go with calling him “Willy.”

Willy led me to the realization that jeans (and I’m not talking just the color of denim here, compatriots), can be a life-altering material when worn in the right atmosphere. There is a deeper meaning that I am trying to get out there. How should I say it? Jeans are the most important part of the outfit.

On the average, a guy will wear jeans more than slacks or khakis, unless he’s some sort of annoying Cape Cod model or some such thing. Therefore, you males need to grasp the underlying truth that lies within the pockets of those trousers: girls look at them more than they look at your face.

I know it’s unbelievable. You don’t want to believe it right now. Take a moment; I’ll be here when you get back. That’s fine… now get back to reading.

I have always thought (this is crazy, I know) that a boy can own one pair of good jeans and be set. That’s right, only one. My advice was always to go out and spend a good amount of money on a single pair of boot-cut jeans and then couple them with varying sorts of sweaters and tops – this was just the best way to go. Willy, however, counseled otherwise.

As a male, he pointed out that his fantastic jeans that he spent “a good amount of money on” were not jeans that he felt comfortable in for the “nightlife”. Let’s just say, he did not feel at ease pairing them with a stiff black button up and nice black Kenny Coles for carousing the Sunset Strip.

Well, this was not good news. So, I have changed my ringtone – I now believe in the two pairs jeans policy. Of course it’s more money, but what it will do for your dating life! As Willy pointed out, guys either like their pants too big (way late 1990s, fellows; we’re in a new millennium now) or too tight (quite Euro, but I don’t mind it at all). His remedy to this problem was to buy jeans that fit just right around his waist, and lo and behold, they would fall at a perfect length above his shoe.

To us ladies this seems like the logical choice, but we can testify that we hardly ever buy clothes in our size. (A major faux pas I might add but that is an opinion for another time and you’ve already heard my piece regarding it.)

My fashion advice for this point in our lives together is this: buy a pair of jeans for everyday life and one pair of jeans for going out on the town, boys. It’s so simple. Girls don’t care if you wear the exact same pants day in and day out. If you have no fashion sense, then they’ll be happy with what you do have.

The jeans should fall to one small fold above the top of the shoes and be snug around your waist – and please note, hip-huggers are for women. Tapered jeans are detestable and should not be worn, neither should stonewash. Oh the horror of the “washed” jeans of the 1980s.

Jean jackets should never be paired with a pair of jeans but every male should own one. We all know and love Carson from “Queer Eye”. He says that mismatched jeans are OK but he is lying to you. They are a “no-go” together but a “must have” separately.

All in all, jeans are important to the wardrobe of the male. Guys, you don’t seem to always notice the urgency with which girls compliment you on your jeans or tell you to buy good pants. They are just trying to help you out.

Willy has the idea: girls are attracted to men that wear their clothes well and that means that they have to fit. They don’t have to be extraordinarily expensive, just well-fitting and boot cut. Now, boys, go out and get fitted up… out with your old and in with your new – jeans that is.

{let's talk fashion} Fleecy February fashions for fun Valentine's Day functions

It's the first week of February, reader-friends, and so I must urge you to do one thing for me: wear red!

I know it's an uncanny thing that I suggest with such fervor to wear a color that is historically over-worn Valentine's Week but that is just one reason I do it... because next week everyone is going to be in the lovey dovey mood and you'll just be another floating scarlet mist in a sea of crimson hues.

You want to stand out today, right now, right here. While you and I are thinking about it and on the subject, I do hope you fall in love or something before the fateful day of Saint Valentine (you do have more than a week). Anyway, enough sweetheart talk... it sorta makes me ill. But not really. I received fantastic feedback from you all, oh readers of my column, in regards to article numero uno. I must say that I enjoy hearing your sweet woes and your joys over the words that I pen. keep letting me know what you want to hear!

In fact, would you let me know what you want to hear, er, read? No one really helped with that last time so I must insist on making you read my opinions and thoughts. How about this one: stop wearing jeans and accompanying skirts. Is this trend for real? I seriously thought that fad went in and out of 2000 without seeing the light of a new millennium. Who's bringing it back? Hint: it shouldn't be you.

Enough of that. Let's talk winter wear. Groundhog Day was Monday and, let's face it, we really don't have any idea how long winter will really last, but, nonetheless it's here for at least six more weeks. Live in the present.

I love scarves; I am the first to admit it. Ergo I am not in support, Ladies, of scarves and tanks. If that's not an oxymoron then what, pray tell, is? Why would one leave the house in a tank with a scarf wrapped around the whole of the neck? Anyway, I'm asking too many questions. Let's get some facts out there. (I didn't say statistics, I said facts... If you want a statistic: 78 percent of our campus has fallen smitten to this most awkward fad. And yes, I definitely just made that up.)

Anyway, I can understand that we're in Malibu and it's slightly warm here (though my thermometer says "no go on tank tops") and we also want to feel as though we're part of winter but isn't there another way? I'm going to be that voice you choose to ignore every morning when you put on that short skirt in 50-degree weather (I can also be called "Mom"). When we dress in clothes that are designed for summer when it's wintertime, we look ridiculous. That's right, ridiculous. People are lying to us when they say that we "look so cute" in our miniskirt and bare arms. I mean, yes, we would look cute if we were at a beach party in July, be we are talking February here.

Don't lie to yourself either... we all know Uggs don't make your entire body warm when you're wearing a skirt that hits just about eight inches above the knee. How about we play a game of catch? I'll toss a remedy out there, catch it if you will. Take your scarf, wrap it around your neck so it hangs down both sides, and button up your cinched jean jacket just under the chest; couple that with some matching linen pants and you've got yourself a light and airy, yet classic, winter outfit - perfect for the temperate Malibu weather.

In fact, you would look great in a pair of light pink pants, a white tank or shirt, a dark fitted jacket, and a red and pink striped scarf for that hot date that you're planning a week from now. Another great thing you can pair that scarf with is the red that you are going to wear this weekend before the rush to crimson comes at the end of next week. I have to admit, I feel that it would be a stupendous outfit indeed.

Now I have to digress from women's fashions for a moment because I do have some faithful male readers and I love you all. Senior Jared Battaglia is trying to bring back the fleece vest. Now, I don't know how I feel about this but I would like your thoughts on it. He is also attempting a rash comeback of the corduroy blazer. This indeed might be too much to stomach all at once but I have to admit that it is a noble endeavor on Jared's part.

Friends, love is in the air and corduroy is on the horizon. Tell me what you think. Until then, wear red; don't wear jeans with skirts; and keep light, airy, and warm with you scarves over the next month until we hit spring break. You are going to look and feel fabulous!