Birthdays

So, I'm 23 now. Have been since Friday. On a scale of one to 23 (because all my birthdays have to go somewhere), I would rate this birthday as number 23. To be fair, it'd be safe to say I don't remember about half my birthdays. Not because I was too drunk, but because I was too young. Ok, so I don't remember much of my 21st, but who does? Maybe I just think birthdays are a bigger deal than they actually are. Don't worry, I'm not going to start ranting about how becoming a Jehovah's Witness sounds like a good idea. No offense, to all the Jehovah's Witnesses that follow my blog. Maybe it wasn't a totally awesome birthday because it was on the 13th! Friday the 13th. What a day to celebrate the birth of yourself. Maybe it wasn't totally awesome because I spent five hours on a bus leaving DC (and you all know how much I love DC) and going to New York (which is a cool place). I made my final decision while I was there, that I could never live in NYC and really be happy. Maybe it wasn't totally awesome because Kyle was more interested in meeting up with his friends, than enjoying things like Times Square and Fifth Ave with me, which made me feel very alone and lonely in a city of about 8 million people. But, wah wah boo hoo.

It was a totally awesome birthday because I got to spend the previous night (Thursday) out in DC with a very good friend, and Kyle. (Even though I lost my cell phone...briefly.) It was totally awesome because I got a lot of facebook messages, text messages and phone calls. (Thanks!) It was totally awesome because I found out that my uncle and his wife, aka my aunt, are coming to visit in May. It was also totally awesome because I was out in NYC with a lot of fun people. (I know, I'm a hypocrite) The next day (Saturday) was totally awesome because we went to the Met and there was an amazing photography exhibit. (Even though I lost my chain from Tiffany's...THE Tiffany's somewhere around there.) I also went to an art gallery opening! I recommend not going to New York unless you have one of those lined up. Saturday night was totally awesome because I went to a bar that had a foosball table, and beat everyone with a really nice guy named Will. Actually, I met a lot of pretty cool people. After shopping in Soho, I met Kyle and his peeps at a coffee shop. I felt like I was walking in on a Brooklyn version of "Friends". Kyle, a cute girl named Emily, Adam (Kyle's friend), Will (my foosball buddy) and his super skinny, frighteningly adorable girlfriend, Rachel and me. Three girls, three boys. Emily would be the Monica in that situation because she mentioned more than necessary how much she liked cleaning. Rachel would be Rachel because, well, her name is Rachel. So, I guess that means I'm the Phoebe. Damnit. Ohhh, but Kyle would definitely be the Ross. Such is life. Sometimes birthdays suck, and sometimes they don't suck. Here's to hoping 24 will be completely totally awesome.

My Nation's Capital

After being in Washington D.C. for an entire weekend, and one whole week day, I have came to two conclusions. 1) It's officially my second favorite city in America (The first being San Francisco, and the old second being New York City). 2) I would be willing to do the necessary work to move here, live here and survive here. It's a city where Congressmen meet dancing transvestites. Where a hot dog place allows only President Obama and Bill Cosby to eat for free. Where people make me feel so at home by asking me for directions, and I sadly tell them I have no clue, "but I want to learn!". 

Today was a very typical touristy day for me (and for my week-long roommates cousin, Michael). We exit the metro at Union Station, (the very organized, easy and clean metro might I add), and start at the Capitol Building. After spending a total of five seconds ooh-ing and aah-ing, we move on. "There's the Lincoln Memorial!" Michael disagrees with me. "Look, Michael. I've been here, and you haven't." "No, Irem. It's on the other side of the Monument. There isn't even the reflecting pool." I feel I'm right; it's a curse of mine, really. We head towards the "Lincoln Memorial" look-a-like. It's the Supreme Court. He asks for an apology. I ask for more respect for showing him the building where people make decisions for him. 

Next: Library of Congress. He wants to steal the Constitution, as if he was Nicolas Cage. Instead, he settles on coffee stained paper with a copy of the Constitution written on it. 

Next: Break. (There were lots of these)

Next: Botanical Gardens. Perfect timing; there was an Orchid exhibit. The old man at the entry was the nicest greeter I've ever met. Ok ok, I'm comparing him to Walmart workers. Poor old man was probably volunteering. "I see you have a camera! I'm sure you will enjoy our Orchid exhibit because, well, they are Orchids." 

Next: Michael and I headed towards the Monument, taking a lunch break halfway through. (It is an entire mile from the Capitol to the Monument, mind you. He entertained himself by criticizing my decision to not waste time reading Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings books. I smoked cigarettes.

There is just so much to tell. To make a long story short, after finally finding the Lincoln Memorial, asking a guy where the White House is (doh!), having to go out of our way as not to disrupt the filming of Salt (starring Angelina Jolie!!! OMG OMG), and finally ending our day at Dupont Circle, I have fallen in love. A whole new kind of love that has nothing to do with my previous love blog. But I must admit, for the world to hear (and by hear, I mean read) D.C. made love to me today, and I am hooked. 

Network: It's worth the work.

I met a very interesting man on Monday morning (at 7a.m.) He goes by the name, Tom Britt, and he publishes AtGeist (atgeist.com if you are interested). He plans on launching an AtNoblesville publication, and an AtFishers publication. The more I talked to this guy, the more I decided that I wanted to start a publication of my own. He informed me that while I know about the editorial side of a publication, I haven't a clue about how important it is to sell ads. Ok, ok. I know how important it is, but I don't know how to be successful at it. Guess what? He's going to teach me how! I mean, if I can sell portraits that are overpriced (no offense Prestige, but yeah...you can get a 16x20 on mpix.com for about $15) then surely I can sell ads! 

This all came about because of this business class that I reluctantly signed up for. A Ball State alum came to talk to us about how he got where he is today (selling loans to businesses). So, when he found out that I was in the journalism department, he said, "I know a guy you might be interested in talking to." After class, I waited in the long line to talk to him. We exchanged business cards, and I called Tom the next day. It's amazing...the unexpected yet delightful things that happen.

Twitterverse

I don't know why, but I can't stop thinking about this...

When I was in Rome, I went on this amazing tour of the colosseum and the ruins of the Roman Empire. The tour guide was easily the most entertaining...but then he stopped us to share some bad news. He explained that the colosseum was deteriorating (duh) and that the solution that was thought to be saving this magnificent piece of history, was only making the inevitable happen quicker. Researchers are frantically trying to find a new way to preserve it, but alas they don't have enough funding (this was a few years ago, imagine how much money they don't have now). Anyway, he continued to inform us that Coca-Cola company offered to fund the entire research project, under one condition and one condition only. They must rename the colosseum Coca-Colasseum. HA! And put up a huge banner that says "Coca-Colasseum". HA! over and over again. That was exactly the response these researchers gave to Coke. "No, grazie" maybe they said that, as they trotted off to buy the latest pair of Gucci shoes. 

I imagine a time when the entire universe starts to fall apart. Will Twitter offer to provide funding to researchers to save the other under one condition? I think you know what their one condition might be...

An Example?

After 150 years of serving their community, The Rocky Mountain News has ran it's last issue. Is this something other newspapers have to look forward to? Are forced to look forward to?

My heart goes out to the entire staff of this reliable, commendable publication. I hope they all look at this as an opportunity to do something new, instead of being the pessimists that seem to have taken over this country.  

http://vimeo.com/3390739

Attached is a link to a memorable multimedia piece put together in honor of the RMN. I hope, instead of scaring or saddening you, it gives you a sense of appreciation for local news and those still providing it around the country.

One Whole Year

Monday, February 23, 2008 was day one of my relationship with Kyle. To be honest, we started "dating" on January 5. However, on February 23 as we sat having some conversation that probably helped us get to know each other, he asked the question that I had been pushing him to ask. "Irem, I already consider you my girlfriend." Kyle felt very disinclined to ask the question because apparently this tradition has passed. I wish I lived in the time when being asked to "go steady" was the thing to do. Maybe, when I have kids, it will be something like, "will you join me in my quest to find love?" 

So, very unexpectedly (but hopingly) Kyle asked it. Ohhhh, it was sooo cute! I wonder if his hands were sweating because he seemed nervous, or maybe just embarrassed. I told him I would have to think about it. Well, he didn't think that was funny.

I fell in love with him a lot faster than I had expected. Once you have been in love before, like I have, you would think the second time around would be a little more cautiously approached. I told him one night at a bar, three months after our official relationship began. I was trying to set up my best friend with his best friend. It wasn't going so smoothly. Maybe I felt like I had to spice things up. Oh, and if you are confused, yes, I told him first. I wouldn't have said it if I knew he didn't feel the same way. Even still, in the smoky bar, shortly after spilling my friend's beer all over Kyle and myself (to this day, I don't know how it happened), it was a very invigorating moment. As if this huge weight had been lifted off of me, and after he kissed me, I was able to let out the most relieving sigh I have ever let out. Or maybe I burped. Who knows.

All I know is that we have been together one year now. Dating, now, for 13 and a half months. We spent last night eating a meal that he made for us, (who knew he could cook?!) and happily joking about how many more years we will spend together. 1/2? 3? 50?

Mobile Ya'll

I am being punished by the Goddess of A Good Night's Sleep. All because I didn't think it would be hard to drive back from New Orleans in a day...leaving New Orleans at 3p.m. That's 4p.m. for you Eastern Standard Timezone people; like me. In exactly 13-ish hours, I went from 70 degree weather and the Gulf of Mexico to 10 degree weather and potholes. Such is life, I suppose. So, now I'm unable to sleep. (That's what I was working my way towards. I had to add in my degree change complaint for venting purposes. That's what blogs essentially are, or can be, right? Online personal diaries for the world to see?) 

Mobile, Ala. is a (insert adjective) kinda town. (I apologize, my mom and I played Mad Libs this evening and my mind is fresh out of adjectives) The people, however, are refreshingly kind. Upon arrival; after checking in, napping, freshening up; we went to a bar. In hopes to find dinner. That didn't happen, but the waiter insistently offered me the food he brought to work with him. I turned him down, of course, but only because he had an apple. If it was a very large, very greasy, very fattening cheeseburger, however, it would have been mine. I'm kidding...I probably would have suggested sharing it. BUT, we found food. It's ok. 

I'm not going to even discuss the whole reason for going to Mobile. I'll give it a three word summation. Really. Bad. Football. It's ok. I forgive Stan Parrish and Nate Davis for messing up. I'm still, and always will be a Cardinal.