Blueco Raingear: Jenny posing with her Second City rain outfit.
Sunday, October 31, 2004
Oui, Monsieur!
In my day as a shut-in yesterday, I watched the French documentary, "To Be and to Have." In it, the documentarians filmed the goings-on of a rural schoolhouse in France. It was pretty wonderful and poignant. Some reasons why you should run out and get it:
1.) It's quiet, but it's moving.
2.) Fat cheeked moppets...speaking French and learning their letters and numbers!
3.) Pre-adolescents who are heartbreaking in their vulnerabilities.
4.) The teacher, who is seriously like Jesus. This man had the calmest, most wonderful manner. He could make millions as someone's therapist.
Did I mention the fat cheeked moppets?
In my day as a shut-in yesterday, I watched the French documentary, "To Be and to Have." In it, the documentarians filmed the goings-on of a rural schoolhouse in France. It was pretty wonderful and poignant. Some reasons why you should run out and get it:
1.) It's quiet, but it's moving.
2.) Fat cheeked moppets...speaking French and learning their letters and numbers!
3.) Pre-adolescents who are heartbreaking in their vulnerabilities.
4.) The teacher, who is seriously like Jesus. This man had the calmest, most wonderful manner. He could make millions as someone's therapist.
Did I mention the fat cheeked moppets?
Saturday, October 30, 2004
Best Halloween Party Ever
I went last night with Jenny, Brendan, Amie, and Hilary to the Cheetah Gym Halloween Party in Andersonville. They cleared out the equipment and had set up for a Boogie Nights party. Let me list why this party was so fab: $10 "suggested donation" for an open bar AND a buffet; live band that played awesome 80s hits; spotlight outside the door along with a red carpet; again, $10 for an open bar! One of the women in my program had sent info about it to everyone in the department since she was working the bar, and it was seriously hands-down awesome. Best costume of the night: a bill from Schoolhouse Rock. As Jenny would say, that is "co-bit-ment."
Jenny was a mean Misty May. We accentuated her six-pack with a sharpie. Brendan was her coach, and was hot in his ladies exercise shorts, and I was the easiest costume ever. Thanks to Robin for suggesting that I attend as an "Identity Crisis." All it takes is sticky nametags, which ended up being free. It was successful as well, since throughout the night I was approached by various, curious people and high-fived by a few. Seriously, people without a costume: get on the "Identity Crisis" wagon. The best part is that it doesn't stand in the way of your partying ability.
I went last night with Jenny, Brendan, Amie, and Hilary to the Cheetah Gym Halloween Party in Andersonville. They cleared out the equipment and had set up for a Boogie Nights party. Let me list why this party was so fab: $10 "suggested donation" for an open bar AND a buffet; live band that played awesome 80s hits; spotlight outside the door along with a red carpet; again, $10 for an open bar! One of the women in my program had sent info about it to everyone in the department since she was working the bar, and it was seriously hands-down awesome. Best costume of the night: a bill from Schoolhouse Rock. As Jenny would say, that is "co-bit-ment."
Jenny was a mean Misty May. We accentuated her six-pack with a sharpie. Brendan was her coach, and was hot in his ladies exercise shorts, and I was the easiest costume ever. Thanks to Robin for suggesting that I attend as an "Identity Crisis." All it takes is sticky nametags, which ended up being free. It was successful as well, since throughout the night I was approached by various, curious people and high-fived by a few. Seriously, people without a costume: get on the "Identity Crisis" wagon. The best part is that it doesn't stand in the way of your partying ability.
Friday, October 29, 2004
Thursday, October 28, 2004
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
How lumpenproletariat
Cool: the Guardian reports on the buzzwords for each year over the past century.
1909 tiddly-om-pom-pom
Anyone know what that means?
Plus, maybe it's a sign of how unhip I am, but I have no idea what 2004's word, chav, means. Does anyone else know??
(via tmn)
Cool: the Guardian reports on the buzzwords for each year over the past century.
1909 tiddly-om-pom-pom
Anyone know what that means?
Plus, maybe it's a sign of how unhip I am, but I have no idea what 2004's word, chav, means. Does anyone else know??
(via tmn)
Mmmm--vegetable dumplings
For those familiar with the Bad Attitude Dumpling Place outside the East Gate of Beijing Normal University, a certain Carrie C. has frequented there just recently. My mouth slavers at the memory of those tasty morsels and let's not forget the Mongolian Lamb. Oh my gah.
Here's what Carrie reports:
For the record, Bad Attitude is as good as it gets. I had a rolicking blast there k-solo, NYer in hand, Tsingtao flowing and the good proprietier, Mr.Zhe, remembered me, dragging me back into the kitchen and announcing "Wang Chun Mei is here!" much to the consternation of the wait staff and cooks. We all took it in stride.
I've been trying to convince Robin to name his dumpling joint Bad Attitude, but he shirks off the suggestion. Continue the greatness, Robin, continue the greatness...
For those familiar with the Bad Attitude Dumpling Place outside the East Gate of Beijing Normal University, a certain Carrie C. has frequented there just recently. My mouth slavers at the memory of those tasty morsels and let's not forget the Mongolian Lamb. Oh my gah.
Here's what Carrie reports:
For the record, Bad Attitude is as good as it gets. I had a rolicking blast there k-solo, NYer in hand, Tsingtao flowing and the good proprietier, Mr.Zhe, remembered me, dragging me back into the kitchen and announcing "Wang Chun Mei is here!" much to the consternation of the wait staff and cooks. We all took it in stride.
I've been trying to convince Robin to name his dumpling joint Bad Attitude, but he shirks off the suggestion. Continue the greatness, Robin, continue the greatness...
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Passive Aggressive Letters to fellow Library Patrons
Dear person sitting beside me listening to his iPod at Volume 11,
That's really annoying.
No, it really is.
It's a library here.
Love,
Kristin
Dear gentleman sitting on the chair behind me snoring loudly,
Why are you napping here?
You run the risk of missing your class.
Love,
Kristin
Dear person sitting beside me listening to his iPod at Volume 11,
That's really annoying.
No, it really is.
It's a library here.
Love,
Kristin
Dear gentleman sitting on the chair behind me snoring loudly,
Why are you napping here?
You run the risk of missing your class.
Love,
Kristin
That stupid band
So it's about two days old now, but I still am hooked on the Ashlee Simpson debacle. What a fricking train wreck, yo. Jenny and I watched the whole thing a couple of times last night; she sent me the link so that we could watch watch "and judge." The Washington Post had an article about it today, and included some information that makes this entire thing even more ridiculous. Apparently, in the non-live West Coast feed, they edited out the vocal track! So all you saw was Ashlee dancing around to the music and then walking off the stage. See below:
Anyway, the official word from NBC yesterday was that "SNL" executive producer Lorne Michaels's position is that its musical guests perform live. To drive home that point, for the West Coast feed the network edited out Simpson's voice from the backup track that had taken her by surprise. Viewers in Los Angeles saw Simpson gyrate, appear to become confused because the band was playing the wrong song, and then walk off. Presto chango, no lip-syncing.
Just adding to the lameness with that move....
So it's about two days old now, but I still am hooked on the Ashlee Simpson debacle. What a fricking train wreck, yo. Jenny and I watched the whole thing a couple of times last night; she sent me the link so that we could watch watch "and judge." The Washington Post had an article about it today, and included some information that makes this entire thing even more ridiculous. Apparently, in the non-live West Coast feed, they edited out the vocal track! So all you saw was Ashlee dancing around to the music and then walking off the stage. See below:
Anyway, the official word from NBC yesterday was that "SNL" executive producer Lorne Michaels's position is that its musical guests perform live. To drive home that point, for the West Coast feed the network edited out Simpson's voice from the backup track that had taken her by surprise. Viewers in Los Angeles saw Simpson gyrate, appear to become confused because the band was playing the wrong song, and then walk off. Presto chango, no lip-syncing.
Just adding to the lameness with that move....
Monday, October 25, 2004
A great dinner *and* a free pizza stone
Thanks to Katja for hosting me for a fabulous dinner last night. Fresh eggplant and lentils were among other things is a savory casserole. She also shared some tapas that she had made for another occasion--dates and pistachios wrapped in bacon. My love for those tasty concoctions are beyond description. Apparently, they're super easy to make as well, so I will be recreating those in a jiffy. Oh my gah.
Katja also passed on a nice quality pizza stone that the person who had the apartment prior had left behind. Yay!
Thanks to Katja for hosting me for a fabulous dinner last night. Fresh eggplant and lentils were among other things is a savory casserole. She also shared some tapas that she had made for another occasion--dates and pistachios wrapped in bacon. My love for those tasty concoctions are beyond description. Apparently, they're super easy to make as well, so I will be recreating those in a jiffy. Oh my gah.
Katja also passed on a nice quality pizza stone that the person who had the apartment prior had left behind. Yay!
Sunday, October 24, 2004
Bill's Life, According to Bootleg Chinese copies
Apparently, someone has taken some liberties with Bill Clinton's book, My Life, in the Chinese black market. Hilarious.
The fake version reveals a Clinton family obsessed with China's strong points, with how Chinese science and technology "left us in the dust." Readers will learn that the future president, to impress Hillary's mother, had rhapsodized about such things as the Eight Trigrams, documented in "The Book of Changes" several thousand years ago. Another retranslation of the pirated translation last summer has Mr. Clinton explaining to Hillary that his nickname is "Big Watermelon."
Apparently, someone has taken some liberties with Bill Clinton's book, My Life, in the Chinese black market. Hilarious.
The fake version reveals a Clinton family obsessed with China's strong points, with how Chinese science and technology "left us in the dust." Readers will learn that the future president, to impress Hillary's mother, had rhapsodized about such things as the Eight Trigrams, documented in "The Book of Changes" several thousand years ago. Another retranslation of the pirated translation last summer has Mr. Clinton explaining to Hillary that his nickname is "Big Watermelon."
For once the detractors and supporters agree...
Bush is like Bud Light.
Brand Associations to Bush and Kerry.
This is actually pretty fascinating. Both the dectractors and supporters of each groups AND undecideds agree that Bush is like Business Week Magazine and Kerry is like People. What's up with that?!
What is particularly interesting is Bush supports relate Bush to Subway and Kerry to McDonalds, and the Kerry supporters reverse that. The good news is that the undecided voters also relate Kerry to Subway and Bush to McDonalds, so maybe a sign that Kerry has an advantage? I'll hang on to anything.
Here's some analysis:
Among undecided voters: Kerry appears to have the advantage because undecided voters tend to associate him with certain brands based more on their positive than their negative attributes: Apple is "young" and "hip", Target offers "value for everyone", Starbuck's is "young" (but also "elite"), but on the negative side, BMW is "expensive"; among this same group, Bush is associated with certain brands based more on their negative than positive attributes: Kmart is "irrelevant", Dunkin' Donuts is "cheap", McDonald's is "bad for you", but on the positive side, Samuel Adams is "trustworthy" and "patriotic"
(Note that undecideds associated Bush with BOTH Sam Adams and Bud Light).
Bush is like Bud Light.
Brand Associations to Bush and Kerry.
This is actually pretty fascinating. Both the dectractors and supporters of each groups AND undecideds agree that Bush is like Business Week Magazine and Kerry is like People. What's up with that?!
What is particularly interesting is Bush supports relate Bush to Subway and Kerry to McDonalds, and the Kerry supporters reverse that. The good news is that the undecided voters also relate Kerry to Subway and Bush to McDonalds, so maybe a sign that Kerry has an advantage? I'll hang on to anything.
Here's some analysis:
Among undecided voters: Kerry appears to have the advantage because undecided voters tend to associate him with certain brands based more on their positive than their negative attributes: Apple is "young" and "hip", Target offers "value for everyone", Starbuck's is "young" (but also "elite"), but on the negative side, BMW is "expensive"; among this same group, Bush is associated with certain brands based more on their negative than positive attributes: Kmart is "irrelevant", Dunkin' Donuts is "cheap", McDonald's is "bad for you", but on the positive side, Samuel Adams is "trustworthy" and "patriotic"
(Note that undecideds associated Bush with BOTH Sam Adams and Bud Light).
Spending my morning on the Post online
Jonathan Yardley hates Catcher in the Rye now.
...That's just easy exploitation of the reader's emotion. Give your protagonist a dead younger brother and a cute little sister -- not to mention a revered older brother, D.B., a gifted writer who sounds a whole lot like J.D. Salinger himself -- and the rest is strictly downhill. From first page to last, "The Catcher in the Rye" is an exercise in button-pushing, and the biggest button it pushes is the adolescent's uncertainty and insecurity as he or she perches precariously between childhood, which is remembered fondly and wistfully, and adulthood, which is the great phony unknown.
I still enjoy the book, though. It's funny and I still appreciate Holden's aversion to "phonies."
Jonathan Yardley hates Catcher in the Rye now.
...That's just easy exploitation of the reader's emotion. Give your protagonist a dead younger brother and a cute little sister -- not to mention a revered older brother, D.B., a gifted writer who sounds a whole lot like J.D. Salinger himself -- and the rest is strictly downhill. From first page to last, "The Catcher in the Rye" is an exercise in button-pushing, and the biggest button it pushes is the adolescent's uncertainty and insecurity as he or she perches precariously between childhood, which is remembered fondly and wistfully, and adulthood, which is the great phony unknown.
I still enjoy the book, though. It's funny and I still appreciate Holden's aversion to "phonies."
Purdy
That's what the weather is like today. But, I have to do reading in the following subjects: anatomy and stats. That actually cracks me up, that combination. Each of those subjects is strongly unappealing, in and of themselves, but when combined in one day of study: the repellance factor is its own entity that is capable of mowing down small villages.
In other news, I have successfully finished all of the Netflix disks that I had for this weekend, so have few other distractions. I watched the first disk of HBO's "The Wire," and that stuff is good. I was awash in the David Simon oeuvre yesterday, and I was happy.
That's what the weather is like today. But, I have to do reading in the following subjects: anatomy and stats. That actually cracks me up, that combination. Each of those subjects is strongly unappealing, in and of themselves, but when combined in one day of study: the repellance factor is its own entity that is capable of mowing down small villages.
In other news, I have successfully finished all of the Netflix disks that I had for this weekend, so have few other distractions. I watched the first disk of HBO's "The Wire," and that stuff is good. I was awash in the David Simon oeuvre yesterday, and I was happy.
Saturday, October 23, 2004
So, since I'm dirt poor right now, my social life is a little more than curbed. I don't really mind too much, though, since after a long, test-ridden week, I was pretty exhausted last night. I lay in the living room last night, gorging myself on Season 4 of "Homicide: Life on the Street." I don't need to tell you how good it is. Maybe too good: one of the episodes, "A Doll's Eyes," which featured Marcia Gay-Harden, pre-Oscar, was about a 10-year old who got shot mistakenly and the parents had to make a decision as to whether to take him off of life support or not. Yeah, I was fricking SOBBING by the end of it. Nice. But, I'm thrilled to report that I have another disk of the season to watch today. Maybe more sobbing will occur.
Friday, October 22, 2004
Sin...
So, apparently Singapore is now carving itself out as the gay-friendly tourist locale in Asia. Smart, since most of this population doesn't have kids and therefore more disposable income. I like this part of the article about it in the WSJ:
Mr. Ho, a 33-year-old information-technology consultant, was decked out in a T-shirt proclaiming "Choose Sin" in large, red letters and "gapore" in smaller print.
Sweet t-shirt!
(via tmn)
So, apparently Singapore is now carving itself out as the gay-friendly tourist locale in Asia. Smart, since most of this population doesn't have kids and therefore more disposable income. I like this part of the article about it in the WSJ:
Mr. Ho, a 33-year-old information-technology consultant, was decked out in a T-shirt proclaiming "Choose Sin" in large, red letters and "gapore" in smaller print.
Sweet t-shirt!
(via tmn)
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Thai Food and Friendly, Familiar Faces
Lucinda is in town this week for work, so she hopped on the El to meet me at Belmont and we went to have the signature Thai meal. I dropped her off again at Belmont just now. Here we are. It was nice to get the scoop on what's been going on at the office for the past month and a half. God, it really feels like longer than that.
Okay, back to lovely Phonetics.
Btw, I got an anatomy quiz back, one that I know I bombed. It's okay, since I can ditch one grade, and this will be the one, but I have to share it, since it's downright hilarious. I got a sweeeeet 33%. Woooooo! I'm considering hanging it on the fridge.
Lucinda is in town this week for work, so she hopped on the El to meet me at Belmont and we went to have the signature Thai meal. I dropped her off again at Belmont just now. Here we are. It was nice to get the scoop on what's been going on at the office for the past month and a half. God, it really feels like longer than that.
Okay, back to lovely Phonetics.
Btw, I got an anatomy quiz back, one that I know I bombed. It's okay, since I can ditch one grade, and this will be the one, but I have to share it, since it's downright hilarious. I got a sweeeeet 33%. Woooooo! I'm considering hanging it on the fridge.
Not proud, but this is funny
Okay, so the tv is on in the background as I painstakingly go over Phonetics allophones for the exam tomorrow.
It's Maury's quality talk show, and his favorite topic of "who fathered this baby?" Actually, the exact title of this show is "Is Grandma's Ex-Boyfriend My Baby's Dad?"
One dude in particularly made me laugh out loud. He was contesting the idea of that he was someone's dad. The little slogan under him read Says Rosemary's Baby's not his because she has "Frankenstein eyebrows and big turtle feet."
HA!
Also, that's a one year old girl he's talking about.
He did turn out to be the dad, btw.
Okay, so the tv is on in the background as I painstakingly go over Phonetics allophones for the exam tomorrow.
It's Maury's quality talk show, and his favorite topic of "who fathered this baby?" Actually, the exact title of this show is "Is Grandma's Ex-Boyfriend My Baby's Dad?"
One dude in particularly made me laugh out loud. He was contesting the idea of that he was someone's dad. The little slogan under him read Says Rosemary's Baby's not his because she has "Frankenstein eyebrows and big turtle feet."
HA!
Also, that's a one year old girl he's talking about.
He did turn out to be the dad, btw.
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Tonight's fun
Kevin and Jessica came for dinner tonight! We had chili, ice cream, and lots of chips. I love them.
Anyway, Kevin showed us some moves from Orchesex, his much bally-hooed two-man dance group from college. I particularly enjoyed the "slut crawl" myself. See here for the a list of each of the moves. Kevin promised that should I ever get married, he and Harvey would perform at my wedding, so I better get on the task of finding a dude.
Kevin was on a roll, telling me all there was to know about black women's hair culture, and then telling me like it was about whatever and whoever I mentioned. Here's a shot of Sassy, Telling-Like-It-Is Kevin.
Jessica, the best Little Sister Ever, brought over some free wine that she receives as the liquor person at the Field Museum. She is still the best and is taking Chicago by storm with the theater and the comedy. Check out how cute she is!
Kevin and Jessica came for dinner tonight! We had chili, ice cream, and lots of chips. I love them.
Anyway, Kevin showed us some moves from Orchesex, his much bally-hooed two-man dance group from college. I particularly enjoyed the "slut crawl" myself. See here for the a list of each of the moves. Kevin promised that should I ever get married, he and Harvey would perform at my wedding, so I better get on the task of finding a dude.
Kevin was on a roll, telling me all there was to know about black women's hair culture, and then telling me like it was about whatever and whoever I mentioned. Here's a shot of Sassy, Telling-Like-It-Is Kevin.
Jessica, the best Little Sister Ever, brought over some free wine that she receives as the liquor person at the Field Museum. She is still the best and is taking Chicago by storm with the theater and the comedy. Check out how cute she is!
I'm on a roll today
From Craig's List Chicago
MC with bratty Loyola kids tonight
To the party of four Loyola students with whom I had the pleasure of sharing an El car with tonight on my way home:
You fucking ignorant twits.
Check out the site for more....
From Craig's List Chicago
MC with bratty Loyola kids tonight
To the party of four Loyola students with whom I had the pleasure of sharing an El car with tonight on my way home:
You fucking ignorant twits.
Check out the site for more....
New Addiction
Jonathan brought me back some English Breakfast Tea from his trip to London all of those months ago, and I'm digging into the box with fervor now. My new favorite thing is to whip up some milk tea. I make that awesomely strong tea, add some milk and a packet of Splenda and my day is made. MMM.
Jonathan brought me back some English Breakfast Tea from his trip to London all of those months ago, and I'm digging into the box with fervor now. My new favorite thing is to whip up some milk tea. I make that awesomely strong tea, add some milk and a packet of Splenda and my day is made. MMM.
From High Times Magazine
HELP, I'M STONED, WHO SHOULD I VOTE FOR?
Short Answer: John Kerry
HA!
(also from tmn)
HELP, I'M STONED, WHO SHOULD I VOTE FOR?
Short Answer: John Kerry
HA!
(also from tmn)
"Real Americans aren't interested in your pansy-ass, tea-sipping opinions"
The Guardian apparently launched a campaign last week in which its readers wrote to undecided voters in the swing-state of Ohio to try to convince them of why they need to not vote for Bush. The Guardian has now printed some of the reactions to this campaign, which are nothing short of priceless. Of course, there are some that are gracious, but those aren't nearly as funny as some of the following gems:
Have you not noticed that Americans don't give two shits what Europeans think of us? Each email someone gets from some arrogant Brit telling us why to NOT vote for George Bush is going to backfire, you stupid, yellow-toothed pansies ... I don't give a rat's ass if our election is going to have an effect on your worthless little life. I really don't. If you want to have a meaningful election in your crappy little island full of shitty food and yellow teeth, then maybe you should try not to sell your sovereignty out to Brussels and Berlin, dipshit. Oh, yeah - and brush your goddamned teeth, you filthy animals. Wading River, NY
KEEP YOUR FUCKIN' LIMEY HANDS OFF OUR ELECTION. HEY, SHITHEADS, REMEMBER THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR? REMEMBER THE WAR OF 1812? WE DIDN'T WANT YOU, OR YOUR POLITICS HERE, THAT'S WHY WE KICKED YOUR ASSES OUT. FOR THE 47% OF YOU WHO DON'T WANT PRESIDENT BUSH, I SAY THIS ... TOUGH SHIT! PROUD AMERICAN VOTING FOR BUSH!
(Oh my God.)
Who in the hell do you think you are??? Well, I'll tell you, you're a bunch of meddling socialist pricks! Stay the hell out of our country and politics. And another thing, John Kerry is a worthless lying sack of crap so it doesn't surprise me that a socialist rag like yours would back him. I hope your cynical ploy blows up in your cowardly faces, you bunch of mealy-mouthed morons! United States
Keep your noses out of our business. As I recall we kicked your asses out of our country back in 1776. We do not require input from losers and idiots on who we vote for in our own country. Fuck off and die asshole!!!!! Knoxville, Iowa
(Okay, that last line was kind of hilarious...)
And after all of that, there's a voice of reason:
Your idea is superb and frankly, we need a little help over here right now. Ohio
(via tmn)
The Guardian apparently launched a campaign last week in which its readers wrote to undecided voters in the swing-state of Ohio to try to convince them of why they need to not vote for Bush. The Guardian has now printed some of the reactions to this campaign, which are nothing short of priceless. Of course, there are some that are gracious, but those aren't nearly as funny as some of the following gems:
Have you not noticed that Americans don't give two shits what Europeans think of us? Each email someone gets from some arrogant Brit telling us why to NOT vote for George Bush is going to backfire, you stupid, yellow-toothed pansies ... I don't give a rat's ass if our election is going to have an effect on your worthless little life. I really don't. If you want to have a meaningful election in your crappy little island full of shitty food and yellow teeth, then maybe you should try not to sell your sovereignty out to Brussels and Berlin, dipshit. Oh, yeah - and brush your goddamned teeth, you filthy animals. Wading River, NY
KEEP YOUR FUCKIN' LIMEY HANDS OFF OUR ELECTION. HEY, SHITHEADS, REMEMBER THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR? REMEMBER THE WAR OF 1812? WE DIDN'T WANT YOU, OR YOUR POLITICS HERE, THAT'S WHY WE KICKED YOUR ASSES OUT. FOR THE 47% OF YOU WHO DON'T WANT PRESIDENT BUSH, I SAY THIS ... TOUGH SHIT! PROUD AMERICAN VOTING FOR BUSH!
(Oh my God.)
Who in the hell do you think you are??? Well, I'll tell you, you're a bunch of meddling socialist pricks! Stay the hell out of our country and politics. And another thing, John Kerry is a worthless lying sack of crap so it doesn't surprise me that a socialist rag like yours would back him. I hope your cynical ploy blows up in your cowardly faces, you bunch of mealy-mouthed morons! United States
Keep your noses out of our business. As I recall we kicked your asses out of our country back in 1776. We do not require input from losers and idiots on who we vote for in our own country. Fuck off and die asshole!!!!! Knoxville, Iowa
(Okay, that last line was kind of hilarious...)
And after all of that, there's a voice of reason:
Your idea is superb and frankly, we need a little help over here right now. Ohio
(via tmn)
Monday, October 18, 2004
Sunday nights rawk
Jenny came home last night, and she, Amie, and I sat and watched the new hard-cracking show on Bravo titled "Manhunt: the Search for America's Most Gorgeous Male Model." This show is so bad, so hilarious, and so, so delicious. This collection of aspiring male models...they're such jerks for the mostpart. I know, I know, big surprise, but they're even jerkier than you might imagine! We all picked our favorites, though, and I honed in on Rob Williams. How cute is he? Jenny and Amie informed me that he is most definitely a gay man, though, so I shouldn't go ahead and make that valentine heart and send it to him like I was planning to.
But seriously, look at how funny the picture is of the male models lined up in their white underwear (no, seriously...go and look). Last night's "challenge" was that they had to strip down into some Calvin Klein underwear (this show is not afraid to shill) and then go skydiving. I'm totally not even making that up.
Also, I totally think that most of these dudes made up their names. Seth, Hunter, Tate? Come ON.
One more thing, though. Last night, after they stripped down, they got treated to some very unclever critiques from some grizzled season male model. He called one dude, Blake, "pear-shaped." HA.
Jenny came home last night, and she, Amie, and I sat and watched the new hard-cracking show on Bravo titled "Manhunt: the Search for America's Most Gorgeous Male Model." This show is so bad, so hilarious, and so, so delicious. This collection of aspiring male models...they're such jerks for the mostpart. I know, I know, big surprise, but they're even jerkier than you might imagine! We all picked our favorites, though, and I honed in on Rob Williams. How cute is he? Jenny and Amie informed me that he is most definitely a gay man, though, so I shouldn't go ahead and make that valentine heart and send it to him like I was planning to.
But seriously, look at how funny the picture is of the male models lined up in their white underwear (no, seriously...go and look). Last night's "challenge" was that they had to strip down into some Calvin Klein underwear (this show is not afraid to shill) and then go skydiving. I'm totally not even making that up.
Also, I totally think that most of these dudes made up their names. Seth, Hunter, Tate? Come ON.
One more thing, though. Last night, after they stripped down, they got treated to some very unclever critiques from some grizzled season male model. He called one dude, Blake, "pear-shaped." HA.
Sunday, October 17, 2004
To Noone's Surprise...
...I tripped and fell on the way home last night. Although I didn't even scrape myself (amazing), my knee is now kinda wonky and maybe a bit swollen. Nice.
But last night was a good time. I hit some bars in West Lakeview with some friends from my program, tagging along with an organized crawl. Nothing too much of interest to report except that I did pass The Golden Apple diner! This American Life did a show called "24 Hours at the Golden Apple," and I was thrilled to see that it's *kinda* in my neighborhood (a twenty minute walk, but in the neighborhood nonetheless).
And now I will spend the next few hours learning more phonetics.
...I tripped and fell on the way home last night. Although I didn't even scrape myself (amazing), my knee is now kinda wonky and maybe a bit swollen. Nice.
But last night was a good time. I hit some bars in West Lakeview with some friends from my program, tagging along with an organized crawl. Nothing too much of interest to report except that I did pass The Golden Apple diner! This American Life did a show called "24 Hours at the Golden Apple," and I was thrilled to see that it's *kinda* in my neighborhood (a twenty minute walk, but in the neighborhood nonetheless).
And now I will spend the next few hours learning more phonetics.
Saturday, October 16, 2004
Best Ever
James linked to the transcript of Jon Stewart on CNN Crossfire on his blog. So, so awesome.
James linked to the transcript of Jon Stewart on CNN Crossfire on his blog. So, so awesome.
My favorite two days of the week
Hurrah for the weekend! Friday was brutal in that we received our anatomy mid-terms back. Suffice it to say that I felt cheated in my grade in that I studied in the double digits for that test. Now I just need to make peace with studying anatomy every night so I can stay apprised of the information--and I will begrudge every second of that studying, have no fear.
In Phonetics, though, we have been learning about allophones of different phonemes (which are the ways of putting various spins on different sounds in a language without those sounds losing their meanings). So, you know how we sometimes say "teef" instead of "teeth"? There's a specific name for that. Who knew? There's also a specific term for using "smoove" rather than "smooth" (and, no, that term is not "correct usage").
Yeah, so my plan to take a picture a day kind of fell out the window, didn't it? It was taking a lot of time to sit down and download those suckers. Maybe I'll make it a weekly thing. Tonight, though, I'm joining some women from my program for a pub crawl in the neighborhood, so maybe I can take some shots there.
I hear through the grapevine that it's Homecoming at William and Mary this weekend: crazy! Someone eat a Hot Holly for me.
In other news, major congratulations to Annie and the super successful pledge drive so far at WETA! All you working folks should pledge and show your support for quality programming!
Hurrah for the weekend! Friday was brutal in that we received our anatomy mid-terms back. Suffice it to say that I felt cheated in my grade in that I studied in the double digits for that test. Now I just need to make peace with studying anatomy every night so I can stay apprised of the information--and I will begrudge every second of that studying, have no fear.
In Phonetics, though, we have been learning about allophones of different phonemes (which are the ways of putting various spins on different sounds in a language without those sounds losing their meanings). So, you know how we sometimes say "teef" instead of "teeth"? There's a specific name for that. Who knew? There's also a specific term for using "smoove" rather than "smooth" (and, no, that term is not "correct usage").
Yeah, so my plan to take a picture a day kind of fell out the window, didn't it? It was taking a lot of time to sit down and download those suckers. Maybe I'll make it a weekly thing. Tonight, though, I'm joining some women from my program for a pub crawl in the neighborhood, so maybe I can take some shots there.
I hear through the grapevine that it's Homecoming at William and Mary this weekend: crazy! Someone eat a Hot Holly for me.
In other news, major congratulations to Annie and the super successful pledge drive so far at WETA! All you working folks should pledge and show your support for quality programming!
Thursday, October 14, 2004
It was worth a shot
So last night, I had lab until 5:20, but had made plans with Laura and Katja to try to go and see Art Speigelman speak. He was talking about his new graphic novel, In the Shadow of No Towers, at this extremely cool comic shop in Wicker Park called Quimbys. His talk--free, btw!--was being held at 6:30. We gave it our all to get there in time for it, though. Luckily, Laura was driving, but we didn't actually get on Lake Shore doing downtown till about 6 or so. We found prime parking right in front of the bookstore (lucky), but by the time we walked in, Mr. Spiegelman was just finishing up (unlucky). Plus, the place was so crowded, that I couldn't even see him sitting down up front! We were in the book store for about five minutes when the whole thing ended. I didn't have anything to sign (which I kind of wish I did, since the man is way cool), but I did manage to sneak up and get a gander at him. So now I know what he looks like...and stood about seven feet away from him. I also took a picture of the crowds, but since I'm writing this at school, I'll have to download it later.
Afterward, we wandered around Wicker Park for a bit and stopped and had dinner as well. The neighborhood has a very artsy feel that's the slightest bit gritty as well. Jenny told me that's where they had the house in Real World Chicago, which seems like a bad choice: no wonder they got the treatment that they did, the neighborhood is too cool to have the Real World infiltrating.
So, although we didn't get to hear Art Spiegelman really, we did get to check out the neighborhood a little bit.
So last night, I had lab until 5:20, but had made plans with Laura and Katja to try to go and see Art Speigelman speak. He was talking about his new graphic novel, In the Shadow of No Towers, at this extremely cool comic shop in Wicker Park called Quimbys. His talk--free, btw!--was being held at 6:30. We gave it our all to get there in time for it, though. Luckily, Laura was driving, but we didn't actually get on Lake Shore doing downtown till about 6 or so. We found prime parking right in front of the bookstore (lucky), but by the time we walked in, Mr. Spiegelman was just finishing up (unlucky). Plus, the place was so crowded, that I couldn't even see him sitting down up front! We were in the book store for about five minutes when the whole thing ended. I didn't have anything to sign (which I kind of wish I did, since the man is way cool), but I did manage to sneak up and get a gander at him. So now I know what he looks like...and stood about seven feet away from him. I also took a picture of the crowds, but since I'm writing this at school, I'll have to download it later.
Afterward, we wandered around Wicker Park for a bit and stopped and had dinner as well. The neighborhood has a very artsy feel that's the slightest bit gritty as well. Jenny told me that's where they had the house in Real World Chicago, which seems like a bad choice: no wonder they got the treatment that they did, the neighborhood is too cool to have the Real World infiltrating.
So, although we didn't get to hear Art Spiegelman really, we did get to check out the neighborhood a little bit.
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Thanksgiving Removed
Good news! Since my wallet can't handle a flight back to DC for Thanksgiving, and I'm returning to DC for winter break about ten days later, I was gearing up for a lonely holiday in Chicago. But now, it looks like Annie and her brother will be coming and sharing the holiday with me. Yahoo!
Good news! Since my wallet can't handle a flight back to DC for Thanksgiving, and I'm returning to DC for winter break about ten days later, I was gearing up for a lonely holiday in Chicago. But now, it looks like Annie and her brother will be coming and sharing the holiday with me. Yahoo!
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
BK and its Quest for the Edgy
Slate has an article this morning about that new ad from Burger King featuring the King with the giant plastic head. It's creepy, but it also reminds me of the beloved Freaks and Geeks episode where Sam wears the giant Viking head as the mascot. Anyway, I admire Burger King for going out of a limb for weirdness. Because the commercial is seriously weird.
Slate has an article this morning about that new ad from Burger King featuring the King with the giant plastic head. It's creepy, but it also reminds me of the beloved Freaks and Geeks episode where Sam wears the giant Viking head as the mascot. Anyway, I admire Burger King for going out of a limb for weirdness. Because the commercial is seriously weird.
Monday, October 11, 2004
Columbus Day
I didn't realize that it was Columbus Day today until I read an email from Anne mentioning it. Things seem to be going on a normal here so maybe they don't celebrate it in this city.
Tomorrow is my first mid-term, and it's in Anatomy, my favorite. Luckily, my days end at noon on Mondays, so I came home, did some laundry and planted myself down in the dining room to do some studying. I actually just finished putting a nifty study guide on the computer (fun fonts on this version of Word). Really, that's all my day was: dullsville. Here's a shot of the study scene, sans me.
I didn't realize that it was Columbus Day today until I read an email from Anne mentioning it. Things seem to be going on a normal here so maybe they don't celebrate it in this city.
Tomorrow is my first mid-term, and it's in Anatomy, my favorite. Luckily, my days end at noon on Mondays, so I came home, did some laundry and planted myself down in the dining room to do some studying. I actually just finished putting a nifty study guide on the computer (fun fonts on this version of Word). Really, that's all my day was: dullsville. Here's a shot of the study scene, sans me.
Sunday, October 10, 2004
Weekend Report and Photos
Okay, so I was lax in posting yesterday. It was a good weekend, mostly composed of relaxing and enjoying myself with a small segment spent studying. I need to maintain the sanity.
Saturday, I went to see something at the Chicago International Film Festival. We went to see a collection of short films by Chicago filmmakers which were pretty cool. A varied selection or varying lengths and the filmmakers stood up for a Q&A at the end. Here's a photo of Katja, my German post-doc friend, in front of the theater.
Afterward, we met up with Richelle and Melissa for Richelle's last night in Chicago. She's off to London in a couple of weeks but she was leaving Chicago this morning. She was a trooper: staying out late and then getting on a plane to Pheonix this morning at 6 a.m. Anyway, here's a shot of the group of us at Glascott's Groggery.
This morning was the Chicago Marathon. The marathon ran through my neighborhood around 10 a.m. this morning, a block from my place. I went out there and joined the crowds cheering people on. Proof of my density: the group beside me was cheering people as they went by ("Go Katie! Keep it up, Rick!") and was high-fiving them. My first thought was: "wow, they know a lot of people running here." It wasn't till about 15 minutes later that I realized that runners had their names on their shirts. Nice. Here is a shot of the marathon.
This evening I had some women from my program over for a potluck. It was a grand time and lots of good food and wine were had and not a book was cracked. Here's a shot of the ladies, who are a lot of fun. Proof of the fun that they are: they turned the camera around and took a shot of me.
Monday looms, though...
Okay, so I was lax in posting yesterday. It was a good weekend, mostly composed of relaxing and enjoying myself with a small segment spent studying. I need to maintain the sanity.
Saturday, I went to see something at the Chicago International Film Festival. We went to see a collection of short films by Chicago filmmakers which were pretty cool. A varied selection or varying lengths and the filmmakers stood up for a Q&A at the end. Here's a photo of Katja, my German post-doc friend, in front of the theater.
Afterward, we met up with Richelle and Melissa for Richelle's last night in Chicago. She's off to London in a couple of weeks but she was leaving Chicago this morning. She was a trooper: staying out late and then getting on a plane to Pheonix this morning at 6 a.m. Anyway, here's a shot of the group of us at Glascott's Groggery.
This morning was the Chicago Marathon. The marathon ran through my neighborhood around 10 a.m. this morning, a block from my place. I went out there and joined the crowds cheering people on. Proof of my density: the group beside me was cheering people as they went by ("Go Katie! Keep it up, Rick!") and was high-fiving them. My first thought was: "wow, they know a lot of people running here." It wasn't till about 15 minutes later that I realized that runners had their names on their shirts. Nice. Here is a shot of the marathon.
This evening I had some women from my program over for a potluck. It was a grand time and lots of good food and wine were had and not a book was cracked. Here's a shot of the ladies, who are a lot of fun. Proof of the fun that they are: they turned the camera around and took a shot of me.
Monday looms, though...
Saturday, October 09, 2004
A find
I stumbled upon the a blog where someone chronicles the growth of his daughter, one segment called "The Story about the Toddler." This guy slays me. One segment:
For the last year, I have done the opposite of making friends by describing babies as “dopey”. I still stand by this term. It’s sort of an affectionately insulting term for the impenetrable shield of obliviousness that is the normal baby state of being.
Now that I have had some exposure to a “toddler”, I have decided that the term “dopey” no longer applies. My operative description for toddlers is “perversely stupid.”
When Cordelia climbs onto a couch, her primary method for getting down is throwing herself off head first. When this had the predictable bad effect, she refined the technique by throwing herself down head first, HARDER.
I stumbled upon the a blog where someone chronicles the growth of his daughter, one segment called "The Story about the Toddler." This guy slays me. One segment:
For the last year, I have done the opposite of making friends by describing babies as “dopey”. I still stand by this term. It’s sort of an affectionately insulting term for the impenetrable shield of obliviousness that is the normal baby state of being.
Now that I have had some exposure to a “toddler”, I have decided that the term “dopey” no longer applies. My operative description for toddlers is “perversely stupid.”
When Cordelia climbs onto a couch, her primary method for getting down is throwing herself off head first. When this had the predictable bad effect, she refined the technique by throwing herself down head first, HARDER.
Friday, October 08, 2004
Photos of the day
It was a crazy busy day again. I am so very looking forward to the weekend.
But, here are the daily photos.
The first one is an evening shot of Cornelia, right by my street.
The second one is the autumn cornucopia set up in our apartment courtyard. How cute is that?
It was a crazy busy day again. I am so very looking forward to the weekend.
But, here are the daily photos.
The first one is an evening shot of Cornelia, right by my street.
The second one is the autumn cornucopia set up in our apartment courtyard. How cute is that?
Thursday, October 07, 2004
Photos of the day
Today was a doozy.
I spent the morning in the little cafe nestled inside the library. I like this place since it's quiet, there's coffee, there's lots of sunshine and comfortable chairs as well as tables. Here's my view for the better part of the morning. Actually, no--scratch that: HERE is my view for the better part of the morning...studying phonetics.
Today was a doozy.
I spent the morning in the little cafe nestled inside the library. I like this place since it's quiet, there's coffee, there's lots of sunshine and comfortable chairs as well as tables. Here's my view for the better part of the morning. Actually, no--scratch that: HERE is my view for the better part of the morning...studying phonetics.
Yeah, so want to get depressed?
I'm a sucker for those Chipotle burritos. They're so good, and you can totally fool yourself into the idea that you're being healthful since there's all of that protein and fiber in there! And come on, Baja Fresh--it's FRESH! It's got to be good for you.
I kind of knew this already, but the cat is officially out of the bag. The Center for Science in the Public Interest wrote an article trumpeting the calorie and nutritional counts of popular items from both Chipotles and Baja Fresh.
Check it out:
"Fresh Mex chains cultivate an aura of healthfulness, and sometimes it's deserved," said CSPI executive director Michael F. Jacobson. "But because Chipotle doesn't reveal calories or other nutrition information, most people wouldn't have a clue that a Vegetarian Burrito is the equivalent of an overstuffed corned beef sandwich--plus 350 calories. Chipotle's Carnitas Burrito is like an artillery shell filled with a day's worth of saturated fat and sodium."
Thanks for ruining the party, Michael.
(via tmn)
I'm a sucker for those Chipotle burritos. They're so good, and you can totally fool yourself into the idea that you're being healthful since there's all of that protein and fiber in there! And come on, Baja Fresh--it's FRESH! It's got to be good for you.
I kind of knew this already, but the cat is officially out of the bag. The Center for Science in the Public Interest wrote an article trumpeting the calorie and nutritional counts of popular items from both Chipotles and Baja Fresh.
Check it out:
"Fresh Mex chains cultivate an aura of healthfulness, and sometimes it's deserved," said CSPI executive director Michael F. Jacobson. "But because Chipotle doesn't reveal calories or other nutrition information, most people wouldn't have a clue that a Vegetarian Burrito is the equivalent of an overstuffed corned beef sandwich--plus 350 calories. Chipotle's Carnitas Burrito is like an artillery shell filled with a day's worth of saturated fat and sodium."
Thanks for ruining the party, Michael.
(via tmn)
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
Photo of the day
So I've decided to try to post a new daily photo of life in this new city for awhile. Anne told me that her friend Steve (hi, Steve, if you're reading this!) enjoys the shots of Chicago for a different scene than DC, so that inspired me.
Today's photo is from 12:20 pm while I waited for the Red Line to Howard on the Belmont El stop. It was really lovely out today.
So I've decided to try to post a new daily photo of life in this new city for awhile. Anne told me that her friend Steve (hi, Steve, if you're reading this!) enjoys the shots of Chicago for a different scene than DC, so that inspired me.
Today's photo is from 12:20 pm while I waited for the Red Line to Howard on the Belmont El stop. It was really lovely out today.
Quiz down, test and quiz to go
I have like two quizes and a test every week. Next week we have our Anatomy MID-TERM. We've been in class for two weeks now! How crazy is that?
Anyway, today in Language Development our professor lectured on how babies learn to talk in the first year. We listened to recordings of baby talk: cooing, gurgling, laughing (the best!). It was awesome.
I have like two quizes and a test every week. Next week we have our Anatomy MID-TERM. We've been in class for two weeks now! How crazy is that?
Anyway, today in Language Development our professor lectured on how babies learn to talk in the first year. We listened to recordings of baby talk: cooing, gurgling, laughing (the best!). It was awesome.
Study Facts of Interest
I have a Language Development quiz today. I'm spending the morning going over notes--the lay out is a lot like my undergrad classes in psych, so it's not as intimidating to me as Anatomy. The course is about how infacts acquire language, which I find interesting. Some of the stuff that caught my eye:
1. There are two schools of thought in terms of language acquisition: Innateness and Learning. Researchers tend to divide into East Coast and West Coast camps on this. Noam Chomsky, associated with MIT, is a proponent of Innateness and UCSD and USC are populated with learning theorists. When our professor discussed this in class, I could help chuckling to myself over the whole East Coast/West Coast rivalry. That's so awesome.
2. Babies can discriminate their own mother's voice when they're in the womb.
3. Babies up to four months old can distinguish their native language's rhythm, so English speaking babies can tell English from Japanese. However, they can't distinguish between rhythmically similar languages (English and Dutch, for instance). But, after 4-5 months, they can make that distinction. Even cooler, at that same age, biligual babies can distinguish between their two mother tongues.
4. Babies 6-8 months old can detect distinctions in languages like Hindi and Thompson-Salish (an almost extinct Canadian language). They lose this ability by their first year.
All the more reason to start language training early in them bitty babies. they're like sponges.
I have a Language Development quiz today. I'm spending the morning going over notes--the lay out is a lot like my undergrad classes in psych, so it's not as intimidating to me as Anatomy. The course is about how infacts acquire language, which I find interesting. Some of the stuff that caught my eye:
1. There are two schools of thought in terms of language acquisition: Innateness and Learning. Researchers tend to divide into East Coast and West Coast camps on this. Noam Chomsky, associated with MIT, is a proponent of Innateness and UCSD and USC are populated with learning theorists. When our professor discussed this in class, I could help chuckling to myself over the whole East Coast/West Coast rivalry. That's so awesome.
2. Babies can discriminate their own mother's voice when they're in the womb.
3. Babies up to four months old can distinguish their native language's rhythm, so English speaking babies can tell English from Japanese. However, they can't distinguish between rhythmically similar languages (English and Dutch, for instance). But, after 4-5 months, they can make that distinction. Even cooler, at that same age, biligual babies can distinguish between their two mother tongues.
4. Babies 6-8 months old can detect distinctions in languages like Hindi and Thompson-Salish (an almost extinct Canadian language). They lose this ability by their first year.
All the more reason to start language training early in them bitty babies. they're like sponges.
Sunday, October 03, 2004
Perfect Soundtrack
I've found the ultimate music to study along to. I was having some issues over finding music that wasn't too distracting. I popped in a cd that Charles had given me several years ago, now: Spokane's Proud Graduates. It's mellow and pretty and not peppy enough that I want to listen to the words. It makes me want to sit here and ooze into my books. Score.
I've found the ultimate music to study along to. I was having some issues over finding music that wasn't too distracting. I popped in a cd that Charles had given me several years ago, now: Spokane's Proud Graduates. It's mellow and pretty and not peppy enough that I want to listen to the words. It makes me want to sit here and ooze into my books. Score.
City walking and food stops
Des and Bryan left this morning at about 6 a.m. I remember blurrily bidding them farewell, but I hope that each arrived at their respective destinations safely. It was nothing less than fabulous having them here this past weekend, although I managed to spend a day and a half solid with them since those pesky classes got in the way.
Friday night we opted to stay in and cook a big dinner. Kevin came over, we parked around the dining room table, wine flowed and Kevin gave us the inside scoop of college admissions.
Saturday was our activity-filled day. What follows is the day's agenda:
1.) The John Hancock Building Observatory. My first time there! It was quite stunning, so the trip is recommended. Although Jenny just told me that you can visit the restaurant up there without paying an admission fee, and have an over-priced drink for about the same price as the normal ticket price. I took several pictures. Here are one, two, and three shots of the view. That last view is one of the courtyard of the church that's across the street. I liked it because it looked like a doll's house. Here are Des and Bryan on the skywalk, and here are Des and myself on the skywalk (the only place that we could take pictures without looking like dark blotches).
2.) From there we opted to walk uptown to see the city by foot and take advantage of some of that crisp, sunny Fall weather. We walked through the Gold Coast and stumbled upon a Farmer's Market that spanned for a couple of blocks. There were many baked goods and cheese products to be purchased: yum. Here's a shot of the Farmer's Market (not too fancy, but so you'll get the idea).
3.) From the Gold Coast we winded our way up through Old Town and it's main drags and neighborhoods. Very charming. I didn't take any shots of this, though, although we did go past a cinema that was showing "Resident Evil 2" and I tried to convince Des and Bryan that I had been leading them there so we could catch a matinee.
4.) From Old Town, we worked our way North to Oz Park. I had wanted to visit this for awhile, so I took a lot of shots. Here's the Cowardly Lion at the Southeast corner of the park. We walked north to see the more famous Tin Man. I love this guy's cranky face.
5.) Oz Park leads into the heart of Lincoln Park. We walked through the neighborhoods and then headed up Clark street before we found a place for lunch. Not too many exciting shots here, but I finally made good on my vow to take shots of all the places that we stopped in for food. Here are Des and Bryan at the Oodles Noodles in Lincoln Park (I don't think any tie to the Oodles of Noodles in DC). Food coma commenced right afterward.
6.) From Lincoln Park, we hopped on the 22 bus north to Andersonville. Andersonville used to be a Swedish community, but is now more known for its progressive feel and lesbian community (gay men like my neighborhood, hence its nickname, Boystown). Andersonville has a more residential feel, although it does have a little strip of shops, cafes, and restaurants that seem interesting. I liked that there was a fancy-ish restaurant called "Tomboy." Anyway, I felt like it looked like a movie set since there aren't any buildings in the background, and it looks like the street popped out of nowhere. Here are Des and Bryan gamely posing at the busstop in the middle of Andersonville.
While in Andersonville, we stopped at the famous Swedish Bakery. Des poses with the goods. Here is a shot of their mini-Swedish cannoli. Those are chocolate chips on the end. How perfect does it look?
7.) We hopped on the bus back from Andersonville to Lakeview. It was right after another Cubs game, so the bus was filled with a whole cross-section of types. Many of them drunk. Welcome to Chicago, Des and Bryan!
8.) An hour at home in Lakeview. I watched an MTV "True Life" that I had never seen before: I was happy.
9.) We then walked over the Theater Building on Belmont, less than a mile from my place, to see a production of "Matt and Ben." It was good to see it, although as we agreed over dinner afterward, it was hard at the beginning to get invested. Plus, Matt and Ben feel very 2000. Hell, even Bennifer is over. Anyway, I wanted for us to do something vaguely cultural while Des and Bryan were here, so hopefully that fit the bill. They were very game about all of these plans, btw.
10.) I mentioned dinner, and we had it at a one of a Chicago chain of Swedish breakfast eateries named "Ann Sather." Yum. They are famous for their cinnamon rolls and it's deserved. I tried their Swedish breakfast sampler, which was amazing. Here is a shot of the breakfast course. Their coffee is also good.
This particular branch turns into a danceclub for gay underaged teens during the weekend nights, apparently. I also found out that the one that we went to used to be a funeral home, which would explain the huge staircase and the dark paneling.
And that would wrap up the day. Quite spectacular in many ways. Now I'm left in the wake of friends' departure and sitting here surrounded by text books.
Must. get. work. done. today.
Des and Bryan left this morning at about 6 a.m. I remember blurrily bidding them farewell, but I hope that each arrived at their respective destinations safely. It was nothing less than fabulous having them here this past weekend, although I managed to spend a day and a half solid with them since those pesky classes got in the way.
Friday night we opted to stay in and cook a big dinner. Kevin came over, we parked around the dining room table, wine flowed and Kevin gave us the inside scoop of college admissions.
Saturday was our activity-filled day. What follows is the day's agenda:
1.) The John Hancock Building Observatory. My first time there! It was quite stunning, so the trip is recommended. Although Jenny just told me that you can visit the restaurant up there without paying an admission fee, and have an over-priced drink for about the same price as the normal ticket price. I took several pictures. Here are one, two, and three shots of the view. That last view is one of the courtyard of the church that's across the street. I liked it because it looked like a doll's house. Here are Des and Bryan on the skywalk, and here are Des and myself on the skywalk (the only place that we could take pictures without looking like dark blotches).
2.) From there we opted to walk uptown to see the city by foot and take advantage of some of that crisp, sunny Fall weather. We walked through the Gold Coast and stumbled upon a Farmer's Market that spanned for a couple of blocks. There were many baked goods and cheese products to be purchased: yum. Here's a shot of the Farmer's Market (not too fancy, but so you'll get the idea).
3.) From the Gold Coast we winded our way up through Old Town and it's main drags and neighborhoods. Very charming. I didn't take any shots of this, though, although we did go past a cinema that was showing "Resident Evil 2" and I tried to convince Des and Bryan that I had been leading them there so we could catch a matinee.
4.) From Old Town, we worked our way North to Oz Park. I had wanted to visit this for awhile, so I took a lot of shots. Here's the Cowardly Lion at the Southeast corner of the park. We walked north to see the more famous Tin Man. I love this guy's cranky face.
5.) Oz Park leads into the heart of Lincoln Park. We walked through the neighborhoods and then headed up Clark street before we found a place for lunch. Not too many exciting shots here, but I finally made good on my vow to take shots of all the places that we stopped in for food. Here are Des and Bryan at the Oodles Noodles in Lincoln Park (I don't think any tie to the Oodles of Noodles in DC). Food coma commenced right afterward.
6.) From Lincoln Park, we hopped on the 22 bus north to Andersonville. Andersonville used to be a Swedish community, but is now more known for its progressive feel and lesbian community (gay men like my neighborhood, hence its nickname, Boystown). Andersonville has a more residential feel, although it does have a little strip of shops, cafes, and restaurants that seem interesting. I liked that there was a fancy-ish restaurant called "Tomboy." Anyway, I felt like it looked like a movie set since there aren't any buildings in the background, and it looks like the street popped out of nowhere. Here are Des and Bryan gamely posing at the busstop in the middle of Andersonville.
While in Andersonville, we stopped at the famous Swedish Bakery. Des poses with the goods. Here is a shot of their mini-Swedish cannoli. Those are chocolate chips on the end. How perfect does it look?
7.) We hopped on the bus back from Andersonville to Lakeview. It was right after another Cubs game, so the bus was filled with a whole cross-section of types. Many of them drunk. Welcome to Chicago, Des and Bryan!
8.) An hour at home in Lakeview. I watched an MTV "True Life" that I had never seen before: I was happy.
9.) We then walked over the Theater Building on Belmont, less than a mile from my place, to see a production of "Matt and Ben." It was good to see it, although as we agreed over dinner afterward, it was hard at the beginning to get invested. Plus, Matt and Ben feel very 2000. Hell, even Bennifer is over. Anyway, I wanted for us to do something vaguely cultural while Des and Bryan were here, so hopefully that fit the bill. They were very game about all of these plans, btw.
10.) I mentioned dinner, and we had it at a one of a Chicago chain of Swedish breakfast eateries named "Ann Sather." Yum. They are famous for their cinnamon rolls and it's deserved. I tried their Swedish breakfast sampler, which was amazing. Here is a shot of the breakfast course. Their coffee is also good.
This particular branch turns into a danceclub for gay underaged teens during the weekend nights, apparently. I also found out that the one that we went to used to be a funeral home, which would explain the huge staircase and the dark paneling.
And that would wrap up the day. Quite spectacular in many ways. Now I'm left in the wake of friends' departure and sitting here surrounded by text books.
Must. get. work. done. today.
Friday, October 01, 2004
Hanzi messups
Okay, so this website might be the most amusing for those in the audience who actively read Chinese (I'm not one of those people), but it's still amusing for those of us who don't.
Okay, so this website might be the most amusing for those in the audience who actively read Chinese (I'm not one of those people), but it's still amusing for those of us who don't.
TGIF
Well, while this week passed with a quickness, it was also some kind of intense. Remember before classes started, and I was bored and didn't know what to do with myself? Yeah, it's no longer like that...but that's good because I prefer productive over the twiddling of thumbs.
We had our first quiz in Anatomy this morning. The Masters students in the class all discussed it beforehand and I would say that we were treating it like a fricking mid-term. This quiz was ten minutes at most. I think it was a combination of it being the first tester type thing in our educational careers here and also being Type A personalities when it comes to grades--or me, at least.
Last night the professor in charge of our clinic had an open house for the department in her lovely house in Evanston. Some of these Evanston houses, dude, they're just amazing. This house was on a pretty tree-lined street, close to the lake, each house charming and different and all I could think was: "this would be a great place to trick-or-treat." Luckily, I got a ride home from a fellow student who also lives in the city afterward, though, otherwise it probably would have taken me a few days to get back to my place since the express trains stopped running by then.
I reviewed my anatomy notes last night in front of the debate. Edification from all sides.
But, I'm stoked for the weekend. I am going to check out the Reader to see if there's anything interesting for Des, Bryan, and myself to check out. I see that there's a Chicago run of the play "Matt and Ben" that's playing close to my house, so I might throw that out there.
In other exciting news, I just received my Chicago Plus card in the mail. It's like DC's Smart Trip card in that you only need to touch it to sensors to pass through, but this is even cooler because:
1.) For every $10 you add, you get a bonus $1
2.) You can add money online, and make it so whenever it gets low, it automatically charges from your account a specified amount.
3.) It also works for buses!
I'm slowly figuring out the bus system here, and it's pretty easy. Buses seem to go just straight up and down main thoroughfares, so you really can't get too lost.
Well, while this week passed with a quickness, it was also some kind of intense. Remember before classes started, and I was bored and didn't know what to do with myself? Yeah, it's no longer like that...but that's good because I prefer productive over the twiddling of thumbs.
We had our first quiz in Anatomy this morning. The Masters students in the class all discussed it beforehand and I would say that we were treating it like a fricking mid-term. This quiz was ten minutes at most. I think it was a combination of it being the first tester type thing in our educational careers here and also being Type A personalities when it comes to grades--or me, at least.
Last night the professor in charge of our clinic had an open house for the department in her lovely house in Evanston. Some of these Evanston houses, dude, they're just amazing. This house was on a pretty tree-lined street, close to the lake, each house charming and different and all I could think was: "this would be a great place to trick-or-treat." Luckily, I got a ride home from a fellow student who also lives in the city afterward, though, otherwise it probably would have taken me a few days to get back to my place since the express trains stopped running by then.
I reviewed my anatomy notes last night in front of the debate. Edification from all sides.
But, I'm stoked for the weekend. I am going to check out the Reader to see if there's anything interesting for Des, Bryan, and myself to check out. I see that there's a Chicago run of the play "Matt and Ben" that's playing close to my house, so I might throw that out there.
In other exciting news, I just received my Chicago Plus card in the mail. It's like DC's Smart Trip card in that you only need to touch it to sensors to pass through, but this is even cooler because:
1.) For every $10 you add, you get a bonus $1
2.) You can add money online, and make it so whenever it gets low, it automatically charges from your account a specified amount.
3.) It also works for buses!
I'm slowly figuring out the bus system here, and it's pretty easy. Buses seem to go just straight up and down main thoroughfares, so you really can't get too lost.
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Hey hey hey
Copious amounts of thanks to Anne for this so, so awesome article on the adventures of the 500-pound bear known as Fat Albert. Apparently, he has recently been stealing chocolate and "tasty snacks" from a paralyzed man. That's pretty low, Fat Albert.
Copious amounts of thanks to Anne for this so, so awesome article on the adventures of the 500-pound bear known as Fat Albert. Apparently, he has recently been stealing chocolate and "tasty snacks" from a paralyzed man. That's pretty low, Fat Albert.
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Catchup
So, yesterday, I was on campus from 8:45 a.m. till 10:15 at night! It was pretty intense. I had that huge break in the middle where I tried to crack down on Anatomy and get it together. Some cracking was done, but that shell is pretty thick. Anyhow, after my afternoon class I finally went and checked out the Northwestern gym, which--happily--is right beside my building. The facilities are pretty nice, but my favorite part is the indoor track. I ran on it yesterday and was totally pleased with it in that it has HUGE windows that look over the beach. A little treat for making another lap. You cannot argue that Evanston isn't pretty.
In the evening, the women in my track (people without SLP backgrounds) met for a potluck at the lovely apartment of one of the women in my department. There were about 10 of us there, and it was a good time since we see eachother all of the time, but none of us had gotten to know everyone in the entire group. There was wine and lots of good food, which made me like the people all the more in that they don't shirk potluck duties! Luckily, I got a ride home from another woman who lives in the city, because coming home after 10 on the trains probably would have taken me about three hours. Okay, not really...but almost.
This was my one morning where I could sleep in (no 9 a.m. Anatomy class), and it was lovely. I woke up late, did some email, did some reading, made some breakfast and generally feel well-rested and non-rushed. We had Anatomy lab today where we looked at what is my first cadaver. Sexy stuff.
But the best news of the day is that Des and Bryan are in Chicago as we speak and I will get to see them tonight! I can't wait. Also, I get them all weekend as well. All of the more incentive to get my work done during the day so I am free to play all weekend.
So, yesterday, I was on campus from 8:45 a.m. till 10:15 at night! It was pretty intense. I had that huge break in the middle where I tried to crack down on Anatomy and get it together. Some cracking was done, but that shell is pretty thick. Anyhow, after my afternoon class I finally went and checked out the Northwestern gym, which--happily--is right beside my building. The facilities are pretty nice, but my favorite part is the indoor track. I ran on it yesterday and was totally pleased with it in that it has HUGE windows that look over the beach. A little treat for making another lap. You cannot argue that Evanston isn't pretty.
In the evening, the women in my track (people without SLP backgrounds) met for a potluck at the lovely apartment of one of the women in my department. There were about 10 of us there, and it was a good time since we see eachother all of the time, but none of us had gotten to know everyone in the entire group. There was wine and lots of good food, which made me like the people all the more in that they don't shirk potluck duties! Luckily, I got a ride home from another woman who lives in the city, because coming home after 10 on the trains probably would have taken me about three hours. Okay, not really...but almost.
This was my one morning where I could sleep in (no 9 a.m. Anatomy class), and it was lovely. I woke up late, did some email, did some reading, made some breakfast and generally feel well-rested and non-rushed. We had Anatomy lab today where we looked at what is my first cadaver. Sexy stuff.
But the best news of the day is that Des and Bryan are in Chicago as we speak and I will get to see them tonight! I can't wait. Also, I get them all weekend as well. All of the more incentive to get my work done during the day so I am free to play all weekend.
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
"Studying"
I'm cruising into the first half hour of my five-hour break between classes right now. I am going to study, I promise, and have all of the appropriate materials available to do so, but am more inclined right now to sit here at the computer and goof off.
So last night I went to see Jenny and Brendan perform at Second City--they tour most of the time but once a month they're back in Chicago to do a home show. It was a packed house and a lot of fun. By the time I got home, though, I had to crawl into bed and it was about midnight. I slept like the dead, y'all. It was lovely, not in the least because I had washed my sheets that afternoon.
It's cool and windy in Chicago today. Apparently the rest of the week is going to be warmer, but today feels like a late fall day. I sleep by an open window but the wind woke me up last night, it was so strong. It was buffeting me, yo. Anyway, I dig the cooler weather visit and like wearing a coat and a scarf and bundling a little...just as long as there's the promise of warm weather around the corner.
My Lord, these fricking posts are dull as nails. No, I don't expect anyone to protest, I totally understand that they are. I was so bored my first weeks here when I had nothing to do, but now that I have everything to do, I'm at wit's end. There's no pleasing me. Anyway, that is all to say that I am sapped of energy by the end of it all and can't pump out anything close to scintillating in these posts.
I'm cruising into the first half hour of my five-hour break between classes right now. I am going to study, I promise, and have all of the appropriate materials available to do so, but am more inclined right now to sit here at the computer and goof off.
So last night I went to see Jenny and Brendan perform at Second City--they tour most of the time but once a month they're back in Chicago to do a home show. It was a packed house and a lot of fun. By the time I got home, though, I had to crawl into bed and it was about midnight. I slept like the dead, y'all. It was lovely, not in the least because I had washed my sheets that afternoon.
It's cool and windy in Chicago today. Apparently the rest of the week is going to be warmer, but today feels like a late fall day. I sleep by an open window but the wind woke me up last night, it was so strong. It was buffeting me, yo. Anyway, I dig the cooler weather visit and like wearing a coat and a scarf and bundling a little...just as long as there's the promise of warm weather around the corner.
My Lord, these fricking posts are dull as nails. No, I don't expect anyone to protest, I totally understand that they are. I was so bored my first weeks here when I had nothing to do, but now that I have everything to do, I'm at wit's end. There's no pleasing me. Anyway, that is all to say that I am sapped of energy by the end of it all and can't pump out anything close to scintillating in these posts.
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Reason Chicago is great, #431
Beachfront picnics! I went today with a couple of women from my old workplace from here and we spread out some towels, some stuff to nosh on and some drinks and we whiled away the afternoon by the water. It was beautiful. Chicago weather may be nice only a portion of the year, but people really appreciate it while the getting's good. It was a nice, long, event-filled Sunday, and it's only 8:30 right now. I love it!
Beachfront picnics! I went today with a couple of women from my old workplace from here and we spread out some towels, some stuff to nosh on and some drinks and we whiled away the afternoon by the water. It was beautiful. Chicago weather may be nice only a portion of the year, but people really appreciate it while the getting's good. It was a nice, long, event-filled Sunday, and it's only 8:30 right now. I love it!
Saturday, September 25, 2004
Don't go to the Dunkin Donuts on North Clark and Belmont
(unless you get the nice manager)
I had gone there a couple of weeks ago and try to buy some coffee beans, and attempted to use my checkcard. After some shenanigans--the employees couldn't seem to get the credit card machine to work and kept on swiping and swiping--it ended up being a fruitless expedition, since I had no cash on me. So I just replaced the bag of coffee and went on my merry way.
I received my bank statement today and sure enough there were FIVE charges from Dunkin Donuts on my statement from that one day. Jeebus! I promptly marched over there and asked to speak to the manager. I ended up having to talk to some clueless employees in the meantime, until finally I talked to the woman in charge. The story has a happy ending since she was gracious, properly contrite and quickly credited my card with the charges. Quelle hassle, though!
I'm about to sit down at some point soon and do some reading. But it's much more appealing to sit here and watch reruns of MTV's "Made." Have I watched all of these before? Do you even need to ask?
(unless you get the nice manager)
I had gone there a couple of weeks ago and try to buy some coffee beans, and attempted to use my checkcard. After some shenanigans--the employees couldn't seem to get the credit card machine to work and kept on swiping and swiping--it ended up being a fruitless expedition, since I had no cash on me. So I just replaced the bag of coffee and went on my merry way.
I received my bank statement today and sure enough there were FIVE charges from Dunkin Donuts on my statement from that one day. Jeebus! I promptly marched over there and asked to speak to the manager. I ended up having to talk to some clueless employees in the meantime, until finally I talked to the woman in charge. The story has a happy ending since she was gracious, properly contrite and quickly credited my card with the charges. Quelle hassle, though!
I'm about to sit down at some point soon and do some reading. But it's much more appealing to sit here and watch reruns of MTV's "Made." Have I watched all of these before? Do you even need to ask?
Friday, September 24, 2004
Countdown to the Weekend
The countdown is in full effect! I have one more class left, occuring in 45 minutes time, and I'm looking forward to a night out with some women who worked at my old organization. Thank the Lord.
These classes make me feel like I'm poking and prodding my brain. It's been awhile and I'm trying to get that thing back in shape, or just less lardy than it has become. It's interesting to be in school while completely motivated, though. An interesting experience...
This post is pretty much useless but I figure that it's better than nothing.
The countdown is in full effect! I have one more class left, occuring in 45 minutes time, and I'm looking forward to a night out with some women who worked at my old organization. Thank the Lord.
These classes make me feel like I'm poking and prodding my brain. It's been awhile and I'm trying to get that thing back in shape, or just less lardy than it has become. It's interesting to be in school while completely motivated, though. An interesting experience...
This post is pretty much useless but I figure that it's better than nothing.
Thursday, September 23, 2004
Many, many hours at Evanston
First of all, thanks to everyone for the suggestions in terms of where to buy cheaper books. I will check out all of the options.
Today I had two classes and an MA-SLP meeting. The thing is, the way that my schedule works out is that I have a class that ends at 10 in the morning and then not another class till three in the afternoon on two days of the week. That is a frick load of time to kill. I have hopes that in the next few weeks, I'll use this time to do some studying and get some work done. The good news is that there is a library that is full of light and quiet right next to our building. Since I didn't have anything to do today, I used part of my empty time to check out the main library on campus (huge, y'all), and then the second part of the time I joined a fellow SLP student to a trip to the mall to walk around. Surreal field trip!
I am wiped out, though, so I'm going to watch my programs tonight and then pass the heck out.
First of all, thanks to everyone for the suggestions in terms of where to buy cheaper books. I will check out all of the options.
Today I had two classes and an MA-SLP meeting. The thing is, the way that my schedule works out is that I have a class that ends at 10 in the morning and then not another class till three in the afternoon on two days of the week. That is a frick load of time to kill. I have hopes that in the next few weeks, I'll use this time to do some studying and get some work done. The good news is that there is a library that is full of light and quiet right next to our building. Since I didn't have anything to do today, I used part of my empty time to check out the main library on campus (huge, y'all), and then the second part of the time I joined a fellow SLP student to a trip to the mall to walk around. Surreal field trip!
I am wiped out, though, so I'm going to watch my programs tonight and then pass the heck out.
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Shiny Apples
Today was the first day of school! I had one class. But I also went to buy books (the price of my first-born child, I don't want to talk about it), attended the department's Annual Research Forum (of which I understood approximately 9%), partook in the department's luncheon, and then finally attended class. Today's class was Language Development, which I think is going to be pretty interesting--a focus on how kids pick up language. I'm actually pretty excited about the content and think that if I were to focus on any area in the field, it would be this one.
Okay, so I didn't want to talk about what the books cost, but I do have to tell you how much the bookstore was charging for notebooks (I didn't purchase any, but I was slack-jawed at the sight of the sign). For a one-subject notebook: $4.98. For a three-subject notebook: $9.98. Yes, you saw that right. $9.98!!!!!! Jeebus help us all.
It galls me to pay full-price for anything. I found out that I can return the books I bought today by 9/29 for a full refund, so I'm going to scout around online to see if I can find some better deals. I did some looking today for one book that they're out of until next week, and the price was comparable on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and even Wal-Mart. Anyone have any good suggestions of places to check out?
Today was the first day of school! I had one class. But I also went to buy books (the price of my first-born child, I don't want to talk about it), attended the department's Annual Research Forum (of which I understood approximately 9%), partook in the department's luncheon, and then finally attended class. Today's class was Language Development, which I think is going to be pretty interesting--a focus on how kids pick up language. I'm actually pretty excited about the content and think that if I were to focus on any area in the field, it would be this one.
Okay, so I didn't want to talk about what the books cost, but I do have to tell you how much the bookstore was charging for notebooks (I didn't purchase any, but I was slack-jawed at the sight of the sign). For a one-subject notebook: $4.98. For a three-subject notebook: $9.98. Yes, you saw that right. $9.98!!!!!! Jeebus help us all.
It galls me to pay full-price for anything. I found out that I can return the books I bought today by 9/29 for a full refund, so I'm going to scout around online to see if I can find some better deals. I did some looking today for one book that they're out of until next week, and the price was comparable on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and even Wal-Mart. Anyone have any good suggestions of places to check out?
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
A Chat with My Little Brother
Chat occured online at 8:10 Central Time, while Erik was "doing homework."
k: Which room are you in now?
e: guest room right next to the bathroom
k: also
e: i tried buying somezebra print satin sheets
e: but mom got mad at me when she found out they were satin
k: HA
k: That is so hilarious.
e: so she cancelled my order literally 10 minutes after
e: man
e: i want some zebra print sooo badly
The sheets in question.
Chat occured online at 8:10 Central Time, while Erik was "doing homework."
k: Which room are you in now?
e: guest room right next to the bathroom
k: also
e: i tried buying somezebra print satin sheets
e: but mom got mad at me when she found out they were satin
k: HA
k: That is so hilarious.
e: so she cancelled my order literally 10 minutes after
e: man
e: i want some zebra print sooo badly
The sheets in question.
Second City Neighborhood Tour Pictures
Okay, I finally managed to download those pictures from the Second City Tour.
First of all, I went with Jenny to pick up some stuff from Second City before the tour, and took this picture. Brendan was on the main stage this past weekend! How exciting is that?
Here is a picture of Jenny in action. Check out how many people are there. It was a full tour. Here is a shot of Jenny in front of some public art. The guy who created those, John Kearney (I think) is the Chicago artist who also has stuff on each side of our little street (giraffes on one side and a billygoat on the other). I haven't yet been to Oz Park, but there is a big Tin Man there that is also a Kearney piece.
Here is one and two shots of the Old Town neighborhood. Way cute, right?
Okay, I finally managed to download those pictures from the Second City Tour.
First of all, I went with Jenny to pick up some stuff from Second City before the tour, and took this picture. Brendan was on the main stage this past weekend! How exciting is that?
Here is a picture of Jenny in action. Check out how many people are there. It was a full tour. Here is a shot of Jenny in front of some public art. The guy who created those, John Kearney (I think) is the Chicago artist who also has stuff on each side of our little street (giraffes on one side and a billygoat on the other). I haven't yet been to Oz Park, but there is a big Tin Man there that is also a Kearney piece.
Here is one and two shots of the Old Town neighborhood. Way cute, right?
Day Deux of Orientation
Last night I got about ten hours of sleep. It was truly magical, folks. See, I had stayed up late on Sunday night and shared a lot of wine with Jenny and Amie, so all of yesterday I was in this totally wiped out state. It's amazing what a little sleep can do for you.
Today I met with my two advisors (one academic, one clinical--fancy!) and we sketched out my course plan for my entire time here. I was glad to see that rather than being here for 2.5 years, I only need to be here for 2.25 years in order to complete my degree. Yay! This entire quarter is going to spent doing under-grad pre-reqs. There was this whole boondoggle since the system wouldn't allow me to register for one of the classes, since that class is listed as only undergraduate level. I had to chase down advisors to fill out appropriate forms, cross campus to the Graduate School building to get a signature and then finally take it to the registrar for another signature and left it there with the hope that they'll take care of it all.
Through this whole hassle, I met four or five other women who are taking my exact same class schedule since they are also without undergraduate degrees in the area. I am very happy to report that each and every one of these women were very friendly and seemed interesting so I will have good company.
Classes start tomorrow, and I'll have classes every day of the week, some days more loaded than others. The good news is that with this schedule, except for one trip, every other trip will operate during express train hours which cuts my commute down my about half. This afternoon I went to Evanston when the express train wasn't going and it took me about an hour and 15 minutes. I know. BUT, I came home during rush hour so my commute was about 45 minutes. Much more handleable.
I'm going to fix some dinner here and then settle in for the finale of TAR. Yahoo!
Last night I got about ten hours of sleep. It was truly magical, folks. See, I had stayed up late on Sunday night and shared a lot of wine with Jenny and Amie, so all of yesterday I was in this totally wiped out state. It's amazing what a little sleep can do for you.
Today I met with my two advisors (one academic, one clinical--fancy!) and we sketched out my course plan for my entire time here. I was glad to see that rather than being here for 2.5 years, I only need to be here for 2.25 years in order to complete my degree. Yay! This entire quarter is going to spent doing under-grad pre-reqs. There was this whole boondoggle since the system wouldn't allow me to register for one of the classes, since that class is listed as only undergraduate level. I had to chase down advisors to fill out appropriate forms, cross campus to the Graduate School building to get a signature and then finally take it to the registrar for another signature and left it there with the hope that they'll take care of it all.
Through this whole hassle, I met four or five other women who are taking my exact same class schedule since they are also without undergraduate degrees in the area. I am very happy to report that each and every one of these women were very friendly and seemed interesting so I will have good company.
Classes start tomorrow, and I'll have classes every day of the week, some days more loaded than others. The good news is that with this schedule, except for one trip, every other trip will operate during express train hours which cuts my commute down my about half. This afternoon I went to Evanston when the express train wasn't going and it took me about an hour and 15 minutes. I know. BUT, I came home during rush hour so my commute was about 45 minutes. Much more handleable.
I'm going to fix some dinner here and then settle in for the finale of TAR. Yahoo!
Monday, September 20, 2004
Tours and More Orientation
I just got back from my first department orientation for the SLP Master's students. Some observations:
1.) There are a lot of women up in that piece. Out of like 30 people, there is one man.
2.) I felt very, very old. There were so many people who just graduated! Oh my God. I remember back in college we used to refer to the "mature students." I think I am one now. Oh my God.
3.) I have a buttload of classes that I need to take before I graduate. I have to take the ordinary curriculum as well as the pre-reqs. I knew this before going in, and it would be the same with any of the programs I chose, but just scanning the courses today made me very tired. Tomorrow I meet with my advisors to choose the exact classes that I'll register for this quarter. Classes should start on Thursday.
Anyway, I got my student ID today and turned in some forms at the health center and am quite pleased to have that out of the way.
Yesterday, I tagged along with Jenny while she did the Second City Neighborhood tour. It was cool: they partner with the Chicago Historical Society and the tour guides take people throught the Old Town area, and give history of both the area and Second City's ties to it. It was a stunning day and the area if ridiculously adorable: there are tons of little bungalows on these tree-lined streets. I took some photos, but for some reason am having a heck of time downloading them. I'll add them as soon as I can get them on the computer.
I just got back from my first department orientation for the SLP Master's students. Some observations:
1.) There are a lot of women up in that piece. Out of like 30 people, there is one man.
2.) I felt very, very old. There were so many people who just graduated! Oh my God. I remember back in college we used to refer to the "mature students." I think I am one now. Oh my God.
3.) I have a buttload of classes that I need to take before I graduate. I have to take the ordinary curriculum as well as the pre-reqs. I knew this before going in, and it would be the same with any of the programs I chose, but just scanning the courses today made me very tired. Tomorrow I meet with my advisors to choose the exact classes that I'll register for this quarter. Classes should start on Thursday.
Anyway, I got my student ID today and turned in some forms at the health center and am quite pleased to have that out of the way.
Yesterday, I tagged along with Jenny while she did the Second City Neighborhood tour. It was cool: they partner with the Chicago Historical Society and the tour guides take people throught the Old Town area, and give history of both the area and Second City's ties to it. It was a stunning day and the area if ridiculously adorable: there are tons of little bungalows on these tree-lined streets. I took some photos, but for some reason am having a heck of time downloading them. I'll add them as soon as I can get them on the computer.
Saturday, September 18, 2004
Nields Night
I was flipping through the Chicago Reader, Chicago's free weekly, last night. Let me just say that the Reader is hands-down the best free weekly I've ever seen. There are several sections and they are chock full of everything that is going on in the city that week along with pages and pages of rentals, sales, etc. This week they had an entire spread by one of my favorite artists, Chris Ware. I am very impressed.
Anyway, I saw that Katrina and Nerissa Nields were playing at what looked like a bar close to me tonight. I found my way tonight to a neighborhood bar called Schuba's Tavern. Their back room is a nice, cozy venue that is all wood and high ceilings and looks like it's part of a church or something. I'm so glad that I went. I play the hell out of the one Nields cd that I have. Tonight, they were high energy and their playlist ran the gamut from slow and melodic to strummy and fun. They also accepted requests, besides doing their new stuff. Plus, they were so nice that after the show ended, Katrina Nields (very, very pregnant) stood there, greeted and shook hands with everyone as they filed out (there was probably something like 50 people in the audience). I love folk singers.
Let me also say a huge thank you to Don, in case he reads the blog all the way from Armenia. He had passed along his Lonely Planet Chicago before he left, and that this is my bible. I don't leave the house without it, and the maps are priceless to me. Anne can vouch as while she was here that I clutched it endlessly. Plus, they even had Schuba's Tavern marked out in one of their maps, so it made it all the easier for me.
I was flipping through the Chicago Reader, Chicago's free weekly, last night. Let me just say that the Reader is hands-down the best free weekly I've ever seen. There are several sections and they are chock full of everything that is going on in the city that week along with pages and pages of rentals, sales, etc. This week they had an entire spread by one of my favorite artists, Chris Ware. I am very impressed.
Anyway, I saw that Katrina and Nerissa Nields were playing at what looked like a bar close to me tonight. I found my way tonight to a neighborhood bar called Schuba's Tavern. Their back room is a nice, cozy venue that is all wood and high ceilings and looks like it's part of a church or something. I'm so glad that I went. I play the hell out of the one Nields cd that I have. Tonight, they were high energy and their playlist ran the gamut from slow and melodic to strummy and fun. They also accepted requests, besides doing their new stuff. Plus, they were so nice that after the show ended, Katrina Nields (very, very pregnant) stood there, greeted and shook hands with everyone as they filed out (there was probably something like 50 people in the audience). I love folk singers.
Let me also say a huge thank you to Don, in case he reads the blog all the way from Armenia. He had passed along his Lonely Planet Chicago before he left, and that this is my bible. I don't leave the house without it, and the maps are priceless to me. Anne can vouch as while she was here that I clutched it endlessly. Plus, they even had Schuba's Tavern marked out in one of their maps, so it made it all the easier for me.
Thursday, September 16, 2004
So Unfortunate
One of my duties in this three day stint is to handle the front desk while the receptionist is off to lunch. It's a pretty low-key job since there are no divas in the organization--you just zap people right through to people's extensions when they call, no checking out who they are first. Of course there are always a few bumps when you don't really know the office that well. Today, someone called for a volunteer who wasn't listed on the phone list, so I told them that they had the wrong number. They were confused, I was confused, and they hung up before someone came out after they heard my exchange and told me that person was a volunteer and actually in the office. Luckily the caller called right back and I was able to patch them through to the right extension. I went ahead and made a note to myself that this volunteer was sitting at that number. It wasn't until I got up to leave that I noticed what their name was...and I couldn't believe that I didn't suspect that it might have been a prank. Crazily, it wasn't.
My note to myself read:
Mo Lester
x 3467
I can't believe that's a real name. And that I was pretty much screaming it throughout the office.
One of my duties in this three day stint is to handle the front desk while the receptionist is off to lunch. It's a pretty low-key job since there are no divas in the organization--you just zap people right through to people's extensions when they call, no checking out who they are first. Of course there are always a few bumps when you don't really know the office that well. Today, someone called for a volunteer who wasn't listed on the phone list, so I told them that they had the wrong number. They were confused, I was confused, and they hung up before someone came out after they heard my exchange and told me that person was a volunteer and actually in the office. Luckily the caller called right back and I was able to patch them through to the right extension. I went ahead and made a note to myself that this volunteer was sitting at that number. It wasn't until I got up to leave that I noticed what their name was...and I couldn't believe that I didn't suspect that it might have been a prank. Crazily, it wasn't.
My note to myself read:
Mo Lester
x 3467
I can't believe that's a real name. And that I was pretty much screaming it throughout the office.
Hilarious
Slate reports the best parts of Kitty Kelly's book on the Bush Family. Best reading material of the day, hands-down.
Slate reports the best parts of Kitty Kelly's book on the Bush Family. Best reading material of the day, hands-down.
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Waging and Slaving
So I just finished Day One of my stint for the ES HQ here in Chicago. It was a smooth, busy experience. It was easier for everyone all around since I knew who everyone was, still had access to my Outlook account, and was relatively clued in to how the system worked. It was nice to come home feeling that I have some money coming in, however paltry the amount may be.
I liked doing the morning commute, since I felt like I was pretending to be a Chicago commuter. I also enjoyed the pleasures of the much less crowded Brown line which goes around the Loop, rather than crowding my ass onto the packed Red Line (maybe all red lines are crazy). Since the ride is all elevated (hence, the "el"), it's a nice little sight seeing experience. The downtown skyline is something else. I also love passing through the various neighborhoods and peeking into the windows and over people's porches.
A nice thing about the El: every ride is apparently $1.75, no matter what time of day or how far you're going. I may be wrong about this, but I don't think so. Also, if you put certain amounts of your card, you get some bonus cash--the pot-sweetener that DC Metro used to do but abolished last year since they're so in the hole all the time.
Jenny took me last night to an official welcome dinner at this Thai restaurant in our neighborhood. It was so great and also cheap (everything appeared to be under $7). And also BYOB! I love that! I apparently love exclamation marks too!!!!
So I just finished Day One of my stint for the ES HQ here in Chicago. It was a smooth, busy experience. It was easier for everyone all around since I knew who everyone was, still had access to my Outlook account, and was relatively clued in to how the system worked. It was nice to come home feeling that I have some money coming in, however paltry the amount may be.
I liked doing the morning commute, since I felt like I was pretending to be a Chicago commuter. I also enjoyed the pleasures of the much less crowded Brown line which goes around the Loop, rather than crowding my ass onto the packed Red Line (maybe all red lines are crazy). Since the ride is all elevated (hence, the "el"), it's a nice little sight seeing experience. The downtown skyline is something else. I also love passing through the various neighborhoods and peeking into the windows and over people's porches.
A nice thing about the El: every ride is apparently $1.75, no matter what time of day or how far you're going. I may be wrong about this, but I don't think so. Also, if you put certain amounts of your card, you get some bonus cash--the pot-sweetener that DC Metro used to do but abolished last year since they're so in the hole all the time.
Jenny took me last night to an official welcome dinner at this Thai restaurant in our neighborhood. It was so great and also cheap (everything appeared to be under $7). And also BYOB! I love that! I apparently love exclamation marks too!!!!
Monday, September 13, 2004
Orientating
Today I went to the new grad student orientation. It was very helpful, and thankfully I was not forced to participate in any icebreaker-gettoknowyou games, although I did hear about the threat of them happening. I found answers to stuff that I was wondering about and got to eyeball other new students, although I didn't meet anyone from my actual program--that will be for next week. Anyway, tomorrow will be one of my last days of nothing, and I'm going to enjoy it for once. I'm going to do laundry and clean and putter and I'm psyched about it.
Many thanks for Clarence and Jonathan for the cool Chicago map that they sent.
Many thanks as well to Des and Bryan for the cd full of their wedding photos: a little taste of home!
Today I went to the new grad student orientation. It was very helpful, and thankfully I was not forced to participate in any icebreaker-gettoknowyou games, although I did hear about the threat of them happening. I found answers to stuff that I was wondering about and got to eyeball other new students, although I didn't meet anyone from my actual program--that will be for next week. Anyway, tomorrow will be one of my last days of nothing, and I'm going to enjoy it for once. I'm going to do laundry and clean and putter and I'm psyched about it.
Many thanks for Clarence and Jonathan for the cool Chicago map that they sent.
Many thanks as well to Des and Bryan for the cd full of their wedding photos: a little taste of home!
Sunday, September 12, 2004
Poppycock
Last night I tagged along with Kevin to see Jessica's show "Welcome to Poppycock." Jessica recently went through the Second City Improv courses. She and her friend wrote a show and the theater accepted it so they are putting it on Saturdays in September. The show was great, and I was so very proud of Jessica--the woman has a goal and then goes out and accomplishes it. I was also very impressed by Jessica's mom who I had met exactly one time back in 1996 and totally remembered my face and name. That woman is good.
Besides the show, the night's highlight was a story told by one of Jessica's friends who I sat next to. He is a seventh grade teacher in a wealthy school district here. He looked through the paper yesterday and he discovered an article about a student of his: this girl recently had a bat mitzvah that cost a cool $40,000. She had a Vera Wang gown and everything. You would think that was the whole story, right? No, it gets much better. The capper is that this girl is not EVEN JEWISH. She's Irish Catholic. Her mom threw her the bat mitzvah because this girl felt left out: her friends were all having them but she was not.
How awesome is that?
Last night I tagged along with Kevin to see Jessica's show "Welcome to Poppycock." Jessica recently went through the Second City Improv courses. She and her friend wrote a show and the theater accepted it so they are putting it on Saturdays in September. The show was great, and I was so very proud of Jessica--the woman has a goal and then goes out and accomplishes it. I was also very impressed by Jessica's mom who I had met exactly one time back in 1996 and totally remembered my face and name. That woman is good.
Besides the show, the night's highlight was a story told by one of Jessica's friends who I sat next to. He is a seventh grade teacher in a wealthy school district here. He looked through the paper yesterday and he discovered an article about a student of his: this girl recently had a bat mitzvah that cost a cool $40,000. She had a Vera Wang gown and everything. You would think that was the whole story, right? No, it gets much better. The capper is that this girl is not EVEN JEWISH. She's Irish Catholic. Her mom threw her the bat mitzvah because this girl felt left out: her friends were all having them but she was not.
How awesome is that?
Saturday, September 11, 2004
Saturday
I just remembered that I can get the acclaimed WBEZ NPR station here (home of "This American Life"), and turned it on this morning. Excellent stuff.
Last night I watched my pirated version of "Fahreinheit 9/11," which was good but lost some of its power as it was recorded in a theater, so there would be moments of blackness when people stood up and went to the bathroom. Plus, it was just kind of a bummer. It occured to me as I was watching the footage of 9/11 that today would make it the three year anniversary. I can't believe that time goes by so quickly.
Before I watched the movie, I sat down and read through "Persepolis," a graphic autobiographical novel about a Iranian woman's childhood during the Islamic revolution. It's pretty great, and moving enough that I shed some tears at the end. The sequel has recently come out, and the author is speaking at a Chicago bookstore on Monday night. I am going to try to find my way there but it happens to piggyback closely the one thing I have to do next week--the grad school orientation in Evanston. Let's hope that I can swing it.
I just remembered that I can get the acclaimed WBEZ NPR station here (home of "This American Life"), and turned it on this morning. Excellent stuff.
Last night I watched my pirated version of "Fahreinheit 9/11," which was good but lost some of its power as it was recorded in a theater, so there would be moments of blackness when people stood up and went to the bathroom. Plus, it was just kind of a bummer. It occured to me as I was watching the footage of 9/11 that today would make it the three year anniversary. I can't believe that time goes by so quickly.
Before I watched the movie, I sat down and read through "Persepolis," a graphic autobiographical novel about a Iranian woman's childhood during the Islamic revolution. It's pretty great, and moving enough that I shed some tears at the end. The sequel has recently come out, and the author is speaking at a Chicago bookstore on Monday night. I am going to try to find my way there but it happens to piggyback closely the one thing I have to do next week--the grad school orientation in Evanston. Let's hope that I can swing it.
Friday, September 10, 2004
Celebrity Sighting!
..Not mine, though. Grace just called me from the streets of Georgetown because she just ran into a celebrity. Who was it, you ask? EMMANUEL LEWIS!!!! Aka, Webster. Vroom-vroom was getting out a cab when apparently Webster asked if the cabdriver knew where the Baby Gap was. Grace ended up walking beside Manny and asked him if he was indeed Emmanuel Lewis. He confirmed that he was, and she then told him that she loved Webster when she was kid. Apparently, he was very gracious. I envy Grace's ability to run into celebrities at every turn, even in DC! Grace, you should totally write into Wonkette.
..Not mine, though. Grace just called me from the streets of Georgetown because she just ran into a celebrity. Who was it, you ask? EMMANUEL LEWIS!!!! Aka, Webster. Vroom-vroom was getting out a cab when apparently Webster asked if the cabdriver knew where the Baby Gap was. Grace ended up walking beside Manny and asked him if he was indeed Emmanuel Lewis. He confirmed that he was, and she then told him that she loved Webster when she was kid. Apparently, he was very gracious. I envy Grace's ability to run into celebrities at every turn, even in DC! Grace, you should totally write into Wonkette.
Download this
Cindy's band, Full Minute of Mercury, has a song available for download at Washington Post.com
Click here to download it.
They are trying to win song of the week, so download, download, download!
Cindy's band, Full Minute of Mercury, has a song available for download at Washington Post.com
Click here to download it.
They are trying to win song of the week, so download, download, download!
Thursday, September 09, 2004
Art Institute & Apartments
I spent the afternoon today wandering around the Art Institute, which is a great museum. It is HUGE and seems to be almost the size of the National Gallery in DC and they're stacked full of stuff. I discovered that as a Chicago resident, you pay $9 for the entry fee, instead of the usual $12. Score!
Afterward, I strolled through Millenium Park again and read through all of their 1,000 Family placards in which they photograph different families throughout the world. Very fascinating. Here is one that I particularly enjoyed. You can't really read what the caption is on Ofoto, it reads this:
Massaro, Cameroon
They only agreed to pose for us so that they could look at the Polaroid afterwards. The Bororo are definitely people who are out of the ordinary; the young men wear makeup, style their hair and dress extremely stylishly. If they build their huts close to a town, it's so they can take the milk from their zebus to the market (women's work), as well as buy makeup, stroll hand in hand and look at themselves in the rear view mirrors of the rare vehicles (men's work).
I also finally uploaded some pictures of the precious apartment onto Ofoto. Here's the dining room, the kitchen (my favorite), the living room, and my messy bedroom. Check out the butter yellow walls of the bedroom, how awesome are they? The day that we moved in, I tugged on the curtains and managed to rip off the curtain rod that had been glued up there (because I am such a pillar of strength, you know). Anne suggested getting a tension rod, and sure enough I found one at the Ace Hardware down the street and paid a sweet $6 for the pleasure. If you look again at the picture of the bedroom, you can see that the curtains are hanging nicely.
You know, another thing that I love about this neighborhood is how walkable everything is. There are two grocery stores nearby, and every possible store that you might need within a couple of mile radius. I would be happier if Trader Joe's were next door, but I can still get there, and that's all that matter. Btw, oddly enough, the roasted garlic hummus from the Trader Joe's here in Chicago tastes a bit different from the one that I frequented in Virginia.
I spent the afternoon today wandering around the Art Institute, which is a great museum. It is HUGE and seems to be almost the size of the National Gallery in DC and they're stacked full of stuff. I discovered that as a Chicago resident, you pay $9 for the entry fee, instead of the usual $12. Score!
Afterward, I strolled through Millenium Park again and read through all of their 1,000 Family placards in which they photograph different families throughout the world. Very fascinating. Here is one that I particularly enjoyed. You can't really read what the caption is on Ofoto, it reads this:
Massaro, Cameroon
They only agreed to pose for us so that they could look at the Polaroid afterwards. The Bororo are definitely people who are out of the ordinary; the young men wear makeup, style their hair and dress extremely stylishly. If they build their huts close to a town, it's so they can take the milk from their zebus to the market (women's work), as well as buy makeup, stroll hand in hand and look at themselves in the rear view mirrors of the rare vehicles (men's work).
I also finally uploaded some pictures of the precious apartment onto Ofoto. Here's the dining room, the kitchen (my favorite), the living room, and my messy bedroom. Check out the butter yellow walls of the bedroom, how awesome are they? The day that we moved in, I tugged on the curtains and managed to rip off the curtain rod that had been glued up there (because I am such a pillar of strength, you know). Anne suggested getting a tension rod, and sure enough I found one at the Ace Hardware down the street and paid a sweet $6 for the pleasure. If you look again at the picture of the bedroom, you can see that the curtains are hanging nicely.
You know, another thing that I love about this neighborhood is how walkable everything is. There are two grocery stores nearby, and every possible store that you might need within a couple of mile radius. I would be happier if Trader Joe's were next door, but I can still get there, and that's all that matter. Btw, oddly enough, the roasted garlic hummus from the Trader Joe's here in Chicago tastes a bit different from the one that I frequented in Virginia.
Sixth Day
Here it is on Thursday, which is about a week since I've left. It's vacation time before things get started with orientations and classes, so I'm trying to take advantage of this time to get more settled and to check out the city a little more.
Anne left yesterday afternoon, which was very sad, and more lonesome-making. I know this is a phase that will pass once things get heated up with classes, and it's an inevitable part of moving to a new place, but it's always slightly uncomfortable getting settled in.
But, to give a report--Anne arranged for tickets for us to see the Cubs on Tuesday night, so we walked over the Wrigley to watch the Cubs play the Expos. I don't know much about baseball (at one point, I asked Anne who we were "voting for"), albeit more than football, but I got into it, mostly because the crowd made for a very communal experience. The game went into twelve innings, and we left at the beginning of the last one since it was late and we were getting chilly (it's windy up in those stands, yo). I took some photos of the game. Here is an action shot of the game. Here's a shot of the scoreboard when we left.
Tuesday morning we took the El to Evanston to check out Northwestern's campus and to figure out where my department building is. Evanston pulled out all the stops for us that day, since the weather was hands-down stunning. It was breezy, crisp, and sunny, and Northwestern's campus is huge and lovely. It's right on the lake. I took some shots, and you can see the album here. Here's a shot of the lake right outside the University Center (or whatever it's called). Here's a shot of what one of the buildings looks like. We took this shot of the seal in the sidewalk pavement made by the paving companies. We saw these all over Chicago, and it's a neat sign of the pride people seem to take in the city. I'm pretty excited about the department since we peeked into the building and what we saw of the facilities took pretty great.
Yesterday morning, we went strolling along the lake. The lake path is a couple of blocks away, and it's pretty fabulous. At one point, we stopped at one spot and enjoyed the buffeting wind and the expansive view of the water. Look at the view! Here are both Anne and myself being windblown.
Here is a shot of my street, North Elaine Place. It's in the Lakeview neighborhood, which is close to Wrigleyville and the lake. I love this little street since at one end, on each side of the street are enormous giraffe sculptures, apparently made out of car bumpers by a Chicago artist. On the other end of the street is a sculpture of a goat, also made out of bumpers. They are way cool. Here is a shot of our apartment's courtyard. Check out how adorable! The tree in the middle is laced with Christmas lights. There are also bunnies! Anne noted that this is definitely the place for me, since bunnies abound, and the bunny is my familiar.
Here it is on Thursday, which is about a week since I've left. It's vacation time before things get started with orientations and classes, so I'm trying to take advantage of this time to get more settled and to check out the city a little more.
Anne left yesterday afternoon, which was very sad, and more lonesome-making. I know this is a phase that will pass once things get heated up with classes, and it's an inevitable part of moving to a new place, but it's always slightly uncomfortable getting settled in.
But, to give a report--Anne arranged for tickets for us to see the Cubs on Tuesday night, so we walked over the Wrigley to watch the Cubs play the Expos. I don't know much about baseball (at one point, I asked Anne who we were "voting for"), albeit more than football, but I got into it, mostly because the crowd made for a very communal experience. The game went into twelve innings, and we left at the beginning of the last one since it was late and we were getting chilly (it's windy up in those stands, yo). I took some photos of the game. Here is an action shot of the game. Here's a shot of the scoreboard when we left.
Tuesday morning we took the El to Evanston to check out Northwestern's campus and to figure out where my department building is. Evanston pulled out all the stops for us that day, since the weather was hands-down stunning. It was breezy, crisp, and sunny, and Northwestern's campus is huge and lovely. It's right on the lake. I took some shots, and you can see the album here. Here's a shot of the lake right outside the University Center (or whatever it's called). Here's a shot of what one of the buildings looks like. We took this shot of the seal in the sidewalk pavement made by the paving companies. We saw these all over Chicago, and it's a neat sign of the pride people seem to take in the city. I'm pretty excited about the department since we peeked into the building and what we saw of the facilities took pretty great.
Yesterday morning, we went strolling along the lake. The lake path is a couple of blocks away, and it's pretty fabulous. At one point, we stopped at one spot and enjoyed the buffeting wind and the expansive view of the water. Look at the view! Here are both Anne and myself being windblown.
Here is a shot of my street, North Elaine Place. It's in the Lakeview neighborhood, which is close to Wrigleyville and the lake. I love this little street since at one end, on each side of the street are enormous giraffe sculptures, apparently made out of car bumpers by a Chicago artist. On the other end of the street is a sculpture of a goat, also made out of bumpers. They are way cool. Here is a shot of our apartment's courtyard. Check out how adorable! The tree in the middle is laced with Christmas lights. There are also bunnies! Anne noted that this is definitely the place for me, since bunnies abound, and the bunny is my familiar.
Monday, September 06, 2004
Photos from the first week in Chicago
I finally downloaded some photos from the Chicago move. I'll be taking more pictures later of the apartment and my street, but I wanted to get down some images that I have so far...
Here are a couple shots of Anne and myself driving the Penske.
Here is the Chicago skyline (the blocking done by Anne). That's one of the lions in from the Art Institute.
Here are Jenny and Amie who putzed around with us this morning.
Look at the rest of the album here.
I finally downloaded some photos from the Chicago move. I'll be taking more pictures later of the apartment and my street, but I wanted to get down some images that I have so far...
Here are a couple shots of Anne and myself driving the Penske.
Here is the Chicago skyline (the blocking done by Anne). That's one of the lions in from the Art Institute.
Here are Jenny and Amie who putzed around with us this morning.
Look at the rest of the album here.
Woo!
Okay, so I discovered that I can access wireless in our apartment. I'm sitting by the windows, in a comfortable wicker rocking chair and am quite happy to be online and connected once again. Awesome.
Yesterday was a successful touristy day. Anne and I took the El to Navy Pier (the El is very easy to navigate it seems, btw) and then took an hour-long architectural boat tour. It was very edifying and quite gorgeous. There are so many different buildings of different styles, and it is quite stunning. Then we got out, walked along Jackson street where we stumbled upon a Jazz festival, walked under the spray of Buckingham Fountain, and then strolled up Michigan Avenue, past Millenium (sp?) Park, and then rounded the corner to Marshall Fields.
Kevin took us out last night to two hot gay bars. Many, many well-sculpted men were present.
Now we are going to take a trip top Trader Joe's. wooo!
Okay, so I discovered that I can access wireless in our apartment. I'm sitting by the windows, in a comfortable wicker rocking chair and am quite happy to be online and connected once again. Awesome.
Yesterday was a successful touristy day. Anne and I took the El to Navy Pier (the El is very easy to navigate it seems, btw) and then took an hour-long architectural boat tour. It was very edifying and quite gorgeous. There are so many different buildings of different styles, and it is quite stunning. Then we got out, walked along Jackson street where we stumbled upon a Jazz festival, walked under the spray of Buckingham Fountain, and then strolled up Michigan Avenue, past Millenium (sp?) Park, and then rounded the corner to Marshall Fields.
Kevin took us out last night to two hot gay bars. Many, many well-sculpted men were present.
Now we are going to take a trip top Trader Joe's. wooo!
Sunday, September 05, 2004
Here!
Anne and I pulled into the neighborhood on Friday afternoon around four o'clock. Our drive to Chicago from Virginia was pretty smooth--we left on Thursday evening around six, and then drove three or four hours, stopping for the night in Morgantown, WV. Annie had given us an alternate route that avoids the Pennsylvania turnpike and all of the tolls, and this route was nothing short of amazing. There was very little traffic and the scenery was stunning...until you roll into Gary, IN which is a suckhole.
The Penske truck was astonishingly easy to drive, but luckily Anne agreed to drive the end of the trip when we rolled into Chicago. There, the stress started in. We followed the directions to get on Lake Shore Drive and were happily mired in traffic there, admiring the scenery, when a police tow truck dude pulls up next to us and admonishes us to get the hell off of Lake Shore because no trucks are allowed on it. I think he had good intentions since he said that if a policeman saw us, we would be sure to get a ticket. Whoops. We only had a few more miles to go on Lake Shore before exiting, so decided to stick it out those miles and try to stay clear of the tow truck guy's window during that time. We actually DID pass a policecar when we were almost off, but for some reason he didn't follow us and then we were homefree. Those were some tense miles, though.
We found the apartment without incident, doubleparked, turned on the hazards and unloaded the truck. That was great fun, as was expected. Anne deserves some kind of medal for being so good-natured throughout all of this, especially when we were trying to navigate my ultra-awkward dresser out of the truck, through the courtyard, up the stairs and around the stairwells and into the apartment. My shoulders are still a little sore from the moving, but that was the worst of it.
Let me just comment on the apartment and the neighborhood. The place is in the Lakeview/Boystown neighborhood and close to Wrigleyville and I am quite besotted with the surroundings here. The streets are vibrant with shops and cafes and coffee shops and cozy, stylish little bars. Outdoor seating is everywhere and people are out and about. It's a pretty self-contained area since there are a couple of grocery stores in walking distance and there are two accesible El stops. The apartment itself is wonderful and airy with huge windows, a spacious living room, dining room, and kitchen (with the best black and white checkered floors ever) and exposed brick walls. My bedroom is painted a light yellow color and I think will be quite great once I unpack and deal with hanging curtains up. Right now, I have boxes piled everywhere and am trying to unpack bit by bit, but am not quite as quick about it as I would like to be. I'll take some pictures to post at some point. Right now, I'm using Jenny's dial-up service (which feels ridiculously slow compared to cable and T-1 lines that I had been using the past couple of years), but we've discussed getting cable here so hopefully that will come to fruition.
Friday night we went out with Jenny and Brendan and some of their friends and proceeded to make a real night of it, coming back after two. I have no idea where we found the energy to do this, since we had been traveling since six in the morning, ET (five am central time) and had moved all of my worldly possessions out of a truck, across a courtyard, up stairs, and into my apartment. Saturday, Anne and I were both pretty dead to the world. We managed to return the truck that morning (long boring story there) but then spent the rest of the day lazing or walking around the neighborhood. We walked to the lake (which is like three blocks over, awesome) and walked along there until we crossed over to Lincoln Park, another hot neighborhood. Then we walked back home and then came back *again* to catch a movie (we saw the Metallica documentary, which is highly, highly recommended) and then back home again. I developed a couple of blisters, but it was good to get out and move around.
It hasn't sunk in that this is my new home, I still feel like I'm visiting. I know that it'll take about a month to get used to the idea and acclimate but right now it's very weird. I think because there are still several things I need to get sorted out before starting class and a real routine, so I feel like things are still up in the air. I am quite relieved to have gotten out here in one piece, though with no damage to the truck or ourselves. That challenge has been met and is over, thank God.
Today I think that we're going to go on an architectural boat tour and maybe a run on the lake path.
To sum up, the trip here was successful, Chicago is great so far, and I appreciate it but my head is still in the "wha' happened?" mode. I'll check in later using the dial-up, but I might need to go and find some place that offers wireless. Any suggestions on places that might offer it out there?
Anne and I pulled into the neighborhood on Friday afternoon around four o'clock. Our drive to Chicago from Virginia was pretty smooth--we left on Thursday evening around six, and then drove three or four hours, stopping for the night in Morgantown, WV. Annie had given us an alternate route that avoids the Pennsylvania turnpike and all of the tolls, and this route was nothing short of amazing. There was very little traffic and the scenery was stunning...until you roll into Gary, IN which is a suckhole.
The Penske truck was astonishingly easy to drive, but luckily Anne agreed to drive the end of the trip when we rolled into Chicago. There, the stress started in. We followed the directions to get on Lake Shore Drive and were happily mired in traffic there, admiring the scenery, when a police tow truck dude pulls up next to us and admonishes us to get the hell off of Lake Shore because no trucks are allowed on it. I think he had good intentions since he said that if a policeman saw us, we would be sure to get a ticket. Whoops. We only had a few more miles to go on Lake Shore before exiting, so decided to stick it out those miles and try to stay clear of the tow truck guy's window during that time. We actually DID pass a policecar when we were almost off, but for some reason he didn't follow us and then we were homefree. Those were some tense miles, though.
We found the apartment without incident, doubleparked, turned on the hazards and unloaded the truck. That was great fun, as was expected. Anne deserves some kind of medal for being so good-natured throughout all of this, especially when we were trying to navigate my ultra-awkward dresser out of the truck, through the courtyard, up the stairs and around the stairwells and into the apartment. My shoulders are still a little sore from the moving, but that was the worst of it.
Let me just comment on the apartment and the neighborhood. The place is in the Lakeview/Boystown neighborhood and close to Wrigleyville and I am quite besotted with the surroundings here. The streets are vibrant with shops and cafes and coffee shops and cozy, stylish little bars. Outdoor seating is everywhere and people are out and about. It's a pretty self-contained area since there are a couple of grocery stores in walking distance and there are two accesible El stops. The apartment itself is wonderful and airy with huge windows, a spacious living room, dining room, and kitchen (with the best black and white checkered floors ever) and exposed brick walls. My bedroom is painted a light yellow color and I think will be quite great once I unpack and deal with hanging curtains up. Right now, I have boxes piled everywhere and am trying to unpack bit by bit, but am not quite as quick about it as I would like to be. I'll take some pictures to post at some point. Right now, I'm using Jenny's dial-up service (which feels ridiculously slow compared to cable and T-1 lines that I had been using the past couple of years), but we've discussed getting cable here so hopefully that will come to fruition.
Friday night we went out with Jenny and Brendan and some of their friends and proceeded to make a real night of it, coming back after two. I have no idea where we found the energy to do this, since we had been traveling since six in the morning, ET (five am central time) and had moved all of my worldly possessions out of a truck, across a courtyard, up stairs, and into my apartment. Saturday, Anne and I were both pretty dead to the world. We managed to return the truck that morning (long boring story there) but then spent the rest of the day lazing or walking around the neighborhood. We walked to the lake (which is like three blocks over, awesome) and walked along there until we crossed over to Lincoln Park, another hot neighborhood. Then we walked back home and then came back *again* to catch a movie (we saw the Metallica documentary, which is highly, highly recommended) and then back home again. I developed a couple of blisters, but it was good to get out and move around.
It hasn't sunk in that this is my new home, I still feel like I'm visiting. I know that it'll take about a month to get used to the idea and acclimate but right now it's very weird. I think because there are still several things I need to get sorted out before starting class and a real routine, so I feel like things are still up in the air. I am quite relieved to have gotten out here in one piece, though with no damage to the truck or ourselves. That challenge has been met and is over, thank God.
Today I think that we're going to go on an architectural boat tour and maybe a run on the lake path.
To sum up, the trip here was successful, Chicago is great so far, and I appreciate it but my head is still in the "wha' happened?" mode. I'll check in later using the dial-up, but I might need to go and find some place that offers wireless. Any suggestions on places that might offer it out there?
Thursday, September 02, 2004
Downtime
Okay, the truck is all loaded up and I have about an hour to chill before I pick up the Annester and we start our trek. I'm happy to report that the truck took then less than two hours to fill. I'm going to lie on the couch motionless for a little while now. Before I do, t though, let me just say that the personnel at the Public Storage of Crystal City are crazy-ass slow. We got there this morning just on time at 10:30 a.m., but didn't get to leave till 11:15 since their printer was broken and the guy helping me had to painstakingly fill out everything verrry verrrry slowly. I felt my blood pressure rising and offered at one point to fill out the forms myself. Oh my god.
MANY thanks to my dad and Erik for all of their work and chauffering me around. My dad also lent me his snazzy tie cords so my furniture doesn't bounce all over the place, smashing CDs and mugs as they go. We have a ten foot truck, the smallest they offer for one-way trips, and my stuff fills it up a little more than halfway. Not very efficient.
Okay, the truck is all loaded up and I have about an hour to chill before I pick up the Annester and we start our trek. I'm happy to report that the truck took then less than two hours to fill. I'm going to lie on the couch motionless for a little while now. Before I do, t though, let me just say that the personnel at the Public Storage of Crystal City are crazy-ass slow. We got there this morning just on time at 10:30 a.m., but didn't get to leave till 11:15 since their printer was broken and the guy helping me had to painstakingly fill out everything verrry verrrry slowly. I felt my blood pressure rising and offered at one point to fill out the forms myself. Oh my god.
MANY thanks to my dad and Erik for all of their work and chauffering me around. My dad also lent me his snazzy tie cords so my furniture doesn't bounce all over the place, smashing CDs and mugs as they go. We have a ten foot truck, the smallest they offer for one-way trips, and my stuff fills it up a little more than halfway. Not very efficient.
Miles to go before I sleep
And so it begins! In about ten minutes I'm taking off to my parents' house where I will drop off my car and hitch a ride over to the storage unit where we pick up the truck. Then back to the apartment and load up the truck with all of my junk. I should have some downtime after that while I wait for Ms. Anne to come from her work and then we hit the road! I stocked up on water and nuts and Luna bars for the road. Anne printed up the directions. I'm going to the ATM this afternoon to get extra cash for tolls. I'm doing my last few loads of laundry so I can arrive in Chicago with fresh stuff.
Wish us luck....
And so it begins! In about ten minutes I'm taking off to my parents' house where I will drop off my car and hitch a ride over to the storage unit where we pick up the truck. Then back to the apartment and load up the truck with all of my junk. I should have some downtime after that while I wait for Ms. Anne to come from her work and then we hit the road! I stocked up on water and nuts and Luna bars for the road. Anne printed up the directions. I'm going to the ATM this afternoon to get extra cash for tolls. I'm doing my last few loads of laundry so I can arrive in Chicago with fresh stuff.
Wish us luck....
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
I should move all the time
It makes me productive! This morning I went and got an oil change for my car, visited my grandparents and cleaned and packed up some more. I'm about to go off and have lunch with Clarence, Jonathan, and Grace with a close to clear conscience. Last night I even cleaned out most of my scary products from the fridge (although it occurs to me that I better start eating some sugar free popsicles and fudgiscles like my life depends on it...don't want those to go to waste).
I have a lot of crap, though. Too much. I can't bear to let any of it go though.
This afternoon is going to be dedicated to spackling. Matt is supposed to come over to help though so it should go pretty quickly.
It makes me productive! This morning I went and got an oil change for my car, visited my grandparents and cleaned and packed up some more. I'm about to go off and have lunch with Clarence, Jonathan, and Grace with a close to clear conscience. Last night I even cleaned out most of my scary products from the fridge (although it occurs to me that I better start eating some sugar free popsicles and fudgiscles like my life depends on it...don't want those to go to waste).
I have a lot of crap, though. Too much. I can't bear to let any of it go though.
This afternoon is going to be dedicated to spackling. Matt is supposed to come over to help though so it should go pretty quickly.
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