November 2003 Archives

Last night found me at Harrah's Joliet Casino. Truth be told, I was only there about 5 minutes. I went yet again to cash coupons that amounted to $120 of free money. Even the $11 cost of getting there was reimbursed. Goodness! I wonder how long this will last? Never have I made such easy money.

The masses were out in full force yesterday. This made it difficult to get a reservation at a decent restaurant downtown last night without waiting an hour plus. My friend and I ended up at Houston's after trying two other places (Grand Cafe Lux & Bandera). Houston's was great as they had a bar in the lobby and a jazz band to make the wait tolerable. Plus we ended up only having to wait about 20 minutes. I had the BBQ Ribs with squash and my friend had the Hawaiian Ribeye with spinach. All in all, not bad food for a chain restaurant. I've been there about half a dozen times in the past, and have never been disappointed.

After dinner we headed to the movies to see Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. While a bit slow at times, I totally loved the movie. I found it to be a throwback to the way films were made long ago. No unnecessary love story and a keen attention to the details. Plus it tells an incredible naval battle story and has a strong cast with Russell Crowe leading as British Captain Jack Aubrey. A sure bet to get a best picture nomination!

Lately, I've been having some difficult conversations with my two sisters. With my older sister, we recently discussed the events surrounding Mom's illness and eventual death. I argue that Mom gave up way too early in the fight, my older sister wonders, who am I to judge. With my younger sister, we've been discussing religion. You see, she married a man of Pakistani decent earlier this year and as such switched to being a Muslim. Of course, she claims that she was already thinking about converting. Yeah right! Granted she is an adult and has a right to change her belief system, cannot help but feel that it's an uninformed choice. Unlike most people who read and study and then make an educated decision, my sister is doing it backwards. After several painful conversations with her, I’ve come to the conclusion that she knows very little about the Muslim faith. Heck, she’s even admitted as much. I am trying to stay level headed about the whole thing but it's rather difficult when I listen to her throw out one inaccurate statement after another. I find myself getting offended by the whole thing because she now views Christianity as less advanced (code word really for superior) than the Muslim religion. I’m offended as I see this as a rejection on how our Mom raised us. More importantly, whereas I think it’s important to be tolerant of other religions, my sister gets defensive about her new choice and responds with negativity about other religions. So unlike the conversation I had with my older sister where we can agree to disagree, I feel compelled to at least make her aware of the inaccuracies of her statements related to the history of both Christian, Jewish & Muslim religions. Hey, maybe I’ll get her some books for Christmas. Oh wait, even though she plans to celebrate Christmas, we can’t call it that.

To all my friends and family in the US and beyond who celebrate Thanksgiving Day, wishing you the best for the day. Let me say that even thought there are days where it might not seem like you matter much to me, I really appreciate your presence in my life.

I suppose I should provide an update to my post of yesterday. Well, I have had communication with the person in question. So all is well for now. Time will only tell as to whether or not it's worthy of even talking about. Part of me feels like I've already jinxed the whole thing by mentioning it on here because by doing so, I've validated this other person's existence. Oh well! Let's all hope for the best. Btw, forgot to mention that I saw Love Actually yesterday afternoon. I suppose it had something to do with heightening my anxiety about the phone call. This overly optimistic movie chronicles 10 different romantic stories and was quite convincing in main theme that love really is all around us. Of course, if you're like me and you're not currently in love and haven't been in love for a long time, it's sort of depressing as it seems like everyone else but you is surrounded by love. However, at the same time, it gives me hope that it's just a matter of time before I've catch the love bug!

I've been watching the phone all night. Jumping each time it rings. Hoping that it's a certain person calling. Wondering why when guys say they'll call they don't. Wondering, when I'll get to the point where I'll be in a relationship and not have the deal with these crazy rituals and rules. Wondering why this whole thing has to be so complicated.

Yesterday I had dinner at Mystic Celt with a friend and saw the latest Claude Chabrol movie: The Flower of Evil at the Music Box Theatre. Still undecided as to whether or not I really liked the film as the ending was a bit weird; well maybe just unresolved. I won't give it way, but below is a description of the movie as written at movies.com:

After finishing his studies in Chicago, François (Benoît Magimel) returns to his family's Bordeaux estate to discover that his dear aunt Line (Suzanne Flon) may have killed her father, his grandfather, back in 1944. The death was investigated and Aunt Line was cleared back then, but now anonymous leaflets offering clues begin showing up at the house. The movie shifts between the modern day and 1944, covering a two-week period as family members' lives are re-examined.

Not to gloat or anything, but Michigan kicked Ohio State's butt yesterday. Oh yeah! So not only are we Big Ten Champs, but we're going to the Rose Bowl! The Rose Bowl! The Rose Bowl! So hail hail to Michigan, the champions of the West!

Btw, if you're a Wolverine fan in Chicago consider attending the 72nd Annual Sports-o-Rama sponsored by the University of Michigan Club of Chicago on Thursday, December 4th. I'll be there and so with Michigan football coach, Lloyd Carr.

Just above average on this purity scale.

Your Ultimate Purity Score Is...
Category	Your Score	Average
Self-Lovin'	68.3% Explored the pleasures of the flesh	65.1%
Shamelessness	90.5% Has yet to see self in mirror	79.3%
Sex Drive	78.9% The Pope is envious	77.7%
Straightness	23.2% Knows the other body type like a map	45.1%
Gayness	100%	83.3%
Fucking Sick	98.2% Refreshingly normal	89.9%
You are 75.96% pure Average Score: 72.6%
Take The Ultimate Purity Test and see how you match up!

Quiz found via If You Don't Like It.

There are weeks, heck months that go by where I hardly ever thing about being intimate with someone and then all of a sudden my hormones start to rage. The intensity at times is overwhelming. Self love doesn't even seem to calm things down. Goodness! I wish my prince charming would unveil himself. This is almost unbearable.

When your whole life is a lie, it's hard to ever really be happy or achieve inner peace. This is what Coleman Silk (Anthony Hopkins) struggles with in the movie: The Human Stain which is based on novel written by Philip Roth. Even sadder, is that when an opportunity presents itself for him to come clean about the lie, he chooses to remain silent even thought it means loosing his job. What's really sad is that the lie relates to who he is as a person. You see in an effort not to be political or deal with possible rejection socially and professionally under the Jim Crow era, he abandons his black family by choosing to pass as white. Granted he did it because he wanted to get ahead in life, it’s just really sad that people were forced to even consider that an option. Of course, I suppose there is a positive side in that those who did pass might have actually helped break down racial barriers. After all, if the lie is eventually revealed, I suppose it would force those who accepted the person as white to rethink their views about black people.

Everyone is talking about their addictions, so I thought I would talk about mine. Now granted my addictions have nothing to do with drugs (thankfully), but they are still addictions none the less. So here goes my list. First, you already know about my addiction to bookstores and my inability to leave one without buying yet another book. You already know about my addiction to fatty foods. Who isn't right? And you already know about my addiction to men who are all wrong for me -- so maybe it's not a bad thing that I'm single. But you don’t know about my current addiction to Ebay. Now granted I haven’t really purchased anything, in fact I’ve sold quite a few items, but what I have done lately is spend waste countless hours cruising the site looking for things I don't need. Goodness, what is wrong with me? I know there is a major void in my life but the last thing I need is more crap to fill up my apartment. Plus, I know that buying more stuff is only a temporary high. Besides, I'd really like to downsize and get rid of the clutter, yet I never seem to be able to come around to doing so. Instead I just collect more and more stuff. Maybe it’s time for an intervention. Did I mention that I started going to live auctions? I'm suppose to be looking for a dining room table with chairs, yet I get caught up in the bidding process and buy other stuff I don't need. Mon Dieu! Maybe someone will recommend me for a TV Show like Mission: Organization. Most things are neat and orderly in my apartment, but I've got way too much stuff I don't need. I need to start purging.

Lately, when I receive a copy of my college alumni association magazine, Michigan Alumnus, I immediately flip to the back and check out the Notes section. This is where they print a list of all the alums that have died. In that I graduated in 1992, it's sort of weird for me to be looking at that section so closely, but I do. There are usually people from my class but thankfully, no one I had a close personal friendship with. I thought of this earlier today as I was browsing the Chicago Tribune while waiting for my takeout order. There in front of me was an ad for OrbitMessenger. It's a service that allows you to receive daily emails about death notices that match a certain search criteria (i.e. last name, high school, town, association, etc.). It’s a great idea and could be quite helpful for genealogy purposes, but I couldn't help but be creeped out by the whole thing. Here’s hoping that I never have to read a publication of any kind to find out that someone close to me died. More importantly, while I know that death is the final stage in the journey called life, here's hoping that anyone of importance to me will live for many many more years to come. My mom died almost 10 years ago, and I sometime grieve for her like it just happened yesterday. As such, I can't deal with any more loss in my life.

If you need a reminder about the greatness of American Democracy, go check out: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. It's a documentary about the short lived coup d'état against democratically elected Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in April 2002. The documentary is amazing in the sense that it captures the events as they happen. It is not a retelling. Two independent film makers were already shadowing President Chavez who was trying to bring about change in the country – specifically as it relates to sharing more of the oil wealth with the people of Venezuela when the coup d'état occurred. They were there in the palace when he was forcibly removed and then again two days later when he triumphantly returned to power. They were there with the demonstrators in the streets who demanded that Chavez be returned to power. They were there with the opposition leaders who tried to override the election and revert the country back into dictatorship. Truly amazing stuff. As I watched this action filled docudrama, couldn't help but think of the 2000 US Presidential elections. I remember thinking how remarkable it was that there was such a smooth transfer of power despite the election being in dispute. I remember wondering, how other nations would have responded to this constitutional crisis. I remember thinking that few nations would have come to such a peaceful conclusion so quickly. I remember thinking, how great it is to live in a country that makes every effort to abide by the rules spelled out in the constitution. I remember thinking that while all is not right here – this still is one of the best places in the world to live. So long live American Democracy!

The Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office and Sheriff's Department searched Michael Jackson Neverland Ranch today. I'm wondering what they were servicing for. Considering they got a Judge to grant a search warrant, thinking it must be something serious. Only time will tell I suppose.

Update: Looks like another boy has charged that he had inappropriate conduct with Michael Jackson. What I find interesting is that he didn't go to the police but to a law firm. Something tells me this kid may just be looking for a payoff. Then again, maybe the allegations are true. In which case, MJ needs to be brought down.

Schools that reject applicants solely based on race have no place in our society. Furthermore, it doesn't matter whether or not federal funds are involved. Reverse discrimination is reserve discrimination. As such, it will be interesting to see whether or not ruling below gets upheld.

Hawaiians-Only Policy at School Upheld Mon Nov 17, 6:04 PM ET Add U.S. National - AP to My Yahoo! By JAYMES SONG, Associated Press Writer

HONOLULU - A federal judge ruled Monday that the exclusive Kamehameha Schools may continue its Hawaiians-only admissions policy, rejecting a discrimination complaint from a student who said the policy violated his civil rights.

U.S. District Judge Alan Kay said the admissions policy passed muster because of the school's unique historical circumstances. Since the private school receives no federal funding, it should not be held to the same scrutiny as public schools, Kay said.

After the game yesterday, my best guy friend and his girlfriend were kind enough to give me a ride to Harrah's Casino so I could cash some coupons. They keep sending me these $100 coupons hoping that I'll come back and gamble however what they don't realize is that I never gambled in the first place. It was my best guy friend who gambled on my card. Heck, I've even gotten offers for free airfare and hotel to Reno, Nevada. I declined, but only because I'm hoping I get one for Las Vegas. Hey, there's more to do in Las Vegas besides gamble. Plus, I am hoping to use the trip to see M. So stay tuned on that one.

After trip to casino, we then headed back into the city. There I parted ways with the happy couple who went to dinner at La Creperie. I could have joined them, but decided to go to the movies instead. There I saw Shattered Glass. Movie tells the true story of Stephen Glass who fabricated quotes, people, companies among other things for 27 of the 41 articles he wrote while a staff writer/editor for The New Republic; a publication many considered to be the 'in-flight magazine of Air Force One" during the Clinton-era. As I sat watching the movie, couldn't help but think of the parallels between Stephen Glass and Jayson Blair who invented stories while at The New York Times. The only problem I had with the film is that it never really explained why Glass did what he did. It doesn’t put his behavior in historical context or even delve into his past. It simply documents the fabrications which took place from 1996 through 1998 and highlights a story he wrote dealing with hackers which lead to his downfall. Despite this flaw in the plot, would recommend seeing the film. It's surprisingly entertaining.

Michigan kicked Northwestern's ass today. Thank Goodness as prior games I've seen on the road have ended in disaster. Final score today: Michigan 41, Northwestern 10. Michigan's score would have been a bit higher but due to penalties, 2 touchdowns were called back. That's fine with a second rate team like Northwestern, but here's hoping they get there act today for Ohio State next week. That will be the 100th meeting of the two teams and bragging rights are at stake. So can't wait to watch the game at Crush next week. But savoring the moment of watching today's game live with other Michigan fans at Ryan Field. I knew quite a few people there that it felt like I was in college again. Ok, watching a football game at Ryan Field doesn't even compare to watching one in the Big House, but it was good to be in a college town on a football Saturday. More importantly, it was good to see my team win on the road.

I spent $80 today buying cartridges for my Lexmark Z65 printer. So shocked was I at the prices that if I didn't really need it right away, I would have tried to purchase via Ebay. Wondering, has anyone used the refill kits? Looks like the process might be a bit messy, but thinking about trying on the next go around as they are more economical.

Tell me something I don't already know...

Pure: Your heart and soul are so pure it is as
though you where born yesterday. Somehow you
have managed to avoid all of the bad things in
life, and have led a very sheltered life. You
are a beacon of light in a world of shadows,
but your heart radiated a gentle kindness that
the shadows dissipate before.

You have absolutely no taint upon your soul.


How Wyrm Tainted Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Quiz found via Sasoozie's Secrets.

As if I didn't already know this...

Pure: Your heart and soul are so pure it is as
though you where born yesterday. Somehow you
have managed to avoid all of the bad things in
life, and have led a very sheltered life. You
are a beacon of light in a world of shadows,
but your heart radiated a gentle kindness that
the shadows dissipate before.

You have absolutely no taint upon your soul.


How Wyrm Tainted Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Quiz found via Sasoozie's Secrets.

My best guy friend wrote the ad below for me to post re extra ticket I have for upcoming Michigan vs. Northwestern Football Game. If interested drop me an email. It's a chance for one lucky person to hang out with my friends and me. :)

Ticket to the tailgate & game: $50 Round-trip CTA transportation to Evanston: $3 An afternoon with the enigmatic Ursula: Priceless

President Bush's decision to sign a bill a few weeks ago banning a late stage abortion procedure was infuriating. I didn't comment on it here, because I really didn't want to get in a long drawn out argument about whether or not government should be trying to repeal parts of rights granted to women under Roe v Wade. But thought I would take the time to share an excerpt from Anna Quindlen's November 7th column in Newsweek titled: Not A Womb In The House. Her words perfectly sum up what I'm feeling about this issue.

I am so tired of abortion. Discussions of it are the most meretricious in modern public policy. Even as the president was vowing to sign a bill that would outlaw a procedure that accounts for a handful of the terminations in America, he was opining that the country was not yet ready to make abortion illegal. He was using one hand to corral the right wing and another to wave off the concerns of moderates. How dare the father of two daughters play politics with the womb?

I am so tired of abortion. Its opponents too often have a hidden agenda. Some of the men at that bill-signing support not only a ban on all abortions, but the rolling back of other rights for the women of America. They are people who have indicated by word and deed that modern women have forgotten their proper place. They are clergy who have twisted the word of God to turn it into an instrument of gender bigotry. And they have clearly taken note of the fact that women who can control their fertility are more able to control their future.

...

I am so tired of abortion, tired of the dishonesty of the arguments, of the intractability of the conflict, mainly of the insensibility of those who pass judgment. No matter what is legislated, adjudicated or pontificated, women will continue to find a way to end pregnancies that they cannot bear to turn, by the hospitality of their own bodies, into children. They always have; they always will. Knitting needles, caustic chemicals, medical residents, unlicensed doctors, sympathetic nurses, bootleg curettes.

Let those old men try to comfort the parents and the children of those women after they are dead. Let them offer them their version of the words of God and see how much good they do. Let them say, “I understand.” They will never understand.

Nuff said!

I've talked to quite a few family and friends who have mentioned that they've already started their Christmas holiday shopping. As such, I thought I'd put it out there that I'd really like one of these. I've been really good this year! More importantly, I could really use a car. Even thought it's wicked expensive to have a car where I live, I'm really getting tired of taking public transportation.

Here are the details on the royal scandal the BBC World News hinted at last week. Apparently, it involves gay sex between a royal and a man servant. Even if allegations are true, not sure I agree that it could bring down the Monarchy, but then I don't live in England so what the heck do I know.

Watching The Matrix Revolutions earlier tonight gave me a headache. The second hour was so loud that I kept checking my watch to gauge when it might be over. I was also checking my watch as I was bored with the predictable nature of the plot. Ok, maybe I'm being somewhat unfair. If it were a standalone, it would be a decent movie. However, in that it’s the end of The Matrix trilogy, couldn’t help by feel let down by the whole thing.

I was lounging in bed channel surfing, when I remembered, I hadn't blogged yet for the day. I groaned because I have nothing of interest to really blog about. I suppose I could write about the fact that my immediate supervisor had this contest today that said if you achieved X, you could leave early. I met goal by 11am and left around 12noon. After lunching with a colleague, I took the EL back to my neighborhood. There I stopped off at a bookstore to find out what was showing at the local theatre. I spent a few hours there before heading over to the theatre, only to receive a call from my younger sister who wanted to go shopping. In that I was agreeable, I ended up not seeing The Human Stain. After 3+ hours of clothes shopping, I ended the evening by lounging around and watching television with a vodka (grey goose) tonic in my hand. Pretty boring huh? So goes my life these days which I suppose is not a bad thing.

President Carter has written a new book. That's not really surprising in that he's written 17 other books since he left the White House. What is surprising is that this book is a novel. He's the first President to write such a book. I haven't read it, but the early reviews are positive. So maybe I'll add it to my never ending list of books to read when it's released on November 11th. Below is a description of the book as written on Amazon.com.

The Hornet's Nest : A Novel of the Revolutionary War by Jimmy Carter. The first work of fiction by a President of the United States -- a sweeping novel of the American South and the War of Independence

In his ambitious and deeply rewarding novel, Jimmy Carter brings to life the Revolutionary War as it was fought in the Deep South; it is a saga that will change the way we think about the conflict. He reminds us that much of the fight for independence took place in that region and that it was a struggle of both great and small battles and of terrible brutality, with neighbor turned against neighbor, the Indians' support sought by both sides, and no quarter asked or given. The Hornet's Nest follows a cast of characters and their loved ones on both sides of this violent conflict -- including some who are based on the author's ancestors.

At the heart of the story is Ethan Pratt, who in 1766 moves with his wife, Epsey, from Philadelphia to North Carolina and then to Georgia in 1771, in the company of Quakers. On their homesteads in Georgia, Ethan and his wife form a friendship with neighbors Kindred Morris and his wife, Mavis. Through Kindred and his young Indian friend Newota, Ethan learns about the frontier and the Native American tribes who are being continually pressed farther inland by settlers. As the eight-year war develops, Ethan and Kindred find themselves in life-and-death combat with oppos- ing forces.

With its moving love story, vivid action, and the suspense of a war fought with increasing ferocity and stealth, The Hornet's Nest is historical fiction at its best, in the tradition of such major classics as The Last of the Mohicans.

I was sitting here watching BBC World News, when the newscaster starts talking about Prince Charles denying an alleged incident that happened many years ago that could possibly bring down the British monarchy. However, for legal reasons, they can't report what the incident is. Darn! In that my curiosity was peaked, I began frantically searching the Internet trying to figure out what about the alleged incident. So far, can't find anything but I'm sure it's just a matter of time before the secret is let out of the bag. This one seems real juicy!

Almost always, I'm against the death penalty. However, when the evidence is overwhelming and the crimes so unforgivable, I think an exception is in order. With that said, can't believe that the Green River Killer isn't going to the electric chair. Where is the justice for the 40+ women he murdered? Here is someone who clearly didn’t value the lives of these women, but yet his own life is spared. Personally, I think the prosecutor who agreed to this deal should be fired. In that they had DNA evidence linking him to many of these murders, I just don't understand the decision not to seek the death penalty.

"Why don't they want me?" Elizabeth Smart, on wanting to play herself in a CBS movie about her kidnapping last year.

Btw, I think it's totally tasteless of the parents to be running around doing one interview after another to promote their book about the kidnapping. Personally, I don't think they should have written a book. Or even sold the movie rights to the story. At least not now. This child has a rocky road ahead of her and I think they (parents and rest of family) should be spending time with her away from the spotlight trying to get back in a normal routine. And oh yeah, maybe set her up with some one on one therapy. I think I read somewhere that the parents were against it. How selfish and shortsighted of them.

Newsweek has a short article this week that talks about the growing number of home school students who are choosing to purchase high school rings. After finishing the article, couldn’t help but think that if I knew then what I know now, I wouldn’t have purchased one. Sure it's a symbol of ones accomplish, but considering that they are so pricey and I stopped wearing mine about two years out of high school, if I had to do it over, I probably wouldn't buy one. Of course, I didn’t really learn my lesson with the high school ring because after I graduated from Michigan I purchased a college ring. A couple years ago I stopped wearing that too. So maybe buying the rings are a right of passage. Every now and then, I put back on my college ring, but I can't see myself wearing my high school ring again. For now, it's tucked in my jewelry box collecting dust. Maybe if I went back to a high school reunion I'd pull it out again, then again, probably not.

I spent most of the weekend lounging and in solitary reflection. I was extremely tired from last week and my immediate boss pissed me off right before I left work on Friday. I know, I know, I sound like a broken record. In any event, I stayed low. I got invited to 4 different parties and went to none. Just wasn't feeling it. Plus I'm not a big fan of Halloween and the thought that I had to spend any money or time putting together a costume was so not appealing. So instead I just hung around the house, watched a lot of TV and put a few things up on Ebay for sale, and then did some chores I'd been putting off for awhile. I also went out and did a bit of shopping. I know, really boring right? But sometimes, that's just the way I like it.

I keep dreaming about my ex-boyfriends. For example, earlier this week I dreamt about my boyfriend from junior year at Michigan. Strange that I should be dreaming about him since things ended so badly. Stranger still that he should show up in the dream with friends from high school looking for me. I've also been dreaming about the one boyfriend I thought I would marry. Actually I dream about him a lot. Most often, I'm usually at his family's house in Boston. Not sure what to make of these dreams. I have no unresolved issues or desire to get back with either. Hmmm. Maybe, I just need to get myself a new boyfriend to dream about. I hate being haunted by the past.