August Happiness -- Friday 31

These kids today. As a result of my own very bad planning, I ended up in front of the high school this afternoon as classes let out. To make it worse, it seems half of the 3,150 students were headed to the same fastfood restaurant as I. The sidewalk was so crowded I felt I could pick up my feet and just be swept along with the crowd. The restaurant was no better. I hate crowds, so I started getting pissy. UNTIL something occurred to me: These kids were nice.

• None of them had lit a cigarette, even after they were safely off school property.
• They were noisy, of course, but not profane or cruel. Just loud. As students just released from school should be.
• The group was racially diverse and mixed.
• Some of them were wearing VANS! God, it was good to see those shoes again! Gotta get me some.

It made me feel better about the future.

It's true!

Your signature city is New York

What's Your Signature City?

Whether you like to have lots of options at your fingertips or you like to be in a metropolitan environment that's buzzing with energy, the Big Apple is the perfect place for you. Maybe you like to mix and mingle at some of the edgiest restaurants, shops, and clubs in the world. Or maybe you like to be in the middle of it all — in the bright lights and big city.

One night could be dinner and a show on Broadway, a stroll through Central Park the next, or a trip to the Met the next. From Grand Central Station to Greenwich Village, New York's got some of the biggest and edgiest things to see and do anywhere in the world. No wonder a trendsetter like you would be right at home in the Big Apple.

Gal's Note: If I didn't live in Chicago, and I had more $$, I'd want to be in New York.

Thanks to my fellow "New Yorker," Kwizgiver.

Friday's Feast #13

Appetizer
Who is the easiest person for you to talk to? My best friend. We never run out of things to say.

Soup
If you could live in any ancient city during the height of the quality of its society and culture, which one would you choose? It's funny, but I've never really wanted to travel back to ancient times … Maybe Jerusalem?

Salad
What is the most exciting event you’ve ever witnessed? I was actually within the friendly confines of Wrigley Field when my beloved, future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux, got his 3000th strike out. Baseball is a game of stats, and it was terrific to be there, in person (and in the cold, wet drizzle), when he achieved this milestone.

Main Course
If you were a celebrity, what would you do for a publicity stunt? I suppose that I would be both rich and famous, which means I would have a huge house at my disposal. So I'd love to do what I heard that Julia Roberts once did -- I'd go to an animal shelter and just adopt as many pets as I legally could at one time. This way I could shine a spotlight on all the homeless pets out there, and remind people that a stray is just as loving a companion as a purebred.

Dessert
What do you consider the ideal age to have a first child? Interesting question, but I don't think there's one perfect answer. I bet every woman would respond differently, depending on her health, her relationship, her finances, etc.

For more information, or to whip up your own feast, visit www.fridaysfeast.com.

May I have your attention, please? You are looking at an award-winning blog.

Look what I got from Alison! It lends a touch of class to the place, doesn't it? (And if you haven't visited her blog, swing on by. She's an award-winner, too!)

August Happiness -- Thursday 30

CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN! I had a rough day at work. Then I got home, started to do laundry, and one of the dryers in our laundry room started smoking. Oh, good! Not only was it dangerous, it made my fresh laundry smell like a Girl Scout campfire. I was so tense, so pissed. And then … Hey! Hey! Holy mackerel! No doubt about it! The game came on and it was all forgotten as I watched the Cubs win a close one against the Brewers. It helps that the Cards lost, too. I love this team. I love Lou. And I feel fortunate to have something that can just cleanse away all the shit of the day and leave me happy, happy, happy.