Song of the Day

"I Believe" - Chris Isaak. Putting together a bunch of cds for my friend's island wedding this weekend and came across this one. Totally inappropriate for a wedding, but a great, beautiful hopeful song which is exactly what I needed this afternoon. Will catch y'all up on Vegas baby and the last weekends when I get home tonight.

Movies

I have met one of my annual goals. Every year I try to see all 5 movies nominated for best picture. I had seen three (Brokeback, Crash and Munich) which left Good Night and Good Luck and Capote - the two that are not being released on dvd until the week after the Oscars. Luckily they were both playing in the city so I didn't have to go too far out of my way.

Sunday we went to the Uptown and watched GNaGL (far too long a title to type while I sit here in Chicago, although quicker than this now lengthy explanation). Good movie. A bit slow in parts and not completely historically accurate (shocker). Overall enjoyable, probably would have been more so if I wasn't hurting from the previos night's bachelorette party that lasted until 5 am (would have gone longer if there was anywhere open).

Tuesday night we went to Dupont (scariest theater besides Union Station - last time we were there two people got into a shouting match at the snack bar). Great movie, Phillip Seymore Hoffman was fantastic and I can now rest easy that when he wins it won't be the worst thing ever.

Bloody Mary

Why are you so good to me?

I am sitting at the airport drinking a Bloody Mary waiting for my flight that is about 7 hours later than originally planned due to a cancellation. That would have been so great to know about before I didn't sleep last night. Ugh. There's nothing like a BM to help you through the day while you are hung over and tired.

Catch Me If You Can

I promise to utilize the down time in airports and on planes (while not sleeping - cut me some slack I have to leave my house at 4:30 tomorrow morning after a concert tonight) this weekend to update my blog.

Oh Wait

There's still some left! Ask and I will tell the story.

So Ready For The Weekend

So ready. You have no idea. Here, let me help you a bit. It's pretty sad when the highlight of your week is getting flowers on Valentine's Day with a card that has no signature and the most likely candidate is No Chemistry Boy (Bryan). The last couple weeks at work have been incredibly stressful and busy with two big stories hitting or rather, us trying to get them not to hit, plus we're readying for a release of a report we do quarterly, all in addition to our regular workloads. It's been pretty much a madhouse here with late hours and high tension. A coworker of mine (he's an older, part-time guy who works in my department - wonderful man) had a stroke Wednesday evening so we've been worried about him (he's home and doing okay as of this afternoon) and I've been doing his job (not upset - just adds more to my already heavy workload).

So I've really, really, really been looking forward to the end of this week because it means the start of three short weeks in a row. Next Monday we are closed for President's Day (thank you Federal Government!), then Saturday I leave for Las Vegas and lots of fun (I'm pretty certain Debby is as if not more stressed than I am - watch out Nevada is all I'm saying), get back Monday, work Tuesday, my boss is in Florida T,W,Th and I leave Friday for my friend's wedding in Nassau (no, I am not planning on getting my groove back, although if the opportunity arises, who am I to say no?) for a nice, long, tropical weekend, getting back the following Monday. Seriously, is this week over yet?

No Booty/No Call

There's something to be said for not letting people know where you live. I had some trouble getting to sleep last night. I went home from work, had dinner, watched some Olympics, then met Ryan and his friends out for a drink before heading home to get some sleep for what is going to be a pretty draining (fun, but draining) weekend. I got home around 1 am and went straight from the shower (ugh - smokers) to bed. I had just fallen asleep when I was awakened by the sound of persistant, constant knocking on my door at 2:36 am. I peeked out my shutters to see who had been knocking on my door for 10 minutes (I had tried to ignore it in hopes whoever it was would go away) and saw Ryan. I opened the door and he stumbled in. Given that he was too drunk to drive home, I offered him a place to stay for the night. After an hour spent warding off his drunken advances mostly while laughing at him, I finally got back to sleep. I would have been really mad but he was actually really funny, apologizing constantly and admitting that he was a complete "douche bag" a term I do not hear often now that I'm out of Junior High. LOL I sent him on his way early this morning without giving him too much grief considering he looked like death.

Call Me Michael

You are Michael. You make use of the cards your

dealt. You are smart and a go-getter. You

just hope to be recognized for your hard

work.


Which Arrested Development character are you?
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Short Stuff

Short track skating is one of those sports that completely fascinate me but that I would never under any circumstances do. The relay is incredible. All the skaters on such a small track travelling at such great speeds.  All of this activity in a confined space yet it is strangely beautiful and calming to watch.

Really? I Can See?

So, I had the surgery Monday afternoon. I was starting to get apprehensive, mostly due to inadvertently seeing the person ahead of me's eye being lasered on the TV in the waiting room. AIEEE. So I started getting scared. Not enough to back out of it, but enough to affect my breathing. I met with the doctor before heading into the big, round glass room where my eye would soon be on display to scare others. He allayed some of my concerns and calmed me down. I won't go into detail, but there was a point where I lost vision. This is normal and expected. The doctor warned me but it still freaked me out to the point where I stopped breathing. He pet my head and reminded me to breathe. Before you mock, just think about your vision going black before A LASER is going to cut your eye and thinking "That out of focus, blinking red light might be the last thing I ever see". The entire thing was over in 8 minutes for both eyes. Simply amazing. I sat up and was able to see without glasses or contacts for the first time in 22 years. It was like looking through a piece of gauze, but I could focus on things. I actually started crying, apologized to the doctor who said "Don't worry. Cry. It's good for the healing. You're the type of person I do this for, not like the guy before you (he had 20/60 - I was far worse than 20/400 which is seeing the big E - I just saw a blurry white blob). You aren't doing this for cosmetic reasons or for vanity. This is about quality of life for you." Which made me cry a bit more and tell him I wanted to give him a hug. He opened his arms and said "Dr. Wills loves hugs" and really hugged me. Did I mention he was awesome?

So, Jim picked me up and drove me home where I napped (doctor's orders) for a couple hours before beginning my regiment of two kinds of drops every 6 hours and rewetting drops as often as necessary. Oh, and I have to sleep in goggles for a week. Tres sexy. Katie came over and kept me company in my dark (eyes were still sensitive to light) apartment watching 24. I slept fairly well Monday night considering my eyes felt like they were full of sand.

I woke up yesterday morning and for the first time I can remember could see. I'm telling you, that is never, ever going to get old. I'll admit - it made me tear up again. It's completely indescribable if you have sight how amazing and unreal this is. So I went in for my post-op check up yesterday morning and my eyes are at 20/20. So that was great news. My left eye is a bit blurred today, but they said it's normal for the eyes to get better, worse, then better independent of each other over the next month. It is still absolutely amazing that I can see - I keep thinking I'm wearing contacts or that it's going to go away and I spend a lot of time just looking at things.

The Eyes Have It

Or at least they will soon. I am on my way to Alexandria to get the surgery that will hopefully banish all need for corrective eye wear. Check back later for the vision update and details on the snowy weekend.

Late Night First Date

So Bryan and I have been trying to set up a first date for about a week now and neither of our schedules are being very helpful. So when he was able to sneak out (with project manager's permission of course) last night for a couple hours at just the time I was heading home, we met up at Shelly's Tap Room for a drink and conversation. Really nice guy. Cute. Tall. Funny and thinks I am (huge bonus). Smart. Wasn't checking out other women. Good times and I'm sure y'all will be hearing more about him in the coming weeks. I will definitely be taking this one slow - have learned my lesson there....

Handwiches & Frozen Bananas

After working until 7 last night (I only got out that early because I insisted to my boss that I had plans and ever since I broke up with Paul he's been trying to pimp me out to find a new man - more on that later) I headed to Randy's for an Arrested Development viewing party (NO TALKING!) to watch what could be the final four episodes :( We had a great time. It was a very small group of people so that everyone could see and hear and the no talking was strictly enforced. Great eps and good times. It all went downhill from there.

Randy's roommate Aaron has a karaoke game for his Playstation. Wow is all I can say. I was emailing with Bryan (he of the 3 hour phone convo) who was stuck at work until 5 am and at one point it was "song of the moment - Here I Go Again by Whitesnake". I kid you not. I cannot make this stuff up.

Julie Cooper Nichol Strikes Again

Waiter: Oysters?
Julie: If I'm going to swallow something that disgusting there better be something in it for me.

Good Things

2006 is turning into a really kick ass year. I got a decent raise, I am fixing my eyes, I just booked my flights for Vegas and Nassau, I'm going to Coachella and other great concerts in the next few months, I'm getting in shape again, very close to starting to finish school, winter has been mild to say the least, I could go on but I will spare you. I'm just really excited to be looking forward to a year that didn't start out so hot.

Let There Be Sight

My appointment went well this morning and I am scheduled to get lasered Monday afternoon. I can't stand myself I am so excited. I can't begin to imagine what it is going to be like to wake up and see clearly for the first time in 22 years.

Song of the Day

"She Is" - The Fray.

Odds and Ends

I'm on my way to see if I am a candidate for Lasik. Fortunately I am too tired to be nervous. I had a three hour phone conversation last night for the first time in I don't know how long. Sometime around 2:30 we both realized how late it was and decided to wrap things up. Crazy.

Speaking of tired, I spoke with my doctor earlier this week about my sleep study results. I have severely congested nasal and throat passages and now have to take a super decongestant and do a nasal spray every day for a week to see if it helps. If it doesn't I have to go to an ear, nose, throat guy. If there is one thing on this earth I hate as much as clowns it is nasal sprays. The whole idea just gives me the heebee jeebies. Ick.

Grammys 6

It would be really nice to see Christina Aguillera continue to deskanify and class up her act. She has a bigger than life voice and it should be appreciated without being distracted by chaps and a thong.

Grammys 5

Holla we want pre-nup. We want pre-nup!

Grammys 4

Jay Z and Linkin Park good. Throwing in Paul McCartney? Brilliant even if the harmonizing was off. Best. Grammys. Ever.

Grammys 3

Mmmmm......Joe Perry. He is the definition of dirty hot.

Grammys 2

Say what you will about Mariah Carey the woman has a gift. Her range, her power (who else can hit a perfect note and have so much power behind it that the mic picks it up when being held 2 feet away?) And the sheer joy of singing that is apparent whenever she is onstage. Emancipation of Mimi has more than made up for Glitter. One of the best albums of 2005.

Grammys

Mary J Blige is singing the hell out of "One". The woman's voice is phenomenal.

Just Did It Again

My music experiment worked so well the other day I went for it again. I really love the song "Honey and the Moon" by Joseph Arthur and while browsing through Borders (as much as I love me the iTunes there is nothing like holding a cd) a cd of his caught my eye. Bought it even though it doesn't have that song on it and now I can't wait to get home, open it up along with the others I got and fire up the old cd player. I will let you know how it goes :)

Coachella Here I Come

I'm so beyond stoked! I've just firmed up plans and tickets for Coachella in April. Again, so completely stoked. I have always loved festival concerts - not only do you get to see some of your favorites but also some lesser known bands that you like, but maybe not enough to go see an entire show or they're too small to stop in your city and in addition to all that, you just might hear and fall in love with a band you would never have heard of otherwise. Ahhh....this is GREAT news.

Highlights from the two day lineup (in website order):
Depeche Mode, Franz Ferdinand, Common, My Morning Jacket, She Wants Revenge, The Walkmen, Imogen Heap, Matt Costa, Tool, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Bloc Party, Paul Oakenfold, Scissor Sisters, James Blunt, Digable Planets, The Dears, The Magic Numbers, stellastar*, Mates of State (recommended by Melissa), The Subways and Minus the Bear.

Weekend Recap

I have calmed down considerably since my last post thank God. Scary thing is that post was after Ryan had calmed me down some. Received a call on Saturday which lasted 40 minutes and helped resolve some outstanding issues and all SHOULD be well from now on. We'll see is all I'm going to say on that.

Saturday I did some stuff around the house and had planned on running a bunch of errands until I realized it was pouring and I had no umbrella at the house. So after a day of cleaning and organizing Jim picked me up and we went to dinner and a movie with some friends of his. Dinner was fantastic (mmmm - Mediterranean tapas), albeit quick since we only had about 40 minutes to eat before meeting his friends for the movie. The movie of choice was Munich. Let's see. Um, it was long and felt it. Somewhat preachy and overcontrived. I wasn't completely hating it until one of the last scenes in which a character is having sex with his wife while thinking back to the hostage killing - basically a montage of clips of Eric Bana sweating and grunting, people screaming and getting gunned down with machine guns, and his wife laying there obviously not enjoying it at all. Disturbing to say the least. Hmm....something positive. It wasn't as bad as Crash or The Island. Oh, and it makes me want to know what actually happened. That's all I've got people. Sorry. I may have enjoyed it more if it hadn't been 97 degrees in the theater, but most likely not enough to recommend it.

Jim took me grocery shopping for Super Bowl fixings after the movie which was very kind of him. He really is a great friend to me. Also handed over a friend of his' cd who is fantastic. Check her out if you like blues singers (click above).

Sunday started with a nice, quick run to clear my head from the week's events. Work has really been pushing me to the limit lately (boss calling three times during the game yesterday really didn't help - where in my job description does it say I am supposed to talk to my boss at 10:30 on a Sunday evening {thank goodness I hadn't been drinking} ABOUT HIS iPOD?!? I only answered because there had been a small crisis earlier). Like I told Matt Wednesday, moving to Santa Monica, rooming with Debby and bartending my way through school is really beginning to sound better and better. Anyways, spent the early afternoon cooking for the Super Bowl party and then headed out to Agie's for the game. We had a great time being bored by 3/4 of the game and entertained by the commercials.

Are You F'ing Kidding Me?

Paul didn't even stick around for Getaway Car because the two opening bands were awful. Words cannot (nor will they EVER) describe how fucking (sorry mom) pissed off I am. That fucking (again, sorry mom) asshat.

Song Of The Not At My Concert Night

After telling my mom about me and Paul, working late and being banned from my planned Friday night activities, I am out with friends and just heard "Last Chance to Lose Your Keys" - Brand New. Love this song. Choice lyrics: "Its girls like you make me think I'm better off home on a Saturday night with all my doors locked up tight. I won't be thinking about you baby." And the " This isn't high school, this isn't high school." refrain strikes a particular chord this evening.

The Dears

I did something today I don't think I've ever done and I'm loving it. I bought a cd by a band I've never heard of and thankfully it's turned out to be a good album. There is a good chance on any other day I could hate this album, but it's fun and different and that's what I needed today. Check out The Dears or go buy it on your own and be adventurous like me!

Frozen Food and Bartles & James

Julie Cooper Nichol never fails to amuse each week on The OC (don't call it that).

After discussing strip Pinochle: "If you'll excuse me, I have a hot pocket in the microwave and a wine cooler with my name on it."

And the pick up line to use this weekend:
"This could be your lucky night. I have an extra hot pocket."

It has already worked for Niki. She put it up as her AIM away message and got a reply from a classmate saying "We have so much in common, i go to law school, you go to law school, I like hot pockets, so do you. You are hot, and so am I....we should def have hot passionate sex" What girl could resist that kind of charm?!?

Death by Lego

There is something wonderfully entertaining about these photos. Click above and enjoy!

Song of the Day

No, Teeters it isn't "That Boy is Mine" by Monica and Brandy. Rather, it is "Bigger Boys and Stolen Sweathearts" - The Arctic Monkeys. Actually today anything by The Arctic Monkeys would do.

Hmmmm

So the guy had some good points but I can't say that I agree with him necessarily. I'm all for higher wages and better health care for single parent homes (the majority of the people in question) but the way they are going about it I just can't get behind.

We are both being very Washington right now - I am obviously blackberrying (to my blog no less) and he is on the phone. Matt suggested dinner so I'm off to do that. Update on this later.

Drinking Liberally

Promoting Democracy, One Pint at a Time.

I've been trying to get to this organization's events for some time now and tonight I am finally getting to one. Jeremy Bird is speaking to the group tonight about his group "Wake Up Wal-Mart"
(http://www.wakeupwalmart.com/). It is either going to be very interesting and educational or incredibly boring and non-factual. Either way, it should be fun - I'm going with Matt who is an intelligent, fun guy. You may remember him as Jim's friend who threw the Derby party. And if the event is Dullsville we can enjoy the $3.50 beers and free appetizers, right?

Baby Baby

My friend is going in for a C-section this afternoon. I'm still trying to imagine her as a mother. Should be interesting. This makes two down, one to go!