The last few weeks have been a blur, mostly. I have been in the throes of editing (and editing*) the manuscript for my book. Here’s an approximation of how this process went (I can only write this to the best of my limited memory: I just mentioned how much of a blur my recent past has been, remember?): 1. Back in January, I edited the entire manuscript (240 pages, nearly 50,000 words) for what may have already been the fifth or sixth time before sending it to my publisher so she could have her editor mark it up. 2. On March 2 (was it only THIRTEEN DAYS AGO? Oy vey.),…
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Chevy Cruze: Great Things Come In Small Packages
Recently I was generously offered a chance to drive* a 2011 Chevy Cruze LTZ around for an entire week. A week! It was a glorious offer, and timed well too: on the Friday before, my younger son got his driver’s license. By having access to an additional vehicle, our lives would be made very easy for the week, because he would be able to drive our family car to daily lacrosse practice while I could actually drive around and have some fun in the Cruze! (Thanks, Connie Burke! Whee!) The Cruze is a really attractive car. I’d say that it’s cute (because it’s a compact car, and it’s adorable), but…
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There’s Nothing Like Your First.
Bittersweet times around here: D just sold his car. With him being away at school and not truly needing his own wheels, it was just sitting around, getting older. He had already rebuilt the entire engine and more recently, replaced the radiator. It didn’t make sense to keep it and risk having to do more maintenance on it with money that really needs to go towards college tuition right now. The good news is, D sold the car to a friend who had been in his Cub Scout den, way back in the day. This young man has a true appreciation for cars–in fact, he is going to school to…
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World’s Largest Shamrock Shake? Yes, Please!
To say that I’m a fan of the McDonald’s Shamrock Shake is a gross understatement. See? Here I am with one of the approximately 500 Shamrock Shakes I consumed last year. To me, Shamrock Shake season is even better than Girl Scout Cookie season. Ask my Facebook friends: they can vouch for my obsession. It’s because of my Shamrock Shake madness that I was extremely interested in the fact that McDonald’s was, in celebration of Chicago’s grand St. Patrick’s Day tradition, floating the World’s Largest Shamrock Shake down the Chicago River. Until I found out that I wouldn’t get to drink it. (Kidding. Can you IMAGINE??) From the press release…
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Green River
St. Patrick’s Day is huge in Chicago. The Irish bars are full to overflowing (more than bars in general are usually full) for a couple of weeks before the holiday, and it seems like half of civilization makes the pilgrimage to the city–that is, if they don’t already live there–on the Saturday before March 17, for the big parade. OH, and the ritual of turning the Chicago River green. What’s that? You thought the Chicago River was already on the green side? Well, yes, sort of. Here’s how the river usually looks: The shade of green it has displayed for more than forty years in honor of St. Patty’s Day…
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Party Like A Rock Star
Jim and I headed to the city yesterday for an overnighter. We had few concrete plans except to stand next to the Chicago River this morning at 10:00 and watch the annual “Dyeing of the Chicago River” for St. Patrick’s Day. (more on that in the next post). The two of us had all Friday evening to paint the town red, raise the roof, and cause a general ruckus. We were very, very excited to let loose in the city and looked forward to a wild night. Here’s our actual timeline: 5:42 p.m. Arrived in Chicago at Union Station. Hailed a cab for transport to hotel. 5:55 p.m. Still in…
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Here’s A Story About The Year I Gave Up The Wrong Thing For Lent
Being a person of the Jewish faith, I’m not someone who normally worries about what to give up for Lent. (Obviously.) One year, though, I did. A huge chunk of my life ago–perhaps ten years back?–I was having a discussion with my closest friend at the time about what she would sacrifice for the season of Lent. She agonized over her decision (I think that’s part of the ritual, no?) and finally decided to forgo sweets for the duration. I, being a good friend, decided to give up something, too. (Not “for Lent”, mind you, because sacrificing for Jesus is not something we Jews do, you know?) I decided to…
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Here’s What I Know.
I am in the middle of manuscript-editing craziness, hence the lack of regular posting. My brain is on fire ninety-nine percent of the time, my house is a mess, and even with my mad skillz in multi-tasking I don’t feel like I’m getting anything done at all. Well, except for the editing part, which is THE most important thing at the moment since I have a deadline, so I guess I will rejoice in that victory for the moment! Due to the job at hand, the days seem to bleed into one another and time flies. In the interest of lowering an anchor for a moment, I thought I’d make…
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BlogHer ’11: The Year Of Fewer Parties and No Blisters
A couple of days ago, the arrival of the first invitation for an event happening the week of BlogHer ’11 (San Diego!) in AUGUST, five months from now, started excited heart palpitations (and in some cases, anxiety) among many bloggers. My good friend and BlogHer ’11 roomie Momo Fali wrote an excellent post today about her thoughts regarding events at this–or any–conference, and it made me want to share my thoughts and experiences, too. But first, go read Momo’s post, not only because it’s fabulous, but also because she explains how conference sponsorship for brands happens to work. I’ll still be here when you get back. Done? Great. Here’s what…
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Shaken.
I am, ninety-nine percent* of the time, a pretty confident person overall. Though I am not good at everything, of course (who is?), I recognize that I have talent in certain areas and choose to emphasize those rather than showcase the set of personal skills which I consider to be lackluster. Some of my best talents are listed here in no particular order: 1. Mothering.2. Organizing and executing theme parties/events.3. Making paper notecards.4. Finding the perfect gift.5. Arranging flowers.6. Baking (and decorating) cakes.7. Giving advice.8. Listening.9. Planning vacations.10. Being a good friend.11. Building things out of cardboard.12. Writing. Ah yes, writing. Yesterday, for the first time since I sat in…