Guest Contributor to Jamie the Gastronome

Since Jamie officially begins his 3rd year of law school tonight, I will be posting food and drink related items on his blog, Jamie the Gastronome, during his hiatus from the blogging world.

You should check it out when you get a chance.

Jailbirds

Since I am sharing photos of my neighborhood, I thought I would share another interesting picture. This is a picture of the maximum security jail (the concrete building with the narrow vertical slits for windows) that is located in the loop (just a few blocks from my apartment).



If you look closely at the top, you can see the prisoners (wesaring orange outfits and some white outfits). The top floor is their recreation area. Sometimes, I look through my scope and I can see them playing vollyball... but, most of the time, they are just looking out at the city or down at the streets.

Best roof in the city...

These people are the luckiest people in Chicago. They own this building (the bottom is leased by Starbuck's). The top of their building is covered with grass. They have two dogs that run around up there. The nice thing about this is that during the harsh winter months, they don't actually have to "walk" their dogs (and consequently pick up the steaming turds with a plastic bag). They just let the dogs out through the courtyard (the hole in the middle) and the dogs run up the stairs and they "walk" themselves.

Here are photos of our neighbor mowing his roof... something you don't see everyday.




If I were him, I would put some patio furniture and a grill up there... but that is just me.

Cliche Photo of the Decade

You know what gets on my nerves... All of the myspace photos of brides with their backs to the cameras looking over their shoulder. That is the cliche bride photo of the decade... Seriously, how many photos just like this have you encountered?

At least have some creativity and have a photos of the couple's silhouette in the sunset. Now, that is romantic. If you want a great example of what a wedding album should look like, check out "Thanks Uncle Sam"'s wedding photo page... it gave me goosebumps it was so beautiful.

Comments working again

FYI:

I played around with my template and settings and ended up fucking up my entire blog. I think that everything is working again now.

Waxing ickiness

I don't know if everyone is familiar with a hip hop lady who recently got out of jail, but I heard something kind of funny about her. Supposedly, after she got out of jail, she visited the salon where I get my hair and waxing done. She had a brazilian then went to get a mani/pedi. After the treatments, she simply got up and walked out of the salon without paying. How trashy is that? You know she had the money.

Oh, also, you know the little short guy that is Karen's nemisis on Will and Grace? He also gets his waxing done at the salon I visit (when in town) and I heard he is extremely hairy. He refers to himself as a hairy little monkey. My waxer said it is disgusting. I can only imagine.

Big Changes

So, I am well on the way to a better job (and better $$$.) On Tuesday, I was offered a job at a marketing firm that represents several liquor companies and Katie's favorite beer company... As a couple of you know, this is not the only job I have been interviewing for over the past month. I also had a really good chance at being the Assistant Director for the Graduate School.

There was quite a bit of difficulty deciding whether or not to take the job at the marketing or try to wait another couple of weeks to hear if I got the job at the College. FIrst of all, there is the issue of title... at the firm, I would be an assistant, whereas at school, I would be an Assistant Director. Second, at the firm I would have a receptionist desk, with the chance of one day upgrading to a cubicle, while at school I would have an office with a door. Third, at the firm, I have a couple of friends, whereas at the College, I am well established and I already know everbody (and by everybody, I go out for drinks with VPs, Directors and Deans on a regular basis.) Fourth, at the firm, I would get paid by the hour, whereas at the College I would have a salary and benefits.

After talking to my daddy, my mom, my boyfriend, and Katie, I decided to take a chance on the firm and see what happens. There are several reasons for this decision. Besides being a chance to get my foot in the door and make some money, it is also a chance to diversify my resume. Plus, it gets me out of my comfort zone. What is the worst that could happen? If I decide that it is not for me and that I would rather work at the College, then I can always return.

Everyone I talked to about this agreed that I know what to expect at Columbia because I have worked there for almost 3 years. If I didn't take a chance on something new (this job at the marketing firm) then I would probably regret it the rest of my life because I would constantly think about what could have been.

Yesterday, I had to tell my boss the news of the job. Overall, she was extremely excited for me. She said that she knew it was coming. I have really gotten close to a lot of people in the office. I didn't think I would feel so sad about leaving. Overall, it was a rough day. Not only did I have a Champagne hangover, but I was also very sick all day from worry and dread at telling everyone the news. I threw up and had the cha-chas all day (I know, gross.) To make matters worse, I missed the potluck because I went home sick. The theme of the potluck was Mexican food... for those of you who know me, it is right up my alley. Plus, I had been looking forward to this for weeks. Someone from the office was thinking of me and made me a plate from the meal and put it in the fridge for Friday (how sweet is that.) Hopefully my appetite will return before then.

The most difficult part is going to be telling the grad school. I am really close to everyone who works there, especially the Dean, and I feel like I am letting them down. I truly appreciate the chance that they gave me, but I felt this new opportunity that presented itself was the best decision for me at this point in my life.

I know I have been going on and on, but this has been something that has been on my mind constantly. To conclude, I am really excited about the new job. I am going to tackle this new experience with enthusiasm and a positive attitude. It is a chance for me to make more money, but more importantly, a chance for me to learn a new business. So, here's to trying new things!

The kitties

Here is a cute picture of my little Maggie... I used the candle light setting on my camera.


Here is another one using the flash...


And here is Ella. This was taken at our old apartment... Check out the lake in the background.


And this is my favorite picture of Ella... I call it "Sassy Ella."

What?

So, I had a fun night last night... so I think, anyway. Jamie went to bed at 9:30 and I stayed up drinking beer until close to midnight (a big feat for me.) It is always interesting to wake up the next morning... Here's what I found- a sink full of green beans... what? I know, I was confused too.

Birthday fun (part 2)

Today (August 6) was officially Jamie's birthday, so we went to see Little Miss Sunshine Little Miss Sunshine this morning. I didn't know quite what to expect from this film because I have this thing about not wanting to see previews or read movie descriptions. I feel that this gives the whole movie away. Overall, I was impressed with the movie. It is a dark comedy that definitely gets a few laughs from the audience. Plus, Steve Carell is in it- what's not to love about that?

After the movie, we rode the train to Chinatown for Jamie's birthday lunch at Lao Sze Chuan, the best Chinese food I have ever had. We are repeat customers here. Their menu is as thick as a novel. They have a "very Chinese" section of the menu that contains delicacies such as intestine and other body parts that I would rather not eat... so I tend to stay away from this section.

Our favorite is the Phoenix and dragon which is shrimp in a white sauce on one side of the plate and chicken in a sweet bbq sauce on the other side of the plate. We also got the biggest pork potstickers ever. They were like a meal in themselves. The last dish we had was the orange beef which is also in a sweet bbq sauce. I know, we had a feast. Since we didn't go to the grocery store this weekend, it will be nice to have the leftovers to eat all week.

If you are ever in Chicago and you want extraordinary Chinese food, head here. Remember, Sze Chuan is known for its spiciness, so if you want it less spicy, you have to ask for mild or medium spice.

I had as much fun today as I did yesterday at the game. It was so fun, it felt like my birthday.

Take me out to the ballgame

Yesterday, we went to the Cubs game to celebrate Jamie's birthday. We decided to leave a few hours early so that we could walk there from out apartment which is 5 miles away. We stopped a few times along the way. The first stop was at the Near North Art fair. Then, we relaxed in a small park off of the mag mile. The best part was our walk through Lincoln Park, including a pit stop in the zoo. We arrived at the game just as the players were running onto the field.

Our first seats were on teh upper deck, but during the 7th inning, we decided to scope out better seats. We ended up sitting in the season ticket holder section. I don't know if you have ever seen Fever Pitch, but these people were really taking it seriously. I usually go for the beer and the people-watching, but these people were actually there for the game- they knew the names of every player simply by looking at their number (go figure.)

Here are some pictures from the game...







This was a very exciting game because the Cubs actually won. This is only the second game I have ever been to that they have won.

After the game, we decided to walk the 5 miles home and ended up running into a friend of mine from grad school. So, we decided to pop into a bar/grill on the north side for a beer and a burger. We tried to continue our walk home, but only made it a mile or so before taking the easy way and riding the bus the rest of the way home.

Overall, it was an absolutely wonderful day. These are the days that make me feel like the luckiest person alive.

Smith Lake

Before heading to the Gulf Coast, we spent the weekend at the lake.

Here is a photo of me at Smith Lake (in Alabama) It is the 3rd cleanest lake in the country. Isn't it beautiful?



We also went tubing. My arms were so soar after this.

I appreciate promptness...

I had been looking forward to meeting an old friend from college while on vacation at the Gulf Coast. After 5 years, this friend had the gall to show up to lunch 45 minutes late. Once seated, this friend talked on his phone for 5 minutes- no hello, no good to see you, nothing. The 30 minute lunch was, needless to say, rushed and somewhat awkward. We agreed to meet up later on that night. By 9:00, I assumed it was not going to happen. But, then, I got a phone call saying he was on his way and to meet him out front of the condo in 5 minutes. After 40 minutes of waiting for him to show, we gave up and went back up to the condo.

I am not upset with this person for acting incompotent and flaky. I am just disappointed because I had been looking forward to this reunion for a while now. Most people have the decency to blow people off with an excuse such as "I am too busy, maybe next time" or "I am going to be out of town." But no, this asshole had to be rude about it. That was a mistake on his part.

One thing that I have acquired with age is the ability to write people off without second thought, especially if they have done an injustice to me. My number one pet peeve is tardiness, especially if there is not phone call or apology. My second pet peeve is someone who does not show up. Again, this is only worsened by the lack of a phone call or apology. This is a double whammy in my book. I guess people do change... in this case, for the worse.

The longest week of my life

As of tomorrow, I will have been sick for one whole week. Not just a little sick, but ill... like lay on the couch all day because I can't move ill. On Tuesday night, I was practically begging to go to the doctor. But, of course, it was a holiday (damn it.) I have only left my apartment once in the past week and it was to go no further than 1 block. My body has gotten so weak during this time that I almost passed out when I was waiting for the elevator in my lobby.

But today, I woke up feeling almost okay. I only woke up (coughing up lung) a couple of times during the night, and by my recent standards, that was a really good night. Today, when Jamie gets home from work, I am planning to get out of my pjs and go for a mini-walk. By mini-walk, I mean up to the roof for some fresh air.

On a better note, this sick thing has caused me to lose my appetite, thus helping with my weight loss goal. Since May 15, I have lost 11.8 pounds (yeah!)

Myspace

Do any of you on myspace have a "friend" who is not really your friend, but really more of an acquaintance who posts comments all of the time? Well, I do and everytime this said person posts a comment it just makes me feel even more sorry for the person than I already did which makes me feel like a bad person.

Reference: Adventures in Babysitting

Hello fellow children of the 80s. I am sure you all have seen Adventures in Babysitting (which was filmed here in Chicago.) Well, in that movie, they accidently ended up in the bad part of town when they were running from the car thieves. They stumbled into a club where they could not leave until they sang the blues. Today, that bad part of town is now my neighborhood and it is no longer considered "the bad part" of town. About 20 years ago, my neighborhood was strictly druggies, strip clubs, and prostitutes. Actually, a little trivia is that one of Al Capone's old hideouts is 1 block south of my apartment in one my college's dorm buildings.

Anyway...

My point is that the club they were in (where she sang the blues) is called Buddy Guy's Legends (many famous people stop in when they are in town- eric clapton for example.) Fot those of you who do not know Buddy Guy, he IS the blues and I mean he is THE man of the blues. Why am I talking about Buddy Guy? Perhaps it is because I will be having dinner with him the night before graduation at the president of my college's house and the next day, I will share a stage with him. I know, I know. It is so cool!

Mrs. Henderson Presents

I watched Mrs. Henderson Presents the other day before work and I really didn't know what to expect. I hadn't even read the description. So, needless to say, I was not expecting all of the boobies. Overall the movie was good. However, if you are going to have a "R" rating and are going to show that many boobies, go ahead and have a love scene or two thrown in for fun.

More good news

Since I will now be working on my thesis project (the business plan for my gallery), I will be considered a part-time student next year and will be eligible for the Graduate Student Advisory Board for the 3rd year in a row. This is great news! Now I will get 3 out of my 6 credit hours paid for. How cool is that? Plus, I can continue working on making the Columbia College Chicago Graduate School experience the best that it can possibly be.

A rediscovered dream...

The other night for class we met at a gallery to talk to a panel of gallery owners in the Pilsen neighborhood (an up and coming arts distrct and one of my favs.)

Before I move on, I went into my graduate program with one goal- to develop a business plan for a future art gallery. I took a class to create a business plan. But, due to various factors, I ultimately put my goal on hold.

So, after the gallery talk, I was feeling the entrepreneurial spirit once again.

Yesterday, I checked my mail and I received notification that I am receiving an award from my school for the best business plan created by a graduate student. This was it. This was the catalyst that I needed. Rather than studying for a stupid 3-day exam, I am planning to participate in a graduate thesis project that results in a finalized business plan. At the completion of the project, the department will consider me for a small business loan of up to $500,000 to get me started on my way.

I feel that I have a plan and that I can be successful.