Sachar break...

Today, I started Louis Sachar's Cardturner. It was just released this morning. It is about the game of bridge and a teenager...it is better than it sounds. Sachar is the author of the Newbery award winner Holes, which became Disney movie. Next week, on Monday, Sachar will be signing books at my Barnes and Noble. I will be doing his introduction and need to read his newest book by then so I can talk about it. I am really excited to introduce someone I read when I was younger. It is so inspiring to have these types of interactions. :)

Today, I scheduled my interview for Millennium School in Homewood for Wednesday at 1. I cannot wait!!!!

Well, I have to be awake at 6:50AM tomorrow. I have tomorrow night off, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning all off. I am super excited. In that time, though, I will have to go see the orthopaedic doctor to look at my bad wrist. I am wearing a splint at the moment.

Ok, have a lovely night!!!

:)

Happy Mother's Day

I am finally finished with my papers, etc. I can now concentrate on working on reading more and just having fun. I have two weeks before I begin summer courses at Concordia. I also find out, soon enough, what it will take for me to be endorsed in elementary education in Illinois. I got a phone call yesterday from Homewood School District #125 for an interview; the message said the principal had reviewed my resume and wanted to speak with me. Tomorrow I will get to call them and schedule an interview. I feel good about this and really cannot wait to speak with someone in person.

What I do want to say is Happy Mother's Day. I have been slack in blogging because of paper writing and going out last night to celebrate! But, now I can get back on schedule and write, write, write. I want to thank my mom for being so supportive and so wonderful in all of my endeavors in Chicago. I know a lot has happened up here and I am so sorry to stress you out when I get ruffled or something happens. I appreciate you listening and I cannot thank you enough. A lot more has happened here than I ever would have thought while in Chicago. There have been many good things to share on top of the hard things and thank you for listening to it all. Although it has been difficult at times, thank you. I know everything is going to look up. Thanks for taking care of me as if I were at home even though you are 900 miles away. I love you so much and thank you for everything! :) I cannot wait to fly you up here this summer and celebrate Mother's Day with you in some of my favorite places in the city!

Love you so much! Happy Mother's Day to my friend Sarah, as well! It is her first Mother's Day and I am very happy for her new family! Happy Mother's Day to all of the experienced mothers, too!

Barnes and Noble has been crazy because of the holiday. All of the crazies have come out lately. It has made work a little nauseous, but I will get through it.

Gotta be at work at 8:45AM...big day tomorrow...workout at 5:45. I only got three hours of sleep last night, so I gotta get on! Sleep well!

Chinatown

Today was unproductive in the sense that I did not read for fun like I usually do. I totally took it easy and did nothing. I went to Chinatown for lunch and then came home and slept. Hmmm. I only venture to Chinatown once every few months. Today's venture was to buy a little stalk of bamboo to replace one I killed. My bamboo trip cost me $1.65 for two stalks. I love how stores rip customers off by charging like ten bucks for bamboo when you can get it from Chinatown for nothing. This is one piece of evidence for positive reinforcement of living in the city. Down there (being Chinatown is just South of the Loop), everything is cheap. Cheap food, cheap plants, cheap whatever. It really goes to show that it does not cost much to manufacture goods. Inflation is a biotch. I also bought a bobblehead porcelain panda for nothing. My total trip cost around $7. What a day.
When I got home from Chinatown, I put a third coat of paint on the entryway wall. Bridget and I (primarily Bridget), are painting everything. Today, she hit up a couple of coats in the entryway and painted the bathroom. We are both going to get the kitchen soon. I am excited about having all of this painting. I feel like I live in my apartment now. :) It is so nice to come home to all of this during the day. I actually took a nap on the couch which has happened only once before. A lot of positive energy here. A job is next!!! :)
I have some visitors coming this summer and I am really excited. Eva and her friend are coming May 22 and my friend Matt from California is coming in June (I think 16th). My mom is coming up, too! I am so excited about company! It will be great, especially with a newly redone apartment.
Tomorrow, I work at Barnes and Noble at 8:45AM...so, I guess I should say today...and it just started lightning outside. Storms are pretty bad at night here. I never see storms during the day, they always happen at night here...but since I live on the lake, it is pretty spectacular to watch it above Michigan.

Check a few blogs back, too, to the one about my day at the Conservatory. I have FINALLY posted some really nice pictures. :) I am happy about the summer because it is time to have adventures and share them!

Have a wonderful night!

You live on Avenue Q

Today was a very productive day. The weather was beautiful and I did so much. I started out by taking a trip to Concordia in River Forest to get my Financial Aid in line for the summer; I overshot my book voucher for books and ended up going on a shopping spree in the bookstore with my voucher since it was already pulled for books. After, I drug my friend Jeff out to Oak Park to walk around the Frank Lloyd Wright home and studio and to look around ten other Wright homes on Forest Avenue. I never get tired of seeing Oak Park. The scenery is gorgeous and being able to see so much Wright is fascinating. I would love to eventually live there, especially since it is right off the Green Line; it is nice to see that CTA extends so far out. After picture taking, I had a grueling trip back North. There is no convenient way to get from Oak Park back to Rogers Park. The freeway only does so much good before you have to get off and end up taking a hundred different major roads to get there...even though they are major, they have thousands of stop signs and stop lights.Tonight was the highlight of my week, month, year/etc. I had the opportunity to see Avenue Q with friends that were generous benefactors. Our seating was really close to the stage. For those of you who do not know about the show, it is about breaking past what is routine and learning to accept the things in life that are unavoidable. It is about overcoming barriers and loving everyone. Half of the cast is puppets and the other half is people. The people do control the puppets right on stage and use a lot of facial expressions as they are singing. They are just as much of it as the puppets in which they control.

Basically, Avenue Q is a dumpy part of New York City. It focuses on Brian and Christmas Eve (a married couple), Rod and Nicky (the closeted gay and his roommate), Princeton and Kate Monster (lovers learning their way), Trekkie Monster (a pervert), the Bad Idea Bears (always show up to help everyone make bad decisions), Lucy the Slut and Gary Coleman (the superintendent of Avenue Q...I am Gary Coleman from TV's Different Strokes, I made a lot of money that got stolen by my folks). The plot deals with all of these people, especially Princeton, trying to figure out who they are and what they are supposed to be doing. Princeton is set on his purpose the entire time. In fact, every few minutes, two TV screens descend from the ceiling and show purpose on it...it shows his ideas and what he wants to do. The screens also express their emotions...I cannot even describe it at all. I guess you have to see it...to make it easy to understand, what is shown on the TV screen will make you laugh...a lot. Instead of having the cast act during the opening song, the screens descended and showed a cartoon of what they were singing about. It was riot.

So, back on track here, there were a couple of things that really stuck out to me in this musical. The first is that the actors/singers sounded exactly like the CD recording of the Tony Award winning cast. I was so impressed. You always fear what it might sound like if there is a certain expectation. Seeing as I know the words to every song in Avenue Q, I was worried I might be disappointed. I was not. Then, there were the things they did and said. There was a woman, a kindergarten teacher in it whose name was Ms. Thistletwat...she was old and bitchy. Kate is a kindergarten assistant for her and ends up sleeping in one day. Thistletwat says that she is no good and is a disgrace like all other monsters. Kate quits, but the woman says she is fired. Kate says she cannot be fired if she quits and tells her to shut it "old bitch." The woman tells her she is going to Hell; Kate simply responds "I'll see you there." So, Kate is out of a job. Well here is the best part that is parallel to me. She says I got cut from teaching and I work at Barnes and Noble. I make less money than I have ever made...but I am happy. I thought I was going to choke when I heard that. She and I are doing the same thing. HAHA.

So, during the madness of the musical...Christmas Eve (a Chinese who mixes her L's and R's) and Brian get married. Everyone wore yamacas and they strung up Chinese lanterns all over the stage. Gary Coleman married them and said "By the powers invested in me as a former child star..." Christmas Eve was wearing a dress that was made of a lot of what looked like tool on the bottom and then this red get-up as a top. The bottom lit up with Christmas lights and the back of the top opened up and displayed a little light show. It was hilarious. Once again...cannot describe.

After the wedding, Christmas tells Kate she will throw her the bouquet so she could show Princeton (Kate and Princeton are dating now). Princeton overhears and the TV screens pop down again. The word Purpose pops up. All of a sudden the U and the R switch spots. PRUPOSE. Then, the middle of the. U moves up to form an O. It says PROPOSE. Then, the lights flicker on stage and smoke comes out. Princeton is screaming...A large Princeton (one of the human cast members comes out with a Princeton head on...it was the guy playing Brian since his tuxedo was still on) comes out on stage. All of a sudden, a GIANT puppet hand comes down over the set...then a gigantic Kate Monster head with a vail on rises above the buildings on stage. She lets out a MWUHAHAHAHA laugh and is holding a bouquet the size of my bedroom. It was funny how it was depicted. I know this blog makes no sense to anyone reading it, it will help me with my memories, though.

The last thing I will comment on is the finale. The song is titled For Now. For Now is something I should listen to everyday. These are the lyrics:

PRINCETON: Why does everything have to be so hard? GARY COLEMAN: Maybe you'll never find your purpose. CHRISTMAS EVE: Lots of people don't. PRINCETON: But then- I don't know why I'm even alive! KATE MONSTER: Well, who does, really? Everyone's a little bit unsatisfied. BRIAN: Everyone goes 'round a little empty inside. GARY COLEMAN: Take a breath, Look around, BRIAN: Swallow your pride, KATE MONSTER: FOr now... BRIAN, KATE, GARY, CHRISTMAS EVE: For now... NICKY: Nothing lasts, ROD: Life goes on, NICKY: Full of surprises. ROD: You'll be faced with problems of all shapes and sizes. CHRISTMAS EVE: You're going to have to make a few compromises... For now... TREKKIE MONSTER: For now... ALL: But only for now! (For now) Only for now! (For now) Only for now! (For now) Only for now! LUCY: For now we're healthy. BRIAN: For now we're employed. BAD IDEA BEARS: For now we're happy... KATE MONSTER: If not overjoyed. PRINCETON: And we'll accept the things we cannot avoid, for now... GARY COLEMAN: For now... TREKKIE MONSTER: For now... KATE MONSTER: For now... ALL: But only for now! (For now) Only for now! (For now) Only for now! (For now) Only for now! Only for now! (For now there's life!) Only for now! (For now there's love!) Only for now! (For now there's work!) For now there's happiness! But only for now! (For now discomfort!) Only for now! (For now there's friendship!) Only for now (For now!) Only for now! Only for now! (Sex!) Is only for now! (Your hair!) Is only for now! (George Bush!) Is only for now! Don't stress, Relax, Let life roll off your backs Except for death and paying taxes, Everything in life is only for now! NICKY: Each time you smile... ALL: ...Only for now KATE MONSTER: It'll only last a while. ALL: ...Only for now PRINCETON: Life may be scary... ALL: ...Only for now But it's only temporary Ba-dum ba-dum Ba-dum ba-dum Ba dum ba-dum Ba-da da da da ba-da da-da da da-da Ba-dum ba-da, ba-dum ba-da ohhhh- PRINCETON: Everything in life is only for now

The only part that changes of the song is the fact that instead of saying "George Bush" they scream Glenn Beck...which is so appropriate...ahahah. The song is a great way to realize that everything will work out. The cast was so phenomenal at performing and really made you feel good by the end. For Now has made me realize I will be out of all of this soon. Soon, I will be working at a school...it's only temporary. :) This is a recording of the London Cast of Avenue Q performing For Now (just click on the link). I think you will enjoy it.

So, that is my rant about Avenue Q. Tomorrow I will be heading down to Chinatown early in the morning. Enjoy the evening! :)

Moving fast

Today was a busy, busy day. The reading I completed was about a particular debate held in South Carolina hosted by Brian Williams. Apparently, all of the Democratic leaders ganged up on Hillary and cornered her. It was the first time she had shown any weaknesses at all during the whole campaign and the nominees were loving it. They were scornful and harsh. Even Obama was not too cheery when he found her weak spot. Fortunately, she was able to cover her tracks somewhat even though the press had a field day with her.

That was it for reading today. I had a lot of graduate work to finish for the end of the course and I worked.

Work was nuts. I wanted to leave so badly. Mondays are harsh, but we were scheduled so lightly. So many Strict on Sales come out tomorrow. Be prepared...just about every author is releasing a new book tomorrow and we had to set them all tonight before we left. I feel like everyone in the world wrote a book and had its release date set to this week. This is a good sign of being able to tell the beach season is here and that people are vacationing or going on plane rides. Most of the population of Skokie is Jewish and many will be making birthright trips to Israel over the summer, so all of this reading material will be perfect for a plane. Rick Riordan, author of The Lightning Thief, released a new book...well it will come out today...Tuesday. It is about Egyptology and Egyptian Gods. It is a new twist on is other books. Should draw some people to the store...

Tomorrow is a big day. I go to Barnes and Noble at 8AM...after I just got home at midnight and work til 3. I have to pay rent and then go to grad school. After grad school...gym. Oh gym. Tomorrow is my last day of grad for two weeks. Concordia wants to help me get certified in Elementary Education, too. They said I am so close to having an elementary degree and want to help me out. This will be great! More to come on that soon!!!!

Well have a wonderful day!

:)

Oh Mr. Edwards

John Edwards is a little more fiery than I would have thought being that he is a Southern man. I figured by now he would have been a pushover considering his wife is a bia, he has a mistress, his wife has cancer, his campaign staff is falling over and clearly, he was not in the lead. But, he steadily moves right on. Now, there are some requests that he stay away from Rielle Hunter. She has already caused enough "pain" in Elizabeth's life (Edwards did not seem to be in any pain from attacks about Rielle...he fired one of his assistants because of his accusations). He called the Enquirer on Elizabeth's behalf to stop an article that was going to come up. He claimed she was going to be in too much pain and it might kill her since they had a family. Elizabeth called them and blessed them out and said she would die if they printed anything about Edwards and Hunter. One of the directors of the Enquirer felt bad and it was not run. So, they gave in. Her maliciousness and mind games got her just about anywhere from what I have read. People at work were talking about her being such a hot-headed ass. I realize she was sick, but that is no excuse to treat people like they are nothing at all.

Today was an eventful day at work. We had Keshet sponsor a book fair. Keshet is a not for profit Jewish school for special needs. They usually make thousands of dollars. Keshet is Hebrew for rainbow. Their way of raising money today for the bookfair was by having Southpaw, the Chicago White Sox mascot come to Barnes and Denis Savad, former Chicago Blackhawks Hockey player and NHL Hall of Famer. We also had a children's author stop in to do a special Storytime. It was quite eventful. I am tired. So, I will leave you with a couple of pictures.

Southpaw and me...I know it is blurry...
Savad and me

Gooooooooodnight!

Slackadaisical

I have been slacking at blogging lately, but I have been reading. I have taken a little vacation from writing papers and have been reading, running, lifting and doing stuff I want to do. I have really enjoyed it. But, paper time is going to come today!

So, as far as Game Change, I have moved from the Obama/Hillary section and have ended up in Edwards Land. It has been really interesting. I have learned that he used to be really down to earth. Apparently, he is from North Carolina; this would be the obvious reason he was ever down to earth, anyway!!! Around the same time Edwards decided to run, Elizabeth, his wife, found out she was developing cancer. This complication probably came about, as some doctors thought, because she had their youngest daughter at the age of 49 and their son at 50. (WOW). Instead of being humble and happy to be alive, she was always angry and mean to Edwards. She called him a hick in front of people and referred to his parents as rednecks. She considered herself educated and him a mere mongrel. She was not a nice lady. He was once asked what he was reading and she intervened and said "I do all of the reading." She was ugly to his staff, ugly to the campaign, ugly to donors, ugly to him and just mean to everyone. The woman was not joyful and it showed to everyone.

As time progressed, John became a little egotistical...well actually, very egotistical. The book says he became obsessed with money and started becoming rude to donors and his campaign staff. He also became a little whiny. How nice. He began requesting to do things that cost a lot of money. He would pick his flights based on what in-flight movies were playing and would only fly first class. He wanted to do everything that cost. Champagne taste with a champagne pocketbook, though. He could afford it. Elizabeth's family was worth millions.

During one trip to the Regency Hotel in New York City, a girl named Rachel Hunter approached he and one of his staff in a hotel bar. She couldn't believe it was him and commented on how much better he looked in person. His staff member drove her away from him. But, they ended up running into each other again. The staff thought it was pre-arranged and that he had met her before and had arranged for this (another political affair). Eventually, they became really good "friends." He always requested Hunter to be around and would never go anywhere without her. She tagged herself as a sort of medium that could help out with the election. She would talk New Age crap all the time and openly flirt. She was an embarrassment to the staff, but John loved having her around. Of course, as we all know, this developed into something...there is a book about it. Now Edwards can join the ranks of Bill Clinton and Mark Sanford. Last night, I was in Dominick's and saw a tabloid with a picture of Obama and a woman that was not Michelle. They are trying to make it look like he came out of a hotel with her. Amazing. And they say Oprah is a lesbian.

The book is moving away from Hillaryland and Obama for the moment. When it closed out of their chapter, the authors expressed Obama's new found confidence in the campaign and the election. He was sure he was going to win!

Time, or some derivative, used Hillary Clinton as their cover girl this month. Underneath her stern look is a caption that says Obama's Bad Cop. I think it is classic. If she were our president, she would be our bad cop. I think she is going to take care a lot of our little underlying issues with foreign policy, wars, etc, to help build our relations with others. Hopefully, the gesture will be a little more than sweeping our issues under the rug.
After seeing this picture, I sometimes wonder what the relationship is between Hillary and Obama. I wonder if they get along, if they are snarky to each other or if they are friendly only because they have to be...well I guess they really don't have to be. She is the reason he is our president. If it were not for her initial support, we probably would not have Obama...but at the same time, she lost her spot because of him. I think if he were not in the picture, she would have been president.

Lately has been pretty busy. Like I said, I have been making some time for myself and have been enjoying such beautiful days. We did have some thunderstorms last night, but today turned out to be a beautiful overcast day. I had lunch on the lake with Tim and Bridget. Bridget is now in my apartment. We actually have cooking utensils and the apartment feels as though it it is lived in. She is also getting acclimated to the Subway next door. I think they are really going to like her. She has already started learning names. They recognized her as being my new roommate when I walked in with her.

Barnes and Noble has been a little tense lately. All of us know something is up, but we are not sure what. The customer base has been pretty quiet amazingly. Last night, a group of girls walked in as soon as close came. They were probably 13-15. They bolted down the stairs. I immediately told them to leave because we were closed. But we have to pee. I said: Well that's not my problem, pee outside. They protested but I told them that I didn't care and that it was raining, so no one would know. Oh teenagers.

Tonight, I close the store. I am sure it is going to be a quiet night...knock on wood. The weather is overcast, as I said. Yesterday, even on a sunny day before the storms, there were no customers. I was able to get some stuff done and I was able to talk about books with interesting customers. I like it when I can actually take time to engage in conversations with customers...who are interesting; I learn a lot about books that I might want to read at some point in time.

Well, for today, this is it. I think I am a couple of steps closer to being able to quit Gap and start a new job...or at least transfer to a more positive Gap that is not filled with such assanine people.

Have a wonderful afternoon!