Tuesday, April 19, 2011

...irony...

It rains in Chicago. It rains a lot. At least right now it does.

Us city dwellers don't really let it get us down. We're out and about no matter what the weather might hold.

But here's the thing....it's no easy task to stay dry whilst walking from place. You see, not only do we have rain, but we have wind. It winds a lot. Always.

I'm currently cozied up in a window seat at Starbucks. This has given me the privilege of watching person after person walk/run/canter/skip down the street trying to stay dry.

I've seen a lot of this.


sad and sadder.


Having experienced this unfortunate circumstance myself I have the opinion that umbrella's should be made of sturdier stuff than this....

Alternate solutions to the problem? Definitely NOT the floor length fur coat I just saw passing by the window. That seems like a recipe for smelling like a wet animal....

I suggest this.


The only downside appears to be that your arms get wet. But just look at the range of motion she has!! Not to mention the protection from the rain and wind.

In any case it's better than my idea to simply carry attachable wings with you everywhere, so you can at least take advantage of the wind and fly to your destination, instead of trying to hop around puddles filled with dirty street water. Also, flight eliminates the chance of being doused by street water by a passing car or bus.

It hasn't happened to me yet.

YET.

Friday, April 15, 2011

...address...


Now that I actually know where I'll be living for at least a year, I'm yearning to get a return address stamp. I love writing letters, random notes, etc.; and I've been wanting to get a pretty address stamp since freshman year of college. Unfortunately, my troubadour and stingy ways have prevented me from making the purchase.

I'm thinking of biting the bullet.

There are so many pretties to choose from....

These three are from paperwink. I used one of these stamps for our wedding rsvp cards, and am supremely jealous that the stamp hosts my parent's address, and not mine. :)



And look at THESE from Primele on Etsy. Custom calligraphy. So beautiful.





Thursday, April 14, 2011

...a good laugh...

Does anyone ever really like watching commercials? I mean, besides when it's superbowl time, and you can't wait to see the creative genius of companies willing to pay millions for a 30 second spot.

Well I'd like to introduce you to a couple commercials that I could watch over and over, and then over again because they are so ridiculous.

First. Purina Cat Chow. Who knew this commercial would be about cat food?


Oh my heavens. I know it's supposed to be sweet and sentimental, but I can't help but find the absolute hilarity of this story. I do think, however, that the way he decorated the cat's new room pretty bomb dot com.

Secondly, I bring to your attention the Slob-Stopper.


BAHAHAHAHA. This is just too good. There are several things to note in this excellent commercial. I would encourage you to replay, and take note of several choice moments.

1) At 2 seconds in, I just love the way that after his ENTIRE drink spills on his shirt, he continues to let all the liquid that actually made it into his mouth spill out as well.

2) At 8 seconds in, I appreciate his expression after he has spilled his second drink. He actually looks grateful for having spilt. Why?! Obviously because he's wearing the slob-stopper. Bonus: the hot chick walking by seems to love it too!

[a quick question: what happens to the liquid after it slides down the slob-stopper? this company might consider also making a full body suit stopper to avoid users walking around with wet areas around the crotch....because we all know that would be awkward.]

3) 22 seconds in, I can't get enough of the mom's facial expressions. She seems so disgusted that her child has, gasp, just entered the vehicle! And why the deuce does SHE need the slob stopper? I see no liquid involved. At all. Very confusing.

I give kudo's to whoever did the casting for that commercial. Spot on!

They are only 14.95 (plus s&h), and according to the website, a great gift.




Wednesday, April 13, 2011

...oprah...

Oprah and I go way back.

Way back to the time when I tried to go trick-or-treating at her Montecito mansion in California, and was promptly turned away by her gate security.

That's how far back we go.

Obviously Oprah and I have a bond, so I thought it only fitting to try and go to a filming of her show. Besides moving to Chicago for my husband's schooling, a chance to see Oprah was a close second in terms of reasons to move.

Not really....

Actually I can count the number of times I've watched the show on one hand. HOWEVER, I have heard tale of her "favorite things" episodes--because who hasn't--and I think I'd really like to get a bunch of free stuff from O herself. So I've been visiting her website daily to see if the reservation window will open and give me a chance to get my name in the lottery for seeing a show.

BOOM.

I knew Wednesdays could be good for something! I officially have my name in the lottery for seeing an Oprah show. Apparently I'll know in 48 hours if I'm in or not...so I'm taking all the support I can get.

Prayers.
Positive thinking.
Incense burning.
Sun salutations.
Finger crossing.

...and obvioulsy...

Tattooing.


I might go there. I really like free stuff!


Tuesday, April 12, 2011

...d.w.t.s.2...

It's official. I might be a dancing with the stars convert. Especially after last night.

Did anyone else watch? Because it was AWESOME.

They had a 46 piece live orchestra, along with rock violinist David Garrett, (whom I had never heard of, but I really liked his pony-tail. He rocked it), AND opera singer Katherine Jenkins.

The dancers this week had to preform classical dances to classical musical pieces. The live band was sensational, and at the risk of sounding cheesey balls, I truly LOVED watching every minute of this program.

The best part of it was that all the musical pieces were recognizable, and regardless of how well the dancers performed, the sheer beauty of the music was enough for me. At the end of every dance, I realized that I was psuedo-moving around on my seat to the beat of the music. Ha. Does that happen to anyone else?

Some of the music that was played:

Karl Jenkins : Palladio Allegretto


Bizet: Carmen Overture


And my all-time favorite, The Flower Duet


And I'm totally not kidding when I say that is my favorite. For some reason, I've always loved that song. It got me through many a study sesh in college. One Anna Storvick may recall how I would have this song on repeat whilst homeworking.

And of course, the new dwts leaders twirled to the Harry Potter theme, which I am obviously obsessed with. Counting down the days until the next movie comes out in July! Booyah!!



...addendum...


Post my post on the Royal Wedding, I had several people bring to my attention additionally ridiculous Royal Wedding items. My new favorite are the fingernail decals. Nice find Kim.


The Royal Pez Machines. I could actually go for one of those. I miss pez.


Royal Baubles...or Bobbles.

Royal Sick Bags? I don't get it.


Royal Nail decals. Just so you can take Wills and Kate with you whenever you, and your fingernails might go.

Monday, April 04, 2011

...da da DMV...


Ahh, the Department of Motor Vehicles. Doesn't the name just strike a warm chord in your heart? Who doesn't love being given ambiguous instructions, waiting for hours, and then being helped begrudgingly by mean people?

I've had the pleasure of visiting said establishment in several different states. California wins, hands down, for being the lamest of the lame. Denver I could take or leave, but definitely leave. Illinois...well, let's just say we got off on the wrong foot.

Before you get the wrong impression, read carefully, because I'm about to actually say something NICE about the DMV and the people who work in the Chicago downtown office. Even though I did have a self-proclaimed "ultimate fail" at the DMV today, and after having spent all day in and out of the office and having nothing to show for it; I'm not annoyed. Mostly because it's all my fault, but also because the people in the office were really friendly and helpful. Midwestern charm? Who knows. All I can say is that I'm living with the knowledge that I have to go back to the office tomorrow, and I'm not in a state of depression. At least not yet.

Even though I may have been through my most pleasant DMV experience, I couldn't help but think of all the useful things I might be doing with my time were I not enjoying being stuck in the confines of a government agency. For example...

Learning to become an expert with my sewing machine, so I can make cool things like THIS!

Photo from DesignSponge

Hand-stitched name place cards. So easy and cute!

No, I don't have room, or the funds, for a new chair. When I do, I'm all over this idea!

Photo from DesignSponge

Coat-Rack! My newest obsession. Quite practical in Chicago as well.


I've got to get my craft on more often. I miss having all my creative roommates; no offense to the husband. (He's crafty in his own sort of way.)