Swimsuit season is just around the corner, so it's time to seriously crank up the work-outs. For those of us who have a lot of extra free time on our hands, going to the gym is great way to kill an hour or two. And if you're feeling depressed about being jobless, exercising releases endorphins!
Looking to join a gym but don't have an abundance of extra money? Problem solved, at least for April. Word on the street is that Equinox is offering the month of April free for those who join the gym TODAY. Contact your local Equinox for more deets.
Let the Memorial Day countdown begin.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Budgets and Taxes and Pay Cuts, Oh My!
I hate the word budget -I've never been good at doing it. Once you set aside all the money for rent, bills, food and the essentials, there is hardly anything left for fun. Maybe it's because I'm left-handed, but I always budget backwards. Right now my essentials include spring clothes, magazines, sunglasses and a new party dress. Whatever is left, I scrounge up to keep my lights on - besides, there's always candles. Budget smudget.
Wendi, my political and local PR activist, sent me a NY Daily News article this morning about the proposed 2009-2010 New York budget.
Brace yourselves drinkers, smokers, drivers and cell-phone users (aka: everyone).
"Just as the Chinese emperors of old imposed the Death of a Thousand Cuts, the New York State Democrats are proposing the Death of a Thousand Hikes.
Drafted in shameful secrecy, the new budget has a host of hikes that are incidental when taken one at a time:
A 500% hike in the surcharge on utilities, an average of $100 a year.
A $90 increase in the cost of health insurance.
A $1.20-a-month "public safety" tax on cell phones.
Another "public safety" surcharge: $10 a year on car insurance policies.
A 75-cent increase in the fee for a learner's driving permit.
A 24% hike in car registration fees.
A 4% increase in the tax on car service fares.
A 9% increase in the cigar tax.
A 58% increase in the wine tax.
A 27% increase in the beer tax.
Together, the increases are burdensome in already hard times, more so because the budget preserves as sacred $170 million in political pork."
To read the full article, follow this link: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/03/30/2009-03-30_new_york_state_democrats_cheer_as_rest_o.html
Note to self: add candles to list of spring essentials - a blackout could be coming by way of my apartment.
Wendi, my political and local PR activist, sent me a NY Daily News article this morning about the proposed 2009-2010 New York budget.
Brace yourselves drinkers, smokers, drivers and cell-phone users (aka: everyone).
"Just as the Chinese emperors of old imposed the Death of a Thousand Cuts, the New York State Democrats are proposing the Death of a Thousand Hikes.
Drafted in shameful secrecy, the new budget has a host of hikes that are incidental when taken one at a time:
A 500% hike in the surcharge on utilities, an average of $100 a year.
A $90 increase in the cost of health insurance.
A $1.20-a-month "public safety" tax on cell phones.
Another "public safety" surcharge: $10 a year on car insurance policies.
A 75-cent increase in the fee for a learner's driving permit.
A 24% hike in car registration fees.
A 4% increase in the tax on car service fares.
A 9% increase in the cigar tax.
A 58% increase in the wine tax.
A 27% increase in the beer tax.
Together, the increases are burdensome in already hard times, more so because the budget preserves as sacred $170 million in political pork."
To read the full article, follow this link: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/03/30/2009-03-30_new_york_state_democrats_cheer_as_rest_o.html
Note to self: add candles to list of spring essentials - a blackout could be coming by way of my apartment.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Mr. Right Job vs. Mr. Right Now Job
They tell women to never settle when it comes to dating a man, so why would we settle when it comes to finding a job?
As our country sinks further into the economic quicksand, our careers continue to dance on the surface, slightly sinking, but not yet all the way. For those who have jobs, they may be stuck in a position they loathe, but decide to tough it out rather than search for a new job in the empty barrel. For the others who are looking for work, we find it almost impossible to find a position that excites us and exceeds our previous job in pay and responsibility.
Just like the tanking market of datable men, we are left with little options for our careers right now. Sell or sell-out, sister.
For most 20-something New Yorkers, our careers and our love lives might as well be as far apart as the East Village and the Upper West Side. However, I'm seeing a strong correlation between the two. For instance, we say that we don't want to meet a man at a bar, just as career fairs secretly make our stomachs turn. Both places have many candidates, but when you look closely you see they are really not your type: desperate, player, cheesy, obnoxious...shall I go on? Now everything is online: Match.com and CareerBuilder.com are basically the same sites. You upload a profile/resume to make yourself look good and search for options that seem like the perfect fit. After weeks of searching, your dream job and the man of your dreams seem more & more impossible to find.
He's just not that into you? How about, you're just not that into your job?
While I'm not going to dish my dating history, I need to clear things up about myself and my previous jobs: I'm coming clean, baby. After HOLLYWOULD (RIP) was shut down at the end of 2008, I took a position at a fashion PR firm. That's when my epiphany came. I quickly realized that I didn't want to work in the fashion PR industry.
I was not happy in this position, and I told myself that I didn't have to be miserable and struggle in an industry that I had no desire to work my way up in. If I had wanted to stay in the fashion PR universe, I would have stuck it out of course. But I didn't; I wanted a career change. It was time to follow my dreams! So I made the decision to leave the job after a very short time. Besides, our 20s are our experimental years, right Mom?
I'm happy with my decision, and although I'm having the hardest time finding a new job, I don't regret what I did. It seemed crazy to leave a job during the worst job market since the Depression, but I had to follow my heart.
I've been going on interviews, everything from editorial to marketing, but nothing has really clicked for me. It's like going on a bunch of blind dates I guess: I really don't know what to expect other than the little info I have from a third party. Sometimes there is a second date (aka: interview), but in the end we both decide that we are not right for each other. And so the cycle continues.
To my companions in the unemployment line, we need to keep looking hard and something great will come our way. Think before taking a job just to take it. Would you date someone just because they offer themselves to you? I say keep your standards.
Have faith and be passionate about what you do. We have to keep our heads high and continue to look. It's OK to be picky sometimes.
They say you'll meet someone when you least expect it - I'm hoping it goes the same for a job.
As our country sinks further into the economic quicksand, our careers continue to dance on the surface, slightly sinking, but not yet all the way. For those who have jobs, they may be stuck in a position they loathe, but decide to tough it out rather than search for a new job in the empty barrel. For the others who are looking for work, we find it almost impossible to find a position that excites us and exceeds our previous job in pay and responsibility.
Just like the tanking market of datable men, we are left with little options for our careers right now. Sell or sell-out, sister.
For most 20-something New Yorkers, our careers and our love lives might as well be as far apart as the East Village and the Upper West Side. However, I'm seeing a strong correlation between the two. For instance, we say that we don't want to meet a man at a bar, just as career fairs secretly make our stomachs turn. Both places have many candidates, but when you look closely you see they are really not your type: desperate, player, cheesy, obnoxious...shall I go on? Now everything is online: Match.com and CareerBuilder.com are basically the same sites. You upload a profile/resume to make yourself look good and search for options that seem like the perfect fit. After weeks of searching, your dream job and the man of your dreams seem more & more impossible to find.
He's just not that into you? How about, you're just not that into your job?
While I'm not going to dish my dating history, I need to clear things up about myself and my previous jobs: I'm coming clean, baby. After HOLLYWOULD (RIP) was shut down at the end of 2008, I took a position at a fashion PR firm. That's when my epiphany came. I quickly realized that I didn't want to work in the fashion PR industry.
I was not happy in this position, and I told myself that I didn't have to be miserable and struggle in an industry that I had no desire to work my way up in. If I had wanted to stay in the fashion PR universe, I would have stuck it out of course. But I didn't; I wanted a career change. It was time to follow my dreams! So I made the decision to leave the job after a very short time. Besides, our 20s are our experimental years, right Mom?
I'm happy with my decision, and although I'm having the hardest time finding a new job, I don't regret what I did. It seemed crazy to leave a job during the worst job market since the Depression, but I had to follow my heart.
I've been going on interviews, everything from editorial to marketing, but nothing has really clicked for me. It's like going on a bunch of blind dates I guess: I really don't know what to expect other than the little info I have from a third party. Sometimes there is a second date (aka: interview), but in the end we both decide that we are not right for each other. And so the cycle continues.
To my companions in the unemployment line, we need to keep looking hard and something great will come our way. Think before taking a job just to take it. Would you date someone just because they offer themselves to you? I say keep your standards.
Have faith and be passionate about what you do. We have to keep our heads high and continue to look. It's OK to be picky sometimes.
They say you'll meet someone when you least expect it - I'm hoping it goes the same for a job.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Brand Yourself
Have you ever noticed that New York sort-of resembles the word network? Take away the space and substitute a couple letters and there you have it, network. Really, that is what this city is all about. New Yorkers take networking very seriously. Some call it social climbing, but when you're a social butterfly you can't help but meet all the people around you, aka: networking.
I found out through a friend-of-a-friend about this conference/seminar for those of us in the unemployment boat, or those who are looking to change careers. Now I know sometimes these things can be cheesy, but this one might be worth while. New York Magazine is writing about it, so it must be legit.
http://nymag.com/alist/invitations/pnv_enterprise_032709/
We live in the city that never sleeps; therefore we shouldn't sleep away our unemployment. Now that the weather is getting nice, I am awakening from my winter hibernation and going out as much as possible. Think of all the people I haven't met! You just never know who you are going to meet and what doors they can open for you. GO OUT!! It's not like we have to wake up early the next day.
You are your biggest spokesperson. Be a PR star - for yourself!
I found out through a friend-of-a-friend about this conference/seminar for those of us in the unemployment boat, or those who are looking to change careers. Now I know sometimes these things can be cheesy, but this one might be worth while. New York Magazine is writing about it, so it must be legit.
http://nymag.com/alist/invitations/pnv_enterprise_032709/
We live in the city that never sleeps; therefore we shouldn't sleep away our unemployment. Now that the weather is getting nice, I am awakening from my winter hibernation and going out as much as possible. Think of all the people I haven't met! You just never know who you are going to meet and what doors they can open for you. GO OUT!! It's not like we have to wake up early the next day.
You are your biggest spokesperson. Be a PR star - for yourself!
Friday, March 27, 2009
HATE on the MTA
If you missed the protest in Union Square on Wednesday, you still have a chance to voice your opinion about the MTA raise on transit fares. At the end of May one ride will go from $2 to $2.50, and a monthly unlimited will go from $81 to $103! This is ABSURD!
This is an email I received from my friend Sarah:
"It's official - transit doomsday has been set. Bus and subway fares will rise by 23% - that's $103 for a monthly pass! Entire subway and bus lines will be eliminated, and weekend service will be slashed. In short: Albany failed to pass a plan in time to prevent the MTA doomsday, and now riders are going to pay for it. The State Senate refused to pass a plan that would have fully and fairly funded mass transit, just to avoid a $2 bridge toll!I just sent a message, telling my representatives in Albany how outraged I am that they have let me down. Will you join me?http://ga3.org/campaign/doomsday. Our senators had the option to pass a plan like The ravada/Silver plan, which would have fully and fairly funded our mass transit system with contributions from every sector of the economy. And it would have prevented the fare hikes and transit cuts!But instead, our leaders have let down the majority of their constituents to avoid a $2 bridge toll.Tell Albany this isn't over! We demand a full, fair transit solution before it's too late!http://ga3.org/campaign/doomsday?rk=j1rpKQnajT44W."
Let's be true loud New Yorkers and voice our opinions on this.
This is an email I received from my friend Sarah:
"It's official - transit doomsday has been set. Bus and subway fares will rise by 23% - that's $103 for a monthly pass! Entire subway and bus lines will be eliminated, and weekend service will be slashed. In short: Albany failed to pass a plan in time to prevent the MTA doomsday, and now riders are going to pay for it. The State Senate refused to pass a plan that would have fully and fairly funded mass transit, just to avoid a $2 bridge toll!I just sent a message, telling my representatives in Albany how outraged I am that they have let me down. Will you join me?http://ga3.org/campaign/doomsday. Our senators had the option to pass a plan like The ravada/Silver plan, which would have fully and fairly funded our mass transit system with contributions from every sector of the economy. And it would have prevented the fare hikes and transit cuts!But instead, our leaders have let down the majority of their constituents to avoid a $2 bridge toll.Tell Albany this isn't over! We demand a full, fair transit solution before it's too late!http://ga3.org/campaign/doomsday?rk=j1rpKQnajT44W."
Let's be true loud New Yorkers and voice our opinions on this.
Young, Broke and Fabulous
My good friend Sean, an NYC socialite in training, has learned the art of drinking for free when he hits the town. It's a simple thing really. He mostly goes to parties with free cocktails! The great thing about our city is that there are parties every night of the week, which equals a lot of free drinks! This is great for the unemployed - I'll have the special cocktail please!
This Wednesday, Wendi and I went to another one of Giacomo's famous dinner parties at his Central Park West palace. Giacomo came from Italy when he was young, and has grown to run one of the biggest hedge funds in NYC. He has been throwing elaborate dinner parties for years, and Wendi and I have recently joined the guest list, thanks to the lovable JG. The guests are always a very eclectic mix of people. This week there were some of the regulars, such as Richard K. from Miami (who is always the star guest), and then there was the owner of PentHouse magazine, a performer from The Box and her interesting boyfriend Jersey, Chikita who constantanly gave us advise on men, and a botoxed, nipped & tucked slew of other nameless women.
When I say dinner party, please don't take that lightly. Giacomo had a waitstaff of two giants (convenient for Wendi and I when we needed champagne flutes from the top cabinet), and a chef working tirelessly in the kitchen to prepare our meal. Before dinner started at 10:30, we drank the best rose champagne and were more than ready to toast the evening. We all sat around the king-sized dining table in king-sized chairs and ate like kings (and queens for that matter).
The candelabras had all but dripped crimson on the white table cloths by the time we were done with our meal, including the "intermission" to partake in activity by the window overlooking the Jackie Onassis reservoir. More than 20 empty champagne and wine bottles sat on the granite counter. Everyone was drunk and happy and felt like royalty. I'm sorry, but what recession are you talking about??
Not one peep of the economy, of the market, of AIG, of Obama or of Bernie Madoff came up. It was the most refreshing thing ever!! Instead of dwelling on all that is depressing about our current world, we focused on more frivolous topics! Think happy thoughts! I wanted to fly like TinkerBell out the window! (Now that I think of it, some of the guests were flying pretty high - just with a different kind of fairy dust.)
Giacomo's hedge fund, just like everything else across the board, has taken a hit. However, it's not stopping him from throwing fabulous parties for him and his friends. He's not pouting over this bear market, but enjoying his hard work and more free time. He knows things are going to get better, and until then, he is bringing his friends along for the time of their lives.
While this Italian hedge fund guru is on a much larger scale than most of my peers, we can learn from his ways. Stop worrying so much and enjoy life. Enjoy having more free time. Take advantage of living in the best city in the world (take that, Paris). There are so many opportunities for culture, fun, learning, exploring and getting lost somewhere below Houston St.
Cheers!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
The New Face of Unemployment
Attention UNEMPLOYED New Yorkers!! Have you visited this fabulous Web Site? http://www.labor.state.ny.us/
It's time to start collecting. Sure, it may be only $400 a week, but it's better than nothing. I can think of a lot of things to do with an extra $400 each week. Get your money amigos!
My Mom was really awkward when I said I was going to collect unemployment. In her mind, the stereotypical person in the unemployment line smells like trash, hasn't shaved in weeks, has a crying baby in one arm, a wandering eye and dreadlocks. Well, Mom, say hello to the new face of unemployment: freshly blown-dry hair, black Botkier bag, manicured nails, HOLLYWOULD heels and a pearly white smile!
When I suggested she paid me unemployment each week, she quickly became quiet and gave me her blessing. Gee, thanks Mom. I'm the new poster girl for unemployment!
Now what will I wear for my close-up?
It's time to start collecting. Sure, it may be only $400 a week, but it's better than nothing. I can think of a lot of things to do with an extra $400 each week. Get your money amigos!
My Mom was really awkward when I said I was going to collect unemployment. In her mind, the stereotypical person in the unemployment line smells like trash, hasn't shaved in weeks, has a crying baby in one arm, a wandering eye and dreadlocks. Well, Mom, say hello to the new face of unemployment: freshly blown-dry hair, black Botkier bag, manicured nails, HOLLYWOULD heels and a pearly white smile!
When I suggested she paid me unemployment each week, she quickly became quiet and gave me her blessing. Gee, thanks Mom. I'm the new poster girl for unemployment!
Now what will I wear for my close-up?
Unemployment is the New Black
Haven't you heard, it's all the rage. Forget the "it" bag, or the "it" girl. The new "it" is not having "it" at all. That's right my fellow New Yorkers and friends across the country, unemployment is in.
Leave it to New York to make unemployment cool. Really, you don't have a good story at a party if you don't have a story of being laid off, company closing, downsizing, etc. It seems you become the center of attention when you tell your tales of unemployment.
Just last night I was at a very eclectic dinner party at the most beautiful apartment on Central Park West. I'm sitting next to an attractive woman in her late 30's and of course the subject of jobs comes up. So I continue with my standard "my company closed down" speech, and she was ecstatic. "Oh honey, enjoy this! I'm not working either, just have fun with it!" Suddenly, we bonded over not working. More and more people are bonding over the same situation that we're building an army of non-working friends. Prepare for battle!
No longer is this city pretending that unemployment doesn't exist. We are jobless and proud! It used to be that one was embarrassed to say they've been laid off; now we can't stop talking about it. Luckily, the bars and restaurants have joined forced with our platoon of jobless partiers. The Delancy bar hands out free tequila shots on Mondays for those who can prove they're unemployed. Sign me up! Jeffrey's Meat Market is hosting free recession dinner parties at Essex and Thor restaurants for more than 200 unemployed New Yorkers. Isn't life fabulous? Not to mention all of the restaurants that are having recession specials right now.
We are glamorizing unemployment and it's OK right now. What else are we going to do in times like this? It's next to impossible to find a job that you're not over qualified for. All I see on Media Bistro, Career Builder and Craig's List are intern positions. I have a college degree and working experience and all I can get is an internship. And even those are way competitive right now. I would rather sit back with my fellow unemployed friends and talk about how we don't have jobs.
In the past two weeks, two more of my friends were laid off. I'm sure the numbers will continue to grow. I feel their pain, but we can't do much right now. Except get together Monday's at The Delancy.
Leave it to New York to make unemployment cool. Really, you don't have a good story at a party if you don't have a story of being laid off, company closing, downsizing, etc. It seems you become the center of attention when you tell your tales of unemployment.
Just last night I was at a very eclectic dinner party at the most beautiful apartment on Central Park West. I'm sitting next to an attractive woman in her late 30's and of course the subject of jobs comes up. So I continue with my standard "my company closed down" speech, and she was ecstatic. "Oh honey, enjoy this! I'm not working either, just have fun with it!" Suddenly, we bonded over not working. More and more people are bonding over the same situation that we're building an army of non-working friends. Prepare for battle!
No longer is this city pretending that unemployment doesn't exist. We are jobless and proud! It used to be that one was embarrassed to say they've been laid off; now we can't stop talking about it. Luckily, the bars and restaurants have joined forced with our platoon of jobless partiers. The Delancy bar hands out free tequila shots on Mondays for those who can prove they're unemployed. Sign me up! Jeffrey's Meat Market is hosting free recession dinner parties at Essex and Thor restaurants for more than 200 unemployed New Yorkers. Isn't life fabulous? Not to mention all of the restaurants that are having recession specials right now.
We are glamorizing unemployment and it's OK right now. What else are we going to do in times like this? It's next to impossible to find a job that you're not over qualified for. All I see on Media Bistro, Career Builder and Craig's List are intern positions. I have a college degree and working experience and all I can get is an internship. And even those are way competitive right now. I would rather sit back with my fellow unemployed friends and talk about how we don't have jobs.
In the past two weeks, two more of my friends were laid off. I'm sure the numbers will continue to grow. I feel their pain, but we can't do much right now. Except get together Monday's at The Delancy.
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