You know what I like? I'll tell you what I like. Really, truly, brutally cold Chicago mornings. Not at all unlike this morning. While waiting for the bus just before 8, yeah, it was straight up 0°F, with a wind chill of - ready for this madness? - -20°F. There really is nothing as invigorating as feeling your nose hairs freeze over.
But the best part, I feel, about really, truly, brutally cold Chicago mornings is the bus ride downtown on the drive. Because on really, truly, brutally cold Chicago mornings, the lake, all the way to the horizon, is completely enveloped in a shroud of rising steam.
I like that.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
a kid in a suit
Goodness gracious. Did that really just happen? I certainly hope that had at least the appearance of organization!
I'm at our event today - a debate between the 6 candidates vying for the Democratic nomination for Cook County State's Attorney. At the moment I can hear them yelling at each other in the next room. Normally I enjoy watching these, but I'd kinda rather sit here in the lobby & write today. After getting slammed with everyone arriving at once (not to mention having reps from all 6 camps peering over my shoulder), I can use the downtime!
Don't think for a moment that I'm bemoaning my fate; this is the best part of my job! I love the excitement of event management! Seriously, everything can and will happen. In the middle of writing that last paragraph a reporter from the Tribune (who plugged into the mult box and has been recording the show) came running in from the next room frantically telling me that all of a sudden none of the media plugged into the press feed were getting audio. Whoops! We got it fixed though. As it turns out a (thankfully) very polite gentleman had settled the leg of his chair on the wire running to the back of the room. Didn't see that one coming. Although I have to admit - to cater momentarily to my ego - there is something deeply gratifying about being a kid in a suit who actually knows enough about what he's doing to tell professional businessmen (one of which I am not) and politicians what to do.
This thing has to be ending soon. It's already gone on far longer than normal. Though considering it's 6 politicians on stage, I probably could've seen that one coming...
I'm at our event today - a debate between the 6 candidates vying for the Democratic nomination for Cook County State's Attorney. At the moment I can hear them yelling at each other in the next room. Normally I enjoy watching these, but I'd kinda rather sit here in the lobby & write today. After getting slammed with everyone arriving at once (not to mention having reps from all 6 camps peering over my shoulder), I can use the downtime!
Don't think for a moment that I'm bemoaning my fate; this is the best part of my job! I love the excitement of event management! Seriously, everything can and will happen. In the middle of writing that last paragraph a reporter from the Tribune (who plugged into the mult box and has been recording the show) came running in from the next room frantically telling me that all of a sudden none of the media plugged into the press feed were getting audio. Whoops! We got it fixed though. As it turns out a (thankfully) very polite gentleman had settled the leg of his chair on the wire running to the back of the room. Didn't see that one coming. Although I have to admit - to cater momentarily to my ego - there is something deeply gratifying about being a kid in a suit who actually knows enough about what he's doing to tell professional businessmen (one of which I am not) and politicians what to do.
This thing has to be ending soon. It's already gone on far longer than normal. Though considering it's 6 politicians on stage, I probably could've seen that one coming...
Monday, January 28, 2008
feelin' a bit crazy! (literally)
I tried a little experiment over the weekend. Normally I take a 20mg adderall tablet twice a day - once when I get up around 7 and again around 2 - and it does me pretty well. Due to the downright silly levels of stress last week however, I decided to try taking half a tablet on Saturday and Sunday instead of the full to see if maybe it would slow me down a bit and help me relax. (God I love admitting to taking FEWER drugs to relax.)
Well. It slowed me down. A lot. My mind was all over the map this weekend. I was having mad problems holding conversations left and right. It slowed me down so much, in fact, that I just plumb forgot to take the second half pill Sunday afternoon. It got to the point where I was talking to one of my roommates and wound up sitting and staring at her thinking "should I be saying something right now?" (As it turned out she was waiting for a response.) I'm back on my regular dosage now, but I'm still feeling the effects of being off. It really is a very strange feeling, and it reminds me why I used to be so frightened to talk to people. Because I'd wind up staring at them with a silly blank look on my face wondering "are they waiting for me to talk?"
So now I'm still a bit off, but getting better. Fortunately, it's Monday. Meaning it's burger night. Meaning a variety of friends will be converging upon Matisse for burgers, beer (possibly veggie burgers, depending on the friends that show up), and some much needed catching up. Then back to our front porch for a little bit of hookah to wrap up the evening. Yay!!
Well. It slowed me down. A lot. My mind was all over the map this weekend. I was having mad problems holding conversations left and right. It slowed me down so much, in fact, that I just plumb forgot to take the second half pill Sunday afternoon. It got to the point where I was talking to one of my roommates and wound up sitting and staring at her thinking "should I be saying something right now?" (As it turned out she was waiting for a response.) I'm back on my regular dosage now, but I'm still feeling the effects of being off. It really is a very strange feeling, and it reminds me why I used to be so frightened to talk to people. Because I'd wind up staring at them with a silly blank look on my face wondering "are they waiting for me to talk?"
So now I'm still a bit off, but getting better. Fortunately, it's Monday. Meaning it's burger night. Meaning a variety of friends will be converging upon Matisse for burgers, beer (possibly veggie burgers, depending on the friends that show up), and some much needed catching up. Then back to our front porch for a little bit of hookah to wrap up the evening. Yay!!
brief lull in the day ... a few days ago
Originally posted on Jan. 27th, 2008 at 11:00 PM
And here it is!! Go me!
WOO!!
Here's the deal: over the holidays our last full time man got accepted last minute to law school. Kick ass for him, for reals! Also, kick ass for me, in the very literal sense of the phrase. I am getting my butt whooped! Did I mention we have no part time staff? Cause we kinda don't. In other words, in addition to my job (which has been spectacularly busy booking & organizing over 11 events in the past 2 1/2 weeks!), I'm suddenly doing a second full time job in the same office AND going over resumes & conducting interviews with potential new employees. If I've learned anything from the latter, it is this: when applying for a position - any position, whether it be at a job, school, anything - do whatever you have to do to avoid asserting that you are the "ideal candidate" for said position. There's no way anyone could know such a thing! I'd like to say I've begun discarding the cover letters the include this phrase, BUT THEY ALL DO!!!
To be fair though, it really isn't an offensive suggestion, & applying for a job is nerve-wracking. It doesn't really annoy me nearly as much as all that, I just find it terribly amusing that's it's use is so ubiquitous (how ya like that action McNulty!*). I also realized as I was writing that I sound somewhat bitter at having become so busy as of late. I'm totally not! Sure I'd like to have a bit more time to read, or watch movies, or watch The Daily Show online, or play with my camera, or run (even though I'm always looking for excuses not to), or clean my room, but that'll come at some point. Plus I get all those things in every now & then.
As for my peace of mind & sanity, oh yeah, totally got that covered in all sorts of creative ways. For example, this morning I got up as usual, took a slightly hurried shower, & while getting dressed you know what I did? I played on my computer "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!" No better way to put a permagrin on your face for the day, guaranteed! Oh Peanuts. How can anything be so wonderfully simple & beautiful? Answer: it can't. The end.
*Not in the original text
And here it is!! Go me!
WOO!!
Here's the deal: over the holidays our last full time man got accepted last minute to law school. Kick ass for him, for reals! Also, kick ass for me, in the very literal sense of the phrase. I am getting my butt whooped! Did I mention we have no part time staff? Cause we kinda don't. In other words, in addition to my job (which has been spectacularly busy booking & organizing over 11 events in the past 2 1/2 weeks!), I'm suddenly doing a second full time job in the same office AND going over resumes & conducting interviews with potential new employees. If I've learned anything from the latter, it is this: when applying for a position - any position, whether it be at a job, school, anything - do whatever you have to do to avoid asserting that you are the "ideal candidate" for said position. There's no way anyone could know such a thing! I'd like to say I've begun discarding the cover letters the include this phrase, BUT THEY ALL DO!!!
To be fair though, it really isn't an offensive suggestion, & applying for a job is nerve-wracking. It doesn't really annoy me nearly as much as all that, I just find it terribly amusing that's it's use is so ubiquitous (how ya like that action McNulty!*). I also realized as I was writing that I sound somewhat bitter at having become so busy as of late. I'm totally not! Sure I'd like to have a bit more time to read, or watch movies, or watch The Daily Show online, or play with my camera, or run (even though I'm always looking for excuses not to), or clean my room, but that'll come at some point. Plus I get all those things in every now & then.
As for my peace of mind & sanity, oh yeah, totally got that covered in all sorts of creative ways. For example, this morning I got up as usual, took a slightly hurried shower, & while getting dressed you know what I did? I played on my computer "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!" No better way to put a permagrin on your face for the day, guaranteed! Oh Peanuts. How can anything be so wonderfully simple & beautiful? Answer: it can't. The end.
*Not in the original text
a memory like a triscuit
Originally posted on Jan. 23rd, 2008 at 8:02 PM
Grrrrrrrrrrrrr!! We had an event today, and while the speaker was doing his thing, I hung out at the check-in table and wrote a blog entry. A pretty good one too, a whole page long! Go me!
Annnnnnnnndddddddd I left it at the office. Go me! I'm still posting it though. Only tomorrow. Like a little window back in time. 24 hours ago.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrr!! We had an event today, and while the speaker was doing his thing, I hung out at the check-in table and wrote a blog entry. A pretty good one too, a whole page long! Go me!
Annnnnnnnndddddddd I left it at the office. Go me! I'm still posting it though. Only tomorrow. Like a little window back in time. 24 hours ago.
wait ... was someone just serious?
Originally posted on Jan. 16th, 2008 at 7:55 PM
UPDATE!!
I opted to run 3.62 miles instead of the 4-5 on which I so heartily had designs a few hours earlier. And you know what? It SUCKED!! Just like it always has! I'm so happy I'm still me and not some slender, leggy, muscular hotshit runner who all the chicks wanna do and all the guys wanna be.
Me is way better.
Just fyi.
UPDATE!!
I opted to run 3.62 miles instead of the 4-5 on which I so heartily had designs a few hours earlier. And you know what? It SUCKED!! Just like it always has! I'm so happy I'm still me and not some slender, leggy, muscular hotshit runner who all the chicks wanna do and all the guys wanna be.
Me is way better.
Just fyi.
let's stop being serious
Originally posted on Jan. 16th, 2008 at 3:27 PM
Wanna hear a joke? Yeah ya do, cause it’s good. It goes like this:
I’m holy crap tired from the tremendous lack of sleep I’ve been getting as of late. It’s kinda ridiculous. Stress? Stress and I are so close we’re practically having an affair (which is possible even without a wife or girlfriend; I looked it up). I won’t go into any details, cause that’s not the kind of guy I am, but I will say I’ve been having her pretty much non-stop since that whole shift in the year happened. It’s been hot. I’ve said too much. The weather here suddenly seems to have gotten the notion that it’d be a good idea to do everything it can to mimic its uncle in Russia … meaning it’s cold. Really cold. On top of all this, I’ve become aware of this strange phenomenon currently present in my life. It’s this odd deal where as I’m being given by those in complete power less and less reason to invest myself personally in my job, the amount of work required of me increases more and more. Kinda awkward. Still trying to determine whether there’s direct causation in play here or if it’s just a coincidental correlation. More on that as it develops.
And the punch line? Get ready for this; you may need to sit down, it’s pretty outta control. All I want to do tonight is go home and run 4-5 miles. ME. RUN. FURTHER THAN THE KITCHEN. Is that not ludicrous?? I’ve detested running all my life, and now not only do I want to run (in excess), I’m seeking refuge and comfort in it. If that doesn’t make you laugh out loud you may want to consider a line of work other than orthodox economics.
Plus, I’m pretty sure I’m happy. I like being happy. So bonus there.
The ½ marathon in Phoenix was, in a word, completelyridiculouslyfun. It rocked. My only goal (and a flimsy one at that) was to run faster than 10-minute miles, which I killed. By killed of course I mean I came in JUST under at 2 hours, 9 minutes and 13 seconds, which amounted to a pace of 9:52-minute miles. It hurt, but I’m thinking it was probably worth it. So much so in fact, that I kinda really want to sign up for the ½ in St Louis on April 6th. I haven’t yet, but to be honest that’s only because I spent way way more in Phoenix than I intended (those cabs are pricey!). HOWEVER, Friday is payday. Nuff said about that. (I’m gonna sign up on Friday!!) And in the spirit of pushing myself to the limit, I think I want to run it alone. Thing is, I know the only way I was able to train consistently for this last one was because there were friends involved, and this time around I want to know I can do it on my own by my own volition, with no one else to push me along. Probably a dumb idea I realize, but I’m kind of a dumb guy in many ways. In all other ways I’m a genius though. Just wanna be real clear about that.
Wanna hear a joke? Yeah ya do, cause it’s good. It goes like this:
I’m holy crap tired from the tremendous lack of sleep I’ve been getting as of late. It’s kinda ridiculous. Stress? Stress and I are so close we’re practically having an affair (which is possible even without a wife or girlfriend; I looked it up). I won’t go into any details, cause that’s not the kind of guy I am, but I will say I’ve been having her pretty much non-stop since that whole shift in the year happened. It’s been hot. I’ve said too much. The weather here suddenly seems to have gotten the notion that it’d be a good idea to do everything it can to mimic its uncle in Russia … meaning it’s cold. Really cold. On top of all this, I’ve become aware of this strange phenomenon currently present in my life. It’s this odd deal where as I’m being given by those in complete power less and less reason to invest myself personally in my job, the amount of work required of me increases more and more. Kinda awkward. Still trying to determine whether there’s direct causation in play here or if it’s just a coincidental correlation. More on that as it develops.
And the punch line? Get ready for this; you may need to sit down, it’s pretty outta control. All I want to do tonight is go home and run 4-5 miles. ME. RUN. FURTHER THAN THE KITCHEN. Is that not ludicrous?? I’ve detested running all my life, and now not only do I want to run (in excess), I’m seeking refuge and comfort in it. If that doesn’t make you laugh out loud you may want to consider a line of work other than orthodox economics.
Plus, I’m pretty sure I’m happy. I like being happy. So bonus there.
The ½ marathon in Phoenix was, in a word, completelyridiculouslyfun. It rocked. My only goal (and a flimsy one at that) was to run faster than 10-minute miles, which I killed. By killed of course I mean I came in JUST under at 2 hours, 9 minutes and 13 seconds, which amounted to a pace of 9:52-minute miles. It hurt, but I’m thinking it was probably worth it. So much so in fact, that I kinda really want to sign up for the ½ in St Louis on April 6th. I haven’t yet, but to be honest that’s only because I spent way way more in Phoenix than I intended (those cabs are pricey!). HOWEVER, Friday is payday. Nuff said about that. (I’m gonna sign up on Friday!!) And in the spirit of pushing myself to the limit, I think I want to run it alone. Thing is, I know the only way I was able to train consistently for this last one was because there were friends involved, and this time around I want to know I can do it on my own by my own volition, with no one else to push me along. Probably a dumb idea I realize, but I’m kind of a dumb guy in many ways. In all other ways I’m a genius though. Just wanna be real clear about that.
Monday, January 7, 2008
writing about writing?
There are so many things I want to say, so many things I want to write, but for some reason I'm not. This is unacceptable.
I want to write about my trip home for Christmas (sadly, I even already have the title for that post), how my running is going (the Phoenix 1/2 marathon is THIS Sunday!), how I'm feeling, what I'm thinking (lots, to say the least), what I'm reading ( which is contributing greatly to what I'm thinking), even what I'm eating (Trisquits & tuna). I just can't seem to find the time between working, training (goodness I never thought I'd hear that come out of my fingers), reading, and trying to keep in touch with those I care about. Grrrrrrrrr. I know I can function more efficiently than this!
Alas, this is not the post to remedy any of the above yearnings. Hopefully the next will relieve my backlog of personally expressive correspondence. At the moment, I'm in far too peaceful a state even to being to delve. I suppose that's a good thing.
Plus I need to get my butt to bed...
I want to write about my trip home for Christmas (sadly, I even already have the title for that post), how my running is going (the Phoenix 1/2 marathon is THIS Sunday!), how I'm feeling, what I'm thinking (lots, to say the least), what I'm reading ( which is contributing greatly to what I'm thinking), even what I'm eating (Trisquits & tuna). I just can't seem to find the time between working, training (goodness I never thought I'd hear that come out of my fingers), reading, and trying to keep in touch with those I care about. Grrrrrrrrr. I know I can function more efficiently than this!
Alas, this is not the post to remedy any of the above yearnings. Hopefully the next will relieve my backlog of personally expressive correspondence. At the moment, I'm in far too peaceful a state even to being to delve. I suppose that's a good thing.
Plus I need to get my butt to bed...
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