October 2003 Archives

Hmmm....

What Irrational Number Are You?

You are √2 You are in good company, many other square roots are also irrational numbers. Just by being a square root you have been branded a radical. You are considered very attractive, especially by Europeans (at least on paper.) You fear that a relationship with another √2 may somehow end up complex and ultimately imaginary. In reality, only another √2 will make you whole. Your lucky number is approximately 1.41421356

Shiny Lemur Straif's Blog

Quiz found via Toonces, the Driving Cat's Journal.

One of my readers sent me a link to a story about Michael Hanscom who worked at Microsoft and got fired for posting a picture of Apple computers being unloaded at a Microsoft loading dock. Personally, I think this just sucks. Granted he did sign a non-disclosure agreement, but it's not like he gave away classified secrets. Everyone knows that Microsoft is one of the largest developers for Mac software, so they are bound to own Apple computers. However this situation is one of the reasons, why I refrain from naming my current employer in my blog. More importantly, while I allude to how stressful things are within the organization, I don't explain in detail my current frustrations. It would be nice to exercise my right to free speech, but I know it's not a good idea as someone from a competitor could be reading and I could unintentionally pass on information that would jeopardize my firm. That is not something I want to do. Plus I don't want to provide a false impression of my company. After all, I would only be giving my point of view. Management would tell a different story. Also, from talking to my friends who have positions at various levels within their organizations, I know that the grass isn't greener elsewhere. With the current economic climate, Corporate America is just a difficult place to work in right now. So it’s all about survival in this mad jungle.

It almost goes without saying, but work continues to be extremely stressful. While things are getting somewhat easier, there is the continual pressure to meet and exceed expectations. In that it's been a rough week, I had to go off to lunch by myself to just get away for awhile. I was way too tense about things beyond my control. Thus, even though I know things could be worse, I couldn't help but feel sorry for myself. Sure my numbers are up, but when you're in a team selling environment, it’s extremely frustrating when other parts of the sales team that ultimately impact your own survival, don’t perform at levels needed. In any event, mid afternoon, the Managing Director for the Chicago office came over and asked me to join a happy hour earlier tonight. I was still tense for the rest of the day but my attitude brightened somewhat. Primarily because the happy hour was for the 20+ consulting team at my company's largest revenue client; a client that I uncovered for the firm. Things got even better when I walked in the room at Bob Chinn’s and the President of company clapped. Now if I could get that type of validation at work everyday by senior management, I’d feel so much better about things. Sure I know they think I'm doing a good job, but I want to hear it, time and time again. Plus, while it’s nice to reap the financial rewards of your efforts; it feels great when management publicly acknowledges your contribution to the company.

I went to my first live auction last night. Let me say that the experience was totally off the charts and I can't wait to go to another one. I went there intending to bid of dining room furniture and ended up buying three boxes of silverware. I came close to buying a dining room set at a dirt bottom price, but I decided to pass because while it was nice, it just didn't think it would go well with the rest of my mostly Queen Anne style furniture. So can't wait to go back in two weeks for the next auction. Maybe I'll have better luck then with finding a suitable dinning room table. Heck, even it I don't still thinking it will be fun. Based on research I've done so far, should I decide to sell the stuff I bought at auction on Ebay, I'd make at a minimum 5X of what I paid. Oh yeah!!

Speaking of Ebay, I got this great deal on a china cabinet via Ebay. Now the seller doesn't want to part with the merchandise because they were foolish enough to start at a low price without putting a reserve price on the item. So now I'm trying to get the matter resolved with Ebay. Goodness. Why don't people read the fine print; once an auction has ended and there is no reserve bid, it becomes a legally binding contract. Hopefully, I'll be able to get the item but I'm not too optimistic.

I just noticed that my blog stats are off the radar. According to Extreme Tracking, yesterday alone, I had over five hundred visitors. Heck, that's almost twice the amount of visitors I got when I was profiled by the Chicago Tribune this past summer. Upon further investigation, uncovered that most of the referrals are coming via link from Professor James Joyner of Outside the Beltway fame who included me on list of notable blog chicks who have their pictures posted. Since there are a zillion female bloggers out there (ok, maybe just a few hundred thousand), let me say that I feel totally honored to be included on this very short list. Ok, sure the recognition doesn't relate to my writing, but it's always good to be noticed by a top blogger in such a crowded landscape. So welcome everyone! Here's hoping a few of you will stick around for awhile.

Oh the joys of being a professional athlete. Of course, Shaq’s behavior is the least of Kobe’s problems.

Monday, October 27, 2003 ESPN.com, Kobe critical of Shaq's leadership

GRAY: What was your reaction to Shaq saying the Lakers are his team, and everybody knows it?

BRYANT: It doesn't matter whose team it is. Nobody cares. I don't, Karl [Malone] doesn't, Gary [Payton] doesn't, and our teammates and the fans don't either. There's more to life than whose team this is. But this is his team, so it's time for him to act like it. That means no more coming into camp fat and out of shape, when your team is relying on your leadership on and off the court. It also means no more blaming others for our team's failure, or blaming staff members for not overdramatizing your injuries so that you avoid blame for your lack of conditioning. Also, "my team" doesn't mean only when we win, it means carrying the burden of defeat just as gracefully as you carry a championship trophy.

GRAY: Do you feel Shaq has been supportive in regards to your legal situation?

BRYANT: He is not my quote unquote "big brother." A big brother would have called to lend his support this summer. I heard absolutely nothing from him. I spoke to Devon [George], Rick [Fox], Mitch [Kupchak], Phil, and our owner Jerry Buss. And Shaq's own Uncle Jerome called and left three messages. Other teammates like Derek [Fisher], Mark [Madsen], and [Stanislav Medvedenko] left messages as well. Opponents called like [Chris] Webber, [Mike] Bibby, and many others. So did a lot of coaches. Michael Jordan, who didn't have my home phone, tracked it down to lend his support. So did Tiger Woods. But yet from my so-called big brother, I heard nothing.

Unfortunately, electronic voting machines don't yet seem ready for prime time. A recent article by Steven Levy excerpted below, indicates that security experts believe that elections using current direct recording electronic voting systems (DRE) such as those produced by Diebold, have a high risk of election being stolen. So maybe states like Florida should stick to butterfly ballots until they can get it right. It just might be easier to determine who wins an election, even if you have to deal with hanging chads.

Newsweek, Nov. 3 2003 issue, Black Box Voting Blues by Steven Ley

After the traumas of butterfly ballots and hanging chad, election officials are embracing a brave new ballot: sleek, touch-screen terminals known as direct recording electronic voting systems (DRE). States are starting to replace their Rube Goldbergesque technology with digital devices like the Diebold Accu-Vote voting terminal. Georgia uses Diebolds exclusively, and other states have spent millions on such machines, funded in part by the 2002 federal Help America Vote Act. Many more terminals are on the way.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE machines have “a fatal disadvantage,” says Rep. Rush Holt of New Jersey, who’s sponsoring legislation on the issue. “They’re unverifiable. When a voter votes, he or she has no way of knowing whether the vote is recorded.” After you punch the buttons to choose your candidates, you may get a final screen that reflects your choices—but there’s no way to tell that those choices are the ones that ultimately get reported in the final tally. You simply have to trust that the software inside the machine is doing its job.

It gets scarier. The best minds in the computer-security world contend that the voting terminals can’t be trusted. Listen, for example, to Avi Rubin, a computer-security expert and professor at Johns Hopkins University who was slipped a copy of Diebold’s source code earlier this year. After he and his students examined it, he concluded that the protections against fraud and tampering were strictly amateur hour. “Anyone in my basic security classes would have done better,” he says. The cryptography was weak and poorly implemented, and the smart-card system that supposedly increased security actually created new vulnerabilities. Rubin’s paper concluded that the Diebold system was “far below even the most minimal security standards.” Naturally, Diebold disagrees with Rubin. “We’re very confident of accuracy and security in our system,” says director of Diebold Election Systems Mark Radke.

Is anyone else watching the Planet of the Apes marathon on AMC? I've seen the five movies in series at least four times, but every time I channel surf and see them playing, I watch again. I suppose I'm fascinated by the whole concept of humans being ruled by apes. I wonder if they would treat humans as we now treat them. Also, are humans really superior because our language is somewhat more developed than that of animals? More importantly, are we (humans) destined for self-destruction? Personally, I don't really want to find out. But with our constant wars and turf battles, it seems that way some times. So, should the end of the world come, let me be long gone.

Btw, here are some classic lines from the movie:

Julius, Dr. Zira's nephew, critiques human behavior: Julius: You know the saying, "Human see, human do."

Taylor explains his decision to become an astronaut:
Taylor: Imagine me needing someone. Back on Earth I never did. Oh, there were women. Lots of women. Lots of love-making but no love. You see, that was the kind of world we'd made. So I left, because there was no one to hold me there.

The cross-species chemistry between Taylor and the chimpanzee doctor heats up:
Taylor: Doctor, I'd like to kiss you goodbye.
Dr. Zira: All right, but you're so damned ugly.

In the apes' religion, man is not cast in favorable light:
Cornelius (reading from the apes' sacred scrolls): Beware the beast man, for he is the Devil's pawn. Alone among God's primates, he kills for sport or lust or greed. Yea, he will murder his brother to possess his brother's land. Let him not breed in great numbers, for he will make a desert of his home and yours. Shun him, for he is the harbinger of death.

These are Taylor's first words to his ape captors:
Taylor: Get your stinking paws off me, you damned, dirty ape!

Taylor tries to wrap his mind around the new reality:
Taylor: A planet where apes evolved from men?

The infamous finale in which Taylor sees the Statue of Liberty and realizes he's on earth:
Taylor: You maniacs! You blew it up. God damn you! Damn you! God damn you all to hell!

The evidence mounts that, indeed, humans were once the superior race:
Taylor: Doctor, would an ape make a human doll that talks?

Dr. Zaius belittles the human race:
Dr. Zaius: Dr. Zira, I must caution you. Experimental brain surgery on these creatures is one thing, and I'm all in favor of it. But your behavior studies are another matter. To suggest that we can learn anything about the simian nature from a study of man is sheer nonsense. Why, man is a nuisance. He eats up his food supply in the forest, then migrates to our green belts and ravages our crops. The sooner he is exterminated, the better. It's a question of simian survival.

Ouch! And this coming from an orangutan:
Dr. Zaius: You are right, I have always known about man. From the evidence, I believe his wisdom must walk hand and hand with his idiocy. His emotions must rule his brain. He must be a warlike creature who gives battle to everything around him, even himself.

I spent most of the day with my younger sister. Sort of strange in that we haven't really talked much these last months. But in an effort to be the adult in the relationship, I decided that it was time to forgive her public outburst in New York. In that I'm on a furniture kick, we spent the day visiting one second hand furniture/antique store after another trying to see if I could find a suitable dinning room table. In that I didn't find anything, we ended up spending the evening at her house relaxing. While there I promised to give her mom's china and silverware. I had held on to it with the intention of giving it to her when I thought she had settled down, and I just felt like now was the right time.

Thank goodness the work week is over. I'm totally exhausted from it all. Work continues to be quite stressful, but we won't talk about that now. Not after a lovely evening on the couch sipping peppermint tea and reading my latest chick-lit novel: Babyville. Oh if every night could be this relaxing. While it's nice to be out with family friends living it up, nothing beats being at home quiet with my thoughts and a good book.

One of my friends had a dinner party last night. As with prior soirées, I had a wonderful time. She wants to make it a once a month event where we'd each take turns hosting. This makes me just want to run out and shop for a new dinning room table. I should say that I was already thinking about doing this; particularly since I’ve been upgrading my china and kitchenware. I should admit that I currently own a small oval table. It’s good for intimate dinners for two, but wouldn't work for 8 people. Perhaps I’ll shop around. Then again, maybe I should just forget the table. I want it, but I don’t really need it.

Terri Schiavo’s case is a perfect example of why everyone of legal age should have a living will. Personally, I want to live until I’m at least 95 years old. But if something awful should happen (I'm praying that it doesn't) and I end up in a vegetative state, I just want to let nature take its course. I know my family and friends will miss me (and I then), but I want to die with dignity and for me, that’s not going to happen if I’ve hooked up to machines trying to keep me alive. Particularly if after a certain period of time (say a year), multiple doctors agree that my chances of recovery are slim to none.

Either the New York Yankees or the Florida Marlins will win the 2003 World Series Championship. But a computer simulation game developed by APBA showcases what could have been with if both the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox had made it.

USAToday, Updated 10/22/2003 4:59 PM

Cubs vs. Red Sox: Our Dream Series
It's the matchup many fans dreamed about: The Chicago Cubs vs. the Boston Red Sox. While neither franchise was able to advance to the 2003 World Series to try to finally put an end to the supposed curses that haunt the respective teams, you'll be able to follow how the series might have played out, thanks to a computer simulation from APBA. APBA took this year's players, using their 2003 stats, and played a best-of-seven series.

After 3 games, the Cubs are leading 2 to 1. Go Cubbies!!

See what happens when conservatives challenge affirmative action? Well, Senate Democrats are considering a proposal that would take away federal funds from those schools that admit students under legacy program. And that my friends, it the real battle ground for college admissions today. Make no mistake about it; getting into an elite school based on legacy is a dirty little secret that conservatives don't really want to talk about. Granted most of these children are qualified, but to me, it's worse than affirmative action programs. At least with affirmative action, underprivildged children who meet certain requirements are given an opportunity to attend certain school to better themselves. Legacy programs just ensure that the children of former graduates are giving special treatment during the admissions process.

For the second time in my adult life, I'm a metal mouth. Yes, I've got braces again. I had them put back on earlier today in my every vain quest for straight teeth. It's sort of embarrassing that I have to wear them again, but on the first go around, I didn't wear my retainer all the time and my pocketbook is now paying the price. In an effort to punish myself so that I never end up here again, I decided not to get the ceramic braces that are more common with adults. So it's clearly evident I've got metal braces on my upper set of teeth. According to my orthodontics, I'll only have to wear them for 9 months, but who knows, it might take a year.

I had a fun time hanging out with fellow bloggers last Thursday at The Big Bar located at Hyatt Regency Chicago. I saw a few people I had met before, and met many more whose blogs I cruise on a regular basis. Here are a few photos from the event:

1st Photo: Brian sipping on a very large blue martini with Wendy in background.

2nd Photo: Lauriean and Ursula (Me!). Goodness, I need to loose a few pounds!

3rd Photo: Naz in middle is being freaked on the dance floor by Jesica on the left and Shylo on the right.

Aren’t we a fun crowd? Well if you're in Chicago, sign up for the Chicago Bloggers Yahoo Group to find out about future events. You might just see me there!

Apple announced last week that they have launched a Windows version of iTunes. Am I the only person out there who has not yet downloaded a song off the Internet? I don't know why, but I have no real desire to download music. Maybe if it was books, I'd be more excited. But even then, not so sure as I like the way I feel when I'm holding a book in my hand and I'm turning the pages. Who knows, maybe one of these days I'll download a song. For now, I'm in no hurry. Heck, I hardly listen to the 50 or so CDs I own.

Below is an excerpt from Fareed Zakaria's October 27th Newsweek column:

...Boykin routinely told audiences that God elevated George W. Bush to the presidency. “Why is this man in the White House? The majority of Americans did not vote for him,” he would say. “I tell you this morning that he’s in the White House because God put him there.” Boykin now explains that he believes God routinely decides American elections and has done the same thing for “Bill Clinton and other presidents.” This is surely the first time a conservative evangelical has argued that Clinton’s election was caused by divine intervention.

General Boykin sounds like he's off his rockers; and to think he was recently appointed to a senior Defense Department post.

I saw Intolerable Cruelty last night. It's a romantic comedy dealing with love, money, marriage and divorce in the most plastic place of all -- Beverly Hills. Movie stars George Clooney and Catherine Zeta-Jones whose on screen chemistry makes this cynical looks at marriage work.

Sour Bob is back from a self imposed 4 month hiatus and he’s in rare form with an entry about his ever breaking heart. No he’s didn’t write about his love life, his first entry back deals with the Chicago Cubs loosing out on opportunity to go the World Series. More specifically, he writes about Steve Bartman. Go check him out! He’s just as sour as ever. Actually he's like those new curiously strong lemon sours altoids that are a bit much when you first pop them in your mouth, but once you're done, you realize that you really like the taste. So you keep going back for more. Here's hoping Bob keeps updating on a regular basis.

Earlier tonight I saw a really great performance of "The Taming of the Shrew" at the Shakespeare Theatre at Navy Pier. I hadn't read the play but after tonight's performance, I do recall seeing the end of the movie version with a very young Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Here is a synopsis of the play as written at the Shakespeare Resource Center internet site:

Baptista, a wealthy merchant of Padua, has two daughters: Katherina and Bianca. Because of Katherina's shrewish disposition, her father has declared that no one shall wed Bianca until such time as Katherina has been married. Lucentio of Pisa, one of many suitors to the younger and kinder Bianca, devises a scheme in which he and Tranio (his servant) will switch clothes, and thus disguised, Lucentio will offer his services as a tutor for Bianca in order to get closer to her. At his point, enter Petruchio of Verona, in Padua to visit his friend Hortensio (another suitor to Bianca). Attracted by Katherina's large dowry, Petruchio resolves to woo her.

To the surprise of everyone, Petruchio claims that he finds Katherina charming and pleasant. A marriage is arranged, and Petruchio immediately sets out to tame Katherina through a series of increasingly worse tricks. This involves everything from showing up late to his own wedding to constant contradictions to whatever she says, even to the point of claiming that the sun is in fact the moon. After many trying days and nights, an exhausted Katherina is indeed "tamed" into docility.

By the end of the play, Lucentio has won Bianca's heart and Hortensio settles for a rich widow in Padua. During an evening feast for Bianca and Lucentio, Petruchio makes and wins a wager in which he proposes that he has the most obedient wife of all the men there, at which point Katherina gives Bianca a lecture on how to be a good and loving wife herself.

I should say that while I thought the actors gave a great performance, as a feminist (yes, I'm admitting to being one), I find fault with Katherina's speech at the end where she states that because women are weak creatures they should be obedient to their husband who "is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper." But trying not to dwell on that, the play after all was written circa 1593. Thank goodness that most people have evolved from this simplistic view of a woman.

When I adopted Choo-Choo a few years ago, along with an assortment of toys, I also purchased a really nice bed for him. Much to my dismay, he hasn't really used it much. In fact, he usually sleeps anywhere else but in his own bed, or mine for that matter. Lately, he's taken to sleeping in a shoe box. Yes, I kid you not! It's just the funniest thing since his 12lb body is just bursting out of the darn thing. But he's comfortable and happy and that's all that matters in the end.

Well I'm trying to stay positive, but it looks like the fat lady is about to sing and it's not to congratulate the Cubbies. Let's hope they can pull it out, but if they don't it will be a shame. They were up 3-1 in this series. Plus, they had so many opportunities to win and blew it. Last night's performance was the worse; and blaming the loss on the fan who tried to catch the ball in the 8th inning is just ridiculous. Heck, he wasn’t the only one trying to catch the ball. Unfortunate for him, he was the only one to make contact with the ball while it was still up in the air. So stop trying to make him a scapegoat. Goodness. Hopefully, I'll have to eat my words but right now as I sit here watching this game, can't help but feel extremely frustrated. Damn! Damn! This is why I try not to get so emotionally vested in sport. It is after all, just a game.

Tomorrow is the last day to see a film at the Chicago International Film Festival. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to check out any of the films prior to today and tomorrow night I have plans. Such poor planning on my part. The festival went on for 14 days. Wondering, did anyone see any of the 94 feature films shown? With films from 94 countries, the lineup looked pretty interesting. Such a shame I didn't take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. I love seeing low budget and/or foreign films. They always seem to have much more heart in them.

Chicago is leading 3-0. Bottom of 7th inning. I'm on my way up to Wrigley Field. Pray for my safe return.

Update @ 11:15pm: They say don't count your chickens before they are hatched and it looks like I did that earlier tonight. The CUBS were six outs away from going to the World Series tonight when I left my house. Specifically, at exactly 9:20pm, I left for Wrigley Field. By the time I got there around 9:34pm, the score was 8-3 in favor of the Marlins. I just couldn't believe that in such a short time, things had gone so horribly wrong. I stood around with the other 10,000+ fans and listened to the radio broadcast in disbelief. Everything was in place for a victory celebration. Then things just fell apart. Thankfully, the CUBS get one more chance tomorrow night. Hopefully, they don't choke. I do so want to see them make it to the World Series. As for whether or not I'll go back up there tomorrow night, well, thinking I'll stay home until I know for sure they've won because as the saying goes: it ain't over until it's over." I believe! Do you believe?

It use to be that the only people who talked about money, were the people who didn't have any. But it looks like that is changing with October 27th premiere of Born Rich documentary on HBO, and upcoming TV shows like, The Simple Life (FOX) and Rich Girls (MTV). Based on the reviews, not sure a favorable picture is painted of these old money types, but I guess I'll take a wait and see attitude.

Heir Heads: Reality TV is obsessed with people trying to get rich. But what about people who were born rich? You’re going to be sorry you asked. By Marc Peyser and B. J. Sigesmund, NEWSWEEK

Oct. 20 issue — The clingy dress, the Chanel belt, the denim mini-skirt—if they were cruising the clubs, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie would be stunning. However, the Beverly Hills bombshells just relocated to Altus, Ark. (population: 817), so the reaction is closer to stunned. “Well, their clothing is a little different than what most girls wear around here,” says grandma Curly Leding. You ain’t seen nothing yet, Curly.

INSIDE THE LEDINGS’ modest farmhouse, Hilton and Richie face surprise after nasty surprise. A single bathroom. A well. “What are wells for?” asks Hilton. “Water,” says mom Janet Leding. Richie is so bewildered, she needs to check her bearings. “Do you guys hang out at Wal-Mart?” she asks. “I’ve always heard that people hang out at Wal-Mart.” The Ledings look confused. So does Hilton. “What is Wal-Mart?” she asks. “Is it, like, they sell wall stuff?” Could anyone be this stupid? Thank heavens, yes. Richie (Lionel’s daughter) and Hilton (the hotel heiress) are the stars of Fox’s “The Simple Life,” which like all TV shows steals its concept—in this case, it’s “Green Acres” with two real “celebutants” filling the stilettos of one Gabor. “The Simple Life” debuts in December, and it already looks like the next reality-TV phenom. By then, we’ll be well primed by a slew of rich people behaving badly. Later this month MTV will launch “Rich Girls,” which follows Tommy Hilfiger’s daughter, Ally, and her spoiled friends as they navigate high school from the back of a limo. And HBO will air a documentary called “Born Rich,” in which Ivanka Trump, Georgina Bloomberg, magazine heir S. I. Newhouse IV and others discuss the burdens of inherited wealth. Though you don’t have to be an heiress to be a successful TV airhead. The reigning rich ditz, pop star Jessica Simpson, and husband, Nick Lachey, just signed on for a second season of MTV’s “Newlyweds.” Perhaps she wants a shot at atoning for the moment this year when she debated whether Chicken of the Sea is tuna or chicken. “I hate fish, so I didn’t understand why I liked this tuna,” Simpson tried to explain to David Letterman last week. “It doesn’t make any sense at all, I know.”

What is it with people and their cell phones? Granted it's a wonderful invention, but more and more, people seem to be using it to annoy (intentionally or not) others around them. Heck, my younger sister and I had an argument last May because she was talking loud on a cell phone in crowded restaurant. I told her to take her conversation outside and she started bitching at me. This led to a very heated argument in the middle of Time Square and we haven't talked since. Yesterday she called me for the first time since the blow up and we ended arguing about the whole thing again. She doesn't think she did anything wrong. Now tonight on the bus, I was surrounded by 4 people yapping away. Don't they understand how rude it is to be loudly talking on a cell phone in a public place? People, we don't want to hear about your sex life, your obnoxious friends, parents, boss, spouse, kids, etc. Keep your personal and business dealings to yourself. Goodness. I'm so annoyed by all the excessive cell phone talking in public places, that I just might print off the cell phone do's and don'ts listed below and pass them out. Things have totally gotten out of hand.

Cell phone etiquette: 10 dos and don'ts
by Joanna L. Krotz

Don'ts

1. Never take a personal mobile call during a business meeting. This includes interviews and meetings with co-workers or subordinates.

2. Maintain at least a 10-foot zone from anyone while talking.

3. Never talk in elevators, libraries, museums, restaurants, theaters, dentist or doctor waiting rooms, places of worship, auditoriums or other enclosed public spaces, such as hospital emergency rooms or buses. And don't have any emotional conversations in public — ever.

4. Don't use loud and annoying ring tones that destroy concentration and eardrums. Grow up!

5. Never "multi-task" by making calls while shopping, banking, waiting in line or conducting other personal business.

Do's

1. Keep all cellular congress brief and to the point.

2. Use an earpiece in high-traffic or noisy locations. That lets you hear the amplification — how loud you sound at the other end — so you can modulate your voice.

3. Tell callers when you're on a cell phone and where you are — so they can anticipate distractions or disconnections.

4. Demand "quiet zones" and "phone-free areas" at work and in public venues, like the quiet cars on the Metroliner.

5. Inform everyone on your stored-number list that you've just adopted the new rules for mobile manners. Ask them to do likewise. Please.

I'm at home watching the CUBS play the Florida Marlins. Right now they are down 2 to 0, but hopefully they can make a comeback to wrap up this series. If they do, I might just go up to Wrigley Field. I know it will be crazy, but thinking it would be fun to be in the middle of all the action. It's been a long time since the CUBS have been to the World Series. Plus the ballpark is only 10 minutes walking from my house.

To watch last night's game, my friends I were at Fizz Bar & Grill. Fizz is one of the new establishments at the center of a revitalized Lincoln, Ashland and Belmont corner. When I first moved downtown Chicago from Schaumburg after best guy friend and I broke up (yes we dated at one point), I lived at the corner of Barry & Ashland. Now there is so much more commerce and new residential development than when I lived there over 8 years ago. In any event, after watching the CUBS win, we headed over to La Taberna Tapatia on Ashland. As we sat in our booth talking, this guy turned towards us and started dancing erotically to the beats being spun by DJ Masta. It was the funniest thing. Everyone in the bar was looking at him and laughing, but he could care less. I said to one of my friends, "now there is a guy with a lot of confidence." He kept trying to engage us to dance with him but none of us would take him up on his offer. After a while, he came over and asked my friend if we enjoyed the performance. She told him he had nice moves which encouraged him to dance more even thought he had told us he was leaving. Oh well! After a while, he eventually left. My friends and I did too as the music got really loud, but I'm sure we'll go back again. The atmosphere at La Taberna was pretty laid back and the crowd was pretty diverse. With all the changes taking place around the Lincoln, Ashland Belmont six-way intersection, can't wait to see what it will be like 5 years from now. The neighborhood has come a long way; and thankfully for the better.

I'm off with friends to watch the CUBS game, but thought I would ask a quick question. Does anyone know of any scary haunted houses here in the Chicagoland area? Thinking it might be fun to check one out during the week of Halloween.

For once, I agree with Pamela Anderson on something. The tigers owned by Siegfried & Roy should be retired. They've worked long enough.

Anderson crusades for the big cats Oct. 9: Pam Anderson is making a plea to Siegfried & Roy: Free the tigers. The former Baywatch babe who is also a staunch animal rights advocate is spearheading a campaign to have the beasts from the long-running show released into an animal sanctuary.

I'll like to pass the article below to my manager and my manager’s manager, but I’ll refrain from doing so, as I'm sure they would see it only as a criticism on their management style.

Getting the best workers to stay: New thoughts on how firms should view employees By Jon Bonné, MSNBC, Oct. 8 — With a few signs of hope in the U.S. job market and many employees restless in their jobs, companies need to start thinking about how to keep their best workers from leaving. How an employee feels about his workplace can be key to whether he stays, but on that point employers often seem clueless, human-resources experts say.

I grew up in Boston and have lived in Chicago for almost 10 years. Nothing would please me more but to see the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox play in the World Series. Sure I'd have divided loyalty, but it would be so nice to see one of these teams win.

Reading chick-lit out loud to Choo-Choo which can be downright funny, is no fun. He just looks at me and wails. Thinking he wants me to stop reading books like Smart vs. Pretty which I finished yesterday, and Asking for Trouble which I'm already half-way through and move on to more serious literature. Not to be a book snob, but some of these books are no better than harlequin romance novels which I pride myself on not reading. In fact, I’ve never read a harlequin romance novel. Yet, I can't tear myself away from this new wave of romance novels with there predictable plots. Basically, all the books revolve around a 20 or 30-something single woman who obsesses about her love life, weight, family, floundering career, etc. They are all too Bridget Jones. Or better yet, wannabe Sex and the City. Goodness! Why do I keep reading these things? Yes, on some level I can relate to the main characters, but come on. You know what, maybe I should just stop trying to analyze and be thankful I'm reading and recognize that as much as I want to start reading Madeline Albright's memoir (which is bound to be much more serious and profound), I'm so not ready for that type of book right now. I need escapism. Of course it not really escapism, as these books remind me about what I need and want so much in my life. Oh well. Next up, Ghosts of Boyfriends Past. Oh Goodie!

Former President Clinton went to California. Former Vice President Gore went to California. Jesse Jackson went to California. In the end, none of them were successful in helping Gray Davis save his job. It's now Governor Schwarzenegger. God help California and the rest of these United States. I'm sure Arnold will surround himself with good people to help him govern, but I know it won't be easy. California like many other states in the Union is in a sorry state. Hopefully, they (Republican & Democratic Party leaders) can put the recall behind them and start properly managing the State that like to boast that they have the 4th largest economy in the world. As for the Democratic Party, hopefully they can get their act together for November 2004. They won't win the White House back by loosing California's 54 or Florida's 25 electorial college votes. Let this be a wake up call. The Democratic Party has lost its way. Hopefully, it’s only temporary.

In the next few weeks, I plan to list many books and magazines via Ebay. I don't really want to part with them, but I need the space. So far, I'm listed two auctions. The most important one is for: 65 Popular Science Magaines. Magazines date from 1927 – 1953. Go check them out. More importantly, please bid! Choo-Choo and I both thank you in advance!

A new annoyance: spam in my comment section. Goodness! When will it end.

Got a good chuckle out of this one...

You are the brown line. Inevitably, you are in a
hurry to get somewhere, because you are so gosh
darn important. Wouldn't want to be late for
Tae Bo, would we? Aw, don't feel insulted. It's
not worth crying over spilt venti mocha latte.

Which Chicago 'El' line are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Quiz above found via Sasoozie's Secrets.

Btw, if you are a part of the Chicagoland blog scene, be sure to sign up to have your blog listed via Chicago Bloggers and Chicago BlogMap. Both list blogs by closest el/subway station.

Am I the only one that thinks stores like Linen N Things have jumped the gun by starting to sell Christmas decorations now? I went in the store yesterday and couldn't believe my eyes. There was isle after isle of Christmas decorations. Goodness! It's not even Halloween yet!

I've been doing a lot of browsing on Amazon, Ebay and William-Sonoma for the past 2 days. I haven't purchased anything yet, but I've come close. In fact, I'm taking a break from searching now. Among other things, I call myself looking for a large salad bowl. Why? I have no idea. It's not like I'm going to cook or throw a dinner party anytime soon. Goodness. I really don't understand my slight obsession with kitchenware, when I'm not that big a fan of cooking. I have pots I purchased almost a year ago that have not yet been used. What's worse about this whole situation is that now that I've started browsing, I can't stop. Online shopping is worse than window shopping. At least stores with a physical address close. So there is only so much window shopping you can do. On the internet, stores are open 24hours which leads to so much time being wasted because people like me often end up going down to the physical store to touch and feel what we want before actually purchasing online.

Now here is a book I need to buy for my friend (she's early 40s) who last January set a goal for herself to be married by end of year. Then again, maybe I should buy it for myself. Recently I've started to talk more about wanting to date, yet I never seem to meet anyone worth dating. So maybe I too could learn a thing or two from this book.

Find A Husband After 35 by Rachel Greenwald, MBA Why are you still single? It doesn’t matter. The important question is what are you going to do about it? I have created a proactive and assertive 15-step program (simply called “The Program”) to help you find a wonderful husband. It’s all about taking action, not analyzing why, why, why. “The Program” uses powerful marketing tactics that I learned at Harvard Business School, used as a professional marketer, then applied to the dating world.

“The Program” works for women of all ages: if you are between 35 and 105 (!), and want to find a husband now quickly and efficiently, or even if you are under age 35 and want to prevent yourself from being single later on. It works if you want to get married for the first time, or the fourth time. Take matters into your own hands and stop waiting for fate to knock on your door!

Btw, I know a woman doesn't need to have a man in her life to be happy. But I'd like to have children someday and I'd like to do that with a husband I love and adore who feels the same way about me.

My neighborhood is going crazy. CUBS win! CUBS win! Just one more win to go to close out this series. I don't want to get ahead of myself here, but maybe the curse has been removed. Time will only tell I suppose.

Is anyone else out there watching the new NBC TV show Las Vegas on Monday nights? Even though I'm not a big fan of the gambling world, I'm really digging the show....and not just because Josh Duhamel of All My Children fame is a total babe. The show overall is fast paced, sexy and filled with lots of action surrounding an elite surveillance team at the fictional Montecito Resort & Casino. So even though some critics are slamming it and saying it's all glitz with limited substance, if I'm home on Monday nights, it's must see TV.

Rush Limbaugh's comments about Donovan McNabb further confirms that he is a big fat idiot and racist! I can't believe that in 2003 someone of his stature who think that it would be ok to make those sorts of comments. Oh well! At least we know were he really stands. After all, it's better to have the racist speak his mind than keep quiet. That way, no chance of mistaking him for a friend.

I finished reading Waiting by Ha Jin which is filled with lots of irony and subtlety. It's the story of a Chinese officer (circa 1968) who wants to divorce his wife to marry another woman he meets while working at a military hospital. Each year he goes back to his native village and with his wife goes down to the courthouse to try and get the divorce. However, each year his claim gets rejected. Divorce during Chairman Mao's Cultural Revolution was frowned upon. Finally after 18 years, he is allowed to divorce. He immediately then marries the woman who has been waiting for him all these years. What he discovered during this second marriage is that he really doesn't understand the meaning of love. Also, this second marriage with new children may not be what he really wants. In the end, we see him longing for the first wife whom he abandoned so many years ago and he starts to think that maybe his parents didn't do such a bad job of arranging his first marriage. Such a simple love story told with eloquent prose that further confirms what we already know, "the grass isn't always greener on the other side."

Earlier today I met political activist Al Franken. He was at the Borders on State Street signing copies of his latest book: Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look At The Right. Unlike Madeleine Albright who did not speak at her book signing last week, Al went on for 20 minutes blasting all the usual suspects (Fox News, Bill O'Reilly, Ann Coulter, President Bush, Vice President Cheney, etc.). He started off by talking about his encounter with Bill O'Reilly last June at BookExpo in Los Angeles. He mentioned that he challenged Bill who he characterizes as a pathological liar with information obtained while searching Nexis. Bill, who felt ambushed, got upset and tried to respond by saying that unlike Al, he doesn't call people liars. Al responded by saying "evidentially he doesn't watch his own show." Bill got even more upset and repeatedly told Al to shut up. Al then went on to talk about how Bill (the bully) ran to the teacher (Fox News) to have Bill punished (sued) for trademark violations. He indicated that the suit which was laden with irony was literally (not figuratively) laughed out of court. After bashing Bill and Shawn Hannity another Fox News personality who he said was up Newt Gingrich's ass from 1994 - 1998 (no wait, 1995), he then went on to talk about the Bush administration. In fact he blasted both Bush I & II, for losing over 2 million jobs during their presidency. Re the war, he indicated that while he strongly supports the troops, President Bush has many questions to answer re motivation for starting war in Iraq. As of today, no weapons of mass destruction have been found. Al concluded his talk by saying that Bush II had squandered the surplus from the Clinton year, the good will of the American people and the world at large since 9-11. As such, the most partisan administration ever, needs to be removed from office in 2004. So he challenged those within the audience to get involved to work and work and work. He suggested getting involved with Wellstone Action or any other local political organization. Btw, Al mentioned that Bush's 2004 campaign slogan would be: "Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength." Yikes!!!

P.S. While in line, I met a fellow blogger. She has a really cool blog called: Young Librarian. Go check her site out sometime. And if you know of any librarian jobs, send her an email. She's a recent graduate from the University of Illinois.

P.P.S. Two seconds after getting in line, I met a guy who told me he was unemployed and then pressed a card in my hand for Auntie Fashions. From looking at website, looks like they sell t-shirts with political slogans. Go check it out!