Speaking of songs that get into your ear and never leave, here's one for your Friday.

There's something very sweet about the very late 90s. It's almost as if they never happened.

It's Fashion Week Eve!

I picked up my press credentials on my lunch break today. The line, 45 minutes after the doors opened to press, was quite long. Most of those in that line were photo and videographers. Since I was a just a blogger, and since there was no way I was waiting in that line, I found a Fashion Week assistant and I was pulled from the line and sent to a special, much shorter line just for print people, to pick up my goodies. It always pays to be the squeaky wheel.


I'm going to the "opening ceremonies" early tomorrow morning, and will have camera in hand.

Apologies in advance if posting gets light on La Pauline over the next few days. Most of my energies will be directed at Handbaggery.

Good Samiritan Or Krazy Kat Lady?

I'm not sure what to make of this video. Over in Russia there is a woman who has 136 cats(!!!) in her three-room apartment. There are so many she can't give each one a bowl, so she just tosses the food at them and they eat it off the floor.

At first I was horrified by this woman, but then I looked closer. The house is clean and all the cats seem healthy and taken care of. She doesn't strike me as a lonely Krazy Kat Lady, either. She just felt that it was better for her to take the cats in and care for them instead of letting them suffer in the elements, especially Russian winters.

What do you think? Now that the video aired, maybe people will come forward to give some of the animals a more spacious home?

About once a year or so I become obsessed with a song for no particular reason. In college songs like Dave Matthews "Crash Into Me" and 112's "Only You" were on permanent rotation. In 2005 I couldn't get enough of Lifehouse's "You And Me." Last winter not a day went by without hearing Mat Kearney's "All I Need."

Michael Buble' song "Everything" has wormed his way into my ear. I know it's like a million years old, but it's such a sweet little ditty, what's not to like? Ah, crooners.

Is it just me, or does this song totally remind you of Cole Porter's "You're The Top," which was featured in the musical, "Anything Goes."

moar funny pictures

Penguins rock.

Peppe Has Almost 3,000 Diggs!

He's on his way to internet stardom.

Seriously, I think this cat needs an agent.

An Amazing Newspaper Web Project

Today I found this multimedia project that was put together by the Northwest Herald out in Illinois.

It's about a cancer cluster that has stricken many residents of a local village with a rare and malignant form of brain cancer. lawsuits filed on behalf of the victims claim that two chemical plants allowed volatile chemicals to seep into the groundwater.

It's long but fascinating, and will remind you of the Erin Brockovich movie.

Meth Minutes: They Crack Me Up!

I Finally Saw A Chorus Line!!!

Back in the 1980s my mother used to rent VHS tapes from the library because they were free. She would come home with all sorts of nonsense, but one day she had a movie about a bunch of dancers at an audition. It was A Chorus Line. I was about nine years old.

My parents copied the movie onto a blank tape for me (Scandalous! FBI warning be damned!) and I watched it over and over again like a mental patient. Sometime after the 25th viewing my dad took me into New York City to see a matinee of A Chorus Line when it was at its original home at the Shubert Theater. Six months later the show closed.

I spent the next 15 years or so listening to the soundtrack. I can literally pick any point in my life and say for certain that songs from A Chorus Line were in my personal rotation. They were there on all the flights back and forth from California when I was a teenagers and went to see my dad. They kept me company in college and in my first apartment in New York. I uploaded them into my first iPod. I've been known to karaoke certain numbers.

Despite loving the music, I never went to see the show since I first saw it in 1989. I didn't want to see a touring production. I wanted to see the real thing. Imagine me glee, then, when I heard two years ago that it was coming back to Broadway. And so, on an otherwise cold and boring January night, I burritoed myself up and headed to Times Square and sat alone in an orchestra seat.

I wouldn't want to see the show any other way. I have friends who like Broadway, but considering my history with the show I wanted to enjoy it alone. A Chorus Line is very much a thinking person's show. Its beauty is in its simplicity. There is no set, just some free standing mirrors. Even the razzle dazzle gold outfits that you see in all the ads don't come on until the last five minutes of the show, and they're mostly just window dressing for the curtain call. I can't lie, though, I totally want one!

I'm not sure most people realize that the stories and lyrics in A Chorus Line are based on real interviews that the original directors and writers held back in the 70s with working, New York City dancers. I keep that in mind when I think my life sucks. Because it doesn't suck and I will likely never have to deal with the frustrations that professioanl dancers do. My job does not depend on my weight or my looks. They work in an industry where an injury could kill their career and, as they say in the show, "there is no advancement and no promotions." What, then?

In an age where it seems like every new Broadway show is just a Disney movie set to music, (yawn) it's nice to know that A Chorus Line can still sell out every night.

Marvin Hamlisch et al, you are my personal Allahs!

Huffington Post Blog: Never Underestimate Women's Vanity

I'm at it again over at the Huff Po. This week: Why discount retailers should focus on women's need to look good, even in a recession.

Never Underestimate Women's Vanity
"In uncertain economic times women may not go to Saks to buy a pretty blouse or some perfume, but they will go to outlets and discount stores to get the same brands at lower prices. I predict that in the next few months stores such as Filene's basement, T.J. Maxx and Loehman's will see a rise in sales as people, especially women, want to maintain the mental illusion of luxury that they created for themselves when the economy was more robust."

Handbaggery Will Be At Fashion Week!

Fashion Week tent entrance, originally uploaded by Shancat.

I got word late last night that Handbaggery has been OK'd for press credentials for Fashion Week! Looks like it's the little handbag blog that could!

I don't know what shows I'll be going to yet, but...if you're a PR person reading this and can get me a seat to your show, I will be very grateful, as I will be blogging from the tents and taking photos.

Few things make me as purely happy as Fashion Week. It's as if the air if full of vaporized Ecstasy.

Peppe's Flickr Gallery Has Over 1,000 Views!

Thanks to a link on icanhascheezburger, a gallery of Peppe pics has been viewed over 1,000 times!

I knew that kitty had star power!

The Weekend Roundup: Babies And The Spotted Pig!

It's Sunday night and the heat seems to be on again in my apartment. It's been a busy few days, so let's see what I've been up to.

Every weekend starts with a pre-game shot. Here I am on Saturday before I hit the town.


Julie, who loves me even though she thinks I'm "odd." Bless her.


Peppe was not happy when the heat went out.


Sunday was a big eating day for me, and I'm not big on eating. I started the day with brunch with Cara, her husband and her husband's sister on the Upper West Side. After brunch Cara and I hung out with her amazing baby, Petra. Seriously, Petra is the kind of kid who makes me want to reproduce myself. Moreso than usual. That kid is an absolute joy. She never cries and is happy even when she's lying on her back and playing with her feet. Ah, to be young again...

Madonna And Child


Pauliney And Child?


I tried to smuggle Petra home, but she wouldn't fit in my bag. Rats!


Despite the large quantities of eggs I had at noon, I found myself at The Spotted Pig later that same night. Run, do not walk, to this restaurant, if only to taste their Champs, which is basically mashed potatoes, chive, nutmeg and a pound of melted butter.

Erin and I before consuming a vast amount of food.


How many eggs do you get with the Deviled Egg appetizer? One. But it is amazing.


This is Haddock Chowder. It will warm innards you never knew you had.


Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to my food coma.

The Funniest Thing My Mom Has Ever Said

(In a thick Russian accent)

"Oxycontin? Isn't that what you take for pimples?"

Things To Check Out

This is a great multimedia project about how a reporter in Hudson Valley, N.Y. helped reopen a murder case from the 1980s. It's very Law & Order - esque. Settle in, because it's long but cool.

The New York Junior League made The New York Times over some financial snafus.

Peppe Is Officially ICanHasCheezburger-Approved

Last night I got a note from one of the people at Icanhascheezburger because they were linking Peppe's photo back to my Flickr gallery of him. They also want more shots of Peps for future LOLCat adventures. I am such a proud cat parent.

Here's the nice note:
***

I'm Emily from the lolcats site I Can Has Cheezburger? We had a submission of one of your pictures of Peppe that was captioned today. It was originally not attributed, but we found out that it was actually your picture.

I changed the credit and linked to your Flickr orignal photo after seeing pictures of Peppe (what a face!) and I wanted to let you know that it was on our site.

Your pictures of Peppe are fantastic and we would love to have your permission to keep this picture up and upload other pictures of Peppe onto our site so more people can caption him.

He definitely is quite photogenic and has quite a look about him!

And with any of your photos that are used, we would always credit you and link to your flickr page.

We get quite a bit of traffic (hundreds of thousands of people a day) and there's less than 1/2 of 1% chance of a picture making it to the homepage.

Thanks!
Emily

Peppe Really Is A LOLCat!!!

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This morning I logged onto Icanhascheezburger and look who I saw! Peppe!

It seems that after I made a LOLCat of him a few weeks ago they kept the picture on file and someone else put up a different caption on it. People have even made all sorts of comments about him.

I am a proud cat parent!

New Huffington Post Blog

Can We Please Stop Calling It 'New Media?

kthnxbai!

Peppe Knows How To Enjoy A Sunday Evening

A Few Pics From Last Night

Traffic numbers don't lie: when I put photos of my friends on this site, people click to check them out. So here are some pics from last night.

Julie and I


Julie and Haley


There was actually a working fireplace at the bar. We had to ask them to turn it off because it was actually too hot.

Back In Black. Literally.

It's laundry day here at the Gramercy bunker and I noticed that most of my clothing is assorted shades of black. A few years ago a friend who lived in California complained about my constant use of black as a wardrobe option. I'm not sure how to interpret my affinity for it, considering I'm not a terribly dark person.

Here's a little splash of color:

Good Girls Keep Diaries, Bad Girls Are Too Busy To Keep Them

...not that I'm up to no good. It's just that since 2008 started life has been in fast forward. January is always one of my favorite months to kick back ang veg, but so far there have been parties to go to, committee meetings to attends, and starting next week there is a class to teach.

The beauty of being single in New York is that suddenly you can do whatever you want, whenever you want. I had planned to spend my Friday evening at the gym and then maybe catching a flick in Union Square. But then I got a text that people were going to be at the Hotel Gansevoort bar, and that I should join them.

The night stretched on until about 2:00 a.m., when several of us went home. One of my friends caught a cab to the Upper East Side. I walked across 14th Street and back to Gramercy, stopping once at a McDonald's for a little cheeseburger. I couldn't remember the last time I had had one of those. It was the perfect midnight snack.

Tonight, again, is a brthday party, and possibly another next Saturday. The last time I was having this much unpredictable fun I was 24, going for long runs everyday -- as I am now -- with a closet full of fly outfits to wear. It was a good life then, and it is now.

A lot of people say that since I'm 30 I should be a lot more marriage-minded. Don't worry, I am. But the larger lesson is that you also shouldn't scoff at good times when they hit you like a tsunami. I'm lucky to have friends who text at the last minute and want me to come out. They check my blog and send me e-mails about posts they like. They support whatever quixotic ideas that I have. (Seriously, a blog about handbags?)

Sure, New Year's Even plans were a little spotty since a lot of my old cronies are married, have kids or have moved to different states. But every time an old friend goes on hiatus, a new friend bubbles up, and that's where the fun begins.

Have a great night, everyone. Try something different this weekend.

A True Story About A New Yorker Being Nice To An Injured Animal

I was walking by Hunter College at around 8:00 on Thursday morning when I saw a very hurt and very scared orange cat that was caught behind a wrought iron fence. It was rush hour and people were hustling by, so maybe they didn't see or hear it. Nevertheless, it was wailing at the top of its lungs, a sound that could break your heart instantly. The newspaper guy on the corner was pretty sure it had been hit by a car.

I was about to scoop it up myself and take it to my friend Kim's veterinary office when, out of nowhere, a young guy, about 35 or so, climbed over the 10-foot high fence (the kind with spikes on top) and calmed the cat down. Later on after my appointment I was told that the guy took the cat to a vet where it was checked out.

Sometimes I think I'm the only person who would stop to help a helpless animal. I am so happy to see that others were willing to put their day on hold for that scared orange cat as well.

Moral of the story: Be kind to all beasts, orange and otherwise.

Next Stop: Valentine's Day!!

They say that Christmas decorations come out the minute Halloween is over, but once the New Year creeps in stores get ready for Valentine's Day. This is a window at the Ricky's on Third and 14th Street today. I love Valentine's Day. Bring on the schmaltz!

Handbaggery.com Is Here!! Handbaggery.com Is Here!!

After tinkering with it for a few months, I have finally launched Handbaggery, my new blog about handbags and luxury retail.

Your only assignment today is to check it out.

Another Huffington Post Blog!

ghost-gym, originally uploaded by milkshakepants.

They keep letting me write over at The Huffington Post. This time I complain about all the newbies at the gym in January.

Every time I see Peppe conked out like this on my bed, it makes me so happy because just amonth ago he was sleeping in a cage roughly the size of a large microwave. He has a great home now.

Am I The Only Person Who Doesn't Work In Finance?

Google Finance Charts, originally uploaded by Greg Bernhardt.

I went to a Columbia alumni breakfast this morning (yes, I actually got out of bed at 6:00 a.m.) and I noticed that not only were most of the people there men in suits, but almost everyone worked in finance. They also had vague job titles such as "management consultant" and "derivatives risk analyst." One guy actually used the work "algorithm." Before noon!

I don't know what any of that stuff is. How do people get into that sort of thing? I understand what financial analysts and accountants do, but all these other titles I don't know. I am actually quite curious.

If you are one of these financial people who wear Thomas Pink shirts and get a bonus every year (?!?!), I would like to hear from you. I want to learn more about what the number crunchers and deal makers of the world do.

A new resolution: To become more business and financially literate.

Also: Get out of bed early, more often. It's not so bad.

Good Advice From Glamour Magazine

I got the new issue of Glamour in the mail today, and towards the back there is a list of the "12 Sneaky Little Secrets Of Suppoesedly Perfect Women. I really liked Number Seven:

"Every workday meal has a job: breakfast is fuel, lunch is business, and dinner is friendship, love, sex -- or all three."

In light of my resolution to be more social. I like that a lot.

A Meth Minute For A Cold Thursday

Peppe Is A LOLCat!! Please Vote For Him!!

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You can vote here.

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Happy New Year! It's Time For Some Resolutions!

Now that the forced good time that is New Year's Eve has passed, it's time to look ahead to the New Year.

1. I plan to be more social. Specifically, I would like to brunch more. I feel like I don't brunch properly anymore.

2. I plan to the run the 10-mile Junior League Mother's Day Race.

3. I would like to be a better skiier. And by better, I would like to learn how to. I have not been skiing since high school, but I loved it. Time to hit the slopes again.

4. I have to do something about my apartment. I need a new one!

5. And as usual, more writing and less resting on my laurels.


Finally, not to get all Krazy Kat Lady on you, but I think that if you can, you should take in a homeless animal in 2008. There are a lot of pets that need good homes and even a studio apartment in Manhattan is a better place for a cat or dog than a cage in a noisy shelter. Adult animals are also just as great as kittens and puppies. I just took in Peppe and he's five years old.

Check out PetFinder.com and search by breed, animal, or location.