Is Chucky my "Back-up Plan?

Have you heard about the new movie "The Back-up Plan" starring Jennifer Lopez and Alex O'Loughlin?

The Back-up Plan is a comedy that explores dating, love, marriage and family in reverse.
After years of dating, Zoe (Jennifer Lopez) has decided waiting for the right one is taking too long. Determined to become a mother, she commits to a plan, makes an appointment and decides to go it alone. Yep, she made a visit to the sperm bank! That same day, Zoe meets Stan (Alex OLoughlin) a man with real possibilities. The real pregnancy test comes when both of them realize they really don't know each other outside of hormonal chaos and birth preparations. With the nine month clock ticking, both begin to experience cold feet. Anyone can fall in love, get married and have a baby but doing it backwards in hyper-drive could be proof positive that they were made for each other.

Now take a look at the picture above. You will see Staten Island Chuck and myself in front of a billboard on 42nd street. Now take a closer look. You will see that that Staten Island Chuck and I have our names in this billboard! (Thanks to Wayne Westerfield, our graphics artist here at PIX) For those of you who don't know who Staten Island Chuck is, please allow me to explain. He is our Senior Writer here at PIX. He may is better known for his dance moves, newsroom teases and of course for carrying my pink suitcase everyday! (well on-air only, he dosnt anymore in real life!)

Most importantly Chucky D'Amodio is my best friend! It all dates back to November 12, 2001. I just started a new job at News 12 Long Island and I was with my co-workers (including PIX's Thalia Patillo, yes we worked together way back when!) training in a conference room. This happened to be the day that American Airlines Flight 587 took off from JFK Airport, heading to the Dominican Republic and crashed into Belle Harbor. It was a very somber morning to say the least, especially since the September 11 attacks were so recent. I was walking in the hallway (this part is hard for me to describe since the exact details are a bit vague, I'd like to put on the record that Chucky describes our first encounter best!) when I walked past a man, well he looked more like a young boy, I think I may have said "HI" first. I put "HI" in CAPS because that is how Chucky imitates my high pitched voice. From that moment on (yes just like the Shania Twain Song, From This Moment On) Chucky and I have shared a special bond.

It wasn't until 2005 when I started my job at PIX that I would run into Chucky again. I actually was shooting a Feature "Just Jill" series with the NY Mets at Shea Stadium when I met a very special person. I was on the field with Tony Mazza (my cameraman) shooting my groundskeeper piece when I was introduced to a sweet man Named Charlie. Charlie, who is the head supervisor on the field, mentioned that his son is a writer at the WB (Yes this was before CW and now obviously we are now PIX, we like change here! ) I didn't know his son, or so I thought, until one day I came back to the station (at this time I used to fly in Air-11 which was based in NJ, so I didn't make it into the studio everyday! ). So we officially meet again and then it took another let's say three years for Chucky to actually start talking to me., Every time I came into work he would look at me quickly then turn away. He was sooo shy! I'm serious it was as if he was scared of me! Am I really that intimidating? Gosh I'm "Just Jill" people, I hope you realize this by now :)

It's now been a year that Chucky and I officially talk! LOL Like I mentioned in yesterday's blog, he actually "touched" me. Yep he touched my shoulder at his cousin's wedding! Yee-haw! Chucky is a bit slow, but in a respectful, cute shy kind of way. We officially bonded last Spring when he began walking me to the Harvard Club here in NYC. This is where work out (gosh its been awhile to be honest due to some medical ailments the past 8 months) but I went faithfully almost every weekday to workout with friend and trainer Mark Rodino who is the athletic manager there. During our walk from 42nd and 3rd to 44th between 5th and 6th, we really began to bond. Yes everyone he would wheel my suitcase for me, how sweet. There aren't too many men out there who would be so kind, let alone wheel a pink suitcase. You have to be truly confident and secure..like I said he's always a gentleman! Wait until I tell you what he did for me on St. Patty's Day! It'I am thankful to have a best friend like Chucky..I say everyone needs a Chucky! Someone you can share your thoughts, secrets, dating ups and downs and just talk about anything with, without ever being judged! He is a true friend and I know he'd say the same about me. Let's see if he comments on this blog, he never does :( You better Chuck-a-latte! LOL Speaking of lattes I'm in the mood for Starbucks!

Do you want to meet us? Every year we have "Weather Day" at Citifield where kids from local schools come to an afternoon METS game. Linda Church and Mr. G put on a great weather show and we all hang out on the field. By the way this year it's May 12th, most of the PIX crew will be there so come on out and join us!

Sorry for the digression, but there is sooo much more to write about my BFF Chucky, in due time I'll write more, my hands hurt! Don't forget to check out my facebook page for our Citifield video! And of course please go to www.youtube.com and search Staten Island chuck and Jill Nicolini for some great videos !

In regard to the picture of us above in the"The Back-up Plan..." (have you seen the movie yet?) everyone here at PIX loves teasing us and thinks when we both finish sowing our wild oats well be together. Let me make this clear. Chucky is no "back-up plan!" He is a great man who deserves to be number one, no back-up! But everyone still loves to mess with him and say that he is :)

www.theback-upplan.com