Time to be merry...

My Christmas tree is here...and while I'm sure I didn't "fluff" my branches enough, I really like it. There are 2 things I will miss about a real tree:

1. The imperfection of the shape of the tree. I like that imperfection - this tree, like all artificial trees, is artificially triangular. All I can hope is that some day fake trees will be artificially imperfect (which will happen on the same day that tinsel becomes digestible for the cats)
   
2. The lovely, amazing smell of fresh pine.

There are 3 things I will not miss:

1. Crawling under the tree every day to water it...pain in the ass.
2. Getting the real tree safely to the apartment (saw a casualty on the way home the other day - three cars had pulled over on the shoulder on the tollway and they were all looking back at their Christmas tree - in the middle of the right lane of traffic. Two problems there: do you walk into traffic to save the tree? When the tree is saved, clearly the lines that were holding the tree to the roof have snapped - so how do you get it tied back on the roof/on its way?).
3. Getting the tree out of the apartment (this one counts 8 times more than the others- the biggest PAIN IN THE ASS EVER.)

But, my tree looks lovely. I have pictures to post, but Picasa is giving me a weird error and blogger is frozen trying to post the pic. Oh well. You'll have to wait a few days for the pics. I had one ornament casualty and it's pretty damn sad. I didn't even drop it (shocking) - I was holding it to put it on the tree and the string snapped - ornament plummets to the ground, breaks into two pieces. The saddest part is that I got the ornament from a family (cousin) ornament exchange just last year. It had only had a few days on my tree last year...

On another note, I am going to keep blogging. It may be useless. It may be sporadic. Although I have sort of an interesting idea for a once a week blog. If I wasn't semi-hungover I'd be able to come up with some clever name for my idea (Deep Thought Thursday doesn't work, Question Tuesday...see the brain is LAME today). What the idea is: I got a birthday present I forgot about. It is basically a pretty little clear box of questions (ex: should generosity come from self-interest or obligation?). That little box would have come in handy during NaBloPoMo. But I think it could make for interesting blog posts....just something I'm toying with...

How to go out...

I feel like I should have some special post for the LAST. DAY. OF. NABLOPOMO! But I don't.

I already feel sad that I won't have a post to read everyday (at least from the participants whose blogs I read). I imagine on certain days I'll miss scrambling to find something to write about.

But on days like today, with a migraine on its way (numb hands, funny vision) I'm happy that I won't have to blog.

For right now though, know that I am not quitting the blog (as far as I can see).
Oh, and thanks for your advice about the credit card. I'm hesitant to cancel it for two reasons:
1)I know a cancelled card isn't the best on a credit report...
2)It is my card with the highest limit....(about 3 times higher than any of my others) and so I feel like I should keep it around in case of emergency... I'm not sure yet - but either way, thanks for giving me something to chew on.

Outrage...

I absolutely HATE dealing with credit card customer service people. I am frustrated.

One of my credit cards had a late payment last month and so I got charged $20 for it (um, yeah - does that seem a little steep? I wouldn't know, but it seems steep to me). I have NEVER been late on a payment and had the card for YEARS. I called them up a few weeks ago, explained that it had to be the fault of the mail - that I was a long time customer who always paid in full and never had been late. They agreed to reverse the charge but my credit history will forever be tainted by my one late payment (I'm not too worried about that anyway - oh well). So, I paid my next bill (subtracting the now reversed late payment) ON TIME (like usual).

I just got my next bill and it shows that I have a finance charge because I didn't pay in full. BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T REVERSE THE LATE CHARGE. I talked to a manager tonight and he seemed to think I must be stupid - I must be the kind of person who doesn't pay bills on time and expects the fee to be reversed. I explained that if he looked at my history I had never once been late and it must have been the USPS that caused it. AND that a previous lady HAD told me she'd reverse the payment. He got all smug and assy and told me I should have paid my bill in full (me interrupting "I DID.") and that I have other payment options -it seems there is blatant discrimination against sending real mail ("and please leave 7-10 days for it to get here on time" Like I don't know that). I HATED HIM. So now I am never using the card again. Never. And I'm going to write a mean email to someone to vent some of this rage.

I apologize for the angry nature of this post but that's how I feel and probably will for the next few hours of the day that I'm awake.

Last day of NaBloPoMo tomorrow...ya'll going to miss me?

Cocoa and sewage...

Sometimes I forget that I live in Chicago. I'll be walking down the street, idly looking around and I'll suddenly see a big hulking thing in the distance and think, what the hell is that? Halfway through the thought I'll snap out of it, metaphorically smack myself and think, "you DUMBASS. That's the Sears Tower." Yeah. I'm smart.

But I do love this city. I love that on certain days, if the wind is just right, you can smell the roasting beans and Chicago smells like brownies or hot cocoa. I love public transportation (OK, specifically of the L variety. I don't love the bus). I love the access to plays, symphony, art, animals and just all around culture. I love the views (at almost all times).

Of course, there are things I don't love. Like when you walk down a street and there a random pocket of sewage smell. Or when you get on an L train that smells dirty...or like pee. I don't love huge crowds...although I can handle some crowding.

It is interesting the most of my impressions of the city are through my nose...huh....

***Totally unrelated: Do you ever just look in the mirror and think, Wow, I am sloppy? For the past 5+ weeks I just have looked and felt sloppy. I think this sloppy feeling is in direct correlation with the length of my hair. The longer it gets, the less I do with it, the sloppier it looks. I remember, back in the good old days, I used to blow dry every day...a year ago. Now I just let it go...I have become a sloppy student. IThis may also be due to my total lack of concern as far as work clothes go - I found a grease stain on my sweatshirt (noticeable - on the boob) last Friday...and yet I wear that sweatshirt to work everyday still. Sloppy.

Content and dreaming I have been...

A mish-mosh of things today...

When my nose runs, I frequently employ a sort of crude method for keeping the snot in its correct place (ie in a kleenex). Basically I shove a kleenex in my nostril and just let it hang there. I think more people do this than admit it (and I mean, I only do it in private or with my family and friends around). And if you don't do it, then you are missing out on a perfect nose-running combatant. You should try it before you knock it.

Today I saw a lady with a piece of plastic hanging from her nostril. At first I was sure I must be mistaken and so, talked myself out of what I had seen. But I somehow passed the same lady again, and there again was the plastic (a good 5-10 minutes later). Plastic...like from a delivered newspaper. It was strange...and I couldn't help but wonder if she just liked things shoved up her nose or in fact, was preventing a nose run...

I went to the grocery store and managed to forget the two things I needed (soap and cottage cheese) and come away with things I didn't need (donuts). Sigh.

For some reason whenever I speak to "authority figures" I feel like crying. A month back when I was having problems with homework and I met with the prof to help me - felt like crying. Today, when asking my boss for fewer hours next quarter (something that I knew wouldn't be a problem - he always says "You're a student first, an employee second") I felt like crying. Both were possibly the kindest, gentlest authority figures I've known in the recent past and yet...cry-y. Makes NO sense. Don't worry, I did not cry in either case.

Currently...

Watching Mona try to figure out how to get on to the mantel to eat my lovely tinsel tree. She is meowing every other second as some sort of plea to let her eat the tinsel tree. I'll let you all know if she ever uses her brain effectively and realizes that the speaker - to the radiator - to the mantel is a perfect access path. I feel like cat injury is in the making here....

And now I'll meme:

[ RED ]
1. Closest red thing to you? Red & gray striped socks

2. Has anyone ever cheated on you in a relationship? Errrm, my relationship past is quite limited and as far as I know...no.

3. Last thing to make you angry? Huh...I don't think I've been angry in a while...mmmm...my group I guess.

4. Are you a fan of romance? Well sure. I probably wouldn't be the best recipient of cheesy romantic gestures, but otherwise, yes.

5. Have you ever been in love? Mmm, not really.

6. Do you have a temper? Slow to ignite but long-lasting. I'm a grudge holder.

[ GREEN ]
1. Closest green thing to you? The green lights in a Christmas strand - I'm a multi-colored girl all the way.

2. Do you care about the environment? Yeah.

3. Are you jealous of anyone right now? Nah.

4. Are you a lucky person? I can be. But I also have bad luck too (like everyone). It's a neutralizing thing.

5. Do you always want what you can't have? Sometimes yes.

6. Are you Irish? No I am not.

[ PURPLE ]
1. Last purple thing you saw? The purply pink lights in the strand of Christmas lights.

2. Like being treated to expensive things? Sure. Who doesn't?

3. Do you like mysterious things? I like mysterious people....to a point. At some point you just want to know them, right?

4. Favourite type of chocolate? Dark, all the way.

5. Ever met anyone in royalty? No. And I think this question is phrased poorly. You're not IN royalty. You ARE royalty. So it should be: Ever met anyone royal? Right?

6. Are you creative? In ways. I like playing with paper and knitting and such. But I can't creatively cook at all.

7. Are you lonely? Sometimes, sure. Mostly no.

[ YELLOW ]
1. Closest yellow thing to you? A big yellow flashlight.

2. The happiest time(s) of your life? Holidays!

3. Favourite holiday? I like Christmas, Thanksgiving and Halloween.

4. Are you a coward? Sure.

5. Do you burn or tan? Sun has no noticeable effect on me even after long periods of time.

6. Do you want children? No.

7. What makes you happy? Lots and lots.

[ BLUE ]
1. Closest blue thing to you? Box for a humidifier filter - set there to remind me to reorder.

2. Are you good at calming people down? I believe so - in the right situation.

3. Do you like the ocean? I think it is amazing to look at, fun to watch other people battle but not a place I want to be.

4. What was the last thing that made you cry? Hmmm, I don't remember, a movie maybe?

5. Are you a logical thinker? In some aspects - as far as logic problems go I tend to get frustrated and give up.

6. Can you sleep easily? My family would have you believe no (I can't FALL asleep easily). But in the right situation, yes.

7. Do you prefer the beach or the woods? Beach.

[ PINK ]
1. Closest pink thing to you? Boku's nose.

2. Do you like sweet things? Um, yes is an understatement. If it was healthy, I would eat sweets all day, every day. Donuts, cake, cookies, cupcakes, yes please!

3. Like play-fighting? I think everyone does.

4. Are you sensitive? Can be.

5. Do you like punk music? Not really.

6. What is your favourite flower? Iris!

7. Does someone have a crush on you? This is a silly question I think - usually if someone is crushing on you, you don't necessarily know.

[ ORANGE ]
1. Closest orange thing to you? The publish button on blogger.

2. Do you like to burn things? I don't mind burning a candle, but I don't get joy from burning things that shouldn't be burned.

3. Dress up for Halloween? No.

4. Are you usually a warm-hearted person? Eerrr, I want to say yes, but I think in some situations, no.

5. Do you prefer the single life or the security of a relationship? Isn't everyone going to just answer what their current predicament is?

6. What would your super power be? Two places at once.

[ WHITE ]
1. Closest white thing to you? Kleenex.

2. Would you say you're innocent? I can be naive but I'm no innocent.

3. Always try to keep the peace? Generally, yes.

4. How do you imagine your wedding? One big, fun party.

5. Do you like to play in the snow? I don't mind a frolic in the snow or a sledding episode.

6. Are you afraid of going to the doctors or dentist? No, I got over that when I started going to the doctor every 3-4 months.

7. Do you have Attention Deficit Disorder(A.D.D)? No.

[ BLACK ]

1. Closest black thing to you? The cap to a pen.

2. Ever enjoy hurting people? No.

3. Are you sophisticated or silly? Definitely silly. Although compared to some, my level of sophistication is OK.

5. Do you have a lot of secrets? Hmm, not really.

6. What is your favourite colour(s)? I like red a lot and I like blue.

7. Does the colour you wear affect your mood? I hope not, since most of my work clothes are really bland and neutral.

Day of cleaning...

I have been mindlessly cleaning this apartment all day now and haven't been thinking much (besides stuff like, hmm, it says don't mix cleaning products, does that mean if there is some accidentally left behind and a tiny bit mixes I'm going to inhale it and die?). When you spend all day not thinking, it's hard to think up real content for a post. Add to that the fact that my stomach has been acting up all afternoon (a normal reaction for me after Chinese food) and you have a pretty boring post in the works here.

It's been sort of amazingly awesome to just have a whole day to devote to the apartment. To not have to worry about a group project or homework. So happy! And right now the bathroom is fairly gleaming, my bedroom has finally had a floor cleaning and the kitchen table is noticeably wood!

Soon enough (next weekend? Part of this week?) I'll be pulling out all of the Christmas decorations and making it merry here...

Sorry for a fairly boring post. I think I'll probably meme you tomorrow...

Always a bridesmaid...

You know the saying...always a bridesmaid, never a bride. I briefly looked up the etymology of the phrase online and it comes from a song (Why Am I Always a Bridesmaid) and it's supposed to mean something along the lines of: Frequently second-best. I was totally sidetracked from my original intention for this post by the song (which I find hilarious), so I'll post the words at the very bottom and get back to it..

This next time around will be my fourth engagement as a bridesmaid. And I must say, I'm just as excited about it (if not more so - no offense other brides & grooms - but this is the friend I've had since we were 11...long time). I'm always a little confused by the people that complain about being a bridesmaid. How could you not be happy to be involved in such an important day for someone you love? (I know it happens...people get asked to be in weddings for people they aren't that close to. And obviously when that happens it sort of is an exceptional circumstance, so maybe a little complaining is OK).

It's not often that we get to celebrate in such a way - where we just take a day, get dressed up and celebrate two people (political side rant: in my opinion ANY two people who want a marriage should have one). So how could you complain about the thing? Sure, it costs quite a bit of money to be in a wedding, but what better way is there to spend your money than on your closest friends? None. none.

I'm fairly sure I'll be a bridesmaid again (There is every possibility that I will be a bridesmaid 4 more times yet...or 0). And for each of those times I'll be just as happy and honored as I am now.

Always a bridesmaid, never a bride? Quite happily, thanks....

And now, the song that sparked the saying:

Why am I always a bridesmaid,
Never the blushing bride?
Ding! Dong! Wedding bells
Always ring for other gals.
But one fine day -
Please let it be soon -
I shall wake up in the morning
On my own honeymoon.

What's a Budgen?...

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays...any excuse to get together with family and eat delicious food is fine by me. Plus, this is one of my favorite times of year (weather-wise). So I hope your Thanksgiving is full of food and love.

I think for the rest of my life, I will always think of London during November. And especially on Thanksgiving. The first (and so far only) Thanksgiving I've spent without any family I was living abroad (in London) for a semester. I had 3 of my close friends visiting (one from her abroad program in Cork, Ireland and two from the US) and we decided to make a real meal. Surprisingly it all ended up being quite delicious (I still remember our mashed potatoes with fondness).

We had spent our day wandering around London and so, rather than actually cook a Turkey (which are hard to come by at your local Budgen's grocery store/convenience store) we bought a roast chicken. Canned gravy. Canned cranberry. Fresh mashed potatoes and homemade stuffing. And drinking all throughout the preparation. My English flatmates (3 actual, 6 in reality counting significant others) cleared out and my American flatmates (2) were not around. So the four of us just laughed and talked and had a real, thankful Thanksgiving.

To J, A and L (two of whom will probably never read this), we'll always have Thanksgiving in 20B Maynard....

Happy Anniversary...

Happy Anniversary to me! Today is the one year anniversary of my last day of work at the job that I hated. Hooray! Happy about that decision every single day.

I am quite brain-dead and exhausted so here is a list of things I am thankful for (in preparation for Thanksgiving):

My family (cats included, even fat old Allie)
My friends (who really are pretty much family)
My chance to go to school
My home
Chicago at Dusk
My new Christmas tree

Ok, I could go on forever, but it's about to get really flowery and cheesy...but I'm pretty much thankful for every day...

Three posts in one day....

It's a miracle.

Not a real post, just a little token of my love to all you HP fans out there...

Go ahead, eat it up.

And if you're a fan, and don't know about mugglenet, you should really check it out sometime...that's where I found your little present.

Some thoughts about NaBloPoMo...

I told you I would post twice today. I am HARDCORE. I've been thinking about blogs a lot lately because...well, I have to blog everyday....

• The odds of winning one of the many, many wonderful prizes rises every day. I feel like people are dropping like flies.
• And the fact that people are dropping like flies is not surprising to me. At first it was...but a lot of these people have far busier lives than I...I'm sure corralling kids is a lot trickier than say...sitting on the couch hating your group members. Either way, it's bully for me because I might actually win something fantastic.
• And my last point for the evening is the unexpected size of my readership every day. It has not grown fantastically or anything, but it has been bigger than I ever have had before.* My average is around 45 visits a day. I don't think I know of more than 12ish people who openly read this blog. So who are you other people? Do I know you in real life? I have read many a blog that calls for the readers to "delurk" (you know, show yourselves openly) and they always fail miserably. So if you really want to stay anonymous, then post a comment AS anonymous and just tell me if you know me. I'm just curious in an almost purely statistical, nerdy way.
  

*Typing this made me realize that when I changed over my layout to blogger beta's new layout wizardy thingy I forgot to move over my site meter. So I lost quite a few days worth of data and therefore have no idea if people really are still reading this. I assume so...

PS - if you're one of the really techy blog readers who has a reader, my feed has changed with blogger moving to beta. It is now: http://katieromo.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
I think the old atom one will work for a time, but basically what is is doing is redirecting you to the one above...

Really?

Right now there is a marching band downstairs (on the street - I wonder if they are marching....I have no window) to celebrate the hopeful inclusion of the World's Largest Rubber Band Ball in the Guinness Book of World Records. That ball is downstairs in front of my building. I can now say I saw the World's Largest Rubber Band Ball (if it makes it in)...

The best part of it all is that the sponsor of the ball (yes, the ball has a corporate sponsor - I shit you not) was handing out very fun, rubber band ball circular calendars. And so, I now have one thing tacked to my cubicle.

I may blog again later. I just was astonished that the event (part of Chicago's Thanksgiving week festivities?) had a marching band.

Another sorry post...

I really like this meme, so thanks Starfish and Coffee!

1. Yourself: plain
2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend: not
3. Your hair: long
4. Your mother: giggles
5. Your father: cool
6. Your favorite item: cats
7. Your dream last night: questionable
8. Your favorite drink: water
9. Your dream car: mine
10. The room you are in: favorite
11. Your ex: who?
12. Your fear: falling
13. What you want to be in 10 years: me
14. Who you hung out with last night: project
15. What you're not: spontaneous
16. Muffins: cupcakes!
17: One of your wish list items: Origami
18: Time: Fiveish
19. The last thing you did: unpacked
20. What you are wearing: clothes
21. Your favorite weather: chilly
22. Your favorite book: Harry
23. The last thing you ate: CareBear (ok, it's really two words, but so is fruit snack - i have no idea how to describe that in one word).
24. Your life: busy
25. Your mood: neutral
26. Your best friend (s): inspiring
27. What are you thinking about right now: Thanksgiving
28. Your car: delightful
29. What are you doing at the moment: relaxing
30. Your summer: short
31. Your relationship status: singleton
32. What is on your tv: addicts
33. What is the weather like: perfect
34. When is the last time you laughed: lunch

Easy enough and quick enough for even the scarcest blogger to complete.

I actually had real content planned for the day...but I just really like this meme!

Sunday = no fun day...

Hey all. So, as predicted, my one group member has completely and entirely welched (did you know that this could also be welshed? And is therefore derogatory to the poor citizens of Wales?). I'm totally embroiled in my group project, doing 800 parts that weren't originally mine as well as fixing up my parts. Boooo. Therefore you'll have to be satisfied with this meme (randomly stolen from here, after a google search for "find a meme". I didn't even read all the questions...ok, I maybe read one of them...):

1. IF YOU COULD BUILD A SECOND HOUSE ANYWHERE, WHERE WOULD IT BE?
It might be nice to have a FIRST house. So, assuming my first house is a fabulous, vintage (but refurbished) condo...my second house would be in....Florida. Or Arizona.

2. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE ARTICLES OF CLOTHING?
First thing that popped into my head: my winter hat (see picture). I've had that hat for years now. I'm hoping to eventually have the skills (starting December 1) to make lots and lots of winter hats so that I have variety.

3. THE LAST CD YOU BOUGHT?
Um....wow...I can't remember at all. Maybe the new Dashboard CD (which I'm neutral about).

4. WHAT TIME DO YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING?
Well it varies. When I have to work at 9, 7:20. When I have nowhere to be, I usually manage to sleep in until about 8 or 8:30.

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE KITCHEN APPLIANCE?
This one is a tie...either the microwave (my primary cooking instrument) or my rice cooker (because it makes perfect rice).

6. IF YOU COULD PLAY AN INSTRUMENT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Easy. Piano.

7. FAVORITE COLOR?
Red.

8. WHICH VEHICLE DO YOU PREFER, SPORTS CAR, MOTORCYCLE, OR SUV?
Sports car. To be honest, I think it would be fun to have an attractive, sporty hybrid though.

9. DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE AFTERLIFE?
No but I do sometimes consider reincarnation. When I am having a day where I don't believe in reincarnation I believe that it just ends. So enjoy it while you can kids...

10. FAVORITE CHILDREN'S BOOK?
Silly question - Harry Potter (if I had to pick just one...probably Goblet of Fire).

11. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON?
Fall.

12. IF YOU HAVE A TATTOO, WHAT IS IT?
Only one. Between my butt dimples, just a single, small word: hope. I have been considering sprucing it up (don't worry, no plans to do so).

13. IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPERPOWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
To be in two places at once. And that other part of me would be able to be or do whatever I want with no monetary restrictions.

14. CAN YOU JUGGLE?
No, can you?

15. ONE PERSON/PEOPLE FROM YOUR PAST YOU WISH YOU COULD GO BACK AND TALK TO?
Huh...this is a rough one. Maybe my grandpa.

16. WHAT IS UNDER YOUR BED?
Lots of cat hair. A few cat toys. A towel (they like to sleep directly under my head...I don't ask questions, I just oblige and leave the towel there).

17. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DAY?
Probably Saturday.

18. WHICH DO YOU PREFER, SUSHI OR HAMBURGER?
I prefer a cheeseburger. Have to have the cheese. I tried sushi once (OK, not really since there was no fish on it - it was just a cucumber roll and it was not to my liking).

19. FROM THE PEOPLE WHO NORMALLY READ YOUR BLOG, WHO IS THE MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND FIRST?
Do you really respond to a meme? I think what this question is really asking is - who is most likely to post this meme? Probably someone who is also NaBloPoMo'ing. So my sister. Or Dad.

20. ON WHICH BLOG DID YOU FIND THIS MEME?
I already told you that. Click the link provided above.

21. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER?
Iris. Hands down. So weirdly pretty. I like the colorful ones best - purples, yellows and reds.

22. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEAL?
Right now...I like cottage cheese a lot (eaten with anything I can find in the house). And out of the past few days, the favorite meal has been Indian delivery. I love a Thanksgiving dinner though and I can't wait. Turkey and stuffing, yum!

23. DESCRIBE YOUR PJS.
The ones I'm in right now? A hideous tank top (it says HeartBreaker) and some surf board boxer shorts. The radiator heat in my apartment makes the temperature in here oscillate wildly...so I have a blanket. When it tends towards cold I cover myself with blanket. When it gets roaringly hot I discard the blanket.

24. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BREAKFAST?
The one I eat every day: granola bar. But for a real breakfast I really like all of these equally: pancakes, french toast, belgian waffle.

25. DO YOU LIKE YOUR JOB?
Yes. I like the people. The work is boring though and has nothing to do with my future career (you know, when I'm an adult....25 isn't an adult, right?).

26. WHAT IS YOUR DREAM JOB?
I find this one really hard. I'd like work I could be proud of but a job that requires me to only work a few hours a day.

27. WHAT AGE DO YOU PLAN TO RETIRE?
27. I don't know. It's a bit early to plan this.

28. WHERE DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE OR SIGNIFICANT OTHER?
This kind of presumes a lot. A lot of questions in this meme started with IF. So why doesn't this one? If you have a partner, where..... But NOOOO. Blatant singleton discrimination.

29. SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT YOU HAVE NEVER DONE BEFORE.
Lots of travel to places I've never been.

Blogger beta is giving me some serious issues due to my list (the numbering thing). Some bugs to work out still. Hopefully this posts successfully.