I found a new way to torment my coworkers. Have I mentioned that Amy is an amazing cook? Well, she is. Last night she made a scrumptious Thai pasta with peanut sauce, vegetables, and grilled chicken. She sent some to work with me, but I didn’t eat it over lunch time. I was too antsy, and the guys were going out. But I’ve been thinking about it all day. Four o’clock came, and I caved in. As I ate it in my cubicle, three people stopped by, each drooling like puppy, wondering what smelled so good. So I think I will always save Amy’s tasty goods for the end of the work day… bwahahahah!

I haven’t been “blogging” much lately. Oops. Anyway, Amy and I spent a fantastic Memorial Day weekend in Chicago visiting friends and family.

We hit the road right after work on Friday and made excellent time. 5:30 to midnight including two brief stops. I used to hate road trips, but I’ve really grown to like them thanks to the amazing company and my 40 GB iPod filled with tunes and This American Life episodes. When we finally arrived, we wrestled around Lincoln Park looking for a parking spot. After unpacking and settling in a bit, we went out for a drink and a bite to eat. We had a Guinness at a local pub, and then found ourselves at The Wiener’s Circle on Clark.

If you’ve never been there, make sure to check it out late, when in addition to phenomenal hot dogs, you’ll find the employees exchange verbal abuse with the customers. Upon first hearing, “Yo, give me my motherf*cking char dog, b*tch!,” we didn’t know what to think. As we sat down to enjoy our greasy meal, it became apparent that it was all part of the act. The commotion grew as the bars closed, and the sound of drunk white kids and big black chicks screaming at each other could be heard for blocks. We were really disturbed at first, but when it became evident that no one else was, it was kinda fun.

On Saturday, Carmen, Nate (Carmen’s beau – a very nice boy), Amy, and I took in a Cubs game*. I had never been to Wrigley Field, and I have to admit that it actually was everything it was cracked up to be (can’t wait until the Twins build a stadium – privately funded, of course). Nate’s dare was to eat a dog and drink a beer every inning, but I took no part. After the game, we hung out at Nate’s place. Took a very cozy nap on the Love Sac (all hail the return of the bean bag – high tech style), then enjoyed cocktails and grilling (thanks, “Razor!”) on Nate’s deck.

Sunday was spent boating through downtown Chicago, shopping on Michigan Ave (mostly at H & M), and dining on fantastic Cuban fare at Cafe 28 (delicious empenadas and coconut shrimp, but my pork was a bit tough).

The ride home on Monday certainly had its interesting moments. Before we left, we caught up with Keith over comfort food at Silver Cloud. Good sloppy joes, but not as good as mine. We decided to wait on getting gas until out of the city a bit. Big mistake, as none of the westbound 94 exits on the tollway seemed to have corresponding entrances. Amy and I were totally lost in the desolate Chicago suburbs. We eventually found our way home, and enjoyed a break in Devil’s Lake State Park. We also got a little lucky – the cop that pulled us over gave me a warning, and the deer we saw struck and catapulted fifteen feet in the air right in front of managed to miss our car completely on the way down. All in all, an excellent trip. If only I had used my camera more, it would be better illustrated. And if only I had my Paris notes, that trip would be so well documented. If only…

*travel tip: great seats to a weekend game were no problem right at the box office. Not sure if this was because so many holders were out of town or because of the threatening rain, but I’m betting on the former

Yesterday was Amy’s 28th birthday, so make sure you send her a shout-out… but she deserves to be celebrated daily!

Cool date for a birthday, huh? If only I was turning five and not 31. I’d have no gray hairs, no student loans, no tumultous real estate situations…

On the other hand, I’d also have none of my great friendships, I couldn’t eat all the cookies I want to, I’d have to go to bed at eight, and I’d be woefully ignorant of Amy. I can’t complain at all!

Thanks to Em for the fantastic e-card below. Mmmm…. llama sandwich…

Seeing snow outside my window on April 27th pretty much guarantees profanity, no matter how fleeting it is.

So I’m watching Delicatessen, an earlier film by the director of Amélie (one of my favorites). In one scene, a tenant who is late on his rent is showing the landlord (and butcher) the new things he has to trade for his late dues. Here’s where the weirdest coincidence of my life happened:

The first thing the tenant pulls out is a non-sensical looking device. The landlord asks, “What’s that?”

The tenant says, “It’s a rat call. This is the female version. It attracts male rats.” He begins playing it, and it makes a funny sound.

At this exact moment, a mouse appeared in my living room, having just made it’s way out of my kitchen. Crazy.

The smoking ban in bars and restaurants in Minneapolis went into effect yesterday. I couldn’t be happier. Joe and I just spent two hours at the bar at New Delhi – the best Indian restaurant in town (fabulous Samosa, garlic Naan, Curry, Nariyal, and Tandoori chicken) but also a notoriously smokey bar. We could breathe and see clearly. I don’t feel disgusting and congested. Amazing!

That public smoking isn’t federally banned is a testament to the power of the tobacco lobbies. There is no reason for people to smoke where other people might have to inhale their pollution.

The alcohol lobbies should certainly listen up, because as most people are non-smoking, I believe that these laws will encourage non-smokers to go out and drink more. I know I’ll be imbibing with more regularity. We could get these two evils to duke it out in favor of the lesser! Here’s to a smoke-free future!

Wow. Amy sneezes just like a trucker. I nearly jumped out of my jeans!

I opened my mailbox this afternoon to find my check from the first rebate I ever actually followed through on. Woo-hoo! $40! I happily pocketed it while walking to my car, feeling proud of myself (usually rebates sit on my desk until they’ve expired). Unfortunately, my smile was short lived: I arrived at the Protegé to find a parking ticket for $33. Remind me to not block the sidewalk.

When I was fourteen, I wanted to be Nikki Sixx more than anything. I thought Mötley Crüe was the coolest band ever. Thanks to Novus’s “80s Prom” holiday party and a particularly fetching groupie my wish was fulfilled.

Also in that album are pictures of my other holiday misadventures. Our New Year’s Eve party was tons of fun, and it was great to see Patrick and Tanya in town. I feel a bit badly, though. Tanya wasn’t prepared for the tour de force that is my comedy, and I’m afraid I caused her to literally bust a gut!

I’ve posted a few random recent photos from the past month or so. I spent a weekend in Chicago with little sister, where we rocked out at the Strokes concert and got sick at Six Flags. I can’t go on rides anymore without getting sick! Does this mean I’m getting old? Is there a cure (for either the aging or the motion-sickness)?

The other shots are from a small, three-way 30th birthday dinner at Rossi’s for Ryan, Jason, and me. Fun times, despite the fact that I was wearing a full pint of beer within two minutes of my arrival.

I’m also pleased to report that my new job is going rather
well. I leave for Colombia in eight days, so watch this space for what
I hope will be another bunch of lovely photographs.

In other news, I recently broke my left collarbone. It really
hurt. A lot. But even as I could feel the pain through three shots of
morphine, I was chillin’ in the ER and laughing with Marc – who always
said he’d take me to the hospital some day. As I noticed the overdosed
teenagers and gunshot victims around me, I was pretty grateful for my
relative good health.