I have a lot to say and you're going to read it.

So it’s been a while. You COULD blame me but then I’d punch you in the gut. P.S. this is a long one.

So much has happened like the following: traveling across the world and realizing that I HATE flying I hate being in an airplane for more than 4 hours. If I am in a plane for over 4 hours my body starts to attack itself and my innards begin to implode. It’s like this weird gassy, bloating feeling where you don’t want to do anything except lay down horizontally but you can’t because you’re in fucking coach. Needless to say I have only ever flown better than coach once in my life. Business class convinced me that I should make money so I can always be in business class. Oh well.

But yes okay we went to Italy. And by we I mean me, matt, my brother, my mom and dad. So a family vacation, even though we are all over the age of 23. First we were in Rome, which was a delight. That city has way too many things to see so we had this tour by Eden Walks, I highly recommend it. All their guides are native speakers of English, which was greatly appreciated. After Rome and it’s many, many marvelous things. We went to stay in Tuscany in this freezing but absolutely adorable farmhouse that was apart of a greater hotel/resort sort of complex. From the farmhouse we were able to bus it to Florence, which as always just like POW, BAM! It’s a Batman fight sequence, only you are the bad guy and art is the caped crusader. Matt, my mom and I even climbed the Duomo, to the top, which I think matt best described at the “worst thing I have ever done in my life, but pretty awesome.” Then the next day we went to Pisa, to that outrageous leaning tower. And we got to climb up that too. It was very odd though…. climbing stairs in a building that is leaning. There are some parts of the stairs that were really easy to climb and then it get really, really hard. But the whole family made it to the top for some great views and good pictures. Then after all that we went back to Rome to catch a plane all together back to NYC to then connect to flights to our homes. But sometime between paying for water bottles and these things called pocket coffees, I managed to lose my wallet. Or someone stole it. But they didn’t know that all I had in there was 5 USD and 2 euros, two bank cards that they couldn’t possibly use, and a drivers license that would means nothing to them. Fucking idiots. More probable is that I left it on the counter or it dropped out of my pocket. But besides the wallet thing on the VERY last day, it was a great trip. Traveling with my family is rough at times but when everybody is in awe of a Michelangelo or watching fire we started in the kitchen the rough parts aren’t that important. We were there for a week and like I said it was great. But you know what the best part of vacation? Getting home. Being able to hear, read and understand English (and it’s everywhere!). Buy a hot dog. Cover food with cheese. Take public transportation and knowing what the fuck you’re doing. These are the things that life is worth living for.

We flew back on Thanksgiving. One of the best made up American holidays. It doesn’t take too much to celebrate it and I feel like other countries really should pick this one up if they haven’t already. Here are the steps: 1) eat food, a lot of it. Mostly just comfort foods, things with a lot of starch and fat, and that magical chemical that makes you sleepy. 2) Be around people that you love and hate. 3) have a professional sporting event on. 4) make way too much of step 1.

Even though I missed thanksgiving this year I still had a miniature one with Matt and Jami and Sarah. It was really cute and I really enjoyed it.

Then it was my birthday on December 2nd. It really wasn’t a big deal, which was nice. I mean I didn’t really have any plans to do anything. Emily came into town and we perused the downtown Christmas decorations. It was cold but not too bad and just darling. There was one tree in front of the Hancock building that I wanted to steal because it was so beautiful, it was how every Christmas tree should be, so saturated with lights that you forget it once was a living thing. Then later for dinner, we all went to Kuma’s Corner. It was a pretty alright night. Matt got me the box set of “home movies” which I love. My parents got me 3 things. My mom got me this cute trench coat that is from Michael Kors, tre chic. She also got me a child’s video game called “Little Pet Shop,” which she got for me because when I was younger I was an avid fan of the toy line. Recently they revamped it and it’s pretty different now, all the eyes are big and doe-y, all their heads are grossly out of proportion. You know the style was “girl” toys have taken these days (which really makes no sense to me, I mean I know Barbie is classically very out of proportion but this is getting ridiculous). And my dad got me a monopod. “a monopod?” you ask. Yes a monopod. Not quite a tripod and not quite a cane but you put your camera on it for some stabilization though not quite enough to completely remove some amount of movement. If I can’t use it for it’s real purpose I can still really beat down someone with it, so that’s comforting.

Other comforting thoughts, I already got my new debit cards and my new drivers license and I ordered my new speedy cta Chicago card. All I really have to replace now is my library card, which is going to cost ONE dollar. I guess I can live with that. Also I ordered winter boots from some brand up in Canada. One of the huge selling points is that the boots were “salt and calcium resilient” and they have a zipper up the side. It snowed here in Chicago. Just like 2 inches but it was lovely and not too evil. Matt and I bought our first Christmas tree together. And I decorated it the best I could and I think it’s the cutest thing to ever be put on our living room floor (in your face, duck rug). My engagement ring is done and I can go pick it up from the post office today. I’m very excited to have it on my finger. And it’s going to be all shiny and beautiful. Pictures of course will be on Facebook.

Oh! Last Friday I got to see Stella live at the Vic Theater. They were so good and it made me so happy to see them. My favorite part is when they crack up over each other’s goofs. Oh Michael, Michael and David! Least favorite part of that night, record breaking lows, like 8 degrees Fahrenheit- are you kidding? And I’m afraid it’s only going to get worse.

CHOCOLATE - ACK!

Kevin Bacon’s best work? Tremors. Duh. Actually besides Footloose I don’t think I can name another Kevin Bacon movie. That’s probably for the better.
Anyways! I’m pretty stoked about Rome, though I feel like I’m getting anxious and I hate that feeling. Maybe it’s because we’re leaving on a Wednesday. Maybe it’s because it’s still Monday!!! Ugh!

Anyways. This weekend was a pretty fun. Friday we drank and went over to a friend’s apartment where we played flippy cup! Which I haven’t played in maybe a year. It was great, still had the touch too. The guys at this apartment who I had never met before thought that me and Sarah were “ringers”. Haha. The rest of the night was ridiculous- went to a bar and it gets a little fuzzy from there. but made it home and slept til 2. Gross. The next night it was a birthday gathering at a bar. Which was attended by a ton of people that I only associate with Urbana house parties. Some of them were delightful others I wanted to punch in the face. Some of those guys just don’t realize that no body actually likes them. And they’re never really invited to anything they just show up, god, they suck. But the night was still very pleasant and we even got a ride home!

So what else? I don’t know- need to do laundry. I bought a suitcase that is pretty and new. And we need to try to finish the food in the fridge… ugh see? Anxious! I hate it. Maybe it’s the coffee. I’m gonna watch True Blood now… this show is so stupid, why do I keep watching it?

to do's

Hey ho!
So What’s up? Not too much I guess.
I’ve been working plenty on SCA Walls stuff, which is good. I enjoy that there is a task list to work on. Even though a lot of it is pretty tedious, i.e. editing photos to all look the same, editing photos for the website, creating pdf’s. But by far the most rewarding and challenging work was on the brochure. A 4 page leave behind that design wise needed to feel like a Herman Miller publication. So that means a lot of white space and a sense of unbalanced symmetry. I hope they need more stuff like that in the future it was fun to make. I mean I’ve got it a way that I’m okay with it, though honestly I could probably mess with it forever.

I leave in a week for Rome. A WEEK! Today I think I’m going to write out everything I should bring. So I don’t forget anything. Also I need to check the weather. All the guidebooks say not to travel to Rome in November because it rains the most during this month. But oh well. Maybe it won’t be so rainy and maybe the crowds will be small because all the guidebooks told people not to be there! Oh to see the Sistine Chapel with out 2000 other people! I’ve been reading guidebooks. And also a while ago my mom bought and had shipped to me a historical fiction book called “Roma”. It’s a story from sort of prehistory to I think the times of Jesus. I haven’t finished it; it’s huge. But I’m going to finish it before we leave, I swear! And actually I would totally read it all day but I do need to do SOME work. But what I have read I enjoyed. The story follows an amulet that is a gold penis with wings that follows its heritage. Ridiculous. I mean I’m sure such charms existed but the author couldn’t find something else to have wings? Oh well.

Matt bought an iPod touch. It is pretty ding dang spiffy, my brother just bought one too. So they can have fun with those during our plane rides. I hope I can sleep on the plane some. Heck it’s 8:30 am and I feel like I could sleep for another 4 hours. Our plane leaves at like 5 pm and gets into Rome at 7 am… or something like that. Whew. Just the thought makes me tired.

After 5 pm I have to watch for the UPS man with a package that contains a new winter jacket. Yay! Now if only the weather would make up it’s mind.

Today seems monotonous but I am extremely thankful.

oh brother

There is a lot to talk about.

I went to Seattle and had a sort of crash course in business sales. It was very interesting and I was surprised how much gossip is involved. I mostly took pictures of walls. It was fine. I got to wear business clothes. And I got to spend time with my dad! After Seattle I flew back to Chicago and Casey Best was in town! Yay! And Halloween happened. I was this girl named Ashley Todd and she was the girl who faked being attacked by some Obama supporter. We went to a show with King Kahn and the BBQ show. Which was great even though I didn’t know any of the songs. I don’t know when we did Saturday. But it was a great weekend.  

Then Tuesday Barack Obama was elected the next president of the united states. Pretty goddamn exciting. Matt had gotten tickets to the celebration in Grant Park. So we went and it was awe inspiring because of the amount of people and just everything was nice. And then after the screaming and the clapping and listening to Barack it was time to go. Getting out of the park took forever and while we were barely moving to get out of there Matt said that he loved me very much and I said the same back. Then he said that he didn’t want to make a scene because of all the people but “I want you to have this” and in his hand was an engagement ring. I was SOO surprised with matt’s proposal that all I could say was “what?” “what is this?” “what are you doing?” then he said you will marry me right? and I said YES! Of course. And he gave me this ring from his great grand mother, from Philadelphia. It’s beautiful but a little too small for my fat fingers. Hehe but Stef’s dad, is gonna take of everything and it’s going to be beautiful. I’m excited to have it back to put on my hand. Sigh. It was amazing. Some great U.S. history and some personal history. Something to tell the grandkids. Hehe.

Then I flew to Dallas on Thursday and flew back on Friday. My parents wanted me there for talking to the new employees, who are sales people. And talk about marketing literature and the new website. It was a great to see dallas and my parents and my brother, even if it was just for one night. I also felt like I had a real job for a while, so cool.  

Then last night, Friday, Jami and Sarah came over and we drank and went out and it was fun. Today, Saturday, matt and I went all the way up to some suburb for shopping fun time. it was silly. And we ended up just ordering what we wanted from online. Oh well. 

So that’s the catch up. The past week has been NUTS! Agree? Yes.

And leaving for Rome in like a week and a half.  Cool.

total biz cas

So I’m leaving for Seattle tomorrow! And I already packed most everything to make sure I’m within the limit for carry-on’s and all my ouces and whatever. Traveling is pretty tricky these days. But I’m excited nonetheless. I’ll be taking pictures and being charming and looking great in my biz cas.

It’s going to be a busy week. Tomorrow I leave and I come back Thursday which is also the day that a friend, Casey is coming into Chicago. So I can’t wait to see him and spend some time with some old friends! But of course because it’s Casey, he’s coming in Thursday afternoon and leaving Saturday at 4 am. What? I know. And Friday is Halloween and I don’t even have a costume idea yet! Who knows what I’ll end up “being”. Although I’ve seen some pretty crazy/awesome ones online at instructables.com and mental_floss. Both website blow my mind constantly, so enjoy.

I’ve been thinking about getting a cat… I don’t want to assume anything but I think Matt thinks it’s a decent idea too. And my mom was like “your apt is too small” and I said “I’ll be the judge of that!” and I think there are plenty of apt. cats around Chicago. I know in my building there is one apt that has 2 cats! And I just want a little bitty one. and I think I have good ideas on how to hide litter boxes and I’ll of course buy plenty of lint rollers and I’m gonna brush it so there’s not a bunch of hair everywhere. I’m gonna be the best pet owner ever. Hehe I’m a child.

It snowed today, up in Libertyville, where Matt works. So that sucks. The weather has been so wishy washy. I just wish this fall had been gradual and less rainy. I feel like it rained every weekend! Boo. I also noticed that now it’s cold I want to bake. Cookies, cakes, muffins… it’s all good. Which is also bad… for my figure… which is becoming more and more round.

I already voted this weekend- on Saturday. Hooray democracy.

watch out! it's politics!

Just a couple of thoughts.

You know why it’s so easy for the Obama campaign to not go completely negative- because the media simply reporting on the republican ticket is enough bad press. Palin’s spending on clothes and make-up is completely ridiculous. Though I can understand a woman getting a make over because she’ll be photographed constantly but not on the campaign budget money, and that’s just the beginning of the money misuse. In this election I would say not one republican idea is for me ,but people gave that money to the party to be used for the campaign not for this “maverick” woman to “maverickly” buy every tailored suit jacket in sight at Neiman’s. To quote SNL’s Weekend Update segement “Really?!?! with Seth and Amy”—REALLY?!?

Also both McCain and Palin pretty much completely lying about everything is easy to disprove because, well, they’re completely untrue. I mean all it takes for their claims to be cut down is a reporter to actually look into the statement. Especially when it comes to their slander against Obama… friends with Ayers? Are you out of your fucking mind. I once was in the same room as Brendan Fraiser and he talked to me (ok it was a theater and he was in a play) so does that mean that I was in the movie Encino Man? Hecks no. I’ve been in groups or committees where I questioned some member’s intelligence and integrity but that doesn’t reflect at all on who I am. But honestly I think Ayers just wanted change in this country and he was willing to do extreme things to see that change happen… albeit extremely violent things. And he got pretty carried away by surrounding himself with other militants. The actions should not be condoned by any means but the freedom to speak out against our government is something to celebrate.

In the end though, because I’m a stupid girl and I have stupid empathy, I feel bad for McCain (not Palin though, she’s just kind of like a polished turd, more like real white trash with a $150,000 wardrobe). I do think McCain used to be a different type of person. Not that I know him personally but all you have to do is watch an old interview of him and you can tell. He has gotten caught up in the GOP machine and now it’s about winning instead of holding true to who you are and what you want to do.

Which is why Obama is so appealing. He is who he always has been (seemingly, again I don’t claim to REALLY know… how can one be so certain about the character of someone without meeting them and looking them in the eye?) But it feels like Obama is genuine… refreshingly so. By now he seems a little tired but his heart is still in it. He still wants what he set out to do. Honestly I wouldn’t surprised if he started crying during his acceptance speech. I would. Just watching this circus makes me want to cry when it’s over, I just hope its tears of joy.

That sentiment also goes out to my good, great friend Emily, who I know probably HAS cried over it all. She is currently campaigning hard for democrats in Alaska, which seems a bit like an uphill battle but what do I know? I want all of Emily’s hard work to pay off. I believe her when she says they make them work 14 hours a weekday and even on weekends there is work to be done. I also believe her when she says that she sleeps barely at all and drinks 8 cups of coffee a day and still feels tired. She’s going nuts and rightfully so. She also says she constantly using the pluralis democratatis “we”. (I like making up latin) Which I think is funny. But I want this to end happily for her, for me, for all our friends and good chuck of this country. Obama '08!

Wow this turned into quite a rant. Sorry…

I wonder what my grandparents would think about all this… catholic texans and christian scientist illinoisans? heck i wonder what my parents even think about this whole debacle. I would ask but i don't want to know if i disagree with them. I still think my parents are brilliant and I want to keep it that way.

the best, the worst, the so-so

So what’s up! Two posts in two days! Say it ain’t so!

The Best:
- Buying vests for business trips to Seattle. It looks good too. I’m excited to get to go on a business trip with my dad- I just hope my skin clears up before I get there.
- I’ve been listening to a lot of Chuck Berry, The Crickets, and Hank Williams. I love them all, very much. It’s so funny how back in the early days of rock’n’roll many times you’d have a hit, then you would take the same melody and give it new words and boom there was you’re new hit. So ridiculous. But I’m just saying, I’m getting back to some roots and I love it. A little honky a little rock and I think you just defined my current taste in music. It’s a shame that some of the recordings are so low fi.
- Talking to people I love!
- Reading funny things!
- Frito pie: describe as the white trash nachos. I completely agree, but when you’re craving it, nothing’s better.
- A new sweatshirt I got that has some faux fur sort of lining, it’s so warm and fuzzy- it’s like wearing a teddy bear on the inside and the outside is bright turquoise, nothing wrong with that.
- Halloween! I don’t have any definite plans but I don’t care. I just like holidays that people perk up about. I don’t think I’ve met one person that truly HATES Halloween.

The Worst:
- Falling asleep when I don’t drink one cup of coffee in the morning!
- Getting fatter because I totally am. Ugh.
- Impulse buying the first season of pushing daisies and the fall on dvd. It’s not so much an impulse buy but a “I want that, I get that”. How childish.
- Feeling worthless

The so- so:
- Every day stuff: washing dishes, washing hair, kicking around the apartment.
- Weather’s getting colder. Which is nice but also a bummer. I love bundling up but I hate putting on socks and shoes.
- Monday- Wednesday. They’re so-so… I prefer Thursday- Sunday.
- Silence