Does Anyone Remember This Guy?

More importantly, did anyone buy his album or any of his songs?!

My Ultimate Vice....

I don't smoke. I drink occasionally, but not in excess. I do not consume other various illegal substances. I am not the healthiest eater, but I don't consume a large amount of food and I'm fairly active so it all balances. I may have various guilty pleasures, such as American Idol, but perhaps there are limits on how 'bad' or 'dangerous' such things are for a person. (Some will argue this, I know.)

Anyhow. There is one thing that I cannot imagine giving up. One thing that I crave, that I yearn for, that I would cry for. Despite the dangers, despite the fact that every scientific study notes that it is completely and totally bad for a person and there is no real benefit to it, I would contemplate shaving my head sooner than giving it up....



Oh, empty calories! Oh, potential cavities!

It's pop. Real pop. Specifically, regular or cherry coke. Mmm. I'm craving it as we speak. I know all health studies say to think twice, that 300 calories of chocolate cake are better than 300 calories of pop. I don't care. I will argue that there are worse vices (see above), so it's ok for me to keep this little one. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

Anyone else have other vices? (Please bear in mind this blog is rated PG-13 when reporting them.)

Enough Nightmares?

So, apparently, the remake of "Nightmare on Elm Street" is being shot at Hersey High School (my alma mater). Kind of cool, if you think about it. I am curious what, exactly, about Hersey High seemed to give off the right vibe for this movie....

Anyhow. Whilst some alumni are finding themselves at the center of various situations, a part of me can't help but think this is what a public relations specialist calls 'a distraction'....

American Idol Update - Final Five

This is my favorite contestant who is left. Danny is good, but I'm sorta over him. I like Matt Girard, but I won't cry if he goes home; it's probably his time. Kris is nice to look at (we've already discussed him previously), and Adam is just not my style. Allison is my girl. I am going to be optimistic for her.

What's with the Libraries?

Ok. So I have two close friends who are librarians. I have another close friend who works in a library. I probably have like six or seven, let's say, 'facebook friends', who are currently going to library science school or looking into going to library school. Realistically speaking, I probably know around ten librarians/aspiring librarians! That's more people than I know in almost any other line of work, with the exception of my own.

Is it just me? Am I some weird exception to the rule going on where I personally know a large chunk of the library industry by chance, or is there a sudden surge of popularity with this career path? If the latter, why so? I certainly have no criticisms of this line of work, it does seem to me to be more of a niche interest. Is this a growing area of the economy? Is there a demand for more librarians? Is it a lucrative field? Anyone else out there know a lot of librarians?

Turnoffs

Ok, my biggest turnoff, physically speaking, is facial hair. I just plain find it unattractive. I have never seen a guy that I thought looked better with facial hair than without it. I really don't have strong particular physical preferences otherwise, but I really feel strongly about this one. I don't think I could date a guy with facial hair - it might be an automatic veto. Also, it's pretty irritating that some guys act as though it's some 'accomplishment' to grow facial hair. Is it an accomplishment for a woman to grow hair on her legs? Cause really, I see it as the same thing with the same level of ick factor. Anyhow. Am I the only one who feels this way? Are there any girls out there who like/are turned on by facial hair?!?!

Two American Idol Contestants I Could Do Without....

Kris and Adam.

Ok, fine, they are both good. However, Kris has lasted thus far on being a pretty boy moreso than on his singing ability. I am not really sure he should have made the top 12 with that rendition of "Man in the Mirror". No offense to him or his fans. He's decent, but I really don't know about top 5 or, if it goes so far, top 4 material.

However, Adam. He is just not my style. He is a little too 'Pete Wentz' for my taste. I would be indifferent to him, however, the lovefest between the judges and him and the audience and him DRIVES ME NUTS. It's not that there's anything wrong with him - it's just that he's a little too over the top theatrical 'cabaret' if you will (that's for you, Simon). The makeup and performances on stage are just WAY TOO MUCH for me. And I feel like if another contestant were this style, they'd rip him to shreds - but they for some reason really took to this one. That, and when he's good, he's been pretty good, but not more outstanding than any other contestant on the show. But they act like he's something they've never seen before. Anyhow. I predict he'll be the 'surprise' elimination in the next two or three weeks - I don't think he'll see the finals. My prediction.

Love Stories from George Costanza

Jerry (Seinfeld) and George, in reference to a woman Jerry just met:

GEORGE: Yes! I see enormous potential here.

JERRY: Why?

GEORGE: Because great couples always have a great story about how they met. That's why I've never been in a long term relationship. I've never had a good meeting story.


I don't know about you, but I'm kind of on the same wavelength as George on this one. I agree with him - this is why I won't do online dating - what kind of a story is that? No offense to anyone who has met this way - I have friends who are good people who have met spouses this way. However, I am holding out hope for a good, exciting story.

The Most Important Meal of the Day

I don't eat it.

Ok, correction. I RARELY eat it. Only if I'm starving, or if there's free food in the office. I'm a sucker for free food.

Anyhow. I don't care what nutritionists say - when I DO eat breakfast, I am hungrier ALL DAY. I know this contradicts every scientific study, but I kind of think there might be some kind of bunk science going on. Kind of like when they used to make a huge deal about 'whatever you do, don't wake a sleepwalker!' until some doctor came on and said that, surprise, there really is no serious danger or negative side effects to waking a sleepwalker.

That, or maybe I am a scientific anomoly. Or, maybe the scientists are lying, because they don't want people to be discouraged from eating breakfast because they're all weight/calorie conscious. I don't know. My main reason for not eating it is mostly because I am just not hungry in the morning, and by the time I actually start to get hungry, it's almost lunch time.

Anyhow, I'm sure this was a post my readers care greatly about. There you go!

Happy Administrative Professionals Day!!

Today is Administrative Professionals Day! Normally, I don't like Hallmark holidays, unless I somehow end up on the receiving end of them. And, let me tell you - I am administrative and I am professional!!

Sidenote: Is administrative professional, or administrative assistant, really a more prestigious title than secretary? I'm assuming the answer must be yes. I feel the title has somehow evolved to this, so there must have either been some reason to move away from secretary or toward 'administrative professionals'. To me, I associate secretary with 'Secretary of State' or, back in elementary school, the top student council office after Pres and VP. Anyone else have thoughts on this 'title'?

Goodbyes are Hard....

It's so hard to say goodbye to an old friend.

As of later today, my first car will no longer be with my family. Chevy is a 1992 navy blue blazer (picture to come). He has really labored through his last couple years, what with the passenger door handle falling off and the driver's side door not opening, and the gas guage not working. He was my first car. I got in my first two accidents with him. I remember that fateful February day when I was one block from my high school and a man blew a stop sign and t-boned me. I spent the next half hour of my morning talking to the cops on the side of the rode as half of my classmates drove by, gawking at me out their windows. Sigh.

Anyhow, I digress. I will miss my friend of 17 years. I think he was resentful of me over the last couple years, after I got Henry the Honda, but I knew Marcia was taking good care of him. Alas, he was there for me nonetheless when Henry was on the fritz. Sigh. I'll miss you old buddy.

Any Recommendations???

So I am due for a new cellular mobile phone on my contract. As you may know, I HATE HATE HATE my current phone, the LG Chocolate. You know the expression - once bitten, twice shy. I am going to have to do some investigative research before committing to a new phone. Does anyone out there have any suggestions/recommendations/ideas? (Other than the i-phone.) I don't need something super-duper fancy - let's be honest - my priorities are text messages, being able to update my facebook status and that crazy original intended use phones once had. Thoughts?

My Childhood Dream....

So when I was young, my dream job was to be a journalist - but not the reporting the news type, moreso the 'writing my opinion' type. (I am sure my readers find this VERY hard to believe.) Specifically, I wanted to write an advice column. I wanted to be 'Dear Abby'. I wanted to write and I wanted to give advice to people about their problems. I'm also not sure what makes one qualified to give others advice via a column, and what the steps are to get on this career path. I'm also not sure this career path exists anymore. Does anyone know the answers to these questions?

For the above reasons, it's hard to say if I'll ever get to live out this dream. Perhaps I could turn this blog into an advice column? Maybe my readers could write me their problems in the comments section and I could respond. Go ahead readers, don't be shy! Help a girl with her dream!

Really Pointless, Bordering on Extremely Pointless

So I felt last night's office had a couple gems in it - especially Michael Scott's rolodex....

"I coded it green. Green means go ahead and shut up about it. Orange is orange you glad you didn't bring it up."

Anyhow.

At one point, Andy performed the Paul Simon classic "You Can Call Me Al" a cappella.

OK, nothing against this song, cause I gotta admit it's got a little bit of a catchy melody, but if you look up the lyrics online as I did....this has GOT to be the most pointless, illogical song ever written (sorry Paul). WHAT is this song about? I can call WHOM Al? And what does anything in any stanza (??) of the song have to do with anything else in the song? I ask this, because, apparently, this is a time honored classic, so there really must be SOMETHING to it. Anyhow. Can ANYONE answer this question?

Just Wondering?

So, there's some movie coming out (forgot the name) in which Zac Efron plays a young Matthew Perry (well, his character). Now, no offense to anyone, for I like Matthew Perry and do think he is a good-looking guy overall, but do we find this believable? I, for one, find this a bit of a stretch.

Secondly, while we're on the subject....would you date Chandler Bing? (Not Matthew Perry, Chandler Bing.) I wouldn't. Not because of anything to do with his looks. He's 'the funny one'. I'm the funny one. At least in my mind. And I like to keep the illusion as such. Anyhow.

American Idol Delivers a Bailout...

So last night on American Idol, the judges decided to use their one 'save' (overturning America's vote and keeping all contestants for the week, resulting in a double-elimination next week) on Matt Girard.

Your thoughts?

Now, as Simon Cowell pointed out, Matt has virtually no chance of winning. Although the prior night, there were worse performances, all of the remaining singers are good, so it's not as though there was an outstandingly better choice for elimination.

Anyhow.

However, I do like Matt Girard. He's probably my third favorite left in the competition (behind Allison and Danny). So I guess I am semi-happy with this, although if Allison goes home next week because of this, I'll be pissed.

Huskie Pride, Cont'd?

From suntimes.com:

April 14, 2009

Marlee Matlin, who grew up in Chicago's north suburbs, says she was molested by a female baby-sitter at age 11.

"I remember feeling very, very violent and very disgusted," the Oscar winner tells "Access Hollywood."

The disclosure comes as Matlin releases a memoir, I'll Scream Later.

She also says she lost her virginity to a teacher in high school. "I was older and I knew about sex. ... I didn't really understand it wasn't right," she says.

She did not specify the school, but Matlin is a graduate of John Hersey High in Arlington Heights.

Just as I was thinking Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin (well, I know her as the tennis ball-girl on Seinfeld and a contestant on Dancing with the Stars) could save our school's name....

Even More on the Myers-Briggs, Mostly Because I Couldn't Find Much Scientific Research on the Lipstick Test

The best and worst careers for my personality type....

Best

1) Actor
2) Biochemist
3) Communications director
4) Database administrator
5) Engineer, computer
6) Information services developer
7) Logistics consultant
8) Media planner / buyer
9) Pharmaceutical sales person
10) Program director
11) Sales representative
12) Systems administrator
13) University president

Worst

1) Accountant
2) Child care provider
3) Dental assistant
4) Librarian
5) Nurse, registered
6) Teacher, elementary school


Thoughts, anyone? Next time anyone hears of an opening for a University President - please send it my way. Thank you!

Sidenote: I'm a little sad blogger didn't make the 'best' list....

More On the Myers-Briggs....Mostly Because I'm Bored

So, while at work, I decided to try to get to know my ENTJ-self a little bit better...here's what I found:

Careers for the NT "Rationals" (INTP, ENTP, INTJ, ENTJ)

Rationals are natural born scientists and engineers, and are referred to as "the knowledge seeking" person. Many ADD Rationals do OK in school (but may underachieve) and they often go on to college. One ENTP has a webpage which says something like "I quit high school to play in a rock band, and later went to Yale to study physics." NTs judge themselves based on their ability to perform (whether it be getting things done or coming up with solutions) and are therefore unusually prone to performance anxiety. ADD probably increases the chance of this happening, since it can interfere with the ability to get things done.

Be aware: once a subject is mastered, the NT is likely to move on. This is true even for NTs who are not ADD. Figure this into your thinking. Are there future lateral career moves you can make to maintain interest? A related, but somewhat different career? A different type of company to work for? Don't berate yourself because you put so much energy into becoming good at what you do, only to find yourself oddly depressed with your job. Expect it to happen and plan for it. Use your love of logic to figure out a chain of possible career or job moves rather than expecting to find one and stick to it.

In "Please Understand Me," David Keirsey says that "his early start and his persistence enable the NT to excel above the other styles in technology. And, as the intellectual ability of the NT increases, the tendency to seek the sciences, mathematics, philosophy, architecture, engineering -- indeed, anything complicated and exacting -- also increases. These occupations, therefore, are heavily populated by NTs."

An NT child with ADD might learn to dislike school and not go on to college. But of all types, the NTs probably benefit most from college, because an advanced degree allows them to pursue the complex subjects which interest them most.

The worst career for an NT is one involving routine, excessive rules, boredom, simplicity. NTs are known for breaking any rule which is illogical and which interferes with getting the job done. NTs are full of ideas. A career which does not allow the NT to utilize their creativity will soon become frustrating and boring.

Some more specifics from "Please Understand Me":

"ENTJs will usually rise to positions of responsibility and enjoy being executives."
"ENTPs are good at innovative projects and can administer them well if dull routine is not involved. They usually are outstanding teachers, continuously devising new participative ways to make learning exciting for the students."
"The INTP is the architect of a system and leaves it to others to be the builder and the applicator...They are, however, often excellent teachers, particularly for advanced students, although INTPs do not always enjoy much popularity, for they can be hard taskmasters."
INTJs "can be outstanding in scientific research and also outstanding as executives who generate a plethora of implementations of ideas."
The NT ADDer: In general, careers which are good for an NT are also good for an NT which is ADD. The specific setting or job is likely to make a difference. For example, a large company with a lot of red tape may be unbearable to a particular NT/ADD engineer, while starting up business might be quite satisfying. There are science jobs involving research and science jobs involving tons of paperwork. The real trick is in avoiding the job with lots of paperwork (or at least delegating that part of the job).

The City So Nice, They Named it Twice!

So my mother and I are about to embark on our annual trip New York City (I am calling it an annual trip with high hopes). We have been there twice before. Now taking suggestions for what to do while in town.

Happy Easter!

Ok, on this Easter (Happy Easter everyone, by the way), I'd like to bring up a pressing subject very near and dear to my heart. Jello! Let me ask my readers - with or without the fruit bits?

Now, I personally have a strong preference....why would ANYONE want Jello with the chunks? Although, I never opt for the chunky option - not with peanut butter, mashed potatoes, etc. However, every family/group event ever, there's always some jello with fruit bits that shows up - and I'm not just talking about my family - I see it everywhere. Does anyone prefer the 'chunky' jello? Just curious.

Fly Away?

So I got an email today from Amazon.com saying that based on what I've viewed/bought (ugh, see two posts below), I might be interested to know that "Wings: The Complete Series" is available on DVD.

Anyone else out there remember when Wings was in syndication like Friends was a couple years ago? You couldn't NOT find it on tv at any given time. I never really watched this show - I think when it was on in 'original episodes' or whatever it is called, my parents thought it wasn't age appropriate. Anyhow. Did anyone watch this show? Is it worthwhile? Was there a good reason for it being played 24/7 amongst USA, TBS, TNT, Fox, and the station formerly known as "Channel 50" (home of Family Feud and the Eagle Man commercials)? Do share.

Shameless Friend Promotion

So my very good friend Steve happens to have his own business of being a wedding photographer (in addition to working full-time, owning a condo, planning his own wedding with his fiance, and training a dog!). So, with no further ado, his website:

Steve Koo Photography

Now, I realize this isn't theknot.com (Editor's sidenote: LOOOOOVE that website. Could get lost in that website for hours. That website steals my soul.), so there probably aren't many blog readers who come here looking for a wedding photographer. However, I figure the least I could do for a person like Steve is increase his google hits. Steve has played quite the role in my life - one example - it's through him that I originally met my current roommate. So, there you go! Leave your feedback for Steve in my comments section!

Filene's Basement Wedding Dress Sale

So, today, the Chicago Sun-Times had one of its book sales. It looked a little like this....



Despite the pushing and shoving, I was able to get some good finds. For instance:



It will help give me material for my next Tina Fey impersonation. I couldn't help but think some of my coworkers were looking at me and possibly judging me, for it gave the appearance that I'm a 'Sarah' fan. This is why I sometimes hate buying books at public places, like bookstores. Unless it's a typical best-seller, someone is judging your choice and making assumptions about your personality. I always say the book I'm looking at is a gift for someone, even if it isn't. I, at first, loved amazon for the reason of buying books in private, UNTIL they started recommending books to me that 'I might like based on other books I've viewed'. Ugh. Anyhow. The goodness of a booksale can't be passed up for this reason alone. I got some other good shameful products while I was there, including....



In short - how to find your soulmate using THE SECRET....I look forward to panning it in a review shortly....

Also,



California Dreams Seasons 1 & 2. For nostalgia purposes alone...don't judge.

America's Favorite Condiment?

So, there's an episode of Seinfeld where Jerry and George go back and forth about salsa surpassing ketchup as "America's Favorite Condiment". I googled "America's Favorite Condiment" and got mixed results - all salsa and ketchup. Now, let me tell you firsthand, nothing against salsa or ketchup, but after five years of waiting tables at Chili's (with plenty of both former condiments on hand, mind you), I know that neither of these are America's fav. That title, my friend, belongs to the one and only....



RANCH DRESSING.

People put it on everything. Pizza. Tortilla chips. Black Beans. It was FAR AND AWAY the most requested and used condiment. Hands down. Maybe it's a midwestern thing. I dunno. But I do know this - it's my favorite too. :-)

Follow Up to a Previous Post, Part 213

Earlier, I spoke about some mandatory time-off from work I'll be taking in the next month, and how I plan to enjoy some in-town activities over this time period.

I have just been informed this is called a 'staycation'.

I am not sure your feelings on the term 'staycation', but for me personally, it's right there with 'recessionista', and 'thank you ma'am'. To further clarify, I feel similarly about this term as I do toward Keith Olbermann, Kara DioGuardi and the Old Navy mannequins.

Anyhow. I may be venturing out of town simply to avoid hearing this term.

Key FOBs

So my mother got me this very lovely "Key FOB' from Coach for my birthday. One question - why are they called "FOBs"? I've asked the people at Coach and they said 'it's just the name'. I feel like FOB must stand for something. I've tried googling. Does anyone know the origin of this term?

(Editor's sidenote: No, this was not an attempt to alienate all two of my male readers, if they even still exist....)

26!

Thanks to everyone for coming out and celebrating my birthday with me! Sorry for a cheesy cliche blog post, but I have the best friends a girl could ask for.

The Year of the Jaime?

So, as most of my readers know, I'm embarking on my 26th year of life pretty soon. I'm pumped about it. The year '24' sucked. Twenty-fie was ok. Nothing to write home about. Kind of a 'no news is good news' kind of year. Hmm. Well, let me tell you - mediocrity doesn't do anyone any good. The year '26' is going to rock. It is going to be my year. The summer of George? More like the year of Jaime! Bring it!

Vacation Time!

So my company has decided I need to take a week off (well, it decided this for everyone). I think they thought I needed the break (they can sense burnout). Oh, did I mention the week off is unpaid?

Well, anyhow, desperate times call for desperate measures (right Emily?). So I'm not gonna bitch and moan about this - there's nothing I can do so I'm going to be excited about the break. The weather is getting nicer so it might soon be a good time to have some time off. Anyhow - it's coming up in about a month. What should I do with this time? None of my friends are going to have a week off at this time. Should I travel by myself? Is that weird? A good friend of mine suggested doing a tour of Chicago - all the touristy things like the Shedd Aquarium, etc., that are here but we never do. I think this could be a good idea. Anyone else have any suggestions?