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.

Life Goes On

For the 2010 Olympics, I have moved on to Team Alissa Czisny. For those keeping track.

Devastating News

Well, I am inconsolable. It looks as though Kimmie Meissner (directly above) has withdrawn from this skating season due to a knee injury. Kimmie is the 2006 world champion and the only US woman (besides Tonya Harding) to have landed a triple axel in competition. Wait a second.... Tonya Harding? Knee injury? Was Tonya anywhere near Kimmie at the time of this injury? Perhaps she wanted to remain alone on that triple axel podium.

Anyhow. I was really cheering for Kimmie to make a comeback and hit the medal podium at the Olympics. I thought she really has the potential.

Sasha Cohen has declared an attempt to qualify for the 2010 Olympic team, although it appears as though she, too, has a nagging injury and, realistically speaking, even if she makes the Olympic team, it's unrealistic that she'd best her 2006 silver medal, so in a way, what's the point? I love watching her skate but she may as well continue on the professional circuit instead of the competitive one, especially considering she's been out of the competitive circuit for the past three years.

Anyhow. Anyone else care about figure skating the way I do?

The SYTYCD Judges

So I received a request to post on the judges of So You Think You Can Dance. Well, to be specific, to post on Mary Murphy and her screaming antics.

It is very clear that Mary drinks throughout the show. She is never without the opaque cup. Might as well be a flask. Now, don't get me wrong - I will agree that her antics are like fingernails on the chalkboard. The 'hot tamale train'? Really? Where did that come from? And why the hell did it have staying power? That choo choo has been going strong for like four seasons now. Anyhow.

However. Mary is certainly not my least favorite judge. Sorry, I almost kind of like her. Maybe because she actually is a respected member of the ballroom dance community and actually (at times) has some reasonable feedback about technique. She is an expert in her field.

This brings me to Nigel Lythgoe.... What the hell is his point on the judging panel?! Yeah, I get it, he's the executive producer. Yeah, I get it, he's an expert in his field (that being making money and successful reality shows). However, I will argue he is, in no way, an expert in dance. At least nowhere near what Mary Murphy, Mia Michaels or Adam Shankman are. He's got an opinion and maybe some experience in watching dance, but that's about it. His real area of expertise ogling females. However, an old man's viagra induced haze does not a good reality show make. Anyhow.

I would seriously boot Nigel for Paula Abdul. In fact, I'd seriously boot Nigel for a grapefruit. Your thoughts?

Stupid E-mail Forward

My Resimay

To hoom it mae cunsern,

I waunt to apply for the job what I saw in the paper.
I kin Type realee qwik wit one finggar and do sum a counting.

I think I am good on the fone and I no I am a pepole person, Pepole realee seam to reespond too me well. Certain men and all the ladies.

I no my spelling is not too good but find that I Offen can get a job wit my persinalety..
My salerery is open so we kin discus wat you want to pay me and wat you think that I am werth,

I kin start emeditely. Thank yoo in advanse fore yore anser.

hopifuly Yore best aplicant so farr.

Sinseerly,

Bubba

PS: Because my resimay is a bit short - below is a pickture of me.




Employer's response:
Dear Bubba,

It's OK, Honey, we've got spell check.
See you Monday!


Editor's Sidenote: I recently had to let my copy editor go. Perhpas Bubba could take over - although it's not a paying position.

Halloween Recap

A pregnant gal and a busy nurse need to eat! (P.S. Our favorite hot waiter was phatom of the opera. He has no reason to hide his face, though.)


You know you're from Chicago if....


Medical staff on board in case of an emergency....


Who knew I'd be on a school bus ever again in my life? I sure didn't. Although, I must mention, I was at the absolute back of the bus - the epitome of coolness.


Funtimes.


It was Christmas in some people's hearts.

Reid Scott Has Some Competition

My latest crush. Evan Lysacek. Makes me want to go all 'Tonya Harding' on Tanith Belbin (his girlfriend).