tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50980662011-07-30T13:36:53.856-05:00New Tricks. <br><br> <a href="http://www.madsencycles.com/?utm_source=LinkContestB234x60&amp;utm_medium=banner&amp;utm_campaign=LinkContestQ209"><img src="http://www.madsencycles.com/images/banners/banner-234x60.gif" border="0" alt="Madsen Cycles Cargo Bikes"></a>Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.comBlogger1681100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-63641267180749478462009-06-06T10:34:00.003-05:002009-06-06T11:07:21.133-05:00

Lois demonstrating sorta how I feel right now about men.Soooo, I didn't get the awesome amazing apartment. They rented it to friends of theirs. BUT they might have another place in that building or another place in their building (in a different neighborhood, which would blow) that would be smaller, but cheaper, so I am waiting on that. I haven't told my roommate yet but I think I really need to

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-61381951214559215652009-06-03T17:18:00.006-05:002009-06-03T17:52:43.797-05:00

last night, when I was having a what-next conversation with drunkenmakeoutP, at one point I could have sworn he was telling me he hadn't had sex in like 4 years, but there was a loud cart guy next to me, and I pretended I didn't hear that, and he wouldn't repeat it. He's funny with the TMI about some stuff and then NEI (not enough information) about other things. I also told him it was fine to

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-64498601036579900672009-06-01T09:13:00.003-05:002009-06-01T09:23:59.148-05:00

So: you remember the last post? Well, now I went and made out with him - in public (!) last night. Great. Not sure what is happening now but I can tell that things are going to be interesting. And probably frustrating.I got home super late, and was kept up by a freaking-out dog because of a storm at about 4am, and it's raining now for 3 days and I have a hangover, so I am sure I will mope and

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-13108661307521005522009-05-21T04:03:00.007-05:002009-06-01T12:37:53.215-05:00

...and I can't sleep. See, I'm getting older, and I guess with that comes the sensitivity to drastic changes in sleep patterns. Last Friday night, I went out, and came home about 1 to walk Lois. We started walking when my phone rang. Um, my phone doesn't ring very often lately, for one, and for another, never does it ring past, 11? unless it's been established via text or email with a good friend

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-85182730120932744482009-05-20T00:14:00.006-05:002009-05-20T01:22:04.210-05:00

Me in a 5K run this season, looking geeky. How do some runners look good after 3 miles?I dunno if this is a good thing or not, but I'm back in the blog mood. Facebook is fun, and can waste a helluva bunch of time, but I am feeling a bit more long-winded and need to sort of make a summer plan of accountability or I worry the good months will slip away. Things I am worrying about lately: - The

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-2960690494232690552009-03-30T17:31:00.002-05:002009-03-30T17:36:15.421-05:00

I am posting movies I've seen recently, mainly so I have a place to remember them. Don't worry, I'm not back to blogging again.EU Film Festival 2009:Mein Fuhrer (Germany)Loss (Lithuania)A Woman in Berlin (Germany)Fear Me Not (Denmark)Jerichow (Germany)Nightwatching (Holland/GB)Let the Right One In (rented the one with bad subtitles, apparently)The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, seasons 1-6

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-35375344371565852062008-11-18T21:18:00.007-06:002008-11-18T22:10:29.736-06:00

My wonderful grandmother waving from her hospital bed. She is back home and doing much better but she scared us a bit there - she doesn't like eating or drinking water, and here's how she winds up. Stubborn!This is Clover, the dog I helped to dogsit for my friend B. Clover is old and has lost some functioning, which makes it not so easy to care for her, but what a sweet pooch - look at that face!

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-58256234722478232192008-10-19T18:00:00.005-05:002008-10-20T10:25:31.572-05:00

I've been helping to co-organize some groups going up to canvass for Obama in Racine, WI. I got to go yesterday, and it was wonderful, for many reasons, but then, this happened.The woman was from our group. Her husband called me as the police were there holding the suspect. The man was not arrested. She went back to Chicago.I think something is happening that is more than just campaigning for one

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-61661596591777185512008-10-07T22:26:00.006-05:002008-10-08T00:40:38.234-05:00

K as a zombie for the Thriller thing and T, in from Ireland for the weekend to help out at the Block Party.I can't help being way too into politics this season, and tonight watched the debate with rapt attention. Except that it sucked. The format sucked, and Brokaw, who I know is a good guy (stepfather went to school with him), sucked, and McCain really, really sucked. Obama was OK. I still can't

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-60025704215603859142008-09-22T16:45:00.010-05:002008-10-07T01:08:30.438-05:00

(it's taken me this long to post it because I hadn't downloaded my pictures...Sorry!)Birds at the nature museum where I went for friends A & S's super-fun wedding.That Friday morning: Lois discovered a dead squirrel at the foot of one of the backyard trees, and then I went to the dental specialists, and was seen and talked over by both the endodontist and the periodontist (and three of their

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-64524240860406268442008-09-18T23:24:00.011-05:002008-12-15T20:24:28.727-06:00

This is a guy in the German parade on my street two weekends ago. I have no idea what he was supposed to be. I don't know who all reads this, so if you're under 18 (mentally or chronologically) you might not want to read any further. Wait like four days and maybe I'll have posted something more annoyingly mundane, as is usual. Right now I am sitting on my couch ignoring my bored dog and counting

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-76596519086689979952008-09-17T10:00:00.000-05:002008-09-17T10:37:14.510-05:00

Sunrise at the triathlon. I am still posting these pictures. People were really nice, and everyone was sort of milling about and checking out the course. Instead of taking pictures, I should have been in line for the portapotties... but that comes later. Things aren't great at poptart HQ - I'm up with the toothache that I've been dealing with since last Thursday, I haven't done laundry in at

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-3833947316274439022008-09-12T12:42:00.003-05:002008-09-12T16:04:01.712-05:00

(even though I have a massive toothache that is keeping me literally in bed today until I have to go to a wedding) with this fella, Ari Melber:

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-58261332596315546932008-09-06T19:30:00.005-05:002008-09-07T00:01:54.494-05:00

Friend S with excellent Chicago-based photographer M, hiding behind sign at Obama speech party.Does anyone still check this little blog anymore? Maybe I've filtered out some of you anonymous readers who never comment (AHEM!) by being so lax on the posting. I promise to get better. Maybe someday I will even get regular about it...Lois running like a bat outta hell in my parents' sloping backyard.

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-28798679779255306332008-08-27T12:05:00.007-05:002008-08-27T13:31:27.981-05:00

The finish line. There was an announcer in the tent on the left broadcasting our names as we crossed. (SO FUN!) He even pronounced my last name OK, and when he did, I did the Rocky hands in the air.The triathlon was AMAZING. I haven't had time to really process all of my thoughts but I thought I'd report in and start to post a few of the pictures I took over the next couple of days.Time: 4:22am.

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-46723458484529605232008-08-20T09:14:00.007-05:002008-08-20T12:53:41.236-05:00

Here are some gorgeous flowers and lovely purple pods that grow with them. I have no idea what thy are but I saw them on a dog walk and had to take a picture.I am on vacation this week. I worked a 4-hour day on Monday (which I will take as flex time next week, you can be sure) but other than that, I have been free. I was supposed to clean my entire disgusting apartment and do all kinds of

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-10457992900870696052008-08-19T09:07:00.002-05:002008-08-19T09:33:51.803-05:00

G, looking pretty damn surprised when he walked in.Then he was hugged his by son J, who shouted "Surprise!" the loudest of anyone.My friend G, a drummer in many an excellent band, and an all-around great, funny, wonderful guy that everyone loves, turned 40 last Thursday and his wife, my friend B, threw him a huge, fun, crazy surprise party at a club called Martyr's.The band onstage when he walked

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-81898954039951112252008-08-15T14:32:00.003-05:002008-08-15T17:45:32.032-05:00

The last day of my awesome, wonderful bike class was Monday - that's Don and Steve, my excellent and very cute teacher (on right, looking down) who helped me fix up my bike so it's running much better. I'll miss it!I'm in the final stretch of triathlon training, and it's getting exiting, and nerve-wracking, and tiring, and all of that. My body is acting a bit strange - I've been exhausted, like

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-74031445700981921702008-08-13T15:17:00.003-05:002008-08-13T18:32:08.311-05:00

This is my nephew D. He's 5. He's the only son from the first marriage of my stepsister C to the guy she eloped with after knowing him for 2 weeks. The managed to stay together for 2 years and produce this wonderful little munchkin. Now C is married to a good friend of my brother's, who she met at my brother and sister-in-law's wedding, and they have a second son, J, who's 2-1/2. They live in St

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-6788392620539152212008-08-11T16:11:00.003-05:002008-08-11T16:14:35.671-05:00

...I am lame at posting with regularity. I loaned my camera to my parents while they had my 5-year-old nephew in town this weekend, so I just got it back and took some myself - it was an exhausting weekend, but super fun. This next week is CRAZY with parties and social events, and I am getting scared of being sick or otherwise debilitated for the triathlon, which is less than 13 days away. YIKES!

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-29555569761052768842008-08-08T15:24:00.007-05:002008-08-08T23:01:58.089-05:00

A lovely bunch of runners. They tried to get me in the picture but I declined.I ran this HILARIOUS, great 5K last night called the "Elvis is Alive 5K" - it's organized by the running store that put on the women's 5K I did, and I decided to do this one at the very last minute yesterday. I went home and walked Lois, changed, and biked downtown to get there like 3 minutes before race start, not

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-53711376369689575952008-08-06T17:11:00.000-05:002008-08-06T17:57:18.011-05:00

Not much to report, but I forgot to post pics of a fabulous thing I attended last Wednesday with friends S, M, and M. It was at Millennium Park, where they were showing "A Throw of Dice"- an amazing 1929 silent film from India. It was the U.S. premier of the film's new soundtrack by British/Indian Dj Nitin Sawhney, performed by Sawhney on keyboards, a male and female vocalist and tabla player,

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-62434664665257355182008-08-05T06:00:00.014-05:002008-08-06T16:04:24.673-05:00

Friday night was the awesome Polkaholics doing a "musical" of the life of Li'l Wally Jagiello, but they did a whole regular set first, and we were tired, so ...B (above, in bad no-light pic) and I had to leave early. We'd been out to delicious dinner beforehand, and got to visit a little more at the bar during the break, too, so that was the main thing anyway. We definitely thought their set

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-16179705905495757042008-07-31T16:17:00.007-05:002008-08-02T00:06:36.852-05:00

I found out today that I didn't get the new job/promotion at work. I wasn't expecting to, really; there is a woman at work, who's younger than me, has been there less years, but who's in the "clique" of some nasty fakeness that I thought was going to be gone from my workplace when my former boss (her best friend) left. But the more things change, the more they stay the same. She of course got the

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-19507238975401472792008-07-30T02:00:00.003-05:002008-07-30T12:17:21.233-05:00

Lois in the alley, after midnight.For whatever slightly self-sabotaging reason, I'm up late tonight. Usually I'd be asleep at least a couple of hours ago, but the awesome thunderstorm combined with a double iced Americano from across the street after my running workout has kept me awake, online, and (though sorta tired) a little contemplative. Yesterday was my excellent bike class but my teacher

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-75116061964163314262008-07-28T16:38:00.003-05:002008-07-29T23:47:38.862-05:00

I gave J, G's 7-year-old son, my camera during the reception after the memorial service. Here's one of his brilliant shots - with step-grandmother P, the brave mom who lost her eldest daughter, and behind her, widowed son-in-law J and the miracle girl E on his shoulders, E is 4 and probably misses her mom more than anyone... Thursday night I dropped Lois off at my parents' place and came home,

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-79847133082177796692008-07-24T07:39:00.011-05:002008-07-24T15:54:55.930-05:00

After my job interview, which went fantastically and they loved me, (but so sadly couldn't offer me enough money for the position), P and I met at Pastoral, a downtown wine and cheese shop, and had some delicious cheese-enhanced salads. Here's P and his friend D, who was shopping for picnic stuff.Then P rented a bike - and we were off! It was great to catch up with him on a fabulous two-hour

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-2325257915626803412008-07-23T08:24:00.006-05:002008-07-23T10:35:33.419-05:00

Tired, tired tired. I am gonna stop complaining about it but jeez - it's like I can't get enough sleep even now that I am sleeping great again. We ran more hill repeats at Cricket Hill last night - my heart rate is recovering much better, but it still goes WAY up when I run. I could add more runs to my schedule, but just fitting in the other stuff is hard enough. Plus, I am feeling like being at

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-34972884796324002962008-07-21T11:38:00.002-05:002008-07-21T11:42:04.487-05:00

Here's an awesome front parkway garden on my daily "bunnyland" walks down a favorite residential street in Chicago.It's pouring out again and my computer bag (waterproof, supposedly - one of those fancy bikey Timbuk2 ones) is still drying out from Saturday's ride downtown and back. But I made it to work, damp, also with my giant swim bag, because today is a swim workout and I'm looking forward

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-80770174148077881042008-07-20T09:38:00.011-05:002008-07-20T17:02:44.447-05:00

Last year's Women's Run finish line....was great! I got up late (left my phone in the living room...oops!) after dreaming I had missed it and it was 12:15. When I realized it was only 6:30, I took Lois out, got dressed, ate a protein bar, and pedaled fast to get there with only a few minutes to get my timing chip and get in line. It was a HUGE race - who knew? The weather was mild and about 75

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-89264377263045324882008-07-19T17:06:00.016-05:002008-07-20T20:22:25.250-05:00

Chuck D and Flava Flav, a bit blurry but totally sensational and always in motion, performing It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back from end to end, plus many of their other hits at Pitchfork. A blast.1) Last week was rough - I really wasn't sleeping at all still, so I wasn't doing my triathlon training, and it was super hot at night, so I wasn't sleeping, and then it was raining in the

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-75772996952293432112008-07-15T18:42:00.019-05:002008-07-20T11:42:37.773-05:00

The lovely and talented 2008 volunteer backstage hospitality crew at the Folk & Roots Fest! (pic by SJ)TIPS FOR BEING BACKSTAGE AT A MUSIC SHOW OR EVENT:1) Never enter the artist's green room (or tent if it's an outdoor festival) without permission AND without being invited by the artist. 2) NEVER, NEVER eat the artists' food unless invited or given permission by the artist. Even if given

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-19154589170708596412008-07-11T03:43:00.012-05:002008-07-20T11:08:37.175-05:00

I tried to post a short video I shot of the band playing Brain Dead, one of my favorite songs of all time, but the file was too big. Here's a picture instead. (Thanks P!)I actually went out last night! I saw a "reunion" show by a band I used to love a lot called Red Red Meat - two of the members are now in Califone, a band I also love. It was a FABULOUS show, a prep for their performance this

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-39380637920171160882008-07-10T03:13:00.002-05:002008-07-10T03:16:46.152-05:00

I need to be at work prepping for the 4 classes I teach back-to-back tomorrow in less than 5 hours, and I'm lying here absolutely not able to sleep. It's hot, I'm exhausted, and I have tried everything to get tired enough to sleep. EVERYthing, believe me. So tired was I today, that I even decided not to do my brick workout and I cancelled seeing good friend D. from the Iowa City days and her

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-43141277998796983922008-07-09T10:25:00.009-05:002008-07-09T11:01:58.079-05:00

Say hello to my new fancy triathlon top. This outfit is the final (? I hope) piece of the tri equipment puzzle - a super hi-tech top and black lycra shorts with a small amount of padding for the bike portion. You wear this combo ($130) under the wetsuit and strip down to it in the transition, then you ride your bike and run in it for the rest of the race. It's supposed to be really fast-drying

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-8932630209035079722008-07-07T13:35:00.008-05:002008-07-07T16:27:37.687-05:00

Note dark circles.I had a rough night last night - it was super hot in my bedroom and I couldn't get to sleep - tossed 'n turned a lot, which is unlike me. So today I'm really, really tired. Plus I signed up for a 6-week bike maintenance class that starts tonight (6-10pm Mondays), and the triathlon training has gotten intense now. Today I have to do a swim (leaving for "lunch" in about 20 minutes

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-44251891632570438562008-07-07T00:13:00.008-05:002008-07-07T05:58:53.368-05:00

Today was the first really hot day of the summer (and I have the sunburn to prove it). My friend S and I decided on the 4th to ride bikes out to the northwest suburb of Glenview, for my friend/coworker C's Sunday afternoon pool gathering - the first one I've been to this year. She and her husband own a lovely house with a GINORMOUS, perfect back yard and a fabulous pool. The best part is that

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-21861914038654622772008-07-05T21:00:00.011-05:002008-07-07T00:45:00.445-05:00

This is my favorite neighborhood yard, decked out for the 4th. It's what I imagine a New Orleans yard to be like... there are sculptures, lamps, a fountain and furniture all hidden around.Ok, first, in case you get confused later: My 4th of July was awesome. I slept in, took a long bike ride, bought a wetsuit, made strawberry shortcake, went to a party, watched fireworks on the roof, and then

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-52625198384252878582008-07-04T10:37:00.013-05:002008-07-04T23:29:30.098-05:00

Lois looking radioactive in one of those E-collars. It's pretty funny - she freezes and thinks she can't do things in it - going down the porch stairs took like 5 minutes!I realized on Wednesday night, when I didn't meet a bunch of friends out at a bar after work (for good reasons - water was shut off unexpectedly and Lois needed feeding, walking and attention, plus I had to teach early Thursday

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-92206590030247902792008-07-02T13:08:00.008-05:002008-07-02T14:02:13.063-05:00

See the bump on the horizon with the tiny triathletes on top? That's Chicago's only real hill. And I swear, it's steeper than you think.We did a running practice last night on the only hill in Chicago, pictured above. It's appropriately called "Cricket Hill," and it's in the park by Montrose Harbor, on the lakefront. Lots of people recreate there, which is nice. We ran superfast up the hill and

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-80653122810918881642008-06-30T16:16:00.001-05:002008-06-30T16:57:05.761-05:00

The guests of honor, my uncle and aunt, give a speech at cake time. The cousins pulled off a complete surprise with over 100 people there!The weekend was awesome, but tiring. I decided to take today off with flex time and am tempted to take the rest of the week, too, but I can't really. A 3-day week is good enough. It's addictive, being away from the office!Lois is taking it easy, too, as you can

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-12016404304723139502008-06-27T16:13:00.001-05:002008-06-27T16:24:09.396-05:00

Plus, I need a haircut, see? It's getting shaggy. I think I'm a little depressed. The dictionary.com word of the day (from the other day, just opened today) nearly made me cry. Maybe since I am feeling that special monthly sensitivity, or maybe because it is truly describing me - here's the definition:forlorn \fur-LORN; for-\, adjective:1. Sad and lonely because deserted, abandoned, or lost.2.

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-26683019993377495852008-06-26T17:23:00.001-05:002008-06-26T17:34:28.873-05:00

Here's a quick update on my injury progress. I got to swim practice Tuesday night and there was a collective sharp intake of breath when my group saw my leg. It's pretty scary-looking, especially since it's been over a week since I fell. One girl actually kind of exclaimed out loud. What you can't see in this picture is the bruising that now goes all the way down the outside of the leg and into/

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-52434662744529951812008-06-25T07:29:00.009-05:002008-06-25T08:52:32.792-05:00

...of my weekend went like this:Making lion heads and beaded tails with the 3-year-olds.Taught last Sunday art classes for 10 weeks (!),Went to friend S's house for birthday party brunch for sister S. of homemade fried chicken and waffles, which were so good together! (I'd never had it before! Delectable combo.)Sunspire malt-sweetened chocolate covered almonds from Whole Foods' bulk section - the

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-56145555811265673782008-06-23T16:14:00.002-05:002008-06-24T10:35:43.914-05:00

Foxy MPer Jeff T. revs up the audience Bugs Bunny style.There's this somewhat indescribable (they say "circus punk marching band") band I love here in Chicago called Mucca Pazza, who I went to see Thursday night, and they were, as they are always, so much fun!! It was their record release show, at this new-ish venue that is cool looking but fairly badly run (NO air conditioning or fans and it was

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-43966107765925647152008-06-19T15:45:00.007-05:002008-06-19T16:55:00.229-05:00

Revoltingly close phone pic of my battered knees. Can you even see kneecaps? I can't.This is what happens when you fall off your bike just trying to get off of it when you are late to a running practice at the track, and there happen to be 4 cops within 10 feet of you and they ALL try to help you, but you are so hurt and bleeding and embarrassed that you are kind of mean to them and act like a

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-53453992942839258762008-06-17T10:24:00.005-05:002008-06-17T17:31:10.583-05:00

...I spent the whole weekend with my Dad and family, I didn't get anything for me done, so I am taking today off for that purpose. I had to go in to work for a few minutes to clean something up, so Lois and I snuck in at 7:30am. Then went to the farmer's market (got some asparagus, herb plants, and 2 more annuals) and now we are lying in bed in the sun whie the nice breeze blows in. It's

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-18364345550667357582008-06-15T21:44:00.006-05:002008-06-15T22:33:55.867-05:00

A sign in the Iowa town where my parents live, along the Mighty Mississippi.I'm so sad about the Iowa flooding. Makes me think we really don't know what we're doing - we humans - messing with rivers, trying to create riverfront communities for the past 100+ years by containing the waters with engineering and levees...It's devastating, of course, for all the people who've lost homes, crops and

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-37456539929616340102008-06-13T02:28:00.011-05:002008-06-13T02:56:57.389-05:00

Ah, delicious, gorgeous, pee-stinker-upper asparagus. I've been really, really enjoying you lately, as much as possible, and I am sad that our time together is almost over until next year.Oh pals. I am f-ing up on my training schedule by being too dang tired to do stuff. Last night I didn't run (but I did this morning), and tonight I was supposed to bike for 45 minutes but I got home from work at

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-62776651248683850622008-06-11T11:39:00.004-05:002008-06-11T17:13:08.740-05:00

We made pears in my Monday art classes.Well, I got outta work yesterday to find my bike with a flat front tire (bummer!) so I walked it home, took Lois for a quick walk, and had to get on the other bike to get to the tri group swimming workout, about 2 miles away. THEN, I got there late, and went to change in the locker room only to find that I had left my swimsuits, both of them, at home!! Crap.

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-18382519988208323292008-06-10T09:17:00.008-05:002008-06-11T08:56:42.485-05:00

Some of the ladies in my triathlon group in between timed drillsSummer's officially here because there is way too much to do each weekend and no time to do it. I even overslept Monday, which caused minor havoc with the 9am class I substitute taught at the far-away location. Friday night I went to the First Friday event at work for a bit, then home for an early evening. Saturday, I had tri

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-35689329868713688492008-06-06T15:20:00.022-05:002008-06-07T11:33:09.304-05:00

My newest find, Sali-Kritz, is something I just tried for the first time, and I curse myself for not ordering more than one bag. Medium-to-strong salt licorice in a fruity hard candy shell...incredible! Since I'm gonna need to be seeing less and less of it in the coming weeks, I wanted to dedicate an entire post to the thing I love the most in the world (well, besides my dog): CANDY.You heard me.

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-24312010832679535002008-06-04T19:24:00.008-05:002008-06-04T20:45:47.710-05:00

Some lovely blue flowers captured on the camera phone this morning - do you know what they're called? If so, please comment (thanks)!So, I'm sorta on this training kick, right? Although I wouldn't say it's in full swing, I've certainly stepped up my activity. And even though I've missed doing my regular lunchtime swims (5 days til the pool opens!), I have added running and biking everywhere, for

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-53277935731377746842008-06-03T22:42:00.004-05:002008-06-03T22:49:44.154-05:00

Our next president. Can't wait!

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-62314437409693874282008-06-01T20:20:00.011-05:002008-06-02T22:24:22.821-05:00

A 7-year-old student's clay painting, from my "Painter's Studio" class on Mondays.Happy June! It's very exciting and a little bittersweet that the outdoor, good-weather season is finally, actually here. I've been waiting desperately for it, but I know it'll go so quickly.Here is a bird-in-the-bush update picture. (Morbid, I know. Sorry!) This was my last weekend of real freedom before tri

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-90895960735677106362008-05-29T16:16:00.011-05:002008-05-29T23:23:35.484-05:00

I was in a great mood yesterday - which can be newsworthy for all of the obvious reasons - I've got pretty major money issues, organizational issues, I haven't been on a date in ages, I haven't had - um, romantic contact - in even longer, I don't have a lot of friends, I'm tired from a very busy season at work, and all the other stuff. But: I'd just started my triathlon group on Tuesday night,

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-57688226083893923912008-05-28T12:52:00.026-05:002008-05-29T15:23:33.620-05:00

Last Thursday, my friend E and I went to Redmoon Theatre's Boneyard Prayer, and though the play itself (I felt) had some imperfections, the art, the music (composed by a friend of mine and played by another), the puppets, and most of all, the stage and production stuff was fabulous. After the performance they let the audience wander around the set, and I took a couple of pictures.Then on Friday,

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-81654161379326106952008-05-26T09:03:00.005-05:002008-05-26T09:40:47.489-05:00

Sebastian Koch and a Jack Russel TerrierIt's really warm out and I'm unusually energetic, so I will make the next few posts quickies while I get stuff done outside. I'm headed to my 2nd BBQ of the weekend later today (pics to come, don't worry - I know I'm far behind) and must spend quality time with the sun and my pooch.Since I don't have any real-life crushes right now, I thought I'd tell you

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-22378086650149099072008-05-21T12:54:00.011-05:002008-05-26T09:19:58.567-05:00

This is what I wake up to lately; Lois starts the night like a dog, curled under the covers at the foot of the bed, and by morning is sleeping - and snoring - like a human, sometimes with her head on a pillow! Plus, she takes a good half-hour to get out of bed in the morning.I just paid the $240 fee for the women-only triathlon training program I've been wavering about for over a month while

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-38059352905621478942008-05-19T09:29:00.011-05:002008-05-20T04:49:37.590-05:00

I watched a film last night called Broken English. Though I loved it for many reasons, mainly style and topic - everyone should see it so we can talk about it - I did have some issues. One is the entire Parker Posey thing. I do not find her particularly attractive, though I really respect her choices as an actress and think she's smart (but in this movie, I noticed that - well, she walks sorta

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-89977957369619814942008-05-17T21:45:00.007-05:002008-05-21T22:07:25.062-05:00

Lois and friends in Lake Michigan; first dip of 2008.So I didn't do tons of the organizing I promised myself on my day off, but I did do laundry, work on the yard, and take Lois to the dog beach. That is a lot. I also bought my porch flowers, and they are sort of "in process" now. Til tonight, it's been so lovely, weatherwise, here! Today I went running with the 8am group (plus M and Lois), and

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-11515317673921944572008-05-16T14:13:00.009-05:002008-05-18T07:49:12.257-05:00

Ethiopian food eaten with "food club" friends last night. Yum!My new habits have not had a very good week. I'm hoping that this weekend will mark a new start. I have been swimming/exercising as much as usual, but with some sadness because my pool will be closing for "maintenance" starting Monday for 3 weeks. Yes, that's right, exactly when I need to really buckle down and start hard-core training

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-59243208367205932242008-05-13T21:17:00.006-05:002008-05-14T07:41:23.356-05:00

My building is an odd-shaped, ancient two-story storefront building with three upstairs apartments and one porch connecting us all. I've lived here for 5 years, and the next-door neighbors have been there for almost 2 now, and the woman on the end, N, has been there, well, since the dawn of time. Until recently, her two grown sons lived with her. N's a schoolteacher in the Chicago public

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-30287165203471073842008-05-12T21:26:00.012-05:002008-06-23T07:43:07.619-05:00

You know, I am usually the one who says "I like the rain," or "Winter is fun!" BUT: It's fucking cold here. It's May 12. This is ridiculous.I mean, my nose is cold and I've been inside for over an hour. It's so cold out that I bought those shitty grocery store cookies pictured above (because I wanted one, to eat with my tea, and I've had 2 already.) and a frozen spinach thin-crust pizza. And I

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-82611179076802220242008-05-11T00:26:00.011-05:002008-05-11T13:05:26.757-05:00

Ugh. I have very little abdomen strength. I realized last night, as I struggled with even 5 situps, that it's been wayyyyyyyy too long since I worked on my abs and it's high time I did. Whenever I've been doing pilates in the past 8 years or so, even just once a week, it helped everything. I need to get back to that. Until I do, I'm gonna do a crunch or three and some situp-ish things every night

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-37176890392860308472008-05-09T22:51:00.009-05:002008-05-10T20:28:46.661-05:00

Here is a weird laptop pic of my special pooch, with whom I am celebrating our 3-year anniversary today! Yea! You can also see her fancy new $30 bra (that's a "harness" to most people) and please note how wide it is - I had to special order a size L because she gained 8 pounds in the past year, tipping the scales at 50 pounds! That's comparable to me gaining 40 pounds in a year - yikes! So, now

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-44118591242383062132008-05-07T12:00:00.005-05:002008-05-07T15:12:08.145-05:00

Here's an unrelated photo of N at Next, part of Chicago's ginormous Artropolis art fair a couple of weekends ago in the Merchandise Mart, in front of his Sonnenzimmer booth (well, that's the Thrill Jockey booth behind him, actually), eating a fat hot dog with cheese on it. I went on Thursday's opening with S and then again Saturday with my father. Lots, lots walking, lots of art and really good

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-14704302074461349902008-05-06T09:03:00.018-05:002008-05-06T10:27:38.122-05:00

Yea, things are better! Thanks for your good thoughts. I'm posting from my laptop in bed, which means the wireless router decided to work, and my car is safely parked outside on the street, which means I won my hearing downtown last Wednesday and got it out of hock for free at the pound, but had to drive its undriveable ass (literally; the rear suspension is broken) like 6 miles thru the city

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-20599885381181999962008-04-29T21:26:00.007-05:002008-05-06T21:09:01.179-05:00

This is a picture of my car on the day it was totalled on Lake Shore Drive, while I was driving the WX home at 7am in sub-zero weather. The accident was at the end of January, and this is pretty much what it looks like now, too, since the insurance cos are in dispute and I haven't sued anyone yet.So, yesterday, my car was towed and impounded because someone called it in as an abandoned vehicle (

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-82543064309342936822008-04-26T12:36:00.005-05:002008-05-06T21:08:08.909-05:00

My wireless router at home isn't working, and the WX/weird ex set it up (one good thing about him was computer knowhow) and I have no idea how to fix it - I have tried calling the DSL company and the router company - so if I want to go online here, I have to sit in this awkward spot plugged in to the modem in the living room. Erg. More later when I have more access. Wah.

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-31708776357335425402008-04-23T11:25:00.007-05:002008-04-23T12:12:09.822-05:00

But I didn't do it yesterday. I did the pushups (was still at 7 but doing 8 today!) and ran with M at the lake. Good stuff! I also got all my hair cut off:First, I desperately got about 7 inches cut off Saturday night at a cheap walk-in place, but hated that look of shoulder-length boringness, so I made an appointment yesterday (for considerably more money at a real salon, which I had to put on a

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-85803942539856949372008-04-21T02:16:00.006-05:002008-04-21T11:17:22.515-05:00

This is from someone's blog, I stole it (it's the Chicago triathlon, yr looking at the people waiting for the chilly swim in Lake Michigan). Looks fun, huh?Tonight I went to another triathlon seminar at the the running store - the focus was all the equipment you'll need/want for the event, like what to wear and what to have on you, and what to train in and what will make things easier. I could

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-59949742116721549912008-04-18T11:32:00.003-05:002008-04-18T13:52:31.667-05:00

In the things I love category, here's my new niece. Alexandra was just born at 4:15am on April 16 in Thailand to my stepbrother and sister-in-law. She's their 2nd baby, sister to William, who's been on these pages before. I love William. Hope he's doing OK with the trauma of losing his only child status. Two other things: We had an earthquake last night and Lois and I totally woke up (but I

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-60856613730554925372008-04-16T21:07:00.003-05:002008-04-17T04:08:51.799-05:00

HabitWatch:#1 - Zip.#2 - 7** I'M ADDING A HABIT! **As of today, I will try to floss my teeth every single day for one month. That's until Friday May 16. Send good luck... this is a toughie!#3 - checkTRI training watch:Swim - Yes.Bike - Yes, ~7 milesRun - Yes, 40 minutes? along lakefront with M. (Didn't go last night; did taxes—oops—online instead.)

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-40368217313987883772008-04-15T16:06:00.011-05:002008-04-16T11:52:40.403-05:00

Here's a group shot of my friends at the Assyrian nightclub on Sat. night (check out the neon lines at the top of the wall). It was super fun! There was a wedding going on (A total middle eastern wedding, but the bride was Suzy and the groom was 'Bob from New Jersey'), and a live band all night, the owner of the place is the (excellent) singer, and there were two sets by a fabulous bellydancer.H.

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-80457667767842740982008-04-13T22:48:00.005-05:002008-04-14T12:10:38.470-05:00

Today's post is about a material posession that truly does fall pretty close to the category of if-you-love-it-so much-why-don't-you-marry-it: It's my "new," used Nokia 6230 phone. I bought it on ebay and it arrived last weekend. I am SO happy with it! My old and trusty 6010 (the plain and uncool kind of Nokia which no one has anymore but that I had much love and loyalty toward) was finally

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-40670547140937435692008-04-11T16:33:00.000-05:002008-04-11T16:33:53.643-05:00

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Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-58670595076951106402008-04-10T16:02:00.004-05:002008-04-10T16:21:03.724-05:00

I decided that, since I usually just kvetch on this blog and my last post was extra whiny, I would do some posts about things I love. So today it's low sodium V-8 - I love this stuff!!I always have it stocked in my little mini-fridge at work, and even if I miss lunch (like today) and only eat raw almonds and an orange, if I drink this little can of LSV8 I can make it till the end of the day and

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-12200462329668902532008-04-08T16:27:00.005-05:002008-04-09T01:44:20.638-05:00

Here is a little island from last month, made by a 4 year old. Isn't it lovely?Didn't do crap yesterday. Didn't even go in to work - worked from home.I did go to work today, though, and rented a car to do laundry. Plus, 6 pushups just now so I'd have something to blog about.Tonight was also an informational meeting about one of the 3 possible triathlon groups I might join for my training; I'm

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-11067678271615212632008-04-07T00:30:00.007-05:002008-04-07T01:58:34.758-05:00

Here's one corner in the totally depressed neighborhood in Gary where I spent most of Saturday. You can just make out the crumbling house behind the sign and the guy in his bathrobe.Friday night I went out with M. again for rockabilly at a bar one block from my house. Earlier, I also watched a DVD and made cookies. It was a good night, and I'm glad M. made me go out!It was finally lovely weather

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-20278244565740276062008-04-04T15:42:00.009-05:002008-04-04T17:03:02.982-05:00

When I swim at lunchtime (Mon/Wed/Fri), I usually wear my swimsuit under my clothes, work in the morning, go swim laps, then take my post-swim shower in the pool locker room and come back to work. Today, though, I forgot to pack the bra and underwear set that's sitting, carefully selected and neatly folded on my bed, into my bag for the ride to work today. So after swimming and showering today, I

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-68097886321110360122008-04-03T15:21:00.004-05:002008-04-03T17:46:48.018-05:00

Here's my ingenious solution to the heinously bright fluorescent light in my new cube - a blue theatre lighting gel, found in the art room. It's lovely now.But blue is definitely the color theme this week - I've had some bouts of loneliness that I know are normal, esp. since being so sick and bedridden - plus the shitty Chicago weather - and the that-time-of-the-month-ness, etc. - but there's

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-73834841067321207992008-04-02T09:38:00.004-05:002008-04-02T10:28:53.072-05:00

I told my friend T. about this habit I was trying, as I was leaving work at around 9pm last night. She asked "for how long?" and I realized I don't really want to do this one every day, forever. I just want to work on getting better at talking to people (guys) I don't know. So I stopped at Jewel (grocery store) on the walk home, and although there was a cute guy reaching for the fuji apples when

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-61826592506972113332008-04-01T19:46:00.006-05:002008-04-01T20:01:26.394-05:00

(Here's me tonight in my new cube at work. We just moved desks. I like my new area except the bright light behind my head. )...but hopefully no one will notice that I am back to blogging, because I'm gonna use this blog as sort of a personal life slow-change tracker. I changed the title - used to be "Adventures in online dating, something else, and tempera paint" but now it's gonna be about my

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-12085077388499333872008-02-21T12:00:00.007-06:002008-02-22T00:16:54.437-06:00

My friend S. got me the best - well, the funniest - birthday present ever.It's a rap written and performed by Rap Master Maurice for the guy I was dating/seeing/whatever up until Valentine's day, when he disclosed he'd been seeing someone else, and the next day, when he brought her to the (small) bar/music venue where he knew I would be, and stayed all evening.This is seriously hilarious and

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-66112759043050156382007-09-21T15:13:00.000-05:002007-09-21T15:19:50.790-05:00

I'm swamped at work and this is my only computer access. I can't even answer my phone—it's that crazy busy for me. This'll go on for the next couple of weeks, too. When I get a chance I will update here, but if you know me, and want the update, call me at night. Have a good weekend!

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-53807790995458994022007-09-04T16:02:00.000-05:002007-09-05T13:25:40.419-05:00

This is a baby deer I saw just before finishing the eventful Labor Day bike trip. It was a really sweet ending to a not-terrible-but-still-sorta-foiled plan.I did too much this weekend, and now I am sick. Maybe it's allergies; I have heard there is something treacherous in the air but I'm not sure — this is really bad. I can't talk or go for a full 10 minutes without coughing, blowing my nose, or

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-46187604179733711172007-08-29T13:46:00.000-05:002007-08-29T17:45:25.392-05:00

I just have to say that I love the guy that plays Byron "Buster" Bluth. Love him. He's hilarious. Especially in season 1. So flipping funny. I'm almost done with the series on DVD, and it will make me sad to say goodbye to all those ridiculous Bluths.Also, I am TOTALLY boy-crazy now, and may need to start going to evil meat-market-type bars (I'm thinking I should at least go to the suburbs so no

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-19538390350183841632007-08-27T14:48:00.000-05:002007-08-27T16:22:19.331-05:00

This is my friend and colleague C's backyard pool in the suburb of Glenview, where she and her husband allow all of their riff-raff friends to congregate, lay about, swim and grill food every Sunday in summertime. Yesterday was the second time (and last) I've made it out there this year, and it was perfect. My friend R and I rode our bikes all the way out - a 2-1/2 hour roundtrip ride on the

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-70559791019229704012007-08-08T13:05:00.000-05:002007-08-08T13:56:55.798-05:00

Ok, so we did it. I helped put on/put together this crazy event last night in the park and we broke our Guinness World Record and had a fabulous, excellent time. Everything worked, worked out, and people thanked me and smiled a lot and there was much hugging, even from my executive director. But now I don't have anything on the horizon for a while - I mean, of course I have the usual stuff, like

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-89785053382323855262007-08-05T13:38:00.000-05:002007-08-05T14:48:43.649-05:00

An interviewer I don't know, the Tim guy from Polyphonic Spree, Perry Ferrell, and Ted Leo at Lollapalooza Friday. And yes, Chicagoans, that's Jim DeRogatis's head. Things I've been neglecting lately: • My job and the people and data I manage• My physical fitness* and arm transformation project *(beyond just the swimming)• My messy apartment, desk at work, and teacher shelf in the art room• My

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-53528840224166980092007-07-29T13:49:00.000-05:002007-07-29T14:09:56.683-05:00

This is my nephew Jake at some Golf Junior Amateur golf tourney with my bro-in law who works for USGA.FRIDAY: Honky Tonk Happy Hour at the Empty Bottle. Rode bikes down with friend L (Hedley's mom), in from Madison. Rode back and had dinner with L and R. R cancelled on our ride for Sunday. Erg. Went to S's, let dogs play, tried to go to Mom's condo but there were no parking permits so had to take

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-45162631057696107782007-07-26T16:03:00.000-05:002007-07-26T17:13:36.678-05:00

There are 7 of them: 1) The email thing from the last, pathetic post was just a dumb email thing - messages bouncing back - no outright snubbing, no nothing. All that sugar taken in for naught.2) My PMS officially ended this morning, so I knew it'd be a good day (and yesterday's candy fest made so much more sense).3) Swam today. Lane to myself for most of it. 4) A 2-1/2 year old came to my art

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-38988732001206150372007-07-25T13:28:00.000-05:002007-07-25T13:40:21.153-05:00

I don't know what happened, but my email pal M, the best new person I've met in a long, long time, has suddenly stopped emailing me. I know he's been online with time to kill twice today, because he was on and off of myspace, and I've even sent him the "are you offended by something I said?" email, and I still haven't heard back. He's usually emailing me about 10x a day. This feels so sucky. It's

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-39179075328506979252007-07-23T19:23:00.000-05:002007-07-23T19:25:43.198-05:00

Here's a lovely pic for you. S took it - thanks! And I SWEAR to god I wasn't the least bit drunk.

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-56057174362830583422007-07-23T00:36:00.000-05:002007-07-23T01:23:03.135-05:00

Nope, don't get too excited; I didn't whore it up or anything this weekend. I just blew off work all week/weekend, and now I am here in the middle of the night rushing to enter a bunch of stuff into our computer system before the morning hits. So it's really late and I'm losing it sorta, and a friend sent me the link to the most hilarious internet show (next to Planet Unicorn, of course) called

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-18874904323875859732007-07-20T22:40:00.000-05:002007-07-20T22:49:58.322-05:00

Here's my concrete picnic with W (date #3; that's his knee) where we were among the 15,000 people at Millennium Park for the Decemberists + Grant Park Symphony show on Wednesday.The concert was just OK, it rained on us, and I thought the orchestral arrangements were lame. Good peoplewatchin', though. Best part of the show was when the Decemberists just played their encore alone, like a regular

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-1621883194530165142007-07-17T00:17:00.000-05:002007-07-17T00:23:01.021-05:00

...again. This time it seems really bad, like heat and bad noises and it won't even turn on most of the time, and then when it does, the screen freezes and starts to white out in horizontal lines. It's not pretty.So, I am blogging, sans pics, from a front-desk computer where I work, in the middle of the night, while it is pouring rain outside. With Lois at my feet. We were on a walk and came in

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-18677811639155064642007-07-12T15:18:00.000-05:002007-07-20T22:57:21.063-05:00

This was supposed to have a picture of the lovely festival t-shirt, babydoll style, design by Jon Langford, but the photo did not upload, and now it is lost forever.First, check out this little review of the game show thing I hosted back a coupla wknds ago. (Yes, that's me in the ahem, it was RED, cowboy hat): http://www.newcitychicago.com/chicago/6708.htmlIn college (which actually lasted way

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098066.post-79910278076792900592007-07-11T01:08:00.000-05:002007-07-11T11:57:41.118-05:00

On Sunday night, without a date in sight, I rode over to the Music Box for the evening showing of Lady Chatterley, the new French adaptation of the D.H. Lawrence story. I recommend it. It was long, though—nearly 3 hours, and it was odd in some ways, too. But the chemistry/sexuality was smoldering, the actress playing the lead was riveting (and so were her boobs), and the sex itself was funny and

Poptarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16815454573423784661noreply@blogger.com2