Becky

Happy New Year!

That's right, I am at work. sounds like fun, doesn't it. well its not. boo on work. I could be sleeping right now for gods sake!

But really, the weekend was good and I do have the day off tomorrow. Let's see here's a fun rundown of the goings-on of the past few days. please stop reading if you don't want to read a boring list, thank you very much.

1. looped around midway 10 times waiting to pick up nancy (this takes about an hour in case you were wondering).
2. got hit on friday night by the most over-the-top italians of the chicago persuasion. but you can't complain about free drinks and appetizers.
3. found out I like dirty vodka martinis (good thing gant gave us a cocktail shaker for xmas!)
4. had to drive greg home at 8 am saturday morning (you owe me!)
5. saw The Man Who Wasn't There and enjoyed it. that billy bob sure can smoke a cigarette.
6. oh yeah, my check engine light has been on since friday. yip.
7. watched office space (again) and slept in jenny's bed with nancy. (yeah, thats hot)
8. braved the crowds at ikea and got any awesome mirror and a wok for $10
9. woke up this morning and cursed being an adult and having to go into work although alot of other people have work off.
10. just found out we get to leave at 12. bonus. have a great one!!!!

ps-thanks for the LV magnet, Jen in case I forget. you know my fridge loves its magnets!!

Jen

It's a strange condition. . .

I’m back! At work, unfortunately, but back. Holy crap is it cold here! I didn’t miss that for one second.

It’s sad to see my Very Vegas Christmas end. I had plans to blog on Wednesday, but with blogger down, I was not able to post. There is so much to write about!

Christmas in Vegas is an interesting experience. Las Vegas itself is an interesting city. If you expect something about anything, it is completely opposite there. (Yes, vagueness is key with me.) For example, my parents took me to eat at the Cheesecake Factory in Caesar’s Palace Forum Shops, and to my astonishment, the stores were open with normal business hours. Another thing that Mjarc, The Pike and I found out is that you can have open alcohol on the strip. If you want to carry your beer from casino to casino (or in our case, an 18 pack of bud light), so be it.

Let's start on Tuesday: As I had mentioned earlier, I was forced to go to church on the night of Christmas day. I was NOT looking forward to it at all. I have to admit I was slightly curious when I found out that the church is right on the older part strip. It's a bit, well, lit up. Pretty much how I imagined it would look like. Ok, maybe it was a bit more tame. The priest didn't look like Elvis.

Like I said before, I usually find church a huge bore, but the priest was pretty funny.* To be a priest in Vegas though, I expected nothing less than a showman. I just think that it comes with the territory. He asked people to raise their hands if they were visiting Vegas: “Holy Smoker! You decided to come to Vegas for Christmas?"

Then after church, I went shopping. Everything was open, and it gave me a chance to free myself from the parents for a short while. I bought some very tacky items for the rest of ok+3, so you two better like ‘em.

Wednesday, I got some reading done for my big ass research paper that is due with in the coming weeks. I took my pooch for a walk, played on my K.A. color palm pilot that the p’s bought me for Christmas and basically hung around waiting to hear from Mjarc. I was so desperate to hang out with people my own age, it was almost disturbing.

Anyway, it is really pretty unnecessary for me to really go into our night on the strip, especially because Mjarc did it so well. So basically, I want to thank you and the Pike for such great night.**

I got home very late Thursday morning, giving me only 4 hours of sleep before having to get up and go to the airport. It was such a strange morning, because my mom woke me up crying because she shrunk two of my sweaters. Now, I was slightly upset about the sweaters, but even more so, because my mom a) wouldn’t let it go and b) she was just SO upset about it. It made no sense. Then she said it was because I was leaving and such and that she didn’t want me to leave mad at her. It was a sad morning, and yeah, I miss her.

I get to the airport and my flight is delayed by two hours. Mah Jong, I love you. That game is awesome. It was my only savior.

I finally get to my sisters by 8:45 pm. Pat calls me, and because I just can’t say no, I end up at Club Foot.

And that is the end of my Christmas, Vegas style.

*This does not mean I’ll be a regular attendee to church.
**I am so thankful I didn't get stopped for a random bag search at the airport. I'm not quite sure how I would explain the keychain.

Becky

Bring on the weekend!!

Greg is hungover today (hehehe). he has been a slacker blogger all week. this is mostly due to the fact that his stupid place of employment keeps letting him go home early. what is up with that? shouldn't it be a rule that we should all get to go home early??

We missed our Jen at the wing fest last night. although I did not partake in any of the eating of the wings. They just seem gross to me these days. Every week I have eaten a few less and last night I just went straight for the mashed potatoes. yum.

the dentist was OK, but I am going to have to get a tooth pulled sometime next year. not really looking forward to that one.

Tonight is the fancy dinner with the u of I girls. we are doing this instead of getting xmas presents for each other. I just hope that they like the restaurant, or I'll never hear the end of it......

Becky

Hey-la, hey-la the blog is back.

I was a little worried there for a time because work is so quiet this week that if I did not have my blogs I would not know what to do!

Jen comes back today (I think) so we'll have to get back on track for the movie viewings, although it doesn't look like the Royal Tenenbaums is going to be the movie of the century............

At 1:00 today I have to face my fear-the dentist. I hate going to the dentist. I mean my dr. is okay and all (a little wierd though-he plays the bagpipes and homeschools the kids), but I have the worst teeth and I almost always have cavaties. I thought it was bad when I was a kid, having to go through the pain and all-novocaine doesn't always work on me-but now I have to go through the pain and pay like 30% of my bill which is not cheap. boo.

but its thursday and thats cool, although there's not much for me to do tonight......

Becky

Please, AOL, I just want to cancel my account. I don't want to have to make any excuses and explain to you how you cannot make AOL any better, I just DO NOT WANT IT!!! but I know, this is hard because you are so based on customer service. boo.

good thing no one is here at work today so that I can spend time on the phone with AOL hehehehehe.

This was my first holiday season spent living totally by myself. I have lots of friends and family and I had a great time this past weekend, but its still wierd go to bed in an empty apartment by yourself on christmas.

I have to say though, I am in a much much better place now than I was a year ago. Last year at this time I was sure that my roomate hated me and that she was going to move out and that we were never going to be friends again. my bf was far away and I had no one to talk to and I took vacation from work thinking I would do something fun and did absolutely nothing besides stress out and eat. but this year all my new roomate can do is meow at me, I spent the entire christmas celebration with the bf and his fam and it was great and I'm still friends with my old roomate and I have a great friend that lives just blocks away and goes to yoga with me every tuesday. but not to worry, work still sucks so its not perfect, right?

Becky

Hi Jen!! Hi Everybody!!! Merry (vegas) Christmas!!!

Well, glad to hear everything is going well (and quite warm) out in Nevada. Its pretty darn cold here right now, but what can you do. The greg family xmas is quite fun I have to say.

gotta run! see you soon!!

Jen

Later on, we'll conspire as we dream by the fire.

When I was young, I would always change conspire to perspire. Those were the days.

See? I said that I'd be back later. Hmmm. 11:40 Vegas time is 1:40 am Chicago time?

Anyway, It was cool spending some quaility time with my mom today. It so strange to come out of Best Buy and see these incredible mountains. Ah yes, I am from the great plains. Can't you tell?

Speaking of shopping, every store besides Office Depot (a personal favorite of mine) was packed. I knew this of course, but I wanted to return Rush Hour 2 (that I got for my step-dad, and he already bought for himself) before it was reduced to a $9.99 DVD. See, I bought the damn thing for 22 bucks, and then I saw it on sale for $19, and when we returned it, it was only $16.

It was also surprisingly warm outside. The forcast said "low 50's" which apparently means "shorts" for some people out here. I was comfortable enough in in a long t-shirt and jeans. I guess by Wednesday, it will be up to about 57, so I psyched to spend some more time outside.

This is also my first Christmas Eve ever in a casino. My parents said that they wanted to go to "Santa Fe" to get some smokes, which I thought was the name of a convenience store. Then we pull up in front of this massive casino. I told my parents, "isn't it sacreligious to be gambling on the eve of Christ's birthday?" Ted then asks, "are you going with us to church tomorrow?" to which I replied, "not if I can get out of it."*

Turns out that it is the most depressing casino ever, making me the only person under 25, no wait we'll go even higher, 35, in the whole place. I think the most depressing thing was that there was all these really old people all by themselves, sitting at video poker or something like that, on such a family holiday. We didn't stay too long, thank god, because I couldn't handle it. Plus, the I Dream of Genie slot kicked my ass.

Due to what Ted said, I think I may have to go to church which will be the first time in many freakin' years. As a child, I remember being so bored I would get angry. Let's hope that I've grown out of it.

Technically, it's Christmas in parts of the world, so early Merry Christmas.

*Yeah, I was raised a Catholic, but it doesn't mean I am one. You get it.

Jen

Chestnose roasting on a open fire. . .
Jack Frost nipping at your nuts. . .

I always get those two confused.

Yup, I'm in Vegas! The flight took off late, but I still pretty much got here on time. National is a strange airline. Actually, I should say, it is cheap for a reason. There was NO movie, only one drink for 3 hours and a wierd snack pack which included a "honey roasted turkey stick." mmmmm. . . turkey stick. No wait! I was absolutely disgusted by the turkey stick.

My p's took me to the Hard Rock Cafe for dinner and then we came home and chilled.

I woke up with a sore back this morning, so I did the sun Salaute a couple of times (Beck, are you proud?) and now I am getting ready to go to a couple of shops to finish off some last minute Chritsmas shopping for my p's.

So, I'm off. Expect to hear from me later. :)

Jen

I cannot wait for this day to be over.

You'll probably hear from me in Nevada because I will be all alone without a single friend.* I'll just have my p's. and my loveable, but neurotic dog.

Good thing I have some company to look forward to. Mjarc, ready for Roulette?

*Doesn't this just make you want to cry? sniff, sniff.

Becky

How is the onion so funny?

gossip gossip gossip.... why am I still at work? why won't they let us go? I have very important things to take care of!

Jen

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas.*

Or of deserts and cacti. Or of monkeys.

1 more day in Chicago until a Very Vegas Christmas.

Thanks for that. Besides Monday night, I have not gotten more than 5 hours of sleep a night. Vegas will be a great time to catch up on sleep, and spend way too much quality time with my parents, but let's not think about that part. : ) I don’t know how I’m keeping my eyes open. Do you remember those old Tom and Jerry Cartoons, where Tom would use toothpicks to prop his eyelids open? Although I know that would be extremely painful, I seriously need to do something to keep them open.

Anyway, last night when I was trying to go to bed, Pat made me sit up to watch the video to “Where’s your head at” by Basement Jaxx. I'm glad I did, because the video is very cool although I had very odd dreams about monkeys and mad scientists. Today, I can’t get the damn song out of my head which has a lot of “where’s your head at’s” in it. I don’t know the rest of the words, but I will say that the song is pretty rockin.’

FYI: We did exchange presents yesterday at the office, so I'm not as bitter as yesterday. I didn't get the ultimalte shaft like I had expected (meaning no bonus and no party.) I'm still slightly disappointed that there was no party, because it kind of defines the holiday season. That and snow. It doesn't feel like it's going to be Christmas in 4 days. I don't know if it's because I'm older and the "magic" of the holiday season just doesn't happen anymore for me, or if because the right "signs" aren't there for me this year. Last night, I actually told Pat that giving presents on Christmas is pretty silly. Example: Pat gets me a cd for Christmas and I get him a cd. Why can't I go out and just buy it myself? This morning, I'm feeling a bit different about it. . . Crap. I have no idea what I am babbling about. Just give me some nog and Christmas carols and I'll be in a festive mood. Fine, and maybe snow- but only when I get back and all the streets in Chicago are plowed.

*Yet another fine Christmas tune covered by your favorite (any artist/band goes here.)

Becky

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

This is the phrase that I heard in the lab about a million times this week. there's a dude named tim so the other dudes kept saying that to make fun of him. quite hilarious the first, maybe second time. after that, not so much.

Also, the made me listen to only christmas music in there. To be honest with you, there are not very many christmas songs out there, but there are many different versions of these songs sung by a bunch of jackasses who think that their version of "have yourself a merry little christmas" is going to be the one that people really get in touch with. whatevs. good thing its just me in there next week cause I am hording my vacation days so I can listen to whatever I want.....

greg is home already-boo on that. I want a short day too! do you hear me bossmen?? I do get lunch today which is cool.

ps-just planned a trip to lynchburg, VA for the second week of january-yipppeee!!

Becky

Target makes me thirsty.

Seriously, though, I'm always dying by the end of a shopping trip to the target on logan/clybourn. it a trick because I always end up buying a drink there. like a don't spend enough money there already! last night I was obsessing over the present I have to get greg's aunt for the grab bag. I need to spend $40. I also need to get a camera case and picture album. I got the album but the camera cases were too cheap! I can't get to the $40!! but it was a fun trip. trips to target with jen are always fun.....

Jen

I’m so sorry for being so bitter my last blog. At least we get presents . . . or at least I think we do.

I’ll be happy tomorrow, especially knowing that I’ll be in Vegas for 4 days!

Jen

Have yourself a merry little Christmas. . .

Bah humbug. Seriously. I don’t ask for a lot from this job. I’m pretty satisfied making crap money, getting no benefits and doing way more than I should for my salary. The one thing that I do ask for is a Holiday party. Ok, maybe not even a party, but a Holiday lunch. Guess what we are getting this year. Absolutely nothing. Say it again.

I like the people I work with A LOT. I really like my boss. I don’t want to be bitter, but I’m feeling a bit Scrooged at the moment. Boo.

I was having a pretty good day until now. Grrr. I hate being upset.

Oh yeah, and the stupid library was closed yesterday. Oh! And Columbia has the nicest security guards ever!

Me: Hi. I was wondering if you knew when the library closed.
Bitter asshole security guard: There is a sign on the door.
Me: I was here yesterday, and there wasn’t a sign then . .
BASG: It’s on the door.
Me: Ok.
I unwillingly walk to the library door, scan all signs and still find no sign with holiday hours.
Me: You know what, I looked at all the signs and there is still no sign with the hours. You wouldn’t happen to know when the librarians left. Or you know, when the library closes?
BASG: It closes at five.

So, I wasted ten fucking minutes of my life looking at a door with no signs only for this BASG to tell me what she could have told me in the first place.

Becky

Hour House,
One full hour everyday,
Hour House,
2 Michelle's and 2 DJ's
Hour House,
at 5 o'clock and once again
Hour House,
Here on WGN

I think it was somewhere in the early 90's that WGN aired this commercial for full house re-runs. All I know is that I love Madness and the people at WGN are quite clever (and I also used to watch the hour of TV everyday after school-there's nothing like a big dose of danny tanner to help you unwind, you know?)

Hanukkah shopping was easy. Why is Christmas shopping so hard?

saftey meeting time....

Jen

Do you think it's a bad thing when the people at the Mexican place you go to for lunch know you and what you order without asking? I love the Burrito Buggy chicken quesadillas. MMMMM. And they threw in extra guacamole!

I was going to write something else, but I forgot. I shouldn't blog just for the sake of blogging, should I? I'm not used to working on Wednesday and having such easy internet access. Usually, I'm brought down to the level of sneaking time in the Grad room.

Oh crap, I should just keep working.

Becky

boo for being sick. but yay for the holidays!

Hanukkah was a blast, what can I say. my sister got drunk and was getting a little friendly with my uncle who she usually hates.....my other sister was showing us pictures of the horse that she wants to buy.....(is she rich? no, does she think she is? yes)......we spent most of saturday at marshall fields watching my sister agonize over what crystal she wants to register for her wedding (I never want to hear the words "registration regret" again-just pick something, dammit!)......and greg had to sit through two car rides with grandma hearing fun stories about the history of Greendale, Wisconsin. you are jealous, I know.

work is busy, what is up with that? but not to worry because next week everyone will be gone and I will be sitting here with nothing to do but read your blogs! yay!!

I missed mary last night :(

...........so take these broken wings, and learn tlo fly again, learn to live so free......... oh yeah, liteFM

ps-pre-made cheese fondue smells like feet. but it tastes really good, I promise. just don't ask greg.....

Jen

There is a new link to Thinking of Hesterman. I like Mike Quinn. I think he is funny.

Jen

I was a kaleidoscope: the snow on my lenses distorting the image of what was only one of you and I didn’t know which one to address as all your lips moved.

Snow, why did you come? I thought we made a deal, you know, you couldn’t happen until I’m out of the state?

Because of my procrastination and Becky’s cold, we missed yoga. I took off yesterday from work to do 2 things- print out some Christmas presents and go to the library to further research my paper and renew some books. Well, I spent most of the morning hanging out with Pat, which was not in the game plan by any means.* Then I get to school, at yes, 3:45. I don’t even know what was the point of taking off! Anyway, I finished 3 prints for gifting purposes.

Here is where I get pissed off. I get to the library at 7:45 and it’s closed. No note on the door with winter break hours, no one around to tell me why it’s closed, just me, pissed off with a bag full of almost overdue books. Since they are overdue as of tomorrow, I have decided to make the trek over to Columbia today and hopefully do what I really wanted to do yesterday.

Since I stayed up way too late on Monday night,** I couldn’t get to sleep at all last night. I finally made Becky’s mix CD, which I have only been promising to make for the past 6 months. I did a couple of headstands, made some stuff on PhotoShop and then watched Conan with Jimmy Eat World. Cool.

Too bad I’m exhausted and there is no coffee because the coffee maker is STILL broken after almost a month. You would think we would have a new one by now due to the rate that coffee is consumed in this place, but no. I don’t know how everyone can be content buying a cup of coffee every morning, maybe even a couple times a day, depending on who you are. I, on the other hand, give my coworkers the puppy eyes as they go to buy coffee and pray that they’ll bring me some back. Ahh, the life of a scavenger.***


*Not that I didn’t like it or anything.
**Pat and I rented One Night at McCool’s or something like that. It has some funny parts, although I wouldn’t say I was comic genius. There were too many parts of “Liv Tyler is sooooo sexy” kind of things going on. Anyway, I was actually surprised that Paul Reiser, of Mad About You fame, could play a more diverse role than what I am used to on TV.
***He, he. It just worked too.

gary idiana, ambush motherf*cker

that's a quote from the gangster rap group who was recording in the back studio while we were laying down vocals last weekend. they tagged the studio as well, but i still think they were pretty nice guys. they bought me a 40. 40's good.

beck was out sick today, and i took a half day so the blogging was a little depressed. to our 7 readers, i apoligize. actually, our stat-tracker tells me we have more, but i think it might just be trying to make me feel better.

me and the beck just watched rush hour 2. imagine rush hour 1 with less plot, as if that's possible, but it killed 97 minutes and that's all that matters.

working on a sex farm

time for sleep. i'm so pathetic.

arggghhh.

Jen

When you sleep, where do your fingers go?*

Finally into blogger!

Ahhh, my winter break has begun. Too bad I have to work here all week. I do have Tuesday off though. I'm planning to go into school and spend some time in the darkroom printing up Christmas presents. They are mostly for my parents - you know, stuff to hang in the new Vegas home. Which reminds me . . . a Very Vegas Christmas starts in less than a week, so you'll probably hear from me a lot due to boredom.

This weekend went by so fast. I swear, it feels like ages ago that I was eating potato pancakes** at Beck's house. Gant and I also put up the Christmas Tree this weekend. Usually, I manage to light up the tree with only five strands of lights. This year, I had to make two separate visits to Walgreens to get more lights for a total of, gulp, 750 lights. I feel like Chevy Chase in National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. My tree looks pretty though!

I have the awesome*** job of sending out the office holiday cards this year. Wait! I do it every year! It's just such a painful experience that I block it from my memory. Anyway, we only send out 375, which isn't a lot really, if you think about it. Again, who am I kidding! I don't want to stuff, seal, label and stamp 375 freakin' cards! Ah, that's why I get paid the "big bucks" here.

At least I finished the address list this morning. Hmm. That still leaves me with the above four steps. Damn!

I'm already fearing for the state of my hands after this. Last year, I had approx. 1 paper cut per finger after the holiday card experience. Not again, I tell you.

* A question to ponder.
** Nice job, Greg, for working not one, but two frying pans at once!
*** Note sarcasm.

Jen

I got this forward this morning.

Deep thoughts....by Jack Handey

The next time you're having a bad day, imagine this:

You're a Siamese twin.
Your brother, attached at your shoulder is gay and
you're not. But you only have the one ass.


Feel better?

Yes, I do. thanks for asking.

Wings at Fizz was fun as usual, even though the waiter thinks I like him or something like that. See, a couple months ago, I think it was, Becky and I saw him at Flounders (this bar by Webster Place) with this girl, showing all sorts of PDA's. Anywho, Brian, Kit, Ian and Dustin, regulars at wings, decided to tell our favorite waiter about this incident. One day when I was walking to the L, I saw him, and gave him the nod- you know, because I could tell he recognized me.

Last week at wings, he sits down at our table and we talk about the two encounters. We start kidding around about how I am stalking him. A litttle later that evening, I'm headed to the ladies room, and the waiter, oh hell, his name is Brendan, stops me and says that if I admit to stalking him, he'll admit to stalking me. What?

Point being, this week, I thought things might be weird, but he basically annonced to the restaurant that I'm some sort of stalker. Yeah, it's in my personality type.

Three more things of note from yesterday. 1) Brian and I created the game Knife, Sheep, Lighter- very similar to Paper, Rock, Scissors. Somehow, don't ask me, sheep beats lighter. 2) The quote, "You don't want air to turn on you." came about when discussing why Ian couldn't give anyone a ride home. It was because he had a lot of air in the back seat and air can be moody. 3) Kit tried to sell Becky and I an area in Madison on "22nd Street" for only $1,500. There are bongos, archery and good food.

We are dorks. It is now a proven fact.

Bring on the pancakes.

i know it's a little lame to post something from someplace on the web, but i like this. it's from espn.com's page 2 colimnist the Sports Guy (who is damned humerous). take a gander at his columns. i think you all loved this movie, i know i did.

"Remember the movie "Just One of The Guys," where the star (Joyce Hyser, who hasn't been heard from since) switched high schools and pretended she was a guy for a newspaper column? And she ended up falling in love with her best friend, leading to the climactic senior prom scene, when she ripped open her shirt to prove she was female, and her buddy said, "Where do you get off having (bleeps)?"

Memorable scene, underrated movie (and not just because Billy Zabka was prominently involved, or that the little brother was a borderline comedic genius) ... but more importantly, it represented one of those rare times when boobs were actually used as a plot device. This needs to happen more often."

booze on thursdays is a bad idea. okay, maybe not bad, just no smart. my head is aching like a frying pan full of bacon. i'm so lame.

Becky

Well, here I am. its friday and this is good but I am one tired girl.

greg and I are very good at making potato pancakes-they key is the right balance of onions/salt/pepper. This will be proven tonight at the 2nd annual potato pancake hanukkah fry-off.

tomorrow is family day. greg is especially excited because we get to pick up grandma in Milwaukee on the way up again. and she is a hoot let me tell you (atleast when the packers are on and she wears her brett favre jersey and "PACK" broach).

meetings meetings and more meetings, what is a girl to do.

charge!!

Jen

I get up at 5am so I don't need those dreams that I used to have*

Actually, I get up around 7:20 in the morning. I think Beck wakes up around then.

So yeah, I’m forgetful. Anyway, I like to post our Band/Artist of the Month near the beginning of the month, not when it’s already half over. Part of the lateness is due to the fact that I like to discuss these things with the other 2 of us. Greg was too busy whispering about us at the other end of the table last night, so Becky and I decided.

We think Change is good. Actually even better than good.

They are the only band to ever make it on our list twice.

November Band of the Month: The Dismemberment Plan

I was going to tell a little story about when we saw them at the Empty Bottle last year when they first made it on the list, but uh, I was drunk. Probably best to just leave it at that.

Here is the list of past bands for you reading plasure.**

July: No Doubt
August: Hey Mercedes
September: Radiohead
October: Modest Mouse
November: The Dismemberment Plan
December: The Sea and Cake
January: Built to Spill
February: Hagfish
March: Death Cab for Cutie
April: Smoking Popes
May: Pat Benetar
June: Travis
July: Jimmy Eat World
August: Rufus Wainwright
September: Guns 'n' Roses
October: Coldplay

*Today's song quote is from Following Through, by the Plan off of Change
**Here is my normal spiel regarding our picks: These bands were chosen due to heavy rotation in our minds, hearts and CD players. Mind you, Band of the Month does not necessarily mean the band just put out a disc or they are playing a show. Also, a band may appear twice on the list, like this month.

Jen

We get so far and then it just starts rewinding.

So I ditched class on Wednesday. What are you going to do about it?

Pat and I got to spend some quality time together, shopping and whatnot. We were not harassed by street preachers, but we made fun of the guy who had to stand in front of the Sportmart on Clark and shout out all the sales.

I once was stopped by Greg’s said street preacher, who likes to hang out in front of the Old Navy on State Street. He said my skirt was too short or something like that. I’m fairly sure he got the finger in return.

Speaking of Greg . . .

Holy mother fuckin’ shit!* Look at the size of Greg Roooooos! blog! It's so big! (That sounds slightly sexual. Ummm . . . no.)

Yay! Two weeks off school for the Holidays!!! Unfortunately, I have to work a week of that. Fortunately, I will be having a Very Vegas Christmas for four days. Maybe, I’ll see a fellow blogger as well.

Columbia has the stupidest class schedule. So, I have two weeks off, then I go back for 2 ½ weeks and then I have break for 3 weeks. Who thought of that?**

My day is almost done. WOO HOO! Let’s have some of the drinky-drink at Fizz.

*Pardon my language!
**I actually know the reason why, but I can’t be bothered to explain it. Sorry.

happy happy day

i am now engaged in the very difficult task of deciding the track listing for our album. 11 songs is a lot, and it leads to an incredible amount of combinations. some sound better than others, but most of them sound very similar. how do you decide?

in a bizarre change, all of my fellow bloggers have abadonned me. it's usually the other way around.

time for a story . . . a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away me and beck were walking down state street and some street corner preacher was yelling at people. i was smoking (a nasty habit i have) and he yells at us, "hey you two! you'll never get into heaven smoking cigarettes!!" which reminded me of that bible story (sorry beck and all other non-christian people) where jesus turned water in to wine. doesn't that suggest jesus liked to take a swig of fermented grape juice every so often? so why do hardcore christians frown on drinking (and by extension smoking) so much? if the big guy did it, can't i?

speaking of street preachers, we used to have this preacher who would preach on the quad down at the U of I. preaching may be too nice a word. he would basically yell at anyone who went by about how and why they were going to hell. he had this one great story he always told about this sinful girl who would go down to the supermarket and buy the biggest cucumber she could find. i'll let you fill in the rest of the details yourself. that seems an awful lot like preacher porn to me.

i met nash kato, formerly of urge overkill, the other night. he was setting up to do some midnight mixing after my band left the studio. he is one odd dude. very nice, but also very odd. he has a hard time getting out what he wants to say, but he tried real hard to make conversation. hard to believe his voice was once featured in pulp fiction.

i've been babbling too much, but i just don't feel like working. i guess i better before i get laid off. talk to you all soon. wings tonight at fizz if anyone wants to fly in.

i hate people

not all of them. just most of them.

beck is out of the blogging for the day. she's meeting and making people angry all day. i'm jealous.

sorry my blogging has been pathetic lately, i'm a pathetic human being. as homer once said, "i'm a living joke."

the cubs are doing everything they can to make the team suck as much as possible in 2002. let's see, they refuse to sign anyone who can hit. and now they wanna sign a guy who can't throw or hit. curses!!

ps-Happy Birthday to Nikki Sixx...........43!!!
pps-his real name is Frank Ferranno

Becky

These pretzels are making me thirsty!!!

I got in trouble at work today. Unfortunately our cafeteria (aka small room with a couple of tables, a fridge and a couple of microwaves in it) is right next to our conference room and they were having a meeting in there today. I was just minding my own business and some other people were being loud so the boss came in to shush us. I then go to purchase some pretzels from the vending machine for lunch and what happens? they get stuck. so I ask one person to shake the machine and they start to come loose so I totally forget about the meeting next door and start cheering people on to save my pretzels and the boss walks back it and I am thouroughly ashamed of myself. boo.

Jen

Becky's favorite musician ever was on XRT today, talking about his music. Aren't you so sad that you missed him?

Today has been so busy, especially trying to figure out this whole health insurance thing for me. Good thing I work where I work.

I have to get more stuff done before I go. . .

Becky

Can't talk much today, but I wanted to let you know that today is the second day of Hanukkah. The funny part is that yesterday (aka the first day of H.) greg and my sister (also Jen) and I saw this guy riding his bike, at about 11:30 am, with a menorah taped onto his helmet. first of all, those things are big and heavy which must have been why he was riding really slow and sitting up abnormally straight.

I went to dinner at my friends place in wrigleyville at about 8:00 and one of the girls walks in and goes, "I just saw a guy with a candle holder......." and I yell out "oh my god" mid-sentence and realize that it was the same guy. Do you think he rode around all day? I have never seen anybody celebrate Hanukkah like that before.

Jen

I’m on the highway to hell.*

I think Becky and I went crazy at the Gap. How can you resist 15% off on top of merchandise that is already on sale?

The weekend always seems too short. I swear I was just here (work) . . .

Anywho, Becky is usually the one with the car adventures (aka, tire to windshield, window not working, brakes not working, etc.), but it was me this weekend.

Yeah, so I’m driving down the Kennedy, and the next thing you know, I hear a pop, a squeal, all sorts of weird noises. I can hear something dragging under my car. Then it stops. So I think that maybe I caught a piece of something under my car. Then it starts again, and then stops. I look in my rearview mirror only to see cars that were once trailing me, back off and change lanes. So, I pull over. I look under the car to see a piece of metal, still attached to my car, also touching the ground. I make a couple of calls, one to Pat and one to Pawel (my sis’s husband) and both tell me the same thing; it’s a heat shield that really isn’t super necessary. I try to kick it off my car; I also try to pull it off, no such luck. That means I have to drive with it on and either hope I make it to my destination with it on or have it fall off.

This freaks me out for two reasons: 1) if the piece comes off, what if it get me or someone else into an accident and 2) I just found out on Saturday, that I no longer have health insurance. Yeah, if something happens, I’m screwed.

Back on the road, I hear scraping, I smell burning (tastes like . . . burning) and cars are once again moving away from me. And then it’s gone. It just falls off.

Yeah, I’m fine. It scared the hell out of me though.

*Nothing like a little ACDC to start your week off.

Becky

oh wait, where are you right now?? would you have any fun if I wasn't around to provide you with an apartment and a car?? plus, I blog every day and they are very interesting thank you very much. just remember that you wouldn't have dancing bush without me!

welcome to the jungle, welcome to the junglllllllleeeee

I just want to say . . . .i hate jen. thank you and goodnight. i'm the loser of this blog . . . oh no that's becky.

Jen

No one reads us on the weekends. That's probably because we never write. That has to change because Greg has this kick ass (KA) laptop and does not use it to blog. Hmmm, makes me wonder, because he's sitting right here, and yet I am using the laptop.

Interesting.

Jen

Yeah. That part of Maneater- "Woh-oh here she comes" - I hate it. Drives me absolutely crazy. Also the backing vocals of the Oates guy sucks. Remember when there was some scandal that Hall & Oates didn't play there own guitars or something like that? I barely remember that because I think I was like 5 years old.

I have come to the realization that I tend to hold grudges against bands and band members for actions that weren't necessarily towards me. I still have a problem with stupid Alkaline Trio (besides the fact that I don't think they are a very good band) because of a feud of sorts a couple of years ago. Now this whole Haymarket deal. I also saw this tool- Dale, from the once known Ghetto Love label, that screwed over a friend of mine. I really have no reason to dislike the guy (of course, except for the fact that he is definitly a tool). What's my problem? I need to let go, or to quote that Oasis song, "Don't look back in anger." Or whatevs. So I don't like them. Who cares?

More birthday fun continues tonight for Pat. It looks like the destination is Club Foot. I'm also hoping to get some holiday shopping done this weekend, if someone is interested. Then again, you are probably busy because of all the sisters arriving in town.

Sunday is dinner with Pat's p's, so that should be nice too. I also don't have any homework that needs to be done this weekend, so full relaxation is planned. Excellent.

God, I need a nap.

classic like vlassic

that's my new saying. i know it sucks. you don't have to tell me.

another long weekend of recording. too much tracking too little time. but on the plus side i get to play with my laptop in the studio which should be fun. or funner. is funner a word.

we just had the longest meeting ever. our boss is one of those people who asks you a question and wants you to give the answer she's thinking of and when you don't she keeps prodding and prodding and prodding until she finally gives up and gives her answer. suprisingly it's just a rephrased version of what you've already said. i hate bosses. especially self-rightous ones.

i also hate lazy people. it's a shame i'm so lazy.

classic like vlassic.

Becky

So I have been reading all of these blogs lately where people write very interesting things and get personal and they are very interesting and I really really wish I could write so eloquently. I can barely even spell eloquent.....

but I supposed life goes on. today at work our server was being silly again so i have been bored. good like I had a dancing george bush to keep me going. I also got a new post-it pop up dispenser that is pretty damn cool.

I am having a whirlwind visit from both of my sister's this weekend so it should be interesting. my what different lives they lead. One is visiting to stay in a hotel downtown with her fiancee so they can register for wedding gifts and the other is taking the bus from madison where she just moved to from dropping out of school among other problems in kansas. wow. good thing I am the stable force in the middle.

Seriously I now have stupid hall & oates song in my head (because your kiss is on my list). you know how I feel about this!!! Maneater=bad!!

ps-I'll give you some rod stewart songs.....on a downtown train........

Jen

Your kiss is on my list.

Like that’s not a good Hall & Oates song.

I am cashed. I got 3 ½ hours of sleep last night, thanks to the fact that I overslept and got to work late. Remind me to never, ever be talked into going to late night drinks at Estelle’s. That damn place is open until 4!

Yeah, so I went to the show at the Bottle. Here are some things of note:
1) The Empty Bottle is an awesome venue. Although this seems like the most obvious statement, especially if you have been there before, I need to reiterate it. The place was fairly empty, so I had a nice place to sit on the stairs and still get to see the show. Also, their beer prices are awesome, for instance, $1 Huber Bock (is this spelled right?) and PBR. Such a deal.
2) American Heritage is LOUD. I forgot about that. Eugene’s brother, Andre, kicks ass at guitar, even if he did play a flying V.
3) The Haymarket guys were nice yesterday and played fairly decent, so they are in my semi-graces for a little bit. NOT FOREVER. One thing, they need to realize that they do not look good in tank tops. They all wore them in different colors, making them a creepy rip-off of some boy band. Yeek.

And how could I forget . . .

Happy 24th Birthday Pat.*

*I was going to get all mushy here, but decided to edit it out for your reading pleasure.

Becky

Okay, I'll put in Journey and Foreigner, but there is a ban on Hall and Oates-I just can't go that far......George Michael, however, is in.

Now, check this out...

Jen

Every pirate is a little bit crazy. You, though, are more than just a little bit. You can be a little bit unpredictable, but a pirate's life is far from full of certainties, so that fits in pretty well. Arr!

Mad Anne Bonney? Is that really me? That pirate name thing is hilarious. And you know how I love pirates.* ARRR!

Becky, I was thinking about the artists on your LITE FM station, and I too have a weakness for sappy love songs. And you know how I love the sappy love songs.** So, I’d like to contribute a couple of things to your list.

Journey. I am such a sucker for their crap. Here are a list of songs that everyone knows and loves:*** Faithfully, Don’t Stop Believing, Separate Ways, Lights, and Open Arms.

Foreigner. I like “Waiting for a girl like you.” I hate to admit it, but it’s true.

Hall and Oates. Some of their songs are okay? Okay?

The tracker thing that we have had for the past three weeks is pretty cool. Unfortunately, I check it all the time to see who finds our page on random searches. Here are some interesting ones: “new small scanners that looks like a three hole punch,” “axl erin- everly –brockovich –o’grady,” “gant borrow husband,” “photos of teenagers doing yoga,” “funny cartoons on medical scanners,” and of course, our favorite, “drunk girls.” Just bitching here, but who types in searches like this? When I want to find something, my searches consist of as little words as possible that are usually direct. Is it just me? I dunno.

*Abraham Lincoln was kidnapped by. . . pirates?
**Is this getting old?
***Ok, maybe not loves, but definitely knows.

Jen

It’s getting late and now I want to be alone.

That’s how I’ve felt almost every night this week before bed. My brain is busy with thought, my body tired from work.

I am pooped. My critique went well today, as it should because I’ve only been working on this damn project all semester and been going at it hardcore all week. I was at the lab late last night, and when I got home Pat called and wanted to go out and celebrate him finally finishing finals for this semester. My response was that I’d meet him at the bar at 12 0r 12:30 (only a half hour after I got home last night). Next thing I know, it’s 2 in the morning and Pat’s calling me to see what’s up. I was out like a light last night.

I had to get to class early today too, so I’m feeling a bit groggy. Otherwise, I’m in a good mood due to the excellent critique and also the free lunch I got from Columbia.

Or, it could be from this beverage I'm drinking. There is nothing that an egg-nog latte can’t cure. And you know how we love the nog.*

Wow. Becky has been holding down the blog all by herself. Good work.

Tonight it looks like I might be subjected to an entire boring set of the Haymarket Assholes at the Empty Bottle. Pat ran into one of them at the bar last night, and he got added to the guest list. I was hoping to get out of it somehow, but I haven’t seen Pat all week and I miss the guy. So, if you have any earplugs you’d like to lend me, I’d be more than happy to use them accordingly.

Actually, good thing though, my friend Eugene’s older brother, is in American Heritage, which I do appreciate. They’ll be playing at the show tonight too. So, if you are a Chicago resident and plan on going to the Bottle, only say you are there for American Heritage or any of the other bands besides Haymarket Riot.** Thank you.

*Roommate, Gant, and I love “the nog.” I don’t like it all the time, obviously, but it’s definitely good around Christmas/Hanukkah (yo, we down with the Hanukkah here) time, and definitely with rum. Yum.
**I have a dislike for them that has gone on for awhile now. To sum it up, I believe that some of the members are assholes and can’t appreciate when someone goes out of the way for them. Also, their music is a Fugazi rip-off.

Okay, I found this on the Hesterman blog and it looks pretty cool.....

If I were a James Bond villain, I would be Octopussy. I enjoy the circus, jewellery smuggling, and dealing with renegade Russians with nuclear bombs. I am played by Maud Adams in Octopussy. Who would you be? James Bond Villain Personality Test

Becky

Well, the week is almost over. This is good. I was reading throught the NormalBlargs ring yesterday and stumbled upon RollerSkateSkinny and was pleased to find out that 2 nice Jewish girls write for it so I don't feel so alone anymore!! For those of you who might not know, Hanukkah starts Sunday night so you can start sending us presents asap.

I don't know if its the fact that I am getting old or the fact that I am not scared to admit it now, but I sometimes find myself quite enjoying Lite FM. Here are the top 5 artists I would play on a Lite FM station if I was a DJ:
1. Phil Collins (the king of Lite)
2. Stevie Wonder
3. Steve Winwood ("Back in the Highlife Again" was the song I heard yesterday which got me thinking about this)
4. James Taylor
5. Billy Joel

Alternates: Elton John and old-school Whitney Houston

So there you have it folks, my tribute to Lite FM-a calming source when I am stuck in Traffic and have even grown sick of all of the CD's in my trunk.

ps-have you missed my special feature? there have been no exciting bday's to report lately.....

Becky

What a busy day!! I went to the eyedoctor and I am going to get contacts which is a new step for me (very exciting, I know). I am also going to get my haircut today which I am so excited about because it has grown way too long and it starting to itch the back of my neck.....mostly I am looking forward to getting my hair washed-that is the best feeling!

too much stuff to do for one day!

ps-I was searching for someone's phone number in our directory at work today and found out that we have a guy working at one of the plants name Stubby Stubblefield. I would like to meet him someday, that is for sure!

My eyes hurt. bad. I feel like Willam. I have been trying to do those stupid eye-3d's pieces of crap for the last 10 minutes and I got nothin! but on a lighter note the day is almost over!

No Yoga tonight-jen's got some work to do and I have some resting to do, but maybe I will do some home practice so that my back feels better. plus it scares my cat so its pretty funny. last night I spent like the whole night in my bedroom-the new setup is awesome. between my computer, tv, comfy bed and lots of reading material, the only other place I really have to go to is the kitchen to get food.

Thanks for the link, Champaignful....

My pirate name is Captain Mary Bonney. Arrgh!

Becky

Morning all!

I heard about this guy on the radio this morning. He's offering 10 G's to the person that introduces him to his wife. An interesting tactic I do have to say.....

more later.

quote from when becky was mistaken for a man. it isn't exactly correct because i was profoundly hammered when it happened

bum-type guy: can you spare something man?

becky: i'm not a man, i'm a lady

bum-type guy: i know that and if you called me a bitch i'd slap you like one.

something's lost in the translation from intoxicated to english.

the studio was very frustrating this weekend. nothing beats arriving at ten and not laying down a note until 6. that's a long time. especially when you're locked out.

Becky

Okay, so do you remember that kid who played Andy on Family Ties (the little brother?) ? Yeah, he turns 19 today.

I also found out that about 93% of homes in Denmark consumer wine. even France is only at 85%. yum.

Jen

We just got a new wreath for the office and the scent is so strong. It’s almost like I have a freakin’ pine tree up my nose. It’s starting to make me sick!

Jason, I hope you don’t mind that I am posting you with a link to your e-board site (I don’t have the other address; I misplaced it) and that I am posting the dream that you had. It’s very funny.

yah. so you appeared in a rather banal dream last night! i dream about once or twice a year, and they usually feel like some sorta dali concoction, but nothing terribly strange happened in this one. we were walking through chicago, going to various photo studios, trying to find you a job. the last place we went to, we were told that the boss was a really big fan of brit'ny spears, so you gave her a spears doll in an attempt to brown-nose. it didn't work. you were still jobless at the end of the day, but were cheered up when we started talking like elderly jewish people. and then i woke up.

Strangely enough, that sounds like a typical day for me. Even the part about the Britney Spears doll and talking like an elderly Jewish woman.

Beck, that whole "being refered to as a guy" thing happened to me once. It was winter and I had a hat on, and the chick at dunkin' donuts, said, "What would you like, sir." My hair was sticking out at the bottom of the hat, and I had a purse, so I thought I was good. That's probably why I don't like wearing hats anymore. Oh well.

Here are some pick-up lines/turn-downs that I got in a forward. Yeah, so some suck. What are you going to do about it?

HE: Can I buy you a drink?
SHE: Actually, I'd rather have the money.

HE: Where have you been all my life?
SHE: Hiding from you.

HE: Can I have your name?
SHE: Why? Don't you already have one?

HE: Will you go out with me this Saturday?
SHE: Sorry. I'm having a headache this weekend.

HE: Is this seat empty?
SHE: Yes, and this one will be if you sit down.

HE: Where have you been all my life?
SHE: Where I'll be the rest of your life - in your wildest dreams.

Becky

Oh yeah, monday morning gotta love it. Luckily it should be better than last monday without a problem.

My apartment is finally starting to come together wonderfully! okay I have been living there since May and it has been fine, but now I got my desk and computer (thank you Jen!) and an organizer in my kitchen and lots of good good stuff.

anyhoo, sat night was super-duper fun-I do like hanging out in the wicker park and the cab ride isn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. It cheaper than going to lincoln park half the time! One thing that happened to me this weekend which was very annoying is that I got called "sir" or some other sort of "man" reference by people on the street at like 3 different times! all I know is that if you are trying to get me to give you money or buy your candy or whatever, at least refer to me as my proper gender. I mean I have really big hair-its pretty obvious that I am a girl.

Jen

Is something wrong with me?*

The coffee machine is dead again. As an office, I know that we don’t make enough coffee to kill a coffee machine every six months or so. Yet, here we are without fresh coffee today and probably for a couple of weeks until someone does something about it, which most likely, will have to be me. Now I’m not a huge coffee drinker or anything, but this morning I needed it. I got a lot of sleep last night, so you don’t think I’d be tired, but I was. I’m feeling better now, but that’s also because it’s already after noon. I would hope I’d be awake.

That was my first annoyance of office life. The second one has to do with Barb’s computer, which for the 2nd time in the past month, has a virus. Because my computer rocks,** Bobby, our very much loved computer guy, has been using PC Anywhere to access files on my computer from his office that can fix Barb’s computer. Got it? Anyway, that means less computer time for me. Here’s the equation:

No coffee when Jen needs it + limited to no computer access = super crabby.

There you have it.

The weekend was good and relaxing, plus I got a lot of homework done. I still feel bad about not getting the promo shot done for the umpteenth week in a row, so Greg, I am sorry. I was ready to do it this Sunday, but I thought that I had a few minutes extra for lunch. God, I suck.

Saturday night was interesting. A huge shout-out "BOO!" goes to Voyeur, the club that I went to with Aaron and some of my Grad school friends. I had a lot of fun hanging out with them, but the club itself sucks. The hoochie patrol was out! Yeah, we stood out . . . and the drinks are watered down and expensive. See, after the free drink thing was over, I bought a drink for Aaron and I that totaled, I kid you not, $18. I guess I should have expected that. Ah well.

Then I met up with everyone else for the birthday festivities at the Holiday Club, which was excellent.

*Due to my above song quote: as a reminder, Pete Yorn is at the Metro this Wednesday. I'm still debating if I want to dish out the 15 bucks to see him or not. I really like his album, but sometimes, his voice is so super whiny, like in, I think it's called, Just Another Girl. And I hate the beginning of Closet! How freaking cheesy! I'm only mentioning this because I started bitching, and hate to end right in the middle of it. Anyway, I have been banned from playing the CD in the morning by Pat. It "sucks to wake up to."
**That’s because it’s the newest and fastest!