For a Regularly Contributing Commenter

Happy Birthday Tom!

Recurring Dream...

So for the past two nights in a row, I've had the dream that I was back in senior year of college.  Now, normally for me, the idea of a dream about being back in school and having to deal with classes, tests, etc. is a complete and total nightmare.  Normally I feel very relieved when I wake up from these kind of dreams - it's not that I stressed out about school that much, it just wasn't fun and I was glad when it was over.  However, I felt perfectly at ease and even happy in these dreams (well, senior year of college wasn't the most busy).  

Also, randomly, I can't recall the last time I had a dream about being back in college - perhaps I'd had some the first year after graduating but certainly not recently.  I am curious where these dreams came from and what they mean.  

Funny Stuff?

So a friend of mine recently brought up the point that she'd read somewhere - that guys are intimidated by funny women (kind of in the same sense that they are intimidated by women who make more money than them).  A lot of men will say a 'great sense of humor' is very important to them in the woman they date, but they really mean they want someone who will laugh at their jokes, as opposed to make them laugh.  

I kind of think this is true - not across the board with every guy but generally speaking.  I know there have been some guys I knew briefly who found me to 'not have a sense of humor' (because I didn't find them all that funny and didn't pretend to).  In reality, I think I have a pretty great one.   Also, I tend to be the kind of person who thinks I'm funny and I'm typically the type to be making the jokes - maybe this is one of those 'opposites attract' kind of things - two people who think they're funny don't jive because they are battling for the stage.  

Also, I regularly notice articles and studies saying women want a man who can 'make them laugh' - listing this quality as one of the most important ones a woman looks for in a mate.  For me personally, although of course it is important to find someone who I can laugh and enjoy myself with, I certainly couldn't say I'm specifically looking for 'someone who can make me laugh' - I couldn't even put that quality in my top ten.  

Anyhow, I guess, in short (well, at this point, can I even say that?), my question is this - do many guys pride themselves on being able to make the women in their lives laugh?  Are men intimidated by sarcastic women?  Do sarcastic women need to be with men who don't pride themselves on their ability to make a woman laugh?  

All I know is this - I am sarcastic and like to crack jokes (regardless of whether or not people find me funny at times), and I am not changing for anyone.  I am a feminist - I am not going to pretend to be some weak girl who is going to fawn over and fake laugh at some guy who thinks he is funny.  I have a sense of humor, but I don't humor the men who try to date me.  (However, as stated earlier - I don't really take into consideration whether or not a guy can make me laugh - the quality is not all that important to me.)

Thoughts?

Random...

Loving it, Google!

Black Wednesday

Today is apparently the biggest DUI night of the year.  I suppose that the thought of spending the entire next day with one's extended family sparks calls for desperate measures.  That, and people probably don't plan ahead for today like they do for New Year's Eve, etc., it's more a 'stop for one (or 12) on the way home from work', kind of day.

I am reminded of a time when I was working the lunch shift at Chili's on this day - I believe it was either sophomore or junior year of college and I was working the lunch shift in my hometown, right across the street from my former high school, on a break from college.  

Around 12, a large group of teachers from my high school (some of them my very own former teachers) meandered in (I remembered there was usually a half day of school on this day).  They started as a table of 12 (but kept expanding as the afternoon went on).   

Their server was slightly less than thrilled with them.  They sat for something around four hours (as of when I left, they may have stayed even longer), and they had ordered something over $120 of alcohol (mind you, this was at Chili's - home of the $5 as-big-as-your-head margarita), yet the only food they had was one order of boneless buffalo wings (amongst the however many at that point).  

A group of 12 first graders would have been quieter and better behaved.  The manager went over and asked them to keep it down a couple times.  I remember two of the female teachers standing up and kissing each other on the lips and all the men applauding rowdily.  As I was leaving, the management was contemplating asking them to leave because they were disrupting virtually everyone on their side of the restaurant.  

For some unknown reason, thinking of my former teachers in this disjointed, disruptive, inappropriate state always makes me smile to this day.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  

RIP

'...a song for a heart so big, god couldn't let it live....'

My dog - Gretchen Grace Sikora - passed this morning.  She was almost 13 years old (11/28/95-11/25/08).   She was a tricolor Collie.  I will miss her terribly - I do already.  I am a dog person (I realize some of you are not and this is just silly to you), however, she was a longtime best friend to me (even though she lived with my parents).  

No one will ever love me quite like this dog did.  No one will ever think I'm as great as she did.  And that's ok.  From here on out, I will try to be the person she thought I was.     

Psychic?

So, my girlfriends and I have, at times, discussed going to see a psychic as a fun group activity.  We would not be willing to put out any large chunk of cash for it and we would, of course, take things with a grain of salt.  

I am curious - has anyone out there gone to one before?  I had a coworker once who regularly went to one - she used to drop 'my psychic' like 'my hairstylist' or 'my dentist'.  I know some people put a good amount of faith in them.  

However, I do know the typical scams - a lot of time they will put out a very general statement (someone you care about is undergoing a health issue - or - you are currently second-guessing your career choice - or - there is someone close to you with a name that starts with [insert common letter, such as S or T, here]).  

Then a person will say 'well....' and start providing the psychic with some personal information that she can then make some more specific 'predictions' on.   Also, people will often find ways to make the psychic's general statements apply to their own lives - so it will seem more effective than it actually is.

That being said, I am still a little intrigued.  I felt my handwriting analysis (in a previous blog) was pretty accurate and I did not provide her with any information.  Has anyone gone to a (cheap) psychic before?  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Happy Birthday to a near and dear friend - Emily!!   What would I do without Emily?  She introduced me to byobs and blogging (oh, and also Tropico).  I can honestly say I wouldn't have survived, well, you know, without her - we lived through a tragic experience together and are stronger people because of it.  

Em - I know you're reading - I hope you have a good one.  I believe most of my blog readers who haven't met you feel they know you on some level because they often travel over to your blog.  

Bizarro Work Perks, Part Deux

How could I forget this?!?!

So, earlier I mentioned that a good friend of mine works at a company where she and other employees received large turkeys as a 'bonus'.   Well, a mere two years ago, 'said' friend and I worked together at, ahem, another company.  (I have mentioned 'said' company briefly in one post before, other than that I do not speak of it.  Please understand we all have our skeletons.)

Anyhow, at this company, around Thanksgiving, we were rewarded with 'paper' turkeys.  When someone caught someone doing a 'good job', he or she was to color in a blank paper turkey and give it to this person.  This was supposed to make one feel good and rewarded, received a colored-in piece of paper (from ANOTHER ADULT).

Paper turkeys.  Real turkeys.  Some of us move up in the world.  

Say What You Will

Over the next couple days, I am making a point of watching the entire Friends Thanksgiving episode library.  I am not sure which episode is my favorite, although I think there's a frontrunner....

"I love Jacques Cousteau!"

Bizarro Work Perks

So a good friend of mine who shall remain nameless received a 20 lb turkey (!?!?!)  from her company as a Thanksgiving bonus.   Although this is great if one is hosting a Thanksgiving party, I imagine it to be a bit awkward if one already is going by someone else for Thanksgiving - there's suddenly an odd obligation to cook this large bird....  Also, what about vegetarians?

However, I know this is not uncommon.  I get an unlimited supply of free/$1 brand new hardcover books (which I find to be the BEST PERK IN THE WORLD).   That, and I get to sometimes ride the elevator with Richard Roeper.  Oh, not to mention the Jerry Seinfeld Bee Movie meet and greet - that was, as Mastercard would say, priceless.  

Anyone else have any interesting/bizarre work perks?

Gift Cards?

Did anyone else get the e-mail forward warning of companies filing for bankruptcy/closing stores after the first of the year and the dangers of gift cards for these stores not being valid?  I am not going to copy and paste the entire long e-mail here - the previous sentence sums it up.  

I am not too worried - I have already planned or bought most of my Christmas gifts, and for those I haven't figured yet, well, I wasn't planning on a gift card to one of those stores.  If I for some reason receive a gift card to one of those joints, I will simply shop before January 1.  (Maybe I AM paranoid.)

I could always 'snopes' this and see if there's truth to it.  Hmm.  Anyone have any knowledge on this subject?

Birthday Time!

Happy Birthday Ashley!!  One of my very favorite people from college - we need quite the celebration! I shamrock you!   This blog highly appreciates your presence (as do I)!

Barackstar

Ok, not to rant and rave FOREVER, but Barack Obama has not yet even been inaugurated yet and how many different keepsakes are there out there for sale?  I'm watching an infomercial for a Barack Obama commemorative plate.  SERIOUSLY!?!?!  That's not to mention dvds, posters, special editions of newspapers, etc.  I can't help but wonder if Barack Obama doesn't come through with some of his campaign promises (such as 'change'), there'll be millions of pieces of memorabilia for the Republicans to rub his face in?  

Daily Rambling...

So, as I've mentioned once or twice before, I've toyed with the idea of changing this blog's name.  I was getting antsy last night and I decided to google "Daily Ramblings" and see if this blog came up in Google's cache (or whatever the heck it's called).  

Now, don't get me wrong, I didn't think that I came up with the expression 'Daily Ramblings' or that I was the only one to use it, however, there are a TON of blogs named 'Daily Ramblings' - like the first three pages of google were different DRs.   In fact, I even saw one with this exact layout.  I kind of wanted to be a random creep and comment on it.

For me, this is kind of like when you hear someone is using your baby name - you don't want it to be stolen out from under you!  Although the copycatism is annoying, you can't let the others 'have' your name.  I am holding tight to Daily Ramblings - and I'm going to try to bring this blog up higher in the google cache (hopefully this post will help)....

I Made It!!!

So, at the beginning of the year, I made the goal to read 12 books for the year (one book a month pretty much).  I started out strong, finishing one book by the end of January, however, I seemed to hit a lull.  It was May and my book log was still at one; it didn't seem as though it was going to happen.  

However, I looked deep into my soul and channeled the spirit of a younger me.  Never one to give up on a goal, no matter how bleak things looked - I found my adrenaline to sprint to the end.  With almost two months to spare, I reached my goal.  I just might do a victory lap-book.  

My 12 books, in an attempted chronological order:

-- The Secret of The Secret  by Karen Kelly

-- Microtrends by Mark J. Penn

-- Debunked by Richard Roeper

-- If I'd Known Then edited by Ellyn Spragyn

-- Olive Kitteredge by Elizabeth Strout

-- Nerds:  Who They Are and Why We Need More of Them by David Anderegg

-- Aruba by Dave Holloway

-- Friend or Frenemy by Andrea Lavinthal and Jessica Rozler

-- The Tenth Circle  by Jodi Picoult

-- How to Get Sued by J. Craig Williams

-- Dear Zoe by Philip Beard

-- Slackonomics by Lisa Chamberlain

Piper, I hear you over there.  Reviews to come (if they haven't been published already).

Are You Ready for Some Football?!?!

For some unknown reason, lately, I have started watching football.   Since I am from Chicago, the Bears are my team.

I gotta say, I like this guy.  Rex Grossman.  I know, I know.  Say what you will.   His biggest problem is mental, not physical.  I like it when professional athletes seem human.  Again, say what you will - someone's gotta be damn good to be picked at some point to be quarterback of a professional team (not looking in comparison to the rest of the field).  It goes to show you that no matter how far we make it, sometimes we can't shake off our humanness.

If any of my loyal readers are football watchers - I am sure there are some Rex-haters reading this and shaking their heads.  However, I look forward to the game where everyone's expectations are down and he comes through with the game-winning save.  

Dating 101

So, I have a question in regards to dating:

Let's say, hypothetically speaking, you meet someone who asks for your number.  Then, said individual asks you to have drinks or dinner or attend some event with him (or her).  It's most definitely a 'date', if you will, not something under the guise of 'catching up' or what have you.

Now, I'm not talking a gender issue of what a man should do for a woman - I'm talking one person most definitely asks the other person to have drinks or dinner with him (again, or her).   So let's say you were the person who was asked out - when the check comes, what is protocol?  Do you, the askee, offer to pay for yourself?  Are you possibly offending the person by doing so  (by somehow implying 'this is NOT a date')?  Is it rude not to offer?  Is a half-hearted offer worthless?  (I personally kind of think so - it's a little obvious.)  Is there a good way to offer?  What does one say?

For a first date, I can never figure out what to do.   Dear blog readers - what do you think?  

Has Anyone Out There....

...tried out Improv Comedy classes?  I have been thinking about it.   The only things are 1)  they are expensive and 2)  there seems to be some strict rules about not being able to miss class.   Not that, after spending all that money to take them, I would want to miss a class; I'm just sayin' - girlfriend's got a busy life and things come up.  

I am reminded of the time on The Office when Michael Scott took improv...I promise I wouldn't be like that.  

Does anyone know of any good improv joints that are cheap with flexible policies?

This Applies to 35% of My Coworkers

A Stranger's Review of Jaime's Blog(!!!)

I previously posted about a company called 'Oh Nuts' on October 19.

Oh Nuts replied:

HI,

 

Thank you for choosing Oh! Nuts to serve your sweet needs! and Thanks for the blog ( it is a nice one, and I see you posting often).

Would you please send me the order number so I could apply the credit to your Mothers CC.

 

Thanks!

Ari

Oh! Nuts 

They called my blog 'a nice one'.  :-D  

At 10:35pm today, my day has been made.  Thank you Nuts.  

Do You? I Do.

At this time of blogger's block, I recall an old conversation with my roommate.  It was on the subject of the school of thought that, if you're single and want to be dating someone, you should do things such as sleep on one side of the bed instead of in the middle to make room for another person in your life ('The Secret" presents this school of thought, although it didn't originate it.)

I went on to say that I already sleep on one side of the bed; well, I have to, because the stuffed animals take up the other side.  

I am curious to hear "The Secret" and others of this view's thoughts on this and how it might affect my dating life.  

Yes, I sleep with a stuffed animal.  Well, a couple.  Primarily, Heimlich of "A Bug's Life" (see above).   I do believe I'm the only adult who does so, but I don't care.  Does anyone else?  Thoughts?  

Blah

So now that the general election is over, I'm a little at a loss for what to blog about.... (some of you might be happy about this).

What else do I blog about?  Random annoyances?  Dating and relationships?  Feminist rants?  Completely random comments?  

What exactly is this blog about?  Someone asked me that this weekend and I wasn't sure what to say....  Do the immortal words of Jerry Seinfeld ring true here?

Quote

Sarah Palin, just now, on Greta Van Susteren's 'On the Record':

"Sure, I'm a feminist...whatever that means."

She later goes on to talk about the big ticket issue, abortion.

"Sure, we'd all like to see fewer abortions, and make more preventative measures available, uh...uh...."

Interesting comment Sarah.   Someone correct me if I'm wrong - Gov. Palin is for abstinence only education, right?  So what would those 'preventative measures' she's talking about be?  Abstinence?  Isn't that already 'available'? 

President Elect

I have a sneaking suspicion I'm one of the few who won't be disappointed by Obama...I have reasonable expectations on the man.

I do appreciate him giving multiple speeches over the past couple days pretty much saying "You know all those things I lead you to believe I could do over the past year and a half?  Yeah, about that...."

Looking for a Creative New Way to Say 'Nothing'

A lot of people will ask me what is new in my life.  Well, maybe not just me; I'm under the impression it's just a common ice-breaker that people use on everyone.  

Well, let's see.  I'm at the same job and the same apartment.  I'm not dating anyone new.  I still have the same group of friends for the most part.   There haven't been any major changes within my family.  (Honestly, a lot of this falls into the 'no news is good news' category.)  So, what does that leave?

Yep, you guessed it.  When people ask me what is new, I talk about THIS BLOG.  Which is probably less exciting than what these people are hoping for.  But what's a gal to do?  

(I'm taking suggestions for new hobbies as we speak.)  

Misc. Political Cartoons

I'll miss you, Sarah.

And, while we're at it, let's make good use of the lame duck.

Worried About the Common Cold?

The Chicago Dianetics Center has proposed a solution.

Sick all the time?

Have your IQ and Personality checked as you may be disease-prone. Call 847-824-62** to set up an appointment.

One should note that yours truly has not been ill in over a year....

Another Birthday Shoutout!!

Happy Birthday to one of my oldest (as in, known the longest) and very best friends - Jeannine!!  Jeannine is an avid reader of this blog.  She might not comment all that much, but she reads daily and clicks, which means so much more.

From now until Saturday, I will be celebrating Jeannine.  It will be one giant tiny group meeting.  Jeannine, I shamrock you!!

Mr. President

So he won!?!?

Congratulations Barack Obama!  He sure ran a great campaign.

I must say, I was touched by hearing older African Americans talk about struggles they and their parents and grandparents experienced in life and how they never thought they'd see this day and what it means to them.  

Now, the campaign is over.  It's time to stop talking about change and actually do it.  I look forward to not hearing the word change, in fact.  And the expectations are VERY VERY HIGH, president-elect, so things will surely be interesting.  I truly, sincerely hope Barack Obama does a good job, especially when it comes to improving our economy and healthcare system.

I truly also look forward the end of attack ads, the words 'hope' and 'change', and mostly, Keith Olbermann's hourlong nightly love song.  

(My loyal readers probably truly look forward to me writing about new topics.)

I'll miss you, Sarah Palin.  

I Voted!

I won't say for whom (really, there were a lot of positions to vote on...).

However, I will say this - there WAS a spot for a write-in candidate for president.

Get Out to Vote?

Apparently Starbucks is giving out free coffee to everyone who votes.  Woohoo - I am not saying no to free coffee!!

(Brief aside:  Again, I do not support this huge 'everyone must vote!!!' campaign because I do believe the ignoramus remain ignorant but are now playing a significant role in the political process.)

Who knows what'll happen when I go into that voting booth tomorrow - I'll keep you posted for sure!

Obamafest '08

So guess who was just offered a ticket to the Obama rally?  (Well, in exchange for a couple hours of campaigning for him.)  

What was the best was the voicemail:

"I'm guessing the answer is no because I know you're not as crazy about him but I thought I'd let you know...."

Thanks Rachel!

My Fellow Americans....

So, as you know, this past Halloween I went with quite possibly my scariest costume to date. 

 

So, the strangest thing ever.   While I was out for Halloween, a couple strangers took a picture with me because they found my costume to be funny.  

So today, I get an e-mail notification that a girl I went to college with tagged photos of me on facebook.  I haven't seen this girl in probably over a year and a half, so I assumed she must have been uploading some really old photos.  

But when I checked - alas, no!  It was pictures from Halloween!!  Apparently some of the guys who took pictures with me are friends of hers and had uploaded the photos and she recognized me in them!  Since they didn't know me personally, they tagged me as "the GOP VP candidate". 

Thanks Alice Moy for the photo tagging and thanks Neil Ackerman for saying I was second only to Tina Fey - if you have any debate questions for me, I'd be more than happy to answer.  I can see Russia from my house!

Random Sex and the City Quote

Miranda:  That seems so judgmental.

Carrie:  Miranda, you ARE judgmental.  Try putting it to good use.  

For A Loyal Reader....

Joe six-pack.  Joe the plumber.  Now, I bring you "Joe Cool".

If John McCain wins on Tuesday

...we, the people of the United States, both democrats and republicans alike, can all unite under one notion...

...that it is very, very, VERY important that John McCain does not die while in office.