Cheers to the Cubs' award-winning All Star rookie catcher

Geovany Soto is the National League's Rookie of the Year! Catchers are often passed over for thiss prize, but Soto's numbers this year were hard to ignore -- he hit .285 with 23 homers. Just as important as his wicked bat, he gained the respect of a seasoned pitching staff, especially Dempster and Hardin. Congratulations, Geovany! Enjoy the honor, enjoy your winter vacation, and we'll see you again in April.

Tuesday Tunes #15

November 10th was the anniversary of the day The Edmund Fitzgerald went down during a storm on Lake Superior. So we're going to have a nautical theme meme, word association style:

Ocean: "Out on the ocean, sailing away. I can hardly wait to see you come of age." (Which, of course, he didn't because some bastard murdered him before Sean grew to adulthood.) "Beautiful Boy" by John Lennon.

River: "Ain't no river deep enough to keep me from you." You may call her, "Miss Ross." (I love divas!)

Sea: "I'd like to be under the sea in an Octopus' Garden." The Beatles

Sailor: "Sail on, Sailor." The Beach Boys

Ship: "There's a port on a western bay and it serves 100 ships a day." Brandy by Looking Glass

Wave: "Changing my life with the wave of her hand." Here, There and Everywhere by the Beatles*

Sand: "Along the sand, let's walk together now, just hand in hand." California Nights by Leslie Gore

Sail: "Till every fear you've ever felt bursts free and goes tumbling to the sea." Janey, Don't You Lose Heart by Bruce Springsteen

Navy: "In the Navy" by the Village People

Deep: "How Deep Is Your Love?" The Bee Gees*

*OK, so they aren't nautical. But they're the first lyrics that came to my mind.

To play along yourself, or to see how other bloggers responded, click here.

Manic Monday #20

What was the first thing you thought when you looked at yourself in the mirror today? Gawd! My bangs are curling!

Do you have a recurring nightmare? If so, explain. Not lately. But I used to have a dream that I was in Thomas Magnum's Ferrari when it exploded and he had to save me. This dream bothered me for two reasons: 1) I don't find Tom Selleck attractive and don't even think of him very often; 2) the damn car is a convertible and how can I not be able to figure out how to escape on my own? I mean, isn't this akin to being trapped on an escalator? My shrink told me that dreams are symbolic, not literal, and that this dream reflected troubles I was having at the time at work, when I wasn't sure who my allies were in the convoluted game of office politics.

List three foods you can’t stand: Tomatoes, melon, and Buffalo wings

To see how other bloggers responded, or to play along yourself, click here.

Yup, that's Debra Winger

I saw Rachel Getting Married yesterday. Yes, the critics are all correct -- Anne Hathaway is that good in the lead role (but the movie ran a little long, perhaps because we saw every virtually every damn moment of the wedding and reception). But for me, the revelation was Debra Winger as Abby, the withdrawn Mother of the Bride. She's so good, and playing so far against type, that I didn't even recognize her at first. Guess it's because, to me, she'll always be the small town girl who gets carried out of the factory and onto Happily Ever After.

I simply can't live like this

Am I going to be let go tomorrow? Wednesday? After Thanksgiving? Not at all?

I don't know. And there is nothing I can do about it.

I resist situations I can do nothing about. It's my nature to stir things up and force an issue, because doing something almost always feels better than doing nothing. But that would be stupid. Every day that I work is another day I get paid for. I must remember that I am the only asset The Gal, Inc., has. I don't have a working spouse or wealthy relatives. All I have is me. So while it might be satisfying to go into my boss' office tomorrow and say, "If you're gonna lay me off, just do it already!", it would be ridiculously unwise.

But this is all I think about, and it's pointless. So I'm going to the movies, maybe a little Christmas shopping.

Sunday Stealing #9

Sunday Stealing: The Nudder Meme

1. Who did you spend at least two hours with today? Tony

2. What do you look forward to most in the next six weeks? A lot! A trip to Springfield to see the Lincoln (and now Obama!) sites, Thanksgiving, my birthday, and my mom's birthday.

3. Who was the last person you called? My mom, but she wasn't home. (Party girl!)

4. What were you doing at 12am last night? Probably watching a campaign-related post-mortem on CNN or MSNBC.

5. Are your parents married/divorced? Well, they were married, but my dad's been dead for years.

6. When did you last see your mom? About 10 days ago.

7. What are you wearing right now? A fabulous cat nightshirt.

8. Where is your favorite place to be? Tucked in the corner of my sofa. I find this a very comforting spot.

9. Where is your least favorite place to be? The doctor's office. I really should go in and see my GP, but I don't wanna.

10. Where would you go if you could go anywhere? The Chateau Elan spa outside of Atlanta. I think my shoulders, aching back and soul could use a little pampering.

11. Where do you think you'll be in 10 years? Hopefully right here. I worry about becoming unemployed for a long period of time and not being able to make my mortgage payments.

12. What was the last thing that really made you laugh? The antics of Lucy and Ricky Riccardo

13. What cities/towns/villages have you lived in? I've only ever lived in the Chicagoland area. I love it here.

14. Are you a social person? Sometimes. I also really value my alone time.

15. Do you sleep alone? Yes. Dammit.

Why do I let such things bother me?

My bus driver this morning was so freaking hostile! Even worse, it's been bothering me all day. Why did I let her talk to me that way? It's not right. Even worse, why do I let this get to me? I know I did nothing wrong or rude and besides, I know I'll probably never see that woman again. What difference does it make?

Saturday 9 -- So Far Away

1. Where is the furthest place that you have traveled and how far away from home is it? Berne, Switzerland; 4443 miles from Chicago (I looked it up)

2. What is a blog that you would recommend for us to read and why? Wonkette. It's a deliciously gossipy, very funny political blog with tons of links to actual, more serious articles from all around the country. (I'm often pissed off by the content, which leads me to believe that Wonkette is an equal opportunity offender.)

3. What is the biggest surprise you ever have had and was it a good one? I cannot come up with anything that's easy to explain so I'm going to pass. Sorry. I'm probably overthinking this.

4. What is your favorite quote? (We know we've asked this recently. But there is always another great quote! :) "Books. Cats. Life Is Good." Edward Gorey. As it looks more likely I'll lose my job soon and my professional future is hard to predict, it's important to remember the permanent things in my life that I'll always have and that will always bring me joy.

5. Have you ever been hospitalized for a major health situation? I was hospitalized for a day and a half after a UFE. It's a chick procedure, fellas, so if you're squeamish, don't look it up. Ladies, it's a safe and non-invasive fibroid treatment and if you're plagued by this problem, I recommend you look into it.

6. Do you prefer long hair or short hair for yourself? Since my hair is currently growing out after I spent decades of wearing it short, I admit I am embarrassed by how much I think about this. Once I come to a conclusion, I'll let you all know!

7. What was your favorite amusement park ride growing up? Tilt-a-Whirl. Loooove it!

8. How long do you talk on your phone on a typical day? Not so much anymore! It seems everyone emails and texts.

9. Other than Saturday 9, what is your favorite meme to do each week? Thursday Thirteen. I've been doing it so long it's a habit, like brushing my teeth.

For more about Saturday 9, click here.

This may be true ...

But if it sounds a little downbeat, I think it's because I was imagining spooky old Collinwood (technically speaking, it was a "manor," rather than a "castle") with Barnabas and Angelique racing about.

The Castle Personality Test

You are scared of new experiences. It's hard for you to break outside of your comfort zone. You like to think that people see you as dramatic and fascinating. You do your best to seem mysterious. You are a very realistic person. You see the world as it is, flaws and all. Right now, stress occasionally makes you feel trapped in your life. You usually have a clear perspective on things though! Overall, your life is dramatic and unpredictable. You life in interesting times. You aren't optimistic about the future. You worry about what will happen to the world and if we'll be able to clean up the messes we've made.

The Castle Personality Test

Oh, leave her alone!

I never thought I'd say this, because Sarah Palin makes my skin crawl, but the McCain staffers who trash her simply are not being fair.

If she's not qualified to be VP, who is responsible for putting her on the ticket? Many of these same McCain campaign "insiders." Not to mention John McCain himself.

According to legend, she and McCain met once and spoke on the phone before he chose her as his VP candidate. Think about your own job. How many interviews did you have? How detailed were they? It bothers me that the HR department at the agency where I work spent more time with me than John McCain spent with Sarah Palin before deciding to put her a (70-something) heartbeat away from the Presidency.

So let's leave Caribou Barbie alone and hope she simply disappears from the national stage forever. And let's be grateful that our new President is the one who is putting together the Cabinet that's going to help him run our country. He may have less experience than McCain, but his campaign ran more efficiently and suffered fewer leaks. He added Joe Biden to the ticket without uproar or internal dissension. He has demonstrated greater people skills and comforting judgment in these matters.

President-elect Obama. To borrow from Tom Petty, we got lucky when we got him.

PS I really do love those jackets Sarah Palin wore during the campaign. Aren't those navy buttons cool? I wish I had her figure so I could carry this stuff off.

The News from Greg Maddux Land

I thought it was a done deal that my beloved future Hall of Famer was hanging it up. But not so fast!

DANA POINT, Calif. -- If right-hander Greg Maddux doesn't follow through on his intention to retire, he'll be welcomed back to the Dodgers for the 2009 season, general manager Ned Colletti said …

BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!

LOS ANGELES -- In what likely amounts to a parting gift, Greg Maddux won the Gold Glove Award for the 18th time in the past 19 years ...

Please don't leave me, Professor! April won't be the same without you!

Blog Blast for Peace: An Open Letter to Barack Obama

Dear Mr. President-Elect,

As the leader of the most powerful country on the planet, you now have the ability to help make our world a more peaceful place. I like to imagine that, as you walk the halls of the White House, you will draw inspiration from the great men who served us before you … men who, like you, were great orators, and both warriors for liberty and believers in a peaceful, more unified world.

Thomas Jefferson
“Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy."

Abraham Lincoln
“Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?”'

"With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan - to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations."

John F. Kennedy
“Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures."

“Our duty as a (political) party is not to our party alone, but to the nation and, indeed, to all mankind. Our duty is not merely the preservation of political power, but the preservation of peace and freedom.”
(Undelivered speech planned for Dallas Texas, 11-22-1963)

Doe more information about the Blog Blast for Peace, click here.

It was hope vs. fear, and HOPE TRIUMPHED

Barack Obama ran a masterful campaign that centered on change. Not smaller government, not bigger government, but more effective government. But change can be scary, and so he was demonized. I'm not sure how much of this crap can be laid at McCain's feet, even though it certainly was spread and even embraced by many of his supporters.

Psst! Obama "pals around with domestic terrorists," like William Ayers. Never mind that the rumor is just that, nor that in addition to Joe the Plumber, Senator McCain pals around with another Plumber -- the unrepentant former convict, G. Gordon Liddy.

Psst! Instead of backing Israel, Obama supports a radical Palestinian named Rashid Khalidi. Never mind that not only is this not true, but John McCain supported Khalidi's foundation financially.

Psst! Michele Obama is an elitist bitch who dined on lobster at the Waldorf Astoria! I don't understand why ordering lobster makes her elitist, but never mind. It never happened.

I could list more, but I'll only give myself a headache. Also, I want to make it clear that I don't know for a fact that these smears actually originated with McCain.

The thing of it is, though -- the American public heard the spooky, ugly whispers and rejected them.

We voted FOR one candidate
instead of AGAINST the other one.

We listened to soaring rhetoric and took it to heart. We allowed ourselves to have faith that we can come together, can reconcile, and move the country forward. We want to believe that we can have a strong but respectful presence in the rest of the world.

I was genuinely inspired by the crowd I was in last night. In the 40 years since we lost Dr. King and Robert Kennedy, in the same Grant Park was the site of the miserable 1968 Democratic Convention riots, we came together to peacefully celebrate the election of a man who embodies our desire to change and our belief that we can make tomorrow better.

YES, WE CAN!

Proud of my country and VERY proud of my city

It was my distinct privilege to be in this integrated, peaceful, friendly and overwhelmingly positive crowd last night.

Shout out to Jenny McB!

I have tried to leave a comment on your "7 Weird Things" post but the "comments" box disappears before I can finish! Is it my browser?

Good News!

Over the weekend my family got word that my nephew's MRI shows no abnormalities! The search for the cause of his headaches goes on, but now the prospect of visiting a pediatric neurologist is neither urgent nor daunting. I believe the next step is for him to have a thorough examination by an allergist.

Look who has the hottest ticket in town!

I'm going to the Obama Rally! I'm going to the Obama Rally!

7 Weird Facts about Me

I liberated this one from Canada's own No Nonsense Girl.

1) After decades of loyalty to The Today Show, I have switched my allegiance to MSNBC's Morning Joe, with Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski and Willie Geist. I think it's because I prefer Mika to Meredith Vieria. At times I miss Matt Lauer. As you can see, I think about this way too much.

2) I think I'm the last blogger in North America with dial-up. I keep meaning to do something about it, but it seems like so much work to decide which service I want to get.

3) Looks like my nemesis from the third floor -- that snotty, snippy neighbor of mine -- has moved out. This makes me sad somehow. I never liked her, but I feel bad for her recent financial setbacks. I didn't expect to care what happened to her one way or the other, but I guess I do.

4) I have an issue with bags. I have a hard time parting with them. I have bags of bags under my kitchen sink.

5) I can wiggle my right ear and pick up things with my toes.

6) When my nephew was a baby, I was afraid of him. His whole head -- face, ears, bald head -- would turn red and then he'd emit the loudest, most piercing cry. He could howl like that forever! My nickname for him during this period was "Scary Baby Person." Now 9, he finds it amusing that he could terrorize me.

7) I can't remember the last time I wore a skirt.

If you play, let me know so I can swing by and see what makes you so weird.

Senatorial Musings

Senator Kerry appeared on Meet the Press, acting as an Obama surrogate. He praised Obama's talent and ability to inspire the electorate. I was impressed. If I were him, I'd be grumbling about all the Obama donors and saying, "Where were you four years ago? If you had supported me with this much enthusiasm, I could have helped you avoid this mess!" But I cannot imagine John Kerry saying that. To improbably borrow from Peggy Noonan's assessment of Ronald Reagain, Senator Kerry is "hardwired for courtesy."

On a separate note, I am saddened to learn of the death of my "other" senator's daughter, Chris Durbin. She was only 40. As he approaches a landslide reelection to his third term on Tuesday, I hope Senator Durbin can take solace that his daughter is at peace after enduring a long battle with heart disease.

Lunch with my niece

We celebrated her birthday, just she and I, at an Italian restaurant. Now a sophomore in high school, she's taller than I am. She came in with a big beige fabric handbag decorated with peace signs. We talked about school, Halloween, her upcoming birthday party, her driving, and, best of all, The Beatles.

She has become a rabid Beatles fan, and I couldn't be more pleased. Her screen name is taken from a Beatles song. Her desktop is Abbey Road. She wore a Beatles t-shirt in her yearbook picture. All she wanted for her birthday this year was Beatles "stuff."

So I got her necklace with this logo, a pin that's a replica of John Lennon's guitar, a George Harrison notepad (he's her fave), a Beatles wallet, a t-shirt adorned with the Rubber Soul cover art, and the Concert for George tribute concert DVD.

I'm so glad that we have a passion in common. I love her very much, but I worry that as she grows up, she'll grow away. Now we have the Lads will keep us tethered to one another.

Saturday 9 -- Being a Good Sport

1. Were you raised around a lot of sports? My dad was a big Cub and Bears fan. My grandparents on both sides were Cub fans. My mom is a Michael Jordan-era Bulls fan, but I was long out of the house by then.

2. What is your favorite sport? Chicago Cubs baseball.

3. When did you last play a sport? I never play sports unless absolutely forced to. I played pool very badly in a bar a few months ago. Does that count?
4. When did you last attend a professional sporting event and what was it? I had the pleasure of taking my 9-year-old nephew to his first Cub game in Wrigley Field this past July.

5. What was the last sport you watch on TV? Dodgers/Phillies earlier this month.

6. If you have children, do they play the same sports that you did? If not, someday if you have kids, would you like them to? I am such a klutz I was even bad at jump rope, and I don't have kids, so I don't know how to answer.

7. Do you think other people care too much about sports? No.

8. Do you have the freedom to be as involved in either playing or watching as much sports as you’d like to? Yes.

9. Who is your favorite sports team? If you don't know the answer to that question, you haven't been reading very carefully. I bleed Cubbie blue.

A Chicago Ghost Story

Michelle's TT about The Red Dwarf of Detroit inspired me to do a Halloween post introducing Chicago's own Resurrection Mary. There are many versions of this story, which has been told and retold countless times since the 1930s, but I'm going with my favorite …

Imagine that it's a late, moonlit night. You are in nearby Justice, IL, driving down Archer Avenue and are just about to pass Resurrection Cemetery. Suddenly a teenage girl appears by the side of the road. She's easy to see, even in the dark, because she has white blonde hair and is wearing a white party dress. It can't possibly be safe for her to be out alone, walking around near a cemetary on a night like this, so you roll down the window and offer her a ride. She wordlessly shakes her head and you start to pull away.

Just as you're picking up speed, she somehow appears directly in front of your car! You cannot stop and are sickened by the thud and crunch of breaking bones as you run her over. You get out to see if there's anything you can do to help this poor girl. But there's no trace of her. For it wasn't a real-live girl you encountered … It was Resurrection Mary!

In the 1930s, the "real Mary" (if there was one) was a vivacious and popular girl who was thoroughly enjoying her prom at the Willowbrook Ballroom. Her boyfriend got a little too fresh and Mary, ever the lady, ran out of the ballroom and into the night, in search of a ride home. While trying to hitch a ride on Archer Avenue, she was hit by a car. The cowardly driver sped away, leaving poor Mary dead in the street.

Her family buried her in best white dress in Resurrection Cemetery. But, since it wasn't "her time," she frequently escapes from her grave to spend another night dancing among the living. Since history has a way of repeating itself, she is often hit by a car again as she heads back "home" to her grave.

It's not unusual for the Justice police department to be called out to the cemetery after a Resurrection Mary sighting. I'm not sure she'll come out tonight, though. Haunting drivers on Halloween just might be too typical for a "free spirit" (pardon the pun) like Mary.

Economic casualities

In the humongous office building where I currently work, there used to be a small fragrance store and a restaurant that specialized in salads. Both disappeared this month. Right here in town, I pass an independently-owned furniture store every day as I walk to and from the train. As of this evening, it's empty, too.

I never shopped in any of these places, yet still, I feel like crying. Each of these small business represented someone's dreams and it's painful to consider the heartbreak these closures have caused.

Thursday Thirteen #91 -- Meet the original girl super-sleuth

THIRTEEN THINGS
ABOUT NANCY DREW

Before Kinsey Milhone, before Kay Scarpetta, I followed the adventures of the original girl super-sleuth, Nancy Drew. So did just about every girl I grew up with. We weren’t alone: Since 1930, girls between the ages of 9 and 12 have been introduced to the mystery genre through these 175 titles.

Nancy Drew has conquered Hollywood, too, starring in 5 movies – four in the late 1930s with Bonita Granville; one in 2007 starring Emma Roberts. There have been two Nancy Drew TV series. In the first, which premiered in the 1970s, she was played by Pamela Sue Martin (who was replaced by Janet Louise Johnson). The second series ran in 1995 and starred Tracy Ryan.

In the 1990s, Nancy’s adventures as a third-grade sleuth solving mysteries with her young friends (“the Clue Crew”) were chronicled for a younger audience in a series known as The Nancy Drew Notebooks. Also, today’s kids can help Nancy solve mysteries interactively with her computer games.

She has her own website and a line of collectibles . With all this merchandising, I’m surprised the girl still has time to sleuth!

Here are thirteen facts about the girl who has played a role in countless young lives: Miss Nancy Drew.

1) Nancy has always had blue eyes, though her hair color has changed from reddish blonde to just blonde over the years.

2) Except for her incarnation in The Nancy Drew Notebooks, Nancy is done with high school but still a teenager. (I think of her as forever 18.)

3) She lives with her widowed father, famous attorney Carson Drew, in River Heights.

4) Her late mother, who descended from Scottish aristocrats, died when Nancy was either 3 or 10 (depends on which book you reference).

5) Nancy and Carson are tended to by their housekeeper, Hannah, who cooks and cleans and keeps the 3-story brick house running smoothly.

6) Nancy has always loved her blue car. In one book she drove a maroon car, but by the next volume she was back to blue. Over the years it’s evolved from a blue “roadster” to a blue Mustang.

7) Her two best friends are a pair of cousins named Bess and George. Bess is Elizabeth Marvin and George is Georgia Fayne. Bess is pretty and plump, and George is a big, clumsy tomboy.

8) Nancy is without a doubt the leader of this trio, unafraid to do whatever it takes – climb a fence, pick a lock, rifle through drawers – in search of a clue. Bess and George are helpful, but generally just along for the ride.

9) In addition to being fearless, Nancy is always fashionable, and capable of solving crimes in high heels and pearls. She is fond of hats and has a gift for coordinating them with her handbags.

10) Nancy doesn’t just solve crimes. Even though she doesn’t seem interested in college, she enjoys artistic pursuits like music and dancing. She is a fine cook, but loves sports – golf, sailing, swimming, tennis, and horseback riding.

11) Naturally this spirited and accomplished girl is irresistible to boys. But her heart belongs to Ned Nickerson, a sophomore at nearby Emerson College. He is 6’2, with wavy hair. He, too, is excellent at sports and has spent a summer or two as a camp counselor.

12) Ned would like Nancy to settle down and become his wife, but she’s just not ready. In the meantime, he’s welcome to help her solve mysteries.

13) Her latest adventure was Werewolf in a Winter Wonderland (2003). Here’s the plot summary, courtesy of Amazon.com: “Things are hairy in River Heights this holiday season. Two wolves have disappeared from WildWolf, the federal wolf preserve just outside of town. Local farmers think the missing wolves are killing their sheep, but there are also rumors of werewolf sightings nearby. At the same time, the annual River Heights Winter Carnival is set to begin. When the first two days of the outdoor festival are full of tragic disasters, Nancy can't help but wonder -- is there a link between the carnival's trouble and the missing wolves? After the carnival's beautiful ice palace is destroyed, Nancy's sure there's a wolf at River Heights's door. But is the leader of this pack of crimes human, or beast?”

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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It took two hours, but I VOTED

I have lived more than half my life in the same town, yet had never been inside Village Hall until today. Now I'm an expert on its layout. I can tell you how to find the public restrooms, animal control, and the window for paying traffic fines because the line of early voters snaked through the entire first floor.

I saw a report that said just over 55% of all registered voters cast a ballot in 2004. I predict we're about to see what happens when that percentage rises. My advice: Take a book and bottled water along when you go to vote Tuesday!

Worries closer to home

This afternoon and evening I got a pair of phone calls delivering disturbing news:

First, my 9 year old nephew. He started suffering terrible headaches when the school year began. His mom -- my kid sister -- has been keeping a diary of everything he eats, the time of the headaches and the duration. His teacher has been very helpful, cooperative and comforting. Two pediatricians have examined him, as well as the input from his mom and teacher, and yet cannot isolate the reason for the headaches. (We know it's not a sinus infection, nor his eyesight.) So today, he had an MRI. Next is an examination by a pediatric neurologist, who can't see him until February! On the one hand, this makes me angry. I hate the thought of him squinting in pain, sometimes driven to tears and nausea, until February. On the other hand, if his pediatrician thought it was serious, I'm sure the neurologist would find a way to squeeze that "initial consult" in before the new year.

Next, a friend of mine … and her hubby. No, they aren't having marital trouble. But he had just had surgery for prostate cancer! Even though they are both in their 50s, neither had been married before they got hitched in the summer of 2007. It somehow doesn't seem fair that two people who waited so long for "happily ever after" have to deal with this. Yet she's upbeat about his prognosis and seems to genuinely admire the way he has handled the pain. I'm impressed by how lovingly she talks of helping him with some pretty disgusting procedures. So even though I found this news rattling, I find it heartening how well the two of them are handling it.

So now that I've had time to process the information, I've calmed down a bit and aren't as anxious about this news as I was when it was first received. Still, if you don't mind, I think I'm gonna be done answering the phone for a while.

I can't stop thinking about him

He is Julian King, the 7-year-old nephew of Jennifer Hudson. Look at the face of a little boy who endured unspeakable terror last Friday, seeing his grandmother and uncle shot right there in their home. Then he was shot twice in the head in the backseat of his uncle's stolen SUV.

Here's a link to a column by the SunTimes' Mary Mitchell. She sums up my feelings perfectly.

Rest in peace, little fella. I'm sorry that in life someone treated you so disrespectfully, but I believe that where you are now, you're safe and secure and content.

Phfew! That'a a relief, because I was gonna vote anyway.

You Should Be Allowed to Vote

You got 13/15 questions correct. Generally speaking, you're very well informed. If you vote this election, you'll know exactly who (and what) you'll be voting for. You're likely to have strong opinions, and you have the facts to back them up.

Should You Be Allowed to Vote?

Color me "home"

It's taken most of today, but I have unpacked most of my boxes and have vintage Bruce Willis gazing (Ok, make that "smirking') at me. So now this new office feels "mine."

I don't have my Bonnie & Clyde poster up yet ("They're young. They're in love. They kill people."). Nor have I hung A Hard Day's Night. I need to bring a hammer in for those two. But I've got my creative muse (shown) on the bulletin board and that's key.

Sunday Stealing: The AnyHow Meme

1. Do you believe in seeing a rainbow after the rain? Yes. In reality and metaphorically.

2. If you have a dream come true, what would it be? Right now, it would be to win the lottery. Unfortunately, I forgot to buy a ticket this week.

3. Do you believe in eternity love? Yes. But I think it evolves.

4. What feeling do you love most? Contentment.

5. What feeling do you hate the most? Helplessness.

6. Do you cherish every single friendship of yours? Some more than others ...

7. Do you believe in God? Yes.

8. Who cares for you most? My mom.

9. What do you think is the most important thing in your life? My friends. I'm very lucky.

10. What emotion do you like to show? Happy, cheerful, upbeat. You know, the rainbow after the rain thing.

11. If you have something troubling you, what do you do? I try to fix it. And if it's not immediately fixable, I obsess and make myself crazy. It's not a perfect system, but I've consistently followed it for decades now.

12. Who do you admire most? Right now, my friend Barb. She's the only one I know who is shrewd, successful AND happy, both professionally and personally.

13. Who did you last chat with in a chat room? It's been years and years. I don't remember.

14. What kind of person do you think the one we stole this meme from is? Thoughtful

15. What color did you use to dye your hair? Nice 'n Easy #107.

16. Why are you doing this meme? Can't sleep.

17. What do you do when you're moody? Dunno. Depends. Sleep. Work. Write. Xanax.

18. At which age do you wish to or did you, get married? When I was a kid, I thought 26 was a ripe old age.

19. If today is the last day of your life, what will you do? I don't know how to answer because I wouldn't want to know in advance that it was the last day of my life.

20. Who is the person you trust the most? My best friend.

21. Last time you smiled? A few hours ago while chatting about my niece and nephew.

22. What are you listening to right now? Bette Midler

23. Who was the last person you saw in your dream? My friend, John.

24. Are you talking to someone while doing this? No.

25. Do you walk with your eyes open or closed? Open.

26. Is there a quote you live by? "Always wear sunscreen." So opens a commencement speech that was really written by Mary Schmich of the Chicago Tribune, not Kurt Vonnegut, and it's filled with good and realistic life advice.

27. Do you want someone you cannot have? Yes.

28. Who always makes you laugh? My best friend

29. What was the worst idea you've had this week? Not exercising at lunchtime. Gave me too much time to dwell and left me feeling undisciplined … and fat.

30. Do you speak another language other than English? No.

To indulge in a little Sabbath theivery yourself, click here.

And the hits just keep on coming!

Last week I learned that my condo association assessments will be going up in 2009. In today's mail I received a lovely announcement from my mortgage company -- not only is my monthly payment going up, I owe them about $750 as my local property taxes have risen dramatically and my escrow account must keep pace. Now -- when I believe I'm on the verge of being let go -- I don't need this news.

It's enough to make an ol' gal afraid to check her mailbox!

Nailah Franklin Update -- Suspect will act as his own lawyer

In September, 2007, a promising young pharmaceutical sales rep was kidnapped and murdered. Her name was Nailah Franklin, shown here. I never knew her, but I was impressed and touched by the way her family and friends rallied and made sure she wasn't just another "missing black woman" statistic. This 28-year-old woman was clearly loved by many.

Yesterday, the suspect in her murder, a former boyfriend, told the court that he was going to represent himself. This 31-year-old says he cannot afford his own lawyer, and doesn't want a public defender because it would take too long to have one assigned and for that PD to be brought up to speed on his case. He wants a speedy trial because he maintains his innocence.

I will use his name here and publicly apologize if he is, indeed, found innocent. But for now, I want to devote this space to the young lady whose life was lost.

Nailah Franklin was one of 5 daughters.

She graduated first from Homewood Flossmoor High School and then the University of Illinois.

She spent 5 years at the prestigious ad agency, Leo Burnett.

She moved to Eli Lilly in 2006.

She loved "all things Oprah."

She volunteered at the Chicago Urban League.

She was eulogized as "not a star, but a superstar."

May she rest in peace.

Saturday 9 -- The Best of What's Around

1. What's the best new website you've found?
eBags. I love it! It's easy to navigate and the merchandise changes often and there's always something terrific available at a great price.

2. What's the best movie you've seen?
My all-time favorite movie changes from time to time. Right now, I'd answer Bonnie & Clyde. I appreciate the subtext about how we have a hard time separating fame from infamy. I love how instantly, unpredictably it veers from comedy to tragedy -- because often that's how life is. 40 years after its release, it's easy to see the influence it's had on other movies (esp. The Godfather). And I looove the clothes.

3. What's the best quote you know?
"What man has done, man can do."

4. What's the best book you've read?
JFK: Reckless Youth by Nigel Hamilton. It's my favorite biography of my favorite President, and it centers it on his early years. It reminds me that no matter how terrific a life looks from the outside, you have no idea how it feels on the inside.

5. What's the best thing someone's done for you?
I'm fortunate to have a lot of great and helpful people in my life, but this is the first example that pops into head. I really love my cat, Joey. He's such an open, loving soul and being around him lifts my spirits. My friend's little boy (now he's a high school senior!) accompanied me to the animal shelter and he's the one who zeroed in on Joe.

6. What's the best thing about your job?
The benefits! If I end up getting laid off, I will really miss the very affordable, high-quality health and dental insurance.

7. What’s the best CD you own?
The Beatles' White Album. We can quibble about whether there are better CDs out there, but this is the most varied and has some truly exquisite moments.

8. What’s the best new TV show you watch?
Mad Men. I have such a crush on Don Draper. As one who works in advertising, I'm often surprised by how well they nail the world I work in.

9. What’s the best car you’ve owned?
This is easy because I've only ever owned one: An ancient Chevy Impala. To be honest, it was a rusty piece of shit. But it was also the best car I've owned.

To play along yourself, click here.

Some good news for a change

One of the mutual funds I own independent of my 401(k) at work actually went up today. By 1¢. I know that one entire penny might not seem like cause for celebration, but the other one went down 5¢.

Sometimes it's all in the context.

What's on the Gal's Mind Today?

This "Rollercoaster of Randomness" was liberated from Kwizgiver.

Are you single?
Yes

Have you ever been in love?
Yes

What did your last ex look like?
He had brown eyes and dark, curly hair.

Who is are favorite band/artist?
The Beatles. (If you didn't know that, you're new to this blog, aren't you?)

How is your day going?
Eh. We're slow here at work and I'm preparing to move to a new office where I honestly don't think I'll be in very long. I know that if layoffs are looming, every day that I'm still employed is important. On the other hand, it feels like waking up and attending the same wake every day.

What were you doing at 3:00pm?
Packing another box of files

Have any siblings?
2 sisters

What movie did you last see?
W

What kind of phone service do you use?
AT&T

Do you have a favorite pair of shoes?
One? No. I have many favorite pairs of shoes!

What is your favorite breakfast meal?
Eggs. Maybe an omelet. Perhaps over easy so I can mop with toast.

Would you rather be at the beach or be in the snow?
Snow

Do you like anyone?
You mean "like" in the schoolgirl sense? I suppose I do.

Are they older or younger?
Younger

Have any nicknames?
Yes. But I don't like them much so I'm not sharing them here.

Would you rather eat or sleep?
Eat. As evidenced by this ass.

Do you like long car rides?
No

Wanna go for a walk?
I love walks

Favorite colors?
Blue and green

Rain or sunshine?
Sunshine. The sky today is cloudy and closer to gray than blue.

What is your favorite drink?
Classic Coke

Plans for the weekend?
Take an inventory of my clothes and see what I need for fall/winter (just in case I'm freelancing or looking for a new job).

Ever been out of the state?
Yes.

Out of the country?
Yes.

Ever met anyone famous?
Bruce Springsteen kissed me. Sigh ...

Who is the best band to see in concert?
Bruce Springsteen

How much money do you have on you?
$35

Next concert you will attend?
If Paul McCartney comes to Chicago to promote his new album, I will be there. No matter what.

What is your favorite dessert?
I have sudden and inexplicable craving for strawberry shortcake.

Anything exciting happening soon?
I hope not. Because if something exciting happens soon, it may be an axe blade on the back of my neck. (Professionally speaking, of course. I forget we're so close to Halloween, and the annual return of Freddie and Jason and Michael Myers and Leatherface ...)

Text or call?
Call

Are you a morning person?
Yes

Sunrise or Sunset?
Sunset

What do you like to watch on tv?
Mad Men. Don Draper is sooooo hot.

When is your birthday?
Next month

How old will you be?
51. It looks older than it feels.

Ever been drunk?
Yes.

What is the most recent thing you have smoked?
I have never smoked anything.

How many times have you been on a plane?
Probably between 70 and 100 times.

Favorite vacation spot?
I'd love to go back to New York, preferably on an expense account.

What kind of pancakes do you like?
Topped with hot apples.

What elementry school did you attend?
Brook Park

How tall are you?
ALMOST 5'2

Are you close to your parents?
Yes

Do you like to hold hands in public?
Yes

Would you have sex in aisle five at Wal-Mart if you could?
No.

Do you have a job?
Yes (she responded, smiling ironically).

Do you like cotton candy?
More in theory than in practice. Sticky.

Do you own a hula-hoop?
No

What kind of car do you drive?
I don't drive

Can you do the "Soldier Boy"?
No

Do you own a pair of boots with the fur?
No

What color is your umbrella?
Teal. I love my umbrella. It was a Christmas gift from my mom. Made by Samsonite, it never turns inside out. When I inevitably lose it, I will be very sad.

How many times a day do your brush your teeth?
Twice

Do you comb or brush your hair?
Brush

What brand of toilet paper do you use?
Cottonelle (it's a UPromise brand)

How far have you traveled from your home?
4,145 miles (I just looked it up)

Do you own a waffle iron?
No

Have you ever bought anything from Ebay?
Yes

Have you ever been in a wedding?
Yes

Do you know your mailman's name?
No. But I believe she's a woman, so we should probably refer to her as a "mail carrier."

Have you ever had a bad haircut?
Yes

Do you like to bet on horse or dog races?
No

Would you go to the moon if you could?
No

What is the highlight of your day, so far?
I'm still waiting.

What type of alcoholic drink do you order at the bar?
Light beer or an "ini."

Do you think senior citizens have sex?
I hope so.

Have you ever shot anything and killed it?
No

Would you eat a live spider if somebody was going to pay you 5000 dollars to do it?
No

Have you ever had a pedicure?
Oh, yes. I have given them up for the sake of economizing, and I miss them already.

If you play along, let me know so we can compare answers.