Author Archives: zigisitch

About zigisitch

Zigi and her dog specialize in getting lost in NYC and taking turns finding the way home. On her last vacation she backpacked through SE Asia, rode an elephant, and then tried to bring it home with her. She is an avid cook and creates a unique new soup every week, none of which have yet been featured in the NY Times.

Funtastical Friday: The Kid Who Went Down Fighting & Didn’t Really Lose

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At 17 years old, Zach Sobiech was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer that takes the lives of a large percentage of its childhood victims. Unfortunately Zach’s prognosis was that he had only a few months to live. He turned to music to say goodbye to his loved ones with the song “Clouds.”

Even in the face of death, Zach inspires those around him. Zach turned 18 years old this week and “continues his fight against cancer with a smile that can change the world!” (soulpancake)

Happy Birthday Zach! You are my inspiration!

As a warning you will need a big box of tissues for the video below. It is an amazing piece and I encourage you to watch all 20 minutes. My favorite part is the end…also the part that just lead to extreme waterworks. Thank you Zach for sharing your story, sharing your perspective, sharing your energy.

Here is the complete celebrity music video created for Zach.

“It’s really simple – try and make people happy.
As long as you learn that, you will make the world a better place.”
- Zach Sobiech

Zach’s song, ‘Clouds’ is available on iTunes and the proceeds benefit the Zach Sobiech Research Fund of Children’s Cancer Research Fund.

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Lonely Girl Adventures: The Wedding Date

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So I have this recent problem that I like to call “The Wedding Date.” Since moving to New York I’ve met incredible people along the way and been invited to celebrating their special occasions. The only issue is when you attend those occasions, you might not know anyone else there.

It’s ok to go to a wedding alone if you think you’ll know one other person or you can dip out an hour or two into the reception, but what if it is a weekend getaway? What do you do then? Do you go by yourself?

I’ve thought about hiring an escort, and am hoping that I end up being lucky like Debra Messing and he turns out to be Dermot Mulroney. I’m not sure of the likelihood that that would happen, but then again, the movie is clearly based on real life – right?!

The one issue, yes one issue, is that I don’t have 6k in my 401k to give him. Ok, jk, the real issue is that I’ve seen wayyy too many episodes of Law & Order SVU because I get sucked into marathons all the time and I’d be sure that he would murder me. If you aren’t sure how one gets sucked into Law & Order marathons, Buzzfeed recently broke it down for us in this article.

So since that isn’t a valid option, what’s next? I send out a Facebook post asking if anyone wants to be my wedding date? That doesn’t sound desperate at all. Why don’t I just put an ad on the front of the New York Times with my face on it and the word “single” across my forehead?!

Oh a Craigslist ad, now that’s very safe. Well if a woman did that, flashback to the Law & Order reference above. But when two handsome brother’s in their 20′s do that, they end up with 500 dates and in the news. Read article here.

Craigslist Ad Seeking Wedding Dates

So what’s next? Do I attend every MeetUp possible hoping to find someone to join me? Do I dare ask for a wedding date on HowAboutWe? The most important part is the weekend is a vacation and I’d want someone to join me that would want to have fun, and enjoy the trip.

Well I’ve said my piece so I leave the rest to you. Consider this a game of battleship (not to be confused with the horrible Rihanna movie) and you make the next move. What should be my next plan of attack?

Music Monday: Steve Moakler

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Steve MoaklerTo make yourself standout on YouTube today you have to do something original, something unique to catch people’s attention. Pittsburgh native, singer-songwriter Steve Moakler did just that. Each time he wrote a new song he added them to his YouTube Channel cleverly titled as a “Bedroom Debut.”

I have to be honest he’s a bit awkward when he talks in his videos, but then again aren’t we all… However, the second he starts singing, I’m all in! He’s mastered his Britpop sound and even has a hint of country twang in there, as a direct influence of his current home in Nashville, Tennessee. He moved to Nashville for music and college, but has since put his degree on hold for his East Coast tour. Click here for dates and venues. I predict this is just the beginning of his exciting, musical journey.

Facebook | Twitter @stevemoakler | YouTube | iTunes

Who is on your YouTube playlist?

Funtastical Friday: Say YES to Love

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This video might be the king of “mushy,” but it also made me laugh and cry at the same time. It is something that we all know happens, the circle of life, but for some reason when seen from this perspective it really makes you think. It makes you think how one word, the word “YES,” can change the world.

Thank you Isaac and Amy for sharing your story.

What will you say YES to today?

Happy Friday!

One More Reason Why I Heart Michael Bublé

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Honestly if Michael Bublé ran for President I’d be all in! The guy rocks, he really just rocks! Not too long ago I shared a video with all of you of Michael Bublé calling a 15 year old boy onto the stage to sing with him after his mom made a big to-do and pretty much embarrassed her son. I’m sure the kid is thanking his mom now.

This week Michael Bublé decided to surprise some very lucky NYC subway-goers at the West 67th Street station. Can you hear me screaming – WHERE WAS I?!!! Why was I not at that subway stop?! I actually think I’ve never been to that subway stop but still, c’mon!!! Well in classic Bublé style he rocked it! And my favorite part is the end that says, “The most authentic, organic way to make music is in the NYC subway.” Much love NY, much love!

Another one of my favorite subway singers is Jessie J. Once again, where was I?!!!!

What artist would you love to see rocking out in the subway?

Music Monday: Mary Lambert

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Like many of you I just cannot get enough of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. I can listen to the album on repeat because each song sounds different. One of my favorite songs on the album is “Same Love.”

For month’s now I’ve been saying to myself who is this talented Mary Lambert, not to be confused with Miranda Lambert, and I’ve finally made it a point to find out.

Mary LambertSeattle-based singer/songwriter Mary Lambert attended the Cornish College of the Arts where she honed her classical composition skills and even wrote a complete symphony for the Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra. Mary came out as a lesbian at 17 years old, and has since vocalized her battle with body image and LGBT issues in her poetry. One well known poem is “I Know Girls (Body Love),” which went viral on YouTube.


This lead to her pairing up with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis to help them write “Same Love” which honors gay marriage. Together, they truly created magic.

In July 2012 Mary released her debut EP “letters don’t talk,” and this past January she released a book of poetry, “500 Tips for Fat Girls.”

Facebook | Twitter: @marylambertsing | Instagram | Spotify

What do you think of Mary, her poems, her music? Which Macklemore & Ryan Lewis song is on your playlist?

Funtastical Friday: Veterans Inspiring Message to Boston Survivors

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“We Stand WIth You” was produced by Shoulder 2 Shoulder, a Virginia-based Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, with their friends from the Wounded Warrior Community in response to the Boston Marathon Bombings. Thank you S2S and the Wounded Warriors for sharing this inspiring perspective. I will let the video speak for itself.

Donations: One Fund Boston

Tuesday Tunes: Lie Witness News with Jimmy Kimmel

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I’ve had a bit of a busy week so I unfortunately didn’t have a chance to share Music Monday with all of you. However, I hope this video I’m about to share makes up for it to all you amazing music lovers.

Coachella just ended yesterday and during the show Jimmy Kimmel sent a member of his team to interview festival-goers about up-and-coming bands. The trick was that the bands are so obscure, that they don’t really exist. My fave comment comes from a radio DJ in Canada who claims to spin a fictitious album called “DJ Cornmeal” by Two Door Cinema Club.

Enjoy true music lovers! Enjoy!

Jimmy Kimmel once again we bow to your comedic genius!

To Brandeis, To Boston, with Love

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Cali loves BostonAs I mentioned in yesterday’s post, my brother’s went to Brandeis University for college, which is just outside of Boston in Waltham. After spending four amazing years there, and falling in love with their University, like many of us do, they graduated last May and moved to California. They moved for their careers and I know if the same opportunities California could offer them were in Boston, they would be in Boston today.

Waltham is the neighboring town to Watertown, where much of last night’s and today’s manhunt is taking place. The university, like the rest of Boston is in lockdown. My brothers spent all of last night on the phone with friends who still attend Brandeis, friends who really have become like family to them. Well in a time of chaos, confusion, sadness and disbelief, my brother’s turn to the one thing that still makes sense to them, the one thing that still makes sense to pretty much the entire the Brandeis student body – music.

Boston and the greater Boston area you are in our thoughts today. You are an incredible city. Stay safe. Stay strong. Stay amazing.

This song is for Brandeis. This song is for Boston.

I think I’ll go to Boston

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One of the great advantages to growing up in New York is it is a great base to travel the East Coast. I remember going up to Niagara Falls and down to Virginia as a kid. My cousin’s lived in New Hampshire when I was younger and I’m sure I visited Boston but I was so young at the time I didn’t remember it. Luckily my brothers chose Brandeis University for college and my love affair with Boston was made.

What I love about Boston is, it is a beautiful, quaint city with history screaming at you in all directions. Follow the Freedom Trail around the city visiting rich historical stops along the way. What a great way to see the city! Along the route you end up in the Boston Public Garden which was created in 1837. The colorful plants and flowers are almost too beautiful to be real.

Boston Public Garden Boston Public Garden Boston Public Garden

Then after a long day of walking, make sure to hit up the delicious Quincy Market (also called Faneuil Hall Market Place) and do some shopping while you are at it. This is also a great activity to do on colder days since the Market is indoors.

Quincy Market

No trip to Boston is complete without visiting Fenway and Yawkey Way.

Fenway Park Fenway Park

…And nothing completes a day in Boston without heading to Mike’s Pastry in the North End.

Mike's Pastry

Giant Peanut Butter Cup Canoli at Mike's Pastry

Now another thing that I’ve learned about Boston throughout the years, is the people are just awesome! Everyone is so friendly and nice. Last year I participated in Run for Your Lives, a Zombie Infested Obstacle Course 5k, just outside of Boston and I wouldn’t have wanted to do it anywhere else. We made great friends and still keep in touch with them on Facebook – shout-out to team Veggie Galaxy!

Zombie 5k

On Monday when I heard about what happened, I was actually just getting ready to go out for a run. I was tying my sneakers as the report came on the TV. I run races. I ran the above race in Boston around this time last year. Needless to say I didn’t end up going on that run on Monday. I just felt sick, sick to my stomach. It seemed wrong to run.

Then on Monday night this article came out of “13 Examples Of People Being Awesome After The Attack On The Boston Marathon,” and I was reminded of everything I wrote in this article. Boston is an awesome city, a really awesome city. And the runners, after running 26.2 many of them kept running 2 more miles to the nearest hospital to donate blood. That is the power of this community. On Tuesday I put on my sneakers and said, this is for Boston!

My thoughts, love, prayers go out to everyone affected by this tragedy. Boston we are with you!