sickly old me

I'm sick again, with some horrible throat infection, no doubt Strep Throat. Last night was the worst. I had so many different meds in my body, my poor stomach couldn't even handle it and sometime in the middle of the night.. up it came... mostly the awful tasting NyQuil. I woke up feeling depressed knowing I couldn't call in sick to work because I was the only key holder opening and there was no one to call sick in to. How awful:(. So I pulled myself out of bed, took an extra warm shower and took the bus to work. I made tea to take along and drank it all. Philip and i don't really buy coffee on a daily basis anymore like we used to, but I figured being sick was a great excuse to spend 2 dollars on an extra hot white tea. Oh how it felt so good. How joyful that it was "Re-forecasting Thursday", because I got to spend an hour in the office re forecasting payroll and sales and adjusting the week's schedules to it. It was nice to sit down for a break. Anyway, I think these antibiotics are finally kicking in... my uvula is shrinking back to normal size and I can actually swallow more that liquids now. Oh the joy of being sick!

CTA problems again

The CTA is facing more budget issues.... check out this website to read about it all.
http://www.savechicagolandtransit.com/

the holidays have begun

Yesterday at work, I was discussing the our Holiday 1 floor-set which goes up the last Sunday of October.  One of my co-workers said, "so you mean the 28th, like before Halloween?".  I, of course with a smart grin said, "yes... many boutique stores already have their trees and ornaments on display".  In all reality when I step back to think about it, it really is quite crazy!  As I looked through my department photo book, and excited myself with the new product, packaging, and "natural theme" I couldn't help but stop and think about why the holidays on the actual holiday have begun to mean less and less to me.  By the time Christmas is here, I'm so tired of seeing red and hearing "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" that it's just a nice day off to rest.  In no way should you take this as a "David is turning on the holidays blog", but simply a blend of excitement and tiredness for the next two weeks of October which catapult in to 8 weeks of holiday shopping and then the meaningless cycle of work as January comes and the fiscal year ends.  So, watch out people... Rudolph will be here before you know it!  Are you ready?

Orchestral sing along

Yesterday, Philip and I attended the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's free day of music downtown, specifically attending the sing along.  Literally the entire concert hall was filled with people from all walks of Chicagoland including the surrounding suburbs.  The Civic Orchestra of Chicago played familiar tunes that we hear daily in TV advertisements and in movies while we happily sang along using the legally photocopied sheet music.  There were two choirs who either performed independently or sang along with us.  The sounds from the sing along were not as joyful as a hymn sing at GC, but it was good fun all around.

it's really hot in here

It's 86 degrees outside. It's Sunday October 7th. I removed our window air conditioner weeks ago when I thought the summer heat was gone. See where this is going? It's October and its still hot and my apartment is thus hot making me not so excited. Philip brought me breakfast in bed this morning, then we watched episodes of "Flipping Out" on his laptop, then we ran to the gym because we were late for Philip's class and when we arrived we realized the instructor didn't show, then we ran up inner lake shore home. Eventually, we finally washed the dishes and had a snack to eat. I'm sitting hot in the living room wishing for an autumnal breeze to sweep through the window, but nothing comes at all.

"sadurday"

left work sick today :(
sat and rested around home:(
watched grey's anatomy:)
had 3 swigs of tequila straight from the bottle:)

Check out this funny from the Colbert Report...

sourdough or bagels?

I was awaken this morning by my dad calling from China. He said he was using me as a guinea pig to see if his internet phone was working before he called actual business customers. Nonetheless, it was nice hearing from him and fun to chat. Thank goodness for this early wake up call as it allowed me to have a very productive morning. I made two dozen bagels with onions, sesame and flax seeds and may I say, they are quite delicious. There are only 22 left on the counter. I've come to realize that baking sourdough bread or any bread for that matter is very easy and so fulfilling. There's nothing more relaxing than kneeding dough and watching it rise and then tasting the your product with your very essence in it, made with your hands. Maybe this shall become a new hobby, hopefully without adding too many carb-enduced pounds.

kittens gone... bailey's back

Last night was our first without the adorably hyperactive kittens and as I tried to fall asleep I was astonished at how quiet it was. No bags being drug around the house or rocks being dug out of the plant pot and kicked around, no pitiful meow's begging for who knows what and no fights between Bailey and the kittens. Peace and quiet was so surreal. While I am happy that they are back with their original mother, I must say I will miss the adorable cock-eyed "fatty" and "blackies" puny meow begging for fun. On the other hand Bailey is back to normal! She is happy and smiling and sleeps on our bed again. She is also probably bored out of her mind which drives her to play with us more. This morning I woke up to her pushing her forehead into my nose in order to get it scratched and then later licking my forehead...weird! I think this is life number 3 for her!

living yeast

I've taken up baking bread... sourdough bread in fact, and with my very own natural sourdough starter. After a week long growth I made my first loaf and am committed to making bread over and over until I find the perfect sourdough for me. I got lazy last week and added a bit of yeast to one batch.. bad idea, the natural way is much better.