what really does grind my gears

tivo.

we paid for a "lifetime" subscription to tivo, which as i understand it, is just not cheap. but then suddenly, the hardware goes on the blink. literally. yesterday it started blinking. not turning on all the way. flashing! so i spent (seriously) my entire evening on the phone with tivo support only to end up talking to some girl who sounded like she had marbles in her mouth and had absolutely ludicrous suggestions to offer (did you try unplugging it and plugging it back in?) oh no. i hadn't thought of that!

finally the verdict is that i just have to replace the box and that's all there is to it. of course, in the middle of my conversation with miss personality, it starts up again. ugh. f'ing wonderful. well the thing is that i don't watch tv a WHOLE lot, but when i do, it's usually stuff that's been recorded because i'm not generally home during the hours in which my shows appear live on the screen. i guess in some cases i am, but i don't want to be one of those people whose lives revolve around what time grey's comes on (i'll just let my life revolve around the box that tapes it :) )

so there you have the saga of tivo.

ps - i finally found a bone that keeps penny quiet and out of trouble. seriously, she cannot get enough of this thing. it was bigger than her head when i first bought it, but she has since last night chewed it down to a nubbin. she's very goal-oriented. she just wants it GONE. i almost couldn't even convince her to go for a walk this morning because she wanted to sit on her bed and chew. she's like me with a good book. ha!

Things I have to do now that I live downtown

i was just thinking - since i'm living right down the street from soldier field - i HAVE to go to a bears game this season. it would be ridiculous if i didn't :)

i also think i have to go to the farmers' market.
we have to just get on the el and get off at random stops to check out new bars and restaurants.
i have to go to the imax at navy pier.
i have to ride the ferris wheel at navy pier.


any other suggestions?

What a ridiculous article

I love this article in the NYTimes. The headline is pretty good too, although honestly, any article about the mechanics of sarcasm leaves a ton of leeway where headline writing is concerned. i'll have to think of some potential alternative headlines and post them here. i'm really not feeling very funny today. i think it's because this entire day has been absolutely CHOCK FULL with WORK!!!! i think people just need to stop quitting because every time they do, my work load increases exponentially. it's not that i mind working hard (or hardly working, ha!) but seriously all this ridiculousness sucks my brain completely devoid by the end of the day, so by the time i get home, literally all i want to do is sit mindlessly in front of the television or maybe head to the gym if i'm feeling particularly ambitious (and if pizza was ordered for lunch :) ) i really have been meaning to go back to "creative land" and scrapbook, write, draw, COLOR WITH MY NEW CRAYONS!!!

the other problem is that outside of work i am booked too. almost every month in june and july is filled, and the one...seriously....that is not filled, we have to move to our new apartment. not that i'm complaining, cause seriously i love my new apartment. just sayin'.

ok, then.

Come play with LEGO!

Very exciting event for anyone in the Chicagoland area - the brand new Legoland Discovery Centre - scheduled to open in Schaumburg August 1 - is hosting a nation-wide competition for people who love to play with Lego!

It's an American Idol style event, where contestants will only have an hour to build something of their choice in order to be considered for one of the most coveted positions in the world :)

The winner of the competition will win a full time job working with children and playing with Lego for a living! If you want to watch or compete, head to the Embassy Suites on the Lakefront around 10. www.legolanddiscoverycentre.com for details!

Six Flags anyone?

Ok THIS makes me never want to go to any amusement park EVER again! Instead, buy your children this! :) thanks, karel!

There's a puppy in the house!

So there it is. I guess those photos don't really accurately reflect what I wanted them to, which is just how MASSIVE i think she has gotten since we first brought her home! she is ten pounds now which is six more pounds of trouble than she was at first! :)


that is one exciting update in my life.

the other is that daniel-son and i are about to sign a lease for a BEAUTIFUL apartamento downtown :) we won't move in 'til mid-july, but i am getting very excited about it right now! i am already thinking decoration options and all the wonderful things that will come along with this momentous occasion. stay tuned.