Mood Lift

In an attempt to cheer myself up - and those who just read my downer previous post - here's a picture from a recent trip to Paris. I like the color and motion of the picture.

CraBBY!

It's been a long while since my last post - the holidays have been a bit too consuming. Alas, now it's back to work. There's another snow storm brewing here. Expecting 6" before the end of the day. Awesome. That will make my f*cking commute home hellish. I think I am going to leave early.

I really hated coming to work today. I got up early, did some errands and 2 hours later, here I am. During my drive to work, I could feel myself just getting crabbier and crabbier. I don't want to be here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

At least I've got a 5 day weekend as soon as I leave this place. I hope the snow is nice and pretty. I'll make a snow angel and maybe some chili. Mmmm - chili.

Come On Feel the Illinoise!

Lately I've been listening to Sufjan Stevens Illinoise album and have been loving it. This morning, as I was listening to Come On Feel the Illinoise, I was thinking that it would be really wonderful to hear it played by a full orchestra, don't you think?

If you don't know, Chicago is home and my background is in landscape architecture and urban planning, so I've got a lot of pride in our fair city. This you tube video isn't MY roadtrip video and I don't know the girls in it, but it sure fills me with a warm and fuzzy feeling some might call pride. Just perfect for when I'm down in the dumps working in the wasteland and dreaming of being home. Now I can just pop on this video and think of my city-life only a short commute away.

For a live version of the song, check out this you tube live clip - it doesn't do the song justice, but I heart the lovely "I" shirt being worn by Sufjan. Oskee wow wow!

I Always Knew It

She's on my team...

Finally, validation - my year's of crushing were not in vain!

My New Favorite Holiday Tradition...

This past weekend, my ladyfriend, morning, and I went to the Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza. It's now officially my new favorite winter event. I can't believe that I had never been there before. For so many years, I worked and lived in the Loop and never went - I always thought that the mass of vendors was just some hokey little selling of crap. But no - it's much more! They have hot mulled wine in a boot! So many years I've missed out on this.

So why is it so wonderful, you ask:

1. Hot mulled wine served in cute ceramic boots
2. Good german beer
3. A warm beer tent
4. Wonderful smells (streudel, bratwurst, fried potatoes...)
5. A gorgeous Christmas tree
6. Beautiful German crafts (ornaments, lace, hats, lace)
7. A really nice way to be outside in crap weather
8. Real imported Germans

I know it's a little cheezy and hokey, but it really was wonderful to walk around and spend a cold winter night bundled up walking with my lady and friends and sipping hot wine. Working in the suburbs gets me down and this was a wonderful antidote to the wasteland because it's right in the middle of the Loop and all of its activity and theaters. Now I'm sad that I only have until Dec. 24th to enjoy the market. :(

Next winter adventure - ice skating in Millenium Park. Join me!?

Nothing says Christmas, Family and Love like a little gun cleaning...

A real voicemail message from dad:

Hi...I just finished putting all the ornaments on the tree and before I started cleaning my gun cases, I thought I'd give you a call. Talk to you later, hon, love you, bye.

Gotta' Love Walkability

Read this.

Chicago ranked #7 in walkability and Pittsburgh, one of my former homes, ranked #9. I love places that are walkable - which is one reason why I live in Chicago. There are so many transportation options - El, car, foot, bike. Not necessarily in that order.

I used to walk to work when I lived and worked in the loop. Now, sadly, I work in the burbs and can't do anything but drive to work. Of course, my office is tiny and none of my co-workers live in the CITY, so I can't ride share with them. And if I liked people more, I'd try to find some stranger to car share with. But it's really difficult to spend time with strangers / people and, frankly, I'm not that much of an environmentalist. I need the me time - whether it's walking, driving or riding (and ignoring you) on the El. So for now, I drive by myself - and the company is very good and entertaining, I must say.

However, that being said, the next job is not going to be in the suburbs. Ya' hear me on that one?

It Snowed Last Night

"It snowed last night
It snowed last night
The cloud bears had a pillow fight"

We used to sing that song in grade school. My music teach, Mrs. Lereux, would make each of us give her a hug when we left the classroom. One time, I ducked out underneath her arms and she cried. I was mean and sarcastic even then.


But it did snow last night! And it looks bootyful. - Even the industrial park outside of my window looks okay. (It would look even better if that ratbastard hadn't chopped down the river birch in their yard and of course, I'd much prefer a view of say, a park.) To celebrate the first significant snowfall of the year, I met up with my brit friend Tony for a pint and some dinner. I love being out in the fresh snow. It's one of life's glories. And life's glories always call for beer! It could only have been better if I could have walked to the beer destination, but alas - it was too far and public transit in Chicago in a snowstorm can be like crossing a frozen river in a boat. - Ya ain't gonna' get too far very quickly.

I Found My New Job

Finally - the opportunity I've been waiting for...a chance to use all my bitterness, narcism and irony... Now - who do I send unsolicited manuscripts to?

Suburban Perks

One of the "best" things about working in the suburbs is that it's like southern Illinois, but with nicer cars and pretension.

For example, I have an awesome co-worker who is a big fucking misogynist asshole with bad 80s hair (Hello - did he not get the message that you're not supposed to let gel harden in your hair?) and clothes. Here's a hint skinnyshit, buy a new suit and some new ties. The floral ones are doing you NO good.

Hazeldove makes the day go faster!

My co-workers are always telling me that they hear me making bird noises from my office. They are just jealous that I'm laughing and enjoying myself. I'm not enjoying myself because I love my work or even because I'm working; I'm enjoying myself because I'm reading this. Penned by one of my bffs and old college roommate, it fills some of the void in my life. Ohhh hazeldove - you make me laugh!

This is a Sign!

I hate the land where I work... in the armpit of suburbia. I do have an office with a window no less, so I shouldn't really complain. (I know that plenty of folks have officles without windows!). However, 1.) it's in suburbia and 2.) my view is of old office/warehouse buildings with the I-55 expressway visible thru the bare winter trees. I've been working here almost one entire year and I finally noticed last week that the property across the street had two really nice river birches in their front yard. (And birches are one of my favorite trees!) So, at least I had that to look at...until the next day when I look up from my desk and see that some mother fucker cut down the two birches and planted a shitty little tree in their place. Mother fucker!

That is such a sign. I really need to get out of here. Note to self: Never ever ever work in the suburbs again.