Dear Anonymous....

Who are you? You clearly think you know me. You clearly are a regular participant in this blog. You clearly are amused at the thought of getting my goat. You clearly have well thought-out responses.

I'm not going to lie, a couple suspects have come to mind.

Please keep commenting (even though your most recent comment was clearly the most disturbing). Please identify yourself.

Holy Dance Clothes, Batman!

Ok, I suppose this post is only going to be appreciated by my fellow dancers. I am not sure how many read the blog. I'm guessing somewhere around 2. At best.

However. Anyone ever notice that these days, some people wear the strangest things to dance class!?!?

I normally go for the leotard and black dance pants. I understand maybe not everyone owns or likes clothes specific for dance, so really, anything in the sports bra & t-shirt or some kind of exercise-looking top and some form of loose-fitting pants would make sense to me.

However, I keep looking around and I happen to see the strangest things...such as one legwarmer. On multiple people. Does one leg get colder than the other? I could see if it was going over a knee-brace or something like that, but sometimes these people take the legwarmer off (the heat disparity between legs must disappear or something) and there's nothing there. I can't see a legwarmer providing support INSTEAD of a knee brace, so I'm thinking there must a be a reason to actively warm one leg more than another.

That, or really crappy old clothes (schmata, if you will) - layers and layers of them! Now, don't get me wrong - I wear old college and high school t-shirts for workouts, but I'm talking stuff that the homeless would turn their noses up at if they pulled them out of a trash bin. This would sound snobby, if it weren't that these same individuals adorned in crap also have Ugg boots on their feet and coach bags on their shoulders. This look is obviously by choice and an attempt to make a statement - but I'm not sure what this statement is supposed to be. ("I like to give my fellow dancers the illusion that my life is falling apart" or "Maybe if I look homeless I won't have to pay for class". )

Anyhow. I seem to notice, week after week, that me and my dance class buddies seem to stand out for traditional garb. But you know what, that's ok. Thoughts?

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

What would a stranger think of this blogger from reading this blog alone? Like if someone stumbled across this link having never have met me? How do I come off? I don't necessarily mean in a positive or negative light - but what personality traits would one attribute to me?

Thanks A Lot, Rod!

There's no more pointing fingers at the state of Alaska for the foolishness and stupidity of their governor. As a resident of Illinois, I must now eat my words for all the Palin jokes. Terribly sorry, Sarah! I'll take a bridge to nowhere any day! It only makes sense that, like Bush, we elected and then re-elected this guy. In the words of good old B-Rod himself "What were we thinking?" And seriously, Rod, what are you thinking, dragging the good Illinois name through the mud!?!? (Well, Drew Peterson, Jeremiah Wright, George Ryan and the driver's license scandal, and 3 other corrupt governors aside....)

It Was an Impulse Buy....

Follow Up to a Previous Post, AGAIN

Earlier, I mentioned that the U.S. Figure Skating Championships are this weekend. I inquired whom everyone might be cheering for.








I am cheering for Kimmie.

Facebook, AGAIN

So, a friend from college recently got in touch with me suggesting we get together to catch up. She chose to get in touch by writing on my facebook wall. Within facebook alone, there are multiple ways a person can get in touch with another, including a private message.

However, I OBVIOUSLY prefer the means of the wall post. It says to the rest of the facebook world that I have an exciting social life (whether or not this is a true statement). In fact, I'd prefer that, moving forward, all my friends attempt to make plans with me in this way, even those I talk to daily via email/text/face-to-face contact. Thank you in advance for your cooperation on this important matter.

O Really?

A Million Little Pieces.
The Secret.
Barack Obama.

Don't doubt the Oprah effect people!!!

Jaime's Word of the Day

Tchotchke

tchotchke \CHOCH-kuh\, noun:A trinket; a knickknack.

I have heard and used this word many times. However, I have always spelled it 'chachkie'. I had NO idea of this spelling. This is a spelling bee winner, ladies and gents. Despite being a blogger, I don't often get excited about words - in fact, I don't really EVER get excited about words. However, today has been an exception to the rule! I am going to start using this word ALL THE TIME!

(How did I find out about this correct spelling, you ask? Cosmopolitan magazine, baby! And you thought they were only good for new sex positions....)

Non-Conformist

So, I don't own Uggs. I have nothing against them. I don't purposely not own them because I'm intentionally trying to go against the mainstream, because that's stupid. I just don't own them.

I own THESE BAD BOYS instead. Gabriella Rocha, courtesy of Zappos.com. (I deserve a kickback for this.)

And I LOVE LOVE LOVE them.

Watch Out, Men of the Chicagoland Area....

Completely unrelated to the previous post....

A random coworker has just passed a wedding magazine/catalog on to me. I am not sure why, because I have never mentioned dating anyone or the subject of weddings in general to her. I think it was in a 'you're not married yet, so maybe you have a use for this' (in comparison to my wedded coworkers).

Maybe I should bring this with me when I go out to the bars, to advertise that, since I'm carrying a wedding magazine, I must not be married yet - therefore I am still on the market. Yep, I think this is a good idea. Watch out, boys - I'm armed and I'm not afraid to use it.

ANOTHER Facebook Complaint

So I have a brand new facebook friend. She is joining facebook for the first time. She began to fill out her profile and listed herself as 'single'. The logo for listing oneself as single is, apparently, a heart sliced right across the mid-section (which most would refer to, upon viewing, as a 'broken heart'). She is not single in the sense that she's getting out of a relationship, but single in the sense that it's just what she is. Facebook feels this deserves a 'broken heart' graphic.

Isn't this a little....depressing? Borderline offensive? Seriously, facebook.

Box Office Winner

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this weekend's box office winner was the one and only "Paul Blart: Mall Cop". Not Slumdog Millionaire, not Marley and Me (go ahead and argue that these movies have already been out whereas the former was just opening). In this rough, hurting economy and torrential weather, we Americans went out to the theatre and spent our hard-earned ten bucks on a movie about a mall cop.

I didn't even know there was a market for movies about mall cops. Although, if there is - let's face it, this movie had a monopoly of it. Now, granted, I know Kevin James has a fan base and I've seen him on tv doing some good, humorous work across from Stacey Carosi, but seriously, the trailer for this movie LOOKED mind-numbing for your average stoned ape. (I have not actually seen said movie, so I cannot give a fair and balanced critique. I say this only as my reaction to the first impression.)

Anywho - I can't help but think this says something about the mindset of the American people. Has our taste been so dumbed-down by everything in pop culture that this is our new brand of humor - or - are we so down in the dumps and depressed at the current state of affairs that we need some good low-quality slapstick humor to put a smile on our face? Maybe it's that, no matter how sorry our own current state of affairs are, well, they look pretty good in comparison to those of a mall cop.

Big Sporting Event Coming Up...

...the U.S. Figure Skating Championship!!!  Are you as excited as I am?  Can you feel it?!?!  Who are you cheering for?

Politico

Who's worse?  

Bill O'Reilly or

Keith Olbermann??

I am actually leaning toward Olbermann.  That's saying a lot.

(Emily, in my defense, you have been blogging about the Bachelor a lot lately - so I am going back to politics.)

The Inauguration

Ok, so Barack Obama is getting inaugurated this coming week.  Dare I ask, what's the big deal?

Now, this has nothing to do with my mixed feelings toward this candidate.  I'd say this no matter who it was.  The ELECTION was the big deal/historic part.  I understand the inauguration is his official 'taking over' ceremony - but realistically, it's not as though there are questions about what's going to happen during the event.  With the election, there were questions about the outcome.  Barring anything unforseen, we all know what will happen after the day comes and goes.

Anyhow - the inauguration isn't what's important - what he does when he's in office is.  Even if he gives the speech of his life on inauguration day - whether or not he succeeds at moving the country forward is what people will remember him (and every president) for.  Perhaps it's like the wedding day/marriage conundrum - people make a huge deal about the importance of the former, but it's the latter that really matters.   Anyhow.  I will be glad when the mayhem ends.  

Endurance

I find one of the most difficult things about blogging to be the challenge of consistently posting decent, quality material.  Actually, scratch that - how about just consistently posting?  That's a challenge in and of itself.  

I know my fellow blogging buddies feel me on this - all of the five blogs on my page have recently had a lull in posts.  A blog is a responsibility.  There are plenty of days when it's really easy to be a blogger (read:  any time Sarah Palin opened her mouth) - probably like it's easy to be a parent when your baby is all cute and, you know, sleeping.  However, it's enduring the hard times that, sometimes, are what's really important.  And this is a blogging lull, but I know I will come out on top.  

Every Industry Has Been Hit

I will find a better quality of this video soon.

In short, the porn industry wants a bailout (I'd think they'd be recession-proof, but who knows).

They do have some valid points:

1) The porn industry is more flexible, is more modern, and has more of a future than the big 3 auto companies.

2) It does employ a lot of individuals (as she says, in California alone!)

3) Let's face it, congress is not unfamiliar with said industry.

The Secret - Revisited

Ok, so two good friends brought up the subject of the book "The Secret" this past week.  I OBVIOUSLY can't resist revisiting it.

Ok, so I have some definite problems with the book/way of thinking, which I have outlined before in multiple posts, I know.  However, to summarize briefly - I have three main problems with the book.  1)  The notion that an individual has that level of control over one's own life.  2)  The absurd, arbitrary, ridiculous suggestions it makes as realistic steps toward achieving one's goals (i.e.  writing fake checks to oneself at a time one wants to better her own financial situation).  3)  The notion that the above suggestions actually work.  

I won't get into it any further.  I already have more than enough.  

Also, a several good friends have mentioned to me they've heard critiques similar to mine from various other sources - such as radio commentators, Amazon reviews, etc.  So my campaign is working.   I guess a combination of a couple things happened:  1)  People who think 'The Secret' is a load of crap got the courage to speak up and come forward.  2)  People who originally bought into 'The Secret' have reconsidered and reanalyzed the situation.  3)  People tried 'The Secret' and it didn't work (look at the general state of the country SINCE 'The Secret' has been on the bestseller list.  I rest my case.)

However - there is something I agree with about The Secret.  I agree with the idea of envisioning the life you want.  I agree with the notion that actually believing something can happen for you is an important step toward the goal.  So maybe I will take that away from this book for 2009; everything happens for a reason, and I didn't waste a couple hours of my life reading this book for nothing.  :)

So This is Chicago

On the way to work (walking toward the el), I passed a house with a snowman holding a bottle of vodka. I think this summarizes the city of Chicago's feelings right now quite well. It's too bad the bottle was empty.

I Got Mary Kay'd

So, this has happened to me a couple times recently.  I know this has happened to all of my fellow female Chicagoans at some point.  It happened again today.  I was Mary Kay'd.  

For anyone not familiar with what this might mean - the following scene plays out:

--Random woman approaches and pays your truly a compliment

--"Oh thank you."

--"Do you work around here?"  (Conversation takes an immediate turn downhill.)

--(Random brief answer that can *hopefully* segue into an exit strategy)

--"How's that working out for you?  I imagine things might be a little rough right now.  I work with women in business development.  We look for people like you who are well put together (I'm soooo flattered - cause let's be honest - this woman is going after people in sweatpants alike).  We have $100k+ opportunities at my company right now.  Can I get your information?"

Ugh.  It's not the being approached/bothered aspect of it.  It's not the waste of time.  It's not the annoying persistence.  

It's the fake compliment.  Mary Kay ALWAYS leads in with a compliment.  It's usually something generic.  However, it's a compliment from a stranger.  Those are rare.  Those are hard to get.  It's easy to compliment a friend, coworker, or someone you're about to have to speak to anyway.  Walking up to a total stranger - that takes something extra.  If a stranger is complimenting me, I must look REALLY good.  There's a certain high associated with it - which perhaps leads to a certain low after realizing it came with an ulterior motive.  The disappointment!

Come to think of it, it's the city of Chicago - if a stranger is approaching with a compliment and she is not with Mary Kay, she is probably trying to steal your wallet.  Sigh.  

Any Recommendations???

I am in need of a new digital camera.  Anyone have any suggestions?

At This Point, Everyone Probably HATES These Posts

Subject Line:  Overcoming Anxiety in Stressful Times

Hello,

 

Today's economy has resulted in higher levels of stress and uncertainty for more people than ever before. Many are anxious about what the future holds and are not sure what steps to take.

 

In Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard detailed the full mechanics of what anxiety is composed of and this is something everyone should know in order to achieve peace of mind in troubled times. It has everything to do with the ability to make decisions and increasing your certainty in life.

 

Please join us for an introductory lecture entitled "Certainty and Decision" based on the book "Handbook for Preclears" by L. Ron Hubbard.

 

This lecture will be held on Saturday the 17^th of January at 1:00 pm. Please confirm your attendance by replying to this email or calling 847-824-62**.

Take comfort in knowing that as you are sick of Dianetics posts, I am sick of receiving e-mails from them.  

 

Thoughts for These Tough Times

(It all started when I was born....

Resume, not Autobiography)

Ok, so there are unfortunately a lot of people out of work for the first time in a long time - some of whom had previously been with the same company for many years.  For a lot of people, interviewing for a job takes some practice.  There are, of course, some people who are very hard-working and talented but just don't interview well.  Conversely, there are people who are very good at interviewing but not so great of employees.  

Actually, if you think about it - people who are constantly between jobs or trying to get a new job before getting let go probably have a lot of experience with interviewing and have really developed their skill.  Perhaps an employer should be wary of the excellent interviewee.

Those who have been employed at the same company for 10+ years haven't been on an interview (most likely) in that amount of time (or a least not more than a handful of them) and are most likely out of practice.  Even if these people interviewed for promotions within their companies - internal candidate interviews are much more direct and less nerve-wracking - since the person is already known, less is overanalyzed.  

Now, to protect the guilty, I won't get too into it - but in my past, I have definitely had experience with working alongside what must have been the 'professional interviewee' - some real George Costanzas, if you will.  I believe a good friend and loyal blog reader Emily will vouch for having had a similar experience.  The individual was nice and pleasant upon first meeting; it was quite understandable how the person could get through the requisite hour-long first impression.  However, the complete and total lack of any basic understanding of how to do said job combined with whatever ignorance, incompetence, and/or lack of effort that prevented him or her from becoming good at the job made for a workplace problem.

Perhaps it's not the interview that really determines who will be a good hiring choice, although the interview definitely seems to be a necessary part of the hiring process.  

American Idol is Starting Up

You know what I love?  These people who brag about not watching American Idol.  Now, don't get me wrong.  I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who do not watch, enjoy, or have any interest in the program.  Although, I'm sure amongst the group of very vocal haters, there are a couple Larry Craigs out there who have had their dvrs set for the premiere for months.  

However, I am sure there are also plenty of authentic haters.  It's not the hating, it's the pride in their voice when they proclaim it.  It's that they think they're proving themselves to have some high level of sophistication.  Yeah, I'm sure all these folks ONLY have an appetite for high art.   It's all Mozart, Tolstoy and the history channel in their lives, I'm sure.  

I'm Sorry

I just have nothing to say.  For once.  

It's the Little Things....

I won $14 and two free tickets on lottery cards I received for Christmas.  Woohoo?  

Speaking of Resolutions...

I once heard about a book about a woman who decided, for one year, to go out with everyone who asked her out, no matter what the circumstances.  I believe she felt she was unlucky in love and possibly too picky and wanted to meet the man of her dreams.  I'm assuming she had some help from somewhere because I believe she went out with somewhere around over 100 people in the period of a year.  The book is called "The Year of Yes".

I caught wind of this book/concept and I have made multiple jokes about it (mainly plays on words with the title).  I have had friends who have declared a 'year of the yes' or a 'year of the no'.  

Around three years ago (eek!) - I semi-declared a 'year of yes'  and decided to be more open-minded about who I would date - it lasted a couple months (there are a lot of creeps out there - this concept simply doesn't work in the city of Chicago, let me tell you).

I personally find that if I go out with someone I am not sure I am necessarily interested in to begin with, I continue to feel the same way about him after a couple dates and then end up in the situation of  having to have an awkward conversation about only wanting to be friends.   Although it's good to have an open-mind, I think there's also a 'you shouldn't lead a person on' component to the situation, and honestly, I have never had a 180 change of opinion on someone.

Anyhow, what does everyone think of said "Year of Yes" concept?

Makin' Some Resolutions

I remember back in high school, I had a teacher who insisted all good goals were specific, achievable and measurable.  He also felt it was ok to tell a group of high school students that his ideal spring break consisted of him locking himself away alone in his basement with his favorite illegal substances.  But anyhow.  I think he was on to something with the first point.

For example, last new year, I made the resolution to start working out with hand weights.  There were some points when I did, indeed, work out with these hand weights, but it was very sporadic.  There were sometimes I did a good couple times a week.  Also though, there were some points I probably went a whole month without doing exercises once.   I wouldn't consider this a great success.

However, technically my goal was do start doing exercises with hand weights.  Technically, I did.  Since the prior year, I had done these exercises a grand total of 0 times, it was an improvement.  

My book goal (reading 16) fits the above discussed criteria pretty well.   It is challenging and it is easy for me to see if I am on track.  Since I decided I am celebrating New Year's full out, I have decided to make at least five resolutions/goals.  (Maybe the resolution to make the resolutions can count as one, because the goal fits the criteria.)

Anyhow, I'm rambling.  This year, I made my goal to be doing weight workouts twice a week and ten push-ups twice a week - it's not a huge move but it's something I'm not currently doing,  and I'll know if I'm on track for or not.  Now for at least three (well, I guess maybe two) more resolutions....

Shameless Dog Promotion

Samantha loves Christmas so much that she decided to help me out with my present.  She may be 12, but as you can see, she's still tough.

Snausages!!  

(If anyone out there has a bossy controlling older sister - you and Louie would have a lot to talk about!)

We put a bow on Sam's head because it was so unfitting for her personality.  Again, helping with a present.  

Sam decided to lie down on top of Lou after we covered him in a blanket.  Again, see above.  

2009!!!!!!

So it's 2009!  Woohoo.   I didn't have too many bad feelings toward 2008.  I've had worse years. 

I did, indeed, celebrate New Year's Eve - I went to a friend's party.  I am very curious, given the state of the economy and everyone cutting back, how the $100 bar package sales did.  It seems like lately most people feel New Year's Eve is overrated (every one I have spoken with about this event has said so) - they say it with the same disdain and defiance of someone denouncing a very popular band or tv show - as if to go against the mainstream.  However, hating on NYE seems to be the mainstream.  

Anyhow.  Long story short, I had a good one.  My friend Stacey is here.  Today we caught up with our pledge child/grandchild/sister Erica.  Tomorrow we will have coffee in the day with we have a sorority sister's private party to crash at night.  Goodtimes.  

I'll work on making my resolutions this weekend.  I'm going to go against the grain of hating on New Year's Eve/New Year's and celebrate every aspect of it.