A Year In Review

December always brings moments of reflection. Because I try not to sugar coat my year-in-reviews, I confess that my yuletide greetings haven’t always started with cheer. In the same way, I will commend a year that has achieved a nearly perfect 10, earned a grade A and sent me into a state of elation at least once a month. I’ve coined 2010 as that year: THE BEST YEAR EVER. To honor this gold medal-worthy 365 days, I compiled a Top 10 of Colleen’s 2010 list (in no particular order)… Drum roll, please…

1. Started the year off by singing karaoke in Korea Town for New Years Eve. Leaving the Korea-inspired, frat-style establishment at 1 a.m. on January 1st, I thought… “If this is any indication of 2010, it’s going to be a memorable one.” And it was.
2. Left the can for the ‘sticks. Mid-March I step down from my throne as SPAM Queen at Burson-Marsteller to go to Edelman, a more consumer-focused PR agency. Now I get to indulge with those who live for the suburban pleasure of Olive Garden and never-ending soup, salad and breadsticks. I love every bit(e) of it.
3. Took on the serious self-titled role of dance floor coordinator at Marlene (my cousin) and Todd’s wedding. I think the pictures speak for themselves. ☺
4. Landed a book deal without actually having written a book -- which is insane and keeps me up at night with the fear it will be lamer than or as much of a mockery as Bristol Palin’s moves on Dancing with the Stars. Cross your fingers and mark your calendars – “Sweat, Tears and Jazz Hands”… coming to a bookstore near you, September 2011.
5. Fell in “like” with a Peruvian boy named Eduardo. Although, it ended unexpectedly via an email and drive through-style breakup, I was left with three bottles of excellent Lake Michigan Shore wine, a better understanding and appreciation for Chicago’s fancy restaurants, five months of mostly-fun memories and a reaffirmation that normal is nearly impossible to find. I’m accepting applications.
6. Double Swenson’s Day. It happened. It was amazing. I ran 6 miles the next day.
7. Committed dating suicide and got Moxie (my 16-pound cat/tiger) a trainer to help her shed half her body weight in fat. The trainer took the form of a 3-month-old kitten named Smidget…. Or Little Mox, Little One, Get the $%# off the curtains!, etc. Cue the cat lady joke. If I even start talking about getting a third cat, I completely expect a full-on intervention.
8. Summer. It actually arrived in Chicago this year. Joined a new beach volleyball team, hosted 4th of July party, watched the air show, rode a wine-o-wagon, attended fabulous weddings, went to my first Lollapalooza. Loved life.
9. Completed the Chicago Super Mini Triathlon (emphasis on Super and Mini) in August with my friend Joanna under the training of Coach Jake.
10. Discovered the Chicago VFW Post #7579. Sang karaoke until way past my bedtime, ate pizza supplied by the 100-year-old receptionist and obtained the official door code. Made unforgettable memories and a handful of retired military friends.

Happy Holidays! May 2011 try to top 2010 – or at least put up a good fight to match its madness.

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O! Yes Please.

Sometimes it takes a mention of my blog or a comment from a friend to get me back on the blogger bandwagon... but this time it was a little nudge from my friends at OverStock.com. I'm a huge fan of the big O! In fact most of my almost-put-together furniture is from Overstock. I felt it was a momental moment in my single-woman life when I seriously put together an entire bed with just my two hands, my insane cat and several numbered blocks of wood. Three years later, the bed is still standing... and has survived two cross-city moves. Nice work, O.com.

I do have to admit... the tops of my side tables and coffee table are not connected to the bottoms... and my bedside table's drawer for some reason will not shut. While most would see these as small, some-what hidden imperfections... I like to think of them as projects... that will be finished by my future, handy boyfriend. He's going to be one lucky guy... #1 qualification... must own an electric screw driver.

Anywho... onto the fun stuff... until the end of October... they are having a OcSTOCKober (excellent play on words marketing department) clearance event as they celebrate 11 years of sending Americans quality furniture and fun. Given my budding writing career (clearly, check out these mad literary skills), I decided to indulge myself in this STOCKacular sale and purchase the corner desk pictured above... thinking it might work perfectly (given my serious tape-measure measurements) in my living room... taking advantage of my small, corner lake view! 5-10 days for shipping... who wants to come over and help me?!?

What do you need to STOCK up on?? Check out Overstock.com... and use the discount code 121728 for an extra 10% off. You can thank me during the holidays. My birthday is Dec. 30th.. :)

Happy shopping!!

All the ideas and opinions expressed are my own. No monetary compensation was received for doing this post, however, I was provided with a discount code.

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My Friend: The Microwave Meal

I have to admit... I love the microwave and the magic dishes that appear in 5 minutes or less when I come home from work. I'm pretty sure if I didn't own a microwave I might starve. I'm a huge fan of trying out different foods... love to eat out... love leftovers... but really haven't gotten the bug to really try and make these items myself. Really, I haven't found many reasons why it would benefit my current life - financially or socially. So I continue to hail the micro of waves.



This is why I was pumped to find out Healthy Choice is getting more creative with their meal offerings. Today, I tried their new Pumpkin Squash Ravioli, and it was surprisingly amazing. For once, it tasted as good as the picture on the cover promised - and let's be honest, that never happens. Of course, it didn't come out on a white plate with garnishes... but it also didn't appear like a gravy mess when I unveiled the magic plastic wrap.

Healthy Choice, bravo... well, done. And bring on the funky flavors. I. love. them.

Any other new microwave meals that you've tasted recently? Please share. My lunchtime taste buds will appreciate it.

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Polish and Planes

Today begins my summer... aka my reunion with airports across the country in an effort to not miss everyone's big life moments. I'm excited and overwhelmed by this summer's schedule... but as my calendar fills up, I do take extra notice at the downtime that I have... and think about how that time could be more efficiently spent.

Case-and-point. Right now... I'm hanging out in Houston, Texas airport on the nicest Sunday of 2010... and I can't help but notice and slightly obsess over my chipping nail polish on both my fingers and toes. This was one to-do i didn't quite cross off my list before the work trip... and so, now I'm mentally planning out how/when I can fix this situation prior to the media event tomorrow afternoon.

Why... oh why... don't airports have nail salons?! They have bars and food everywhere you look... but just imagine how much money a salon would make if they set up shop in an airport terminal? 1/2 an hour delayed?? Time for a quick polish change... 2 hours delayed? Mani/Pedi combo... plus a massage! This is a lost opportunity if you ask me... looks like it's going to be a CVS run for me and self-manicure in the hotel.

Am I alone? Ladies of the airports... I think we need to do something about this... maybe I'll talk to someone important during my next delay... until then... cheers to chipped and unattractive nails.

Sipping in a different city...

C

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Leftovers from Vivo

Although I've worked on food marketing my entire 5+ year career, I have had a hard time defining myself as a "foodie;" My recent weekend food adventures, however, have made me reconsider... or wishfully think... that I could become a foodie or at least a foodiot, either way... I like food.


Last weekend I got to check out Vivo, which is located in the West Loop/Warehouse district on Randolph. After work, the bf and I headed there, Groupon in hand, ready to indulge in some trendy Italian Fare. The last Italian restaurant we went to rhymed with Colive Tarden... so, as the urbanites that we are, we were ready to be impressed by this city-tastic location.

The decor did not disappoint. We walked in through a velvet curtain to find a number of white-linen-lined tables with votives, exposed brick wall covered in wine bottles ready to be drank and a shiny/fancy bar. The waiter was attentive and friendly. The wine was AMAZING. I have no idea what brand of Cab my hot date picked out... short-term memory...but I do know that it was A LOT better than the Funky Llama that I had been sipping on throughout the week.

One complaint I had was the amount of salt and oil used in the dishes. I could even taste the salt in the salad. I know restaurants tend to splash a bit on salads for taste, but this reached miso-soup levels of sodium. Next time I go... which there will be a next time... we didn't read the fine print of "limit one coupon per table," I might just have to request the chef keep his/her hands off the salt shaker for my entrees.

Anyone else have a chance to indulge at Vivo post-Groupon?

Pass on the advice...

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Invasion of the Midges

So it's no secret that I've been slacking on blog posts... I like to blame the fact that I quit a job, started a job and started dating someone all in the span of a month... not to mention the promise of summer and increased social obligations... but the truth is... I got a little lazy. And without bad dating stories, what is a girl to talk about?!

When one falls off the blogging horse... you need to find something particularly blog-worthy that might bring back maybe one or two of your readers... and I think I found it.

Picture this... Sunday night... relaxing in my newly cleaned (spotless) living room with my +1... when I look to the corner of the room only to notice a swarm of what-appears-to-be mosquitoes. (Cue music from Hitchcock's 'The Birds')

Within minutes both of us realize that the mosquitoes not only are in the living room but in the bedroom AND entry way. The apartment had been invaded by these tiny nat-thingys and the commissary downstairs which sells Raid closed approximately 30 seconds before this realization.

We spent about 20 minutes killing each and every one of them... by hand... and with the "help" of my oversized cat. Isn't bug-killing supposed to be feline instict?

So the interesting part of this story (as if it weren't captivating enough), is that they aren't mosquitoes at all!

After a call into management yesterday morning, I learned that every year, apartment buildings by the lake and in the loop get infested with these little nats called "midges." They have a 48-hour life span... and don't bite... but they do fly around your apartment and create nests in the corners, creating a lovely, "i-don't clean-my-apartment-for-months" look to the place.

They come in through the vents... through the screens.... through the walls. There's no rhyme or reason for how or why they come inside... but they do. Luckily, they should be gone by the end of the week. And if they aren't, the exterminator will make sure of it. In the meantime, management just suggested to "sweep the dead ones up." Sick. For real?

Given all the news coverage when the city thought they were going to be invaded by cicadas... I'm surprised to have no previous knowledge of this annual home invasion.

Anyone out there also sharing your apartment with these unwelcomed guests?

Do tell...

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Why are all the comments to my blog in Chinese letters?!

Ahhhhhh.... wtf. Jimmy Walsh, cousin and tech dork, I will be emailing you soon.

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Bobcats, a Boot, Some Beer, a Brauhaus and My Bro

The Hart siblings took to Chicago this weekend - and left it a little more happy - with a little more heart, if you will. My brother, P(Pat)-hart (pronounced Fart), visited this weekend, and we certainly made the most out of our two days in the Windy City.

Friday night, after he arrived with the typical mid-March arctic chill, we had a few 312s before heading over to Second City's "The Taming of the Flu." Laughs were had... more drinks were drank... memories were made.

Saturday may rank up there as one of the most random, yet spontaneous, days we've ever spent together. Together, we braved Chicago Snowstorm 2010 to make it to Crossroads by noon to grab tables before the OU Bobcats took on the Tennesee Volunteers. After waiting two hours for cold chili and grilled cheese, drinking stale beer and watching a sad and disappointing loss, we decided we needed to step up the evening.

We took a solid three hour break that consisted of burgers at The Counter and board games at my friend Mike's... and then headed up to Lincoln Square to experience the Chicago Brauhaus.

The best way to describe the Chicago Brauhaus is an authentic German bar (steins, traditional beers, etc) mixed with almost-suburban Chicago (family-friendly), mixed with your last family wedding (old couples dancing to polka music). Picture that... and then throw in a two-foot glass boot that is passed around the table and drank by all. Holy H1N1... apparently no one is that concerned anymore.



Anyone else experienced the Brauhaus? Watch out May Fest... I'm spreading the word!

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Oh my, OU...

I'm not going to claim that I'm a huge basketball fan. Or baseball. Or football. But, if I am loyal to any of my alma maters... it is Ohio University. Those four years shaped me into the person I am today... and I met some of my best friends within those college greens. So, tonight, as more than 200 people gathered in Crossroads at Wrightwood and Clark to cheer for the school that they also love to call their own... I couldn't help but jump into the madness.

And to our surprise and delight... they KILLED Georgetown. Check it out!

I have to say... when you mix the best city with the best college... you get one of the best nights ever.

Way to go, Bobcats. Thanks for a great night!

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'Tis the luck of the Irish

So as it turns out, March just might be a lucky month for this Irish lady.

But because I've neglected you again, let's step back for a second. 2010 so far has vastly out-performed my expectations. A short recap.

February could be summed up in one word: Florida. The time I was in Florida... and the time I was not in Florida. I don't recall much about the Chicago days... but I had two solid weeks in Sanibel. And I remember every second. The weather wasn't ideal, but I did get a chance to hang out with my parents for an extended weekend - and my long-time girlfriends for another.

To sum up the girls' weekend... I had just put my two weeks in, Christina announced she was moving to Wal-Mart, Arkansas, Helen dropped the news that she was preggo and Katie was in the midst of job drama. Needless to say, the break was welcomed by all. Next year, we're all coming in Tuesday night. Fo to the sho.

So ya, I have a new job!!! Woohooo! And now that I'm moving forward from the guilt of leaving my old job (and all the drama that came with that the last two weeks)... I'm enjoying the new gig more and more every day. I started at Edelman on Monday working on two restaurant accounts... famous for cheesy biscuits and breadsticks (attempting not to get picked up by too many blog monitorers!) Any guesses?

And throughout all of this craziness... I thought it'd be a great idea to start seeing someone. And so far he hasn't done anything insane or red-flag-like. He's met all my low-standards of 1) Paying for first/second dates, 2) Not afraid of social media or modern technology, 3) Not afraid of (attending) weddings 4) Blinking during conversations and 5) Not making crude, racial or anti-sematic comments. So far it appears as if he might be normal... definitely no complaints. Timing (starting a relationship and a job in the same month!?)... not ideal. But I suppose you can't plan these things... so will just have to see where all of this pans out. I'll try and not be the screwed up one in this situation. :)

And if things couldn't be any better, I'm back to my old commute... no more 6-block treks to the 156. 151, I missed you! Somebody burst my bubble... no... actually... let's just let that bubble fly for a bit.

Thank you, March and 2010. I heart you.

Anyone else feel the luck of the Irish today or this month?

Share on.

Need a few Irish tunes to get you in the spirit? Here ya go.

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Notable Quotables

"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one."

-Jane Howard,British actress, model and novelist

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Make Room for 'The Room'

Last year on Valentine's Day weekend, my girl friends and I drank several bottles of wine, had an exclusive apartment dance party among five of us, plucked a dozen red roses looking for a creepy hidden camera (there's a bad poem behind that) and took shots every time we heard "Single Ladies." Last weekend, to celebrate the weekend of love, I joined 1800 other Chicagoans (and a group of about 15 friends) at the Music Box Theatre for a showing of "The Room."

To describe what I experienced will probably sound very cult-like... maybe slightly trek-y. But it was freaking hilarious. With spiked sodas and popcorn, plastic spoons and footballs, 10 of us lined up in a row, high school-style to enjoy America's Worst Movie Ever.

To make the event even more memorable, the 40 1/2 year old director AND leading character - Tommy Wiseau - made an appearance at this historical Southport theatre... his long mane still in-tact, and odd Arnold Swartzenegger accent echoing off the walls during the intro Q&A.

If you look "The Room" up on Wikipedia you'll learn that it contains no famous actors. That the plot is shallow ("Johnny's my best friend") ... the decor, ridiculous (spoons, spoons, spoons)... and the lines, amazing (i.e. "Oh hi, Johnny... I didn't see you there") and the acting, ground-breaking (tossing the football to each other three feet apart).

The 2003 film definitely earned every "bad movie" award that it was awarded. And getting a copy of the DVD for an extra $5 was also worth every penny. You can place yourself on the waiting list by posting a comment on this blog. Don't rush to type yet... there will be enough time to show to everyone. Although my boss has already reserved the first showing...

All in all... another Valentine's Day weekend to remember.... all while watching an off-color movie about the worst love-triangle ever invented and filmed. Not too shabby.

Any fun, non-traditional Vday stories from you readers?

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Notable Quotables

"A heart well prepared for adversity in bad times hopes, and in good times fears for a change in fortune." -Horace, Roman Poet

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Notable Quotables

"The opposite of love is not hate. It's selfishness."

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Toto...

Don't think we're in Florida anymore... this is the point in the year where I forget what summer looks like... and start to look at Craigslist.org for California apartments. (Pictures from the Chicago Tribune)

Any reminders about why we love Chicago are welcomed. Thanks.

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Sipping in Another City...

Only 15 more hours... two media exclusives (long story)... one 20 minute bus ride, 40 minute train ride, five hour plane ride and 40 minute car trip way from sunny (or not-so-sunny-right-now) Sanibel, Florida. Here. I. come.

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Notable Quotables

"All life is just a progression toward, and then a recession from, one phrase-'I love you.'" F. Scott Fitzgerald

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Notable Quotables

"I never said change would be easy. When you try to do big things and make big changes, it stirs passions and controversy - that's just how it is."

-President Barack Obama

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Finding a 'Thank You'

Being in the the business of public relations, specifically brand marketing, is often a thank-less job. Day-in and day-out, you work to build out strategic and creative programming to appeal to media... you sit through seminars on pitching... and craft pitches that achieve the perfect balance between witty and informative. Press releases are written. Events are planned. Spokespeople are booked.

This preparation and training eventually leads to sitting on the phone or emailing for hours pitching stories/news to media. At times, you find yourself listening to the voicemail messages of an endless number of editors and producers who seem to always be on deadline and never available for your 10 second practiced and rehearsed pitch (and you can really say a lot in 10 seconds... believe me). You send perfectly tailored email pitches with the most eye-opening subject line that you can imagine... praying that this one time, they will open your e-mail.

Or at other times, the media is eating up your story... you're balancing your day by scheduling interview after interview... nailing the key messages... delivering killer coverage and you end up with a gazillion impressions that often can be hard to directly tie back to sales of a product.

Your mom really has no clue what you do other than market products sold in a grocery store. People compliment you on your brand's advertising. No one can pronounce your agency's name right, and they chuckle when you give them your email address.

And the salary... let's just say is thankless in itself.

Especially in a year when media has changed so dramatically... newspaper staffs have been cut across the country and magazines seem to be dying every day... fighting the same PR vs. media battle can get weary.

But... then days come around when it all seems to click. When months of fighting for a program materializes into something truly mediable. When reporters suddenly embrace what you've been passionate about for what seems an eternity. When you and your team land a placement that you couldn't even dream up.

Today was that day. The ChicagoTribune.com shed some serious love on two of the products I work on. Although I'm not mentioning them by name, (to avoid this blog being picked up by blog monitoring alerts) I will direct you to the articles that speak for themselves.

McLovin this post

McLoving this post too

Even if I send a long, dramatic and overly-excited e-mail to my clients, copying the entire freaking company... and no one responds... I'll still be ecstatic. Because this is why we're here. Clearly not for the 'thank yous' (although they are nice).

We're here for creative processes, the strategic planning sessions and that amazing rush you can get from that perfect mention... Those are the 'thank yous' that give you the extra fuel to keep pitching... the additional confidence to make that one more call. Because although there's a 90 percent chance that either you'll get hung up on or hear another voicemail... it's that 10 percent where the relationships are built, the placements are made... and the programs succeed.

And so, I will file these away into my "heck ya" file... and remember, this actually is a pretty fun job. And be thankful that even after four years of working on the same products... two blog posts in the food section of ChicagoTribune.com can drive me to complete elation, for at least a day.

Until later... keep reading those papers and blogs... and watch out for more good news coming your way!

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Winter Park Pics

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Notable Quotables

"Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen."

Conan O' Brien

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A Winter Park Wonderland

Once upon a time there was a town that embraced winter. That prayed for snow. That loathed the thought of summer... that spent hundreds of dollars on outerwear so that they could stay outside one hour longer and take advantage of everything that Mother Nature brought them.

Clearly, I'm not describing Chicago. I'm talking about Winter Park, Colorado. Population 400.

As a city girl in all aspects of the word, visiting a town like Winter Park was refreshing, renewing and re-energizing. Why, you ask? Let me tell you...

• Unreal backdrop: Picture this. A regular CTA Chicago Plus Card owner and non-driver, taking to the winding, narrow mountain roads of Colorado in a larger-than-Colleen Nissan Armada. If I could have split myself in two... my better half would have taken advantage of this scenic drive in the passenger seat, snapping pictures at every opportunity. The reality was my more stressed-out self white-knuckling the steering wheel, praying that the "avalanche area" sign was just a formality. Don't you worry, however, once in Winter Park... my camera was out and ready. Montage to be posted tomorrow once I'm back in the comfort of my apartment... after I sleep a ridiculous amount of hours.
• Flirtation station: I don't know if it's that Chicago guys are intimidated/scared by Chicago women, if they just want to wait until some girl sweeps them off their feet or they just don't want to make the effort... but I often feel that the art of flirting is lost in the Windy City. Maybe it's the girl/guy ratio, or maybe it's the increased level of endorphins from skiing, but Colorado boys know how to flirt. And sometimes harmless flirtation from a normal, cute guy can really put a girl in a good mood. Just saying.
• Gym-free workout: Perhaps it was my lack of time on the slopes... or my lack of time in the gym, but skiing for a full day... I'm talking 10 a.m. - 4 p.m... with just a short lunch break... is a killer workout. Even just walking in those awkward ski boots must burn 100s of unknown calories non-trackable by a treadmill. Needless to say, I will be sore, and potentially tired, for the next week.

As much as I loved the Rocky Mountains... I'm looking forward to seeing the Chicago skyline in a few hours, getting a overly enthusiastic welcome greeting from my fur ball, Moxter and having a fun night out tomorrow with friends.

I will definitely re-visit Winter Park... but I'll always come back to sweet home Chicago.

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Menver or Bust

There are distinct turning points that can lead to an eternity of craziness or just a large pothole in an otherwise smooth road of life.

I had one of those moments this past weekend when I found out unexpected news about one of my December ex's. One sentence that made me question a majority of emotional decisions made throughout the past two years of my life. Just a few words that solidified every reason why we're not together. Seconds of a night... that have the potential to be replayed in my head for years.

Although I sat there silent, numb and unaffected... I couldn't help but recognize that oh-too-familiar feeling of not being good enough for that same someone. So right then and there, I vowed not to take the looney route... because it wasn't worth it. I promised myself to recognize the situation, feel what I felt... and then move on... and never. look. back. Or at least look back with completely clear glasses.

And so... instead of going crazy... I'm going to the land of mountains and men, the Vegas for single ladies, the center of sun and skiing. I'm going to Denver.

This dramatic weekend news was actually perfectly timed to fall right before a pre-planned business trip. And my bonus extended one-day ski trip will for sure help me shake this emotional slump/single gal pity party.

All day Friday, I'll be hitting the slopes with my pseudo-brother and his friends from college. I have every expectation that I will be the least fashionable of all the Winter Park ski bums... that my Gap attire will be shunned by the all the local Denverians cloaked in head-to-toe Northface wear... that my minor experience skiing on the hills of New York or Wisconsin will land me on my butt more times than I will ever admit.

But I also know that when I'm at the top of those mountains, ready to position my skis in the V formation, I will look out into those postcard-perfect, breath-taking views, and I'll get exactly what I need: Perspective.

...Perspective that life is too short to dwell on things that you have no control over. That there will be a day when I look back at last weekend as a positive turning point. A pivotal moment that led me into a great, confusion-free future.

Have you ever found yourself having to choose between the bunny hill of insanity and the black diamond of reality? Hope you found yourself a diamond.

Check you later gators... I'll see you on the slopes!

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Notable Quotables

"I've decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear."

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Piece of Something

Saturday night we continued our culinary tour of Chicago with a stop at Piece in Bucktown. I met my friend Alana there at 8 p.m. and, soon after, found myself going against everything I stand for as a low-maintenance city gal... I waited in line. In January. 20+ minutes.

Chicago may have more bars than apartment buildings... and for that reason, and just normal impatience, I don't believe in lines. In cold. In rubbing shoulders with strangers. In begging for drinks in an over-crowded trendy bar. I'll take Galway Bay over that any day.

But I do believe in pizza. And good looking guys. And live-band karaoke with Karaoke Dokey. And those three things enticed me to suck it up, stick it out... and wait for the much-talked-about thrill of Piece.

Once we were granted access, we placed our names on the list... 2 hour wait. Not even kidding here. I was rethinking my decision of hot yoga that afternoon, of not hydrating after and of not snacking prior to leaving. Three bad decisions made on a Saturday night. Instead I hydrated with a couple of their original brews - my favorite being the Swingin' Single.

The night was full of pizza, empty alcoholic calories and crazy good "American Idol"-worthy karaoke. Was it worth the wait? Sure...sign me up for another night of Piece... but maybe make it a Tuesday or Wednesday outing. And disregard their serving sizes. When they say, "Serves 2-3." That really means 5 -6.

Anyone else try a Piece this weekend?

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Notable Quotables

"Is there someone else?...No, but there's the dream of someone else."

You've Got Mail

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Shiso Hungry

Friday night. One birthday. Five friends. Two bottles of wine. Three hours of sushi gluttony. A solid equation for the beginning of a fanatabulously rad weekend.

My friend Kristine, the birthday girl, selected Shiso in Old Town as the lucky location of the evening. Having lived in Chicago for five years, I've frequented many BYOB sushi places. Shiso was a new find for me.

So after successfully making it through this horribly depressing January week, the five of us put on our lighter winter jackets (30 degrees - WOAH) and headed to North Ave and Cleveland to enjoy a slew of Japanese fare and each other's company.

The place was filled with friends and dates... not one table left open. If you're planning to check it out on a Friday or Saturday night, reservations are suggested. Between four of us who ate, we split six rolls and a birthday brownie Sunday. Needless to say, no one left hungry.

The highlight of the plates, hands down, no question, was the Shiso Signature roll. It's set at a higher price ($12.95) but completely worth it. As described on the menu, the Shiso Signature contains smoked salmon, avocado, jalapeno, cilantro and cream cheese deep fried. Wrapped with rice and black tobiko. Served with unagi sauce and spicy mayo on the side. Basically if that means nothing to you... it was like a piece of heaven in your mouth.

Afterwards we walked down the street and enjoyed a couple brews at the Old Town Ale House while admiring the random naked paintings of celebs like Blago and Sarah Palin. Hilar. Loved the bar... another great city find.

What about you? Any discovered or re-discovered Chi-town jewels?

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12 Months of Book Nerds

Book Club: Although this may have started off as just another overly-scheduled reason to get together and drink wine, our Tuesday night book club has turned into one of my favorite nights of the month. Headed into year two, we decided to revamp the book selection process and put together a calendar of books. This list will allow us to reserve books at the Chicago Public Libraries, read ahead on vacations and, most importantly, appease our type A personalities.

In case you want to join in virtually, below you'll find the list of books through November. Anyone have a suggestion for December?

January: "Three Cups of Tea," by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

February: "I'm with the Band: Confessions of a Groupie," Pamela Des Barres

March: "Olive Kitteridge," by Elizabeth Strout

April: "Robber Bride," by Margaret Atwood

May: "Half-Broke Horses," by Jeannette Walls

June: "Random Family: Love, Drugs, Trouble and Coming of Age in the Bronx," by Adrian Nicole LeBlanc

July: "The 27s: The Greatest Myths of Rock and Roll," by Eric Segalstad

August: "Say You're One of Them," by Uwem Akpan

September: "Too Much Happiness," by Alice Monro

October: "South of Broad," by Pat Conroy

November: "I Was Told There'd Be Cake," by Sloane Crosley

Happy reading!

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Notable Quotables - Three Cups of Tea

"When it is dark enough, you can see the stars." -Persian proverb

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CTA Profiling

Although Chicago is a very diverse city, let's be honest, the neighborhoods are not so much. And although a lot is segregated based on race/ethnicity, from when the immigrants settled in the Windy city, I feel like it's almost transforming more into lifestyle differences than anything else. It's like Chicago is a giant high school cafeteria and all the cliques represent the neighborhoods.

What made me think of this, you ask? Tonight I was meeting friends for dinner on Southport and took an irregular (for me) commute from work. From the Merchandise Mart, home of my new Cubicle, I hopped on the Brown line and was all of a sudden surrounded by a number of people, clearly heading to different neighborhoods.

Knowing I had to get off at Southport, but not really wanting to pay too much attention to maps or avert my hearing from my Ipod tunes, I scanned the car looking for the likely suspect who I guessed would be getting exiting at Southport. It took about .5 seconds to spot the trendy girls in the expensive outwear and nice purses. Young, preppy and total Southportians.

Was I right?

Well, I was totally judgemental... totally stereotyping... and totally RIGHT on.

I know... I know... it's like predicting the loud cell-phone girl on the bus is getting off the 134 at Diversey and Sheridan... or the student reading their textbook will get off the Red line at Fullerton or Loyola, but for a second, I patted myself on the back for my observation and prediction, saying to myself, "Man, do I know this city or what?!"

Have you CTA profiled recently? Maybe without even knowing? Try it next time your on the bus or train. And don't judge me... it's the winter, 8 degrees and we're expecting 12 inches of snow in the next 24-hours. We might be spending a LOT of time on public transportation in the coming days. No harm in a little guessing game or two.

Stay warm, Chicago.

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No Treadmill Left Behind

First Monday of the year... you know what that means: Official Workout Day. Everyone is inspired, despite all their past failed resolutions, to REALLY work out and be healthy this year. And so, every gym, every yoga studio and every treadmill was used and abused tonight. Every trainer repeated the mantra - no treadmill left behind - while they dreamt of March 1st... and the fall of the resolutions.

And so... it is only right that tonight was one of the weirdest yoga classes for me. First of all, with the on-slot of new yogis, the class began with loud chatter from the multiple friend groups surrounding me. Yoga rule of thumb is kind of like rush hour bus rules... you don't talk. It's relaxing... it's hot... but because I've been a zen of yoga for the past week... this didn't bother me as much as I thought it would.

Then as I arose and checked out the room, I had to smile when the tallest, skinniest man I've ever seen was in front of the studio in nothing but a speedo. Yes. Awesome. This made me silently laugh...realize my immaturity and thank God none of my friends were in the room. I am most certain this would have led to removing myself from class due to a case of the 6th grade girl giggles.

But the straw that broke the camel's back was the music selection. For the past week I've been raving about CorePower Yoga's music... but today, it was off. Whereas most times it completely relaxes me... this had the opposite effect. It was totally 90s jazzercise... and I kind of wanted to give up because I didn't have a thong leotard on to match the tunes.

Overall, I felt good for sweating out every ounce of sodium I consumed today... and still feel a bit of zen... even desipite the crazy experience.

Any fun gym stories from the Official Workout Day? Long wait to get into Kickboxing? Pick-up lines at the water fountain? Arm wrestling for the stationary bike?

Do tell....

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500 Days of Summer

In the past week, I've had two good friends recommend this movie to me. Both telling me that they watched and thought... this is a 'Colleen' movie. It has a witty script, great characters and realistic view of relationships; and if that's a 'Colleen' movie, that's a-okay with me. Although, at times, the couple mirrored one too many of my past relationships... it, in the end, is a hopeful movie.

Here's a few of, what I thought were, the most memorable lines from the movie:

"This is a story of boy meets girl. But you should know up front that this is not a love story."

"They used to call me 'anal girl.'.... I was very neat and organized."

"Girl: I'm going to the supply closet. Anyone need anything?

Boy: You know what I need.

Girl: Silence.

Boy: Toner. I need toner."

"Boy: This girl... she took a giant sh*t on my face. Literally.

Girl: Literally?

Boy: Okay... not literally."

"Tom walked to her apartment intoxicated by the promise of the evening. He believed that this time his expectation would align with reality."

"I know you thought that she was the one. But the next time you look back. Look closer."

"I just woke up and knew... what I was never sure of with you."

"Most days of the year are unremarkable. They begin and they end with no lasting memories made in between. Most days have no impact on the course of a life. May 23rd was a Wednesday."

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Korean-Style New Years Eve

Many New Years Eves have come and gone. They have involved champagne, noisemakers, sparkles and over-priced bar packages or house parties. Not much distinguishes one from the other. And since 21, many have followed with a day on the couch, nursing a notable hangover. Not one stands out from the others... until last night.

Last night, I traded in my much-sought-after Girl Talk ticket to attend my friend Cristy's birthday party at Korean Karaoke in Lincoln Square.

Let me set up the scene for you. This small establishment can be found in Lincoln Square... basically take Lincoln Ave and drive really really far away from the lake... and you'll eventually drive past it... most likely having to do a U-ey or two before you find it. You'll enter after locating the neon sign reading "Lincoln Karaoke." That's the name of the "bar."

It appears shady, a little like a mix between the DMV and a brothel... but don't be deceived, within each of the rooms contains two flat screen TVs that flash music lyrics and random pictures from Korea (i.e. butterflies, Koreans running, naked babies, etc), a few discos balls, hundreds of Korean and English-language songs.

For $15 a person, plus the price of drinks from the shared bar (with bartenders!), you can sing your heart out for six hours. And we did. I wasn't sure if I could sing karaoke and be entertained by it all night. But I can... and it was.

Maybe it was the great friends... or their great (er) voices, or maybe it was the full moon or the bubbly I was drinking... but as I counted down with the Koreans and my long-time friends, I had a great feeling about this year. If Korean Karaoke is any indication of the next 365 days, 2010 is going to be a memorable one.

Happy New Years everyone!

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