Words: I love them.
I'm adding a new term to my lexicon: sturm und drang. I had seen it around before occasionally, but today saw it in two different articles that I read. I finally went and looked it up. So next time you and I are talking about violent upheaval or disturbance, you can expect to hear those words.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Back in the swing of things
Yes! Back online and no longer having to pirate. Thanks to Robin who figured out what was going on.
I also need to thank Matt who brought me my second grade journal the other night; I had left it in the apartment when I moved and he saved it for me. This journal is different from my aforementioned My Melody diary since it was for school and read and graded and all serious and crap. We were required to write an entry a day and let's just say that some days were more inspired than others. The best thing about the it is that it was one of those black and white composition notebooks and those things stand the test of effing time. You can't even tell that the thing is over 20 years old, it looks like you could have bought it from the local CVS last week.
I had also included some illustrations with my entries, which also held up to passing of the years quite well.
So what were some of the scintillating topics that I felt worth broaching back in 1984? A few entry titles: "Time to go to dinner," "My Pencil Box," "Chinese People," and "My Brother the Brat." I was running out of steam toward the end and offered up entries with titles such as: "Flag," "Paint," "Football" (of which I knew then as much as I know now which is to say NOTHING), and "Fish."
Today, I will share with you a sample, written on February 9, 1984. I was clearly influenced by the upcoming Valentines day holiday.
HEARTS
I love makeing [sic] hearts.
For girls it's fun.
Boys hate hearts very much.
Some can't make one.
Some can.
I shared this particular entry with the table on Saturday night and I think everyone was appropriately bowled over by its depth. So put it in your pipe and smoke it.
Man, it would have been hilarious to have been my second grade teacher, Mrs. Barnes. Can you imagine reading like 25 of these things every day?
Yes! Back online and no longer having to pirate. Thanks to Robin who figured out what was going on.
I also need to thank Matt who brought me my second grade journal the other night; I had left it in the apartment when I moved and he saved it for me. This journal is different from my aforementioned My Melody diary since it was for school and read and graded and all serious and crap. We were required to write an entry a day and let's just say that some days were more inspired than others. The best thing about the it is that it was one of those black and white composition notebooks and those things stand the test of effing time. You can't even tell that the thing is over 20 years old, it looks like you could have bought it from the local CVS last week.
I had also included some illustrations with my entries, which also held up to passing of the years quite well.
So what were some of the scintillating topics that I felt worth broaching back in 1984? A few entry titles: "Time to go to dinner," "My Pencil Box," "Chinese People," and "My Brother the Brat." I was running out of steam toward the end and offered up entries with titles such as: "Flag," "Paint," "Football" (of which I knew then as much as I know now which is to say NOTHING), and "Fish."
Today, I will share with you a sample, written on February 9, 1984. I was clearly influenced by the upcoming Valentines day holiday.
HEARTS
I love makeing [sic] hearts.
For girls it's fun.
Boys hate hearts very much.
Some can't make one.
Some can.
I shared this particular entry with the table on Saturday night and I think everyone was appropriately bowled over by its depth. So put it in your pipe and smoke it.
Man, it would have been hilarious to have been my second grade teacher, Mrs. Barnes. Can you imagine reading like 25 of these things every day?
Monday, August 29, 2005
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Back East
I'm back in DC and have been for a few days now! The blog has been silent, though, since the Internet connection at my parents' house is all wonky but I can sometimes pirate off of the elusive signals from our neighbors if my position (northwest corner of my bed) and the timing (random) is right. Thanks and sorry to the mystery neighbors who are feeding my Internet addiction.
It's been great to be back, though. I've seen Anne, Suzi and Tom, Matt and his sister, Des and Bry, Liesl, Madeline, and Annie and it's been awesome. I've also gotten comfortable with the ebb and flow of having no schedule. I wake up at my leisure, fix some coffee, read the paper, watch some trashy tv, and then spend the rest of the afternoon attending to whatever miniscule task I've set out to accomplish. Last week I was concerned with trying to renew the registration on my car. It went relatively well, but all I can say is Damn You, Great Falls Shell! who charged me for an emissions test while never performing one and causing me to run about like a crazy woman all afternoon trying to figure out why I couldn't re-register when that emissions information should totally be there!
I also have like two weeks left of this, which is pretty gosh darn awesome.
Okay, now to see if this questionable connection will allow me to upload this entry.
ps. Happy Belated Birthday to Bill who turned 29 last week!
pps. Congratulations to Todd who got a sweet new vehicle this past weekend! I'll miss his Jimmy, but I'm sure more gas and space conscious Altima is a nice replacement.
I'm back in DC and have been for a few days now! The blog has been silent, though, since the Internet connection at my parents' house is all wonky but I can sometimes pirate off of the elusive signals from our neighbors if my position (northwest corner of my bed) and the timing (random) is right. Thanks and sorry to the mystery neighbors who are feeding my Internet addiction.
It's been great to be back, though. I've seen Anne, Suzi and Tom, Matt and his sister, Des and Bry, Liesl, Madeline, and Annie and it's been awesome. I've also gotten comfortable with the ebb and flow of having no schedule. I wake up at my leisure, fix some coffee, read the paper, watch some trashy tv, and then spend the rest of the afternoon attending to whatever miniscule task I've set out to accomplish. Last week I was concerned with trying to renew the registration on my car. It went relatively well, but all I can say is Damn You, Great Falls Shell! who charged me for an emissions test while never performing one and causing me to run about like a crazy woman all afternoon trying to figure out why I couldn't re-register when that emissions information should totally be there!
I also have like two weeks left of this, which is pretty gosh darn awesome.
Okay, now to see if this questionable connection will allow me to upload this entry.
ps. Happy Belated Birthday to Bill who turned 29 last week!
pps. Congratulations to Todd who got a sweet new vehicle this past weekend! I'll miss his Jimmy, but I'm sure more gas and space conscious Altima is a nice replacement.
Monday, August 22, 2005
Eating our way through Chicago, Part III
Okay, I'm back to report on how the family visit has been progressing (or, progressed now that we're almost done here).
On THURSDAY, my parents and Erik arrived at their hotel in Lincoln Park around 12:30 in the afternoon. Robin hid in the Borders across the street while I went to go and greet them. While we all stood in the lobby of the Days Inn waiting for the elevator to come to shlep the bags up to the room, Robin ambled in. My mom howled with happiness and surprise: it was pretty awesome. The surprise was a success.
And with my parents' arrival, the serious touristing and eating began.
For lunch, I took them to Belmont to Giordano's to have Chicago deep dish pizza (or, their "famous stuffed pizza"). Thumbs up all around. Afterward we walked over to Boystown so I could show them my place and they could appreciate the sweet thickness of the air that one obtains of lack of air conditioning. Mmmmm. Then we walked over to the lake where we sat by the water at Belmont Harbor and laid around and chatting and enjoying the late afternoon sunlight. We whiled away at least an hour there before heading to Broadway for a quick dinner (Joy's, Cheap Thai place #3), and then finally to see the Blue Man Group perform that night at Briar Street Theater. I had never seen them before, but they were pretty awesome. Excellent multi-media presentation with lots of audience participation.
After the show my parents and Erik went back to the hotel to hit the hay and I went out with Robin who was itching to see some of the nightlife in Lincoln Park. It's not an area that I frequent as much, but I'm game. We walked down to the chichi-for-Chicago (read: sparse decor and $6 drinks) bar, The Gramercy. We stuck around there for a drink before seeking a livelier joint and found one at The Tonic Room on Halsted (it's no wonder since drinks were a sweet two-fitty each). After people watching there for a while I finally caved to the sandman and had to beat it by 1 a.m. or so.
On FRIDAY, I met my family at the hotel and we walked over to the Diversey el station where we caught the purple line express up north to Evanston. We walked through Northwestern's campus, at one point sitting down by the lake and talked my Erik and my dad snacked on some delicious Norris Center Sbarro's. (Halfway through his piece, my dad was like: "this isn't that good," like he was all surprised). After they got fill of checking out the campus, we caught train to Argyle, in the Uptown area of Chicago so my mom could try their pho there. We went to Pho Xe Tang (Tank Restaurant) at Broadway and Argyle, a big bright space with tons of round tops. Mom, Robin, and Erik ordered their bowls of pho XL, which was just kind of hilarious. The sheer gigantism of these servings would have given anyone with a large appetite something to contend with, but my petite mom whipped it. Impressive.
Afterward my mom perused a pottery shop by the el stop and purchased some sweet porcelain, even convincing the shopgirl to carve a couple of bucks off the price. After this, she was quite satisfied with herself (my mom, not the shopgirl so much...but maybe she was too), commenting on the nice manners of the aforementioned shopgirl, and wondered if maybe she was single since she would be a good match for Robin? That would be a match made in a heaven because, hey: nice Asian girl for Robin and a lifetime supply of porcelain.
After this we all chilled for a little bit before gearing ourselves for dinner. We decided on Indian, so I took everyone to Tiffin, a slightly upscale Indian restaurant in the heart of the Indian neighborhood, Devon. Todd came along, supplying rides for the overflow, and we all stuffed ourselves to the gill wiht succulent Indian food. Robin ordered some crab marsalla as an appetizer which made me want to drop to my knees and weep from the sheer awesomeness of the dish. I love Tiffin's garlicky naan as well which is fresh and hot and puffy and swimming with garlic.
Did you think that after the massive food coma that Tiffin brought on, we would be dominated? Oh no.
After dinner, we all drove back to Lincoln Park, deposited under-age Erik back at the hotel, and walked over to Kingston Mines on Halsted to see some blues. The place was packed so we couldn't get seating for the main blues band, but we did nestle in the second room to wait for the next show on the alternate stage. We were treated some mean guitar playing from a woman named Joanna Connor and then called it a night at around 1 a.m. (a theme for me this week). My parents impressed me by staying up that late, actually, especially when we had such a full day beforehand.
Okay, I'm back to report on how the family visit has been progressing (or, progressed now that we're almost done here).
On THURSDAY, my parents and Erik arrived at their hotel in Lincoln Park around 12:30 in the afternoon. Robin hid in the Borders across the street while I went to go and greet them. While we all stood in the lobby of the Days Inn waiting for the elevator to come to shlep the bags up to the room, Robin ambled in. My mom howled with happiness and surprise: it was pretty awesome. The surprise was a success.
And with my parents' arrival, the serious touristing and eating began.
For lunch, I took them to Belmont to Giordano's to have Chicago deep dish pizza (or, their "famous stuffed pizza"). Thumbs up all around. Afterward we walked over to Boystown so I could show them my place and they could appreciate the sweet thickness of the air that one obtains of lack of air conditioning. Mmmmm. Then we walked over to the lake where we sat by the water at Belmont Harbor and laid around and chatting and enjoying the late afternoon sunlight. We whiled away at least an hour there before heading to Broadway for a quick dinner (Joy's, Cheap Thai place #3), and then finally to see the Blue Man Group perform that night at Briar Street Theater. I had never seen them before, but they were pretty awesome. Excellent multi-media presentation with lots of audience participation.
After the show my parents and Erik went back to the hotel to hit the hay and I went out with Robin who was itching to see some of the nightlife in Lincoln Park. It's not an area that I frequent as much, but I'm game. We walked down to the chichi-for-Chicago (read: sparse decor and $6 drinks) bar, The Gramercy. We stuck around there for a drink before seeking a livelier joint and found one at The Tonic Room on Halsted (it's no wonder since drinks were a sweet two-fitty each). After people watching there for a while I finally caved to the sandman and had to beat it by 1 a.m. or so.
On FRIDAY, I met my family at the hotel and we walked over to the Diversey el station where we caught the purple line express up north to Evanston. We walked through Northwestern's campus, at one point sitting down by the lake and talked my Erik and my dad snacked on some delicious Norris Center Sbarro's. (Halfway through his piece, my dad was like: "this isn't that good," like he was all surprised). After they got fill of checking out the campus, we caught train to Argyle, in the Uptown area of Chicago so my mom could try their pho there. We went to Pho Xe Tang (Tank Restaurant) at Broadway and Argyle, a big bright space with tons of round tops. Mom, Robin, and Erik ordered their bowls of pho XL, which was just kind of hilarious. The sheer gigantism of these servings would have given anyone with a large appetite something to contend with, but my petite mom whipped it. Impressive.
Afterward my mom perused a pottery shop by the el stop and purchased some sweet porcelain, even convincing the shopgirl to carve a couple of bucks off the price. After this, she was quite satisfied with herself (my mom, not the shopgirl so much...but maybe she was too), commenting on the nice manners of the aforementioned shopgirl, and wondered if maybe she was single since she would be a good match for Robin? That would be a match made in a heaven because, hey: nice Asian girl for Robin and a lifetime supply of porcelain.
After this we all chilled for a little bit before gearing ourselves for dinner. We decided on Indian, so I took everyone to Tiffin, a slightly upscale Indian restaurant in the heart of the Indian neighborhood, Devon. Todd came along, supplying rides for the overflow, and we all stuffed ourselves to the gill wiht succulent Indian food. Robin ordered some crab marsalla as an appetizer which made me want to drop to my knees and weep from the sheer awesomeness of the dish. I love Tiffin's garlicky naan as well which is fresh and hot and puffy and swimming with garlic.
Did you think that after the massive food coma that Tiffin brought on, we would be dominated? Oh no.
After dinner, we all drove back to Lincoln Park, deposited under-age Erik back at the hotel, and walked over to Kingston Mines on Halsted to see some blues. The place was packed so we couldn't get seating for the main blues band, but we did nestle in the second room to wait for the next show on the alternate stage. We were treated some mean guitar playing from a woman named Joanna Connor and then called it a night at around 1 a.m. (a theme for me this week). My parents impressed me by staying up that late, actually, especially when we had such a full day beforehand.
Friday, August 19, 2005
Eating our way through Chicago Part II
To continue the account of the family excursion to Chicago:
On Wednesday, Robin and I took the morning off and then took the Addison bus over to find our way to Hot Doug's where we met Todd for lunch. Mmmm: Hot Doug's. I wanted Robin to get a headstart on the place and he was properly impressed. He had one of their gourmet dogs (something sweet and delicious) and a regular Chicago dog and we were all very, very happy.
Afterward, Todd was about to drop us off at the Western el stop so we could catch the blue line downtown, but we decided to make an impromptu stop to Margie's Candies. Margie's is a Chicago institution: an ice cream place built in 1914, visited by the Beatles when they came through, and has an interior that looks like an old candystore on a movie set. There are often lines around the corner when we go by there during the nights and weekends, so beloved is this place. Todd and I split (and weren't able to finish) one of their signature thick cookie and cream milkshakes and Robin dominated a three scoop turtle sundae complete with a bucket of hot fudge on the side. I am way impressed by how Robin can shovel the food in. It pleases me greatly.
Sated with ice cream, he and I then went downtown, and walked along Michigan, by Millennium Park and then north so he could admire the magnificence of the Magnificent Mile. Magnificent indeed. It was a spectacular afternoon, so we spent all afternoon walking around and then met Todd to have dinner in Wicker Park, at Penny's (cheap Thai place #2). Afterward we went to have a beer at Club Foot in Ukrainian Village, after which we were all officially wiped out and called it a night at 10 pm. A job well done by all.
To continue the account of the family excursion to Chicago:
On Wednesday, Robin and I took the morning off and then took the Addison bus over to find our way to Hot Doug's where we met Todd for lunch. Mmmm: Hot Doug's. I wanted Robin to get a headstart on the place and he was properly impressed. He had one of their gourmet dogs (something sweet and delicious) and a regular Chicago dog and we were all very, very happy.
Afterward, Todd was about to drop us off at the Western el stop so we could catch the blue line downtown, but we decided to make an impromptu stop to Margie's Candies. Margie's is a Chicago institution: an ice cream place built in 1914, visited by the Beatles when they came through, and has an interior that looks like an old candystore on a movie set. There are often lines around the corner when we go by there during the nights and weekends, so beloved is this place. Todd and I split (and weren't able to finish) one of their signature thick cookie and cream milkshakes and Robin dominated a three scoop turtle sundae complete with a bucket of hot fudge on the side. I am way impressed by how Robin can shovel the food in. It pleases me greatly.
Sated with ice cream, he and I then went downtown, and walked along Michigan, by Millennium Park and then north so he could admire the magnificence of the Magnificent Mile. Magnificent indeed. It was a spectacular afternoon, so we spent all afternoon walking around and then met Todd to have dinner in Wicker Park, at Penny's (cheap Thai place #2). Afterward we went to have a beer at Club Foot in Ukrainian Village, after which we were all officially wiped out and called it a night at 10 pm. A job well done by all.
Eating your way through Chicago in Five Days
The Mahan clan has hit Chicago officially. Robin arrived on Tuesday morning and we played for a couple of days before the rest of the family arrived yesterday. It was a surprise too, which was pretty cool and pretty amazingly successful since I was wondering if I would slip at some point. I didn't and I'm proud. It's only really just begun, but I wanted to take note of what we're done (read: ate) so far before I forget. It must be noted that the Mahan family takes their food seriously. Very seriously.
Tuesday morning Robin arrived in Midway and after lunching at Duck Walk (cheap Thai place #1) and dropping off his stuff at my place, we walked down to the North Avenue beach along the lakefront. It was a sunny, hot day, and it was my first time lying out at the beach. Pretty awesome. Robin found some people to play volleyball with and I laid around and read the latest issue of Food and Wine (courtesy of Anne) while listening to Robin's iPod. Heavenly. We stuck around there for a couple of hours and then walked back, and for dinner walked over to the Southport area to have dinner at Strega Nona with Melissa. Word to the wise: on Tuesday nights at Strega Nona, with two entrees you get a 50 cent bottle of wine. Pretty sweet when they usually cost around $20. I love me some deals! After dinner we headed over to the best neighborhood bar ever, Guthries, and enjoyed a cold PBR before heading back to my place for the end of the night.
To be continued... (I have to get on the road now to round up the family)
The Mahan clan has hit Chicago officially. Robin arrived on Tuesday morning and we played for a couple of days before the rest of the family arrived yesterday. It was a surprise too, which was pretty cool and pretty amazingly successful since I was wondering if I would slip at some point. I didn't and I'm proud. It's only really just begun, but I wanted to take note of what we're done (read: ate) so far before I forget. It must be noted that the Mahan family takes their food seriously. Very seriously.
Tuesday morning Robin arrived in Midway and after lunching at Duck Walk (cheap Thai place #1) and dropping off his stuff at my place, we walked down to the North Avenue beach along the lakefront. It was a sunny, hot day, and it was my first time lying out at the beach. Pretty awesome. Robin found some people to play volleyball with and I laid around and read the latest issue of Food and Wine (courtesy of Anne) while listening to Robin's iPod. Heavenly. We stuck around there for a couple of hours and then walked back, and for dinner walked over to the Southport area to have dinner at Strega Nona with Melissa. Word to the wise: on Tuesday nights at Strega Nona, with two entrees you get a 50 cent bottle of wine. Pretty sweet when they usually cost around $20. I love me some deals! After dinner we headed over to the best neighborhood bar ever, Guthries, and enjoyed a cold PBR before heading back to my place for the end of the night.
To be continued... (I have to get on the road now to round up the family)
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Monday, August 15, 2005
Time vortex
Rate My Professor: look up your college, scan for your professor, and look for student reviews.
Rate My Professor: look up your college, scan for your professor, and look for student reviews.
Go Tribe!
Hey, William and Mary gets its due: it's listed as Newsweek's "hottest small state school."
(thanks to Adam for the head's up)
Hey, William and Mary gets its due: it's listed as Newsweek's "hottest small state school."
(thanks to Adam for the head's up)
One more thing
Brendan had suggested to me the book Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safron Foer. I randomly picked it up at the library when I was scanning titles and didn't realize that was the same one that Brendan had mentioned until after I checked it out.
This book was nothing less than great. I devoured it in a couple of days and it would switch from making me laugh out loud and then making me weep. Seriously, tears rolled down my face yesterday when I finished it up in the car ride back. I highly recommend it, especially for those who love New York (vroom vroom, I'm looking at you).
Here's an article about Jonathan Safron Foer. He's my age: 28. Unbelievable.
Brendan had suggested to me the book Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safron Foer. I randomly picked it up at the library when I was scanning titles and didn't realize that was the same one that Brendan had mentioned until after I checked it out.
This book was nothing less than great. I devoured it in a couple of days and it would switch from making me laugh out loud and then making me weep. Seriously, tears rolled down my face yesterday when I finished it up in the car ride back. I highly recommend it, especially for those who love New York (vroom vroom, I'm looking at you).
Here's an article about Jonathan Safron Foer. He's my age: 28. Unbelievable.
Floatin' and Boatin'
We got back yesterday from Lake of the Ozarks where we went and visited Todd's parents at their most beautiful house on the lake there. I was excited because:
a.) vacation!
b.) I had never been in the state of Missouri before
c.) I had never even heard of the Lake of the Ozarks before I came to Chicago.
The Lake of the Ozarks used to be part of a river before it was dammed up, so it's all wind-y and with tons of little fingers and coves. Todd's parents lakehouse is right next the water and you walk down (or take the cool little tram) down to the dock. We arrived too late on Wednesday night to go out and do anything, but we went boating on Thursday and Friday. I confessed that I had never been officially boating before, so didn't know what was involved. What's involved is: going out in the boat, anchoring in some little cove, sitting around on the boat eating and drinking and then going into the water to cool off when you feel like it. Todd's aunt, uncle, and cousins were there as well, so it was always a little party. His parents have two big beautiful boats to choose from as well. It was all quite luxurious and fancy and a nice change from my hot humid, stubbornly un-ACed apartment.
I realized that I hadn't been swimming in at least a year (this is amazingingly pathetic, I know), and it was *so* great to jump into the warm water and paddle away. On Friday, we took a trip to a national park (an area called Hahatonka(?)) and spent all day there while Todd's dad grilled burgers. Yeah, it was *that* awesome.
During the nights we would eat awesome food (ribs galore on Saturday night) and then crash early so I slept a lot. Fresh air, gaw-geous views, and good food = one happy Kristin.
We drove back yesterday and stopped by St Louis for lunch. We went to the little area by the water filled with the requisite cobblestones and little taverns and restaurants and walked down to the water where I took some pictures of the water.
Speaking of pictures, I have a few to post. I'm still muddling through how to download them properly though. Emails have been sent out so hopefully I can figure this out tonight so I can have fresh memory for my family's upcoming visit. I took tons of crappy pictures of the St Louis arch and the Capitol building in Jefferson City, so I want to share them in their all of their crappy-quality-glory.
A few things of interest:
1.) We toyed with the idea of going to one of the subtly-named resort town bars (The Horny Toad, Peckers, Big Dick's Halfway Inn) to see one of the awesome bands that play at resort town bars. We missed "National Act 'Loverboy'" by three days, sadly. And we were too early to go and see the band that really caught my eye. What was the name? 4 Fried Chickens and a Coke.
2. ) A bumper sticker that I saw plastered on the back of a station wagon when we went to the outlets on Saturday: "If Mary had had an abortion, there would be no Christmas." Remember that one.
3.) Last night Todd and I watched "Cheaters," my world's favorite show. The best host ever, Joey Greco, regularly shows the poor cuckolded dude footage of his girlfriend getting it on behind his back. Joey G. is the most hilarious because he's so grave when he makes the cheated-on watch the footage and tries to off-the-cuff narrarate in a very serious, serious tone (eg, "here you can see that she is...servicing him in the morning...in your own bed"). He speaks with lots and lots of ellipses.
The piece de resistance is when they showed one poor sap footage of his girlfriend and her lovah partying it up on her balcony, hooting, whooping, and waving beers while they watched some fireman unloading some gear in the parking lot down below. While he was showing that particular footage, Joey G. was like: "As you can see here, here they are on your balcony...with no regard for your property....or for those risking their lives down below."
I love "Cheaters." I know that I've said it before, but I totally need to say it again.
We got back yesterday from Lake of the Ozarks where we went and visited Todd's parents at their most beautiful house on the lake there. I was excited because:
a.) vacation!
b.) I had never been in the state of Missouri before
c.) I had never even heard of the Lake of the Ozarks before I came to Chicago.
The Lake of the Ozarks used to be part of a river before it was dammed up, so it's all wind-y and with tons of little fingers and coves. Todd's parents lakehouse is right next the water and you walk down (or take the cool little tram) down to the dock. We arrived too late on Wednesday night to go out and do anything, but we went boating on Thursday and Friday. I confessed that I had never been officially boating before, so didn't know what was involved. What's involved is: going out in the boat, anchoring in some little cove, sitting around on the boat eating and drinking and then going into the water to cool off when you feel like it. Todd's aunt, uncle, and cousins were there as well, so it was always a little party. His parents have two big beautiful boats to choose from as well. It was all quite luxurious and fancy and a nice change from my hot humid, stubbornly un-ACed apartment.
I realized that I hadn't been swimming in at least a year (this is amazingingly pathetic, I know), and it was *so* great to jump into the warm water and paddle away. On Friday, we took a trip to a national park (an area called Hahatonka(?)) and spent all day there while Todd's dad grilled burgers. Yeah, it was *that* awesome.
During the nights we would eat awesome food (ribs galore on Saturday night) and then crash early so I slept a lot. Fresh air, gaw-geous views, and good food = one happy Kristin.
We drove back yesterday and stopped by St Louis for lunch. We went to the little area by the water filled with the requisite cobblestones and little taverns and restaurants and walked down to the water where I took some pictures of the water.
Speaking of pictures, I have a few to post. I'm still muddling through how to download them properly though. Emails have been sent out so hopefully I can figure this out tonight so I can have fresh memory for my family's upcoming visit. I took tons of crappy pictures of the St Louis arch and the Capitol building in Jefferson City, so I want to share them in their all of their crappy-quality-glory.
A few things of interest:
1.) We toyed with the idea of going to one of the subtly-named resort town bars (The Horny Toad, Peckers, Big Dick's Halfway Inn) to see one of the awesome bands that play at resort town bars. We missed "National Act 'Loverboy'" by three days, sadly. And we were too early to go and see the band that really caught my eye. What was the name? 4 Fried Chickens and a Coke.
2. ) A bumper sticker that I saw plastered on the back of a station wagon when we went to the outlets on Saturday: "If Mary had had an abortion, there would be no Christmas." Remember that one.
3.) Last night Todd and I watched "Cheaters," my world's favorite show. The best host ever, Joey Greco, regularly shows the poor cuckolded dude footage of his girlfriend getting it on behind his back. Joey G. is the most hilarious because he's so grave when he makes the cheated-on watch the footage and tries to off-the-cuff narrarate in a very serious, serious tone (eg, "here you can see that she is...servicing him in the morning...in your own bed"). He speaks with lots and lots of ellipses.
The piece de resistance is when they showed one poor sap footage of his girlfriend and her lovah partying it up on her balcony, hooting, whooping, and waving beers while they watched some fireman unloading some gear in the parking lot down below. While he was showing that particular footage, Joey G. was like: "As you can see here, here they are on your balcony...with no regard for your property....or for those risking their lives down below."
I love "Cheaters." I know that I've said it before, but I totally need to say it again.
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
I'm off!
Last daycare session done. All the reports handed in. Veggies, hummus and pita packed for the ride. Handy YLT cds along for listening pleasure.
I'll be back on Sunday, so will check in then. Hopefully I'll manage to take and figure out how to upload pictures (for some reason I can't use the contraption that my dad had given me that I used with the stolen computer...probably missing some installation disk. whatever).
xoxo 4evah
Last daycare session done. All the reports handed in. Veggies, hummus and pita packed for the ride. Handy YLT cds along for listening pleasure.
I'll be back on Sunday, so will check in then. Hopefully I'll manage to take and figure out how to upload pictures (for some reason I can't use the contraption that my dad had given me that I used with the stolen computer...probably missing some installation disk. whatever).
xoxo 4evah
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Almost done
One more day left to the quarter! I'm still getting through all of my last reports and making sure that everything is turned in before I take off tomorrow to the Ozarks with Todd. I still have to pack too, come to think of it.
Tonight his band, All Limbs Intact, is playing at the Beat Kitchen, so that cuts down the available time a little bit.
I'll be out of the loop for a little while, so hope that everyone has a great weekend.
One more day left to the quarter! I'm still getting through all of my last reports and making sure that everything is turned in before I take off tomorrow to the Ozarks with Todd. I still have to pack too, come to think of it.
Tonight his band, All Limbs Intact, is playing at the Beat Kitchen, so that cuts down the available time a little bit.
I'll be out of the loop for a little while, so hope that everyone has a great weekend.
Monday, August 08, 2005
I was sad to hear that Peter Jennings passed away yesterday. He was my favorite of the anchors and it feels like he had just announced that he had lung cancer.
On a complete change of topic, I want to mention that we went to the Northalsted Market Days with Katja and Tom yesterday. It's a street festival that spans six blocks of Halsted, the whole of Boystown, half a block away from me. It's been touted as Chicago's busiest street festival and I would have to say that there might be some truth in that because that sucker was crowded. Todd and I entered on Roscoe and Halsted and were readying ourselves to walk the four blocks down to Halsted and Belmont to meet Katja and Tom. It took us like 20 minutes to work our way through the crowds. There were billions of booths and three stages of music.
It was a good, crowded time, but I was ready to leave once we walked up and down the length of it. I do love a good street festival though, with the smell of grilled food and funnel cakes and music playing and people celebrating and drinking (ice cold!) beer in the streets. We also ran into Kevin, Jessica, and Aimee, which was cool.
On a complete change of topic, I want to mention that we went to the Northalsted Market Days with Katja and Tom yesterday. It's a street festival that spans six blocks of Halsted, the whole of Boystown, half a block away from me. It's been touted as Chicago's busiest street festival and I would have to say that there might be some truth in that because that sucker was crowded. Todd and I entered on Roscoe and Halsted and were readying ourselves to walk the four blocks down to Halsted and Belmont to meet Katja and Tom. It took us like 20 minutes to work our way through the crowds. There were billions of booths and three stages of music.
It was a good, crowded time, but I was ready to leave once we walked up and down the length of it. I do love a good street festival though, with the smell of grilled food and funnel cakes and music playing and people celebrating and drinking (ice cold!) beer in the streets. We also ran into Kevin, Jessica, and Aimee, which was cool.
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Lazy Weekend
Man, I'm so close to the end of the quarter, I can taste it. It's like my mouth glands salivate at the thought. On Wednesday I finish up my last stint with daycare, and then we're off to the Ozarks for a long, long weekend. Hooray for long, long weekends!
So far it's been a pretty nice weekend capping off a nice week. On Thursday night I caught up with Melissa, an old work friend. We had whole wheat vegetables burritos at Las Mananitas. Hooray for whole wheat vegetable burritos!
There's not much else of interest to report except that we went to a wedding last night (strong gin and tonics; I feared this morning that I had lost my glasses, but they were actually left in the seat of Todd's car. Thank God). Hooray for finding misplaced glasses!
Other things to note:
1. Yesterday I wandered around Bucktown/Wicker Park enjoying the stunning warm weather, and I wandered into the Aldi on Milwaukee. I had heard rumblings over the grocery deals to be found at the Aldi, and the rumors are true, I'll have you know. Their produce was like half the price of the produce at the Jewel by me! I ended up buying some cut-rate raisin bran because I couldn't leave without purchasing something. Aldi, where have you been all my life?
2. On Friday I went and worked out at the gym on campus and stumbled upon a cheerleading/dance camp that was going on in the gym. There were at least a hundred stomach-baring high school girls cavorting in one concentrated area. It was hilarious to watch the various dudes who worked at the gym or who happened to be working out slowly emerge and do slow rounds on the indoor track which looks down on the gym area. The guys who worked there even had the pretense of walking around with their clipboards.
Man, I'm so close to the end of the quarter, I can taste it. It's like my mouth glands salivate at the thought. On Wednesday I finish up my last stint with daycare, and then we're off to the Ozarks for a long, long weekend. Hooray for long, long weekends!
So far it's been a pretty nice weekend capping off a nice week. On Thursday night I caught up with Melissa, an old work friend. We had whole wheat vegetables burritos at Las Mananitas. Hooray for whole wheat vegetable burritos!
There's not much else of interest to report except that we went to a wedding last night (strong gin and tonics; I feared this morning that I had lost my glasses, but they were actually left in the seat of Todd's car. Thank God). Hooray for finding misplaced glasses!
Other things to note:
1. Yesterday I wandered around Bucktown/Wicker Park enjoying the stunning warm weather, and I wandered into the Aldi on Milwaukee. I had heard rumblings over the grocery deals to be found at the Aldi, and the rumors are true, I'll have you know. Their produce was like half the price of the produce at the Jewel by me! I ended up buying some cut-rate raisin bran because I couldn't leave without purchasing something. Aldi, where have you been all my life?
2. On Friday I went and worked out at the gym on campus and stumbled upon a cheerleading/dance camp that was going on in the gym. There were at least a hundred stomach-baring high school girls cavorting in one concentrated area. It was hilarious to watch the various dudes who worked at the gym or who happened to be working out slowly emerge and do slow rounds on the indoor track which looks down on the gym area. The guys who worked there even had the pretense of walking around with their clipboards.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
The Aftermath
Since Kevin is dying to know, here's what happened with Project Defrost. It was long and harrowing. To unplug the entire fridge itself required climbing onto the sink and reaching behind the fridge to work the plug from the socket. I was all proud of myself because I thought ahead and taped the plug onto the wall so I would have easy access to it when it came time to replug the fridge back in. Genius, right?
So a couple of hours into the defrosting as I was switching out pans of water and monitoring the drippage from the glacier that had formed inside I hear a sudden ripping sound. My stomach fell as that was the sound of tape freeing the plug from the wall...to let it fall behind the fridge out of my reach.
My first thought? "Who can I call?!"
My second thought: "Noone."
So I MacGyvered my way out of it. I reached my arm around the side of the entire fridge, found the root of the plug and pulled it out on the other side of the fridge. Then I had access to the plug at least even if I wouldn't be able to get behind and plug it in from that particular side. I then taped the head of the plug to the head of the swiffer mop, pushed the swiffer behind the fridge and knocked it to the side. Voila: the head of the swiffer fell against the sink so I had access to the plug again. If things were ideal I would be able to draw a little diagram for you so you can understand exactly how this all went down.
With that solved, I was able to get back to the business of defrosting. Which took several more hours. When I was finally done, at 8:10 in the evening, I received a call from Lauren. She, Bonnie, and Soraya were heading to have dinner on Southport and was I interested? Perfect timing, perfect offer. Lauren picked me up and we had some awesome Thai food at Banana Leaf, and I went home a happy lady.
Since Kevin is dying to know, here's what happened with Project Defrost. It was long and harrowing. To unplug the entire fridge itself required climbing onto the sink and reaching behind the fridge to work the plug from the socket. I was all proud of myself because I thought ahead and taped the plug onto the wall so I would have easy access to it when it came time to replug the fridge back in. Genius, right?
So a couple of hours into the defrosting as I was switching out pans of water and monitoring the drippage from the glacier that had formed inside I hear a sudden ripping sound. My stomach fell as that was the sound of tape freeing the plug from the wall...to let it fall behind the fridge out of my reach.
My first thought? "Who can I call?!"
My second thought: "Noone."
So I MacGyvered my way out of it. I reached my arm around the side of the entire fridge, found the root of the plug and pulled it out on the other side of the fridge. Then I had access to the plug at least even if I wouldn't be able to get behind and plug it in from that particular side. I then taped the head of the plug to the head of the swiffer mop, pushed the swiffer behind the fridge and knocked it to the side. Voila: the head of the swiffer fell against the sink so I had access to the plug again. If things were ideal I would be able to draw a little diagram for you so you can understand exactly how this all went down.
With that solved, I was able to get back to the business of defrosting. Which took several more hours. When I was finally done, at 8:10 in the evening, I received a call from Lauren. She, Bonnie, and Soraya were heading to have dinner on Southport and was I interested? Perfect timing, perfect offer. Lauren picked me up and we had some awesome Thai food at Banana Leaf, and I went home a happy lady.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Popsicles and humidity
Tomorrow we're defrosting our freezer, which should be quite an adventure since: a.) I've never defrosted a freezer before, and 2.) I don't know if and when it's been done on this freezer. Let's just say that it's gotten woeful. I'm home all afternoon so I'm dedicating my time to monitoring the progress and making sure that things don't get too ugly.
In other news, it's the second to last week of school and things are humming as they do on the second to last week of school. Reports drafts are turned in tomorrow, final meetings with parents are going on all this week and next and many, many meetings are made with one's supervisors. I don't mind it too terribly, though, since, well, it's the second to last week of school. And then, my friends, over five weeks of blessed vacation.
I'm going to try to request to keep on my beloved three (soon to be four!) year old client but my fellow students clued me into the fact that she's the perfect 397 client, so I'll probably lose her. 397 is the name of the class where you have your first client, and it's what I took last quarter. Normally they handpick 397 clients since they're relatively straight forward and generally well-behaved. Because my (my!) three year old is so cooperative and engaged and so goddamn awesome, she's perfect 397 fodder. I only got her this summer since there is no 397 offered this quarter. *sigh*. I also watched Laura's client today during her parent meeting. This particularly girl is the Prize Winner of 397 clients. Hillary had her last quarter, I would froth at the mouth over her descriptions of her. She's 10 and spectacularly pleasant and amiable and likes doing articulation therapy. We played Pictionary Junior today and she kicked some ass.
Tomorrow we're defrosting our freezer, which should be quite an adventure since: a.) I've never defrosted a freezer before, and 2.) I don't know if and when it's been done on this freezer. Let's just say that it's gotten woeful. I'm home all afternoon so I'm dedicating my time to monitoring the progress and making sure that things don't get too ugly.
In other news, it's the second to last week of school and things are humming as they do on the second to last week of school. Reports drafts are turned in tomorrow, final meetings with parents are going on all this week and next and many, many meetings are made with one's supervisors. I don't mind it too terribly, though, since, well, it's the second to last week of school. And then, my friends, over five weeks of blessed vacation.
I'm going to try to request to keep on my beloved three (soon to be four!) year old client but my fellow students clued me into the fact that she's the perfect 397 client, so I'll probably lose her. 397 is the name of the class where you have your first client, and it's what I took last quarter. Normally they handpick 397 clients since they're relatively straight forward and generally well-behaved. Because my (my!) three year old is so cooperative and engaged and so goddamn awesome, she's perfect 397 fodder. I only got her this summer since there is no 397 offered this quarter. *sigh*. I also watched Laura's client today during her parent meeting. This particularly girl is the Prize Winner of 397 clients. Hillary had her last quarter, I would froth at the mouth over her descriptions of her. She's 10 and spectacularly pleasant and amiable and likes doing articulation therapy. We played Pictionary Junior today and she kicked some ass.
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Producto Robot
I've been rather impressed with myself this weekend. A list of what I managed to accomplish so far, and it's only 2pm on Sunday:
1.) Vacuum and clean the living room.
2.) Do three loads of laundry and change the sheets. I even washed a towel.
3.) Have an awesome dinner with Katja and Tom. After a day of helping a friend move, Katja still managed to cook a big dinner for four that included artichoke as an appetizer. I'd never had artichoke whole before: it was a fun process of peeling and dipping and tossing.
4.) Meet up with Laura and Hillary to take the Addison bus to Hot Doug's for lunch and then to Target to purchase some crafty supplies for a project due on Monday. Proceeded to wander around the mammoth two-floor Target for an hour. That place is overwhelming, dude. We needed to buy velcro and it took us the entire time to find it.
5.) Order more checks from my bank.
6.) Pay a couple of bills.
7.) Take a long leisurely jog along the lake front to North Avenue Beach.
8.) Work on aforementioned project and finish it before the end of the day.
9.) Meet up with Carol, my old boss, for dinner. She's in town for work so took me out to dinner. We had tuna steak BLTs which are nothing short of splendid.
10.) Watch "Pulp Fiction" on Bravo; I was mostly curious to see what they would do to it. It was a very brave thing of them to try to tackle that movie to make it TV-friendly. I would guess that entire portions were removed. There's no gimp in it, even. Now, why take out the gimp? If you're going to excise him from the story then you might as well scrap trying to show the movie.
11.) Buy toilet paper.
12.) Ready lessons for tomorrow morning, and put together data from last week's sessions.
13.) Walk over to Trader Joes, battling the Cubs game crowds in the meantime. I waded through them at about 12 or so, and people were already wheeling and spinning with drunkenness. Impressive.
14.) Purchase much needed wheat bread and milk from TJs and also some pine nuts and hummus. I know that I've said it before, but again, I fricking love the crap out of that store. The pinenuts at the Jewel down the street are $7.50 a bag and at TJs they're $3.50. A four dollar savings, my friends, makes for a happy Kristin.
15.) Start reading Reading Lolita in Tehran. It's pretty good so far, and I feel like I'm learning more about interpreting Nabakov than Iranian life for women.
16.) Chat with my parents, Anne, Des, and Robin.
...and there's still more that will be done! Todd's coming back from his trip to the lake tonight so I'll get to catch up with his sun-burnished self.
Time to make a big old salad for lunch. I'll be eating it with a self-satisfied expression on my face, I'm sure.
I've been rather impressed with myself this weekend. A list of what I managed to accomplish so far, and it's only 2pm on Sunday:
1.) Vacuum and clean the living room.
2.) Do three loads of laundry and change the sheets. I even washed a towel.
3.) Have an awesome dinner with Katja and Tom. After a day of helping a friend move, Katja still managed to cook a big dinner for four that included artichoke as an appetizer. I'd never had artichoke whole before: it was a fun process of peeling and dipping and tossing.
4.) Meet up with Laura and Hillary to take the Addison bus to Hot Doug's for lunch and then to Target to purchase some crafty supplies for a project due on Monday. Proceeded to wander around the mammoth two-floor Target for an hour. That place is overwhelming, dude. We needed to buy velcro and it took us the entire time to find it.
5.) Order more checks from my bank.
6.) Pay a couple of bills.
7.) Take a long leisurely jog along the lake front to North Avenue Beach.
8.) Work on aforementioned project and finish it before the end of the day.
9.) Meet up with Carol, my old boss, for dinner. She's in town for work so took me out to dinner. We had tuna steak BLTs which are nothing short of splendid.
10.) Watch "Pulp Fiction" on Bravo; I was mostly curious to see what they would do to it. It was a very brave thing of them to try to tackle that movie to make it TV-friendly. I would guess that entire portions were removed. There's no gimp in it, even. Now, why take out the gimp? If you're going to excise him from the story then you might as well scrap trying to show the movie.
11.) Buy toilet paper.
12.) Ready lessons for tomorrow morning, and put together data from last week's sessions.
13.) Walk over to Trader Joes, battling the Cubs game crowds in the meantime. I waded through them at about 12 or so, and people were already wheeling and spinning with drunkenness. Impressive.
14.) Purchase much needed wheat bread and milk from TJs and also some pine nuts and hummus. I know that I've said it before, but again, I fricking love the crap out of that store. The pinenuts at the Jewel down the street are $7.50 a bag and at TJs they're $3.50. A four dollar savings, my friends, makes for a happy Kristin.
15.) Start reading Reading Lolita in Tehran. It's pretty good so far, and I feel like I'm learning more about interpreting Nabakov than Iranian life for women.
16.) Chat with my parents, Anne, Des, and Robin.
...and there's still more that will be done! Todd's coming back from his trip to the lake tonight so I'll get to catch up with his sun-burnished self.
Time to make a big old salad for lunch. I'll be eating it with a self-satisfied expression on my face, I'm sure.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
An article in The New Yorker about Roald Dahl, why kids love his stories, "and many adults don't."
I hope the day never comes when I would be disheartened by Roald Dahl's children's books. They're some of the greatest things on the planet.
I hope the day never comes when I would be disheartened by Roald Dahl's children's books. They're some of the greatest things on the planet.
I kiss you!
Not sure if this is for real or not, but it's still my favorite thing of the day.
(via kottke.org)
Not sure if this is for real or not, but it's still my favorite thing of the day.
(via kottke.org)
Righteous
The weather, starting yesterday, has been nothing short of amazing. It's cool and sunny and sharp and feels like the first the first day of autumn.
So on Tuesday night I had a late dinner with one of my former students from Beijing who's now in Chicago with her husband and has been for the past few months. I haven't seen her since January 2001, so it's been about four and a half years now. Through Suzi, correspondence sparked up again, resulting in the reunion on Tuesday evening. Ting (formerly Alice) and her husband live a 20 minute walk away from me in a sweet little apartment and she cooked up a huge Chinese feast. Pretty amazing.
Last night I went with Hillary, Lauren, Laura and Megan to Ravinia to go and see Elvis Costello and Emmy Lou Harris perform. Ravinia is one of those places like Wolf Trap in DC where most of the people who attend concerts buy lawn seats where you spread out a blanket, crack open a bottle of wine and put together a superb feast. The concert was sold out and the enormous span of grass was covered with groups of friends on blankets. Amazingly, Ting and Brad were three blankets away from me. (Also amazingly, one of our clinic supervisors happened to be sitting at the blanket right next to us; I felt kind of bad for her since I'm sure the last thing she wanted to do was to see the mugs of the students that she sees day in and out). We commented to eachother that if you were an underage drinker, Ravinia would be the place to go. You just buy tickets to a concert that chances are no groups of roving teenagers would attend, come loaded down with wine, and you would just blend in with the masses. Noone was checking.
The concert itself was perfect experience. Ravinia is a well-run machine where buses run constantly between the parking lots and the festivals, and if concerts happen to not be sold out, you get in free with a student ID. Last night the weather was cool and the night was clear. Elvis Costello and Emmy Lou Harris sounded great (Emmy Lou Harris did a cover of my favorite Willie Nelson song as well, "Pancho and Lefty!"). We had the most amazing spread of cheeses, dips and wines. We found an excellent spot under a tree, close to the pathway and relatively close to the bathrooms. Everything went flawlessly, and it tasted like freedom.
Ah, that taste was fleeting, though. This morning it's back to the grindstone. I woke up this morning feeling pretty well-rested, though, and relatively ready to attack the day.
The weather, starting yesterday, has been nothing short of amazing. It's cool and sunny and sharp and feels like the first the first day of autumn.
So on Tuesday night I had a late dinner with one of my former students from Beijing who's now in Chicago with her husband and has been for the past few months. I haven't seen her since January 2001, so it's been about four and a half years now. Through Suzi, correspondence sparked up again, resulting in the reunion on Tuesday evening. Ting (formerly Alice) and her husband live a 20 minute walk away from me in a sweet little apartment and she cooked up a huge Chinese feast. Pretty amazing.
Last night I went with Hillary, Lauren, Laura and Megan to Ravinia to go and see Elvis Costello and Emmy Lou Harris perform. Ravinia is one of those places like Wolf Trap in DC where most of the people who attend concerts buy lawn seats where you spread out a blanket, crack open a bottle of wine and put together a superb feast. The concert was sold out and the enormous span of grass was covered with groups of friends on blankets. Amazingly, Ting and Brad were three blankets away from me. (Also amazingly, one of our clinic supervisors happened to be sitting at the blanket right next to us; I felt kind of bad for her since I'm sure the last thing she wanted to do was to see the mugs of the students that she sees day in and out). We commented to eachother that if you were an underage drinker, Ravinia would be the place to go. You just buy tickets to a concert that chances are no groups of roving teenagers would attend, come loaded down with wine, and you would just blend in with the masses. Noone was checking.
The concert itself was perfect experience. Ravinia is a well-run machine where buses run constantly between the parking lots and the festivals, and if concerts happen to not be sold out, you get in free with a student ID. Last night the weather was cool and the night was clear. Elvis Costello and Emmy Lou Harris sounded great (Emmy Lou Harris did a cover of my favorite Willie Nelson song as well, "Pancho and Lefty!"). We had the most amazing spread of cheeses, dips and wines. We found an excellent spot under a tree, close to the pathway and relatively close to the bathrooms. Everything went flawlessly, and it tasted like freedom.
Ah, that taste was fleeting, though. This morning it's back to the grindstone. I woke up this morning feeling pretty well-rested, though, and relatively ready to attack the day.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Happy One Year Anniversary to Bryan and Des!
They married a year ago this past weekend. I can't believe that a year has passed so quickly, but I can believe what an awesome couple you are. So congratulations from both me and Anne (who was not able to get enough time on a computer to send separate congrats)!
They married a year ago this past weekend. I can't believe that a year has passed so quickly, but I can believe what an awesome couple you are. So congratulations from both me and Anne (who was not able to get enough time on a computer to send separate congrats)!
Another weekend...
...passed! How did that happen, pray tell? Regardless, it was a nice laid back weekend. And the upcoming week won't be terribly difficult, but I've lost my momentum for work and am eager to tackle the summer and its lack of responsibility. Yay! Three more weeks left to the quarter.
Anyway, on Friday we went to go and see Holy Roman Empire play at the Mutiny, everyone's favorite dive bar. They have these enormous mini pitchers for the low, low price of $5. Best deal in town. However, Todd tried to buy a bottle of beer (something fancier than your standard Budweiser) and it also cost $5. So you need to choose carefully at the Mutiny apparently.
Saturday after another excellent lunch at Hot Doug's (which we've both decided is our most favoritest place in town if not the world) I tagged along with Todd as he did his first round of car-shopping. We stopped at three different places, which offered the whole spectrum of salesmanship. It's like in "The Little Prince" where you go and visit different little planets, each dealership offering its own experience.
At the tail end of one of the visits, the relatively reasonable salesguy insisted on bringing his manager over. The manager proceeded to give an extremely condescending lecture complete with graphs on why Todd would be stoopid to consider any other kind of car. Todd listened politely, but it was obvious that he wasn't buying what the guy was selling. I don't know if the guy couldn't read body language, or if he thought that Todd was young and/or naive and/or dumb, but it was a bad call on his part because that pretty much forced the decision that no car would be bought from this dealership. My question is: does this work ever? Who does it work with and why?
Today it was over 100 in Chicago, which means that nothing was to be accomplished. I hear that the heat wave will be cracking soon, which I hope is to be the truth.
...passed! How did that happen, pray tell? Regardless, it was a nice laid back weekend. And the upcoming week won't be terribly difficult, but I've lost my momentum for work and am eager to tackle the summer and its lack of responsibility. Yay! Three more weeks left to the quarter.
Anyway, on Friday we went to go and see Holy Roman Empire play at the Mutiny, everyone's favorite dive bar. They have these enormous mini pitchers for the low, low price of $5. Best deal in town. However, Todd tried to buy a bottle of beer (something fancier than your standard Budweiser) and it also cost $5. So you need to choose carefully at the Mutiny apparently.
Saturday after another excellent lunch at Hot Doug's (which we've both decided is our most favoritest place in town if not the world) I tagged along with Todd as he did his first round of car-shopping. We stopped at three different places, which offered the whole spectrum of salesmanship. It's like in "The Little Prince" where you go and visit different little planets, each dealership offering its own experience.
At the tail end of one of the visits, the relatively reasonable salesguy insisted on bringing his manager over. The manager proceeded to give an extremely condescending lecture complete with graphs on why Todd would be stoopid to consider any other kind of car. Todd listened politely, but it was obvious that he wasn't buying what the guy was selling. I don't know if the guy couldn't read body language, or if he thought that Todd was young and/or naive and/or dumb, but it was a bad call on his part because that pretty much forced the decision that no car would be bought from this dealership. My question is: does this work ever? Who does it work with and why?
Today it was over 100 in Chicago, which means that nothing was to be accomplished. I hear that the heat wave will be cracking soon, which I hope is to be the truth.
Friday, July 22, 2005
Thursday, July 21, 2005
There are no words
I went with Laura, Lauren, Hillary and Trisha to see "March of the Penguins" tonight. Oh lordy.
First of all, I will preface this to say that both Annie and my dad called me up urging me to run, not walk, to see this movie. And they were so right.
Let's just say that I need a baby penguin in my arms five minutes ago. I was almost in physical pain watching the scenes when they finally ducked out from under their various parental belly folds to waddle and feed and tumble and get fat.
I went with Laura, Lauren, Hillary and Trisha to see "March of the Penguins" tonight. Oh lordy.
First of all, I will preface this to say that both Annie and my dad called me up urging me to run, not walk, to see this movie. And they were so right.
Let's just say that I need a baby penguin in my arms five minutes ago. I was almost in physical pain watching the scenes when they finally ducked out from under their various parental belly folds to waddle and feed and tumble and get fat.
News of the week
I love my easy week. Today I only have one client session in the afternoon and a half hour meeting and that's it. I know. But I'm sticking around Evanston in order to watch "March of the Penguins," about which I'm very excited.
In other news, I got caught in the major thunderstorm coming home from campus yesterday. I stood there at the gym for twenty minutes waiting it out, but I was wrong about the timing so was thoroughly soaked by the time I got onto the train.
Last night we went to see Vamplifier play at the Double Door. $3 tickets since Todd knows the singer, Scott. I applaud the concept of $3 tickets.
So, that's my week so far: not too exciting but not too shabby at all.
I love my easy week. Today I only have one client session in the afternoon and a half hour meeting and that's it. I know. But I'm sticking around Evanston in order to watch "March of the Penguins," about which I'm very excited.
In other news, I got caught in the major thunderstorm coming home from campus yesterday. I stood there at the gym for twenty minutes waiting it out, but I was wrong about the timing so was thoroughly soaked by the time I got onto the train.
Last night we went to see Vamplifier play at the Double Door. $3 tickets since Todd knows the singer, Scott. I applaud the concept of $3 tickets.
So, that's my week so far: not too exciting but not too shabby at all.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Best thing that I've heard all day...
Dark chocolate may help to lower blood pressure.
I love me some dark chocolate.
Dark chocolate may help to lower blood pressure.
I love me some dark chocolate.
A Stick of Butter
I'm excited that Mei Xiang had a wee baby panda that the Washington Post describes as "the size of a stick of butter." Too much. Check out the Post's Panda Watch.
I didn't find any pictures when I went poking around the Post, but Kevin has a picture on his blog today of a couple of newborn babies and I will submit that freshly born baby pandas may not be the world's cutest things.
But when I google "baby pandas" I came up with a site following Hua Mei, a baby panda born at the San Diego Zoo in 1999. I downloaded some especially adorable pictures for your enjoyment.
I'm excited that Mei Xiang had a wee baby panda that the Washington Post describes as "the size of a stick of butter." Too much. Check out the Post's Panda Watch.
I didn't find any pictures when I went poking around the Post, but Kevin has a picture on his blog today of a couple of newborn babies and I will submit that freshly born baby pandas may not be the world's cutest things.
But when I google "baby pandas" I came up with a site following Hua Mei, a baby panda born at the San Diego Zoo in 1999. I downloaded some especially adorable pictures for your enjoyment.
What's your favorite word?
I have a variety, but I would need to think for a while about my true favorite and why.
(via tmn)
I have a variety, but I would need to think for a while about my true favorite and why.
(via tmn)
Monday, July 18, 2005
Out and out wrong
So as I was reading "Today's Blogs" in Slate today I stumbled across the brou-ha-ha that surrounds the NY Times essay from Sunday titled "The Real Nanny Diaries are Online."
In the article, Helaine Olen describes reading her nanny's online blog, becoming mildly obsessed with it, and ultimately deciding that she was offended by knowing so much about her nanny's personal life and feeling as if the nanny was airing her own family's dirty laundry. I haven't read the nanny's blog in depth so I have no idea if she besmirched Olen's family, and it would be totally shitty if she did, but still...
Olen comes off sounding small and self-centered and not a little jealous in the essay. Did she realize this when she was writing it? Because very few would read it and think that this was a stand-up woman. And how low is it to scream "inappropriate" when your nanny mentions her work in her personal blog with a likely small audience and then describe in detail everything that you think is wrong with her in The New York TIMES for pete's sake. And this whole debacle is mentioned in enough blogs (in Slate, for instance) with links to the nanny's blog that it wouldn't be that hard to figure out who she is if you really wanted to put some elbow grease into the whole thing.
If you read the article then you would know that the nanny had passed along her blog address to Olen, which was a terrible idea. Even if you don't plan on talking badly about your employer, they're still your employer, and--really--do you want your employer to know about your personal life? It's your own. But from what I've read, it appears that the nanny didn't do anything worse than talk about her life as a 25 year old in New York. Which only makes Olen seem more foolish.
The nanny's rebuttal is in her blog here.
So as I was reading "Today's Blogs" in Slate today I stumbled across the brou-ha-ha that surrounds the NY Times essay from Sunday titled "The Real Nanny Diaries are Online."
In the article, Helaine Olen describes reading her nanny's online blog, becoming mildly obsessed with it, and ultimately deciding that she was offended by knowing so much about her nanny's personal life and feeling as if the nanny was airing her own family's dirty laundry. I haven't read the nanny's blog in depth so I have no idea if she besmirched Olen's family, and it would be totally shitty if she did, but still...
Olen comes off sounding small and self-centered and not a little jealous in the essay. Did she realize this when she was writing it? Because very few would read it and think that this was a stand-up woman. And how low is it to scream "inappropriate" when your nanny mentions her work in her personal blog with a likely small audience and then describe in detail everything that you think is wrong with her in The New York TIMES for pete's sake. And this whole debacle is mentioned in enough blogs (in Slate, for instance) with links to the nanny's blog that it wouldn't be that hard to figure out who she is if you really wanted to put some elbow grease into the whole thing.
If you read the article then you would know that the nanny had passed along her blog address to Olen, which was a terrible idea. Even if you don't plan on talking badly about your employer, they're still your employer, and--really--do you want your employer to know about your personal life? It's your own. But from what I've read, it appears that the nanny didn't do anything worse than talk about her life as a 25 year old in New York. Which only makes Olen seem more foolish.
The nanny's rebuttal is in her blog here.
Melting
It's hot outside right now which means that it's extra hot in my apartment. The temperature gauge in our living room is past its highest mark which is 85 degrees. AWESOME.
Actually, what's pretty awesome is that it's supposed to cool down tonight. I think it's supposed to dip just below 70!
I'm having a nice, eaaazzzzy week. Now that one of my classes has ended, I only have one (relatively undemanding) class left along with my clients. And then one of my clients canceled for this entire week so I only have six hours of stuff to do. Well, more since some of the stuff takes preparation and I'll have a couple of meetings as well...but still. And I have tomorrow completely off. I'm thinking of checking out the main library downtown. It's supposed to be pretty sweet.
Yay, pre-vacation!
It's hot outside right now which means that it's extra hot in my apartment. The temperature gauge in our living room is past its highest mark which is 85 degrees. AWESOME.
Actually, what's pretty awesome is that it's supposed to cool down tonight. I think it's supposed to dip just below 70!
I'm having a nice, eaaazzzzy week. Now that one of my classes has ended, I only have one (relatively undemanding) class left along with my clients. And then one of my clients canceled for this entire week so I only have six hours of stuff to do. Well, more since some of the stuff takes preparation and I'll have a couple of meetings as well...but still. And I have tomorrow completely off. I'm thinking of checking out the main library downtown. It's supposed to be pretty sweet.
Yay, pre-vacation!
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Intonation
We just got back from Pitchfork Media's Intonation Music Festival held in Union Park here in Chicago yesterday and today. We only went today mainly because a couple of Todd's favorites were playing: the Wrens and Les Savy Fav. I like what I've heard of the Wrens myself, so I was pretty excited. The festival started at noon today, but we met Steve and Kiley later in the afternoon and then caught the bus from their place over to the park. I am here to report that it was a rather excellent music festival. Some of the reasons why it was so good include:
We just got back from Pitchfork Media's Intonation Music Festival held in Union Park here in Chicago yesterday and today. We only went today mainly because a couple of Todd's favorites were playing: the Wrens and Les Savy Fav. I like what I've heard of the Wrens myself, so I was pretty excited. The festival started at noon today, but we met Steve and Kiley later in the afternoon and then caught the bus from their place over to the park. I am here to report that it was a rather excellent music festival. Some of the reasons why it was so good include:
- cheap tickets! A day pass cost $15 and if you went both days, it cost $22. That's as if the tickets were almost given away considering how much concerts normally cost.
- the space! Union park is large and spacious so it was easy to spread out and I never felt as if there were too many people. Before we went over to the stages to listen to the bands, we spread out on a blanket...and there was room for it.
- food and drink were reasonable! cups of decent beer were $4 and we got jumbo dogs that were pretty good for $4 too. I'm usually prepared to be shocked and disturbed over price gouging at concerts, but I was impressed with this.
- the planning! they set up two main stages relatively close to one another. So... there was little lost times of bands setting up: when one band finished you just moved over to the next stage where the next band was all ready to play. Instant gratification.
- The porta-potties! They weren't that gross and there weren't bad lines.
- The breeze! Once the sun went down, it was pretty spectacular to be standing there with the constant breeze.
- The DJ tent: there was a DJ spin-off between one DJ and one of the dudes from Yo La Tengo. (Note: Todd wants me to add that the dude from Yo La Tengo played "Mexican Radio," a song that I had never heard before, but apprarently "an awesome song" and needs to be mentioned).
- The bands! I liked the Wrens a lot and I was hands-down blown away by Les Savy Fav. The main dude was such a showman and owned the crowd. We were pretty close to the stage for them as well, so all the better.
- The times! We're back before 9 pm on a Sunday night.
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Thursday, July 14, 2005
An interesting article in the Post about a DC graffiti artist who goes by Borf. He's 18 and pretty ambitious with his graffiti. I'm totally impressed. I haven't seen any of the Borf work, though. Have other DC people?
He also went to Erik's high school, apparently.
He also went to Erik's high school, apparently.
I wish that I had something interesting to report, but there ain't nothing going on except work.
Oh, except that yesterday I stumbled across "Celebrity Fit Club 2" on VH1, and I can't help but be intrigued by the parade of C-list celebrities on it. No overweight A or B list celebrity is going to agree to be on a show about how fat they are. Everyone has to climb on giant scales: it surpasses demeaning for sure.
But, I was watching for maybe ten minutes and during that time some of the people I saw on the show were: Gary Busey, Jackee, Willy Ames, that Snapple lady (again!), a reject from "America's Next Top Model 3," and the dad of that dude Bam from the Mtv show. I repeat: the dad of that dude Bam from the Mtv show. He seems like a nice enough guy, but VH1 must be scraping the bottom of the barrel here. But Gary Busey is always hilariously weird to watch. And mix him with Jackee and it's like you've entered an alternate universe.
Oh, except that yesterday I stumbled across "Celebrity Fit Club 2" on VH1, and I can't help but be intrigued by the parade of C-list celebrities on it. No overweight A or B list celebrity is going to agree to be on a show about how fat they are. Everyone has to climb on giant scales: it surpasses demeaning for sure.
But, I was watching for maybe ten minutes and during that time some of the people I saw on the show were: Gary Busey, Jackee, Willy Ames, that Snapple lady (again!), a reject from "America's Next Top Model 3," and the dad of that dude Bam from the Mtv show. I repeat: the dad of that dude Bam from the Mtv show. He seems like a nice enough guy, but VH1 must be scraping the bottom of the barrel here. But Gary Busey is always hilariously weird to watch. And mix him with Jackee and it's like you've entered an alternate universe.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Yay...
...For one of the last busy weeks of the quarter. Everything will wind up with the presentation that we're giving in Advanced Articulation this week. We're the last group to go...in a 4-6 class on a Friday in the last session of that particular class ever. We don't think that anyone will be there besides the other group presenting.
What else? I talked to Robin this past weekend and he told me about how he and his roommate have started going to matinee movies and then movie-jumping afterward. He said that noone ever suspects them of it because they're 30. He makes me proud.
...For one of the last busy weeks of the quarter. Everything will wind up with the presentation that we're giving in Advanced Articulation this week. We're the last group to go...in a 4-6 class on a Friday in the last session of that particular class ever. We don't think that anyone will be there besides the other group presenting.
What else? I talked to Robin this past weekend and he told me about how he and his roommate have started going to matinee movies and then movie-jumping afterward. He said that noone ever suspects them of it because they're 30. He makes me proud.
Monday, July 11, 2005
Getting back into it
It always takes a little bit of an adjustment to shift from weekend mode to week mode. Woo: happy Monday!
First of all, major good wishes to Anne who starts her new job today. Yay!
It was a music-heavy weekend. We went to see some of Todd's friends play on Thursday at the Bottom Lounge, his roommate's band perform on Saturday at the Beat Kitchen, and then finally last night went to a fundraiser concert at Subterranean. Shellac and a few other bands played to raise money for the son of a local musician who recently contracted serious neurological issues. It was a cool experience since tons of people came out and the dad was clearly moved and it was just nice overall. The concert started late, though, and since four bands played, we didn't get back home till like 1:30. The entire night I felt like I was playing hooky, since usually on Sunday nights I'm preparing for the week ahead. I have it pretty good, though, since I don't have stuff to do till the afternoon today.
It always takes a little bit of an adjustment to shift from weekend mode to week mode. Woo: happy Monday!
First of all, major good wishes to Anne who starts her new job today. Yay!
It was a music-heavy weekend. We went to see some of Todd's friends play on Thursday at the Bottom Lounge, his roommate's band perform on Saturday at the Beat Kitchen, and then finally last night went to a fundraiser concert at Subterranean. Shellac and a few other bands played to raise money for the son of a local musician who recently contracted serious neurological issues. It was a cool experience since tons of people came out and the dad was clearly moved and it was just nice overall. The concert started late, though, and since four bands played, we didn't get back home till like 1:30. The entire night I felt like I was playing hooky, since usually on Sunday nights I'm preparing for the week ahead. I have it pretty good, though, since I don't have stuff to do till the afternoon today.
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Checking in
I feel inclined to check in even though I don't have much to say. My parents called last night to check if everything was okay since they hadn't seen a blog post in a while, so I'm assuring all friends and loved ones that I'm alive and well. Even though summer quarter is much more laid back than others, this week and next week will probably be the busiest. My half-quarter class is ending and that means a big group presentation, which is always the bane of one's existence and a yoooge time suck. Last Friday, we met to do some Internet scanning for articles, spent two hours doing so, and came up with nada. So frustrating.
I spent all day zooming around IL suburbs. First to daycare which is in parts of Evanston that I had never seen before (read, not particularly close to school) and then trekked over to catch a ride with Mirhiyah so we could go to the SW suburbs to do some observations for class. We left at 12:45 and didn't get back to Evanston till 6. Then I had to take the train home. Looong afternoon for observations. It was cool to get to watch them, though, and made me feel even better about choosing this field.
In other news, I have to confess that I have a new love. His name is Scratchy, and he's a mammoth lovebug of a cat. His owner was Katja's boyfriend and we came across him when we attending a fourth of July bbq at his place. Scratchy was enormous. And hairy. And a total affection sponge. He had me at hello. Later that night Todd and I discussed my newfound love, and he suggested that I put together a website for him. The website would be incredibly awesome because I am probably not going to be seeing Scratchy again soon (if ever), so I would have to do "artist renditions" of him for lack of photos, and with every entry I would have to cite the number of days it was since I had first made his acquaintance.
Okay, time to do some dishes.
I feel inclined to check in even though I don't have much to say. My parents called last night to check if everything was okay since they hadn't seen a blog post in a while, so I'm assuring all friends and loved ones that I'm alive and well. Even though summer quarter is much more laid back than others, this week and next week will probably be the busiest. My half-quarter class is ending and that means a big group presentation, which is always the bane of one's existence and a yoooge time suck. Last Friday, we met to do some Internet scanning for articles, spent two hours doing so, and came up with nada. So frustrating.
I spent all day zooming around IL suburbs. First to daycare which is in parts of Evanston that I had never seen before (read, not particularly close to school) and then trekked over to catch a ride with Mirhiyah so we could go to the SW suburbs to do some observations for class. We left at 12:45 and didn't get back to Evanston till 6. Then I had to take the train home. Looong afternoon for observations. It was cool to get to watch them, though, and made me feel even better about choosing this field.
In other news, I have to confess that I have a new love. His name is Scratchy, and he's a mammoth lovebug of a cat. His owner was Katja's boyfriend and we came across him when we attending a fourth of July bbq at his place. Scratchy was enormous. And hairy. And a total affection sponge. He had me at hello. Later that night Todd and I discussed my newfound love, and he suggested that I put together a website for him. The website would be incredibly awesome because I am probably not going to be seeing Scratchy again soon (if ever), so I would have to do "artist renditions" of him for lack of photos, and with every entry I would have to cite the number of days it was since I had first made his acquaintance.
Okay, time to do some dishes.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Happy Belated Birthday America!
It was a nice relaxing holiday weekend dominated with barbecues, potlucks, and gorgeous weather. How did the weekend pass so quickly?
It should be noted that we spent July 4th in Todd's neighborhood where there was a constant stream of fireworks displays from morning into the late night (okay, let's be honest...they started yesterday). Nine o' clock was the pinnacle of it all, with fireworks exploding everywhere. These weren't little fireworks like sparklers or tiny things like that: these were all out-see-them-miles-away-high-in-the-sky fireworks. The kind you might see at the end of a minor league baseball game. It was actually really impressive.
You would never have guessed that fireworks are illegal in Illinois.
It was a nice relaxing holiday weekend dominated with barbecues, potlucks, and gorgeous weather. How did the weekend pass so quickly?
It should be noted that we spent July 4th in Todd's neighborhood where there was a constant stream of fireworks displays from morning into the late night (okay, let's be honest...they started yesterday). Nine o' clock was the pinnacle of it all, with fireworks exploding everywhere. These weren't little fireworks like sparklers or tiny things like that: these were all out-see-them-miles-away-high-in-the-sky fireworks. The kind you might see at the end of a minor league baseball game. It was actually really impressive.
You would never have guessed that fireworks are illegal in Illinois.
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
More pride
I'm trying to put together some irregular plural flashcards for my seven year old client. One of the words that I'm looking for in Clipart is "men." Everything that pops up first celebrates gay couples, so men in embraces, holding hands, etc. I'm halfway tempted to use of them just because they're so pretty.
I'm trying to put together some irregular plural flashcards for my seven year old client. One of the words that I'm looking for in Clipart is "men." Everything that pops up first celebrates gay couples, so men in embraces, holding hands, etc. I'm halfway tempted to use of them just because they're so pretty.
Reality!
I was really excited last night. "Average Joe" premiered and someone that Todd knows is on it. I met the guy briefly at one point when he sat a bar before a show his band was playing at The Mutiny (a most excellent dive bar). I was thrilled to recognize the dude, and cheered for him, but then he was ousted first round. First round. Brutal! Apparently he had asked to leave because he hated the girl and needed to get back to his job anyway, but it would have been awesome to have rooted for someone all the way through.
Who can forget "Average Joe Hawaii" when the lady had a huge secret to tell her beloved, which was that she used to date Fabio. And that was enough to make the dude break up with her. SOOOO awesome.
I was really excited last night. "Average Joe" premiered and someone that Todd knows is on it. I met the guy briefly at one point when he sat a bar before a show his band was playing at The Mutiny (a most excellent dive bar). I was thrilled to recognize the dude, and cheered for him, but then he was ousted first round. First round. Brutal! Apparently he had asked to leave because he hated the girl and needed to get back to his job anyway, but it would have been awesome to have rooted for someone all the way through.
Who can forget "Average Joe Hawaii" when the lady had a huge secret to tell her beloved, which was that she used to date Fabio. And that was enough to make the dude break up with her. SOOOO awesome.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Monday, June 27, 2005
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Parking
Todd and I went to Humboldt Park on Saturday. It's expansive and pleasant and a good place to walk to on a sunny, warm day. We stumbled upon a car show filled with glistening, polished old and new cars. I think it was some kind of competition. I thought of Anne, who would have died and gone to heaven over the beautiful Mustangs on display. I was more amused by the huge muscled dude with a pony tail and tank top riding a scooter with the license plate "BIG DADDI."
Afterward we got some Puerto Rican food for lunch. Yum. We realized afterward that we never got our promised plantain chips, though. Daaaamn!
Todd and I went to Humboldt Park on Saturday. It's expansive and pleasant and a good place to walk to on a sunny, warm day. We stumbled upon a car show filled with glistening, polished old and new cars. I think it was some kind of competition. I thought of Anne, who would have died and gone to heaven over the beautiful Mustangs on display. I was more amused by the huge muscled dude with a pony tail and tank top riding a scooter with the license plate "BIG DADDI."
Afterward we got some Puerto Rican food for lunch. Yum. We realized afterward that we never got our promised plantain chips, though. Daaaamn!
Prideful
It was my first Pride Parade and was I glad to be there to experience the phenomenon. We got there today at 11:30 to meet Kevin, Jessica, and a whole slew of others to plant ourselves on a corner of Aldine and Broadway. We stood there for the next few hours and the parade wasn't even finished when we left. The streets were overflowing with people celebrating and drinking many beers and cavorting in honor of the big day. It was a good time. It was also a good time back at Kevin's place afterward where he had so graciously provided snacks and drinks and a place to sit in the AC. Everyone else left to go onto further parties and celebrations, but Todd and I were wiped so we came back to my place and napped for two solid hours.
The floats were all pretty awesome, but I mostly appreciated Kevin's exclamations throughout: when the policemen on horses went by ("Goooo gay horses!"), when a hummer went by with some random advertisement ("Gooo gay hummer!"). I went to the Pride Parade in DC in 1999 and that was a pretty modest event, but Chicago's Pride Parade is An Event with capital letters. Yesterday was Pride Fest, which we missed and I'm sorry about. Apparently RuPaul was the headliner and "sang" from her four albums (Kevin: "who knew?"). At one point she chanted "Give me some money, give me some money" which was a good shtick since people started handing her cash throughout the rest of the show. I need to get in on that action.
I wish that I had taken pictures of the streets after the parade, though. It looked like a war had gone through. Piles of detritus (mainly beer cans) lined the streets and people were flooding on through still in the midst of celebration. I went to the coffee shop tonight to do some studying, and the party was going on strong still. There were also many people weaving all over the place. Techno reverbertated from all of the apartments around me. I wonder how much business all of the bars and restaurants in the area did (a lot).
But the piece de resistance: the grand marshall of the parade (is that the right term?). Wilson Cruz of "My So Called Life." Ricky, for those who don't know the actor's name. He waved gaily (ha!) from his car, bare chested. Boyfriend's been working out in the past 10 years since he was yooge.
It was my first Pride Parade and was I glad to be there to experience the phenomenon. We got there today at 11:30 to meet Kevin, Jessica, and a whole slew of others to plant ourselves on a corner of Aldine and Broadway. We stood there for the next few hours and the parade wasn't even finished when we left. The streets were overflowing with people celebrating and drinking many beers and cavorting in honor of the big day. It was a good time. It was also a good time back at Kevin's place afterward where he had so graciously provided snacks and drinks and a place to sit in the AC. Everyone else left to go onto further parties and celebrations, but Todd and I were wiped so we came back to my place and napped for two solid hours.
The floats were all pretty awesome, but I mostly appreciated Kevin's exclamations throughout: when the policemen on horses went by ("Goooo gay horses!"), when a hummer went by with some random advertisement ("Gooo gay hummer!"). I went to the Pride Parade in DC in 1999 and that was a pretty modest event, but Chicago's Pride Parade is An Event with capital letters. Yesterday was Pride Fest, which we missed and I'm sorry about. Apparently RuPaul was the headliner and "sang" from her four albums (Kevin: "who knew?"). At one point she chanted "Give me some money, give me some money" which was a good shtick since people started handing her cash throughout the rest of the show. I need to get in on that action.
I wish that I had taken pictures of the streets after the parade, though. It looked like a war had gone through. Piles of detritus (mainly beer cans) lined the streets and people were flooding on through still in the midst of celebration. I went to the coffee shop tonight to do some studying, and the party was going on strong still. There were also many people weaving all over the place. Techno reverbertated from all of the apartments around me. I wonder how much business all of the bars and restaurants in the area did (a lot).
But the piece de resistance: the grand marshall of the parade (is that the right term?). Wilson Cruz of "My So Called Life." Ricky, for those who don't know the actor's name. He waved gaily (ha!) from his car, bare chested. Boyfriend's been working out in the past 10 years since he was yooge.
Friday, June 24, 2005
Scorching
Hottest day so far in Chicago! It's going hit 100. Sweeet. I like the heat, but the apartment un-air conditioned can be something to contend with in that case. So far, it's not that terrible, but I think it will be another story in the height of the afternoon.
So my first week is coming to a close of summer quarter. So far, a big thumb's up to summer quarter: it's more laid back and not as pressing as the other quarters, and I like it. I also had my first sessions with all three of my new clients, and I enjoy them all.
I like my rounded, totally unintelligible powerhouse of a two-year old at daycare (he's a bear hugger and would be hopeless at some sort of sit down game, but can be counted on to go nuts over the prospect of blowing bubbles).
I like my three year old in the clinic: she is little and talkative and cooperative and I want to wrap her up and put her in my pocket. She's got amazing people skills as well. Yesterday we were talking about her cat named "Max." Here's a little bit of our conversation:
3-year old: "do you have a dog or a cat?"
K: "No, I don't have one right now, but I want one."
3-year old (with some concern): "You should get a pet. It will make you happy!"
(of course it took a little more time to understand her since she doesn't have a lot of her sounds yet). Last summer I read a great book called "The Ever lasting Story of Nory." It was written from the perspective of an imaginative five year old (I think) who went to a Montessouri school. My three year old attends one as well, and I feel like I'm talking to the Nory character when I work with her.
I also like my seven year old who I'm working on language stuff with. We played Simon Says and she was into it! It's awesome to have engaged clients this quarter after my little spitfire from last quarter. He was cool, but he was clever and set on sabotaging sessions. These little guys that I have right now are happy enough to be there, which is like a fricking gift from the heavens.
So this weekend is Pride Festival. Lakeview is ladened with rainbow flags. I can't wait for the Pride Parade on Sunday, which is supposed to be quite a spectacular event. I hope to take many pictures.
Tonight, Todd (a most awesome boyfriend) is taking me out for my half-birthday (which is actually tomorrow) to see "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" at Bailiwick Arts Center. I can't wait. It's at 11:30, though, and we usually crash around 11 on Fridays. I hope that we can stay awake.
Hottest day so far in Chicago! It's going hit 100. Sweeet. I like the heat, but the apartment un-air conditioned can be something to contend with in that case. So far, it's not that terrible, but I think it will be another story in the height of the afternoon.
So my first week is coming to a close of summer quarter. So far, a big thumb's up to summer quarter: it's more laid back and not as pressing as the other quarters, and I like it. I also had my first sessions with all three of my new clients, and I enjoy them all.
I like my rounded, totally unintelligible powerhouse of a two-year old at daycare (he's a bear hugger and would be hopeless at some sort of sit down game, but can be counted on to go nuts over the prospect of blowing bubbles).
I like my three year old in the clinic: she is little and talkative and cooperative and I want to wrap her up and put her in my pocket. She's got amazing people skills as well. Yesterday we were talking about her cat named "Max." Here's a little bit of our conversation:
3-year old: "do you have a dog or a cat?"
K: "No, I don't have one right now, but I want one."
3-year old (with some concern): "You should get a pet. It will make you happy!"
(of course it took a little more time to understand her since she doesn't have a lot of her sounds yet). Last summer I read a great book called "The Ever lasting Story of Nory." It was written from the perspective of an imaginative five year old (I think) who went to a Montessouri school. My three year old attends one as well, and I feel like I'm talking to the Nory character when I work with her.
I also like my seven year old who I'm working on language stuff with. We played Simon Says and she was into it! It's awesome to have engaged clients this quarter after my little spitfire from last quarter. He was cool, but he was clever and set on sabotaging sessions. These little guys that I have right now are happy enough to be there, which is like a fricking gift from the heavens.
So this weekend is Pride Festival. Lakeview is ladened with rainbow flags. I can't wait for the Pride Parade on Sunday, which is supposed to be quite a spectacular event. I hope to take many pictures.
Tonight, Todd (a most awesome boyfriend) is taking me out for my half-birthday (which is actually tomorrow) to see "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" at Bailiwick Arts Center. I can't wait. It's at 11:30, though, and we usually crash around 11 on Fridays. I hope that we can stay awake.
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Happy Anniversary Indeed!
As Anne mentioned, Christie and Stefan got married two years ago now. Wow, that was a quick two years. It was an awesome wedding and in beautiful Maine and a perfect couple.
As Anne mentioned, Christie and Stefan got married two years ago now. Wow, that was a quick two years. It was an awesome wedding and in beautiful Maine and a perfect couple.
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Goooo Puerto Rico!
It was the Puerto Rican Day parade this past weekend, I think. I know this because I was sitting in Todd's place this Saturday waiting for him to get back from work and there was a constant stream of honks outside of his window. Everyone was out with flags flying and honking loudly, longly, and happily. People were cavorting through the streets with Puerto Rico flags draped over their shoulders. Todd's friend, Steve, said that a few years ago the Puerto Rican day festivities were only one day, then they stretched to a week, and now they're like a month long. Which is cool, because who doesn't love a party? It was quite festive.
We walked to Wicker Park for dinner Saturday night and many houses and cars were festooned with flags, and people were out grilling, and kids were singing about Puerto Rico living forever. I told Todd that by the time he moves out of his place, he'll be hanging flags outside of his window as well. Hooray!
Today the weather was amazing. We took the bus to Randolph street in the West Loop (I think), and went to The Taste of Randolph Street festival. There are tons of restaurants there (as well as the Harpo studios, which I had never seen before) so all of the places were selling their wares. Strategery was involved: the plan was to walk along the entire festival and rank what we wanted to try the most and then go from there. We totally scored with the fresh guacamole from this awesome place called De Cero. We kind of missed with the kebabs from a place that I don't know the name of. By that time we were pretty much dominated, though, so there was much food left untasted. Next time.
It was the Puerto Rican Day parade this past weekend, I think. I know this because I was sitting in Todd's place this Saturday waiting for him to get back from work and there was a constant stream of honks outside of his window. Everyone was out with flags flying and honking loudly, longly, and happily. People were cavorting through the streets with Puerto Rico flags draped over their shoulders. Todd's friend, Steve, said that a few years ago the Puerto Rican day festivities were only one day, then they stretched to a week, and now they're like a month long. Which is cool, because who doesn't love a party? It was quite festive.
We walked to Wicker Park for dinner Saturday night and many houses and cars were festooned with flags, and people were out grilling, and kids were singing about Puerto Rico living forever. I told Todd that by the time he moves out of his place, he'll be hanging flags outside of his window as well. Hooray!
Today the weather was amazing. We took the bus to Randolph street in the West Loop (I think), and went to The Taste of Randolph Street festival. There are tons of restaurants there (as well as the Harpo studios, which I had never seen before) so all of the places were selling their wares. Strategery was involved: the plan was to walk along the entire festival and rank what we wanted to try the most and then go from there. We totally scored with the fresh guacamole from this awesome place called De Cero. We kind of missed with the kebabs from a place that I don't know the name of. By that time we were pretty much dominated, though, so there was much food left untasted. Next time.
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Suck/Swallow/Breathe Synchony
I know all about it now. The class on infant and toddler feeding finished up yesterday, and I think it is one of (if not the) favorite class that I've taken yet at NU. The material was interesting, we learned a good amount of hands-on basic therapy, and the instructor was engaging and easygoing. It was challenging to have to spend the entire day in class and then come home and look over your notes for the next day's quiz, but at least it was all pretty fresh. Plus, I'm done with one of my classes for the summer and the actual quarter's course load will be less brutal.
Most of the people in my class were in my program with the exception of two people: one mom finishing up her undergrad degree and one huge, quiet ponytailed dude. It kind of made sense that the mom was in the class since she had a 2-year old with some issues and had a 4-month old as well. The big quiet dude was in the class so he could graduate on time. Which was yesterday...the same day that the class ended. He seriously went straight from class yesterday to graduation. It slayed me so much that this guy was taking this class because it was no doubt directed toward SLPs in training (which he was not) and HOW did he pick this class? It must have been one of the only one-week classes available, because I can't imagine that this undergrad was like: "I have got to take a class on the feeding and management of infants and toddlers!"
This kind of cracked me up too: our instructor sent around thank you cards for the visiting parents who shared their story. She urged us to write little notes about what we learned from them, so you can imagine that the card was filled with substantial little blurbs. I noticed that the big dude only wrote "Hi!" ... which is so hilarious on a thank you card.
Yes, my threshold for hilarity is lowered.
Anyway, I'm sleepy right now since I woke up pretty early. Last night we had a little dinner party with Steve and Kiley and it was just what the doctor ordered at the end of a long week.
I know all about it now. The class on infant and toddler feeding finished up yesterday, and I think it is one of (if not the) favorite class that I've taken yet at NU. The material was interesting, we learned a good amount of hands-on basic therapy, and the instructor was engaging and easygoing. It was challenging to have to spend the entire day in class and then come home and look over your notes for the next day's quiz, but at least it was all pretty fresh. Plus, I'm done with one of my classes for the summer and the actual quarter's course load will be less brutal.
Most of the people in my class were in my program with the exception of two people: one mom finishing up her undergrad degree and one huge, quiet ponytailed dude. It kind of made sense that the mom was in the class since she had a 2-year old with some issues and had a 4-month old as well. The big quiet dude was in the class so he could graduate on time. Which was yesterday...the same day that the class ended. He seriously went straight from class yesterday to graduation. It slayed me so much that this guy was taking this class because it was no doubt directed toward SLPs in training (which he was not) and HOW did he pick this class? It must have been one of the only one-week classes available, because I can't imagine that this undergrad was like: "I have got to take a class on the feeding and management of infants and toddlers!"
This kind of cracked me up too: our instructor sent around thank you cards for the visiting parents who shared their story. She urged us to write little notes about what we learned from them, so you can imagine that the card was filled with substantial little blurbs. I noticed that the big dude only wrote "Hi!" ... which is so hilarious on a thank you card.
Yes, my threshold for hilarity is lowered.
Anyway, I'm sleepy right now since I woke up pretty early. Last night we had a little dinner party with Steve and Kiley and it was just what the doctor ordered at the end of a long week.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Rocking
Tonight Todd's band, All Limbs Intact, played for the first time ever. It was at the Elbo Room and they were pretty awesome. It was all instrumental since they're working on the vocals, but their playing was great, and while they celebrate the loud, my ear plugs that I brought protected me from noise exposure. Nice job, Todd!
Tonight Todd's band, All Limbs Intact, played for the first time ever. It was at the Elbo Room and they were pretty awesome. It was all instrumental since they're working on the vocals, but their playing was great, and while they celebrate the loud, my ear plugs that I brought protected me from noise exposure. Nice job, Todd!
Wedding Bells Ringing for Hambone
This is way belated, but a major congratulations to Lisa who recently got engaged...in Spain of all places!
Is KFC catering??
This is way belated, but a major congratulations to Lisa who recently got engaged...in Spain of all places!
Is KFC catering??
Monday, June 13, 2005
Freedom is a buck oh five
We watched "Team America: World Police" this weekend and it was pretty hilarious. I couldn't get over how much work must have gone into that movie. All of those puppets! I could watch footage over and over of the puppets walking away, though, and laugh endlessly. The Kim Jong Il puppet was pretty awesome too.
Like Anne, we also watched "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou." I also didn't love it as much as his other movies (can anything touch "Rushmore"? Not likely), but there were some funny parts. Not the least of which is when Zissou urged his son to call him "Stevesie" rather than "dad" since it sounds better.
We watched "Team America: World Police" this weekend and it was pretty hilarious. I couldn't get over how much work must have gone into that movie. All of those puppets! I could watch footage over and over of the puppets walking away, though, and laugh endlessly. The Kim Jong Il puppet was pretty awesome too.
Like Anne, we also watched "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou." I also didn't love it as much as his other movies (can anything touch "Rushmore"? Not likely), but there were some funny parts. Not the least of which is when Zissou urged his son to call him "Stevesie" rather than "dad" since it sounds better.
These are a few of my favorite things
I'm taking my intensive class on Infant Feeding this week, and I like it so far. I was a little apprehensive about the 9-5 class, but the class is pretty laid back with plenty of breaks and videos and stories. We only have a quiz every day and a little presentation at the end, so no mid-terms or exams or massive papers.
Plus, the class is all about babies and toddlers and eating which are my favorite topics in the world. We watched a video today of a normally developing baby--how she went from shoving food in her mouth to grasping utensils all for naught to finally directing the utensils to her wide open maw. It was pretty awesome. Tomorrow we have visitors: toddlers and small children who have feeding issues and their parents. One of the kids only eats bbq potato chips because he won't accept any other texture and taste. My kind of kid.
I'm taking my intensive class on Infant Feeding this week, and I like it so far. I was a little apprehensive about the 9-5 class, but the class is pretty laid back with plenty of breaks and videos and stories. We only have a quiz every day and a little presentation at the end, so no mid-terms or exams or massive papers.
Plus, the class is all about babies and toddlers and eating which are my favorite topics in the world. We watched a video today of a normally developing baby--how she went from shoving food in her mouth to grasping utensils all for naught to finally directing the utensils to her wide open maw. It was pretty awesome. Tomorrow we have visitors: toddlers and small children who have feeding issues and their parents. One of the kids only eats bbq potato chips because he won't accept any other texture and taste. My kind of kid.
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Sunday night
It was a nice four day weekend and much needed. I slept...a lot. Like all the time. It was pretty awesome.
Friday night we went to this place called the Hideout to see someone Todd know play blues guitar. I had never been to the Hideout before, but had been planning to find my way there back in September when FOUND Magazine was having a show there. Good thing that I didn't, because who knows if I would have gotten there. The Hideout is in the middle of nowhere, smack nestled in among all of these industrial buildings. What a cool place, though: small and a neat show venue. The place looks like a set from "Twin Peaks." Plus they have benches outside where you can sit when the weather is breezy and balmy like it was on Friday night. Hillary was going to meet us there, but I assumed that she decided to bail. I found out later that she got turned around on the bus, figured that she was in the wrong/bad neighborhood and then had to hang out in a KFC and called her roommate to pick her up after two cab companies never showed. Poor Hillary. Anyway, the place is a Hideout indeed.
On Saturday, we caught the blue line to downtown and wandered around the book fair held on Printer's Row. It was hot and kind of crowded, but pleasant to wander around all of the books. Plus, they were giving away popsicles. Free popsicles = Happy Kristin. Afterward we wandered over to Grant Park to the Blues Festival. That's a cool thing about Chicago: there always seems to be something going on when the weather gets nice.
Today we walked over to Wicker Park to have lunch and to go to Walgreen's where I could buy school stuff for tomorrow. Class starts tomorrow at 9 a.m. and goes all week, but I'm happy at the prospect of pounding one out of the way before the quarter officially starts.
It was a nice four day weekend and much needed. I slept...a lot. Like all the time. It was pretty awesome.
Friday night we went to this place called the Hideout to see someone Todd know play blues guitar. I had never been to the Hideout before, but had been planning to find my way there back in September when FOUND Magazine was having a show there. Good thing that I didn't, because who knows if I would have gotten there. The Hideout is in the middle of nowhere, smack nestled in among all of these industrial buildings. What a cool place, though: small and a neat show venue. The place looks like a set from "Twin Peaks." Plus they have benches outside where you can sit when the weather is breezy and balmy like it was on Friday night. Hillary was going to meet us there, but I assumed that she decided to bail. I found out later that she got turned around on the bus, figured that she was in the wrong/bad neighborhood and then had to hang out in a KFC and called her roommate to pick her up after two cab companies never showed. Poor Hillary. Anyway, the place is a Hideout indeed.
On Saturday, we caught the blue line to downtown and wandered around the book fair held on Printer's Row. It was hot and kind of crowded, but pleasant to wander around all of the books. Plus, they were giving away popsicles. Free popsicles = Happy Kristin. Afterward we wandered over to Grant Park to the Blues Festival. That's a cool thing about Chicago: there always seems to be something going on when the weather gets nice.
Today we walked over to Wicker Park to have lunch and to go to Walgreen's where I could buy school stuff for tomorrow. Class starts tomorrow at 9 a.m. and goes all week, but I'm happy at the prospect of pounding one out of the way before the quarter officially starts.
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Word and Phrases that sound gross, but they aren't.
I love this one:
Special bastard
A child born of parents before marriage, the parties afterwards intermarrying.
Jeffrey Kacirk, The Word Museum
(via metafilter)
I love this one:
Special bastard
A child born of parents before marriage, the parties afterwards intermarrying.
Jeffrey Kacirk, The Word Museum
(via metafilter)
Change my grade!
There's a Washington Post article written by a professor at American University about how many students challenge grades these days. It sounds like it's a pretty common thing. I've always been fascinated by the tenacity of students who do this, since most of the time, you can't really argue with numerical grades. Plus, who cares if you get a B or a B+? Noone. It's kind of hilarious to read how professors will post grades right before they have to leave for break and then run out the door to avoid the onslaught of phone calls.
I have found that I get nervous over grades mainly now because we can't get lower than a B in our core classes otherwise we would have to do remediation. The threat of that is enough to make me study my arse off.
Also, more confusion from the finanical aid office here about what forms to fill out and when! It's a labrynthine ordeal, y'all.
(via tmn)
There's a Washington Post article written by a professor at American University about how many students challenge grades these days. It sounds like it's a pretty common thing. I've always been fascinated by the tenacity of students who do this, since most of the time, you can't really argue with numerical grades. Plus, who cares if you get a B or a B+? Noone. It's kind of hilarious to read how professors will post grades right before they have to leave for break and then run out the door to avoid the onslaught of phone calls.
I have found that I get nervous over grades mainly now because we can't get lower than a B in our core classes otherwise we would have to do remediation. The threat of that is enough to make me study my arse off.
Also, more confusion from the finanical aid office here about what forms to fill out and when! It's a labrynthine ordeal, y'all.
(via tmn)
And...
Spring quarter has officially come to a wrap! The exam last night went pretty well and quickly (one person finished in about half an hour). I love doable exams. I have four days till the next class starts--four days of nothing! Luxury! Now it's time to catch up on wee chores and cleaning and grocery shopping and all of that good stuff.
Spring quarter has officially come to a wrap! The exam last night went pretty well and quickly (one person finished in about half an hour). I love doable exams. I have four days till the next class starts--four days of nothing! Luxury! Now it's time to catch up on wee chores and cleaning and grocery shopping and all of that good stuff.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Update
Zack, the house head doctor, told me today that conversion disorders don't only have to do with voice. My question was answered and without research. Awesome!
I'm working on Delivery Systems for tomorrow night's exam. I'm feeling a wee bit burned out and over this, folks. But I'm going to sit my ass down for the next hour and get through some more of this at least.
Zack, the house head doctor, told me today that conversion disorders don't only have to do with voice. My question was answered and without research. Awesome!
I'm working on Delivery Systems for tomorrow night's exam. I'm feeling a wee bit burned out and over this, folks. But I'm going to sit my ass down for the next hour and get through some more of this at least.
Intervention
I have a problem. I am seriously addicted to sugar-free popsicles. They are just what the doctor ordered in this hot weather.
I went and sat by Belmont Harbor this afternoon with the pretense of studying. Didn't happen, but it was nice to soak up some rays by the water. Now I'm sleepy from the sun, though...
How else to kill time? Reading Well Traveled on Slate.
I have a problem. I am seriously addicted to sugar-free popsicles. They are just what the doctor ordered in this hot weather.
I went and sat by Belmont Harbor this afternoon with the pretense of studying. Didn't happen, but it was nice to soak up some rays by the water. Now I'm sleepy from the sun, though...
How else to kill time? Reading Well Traveled on Slate.
Monday, June 06, 2005
Dude
I'm tired of studying. I spent a good four and a half hours today sitting in the Borders coffee shop in a voice study group (although that was more fun by studying by myself and a good bit helpful as well) and then spent a couple of hours tonight reviewing and getting a leg up on the exam that's on Wednesday.
I also watched two hours of "Hell's Kitchen," and I am hooked, yo. That dude is so mean! I would totally crumple under his meanness, it's true. I would get kicked out stat and it would not be a pretty sight. Maybe entertaining, though. There was one dude on there though who was caterwauling with kidney stone pain that seemed to spring up during the stressful times, and all I could think was "conversion disorder!" That's something that happens in voice: people might lose their voice or suffer disorders whenever a stressful situation starts, whether to turn the stress into something else or to unconsciously create something that will help them avoid the noxious situation. We talked about this for a good 10 minutes during our study session today. I'm not sure if conversion disorders are only with voice, though: I'll have to figure that out.
I'm sad that I'm not taking my short break in lieu of taking this intensive class that starts this Monday. I mean, I know I'll be glad during the quarter when I have one less class to contend with, but it sucks to go straight back into work and to know that I'm be wrung out when the quarter actually starts. Plus, I felt a stab of homesickness for DC tonight. I talked to my parents on the phone and thought about what it would be like to stretch out on their couch in the back room with a Washington Post Magazine in my hands, the smell of good dinner in the background and it would be mighty nice. mighty nice.
Whoops, it's late. I need to get my beauty sleep for the exam bright and early tomorrow morning. I can't wait!!!!
I'm tired of studying. I spent a good four and a half hours today sitting in the Borders coffee shop in a voice study group (although that was more fun by studying by myself and a good bit helpful as well) and then spent a couple of hours tonight reviewing and getting a leg up on the exam that's on Wednesday.
I also watched two hours of "Hell's Kitchen," and I am hooked, yo. That dude is so mean! I would totally crumple under his meanness, it's true. I would get kicked out stat and it would not be a pretty sight. Maybe entertaining, though. There was one dude on there though who was caterwauling with kidney stone pain that seemed to spring up during the stressful times, and all I could think was "conversion disorder!" That's something that happens in voice: people might lose their voice or suffer disorders whenever a stressful situation starts, whether to turn the stress into something else or to unconsciously create something that will help them avoid the noxious situation. We talked about this for a good 10 minutes during our study session today. I'm not sure if conversion disorders are only with voice, though: I'll have to figure that out.
I'm sad that I'm not taking my short break in lieu of taking this intensive class that starts this Monday. I mean, I know I'll be glad during the quarter when I have one less class to contend with, but it sucks to go straight back into work and to know that I'm be wrung out when the quarter actually starts. Plus, I felt a stab of homesickness for DC tonight. I talked to my parents on the phone and thought about what it would be like to stretch out on their couch in the back room with a Washington Post Magazine in my hands, the smell of good dinner in the background and it would be mighty nice. mighty nice.
Whoops, it's late. I need to get my beauty sleep for the exam bright and early tomorrow morning. I can't wait!!!!
Sunday, June 05, 2005
Break time!
I wasn't around for the Lakeview street festival today, but everyone else was. Todd dropped me off tonight and the streets were filled with people enjoying the warm, balmy evening weather and eating street food. I missed out!
Anyway, last night we went to Steve and Kiley's place for a game night (ah, harkens me back to our game nights back in DC...good times). Kiley fixed up a feast of tacos and salad and banana pudding (which I didn't partake in, not being a fan of bananas and all). Then we played Balderdash and a rousing game of Taboo. I wasn't very good at Balderdash, but Todd was on my team and I think he's got a talent at it. I love Taboo, though, even though I feel ridiculous performance anxiety sometimes. [I *was* impressed, though, when Kiley got "pedal pushers" from the clue "clam diggers." Most of the party was dudes, and they were all like "..." at that.]
Kiley had just gotten Taboo that day, so it was the latest version. I was thinking this morning about how in five years, so many of the words themselves and/or the red-tape clues to them would become outdated. One of the clues in the game last night was "Brad Pitt," and you weren't allowed to say "actor," "sexy" (hah!), or "Jennifer Aniston." But, hello! Even in these past few weeks, what self-respecting celebrity-gossip-gobbling person wouldn't know it from something around "Angelina Jolie." Come on. I also had the word "Jack Nicholson." I wasn't allowed to say movies that he'd been in like "About Schmidt," or "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." But in like five years, won't there be more movies and then you won't even be foiled by those red-tape questions?
Yes, I spent some time thinking about this.
But, dude, I had the word "Adamant" last night. What the hell is that about? Needless to say, I didn't find victory.
Anyway, the take home message of this post is that you should buy Taboo right now with the knowledge that it will become easier with time or harder with time (how many of the names would become irrelevant?).
I wasn't around for the Lakeview street festival today, but everyone else was. Todd dropped me off tonight and the streets were filled with people enjoying the warm, balmy evening weather and eating street food. I missed out!
Anyway, last night we went to Steve and Kiley's place for a game night (ah, harkens me back to our game nights back in DC...good times). Kiley fixed up a feast of tacos and salad and banana pudding (which I didn't partake in, not being a fan of bananas and all). Then we played Balderdash and a rousing game of Taboo. I wasn't very good at Balderdash, but Todd was on my team and I think he's got a talent at it. I love Taboo, though, even though I feel ridiculous performance anxiety sometimes. [I *was* impressed, though, when Kiley got "pedal pushers" from the clue "clam diggers." Most of the party was dudes, and they were all like "..." at that.]
Kiley had just gotten Taboo that day, so it was the latest version. I was thinking this morning about how in five years, so many of the words themselves and/or the red-tape clues to them would become outdated. One of the clues in the game last night was "Brad Pitt," and you weren't allowed to say "actor," "sexy" (hah!), or "Jennifer Aniston." But, hello! Even in these past few weeks, what self-respecting celebrity-gossip-gobbling person wouldn't know it from something around "Angelina Jolie." Come on. I also had the word "Jack Nicholson." I wasn't allowed to say movies that he'd been in like "About Schmidt," or "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." But in like five years, won't there be more movies and then you won't even be foiled by those red-tape questions?
Yes, I spent some time thinking about this.
But, dude, I had the word "Adamant" last night. What the hell is that about? Needless to say, I didn't find victory.
Anyway, the take home message of this post is that you should buy Taboo right now with the knowledge that it will become easier with time or harder with time (how many of the names would become irrelevant?).
All I know is that when I take a break from studying and read Brendan's blog about his current gig and lifestyle (helipad parties! cheap hot lava stone massages! Miami! New York!), I can't help but question my own choices in life.
New Pot
I got a shiny new used big pot today. I'm pretty crazy about it: it's large and comes with a steamer and a pasta sieve and a top and it only cost $2. I went with Todd and Steve and Kiley to a garage sale held by one of the guys in Shellac. Bob something. I wasn't really looking for anything, but was pleased to find a cheap good pot, especially when I've been needing a big one for chilis and sauces and whatnot. And now it's got a little rock and roll history as well.
Man, I'm tired to looking at voice notes.
I got a shiny new used big pot today. I'm pretty crazy about it: it's large and comes with a steamer and a pasta sieve and a top and it only cost $2. I went with Todd and Steve and Kiley to a garage sale held by one of the guys in Shellac. Bob something. I wasn't really looking for anything, but was pleased to find a cheap good pot, especially when I've been needing a big one for chilis and sauces and whatnot. And now it's got a little rock and roll history as well.
Man, I'm tired to looking at voice notes.
Friday, June 03, 2005
Daaaaammmmn!
Yesterday was long. First of all, let me dance a quick jig in honor of being done with classes for the quarter and not having to go to campus today. This is something that needs to be recognized and celebrated.
Second of all, that exam last night? Sapping to the utmost. It was taken at 6, after a full day of classes and hanging around campus all day (which for some reason tires me out even when I'm not doing anything there), and this sucker got served, "this sucker" being me. The professor packed it full of questions on topics that he just skirted over or never mentioned (pet peeve) and did my other pet peeve: asked a whole series of four questions in one and then gave us like a millimeter to answer that shite. I protest! Everyone who came out looked straight out gobsmacked and I came out to find Hillary planted face down on the couch in the lobby area. The important thing is that I think I did okay despite it all and I can now completely and fully put that class to bed.
...and begin to study for Vocal Disorders, on Tuesday, and the true bear of the exam series. I just woke up and have yet to pull out my books. It's much more important that I watch Shakira gyrate and sing on "Good Morning America." I think it's funny when they scan over the crowd, which seems to be a collection of people who stumbled upon the concert. A lot of them are standing there with crosses arms and stone faces and refuse to be swayed into feeling the music, dammit.
Yesterday was long. First of all, let me dance a quick jig in honor of being done with classes for the quarter and not having to go to campus today. This is something that needs to be recognized and celebrated.
Second of all, that exam last night? Sapping to the utmost. It was taken at 6, after a full day of classes and hanging around campus all day (which for some reason tires me out even when I'm not doing anything there), and this sucker got served, "this sucker" being me. The professor packed it full of questions on topics that he just skirted over or never mentioned (pet peeve) and did my other pet peeve: asked a whole series of four questions in one and then gave us like a millimeter to answer that shite. I protest! Everyone who came out looked straight out gobsmacked and I came out to find Hillary planted face down on the couch in the lobby area. The important thing is that I think I did okay despite it all and I can now completely and fully put that class to bed.
...and begin to study for Vocal Disorders, on Tuesday, and the true bear of the exam series. I just woke up and have yet to pull out my books. It's much more important that I watch Shakira gyrate and sing on "Good Morning America." I think it's funny when they scan over the crowd, which seems to be a collection of people who stumbled upon the concert. A lot of them are standing there with crosses arms and stone faces and refuse to be swayed into feeling the music, dammit.
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