About Amanda
I’m a disgruntled LIRR commuter by morning, real estate journalist by day, insomniac by night, and cancer butt-kicker for life.
Where To Find Me
Tale As Old As Time
Published June 5, 2007 | So, Lexcie and I went to go see Beauty and the Beast on Broadway last Friday. It’s one of my all-time favorite movies, and I wanted to see the show before it officially closes in July. A co-worker did tell me there were some difference from the movie – mainly, it was more comedic and there were more songs. Overall, I gave it a seven out of ten stars.
Why not ten, considering it’s one of my favorite movies? Well, precisely that – it was a lot different from the movie. Continue reading
Have Ram, Will Travel
Published April 9, 2005 | Yesterday, I was waiting for my bus at Port Authority Bus Terminal, when I noticed the girl sitting in back of me in the waiting area was reading The Ram. Not only was she reading The Ram, but she happened to be reading the Features section. Not only was she reading the Features section, but she was reading my column. So I stared (I really didn’t mean to) at her, to read any expressions on her face as she read. Conclusion: she was devoid of all emotion while reading. But then again, she was deviod of all emotion while reading the entire paper. It’s neat to see people reading The Ram outside the Fordham setting – it’s also happened on the Long Island Railroad. Little did she know I was sitting right behind her, mwhahaha. Mom asked why I didn’t introduce myself – yeah, let’s freak out a Fordham student who probably isn’t used to such randomness.
Also came across the Coliseum bookstore yesterday while walking from Grand Central Terminal to Port Authority. I’ve always seen the store advertised on the 7 and D trains (due to its subway stop being 42nd Street-Bryant Park), but I’m never in that area, because I dislike Times Square. But I forgot how great Bryant Park is, and now I plan to go down there often, because it’s a great place to just chill out and read. I purchased two great books: Latin for All Occasions, and The Cheap Bastard’s Guide to New York City… ah, they’re such great books for dorks like me. I’d highly suggest you purchase them.
Merry Capitalismas
Published November 12, 2003 | I’d just like to say thank you to all of my friends for failing to inform me that Christmas is just around the corner.
At least the Metropolitan Transportation Authority was nice enough to tell me – in September. They told me that if I bought my Radio City Christmas Spectacular tickets early, I would ride free on the Metro-North.
However, they weren’t the only ones to extend the gratuitous reminder.
I went to Duane Reade to see what Halloween costumes they had. Granted, it was October 2 and I was a bit late; those costumes had been out since July Fourth. As I looked at the last of the Dracula fangs, I glanced over to my left.
“Aww, look, a Santa Claus costume,” I said to myself. Then I saw the box of 50 iridescent blinking Christmas tree lights. The snowman that boogied to “Winter Wonderland.” The red, green and silver foiled Hershey’s Kisses. The rows and rows of cellophane-wrapped candy canes, standing tall.
“You’ve got to be kidding me, Christmas is over two months away,” I said to the woman in the blue apron standing next to me. She gave me a look of what I perceived to be understanding. In reality, it was a shut-up-and-let-me-finish-stocking-the-shelves-with-multicolored-gift-bows-so-get-out-of-my-way look.
It was depressing.
As I left the store with my shopping bag filled with a glow-in-the-dark wig, fake eyelashes and a plastic pumpkin (which all happened to be on 25 percent clearance; the store had to make room for conversation hearts and Russell Stover chocolates), I couldn’t help but feeling, well, a little bah humbug-y. It was October 2 and I was already sick of Christmas.
I wasn’t always this way. When I was younger, I remember distinct holidays: New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Celebrate one – bam! – on to the next. Even Santa Claus knows when to wait for his turn – he waves at the end of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
My countdown to Christmas began on my Advent calendar, not the “X Many More Shopping Days Left” calendar stuck conspicuously in between the J.C. Penney’s and Target sales flyers in my Sunday paper. Did you know that, including today, there are only 43 days left to whip out your wallet and hand over those new $20 bills to the happy cashier? Season of giving, indeed.
I generally try to avoid the mall beginning in October. The one by my house has already decked its halls with boughs of holly-day sales and strains of fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la echo on Musak – you know, that annoying elevator music that stays in your head all day. I’ve resolved that issue by doing all my holiday shopping online. No lines, no hassle, no donning we now our gay apparel. Heck, I even stay in my pajamas.
Maybe we should just rename the holiday “Capitalismas.” After all, I’m learning year after year that it’s all about the money.
So, if you’re wondering why I’m not joining you at the “Buy two, get one free including snazzy gift wrap” sale on Black Friday, it’s because I’m at home, eating a leftover turkey sandwich from my Thanksgiving dinner. That’s right, Thanksgiving. The holiday the stores forgot.
I guess there’s not much investment potential in saying “thank you” for what we already have.