Easy A

I haven't done a movie review in a while now and this movie deserves one. A film about a high school girl who lived her life under the radar, not being noticed until one day when she lies to her best friend about losing her virginity to a college boy. From that lie rumors spread like wildfire throughout her school, making her normal life into a whirlpool of sex, lies and blogging. A modern day Scarlet Letter film.

Emma Stone plays Olive Pendhergast and not since Juno has there been a character so well developed and classically humorous. Her relationship with her parents is what every girl would wish for. The wit and charm in this movie are what make it the great film it is. And who can get enough of Penn Badgley?? Not I! One criticism I have is Lisa Kudrow. She plays the role of the Guidance Councelor who is really not very good at her job. Now Lisa Kudrow is awesome and I love her and I'm not saying she was bad in this movie...I'm not. She was very good. However, her portrayal of the character was reminiscent of a former character she played many years ago...Phoebe Buffay. I love Phoebe...but Phoebe and the Guidance Counselor are completely different characters. It just bothered me slightly that she wasn't very different than Phoebo (hehe).

I give this movie 5 stars and 5 thumbs up. GO SEE IT! I plan on seeing it again and definitely buying it on DVD (Blu-ray!)

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (OH MY!)

Ireland 2010

Dublin, Howth, Galway, Connemara, Cliffs of Moher

The time had finally arrived. After ten months of waiting it was time to fly to Ireland!

Have you ever been encased in darkness by a semi-dark light as a feather blanket, with a stench of disgusting food flowing up your nostrils and the sound of a screaming infant booming in your ears? Well I have...on the plane ride to Dublin. It was not pleasant to say the least.

Professionalism ... Ireland airport does not have it. Well the car rental place in the airport. I booked the renal car in MAY because I knew that automatics were few and far between. Well they didn't have the car for us and it would be ready in an hour. So we checked into other rental agencies around and as I figured, nobody had an automatic. So why did I book in May? I don't know. But I thank those agencies for not having the car. It was a blessing in disguise, we would later find out.

Our first hotel (Arlington Hotel Temple Bar) was located on Lord Edward Street in Dublin City and was very cute. Two of the hotel women (wh work at the counter) were very friendly. I think the older one's name was Nicola. I could be wrong, I probably am. They were extremely helpful. We did a lot of walking around when we arrived and then napped for 4 hours followed by dinner and ice cream and then sleep.

Let me tell you about the sleeping. The beds were about as comfortable as the stone beds the Flinstones slept on in Bedrock. The noise coming from the streets was like sleeping on a billboard on the side of a major highway in rush hour. The lights from the apartment across from our room was like sleeping on a broadway stage with the spotlight on full blast right on your face.

The city. Have you been to Boston? Yep, reminds me of there. A lot of very pretty buildings intertwined throughout city like buildings. The coolest thing, the doors were various colors. I liked that.

The food. Pretty great :) I was told beforehand that the food was dry and bland and gross. I mean we basically ate american food so maybe that's why it was so good. Best meals the whole week...Beef & Potates at the Ballynahinch Castle and Cajun Chicken and Pineapple Salad at Hugo's in Dublin the last night.

On Monday we took the train to Howth (a small fishing village in Dublin). That was my favorite day in Dublin. It was so cute and pretty there...overlooking the ocean. We had some ice cream there before heading back on the train with some obnoxious swearing 13 year olds.

We saw a drag show on Sunday night. That was great. I had a lot of fun. Mark caught a drunk guy...saving him from meeting the floor in an unfashionable way. He then kept thanking Mark. He was annoying. We didn't enjoy him. There was a nice guy there though who helped us understand the Ireland version of Bingo. It was sort of the same yet slightl different. Maybe we were in the alternate universe.

Tuesday we drove a car. It did not go well. We promptly returned it (thanks to the very nice Irish man for letting me follow him back to the rental agency or we would still be stuck somewhere in Ireland. We then took buses and cabs.

We ate at a great restaurant that had a wonderful atmosphere in the mountains of Dublin...called Johnnie Fox's.

Wednesday we headed to the Castle Hotel. The scenery drastically changed on our way and it was beautiful. My favorite part of Ireland was Connemara/Cliffs of Moher. The Castle hotel (Ballynahinch Castle) was amazingly beautiful. The hotel rested right on the river (see picture above), and there was a path through the woods that led to a gorgeous seren lake.

The Cliffs of Moher were beyond words phenomenal. I can't even express to you (our faithful readers) how beautiful and breathtaking they were. Mark posted a picture. And as he said...everyone MUST see them at one point in their lives.

Friday we went back to Dublin. The hotel we stayed at was right near Oscar Wilde's house. It was called The Merrion. It is very upscale and high class. The people who worked there were the friendliest. The bed was the most comfortable. The bath was so relaxing.

Saturday we flew back home. I had a great time but was so happy to be home.

Ireland Finally Came

Ireland was like 11 months in the making (thanks to Lindsay Dias). The plane ride was filled with bright light, crying babies, smelly food, and no leg room. But we arrived early. The jet lag nearly killed us (I went on this excursion with co-blog author Lindsay). The first bed felt like cement and the sheets might have actually cut us. It was almost as if we slept outside next to where they crush glass. The second hotel was a beautiful castle (Jennifer Aniston stayed there). The bed was an improvement, but still lacked something. The third hotel sat next to Merrion Square where Oscar Wilde lived (homosexuality was decriminalized in 1993!). It was beautiful. The bed was heaven. The trip saw us attempt to drive on the other side of the road (think the movie "Clueless"). The food was great (it really was). Such great hot chocolate. We rode planes, trains and automobiles. It was exhausting. The sleep was non existent. We went to the first gay bar the George and saw a drag show. The weather was bi-polar. It was rainy, cloudy, sunny, windy, hot - all in about twenty minutes. But it was fun. The people were so nice. Dublin reminded me of Boston. Howth reminded me of Rockport, MA. It wasn't until we arrived at the Cliffs of Moher (see picture) that I felt like I had arrived in Ireland. It felt like heaven. Pictures don't do it justice. It is something all must see. It is like the earth cracked open and what's inside is all that is beautiful and good. But as much as I love to travel, I love my own bed more. And I'm happy to be back in New York City (Lindsay lives in Rhode Island - it's not a road or an island!).

'Jam' Hit The Strip

Amanda Smith turned 29 (again). Or 30. However you want to say it. We travelled to Vegas to celebrate the event. We then travelled to the southern tip of the Grand Canyon. I say we, because, we can't forget about Jason. He makes 'Jam' possible. This is Amanda pool side. She's wearing a casual summer dress (without her big black hat that only she can pull off). The night before she wore purple sequence. I had to leave before the week is up. But more friends, a date with Cher and gambling are to follow. We stayed at the Bellagio (the room was bigger than a studio apartment in NYC). I visited John Varvatos (my favorite designer). The weather was hot and dry (5% humidity). I even got Amanda to take in the spa (she got a massage and loved it despite her complaining). I got a body scrub. If you see her this year please say HAPPY BIRTHDAY. She loves people and talking to them and she loves her birthday. She's such a sweet friend.

I Use To Have a Desk

I use to have a desk. It sat next to the main door of my office building. It was away from the rest of the office. This was a good thing because it was an open office. I had a button next to my desk that opened the door. I got so tired of pressing that button that I just left the door open. It's not like you couldn't just put in the code, but I worked with a small group of hungry, hungry hippos. No, really I did like a few of them. A lot.

But now I no longer have a desk. I was laid off. It was a job that I learned a lot from. But after three years it was time to move on. I kept pushing my last day back. And then I finally stayed firm on what I wanted my last day to be. I took my vacation and returned to work only to be laid off. I got severance. I got recommendations. It was a bumpy road, but I know an office manager is not in my future.

The CEO told my supervisor that Mark needs something 'more special.' I agree and I don't know what that will be. But I'm loving this moment right now. I'm happy, maybe? Excited? Motivated?

Happy, me? Let's just say this is a special moment. Life will work itself out. I believe that.

I now pronounce you...

This past weekend my cousin Ryan and his fiance Julie tied the knot as the saying goes. I was not included in the wedding. Neither was my cousin Haley. We were the only two of Ryan's cousins who weren't involved. I'm not bitter. Much.

There were many times growing up where I didn't feel like part of the family, where my cousins go. Being the only girl for 17 years had its downside, the biggest being all the boys bonded and became like brothers. For a large italian family that is the way it goes. Although, there is one upside, I have 8 guys who would do anything for me, and would protect me if anything bad were to come my way. Back to the feeling left out part...I remember when my brother and I were younger and we were at the Alpine Club (the go to place for all family parties and get-togethers) and my cousins Robert, Ryan, David, Angelo, Andrew and Anthony were all gathered by the door planning to play a game. My brother Adam wanted to play but one of them said "you can't play, this game is just for Nardolillos and you're not a Nardolillo." This upset my brother very much and so I said to them, "yes he is...we both are Nardolillos. Our mom is your dads' sister." They let him play. They would have let me play as well, but I really had no desire to.

The only girl. I had nobody to play with at family get togethers on my mom's side of the family. I hung with the boys but because I was a girl, they really didn't like to play with me. Such is life.

So when I heard that Ryan wanted all of his cousins in the wedding (meaning all his boy cousins) I was a little hurt. Not that I wanted to be part of the wedding it just would have been nice to have been included.

So the church ceremony was at 2:00pm on August 28th and it was a beautiful ceremony. Julie - the bride looked absolutely stunning and her dress was beautiful. When my cousins Rocco (ring-bearer) and Milania (flower girl) walked down the aisle I got a little misty eyed and when Julie came down I cried a little. Ryan looked so handsome in his tux and he seemed so happy.

The reception was in Newport and the entrances of the wedding party was so creative and fun. They all came in dancing. I enjoyed it. Then they played a slideshow of Julie and Ryan as they grew up and then them as a couple followed by pictures and video of them getting ready for the wedding. I'm not going to lie, I was crying like a baby. I was so emotional.

The food was terrible and the drinks too strong. I danced a bit with my cousin Haley and my 2nd cousin Ashley and my Auntie Donna and Uncle Al. Then I left.

As much as I was upset about not being involved, I am so happy for Ryan and Julie and am so proud to consider all of my cousins my family. So Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Ryan and Julie Nardolillo. I love you.

I choose love.

She was my grandmother - though we've been estranged for five years. She died last Sunday. Her funeral was this week. It brought together a family that is estranged. It was intense and sad and unfair. She was survived by my grandfather, who has to use a wheel chair most of the time now. He has Parkinson's . My brother collapsed into my grandfather's arms overcome with grief at the wake. My sister was overcome with grief at the funeral. My mother was able to keep it together for what it was, but as I said, she was estranged from her mother for five years. It was my grandmother's choice. She was a bitter, lonely, sad, vicious, jealous person. She use to attend her friends wakes only to criticize and gossip about the people that came to say their goodbyes to the person who passed. She loved to watch soap operas and whenever she could, she liked to recreate that same drama in her own life. She loved being sick and having to go to the hospital. She liked the attention. But as my mother said goodbye to her in the hosptial for the last time, my mother thought 'God, mom I bet you'd rather be some place else now.' It was hard for me to just be at that funeral. I felt so much disappointment and anger at my grandmother. I wasn't sad she had died. I was sad for my mom. So, I went for my mom. Because my grandmother died in my reality five years ago. It was hard to see my grandfather's eyes with tears in them, like a cup of water that was filled up too much and about to overflow. My grandparents had four children - two of them were my mom's younger sisters. They are their mother's daughters, especially the youngest. They were spiteful and hateful and liars and fuck-ups. They were jealous. But it was my grandmother who tore her own family apart. Her two daughters (my aunts) just followed her example. My aunts (and their husbands) came and apologized. They were suddenly ready to ask for forgiveness after years of manipulation and lies. It was hard to take. It didn't mean so much. I loved them for a long time. I hated them for a long time. But on this day I felt nothing for them. They felt like strangers. I was able to say hello and hug them. I felt pity for them. They really have so few people in their life. I really do believe they miss my mom and our family, but they hurt my mom (and my uncle) to the point of no return. Sorry is a nice sentiment and forgiveness is key, but to forget is entirely different. Maybe if one could understand where they could be coming from, but I already know where they come from. They come from a place of greed. They chose money over love. I choose love.