Dior Sunglasses and the LaSalle Street Bus
There are certain activities that I just know will be interesting before I even do them. Riding the #156 bus during evening rush hour is one of them. By the time the crowds of people pile on at Madison, there is a 100% guarantee of having an interesting exchange or happening of some sort with a fellow rider. This evening was no exception. And it involved not one person but rather the whole front half of the bus.As we lurched down LaSalle, PR Waif kept adjusting her Dior sunglasses atop her head. The same sunglasses I never see on her face so much as on top of her head. Sure, most women push back their hair or utilize sunglasses in this fashion for short periods of time, but PR Waif will wear the glasses atop her head all the time. And really, I'm sure it's because she's showing off the Dior name. In the office, in meetings, on a plane, on a bus, in gloomy weather (like today), or in the darkest of night, there will be the glasses--atop her head. So as the bus screeched to a halt before we rear-ended a car, it's no surprise that I felt a shot of bitchy glee tingle through me as I watched PR Waif's Dior sunglasses fly off her head and disappear. As she cried out about her lost possession, I couldn't help but crack wise about the sunglasses and her distraught nature. In a matter of minutes, all of the surrounding passengers were in on the gentle ribbing and I had a nice little pool going about where the glasses would be found. (Sorry Blond Betting Boy and Dark-Haired Mystery Man, you were off by several rows of seats. It's too bad you got forced to the back of the bus by the crabby driver before the glasses were located and positioned- once again- atop her head (Yes, really). You would've enjoyed the celebration when the glasses were found and would've really enjoyed the comments directed at the glasses by my friend (e.g. "I'm so happy I found you, my pretty.") Wish you could've been there to cheer with the rest of the crowd.)Yes, PR Waif loved the attention. And the joviality made for an unusually enjoyable commute. I wish I could take this bus more often. It would do wonders in making my daily commute faster and more entertaining.
Afterglow-worthy
Dear DXB:That above-average evening was not only noteworthy, but afterglow-worthy. Apparently we (you) are...evolving...as the years progress. (Read what you like into that) Perhaps the summer will be especially interesting after all.Smooches,MoC
Liz ~ Your perfume will long remind me of my college years; your handbags and business coordinates will remain some of my smarter business casual travel togs. Design away in the great beyond.
H2O Warehouse Sale
How did I spend my morning? Getting up at the crack of dawn to drag my happy ass to H2O's one-day only annual warehouse sale. Getting there at 6:45 has its perks. I was in the third wave of ladies, gay men, and unhappy husbands to pour into the first tent and then wait patiently to be allowed into their warehouse, where all of their yummy products were available to the public at a fraction of their retail cost. I got about $500 worth of products for $112. (Can we say birthday, thank-you for collecting my mail, and Christmas presents?)It was quite the sight to behold, and the H2O corporate folks were all really patient and kind and have this whole thing down to a science (this being their 9th year and all). Because they limit the number of people in the warehouse at a given time, there's no pushing, shoving, screaming, yelling, or bitchiness of any sort. It's just one great big blow-out sale, where the prices just can't be beat. Now it's nap time. Getting up that early on a Saturday with that much morning activity is just insane.
Bliss
Winter vacation 2007 has been officially booked. St. Martin (again) for another blissful week of sun, sand, surf, hot French men, and an endless supply of Bacardi. Divine, I tell you.
Not Leaving Well Enough Alone
Even though I have as much knowledge of the situation as the next person (unless the next person is someone like Patrick Dempsey, in which case, I will completely defer to him), I'm willing to bet that Isaiah Washington is an outright liar who is incapable of leaving well enough alone. If things really went down like he says they did, why is this story coming out now, after his reprimand, after his community service PSA, and after his firing?This isn't the first time this guy has had problems on set, from what I've read, and I'm willing to bet it won't be the last. I mean, really, no one likes a trouble-maker; people downright detest an angry, volatile trouble-maker. Unless it's creating a minor uproar among celebrity gossip hounds, in which case my eyes and ears are open--and I'm mocking every word they say. Anyhoo, if he wants to take the high road, he should wise up and keep his mouth shut; find a whole new project to which he can devote his energy and leave his former castmates alone. Seriously, Isaiah, this is getting old and we just don't care anymore.
Enjoy those millions of Pounds -- and being 25. Ah, 25. That was a good year.
In odd news, Chileans misplace a gigantic lake. I hope there were no people that mysteriously got sucked away as well.
I would hope that this isn't going to happen anytime soon because I sort of like The Office just the way it is. But if I had some Schrutebucks to bet on the idea seeing eventual fruition, I think I'd be a rich, happy person.
Losing Control of My Self-Control
Why is it that I have no self-control when it comes to indulging in a sweet treat sitting in a candy dish on my co-workers desk? To my credit, I have managed to avoid it for the past 3 days (no thanks to my longing stares and other coworkers oohing and aahing over the candy). But today I broke down, enjoying one tasty chocolate-covered macadamia nut cluster, which surely packs enough calories and fat to make me practically not be allowed to eat anything else at all today.In the greater scheme of things, the bigger question is why did I feel the need to put anything in my mouth after enjoying a filling lunch at Cafe Bacci?
How odd to have a billion people sharing one of 93 last names. Yes, 93.
Back from Beijing
High (and low) lights of my second time in this polluted metropolis (and subsequent travels to and from) include:* Had the opportunity to travel on ANA from NRT to PEK. The comp upgrade on this leg was much appreciated (thank you, ANA counter personnel) and the service was impeccable. A nice surprise over all considering I have only sold them to travel agents [ah, I miss my former life] and have never had the chance to actually experience them--until now.* Getting sick sick SICK my first full day in the city. Me thinks it had more to do with something funky I ate on the plane (I never should've been adventurous enough to try that scallop. Airplane scallops? Yeah, not so smart) than all of those Bacardi and diets with some coworkers the night I arrived. Really. So...I ended up missing out on the Temple of Heaven--but the upshot is I got more sleep in that one day than I got the remainder of the trip. Nice.* Found a good (yes, really), hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant about 5 minutes from China World Hotel. Noodles do come from Asia so I suppose it's no surprise they can make a decent lasagna.* Happened across a fun Mexican restaurant not far from the hotel and right down the block from the Pearl Market. It had all of the staples for a good night: excellent guitar player/singer who knew all 60's/70's/80's/90's songs, good apps, excellent margaritas, and a plethora of outdoor seating on the one cool night in the hot-hot city. Oh, and the woman who owns the restaurant hails from Iowa; this was her haven for U.S. ex-pats (how many of them are in China, though? Besides her and her brother. It seemed like there was more to this chick's story).* The show was really, really good. I- and all of my coworkers- should be really quite proud. * Found what the locals consider to be "the best restaurant in Beijing." It's on the top floor of the Pearl Market (and is a name that is beyond my comprehension to spell or pronounce), and has excellent Peking duck in addition to an assortment of other tasty treats. The over all experience- including the food and presentation- remind me a lot of Jumbo's in Hong Kong, only on terra firma.* The flight home yesterday had not one but two people pass out on either side of the bulkhead aisles. The woman who went down in front of me has been drinking, so she was dehydrated and inebriated and for awhile there she looked like she was going to puke (which would've had no happy ending for me). Luckily, nothing bad happened and she turned out to be fine. Not sure what the story was for the man on the other side of the plane, but he seemed fine, too, once they got him checked out and up and moving. Still...excitement.No staying late for any sightseeing this time around. Already saw the Great Wall and some other interesting Beijing features. I was excited to get home, get rested, and call it a day on this mainland China business. This event was one that really kicked my ass. Since returning, I have begun to catch up on my life here, complete with a symphony of cicadas throughout my town. When I left on the 1st, I literally watched the last stages of two cicadas birthing themselves in front of my building's front door. It was truly disgusting (Ok...and slightly cool. But really, more disgusting than cool). Slightly more than a week later, the shells have been swept away (or eaten?) and now the clumsy, flying creatures are harmonizing outside my windows and rustling around in my trees. Did I mention it was truly gross? Well, it is. And yes, I am a gigantic big baby for being so darn terrified of them. But I'm not keen on infestations from any creature, flying or otherwise. I hope they can get going with this mating thing and buzz off.
Cicada Watch
I thought I would get lucky and have this whole cicada infestation thing pass by my town. Over Memorial Day, I drew more than one sigh of relief that I had moved from the River Forest-Oak Park area, as I nearly drove into oncoming traffic as I drove down Chicago Avenue, staring in disgust at the little buggers clinging to trees and lamp posts. I told myself that if my little corner north of there was going to see any cicadas, hopefully it would be while I was in China so I wouldn't have to see any.The rain yesterday must've made it easier for these creatures to birth themselves from the ground because I saw more than a few on my walk home from the train and even more just a few hours later as I was heading off for some Bacardi and diets down the road. I'm listening to them prattle away right now and am sending lots of thanks that my town will be under siege while I'm gone.Cicadas, I beg you! Please do your business and go away before the middle of June. No offense, but you're really super ugly and annoying.
