"Only in New York" - an "angel" for Christmas

I see many things in my day to day adventures in this city that prompt the thought "Only in New York... (Insert your favorite ending here.) Once, somewhere in the vacinity of 42nd and Broadway (also known as Nightmare and My Personal Hell) I walked past a theater with tens of costumed young girls and their mothers waiting to see the live Broadway version of The Little Mermaid only to be in front of a strip joint a few places later. Usually, "Only in New York" ends with a sardonic crack about the hustle, or the grit or the beauty of a flying piece of garbage as seen from the 6th story of my high rise office building. Today it was something much better...

I was rushing (as usual) out of work to make an appointment that only happened to be a few blocks away, thankfully. I stopped in my tracks when I saw something shiny and pretty on the street. I knew immediately what it was...an iPhone. I looked around and picked it up and immediately a moral dilemma ensued. I could have a new phone if I wanted. And not just a new phone, a new phone that pretty much everyone I know wants...The one I had first experienced the wonder of at the downtown Apple Store just a few weeks ago while my roommate was being assisted by a hipster wearing a red shirt that says "Santa has elves. You have me." This was the phone said roommate purchased and has been glued to ever since. The one that could, when I ran into her room shouting, be held up to my TV and magically tell me the name of the song on the commercial I was watching and wondering about for days. Nevermind that I have no idea how to work it, don't need all the features, and can't afford the services, I wanted to pocket it and go along my merry way. Merry Christmas to me!

While standing in the cold and lightly falling snow, calling my best friend (who didn't answer) and then father for advice on what to do (yes, I actually did that) the phone rings. Once I figured out how to answer it, I heard the voice of a man who, according to Magic Phone, was named Arman. I had his phone. Where was I? He'll be there in 7 minutes. Was that OK? By now I was officially late to the appointment that is four inches from my office building. Figures. So I stand and wait for him to come looking for the girl in the grey coat with the curly hair. A black car pulls up and a young woman gets out. I have her phone. She thanks me genuinely which is nice and puts out her hand. I shake it and say, "You're welcome. I was just calling you again because I'm late to an appointment." I've forgotten to mention that I was trying to call and arrange an alternate time to give back the phone as this alternative was better than missing an appointment I'd already jammed into my holiday schedule. This involved figuring out how to make a call on the phone. Anyway, I say "Happy Holidays" she responds in kind and I turn to leave, satisfied that I've done my good samaritan duty.

So I walk away and a guy walking down the street next to me says, "That was the Victoria's Secret model, wasn't it?" Since I am female and to me Vicky's means 7 for $25 underwear and Heidi Klum I have no idea who he means. He responds that the woman whose phone I just saved was Adriana Lima, a really famous model. "Oh, really?" I say. Lesson learned today: If you're ever wondering whether the gorgeous woman you see on a Manhattan street is a supermodel, ask the guy walking down the street next to you not the girl whose idea of make up is lipgloss and nothing else.

Upon arriving home this evening I Google image her and there she is. It definitely was her. Only in New York...right?

I was the weird kid who made lists of everything... that obviously hasn't changed.

Wow, I'm such a bad blogger.

It has been almost a month since my last blog post.

I definitely do not deserve the award I received from a boy, a girl and a pug. (Though there is some nepotism going on there -- she is my cousin.) I was also challenged to spill five addictions. Since I don't even know where to start with an "update" post (work, holidays, traveling, and dating all included), I might as well rise to the occassion.

1. My DVR -- My boyfriend. Sometimes I scroll through the channels and search for movies to record. Even though I know they are on five hundred times a month, watching them on my schedule (and commercial free!) is so much more exciting! Sometimes I even sleep with the remote. Kinky, right?

2. cheap tacos from the taco truck three blocks from my apartment -- This is a new addiction. While "cheap" is relative (this is NY, people) and the tacos burn a hole in my stomach every time I eat them, I can't resist.

3. Holidays in New York -- I admit, I am developing quite a pechant for all things merry and bright. Last night I dragged the guy I've been seeing to "the tree" in Rockefeller Center and even though it looks just like it did last year, this year it is so much better. The lobby of my office has an absolutely gorgeous holiday display including two beautiful menorahs (again, this is NY). Makes me smile on my way into the elevator. Mission accomplished!

4. playlist.com and pandora.com -- These two sites are responsible for many a quicker work day. We are not allowed to use ITunes and when I get sick of the music on my IPOD, I can always find something I want to listen to there. Check them out!

5. books -- Warning! Shameless plug is coming! Anyone who knows anything about me knows I'm obsessed with books...so much so that I decided to make them my career. This year, the publishing companies got together and launched the "Books Equal Gifts" campain. The idea is that since this year many Americans will be giving despite tightened purse strings, a book is a great, personalized and inexpensive gift for anyone and everyone who loves a great story. Please support the book business and get your Barnes, Borders or Amazon on.