Afternoon Tea
Yesterday I treated Mom to afternoon tea at The Drake. Served in the well-appointed Palm Court, it is truly a lovely affair. We enjoyed it so much, we will be making an annual tradition of it.
23 January 2006
21 January 2006
January Blues
The snow storm moved in pretty forcefully last night, and I skipped drinks with friends and family to hunker down and watch bad TV and read, fully intending to sleep in this morning and make a lazy day of it.
That was, until Dad woke me with the words, "Your mother and I are going to the hospital."
I think my heart stopped. I knew I wanted to vomit, which sucks when you know you weren't drinking the night before. We finally cleared up the fact that they were fine, but Brother #2 had been in the emergency room as of 1:30 this morning and was now going into surgery.
The man needs to work on his story delivery.
So no sleeping in for me. Instead, I waited in the surgery waiting room with the 'rents and Brother #2's fiancee for a few hours until he was moved into his room.
Turns out Brother #2 decided he was hungry at 12:30 and went to a little sub joint for a pizza puff after a few drinks. Chatty as he is, he turned to talk to his woman and slipped on the ice build-up from the big storm as he was walking out the door. Landed wrong and broke his femur.
Surgery to insert a metal rod and a few screws later, he's doing well. I feel awful for him and am beginning to think that if I had gone out for drinks with him like he wanted me to, he wouldn't have been there to slip and fall and hurt himself. But if it was fated to happen- his broken leg- then I doubt I could've changed that. But at least if I had been out, then I wouldn't have had expectation to sleep in -- which I did have, and they were dashed away early this morning.
The bright spot of him in the hospital is Brother #1, SIL, and Diva Niece came into town and stopped by afterwards. Diva Niece naturally adores Auntie MoC, and we had great fun hanging out for a few hours.
The good news of the day is the snow didn't amount to as much as expected in the area, and it's melting pretty well. The mild winter can return whenever it's ready...Oh, and Brother #2 is still on a morphine drip and is doing really well. Crutches class tomorrow.
That was, until Dad woke me with the words, "Your mother and I are going to the hospital."
I think my heart stopped. I knew I wanted to vomit, which sucks when you know you weren't drinking the night before. We finally cleared up the fact that they were fine, but Brother #2 had been in the emergency room as of 1:30 this morning and was now going into surgery.
The man needs to work on his story delivery.
So no sleeping in for me. Instead, I waited in the surgery waiting room with the 'rents and Brother #2's fiancee for a few hours until he was moved into his room.
Turns out Brother #2 decided he was hungry at 12:30 and went to a little sub joint for a pizza puff after a few drinks. Chatty as he is, he turned to talk to his woman and slipped on the ice build-up from the big storm as he was walking out the door. Landed wrong and broke his femur.
Surgery to insert a metal rod and a few screws later, he's doing well. I feel awful for him and am beginning to think that if I had gone out for drinks with him like he wanted me to, he wouldn't have been there to slip and fall and hurt himself. But if it was fated to happen- his broken leg- then I doubt I could've changed that. But at least if I had been out, then I wouldn't have had expectation to sleep in -- which I did have, and they were dashed away early this morning.
The bright spot of him in the hospital is Brother #1, SIL, and Diva Niece came into town and stopped by afterwards. Diva Niece naturally adores Auntie MoC, and we had great fun hanging out for a few hours.
The good news of the day is the snow didn't amount to as much as expected in the area, and it's melting pretty well. The mild winter can return whenever it's ready...Oh, and Brother #2 is still on a morphine drip and is doing really well. Crutches class tomorrow.
17 January 2006
Best New Winter Treat
By far, the best new winter treat of 2006 is the Cinnamon Dolce Latte at Starbucks. Cinnamon and brown sugar commingle in this lovely latte, creating a not-too-sweet but devastatingly delicious flavor reminiscent of cinnamon french toast. It is dangerously addictive.
15 January 2006
Exercising Moderation: Take 2
Another big football day spent downing some libations and watching the tube. The last time the Bears were in this position, DXB and I were in the beginning stages of our relationship. We've had a chuckle or two at how much things change- and can be charted by football. Of course, he compares everything to football.
Lucky for me, my hard-core football-loving friends don't stop with DXB and his pals. While he tailgates and screams his face off (which I'm sure he's well into as I post this), I'll be watching the game at a friend's house with a bunch of other people that wished they could've gotten tickets but didn't. Because it's mid-day I'm going to have to watch the alcohol consumption, if only because (a) the night will be so young when the game ends (and who needs their evening cut off early like that), and (b) lovely FTF would like to get together this evening (and why would I want to ruin that?). The possibility that the latter may not happen is fair because logistically-speaking it's terribly hard to coordinate time, space, and distance. We're just not good at it (but are getting better with practice). Surely there will be copious amounts of drinks and fun served up throughout the day, but me thinks exercising moderation today will come off much better than Friday's attempt.
Lucky for me, my hard-core football-loving friends don't stop with DXB and his pals. While he tailgates and screams his face off (which I'm sure he's well into as I post this), I'll be watching the game at a friend's house with a bunch of other people that wished they could've gotten tickets but didn't. Because it's mid-day I'm going to have to watch the alcohol consumption, if only because (a) the night will be so young when the game ends (and who needs their evening cut off early like that), and (b) lovely FTF would like to get together this evening (and why would I want to ruin that?). The possibility that the latter may not happen is fair because logistically-speaking it's terribly hard to coordinate time, space, and distance. We're just not good at it (but are getting better with practice). Surely there will be copious amounts of drinks and fun served up throughout the day, but me thinks exercising moderation today will come off much better than Friday's attempt.
14 January 2006
Great Thought. No Execution
Exercise moderation. An excellent thought that should've had more of a plan attached to it. For the most part, last night was a good time. But with such a motley assortment of people under one roof where libations are cheap- well, you just have to drink. And you lose track. And then there's no plan to bring you back.
It was nice to reconnect with some old colleagues. DXB was at first stand-offishly civil, but then his friends were beyond nice (and funny and sweet) to me and he completely came around. I don't understand their odd male friendship dynamic. I wasn't treated nearly so well when he and he I were dating. The proposition from him arrived early in the evening (not his usual style), and I sat on it without commitment until we were all leaving...and of course I took it.
No regrets. There has been no shift in control. But the conversation was more entertaining than anything else...and it immediately sends me back to that time and place when we were together and happy and enjoyed each other's company on a daily basis. But it's just not the same. Odd that I felt this way- it's truly the first time I have had such flash backs with him/from that time.
It was nice to reconnect with some old colleagues. DXB was at first stand-offishly civil, but then his friends were beyond nice (and funny and sweet) to me and he completely came around. I don't understand their odd male friendship dynamic. I wasn't treated nearly so well when he and he I were dating. The proposition from him arrived early in the evening (not his usual style), and I sat on it without commitment until we were all leaving...and of course I took it.
No regrets. There has been no shift in control. But the conversation was more entertaining than anything else...and it immediately sends me back to that time and place when we were together and happy and enjoyed each other's company on a daily basis. But it's just not the same. Odd that I felt this way- it's truly the first time I have had such flash backs with him/from that time.
13 January 2006
Exercising Moderation: Take 1
Tonight is the big event: A gathering of 80+ friends and ex co-workers for an old friend's emancipation from her employer. Singularly, the majority of these people are stand-up characters and fun to be around. However, none of these people should be placed in the same room together. It will be entertainment in its truest form.
Dear Ex-Beau will be in attendance, which will interesting in itself. We are friendly, and I don't doubt that we will get along swimmingly. However, I must attempt to exercise moderation in the libations I imbibe, as losing control of that (on either of our parts) would be a big mistake. DXB is a bit needy these days...and makes no secret of his desire to elevate the relationship. Of course, only in the way it would suit him best. He has not changed one bit. Me thinks it's not a good idea. But after too many spirits, any idea can be made to sound not half-bad, and therein lies the (potential) issue.
Unfortunately, exercising moderation is always a wonderful thought, but much easier said than done. Especially when time will fly by and interesting happenings will occur and jovialty will be running high. To maintain the upper hand in this situation (which I have achieved by default and maintain with ease), treading lightly at the bar is in order. But we all know that's never fun.
Dear Ex-Beau will be in attendance, which will interesting in itself. We are friendly, and I don't doubt that we will get along swimmingly. However, I must attempt to exercise moderation in the libations I imbibe, as losing control of that (on either of our parts) would be a big mistake. DXB is a bit needy these days...and makes no secret of his desire to elevate the relationship. Of course, only in the way it would suit him best. He has not changed one bit. Me thinks it's not a good idea. But after too many spirits, any idea can be made to sound not half-bad, and therein lies the (potential) issue.
Unfortunately, exercising moderation is always a wonderful thought, but much easier said than done. Especially when time will fly by and interesting happenings will occur and jovialty will be running high. To maintain the upper hand in this situation (which I have achieved by default and maintain with ease), treading lightly at the bar is in order. But we all know that's never fun.
Sweet Breakfast Eats
I'm normally not a breakfast person, but on those occasions when I do indulge I like something unusual or hearty (or both). Kayem Foods just came out with low-fat (just 60 calories a link) blueberry breakfast sausage. Sweet and meaty. Just odd enough for me to try. Might go well with a nice belgian waffle.
11 January 2006
Snifflers
Over the years, I've noticed my sensitivity to annoying or disgusting sounds increase. Yes, I'm becoming more intolerant to such things. I recognize that. Loud chewers and gum smackers were always at the top of my List of Annoying Sounds until this morning's L ride to work. Who should sit behind me but a guy who couldn't stop sniffing. And not a little sniff. A big, huge, disgusting, gutteral snort of a sniff. I thought surely once was all it would be. Then it kept occuring every few minutes. If I had Kleenex, I would have given it to the guy. His persistance in sniffle-snorting coupled with the fact that he just had to sit behind me when we transferred trains (despite the availability of many other open seats in our car) irked me to no end. We departed at the same stop, and as soon as he got off he hocked a big lugey onto the platform -- surely the saved result of the last 30 minutes of gigantic snorts. Yuck! Of course, after all that I could barely stomach my breakfast. Sure, this isn't the most disgsting or terrible thing I have witnessed on the L. Every day provides the interesting and the inane. However, as a result of this morning's unpleasant start, I'm going to start carrying tissues with me and doling them out as need be. Those who are in dire need will appreciate the gesture. Those who think I'm being rude or nosy either have a coke problem or are just apathetic by nature.
09 January 2006
Fact or Fiction: It's Good All the Same
The Smoking Gun recently ran an expose which unearthed what they consider to be gross inconsistencies in the runaway hit book A Million Little Pieces.
I read their amazingly long report, and I'll tell ya, it bored me to death. TSG's reporters have obviously not read the book or are forgetting that some plot points are not hinged on the relevancy of any of what they are supposedly digging up. It's a story about a guy who kicked some brutal habits with assistance- and an unconventional attitude. None of that is make-believe.
The true bottom line is it's a good book. I read it before Oprah and recommended it before her as well. It'd be a pity if TSG's verbose article were to stop anyone from reading it. Fact or fiction, it really is worth the time.
I read their amazingly long report, and I'll tell ya, it bored me to death. TSG's reporters have obviously not read the book or are forgetting that some plot points are not hinged on the relevancy of any of what they are supposedly digging up. It's a story about a guy who kicked some brutal habits with assistance- and an unconventional attitude. None of that is make-believe.
The true bottom line is it's a good book. I read it before Oprah and recommended it before her as well. It'd be a pity if TSG's verbose article were to stop anyone from reading it. Fact or fiction, it really is worth the time.
08 January 2006
TMI
Some people have no tact when it comes to sharing personal information about others -- especially in front of the person in question. Last night I attended a friend's birthday celebration and was presented with just that instance. I had never met one of her friends that was present, and as the evening was winding down a good friend of mine mentioned quite casually that said old friend was no nicey-nice girl, as she had an affair during her first marriage. This- in front of the woman!
(A) This information had nothing to do with any topic of conversation we had covered throughout the night or were covering at the given moment.
(B) Since no additional information was provided on said illicit affair, I have no idea what the extenuating circumstances were nor what the relevance to me or anything was supposed to be.
(C) I just met the woman an hour or so before, and likely will never see this friend of theirs again. So I don't have an opinion. And it's not for me to judge.
It put all me in an awkward situation. All I could do was stare across the table at their friend and shrug. She, on the other hand, appeared appropriately mortified and soon excused herself for her drive home. Conversation continued on- with no mention of the obvious social faux pas- but it did make me think: Sharing too much information about yourself is uncomfortably one thing, but to share too much information about someone else- especially in front of them- is quite another. A social time out was definitely in order.
(A) This information had nothing to do with any topic of conversation we had covered throughout the night or were covering at the given moment.
(B) Since no additional information was provided on said illicit affair, I have no idea what the extenuating circumstances were nor what the relevance to me or anything was supposed to be.
(C) I just met the woman an hour or so before, and likely will never see this friend of theirs again. So I don't have an opinion. And it's not for me to judge.
It put all me in an awkward situation. All I could do was stare across the table at their friend and shrug. She, on the other hand, appeared appropriately mortified and soon excused herself for her drive home. Conversation continued on- with no mention of the obvious social faux pas- but it did make me think: Sharing too much information about yourself is uncomfortably one thing, but to share too much information about someone else- especially in front of them- is quite another. A social time out was definitely in order.
07 January 2006
Cereal Made Fun
This cereal dispenser would make for a fun addition to any kitchen. It's definitely on my furniture and appliance wish list, which seems to be growing longer by the day (and the line between wants and needs is growing blurrier).
Sir, You Are Not For Me
I have debated on end this week in regard to my handling of the Marc situation and have come to a conclusion.
Back story: Bar friend wants so much more, and after a year's worth of deflections and rejections on my part I decide persistence is a positive and agree to one date...which turned into two.
Final Analysis: The brakes are on because I am not wowed. And he doesn't get it. Not even close. If he did, he wouldn't have introduced me to his children Wednesday night. He wouldn't eagerly ask what I think about them because "hanging out like this" could be mine. Talk about moving quickly! The sad part is his kids are polite and nice and- dare I say it- a tad fun. In fact, I may like the kids more than I like him. Therein lies the problem. He's brokering his children for my attention and commitment, and there's something fundamentally wrong with that.
Thanks to CC, I received an honest assessment over yummy wine at 404 Wine Bar. It is agreed: I am not being harsh or mean or even insensitive by being honest and putting our friendship firmly in its place. And if he elects to continue his pursuit of me, so be it. I will only relent if and when I am truly wowed by him. Stranger things have happened. But until then, it rather seems like a waste of time.
Back story: Bar friend wants so much more, and after a year's worth of deflections and rejections on my part I decide persistence is a positive and agree to one date...which turned into two.
Final Analysis: The brakes are on because I am not wowed. And he doesn't get it. Not even close. If he did, he wouldn't have introduced me to his children Wednesday night. He wouldn't eagerly ask what I think about them because "hanging out like this" could be mine. Talk about moving quickly! The sad part is his kids are polite and nice and- dare I say it- a tad fun. In fact, I may like the kids more than I like him. Therein lies the problem. He's brokering his children for my attention and commitment, and there's something fundamentally wrong with that.
Thanks to CC, I received an honest assessment over yummy wine at 404 Wine Bar. It is agreed: I am not being harsh or mean or even insensitive by being honest and putting our friendship firmly in its place. And if he elects to continue his pursuit of me, so be it. I will only relent if and when I am truly wowed by him. Stranger things have happened. But until then, it rather seems like a waste of time.
03 January 2006
Brokeback Mountain Viewing
After months of Hollywood hype and then waiting for a wider release in the Chicagoland area, Brokeback Mountain finally came to a reasonably-priced theatre near me. Went to go see it yesterday, and though it was quite good I couldn't help but wonder if my affinity for it was perhaps several degrees less than it would've been had the Academy, the Hollywood Foreign Press, all news and entertainment networks, and the gossip rags not overtalked major themes and overplayed major clips. Don't get me wrong, it was very good. I'm just hoping the handful of others I am still waiting to see don't elicit the same response from me.
02 January 2006
Fancy Water for Your Hair
New from a Hairstylist to the Stars: A fancy water purification device for your shower head. In case you didn't know, those trace amounts of chlorine, chemicals, and other nasties are awful for your hair. Just ruining it! Or so we're to believe. So why not scare everyone into getting an ultra-expensive attachment for their showerhead. Now not just the water you imbibe, but also the water you shower with, will be purer than snow.
