Right Where It Belongs

One of the things I absolutely love about my ‘hood is that everything is only a short walk away.  And in some cases, merely steps away.  For example – FedEx Kinkos is across the street.  A liquor store and laundry are my next door neighbors on the left, while a wine shop and a bank are on my right.  What’s not to love about the innate ability to do my laundry, sip some beers while making copies of my bank statements? 

Next to the laundry happens to be a place called “Indulge” and most days, I pass it by while on my morning run.  The thing that intrigues me is the fact they are open from 11am – 11pm, they have a walk up window, they advertise for frozen custard, and it always smells of chocolate and popcorn. Yes, I know.

I’ve always meant to stop in, but I just never have.  But today, my friends, was the day my life changed for the better.  I stopped in after achieving a fresh boiled lobster look at the cubs game. Read: I was burnt to a crisp and needed some cooling.  And because one of the things I don’t understand about the Cubs is how Culver’s is a sponsor – there are no Culver’s any where near the city – I kept thinking about THEIR frozen custard.  So long story short, I went to Indulge. Purchased myself a “blizzard’ like substance created of vanilla frozen custard and chocolate chip cookie dough.  While I waited for my frozen decadence, I noticed – they also have an Intelligentsia coffee shop inside!  And for those of you who have read my last post about Intelligencia - I am in heaven.

And that’s my story.

Gold Rush!

Today was like any other Friday. Slightly hung over. Starving. And needing to get out of the office for a bit.  So Crystal and I decided to make the perilious crossing of Michigan Avenue, and go to Chipotle. Yum.  Hoping that would help my inability to process a coherent thought, I was happy.  Of course, it was delicious and now I have food for the rest of the month. But anyway – I digress.  Not only did Crystal help my hunger, she has converted me to Intelligentsia coffee… yum yum.  Ok again, I digress – but its part of the story I’m setting up for you.

On our very slow walk back to the office, Crystal spots a man and asks “Um, what color is that man’s suit?”  Upon inspection, it looked to be a tan or beige suit, but it had a blue and orange plaid woven into it.  Pretty interesting combination, but it worked.  Personally I thought it to be more of a fall suit, and I’m holding on the summer the best I can. Anyway.  So Mr. Suit is making his way across the street, and the farther away he gets, the harder the pattern is to see.  Pretty soon, he’s blending into the buildings.  And at the farthest, it appeared he maybe wearing a gold lame’ suit.  Obviously we knew better, because we had closely inspected.  But, to the unsuspecting passerby – this would be the best suit they’ve seen all day!  So, Mr. Suit – props to you for dipping your toe in the fashion risk pool.

Cooties

Like any other August day, it was a bit warm yesterday, so I decided to wear a skirt - a very appropriate choice for the weather.  For my seemingly normaly commute home, I walk to Clark and Lake, step on to the blue line train car, rock out to my iPod, minding my own business.  A few stops go by, people shuffle around.  I’m now standing across from a little boy in a stroller. I’m sure you can imagine where this goes next.

As we ride, I realize the little boy is playing with the hem of my skirt – as in, lifting it up and dropping it; lifting it up and dropping it.   I politely take my skirt out of his hands, and smile.  His mother does nothing but laugh.  A few seconds later, he does it again.  Mind you – its rush hour, and its packed.  So there isn’t any place I can escape Mr. Wandering-Hands.  The only thing I’m thinking is “Thank god he’s strapped into his stroller”.  Um, I was wrong.  Next thing I know, he’s popped out of his little fold up stroller, and now is ‘hiding’ under my skirt. Lovely, no? 

I was trying not to laugh, as were the other dozen people who were witnessing this event.  Although the mom and people with the little boy seemed to find no problem in the fact that this 4-year-old was now hiding under the clothing of a complete stranger, which I think was what troubled me most. 

Thankfully my stop was next, and I quickly exited that train, making sure there was nothing still hiding in my skirt.

Quite possibly THE strangest thing that has happened to me on the CTA. Ever.

Groovin’ Slowly

So.. I’m trying to think of what story to tell today – and I have a few from the last couple days, but I just can’t figure out where to start.  I suppose one could be the story of signing up for a gym membership?  I know that doesn’t sound all that entertaining?  Aside from the fact the guy who signed us up potentially thought my roommate and I were lesbians – it’s probably not.  I guess when two girls go in, say they live together, and apparently make some reference to being excited about living together, you get that. Oh well.

Maybe when I wake up, I’ll have some more stories.  See, last night was “Movie in the Park” here in Chicago – and it’s always a late night.  They put up a big screen in Grant Park, show a great movie, and you sit there and watch it.  With a few thousand of your new best friends.  Last night was “An Affair To Remember” with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr.  I have to admit, I was really getting into it – some of the lines were classic.  Granted, its a classic movie (duh Kris) and supposed to be rediculously romantic, but it gets to a point where you just start shaking your head saying “Why didn’t she tell him!?” or “Why didn’t he find her!?!”  instead of “Awwww, thats sooooo sweet.”  I suppose thats what happens when you watch a film 50 years later.  Anyway.  It was good. Rent it. Watch it.  But be warned – you too might want to throw something at her in frustration.

Delayed Devotion

I wouldn’t want to disappoint anybody, so I’m carrying on tradition of stealing song titles for my postings.  I think some day I’ll have a quiz and see if anybody can figure out who the songs are all from.

Anyway, so I was told today that I need to update my random rants and raves.  And I would agree.  It’s just been super busy lately, and so I haven’t quite had as much time to rant and rave – at least not online.  Trust me, I still do plenty of it in person!

The moral of this story is that I promise to sit down and devote some serious time to updating the world at large.  And maybe throw in a few cynical comments and randomly rediculous stories for you to.

Like the one about last night and my roommate and I signing up for gym memberships….

To be continued…

Tracing…

I go through phases in my musical taste and for the most part I listen to anything, depending on my mood and what I’m doing.  But most days, I really dig John Mayer.  I know, say what you want about his ‘commercial-bility’ and all that but sometimes, if you really listen to the lyrics they are pretty intense.

My latest favorite.. ok, for about six months now so it’s passed the fade phase, is “Tracing” – especially the live version off the “As/Is” album.  I can’t post the song here, but you should definitely check it out. I think it resonates with me for many reasons, of which I won’t get into here, but I think it’s spot on.  He explains on the live track that its about people who have just met, are just starting to date, and one sorta wants to move much faster, or “started in the middle”. 

I really like the idea of “the strong move slow” – not just in romantic relationships and decisions, but in pretty much any situation.  Although I’m notoriously impatient and need instant gratification, I’m trying to find the appeal of patience and taking my time.  I suppose you could say the cliche “it’s worth the wait”?

Anyway. Enjoy the lyrics. I do.

 

John Mayer – Tracing

Do you ever get the feeling
that we started in the middle
or have you ever had the sense
that we’ve been lying just a little
i mean come on
its not like we’ve known ourselves that long

and i cant say i really blame you
for being bored with the beginning
always staring at the score
just to figure out whos barely winning
but dont you know
there is a reason strong move slow

and im okay
if your okay with
wasting time
but when we trace
you always see the bottom line

we are tracing
i hope you know
we are tracing

and if you want to know the moment
i knew that i was still alone
i found i never learned your number
i only stored it in my phone
you’d think by now
id know the shape of calling home

and im okay
if your okay with
wasting time
but when we trace
you’ll always see the bottom line

we are tracing
i hope you know
we are tracing
we’re both alone
we are tracing
we are tracing

did you ever get the feeling
that we started in the middle
or have you ever have the sense
that we were lying just a little
i mean come on
its not like we knew ourselves that long

Nothing worth having is simple…

I have this habit of over analyzing things.  I’m trying not to be so OCD about it – really, does it matter what I pick for lunch? No.  Does it matter which jeans I wear today? No.  But I guess I’m intrigued by human nature and tend to analyze things people do or say.  Or worse, what they don’t do or say.

For example, you’re in the getting to know you phase with somebody.  They don’t really know you – you don’t really know them.  There are all these “standards” of how a relationship is supposed to evolve – milestones you might say.  But what if they don’t happen?  Why aren’t they happening?  Does that mean something? Does it mean nothing at all?  My brain is in “analytics” mode for 8 hours a day – I’m trying to show it the difference between work and life – that it can switch that mode off, and just enjoy the moment.  In those moments that I’m not thinking about motives and intentions, those are the most enjoyable moments of the day.

Really, the moral of my rant today is just let things go.  See what happens. Keep an open mind – you never know where that attitude might lead you.

Moving Day – Part Three

What a day.  I feel like I accomplished a lot and maybe I did.  For the most part, my bedroom is done – all the clothes are put away, the closet is full.  And I’m not kidding.  Nearly full to the brim.  It took all day, but it’s nearly done.  I’ve got only a few more boxes left in the kitchen/living room, so that’s also exciting, but I’ve still got a lot of work to do.  I just don’t feel like this place has much personality yet.  I don’t have anything on the walls, or any décor up, but I’m glad that I’m getting things organized first.  There isn’t much I can do with the windows, or anything like that.

I didn’t spend much time yesterday unpacking – spent some time at the beach and did dinner with Crystal and her friends.  Got home, and Crystal actually brought her little TV with her and I was highly surprised, in a pleasant way, that not only did it get some reception, but when I plugged it into the cable – I got good channels!  So unfortunately, I’ve been glued to all the bad TV that I’ve been missing.  Family Guy, Gossip Girl, The Bachelorette.  Oh the guilty pleasures I have now.

I don’t really want to do anything with the living room, just because in three weeks I’m having my party, and I’m going to have to take everything out anyway.  But I want to make sure my spare bedroom is at least presentable, and I’m hoping to have some of the décor in my rooms done, so when I give people the “grand tour” – they might get the feel of my personality in this place, especially when it’s so generic right now.

I have a lot of great ideas in my head, but the limit of funds, time, and resources is slightly limiting in what I’ve been able to do.  I think my first goal was just to sort things out first, and get the big things into their places.  There is a lot of potential, since I have a huge blank slate, so I’ll have to see what I can work into.

Moving Day – Part Two

Yesterday was day two of new home, and a much better day it was.  Started off the morning looking around trying to figure out what would be the easiest and most sensible area to start on.  Worked on the bedroom a little bit – more putting away sweaters than anything, trying to figure out what goes where in terms of storage.  Put together the computer, which seems to be working fine – the movers didn’t manage to damage it, which I was quite thankful for.  Even did some work on the odds and ends boxes in the living room – trying to get that mess to a manageable pile.  It’s getting there.

Heard from Jim first thing in the morning and he completely made my day – told me how to turn my shower on.  No twisting, no turning, no pushing.  There is a part of the faucet, where the water comes out – you pull on that.  Who would have thought?  I absolutely enjoyed my hot, pressurized shower later in the day.  Amazing how clean you feel with a little water pressure!

Other than that, just kept on keeping on with the unpacking, purging and re-arranging of things.  Really trying to eliminate some of my belongings – somebody my age really doesn’t need all this STUFF.  Just no reason.

Moving Day…. Update One

So these posts are delayed, since I don’t have internet at my new place yet.  Soon, I’m going to have to stop refering to it as my “new” place, and just start refering to it as “home”.

Let me start with the tale of moving on Friday.

I get up, get ready – all excited. Yay – Movers are coming!  They show up early, bust ass, and I’m excited.  Bed makes it out ok.  Couch.  Not so much.  Took them nearly an hour to get it out.  At that was after trying it down the front stair way (which I knew it wouldn’t work).  Finally got it out the back stairway.  At this point, they’re getting annoyed with me, I’m sure.

We make it over to the new place, and it was just weird – me pretty much doing nothing while they carried things in.  Granted, their pace slowed down considerably at this point, but I couldn’t exactly call them out on it.  Then they get to the bed.  Mattress – no problem.  Box Springs? Yeah, not so much.  The front stairs are too narrow and the back entry way is too windy.  I convinced them to try to cut the box springs in half (because I really didn’t want to just sleep on a mattress!).  So they finally got it in.  The couch – I resigned to leaving in the alley way for some lucky bastard.  I’m actually pretty bummed about that – I loved loved loved that couch.  And I feel like its such a waste for it to just sit in the alley.  Granted, it was HUGE and just a pain in my ass.  And completely unpractical.  But it was fantastic.  So I’m trying to be optimistic about it, and say – well, now this way I’ll have more room in my living space for my 80’s birthday party right? And then I can get something a little more practical, some thing easier to move.  Right?

 

Then comes time to settle the bill.  And this was the thing that really put a sour taste in my mouth – they still charged me $180 for cancelling the previous weekend.  So I called the office and told them I didn’t understand – we talked through it last week and she said it would be fine.  Now the lady tells me that because I called “mid day” I would still have to pay the $180.  That, to me, is crap.  I didn’t call the day before. And I explained why, and that I’d still want to move.  If I had known they were going to do that – I would have found another mover.  What would they do then? They couldn’t charge me the fee because they only take cash.  So that was frustrating.

I made one more trip back to the old place to get some of the food things and the kitchen stuff that I hadn’t been able to grab (I still have some more things over there to grab later this week, or on Saturday when we go back to clean).

Came back here and started the massive unpacking effort.  Got most of the kitchen done – there are some things I have no idea where I’m going to put them.  Decided I should start on my bedroom and have actually made some progress on that.  I don’t want to start on the living room, because I don’t really know what I’m going to be able to get done in there, so I should probably work on my “spare” bedroom today, after I sort out some more of my clothes in my bedroom.  Should probably get some more hangers too.

So about 10pm last night, I decided to give up.  All I wanted to do at that point was take a shower, so I’ve got all my bath stuff in there, ready to go.  Yay, water pressure! Yay, hot water!  Yay, non-claw footed tub!  Woo I’m excited about all this.  Can’t figure out how, on God’s earth to turn the SHOWER on.  Nope.  Water on.  Temperature set. Drain plugged. Yup – figure all those out.  To get the water from the faucet to the shower? Nothing.  I push, I pull, I twist and I turn.  Nothing.  So I give in, and take a bath.  Which for a while was quite nice and relaxing… but when you try to wash your hair in a bath – not so cleansing.

After my pseudo-cleansing bath, I iced my foot (because it was KILLING) and tried to relax with some Sim City (Nerd, I know).

Today I’ve decided to try and consolidate the piles in the living room to figure out just how much space I have and where I’m going to put my book cases (in the living room? In the spare bed room?)

I’m just hoping I’m not so frustrated and cranky today, because god knows I was last night.  I’m hoping that a good night sleep and some breakfast will take care of it.  Lets keep our fingers crossed.