A Grammar Rule to Start the New Year....

One of my biggest pet peeves....

Happy New Year all!

2009 in a Nutshell

As the old year comes to a close, some stats of 2009....

Number of job changes: 0
Number of moves: 1
Number of blog posts: 323
Number of trips out of town: 2
Number of romantic relationships: 0
Number of times my personal romantical life appeared in Emily's blog: 3
Number of incidents that could be classified as 'car trouble': 2
Number of friends (per the facebook.com): 723
Number of blog followers: 12
Number of broken New Year's Resolutions: 3
Number of blogs I'm following: 10

...and a partridge in a pear tree?

Who Picks Whom?

Ok, back to one of those dating/relationship/men vs. women posts that everyone (hopefully) doesn't hate....

So one of my male coworkers (who is a little over ten years older than me and married for around seven years, I believe) shared the story of how he met his wife: a simple, somewhat typical story - she approached him in a coffee shop. He ended the story with the comment 'I believe that women choose the men they end up marrying. It isn't men choosing their women, it's women choosing their men.'

Now, I personally respectfully disagree. Although we've all gotten more modern - what with dating websites and girls asking guys for dates, etc., I've always felt that the men hold the keys on this one. Typically (or, at least, more often) men approach women, men ask women out, men make the first move for the kiss, men propose. Granted, yes, the woman can reject the man at any of these stages, and yes, a woman can walk away if the relationship isn't moving at the speed she would like it to be (which gives her some control), and yes, a woman can be forward and initiate any of the aforementioned steps in a relationship, but I feel, more often than not, it's the man in the driver's seat. Perhaps in my coworker's situation, he was approached by the woman, so perhaps he was 'picked' if you will, but I feel this situation falls into the minority.

However. An interesting twist to this situation - I was talking to one of my other male coworkers (close to my age, in a relationship but never married) and I ran this theory of 'women pick the men they marry' by said coworker and he completely and totally agreed.

Is there something I'm missing? Do other women feel the way I do? Do other men feel the way my coworker does? Who picks whom? All I know is that I don't believe I've necessarily been 'sitting around, waiting to be picked', if you will, but I also haven't actively 'gone out and picked' (again, if you will).

I'm torn as to how I feel about this theory - I've always kind of resented the old-fashioned notion that I was supposed to wait for the guy who picked me - I'm a modern woman with my own opinions, interests and preferences; perhaps the person who picks me doesn't necessarily fit what I want. However, in the same sense, I would like to be pursued and courted. I kind of agree with the 'He's Just Not That Into You' theory - if a guy wants me (or any girl for that matter), he will take action, and, well, don't we all want the guy to initially want us?

Hmm. Your thoughts?

Hum...

So, today at lunch, a friend of mine made a random reference to Eeyore (whilst describing someone's demeanor). It seemed completely random; I have not heard much, if at all, about this guy lately.

I am reminded that one of my good friends picked Eeyore as her favorite of the Winnie the Pooh group.

The funny thing about this guy (or at least, what I know of him), is he seems so sad and downtrodden and generally bummed out that he'd be shocked to know that anyone picked him or even, well, thought of him at all. For this reason (and for the fact that, at times, I share his general outlook), I must say - I kind of like the dude.

What are everyone's thoughts on Eeyore? Anyone else pick him as a favorite?

New Year's Resolutions (or, at Least, those Acceptable to Post in a Public Forum)

--Cook and bake more often (deja vu)
--Increase upper body strength (deja vu AGAIN)

(Editor's sidenote: Is 'deja vu again' not the ULTIMATE redundancy?)

--Publish a good amount of interesting, relevant blog posts that people are excited to read
--Stumble upon wealth

Any suggestions to add?
Updates to come....

O Christmas Tree

So, as you may or may not know, this year, for the first time in my life, I got a real Christmas tree. It has been lovely and spectacular!

So now that the Christmas season is over, it would seem appropriate to, sooner or later, take said tree down (along with the rest of the X-Mas decorations). However, there's a small issue.

It's still alive.

I am NOT a cold-hearted killer. THAT, and this tree has become part of the family...err...part of the apartment. I can't just put it on the side of the road in the cold weather with no water. How could someone do that? Has he/she no heart?!?!

So, I've made a decision. I will take the ornaments off. I will take down all the other decorations in my apartment. But the tree will stay until the end of its natural life. It will be a festive, decorative, seasonal 'neighborhood' tree, if you will. My neighbor across the way left his Christmas present-shaped lights up all year 'round. This is acceptable for my apartment building. And, my former roommate used to like to leave the decorations up until Valentine's Day - I already have experience in celebrating the holiday for an extended period of time. Yes. This SHALL work.

Anyone else feel the way I do about live trees? I'd say I'm definitely getting another live tree next year, but hey, maybe I will still have this one!!

Some X-Mas 2009 Highlights

30 Ways of Looking at Hillary

Yes, I've already started reading it. Review to come.

Merry Christmas All!

Amex Gift Cards

Now, I have been on the receiving end of these a few times. I love receiving them just fine. I'm certainly not complaining. All the pleasure of a gift card without the limitations of where to shop. Lovely.

However, I have one gripe about these (and for this reason refuse to buy them as gifts for others, ever) - there's some ridiculous service/activation/what-have-you fee.

What, praytell, is the point of ever giving one of these as opposed to cash? Yeah, I get it, there's something maybe a little more formal/professional looking about these, and yeah, I'm sure there's some safety lost/stolen guarantee of some form (although I don't really know), however, it all seems pointless on a denomination less than $100.

Anyhow. I think, for this reason, these are a sham. Like bottled water, if you will. However, much like bottled water, these sure have taken off. Your thoughts? Anyone buy these/give these as gifts? Anyone see a point to them as opposed to cash?

Checkin' It Twice

(click to enlarge)

Well, it's good to see I'm finally getting the credit I deserve....

Let's see if this pans out to anything. Update to come.

My First Christmas Present of the Season!!

That middle gift is the Lolita "Wine Tasting" wine glass!



Welcome home!




I'm gonna need a bigger shelf!

Thanks Emily!!

Yet ANOTHER Expression I Hate....

...when people take the pronoun out of a reply. For example - something I heard today:

"Appreciate it."

It made me wish I hadn't held the door for her.

Where's the I? I feel like people take the pronoun out to sound more professional or savvy or fast-paced (I don't have time for all the words that belong in this sentence!). Ugh.

In googling the subject, I found this line I couldn't agree with more: pronouns are like condoms, always use one. Thank you. Thank you very much.

The Right Way to Start a Monday Morning

I saw the above button on the commute into work today. Santa, is it too late to add to my list?

Most Depressing Movie I've Ever Seen....

'Everybody's Fine.'

No, they're not. Trust me, they're not.

It takes a lot to get me to cry at a movie. I cried for a character I'd never even met.... I don't have the time and energy to sit here and write out a review. This movie emotionally drained me for the month.

Nonetheless, I sometimes like sad, depressing, dark movies. I think I liked it....

Now, does anyone out there have a Valium?

Breaking Up is Hard to do....

So I was reading Cosmo (yep, again) - the guy confession page. One guy wrote in - here's a brief synopsis of his story:

He met a girl, they went out a couple times, he realized he wasn't into her. He stopped calling/texting, however, she continued to call/text him and he couldn't seem to shake her (editor's sidenote: I, personally, am disappointed he didn't mention whether or not he'd slept with her - I feel it was an important detail). He decided to create an email account, emailed this girl pretending to be his own mother, and told her (as his 'mother') that her son had had a mental breakdown and had been institutionalized, therefore, he couldn't see her any more.

(Second editor's sidenote: I wonder if he realizes this really isn't, in all actuality, all that far from the truth.)

Ok - first - just to clarify - I personally have not been in a relationship recently, nor have I been broken up with recently. In fact, not in years. I say this so no one thinks I'm some bitter crazy angry girl who is pissed off at her recent ex-boyfriend or something that implies there is such an undertone to this post.

Second. Seriously dude? Couldn't you have, uh, just told her the truth (or a gentle reasonable facsimile)? 'I realized I'm still not over my ex....I am just not ready for a relationship right now....I don't think we want the same things' yada? In addition to this, I have known quite a few various guys who've used some bizarre breakup techniques - such as disappearing, or purposely intentionally pissing the girl off so she will break up with him. What is with guys fearing girls will go CRAZY if they tell them honestly, respectfully that they just don't think things are going to work out?

I know a lot of guys will interject that girls they've had past experiences with did go crazy, so they've taken to erring on the side of caution. However, I think the anger really just comes not from the rejection necessarily but in the way that it's handled. In the words of Carrie Bradshaw, from the best SATC episode ever:

"Most women aren't angry, irrational psychos. We just want an ending to a relationship that is thoughtful and decent and honors what we had together. So my point, Billy, is this. There is a good way to break-up with someone and it doesn't include a post-it!"

Your thoughts? Do all men have issues in breaking up with women? Do women have similar issues when breaking up with men? Is there any good way to break up with a person? Anyone have any major horror stories out there? In the minds of men, do all women have the potential to get crazy when they're being broken up with?

Coming Up on a Milestone....

So I'm coming up on a big anniversary soon. This coming December 15 (next week Tuesday) will be my five year anniversary of having graduated college. I count this day as the day I finished (the day I completed my final final), since I finished in December and didn't have an actual graduation until the spring. My diploma says December 20, which confused me, because December 20, 2004, was a Monday. I know this because I did, indeed, look it up because it seemed so perplexing.

Anyhow. If you've continued reading this post thus far, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Five years out of college. Hmm. Am I where I thought I'd be? Am I where I'm supposed to be? In the words of Better Than Ezra "are you further now from where you started"? I felt like such a badass because I graduated early and was ahead of my peers. But that was five years ago.

I believe this five year anniversary is symbolic of a call to action.

More to come soon....

These are a Few of my Favorite Things....

Maybe as a one-time journalist (or journalist wannabe. whatever) I have a better appreciation for this than the non-journalist folk, but regardless, I find it hilarious.

Overheard in the Newsroom

Check it out. Maybe they'll back reference my blog. Or not.

It's About That Time....

...for the end of year 'how did I do on my New Year's Resolutions' evaluation.

I did not make many resolutions, nor did I make intense ones. One of my resolutions was to try three new recipes a month. Another was to increase my upper body strength by doing pushups and hand weights several times a week. Another was to start running to increase my physical endurance.

Now, I have not had a chance to really sit down and evaluate my progress on these goals, but just giving it a brief once-over, I think, realistically speaking, an accurate grade for my progress on these resolutions would be....an F.

:'(

Oops.

Why are New Year's resolutions so hard? Mine were realistic. Simple. Measurable. Doable. Why did I fail?

Did anyone succeed at his or her New Year's resolutions this year? Does anyone out there still make them? Am I the only one? Did anyone accomplish anything big? Anyone planning on setting some big resolutions?

Cheaters....

So, recently, in the whole Tiger Woods scandal, Mary Schmich asked the question on facebook, 'is there any celebrity/public figured you'd be truly shocked/disappointed in to hear about an indiscretion'?

The response was generally unanimous.

And I am with the crowd on this. Is it possible for someone so in the public eye to not fall to temptation? I want to believe it IS possible, if the guy has the right attitude about things.

I may be stupid about this (along with everyone else, apparently), but I think this guy's got what it takes to keep himself behaved....



Your thoughts?

Christmas Cards

So, I got my first (and probably last :-( ) Christmas card (thanks to non blog reader Laura).

My family never did Christmas cards when I was younger, so, be it a cause of nature or nurture, I haven't either. However, I do love receiving them. Maybe I'm putting out bad card karma by not sending them out. I'm a taker but not a giver.

Anyhow. I particularly enjoy the cards that are family photos. However, what would I do for an X-mas card? (Cue for the old school Encore commercials.) A picture of me with my shoe collection? My nail polishes? Oh, I know - how about my wine glasses and wine bottles! Now THAT screams Christmas spirit!

Actually, upon further review, I have decided the best Christmas card would probably a picture of me and this blog. However, since that's not so exciting, please consider this post my Christmas card to all of you, my friends and blog readers.

Hitting Up the Gym

So, the other day, I hit up the gym. Specifically, the East Bank Club.

Now, don't get me wrong, but I personally don't get the point of gym memberships. I mean, I do get it, but I personally think it's more economical to buy an exercise machine (yeah, I get it, not much room in a tiny apartment) or just run outside for the sake of working out (yeah, I get it, cold weather). I get the point of the gym for an athlete who wants to train on the various weight machines, etc., but not for your average every day working out folk. Yeah, I get it, the gym has variety, is indoors, offers safety and the whole experience, etc.

Anyhow.

I happened to notice something. While I was in the ladies locker room, for me personally, it was like 8th grade revisited. I kept my eyes down and got as close to the locker as possible without actually getting in it in order to change. However, everyone else around me had a very different take on the situation. I even had a very naked much older woman try to strike up a friendly conversation (not like that).

Since I am not a gym regular, maybe I am just not aware of norms. What is protocol? How many inappropriate responses am I going to get right now? Does anyone else feel like I do about gym memberships and the general cost of them?

Lotto Ticket

So the other day, I happened to buy a scratch off lotto ticket (hey, we all have our skeletons in the closet...).

Anyhow, by matching three of a kind out of six, I won a 'free ticket'.

I feel this is symbolic of 'possibilities'. Who knows. That future card I get could be a $250K winner.

Update to come.

It's Christmas in Chicago!!!!

My first EVER real live tree!!!!!


Yes, there are, indeed, already some presents under it!!


I tried to hide his 'Charlie Brown' angle....




It seemed morally wrong (a stuffed animal on a wine bottle), however, I do believe he is of age in reindeer years....

What Constitutes Judgment?

So, recently, a good friend of mine was talking about how she was talking to a good friend about a problem and how said friend was really great about not judging her. However, this raised a question - what constitutes not judging someone? Is it not forming an opinion about someone's actions/situation, or simply doing a good job of masking said opinion?

I believe (correct me if I'm wrong), therapists and various other professionals are trained to hide any opinions or judgments from their clients. However, I've always thought 'man, I wonder what goes through their heads after some of their sessions'.

That, and is it really possible to not form an opinion on someone's actions, especially in some extreme situations? Yeah, there's that whole 'walk a mile in someone's shoes' bit, but does ANYONE actually do that? Is it possible to even prevent your mind from forming an opinion - even if you don't mean to, isn't it a somewhat semi-conscious snap reaction in the first place?

I know a lot of people who claim they don't judge - however, I do know from talking to them about various other people that they do. They just make a point of not doing it to the person's face.

What constitutes not judging someone? Is it not forming an opinion, or simply not expressing it? Is it possible to not form an opinion? Is there anywhere we can actually go to not be judged?

Expressions I Hate, AGAIN

The expression 'touch base'

As in, 'Let's touch base on this matter later' or 'I'll touch base with John'.

I hate it mostly because it's classic corporate speak. It has no use in real every day life. If it somehow does appear, it's either
a) force of habit (excusable) or
b) an attempt to sound more educated/important/dignified (horrific)

Anyhow. There's no real reason to choose these two words. It's an inflated way of saying 'talk about' or 'reach out to'. Who 'touches base'? Is yet another everyday expression relating to baseball? Don't people 'tag the base'?

Ugh. This reminds me of the pandemic 'All Your Base Are Belong to Us' back in high school. (Anyone else remember that?!?!)

Anyhow. I guess I don't really want to know the origin of this expression. I just watn to bitch about it. I'd ask if anyone else out there feels the way I do, but I googled 'the expression touch base' and one of the first responses was: 'when people use the expression touch base, do you have the urge to crack them in the chops?'

Does anyone like this expression? Anyone else find him or herself unfortunately using it from time to time?

For Those of my Readers Following So You Think You Can Dance, Season 6

Just one quick question...when will the finale be? Per my calculations, it should be, in theory, happening right around the week of Christmas. This doesn't seem logical with timing/ratings/etc. I have looked online in multiple places, including Fox's website, and I cannot find an answer. Does anyone know anything about this? Anyone else curious about this? Anyone else care about this post?

P.S. My favorite dancer, as of now, is Kathryn. I also like Russell. And Victor. But he keeps ending up in the bottom for some reason. There's a LOT of girls I could do without - Mollee, Ashleigh, etc. Ok, I will stop now.

How I Live

This is a single girl's apartment. No boys allowed!

Birthday Alert!!

So tomorrow is one of my very best friend's b-days! Happy 27th Emily!!

I'm glad Emily turns 27 before I do. She can tell me how it is. Like when you hear a loud noise outside and send someone else to check it out - let me know how it goes, Em, and if I should try to avoid it or not!

Giveaway!

So, some of my readers have expressed an interest in a giveaway. Well, there is an actual giveaway happening on one of the blogs I follow!

Becky's Blog - it's called Thyme for Wine - is hosting a giveaway. Becky - my favorite holiday food are chocolate chip shortbread cookies - I will post to your blog appropriately. Jaime - six points!

(Who is Becky? She's Emily's brother Doug's girlfriend! That's who!)

Anyhow.

What spurred the giveaway? Becky is up to 50 public followers! I will 'follow' in suit - when I have 50 public followers, there will be a giveaway.

Stay tuned & recruit!

Blogs, Blogs, Blogs

So, it appears as though everyone, everwhere, has a blog. How could I criticize another blogger? However, with many, I wonder how long they will last. I read a random statistic that said half the blogs currently out there won't be in existence six months from now.

What makes a blog have 'staying power'? Well, I suppose that, simply put, the blogger needs to keep having motivation to post. It's not like a business where it needs funds to operate. A blog doesn't necessarily need readers to operate - I guess this disproves that 'tree falling in the woods' theory.

However, the readers are helpful. What keeps readers coming back? Is it having a certain topic? I recently started following a couple of my friend's cooking blogs, and I've noticed they have a lot of followers. Another friend of mine blogs about her dating life.

What is this blog about? I believe we've had this discussion before. Deja vu. It doesn't have a particular theme. It's my thoughts. Well, I realize some of my thoughts are of no interest to others. Hmm. I guess if I'd have to pick my favorite thing to write about, it'd be my opinions on random observations I make (such as asking for a girl's father's hand in marriage, living together before marriage, etc.). Particularly, I like blogging about dating and relationships. Do people like my opinions/advice? Am I qualified to give them even? Do people take them? Hmm.

Actually, I like starting discussions/debates the best. Asking a probing question and getting some opinionated responses. That's the best part of blogging. I will try to do more of this....

Spelling and Grammar Watch....

Continuing on a theme of 'things people don't give a shit about'....

On page 76 of this month's cosmo, the word 'weirdly', is, ahem, 'wierdly' (SIC) spelled....

Wow.

I suppose this is one of the main problems of the written (or should I say 'printed') word....

My Top Five U.S. Male Figure Skaters at the Moment

Evan Lysacek. No explanation needed.


Brandon Mroz. I'm calling it now - rising star. I hope he makes the 2010 team.


Ryan Bradley. Although I'm not all that into the quirky style he embodies - he can bring it. He was the U.S. silver medalist back in 2007, I believe.


Johnny Weir. Great style, but I might be a little over him....


Jeremy Abbott. I like him but he doesn't stand out as much as the prior four.

Feedback

So lately, I've been getting some feedback from quite a few loyal readers, both online and offline, that they are sick of hearing about figure skating and so you think you can dance.

Sigh. And I was just going to post on my top five male figure skaters. Let's be honest, I probably still will.

However, I like to keep my readers happy. I've heard from several readers that they like reading my attempts at being deep (posts including, but not limited to, can guys and girls be friends, should a guy ask for his fiance's father's hand in marriage, does everything happen for a reason, etc.).

Do people really like those posts? What else are my readers sick of? The Old Navy mannequins?

I will try to think up a new, hard-hitting post.

Any recommendations? Anything in particular you'd all like to read about?

Forgive me, I maybe need to get some figure skating out of my system stilll.

Overrated Holiday?

New Year's Eve.

Now, I've done quite a few various things over the years for said holiday. Navy Pier. Bar Package. Night in a college town (well, only when I was a college student's age). Friend's house party. I know - aren't I quite the socialite?

Well, this year, it looks as though I have 0 plans. And that is fine by me. There is quite a bit of figure skating in the dvr and plenty of wine stocked in the grape. Granted, it is still early. Something could come up.

What are your thoughts on said holiday?

Google Thinks It Knows Me....

My 'Google Ad Preferences', along with my thoughts on their accuracy (thanks Piper!):

Your interests

Below you can edit the interests that Google has associated with your cookie:

Category

Arts & Humanities - Books & Literature (yes)
Entertainment (check)
Entertainment - Dancing (oh how you know me)
Entertainment - TV - TV Networks (for sure)
Entertainment - TV - TV Programs (I'm an open book)
Home & Garden - Home Furnishings (sure, somewhat)
Lifestyles - Self-Help & Motivational (hmm. is this a not-so-subtle hint, google? what's THAT supposed to mean?)
Local - Regional Content - US & Canada - USA (Canada?!?!)
Real Estate (not buying real estate any time soon)
Reference - How-To & Expert Content (I'm a blogging expert, that's for sure)
Social Networks & Online Communities - Dating & Relationships (I'm the popular social networking site, bookface!)
Sports - Olympics & International Competitions (YES)
Sports - Winter Sports (YES! YES! YES!)

(Editor's Sidenote: My cookie?! What is my cookie?!?! Not just a cookie, MY cookie. Yes, cookies are an interest. I do like cookies. Not as much as cake or ice cream, but moreso than candy.)

Your thoughts? What has been left out? Other than blogging. And wine. And byobs.

My New Favorite SYTYCD Choreographer

Stacey Tookey.

Mia Michaels who?

I kid, I kid. No one can replace Mia. However, Stacey's pieces have all been home runs so far in my book (Falling Slowly, the Mistress Piece, Fear, and whatever yesterday's piece can/should be called). That and she doesn't seem to have the overinflated ego/artist mentality/bitchy edge to her that many of her caliber (or below her caliber, ahem, Laurieann Gibson, I'm looking in your direction) seem to carry.

Don't change, Stacey. Please don't change.