There's a price for keeping secrets ...

… and I don't want my little nephew to pay it.

The family is abuzz about a paper my third-grade nephew wrote. The topic was, "Something that bothers me." My nephew wrote about how his parents fight with his sister for "hours and hours," and that it gets so loud he goes down to the basement with his Gameboy and tries to ignore it.

My sister (his mother) saw it and was mortified. She asked him if he had to write about his sister and how they argue. "What?" he asked defiantly. "Do you want me to lie?"

The hand-wringing has gone from how he spilled their noisy, messy homelife to how "mouthy" he was in defending his composition. I don't understand what all the fuss is about because:

1) My niece, a sophomore in high school, does argue with her parents. About cellphone minutes, and time behind the wheel, and her aspirations. I don't see why this is especially scandalous. I bet the teacher has heard and seen worse.

2) My sister, the baby of the family, is very sharp tongued but doesn't realize it. So she doesn't recognize that, when the tone gets hostile or sarcastic, my niece is living what she's learned.

3) I think it TERRIFIC that my nephew is using his words to share what's going on inside. It's better than punching a wall or acting out in school. I wonder how much of this at-home stress, and keeping it to himself, contributes to those miserable headaches he suffers. If writing about it and telling his teacher what's going on at home helps, then I'm grateful for it.

I suppose that in the interest of full disclosure, I should admit that I was on barbiturates in first grade for sleepwalking and chronic diarrhea. Yet I still got in trouble within the family for letting people know what went on behind closed doors at our house. Then, as now, keeping the family secrets was paramount, regardless of the cost.

Look who's here to keep me company!

I always love Lucy, but never more so than when I don't feel good. Here I am, on the sofa with my cat Charlotte at my side, watching Lucy try to reunite with Ricky. She missed the ship that's taking Ricky and the band to Europe and … well, you know Lucy. Hi jinks ensue. And I am content to just sit here and be amused by them.

Yeah, but I'm stubborn

It's after 1:00 AM and I'm up again, unable to sleep. I woke up with a headache and a stuffy nose. It's just a cold, no fever, but it's sapping my energy and mornings have been so tough for me.

Thursday promises to be a heinously cold day (the high is predicted to be -1º F). We're terrifyingly slow at work this week and I realize that if I slept in (provided I can go back to sleep!) my coworkers would somehow be able to muddle through without me.

And yet I really can't stand weather whining. It's January in Chicago -- historically our coldest month, when the average temperature is always below freezing. I really resist letting my agenda be altered by the thermometer, or a tenacious airborn virus that's set up a temporary residence inside this old gal.

Fave meme

Liberated from Kwizgiver

1. Political show: Morning Joe on MSNBC. They always have a variety of opinions represented, and even when the guests disagree, they do it with civility and fun.

2. Picnic food: Potato chips.

3. Mixed drink: I spent my time in Key West enjoying pomegranitinis, and they were very good.

4. U.S. President: Of all time? Lincoln. FDR would be second. My lifetime? Kennedy. All three of them inspired us to rise to the occasion and try to be all we can be as a nation. I have high hopes for Obama (even though I'm old and cynical, I want to believe what we can do if we listen to "our better angels").

5. Kind of student to teach: I'm still learnng myself.

6. Hobby you do or wish you still did: I'd like to learn another language.

7. Sports commentator: Pat and Ron (Pat Hughes and Ron Santo, the Cubs radio team)

8. Sport to watch on TV: Cubs baseball

9. Animal to have as a pet: I'm a feline aficionado

10. Halloween costume you have worn: Harpo Marx

11. Kind of dessert: Right now I'd like a slice of strawberry rhubarb pie

12. Comic strip: I read Apartment 3G when I was in high school. Does it still exist?

13. Ice cream flavor: Mint chocolate chip

14. News source: I'm a news junkie. I read the Chicago Tribune every Mon-Fri, Time and Newsweek, and I watch MSNBC and CNN.

15. Vacation spot: Chateau Elan, a winery and spa in Atlanta. If I'm still employed, I want to go back this March. (That's a photo of the spa above)

16. Wine: Since I'm thinking of Chateau Elan, I'll go with their muscadine wines. Light and sweet and with a kick that creeps up on you.

17. Way to waste time instead of working: blogging, Pogo, email, watching TV (my answers are suspiciously like Kwizgiver's)

18. Reality show: American Idol, especially after the auditions. (This IS Kwizgiver's)

19. Children’s movie: Mary Poppins (Likewise, Kwiz and I are on the same page)

20. Celebrity you wish would retire: Madonna and her, "Oh, look! I'm outrageous" act. To paraphrase Cabaret, "You're about as shocking as an afterdinner mint."

It helps to remember

I still don't feel good, and I've only been sleeping fitfully, so I'm reminding myself of a Thursday 13 I wrote in May, 2007. It's all still true, and it's a nice salve for my sickly, pre-dawn soul.

Thirteen Things that Delight
THE GAL HERSELF

Norman Maine referred to “little jabs of pleasure, like when a swordfish takes the hook.” I believe our lives are filled with those little jabs of pleasure … moments of joy that touch your heart a bit on even the saddest days. Here are 14 of mine (I included an honorable mention), listed in the order they occurred to me.

1. Chicago’s lakefront. The vastness of our great Great Lake never fails to take my breath away.

2. Oldies. Singing tunelessly along when a truly cheesy 70s song always gives me the giggles. I may not be able to remember where I left my checkbook, but I do know all the lyrics to “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia.”

3. Talking to my mom. We blab on the phone for about an hour every weekend. Every now and again it washes over me that we aren’t exclusively mother and daughter anymore; we’re also two women who like one another. I think that’s quite cool

4. My best friend’s name and number. I love coming around my desk to see the message light on alongside his number. Or opening my email to see his name there. Doesn’t matter what he has to say. I’m just glad he’s out there somewhere.

5. Pat and Ron. How to describe the Cubs radio team? As utterly charming, that’s how. I’d always rather listen to a game than watch because of them. Ron is Ron Santo, Cubs All-Star third baseman and one of the most idiosyncratic, and least objective, baseball broadcasters you’ll ever hear. More than once I’ve known a call hasn’t gone our way because I’ve heard Ronnie literally groan in my ear. He’s also one of the bravest, most positive characters around. He’s had so many health problems, and yet he always manages to sound upbeat (unless an outfielder loses one in the vines). Pat is Pat Hughes, the play-by-play man and the professional broadcaster in the booth. His pipes are spell binding and his wry sense of humor helps even the most broken-hearted Cub fan find something positive about any given game.

6. Paul McCartney. And I love him. Have since I was 6 years old. He’s provided the soundtrack of my life. From “All My Loving” to “Fine Line,” his familiar voice can always make me smile.

7. The sky. I love just looking out at the sky. From a cloudless light blue to a stormy gray to a starry black night. There’s a beauty and personality to its every form.

8. Chocolate. Dark chocolate. Hot chocolate. Hershey’s chocolate. Ghirardelli’s chocolate. Hostess cupcakes chocolate. It’s all good.

9. Going through my mail. There is always the possibility that I’ll find something exciting in there. Found money … a letter from my cousin … a magazine with McDreamy on the cover …

10. Really bad movies. Glen or Glenda. Valley of the Dolls. Change of Habit. Give me an unspeakably bad movie, a big glass of milk and a box of Nilla Vanilla Wafers and just watch my mood improve.

11. Really good movies. Casablanca. Citizen Kane. Gone with the Wind. It’s a cliché, but the classics really don’t ever go out of style, or even appear dated.

12. Going to the movies. I’m not talking about what I’m watching; I’m referring to the actual act of going to the show. You know, grabbing your popcorn or your Sno Caps and settling into your seat in a darkened theater. Beginning with the coming attractions, there’s a romance to it that I love.

13. Saving money. Rebate checks, coupons, airline miles, interest paid … The amount doesn’t matter. It’s the adventure of saving the money. It always leaves me feeling I’ve accomplished something.

Am I allowed an honorable mention? That would go to watching my cat Joey sleep. Not only does he look like he’s smiling, he moves a lot when in the throes of serious napping. My favorite nap position is kinda-sorta on his back, with his right rear leg sticking up. He manages to look positively ridiculous and completely adorable at the same time.

Love Kara, hate The Bikini Girl

Kara DioGuardi is fun. Paula is her same, sweet sensitive and slightly off center self. Randy is a self-consciously hip parody of himself. Simon is smug and self-assured, but he showed flashes of humanity and compassion. I still can't figure out what Ryan brings to the party, but whatever. In short …

IDOL IS BACK!

I already singled out the AI contestant that I love to hate. She's the tall tart who showed up for the audition in her bikini and offered to make out with Ryan if she won. Last year it was Danny Noriega, this year Bikini Girl is the one who is nowhere near as adorable as she thinks she is and I hope she goes home after Hollywood. (To be fair, though, her cellulite-free legs are completely amazing.)

Ya got to have friends ...

Over the last 24 hours, I've heard from or been touched by these friends.

My oldest friend sent me a lovely bouquet of flowers in a coffee mug. It's to thank me for the advice and support, even as I worry about my own professional future. While I don't expect such things, it's awfully nice to feel appreciated … and to have flowers greet me when I enter my office still feeling a little crappy from this cold.

My former boss and I had dinner last night. His life still sucks. Short version: he went into the hospital for "minor" surgery last spring and it went very wrong. He endured a long, slow, difficult 3-month recovery, was finally able to return to work, and then was laid off. (For the long version, click here.) BUT his mood is much improved. He still talks about his medical problems incessantly, but that's OK, because that's how he's working through it. (Besides, it's good to know I can still blush.) His good humor is back, and that's a testament to his spirit.

My adorable friend whose wife dumped him is on the mend, too. Strangely enough, finding out that she was having an affair while they were still married has made him feel better. There was no amount of counseling, nothing he could do, to keep his marriage afloat because, unbeknownst to him, she had already left him emotionally. So while on the one hand, he's not crazy about the other man hanging around his former house with his children, it has liberated him to start dating again. Her name is Kristin. God bless her for making my adorable friend so happy.



Lyrics | Bette Midler - Friends lyrics

I feel soooo virtuous

I worked out today! Even though it's cold and I'm still a little congested and weak as a kitten. I did 15 minutes on the treadmill, 15 minutes on the stationery bike, 16 reps on the chest press, and some leg lifts. I may be sickly, but I have my eyes on the prize. I WILL work out 13 times in January! (I've also been pretty good about avoiding candy.)

The Mimi Meme

1. Click on the blogs in your sidebar, follow list or blogroll
2. Find Sunday's post. (January 11)
3. Copy the FIRST SENTENCE, whatever it is. Exception: If it is a MEME, copy the ANSWER to the first question. If it is a picture or video with no caption, skip it.
4. Place the sentences chronologically in a story on your blog. Link the first WORD of the sentence back to the blog and list the blogs you used at the bottom of the meme.
5. Title your story using the first word of the first FIVE sentences.
6. Tag the bloggers you borrowed from! Copy these rules and link back to me.

Here's a little story I like to call, "Book Entering Millions Dear Have."

Book Boy finished reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows yesterday. Entering the National Contortionists of America's Connecticut Regional Finals was brave. Millions long for immortality who don't know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Dear George, where are ya? Have a baby. So, here I sit, Sunday evening at 10:55pm.

Book Mama -- So Now What?
WTIT: The Blog -- Sunday Stealing
Inside Mo's Mind -- I'm Manic for Monochrome
Kwizgiver -- Golden Globes are boring
Mimi Writes -- Sunday Stealing
Snarky Pants -- Countdown to the MC

Umcka Cold Care has a new fan

I woke up this morning with a sore throat, which pissed me off. It's SUNDAY. I wanted to have fun today. After all, yesterday started with a trip to the dentist. Doesn't a gal deserve to have fun?

So I went to Whole Foods to see if there was anything I could take to help me feel better. I settled on Nature Way's Umcka Cold Care Soothing Hot Drink (lemon flavor). And I do feel better. I'm still a few quarts low on energy and I can't concentrate on anything very long, but my throat is less irritated.

If it wasn't for the fact that all I got to do today was three loads of wash and set up my new 20" Sylvania TV, I'd be completely happy. But as it is, I still kinda resent that my weekend was weakened by this cold.

She cracks me up

This is Stephanie Courtney, who plays Flo, the Progressive salesgirl on the car insurance commercials. She's always much funnier than her scripts. Next to Bill and Karolyn Slowski, the Comcast Turtles, Flo is my favorite faux spokesperson.

Sunday Stealing #16

Sunday Stealing: The Hardest Meme Ever

1. What is the bravest thing that you feel you've ever done physically? Four and a half years ago, I walked in on a rape in progress. It was after midnight in the stairwell of the train station. I sobered up very quickly, stood my ground, and very calmly dialed 911 on my cell. I was describing the perpetrator to police even as he ran away. I stayed with the victim as long as I could -- in addition to the injuries you'd expect, the rapist had dislocated her jaw and her face was swelling up. The police separated us, though, so that I wouldn't be compromised if I ever had to testify in court. It really never occurred to me that I could have been hurt until later, when the police were interviewing me.

2. What is the bravest thing that you feel you've ever done emotionally? Therapy. If it's to be a success, you have commit to it and be honest. About everything.

3. What one talent do you wish you had that you don't? I wish I could sing.

4. If you had that talent what would you be doing with it? Karaoke.

5. We all have our reasons for blogging but what would be your ultimate goal for your blog or as a blogger? Create an accurate online journal. I want to be able to read this in years to come and remember what this time of life was like.

6. What advice would you give a new blogger? Don't overanalyze. Just do it. WRITE.

7. Who are you three favorite blogs to visit (Yes, you can have ties and name more than three.) See the links at right.

8. You can trade lives with any one person for a month. Who would it be and why? A pet sitter. I have been wondering if that would be a good second career for me, after the writing thing comes to an end. Would I really enjoy it as much as I think I would?

9. There's a fire and your family is safe but you have the chance to save any one item from your house. What would it be and why? My cats -- unless I can get away with claiming them as family. Then I'd grab my purse.

10. You have the chance to go back in time and warn yourself before making a bad choice. What choice would it be and what would you tell yourself? Don't waste so much time on the man my oldest friend refers to as "the living piece of shit." I know that, wicked painful as that relationship was, it was necessary for me to go through. I just don't know that it was necessary for me to go through the same stuff again, and again and again. (I can be a slow learner.)

It's just SNOW!

Yesterday, Illinois did something that's never happened here before. Our governor was impeached. I thought this was a major news story. I must be mistaken, though, since every morning newscast opened with the snowfall.

Everyone I spoke to complained about the snow endlessly! It's January, it's Chicagoland. Snow happens.

I didn't enjoy walking in the street because no one had shoveled the sidewalks. No, I admit standing at the bus stop, waiting and praying that my boots wouldn't leak, was no fun.

But it is pretty, and it is natural and normal. It didn't change my agenda for the day because it's just SNOW!

I think that Governor Bizarre-o-vich (as one of the local papers has dubbed him) is far more worthy of attention and discussion.

Saturday 9 -- The Phone Is for You

1. Your phone rings. Who is the most likely caller? Lately it's been Mike, the very nice -- but extremely high maintenance -- guy I pay for snow removal at my mom's home. He calls to tell me what he's going to do, when he's going to do it, and what he's done. Because he's a little scatter-brained, I have told him I'd prefer invoices, because that way we can be sure we both understood what's been agreed upon, but no ... he calls. And calls. And calls.

2. How long to you chat on the phone each day? An hour or two. Most of my chatting is done online or by text these days.

3. Who do you speak to the most? At work, Laura from account management. At home, my mom.

4. Do you often not answer if a certain person comes up on your caller id? Yes. See #1. Mike is getting on my last nerve.

5. Do you phone friends at work? Yes.

6. Do you make personal calls at work? Yes.

7. Who do you always say “I love you” to at the end of the call? No one. For the people who mean the most to me, I usually tell them to be good, or careful. I want to protect them before I hang up.

8. Do you use a landline or cell more often? Landline. Cell reception is never as good as landline, so I only use the cell for brief, "I'll be there in a minute" or "I'm running late" calls. Much to my chagrin, my friends are increasingly using their cells and Blackberries. I know, I know ... cells and BBs are so much easier and cheaper ...

9. Who in the blogosphere that you haven’t chatted with but would like to? I electronically check in with my regulars all the time, so I can't think of anyone.

To play along yourself, visit Saturday 9: The Phone is For You.

Corporate America Is Icky

That's a word we forgot! "ICKY!"

My best friend hates his job today. He hated it yesterday, too. Looks like he'll worry about it all weekend and hate it into Monday, too.

Like me, he works at an ad agency, and he's expected to increase his billings by 50% in 2009. Um, that's simply not possible. We're in a Recession, and marketing budgets are among the first to be slashed. At a time when clients are looking for ways to economize, it's not really reasonable (or sane) to expect them to spend that much more.

His boss referred to the goal as "ambitious." Yeah, sure. I suppose expecting monkeys to fly out his ass could be referred to as "ambitious," too.

So let's see, how does this make him feel?

Frustrated
Undervalued
Used
Misunderstood
Inadequate
Helpless
Trapped
Scared
Weary
Resentful
Mad

And let's not forget -- ICKY!

The Friday 5

THE LUCKY ONES

1. Among people you know, who seems to be lucky in love? My friend Mindy. She met her future husband on a blind date, fixed up by someone she had just met in a photography class, and WHAM! That was it! They have been married for 25 years now. Like everyone, they have had trouble in their life together -- his career setbacks, her problems conceiving, parents getting older, etc -- but their marriage has always been rock solid.

2. Among people you know, who seems to be lucky with money? My friend Barb. She has good instincts, and an even better financial planner.

3. Among people you know, who’s lucky to be alive? My friend John. He used to at least dabble in just about every kind of high-risk behavior available. Now that he's over 50 his social life has become downright dull, and since I love him, I'm relieved.

4. Among people you know, who seems to have the worst luck? My former boss. He was diagnosed with cancer, mistreated horribly by the hospital, and was recently laid off! From where I sit, there isn’t a damn thing he could have done to prevent any of it.

5. What kinds of good-luck charms do you own or carry? I don’t carry any. Yet I have been known to insist that those I love carry them. Go figure.

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

2008 in Review

I got this idea from Mo, who snagged it over that other Gal's place.

Copy, paste, & share the first sentence(s) of the first post of each month during 2008: (link to each post by clicking on the title)

January: In Praise of Captain Tony's "This is my favorite bar in Key West."

February: You Big Babies! "Ok, so it snowed last night and all morning."

March: Where have you been all my life? "I'm talking about the show NCIS generally, and Mark Harmon specifically."

April: Tuesday Tunes "Word association week: Remember name the first song/album/artist/musical style that comes to mind when you see the following 10 words."

May: Grrrr! "I'm wound a little tight just now."

June: She gets me every time "I was channel surfing just now and came upon Olive Hoover as she prepares to do her big "Super Freak" number in the Little Miss Sunshine pageant."

July: Today would have been her birthday. "#47, I believe. I wonder what a middle-aged Princess Diana would be doing."

August: Miss Me? "The Blogger robots came by yesterday and decided I was one of them."

September : When Is a Duck a Real Ass? "When Mad Men is on, that's when."

October: Well, that was cruel "I cannot believe how tonight's Cubs/Dodgers game went!"

November: Lunch with my niece "We celebrated her birthday, just she and I, at an Italian restaurant."

December: Funny or Sad? You Be the Judge. "You are looking at the interest my Chase checking account earned during the month of November."

Let me know if you choose to play along, so I can see how your world looks in review.

Happy Birthday, Your Highness

“It was like he came along and whispered some dream in everybody’s ear, and somehow we all dreamed it.” Bruce Springsteen

“When I first heard Elvis' voice I just knew that I wasn’t going to work for anybody, and nobody was going to be my boss...Hearing him for the first time was like busting out of jail.” Bob Dylan

“Before Elvis, there was nothing.” John Lennon

“Elvis is a truly great vocalist, and you can hear why on this song. His phrasing, his use of echo, it's all so beautiful. It's the way he sings it, too. As if he's singing it from the depths of Hell. It's a perfect example of a singer being in command of the song.” Paul McCartney on “Heartbreak Hotel”

I say a little prayer

My best friend lives outside Boulder. He says he can see the wildfires from his home office window. He seems more concerned about his big 2009 planning meeting this afternoon than he does about being evacuated, though. Which means: a) the fires are a comfortable ways away from him or b) agency life and job prospects in Boulder are scarier than a wildfire. Maybe both.

I'm keeping the front page of the Boulder Daily Camera open so I can monitor the situation, just in case.

PHEW! LOOKS LIKE THE FIRES ARE UNDER CONTROL!

The Soul Patrol Meets Rydell High

I saw the Broadway in Chicago production of Grease, with Taylor Hicks, last night at the Auditorium Theater, and I had a wonderful time. This is largely because, as they say, a girl never forgets her first, and this show reminded me of a couple of notable firsts in my pop culture-loving life.

1) Grease. It was one of the first big musical productions I ever saw live. About this same time I also saw A Chorus Line for the first time. I fell in love. Not only with big musicals, but with living in Chicago, a world-class city with a flourishing theater community. (Grease originated in Chicago, you know.) So last night, while I was watching Danny and Sandy and Doody, I remembered the teenaged Gal I was the first time I met them, live, at the Civic Opera House, when I was also introduced to all my city has to offer.

2) Taylor Hicks, my first American Idol. I'd avoided the show until season 5. Then, for some reason, when it was narrowed down to 12, I tuned in. Once I saw Taylor Hicks among the others, he was my candidate. Sure, I got a kick out of Chicken Little. Rocker Chris Daughtry seemed somewhat uncomfortable with the middle-of-the-road, adult/contemporary format. Elliott Yamin screwed up the lyrics to Elvis' "If I Can Dream," an unforgivable sin in this Gal's book. I didn't really find any of the women memorable. But then there was Taylor Hicks. Good-natured, corny, with terrific pipes and blue-eyed soul that was part Johnny Rivers/part Michael McDonald, and yet somehow all his own. Watching Taylor Hicks pick off his competition and rise to the top hooked me, and I've been an AI addict ever since.

Last night he was Teen Angel, so his big number was "Beauty School Dropout." His blue glitter jacket was worth the price of admission, as was his entrance, emerging from a heavenly ice cream cone. He was in fine voice, and his style is well-suited to the nostalgic material. He connected well to the audience, so I was sorry to see him go. I wondered why they didn't just dye his trademark gray hair and let him play Danny. After all, Danny is usually played by actors who can sing (Barry Bostwick on stage, John Travolta in the movie). Why not turn it around a little and cast a singer who can act? Why not give it to my American Idol?

Because Taylor Hicks is a clod who can't dance for shit. When he came out at the end with the entire cast to reprise the big numbers, he soloed on "Grease" and was terrific. He even did a harmonica solo. But then he moved to the back of the stage. Waaaaaay back. Because he knows he can't dance for shit. It's not just his feet, it's his hands, too. Watching him try to "hand jive" was priceless.

The thing of it is, the audience still loved him. Filing out of the theater, people of all ages were laughing (affectionately) and imitating his awful moves. Like me, many were disappointed that he was onstage for such a limited time. I heard, "Jennifer Hudson's got an Oscar and he's doing this," as though as an American Idol winner he should be doing more prestigious things.

Maybe. Maybe not. There's a delightful lack of pretension to Taylor Hicks. He doesn't seem to feel like he's slumming as he struts around in his glitter jacket or whips out the harmonica. He seems to know that all he's doing is giving the crowd a little pleasure on a cold, January night. It's not lasting Art-with-a-capital-A, but it's fun. Perhaps that's his calling. Fun is certainly a worthy goal these days.

P.S. Since I'm a clod who can't dance for shit, either, I still consider Taylor Hicks my own personal American Idol.

Stolen from Kwizgiver, again.

If you want to see how she answered, click here.

What is on your bed right now? I'm not home so I can't say for sure, but I bet my cat Joey is powernapping on it right now

When was the last time you threw up? My last migraine. It's been months (September?) but they are completely dreadful.

What’s your favorite word or phrase? "That's cool." (Followed closely by, "What the fuck?" I swear entirely too much.)

Name 3 people who made you smile today. 1) A woman whose kids I babysat for back in the 1970s -- she contacts me every now and again and it always makes me happy. 2) A coworker who told me some jokes that I thoroughly enjoyed. 3) My boss, who affectionately finds me unintentionally funny.

What were you doing at 8 am this morning? Wondering why I'm just constitutionally unable to be ready to leave at 8 am.

What were you doing 30 minutes ago? Taking a call from the lady from LifeSource who wants me to give blood again.

What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

Have you ever been to another country? Yes

What is the last thing you said aloud? "Good night."

What is the best ice cream flavor? Mint chocolate chip

What was the last thing you had to drink? Pepsi

What are you wearing right now? Jeans and a purple sweater (that kinda itches)

What was the last thing you ate? Clam chowder (the white one)

Have you bought any new clothing items this week? No, but it's only Wednesday

When was the last time you ran? To catch an elevator or a train sometime today

What’s the last sporting event you watched? Bears/Vikings on December 11 (My true love -- Cubs baseball -- begins on Monday, April 6, in Houston)

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? I'd love to take my niece and nephew to Washington DC

Who is the last person you sent a comment/message to on Facebook? Judy. Ick.

Ever go camping? Yes, when I was a Girl Scout.

Do you have a tan? No. And I hope never to tan again. My dermatologist has made it abundantly clear that a tan is not my friend.

Have you ever lost anything down a toilet? just my pride (Kwizgiver's answer and I loved it)

What is your guilty pleasure? Nancy Grace on CNN Headline News ("Justice for Caylee!")

Do you use smiley faces on the computer a lot? No.

Do you drink your soda from a straw? No.

What did your last text message say? Where r u?

Are you someone’s best friend? Yes

What are you doing tomorrow? I really want to work out at lunchtime

Where is your mom right now? She is probably at her house, watching the news

Look to your left, what do you see? My desk phone, a photo of my best friend and I at a company softball game, and some handlabeled manilla folders

What color is your watch? Band is purple

What do you think of when you think of Australia? Hugh Jackman's chest

Ever ridden on a roller coaster? Yes. Love 'em

What is your birthstone? Topaz

Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive-thru? I go in because I don't have a car

Do you have any friends on Facebook that you actually hate? No.

Do you have a dog? No. But I'd love one.

Last person you talked to on the phone? That LifeSource lady

Any plans today? Grease with Barb (and American Idol's Taylor Hicks)

Are you happy? yes

Where are you right now? at the computer

Biggest annoyance in your life right now? My best friend's emailbox is full so he's incommunicado

Last song listened to? "This Love" by Maroon 5

Last movie you saw? The Day the Earth Stood Still

Are you allergic to anything? Bee sting, thimerosol, morphine, and some chemical that's in paint thinner

Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time? I have this pair of divine black Enzo Angiolini flats that I love so much ...

Are you jealous of anyone? Yes

Are you married? No

Is anyone jealous of you? Yes

Do any of your friends have children? Almost all of them have children

Do you eat healthy? I'm working on it

What do you usually do during the day? Write

Do you hate anyone right now? "Hate" is a rather strong word ...

Do you use the word “Hello” daily? Yes

How many kids do you want when you’re older? None! If I had a baby when I was older than I am now, I'd have to shoo away tabloid reporters and Barbara Walters

How old will you be turning on your next birthday? 52

Have you ever been to Six Flags? Yes

How did you get one of your scars? Last April, before dawn, we actually had a 5.2 earthquake. Here. In Chicago! Either my response startled my cat Joey, or his startled me, but as he and I were scrambling out of bed, he scratched the inside of my left knee. It wasn't deep, but for some reason it left a scar.

I like this one better

Verbal/Linguistic Intelligence

People with Linguistic intelligence love and are talented with words. They enjoy reading, writing and learning languages. They have an ability to teach and explain things to others. They learn best by reading, taking notes and going to lectures.

Common Characteristics

Notices grammatical mistakes
Often speaks of what they have read
Likes to use "fancy" words
Loves word games
Cherishes their book collection
Easily remembers quotes and famous sayings
Likes puns and rhymes
Enjoys writing
Enjoys foreign language
Always enjoyed English class

Career Matches

Writer (any type)
Editor
Public Speaker
Politician
Preacher
Teacher
Journalist
Broadcaster
English / Writing Tutor
Actor / Actress

Now doesn't this fit me better than those unfortunate comparisons to Fred Mertz?

To take the test yourself, click here.

Grease is the way I am feeling

Tonight I'm going see the ten billionth production of Grease to play Chicago (it started here, you know). What makes this one special? TAYLOR HICKS as Teen Angel!

It's completely ridiculous how much I'm looking forward to this. Here's hoping I can refrain from yelling out "SOUL PATROL!" when he comes on for his number.

Heads or Tails #21 -- Three Things

Tell three things you learned in 2008.

1) How to both spell and pronounce Kosuke Fukudome's name. It was hard, but being a Cub fan is not always easy.

2) That before I apply the new silicone, I am supposed to scrub the old grout around my bathroom tiles with bleach. Who knew? Not me, that's for sure. I'm not exactly Ms. Handy Home Depot.

3) Rice with pigeon peas is an authentic Puerto Rican dish and not bad at all. (If there's anything I know less about than home repair, it's cooking.)

To play along, or see to see what other bloggers have learned, click here.

Tuesday Tunes #16

Word association time again! Give us the artist/album/song etc that you think of when you see the following words:

Country: Reba

Break: I'll Be Back by the Beatles ("You know, if you break my heart I'll go, but I'll be back again.")

New: Another Girl by the Beatles ("You're making me say that I've got nobody but you. But as of today, well, I've got somebody that's new.")

Instrumental: Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass (I hate instrumentals)

Horrid: 70s soft rock (Air Supply, Barry Manilow and Tony Orlando, I'm talkin' to you!)
Bells: Tubular Bells (another instrumental that I hated)

Cute: I Don't Want to be Alone Anymore by Billy Joel ("You're a sad sight, Honey, but you look so cute.")

Cat: Cat Power

Mother: The John Lennon song of that name

Inspirational: "Imagine" (John again!)

To play along, click here.

Fred Mertz? REALLY?

I just took this personality test and found that one of the TV characters I'm most like is Fred. Of Fred and Ethel. Lucy and Ricky's old, tightwad landlord.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to lay down with a cool cloth on my forehead and recover.

Today's phrase that pays

"Cross-Dressing Killer Doctor
Found Dead"

I admit it -- I see a headline like that and I click on the link. For those of you who are curious about such lurid things, you can find the details here.

The Travolta Tragedy

I'm sure John Travolta and Kelly Preston loved their boy. It must have been horrible to lose their child, and I don't imagine that being in a foreign land over the holidays made any of it any easier. But ...

IF I HEAR ONE MORE PERSON SAY HOW AWFUL IT IS TO LOSE "THEIR ONLY SON," I WILL SCREAM!

What does that mean, anyway? Would it be less painful for them to get over the death of their daughter? Or that if you have two sons, one of them is disposable?

Manic Monday #21

Do you have any idiosyncrasies or unusual quirks when it comes to food and/or eating? I eat one thing at a time. For example, on Thanksgiving, I finish my turkey before diving into the stuffing. This annoys the people I dine with. I don't know why, as I don't pay attention to how they eat. But there you go.

Have you ever written love letters? If so, do you still have any of them? Love letters, specifically? No, but I have written chatty letters that include mushy parts. And I have hung onto them until long after the relationships have ended. Deleting them just always seems as final as getting my keys back.

How easy or difficult is it for you to say you're sorry? Depends on who it is and how big the infraction. The smaller the infraction, or the less intimate the acquaintance, the easier it is. It shouldn't be that way, but again, there you go.

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

What goes on behind closed doors?

We're all back at the office after the Christmas holiday, and we're all nervous about our jobs. Mr. Big (my boss' boss) has been behind closed doors all day, talking alternately to my boss and others at that level. Their faces as they leave Mr. Big's office are inscrutable, as all in management seem united in pretending that this is normal, despite the fact that the Chicago Sun Times business columnist announced today that 2008 "was an exceedingly difficult year for many top Chicago agencies -- and '09 looks no better."

Oh, well. I'm trying not to fixate. If it's gonna happen and I'm to be let go, I imagine the decision has already been made and there isn't a thing I can do about it.

I've got to start somewhere

Today, for the first time in ages, I went to Bally's at lunchtime. It was PACKED with other poor souls, like me, who have resolved to lose weight, lose inches, add muscle … There were so many people there today that all three rows of treadmills were in use.

I spent 30 minutes on the bike, keeping my heart rate up for the full half hour. Then I did a few reps on one of the arm machines and finished with leg lifts. It felt good to do this old body good.

I know my January dedication to fitness makes me a cliche, but I have to start somewhere.

Sunday Stealing #15

1. Looking back on 2008, what might your theme song have been? "Rosalita." Because Bruce sings, "Someday we'll look back on this and it will all seem funny."

2. If 2008 was a movie, who would play you? Carrie Fisher. This year and every year. We have similar round faces and sharp-edged observations.

3. What was your greatest gift of 2008? My friend Kathleen not only talked me into going to the Election Night rally in Grant Park, she followed up by giving me the original press plate from the Tribune's historic 11/05/08 front page. I'm so lucky to have her!

4. What is your New Year Resolution, or, what are you committing to this year? Getting more organized and getting healthier. Looking over this living room, with stacks of paper, shoes, luggage and laundry on the floor, that organization thing looks like an especially daunting task.

5. If January could be represented by one song, what would it be? "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" by Jimmy Buffett. "If we weren't all crazy we would go insane."

6. What do you wish for your body in 2009? More stamina and flexibility. I figure if I get healthier, my body will look better, too.

7. Name one new thing you would love to try in the New Year. (Blushing) I'm having nothing but deliciously dirty thoughts here.

8. What do you long for 2009 to bring? I long for 2009 to bring the opportunity to do #7 with Don Draper.

9. If that happened, how would you feel? Divine. Heavenly. Complete. Spent.

10. Where would you love to vacation in 2009 if money were no object? Manhattan or London.

11. What would you like the theme of 2009 to be? "Happy Days Are Here Again." It was a lucky charm for FDR, let's hope it works the same magic for Barack Obama.

12. If 2009 was a book, and the title was 5 words or less, what might the title be? 2009: Better than 2008

To play along: Sunday Stealing: The New Year Meme

I love this show

This show would be The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Napoleon Solo (right) is the man of the title, Ilya Kuraykin is a fellow top agent, and they use karate, guns and wicked humor to save the world from Godless Communist spies. (I don't know what episode/"affair" this still is from, but something serious must have just happened for the sartorially splendid Napoleon to be wearing such a damaged suit.)

U.N.C.L.E. stands for United Network Command for Law and Enforcement. Their offices were beneath (or behind?) Del Florio's tailor shop in New York. Their arch enemies were the evil agents of THRUSH. I remember it so well from my girlhood. Happy to see it back again.

Saturday 9 -- Dying to Know

1. What do you believe happens when we die? We all go to Heaven.

2. Do you consider yourself religious? I prefer "spiritual."

3. Do you believe in ghosts? No.

4. Do you believe that people live on other planets? Logically, yes. I mean, isn't it arrogant to believe we are the only intelligent life in the universe? But emotionally, no.

5. Have you ever seen something abnormal? "Abnormal?" God, yes! Why just this week I flew from Miami to Key West with a woman who wore a permanent black eye patch, bragged about the new Tiffany tennis bracelet she was wearing, and carried a purse that was filled with nothing but Marlboro Lights. But "supernatural?" No.

6. Do you believe in reincarnation? No.

7. Have you ever witnessed a miracle? No.

8. Is there a person living or dead that influences your philosophies? Jesus.

9. Is there a work of fiction that closely matches your spiritual beliefs? No. Maybe the The Bible, in that I believe in its truth emotionally but not on a literal level.

Want to play along? Saturday 9: Dying to Know

Back home

Reflections on my trip ...

• I flew down with John Cusack. He's better looking in person but seems to be losing his battle with male pattern baldness

• The weather was perfect. Between 75º and 80º, slight breeze, sunny.

• My friend hugged me more often than usual. He knows how scared I am about what's about to happen at work and was trying to comfort me.

• I visited a new museum! I thought that after more than 10 trips, I had seen just about all Key West had to offer. WRONG! Mel Fisher's Maritime Museum has been on the island for years, but it was new to me. Treasures of retrieved from shipwrecks like the Atocha are on display. I was stunned by the 78-karat uncut emerald. Gorgeous!