Batman Tech

Nerd Alert! Yay Science!!

Ok, so I've figured out why I'm so attracted to Batman. He may be a superhero, but he doesn't have any super powers - he relies on SCIENCE!

"Batman Tech" explores batman's tricks and tools (as seen in Batman Begins and The Dark Knight), how they were developed through Batman's existence. What used to be mere science fiction, is now merging very quickly with science reality. Maybe not in everyday life, but definitely with military and government sectors.

I highly recommend you check it out: TiVo it!!
The HISTORY Channel - Here is some of the upcoming dates:

Monday, August 11 08:00 AM

Monday, August 11 02:00 PM

Ok, now time to watch Modern Marvels - The Mackinac Bridge.... yay Michigan!

Morning Chuckle

I found a funny post on the CTA Tattler this morning...


"Name already exists"
Great story from my friend Tovi:
I was on the Red Line heading south to see the Sox beat the Indians earlier this month and was sitting behind two girls. These girls were not older than 15.
One of them was fiddling with her cell phone the whole ride. Around Addison I glanced over and noticed she was saving someone's number on her phone's memory.
I watched her input the person's name and laughed when she typed: "My baby daddy."
When she's done typing, she hit the save button only to see a message pop up that said: "Name already exists"!

Detroit makes a move

Not the city, their problems are so big there's nowhere it can hide... but the Tigers. Traded Pudge. Believe it. I remember when he came to Detroit. Yes I was a fan before they made their run to the World Series, we were the worst in the league, yet the games were the most fun to go to! In fact, I celebrated my 21st birthday at Comerica Park, in a suite. It was Fantastic 4 years and 11 months ago... I digress.

Looks like more time for Brandon Inge to be behind home plate, and a new pitcher to our bullpen. The tigers have been hovering at 5 games behind in the AL Central, not quite to the point where we need to bring in a therapist because they aren't performing, but a place where we can strengthen the team and have a strong 2 months before October.

The Tigers have come a long way since then: I got to see them make it to the world series, and I can no longer get seats at a moments notice, but the Ilitch's never gave up. And I hope that we remain contenders for years to come!

Tears and Time for Bed

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

That hardly feels as good as letting out the real thing.

Do I? Don't I? Hell if I know - Damn bright pink and green elephant the size of Texas is involved, and I finally address it and I'm not getting any feedback from the other side of this equation except "put it aside, you're quite worked up about this" and "we'll return to this later, goodnight."

Well this coming from the world's most intense person, Ha! He took something away that I felt very strongly for and he had to bring it back. After two casual meetings - as much as I hate it, those feelings are back and I can't just step back and 'return to it later?' No, sir.

Why wouldn't I be worked up about this? Pretty big decision to let someone back in your life. Someone you know your mom would rather you not... or you best friend, or your roommate, because of what he did back in April.

I can't just be friends with him. I can't. And he says that I'm to let him know what I decide. I can't decide. Two people are involved here - and excuse me for going all "10 things I hate about you" about it - but is it too much to want him to want me? I guess with the friend thing out of the picture - its all or nothing. And even though its late, and I'm being emotional, I might just be the most rational - and its looking like nothing. Nada. Zilch. Can't do it. (yeah, i know you like to read that mom)

I hate this, more than anything in this world. I don't hate many things - being in this position, and feeling like this. I HATE IT! HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE IT!

Choas - The absense of rules

Yeah for me, I finally got to see The Dark Knight! It was fabulous, and I will most likely see it again in the theater, preferably the IMAX, when it stops being sold out... anyways - like everyone else I truly loved how Heath Ledger portrayed the Joker. He was dark, sarcastic, humorous, and twisted - and an "agent of chaos," taking others' ideas and turning them on themselves.

Well mere minutes after leaving the theater last night with Ambar and fam, we experienced a little chaos of our own. It was like being in The Dark Knight and Speed - with no batman or Keanu Reeves to save us!

We were waiting for the 29 Bus at Grand and Columbus to head down to the South Loop - well after 4 66's arrive (in a row!) a packed 29 shows up. Well the four of us get on and are ready to head home. Keep in mind - the 29 goes to the south loop and proceeds to the south side, so there is quite the mix of people on the bus. Well as we are going along Grand, the bus driver fails to stop at a stop. People want off. So the yelling begins, and he stops at the next corner to let these loud people off. And we get going again, and he fails to stop again. And more people want off - and there's yelling and people up front telling this guy that people want off. Well, some young girl (17-20 y.o.) has had enough - she pulled the emergency ball by the back door so she can get off where she wants.

So pulling this ball - triggers an emergency alarm that sounds like an old school telephone that doesn't stop ringing. And mind you we are only at Grand and Rush or Grand and Wabash, and we need to get to state and take it all the way down to Polk. Well apparently pulling this ball also temporarily stalls the bus. So unless someone can release the alarm (push the ball back in?!) we can be on our way - this would have been fine if we weren't blocking the entire intersection!!! Seriously, our bus was across all 3 lanes of Rush/Wabash with cars trying to get around us, and we can't get this alarm to stop. Well finally the bus is able to move, with the alarm still going. We continue this way down into the loop, where our bus driver is running lights, not stopping some more, and finally stops at Congress and gets off the bus.

Well, needless to say, we were close enough as far as we were concerned so we got off and walked the rest of the way home, with the ringing in our ears.... Craziness. Gotta love the CTA, (and ambar holding her tongue as we pass the bus driver).

This hit a soft spot

I love turtles, and hearing this story on CNN yesterday made me love them even more.

Here is a news broadcast of the story too.

Gary Bettman makes me cringe

and now I have to deal with his shenanigans in the offseason? sheesh!

"We certainly expect that the NHL Winter Classic will be a home run for hockey in this ballpark." - Gary Bettman at Wrigley Field yesterday.

Gag, puke, retch ... god, what an awful corporate sound-byte. And coming out of Gary Bettman's mouth, it has all the squirm-inducing anti-charm of a car salesman's humor as he tries to keep you from leaving the dealership.

Octopus free zone?

Heck no! I may live in Cook County - but I pay my 10.25% tax like the rest of them, and if I should want to pay that on an octopus - I shall. Maybe I need to start stocking up now and sell them to those who want to smuggle them in to Wrigley!

I am proud to say that I have the best of both worlds - Yes, I no longer have to live in Detroit, but at least I have a good hockey team to cheer for!

Detroit Haterade?
We're all getting over our excitement for the upcoming NHL Winter Classic on New Years Day. Blackhawks versus Red Wings at Wrigley? Hell yes, we say. But some of us are teeny bit more excited than others. For example, Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley. Quigley put together a resolution declaring January 1, 2009 as "Chicago Blackhawks Day" and designating Wrigleyville as an "Octopus-Free Zone." But our favorite part of the resolution? The clever Quigley tossed in a slam on the rival Red Wings by using red capital letters in the last line of the resolution that, when written out together, spell "DETROIT SUCKS." Buuuuurrrrrrn! Your move, Detroit.

Are you ready for some

Hockey?

Apparently, Chicago is. :) I can't wait!

The rollercoaster ride continues

Things went up, up, up and up some more for about 10 months and without warning things went down - real steep, real fast. I've done the best I could to enjoy the level-ness in my life over the past 3 months and have truly enjoyed everything that has come at me and everyone who has come into my life. And being on the heels of a pretty strict study season through Nov. 4, an opportunity has presented itself for me to stop and consider if I want to try this one more time.

Not only do I have to figure out if I can handle this, I need to figure out if I want to take on the challenge of being objective and giving it a fair shot.

I have to look back - weigh the good times and great times with the not so great moments. I have to consider what I have done for myself since April without the emotional distraction and time commitment. I have to realize how important it is to be disciplined and determined to pass MLC.

BUT, truth be told, I miss him. Not just the idea of someone, but him. That tells me something. Another thing I know is that there was never anything wrong with us we didn't fight, we didn't have drama, we communicated well, we could share a small place and had fun traveling. However, I learned when the going gets tough on his side of the fence, he gets going - alone. And although I picked up the pieces this time, could I do it again? Is it worth the risk?

I want to be with someone that I can trust will trust me to be a support system and visa versa. That's the catch. It happened once, and I'm afraid it could happen again. And if we give this another shot, am I always going to be waiting for it to happened again? Or am I going to slowly lower my guard as we start fresh and tell myself he'd never do that again, and let things get too serious, with my own pride on the line?

Neither is a great option in my opinion. And that sucks.

It's Offical

The NHL winter classic 2009 was announced this week. I couldn't be more excited: not only are the 2008 Stanley Cup Champions - my favorite team - the Detroit Red Wings going to be participating, but the game is going to take place against the Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field!!! I'm totally there - Jan 1, 2009.

Once again - I will be hosting a NYE get together and expect some of my fellow wing nuts from home to come out and enjoy this once in a lifetime event with me :)

Blog from the Beach

I love mobile internet! I'm at North Ave. Beach just relaxing and enjoying the breeze :) And watching all the puppies in the park!

Today was the women's final of the Chicago AVP Crocs tour, I didn't make it (due to my not going to sleep until 4am) but I got to watch history happen on TV. May/Walsh were playing Nicole Branagh and Elaine Youngs - and by winning today's match they beat their own record of 89 straight tournament wins. Their last loss was last August against Branagh and Youngs.

May/Walsh will be defending their Gold in Beijing and Branagh and Youngs are our #2. It should be great! I can't wait!

Here are some pics of Misty and Kerri from yesterday's qualifying rounds and semi-final. And my pic with Misty. (It was in the orange Banana Boat tent - hence the bad coloring)

What goes up must come down

I don't usually have high highs and low lows in the same day - but today was one of those days. I was so elated after getting back from the AVP tournament that I just wanted to shower and get ready for the nights plans. That is, until the plan maker of the evening decided he wasn't ready/capable to follow through with it. I was dumbfounded, angry, and beyond frustrated. I simmered for a while - I even watched a Disney movie on TV and my blood was still boiling.

Thank god for my lil pony. I had to run a quick errand anyways - but then I hopped on the highway and drove out to O'Hare and back. In silence. At 85 mpg. I wish I could have gone faster, but I don't really have a death wish nor the $$ for a ticket. It was helping, and if gas weren't 4.50/gallon out here, I would have gone further, but alas 45 min was the most I could afford.

On my return trip, I got off at Fullerton - well as I come to a stop on the ramp, there was a homeless man who stood up from where he was sitting on the curb. I always get hesitant when I'm driving alone and someone wanders so close to my car with their sign about being a Veteran or needed money for food or a place to stay. Well imagine my surprise when all this guy's sign said was "SMILE :-) " of all things.He obviously could see me, because I glanced his way (while still in this mood) and didn't react at first, well he tilted his head and looked back and when I smiled he gave me a thumbs up.

I mean I don't know what I really believe in - but the person behind all this frustration has caused more than enough. But that little sign helped me smile and get over it, just like that. I'm done. I don't need his ups and downs to cause any more ups and downs in my life. And with that, I drove home and went to my place around the block. I was still in my own little mood - but being at McGinny's helped me drown out everything else. I had a few beers and was just enjoying the good people watching and as the night began to wind down - I got the really laughter I needed. Jeremiah, Shersha, and Tim have quite the moves and put on quite a show. It was the perfect solution to bring the day back into equilibrium.

Now, its time for sleep. Sunday's a new day. I'd like to go back to experience more AVP - but I might just use it for good alone time too. Depends on when I want to wake up I suppose!

Sweat and Sand

Saturday (daytime) was a wonderful day. I met up with Megan, Kyle, Tom and Ashley at Oak Street Beach to experience the AVP tour and all its glory. Man was it great! The sun was out, the sand was smooth, and the players were unbelievable. I got to meet Misty May-Treanor and have my picture taken with her and have her sign my ball. I just missed out on the same with Kerri Walsh - and even though my interests don't swing that way, I couldn't help but admire their bodies! (and their athleticism of course!)

I also got to admire my favorite male player too - Phil Dalhausser - all 6'9" of him. liked them tall, and combine that with a rock hard body and his wicked serve - oooh.I've always So hott! Want to touch the hiney! hehe

Ok, enough cyber drooling. But seriously - I think the AVP tournament was one of the best events I've ever been to. Everyone is there to have fun - and the competition never stops. There is always a game to watch or something to do. I honestly don't think I'll ever miss AVP when they come back to Chicago - It was a great day! And I can't wait to watch 'em all in Beijing next month! I'm cheering for May/Walsh and Dalhausser/Rogers! GO USA!

Beyond Bitter

So the big news in Detroit this week was the fact that Marian Hossa (top scorer for Pittsburgh in the '08 Stanley Cup playoffs) signed to the Red Wings for a 1-year deal. (Which I think we expect to extend when we can offer more when the capped payroll is shuffled around.)

I'm definitely excited. He's a great player, and I think that Detroit will embrace him. He recognizes the talent we have, and that it's the best chance he has to win the cup. And that is what should be most important to NHL players. He knows he probably could have tripled or quadrupled his money someplace else and be the "superstar" - but he turned those offers down to come to Detroit and help us repeat in 2009!

Oh yeah- the point of this post:

The Penguins fans are a bit beyond bitter. Still.

A walk in the park

I definitely took it easy this weekend. Stayed in on the 4th and enjoyed my movies. I really liked Transformers - I'm going to make sure I watch it again before it has to go back. When...not sure, but I'm gonna watch it again.

I knew at some point Conrad would be in town this weekend, but I had no details on his trip so just did my thing Saturday morning till I heard from him. Jess and I went out to brunch at Feast (Damen and North). Loved it. I swear I could eat brunch at every meal - I can never decide what I want, I love it all. Since I can do the whole eggs/cheese/bacon thing on my own I usually opt for something more unique to the restaurant (like the Pecan French Toast at Heaven on Seven, the pancakes with chocolate and strawberries at Yolk, or making my own at FlatTop) I opted for the oatmeal pancakes topped with cinnamon apples, walnut brittle, and honey/vanilla butter. Three words: Mmm Mmm Mmm.

After such a delectable brunch, and walking it off between shops on North Ave, I made my way back home to relax/watch beach volleyball/nap until I wanted to get up and ready to go to the 'burbs for the evening. My plan was to see Conrad & co. eat, drink, and bring his puppy dog home :) Jess and I made it out there to see the fireworks and enjoy a different kind of an evening. I convinced Conrad that I would care for Herky and then bring him to the tournament on Sunday. So I got to bring my puppy home for the night and snuggle him to my hearts content. He's my pal!

Sunday I got to walk Herk to the park in the morning, and then we chilled and watched Wimbledon until the rain delay. We then headed to the south side to watch the 'green street hooligans' take 2nd in the Chicago Street Soccer Cup. It was a gorgeous day, I loved being outside and watching such a different breed of soccer. There was a lot of good talent, some skinned knees and elbows, and lots and lots of sweat! We kept cool and watched Wimbledon inside the complex between games. No worries- I wore my sunscreen, no sunburn here :)

Busy week ahead!

Miss Independent

Happy 4th of July everyone! It's time to celebrate with BBQ, beer and booms (for most). I'm on my own this year for the 4th - my roommate is on at date at the taste and with no grill or desire to battle the crowds alone, I'm staying at home with another 'b' that represents independence - bills. How fun! But I have a case of beer in my fridge too :)

I'm enjoying my day - I took a bike ride, went to Blockbuster and Walgreens, and worked out for a bit. Taking time for myself is the best thing I can do today. I've been on the go so much lately enjoying the wonderful things to do in the summer, and have a lot in the books over the next few weeks, with friends and family coming to town, enjoying my independence and relaxing is perfect IMO.

Cheers!

A final look back at 2007 - October, November

October 9, 2007 - Flip! Life is good, just like that.

Two Months? Seriously, it’s been that long?

These past two months have been a whirlwind of stress and uncertainties. There are plenty of cliche sayings that I’ve been trying to convince myself of up until today such as: “Life doesn’t present you with anything you can’t handle” “Things always work out in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.” “What is meant to be, will be.” “When one door closes...” Yada Yada Yada

But we all know that when life is not being kind, as hard as we try to be strong on the outside, we are crumbling and filling with doubt on the inside. Well at least I am, and I know that when that kind of stuff festers inside for too long I get sick. And last week I got sick.

Six weeks of uncertainty is apparently my breaking point. No one could say anything to convince me that things were eventually going to work out, and that I could make it as an actuary. At this point I felt I had drained all my networking resources, applied to every consulting firm and insurance company with offices in Chicago, and wasn’t getting a lot of positive responses. I had one interview, after 5 weeks of this and I just put so much pressure on myself that this was it or I was going to have to run away and work retail or something till I could pass another exam or just bypass being an actuary all together. (Remember what I said, I was sick - and along with it panicked and irrational! Inside I knew I couldn’t give up on this goal as an actuary, but I was going to have to seriously consider other things just to get myself out there but I have no clue what!!)

Well, this interview... On September, 27 I met with 4 actuaries at Segal in Chicago. I had applied online for a position as a retirement actuary - it was vague because they were hiring at ALL levels due to increases in work load. I applied twice, in fact. And I got a call b/c I mentioned I was going to be in Chicago this week, and HR wanted to take advantage of that and bring me in. In my mind I’m thinking “What?! Holy Cow!! Yeah, I have to rock this!!” No Pressure. This is the first nibble I’ve got other than 30 min phone screens... I had to make this happen.

I went, I saw, I conquered. (or so I thought) I sent my ‘Thank Yous’, and then started the wait.

And then I got sick. Wednesday night and Thursday I passed it off at nerves, stress does strange things to my body. I could handle this... or so I thought. Thursday at 9am I’m a 25 year old putting my face out in professional world, Friday at 9am I hurt all over, have a meeting to go to at Deloitte and only want to be home in my bed and have mom take care of me. When I got home to MI Friday night mom was at the train station waiting for me with ice water and a thermometer and I had a 102.5 temp! This wasn’t nerves. So after being all pumped up, I deflate like a balloon. The previous weeks were full of emotional peaks and valleys, and I was in a hot hot hot desert crevice.

Ideally, when we are waiting for something, we like to stay busy so time flies and we don’t dwell. Well being sick and in bed for a few days didn’t really give me that opportunity. I was hoping to hear about the job soon so I could rebound and do a little dance on top of the next peak in my life.

NOTHING. By Friday, nothing still. Oh my, Oh my...

By Monday afternoon, I had a great job offer and started planning the big move. (and listened to hours of “I told you so” from friends and family). I signed my offer and here I go. To Chicago and Beyond!!
M.

October 15, 2007 - What a wonderful weekend

It’s like I’m a tourist in my hometown...and I’m loving it! The days are flying by as I get ready to move to Chicago. On top of the logistics of moving, I want to see my friends, have some good times and enjoy the area that has always been my home. I don’t know when or if I’ll ever be back...

Last Wednesday I lucked out as C invited me to go to the Red Wings game with her. The game she was bragging to me about less that 24 earlier that her man invited her to, but he wasn’t feeling well and we were able to share a great time together. I knew she really wanted to be with him, but it meant so much that she invited me to go along and I got to see one last game at the Joe. I don’t know the fate of the building so it may have been my last chance before my next Red Wings game in Detroit.

Well then C celebrated her birthday over the weekend and a night out was in order. Dave and Busters was on the agenda, sounded like fun and a great place to hang out because for the first time C, Miranda, and myself were all gonna have dates. No one had met C’s guy or mine so it was a great place where we could mingle, but do our own thing and have fun. It was a great night (except for when Miranda’s phone went missing) and we were all happy to see eachother so happy.

Ato was in Michigan this weekend to hang out with me and see why I’m gonna miss it so much! The weekend was very relaxing, we got to have fun, shop, and laugh. He got to experience White Castles, Olga’s, LOTS of Michigan left turns, and Greenfield Village! We had a great date weekend and I truly felt like I was a tourist in my own town. And as I just mentioned he got to meet some of my friends and they really liked him. Really, really liked him. They are happy to see me with some one so kind and funny, and know that he will be there as I get settled in Chicago. He even got bonus points when he picked out a cuddly bear with a rugby jersey to purchase with our game tickets!

Well it’s one week closer to moving and I’ve got housing on my agenda. I’m going out to Chicago Thursday to start meeting people and finding the perfect place! Wish me Luck!

M.

October 27, 2007 - Moving to the Windy City

That’s my new apartment!!! The second level over what is soon going to be a pizza place. Yay! I’m super excited about this. I’m moving tomorrow, its going to be a lot of work without an elevator, but I have my parents to help and a lot of excitement to get me through! More pics when I move in and get settled!!

I found my roommate on Craigslist, she's a grad student at DePaul and a little older than me, but we chatted like we have known each other for years... I hope it works out for the best!

M.

November 27, 2007 - Where has the time gone?
I cannot believe it has been only a month since I moved into my apartment. You know what they say, time flies....

It hasn’t all been fun and games, but there has been more fun and more games in my life over the past few weeks than there has been in the proceeding year. Let’s start with the fun: getting settled into my new apartment, hanging out with the coolest guy in Chicago, getting back in the gym and working out with a personal trainer.... just to name a few things The games? Well those who know me (or who have helped me move) know that I LOVE games (think Milton Bradley!) Well not only do I love the people I work directly with, but there are some more awesome people I eat lunch with and we play games after we eat. We’ve been playing home-made Boggle sporadically over the past two weeks, and today we broke out the Scattegories our HR bought for us! I was the winner, not that it matters, but its fun to have a group of like-minded folk that can have fun mid-day. I’m working on catching up with some of the girls in the city and go out on the town. All the guys I work with in retirement take the Metra and live at home with the ‘rents.

Overall, things are great. Can’t believe it has been a month. I’m gonna work on painting my bedroom real soon (it has an orange wall right now!), and revamping my webpage. So keep your eye out for some improvements and me becoming more consistent with my blogging as there is so much more to see and experience in the heart of the city!

M.

Just for Laughs

Oh my... many of you (especially those who I work(ed) with) have the distinct pleasure of my humorous knee-slappers. I apparently have a hidden talent for dishing really bad puns and I average about one a day, most of which relate to 'had to be there' moments that relate to really random stories or events.

Some of my recent hits:
"Sizemore really cleaned up tonight." - referring to him hitting 2 HR at the sox game, and picking up the trash that the fans threw down at a cubs fan in the bleachers

"I don't think vampires can help it, it's in their blood" - referring to the preferred types of evil villains in movies

"Look who's stalking now" - to Tom my co-worker that I ran into multiple times last week

"Microsoft really is behind the time" - our phone clocks become faster than our computers clocks

"Clocks are back in sync, time for me to go bye, bye, bye" - referring to the reset of the clocks

There are many, many more, but these are my favorites. Yes, I am aware of how dumb they are, but I get goofy around the people I'm most comfortable with and what comes out comes out when pointing out the obvious and going about your day... :)

Anyways, what inspired all of this is hearing a drunk girl in a red line station yesterday referring to a joke of one of my favorite comedians - Mitch Hedberg. It's the line about escalators in the following clip because apparently when there are large crowds (aka tourists) in the city they like to turn off the escalators to prevent injuries:

How Noble

All in a day's work for Prince William.

No more short coat!

This post is dedicated to Dr. C and Dr. Foster!

I'm not sure how many people are aware of what happens on July 1, each and every year... Our nation's hospitals welcome fresh graduates from medical schools across the country. They are no longer wearers of the "short coat," now they have their long white jackets, name badges reminding them they are the Doctor, and their pockets full of all the reference guides they can fit! They are the one's writing the orders, the 'scripts, and filling in the charts... real live practicing physicians, ready to practice on you!

This year I know many of the new doctors in the hospitals across Michigan, and I wish them the best! I know they have great careers ahead of them after they work out all their nervous energy.

Good luck today guys! Don't worry, no one knows the shennanigans of last weekend and they trust you completely with their health!