Tuesday, April 23, 2013

30 Day Blog Challenge

See this:

30 Day Blog Challenge
  1. List 20 Random Facts About Yourself
  2. Describe 3 Legitimate Fears You Have and How They Became Fears
  3. What was the Last Movie You Saw in the Theater?
  4. What is the Hardest Thing You Have Ever Experienced?
  5. What is your Dream Job and Why?
  6. What is the Most Difficult Thing You Have Had to Forgive?
  7. If You Could Live Anywhere, Where Would It Be and Why?
  8. What Do You Think People Misunderstand Most About You?
  9. List 10 Things You Would Hope to Be Remembered For
  10. Your Earliest Memory?
  11. What is Your Food Philosophy?
  12. What is the Last Good Deed You Did for Someone/Someone Did For You?
  13. What’s in Your Purse?
  14. Write About Your Morning Routine
  15. What Was Your Most Memorable Vacation and Why?
  16. Who was Your Childhood Celebrity Crush?
  17. What’s One Thing You’ve Never Done That Most People Have?
  18. What Are Your Three Biggest Pet Peeves
  19. What is the Last Dream You Remember Having?
  20. If You Could Be Famous For One Thing, What Would it  Be?
  21. Write About Your Favorite Book
  22. Put Your Music Player on Shuffle and Write the First Ten Songs That Play
  23. Something That You’re Proud of
  24. Write About Something You Miss
  25. Something You Are Worried About
  26. One Thing You’re Excited For
  27. A Quote You Try to Live By Each Day
  28. What Were the Highs and Lows of the Past Year
  29. Your Biggest Regret in Life
  30. List 10People, Dead or Alive, You Would Invite to Dinner and Why
    well......
     
     
 Stay Tuned!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Breaking Up Is Hard to Do

...before panic sets in among readers, I am not getting divorced.  It's actually worse than that.  My therapist broke up with me.  I've been discharged.  While I see myself as unfit to walk the streets without any psychiatric treatment, she feels differently.  Actually, that's not a fair assessment.  She believes I belong in a group therapy setting.  I tried digging in my heels on this, just like I did going for out patient therapy and eating disorder recovery, but again, I lost the battle.  Tomorrow I meet with a new therapist to possibly join a group.  It's a new journey for me.  And as my therapist assured me, "change is good."  Yeah, I'll get back to you on this.

Being discharged from one on one therapy is definitely a milestone.  I went from having a total nervous breakdown and denial of having an eating disorder to where I am now.  Now is better.  I breathe more and eat more (slightly).  There are less arguments with my husband and my home is not as uncomfortable as it once was. I think my husband would agree he isn't walking on egg shells anymore.  Don't misunderstand, every meal is STILL an argument or struggle in my home but I've learned to balance it.  I eat enough to make him happy but restrict enough to allow me to not panic.... most of the time.

Sharing my secrets and inner thoughts with a bunch of strangers is about as tempting to me as severing a limb but maybe my current health providers know something I don't know.  I've set up some goals for myself.  The number one goal is to figure out why I know what the right decision is but still decide to choose the one that's going to inflict more pain and anxiety.  I'd like to basically know why I'm always such an asshole.  It would help me out a bit. There is of course a tiny little bug in my brain worried about being threatened, yet again, to be sent to inpatient treatment for Barbie.  Now that the diagnosis for anorexia is changing, I may no longer fall under the non-insurance covered EDNOS and may fall into the completely covered Anorexia Nervosa diagnosis.  Lack of coverage was my excuse for a long time but now I fear I won't be able to hide behind that anymore.

I'm not really writing to talk about my eating (...or lack thereof).  This is more about dealing with a break up.  If you haven't broken up with a therapist that you bonded with, you won't understand but it's similar to losing anyone important in your life.  At the end of the day, she knew things about me that only Dr. Lilijohnson knew.  No one and I mean NO ONE knew what she did.  I trusted her with secrets about my thoughts, feelings and day to day life.  Week in and week out, sometimes multiple sessions, she listened to me and cared about what I had to say.  Never judging me or making me feel inadequate.  If anything, she made me feel normal, but maybe eccentric.  I would have stayed with her forever, but that's not good either.  At some point, you need break away.  We all grow up and move out of our parents house to attempt being adults-- this is sort of the same thing.

She was a VIP.  I doubt I'll ever find another like her but it's time to move on because I'm stuck.  It was put to me that I'm "dicking around." Can't really disagree.  I'm not committed to bettering myself at anything still.  I know what to do but I'm just not doing it.  Hopefully the women in this group can explain to me why.  It nauseates me to think of sharing my issues with perfect strangers but I've done it before so I guess I can do it again--- if they take me. 

My blog has been quiet for months because of this reason.  I'm stuck.  I don't really know what else to do and complaining about it won't get me anywhere.  Although, venting online gives me some relief so perhaps I'll go back to contributing more frequently.  It's tiresome being so fucked up.  Being emotionally drained every day makes you exhausted.  My anxiety eats up any energy I have, which, to be honest is low since I basically only eat once a day.  I guess I just found my second goal: work on eating more.

Living in the world of denial isn't working out so well anymore.  It's time to stop living the life I chose and start living the life I deserve.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

In Your Face

Moving on from Anorexia 101, I've started teaching lessons for Anorexia 201.  This time around, I continue to deal with ignorance but as with any course, it becomes more challenging. It is very infrequent that I am at a loss for words but, this is one of those times.  My altar ego, Barbie, has been a part of my life for twenty years.  The greater part of that time I lived in hiding and kept Barbie to myself.  I denied the existence to everyone around me, including myself that I had an eating disorder.  And for the first time, at age 37, I am very open about it.

Although it may sound cliche, if I can help one girl, especially my daughter and prevent them from spiraling into the hell of an eating disorder, I want to speak openly and freely about Barbie.  Apparently, this is.... OFFENSIVE. Yes, you read correctly, OFFENSIVE.  It has been brought to my attention that I "throw the eating disorder in people's faces." Well-- essentially.  I'm paraphrasing of course, but the general idea is I'm "too much" with it.  It's bothersome to people how open I am.

(Insert sarcasm tone here) I can absolutely see why people feel this way.  Anorexia is by far, the glamorous life.  I mean who wouldn't want to have an eating disorder right?  This pretty much sums up how awesome Anorexia is:
I mean, come on?  Are you fucking kidding me?  So, Anorexia 201 focus on the following: if you're uptight and uncomfortable about it, I AM GOING TO BE UPTIGHT AND UNCOMFORTABLE. Yes, so if I talk about Barbie (which is a name I really only use when I'm alone or writing this blog), it's ok to laugh if I make a joke.  It's ok to ask a question.  It's ok to give me a sympathetic look.

It's not ok to:

1. ...feel badly for me
2. ...mistake my honesty for attention
3. ...assume I am NOT in recovery.  I will be in recovery for the rest of my life
4. ...think this isn't real-- it's very real.  I have a husband, therapist and friends who can attest to the pain they have endured
5. ...ignore it's existence
6. ...assume this is my identity
7. ....think this is a phase

So, I guess what I'm saying is this:

Alright, I suppose that's pretty much in your face but here's the thing, I don't fucking care.  If you don't like that I talk about Barbie, simple, don't talk to me.  I'm not going to pretend that Barbie is gone, because she'll never be gone.  She may be very quiet....  but she will always be there.  Mainly, I don't want to pretend.  Fuck close mindedness. Allowing myself to feel shame all these years contributed to low self esteem and a nearly crushing relapse.

Oh, and to those people who have taken a step back or have "disappeared" from my life since Barbie re-emerged, do me a favor and don't come back.  If you couldn't be there when I needed you, I sure as hell don't want you around me now so stay in your hole.  I only need those people who hugged me when I said I was ok but knew deep down I really wasn't. Do I have friends who DON'T read my blog?  Absolutely--- and that's fine.  Reading my blog isn't the only way to encourage my recovery..... Hugs work too.  And you know what else?  Noticing what I DID eat and not what I DID'T eat (Anorexia 101).  There are various ways to help me but to say I throw it in your face, well, that makes you weak, in my eyes. 

My favorite ignorant statement is, "She isn't that thin. She doesn't have an eating disorder.  It's all attention seeking behavior."  To that I say, simply, fuck you.  An eating disorder isn't measured by weight.  It's a mental illness.  If I could choose to think I wasn't fat and worthless, why wouldn't I? One of the most amazing quotes I've ever read is by Ralph Waldo Emerson and it can apply to anything: What You Do Speaks So Loud That I Cannot Hear What You Say.  Powerful words.

I am better today because I am open about my eating disorder.  I discuss it in normal everyday conversation because it is a part of my normal everyday life.  At 37 years old, most of the people around me are roughly the same age and when I get upset about how I've lost friends or why someone may be uptight, I hear the same reason, "They just don't know how to act."  Well, bull-fucking-shit.  You're an adult, figure it out.  If my friendship means anything to you, turn on the computer and Google EDNOS.  My philosophy is, if I'm open about it, then there is no reason for you to be uncomfortable.  I'm fighting EVERY DAY to be healthy and if you can't loosen up about it, or learn to talk to me about it, then please don't talk to me.

And remember:

Monday, October 15, 2012

Bucket List 2012

I haven't been writing much in the way of my blog but mostly because I've been focusing more on my novel.  In an effort to take a break from the hundreds emails that I'm wading through upon my return from vacation, I thought I'd post my current bucket list (yes, some I can check off):

1.  Write a Book
2.  Be in Disney World at Christmas time
3.  Master the Art of French cooking by Julia Child
4.  Speak French fluently
5.  Become a Probation Officer
6.  Dance under the Eiffel Tower while it twinkles

7.  Be a real Princess for a Day
8.  Sleep with Donnie Wahlberg


9.  Eat Pasta in Italy
10.  Stand Under the Hollywood sign
11.  Get my nose pierced
12.  Swim in an Infinity pool
13. Make a Wish at the Trevi Fountain
14.  Be inaccessible by computer, phone, etc for one day
15.  Visit CoCo Chanel's apartment
16.  Battle my Eating Disorder

17.  Get a wrist tattoo
18.  See Gay Marriage legalized in all 50 states
19.  Visit the Palace at Versailles
20.  Get breast implants
21.  Be a good parent

22.  Own a Birkin Bag
23. Pay off my mom's house
24. Move to a different country
25 Take a world cruise on the Queen Mary
26. Ice Skate in Central Park
27. Go to a Drive in Movie
28. See the Statue of Liberty
29. Go on a No Budget Shopping Spree on Fifth Avenue
30.  Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride
31.  Stay in the Suite at Cinderella's Castle
32.  Create a Popular Blog
33. Make the perfect Chocolate Souffle
34.  Go to NYC Fashion Week
35. Master photography as my hobby
36.  Finish a NYT crossword in pen from Wed- Sunday
37. Visit the Mall of America
38.  Shoot a Gun
39.  Learn to play Texas Hold Em
40.  Go on a road trip with my best friend
41. Spend a whole day in bed alone, reading
42. Go to a midnight premiere of a movie I have to see
43.  Stop caring what others think of me
44.  Pay off my law school loan debts
45. Get my Master's Degree in Criminal Justice
46.  Reach a Healthy Weight
47. Kiss a celebrity

48. Live in my dream home
49. Go to Bora Bora
50. To be able to say one day, "I made it."

Monday, October 8, 2012

Self Rescuing Princess

I've donated to others who have walked or run in the name of charity, but if you said to me that some day I would be doing the same, I'd say, "Get the fuck out of here!"  Who knew that I would ever be part of a class of citizens supported by a charitable organization?  The National Eating Disorders Association, or NEDA, helps women and men struggling/recovering from an eating disorder.  I am one of those people.  I have an eating disorder.  I am an anorexic. NEDA has taught me this addiction does not define me....  there is more to me and without the support of my family, friends, NEDA and a very, very, very patient therapist I would have never learned this about myself.

So, about six months ago, I started to fundraise for a cause which is keeping me, and many others alive.  I posted on Facebook, Twitter and even sent out emails to everyone I knew and as a result I raised $2,527.37 (and that doesn't even count the matching gifts from some of the donors!!!).  I've probably raised close to over $3000.  I was one of the top 10 (I was number 8) fundraisers.  Completely amazed and overwhelmed  by the generosity of the people in my life and clearly, being Italian, it will not be forgotten.  To give you a sense of the cost, the money I raised will help ONE person:


I drove to New York for the walk and early Sunday morning, under cloudy skies and a cool breeze, my husband and I joined the crowd.  Dressed in my sneakers (yes, I own a pair), I was ready to walk over the Brooklyn Bridge in the name of charity.  What I wasn't ready for was the overwhelming emotion I felt and the many tears I held back.  Although I should have been prepared for what I saw, I wasn't.  There were so many young girls there and while in my mind, I'm 24 my body is actually 37.  I definitely was older than the majority of the people there.  As my husband and I were walking around, checking out the booths, I stopped and spoke with one woman who said, "Are you here for your daughter?" ugh.......  Talk about a kick in the stomach.  I must have had a look of complete shock on my face because the look of sorrow in her eyes when I said, "No, I'm here for me." was enough to send chills up my spine.

Then there were the booths set up for recovery centers-- cue the knots in my stomach. Although I know I am doing better I know that I'm not doing my best.  I still fear that my husband wants me to go to treatment so I watched him closely as he looked at the different booths.  The thought of going inpatient still scares me but it doesn't scare me enough I guess because the few pounds I have gained wouldn't matter.  You know what did scare me though? This:
Powerful, right? (insert my tears here).  The opening ceremonies began and Emme, plus sized super model, Cancer survivor and all round amazing woman, kicked off the walk with a speech.  She asked us to take a moment, close our eyes and ask ourselves what brought us out here today?  In the rain.... In the cold....  Why were we here?  (insert more of my tears here).  I was here because I am a recovering anorexic.  Suddenly my eating disorder took on a reality for me.  It became something tangible.... My anorexia was no longer ED, she became Barbie (and no, it's not because of the childhood toy).  Barbie, the doll, represents childhood, happiness, and innocence and anorexia took all those things away from me so the name seemed only fitting. When I opened my eyes, I looked around at the women and noticed that even though I was older, I looked like them.  THIS is what an eating disorder truly looks like.  Anorexia isn't about weighing 70 pounds....  It's a mental disorder.

Just when I thought I was the oldest person there, I noticed a man in front of me wearing a t-shirt with the picture of a woman and her date of birth and sadly her date of death.  She was 50 years old.  What the fuck? How did that happen?  50 years old??  (insert sobs here).  My first thought was her two daughters standing there and what they say when asked, "I'm so sorry, how did your mom pass?" and them responding, "From an eating disorder."  Speaking from experience, it's never easy to lose a parent but I can only imagine it's a thousand times worse to lose someone to an addiction.  My father died of Cancer-- it was out of our control.  Anorexia, while overbearing and hard to stand up to, can be fought.  I thought of my daughter.  Could this happen to me?  Could I die at 37? 40? 50? I'm not ready to die.  It was an aha moment for me. Fuck this shit.  Fuck Barbie.  I was ready to walk.

Off we went, and even though it's sort of a running "joke," I was worried I wasn't going to be able to do the full three miles over the Brooklyn Bridge.  Hand in hand with my husband, along with 800 other people, I started walking...  I walked for the people who have died.  I walked for the people, like me, who are struggling with recovery. I walked for my daughter so that someday, she won't ever have the self hate I had for myself. My husband and I walked in silence but I couldn't speak-- which is um, rare.  This was a time of reflection for me.  Where I was, how I got here and being ok with not knowing the path I was on.  Then I looked up and saw this beautiful sight:
I was doing it.  In the rain.  Did I walk the whole three miles? No.  Did the rain stop me?  Just a little but more than the rain, my body was going into shock.  I could hear my legs saying, "Um?  Hello?  You haven't exercised in nearly two years-- are you fucking kidding us right now?" So, with a heavy heart, I turned around but I made it more than half way across the bridge and walked for a good 45 minutes, at a very slow pace. I wanted to finish, I really did but it wasn't about finishing the walk and I realized that when I got there.  It was about helping others.  It was about helping myself.

My bucket list has one less item on it now.  This was a life changing event and I will forever be proud of all my accomplishments.  See you guys in Boston!




Thursday, September 6, 2012

It's As If We Never Said Good-Bye

Once back in our room after GPS Love Fest, the feeling was somber.  The room was clean and for the first time in 4 days you could see the 4 inches of counter space we had.  For the last time, we all crawled into our tiny sleeping nooks and fell asleep to NKTV.  One of the perks of the cruise which is New Kids TV, 24/7.  I don't think we ever changed the channel.  We knew the order of the video clips and were able to recite them by now.  But as some asshole once said, all good things must come to an end.  On a side note, I wish I knew who that douche was because, wow, talk about a party pooper.  We slept, or napped for two hours, only to wake and be thrown back into our lives.

The cabin was silent due to either sadness or lack of sleep but no one was talking.  It was over.  The trip was over and the lingering effects go on for month.  As we were de-boarding the ship, we ran into the Jareds to thank them for all they did.  Putting this cruise together is no easy fete (in case I didn't mention it before, noses of a BH are strong and able to pick up any scent from miles away-- the FBI has nothing on us). So we sort of accidentally ended up in line for the elevator with the Jared's giving glowing reviews to the cruise and hoping, just hoping, word would travel back to Danny, Donnie, Jordan, Joe and Jon.

Once through security and customs, Sporty and I said our goodbyes to Baby.  We jumped in a shuttle van and headed to another airport.  The van was tight with other cruisers who bragged about their experiences....  fish tales I call them.  Trying to to make other jealous.  I popped in my ear buds, toned them out and listened to some old school hip hop while reminiscing about 90's night.

At the airport, we met DJ Cheapshot, who, by far is the sweetest man to walk to earth.  Doll.  Complete doll.  Sporty and I were sleep deprived and this is when we learned everything is funnier when you are bleary.... Case in point: Sporty and I were sitting at one of those charging stations at the airport.  The outlets were all filled.  By now, Sporty and I had sucked the battery dry on our phone ins the two hours that we had Internet access since we were off the boat.  We were charging iPods and IPhone with dozens of other people.  Sporty, who was yes, still suffering from sunstroke, had her head down over her folded arms.  I thought shew as asleep until some one's phone rang.....  It went something like this:

Dude on Phone: (in the loudest voice possible says) "This is Doug"
(and without skipping a beat) Sporty looks at me: "Is it black Doug?"

Was it funny? Probably not but to this day, it think it may be the best line ever since I described Donnie's scent as what I would imagine God would smell like.  After hours of sitting in the airport, it was finally time to board the plane which mean, simple, SLEEP.  Thank you Jesus (in my Melissa Gorga voice).  We found our seats, grabbed the nearest New Kid dad and prepared for our journey home.  although I was so tired I had tears streaming down my face, I still drugged up on my xanax and braced myself for the flight home.

I mentally clicked my heels together three times and the next thing I new, the plane had landed.  It was over.  My journey, my oaf, my solitude.....  was over.  Within moments of hitting the tarmac, I became a wife, a mother, a daughter and an employee all over again.  Sadness erupted from within until I realized one, truly important notion--- I get to do this shit all over again so....

DANNY, DONNIE, JORDAN, JOE AND JON---- ANNOUNCE THE FUCKING CRUISE ALREADY AND GET THIS PARTY STARTED!

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Ever Been to the Equator? I Have

The next morning we woke up on the sun.  Not sure how we got there.  Others on the boat referred to it "Key West, Florida."  They were clearly mistaken, because there is no doubt, this was the sun.  Holy fucking Christ was it hot. This was to be the last stop on our cruise journey and there was a tinge of melancholy in the air for the three of us.  There were no shows for us to see that night....  The only thing I truly had to look forward to was Donnie's poker tournament and the New Kids Town Hall Meeting--- which I promise to get to soon.  Fair warning though- I'll gt on my soap box.

In keeping with my motto "And this is why you don't get off the boat," this is why you don't get off the boat.  Key West was.... aside from hot, TERRIBLE.  There was such a build up to the exciting Key West but I was really unimpressed.  Maybe if it wasn't 875 degrees, I would have enjoyed sitting out and having lunch and a cocktail but no.  Anytime you see an outside bar with "misters"on to keep people cool, you know to pass.  The evening's theme was GPS Love Fest which meant you had to dress up in a way that represented the country, state, culture, etc of where you were from.  Baby being a huge fan of the local football team, planned to deck out in her gear and Sporty was going to go all Italia. I brought a t-shirt to wear of the local basketball team but I wasn't too excited about my pick.  I was thinking showing some Italian pride was the way to go.

Key West is a typical tourist town with the streets aligned with bars, restaurants and tacky T-Shirt souvenir shops. Surely I could find a t-shirt saying Italian Princess, or something related.  We journeyed into tacky shop, after tacky shop and I wasn't seeing anything.  I did see many offensive Irish T-Shirts but surprisingly, nothing Italian.  In one of our last stops, I finally asked the savant working the floor if they had any t-shirts about being Italian or was it possible to have one made.  Her response, "Ooh Italian?  No, we don't have anything like that here.  But we do have Irish."  Ok, so the Keys hates the Italians.  Got it.  Moving on....  There was a t-shirt with a picture of a fat guy on it that said, "I beat Anorexia" but Baby and I were the only ones who saw the humor in it.  Besides, I clearly HAVE NOT beat it.  Nonetheless, I thought that shit was funny.

By now I was all done, which as we know is beyond all set.  We decided that it was time to get back on the boat and have a frozen cocktail to cool off.  Sporty, still suffering from heat stroke, took a nap but Baby and I didn't walk, but ran to the bar.  We sat there and jibber-jabbed until the Mack Daddy walked in and sat down.  Here is where the shit gets good.  Now, I'm not sure if these guys at the bar were New Kids security or extra security hired by the tour group, but small group of big, muscular, decent looking guys were at the bar clearly trying to nurse their hangovers by doing Jager shots.  They were pretty low key but then, this 110 pound, 6 foot tall, blonde Mack Daddy came and sat down at the bar.  He. Was. Awesome.  In the fist 5 minutes he must have said he personally knew Donnie Wahlberg at least 8 times.  This was clearly his maneuver to get the ladies.

I assume the scenario plays out something like this in his head (we will call him MD for short):
FC (female cruiser): So, are you a New Kids fan?  Is that why you are on the cruise?
MD: Well, yeah, sort of....  I'm a personal friend of Donnie Wahlberg's (um allegedly).
FC: OMG!  I just have to sleep with you.

If this exchange took place between myself or another spice girl.

Posh: So why are you on the cruise?  are you a fan?
MD: Well, yeah, sort of... I'm a personal friend of Donnie Wahlberg's (um, allegedly)
Posh: Oh, then please can I fuck you.  I'm sure having sex with you would totally get me closer to Donnie and I'm sure he would love your sloppy seconds, you douche.

He was a tool.  Eventually he figured out how to fit in the way hotter, way cooler guys and from a distance, Baby and I heard,"Tonight's the last night and I need to get it in." I paraphrase of course but you get the idea of what this douche was trying to do.  Baby and I rolled our eyes, paid the bill and went back to the room for my afternoon siesta.  Undoubtedly, the sun soaked up all energy so sporty and I slept for hours until the official New Kids on the Block Town Hall Meeting.  This is VERY important for BH's because it gives us a chance to ask those burning questions such as when is the next album, do you have a professional masseuse and would you mind sharing with us the secret locations where you like to spend your free time.

We moved slightly off the equator by now but I was still sweating like a whore in church.  Baby and I secured three spots in the shade with a slight view of the stage.  Meanwhile, I thought, these 5 assholes cannot possibly be sitting in this blazing hot sun...... but they came out, and they did.  As the meeting droned on, the three of us kept cool in the shade, near an a/c vent behind a bar.  The bar is a very common place to find us trying to scrounge up water so we won't die.  The questions posed to the guys were taken via twitter from the fans prior to the cruise.  In all of his sagaciousness, Donnie decided to field questions from the audience.  This. Was. Not. A. Good. Idea.

I never saw her, but I did hear her voice bellow throughout the PA system with the question...  *ahem* "Why is it all the t-shirts in the gift shop are made only to fit the skinny bitches?"

.....I'll let that marinate for a moment but please keep in mind, the shirts went up to 3XL.

(insert jeopardy theme song here)

Ok, ready?  Here is comes.  WHAT THE FLYING FUCK? Now, as one of these skinny bitches (and by skinny bitch she clearly means anyone who does NOT fit in a 3XL) I take exception to this statement. I am a small....  actually an extra small....  so clearly she must hope that I die. But my point is this: if I said fat bitch to ANY OF THE HUNDREDS of women on the boat, I would have been knocked the fuck out.  So, here's the lay of the land: skinny bitch is just as derogatory and insulting as fat bitch.  My advice: Don't go to the buffet that 15th time and maybe you too can fit in the 3XL.

Sadly, the night only got worse from there.  Although I was able to attend the poker tournament and watch Donnie, there was less excitement since World of Useless was... um, emceeing? At least I think that's what he was doing.  It didn't last long and seeing as how this was the last night on the ship, we ran to the lido deck, foam fingers in hand.  Sporty and I were determined, even after my near death experience to try and have these fingers signed again.  As usual, Donnie was the first to move through the crowd and I ran as fast as my Nikes let me to get near him but, I as the scrappy running back, I fervently try to avoid being tackled by 800 linebackers, aka, Donnie Wahlberg fans.  Just like in slo-mo instant replay, I saw the potential for danger and out loud, in typical only child fashion, said "Fuck this muthafucking shit." ....and went back to dancing.

Sporty, who is much scrappier than I, made an attempt to have her foam finger signed by Joey.  On the inside, I chuckled to myself, "Ha,ha, ha.  Ok....  Poor Sporty.... She just doesn't get it."  I kept turning behind me to watch her attempt to reach the platform stage where he was standing in a Celtics jersey and kilt when all of a sudden....  something wonderful happened.  Angels appeared and there was bright lights with music......  and just like that Joe fans, were---- HELPING other Joe fans. They passed pictures and room keys and shirts and hats and yes, even that foam finger.  There was no pushing.  There was no shoving. Sporty emerged unscathed.  I was, well, I was in awe. And at the same time happy for my friend.  Then something went terribly, terribly wrong. 

DRUNK GIRLS EMERGED

First, Baby, the sweetest of the group was approached by the drunk southern belles and was asked to borrow her foam finger for their picture.  Being normal and sweet, she agreed.  When I tapped her on the shoulder, I said, "what was that all about?" and after she explained what just happened I looked at her, puzzled and said, "What the fuck did you do that for? Tell her to get her own fucking finger." She laughed.  I laughed.  And again we went back to dancing but the sharks were still swimming in the water as baby was tapped on the shoulder yet again. I'm funking up my groove and gettin' down until I notice Sporty being called over.  This was it.  The moment Baby and I waited for since the last cruise.  We were about to have our asses airlifted off the boat before it docked because Sporty reached down some one's throat and ripped out their lung (on a side note, although I have never seen her do it, I can vouch for the fact that she is COMPLETELY capable of such violence).

I tip toe over to the circle and I hear this brave stupid belle ask Sporty, "Can I take a picture with your foam finger?" Oh dear mother of God, please tell me she didn't just ask that........  By now, Baby and I are not breathing for fear of what was about to transpire.  Sporty, politely, at first said, "No, I'm sorry.  This is signed." Now, girls steal one an other's signed shit all the time so I didn't blame her.  I didn't even want Baby sharing hers and it was unsigned.  The brainless belle couldn't, just couldn't let it lay.... As she was walking back to her friends, mumbling, all I heard was Sporty yell, "Excuse me, is there a problem?"  I plead the Fifth on what transpired.

There is no better way to end this blog entry than with a discussion of the Wahlberg flu.  Hands down, this may be my most favorite and most jealous moment of the cruise.  As I've previously mentioned, contrary to last cruise, Donnie's lips touched all 2700 women on the boat this year.  As he walked by me in the crowd, he (sadly) recognized my face and gave me a big smooch.  Then he kissed Sporty and Baby yelled in a ooh-how-cute! tone, "You got a kiss too."  As my Donnie leaned in, to make Baby's life worth living, she stuck out her cheek and later said, "I didn't want those lips anywhere near me....." and at that, pizza slices in hand, we called it a night.