LIVE from New York....

Hello there wonderful blogging family! Do I sound far away? Do I seem like I'm blogging with an accent? Well I should...because I'm all the way out here in NYC for a few days for training on our email firewall. It's very exciting, because much like Madonna I LOVE NEW YORK.

But first things friggin' last...
How was YOUR turkey day? Mine was fantabulous. Eating, visiting, more eating, walking, cards, eating, BOWLING. ooooooooo-rah! The bad news? Kev-head beat me in the series. Good news? I kicked everyone's ass in the third game. Yeah baby!

How about this unseasonably warm weather? I love this weather. We totally did major outdoor decorating this weekend. Got the house all Christmas-fied. It was beautiful out.

We're not even going to TALK about that Steelers game. It was painful. For Big Ben especially. Nine sacks? Nine times? I don't remember Ferris being sick nine times. That's because he wasn't sick Mrs. Bueller, he was skipping school. He's just leading you down the primrose path. I think someone's offensive line is sending someone a message. I'm looking at you, too, Rex...Mr. Shortypants...seriously. There will be no superbowl for the Bears this year kids, not behind Grossman. Believe whatever dilusion you want...but Brady showed you what a real quarterback, a three time superbowl winning quarterback does, and honey, you ain't even close.

So now we fast forward to today. Today I left for NYC. Today I'm playing on my laptop with my superfast wireless connection in my hotel room. But before I tell you that story, I have to tell you this one. I get off the plane and go to collect my luggage, which is there, thankfully, because I would have cried and cried had they lost my luggage. Five pairs of shoes, people. FIVE. I'm not seeing my house again until Sunday, so I had to pack heavy. Plus we're due for a weather change, and I don't know what to expect. So I get my luggage and go to investigate my options for getting from LGA to Manhattan. I can take a shuttle (I've done this before, they're crowded up little minivans that reek and the drivers are maniacs.) - this costs $20 and I have to wait 30 minutes, if I can catch the next one, because there are so many people waiting. Or I can stand in the taxi line - I'll have to wait almost an hour and it will cost $30-$35. While I'm walking to the end of the taxi line there's a man trying to get people to take his limo. He must see the completely devastated look on my face due to the taxi line, because he quickly approaches..."Going to Manhattan?" yes. "Where to?" 7th & 23rd. "$40." Really? That's only a little bit more than a cab and there's no wait. NO WAIT. I'm in. So are two other businessmen. Lovely. And I have my own personal limo at my beck and call should I want it. HA. He gave me his card and said, "Now you can call me if you need me and you have a friend in NYC." Of course I do!

I love New York. I have walked all over Chelsea tonight. I had some fantastic thai food. Walked through two different wine cellars, read the menus on a dozen different restaurants. I have scouted where I'm getting my morning coffee/diet coke. I know where my convention center is for class. I know where I'm buying this lovely mid-thigh length hooded red sweater for $19.99. I know I'm going to Bryant Park for the holiday shopping. (Plus it's where they hold Fashion Week...OLYMPUS FASHION WEEK, people. I must be in this park for awhile...I'm a slave to Project Runway.)

I befriended some gay waiters in the thai food place - big shocker there. I love it here. Seriously, Kevin...sell the house, cash in the IRA's - pack up the kids and by the time you get here I'll find a box for us to live in.

More from New York to come. I know Lee Ann (Julie's cousin) and I have plans to go to the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center on Wednesday and 80's karaoke night. Good times!