The boys in DC are looking out after your interests, yo.
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I may not have a TV at home, but I've discovered a few shows via Hulu recently. I'm totally hooked on Once Upon a Time, Grimm and Smash (especially Smash). At only $7.99/month, Hulu+ is an ideal alternative to cable for me. (Now if they'd only cut a deal with HBO for Game of Thrones... dammit.)
As some of you are aware, I recently underwent major oral surgery -- in 16.5 hours I went from a mouthful of teeth to no teeth to a mouthful of temporary teeth.
Here are some observations:
Now I know what the phrase "like pulling teeth" really means.
My brother tells me that toothless is not my best look.
My brother tells me that I should be commended for having the guts to go out in public looking like Jacob Marley's ghost. He also confessed that he wouldn't have. (The big chicken!)
16.5 hours is a very long time to sit in a dentist's chair.
If you're going to get implants, get 'em all done at once. It's not brave. Brave would be willingly going through that more than once.
If the dentist offers you more novocaine -- TAKE IT. Don't gut it out.
Apparently I have a very high pain tolerance.
You are going to need more than four days off before going back to work -- mostly to wait for the swelling to go down and bruising to fade so your coworkers don't think you're a domestic battery victim.
Buy a couple of large gel packs and have them in the freezer before going to the oral surgeon. The eensy weensy ones you'll get from your oral surgeon are a joke.
It's a good thing you can't get stretch marks on your face, because the amount of swelling is amazing.
You'll look fine the day after. It's the day after the day after that you'll start looking like crap.
"You look pretty good, considering everything we did to you," is not a morale booster.
I just don't have it in me to do an all liquid diet for six months.
Mushy food mostly sucks.
On the other hand, I finally took my brand new food processor out of the box an put it to good use.
If toothless isn't my best look, neither is two black eyes and a purple Fu Manchu.
With your temporaries in place you'll be lithping like Winthrop Paroo. Temporaries are made of acrylic and are very thick.
My temporary choppers are bee-yoo-tee-ful... but I want my permanents, and I want them right now.
I am hyper-aware of the temporaries and of the lithping; therefore, I'm talking a whole lot less... and I was much more of a listener than a talker in the first place.
Oddly, talking less has lead to blogging less. Don't ask me why -- I surely don't know. And I'll try to do better.
What was your favorite childhood (purported) food that now makes you scratch your head in wonder? (I've got too many to count!) _____
PSA:
Do you have a universal life insurance policy? If so, you may just want to request an in-force ledger illustration. Prepare to be shocked when you get it. _____
Things I'm Digging This Week:
I'm not in any way, shape or form an oatmeal for breakfast kind of girl. I want eggs, bacon and toast on a regular basis. But, given that bacon is not on the list of mushy foods I'm allowed, I've gotten a little desperate. Fortunately, I tripped across BetterOats' mmm... muffins old fashioned instant oatmeal with flax. Yummy stuff, and not the texture of wallpaper paste.
I have a 9" Tiffany pewter bowl on my desk that I got for hanging around the company for 10 years. I put it to work as the world's largest candy dish. Normally I fill it with Hershey's kisses, Starburst jelly beans, and all sorts of appallingly normal American candy. This weekend, however, I trolled the ethnic aisles at my local Shop 'N Save and found Mieszanka Krakowska in the Polish section. Not reading a word of Polish, I figured they were fancy hard candies (and cheap), so I threw a bag in my cart.
I'm not a big candy person. Give me salt or tart. I'm the one that will choose the savory dessert plate over the chocolate mousse at a fancy restaurant. I have a piece of candy out of that ginormous candy dish maybe once a week or so. Until now.
"Named after Poland's most romantic city, these chocolate covered jellies come in a variety of flavors: orange, lemon, pineapple, raspberry. Each jelly is slightly tart, not too sweet and covered with a rich dark chocolate which makes these a favorite with adults."
I wish Gavin Coyle's version was up on YouTube, because it's absolutely haunting (and has been stuck in my head for days). _____
Update: I just noticed that Gavin Coyle will be playing at the Fifth Province Pub at the Irish American Heritage Center on June 9th. Does anyone want to go??? This is fabulous news!
I'm pleased to share the news that Seanachai Theatre Company is throwing a special benefit on Monday, June 13th from 7-10 p.m. at the Irish American Heritage Center in Chicago.
What's so special about it? John Mahoney has agreed to do a dramatic poetry reading, and a meet and greet immediately following!
Of course I find this and this when I can't have any bacon, dammit! _____
Lest you think that I think that all Democrats are profligate wasters... I luuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrvvvve me some Toni Preckwinkle:
"[I]f we don’t impose some discipline on the county now it just gets harder and harder going forward. We need to make our plans and figure out how we’re going to provide services in an environment in which resources are less. That’s just how it is."
Let her run for President and she'll have my vote. That woman's got balls of titanium and she ain't afraid to whip 'em out! _____
I heard Gavin do this for the first time this morning on Dean Richards' Sunday Morning show, and just had to share it with you. Gorgeous!
_____
Whoohoo! They finally opened the Merchandise Mart to the general public! Get all the details on how to get in and how to get around here.
I'll be wandering that place over and over and over again, as there are a gazillion showrooms there.
_____
Go read this to understand why I'm so disappointed a trip to Ireland is not in my budget again this year.
Our crock of gold may have turned out to be a crock of s--t, but the very essence of our country — the beauty of our landscape, the richness of our history, the friendliness of our people — will never disappear. That landscape can’t be sold, our traditions and our history are eternal, our hospitality is an unwavering fact.
The land is magical and its people the warmest and most welcoming of anywhere I've ever been.
"I've been a derelict blogger the last couple weeks, but you've been fooking nonexistent! What, did you go to Ireland again and get married?" -- My Norwegian Pal from the North Woods
Ummm... no and no (although the former would be nice) (and the latter is not high on my bucket list... although there's a certain smolderingly hot Italian bartender from one of my favorite Dublin pubs who would at least have me toying with the idea for a day or two if: a) I had enough Black Bush in my system and b) I'd completely taken leave of my senses).
Work has been crazy busy. That Was Then opened, and I've been helping out with front-of-the-house stuff like box office and concessions (including an odd experience with a strange little woman who looked like a character straight out of The Simpsons, but that's a story for another day). This required convoluted train scheduling and extra travel time. I've been up to my eyeballs in biographies -- looooooooooong biographies. I was sick one day. I didn't feel like it a few times. I got distracted a few more times.
Between Mad Mikey and Harper, however, I've been suitably chastised... and it's nice to have been missed.
Now back to my regularly scheduled blogging... _____
[S]cientists claim to have settled the score once and for all: Guinness tastes better in Ireland than anywhere else.
Experts from the Institute of Food Technologists carried out extensive taste surveys in 33 cities in 14 countries to find the best place for a pint of the black stuff.
And the majority of testers said they enjoyed a pint of plain in Ireland far more than in any other location.
The study, which claims to be the first to scientifically prove that the stout doesn't travel well, used 'non-expert' tasters, each from different countries, to conduct the test.
It took 103 in 71 different pubs where factors such as pub ambience, Guinness appearance, flavour, and aftertaste were all considered.
Using a Visual Analogue Scale which ranks enjoyment from 1-100, Guinness drinking in Ireland averaged a score of 74, compared to just 57 anywhere else.
There's another reason, not raised by this article:
The only place their Quality Team shows up to inspect taps, lines, refrigeration temperatures and the like, and where they'll yank the publican's license if they don't comply with their quality standards is Ireland.
(And I certainly would have volunteered to be a part of that tasting panel!) _____
His last book in this series had at least three "firm" publication dates on Amazon.com, and each one came and went whizzing by over the course of more than 18 months.
I call bullshit. He hasn't even turned in the final manuscript yet... because it's not DONE yet.
Oh, well. At least we now know what the cover will look like. _____
The good folks at CSN Stores apparently like me and my readers, as they've authorized me to do another give-away. I'm still figuring out just what kind of contest it'll be. In the meantime, start sharpening your wits if you want to win. Stay tuned!
Faster, please! Lately there's been a blowhard sitting at the far end of my usual train car. He pontificates loudly to his seat mate all the way in to the city, and he's never got one good thing to say about anything or anyone. Bleah. _____
Oh, sure! Now use Rep. Giffords' attack as an excuse to make yourself better than the rest of us peons, will ya?
Actually, you could probably say this about any of the women President Tin-Ear chose to take to Washington, D.C.:
"You kind of have to drop the standard for the [insert name here], right?" the official explained late Thursday. "I mean, she's pretty well liked and probably doesn't know what she's doing."
No, we don't have to drop that standard (unless of course, she's a New Black Panther, and that's a whole 'nuther kettle of fish).
Is this the worst thing to afflict an election? Of course not. Armed New Black Panthers were obviously much worse. In the larger scheme of things, Michelle Obama’s lawbreaking is authentic “small potatoes.” But someone in her position has a higher obligation to the institutions our nation treasures, like the rule of law.
The stand-up response from the first lady, and the White House press shop, would be to admit a mistake, affirm they believe in respect of the rules that protect election integrity. But this isn’t a stand-up administration. Like the stonewall that followed the New Black Panther dismissal, we have learned that this is an administration incapable of admitting they screwed up.
But they're only allowed to find fault with others -- never with themselves. _____
I have my own theories about that, including that for a lot of men, sex is affection and he's showing you just how much he likes you. In fact, he's probably showing you who he thinks he is.
But since I'm not a guy, I'm throwing this out to my male readers. I'm not saying you would do this, but help a girl out and give me the hows and whys of some guys thinking this is a good idea. _____
Okay, it's not just me -- the number of suicides in this area has been much higher than normal:
Boy, I hope we can get our arms around recognition and prevention very soon.
If you know something, speak out. Don't think someone's kidding if they talk about ending it all.
A 2010 study by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that adults ages 18 to 25 were far more likely to have seriously considered suicide in the last year than those ages 26 to 49, and nearly three times more likely than those 50 or older.
If they're talking about it at all, find help fast. _____
Who knew the Reb Smuley was this smart and open minded?
Seanachai Theatre Company's production of The Weir opened to a sold out house last night! I'm hearing that it's a really a fabulous show, and can't wait to see it myself. (I'll be there tonight, but working "shush patrol" in the hallways. Tomorrow I'll actually get to see the show.)
Stop by The Fifth Province, an authentic Irish Pub, located on the first floor of the IAHC, for all the best in Irish entertainment.
The pub is open every Friday and Saturday night and friends can gather to grab a pint and sit by the fireplace. Pub food, like fish and chips, onion rings, corned beef sandwiches and Irish sausage are available for those wishing to grab a bite to eat. The building is wheelchair accessible.
The pub is open to the public on Friday and Saturday nights and live music begins at 9pm. There's plenty of free parking and rarely a cover charge, making this one of Chicago's hidden gems.
Fifth Province hours are Friday, 4pm-1am and Saturday 5pm-1am and pub food is served from 6pm to 10pm.
Grab a bite to eat, see the play, go back down and indulge in a pint or two, a bit of craic and some wonderful music, too.
Who could ask for a better evening of entertainment?
_____
Update: Whoohoo! We're Jeff recommended! (The buzz was correct. Nice.)
As anybody who's been reading for a while knows, Tuesday night is Therapy Night. Tonight's was really special:
Mr. Bill (best friend and intrepid travel companion throughout Ireland) was in the house.
The amazing Judy -- artist, photographer, lover of art and architecture (also a great travel companion, especially in Ireland) -- was in attendance.
Walt (who keeps Beefeater in business) was in the house.
Joe Gass popped up from St. Louis...
... and got to meet the lovely and talented Monica, who has become an integral part of the group due to her multiple passions of music, architecture and literature...
We got to meet Kurt (or is it "Curt"), an actuary who is anything but boring...
His friend Erin, who totally grabbed my buddy Walt's attention...
The conversation simply rocked. Books. Music. Theater. Employment was the least of the interesting things on the table.
If you're in town on a Tuesday, drop me an email. There's always room for one more at the table, and there's always an interesting conversation.
Right. I believe I'll see snow. But I'm skeptical about Martin being close to finishing ADWD. His last update to the book said he was close back in January of 2008. He's managed to get several other books published in the meantime, just not the Fire & Ice book I'm so damned anxious to get in my hot little hands. (Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!! He lives to toy with my patience...)
I play in a band, we're the best in the land We're big in both Chelsea and France I play one mean guitar and then score at the bar There's a line of chicks waiting for their chance So come on now honey, I'll make you feel pretty These other gals mean nothing to me Let's finish these drinks and be gone for the night 'Cause I'm more than a handful, you'll see
[Chorus:] So kiss me, I'm shitfaced I'm soaked, I'm soiled and brown in the trousers, she kissed me And I only bought her one round
I can bench press a car, I'm an ex football star with degrees from both Harvard and Yale Girls just can't keep up, I'm a real love machine I've had far better sex while in jail I've designed the Sears Tower, I make two grand an hour I cook the world's best duck flambe I'll take the pick of the litter, girls jockey for me I don't need these lines to get laid
[Chorus]
I'm a man of the night, a real ladies delight See my figure was chiseled from stone One more for the gal then I'll escort her home Come last call, I'm never alone I've a house on the hill with a red water bed That puts Hugh Heffnor's mansion to shame With girls by the pool and Italian sports cars I'm just here in this dump for the game
[Chorus x2]
Ahh, fuck it. Who am I shitting?
I'm a pitiful sight, and I ain't all that bright I'm definitely not chiseled from stone I'm a cheat and a liar, no woman's desire I'll probably die cold and alone
But just give me a chance, 'cause deep down inside I swear I got a big heart of gold I'm a monogamous man, no more one night stands Come on, honey, let me take you home
