Moose?

So I applied to be a dog-walker for the weekends. Sadly, most places only want someone during the week and during the day (which makes sense for walking dogs, I suppose). But I did have one interview over the phone yesterday. It was one of the most bizarre interviews I think I'll ever have.

Q: If you walked into an apartment, and the dog had pooped everywhere- and I mean EVERYWHERE- what would you do?

A: Uh, well...I uh....well....I'd probably clean it up. *Then I thought, but some people think dogs are kids.* And I'd probably call their owner and then discipline them in the way the owner and I had talked about. You'd want to deal with it right away, so they wouldn't be confused about the punishment, if there is one....uh....yeah.

Q: So, we have this huge black lab. Over a hundred pounds. His name is Moose. And he's REALLY stubborn. If you were walking him, and he didn't want to go, what would you do?

A: Well, since I'm a pretty small girl, this has happened to me a lot when walking dogs (a lot meaning like twice in my life). I'd probably let him wander a bit, but then when it was time to go, give him a tug and say "Come Mousse!" in my stern voice. *Then remembering the child/dog association again* But not too hard or anything- just so they know who's boss.

I was tempted to say something like, "I'd probably kick him in the face" for laughs, but then figured they wouldn't laugh with me! I was also in the middle of the pepper isle in the grocery store, so that might've sounded a little harsh.

By far my favorite interview in Chicago so far....

Macy's

I went to the Chicago Macy's today for the first time. It had been a long day at work (long meaning dramatic) and instead of fuming around, I thought a walk would be good. My co-worker Quekan needed to return something to Macy's, so we decided to go.

I rode up and down the glass elevator, sifted through the sale racks, smelled oddly shaped bars of soap, and mozied around 9 floors of things I didn't need. But then, at the lower level, there was something AMAZING. A piano area!

If I were to sell my car, I could buy a piano. Granted, not a Steinway or anything....but a nice, shiny beautiful-sounding piano. It would bring joy to my heart and annoyance to my neighbors....

Worth it?

Oh Chicago Traffic

Usually I don't drive my car. In fact, I don't drive it often enough that almost EVERY time I use my car, someone has left a "We Buy Junk Cars" poster or a "I'll buy your car as is. Call me. -Paul" note somewhere on it.

But yesterday I had to drive out to the suburbs for a few meetings for work. The day started out well. I met with a few people from cool organizations. I talked with a pastor for 2 hours, almost quit my job to help him with his vision for his congregation (not really, but he was very compelling), and was given homemade jam and a recipe book.

The bad part started when I tried to go home. A blizzard decided to begin and the 35 minute drive back to the city turned into a 3 1/2 hour journey of semis and honking and mini-vans swerving in and out of traffic on a one-way bridge. People get crazy around here when it snows (apparently).

Needless to say, I went home, cuddled up in some sweats, made myself some tea and curry and swore to NEVER DRIVE AGAIN. Well, until my next meeting in the suburbs...tomorrow.....

My latest (and most sad) discoveries:

1. Coffee-Mate

The first ingredient: Corn Syrup Solids

Does anyone even want to know what that is?


2. The person that stole my bag also got my SS Card. Half of my belongings were found on the CTA bus (I found out from the cop I'm hounding), none of which were important- used up gift cards and the check card that has already been replaced. So now I'm told I'll need to pay some company monthly to make sure my identity isn't stolen. Right.


3. It costs $2.00 to rent bowling shoes for a night here, compared to the $0.50 per night in Chanute.


4. People tell me the sky is supposed to actually remain the same shade of gray for the next 3 months that it has been the past few weeks.


BUT these discoveries won't get the best of me. Why? 2 reasons: one of my favorite people is visiting this weekend AND I get to go home in a week! Woohoo Kansas!

Joining the Culture of Indifference- Well, On the Train Anyway

I haven't been listening to music on the train. I saw this sketch once of people on the train- all of different races, ages and gender- sitting next to each other. They all had earphones in, and under the sketch it read: Our Culture of Indifference.

So, I decided that I would be the one not listening to music. Always available to meet someone, talk, read or just enjoy the ride. However, in the months that I've lived here- I'm pretty sure I've never talked to anyone on the morning train. You just don't. Everyone is focused and in their business casual mode- not to be thrown off by a conversation.

Today I thought I would try listening to music with the rest of them. Instead of feeling the isolation from humanity that I predicted (yes I'm a bit dramatic- but I am reading 1984), I found myself bobbing my head back and forth, tapping my foot, walking to the beat- either slow and paced or quick and confident- and discovering a slight skip in my step. I don't even like the Shins and I listened to an entire cd, and somehow feel ready for the day!

I'm thinking maybe this is just because I have never done it. The emotional high after the never-ending denial. So I'm trying it the entire week. I'll let you know how it goes.

The Joke's on YOU Mr. Bag Stealer

You just robbed one of the poorest white girls in Chicago. Good one.

So, somehow, in the 2 minutes that I got up from my desk to walk 2 doors down, pee, wash my hands, and walk back, someone stole my bag from inside our office at our desk. This is the 3rd time this has happened. They always take our bags, travel to the 1st floor, run down the long corridor behind the mailroom and then dump the leftovers in the trashcan. So luckily, I got my bag, 2 books, CTA pass, carmex, leftover rice and GPS back. But they did succeed in stealing my wallet, including my family pictures, a receipt from Spain, my first hunting license, check cards that can't be accessed without pin numbers and (sadly) my Kansas driver's license. They also stole my co-workers camera, my bobbie pins, and the keys to our office and building....

I'm sure they were disappointed.

I called the police to report what happened (for the 3rd time) and I was half expecting some sort of CSI crime investigation. I mean, I have the bag- can't they search for fingerprints or something and discover that it's the man working next door, or the cleaning guy, or the guy that's always walking buy smiling at me? AND, of course, that he's "Wanted" in 6 other states. But no, they told me we should try to set up a camera or something....that he hopes we "nail that guy". Thanks Mr. Policeman- for nothing. Lame.

So now, I've discovered that I don't have the paperwork to get a DL here in Illinois- and they have no sympathy for people who've been robbed...it is, after all, Chicago. And either way, you still need documents X,Y, AND Z. Sorry.

Now, I'm suspicious of everyone. It had to have been someone watching to see when we left....so maybe on this floor...or someone who knows that I pee everyday before I eat my peanut butter and jelly sandwich...

Wanted: Band Members

Well, it's been snowing here. And if my camera wasn't lame and broken, there would be beautiful pictures posted below. But alas, no camera = no pictures.....

Today I decided to start a band. I don't care what instrument I get to play or what kind of music we create. As long as it's honest and compelling. I forgot my CDs and had to listen to the radio all the way to Downers Grove and back again- and it was awful. The Christian station was even worse. SO- as Ghandi would have it- I've decided to BE the change I want to see in the world and start a band.

Any takers? :)