I Have a Theory About Match.com....

Ok, disclaimer - I COULD be wrong.  This is JUST a theory.  However....

My theory is match.com (and quite possibly quite a few other dating sites, but who knows) purposely show you 'non-matches' at first.  This way (I'm not sure the exact term for this, but I'm sure there's some psychological term for it) when they show you actual matches, they seem better by compare/contrast factor.

When I very briefly did match, I only put in a couple requirements - within 10 miles of my zipcode (Chicago), 24-40, never married, no children.  This should, in theory, fit a lot.  Yet I didn't feel I got that many matches, and I felt I kept getting quite a few men outside these parameters.  Divorced dad in Plainfield, age 45.  Not so much.  Anyhow.  I am not sure, exactly, if the people at match are purposely doing something funny, but I have my questions.

Also.  I remember the first time I went out and about looking for an apartment in Chicago with an apartment finder service.  The first couple units they showed me were tiny holes in the wall that were way over-priced.  They then showed me something decent that was much more competitively priced - which, comparatively speaking, seemed like an oasis in the dessert.  I almost wonder if these companies purposely rent and maintain crappy units just to show everyone first off the bat, so they are more apt to 'jump' at something decent available.

Anyhow.  I could be wrong.  I am curious if anyone else had similar experiences.  I shouldn't talk too much, though, because I may return to the world of online dating come January.  I figure it's like joining a gym - there's a time when there'll be specials, so I will, at the very least, wait for said specials.

Merry Christmas!!

This got out of hand....

(close-up for effect)

(angel again)

I'm Clearly Not Afraid of Getting Stalked.

As I mentioned in a previous blog post, 'Little Fockers' was filmed right in my neighborhood.

Well, if you check out 14-18, it was clearly RIGHT IN MY BACKYARD. I am still looking for myself in the background. I am so proud of my neighborhood for making it to the big screen - it was well-deserved.

Sidenote: In order to find this clip, I had to watch like 18 different coming attractions for 'Little Fockers'. They must feel that the scene with the turkey is some of their best stuff...which scares me for the movie....

Guiltiest Pleasure of All....

So I have always really loved the Christmas movie 'The Family Stone' (not the guilty pleasure).  I watch it every year around the holiday season.

Every time, I have always though 'I really like that song at the very end of the movie when the credits play'.

Drumroll please....

"Count on me" by Jefferson Starship.

I am not sure, exactly, who Jefferson Starship is, but I am pretty sure that anyone who likes them is supposed to stay mum about it behind a black curtain of shame.  Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Your thoughts?  Are there any blogs out there currently talking about Jefferson Starship?  Yeah, didn't think so....

Travel

So, I don't travel much.  I usually have an annual trip to STL, if that counts, but otherwise, most of my friends live in the Chicagoland area.  I didn't travel much growing up and I'd hoped to overcome that.  However, with the exception of a Panama City Beach trip back in college (please don't judge, everyone was doing it).

I've tried to figure why I don't travel much in adulthood.  A small part of me thought it was because my friends don't live in other parts of the country, but then again, most people, when they travel, aren't SOLELY visiting people.

Anyhow, then it hit me.  Of all my friends in adulthood, whenever they have traveled and haven't been solely visiting someone - they were traveling with their romantic partner.  Le sigh.  I get it.  This is why I haven't traveled.

Anyhow.  It seems as though there are very few 'girls' trips' since college.  It's probably one part money, another part time off work, a third part time with said significant other.  It's rare that I have girlfriends around who are free and up for doing a girls' tirp.  Well, somehow, the stars have aligned perfectly for me.   I am going to Miami this February!  BEACH TIME.  I am flying Southwest for the first time.  Update and tons of pictures to come.

MIA Blogger

So folks, my three or four loyal readers have commented on the fact that I've been a MIA blogger.   I apologize.  My few readers are precious to me.  It's very important that I keep them happy.

I suppose I have been very busy with work, the holidays, and perhaps impending life changes (let's call this 'foreshadowing').   Anyhow.

I can't help but notice that most of my fave bloggers have also slacked off.  I'm not a fan of groupthink and wouldn't follow someone else off a bridge, or however that old expression goes, but maybe misery loves company?

Anyhow.   Just to let you know, I'm still here and I plan on bringing this blog back in full-force pretty soon.

Milestones.

This is this blog's 1000th post.

Moment of observation.

This should mean something.  That something is to be determined....

I Got Your Sweater Right Here.

Go ugly early.

My Year in Facebook Statuses....

...per some random application.  (click to enlarge)

Christmas at my Apartment.

the big picture

Some people have been very good this year.

No tree is complete without an angel on top.

My spirits are in the spirit.

Getting Christmasy Around the Apartment

The wine glasses prove I'm over the age of 12, contrary to the other pieces of evidence.

For My French Readers

For All My Friends....

Happy Holidays, Deer Friends!

For the First Time EVER....

I have been invited to an ugly sweater Christmas party!

Does anyone know where I  can find a good sweater?

Editor's sidenote:  these parties slowly but surely became THE RAGE.  Faster than ugly sweaters became the rage 15 years ago.  There are more ugly sweater parties than there are ugly sweaters.  I appreciate a good ugly sweater (and a party to accommodate it) as much as the next folk, but why did these become SO POPULAR?   Anyone?  Your thoughts?

I Should be Embarrassed, Part 215

So one of my favorite movies to get me in 'the Christmas Spirit' is 'A Very Brady Christmas'.  As described on this blog, it's cheesy and schmaltzy (love that word!!!).  It reminds me of my childhood.

I try to make a point of catching this every Christmas season (along with Home Alone, Christmas Vacation, The Family Stone, and all the Friends and Office Christmas episodes).  Most people I know go for the classics - like White Christmas and Miracle on 34th Street.  It's not that I have anything against those movies.  I guess I am just slightly more commercialized.

It looks (from the comments in the aforementioned blog) that the show is on later this season, airing only once.  I am going to have to do my best to catch it.

Yet Another Question.

So recently, some good friends and I were having quite the enlightening conversation.  A curious topic came up.

What is one supposed to do when, hypothetically speaking, someone we care about is being a jerk?  Granted, usually the instinctive answer is to confront the issue, however,  if someone is being a jerk, there's already the issue of a lack of concern for one's feelings at hand - how receptive/concerned will he or she truly be?  I feel like whenever we, as people, confront someone for something, he or she will apologize because it is what is supposed to be done (and to feel better about him/herself as a person).  If that person actually felt sorry for what he or she did, he or she would have produced an apology without being prompted.

That, and I can definitely say the handful of times I've addressed issues with people, nothing's good come from it. Most of these people ended up gone from my life for various reasons, or, as mentioned earlier - produced insincere apologies (then committed said offenses again later).

Anyhow.

When someone we care about is a jerk, is there anything we can do whatsoever?  The more I think about it, I'm convinced the only real potential solution is waiting for this person to come around on his or her own.  Of course, we can always let someone know how disappointed we are with him or her as a person, but then there's the general assumption he or she will be gone from our life for good.

Editor's sidenote:  I know I am human.  I know I am at times a jerk.  I do not, in any way, think I am above such behavior.

Crumbs of Love

So my good friend Steve Koo (indirectly) reminded me of one of my favorite things (it's that time of year, I suppose).

Crumbs Bakery

I discovered them for the first time on my most recent New York city trip.  The cupcakes are un-bleeping-believable!!   Not that I live in New York, but regardless, I will declare them the best of New York.   They are definitely the best of cupcakes.

I want some right now.  I know there were rumors of Crumbs coming to Chicago - it is supposed to be 'opening soon'.  Hurry up, Crumbs.

For Anyone Who Cares

This is the piece of pottery I painted (see earlier groupon post).  There you go.

Snoopy Thanksgiving!!

Friends Inconsistencies....

Ok, so I was recently re-watching all the Friends Thanksgiving episodes.

On the fourth season of Friends, Phoebe mentions she needs to call her mom to ask her a left-handed cooking question.  Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but Phoebe's mom is dead and has been the entire series.

I tried to google this issue.  No one seemed to fully address this issue.  There are some blogs out there that seem to have a problem with the inconsistency about whether or not the tv remains on consistently throughout the scene, but no one seems to address the bigger issue.  Does Phoebe mean her step-mom?  Does she have a step-mom that's still around?  Why doesn't she say 'step-mom' then?

Has ANYONE else ever caught this?  Does anyone else have a problem with this?

Guilty Pleasure.

Despite my feelings toward him during American Idol.  Despite everything.  I have to admit....

I like the CD.

Christmas Shopping

So yesterday, one of my best friends was in town.  We painted the town red.   I never know what to do with tourists, except take them to all the places I regularly frequent.

Anyhow.  Saturday, we took on downtown Chicago.  I ended up shopping at a bunch of places I don't normally go.  The result, I must say, was a positive one.  Not what one would expect to hear, but I got a good 75% of my Christmas shopping done.   Needless to say, the gifts cannot be posted here.   Almost everyone on the receiving end of a Jaime Christmas gift is, of course, a reader.  :)

Sushi.

I think Sushi might have some addictive component to it (like coffee or alcohol).  I semi-regularly crave it and if I don't get it, I get cranky.

What are the best sushi places in Chicago?  I have been to quite a few good ones - Sushi Samba Rio, Coast, Friends Sushi, Kanok, Jai Yen, Oh Fusion (formerly Katachi), but I feel there have to be a lot of other good ones lurking around that I'm missing.  Any thoughts or recommendations?

Exercise Girl at the East Bank Club

Ok.  Someone else out there HAS to know who I'm talking about.  It's the woman who, at some time between 9-11 am goes out on the roof of the East Bank Club and really, really breaks it down, 80s dance move style.  On one hand, she seems to have no shame.  On another note - it seems as though she thinks no one can see her.  I wonder what, really, is going through her mind.  Does she think no one can see her?  She's on the roof of a three story building, surrounded by about 12 high-rise buildings.  She is highly, HIGHLY visible, IF she thinks about it.  Well, regardless of all - I enjoy her.  She entertains me.  She makes me wish I could dance, scratch that, LIVE, with such abandon.

Does anyone else know of 'exercise girl'?  My coworkers and I coined the nickname.  I imagine we cannot be the only ones....  She's like a Chicago landmark (well, a moving one).  Anyone out there?  Please don't hold back.

Groupon.

Today was a day I saw coming a mile away.

It was the expiration date of a groupon.  A real race against the clock, if you will.

It was to Glazed Expressions.  In short, one picks a piece of pottery, then paints it.  I had a hard time getting myself to do this one.  It wasn't that I didn't want to do it, but it was hard to come up with an artistic vision.  It's kind of like blogging.  It's hard to do it without a vision.

Anyhow.  I went there.   I picked a piece.  I powered through.  I get it back next week (it'll be on the blog, for sure).  However, at the tail end of said piece, a vision for a really great piece came along.  Sigh.  Of course it works this way.  Isn't this life?

I suppose I will just have to go back there.  Maybe 'Santa' can get me a gift certificate there.  Hmm.

Let's Take it One Holiday at a Time....

On this upcoming Thanksgiving, I am thankful for many things - my family, my friends, my health, everyone's health, my job, my education, my lovely underpriced apartment, my dogs, and, of course, the fact that there are people out there willing to read my completely random opinions on a regular basis.

Please don't, at this moment, second-guess that decision.

Dear Santa...

So 'Santa' has made multiple requests for my Christmas list.

I am struggling.  Most of the things I want cannot be found in a stocking (I know, how profound).

Anyone else find adult Christmas lists to be quite boring?  Dear Santa, I would like the Martha Stewart wire colander.  Ooh, let's throw in rolling pin while we're at it!

Book Review

I can sum up the Millennium series in a couple sentences.

They drink coffee.   All hours of the day.  Sometimes accompanied by sandwiches.  All hours of the day.  Some stuff happened.  They drank more coffee.

Oh, and Blomkvist gets laid.  A lot.

Dear Google Ad....

Is this a hint?  What, exactly, are you trying to say?

Getting Political.

Eric:  learn more about sarah palin every day

she ran a 3:59 marathon in 2005

 me:  do you like her better now?

 Eric:  no

but i think it's a good incentive for people i know that run slower than that to pick up the pace

Tire(d).

So, I know this has been discussed before - but my car has a little 'history' behind it.  

He was on such a good streak....  I really thought we'd turned the proverbial corner.

However, in the past week and a half, it was hit back whilst being parked on the street.  There is damage.  Naturally, the damage occurred right next to pre-existing damage from a prior hit and run - good thing I never got that fixed.  I guess sometimes, we must be grateful for the little things.  

My friends Laura and Rachel both have had car issues in the past week.   I take comfort in the fact that these things happen in 3s....so we must be done.

Now comes the question - should I fix my car?  The small problem is he will just be set back out on the street.  Could this easily happen to him again?   Is it worth it to fix him?  Is this the same concept as loving again after being hurt?  Or cleaning up, when things just get dirty again?  

What should I do?  Your thoughts?  

Back to this Mayhem.

Back to School?

So a good amount of 20 somethings I know, at varying degrees of financial success, are thinking about going back to school.  Reason being, for the most part, they don't find their current careers to be exactly fulfilling.

Random observation - most people I know in the 35+ bracket find this to be an amusing '20 something thing' - it's a job, it doesn't have to be perfect or have meaning, it just needs to pay the bills.  The early 20 somethings are being almost hopelessly romantic about their careers; there will never be one to meet their expectations.

Anyhow.

A friend of mine mentioned that one shouldn't go back to school, it's not necessarily the key to getting a good job.  I find this to be an interesting and somewhat accurate point.  Some people end up in lines of work that have nothing to do with their degree/major.  Some lines of work require a very specific background, obviously, but other lines of work provide training specific to the industry that can only be learned through experience, rather than in a classroom.  That then lends itself to the age old question of 'how do I get experience if no one will give me a chance?'  I guess my question is - if there's a 20 something, or anyone, for that matter, who wants to change career paths - what is the best way to go about this?   Is it going back to school?  What are the other viable options?

Your thoughts?

Dilemma!!!!!!

So I have a mediocre verizon phone, and a contract that lasts into mid-July.  As an oh-so-kind gesture, my company issued me a blackberry, with its own assigned number.  I am not sure I want to make the switch.  So yes, that's right - as of right now, I am sporting two phones.

Well, my primary Verizon - the battery is low.  So now I am faced with a choice - do I buy a new battery?  Do I make the 'jump' to the work blackberry?  I would, if I could change the number, but I can't.

Although, a third attractive option comes to mind.  I have, for a long time, wanted an iphone.  Again, there would be the issue of having to either do some weird termination fee, or get a completely new number and then have 3 phones to my name.  Is three phones too much for one girl?  Is the iphone worth it?  Your thoughts?

My All-Time Favorite Sex and the City Quote

“Uh huh. Most women aren't angry, irrational psychos. We just want an ending to a relationship that... 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!”- Carrie

There's definite truth to this.  Not just the post-it part.  That, and I know, firsthand, that I have been the angry, irrational psycho.  I think it's a sign of truly caring.  

A Response to Honesty....

So my good friend, Matt, being the always opinionated and also very honest individual that he is, made some interesting points in the comments section of 'honesty':

When someone asks, "What do you think of my boyfriend, honestly?" are they really asking your opinion, or are they asking you to reinforce their choice?


Option B.  100%.  It's like 'does this dress make me look fat'.  There's only one answer to the question that involves not getting punched.  Regardless, every friend I have will still, quite regularly, ask me the aforementioned question.  


...if you are not open to people evaluating your own situations, then it’s probably going to be very hard to expect to have clout in other people’s situations. 


Ok, Matt, you got me.  I am the queen of dishing it out/not being able to take it.  Actually, that's not fully true. I like to think that when I don't want someone's opinion, I don't ask, because I accept that it might not be good and I'm choosing to do what I'm choosing to do, regardless of his/her opinion.  And I try not to give my opinion unless I'm asked, or I try my best to be tactful when doing so, and only do it out of concern.  Should people be more honest with me?  What are some things others think about me that they don't say?  Do I actually want to hear the answer to this?  Hmm.  

Today's Question

Is someone still 'penciled in' if all calendars are kept electronically?

I know, the deep mysteries we all must ponder.

Honesty.

So, I have learned (unfortunately often times the hard way) that there are some honest things that shouldn't be said to friends.

The line that usually gets me in trouble the most is 'your boyfriend sucks'.  My defense is always that I think the guy said friend is with does not treat her the way deserves and/or is not good enough for her, and that I truly believe she can find someone better.  Alas, regardless, trouble usually ensues.

Anyhow.

I have *almost* learned to hold my tongue.  However, I can't help but feel guilty when I'm not being completely honest with a friend.  I feel as though I'm being a bad friend sitting by and watching and not saying anything.  Isn't it the job of a friend to tell the truth, even when it's hard?  I especially feel bad when, hypothetically speaking - let's say a friend breaks up with her boyfriend, and I then say 'it didn't seem right' and she then says 'why didn't you say something?!'    But would she have listened?  Does anyone ever?  On this same note, I do know how I personally feel about unrequested advice on how to live (read: not good).

That being said, I always wonder what people who care about me are thinking but not saying.  A small part of me would love some anonymous blatant honesty - a larger part of me would not.

I also think I'd secretly like to write a post of honest things I'm thinking but I know I shouldn't say, not specifying the individuals they are directed at - however, I also know I'd get myself in a lot of trouble on this one.

Anyhow.  Which is more important in friendship - being honest or respecting someone's feelings?

I Don't Believe in Love at First Sight....

...but last night, it happened to me.  Yes, a cynic like me.

Halloween Preview.

Pics to come later, for sure.

Happy Halloween!!

AIM High?

For the first time in a very long time, I signed into AIM.

As you'll see above, I found something enjoyable (besides the bunny).

I am on 411 buddy lists.  I have NOWHERE near that amount of buddies.  Who are you, my buddies?  (or bunnies?)  Please come forward. 

This almost makes up for my complete and total lack of followers on twitter.

Abercrombie & Fitch

Whatever happened to Abercrombie & Fitch?  I know the store is still out there because I see it at all the major malls.  Is it still popular?  Is it still expensive?  Is it still making sales despite the economy?  I feel like I don't see their clothes walking around on people much - maybe it's that they changed their style.  Maybe it's that I'm no longer in high school.  I don't know.  Maybe the company was started by some wealthy individual and isn't necessarily intended for profit - someone just enjoys keeping it running, even if it ends up in the red.  Does anyone know?

Another Random Grammatical Pet Peeve

When people say 'minused' instead of subtracted.

I don't know if it's necessarily wrong.

It just irritates me.

Did Anyone See....

The Nightmare on Elm Street remake that was filmed at my very own John Hersey High School?  I remember it hitting the theatres and then not hearing much more of it.   I see it did very well on Rotten Tomatoes.  Anyone have anything to say about it?  Does it coordinate nicely with my impending ten year high school reunion?  Your thoughts?

What is with...

Fantasy football?

It's EVERYWHERE.  Everyone I know plays it.  Girls I know who know nothing about football to begin with.  Why?  Is it just to impress their boyfriends?  Or out of boredom?  Is there something I'm missing?  Is it some super-fun thing?

Actually, don't answer there.  I guess my main point is this - I don't care about fantasy football and I am amazed that this many people out there, for some reason, do.  I guess that is all.

Advice

So there are some people in this world who like to ask my advice.

I think it's cause I tell it like it is. 

That being said, I rarely like hear others' advice.  I think it's a combo of a) some people have a tendency to give me unrequested advice 2) most people aren't as honest/straightforward as I am, or just don't look at things with the same perspective and have the same priorities as I do and iii) I am stubborn.   Therefore, I never really 'receive' advice, at least not advice that I take - even when I occasionally ask for it.  

Is it me?  (Don't answer that, that's unwanted advice.)

Sigh.  Hmm.  Maybe I'll just invest in one of these 'therapist style' couches and work as an independent contractor if all else fails.

Something I Wish I Knew More About...

...web design, computers, technology, html (whatever that is), C++ (again), javascript (i like coffee), programming, etc.  Is there anywhere in the Chicagoland area to take a class on this?  Just basic stuff.  You know, like 'for dummies', if you will?  I have tried to research this matter and I've been unsuccessful in my findings (some might suggest I would need a class in researching matters on the internet, but those who know me decently might disagree).  Can anyone help?

So You Think You Can Dance Tour

I'm going this Tuesday.  Thanks Kellie!