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.