The Un-cooler Than You Blog

Where Have I Been?

2010-07-30T13:09:00.003-05:00

I've been here. Promise! I haven't forgotten about this blog.

It seems that facebook, and twitter, and blog commenting have been sucking up most of my Internet time. I am still un-cool, and plan to start posting more about that soon.

Madre Maria Gesuina Diotti is Praying for Me

2008-11-16T18:18:00.002-06:00

Michael loves books. He loves pulling them down from the shelves. Today, he especially loved a pocket New Testament from approximately 1919 (John P. Daleiden Co., 1530 Sedgwick St. Chicago, ILL.) Tucked inside of it was a prayer card I never knew was there.

It is a picture and small relic ("ex indumentis" or "from the clothing") for a Madre Maria Gesuina Diotti of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.) I am going to print this prayer because I think Michael found this for me today for a good reason.

To recite privately to obtain graces and miracles through the intercession of the servant of God
Maria Gesuina Diotti

O Almighty and merciful God Who findest Thy delights in the children of man and art admirable in Thy Saints, I believe in Thee, I love Thee, I adore Thee and I entreat Thee, through the intercession of Thy faithful Servant Maria Gesuina Diotti to grant me the grace of healing the sickness which is worrying me.
Work, o my God, the miracle, hear my prayer, glorify Thy most humble Servant for Thy greatest glory, however not my will but Thine be done and blessed for ever. Amen.

Three Glory Be to the Father.

Also printed on the card:
"Those who by reciting this prayer obtain distinguished and miraculous graces would, please, send a relation to the Superior Missionaire Del S. Cuore, Via Ulisse Aldrovandi, 15, Rome, Italy.

Hodgku

2008-11-15T06:38:00.001-06:00

No Spa Day....
Originally uploaded by RUNFAR

Eight cycles complete!
Lymphoma, you are my bitch!
Smell that? Victory!

Hey I donate to all cancers

2008-11-05T11:45:00.001-06:00

Hodgku

2008-10-16T08:28:00.001-05:00

Michael is now ONE
A baby would be "12 months"
This kid? Is all boy.

Hodgku

2008-10-06T15:23:00.001-05:00

Countdown started once!
Then, countdown started again!
Curses! Chemo Brain!

Hodgku

2008-10-03T08:19:00.000-05:00

Three more treatments left
November 13 08
Let the countdown start!

True Story about Dum Dums

2008-09-19T11:52:00.004-05:00

So, OK. I went to someone's desk last week and she had all the BEST flavors of dum dum lollipops on her desk - butterscotch, root beer, and chocolate! So I snagged one and complimented her on her excellent taste in candy.

She said "Please, take them all! These are the flavors nobody wanted from the giant bucket I brought in a month ago!"

So I realized that when I was a kid, my mom worked in a doctor's office. And we would get the suckers from there now and then (of course this was before dum dums were deemed a choking hazard and replaced by Safety Suckers.)

So I think they are the best flavors because we got the ones nobody else wanted. Funny how that works!

Hodgku

2008-09-19T11:52:00.001-05:00

Four more treatments left.
A happy Thanksgiving waits
Let the countdown start!

Hodgku

2008-09-12T09:12:00.000-05:00

Chemo Cycle Six
Tyra had Jade to deal with
Cancer is my Jade

Hodgku

2008-09-12T09:10:00.000-05:00

Stand Up To Cancer?
I must admit I missed it
Too busy puking

No Girls Allowed!

2008-08-12T08:43:00.001-05:00

Mama, we are PLAYING here. Sheesh.
Originally uploaded by baranpower

Hodgku

2008-08-01T10:19:00.001-05:00

Ovaries intact!
Sorry for the overshare
But that's some great news.

Hodgku

2008-07-23T13:47:00.002-05:00

PET and C.T. Scans
It's called "cancer restaging"
Let's hope for the best!

Hodgku

2008-07-16T09:12:00.001-05:00

Paranoia Strikes!
the slightest hint of a cold
Has me home from work

Viva... Uh, oh... I see...

2008-07-15T08:33:00.002-05:00

So, being the kind of person that I am (one who loves a quesadilla,) I stopped in at one of the local taquerias in between the Kimball el stop and my house. I was hungry and the place had gotten a fresh coat of paint recently, looked good, etc.

The woman who took my order was very nice. The food being eaten by the couple of guys who were in there looked good. BUT! While I was waiting for my to-go order, I looked around.

In addition to the big-screen TV and other standard-issue taqueria decor, there were some signs taped up by the management. They reminded me of the kinds of signs people used to put up in their office, like "I only please one person per day. Today is not your day" or Garfield or something similar. But the first sign threw me for a loop.

It said (translating roughly) Gringos are sons of whores, but please don't fight with them, it's bad for business!

I was tempted to ask the nice woman behind the counter to translate it for me, to see if it was embarrassing to her or not. But I didn't. I took a photo of it with my cell phone. I left with my $3.82 worth of cheese, chicken, and tortilla and went home to eat some delicious gringo-hating food.

Could you imagine the uproar if there was a similar sign targeting other ethnicities? "Yeah we hate ____ too, but don't fight with them because it's bad for business." I am not going back to that place, because I by default am apparently part of the hijo de pinche madre problem. So fair enough, Taqueria Zapata. You didn't want my business to begin with, so cool, I'm out.

Hodgku

2008-07-11T09:15:00.000-05:00

Oncologist Said
Count on 8 cycles, not 6
Fuckity Fuck Fuck.

Frownies!

2008-07-10T11:00:00.001-05:00

Frownies!
Originally uploaded by baranpower

Hodgku

2008-07-01T08:31:00.001-05:00

Let's go to Pittsburgh!
It's an "off" week for chemo.
Party over here!

Mama's Little Artist

2008-06-24T08:41:00.001-05:00

Ummmmmmm.
Originally uploaded by baranpower

Or at least, art snob.

Optimus Prime had a rough Saturday night

2008-06-22T20:11:00.001-05:00

Optimus Prime had a rough night
Originally uploaded by baranpower

Yeah this is the front lawn of our next door neighbors. It was so funny I had to take a photo. Usually we just curse them and their tendency to throw garbage in our gangway.

Hodgku #12

2008-06-20T13:57:00.001-05:00

Public vomiting!
I feel like a girl again!
A drunk, ashamed girl!

Hodgku #?

2008-06-15T15:21:00.000-05:00

Almost halfway done!
Chemo is getting harder.
But I can do it!

2008-06-10T15:43:00.001-05:00

As a 1930s wife, I am
Average

Take the test!

Turkey Legs & Toe Rings for Everyone!

2008-06-02T09:32:00.001-05:00

Dance Everybody!
Originally uploaded by baranpower

Summer Festivals have begun.

Hodgku #10

2008-05-23T11:28:00.001-05:00

I was a badass

Thought I wouldn't lose my hair

Guess what? There it goes.

Hodgku #9

2008-05-19T11:12:00.002-05:00

Check out my headscarf!
I look like Little Steven
A bit less hairy

PS I am wearing these scarves because my hair is messy, and I paid for them, but it is still on my head.

Hodgku #8

2008-05-16T10:57:00.001-05:00

This shot makes me feel
Like Golden Girl Sophia
Old, but still sassy.

Hodgku #7

2008-05-16T10:56:00.000-05:00

I am so bullshit!
Neulasta every two weeks?
This totally sucks.

Hodgku #6

2008-05-12T20:09:00.001-05:00

In your face, chemo!
My hair is still on my head!
For now, anyway!

Hodgku #5

2008-05-07T20:50:00.001-05:00

I sit here and mock
The chemo hairpiece websites,
Then click "add to cart."

Hodgku #4

2008-05-03T17:19:00.001-05:00

What was I thinking?
I'm too tired to go out
Two nights post chemo

Fun at the Park

2008-05-02T20:55:00.001-05:00

Fun at the Park
Originally uploaded by baranpower

Today I had to leave work early to get a shot of something that would increase my white blood cell production. Since I got to pick Michael up early, we went for a walk to the local park and swung out for a while. It really put a perfect end to the Friday work day! Then home for dinner, playing, and bedtime. I love the weekend.

Hodgku #3

2008-05-02T20:52:00.001-05:00

Did you know that you
Can GAIN WEIGHT while on chemo?
Shit. Pass the ice cream.

Hodgku #2

2008-04-25T11:00:00.001-05:00

Chemotherapy
Who needs hair anyway right?
Let's go wig shopping!

Investigators

2008-04-25T10:58:00.001-05:00

Investigators
Originally uploaded by baranpower

(Bong Bong) In the gift system, specially wrapped boxes are investigated by the Cat & Baby Unit. These are their stories.

Starring Wallace as Detective Wallace Briscoe
Starring Michael as Detective Michael Lupo

Hodgku #1

2008-04-16T21:25:00.000-05:00

Super shitty news
Maggie has a big disease
Hodgkins Lymphoma

Rock of Michael

2008-03-23T06:05:00.001-05:00

Rock of Michael
Originally uploaded by baranpower

Big Bird, will you stay in this house and continue to rock my world?

Michael is putting everything in his mouth these days. And if it doesn't fit, he licks it. He's frenching the whole house. Gah!

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-25T20:11:00.001-06:00

I have thought of a ton of things to blog about, but have had no time to type them. Until then, enjoy this picture.

Tummy Time!

2007-12-10T14:49:00.001-06:00

Tummy Time!
Originally uploaded by baranpower

Now that I am back at work, I get to look at pictures and imagine what is going on right now with wee Miguel. Perhaps there is some tummy time happening right...now... or maybe he's just asleep. Either way, there is probably some drool involved.

Happy Halloweenie

2007-10-31T07:49:00.001-05:00

Weenie!

I think it's kind of funny

2007-10-18T15:39:00.000-05:00

Daddy wore his "Free Ron Artest" shirt on the day the baby was born. Meaning that forever and ever, Scratch will have to explain the whole Artest contract thing. Forever.

Welcome to the World Michael!

2007-10-16T22:00:00.000-05:00

Born on Wednesday, 10/10/07
Weight 9lb, 10 oz.
Length 22.5 in

Breaking News: No Breaking News

2007-10-04T18:27:00.000-05:00

So, my due date has come and gone. While this is common, and everyone I talk to says how normal it is, I feel like I have missed some sort of project deadline. 10 years in the publishing industry will do that to someone I suppose! But all is well, we are healthy, and just hanging out.

I've been home from work for a week, and wow I can honestly say that 1) I shouldn't have taken my leave so early and 2) even so, I don't miss it. I will eventually miss it, but right now, after a whole year of no sick or vacation days, it's been awesome. I haven't even done anything cool! Just puttered around. I need more puttering time, I think.

Off to putter.

Miguel's Christening Outfit?

2007-09-11T06:44:00.000-05:00

This was a shower gift from our awesome friend and fellow knitter Tressa. It was only a year or two ago that we were sitting in my living room awkwardly purling - she has become a supa knitta!

Our baby shower was a blast - big thanks to everyone who came out to Chief O'Neill's to drink beer, chow down buffet, and hang out before the Bears game! It always amazes me that so many people love and care for us.

Cavalcade of Ewwwww.

2007-09-05T06:41:00.000-05:00

I'm having trouble this morning deciding what the most disgusting part of my daily life is right now:

Acne
The medicine I was prescribed for the acne (it burns!)
Wallace being 16 pounds of bacteria
The medicine prescribed for Wallace (think gritty liquid that reeks of tuna "flavoring")
Getting that medicine on my hand
Having a person inside my body at all times
Being sweaty at all times

Right now the tuna medicine is winning. Blech.

They Don't Care What You Buy

2007-08-27T06:43:00.000-05:00

We visited a new grocery store over the weekend. Well, new to me. Not new to anyone from Indiana. It's called Strack & Van Til. It was pleasant, clean, and had really great prices on some item (3lbs bananas for $1!) and so-so prices (yogurt 2/$1.)

The most impressive thing about this store, to me, was the complete absence of "preferred fresh value savings" club cards. The price is just the price. No market tracking. No desire for your personal information. So, so refreshing. Another fun thing is their motto, "It's a Strack & van Til thing!" which makes me think that when you get to be a manager they give you a leather medallion shaped like the state of Indiana.

This store is located in the retail hell corridor on Elston (between Logan and Damen/Fullerton.) We probably won't go that far for groceries on a regular basis, but I may decide to buy stuff incognito, so it's good to know it's there.

I can has survey!

2007-08-16T06:50:00.001-05:00

Your Score: Cheezburger cat

61% Affectionate, 59% Excitable, 64% Hungry

Sure, you deserve one. You helped popularized lolcats from a running gag to an online sensation. Now mainstream media writes asinine columns on this 'phenomenon', students write theses on the topic, programming languages adopt the grammar, and losers write tests about them on dating sites. Now take your cheezburger and never touch the internets again.

To see all possible results, checka dis.

Link: The Which Lolcat Are You? Test written by GumOtaku on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Viva Ecuador!

2007-08-13T06:43:00.001-05:00

If you didn't know before, you know now: This is the flag of Ecuador. It was displayed on many, many cars yesterday for the Ecuador parade. While I did not see the actual parade, it made quite a dent in Sunday traffic on the northwest side.

I have to be honest and say I have never understood the flag-on-your-car thing. I'm all about pride in your heritage. I've attended Irish fests and German fests my whole life. My mom took us to Italian fest and Polish fest too, because it was fun to learn about other cultures by standing on the closed-off street and eating. But not once did we ever hang a flag out of our car, or tack one
down to the hood.

If I weren't the lazy oaf that I am, I would research this phenomenon. Is this common in the country of origin, to do this on the national independence day? Who started this trend? Do they make special "car" flags? How much do they cost? These are questions that need answers. Call Walter Jacobsen out of retirement already!

Urban Improvement

2007-07-31T06:40:00.000-05:00

Scratch & I picked up some Pollo Campero last night for dinner. I may have mentioned before that we live in the epicenter of Chicago's entertainment scene:

The Admiral Theater is only 6 blocks away!
After a night of theater, stop by the new shop "Sexy Girls of the Hollywood" for all your clothing, boot, and boa needs!
Not feeling frisky? Have a surreal karaoke experience at Sidetracks!

But now everything is all better, because we have POLLO CAMPERO! Believe the hype. If you think yucca fries are yucky, think again. We ordered chicken and three sides to try, and were both amazed that we "didn't not like anything." It's even OK that their logo is "suicide food." Mmm mmm chicken!

Give it a try, and if you see a pregnant lady sucking down Mango drink in the parking lot, it's probably me.

St. Ulrich

2007-07-23T06:31:00.000-05:00

Being the swell guy he is, The Dutchman has found a saint for me who will protect Miguel and I from any harm - St. Ulrich of Augsburg! Before you get all excited about Spenser: For Hire references, check out his bio at wikipedia.

I suspect his gift for giving the right food at the right time has endeared him to the pregnant women of the world. And I'm pretty sure that fish he's holding is mercury-free.

It's funny - I am the only Catholic person in my department at work, and just last week I was trying to explain the importance of the Saints. All four women looked at me and were like, "Hmmmm." I don't think I've ever been in a religious minority before, it was strange - there's always been at least one other Catholic in the group.

Have a wonderful week!

German Youths in One Arm Salute

2007-07-08T16:16:00.000-05:00

Scratch made fun of me when I got a little freaked out at the sight of Snoop Dogg's Hamburg set for Live Earth:

Watching tons of German youth being led in a straight-arm salute by Snoop - please, someone tell me he did it on purpose.

No, wait... it's July?

2007-07-02T06:38:00.000-05:00

Because I would never know that this past weekend marked the beginning of July. I swear that every resident within a 6 block radius of us had a fun time driving to Indiana on Saturday morning so that firecrackers could be in FULL EFFECT all day and night. For the whole weekend.

At the last "CAPS" meeting (where residents go and talk to the beat cops) the cops essentially told us that calling them for fireworks was useless. Because there are just too many people with fireworks, so nothing can be done. I understand the limited resources of the police department. I really, truly do. But could I adopt that attitude towards my life?

"Sorry honey, there is just too much laundry. Look, it's everywhere. I have more important things to do right now, it is silly of you to ask me to wash the clothing."
or
"Sorry boss, the emails? They will just keep on coming. It's pointless for me to spend five minutes on one, because then the rest will just keep coming anyway."

I know this is a simplification to the extreme, but when it is 11:00 and there is work in the morning, I think this way. Because by not doing anything, essentially everyone thinks it's cool to just blow off M80s until 1AM every night from July 1 - August 31st.

Grrrrr. Happy Monday to you, too! Now I'm going to go scare some kids off my lawn and wonder what happened to the world.

Just What I Suspected...

2007-06-15T07:56:00.000-05:00

Skully found this awesome test!

Your Score: Rosalind Russell

You scored 19% grit, 61% wit, 23% flair, and 11% class!

You are one wise-cracking lady, always quick with a clever remark and easily able to keep up with the quips and puns that come along with the nutty situations you find yourself in. You're usually able to talk your way out of any jam, and even if you can't, you at least make it more interesting with your biting wit. You can match the smartest guy around line for line, and you've got an open mind that allows you to get what you want, even if you don't recognize it at first. Your leading men include Cary Grant and Clark Gable, men who can keep up with you.

Find out what kind of classic leading man you'd make by taking the
Classic Leading Man Test.

Link: The Classic Dames Test written by gidgetgoes on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Working at Wayne Manor

2007-06-12T06:29:00.000-05:00

The building where I work is one of the sets for the new Batman movie. They've been working on it for weeks, and I guess they filmed over the weekend. The most exciting part is that everyone talks about it. "Do you know that it's BATMAN?" What most of us see is the back of the set, wooden beams. No Maggie Gyllenhaal breastfeeding, no Christian Bale. Just some wood. But it's Bat-Wood!

In a way, this is a genius move by the filmmakers. I work in a building that has 20+floors. Instead of shooting on a soundstage, build a set inside of an office building. You are guaranteed that pretty much everyone who works in the building will go see the movie so that they can look for the part where their building shows up.

In other brushes with inconveniences-due-to-famous-stuff, we went to Pittsburgh this weekend to visit Scratch's family. We arrived on the afternoon of some big concert by Kenny Chesney. I know who that is because I watched the 60 Minutes with him to see if he was going to come out. Instead I learned that he is some sort of country music Jimmy Buffett. All of his fans were clogging up the roadways into the 'Burgh. We were very angry at the time! As angry as Renee Zellweger when she filed divorce papers with "fraud" as the reason? Maybe. Maybe not.

Hopefully my commute to work this morning will be without celebrity incident!

Latest Irrational Fear

2007-06-04T05:22:00.000-05:00

I have tons of irrational fears. Clowns? Check. Monkeys in clown suits? Check. Halloween Haunted houses where people jump out at you? Check. Since we found out that Miguel is a boy, it's impossible not to notice the boy's clothing selection in stores. If you're having a boy, your choices fall in the range of:

Sports (right now, baseball)
Cars
"Jungle"
"Circus" (cue clown & monkey in clown suit fear!)
"Dinosaur"

This is probably one of my most irrational fears. Dinosaurs. I hate them! HATE. I realize that dinosaurs are extinct, and therefore pose no threat to me. But tell me that on the Jurassic Park ride at Universal, or worse yet, the "Dinosaur" ride at Animal Kingdom, which I rode once when it was called "Countdown to Extinction" and vowed never to ride again. The Museum of Science & Industry had an energy ride in the 80's, I couldn't even deal with the murky smell of it. Why do I hate/fear dinosaurs so much? Who knows. My mother has a theory, which is that I saw the movie Gremlins, in 1984, "too soon" after my father died. Same with ET. The only reason I saw Gremlins was because the Lincoln Village theater did not let me and my friend in to see Purple Rain, and it was rated PG. So I don't know about my mom's theory.

Now Scratch likes to torment me with adorable dinosaur clothing and toys. I'm going to have to suck it up for Miguel! But his father can take him on the Jurassic Park ride when the time comes.

A Couple Few Things

2007-05-31T21:46:00.000-05:00

Scratch is attending all three Dinosaur Jr. shows at the Abbey, starting tonight. I'm not sad that I'm missing out.
I am kind of bored though. I should be doing something like reading a book to my unborn child, but instead I watched the finale of Shear Genius. Maybe the baby's first words will be "Shake It!"
I would be knitting but I had started a blanket that had purple stripes. After we found out Miguel is a boy, a purple striped blanket didn't seem really cool. So I ripped it out and started over with green. It was so ugly that I started crying and ripped it out again. I'm not really keen on starting a new blanket. Plus my hands go numb after about 5 minutes of knitting these days.

Oh No, A Tag...

2007-05-24T06:39:00.000-05:00

Skully has tagged me with this survey. I am an obedient tag person, but I'm not so great with the tagging others part, mostly because I'm not too close with other bloggers. Take my word for it, I'm passing this on via email or some other method.

The rules:

Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write in their blogs the 7 facts, as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and to read your blog.

1. There are many books in my bookcases that I haven't read yet, and probably a solid amount of books I will never read.

2. I'm falling out of love with the internet.

3. I really enjoy what I do for work.

4. I have no idea what I am going to be like as a person in 6 months.

5. I am the person who is lonely and wishes she had more friends but then never calls or emails people. I am the lazy friend. Hate on me.

6. I enjoy cleaning out the tub drains and scrubbing the windowsills, but I have crap everywhere, especially paper, that I can't seem to get under control.

7. I'm afraid of a lot of things that move. Cars, bugs, strange dogs, aggressive pedestrians, birds, you name it. If it can bump into me, I'm leery.

OK, I have nobody to tag so the next 7 people who read this, do it in your head or something. Or if you don't have a blog post yours in the comments.

Miguel =

2007-05-18T18:00:00.001-05:00

Miguel =

2007-05-18T06:52:00.000-05:00

Ben Wallace Loves Ben Wallace

2007-05-17T06:47:00.000-05:00

GO BULLS!

Countdown to Genderdome!

2007-05-12T14:29:00.000-05:00

In just 5.5 days, we will go for our 20 week ultrasound. Hopefully we will find out if Miguel is a Miguel or a Miguelita! I feel like once we know that, it's full-on baby time. Like, going to Babies "R" Us. Cleaning out the second bedroom to start making it Baby's room. Painting maybe.

I've been kind of bored with pregnancy for the last few weeks - nothing fun is happening. But maybe I should appreciate it as the calm before the storm. There will be so much to do. I think I have to lie down just from thinking about it!

The Ron Jeremy of Pop Art?

2007-05-04T06:45:00.000-05:00

I thought the plate paintings were cool. This guy is such a character, he's become a caricature.

I don't know why reading the New Yorker article I linked to made me laugh, then made me sad. Maybe it was this line:

At the restaurant, Schnabel directed Lee to sit next to him. “You know, you remind me of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Did you see my film about him?” Lee had. “You should see it again.”

Wow. American Idol.

2007-05-03T06:36:00.000-05:00

I will readily admit that I watched the first series of American Idol. Justin! Kelly! That guy! That other guy! It was a tv phenomenon! But I haven't really paid attention since.

Last night, in an effort to let our DVR get ahead of us, I switched to FOX because they have news at 9:00. We caught the last 10 minutes of Idol because of it. I outright forget about FOX all the time, because growing up, we had terrible reception for it, so I honestly never watched anything on channel 32. I like the Simpsons, but (before the dawn of the onscreen guide thingy) would never even think of turning the TV to 32. "Doesn't work."

OK but I digress. Here are highlights from the last 10 minutes:

Bon Jovi sang a song nobody knows. They made more records after Slippery When Wet! This is news to me.
Jon Bon Jovi gave the kids advice or something in a previous episode. He enjoyed it, and would love to see them all again in the audience of his next tour.
The guy who got eliminated was then asked/forced to sing Wanted (Dead or Alive.) Instead of Sambora doing him a solid and backing him up, or even letting the guy sing with the band that just performed, they made him do it all karaoke style, providing his own Sambora echos. Tragic! The agony of defeat I guess.
All of his competitors swayed and folded their hands as if to pray while he 'rocked them all.'

Oh and then the news led with the skull-selling guy. This is like free advertising for him, the eye spy optical he lives above, and Tony Fitzpatrick*, who was interviewed because he is the mayor of Bucktown or something? Skully, here is your chance to own a human skull! Boiled for purity!

*Tony Fitzpatrick, I thought you were OK about 15 years ago. Cool, even! But now you are shilling for FOX news at 9 to give some kind of artist credibility to hyper-yuppified Bucktown. What?

This Week In Miguel...

2007-05-01T06:51:00.000-05:00

According to the various e-newsletters I receive, the baby can now hear noises outside of the womb. Any suggestions on what to expose the womb to? Should I be reading? Blasting the stereo? Comment your suggestions.

Hmm.

2007-04-30T06:34:00.000-05:00

Well, I guess I'm still not posting very much. What could be the source of my blog malaise? It might have to do with my new favorite show, How Clean Is Your House?

I love this show. It's gross, funny, and helpful! What more do you need in a television program, right? Kim Woodburn (the taller lady) is my new hero. I want her to come to my house and tell me what I do right and what I do wrong, then lovingly instruct me in how to polish my drains with salt and lemon juice. The fact that I took their online quiz and came out "gleaming" is enough to boost my cleaning self-esteem!

So with all the cleaning I should be doing, and knitting I should be doing, and other stuff, I guess blogging has fallen down the list a bit.

This Thing I'm Working On

2007-04-23T06:39:00.000-05:00

So, I haven't really posted much lately. This whole year, really. I've been working on something and have decided today that I could probably feel like posting more if the cat got out of the bag, per se. Because this thing eats up a lot of my free time, energy, what I'm reading, wearing, and doing, and is influencing what I think is funny and what isn't.

So... drum roll... yeah I am pregnant! It's true. At this point I am 16/17 weeks (the way they say it is confusing. You're 16 weeks but they call it the 17th week, etc. And by they I mean "They.")

There are lots of unknowns. We don't know if the baby is a boy or a girl. Because my nephew Ethan likes the name Miguel for the child regardless of gender, right now the baby is Miguel. We refused a bunch of tests that would potentially freak us out, but will be having an ultrasound in a few weeks. Right now I'm just kind of Charlotting up in the rafters working on my magnum opus. While I hope a rat will not be involved in the safety of my child, a nice Paul Lynde-esque character is welcome to join the story at any time. "It says, 'crunchy.'"

I don't want to turn this into a "pregnancy journal" since I bought one that is sitting in my bag with nothing written in it. I just want to get it out of the way so that when I mention Miguel, or being pregnant, it's not "hurr?" to you, the Internet.

Oh and PS that Notes from the Underbelly show is really bad. It's a shame too because I bet the book was hilarious.

Visual DNA

2007-04-18T20:18:00.001-05:00

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

My Latest Habit

2007-04-18T06:42:00.000-05:00

Lately, I've been reading blogs (on the Trib, and yeah, Justin, and maybe yours, too!) and writing comments in the comments field. But instead of submitting, I just cancel out. I like the feeling of responding without seeming like a habitual commenter.

Let the World Know You Pooped

2007-04-11T06:45:00.000-05:00

This doesn't work where I work (the site is blocked.) I think this is for teenagers anyway.

follow baranpower at http://twitter.com

Much Ado About Headlines

2007-04-04T06:43:00.000-05:00

CTA Hell is really not hell at all. But it sold a lot of papers! Oh, wait - the "Red Eye" is free. It generated a lot of litter! Awesome. Way to go! It's like when there's a week of anticipation for a "Storm of the Century" and it snows .5 inches. It's going to get worse, but in a month or two, not today.
We (finally) watched "The Departed" over the weekend. While I enjoyed watching it, I don't really like Jack Nicholson. There, I said it. Uncool = me, but I don't like him.
I watch America's Next Top Model now. Why? Because of this.

It's been two cycles, but I'm just finally admitting it. Tyra Mail!

Don't Judge Me

2007-03-26T15:56:00.000-05:00

So Skully posted this, and I'm a follower.

Put iPod thing on shuffle and create your movie soundtrack. I'm especially intrigued by the fight scene song. This would probably be a terrible movie!

1. Opening credits: M. Ward - Requiem
2. Waking up: Sonic Youth – Green Light
3. First day of school: The New Pornographers – Breakin’ the Law
4. Fight song: Ella Fitzgerald – I’ve Got You Under My Skin (?)
5. Breaking up: The Buzzcocks – I Believe
6. Happiness: Donovan - Atlantis
7. Life’s okay: Orchestra Baobab – La Rebellion
8. Mental breakdown: Spoon – Was it You?
9. Driving: The Wedding Present – Montreal (yay!)
10. Flashback: Donovan – Three King Fishers
11. Getting back together: Sufjan Stevens – Casimir Pulaski Day
12. Wedding song: Jens Lekman – Sky Phenomenon
13. Birth of first child: The Arcade Fire - Haiti
14. Final battle scene: Kanye West – Gold digger
15. Death scene: Modern Lovers – Astral Plane
16. Funeral song: Orchestra Baobab - Soldadi
17. End credits: Futureheads – Skip to the End (ha!)

Ohhhh Kay. Alright. OK.

2007-03-21T06:35:00.000-05:00

Remember Peter Falk in The Princess Bride? Yeah, I know, it's not the best part of remembering. You'd rather be all "Mawwage!" or talk about the Dread Pirate Roberts and stuff. But yesterday I remembered Peter Falk.

He played the bratty Fred Savage's grandfather, and was the narrator. And the part I thought about was when he was getting ready to leave, and he kept patting his pockets and saying, "OK. Alright. OK." Why did I think of that? Because I totally did that yesterday before I left for work. Scratch pointed it out. For all I know, I do it every morning and Scratch just isn't in the same room to hear it. So, at 34 I am behaving like a grandfather in a Rob Reiner movie? Gah!

And I keep talking the crazy talk. Last week, Scratch and I drove to work together (such luxury!) and we were so early that he walked to McDonald's (the one in the Wrigley Building kind of) with me since I had to go that way to get to work.

Me: You know, I don't want anything, but lately I've been really having a renewed love for their potato cakes.
Scratch: (funny face) Potato cakes?
Me: Yeah! I had some last week and I hadn't had any...
Scratch: (interrupting) You mean HASH BROWNS?
Me: Yeah, potato cakes!
Scratch: Did that just come out of your mom's mouth or something? That sounds like something your mom would say.*
Me: Potato cakes! What is wrong with that? That is what they are called at Arby's!
Scratch: But we are talking about McDonald's.
Me: I don't know.

I got a potato cake and went to work. Mmmmm, potato cake.

*It might bother some people to be told they sound like their mother. In this case, it is not a big deal. I only don't like to sound like my mom for very specific things. Potato cakes are nowhere near those things.

Not So Good in the Hood, After All

2007-03-15T06:43:00.000-05:00

If you don't know where Emmerson Park is, I'll tell you. It's over by Ridge & Granville. Across the street from the luxury townhomes built where the Philips (catch the spirit of 76) used to be. About 6 blocks from the sparkling yet completely crappy new Target on Peterson. And a stone's throw from Misericordia Home. There used to be a video store and a Mallo's Char-Burger place. It's a pretty nice neighborhood actually, it was even before the construction came in. I mean, that park has tennis courts.

I don't know if this is a good or bad thing, but I was more shocked to see Emmerson park make the paper than the fact that this incident happened. I'm pretty sure it's a bad thing. I'm really sorry for the family that this happened to, and I respect the hell out of both of them for what they did. But reading the article I just knew what was going to happen.

Hey people who didn't grow up here? Just an FYI for you. There is no such thing as a completely safe neighborhood in this city. I grew up with the phrase "block to block" and I think it still applies, gentrification be damned. Look at this family - the guy grew up going to that park, and that happened to him.

Give Me Details!

2007-03-14T06:39:00.000-05:00

I have lots of things to post about, but no time right now.

BUT after hearing multiple traffic reports about a shooting near Wilson & Broadway yesterday, that there was nothing on the 10:00 news, and nothing in today's Trib? Come on! Stop teasing me Abby Ryan.

Meanwhile, just a tip I learned last night: If you don't like stuff going on in your neighborhood, don't call 311. They will yell at you that they are CITY SERVICES, not the police non-emergency number. So who should you call? Call the Alderman. That is what that office is there for, apparently. So, yeah. Wait until tomorrow and call the Alderman's office. They probably won't make you sit on the phone for 45 minutes either. 311, as one might say, is a joke.

Will Spring Be Springing?

2007-03-09T06:34:00.000-06:00

Dang I sure hope so. Walking to and from the train has gotten downright depressing, what with hats and scarves and gloves and boots. I'm ready for some 50 degree weather (I'm sure skully is laughing her head off at that thought down in Florida!)

In preparation for the major CTA crap that is supposed to start in April, I decided yesterday to try a bus-only route home.

Pros of the Bus:
Bus stop right outside of work
It takes Lake Shore Drive for a good portion
Seats seem plentiful on the route I need
If anything happened, I'm not afraid to jump out of the bus window.
Second bus drops me 2 blocks closer to home than Kimball el station.

Cons of the Bus:
Waited 15 minutes for the bus (I must have just missed the last one.)
After it gets off Lake Shore Drive, it meanders through a bunch of neighborhoods until I get off at the end of the line.
I have to wait for a second bus after that.
It's the bus.

I got home about 15 minutes later than usual - if I had caught an earlier bus, who knows, it may have been a wash. Oh and by the way do you give a crap about my daily commute? I thought not.

Scratch got us some Lollapalooza tickets. If the lineup has bands I like, I will go. Otherwise I will encourage Scratch to go with a friend. I have a feeling this is going to be a busy summer, and so I don't like committing to anything. I have never been to a lollapalooza. I remember the first one down in Tinley Park, I think I had to work or couldn't afford tickets. So I got all "Lollapalooza sucks!" to compensate for the fact that I was too broke to go. I've never looked back.

OK here is looking for a nice weekend! Don't step in any thawed-out dog turds!

Happy Mid Thirties

2007-03-02T06:41:00.000-06:00

So I finally updated my profile over there, because in this past week I crossed the threshold out of 'early thirties' and into 'mid thirties.' Ouch.

Being 34 is hitting me a lot harder than being 29 or even 30. In fact, I will say that 35 is the new 30. I woke up and realized that I have one year left before I am 35, and I'd better get my shit together pronto.

I also realized just how much older I am than so many people. I started to have irrational fears, like I would try to watch Veronica Mars and the TV would block it and only let me watch NCIS or ER. No! Let me pretend to be young through my viewing habits!

OK, lame blog. We are going to the BULLS game tonight and have really good seats, so watch for us during free throws. I will, of course, be making the Skiles Face.

Early Voting = Good

2007-02-21T21:36:00.000-06:00

As long as I was renewing my driver's license today, I figured I'd try early voting. It was especially good because I didn't change my address in time for this election, so I had to vote in my old ward instead of getting to vote for the unopposed Richard Mell, our new Alderman.

Lunch hour at 69 W. Washington is the time to vote, people. It was totally dead. They had the touch screens, which was awesome, because you get a little credit card instead of carrying a tabloid-sized paper with big black marker showing your votes to the world, which is what my polling place had last time. It was organized, clean, and pleasant. There were no jerks. I only wish there had been more ballot items so that my Calgon-esque voting experience would have lasted longer.

While Daley and Jesse White are probably pleased by my civic pro-activeness, I don't think Jesus is too happy with me for missing out on Ash Wednesday. Sorry, Lord. Hey, I had salmon patties for dinner. A for effort? Maybe?

So Yeah, Now I've Got One of These Things...

2007-02-13T19:11:00.000-06:00

A couple/few weeks ago, Scratch and I got some iPods. Well, not some, two. One each.

Scratch had one from before, it was my wedding gift to him. But it got old and didn't hold a lot of songs and stuff so now it's like a Merlin that you got for 8th grade graduation from your great aunt who is now dead, you want to keep it for sentimental value but can't use it because the batteries corroded inside (no this is not an autobiographical example.) I had the free iPod shuffle you get from Audible.com that could not hold a whole audiobook file or even a whole 40 minute music CD. Wow. So upgrading to an actual new iPod? Pretty cool.

What is really cool is podcasts. How late am I on the podcast thing? Well come on, until almost a year ago I drove to work and listened to the radio. What good was a podcast to me then? Now I am positively podcastic. And while I haven't gotten deep into the TV part, I do enjoy watching The Soup on the train to work. I also enjoy the audiobooks. Hands free reading! By celebrities (sometimes!)

What is less cool is that we have a LOT of cds, and they take forever to import into the computer. I wish we had a robot to do this. I could write a robot macro that would eject disc, put disc away, put in new disc, import? Yes. Etc. etc. Then it could be loading cds while we sleep. And yes, I do need all three discs of my Donovan box set in the iTunes! Don't look at me like that. Oh and please don't think I have the Fatboy Slim on my iPod like what is in the picture. I don't.

Byron's in the FOXhole...

2007-02-07T06:42:00.000-06:00

I'm very upset that I haven't seen Byron or any FOX Chicago people lately. Maybe they are all driving to work these days.

Speaking of driving to work...
Scratch usually has to go to River Forest for school one night a week. For the past two years the drill has been: Scratch gets up earlier, takes the car to Oak Park, takes the green line downtown to work, takes the green line back to Oak Park after work, gets the car, drives to River Forest. Why? Because we thought parking downtown would be an arm and a leg.

Enter the early bird special. $15 for the whole day. That's just $5 more than the Oak Park garage, and carries the benefits of a) no green line and b) Maggie gets a ride to work too! Whee! And since we don't have to use the expressway, it's really not that hard to get downtown in the morning. This is awesome.

I feel like I've abandoned this blog - I really just don't have any news. Do you really care that last night during Wheel of Fortune, as Vannah stood in front of some plantation, I exposed that I had no idea what the difference is between a plantation and a farm? And Scratch just totally knew the difference (I was like, "Slaves. It must be slaves.") And that is when I'm not so proud of my Chicago Public Schools education. We learned a lot abou slavery, but not so much about the difference between commodity vs. produce farming. And that is why Scratch & I make such a great team. He knows the important stuff. I'm not sure what I bring to the table, I'll think of something. I ask the important questions?

Love Him? Or Maybe Like Him?

2007-01-22T19:48:00.000-06:00

OK, so if you watched the Bears post-game you may have been (un)fortunate enough to capture the incredibly bizarre coverage outside of Soldier field by FOX's own Byron Harlan, wearing a full length leather trench coat and acting really, REALLY excited:

Byron (to group of guys): "So Lovie Smith will be the first black NFL coach in the Superbowl! Tell me, do you love the black man?"

At this point Byron shoved the mike into the face of a bundled up middle aged white guy.

White Guy: "Sure I love him. He should get a raise! They need to pay him!"

Byron then went on to another "love the black man" statement before he got cut off. It was weird. Was he doing a Jerry Maguire bit where he was the only one in on it? "Come on! I'm Rod Tidwell! You be Tom Cruise!" Or was it just a strange thing to say?

Because I work in the same building as FOX Chicago, I see this guy all the time. I am wondering if HE will get his own joke if I say "Hey, I love the black man!" to him in the pedway. What do you think?

Is it wrong...

2007-01-05T19:44:00.000-06:00

That I have nothing to say? 2007 is mighty boring so far.

Zorn blogged about dog names vs. baby names. Once again, it's all up in my face that the number one name for girl dogs is my name. Suck! Especially since my husband actually had a dog named Maggie. Sure it was years and years before we met, but gah!

Merry Holidays!

2006-12-23T08:00:00.000-06:00

I'm excited to clean the house and wrap gifts today. Is my shopping done? Yes! Sorry I didn't get you anything. We're scaling back this year, with the mortgage and all. Is my knitting done? NO! Thankfully I only promised one Christmas hat to my nephew, and he will understand if he gets it late, we got him other stuff.

We will be in Pittsburgh next week, but we're having a party next Saturday. Come by.

Christmas Cards

2006-12-11T06:51:00.000-06:00

I am a very lazy Christmas card person. I love to look at the beautiful cards in the museum catalog in September, and then never order them. I love buying more than I need at Borders (3 for 2!) and then writing out, maybe, five, and mailing them. The rest? Black hole.

So if you mail me a card, don't be surprised if you get one back from me postmarked the day after I received it. If asked, I will lie and say I lost your address, when in fact I probably just didn't feel like rummaging through all the crap in the desk to find it. Sorry! I do care about you, really - but my laziness conquers all.

I know everyone is all AlecBaldwinAlecBaldwinAlecBaldwin right now, but I will say that for many years my favorite thing he's done on SNL is when he sits for the "video holiday greeting." So Merry Christmas, or Happy Hannukkah, or Voodoo Day, to all 3 of my loyal readers.

Could This Be The Greatest Thing Ever?

2006-12-07T06:53:00.000-06:00

Maybe. The only thing I've found disappointing about this is that people don't get the joke behind my team name. So, so sad.

/

This Year's Christmas Card?

2006-12-03T21:38:00.000-06:00

Maybe.

Yep, It Snowed Alright

2006-12-01T20:33:00.000-06:00

What always amazes me about snowstorms is how nobody ever learns. Right now, Scratch and I are relaxing after some heavy duty gate-freeing, lock-de-icing, and yes, shoveling.

The president of our very small condo association asked Scratch if he knew how to shovel snow. We were a little perturbed by that. While I understand that it is our first winter in this building, we are, in fact, functioning adult members of society. Unfortunately, when presented with that type of attitude I will go out of my way to make sure that person can never, EVER have anything on me. So yes, I went out at 6:30 this morning to shovel the front walk. Because someday, I will be able to pull that out. "Oh yeah? Like when I was shoveling the walk at 6:30 AM? Like that?" Someday.

I am really glad that it did not snow on Wednesday night, when I went to Borders to see Amy Sedaris plug her new entertaining book. It is hilarious. She makes me happy. Go buy her book or something!

In other news, I am super happy that it is the weekend! Wow! I can go grocery shopping, do laundry, and probably sweep, mop, and dust. Awesome! Have a great weekend!

Speaking of News Anchors...

2006-11-29T06:39:00.000-06:00

I saw Walter Jacobsen in the pedmall* yesterday. I even had a dollar in my hand, coincidentally! But he did not ask for it, and I was in too much of a hurry to chase him down to satisfy my dream of giving Walter Jacobsen a dollar. And why can't I find any "Mean Street Diary" pictures to post here? Stupid Internet!

When I told some co-workers, none of them had even heard of Mean Street Diary, possibly THE MOST IMPORTANT SPECIAL INVESTIGATION...EVER! Oh well. One of my co-workers was funny enough to point out that Jacobson was fired from FOX a while ago, but maybe hangs out in the pedmall at Illinois Center all day because he hasn't told his wife yet.

*The thing that goes from Illinois Center to 201 N. Michigan. You can get to the pedway from it, but it isn't THE pedway.

They're Fake

2006-11-21T06:56:00.000-06:00

Working downtown means I get to see a lot of news anchors. They are behind glass, reading the news, when I am walking to the train. Yesterday I was attending a conference at the Gleacher Center so I cut through NBC-5 plaza. Warner and Allison? They look like audio-animatronics from a ride at EPCOT. Ron Magers isn't doing much to prove he's a human either.

I think that if I were a Disney Imagineer, I would create a mock-up animatronic scene of one of these glass panel "Today Show" style news sets, complete with people jumping in the background. It would be for the "World of Media Horizons" ride, and would end with more audio-animatronic news anchors but they would be underwater or floating in space, talking about THE FUTURE!!

The above paragraph is why most kids hated EPCOT when it first opened, because that is what every ride was like there.

Fifteen Minutes of TRAGEDY

2006-11-16T18:38:00.000-06:00

So I was on the Kedzie-bound train that was caught up in the car accident just before six PM tonight. We were delayed approximately 15 minutes, but you would think it was 2 hours, the way some people acted.

Because I was in the first car, I had a good view of the scene - the train we were on had not yet entered into the intersection, but the inbound train (toward the loop) was blocking Kedzie (that is the train the vehicle hit.) The truck that struck the outbound train was damaged, but the people in the car seemed OK, really shaken up though. We couldn't get off the train because power was cut while the scene was evaluated. One woman immediately started saying that the conducter should let us out by just opening the doors. Then she proceeded to say what a 'nightmare' this is. I looked at her and said, "For you? Seriously?" Because she had to sit in a chair for 15 minutes longer than usual while someone else's car was totaled? Huh?

I don't know if the gate did not go down or if the vehicle blew the warning. I'm sure the news will have the whole story.

Can't Top It

2006-11-12T09:13:00.001-06:00

Pernice update: After the show, he was awesome enough to sign my copy of Meat Is Murder and also the contest winner's book (from gapersblock.) He shook my hand, which then sent me into a spiral of doubt about whether or not my hands are large and manly. I think they are. I hope he didn't think so.

Since then, not much blog-worthy has happened. I am going to be domestic and cook and clean today while Scratch is at school. So I should really get to that. I'm also going to work on some things for work, because I am very busy in that category right now. I feel generally run-down, I've taken on a lot at work, and haven't been keeping up at home either. I feel like I'm constantly 3 steps behind, and am generally in the frame of mind where I stare at my giant "To Do" list for an hour instead of working on any of the tasks written on it. And so on.

So, off to conquer that To Do list. Or play Jewel Quest.

Can't Top It

2006-11-12T09:13:00.000-06:00

Today, I Feel Like a Music Journalist...

2006-11-09T06:47:00.000-06:00

Thanks to my two minutes of fame at Gapers Block! Tonight is the much-anticipated Pernice Brothers show. I will be there! With Scratch! We are having dinner at the Schuba's restaurant, which means I will be in bar pretty much all night. My new fear is that I will get all overserved and start doing/saying inappropriate things. That's where Scratch comes in, he's the best handler ever. Given this possibility of being drunk and stupid, I think it might be best if I don't go out of my way to meet the object of my "let's hold hands" crush.

Elections are like turning 16

2006-11-08T07:03:00.000-06:00

Nothing really feels different.

So, back to work everybody!

Get Out the Vote!

2006-11-06T22:09:00.000-06:00

Do it for Susan. It doesn't matter who you vote for, just vote.

IDEA...

2006-11-06T18:09:00.001-06:00

My full name got "Marguerite: Quick and Easy"

2006-11-04T21:18:00.000-06:00

I liked this one better.

Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

Yuck.

2006-11-02T06:46:00.000-06:00

I haven't been feeling well for the past few days. In fact, I took my very first sick day at my new job yesterday. They have a very strict policy that no sick days are allowed the first six months. Now that I am 7+, It's OK for me to be sick. Now that I take the CTA to work, I think that is who I'm really trying to avoid. I might be able to handle holing up in a cubicle all day, but the idea of sitting on the train for two hours while sick and miserable is just awful to me. Because I see sick miserable people on the train every day, and I don't want to be one of them.

Speaking of the CTA, I just went to the Trib online and it had a headline "Two Brown Line Stations to Close" - I thought maybe my browser hadn't refreshed for a while. Too bad, because Montrose people and Addison people seem way cooler than Southport people and Sedgewick people. Feel my Kimball pain, folks. And enjoy.

Happy Halloween!

2006-10-31T06:43:00.000-06:00

Scratch can't wait to get outside and hand out candy tonight. Let's hope there will be lots of trick or treaters!

Too Tired To Rock

2006-10-30T06:45:00.000-06:00

This was about 10 minutes into the show: When he started snoring, I had to lay him down:

William was apparently upset earlier in the day that we were bringing both him AND his younger brother Ethan to the Los Straitjackets kids' show. Either Will slipped him a mickey to prove his point, or the kid's just not ready to appreciate getting your $6 worth of guitar.

Well, here's Ethan's review of the show. Apparently surf music makes for great napping. Sweet Ethan will now have a picture of himself passed out in a bar at the ripe age of 4. Kid, you're one of us now.