Every now and then, you wander across those stories that make the tears well up in your eyes; stories about amazing people doing amazing things that you can’t help but admire them for. Nigel Hearnden is one of those people.

Nigel Hearnden and Anne Hearnden were your typical storybook married couple, the kind that you never hear about anymore. For 29 years, they loved each other, were there for each other, and supported each other. And when Anne was diagnosed with cancer in August 2001, Nigel was with her every step of the way. With her amazing strength and her loyal partner ever at her side, she went through 20 months of chemotherapy, three invasive operations, and overcame three different types of cancer: Hodgkin’s lymphoma, bowel cancer and liver cancer (twice).

Tragically, despite her many victories and accomplishments, Anne unexpectedly died in November 2005 from a heart infection.

Nigel and Anne had planned to go to Rome for their 30th anniversary. But even though Anne isn’t with him, Nigel is still making the journey. On foot. Read More »

As embarrassing as this is, I must admit, that during my four years in college I, like most college students, had my fair share of random hookups.

Of course, as this was college, these hookups were mostly–well actually–completely fueled by extreme levels of intoxication and in some cases by peer pressure, with my girls telling me, “Oh you should totally hookup with him, he’s so hot.”

It’s not that I didn’t date in college, I did. It was just that the guys who wanted to date me were well, boring. I went out on fancy dates with guys, many of whom I eventually became good pals with, that were not guys I could see myself with long term (and for me, at the time, long term meant at least three months) and more importantly, were not guys I could see myself having sex with long term. Read More »

It’s always a toss-up to say what the best part of an evening out is. Pregame and preparation are always fun, but last call is just a crucial part of a night out, especially when you’re going to school in the Midwest and the town closes down at about 2 AM.

You can really get a sense of the type of establishment you’ve been frequenting by learning what it closes with each night. In New York, sometimes a sick sense of accomplishment coincides with every last call you actually make it to. 4 AM is much easier said than done when you’ve been trained to turn in after 2. Sometimes, though, regardless of the time, you’re going to get the same gratification.

What’s sad is that no one actually NEEDS that final drink at last call, but everyone panics all the same, as though they haven’t been drinking all night anyway.

By far, on my undergrad campus, the favorite establishments were moderately-to-very dirtball bars filled with a slightly frat-tastic crowd of kids, and sometimes bartenders in basketball shorts. Some of said frat boys were known to wear sweatpants on the rare occasion. But the best part of these bars was the unquestionable fact that come 2 AM, the lights would flicker on and the speakers would be blasting either Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” or “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers, depending on which venue you had chosen for the night. Read More »

I don’t really exercise. Don’t care for it too much. My excuse being, I live in Manhattan and walk constantly, so shut up.

On the rare occasion that I am feeling spunky, however, I will work out and take it to the Elliptical, a.k.a the Poor Man’s Treadmill, just like this hottie. But I cannot and will not work out, if I don’t have good music to help me on my sweaty, fat-burning journey. And that music best suited for my JOURNEY? 80′s music. Journey. 80′s music.

The New York Times just featured an article on the effect that certain songs have on us while we exercise, and while it’s not all that exciting or earth-shattering to read that faster songs correspond to a faster heart rate (NO SH*T, really?) it is pretty interesting to see some of the suggestions of songs to add to our playlists, to help pump us up and keep us motivated.

Self.com is a website after my own heart, as the NYTimes article mentions they chose Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go as a workout playlist hit. There is nothing like a good Wham! classic to really get me going. Which got me thinking of one of my personal workout faves which is also from the 80′s, called Baby I’m a Star. It was originally sung by Prince, but in my opinion, The Lil’ Soul Man does it waaay better. Plus, his backup dancers are rocking those shoulder pads, and his wig is amazing. Read More »

The Secret (which I happen to believe in…most of the time) says “What you think about, you bring about” and I’ve really been thinking about a new phone and a major raise and those have yet to show up on my doorstep. (but positivity is key so I will listen to Journey and not stop believing)

But, when it comes to Project Runway? Some may call it coincidence that last week I was ranting that Chris got kicked off only to be brought back this week.

I call it the Law of Attraction working its magic.

Either way, I am oh-so happy that this teddy-bear of a fashion designer wannabe was brought back on the show. Yes it’s tragic that Jack left due to his HIV, but I heart Chris and was nervous the only way I would see that smush of a guy again would be on Celebrity Fit Club.

And while his design was absolutely awful, dude had to stay up all night to finish it.

On another note, I would venture to say that last night was the first time in all seasons of PR that we got to see that in fact, Tim Gunn does have a bit of a personality. He even cracked a few dirty jokes (gasp!) proving to us common folk that no matter how hard he tries to emit the “I will NEVER use public restrooms- heaven forbid I put my pin-stripe suit through that kind of filth” attitude, he is just the same as the hoi polloi.

There weren’t many other surprises in last nights show. Ricky cried (shocker) and wore that awful hat again, Jillian still talked with less excitement than Debbie Downer even when she was claming to be elated/overjoyed/happier than she’s ever been and Elisa… yes, she is still weird. Read More »

The recent invention of Red Bull has allowed many of us to experience nightlife like never before.

In the past, most of us fell into our beds on Friday night, the long week taking it’s toll on our brains and energy.

But these days, pour a little of that strange tasting liquid into a glass, and suddenly, we’re ready to run around campus in high heels, without a jacket, yelling loud hellos to whoever we happen to jump over.

If this week has been as long for you as it’s been for me (who gets sick twice in one month?!) take a shot of this before the clock strikes eleven tonight.

You should be rearing to go in no time.

Cherry Bomb

1 oz cherry vodka

3 oz Red Bull

1 splash grenadine syrup

Pour your vodka and Red Bull into a small glass. Add grenadine slowly so it sinks to the bottom for a cool layered effect.

Turn up some Journey, clink glasses, and get the night going! Read More »

Many of my friends are musicians, artists and/or actors. And as much as I love them as people, I do not always love their art. So over the years I have developed an incredible strategy that allows me to tell some sort of the truth without pissing anybody off.

For example, a friend’s band has just finished playing:

What I think: “I can’t believe Sony would sign such a bunch of talentless jackasses.”

What I say: “Wow, the mix was incredible and I have never seen such masterful lighting.”

So with that being said, in addition to the masterful lighting, the music selection from the Sopranos’ series finale was absolutely phenomenal. Stereogum.com has compiled a track list from the Sopranos’ severely frustrating final installment. Here is the list with links so you can add them to your collection:

Vanilla Fudge – “You Keep Me Hangin’ On”

Tony wakes up; Dante drives Tony to his family; Phil fills up.

Randy & The Rainbows – “Denise”

Tony and Paulie wait for Agent Harris at the airport.

Antonio Vivaldi – “Four Seasons”

Bobby’s wake at Vesuvio’s.

Bob Dylan – “It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)”

AJ & Rhiannon listen to the song in the car

Sonic Youth – “I Dreamed, I Dream”

Tony and Uncle Pat talk in backroom of The Bing.

Read More »