Look-i-dat, it's me!

Here's the intro they printed about me:

http://www.yourobserver.com/news/longboat-key/Our-Town/0831201113776/Observer-welcomes-Mallory-Gnaegy

Hurricane Mallory

I might look more grown up, but I'm sleeping on Sponge Bob Squarepants-sheets and I recently purchased a toothbrush that sings Justin Bieber songs.

     I started work on Monday (that's what I wore ^). And I got to know the IT guy, Sean, really well - my computer failed on three occasions.  I had to order a pizza that night. The second day was better, I only had a broken desk drawer!  I'm smooth sailin' now.
     Anyhoo, my responsibilities (for now) are similar to what I've done in the past: calendar events and season previews. Though, I also got to read the archives of police reports to pick the funniest and most unusual: intoxicated male is hospitalized for breaking a beer bottle over his own head, woman asks police to watch two handguns until her divorce is over....etc. Pretty entertaining stuff.
     My biggest project is SEASON magazine, which is a thick, glossy mag previewing every upcoming event this fall. I have a week to sort through a billion e-mails, organize them into event blurbs and Sherlock-Holmes Sarasota for every happening scheduled in the months of October, November and December.  It's kinda fun, in a nerdy way.  Especially since it is MY project. And there's a black-tie bash to celebrate it's arrival. Fancy-shmancy!
     After next wednesday I take on the role of Community Editor in Longboat.  I'll write profiles, cover events and Lois-Lane all over this town. They better name a hurricane after me, 'cause I'm takin' this town by storm (yeah, I said it).
     I've been really busy with this magazine, and my co-workers have had their own deadlines the past two days.  So, I've surprisingly been "the quiet girl" for once in my life. Hah! Isn't that funny? They all seem really nice.  I really like my bosses (one gave me a pep talk today- Go Team!) Woe is I...I don't have any friends yet.  But don't feel bad for me because I've only been here for a week!  I'm not sweatin' it.  I have plan of attack.  I contemplated Craig's List, but serial killers aren't really the type of people I want to call "pal."  I'm going to make friends the good ole fashion way. Hey-Howareya-Nicetomeetya-I'mMallory-(handshake).  Until then, I'm going to drag my pale butt to the best beach in the nation and creep hard on all the hotties.  "HEY BABY, YOU GOTTA GIRLFRAND? YOU WAN MY NUMBA? (wink) YOU WAN ME TO COVER THAT HOT BOD IN SAND?"
     Yeah, so I did go to the beach but the hurricane winds were really strong and made it uncomfortable. Nobody likes that much sand in their ears. I'm looking forward to less windy days. There's a farmers market every Saturday that's pretty neat.  I got a lot of fresh produce there.  Saturdays are going to be my farmers market/beach days.
   
     Ikea is making a delivery tomorrow and the rents are coming this weekend with all my stuff, so I'll post pictures of my new place Sunday/Monday.

Love Spans Distance (but that doesn't mean you shouldn't call me).

Making Progress

I have a place to live! It's called McIntosh Apartments; it's a little old-school, but I like it.  The place is about ten minutes from where I will be working.  Speaking of work, I met a few of my co-workers and went out to lunch with them.  There were a few Mizzou alumni.  Everyone seems nice.

Today I planted an herb garden that I'm excited about.  I'll be growing basil, apple mint, Italian parsley, lemon verbena and rosemary.  I'm going to start making tea and cooking with them.  I'm going to Ikea tomorrow to get some furniture.  I'll post pictures after Labor Day when my rents come with all my furniture. I miss you all.

Love spans distance, 

Mally

FL Bucket List:

I like lists.  And I like buckets (baby picture visual for all that have seen it). So here's what I'll do about it while I live in FL. I will take suggestions, and this list will surely grow.

1) Harry Potter theme park at Universal Orlando.

2) Visiting Leigh at Tulane (Mardi Gras? VooDoo Fest?)

3) Scuba certification. 

4) Making a friend outside of work (Haha, this sounds pathetic).

5) Spring Training in Jupiter.  Go Cards!

6) A Spring Training game in Sarasota, most likely vs. The Pittsburgh Pirates.

7) Meeting Dan in Hilton Head.

8) Interviewing Stephen King, Brian Johnson (AC/DC's singer), Joe Perry, Randy Savage (deceased) or I spose I'd settle for any of the pro TenNis players in the area.

9) Candle-lit dinner followed by a long walk on the beach (Yes, I said it.  This is more of a joke than foreal, but if it's on my list...)
10) Body boarding (it's like surfing, but standing up and with a paddle)

Smell ya later, Missoura!

Well, St. Louis, it has been nice knowin' ya.  I'm moving to Sarasota, FL for a big-girl job.  Mallory Gnaegy is an adult; what a funny joke!  But it is nice to finally say, "I'm a journalist."  I'm ready to take all those snow birds and cotton-topped retirees by storm.

This blog will be your update on my happenings, and my connection to home.  Last summer I had a similar blog called "Big Dreams in the Big Apple," but since I already took a bite out of The Apple my big dreams will have to move in a different direction.  Of course, New York will always be on the back-burner, and my motto will always be "Show Me!" but for now, helloooooooooooooo Sunshine State.

The question I keep getting is, "Are you nervous?" Answer: hell no.  I'm very excited.  I've had a persistent stomach-ache, like the feeling I get before a big panic attack.  We think it's subconscious nerves.  But, as you know, I've never been one for stage fright.  I've had  a few challenges:

1) Packing.  I didn't want to unpack in the first place.  Let alone, decide which things stay behind (Are you sure I can't wear my favorite ugly, metallic purple sweater to the beach? Does FL get cold enough for Ugg boots? Do I really need 80 pairs of shoes, and 20 dresses?)

2) Goodbyes: Grandmother (One of the hardest people I will have to say Goodbye to), Cable T.V., STL music scene, Lion's Choice, Busch Stadium, Kaldi's, Manchester United Methodist Church (I actually cried walking out of church last Sunday), The Music Department (united we stand), And the people that added the icing to the goodbye cupcake: Alli, Ang, Mo, Blaine, Tom, Matt, Bailey and Pat (In no particular ranking).  I'm too excited to lose it completely, but I'm sure it will hit me once I have arrived.

Just to keep you posted, here's what I will be doing the next few weeks.  My mom and I leave Saturday (tomorrow) morning at a very early hour, which means my mom will have to deal with Morning-Mallory aka Voldemort meets Oscar the Grouch meets Satan, for the majority of our 18-hour drive.  Wish her luck!  We will be looking at the apartments I've seen online, and I will hopefully sign somewhere by Wednesday and be moved in by Sunday when my mom leaves.  If not, I will rent the beach house we are staying in for another week (Sounds terrible, I know).  Phat Daddio and mom will drive back Labor Day, yes my mom is a saint, with the truck full of my belongings.  I start work with The Observer Group on the 29th, and until the 6th, will be putting together a quarterly magazine that lists all the events for the season.  After that, I take on the role as Community Editor and will be working for the Sarasota Observer and the Longboat Keys Observer.  But my main office will Sarasota.  Yes, I will have two offices :).  I need to brush up on my copy-editing before then, I feel like my grammar has "taken a beating" this summer, as my friend Amanda has pointed out.

I'll keep you posted with photos once I sign a place.  Til then, I'll miss ya...

Love Spans Distance

-Mally

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