Magical Movery Tour Stop #3

STOP #3: New York City
Friends: Becky Whittemore, James Robilotta

Becky is one of my favorite people. I met her at DSI two years ago, and we rarely performed together but we hung out all the time. She was my girl! She is the best person to visit in New York City because she knows where the parties are, where the best shopping is and how to pregame. We've visited her three times already since living in Philadelphia, and each time has been awesome!

This will be our last visit to New York City for awhile. We're staying with Becky, and we know we'll have a great time. She's even scheduled a party for when we'll be there. I love Becky, and I'm so excited to see her!!


Also wonderful to see is our college buddy James Robilotta. We've known James for five years now, and we still love him to pieces. He's a busy man who is frequently on call at his job when we're in town or performing comedy all over the city. Each time we've visited, we've managed to find a time to get together and rock out over some food.

I love hanging out with James because he always makes me laugh - and he knows where the best food is in the city. I know we'll reminisce about the good ole days of MTS and talk shop about what we're doing now. Oh Woooooooow!

Magical Stop #2

STOP #2: Boston, Massachusetts
Friend: Ryan Higgens

We're about to spend the weekend with Bryan's old college roommate and crew friend Ryan. This guy is hilarious.

We'll probably spend all of it making fun of each other and talking about why we aren't on a boat.

This is also Bryan's first trip to Boston. We'll have to get him some lobsters and an accent.

Buckley Magical Movery Tour

REMINDER: Today starts the Magical Movery Tour.



See you soon!

Goodbye, Philadelphia

Today is my last day in the city of brotherly love. It's been an incredible year. I think better in lists, so let's review all the wonders of our time in Philly.

Bryan's first job. Working at Ursinus was awesome for Bryan: they respected him, gave him great classes and taught him how to be a part of a department at a college.

The N Crowd. We really love this group. We found people who care about each other, who can stay up all night talking with, who can party, who can play the ungame, who can attend festivals together, who can hang out Tuesday nights. It was certainly the highlight of our time in Philadelphia to be a part of such a talented group. We'll miss our weekly performances, the crowds, the laughs and our friends on the team.

Our first two bedroom place. It's a big deal to have a second bedroom. Even though we used it as a big closet/office, it was nice to be able to have separate space for when Bryan wanted to play Starcraft and I wanted to watch Top Chef. Also, the second bathroom was the bomb dot com. Oh, and the view. I am really going to miss that view!

The cheesesteaks. I loved cheesesteaks before I ever got here, but having tried the cheesesteaks of the gods straight from the grills of the gods, I can say that I will never eat a cheesesteak anywhere but Philadelphia. Once you've had the best, why eat mediocre?

Wegman's. I love this grocery store. It's got everything! And more! Meat in bulk. Dozens of kinds of freshly baked bread (that spinach Parmesan bread...) All sorts of fancy cheese. Coupon books delivered to your mailbox. My cashier Fran who knows me by products. Red Bull in bulk. How will I live without Wegman's?

Our friends. We'll miss our friends from Ursinus College, from the YMCA, from The N Crowd and from our apartment complex. Thank god for facebook.

It's been a great year. We'll never forget Philadelphia. This pint's for you, Philly.

List of Things I Need to Survive a Week in an Empty Apartment

an air mattress
two pillows
a skillet and a pot
a tv
Wii plus games
laptop
car
muffin tin plus mix
eggs, milk, butter, oil, noodles and sauce
Scrabble Slam
suitcase of clothes

Believe me. That's a real list. I'm living that life.

Small Town Love

When Bryan said he was interviewing for a university in Oklahoma, I was sure it wouldn't be the one we chose. When we flew out west for the campus interview, it still didn't seem real. During our four day visit, we went from "No way we could live in a town this small" to "Oh, this place is so cute! I want a house like that one." An offer, a long talk and some signatures later, we decided Northeastern State University of Oklahoma was it.

In three days, we're moving from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the fifth largest city in the United States to Tahlequah, Oklahoma, America's friendliest small town. It's going to be very different.

There's only one grocery store: Reasor's. And we're lucky because the Reasor's of Reasor's lives in our new town. They're like royalty there, "The Reasor's will be attending the summer production of Oklahoma." "Why then, we should all attend!"

It's going to be cheaper. Both renting and buying houses (the greatest cost of living) is nearly 50% in Tahlequah. When we met with the realtor, I told her how much we're paying in Philadelphia and she said there's nothing we could rent in Tahlequah at that price. Our new home is half our old rent.

Traffic is a mythological creature. When we visited, we were with the realtor at 5:30 and she called a full row of cars stopped at a red light rush hour. We were only slowed by the "traffic" an additional two minutes. Driving into the city on a Friday evening, we can take the same thirty minute route (on weekdays) and not arrive for two hours due to the many, many Philadelphians on their way to a good time in the city.

The internet is slower. Or maybe just the internet user. I've noticed a difference in response times between the East Coast and Oklahoma: it's slower. Also, the Craigslist in Tahlequah is as sparse as 2002.

There's not as much to do. When you compare Tahlequah to Philadelphia, you just won't win on activities. Tahlequah does offer a new festival every month from the Balloonfest in August (I assumed regular balloons to be on the safe side, but they're hot air balloons!) and the Taste of Tahlequah in November (all the restaurants give out samples from their menu, similar to Fall for Greenville).

There's no giant YMCA. I grew quite attached to our large gym here, and it will be hard to find something to replace it. I guess I'll have to use the university gym and work out beside those young sweaty college boys...if I have to.

Town gossip. I've already heard a lot of gossip from our one visit. Gossip seems to be a much bigger thing in Tahlequah than anywhere I've lived, even Clemson. It's the "everybody knows everybody" phenomenon. Which worries me because they don't know the Buckleys, and I doubt they'll be using Google to learn about us. We'll be unable to escape the "new in town" title and questions. I'm excited about being the new lady in town, but if you know Bryan, he's just ready to have his routine and handful of friends with which to kick back.

Visits will be fewer. I am blown away when somebody says he wants to visit us in Oklahoma. I understand if you never visit us out there. It's okay; who has "Visit Oklahoma" on their bucket list? Our home will be bigger, so we'll be able to fit lots of guests. Also, we'll love the company. July is already booked, with our craziest friends visiting each weekend (Jason, Sheryl, Alex, Russ).

They still have internet in Oklahoma, so I'll continue to hold my relationships with people in Philadelphia, Carrboro, Clemson, Florida and elsewhere in the world through skype, facebook, twitter, reader and my blog. In the words of our dear friend Mac, I love you, guys.

My husband the professor

My husband is a professor of economics. No, he can't help you with your taxes or help you pick stocks. He can, however, teach you a new way to look at the world. And he does, everyday, to college students.

He just got his reviews back from his spring semester, and like each semester, his ratings are above average. Here's some snipits from his student evaluations:

I think Dr. Buckley's enthusiasm was his greatest strength. I also think his modern applications were a huge strength. Applying the material is important to learning, and I think he did a great job of doing this.

Professor is interesting, funny, informative, current, and just a good natural teacher. Ursinus needs more professors like him. Great teacher, best teacher I've had since I came here.

i liked him alot as a teacher probably one of the best ive ever had. Was never bored in class because the stuff he taught is actually interesting and i paid attention because it actually made sense.

He made class interesting, and learning about interest rates is not always the most exciting thing.

Clearly loves his job, was always enthusiastic in class.

I have grown up around business because my father worked on the NYSE, but I never fully understood everything until this class. Sweet.

Professor Buckley clearly loves his subject.

He's able to explain complicated theories in easy words.

He was interesting. I would never take another business class, but maybe if he taught something else I might.

A few funny ones:

Very incite full for those that are interested in Econ.

He likes to teach, I think.

He didn't demand anything outlandish.

He's very serious, maybe he could crack a few more jokes. He is an improv comedian in his spare time after all.

I made the news.

Our dear friends at the Philadelphia Improv News just published an article on Bryan and me. It is the sweetest article anyone has ever written about us.

Watching Bryan perform is a lesson in wit. His sense of pacing and narrative is among the best I’ve seen, and he does hoity characters like it’s his job. Likewise a delight on stage is Alyssa, who is as surprising in a scene as she is funny. She’s adorable like a kitten… a kitten who sometimes delivers shockingly dirty lines.

We've been incredibly fortunate to fall into such a wonderful world of comedy in Philadelphia, to have had the opportunity to perform every Friday night (and some Thursdays and Saturdays), to coach local teams, to teach workshops, to support our fellow comedians and to make new friends. It's been truly wonderful and leaving a group like this will be harder than we even know. Thankfully, our home group in Philadelphia The N Crowd has organized a send off party for us next week. I know there will be lots of laughs and lots of tears.

You can read it here.

Silent but Steamy Badge

If my friends on Foursquare can earn badges like Player Please! and I'm on a Boat, I'm going to award myself a Silent but Steamy Badge.

How might one earn this badge? Getting to bone every day as quietly as possible while your inlaws are in town (for five days, four nights) visiting in an echoey, empty home.

What now, Foursquare?

It's Sometimes All the Buckleys in Philadelphia

Today, Philadelphia is about to get 3 times cooler. My inlaws are coming to visit! Driving in their Prius, Warren, Joann and Brooke are on their way to us! I am so excited. Not only do I love to host guests in our home, but it's been since Christmas since we last saw the Buckleys!



My goals for the week include:
Give them a happy first night with my trademark Chicken Alfredo and pound cake with strawberries and whipped cream
Pack all our boxes and furniture into our pods
Hit the King of Prussia Mall to blow Brooke's mind
Hit the Philadelphia Outlets in Limerick to blow Brooke's mind
Get them to see our N Crowd show on Friday
Shower Joann with chocolate from Max Brennar and the Reading Terminal Chocolate shops
Surprise Warren with a trip to Daniel Boone Homestead
Teach them how to be rockstars in Beatles Rock Band
Tell them everything that's happened since January
Show them all our cool things from Oklahoma
Share with them that I GOT A JOB!
Hang out like family

Lady Tip #25

Shower the night before a hectic day. You may never find time for that afternoon shower.

Oklahoma is going to pay me

Two weeks ago, I interviewed via Skype for the position of my dreams. The Northeastern State University of Oklahoma was looking for a new Circulation Supervisor for their library. With my English degree and experience working in a university library (thank you, Clemson University Special Collections!), I was absolutely prepared for the interview.

Last week, they called me to offer the job! I'm so excited. I'm excited to have a job lined up already. It will make the transition to Oklahoma seamless; I'll start working within a week of arriving, start earning money, start meeting people, start feeling productive. It will be wonderful to work on the same campus as Bryan, again.

But, the job itself is what I'm most excited about! I'll be the person in charge of all loans for the library: helping faculty find resources for their research and publications, helping students find resources for their assignments, helping community guests find what they need. I'll be the mentor for student workers, some of whom this is their first job. I'll help lead workshops for the library. I also get to be the one to open the library each weekday morning! I'll be a part of a really fun team, so fun they have a twitter and facebook!

Needless to say, I'm excited. While I enjoyed Admissions, I'm so excited to have my first job that is directly related to what I learned in college, directly related to my best skills. This, ladies (and gentlemen), is the start of Alyssa Buckley's career. Hello, successful working lady, I'm finally here!

Buckley Magical Movery Tour

Although this was not initially planned as part of our road trip, we are hitting a special destination two weeks early!

STOP #1: White River Junction, Vermont
FRIEND: Erin Jenkins Smith and Matt Smith

Erin at our wedding, 2008 Meg, Bryan, me and Erin at her wedding, 2009

We are pumped to spend the weekend with them!

Lessons Learned from my Littlest Sister

In honor of the baby in our family, my sister Michelle's birthday today, I'm creating a list of things she's taught me, despite being younger and cooler than me.

You never need an excuse for ice cream. Ice cream is always an option.
Sisters are more important than parents, friends, boyfriends, anybody.
Music can change a person's life.
When you stop liking something, stop doing it.
There's no such thing as something too trivial to text.
If you want something, work hard to get it. (First of all Mander girls to purchase her own car sans any money from anyone but herself.)
Boyfriends have to be cute (and funny and smart and fun to be around) - or else, why date them?
Picture messaging is the best way to stay in touch.
I am not the cool one in the family.

Happy birthday, Michelle! You're awesome, but 19 isn't that exciting.

Old Ladies: They Don't Look The Same

I was watching my favorite after work guilty pleasure, E! News, when I heard a story about Betty White. She's on the top of her game, again, with her hosting of SNL, her fans on facebook and that classic drawing of her. I think it all started with her Sandra Bullock promos for The Proposal (decent movie) where she was making fun of Ryan Reynolds (rightly so).

Then E! News played a story on Barbara Walters and her having to get surgery. It was sad, but when I think of television host, I think of Barbara Walters. She's always been successful, always been a household name for my home. I remember watching her on 20/20 when I was a kid and now she's always on something.

Get this: Betty White is only six and a half years old than Barbara Walters. WHAT! Minds blown.

Escape Your Date, My First Flash Game

This semester, I took a class at Ursinus College, thanks to Bryan who teaches there. It was awesome! My Photoshop skills really improved, and I learned so many new tricks.

Then, we got to the Flash portion of the class. It was tough, and I'd never done any coding in my life. In the last week of class and three days into finals, I spent 8+ hours. The day before my project was due, I came in a 8am and stayed until 7pm, got dinner, stayed until 4am, came back at 7:30am and stayed until it was due at 1pm. Needless to say, I threw my heart into this. There are so many hours of work in this project, and I am proud of it.

You shouldn't think that just because I put more than 100 hours into this project, that it's anything exceptional. A real Flash pro could make something better in half the time. But, because it was requested (shout out to Remi Treuer), here it is.*

*There is one bug that I couldn't fix. Deal with it!

You can also find a copy (with less bugs) here.

Busy as Can Bee

I had a good run in my blog as of late, but that is coming to a temporary stop. My Flash project is due on Wednesday for my Digital Media course that I'm taking at Ursinus College. I'm creating a game. It's quirky, silly and pretty easy, but it's taking me a long time. The animation is somewhat tricky, the photo manipulation takes hours and the action scripting is really complex. I thought I would have finished by now. It looks like I'll be spending all of Monday and Tuesday in the lab working on it.

And don't think that once Wednesday comes, I'll be ready to blog again. I don't know if you realize, but I'm moving across the country in 26 days. Not only do I have to pack my house, but I have to clean it! You see, with finals week here, both Bryan and I have been so busy that we haven't picked up at all.

What's more: we have a road trip planned for the entire month of June. I still have a few details to nail down, an itinerary to type, thank you gifts to find and clever budgeting to make it to August. Did I mention that we have only packed six boxes? And that my inlaws are coming to visit in just two weeks? Oh, and we haven't yet found a house in Oklahoma?

Call me an exaggerator, but I'm feeling a little out of control at the moment. Perhaps I'll procrastinate and find myself at my blogger dashboard, but I'm hoping I don't. This is a test of my lady powers, and it is time to hit this challenging summer headon.

The Night I Roasted a Whole Chicken

Before you get too impressed, let me warn you that this is not a triumphant tale. On my last grocery trip, I was looking for some yummy meat to cook this week, and I saw a whole chicken. Something about that six pound chicken screamed to me: roast me; cook me; prove your lady skills. And I couldn't resist.


Yesterday, I made the chicken. Bryan was busy with work, so I had the whole place to myself to cook. I chopped garlic and rosemary, got out the butter and salt, and then the chicken. I was a little terrified that I had to pull out the innards and cut off some fat. It was as gross and squishy as you'd think. I scrubbed it down and patted it dry. I rubbed the salt and butter and garlic and rosemary all over it. Holding it was quite different: it was heavy and the most stable grip was holding it under the wings, much like Rafiki holding an infant Simba. The oven was hot, and I put the bird in.


Fast forward smashed yams, cooked brown rice and two hours later, Bryan carves the chicken. Despite the outside being crispy and beautifully brown, the inside of the thighs are quite pink and a little too juicy.


We brainstormed the best course of action: cut off the cooked breasts and just eat that? put it back in the oven? order some Chinese delivery? All the options seemed equally valid. And then I remembered my mother-in-law. She has made whole chickens for me several times; she would know. And would you know it, she did. Her suggestion: cut off the white meat, microwave for 5 minutes; put the bird back in the oven for 40 minutes. It was delicious, though entirely too complicated.



I read an article a few weeks ago that listed ten things you're better off paying someone to do for you. I'm going to add Roasting a Whole Chicken as #11. For the exact same price, you can take home one that your grocery roasted - easy, equally affordable and definitely cooked.