Power tools are sexy

As part of my Christmas present to my mom, I agreed to put up some track lighting. I'm not wholly sure why my mom thought I could do this, or why she particularly wanted track lighting, but hey. My favorite part of Christmas was always putting together the elaborate presents (dollhouses were awesome projects!), and I am a stage electrician, so I guess this could work.

After a trip to Home Depot with my handy uncle and alot of instructions, I flipped the breaker and started work. A couple trips to Home Depot, many expletives, and some jerry-rigging later, two track lights are in the air.
The Dude was hugely helpful with the flashlight and extra hands. My dad was thoroughly displeased at the fact that someone other than him was doing something around the house, and was not doing exactly as he would. And he failed to point out any of his concerns until I was up to my eyeballs in this project. It was so frustrating to try to juggle the family crap and the levels of ingenuity required. But they look so cool!

Crap for breakfast

While none of today's crap is new, I get to deal with it this morning.

Driving back from Chicago, my "check engine" light came on less than 100 miles from home. Took it in to have it diagnosed. Bad catalytic converter. Estimate = $500. While it could be infinitely worse, and I can drive it to my regular mechanic in Charlottesville, it still rather sucks.

Currently, I am on hold with my bank to dispute a charge. Contrary to my statement, I did NOT get an extra $10 as cash back. Ugh.

On the bright side, I got to try on my new Christmas clothes, including a variety of warm and fuzzy things. And I watched a really cool, rather creepy episode of House I TiVo-ed. Next = laundry!

Pre-Christmas crazies

Christmas is possibly more fun as a spectator sport than a participant.

While I fell asleep to Nightmare Before Christmas, there has been a tightly organized baking schedule in the kitchen, secretive wrapping, errands, shopping. I decided to get out of the house and watch the crazies. Had to get hair goo, which gave me prime gawking at grocery stores. Decided to check out the hippies at Whole Foods. Very satisfying.

I spent some time cruising around observing the "decorations", including an inflatable snow globe complete with a carousel inside. Which is not as heinous as some of the tear-down/build-ups around Northern Virginia. Modernism is great, but not out of context, surrounded by Cape Cods.

on the tube: Ocean's 11.

Driving

Probably not the most brilliant decision, but I decided to drive home for Christmas. Originally, I thought it would be cheaper, and mean I would have my car, setting my own agenda. Little did I count the expenses of the stupid turnpikes, or the fact that my sister's car was still available. Because I totally would have flown, instead of slogged through 13 hours in the car.

Admittedly, I managed to break up the drive over 2 days. Drove to Toledo yesterday, stayed with cousins, who were sweet, if slightly surprised to see me. But I got the stamp of approval from their two dogs.

The good = awesome mpg. rocking 40mpg! The bad = hours in the car, ending with the engine light on. But I got home with both me and the car in one piece.

But let me tell you what I think of the turnpikes, plural. Skyway to Indiana Turnpike to Ohio Turnpike to PA Turnpike. And while it's great to fly across flat highways, it's not great to drop crazy cash on the privilege. Also not great - food options. Unless you are addicted to McDonald's. And only need to pee or refuel in 53 mile increments. Ugh. I rather chafe at being told what to do, beit on the road or in life.

Driving also makes me pretty mercurial. I get pissed off easily (you should see the bruises I left on that air machine at the River North BP), but am easily tickled by little things. So it evens out, I guess.

So now I am beginning the holiday binge. Lots of baking going on upstairs (with my essential quality-control tastings), and now I am watching the Pillsbury Doughboy do a dance. I love TV sometimes.

Little lies

I'm not sure when the mental switch went off in my brain, but I have come to the creeping realisation that I am rapidly approaching old. Maybe it's all my friends not only getting married, but having kids (I know of 5), or that hanging out with 19-year-olds requires a different set of references. But 30 is there, a not-s0-distant speck on my horizon. (I see Domestic God's impression of the 30-Vortex now, and it makes me giggle).

Don't get me wrong. I am very excited about my upcoming birthday, not particularly because I relish being that much older, but because I am really done being 27.

So yesterday, as I chatted with the sales chyck at Ruby Room, purchasing my awesome patches (wearing one today, feel great, smell even better), she mentioned that she knew people my age in Charlottesville. "How old are you? 24, 25?" To which I replied "25." Which is not outrageously wrong. I just felt dirty for accidentally becoming one of those females who lies about her age. I can't believe I just became a cliche.

Another little "lie". I prefer saying "Happy Holidays" to "Merry Christmas". That part is true, but somehow, it feels like a lie. I celebrate Christmas, but I am not going to presume that everyone does. Some people hate Christmas, but love the idea of Holiday as days off from the routine. And there are a BUNCH of holidays between now and January. Take your pick - Boxing Day, Kwanzaa, Festivus for the Hipsters. Celebrate a few if you are ambitious. I like Happy Holidays because it is cheery and inclusive. Seasons Greetings sounds generic and cold.

But I have noticed more people humming "Christmastime is Here" lately. Nice, since it is probably my favorite Christmas carol. And largely agreed to be one of the least annoying (as surveyed by the Trib).

In a muddle

Mental weather report: stultifying fog.

I'm not sure why I was so. Stuck at work, I couldn't even read the news articles without losing interest. And coffee only made me jittery. All complemented by Radiohead. But Ruby Room finally had the aromatherapy patches (lemongrass for energy and mental clarity). Got stuck in crazy traffic, but I wanted to snap up a pack before they sold out again. Can't wait to try it, or at least feel something resembling functional.

Now I am coveting Isabelle's very cute shag haircut from L'Auberge Espagnole...

Social calendar

I'm not sure when or how it happened, but suddenly I have a raging social calendar. It's great, if slightly odd for a former couch-dweller.

Last night I met some of the interns at a Wine Bar for the 365 Plays Project, featuring short plays by Suzan-Lori Parks. Just sitting there made me feel erudite (which is lucky, since I didn't really "get" all of the plays). But I sat there in my black turtleneck discussing archetypes in Asian theatre.

Tonight, I headed uptown to watch Gilmore Girls with my cousins. Especially fun as my male cousin urges Rory to dump Dean, getting all into it and pretending like he doesn't know all the words to the Bangles.

Met up with J. right after to sit in Clarke's so passers-by could admire her new haircut, as we discuss experiences with high school Shakespeare.

Tomorrow, I am seeing the show one more time before going to Green Dolphin for swing night. Got comped into Blue/Orange Saturday. I feel so cool!

on iTunes: "Defining Moments" - Carol C Remix

Eco issues

Walking home after running errands, I was accosted by a guy from Environment Illinois. Usually people want me to sign petitions, which I can't actually do, since I am not a full-fledged resident of Illinois. This guy just wanted some time. And apparently a monthly pledge. The group supports alternative energy sources and advocacy. I completely support renewable resources and eco-responsibility. However, I wasn't really ready to commit to a monthly pledge. Time and energy I will cheerfully offer. Money is just not something I have to offer right now.

Chicago is a little weird about ecology. The city is pretty well-educated and liberal, but they don't have a practical recycling option. "Blue bags" are not effective. Individuals have to procure these special bags, then maintain their own recycling (limited what they even recycle) and put the blue bags in with your trash. So after all the effort and mess, you just have to hope that the contents are actually being recycled. Then the city wonders why recycling efforts are so low in residential areas.

It just kills me to throw away perfectly good materials, like cans, plastics, glass and paper. I still horder plastic bags out of habit. (And will probably end up schlepping them back to VA to recycle, because I can't bear to pitch them.)

The City Council has proposed giving residents buckets to collect recyclables, which is very successful in the suburbs. I'm still waiting.

BackBlog: Thanksgiving

Perhaps because I was so profoundly sleepy after my short trip, I missed out on blogging this.

I was home in Virginia for 3 days. One day at my parents' house, one day with my former roommate, and Thanksgiving proper with my adopted family. Bit of a whirlwind, but very efficient. And pleasant.

It was strange to be "home" or at least in places that were truly familiar. I mean, under normal circumstances, loafing around the house would be the last thing I would want to do, but somehow, it was rather nice. And the drive down 29 was great because I KNEW it. I knew distances, and speed-traps and landmarks. It was nice to give my brain that rest from the constant struggle to orient itself.

The Domestic God was in the midst of a cooking frenzy, which I was happy to be caught up in. He made some of my favorite food (chicken pot pie, apple crumble, etc) as we stood around and caught up and generally talked shit. Ah. So satisfying in ways the phone just ain't.The next day, I drove over to my "other family". Namely the Cheese Fiend's family who has been so kind as to absorb me as the other daughter. The food was magnificent and abundant, the company was political and fun, and I got to pet animals in front of a fire. After gluttonous helpings of pumpkin ice cream pie, Useless Spawn insisted on busting out the Czech souvenir. Looks like Scope, tastes like fire. Quite nearly died, until I staggered into the kitchen to guzzle TNL and pick at the turkey carcass. Because pluckings always taste better.

Snow Queen Links

I went to watch the matinee of Snow Queen, just to check up. Now I am caffeinated and feeling blog-happy.

For the outsider's view of Snow Queen, here are some local links:

Time Out - "Frost Smitten"

Chicago Tribune Review

Chicago Sun-Times Review

and pictures!
("Golden Comb" performed by Babs and Mattie. Oversized bunraku!)


("Rosebush Song", performed by Michael Smith. Very Dia del Muerte)



It's always interesting to read reviews to see what they pick up on, and if they even notice any of your list of peeves or delights. It's also alot easier to read them when my name isn't in them!

on iTunes: "Shot Shot" - Gomez off Gomez Out West
(PS. Not sure why the formatting is off...)

Holiday spirit

With Christmas just about a week away, I am still not feeling the holiday spirit. And I'm not sure how to fix that.

My landlady has decked out her house in poinsettas, which is pretty. I walked through Zoo Lights, my roommate did massive baking the other night, been consuming my weight in hot chocolate, and it's cold out. But none of these is quite hitting the spot. I generally dislike Christmas carols. And since I have no money to spend at malls (or anywhere else for that matter), I am not participating as much. Most of the time, I don't even remember that it's Christmas, other than the occasional pang of guilt that I haven't ordered some gifts yet.

But I may have found my "in". A snarky YouTube mash-up of Scrubs (one of my favorite shows) and Charlie Brown Christmas (probably my favorite Christmas song after a drafting all-nighter). Brilliant, sassy, with a little bit of the sweet. There may be a trip to the video store for some quality Christmas viewing (Charlie Brown, Grinch, Nightmare Before...)

Surprisingly, I am rather looking forward to some quality time in Virginia. Even the challenge of 13 hours in the car. In the past, NoVA has not really been a popular destination for me, but since moving to Chicago, it has become a bit more desirable. Maybe because the food is free and the TV is bigger and I can just be obnoxious to familiar people. But the bed options just can't compete.

on Pandora: "Step Inside" - Gomez (can it be a Gomez song I haven't heard before?!)

Little Children

Saw Little Children featuring the always solid Kate Winslet and the impressively hot Patrick Wilson. Brilliant. Well-wrought. Reminiscent of American Beauty. Devastating.

Also devastating - paying $13 for parking.

on iTunes: "Waiting to Die" - Zero 7

Dancing with the Real Stars

This evening marked the final session of my work with the Dancing with the Real Stars program. Many weeks of Thursday trips to the Southside culminated in a 1-hour performance for parents. And I was pleasantly surprised by my students.

In the past month or so, the class morale has really deteriorated. Instead of wrestling with a huge class, I just wrestled with about 10 kids who could be real punks. Very hard to keep your cool. They didn't understand why they had to review, when they looked sloppy, or why we had to go so slow. But if I didn't spend so much time trying to get them focused, I would have had more time to do fun stuff. As of last week, the demo looked weak and sloppy. But this week, they really turned it around!

It wasn't perfect, but with the prospect of an audience or at least their parents glaring at them, the kids really perked up. We didn't even have to call steps! I guess it finally sunk in, at least a little.

After a series of other disorganized presentations, our dancers looked really sharp. In addition to the 6th grade swing, the 4th graders did a merengue (which I ended up leading in), and the 3rd graders did a line dance. Sadly, the batteries in my camera died before I was able to take any pictures.

Much more energy today. Yesterday I was an absolute sloth. Hence the lack of entry. Because sloths have trouble typing with just three fingers. And what would we talk about other than the fungus that grows on us? But the URTA packet arrived. Now to do some work!

Northwest Winter

If this is what winter in the Northwest is like, I think I could handle it.

For the past 2 days, I have been enjoying a respite from the bitter and vindictive Chicago winter. Instead, it has been in the upper 40s/low 50s and misty. The only reason I wore my coat was because I didn't want to carry it. Or to ward off real rain. And I think it's suposed to be like this for a week!

I am sure after months and months of mist, it would get old. But after about 90 seconds in the bracing cold, Chicago gets real old.

But all the rain has washed the salt and sand and post-snow scuzz off my car!

Minutes from the Meeting

I was up past my bedtime, so today I have been subsisting on blueberry coffee, which works surprisingly well. Like your muffin and coffee all in one. And you know how I feel about muffin.

A long meeting that went over kept me out till nearly 1. A group of interns and I convened at Clarke's (my new fave) for post-opening meeting to bang out some important details. Like what Z should wear the next day (nice sneaks or slumming sneaks?), the merits of a dry-erase bra, kinky sea cow, and the newest form of entertainment at VG - Undercover Hitler. The hilarity only increased when people choked on invisible objects and get the Bears score from mom. Many references to Harold and Kumar, and the appointing of associates.

Terribly productive, don't you think?

Much more productive than my unsuccessful attempts to network. I am not generally a mingler, preferring to hole up in the corner with a beverage and a snarky companion. But trying to casually go up to people you deem "useful" and compliment them and hope they remember who you are besides the chick who makes the coffee is unpleasant. At least with mingling, you can resort to making wholly random, frequently inappropriate comments to people you probably will never see again. (Musings on baked goods, discussions of cannibalism, etc.)

Good thing spiked hot chocolate is just next door.

Zoo Lights

To celebrate the season and relatively mild weather (quite nearly 40!), I walked down to Lincoln Park Zoo after dark to check out Zoo Lights.
From Thanksgiving to New Years, the Zoo is open late, with all sorts of lights in the trees and sculptures, including the Nursery Rhyme Garden. And some nifty animals, including gorillas and lizards and rhinos.It was really lovely, walking under canopies of barren branches flung with different colors. And lots of little kids overdressed in snow suits, struggling to waddle around. One really cute penguin hat (basically looked like the kid's head was shoved up the penguin's butt, but in pastel fleece, it worked), and a kid who just couldn't manage walking over the cords, so plunked on his butt every 10' or so.

Especially festive with the non-offensive Christmas music, and cran-white chocolate cookie I packed. And the 3-D-like glasses they handed out made white lights look like Snowmen!(I don't know if it comes out in this photo, but it was cool, and I nearly tripped on a couple of toddlers...)

After that little diversion, which up until 6PM was the most productive thing I had done all day, I stopped by Starbucks to indulge in some caffeine. A short hazelnut Americano and the De La Guarda soundtrack got me into a focused mode so I was able to finish my Statement of Purpose for my grad apps. Now I just need the stupid packet from U/RTA.

But here is a question begging for comment. What is your "Productive" or "Energizing" music/ritual?

on iTunes: Stevie Wonder - "I Wish"

Good Karma

Of late, I have been enjoying a spate of good karma. When the little things go right.

1. After the snow last week, I have routinely been able to get a parking space right in front of my house. Without parallel parking! And part of it must be that the students have gone home, but it's uncanny, and I love it.
2. Last Thursday, as I approached the vending machine to buy my Metra ticket, I found a ticket in the machine with my exact fare!
3. When the automated parking woulding read my card (I tried to pay inside and at the gate), they flagged me through. Free parking!
4. I don't know if this counts, but I found someone who wanted to see The Holiday with me. I don't know why I wanted to see it, and true to it's word, it's got the nutritional value of jelly beans, but fun mindless fluff.

I never have this kind of luck. It almost makes me nervous. I am hoping this is just to balance some shit things that have happened in the past, rather than balancing what is to come.

on iTunes: Elizabeth Sdtk - "Coronation Banquet"
External Temp: a whopping 35!

My new best friend

It officially became so cold that I overcame my vanity and busted out the Big Puffy Red Dork Coat, henceforth simply called Dork Coat, or perhaps Big Red if I'm feeling zesty.

Got up at the crack of dawn for a temp gig on a day when the high was 17. Thicker gloves, and crazy layers. Fortunately, I had fairly good bus karma, so I didn't have to wait for the cold to penetrate Big Red.

Since I only had to work half a day, I decided to bum around town (read: see museum, eat lunch). And my only regret is that I didn't go to Joy Yee. But the menu was downright overwhelming. Perhaps on Sunday... After I have had some time to pour over the small print.

Taught my little punks. I am having very similar artistic integrity issues as my Christmas pageant experience. I just have to remember that their standards and expectations are so low, that anything I give them will be good. Still frustrating that I can't get them to shut up for more than 12 seconds to dance. A week before performance, they are sloppy and asking why they have to practice so much! Mental note - do not teach 6th graders. The only comfort was a teacher observing saying under her breath, "And I thought my class was bad."

But Big Red. Even as I was nearly blown off course trying to cross Michigan, Big Red held fast. Anything covered by Big Red stayed not cold, and usually even warm. Even my arms! I discovered new flavors of cold-pain in my ears and cheekbones, which I tried to fit in the coat, with minimal success.

And it's fun, because the coat is so puffy, it's like lounging in bed. Although I do sort of envy the ankle-length puffy coats. Like walking around all day in a sleeping bag.

And while some girls can pull off winter-wear with a hint of chic, with their skinny jeans tucked into Uggs, and waist-length coats, I'll take the Dork Coat and all it's bulk!

on iTunes: J.Lo - "Walking on Sunshine"
External temp: 13F

Hotel Cassiopeia

Tonight, I went down to Court Theatre in Hyde Park to see the newest collaboration between Charles Mee and Anne Bogart's SITI Company. In general, I love Anne Bogart, but am not crazy about Charles Mee. But this production really opened Mee up to me as something very cool.

(Thoughts captured on the L, lest public transit completely suck out the beauty and romance of the moment)
Hotel Cassiopeia inspires me to make art. Perhaps it was the presentational style, or perhaps it was the artist-subject (Joseph Cornell). Because collage has always felt like an appeal and approachable medium to me. I understand that precise aesthetic arrangement. The idea that everything has a perfect place, based on its relationship (visual/spatial/thematic) with the other objects or items. The play made me feel creative impulses, whch strangely are visual media rather than theatre. Make tokens to send people. Collect items and images that remind me of the Cheese Fiend, who would have liked this. And with whom I would have liked to have seen this.

It also makes me deliciously covetous of everything on stage, from a teabag to a cigarette to old movies and a 3-speed bike. I could watch it all over again and still be amazed.

The play created stunning images and energies. It evoked the sense of wonderment and simple bliss the artist lived in and tried to recreate in his collage boxes. Shared understanding.

I also find myself increasingly attracted to ensemble-driven, non-realistic storytelling. More interesting visually, and something I haven't gotten much of before. Which is not hugely surprising, since I have always valued ensemble. But I guess non-realism is like my recently-discovered appreciation for modern art (thanks Brussels!)

(there's something wrong with my Ii key and it's bugging the hell out of me.)

on the radio: Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Californication"
external temp: 21F

Soup!

After a couple of totally lazy days, I tried the whole being productive thing. Got up at a reasonable hour. Finished reading a script that has been lingering on my desk. Watched the end of Funny Face to return to the library. Guided grocery shopping which brought home real food instead of my usual crap. But it's easier to walk away from prepacked goodies when I have fresh gingerbread sitting at home.

Sat in rehearsal to watch some trims and tweaks to the show. I am torn, because the whole point of previews is to try out the show on audiences and tweak accordingly. Then again, this cast is not the quickest to adapt, combined with the heavy tech details. But we made it into the Red Eye!

Came home and made soup! During my trip to VA, I was reminded of how much I love Velvet Corn Soup. So I did my best impression, which turned out pretty well! And now I have the leftovers to look forward to to warm my afternoons.
I must confess. I took the dork coat out for a spin, and it was damn toasty. And oddly comfy in its squishiness. Although it is not so cold that I am ready to drown my vanity in red puffy coat just yet.

And now I am juggling grad apps and the HBO miniseries on Elizabeth I with Helen Mirren. Interesting as it is overlapping with Elizabeth with Cate Blanchett, which I love.

Slacker Sunday

Can't say I accomplished much of anything. But it was a good day. Probably because it involved some quality time in my jammies. Like I even pulled a Ramona and just pulled real clothes on top of my monkey pants and went out to get food. The irony of which was only highlighted when I was fumbling for my ID.

I'm not sure what the source of my lethary is. Perhaps it is the need for down time, or real food (a cheeseburger definitely helped that) or maybe that doing anything would involve going out in 15 degree weather. Not so much a fan of that. But so REFRESHING. Yes, we'll stick to "refreshing", which sounds so much more promising than "mind-numbingly icy".

Tomorrow I do work. Or try.

*Shiver*

Can I tell you? It's FREAKIN' COLD here. After a less than thrilling snow, it is just damn chilly. And the highs are not due to top freezing for a whole week (17 as a high?!)

You hear that hollow thunking sound? It's the sound me banging my head against the desk because I just told my mother I was staying through January last night. What the hell was I thinking? Temporary insanity?

My office has a huge window which sucks heat away from my shivering person. Which is pathetic, since I have on 3 layers. I mean, at least when the huge wall-o-window sucks heat out of my bedroom, I can burrow down into the covers with my tres dorky nose-warmer on (thanks, Cheese Fiend!)

It makes me covet tres dorky apparel like these heated cargo pants.

And my fears have been confirmed. Walking to work, I saw dogs dressed in clothes. One white dog in a Gap hoodie, a pair of Scotties in matching Burberry.

This does not bode well.

on Pandora: Ox - "Shot Me Down"

Snow Day

First real snow of the season was a bit of a disappointment. They had been calling for 6-10 inches. I moved my car. People busted out the (hot pink designer) salt and sand. We got maybe 4 inches.

I woke up with my alarm at 8, thinking thoughts of being productive, but looking out the window, I went into full-on Snow Day mode. I rolled over and slept for another hour. When I woke up, I brushed my teeth, and climbed back into bed to watch Pride and Prejudice in my jammies, eating peanut butter out of the jar. There is something about Jane Austen that is so conducive to lounging and crappy weather. (And the movie was not-too-shabby. Not BBC, but I liked how it captured the social energy.) So cozy. Took a snooze, watched the snow taper off before heading downstairs for some tomato soup and grilled cheese. Ah.

Braced myself for weather by donning my fleecy socks and W&M sweatshirt. I look like a way dork when I am all bundled, but I have not resorted to Big Red Coat yet.

And the weather was just perfect for the 1st preview of Snow Queen. And topped off by a yummy hot chocolate.