Spring in the Air

Yeah, Spring is finally here. It was just beautiful yesterday and today. Its nice to be able to go outside with a short sleeve shirt and no jacket. I love this time of year. Although you can tell its Spring when you walk out to your car to see the rear windshield covered in bird shit. = )

It is pretty windy today but up until now it has been a warm wind so that's a nice change for the Chicagoland area.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe weekend! My goal is to catch up on everyone's blogs this weekend. I know its been a couple of weeks so be patient with me.

10 Years

It really is hard to believe that it has been 10 years. I used to remember this date every year in the beginning and then when I looked at the calendar and noticed that it was the 27th or 28th, I'd feel bad that I didn't notice the date. I think I'm over that now, but I did notice that March 26th fell on a Sunday this year and wanted to make sure that I didn't forget.

I know the worst part of this day happened in Germany, but it is still the day that my dad's mom passed away. I wonder if anybody else in the family has noticed the date. I wonder if anyone will bring it up when we go to my aunt's house today. I don't want to be the morbid one and bring it up.

I guess time does heal all wounds or at least makes them bearable, but every now and then when I think about this date or my aunt or my grandmother, I just have to ask why. I guess that means that I'm not as over it as I thought. Just typing this brings tears to my eyes.

More Tastings

Well I had 2 more tastings this weekend. I had one last night at the same store I was at a couple of weeks ago. It isn't in a very good neighborhood, but all the people working there and the customers are really nice so I didn't mind. My mom didn't want me going back, but everything was fine. One of the employees there actually said what a great job I did last time and specifically requested me. My boss at the tasting company called and said she had never had anyone request a specific person before and asked if I wanted to go back so I agreed.

Then today I had another tasting at an Osco not too far from my house. I really don't mind doing the tastings because for the most part, the customers are all friendly. And I can really use the extra money. My credit card bill is coming due and my airline ticket is on it so I'm scrambling for cash.

I also emailed my resume to a temp agency that specializes in marketing/creative services on Tuesday and I got one of those auto-response emails saying that I would hear back within 2 weeks. I really don't think that is a good sign. I'd like to think that my temp agency would be able to get back to me in less than a day and not 2 weeks, but maybe they are more responsive once you have actually interviewed with them.

The last round of The L Word fanisode has just started and we have until Monday afternoon to submit a script. I'm still debating on whether or not I want to submit this round. Unfortunately what started off as a fun game has turned into groups of cliques who get together and vote against scripts or for scripts based on who is submitting them. It really has taken the fun out of it. It would be nice for scripts to win on merit as opposed to who you know, but what can you do. I guess I was foolish to think that this fanisode contest would be any different than anything else in life. Well if anything has come out of it, I have met a handful of really cool people.

Well when Friday rolls around and this fanisode contest is over, I promise to catch up on everyone's blogs. I know it has been over a week since I've read/commented, but I think my OCD is kicking in and I try to read all the posts on the message boards along with vote on as many scripts as possible. But have no fear blogger friends, I haven't forgotten about you and will be back soon. Just in time to leave for Germany for 3 weeks, but what can I say.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy rest of their weekend. We are going over to my aunt's house tomorrow to celebrate my cousin's birthday. It will be nice to get together with the family again since I don't think we have really seen them since January.

Seven Songs

OK since Zoe called me out as a slacker, I now have to come up with 7 of my favorite songs. I don't know about all time favorite songs, but here is what I am listening to now on my Windows Media Player playlist. I go through phases and when I hear a song that I really like, I download it and add it to my favorites and then after listening to it for a couple of months, something else replaces it. Of course if I was going with favorite songs of all time, they would be Madonna songs, but for my favorites as of today.

1. Mary J. Blige - Family Affair
2. Missy Elliot - Lose Control
3. Natasha Bedingfield - Unwritten
4. The Pussycat Dolls - Don't Cha
5. Weezer - Beverly Hills
6. Beyonce - Check On It
7. Dolly Parton - Travelin' Thru

Its pretty much all the songs that I put up as my song of the day for the last couple of months. Other than my tributes to Dana over the last couple of weeks.

I'm telling you, I"ll be much more into my blog and blogs again once
1. This season of the L word is over this Sunday, and
2. Once this fanisode thing is over on March 31st.

The L Word - 3x11 - Last Dance

In honor of tonight's episode of The L Word, I'm changing the song of the day to Donna Summer's Last Dance. I figured I'd post it now just in case I'm too grief stricken after the funeral.

The L Word - Losing the Light

What can I say? I think I'm gonna have to break out the black clothes because I'm officially in mourning. I can't believe they killed Dana off. I've dedicated the song of the day to Dana.

I'll write more later, when I can. = (

MBC Study (Couch Potato Study)- Web Screener

Damn it. I guess I'm too healthy. Well I guess you can't put a pricetag on your health, but I really could have used the extra money. : )

Greetings,
We received the questionnaires you completed on our website. Unfortunately, at this time you are not eligible for the next step in the eligibility process. We look at a number of things to determine who is eligible for the study and you didn’t meet the criteria.

We are looking for people who are sedentary with unhealthy diets, and the most recent screener indicated that this may not be the case for you. We very much appreciate your interest in our study and your time, and if you have any questions feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,
MBC Study Staff

It's Official

Well, it's official. I'm going to Germany. I just booked my flight online. I think Orbitz.com is my new favorite site since they beat out both Yahoo Travel and United.com.

I'm leaving on Monday May 15th and return on Tuesday June 6th. It should be a nice little vacation. I got a direct flight to Germany, but have a layover in Montreal, Canada. I've never been to Montreal so it could be fun. Although I only have a little over an hour there so I doubt I"ll be seeing much of the place. I wonder if I'll have to go through customs there even though I'm continuing on to the U.S. Well I guess I'll find out when I get there.

Now I just have to find out who is going to pick me up from the airport. I almost want to keep this trip a surprise from the majority of the family so I get some peace the first day that I'm there. But it will all depend on who can pick me up in Munich.

Then, what to wear to the wedding? OH I have a feeling that the time is just gonna fly by between now and May 15th.

COUCH POTATOES WANTED!

My brother sent me this email today asking for couch potatoes. Of course I clicked on it and it is for a study.

Adults ages 21-60 who would like to make healthy changes in diet and activity for health research study.

The study has four phases. Upon completion of the study, you will receive the following compensation: $20 for the screening phase, $100 for the baseline recording/lab session phase, $175 for the diet and activity change recording/lab session phase, and up to $435 for the follow-up phase.

For the details, click here.

I filled out the survey and I hope they pick me because I could use the extra money. I just hope that my working out doesn't disqualify me. But really the amount of time that I workout doesn't compare to my TV/Movie watching or computer play time. :)

Saving Democracy

I just read a speech by Bill Moyers entitled Saving Democracy. If you click on the link it will bring you to the pdf file of that speech. I highly recommend that everyone reads it. It is 20 pages long, but well worth it.

I try to stay on top of the news, but sometimes it just seems like the same old same old. I had never really realized the depth of the Jack Abramoff/Tom Delay scandal until I read this speech. But what I really liked about it is that not only did it point out what is wrong with our current democracy, but it gives us hope and lets us all know what we can do to change it.

If you are interested in learning more after reading the article, it was put out by Public Campaign -- A New Kind of Reform Politics.

Academy Awards Party

I had a blast last night at the Oscar Party my brother and I both went to. We all filled out printable oscar.com ballots and then we graded one another's throughout the broadcast. 8 out 25 ain't bad right? LOL

The house was in an uproar when It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp stole the Original Song award from Dolly which is why it is my song of the day. And we were all crushed (no not crashed) when Brokeback Mountain didn't win Best Picture.

It was also funny to see our friend Grant so pissed off at the dramatic depressing music that they kept on playing OVER the people as they were giving their acceptance speeches. OK I understand that they start playing the music when you go over on your time, but at least turn the crap off when they are trying to accept their awards for the first what 30 seconds or so.

Another Tasting

I had another tasting today at a grocery store for Trinchero Family Wines. I usually don't really like the wine tastings because I don't drink wine and know too much about it so I always have to study up on it. But fortunately there weren't any wine snobs at the store today so I didn't have to answer or makeup answers to questions I didn't know.

I also hate having to open up the damn bottles of wine. I feel like an idiot because it takes like what seems like forever. But I was pleasantly surprised to have sold out of product an hour early so I got to go home. I'd like to think that is because of my remarkable ability, but the truth is they were understocked. OH Well, not my problem. I was just happy to get out of there early because I had my table set up right in front of the dairy section and I was literally freezing my ass off. When I walked outside afterwards, I was colder than it was out there.

Well tomorrow my brother and I are going to an Oscar Party so that should be fun. He already printed out my ballot that I'm suppose to fill out before we get there so we can enter to win prizes.

More Fun with X-Rated

Well I had another tasting tonight. It was in Markham, IL. Not one of the best neighborhoods in town. I rank it right up there with Gary, IN, but everybody there was really nice. I was just glad that I was only there from 5-8pm and they weren't far from the expressway.

I tasted the X-Rated Vodka Infusion and X-Rated Vodka (the same stuff I did on Christmas Eve). All I can say is, it smells good. :) Alot of people liked it, but it wasn't the neighborhood where people drop $22.99 that easily for a bottle of vodka. But I still sold 3 and I don't get paid based on how many the store sells, so it doesn't really matter anyway.

I was a good samaritan once again today. I guess I should make it my goal to try to do something nice for someone everyday. Yesterday the scarf and today a guy (who didn't sample my product by the way) was paying for his purchase and I noticed he dropped a 5 dollar bill. I thought he knew, but when he went to put his wallet away, I was like "Uh, sir, you dropped a 5 dollar bill." He was like, "wow an honest person. We need more like you. Thanks alot." I was like "well I would be mad if I dropped a 5." :)

I'm just hoping that there is something to this karma thing and the next time I drop my scarf or a 5, someone tells me.

Well tomorrow, I have another tasting. Luckily in a better neighborhood but I'll be tasting wine. I don't usually like that because I'm not a wine drinker and don't know too much about it so I will have to study up before I go tomorrow.

I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful weekend.

Lunch and Good Samaritan

I took the train to Hyde Park today to have lunch with a friend. She used to work for the University of Chicago (just quit and is starting a new job on Monday) so she lives right near the University. Since I'd never been there before, I told her I would just get off the train there and we could get a bite to eat in her neck of the woods as opposed to going all the way up to the Loop.

We ended up going to a little cafe/diner that is infamous in the area. It was really busy and the food was good and cheap. What more could you ask for? We had fun catching up and she finally gave me back my tape that she borrowed with the Madonna: I'm Going to tell You a Secret documentary on it.

It was there that I practiced being a good samaritan. :)

As we were sitting there and talking, I noticed a middle aged man get up with his jacket and tray and move to a table near the window. I also noticed that he left his scarf there. So as we were getting ready to leave, I told my friend I had to give it back to the guy.

Unfortunately at this point another gentleman was sitting at the old table, but I don't think he noticed me pick up the scarf and go over to the gentleman by the window. I was like sir, I think you dropped your scarf at your old table. He was very appreciative. I then went back to my friend who was still putting on her coat. When we went outside and passed, the guy smiled and waved goodbye to me. So hopefully, the next time I drop a scarf of glove, someone will do the same for me. That's the worst part about the winter, losing your accessories. :)