Dirty dishes, homework...

It turns out that blogging has become my new favorite procrastination method. Poor souls out there who are actually coming to this blog for a good/fun read! HA! Fools! Ok, no, I will try to limit my procrastination to real blogs. Try.

This weekend we went to the zoo. Whenever I drive towards the city (which I had to do to get to Brookfield and to get home) I feel filled with love for this place. It's funny that a view can do that for me...give me that heavy feeling of joy in my stomach. And Chicago...oh I love you. I know I don't really know the city that well but I hope to. I hope that in about 10 years (I'm just being realistic) I'll be a true Chicagoan. And sometimes I think about the Sex and the City quote: If you can only have one great love, then the city just may be mine. I know I'm a little young for such statements, so check back in ten years.

P.S. - one of my favorite things about the new year is the ability to tell old shows from new by the year. Love it. Don't even need to read the vague show synopsis...just look at the year.

Two bones to pick...

and then I'll go to class.

First, typepad, you annoy the beejeezy out of me with your feed issues. My aggregator is constantly telling me that all my bloggies have written new items...when NO ONE HAS. It's the same thing over and over. How freakin' annoying (and disappointing when the post turns out to be one from December).

Second, can Missouri really do this?

Study break...

So I have finished all of next week's reading in two of my classes...one doesn't have any and the other is possibly the most boring subject ever. And what I believe is the basis of my chosen concentration. But that can all change...

I now have a bare (and sad) mantle. I think for now I'm going to stack my games up there. I'm still holding out hope that artistic Scott will have another show with a really large painting exhibited that I will then buy and display. But...it's a pretty good shelf.

I started taking vitamins, and honestly, I think it has given me more energy. Try a one-a-day kids, very helpful.

This may be the most boring blog ever. Ah well, I'm going to post it anyway...

Gibberish...

Please pronounce that like my Java professor: gib (rhymes with bib and Pibb) gibberish. She's Italian (do not pronounce that eye-talian. I hate that).

Today I saw Bush arrive. Some of you may gasp (in disgust) that I got to see the Prez in person...but you would be wrong. I saw him arrive. As in, I watched the helicopter procession go over Lincoln Park. And I didn't choose to watch..I just happened to see it while walking home from the store. The man arrives in style, in a weird helicopter/plane dealio.

I witnessed stupidity today. A woman handed her mail to the PO worker and the stamp was on the bottom left corner. Now, I give credit to the worker for not being rude, because she very politely explained how a mail machine works and that the stamp always goes in the upper right corner. I thought for a minute that maybe the girl was foreign (don't think so) but even foreign people put it in the upper right (right?)...

And finally, I figured out two ways to tell if I am being true to the weightwatchers diet:

1. I dream about cookies (they were oh so tasty in my dream)
2. I have pickles in the fridge (perfect munching diet food)

Addiction...

Not alcohol or drugs...more like blogs/myspace.

First, let me just say that I think addiction to blogs is not such a bad thing. I learn things, I keep up with my friends (when they blog) and I exercise the brain. There is a downside in that I voyeuristically read about people I don't know. But still, we all ask for it when we publish a blog.

Myspace has turned out to be meaningless, horrific and totally addicting. Every time I get on I find some new hidden string of people from my high school. Apparently a lot of people are too cool to put their high school on their profile. So some people are hard to find...but it's like a creeptacular detective thing. I scare myself. Anyway, I think everyone I am good friends with would love this thing (because we have the same tendencies to stalk I believe).

Also, surprisingly, some of our old classmates make music (I almost liked it). I would reference the website, but that is totally not my place. Myspace, I hate you...you addictive POS (and truly, it is the slowest crappiest thing ever)...

The wheels on the L go round and round...

My first day of school observations:

• Depaul is serious about their security. I was in the bathroom and there was a nice little security button right inside the door. Then I enter my stall - another security button! I wasn't sure if I should feel secure or scared. Why do we need a security button in every stall? Is that a bathroom I should not visit?
• I told my sister last night that I would probably get nervous this morning. But I didn't. It felt sort of right. And it's not like I have to get up early...my earliest class is at 11:50.
  
• For some reason I clam up in class. I can't speak in a classroom situation. Every shy bone in my body is active. I truly think a bigger school (with huge lectures) was better for me. No pressure to participate. And it's not like I didn't learn.
• I think it was the first time ever that I was excited about my classes. A good sign?
• A boy in front of me today clearly had Tourette's. I watched that HBO special about Tourette's but had never actually had any contact with it. He sat right in front of me so it was hard not to notice. I felt a little bad for him because at one point I could tell he was out of control...but then I felt bad for feeling bad...I don't know. Sometimes I have no idea if my response is socially acceptable.
  

Anyway, school is fine. I have a cute pregnant professor...and out of the two I had today they both seemed fairly effective.

Follow the leader...

Ok, so last year when my sister did 25 in 2005 I liked the idea but wasn't sure if I could come up with 25. I feel the same way this year, but I'm going to take a stab at 26 in 2006. If they get a little weak towards the bottom, I apologize.

1. Go on at least 3 dates (with 3 different people).
2. Learn how to html, and therefore revolutionize my blog.
3. Exercise fairly regularly. And if not that, then at least sometimes.
4. Move my square of city exploration out a bit more - some places I'd like to explore are Wicker Park, Boystown, even just Lakeview.
5. Cook a meal at least once a week. Even if it is tacos every other week.
6. Go see the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and a ballet somewhere.
7. Convince my sister and S to move to the city.
8. Have a friend (make a friend?) in the city (sister does not count).
9. Buy another Frank Lloyd Wright cross-stitch, finish it and frame it to help with #10.
10. Put more items up on the walls - blank walls = boring walls.
11. Visit somewhere I've never been..
12. Be better with letter writing. I was not up to my usual high volumes of mail. I'd like to send something to someone about every other day.
13. Thorough spring cleaning.
14. Watch 3 new movies a week (this is highly improbable, but I would like to do it).
15. Try the Salt & Pepper diner, Sweet Mandy B's, that pancake house on Clark, just try some new food places.
16. Get an assistantship (this will have to be late 2006).
17. Have a high GPA - but NOT be insanely stressed.
18. Lose holiday weight and keep it off....in other words, stay true to the points.
19. Go to another hockey game or two.
20. Pay more attention to politics/world news.
    
21. Start taking vitamins.
22. Visit the Mooj more since my brother is going to be leaving for college (SCARY).
23. I'll build on #22 and say: see each family member at least once each month. Although the brother might be too hard...
24. Think before I speak (a little more) or tone down the brutality of my honesty.
25. Fall in love (please?).
26. Keep on top of the clutter/stay organized.

Honestly, it was a lot easier to get 26 than I expected. Off to play video game/waste my last day as a good-for-nothing bum.

Auld what?

Happy New Year blogger community. I hope your 2006 turns out as well as mine will hopefully be. Let's do New Year's Eve wrap-up.

First off, I somehow became the person who had people over. Really, it was because of Happy Zoo Year. Which was delightful. The lights were awesome and the free glasses that make a snowman out of every light, well...what is more fun than snowmen who dance when you turn your head back and forth to a tipsy person? Nothing. I only wish the zoo stayed open until 10. And we never actually saw any countdown. But we saw cats, gorillas, chimps and penguins. Oh and a polar bear butt.

Then we came back here and played some Scene It and some Scattergories (and had to monitor some tricksters...you know who you are: Robert the crossing guard is NOT an R answer for People in uniform). We toasted the new year with hats, some with champagne and then right back to the game. I thought it was a load of fun (and if you compare it with years past, it was a stunning success). My only problem is that when I consume alcohol I sleep roughly an hour less than usual for every drink I had. Which means I barely slept last night. But no hangover and I wasn't really that drunk. I would like to contribute the success of the night to the group of people that were here. It really worked well, "gelled." I heart you all.

So now begins my new life as a computer nerd. School on Tuesday....wow...

I will follow...

1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?
Mrrrrr. (I don't think I thought anything, except well, I'm off to the store)

2. How much cash do you have on you?
$124. Are you going to mug me now?

3. What's a word that rhymes with "TEST"?
best

4. Favorite planet?
Pluto. It's mini and icy.

5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell?
Janet. We were trying to plan New Years.

6. What is your favorite ring on your phone?
I use one called "Cool"

7. What kind of shirt are you wearing?
Honestly? It says Mrs. Timberlake. I'm all ready to clean the shit out of my apartment.

8. Do you "label" yourself?
Sure sometimes.

9. Name the brand of your shoes you're currently wearing?
I'm wearing socks with little kittens on them.

10. Bright or dark room?
My apartment tends towards dark.

11. What do you think about the person who took this survey before you?
She's my sister, she's fun.

13. what happened to number 12?
Who cares?

14. What were you doing at midnight last night?
Sleeping, or trying to.

15. What did your last text message you received on your cell say?
I hate my cellphone and don't really do the whole text message thing.

16. Where is your nearest 7-11?
No idea. But Big Apple Finer foods is a block or two away.

17. What's a saying that you say a lot?
honestly..

18.Who told you they loved you last?
Some family member or other...and my cats.

19. Last furry thing you touched?
Boku.

20. How Many Drugs Have You Done In The Past three Days?
I took an advil yesterday. That's it.

21. How many rolls of film do you need to get developed?
I use a digital camera and I only really take pictures of buttons anymore.

22. Favorite age you have been so far?
3. What the hell kind of question is this anyway?

23. Your worst enemy?
Cookies, donuts and fat.

24. What is your current desktop picture?
It's a still shot from Empire Records. It's a shot of some buttons...it says: Dishonesty and Marc Sucks.

25. What was the last thing you said to someone?
Bye.

26. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to change a major regret?
I honestly don't regret much, so I choose one million dollars.

27. Do you like or love somebody right now?
Of course. It would be super sad if there was a NO right here.

12. Is the practice of leaving questions out of memes stupid?
Um, yes. But I think it's even stupider to tack number 12 on to the bottom of a meme to make a point.

Where the memes go...

1. What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before?
I wrote a two-week notice letter.

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I made 4 last year: I did get some cats. I also know Chicago a bit better. The other two: I did get a promotion, but I also figured out how much I hated the job and quit. I did not take an art class.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Sort of.

5. What countries did you visit?
Um....the U.S.

6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
A date or two. More things on my walls.

7. What dates from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Last day of work, Lollapalooza, Hawaii, Disney...etc.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Quitting my job and getting into grad school.

9. What was your biggest failure?
I think maybe sticking with the job for as long as I did.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Had a cancer scare but mostly because I like my sister am a hypochondriac.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Two lovely little (alright, one is fat) cats.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
I hear Heath Ledger was excellent in Brokeback Mountain....?

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
El President Busho.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Right down the crapper (really into the extravagantly expensive abode I call home)

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Vacations. Quitting. Christmas.

16. What song will always remind you of 2005?
Brothers on a Hotel Bed. Probably anything from the Killers.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
happier
b) thinner or fatter?
fatter...boooo. Come 1/1 this will hopefully change to equal.
c) richer or poorer?
um...technically I think I'm richer.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Exploring. Going places after work, just doing things...

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Working.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent it with my family.

21. Did you fall in love in 2005?
If my cats count, yes. If you only want real people, no.

22. How many one-night stands?
Even if I had had any (let's call 2005 a dry, dry year), who would confess?

23. What was your favorite TV program?
Probably Degrassi. But I heart loads of programs.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nope.

25. What was the best book you read?
Harry Potter.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I don't really discover anything...

27. What did you want and get?
I got to not be an adult...

28. What did you want and not get?
$1 Million dollars?

29. What was your favorite film of this year?
I really liked Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. But, I didn't see a lot of movies this year that came out that I expect to love.

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was in Disney World! I am now 24.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Less dryness?

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
I don't have a fashion concept. I wear things I like and generally look like a slob most of the time.

33. What kept you sane?
To be honest, my family and friends. And sadly, having someone (something?) to come home to.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Hmm, I fancied Jake with no hair.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?
I try to avoid it, because it is all stirring.

36. Who did you miss?
Most of my friends are scattered far and wide, and I'm pretty sure I've missed all of them at some point.

37. Who was the best new person you met?
I don't really know yet.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005:
Having a solid, secure job and making money won't necessarily make you happy.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Blanker than blank. I can never think of anything good for quotes/song lyrics.

MyCREEPYspace...

I've been vocal about my dislike of myspace. I tend to believe it is a large popularity contest. But my brother is involved and that was surprising...so lately I've been doing some myspace research. And let's just say that I am totally, totally creeped out by the whole thing.

My brother doesn't do much online, so the fact that he has a page...well, that's just weird. I looked at it...I looked at his friends, and it occurred to me: would some of my former high school classmates be on? And by golly, they are. Some of my friends old friends, some of my old friends, some people I barely knew (one of which has her wedding picture up which made me feel quite voyeuristic)....

You know, it's really quite shocking to me to look at some people I barely knew and were probably in my version of the nerd category in high school...but seem pretty damn cool now. If only I would have known myself better back then, some of these people could have been my friends. Stupid high school with it's cliques......

And some people that were sort of friends I look at and think...wow...we got along?

I'm starting to feel the pull of myspace. Someone talk me out of it! And if you're not going to, then join me, because I can't join and have no friends.

Toot, toooot, toot toot...

That is the sound of me tooting my own horn. I am also tooting my Mom's, because without her my horn would be silent. I now have 6 beautiful shelves hung on my wall. It took hours and hours, but they look amazing. I love them.

I think I'm going to tell you all my resolutions for next year as I think of them. I have one so far. I've decided that I am going to go on at least 3 dates next year (at least!). And unless I find the man of my dreams on the first date (unlikely!) I would like it to be 3 different boys.

Oh, I just thought of another one. I would like to fiddle with my blog a bunch next year. Maybe get rid of the template altogether and have a unique Katie blog. However, I do not have plans to take an HTML course yet...so we'll see how the schedule is...

Pssst...

Updated my sidebar to accurately reflect all of the blogs I regularly enjoy reading. I thought it was a bit unfair to the random blogs I read not to list them.

Easy Peasy Christmas Meme...

Stolen and stolen again.

1. What is the best gift you received this year? (Tangible gifts only, please!)
I really got everything I asked for. Right now I'm leaning towards the tinsel tree because I'm staring at it lovingly. But I think in the future my answers will be the nice, new, hardcore computer on my desk upstairs, the microwave and the rice cooker. But honestly, I really loved everything I got. I'll answer for my cats too (they did not get any presents from me, bad owner huh?) but they did get some from my Mom. She gave me an ornament that they can knock off the tree (which they did when it was still standing) and some toys. But their favorite present is my new rug upstairs. Apparently flokati wool is a drug to cats.

2. What is the best gift you gave this year?
Probably the stocking I made for my Mom. Lovingly crafted over the past year and far from perfect, it was fun to add to her stockings. I also think all the buttons were fun to give out and plan. I truly enjoyed that. I think my Aunt loved her button more than most which is why I posted it today.

3. When did you do most of your shopping/creating?
I think I probably started at the beginning of December. I was done on the 22nd. So not too bad. But my sister got her present in June and I started the stocking in March...so it was a whole year thing.

4. Did you go shopping the day after Thanksgiving (U.S.)?
Ick. No way.
Day after Christmas?
Ick. No way. To be perfectly honest, I hate shopping.

5. What stands out already about Christmas 2005?
I've been sitting here trying to figure out what to write here for 5 minutes. It was Christmas. Christmas is always nice and memorable. Why does something have to stand out?

Nerdery ensues...

I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas. Mine was delightful. There was only a tiny bit of drama, and that all centers around my Grandma's senility/insanity. It was to be expected. I received everything (and more) I could have hoped for for Christmas. And I think all of the presents given went over well. Now I'm just excited to give out the few presents I have left. I heart giving presents.

Unexpectedly my brother loved the buttons. 97.5% of the time my brother dislikes most things about me. It's more about my being an uncool older sister, not about me personally. Buttons are hip I guess...

As for that "uncoolness", it's going strong since I recently received my schoolbooks. I read one of my syllabi and realize I could really help myself if I got a head start at reading. Yes, I am reading about systems design over the holidays. Greaaat.

Every year my sister, Mom and I exchange ugly ornaments. I received a beaut this year, a lovely computer with a wizards hat on. On the screen it says: Computer Wizard. I hope so...

P.S. - I just heard this sentence on TV: "Are there other actresses who are secretly bald? Ok..wow, and it looked like it was trying to be a hard-hitting interview.