Chicago Sheri: 03/01/2004

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Air guitar world champion
Pinky is a very loving cat
Gimpmasters
Gory version of the story 'Little Red Riding Hood'

Mailed out my sisters birthday presents and some cd mixes today.

Had lunch with Navin for a late birthday lunch, since the week of his birthday we were under-staffed and I couldn't leave my desk, and then last week I was away at the Sun class. Hadn't seen him since the book reading last weekend. I had to tell him I was really bothered by his sister's flip flops. IT WAS FREEZING THAT DAY!!! Why the hell was she wearing flip flops? Is she that proud of her feet?!?! He said it bothers him too. I guess we are both easily bothered.

I'm getting moved around at work. Was kinda bummed about it. Yeah,...just being an over-sensitive baby, but whatever. Same job, and pay...but now I need to sit over by this other main group so we have "representation" at this main group. So it could turn out good, good chance for me to network and be more visible. I just don't like being very visible.... I'm not trying to work my way up the corporate ladder. I just want my paycheck and no major trouble.

Watching American Idol, thinking about taking a super hot shower.
I'm happy at the end of the day. Happy to go home, see Brad's smiling sweet face, and just spend time with him.

Eating edmame for dinner and watching American Splendor

Had a Sun fault tolerance class all week in Schaumberg.
She let us out early on Friday, so I went downtown to pick up Daphne from a book fair she was working, for some lunch. She is in town doing a few readings, last one is on Sunday at Green Mill 4802 N. Broadway.
I took her to Lou Mitchells on Jackson. I had some eggs and hash browns, and she had a burger. I love the place. Great diner. Her and I had a lot to catch up on, we were just really in sync.

I even snapped some pics of her. :)

Today Brad and I did our usual dog morning. I walked Beanie first. Same guy from last week. He has 2 families interested in him, so he will probably be adopted some time this weekend. He has such a sweet face. Such a funny little guy.

One of the staff members asked if I would mind bathing a new dog that just came in. Poor dog, stunk really bad, they said the cage the guy brought him in smelled real bad too. He looked nervous. Matted fur, caked on poop...just covered. His name is Jack. So I went and made sure I had everything I needed to bath him, and got some gloves to pick him up with and put him in the tub. I soaked him a long time. Brown water just poured off of him. Shampooed him real good, nice lather, and a comforting massage as I lathered. He has kind of wiry fur, so I used some conditioner on him also to soften it up so I could brush him out. The warm water seemed to soothe him, and he really perked up when I started towel drying him. His little stump of a tail wiggling. He liked the towel rubs.

Brushed him out a little more and then took him outside for some fresh air. He was so stinky before he probably didn’t get touched at all, so he got real cuddly when I sat down outside with him. The people that brought him said he had just had a bath that morning, and they were bringing him in due to them having allergies to him. They are apparently allergic to poop! I put in an extra blanket and some toys in his kennel, and brought him some dog treats.
I mean I was a stranger giving him a bath, dogs hate baths, but he was so sweet about the whole thing. He just got in my face and sniffed me, kissed me, and wanted some reassurance. The sweetest disposition.

Been in training this week.
Nice to not be at work. And for once I like and am keeping up with the class. I usually have trouble paying attention, miss something important, and then get way behind.
It's also nice to be able to hop in my car and go somewhere during lunch. Yesterday I went to Gameworks, today I went to Ikea.

Weekend was good, got caught up on house chores and laundry stuff.
Went to a reading Sunday at Barbra's Bookstore downtown on Wells.
Steve Elliott read from his new book Happy Baby, and Audrey Niffenegger read from her book The Time Traveler's Wife

Brad and I brought Emily with us, and met up with Navin and his sister, and Brent.

Before the reading we were hungry and stopped in next door at Café Sushi. Great selection of sushi and very good prices. I just had a snack of some edamame, only cost $1!

Navin had just put Time Traveler's Wife on his amazon wish list after it was recommended to him. He won the drawing for a free signed copy of it! He was so happy.

The reading went very well, a great show of people were there, and were all really into each reading. Brad had never been to a reading before, I wasn't sure how he would enjoy it or not, ut he really did. He liked Steve's reading a lot, and thought he seemed like a really cool guy. He said he liked his subtle sense of humor. It was nice seeing Steve again.

Hercules (Piggie), Jamie, Max, Bandit, Vienna and Simba all got adopted.
Lots of new dogs, Riley, from the parade, was still there.

There weren't any other walkers today, so we made sure all the dogs got walked by us before we left.

Some puppies were outside in the run getting some fresh air and chasing each other. We stopped in to visit. Brad sat down but got overwhelmed with them jumping all over him, so he sat in the chair. After playing for a bit, they became aware of noises and stuff going on over at the car wash next door and it seemed to freak them out at first. Then they just sat and stared.

I walked Beanie first. A 5 year old Boston Terrier. I liked her, she took awhile to warm up to me, and let me get all kissy over her. Brad walked Lady (we both didn't like that name) a German Shepherd puppy. He REALLY liked her. He was "what if'ing" about her, but then found ut she was already getting adopted today. She just had the best personality. Playful, but not overly, and loving. She played real nice with Beanie too. She played gentle, since Beanie is so much more small. I had some nice quiet time with Beanie. Just enjoying the warm weather, and strong breeze.

I walked DJ next. Not sure how old she was, but she was a Maltese. Very soft fur. She just wanted to sit in my lap. So she did. Little cotton fur-ball.

Tia was next. I forget what type of dog they said she was. She had different color eyes. Beautiful face.

Maxie was a 4 year old Basset Hound. Reminded me of the cartoon dog Droopy.

Brad and I volunteered to walk dogs in the local St. Patricks Day parade last Saturday.
Nice brisk day, sun was out to balance it out. Perfect.
We went to the shelter at 9am to pick up our dogs.
It was unorganized, so I took advantage and moved quick to pick our dogs while people looked lost.
Brad took Riley a medium sized Hound mix. 1 years old, lots of energy but a quick learner. Brad took him out to use the bathroom before we got going and spend some time with him to calm him down. He play bit Brad a few times, and Brad stuck his thumb in his mouth every time he did it, and very soon he stopped. He even calmed down quite a bit.
I picked out Hercules a 4 year old Pekinese. He was sweet and happy, and very fat. A little butterball. I called him Piggie, and "my little sausage". Such a sweet scrunched up little face, making all these snorting sounds.
We put Riley in Goliath's old dog kennel, and put Piggie in the front on the floor in between Brad's legs. Riley was a perfect gentleman, not one peep the whole ride.
When we got to the set site, Brad found a guy with a clipboard to ask where we were in the parade. We had slot number 8, very close to the front. One of the staff members from the shelter was there, so JAG took over, found where we were supposed to go, and even found 3 boys to hold the sign for us in the parade. Lots of political parties were there. But there were also 2 bagpipe groups, and at least 3 groups of Irish dancing kids. (so adorable!!)
I've never been in a parade before, it was a lot of fun. I walked along the side so Piggie could get up close to the people and get some pets from them, or just go say hi. Lots of kids bundled up with butterfly nets, hats and bags to catch candy being thrown. They were so cute, the really little ones even had little chairs and wrapped in their cute little blankets, and then you'd hear them pipe up "Doggie!"
I was worried about my little Piggie making it to the end of the parade and back to our car, the whole thing and back was about 2 miles. But he did it! I was so proud of him. We rested some before we went back to the car and he laid down.
At the end of the parade track, we pulled over and sat on the curb to see the rest of the parade. Like I said Piggie laid down, and Brad kept his arms Riley to keep him still. He still managed to swipe the mitten from the kid next to him in a stroller, and make the kid hesitantly go "Mommie??", then Brad looked and saw what he did and gave it back.
I loved the little Irish dancing girls, with their bouncing curls, and red little cheeks!
It was a nice parade, and good exercise for us.

I took a lot of pics.

This is Riley. Pretty happy and excited to be there!

Brad & I wore big green hats, except I eventually took mine off cause it was too big and kept falling in my face.

Riley talking with Sugar, a dog brought by another volunteer, but it was her dog.

Waiting for the parade to begin

This little dog seemed to really like Piggie, she was with the political group in front of us.

This dog is a puppy from the shelter that didn't feel like walking.

Little dancing girls!! :)

Another political dog and Piggie.

More dogs, not from the shelter. Just lots of dogs about. I LOVE DOGS!!

Riley

another dog

Piggie laying down.

Digit, the Bank One mascot

Max & Erma.

Bagpipers!

This is the queen of the Paramount Tall Club. All members are at least 6'2".

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I'm a kitty cat
The story/training video of a young forklift operator (Klaus) and his first day on the job.
The Exorcist: in 30 seconds (and re-enacted by bunnies)
Passion of Christ in flash

Brad and I slept most of yesterday, and still slept great last night too.

This morning, going to work, there were at least 6 buses full of people, blocking traffic to the Sears Tower.
A bunch of kids (late teens) were piling off, blocking the entire sidewalk.
I was piled down with 3 bags: my purse, my gymbag, and my laptop.
So I barreled through as they all just stood there.
One couple was holding hands, I ran right through them and loudly said "Red rover!" as I kept on walking. My bags thumping people as I passed.

Stressful week at work.
I handled it well.
But its stressing me out.
On call, at work right now las night
Got work calls at 3:30am, 4:30am Saturday am
Got up 7:30 for the local St. Pats parade.
We walked the dogs from the Humane Society.
It was fun, wore stupid hats.
Took lots of pics, I will post later.
Very fun.
Tired me out.
Went home for a nap, got woken up with another work call.
Then Brad came into work with me last tonight to keep me company (and he says safe).
The work last night did not go smoothly.
Stressed about that.
Got home at 2am this morning
Then had another work thing to do at 8am.
I feel it in my shoulders.
Went back to bed after that, and just got back up a little bit ago.

But good things:
The parade
and the kick ass pot roast Brad made!!
beef, onions, mushrooms, turnips, garlic, cream of celery soup.
KICK ASS!!

Deep breath.

Googled my name for pictures

This was my favorite! I love that big country western singer hair!

I liked this one a lot too....nice barfly look.

Pictures from Chris' Baby Shower weekend 2004

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Rat Kills
It's Understood (story/video)
The Cat with hands (story/video)
More amazing breakdancing (video)
I want to be a hippy (video)
Walkie Talkie Man (music video)
Sumo Florist (video)

Spalding Gray found dead

I called Beth tonight on the way home from Indy.
Left a message. I havent talked to her in months, maybe since Dec.
Yes it was Dec, she actually called me back.
She received the christmas stuff I sent her and a nephew of hers that I really like.
She said she would be late sending my stuff and her nephew made something for me too.
I never received any of it.

Just got back from Indianapolis.
Brad's cousin Chris's baby shower.
Had a good time.
I like Brad's family.
I feel comfortable around them.
They accept my weirdness.
They even laugh at my jokes!

I was hoping to go swimming at the hotel pool.
But dinner went long, and I just couldn't make myself get up early to do it this morning.
But still had a great time.
Stopped by the local mall and walked around before we left and stopped by Purdue on the way home.
Got a couple of cheap Purdue t-shirts, and found a local place to get a couple of tacos.

Another thing I can't stand:

People that call over cabs while standing on a major corner.
Right on the corner, not more like 5 yards over out of the way.
Like they expect the cab to block other cars and pedestrians to pull over for them.

I was in reality TV overload last night.
I watched Survivor All-Stars in the background.
I'm not super into it, but like to know who gets voted out and stuff.
I'm not particularly fond of Sue.
Not quite sure what I think about last night.
Most people are making fun of her in the office here.

On one side, there are several times where something happens, like someone makes a snide remark to me (for example), and at first I might smile and laugh it off. But then it takes awhile to register, and then I get mad, and think I shoulda and I oughta. I think this could be the same for Sue. She could have had her mind on the game, so when it happened, it just threw her focus but didnt fully register until later. Also I think being in the situation and hungry and tired, people's feelings get exaggerated even to themselves. So I got to give her that too.
But on the other hand.
It could just be business. She could clearly say she was sexually harassed on Natl TV. Thereby humiliating her nationally, and go after CBS with a lawsuit of some kind. Also most large companies do not want to go to court and will settle such things out of court. So maybe she doesnt have to win the game to get her million after all.

I love Apprentice. I love Kwame and Troy and get a real kick out of Heidi.
I was yelling and cheering in bed last night as Omarosa got fired. Judging people, saying who has class and who doesn't. She was a total lazy ass. I was afraid Kwame would get her in the boardroom since she made the only sale. I was happy for Troy, hearing such compliments from Trump is so huge I bet he felt like hugging him. I was just so happy for him.

During Apprentice, I was clicking back and forth between this and the new Sci-Fi Mad Mad House. I think I will watch it. I think the hosts are pretty cool actually. I think the vampire part is weird but if I was a guest, instead of making fun of him I would just ask him a bunch of questions and try to understand it better and where he is coming from. The naturist guy, just seems like an absolute sweetheart. The guests are the weird ones...not the hosts. A virgin from a convent thats some type of political campaigner?!?! Come on! THAT'S MORE WEIRD!! I also didn't like how quick they were to crack jokes. They are guests in their home. Guests dont go in someone's house and make fun of them! They just were acting retarded about the whole thing.

Also...not reality but... I also watched the new SciFi series Tripping The Rift. Fabulous! Funny, great. I remember over 5 years ago seeing the original one out on the web. The hot chick is a little different. The old one she had white eyes and longer dark hair, but the Jessica Rabbit body was still the same. The old story had an evil clown, and it looks like he will be back in the new series too.

I cant stand people that have to scream laugh.
Laugh so loud they are screaming at the top of their lungs.
I also can't stand people that have to smack their hand on the table when they laugh or clap their hands so loud it echos.
I hate that having to draw attention to yourself thing in such stupid ways.