Brief hiatus- be patient my friends

I am traveling through the great state of California all next week: Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Napa Valley. So my blog won’t see a whole lot of action. Just know that I will ‘BRING IT’ when I return.

Until then, let me leave you with this:

“The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself” (Ben Franklin)

This is what it’s like to have a sister, Part Two

So my sister Erin emails me today to say “Bonjour. Your blog today is great. Nice job.”

If you know Erin, you know she is only happy when I’m blogging and bragging about her. She’s also referred to my blog as ‘idiotic, okay at best, and decent enough to pass the time of day.’ So naturally I was delighted to see a rather sweet comment and I emailed her back saying, “WHAT?! Doth my eyes deceive me?!” (we were both feeling historically British).

She promptly emails me back with “Well, it’s still total crap but it’s getting better.”

Just like that…my hopes are dashed again. This is what it’s like to have a sister.

Criticism and Contemplation

It was recently brought to my attention that a certain pal I have in Las Vegas thought my criticism of Joke-im Noah was a tad unfair, as I neglected to mention other Chicago athletes that have embarrassed Chicago or acted out with the law.

It’s true, I only singled out Joke-im, however my blog is completely biased. But now that I think about it, maybe I should praise a particular Chicago athlete to make up for the fact that I ridiculed another…

So here goes.

In December of 2007, I met Tommie Harris at a book signing at Borders on State Street. He was witty, humble, and seemed to really love playing football for Chicago. He said something very poignant that resonated with me. He said when he was younger, he played football for fun, for the sheer love of the game. After college, the game of football was treated like a business. Each time he takes to a line up, he has to worry about making certain percentages in order to get stipulated bonuses in his contract. You no longer think about football as fun, but as a job. Tommie said that he had seen many a player come into the league and forget about the fun…and only think about the money…but that wouldn’t happen with him. He understands that it took a village to get him to where he is today…he didn’t make it happen all on his own. You can’t forget where you came from and who your family is. And most of all, you have to have fun at your job…every single day.

Tommie Harris is a stand up guy in my book, and restored a little faith…GO BEARS!

A little inspiration on this rainy Friday

I’ve known my buddy Chris for about five years, as we used to work together at Marcus & Millichap. He’s an all-around outstanding person- warm personality, great sense of humor, and supremely nice to anyone he meets. Even when I parted ways with M&M, Chris and I would still chat occasionally and run into each other downtown. He’s the guy that knows everyone and is liked by everyone.

So imagine how devastating it was to hear that last August, Chris dove into a pool and broke his neck. He was diagnosed as paralyzed from the chest down, with less than a 10% chance of ever walking again. 

Fortunately, Chris decided that he would be the one to determine his fate. And this past Sunday, Fitz and I attended a gathering on his behalf for a “Coming out of the (wheel)chair” celebration. Yes, that’s right. Chris has transitioned from a wheelchair to a walker, and there are only good things in store for him going forward.

He is a reminder to all of us that a positive mental attitude is stronger than any diagnosis. What you believe in your heart…can become a reality.

A doctor visit, lunch, and CAT scan later…I’m home

Today was a day of SHOCK & AWE and it had nothing to do with George W. Bush.

I had been having chest pains that started early Wednesday and were still prevalent when I awoke this morning. Knowing that I am leaving for a week-long vacation on Sunday, I thought it best to call my doctor and get it checked out.

So I get an appointment at 11:15a.m. out in Lake Forest, and I called my dad to give him the heads up. Typically when I happen to be out in the suburbs, he and I make an attempt to meet for lunch. In this case we made plans to do just that after my appointment, and then I anticipated going back to work.

When I went in for my appointment, my doctor listened patiently as I described my symptoms and then I returned the favor by patiently answering her questions. Her diagnosis: it could be a muscular strain or a pulminary embolism (i.e. blood clot) around my heart. She suggested a CAT scan as a precautionary measure.

I was stunned. I managed to stammer, “Well…I mean…that just sounds really serious…”

And that’s about the time that I couldn’t bring myself to talk anymore because I had burst into tears. I was not expecting to hear the word “CAT scan” ever in my life, let alone on a random Thursday appointment a week after my 27th birthday. Pulmonary Embolism did not fit with any plans I had, so naturally any mention of the word brought out the flood gates.

After some blood work (always a good time), I walked outside to my car, saw my dad, told him what was up, and again cried during my entire explanation of what happened. Being the amazing person that he is, my dad listened to what I said over a nice lunch, and calmly reassured me that doing this was the reason why I went to the doctor in the first place- as a precaution.

So about 40 phone calls later…it’s 3:15p.m. and I’m at Lake Forest hospital. I leave my dad in the waiting room, put on some scrubs, and walk into the room where the CAT scan is to be performed. The machine was scary enough to make me want to run all the way back to Chicago, but I managed to control myself. They put an IV in my right arm (keep in mind I had blood work done in my left arm earlier that morning), and I’m given the following instructions:
-Lay down on the tray with arms over your head
-Listen for instructions on when to breath and when not to
-When the iodine was flushed in my IV, I would feel immense heat, feel as though I wet my pants, and get a metal-like taste in my mouth

Yes, I kid you not…I for sure felt like I had wet my pants. Thankfully I didn’t.

The good news- my screen was CLEAN. Such relief, such gratitude. I’m supposed to get my blood work results tomorrow and in the mean time, take pain medication three times daily.

Huge thanks to my dad…who gave up his entire day and schedule when I asked him to go to the hospital with me (the emotional flood gates are starting up again just typing this). Thank you, Dad, for you support, love, and for your reassurance. Thank you to my mom, Erin, and Fitz who all made me feel like they were right there with me throughout the day. I love you all. Thank you God for health!!!

***On a side note…my doctor, in an attempt to likely stop me from sobbing during my blood work, told me that I look like “that girl that’s an actress who had Tom Brady’s baby.” I didn’t want to remind her that Tom Brady left “that girl” for a supermodel.

Kanye: A Review in Photos

Today has been a whirlwind but I’ll get to that later. I’m nearly a week overdue on my review of Kanye West’s Glow in the Dark tour.

One word: Mindblowing.

SPOILERS BELOW!!!
Never in my concert-going life have I ever witnessed a show where the artist performed onstage, with no breaks, by his/herself. No band, no backup singers, no dancers. Kanye West did just that- only he took to the next level. The stage set, lighting, and narrative of the show was just incredible…it felt like space exploration, had I ever gone to NASA camp. Beams of light, smoke, stars, galaxies, technology, utopia, shimmering, creative bursts…all of these adjectives fittingly apply. Kanye’s warbling arrogance is fitting for such a show of oppulence…I had never seen anything like it. Photos clearly demonstrate the love…

Really?! (Imagine me dancing a sweet jig)

My ranting and raving over Joke-im Noah scored my blog nearly 100 hits yesterday. That’s pretty remarkable because I’m not even sure I know 100 people.

To further my commentary, I learned today that Joke-im was also cited for two traffic violations in addition to an open-container charge and marijuana possession. Joke-im was cited for driving with a suspended license and not wearing a seat belt. Brilliant.

Can’t wait to hear what John Paxson has to say about this…let me guess: “We are greatly disappointed in Joke-im’s poor decision making and this incident will be handled internally.”

Just. Wait. For. It.

Bombshell is expected today in R. Kelly trial

Whoa! Put your hand over your heart and clench your butt cheeks!

It looks like something big is predicted to occur, as a very controversial witness for the prosecution is due to take the stand in the R. Kelly trial.

All of this craziness just makes me want to take a cold shower. As you can guess, all of Chicago is tuned in to see what bruhaha erupts next. I don’t know if I am intrigued or disgusted by the details that have been shared with the media. I want to know what is going on, but the more I find out, the more I realize that I need to be going to church on a consistent basis.

How about this…say some prayers for humanity.

This IS Chicago after all…

Yesterday I was in a tank top. Today I am in a winter coat. This weather has boggled my mind…

Yesterday was a PERFECT summer day in the city…the kind of day that makes you sooo happy, you forget that you deal with about 6 months of arctic winter weather each year. Fitz and I took a long walk to Whole Foods and Home Depot in the South Loop, and then wove around some cool neighborhood trails on the way back. We picked up some goods to grill and prepared a summer feast- caprese salad and pork tenderloin on the grill, marinated in chimmichurri sauce. It was awesome!

We ate dinner outside on Fitz’s balcony and watched the sunset…and then just lingered, drinking some wine (a cube, from Target) and taking in the sounds of Chicago. It was blissful. A very nice end to Memorial day weekend.

This evening I’m heading up to Wrigleyville to attend the Cubs game. And yes, I will be wearing a hooded sweatshirt and winter coat.

Surfin’ USA

I just came across this photo the other day. It’s a few years old and was taken by my sister when I was window surfing at my second apartment in Chicago.

Joakim Noah is a clown

Let’s get a few things straight…

-9th overall pick of the NBA draft = check
-Wildly talented = check
-Contract with the Chicago Bulls= check

So tell me then…WHY ON EARTH is Joakim Noah getting busted fraternity style in Gainesville?! He was arrested for an open-container violation and marijuana possession. I don’t have enough time in the day to tell you all the things wrong with this scenario.

I’m not even going to call him Joakim anymore. I’m going to call him Joke-im Noah, because I can’t believe this kid could have so much going for him and still act like such a clown.

There are so many talented basketball players who would kill for a shot at the NBA, who would give anything to play for the team that Michael Jordan is synonymous with. And here we have a clown that neither appreciates these things nor respects the very idea of them.

To be clear…this is not the first time Joke-im has ruffled some feathers. He has shown up to practice late on multiple occasions and had to be reprimanded with the shocking news that “This is not college anymore. This is professional sports,”as if this was revelation. News flash: in the real world (which does not include Nike endorsements and obscenely wealthy contracts), people don’t get second chances with their jobs. They get fired.

To me, there is nothing more frustrating then watching someone with so much talent and opportunity completely disrespect the gifts they have been given. And when this person plays for MY CHICAGO teams, you know my heart is vested. When they act out, I take it personally.

Get your act together, Clown Noah.

Goat cheese stuffed mushrooms, anyone?

I made some stuffed mushrooms on the fly the other night and they turned out AMAZING. Case in point- Fitz scarfed a bunch of them before begging me to take the plate away- I had made 8 mushrooms, and he ate 5 in rapid succession!

So here’s what I did:
*Wash mushrooms and remove the stems/stumps (I used bite-sized mushrooms)
*Put a TINY amount of extra virgin olive oil in the mushroom cap
*Mix a small package of goat cheese, grated parmesan cheese, and chopped white onion
*Add a good portion of basil, parsley, and thyme (don’t be shy, throw a little extra in there just for fun!)
*Come to think of it, I think I also add some Italian seasoning as well. Do that too.
*Stuff the goat cheese concoction in the mushroom caps
*Fill a small bowl with a little extra virgin olive oil and roll the stuffed mushroom in it. This will keep them juicy!
*Place stuffed mushrooms on a baking sheet OR try my method- in a muffin pan! It prevents the mushrooms from rolling around or flipping over.
*Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste
*Bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees

Bon appetit!

Flashing…Lights, lights, lights, lights

It’s ON y’all.

Fitz and I are going to see Kanye West in concert tomorrow night, with special guests Rihanna (“Under my umbrella, ella, ella, ay, ay ay”) , N.E.R.D., and Lupe Fiasco. I am pumped! I have heard great things about Kanye’s tour (titled “Glow in the Dark”), and I think it’s going to be mind blowingly awesome…stay tuned for my review!

Also, TGIF.

Fun fact about me: if I hear a song once, I can almost sing it back 100% correctly. I have a crazy memory when it comes to music. When I was a little kid, my mom was always amazed that I knew the lyrics to every song that came on the radio.

“No clouds in my storms..let it rain, I hydroplane in the game, coming down with the Dow Jones. When the clouds come we gone…”

Photo Credit via Flickr: Steffan

Ponder this…

Yesterday Fitz and I saw a young tot being pushed in a stroller. The tot looked really frickin’ comfortable and didn’t seem to have a care in the world.

Which made me wonder…why is it that young kids, full of energy and zero responsibilities, are enouraged to nap…yet sleep-deprived adults are over-scheduled and stressed?

When I was a young kid, I NEVER wanted to take a nap. Nap time was the WORST part of kindergarten because I had to ‘fake sleep’ (i.e. lay still with eyes closed, and the occasional peek) so I could get a red star from Miss Jodie. Now that I’m an adult all I want to do is sleep.

Companies should start manufacturing adult strollers- a soft, cozy seat on wheels with nifty compartments for snacks and books, and a personalized stroller pusher. Sadly, the closest thing on the market is a Rascal.

My Peeps

Thanks to Leslie Abbott and her awesome parents for sending along a photo that made my day!

Having two parents living in two separate states means very few photo opps of all of us together. This one’s a framer!!!