It's officially the last HOUR that we'll all be in our work building!! We are moving to swank 3rd ward and leaving this sick black lung infested building forever!!! AND I no longer will have to, after four years, load and put away the dishes for the fifth floor!!! All good things :)
It's also Oct 30th so I'll recap some list related whatnot:
#5/10 - I took some fall photos the other day so when I grab some time I'll put up them up on my photoblog, which has been a ghost town lately!
#17 - Was I selfish at all this month?? Hmm I bought a heck ton of clothes for myself...and I whined a whole lot about a recent raise review situation that was brought to our attention. I guess I'll count those.
#25 - I sure DID carve a pumpkin!! Again, perhaps a pic or two on the phblog lates...
#26 - My beloved "sleepover" will drop on Saturday at Nicole's crib! I know you're jealous of our shenanigans of Roseanne Halloween eps, pumpkin beer and seeds, and other debauchery that may or may not include a pillow fight and ExtenZe drinks??
#50 - I think I'm going to rock the squash this Nov
#51 - Soooo I totally cheated 3.5 times on sweet bakery this month :( I had to taste my pumpkin muffin stuffing for the work luncheon, but ate a little more than I needed to...I also had a DELICIOUS peanut butter cookie Jeremy coworker's GF made...then I ate a muffin at our B&B in Galena because I didn't want to be rude...and then today I indulged in a H'ween cupcake that Shannon brought. AGAIN I didn't want to be rude!!! So I have to do something in Nov that's really hard. I think it's going to be no going out to eat again :\ EXCEPT for things already planning like Monica & Tim's anniversary party and grabbing some din before the Aussie Floyd concert. But other than that, I gotta stick to it this next month!!! CHEATER.
#69 - speaking of things not working out so well, I'm not going to be able to make my blood donation quota at this rate. But I gotta have a doc appt before I donate again, so it won't be until end of Dec. And then I think I'll donate plasma or whatever the one is where you can donate more frequently than 8 weeks...to try and catch up?
#87 - New band/artist! Oh man LOOOOTS. So a couple days ago I found my AT&T rebate "credit card" they sent me after I bought my new phone. Wellllll it expires 11/08 GOOOO! So I went itune CRAZY and bought like $43 worth of music with it!! All electronic/dance/techno/house music with which I'm suddenly insanely obsessed: Justice, The Presets, Cut Copy, and MSTRKRFT. Check 'em out today!
#95 - I'll save Lolita for after Christmas and read my second to last book, the famous Twilight, instead.
#99 - This may officially happen now that we're going to be in the new building!! Although our new hours start at 9:00 instead of 8:30 so I don't really have to get up that early. I'm gonna try though!
I'm super sad October, my fave month, is over :( It treated my well though...here's to an even better November!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
nothing
I wish I had more to discuss here than just a few recipes, but no dice. I think all my creative juices have been zapped by the energy I've been putting into my job lately...the good news is that I'm really getting the hang of this web design thing. And I think I can admit that I no longer HATE it as previously mentioned here. It can get frustrating but 'hate' is a strong word haha!
#45 - Recipes
1. Blackberry Turkey Sandwich
I recreated the same sandwich from Fat Abbey/Cafe Hollander: thick cut roasted turkey, blackberry jam, hot giardiniera, and muenster cheese on french bread...all toasted and melty! Highly recommend. I also recommend said blackberry jam and peanut butter on Kashi waffles. YES.
2. Hot 'n Spicy Corn Dip
THANKS MONICA for this wonderful recipe!! The only differences are: I used a can of sweet corn and white shoepeg corn instead of a bag of frozen, and I used chive cream cheese instead of regular. Definitely worth a try at any soiree. I ate it around 9pm heavily under the influence of Tanqueray...on a random weeknight?
3. Turkey Pumpkin Chili
Alright so I kinda already made this recipe last fall, but I think I'm a better cook one year later, so I wanted to try it again (and still count it as new? yeah) Here are the ingredients:
• ground turkey browned with nutmeg/cumin/S&P...set aside
In the same deep skillet/pot with a pat of butter:
• sautee 4 cloves garlic and a whole chopped white onion
• add chopped red bell pepper and tomato
• once soft, add a couple cups of chicken broth, bring to boil
• add a can of black beans, can of sweet corn, can of green chillies, can of Thick & Zesty tomato sauce, AND a can of pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling!!)
• add ground turkey back to the mixture
• also add various spices to taste (more nutmeg, cumin, all spice, cayenne/red pepper flake...as well as a few splashes of Worcester sauce and a half cup of brown sugar
• add anything else you see fit. Need it spicier? Hot sauce. Need it sweeter? more brown sugar.
• let simmer for as long as you can handle your growling stomach
I actually had to divvy up this chili into two pots toward the end because there was so much! So definitely start out with your biggest pot.
Yay for food!
#45 - Recipes
1. Blackberry Turkey Sandwich
I recreated the same sandwich from Fat Abbey/Cafe Hollander: thick cut roasted turkey, blackberry jam, hot giardiniera, and muenster cheese on french bread...all toasted and melty! Highly recommend. I also recommend said blackberry jam and peanut butter on Kashi waffles. YES.
2. Hot 'n Spicy Corn Dip
THANKS MONICA for this wonderful recipe!! The only differences are: I used a can of sweet corn and white shoepeg corn instead of a bag of frozen, and I used chive cream cheese instead of regular. Definitely worth a try at any soiree. I ate it around 9pm heavily under the influence of Tanqueray...on a random weeknight?
3. Turkey Pumpkin Chili
Alright so I kinda already made this recipe last fall, but I think I'm a better cook one year later, so I wanted to try it again (and still count it as new? yeah) Here are the ingredients:
• ground turkey browned with nutmeg/cumin/S&P...set aside
In the same deep skillet/pot with a pat of butter:
• sautee 4 cloves garlic and a whole chopped white onion
• add chopped red bell pepper and tomato
• once soft, add a couple cups of chicken broth, bring to boil
• add a can of black beans, can of sweet corn, can of green chillies, can of Thick & Zesty tomato sauce, AND a can of pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling!!)
• add ground turkey back to the mixture
• also add various spices to taste (more nutmeg, cumin, all spice, cayenne/red pepper flake...as well as a few splashes of Worcester sauce and a half cup of brown sugar
• add anything else you see fit. Need it spicier? Hot sauce. Need it sweeter? more brown sugar.
• let simmer for as long as you can handle your growling stomach
I actually had to divvy up this chili into two pots toward the end because there was so much! So definitely start out with your biggest pot.
Yay for food!
Friday, October 10, 2008
never too late for the first of the month post
And not only is the month practically half over, but it's all WARM and stuff! My last post was all "summer's over wah wah" and it's going to be a balmy 77 today! And what better to celebrate the warmup than to have a cold, CLASSIC. But I'm already on the mend, I think this was my shortest cold ever, thanks immune system!
In other news, my various updates:
#1 - oh man have I been given one fantastic opportunity!! All I'll mention is that it does involve building websites. All last week I slaved to the bone day and night working on a 'test' project and I think that considering I have barely any web experience, I've done pretty well! It's a little buggy and I think I might have gone about it in the wrong way, but that's why I do definitely need some professional training whether it be a class or what have you. I've done a decent job of teaching myself what I can, but I do so much better when I have structure around me. For example, thought I could go about teaching myself photography? Well I know enough to get by, but I would fair so much better if I was in a real class. In any case, I think I might go ahead and cross this one off as soon as I'm done with the project!! I earned it!
#17 - Hmmm selfish. I wrote a letter...which wasn't so much selfish and more focused on self. Self centered? I don't know...reading lots of Dalai Lama lately, I truly and honestly wanted to move along a more positive path and I guess I felt as though that warranted a letter. Has the letter changed things? Partly yes and partly #1 happened and I was incredibly touched by that...whether or not that situation was aided by my letter is debatable and something I'll never know, but it was a positive event and it made me feel great! As for the 'partly no,' I still feel the distance. It isn't cold anymore, but I wish I was just like the rest of my group. The sad thing that I have to admit to myself is that I never will be. Anyway, sorry to be so vague here, but I just didn't want to go into it TOO much.
#57 - While I mentioned Six Flags in my Ode to Summer of '08, I have yet to wax poetic. I can't believe I went back after TEN YEARS. I admit, I was honestly pretty afraid of how my body would handle a roller coaster after all this time, but it was bloody brilliant!!! I'm really stoked that I still love the thrill and it doesn't terrify me. Ok it terrified me a little. Going up that first hill of Raging Bull for the very first time? I mean if someone was standing halfway up and asked me if I wanted to continue...that it would be perfectly ok to stop the ride? I think I might have taken him up on it! But since I had no choice, I hit the top and took the plunge and it was GLORIOUS!!! Ahhh thank you Kohls! See you next year!!
#50 - Atypical veggie = leeks (see below)
#45 - Pumpkin Muffin Stuffing
Alright so I cheated. This recipe called for the sweetest of sweet bakery and yet I gave up sweet bakery for October. But I fulfilled my Sept recipes and then some, so I made this one on like Sept 29 and finished eating it Sept 30...blah.
Anyway, here's the recipe for the most awesome stuffing of all time (aka I'm never having regular stuffing again):
2 leeks - rinsed, cut lengthwise into half-moons and chopped
(yeah I cheated again and had my atypical veggie for Oct in Sept, BUT I had leeks in my soup later in the week!)
2 ribs of celery - chopped
1 gala apple - peeled, cored and chopped
3 pumpkin muffins (I have the unadulterated pleasure of purchasing these delectable treats at my local Picknsave Metro Market...I hope you can find them somewhere??)
sausage (I had to use links that I cut into pieces, but I suggest getting the regular, non-encased stuff)
1 cup of chicken broth
poultry seasoning (I actually used pinches of thyme, sage, rosemary, marjoram, and All Spice...or nutmeg...from my Wheel O' Spices)
Brown the sausage and set aside on a paper towel to drain. To the same pan, add the leeks, apples, and celery along with some S&P and stir for a few minutes until soft. Crumble in the muffins and add seasoning/spices. Add the broth, a little at a time...you don't have to add the full cup, it depends on how moist you like your stuffing (that's what she said?). Then add back in the sausage and you're good to go! Super super easy especially for a day like T'Gives where you've got 948230423 other recipes to worry about!
In other news, my various updates:
#1 - oh man have I been given one fantastic opportunity!! All I'll mention is that it does involve building websites. All last week I slaved to the bone day and night working on a 'test' project and I think that considering I have barely any web experience, I've done pretty well! It's a little buggy and I think I might have gone about it in the wrong way, but that's why I do definitely need some professional training whether it be a class or what have you. I've done a decent job of teaching myself what I can, but I do so much better when I have structure around me. For example, thought I could go about teaching myself photography? Well I know enough to get by, but I would fair so much better if I was in a real class. In any case, I think I might go ahead and cross this one off as soon as I'm done with the project!! I earned it!
#17 - Hmmm selfish. I wrote a letter...which wasn't so much selfish and more focused on self. Self centered? I don't know...reading lots of Dalai Lama lately, I truly and honestly wanted to move along a more positive path and I guess I felt as though that warranted a letter. Has the letter changed things? Partly yes and partly #1 happened and I was incredibly touched by that...whether or not that situation was aided by my letter is debatable and something I'll never know, but it was a positive event and it made me feel great! As for the 'partly no,' I still feel the distance. It isn't cold anymore, but I wish I was just like the rest of my group. The sad thing that I have to admit to myself is that I never will be. Anyway, sorry to be so vague here, but I just didn't want to go into it TOO much.
#57 - While I mentioned Six Flags in my Ode to Summer of '08, I have yet to wax poetic. I can't believe I went back after TEN YEARS. I admit, I was honestly pretty afraid of how my body would handle a roller coaster after all this time, but it was bloody brilliant!!! I'm really stoked that I still love the thrill and it doesn't terrify me. Ok it terrified me a little. Going up that first hill of Raging Bull for the very first time? I mean if someone was standing halfway up and asked me if I wanted to continue...that it would be perfectly ok to stop the ride? I think I might have taken him up on it! But since I had no choice, I hit the top and took the plunge and it was GLORIOUS!!! Ahhh thank you Kohls! See you next year!!
#50 - Atypical veggie = leeks (see below)
#45 - Pumpkin Muffin Stuffing
Alright so I cheated. This recipe called for the sweetest of sweet bakery and yet I gave up sweet bakery for October. But I fulfilled my Sept recipes and then some, so I made this one on like Sept 29 and finished eating it Sept 30...blah.
Anyway, here's the recipe for the most awesome stuffing of all time (aka I'm never having regular stuffing again):
2 leeks - rinsed, cut lengthwise into half-moons and chopped
(yeah I cheated again and had my atypical veggie for Oct in Sept, BUT I had leeks in my soup later in the week!)
2 ribs of celery - chopped
1 gala apple - peeled, cored and chopped
3 pumpkin muffins (I have the unadulterated pleasure of purchasing these delectable treats at my local Picknsave Metro Market...I hope you can find them somewhere??)
sausage (I had to use links that I cut into pieces, but I suggest getting the regular, non-encased stuff)
1 cup of chicken broth
poultry seasoning (I actually used pinches of thyme, sage, rosemary, marjoram, and All Spice...or nutmeg...from my Wheel O' Spices)
Brown the sausage and set aside on a paper towel to drain. To the same pan, add the leeks, apples, and celery along with some S&P and stir for a few minutes until soft. Crumble in the muffins and add seasoning/spices. Add the broth, a little at a time...you don't have to add the full cup, it depends on how moist you like your stuffing (that's what she said?). Then add back in the sausage and you're good to go! Super super easy especially for a day like T'Gives where you've got 948230423 other recipes to worry about!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Fall is officially upon us!
This morning I wore my glovens for the first time this season! It was a crisp 44 degrees this morning and yesterday I noticed leaves falling, as well as a significant change in color on the tops of the trees outside my living room window. We can't fight it anymore, summer is over. When I got home after work, the heat was on...also the first time this season. And last night I had to finally shut all of the windows.
And with that said, I don't do this too often, but I'm going to whip up a Favorite (and not so favorite?) Things Tally from this past summer, the summer to end all summers. Well, ok, hopefully my "best summer ever" doesn't end here in 2008, but it definitely was one for the books!
APRIL
April isn't so much summer at ALL, but I'd say with the breakup at the very end of March, April 1st was the first day of the rest of my life, summer, whatever.
-Teenage hijinx at Gameworks (aka "Steve & Barry's") with Monica, Tim, and Steve
-Mandsi getting the KOHL'S JOB just as we're leaving in Floyd to go check out, er PURCHASE, Bloodball my new car!!
-The Fateful Night I met up with Bekky at Houlihan's to have dinner and began the 2.5 month whirlwind that was my Something'Ship with Jeremy the Beautiful Disaster
-Grand Music for a Grand Space at St. John's Cathedral with Z during a thunderstorm followed by a night at Blu
-The discovery my ex was dating someone five years my junior and 12 years his...not to mention he was crushin' on her whilst we dated!
MAY
-Walking around the city with Jeremy while he shows me Third Ward buildings he's worked on
-Getting the InterMet!!!
-At Random followed by a swirly and cheap time at the Bottle
-Volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House, cooking up some awesome Mexican food, and chatting with coworkers about my breakup
-Frigid Cubbies Game at Wrigley! (and using Steve's parking spot!)
-Nights at Trinity and Scooter's with Jeremy and Z
-The Art Museum followed by Marne's graduation party
-IRONMAN followed by Bee's and the unfortunate meeting of Ken (aka Jaxon/Jakom/Douchebag)
-David Cook winning American Idol ;)
-Random Red Robin beers?
-Jeremy's private guitar concert ;)
-Painting at the rents, listening to The Brew!
-The Saloon with Z and Nicole (learning about how John couldn't tell me he went with Nicole to the strip club while he and I were dating??)
-Scampering around in a rainstorm with Jeremy and Z
-"Katie Day" (aka Memorial Day) spent with Jeremy (Mykonos, walk around lakefront, people watch on the grass, parade, etc...lovely)
-RIVERSPLASH!! LOTS of Miller Lite, Falafel, King Solomon, and Footloose?
-Edgar's Calypso, crazy cold front, and Clovie at the rents
JUNE
-Bill's rendition of "Build Me Up Buttercup" on my voicemail at 4am?
-The Sex & the City Movie party at the Palladium in the Majestic...cosmos and apps a plenty!
-The Annual Bead & Button Show with mom :)
-Watching Once with Z
-Managing to make it out to Brookfield Fridays alive in the t'storm of all t'storms...one of the best nights with Jeremy though: relaxing and cozy :)
-Getting my new sleek phone!
-Jeremy and I swinging in Cathedral Square park followed by chilling on the couch at Mocha
-Lunches at Borders with Jeremy
-Making dinner for Jeremy in the tiniest of tiny kitchens
-Tumbleweed and The Happening with Jeremy: the last good night
-Chelsea's wedding shower followed by my hosting of her Bachelorette party because the boat was CANCELED due to the NON storm followed by interesting fellows at Trinity
-Bekky and Todd's second son Josh is born!! Visit them in the hospital :)
-The Jazz Estate and Vitucci's with Jeremy, Marrlo, and Z
-Marrlo's apartment to play Wii
-Monica's birthday at Finn McCool's where we got SWINDLED!!!
-Show of Shows in Rockford, IL (the beer tent!!! Alpine Inn?? Machine Shed!)
-Blue flowers and the end of Jeremy
-Shannon's birthday drinks at Bad Genie
-CKYP Summerfest is actually really fun??!
-The ginormous rainbow outside the window of Qdoba
-Looooong walk with Mandsi around lakefront (rugby!!)
-Night of Tomfoolery: dinner at Osteria, drinks at the Knick, Trinity, and Cuddy's questionmark??? RUBY DEE!!!!
-McGinn's with Drew discussing our pathetic love lives ;)
JULY
-Best BUTTERWORKS ever! Also known as "The Year of John Thompson"
-HC Fireworks! Also known as "I Can't Believe It's Not Butterworks"
-The loooong talk with Z at Bucks regarding Jeremy and The Lost Email which tumbled into what will forever be known as....
-TOUR DE CHANCE: A poor time at Summerfest (aside from the awesomeness that was the Zombies) leads to boredom, which leads to the mutual decision to drive to Houlihan's (BIG MISTAKE), Bee's (regroup), T'Bell (great idea), and Genie (WORST idea). The cherry on top of the Tour de Chance Evening of Shame was the txt: "have your cake and choke on it too". Fun!
*Tour De Chance ushered in the second half of the summer, however, and it was all uphill from there!
-28 Day Detox: good stuff!
-Teaching myself Dreamweaver
-AT&T road side assistance and "Roadrunner" to the rescue!
-Annual Point Beach Camping Trip with just the Nelson/Lau ladies this time! (gourmet meals over a campfire, pix to try and win the photo contest...whoops, never sent those in...crazy t'storm and the tortured baby, bags on the beach, most PERFECT sand turtle ever, bourbon & decaf, and a Neil Gaiman bedtime story)
-BASTILLE DAYS! Chill outside Taylor's and walk around fest with Z, capped off with a tour of Steve's apartment ;)
-A surprisingly fun CK Picnic? Won $5 Alterra card as well as many grass stains as I "slid into last place" in the footrace. (also a stab at 'closure' with John in the car that didn't work out so well)
-ALL THINGS DARK KNIGHT!!!!!!! (went 4x!...The first time being particularly awesome as Z and I arrived four hours early and had fun waiting over martinis in the bar and over nachos in line...Jim and Joe?!!)
-Not having meningitis!
-Hanging at Nicole's new apartment: Saw II, George Lopez, King of Queen's, Sex & the City, and CHEATERS!!! ExtenZe Sodas!!!
-Church and Mykonos with Drew
-CUBE•B•GONE!!!!
-Fun at the laundromat?
-Txts from Bob :)
-IOWA ROADTRIP with Z!!!!! (YeCoCo "which is YELLOW now!!" at the I-80 truckstop, the gloriousness that is Sugar Shack malts, ducks and rabblerousers, pool thugs, filet and crab stuffed shrimp and wine that tastes like Heath Ledger at the Big Steer, Jay and Steve in the Lounge, Prairie Meadows Casino and "when in Rome" Bud Lights and Point Beach??, court jester dog, tour de SKYWALK and the cozy Marriott, BALLOOOOONS "The Big Idea", the nightmarish Liars Club and 515 Live ecstasy fest, road trip snick snacks and a BIG SODA from the I-80 truckstop, and "What's He Gonna Do?" and Dark Knight quotes galore!!
-The Miller Park Massacre :)
AUGUST
-ROOFTOP CUBS GAME!!!!...chilling outside Ellen's drinking beer, playing bags, and eating Chicago's most ginormous pizza
-Z consoling me after The Metro Market Umbrella Fiasco, which ushered me into another new, and better, stage of The Breakup
-I'views :)
-STATEFAIR...mmmmHeathBaby at the Saz's tent
-Joshua wins SYTYCD!!!
-My Jamo shot (purchased by my boss) induced toast at Kristen's Last Day party at Kenadee's followed by dinner at Bayou with Nicole and Z and fun music, but weird peeps at Mark's bar...T'BELL!
-Surf's Up and I'm Not There Night :)
-Josh and Tina's son Zachary's baptism and the BEST FOOD EVER (hushpuppies!!) at the following party
-All things Flickr and photography
-Meeting up with Katie at Metro Market before she leaves for Hahhvahd.
-Free drinks at Karma...Joey from Iowa at Buckley's
-dinner at the Sheridan House for mom's bday
-DOCO WEDDING DEBAUCHERY!!!! (breakfast at the Pancake House, Girl Talk, coziest retro hotel EVER, Kalin/Karlin/Baby Heath bartender at the Rehearsal dinner, Room 114: Party Headquarters, vomming from 75% of the room, Cabin #3 spa time, The Wedding, Trolley shenanigans!!!, CUSTER JUMP ON IT, Mikey vs Jake, THE LIFT, a blanket...some wood chips...and the stars: crossing off #18 because everyone and their mom discovered us, and last but certainly not least: ALL THINGS HUMAN GIANT.
-HARLEY FEST!!!
-Random last minute tooling around Jazz in the Park, followed by the Genie...F/Phish sigh
-Margarita Paradise for Josh's birthday followed by Human Giant and CHECKBOOK fun at J&T's house, FOLLOWED by more Genie after close!
-Annual Drive In Party
-Trinity with Nicole and Z: Steve the drummer, and the unfortunate meeting of Wayne and Derrick (tastes like Smarties, smells like Romance, and acts like a total D'bag)
SEPTEMBER
-Mandsi got KOHLS PROMOTION!!!...Firefly to celebrate!
-First PSL of the season!
-Office Space!
-Shannon's Wedding and everything that was the entire summer leading up to this moment going better than I could've ever expected :)
-following Shannon's wedding: JUMP ON IT dancing in our apartment, shots of Vodka, two seconds in Genie, back to apartment to get into our PJs, late night deliciousness at Mykonos
-Pure hilarity at my Tazinos photo shoot!!! (and dinner with Kim at The Perk)
-Sake Tumi, Blu, and Genie
-LESTIVITIES FINALLY HAPPENS!
-Zim's where the Bears lose, the Packers won, but the Brewers lose hooray!!
-The Cubbies and Astros at Miller Park that we did NOT go to...Big Z's No Hitter!!!
-Going to the lakefront to watch the moonrise :)
-Angela's bday at Hotel Metro where we saw Cindy Crawford and found out about divorce, followed by Taylor's with Joe and Josh and shots all around!
-Walking to the new CK building only takes 23 minutes!
-Ale House with the fam, CUBBIES CLINCH!!
-Bella Cafe with Drew :)
-Nate and Mandsi's first date at Blu!! :D
-Walking six miles around the lakefront and messing up my foot, cuz that happens.
-Zim's to watch the Cubs lose, SEE Cubs outside the Pfister, D'Lee and Jim Edmonds "following us" to Taylors...BRONX BOYS!
-Shopping Spree at Bayshore ;) ($280 worth of clothes for $126!)
-Buying Aussie Pink Floyd tix at the Mac Store
And what better way to cap off the fabulous Summer of 2008????
-KOHLS DAY AT SIX FLAGS and the gloriousness that is Raging Bull! "Cuz that happens."
Plus, smattered throughout:
-Various drinks, often time free, at Buckley's after a night out
-Many many coffees at Metro Market on the weekends
-Monday nights at Bucks!!! (the $2 Bucks card mmm Vivannos)
-Too much Facebook?
-Lots of Cup and Bread Duty
-The Ninja Report
-Inappropriate txts with Bill
-All things Steve the apt manager
-Summer shows like AI, Top Chef, Flipping Out, SYTYCD, The Paper, the Hills, P'Run, and MadMen
-Kiss FM and so much new music: Portishead, MMJ, Girl Talk, Coldplay, all things THE FAINT, "Knowitall" "Rest My Chemistry" "Outta Heart" "Fearless" "Oh Well" & "Dear Valentine" on repeat. And Ray :)
-Great books like Mere Christianity, Of Human Bondage, and The Art of Happiness
-and finally "Where does that end..." because honestly? where does it?!
WOW I did it! And I'm impressed if anyone aside from Z is still reading ;) I look forward to rereading this post at the beginning of next summer and imagining how different it will be, well different and similar I'm sure!
And with that said, I don't do this too often, but I'm going to whip up a Favorite (and not so favorite?) Things Tally from this past summer, the summer to end all summers. Well, ok, hopefully my "best summer ever" doesn't end here in 2008, but it definitely was one for the books!
APRIL
April isn't so much summer at ALL, but I'd say with the breakup at the very end of March, April 1st was the first day of the rest of my life, summer, whatever.
-Teenage hijinx at Gameworks (aka "Steve & Barry's") with Monica, Tim, and Steve
-Mandsi getting the KOHL'S JOB just as we're leaving in Floyd to go check out, er PURCHASE, Bloodball my new car!!
-The Fateful Night I met up with Bekky at Houlihan's to have dinner and began the 2.5 month whirlwind that was my Something'Ship with Jeremy the Beautiful Disaster
-Grand Music for a Grand Space at St. John's Cathedral with Z during a thunderstorm followed by a night at Blu
-The discovery my ex was dating someone five years my junior and 12 years his...not to mention he was crushin' on her whilst we dated!
MAY
-Walking around the city with Jeremy while he shows me Third Ward buildings he's worked on
-Getting the InterMet!!!
-At Random followed by a swirly and cheap time at the Bottle
-Volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House, cooking up some awesome Mexican food, and chatting with coworkers about my breakup
-Frigid Cubbies Game at Wrigley! (and using Steve's parking spot!)
-Nights at Trinity and Scooter's with Jeremy and Z
-The Art Museum followed by Marne's graduation party
-IRONMAN followed by Bee's and the unfortunate meeting of Ken (aka Jaxon/Jakom/Douchebag)
-David Cook winning American Idol ;)
-Random Red Robin beers?
-Jeremy's private guitar concert ;)
-Painting at the rents, listening to The Brew!
-The Saloon with Z and Nicole (learning about how John couldn't tell me he went with Nicole to the strip club while he and I were dating??)
-Scampering around in a rainstorm with Jeremy and Z
-"Katie Day" (aka Memorial Day) spent with Jeremy (Mykonos, walk around lakefront, people watch on the grass, parade, etc...lovely)
-RIVERSPLASH!! LOTS of Miller Lite, Falafel, King Solomon, and Footloose?
-Edgar's Calypso, crazy cold front, and Clovie at the rents
JUNE
-Bill's rendition of "Build Me Up Buttercup" on my voicemail at 4am?
-The Sex & the City Movie party at the Palladium in the Majestic...cosmos and apps a plenty!
-The Annual Bead & Button Show with mom :)
-Watching Once with Z
-Managing to make it out to Brookfield Fridays alive in the t'storm of all t'storms...one of the best nights with Jeremy though: relaxing and cozy :)
-Getting my new sleek phone!
-Jeremy and I swinging in Cathedral Square park followed by chilling on the couch at Mocha
-Lunches at Borders with Jeremy
-Making dinner for Jeremy in the tiniest of tiny kitchens
-Tumbleweed and The Happening with Jeremy: the last good night
-Chelsea's wedding shower followed by my hosting of her Bachelorette party because the boat was CANCELED due to the NON storm followed by interesting fellows at Trinity
-Bekky and Todd's second son Josh is born!! Visit them in the hospital :)
-The Jazz Estate and Vitucci's with Jeremy, Marrlo, and Z
-Marrlo's apartment to play Wii
-Monica's birthday at Finn McCool's where we got SWINDLED!!!
-Show of Shows in Rockford, IL (the beer tent!!! Alpine Inn?? Machine Shed!)
-Blue flowers and the end of Jeremy
-Shannon's birthday drinks at Bad Genie
-CKYP Summerfest is actually really fun??!
-The ginormous rainbow outside the window of Qdoba
-Looooong walk with Mandsi around lakefront (rugby!!)
-Night of Tomfoolery: dinner at Osteria, drinks at the Knick, Trinity, and Cuddy's questionmark??? RUBY DEE!!!!
-McGinn's with Drew discussing our pathetic love lives ;)
JULY
-Best BUTTERWORKS ever! Also known as "The Year of John Thompson"
-HC Fireworks! Also known as "I Can't Believe It's Not Butterworks"
-The loooong talk with Z at Bucks regarding Jeremy and The Lost Email which tumbled into what will forever be known as....
-TOUR DE CHANCE: A poor time at Summerfest (aside from the awesomeness that was the Zombies) leads to boredom, which leads to the mutual decision to drive to Houlihan's (BIG MISTAKE), Bee's (regroup), T'Bell (great idea), and Genie (WORST idea). The cherry on top of the Tour de Chance Evening of Shame was the txt: "have your cake and choke on it too". Fun!
*Tour De Chance ushered in the second half of the summer, however, and it was all uphill from there!
-28 Day Detox: good stuff!
-Teaching myself Dreamweaver
-AT&T road side assistance and "Roadrunner" to the rescue!
-Annual Point Beach Camping Trip with just the Nelson/Lau ladies this time! (gourmet meals over a campfire, pix to try and win the photo contest...whoops, never sent those in...crazy t'storm and the tortured baby, bags on the beach, most PERFECT sand turtle ever, bourbon & decaf, and a Neil Gaiman bedtime story)
-BASTILLE DAYS! Chill outside Taylor's and walk around fest with Z, capped off with a tour of Steve's apartment ;)
-A surprisingly fun CK Picnic? Won $5 Alterra card as well as many grass stains as I "slid into last place" in the footrace. (also a stab at 'closure' with John in the car that didn't work out so well)
-ALL THINGS DARK KNIGHT!!!!!!! (went 4x!...The first time being particularly awesome as Z and I arrived four hours early and had fun waiting over martinis in the bar and over nachos in line...Jim and Joe?!!)
-Not having meningitis!
-Hanging at Nicole's new apartment: Saw II, George Lopez, King of Queen's, Sex & the City, and CHEATERS!!! ExtenZe Sodas!!!
-Church and Mykonos with Drew
-CUBE•B•GONE!!!!
-Fun at the laundromat?
-Txts from Bob :)
-IOWA ROADTRIP with Z!!!!! (YeCoCo "which is YELLOW now!!" at the I-80 truckstop, the gloriousness that is Sugar Shack malts, ducks and rabblerousers, pool thugs, filet and crab stuffed shrimp and wine that tastes like Heath Ledger at the Big Steer, Jay and Steve in the Lounge, Prairie Meadows Casino and "when in Rome" Bud Lights and Point Beach??, court jester dog, tour de SKYWALK and the cozy Marriott, BALLOOOOONS "The Big Idea", the nightmarish Liars Club and 515 Live ecstasy fest, road trip snick snacks and a BIG SODA from the I-80 truckstop, and "What's He Gonna Do?" and Dark Knight quotes galore!!
-The Miller Park Massacre :)
AUGUST
-ROOFTOP CUBS GAME!!!!...chilling outside Ellen's drinking beer, playing bags, and eating Chicago's most ginormous pizza
-Z consoling me after The Metro Market Umbrella Fiasco, which ushered me into another new, and better, stage of The Breakup
-I'views :)
-STATEFAIR...mmmmHeathBaby at the Saz's tent
-Joshua wins SYTYCD!!!
-My Jamo shot (purchased by my boss) induced toast at Kristen's Last Day party at Kenadee's followed by dinner at Bayou with Nicole and Z and fun music, but weird peeps at Mark's bar...T'BELL!
-Surf's Up and I'm Not There Night :)
-Josh and Tina's son Zachary's baptism and the BEST FOOD EVER (hushpuppies!!) at the following party
-All things Flickr and photography
-Meeting up with Katie at Metro Market before she leaves for Hahhvahd.
-Free drinks at Karma...Joey from Iowa at Buckley's
-dinner at the Sheridan House for mom's bday
-DOCO WEDDING DEBAUCHERY!!!! (breakfast at the Pancake House, Girl Talk, coziest retro hotel EVER, Kalin/Karlin/Baby Heath bartender at the Rehearsal dinner, Room 114: Party Headquarters, vomming from 75% of the room, Cabin #3 spa time, The Wedding, Trolley shenanigans!!!, CUSTER JUMP ON IT, Mikey vs Jake, THE LIFT, a blanket...some wood chips...and the stars: crossing off #18 because everyone and their mom discovered us, and last but certainly not least: ALL THINGS HUMAN GIANT.
-HARLEY FEST!!!
-Random last minute tooling around Jazz in the Park, followed by the Genie...F/Phish sigh
-Margarita Paradise for Josh's birthday followed by Human Giant and CHECKBOOK fun at J&T's house, FOLLOWED by more Genie after close!
-Annual Drive In Party
-Trinity with Nicole and Z: Steve the drummer, and the unfortunate meeting of Wayne and Derrick (tastes like Smarties, smells like Romance, and acts like a total D'bag)
SEPTEMBER
-Mandsi got KOHLS PROMOTION!!!...Firefly to celebrate!
-First PSL of the season!
-Office Space!
-Shannon's Wedding and everything that was the entire summer leading up to this moment going better than I could've ever expected :)
-following Shannon's wedding: JUMP ON IT dancing in our apartment, shots of Vodka, two seconds in Genie, back to apartment to get into our PJs, late night deliciousness at Mykonos
-Pure hilarity at my Tazinos photo shoot!!! (and dinner with Kim at The Perk)
-Sake Tumi, Blu, and Genie
-LESTIVITIES FINALLY HAPPENS!
-Zim's where the Bears lose, the Packers won, but the Brewers lose hooray!!
-The Cubbies and Astros at Miller Park that we did NOT go to...Big Z's No Hitter!!!
-Going to the lakefront to watch the moonrise :)
-Angela's bday at Hotel Metro where we saw Cindy Crawford and found out about divorce, followed by Taylor's with Joe and Josh and shots all around!
-Walking to the new CK building only takes 23 minutes!
-Ale House with the fam, CUBBIES CLINCH!!
-Bella Cafe with Drew :)
-Nate and Mandsi's first date at Blu!! :D
-Walking six miles around the lakefront and messing up my foot, cuz that happens.
-Zim's to watch the Cubs lose, SEE Cubs outside the Pfister, D'Lee and Jim Edmonds "following us" to Taylors...BRONX BOYS!
-Shopping Spree at Bayshore ;) ($280 worth of clothes for $126!)
-Buying Aussie Pink Floyd tix at the Mac Store
And what better way to cap off the fabulous Summer of 2008????
-KOHLS DAY AT SIX FLAGS and the gloriousness that is Raging Bull! "Cuz that happens."
Plus, smattered throughout:
-Various drinks, often time free, at Buckley's after a night out
-Many many coffees at Metro Market on the weekends
-Monday nights at Bucks!!! (the $2 Bucks card mmm Vivannos)
-Too much Facebook?
-Lots of Cup and Bread Duty
-The Ninja Report
-Inappropriate txts with Bill
-All things Steve the apt manager
-Summer shows like AI, Top Chef, Flipping Out, SYTYCD, The Paper, the Hills, P'Run, and MadMen
-Kiss FM and so much new music: Portishead, MMJ, Girl Talk, Coldplay, all things THE FAINT, "Knowitall" "Rest My Chemistry" "Outta Heart" "Fearless" "Oh Well" & "Dear Valentine" on repeat. And Ray :)
-Great books like Mere Christianity, Of Human Bondage, and The Art of Happiness
-and finally "Where does that end..." because honestly? where does it?!
WOW I did it! And I'm impressed if anyone aside from Z is still reading ;) I look forward to rereading this post at the beginning of next summer and imagining how different it will be, well different and similar I'm sure!
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