April 2004 Archives

I am currently listening to Ted Koppel read the names of the 737 American soldiers who have died in Iraq. I am overcome with emotion. They are all so young. Heck, quite a few weren't even old enough to have a drink. I feel for their families.

It's been really hard to stick to a low carb diet this week. On Tuesday after going to an antique auction with Racquetball Guy, we went to dinner at Baker's Square and couldn't resist having cheesecake for dessert. Then last night I was in St. Charles (IL) at a company function and nothing was low carb about the food or alcohol I consumed. Then tonight I went to dinner with friends at La Creperie and I just couldn't resist having the seafood crepe for main entree and nutella crepe for dessert. At least I didn't have a whole nutella crepe by myself -- but still. Oh I should also mention that I went to McDonald's earlier today and had a happy meal as I had this strong craving for french fries. So as you can see things are getting out of control. Trying not to beat myself up too much but with summer coming, I really don’t want to go backwards. Having said that, I've decided to throw in the towel until next Monday as I have a few events this weekend that I'm sure will tempt me further. So here's hoping that I regain some of that willpower I had a few weeks ago then. I still have 10 pounds to loose before I reach my goal.

Below are partial lyrics to my new favorite song which was introduced to me on the ride home from dinner with Racquetball Guy. Yes, I know it's a bit over the top but I can't help but share. I'm really liking this guy and he's really liking me. It's so refreshing to be with someone who is not interested in playing games.

Song: We Both Deserve Each Other’s Love ~~ 1978 ~~ 3:05 Artist: L.T.D. LP/CD: Togetherness ~~ A&M ~~ 1978 Composers: Jeffrey Osborne~Jimmie Davis

We both deserve each other’s love

You, you’re just as sweet as peaches and cream
(To me you’re as sweet as peaches and cream)
You must’ve stepped right out of my dreams
‘Cause you and I were meant to be (‘Cause you and I were meant to be)
I-I am a very fortunate guy (So happy am I to be by your side)

Lucky to have you all of the time
You’re one of a kind
You know to me you’re so fine
I thank the Lord for you and I, yeah (I thank the Lord for you and I)

There's a group out there that wanted us to turn off our TV for all of last week. I'd like to think if I had know about it sooner, that I might have actually had the will power to seriously consider going for a week, but I know don't. Plus, I'm always doing something else when I'm watching TV so I don't feel like the time is totally wasted.

Looks like I'm not the only one suffering from lower back pain. According to recent Newsweek cover story, 65 million share this affliction. I myself have been battling this ailment for a few years. Most days, it's not a big deal. But since I started exercising more, it's been flaring up. So maybe it's time to see a chiropractor again. Getting adjusted was a little nerve racking but it did make me feel better.

Below is further validation for my decision not to move back to Boston.

Value soars on choice Hub parking spots
By Beth Greenberg, Globe Correspondent, 4/14/2004

In 1997, the average price for a detached, single-family house in Massachusetts was $199,968. Now, you might pay nearly that for a parking space in Boston.

Last month, a parking spot at the privatelyowned Brimmer Street Garage on Beacon Hill sold for $160,000. And that wasn’t even the city’s record price. That distinction goes to a 156-square-foot rectangle of concrete and white paint at Brimmer that was listed for $200,000 in August, and eventually fetched $167,500.

Since July, five of the 110 spaces at the three-story garage have been sold for sums between $144,500 and $167,500. The price, plus a monthly $163 condo fee, includes heat and valet service for the privilege of having a covered parking spot in a place where cars outnumber on-street parking spaces 4 to 1.

Damn! This is just over the top.

I've mentioned before that I get my fair share of credit cards offers on a almost daily basis. But the all exclusive one that I really want may never come. It’s the American Express Centurion Card. Granted I don't use credit cards often, but having one without any kind of limit would be quite comforting and a great boost to the ego. Oh well! I don't really need a card with a $2500 annual membership fee. Granted it comes with a lot of perks, but it probably would be more trouble than its worth.

Most people are probably winding down from their weekend, but I'm totally wound up. Earlier today, I went to a University of Michigan Club of Greater Chicago board appreciation social and had one too many glasses of wine and ended up tipsy. So I came home and took a nap. Then I talked to Racquetball Guy on the phone for quite some time. I was supposed to attend a work function with him tonight but that got canceled. I was a bit disappointed but also somewhat relieved as meeting a boyfriend's work colleagues can be pretty stressful. Last night after dinner at El Mariachi, we hung out and watched: The School of Rock and Honey. I really liked The School of Rock but Honey put me to sleep. Maybe I was just tired. Earlier in the day after lunch at Tilli's with a gal pal, we went to Steppenwolf Theatre Company to see: I Never Sing For My Father. The play started off a bit slow but John Mahoney and rest of cast gave a moving performance. Play deals with a young man who must come to terms with the death of his mother and his difficult father. As I reflect on the performance, I have to say that I agree with one of the major themes: "Death ends a life, but it does not end a relationship..." Lord knows that since my Mom's death, my relationship with her memory has been a complex one. But hey, that's conversation for another day. All in all, not a bad weekend. I just wish the weather would stay warm.

So much going on, but I'm not comfortable talking about any of it. So I'm sort of holding back. Specifically, I'm holding back on what's going on with me and Racquetball Guy. I suppose I don't want to jinx the whole situation. Then again, maybe I just need to figure out what my comfort level is. When I started this blog, it was about me and my single life. Now that I'm sort of dating someone, it's a bit strange to be so public about everything. I want to hold it close, because I'm feeling like a teenage girl again and that makes me even more vulnerable than I normally am. Oh the joys of a new relationship!

For those of you out there in Chicagoland who are trying to build your CD collection, thought I'd post this announcement.

The independent retailer, Dusty Groove America, will host a Garage Sale on Saturday (April 24th) at the corporate headquarters, 1120 N Ashland. The company will sell thousands of CDs at $3 apiece and record albums for $1. The sale is being held in conjunction with Dusty Groove's 8th birthday. Sale hours are 10am. to 5pm.

I'm off to a White Sox vs. Yankees baseball game with Racquetball Guy. Here's hoping the Sox win tonight!

Update: I had a really great time with Racquetball Guy at the game. We had amazing seats -- first row right behind home plate -- plus the White Sox beat the those darn Yankees! To top it off, he gave me a bouquet of red roses. They are so beautiful that I had to take a picture for my scrapbook. I'd also post a picture of the two of us together, but I'm not sure I'm ready for that yet. Maybe next time...

With news below, lesbians I'm sure will want to start dancing in the street. It's a bit premature since the technique can not yet be used on humans, but perhaps towards the end of my lifetime (hopefully some 50 years from now), two women will be able to have a baby together without using sperm from a male donor.

Mice Created With 2 Genetic Moms, No Dad Japanese Scientists Say They've Created Mice With 2 Genetic Moms and No Dad, a First for Mammals

The Associated Press

April 21 — Just ahead of Mother's Day, scientists have found a way to cut dads out of the picture, at least among rodents: They have produced mice with two genetic moms and no father. It is the first time the feat has been accomplished in mammals.

Last summer I raved about the scrabble docudrama Scrabylon. Since it wasn't showing in many theatres, thought I'd let you know that it's finally out on DVD. You can purchase a copy along with posters and other photos at the offical Scrabylon website.

It feels good to hear someone say: "I choose you." More importantly, it feels good to know that he has many of the qualities I seek in a boyfriend. Yes, I'm talking about Racquetball Guy. Now back to day dreaming I go...

Oops! I forgot to blog yesterday. Well I actually didn't forget I just really didn't have time. The dinner party went well on Saturday night. So well in fact that I didn't go to bed until around 3am Sunday morning. Most people actually left before midnight, but Ms. Shasta and I sat up drinking Malibu Rum with pineapple juice and had a good old time talking about everything under the sun. I should say that other attendees to the dinner party were: Dragonslayer, Bink, Aaron, Keidra & Ayaba. All are black bloggers here in Chicago. Since there are so few of us in the blogging community, Ms. Shasta and I thought it would be good to get together with the ones we know about. So of the 9 that we knew about, 7 (myself included) were at the dinner. Everyone seemed to have a good time and so here's hoping that long term friendships will be formed. This in turn should be better for the blogging community here in Chicago because maybe now, more of us (black bloggers) will be more willing to show up for some of the general events sponsored by the blogging community. I cannot begin to explain to those of you not black what it's like to go to an event and not see another black soul. Granted everyone is usually friendly, but I know that I warm up to people a lot faster when there is more diversity in the room. Plus, there is less pressure on me as I’m not burdened with representing my race. Despite what some may thing, we all don’t think and act alike. But hey, that’s conversation for another day.

I woke up on Sunday morning to the sound of Racquetball Guy’s voice booming through the phone wanting to confirm our plans for the day. We spent much of the afternoon at a flea market in Alsip then headed to the movies to see The Punisher. After that, we stopped by his place so he could give me the grand tour of his bachelor pad. We then headed to my place for leftover meat lasagna followed by quite a bit of hand holding on the couch. And now, here we are at Monday -- a bit tired but happy because all in all, I had a good time.

The food is cooked, so now just waiting for my dinner guests to arrive. Here's hoping that if they drove, they won't have to drive around too long looking for parking. It's been know to take 30+minutes to find a spot in my neighborhood. Sometimes longer. I have friends who won't visit because of the parking situation. Arrh, the joys of urban living!

Well I survived the week. Yeah for me! Here's hoping that I have the good enough sense not to overcommit myself like that again. I'm still tired but at least the weekend is here.

I am so tired, that after this work day ends, I might just go straight to bed. Tuesday night I had dinner and drinks with a former colleague who was visiting from New York. Last night I had drinks with some people on my sales team. Now tonight I have my alumni association annual meeting. Even though I've already paid, I might not go. Then again, maybe I will. The guest speaker will be the General Counsel for the University of Michigan. He played an integral role in defending the University's affirmation action program so I'm sure his talk will be interesting. Tomorrow night is the Gaper's Block Party which I might go to. Then on Saturday night I'm having a dinner party. So it may be Sunday before I get some rest. Goodness! I'm not sure I'm going to make it. I need a nap.

Is anyone else out there in Chicago trying to listen to AM 950 and getting a spanish station? Normally Air America is booming in, but this morning, I only hear spanish voices.

Btw, I've been trying to call Air America and I keep getting a busy signal which is why I'm asking you folks out there in blogland.

Management had a sales contest to see who on the team (of roughly 10 people) would achieve the highest number for a certain metric during the last 6 weeks, and I won! Yeah! Prize is two tickets to anywhere in the lower 48 states. Now I have to decide who to take and more importantly where to go. Any suggestions?

I feel like God is testing me, and let me say I really wish he could stop and go bother somebody else. I know he doesn't give us more than we can handle, but why do people around me always end up having to deal with so much drama? This just seems so unfair.

I woke up this morning ready to rant and rave about the fact that I ended up helping my younger sister move last night to her new apartment, however, after the phone call I received mid morning, I no longer have it in me. You see, Racquetball Guy's mom died this morning. I was hoping that she would pull through as I was hoping to meet her someday but, I guess God had different plans. As I listened to him talk about the whole situation (which I won't go into any details about), I couldn't help but reflect on the circumstances surrounding my own mom's death. It also made me think about my own mortality. Hopefully, I have another 50 years but one never knows. As such, I need to do a better job of living each day to the fullest. I also need to try and tell my family (really my two sisters) how much they mean to me. So even though they drive me crazy at times (like my younger sister did last night), I'm really glad that we have each other.

Well my date with Racquetball Guy got cancelled. His mom had a stoke this morning and she's in the hospital. I'm hoping everything works out for the better, but one never knows with these things. God has a plan for us all and when he calls, he calls. The timing may not be right, but that's just something we have to deal with. Part of me just wants to run away from the whole thing as I'm feeling kind of scared for him. But the other part of me that has grown to like him wants to try and be as supportive as possible. So maybe I'll call him later. Hopefully by then he'll have some good news. In the mean time, I'll say a little prayer for his mom.

Why do people (ok really colleagues) say Happy Easter when they don't even know if you are a Christian? Granted I am, but I still think it shows a little insensitivity on their part to not find out first before leaping to what could be an incorrect assumption.

After watching Omarosa from The Apprentice on Oprah last night, I now agree with my best guy friend and probably most of America that she is a total bitch. Normally, she would be the sort of black woman that I'd want to become friends with, as she is smart and a total go getter like myself. But her superiority complex along with her negative treatment of those around her makes her downright unattractive. Plus all that negativity that she exuded takes away from what she can bring to the table. As such, I’m not surprised to learn that she was fired from four jobs in two years with the Clinton administration.

Update: For the record, let me say that I don't believe anyone called her the "N" word. Considering that it was a reality based TV show with microphones all over the place, I believe it would have been picked up if the allegation was true. In addition, the producers/directors would have added it to the show as it would make for high drama. Furthermore, considering her behavior on other matters, everthing that comes out of her mouth is highly suspect. She is simply not credible.

So things are progressing with Racquetball Guy. We've talked a number of times since last Friday and have plans for a second date on Saturday. So keeping my fingers crossed that things go well. Either way, thinking it may be time to tell him about my blog. I haven't yet as I wanted to tell him about myself versus having him learn about me from my archives. But I might have to forward the link soon. Seeing that blogging has become an integral part of my daily routine, I don't want to remain silent about it for much longer. Truth be told, I'm sort of surprised he hasn't found it. Lord knows I googled his name as soon as he told me it in full. Maybe I'll forward after Saturday if things go well. Then again, maybe I'll just wait a few more weeks.

It's been a week since I've listened to NPR during the day. While experiencing withdrawal symptoms, I still can't bring myself to turn away from Air America. Novice radio broadcasters like Al Franken are getting better -- so for now, I'm sticking with the liberal radio network. Since I recognize that it may be awhile until some of you actually hear his show (it's only on in 6 markets), thought I point you to Al's blog. It makes for interesting reading.

I know preachers are flawed human beings just like the rest of us, but I really don't want to hear about their addiction to porn. Granted looking at porn sites can be destructive to the family unit and so therefore should be seriously dealt with, should my preacher be afflicted, I want him to seek appropriate counsel, but keep it quiet. Were it to be revealed to the entire congregation that my minister is addicted to porn, I just don't think I could go back to hear him preach -- I would consider him to hypocritical -- too human. Does this make sense? Probably not! I suppose I'm thinking that if a man/woman of God is having a difficult time leading a righteous life, what hope is there for sinners like me. Of course, if he's taking it a step further and sexually preying on children, men and women within his congregation and the community at large, then he needs to be thrown to the wolves.

Georgia Tech and Connecticut will play in the NCAA final tonight and it should be a good game. But just wanted to give some props to the Michigan Men's Basketball team who won the NIT championship last Thursday night! As such, Hail to the Victors and Go Blue!

Many of you asked for it, so below is a summary of my date.

So it was almost 7pm on Friday night and he hadn’t yet arrived to pick me up. Feeling nervous, I downed another shot of vodka. I knew he was on his way, but I needed to calm my nerves as it was our first outing. We had exchanged emails for almost a month and then talked on the phone for about two weeks, so expectations were high. To make matters worse, my younger sister showed up as she had told her ex-husband to pick up their daughter at my house. Why she did that without asking me first, I have no idea. As we all sat there waiting, I was hoping the ex would show up before my date so they could all be off, but no luck. My sister’s ex-husband and my date showed up at the same time. So quick introductions were made and then we were off. Based on my dates facial expressions and the comments he made, I could tell he was excited and happy that things had gotten this far and I was too. He was exactly as I had imagined and he warmed my heart by saying that I had exceeded his expectations.

As much as I want to loose more weight, I am staying away from diet drugs. I have long since learnt that there are no short cuts to long term weight loss. Back when Phen-Fen was all the rage, I got my doctor to give write me a prescription. Then when all the reports started coming out about people who have liver problems I freaked out thinking that something would happen to me too. Thankfully after many rounds of testing, everything turned out to be all right. But it was a valuable lesson. Sure I felt great after I lost the weight but I soon realized how devastating it would be to loose my life from one of these so call "natural" substances. In any event, Consumer Report has a list of the 12 weight loss drugs folks should stay away from. I know I'm staying away from then. Thinking everyone else should too.

P.S. I'll write about the date later. I'm still trying to process my feelings about the whole thing.

I'm going on my first match.com date tonight. Dear God, please don't let it be a disaster!

Ok, this might make me out to be cheap (which I'm really not), but I just want to get this rant out. Why is the cost for greeting cards now approaching the $4 mark? Good grief, most get thrown away so I hate to spend more than $2 on a card. Also, why is most non-Christmas wrapping paper and gift bags so expensive? Since these almost always end up in the trash, I'd rather put the money towards the gift, and use white paper to wrap the gift. Of course, I know that's not as aesthetically pleasing, but isn't it what's inside that matter? Oie vay!