Happy to be home

... in front of the set, already in my jammies, watching the Cubs play the Cards. This is a great rivalry, and both teams seemed stoked for it. I endured a rather (unnecessarily) shitty afternoon (see post below), but I'm home now, enjoy the ballgame and remnants of my beer buzz. Ah, bliss!

Where's that beer cart?

You know how annoying it is when little things somehow become big, hairy things?

Before he left for the day, my boss let me know that next week he's going to be tied up in the studio (which is on another floor) and not around very much. I am the only one of the team he shared this with.

We have a pair of assignments that must be presented to the client this coming Thursday. I let the art directors know that even though Boss Man said he wanted to see things Monday afternoon, his mind no longer seems to be in our projects because of the studio work and it makes sense to send him an invitation via computer, choosing a time when they agree they'll be ready on Monday. That way they have a deadline to work toward, and my boss can plan his studio time around that Monday afternoon meeting.

"No," said the art director I'm partnered with. "We'll just catch him and show him when we're ready."

But, I explained again, he made it plain to me he wouldn't be around this floor very much on Monday, so the whole "catching him" thing may not happen.

She replied that "he knows he needs to see this stuff, he knows when it's due." She maintained that sending him a formal invitation and getting on his calendar would be "redundant."

Now my portion of these projects -- the writing -- is done. It's all up to the art directors to take it from here. I can't possibly know how long it will take them to complete their portions. I know that, in order for us to meet the deadline, my boss needs to see everything and request his changes by end of day Monday. I also know that he made it abundantly clear that his focus next week is going to be on broadcast, not our print projects.

I don't KNOW why there is such resistance to setting a time on Monday, but I suspect it's because my art director has been farting around today and isn't anywhere near as done as she should be or expected to be.

I backed out of the art department and fled for the sanctuary of my office. Monday is going to be a cluster fuck, but I refuse to "mother" three art directors, especially since the youngest is nearly 40. I'm just going to keep my head down and hope that the Friday Beer Cart gets here early. Then I'm goin' home!

Do you believe in love at first sight?

Saw this lovely in the window of the Nine West store. I don't need it, but I surely do want it. Sigh.

September Fitness Challenge

Friday. I am a good girl, all the way around. I had a 775-calorie lunch from Subway instead of the 820-calorie one. I did 32 minutes of cardio, some lateral pulls and lots of leg exercises. My legs feel delightfully noodley.

It's just me and horny teenage boys

I dozed off on the old sofa again. At a little after 2:00 AM I woke up and found myself very, very awake. So I checked out what's on cable and found a funny comic named Jimmy Pardo. I would have enjoyed it more if not for the commercials.

It's not that they interrupted the comic's flow. Comedy Central's editors preserved that. It was their content: Extenze "male enhancement," phone lines for singles right here in my neighborhood, and "love in a tube" lube. I somehow feel that I am not in the demographic these ads are aimed at.

September Fitness Challenge

Wednesday and Thursday. A tale of two moods. I dunno. I just didn't get around to working out yesterday because of my work load (which is kind of a bogus excuse). Then, to make it worse, I let my sweet tooth get the better of me and I exceeded my 1890 calorie limit. I was too disgusted with myself to even blog about it.

So today, driven by guilt and self-loathing, I forced myself to work out. Naturally, I feel terrific! I always do after I work out. Why, oh why, can't I remind myself of that when the sloth monster threatens to take over my body?

"Taking a walk, thinking of you"

So went the message I received from my buddy today. I was so happy to hear from him! He works on the other side of the Loop, he's married now and lives in the burbs, and we just kinda drifted apart. But this afternoon we caught up on his job, my job, his summer, my summer, our Cubs ...

He sounds very settled into his married life (complete with stepson) and I'm glad. Being sweet and thoughtful like this is so like him!

Me in my new glasses

"I Want" Wednesday

This week's question is:
What do you want to discover?
I have had a fantasy for decades now about walking along and discovering a new color just laying in the grass. It's either a stone or a leaf. Holding it in my hands, it fills me with a remarkable sense of well being. Then I ponder what to do with it: Do I share it with the world or keep it to myself?

September Fitness Challenge

Day 15. Stick-to-it-ive-ness. Met my friend John for drinks after work at our favorite burger joint. Only I didn't have a burger, nor did I have fries. I had a grilled cheese and knoshed on the peanuts on the table and "spent" the calories I saved on beer. Of the 1890 calories I'm allowed today, I came in at (drumroll, please) 1875! Yea!

PS John, who hasn't seen me since mid-summer, noticed I had lost weight!

Uh-oh

I just heard from my friend Barb. The next theater season begins in early November. I owe her $303 for the tickets. I have $77 put aside. Gulp.

The Queen's Meme -- The Tick-Tock Meme

1. Are you a Rolex watch, a Mickey Mouse watch, or a pocket watch? I'm a Timex kinda gal. A former lover used to tease me about wearing "nun" watches because I favor white faces and easy to read, sanserif numerals. I wear a watch to tell time, not complete my outfit.

2. Can you think of a time when you couldn't see the forest for the trees? This happens to me often when I'm working on a project. I can focus so much on making a deadline for the task at hand that I lose sight of the impact it has on the whole assignment.

3. Can you think of a time when you were on the outside looking in?
What did you see? I once had 5th row tickets for a Wings concert. When the stage was black, the musicians paid no attention to those of us in the crowd who were close enough to still see. Paul McCartney was so solicitous of wife Linda, holding her wrist as she navigated over the electrical equipment to go from one set of keyboards to the other. After all those years of marriage and 4 kids, he obviously really cared about her. I don't think I understood that before.

4. Go back in time. Maybe a long time ago, maybe today. Pick an hour you'd like to freeze frame forever and tell us why. It doesn't have to be THE most important hour of your life, but make it a good one. It was 3 years ago. I was visiting my best friend, who was on a long assignment with a client in Los Angeles. He was at work and I was farting around in a Hollywood hotel, getting a luxury pedicure by the pool, listening to Enya and sipping a beer and looking at the palm trees against a very blue sky. I was very happy.

5. If you were a cuckoo clock, what would others say about you? "I'm not surprised. I always knew she was a little cuckoo."

6. Can you think of a time when time stood still? I'm sorry, my Queen, but you stumped here. I answered the other 7, though! Shouldn't that keep me out of the dungeon?

7. Watch this! You are a stopwatch. What would you stop? I would stop all this divisive and angry talk that is just going to lead to no good. The President is NOT a Kenyan by birth. He is NOT a Socialist. You do NOT have to protect your children from him. STOP IT NOW!

8. Imagine you were just born and have infinite wisdom. After the doctor smacks your newborn dust ruffle you look around and say to the Universe: "Give me a whole lifetime to do "this" and I will bless the day I was born."
What did you choose? Hang out around critters. I have infinite patience with dogs and cats (and, unfortunately, little else.)

If you have time to play this meme, click here.

I'm singing "Go, Cubs, Go!"

What a fun game! Dempster won his 10th. D Lee's bat is on fire. Sam Fuld is our future outfield superstar. Vince Vaughn sang the stretch and was amusing in the booth. I am happy.

September Fitness Challenge

Day 14. Fitness Failure. All I have done today is take a shower and put on makeup. While I'm very alert brain-wise, I am weary and lack the energy to move much. Wish I could give myself credit for at least one healthy habit, but alas, I cannot.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I'm almost done putting together a pair of Christmas packages for a pair of soldiers. I'm doing this on behalf of my uncle, a Viet Nam vet. Since he knows firsthand how lonely Christmas in the jungle can be, I thought he'd appreciate making two troops' lives a little better as they celebrate Christmas away from home and in the desert.

From drugstore.com I just ordered:

Zinc oxide cream (SPF 45)
Toenail clippers
Hand sanitizer
Shave cream

I'm combining that with what I've already purchased:

Powdered drink mixes (lemonade and sweet tea)
Granola bars
Individual serving breakfast cereals (Sugar Pops and Apple Jacks -- how can they not brighten your day?)
Comfort Twin razors
Q tips
Shampoo
Body wash
Baby wipes
Playing cards
Mystery novels (someone gets Janet Evanovich, somebody else gets Agatha Christie)

When you think of it, this really isn't very much to give someone who volunteered to take a bullet for you, is it? Judging by this photo of WWII soldiers sharing similar gifts from home, I guess it's always been this way.

I hope to have this whole project done and in the mail by mid October. Operation Shoebox needs donations by early November so they can put together the gift shoeboxes and get them to the soldiers in time for the holidays. I am putting the organization's "thank you" note into my uncle's Christmas card.

If you would like to spend these last sunny days of autumn getting a headstart on Christmas, click here to found out what Operation Shoebox needs to go into their holiday packages for the troops.

Movie Monday

ON LOCATION -- Share movies set in your part of the world and then link back here at The Bumbles.

The Break Up. Vaughniston's sad valentine to love gone wrong. Since they meet at Wrigley Field, and he's a tour guide, there are many great shots of Chicago, the best city in the world.

The Blues Brothers. The quintessential Chicago movie, starring our gone-but-not-forgotten most-favorite favorite son, John Belushi.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off. If Belushi is our favorite son, then John Hughes is our cinematic poet laureate. This movie perfectly captures the greatest temptation of my boring suburban high school years -- sit through another boring day at school or have an adventure in that nearby and so glorious city on the Lake?

My Best Friend's Wedding. Union Station and The Chicago River look so lovely (remember when they dance to "The Way You Look Tonight?). Plus, a friend of mine is an extra and you can see her very clearly in the scene where Julia Roberts catches the bouquet.

Back Draft. Maybe it's not a great movie, but much of it was filmed in the office building on Wells Street where I worked at the time. I stole chips from the caterer. I felt entitled since our building only had two elevators, and we were inconvenienced because "Mr. De Niro" refused to ride with any of us and commandeered one, so I either had to wait for the other elevator or take the stairs. (Fortunately it wasn't a high rise.)

Worn down, worn out

I'm soooo tired today! Had a nasty bout of indigestion last night and this morning I am weak. Took a shower, needed a nap. Makes me wonder if yesterday's nap wasn't sloth, after all. It's almost 11:00 and I'm eating a warm bowl of oatmeal. I feel that if I never have to move from this spot, I could be a happy woman.

Left a long, rambling message for my boss, updating him on the one project that may need tying up today. I handled my portion, now all he has to do is approve it or add to it. Or, if the account exec was able to get us more time, just pass it back to me. I'm sure I'll feel better tomorrow.

September Fitness Challenge

Day 13. Bad choices have consequences. I had a lovely, large coffeehouse breakfast. On the way home, I did a little grocery shopping and consumed a box of Hot Tamales candy, satisfying my cinnamon craving. All that heavy food and followed by a sugar crash left me a little sleepy so I lay down for just a moment ... and woke up during the 4th inning of the (also very satisfying) Cub game.

Dammit! I was going to use most of my naptime to do my laundry! The healthclub closes early on Sunday! I screwed up. Dammit.

So I'm paying the price. Just a bowl of oatmeal and some rice cakes for dinner. Period. I'll do leg lifts and maybe some sit ups during Mad Men.

Yesterday I had a good reason for missing my workout. A dental appointment to repair my crown and my friend Kathleen's problems are more important than my health regime. If there's a valid reason for a lapse, I'll forgive myself, toss the calorie count out the window and start anew tomorrow. But a lazy-ass nap and a big, movie-sized box of candy don't constitute a reason.

Go, Cubs, Go!

"Hey, Chicago, what do you say? Cubs are gonna win today."

Now that I have made peace with the fact that post-season play is not in my future, I'm back to enjoying the games. Ted Lilly was awesome today. They're playing with a lot of heart again. What more could a fan ask for?

"Back to school" takes on a poignant meaning

I have recently conversed with 4 parents (2 moms, 2 dads) who saw college freshmen off to begin a new chapter in life. "Wistful" is the word that best describes them all.

"The house is so quiet."
"My wife couldn't stop looking back."
"She's always been independent, so she's doing fine."
"He couldn't wait to get there."
"I miss him so much."
"Can you believe it? I can't believe it. His childhood is over."
"The dogs sure miss him."

I reminded each of these parents how happy she (or he) was last May when high school graduation season was upon us. It didn't seem to help much.

I just hope as Jenna, Joshua, Max and Harry begin their college careers, they realize how very much their parents love them.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: One Long Meme (Part One)

1. The phone rings. Who will it to be? Number Blocked. They call me all the time but I don't know what they want because I don't pick up.

2. When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart? Yes. Always.

3. In a social setting, are you more of a talker or a listener? Blab, blab, blab. A Talker.

4. Do you take compliments well? Depends. If it's professional, yes. If it's personal, well, aw, shucks, not really.

5. Do you play Sudoku? No.

6. If abandoned alone in the wilderness, would you survive? Not happily!

7. Did you ever go to camp as a kid? I was at Girl Scout camp all the time -- day camp every summer and overnight camp several times a year.

8. What was your favorite game as a kid? Clue.

9. If a sexy person was pursuing you, but you knew she was married, would you? No. I'm simply not into women.

10. Could you date someone with different religious beliefs than you? Yes. While my faith is important to me, I don't really much care what anyone else believes.

11. Do you like to pursue or be pursued? Pursue. Being pursued makes me a little uncomfortable. My therapist would tell you I have control issues. But it's Sunday, so let's not bother her today.

12. Use three words to describe yourself? American, Cub fan, Beatlemaniac.

13. Do any songs make you cry? "Save the Best for Last." It so perfectly captured our relationship at the beginning. Unfortunately it ended badly, so that song tugs at my most sensitive heartstrings.

14. Are you continuing your education? No.

15. Do you know how to shoot a gun? No.

16. Have you ever taken pictures in a photo booth? Yes.

17. How often do you read books? Right now, only once. My TRB pile is so deep I don't have time for rereading. Though there are some books I have read more than once (Gone with the Wind, The Princess Bride, The Lord of the Flies, In Cold Blood).

18. Do you think more about the past, present or future? Past and future. I have a hard time staying in the present.

19. What is your favorite children’s book? Sheila Rae the Brave. I so enjoyed my niece snuggling up beside me and laughing as we read this together.

20.What color are your eyes? Green

21. How tall are you? 5'2.

22. Where is your dream house located? It's a highrise in the Loop.

23. If your house was on fire, what would be the first thing you grabbed? My cat Charlotte. My boys cats would get themselves out the door in the even of fire, but she would hide.
24. When was the last time you were at Olive Garden? Last November, for my niece's birthday.

25. Where was the furthest place you traveled today? About 15 miles to my dentist.

26. Do you like mustard? I don't hate it.

September Fitness Challenge

Day 12. Priorities. I stayed within my 1890 calorie limit and walked a little more, but no workout. My friend Kathleen needed me. She was very upset about her job and I couldn't fit my hair and dentist appointments as well as dinner with Kathleen and a workout all into one day. So I will exercise on Sunday isntead. Some things are more important than a nicer ass.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: You Like Me Too Much

1. If everyone liked each other, what would we complain about? The weather

2. If you were most powerful person in the world, how would you use that power? I would somehow get everyone to listen, really listen, to each other … and themselves. I think much of the silly talk that becomes dangerous and divides us would evaporate.

3. If had exactly one year to live, what are the three things you'd want to do before you died? Fall in love, have lots of sex, see as many Cub games (both at home and on the road) as possible

4. If you could change one thing about the world, what would that one thing be? Insecurity and depression would make us more attractive. (Borrowed from Broadcast News)

5. If you could take one thing back, what would that one thing be? I once said something very mean to someone. It left nothing but scorched earth between us and I'm very sorry.

6. If you were stuck on an island forever but had all the water, food and shelter you needed. What would be the three other things you'd bring with you? My iPod, some kind of generator to recharge it, and a generous supply of books

7. If the internet didn't exist, would the quality of life go up or down? Down, because productivity goes down.

8. If a million dollars fell off a back of a truck, would you keep it? I'd like to think I wouldn't ...

9. What is something you said, something you stole, something you did wrong? "The thing of it is," a few moments of happiness, and see #5.

You were on my mind

As I rode the train in this morning, through the shadow of Sears Tower, past Marina City, to my office more than 40 stories up in the Aon Building, today's date took on an ominous meaning and I was frightened again -- remembering what happened 8 years ago at that very hour, and wondering if "they" were going to try it again, but this time in Chicago.

I love downtown Chicago and it pisses me off that the very structures that are so beautiful against the bright blue sky that they take my breath away suddenly look dangerous. How dare those frigging terrorists do that to me! I can only imagine the rage New Yorkers must feel.

9/11 pops into my mind, unbidden, every day. I suddenly see cops patrolling Millennium Park, or police with dogs standing near trash cans on the el platform, or police boats under the tracks in the Chicago River, and I know there's "chatter" out there and the City is trying to keep me safe. If I'm in an office building that requires an ID not only to get in but to leave (or like this one, to enter the restroom), and I remember why. If I leave my home on a cloudy/foggy morning and can't see Sears Tower from my porch, I imagine that's how New Yorkers feel every day when they look for the World Trade Center.

So New Yorkers, here's to you. Your spiritual sister in The Second City can only imagine your pain, anger and pride today when you look over to where these towers once were.

September Fitness Challenge

Day 11. 100 lbs.! I worked out for a good, challenging 40+ minutes today -- 32 devoted to cardio. Then I moved on to do 12 reps each on a trio of machines. Being 5'2, I spend a lot of time adjusting and readjusting the seats. When I got to the leg press, I was so focused on getting the seat right that I didn't even check on the weight, I just started moving my legs. It was hard, to be sure, but it felt good, too. I looked at the weights and saw it was set at 100 lbs.! I didn't realize I had become that much stronger (if not slimmer) since I've been taking all this more seriously. I'm really very proud of myself.

"Maggie Poppins"

This summer, one of my least favorite coworkers was on maternity leave and the agency replaced her with an independent contractor, Maggie. She was terrific. Not only did she more than fill the new mom's shoes professionally, Maggie was like a balm for the creative team here. She was so easy to work with! She took the time to listen to me regarding the new mom, who Maggie has known for years. She then explained that the new mom is defensive and nervous because she's very young to have risen to the position of Account Director. It's not even a job the new mom wanted yet, it was offered to her. Maggie assures me that she's really very nice, just insecure.

I decided to keep Maggie's insights in mind and, when the new mom returned to work, treat her like a new employee. Tabula rasa.

Yesterday the new mom and I were together for about 5 hours, some of it with the client, much of it just the two of us. I believe we got along very well! She was less defensive and respectful of my contributions and responsibilities when it came to the presentation, so I suspect Maggie may have given the new mom some insights about those of us on the creative team, too.

Life is easier and more pleasant when there's less tension in the air. So even though her assignment here is over, I send a thank you through the cosmos to Maggie. She's like a marketing Mary Poppins, landing in an agency, healing the rift between account and creative, and then, just as suddenly, flying away to help others in need.

September Fitness Challenge

Day 10. Good choices. Yesterday morning I rode Amtrak down to the client's offices. I got there just in time for a quick meet 'n' greet with our client before The Big Presentation. We sat in the company cafeteria. Both she and my coworker/copresenter had salads. I really wasn't hungry but hadn't eaten anything all day and was worried that my stomach would make an unattractive rumble during the song and dance. So to stave off rumbling, I reached for a bag of chips. And put it back, instead opting for a low-fat raspberry yogurt.

My healthy wisdom didn't end there. Last night I stubbed my toe (I am a klutz) and sustained an interesting but unacceptable break on my right toenail. Part of it just chipped away and it looked like the eye of a hook-and-eye pair. I have plans Friday PM and all day Saturday so I decided I would just have to get a new pedi over Friday lunch ... even though I had planned to use that time to work out.

"Wait a moment!" I said to myself. "Does anyone really have to get a pedi?" So I actually grabbed the nail clippers and emery board and took care of it myself. Just like the pioneer women did! Thereby preserving time for my workout.

Trying not to think about it

There's a certified letter waiting for me at the post office. Aren't these things usually legal? Uh-oh. What have I done?

THIS JUST IN!

While I wish The Bumbles were correct in guessing the contents, the certified letter didn't fill me with delight. Nor with dread. It was just an, "eh!"

The developer who was going to tear down the shops around the block and across the street from my building went bankrupt. So now those store fronts and empty and there are no plans for them. Until September 1. My village recently passed an ordinance that states that, since I live within 500 feet of the property, I have the right to question the new developer who just bought the parcel of land.

Since I can't see that property from my condo, I don't much care. But it's nice to know that the developer is following all the rules and touching all the bases and dotting his i's and crossing his t's.

September Fitness Challenge

Day 9. Self restraint. Lunch at my desk, meeting prep for tomorrow, a new assignment ... It was a busy day. Limited myself to one 20-oz. bottle of Pepsi. That's the only caffeine I had during the workday. The rest of the day I drank water. I heard a can of Red Bull calling my name, but I resisted!

There are no bad ideas, right?

That's what I keep reminding myself as I try to "brainstorm" titles for the client's new promotion. I really am not very good at this, therefore I don't enjoy it, and have put it off all day until now. All the creative pieces for tomorrow's client presentation have been carefully proofread and all the art boards are done. No more excuses, Gal. Time to throw some ideas at the piece of paper and see if anything sticks.

Sorry I won't get to see the President's address on healthcare to Congress in about an hour. I know this is a very important speech. But I'm sure they'll rerun it. And, speaking of healthcare, the reason I'm lucky enough to have good healthcare is that I have this here job, so I guess I better concentrate!

Perfect for the day!

Thanks, Mlle. Kwizgiver.

You Are "Across the Universe"

You are spiritual, deep, and at peace. You try to keep life in perspective. You can't help but realize how small you are in the universe. You're just thankful you exist. You tend to be a stream of consciousness thinker. You just let your thoughts flow, even when they don't make sense initially. You trust your intuition to guide you. You know that whatever is in your heart is right and true.

What Beatles Song Are You?

Blogthings: We'll Tell You The Truth... Someone Has To!

09/09/09 >>> IT'S BEATLES DAY!

I want to buy the boxed set of remastered CDs, because, well, I want them. Even more, I'm enjoying the resurgence of Beatlemania! Look at Amazon's top-selling CDs. It's a whole new British Invasion!

OPRAH-PALOOZA

Oprah Winfrey shut down a few blocks of Michigan Avenue for the taping of Thursday's show. The event attracted quite a crowd and I'm sure it will show off my city beautifully. Ended up on the train home this evening beside a middle-aged man who was thrilled to have attended the taping. It was obvious when he struck up a conversation that he's slow. He couldn't believe his good fortune in getting as close to the stage as he did. He couldn't wait to get home and hopefully see himself on TV. This was the thrill of a lifetime for him and I'm glad I removed my iPod headphones and listened to him. He needed to share and it was uplifting to hear.

September Fitness Challenge

Day 8. Good gal. I knew I wouldn't be able to work out today, but that's OK because I exercised so thoroughly for the last three days my muscles could probably benefit from a night off. But I have stayed well within my 1890 calorie limit, partly because I went with grapes for dessert instead of the cinnamon candy I really wanted. I also walked an extra half hour to Union Station to pick up my Amtrak ticket (client meeting on Thursday). Feeling more virtuous than deprived, which is a good thing.

In case you want to re-indoctrinate your child

Beware, though. This is dangerous stuff!