Loud & Proud Monday, June 30, 2008

This weekend in Chicago saw the 2008 Gay Pride Festival & Parade. Although not quite as historical (or elaborate) as San Francisco's events, the celebration in Chicago is a big deal. A big, gay, important deal. I know this because I've lived at Newport & Halsted *and* at Addison and Broadway...both of which are basically on the parade route.

As such, I chose to celebrate all of my gay friends by staying as far away from Lakeview as possible. Because in hot, crowded settings that make moving around/driving/walking almost impossible, I am not a pleasant person to be with. Last year was almost unbearable - I got stepped on, inadvertantly sprayed with body glitter, almost vomited on, and yelled at. The body glitter was courtesy of a drunk woman who was, I believe, trying to spice up her mohawk, and shot me straight in the ear. (I had disco Q-tips for two solid weeks afterwards) I'm not good with hot weather and crowds, what can I say?

I hope, however, that all of my friends who attended (homosexual or otherwise) had a wonderful time. In honor of those people - YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE - here is a rainbow that I caught a few Sundays ago, driving south on Lincoln.

V! Is Very, Very Extraordinary Friday, June 27, 2008

Let's take this sucker punch of a week and drive it home with a list of things I'm loving today:

1. Another reason to love Devo

2. My upcoming trip to Italy (Rome, Venice, Florence/Pisa) with Sean, and how amazing it is going to be! I cannot wait. I am a very lucky girl.

3. Old Navy's massive summer sale. Adorable, versatile, comfortable sundress for $12? YES, PLEASE.

4. Retail Me Not - I haven't paid shipping & handling in 6 months. Seriously.

5. My newfound opinion that hating my legs is pointless. Therefore, I hereby declare the summer of 2008 free of all leg-related vanity. I bought a pair of shorts last week. I haven't worn shorts since 1998.

6. Castle Rock Pinot Noir - cheap, tasty, awesome.

7. The new DIY Dog Wash place in my neighborhood. Doc is not loving their really loud blowdryers (he pooped on the grooming table) but at least he's clean.

8. Holiday week next week! I'm all for US independence, especially when it includes independence of foreign oil. Ahem.

9. Last night's episode of My Boys in which the guys randomly compete to make the best shirt. This is absolutely something my guy friends in college would have attempted. SO funny.

10. Summer hours at work - When Friday rolls around and the clock strikes 1:00 pm, I'm off like a prom dress.

Next Time Won't You Sing With Me? Thursday, June 26, 2008

Despite my massive downer post (see below), I am not about to jump off a building or anything. Quite the opposite. In fact, enjoy this lovely ditty, courtesy of my 2.5 year old nephew, Grant.



And yes, his shirt DOES say "Hangin' With my Peeps."

The Have Nots Wednesday, June 25, 2008

It's gloomy here today - hot, wet, rainy, and generally unpleasant. The day started off poorly enough when I failed to hear ANY of my three alarms. Sometimes when I'm really, truly, 100% tired, that happens. Fortunately I'm having an okay hair day, so no one at work has noticed that I didn't bother to shower. I made it to the office in a reasonable window of time where I was considered late, but not negligent.

Then I turned on my computer, and read this article. What does one say about this? How awful can a person be, or how awfully can a person treat others? Why hasn't a developed country just ordered a hit on this madman? I don't understand.

Suddenly, my day seemed a little brighter - not because I was happy that someone had it worse off than myself...but rather, because it was a stark reminder. A slap to the face. Shut up, Jamie, your hair and your lack of sleep mean nothing.

I cannot say that I comprehend the complex tribal relationships and cultural difficulties within most African nations, or how those issues influence their country's politics. I can say, however, that corruption thrives in Africa - in Zimbabwe but also in Kenya, Zambia, South Africa, and several others.

I just wish there was something we could do for the people. I often wonder if Barack Obama (should he be elected as the next President) would turn some attention to the issues in Africa. He has clear ties to Kenya in particular, but seems engaged with African issues in a broader sense as well. And if he does turn his focus to Africa, what will happen in Iraq and Afghanistan?

It just feels so useless to hope. Shouldn't we be doing something more? Because I'm pretty sure my good vibes and positive thinking aren't going to mean jack shit to a child who watches her parents get murdered because they voted for Tsvangirai.

Shorty, Swing My Way Tuesday, June 24, 2008

No time here for big updates, so here are some small observations from the life of Jamie...

1. Is it weird that I am REALLY loving this couch? I just love it. I want one.

2. Peripherally related, but not really, the dog has been going through some major housetraining regression. I finally lost my sense of humor when he lifted his leg and peed all over the back of my couch. Twice. We are now back to the crate during the day.

3. I got to work 10 minutes early today. WILL WONDERS NEVER CEASE?!

4. I've been taking the bus this week, due to red line messiness. Turns out, the bus doesn't suck as much as it used to.

5. My back is feeling better, which means it's time for something else to go wrong.

6. I'm thinking about painting my bathroom walls a very light shade of grey (to coordinate with the stupid granite countertop that I hate). I think I might hate the sinktop less if it matches the rest of the room. I do love a beautiful, soft grey wall. Thoughts?

7. Last night, I realized that I now use all my exercise clothing as pajamas (everything but the leotards and the sports bras). This means it's officially time to start working out again.

8. I don't drink enough milk.

Weekend Update Monday, June 23, 2008

Well, it's Monday, and OH HO I am cranky. I'm sure that comes as a big, fat ball of surprise to all of you. Or not. Whatever. I had one hell of a weekend - here's the synopsis.

Friday, I went to my sister's fabulous, new house to celebrate my niece Brianna's fifth birthday. She is five (!!!!) and now I officially feel old. I gave her a Play-Doh craft caddy, a box of rainbow Play-doh colors, and a copy of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. I give her a classic novel of some type and/or kind at each holiday - but was very tired of the rest of the family teasing me for buying Victor Hugo, Kurt Vonnegut, and Mark Twain. I figured Judy Blume was just as classic as Les Miserables, no?

Sadly, my gift was ultimately a dud as other, more child-savvy friends and relatives purchased gifts like Polly Pockets and other assorted bits of fantastic plastic. I left the party tipsy (because I like to compensate for being single and childless with lots of cheap wine) and an entire catering size salad from Olive Garden. Score!

Saturday, my best friend Kate was feted at her bridal shower. It was low-key, with great food and friendly people - what's not to like? Saturday night, I popped a muscle relaxer and zoned out, watching the Olympic Trials for women's gymnastics. (Go Chellsie Memmel!)

Sunday, I hung out with my friends - went to see Sex & The City: The Movie, and then out for a quick dinner. Overall? My buffalo chicken sandwich at The Daily Grill was better than many of the subplots of the movie. I think I'm more excited about seeing the DVD extras, when the movie gets released to DVD. I'm dying to see what they left on the cutting room floor. After dinner, I downloaded some new music, so if you'll excuse me, I'll be busy today listening to India.Arie, Miranda Lambert, and Coldplay on repeat.

Being Bossy: Volume I, Pain Thursday, June 19, 2008

Do you read Bossy's blog? No? WELL YOU SHOULD. Because it is really funny, and clever, and she always refers to herself in third person. So I thought I would take a dip in the waters of "writing like Bossy," if only to spur on my own creative juices.

It all started last weekend. Jamie doesn't know what happened, but on Sunday, she realized that she had intermittent, intense pain directly behind her right shoulderblade. That's scapula, to you laypeople. Oh wait, Jamie is a layperson too. Whatever. It's basically this huge bone that looks like a pig ear, and it lives behind your ribcage. If you didn't know this, Jamie invites you to come out from the rock whereunder you have been living.

Is whereunder a word? It is now. Like underwear, but not. Moving on...

Like any young, immortal person in denial of her own health and general wellbeing, Jamie dismissed her pain. She attributed it to her total lack of physical exercise, and thought, "oh well, it will work itself out."

Until yesterday, when Jamie realized that she couldn't sit and use her computer without feeling as if she were seated upon a chair whose back was made entirely of steak knives. "Awesome," she thought, and called for an appointment with the doctor. Then she consulted her mother, a nurse, who casually informed her that gallbladder pain manifests itself in the shoulderblade region, and did she know that her father had to have his gallbladder REMOVED?! DICK CHENEY'S GALLBLADDER HAS LEFT THE BUILDING, EVERYONE.

Freaked right the hell out, she headed off to dinner with her dear friends.

She spent most of the evening shifting uncomfortably in her very upright chair, looking much like the love child of Men in Hats and the Hokey Pokey. Unable to obtain a non-painful position, she took the next best route. Self-medication.


Fast forward to Thursday afternoon, when the doctor painfully pokes Jamie's back and declares that she has gone and pulled her trapezius. Paging Ringling Bros.! Oh wait - not her trapeze, her trapezius. A large, cross-shaped muscle on the upper back and neck, the trapezious is Latin for "when you injure this, it really f**ing hurts."


Also, Jamie keeps wanting to spell trapezius as "trapezious." Perhaps Jamie should move to England where randomly added vowels are permitted. (Also? Wanting to call it a trapezoid. Which is not surprising, since geometry is the only subset of mathematics that Jamie ever found remotely interesting)

Now, the wait is on until the witching hour (otherwise known as 8 o'clock pm), when she can pop a magic pill and drift off into a sweet, heating-pad enabled haze of sleep and general muscular jiggliness.

The lesson here, kids, is this: writing in third person makes Jamie very tired. She thinks perhaps it's best to leave it up to the pros. Also, sitting at a desk all day with a injury to one's trapezoid is painful and can cause you to look like this:


Jamie says take care.

Chicago's Finest...or Not

Dear Jennsylvania,

The second ward PD response ain't so great either.

Love,
Jamie/Parallelfirst

Oh my Holy Hell Wednesday, June 18, 2008

I just found out that one of the girls who lived in the house across the street from me growing up is now Phoenix of American Gladiators. Seriously. I remember her as a tomboy in bermudas and slip-on keds (when she was wearing shoes at all). She would occasionally play games with the rest of the neighborhood kids (you know, the ones we played at dusk while avoiding going inside for dinner - kick the can, hide and go seek, etc.) but she always outran us.

Hmm.

Is It Just Me, or...?

2008 is going to go down as one of my busiest travel years, so naturally I've been on the hunt for travel accessories. In my hunt for the perfect large, spinner suitcase, I came across this "helpful" travel tool.

Now, is it just me, or might a SUITCASE THAT IS BEEPING set off some red flags in an airport setting? I get the whole recognition thing, but can't we all just tie something around the damn handle? If I was standing at the baggage carousel and heard a bag that was making a beeping noise, I'd run like hell. Who is the arsehole that invented this?

Not cool, not cool at all.

Rest in Peace

Cyd Charisse: 1921-2008

Reading Tuesday, June 17, 2008

When I have my massive heart attack and drop dead, at least my upper lip will look good, because peoples, I was so traumatized by my mustache I went in to Skin Deep Laser Medspa on Saturday and had that shit lasered off. No more waxing for me. Fuck that, I'm a follicle-killer.

...

The only thing I hated was being asked about ten times whether I had shaved my lip. You can't wax or pluck before a laser treatment, I guess because then there's no hair root to zap (or something) and I'm okay with that but being asked repeatedly if one has SHAVED one's face made me feel like I was wearing Wranglers that were too snug in the balls.

Procrastination Station Monday, June 16, 2008

What is it about putting laundry away that is SO DAMNED UNAPPEALING?! Somebody please explain it to me.

In the past 45 minutes, I could have put away all the laundry I did yesterday. Instead, I did the following:
- surfed blogs on the internet
- pondered my 1995 obsession with all things Keroppi
- yawned a lot
- finalized and submitted a review for Delush
- wondered what that clicking noise is outside my windows
- picked at the second piercing hole on my left ear, which REFUSES to stay open
- decided to attend tomorrow evening's condo board meeting, in which we will accomplish something spectacular, like approving a new extermination vendor, or discussing how freakishly high our monthly assessments are relative to the building's amenities
- surfed Zillow to investigate neighborhood real estate
- realized that I missed Army Wives on Sunday. Argh.

So I guess you could say I was at least MENTALLY productive during my procrastination. Or maybe not. Either way.

Weekend In Review

Loads of laundry completed: 8
Fathers Celebrated: 1
Times I Gasped Aloud at Tiger Woods: 4
Caffeine Consumed: How do I type the sign for infinity?
SPF-enhanced Moisturizers Pondered: 3
Iowans I Worried About: 5
Bridesmaid Dresses fitted and paid for: 1
Adorable Puppies Nuzzled Endlessly: 1
Laughs Laughed: 45,683
Glasses of Wine Consumed: 6?
Life-direction Fretting Done: LOTS.

Answering the Call of Duty Friday, June 13, 2008

My friend Jen over at MonkeyPosh tagged me earlier this week to fill out a blogging questionnaire. And when MonkeyPosh says jump, I say "How high, oh fabulous one?!" Because seriously, the woman has a room devoted entirely to her shoes. We are obviously kindred spirits.

So here we go, then...

1. What were you doing 10 years ago?
Hmm, mid-June, 1998. Let me think for a moment. I was busy taking classes at the local community college - business calculus, AGAIN, because I massively tanked it during the regular school year. I figured maybe the junior college version would be easier, or move slower for my non-mathematical brain. Not so much. DAMN YOU, MATH 134.

I was also dating this guy, M, with whom I'd been in unrequited love for at least 3 years. Our relationship lasted all of three dates, and we never even kissed. Awesome.

But mostly I was just killing a summer, wishing I could be traveling and teaching with all my dance instructor friends.

2. What are 5 things on your to-do list today?
- Clean the microwave. (seriously, it's gotten really gross in there)
- Wash the green towels & sheets (that have been sitting in my front hall for at least a week)
- work
- put bills in the mail
- find the receipts for two shirts I need to return (both surprisingly cheap-looking in real life - the only downside of being an online shopper)

3. What are your favorite snacks?
I think the better question would be, "what AREN't your favorite snacks?" because I will eat just about anything.

Off the top of my head: pringles, ranch oyster crackers, carrots w/light Ranch dressing, Flipz, dark chocolate peanut M&Ms, All-Bran Garlic/Herb crackers, thin twist pretzels, pepperoni pizza Combos, Archer Farms organic fruit leather (esp. strawberry), 100-calorie packs (ritz blend is the best), edamame, anything with sour cream-n-onion flavoring, mini-snickers bites, this list could seriously continue forever, so I'll just stop here.

4. Who are some people you want to know more about?
This is a tough one, because I'm not naturally inquisitive about people. Events? Yes. Human interest stories and the oddities of the American culture? Yes. People in that culture? Not really. I guess it would be interesting to find out more about Jerry Springer (my one question would be, "Jerry, WTF?!"), Michelle Obama, the kids from TLC's Jon & Kate + 8, and my biological, paternal grandfather. But he's dead, so I guess that one will just have to wait.

5. Places I have Lived?
Illinois, Tennessee, Georgia

6. Things I Would do If I was a Billionaire
Where do I start?
- pay off the debt of anyone in my family (credit card, student loan, or otherwise)
- buy a house in Chicago, a flat in London, and a vineyard in Napa Valley, CA.
- get a hybrid car
- create very large trusts for my unborn children, as well as my sister's children
- buy one fabulous pair of high heels every month
- put down hardwoods in my condo and sell it immediately
- schedule a standing "family dinner" with my close friends (and their s. others) once a month at a fun restaurant, and pick up the tab every time
- open, fund, and run an animal shelter
- get at least 2 more dogs (one very small, one very large)
- open, fund, and run my own dance academy
- invest heavily in microloan providers in developing nations, as well as Heifer International and the Greater Chicago Food Depository
- volunteer for Open Books
- take lots of vacations

Now...here comes the fun part. TAGGING. I'm going to be ambitious, and tag Tessie and AM.

Blogging SYTYCD Thursday, June 12, 2008

This season is shaping up nicely, and looks like it will be very competitive. Sure, there are some definite clunkers in the crowd like Chris, Gev, Comfort, and Jamie (who is not even a poor man's Benji and dances like flat pop - okay at first, but ultimately disappointing), but I imagine the cream will rise to the top in the first several weeks. I just hope America doesn't keep crappy people around based solely on their personalities (Lacey Schwimmer, I'M LOOKIN' AT YOU).

That said, my favorite of the evening BY FAR was Kherington & Twitch dancing the Tyce D'Orio broadway number to "It's Too Darn Hot." They're not going to get very many brownie points from the young folks in the crowd, since those voters have most likely never heard of Kiss Me, Kate - or Cole Porter for that matter, but as for me, I literally couldn't tear my eyes away. Kherington has a spirit about her, and not just in her face (if Nigel tells one more blond girl that she "has a beautiful face," I will scream. Dirty old man.) Twitch was surprisingly enjoyable to watch as well - I think it was an excellent opportunity for him to showcase his versatility and whatever training he has received. When the routine was over, I actually laughed out loud and started clapping. By myself. The dog just looked at me like I had gone crazy.

I might actually be crazy, but that is entirely beside the point.
It's too bad that Twitchington is going to be vastly overshadowed by the Katee/Joshua hip hop number (which annoyed me because a couple before he goes off to war? hello? blatant pandering to an anti-war demographic - shame on you, napoleon and tabatha!). According to the SYTYCD bloggers, which basically serve as exit polls for the show, Katee and Joshua will win this week by a landslide.

As for me, I'm Team Twitchington, all the way,

In Which I Get Mistaken for a Corner Bakery Employee Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Note to self: don't wear all black on the days you have to pick up catering orders for a meeting.

Holy Cow, REALLY?! Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Am I the only person in the Midwest who thinks THIS is just about the craziest thing that ever happened? It's almost biblical.

Tales of My Own Randomness

This past weekend, my neighborhood was overtaken by bibliophiles as the Printer's Row Book Fair ensued. I missed seeing (and meeting) one of my favorite authors, Elizabeth Berg, which is upsetting because I wanted to verify the buzz that she brings homemade treats to her readings. Oh well - maybe next year.

Given my hatred for crowds (and slow people who walk aimlessly), it took an enormous amount of composure to even get out the front door and walk the damn dog. That said, I wandered a bit during a rare moment of patience, and procured the following titles:

All the Tea in Chicago, a spur-of-the-moment gift for my friend Adrienne (an Anglophile who married an adorable British lad)

For Members Only, a novel of which I'd previously heard, but never seen on a shelf.

The Streets & San Man's Guide to Chicago Eating, which I am ridiculously thrilled to read. BRING ON THE CHICAGO EATING SUGGESTIONS, BITCHES.

Jarhead, because it was $5, and I thought it might be a good idea to read the book prior to seeing the movie. No, I haven't yet seen the movie. Yes, I realize Jake Gyllenhaal plays the star character.

Heavy Words, Lightly Thrown, because I am a WORD NERD.

I also picked up a book as a gift for my friend Kate (tall Kate, not curly Kate) that has to do with her impending nuptials. If she wants it, she's going to have to tear herself away from her work and leave a comment below. (ha! take that, you overachiever, you!)

The Jamie-Jamerkins-Got-To-Read-This-Summer Reading List is being slowly constructed. Any suggestions?

Review Revue Monday, June 09, 2008

Saturday night, Sean and I went to see Iron Man. Here are my thoughts:

Robert Downey, Jr. - surprisingly funny
Jeff Bridges - really amazing as a villain
Gwyneth Paltrow - SMOKIN' HOT with red hair
Movie Overall - grade B+

We also ate dinner at Fleming's Steakhouse, which recently opened up here in Chicago. They have a very deep wine selection - lots of wines available by the glass. It's sort of their gimmick, I guess. However, the Chicago location recently lost their liquor license (the details of this are shady to me, and confusing, based on the reasons given to us by our waiter). So we brought a bottle of my favorite Cabernet, and enjoyed some tasty, tasty red meat.

Thoughts on Fleming's:
Jalapeno Mac-n-Cheese - stellar! As leftovers? Not so much.
Fleming's Potatoes - also great
Ribeye - sort of fatty, very large. Meh.
Fleming's Overall - grade A - Want to return once they get their booze back in order.

Other highlights of the evening include Sean walking away from me on the street when I stopped to admit that I hadn't known Ozzy Osbourne was the lead singer of Black Sabbath. I knew he had a band, but had literally never made the connection. Oopsie. Fortunately for me, it wasn't a fatal character flaw, as I think we are still, in fact, dating.

In Absentia

People who know me in real life often remark how different I am from my boyfriend Sean. I'm loud, he's quiet. I'm an open book, he's a journal. I wear my heart on my sleeve (accented by my horrendous poker face) and he is discreet and guarded. His face would be under "discretion" in the dictionary, mine under "spaz."

The differences between us are never quite so obvious as when he is out of town - something that happens regularly because of his chosen career. And while my natural independence keeps me mostly distracted during those stretches (I've never been accused of being clingy or needy, that's for sure), I have a little bit of trouble recalibrating myself when he leaves. The first time I really, truly missed him, I thought something was wrong - it was completely unnerving.

He departed today for another trip to India, this time for a month. Even as I drove away from the airport curb, something felt off. It was as if I had left my keys in the front door, or walked out of the house with no pants on.

So this time 'round, I have a goal - not just to keep myself idly busy, but to get out and get to know Chicago better. That's my job for June. I think I'll have lunch at the Billy Goat tomorrow. Anyone want to join me?

Party Planning Posse Friday, June 06, 2008

Alright, bitches. Here's the deal. June 22nd is the fourth anniversary of this blog. Here is my first post. It pretty much sucked.

Now, here's the audience participation portion - YOU are going to tell me how to celebrate the occasion. Then I will do as you ask, documenting each task with a photo (or five) and report back.

Any ideas?

Seeking Unity and Leadership Thursday, June 05, 2008

"Let us turn our thoughts today
To Martin Luther King
And recognize that there are ties between us
All men and women
Living on the earth
Ties of hope and love
Sister and brotherhood
That we are bound together
In our desire to see the world become
A place in which our children
Can grow free and strong
We are bound together
By the task that stands before us
And the road that lies ahead
We are bound and we are bound"

- lyrics from 'Shed a Little Light' by James Taylor

Please read this article whether or not you support Barack Obama for President. It's just downright interesting, and serves as a befitting description of the newsworthy week that we are having.

Mixology Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Last night, the results of my dog's genetic testing arrived. I was not surprised to find out that there is no single, dominant breed in his genetic background - which means neither of his parents were purebred pups. Not surprising, as he was found as a stray on the side of a highway in Michigan. I WAS surprised and shocked however to find that he is a non-majority mix of the following breeds:

1. Dachshund (Hound Group)
Not surprising on this front - he is overwhelmingly like a dachshund physically, meanwhile, displays very few of the typical dachshund personality characteristics.

2. Gordon Setter (Sporting Group)
I know nothing of Gordon Setters - I hope this is the breed representation that explains his mostly mellow personality, as well as his loyalty, affection, determined natures, and deep eyes.

3. German Shorthaired Pointer (Sporting Group)
The more I look, the more I think that the Pointer is visible in my dog where I once assumed his "black labrador" roots were - eager to please, and friendly. I also find it ironic that I've been thinking about putting the GSP breed on my short list of second dog possibilities. I guess I sort of already have one.

And most disappointingly of all of them...showing up in a minority percentage...

4. Poodle
I hate poodles. There is no nice way to say it, I just don't like them. I plan on ignoring all poodle characteristics and personality traits inherent in my dog's genetic makeup. That is all.


Most of all, I cannot believe this testing is even possible. Now at least I know what to tell people when they see him on the street and say, "aww, what kind of puppy is that?"

I'll say, "a dachshund pointer setter mix with a splash of poodle."

Or maybe I won't mention the poodle.

Reading

As far as I can tell, boys in glasses are our nation's number one natural resource.

Whirlwind Monday, June 02, 2008

Suddenly, it's summer in Chicago. Just like in the past, spring comes and goes in a flash - and now I'm sweaty walking four blocks from the eL to the office. Yuck.

This weekend was a doozy. I hosted book club on Friday - which went well, all things considered. I didn't manage to get the dog to the kennel, which meant he was underfoot for most of the evening. Miraculously, he didn't do anything stupid like poop indoors or steal food off of anyone's plate, so I'm happy about that.

Saturday, Sean came home from India. We took the dog on a monster walk around the park (well, monster for something that has 5 inch legs)- from my place to the lake, down the lake, then back again via Roosevelt Road, and northbound - home again. Doc learned how to look pathetic enough to garner sympathetic clucks from passerbys, and also how to drink from a water fountain. The weather was beautiful, so we ate dinner al fresco and called it a day.

We spent all day yesterday at my parents' house, celebrating the following holidays:
- my grandmother's 95th birthday (actually 6/7)
- my sister's wedding anniversary (5/30)
- my mother's birthday (5/29)
- my brother-in-law's birthday (5/29)
- belated Mother's Day
- early Father's Day

Needless to say, there was far too much good food consumed, and lots of verbal jabs made at my gift giving style. Sean and I missed the 5pm train back into the city (because I think I must have looked at the wrong schedule online) and ended up killing an hour at some bar in downtown Crystal Lake...we had a quick pitcher and played a video game version of cornhole/bags/etc. It was weird, and even electronically, I managed to suck at it just like I do in real life. Finally, we got on the train and came home.

Today is a big day for me at the-place-that-shall-not-be-blogged-about, so you'll forgive me if I ditch you all completely to concentrate on my non-virtual life. I'll be back in a couple days with more interesting content for you. Until then, this post will have to do.