A Leg Hair Experiment That Could Go Awry

So yes, I'm one of those people that does not shave their legs every day...or even every other day...or even every week. Seriously, I could give a damn about my leg hair. It grows very slow to begin with so its quite pointless for me to be anal about my leg hair. And I'm lazy and like to sleep in until the last possible minute and that doesn't leave the time necessary to have freshly shaven legs on a daily basis. So I think the last time I shaved my legs was in...well I can't remember, but its been at least 2-3 months. Now you may be thinking, thats nasty...but its just hair. I do shave my underarms though...that is nasty. Bacteria and sweat and sweater fuzz are nasty when combined with underarm hair. But my legs...nobody is gonna see them, I wear pants 365 days a year and my boyfriend is over 600 miles away. All the legit reasons for freshly shaven legs don't apply to me at this point.

So I'm working to see how long my leg hair can actually get. Yes, I'm warped and I need a life. I'm well aware thanks. Never claimed otherwise. But I will be seeing Rumba in 3 weeks (finally!!...after 4 months of not seeing each other) so eventually this experiment will have to end. Just cuz he has fur doesn't mean I should.

But I was abruptly awakened today by 10 fire truck sirens as they pulled up in front of my building. I'm like shit...what if there is a fire? I ain't going out there without pants!! My robe isnt long enough!! This was seriously the first thought in my head this morning as I listened to the firemen, wondering if they're gonna come barreling through my door. Not the fact that my head hair is standing on end, my eyes are plastered shut and my motor movement is severely limited due to not being entirely awake yet. Not the fact that if there is a fire I could lose all my worldly possessions and be homeless. Yep...I was concerned about my furry legs.

So I might just have to end this experiment in the morning...just because in the event that I may have to evacuate the building, I'm afraid of what the firemen will say about my furry legs..."daaaamn, she could set on fire herself."

Yes people, I am that hot...

Random Things I Saw Today...

A guy dressed in a chicken suit.

6 tons of shredded paper on the streets of the Loop.

2 helicopters suspended in the air above LaSalle and Wacker.

1.75 million Sox fans gathered.

A girl wearing hot pink kitten heel shoes and a furry leopard coat.

An old "tranny."

A well dressed woman handing out white socks to kids.

A Chicago Sanitation and Streets worker throw a cup of mocha on the street.

An old man commanding his cute dog to spit out the paper it picked along the journey

4 elderly Polish chattering in their native tongue as they walked up the boulevard.

Two lost guys get on the Brown line and don't know how to get going in the right direction.

Something sticky staining the bus seat next to me.

A window washer dangling from the CompUSA building on Rush.

My Other Man...

Skinner is the MAN!!! HAAAAAAAA.....what a brilliant dude this guy was. He played with pigeons and rats his whole life and wrote volumes of boring books about it...thats awesome! He put his daughter in an airtight but airfilled enclosed crib. He formed one of the basic theories that explains virtually any behavior. He was one of the most brilliant minds in psychology and in the last month of his life, he was awarded for his work by the APA...after which he proceeded to slam the organization for its sudden focus on cognitive psych and moving away from the observable this radical behaviorist found to be the crux of study. SoI raise my Skinner Box to you, Mr. B.F....I salute you and your pigeons...

Sweet Home Chicago!!!!

Chicago White Sox Win!!

People are partying and dancing in the streets. The car horns are constant and the emergency sirens are ringing too. Helicopters, fireworks, people screaming and yelling...Its insanity!!!

Doesn't matter what fan you are...Cubs or Sox...its a great time to be in Chicago and be a ball fan.

I'm not a ball fan...but I'm excited for everybody just the same.

Come What May

Never knew I could feel like this
Like I've never seen the sky before
Want to vanish inside your kiss
Everyday I love you more and more
Listen to my heart, can you hear it sings
Telling me to give you everything
Seasons may change winter to spring
But I love you until the end of time

Come what may, come what may
I will love you until my dying day

Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place
Suddenly it moves with such a perfect grace
Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste
It all revolves around you
And there's no mountain too high no river too wide
Sing out this song and I'll be there by your side
Storm clouds may gather and stars may collide
But I love you until the end of time

Come what may, come what may
I will love you until my dying day
Oh come what may, come what may I will love you
Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place...
Come what may, come what may
I will love you until my dying day


I really love this song and I love the movie, Moulin Rouge, too. I'm one sappy ass romantic so I totally dig this type of thing. Weirdo I know.

I am lovesick this evening, could really use the warm body of my honey next to me. Only 27 more days!! Hey...at this point, I'll take anything since we haven't been together since July. Our countdowns may seem silly to some, especially when we start so high...like 60 days or something..but they really help us keep things in perspective when the distance gets really hard to handle. Sometimes, the little things count the most. Somehow ticking down the days makes the days go faster for us. So while 27 days is still a ways away...its much better than 90 days...which it was only 2 months ago.

If that makes sense...my mind is all confuddled over missing him.

Ok...Apparently I'm The Weird One...

Because I have a hard time rationalizing in my head that 50 degrees is cold enough to be covered head to toe in heavy clothing. Come on people, lets be a bit more hearty eh? Put your gloves, your scarves and your knit hats away. Its not cold enough yet. I swear to god if I see snowboots, I might point and laugh hysterically to the point where someone will call me in to the foam hospital.

And its SPRINKLING, not a freakin torrential downpour...put the umbrella away. You are not made of sugar, you will not melt..and repeat...

I had my first oral presentation today. For some strange reason my eyes clouded over when I started to read or my contacts went all weird on me because it was really fuzzy and I had a hard time reading. Never happened before and I wasn't all that nervous. My topic was on how personality can predict music preference and it generated some good discussion. I was happy with how I did and the result. I picked this particular topic because I am really into music and feel that music is one of the most important mediums in which a person can be expressive, gain confidence, and in some ways shape their values, beliefs and identity. I also don't think it is fair for the government or other bodies to censor music. Personal censorship should be more important. Obviously a 3 year old should not be listening to heavy metal or rap music, but if a parent is conscientious, this will not be an issue. I have differing views on what genres of music I like and do not like, but I don't promote censorship because I think it is an infringement on our basic rights.

I also finished my take home midterm tonight. It was a 5 question take home essay exam. It wasn't too bad, I just wish I would have started on it earlier instead of putting it off. I think I just work better under pressure because no matter how hard I try, I still manage to procrastinate. Things get done and I produce quality. Guess its just who I am.

I'm still on track to get through this week only slightly scathed. I'm staying on top of things as well and not falling behind due to the projects. I'm proud of that accomplishment.

My dad got the job!! Woo hoo!! I'm happy for him, it will be a good change for my parents. He owes me ice cream now since I helped his with his resume and letter. That was part of the deal. Hehe!

My boyfriend is doing great, he's at his first placement this week and next. He's excited about it and I'm happy that things are going well for him in school. We are counting down the days until my visit over Turkey Day. We don't have any major plans. I'll probably go watch him play hockey which I'm excited to watch. It will be great just to be together.

Well I'm off..night ya'll!

Big City Phenomena--Rats and Pigeons

Why do big cities have such huge rat and pigeon populations? I don't get it. Smaller communities don't have this problem and the populations of rats and pigeons is overwhelming. I realize its dirty and these animals thrive on dirt and nastiness but it still baffles me. By the way, I don't see rats on the streets or alleys...I saw my first rat today on the Red Line tracks...the moving box gave it away. Pigeons, however, dive bomb me on a regular basis.

I spoke with my parents tonight. We talk on the phone once a week...feels good to connect. Nothing new at home, just the same old stuff. Its good some things stay the same.

The building turned the heat on for the first time last night. Got down to 40 degrees, that must be their sign to crank it up. I have the heat on and the window open...something is wrong with this picture!

I miss my friends. Emmy Lou, Nelle and Schill. Love my girls, wish I could see them more often.

Life is pretty good right now. No major complaints.

Night!

World Series--Sox Fans and Cubs Fans...and Those Pesky Tourists

So Game #1 of the World Series is tonight. This is huge for Sox Fans who haven't been to the World Series in 46 years. Yawn..yeah its exciting, but I'm not a pro baseball fan so I don't give a damn. We have this baseball shaped pennants at the store..they look like placemats so people don't see them as "pennants" right away. I figure yeah, go ahead and use it as a placemat..eat spaghettio's while you're at it. Haaaaaa!

Another thing: Cubs fans and Sox fans mixed...shouldn't happen. Cubs fans are a whole breed of their own. Sox fans appear to be rather humble in comparison to Cubs fans. Not sure what it is. Its amusing to watch Cubs fans yell at the Sox fans..wait a minute? Your team sucks just as much as their team so what are you yelling about?? And they got the damn World Series...the last I heard the Cubs last chance at the Big One was whizzed down their legs...I'm so gonna get my ass kicked by my roomie when she reads this...haaaa, love ya Em!! I will say this: Even though I am not a baseball fan, I always root for the underdog team in a situation, and since the Sox have been an underdog team for..well forever..I root for the Sox...for this short period of mass hysteria in Chicago.

Tourists...ya know....don't mess up my damn shirts, do you think I like the idea rolling through my head that I only get paid 7 bucks an hour to pick up after your ass? How would you like it if I come to your house, go through your closets and scatter your shit around your house? Daaamn people...be considerate!!!

Rumba is gonna score a goal for me tonight at hockey...love ya honey!!

Night ya'll!

Emotional Meltdown

So tonight, my boyfriend and I are chatting and we start talking about immigration again. He talked to his parents today about it and was looking for suggestions from them. His mom was like "yeah it would be easier if you were married," his dad was like "whoa whoa whoa, stop the train." haaaaa!! They were teasing him of course because they know how serious we are. They ended up having a really good conversation and told him to talk to a few friends that have been through the process.

And I don't know what happened but I just lost it emotionally. I started focusing on the stress of the situation. The huge sacrifice I am making in moving up there, the uncertain timelines, the paperwork, the fees, the confusion, not knowing the jobs in Canada, how exactly we are going to go about applying...sigh. I made bad assumptions about his attitude towards the whole thing and I made the mistake of taking it out on him, which wasn't fair to him. I didn't mean to but thats how he took it. So...we really talked it out, he got me to look at the positive and we worked it out.

He has this amazing way of making me feel better without getting upset himself. He was obviously frustrated with me. I'm trying really hard not to get so stressed out over this and he is a saint for putting up with me.

Now that I am refocused and rational, I can see the positives outweigh all the stress. We're going to be together in the end!!! Regardless of the situation and what may come of it, we'll be together. We have long term plans and they involve each other. I have to keep that in mind...that he cares for me, loves me and wants me forever.

The distance is so hard. Its the hardest part of it all. We can't be together right now because of our school commitments. He can't come here, knock me over the head, and then pull me close to make me feel better. Sigh...someday.

Feeling better now...what a great man I love.

"Cumulative Finals Are The Work of The Devil"

So says my intro forensic psychology professor..bless him.

I had my first graduate exam today. It didn't go as badly as I thought it would, but I know that one of the essays I don't expect to get a good grade. Oh well, its not worth as much as the paper for that class and I'll know what to expect on the final.

Today is my slow, tired day. Thursdays I usually take a nap, regroup and get ready for the weekend.

The next two weeks will be really busy and stressful. Next week I have a midterm due and a presentation. The following week, 2 papers due, a midterm and a draft paper due. AAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! I will survive, its just a matter of tackling one project at a time until it gets done. Hopefully...hopefully I can stay caught up on the reading as well. If I can get through the next two weeks, I think I'll survive the rest of the semester. Its just a really huge push now into the last 6 weeks...damn 6 weeks...of the semester when I have at least one thing due. Its definitely more difficult than undergraduate work because you want to push yourself to produce the highest quality of work possible. If slacking off is your game, grad school isn't for you.

I also work this weekend at the store. My manager called me today wanting to know if I want more hours and I'm going to turn it down. Just too much other stuff to do that I don't give a damn about making money right now. Most of ya'll know that I'd jump on the extra hours and helping out without a blink...but I have different priorities right now.

I helped my little brother write a paper last night. He had good ideas, just needed basic English and grammar help. I hope he gets a good grade on it. I think it will boost his confidence that he really can write, he just needs to refocus on his writing.

My dad has an interview today. I really hope he gets the job. He really wants it, his interviewer knows it and I think he'll be disappointed if he doesn't get it. Props to Dad for giving it a whirl, no matter the outcome.

Well I be off...time for my nap before I get cracking on my tasks.

Hope ya'll are doing well!

Love ya!

The Problem With The Middle of the Bus

So coming from a rural state, public transportation is nearly non-existent. Children take the big yellow buses to school and the elderly and disable generally travel by the few city buses. The average citizen owns and operates a car and so its not unusual for people like me who have never even stepped on a bus, let alone make it their primary means of transportation.

So after my bike was stolen by the crackwhore who sold it for a snort...I was forced to figure out the public transportation system of Chicago. I was hoping to wait until it got too cold to walk or bike..but alas...things didn't happen the way I planned. So anyhow, I got myself a bus pass and decided to figure out how to get to work and school. Other convenience such as groceries, movie rentals, Walgreens...all within walking distance. My school and my workplace are no more than a mile away and luckily a bus runs right down my street right to within a block of my school. So when I don't want to get up early enough to walk, I ride.

The problem with the bus is that when you get one, its not likely you'll have a seat. Which is fine. But you are forced to stand and as the bus fills up you slowly make your way to the rear of the bus to exit the rear exit. So what if you're the poor sap that is stuck in the middle of the bus and have to make that critical decision of which half the bus you are going to inconvenience as you make (ie--push and shove or fall into if you have a crazy sadist driving the bus) your way off the bus? Its a real serious problem because you need to get off the bus and yet no one will move and I'm sure they roll their eyes after you get off the bus at the fact that you were bobbling back and forth between people, knocking their bags, hitting their limbs and doing your best just to get off the damn bus. Sigh...I hate the middle of the bus. I hate the indecision and stress of it all. ;)

After I got off the bus, I saw this tall woman walking towards me. She had dark hair and a long dark peacoat, but with a bright red scarf, red handbag, red shades and red canvas shoes. She was quite striking because part of her had an air of sophistication with her designer handbag and neatly tied scarf and the other was a bit juvenile with her shoes. I wondered what she was thinking at that time...or dreaming about.

Maybe the nose-tickling stench in that part of town was throwing her off...haaaa!

I also saw a guy with blue fuzz on his ass. He was impeccable in appearance otherwise with his perfectly pressed pants, tailored dress shirt, tie, shiny shoes, and briefcase. But he had fuzz on his hiney....not that I was purposely looking at his rear. I wondered how his day at work went...if he made any major sales, had a huge meeting or got in trouble for the fuzz on his ass...

In my lifespan class we had a huge emotional debate over culture and cultural awareness. I won't go into details but I felt like we were all in therapy and it was a very surreal experience to witness how much the atmosphere changed during the course of the conversation. Nobody got out of control but there was an underlying anger and heat about the room...whew...

My two weeks of stress and hell start now....papers and homework and tests...woo hoooo!!

Tootles!

The week ahead...the motivation I can't find...

I have my first exam on Thursday and I'm not findng it in me to study for it. I'm not really worried about this exam but I should make the effort to study. I should, I should..but I'm not, I'm not.

I also have a 3 page paper due on Wednesday on my motivations for joining and pursuing my field. Again, not so much worried about it. But...its just a matter of getting it done ya know?

Also lots of reading as always...I typically read about 600 pages a week, around 100 pages a class. Its a good thing I like reading or this would really suck. Its constant challenge to stay ahead. It will be worth it in the end.

Talked to my parents last night. They seem to be doing well. My brother was home from college for the weekend but I guess they didn't see him much because he was with his girlfriend for most of the time. Well, they had stuff going on too.

White Sox win the pennant and Chicago is going nuts. First time in 46 years, they've won the pennant and another chance to win the World Series which the Sox have not won since 1919. I'm sure there were many champagne hangovers this morning. I'm not a baseball fan but its kinda cool to be here while all this craziness is going down. Dad told me to stay home the night the Sox may win the World Series...doesn't want me to get all caught up in the riots and such that may happen...suppose he is harkening back to when the Red Sox won and some people were hurt in the after party. Where am I gonna go after 6pm anyways?? World Series kick off Saturday. Get your tickets...for 125-185 bucks!

Speaking of Sox fans, I'm sure we'll have a mob of them coming into the store looking for their gear. We had several come in since they won the Division looking for stuff. Sigh...crazy baseball fans!! ;0

So I should get off this thing, get a shower and get started on my day. I've put it off too long...

Later

Je suis bien, merci! :D

About my man and our adventures...

We met online about 2.5 years ago. We started out anonymous and grew into a strong friendship. Over time our feelings tried to develop into something more, but both of us being practical didn't allow those to grow until we met in person. We met in February and the chemistry and frienship translate into real life. We fell in love and are crazy for each other. He's a CanadiEn so we're very long distance from each other. Its hard not being able to see each other all the time and we have gone 4 months between visits.

He's tall and handsome. He's athletic and plays baseball, paintball and hockey...mmm defenseman!! hehe...he's also plays video games, a computer science geek and he wants to teach high school. He's smart, particular, funny, sweet, silly, loving, romantic, stubborn, intense and incredible person. I am really lucky to have found him.

The plan is for me to immigrate to Canada after I am done with school. Immigration is SUCH a stressor, you have no idea. The forms, the fees...the specific-doctor head-to-toe health exam, the FBI clearance background check, the scrutiny of my 23 years under the microscope...ahh amour...

But we're working on it together which is key and we communicate really well so we'll make it through and be together..we both have confidence in the future.

Nighty night! :D

Things I've learned in Chicago

1) No matter how craptacular YOU think your cheap $100 ten year old Magna bike is, some crackwhore finds value in the fact that it is still mobile and can be sold for a snort and they don't give a damn about your inconvenience when you find it stolen and have to walk a mile in 10 minutes. For once in your life, follow the crowd and capitalize on that thought of "hmmm...them u-lock thingys look like a good investment."

2) Subways are scary. There is some underpaid, unchallenged, unknowing, bitter, overworked sadist in charge of your life for the 5-10 minutes you commute (maybe longer, god help you) and they get some sick thrill from speeding up to 70 miles mph about 1,000 feet from the platform and then slamming the brakes so you are surely to lurch into the poor bastard next to you (or on top of you, if traveling during rush hour).

3) Subways are scary, reason #2. What Chicagoans call the "Hobo Car." Its not a separate car on the train, but rather, a small half-partitioned set of seats that people drink, smoke crack, fight, deal drugs, ganbang, have noisy sex, talk to their voices, puke, piss, drop a dookie, and pass out (not necessarily in that order, but its likely to happen in the same time frame). Do NOT sit in the "Hobo Car."

4) I hate the Red Line. See #2 and #3 for reference.

5) The Loop is a bustling place that is amazing to experience. The business people, the rich people, the El roaring overhead. The massive buildings, the River and the fact that it brings to home I am in one of the greatest cities in the world. The Loop is definitely my favorite place to wander around during school breaks.

6) Some freakshows think its ok to beat off and tell you that you are the subject of such activities. Thanks, but no thanks pal. Keep your pecker zipped up and keep your eyes off me.

7) Everything is ridiculously high priced. Groceries and hygiene products are double, clothing is designer brands and VERY expensive. Oak Street is a great street, but I dare you to walk into any boutique wearing The Gap.

8) Rush hour is a fun time where we play the game, "Lets see how many people we can cram on the bus." Usually 75 people are riding the bus and you best know when you stop is or you don't have a chance in hell of getting off in time. Also, to the all important untouchable Georgio (Armani, to the "lay folk"): You're in the way and people are disembarking the bus...move your ass!!

9) Its a social norm to cross the street when you don't have the crosswalk but you can get a ticket for it because it holds up traffic. Best to do what your mama taught ya...look both ways and wait for the light, no matter how weird you look to the locals.

10) It could be the most random beautiful day when you turn the corner to get on the subway and a crazy homeless lady turns on you with a manic feral look in her eyes and hisses Bitch loud enough for the entire block to hear. Great start to a great day.

Tootles!

Soooooo......

Here I am, joining this modern thing called technology. Eh...I for the most part have a love-hate relationship with computers and my only saving grace is dating a computer geek. God bless him for keeping me from throwing this thing out my window and taking pictures of the wreckage below.

But I thought it would be a neat way to talk about me and keep up with my friends and their lives. Thats my motive...hope you find it entertaining anyways...

Here I am in Chicago. Been here about 2 months now, and studying to be a "professional." Now I do think I'm on the right track here as far as aspiring to be such a person, but my classmates (err..excuse me...colleagues) must have a different idea of what it is to be "professional." If it means letting your boobs hang out..well I'm wearing too much clothing (nothing new here, I've always had that affliction..haa!). If it means drinking til you fall down, well hell...I've never fallen from boozing it up (stilettos are a thing of beauty) and have pretty much outgrown the hard core partying (which I can honestly say I only did for a whole 4 months when I was 22). A glass of wine is a very good thing. If it means cussing out a prof because she wants you to spend money on a research article for class but that cuts into the beer fund...that poor prof for making the suggestion that one is here for professional development. If it means, having a ridiculous sense of entitlement and trying to prove yourself just to prove it to others...well I don't have the time. I'm here for me, just me and only me. I am not a competitve person by nature, one of the reasons I dropped out of music in undergrad. I do things for my own satisfaction and for the good of the group. I don't step on toes, I don't climb up backs. I climb the proverbial ladder being honest, hardworking and ethical...and keeping my cleavage reserved for randy nights at home.

So I guess that is my biggest frustration is that these people are not so professional at all and I surely hope they'll grow out of it soon. Because like it or not, I'll be compared to these "boobs" when I am ready to get into the real world and I don't like the comparison sample.

But I am trying. I have made leaps and bounds since getting here 2 months ago. I'm not as homesick or lonely as before, though I still haven't made any friends outside of school. I have a job...crappy and totally unchallenging but its a paycheck and I get to talk to tourists all day and that can be the fun part of the day. I still dont like going out at night, mostly because I would be alone and thats just plain stupid. I live in a safe, high class area, but its still downtown Chicago and anything can happen and it does. There was a freak stabbing from some road raged morons about 2 blocks from my apartment...kinda weird and out of place. People are dumb So I stay home quite a bit and study just as much.

Grad school is exactly what I expected. Many people said, good lord, its the hardest thing of your life. Thus far I'm not thinking so. Its more in depth, more accelerated, and more work...but its not the end of the world. I spend every spare minute studying and reading and trying to keep up. I still have time to relax but its all about time management and priorties. And since I want to be out of here in 2 years, school is my biggest priority.

Chicago is a great city. Its exciting and noisy and full of interesting sights and people. On the other hand, its different, fast paced and HUGE!! So I'm still getting used to it. Slowly but surely...

So tomorrow I work and then I'll come home to study more, probably read up on some of my research topics for the 8 bajillion papers due in a month...graaaaaaand!!!

Tootles!