AH IT'S FRANKENSTIEN! Oh, it's just you...

It's official. I am old. My body just can't hang like it did back in the college days. How would I know this, I tested the theory last weekend while attending GUR/Homecoming at my alma mater Illinois State University. And the results weren't pretty. Not for anyone.

HLo & I were all set for the GUR. We had done our research which included making 10stops to find a Bloomington IL bus schedule. It cost $.25. We had our outfits: neon & black knee high socks, black tights, bright pink short-shorts, SPM t's with a neon blue long sleeved shirt under, and our last minute addition: a bubble gum pink YOUTH poncho. Top that off with braided pigtails, a hot pink 80s headband, purple eye shadow and Team Super Party Mode was set.

11am: Misty & Cold. The "grand ceremonies" kick off with a special appearance and speech by President Al Bowman. Then it was time for the 12 clues that would take us from Normal to Bloomington and back. HLo & I had a concrete plan: obtain clues, figure out clues, map course, head out. It worked at least at the beginning.

We were able to bang out the first challenge immediately: Bingo Board where you had to complete 3 tasks (across or diagonally). "Shake" with a dog - Done. Propose to stranger - Done. Find stranger in scarf/gloves - Done. Then we headed to the bus stop. Next stop Bloomington.

The bus probably took the most time - IF we were really ambitious we could have physically run to Bloomington. But we're not that ambitious. Or as we later found out, not even that athletic. We completed a square dance at a bar, ran to a bead shop to string 2 feet of beads, fed each other cupcakes, found a misspelled word at the sport dome, heaved pumpkins and piggy backed. At this point things were going well. We weren't first but we weren't last - we were right in the middle with people. Then "THE FATAL ERROR" occurred. Party due to my idea of taking a short cut, partly due to the HAIL storm, and partly due to generalized stupidity.

After the piggy back, we only had 4 tasks left and were sticking pretty much to our planned course. Or so we thought. We trucked from the piggy back location to the next spot, completed a word problem. Then moved closer to the end where we had to complete origami. 2 more spots left! We were 1/2 way there, then it was realized. We forgot to get the temporary tattoo from the tattoo shop by the piggy back location. A good MILE away from where we were. There was nothing left to do but trek back out there. In the rain. With depleted spirits.

The error probably cost us an hour. We got the tattoos, waited for the storm to pass then plugged along to the far location to take pictures with our tattoos & Reggie, then completed a board walking task. THEN we had 1/2 mile back to the finish line.

2:55pm: Finish line. Our legs are jello. We starving and have a 2mile walk back to the car. We ended up finishing 79th. So depressing....

That evening we were very slow moving to say the least. But we pulled it together for a night out college style. Needless to say the night was fun, long, and ended with $40 in Steak 'n Shake and a diabolical game of catch phrase*

Saturday was a day of tailgating. We were up early enough and got ready. Then we laid down - a fatal error. After a nap or two and some food it was 1pm. Intentions were there, but HLo was incapacitated. Literally. She needed a wheel chair. She could not walk. She hobbled a little, walked like Frankenstein. I was still napping through my hangover and by the time we were ready to do something, it merely included delivered Chinese. HLo had to sleep on the downstairs couch because she couldn't make it up the stairs to the bedroom.

Top the weekend off with a $75 speeding ticket back to the city. It was worth it - we made such good time even with the inconvenience of being pulled over!

All in all, a great weekend. Disappointing results for the GUR - I wanted top 25 to qualify for New Orleans. But GUR was worth it. I recommend it and plan to try it again next year.

*If you had it on the buzzer, your team did a shot of whiskey. Let's just say that I wasn't on a winning team. My liver thanks me.

This Busy Bee Gets Drunk & Broke

Life has been busy. In the past two weeks I have been reunited with #2, participated in a birthday train pub crawl, got tanked with my dad at a Bears game, worked, and been a stellar bridesmaid.

All that in just two weeks.
I know. I can't believe it either.

And life is not slowing down. Tomorrow night I'm heading down to IlStu. Before the month is over I have a happy hour with former co-workers, a wedding, another reunion with #2, Halloween parties and yet another Bears game.

So much fun. And pretty expensive.

BUT being robbed was a good thing - my bills are down! Since I had to change all of my accounts and cancel cards I was living off cash thus no frilly purchases. My credit card bill is pretty awesome right now, just around $200. It will likely never be that low again...

Overboard

#2 & I have a "date" set for tonight. Which I find out at 9am this morning. I really was hoping for Friday date so we could sleep in past 5:45am and do whateritisyoudo when you sleep in.

Due to our flurry of suggestive texts - both hinting that we needed to be somewhere close to a bed or really a place with a door we could shut for privacy (privacy see: kitchen, bathroom, closet) - I decided he should come over to my place tonight.

"Let's cook something at my place" I texted triumphantly. Right. Well after he agreed saying he'll call me after work, the light bulb finally clicked on: I have no food. I mean, I have some food but nothing to make and serve an actual guest.

I spent several "breaks" at work online looking for recipes with 5 or less ingredients (I ain't no chef) and could be thrown together within like 45min. But I didn't find one that fit my fancy. I figured I would just go to the grocery store over lunch, see what is out there and make a game time decision.

On my way out the door, I mentioned my lack of domesticity to a co-worker who recommended I keep it simple: steak & veggies. Then she pointed me in the direction of a local butcher shop which has great cuts of meat and some ready-made things. It would make me look like a good cook and really, who hates steak*?

My first visit to a butcher shop without my mom. I did it. And I did it a big. And with a lot of help from the friendly butcher behind the counter.

I mentally planned the meal within one walk through then sought the help behind the counter. I ended up walking out with the following:

- 2 NY strip steaks
- 4 stuffed mushrooms
- 2 twice baked potatoes
- 1/2# asparagus
- 2 stuffed chicken breasts** (1 Florentine, 1 regular stuffing)

All for the low, low cost of around $45. Then I realized I didn't have any wine in the house. I usually do, but with the burglary I been spending minimal time at the apartment thus not needing to shop for booze - I mean, groceries. I got 2 bottles of wine and cookies at the grocery store. Done & done. And I felt great. I planned a meal that I'm going to cook for a guest. And its all really great food. Or at least it has the potential to be a really great meal.

And then it hit me. This is like a fancy meal. Like a meal you have with someone you're serious with. Someone you're actually dating for real, not for sex. And now I'm freaking out. Because I don't want him to freak out when he comes over. Like I planned this for him and am going to profess my love or something. I mean, I'm not going to be lighting any candles. So now the purchasing high is gone and I'm stressing about what I'm going to tell #2 when he calls. I didn't even confer with him what he actually wanted to eat, or what time we're going to get together. I just went out and did.

Here are the options of how to explain my crazy grocery purchasing behavior:

1) Temporary insanity
2) Given to me from my mom last week
3) Drug to store earlier in week by co-worker, bought things that I thought I'd like
4) In the mood for steak, decided to pick some up
5) Deny, deny, deny & then suggest we order in or go out

I am actually leaning towards the second option. Or the third one.

Aside from all of that, I had no idea that we would be hanging out tonight. And although I'm showered, I am not necessarily um, ready, for his visit. Let's just say that I have a lot of maintenance to do when I get home tonight. I'm sure I'll be rushing around because as I look out my window now, I see the start to the projected 3day rain storm. The commute should be stellar. Great.

Plus I don't know what to wear. As we all know, this girl is not feeling her sexiest. Fattest, yes. Sexy, no. This burglary has been a huge thorn in my side. I was going to go to the flirty kitty to pick up a little diddy for #2's return. But since my life was so inconveniently interrupted, I am only living off cash. So being a lazy ATM whore did not yield well to my desire to actually parking and walking into the bank. Thus the FK got scratched.

Prior to the burglary I did seem to spend over $100 on new undies so I'm sure I can piece something together. I just have to remember #2's fondness for pig tails...

Yea, he's really creative.

*I actually know and am good friends with steak-haters. I just don't understand it is all.
**These are either for me to be frozen/cooked at a later date OR to give the option to #2 if he doesn't want steak. Which I wouldn't understand at all.

hollywood got it right and i'm totally lame

Movies. We've all seen them. We flock to the theaters or video store or just flip on HBO to watch. There are a ton of genres too. Romance. Drama. Horror. And Thriller.

The "thriller" plot is generally the same. Enter picturesque scene, see normal life of handsome John Doe, then switch to see the normal life of the beautiful Jane somethingorother. Then...
wait for it...

BAM!

Some type of event or trauma happens to stir things up. Then somehow John and Jane meet working through indestructible odds to correct said crisis, and...OMG, can you believe it?!? They end up falling in love or sexing (or both?) at the end. It has the key components: excitement & sex. You gotta love that. Speed is the good example...and by all means, not the only one.

My mind keeps traveling back to this: trauma brings people together who seemingly would under any type of normal circumstance probably loathe the other or just simply, not give a second look. Perhaps its after being a "survivor" of what they endured, natural selection kicks in and you want to procreate with that other survivor. Well, procreate or just have hot steamy protected sex with them. Either or. I'll take the later.

Since 2weeks ago Thursday when I walked into my apartment to find it broken into / burglarized, I have had this intense urge to have some male companionship. Really, companionship. Not just the sex but everything else that goes along with it. Yes, I have my family & friends that have been sending their love and support through this ordeal* but I've been yearning for that different kind of love. The strong protector type support that can just make you feel comforted, forget, take the edge off.

Last week I was getting all desperate. And I might have been a little drunk one or two nights when I fumbled with the idea of calling my ex to tell him just to get his reaction. That would quickly switch to wanting C - the guy who I haven't heard from (nor called myself) in over a month - to be with me. I was in an "i-need-a-boy-because-i-experienced-something-traumatic" moment - well, moments because these thoughts occurred a lot more than once.

I have to say the only thing getting me through it - without any embarrassing drunk dials or pity dates/sex - was my internal countdown for #2's return from his trip. And he returned on Saturday. And I actually heard from him yesterday.

Texting during the day, then a short conversation last night. I am extremely overjoyed that he is home. More excited that we'll be hanging out this week sometime - tbd - especially since I thought I wouldn't hear from him for another week or so. I just can't wait to see him, hug him, kiss him, to tell him my sad story and be comforted by him.

LAME.

And TOTALLY not how our relationship is. Maybe these Hollywood endings are attacking my subconscious because #2 & I just have fun. Fun drinking. Fun sex. Fun. I actually don't even think we've ever hugged. He's just the one night stand that has lasted.

I am over romanticizing everything right now but at least I know it. And I'll keep the daydreams to myself. Let the proverbial bubble pop when we meet up later this week. But for now, I'll keep those imaginary hugs going...


* I really couldn't have gotten through the past 2weeks without them

Weigh-In Tuesday - Week 3

9/29/09, Week 3, 149.0lbs

HOLY SHIT

Holy Shit - like this guys back "holy shit".

Unbelievable but staring you right back in the eye proving its for real

This is what I'm talking about. That number - or the combinations of numbers - is ATROCIOUS. THIS is the number that scared me all those weeks back. THIS number is again ruining my life.

Well, I did pretty great last week with physical exercise - 6/7 days. You can't beat that. And it wasn't pussy-footing exercise, it was hard cardio where I pushed myself every day. And now my foot hurts. AND per my google diagnosis means I have a stress fracture. Or not.

The problem: food intake. Its a fricken orgy of food when I return to my parent's house (where I was all weekend long, starting on Thursday night with a plate of NACHOS for dinner. Nachos people). I'm talking cookies, cupcakes, pizza rolls, candy bars, ice cream... You get the idea. Basically I have no self control and spent the weekend blissfully eating my way through it. I have now deemed returning to my parent's as the Vortex of Evil. Meaning - I eat the crap out of that house.

Plus I had a friend date this weekend which ended with an ice cream sundae that includes FIVE scoops of ice cream. We did not share. We each got our own. And I killed it. Thankyouverymuch.

I make poor choices. I get caught up in the moment. And if I'm bored I may go snooping in the kitchen at my parents' house. I totally threw out the idea of keeping the food journal up to date. It was too much food to even write down! Ugh. I have yet to start up the journals again too.

So its not too late to jump back on the diet wagon, right? Hope not because I'm starting over (again) today. I'll just chalk everything up to the burglary. Then I look ahead at my schedule and I have plans every weekend that includes massive amount of food and drinks until November. And that's only for a week break before things get busy again (holidays, BEARS GAMES, etc). I have to learn how to make things work for me. How to not get caught up in the menus so I can make proper choices.

Here's to a better week...

OH I totally forgot - I did take my measurements today too. But I forgot them at home. I'll report that next week. Perhaps there will be a change in them from this week to next Tuesday. That is encouraging...

GUR

No, I'm not growling at you. I'm just SUPER pumped for joining in on the Great Urban Race this year!

Every month, or quarterly - or gosh knows when - I get the alumni magazine from my alma-mater Illinois State University. And it was only recently that an article actually grabbed my attention enough to make me do something about it. The GUR seems right up my alley - physical/mental challenges in a fun environment. Yes please. This is something that I could actually do and have fun with. I mean, anything that mentions matching costumes, I'm in. No questions asked. Plus it was a bonus that ISU/Normal, IL would be hosting it in October the same weekend as homecoming. Coincidence? I think not. It probably helps that the creator was an ISU alum...

SO I mass emailed all of my friends - who all (or most) attended ISU as well. But I only got 1 bite. HLo. Reliable. Dependable. HLo. We are on a mission to make our team shirts and it has turned out to be more difficult than expected. Who knew that t-shirt making stores were closed on Sundays. Its not 1915 anymore folks. Open those doors. Embrace the 21st (or is it 22nd?) Century. The idea to create our own crossed our minds as well - but those shirts never last. 2 washes MAYBE. Team Super Party Mode will try again tomorrow night to make our outfits. We're shooting for a 80's Video Game-acid washed jeans-Madonna-leg warmers-throwback type of look.

Think Punky Brewster goes neon.

Weigh-In Tuesday - Week 2

9/22/09, Week 2, 145.0lbs

I started off really strong this past week. I decided to keep a food and exercise journal. I'm not counting calories - simply because I don't have the patience - I just want to know what I am eating. I have noticed that the journal does help me think about what I am eating. Or it did, until Thursday night.

After work on Thursday I had a great work out, then met L at my apartment, showered & headed out to a friend's for some dine-in Chinese and Project Runway. We got back to the apartment at 10:30 to find that it was broken into, and my beautiful 40" LCD HDTV was gone, along with my laptop, Wii and all of my jewelry. They entered through my bedroom window where the window AC unit was...its now smashed sitting on the back enclosed porch.

It was shocking and scary and I am very glad that L was with me that night. And that we weren't home. And that we didn't walk in on "them". Needless to say Thursday was a long night. As was Friday and Saturday. And Sunday.

I spent the weekend closing accounts and opening new ones, making claims, crying and eating. Comfort food, right? Well who knows what I ended up putting in my mouth - the entire weekend is a blur. I never laced up my sneakers for a run or the gym either. I was content just hanging out at my parents' house, being pampered with food.

Yesterday, minus the 2 chocolate chip cookies I had, was my day of jumping back on the wagon. I ate healthier. I forced myself to the gym. I want to feel as good as I was this time last week. I also started up the journal again. I think it will help. And I should be back on track soon. Plus a 1# gain is much better than what I expected...

Anywho, this week should be pretty active. I ran yesterday, today is a weight class, tomorrow is that crazy cardio kickboxing class I'm in lurve with. I'll be going back to the parent's house this weekend too, but I already checked the gym's class schedule and picked out several classes to take on Friday and Saturday. Sunday I'm registered to run a 5k - my first in YEARS. I used to not get enough of these runs, and although I'm coming in to the season very late (since its almost over) it is a goal to not let the 5k's escape me in the future.

In addition to the weigh-ins, I'm toying with the idea of taking my measurements too. I just don't want to get too crazed about the numbers on the scale. We'll see if I take the opporutnity to to that today.

Forcible Entry

"I was going to make a cocktail, but I thought that would be in bad form," I said to him, then turned back to making my list of things to do.

"You should have. Its been a long night. It should be the first thing on your list," he said with a hint of a smile in his eyes.

The detective turned back to my entertainment center, dusting for the fingerprints that he would never find. I looked up, sighed heavily, and thought just another victim, and wrote that on my list.

Weigh-In Tuesday - Week 1

So this is going to be my new segment - forgive me for lack of better term. In an effort to not get any fatter I am going to do weekly weigh-ins for 1 month starting today. And I will give an update on what I'm doing or planning on doing, or did not do to help myself along. I'm hoping that it will make me feel more accountable for what I put in my mouth, versus keeping it all a dirty little secrety to myself. No lying allowed.

Ok here goes:

9/15/09, Week 1, 144lbs.

After the first rounds of weddings I was ampted to start back up on the healthy lifestyle. Plus gaining the 10lbs since May really pissed me off. So I actually kicked off this little game on Friday 9/11. I went grocery shopping for fresh produce and PLANNED MEALS IN ADVANCE. And little to no carbs for 2weeks at least.

After a $140 bill - yea I'm just one person - I brought my goodies home and set aside time to cook meals in advance. Essentially, to make my own frozen dinner options. My thinking is this: I won't use hunger as an excuse to skip the gym in the evenings. I will have my food ready, I just have to take it out of the freezer in the morning & let it defrost in the fridge then heat it up. It will cut cooking time down by like 75% and I can still get out the door by 6:30 for the gym.

On Friday I made: ground turkey breast meatballs, stuffed peppers with some of the said turkey mix, 3 chicken breasts, and roasted veggies. Individually packed it all & stuck it in the freezer.

On Monday I decided to have chicken & veggies for a stir fry before going to a class at the gym at 7pm. On Monday I got annoyed with the traffic, which makes me think I'm hungry, and ate a snack of cereal, string cheese, and a can of soda. Then after 15min ate the stir fry and watched tv. Never once getting off the couch until bed time. I can't even stick to the plan for the first day.

BUT today is a new day. I have set aside salmon & will make brocolli. Then I have a class at the gym at 6:30pm where my gym buddy A will be meeting me. Having someone else that is expecting me there will be a big help of getting off the couch and getting moving.

Fingers Crossed....

The One Where I'm Exhausted & That Proves "The Sandlot" Rules

Non-stop action. x 7day vacation in the 'burbs. + 1 holiday. + 1 wedding. +1 concert. I. Am. Beat.

Wedding season is in full swing. Last Thursday was Rose's wedding rehearsal / dinner. And it was pretty good way to start off my holiday weekend. It was a beautiful introduction to where they would later get married; the grounds were simply gorgeous. Rose is now married to a great guy whom we've all known FOR-EV-ER (said in The Sandlot voice courtesy of "Squints" of course).

Actually our entire group of friends has remained pretty consistent since high school. We've added and deleted a few people but the majority of us are still close. So as you can imagine it was the coming together of everyone once again. Which of course leads to excessive drinking. Well, in my case at least. After we were all practiced up, it was off to an Italian restaurant for endless cups of wine. Literally. And seriously. The waitress would continually walk around re-filling regardless if you had a full, half or empty glass. Actually, I highly doubt there were any empty glasses on the table. Ever. Blah blah blah. I got my first piece of real diamond jewelry ever. Blah blah blah. I drove to the parents' and almost peed my pants trying to get in the house. Its like Fort Knox in there.

I was not hungover and actually made it to the gym on Friday then ran my pre-wedding errands before heading out to get my sushi on with a couple of the girls. Caught up with Rad who flew in from FL for Rose's pending nuptials. Dinner turned into drinks turned into stuffing my face with one of those 1/2 cooked cookie skillets. Right. I didn't have to fit in a dress the next day....

I was ambitious, kinda. I woke up extra early to get in a quick workout. But I only lasted about 20min then called it quits. Exercise tapes in a hot muggy basement at 6am are not fun. Do not attempt at home. It was Saturday, the day of the wedding. An early start time for hair & make up. Then pictures at the hotel before the ceremony. It couldn't have been a more beautiful day - sunny but not blazing hot. And Rose looked extraordinaire. After the ceremony it was off to bustle Rose's dress. Now, Rose emailed us a wedding day itinerary, see below:

Hair & Makeup: 8:15am – 12:30pm
Drive to Hyatt: 12:30 – 1:15
Check in: 1:15 – 1:45

Get dressed and ready for pictures: 1:45 – 2:45
Pictures: 3:00 – 4:30
Touch up: 4:30 – 4:45
Ceremony: 5:00 – 5:30ish
Do Bustle: 5:30ish – 5:45 (u all probably think I am kidding,
but there are like 100 strings that need to be tied…you can blame my mom for
telling me to keep that stupid train!)
Cocktail hour: 6:00 – 7:00

Dinner and all that jazz: 7:00 – 9:00
Dance/Drink: 9:00 – 1am
After Party

DO BUSTLE: 5:30 - 5:45 pm. Its there. Listed. Yet none of us knew what we were getting ourselves into. She was not joking. There had to be over 100 strings & loops that needed to be tied. And it took just about 20minutes. With 8 of us working on it. Including Rose's mom. But in the end it looked great. Or we just told her that* to get things moving...

Cocktail hour. My favorite. And the food was scrumptious. The vodka was flowing. As a lucky participant & guest to this wedding, I was able to be treated to all top shelf liquor. It was decided days before that we would "toast" after dinner with shots of Patron. Which I found out did actually occur. There was photographic evidence. And I was definitely there partaking. Oops.

Beginning of Cocktail hour / Pre-Patron

Basically, what I have learned is that I can only have beer for S's wedding in October. Otherwise I might get escorted out. And I'm sure S will not be as forgiving as Rose** (and Big Dog***) to my crazy drunk antics / memory loss.

I did wake up in my hotel room bed, cuddling against Prass. Prass is just another friend, whose a girl. There were 4 of us jammed in a room. Apparently I like to spoon. Sorry Prass. Breakfast at the hotel at 10a, where I piled on my plate enough bacon that I actually got meat sweats later. At the time it seemed like a good idea. Then I managed to make it back to the parents' where I crashed for 6hrs then forced myself into the shower and to L's for a post-nuptial bbq. I brought potato salad.****

A glass of wine got me over the hump but it was back to water (lame, I know) while I ate everyone out of house & home. 2 hot dogs please. Oh, you have chips & taco dip. What's that smores?

Now for another Sandlot moment:

Ham Porter: Hey, Smalls, you wanna s'more?

Smalls: Some more of what?

Ham Porter: No, do you wanna s'more?

Smalls: I haven't had anything yet, so how can I have some more of nothing?

Ham Porter: You're killing me Smalls! These are s'more's stuff! Alrite now pay attention. First you take the graham, you stick the chocolate on the graham. Then you roast the 'mallow. When the 'mallows flaming... you stick it on the chocolate. Then cover with the other end. Then you scarf. Kind of messy, but good!

Ok, where was I. So Monday my dad & I had box seats for the Sox v. Red Sox game. Unlimited beer & food. Plus we won 5-1. Then later back in the 'burbs, my mom & aunt were on the hunt for Red October. Not really. But we were on the hunt for sushi. We drove around the damn suburbs for like 2 hours to find any sushi place that would be open. It was nuts. And I was getting crabby/tired/hangry*****/whateveryouwanttocallit.

Tuesday was work. Busy. Then I was finally able to head back to my glorious apartment. Oh and get ready for my sex date with #2 that we set up last week. It was super chill. Comfy clothes. Wine. Pizza. Sex. Plus we had a chance to catch up and say our goodbyes before he heads out to Europe for a 2 week vacation. That asshole - I mean - I hope he has fun.

And last night. Last night was the BritBrit concert. My sister was able to score me & my friends some free tickets. Free AWESOME SEAT TICKETS RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE STAGE LIKE 7 ROWS BACK AND OMG THERE WAS SOMEONE WITHOUT ANY LEGS ON A TRAMPOLINE. WITHOUT ANY LEGS. ON A TRAMPOLINE. And I signed a confidentiality agreement in order to get my Guest Pass. So I can not confirm what or whom I did or did not see.

So tonight. Tonight is the glorious night of having absolutely no plans. Nothing. Zip. Nada. I even decided to boycott the gym. I will be able to go home. Rest. Relax. Read. Eat. And sleep in my own god damn bed. Finally. No work tomorrow. So I booked it as my "its time to get my act together day", which includes, but is not limited to: laundry, gym/biking, sunning (if possible), grocery shopping (its time to detox - food & drink wise. No fun, I know), and cleaning.

IT'S BRITNEY BITCH.

Enjoy your weekend.



*Rose, I'm kidding. It seriously did look fantastic & having the train with the dress was definitely worth it.

**Um, I apparently tackled Rose at the bar during the reception. Both of us falling towards the ground. According to Hanes, I did have good form. Just like Urlacher. My dad would be so proud.

1) I think that is how we landed, but perhaps without the bitch slap motion at the end.
2) Urlacher is kicking Michael Vick's ass in this picture which makes me happy - damn dog hater
3) Bears kick off on Sunday against the Packs - Hell yes, it's football season!

***Right, well let's just say that I was the life of the party. And the wedding video proves it.

****That I instructed (or asked) my mom to make on Saturday. Because potato salad just tastes better when its made the day before.


*****Hangry: To be so hungry that you get angry. Hence, "Hangry"

The Candy Man Can

Ah, the glorious melody from Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory plays in my head. I love candy. I have developed a sweet tooth. And as explained in my previous post, I am trying to curb that devil tooth into craving broccoli versus anything covered in chocolate or in cookie form.

This week I have actually been good. I have been eating healthier (minus the handful of Swedish Fish) and had an amazing workout* at the gym last night. So today in celebration I decided I would treat myself to a single serving size of peanut M&Ms from the vending machine. I mean, I deserve it, right? I probably burned 700+ calories last night and I have been working my tail off this week - coming in early & taking time off my lunches.

The moment of anticipation mounted as I waited until after 10am to get my special treat. I pulled a crisp dollar bill from my wallet, hopped in the elevator and made my way to the vending machine. Only to find out that the price of my beloved was now 95cents - GASP! My reaction was mixed - was this His way of telling me to skip the treat? How could the vending machine people have the audacity to raise the cost - its like amusement type prices up in this bitch! But after all of my griping, my practical side did succumb to the devil tooth. I did have an entire dollar so I could afford it.

That didn't stop me from bitching about it to my co-workers. I told anyone that would listen. And when I finally got to Dani her response floored me:

"Yea, its due to the candy tax"

"Ex-squeeze me?!? First the smokers & now the fat people." I remarked in disbelief.

She - someone that actually pays attention to State affairs - knew about this bill that Governor Pat Quinn signed enacting a tax on candy effective September 1. Although I believed her, I still looked it up. Google produced 2.1 million articles on it - granted I bet only the first couple hundred are written about Illinois but still. That is a lot of mutha-fecking articles. Here, read for one for yourself. It is the most bizarre law - candy as actual food? WTF. I'll have to check the packaging on Skittles & Swedish Fish to see if they have any flour in it to avert this new tax. Or I could just stop eating candy altogether. I'll plan on the later but I doubt that will last.

Also you'll find that not only is the tax on candy, its on something much more important. Beer. Again, alcohol gets the brunt of the state-wide financial crisis. In addition to beer & candy: hair products. Totally random.

Illinois is not the only state in the Union that is having financial difficulties. We are in red. WAY in the red. There is no money for the public schools, transportation or service. No. Money. Period. Yet, the Mayor is more than content to get the Olympics in Chicago. Although this is a totally different topic of conversation/debate, I will put my two-cents in. Feel free to disagree, but I find it horrifying that in the midst of our financial crisis we are trying to obtain an extremely costly world event. An event, that unlike other countries up for the bid, the citizens will have to pay versus the government backing the costs. This cost will fall onto the shoulders of the native Chicagoans to pay through taxes. Ok, I've said my peace.

Anywho, what the Mayor should be doing is building a casino on the lake - tax the hell out of that, leave my beer & candy alone.


*I took a new class at the gym: Cardio Kickboxing. It was unlike any kickboxing class I had been in before. I can not wait to wear my heart rate monitor to see how many calories I actually burn!

Steady Incline

5:30am. Post pee. Pre shower. There it was, sitting in the corner of the bathroom. Black . Shiny. Staring me down. Tempting me to step on and see the results. The results of living, eating and boozing in Chicago for the past 4 months. I got up the courage, clicked it on with my toe and took the step.

One small step for men, a giant leap for women.

They say the scale doesn't lie. And, to my dismay, I'm pretty sure that the fancy do-dad one at my parents' house doesn't either. Needless to say, it wasn't what I wanted to see on an early Monday morning. The three numbers that glared at me in neon blue were not the three numbers I have become accustomed to. Nor were they any three numbers that I have seen together from the scale in...never. I am at my heaviest. My heaviest ever.

Although the number on the scale shocked me, I can't say that I'm really all that shocked that I've gained weight. I have noticed things getting "soft". My jeans, a little tighter. My swim suit bottoms, providing a little less coverage. My boobs, totally swollen and huge (perhaps there is a perk!). I just didn't realize HOW MUCH weight. We're looking at about 8lbs since I've moved. And I know why (don't we all?!?): I've slacked both with food & the gym. And I gave myself excuses to not feel bad for it. Well, at least excuses during the moment of consumption.

i live in denial. I know that eating cookies is not a good thing. But I tell myself that I can have one - or three* - because I never get the opportunity eat cookies. Or I'll go out to lunch and instead of getting a salad, I have to get my favorite dish - because I never get to go to [insert restaurant] so I have to get my favorite meal. Or I'll eat the fries - because (you guessed it), I never get to have the fries.

Sad face.

The truth of the matter is this: crap food surrounds me at work. And if by some chance it isn't around, I got into a bad habit of hitting up the vending machine. And since I don't buy sweets or chips for the apartment the cravings tend to be 10x worse when I'm out and about. Perhaps that fuels the "but I never" mentality.

Oh but there are others too, the "day is shot, so I might as well continue the gluten train" mentality, or the "I have plans (dinner/drinks) later so I might as well start now", or the "its the weekend" mentality.** Whatever fits my mood that day really.

In addition to all of that - she types as she waves her arms around in silent disgust - I have also convinced myself that I haven't had a chance to establish a good workout routine. Granted it took me 2 months to actually get a gym membership [insert moving excuse here]. Then, when I finally did, I worked out several days a week for 2weeks. Then I started to work out a couple of days every two weeks. And its gone down since then.

The most shocking thing of all is that when I finally make it to the gym, and its all said and done, I.LOVE.IT. I love it. I get energized and plan out the rest of my week around the gym.

But, I am very good at convincing myself to not make it to the gym. Its not my fault that I don't have a stable gym buddy [excuse]. And that I'm not used to my new gym's layout [excuse]. And that it rains [excuse]. Or its sunny [excuse]. Or that the commute makes me crabby [excuse]. Or that I don't have cute work out clothes [excuse]. And my gym shoes are old [excuse]. Or that I'm hungry, tired, want to watch TV [excuse, excuse, excuse].

Apparently, I've just been a whiny bitch about it for the past 4 months.

I've been trying - loosely - to turn it around. The plan now is to actually try. I'm usually a pretty fit and sensible eater. I need to get back to that. Fast.

Luckily the bridesmaid dress for the wedding this weekend still fits.

Unluckily I will be surrounded by delicious food and cocktails. Not to mention its a holiday weekend.

I think I'll start trying next Tuesday.

[EXCUSE]***



*Confession: The 3 cookies are more like 5 some days
**That one is a killer
***And probably one I'll stick to this week

365

It dawned on me on my drive into work this morning that it has been a year since things ended with the ex. An entire year. 365 days. Holidays. Weddings. Births. Vacations. Moving. All done on my own. Without him. And I survived.

[Insert Pat-On-The-Back Here]

In retrospect the ex and I had a great relationship. We got along really well. We had fun adventures. Went on a lot of vacations. Attended dozens of concerts per year. It was fun. Easy. We never fought - not once that I can remember. But on the other hand our relationship slowly slipped into friendship only. By the time things were ended, we were having sex maybe once per month and barely kissing or touching sensually. The months leading up to the break I'd try to convince myself that the lack of the physical stuff was because we were both living at home and had no where to comfortably do what we wanted. I could no longer handle sexing in back seats of cars, or forest preserves, or parks any more. It was mundane. Annoying.

The break-up was not a surprise. I feel as if we both were ready for it. He was just the one to pull the trigger. I had considered doing it myself several times last summer. But there was always something holding me back. A wedding. A birthday. A holiday. A vacation. I would think "well I would break up with him, but now is not the time...my birthday is next week" or "its BABs wedding" or "we're going on vacation". You get the picture. It was always "the next week" when I would address it.

Don't get me wrong, it was sad. I cried on his parent's couch when we called it quits. I cried that night. And I have cried on occasion since. But it isn't the "woe is me" crying. It has been tears for what used to be. We were mostly happy, even if we knew the end was near. The week after the break up I was relieved. I felt like a weight had been taken off my chest and I could breath again. It was the right thing for the both of us. Then and now.

365 days of singlehood. 365 days of rediscovery. 365 days of me.

Oh how the time flies...

FALLing

A typical Chicago summer: hot, sticky and a muggy mess. Usually. Luckily (or unluckily - ?) for us this year global warming, or the shifting of the seasons, or whateveryouwanttocallit has given us a mostly pleasant - albeit at times a relatively cool and rainy - summer. We just hit 90degrees a couple of weeks ago for the first time this summer that included the dreaded heat index of 100degrees+. For the first time. In August. Granted this only lasted 2days before the weather plummeted (ok, it wasn't that dramatic) to a mere 75degrees again.

All I was looking forward to last week was a nice afternoon at the beach on Saturday. I checked the forecast daily, hourly at times, just to be sure I would be getting the sun I so craved. At the beginning of the week it was a projected sunny, 76degrees. Then on Thursday it was supposed to be sunny 70degrees. Still doable. If it is really sunny.

Since I'm sin-Internet at the apartment now, I decided to risk a visit to the beach Saturday. I was up early and the sun was out. I pulled on my swim suit, loaded up my back pack and jumped on my bike. The ride was fantastic. It was warm. Sunny. And city seemed to have a sparkle to it. It was clear skies with beautiful sailboats sprinkled across the glimmering blue lake.

After a little exercise riding the LSD bike path, I found my way to North Avenue beach. Locked up the old stallion then made my way onto the sand. I was all set up: shoes & cover up off, towel out, book in hand, iPod set to Eric Clapton Unplugged. Then the sun disappeared. And the breeze kicked into high gear. It was 11:15am.

I looked around. The beach wasn't empty but it wasn't littered with people either. There were girls in their bikinis. Guys in only their swim trunks. I wasn't the only one out there. As I laid there, unable to concentrate on my book - due to my convulsions from the cold - I watched the sky. Dark heavy clouds sat over the lake and outstretched past the once beautiful skyline. The buildings looked dark and ominous. The lake no longer held its sparkle. It became frigid and uninviting. It was 11:30am.

I flipped onto my stomach in an attempt to settle back into my book. To keep my eyes off the sky. A silent prayer in my heart for sun. If only there was sun I could take the cold breeze that kick up from the lake. Goose bumps covered my arms and legs. The shivers became more frequent. Groups of girls were throwing in the towel and leaving. I shifted my gaze up. The sky had not changed for the better. It was darker, spreading its reach even further. It was 12noon.

I was done. The cold. The possibility of rain. The idea of a 20min bike ride back to my apartment and warmth got the best of me. I packed up. Jumped on the bike and headed home. I rode past several signs which stated the time and temp. 65degrees. At 12noon. In the summer. The entire 6mile ride didn't even shake the chills out of my system. It took a hot shower to turn my lips back to its rosy color versus the blue that had settled in.

The weather never became the sunny skies that was promised. The summer weather that I am craving has been infrequent - or at least not falling on my days off. I can take a page from the past several years and expect that summer weather - the 90s & 100s that I'm craving now - to come in September and October.

October has become notoriously and record breakingly hot. And sticky. And a muggy mess. Anyone that has run the Chicago Marathon can attest to this. But by then I'm ready for the beautiful fall weather. Comfortable. Cool. With the skyline ablaze with reds, oranges, and yellows. I love the changing seasons - Fall being my favorite. This weekend was just a reminder of how the seasons have changed or shifted or whateveryouwanttocallit. Is it too much to ask that summer remain summer, and fall remain fall? I suppose so...

Momma Didn't Raise No Fool

Over the past month I have had my fair share of opportunity to think. Imagine what one person could get done during a male dry spell! Really, its amazing. Although I have no actual hard set goals - mine remain soft and fluffy, likely to be molded into something new again - I did elude to the fact that I have made several revelations on what I want. And I have. Kinda-sorta. And most of it is shallow. So don't hate. In no particular order, here are the things that I have decided on or realized.

I am ready for a boyfriend. Yes. An actual real life boyfriend! One that wants to hang out with regularity. And meet my friends. And go out on dates on Friday nights. And celebrate birthdays and holidays with. Yes, that kind of boyfriend. On the same token I'm not in any rush. You won't see me running to set up a profile on Match.com or Craig's List (ew!) any time soon. I figure it will happen when it happens.

I am not ready to stop hanging out with #2 & C. At least not yet. You might think that is contradictory to the above but really, its not. I'm in no particular rush to have a boyfriend and I am perfectly happy being single (minus the occasional instances when I self-pity and loathe it. Give me a break, its wedding season after all). I just know that I am ready - able - capable - to have a boyfriend or something more serious. But momma didn't raise no fool. I know where my bread is buttered so until Mr. Boyfriend comes around I'll keep with Plan B & Plan C for a bit longer.

I am dangerously coming close to falling for C. Yea. Again, contradictory to above statement, right? Totally. However, in my defense I have also realized that I will no longer initiate contact with him. At least for a while. S has heard this multiple times per week for the past several weeks but I'm really trying. But its hard since I like him. And I know he likes me. And besides all the b.s. he is exactly like a boyfriend when we hang out. Which is confusing. So I will be weaning myself off him, at least on my end. A little hard to get never hurt.

I need to start running. Again. But become better than I was at it before. I have found the gorgeous people. They flock to LSD after work to run. The men with their shirts off and 6-packs rippling. The ladies with virtuously no body fat. I used to be more - how should I put this - firm (I guess). Now I'm pretty soft and fluffy. This week I have attempted to get back into the swing of things. And it almost worked. Thank God for OnDemand Exercise channel. I think I'll be back in a routine by next week.

I eat too much. Its because I'm bored. I'm bored at work. The claims just aren't coming in. Since I do worker's compensation the economy is having a direct effect on my job too. Less workers = less accidents. Lay offs = less reporting of accidents. Things have been very slow. I completed a "special project" and even visited a client to discuss a particular claim. So I eat. This place is chock-full of free stuff. And I tend to take walks to the local Starbucks for my 3pm cookie. Thankfully that has stopped. But I am eating Swedish Fish like its going out of style. Then when I go home, after dinner there is nothing left to do. So I'll snack. Or drink a beer solo. Again, this week I've been trying to curb those bad habits so hopefully they are kicked by next week.

I think that is the majority of things that have been spinning around this noggin of mine. Now I am ready for the weekend. SO ready. I have worked 4 Fridays in a row! I know, I'm complaining about virtually nothing in most people's eyes. But at this company we only work every other Friday (we work really long hours to make up that time for our off Friday). My entire routine, with work & at home, is so scewed that I feel like I'm drowning in a never ending Groundhog's Day. Luckily I just worked my last Friday for three weeks. For three glorious weeks I can kick back on Fridays! Oh I am so excited. I feel like this work rut will finally work itself out and I'll be on the straightened arrow. And saner. And happier in the office. And happier at home.

Tootles!

The McRib is Back! Or Rather, I am

Whoa its been about a month since my last post. And I haven’t even entered the blogosphere since. Until today. The reasoning for not blogging is beyond me. I forgot. I got busy. I lost my free Internet connection. I became boring.

That’s right. I did. For some reason my life has taken a major turn for the boring. At least during the weekdays. Which is exactly when I was doing most of my blogging. I have no salacious details to tell. No events that I attended. Nothing boy worthy at least. I’ve been a bore. Working. Eating. Drinking with friends on the weekend.

Here is the update:

ON C
We’ve hung out several times the past month – maybe like 4. We haven’t really spoken about our current relationship status – if 20 something even do that anymore, I’m not even sure. He had a birthday. Which did not include me in any of the celebrations. He had plans with other friends. Boys only. I did give him the best gift ever though. And no, it wasn’t sex (although we did have sex). The movie “The Dark Crystal” and matzo brittle. Which HE LOVED. C just seems to be trying to move up the ladder at work so he is putting that on pretty thick with me. I get it. You don’t want a girlfriend. You apparently don’t have time. Well don’t come crying to me about how much you like me at 2am you flipping booty call a-hole. Ok, he’s not. But there was about a 3wk stint where he would be no contact then 2am calls after bar close. I never answered. Booty calls are tacky.

On #2
Well. I’m still not sure what went down at the Billy Joel/Elton concert. But I heard from him about 2wks ago. We went out last week for dinner and picked up back where we were. He actually is taking the G-MAT over Labor Day weekend then jetting off to Europe for a 2wk vacation so I probably won’t hear from him for another month or so. Which is fine. #2 is the like the reoccurring rebound guy. He’s fun. He pays. Good in bed. No strings attached.

On Logan
I mentioned him I think once. We went out after a drunken meeting several weeks back. It was a good time but nothing I was excited about. However I think I made quite the impression on him. He has been trying really hard to hang out but I just haven’t been able to make it work. And I have to admit I really didn’t put much effort into it. I think he got the hint. Finally.

On Weddings
Things are ramping up for the weddings! Rose is getting married in about 2weeks and S just had her bachelorette party last weekend. I picked up both of my bridesmaid dresses which shockingly do not have to be altered! It’s a financial miracle. And as a co-party planner for S’s party I am happy to say that it went swimmingly! A trolley pub crawl starting at our 2 bedroom suite in downtown Chicago & ending up at a 80s hole in the wall bar at 2am was like bachelorette party heaven. Even though I dropped a case of beer earlier in the evening, things worked out just fine. The wedding invites have come in and gone out. I’m flying solo to both. No need to bring a guy because 1) I don’t have one to bring, 2) I’m in the wedding so I don’t really need one. This year there are more people engaged or married so I will likely be the only one (with HLo at least) standing on the dance floor for the bouquet toss. But hey! The bright side is that I can do what I want. Fingers crossed for single 20somethings!

So that is the mini update. Work has been slow so I will write tomorrow too. I have had quite a few revelations the past month which I guess I could share. Or not. or maybe I’ll get an invite to hang out tonight which could lead to saucy shenanigans!

A dose of LSD

I finally did it. Everything lined up for this, it was my #1 goal for this summer. Yesterday, I finally rode my bike along LSD - Lake Shore Drive. I was off work, on a day without rain for once. So I took advantage. Of course after buying groceries (I had been without fresh food for 2weeks!).

My apartment is about 3miles from the lake front. Then where I get on LSD bike path I'm about 3miles from North Avenue Beach. Once I got there I laid out on the sand, book in hand, i-Pod set to shuffle. It was peaceful. The weather wasn't great for tanning but I think there were times when the sun peaked through the clouds. I met the ex's bff for lunch - he works on the beach - at Castaways. We sipped on Miami-Vices and caught up. After I jumped back on the bike, riding over 16miles along the lake, stopping at different beaches. By the time I got home I was dead tired. And a little grimy feeling. I jumped in the shower then did absolutely nothing. It was a perfect day. A day of JD.

Plus I was able to reflect on a couple of things that have happened this week:

WEDNESDAY
I had a date with Logan. We met several weeks ago at a bar. I barely remembered the guy but I apparently gave him my number after paying for a shared cab. We met at a bar. And luckily he was there firt, positioned facing the direction I would be walking. As I approached, he waved. Phew. My biggest fear was not knowning who he was then looking like a tool walking around the bar. When we met initally I was super tanked, and since he called I had been racking my brain trying to piece together what he looked like. He is brunette, average guy height, big eyebrows, and has a Peter Pan type face (pointy features, high cheek bones).

Conversation was easy - especially since I was basically listening to him talk most of the time. I wasn't totally annoyed by this, but I know a lot about him now. I'm not sure he could say the same about me. He grew up in Michigan, after a couple years out of college him and a buddy picked up and moved to Chicago. He is working on putting together an insurance agency, but his real money maker right now is at a golf store. He has been doing that for 2years. He likes theater. He leaves Sunday mornings open for church. He is apart of 2 church groups (volleyball & ultimate fris). He doesn't swear. Right. I swear. A. Lot. The "f" word is my favorite. Needless to say that throughout the night I appologized several times when I let one slip. Although he is a very nice guy, I'm a little put off by him. The combination of his Peter Pan looks & goody-good lifestyle is the exact opposite of me. But at least he drinks. Albiet a little slower than me, but if he didn't drink at all that would have been a deal breaker.

After dinner, we went inside for a couple of rounds of pool. Then on the bus ride back he offered to walk me to my door. Then we decided we should play some Wii, just for a bit. He didn't head out until 1:30am. Hug goodbye. Around 9:30am the next day I recieved a text from him, "good morning sleepy head" was the opener. Really?!? Is this guy for real. He just said he had a wonderful time with me & wanted to do it again. Soon. That night he called, I was out so I didn't answer, & left a message. It was a tad long. Asking to have a movie night. I haven't called or texted back. I'm reeling on what I want to do. Do I really want to start something with yet another guy? Am I even interested? Could I go out with him 1 more time? I decided that I could, well only go out with him again. It doesn't hurt to have people in your corner or friends. I'll just have to make that point clear...

THURSDAY-DAY
I was tired from the night before. And a little hung over. Work was work, but better than the previous days since my at times over-bearing supervisor was gone. The ex had been emailing me with a lot more regularity. I'm ok with it because it has been friendly. But on Thursday it was boarder-line. He asked me over for dinner the night before - he was going to be cooking salmon. I declined because I had a date. This I think threw him for a loop. He began asking questions about how I meet people, ect. At one point he mentioned that he didn't know what he wanted. By knowing him and how our break up had gone to this point, I'm pretty sure he wants me to run to him with open arms and pick up where we left off pre-break up. I feel like he moved downtown after he realized I had so he could try to make amends. His friend & I discussed some of this at our lunch yesterday. They live together now. He says the ex is having some trouble getting back into the dating game - basically since he has none, no game that is. He is even on Match.com. Everything I found out made/makes me sad. I feel guilty and although I know I shouldn't, I really do. I want him to be able to move on and be happy and have a great life...

THURSDAY NIGHT
"I like you, almost to a fault" he said as his lips lightly touched my, his hand carassing my breast & moving down my side. My heart raced. My senses elevated. I felt like I was floating. All of this came rushing back, just by his touch. It wasn't much longer when I pressed the pause button with him. We had things to discuss. Although, in retro-spect nothing about our conversation cleared anything up. Its still muddeled.

C and I had texted a bit over my commute home from work. He invited me over to check out his new furniture and hang out for a bit. I went. We had some beers, made roadies & hit the pavement in search of a good dinner spot. The conversation was smooth, equal, caring. We are able to discuss anything and everything from work to hopes to Daisy in Love. Over dinner he turned the conversation serious, the first time he asked me about my past relationship with the ex. The weather had turned cool on our walk back. He drapped his arms around me - my skin tingled. He was warm. Strong. The sidewalk ended right near my car. I turned to go. He grabbed me, hugging, asking me to come back to his place. I tried to say no, but I couldn't.

After a glass of wine, he made his move. I let him. We fell right back into our old routine. It felt great. Then it started to feel weird. Didn't he just say a mere 4wks ago that this was too much? I stopped and tried to address it. Nothing was resolved. He apologized about how he acted, said he missed me, but he does not want a relationship. I told him he made it seem like it was my fault that we were picking things up when he was also responsible. I questioned why he would limit himself when everything was going well - it was fun, exilerating, why put rules on that? He had no answer. The kissing picked up and I did stay the night. We were glued to each other throughout the night. We had minimal sleep. A lot of kissing. My lips are chapped. Now, who knows what will happen.

TODAY
The plan is the gym, the beach, oh & trying to get the all-illusive Bears tickets. Yep. Football is right around the corner & HOLY HELL I CAN NOT WAIT. I will only devote 2hrs to trying to get tickets and I am not hopeful that I will succeed. Friends say it takes 4-6hrs to get tickets, IF you can get through the busy signal. This weekend is the first weekend that I don't have any plans. None. Zip. I'm kind of relishing in that. Sometimes I just like having a weekend of me. Doing what I want.

Things that make you go "hmmm"

This week has been interesting. And fun.

I made a friend last week who goes to the gym I just joined. We got to talking and both of us decided we would make good gym buddies. Our first date was on Wednesday for a step class. I haven't been in an aerobic class in forever so it kicked my ass. My legs are singing today but it feels good. It feels like I should take my ass to the gym again today but that is highly doubtful.

After class, C texted me. It wasn't necessarily a surprise but it was unexpected. We ended up meeting for a drink. Well, I wanted to meet but he insisted on picking me up and driving. We had a drink at a bar, caught up, then we went back to my place for battle royal of Guitar Hero. Needless to say, I kicked his ass. There was no awkwardness - ok maybe initially when I got into his car. We used to kiss hello. But that awkwardness did not last long. He seems to be very busy at work, giving a presentation at a huge conference this weekend. And he finally has a couch in his apartment. Too bad I won't be able to "break it in". He left around 12midnight. Hug goodbye. No hanky panky. Nothing even attempted.

Yesterday was the Billy Joel/Elton concert. #2 & I met at a bar then headed over after several drinks. I was ready early & had some drinks at my place prior to heading out to meet him. I'm not exactly sure if that was a good idea or not...

The concert was awesome. We were on the field (converted of course). Able to walk around. Had a great view. Billy & Elton were awesome. We drank. We sang. I even bonded with his roomies girlfriend. I think we talked about #2 - she asked how serious we were. I couldn't lie, we aren't but I think I said I hoped we would be but I know he wasn't into that right now. Awesome. I guarantee this will get back to #2 in a flash.

Now, I'm not gonna lie. I can not exactly remember how the evening ended. I remember a cab. I remember talking with #2 about driving him to work the next morning. But I woke up face down on the couch in my clothes from last night. No #2 in my bed. I very gracefully got up, stripped then fell asleep in my bed until 11ish. Then I texted #2. No response. I hope I didn't fuck up.

I do have pictures from last night. My friends will be so pleased to finally see the guy I've been talking about since last October. We have some cute ones of the group, some of us, some of the cab driver, and one of him getting money out the ATM. MAN, I am SO curious how the evening ended. Bah.

This weekend is already starting and I won't have a minute to relax. Today I'm hungover, so my plan of laundry, groceries & the gym are out of the question. BUT I may go see Harry in a matinee. Or I may just head back to the burbs. Rose's baccalaureate party is tomorrow. It looks like it will shape up to be a rowdy time. On the agenda: pole dancing/strip class (can not wait!), freshen up at her pad (food, games, gifts) then a bar crawl in the 'ville. We will likely be ridiculous. We always are when everyone is in super party mode. Again, my goal is to keep things at a minimum. But that never happens. And its likely my bank balance will continue to suffer.

Now the couch is so comfy & I'm all set up with left overs & a 16 & Preggers marathon. I don't know if I'll make it off the couch. Lazy? Perhaps.

Knock on wood

I MAY BE GOING TO SEE BILLY JOEL/ELTON JOHN ON THURSDAY!

JEALOUS?!? I am. Or, I will be if the tickets fall through. Ha - here I am acting like I actually purchased them. Ha, no no no. This is all dependant on #2.

Yesterday, 9am. Text from #2 inviting me to Carnivale to relish in his $150 worth of gift cards. YES PLEASE. Reservations at 8pm. The food was to die for. Not to mention I love eating out with him. He is a plate sharer and he is great at ordering food. Especially Spanish food. And wine.

There was absolutely no rush to dinner. We started with cocktails. Then an appetizer. Then a bottle of wine with dinner. And even desert. Everything was melt-in-your-mouth good. Plus watching him take control over the ordering was super sexy. After dinner we headed back to my area but made a pit stop in Wicker Park for a night cap. We ended up having several beers at CANS. Singing to 80s Pop and playing Frogger.

By the time we finally made it to my apartment it was all hands and grasping and mouths and...yea, we spent several hours doing this before calling it a night and sleeping.

Well, #2 has 2 tickets to the show on Thursday* and invited me to go with him IF he can't sell them for profit. Which he likely could. But I'm hoping that I convinced him otherwise. I want to go. The show is at Wrigley Field. I have never seen a concert there. Plus come on! Billy Joel. AND ELTON. OMG! I guess I'll know more by Wednesday night. Fingers crossed people!


*Ah and perfect timing for me since I DON'T WORK FRIDAY. Hello?!? Not to mention that #2 said his friend - some rich guy - is throwing the after party for Billy Joel's band. AND WE WOULD GET IN FOR FREE. I could just pee my pants with delight....

Because my debit card tells me so

Monday mornings. They typically suck for a lot of reasons. But add this in addition to all of the regular routine suckiness of a Monday: checking the online bank account. I do it multiple times per week however its only on Mondays that I dread it.

I knew before I even left work Friday that this weekend would be prime for trouble. And that trouble would be directed towards my checking account. I was triple booked all weekend. And my little plan to buy a flask has not come to fruition yet. I'm still working on it. Plus, in all honesty I thought that I would be set with limited cash since the parties I was attending Friday & Saturday were drink specials, 9-12 all you can drink for $15. Right. Well, that never works. I'll never learn.

FRIDAY

I actually went to the gym for a quick jaunt. 1/2 running, 1/2 stair mill. I haven't sweat like that in a while. Wait, scratch that. I probably have, but I'll leave the salacious details out.

Met up with L & friends at Mickey's on Clark/Fullerton in Lincoln Park. Its a great bar. Has a ginormous outdoor patio and a large party room in the back. We were in the party room. Vodka-Soda-with-a-lime-please. Times that by, yaidonknow, let's say 15. Now, I can't recall everything that happened but luckily I was able to piece together the evening with clues.

Clues that mean my purse was broken:
#1: My fav yellow clutch no longer latches, #2: Can't find my new lip gloss/tint ($20people!), #3: Bouncer approaching me with my keys (still can't figure out how he knew they were mine but you got to love it), #4: My stuff strewn about #2's pad the next morning

Clues that I was 3 sheets to the wind:
#1: Refusing to cab it with L after bar close, #2: Allowing semi-stranger to hop in cab with me (then I paid for it!), #3: 30min walking around the wrong street insisting to #2 I was in front of his apartment, #4: Sitting on unknown porch talking #2 out of jumping in a cab to find me, #5: Reviewing texts from Friday, its embarrassing, #6: The hang over that lasted until 4pm Central Standard Time

Clues that I spent more than the $25 at the door:
#1: Cash poor the next day, I only had a $5, #2: Online bank balance shows payment to bar

Clues that we left Mickeys:
#1: Online bank balance shows $30 purchase at Tin Lizzy's


SATURDAY

Luckily enough for me #2 likes the same hangover routine I do. Sleep in. Hangover sex. Then hangover brunch. With a bloody mary. And that's how the morning went. I then headed to North Ave beach with the ex.

Yea, yea yea. I know. PROBABLY not the bestest idea ever but I am trying to be more friendly with him. AND I am ready to actually be friends (although I don't think he is, more on that in a different blog...). PLUS (this is the kicker) he had tickets to see M.C. Hammer. Yea. I know. 2Legit 2Quit (with hand motions). Jealous? I think so....

Day drinking, day drinking, day drinking, Hammer Time, day drinking.

Home for a quick bite then shower for S & Fiance arrived around 8:30. I was, lets say, a little drunky and a lot tired by this point. We went to Redmon's for $15 all you can drink to celebrate KS birthday. We just saddled up to a bar table and stuck there all night which was okay by me. I only made it until 11:30. Couldn't even get down 2 drinks. I went straight to bed and was dead to the world until 8am.

SUNDAY

Rose's 2nd bridal shower at a swanky country club near the 'ville. I was refreshed and ready. The shower had THE BEST food. Breakfast AND LUNCH. Needless to say I killed the buffet. And likely my waste line too. Rose got some good gifts. After 3hrs it was over then I headed up to Schaumburg to visit with HLo. Pool time. Followed by a pizza orgy courtesy of Little Cesar's (yea, I didn't know they still existed either!). I was home in time for Entourage then bed.


All in all the weekend was a win. Until Monday morning when I checked the bank balance. $90 in the checking account. YIKES.

On A Mission

Living alone is totally awesome. I come and go as I please. I don't have anyone waiting around for me. I can walk naked from the bathroom to my bedroom to the kitchen. I just, do what I want.

It has officially been 2 full months of apartment living. And as stated I love it. However, my bank book is dying. Rapidly. I am so low on cash since I am so high on bills. I have multiple bills, on top of loans (car & student), on top of rent. I get paid then payout immediately. Leaving me with around $200 to play with until the next check.

You might be thinking, "Wow $200 that sounds like a lot to carry someone 2 weeks until the next pay day". Well, it may seem that way but when I break it down it never lasts. I have to get groceries. I buy wine, vodka & beer for the apartment (it adds up). I have guests (need to stock up on food/drinks for them too). And I go out. If you can't tell from this blog, I go out a lot. I enjoy it. Its summer. Its my entertainment. I'll hibernate in the winter more I'm sure...

So I have decided on the following in order to save my credit card bill and my cash flow:
1) Limit dining out, unless paid for by a boy
2) Pre-gaming (done)
3) No credit cards* (gas only)
4) Budget entertainment per month (yea right, but I'll try. I swear)
AND my most ingenious idea:
5) Buy a flask

I said it. I have been looking into buying a flask. 8oz please. Narrow enough to fit in my going-out purse. I would love to say I came up with this brilliant idea myself, but alas I did not. We've all heard of people doing this. I've just always filed that bit of info away for later use. And now I know why. And I will use it to combat the high cost of drinks in the city.

The plan is this: Buy flask before weekend. Fill said flask with vodka. Put flask in purse. Take to bars. Order soda or juice. Likely pay nothing or minimal for said mixer. Pour flask vodka into mixer. Sip. Enjoy. Repeat.

I have to say that Dani & I spent about 20min researching places to buy flasks. Surprisingly a lot of stores only sell the 8oz kind online. I figure if I head to a liquor store I'll have better luck. Now, I'm on a mission.


*Another reason I'm so cash poor is likely do to my credit card bill being around $1000 the past two months. All of those purchases were for the apartment & getting set up. SO I should be done with all that and the bill will get back to normal, like the $200 range. That will definitely help with the cash flow

When 2 become 1

My number has dwindled. My two boys have been narrowed down to only one. Or so I thought....

C never called me last Thursday after the texting about the "silent treatment." The next day it was eating at me so I texted and he called. It was short & sweet: things feel like they are getting too serious and he doesn't want a relationship. Um, ok. I was a little surprised because I thought he would be reaming me about my partying or whatever. I told him that he made that pretty clear when we started hanging out. We hung up - civilly of course. Then I deleted his number - no need to have drunken texts go out (we all know how that happens). It was a little bittersweet - I do like him A LOT but we've never even come close to having the relationship talk! Its like a slap in the face - how can you break up with someone when you're NOT EVEN A BOYFRIEND. I'm still not sure where all of this came from. But its easier to cut my losses now before things (re: I) got carried away. Right? Sure....

The weekend progressed normally enough - although the rain on the 4th definitely dampened the holiday spirit. The best night was Friday when I went with L & B to a fest (where we had free beer & food all night) then L & I met up with her friend Potts at the 'ville bars. We were hammered drunk to say the least. Potts just got back from Egypt and we convinced a townie that she was actually Egyptian. That she didn't know English. And he bought us shots - pineapple upside-down. My first! And boy, it was delish! Anywho, when he went to the bathroom we took that as our cue to exit, but not before Potts wrote a note in "hieroglyphics" thanking him for the drink. I could have peed myself it was so funny.

This week has been so blah. I did do a couple of things (finally joined a gym & went to a Sox game) but I have to admit that I have been feeling lonely. Its been the first week that I have not had multiple plans for dinners/drinks. And of course no contact from my boys. Just when I was really down, wallowing in self pity I received an unexpected text from C. He asked if I wanted to meet him for a late dinner/drink. I was SHOCKED. I declined since I was knee deep in a book, curled up on the couch in my jammies. My guess is this: he misses me. I know he does. We haven't seen each other in over 2weeks and its not like we've ever fought before. I just keep thinking, why would he put the kibosh on something that is going so well? I mean we get along and have fun, why put rules on it? I assume boys just think all girls want is to be in a relationship and get serious. Their assumption is totally wrong. I will wait to see if he makes contact again. I'm not opposed to hanging out with him. I miss him too. And I can't believe he doesn't miss me, I just keep thinking back to my birthday...

No less than 20 min later I got a call from #2. Right, well I don't think I've been completely up front about him on the blog. I'm not sure where I left off with him in but I think I said we ended things. Well, we did. That day. Sorta. However that following Saturday we texted back and forth. Then on Sunday after the Pride Parade we met up at his apartment and hung out. Then on last Tuesday we got dinner (and porn*). He was busy over the weekend with friends & family for the holiday. Then Monday is Monday, and on Tuesday/Wednesday he has sports so we hadn't spoken since last week. ANYWHO. He called. We chatted. We're going to try to meet up this weekend sometime. He did mention he was surprised that I never call him and he has to call me all of the time. I was pleasantly surprised about that - he actually wants me to call him . Done. I can do that. The way he is acting makes me think that he finally realized how much he likes me. Its a warm fuzzy for sure.

This weekend looks like a busy one. Tonight is a going away party/breast cancer fundraiser with L & her college friends. The going away part of the party is actually for the girl who had the Trolley B-Day Party. Where C & I met. I have no clue if C will be there tonight. But I'll have to plan to look absolutely fabulous just in case. The weather looks deary and wet (of course!) but fingers crossed that my hair & make up make it tonight! Tomorrow possible beach day (fingers crossed no rain!) followed by KS b-day party with S - hopefully #2 will be able to meet up, this girl needs some lovin'. Sunday is Rose's 2nd bridal shower.

Happy Weekend Everyone!



*Yes, you read correctly. I said porn. #2 & I were walking back to his place after dinner when we notice we walked right past an "adult" store. We had to go in. Prior to that we decided that we would buy 1 video no more than $10. And we found one. When we were checking out, we got a FREE ONE on top of it. So now I am the proud owner for 2 porns for only $10.50! Granted they are terrible but still... totally awesome. And it lead to a very very fun evening

Bug Juice...

"...doesn't come in a jar. Bug Juice comes from who you are..."

Anyone (besides TK & Rose) remember that Disney classic? If not, were you living under a rock during your formative years?!? Bug Juice was Disney's attempt at relatity t.v. And it obviously worked on me. Because I love me some teenage reality. Still. To this day. As an adult. Oh how I miss you Bug Juice. You taught me a lot. Luckily for me I lived with TK & Rose in college thus got to watch the TAPED episodes at my leisure. Thank you.

Right now, as I sit eating my huge plate of spaghetti & drinking some vino I'm watching the same old MTV Fat Camp episode that irks me and yet I can not stop! I love it. I tune in all the time. Ugh, if anyone knows what I'm talking about I HATE that girl with the glasses that sits in the infermary ALL THE TIME. UGH. When she sings I want to pull my hair out..."Sweet Home Alabama"...Ugh if I was in fat camp with her I would die. DIE. Or just treat her like eveyrone else did. There are still losers in fat camp. Tear.

UGH her name is Dianne. Gross. Moving on.

Following my Fat Camp obsession, I will turn to intervention (fingers crossed for a new one!). It makes me realize that I love relaity tv. Well, not ALL reality tv. That is something that Rose is good at, not necessarily me. I am drawn to reality (aka TLC) tv for the following: give me your fat, your midget, your addicted, your pregnant & your insane. These reality shows are for me.

LOVE Biggest Loser (while I eat ice cream with my Mom - we conference on this).
LOVE TLC - Although I had to pry my eyes open to finish "mermaid girl" (she was so sweet!) and "tree man" (that was WAY more difficult)
LOVE 16 & Preggers (TGI Marathon this weekend)
LOVE Intervention (please, OD. Please)

Right. So I may not be "normal" I still LOVE this reality b.s.

And its a good thing that it is taking my attention away from the non-sex situation*. Cable came at a damn good time...



*Don't fret my pets - its only been...um a week. BUT I do have news on the personal front. This post is obviously vino induced. You're Welcome.

Knots

Ugh. I have that sinking, heavy feeling sitting right on my chest. And working its way towards the diaphragm. I am anxious. I am (hopefully) waiting for a call. From C. Who has been MIA since Friday. Scratch that - Sunday - that was the day of our last communication.

Rewind to last weekend:

Friday night was great. C actually cancelled friends with a friend (a GIRL) to make time to hang out with me. It was flattering and endearing. We actually did something that is becoming quite the staple in our relationship. We made cocktails, threw them into a rather large cup with the straw and headed to our spot near the lake. After a long lake front walk, we grabbed a bit to eat then headed back to his place for some uncomplicated romance. Conversation was good. We laughed a lot. Things were going just swimmingly. He even said at dinner that he would try to meet me to see The Counting Crows who were playing at the taste around 5. He thought he could get out of work by then and back into the city.

Saturday was a slow moving day. I had the cable guys come in the morning (YEA!) and spent most of the afternoon reading until HLo came in to accompany me to the taste. We quickly found our way to the concert area. And the bar. We had time to kill and spent that time (and money) drinking. I texted C a couple times to see if he could still meet up. He couldn't. My heart sank a little. As the drinking continued so did my texting. I have to say that I was a little relentless. I was eager to meet up. I wanted him to come out with us. As he had previously stated he would try. When he finally admitted he would be going out with "the boys" the phone went back into my purse. HLo & I ended up having a fabulous time. We met someone who claimed to be new to town (it could have been a ploy! And a damn good one, brought our shields down immediately), enjoyed the Crows then grabbed dinner at a Tapas restaurant in the heart of the loop. We even had sangria which may have prompted our next move into an old school club Excalibur. Honestly, the club is a little bit of a joke. No one would really go there unless they were under the influence or didn't care that they were still in day clothes from earlier. Like us. Well, like me.

Sunday was the ultra-fabulous Gay Pride Parade on the north side. The drinking started at 10am with Dani then we met up with L and her college friends to continue the party to the streets. The parade was FABULOUS! It was my first time going but there is a gianormous buzz in the straight community about what a great party it is. And it was. The drinking continued through out. We eventually ended up in a bar/restaurant for food around 3. And a round of shots. And cocktails. Once the orders were placed, I texted C. Something not so clever, or nice, more or less: you. me. sex. Very barbaric. BUT I had just finished my time of the month...

From what I can remember he was less than thrilled to meet up. The north side was still a mess with drunks (me being one of them). I balked at his response. How could he say no to all of this?!? And I think I was a little rude. Can't remember. And drunk-ass me deleted the texts immediately once it was settled.

Now, 4 days post-parade I still haven't heard from him. My first reaction on Monday was, whatever. Tuesday it was: I bet I was annoying this weekend with the drunken texts. By Wednesday: He must be a little pissed with me. Today: Something is a-miss.

In spite of myself I texted him around noon. It was simple and to the point: silent treatment or really busy working. I got my answer: both. Followed by "we can talk later".

GGGGggggrrrrreeeeaaaatttt......

Ugh, even rehashing this stuff makes my chest hurt. Bah.

My guess he is going to say that he likes me but not when I'm drunk OR drunk with a couple of friends. I'm betting on it. And he has the upper hand of course, because: 1) he has a pretty darn good memory, 2) its likely he kept whatever ammunition (the alleged texts!) to confront with me, and 3) I don't think he was drunk (at all).

I'm not looking forward to it. But I am hoping he calls to straighten whatever this is out.

I suppose I should get in the shower; its 4:20 and he will likely call around 5. Hopefully the shower will wash some of this dread away...

This is your life; This is your life on Sangria...

Red. Fruity. Cold. And delicious. Its hard to say no. Its hard to stop. ESPECIALLY when your favorite local Mexican joint serves them up to you freely - yes, FREELY - because you know the bartender.

Sangria is a summer staple and the kick off to any night spent in the 'ville. And on those "any nights" many random things would happen. Usually with my girl S. And it would typically lead to trouble...although I can not remember most of the trouble that occurred. At all. And neither can she...for the most part* which led us to making the below conclusion:

(An excerpt from my life in email)

Me: You know what I just realized. A's shower is the day after KS birthday party. Do you remember what time its at?

S: Yea...I remembered that. Its at 12pm....

S: If you don't want to go to KS thing because of the shower that's understandable. I'll probably keep it low key that night so I can drive home or wake up early & not hungover to get to the shower on time.

Me: I'm still in for KS. I'll just have to remember & watch myself is all.

S: Yea, knowing we have to be up and out early will stop us from getting crazy-crazy...although it is fun when we do!

Me: Definitely. No Sangria - it will have to be the rule

S: Ummmm yea. Sangria, aka "liquid trouble", "nectar of the devil", "the beginning of a great evening", will not be consumed in order for us to maintain our lady-like manners.

Me: Awesome.



*Although I suspect that she remembers a lot more than she lets on. She may just be purposely forgetting labeling it as a black out. Smart lady that S.

What THE....

Mother-f'er. I found three - THREE - more. Just about 15 minutes ago. Long. Wiry. And white. All on my head. Near the part. Close to my face. And no, it didn't look like little highlights.

I am going grey.

MOTHER-F'ER - EXCLAMATION POINT

Not even one week after getting closer to 30 do I start sprouting greys. GREYS. At 26. Do you believe this shit? Well I don't. But I do. Because I have the proof. In my hand at this very moment. All of those little buggers have been pulled out. In addition to the TWO that were pulled out last week. AFTER MY BIRTHDAY - of course. Closer to 30....of course. And now I get to tell my kids when mommy went grey. And I get to scare the shit of them. I curse you family gene pool.

I should have known that something was a-brewing. If I'm honest with myself, I knew my mom started going grey early. And now, at 52 she is all grey (but has a great hair colorist so you'd never know!). Not to mention what happened about 3wks ago that should have tipped me off....

C was over to cook dinner. As I was bending over my awkward kitchen counter to get to the window and open it C laughingly says "Hey there Silver Fox".

I stopped dead in my tracks, "What the fish*, C?"

He proceeds to tell me that the sunlight caught a piece of my hair in such a way that there was a gleaming white hair. I, of course, ran to the bathroom and scoured my head searching for that little bastard. None to be found. So I chalked it up to him being dim-witted boy that doesn't know a sun kissed brunette or natural highlight if it smacked him across the face.

I was wrong.

And now I'm crying inside.



*"What the fish" a very popular saying made up by the lovely S. I stole it approximately a year ago when my resolution was to not swear any more. This however did not work, as I just added random phrases and texting lingo to accentuate the swears. And it annoyed people. For instance, BAB's husband - he said he would rather listen to me ramble like a trucker then hear "OMG" one more time. Thank God. Exactly what I needed to snap out of the juvenile lingo. I love the "f" word. But this saying "what the fish" has stuck. I heart it and can use it at work without feeling bad. Silver lining people. Crap...silver. Like my hair...oh no

Hangover Friday

Happy Friday! I, unfortunately, am at work today. And as you can see I am diligently working....rrrriiiiiiggggghhhhttttt. But my hangover won't let me and no one brought in hangover bagels. A-holes. So I blame this post on them, my co-workers.

So I have some random things to post about today. Welcome. And enjoy...well, maybe.

1) I don't get tan less swim suits. What I mean is this: no tan lines. I mean (1) who wants a burnt crotch and (b) how do you put on sunscreen in a public area. I'm pretty sure that you can't just dab a little on your nipple or cooter when there are children around. Or old people. Or that guy that goes to North Ave beach and sits with his "d" hanging down his leg facing towards you...

2) C & I had another perfect evening together on Tuesday. I could SO fall for this guy...if he could get it right in the sack. Right, well that's my bad. Its not like I don't enjoy what we do but I would like to orgasm too and not take care of myself afterwards. He doesn't know this. But, I digress. We picked up a bottle of wine Tuesday then walked to the lake (not the beach-beach) after making a steak dinner. It was this little park and it was all cement stairs to the water. The weather finally cooled down by evening and we just had a great time being goofy (ie: reading the x-rated personal ads and laughing at them, yes...AT THEM).

C) I went to a movie with the ex on Wednesday. It was inevitable that we would hang out. He moved here too; we saw each other about 3wks ago. BUT the good thing about going to a movie is that it leaves little time for chatting. SO it was a good thing. We saw The Hangover which was pretty funny shit. I recommend it. Two thumbs up by JD

D) WTF MJ died. Like he had a cardiac arrest at 50. Right before his comeback tour (so glad I didn't throw down for those tickets). I kinda believe he O.D.'d. Ok totally far fetched since they say CARDIAC ARREST however, drugs can induce that. AND I think he was so tired of people suing him. The latest being that model that was in the Thriller video...didn't she realize he was broke. I mean, Neverland Ranch was foreclosed! RIP MJ. RIP.

5) As a side note; I love MJ's music. I have been jamming out to it lately and the only silver lining about the whole thing is that the radio is playing it nonstop. WHICH I LOVE.

6) #2 came over last night. And after dinner, and 4 bottles of red wine, I told him it was time to cut things off. A little bit of a rewind is needed here first before I go on...

REWIND:
Last Friday night as apart of my drunken b-day bonanza #2 & I met up. He later came over to my place for some after hours and we had a pretty intense convo. Basically he didn't realize that I was DATING someone, he just though I was f-ing randoms (ick). I proceeded to tell him that if he was up for it, I would dump this new guy and be solely his. To which he said was a bad idea, he wasn't interested in a "relationship". Which led me to yell a little then to sex....I'm easy, what can I say.

ANYWHO: He came over last night, we cooked dinner, drank than had that discussion. He stayed the night and when I dropped him off this morning I said something like "see ya" to which he got all serious. He was all "is this the last time I'll see you" and I was all "no, well yes, lets make out" and he was all "ok". Then he got out of the car. Its a little sad. Honestly, I am tearing up right now. WTF! Not cool. I hate myself a little for that... \

But the good thing is: I choose C, my life will be less complicated, and I will be pampered by that sexy sexy man. What girl wouldn't love all of that.

7)In my attempt to save money I am cooking. And actually enjoying it. Granted, I'm not making chicken stuffed whatever but I am putting things in the oven. And using the stove top. Without the smoke detecor going off. Thankyouverymuch.

8) I feel naked today. I forgot my phone at the apartment. I was about 15min out and was very close to turning around BUT that would mean about an extra 45min to the commute (15 back, 15 to where I was when I turned around, the 30 with the increased traffic). I hate this.

Now the phone is ringing. Damn work!

Thanks for reading my randomness!

Truly yours,
PYT

(look it up if you don't know)
(but if you don't know what PYT is, I don't think we can be friends)