To my soon-to-be departed dear governor Blago

1. You're a tool.

2. You're certifiably insane. 

3. You should be committed in our state penitentiary/institution for your lies/insanity. 

4. Telling us you were thinking Oprah for senator? Really Blag?  Your credibility diminished completely with that thought announcement. 

5. Okay, your hair is really beginning to get to me times 1000. Please see a proper hairdresser ASAP. 

6. What's up with the NY media tour when your impeachment trial is going on in Springfield, IL?

7. Thanks for your stupidity. I've been able to burn a couple of calories laughing at it.  

My D.C. Trip: President Obama's Inauguration

My friend, Gretch (cute blonde above) worked on Obama's campaign for 18 months and had two tickets to the inauguration. When she asked me if I wanted to go with her, it to took me .3 seconds to say, "Um, YES!" 

On Monday (day before inauguration) we did a lot of sight-seeing. Above is the Washington Monument through the trees. 

World War II Memorial. 

I tried being artistic, capturing the beauty of the memorial. 

Unfortunately, the Lincoln Memorial was closed, due to the inauguration, so I've decided I just need to go back. 
Lincoln Memorial shot. 
This is my favorite spot in all of D.C. (did I mention I'm in love with D.C. yet? Yes, deep, deep, true, eternal love). The spot is just so calm and there's a path around the lake all the way to the memorial with trees. I would become a fanatical runner if I ever move to D.C., just to get this spot everyday. Behind us is the Jefferson Memorial. Luckily it was open. 

I think this is one of my most favorite pics of the weekend. 

We also went to the FDR Memorial. There are walls and walls with his quotes. I loved the above one. 
This is at the Jefferson Memorial. I think it's my favorite picture taken of us during the weekend. 
Washington Monument from the steps of the Jefferson Memorial. Also very peaceful. 

The White House. 
Okay, the rest of these pictures are of the mayhem and craziness of Tuesday morning. This is the train we got on (a 30 minute train ride that turned into 1 hr 20 min. A passenger was hit by a train. Sad story) the train was sooooooooooooooo long and just packed. Luckily we found a seat or I would have died, I think.

The crowds. I know all the folks at home saw more coverage of the inauguration then I did. Because this was about 3 hours of my morning. 
After about 2 hours and three blocks we finally saw the Capitol. 

But, then we had another line we waited in for about 30 minutes. 

Oh, and did I mention there was security (men with guns at the top of all the buildings) OH, and did I mention we stayed in the FBI Director of Counter Terrorism's home? Way cool experience. 

Finally! We made it in to the Washington Mall at 11:20 a.m.

I have a few videos, but they won't post. 

The buildings were covered with people. 

 It was just such an incredible experience.

I'll share more later, because I have some VERY funny stories. Just wanted to get the pics up!! 

The nectar of gods

I love diet coke with a strong passion. I like to believe that it is the nectar of gods. Take for instance today: I almost caused some major accidental car damage on my way to work. It was snowing, and it was icy, and I was on a free-way when the car in front of me braked hard, causing me to do the same. I must have hit a chunk of black ice, because my car fish-taled across three lanes and finally spun around back first into the median. I'm fine. My car is fine, 'cept a small little dent in my license plate. My mama had prayed extra hard for me this morning. She said, later when I called her to tell her about my traumatizing day, "I just had a feeling you needed an extra prayer." Aren't moms lovely?

I had been out sick yesterday from work, so I had sooooo much catching up to do. It felt like every report, edit and deadline is due this week, and it all depends on me to complete all of them. Of course it doesn't but for some moments during the day it just felt like it.

Needless to say, around 3:30 p.m. I needed something. I went to our fridge and beheld a beautiful sight. Diet coke. (My office always has pop for anyone, anytime, for any reason.) Typically, I try to limit myself, but I was in desperate need of a fix. The popping sound of the can opening never sounded so wonderful. The first sip was sweet, simple, refreshing and delicious. I thought to myself, "This is indeed the nectar of the gods. It's perfect."

And then, I recalled a study I had read in the newspaper some months ago. It effected me so much I actually clipped it out.

The print is rather small, so to sum it up this professor of obstetrics and gynecology, Deborah Anderson, at Boston University's School of Medicine did this study in the 1980s that showed Coke (Diet Coke working the best) is a spermicide. And basically this woman won an Ig Nobel Prize for all her work.

Now, this study was done in the 80s, and I did do some Google research , and it has never been 100 percent validified, but pretty much I am very grateful I can enjoy my diet coke for a few more years without having to worry if I'm effecting anything, namely the possibility of a child. But, interesting study, huh?

Anyway, I love the way it (being diet coke) can save a day. Oh, yeah, and prayer. Prayer is the #1 nectar of all saving.

Oh the randomness of my posts!

Okay, some good, remarkable news. I'm going to the Presidential Inauguration in D.C. next Tuesday!!! I have no idea where my good luck is coming from, but I hope it continues (knock on wood). I was g-chatting with my friend who scored the tickets to Obama's big rally here in town in November (the one where people were paying huge bucks to attend). He asked me, "So, are you going to the inauguration?" I said, "No, unfortunately." And right at that precise moment, my friend calls me and says, "I have an extra ticket (she worked on Obama's campaign). Would you like to go?" I said, "Of course." Luckily I have the exact amount of vacation time I need.


Stephen Speaks (the muscial artist/genius) has been a favorite of mine for a couple of years. Just recently (a few moments ago) I rediscovered him. Please click on the following links to be led to YouTube videos of two of my favorites.


Listen to this song and you will want to cuddle up with someone asap.

Listen to this song and you will want to marry or renew vows with someone tomorrow.

People in Chicago like to save things. For instance parking places. Below are pictures of two or three spots being saved with chairs, as well as those traffic cone thingies.

I had heard stories when I was up in the suburbs of people doing this, but I didn't think people actually did it. We had a big snow storm yesterday, and Amanda and I were coming back from a full day of shopping (mostly grocery and furniture) and she says, "Oh, look! Free chairs!" You're probably thinking this is pretty white trash, but I guess the unwritten rule in the city is if you dig your car out of spot, then that dug out car spot belongs to you. Leaves you asking lot's of questions, huh? Like what happens if you move the chairs? Who began this mess of an unwritten rule? How long are the chairs allowed to save your parking space? I wish I had some answers.

Two things....

1. Why do I enjoy reading people's Facebook statuses but hate putting up my own? Seriously. It's the only thing I look at when I check out Facebook anymore. During the summer, when I first got home and was jobless, I checked it all the time, but now that I have a job and sometimes my job is Facebook (please see Stryker, and while you're on there, become a fan). So, I go on in the morning, look at people's statuses, go do my job and log out. And my Facebook life is fulfilled. But, sometimes throughout the day, I need a quick fix, pick me up if you will, so I log on (pretending to check the page I work on...shh, dont' tell anyone) check the status section of my home page, get my fix and log out. I never do anything with my own page anymore, and I never care to. Strange, isn't it?

2. I had another question, and something to discuss, but I can't remember now. A query lost in time I guess, but....while I'm writing this post, can I just say, I love living in the city. It is fantastic. I love my two roomies, Ruth and Amanda. Someday we will have a roommate picture shoot and I will post it on here. 

In a seven days everything can change

Seven days ago it was 2008. Now it's 2009. (I know major epiphany.)

On Monday my friend had a beautiful baby girl. I can't wait to meet her. She looks just perfect.

Tuesday was very nice.

On Wednesday I moved into my new apartment in downtown Chicago.

At 11:30 p.m. (same day) Amanda (my new roomie) flew into town. I accidently assumed she was flying into the O'Hare airport, which is 10 minutes (with no traffic) from our new place. I forgot a little detail that Chicago is a big place and has two airports. I received a phone call from her at 11:32 p.m. announcing she was at the other one (30 minutes from our place with no traffic).

So, needless to say my new year's was spent on the interstates of Chicago driving like a crazy woman. Luckily, I had a good friend with me who volunteered to miss the Wicked (broadway musical hit) after party (he has a friend, who has a brother who is in it). I still have no idea why he chose to spend New Year's Eve 2008 with a girl who can't confirm locations, versus a Wicked party, but I am forever grateful. That was my Thursday.

We love our new place it's so cute and for the most part extremely safe. We have a police department and fire department five minutes from us and such nice neighbors, they even brought us wine as a house warming gift (Amanda was like, "Wow, we aren't in Rexburg anymore are we?).

On Friday, we were walking around our new hood. We went to the train station and were staring at a map figuring out the various lines and such when a man with the appearance of a bum and chewing a paper bag, walked up to us and said, "Can I help you ladies?" We said, "No thank you," very politely and walked away. FYI, don't go there at night without a bodyguard.

Saturday was great.

And today is Sunday.

Pretty much life has completely changed. New routes, new faces, new directions. I am loving 2009.