Moving on...IN?!

Lately, well for the past year, I've been contemplating what it would be like to live with a man. Now, before I proceed, let me state for the record that in no way am I ready to share my living spaces with someone of the opposite sex, its just a thought. However, I must admit there have been times cohabitation has scurried across my mind. I have all these fantasies of coming home to a hot meal (gender role reversal much..lol) and a warm bath; someone to share my day with and then snuggle up next to. In the morning, I roll over..kiss him, and off I am to prepare for my day ahead. That sounds like something from off a TV show. Does that happen anymore?! I know for me, if I was to decided to move in with someone or move someone in with me, my days would not play out exactly like that. It'll probably go more like this:

I arrive home from work at 10:30pm. Exhausted, and feet aching from my heels; which I only wore today because I had an event. Upon turning my key in the door I take off my shoes and breathe a sigh of relief. I look around the messy apartment and see him, at the dining room table on his laptop working. He's eating takeout, and doesn't look too happy.

"Hi baby" I squeal, and limp over to give him a kiss.
"Hey" he blandly retorts. "What happened around here? I thought you were going to do the laundry and make dinner?"

Knowing that I promised to do all of these things and more I quickly scramble for an excuse. As factual as my excuse may be I know it still won't cut it. "I know, but I've been so busy with work, and
I just haven't gotten around to it. You know I'm not very domestic hunnie. So....ooooh look those muscles, someone has been working out" *wink*

He obviously doesn't fall for it. Returns a stern look and wiggles out of my grasp.

Do you guys see where this is going? Shall I continue? I mean, after just the first 5 minutes of me walking through the door can you really and truly think I'm the live-in girlfriend type? LOL, I'll be the first to admit that I am not. Not unless you are an extremely understanding man, who does not mind laundry being done about once a month, or every one and a half months. If you are able to understand I work crazy hours, and after working those crazy hours I bring some of that work home with me. If anyone out there of the opposite sex can accept that I cannot cook, AT ALL, but am a master of takeout and will welcome me with open arms...then bless your heart!

While I have the TV's picture perfect, sometimes comedic view of cohabitation I am awfully realistic. I know I'm not able to take care of a man, I've just started taking care of myself to be quite honest. However, I do at times wish there was someone waiting on the other side of the door when I came home.  Maybe a puppy would suffice, but thats another major responsibility I have no time for.

Back to the subject at hand. I find men to be too demanding when it comes to women. They want the professional woman who works the 9-5, with the sexy business suit and 5" heels who can come home make a fabulous dinner and take care of the kids. While there are some superwomen like that who exist, I am not one of those. I can wear the fabulous suit with the heels, have intelligent conversations with the best of them and be great at office parties, but all the domestic stuff...nope that's not me. So where does one find a man who understands and appreciates that in this world of home cooked meals and Destiny Child's Cate to You being the theme? There are women who want no parts of it (just yet) and is fully comitted to everything else except cooking and cleaning. That can't be all bad...right? :-\

I mean...I do plan on doing all that stuff one day, just not today, or tomorrow, or even the day after that. Maybe, 5 years from now I'll be the superwoman. What about a superwoman in training...no one gives us credit! I think all superwomen in training need to be shown some appreciation and understanding.

FVK NJTransit

JGWA--Jersey Girl With an Attitude

WTH NJTransit?! Fare increase of 25% set to take effect May1st. Really though?! That's a lot at one time. I get it, we get it, it's a recession, but c'mon your service is piss poor (and that's on a good day) if there is any service at all! Oh and here's the best part! Urban bus routes fares will only increase by 10%, while those commuting into NYC (trains & buses) will go up by 25%. They basically said if you're commuting to NY everyday for work you make more money so we'll rape your paycheck.

This is SO ridiculous! I'm a commuter, I commute to work in NYC Mon-Fri and often on the weekends as well (for work). I don't know how much other NYC commuters are paid but I'm not living lavish enough to pay 25% more for 100% LESS! Yes...less. The service on NJTransit is horrible to say the least.

Let me break it down for you:

TRAINS:
*Constantly delayed
*Always held up leaving NY Penn Station (they don't tell you it's an hr delay until you're already ON the train and the doors are locked...so no getting off to take the PATH!!)
*ALL NJTransit trains stop running at midnight! WTH! NJ a heavily urban state so close to NYC, why would all trains stop running at midnight and don't start back up until 5am!!! (god forbid I want to enjoy my youth beyond 12...I'm not fvkin Cinderella! Why must I leave the ball early!!! I swear NJTransit is the ugly stepmother & sisters!

BUSES:
*ALWAYS late! Always always always. And ridiculously late too. At 30mins that's nonsense, any other place of employment if this happend regulary the employee would be fired! NOOO not at NJT, it rewarded with a 15min break!
*Filthy buses! Disgustingly filthy! Need I say more?
*the buses ALSO stop running at midnight and don't start again until 5am!!! So if I miss the last train I can't get a bus I'm stranded for FIVE HOURS!!! Does that make sense?! A major transportation hub that is Newark Penn Station is virtually vacant for FIVE HOURS!! The entire fvkin state has NO public transportation running for FIVE HOURS a day!!!

But I must pay 25% more?! What am I getting? Is that extra 25% going to add trains and bus service between midnight and 5am? Will it ensure timely arrivals and departures? None of the above. They actually are increasing fares AND cutting back on services!

There is no real competition in NJ public transportation. Coach Buses, Path Trains, etc pose no real threat to NJT. NJT has monoplized public transportation throughout the entire state! While the fat cats in Trenton are lining their pockets with my 25% I can't stay out past 11pm, and I'm running 30mins late, so I'll miss the last train/bus and be stranded for five hours.

It's not to say I can take a cab to substitute the lack of NJT service. NJ cabs are horrible. There is no standard fare system, which means cabbies can charge you whatever they want ( which is usually outrageous fares). For example the same distance from my apt to the train station in one cab was $7, and another cab company was $20! Why is no one regulating this?! Why are there no meters?!

New Jersey residents are being given the short end of the stick. It's about time we take a stand! We have the highest property taxes, the most toll boots ( don't get me started on toll booths), and now we'll have the most outrageous fare increase. NJ is home of monopoly corporations, from NJTransit to PSE&G...let corruption reign! I'm writing a letter to my Congressman, State Assemblyman and Senator...enough is enough!

Random Outburst...Drive By Style ;]

I'm 24, going on 25, I am not married, have no children, have a great career I love, and an apartment. I say all that to say this...WHERE IS MY RECOGNITION?! No one takes time out to congratulate me for not having babies out of wedlock [no offense to those who do..love ya..smooches], no one buys me a toaster for not marrying the wrong guy [it happens, have you seen the divorce rate...HELLO]. Nope, instead I, and women like me, are bombarded by our friends and associates with wedding invitations, ugly bridesmaid dresses, and baby shower invites. While I do love celebrating these great moments in my friends' lives, it causes me to stop and think. What if I never have children, and never meet Mr. Right and get married, the only thing I am allowed to celebrate is my birth?! I refuse to let that happen!

So...I graduated, got a job in this recession, work ridiculous hours that makes no sense, go home to an empty bed [damn I'm not making a good case for myself here...] and with all of that said I still can't get a "hey you're doing good kid". This ends here, I from this day forth institute a form of recognition, unlike Mothers' Day, Wedding, and Babies and all that crap, this day of recognition will be for women who have it all minus the husband, children, and all that jazz and fluff everyone rants and raves about. An 'I'm NOT having a baby...Shower!' Does that work? Does it make sense?

In all honesty, I just want to have a lavish party where I can have a registry and make my friends spend money on things I'd probably never need...lol.