Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Sweet Soul Music

1. Do you listen to music at work, and if so, do you use a mp3 player, play it through your office computer, or do you listen to it collectively via a separate radio you keep nearby? I used to listen to CDs. Then I discovered Pandora. I'm now hooked.

2. Tell us something about people that you absolutely hate. Space hogs. Women who use the bench in front of the lockers at the health club for their water bottles, iPods, gym bags, etc., therefore making it impossible for me to sit in the same area code as my locker. GAWD! I HATE THAT!

3. What is something someone has done that you'd like the world to know about? When the rest of her family evacuated their Gettysburg home in 1863 before the famous battle started, Jennie Wade stayed behind to care for her sister who had just given birth and couldn't be moved. Jennie was baking bread for Union soldiers when a bullet* came through the window and hit her in the shoulder, making her the only civilian to die during the Battle of Gettysburg. I toured this house back when I was 7 and she was one of my early heroines.

* Or whatever they fired from guns back in those days.

4. Where is your favorite place to sit when at home? My little green Crate & Barrel sofa.

5. How did you come up with the title of your blog? It was available

6. Tell us about the one who got away. A parrothead who liked holding hands in the movies. He was his grandma's favorite and she told him all the time that he looked like Elvis (which was the highest praise from the old girl). He was very smart and could be tender and knew baseball, and I hope he's happy.

7. Have you ever had a big birthday party? No. I tend to have lots of little celebrations each year.

8. What was the biggest bash you've ever attended? A certain election night celebration in Grant Park.

9. With my kids and an always changing life, I find myself sometimes unable to focus! Do you have that problem, too? Some days. But I don't have any kids to blame it on. Guess I'll just have to admit to being a ditzy old broad.

Rep. Sean Duffy

He's on CNN right now, talking all fiscal, and I'm trying to take him seriously, but GEEZ! I used to be hooked on The Real World. I remember him as the lumberjack in flannel shirts, smoking cigs while huddled in the bathroom of that Boston firehouse and clashing with Kamelaah and drinking with Sy.

I know he's married to a member of my favorite Real World cast (San Francisco), Rachel, and they have, like, 11,000 kids.

Deja Sonny Bono!

THIS JUST IN! Watch him explain how hard it is for a family to squeak by on $174,000. (Dated 3/20/11).

Because I love movie lists

I am shamelessly stealing this from Kwizgiver. I went back to the American Film Institute and picked up the current Top 100 because I believe this list is a bit different than the one she worked from.

As I watch coverage of the impending government shut down, I find reflecting on classic movies therapeutic.

The ones I've seen are bolded ...

#	MOVIE	YEAR
1	CITIZEN KANE	1941
2	THE GODFATHER	1972
3	CASABLANCA	1942
4	RAGING BULL	1980
5	SINGIN' IN THE RAIN	1952
6	GONE WITH THE WIND	1939
7	LAWRENCE OF ARABIA	1962
8	SCHINDLER'S LIST	1993
9	VERTIGO	1958
10	THE WIZARD OF OZ	1939
11	CITY LIGHTS	1931
12	THE SEARCHERS	1956
13	STAR WARS	1977
14	PSYCHO	1960
15	2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY	1968
16	SUNSET BLVD.	1950
17	THE GRADUATE	1967
18	THE GENERAL	1927
19	ON THE WATERFRONT	1954
20	IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE	1946
21	CHINATOWN	1974
22	SOME LIKE IT HOT	1959
23	THE GRAPES OF WRATH	1940
24	E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL	1982
25	TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD	1962
26	MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON	1939
27	HIGH NOON (Never saw the whole thing)	1952
28	ALL ABOUT EVE	1950
29	DOUBLE INDEMNITY	1944
30	APOCALYPSE NOW	1979
31	THE MALTESE FALCON	1941
32	THE GODFATHER PART II	1974
33	ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST	1975
34	SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS	1937
35	ANNIE HALL	1977
36	THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI	1957
37	THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES	1946
38	THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE	1948
39	DR. STRANGELOVE	1964
40	THE SOUND OF MUSIC	1965
41	KING KONG	1933
42	BONNIE AND CLYDE I think this is the best of all time	1967
43	MIDNIGHT COWBOY	1969
44	THE PHILADELPHIA STORY	1940
45	SHANE	1953
46	IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT	1934
47	A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE	1951
48	REAR WINDOW	1954
49	INTOLERANCE	1916
50	THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING	2001
51	WEST SIDE STORY	1961
52	TAXI DRIVER	1976
53	THE DEER HUNTER	1978
54	M*A*S*H	1970
55	NORTH BY NORTHWEST	1959
56	JAWS	1975
57	ROCKY	1976
58	THE GOLD RUSH	1925
59	NASHVILLE	1975
60	DUCK SOUP	1933
61	SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS	1941
62	AMERICAN GRAFFITI	1973
63	CABARET	1972
64	NETWORK	1976
65	THE AFRICAN QUEEN	1951
66	RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK	1981
67	WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?	1966
68	UNFORGIVEN	1992
69	TOOTSIE	1982
70	A CLOCKWORK ORANGE	1971
71	SAVING PRIVATE RYAN	1998
72	THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION	1994
73	BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID	1969
74	THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS	1991
75	IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT	1967
76	FORREST GUMP	1994
77	ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN	1976
78	MODERN TIMES	1936
79	THE WILD BUNCH	1969
80	THE APARTMENT	1960
81	SPARTACUS	1960
82	SUNRISE	1927
83	TITANIC	1997
84	EASY RIDER	1969
85	A NIGHT AT THE OPERA	1935
86	PLATOON	1986
87	12 ANGRY MEN	1957
88	BRINGING UP BABY	1938
89	THE SIXTH SENSE	1999
90	SWING TIME I've seen all the Fred/Gingers, but can't tell them apart	1936
91	SOPHIE'S CHOICE	1982
92	GOODFELLAS	1990
93	THE FRENCH CONNECTION	1971
94	PULP FICTION	1994
95	THE LAST PICTURE SHOW	1971
96	DO THE RIGHT THING	1989
97	BLADE RUNNER	1982
98	YANKEE DOODLE DANDY	1942
99	TOY STORY	1995
100	BEN-HUR	1959

Is it because I'm a Cub fan?

Reflections on jury duty. It went as well as could be expected today. I got there on time, which was my first big concern. The criminal court house is on California Avenue, a neighborhood I seldom get to (OK, one I only visit when called for jury duty), so I was worried about the commute.

Then my panel was called right away. Even though I don't relish the thought of being responsible for either depriving a fellow citizen of his freedom or letting a criminal go free, sitting in that big drafty jury room all day is cruel and unusual punishment in and of itself.

Of the 40 of us ushered into the court room, 23 of us were called and put in the jury box. Then each of us seated there was questioned. First the judge explained to us that the case was regarding heroin possession and sale. We were introduced to the defendant and the lawyers, and the prosecutor took over.

He was attractive in an overly-muscular, bald-headed, Mr. Clean kinda way. But he wasn't shirtless, he was in a nice gray three-piece suit, and he did his best to be cheery, but I could see how he would be very intimidating.

Here is what he asked me as he reviewed my questionnaire:

Do I rent or own? Own

What does an "associate creative director" do? I work on advertising campaigns

How long have you been in advertising? Your entire career? Practically

So you have served on a jury before? Yes. Right here in the criminal court building.

Was a verdict reached in that case? Yes.

Did anything happen in that case that would have an impact on your ability to be an impartial juror in this case? No.

You were a victim of a crime in the 1990s. Could you tell us about it? It was attempted sexual assault.

Oh. Did you have to testify in the case? No, they never arrested anybody.

Is there anything about that incident that would have an impact on your ability to be an impartial juror in this case? No.
Do you have any hobbies? I am a Cub fan.

That must be rough. It's a way of life, sir. (Much laughter.)

Here the judge interrupts with mock solemnity: "Move along, counselor. She's not the only Cub fan in this room." (More laughter.)

Ms. Completely-Mangles-My-Last-Name, if the state proves beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty, could you sign a guilty verdict? Yes.

And if the state fails to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is not guilty, could you sign a not guilty verdict? Yes.

Thank you.

I do dig it that I'm the only one who cracked up the judge.

Then we retired to the jury room and of the 23 of us questioned, they chose 14. I was not among them. So I grabbed my check for $17.20 and went home.

Getting off the bus at the wrong stop, it took me an extra 15 minutes (in the rain) to get home, so I rewarded myself with a hot dog. Once I got home, I took a long nap. I was exhausted, because emotionally I really didn't want to serve. But I also appreciate that it's my duty.

I mean, I never served in the military. It's my duty as a citizen to be an informed voter (I did that Tuesday) and to show up and take jury duty seriously. So this week I did the least I could do the best I could.

Oh, yes I am

Good at this job, I mean.

We were kicking off some new projects -- revisions of pieces done long ago. Projects like this are great because, if done efficiently and well, we make incremental revenue. One of my account execs (he has the role, but not the personality, of Pete Campbell, for you Mad Men fans), has been leaning on me a lot lately. So much so, that when I reminded everyone I'm not in on Friday (jury duty), my boss teased, "That noise you just heard was Tom's sphincter slamming shut when he realized Gal wasn't going to be here tomorrow." Later in the day, in another, similar meeting, after I kinda took over and explained what should happen and why, Tom pointed at me and said, "That's why I'm in her office all the time."

It felt good.

Assignments like these are not glamorous, not why any of us got into the business, but if done correctly they can make us look like heroes to the client. I'm glad that I know how to get the team focused for projects like this. It feels good to know Tom depends on me.

It feels good to be good at this job.

Sometimes country music just hits the spot

There's a Mountain Dew can with lipstick on it rollin' around his truck bed
He just leaves it back there, one of the things he has left of her
When he drives in the late day sun, you can see a set of footprints
He ain't going to clean that windshield, he'd rather just live with the hurt

That's "Holdin' On" by Rascal Flatts. I never heard it before today. I think that's such a divine lyric. I know that guy. Hell, I've been that guy!

I Want Wednesday

I want to passed over for jury duty on Friday.

All he gets from me is dirt!

Here's my nephew's Easter gift -- authentic Wrigley Field dirt. I was going to get him an official MLB Cubs watch, but this was the same price and somehow I think he'll like the idea of dirt better.

10 on Tuesday

Ten Thoughts on My Mind as I Worked Out

30 minutes of cardio, 10 on the machines and a girl's mind wanders.

1) Who is pitching at Wrigley Field today?

2) Reconstructed the spa's health club in mind. Doesn't matter that I never actually used it during my vacation last week. I'd prefer to be on their treadmill than this stationary bicycle.

3) I'd also prefer to be on Veronika's massage table, as I was a week ago today.

4) Is it so wrong to want to run my tongue along that man's incredibly muscular upper arm?

5) Her calves are downright bony! I hope it didn't hurt when she got those tattoos.

6) Snickers or Reese's Peanut Butter Cups?

7) I heard a rumor that Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick are splitting. Come to think of it, my best friend hasn't mentioned his massive secret crush on her lately. Maybe poor Carrie Bradshaw is in a slump.

8) New NCIS tonight!

9) I'm burning almost 250 calories!

10) Gawd, it's hard to work out after a week off!

These two cards are NOT interchangeable

I cannot board the el with my company ID. Nor can I get through security with my Chicago Card. It seems like a simple concept, I know, but every morning I mess it up.

Greg Kinnear doesn't suck

I have finally seen the first installment of the "controversial" Kennedy miniseries on Reelz Channel and wonder what all the fuss is about. There's nothing new here: Joe Kennedy Sr. was single-minded, charismatic and morally bankrupt; Joe Jr. was a petulant bully; Rose was a pious doormat; Bobby saw things only in black and white; Ethel was rambunctious; Jack had a weakness for a well-turned ankle; Jackie was aloof and regal. So far, these are all familiar caricatures, with no nuance. But nothing here is shocking.

Greg Kinnear is better than I expected as JFK. He does the familiar accent without sounding like he's doing an impersonation. He transmits intelligence and humor. He doesn't capture the courage, complexity or imagination of the man, but that could be the script. It is pretty pedestrian.

Katie Holmes is just as adequate as JBKO as Roma Downey was as A Woman Named Jackie 20 years ago. Which is to say she wears the clothes beautifully. There's nothing else going on.

Movie Monday

Women and Prison. Share on your blog movies that feature female prisoners, guards, or those who are accused and on their way to the Big House, linking back here.

The first movie to spring to mind was a soft-core effort about a Nazi prison guard named Ilsa. I never actually saw this opus -- an old boyfriend was ashamed of owning it (on Beta, no less), and he should have been. But then, after giving it more thought, I came up with two options that are so good you don't have to be ashamed if they're in your video collection.

Patty Hearst. The late Natasha Richardson was tremendous as the kidnapped heiress, who endured hell -- beatings, rape, humiliation, brainwashing. She did whatever it took to stay alive, and was rewarded with a prison sentence. (Though my friend John still believes she was guilty as sin and should have served her full sentence. Whatever. He initially believed OJ Simpson was innocent.)

I Want to Live! Susan Hayward won an Oscar for her performance in a movie that really rocked my world when I saw it back in the 1970s (I was babysitting). Barbara Graham was basically convicted and put to death for being an unlikeable slut. She may have been guilty, but it wasn't proven beyond a reasonable doubt. This is a true and tragic story, and influenced my early feelings about both feminism and the death penalty.

Promote Reading, Promote Friendship

Kwizgiver turned me on to BAFAB Week, and I'm in.

BAFAB, or "Buy a Friend a Book," is celebrated the first weeks of every January, April, July, and October.

How to participate in BAFAB Week. Just get yourself to a real-life or virtual book store during Buy a Friend a Book Week and, well, buy a friend a book! But here's the fun part: you can't buy your friend a book because it's their birthday or they just graduated or got engaged or had a baby or anything else. You have to give them a book for no good reason. In fact, this present out of the blue from you should shock the pants off of whomever you decide to give it to. And it'll make them happy. And that's the point: promote reading, promote friendships. Just make sure to let them know about Buy a Friend a Book Week, so they can spread the joy in turn.

The friend I chose: Amy, my former admin, now a full-time mom in Pennsylvania. She should be getting her book this week.

I encourage you to participate because it's fun and it feels good. Click here for details.

Purchased at the Golden Ball

Legend has it George Washington bought gewgaws here. And it's where I found a perfect, slender silver scroll ring to replace my the topaz I lost in late March.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: The 5000 Question Meme, Part Three

Cheers to all of us thieves!

51. Make up a definition for the following silly words...

Fruitgoogle: Confirming how to spell "pomegranate" by plugging it into Google

Ambytime: The hour when you take your sleep meds

Asscactus: The imaginary spines that appear on any ass you long to touch but know you shouldn't. For example, in The Thorn Birds, Father Ralph should have respected the asscactus growing on young Meggie because he was a priest, after all, and shouldn't have been fixating on fondling parishioners.

52. What was the last thing you made with your own hands? The bed. I changed my sheets.

53. What was your favorite toy as a child? My Lassie Dog

54. How many TV’s are in your house? Two

55. What is your favorite thing to do outside? I enjoy long walks. They help clear my head.

56. How do you feel when you see a rainbow? I miss my best friend. We have a running joke about rainbows that stemmed from a comment I once made which he thought was stupid but I still maintain was just ill-phrased. I'd repeat it but it was a "you gotta be there" moment.

57. Have you ever dreamt a dream that came true? No. Which is unfortunate because I have had more than one revolving around either administering or receiving a massage from late-80s vintage Bruce Willis, aka "David Addison," my ultimate TV boyfriend.

58. Have you ever been to a psychic/tarot reader? Yes, indeedy.

59. What is your idea of paradise? Either administering or receiving a massage from late-80s vintage Bruce Willis, aka "David Addison," would be nice.

60. Do you believe in God and if so what is he/she/it like? I believe in God because God believes in me and He is love.

61. Do you believe in hell? Yes. But I think we make our own hell here on earth. Then, when we die, we all go to Heaven. As with Question #60, I know this to be true, like gravity, and am not interested in any discussion.

62. What one thing have you done that most people haven't? I kissed Bruce Springsteen, and even better, he kissed back.

63. What is the kindest thing you have ever done? I can't think of anything specific.

64. Have you gone to WTIT's facebook page and hit "like" yet? If not, why not? (No pressure.) Are you sure Leo asked this in the original meme?

65. What holiday should exist but doesn't? World Beatle Day. It should be observed around this time -- during the first week in April -- because in April, 1964, the Lads held the Top 5 positions of the Billboard Top 100. No artist or band has accomplished this before or since. The songs, included here only to impress Bud, were Can't Buy Me Love, Twist & Shout, She Loves You, I Want to Hold Your Hand, and Please, Please Me.

66. What holiday shouldn't exist but does? Presidents' Day. I think we should celebrate Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays individually. What the hell, they both rocked. Besides, February can be a dreary month and two days off would be nice.

67. What's the best joke you ever heard? A grandmother is watching her grandson playing on the beach. A huge wave comes and takes him out to sea. She pleads, "Please, God, save my only grandson. I will live a blameless life if only you return him to me. I beg of you, bring him back." And a big wave washes the boy back onto the beach, good as new. She looks up to Heaven and says, "He had a hat."

68. Where is the most fun place you have EVER been? Wrigley Field.

69. Is your hair natural or dyed? Yes. It's natural now, but I dyed it Lucy Riccardo red for decades.

70. Do you have any deep dark secrets or are you pretty much up front? Yes

71. What is under your bed right now? All manner of shit I probably don't need and should throw out.

72. If you were in the Land of Oz would you want to live there or go home? I think I'd stay.

73. If you drive do you frequently speed? N/A

74. What is the world's best song to dance to? The Macarena. See?



75. What song was on the last time you danced with someone? I remember dancing with my friends John and Steve to this last summer. Liquor was involved.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Hey Nineteen

1. What was the best thing about being 19? Everything was a little perkier

2. Where would you go if you wanted to spark your creativity? Water. Even just washing my hair gives me a fresh perspective.

3. Complete this sentence: I am embarrassed when... my stomach growls

4. Name 3 fads from your teenage years. The Bee Gees, Boone's Farm, Charlie cologne

5. What's the best birthday present you've ever had? My friend Kathleen works for The Chicago Tribune and she gave me the press plate for the front page announcing Obama won the Presidency. Looking at it again, I can see how much the last couple years have aged him.

6. What's your oldest possession? My plush Lassie Dog, not unlike this one, though she's not so much plush anymore.

7. Do you have any phobias? Air travel (or, more precisely, not surviving a crash). I'm also none too crazy about squirrels and clowns.

8. This is pretty much the start of Spring (regardless of the snow in the east this week!); what's on your to-do list for the next few weeks to transition away from this long Winter we've been having? Sorting my clothes as I put my sweaters away and bring my blouses and t-shirts out. I'd say I'll be doing the same things with my shoes, boots, and sandals but let's face it, I never put my sandals away from fall.

9. Which of the 50 states in the U.S. would you rather die than live in? While my feelings about it aren't that drastic, I'd have to say Ohio.

Retail in Williamsburg

I love shopping in Merchants Square. I was only able to spend three hours there, but I know there are tourists who happily spend a full day traversing the little shops just up the street from Bruton Parish and all the other historic sites.

This year, my favorite shop was Shirley Pewter, opened in 1962 by a silversmith and Korean War vet named Shirley Robertson (a gentleman who, unlike Leslie Nielsen, must not have minded being called "Shirley"). It's not a big shop but it is a beautiful one. I found I appreciate pewter more than its hoity-toity cousins, silver and platinum. It all looked more substantial and had more character -- the same reasons why I'm more drawn to stoneware than china.

As a result of my time at Shirley Pewter, my friend Kathleen (the proud breast cancer survivor) will receive a pink ribbon charm, my best friend will get a nice, heavy horseshoe (to accompany his turtle, acorn and clover talismans) and I now have a lovely peace symbol pull for my wallet.

At the Colonial Garden and Nursery, I bought garden seeds for sturdy indigenous plants (Joseph's Coat and strawflower) for my mother's backyard. And at Everything Williamsburg I got everything else -- a sweatshirt for my oldest friend, a t-shirt for myself, a cap and a book (George Washington as action hero) for my nephew, sweet potato muffin and gingerbread mixes for my niece, and their choice of magnets or little canons for the folks at work. (I know it's crap, but I firmly believe that bringing tchotchkes back to everyone, and having everyone display them on their desks, makes us look and feel a bit more like a team).

There were boutiques I wish I had time to visit, too. Maybe next year ...

Let us pray

As one who worships in a church that is also a building of public interest, I felt a great kinship with the congregation of Bruton Parish. The pews are elevated from the floor and have doors because it got so cold in the church, back in the days before central heat. Stones were heated and placed in a big bucket in the pew and then the doors were closed to keep the heat in. Because the Capital was in Williamsburg, VIPs from all over the colonies would visit and they had "reserved" pews for when they were in town.

I've included the current service announcement to show that this beautiful building is still an important part of the Williamsburg community.

We interrupt this vacation for breaking news

Hey, hey! Holy mackerel! No doubt about it! The Cubs are on their way!

Happy Opening Day! And it was an emotion-packed one at Wrigley Field. First the official 9/11 flag was presented. It's touring the country to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the loss of the WTC. Then schoolchildren recited The Pledge of Allegiance. Misty yet? How about a twin spin of "God Bless America" and "The National Anthem." But wait, there's more. When the players were presented, Kerry Wood was among them! Yea! Kerry Wood never should have worn any other uniform than this one. And all the guys were wearing these #10 caps in honor of late Cub great Ron Santo. After his playing days were over, he was the voice of the Cubs on WGN radio for twenty years. I grew up on him, and now he's gone. His death came on the morning my uncle was buried, so I'm not sure I fully realized it until today. Now I miss him more than I can express.

And then, oh my God! ROY HOBBS threw out the first pitch. Yes, Robert Redford, The Natural. He made it over the plate but it was way high. What the hell. It was amazing to see Roy Hobbs pitch at Wrigley Field, chat up Mr. Cub himself, Ernie Banks, and give an autograph to his catcher for the day, an obviously star struck Kerry Wood.

Gulp. I admit it, a tear or two was shed here today.

So what if the Pirates won today? BFD. It's a 160-game season. And this one got off right. The wins will come. You just watch.

Pumpkin. It's not just for pie anymore.

Wednesday was steam heat day for me at the spa. First I had a very energetic hot stone massage. Veronika, the massage therapist I'd had on Tuesday, knew where my knots and kinks were and she stretched and pressed and manipulated me back to alignment with trained hands and careful placement of hot stones. Then I had a custom facial. Yes, there was exfoliation and moisturizing and (ouch!) extracting, but my favorite part was the pumpkin mask. Rich in antioxidants and enzymes, it absorbs quickly into the skin to refresh and protect. It felt so good I bought a tube to use in my very own bathroom.

Though I miss the quiet, elegant, relaxing atmosphere of the spa. If I go to Williamsburg again next year, I think I want an extra day, or at least an extra half day. I could use a little more pampering.