Sunday Girl

I haven't been writing much because I've felt too tired, too empty, too devoid of original thoughts to actually attempt a new post. Work has been so busy with number-crunching and hour-long conversations with my colleagues in San Antonio that I've come home every night just wanting to veg in front of the TV. This weekend hasn't been much different. After a mini-college reunion on Friday night at a new bar in Wrigleyville, I spent Saturday trying to stay dry in between Crate & Barrel, CB2, The Container Store, and Pottery Barn (Leslie was looking for new furniture and I was bored). By the time we got back to her place, neither of us had any energy to look cute and do the bar scene again so we assembled her shelves, watched a few (8) episodes of Sex & the City, enjoyed some gourmet pizza, and veged some more. Today? More of the same once I finished my online midterm for my MBA class. Jill & I watched Club Dread (so ridiculous) and laid motionless on our respective couches. Now, after all my laziness, I feel the need to produce something.....anything....

I am frustrated with C. Haven't seen him in 2 weeks, haven't talked in one. He has been very busy at work, but I don't really like that excuse. And I am weird about calling boys. I guess The Rules have been reinforced in my brain one too many times. There is just something I don't like about being the one who initiates the phone calls. The ball is in his court, yet he's doing nothing. So should I call and give him a little kick in the ass, or do nothing and stay frustrated? I think it's clear that I will have to call.

The Returning Ex returned again (from this point on to be known as Flip Flop Guy - thanks Max). He now lives within 2 blocks of my apartment, but I have yet to run into him on the street. He called Friday night and I chose to ignore his call. He was at another bar, wondering what I was doing, wanting me to meet up with him. Leslie told me not to call him back. No texting allowed either. I knew she was right so I never returned his call.

I'm perpetually confused by the men in my life. I only hope I am just as confusing to all of them.


(While trying to come up with a title for this post, I thought of three Blondie song titles. That was all that came to mind. Huh.)

secrets, secrets are no fun

I just found this and I'm fascinated.

without me, it would just be aweso

I am so tired and braindead tonight....watching a Kanye concert on MTV2 because there is NOTHING on tv. Home alone, ready to go to sleep, and just jotting down a few lines about my favorite subject....myself.


1. I am a Diet Cokehead.
2. Pedro Almodovar is my favorite director.
3. When I was in junior high, people thought I looked like Veruca Salt in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
4. I am an only child.
5. I prefer dark chocolate.
6. New York is my favorite city.
7. I went through a disco phase in 7th and 8th grade.
8. Sometimes I check out my reflection when I walk down the street.
9. French fries are my weakness.
10. I wrote down all of the lyrics to Salt N Pepa's "Shoop" in 6th grade.
11. I was on the swim team for 8 years.
12. I am half-Irish and half-German.
13. I wish my family was Italian.
14. I hate oranges.
15. Gin & tonics are my new favorite cocktail.
16. I think I look much better when I'm tan.
17. Even though I hate to admit it, I am a Miranda.
18. I love singing in front of the mirror and pretending I'm on stage.
19. I once rode in an elevator with Leann Rimes and her family.
20. I was afraid of elevators until I got stuck in one three years ago.
21. Diet Coke and a bagel is my favorite hungover breakfast.
22. I hate my hips.
23. My ipod's name is Todd.
24. I don't let people see me cry (if I can help it).
25. I had a lump removed from my breast when I was 20.
26. I clip coupons weekly.
27. My favorite dessert is chocolate flourless cake.
28. I want to live inside a Woody Allen film.
29. I make my lunch the night before.
30. Being tickled on my lower back is painful.
31. I drank my first beer at 15.
32. I got caught drinking on my high school's spring break trip.
33. I have woman crushes on Rachel Bilson and Angelina Jolie.
34. People have told me I look like Eva Mendes.
35. Toasted peanut butter & raspberry jelly sandwiches are my favorite comfort food.
36. I have only overdrawn my bank account once.
37. I dressed up as a Double Dare contestant for Halloween last year.
38. I cannot get into my bed unless it's made.
39. I would love to drive an Audi A4.
40. No one has ever sent me flowers.
41. Van Morrison's "Into the Mystic" is my favorite song.
42. I have never seen "ET".
43. I was born a month late.
44. I have never gotten a speeding ticket, but have been pulled over twice.
45. I am a vegetarian, but I eat seafood sometimes.
46. I've never worn my hair in a French braid.
47. It's been over a year since I've been on a date.
48. I lost my virginity when I was 18.
49. I am an only child.
50. My favorite body part is my back.

It's only rock 'n roll

Does it seem wrong that a 62 year old man in tight pants and a little black t-shirt turns me on? That he can shake his hips, point his finger, and I start to swoon?

I am more in love with Mick Jagger today than yesterday.

Jill and I, along with thousands of other sweaty Stones fans, packed into Soldier Field last night for a show that blew me away. I've wanted to see the Rolling Stones for years, but never had the chance. It didn't matter that our seats were in the high-altitude section. I just wanted to see his face.

The setlist was great with only a few exceptions. Personally, I am not a fan of Keith Richards. On guitar, he is fantastic. On vocals, I'd rather hear a cat scream. So the two songs he performed were the dark spot of the show for me. There were a few new songs from "A Bigger Bang" which the majority of the crowd did not know. However, that didn't stop the excitement in the stadium. And I especially liked when a small portion of the stage moved along a track down the center of the field seats, ending at a platform in the middle of the field. It was a more intimate stage than the large, TV-screen and pyrotechnic stage where most of the show took place, and it was the perfect place to showcase songs like "Miss You", "Honky-Tonk Woman", "Jumpin Jack Flash", and "Satisfaction".

If given the opportunity, I would much rather see the Stones perform in a smaller venue such as they did a few years ago in Chicago. Given that they can command $100 ticket prices for nosebleed seats, however, I don't think it's too likely they'll quit the stadium tours. And one can only guess as to how much longer they'll be performing together.

A circle is round, it has no end....

Tonight is Jill and my 12 Year Friend-i-versary!

This is the first time we are officially celebrating our friendship (thanks to the idea from our friend Anne), and it's also just a great excuse to have a party. Our friendship is really something to celebrate; I cannot believe we have been friends for twelve years.

Jill & I met in fifth grade. We were in the same Girl Scout troop (#448) and both of us participated in the French-American exchange program through our school. Our "french kids" were friends so over the course of our three-week stay in Montmorency, Jill and I became friends too. When we entered junior high a few months later, our best friends (Angie and Courtney) ditched us for each other. Jill and I were in the same sixth grade class, and the rest is history.

I feel lucky to have met my best friend so early in life. We have shared so many things together and now, after four years of college and 2,000 mile separation, we live together in Chicago. Who would have guessed? (Probably everyone, actually). We are the same person at many times (saying the same thing at the same time, wearing identical clothes, joining the same sorority of which we are now on the local alumnae board). Jill has taught me much and has introduced me to new people, some of whom I now consider close friends.

So after a long Friday at work (after an even longer Thursday), we will celebrate!

Erin and The Professor

I was catching up with a friend from college tonight, a girl with whom I became very close during my freshman year. She recently started a new job teaching in a private school in St. Louis, and I asked if she had any cute prospects at the new school.

Al: There are a few cute guys. Professor types. You'd like em.

Me: Yeah, sounds like my type.

At the time I was just agreeing with her to move the conversation along. But later, in bed feeling exhausted and yet unable to sleep (like last night), I realized that this IS my type.

For the longest time I have been picturing the guys I've dated or been interested in, trying to force them into some sort of cohesive group representing "my type". I still don't think I've figured it out, but after my conversation with Al tonight, I am getting closer.

Intellectuals, professors, smart guys - these are the men I have been attracted to or who have been interested in me. Maybe they were lovers or are just close friends, but they fall into this group of intelligent men. I guess it's because I like to learn and I prefer to be friends with someone who can teach me something once in awhile, no matter what the subject. I am slightly modest about my intelligence, but I don't try to hide it. I want to engage in thoughtful conversations with men, and I am often turned off by those guys who cannot communicate or who don't seem to have anything to say. Even this past weekend, I can think of two instances where I was engaging in more than just small talk with guys (for the record, I was not interested in either of them).

I want a boyfriend who will take me to a coffee shop just to talk. He will want to see foreign films and have informed discussion about them afterwards. Talking about politics won't be completely out of the question - as long as we both can take something away from the conversation. Book or music recommendations will be greatly appreciated and encouraged, and we will watch intelligently funny tv shows together (those men regularly tuning into "Viva La Bam" need not apply).

And I seem to attract the same guys over and over again. Sure, they all look different, but they're usually smart and funny. (Sidenote: these two qualities should, in my opinion, go hand in hand. Humor is nothing without some intelligence behind it.) Maybe it's because I'm smart and funny. Yeah, that's probably it.

I hope this doesn't sound too pretentious, because I definitely don't want one of those......

goin' to the chapel

Unlike most girls, I haven't been planning my wedding since the age of six. It wasn't until I worked for a bridal magazine that I actually started thinking about The Big Day. How could I avoid it? I was surrounded by ads and articles about finding the perfect DJ or selecting a registry. Photos of banquet halls, honeymoon destinations, and Tiffany's inspired robin's egg blue bridesmaid dresses got me thinking about all the elements of my own wedding (whenever that day comes along). I've been thinking about weddings even more now that I've entered that time in my 20s when the wedding epidemic starts. Every time I turn around, another wedding invitation or bridal shower comes along. It starts off slow, a few weddings this summer and fall, but within the next two years I imagine the number of events will triple.

I went to my third wedding of the summer last night (I was someone's date, but the groom went to my college). It was a nice service (I think the Scottish pastor was slightly drunk) and the reception was beautiful. Of course I started to pick out little elements of the day that I would like to have as part of my own wedding, and I started wondering what it would be like when I got engaged and married and who this lucky man would be and what my family and friends would say during their toasts and who my bridesmaids will be and......

It scares me, thinking about marriage, because in no way am I ready for that stage in my life. I see my friends who have recently gotten married or engaged, and I can't begin to think about making such a huge commitment. But it's also exciting to think about how it will happen, finding that person who wants to be with you forever and loves you enough to make that leap into commitment. Knowing that this could happen with the next person I date is especially strange.

Maybe I will come back to this later. I'm having trouble focusing right now.

lazy

I wish I had a better excuse for just sitting in front of the TV than just a lack of motivation. Day 2 of my long weekend and I have absolutely no energy to get up and run on the lakefront like yesterday. Instead, I find myself sitting on the couch with my laptop on my thighs, finishing a cup of coffee and watching "Say Anything". I actually don't like this movie at all and have never watched it in its entirety. Ione Skye irritates me. She speaks like a former boss I had when I was a lifeguard - a boss I despised. In turn, I do not like Ione Skye and do not like this movie. Same goes for "Four Weddings and a Funeral" - Andie MacDowell is just annoying. She ruins what could have been a great film.

To make things worse, the cable guide isn't working. It's impossible to find something to watch when you have no idea what is on each channel. I've become so accustomed to selecting channels based on listings, rather than having to go through EVERY SINGLE channel and attempt to figure out what is on each one. This is especially frustrating when you just want to veg and don't want to think about what you are watching.

All of this, however, seems completely shallow when I pass through the CNNs and MSNBCs and Fox News channels. Devastation, destruction, drowning (we have refugees in our own country, hundreds of whom showed up at O'Hare barefoot and homeless). And here I am complaining about the cable. I know few people in New Orleans. It is one of the markets I buy I at work so I have vendors and a client there. As much as Roger, my New Orleans client, gets on my nerves each day with his multiple calls and emails, he was the very first person I thought of when the hurricane struck. It was strange earlier this week when I didn't hear from him and I had no idea if he was okay. Thankfully, I checked my work email briefly yesterday and saw two emails from Roger. I cannot imagine what he has gone through in the past week, but I am eager to talk to him next week.