I spent all day Saturday looking at cars. Luckily Brendan volunteered to go with me for moral support, otherwise I might have killed someone. Salespeople are nuts. And I don't know anything about cars or about buying cars, which is hard to hide. I drove five cars and my favorite was the manual Jetta (used). I've wanted a Jetta since I was thirteen. I don't know why. But I'm not Daddy Warbucks over here, so I'd have to get a used one. Also, my friend Erik works for Chrysler and might be able to get me employee pricing. I'm considering the Jeep Patriot. It's not the most logical car for a young single girl who has to parallel park at home, but maybe I could get a weekend job driving the neighbor kids to soccer. I'd have to get one at the base, base price, though, which I'm sure is impossible. Unfortunately I didn't test drive one because no one at the Jeep dealership would help us. Age discrimination, I'm sure. We left in a huff and with a flip of our hair.
Brendan yelled at me because I was being picky about colors. I'm sorry, but I can't drive a blue car. And gold? Gold shouldn't even be an option. What am I—75? And don't even get me started on white. I don't know anything about engines or tires, so just let me have this.
The mom's coming next weekend, so I'll make her help me find a car. She'll love it.
Yesterday was lovely and I finally got back on my bike and found a nice route along the lake, north to Wilmette. There are so many cyclists here. I was passed by at least five, because I'm horribly out of shape, and after I carried my bike back up the three flights of stairs to my apartment, I fell on the couch and watched two hours of Lock Up (you know, the prison show) without moving.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Priceless
Well, I couldn't possibly have a better story about the Office Olympics. Because I fell down. I fell down big time, and it was on TV. You can watch it here: http://wgntv.trb.com/news/local/aroundtown/
Of course the ONE clip they use is the one of me falling. Everyone said, "Don't worry. I don't think you were on camera." Later I ran into my boss, her boss, and another woman in the hallway (none of whom were even at the Olympics, I think), and they said, "How are you doing? You know you're on the web?" I said, "I know that. How do you know that?" It got around. In our afternoon team meeting my boss said she was in a bad mood, and my new teammate, Greg, said, "Just go to WGN.com." Brendan's mom even sent him a text message that said, "I watched WGN this morning. Who's the girl that fell?" I keep going from wanting to die to cracking up. I've been telling everyone it was a dive. But it wasn't even worth it in the end, because my team came in third...out of three.
You'll see a couple seconds of Clips the Chicken in the video. That's my coworker Jim in the suit. I saw him at six this morning in the cafeteria and said, "What are you doing here so early?" He said, "I'm going to tell you something, but you can't tell anyone..." Then he pointed to a picture of Clips on the bulletin board. I said, "You're gonna be Clips?" I laughed and laughed. He said, "They talked me into it." He was really embarrassed. So of course I told Brendan and Shannon. Falling, chicken suits... It was a day of classic comedy.
Of course the ONE clip they use is the one of me falling. Everyone said, "Don't worry. I don't think you were on camera." Later I ran into my boss, her boss, and another woman in the hallway (none of whom were even at the Olympics, I think), and they said, "How are you doing? You know you're on the web?" I said, "I know that. How do you know that?" It got around. In our afternoon team meeting my boss said she was in a bad mood, and my new teammate, Greg, said, "Just go to WGN.com." Brendan's mom even sent him a text message that said, "I watched WGN this morning. Who's the girl that fell?" I keep going from wanting to die to cracking up. I've been telling everyone it was a dive. But it wasn't even worth it in the end, because my team came in third...out of three.
You'll see a couple seconds of Clips the Chicken in the video. That's my coworker Jim in the suit. I saw him at six this morning in the cafeteria and said, "What are you doing here so early?" He said, "I'm going to tell you something, but you can't tell anyone..." Then he pointed to a picture of Clips on the bulletin board. I said, "You're gonna be Clips?" I laughed and laughed. He said, "They talked me into it." He was really embarrassed. So of course I told Brendan and Shannon. Falling, chicken suits... It was a day of classic comedy.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Olympics Update
Get ready, because the Olympics are coming to Chicago...the Office Olympics. They're on Wednesday and they will be on TV, so if you get WGN, make sure to tune in/record from 8am to 10am Eastern time. I'm on the red team with people I've never met before. Clips the Chicken will be there, I'm sure. You'll laugh, you'll cry.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Downtown
Yesterday my coworker Brendan and I went downtown to the Art Institute of Chicago. First we ate hot dogs at Millenium Park because he said I should have a real Chicago-style hot dog, and you know I never turn down a hot dog. And I wanted to see the giant bean. Then we went to the museum and the painting that Brendan wanted to see was on loan to a museum in South Carolina, and the painting I wanted to see was in Boston. We said "What!" a lot. It was still a great trip. Later we got ice cream, and as we crossed the street my ice cream fell off the cone. If I were any younger I would’ve cried. A few minutes later a man asked Brendan where he got the ice cream, and I said, “If you want free ice cream, there's some in the street over there.”
For an early dinner we went to a small Mexican restaurant, Garcia’s, and sipped on strong margaritas. During dinner we found out we both ran the same track events in high school, so Brendan thought it would be a good idea to go to his old high school and have a race on the track. I said I was really full of beef and liquor and might vomit, but I also can never turn down a race. So we drove to Niles and to Notre Dame High School for Boys and ran a 100m in our jeans and street shoes in the dark. And he beat me. I was beaten by a smoker! I was not happy. Today my hips hurt. Then we went back to his house and played foosball and argued over who was Chandler and who was Joey.
Brendan and I have a lot in common, actually. We both want to be screenwriters and we like the same TV shows, which is all that matters to me.
Today was even warmer and felt like summer. The beaches were already packed. I went to Colleen’s new apartment in the city and she put me to work in her David apron from Florence.
I'm not sure what this is called, but I call it the Face Fountain.
For an early dinner we went to a small Mexican restaurant, Garcia’s, and sipped on strong margaritas. During dinner we found out we both ran the same track events in high school, so Brendan thought it would be a good idea to go to his old high school and have a race on the track. I said I was really full of beef and liquor and might vomit, but I also can never turn down a race. So we drove to Niles and to Notre Dame High School for Boys and ran a 100m in our jeans and street shoes in the dark. And he beat me. I was beaten by a smoker! I was not happy. Today my hips hurt. Then we went back to his house and played foosball and argued over who was Chandler and who was Joey.
Brendan and I have a lot in common, actually. We both want to be screenwriters and we like the same TV shows, which is all that matters to me.
Today was even warmer and felt like summer. The beaches were already packed. I went to Colleen’s new apartment in the city and she put me to work in her David apron from Florence.
I'm not sure what this is called, but I call it the Face Fountain.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Our toast at Lalo's: "To buds"
Kelly came on Friday evening and I picked her up from the L stop in Evanston. We went to the Jewel, bought ingredients for dinner and a bottle of wine. I made Robert's house-famous stir fry and we listened to our favorite Oscar-winning song (true story), "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp." The stir fry turned out very well. I was quite pleased with myself. Then we were both exhausted and fell into bed and talked across the apartment before lights out.
Saturday we took the L downtown and had lunch at the first place we saw—the Rock Bottom Brewery for reubens. After, we walked to the river and then in the wrong direction to Navy Pier, but found a Mexican restaurant for dinner later. We walked a LOT—to and around Navy Pier, up Michigan Avenue, to Border's where Kelly looked for poetry while I read about how to use my eyes to make someone fall in love with me. It was cold and windy, of course, and gray. But it's always exciting to be in the city. Later we had giant burritos at Lalo's and listened to the mariachi band play "Happy Birthday" to every person in the restaurant. Then it was a short walk to the Redhead Piano Bar where we got a good spot by the piano and windows, next to Kenny the co-owner—an old man with giant glasses and teeth—and a nice couple who spilled beer on Kelly. The piano player wasn't our favorite because he had an annoying voice and played too many slow songs. But I like the Redhead for the people-watching, and here's why: this really creepy-looking man who I'm sure was high on something, with black hair and a black suit and a scary/fascinating face, stood near us for a while, leaning over and talking to a woman the whole time. We figured he must be a vampire. I couldn't stop looking at him even though his pale face scared the very life out of me. We overheard Kenny the Co-owner telling the nice couple that he'd been kicked out before for getting very drunk and touching women's hair. So of course I had to get a picture of him. THEN I saw a couple I'd seen there before—when it was the husband Kevin's 50th birthday and His Wife was loaded and invited me and Colleen to their hotel room. So of course I had to get a picture of them.
This morning we went for a walk to a cute corner bakery and ate our pastries right outside on a bench. I had a pain au chocolat and blueberry muffin and ate them at the same time with one in each hand. We walked to the lake, then rushed to the L so Kelly could get to Union Station. I was sad to see her off, but she's planning to come back for a week (and kept saying, "When I come for a week...") so she can make taco dip and we can go to the theatre. I wish we'd had more time this weekend.
On the L.
While I was looking at the map, a woman came up and asked, "Do you need help finding something?" (because people in Chicago are nice), and I said, "No, I just found it, but thank you." Then we realized I should have said, "You can help me find some friends." Or, even better: "I was looking for a friend, but I think I just found one. (You.)"
The creepy guy is at the bottom right.
Kevin and His Wife
Saturday we took the L downtown and had lunch at the first place we saw—the Rock Bottom Brewery for reubens. After, we walked to the river and then in the wrong direction to Navy Pier, but found a Mexican restaurant for dinner later. We walked a LOT—to and around Navy Pier, up Michigan Avenue, to Border's where Kelly looked for poetry while I read about how to use my eyes to make someone fall in love with me. It was cold and windy, of course, and gray. But it's always exciting to be in the city. Later we had giant burritos at Lalo's and listened to the mariachi band play "Happy Birthday" to every person in the restaurant. Then it was a short walk to the Redhead Piano Bar where we got a good spot by the piano and windows, next to Kenny the co-owner—an old man with giant glasses and teeth—and a nice couple who spilled beer on Kelly. The piano player wasn't our favorite because he had an annoying voice and played too many slow songs. But I like the Redhead for the people-watching, and here's why: this really creepy-looking man who I'm sure was high on something, with black hair and a black suit and a scary/fascinating face, stood near us for a while, leaning over and talking to a woman the whole time. We figured he must be a vampire. I couldn't stop looking at him even though his pale face scared the very life out of me. We overheard Kenny the Co-owner telling the nice couple that he'd been kicked out before for getting very drunk and touching women's hair. So of course I had to get a picture of him. THEN I saw a couple I'd seen there before—when it was the husband Kevin's 50th birthday and His Wife was loaded and invited me and Colleen to their hotel room. So of course I had to get a picture of them.
This morning we went for a walk to a cute corner bakery and ate our pastries right outside on a bench. I had a pain au chocolat and blueberry muffin and ate them at the same time with one in each hand. We walked to the lake, then rushed to the L so Kelly could get to Union Station. I was sad to see her off, but she's planning to come back for a week (and kept saying, "When I come for a week...") so she can make taco dip and we can go to the theatre. I wish we'd had more time this weekend.
On the L.
While I was looking at the map, a woman came up and asked, "Do you need help finding something?" (because people in Chicago are nice), and I said, "No, I just found it, but thank you." Then we realized I should have said, "You can help me find some friends." Or, even better: "I was looking for a friend, but I think I just found one. (You.)"
The creepy guy is at the bottom right.
Kevin and His Wife
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
My weekend at home was too short. I spent Friday night catching up on my stories (American Idol) on the couch with the blanket and two cats. On Saturday my mom and I went through my every last belonging in my room and she made me save a couple dolls for my future daughter. Sunday I had a computer scare because the guy who's rescuing the data from my old laptop said he probably wouldn't be able to get the files. I have all my writing on that computer—it would be heartbreaking to lose it all. But turns out he was able to get everything.
Tonight I went to the Evanston Bike Club's April meeting and joined. I was BY FAR the youngest one there. I'm talking a good forty, fifty years younger. Although I did have on a sweater vest, so I sort of fit in. I met a nice older gentleman, Ben (one of the younger ones—probably in his fifties). I like Ben. He seems normal. He explained to me some of the rides and the ride leaders, and advised me to stay away from Dave's rides because he's weird. Ben later pointed him out to me by saying, "He's the one with the sideburns and bad comb-over." Say no more, Ben. I also met one of the club officers and sat next to him at the officers' table while everyone spoke. He was a close talker. Then after all the business was taken care of, this sixty year-old woman got up to give a presentation/Power Point slide show about her cross-country ride, which I thought would be interesting because I'd like to do that some day. Well, it took fifteen minutes for her and three other old guys to figure out the projector. In the meantime she entertained the crowd by telling us her life story. By this point I'm thinking, "I gotta get out of here." She finally got the slide show started and said, "It was a twenty-six-day ride, and I have slides for every day." On that note, I turned to the officer (whose name I don't remember probably because he didn't give me a moment of silence to think) and said, "I'm sorry, but I have to get going." Luckily these meetings are once a month. I'm excited to get out and ride with people—especially along the lake. Old Close-Talking Man said it's an absolutely lovely ride, while clutching my arm.
My bud (Kelly) is coming this weekend! She decided tonight. Her train route involves taking a bus to Battle Creek, so I better make it worth the pervs she thinks she'll meet on the bus. I'll even turn the heat on for her. I can't wait.
How humiliating!
Tonight I went to the Evanston Bike Club's April meeting and joined. I was BY FAR the youngest one there. I'm talking a good forty, fifty years younger. Although I did have on a sweater vest, so I sort of fit in. I met a nice older gentleman, Ben (one of the younger ones—probably in his fifties). I like Ben. He seems normal. He explained to me some of the rides and the ride leaders, and advised me to stay away from Dave's rides because he's weird. Ben later pointed him out to me by saying, "He's the one with the sideburns and bad comb-over." Say no more, Ben. I also met one of the club officers and sat next to him at the officers' table while everyone spoke. He was a close talker. Then after all the business was taken care of, this sixty year-old woman got up to give a presentation/Power Point slide show about her cross-country ride, which I thought would be interesting because I'd like to do that some day. Well, it took fifteen minutes for her and three other old guys to figure out the projector. In the meantime she entertained the crowd by telling us her life story. By this point I'm thinking, "I gotta get out of here." She finally got the slide show started and said, "It was a twenty-six-day ride, and I have slides for every day." On that note, I turned to the officer (whose name I don't remember probably because he didn't give me a moment of silence to think) and said, "I'm sorry, but I have to get going." Luckily these meetings are once a month. I'm excited to get out and ride with people—especially along the lake. Old Close-Talking Man said it's an absolutely lovely ride, while clutching my arm.
My bud (Kelly) is coming this weekend! She decided tonight. Her train route involves taking a bus to Battle Creek, so I better make it worth the pervs she thinks she'll meet on the bus. I'll even turn the heat on for her. I can't wait.
How humiliating!
Friday, April 6, 2007
Still Writing from Work
The hockey game was fun, even though I think we lost. And by we, I mean the Red Wings, come on. Actually I think there were more Red Wings fans than Blackhawks. I stayed for only two periods, which still gave me plenty of time to have two hot dogs and half of Colleen's mai tai and then feel sick. I'm not really into hockey, so the best part for me was getting into fights with the Blackhawks fans, like when one guy said to us from across the aisle, "Why don't you go back to Michigan?" and Colleen's boyfriend Matt shouted, "There's no jobs!" We all had a good laugh.
I'm flying home tonight. My mom emailed me three times to remind me how bad the parking will be at O'Hare. Plus I talked to Beth yesterday (she called me while I was at work to tell me about the spring street-cleaning schedule, which I thought was nice, and I was finally able to give her my open invitation to dinner/friendship) and when she found out I'm going to O'Hare tonight she said in a scary voice, "Oh, yeah, you should give yourself plenty of time. It's spring break." So I'm a little nervous.
HAHAHA.
I went for the hot dogs. (One of my favorite Jerri Blank quotes is, "Boy I'm thirsty. I'm gonna go get a hot dog... Give me a Diablo Dog. Drag it through the salt, and don't be stingy with the bacon bits.")
I'm flying home tonight. My mom emailed me three times to remind me how bad the parking will be at O'Hare. Plus I talked to Beth yesterday (she called me while I was at work to tell me about the spring street-cleaning schedule, which I thought was nice, and I was finally able to give her my open invitation to dinner/friendship) and when she found out I'm going to O'Hare tonight she said in a scary voice, "Oh, yeah, you should give yourself plenty of time. It's spring break." So I'm a little nervous.
HAHAHA.
I went for the hot dogs. (One of my favorite Jerri Blank quotes is, "Boy I'm thirsty. I'm gonna go get a hot dog... Give me a Diablo Dog. Drag it through the salt, and don't be stingy with the bacon bits.")
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Last night I met my Internet Friend (don't judge me) downtown for a beer. She was in the city with her graduate studies group for a conference, so I went out with all of them. I figured, what else am I going to do, besides sit at home and watch Bones and laugh every time they say "Bones"? I can't afford to be choosy when it comes to getting myself out of the house. It's like, "What? You're a hobo? And you want to meet me downtown? I'll bring the booze!" I had fun, but I was a little worried that maybe it was a set-up, and at any moment Chris Hansen would pop up from behind the bar and say, "Do you know who I am?" And I would drop my head in shame and say, "You're Chris Hansen from To Catch a Predator... She said she was twenty-six!"
I'm happy to report that I did not get lost last night. I'm becoming more comfortable driving here, and that means going AT LEAST 15 over the speed limit without a care in the world. I like driving into the city and watching the skyline. And as I left on Lake Shore Drive last night, weaving in between taxis at 60 in a 45, with the lake on the right and lighted buildings on the left, I said, "I can't believe I live here now."
Tonight I'm going to the Blackhawks/Red Wings game. I'm a sports fan now. I'm going to paint my face like David Puddy.
I'm happy to report that I did not get lost last night. I'm becoming more comfortable driving here, and that means going AT LEAST 15 over the speed limit without a care in the world. I like driving into the city and watching the skyline. And as I left on Lake Shore Drive last night, weaving in between taxis at 60 in a 45, with the lake on the right and lighted buildings on the left, I said, "I can't believe I live here now."
Tonight I'm going to the Blackhawks/Red Wings game. I'm a sports fan now. I'm going to paint my face like David Puddy.
Monday, April 2, 2007
At Work
I'm writing from work on my lunch break because my laptop died this weekend. I was at Best Buy on Saturday to get a VCR, except, newsflash, it's not 1995 and no one sells VCRs anymore, so I bought The Office instead, and as I was standing in line I saw the Geek Squad corner and thought, "Hm, there's the Geek Squad. I hope I never have to go there." And then my computer wouldn't start on Sunday morning, so I went to the Geek Squad. They said it would cost $400. My new plan is to buy a new computer and then cry over my lost money.
Other than that, my weekend was calm. I fixed my bike (and by that I mean I pumped air in the tires and screwed the pedals back on), framed more things for my living room wall, made a nice dinner-for-one on Saturday and watched The Office and laughed a lot, and yesterday went to Ikea with Colleen. I also got a package from Miss Bobbie that made my day (hint, hint, send me things): homemade (!) cookies and Easter Peeps from Miss Bobbie's House of Peeps—Miss Bobbie's Peep Emporium—Miss Bobbie's South Carolina Peep Plantation—Miss Bobbie's "Kiss My Peeps" Shoppe—I could go on.
I found out from the guy at the bike shop about the Evanston Bike Club, which does group rides for all levels. They also eat a lot. I'm sold. So I'll go to the meeting next week and join.
Other than that, my weekend was calm. I fixed my bike (and by that I mean I pumped air in the tires and screwed the pedals back on), framed more things for my living room wall, made a nice dinner-for-one on Saturday and watched The Office and laughed a lot, and yesterday went to Ikea with Colleen. I also got a package from Miss Bobbie that made my day (hint, hint, send me things): homemade (!) cookies and Easter Peeps from Miss Bobbie's House of Peeps—Miss Bobbie's Peep Emporium—Miss Bobbie's South Carolina Peep Plantation—Miss Bobbie's "Kiss My Peeps" Shoppe—I could go on.
I found out from the guy at the bike shop about the Evanston Bike Club, which does group rides for all levels. They also eat a lot. I'm sold. So I'll go to the meeting next week and join.
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