I went to Chicago, and then I joined the army

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Last weekend I flew to Chicago for work. We have recently opened a new studio there, which is appropriate, because we are successful, in large part thanks to Miss Chicago herself, Oprah Winfrey.

chicagoI adore this city. I haven’t been to Chicago for about 10 years (boy, that makes me feel old) and it is even better than I remember it. The city is so clean and the people are helpful and friendly. This is a huge adjustment when you are used the the less-than-attentive customer service you find around LA.

I fell in love with the employees of our new studio and learned so much about living in Chicago during our brief chat over lunch. One girl bought a brand new, 1-bedroom condo in a cool, young, hip neighborhood for $225,000. Holy smokes! And it is only about 100 square feet smaller than mine. We won’t even mention the difference in price as I find it makes me a little ill.

Anyway, all in all, what a lovely trip, even if it exhausted me to the point of “almost tears”. I will have to return for a visit in the winter to see if I could tolerate living there. One girl told me that it was fine, “as long as you invest in a good winter coat”. She told me hers is good down to 20 below. (Gulp, Where’s the sunscreen?).

I spent yesterday recuperating after my long, 7-day work week, complete with 10 classes. I fell into bed after my night class and a good dinner filled with vegetables.

army capLast night I dreamed that I had joined the army. I was riding in a truck, with a small bag of stuff, wearing fatigues. We arrived at some remote location where we boarded another bus ~ but I left my small bag of belongings on the first bus thinking I would be returning for them. I soon learned that I would not be able to retrieve my things, which included many sentimental items. When we arrived at our training site, a drill sergeant looked us over and I, unfortunately, passed inspection. I was then required to find my way, blindfolded, to my barracks and unpack. At this point, I started to scream, cry and throw things around the dusty yard, yelling that I had left my things and that I didn’t want to go to Iraq. I woke up whimpering.

I have no idea what that is all about. Any interpretations?

Or perhaps I just listen to [URL=http://www.npr.org/]NPR[/url] too much.

happy, happy birthday.

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Happy day of birth to the rockin’est brother in the world.

sneer

I hope all your birthday wishes come true.

Sunday Funday Music

Filed Under random shuffle | 3 Comments

I haven’t posted any music lists here in a long, long time…

So, I’m turning Thursday Random Shuffle into Sunday Funday Music Mix
If you were not a reader last year, here’s how it works:

I will press shuffle on my aliPod and report on the first 10 songs that play; No skipping or apologizing (and it’s hard sometimes not to blush). Perhaps you can be reminded of a favorite or find a new favorite. Or maybe you’ll just laugh at my taste in music, which is quite possible…

So, here we go again. The first 10 songs that played on my aliPod today.

*1. Into The Groove by Madonna on The Immaculate Collection
*2. Summer Breeze by Seals & Crofts on Summer Breeze
*3. I’m Sensitive by Jewel on Pieces Of You
*4. Spitfire by Prodigy on Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned
*5. Desert (Thievery Corporation Remix) by Emilie Simon on Paris City Coffee
*6. The Air That I Breathe by k.d. lang on Drag
*7. Murder Was the Case (Remix) by Snoop Dogg on Murder Was the Case Soundtrack
*8. Pony by Ginuwine on Urban Legands, Vol 1.
*9. Linger by The Cranberries on Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?
*10. Man On The Moon by R.E.M. on Automatic For The People

Thoughts on this mix: A little funny. It started of so well and felt summery and free, but then, Spitfire came on and ruined it. It got back to some free, easy music and then, my man, Snoop came into the mix and stirred it up again. Weird. Just weird.

Today’s Favorite Song: Summer Breeze (And I liked it before it was in a Gap commercial)

Emotional Response: It’s was a little hectic…and disconcerting.

Lyrics I love:

I have this theory that if we’re told we’re bad
Then that’s the only idea we’ll ever have
But maybe if we are surrounded in beauty
Someday we will become what we see
‘Cause anyone can start a conflict
it’s harder yet to disregard it
I’d rather see the world from another angle
We are everyday angels
{I’m Sensitive}
***

Until next week, aliPod out!

Oh, Vegas.

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I go to Vegas about once every 1.5 years…

And each time I am reminded that it really isn’t my favorite place. But it was fun to get away and play. I gambled for the first time ($30 on the 25 cent slots) and it almost gave me heart palpitations. I just don’t get it. I danced some. We saw Zumanity. We sun-bathed (me in the shade).

Here’s a picture ~ click on it for more…

[URL=http://www.flickr.com/photos/11155154@N00/sets/72157600755576328/]kissmoney[/url]

Last week’s highlight.

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I went out on a weeknight. Yes. This old maid. Last Wednesday…

Every year we celebrate Sujata’s 21st (ahem) birthday with a night of Karaoke. Very fun! Loads.

This year, though, I had to leave before I could get up to sing a cheesy pop princess song.

gals

Oh, and I cut my hair last month (June 6th). And I love it short again.

This weekend, I’m headed to that big old city in Nevada, where there are lots of strippers and it’s really hot. Yes, Caddy, Tinachola, Tiffwitt, JNic, Megsals and I are headed to the strip! Photos will be in good supply when I return, I’m sure…

keep looking »