The best picture from Stuffonmycat.com in my humble opinion. I think that I might need to make this my wallpaper.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
As Des pointed out:
this website, Stuff on my Cat, is worth some minor celebration. Lord help me when I look at the cat in overalls. I think I need to add it to the blog, actually.
this website, Stuff on my Cat, is worth some minor celebration. Lord help me when I look at the cat in overalls. I think I need to add it to the blog, actually.
Shopping Online...
...is where it's at. I did 99% of my Christmas shopping online on Friday, and everything arrived today! I'm seriously impressed. And I managed to garner some major savings as well through strategic use of promotions, sales, and this and that. I am pleased, and feel that I got my money's worth. Thank you, Internet.
...is where it's at. I did 99% of my Christmas shopping online on Friday, and everything arrived today! I'm seriously impressed. And I managed to garner some major savings as well through strategic use of promotions, sales, and this and that. I am pleased, and feel that I got my money's worth. Thank you, Internet.
Warning...
Last night Annie and I went for our bi-annual visit to Rock It Grill on Tuesday nights to watch the regulars go at the karaoke. It's amazing, because after visiting there three or four times over the period of a year and a half, we're starting to recognize them and know some of these guys by name (Mandingo, for instance...although it should be noted that Mandingo had a sore throat last night so after struggling through one song, he got off the stage, promptly folded up his pool cue and was outta there).
Our favorite guys from the halfway house who regularly hit the stage with aplomb were there. That one older, hunched over white guy got up there and sand "End of the Road" again just like last time, but this time he was better! (he must have been practicing every week).
There were also a couple of serious, talented karaoke people like a couple of women who sang the hell out of some Alicia Keyes songs and ROCKED "Total Eclipse of the Heart" (best karaoke song ever).
But the best...the BEST...was this rowdy table of college-age type people that contained one parrticular character who we nicknamed "choking hazard." Why that name? Well, my friends, because he advertised as one in that he had the klassiest t-shirt of all time that was emblazoned with a huge arrow pointing down to his groin area with the words "choking hazard" plastered across it. Niiiice. Who wants one for Christmas?
The girls at the table were having a grand time, and the best was when they drug themselves to the dance floors and slow danced to Eminem's "Forgot About Dre." Ben joined Annie and me later on in the night and we all noted that this would make an excellent song to dance to at one's wedding.
So, as always, an excellent night at the Rock It on a Tuesday night. And major thanks to Annie who treated. :) She knows the way to my heart.
Last night Annie and I went for our bi-annual visit to Rock It Grill on Tuesday nights to watch the regulars go at the karaoke. It's amazing, because after visiting there three or four times over the period of a year and a half, we're starting to recognize them and know some of these guys by name (Mandingo, for instance...although it should be noted that Mandingo had a sore throat last night so after struggling through one song, he got off the stage, promptly folded up his pool cue and was outta there).
Our favorite guys from the halfway house who regularly hit the stage with aplomb were there. That one older, hunched over white guy got up there and sand "End of the Road" again just like last time, but this time he was better! (he must have been practicing every week).
There were also a couple of serious, talented karaoke people like a couple of women who sang the hell out of some Alicia Keyes songs and ROCKED "Total Eclipse of the Heart" (best karaoke song ever).
But the best...the BEST...was this rowdy table of college-age type people that contained one parrticular character who we nicknamed "choking hazard." Why that name? Well, my friends, because he advertised as one in that he had the klassiest t-shirt of all time that was emblazoned with a huge arrow pointing down to his groin area with the words "choking hazard" plastered across it. Niiiice. Who wants one for Christmas?
The girls at the table were having a grand time, and the best was when they drug themselves to the dance floors and slow danced to Eminem's "Forgot About Dre." Ben joined Annie and me later on in the night and we all noted that this would make an excellent song to dance to at one's wedding.
So, as always, an excellent night at the Rock It on a Tuesday night. And major thanks to Annie who treated. :) She knows the way to my heart.
Monday, December 19, 2005
A whole new world
I got contacts today! I finally broke down and did it since I was realizing that those times when I was taking off my glasses were getting fewer and fewer as grad school has addded a strain to my vision for sure. It was getting to the point that I hoped that I wouldn't pass anyone I knew on the streets since I never recognize people from a distance and didn't notice a person who might be waving for my attention until they were like five feet away.
So: freedom! And I got my contacts in within two tries: the woman who helped me and the doctor were impressed.
I got my eyes checked and my contacts at the lovelu Dulles Town Center mall. I haven't been to a mall in a long time, so kind of enjoyed the experience of wandering the corridors there, amidst the crowds and the music. There were a lot of people at the mall on a Monday afternoon (even with the impending holiday).
I got contacts today! I finally broke down and did it since I was realizing that those times when I was taking off my glasses were getting fewer and fewer as grad school has addded a strain to my vision for sure. It was getting to the point that I hoped that I wouldn't pass anyone I knew on the streets since I never recognize people from a distance and didn't notice a person who might be waving for my attention until they were like five feet away.
So: freedom! And I got my contacts in within two tries: the woman who helped me and the doctor were impressed.
I got my eyes checked and my contacts at the lovelu Dulles Town Center mall. I haven't been to a mall in a long time, so kind of enjoyed the experience of wandering the corridors there, amidst the crowds and the music. There were a lot of people at the mall on a Monday afternoon (even with the impending holiday).
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Oh my god.
So as some of you might know, Tai Shan, the new baby panda to the National Zoo who is unerringly, breathtakingly adorable is called Butterstick by some followers (as when he was born, he was described the size of a stick of butter). The National Zoo cast off that name when people were voting in. Bastards. Anyway, someone has made products celebrating The Stick (as Wonkette calls him) and I need a t-shirt stat.
So as some of you might know, Tai Shan, the new baby panda to the National Zoo who is unerringly, breathtakingly adorable is called Butterstick by some followers (as when he was born, he was described the size of a stick of butter). The National Zoo cast off that name when people were voting in. Bastards. Anyway, someone has made products celebrating The Stick (as Wonkette calls him) and I need a t-shirt stat.
I have officially found my world's most favorite website ever: Cute Overload, where they scour the Internet for cute and they deliver.
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Back from Des and Bryan's which was a lot of fun. I got to see James, Cindy, Dave and Dee along with Des, Bryan and Anne, so that was a good time. I need to report that Des and Bryan's pets are *extremely* lovable. Last time I saw their golden retriever pup he was all leggy and growing into his huge paws and now he is officially a Big Boy. And a total lovebug. Their kitty is a major snuggler as well. I need a pet to snuggle with stat...as soon as I have some time and money. Sometime before I die, I hope.
DC is for eating well.
It's been great being back. Last night I hung out with Ms. Anne, cooking up some chicken and whole wheat pasta and enjoying the gorgeous flowers that she brought as well as the sinfully delectable dessert and champagne. Oh my gah. Lots of fun.
This morning, major thanks to Suzi who hosted the most amazing brunch at her lovely new place. Suzi packs a culinary punch every single time, and I always look forward to meals that she whips up. Today was no disappointment: she made french toast out of some sort of european bread, chicken and apple sausage patties and frittata alongside coffee and mulled wine as libations. So Suzi's place was lovely as was the company when I got to catch up with Matt and Grace, and Anne again as well. So thank you, Suz, you always outdo yourself!
Tonight is a party celebrating "Kicking and Screaming" (not the Will Ferrell one) at Des and Bry's. Saturday's like the most fun day ever.
It's been great being back. Last night I hung out with Ms. Anne, cooking up some chicken and whole wheat pasta and enjoying the gorgeous flowers that she brought as well as the sinfully delectable dessert and champagne. Oh my gah. Lots of fun.
This morning, major thanks to Suzi who hosted the most amazing brunch at her lovely new place. Suzi packs a culinary punch every single time, and I always look forward to meals that she whips up. Today was no disappointment: she made french toast out of some sort of european bread, chicken and apple sausage patties and frittata alongside coffee and mulled wine as libations. So Suzi's place was lovely as was the company when I got to catch up with Matt and Grace, and Anne again as well. So thank you, Suz, you always outdo yourself!
Tonight is a party celebrating "Kicking and Screaming" (not the Will Ferrell one) at Des and Bry's. Saturday's like the most fun day ever.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Home means lots of diet coke (with lime!) in the pantry...
...which means trouble since I drink it into the night and then can't fall asleep with ease. But who cares, because I don't gotta do anything tomorrow morning! It's good to be back in DC: we had an awesome feast of roast beef from the rotisserie (juicy), fresh salad with green onions and avocado, and brocolli. Mmmm. And I got to watch lots of bad tv this afternoon when I got home. DC is rainy and wet and my parents' street is probably 99% black ice right now, but tomorrow should be sunny and 44 degrees, which is practically summer.
So, I've been a crap blogger for the past few days. I'm trying to sit and remember what I've been up to. On Tuesday I had my VERY LAST client of the quarter. It was only 50 minutes so it was quick, but since clinic officially closed two weeks before and exams ended last week, it felt like a ghost town. I was in and out, though, and then freeeeedoooom. That night I had an awesome dinner with Pam and went home and crashed like I've never crashed before. Wednesday I had brunch with Ting at the much ballyhooed Orange, a brunch place closeby that is packed on the weekends but nice and empty on Wednesdays at 11:30. Orange is yummy definitely, and I love their water garnished with thin slivers of cucumber, but I have to say that Nookie's Tree gives it a real run for its money in terms of brunch fare, AND it's never a long wait for a table there.
After brunch, I burned off my eggs by trekking to Roscoe Village in the cold wet sleet and gross dirty snow to get my hair chopped at Big Hair. Todd had recommended this funky little no-appointment kinda place and I knew that their prices rivaled Hair Cuttery but their quality was like three bazillion times better. I was totally pleased: Big Hair was super fun and cheap as all hell. I got my hair cut for $15 and was out of there within half an hour. I think I will switch from my other, more expensive dude. And no line since Wednesday afternoon!
So I managed to get my bidness all done in Chicago before leaving and now I'm back in DC where I very much need to do some major Christmas shopping because I have nothing right now. Nothing. Tomorrow I'm going to be burning up the Internet.
...which means trouble since I drink it into the night and then can't fall asleep with ease. But who cares, because I don't gotta do anything tomorrow morning! It's good to be back in DC: we had an awesome feast of roast beef from the rotisserie (juicy), fresh salad with green onions and avocado, and brocolli. Mmmm. And I got to watch lots of bad tv this afternoon when I got home. DC is rainy and wet and my parents' street is probably 99% black ice right now, but tomorrow should be sunny and 44 degrees, which is practically summer.
So, I've been a crap blogger for the past few days. I'm trying to sit and remember what I've been up to. On Tuesday I had my VERY LAST client of the quarter. It was only 50 minutes so it was quick, but since clinic officially closed two weeks before and exams ended last week, it felt like a ghost town. I was in and out, though, and then freeeeedoooom. That night I had an awesome dinner with Pam and went home and crashed like I've never crashed before. Wednesday I had brunch with Ting at the much ballyhooed Orange, a brunch place closeby that is packed on the weekends but nice and empty on Wednesdays at 11:30. Orange is yummy definitely, and I love their water garnished with thin slivers of cucumber, but I have to say that Nookie's Tree gives it a real run for its money in terms of brunch fare, AND it's never a long wait for a table there.
After brunch, I burned off my eggs by trekking to Roscoe Village in the cold wet sleet and gross dirty snow to get my hair chopped at Big Hair. Todd had recommended this funky little no-appointment kinda place and I knew that their prices rivaled Hair Cuttery but their quality was like three bazillion times better. I was totally pleased: Big Hair was super fun and cheap as all hell. I got my hair cut for $15 and was out of there within half an hour. I think I will switch from my other, more expensive dude. And no line since Wednesday afternoon!
So I managed to get my bidness all done in Chicago before leaving and now I'm back in DC where I very much need to do some major Christmas shopping because I have nothing right now. Nothing. Tomorrow I'm going to be burning up the Internet.
Monday, December 12, 2005
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Gray slush
It snowed a lot on Thursday night, I neglected to mention before. See, if you might remember, I was all psyched because I was set to go with Todd to his company's holiday fancy dinner, but the snow put a kibosh on our plans since we would have been sitting in a standstill on the highway for no less than five hours to get there. Bastard snow.
Probably three to five (correction: 8-10) inches fell, and while that might stop DC in its tracks for a few days, Chicago didn't blink an eye. Everything carried on as usual. The snow when it first fell was quite pretty, but now it's a few days later and with the slight warming of the weather and the many cars that go through the streets, there is a lot of gray slush. Last night I stepped in an entire cold puddle of it because it looked like it was all solid and pavement and crap. Someone pointed out that you can tell the good landlords from the bad landlords by whether or not the steps are shoveled. I'm happy to report that everything is shoveled at my apartment building and all of the pathways are clear.
It snowed a lot on Thursday night, I neglected to mention before. See, if you might remember, I was all psyched because I was set to go with Todd to his company's holiday fancy dinner, but the snow put a kibosh on our plans since we would have been sitting in a standstill on the highway for no less than five hours to get there. Bastard snow.
Probably three to five (correction: 8-10) inches fell, and while that might stop DC in its tracks for a few days, Chicago didn't blink an eye. Everything carried on as usual. The snow when it first fell was quite pretty, but now it's a few days later and with the slight warming of the weather and the many cars that go through the streets, there is a lot of gray slush. Last night I stepped in an entire cold puddle of it because it looked like it was all solid and pavement and crap. Someone pointed out that you can tell the good landlords from the bad landlords by whether or not the steps are shoveled. I'm happy to report that everything is shoveled at my apartment building and all of the pathways are clear.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
I agree.
Slate has an essay about how that stupid Black Eyed Peas song "My Humps" is "a song so awful it hurts the mind." I heard it a few times when I was scanning radio stations while working out, and was like "wtf."
"My Humps" is a moment that reminds us that categories such as "good" and "bad" still matter. Relativism be damned! There are bad songs that offend our sensibilities but can still be enjoyed, and then there are the songs that are just really bad—transcendentally bad, objectively bad.
Amen.
Speaking of horrifically bad songs, I heard a song on the country station yesterday with the chorus surrounding a "Honky tonk Budunkadonk." Yep, I wish that i were lying about that one.
Slate has an essay about how that stupid Black Eyed Peas song "My Humps" is "a song so awful it hurts the mind." I heard it a few times when I was scanning radio stations while working out, and was like "wtf."
"My Humps" is a moment that reminds us that categories such as "good" and "bad" still matter. Relativism be damned! There are bad songs that offend our sensibilities but can still be enjoyed, and then there are the songs that are just really bad—transcendentally bad, objectively bad.
Amen.
Speaking of horrifically bad songs, I heard a song on the country station yesterday with the chorus surrounding a "Honky tonk Budunkadonk." Yep, I wish that i were lying about that one.
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Project Runway
...is back! Yahoo! I watched the two hour premiere tonight with Hillary and it was the best two hours of my week by far. I think that I'll be looking forward to every Wednesday night as it comes up. Oh man.
In other news, the cold here is getting kind of ridiculous. I'm wearing my long underwear now for sure, and still my legs get all cold after walking the 12 minutes to the Belmont el stop. And because these past few days have been full of other little trips and errands, much more walking has been involved, and it's been brutally hilarious with the cold. Apparently it hasn't been this low in temperature for this time of year for a few decades here. So we've got that going for us...
In terms of work: two hours of observation complete today as well as one client session (who brought us cookies from Kim's bakery, which was very thoughtful). Tomorrow: last two hours of observation and then whipping up a report. Let's hope that it's a relatively quick dealie. Tomorrow night is Todd's company's holiday party: I see steak in my future. Am I correct in that estimation, Todd?
...is back! Yahoo! I watched the two hour premiere tonight with Hillary and it was the best two hours of my week by far. I think that I'll be looking forward to every Wednesday night as it comes up. Oh man.
In other news, the cold here is getting kind of ridiculous. I'm wearing my long underwear now for sure, and still my legs get all cold after walking the 12 minutes to the Belmont el stop. And because these past few days have been full of other little trips and errands, much more walking has been involved, and it's been brutally hilarious with the cold. Apparently it hasn't been this low in temperature for this time of year for a few decades here. So we've got that going for us...
In terms of work: two hours of observation complete today as well as one client session (who brought us cookies from Kim's bakery, which was very thoughtful). Tomorrow: last two hours of observation and then whipping up a report. Let's hope that it's a relatively quick dealie. Tomorrow night is Todd's company's holiday party: I see steak in my future. Am I correct in that estimation, Todd?
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Hoorah!
Finished the last exam today! I'm not quite out of the woods yet, since there's one more assignment left and a couple more therapy sessions, but I'm so almost there. The diagnostics exam today was all right: as we expected we needed to basically write a diagnostics report based on the tests that we scored over the weekend which meant that the entire two hours of exam time was spent scribbling on paper all of our ideas. We all agreed afterward that it would have been much better if we were using computers since that's basically the way that we write now, but whatever. The end of my exam was a bit questionable, but I think that I got all of my ideas out there. I was totally wiped out toward the end.
But tonight was totally fun. Hillary had her annual birthday party, Hilladay. It was at a Mexican place on Belmont so a short hop, skip and a jump away. Over 20 of us showed and there was an awesome gift exchange. I snagged a complete kit of Burt's Bees stuff which I had been eyeing especially the good lip balm. I got it now, kids, I got it now. I brought another t-shirt that I got made at Strange Cargo, especially for the people who had taken Diagnostics in our group. There's one particular test of sentence structure analysis that drubbed some serious asses on the last exam. I got a 2/10 in scoring it correctly. Yes, 2 out of 10. I was even happy to have gotten two points, frankly. So the shirt theme that I chose celebrated said test called The DSS. I'm happy to report that the shirt got stolen three times in the gift exchange (stealing being one of the rules) and ended up with Bonnie who I know *really* loves the DSS. I took pictures, which you can admire above.
But I so love the end of the quarter. I love coming home and not having to slave over work. Hell, I love *being able* to come home rather than having to have stayed at home to do work. I love having time to work out during the day and having time to make good, healthy meals. I love time.
Finished the last exam today! I'm not quite out of the woods yet, since there's one more assignment left and a couple more therapy sessions, but I'm so almost there. The diagnostics exam today was all right: as we expected we needed to basically write a diagnostics report based on the tests that we scored over the weekend which meant that the entire two hours of exam time was spent scribbling on paper all of our ideas. We all agreed afterward that it would have been much better if we were using computers since that's basically the way that we write now, but whatever. The end of my exam was a bit questionable, but I think that I got all of my ideas out there. I was totally wiped out toward the end.
But tonight was totally fun. Hillary had her annual birthday party, Hilladay. It was at a Mexican place on Belmont so a short hop, skip and a jump away. Over 20 of us showed and there was an awesome gift exchange. I snagged a complete kit of Burt's Bees stuff which I had been eyeing especially the good lip balm. I got it now, kids, I got it now. I brought another t-shirt that I got made at Strange Cargo, especially for the people who had taken Diagnostics in our group. There's one particular test of sentence structure analysis that drubbed some serious asses on the last exam. I got a 2/10 in scoring it correctly. Yes, 2 out of 10. I was even happy to have gotten two points, frankly. So the shirt theme that I chose celebrated said test called The DSS. I'm happy to report that the shirt got stolen three times in the gift exchange (stealing being one of the rules) and ended up with Bonnie who I know *really* loves the DSS. I took pictures, which you can admire above.
But I so love the end of the quarter. I love coming home and not having to slave over work. Hell, I love *being able* to come home rather than having to have stayed at home to do work. I love having time to work out during the day and having time to make good, healthy meals. I love time.
Monday, December 05, 2005
Dude, it's like 11 degrees outside right now
I don't think that I can fully express the level of the cold that has come down upon Chicago. I've developed a strategy that works to nestle my melon head from the freeze by wearing the hood of my sweatshirt and then adding the wind proof hood of my winter jacket. I totally love my winter jacket: it does the JOB. Sexy it's not, but it's functional as hell.
Not much else to report here except that exam week is here! I turned in my fluency final this morning that was a takehome that was approximately 20 pages long with the references. I felt utter despair when our professor handed it to us on Wednesday, but I was intent on plowing through that bad boy this past weekend and it got done. I can't believe it. Tomorrow we have our diagnostics midterm which I feel questionable about if only because there's no real way to prepare. I scored my tests, I'm going to bring them in, I have a general idea what to say about them, but that's all I can really do.
This week isn't really going to end till Friday (things kept on popping up), but then this weekend will be like the funnest one ever (before I head back to DC that is, which is in 9 days now!).
And that's all, folks. Until tomorrow or a few days later.
I don't think that I can fully express the level of the cold that has come down upon Chicago. I've developed a strategy that works to nestle my melon head from the freeze by wearing the hood of my sweatshirt and then adding the wind proof hood of my winter jacket. I totally love my winter jacket: it does the JOB. Sexy it's not, but it's functional as hell.
Not much else to report here except that exam week is here! I turned in my fluency final this morning that was a takehome that was approximately 20 pages long with the references. I felt utter despair when our professor handed it to us on Wednesday, but I was intent on plowing through that bad boy this past weekend and it got done. I can't believe it. Tomorrow we have our diagnostics midterm which I feel questionable about if only because there's no real way to prepare. I scored my tests, I'm going to bring them in, I have a general idea what to say about them, but that's all I can really do.
This week isn't really going to end till Friday (things kept on popping up), but then this weekend will be like the funnest one ever (before I head back to DC that is, which is in 9 days now!).
And that's all, folks. Until tomorrow or a few days later.
Friday, December 02, 2005
Monday, November 28, 2005
Break
Last week of class, people! Last week: woowoowoo! Next week is the last of my exams, and I should be completely finished with all commitments by next Wednesday afternoon (I *should* be at least). Of course this week is pretty insane, what with finishing up lots of my clients, turning in final drafts of reports, final conferences, last neuro homework, neuro comprehensive exam (d'oh) and fluency "skills test," which is more like a monster homework assignment. Today was what was supposed to be my last day o' nothing, but it was pretty busy with observations, meetings, and a rescheduled client. I've taken to making excel documents that list all of my to-do items, which is helpful, but also not a little depressing.
But Thanksgiving break was good. I found time to relax as well to work away at the upcoming stuff of this week. Thanksgiving evening Todd and I went to Megan and Laura's for dinner, which was a good alternative to going home. Although the talk of the honey ham that my family was having made me salivate, Laura and Megan and their roommate kicked some major ass with their spread. There were about 15 people there, many of whom were experiencing their first Thanksgiving: it was pretty awesome. So awesome that we left at 9 and I went back and promptly went to bed. I should also mention that Laura and Megan's roommates family came from NY to join in the festivities and brought their hilarious Boston terrier with the meanest wall eye that you've ever encountered. He was the best.
Besides that and studying we also found time to see a show at the Empty Bottle (Rogue Wave?) and making some homemade spaghetti and meatballs, catch up on a few phone calls, and other assorted things. Right now I'm living for the small pleasures (sleep and lots of it, damn it all), home brewed coffee, and hot piping mugs of herbal tea. This quarter has been quite good in terms of experience, but it's lots and lots of work and I look forward to long winter break when I don't have to feel guilty when I'm not doing work.
Last week of class, people! Last week: woowoowoo! Next week is the last of my exams, and I should be completely finished with all commitments by next Wednesday afternoon (I *should* be at least). Of course this week is pretty insane, what with finishing up lots of my clients, turning in final drafts of reports, final conferences, last neuro homework, neuro comprehensive exam (d'oh) and fluency "skills test," which is more like a monster homework assignment. Today was what was supposed to be my last day o' nothing, but it was pretty busy with observations, meetings, and a rescheduled client. I've taken to making excel documents that list all of my to-do items, which is helpful, but also not a little depressing.
But Thanksgiving break was good. I found time to relax as well to work away at the upcoming stuff of this week. Thanksgiving evening Todd and I went to Megan and Laura's for dinner, which was a good alternative to going home. Although the talk of the honey ham that my family was having made me salivate, Laura and Megan and their roommate kicked some major ass with their spread. There were about 15 people there, many of whom were experiencing their first Thanksgiving: it was pretty awesome. So awesome that we left at 9 and I went back and promptly went to bed. I should also mention that Laura and Megan's roommates family came from NY to join in the festivities and brought their hilarious Boston terrier with the meanest wall eye that you've ever encountered. He was the best.
Besides that and studying we also found time to see a show at the Empty Bottle (Rogue Wave?) and making some homemade spaghetti and meatballs, catch up on a few phone calls, and other assorted things. Right now I'm living for the small pleasures (sleep and lots of it, damn it all), home brewed coffee, and hot piping mugs of herbal tea. This quarter has been quite good in terms of experience, but it's lots and lots of work and I look forward to long winter break when I don't have to feel guilty when I'm not doing work.
Monday, November 21, 2005
"Cheaters" come alive!
Kevin has an awesome blog post about a real-life Cheaters type incidence at his workplace. It's awesome, people.
Kevin has an awesome blog post about a real-life Cheaters type incidence at his workplace. It's awesome, people.
"easy week"
These two and a half day weeks are so misleading! I was all relaxed on Sunday thinking about how on Wednesday afternoon the week would be over and Thanksgiving holiday would be upon us. Ah, I am a naive young lass. This week is goddamned jam-packed. what is that about?? I've got another neuro test tomorrow and four clients crammed into two days and it's sucking, dudes. I can taste the end of the quarter (in three weeks!) but then it's...three weeks away. Yes, i'm officially in complainer mood now. I did get my Taste Number One of Thanksgiving when I went with Todd to partake in his family's big pre-Thanksgiving dinner get-together. Yummy. I was proud of myself to leave without feeling like I was going to bust a gut. It's the little things.
Oh, and other news. So remember how I was hollering about how Laura and I got onto Food Network tv on the show "eat this"? Well, apparently it's an online show only. A "web only exclusive" in fact! This episode is on chocolate, but I think that Laura and I will be on the one about specialty meats which is one of the upcoming weeks. You can recognize the Chicago parts because Dave Lieberman is wearing a green shirt.
Okay, time to get back to lesson planning and neuro.
These two and a half day weeks are so misleading! I was all relaxed on Sunday thinking about how on Wednesday afternoon the week would be over and Thanksgiving holiday would be upon us. Ah, I am a naive young lass. This week is goddamned jam-packed. what is that about?? I've got another neuro test tomorrow and four clients crammed into two days and it's sucking, dudes. I can taste the end of the quarter (in three weeks!) but then it's...three weeks away. Yes, i'm officially in complainer mood now. I did get my Taste Number One of Thanksgiving when I went with Todd to partake in his family's big pre-Thanksgiving dinner get-together. Yummy. I was proud of myself to leave without feeling like I was going to bust a gut. It's the little things.
Oh, and other news. So remember how I was hollering about how Laura and I got onto Food Network tv on the show "eat this"? Well, apparently it's an online show only. A "web only exclusive" in fact! This episode is on chocolate, but I think that Laura and I will be on the one about specialty meats which is one of the upcoming weeks. You can recognize the Chicago parts because Dave Lieberman is wearing a green shirt.
Okay, time to get back to lesson planning and neuro.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
One week later...
I've been lax with the blogging lately. During the weeks I'm running around like a crazy woman trying to get all of my planning and homework done and during the weekends it's all that I can do to recuperate from the preceding week. This week I get 13 clinical hours which is my most yet (usually, you're lucky if you get over five). I ain't complaining, but the work...it's a lot. We have three more weeks left to the quarter which seems so short, but also seems so very long. I'll get through it, but I'll have to go on autopilot and not think about the looming work too much.
Rather than bore everyone to tears in discussing school much more, I need to report that this past weekend was a good one. I tagged along with Todd on Saturday to appear in the background of a video his friend's band was filming at The Mutiny, Chicago's best dive bar. We got there at 1pm, and there was quite a collection of people sitting in the dark, immersed in smoke, enjoying the karaoke that starts at 9 a.m. on some mornings. They were filming the video at the back bar, though. It was a play on that awesome show, "Elimidate," and the storyline featured Emily (Todd's friend/bandmate from another band) going on a lousy date with an aviator-glasses wearing dude. Todd got to make his video debut by being the drunken leerer who stumbles over to Emily, makes a grab for her goods, by being left at the bar puzzled and sad. Oscar quality, I tell you.
That night we had a dinner party with Pam and Dave and Pam's beau which was a lot of fun. And then the next day we were off to Wilmington where I attended Todd's sister in law's baby shower.
Okay, it's time to hit the hay. The wind is howling outside right now and tomorrow there's talk of wet snow. Gah!
I've been lax with the blogging lately. During the weeks I'm running around like a crazy woman trying to get all of my planning and homework done and during the weekends it's all that I can do to recuperate from the preceding week. This week I get 13 clinical hours which is my most yet (usually, you're lucky if you get over five). I ain't complaining, but the work...it's a lot. We have three more weeks left to the quarter which seems so short, but also seems so very long. I'll get through it, but I'll have to go on autopilot and not think about the looming work too much.
Rather than bore everyone to tears in discussing school much more, I need to report that this past weekend was a good one. I tagged along with Todd on Saturday to appear in the background of a video his friend's band was filming at The Mutiny, Chicago's best dive bar. We got there at 1pm, and there was quite a collection of people sitting in the dark, immersed in smoke, enjoying the karaoke that starts at 9 a.m. on some mornings. They were filming the video at the back bar, though. It was a play on that awesome show, "Elimidate," and the storyline featured Emily (Todd's friend/bandmate from another band) going on a lousy date with an aviator-glasses wearing dude. Todd got to make his video debut by being the drunken leerer who stumbles over to Emily, makes a grab for her goods, by being left at the bar puzzled and sad. Oscar quality, I tell you.
That night we had a dinner party with Pam and Dave and Pam's beau which was a lot of fun. And then the next day we were off to Wilmington where I attended Todd's sister in law's baby shower.
Okay, it's time to hit the hay. The wind is howling outside right now and tomorrow there's talk of wet snow. Gah!
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Bits and pieces
First of all, as I saw on the news today, the Kansas school board okayed new public school science standards that promotes "intelligent design." Whoa, what year is this? It was a 6-4 win. 6-4, people.
Second of all, Honda Civic tops the list of most stolen cars again. The thieves have good taste; I love my Honda Civic. Number two is apparently the 1994 Dodge Caravan. I can't really speak to that one.
Thirdly, Tuesday is over. Tomorrow's Hump Day. Hooray! We have another day-long school screening tomorrow, but the week is less stressful since it's mid-term free. We do have another neuro homework assigment though which can be akin to what I imagine birth feels like (hours and hours long, some pain involved and moral support is appreciated). BUT, we muddled through the tough part of that one yesterday so hopefully that one will be a downhill slide from here.
The weekend was nice but fleeting. We joined a big group to go bowling at the Diversey Rock and Bowl on Saturday night. After a quiet day of the sounds of the washer/dryer going in the background the pumping hitz and black lights of the bowling alley was a bit jarring at first, but I quickly adjusted and then geared up for a sweet bowling game where I didn't suck quite as much as usual. I still came in dead last, but I did break 60, which is A-1 in my book. The Rock and Bowl (bon mot!) wasn't quite the hands-down deal of the Fort Myers bowling alley is, but we can't have it all, can we? We all went out for a single drink at the Blue Line in Wicker Park afterward which is another place I always see but never enter. It was actually very chill and quiet for a late Saturday night so I give it a thumb's up.
Sunday was what I was looking forward to all week since Todd and I celebrated one year of dating by having a extremely lovely dinner at Cafe Matou, a French place on Milwaukee Ave. I suggested it since it was close to his place and the menu looked awesome as were the reviews that I saw. I had the duck and Todd had the steak with butter as a garnish. It was a rich meal, but not entirely gut-busting, and totally worth it.
First of all, as I saw on the news today, the Kansas school board okayed new public school science standards that promotes "intelligent design." Whoa, what year is this? It was a 6-4 win. 6-4, people.
Second of all, Honda Civic tops the list of most stolen cars again. The thieves have good taste; I love my Honda Civic. Number two is apparently the 1994 Dodge Caravan. I can't really speak to that one.
Thirdly, Tuesday is over. Tomorrow's Hump Day. Hooray! We have another day-long school screening tomorrow, but the week is less stressful since it's mid-term free. We do have another neuro homework assigment though which can be akin to what I imagine birth feels like (hours and hours long, some pain involved and moral support is appreciated). BUT, we muddled through the tough part of that one yesterday so hopefully that one will be a downhill slide from here.
The weekend was nice but fleeting. We joined a big group to go bowling at the Diversey Rock and Bowl on Saturday night. After a quiet day of the sounds of the washer/dryer going in the background the pumping hitz and black lights of the bowling alley was a bit jarring at first, but I quickly adjusted and then geared up for a sweet bowling game where I didn't suck quite as much as usual. I still came in dead last, but I did break 60, which is A-1 in my book. The Rock and Bowl (bon mot!) wasn't quite the hands-down deal of the Fort Myers bowling alley is, but we can't have it all, can we? We all went out for a single drink at the Blue Line in Wicker Park afterward which is another place I always see but never enter. It was actually very chill and quiet for a late Saturday night so I give it a thumb's up.
Sunday was what I was looking forward to all week since Todd and I celebrated one year of dating by having a extremely lovely dinner at Cafe Matou, a French place on Milwaukee Ave. I suggested it since it was close to his place and the menu looked awesome as were the reviews that I saw. I had the duck and Todd had the steak with butter as a garnish. It was a rich meal, but not entirely gut-busting, and totally worth it.
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Congratulations...
...to Robin for winning 10 grand in a poker tournament today! And a free entry and travel/lodging to a big doozy of a tournament in the Caribbean. But despite the heady effects of victory, he's still Robin as shown by the following exchange:
R: The first prize at the Caribbean tournament is something like $600,000.
Me: That's awesome! If you win, then will you help me to pay off my student loans?
R: No.
Me: Come on!
R: If I win, I'm going to do everything in my power to make your life suck, because I'll finally have all the money I need to do so.
I love my older brother.
...to Robin for winning 10 grand in a poker tournament today! And a free entry and travel/lodging to a big doozy of a tournament in the Caribbean. But despite the heady effects of victory, he's still Robin as shown by the following exchange:
R: The first prize at the Caribbean tournament is something like $600,000.
Me: That's awesome! If you win, then will you help me to pay off my student loans?
R: No.
Me: Come on!
R: If I win, I'm going to do everything in my power to make your life suck, because I'll finally have all the money I need to do so.
I love my older brother.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
New link!
So a most awesome school mate of mine has a blog called Intrepid News. It's full of interesting news and links to articles for the liberal set. I'm adding the link to my regular list, but you can check out the blog now if you like.
I would also like to thank this same classmate for introducing me to orange flavored Trident. Oh, citrus Trident, where have you been all of my life?
So a most awesome school mate of mine has a blog called Intrepid News. It's full of interesting news and links to articles for the liberal set. I'm adding the link to my regular list, but you can check out the blog now if you like.
I would also like to thank this same classmate for introducing me to orange flavored Trident. Oh, citrus Trident, where have you been all of my life?
Through!
I managed to complete what may have been one of the busiest weeks of my grad school career thus far. I am proud to say that I got through, and that I didn't suffer too much stress or too little sleep. A little recap:
Monday: meeting on campus and then studying for tests on Thursday
Tuesday: class all morning and then two clients in the afternoon.
Wednesday: all day school screenings and then back to campus for my late evening client
Thursday: 8-9:30 a.m. meeting for audiology info (another lecture about cochlear implants; I expect that I may be an expert by this point). Two back to back midterms. Then home visits with a supervisor till 7.
Friday: lab, meeting, and then last client of the week. Also news of a brand new client.
It was a reasonably good week, though. And now the weekend. I'm planted in front of the tv watching Todd's HBO OnDemand while I use his washer and dryer. I'm not going to do any homework today either, which is going to be awesome.
I managed to complete what may have been one of the busiest weeks of my grad school career thus far. I am proud to say that I got through, and that I didn't suffer too much stress or too little sleep. A little recap:
Monday: meeting on campus and then studying for tests on Thursday
Tuesday: class all morning and then two clients in the afternoon.
Wednesday: all day school screenings and then back to campus for my late evening client
Thursday: 8-9:30 a.m. meeting for audiology info (another lecture about cochlear implants; I expect that I may be an expert by this point). Two back to back midterms. Then home visits with a supervisor till 7.
Friday: lab, meeting, and then last client of the week. Also news of a brand new client.
It was a reasonably good week, though. And now the weekend. I'm planted in front of the tv watching Todd's HBO OnDemand while I use his washer and dryer. I'm not going to do any homework today either, which is going to be awesome.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Halloween and Weddings
Happy Halloween! It's a rainy night in Chicago. I decided to venture out to the Halsted Halloween Parade, which is super easy since it's like half a block away. I'm glad I brought my umbrella since it is wet and wild out there. I met up with Ting, Kevin, Jessica, and Dop to view the fruits of the very celebrated holiday in Boystown. The costumes were pretty great. A few that I spotted:
But, there's more to report on than Halloween. This past weekend in Bloomington for Steve and Kiley's wedding was lovely. They couldn't have asked for better weather for it (sunny and almost 70 on Saturday, the day of the wedding) either. While Bloomington struck me as a kind of strip-mally, they had their ceremony at a pretty little church outside in a place called Funks Grove. The church was complete with oil paintings of the dour Funks, it definitely added to the atmosphere.
Todd was in the wedding so I got to tag along on all of those things that are for the wedding party (rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, wedding pictures, etc) so I feel like I got the complete experience. The reception was the best part, though, since Kiley's drum teacher's wedding band played and live music is always the best. Todd even danced for a whole lot of it, which is close to a miracle. The highlight was when Kiley took over the drums in her wedding dress, Todd played bass, and Steve handled vocals and the guitar for a Superchunk song (I almost typed "Superchink" there, which would be an awesome blog name). I failed to take any pictures, but let me assure you that everyone look smart and dapper in their wedding gear.
Now it's time for the week to start. It's going to be a bear of a one: watch out. At least I had a good weekend, though.
Happy Halloween! It's a rainy night in Chicago. I decided to venture out to the Halsted Halloween Parade, which is super easy since it's like half a block away. I'm glad I brought my umbrella since it is wet and wild out there. I met up with Ting, Kevin, Jessica, and Dop to view the fruits of the very celebrated holiday in Boystown. The costumes were pretty great. A few that I spotted:
- The Wheel from Wheel of Fortune
- Very elaborate Willy Wonkas (two of them, one right after the other)
- M&Ms
- A sperm and an egg
- A variety of dressed up dogs
But, there's more to report on than Halloween. This past weekend in Bloomington for Steve and Kiley's wedding was lovely. They couldn't have asked for better weather for it (sunny and almost 70 on Saturday, the day of the wedding) either. While Bloomington struck me as a kind of strip-mally, they had their ceremony at a pretty little church outside in a place called Funks Grove. The church was complete with oil paintings of the dour Funks, it definitely added to the atmosphere.
Todd was in the wedding so I got to tag along on all of those things that are for the wedding party (rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, wedding pictures, etc) so I feel like I got the complete experience. The reception was the best part, though, since Kiley's drum teacher's wedding band played and live music is always the best. Todd even danced for a whole lot of it, which is close to a miracle. The highlight was when Kiley took over the drums in her wedding dress, Todd played bass, and Steve handled vocals and the guitar for a Superchunk song (I almost typed "Superchink" there, which would be an awesome blog name). I failed to take any pictures, but let me assure you that everyone look smart and dapper in their wedding gear.
Now it's time for the week to start. It's going to be a bear of a one: watch out. At least I had a good weekend, though.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Man!
These busy middle weeks are killing me. It's non, non, non-stop. Today I was on campus from 8:30 to 8pm and doing stuff the entire time. Tomorrow I've got class all morning and then have to run to meet my supervisor in another part of Evanston to set off on three different home visits. I also need to haul along with me all of the junk necessary for the home visits. I foresee being very cranky come tomorrow evening. Relieved, but cranky.
This weekend should be fun since I'm heading to Bloomington (I think?) with Todd to go to Steve and Kiley's wedding. He's in the wedding party so we need to zoom out of Chicago as soon as we can on Friday to get there in time for fittings and rehearsal dinners and all of that good stuff. Next week is going to be another doozy (another day of two tests on one day, one being neuro--what the eff is up with that?). Gaaaaahhhhhh.
But the big news in Chicago is that the White Sox won! I can't even imagine what it's like in the Southside right now, but I can hear lots of honking and firecrackers and general festivity-making outside in the neighborhood here.
These busy middle weeks are killing me. It's non, non, non-stop. Today I was on campus from 8:30 to 8pm and doing stuff the entire time. Tomorrow I've got class all morning and then have to run to meet my supervisor in another part of Evanston to set off on three different home visits. I also need to haul along with me all of the junk necessary for the home visits. I foresee being very cranky come tomorrow evening. Relieved, but cranky.
This weekend should be fun since I'm heading to Bloomington (I think?) with Todd to go to Steve and Kiley's wedding. He's in the wedding party so we need to zoom out of Chicago as soon as we can on Friday to get there in time for fittings and rehearsal dinners and all of that good stuff. Next week is going to be another doozy (another day of two tests on one day, one being neuro--what the eff is up with that?). Gaaaaahhhhhh.
But the big news in Chicago is that the White Sox won! I can't even imagine what it's like in the Southside right now, but I can hear lots of honking and firecrackers and general festivity-making outside in the neighborhood here.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
It's going to be a weird day
One Red Eye from newspaper dude: free
Cost of one standard el ride into Evanston: $1.75
Discovering that your professor is sitting in the train seat in front of you when you're blabbing about his class with some people from your program: priceless.
(Note: I did a quick rewind when we realized it was him and I think, amazingly, everything that I said was good. Still, though, it left me shaken, not stirred.)
One Red Eye from newspaper dude: free
Cost of one standard el ride into Evanston: $1.75
Discovering that your professor is sitting in the train seat in front of you when you're blabbing about his class with some people from your program: priceless.
(Note: I did a quick rewind when we realized it was him and I think, amazingly, everything that I said was good. Still, though, it left me shaken, not stirred.)
Monday, October 24, 2005
So the quarter has reached the point when the days are passing with a quickness. It's hard to believe that it's already late October. Halloween time and all. This time last year was so vivid to me still that it's hard to believe that a year has passed since then.
Anyway, this past weekend was nice and relaxed. On Friday night we went to Bolingbrook to get together with Jackie and Rob for an early Halloween get together at a bar by where they all used to live. Let me just say this: Jackie and Rob's costumes were A-1. They had on those costumes that you see people in and say to yourself "daaamnn, I can't believe that they made that!" Jackie was Smurfette and Rob was a monkey complete with red bow tie and big floppy Dumbo ears. Jackie and her mom *made* both of them. My costume? Recycled from last year: Identity crisis. I even wore the same clothes, that's how poor of a dresser-upper I am. The name tags that I purchased where wanting, though, so my costume lasted for about negative three seconds before I scrapped the whole concept. It was beyond poor. Todd also recycled from last year, wearing a Babe the Pig costume for a 2-4 year old, but he proudly wore his costume the entire night. Picture that if you can.
Anyway, Saturday night was filled more music when we went to see Holy Roman Empire play at the Metro for an early show and then off to the Empty Bottle to go see Mile Marker play (I always want to call them Maker's Mark for some reason).
Now I'm preparing for the week ahead by watching "Making the Band 27" on Mtv. As you do.
Anyway, this past weekend was nice and relaxed. On Friday night we went to Bolingbrook to get together with Jackie and Rob for an early Halloween get together at a bar by where they all used to live. Let me just say this: Jackie and Rob's costumes were A-1. They had on those costumes that you see people in and say to yourself "daaamnn, I can't believe that they made that!" Jackie was Smurfette and Rob was a monkey complete with red bow tie and big floppy Dumbo ears. Jackie and her mom *made* both of them. My costume? Recycled from last year: Identity crisis. I even wore the same clothes, that's how poor of a dresser-upper I am. The name tags that I purchased where wanting, though, so my costume lasted for about negative three seconds before I scrapped the whole concept. It was beyond poor. Todd also recycled from last year, wearing a Babe the Pig costume for a 2-4 year old, but he proudly wore his costume the entire night. Picture that if you can.
Anyway, Saturday night was filled more music when we went to see Holy Roman Empire play at the Metro for an early show and then off to the Empty Bottle to go see Mile Marker play (I always want to call them Maker's Mark for some reason).
Now I'm preparing for the week ahead by watching "Making the Band 27" on Mtv. As you do.
Friday, October 21, 2005
FRIIIIIDAAAAAY
Hooray for that! I got through the week. I've got a measly lab and core meeting left, but that's it until freedom.
So last night we met up with Jackie and Rob, Todd's old roommates, who are in town visiting after moving to Colorado. It was excellent to see them, as always. Our original plan was to go to Schuba's for dinner and then go to the American Analog Set show there. That was not to be, though, since the show sold out beforehand (drats). Instead we went to Las Mananitas in my neighborhood, home of my favorite margaritas on the planet. Hands down favorite, people. Todd, Jackie, and I split a pitcher, which was just what the end to a busy week called for. Afterward we moved west and had a cheap PBR at the Green Eye lounge. I like that place, even moreso after once talking to the bartender and discovering that he had gone to William and Mary (even living in Monroe Hall).
Speaking of William and Mary, it's Homecoming there this weekend. In lieu of going to Williamsburg for the festivities, Dave has organized a pretty amazing itinerary of Homecoming activities in Chicago for the William and Mary contingent here. It's like a two day thing. I hope to attend at least one of the events, and will try to report back with photos.
Hooray for that! I got through the week. I've got a measly lab and core meeting left, but that's it until freedom.
So last night we met up with Jackie and Rob, Todd's old roommates, who are in town visiting after moving to Colorado. It was excellent to see them, as always. Our original plan was to go to Schuba's for dinner and then go to the American Analog Set show there. That was not to be, though, since the show sold out beforehand (drats). Instead we went to Las Mananitas in my neighborhood, home of my favorite margaritas on the planet. Hands down favorite, people. Todd, Jackie, and I split a pitcher, which was just what the end to a busy week called for. Afterward we moved west and had a cheap PBR at the Green Eye lounge. I like that place, even moreso after once talking to the bartender and discovering that he had gone to William and Mary (even living in Monroe Hall).
Speaking of William and Mary, it's Homecoming there this weekend. In lieu of going to Williamsburg for the festivities, Dave has organized a pretty amazing itinerary of Homecoming activities in Chicago for the William and Mary contingent here. It's like a two day thing. I hope to attend at least one of the events, and will try to report back with photos.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
It's downhill from here
The difficult part of my week is over, hurrah! Double hurrah, in fact! I have an easy end of week and weekend and then next week will be hopping again with client stuff, but that's like a good five days away. Practically eternity, according to me.
So, two exams on Tuesday. They were all right and I'm happy to report that I won't have to be retaking the neuro exam. I was pretty bone tired after them, and then after a short break, headed into a client session with my five year old. She was off the wall that day. I seriously spent about 40% of the session coaxing her out from under the table (which led my supervisor to suggest that we take all of the furniture out of the room next time...all of it, including the little kid table and chairs). At one point she broke out of the room and my supervisor and I had to sprint down the hall to head her off. Needless to say, we didn't get a whole lot accomplished. I didn't feel disheartened by the whole deal, since that comes with the territory with some of the clients and my supervisor gave me big kudos for keeping my cool. What *was* funny is that this was my first session being observed by a whole gaggle of people for one of their classes. They found me afterward and were google eyed and slack jawed after such a hilariously bad session.
After that session, though, I was *exhausted*. I had to run to a meeting, but as I was gathering my stuff, my legs were shaking from fatigue. I'd always just assumed that I would definitely want to work with kids in the future, but now I'm considering more options now. I love kids, and they crack me up, but my adult client is so much fun and so motivated that it's really refreshing. It's less about keeping her engaged than about getting our stuff done. I have made peace with the concept that sometimes kids just won't work. You give your all to get them to work with you and you keep on trying till something sticks, but kids are stubborn creatures.
I also got assigned TWO assistants this quarter. I'm a lead clinician, y'all. Watch out, I'm drunk with power.
The difficult part of my week is over, hurrah! Double hurrah, in fact! I have an easy end of week and weekend and then next week will be hopping again with client stuff, but that's like a good five days away. Practically eternity, according to me.
So, two exams on Tuesday. They were all right and I'm happy to report that I won't have to be retaking the neuro exam. I was pretty bone tired after them, and then after a short break, headed into a client session with my five year old. She was off the wall that day. I seriously spent about 40% of the session coaxing her out from under the table (which led my supervisor to suggest that we take all of the furniture out of the room next time...all of it, including the little kid table and chairs). At one point she broke out of the room and my supervisor and I had to sprint down the hall to head her off. Needless to say, we didn't get a whole lot accomplished. I didn't feel disheartened by the whole deal, since that comes with the territory with some of the clients and my supervisor gave me big kudos for keeping my cool. What *was* funny is that this was my first session being observed by a whole gaggle of people for one of their classes. They found me afterward and were google eyed and slack jawed after such a hilariously bad session.
After that session, though, I was *exhausted*. I had to run to a meeting, but as I was gathering my stuff, my legs were shaking from fatigue. I'd always just assumed that I would definitely want to work with kids in the future, but now I'm considering more options now. I love kids, and they crack me up, but my adult client is so much fun and so motivated that it's really refreshing. It's less about keeping her engaged than about getting our stuff done. I have made peace with the concept that sometimes kids just won't work. You give your all to get them to work with you and you keep on trying till something sticks, but kids are stubborn creatures.
I also got assigned TWO assistants this quarter. I'm a lead clinician, y'all. Watch out, I'm drunk with power.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Yes, I should be studying...
But, there's an excellent article in Slate about the greatness of Noah Baumbach's early movies. "Kicking and Screaming" is still one of my favorite movies ever (and only on VHS!).
But, there's an excellent article in Slate about the greatness of Noah Baumbach's early movies. "Kicking and Screaming" is still one of my favorite movies ever (and only on VHS!).
Day of Firsts
Yesterday was a day of firsts for me.
1. I sat down and completed two reports back to back without complaint. EVEN THOUGH it took me about three times as long since very long, detailed transcription of speech samples were involved. I was rather impressed with myself, thank you very much. It's actually very good for me to have those out of the way so I can get down to business with these two exams on Tuesday. YAY!
2. Todd and I walked over to Irazu for lunch. It's this little Costa Rican place close to where Todd lives on Milwaukee and we always pass it on our way to the heart o' Wicker Park and Bucktown. It is small and unassuming but there are always people milling around so it was time to give it a try. Yum. I had the vegetarian burrito with sauteed mushrooms and it was to die for. Todd had a sandwich which involved breaded steak on french bread (needless to say he napped promptly afterward). Todd felt guilted into buying me lunch because apparently yesterday was Sweetest Day. We had passed some local flower shops in his neighborhood that were busting a gut to put out flower displays and make more sells. Reading Hallmark's press release (!) about it, apparently it started as a day celebrated in the Great Lakes region and it now spreading throughout the country.
So, actually, I guess that should be number 3 of new things experienced...
3. Sweetest Day.
4. For dinner, Todd's friend Kip was in town so we went to dinner at this new BBQ place that opened on Western called Honey 1. It's no frills but pleasant. You go walk through the door, go up to the window and make your order and then sit down at one of the no frills tables in the flourescent lighting to wait for your food. A sweet kid who works there brings it out to you. Todd and I shared a full slab of ribs. I thought that they were pretty awesome: succulent and the meat fell off the bone, but then again I'm not too picky when it comes to my bbq. Kip ordered this x-large serving of the rib tips combo which involved a serious mountain of rib tips and cut up hot links. I wished that I had my camera so I could take a picture of the enormity of it all.
5. After dinner we went to Roscoe Village to watch the White Sox win against the Angels. I'm adding this as five since I don't think I've ever gone to watch a sports event at a bar before. Seriously. I wasn't crazy into it, but I was mildly interested and working hard not to look completely disinterested. I think that I was successful.
6. Finally, I went to Exit for the first time. It's this cavernous punk/rock dance club on North Avenue. Todd took us there so Kip could experience the sights, but when we went it was at about 10:30 before the crowds descended. So there were few people bellied up the bar under the huge wrought iron chandeliers festooned with bras and there was nary a soul dancing in the caged floor upstairs. My favorite were the enormo metal cut outs of skulls hung up by the ceiling. One had an axe sunk into the front of him and one was keeling over from the bottle of poison positioned beside him.
And that ended my day of excitement. We came back and turned on "Black Samurai" which was awesome but I couldn't stay awake for the end of it. Too much excitement in one day for me!
Yesterday was a day of firsts for me.
1. I sat down and completed two reports back to back without complaint. EVEN THOUGH it took me about three times as long since very long, detailed transcription of speech samples were involved. I was rather impressed with myself, thank you very much. It's actually very good for me to have those out of the way so I can get down to business with these two exams on Tuesday. YAY!
2. Todd and I walked over to Irazu for lunch. It's this little Costa Rican place close to where Todd lives on Milwaukee and we always pass it on our way to the heart o' Wicker Park and Bucktown. It is small and unassuming but there are always people milling around so it was time to give it a try. Yum. I had the vegetarian burrito with sauteed mushrooms and it was to die for. Todd had a sandwich which involved breaded steak on french bread (needless to say he napped promptly afterward). Todd felt guilted into buying me lunch because apparently yesterday was Sweetest Day. We had passed some local flower shops in his neighborhood that were busting a gut to put out flower displays and make more sells. Reading Hallmark's press release (!) about it, apparently it started as a day celebrated in the Great Lakes region and it now spreading throughout the country.
So, actually, I guess that should be number 3 of new things experienced...
3. Sweetest Day.
4. For dinner, Todd's friend Kip was in town so we went to dinner at this new BBQ place that opened on Western called Honey 1. It's no frills but pleasant. You go walk through the door, go up to the window and make your order and then sit down at one of the no frills tables in the flourescent lighting to wait for your food. A sweet kid who works there brings it out to you. Todd and I shared a full slab of ribs. I thought that they were pretty awesome: succulent and the meat fell off the bone, but then again I'm not too picky when it comes to my bbq. Kip ordered this x-large serving of the rib tips combo which involved a serious mountain of rib tips and cut up hot links. I wished that I had my camera so I could take a picture of the enormity of it all.
5. After dinner we went to Roscoe Village to watch the White Sox win against the Angels. I'm adding this as five since I don't think I've ever gone to watch a sports event at a bar before. Seriously. I wasn't crazy into it, but I was mildly interested and working hard not to look completely disinterested. I think that I was successful.
6. Finally, I went to Exit for the first time. It's this cavernous punk/rock dance club on North Avenue. Todd took us there so Kip could experience the sights, but when we went it was at about 10:30 before the crowds descended. So there were few people bellied up the bar under the huge wrought iron chandeliers festooned with bras and there was nary a soul dancing in the caged floor upstairs. My favorite were the enormo metal cut outs of skulls hung up by the ceiling. One had an axe sunk into the front of him and one was keeling over from the bottle of poison positioned beside him.
And that ended my day of excitement. We came back and turned on "Black Samurai" which was awesome but I couldn't stay awake for the end of it. Too much excitement in one day for me!
Thursday, October 13, 2005
I'm still here
I know that all has been silent from the blog, but it's hit that time of the quarter when things get really heated up. I've reached the point where I'm familiar enough with the ebb and flow (and flow, flow, flow) of the work and the tests that I'm kind of bemused by it. It's like impossible for one to NOT have two mid-terms on one day even though there are like two cycles of mid-terms per quarter. I've only had one quarter when that hasn't happened and that was summer quarter when there *were* no midterms. I'm not all stressed out, but I'm just resigned that life is going to be a little sucky for the next few days. See, on top of the two midterms on Tuesday (one being neuro--gah!), I have mid-quarter reports due and news of a brand new client starting next week.
So that's been my life this week and will likely be my life for the next week or so.
Don't be too jealous.
I know that all has been silent from the blog, but it's hit that time of the quarter when things get really heated up. I've reached the point where I'm familiar enough with the ebb and flow (and flow, flow, flow) of the work and the tests that I'm kind of bemused by it. It's like impossible for one to NOT have two mid-terms on one day even though there are like two cycles of mid-terms per quarter. I've only had one quarter when that hasn't happened and that was summer quarter when there *were* no midterms. I'm not all stressed out, but I'm just resigned that life is going to be a little sucky for the next few days. See, on top of the two midterms on Tuesday (one being neuro--gah!), I have mid-quarter reports due and news of a brand new client starting next week.
So that's been my life this week and will likely be my life for the next week or so.
Don't be too jealous.
Monday, October 10, 2005
Catching Up
I've spent this entire day knee deep in laundry and books. Again, it's pretty ideal to have Mondays off since I have the entire day to prepare for the week ahead since I didn't really have time this past weekend. It does turn into the day to pay the piper, though.
But, what an awesome weekend. Suzi and Tom were in town and made for the easiest kind of guests in that they were amenable to anything and everything. Suzi, Tom, Brad, Ting, Todd, and some of Tom's friends and I (in varying combinations of all) set out on Chicago intent on eating at all of the best and yummiest restaurants. Mission accomplished. Friday night, Suzi and Tom arrived and we all met up at Giordano's so they could try some of Chicago's deep dish pizza. Done and done. After having a drink at the Duke of Perth (which has awesome customer service; the hostess rushed to get chairs for seven for the one four-top left in the cozy little place), Todd and I split off after a drink to go to Dave Barak's house re-heating party to catch up with the William and Mary contigent.
Saturday, after lunching at Hot Doug's (because what is a visit to Chicago now without a visit to that place?) we went downtown to go on a walking tour with the Chicago Architectural Foundation. It focused on pre-WW buildings, and what I learned was about how to identify an Art Deco building and also that the Marquette Building downtown has the most amazing mosiac I've ever seen before in its lobby. It was a good way to spend an afternoon, despite the cool grey weather. After that we caught the red line to Chinatown where Ting and Brad took us to a Sichuanese restuarant that they like there called Lao Sze Chuan. It was *amazing* real Sichuanese food with lots of spice and Ting and Brad did a perfect job of ordering a variety for a table of 8. I wish I knew about this place beforehand, but what a discovery. Apparently, they're going to be featured on the Chicago show "Check Please" in November. Rightly so.
After that, Todd and I parted way with the troops and went to Subterranean to see his roommate/bandmate, Rich play in Bear Claw for a Katrina fundraiser. We stayed for three bands, and it was a good time. I was especially impressed by the variety of music represented.
Sunday we brunched at Ann Sather, and then walked along the lake to North Avenue Beach and back. Luckily, the weather was finally sunny and clear so Suzi and Tom weren't only exposed to overcast Chicago weather. Their Chicago trip ended with a bang when we stopped by Cupcakes a new little gourmet cupcake bakery on Briar, a couple of blocks from me. Oh lord. The cupcakes are pricey at $3 each, but they're a sight to behold. Perfect little confections in flavors like chocolate raspberry and orange cream.
After bidding Suzi and Tom farewell and doing some reading, I joined Todd and Rich on a grocery shopping extravaganza. We stopped at Aldi where the produce prices again blew me away. I got a cucumber for 10 cents! At the Jewel by me they're $1 each. I love Aldi. Even though I totally dropped one of Rich's apple juice bottles there while trying to help load it and it cracked open and made a total mess.
And now today is laundry, neuro homework, lesson planning, fluency homework, etc. This particular neuro homework is a doozy so I'm taking a break from it before diving back in tonight. I think it's time for a salad, though. I'll use some of that cheap Aldi produce.
I've spent this entire day knee deep in laundry and books. Again, it's pretty ideal to have Mondays off since I have the entire day to prepare for the week ahead since I didn't really have time this past weekend. It does turn into the day to pay the piper, though.
But, what an awesome weekend. Suzi and Tom were in town and made for the easiest kind of guests in that they were amenable to anything and everything. Suzi, Tom, Brad, Ting, Todd, and some of Tom's friends and I (in varying combinations of all) set out on Chicago intent on eating at all of the best and yummiest restaurants. Mission accomplished. Friday night, Suzi and Tom arrived and we all met up at Giordano's so they could try some of Chicago's deep dish pizza. Done and done. After having a drink at the Duke of Perth (which has awesome customer service; the hostess rushed to get chairs for seven for the one four-top left in the cozy little place), Todd and I split off after a drink to go to Dave Barak's house re-heating party to catch up with the William and Mary contigent.
Saturday, after lunching at Hot Doug's (because what is a visit to Chicago now without a visit to that place?) we went downtown to go on a walking tour with the Chicago Architectural Foundation. It focused on pre-WW buildings, and what I learned was about how to identify an Art Deco building and also that the Marquette Building downtown has the most amazing mosiac I've ever seen before in its lobby. It was a good way to spend an afternoon, despite the cool grey weather. After that we caught the red line to Chinatown where Ting and Brad took us to a Sichuanese restuarant that they like there called Lao Sze Chuan. It was *amazing* real Sichuanese food with lots of spice and Ting and Brad did a perfect job of ordering a variety for a table of 8. I wish I knew about this place beforehand, but what a discovery. Apparently, they're going to be featured on the Chicago show "Check Please" in November. Rightly so.
After that, Todd and I parted way with the troops and went to Subterranean to see his roommate/bandmate, Rich play in Bear Claw for a Katrina fundraiser. We stayed for three bands, and it was a good time. I was especially impressed by the variety of music represented.
Sunday we brunched at Ann Sather, and then walked along the lake to North Avenue Beach and back. Luckily, the weather was finally sunny and clear so Suzi and Tom weren't only exposed to overcast Chicago weather. Their Chicago trip ended with a bang when we stopped by Cupcakes a new little gourmet cupcake bakery on Briar, a couple of blocks from me. Oh lord. The cupcakes are pricey at $3 each, but they're a sight to behold. Perfect little confections in flavors like chocolate raspberry and orange cream.
After bidding Suzi and Tom farewell and doing some reading, I joined Todd and Rich on a grocery shopping extravaganza. We stopped at Aldi where the produce prices again blew me away. I got a cucumber for 10 cents! At the Jewel by me they're $1 each. I love Aldi. Even though I totally dropped one of Rich's apple juice bottles there while trying to help load it and it cracked open and made a total mess.
And now today is laundry, neuro homework, lesson planning, fluency homework, etc. This particular neuro homework is a doozy so I'm taking a break from it before diving back in tonight. I think it's time for a salad, though. I'll use some of that cheap Aldi produce.
Friday, October 07, 2005
The Onion gives a nod to the plight of the frat boys of William and Mary
Although, sadly, I believe that Sigma Nu exists is no more there (am I right?)
Although, sadly, I believe that Sigma Nu exists is no more there (am I right?)
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
It has begun
So my clients start this week. I've already had my clinic ones (one little one and one adult). I like them both, but I especially love my adult who's young and fun and motivated, so despite the fact that I get home at 9pm on Wednesdays because of the session, it's worth it. Tomorrow I follow along with a supervisor to do Early Intervention home visits about which I'm pretty excited.
This is all great, and makes for an ever greater schedule since my week is loaded up on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays with an easy Friday and NO Monday. Yes, folks, that was NO Monday.
However, it makes for a tired Kristin mid-week. It's all right, though, since I don't really mind that much because...NO Mondays!
Maybe I'm jinxing myself, but this might be my favorite quarter yet.
So my clients start this week. I've already had my clinic ones (one little one and one adult). I like them both, but I especially love my adult who's young and fun and motivated, so despite the fact that I get home at 9pm on Wednesdays because of the session, it's worth it. Tomorrow I follow along with a supervisor to do Early Intervention home visits about which I'm pretty excited.
This is all great, and makes for an ever greater schedule since my week is loaded up on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays with an easy Friday and NO Monday. Yes, folks, that was NO Monday.
However, it makes for a tired Kristin mid-week. It's all right, though, since I don't really mind that much because...NO Mondays!
Maybe I'm jinxing myself, but this might be my favorite quarter yet.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Starz
Oh man, today makes for the most exciting day that I will have all quarter, if not all year. See, Laura and I had to bail out of our screening in the Southside that we were originally scheduled to attend this morning because traffic was so horrendous, and we would have gotten there with an hour left to the screening. So instead we spent the morning hanging out in my apartment, studying and listening to music. I was glad that Laura was there since I actually did work rather than watching quality daytime tv.
(This wasn't what made this the most exciting day of the quarter, btw. )
What made it the most exciting day ever was that we decided to go to get lunch from Hot Doug's to take back to Evanston with us when we ran into a crew from the Food Network! It's for a show called "Eat This" about food trends in different cities, so one of the places that they were visiting in Chicago was Hot Doug's (rightly so, mind you). Laura and I ordered our stuff and watched the camera guys with curiosity when one of the production guys approached us asking us if we would be interested in being interviewed. Mmmm....yeeeessss!
So basically they filmed the host, Dave Lieberman, coming by our table with a tray of Hot Doug's gourmet hot dogs, introducing himself and sitting down. Then we all tasted all of the hot dogs and agreed on which one was the best (the winner was the alligator with blue cheese crumbles on top). The other kinds we tried were chorizo (good, kinda winey); venison with figs (dry, not my favorite); and some kind of french sausage that I couldn't pronounce but that was spicy and juicy.
Apparently this was their second city filmed, their first was New York. The show premieres on November 21st, so set your DVRs now.
Oh man, today makes for the most exciting day that I will have all quarter, if not all year. See, Laura and I had to bail out of our screening in the Southside that we were originally scheduled to attend this morning because traffic was so horrendous, and we would have gotten there with an hour left to the screening. So instead we spent the morning hanging out in my apartment, studying and listening to music. I was glad that Laura was there since I actually did work rather than watching quality daytime tv.
(This wasn't what made this the most exciting day of the quarter, btw. )
What made it the most exciting day ever was that we decided to go to get lunch from Hot Doug's to take back to Evanston with us when we ran into a crew from the Food Network! It's for a show called "Eat This" about food trends in different cities, so one of the places that they were visiting in Chicago was Hot Doug's (rightly so, mind you). Laura and I ordered our stuff and watched the camera guys with curiosity when one of the production guys approached us asking us if we would be interested in being interviewed. Mmmm....yeeeessss!
So basically they filmed the host, Dave Lieberman, coming by our table with a tray of Hot Doug's gourmet hot dogs, introducing himself and sitting down. Then we all tasted all of the hot dogs and agreed on which one was the best (the winner was the alligator with blue cheese crumbles on top). The other kinds we tried were chorizo (good, kinda winey); venison with figs (dry, not my favorite); and some kind of french sausage that I couldn't pronounce but that was spicy and juicy.
Apparently this was their second city filmed, their first was New York. The show premieres on November 21st, so set your DVRs now.
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Welp, it's official
Now, I am definitely old and boring. I had held onto the idea that I could vaguely rock it when necessary, but let's be honest here: b-o-r-i-n-g.
See, tonight offered the possibilities for lots of rocking. It was Kiley's bachelorette party, which was a very nice party just because there were no plastic penises (penii?) involved. It started at dinner at Pizano's, an Italian place nearby; continued onto a Baby Wants Candy show at I.O. (formerly Improv Olympic, and now only I.O. apparently because of copyright reasons); and then the plan was for the crew to crawl down the Clark Street bars with the intent to get Kiley sufficiently tipsy.
I lasted till 10. Granted, it was after the I.O. show, and dinner started at 5pm, so it had been five hours already, but still. AND, it wasn't that I left them to join some school friends downtown to celebrate someone's birthday which was also an option.
No, I left to go home and crack the books. It occurred to me throughout the night that I had quite a growing list of stuff that I wanted to get accomplished this weekend, and the thought of leaving it all to one day was torturous. So, yes, I came home and read tonight, brainstormed on some homework due this week, and contemplated the rest of my list of things to do. And now I may read a little more, but then I am definitely going to sleep because goddammit it's 12:33 in the morning and even though I woke up this morning (?) at 11, I could use a little shut eye.
Old. Boring. And Proud.
Now, I am definitely old and boring. I had held onto the idea that I could vaguely rock it when necessary, but let's be honest here: b-o-r-i-n-g.
See, tonight offered the possibilities for lots of rocking. It was Kiley's bachelorette party, which was a very nice party just because there were no plastic penises (penii?) involved. It started at dinner at Pizano's, an Italian place nearby; continued onto a Baby Wants Candy show at I.O. (formerly Improv Olympic, and now only I.O. apparently because of copyright reasons); and then the plan was for the crew to crawl down the Clark Street bars with the intent to get Kiley sufficiently tipsy.
I lasted till 10. Granted, it was after the I.O. show, and dinner started at 5pm, so it had been five hours already, but still. AND, it wasn't that I left them to join some school friends downtown to celebrate someone's birthday which was also an option.
No, I left to go home and crack the books. It occurred to me throughout the night that I had quite a growing list of stuff that I wanted to get accomplished this weekend, and the thought of leaving it all to one day was torturous. So, yes, I came home and read tonight, brainstormed on some homework due this week, and contemplated the rest of my list of things to do. And now I may read a little more, but then I am definitely going to sleep because goddammit it's 12:33 in the morning and even though I woke up this morning (?) at 11, I could use a little shut eye.
Old. Boring. And Proud.
Foiling all stalking
Noted for those who use Friendster. I do when I'm bored and nosey, but apparently there's a wrench thrown in the works. They've added a feature, as of yesterday I believe, that allows you to look at who's looked at your profile (I found this in Gawker, scroll down to 9/30). With no warning they did this. That's Bull, dude. Luckily I don't think that I poked around yesterday...I don't think.
Noted for those who use Friendster. I do when I'm bored and nosey, but apparently there's a wrench thrown in the works. They've added a feature, as of yesterday I believe, that allows you to look at who's looked at your profile (I found this in Gawker, scroll down to 9/30). With no warning they did this. That's Bull, dude. Luckily I don't think that I poked around yesterday...I don't think.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
More on popping collars
Here's a link from DCist, courtesy of VroomVroom, mentioning Saint Ex's request to turn down collars. There's a picture, which is great.
Here's a link from DCist, courtesy of VroomVroom, mentioning Saint Ex's request to turn down collars. There's a picture, which is great.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Baby Panda
Apparently "Butterstick" is still in the running, a "rogue sixth choice" according to the Washington Post. I would die of happiness if that won.
Apparently "Butterstick" is still in the running, a "rogue sixth choice" according to the Washington Post. I would die of happiness if that won.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Up and Running
Ahh, it's that time during the quarter when it's meetings, meetings, meetings. My clients don't start till next week, but in the meantime there are lots of (evening) meetings and three hour diagnostics to watch along with classes, so...fun! In all actuality, it's not that bad, and I'm in the midst of just giving myself over to it. I forgot what it was like to deal with four and five hour breaks in the middle of the day while on campus, but hopefully I can use that time to actually get stuff done. Also, in view of how bad things can get, my complaints about having to actually do school work and be present on campus are pretty low on the totem pole of Bad.
Thursday is my first official Quiz/Test of the quarter. It's my first one in a long time as well since we didn't really have them in my laidback summer quarter.
Ahh, it's that time during the quarter when it's meetings, meetings, meetings. My clients don't start till next week, but in the meantime there are lots of (evening) meetings and three hour diagnostics to watch along with classes, so...fun! In all actuality, it's not that bad, and I'm in the midst of just giving myself over to it. I forgot what it was like to deal with four and five hour breaks in the middle of the day while on campus, but hopefully I can use that time to actually get stuff done. Also, in view of how bad things can get, my complaints about having to actually do school work and be present on campus are pretty low on the totem pole of Bad.
Thursday is my first official Quiz/Test of the quarter. It's my first one in a long time as well since we didn't really have them in my laidback summer quarter.
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Rain, Rain, Rainy
It's kind of dismal outside. A good day to stay in and try to get some studying done. I've been holed up in my room for most of the day working away like a good little worker ant. There's a neuroanatomy quiz this week and I'm intent on getting ahead so I don't have to freak out when we get our clinic assignments tomorrow.
How did this weekend go so quick? Friday was good: it was spent in Evanston, first at a department gathering at an art gallery that our clinic supervisor owns. Tres swank. Then we headed over to an Oktoberfest party at Laura and Megan's gorgeous and enormo place.
Saturday, after sleeping a good ten hours, Todd and I lunched at the fancy Golden Nugget restaurant on Western Ave. I'd never been there before but he had spoken of its greatness, and it lived up to its stories. Afterward we went to Wicker Park where there was an craft fair kinda thing for artists. It was crawling with hipsters and boasted lots of neat, overpriced stuff. The highlight of the visit was the Bird Machine stall. The Bird Machine is this super awesome poster company in Chicago. I love, love, love their stuff, particularly the work by one guy, Jay Ryan (who apparently is also in the band Dianogah, which explains the large collection of Dianogah stuff on the site). The Bird Machine mostly does concert posters, it seems, and they're screen printed and I seriously cannot talk enough about how cool they are.
Cool enough that I purchased one. It was $20, but it was worth it, and I can't wait to get it framed (I was going to link to it, but was too lazy to wade through all of the posters). Suffice it to say that I love it so much that I keep on unscrolling it to get another gander at it. It's art, I tell you!
After that we decided to spend our late rainy Saturday afternoon going to see "The Aristocrats." Heard of this movie? It's a documentary in which comics expand on the filthiest joke in the world, one that's told by comics to comics. It was cool to see the comic culture where such a joke and its telling is revered and celebrated, but the joke itself is grody, dude. Plus, you hear it in all of its putrid variations about fifty times. I needed a shower after going to see it. So, theater worthy? Maybe not. Netflix worthy? Perhaps.
Saturday night we spent inside cooking a big old steak dinner that was pretty awesome.
And somehow all of that spit me out to where I am right now, at my desk in my room with my books opened in front of me. They're waiting for me so I can go and do my study questions.
It's kind of dismal outside. A good day to stay in and try to get some studying done. I've been holed up in my room for most of the day working away like a good little worker ant. There's a neuroanatomy quiz this week and I'm intent on getting ahead so I don't have to freak out when we get our clinic assignments tomorrow.
How did this weekend go so quick? Friday was good: it was spent in Evanston, first at a department gathering at an art gallery that our clinic supervisor owns. Tres swank. Then we headed over to an Oktoberfest party at Laura and Megan's gorgeous and enormo place.
Saturday, after sleeping a good ten hours, Todd and I lunched at the fancy Golden Nugget restaurant on Western Ave. I'd never been there before but he had spoken of its greatness, and it lived up to its stories. Afterward we went to Wicker Park where there was an craft fair kinda thing for artists. It was crawling with hipsters and boasted lots of neat, overpriced stuff. The highlight of the visit was the Bird Machine stall. The Bird Machine is this super awesome poster company in Chicago. I love, love, love their stuff, particularly the work by one guy, Jay Ryan (who apparently is also in the band Dianogah, which explains the large collection of Dianogah stuff on the site). The Bird Machine mostly does concert posters, it seems, and they're screen printed and I seriously cannot talk enough about how cool they are.
Cool enough that I purchased one. It was $20, but it was worth it, and I can't wait to get it framed (I was going to link to it, but was too lazy to wade through all of the posters). Suffice it to say that I love it so much that I keep on unscrolling it to get another gander at it. It's art, I tell you!
After that we decided to spend our late rainy Saturday afternoon going to see "The Aristocrats." Heard of this movie? It's a documentary in which comics expand on the filthiest joke in the world, one that's told by comics to comics. It was cool to see the comic culture where such a joke and its telling is revered and celebrated, but the joke itself is grody, dude. Plus, you hear it in all of its putrid variations about fifty times. I needed a shower after going to see it. So, theater worthy? Maybe not. Netflix worthy? Perhaps.
Saturday night we spent inside cooking a big old steak dinner that was pretty awesome.
And somehow all of that spit me out to where I am right now, at my desk in my room with my books opened in front of me. They're waiting for me so I can go and do my study questions.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
First day of class and visitors
Des and Bryan are in town! They arrived last night, we feasted dinner at Las Mananitas and then we all hit the hay in preparation for today. They are currently enjoying the U2 concert right now and have been hanging out at the United Center all day, lying in wait. I admire their moxie. I checked in with them today twice and they were in good spirits. At least they had gorgeous weather since it was sunny, blue skied and 81 today. A gorgeous September day. I think when they return they will be some exhausted kids.
My first day of class went pretty well with two of my three classes back to back. The bear of the quarter is going to be Functional Neuroanatomy. Yes, I know that you're jealous. The pro is that it's interesting material and that it will be very good to know. The con is that it's going to be a bear. I didn't feel very heartened with this when our professor mentioned about thirty times that it was going to be "difficult," "hard," "a challenge," and "a lot of work." Yay! When I shared with people who had taken it last year they figured that he was trying to harden us so people wouldn't be gobsmacked and also trying to head off the complaints that he received last quarter. He also talked for a good five minutes about how he wouldn't "have any sympathy" for people who try to argue their grades up from Bs to As, since a B is still good and it doesn't matter in the long run. I agree with this, but it cracks me up to think about how many people must have gone to his office hours last year sniffing for As. The Type A student (no pun intended).
Consider me Scared Straight, though. I came home and reviewed my notes for a good two hours. Night One of Mission Stay On Top of Things: A Success.
I'm pleasantly wiped out, though. I managed to drag my sorry ass to the gym after weeks away.
Des and Bryan are in town! They arrived last night, we feasted dinner at Las Mananitas and then we all hit the hay in preparation for today. They are currently enjoying the U2 concert right now and have been hanging out at the United Center all day, lying in wait. I admire their moxie. I checked in with them today twice and they were in good spirits. At least they had gorgeous weather since it was sunny, blue skied and 81 today. A gorgeous September day. I think when they return they will be some exhausted kids.
My first day of class went pretty well with two of my three classes back to back. The bear of the quarter is going to be Functional Neuroanatomy. Yes, I know that you're jealous. The pro is that it's interesting material and that it will be very good to know. The con is that it's going to be a bear. I didn't feel very heartened with this when our professor mentioned about thirty times that it was going to be "difficult," "hard," "a challenge," and "a lot of work." Yay! When I shared with people who had taken it last year they figured that he was trying to harden us so people wouldn't be gobsmacked and also trying to head off the complaints that he received last quarter. He also talked for a good five minutes about how he wouldn't "have any sympathy" for people who try to argue their grades up from Bs to As, since a B is still good and it doesn't matter in the long run. I agree with this, but it cracks me up to think about how many people must have gone to his office hours last year sniffing for As. The Type A student (no pun intended).
Consider me Scared Straight, though. I came home and reviewed my notes for a good two hours. Night One of Mission Stay On Top of Things: A Success.
I'm pleasantly wiped out, though. I managed to drag my sorry ass to the gym after weeks away.
Monday, September 19, 2005
On the precipice
Classes begin tomorrow! I spent my morning preparing binders and printing out study guides, etc. I feel so productive. It was an excellent laid back weekend. Highlights included going to see Kevin perform at the Tangerine Family Circus. MAJOR thanks to KB for contributing comp tickets. Kevin was awesome in the circus: his performance included climbing up a rope upside down and jump roping while balancing on a giant rubber ball. Before dinner I convinced Todd that we should try to dine at Holy Frijoles, this much ballyhooed Mexican place nestled in the far suburbs (but relatively close to Evanston). I had gone there months ago for an early lunch with Lauren and Hillary and it was awesome. We got there right when it opened, and got a table, but there was a line out the door by the time we left. I thought that we would have a good chance of getting seated since we were showing up at this place before 6pm for dinner. Not to be. There were loads of people hanging around outside by the time we pulled up and when we asked about the wait, we wouldn't get seated till 8:10pm. Again, this was at 5:50 at night. Damn! It's worth it, though. Now I know that we need to call ahead because if I remember correctly, that shite is worth it! It's definitely not the ambience, since the place sits within a strip mall next to a Dunkin Donuts and a takeout Chinese place.
We also went to see Mono, Bellini, and the Headlights play at Subterranean. Charles suggested seeing Mono since they are a lot like Explosions in the Sky, and I liked them very much. Plus, they were Japanese so that added to their coolness levels. I didn't have my earplugs with me for the show, though, which I regretted since Bellini was way loud, yo. Fun show, though.
Classes begin tomorrow! I spent my morning preparing binders and printing out study guides, etc. I feel so productive. It was an excellent laid back weekend. Highlights included going to see Kevin perform at the Tangerine Family Circus. MAJOR thanks to KB for contributing comp tickets. Kevin was awesome in the circus: his performance included climbing up a rope upside down and jump roping while balancing on a giant rubber ball. Before dinner I convinced Todd that we should try to dine at Holy Frijoles, this much ballyhooed Mexican place nestled in the far suburbs (but relatively close to Evanston). I had gone there months ago for an early lunch with Lauren and Hillary and it was awesome. We got there right when it opened, and got a table, but there was a line out the door by the time we left. I thought that we would have a good chance of getting seated since we were showing up at this place before 6pm for dinner. Not to be. There were loads of people hanging around outside by the time we pulled up and when we asked about the wait, we wouldn't get seated till 8:10pm. Again, this was at 5:50 at night. Damn! It's worth it, though. Now I know that we need to call ahead because if I remember correctly, that shite is worth it! It's definitely not the ambience, since the place sits within a strip mall next to a Dunkin Donuts and a takeout Chinese place.
We also went to see Mono, Bellini, and the Headlights play at Subterranean. Charles suggested seeing Mono since they are a lot like Explosions in the Sky, and I liked them very much. Plus, they were Japanese so that added to their coolness levels. I didn't have my earplugs with me for the show, though, which I regretted since Bellini was way loud, yo. Fun show, though.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
The Bus
I walked the two miles to Trader Joe's today and then decided to take the bus back since I had heavy packages. After waiting at the stop for a good ten minutes I was about to throw in the towel when the Addison bus came crawling up. I made my way back through the condensed front to an empty three seat by the back door. And then the odor hit me. Distinct and acidic. I did a quicktake and saw the few people sitting in the back holding their shirts over their general nose areas. And then I looked down at the floor to see a puddle of fresh vomit slowly oozing its way up front.
I walked the two miles to Trader Joe's today and then decided to take the bus back since I had heavy packages. After waiting at the stop for a good ten minutes I was about to throw in the towel when the Addison bus came crawling up. I made my way back through the condensed front to an empty three seat by the back door. And then the odor hit me. Distinct and acidic. I did a quicktake and saw the few people sitting in the back holding their shirts over their general nose areas. And then I looked down at the floor to see a puddle of fresh vomit slowly oozing its way up front.
Daily Quandary
So I called to make an appointment with my favorite hair dude, Eli, today and found out that he's on vacation till the end of the month. Gah! As usual, I wait to call until the situation is nearing dire circumstances (overgrown and sad) and two weeks is a tall order. The question is, should I wait till Eli comes back or should I go to someone else in the meantime? I'm all gunshy now since I got the Worst Haircut in the History of Time when I (foolishly) decided to walk into a Hair Cuttery in my neighborhood. I'm guessing that I'm going to wait because I'm lazy. I may cave though.
So I called to make an appointment with my favorite hair dude, Eli, today and found out that he's on vacation till the end of the month. Gah! As usual, I wait to call until the situation is nearing dire circumstances (overgrown and sad) and two weeks is a tall order. The question is, should I wait till Eli comes back or should I go to someone else in the meantime? I'm all gunshy now since I got the Worst Haircut in the History of Time when I (foolishly) decided to walk into a Hair Cuttery in my neighborhood. I'm guessing that I'm going to wait because I'm lazy. I may cave though.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
What I want for Christmas
They're selling "The Complete New Yorker": 8 DVDs. 4,109 issues. $100.
Dizzamn!
They're selling "The Complete New Yorker": 8 DVDs. 4,109 issues. $100.
Dizzamn!
Grizzly/Grisly
I went and caught "Grizzly Man" tonight. It was a pretty powerful film and very haunting and well done. I didn't know anything about Timothy Treadwell before this, and after watching the movie (shots of him on all of his own footage) you can't come away without thinking that this was one deeply messed up man. Insane. He caught gorgeous scenes and his commitment to the grizzlies was admirable, but there's also plenty of footage of him allowing the bears to approach him and he would teasingly tap them on the snout, while cooing about how much he loves them and thanks them for being his friends. These are enormous, enormous grizzlies. Treadwell had some sort of savior complex, calling himself the "kind warrior" for the bears in front of his cameras. He seemed to have good intentions, but then you would also have footage of him losing his shit while he was railing against the national park officials on camera, naming names (which the movie blocked out) and telling them to fuck themselves somewhere in the area of 1,079 times. Again, insane. Good movie, though: definitely worth Netflixing.
I went and caught "Grizzly Man" tonight. It was a pretty powerful film and very haunting and well done. I didn't know anything about Timothy Treadwell before this, and after watching the movie (shots of him on all of his own footage) you can't come away without thinking that this was one deeply messed up man. Insane. He caught gorgeous scenes and his commitment to the grizzlies was admirable, but there's also plenty of footage of him allowing the bears to approach him and he would teasingly tap them on the snout, while cooing about how much he loves them and thanks them for being his friends. These are enormous, enormous grizzlies. Treadwell had some sort of savior complex, calling himself the "kind warrior" for the bears in front of his cameras. He seemed to have good intentions, but then you would also have footage of him losing his shit while he was railing against the national park officials on camera, naming names (which the movie blocked out) and telling them to fuck themselves somewhere in the area of 1,079 times. Again, insane. Good movie, though: definitely worth Netflixing.
Baaack
It's been good and relaxing to be back in town. It's even better today because the weather has officially turned from hot and humid to cool (mid-90s to 70s). My apartment is approximately 213 times more pleasant because of this. Thank God.
Classes start next week, and I've been occupying myself with trying to get stuff that needs to get done accomplished and also relaxing like a mofo. This means lots of daytime tv and long lazy jogs by the lake. I've also managed to catch up with some of my school compatriots and Pam so I haven't completely hermetically sealed myself off.
Two things:
1. I have grandiose plans about what a good student I am going to be this coming quarter. I'm going to have rock star study habits, kids. This means going over my notes every night and staying on top of everything. You know it.
2. I've been watching Season 3 of "Oz" on dvd. I watch this show since I support it because it comes from the creators of "Homicide," despite the fact that it scares the living jeebus out of me. Objectively, I'm continually shocked by the fact that it aired for five or six seasons when its levels of violence are mindblowing. For instance, the credits end with someone being electrocuted. But, I still like the show even if it's uncomfortable to watch, and I appreciate the characters and admire the acting. And I love BD Wong and think he makes the most adorable Catholic priest ever.
Anyway, many of the characters are scary as hell, but the hands down most frightening is the role of Adebisi with his tiny hat and his striped stockings and his clazy eyes. I remember reading once an article about the guy who played Jame Gumb in "Silence of the Lambs" and how it was almost a curse because everyone associated him with that role. I fear that the same thing will happen to the dude who plays Adebisi. He's awesome, but he'll always be associated with clazy malevolence.
It's been good and relaxing to be back in town. It's even better today because the weather has officially turned from hot and humid to cool (mid-90s to 70s). My apartment is approximately 213 times more pleasant because of this. Thank God.
Classes start next week, and I've been occupying myself with trying to get stuff that needs to get done accomplished and also relaxing like a mofo. This means lots of daytime tv and long lazy jogs by the lake. I've also managed to catch up with some of my school compatriots and Pam so I haven't completely hermetically sealed myself off.
Two things:
1. I have grandiose plans about what a good student I am going to be this coming quarter. I'm going to have rock star study habits, kids. This means going over my notes every night and staying on top of everything. You know it.
2. I've been watching Season 3 of "Oz" on dvd. I watch this show since I support it because it comes from the creators of "Homicide," despite the fact that it scares the living jeebus out of me. Objectively, I'm continually shocked by the fact that it aired for five or six seasons when its levels of violence are mindblowing. For instance, the credits end with someone being electrocuted. But, I still like the show even if it's uncomfortable to watch, and I appreciate the characters and admire the acting. And I love BD Wong and think he makes the most adorable Catholic priest ever.
Anyway, many of the characters are scary as hell, but the hands down most frightening is the role of Adebisi with his tiny hat and his striped stockings and his clazy eyes. I remember reading once an article about the guy who played Jame Gumb in "Silence of the Lambs" and how it was almost a curse because everyone associated him with that role. I fear that the same thing will happen to the dude who plays Adebisi. He's awesome, but he'll always be associated with clazy malevolence.
Monday, September 12, 2005
DC Extravaganza
I'm back in Chicago now, got back yesterday afternoon. But, my last days in DC were spent happily and busily.
On Thursday night, Annie scored us free tickets to the Nationals vs. Marlins game at RFK. Sweeeet deal. It was my first Nationals game, and it was a perfect night for it (cool, breezy, clear). Thanks again to Annie, and may I just say that holding a cold beer at a night baseball game with good friends is the definition of perfection. Instead of parking at RFK's stadium, we parked at a nearby Catholic church which accepted whatever you wanted to donate, which is a pretty awesome idea on the part of the church's. I have to say that I couldn't help but crack up at the sight of Screech, the Nationals' mascot. He's this giant round bald eagle with an ass that shakes like a bowl of jelly. He exudes sass just by waddling along. Anne noticed that he would nudge his stomach in to make his ass pop out, which is plain awesome.
Friday night, The Todd arrived for his first weekend in DC. After dining on some superb homemade chili that my dad made that day (sweetened with mango!), we headed into the city to meet up with Gracie for a night out. Kudos to Grace for coming out with us because at that point it was like 11pm, which in my normal world is turning-into-pumpkin time. I felt like a good weekend in DC would need to represent at least a night out in the city. We had a very laid back evening, having a drink each at Saint Ex and at Utopia. Best thing of the night was the chalkboard outside of Saint Ex that read: Please turn down collar before entering.
On Saturday Todd and I took off from Grace's sweeeet pad to go check out the sights. We did a walk through of the Mall and several of the Monuments. We also passed through the Black Family Reunion 2005 which was set up on the Mall and also the set up for the America Supports Freedom Walk (or whatever it was called). We got back to Great Falls in time to help my mom roll some Vietnamese spring rolls, drink a beer, and then have an awesome Vietnamese feast. Mmmmmm.
Saturday night we went bowling at Ft Myer with Anne and Annie. People, this was the best deal in town, I had no idea. The glow bowling was still going on, games are $3 each, and the drinks are cheap. It was totally not crowded as well. Talk about a well-kept secret. I mean, you do have to get your car searched before you enter and all, but it's damn worth it. Afterward we met up with Des, Bry, Dave and Dee at this new place on Wilson called Kitty O'Shea's and closed the place out. A full Saturday indeed.
Sunday before taking off back to Chicago, we met up with Anne, Annie, Des, Bryan, Suzi, Tom, Chang, Clarence, and Jonathan for a huge Afghan meal. I heart Afghan. Oh my god. If I could bring one restaurant from the DC area with me to Chicago, it would be that one. It was a perfect send off from DC. Food coma inducing, maybe, but totally perfect still. We had an uneventful flight back to Chicago, got back around 6pm (I love gaining an hour). Also, grilled hot dogs and beans for dinner, courtesy of The Todd.
It's good to be back. Chicago is still warm, but at least it's not in the 90s and my apartment is not sweltering as it was this past summer.
I'm back in Chicago now, got back yesterday afternoon. But, my last days in DC were spent happily and busily.
On Thursday night, Annie scored us free tickets to the Nationals vs. Marlins game at RFK. Sweeeet deal. It was my first Nationals game, and it was a perfect night for it (cool, breezy, clear). Thanks again to Annie, and may I just say that holding a cold beer at a night baseball game with good friends is the definition of perfection. Instead of parking at RFK's stadium, we parked at a nearby Catholic church which accepted whatever you wanted to donate, which is a pretty awesome idea on the part of the church's. I have to say that I couldn't help but crack up at the sight of Screech, the Nationals' mascot. He's this giant round bald eagle with an ass that shakes like a bowl of jelly. He exudes sass just by waddling along. Anne noticed that he would nudge his stomach in to make his ass pop out, which is plain awesome.
Friday night, The Todd arrived for his first weekend in DC. After dining on some superb homemade chili that my dad made that day (sweetened with mango!), we headed into the city to meet up with Gracie for a night out. Kudos to Grace for coming out with us because at that point it was like 11pm, which in my normal world is turning-into-pumpkin time. I felt like a good weekend in DC would need to represent at least a night out in the city. We had a very laid back evening, having a drink each at Saint Ex and at Utopia. Best thing of the night was the chalkboard outside of Saint Ex that read: Please turn down collar before entering.
On Saturday Todd and I took off from Grace's sweeeet pad to go check out the sights. We did a walk through of the Mall and several of the Monuments. We also passed through the Black Family Reunion 2005 which was set up on the Mall and also the set up for the America Supports Freedom Walk (or whatever it was called). We got back to Great Falls in time to help my mom roll some Vietnamese spring rolls, drink a beer, and then have an awesome Vietnamese feast. Mmmmmm.
Saturday night we went bowling at Ft Myer with Anne and Annie. People, this was the best deal in town, I had no idea. The glow bowling was still going on, games are $3 each, and the drinks are cheap. It was totally not crowded as well. Talk about a well-kept secret. I mean, you do have to get your car searched before you enter and all, but it's damn worth it. Afterward we met up with Des, Bry, Dave and Dee at this new place on Wilson called Kitty O'Shea's and closed the place out. A full Saturday indeed.
Sunday before taking off back to Chicago, we met up with Anne, Annie, Des, Bryan, Suzi, Tom, Chang, Clarence, and Jonathan for a huge Afghan meal. I heart Afghan. Oh my god. If I could bring one restaurant from the DC area with me to Chicago, it would be that one. It was a perfect send off from DC. Food coma inducing, maybe, but totally perfect still. We had an uneventful flight back to Chicago, got back around 6pm (I love gaining an hour). Also, grilled hot dogs and beans for dinner, courtesy of The Todd.
It's good to be back. Chicago is still warm, but at least it's not in the 90s and my apartment is not sweltering as it was this past summer.
Friday, September 09, 2005
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