Cousin!

My cousin Michael came to visit me this weekend from Sayouth Carolaahnuh. It was his first time in Chicago, so I was a little nervous about showing him the city in one day.

Friday night we went with Russelle to the Heartland Cafe for dinner. Then to the Green Mill, an old jazz club where Al Capone used to go. It still looks and feels like an old-timey gangster hangout, with round booths and dim lighting. A few women were dressed like they stepped out of the 40s. The music was good and fun. But we were stuck way in the back at the end of the bar and couldn't really see or dance. Russ and I did get a chance to dance in the bathroom after birthing our way through the crowd of people. We liked the club a lot, but have to go earlier next time to get Capone's booth.

Yesterday Michael and I took the el downtown and walked to Millennium Park, the lake, then had lunch at the Rock Bottom Brewery. At one point on the walk to lunch we were waiting to cross the street and I was hit on by a lady hobo. Michael said he saw her in the middle of the street either spitting or throwing up, but I didn't see her. So she came out of nowhere, got right in my face, and said, "Girl, you fine! You so fine! Your husband doesn't mind, does he? Want me to dance for you?" She didn't even wait for me to say no thank you. I was like, "What do I do, what do I do, what do I do." All I said was, "You're a little close."

After lunch we walked up Michigan Avenue to the Hancock, then back down again. On the way back we stopped in Wrigleyville so Michael could get some Cubs souvenirs. It was a lot of walking and I was worn out. I feel like I'm getting old.

Last night we had dinner in Evanston at my favorite Irish restaurant. A few minutes before 8:00, our waitress brought us a second candle and said they'd be turning out the lights soon for Earth Hour. She said, "It'll be romantic." I was like, "Yeah, for me and my cousin, thanks." So we ate by candle light. Good thing my family likes to joke about us getting married, so nothing is too awkward.

I didn't know I was on The Bachelor this season!

Fast forward to 6:04.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=xdvt6iWmQv0

Easter

Colleen (and Matt, although I don't think he knew it) invited me over for Easter brunch. Colleen's friends Cat and Pete came too, and Colleen made us a full spread. We also had mimosas, so you know it was a happy Easter.

Dear Karen Savelly

The radio helps. I’m sitting in my cubicle, doing the same copy-and-paste “project” I’ve been doing for the past three hours and will be doing for the rest of the day. My eyes are fried. A few minutes ago I calculated my percent unhappiness. Over all, for seven days, I’m 36% unhappy. I’m 50% unhappy Monday through Friday. But I’m also listening to my favorite radio station that, in addition to the emails from Amy, saves me during the day. Good old Karen Savelly. She just took a request from a man who cleans apartments. He wanted to hear Bob Seger’s “Tryin' to Live My Life Without You,” which, as Bob says in the beginning, is an old Memphis song, old Memphis song. Karen said, “I bet that’s a good one to clean to.” And the guy was happy and he said, “Thanks, hon.” I don’t know that I’d rather be cleaning apartments all day, but if he can find joy in his day, then so can I.

Kate Weekend

My friend Kate came to visit from Lansing this weekend. I hadn't seen her in over a year, so it was a nice reunion. Plus she did my dishes.

Saturday we took the el downtown to go to the art institute, but first I wanted to see the green river, because I missed it last year. Turns out I thought the normal river color was the green dye, so I probably wasn't missing much. Then we walked to Millennium Park and ate hot dogs at the skating rink. Can I just tell you how relieved I am when people tell me they could go for a hot dog? I’m like, "Oh thank god, me too!" After lunch we walked to the art institute to see the Edward Hopper exhibit, which actually didn't bore me to tears like most trips to the museum. Hopper is more relatable to me. Usually I just stare at a painting and think, "I don’t get it." Like, so what? It’s a child in white. Big deal.

As we were walking up Michigan Avenue I saw a woman dressed in full traditional Irish costume and carrying a bagpipe get off a bus, walk across the sidewalk, and puke on the grass. It. was. awesome. That's what St. Patrick's Day should be about. Grown men and women puking in the streets, not drunk under-aged college kids using their outside voices on the el.

For dinner we met Russelle in Andersonville and went to a Mediterranean restaurant that I thought was Swedish. They have glogg, which is Swedish, right? Well it certainly rhymes with clog. Then I took Kate to the wine bar, but the crowd was a little boring. No one was dancing.

Yesterday we had brunch with Russelle and her roommate Rosemary, then went to a used book store in Wicker Park that Kate had heard about. Sometimes in stuffy book stores I get so overwhelmed that I don’t know what to look at, so I just pretend to look. I bought two books that I'll probably never read.

Sunrise in March

Pregnancy

One of my new lunch friends let me in on her pregnancy secret today. Then she was telling us about the maternity leave policy—turns out you get THREE MONTHS OFF for having a baby. So I started thinking, I wonder if anyone has ever faked being pregnant? And I wonder if, when I fake my pregnancy, will people ask to see my belly? I mean, how hard is it to fake a pregnancy? I've got a pillow. Then I'll just come in and say, "Hey guys, I’m pregnant now. I’ll see you in June." Suckahs!

Anniversary, part two

First of all, why is Rock of Love not on tonight? I am wiggin' out. How can I start my week without knowing what weird new things that hot lady Bret Michaels is turned on by?

Russ asked me if I've been reflecting about my year in Evanston. It's been a good year. I've been lucky to meet some good people and to experience some great Chicago finds. It can only get better, too, if I ever find the right job for me. Yesterday Russ told me her business plan for us. I've been thinking about my career life a lot, and we both believe that the key to happiness is to start your own business. Luckily Russ is in business school, because I don't exactly have a mind for business. I'd just be like, "You know what would be fun? If we wore costumes." I think if we're really serious and put a lot of work into it, her plan could be very rewarding (fun). More later.

Speaking of finds, last night we went to my new favorite wine bar for some wine and dancing. Plus, tomorrow is Russ's birthday, so I asked Aunt Chris to make her a cake, because she is the best pastry chef in the world. Today I met her and her daughter Natalie in Lincolnshire for a late lunch and to pick up the cake. You two crack me up. The cake is beautiful, but I haven't tried it yet. I think tomorrow. It will get me through the day. Cake is a big motivator for me.

Anniversary

Today is my one-year anniversary of living here. I can't believe it! It seems like just yesterday Erik was dropping my mattress in the rain.



(Because I couldn't find the Will & Grace version.)

WebMD

I don’t know what happened to being young and having energy for things like eating and sitting up, but I have closed the book on that chapter of my life. Now I’m all about minimal-effort Lean Cuisine and going to bed at 9. My dream is to have someone drive me home from work in a big car with a bed, and a chef spoon-feeds me pre-chewed gourmet dinners. The only thing I have energy for these days is watching American Idol, and even that takes a lot of out me. Three days? Three days I have to commit myself to this? I’m exhausted just thinking about it.

So I got to thinking, something doesn’t feel right. Maybe I shouldn’t be looking at my watch every night at 8:00 and saying, “I CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S SO LATE.” Well, thanks to WebMD, I have been able to diagnose myself with anemia. That’s right, I’m anemic now. It’s not so bad. I get to take a self-prescribed anemia nap under my desk every afternoon from 1 to 5. And I get to eat ice cubes out of the buffet tables in the cafeteria. All the things I was doing anyway, but now I have a reason.

The Creamsicle

Five minutes later...

13 Dead Husbands

Last night I went to the opening of a play called 13 Dead Husbands downtown in the theatre district. Russelle's roommate Rosemary is the production manager. It's a comedy set in Paris about the most beautiful woman in the world, who is cursed with the death of each husband soon after the wedding. I liked it a lot and thought it was funny and charming. The set was really innovative and fun to look at, and the ensemble played music with some interesting instruments. I think I need to get out more and see more shows. Get me some culture. Might as well, while I'm here.