Polo Confidence

If you can believe it, this commercial was one of the most complained about ads of 2008.

Personally, I think it's hilarious. (Probably because the main character is a dog.)

The reason it was controversial, according to the Guardian UK:
"The advert featured a dog singing its heart out when it was sat in the front passenger seat of the Volkswagen but shivering and cowering when it wasn't. Viewers were concerned about the dog's welfare during filming and claimed the ad condoned animal cruelty. Others said it broke the highway code. The ASA was assured a vet was on set during filming and the dog had not been harmed."

NY Mag's Guide to Tweets Worth Following

I love New York Magazine's Approval Matrix, printed in the back of the rag every week. It's hilarious, I almost always agree with their placements and just to prove it's worth -- many other magazines and websites have since copied it's simplistic, but brilliant format since it started.

I was psyched today when I saw that they made a Twitter Approval Matrix. Not really because I love Twitter that much, but because it's another variation on something I do love -- combined with something I'm mildly interested in.

As usual, I agree with their choices and placements, having "followed" a bunch of the people on their list. But I REALLY agree with their conclusion on Ana Marie Cox. I haven't been able to decide how I feel about her -- and they really nailed it.

Take a look -- you may want to add some new people to your "Follow" list and possibly delete a few that don't deserve your attention.

Jozie and Rozie: BFFs

Jozie and Rozie are best friends and it makes me so happy.

Ben and Sam Get Hitched!

My brother got married this weekend to his lovely new wife, Sam, and it was on of the best parties I've ever been to. I wanted to dedicate this post to them and the start of their new life together. Mazel Tov!

I also wanted to thank them for going to Hawaii and giving their dog Rozie to my parents for the next 2 weeks. She has been reunited with her favorite cousin, Jozie -- and they are now joined at the hip! I love these dogs.

I Love NY

I read this on Tumblr today and needed to share it on this blog.

Although I wasn't raised here, I consider myself a New Yorker these days. I feel as though I've lived in the city for years (4 full-time and 3 summers/winters through college). I've had very stereotypical "New York" life experiences: interned, crashed on couches (thanks Ilana!), worked as a freelance writer, pursued a career at a large media outlet, lived with multiple roommates in an apartment meant for one -- even waitressed at a Steakhouse, which I consider a very "New York" thing to do. When I read this post and immediately smiled -- it hit me. I officially live here. Some people might be turned-off by the story below -- especially those people who think that New York is too "big," "crowded," "mean" or "expensive." But I can now say that I've lived here long enough to know that a story like this is par for the course. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em -- and man, do I like being on the winning team.

Story on Tumblr:
On the 2 train down town at 72nd. announcer says that due to a sick passenger on the 3 train at 34th the train was going to be held for some time and that we should take the 1 train instead. The full 2 train emptied on to the platform with the requisite grumbling and not a lot of concern for the “sick passenger” (i.e., the likely too skinny girl who passed out b/c she skipped breakfast) who was making us late for things.

The 1 train pulls into the station and the platform full of people crowds the doors of the slowing train waiting to squeeze on to what was an already full 1. the doors open and of course all the people on the 1 see the 2 train across the platform waiting with doors open so they, thinking how lucky they are to see the express there waiting, rush out of the doors to go get on the 2.

And NO ONE SAYS A WORD to them about the fact that the 2 was being held for awhile. We just waited quietly knowing that if they keep getting off there will be room for us to get on. We were all looking at each other and you could hear the occasional audible giggle and laugh that grew threw contagion as we all knew what we were doing was shady, yet necessary.

We all get on filling the train to the point of bursting and then you can hear from across the platform the repeat of the announcement about the held 2 train followed by a chorus of frustrated sighs and groans. the 1 train doors closed and we pulled away as a platform full of people just looked at us disgustingly.

Now if I ever get asked by New York magazine to do their 21 questions I will have a great answer for “what makes someone a new yorker?”