Today was my mom's last day in town. We planned on going on an architectural boat cruise but were met with a torrential downpour so instead we made a trip to the Chicago History Museum. It is free on Mondays but even if it weren't it would be worth every penny. I was extremely impressed and I don't normally LOVE museums.
After that, we went shopping and then to the Cheesecake Factory for wine and appetizers. Now we're watching Sex and the City (the actual series, as I refuse to watch the second movie. Refuse.)
It's the very last episode when everything falls into place and they did such a good job tying everything up and then RUINED it with not one but TWO movies. The show was so honest and the movies were so superficial. But, it got me thinking about dating.
It is safe to say we've all used a lame/unbelievable excuse in our day to get out of a date. I've been guilty of that for sure. I think the worst was, "my roommate is really hungover so I need to take care of her." Keep in mind this 1) wasn't true, and 2) had it been true she probably wouldn't have wanted to see me and would have been happier just hanging out in her room. I've sunken as low as to completely ignore date requests (because, you know, they happen so frequently), so it got me to thinking, what are the worst excuses I've heard?
-- I'm grounded (okay, so I was fed this excuse in high school, but considering a week later he started going out with someone else, it remains the lamest of the lame).
-- I have to study (lie)
-- It's guys night out (also a lie)
-- I'm bowling (what???)
-- I'm tired (LAME)
-- I'm not over my ex-girlfriend (double lame)
-- I'm busy? (can you please be more specific?)
-- I'm out of town for the next seven weekends in a row (unlikely)
-- I would actually rather die than go on a date with you (fair enough).
In the end, is honesty the best policy? Aren't we adult enough to say, "I just don't want to date you?" Is it really that hard? Stringing someone along or sending mixed messages is way worse than just being direct, right? Either that or someone all but says it and you're just too dense to realize so you spend two years making up excuses while consistently making a fool out of yourself and getting hurt (not me. someone else).
In this next year, I'm going to strive to be more honest instead of taking the easy way out (not that I'm dishonest, I've just never been able to say hey Mr. Tom Brady, thank you for the interest, but I'd rather not date you).
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Life Lessons
Am going to make this quick today but I learned the following life lessons today from some of my cousins (all 18 and under):
1) Always be yourself because people like you for you.
2) Don't date someone who isn't absolutely sure they want to date you.
3) Don't date someone unless you're absolutely sure you want to date them.
It's funny how much we seem to complicate things when we don't need to. By keeping things simple, we can all save ourselves lots of stress and annoyance.
1) Always be yourself because people like you for you.
2) Don't date someone who isn't absolutely sure they want to date you.
3) Don't date someone unless you're absolutely sure you want to date them.
It's funny how much we seem to complicate things when we don't need to. By keeping things simple, we can all save ourselves lots of stress and annoyance.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Raise your hand if you're sure...
Today was quite the day. I woke up at 5am, on my own accord no less, and then trekked out to O'Hare with my mom to pick up our rental car so we could come up to Wisconsin (side note: super depressing to go all the way to O'Hare without the hope of a tropical destination in the near future).
The first thing we did was drive to Wheeling to meet my brother for breakfast - he's playing in a chess tournament there and staying at the Westin, which surprisingly did not have a restaurant in it that served breakfast. Afterwards, we drove north to Wisconsin stopping by my great-aunt Dorothy's and then my late grandmother's best friend's house for a visit. She recently lost her husband and it was heartbreaking listening to her talk about how she'd loved him since high school. Sure that was a different time, but how many of us are ever sure about anything when we're in high school? I couldn't even pick an emotion about anything let alone the love of my life. Seriously, if I had a nickel for every time I've declared someone the love of my life, I think I'd have around $458 (this includes 1993-2010).
So now we're at my Uncle Jim and Aunt Lucy's house. My cousin Kevin graduates from high school tomorrow so we're here to celebrate. I remember holding him when he was a baby, in fact there is a picture of me doing so posted on Facebook and now he's graduating high school. Excuse me while I weep into a bottle of grain alcohol. (Kidding...sort of. No, I am).
I remember so vividly my own high school graduation. I was filled with hope and promise, excited to be escaping my hometown (Concord, NH), and going somewhere exciting (Miami) to meet new people and learn new things. I certainly was NOT prepared for what would ensue, the good and bad, especially since I had expected everything to be perfect, but I guess I'm old enough now to know better.
But graduating high school is so much more exciting than the sheer terror of graduating college jobless and forced to return to your aforementioned hometown where some bars have the audacity to charge cover and WHY would I PAY to get into a bar in CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE when I won't do it in Miami or Chicago or San Diego (and yes, I've done it in all three places but that's beside the point).
Kevin is going to Wisconsin in the fall and I've promised to send him a list of things NOT to do (basically everything I've done). I'm so proud of him!!
The first thing we did was drive to Wheeling to meet my brother for breakfast - he's playing in a chess tournament there and staying at the Westin, which surprisingly did not have a restaurant in it that served breakfast. Afterwards, we drove north to Wisconsin stopping by my great-aunt Dorothy's and then my late grandmother's best friend's house for a visit. She recently lost her husband and it was heartbreaking listening to her talk about how she'd loved him since high school. Sure that was a different time, but how many of us are ever sure about anything when we're in high school? I couldn't even pick an emotion about anything let alone the love of my life. Seriously, if I had a nickel for every time I've declared someone the love of my life, I think I'd have around $458 (this includes 1993-2010).
So now we're at my Uncle Jim and Aunt Lucy's house. My cousin Kevin graduates from high school tomorrow so we're here to celebrate. I remember holding him when he was a baby, in fact there is a picture of me doing so posted on Facebook and now he's graduating high school. Excuse me while I weep into a bottle of grain alcohol. (Kidding...sort of. No, I am).
I remember so vividly my own high school graduation. I was filled with hope and promise, excited to be escaping my hometown (Concord, NH), and going somewhere exciting (Miami) to meet new people and learn new things. I certainly was NOT prepared for what would ensue, the good and bad, especially since I had expected everything to be perfect, but I guess I'm old enough now to know better.
But graduating high school is so much more exciting than the sheer terror of graduating college jobless and forced to return to your aforementioned hometown where some bars have the audacity to charge cover and WHY would I PAY to get into a bar in CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE when I won't do it in Miami or Chicago or San Diego (and yes, I've done it in all three places but that's beside the point).
Kevin is going to Wisconsin in the fall and I've promised to send him a list of things NOT to do (basically everything I've done). I'm so proud of him!!
Friday, May 28, 2010
Weird Dreams
I had the weirdest dream last night. I went to a White Sox game by myself, but it was at Wrigley Field. Then the guy sitting next to me was chatting with Mark Buehrle when I got to my seat. After Buehrle left, said dude and I struck up a conversation and he wound up singing a love song to me over the PA, though I can't remember which one now.
This of course made me flashback to my first trip to Nashville in April 2008 when a random dude at a karaoke bar sang "I'll Be" to me and I was completely frozen. He'd been sitting at a table alone (which, okay, who goes to a bar by themselves at 1am?? I mean, I have friends who go to bars by themselves to watch sporting events, and by friends of course I mean ME, because no one will watch Villanova games with me anymore because I get too worked up over them and the incompetent Big East reffing, which is why I hope to someday meet my Twitter friend @brianisawesome as he is probably the only person who would tolerate my massive mood swings during a two-hour college basketball game...but I digress).
So where was I? Oh, yes, random dude who started talking to us at the bar, friend requested me on My Space FROM his Blackberry and made Sarah proof read his message to me, all while I was within five feet. I am not sure how, but he somehow managed to make sure "I'll Be" was the last song of the night. So I'm sitting there with my hands covering my face, Sarah & Katie laughing, and the group of guys we met (bachelor party) singing along because, well actually the dude had a pretty good voice.
Today I went to my first Cubs/Cards game. My mom's college roommate had four tix so the three of us went plus her daughter who is two years younger than me but is awesome and lives here (yay new friends!!). The Cubs are kind of pathetic this year but we had great seats and a good time.
After the game (and I witnessed my first on-field streaker & arrest), my mom and I met up with Sarah, Dana, Harry & friends for a couple beers in Wrigleyville.
This weekend is going to be super busy with family activities, brunch on Monday with Court and her mom and then my mom's first architectural boat cruise.
Summer in Chicago is here, and I couldn't be happier!
This of course made me flashback to my first trip to Nashville in April 2008 when a random dude at a karaoke bar sang "I'll Be" to me and I was completely frozen. He'd been sitting at a table alone (which, okay, who goes to a bar by themselves at 1am?? I mean, I have friends who go to bars by themselves to watch sporting events, and by friends of course I mean ME, because no one will watch Villanova games with me anymore because I get too worked up over them and the incompetent Big East reffing, which is why I hope to someday meet my Twitter friend @brianisawesome as he is probably the only person who would tolerate my massive mood swings during a two-hour college basketball game...but I digress).
So where was I? Oh, yes, random dude who started talking to us at the bar, friend requested me on My Space FROM his Blackberry and made Sarah proof read his message to me, all while I was within five feet. I am not sure how, but he somehow managed to make sure "I'll Be" was the last song of the night. So I'm sitting there with my hands covering my face, Sarah & Katie laughing, and the group of guys we met (bachelor party) singing along because, well actually the dude had a pretty good voice.
Today I went to my first Cubs/Cards game. My mom's college roommate had four tix so the three of us went plus her daughter who is two years younger than me but is awesome and lives here (yay new friends!!). The Cubs are kind of pathetic this year but we had great seats and a good time.
After the game (and I witnessed my first on-field streaker & arrest), my mom and I met up with Sarah, Dana, Harry & friends for a couple beers in Wrigleyville.
This weekend is going to be super busy with family activities, brunch on Monday with Court and her mom and then my mom's first architectural boat cruise.
Summer in Chicago is here, and I couldn't be happier!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
The day after...
I always hate the day after my birthday, usually because it's just another ordinary day when the day before had been so special.
Last night was great. I am so honored to have the friends I do. A lot of people came out to celebrate with me, despite it being a Wednesday. I'm constantly reminded of the great group of friends I have here in Chicago and it never gets old.
Today I was thinking about meltdowns. Not that I had one at the bar, in the cab, the Mexican place, another cab, the bar again, the hallway leading to the bathroom and the actual bathroom. However, if I DID have one, it would have made me think about them and what usually triggers one. Although, taking a number of shots equivalent to your body weight never helps.
I think the problem is that every year on my birthday, I think about what I've done the past year, which leads me to realize I'm not where I want to be in every aspect of my life (then again, who is??) and that fuels emotions I can normally keep to myself. I know we've all been there but I'd like to avoid this in the future.
Am I a little freaked out about being 29? Possibly, but I don't think the night would have gone south if not for the shots I did, some of which were unidentifiable.
So, lesson learned. Multiple shots = bad, amazing friends who love you anyway = good.
Also, this never gets old.
Last night was great. I am so honored to have the friends I do. A lot of people came out to celebrate with me, despite it being a Wednesday. I'm constantly reminded of the great group of friends I have here in Chicago and it never gets old.
Today I was thinking about meltdowns. Not that I had one at the bar, in the cab, the Mexican place, another cab, the bar again, the hallway leading to the bathroom and the actual bathroom. However, if I DID have one, it would have made me think about them and what usually triggers one. Although, taking a number of shots equivalent to your body weight never helps.
I think the problem is that every year on my birthday, I think about what I've done the past year, which leads me to realize I'm not where I want to be in every aspect of my life (then again, who is??) and that fuels emotions I can normally keep to myself. I know we've all been there but I'd like to avoid this in the future.
Am I a little freaked out about being 29? Possibly, but I don't think the night would have gone south if not for the shots I did, some of which were unidentifiable.
So, lesson learned. Multiple shots = bad, amazing friends who love you anyway = good.
Also, this never gets old.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Project 29 - The Intro
I remember walking into my mom's living room on my 20th birthday, declaring that I was now "old." Then I blinked. And now I'm 29. It's baffling to me how quickly the past nine years have gone. Of course when I turned 20 I was still in college, then I was a clueless graduate trying to navigate through the real world. Okay, I'm still clueless, but that's irrelevant.
When I was 12, I figured at this point I'd be married with three kids making six figures. Instead, I'm single with two roommates (although they are the best roommates a girl could ask for) and will only get married if I can figure out how to drug someone and force them to marry me.
The point of this blog is twofold: first, to force myself to write every day for the next year, something I've been saying I'd do and haven't done, and secondly, to try to remember things I've done up to this point, experiences that have made me who I am and turn it into something I can look back on.
Over the course of the past nine years, I've met people who have changed my life, for better and worse. I've laughed so hard I've cried, I've cried so hard I couldn't breathe (and, I think, scared a few cab drivers in the process), and I've moved more times than I can count (not really). But have I learned anything? That's what I hope to discover over the next year. This is where my 20s have come to die. Ready or not, 30 is next.
When I was 12, I figured at this point I'd be married with three kids making six figures. Instead, I'm single with two roommates (although they are the best roommates a girl could ask for) and will only get married if I can figure out how to drug someone and force them to marry me.
The point of this blog is twofold: first, to force myself to write every day for the next year, something I've been saying I'd do and haven't done, and secondly, to try to remember things I've done up to this point, experiences that have made me who I am and turn it into something I can look back on.
Over the course of the past nine years, I've met people who have changed my life, for better and worse. I've laughed so hard I've cried, I've cried so hard I couldn't breathe (and, I think, scared a few cab drivers in the process), and I've moved more times than I can count (not really). But have I learned anything? That's what I hope to discover over the next year. This is where my 20s have come to die. Ready or not, 30 is next.
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