Last. Post. Ever.

Out with the old...and in with the new!

No more Gentlemen Prefer (NY) Blondes.
Because frankly, I have no idea what they prefer.

So make this your new guilty pleasure.
Tumblr is visually exciting and makes posting pics, videos, quotes, entries and links much easier...which makes for more frequent updates! Promise.

It's been a good run, GPNYB!

http://sarakatherine.tumblr.com

Save a horse, ride a cowboy?

Just because I...

grew up in Texas

went to Texas A&M University
dated a few country boys
enjoy country music
have been to rodeos
love chicken fried steak
choreographed a dance to "Boot Scoot Boogie" for the 4th grade talent show
look good in a cowboy hat

...doesn't make me any less of a CITY GIRL.

I ENJOY being inferior to towering buildings and the hustle and bustle of city streets. I love the energy and the diversity in a city brimming with success. The city - this city - is where I belong - it is where I am thriving and establishing an editorial career. I am constantly intrigued by the opportunities and the events and the sights and the people and...I could on!

Let's just say I'm just in the right place at the right time.

Get to the point, Sara!

Most men in this city are funny, successful, sexy, well-educated, family men....who just happen to be TOTAL douchebags. They have all the right components for a perfect mate, but they are ultimately too cocky/insincere/unemotional to even put time into.

On the other hand, Texas men are sweet, sexy, rugged, charming, hard-working, family men...who just happen to be the most GENUINE people I have ever met. They all possess lovable qualities, but they ultimately lack the intellect/sociability/determination that one would need to make a successful significant other. At least in my eyes.

Before I go on, let me clarify by stating that I am well-aware that I have generalized the male population in both regions, but for the most part, these qualities hold true for a majority of the men I have met. Also, let me say this post is NO indication what-so-ever of any of the following:
1. a desire to get married or to settle down. Vomit.
2. a current situation.

I lived in Texas for 22 years, and Manhattan for only 1.5...so of course Southern boys have dominated my dating list, but I have always preferred dating suits rather than cowboy hats. Better dates maybe? Who knows.

I have heard some of the most gorgeous women in this city repeatedly question their ability to find a decent guy. Given, I have heard the same from ladies in Texas, but you can't ignore the fact that roughly 75% of the girls I know back home are married or in long-term relationships. Not a SINGLE one of my close girl friends in NYC is currently dating anyone longterm. Except my roommate, but she doesn't count because her boyfriend is - you guessed it - still in Texas!

Despite immersing myself in the city most of my life, I still can't help but to have a soft spot for cowboys and Southern gents. Texas boys tend to put the women in their lives first. They DESIRE to be in committed relationships, BUT they typically propose marriage absolutely TOO soon.

Manhattan boys tend to put themselves and their careers first. They have no desire to make any personal commitments until their early 30s. Manhattan women are the same way. Love isn't a priority.

Both are honorable in different facets.

So, can a successful city girl ever fall in love with a cowboy? And why are Southern boys sweet, but less determined? Does my "Mr. Big" wear a cowboy hat? Will I marry someone I meet in the city? Why are Manhattan men so damn cocky? Why do suits turn me on? Why do I love being single in the city so much? Will cowboy hats ever become the new suits? How can I be so confident to make such rash generalizations? Do gentlemen really prefer New York blondes?

AHHHH!

Okay, I got carried away.

But I know you're wondering where this rant came from, so here it is...
The surprisingly funny and relevant article that triggered this post:

WEtv cable channel poll shows city women prefer cowboys
by Chuck Yarborough
Plain Dealer Reporter

Question: How do you know when a cowboy is in a committed relationship?

Answer: When tobacco juice streams down both sides of his pickup.

Sure, it's an old joke, at least among us rednecks. But you concrete canyon types should know there's a reason why you're likely to see a two-tone Silverado out on the main drag, whether that drag is in Cleveland, Texas, or Cleveland, Ohio.

In the deep-throated growl of lanky country singer Trace Adkins, "Girls love country boys."

It ain't just a song, y'all. WE tv, the women's cable network carried as a premium channel locally on Cox, Time Warner and Comcast, premieres a show called "Girl Meets Cowboy" at 10 p.m. Sunday. In it, four city-slicker hotties - whose really plausible careers range from biochemist to preschool teacher - vie for the attention of handsome Deadwood, S.D., cowboy Chris.

Apparently, TV reality show producers see no need for last names.

Anyway, Chris' online bio says he grew up on a working ranch with a stay-at-home mom and a horse. It isn't quite clear in the bio which one Chris loved more.

But you don't have to take my word that women are drawn to us tall, handsome, he-men in boots and cowboy hats. The cable network polled 755 women to find out if you gals really have a hankerin' to spend a little time out on the ranch.

Given that it was commissioned to sell the show, I had my suspicions about the poll's veracity and accuracy. But after reading the results - and doing a little careful, modest introspection from my Stetson to the Texas tattoo on my 'laig - I cain't fault it none.

For example, 77 percent of the women in the poll believe a cowboy would be more exciting in bed than a businessman. Thank God for spurs.

Cowboy types make better husbands, too. Apparently, they "have a lot of masculine energy . . . tend to be in great shape, are good with their hands and aren't afraid to get dirty, all of which can be very sexy qualities."

Again, while I can't speak for every cowboy . . .

Sixty-six percent of those polled felt a hard-working cowboy would make a better husband than a wealthy city guy. I know my late, sainted mother-in-law - whose judgment is, was and always will be beyond reproach - preferred me over her other, now ex-son-in-law, who was raised in a city. Why? It ain't because I'm an angel. It's because I haven't been out of work since I was 14. My former brother-in-law hadn't had a steady gig since about the same age.

The survey also reported that 63 percent of the women felt a man who gets his hands dirty for a living is sexier than a man who works in an office. I'm hopeful I get credit for the grease I smeared on my computer keyboard.

Another 65 percent said they were more attracted to a man in a T-shirt and jeans than a man in a business suit. Heck, where I'm from, a T-shirt and jeans is a business suit.

I'm convinced that they polled only city women because 62 percent thought sex in the woods would be better than sex in an elevator. I suppose the latter has its ups and downs, but apparently New York and them other big cities ain't got no chiggers.

And finally, 80 percent wondered where all the good men in the city have gone. Alan Jackson wrote that one: They've gone country, ma'am.

And now we know why.

Yeeeeeehaw!

Halloween Troubles

I have a million ideas for Halloween costumes this year, but they all share a common obstacle: None of them are slutty enough.

We all know, thanks to Mean Girls and of course, obviousness, that "Halloween is the one night a year when girls can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it."

My days of wearing that old high school cheerleading uniform are played out.
And the angel/fairy...I mean, wtf?!
Can't forget my attempt at slutty with the "naughty" school girl outfit. Last time I checked, adidas shoes and pigtails didn't equal naughty.
Devil? Yawn.

This year I'm going all out.

Possibilities:
1. Hillary Clinton...as a slut. (Only because I'd make an ugly Obama)
2. Angela from "The Office"...as a slut.
3. Lindsay Lohan out of rehab...as...herself.

More to come.

newyorkage

I know what you're thinking:
Is Sara actually home on a Friday night? Sober and updating her blog?!

Or quite possibly, who the hell is this Sara and do gentlemen REALLY prefer New York blondes?!

Either way, I'm in tonight because my liver, my mastercard, and I needed a break.
How grown up of me!

My new roommate and I just got back from seeing The Nannie Diaries a few blocks over. It wasn't as funny as I expected, but I can appreciate any movie filmed in Manhattan. Despite the fact that they all result in someone "accidentally" finding love in the most unlikely situation. But alas, I guess anything can happen in the city.
Yaaawn.

So Fall is around the corner, and you can already feel it in the air. It was like the second everyone packed their whites away, a heavy rain came and washed away the summer. It has been cool, crisp and refreshing - the kind of weather that makes you want to frolic in the park!
....naked.
Kidding.

The weekend agenda:
Saturday AM - Museum of Natural History w/Michael
Saturday PM - out out out w/ the girls
Sunday AM - apologize to liver and mastercard
Sunday PM - Brooklyn Book Fair

It never ends!
And I love it.

OMG, where have I been?!

I just spent the last half hour stretching in my living room for a late night run along York Ave., but I decided to use my energy for a much greater interest: Cleaning my hellhole of a room.
Oh, and a blog update too. Sans sports bra and tennies, of course.

I can't even begin to explain how much my summer has topped any other. And I'm not sure what it is either. I didn't win the lotto. I haven't traveled the world. I haven't even fallen in love.

Despite living here for a year and 3 months, this is probably the first time that I have felt like I have really lived in New York City.

My life is full of spontaneity, surprise, rhythm and terribly too much fun.

I have taken advantage of so much of what this city has to offer! And I've had the chance to spend a few weekends away too.

The highlights:

PMBuzz.com Launch party at The Grand, hosted by the man that makes my work days slightly more entertaining - Perez Hilton.
I got to meet him. And I definitely made him laugh


This is him considering my request to make the blog a little more discrete (less bright pink) so its easier to read at work.

At another event, we were 3 inches away from Joel Madden (Nicole Richie's baby daddy) while he DJed at the Village Pourhouse.

Photo by ME!

New York Post's Page Six the day after.
Unfortunately, I wasn't the "cute young woman."

Beyond all that, I went back to Texas to see family and to watch my best friend get married...

I'm third from the bride on the left.

...and got to see a lot of Houston faves!



I've also been to Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts -- talk about pimpin' the east coast!
I realize that wasn't necessary.

Needless to say, I'm living the good life!
I'm just trying to get it all in before everything pretty much turns to shit.
And by shit I most definitely mean WINTER.
::shudders::


Love to love ya!!!

How many half-naked men does it take to make your Thursday worthwhile?

Hmmm...I'd say at least 10.

After work, a co-worker and I went to an open bar at Mantra in Midtown East, and then headed over to the Playgirl Issue Release Party at HK Lounge. And although the men behind the bar were certainly half-naked, they definitely weren't Playgirl material.

But alas, the highlight of the party was definitely the goody bag - free vibrators, condoms, lube, lickable body spray, playing cards, and of course, penis-shaped note pads. We also got our picture taken by the magazine's photographer, and 'tis possible we might be in the September issue.
Now that's something for the resume.

Waiting for our goody bags!

After that, I met up with some friends and we decided to celebrate one of their birthdays the right way - by attending a Male Revue. On Thursday nights, Webster Hall has "Girls Night Out." But if you ask me, its definitely not the girls that are...out. The event is pretty much just an open vodka bar and raunchy naked men shakin' it all over the place.
Or, as your mom likes to call it, every night of the week.

Waiting for "the show" to start


This is just humiliating!
And please take note of the knee pads.

...an interesting talent.

Just to balance our week out a little, we went to an event at the Museum of Modern Art the night before.

Despite the fact there was yet another open bar, it was certainly more cultural than, say, multiple banana hammocks in your face.

At the MOMA event

This summer keeps getting hotter and hotter better and better.

Best. Day. Week. Summer. Ever.

Seriously. This really has been such an incredible summer!
But the last week or so has definitely made me even more (truly) madly, deeply in love with the city.
And life.

Here are a few highlights:

Mets game

Free tickets. $7 beer. Ballpark hotdogs. Perfect seats. Amazing weather. Good company.
Does it really get better than that?
Actually, yes. After the Mets won, we took the Water Taxi home, which turned out to offer the most enchanting evening view of the city.
Plus, we met some fratastic financial d-bags on the boat who kindly offered us booze.

The Museum of Sex


I had wanted to go for a while -- it's hard to resist a museum that requests you don't "touch, lick, stroke or mount the exhibits" -- and finally my weekend visitor from Texas decided we should go. It was pretty great.
Very...hands on.


Upright Citizens Brigade Theater


Went to see a FREE improv performance by Rachel Dratch and Horatio Sanz, et al.
We lingered around afterwards so we could corner them for a pic. They gladly obliged.
(NOTE: I didn't post the Horatio pic because I look awful in it. I mean seriously, when Horatio looks better than you, there must be something wrong with....the angle.)

Philharmonic in Central Park


The philharmonic orchestra played free on Central Park's Great Lawn this past Tuesday evening. While we frequently said, "Can you hear anything?", it was still a great outing.
Wine, cheese, picnic baskets, music, fireworks.
Amazing.

I have also decided that I'm going to take part in 2-3 cultural events in the city every week.
I use the term cultural loosely....like something sober outside of my apartment.
I also use the term sober loosely.

To start off this new goal, I went to an evening lecture at the New York Public Library -- something I was skeptical of, but which turned out to be really worthwhile.
I got to meet a respectable author and listen to intelligent arguments from fellow New Yorkers. I was definitely the youngest person in the room, but it was insightful nonetheless.

And today I went to an orientation to become a New York Cares Volunteer. I have intentions of participating in a few events every month as a great way to help out the community and maybe meet some new faces.
There were definitely some great volunteer opportunities good looking guys in my class....so I pretty much already love volunteering.


Although, the BEST thing that occurred this week was my promotion to ASSISTANT EDITOR at work!
A new title, a larger cube, business cards, and a raise.

LIFE. IS. GOOD.
Really, really good.

"The truest thing I know about relationships...

...is that sometimes, we don't know anything at all. You can't always get the one you want. And sometimes, the one you get...may not be the right one at all. But if you have hope, the universe has a funny way of showing you exactly what you need. The challenge is to let yourself be alone until the right one shows up. But you can't hide either. Heartbreak sucks... but not having heartbreak sucks more. The answers aren't in a lecture or a book, but maybe if you make yourself happy, you'll find the right one.
I believe this, because against all odds, I am still an optimist..."

-From one of my new favorite shows, Men in Trees

What the HELL?!

This poor HELLish family!
The next thing you know, we're going to hear that Sam Shithead can't enroll in school either.

Summertime, and the livings easy...

So far, my second summer in Manhattan has been quite enjoyable!
I have...

1. Enjoyed many outdoor/rooftop dinners and happy hours
2. Spent the day at Brighton Beach in Brooklyn
3. Seen Legally Blonde on Broadway
4. Gone to a wonderful wedding in Ohio
5. Enjoyed evening runs along the East River
6. Purchased way too many summer dresses

And even though June has gone by incredibly fast, I still have plenty to look forward to this summer...

1. A long weekend in Chicago with my bff
2. Various visiting Texans
3. Fireworks at Battery Park
4. The Jersey Shore with the cousins
5. My impending promotion
6. A best friend's August wedding
7. Summer Fridays at work (out at 1pm!)
8. A short visit to Texas
9. Beach trips and baseball games

Sigh. The living is definitely easy.