"I've got a date with the night"

[post title from song by the Yeah Yeah Yeah's here - listen to it, it's bad ass. I always get so revved up when I hear it. I played it on repeat the whole way home from school on Friday.]

 Judith March dress, oxford pumps: ModCloth (a long time ago)// Clutch: so old, I don't even remember 

All [last] week long I kept finding myself thinking, "boy, I could use a glass of wine or a martini right about now"; usually when I found my face buried in books that were less than sort-of-interesting and typing up analytic papers. So by the time Friday rolled around and I suffered through reading a play with way too much stage direction, 8:30 couldn't come fast enough - Clash Bar opens at 8:30. (Another reason I miss Vegas: bars were open all day, everyday. But let me clarify, I'm nowhere near an alcoholic; I just like a drink here and there and wish that anytime I wanted one, there was a groovy bar ready and open.) Anywho, Mikey and I headed to Clash where our friend Bob served me up two John Waters-melon martinis, a salty pretzel shot, and a cider. Needless to say, that was a little much. I sang (more like, shouted) a country song out the passenger window of my car on the way home to people standing on their stoops, ate a slice of chocolate cake when I got home, made friendly with porcelain, and passed the heck out. Thankfully I was hangover free Saturday morning! Nothing sucks more than losing a whole day in bed because you were a Boozy Suzy the night before. Other than that, the rest of my weekend was spent watching Celebrity Ghost Stories on the couch - I'm seriously addicted to that show.
How were y'alls weekends? Anyone really enjoy him or herself like me? hehe Have a great week back at work, school, etc.!

Friendly visits: Stephanie part dos

This day was spent walking up and down and all around New York City, one of my favorite pastimes. 
As soon as we got into the city we went straight for lunch at John's Pizzeria. Mikey and I agree that out of all the pizza places we've tried, John's is the best hands down. 

 Checking out the ice rink in Central Park

 Sittin' on boulders in Central Park. It's one of the best places in NY to sit and take it all in. 

Headed to Times Square...

Steph also got to see her dad and grandma who live in NY. They were so hospitable. 

 And then I took her to our main stomping ground in New Jersey: Clash Bar

Thanks for stopping by, Steph. I know I snapped at you a couple times, but that's because you really are like my other little sister (you also take way too long to get ready and I'm impatient! lol), and I love you. Plus we're both feisty and capable of handling the others sass; it's one of my favorite things about our friendship - brutal honesty and absolute protectiveness. I love looking back on how our bond began and thinking about how much closer we can possibly get in future years. I know you're a friend for life and that's one of the pieces that makes my heart a whole. 

I think I'll end this with a warm, appropriate quote:

"I count myself in nothing else so happy, as in a soul remembering my good friends." -- Shakespeare

Love,

Roni

"with insomnia, nothing's real"

It's 4:34 on Monday morning...I can't sleep, as clearly hinted by my Fight Club reference.
I might as well take this time to fill you in on my weekend, since I've been blog-MIA since Thursday.
Friday was Veterans Day, and being a veteran myself, I was super stoked to have been able to take part in the New York City Veterans Day Parade. It was an experience like no other. It was very humbling and emotional. Even when I was in the military I couldn't really hold in the tears when a stranger thanked me for my service. It's the best compliment...one of the most important compliments one can receive, in my little opinion. As the Fairleigh Dickinson University float, piled with veterans, slowly made its way down 5th Avenue, I wore a perma-smile from ear to ear, waving hello to sidewalk patriots with my right hand, and showing my USA pride as I waved our country's flag with my left, all while mouthing "You're welcome" to those verbally and pictorially showing their gratitude via poster boards. I've never made eye contact with so many people and had my eyes watering up at the same time in all my life. It was truly a magical day that I will forever look back upon with pride and honor. Here I am on 5th Ave before the parade officially kicked off. Note: I actually HATE wearing sweat shirts. 

And here's an awesome picture I stole from my friend Rourke's facebook page, but you can also find it here.

Mikey was supposed to be in attendance with me, but he was on a bromantic weekend getaway to Kansas with his bff Mike Kiser and MK's daddy, Mr. Bill Kiser (who is a total sweetie pie).
Now, I think I've made it pretty clear that I love my husband and think the world of him, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy my alone time when he leaves Jersey for a couple days every now and then. I LOVE my alone time and I live it up to the fullest: I glue myself to my red recliner, with snacks at an arms reach, the dogs guarding the front door, the cat at my feet and all the Netflix I can handle! I love Me-time! Saturday night I decided to get out of the apartment and headed to my favorite little rock n' roll dive bar, Clash Bar. Mikey and I have been going here since the weekend we moved to Jersey [last year]. We formed a great friendship with the owners and I actually bartend there every now and again. This Saturday the bar was so packed that as soon as I walked in from the outside cold I was immediately smacked in the face with a heat that made it hard to breathe! I looked and sure enough Bob was swamped with people waving bills to get his attention for some booze. So I put my purse down and started pouring drinks. I went there to sit and have a few Iggy Pop Punches (my favorite house drink at Clash) and ended up working the whole night, but I had a fabulous time! I love talking to strangers and hearing their (usually) wild stories.
Today I slept in really late, had two bowls of cereal, one bowl of Cocoa Krispies and one of Captain Crunch Berries, watched some Real Housewives of Atlanta, and made myself egg and cheese burritos for dinner. Today ruled as well.
Mikey is home now -- and in bed like a normal person. I suppose I'll try and close my eyes too.
I hope y'all have a great Monday back at your places of responsibility!


Love,
Roni