kareenaleighann

08:53 pm: why has NO ONE talked about how hilarious it was when the boss slid on his knees into a camera at the superbowl?  we watched it probably five times.  hilarious.

i'm good, thanks for asking!

washington d.c. or bust!

12:03 pm: stolen survey! happy new years!

1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Rode on a trolley! Seriously, we had been trying to get a trolley for years. It was awesome, and will probably be mentioned  more in this survey.

2. Where did you begin 2008?
At O'donavons on Irving Park.  I don't have awesome memories of last New Years. I was grumpy and thwarting advances.

3. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I'm pretty sure I resolved to stop smoking and continue eating better.  I did pretty well with the eating, but the smoking is always on and off.

4. What was your status by Valentine's Day?
I had been seeing Scott since New Years and when I asked him if he wanted to hang out, he said "i'm not ready for that". over text. it was ridiculous, but i'm glad that didn't last longer than it did.

5. Did anyone close to you give birth?
The only friend from high school that I'm still in contact with. and a cousin that i don't talk to.

6. Did anyone close to you die?
nope.

7. Were you in school?
does working in one count?

8. What countries did you visit?
I think "did you leave Illinois?" is a better question. and to that, i say LAKE HOUSE. and i went to cinci for the sohmer/rosenberger wedding. I honestly think that might be it.

9. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A MILLION DOLLARS.

10. What moments from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
The Trolley, a few awkward break-ups. jaymee and ashby's wedding, the two trips to the michigan lake house. around the world!

11. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I'm gonna go with maintaining a healthy relationship for more than 2 months.  doesn't sound like much, but i'm very proud of myself.

12. What was your biggest failure?
i don't fail.

13. Did you have to go to the hospital?
nope, although i thought i was gonna have to take sara when she got wasted and was puking blood. she was ok.

14. What was the best thing you bought?
its a little soon to tell, but i bought my first pair of designer jeans the other day. i'm in love.  also, i'm pretty happy with my bike. even though rex put money into it, i bought the actual bike. my lolla ticket....there's probably more. best thingS perhaps?

15. Where did most of your money go?
social activities, ie. the bar. hoes and rent.

16. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The TROLLEY, i'm excited about new years. i get excited for lots of things.

17. What song(s) will always remind you of 2008?
way too many for me to worry about listing.

18. What concerts/shows did you go to?
Lolla, kanye, lupe, nerd, and rhianna...twice. patrick sweeny...there must be more. i feel like i saw soemthing at the vic. m. doughty? was that this year?

19. Compared to this time last year, are you:
I. happier or sadder? Happier, i really got my personal life in order this year. and my job is still good, even withouth the insurance.
II. thinner or fatter? thinner, i've been losing weight for 2 years now. maybe just another 5 or 10?
III. richer or poorer? oh, you know. if i had more money, i'd just spend it.

20. What do you wish you'd done more of?
talk to my out of town peeps more.

21. What do you wish you'd done less of?
i think my new years resolution is to mind my own business. i like gossip way too much. although i don't do it maliciously, and i could probably be worse.

22. How will you be spending Christmas?
I happily stayed in the Chi, eating casserole with emily and jeff in the A.M, and then turkish with Lynn for dinner. I am still very much enjoying my Holiday.  Dan and I got sushi for christmas and saw Second City. It was hillarious.

23. What was your favourite TV program?
30 rock, the office, intervention (although it scares me!), boston legal, frontline. good morning america.

24. What was the best book you read?
i read lots of good books this year. no way to pick a favorite.

25. What were your greatest musical discoveries?
i'm constantly discovering. maybe justice?

26. What did you want and get?
not hospitalized.

27. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
26! a seemingly great age! Sara got me a trolley for my bday. we all pregamed at emily and jules' and after the trolley we went to Matilda, i'd say our favorite bar of the year (kind of an old favorite).  I was with rex then, and i didn't know our relationship would be over by the end of the month, although he tried to warn me that night (what a jerk). It was also the first night Dan hung out with us. How could he resist?

28. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A MILLION DOLLARS. insurance?

29. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
awesome. i look good, and you know it. AND, i'm modest.

30. What kept you sane?
sara roach, self medication. whole foods. friends as neighbors.

31. Who did you miss?
oh, you know...the usual people that i love that don't live here. yes, you.

32. Who was the best new person you met?
i met lots of great people this year. drew bennet is definitley one of my favorites. but honeslty, i think dan is the pretty obvious winner.

33. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
To trust my instincts!!!! lord only knows why i dated rex for so long, i knew the whole time it was a horrible idea.

34. Did you move anywhere?
no!

35. What's the something you thought you would never do but did in 2008?
you really don't want to know the answer to that.

36. What was your best month?
I'm gonna say all summer. i love summer here.

37. Any regrets?
i should have never dated rex the second time around. i shouldn't say i regret it all...i learned some things. and i had fun with him at lolla.

38. Overall, how would you rate this year?
An 8, maybe even higher. it was a good year!

39. What did you like most about 2008?
i agree with graham..Obama!

40. Other than home, where did you spend most of your time?
work...emily and jules' house. i don't spend a lot of time at home. i'd say i'm away more than here.

41. Change your hairstyle?
no really.

42. Get a new job?
nope.

43. Do anything embarrassing?
several things. but i always own up to them.  just the other night, i fell in an elevator.

44. Get married or divorced?
No.

45. Did you get sick this year?
Just once, i thought i had strep, paid a hundred bucks for the test, and it was only a virus. fuck viruses.

46. Start a new hobby?
I don't think so. bike riding?

47. Are you happy to see 2008 go?
I don't really care either way. it was a good year. but i'm always up for whats next.

48. What are you wishing for in 2009?
health for me and my friends and family. A MILLION DOLLARS.  a trip to DC, athens, the michigan lake house...and maybe even a trip out of the midwest (gasp!).

man, you think i possibly got everything that was memorable from the year? not a chance.

10:29 am: I'm convinced that i'm dying. 

i went to a "practitioner" yesterday located at a thing called minute clinic in cvs.  She gave me a rapid strep test that was negative, and so had to send another away...i find out at 2:30 if that test is positive....and only then will i be prescribed antibiotics...which will them most likely give me another infection.  all i want is for it to stop hurting and for me to be able to sleep.  but i wish i could have antibiotics, so that i can have some sort of answer rather than its a virus that will run its course. it feels like it needs medication...and quite frankly i know my body well enough that i should just be able to prescribe myself.  i think doctors are dumb.

i went into work today and just spent the hour that i was there either crying or trying t hide that i was crying. i'm actually quite scared about this whole thing.  and the weather is beautiful...and i can't enjoy it.  i helped plan a party tomorrow that i will not be able to enjoy...either i'm on antibiotics and won't drink, or i'm sick and shouldn't be around people.  oh, and i can't eat...i love to eat!

my computer keeps running really slow. i fear its going to die soon as well...so i should probably back stuff up, right?

i think i'm going to lay down again.

06:39 am: superficial thinking
This old guy moved into an apartment at the end of the hall, and I think he's plotting to kill me.  The man never seems to be in his apartment.  For the first couple weeks, he and another man would either just be walking in the hallway or standing in front of the building.  For a minute I thought maybe this was the elusive management company that can't possibly exist, but then the desk showed up.  I guess this old man feels like his studio just isn't enough space, so he decided to make the hallway his home office.  I haven't been to that end of the hallway yet, but he has set up a desk and has other things lining the wall.  And he's there all the time...just sitting at the desk.  When I go to work. When I come to and fro for my break. When I come home at night. It is really starting to creep me out that this random dude knows my comings and goings. An so I think he's trying to figure out my routine so he can quietly kill me and no one will figure it out till i'm gone for a few days.  Now you know.

I can't believe it's the end of June already.  All month I've been reminded of this time a year ago.  Like, this weekend is Pride and so i think about Pride last year.  It's odd because this is the first summer I've spend in the same residence in probably ten years.  I really can't possibly move out of here in October.  So many friends are moving to me, it just seems silly. The taste of Chicago starts this weekend...which always signifies hot hot hot to me.  And July 4th! So awesome last year, and this year has amazing potential.  I can't wait for the road trip, for the serenity, for the craziness, for the cottage. 

I think i'm going to lay low-ish this weekend.  The last month has been crazy for me...summer time coming and goings, boats, tanning, and boys. There seems to be a week-time kari and a weekend kari.  and the conflicting personalities are catching up with me.  So tonight I'm looking forward to a quiet night in Andersonville hanging out with Sam.  We'll probably get some dinner and maybe take a walk to the  beach.  Tomorrow is for the City.  Stevie Wonder is playing the taste at 5:30, and then Mr. Gnome is playing Sub T later that night.  I will admit that i really only want to go to sub T so that i can sneak down and dance...but don't tell greg that.

and then there's the incessant anxiety that seems so hard to shake.

09:38 am: Happy Sunday Morning.

I really like the Sunday posts. It tends to signal that I've actually slept one night of the weekend. 

I'm really sad about Tim Russert, and happy that I'm going to be able to watch Meet the Press this morning.  As someone who has lived without cable more than with, i can honestly say that I kind of grew up with Tim. I've always been a morning person, and I really owe it to the guy for teaching me stuff on Sunday's while other people were still asleep.

SOOOO excited for Missy and Scott next weekend. I've confirmed a free Shore line Boat tour from Navy Pier.  Not that I like Navy Pier, but I think that it'll be awesome to take a boat out, have a beer, and rock it out. summer chi-style.

Speaking of rocking out...I've been such a rockstar the past couple weekends.  Last weekend at Sam's b-day party...and then the girls at the Attic Friday night.  I thought my night was ending at Slut-town and then I find myself at Ihop 2 hours later...after being at home.  Yesterday was amazing, spent a few hours at the beach, took a nap, had drinks on a patio, dinner outside, ending with an impromptu stoop party.

I woke up to rain, and now I'm going to enjoy some Sunday morning news programs, dissection of the weekend, and smart water.

02:43 pm: best. summer. ever.
YAY!!!

I finally bought my Lollapalooza tickets!!!!!!!!!!

10:18 pm: i just got back from a quick grocery trip on my way home from hanging out with HB. Apparently I chose to purchase almost rotten strawberries and low fat yogurt.  Non-fat yogurt is delicious...it seems that low fat is not.

What does one do with a large container of low-fat vanilla yogurt that they do not want? Surely there's got to be something other than throwing it away. right?

02:21 pm: i feel like i should be productive during this lunch break.  i knew i should have stayed at work, that i don't have anything to say on gchat, that my computer will tell me exactly how cold it really is outside, and i'll just dread the walk back that much more.

it says that it's 43 degrees, by the way.  man, as much as i love chicago...the weather leaves a lot to be desired.  it was 80 and beautiful yesterday. 43? really?

so i saw the kanye/lupe/n.e.r.d/rhianna show this weekend. TWICE, in fact.  Friday was way fun. Our seats were horrible, and we were late, and we were completely surrounded by 17 year olds. but it was fun! getting out of the venue was not as fun, and we were those stupid wasted girls yelling at each other as they stumble around empty streets.  After about an hour, and a failed attempt to eat taco bell, we finally got a cab and just went home. 

Saturday's show went without a hitch.  I looked super-fly, we had fantastic seats...and we got to see Lupe's whole set.  The song he opened with was one of his best....and he rapped it over a justice beat!!!! Lindsay and I are both big justice fans and pretty much had a heart attack right there.  Thennnn while n.e.r.d had brought a bunch of people on stage friday night, on saturday he included common, chris brown, and run dmc's kid.  They were just there to rock out....awesome.  Steve drove, which made the transit a breeze...on friday we didn't even get a  cab till almost 1, on saturday we were at a bar by 11:30.  and at that bar? eric f'ing martig was just there.  crazy!  he's here till tomorrow.

kanye's show leaves me speechless. saying it was awesome does not give it justice.

party on sunday, the boys were all whisky'd up, i couldn't physically drink.  but it was still a good family event.

monday, bbq at tiff o'neils.  i obviously ate way too much....but it was so nice out, and the company was great.  i think i started a crew...but i'm not sure.

i think i've figured it all out. life, that is.

08:48 am: i'm home for the day! well...i hope to leave home soon..but still, i don't have to work!

I didn't make it to the game last night, and i suppose i knew all along it wouldn't happen. I'm not fussed though, I enjoyed a quiet night by myself.  I hadn't been home for an evening in over a week, it was time.  My night did get interesting when I got a call from Sara.  She was backing out of the concert tonight, because friends from Cleveland were in and she also had tickets to Saturday's show with Steve P. 

She happens to have two extra tickets. Section 115, the first section left of the stage. Now I have TWO chances to drink bottles with Kanye West. OMG!

The party on Sunday will bring the gang back together for some good ole fashioned beer pong. Yes, the weekend is shaping up nicely.   Now, if it would only get above 60 degrees...Seriously! What the fuck is up with the weather!?

Oprah is on right now.  I've got to finish a load of laundry, then I'm out to enjoy my free day off! My first obligation is a shower around 4. What to wear?

06:45 am: ten points for May!
Happy Monday! It's been a great few days, and today will be just as great...i can feel it. 


I'll start this play by play with Thursday.  Sara and I went and saw Morgan's show and had dinner.  It was such a lovely evening, just catching up with her and seeing a good show.  The show was odd in that theater-is-odd way, but the set and costumes and puppets were really nice to look at.  And of course, Morgan did a lovely job! Stayed in on Friday, ate some pizza with some lovely company, and caught up on trashy reality television.  I woke up crazy early Saturday morning, and eventually Mary saw my "I've been up for hours" facebook status (technology: 10 points!) and we took an early trip downtown to do some shopping in the mist.  The new Forever 21 on Michigan is insanely amazing.  Fast Forward to the party, and it was windy.  But the wind died down! And so we all danced and drank and then decided to go to Friar Tucks.  Sam almost fell several times, and I started a lot of conversations with a "let me be honest with you"...which is never good in the morning.  My honesty usually borders on exagerration when I'm on vodka.  gave some "talks" to greg, and I'm not sure what i said to steve.  So then on Sunday, Fil took Sam, Lynn, And me out to lunch.  It was a beautiful morning and my extensive hangover relief process was in effect.  A quick after lunch call took me over to the attic so that Lindsay, Caity, and I could drive up to Glencoe and go to the botanical gardens.  What an awesome idea! It was the first truely nice day...and the tulips were open the perfect amount. I don't think I could have asked for a better weekend.

Oh! check this out: I woke up this morning with two missed calls from a random 773 number.  One at 11 (right after i feel asleep), and then another at 1.  There was a message with the first call that was very confusing.  "Hey kari, this is david" (do i know a david??) the message goes on to say that he was at a concert, bought a tshirt, is now going to a high stakes poker game, and that i must have missed the call because I'm out since i don't have to work in the morning.  I really don't think that I've given my number to anyone recently, and I most definitely work this morning.  I can only imagine someone gave this dude a fake number, and he wasn't sure what her name was.  Personally, I hope he calls again this week so that i can give him a heads up.  ha.

Dirty Dancing the musical is coming to chicago this fall.  I must see that show.

have a great week! spring can't run away any more! i have no choice but to do laundry tonight. boo hiss

07:13 am: so i've got an air mattress with a slow leak (justin knows all too well), but i have a patch kit. how hard do you think it will be to find this hole? i'm seriously looking for guidance here.

08:16 am: I plan to shower after work today, so I've got the length of a shower to post.  Happy First Day Of Spring!  Talk about something to celebrate!  Don't get too excited for me, the fucking weatherman said that this horrible winter storm will hit us tomorrow.  I'm pretty sure he's full of shit, he just wants me to watch the weather tomorrow.  Wow, that's a lot of expletives this early in the morning. 

I've been trying to keep a low profile since the St. Patrick's day fun.  I somehow ended up being semi-in charge of the party...but didn't really get the perks of it.  I can't hold my own parties so I help the others, but my general disposition makes me want all the control.  I figure that I should just relinquish all control and then i'll have a better time with it all.  Not that Saturday wasn't a blast....i mean just look at the pictures.  I also remember telling people that I was having the best day ever and that we should wake up at 7 to drink everyday. fun.

Tonight I'm going with Lynn, Sara, and Steve P to see Mike DOughty at The VIc.  I'm listening to his current album now, just so that i'm at least a tad familiar.  It sounds just like his other stuff.  I'm always curious about 18 and up shows.  There's something about people under 20 that totally freaks me out.  I can't explain it, but i'll probably be obsessed with underage drinkers tonight.  But I also like to believe that people under 20 don't live in Chicago.  I am fully aware that there are probably millions of them roaming Lincoln Park...but I don't hang out in the LP. Sara has two other tickets too and it'll be fun to see who comes with us.

OH! And it's my Friday! Spring Break is tomorrow.  I love how they call Good Friday "spring break".  one day is not a spring break...but i figure that the jew who runs my school is trying to keep it real.  On that subject, why can't we just switch easter from jesus to spring? I've got kids who (around holidays only) start telling stories about some dude named jesus who died.  they don't understand any of it....and so I always try to shove a bit of my own stories in there.  Plus we've got one girl (who turns 6 tomorrow!) who is absolutely brilliant and thinks that all the other kids are crazy to believe in santa and jesus....she's already so skeptical!  i mean really...have you ever met a 6 year old who is as smart as some 25 year olds that you know? I'll miss her dearly in September, we are great friends.

It's time for work. 

love, kari

10:17 pm: The time change has totally thrown me off, so while I'd usually be curled up in the dark at this time in the evening, at the moment i'm mindlessly perusing the internet trying to not think too deeply.  It was a good weekend.  I let tequila make decisions on friday night, and woke up saturday feeling that all of my friends hated me (thank you hormones and hangovers!))...when i guess they all felt pretty indifferent that i chose to go to a dance club over hanging at dad's basement.  i spent saturday with lynn's birthday, cured my hangover with sesame chicken and had some fantastic sushi at the uber-hip agami . it was freezing!! later that night i slipped into a horrible mood while everyone else got drunk, and headed home around midnight.  Today was great. brunch at kitch'en, and a quick trip to the HIP mall before Big Brother. i got a fantastically cheap dress at forever 21, i just wish i could wear it now.  the weather says 50's are in our future, and my sanity hopes the weather is telling the truth. 

But now i'm bored. and very awake.

I am sooooo excited about next weekend.  I'm planning to sleep over at the attic and then wake up and begin drinking green vodka! how fun! we are going to then go to see the river dyed green, and probably drink more...all day.  i'm not one for day drinking, so i don't really know how it will go. hopefully awesomely (i still like to make up words in my old age). i might even lie and tell people i'm all irish.  i bet i'd get away with it.  i can't believe that i've had three st. patrick days in chicago and i have yet to celebrate with the city. i can't miss out on another.

have a great week everyone!

08:06 am: Oh! and i found a cd at work from the mixtress! viral marketing! how fun!

there is this hipster dude who comes in to play computer games with some of the kids. i fondly call him "computer guy".  on the same day i heard that next month he is going to teach in japan (all the rage), i find a mix in the lounge.  check it out if you want, i'm intrigued.

www.mixtressonline.com

i just imported the cd, and the names are even on there. so great!

06:07 pm: Snowiest winter in 9 years. the news just said that. 

07:37 pm: how about this new quarter life show? i'm almost nervous to watch it.

07:16 am: Can't spring just hurry up?
May 24, 2008:

United Center. Me, Sara, Emmy, and Lindsey. Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, N.E.R. D, and Rhianna.

oh snap.

As for visitors, Liz is coming in April.  Missy are you coming with her? Thanks for the presents!!! You are so fantastic!  I wonder if Justin is still visiting.  My sister and her friends are coming in March, but I'm still unsure about those details as well. 

One of my friends is going to key largo next month, and all she really has to buy is a plane ticket. I wish I could afford a 400 dollar ticket. cause i'd go with her.  but then i might meet a cabana boy and just stay there.

I have begun a job search, months earlier than planned.  I've applied at Lynn's company, and while cubes scare me (a lot), the pay increase is inspiring.

For the first time in almost two years, I am dude-less.  The dude freaked out and i don't plan to hear from him again (and if i do hear from him, i won't respond), and mike, "went home for a few months".  what's a girl to do? oh, i know...probably make really bad weekend decisions? yeah, that sounds good.  and i'll probably drink too much jameson.

i had a nightmare last night and i think it is because i've eaten too much junk food.  didn't they make a berenstein book about that?

11:11 pm: homegirl don't front
In case you were wondering, i feel tons tons tons better than i did this morning. it sounds cliche, but i do have the greatest friends on earth, AND they span the states. thank you.

i just got home from seeing step up 2. it was awesome. like, for real. dirty dancing for the cool kids of the millennium. you heard it here first. and yes, it did open today.

07:14 pm: ha. brian o'reilly is coming in this weekend. 

07:06 am: I'm not sure who else to ask this random question, so I will ask all of you.

I did my taxes online, with a free program I used last year.  They said I still have to print off this signature thing and send it in.  I don't have a printer, so I've just tried to forget about it till i really cared. But I just got my refund deposited into my account.  What do you think will happen if I just don't send in the signature? Or at least wait for a while until I get near a printer?  If only I could make one of those nifty polls that Lynn just created. If only....

So, if I don't send it in, is the IRS going to find me and throw me in the state pen?