Episode 3

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Boat Trip

Friday night AAAADRIAAAAN and I went out to dinner and a movie. He wanted to take me to this little Mexican restaurant in Skokie, because I'm sort of Mexican, but it was an hour and a half wait. So instead we went to Chili's! HA! I felt like I was on The Office. At least it wasn't Hooters.

One of the reasons I like hanging out with Adrian is because I get to teach him things—important things—like "That's what she said" jokes and what BFF means. It's like that movie with Alicia Silverstone and Brendan Fraser that I've never seen and never will.

Today I took an architectural boat cruise down the Chicago River. I don't remember anything I learned, but it was a great way to see the city on a beautiful day.

Our docent, Kathleen.

Storms

There was a horrible storm here yesterday. It took me three and a half hours to get home. So I did what any adult would do—I called my mom crying. How embarrassing, right. Like what is she going to do? She's in North Carolina. But I was sort of a basketbase. At one point I didn't know where I was because so many roads were closed, and traffic was moving so slowly that I thought I'd never get home. Trees and powerlines were down, lawns looked like lakes, driving down Green Bay was like forging a river. So my mom and Robert took turns talking me through it. I was sure my car would get stuck in the floods, because I passed other cars that did, so I kept saying, "I think I should just park here and walk home!" And my mom would say, "You can't walk five miles through water in an electrical storm!" Uh, yes you can!—when you're crazy!

Homesick

I've been homesick lately. Today at work I suddenly pictured myself driving down Catalpa, of all places—that stretch between Washington and Woodward—and I just missed Royal Oak so much. I think it's setting in now—that I don't know when I'll be back or where I could stay. I miss my house and living in a nice house, and eating well. I want to make friends with a family in Evanston so they can invite me over for dinner once in a while, or every night. I'm thinking of putting an ad up at the Jewel. "Normal girl seeks non-smoking family for dinner and wine. No children, please. Cats preferred. Must have TiVo. Likes: Mexican food and people, cake, presents. Dislikes: when you don't laugh at my jokes. Please be discreet."

Karaoke Bar

Friday night Adrian and I went out in Wrigleyville, the neighborhood around Wrigley Field. We had dinner at Penny's, a cute little noodle place (you know, because he's Asian), then went to a bar called Trader Todd's for karaoke (you know, because he's Asian). Trader Todd's looks like what I imagine Jimmy Buffet's house looks like. I had never done karaoke before, so Adrian and I did a song together. He picked "Stand By Me." By the time they finally called us up (at one o'clock), everyone in the bar was well lit, so we killed.

I saw some great characters too. This guy Phil got up and did a late 70s/early 80s power ballad, and I think he had come straight from his repair shop, because he was wearing a navy jump suit (unbuttoned to show the gold chain) with a "Phil" patch and a "Phil's Truck & Auto Repair" patch. He had long curly hair and wore a black sweat band.

After Trader Joe's, or whatever the hell it was, we stopped at another bar and danced until it closed. I've never seen so many people out on the street at closing time. I also hadn't been out that late in a long time, and I was not in good shape yesterday. I think maybe I'm getting too old for it.

It's been raining all weekend, so I hooked up my Super Nintendo. I haven't played it in years. I hope I don't become addicted, like that dark period years ago when my mom was addicted to Dr. Mario, and was like, "Don't talk to me! I'm at level 45!"

Chicago

Last night Colleen and I went to the Taylor Street Festa Italiana right outside her boyfriend's apartment. Oh, it was great. I ate a meatball sandwich just like a real Italian. The band Old 97s played and, miracle of miracles, I actually know who they are. Mostly because their music has been in Scrubs, and if you don't already know, I love my daily Scrubs hour. So we had fun dancing in the street with our drinks.

Also, I have a new work friend. His name is Adrian, or as I like to call him, "AAAADRIAAAAN." He offered to show me around the city, so today we had brunch on the 95th floor of the Hancock building. I ate everything from a waffle to smoked salmon and back again. The view was wonderful. Then we went to the Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium. It was a fun, exhausting, touristy day. Although AAAADRIAAAAN is quite the low-talker. I just agree with him a lot because I don't know what he's saying. So one day I expect to find myself wearing a puffy shirt and saying, "But I don't wanna be a pirate!"



(from Colleen)

Episode 2

The Wedding Date

This weekend I went to my mom's friends' daughter's wedding in Michigan. It was lovely and fun. My date Nick and I were dancing fools. The DJ even played "Dancin' in the Dark," which I always request but usually get laughed at.

Also, I found my audience! My mom's friends and their families! A few people said to me, "You're the one with the blog!" It was funny. Who knew I was so popular with fives or tens of people?

I stayed in my mom's and Robert's hotel room, on a deluxe cot. It had a strap so they could strap me in if I became unruly.

Innovation

Quill has something on its intranet called "Innovation" where employees can submit ideas for growth. I just submitted my idea for a nap room. I'm really tired today and I bet if I took a 20-90 minute power nap, I could boost productivity by 50% . Besides, Google has nap rooms and look how successful they are.

Also, I'm eating my pudding with a plastic knife right now because the break room is out of spoons, even though they made a big deal about "giving" us plasticware. They put up signs all over that said, "You asked for it, you got it! Silverware in the break room!" Like, wow, thanks. So a nap room might be a stretch.