tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925108345793859779Thu, 12 Sep 2024 06:12:32 +0000lifeweekendfunbooksheadlinesfriendsbloggingpoliticstechnologydatingworkshoppingsingleholidaysinternetpublic transportationmusicsmokingfoodjobsmoviestravelbirthdayfundraisingwomenA new worldIllinois PoliticschicagoeconomyfacebookfamilymovingphotographywinterOh how things are a changin'Trying to sell stuff onlineWTF are we going to do now?campingdeliveryearning karma pointsideasmoneyreally cool folks doing really cool thingstattoothankstwitter2009 is already kicking ass307th layer of hellAOL is just one letter away from AWOLAll my best posts are stolen from my friendsAnother leap down the internet rabbit holeBonnarooDCDoSDreaming bigEntertainers are idiotsGiving it up to make the world a better place and support some friendsI get to find out Who Killed Amanda PalmerI seem to have no idea what I'm doing these daysI want to know who killed Amanda PalmerI'm a FIBI'm not really a writerInaugurationJudasMehNeil GaimanNothing to see here folksNow I'm just writing random thingsPrinters RowRandom Google Ads fuddle my not yet coffee saturated brainStocking up on things to doTags are pretty much useless in this arenaThe food we eatTipping my hat to the other writers out there just trying to share some thoughts with the worldWerewolvesWhat a waste of timeWhy I save everything I writeYes I went to a punk showan attempt to be usefulat work too late this is what I find funnybeerbitter with nowhere else to gobrand new yearbudgetcatscinnersdoing good things simply because we candreamsfallfridaysgivingjust a template getting changed...oh waitjust some thoughtslife smokingloopmagnetismmaking the world a better placememoriesmoving is for professionals and apparently I am no such thingmy crazy ass joined a gymnothing real important to sayout of nowherepigeonsquietrainrandom research projectssecretssilly internetsolidaritystanding up for what you believe instatistics are such a funny gametextingthat is somethign to seethe things we do for domesticityvideovotingwonderingzombiesBrought to you by Gradual Instant. Gradual = taking place, changing, moving, etc., by small degrees or litle by little. Instant = an infinitesimal or very short space of time; a moment.http://windycityreader.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Gradual Instant)Blogger241125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925108345793859779.post-860210307610996350Sat, 06 Nov 2010 14:31:00 +00002010-11-06T10:11:13.258-05:00catslifethe things we do for domesticityI'm a dog person, specifically a big dog person. Now what the rest of you city dwelling folk seem to think of as "big", I usually classify as normal, but to each his own I suppose. There have been a few small dogs I've come across in life that have been cool enough to worm their way into my heart - Taz, Oz, and Mellie come to mind - but I normally don't think twice until your pup hits http://windycityreader.blogspot.com/2010/11/cats-vs-dogs.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gradual Instant)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925108345793859779.post-1555341106081264237Sat, 06 Nov 2010 03:42:00 +00002010-11-05T23:30:12.425-05:00smokingAn essay off the top of my head on the inside world of being a smoker.Random smoking fun fact #1: Smoking is a social bonding experience. Even more so since the country (and parts of the world) has become seriously anti-smoker. Over the past 20 years that I've been tarring up my lungs, I've seen the acceptance of my kind die a slow, legislative death. I'm too young to remember offices filled http://windycityreader.blogspot.com/2010/11/random-list-of-smoking-fun-facts.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gradual Instant)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925108345793859779.post-8980901063849922917Tue, 14 Sep 2010 14:34:00 +00002010-09-14T09:58:25.266-05:00jobsWhat I hope is the very last installment of A View from my OfficeA little background information to set the scene... Part of my job has been to work with and staff our board of directors. It's not always fun but some of been some really amazing women so its been worthwhile. And while I understand that I know them better than they know me, there are 2 memories that are my favorite that sum up sohttp://windycityreader.blogspot.com/2010/09/time-warp.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gradual Instant)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925108345793859779.post-5585020635347157455Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:27:00 +00002010-09-08T10:00:28.511-05:00Illinois PoliticsSo in case you've been living under a rock in Chicago these past few days, I'm sure you've heard about our good king Daley retiring. Or more specifically, simply choosing not to run again. The way the news sites and social networks were ablaze yesterday when the news was announced you'd think it was the second (third, fourth, whatever) coming of Christ here in the Windy City.The two major http://windycityreader.blogspot.com/2010/09/are-we-really-surprised.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gradual Instant)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925108345793859779.post-8382893398440425022Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:08:00 +00002010-09-01T09:18:19.731-05:00moving is for professionals and apparently I am no such thingThis moving thing in 158% humidity sucks. That plus the fact that I'm old, fat, and lazy probably doesn't help much.After a long, stressful, drawn out process I finally got the keys to my new place at around 11 o'clock last night. A wonderful friend who was with me did a power move of about half the stuff in my back two rooms in about 15 minutes and we left the rest for today.So I set my alarm http://windycityreader.blogspot.com/2010/09/moving-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gradual Instant)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925108345793859779.post-8201207698375674086Thu, 05 Aug 2010 15:23:00 +00002010-08-05T10:54:40.601-05:00economyjobsOh how things are a changin'WTF are we going to do now?As I mentioned in my last post, big changes are a coming to my little corner of the world, and the crucial folks in my real life have been told, so I can finally break the blog silence (but not the Facebook silence, I'm not ready for that yet!).After 4 years in my current job, a job that made me some amazing friends, taught me that I love working with databases, and gave my liver a serious http://windycityreader.blogspot.com/2010/08/would-you-like-fries-or-clean-database.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gradual Instant)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925108345793859779.post-6774253979759263522Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:50:00 +00002010-07-27T13:53:34.330-05:00Oh how things are a changin'So I know that I promised in my last post that I would attempt to update you and help wile away your hours with entertaining, non-ask related musings, so here we go. Actually this is not so much an update as a foreshadowing of an update.There are some serious things afoot in JJ's World these days and I am bursting at the seems to share them with you. However, until I can actually iron out some http://windycityreader.blogspot.com/2010/07/promise-is-promise.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gradual Instant)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925108345793859779.post-7050819450233497854Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:22:00 +00002010-07-21T09:44:26.972-05:00doing good things simply because we canearning karma pointsfundraisingPeople give of themselves for a lot of reasons. You may give of your time, money, or material possessions because you believe in the cause you are supporting. Maybe you give because you simply believe in giving, and where it goes (as long as it falls under a certain wide spectrum of your beliefs) doesn't really matter. For me, I mostly give to things my friends are associated with (and it http://windycityreader.blogspot.com/2010/07/i-help-not-because-i-know-you-but.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gradual Instant)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925108345793859779.post-5674428608126069313Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:37:00 +00002010-07-09T09:03:37.149-05:007th layer of hellfridayslooppigeonsBefore I share with you how my Friday morning started let me give you a few background details so the tale can truly be appreciated.1) I. Hate. Pigeons. Completely, totally, and unrealistically I hate these birds. Everyone knows it. I'm not quiet about it. They are rats with wings and any argument that they are cousins of the dove and I should love them will quickly get you an icy glare of http://windycityreader.blogspot.com/2010/07/some-weirdness-to-start-your-weekend.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gradual Instant)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925108345793859779.post-1540986220089433700Mon, 28 Jun 2010 21:41:00 +00002010-06-28T17:22:29.785-05:00beerchicagoreally cool folks doing really cool thingsStocking up on things to doI have struggled since I moved to the windy city on what the hell to do with friends when them came from out of town to come see me. Everyone always just wants to let me decide. "Oh, whatever you normally do is fine" "I want to see what you see every day" "You know this city better than I do"...these are the things I constantly hear from people.Truthfully? What I normally do is sit around, http://windycityreader.blogspot.com/2010/06/what-to-do-with-you-when-you-come-visit.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gradual Instant)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925108345793859779.post-6185856234322446992Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:09:00 +00002010-06-15T11:02:44.084-05:00Have you ever had one of those out of left field, totally surprisingly wonderful events happen? I hope so, because I recently had one and let me tell ya-they're great.It's the kind of event that sneaks up on you that are the best. Don't get me wrong, a happy moment in the middle of a shitty day is great, fantastic in fact, but whenever you remember that great part it will always be linked with http://windycityreader.blogspot.com/2010/06/surprises.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gradual Instant)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925108345793859779.post-7294627785709019580Wed, 26 May 2010 06:42:00 +00002010-05-26T01:47:01.974-05:00So I am sober enough to understand that I am writing this from my phone at 1:30 in the morning, but probably not sober enough to fix spelling errors or care that I'm saying this online for the world to read, so I guess take that as you will. I have to get out of this windy city. This desire works out well with my vacation plan as I am leaving tomorrow at 10 am for quieter, greener, http://windycityreader.blogspot.com/2010/05/escape.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gradual Instant)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925108345793859779.post-441136966816410617Tue, 11 May 2010 17:12:00 +00002010-05-11T12:32:42.003-05:00Dreaming bigThere is something inherently liberating about waking up one day (or slowly over many days) and realizing there is absolutely nothing holding you to where you are. No job. No house. No partner. Nothing. In reality, if the opportunity presented itself, you could pick up, pack up, and go wherever the hell you wanted to at a moments notice. After this realization hits you the dreams will http://windycityreader.blogspot.com/2010/05/stuck-in-cement-with-my-head-in-clouds.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gradual Instant)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925108345793859779.post-565783585249005336Fri, 07 May 2010 16:00:00 +00002010-05-07T11:06:27.919-05:00Illinois PoliticsWhat a waste of timeBudget, smudget. I'm safe and secure in the knowledge that my state legislators are looking out for what really matters in good old Illinois!Click Here for link to actual webpage If you live in Illinois and would like to possibly contact your Taylor Swift loving idiots in charge you can call your representative at 1-800-719-3020 today and demand they fix this budget nonsense. Check this link outhttp://windycityreader.blogspot.com/2010/05/good-to-know-important-things-matter.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gradual Instant)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925108345793859779.post-1222891220944371605Wed, 21 Apr 2010 00:47:00 +00002010-04-20T19:49:31.217-05:00at work too late this is what I find funnysilly internetWow. Thanks Pandora for filling me in on those oh-so-complicated Kylie Minogue lyrics. You're so helpful.http://windycityreader.blogspot.com/2010/04/thanks-internet.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gradual Instant)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925108345793859779.post-1467865381610048062Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:40:00 +00002010-04-16T09:44:27.336-05:00Random Google Ads fuddle my not yet coffee saturated brainWhat in the world have I been writing these days to make the Google ad in my sidebar show this?http://windycityreader.blogspot.com/2010/04/ummmi-dont-get-it.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gradual Instant)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925108345793859779.post-3955134332401853161Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:04:00 +00002010-04-15T19:38:25.512-05:00DoSsolidaritystanding up for what you believe inTomorrow, Friday, April 16th, 2010, is Day of Silence. I don't think I ever knowledgeably participated in Day of Silence (DoS) when I was growing up. Not because it wasn't something I believed in, but because I didn't grow up in a house where people were silenced. Actually I grew up thinking for about the first 15 or so years of my life that two people of the opposite sex being married was http://windycityreader.blogspot.com/2010/04/shhhh.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gradual Instant)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925108345793859779.post-3971611772509073073Sat, 03 Apr 2010 04:31:00 +00002010-04-02T23:38:20.888-05:00This is the view from my bathroom stall and it's not the door I entered Sent via BlackBerry by AT&Thttp://windycityreader.blogspot.com/2010/04/little-bit-creepy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gradual Instant)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925108345793859779.post-7420353637346790265Thu, 01 Apr 2010 21:51:00 +00002010-04-01T16:56:11.419-05:00In which I test if sending pics from phone to blog works as well as I hopeSent via BlackBerry by AT&Thttp://windycityreader.blogspot.com/2010/04/give-me-that-fish.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gradual Instant)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925108345793859779.post-7118734954394350259Wed, 24 Mar 2010 21:30:00 +00002010-03-24T16:50:16.766-05:00Giving it up to make the world a better place and support some friendsLooking to earn the easist karma you'll ever find? Then I've got a range of options for you!Check out the following 4 options to help out if you have a bit of extra money and you're looking to spread it around to help stimulate the economy. I've got a range of things that should entertain us all - a dinner, a raffle, a rock show, and a tattoo that are all calling your name.1) In the Madison, WIhttp://windycityreader.blogspot.com/2010/03/how-to-earn-karma.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gradual Instant)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925108345793859779.post-5313748260898712721Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:43:00 +00002010-03-09T10:06:41.342-06:00Entertainers are idiotsMy first twitter update for today read "Attn all creative people. Please strike the name "lindsay" from all future productions, creations, & ideas in general http://tiny.cc/YgSp6". If you wait a moment to click the link (or promise to come back and finish the rest of this rant) I'll tell you what it's all about.Remember football? I know it's hard, what with college basketball in full stridehttp://windycityreader.blogspot.com/2010/03/if-i-had-100-million-dollars-i-still.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gradual Instant)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925108345793859779.post-1913730744788742107Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:41:00 +00002010-03-08T16:42:05.755-06:00just a template getting changed...oh waitNothing to see here folksthat is somethign to seeAlso while you're here - how do you like the new template? I wanted something wider and easier to read. Let me know what you think.http://windycityreader.blogspot.com/2010/03/new-and-improved.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gradual Instant)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925108345793859779.post-3191098051247006022Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:26:00 +00002010-03-08T16:37:17.336-06:0030birthdaynothing real important to sayvideoI am officially within the 6 month window of turning 30 (insert some kind of creepy music here) and can't quite figure out how I feel about that, but since it's within the 6 month mark I feel I can offically start talking about it. Or maybe I can't, but it's my blog, so...I can.The first 30th birthday I celebrated was my brothers. On a tropical island. In February. How the hell do you top http://windycityreader.blogspot.com/2010/03/here-comes-30-in-6-months.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gradual Instant)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925108345793859779.post-5309915148759373825Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:01:00 +00002010-02-24T18:12:27.105-06:00bitter with nowhere else to goI am incredibly bitter right now. The kind of bitter that wells over into mean, snippy, and downright cut throat cruel if given the opportunity. The kind of bitter that seeps into Facebook updates like "Need anything punched? You're in luck, I have a right hook for sale. May not be great, but comes cheap." and "Is already thinking about celebrating the long held art of the happy hour today - http://windycityreader.blogspot.com/2010/02/bitter.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gradual Instant)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925108345793859779.post-6056938017458081702Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:03:00 +00002010-02-15T16:29:30.735-06:00booksI just finished the most wonderful book, The Name of the Wind, by Patrick Rothfuss. I came across the author originally through a twitter post by Neil Gaiman about a fundraiser he was doing...I think...maybe it was a blog post...either way I found the fundraiser, thought it was cool and ended up donating. I tooled around the site a bit and thought I might like to check out his book, but ended http://windycityreader.blogspot.com/2010/02/love-of-good-book.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gradual Instant)0