Themes From The In Crowd

Baby Pandas

2006-08-10T10:43:00.000-05:00

Did you know that this is what a baby panda looks like?

Is it not the cutest thing in the world? Honestly I am always shocked when things look so differently then how they are going to turn out. Human babies pretty much look like a little human (not the smartest of phrases I have ever written but you get the idea)...nothing about this little guy says that he will be a huge black and white furry ball of love later in life. I could look at this picture all day! His little paws, closed eyes, silly furry body. Maybe I should ask B if we can have a pet baby panda!

Az!

2006-08-08T11:55:00.000-05:00

As said before, Brett, Lauren and I will be traveling to Arizona for my brother’s wedding. Sedona is a beautiful place filled with red rocks, great hiking trails, beautiful creeks and crazy people. In anticipation of our leaving, I decided to “paint” a beautiful picture to capture our trip.

If you will notice Brett is wearing a mint green leisure suit. I hope that he will actually be able to find and wear one just like it while we are in Arizona. I know how he loves any color that matches our dining room walls. My hair is also quite sassy…I know…and Lauren’s outfit is quite spectacular!

2006-08-07T16:19:00.000-05:00

Just so we are clear, I love nothing more then daytime drinking. Our apartment is currently filled with empty cases of beer, vodka bottles and about 7 bottle of champagne. Glorious. I will post more about the weekend later as I actually have work to do!

Minda, I swear it will be clean before you get there this weekend!

da dum dum dum

2006-08-04T15:36:00.000-05:00

In one week I leave for my brother’s wedding in Arizona. His wedding isn’t actually until August 19th, but I will be spending 10 days there with my family and friends. On Saturday morning my Mom, Step-father, Aunt and I leave from O’Hare and will subsequently meet up with my bestie Laur at the Phoenix airport to travel up to our Vaca in Sedona. I am excited as Brett will meet us later in the week and my entire family and some very close friends will be there to celebrate!

I am incredibly pleased that my brother and his fiancé (a dear friend of mine since we were kids, actually) have found each other. They will make a wonderful couple and not only will their wedding be a blast, but their life together will be fun as well. They are as perfect together as two people can be and I am sure their future holds good things.

It still freaks me out a little though!

My brother Sean is 29…old enough to get married and ready for it. He is responsible, kind, smart and fair…he has a good job and a life he likes. The same can be said about Tariina, his fiancé. But this is my brother?! When I think of Sean, I see him in varying degrees of ages of our childhood. Never do I picture him as an adult. That is certainly not indicative of him or his current life…it is just what I have in my head. Often older adults say that they have an age that they perpetually think of themselves as being…whether it be 21 or 25 or 30. A time in their past that they feel they have never quite left behind. That is how I feel about Sean. I want to scream “NOOOO he’s just a kid!” I picture him playing wiffle ball in the street or skateboarding down the block. To me still plays baseball on Friday nights at Bowen Park. He isn’t old enough to get married because in my mind he is still 15.

I guess it all seems like such adult things. That once one of us (“us” being my brothers and me) breaks the mold of childhood, inevitably the others will have to follow. Getting married…it is what our aunts and uncles do…not us. We are supposed to be the flower girls and ring bearers, nothing more. When did we get old enough? When did this generation of our family become the ones to celebrate weddings, and soon enough, babies? I’m not ready to be that generation. I’m not ready for that change…I still like relying on the “elders” for everything (mainly b/c it keeps me from having to cook Thanksgiving dinner) but really…they are the core and I am not quite sure I am ready for that shift to begin. But it seems that Sean is…and I applaud that.

So, on August 19th at 4pm my brother will be married. He will be the beginning of 23 first-cousins in our generation. The oldest grandchild, at 29, will walk down the aisle not as a ring bearer or junior groomsmen, but as the Groom. He will set the wheels in motion for our generation and those wheels will continue to churn until the youngest of the cousins-currently age 8-does the same thing some 20 years from now. In our shared joy and happiness of this occasion, Sean will make us all a little more adult and will change a part of the family dynamic forever. Certainly not for worse…most assuredly for the better and a new addition to an already huge family is always looked upon so excitedly!

With that said, his wedding with been fantastic, his bride will be beautiful, and his family and friends will gather to celebrate a truly special marriage. Life will be good for Sean and Tariina and I cannot wait to welcome them into the family as a married couple. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Such a celebration is truly magical!

Cheers!

Apple of my Eye

2006-08-01T11:25:00.000-05:00

If you can imagine, I am literally one of the last people in Chicago that did not have an I-Pod. Hard to believe as you see throngs of people on the train everyday, with their white headphones streaming out of their bags connected to their ears. Everywhere you turn…the Jewel, the gym, the lakefront, the El, the bus, the street…if there are people in transit; they seem to have an I-Pod.

I had an MP3 player but it was just not doing the job. Call me a child of consumerism, but I wanted a shiny I-Pod. I adore all things Apple, so it is only natural that I would love their little music players. It seemed, though that there were a hundred other things in life that needed my money more then an I-Pod. It seemed a bit indulgent for me to spend cash-o-la on a new MP3 player when I had wedding gifts to buy, car payments to make and student loans to pay off…but I had been secretly harboring a desire for a black Nano, hoping that Santa Claus would hear my little wish and bring me one as an early Christmas gift.

My gift came not in the form of Jolly Old St. Nick, but in the form of a Jolly Old Muslim Man! My boss, as a thank you for taking on a HUGE task, gave me a gift card to Apple. Knowing that I did not have an I-Pod of my own and that I wanted one badly, he came through with a lovely gift card and my I-Pod was a reality!

Today it arrived. It is beautiful, little, shiny and black (all of the qualities I love in people and things). The packaging is sleek and every bit as divine as I thought it would be. Apple sent me an I-Tunes gift card and a “thank you” for becoming a customer. Once again, Apple’s genius marketing department has me hooked. I want to read about my little Nano all day and go home and put my tunes on it…but alas…a day of work is necessary. I will dream of playing with the little Nano upon my arrival home, and that will get me through the day!

As this is a new toy, I need to name my I-Pod, so I am taking name suggestions. What do you think?

Nephew alert!

2006-07-21T11:02:00.000-05:00

The little guy came to visit a couple of weeks ago with my sister and brother-in-law (like he just hopped on a plane by on his own?). It was fantastic to see him and hang out with his little perfect and happy baby self! Jen (my sister) is doing an amazing job. I cannot imagine how she functions day to day as her sleep deprivation has to be at record-breaking levels, but she is the most amazing mom. She is the same girl she used to be but now with an added bonus! Preston is the happiest baby in the world and laughs and smiles all day! Ryan and I found it difficult to keep up with the little guy and our entertaining spouts usually ended with Ryan and I on the floor laughing as Preston looked on certainly thinking “I cannot believe I am related to these guys”. There isn’t much to this, only to say that I am super proud of being an aunt to the most amazing little boy in the world and incredibly proud to be the sister and sister-in-law to his wonderful parents!

Weekend Recap!

2006-07-20T13:30:00.000-05:00

This past weekend started with some very bad (yet ever so fun) decisions that I made while I was home visiting my parents on Friday night. The bad decisions continued as I welcomed Melinda, Josh and Adam (better known as the BFF-In-Law and BFF) into our apartment for Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

With Brett out of town we were left to our own devices and found ourselves drunk and disorderly pretty much the entire weekend. Saturday, upon their arrival, we went to the 7-11 to find something good to drink. My absolute favorite part of the weekend was when Adam grabbed a 12 pack of Miller and started to go up to the check-out counter…in classic Melinda form we hear a “only 12?” made with a face that I could not even begin to describe, but if you know the fabulous Melinda you know what I am talking about. Adam went straight back to the freezer and picked up another 12 pack. Thank the lord we have Mel around because the 4 of us finished the 24 bottles of Miller and then some that night before we went out!

Our night took us around to a couple of places, but we were pretty tired. So we hit Johnny O’blahblahblahs (both Brett and Jeff just yelled at me there), the Blarney Stone and Moxie. Mel and I were pretty exhausted so we headed home while the boys met up with some friends at the Blarney Stone and ended up rolling in a little later in the evening.

The next day was filled with fun as we ventured out into the day looking for apartments for the BFF and the BFF-in-Law. The disgusting heat was enough to kill a small donkey and the shopping/apt. hunting extravaganza was hindered by the sweat dripping off our bodies. Melinda and I came prepared with a jug of mimosas. We so elegantly said “these bitches are the ones looking for apartments, we can be drrrunk!” And we tee-tottered around until it was time for the CUBS GAME!! At 3pm we headed over to Sluggers to meet up with Frank and Jeff for a little Cubs action. A few extra tall Old Styles and a trip to the Full Shilling later, we headed over to WRIGLEY to watch the Cubs lose a game to the Mets. (or watch the guy in the England shirt look really amazingly hot all afternoon)

As you might imagine the beers were flowing and we found ourselves BACK at the Shilling where we all proceeded to get incredibly intoxicated and wild at 7pm on a Sunday afternoon. As Adam, Melinda and I were all taking the day off the next day, it took us about 7.2 seconds to convince Frank that he too should call in and have Monday off…we could not convince the hard working Jeff, but he managed to have just as much fun, we think. We parted ways with Mr. “I have to work in the morning” Jeff and moved back to our house to meet up with a sober Brett and Ben. Unforch, the night pretty much stops there for Melinda and I as we were so drunk that passing out was an almost immediate need. I do remember another 12 pack and some “Circle of Death”, but as the boys went out in boystown to celebrate the Gay Games Mel and I decided that there wasn’t a gay boy in sight that could drag us away from the apartment.

There isn’t much to say about Monday other then THE BFF AND THE BFF-IN-LAW found an APARTMENT really close to us and move in on Aug. 1st AND the BFF-in-Law FOUND A JOB!! (Plug for Joshua who is an amazing stylist…he will begin working on Aug. 1st in Chicago so if you need a change-and want it to look great-let me know) We pretty much were all hung-over and tired. After the Champaign 3-some packed up and left, Brett and I lounged around the house avoiding cleaning like the plague and watch TV all afternoon.

The weekend was a success and quite fun…so that is my little update.

breaking the bank

2006-07-18T12:10:00.000-05:00

Yowza! I don't know what happened to my blog over the weekend, but to make up for it I am providing the best picture I have seen in years. This is my roommate...on a pig.

Taken by the ever incredible Special on their trip to DC, when I saw this I just about lost it...I don't know why it strikes me as so funny but I laugh every time I look at it! Enjoy!

Great weekend...update to follow later today!

Gay Games

2006-07-13T14:44:00.000-05:00

Holy Gay Games, BATMAN!

As we live on the corner of “gay and gayer” I have found my neighborhood to be infiltrated with Olympians from all over the world. There are throngs of people walking on my streets, sitting at my restaurants and shopping at my 7-11. I cannot even imagine what it will be like come this weekend when the Gay Games actually start!

Last night I met B out for a little celebration beer for his last day of work! We went to SideTrash (no big surprise) and as we were settling into the Atrium, I was amazed at just how much EuroTrash was present. Accents and ducktails everywhere! There might have even been a Bono sighting at one point or another. Crazy sunglasses, fashion, hair…these men cannot be from Boystown, USA! (some of them are great eye candy, though) My new favorite game for the next two weeks will be “guess what county” (I will obviously have to come up with a kickier name) but you get the idea…where are they from and then what are you going to do in order to confirm that information?

It is a delightful smattering of people from across the globe. I do hope that I get to meet a couple here and there…I told Brett that I might even be able to practice my Italian!

On another note…Melinda, the BFF and the BFF-In-Law come into town this weekend for a Cubs game on Sunday (with Frank and Mr. Jeff H.), a little partying and some apt. shopping for the FF’s…I have Monday off so that I may fully enjoy the weekend with some of my besties!!

Buon settimana!!

List o' stuff...

2006-07-12T12:50:00.000-05:00

My darling little Brettea recently did a list of summer goals that he wanted to accomplish. Although I recognize that it is almost the middle of July, it has inspired me to complete a list of my very own. I think that summer can last well into September or even October, so if the weather is right, I might have more time to finish this list then I anticipate. I find that some of Brett’s and my goals are the same…which is precious…but some are different and most importantly, I love having something that I can “check off”. I find lists to be a game of sorts, so here is a game involving my summer-time fun!

If you want to be involved in my summer time fun, just let me know! We can check some things off together.

Molly’s list o’ things to do while the days are long and the weather is nice

§ Cook a “sit-down” meal for my good friends
§ Spend the day on a boat
§ Listen to a concert in Millennium Park
§ Catch a jar full of fireflies
§ A Sunday full of ½ price Martini’s at Kit Kat
§ Spend another weekend in Lake Geneva
§ A float trip down the river (probably closer to Champaign then Chicago)
§ Take a weekend trip to Nashville
§ Get half way through reading my “top 100 books of the Century” list
§ See Super Man and Pirates of the Caribbean
§ Disco Brunch at Ann Sather
§ Visit Minda in BG
§ Go to Six Flags Great America
§ Go to a Cubs game with my uncle Ted
§ Go camping for a weekend
§ See the fireworks on Navy Pier
§ Make a my own batch of State Fair Lemonade
§ Drink Brett’s original refreshing summer drink on our porch
§ Go to the Museum of Science and Industry (SERIOUSLY does anyone know how long I have wanted to go there…could someone PLEASE go with me?!)
§ Meet a foreigner and show them around Chicago
§ Get our bathtub drain to actually drain…amen to that.
§ Catch some music at Ravinia
§ Have my family for brunch
§ Go to my brother’s wedding in Arizona and have a fabulous time
§ Be as tan as I was when I was in college
§ Reread 100 Years of Solitude
§ Make new Chicago friends
§ Remaster the Italian language (it is slipping from my old mind)
§ Find a bar/restaurant/bookstore/shop in my neighborhood that I love
§ Move Adam and Josh in and start our own Chicago traditions with them

There has to be so much more, but that is a good start. I will let you know how I fair come October!

What is on your summer list? Any suggestions of additions to mine?

Summertime update!

2006-07-10T13:08:00.000-05:00

It has been a really really long time since I have posted anything of merit. I just have not had the time to sit down and write, which I think is a good thing, probably. Summer shouldn’t be about bloggin, it would be about going out and having a good time, no?

Lot’s going on. The jobby job is going ok, but I am kind of on the look out for another one. I have been having a tough time caring about the one I am currently in, lately. If I cannot even muster up enough passion to care about Human Rights, then perhaps it is time for a little shift in position! I started my masters in Organizational Leadership and Policy Study…and am SUPA excited to be back in the classroom. I have class one night a week and I am really enjoying what we are doing…it is so crazy to have reading and homework again. In classic class fashion, I skipped last week to go see a movie with Brett. It is the only time I will be doing it this summer, but Brett offered a much better option of dinner and a movie downtown and I could not resist. Turns out a little “class skipping” is good for the soul. In my every so educationally Type-A personality, though, I still did the reading in advance and felt ever so guilty the next day so I called a classmate to get the notes ASAP. Some things will never change!

Not much new in the mens department…still a drought:-) We will see what comes with the rest of the summer. There have been some interesting prospects-ya know, the ones where you think there might be something but just aren’t sure enough to ask-but none that have come to fruition. You know me, I am a wuss...I can't ever tell if someone likes me...I am literally the worst at this nonsense (somewhere both Brett and Lauren just have a big "mmmhmmmm she is") I wonder what the month of July will bring? My friends are all seemingly having trouble with their respective boys and girls, so maybe it is for the best...however, if you have any suggestions speak up!

This summer has been more than fantastic…it really is beginning to be one of the better summers I have had thus far! Work hasn’t been crazy, class has been great, and there have been tons of fun weekend things going on! I spent a weekend at a with some very good friends at their parents place in Lake Geneva, a couple of trips down to Champaign including a reunion weekend where I got to see a few friends I haven’t seen since graduation, a wedding shower for my brother’s fiancée the Wee (complete with a very fun night out with her and the dancing Mr. Jeff H. in Chicago), a couple of Cubs games, my aunt and cousin in town from Sedona, my sister and perfect little nephew in town from Florida, great nights out at the bars, PRIDE party/Brett’s birthday party and then the PRIDE parade the next day with a delightful afternoon of just chillin and talking, a super fun b-day party on Fox Lake with my bestie and her family, some concerts, Wednesdays are the new Thursdays, making new friends, a few bad dates and a few good ones, my good friend Nick moving up to Chicago and the GREAT news of two very good friends-Adam and Josh-moving up on August 1st, and most importantly an apartment in a kicky location with one of my very very best friends in the world who continually keeps me laughing and happy (and he cleaned this weekend while I was gone)!! There is even tons of stuff that I haven’t mentioned!

The funny thing is, it is only July 10th and there is SO MUCH MORE TO GO, including a visit from Mindy, Adam and Josh this weekend for a Cubs game and a WEDDING in August filled with family and friends! I seriously cannot wait to see what the rest of the summer brings.

Italy won the World Cup…FORZA AZZURI...with an incredible game against Germany to go on to the finals against France!

I want to send a very special “Tanti Aguri” to my bestie Lauren, who celebrates her 25th birthday today. Thank you for letting me come down and celebrate this weekend! Cheers to another year filled with growth, change, family, friends and fun. I hope it is magical for you!

Baci baci to you all and have a fantastic week!

2006-06-05T17:18:00.000-05:00

Today’s headlines indicated that the economy is in transition, the DOW was down 200 points , the world is becoming a larger desert, terrorism is plaguing our neighbors to the North, human trafficking exists at incredibly high levels, and we are sending troops to monitor the border of our “land of the free” country. Over 2000 (some say that might even be doubled) soldiers have died in Iraq since we invaded over faux-WMDs and AIDs is 25 years old. Those are headlines from just today, in the past 2 hours. So, what I don’t understand is why Dubya insists on regulating marriage and banning gays from expressing their love for one another? In a world that has so quickly fallen by the wayside…in a country that can barely muster respect from its peers…in a time when all we should be doing is celebrating the little things because the big things have ceased to exist…we are regulating love? The love of two people is what is important, their gender is not. We cannot stop our children from dying and our elders from living in poverty, perhaps the government should focus on social security, Medicare and Medicaid, bringing our troops home, regaining trust from the international community, and keeping our grounds free of terrorists. Conservatives claim they want less government involvement yet they have invited themselves into the lives and homes of same sex couples and settled down-uninvited-on their couches in order to “look out” for what might loosely resemble a wedding band. I am so incredibly disappointed. Let people just love each other regardless of race, creed and gender.

Orange and Blue baby!

2006-06-05T16:35:00.000-05:00

Sorry it has been so long since I have written…I am a slacker and out enjoying life instead of writing about it on these pages. But here I return to tell you the shenanigans that are my life.

This past weekend I was in Champaign-Urbana for a reunion of sorts. I hadn’t seen these friends since we walked through the University in our caps and gowns, and we reunited at our old stomping grounds a weekend of fun! Tony, Ang, Tim and I planned on meeting for the weekend and C-U was a central location, not to mention the grounds of years of debauchery. With Lauren as a guide we walked through campus town to see the new construction. R&Rs finally opened up as the new bar the Firehouse (my freshman year forever gone as the new façade did not promote sharkbowls and dancing on the bars) and Green Street seemed developed and actually on the borderline of useful and cool. Panera is out and made way for a new Bar Louie (whatever will R. Kirts do?!). The town looks completely different even from when I was there 10 months ago.

Saturday night we went out to dinner and then to Murphy’s where I proceeded to feel incredibly old (while drinking a ton of alcohol). One of my friends who was a freshman when I was a junior has now graduated and is spending the summer as manager at Murphs…so he is hooking me up with drinks when it was I that used to buy him beer b/c he was too young to do so himself!

My two senior year roommates, Noah and Felipe, met us out. We were reunited again and reminiscing about life in our apartment above Gully’s bar. Things came up that I had completely forgotten about-like their love of Enrique Iglesias’s song “Escape My Love” which played non-stop in our apartment for a year straight and just how much I used to be groped by both of them. Living with a gay man now does not allow for the same ass touching and lewd comments…for better or for worse.

From Murphs we moved on to Cowboy Monkey and ended the night on the patio in the beautiful summer night. It was truly a joy to be there and my heart was rejuvenated by the experience.

I think so often about those days in Champagin and wonder if I could ever return to live and work there. I think those times have past as I am a city girl now, but it is nice to visit and take a walk down memory lane once in awhile. A weekend with friends in a town that treated me so well for so long…it is hard not to want to go back…until you get a wiff of South Farms and realize that you are surrounded by corn.

A huge thank you to Lauren and Megan for their constant love and companionship! It was such a joy to spend the weekend with you both! A HUGE SORRY to Minda as I missed didn’t get to see my favorite blond babe but I will be back to visit just you guys soon!!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful weekend and a great start to the week!

Pedi's and Punch

2006-05-18T14:56:00.000-05:00

Last night was so very decadent. After a day from hell, Brett, Kort and I went about our way to get Pedi's for the little feet. With the impending summer-although you wouldn’t know it with the rainy 55 degree weather in the middle of May-we decided it was absolutely necessary for our feets to looks cute and springy.

But mine cannot.

I might just be in the running for “the worst feet every to be attached to an otherwise cute girl” award. When I was a baby in Heaven, God must have said… “No no no, you can’t give her that rack and nice feet, it has to be one or the other” So the kind little angle got to chose and he chose the rack. (thank God) But alas, my talons are none too pretty and I swear that the woman working-and it was work my friends-on my feet was talking about my while doing so. I obviously do not understand whatever language she might have been speaking, but I can tell by the incessant giggling that she was saying “oh my goodness, check out these nasty bastards…it this a woman or a hobbit…and why is she so damn ticklish?”

So my feet feel great and they should look great but I can really only go from “horribly awful” to “somewhat ok” in the ol’ tootsie department.

After the pedi’s we trotted on over to SoPo, one of our very favorite restaurant/bars and had $2 sangrias-cannot beat it with a stick-and yummy food.

Such a fun night and one of those that makes you happy to live where you live and know who you know.

Despite the crappy weather and ugly feet, I was with my two favorite people in Chicago enjoying great fruit-filled drinks and laughter!

My Little Man Preston

2006-05-16T13:46:00.000-05:00

Here is the picture of the cutest little man in the world, my nephew Preston!

Is he not the coolest guy ever? Less then a year old and leaning on the edge of the pool with his legs crossed and a huge smile on his face...he knows this is the life!

On a lighter note

2006-05-12T09:47:00.000-05:00

I saw this on MSN.com this morning and realized that it must have been put up solely for my purposes…it is a pathway of sorts…a map to achieving my overarching goal of becoming a trophy wife. Eligible billionaires watch out! I know who you are, and I am not afraid to wield a low cut (yet tasteful) shirt to lure you into my den!

In 3s

2006-05-11T15:22:00.000-05:00

There is a theory that events in life comes in threes. Death has come in threes over these past few weeks. The death of Tom, Melinda’s house president at BGSU, a man we did not know but who so affected the life of our dear friend. This week the death of my bosses wife N. N’s wake and funeral were Monday and Tuesday. Friends and family gathered to celebrate the life of this amazing woman. As I sat in the church I could only hope that my life would be celebrated in this way someday. N was filled with grace, style and charm in a way that can only come from being ever so confident in your life’s decisions and your choice to be happy. She was a fighter and her spunk inspired us all. Last night I learned of, hopefully what will be the final death in this cycle of three. The brother of a dear friend died at a young age…taken from the world too soon in an accident that had nothing to do with bad judgment or serious error but more along the lines of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. M was the brother of my brother’s best friend. Having spent quality time with the family as the brothers were in college together, there is no better family on earth. A big, loving Italian family filled with laughter and kindness, now must find the strength to let go of their kin. My brother is flying in for the funeral, so little that I get to see him and so sad that it must be under these circumstances. This weekend I will attend my second wake and funeral of the week. Devastated that these families must endure this sadness, I go humbly, so very aware of how lucky I am and how much I take that for granted. So, to whatever God you might pray, please do so for these families that have lost their loved ones.

These b*tches

2006-05-04T13:49:00.000-05:00

Our apartment is being invaded by our very favorite people this weekend. I am sure this Saturday will have actions that will provoke blogs for the next entire week.

These bitches are arrive on Friday and Saturday

There will be much craziness (and champagne) to be had and I am very excited to have a good night out with wonderful friends!!

Saturday is Frankito's birthday party...better known as Cinco de Drinko # 5! A party at Sidetrack-ever so wonderful because it is down the effing stairs and about 15 feet over from our apartment-and then who knows where the night will take us. All I have to say is hopefully it will not take us to me making out with a random guy at Berlin where Brett to take pictures which apparently Minda can pull up off of Snapfish at a moment's notice!

2006-05-01T14:41:00.000-05:00

The writing on the Statue of Liberty says:

Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!

Today marks an incredible event in History. Before our eyes major cities have shut down due to a mainly grassroots movement protesting the Immigration Bill. These are the movements that will change the future! In a society that seems to become more apathetic with every passing of a Congressional bill and running of a new Senate race, a fight has finally emerged. The streets of Chicago are filled with protesters marching and chanting “Si Se Puede” (Yes We Can). This is not just Hispanic involvement, it is also important to remember that there are Irish, Arabs, Chinese, Koreans and many other immigrants marching in cities around the US. Asserting their rights as participants in “the Land of the Free!” Doing jobs that the ever-increasingly educated American population refuses to do and living as important and vital parts of our communities. In becoming a sector of our nation, their children hoping for a better education and life then the ones that have gone before. Who are we to make felons out of our neighbors, our friends, our classmates and our fellow country men and women? They are our brothers and sisters and they deserve a voice!

Check out the bill and see what you think. Make your decision!

I am going to Grant Park to see history in the making!

Cubs Win

2006-04-26T10:30:00.000-05:00

So we went to the Cubs game on Monday night. My friend’s family has season tickets and were not able to use them that evening so we all benefited from the 5 extra tickets available free of charge.

We met at K and P’s apt in Wrigleyville, had a beer and walked over to the game. Can I tell you how amazing it was to be able to just hop out of my door and walk on over to their place? Drunk Cubs fans aside, it was a pretty quick jaunt and I was so happy to be in that neighborhood! I love our new place. But I digress…we hopped on over to the field. Moments later we came through the gate looking onto the field and the sun shone in our face. I forget what it is like to be in Wrigley, the excitement of the fans and beauty of the field.

Our seats were 3 rows up on the first base foul line. Amazing seats right next to the wall…clearly these tickets had been in the family for quite some time. A couple of Old Style beers later we were really enjoying ourselves.

Do you ever have those moments when you know that you are in exactly the right place at exactly the right time? I used to have them at U of I and in Italy (when I wasn’t being bitten by a 6 year old boy). I suppose I have had them in Chicago as well, but this was really it. An affirmation that I adore my life. Sure everyone wants more money and I could really use a shopping spree at Nordies , but sitting there at Wrigleyfield, the quintessential Chicago experience, I was so happy that I had these friends and this experience. Beautiful Spring weather that once can only appreciate after a shit winter swirled around us as we cheered for the 6 run rally in the bottom of the 8th. CUBS WIN and we had a great time watching!

Experiences like that, when everything aligns and you know that your decisions aren’t completely unfounded and ridiculous makes the entire week seem like a breeze. I live quite a charmed life and although I might bitch day to day I know that I am very lucky. I hope you all feel this way too…and if you don’t, let me know if I can do anything to help you change it! Have a great day and a wonderful week!

The Zach Attack

2006-04-25T11:20:00.000-05:00

Did you know that Cartoon Network has started to air episodes of Saved by the Bell (i.e. the greatest show ever)? I thought I would provide a little something special today and honor of this momentous occasion

FRIEND'S FOREVER BY THE ZACH ATTACK

We met some time ago
When we were so young
We've been through thick and thin
We lost, we've tied, we've won

Friends Forever (We'll be friends forever)
With you everywhere (With you everywhere)
Friends forever (We'll be friends)
Always will be friends (Always will be friends)

If you're down,
I'll pick you up,
I'll never let you fall.
If you ever need someone,
I'm waiting for your call.

Friends Forever (We'll be friends)
With you everywhere
Talkin bout Friends forever (Always will be there)
We'll be there (We'll be there)

Through it all, hangin' tough,
We'll stay side by side.
We'll be friends forever,
Til' the end of time.

Friends Forever (We'll be friends)
With you everywhere
Talkin bout Friends forever (Always will be there)
We'll be there (We'll be there)

Yeah, yeah friends. (Friends forever)
Always be friends. (With you everywhere)
We'll be friends together. (Friends forever)

Yes we will, (Always will be there there)
Yes we will, (Will be there)
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oohhhh.

Happy Birthday to yoooouuuuu....

2006-04-20T10:16:00.000-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BROTHER SEAN!!

Seany is 29 today so wish him a very HAPPY HAPPY if you see him (or read his blog)

Felice Compleanno! Tanti Aguri! Baci Baci!

2006-04-19T11:00:00.000-05:00

One of my very favorite friends and people in the world, Melinda (better known as “Minda”) is getting her degree at Bowling Green State University in College Studies Personnel. Her assistantship has her as the house-mom for a fraternity on campus. She has lived her past year as the caretaker and advisor for the men of Lambda Chi Alpha and it seems that they have been very respectful and kind to her. She seems to have found a good group of men who generally care of her as one of their own.

Unfortunately, one of their own has been hurt and I am so saddened by the story and the pain that Minda and these men have to go through, that I felt the need to post. This past weekend, on a trip to visit family for Easter, the chapter President was in a horrible car accident and has been in a coma for the past couple of days. The situation is not look good and Minda believes that within the next couple of days this normal 21 year old college kid will pass away. These men have experienced most of their college life with each other. Say what you want about Fraternity boys, but I have known some very upstanding Fraternity men in my life and from the sounds of it, Minda is dealing with a wonderful house. These guys pledge together, eat together, party together, study together and live together the very idea of a Greek house is that you become family. The chapter President at the head of that family is usually a very popular person that the members respect and admire. At the age of 18 to 22 they will have to say goodbye to one of their loved ones. And that is often unfathomable.

This experience reminds me of my own in college. Two good friends from high school going to Marquette killed in a car accident, another badly injured. Lauren and I got the call on the Friday morning of Homecoming. We went about the weekend and then had to return home for 2 wakes and 2 funerals in 3 days, our friends and family from high school and college surrounding each other, shocked by the loss in our communities and the nightmare that the families had to endure.

I am sure that Minda is doing a wonderful job with the house and the men within. I know that she is strong, caring and smart and will make sure that they come through this on the other end. They are lucky to have her and each other there.

As you go about your day today, I ask you to keep in your thoughts my dear friend Melinda and the men of Lambda Chi Alpha as it looks like they will have to endure the loss of classmate, friend and brother.

Easter Baskets

2006-04-18T10:25:00.000-05:00

I am 25 years old and still looking for Easter baskets (and poorly at that as I had to ask 3 people for help with my “clues”). I walked into my aunt’s house for Easter on Sunday-rommie in tow-only to be presented with clues to my Easter basket.

Every year since I was a wee little one, my Aunt Sissy has us look for Easter baskets. Sean, Ryan, Gavin and I used to be the only ones looking but now that the brood has expanded (damn Irish Catholics and their lack of birth control) there are just about 20 of us searching around her house for our effin’ baskets and I do not see the end in sight for this 25 year old. I think that until I have kids of my own (and that is looking like this side of never at this point) I will be searching for my basket every Easter from now until the end of eternity. Brett and I finally found the basket and were rewarded with silly little trinkets and two chocolate bunnies. It was the hunt more then the reward (much like my dating life) but we were excited that we found ours!

Lately, as I attend family functions and holidays, I wonder what will happen when the “elders” have passed and things are left to the younger generation. My brothers and I can barely keep the three of us in communication. My sister, Jen, and I have a hard enough time chatting while she has a baby…imagine if we both had kids (and multiples!). I believe that we are all destined to be strewn about the globe with our respective families. Inevitably it becomes harder to share your lives with those you love when you live 2000 miles away. Then there is the extended family…the cousins that we have grown up with as our brothers and sisters and the aunts and uncles that were our second sets of parents. What happens to them and how do they play into our lives? I grew up in a 5 mile radius of pretty much my entire family (and we are talking about 30 people who are VERY involved in my life) Every holiday, birthday and momentous occasion has been spent with these people. Can we continue to do that as time goes by and the younger generation becomes the one in charge? I’m not so sure.

I think American and the world is seeing this trend in its family structure. As the generation with the traditions-the nucleus-begins to diminish, the younger generations find themselves in the midst of an identity crisis. Someone must take over in order to continue the familial institution and there is a struggle to decide who will have that huge responsibility. How will families blend and grow after the older generations have ceased to direct that change? Will America, will my family, become tiny families spread across the country and the world…only to come together for weddings and funerals? Will my children know their aunts and uncles like I have? Will they be able to call Aunt Jen or Uncle Sean with their problems when asking the parents seems a bit too much? I certainly hope so. I am not quite ready to accept that change and I am happy now to be a bystander in the family traditions…to not have to organize and direct as much as develop and learn in preparation for the day that it becomes my job to hide the Easter baskets.

CUBS WOO CUBS WOO

2006-04-07T10:01:00.000-05:00

HAPPY CUBS HOME OPENER DAY!!

All of the freaks are streaming into Wrigleyville in anticipation of what is bound to be the best season yet :-) I hope that every enjoys their "home opener" day!

Now that B and I live so close to Wrigleyville, I am going to walk there tonight to go to partake in a weekend-long party hosted by one of my adorable friends, Meg. YAY!

2006-04-05T15:59:00.000-05:00

My sister Jen had a baby almost 5 months ago and although I have not had the honor of meeting one Mr. Preston William Rupert yet, I will in about a month. He is literally the cutest thing in the world (next to my fantastic sister of course) so I decided that naturally everyone would love to see a picture of my new little nephew! Cute babies do wonders for the soul...

2006-04-04T12:08:00.000-05:00

I realized yesterday that it has been quite some time since I was in a serious relationship. I do believe that Micheli in Italy was the last time that I actually dated someone for more then a couple months. When I returned from Europe, I was a serial dater…flying from one bad choice to another…never quite escaping the crappy selection of men that the northern suburbs has to offer. Our first couple of months in Chicago found me dating a little more but the quality still was not there. I found Le French and enjoyed his company for awhile, but the realization that he was not ready to commit and I could not have a semi-serious relationship that often times would span across an ocean caused me to ditch that one. Then there was the rugby player and a very very early “I love you”, completely unprompted by any feelings from me, made me just about pee my pants (and not the good kind of peeing one’s pants) and run very quickly in the other direction. And then there has been a dry spell…it is not for lack of meeting people…although it isn’t an every night thing, I have met some blokes and gone on a few dates here and there. There just isn’t someone that I have “dated” that has caught my fancy.

I fear that as I progress into the summer I will continue to be apathetic about a new relationship…that sometimes it is easier just to not deal with it…or in some cases I know what I want but can’t quite obtain it so other options don’t seem that grand. I’m bored and I want to feel excited again. I want the butterflies, the anticipation, the revealing conversations, the weak knees and the possibility. I want to be swept off my feet and I want to be adored (and for someone to tell me that on a regular basis) I want to figure it out and make it work…I want to at least try. I am not really sure where to start, so if anyone has any suggestions please let me know. This year should be about change…but I might need some help getting started. I need to get back out there and make a real try…forget that things have not gone the way I wanted them and start controlling the things that I can. I recognize that it isn’t always going to work out and there might be a lot of bad dates…but at least that brings me one step closer to a good one. I’m sick of waiting around for it to come to me or for others to act. I am sick of hoping that things will “work out” the way I want them too and that it will be “easy”…I am forgetting that nonsense, taking some risks and moving onwards and upwards! Law of averages…it has to work out sometime soon, don’t you think?

D.U.N.Z.O and DUNZO was it’s name-OH.

2006-04-03T13:58:00.000-05:00

The tune of “BINGO” has been in my head all weekend…why, you ask? Because my delightfully pocket-sized roommate has been singing everything to that tune…his name, my name, my little brothers name…anything we come across and subsequently it was sung on “That’s So Raven” (ie the best show on TV) so the song got even more “street cred” and it has been non-stop ever since.

The move is over…finished…finito. Everything is finally in our new apartment and although nothing is really unpacked, our lives can somewhat go back to normal. I am not on the verge of tears and Brett does not have to walk around on eggshells in my presence. No more worrying about Annie our bitchtastic landlord, UHauls, boxes, cleaning, primer, blah blah blah. FINISHED! I would invite you all over but our dining room has been taken over by boxes and our living room is only slightly more presentable. Soon though…soon.

I was very happy Saturday night when, after a long evening of watching nothing but the Disney Channel, B and I were able to hop in our newly decorated shower (not together you freaks), get ready, and scoot on down to Minibar. It is literally at 40 foot walk and there we were…Flirtini in hand…enjoying a nightlife that does not consist of 3 homeless men, the Jewel and Jake’s Chicken Hut….the new neighborhood welcomed us with open arms and we stumbled into those arms and gave it a big alcoholic kiss. There were some delightfully hot men at Minibar and the best part about Minibar is that you never know which way the cookie will crumble. There are quite a few straights in the ol’ M.B…so I am never quite sure if a man is looking at my chest because he actually likes it or because he actually wants it for his own after he gets the “operation”. J Either way the bar is always super fun and on Saturday night I had two of the hottest men (with accents) tell me that I was like a “Spring day” and they just “loved me”. They also loved each other, but I really appreciated their kind words!

On the best note of the night…I got to meet two people I have adored from afar for the longest time. Byron was at Minibar and Svenny was at Sidetrack. I was so excited to finally lay eyes on these very very good looking and delightfully funny men! It was a night of fantasticness all around!

I really think that our new neighborhood and close proximity to everything good will be excellent for B and I. I need a revamped life. I have had a hard time feeling passionate about anything lately. I need to find something that I love and hold on tight. (finding someone I love would be nice, too). I think that a resurgence in a social life will cause the domino effect that I need. Here’s to another year in Chicago, a great upcoming summer, fun plans, more travel and lots of new friends!

A amare di vita! (to loving life!)

8th

2006-03-30T13:45:00.000-06:00

Dante defined Hell as having seven circles…those being the following:

First: Limbo
Second: Lust
Third: Gluttons
Fourth: Hoarders and Wasters
Fifth: Wrathful
Sixth: Heretics
Seventh: The violent (subsequently divided into Outer Ring, Middle Ring and Inner Ring)

I am proposing to this respected Italian philosopher and author, that an Eighth Circle of Hell be added:

Eighth: Molly and Brett’s move to their new apartment

In this circle there will be no hail, raining fire, flaming tombs, boiling blood or flaming sand…there will be us and our rental company fighting over the most infinitesimal details in regards to an apartment that, besides the kicky location, is not worth the trouble. There will be a Molly, on the phone all day every day threatening to call her lawyer, hoping that someone will cave in and paint some of the rooms white in the damned place. There will a Brett, taking the day to clean and paint the place in hopes that the job will some day be finished but knowing that he much continue like this throughout eternity.

When finally finished with the circle Dante would find the Bretts and the Mollys walking downstairs from their new place and literally right into Roscoe’s to get wasted for the evening (this one and all those ensuing). So if you would like to celebrate the breaking free of the Eighth Circle, call us on Sat. night and see if we have made it out alive…

Heartbroken...

2006-03-24T14:55:00.000-06:00

The Zags are no longer in the tourney. I spoke too soon...I jinxed. I do believe that I was more upset to see Gonzaga go then I was to see U of I.

I am in mourning...

...mourning made slightly better by the fact that Duke is O.U.T!

2006-03-23T18:32:00.000-06:00

“The Big Dance” is awaiting and as the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament starts I find the anticipation building.

Since I was a child I have enjoyed the NCAA tournament. I associate the tourney with my older brother Sean as we are 4 years a part and he has always been a sports fantastic. Growing up in the same household as Sean meant that as we were falling asleep in our bunk beds I was being quizzed on the stats of baseball players, the sport of the season was always on TV, any game he made up had an athletic spin, I was often a stand-in for the pick-up games as inevitably a child would have to go home early for dinner, my weekends were spent at his games and matches, our house was always filled with jocks (certainly not a negative), and I learned to love the NCAA tournament.

The tournament is one of my favorite times of the year probably as much for the actual games as the passion and spark it evokes in those around me. It also is nostalgia for the times when Sean and I were under the same roof and I was young enough to learn from the sporting master. I think he used me as his guinea pig. Our little brother Ryan is 8 years younger then Sean…far to young at that point to be useful J and Ryan has never been interested in the least with sports. So I feel like Sean saw me as a way to make an impression on a young mind. He molded my sporting thoughts until he had a little likeness of his own. J I grew up a Cubs fan, a Bears fan, a Bulls fan…whatever team Sean liked in a given game…that was the one I was rooting for too. I remember years of cheering for Duke and North Carolina and the very first time I hear Dick Vitals voice “A P.T.P FROM D.U.K.E BABY!” Even thinking about it makes me smile. He taught me what teams to like, how to swing a bat (bite your shirt if you pull your head out), how to throw a ball, how to kick someone at the right place in the knee so that they go right down, how to tackle someone effectively (if you bring your forearm up into their chest/neck right as you are coming up from the line no one will see you and it will stun the other guy), how to shoot a lay-up (I need more practice), how to channel “Andre Dawson power” and most importantly how important sports are in life. They can give you confidence, grace, power, agility…and guys dig a girl that can hold her own on a field or watching a game!

To this day I call Sean with all of my sports questions, he is my guru. He knows everything when it comes to athletics and I trust his opinion above all.

With all of that said (and trying to make this post end soon) there is one thing that Sean did not teach me about sports…one thing that Sean did not influence me on…my love for the Zags. That’s right…Gonzaga is in the Sweet Sixteen and I have loved them since I was a wee lass. I am not even sure how long but I do know that I applied to a master’s program there just because I love the basketball team so much. You can’t beat the Zags…when the Illini played Gonzaga I almost cried as I did not know who to root for. My alma mater verses my one true basketball love.

So here’s to Seany and also a big Zags win this weekend!! Go Team!

2006-03-17T14:15:00.000-06:00

2006-03-17T14:02:00.000-06:00

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY! A DAY FOR MY PEOPLE!!

I wanted to give you all a little history on St. Patrick and the day of celebration! Here is a little about it compliments of the History Channel! Did you go to mass today? Did you know that Ireland considers this a "holy day of obligation" for Irish Catholics? I went to mass (but it helps that I work at a Catholic school and they offer it at lunch-time!) Hope everyone has a happy, lucky and safe night! Here's to green beer and bringing home and Irishman!

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17, his religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for thousands of years. On St. Patrick's Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink, and feast—on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.The first St. Patrick's Day parade took place not in Ireland, but in the United States. Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through New York City on March 17, 1762. Along with their music, the parade helped the soldiers to reconnect with their Irish roots, as well as fellow Irishmen serving in the English army. Over the next thirty-five years, Irish patriotism among American immigrants flourished, prompting the rise of so-called "Irish Aid" societies, like the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick and the Hibernian Society. Each group would hold annual parades featuring bagpipes (which actually first became popular in the Scottish and British armies) and drums.

Up until the mid-nineteenth century, most Irish immigrants in America were members of the Protestant middle class. When the Great Potato Famine hit Ireland in 1845, close to a million poor, uneducated, Catholic Irish began to pour into America to escape starvation. Despised for their religious beliefs and funny accents by the American Protestant majority, the immigrants had trouble finding even menial jobs. When Irish Americans in the country 's cities took to the streets on St. Patrick's Day to celebrate their heritage, newspapers portrayed them in cartoons as drunk, violent monkeys. However, the Irish soon began to realize that their great numbers endowed them with a political power that had yet to be exploited. They started to organize, and their voting block, known as the "green machine," became an important swing vote for political hopefuls. Suddenly, annual St. Patrick's Day parades became a show of strength for Irish Americans, as well as a must-attend event for a slew of political candidates. In 1948, President Truman attended New York City 's St. Patrick's Day parade, a proud moment for the many Irish whose ancestors had to fight stereotypes and racial prejudice to find acceptance in America.

Today, St. Patrick's Day is celebrated by people of all backgrounds in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Although North America is home to the largest productions, St. Patrick's Day has been celebrated in other locations far from Ireland, including Japan, Singapore, and Russia. In modern-day Ireland, St. Patrick's Day has traditionally been a religious occasion. In fact, up until the 1970s, Irish laws mandated that pubs be closed on March 17. Beginning in 1995, however, the Irish government began a national campaign to use St. Patrick's Day as an opportunity to drive tourism and showcase Ireland to the rest of the world. Last year, close to one million people took part in Ireland 's St. Patrick's Festival in Dublin, a multi-day celebration featuring parades, concerts, outdoor theater productions, and fireworks shows.

HAPPY ST. PATTIES!!
In Italian: Felice giorno Il Santo Patrick!

International Women's Day

2006-03-08T15:50:00.000-06:00

As of May 2004, the U.S. Government estimates that 14,500 to 17,500 people are trafficked annually into the United States, and 600,000 to 800,000 are trafficked globally. Approximately 80 percent of the victims are female; 70 percent of those females are trafficked for the commercial sex industry.

Today is International Women’s Day, a celebration for women across the globe, yet each year over 560,000 women are trafficked through the world for sexual purposes. There isn’t much to celebrate for women internationally, as we are allowing our sisters to be bought and sold in order to fulfill the demand for sex workers. 45% of those were sold by their own parents/family in order to circumvent debt, humiliation and/or the burden of another mouth to feed. Over half of these women are minors. The important distinction is that when a woman is “trafficked” she has been taken away from her country and moved across a border. These aren’t just prostitutes…these are women who have essentially been kidnapped or sold in order to be taken somewhere else to work in the sex industry. Above are just the documented numbers for trafficked women. Researchers suggest that these number could be doubled and that would give a rough estimate of the entire amount of sexual trafficking taking place…there are hundreds of thousands of cases that we do not know about. With that there are millions of cases of non-trafficked sex workers…forced to perform for money or servitude. Women and girls forced to do the unthinkable.

In Human Rights we often refer to the Sexual Trafficking plight as a “black hole” something that we could talk about and research on non-stop for years yet have neither correct data nor a solution. When someone brings up sexual trafficking projects in the office a laugh escapes as we know that we have no tools that would allow us to further this plight. Demand is too high and in countries like Costa Rica sexual tourism brings in incredible amounts of money. Men and (some) women travel to Costa Rica in order to participate in “tours” that facilitate these sexual binges. Research shows that requesting time with minors on these tours even produces results. One would think that such requests would be shunned but inevitably a minor is found and yet again that demand has allowed for one more trafficked girl to be used.

If we think this is just a problem abroad then we must note that about 15,000 women are trafficked into the US every year as well. We have at least 15,000 women (that we know about) brought here from other countries, against their will, to fulfill sexual practices. We are culprits. In a society that takes such great pride in being Westernized and the “leaders of the free world” and takes great strides to regulate violations of other countries…we are not even able to stop the trafficking women and girls into our borders for sexual purposes.

On International Women’s Day I ask that you remember that those of us with a home, food, shelter, family, jobs, education and access to technology must take steps to eradicate the incredible wrongs we have pushed upon the world’s women and children. Although it seems endless, the fight must continue until we have stopped the demand and ended the trafficking.

For more information feel free to visit Break the Chain, Rescue and Restore, Human Rights Watch, CATW.

Oh Little Ry....

2006-03-06T16:21:00.000-06:00

My little brother turned 21 on Sunday…as Brett puts it “I am officially old”.

I have a hard time reconciling the fact that Ryan is 21 as I feel like I literally just turned 21 myself. But here I stand…old n’ shit…and Ryan is now able to buy beer legally (not that it ever stopped him before)…

Little Ry (clearly just a nickname) started out the night with a family party and then, because he turned 21 at 12am on Saturday night/Sunday morning and therefore the bar choices were limited, we went into Waukilla for some 21 year old fun. Chad, Ryan and I stopped first a Booners, there just before the stroke of midnight. We cheered for Ryan as he officially turned 21 and enjoyed a little fun with my friend Elise and some family. Off we went after that to do a shot at the Muck (no Gloria and Bubba to be found) and then on to the Pub in a last-ditch effort to find someone fun to hang out with. Not so much.

Steve, the lovely and incredibly talkative proprietor of the Pub gave us free drinks and gave Ry a few shots of some good whiskey…so it was a cheap venture. Ryan got drunk (which was really what we were looking for) and we had some funny conversations. All in all it was pretty tame, but Ry is coming down to the city for his real night out on March 11th. Hopefully we don’t have to drag him home but I know he will get good-and-canned with the likes of his friends and mine. So…if you want to come out…let me know. Otherwise, I would stay home on Saturday night b/c the party might be too crazy for you!

Pictures...

2006-02-28T13:40:00.000-06:00

A while back I created paint pictures to correspond with a couple of posts. For whatever reason I was not able to load the pictures but I now find that I am able to do so. I decided to post these pictures for the fun of it...enjoy my "paint" skills

This was to go along with Meg's and my trip to Sluggers for Dueling Pianos (obviously).

This was to illustrate what my childhood sledding experiences with my brother were like.

This was painted to show my friend Jim how detrimental skiing would be to me which, even after a lesson at a reputable mountain resort, I still feel would be the case.

Day in the asylum that is my life.

2006-02-21T12:15:00.000-06:00

My day was out of control yesterday. The hour to hour was plagued by a boss who cannot learn to step back from the day to day…and then I had the gold-toothed wonder harass me on the street (see below) and then after work the nonsense continued.

I was trying to make my way home and I traveled down to the L stop at Jackson. I was standing on the platform waiting for the train to come (which seems to be the activity that takes up about half of my life these days) and I noticed that “Crazy Curtis” was down there. Crazy Curtis is a man who wanders about the State St. area. I notice him all of the time and, in fact, I do not know if his name is Curtis…I totally made it up. I needed a name for him as I see him all of the time. Crazy Curtis, although clearly on something most of the time, seems harmless enough. Not too much to worry about when he is around, mostly I just feel sorry for him. He clearly has had a hard life. Well, Crazy Curtis was on the platform yesterday…sometimes he gets down to the platform and spends a bit of time down there until the police find him and take him away.

As I was looking up from my MP3 Player I noticed that Crazy Curtis was doing something odd about 15 ft away. That is when the synapses in my brain started firing properly and I realized that Crazy Curtis was dropping trough, ass hanging out over the tracks and he was…no he couldn’t be…yes he was…he was pooping. Curtis was pooping over the tracks on the Jackson St. platform. I didn’t see the final execution of the poop b/c I had turned and buried my head in a complete stranger’s chest. David was kind enough to pat my head and let me be grossed out for a moment even though he did not know me at the time. The police where there in a flash after a woman yelled “oh my God he just pooed”…and Crazy Curtis was pulled from the platform. I can assure you, however, that the image will never be pulled from my brain. Never.

The image is so embedded that I cannot even “paint” it on the computer for you. I might gag again.

On top of all of that, David and I ended up sitting on the train together until he got off at Clark and Division. He was delightful. Promptly sitting next to me was a girl who asked me about my “Interpreter of Maladies” book and we started chatting about the books that she and I had been reading (I am always up for a discussion on literature). So anyway, Emily and I were having a normal conversation…small talk…nothing out of the ordinary. The train was stopped for some time so after awhile I went back to reading, not really paying attention. As we were pulling up to Belmont Emily said “well, if you ever want to go out, give me a call” and hands me a napkin that says “Would love to go on a date sometime-give me a ring!- Em” and then her number.

WTF?! I WAS NOT FLIRTING WITH HER. Unfortunately for Emily I really enjoy the men. I can barely be friends with women…I certainly could not date one. A) Emily did not look like your typical lesbian B) I don’t really think that I look like a lesbian…and most men clearly know that I am not one so how did she get confused C) how is someone that forward with someone on the train anyway D) I fear that my flirting has gotten SO out of control that I don’t even know when I am doing it anymore!

Is that it? Can I not control it anymore? Am I giving “doe eyes” and hair flips to everyone I meet now even chicks? Oh Geeze someone help me…no wonder I have had so many offers for dates lately…apparently I look like a girl you can pick up on the train!

I got off the L and hoped I would make it home in one piece. Happily I sat in front of the TV for most of the night calming down from a day of absolute insane shenanigans ("Farva, what's that place you like to eat that has all the shit on the walls?") . I hope today goes better…

2006-02-20T13:13:00.000-06:00

This:

Is literally an exact replica of what the woman on the street who just yelled at me, looked like.

She scared me and I might have cried a bit on the inside. I was walking my happy little way to Barnes and Noble to study for the GRE when I looked up and noticed this woman standing somewhat in my way. She really did look completely normal except that she had on a "cosby sweater" and her hair was a little (well a lot) crazy. But then...oh but then my friends...she smiled and her grill was filled with gold teeth. Holy Flava Flav batman FILLED with gold teeth (as you can see by the above picture). As I passed she whispered (and for those that know me you know I HATE whispering) "you look like a hot piece of ass". WHAAAA?!!

Seriously? I am getting cat calls from the crazy cosby-sweater lady on the street? What in the hell is that all about? I would also like to state that neither today nor any other day do I "look like a hot piece of ass" and therefore this statement is completely false...and is the very thing that makes me question her sanity. (well that and the GOLD TEETH) She was a soccer mom gone wrong and she went wrong right in my path. I am scarred and I will never recover.

2006-02-15T14:47:00.000-06:00

So I was looking on the home computer for some pictures to download from our "my pics" file. As you can see from previous posts I am using the same damn picture over and over again.

It was great to back through the pictures from the year. As B and I are getting ready to move to a different location is it quite endearing to see the pictures of our first night in Chicago in our first apartment in the city. I honestly can say that it has been a great year and so much happened. We had such great times at our little apartment and I hope that our new one brings us just as much joy. Hopefully we get the place we have found and love (I don't want to say too much about it for fear that I will jinx!) and hopefully things stay on the same fantastic track they are on now!

I did notice in our pictures that there are just as many effing pictures of Minda and the BFF as there are of B and I. Seriously...you would think that these folks spend every weekend in the Chi. I did find two that I particularly love and as I have no real post, I thought I would share those and call it a day!

They are drunkards :-) This was the night of the elephant glass and Mr. Outlaw. I assure you this came right before or right after one of them making fun of the other and failing their arms about impersonating Brett.

Below could quite possibly be one of my favorite pictures ever it looks as if the BFF is saying:

"ohh Brett is drunk and I totally know a secret about him...i know he is so going home with the guy in the pink shirt over there" OR "I am totally going to kill Brett tonight especially if he pulls that falling in and out of the bathroom tub nonsense, again. This kid is dunzo. Where's my blowup mattress?!" And Brett is saying "I hope that I get a housecoat for Christmas...I love Molly's. Damn, I cannot believe that Molly is making out with another straight guy in the middle of boystown! Where.does.she.find.them?"

Final Question from 6

2006-02-14T14:50:00.000-06:00

6. You are infamously in love with your Alma Mater. Share some of your favorite things about the U of I and what made it such a wonderful experience for you. If you could go back and relive a handful of days (say between 4 and 8) from your college years, what ones would you pick and why? What do you miss the most? What don’t you miss at all? How has attending the U of I changed you in ways that attending any other school could not?

If you put me in a room with 50 prospective freshman still undecided as to what college to go to, I promise you that I could convince all 50 to go to the University of Illinois. Promise you.

My college experience was something that kids dream of when they begin to get those brochures in the mail junior year of high school. I made friends that will literally last a lifetime, I had professors that inspired me and caused me to search for a greater passion, I joined clubs and organizations that gave me skills I still use today, I went to hundreds of sporting events, I tail-gated, I frequented the bars in PJ pants some days and black pants the next, I sat on the quad and listened to protests, I swam in the fountains, I stayed at school for 3 summers working a job that changed my life, I lived in the dorms, I lived in an apartment and not a day went by that I didn’t say “God am I happy to be here”.

I can’t describe why I love my Alma Mater so much…it is the feeling I get when I go back and see the fall leaves surrounding the actual statue of the Alma Mater and read the inscription “To thy happy children of the future, those of the past send greeting.” It the feeling that there is a common bond of blue and orange across the country and the world and that everyone who has come before me and will come after me will walk through the Union, sit on the Quad, have a beer at Murphy’s and sing “Hail to the Orange…Hail to the Blue”

I think what made the experience so incredible were the people and that common bond. Not only do I love my friends that I had then and the ones that I still have now, but there are those that I just passed by or became acquainted with for a semester through a class or an organization. People changed my life because of the ideas that they had and the things that they did.

Perhaps I could have gotten this at any other college like U of I. My experiences might have been the same at most of the Big 10 schools. But I doubt it. I believe that you go somewhere for a reason and that if you have the opportunity to chose, you can walk onto the campus of a school and know that it is right for you. I knew that and I was correct and that I was a very lucky girl.

I don’t miss it because I love my life now and I have always said that I never want to be the person that says “my best times were 10 years ago”…I want to keep living in my “best times”. But sometimes when the air hits me in the right way I think of the magnolia tree outside of Lincoln Avenue Residence Hall, when I smell a sandalwood candle I think of Brett’s apartment, when I see an Irish Pub I think of Murphy’s, and when I hear the drums beat and the horns rise to belt out Oskee Wow Wow my heart flutters remember the great times I had in college.

Drinking in your homeroom, anyone?

2006-02-13T12:19:00.000-06:00

My parents sent me to a wonderful Catholic High School in the Northern Suburbs and the benefits that I gained from that experience are incredible. I am a much better person because of the things that I learned and the friendships that I made at Carmel. Because of that, I try to give back in any way that I can monetarily and with my very precious time. This was one of those weekends that not only did I give Carmel a little kickback of funds, but they gave me a great opportunity as well.

Carmel closes down the second week in February and revamps itself for the Street Scenes fundraiser. The kids all join in and help while many parents and faculty/staff pitch in as well. The school opens its doors on Friday and Saturday with bands, restaurants, a student show, beautiful decorations and much alcohol. Yes…I said Alcohol. Because where would the Catholics be without their beer?!

Lauren, Mrs. D, Judy and Suzanne and I went to Street Scenes to take in the glory of a bunch of North Shore parents and teachers getting tipsy in their children’s high school hallways. My friend Christine’s brother always described how weird it was by saying “you can never capture the feeling you have when you turn 21 and are able to go back and drink in your homeroom”. Indeed…indeed.

After a couple martini’s, some beer and wine and a few spouts of dancing in the “Carmel Café” we were on a roll and looking for some people that we knew. A lot of kids from high school go back and enjoy Street Scenes, so you are always able to find someone. There were a couple people…no one that I particularly enjoyed but it was good to see familiar faces. Lauren and I were surprised at how odd it was that so many people stayed friends with their groups from high school. We pretty much hang out with each other and I have a couple of friend who were older then me, but besides that I don’t talk to or fraternize with anyone from CHS. We were fearsome that people would think that we had become lesbian lovers and not be surprised by it…whenever we go back to school we are always together. My friends are from college and I kind of like that they didn’t know me when I was a druggy hippy girl.

I will tell you this, it gives you good perspective. We saw a girl who is our age, graduated from college got married right away and is now having her 2nd baby. All I could think is “thank God that isn’t me”. Isn’t that horrible?! I went back and found that I was completely happy and proud to tell people what I am doing, where I am and who I have become. That is a great feeling. Everyone asks what you are up to…trying to get the dirt…but Lauren and I didn’t feel like we had to lie or stretch the truth. We love who we are. Realizing that is worth the $25 ticket and an overpriced martini.

2006-02-09T16:58:00.000-06:00

I totally need to get a new pic of Brett and I on my work computer...I have used that shit for everything! haha.

5th Question from 6

2006-02-09T11:20:00.000-06:00

5. You often muse about living with a gay man. What do you think is the reason for such strong bonds between gay men and straight women? What do you enjoy most about living with a gay man? How do your relationships with gay men provide insight for your relationships with straight men, if they do? What is the most tenuous or fragile part of a friendship between a gays and girls? How does living with a gay man differ from living with a straight man or a girl or a small, yappy dog?

Well first of all, I don’t muse…but if we must continue on with this question then let me answer with my non-musing observations. Let me start by saying if I were to do said musing it would be about living with Brett as a gay man. Brett…is a being unto himself. Honestly one of the sassiest, smartest and most fun people I have ever met. On top of all of that, he happens to be gay which does add a different dynamic (and quite a few more comments about men between one’s legs) but loving living with Brett has almost nothing to do with him being gay, and everything to do with him being an overall amazing person and one of the best friends a girl can ask for. (although the gay factor does allow me to watch Project Runway without guilt, so that is certainly a plus)

But on to the gay men/straight women thing…I don’t really know how it all came about or what the relationships stem from, but I do know that I have never had more positive friendships then those that I do with my gay friends. It is a bond that seems to attract all types and fills a void that makes me feel sorry for women who do not have gay friends. But I really have to stress that these men are incredible because of who they are, not because they are gay. Perhaps being gay makes them less of a threat. The old Harry Met Sally factor of “men can’t be friends with women b/c they always want to sleep with them” is not present and so both parties are allowed to be who they truly are. There is no need to impress and no need to worry that one party feels slighted. So, in the end I am able to truly enjoy ever facet of my gay friends because I never have to worry about getting drunk and having sex with them. The stress of that turn in a relationship is not there so I know that they will be a part of my life forever. The gay men that I have been lucky enough to have friendships with have truly changed my life and I know that they will continue to do so.

I have lived with straight men and honestly the situation has been almost the same as with Brett and I. Straighty and I had a couple of “close calls” when we were really drunk, but nothing serious and in the end it was a positive relationship and a great roommate situation. What I have with Brett (and I don’t know if this is because he is gay but I think it might have something to do with it) is that we can have the stupid day to day stuff, but he is much more willing to talk about his feelings and share. He is absolutely more insightful or perhaps feels more comfortable speaking up about it. He is able to dissect situations and over-analyze with me while we sit on our silly blue and green couches and I don’t know if that could happen with a straight man…but more importantly I don’t know if it could happen with another gay man either.

I guess what I am getting at is that I love my gay friends…but most of all I love them because they are Adam, Frank, Josh, Drew, Ferdie and most of all Brett. When Brett and I talk about the future it isn’t his gay roommate status that comes into play but the fact that I know he will stand up in my wedding, be the God-parent of one of my children, be there for every celebration and every loss. That has nothing to do with being a straight woman and a gay man and has everything to do with being us.

although i would love a yappy dog!!

Friday of Dueling and Shots

2006-02-06T14:26:00.000-06:00

Most of the time I don’t feel the need to recap the weekend events as it usually does not involve much, however Friday was quite the debacle and therefore I feel I should share.

Friday started out as any normal day…I woke up, thought about calling in sick and then decided I should get my lazy ass out of bed and get on over to the South Loop. Work was great and topped off by Meg stopping by to ask some of us to go to an art opening for one of her friends. The gallery is in the Fine Arts building on Michigan which is such a beautiful place (and a Chicago landmark!).

The champagne was flowing and the conversation with some cute Italian men kept us there for awhile. I had every intention of going home (in fact I made Brett promise that he would not let me go out that night) and staying home that night until Meg asked if I wanted to go out to Dueling Pianos at Sluggers. (clearly Brett failed to keep me home).

A quick stop by home and we were back on the town. The evening at Sluggers started with just Meg and I doing shots and drinking Jack and Cokes at the bar downstairs. A couple of Jaeger bombs later we made our way upstairs to the Dueling Pianos where we danced and flirted with the piano guys…one of which strangely reminded me of my brother-in-law Jeff…there were two-step lessons, ball-room dancing and some booty shaking. I believe the Northwestern fight song was thrown in there somewhere and we certainly did complain about the opposite sex a lot!

Completely wasted we tumbled over to the Shilling to meet Hugo and Gina for some shots and beer. It was there that I met Meg’s friend, the famed “Santa”…a name every so fitting because he really does look like a non-grey version of Santa. (side note for Lauren and Vikas, he looked A LOT like hottie Benji from Chem. E. ahhh Benji!) We continued to get wasted and I believe that Gina did some Karaoke and although I didn’t see her do it, I am positive that Meg did Karaoke, too!

I stumbled home (literally)…Brett says I was incredibly loud coming into the house and was absolutely still wasted the next morning. The entire night it was just Meg and I for the most part, and for a night that I had not intended to even leave the house, it was pretty crazy!

2006-02-02T13:23:00.000-06:00

Hard hitting journalism that we have come to expect from Slate.com…a sledding exposé.

2006-02-02T09:35:00.000-06:00

Happy 's Day!!

Looks like another 6 weeks of winter

and...happy brithday to RJ Lauraitis (talk about weird things you remember!)

2006-02-01T14:27:00.000-06:00

Molly's Daily Scorpio Forecast:
A compelling mystery arises, but it's more enjoyable if you don't try to solve it.

How very "Nancy Drew and the Case of the Hidden Staircase"

See...I told you!

What does happen to zoo animals when they die?!

2006-02-01T14:10:00.000-06:00

I found this terribly interesting...but it could be that I am just a dork.

Check it out...

http://www.slate.com/id/2134941/?nav=fo

6 Questions from "6" cont...

2006-01-31T12:30:00.000-06:00

My roommate "6" sent me 6 questions...if you want the whole story (and questions one and two) see a couple entries below! Read on :-)

3)Having lived in a country where you didn’t speak the native language, what do you find to be the most curious/interesting/frustrating about language and the barrier it can impose?

When I moved to Italy I obviously did not know the language but I do think that after that initial shock wore off, I was able to observe a lot of as it was my only way of adjusting and communicating. My initial observations were:

-Every town, no matter where they are, has the same archetypes…the hero, the whore, the drunk, the jester…look hard enough and you will see them even if they are conducting their behavior in a different language
-Europeans are much kinder about “transients” then Americans
-People have a way of telling that you cannot speak their language just by looking at you…it has to do with how you carry yourself and the confidence you evoke
-There is always someone who knows how to speak English
-You know if someone likes you even if you have no idea what “l’amo” means
-Submersion is the best way to learn anything
-Great friendships can be formed when you are in “the same boat”…searching for someone who speaks your language means that you are searching for someone who knows a piece of who you are and where you come from
-Great loves can be formed when you can barely speak to one another

There is so much more. I cannot tell you how different the experience would have been if I had known the language. I think that not knowing Italian right off the bat put me in a vulnerable spot that left me open to change and growth. It was painful sometimes because the little things are missed and the ability to communicate fully is overlooked but I really believe that I was better off not knowing the language and learning it as I continued. It was also quite an amazing feat to learn Italian and to be able to conduct myself in everyday life.

The defining moment for me happened on the train. When I arrive in Italy I took the train from Rome to Viareggio and could not buy a ticket, speak with the conductor or the people in my train car…I was so exhausted and scared. I was afraid that I would miss my stop b/c they were speaking so fast I could not understand. About 3 months later I took another long train expedition to Venice and I realized that I could read the signs, buy my ticket, talk to the hot Italian man in my train car and converse with the conductor as I waited for the bathroom. I had become a part of their culture, language and everything. I was able to function and better yet I was able to be somewhat of an Italian.

Non sono italiano ma parlo l'italiano molto bene. Ero molto felice in Italia e l'esperienza era grande per la mia fiducia in che sono.

4) What thing most fascinates you about books? As an avid reader, what constitutes a “good book” for you? What draws you into a story? At what point do you give up on a read? Feel free to expand and explore your favorite authors and books with us.

I love books…really, I am a literary nerd. Brett asked that question because I talk about books all the time. I read a book a week (if not more) and I am always on a quest for the perfect work of fiction, best classic story or a great hardcover edition of my old favorites. Over the years books have become a passion that I have cultivated through study and friendships. One of my first date questions and one of my favorite questions to new friends is, “what is your favorite book?” You can tell so much about someone based on their favorite authors and the books that they cherish.

Literature presents a world with which we are often unfamiliar. We can delve into people’s worlds for a time being and live outside of ourselves. When it is a particularly good book it can serve as a retreat from which the reader often does not want to return. The use of prose or poetry to construct fantastical sentences and ideas is astounding and the way an author can string together melodic sentences in order to capture the attention of those turning the pages. Great writing keeps you enthralled even after the book has been finished. There are characters and settings that I think about weekly, there are texts that I reference daily and there are books that I will pick up and read again year after year.

I think that it is only fair to list my favorites as they have given me such reprieve over the years and are literally books that have changed my life in some way:

The Complete Works of Shakespeare (worth the time it takes to get though the entire thing); 100 Years of Solitude by Marquez; A Secret History by Tart; Emma by Austin; A Prayer for Owen Meany by Irving; A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Eggers; On the Road by Kerouac; Midnight’s Children by Rushdie; Shoeless Joe by Kinsella; Harry Potter Series by Rowling

2006-01-31T11:01:00.000-06:00

There are very few people on TV that I hate more then this woman....Clearly I feel so stongly about it that I saw her name on MSN.com, immediatly groaned and gave her the fist of rage! Rachel Ray drives me N.U.T.S. and everytime I hear her squeaky little voice I want to punch her in the face. I think she reminds me of all of the girls in my sorority house that I just did not like.

On another note, am I the only person in America (living with a gay roommate) who has NOT see Brokeback Mountain! 8 Oscar nods later the movie still has not had me as a patron!

$1 Beers?!

2006-01-30T22:33:00.000-06:00

It amazes me that even at 25 I still feel that it is physically impossible to pass up $1 beers if being offered as a special at a local establishment. This might go back to the days when a dollar beer would actually force me to go to KAMS b/c I am absolutely fine being exploited if my beer is cheap. Dead tired, a little sad and wanting nothing more then to crawl into bed could not even keep me from asking Meg and Brett to meet me at $1 beers at the Shilling...I even called Hugo who promptly told me that he had some "bad wine" last night and could not make it out. Clearly Hugo has gotten over the "$1 calling", why can't I? I wonder if Bud Light actually tastes better when you pay only 4 quarters for it?

Thank you Full Shilling for a night of fun, good conversation, tater tots and cheap beer. Who could ask for more?

6 Questions from "6"

2006-01-27T10:10:00.000-06:00

About 3 months ago my roomie Brett (or 6 as he is better known) asked me to send him questions for him to answer on his blog. As I am a very insightful, beautiful and obviously modest person :-) I gave him some spot-on questions and asked him to return the favor. After much badgering he has sent me four lovely questions with the promise of two more to come. Since it has been awhile since I have posted, I will answer most of the questions right now and hang on to my pretty little britches (really, they are pretty...I just went shopping) for the other two to come. Some of these questions are so very “Inside the Actor’s Studio”…I totally love it!

1)If you could go back and correct one mistake from your past or change one thing from your history, what would it be and why?
I try really hard not to have regrets. Turns out, as it always does, that most of the mistakes I have made in my life have been good for me in the end. Although there are certainly some things I wish I had done differently, I don’t have a lot that immediately comes to mind. I guess a regret I have is a compilation of the same mistake made over and over again…sometimes I allow my friends to be disposable. I try not to do it anymore, but good friends that I have had in the past have fallen by the wayside because we didn’t want to take enough time to keep in contact. People that I spent years cultivating friendships with have since been excommunicated from my life. I try hard not to let it happen now, but sometimes people slip through the cracks.

2)10 years ago, where did you think you’d be today? Today, where do you think you’ll be in 10 years?
I do not think that I had any idea where I would be at 25 when I was 15. I think I assumed that I would be happy and settled…at 15 I probably anticipated that at 25 I would be married to a fabulous man, living in the city and living the life of luxury. After 15 I think it quickly developed that I did not want to be married by 25, but still. It is an interesting concept of just how little you know about the real world at 15. I have never had any career passions…nothing that I had to do “career-wise”. I have never said "I must be a doctor" or "I must save the world" or "I have to come up with a new lipstick that looks great on and really does last 8 hours".

My passions have been friendships, loves, adventures and making the most out of the experiences you are lucky enough to have. At 15 I suppose I would have hoped those things would have happened/been happening and I think that they have. I think that at 15 I would have had no idea how wonderful my life would be at 25 or the great paths that I have taken to get to 25. I went to a great college, had/have crazy nights out, made fantastic friends, fallen in and out of love, had good jobs, traveled around the US, lived in a different country, traveled throughout Europe, learned a new language, been proposed to on a beach in Italy (a proposal I promptly turned down), found a job that actually utilizes my English degree, lived in a city I adore in an apartment I adore with a roommate that I love, made great new friends and continue to hope for more. I know that those things will continue.

At 25, thinking about me at age 35…its funny because I think I have the same thoughts as when I was 15 projecting to 25. Married to a fabulous man, living in the city and living the life of luxury…hopefully with children thrown in…I hope that I am happy with what I am doing and happy with myself. Everything else will fall into place, I assume...Really I can't anticipate where life will take me, only that I hope that along the way my family and friends are happy and healthy and that I enjoy the twists and turns.

i'm back beeyochs!

2006-01-26T15:19:00.000-06:00

I have had a difficult time getting back into the blog world. I need to write as it keeps me inspired, but I cannot write because I don’t feel inspired. What a catch 22, huh? I am hoping that doing some exercises in creativity (ie the thing below that Anne had on her blog and then some questions from Brett) will help to bring it back. Really, I need to devote some time and effort into it. I promise pictures, clip art, and interesting stories are coming!!

I Live: with a crazy boy whom my brother has nicknamed “6”
I Work: with a bunch of drama queens
I Talk: to Sean, Hugo and Tariina way to much during the day
I Wish: my cousin Gavin was not sick and that someone could make it better for him
I Enjoy: sleeping in, good books and staying home at night
I Look: for wedding rings on every man I meet
I Find: myself thinking about stupid things, too much
I Smell: the cologne of the hot volunteer sitting near me
I Listen: to all of Lauren’s advice in hopes that I will become a better person
I Hide: a lot more then I should
I Walk: because when I run I tend to fall
I See: that the cancellation of West Wing is going to be a huge problem for me
I Sing: everything…ask Brett…I can make anything into a song.
I Laugh: with my mouth wide open and my head thrown back
I Watch: sappy teenage movies and TV and can’t get enough!
I dream: about being pregnant all the time
I Want: about 10 Margaritas. right. now.
I Cry: usually when I am alone
I Burn: brownies…can’t seem to make them in our oven
I Read: anything I can get my hands on
I Love: someone but they don’t seem to care
I Sometimes: make things harder then they need to be
I Hurt: my effing elbow last night and I don’t know how
I Fear: that later I will regret the decision I make now.
I Hope: that my cousin learns you have to want to survive
I Break: things, but not as much as Adam does…
I Eat: a banana and a piece of toast every morning for breakfast
I Quit: caring if I was out every Friday and Saturday night
I Bathe: in a somewhat dirty shower
I Drink: water but most of the time I would rather be drinking beer
I Hug: everyone I know…what a good way to spread the love
I Meditate: before and after Yoga Booty Ballet
I Miss: having a tight group of friends
I Forgive: too quickly
I Drive: a Suzuki Esteem that goes by the name “Lalo”
I Have: a great life, a great job and wonderful friends
I Don't: smoke because it is gross
I Make: great food if I have the right ingredients
I Owe: my family everything in the world
I Feel: like I can’t wait for the sun to come out again
I Know: that I am where I should be right now
I Wonder: where I will be at this time next year

2006-01-06T17:16:00.000-06:00

It has been a long time since I posted. I don’t know what is wrong with the whole blog thing…I swear I am just not feeling inspired anymore. Since I am no longer funny and interesting I feel like blogging might be a waste of time. Give me a couple days and then perhaps a Christmas/Vacation recap! I need to clean out the ol apartment, mind, body and spirit before I start anew!

Christmas Time is Here

2005-12-21T09:52:00.000-06:00

I was worried that I would not feel the Christmas spirit this year, but boy was I wrong! It took a little longer to get to me-but it arrived-full fledged Christmas spirit! I am so excited for the holidays and the trip afterwards that I could wet myself (I’ve done it before!)

The beginning of the week started off with amazing Christmas news, my cousin Gavin’s cancer has receded and there are no active cancer cells in his body at this moment. This weekend we were not sure if he would have to move on to a cancer care center due to the inability to take care of the tumor however his scans came back to show that what they thought was a tumor was actually now just scar tissue! It is the best news ever and it looks as if he is going to be ok! A couple more rounds of Chemo and he will be finished with this nonsense…let’s pray that it is for good!

Monday also came with a happy surprise to find that the best roommate in the world, Brett, commandeered a KitchenAid mixer for me. I could actually pass out from the excitement I feel about this! I have wanted nothing more (my mother cannot fathom whose womb I actually came out of as she does not even cook) and never thought I would have one until I got married (which we all know is a long way off)! Sooo…Brett got one from work and here I sit, the luckiest girl in the world. I made cookies (thanks Sven-I used your cookie monster recipe! Yummers!) and other good things that take a mixer. I could hug it if it were not so imposing with sharp corners and hard plastic…I heart it with my biggest non-Grinch heart!

So, those two things have put me on the way to good times. Many Christmas parties and the knowledge that I get 2 paid weeks of a holiday (academia how I love thee) make me about the happiest girl in the world!

Brett and I are having our Christmas together tonight and then Minds and the BFF come tomorrow…what a joyful season!

Have a very happy day!

Holy Croly

2005-12-18T22:50:00.000-06:00

So I am writing this quickly in hopes that it will draw the icky feeling out of my body. Forehead slappers...I have discussed them before...well, my friday night is one big forehead slapper that I can barely remember. We had a work holiday party, just our small little Institute. A case of wine later and some time at a bar, these are the things I remember (almost):

-speaking in Italian to my boss
-my boss making somewhat sexual comments to me among a table of my peers
-hitting on the Greek guys running the Italian restaurant
-my boss saying the phrase "blow job" (mind you we do some work with sexual trafficking but really...was that necessary?)
-drinking and drinking and drinking wine
-moving onto the bar and dragging Kort out to go get cash
-drunk dialing Jim about "our bookstore" which I happened to be outside of
-giving Jim guilt trips about not coming to the bar (he happened to be in Chicago but I am certain thought I was WAY too drunk to deal with)
-calling Kort and Peter's friend and making an ass of myself (but what I said I do not know, and why we called so much I do not know)
-playing pool with Daniel and being so wasted I could barely focus on the ball
-buying more beer
-a guy name boyom trying to kiss me and putting his phone number in my phone
-walking outside to call Brett WHOM I WAS CERTAIN that I had not talked to (and even said to myself the very next morning "huh, why didn't brett answer his phone") WHEN IN FACT i spoke with him about 15 times
-saying goodbye to everyone but not really remembering that
-hopping in a car with Peter and Kort and thinking that we would be going someplace else but realizing we were WAY too drunk to go to another bar

Oh God, the things I do not remember in between make me scared. i do not want to go into work tomorrow for fear that everyone will be like "you were so drunk" ugh...having to live that nonsense down is awful. i have got to stop :-) seriously...i am not 21 anymore. baaaad news!

On a lighter note: One week until Christmas!!! YAY!! and one week and two days until I am in Arizona...HOLLA!!

sorry about the U loss this weekend!

2005-12-12T16:59:00.000-06:00

I am certain that this is a common theme among diary entries of girls under the age of 14. If I had a pink journal with a little lock and key, perhaps I would write this in there…but this blog is what I have so this is what I get…

I have gone 25 years on my life never truly having been swept off my feet. I am bored, I want to be in love…hell, I would be happy with finding “extreme like” right now. I thought I found something close a while back but nothing has really come of it, so now I am stuck looking and realizing that it may never come. Resigning myself to being a “cat lady” by the age of 29 is not exactly what I had anticipated when I was younger. It isn’t that I don’t date or that I don’t find guys who like me…its just that when I do I am not that impressed or something fizzles relatively quickly. I am picky, I am fickle and most importantly my standards are exceedingly high. The thing is I am almost positive that I have known at least 3 men in my life that have met those standards and have continued to keep me intrigued and excited. In the end either they stop being interested or they can’t get it together enough to have a relationship. What to do then? Now I know it is out there…am I just waiting for it to return? If these guys have already done it for me, have I had my chance at the “3 good ones in life” ala A Bronx Tale and now I am left hoping that one of them will return before its too late? Or are they just signs that someone else is coming along and that they too can keep the butterflies in the stomach and the conversation flowing.

I suppose this comes on the tails (as it always does) of yet another breakup. Another situation where a guy felt stronger about me then I did about him…I have to hope that there is a reason and it is not just because I am an “insufferable bitch”. But what is it? Where is it? Why isn’t it here? I really never feel this way-ask my roommate, ask my best friend…I am pretty much always “the guy” in a relationship. I mostly like being single more so then being in a couple. I don’t obsess for the most part (unless it is how to break up with someone) and I am almost always in control. But for some reason I am on edge and really I feel no reason to really be so. I don’t feel like I have to be married at 25 and I don’t feel like I am missing out on anything. But something is putting me on the defensive (or offensive as the case may be) and I find myself looking out there now hoping that something great will pop along!

My freshman year of college a girl named Vicki lived at the end of our floor. She always said that she wished the man she was going to marry was outlined in red (like on the playstation sports games where the player you “are” is outlined) so that she knew that he was there…she would be able to see him walking around campus, at the bars or in class outlined in red and would not have to worry about talking to him or dealing with him at that very moment because eventually he would be “the one”. Where is my red outline? Is he already out there? Do I know him? Are we friends? Or am I yet to meet him?

Ugh…this is the most girly thing I have ever typed…and it isn’t even that clever on the subject. But I am not really sure what else to say about it or how to explain other then to trust that whomever is reading this has felt this way at one time or another. Any suggestions?

Honeybee Tap

2005-12-07T09:43:00.000-06:00

So let’s take a trip back a week or so to Rock-a-Billy night at Martyrs. I had never been to Martyrs but Kort suggested we go as her husband’s friend was playing in this wonderful little band…

So B and I walk in and immediately order a shot of Jaeger and a beer for each of us…yes this is how this night is going to be. B is driving so it is up to me to continue on the drinking pattern…and continue on I did. The bar was a blast, filled with people dressed up in Rock-A-Billy costumes from their hats to their shoes. It looked like we were on the set of Cry Baby. All of the bands were excellent and their funky little sounds kept us intrigued all evening. Our company was great and when the HoneyBees went on stage we were ecstatic to hear Sean’s band that, it happened, was quite good. The women were in perfect harmony singing in a little country twill with Sean’s guitar in the background. There was a drummer that was so “kick some ass and take some names” that she might have frightened me just a little bit. Really, they were great, but most importantly they were fun. Once we all reconvened there were shots to be had and beers to be drunk and then moving on…to the Village Tap. Oh the Village Tap what a glory hole in the wall you are.

The Village Tap, for those that have never been, is a small town bar with a great jukebox stuck right in the middle of Chicago. They have cans of PBR for $1.50, and Golden T and Mrs. Pacman for game crowd. I believe that I saw a pool table, and must admit that the Tap is quite small and therefore I was really drunk b/c I cannot tell you if there was a pool table anywhere in the bar. I really want to say that there was. Madonna’s new album was pumping through the bar and there were about 7 of us in there to enjoy it. What I do know is that there was a picture booth…and that Brett, Kort and I decided it was a moral imperative to take pictures. And they turned out beautifully:

After the pictures, you ask? More beer, a neck massage, some witty remarks and then the all important decision that we were too drunk (we sans the B) and needed to go home as all of us had to work in the morning.

I have a couple of reasons that I would write about this night. I loved Martyrs and suggest that everyone go, I love the HoneyBees and suggest that everyone see them, I love my friends and suggest that everyone meet them, and I love the pictures and had to put them up. But most importantly, it was a great night. It was one of those nights that you don't expect anything to happen and you go out and have a fantastic time and you can never quite put your finger on why you had such a good time. I was surrounded great people and the night passed like a dream you do not want to wake up from. I was hungover as hell the next day (all day) but it was worth it because I had yet another opportunity to feel young, vibrant, funny, cute and exciting the night before.

2005-12-06T14:45:00.000-06:00

These next few posts might go a little out of order, so forgive me for the jumping around of dates. I had to write about this while it was still fresh in my head.

Last night Brett and I had a wonderful evening. We ran some errands, got Chinese food, watched Related (“I love your sausage…no…I mean the taste”) our new favorite show and had a holiday activity night. The place is decorated (pics to come) as I spent a Sunday night last week fixing up the fireplace, the living room and the kitchen. It looks festive and we even have an Advent calendar. It is soo nice to have my own Advent calendars b/c my brother’s used to open up my dates-we shared one-and take out my toy or chocolate and then close the door so that when I opened it there was nothing in there. If my children ever do something that mean I.will. kill.them! Anyway the place was decked out, except for the Christmas tree!

Brett brought his tree up this weekend and I finished assembling it last night while he made a wreath for our door. His wreath is beautiful and the tree looks great in the corner of our living room. Our apartment is beginning to look like a real Christmas home. I love the holidays and Brett seems to be able to take ‘em or leave ‘em…but we had a good time last night. As we were finished we decided to watch “A White Christmas”

Sing it with me now “Sisters…Sisters…never were there more adoring sisters”

We mocked the entire soundstage production, but really and truly it did my soul well to begin celebrating. I slept better last night then I had in weeks and I think that is due to the fact that I finally relaxed, had fun not involving alcohol and enjoyed the holiday cheer. It is hard to be out of my Mom’s house for the Christmas season as she always makes it so special. Knowing I won’t be home for an extended break…just a visit here and there always returning to my own apartment, is a bit tough. I love holidays with my family so I am trying to recreate that a little with my city family.

I am certain that everything will come together nicely and I cannot wait until Brett and I have presents under the tree. Oh Yay!! However, the best part about the Holiday’s that brings me joy forever and ever is still yet to come. What is that, you ask? Watching my very very favorite TV Christmas special, which my bestie Lauren got on video for me last year...

Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas

With such lyrical wonders as "Ain't no hole in the washbin" and "Where the mountains meet the sea" Emmet Otter brings a tear to my eye every time. I love this movie and I think that I am going to make Brett watch it this evening in continuance of our holiday winter wonderland. If anyone else would like to come watch it you are more then welcome!!

Happy Holiday's folks...Feliz Navidad...Buon Natale...è qui a una stagione di amore (here is to a season of love)

2005-12-06T11:16:00.000-06:00

It has been so long since I have written in this blog and for that I apologize. I have had a lot going on but seemingly now that I try to think about those things in my head I cannot come up with a damn thing I have done that would keep me from writing. Work has been crazy, so I suppose that my time at my desk usually used for writing in this blog, has been taken up by research, paying the bills, making sure people don’t get blown up in Amman…the usual. But here I am! I am back! Holiday craziness be damned I am writing in this freaking blog.

A recap of sorts. Turkey day was fun…we were at my Dad’s house which usually means good food but boring day. Ryan and I were forced to amuse ourselves with unending games of Life, Sorry and Rummikub. At ages 20 and 25 we still find it impossible to not take these games seriously and the threats of cheating and the like ensue. I won…all of the games…yes I did. I am an incredible gamming master and Ryan was fearful of my board game power. He cowered a bit in the corner…shed some tears, and then we headed back to my mom’s. On the boring scale mom’s is a little better as we have more to work with and she takes us to movies. Again, at 20 and 25 Ryan and I might as well still be in high school with how much we still rely on our mother to pay for things. But we had a good time and saw Pride and Prejudice, which was fantastic. Highly recommended!

After Turkey Day there wasn’t much hullabaloo…work and such. Christine’s birthday was this past weekend and Brett and I went to RockABilly night at Martyrs last week (for all of which there will be a subsequent post later today). It has been a good couple of weeks and I love the holidays so I am excited for the next month.

There you have it. The first of many. I will keep them coming, not that any of them are really interesting…

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

2005-11-24T15:39:00.000-06:00

Dearest friends and family...I hope that you Thanksgivings are wonderful and that you are excited about the onset of the Holiday Season!

I promise that after this break I will write more (i can hear you clamoring for it! haha)

Happy Turkey Day!!

EAT ME!!!

2005-11-18T13:38:00.000-06:00

My roommate called me “coupled” the other day and I find that to be a hard pill to swallow. I am not a “coupled” kind of girl and really, I never have been. I don’t love relationships and I certainly hate beginning them. Although I like “dating” well enough, most of the time I find it to be too much trouble and would rather be out with my friends or reading a book. Most of the relationships that I have had have spawned from friendships and as I look back I can only count two somewhat serious ones that have started with complete strangers….they only started because the strangers pursued me…if it had be left up to me, it would have fallen by the way-side.

I like the idea of being coupled…really I do…but the work that it takes to get there is often so daunting that I would rather disregard the relationship. I am beginning to believe that I am getting to old for this kind of thinking and fear that if I do not change my ways now, I will find myself alone at 40 with smelly cats named “trinket” and “bubbles”. I do not believe that this issue falls solely on my shoulders, however. Past experience has shown that if I really do like someone I will step up to the plate and say something…I will try to make it work avoiding the instinct to run when vulnerability becomes a must. Sometimes these feelings are returned, sometimes not…but you can’t die from a broken heart, right? I am not good at the follow-through though. If I do “step-up” then I need some help continuing on…sometimes the other person doesn’t get that memo and I am left at a stand-still waiting for a nudge, a clue, a grab of the hand or a peck on the cheek. I can’t do it all, I am not that fearless.

I have amazing friends in my life, women who have defied all odds, taken their hearts into their own hands and said, “Pay attention to me because I am the one for you. You need me and you will miss me if I am gone”. Time and time again this has worked out beautifully for them. They haven’t found “the one” but they know that it is not for lack of trying. I feel like in some ways I have done the same, especially with those that matter, but here I am…still unsure…not knowing quite what to expect. I want it to work. I want to be a "coupled kind of girl" but not for the sake of being "coupled".

Maybe I don’t speak loud enough, maybe I don’t get my point across, maybe I need to be more forceful…but in the end, maybe I think that it should have to be that hard.

Birthday Fun for ME!!

2005-11-11T22:12:00.000-06:00

So although I was in a funk at the beginning of my birthday celebrations, my friends were kind enough to show me the path...well the path to a lot of beer and much debaunchery.

We ended up going out the night of my birthday as it fell on a Friday evening (lucky girl!) and I had all of my wonderful friends from college and work out to the Full Shilling for some crazy times.

I chose the Full Shilling because they have $15 domestic table tappers (uh...8 glasses of beer for $15? can't beat it with a stick) however during the taxi ride over my brother's friend Hugo called to say "umm...Molly, do you know that there is Karaoke at the Shilling tonight?" This, of course, made me cringe...but my friends, in classic form, decided it was the best thing EVER and happily sung many a ballad dedicated to the birthday girl. (how lucky I am...how lucky I am...) I am sure the rest of the Full Shilling was delighted to know that it was my birthday and that I brought 15 wasted people to celebrate and delight the crowd with their vocal stylings.

I had no intention of getting as drunk as I did...but shots upon shots upon beers later I found that I was feeling happy and ready to have a great time (not that I wasn't already). It was such a wonderful night. Most of my favorite people were there to help me ring in year 2-5 and I am ever so lucky to have the people around me that I love...

We missed some of the old OSLs (cough BFF cough cough Cara cough) but it was such a treat to have everyone else in one place. I am a lucky girl and I try not to take for granted the amazing things that I have been blessed with...the least of which being my amazing, kind, caring, vocally talented, fun and loving friends.

Here are some pictures of the night (I have more that I am waiting to get developed but these are teasers!)

Brittley Sue practicing her licking skills on that poor glass!

Meg...better know as "trouble with a capital T" and the roomie! This was looove at first sight!
Snydes TOTALLY getting ready to see me "Black Velvet" HOTT :-)

Jedders with two women on either side...as per usual! Best picture of Brittley Sue, Jed my Love and Bestie Lauren EVEA!

Hopefully I will be able to post more pics lata! Thank you so much to everyone who came out and to those who sent well wishes! Thank you especially to those that drove so long to come celebrate and to Hugo for actually meeting me during a time that I can actually remember (ie when i am NOT fifteen years old) and...a special little shot out to Sveny who sent me the Madonna downloads as a bday present...hotness!! If only you had been there to balance a bottle on my head while I was passed out :-)

Lobe and kieses to everyone! Thanks for the great memories of my birthday!

Yay for my 25th year! I am sure it will bring great things!

Showtime Snyergy

2005-11-07T13:27:00.000-06:00

This is a little late, I know…but I had to wait until I was able to get pictures to post because what is the sense in talking about Halloween if you do not talk about my fabu costume?! And then of course you would say “molly molly we want to see your fabu costume” and I would have to say “sorry kids, my roommate has not loaded the photos onto the computer yet b/c when he was cleaning his room last night he put his camera into a drawer and forgot which one”. But now the camera has been found so I can say “Commence with the photos!!” (and wave my hand in a very “Evita-like” fashion)

Halloween was a great time filled with female Hugh Heffners (graduate of the University of Illinois-go Illini), male playboy bunnies, people dressed as kegs of beer (that actually dispensed alcohol), mucho alcohol, hot men, house parties and a random bar. 15,000 drunk dials later I wound up at home again…hoping that my headache would cease…

Halloween actually started when Brett and I took a trip to JoAnne fabrics on Friday night (as we were both staying in) where we promptly found the material for my costume. Perfection! We bought the necessary accoutrements that every 80’s rocker needs and then the safety pins in which to create this masterpiece. We did all of this while Brett was being ogled by some older gay men who had costumes that we could not figure out. We returned home to make this costume a reality…and what a reality it was…

WHOA JEM IS TRULY OUTRAGEOUS TRULY TRULY TRULY OUTRAGEOUS!!

That’s right friends, I was Jem, of “Jem and the Holograms” fame. Such creative goodness can only come out of me once a year and this was totally worth expending that quotient. Brett was a magical dress maker! Reminiscent of the mice in Cinderella, he reminded me that there are so many reasons why a girl is lucky to have a gay best friend who loves costumes! Fan-tas-tique!

The house party was great, the company was fantastic and the random bar afterwards was a blast. All in all it was a wonderful drunken night and a great first Halloween in the city!

2005-11-03T10:26:00.000-06:00

My cousin Gavin and I were born 8 days apart. All of my life I have been linked to him…we have had sleepovers, made forts, play Inspector Gadget, fallen off horses, welcomed new cousins, buried grandparents, celebrated holidays, gone off to college, lived in the same building…all of this done together. Our interconnecting lives were heightened when we went to the same university.

Living three hours away from most family, Gavin became my family…he was there for every boy who broke my heart, he knew my friends and I knew his, we shared meals together and went shopping together, when he lived below me my senior year we spent many a night conversing until 4 am on his porch. One of those nights we ended up calling the police on a guy b/c he was breaking into cars and promptly called each other “Starsky and Hutch” for months afterwards. He was annoyingly overly protective sometimes, but it was endearing and probably helpful as I always fall for the wrong guy.

We knew about each other’s lives…the daily happenings, the interests, the classes, the nights out…we were there for it all. Most importantly there was not a birthday in those 4 years at the U of I that did not have Gavin present…nor has there ever really been a birthday in which we were not celebrating together. As children we would have combined family parties…sharing a cake and party hats. As college students we would spend the night out at the bars…sharing a bottle of Jack Daniels and some shot glasses. My life and birthday’s have been so inextricably linked to Gavin’s that I find it hard to think about one without the other.

This year, however there is a difference…a huge one…and while I get to celebrate a birthday, Gavin is forced to undergo Chemo. The unfairness of the fact this smart, kind, loving and otherwise healthy 24 year old has cancer is only heightened by the fact that his counterpart in life, age and birthday, does not. As Gavin is forced to suffer and will always link this birthday with the idea that it was “the one when he has cancer” I get to live life as a normal girl in the city. I get to be surrounded by my friends and family and enjoy all of the wonderful things with which I have been blessed. I feel that celebrations should not take place.

As I prepare to meet my friends out at a bar on Friday night, every ounce of me wants to call it off. If Gavin has to suffer then I should too. I will never be able to fathom what he must endure and I feel that it is only fair to recognize those incredible differences and spectacular strides that he is making. A year ago, this never would have been anticipated and hopefully a year from now this will be a memory. Gavin doesn’t get to celebrate like a normal 25 year old and I constantly take for granted that I do. Staying home tomorrow night or going out to the bar is not going to cure Gav, but I do hope that next year we can go back to being in the same celebrations. That he will recognize that his struggle was one of amazing strength and grace and that he deserves a shot of Jack…or many.

I passed!

2005-10-28T13:59:00.000-05:00

You Passed 8th Grade Math

Congratulations, you got 10/10 correct!

Could You Pass 8th Grade Math?

Encyclopedia Explorations of Magic and Wonder

2005-10-24T21:51:00.000-05:00

Brett and I were looking online in the encyclopedia/dictionary for a word that he made up while sitting in our living room...being the incredibly self-involved people that we are, we naturally looked up our names in the encyclopedia. My enteries were not that exciting...however...

Brett's was magical...ever so true...and almost seemed like fate...

Brettanomyces
Brettanomyces is a single-celled fungus that is important in brewing and winemaking as it is resistant to alcohol so can grow even after fermentation starts. It is often shortened to brett.
In wine it is often regarded as a wine fault although in low levels it adds a lot of character to red wines. Some wines, such as Chateau Musar contain high levels, giving them a very distinctive character.
In beer it is more common, and is found for example in Guinness.

In case you have never seen him, this is what my roommate looks like:

2005-10-24T11:10:00.000-05:00

TROUBLE!

In college I hung out with Rugby players during my Freshman and Sophomore year. There is a reason that I stopped…they drink too much.

Now, I can hold my own. I am a girl who enjoys the occasional night of crazy partying, I enjoy beer and I like the feeling of knowing that you partied hard and had a great time the evening before. With all that said, however, I do not like doing it every night, anymore. There was a time in my life when Kristen and I would leave the dorms at 5pm on a Friday and really only return for a little sleep and some lunch during the entire weekend…Monday morning we would be back at class knowing we had consumed enough R&Rs mugs full of beer to get a small country drunk. Usually we were in the presence of Rugby players when all of this happened.

This new guy…he tosses around the oddly shaped ball on a pitch and he drinks like those in college used to do. Can I hang. Maybe not…maybe not…I thought that I could, but two nights putting me up mid-week past the 3am mark, a visit to my apt. on Friday night and a few drunk dials from him this weekend tell me that I will never be able to hang with this crowd.

At 25 have I gotten too old? It was once there…I could party my ass off. Did I party it clear off my body, no where to be found? Not to be resurrected?

Part of me thinks that at 25 I do not want the drama that come with the all night all week partying. With that amount of alcohol consumption also comes crying, fights, make-out sessions (or more) with random men, drunk dials to people you should have taken out of your phone book years ago, professions of undying love, dancing on bars, an inordinate amount of burritos at 2am, puking, not knowing where you are when you wake up in the morning, hang-overs, forehead slappers, the smell of smoke in your hair for days to come, and then the inevitable desire to crawl under your covers and not do anything for the rest of the day.

I speak from experience.

I fear that being with this new guy might require picking up my old habits and although at 20 I hoped I would never say this…maybe those habits are better left buried. I certainly feel better now then I did then and I know I feel like less of an ass throughout the day now. Certainly less forehead slappers. Maybe he is worth reverting back? Maybe it is too soon to tell…

2005-10-21T15:06:00.000-05:00

This is literally the most ludicrous thing I have ever heard of...and therefore had to share it. I found the link on "the Gawker" and proceeded to read it in a horrified manner in which one keeps staring at a car accident on the road...I couldn't stop...

I should have been tipped off when I read that these Fleur Delacour look-a-likes were named Lamb and Lynx...what kind of nonsense is that? How could you been anything but uber-christian, white-pride and sociopathic with those names?! I cannot believe that someone makes money off of this...it is disgusting. honestly...i just do not understand how parents can teach their children these things. My favorite part is when these ever so clever girls say "we want to stay white" as if they will all of a sudden turn another color. Home-schooling by a "white pride" mother does not a mensa candidate make.

see for yourself.

http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id=1231684&page=1

the babe has arrived!

2005-10-20T13:43:00.000-05:00

My sister finally had her baby on Tuesday. YAY! Preston William was born at 5:02pm on Tuesday evening, weighing in at 8lbs and 11oz. He is a dream and mother and son are doing very well.

It is my first time being an aunt. I am so excited!

He is the cutest!

MALL MADNESS MANIA!

2005-10-19T11:36:00.000-05:00

Am I back in the dorms?!

2005-10-19T10:50:00.000-05:00

Hi, have we met? My name is Molly circa Freshman year of college and apparently I decided to resurface last night.

Last night was c-r-a-z-y and way too much fun for a Tuesday night when I have to work the next morning. In college we used to say that Tuesdays were the only true week night and therefore you had to stay in and study…apparently that rule went by the wayside last night.

We went out for my friend Kortney’s birthday and met some people for drinks at SoPo…well 6 hours later I returned to my apartment drunk and ready for bed! There was a special on Guinness and choco-martini’s. We all had quite a bit to drink and there was merriment to be had, but I had anticipated going home around 10pm or so. Apparently that was not in the plans of the rest of the crowd. We continued to drink and until someone decided that we should go to Trader Todd’s for Karaoke. Who’s genius idea that was, I don’t know…but I will not be thanking them for it any time soon. Trader Todds, for those of you that don’t know, is a stupid ass bar with very bright colors and a “tiki” theme. When I pass it I always think “what tools would ever go to that bar”, now I am one of those tools.

Many birthday shots and beers later Trader Todd’s was a bad-singing delight filled with…well…almost no one but us.

On top of all of this I hooked me a rugby player- haha. This is where the freshman year comes into play. When Kristen and I were freshman at U of I we spent all of our time at R&Rs and because of that we became big fans of the Fightin’ Illini Rugby club. They resurfaced last night thanks to Meg and they are now playing for the Southside Irish Rugby club. Oh God…what a mess. They are lovely men that have beer in their glasses and craziness in their hearts…and apparently a love for Irish women named Molly. Trouble with a capital T and I am experiencing what one might call a “forehead slapper moment” as I write this. I happened to meet a lovely young man named Sean who played Rugby for Notre Dame. I do believe that we will be going out for more beer this evening. All I know is that it would be detrimental to my professional health for me to get mixed up with Rugby players again…I would be drunk all the friggin time.

Alright, I am to hungover to continue…I can’t even keep the story straight or interesting. When did I become the girl who was so old and so far out of college that she gets hangovers now? Ugh. Coffee me stat.

2005-10-18T11:25:00.000-05:00

I ran into an ex-boyfriend on the streets of Chicago today. I had no idea that he was in Chicago still and I found out (by glancing down at his hands because it seems my new obsession is trying to find a ring on the finger of every guy I meet) that he is married. Married?! Now, this guy is nothing better then an asshole. He is what would be considered, in all cultures and languages, a tool. So, the question I pose is…How is this jackass married and I am not?!

It isn’t as if I want to be hitched, but I don’t even have a prospect in line…so how has he managed that nonsense? I mean really…

I take comfort in the fact that I am an all around better person then he and that while I am basking in the glory of a wondrous afterlife, he will probably rotting in H-E-L-L but that does not solve the problem at hand.

I am perplexed and will post something more interesting later on in the day.

Italian Phrase of the Post (it has been awhile…I swear I will start this again!) :

That is a beautiful diamond ring
“ciò è un bell'anello di diamante”

Yes, I will marry you
“sì, la sposerò”

2005-10-15T01:37:00.000-05:00

oh yes...and referencing the picture of the kid on the cover below:

baby soft skin and a puka shell necklace does not a homo make, my friends...

what the hell Time?!

2005-10-15T01:23:00.000-05:00

So I got a voicemail from my older brother Sean today and he said that I need to check out the current cover of Time Magazine because apparently they stole my tag line to Themes From the In Crowd. Well, I check it out online and lo and behold they scripted “on the front lines"...well...clearly the folks at Time are checking out my blog, and although I appreciate the attention I would ask that they stop bogarting my phrases. What is this all about Time? Are we going to have to have a "dance off" to settle this La Lohan style...name the place beeyoch...name the place!

I do, however, find it molto divertente that they decided to steal my phrase to use in conjunction with a cover story on "Gay Teens"...it seems my life was surrounded by "Gay Teens" and now they have just grown up a little to be "Gay Twenty-somethings"...will that be the next cover that Time uses to steal one of my phrases?

Well played Time, well played indeed.

i can feel is calling...

2005-10-14T16:58:00.000-05:00

I am feeling it. It could be the change in the temperature, the coloring of the leaves, the aura of fall upon us, but I am feeling it. I have the itch of change creeping up my body. I want to find a new place to live, a new job…perhaps immerse myself in a culture I do not know about. I have heard that this happens to people that have lived abroad or have been on the move for awhile, this feeling comes about when life gets a little boring. If you do not care about being far away, if you have moved once and loved it, then the only option to spice up your life again is to voyage. Find new places, experience new things, make another city yours and feel the thrill of making new friends and perhaps learning a new language. There is nothing quite like it. Sometimes the itch can be subdued with travel or a new hobby, but it always returns. That crazy north wind whispering in your ear of places yet unseen and people still to meet.

Regeneration in the form of a new locale. It is tickling me and tugging on my pant legs while I try to shake it off. Feelings of responsibility: a lease, a roommate, a job, loans…they play in your mind hoping that it will cause the wind to subside but really only making it worse. A call to slough off the pangs of adulthood and digress…

I am hoping that I can hold out a bit longer and maybe the mood will pass. Eventually it crawls back into your mind and you are able to stay put for awhile longer. I am not ready to leave, not ready to head back on the hostel beat making my way through foreign countries alone. A new adventure must strike soon…hopefully one within the city limits so that I may remain stable for as long as possible. When it becomes too much I suppose it is back to finding something that will catch my fancy. Anyone up for a little fun?!

compliments of Anne's blog....

2005-10-12T13:17:00.000-05:00

10 years ago I was:
Fourteen and in my freshman year of high school
Hating my parents for sending me to a Catholic School
In love with Chris Kerpan
In full Hippy mode (tie-dyes, cords, hemp, Janis Joplin)
Probably High…

5 years ago I was:
Relishing my new “no Friday” class schedule
Living in a triple in LAR with crazy Amanda Hazelip
Joining a sorority (gasp!)
Still not sure what my major was going to be
Probably hung over

1 year ago I was:
Wanting to return to Italy more then I had anticipated
Working in a job I hated with people I despised
Having horrible gallbladder pains at night.
Hanging out at the local pub and not finding anyone worth my time
Planning to move to Arizona

Yesterday I:
Was in a foul mood
Was trying to find a part-time job that might be interesting
Got excited about the possibility of going to AZ for X-Mas break.
Talked to a good friend in Cairo
Went to bed at 9:30pm.

5 snacks I enjoy:
Snack Packs
Peanuts missed with Raisins
Nilla wafers
Animal Crackers
Apples and honey

5 songs I know all the words to:
Sweet Baby James-James Taylor
Anna Begins-Counting Crows
Sugar Magnolia-Grateful Dead
3X5-John Mayer
Wake Up-Hillary Duff (oh yes…La Duff)

5 things I would do with 100 million dollars:
Pay off my loans
Take my entire family to Ireland and then Jen and I relive our trip back to Italy!
Set up a college fund for anyone in my family who wanted it (esp. new baby Rupert!!)
Give Sean and Wee the wedding of their dreams (and a honey moon to match!) where ever they wanted!
Let Brett quit his job so that he could devote all of his time to looking for a new one OR pay for him to go back to law school so he didn’t have to worry about loans.

5 places I would run away to:
Sienna, Italy
Flagstaff, Az.
St. Johns
Capri (as in the Island of…)
Boulder, Co.

5 things I would never wear:
Black Jeans
White Jeans
Spandex of any sort
A tube top
Knee length shorts

5 favorite TV shows:
Grey’s Anatomy
The West Wing
Sex and the City (yes, still)
Gilmore Girls
Laguna Beach

5 bad habits:
Scratching my arms
Gnawing at the skin around my nails
Squinting
Leaving the dishes too long in the sink
Not putting my clothes back on the hanger

5 biggest joys:
Not setting an alarm on the weekend
Knowing that I will be an aunt by the end of the month!
Going to see movies in Lincoln Square with my roomie
Knowing that I am good at what I do
Reading the New York Times front to back on a weekend morning

5 fictional characters I would date:
Josh from The West Wing
Rhett Bulter-Gone with the Wind
Dave Eggers (ala somewhat fictional HBWOSG) but I would date the real Dave as well!
Henry-A Secret History
Dr. Shephard-Grey’s Anatomy

5 people I *recommend* to do this:
Sean
Tariina (over email even if you don’t have a blog)
YaYa
Brett
Anyone else!!

2005-10-10T16:27:00.000-05:00

I do not feel good today and it has nothing to do with my physical body, I think that my soul is a bit sick. Perhaps it has a 24 hour bug or ate something funny last night, but it is a little under the weather. I feel not quite right and I do not know how to be more descriptive. Nothing exceptionally bad has happened today, nothing out of the ordinary in terms of stress or demands but I am downtrodden and emotional.

I think that I can pinpoint the cause…I have been incommunicado with a close friend. In not exactly a fight, but a tiff involving friendship type situations. I have not spoken with him in a week and I think I caused the problem. I want a remedy but I do not have one, I want to know what I did wrong but do not want to ask and most importantly I want an end but cannot find the light.

Too bad there are no antibiotics that I can take to alleviate this situation…no good for the soul night-time and day-time mixed gel-tabs with a single dose in the foil packets. I just hope the sickness passes quickly because I am certain that Blue Cross Blue Shield does not cover this.

Molly Cocktail Anyone?

2005-10-07T13:48:00.000-05:00

How to make a molly

Ingredients:
5 parts success
1 part courage
1 part beauty

Method:
Layer ingredientes in a shot glass. Add a little emotion if desired!

Ohh...that is very nice of them to say :-)

OH NO

2005-10-06T10:45:00.000-05:00

I know this may come as a shock to all of you...

Taradise: E!'s Wild On Series with Tara Reid

has been cancelled.

I am inconsolable. Why E!? Why?

Maybe Brett could take over?

Brettadise: E!'s Wild On Series with Brett

See my roomies link (on the side of the page) to see what else he has done lately :-)

Lunch and the City

2005-10-05T22:57:00.000-05:00

Le French and I went to lunch today. I believe that today was one of the last nice days for a long time. Well, nice enough that you can sit outside. So we went to Millennium Park to have lunch at the café. It was truly what one might call a “Chicago Experience”. I caught myself in awe of the beauty of the surrounding city. There I was, sitting in the middle of the park with striking works of architecture surrounding me. They engulf you almost as if they are giving a strong hug…make you feel safe from the ailments… whatever those might be. The park is an architectural wonder in itself and everywhere you turn there are families, lovers and singletons basking in the “art in the park” feel.

So we dined amidst tourists and business men alike. Both dressed for work but our attitudes were less then professional. Believe it or not, he had a hotdog which I found charming and I had quiche…yes…I am that girl who orders quiche. But it was good quiche. So we chatted and caught up. Me with my city nonsense and him with his, well, French nonsense. Guess who won the interesting contest.

So while the city buzzed around us I found that the little bee got caught in my head. I couldn’t stop thinking about how much I really wanted to like this guy but I just cannot. Why? He is single, successful, intelligent and most importantly he likes me and isn’t afraid to tell me. But of course (said in a kicky French accent) I cannot get behind the Le French wheel. Everyone keeps telling me that I should have fun and play it out until it becomes to much, but really, when does it become too much? Once you realize that this person isn’t for you, is there ever really hope that you will suddenly think that they are?

I do not have an answer to all of this and it is beyond me why I cannot like this man who thinks that I am great. I guess for now I will keep this Sex and the City moment for what it is and enjoy the early stages and pseudo French Mr. Big to my not as snappily dressed Carrie Bradshaw and hope that I fall head over Manolo Blahnik heels for this man very soon.

I don't have a good Italian Phrase so I will post one tomorrow.

the Wee and I

2005-10-03T17:22:00.000-05:00

Did I tell you that my brother, Sean, is getting married to one of my oldest friends? I am so excited! Anyway...I thought you should all see how pretty she is...and I happened to have this picture on my computer so I wanted to post something and figured "why not the Wee and I"? Her name is Tariina and as of Sept. 2, 2006 she will by Ryan's and my new sister. Woo! Woo! We are so lucky to have such a great addition to our family. The Wee is the best and we are sooo happy to have her!!

2005-10-03T13:09:00.000-05:00

How can you nominate someone to the Supreme Court when they have never been a judge? I don't understand why someone's policy or communications director didn't say "hey, this might not play well in the press"...the American people might not enjoy this little decision.

It is always "just one"

2005-10-03T11:50:00.000-05:00

One beer…that is what we had intended to have. Well, 6 hours and a rousing rendition of “Popular” from Wicked, later I finally made it home.

I met a friend from work at the Addison stop on Friday. Intending to give her the keys to her apt. and then head on home for a night in front of the TV. K asked me if I wanted to go get a beer and I thought “ahh, what can one beer hurt”. Well, as always proven, it is never just one beer. We picked up her husband at home and off we went to the Full Shilling in Wrigleyville.

I enjoyed it, it had the Pub/college bar feel and there weren’t many people inside. But, then again, it was 5:30 on a Friday so how many people should have been there? The thing that made me LOVE the Full Shilling was that they have “Table Tappers”. Literally 8 glasses of beer brought to your table in what looks like an actual Bong with a tap attached to the bottom of it. 8 glasses of Domestic beer for $15.00?! You can’t beat that with a stick, as Nick Yon used to say. We opted for PBR as that is my favorite…if you recall AHird, KKruise, JSchuldt and I are all card carrying members of the “PBRmeASAP” club. Anyway, 2 Blue Moons and 2 Table Tappers later we leave the Full Shilling hoping for a good time somewhere else. Trace was our next stop and as “club-y” as the outside looks, the inside is fairly chill. We drank a bit there and then decided that it was just plain time to go. We were all fairly drizunk and I was looking to get home.

I caught up with Brett and Joe at the Addison red-line stop where I am CERTAIN they enjoyed every minute of me being wee-diddly wasted and them being stone-cold sober. Brett convinced me to do a rendition of “Popular” (including dancing mind you) and I know that there were other people on the train platform watching me. I believe a long walk (and a very drunk dial to Erskine later…oh drunk dials to Erskine how I miss thee.) I was home and in bed…trashed. I woke up still drunk and I am sure that if a cop had pulled me over the next morning I would have gotten a DUI…there is no way that alcohol was out of my system.

Italian Phrase of the Post...let's go with lines from the actual song:
"I want to be pop-u-lar"
"Voglio essere pop-o-lare"

"Little ways to flirt and flouce"
"le piccole maniere al flirt e lo scatto"

Bush Haiku

2005-09-29T13:50:00.000-05:00

This is a poem made up entirely of actual quotations from George W. Bush, arranged for 'aesthetic' purposes, by Washington Post writer, Richard Thompson. This will certainly make you laugh...and then make you cry a bit about the dumbass running our country. My favorite is "I know that human beings and fish can coexist" So touching...

MAKE THE PIE HIGHER!

I think we all agree, the past is over.

This is still a dangerous world.I

t's a world of madmen and uncertainty

and potential mental losses.

Rarely is the question asked

is our children learning?

Will the highways of the internet

become more few?

How many hands have I shaked?

They misunderestimate me.

I'm a pitbull on the pantleg of opportunity.

I know that the human being

and the fish can coexist. (??)

Families is where our nation finds hope.

Where our wings take dream.

Put food on your family! (???)

Knock down the tollbooth!

Vulcanize society!

Make the pie higher!

2005-09-28T22:17:00.000-05:00

"Puberty is a phase, 15 years of rejection is a lifestyle"
~Stanford Blach

Genius...

as always

Friends, comedy, drinking and strippers

2005-09-26T13:42:00.000-05:00

This past weekend was filled with delights. It is one of those weekends where you know that you made the right decision to move to the city. Although nothing terribly special happened, I know that I loved being in my apartment and I loved being with my friends. It isn’t very often that we can reassure ourselves that we made the right choices in our lives however this weekend assured me that I should be ever so grateful to be where I am and have my loved ones surrounding me.

Jim and I took in a show…he was kind enough to take me to see “Second City: Disgruntled Employee Handbook” which was quite cute and certainly did make me laugh. After the show we spent a greater part of the evening at Portillos talking. I enjoy any time I get to spend with him and it is so nice to do so because he is one of those people that you feel like can do anything with and you will have a great time. I never really feel like I have to be a certain way around him. He is trying to convince me to learn to ski and I just do not think that will work out in his favor…nice try on his part, though.

As for the picture in the last post, it didn’t get quite as crazy (no BFFs drunk on the floor) but Sat. was hysterical. Let me tell you what I learned from the drinking hours of 9pm-3am (because let’s be serious we LOUNGED around the house before that)

-As much as we hate to admit it, we have gotten older. Hangovers come with greater frequency and strength.
-Despite that age, “Mean Girls” is still an excellent movie
-Mindy still pukes and rallies mid-day
-Martha Stewart’s recipe for Sangria is a little stronger then one might anticipate
-The BFF and I rock at Trivial Pursuit
-Anne really does live F-ing far away and it is impossible to get to unless sober
-As lovely as I am sure it can be, I never want to live far away from the Brown line or Red line because my lazy friends will not visit me.
-We really are Jackasses, Anne.
-Sven and Anne apparently know each other
-Despite what one might think, Andersonville is a fun place to go out
-There is a beer that has orange elephants as its symbol
-If you do not know what beer I am talking about you can come and look at the glass I stole with the little elephants on it
-There is a guy living in this city whose real name is “Haji Outlaw”
-Haji Outlaw has my number and thinks I am cute
-My friends do not recognize when I am giving them the “come save me” look
-I do not know how to give out fake numbers and apparently cannot think on my feet
-Unbeknownst to me, there is a strip bar in the middle of Andersonville with a very very hott stripper/dancer working there
-Apparently strippers/dancers DO get turned on by people putting money in their waist bands (I was not one of those people but the BFF totally was)
-No matter how classy a bar might seem, once there are half-naked men and poles involved it turns to trash
-Sometimes I do not have the ability to tell if someone is a man or a woman
-The stripper bar in Anderson is now missing a set of keys with a green flower key chain attached that is on the hook in our hallway.
-Nothing can wake the BFF, Mindy or Brett up once they have passed out. (no wonder why all those skanks were able to live together over the summer!! Oh so kidding!)
-I love my friends and no matter how long it has been since I have seen them, we are always able to just fall right back into place and have a great time.

So-there is the list-although I am sure I learned more...in my drunken stupor I just forgot.

Italian Phrase of the Post:

No, I do not like women
"no, non amo di donne"

Is there a dollar in your pants or are you happy to see me?
"chè un dollaro nei suoi ansiti o sei felice di vederme?"

will this be how it is?

2005-09-24T00:37:00.000-05:00

The Arrival of the BFF and Minda

2005-09-23T10:02:00.000-05:00

Brett and I have two sassy little friends coming into town this weekend and although I plan to keep it relaxed and calm, ultimately when we hang out with these two things get crazy. Last time we were together was the “random guy I don’t know your name in Berlin” night.

Adam, Mindy, Brett and I all worked together for years in college. We spent our time in the summer working during the day and then going out at night. Like most of us in the position at the time, we got past the “I work with you to much, so I don’t want to see you socially” concept and moved full force into “Let’s spend all of our time together” line of thinking. The summer after my junior year, my entire senior year and the summer after my senior year of college is filled with crazy memories of these guys.

Adam, better known as the BFF, is a charmer from the beginning. Regaling us with stories from Harvard, Illinois, you cannot help but fall in love with his easy smile and capacity to care. He really is the nicest of the bunch but that does not make him lack for a good time. When you get him drinking he really gets going. We became “BFF”s when he said (in an incredible drunken slur) one night, “that was funny, I think we should be BFFs”. We had barely spoken 10 words to each other, but from there on out we had the BFF bond. When he came to visit us that last time he said to a bartender at some bar in boystown “I’d like a dirty martini please…extra dirty” apparently said in a very “sexy” and “seductive” voice…well what he thought to be so in a that state of inebriation. He is such a great time; those of you that will not meet him should be severely disappointed.

Mindy (or Minda as we like to call her) is the craziest sorority girl you could ever meet. She is everything you might think a sororitude to be…but in such a good way. Not only is she brilliant, she is fun, blond, and loves to drink. Mindy can always be counted on for a good time…even if she isn’t up to it-if someone needs to get drunk-Mindy will take one for the team and go out! My craziest times senior year involved Minda. We constantly went out and I do believe that she is the demise of my GPA my last year in college. She loves everything fun and alcoholic but whether she is in “party girl” mode or not, she is lovely and kind.

This weekend looks to be trouble. I don’t like anticipating it for fear of ruining the spontaneity. Tomorrow is Anne’s “Wasted Debauchery Part Four” party and we will all be attending. The theme of the party is to incorporate “Four” into your wardrobe. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!! Here’s to good times for all!

Italian Phrase of the Post:
Make it extra dirty
"farlo più sporco"

I will not get in the police car
"non entrerò nell'automobile di polizia"

YAY!!

2005-09-21T16:58:00.000-05:00

JIM GOT A JOB!!

There is not much else to say right now, but I was so excited that I thought I would post it. I had no other outlet of celebration.

I am super excited that he will be working in the city and hopefully living in the city soon! He will be very busy and important (ala Bridget Jones) at the Attorney General’s office.

WooWoo! YAY for James!!

Italian Phrase of the Post:

Since I didn’t do one at the last post-
You look like a dragonfly
“lei somiglia a una libellula” (I can honestly say that I did not know that was the word for dragonfly)

I am happy you have a job
“sono felice che lei ha un lavoro”

Live in the city
“vivere nella città”

Le Frechy and the Date

2005-09-21T09:40:00.000-05:00

Oh the date…well where to begin my friends…where to begin.

Luckily a friend from work lives very close in the loop, so she let me borrow her apt. to change and what not (as I cannot keep my clothes looking nice throughout the entire day I find that I must change for evening occasions) Plus, I woke up late so the hair needed a little fixing…well…a lot of fixing. But I finally got myself under control and I looked pretty cute (no I did not wear the purple dress/red shoe combo from my drawing a few posts back, but I did look sass)

Anyway, the car picked me up on the corner (that makes me sound a bit like a hooker…and I like it!) and the driver-in full uniform-got out and opened the door for me to which I found “the man” waiting for me inside.

He looked great. Clearly dressed from work, he had a suit that I am certain costs more then Brett’s and my rent combined. Great shoes and his hair had a little gel in it with a very European style. All together, the guy that I was borderline attracted to caught my attention. So as I slid in (and I am not a “slider”, so it wasn’t as graceful as I would have hoped) he said I looked “as pretty as a dragonfly” WHAT THE FUCK DOES THAT MEAN?! WTF Frenchy? I kind of giggled and said that I was not familiar with that saying and that I didn’t know how pretty a dragonfly truly was. He assured me that it was a saying in southern France and translated it lost its meaning but it was a very good thing. I seriously doubt that, Frenchy. Seriously. And honestly, I would assume that Dragonflies look the same in France as they do here…and they are not that pretty here…Unless Dragonflies are wearing saucy lipstick and kicky little berets in France, I am not interested in being compared to one…so move on!

HOWEVER that was all washed away when he pulled out a bottle of Champagne (and not the $3.99 Cook’s special at the Jewel) and said that since there might be traffic he decided to bring refreshments. In case you are wondering how to win my affections (and I know many of you are)...Champagne is the first way to go. I am, much like my mother, a Champagne WHORE!! I would drink it 24-7 if the opportunity so arose. So there we are, driving down Michigan Ave sipping glasses of Champagne. I could have gone home right then and I would have been happy.

But no…it continued! We finally arrived at the Four Seasons and there was a table waiting for us. I have stayed at the Four Seasons a couple of times, but I do not ever recall being in their bar/restaurant area. I really enjoyed the decor and could have stayed for days if I was allowed to “people watch” openly. We sat down and he asked me what I would like to drink to which I wanted to say “A Bud Light please” (all the while laughing to myself b/c I knew that Brett would kill me for even thinking that!) but instead ordered a Berry Martini. Oh the delight on my tongue was unlike anything that has ever touched my little taste buds before. I really think that I might have fallen in love with the Berry Martini…I like to think that I was on a date with martini instead of the guy.

So there were great drinks (obviously since I have continued on about Berry for the past paragraph) and very interesting conversation. I really enjoyed speaking to him about everything and fell right at ease. I had anticipated that he might be a bit snobbish or perhaps a little high brow, but really he was very sweet and down to earth. We talked about his time in France and his job and then had an opportunity to talk about my position. Turns out he was a researcher when he first began (for Human Rights Watch nonetheless, which is my favorite organization EVER!) so we were able to discuss some of my research and publication experience. The drawbacks are the age and the life experience. Each of his being so much greater then mine. However, amidst our conversation were more drinks and a light dinner…lasting quite into the evening. Knowing that he had to go back to work after this little date I kept suggesting that we part ways, but it did not seem that he was ok with that. So we continued to chat but finally the date had to end…

I was going back to my friends place (to inform her of the evening and to change back to appropriate clothes) so he took me there in the car and asked if I would like it to pick me back up to take me home… “no” I said with a Scarlett O’Hara sigh, “I can make it home alright”. So he left with a sweet kiss on the cheek (I am a first date prude, people. Call me Charlotte York, but it is not something I do) and a promise to call…which he did…15 minutes after I left to A) make sure I didn’t need a ride home and B) say that he had a lovely time and would like to set up another date. He is traveling back to France tomorrow for about 5 days, but maybe after that he will call.

Really, it was lovely. Was he the man I am going to marry? Certainly not. However, as Jen and I have discussed, I do not have qualms with the idea of being a trophy wife/gold digger. We will probably go out again because I think of this as an adventure and if a decision needs to be made as to the serious of this nonsense, eventually it will be made. I am sure he will tire of me before that happens as I cannot imagine I am really his kind of girl. But, for the evening I felt like a little princess and enjoyed being on a real date (even though I don’t often consider myself a “real date” kind of girl) Maybe you could say I felt a little bit like a dragonfly…

Nope… “drangonfly” still doesn’t work for me, Frenchy.

Drinks with the Frenchy

2005-09-19T14:36:00.000-05:00

I have a thing tomorrow. I am not sure what you would call it. Actually, I am pretty sure you would call it a date; I am just not prone to calling things that. I was able bask in the glory of a function for the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations last week. With that, and a crazy gala at work last week, I had the opportunity to meet many important people in the political world. Many of them were ambassadors, consuls, were on former Presidential staffs, lawyers, writers…and the list goes on and on. During this function I had to opportunity to be paired up with a person who works for the French government. (it wasn’t so much an opportunity as much as my boss pimped me out to this lovely young man in hopes of marrying me off) A lovely chap with dark brown hair and hazel green eyes…I found his face almost beautiful at first glance. (and as I do not find even myself almost beautiful at first glace, that was a bit unsettling) As we kept chatting I found that he was not only incredibly intelligent and hilariously funny, but he was down-to-earth and quite sincere.

He is half American and has duel-citizenship. He laughs at my jokes and thought I was quite pretty…more importantly he asked me out, and who am I to say “no” to a diplomat? I have my standards and although they are high, I assure you that anyone of diplomat status already rises quite far beyond them. This already definitely beats the guy who was, by day a CPA and by night a closet cocaine aficionado.

Anyway…where are we going, you ask? Well, let me tell you…Drinks at the Four Seasons. Not a bad start, right? I said over the phone, “great, that is a close distance from work” to which he replied, “no need to worry about distance, I will have my driver pick you up”. Well…and I think you will agree with me…anyone who has the ability to say “my driver” is ok in my book. You might call me shallow, but then again, so would I.

I don’t think much will come of this, as it seems that much never comes of anything like this…but it is fun and a great experience and I would be doing myself a disservice if I passed it up. I will let everyone know how it goes…hopefully very well and hopefully I figure out what I will wear!

Italian phrase of the post:

You may drop me off here, driver!
“lei può farme cadere via da qui, l'autista”

I love Cosmos
“Ti amo Cosmos”

Chris the neighbor...

2005-09-19T10:00:00.000-05:00

Brett and I seem to refuse to meet the people that reside in our building. We are about as anti-social as a raccoon in a gaggle of squirrels. This all ended when I met our neighbor on Friday night. The entire time we have lived in our building I have seen him going up and down the stairs and have named him “the whistler”…you can only imagine why. He travels up and down our stairs whistling the same tune everyday (I really wish he would get a new one!) and he delights my ears with the little ditty whenever I am in the kitchen washing dishes. I have seen him by the dumpster and the garage, always thinking he is a bit cute…always wondering if I have just lowered my standards due to the length of time I have been without a boyfriend…but no, I really do think he might be cute.

He lives with two guys that are incredibly hard to describe. “Trekkies” might be the correct terminology at this point. They strike me as the kind that still read comic books at age 30 and if it weren’t because they got kicked out, they would still be living with their mother. They smoke too much and as they pass me on the walkway they stare at my boobs. Eyes up here boys. Therefore, “cute” neighbor has a bit of a disadvantage. I know my friends are weird but if people were to judge me based on my friends, I think that I would pass the test. Him…not so much…no. Not. But then again, I am a beeyoch…so take what I say with a grain of salt.

So “Chris” (I am not trying to protect his identity from the blogging world, I just didn’t listen very hard when he introduced his name and I now find myself in the predicament of not knowing his name) is a lovely guy, who stopped me on the stoop and asked if I would like to partake in his newly bought 6-pack, as we needed to “get to know each other better since we are neighbors”. This sounds like a bad movie waiting to happen, as I write this. But “Chris” was nice and kind and he easily made me laugh (and duh! he shared his BEER!) We chatted a lot of the evening before festivities began. I was very happy to have finally met someone in our building that was not the jackass woman upstairs and her noisy kids. One day I even hope to really know “Chris” by name, but for now, I will continue to call him “the whistler” and hopefully discover the name of the tune he keeps blowing up our stairs.

I think I will have to meet and share alcoholic beverages with all of our neighbors now…sans the woman upstairs…as “Chris” turned out to be a delight!

Italian Phrase of the post (sorry these haven't come lately):

I would love to share your beer
"Amerei dividere la sua birra"

No, I will not make-out with you
"no, non farò-fuori con lei"

*side note "farò-fuori" is a very literal meaning of "make-out", but it works for our purposes. "Bacio" is actually "kiss" and might work better however it is not quite as bold as "make-out"

2005-09-17T01:14:00.000-05:00

I am a princess
a bitch
a dork
a hoser
a drinker
a sleeper
a whore
a saint
a recycler
a wastera binger
a crier
a laugher
an adventurer
a homebody
a reader
a watcher
a doer
a kisser
a hugger
a maker
a destroyer
a traveler
a lifer

I am all of these things. This is what you get. Make the choice, but make it soon.

i don't even know what to title this...

2005-09-16T13:57:00.000-05:00

The Weekend

2005-09-12T13:50:00.000-05:00

Not much craziness this weekend. I had to work on Saturday as we are having a big party for the Institute on Thursday. There are a lot of little preparations that go into something like this and they always pose the greatest problems. It is the little things that get missed and then there you are at 5pm saying “oh shit, I forgot the _____” and you have to run in heels and a skirt all the way back to the office only to return sweating and with a tear in your pantyhose. Yeah, it’s happened before.

So, I worked for a bit on Saturday and then James came to meet me in the city. It was a lovely time spent…he took the initiative to come all the way in to meet me while only have very little time to hang out...it was so nice! He could have just gone home and relaxed (or gardened), but instead he decided to brave the city (and me) and I was delighted with the choice! There isn’t much to do for only a couple of hours in the city. But we walked down to Printers Row (only my favorite place in the world) and hung around in some book stores. There is nothing I love more then a book store. It makes me feel as if all is right in the cozy little world. The smell is incredible...the musty, papery smell…hundreds of books covering topics that I have yet to learn…texts ready to be absorbed. Ever so inspiring and humbling at the same time. It always makes me realize how much I still have to do.

So we just walked around the loop and south loop. I always have a good time with James…it is nice to be with him…I don’t really feel pressure when I am with him. I can just be my dorky-ass self and it seems that he is ok with that.

Speaking of James, he had a softball game on Sun. night at Seward Park…in order to get out of the house, Brett and I decided to go. The park is on the corner of Orleans and Elm. In the Ghetto. Literally. I was unsure if Brett and I would make it out of there. Not the crowd that I am used to dealing with…and how would be protect one another? Brett and I (and again, I know that revelation about me might surprise you) aren’t quite known for our kung-fu abilities! So here we are, the two silliest kids ever, sitting on a concrete block in the middle of the Ghetto. I am talking about how much I hate what this chick was wearing and Brett is discussing the fact that he stole the current shirt is wearing from Ferdie.

Jesus, we were asking to be beat up.

Ohh...but we did come home to a swarm of cops around our neighborhood! Craziness. I am sure it wasn't gun shots ala Anne's neighborhood...(where do you live Anne, anyway? Orleans and Elm?) but it was a lot of po-lice action going on!

Italian phrase of the post:
I do not have any money, please do not hit me in the face.
Non ho qualunque denaro, per favore non colpirme nella faccia

kissy face

2005-09-10T00:58:00.000-05:00

I caved...Latin style

2005-09-10T00:06:00.000-05:00

I got sucked in…yep, you heard me…I got sucked in. So I wrote the previous entry…blah blah blah I don’t go out anymore blah blah blah. Well that post went down the can a.s.a.p.

I was in the house not planning on going out…but I could feel the spark. You know it, the one where if the right offer comes along (or perhaps there is just nothing good on TV) you will cave. So there I am, watching “True Hollywood Story” on A. and J. Simps…and Brett decides to go out. Damn one down! Then, as I am watching him get ready and thinking to myself “man, maybe I should put on some make-up and go out” I get the call. I definitely shouldn’t have picked up…I enjoyed being in my tank top and sweats! But a night out on the town at a kicky little Latin bar with one of my favorite hottie straight men in Chicago? How could I resist?

So alas, I threw on some clothes, redid the mascara, had a glass of champagne and headed out the door. Yet again I could not just stay home. Why does my apartment shun me so? I swear I am staying home one of these nights…maybe I just need a better movie collection?

On a happier note, we went to Rosa’s and had a great time. Although (and I know this will surprise you) I am not a Latin dancer, we were able to show some peeps up on the ol’ dance floor. (think “Center Stage” when they went to that club after dance practice and all found their inner latin groove and the main character realizes that she really loves dancing and had just forgotten her roots) yeah…that was me…sans the long blond hair and dancer’s body…but you get the idea.

I have been sick all week and I even took a day off of work, but clearly that didn’t stop me from having a little fun tonight. I suppose the reason I don’t stay home is because any kind of social interaction with those that you love is good for the soul. When you have fun-no matter how silly or poorly danced- and when you laugh, you allow a little bit of yourself out into the universe. Karma? Perhaps? I suppose that means that after tonight I am going to have a lot of good things come my way…I laughed my ass off.

Thanks D-I had a great time.

Italian phrase of the post:

“Yes, I speak Spanish. Let’s dance!”
“Sì, parlo lo spagnolo. Balliamo!”

So sorry I don't have a drawing to go along with this...I just can't think of what I could possibly paint. Next post, I promise! (as you can imagine, I did wear the dress and shoes from the previous post out tonight)

Gettin' Crazy at the Homestead!

2005-09-09T14:43:00.000-05:00

This is the first weekend basically all summer that I do not have something going on. I am at a bit of a loss (thinking more and more about the Champagne sitting in our fridge) and I have NO idea what I will do with myself.

I was a pretty big partier in high school, in college and just out of college. Constantly out, getting drunk, being social. Although I love to do that, I am just not able to do it all the time anymore. (probably why E! Entertainment did not tap me to host the “Wild On” series) Don’t get me wrong, I can party like La Lohan and dance the night away like Paula Abdul, but it isn’t what I live to do anymore. So what does a recovering night owl do when she is forced to be home for a weekend and has not yet found a hobby? Sure, there are friends to see, museums to visit and the beach to play at during the day but when 9pm rolls around I feel the pressure to go out yet the desire to stay home. As the ol’ roomie is showering, spraying on the Axe, getting his hair did…I start to feel the pull…and then when I make the decision to listen to myself and stay in I feel silly watching TV on a Saturday night. I think “I am not the kind of girl who stays in!”…thinking like that is what gets you into trouble the next time you go out…it is what makes you give guys your number and what keeps you drinking those beers. It is what makes you think that it is a good idea to make-out with that guy with the funny hair and a fantastic joy for everyone to hear you sing and dance. When at Roscoe’s it says “oh that guy really does like girls, it would be a great idea to hit on him” or worst of all it is these thoughts that let you say “sure, I’ll have a shot of Jose”. Bad news for all involved.

The thing is that I really like my life. I don’t need to be social on a Sat. night because I have great friends at work and at home. I enjoy what I do on a daily basis and for the first time in my life I am truly interested in what I do.

Maybe I just need to date someone (or find a friend) who is ok with staying home and hanging out rather then getting smashed at the local pub…

So, do I just accept it? Have I become boring or is it just a part of growing up, working a full time job, having commitments outside of the bar stool?

Italian phrase of the post:
"why don't we stay home and watch a movie instead"
"perché fa non stiamo la casa e guardiamo un film invece"

Isn't that a great dress/shoe combo i am wearing? Height of fashion! Picked it up at Nordies!

On the Streets

2005-09-08T13:56:00.000-05:00

I swear that people on the streets of Chicago are as certifiable as my family. I just went to Walgreens…literally a ½ block walk from work…and I encountered the oddest things on the way over. Let me take you through my little walk there and back.

I leave the building and am immediately surrounded by law students on smoke breaks. Not only are they blowing smoke in my face, but they are doing it in a smug and condescending way that law students do everything. I walk a little bit up the street and what do I come to but a lady dressed in all red yelling at a lady dressed in all green…I am not joking! It was like Christmas was fighting with itself?! The ladies were very angry and had no qualms about yelling “f@ck” in the middle of a busy Chicago street on a Thursday. What could you possibly be so angry about on a Thursday?

So, as I passed them I was hit in the boob by a man on a bicycle. Seriously hit-full on-in the breast. Now, I know they are bigger then the average bear and I know that they are delightful looking, but really while passing on a bike must one feel the need to reach out and punch me in my right boob? Is that at all necessary? I looked back with a face of mild disgust, major amusement and complete disbelief. He just waved. Well, at least he was a nice sexual harasser? No different then what happens on a Friday night at the Pub, I suppose…

Thank the lord I get to Walgreens without much more of an issue. I buy my stamps, Charleston Chew, Glamour magazine and head back for the ol’ office figuring that my walk back could not be as bad as my walk there. I was clearly w-r-o-n-g

Heading back there is a homeless woman sitting on the side of the street that called me a “c#nt b*tch”. I am not certain that she was directing this just at me, but the phrase has been used in my presence before so naturally I turned to see who was addressing me (perhaps I figured Brett would be standing there). As this happened a guy walked by to and said “bet you’re not used to being addressed like that everyday” and giggled and then walked into the building next to mine. I learned two things from this a) I must find out who hottie-mchotterson is and marry him as he made me laugh-laugh very hard b) I need to not respond to obscene names yelled on the street as it could cause me to constantly be turning my head in hopes of seeing who is trying to get my attention.

I quickly rushed back to my building-literally almost running. I did notice that Christmas was still fighting and that the law students were still jackasses...

Below is a map of my walk! Drawn just for you :-)