Tuesday, October 30, 2001

Becky

Okay, I'm trying to get back into blog action, but its gonna be slow........

wow, I just saw a picture of steven king in a sleeveless t-shirt rocking out on a guitar for some benefit concert. it was not a pretty sight.

tonight is yoga-we have had a three week absense so I will be in some pain tomorrow. woohoo!!!!!!

Monday, October 29, 2001

Jen

The elder Bush is in the Sears tower right now with Mayor Daley. They are finally reopening the Skydeck. About freakin’ time!

I got new license plates and I hate them. It has Abe Lincoln’s fat head right in the middle of the plate. I don’t mean to make fun of one of our most beloved Presidents and especially his the size of his head, but it makes the plate look so ridiculous. We have been reduced to such states as Texas, Florida and Wisconsin. Illinois plates used to be cool. White and navy blue with strong, bold block letters for Illinois. Plain and simple. Now it’s all “pretty” and script like, and then there is Abe.

Maybe I’m just pissed that the state made me get new plates because mine are old and dirty. So what if they are old! So is my car!

Well, I’m off from the blogging world until Thursday, unless I hook my damn computer up before them.

Becky? Greg? You guys cool with that?

Becky

Okay, all is well. I still have a job (for now) so not to worry! I haven't been as stressed out as I was today in a long long time. it really sucks. but we gotta keep on movin......

Jen

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.*

Must type fast.

Bill is in the house today. I can tell when he is bored, because he brings up obscure references to everyday goings on in the office.

Bill: Jen, I was looking at the calendar and I noticed that every Friday, you have down that the back up tape for the computer has to be changed. Have you been taking home the copy of the tape?

What the? Anyway, every few minutes, I get some random question.

The party went well. No such disasters as expected! I do believe some, pardon my disgusting reference, “Vomit action”** happened in my bathroom, which was not too pleasant to clean up on Saturday. My house looked pretty trashed, but most importantly, it still looked pretty.

I also went to another Halloween Party on Saturday night and their house looked WAY worse then mine, so I felt better. I didn’t have “party film”*** all over everything, just mostly my floors and tables. This place had the film everywhere.

We had a visit from the cops Friday night too.**** They were super cool though.

McPorkers*****: Some assholes called and said you guys were making too much noise. We can’t even hear your party outside. Anyway, just to keep the neighbors happy, keep everyone indoors and keep the doors shut. Have fun tonight.

I’m serious. He said “assholes.” Just as the cops were leaving, the downstairs neighbors came out, which leads me to believe that the owners of hell hound called in the complaint. BOO!******

I’m worried about Beck. I haven’t heard back from her today. I hope all is going well at work.

*I know, horrible reference to song way overplayed in high school. Ah, Scooter. Wait, not that one.
**Because of this, the party can now officially be a “Rockstar party” because it fits into the rules. Now where did I put that rule list again?
*** Party Film- the layer of stickiness that covers everything after a party.
****Ah ha! Rule number two on the “Rockstar Party” list.
*****As my sister likes to call them.
******Not in a scary manner.

between june and september you're all i remember

what a long and exhausting weekend.

i worked at a haunted house this weekend in skokie. i was the mad doctor. i still haven't got all the pomade out of my hair. i hid underneath a table and would roll out and scream every time a group came by. i scared the poop out of a lot of people, but rolling on the floor is not good for the back, arms, hips and ass. i'm sore today. plus, a bunch of people stepped on my hand. but that feels a little better.

sorry i failed to make it out to your party on friday, jenn. sometimes it sucks not having a car and relying on others for your transportation needs. especially when those others have no intention of letting you leave. i was lucky i didn't end up spending the night in lansing, illinois. what a place that is. how was the party? was there drunken debauchery? or at least debauchery?

the shit has hit the proverbial fan over at beck's place. i wouldn't expect to hear from her for a while.

back to oh-so-exciting work.

Becky

Weekends are fun, especially when they help you forget about work.

I would like to send a special shout-out to my sister Laura and my future brother-in-law Mark-I hope you are enjoying the page! Way to use your detective skills to find it.

-ps, I think I hear evil HR coming. could today finally be the day?

Friday, October 26, 2001

Jen

Good news! Coldplay will be playing at the Chicago theater on November 30th! Bad news? It’s $26 for tickets. Ouch. The last time I paid over $15 to a show, I saw U2. I can’t imagine paying that much, even though I want to go and love Coldplay. : (

FYI- I'm fifth in Z's fanatsy football league. Greg, prepare for battle this week. I'm only 1 win behind you.

Well, I can’t write more today because I have to get down to work. So, have fun this weekend everyone, whatever you do.

Becky

Boo on me for missing Jen's party! but alas, I am needed up in minneapolis.

luckily its going to be nice and cold there-woohoo!

Jen is the master pumpkin carver of all time, rivaled only by Ted, her teacher. I was very impressed last night. Greg and I did pretty well with our bat and moon combo even if the moon might be a little top-heavy. I was in charge of the pumpkin seeds. yum.

Jen

Oh no, disaster.

My house is so dirty. Gant has two friends over and boy, are they messy! It’s just that Gant is so neat. He’s spoiled me.

I’m a bit worried about the party tonight. There is so much to get done and I still need the finishing touches for my costume. I always do this before parties. I get myself all worked up because I think it’s going to suck. I don’t know why I feel like I have to be “super host.”

I went to this one party thrown by a good friend of mine. It sucked. It was so boring and he charged us for drinks. Boo for charging your friends money for drinks. Anyway, my goal is to never have anyone walk away from one of my parties like I walked away from that party; a broken and bitter woman. Kidding about the last part.

We carved pumpkins last night and they do look good. Becky and Greg graduated with high honors from my school of pumpkin carving.

I was on the L the other day* and there was the strangest woman on it. She was dressed pretty nice, so I would never had expected her to do this. First of all, she spent way too much time trying to tie this plastic bag. She didn’t get it the way she wanted it the first time, so she retied it again and again. So finally, she gets the bag tied, but she uses her teeth to tighten it. I’m talking, full on teeth action.

She is wearing these knee high boot over jeans** and she takes them off, one at a time, and fixes her socks. Right on this crowded L. I see people laughing, and others, like me, are trying to look busy, because this is an obviously uncomfortable sight. Nothing can top the next part. She stands up, faces the seat and proceeds to unzip her pants and retuck in her shirt. These two guys next to me, who happened to be foreign, began laughing and saying things that I couldn’t understand. If I could translate, I would guess that they would say:

Guy 1: What the hell is she doing?
Guy 2: She-boop-see, she-boop-see. ***

*I’m writing this like I never take the L or something, even though I’m on it every day.
** I should have guessed that this was a little weird anyway. Who wears boots like that over jeans?
*** The only person who might find this funny is Becky, and maybe Greg. I don’t like writing inside jokes on this blog, but really. Think of someone answering a question with she-boop-see, she-boop-see. That is pretty funny. Even translating it from a foreign language to English is also pretty funny. Ok, ok. Overkill, I know.

Thursday, October 25, 2001

Jen

Dear oh dear. She should have had a link ages ago. So sorry, Michelle. : )

Jen

You’re not the first and I think you know it.

Holy crap, a blast from the past. My exboyfriend from Newcastle, England just e-mailed me. Wow, it’s only been hmmm, 4 or 5 months since we last spoke, maybe? I e-mailed him sometime at the beginning of June and haven’t heard a thing until now.

The crazy thing is that I started reading my journal from this time last year. I wrote this long entry about Paul, and just happened to be thinking about how he was. Now, I know.

Kind of like how my Pat had a dream about our friend Pat W. coming home from his road trip. Then he calls the next day. How does that work? What makes someone think of you near the same time you think of them? Life in general never fails to amaze me.

Beck has been doing a great job holding down the fort. I need to get that stupid computer hooked up so I can blog on those days that I’m not here at work! I'll worry about that after the party (a costume party, at my place, Friday, FYI.)

The dog bite is healing fast and quite well. Hopefully, I won’t have a nasty scar there. I feel bad thinking too many evil thoughts about the people downstairs. Your pets are like your children. When they do something wrong, you feel embarrassed and terrible about it. I know they feel bad. . .

So far, their tab is up to $108. That is $60 for my pills and $48 for my jeans that hell hound shredded. Just wait until I get my urgent care/emergency room bill. Ouch.

Tonight, the OK gang will be carving pumpkins. Last year, I did one by myself, but it’s not fun to carve alone. My pumpkin did kick some ass though. I carved the square headed character from the cover of The Plan’s Emergency and I. Posting a picture would be key right about now.

You know what I forgot? Band/artist o’the month for September. Fuck it. You’ll get a combo deal for both September and October in a week.

Damn is it windy out there!

Becky

yo yo yo people, I'm still holding down the blogging fort.

anyday now are the layoffs. I'm thinking monday. then you get the whole rest of the week off right?

Today I almost fell over in the parking lot from a large gust of wind-its crazy outside today and my building at parts is 4 stories high at best-I can't imagine what its going to be like for you downtown people.

check out the new topography for an artist that I hate or that could be called NWAD (not worth a dollar).

ps-I hate wolves vs. sheep I know I should be able to figure it out, but I just don't have the time....

Wednesday, October 24, 2001

Becky

well, we are a little bit boring today. here's the run-down:

Jen: at school and is not connected at home yet so cannot blog today
Greg: hard at work with a new assignment
Me: trying to get through a busy day of work with a headache

We did go to Target last night and that was fun-Jen and I picked up Halloween t-shirts for $5! I splurged for a new hairdryer after the one I have at home started sparking (yeah, thought that was probably a bad thing).

Tomorrow night is pumpkin carving! although I'm mostly excited about eating the roasted pumpkin seeds...on a pumpkin related note, I urge you not to try to make a pumpkin pie from scratch from an actual pumpkin. I tried when I lived in england and wanted to have a thanksgiving dinner (they don't really have canned pumpkin over there-go fig) and of course you have to have pumpkin pie for dessert. yeah, not good, not good at all.

Tuesday, October 23, 2001

Becky

Who's the unluckiest driver in the world?

I am!! I am!!

Who else would get their windshield smashed by a loose piece of flying tire on I-55 on a lovely sunday afternoon?

It really could've been worse as it did not obstruct my view for driving so nothing else happened, but I did shed a tear when writing out my $250 deductible payment. All for a piece of glass and maybe 30 minutes worth of work.

I'm too tired and busy to write much more, but I will tell you this, as much as I too am sick of Champaign and everything that is involved with it (greg being the exception of course), I can't complain too much about $5 pitchers. woohoo!!!

Monday, October 22, 2001

pack up the truck and head out of town

champaign makes me tired. i forgot how much i have grown to dislike that town. it wears me out just thinking about it. the shows went well, we made some decent bank and played some decent sets. i wish sound engineers would let me hear myself every once in a while, but that's a story for another time.

next week is the ultimate matchup in fanatasy football. my team, which is currently in third, against jenn's team, currently hanging out at the bottom of the standings. i'm gonna mop up with her. you hear that jenn?

another one has joined our anti-atr crusade. down with the self-important blogs!! raise the banner high!! let them here our rallying cry!!!

Jen

I don’t mind the weather. I’ve got scarves and caps and sweaters.

How about a raincoat? Isn’t it supposed to rain today?

I love autumn. I love to see leaves change. I love the feeling of putting on your favorite sweater for the first time of the season. I love crisp cool air. I feel refreshed.

I don’t know if I mentioned this, but I got the new Death Cab on Wednesday last week, actually on the night of the dog bite. I’ve been listening to it ever since. It is so very good. I missed the show though. I couldn’t do all that standing. This woman accidentally hit me in the leg with her brief case on the L on the way home Friday. It hurt very, very bad. Standing for 3-4 hours at the Metro, with risk of the bite area being hit again, did not seem like a good thing. Stupid, stupid dog. Grrr.

I did end up having a great weekend nonetheless. I was forced to watch the Northwestern/Penn State game on Saturday with Pat. I learned a lot about the game because I asked a question every second or so. This may be why I am failing so miserably at Fantasy Football hosted by Zook.

Gant and I had an interesting experience on the L Friday night. I have no idea what was wrong with this guy, but I’m glad we only had to be on with him for two stops. He would point at people and swear/yell at them. Then he would stand up, stomp his feet and say things such as “I am the destroyer!” or “You all will die and I will live!!” Ahhh, public transportation. Got to love it.

This Friday, my apartment will be hosting a Halloween Costume Party. If any bloggers are planning to be in the ‘hood, e-mail me and please stop by.

Friday, October 19, 2001

Jen

I’m on hold with Mercedes Benz and the music sounds like it could have been the sound track to Risky Business. Remember that movie? Back in the day when Tom Cruise was actually attractive . . .

The dog bite. Wednesday, after class, I stop by home to pick up some prints for the “Autumn Mixer.” It’s basically a social event for photo grad students so that everyone can get to know each other and their work. Anyway, I run in, get all my crap in order and then leave. My house is enclosed by a fence, which is nice for the downstairs neighbors who have two dogs. I’ve only been exposed to the black dog, which is a real sweetheart. I’ve never petted the other dog.

Ok. I’m in the yard and the black dog runs up to me. While I’m petting that dog, brown dog, which I will now refer to as hell hound, came up to me and started biting my jacket. Being the dog lover that I am, I brushed it off, thinking that it was playing. Then it grabbed my pant leg and I once again shook it off. Finally, hell hound goes for my leg again, ripping my favorite jeans and biting my leg.

The owner pulls the dog off me. My leg is bleeding and I’m in shock. That has never happened to me. I go upstairs, clean it off a bit and sit there. Marisa comes home (who is going to Loyola for nursing) takes a look and tell me to go to the emergency room, just in case. Gant says the same thing. So my wonderful sister, Shell, picks me up and I sit in the emergency for 4 hours, only to have them clean it up a bit and give me some antibiotics. My word of advice. If you want to be looked at right away in the emergency room, call 911. Much faster service. Otherwise, prepare to wait.

The owners are paying for all my expenses, which is cool. Some people can be real bitches about that stuff.

I have 3 holes in my leg from the bottom teeth, and scratches from the K-9‘s and the top four teeth. It’s swollen, bruised and hurts like a mo-fo.

I was so pissed Wednesday night and now I just feel inconvenienced. Like I don’t have three million things to do right now, and I move slower than a snail. BOO.

That’s what’s been going on. Death Cab is tonight- which I still don’t have tickets for. I told you I’m a procrastinator.

Tomorrow, Brian from my Grad classes is having a Halloween costume party. I was thinking about wearing a shirt that says “Alpo” and wear my hell hound shredded jeans. Kidding.

Have a good one, and I’ll see you Monday.

Becky

I learned a new word today: Higglety Pigglety or something like that). Look it up when you have a chance. my boss who's scottish has been coming up with all these strange words recently to prove his fabulous vocabulary!

friday rules hardcore. I'm ready for cheap beer. bring me to it. see you monday :)

Jen

Viva Las Vegas!

These antibiotics are kicking my ass. I overslept this morning and came in late for work. Plus, I’m walking a little slower. Stupid dog.

I’m thinking I’ll start talking about Vegas with a usual top list of events.

1) Air traffic. On our way to Vegas, Pat and I waited for an hour on the runway. Twenty planes had to take off before we could go. Also, there was a screaming baby. Imagine the fun we had! Luckily, airplanes are like Valium to me. As soon as I get on one, they knock me out cold. Back at O’Hare, returning from Vegas, we waited on the ground for an hour before pulling into the gate because another plane was there. It turns out that someone decided, once he/she had already checked in their bags and boarded the plane, that they didn’t want to fly anymore. So, the airline had to open up the baggage compartment and search for this person’s bags. Our pilot gave us a great speech about how if you don’t feel secure enough about flying, don’t get on the plane. He also talked about how he would do everything in his power to make sure that we got to our destinations safely. What a good guy. Pat and I played cards most of the time, so we were busy. Unfortunately, we had these two monsters* in front of us, who were loud and spoiled. Mom just put on her headphones and ignored them almost the entire trip. How nice of her.

2) The parent’s house. It’s a beautiful house with mountain views from almost every window. The back yard, still a desert scene,** is huge and my dog loves it. All we needed was some furniture. The movers did not show up any of the days I was there. This means, no beds, lamps, chairs, TV’s, or really anything. We stood all the time, or sat on counters or the floor. Pat and I slept on a sleeping bag on the floor.

3) Ants and other creatures. Pat and I stayed in this guestroom that had it’s own bathroom. We saw a few ants the first day,
but we figured that there would be some bugs around considering no one had been in the house for the past couple of weeks. Saturday, we see more. They only like our room, our bathroom and my parent’s bathroom. That night, Pat kills about 20 or so in the bathroom and finds where they are coming from- a small break in the molding of the corner of our room. Pat has this problem- if he knows there are bugs, he can’t sleep. We discuss the option of relocating, but that also is a problem. This was the only bedroom with a light. We didn’t want to sit in the dark and hang out, so we stayed. The next day, we got ant traps and killed off the entire population. Or so we hope. Other bugs, cleverly named “speedy” or “hoppy” also got into the house on occasion. The hoppy guys were the coolest by far. When you would open the door to come inside, they would sneak in after you, almost like they were planning it. The looked like mutant crickets.

4) The quest for lone mountain. Las Vegas is surrounded by mountains. You would think it would be easy to find the mountain that just hangs out all by itself. Not so. Of course, in our search, I got to see some incredible landscape, that and a whole lot of ATVs and bullet shells.

5) Treasure Island. My parents like to gamble. This much is probably already evident. This comes in handy at times. They got Pat and I a comp room at Treasure Island, which is a pirate (YAR!) themed hotel. It’s really cool. Please, please go see the pirate fight if you are ever out there. It is hilarious because it is just so bad. Also the room was nice. So nice because there was a bed, chairs and a TV!

6) Gambling with the P’s. We went out gambling with them twice. The first time was interesting. . . Ted takes Pat and I to the strip Saturday night. I put in a dollar at the first slot we sit at and I win fifty bucks. It was so cool! Later that night, I win another 40. I see Ted put in $10 after $10 and it’s kind of disturbing. So we are at this slot machine, Ted sitting next to me and he says,
Ted: Hey Jen, can you lend me $50?
Me: You want me to give you my winnings? I don’t think so.
Ted: That’s ok, I was done anyway.
Yeah right. Of course I tell Pat right away, and we find the story even more hilarious when we are in the car going home and Ted says, “Yeah, I know when to stop gambling.”

7) Roulette. Pat and I have plans to play roulette all weekend. The hotel gives this little instructional booklet on how to play all the table games. So we read and observe. We were planning to go out late Monday night, but it didn’t happen. Tuesday morning, Pat and I get up early before our flight (aka 5 am) to try our hand. So we sit down, get two cups of coffee and start the game. I had this dream the night before that I should bet on 34. That worked out really well, because before I knew it, I was up to $90 on a $5 bet. This is one rule I learned about gambling: know when to quit. I didn’t. I walked away with $47. Still not so bad, eh?

It was a great trip, even with all the mishaps. It was especially good spending all that time with Pat.

I’ll attempt to write about the dog bite after lunch. This is a helluva lot of reading. Sorry.

*4 or so year old twin boys. Just because they are blonde does not mean they are cherub-like.
**Lots and lots of gravel like sand.

Thursday, October 18, 2001

Becky

trash tv is good. I won't even tell you the shows that I watched last night or tell you how much onion dip that I ate.

but its thursday and that is alright to me.

I really don't have much to say these days I guess. I am trying so hard to be positive at work and its sucking all of the energy out of me. Oh yeah! I almost forgot-tonight we are hooking up the old nintendo for a round of California Games (my sis just sent it too me). watch out hackey-sack I rule!

Jen

Do I have a story for you. Unfortunately, time does not allow for me to type it. I will say two things: 1) Vegas was awesome. 2) I love dogs, not dog bites.

Now I have to go and make a police report.

Wednesday, October 17, 2001

Becky

is it friday yet?

last night I ate a burrito and was forced to watch the final episode of love cruise with my friend beth. see what happens to me when you are not in town for yoga, jen? how do they find so many annoying people? I guess its not that hard when you think about it.

are we still carving pumpkins? it might be time for a trip to the pumpkin patch at belmont/lincoln/ashland. ahhhh, city life.

Tuesday, October 16, 2001

Becky

you really should go to champaign because greg is quite the dancer.

I will also be in champaign this weekend, but not to play any concerts. mostly I'm going for the booze and the thought of reliving the "good old days." I did just find out that we are not going to the football game and I can't say that I'm sorry about that!

I got a leather recliner from my sister over the weekend and it is awesome!!!! I normally could never afford that chair so I am kind of happy that its the ugly shade of green that it is so that they didn't want it. here's to free stuff!!

textbook reviews are fun

they're really not. i'm just pulling your leg.

i was just watching all the tall masted boats go down the river. it's pretty neat. they queue up in front of a bridge, then they draw that bridge and the one after it. then they all queue up at that bridge and they raise the next two.

cabs really seem to hate it, because they honk there (this should be 'their.' instead of fixing it, i thought i'd draw attention to how stupid i am. at least i spelled the word queue right.) horns alot. what do they think honking will do? the bridges are at 45 degree angles. you're not gonna cross 'em. cabbies can be pretty dumb.

two shows in champaign this weekend, if you're gonna be in town stop by and say hi. i'll do a little dance for you.

Monday, October 15, 2001

Becky

back to the grind....
2-3 more weeks of stress here, but things are looking okay.

today there was an anthrax scare in the building next to ours so there are all these people just chillin in our conference room/cafeteria-they found powder in one of the loading areas. in times of paranoia its really the practical jokers that have the upper hand, you know?

check out which religion you really "fit" into with the belief-o-matic. You can really put any stock into it, but at the very least it gives you a look at the worlds religions and where they stand on different issues.

I have had numerous people try to convert me in my life. One girl in highschool said that she thought that I was a really good person, but that I was still going to hell. but she did call me her "friend" or whatever that means.

We went to Appleton this weekend but we didn't get any apples. but greg got to see his two best friends (aka my sister's dogs) so he was happy....

Meanwhile Jen is gambling her life savings away on the strip....

Friday, October 12, 2001

Jen

As slow as a rapid city, must be gathering speed here for something.

I’ve had this in my head all week.

Last night, after the lecture at Columbia, I hung out with all the grad students in my class. Wizzo, um, Aaron! I must stop that!!!! He is so nice, just like everyone else in the group. Anyway, one beer turned into five and blah, blah, blah. It was a great time, and I feel less removed from the group.

All of this fun last night caused me not to pack and just come home and hang with Gant. I come from a long line of procrastinators. I know I’ll be rushing to get shit done today, so why fight it?

Well, I can’t write much more, cause I am outta here at noon. Actually, I just got a call from Tim MacDaddy. He has a job as a security guard? This is news. I have to see him in his uniform! I’m stopping over there. See? Of course I’ll be rushing.

Las Vegas here I come! I’ll try to blog in from over there. Hey, Kai! I can hang out with your grandparents! Why do I sound so excited about this? : )

Blog you in a few.

Thursday, October 11, 2001

Jen

Oh, I see you already went to the Art Institute. I’m hoping that you don’t think that I’m one of those PBAS. . .

Jen

It’s been a hard day’s night, and I’ve been working like a dog.

Busy, busy, busy.

My parents officially hit the road Wednesday morning. My mom called me before she left. She was so sad. She seemed so happy that I was coming out there this Friday. Then I began to think about it. Maybe I shouldn’t come out so soon. Maybe I should have let them adjust for awhile. Too late now though. I already have tickets.

Although I had class this morning, I have to head back to Columbia tonight. I have to see Vera Lutter (I believe that’s how it’s spelled. Did I ever mention that I suck at spelling?) speak about her large pinhole cameras. I don’t think I’m all that interested, really. I’d rather go home, pack, clean and relax.

So nice to see Greg finally chime in!

Anyway, tomorrow, I come into work for a couple of hours, go home, get my shit and head for the airport. It takes about 3 ½ hours to get to Vegas, which is really nothing, if you think about it. I’m not worried about flying either. I’m taking America West for Christ’s sake. I can’t imagine terrorists even knowing about this airline. Besides, flying seems so much safer now. That’s probably why I have to get to the airport at like 3pm to catch a 9 o’clock flight. Boo for long lines. Becky seems to know the deal.

I learned some more interesting stuff in class that I really want to share. Unfortunately, I have to get some work done today. Maybe I’ll write about it later. If this photo crap ever gets boring, let me know. I can’t help it that I’m artsy fartsy. I seriously try not to. And yes, I can tell you how to get to the Art Institute or pretty much any museum in Chicago. Do you need directions?

Oh yeah, still no mail. Bastard mail-stealer.

exhausted

so i got to talk this crazy old dude about the terrorism situation. nothing like talking to a crazy old dude about global politics. i'm standing at the bus stop and he just turns to me and says, "what's your take on all of this?" and then he talked my ear off for the next 35 minutes. did i mention he was crazy?

i'm heading down to champaign tonight to play the rock and roll at the courtyard cafe. should be a blast. or tiring. one or the other.

time to work.

Tuesday, October 09, 2001

Becky

Hello from VA!

how are ya'll doin?

I thought I would report back with some local color. It's actually quite nice here-its cool, but the leaves are beautiful and we are not that far from the great smokey mountains. (yeah, they are great and you must call them that)

Yesterday I got to spend an extra hour on the runway and then an extra 4 hours in the atlanta airport. so that was cool.....

check you later!

Jen

Check out the Michael Moore link if you have time. There is a new installment to his writings. This reminds me . . . I am in dire need of paper flags. I’m doing this photo project, and I need a bunch of those terrible paper flags- you know the ones that everyone has been ripping out of the worst newspaper in the world? Um, pardon me, The Sun Times. Anyway, I need a bunch of them, because I may screw up the first few times around when I put my idea into action. If you have one that you would like to give to me, please drop me a note.

Marc, or anyone interested, if you order the new Death Cab on-line through Barsuk Records (click on the Death Cab link on the side of this page), you get a limited edition that has 3 extra songs- including a cover of All is Full of Love by Bjork. If you were at the show back in, hmm, February I think, they played it live and it was sooooo good. Of course, because I ordered it on-line, I can’t pick up a copy tonight like I had planned. At least I’ll have the extra songs and the album by the time I get back from Vegas.

Don’t forget! DCFC will be at the Metro later this month- the 19th, I think.

More music news. Besides Travis being a complete genius (read what he has to say, folks), The Plan will be playing here in lovely Chicago at the Metro on November 25th. You can also order “Change” on-line. I’m not sure when it comes to stores.

I really know nothing about what is going on most of the time.

Anywho, tomorrow is my day off. You won’t be hearing from me, unless I can get the new computer up and running. I just have so much reading to do for class!!! That’s first, right? Not burning CD’s and playing with my new toy. Yar.

Jen

It’s all your fault. I screen my phone calls.

Yesterday night, someone called my house five times and hung up each time. It freaked the hell out of me, only because I also think someone is stealing our mail. I know I sound paranoid, but the facts point there. I haven’t gotten a bill for my credit card for two months, along with the gas and phone bill. I’ve called these companies to make sure that my address is correct and everything looks good. Then, no mail. We don’t even get the stupid “Local Values” anymore. Who would want that shit? Don’t think that I haven’t asked that question. I have no answers, just tons and tons of guesses.

Class was pretty cool today. I learned an interesting tidbit. There is a Color Board (unfortunately I can’t remember if this is the exact name or not) that decides what the colors are going to be each season. So, if you look around you- at ads, TV or even the people around you, you’ll notice that there is similar color scheme. Guess what the scheme is for this season? Harry Potter colors. I kid you not. These colors consist of muted greens, purples, browns, and reds. Can you believe that the colors that surround us are decided by a board of people?

Tonight I’m going to the parent’s house for a farewell dinner. No, I don’t like how that sounds, how about new beginnings dinner? Anyway, It will be strange to see all of the familiarities of my parents belongings suddenly morph into Shell’s and Pawel’s.* When I come home Tuesday, it will all be different, yet strangely the same.

*Sister and brother in law. I think it’s time that I introduced you to them by name.

Monday, October 08, 2001

Jen

Tomorrow- new Death Cab hits stores. I can hardly wait.

Jen

Ahem. What about 65 floors up? Actually, I feel fine.

I just made some popcorn in what is known as the “Worst Microwave Ever.” A bunch of the popcorn is burnt and there is still a lot left unpopped. Boo to crap microwaves.

My parents are unbelievable. For some unknown reason, they decided to have their phone disconnected on the 8th even though they’ll be in the house until Wednesday. It’s not like some strangers are moving into the house next! It’s my sister and her husband! Anyway, I have to call them on their cell phones. It’s just ridiculous.

I got a lot of reading done today, so I’m feeling good about that. Now I have to get scanning! I need to scan pics for Greg’s band’s CD that I would like everyone to purchase. You know who you are.

i'm not gonna say i'm not a little scared.

it's a little frightening sitting 33 floors up in downtown chicago with all this shit going on. everytime i hear an ambulance or police siren, i get a little nervous. and i know there's nothing i can do.

champaign was fun. i didn't see atr, but i did play the rock and roll music very loud. hooray for loud.

Jen

Tell me, have you seen her?

Besides being a song on the banned list, I’m very curious if Greg made any sightings. Is she just like we remembered? If so, I pity your poor eyes.

Anyway, today is a glorious day due to the fact that there is no Bill at work and I can wear jeans and do homework. Woo hoo!

The weekend was good and sad too. My parents leave Wednesday. I’m going to miss having my mom around. My mom, sister and I are tight. I mean, we lived out of a one bedroom apt for a good five years. I hate breaking the triangle. Or at least extending it.

Here’s a top 7 breakdown:

1) Dinner at Amchi’s. I got to spend quality time with the fam., even if we did discuss my aunt’s underwear.*
2) Do the Monkey! If you are a dork** with a palm pilot, go to this site and get palmasutra. When you are at gatherings that you can’t handle, such as the one I was at on Friday night, look at it and make jokes about porn. (Thank you Jon for letting me borrow it.)
3) I HATE drunk girls who like to show too much skin.
4) Gant is like Martha Stewart, only hotter.***
5) Ok, so Beck and I are at Flounder’s, and I see one of the waiters that we see**** at Fizz come in with this girl. Well, I’m looking at him and he’s looking at me and so I have to say something. I tell him that we always come in on Thursdays and he says. “I have to quit working there.” Anywho, he and the girl relocate to a table near us, and well, they get a little “close,” causing Becky and I to say “get a room” to each other a couple of times. We had a funny Onion-esqe title for this, but I can’t remember it now. Damn.
6) Serendipity has a dirty, dirty hippie in it.
7) I got a new computer! That means blogging from home!!!

*My family doesn’t normally discuss this, it’s just that there is some strange stuff going on with my aunt on the east coast where she lives. It involves underwear. And how freakin’ uptight she is, but that’s just my take on the story.
**I don’t have a palm pilot, but it doesn’t mean I don’t want one. I can’t believe I just admitted that.
***Does this statement mean I think Martha Stewart is hot? I didn’t mean it like that.
****We never get him, we always get the d-bags who throw us our beer and give us dirty looks. Somehow, we end up asking this guy for drinks because our waiters ignore us, and he delivers beer with a smile. Now that’s service.

Becky

Okay dudes, I am outta here! Have a great week everybody and I will do my best to blog from Virginia. Here are some quick notes on the weekend:

-sometimes its good just to hang out with your dad (w/o your mom/other family members)
-flounder's pub is the bomb
-Serendipity was cute, but not the greatest
-I am in awe of marathon runners

ps-have a great trip to sunny las vegas, Jen!!!

Friday, October 05, 2001

sorry about the lay-off. ooh, shouldn't have said that.

so everyone here but me and this other girl got laid off on monday so i've been keeping it on the down-low all week. layoffs are a drag. i'm heading down to champaign this weekend, and i promise to check in with all nanette sightings. have a good weekend. more blogging next week.

Jen

I think that's all from me today. See you Monday.

Jen

So it is official. I will be heading to Nevada next Friday. I’ll be there for five days. Of course, I’ll be spending one day picking out new appliances to replace the ones those bastards took, but I won’t be in Chicago. Alleluia!

Also, today is my mom’s last day at work. She seems so sad. She has been their computer guru for the past 35 years. Imagine working at the same place or doing anything for 35 years. I’ve been working here for almost five years and I still have problems comprehending that one. 35? Crazy.

The weekend seems pretty tame. Pat will be busy working on projects most of the weekend, so I won’t see him all that much. That’s fine because we will be spending all that time together in Las Vegas. Did I mention that he is coming with?

The girls of the blog are hanging out on Saturday. Hopefully we will go out and pick up some guys . . . Uh, I mean stay at home and watch movies. Yeah, that’s right.

I need lunch.

Jen

We hope they treat you well. We hope you don't work too hard. We hope you get to be happy sometimes.

Boys, you keep changing your format. No more pretty colors . . .

Where do I start? Here is a quick review of some interesting things that went on during the week, NOT in ATR style.

My parents flew home from Las Vegas last Sunday. On Monday night, I call my mom to chat and she’s crying. Why you ask? Some asshole broke into my parents Vegas home and took, get this, the dishwasher, the oven and the range top. I bet you are wondering how someone would a) know that my parents would not be there Sunday night even though they were there all weekend, b) know how to disconnect all of these appliances and c) have a vehicle, inconspicuous enough so that they could remove the appliances from the house. Oh! Did I mention that they didn't harm the house in anyway? They didn’t take anything else? It was an inside job. I’d like to have a word with those construction bastards. “Honey, there’s this house I’m working on. Do you want a new dishwasher?” GRRR!!! I have been pissed about this all week!

My mom thinks the house is doomed. I don’t know what to tell her. Actually when she told me this story, I told her to call management of the subdivision and “tear them a new asshole,” which probably made matters worse. Ah, my big mouth.

Of course, I had class all week, which was all together pretty good. Wizzo, er, um, Aaron, the guy in my graduate program, said something to me Thursday. He kind of muttered it, so I don’t know what he said. It kinda sounded like, “you’d look good without any clothes.” I’m pretty positive that is not what he said.

Tuesday! What I’ve been waiting to write about! Ok, so I’m downtown, taking some photos of the new building that is being built on the corner of Dearborn and Adams. I’m just about to leave the site when this guy with a hardhat walks up to me to ask what I’m doing. After a short introduction, he asks me “How would you like to take some photos from the top of this building?” Before I know it, I have a hard hat on, I’m taking this construction elevator up to the 29th floor, and then I’m climbing two 15 or so feet ladders to the top of the building. Incredible! With Ralph (the guy who took me up there) as my tour guide, I got to walk on corrugated steel beams, watch a load of steel be lifted from the ground to be unloaded, watch beams being welded together and of course, see the world from 35 stories up, with nothing surrounding me. I took tons of photos. And to top it off, next time, I get to go into the crane. Bring it on.

Oh yeah, it gets a little windy that high. Hold on when you are looking over the edge.

Becky

Well, things are not the best right now and I don't want to say anything until I know for sure. But everyone is just stressed out here at the office. We have three weeks until we find out who gets laid off. 3 weeks! do you think any work is going to get done?!

I am still getting ready for my trip to one of our plants next week. Good ole Amherst, VA-yeehaw!!

on a lighter note, wings rule and fizz is the coolest even if the wait staff are d-bags.

on a more serious note, not all people with dark skin are terrorists, just in case you didn't know. When American citizens are being pulled off planes because the fit the "profile" things are getting out of hand. (I will now step down from my soapbox, thank you very much)

Thursday, October 04, 2001

Jen

It’s not what you say. It’s how you say it.

I learned a little lesson about that today. These are wise words from familiar faces.

Is our little blog falling apart? Becky? Greg?

Actually, I know what is going on with all of us. So much is going on, as a matter of fact, that is has left us kind of speechless. We want to write, but everything is changing. So, if you have time today, send Becky a virtual hug, because she needs it, give Greg a hearty handshake for being damn lucky and a hard worker, and give me a pat on the back for finally getting my act together.

I’ll try to write more later. Remind me to talk about Tuesday!

Wednesday, October 03, 2001

Becky

I have three words for you: Voluntary Severance Plan

this is for the 20-30% workforce reduction. welcome to the real world.

Monday, October 01, 2001

Jen

I am dead last in Fantasy Football. My goal was to sit back and see what my team can do. Obviously, it can't do anything. Damn.

I went to the library this weekend. Although this is not earth shattering for some, it is for me. Don’t think that this is because I don’t like to read, or find new books. It’s because I associate library with school, and therefore don’t go. Now, I’m back and I had to do research. I am so rusty at that. It only takes 9 months to get out of the swing of things. I give props to anyone who decides to continue their education years after they finished with school. It is hard work.

Thanks to one of my favorite cable stations, the History Channel, I saw the Man who Saw Everything (at least I believe that was the title of the show) which is about Nostradomous’* predictions for the future. It’s scary how right on he was about a lot of things (basically everything up until this point.) He said that the 3rd world war would start in 1999 and last 27 years. Thank god he was wrong, or at least off. But hey, 1,000 years of peace are to follow!

Hopefully, I’ll be back tomorrow. If not, Thursday. That seems so far away!

* I cannot spell. It is a proven fact.

Becky

Can't blog alot these days. I can't say I am not a little worried about my job. Not that I like my job that much, but I do like the paycheck and I've never been laid off before and it kinda scares me.

So I am trying to look good and work really hard but we'll see how long that lasts.

But on a lighter note, greg and I also saw Zoolander yesterday (although I have to say I was a little nervous about it) and it was pretty darn funny. that owen wilson is a good guy.

However, even funner was that we were at the movie theatre really early cause we went without knowing the exact time of the show, and we had like 45 mins to kill so we sat in the theatre next door and watched the end of Glitter. wow. that mariah is somethin alright. I shed many a tear. but don't worry, I won't give away the ending cause I know you all are dying to see it.

Jen

This morning, I was hit* on by a bike messenger. Is that good or bad?

Today is my first full day back at work. It’s seems slightly unreal after last week, probably because I am not the grumpy person that I usually am on a Monday morning here. I’m happy, probably because I know I don’t have to be here all day tomorrow, or actually, at all tomorrow. He he. Lots of probably's.

So this weekend was pretty good. On Friday night, I went to an event called the Pilsen Art walk. Pilsen, well, West Pilsen, really, is a complete ghetto.** The east side is nicer; that's where the walk took place. Pat lives in that area- between east and west- so we walked over there. The art walk allows for all the artists that live in that area to open up their studios and let the public come in, look at art, hopefully, purchase art and pick up some booze along the way. There is a reason why a large artist community lives in Pilsen- not so good of an area = big spaces for little rent.

I really didn’t see all that much art that was worth remembering, but I will tell you that the studio spaces are INCREDIBLE. I can’t even describe how jealous I was of the studios. A bunch of them opened into this beautiful courtyard, reminiscent of something that I would see/imagine in Europe, with wild flowers and fountains. It was slightly magical. Here is this neighborhood, with shootings not even a mile away and then there is this artist haven.

This only happens once a year, so catch it next year if you are in Chicago. It is well worth it.

Time for a little work.

*Not hit by one. Although that would probably make for a better story, and first line.
**What I mean by this is that it is not safe to walk around there at any time. Many, many shootings have gone on over there. Remember when that kid shot a cop this summer? That happened in west Pilsen.