Woe.

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 (some evil/uptight neighbor, I'd guess) and I have scheduled a hearing tomorrow. It's been such a drama, from the City of Chicago phone systems to going out to the pound tonight (rented an iGo car for 3 hours/$30ish) only to find out that my car is not in the 24-hour pound, but in the one that closes at 5pm. Both, of course, have the same phone number and address. I was just supposed to know this apparently.

The hearing's at 1:30 tomorrow, downtown Chicago, in the middle of a busy-ass workday in the busiest week. I have to prove it was not abandoned (that's where I always park it and I had even just moved it last week for street cleaning!) so that I won't have to pay for the tow or impoundment. Then, I might just clean all my stuff out of it and leave it there/let them auction it. I just need to get to my registration, which is in the car, I think. That's a major problem. And, I don't want anything else on my record.

It sucks cuz as soon as I had no tickets on my record, my registration was paid through December, and my city sticker was attached and valid, some beeyatch hits me and now I have to go through all of this money, time and misery. Someday, sometime, will I ever have good luck in any part of life? I gotta hope so!!

Suck

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.

Flossing should not be difficult.

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 credit card) and had the rest cut off.

I do miss my long hair a little, but this is fun, too. (And it'll grow, right?) Plus, it'll be so much easier with all summer activities and heat.

I'm going swimming now, so we'll see if I can style it myself...

Oh, and remember Habit #1? Talking to a new male human a few times a week? I haven't been perfect on this, but on Monday night I went to see Iron & Wine and Califone at the Vic, with S., and boldly talked to some very nice guys I didn't already know. There will be more opportunities this week, because I have tickets to the big art show here for the weekend and there are two more concerts on Thursday and Sunday. Watch out!

Reality

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 dismiss a lot of the stuff (special triathlon running shoes? Come on), but other stuff, like the $120 triathlon suit you wear under the wetsuit so you don't have to bike and run in your bathing suit with a running bra and thick biking shorts over it or something, seems ingenius.

And the deadline is approaching for registering for the triathlon training groups, which are either $240 for the women-only one that's closer to my house or $280 for the 14-week co-ed one that seems better but is farther away. I know I should do one of these groups because I have little discipline or knowledge about the event on my own, but it's so much money. Money that I owe to the IRS, the City of Chicago, the gas company, and credit cards...Ugh. SO hard to decide what to do.

SO: this sport is expensive. Hmm.

Anyway, I went to a housewarming party at M's house last night and then a show at the Hideout so I did actually talk to a few of new people that were guys, which is habit #1. And I did my pushups (still at 7) - habit #2, and flossing - #3. Good for me.

Ran 3 miles yesterday (Sat.) with Lois and M and biked about 9 miles, but did nothing today besides teach and fix art projects ... and worry about triathlon money.

Baby!

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 didn't know why) and don't go see Smart People. It's the dumbest, most implausible movie ever. And the music sux.

HabitWatch:
#1 - Nothing. Gotta get back on the wagon.
#2 - 7, 0 yesterday! Whoops!
#3 - check

TRI Training Watch:
Swim - Yes.
Bike - To work and last night to M's.
Run - Nope.

Quickie

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 - check

TRI training watch:
Swim - Yes.
Bike - Yes, ~7 miles
Run - Yes, 40 minutes? along lakefront with M. (Didn't go last night; did taxes—oops—online instead.)

Let the love flow

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. (with the napkin, above) noted that at every table besides ours, there was at least one pinkie ring on a man, and at least one head of really long, really big, frosted hair on a woman. All the women had super high heels. I would add that there was also at least one mustache at every table (on a guy). And much clothing made of various degrees of shininess. There was a nice man of this type - in his late 40s maybe? - that came out and danced with me. I found out he was from a far away suburb and was the cousin of the band's doumbek player. But when he asked about wanting to do ballroom dancing sometime, I had to back away slowly.


Here was my favorite threesome - they came in around midnight: Mini-me and his two women friends. One, we were sure, was a transsexual (on left) and one or both we thought might be - well, professionals.

There was a 2-drink minimum, and every drink is $8 - beer, coke, liquor, water - anything you get. But there was no cover, and the entertainment was really top-notch. Plus, the best part is that you push a button and your waiter (George was ours, the best!) comes running out from the back bar area. I've heard it's a really "authentic" arab/middle eastern club. If that's true, then I love arab clubs!

HabitWatch -
#1: talked to a couple guys at the bar last night. Getting warmed up.
#2: 7 pushups Monday and today.
Swam: Sunday and Monday.
Run: tonight, with M (though I am super tired. We'll see.)

And now for something I *really* love...

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 starting to break, and it took me forever to find the exact phone I wanted - I knew there was a phone out there that would be perfect, because my ex had owned it, but I forgot which model number it was, lost the paper where I'd written it down, and didn't feel like contacting him for it, and let me tell you - if you don't know the model number, it's a nightmare to sift/search through the discontinued cell phone world!

But after a couple weeks of browsing websites, ebay, craigslist, and many reviews, desperately trying to find it, I found my perfect phone! I bid on a couple of them on ebay, and this one came with the headset (which I needed, to use my favorite function, the FM radio) and another charger (which one can always use two of) so it was, I think, a good bargain at $60... and without signing a new AT&T contract.

Oh how I love it so.

I've already synced it with my computer and have all my contacts backed up, and as you can maybe tell in the pics, it has a (low-quality, but still!) camera, so Lois is always with me! And, after a very late night of way too much internet use, I downloaded 20+ supercool ringtones and I am totally sporting Desmond Dekker's "007" as my incoming call ring at this moment. It makes me so inordinately happy, it's actually ridiculous.

I can even wake up to the radio as the alarm. And it has a really good speakerphone, the kind where the other person can't tell you have it on. Seriously, I am in cell phone heaven. Best of all, it uses the same charger I had before, so my car and home ones work, and it feels (weight and ear-to-mouth ratio is so important for me) and functions like the awesome 6010, which was a solid brick phone that I dropped a million times and still worked and had the best reception anywhere. No flip phones for me; I love the shape, weight and feel of this thing. I am so geeked over it, it's scary. Of course, in the "things I love" theme, I had to tell you about it.

7 pushups tonight, 7 pushups yesterday. Swam today, rode my bike a lot both days - even in the snow last night to the Assyrian nightclub. Plus, talked to a stranger guy there, while dancing with him. More on that later.

xo

Another thing I love!

...is this guy's last.fm station. He lives in Spain, I found him randomly one night when I was on there. I've been listening exclusively to his music this week! It is so great! Lots of music that's new to me, but that I fall in love with when I am listening to it, mixed in with lots of artists I already love. Excellent! Tailor-made for me! I have a feeling I may be buying some CDs very soon and going to a few shows I wouldn't have checked out before.

I emailed to tell him and he has emailed back a few times! It's nice to make a music buddy.

So, habits: At the doctor's office today, there was a cute, single-looking, my age-ish guy. I smiled at him a lot, but it was awkward; he was getting pee tests and blood tests and skin things, and I was having a terrible time with my insurance about the brain CT scan my doctor prescribed. So there was never a good time to strike up a conversation. Darnit. Failed at habit #1.

#2: Did 7 pushups just now before posting this, swam at lunch. Planning on doing the running store group run tomorrow at 8am, and got M. to say he'd come along, but forecast calls for 30s and rain/snow, so we'll see...

Things I love

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 I am totally fine and happy. Even with less, it's still salty enough for me, and feels like I am being healthy when I drink it, and when it's super -cold, it's perfect (usually I like things room temp).

I especially love it when I find it at Aldi on super sale (which has only happened once, and I bought three 6-packs). Otherwise, it's a little pricey, but I still love it. Yum.

HABITS:
I posted on Craigslist plus messaged a stranger on Last.fm, so that counts for habit #1, right? Also I introduced myself to one of the Bill T. Jones dancers and another guy in line at the fancy gala benefit show I went to last night, so I am doing good.

#2: 6 pushups every day this week, plus swam 1/2 hour yesterday, and walked around in heels a lot last night. That's more annoying than pushups.

bleh.

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 sorta looking forward to that starting.

(Though it's probably the least likely group I'll join, because it's the one where you have to raise $ - ask your friends for 2000 dollars instead of just paying 300 dollars yourself - to have the privilege of working your ass off for 12 weeks...)

I made a doctor's appt. for Friday because of my weird head/eye incident Saturday.

Anyway, bleh.

Pupil freak-out, habit lame-out

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 here this weekend! and though I spent all Saturday outside, I had wanted to go running at least one day, but I got a splitting headache (I never, ever get headaches) when I got back from Ind. while walking Lois, and then my pupils totally dilated for about an hour, and I couldn't focus on anything, and the whites of my eyes were also bloodshot. Needless to say I didn't go running or go out. I am a little nervous about it, but will call my doctor tomorrow to follow up.

Habit #1: met/talked to a good one Saturday while canvassing for Obama/registering voters for the Indiana primary election. He was also doing that, in the group my friend A. put together. He gave me his card, even! (Not that I'm just gonna randomly call or email...) Nothing for today. I realized at about midnight that I'd planned to go see one of my favorite local bands at one of my favorite bars tonight but I totally, completely forgot. Oh well.

Habit #2: Didn't do any Sat. I just watched a DVD (I am Legend, which was actually good!) and went to bed. Spent most of today in bed too, after I got home from work and walking around in the nice weather with Lois. Did my 5 pushups tonight - after much internal debate.

Stalactites

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 had to go super commando (luckily wearing jeans and a dark shirt!), and of course I had a lunch meeting with 2 teachers, etc., so I couldn't go home and grab the underthings.

I think it's the first time I have ever been at work braless and underwearless.

OK, on to the habits:

Habit #1: was introduced by M. to one man last night at the Big C. Saw other cute guys, but lamed out on approaching them, plus was with M. so looked like I was in a couple. That's the only problem with having a hot male friend.

Habit #2: did 5 pushups in art room. Braless.

Blue

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 just no getting around the fact that I want to be in a relationship, am ready for one, am willing to work on it, and really be in it, etc. (those are the great things I learned about myself in the last one), but it's harder than ever to meet eligible, sane, cute guys. That gets me down.

I'm going out with my friend M. tonight for rockabilly, and may see some folks outside of my normal pod, which is good. Then on Sat. I'm canvassing for Obama in Indiana with some other friends/acquaintances. All are good things. I will for sure meet my Habit #1 quota for the week in the next couple of days.

As for Habit #2, I did 5 pushups on the office floor after teaching today. It was funny. (Hope no one saw me!)

Changing rules

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 I was, I didn't say anything.

I got home and watched the rest of the Jesse James movie (which was OK, but too long) and thought about forcing myself to go back out and go to the store again, but I didn't. In other words, last night I already failed at my mission. BUT: I decided to change it to something a bit more doable, which is to do it at least 3 times a week. For the month of April, for now. I'll report in on my successes.


But because I am messing with Habit #1, I'm going to go ahead and add Habit #2 to the mix starting today. Pushups. Here's a pic of my first go at them, above. I did about 6. Note Lois's tail above my head. She really thinks pushups are funny.

Ok, I'm back

(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 adventures in trying to change my life - one habit at a time.

I'm just gonna slowly add habits I want to acquire and see how it goes.

So, for the habit #1, I have been trying to strike up a conversation with a man I do not know at least once per day. It's sooooo not easy, but I was doing pretty well until I got sick last week. Then it stopped. So now, tonight, sometime before I go to bed, I have to do it. I'll let you (meaning me) know how it goes tomorrow.

Oh my god.

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 genius. Go to Rap Master Maurice's page. Once there, click on "A Lot of Nuts."

Enjoy!

Sorry...

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!

Gravel...

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 sneezing, and I've got that pretty watery eyes, dry lips, and always about to drool thing going on, too. Looking lovely is especially easy today with my trademark chin cold sore. Nice.

On Friday, I ran, swam, and worked for a few hours (we technically had the day off, but that never works for me). Then at night, I went to see Anders Parker (used to call himself Varnaline) in an early show at Schubas (very few people attended - I felt bad) but it was a good show. I got in free but I bought his last CD, so: no guilt. And the record is lovely.


Next, I went to the late birthday celebration for E., above, who had some deal at the bar where we had gone a coupla months ago for a play and karaoke. It was fun - his friends are super nice, and the place was odd in a good way, but I quickly hit my three-drink limit (I forgot the name of the delicious drink I had - it tasted like a Jolly Rancher) and headed for home on my bike. On the way, S. called from the Abbey pub where she was hanging with a visiting friend (the one I wanted to make out with after Pitchfork) but he was really busy, and no one was talking to each other, so I watched the end of the Stereo Total show (and loved it! WHY have I never seen them live before?!) and then left. I was zonked. Lois needed a walk.

The next morning, I went to the farmer's market and then had my last, fabulous swim at the park district pool until September 24. They're closing for cleaning, and I'm hoping I survive... I'll have to figure out an interim plan.

Then it was time for the Lynda Barry "Writing the Unthinkable" workshop, which was SO. KICK. ASS.! It's my second time doing it, and this time was just as mind-blowing in different and the same ways as the first. It is amazing. I encourage every single person who might happen upon this crazy blog to TAKE THE WORKSHOP when it comes to your town. You will not be sorry. It will be held again in Chicago in January, and you can sleep on my couch for it.


That night, Hedley and Lois got together at the park for a while, and then I went to see M.'s new place and was struck by a) his excellent taste and b) the fact that I haven't seen him in a really long time and I was actually nervous and awkward around him. I was only there for 2 minutes, to drop off a little housewarming basket, but it felt just filled with weirdness. I don't know him super well in real life, I guess. And he is really handsome. It might be hard to be friends with someone so hot. Then, P. (in town from New York for a wedding! Yea!) and I had dinner and caught up. It was SO great. It's fine to talk on the phone and email, but there is nothing like the in-person hangout with an old friend.

The next day was day 2 of the workshop, so in the morning I took Lois for a LONG walk and made a blueberry pie for R.'s barbecue that night. That was fun, but mellow. I had to bathe Lois (always a pain in the ass) because she rolled in somethin' stinky, but now she is super soft.

At the barbecue, R. and L., above, and I planned our 37-mile bike ride the next day, along the North Branch Trail of the Chicago River to the Botanic Garden. The picture above is after our picnic when we got there. Don't they look great? Below, at the garden, R. talks to his girlfriend the mallard at the waterfall. I don't know what they were saying.


Well, the ride itself was great even though the dumb forest preserve decided to tear up the paved path for about 1/3 of the mileage - so we rode a lot on bad gravel (which terrifies me from a childhood trauma). One point was totally impassable, so we had to reroute on the street. But we made it. The tragedy came on the way back, after our Ice Cream truck stop (thank god), when I heard "Fssssssssst!" and L. shouted from behind me, "Poptart! You're FLAT!" and that was it. She and I walked about 3 or 4 miles (but who's counting) and R. rode ahead to get the car and we met at about 7 miles in and drove home. I guess my fear of gravel is somewhat vindicated, but jeez. Next time I gotta pack the right equipment.


Remarkably, it was still fun. R. and L. are great, and we made a good team. I love the picture of R., below, because he's known to not always be a Happy Boy. I think he was yesterday.

Buster

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 one will know me) and try to take up drinking again, though it never really "took" when I tried this spring... NAHHHH - I wouldn't really do any of that.

But, my last internet dating site subscription is finally expiring in two days, and I can't tell you what a relief that will be. It has caused me nothing but the complacent annoyance of thinking I am out there doing something when the reality is that a) I'm not actually doing anything by being on there; no one contacts me anyway and b) I have not met anyone new through that site since the dating iditarod. (Well, one guy, on email only.) And you know what? ALL those guys turned up duds. Though I did get two makeouts out of it; that ain't nothin - but it's next to nothin. AND that was 2 months ago! Jeez.

Seriously.

OK also, work is getting really busy, and I get paid so very little that this is the time when I wonder what the hell I am thinking staying here. Then I sign up for my free "Golden Country" class and wear my jogging clothes to work (all sweaty, for a meeting if I want), and leave in the middle of the workday for a swim, and I forget all the bitterness for a couple of hours...

And I am sitting at my desk enjoying a glass of chianti while I do some data entry and phone calls. Hmm.