StacyCelia.com

I don’t know why. I walked during lunch and tried to breathe deeply while at work. Maybe it’s because I’m not a fan of Halloween or maybe it’s because the election is nearly. Either way, the ambulance noises are not helping and neither is the idea of going to Great America tomorrow. Once upon a time I loved roller coasters, but that’s no longer true. Ever since the fire this year (I was stuck in a smokey elevator), I’ve been a whack job about everything. Just recently I smelled smoke in my office. I ran down thirty flights of stairs, despite the fact that nobody else smelled it, jumped in the car and went home. There was no fire. Someone burnt popcorn.

How am I going to have children?:(

Happy birthday, Dad. I love you so much.

When people disappoint me, I have two options. Either I can tell them and hope that they understand, or I can stay put with my mouth shut. My friend Heather and I were talking about leaving people out of our lives whom do us no good - who are inconsiderate, mean or have nothing in common with us. I am a very communicative person and if I thought my verbalization would do anything to the person inspiring this nonsense of a blog entry, I would say something. But instead, I’ll rest assured that emailing or calling would do absolutely nothing to alleviate myself from the disappointment. Which is why, I will only control what I can control…myself. And so, I’ll keep it up on the top floor.

I’m really trying to avoid being political on this blog, but it’s quite challenging. With seven days before the election, I am feeling nervous and fearful that my heart will be broken at this time next week. I don’t put it past the Republicans to rig this election. They did it in 2000 and they’ll do it again. Only this time, I will be considering moving to Canada. This is such an important election. I feel the stress of the economy day in and day out in my industry. Agencies are losing accounts, businesses are folding and I am losing money with each company that closes its doors. There’s nothing worse than making a “cold call” and having the company owner inform me that they are closing up shop in two weeks time. “Thanks, but no thanks,” they tell me. Seriously…daily. 

My father told me that Red Auerbach would light up a cigar. Who? He made me google it. My Dad says to go to bed, that election is over, that I’m an amo-breathe. My dad doesn’t lie to me. He has delivered difficult to hear news in the past (I think you need to walk away, the Cubs are out of the running, I am going to die one day), so why wouldn’t he now? I feel so happy that he is so confident, but I won’t be until McNut concedes.

Anyway, I took the bus home from work last night. I sat with a simple looking woman who wore all shades of brown and an Obama button. Her wedding ring had a diamond which could not be bigger than .25 carats and her shoes were sneakers that she clearly brought to change into for her walk to the bus stop. Standing above me was a woman who had a rock on her finger about twice as big as mine and wore a standard Gucci bag, just like the one that I had on my lap. She was wearing a great outfit, too. For some reason, however, I found myself thinking about the simple woman to my left. The one above me, however, I felt that I already knew. “She’s just like everyone else I know,” I thought.

The woman next to me sat reading quietly, as the woman above me texted and then chatted on her cell phone from Michigan Avenue to Belmont. Had my phone not been dead, I would have been doing the same thing. But instead, I was able to let my mind go. I thought about the simple woman reading her book. Unlike most women I lay eyes on, there was nothing on her that imitated anything stylish, cool or trendy. Even if someone doesn’t have money to buy a Gucci bag, certainly they can wear a black bag instead of a backpack like she was wearing. Yet, this person opted not to. I thought to myself, “how liberating it must be to want nothing more than you have.” A simple life. When you take away Gucci and Prada and all other things that we want, we’re left wanting only what we need. Each individual only has so much energy to exert in a day. Maybe if I avoid wasting mine on Saks.com, I’ll spend more time acting on the issues that really matter to me. I’ve neglected volunteering since JUNE! And honestly, I feel more like shopping now than I ever have. I need to care a little less about external items and a little more about internal growth. If I take away the thoughts about the wants and replace them with those of my needs, I’ll realize that there’s very little missing in my life. However, if I continue to want mere wants, I’ll always feel in need of more…

Hi Guys,

I’ll be in training all day long, learning how to better sell online assets. I have a lot to say re: my weekend, dress shopping and a movie that I saw yesterday. Jason goes out of town early in the morning, so it may have to wait until lunch tomorrow. In any case, it was a great weekend for me and I hope it was one for you, too. XO Holly - so great meeting you, too. Going to check out your blog now!

I have to approve comments from new people before they are posted here. I never should have written about an orgy because Penis Englargement and other websites are constantly crawling those words. Wow, I never knew websites could be so horny. In any event, I’m sure it helps that I just wrote it here now. Whatever, it’s good for generating traffic, right?

I am so looking forward to this weekend. I’m spending with Jason, pretty much the whole thing. Tonight we’re just going shopping and out for dinner and Sunday we’re going to the Aquarium. It feels like it has been centuries since we’ve just had a relaxing weekend hand in hand. I can’t wait.

Laurel, I hope you feel well. Major shout out!

Jamie and I may go LOOK at dresses tomorrow. I want to go with my Mom, but everyone keeps telling me it’s time. I’m nervous, which is why I am dragging Silverman. She has a way of putting me in items that make me feel like a million bucks…let’s just hope it doesn’t cost that.

BOGART SANDWICHHHHHH!

NY was amazing. I had always planned to move there upon graduation from Kent (yeah Golden Flashes? Flashers?). My sister and brother moved there upon completing undergrad, so it just seemed like that was the place to be. I spent tons of time staying with Jamie who lived in Midtown (in the Biltmore sp?) at the time and always had a blast. My mother and I would often stay with her and her former college roommate. We’d typically go to Moonstruck once, Saks once and Tasty Delight once. At least. I hated shopping at the time, but the two of them wanted nothing more than to drag me along. I hated it then, but would do anything to do it again now. My mom’s entire family is from the east, so I grew up making trips to NJ. Passaic and Glenrock. Like I said, I was always planning to be a New Yorker. Just because it was assumed.

And then one night in 2006, I went on a date with a really nice guy in Cleveland. We had only spoken over the phone until that night (constantly chatting and for long periods of time; in my mind, I had met my Jason), yet when I met him, there was absolutely no magic. Negative magic. Instead of telling him that, I told him that I had to run, that my friend Steph and I were driving to Chicago in an hour. And we did. We arrived at Erika’s apartment way past midnight.

I remember it like it was yesterday. I was laying on Erika’s air mattress with Stephanie the following morning when I suddenly sprung up. I looked around her beautiful Lake Shore Drive apartment. As clear as McCain’s inability to lead was the fact that Chicago was where I belonged. NY would have been merely another step following my older siblings’ direction while Chicago was a step towards coming into my own.

My instincts were right on. And so, less than six months later, I moved here and never looked back.

Back then, I was very uncomfortable in my skin. I was just emerging from a major depression and trauma and NY was a lot for me to handle. It’s a lot of most to handle. Chicago, on the other hand, instantly seemed like home. There was no transition. I would get on the Clark 22 from Clark and Diversy and head to my first job. My iPod would play “It’s All About Soul” by Billy Joel over and over again until I arrived at work. It was within a month that I knew the order of the streets and concluded that I was here for life. Before Jason, before anything, I knew Chicago was my destiny. Today I am so confident and happy in my own skin, so much so that I love NY. I don’t know what it was before. Maybe it was the fact that I walk really slowly and get in people’s way. Maybe it was the fact that I am not fashion-forward and couldn’t keep up. Maybe the cost of living overwhelmed me. I do, however, remember loving how small I felt there, though. I loved that nobody knew me or could judge me. But that was then, and today is now. I love NY again. I can totally walk fastly (if forced) and defenitely keep up fiscally. And love feeling small? No way. I love being known. Just ask Jason - it’s all about me.

If you haven’t talked to me since 2006, you don’t know me. You really don’t, though you may think you do. I look alike and laugh alike, but it’s the moments you don’t see - the intimate situations I face and more importantly, the way that I deal with them - that would be unrecognizable to you. There are some people who I haven’t really spent time with since then and they probably perceive me as someone who I am not. I’ve changed so much since that time. I’m happy. So freaking happy. And why shouldn’t I be? I’ve always been a goofy and outgoing girl, but back then I was angry at the world. Now, however, I am refreshed by my life and the people within it. If you do me wrong, there is no need to be angry; there’s just no need for you at all. A lot of people cut me out of their life back then (I don’t blame them) and I cut a lot of people out of my life as well. My transition stage was ugly and the people who stuck through it are strong f-ing people. The Laurels, Stephanies and Jamies of my life will forever be appreciated.

My trip! That’s what I am trying to tell you about. Okay I’m back on track. Forget the fact that I flew into Newark by mistake and had to take a train to a plane to a train to a train to a train to Great Neck because it was an amazing weekend. Erika and Erik picked me up in Great Neck. We hung out that night (she accepted my request for her to be in the wedding - fuew). The next day we shopped and lunched and kissed goodbye. And then I hung with Michael and Meredith. We had a beautiful dinner with Meredith’s sister and cousins in the city. Tapas. Yum. Not so easy to eat healthily, but I tried. We set out that night to find some cute guys afterward and we did. It was amazing.

Sidebar - I think my fingers are looking old. Oy. So wrinkly. How old do I look? Don’t answer that.

I spent the next day with my friend Michelle. I felt like we were in a shopping TV show. She was the host and I was a participant. She took me all over looking for a cool outfit to wear. Instinctively I think Saks. She, however, thinks Urban. I bought a crapload of things for less than two-hundo. Amazing. She was super cute. She’s like Punky Brewster. She made me feel pretty for a really fun night: Mandel’s bach party. I feel like those details should not be revealed here. Ever since that night, everything I see looks like a penis. And oh, I’ll say to my ladies who plan mine - I am all about 80s music. Life IS a mystery!

I missed J-Dawg a lot.

The next day was spent in Nyak with Siegel. Jessica Siegel. We watched football at the bar all day and I got to see her family, which was amazing. I didn’t blow on her tummy, which sucks, but there’s always next time.

Those are the headlines. I’m so excited to get back to writing daily. It’s been insanity for me, but I’ve loved every minute. I love NY…finally! Thank god, many of my favorite people live there.

My father’s WEEKEND stash in Vegas. Did I not tell you that he is addicted!? 

As promised, below is the video of my father dancing in a moving cab. I just got back from NY and had a WONDERFUL time. Thanks to everyone for making it so amazing. I’ll write all about it later today…

I know, I know, it’s been way too long. I’ve been on the run for an entire week now and pretty soon I leave for NY. My dad says each morning he looks for his “Rooney Blog” and it’s not there for him. I’m sorry, Dad, and here it is. Rooney Balls is back.

Vegas was unreal. We stayed at the Wynn which had rooms precisely like I want in our home when Jason and I make the move. There were flatscreens for the tubs and the bedroom. My father had no idea that TVs can move until he saw Michael and Meredith’s turned towards the bed. I’m pretty sure he was ready to sleep on the couch in order for the best television viewing possible. He once drove across the country with a beeping sound in the car. He didn’t know that it meant he needed to buckle his seatbelt. Anyway, Vegas was amazing. The best part was being with my family. My dad is so funny and my brother and Jason bonded a lot over sports. Family is so important to me, so what else could be better?

The worst part was losing.

The funniest part happened in a cab coming back from the Paris with Jason and my father. We entered a mini van taxi with no second row seating. We’re chatting about poker, the water show, etc., when all of a sudden the cabby blasted Spanish music. Instead of asking him to turn it down, my father proceeded to get up in moving traffic, slouch, and dance to the music. I have it all on video. Stay tuned. I’ll post it when I come back from NY. Jason was crying of laughter. Tears.

Anyway, I’ve been so sleepy since. We all partied pretty hard and went to bed around 4 each night. Needless to say, I’m tired. But, I have a great trip approaching for this weekend! I have a bach party Saturday night and don’t come back until Monday. I’ll be staying with Erika, Meredith/Michael, Jessica, seeing Jamie, Michelle, Debra, etc. I can’t wait!

Until then, I’ll be selling. Big money now, big money.

My dawgs ache.

See you next week!! Have a great weekend, everyone. I’m off.

I forgot to tell you what happened this past Saturday when Jason and I went to the gym. As I was walking in, who do I see? The Asian spitter. I stopped in my tracks and watched her as her saggy and wet body walked out the door. With each step she took, I felt trapped in a Seinfeld episode. Is she really still allowed to swim there, despite the fact that the manager promised me otherwise? Needless to say, I found a manager, explained the situation and asked that the other head person who I had been dealing with call me. I have yet to hear from them. So I called corporate. They are, once again, calling me back. Ugh! Freaking gross woman. Jason told the manager that she shouldn’t even be allowed in the club at all. I completely agree. Who knows how many people she spits at. Certainly I cannot be the first. Anger management. She needs it and we can talk when she’s completed her sessions. Until then, get out of the club, woman. I can’t even go back into that pool anymore. I feel like I’m swimming through the remains of her dinner from the night before. She swims first thing in the morning. I bet she urinates in the pool too.

Happy Birthday, Jamie!!!!!! You are amazing. Hope it’s a great one. FINALLY, you’re 25. (You little baby!)

So Obama is up in the polls. Let’s not even talk about it. To me, that’s a bad sign. I always get excited for elections and then completely disappointed on the big day.

JD, what does your name stand for and why don’t you ever comment on my blog? I know you’re reading it! It’s a big salad! And btw, how’s Texas? What do they think of Bush? Don’t answer that actually. Just tell me how you are, ok? When are you coming back to Chicago?

Anyway, I have something awesome coming in the mail today, but I can’t tell you until, say, a month from now. It’s something personal, yet public. And of course, you’ll hear all about it.

I should start packing for Vegas because I feel like I have no summer clothes to wear, but how that be possible? The summer just ended. The thing about Meredith (sister) is that she always looks so cute. It makes me mad. She just throws on a summery dress and she’s ready to go. Oh, and couple that with the fact that her face goes naked - she wears absolutely no makeup. And she pulls it off. No black eyes, nada. In any event, this weekend just think of me while I’m laying in the pool and winning all sorts of thousands. JOKING, Jason. He thinks it is terrible to think you’re going to win, that you MUST go into the weekend expecting to lose. HAHAH. I just tried typing weekend twice before I finally got it right on the third time. Wedding kept flowing from my fingertips. Weekend. Goggles. Two tough things for me to type. Instead of a weekend of goggles I get to google weddings (something I do frequently). Our weekend and wedding will be filled with family and love. So in many random ways, they’re one in the same. My priority this weekend and for my wedding is festive love among family.

Before Jason and I SERIOUSLY talked about our wedding (we had talked about marriage, but when the word wedding comes up, it’s a whole other ball game), Jason popped up from bed one day and exclaimed, “this is what we should dance to first at our wedding.” We were listening to music at the time.

It was so cute.

And we will. Stay tuned. I can’t tell you until that day. Oh and while I’m on my honeymoon, I am going to have a guest writer. Please send writing submissions to StacyCelia@aol.com. 100 words or less. You people can’t get enough!! Thanks for all the emails - I know I need to write more, relax!!

My father just called. Can you use the internet while in the air?