Back to Basics

**After an angry phone call I decided to edit this post as to not embarrass anyone, which in turn slightly angered me. Edit my blogs for your ego? Wow... that's a whole other post in and of itself***

I came home from work and instantly went to turn the TV on. The Hills season premiere was going to be coming on and I needed to make sure my DVR was set up to record. I hit the "power" button and nothing. I pushed it again and still nothing. I pushed it a 3rd time... nothing. "What the hell?" I walked over to the kitchen and noticed that the time wasn't displaying on the microwave or stove. "Fuck..." I thought to myself... our power must be off. I went over to the circuit breaker and in vain tried to restart our power.

At first I was livid that we were without power. After my rage subsided a bit we pulled out the chess set, lit the candles and had a good night. It's amazing how you really can enjoy yourself and life won't stop without the use of all your favorite electronic items. I think I was most saddened by having to throw away all of my melting popsicles, but I rejoiced that I had not yet bought groceries.

So, today marks the end of another day and my return to an apt that is without any electricity. I feel like I'm living in the stone ages but the situation could be worse.

Friendship is Essential to the Soul - 4/17 Happy Hour

In a previous post I mentioned planning a happy hour for Friday 4/17. It's a way to bring together the wonderful female bloggers that consistently interact with one another on the net - - in a effort to put faces and names together, exchange great conversation, delicious food, and throw back some drinks! I've decided on a location and wanted to give the info to everyone:

Date: Friday 4/17/09
Location: Devon Seafood Grill - 39 E. Chicago Ave. (corner of Chicago Ave. and Wabash)
Time: After Work (530p - until)

*Please note that while Devon Seafood Grill has a Happy Hour from 4p to 7p and 9p to close, it is only available at the bar so that's where we'll be posted.

Update

I have been posting irregularly as of late due in part to my search for a new apt. My boyfriend and I are on the hunt for a new place to lay our heads and it has been more challenging than I anticipated. First off, moving is never fun... but when you've been spoiled with amenities and location everything seems like a downgrade. Oh, the dilemma of champagne taste and a wine cooler budget!

I have grown to love my life in the South Loop. I love having everything in my backyard - - work, the lake, soldier field, my gym, restaurants, nightlife... everything is only a quick walk or cheap cab ride away. Not to mention having a washer/dryer in our unit, balcony with lake views, and PARKING!!! I've been slowly wrapping my mind around Hyde Park... a little further South than I'd like to live, but a nice area nonetheless. We looked at some apts yesterday and wow... well, all I can say is that anyone that is able to live in a studio, I commend you!!! Some of the studios I saw blew me away (in the worst way possible). Actually paying someone $700+ for a 350 sq ft space, bootleg kitchen, decently sized closet, little bathroom, and well basically 1 room to live in! Ouch... I guess I didn't realize that a studio truly is 1 room. Imagine throwing a mini fridge and mini stove in your bedroom - - BAM! You have yourself a studio apt. Now imagine paying over $700 for that space? Well, then you have yourself a problem.

-parking
-location (close to public transportation)
-lake or city views
-1 bdrm
-1 bath
-walk in closets
-parking
-gas range
-laundry in unit
-utilities included
-did I mention location? lol...

I ran down my list of "must haves" and realized that what I need is a house. Unfortunately, my house is 1700 miles away in Scottsdale, AZ....

So, now I find myself staring at a list of everything I "need" and thinking that it sounds like some magical fairy tale because getting all of this for under 1k is not an easy task. After a few disappointments, I came across a diamond in the rough. It's in Hyde Park, has an awesome view, and a few of my other wants. Pray for me that everything works out!!

It could always be worse...

As a comedian once said, if you're ever feeling down just turn on an episdoe of cops and that should cheer you up. What could be worse than you're mother wearing a mumu, rollers in her disheveled hair, drunk and staggering around beating your father with a broom? Well, she could have signed the release to have it aired on tv! Yes, there is always someone somewhere whose situation is worse than yours... so you have a reason to take a deep breath, smile and know that it's never really that bad.

If you find yourself at work and in need of a little pick me up, try visiting the following sites:

1. www.secrettweet.com
2. www.fmylife.com
3. www.postsecret.com

All of these sites remind me that everyone thinks crazy thoughts from time to time, are random, have bad days, do outrageous things, sometimes feel bad and their pride won't let them apologize, are funny.... are HUMAN! It's refreshing to have the veneer stripped away and to read the thoughts of everyday folks.

Nutritional Soda?

Yesterday when I felt the beginnings of a migraine manifesting itself in my brain I decided to head to CVS and grab something with some caffeine in it. My main goal was to get the caffeine sans the overload of calories. I am a sucker for branding and packaging and the colorful label caught my eye. Regular coke would have done the trick but if I could get some vitamins and minerals thrown in the mix, why not!


Nia... Nia-cina.... Nia-cina-mide? Cya... Cya-noco-ba-lim?

I felt like the little kid in the Breyer's ice cream commercial trying to sound out the ingredients in my soda. A while back Coke introduced a new product called "Diet Coke Plus" that is fortified with vitamins B3 (niacinamide), B12 (cyanocobalamin) and minerals. Like many, I don't drink soda for its nutritional content, but more so for the tingling sensation it gives my throat.

I am a water person. I love drinking bottles of water all day long. Soda is good every once in a while (with pizza, when you're hung over, eating McDonalds, etc...) so I didn't drink the whole thing... but it had nothing to do with the taste. I actually think it was pretty good.

Could I taste the vitamins? No.
Minerals? No.
Did I feel a difference in my body or energy level? No.

I don't know if this drink really does anything outside of the ordinary but if you're in the mood for something "diet" I'd recommend grabbing this and getting your daily dose of Vitamins B3 and B12 (whatever those do) while you scratch your soda itch.

Adventures on the CTA - CTA Bandit

I don't know why I give this guy this much face time on my blog... but look who I saw this morning - - yet again rocking his white tee with the green bball hoop... and the same gymshoes (of course with the pulled up white socks). It's the CTA Bandit. At least his outfit has started to match the weather... or I guess he's been rocking the same thing since the winter so I maybe the weather has caught up to his outfit. I didn't even bother taking a picture of his blonde highlighted finger waves - my camera couldn't bear to see it... I did, however, manage to snap a pic of the ash that was taking over his legs. This dude is starting to irk me...