Work Trip

Today is my only day in town this week and then I head to New Orleans until Saturday night.

Obviously, there will be no blogging during this time.

Sorry!

#15 - Join a gym that offers classes

Almost a year after I moved.... I finally joined a gym.  And it offers classes.

With my membership I receive a training consultation and 4 free training sessions.  I have my first appointment on Saturday morning, so we'll see how that goes.

I'm pretty excited about it.

Snowy Friday

Sometimes (okay, a good portion of the time) the weather and my sleep dictated what I wear to work.

Considering it snowed all night and who knows what's going to happen today, and that today is a Friday... well, my outfit reflects this.

I will call it "I'm tired, it's Friday and I want to wear my boots all day" outfit.  Note, I DID put on socks and boots after I took this photo. :)

Happy Friday!

Work, Work, Work

I had full intention of being a good blogger this week.  Yesterday got away from me.  Work has been crazy.

One of my employees will be leaving (long story, not appropriate to publicly blog about) and the association she manages has their conference next week.  I have recently found out that she is WAY behind and we are now scrambling to get everything ready.

So my days have been pretty busy.

On a good note, I'm joining that gym today.  And I have run all three of my training runs this week!!  YAY!

I hate coming up with a title

I've been thinking about a lot of things lately.  Being sick and spending time laying around will do that to you. This post is going to be all over the place.  You've been warned.

First, I received notice for my apartment lease renewal and that it included a $300 rent increase.  While the $300 increase brings my rent back up to reality (what most spaces in my area are renting for), it was still a shock to the system.  That of course, brought on that "oh shit" moment where I was panicking about having to move in 4 weeks.

After much debate and internet searching, I decided that I really like my place.  I like my space and I really like the location.  So I was able to work out a little agreement with my manager to include my parking.  So I'm staying!  Thank goodness for not having to think about moving again until 2014.

. . . . . . . .

I don't know if you have realized this by my other posts, but I've been in sort of a funk lately.  I feel really dependent on a few friends to have any social activity and with them having other things to do and significant others, it means I spend a lot of time doing nothing.  So I need to make some new girl friends.  Amanda suggested I join a few meetups, so I've done that.  Now we'll see how that goes.

. . . . . . . .

My match subscription ends in March.  I am still checking my matches, but I've pretty much given up on that.  I would like to date, but clearly, Match is not the way to go.  A friend said she's had some fun on OKcupid because it's free.  I took a look around and see A LOT of the same people from match.  So clearly, internet dating might not be for me.  Maybe I'll meet people through some meetups?

. . . . . . . .

I started running training for my half marathon.  I missed the first week because of my sickness but now I'm back on track.  I have been feeling like all these little things I keep telling myself I'm going to do (workout at home, etc) are NOT working.  So I am visiting a gym around the corner from my place to see if it's worth signing up.  I figure with classes and free weights and another option to run if its crappy out, PLUS the fact that it is less than a block away will be enough to give me no excuses to go.  

I know part of my problem is that I get home from work and walking Samson at 6ish and then feel like I just want 2 hours to sit and eat dinner and chill before I walk Samson and go to bed again.  Even trying to get to sleep by 9pm isn't getting me good rest.  So maybe I use that time more wisely and not sit and watch TV for 2 hours.  Like go to the gym.  I want to be cognizant of being home for Samson, but I also need to utilize my time better.


So that's what I have going on right now.  In between trips for work.

Rising from the dead

I finally am starting to feel better from my cold.  So it's time to get back into blogging.  Yay!

First up, an outfit post for today.  Since I haven't worn real clothes (other than sweats) for the last week or so.

*sweater - new from Jcrew yesterday, skirt - Limited, shoes - Steve Madden

Aside from the actual work clothes, I actually put on makeup today.

Also, I got a "silk peel" facial on Sunday morning that was infused with Vitamin C and a brightening agent.  Do I look "brighter" to you?  :)

It actually was really enjoyable.  After my facial, I met Lauren and Melissa on the train and we headed down to the JCrew to try on some bridesmaid's dresses.  That process was actually pretty painless and everyone ended up with a dress that they look good in.  Win, Win!

I also started my running training (a week late - thanks cold) on Sunday morning.  Dragging Samson with me for two miles was a questionable decision, but it certainly wore him out before I was gone most of the day.  It was also FREEZING.  Note to self: join a gym.

Valentine's Day

Back at work, still feeling crappy.  Yay.  Crazy hair and no makeup.

In ode to Valentine's day, I took this photo while on my trip to San Diego.  My coworker thought I was crazy, but it's heart foam!

Lastly, we remember.  Forward Together Forward!

Sick

I've slept the last day and a half wearing the same sweats and switching from sleeping on my couch to sleeping in my bed.

I stayed home again today in hopes that I can get rid of this sickness once and for all.

Yesterday I had a burst of energy for an hour or so and painted my nails for Valentine's day.  It was a true test of my steady hand.

I'm back

Sometimes I feel like getting back in town from a work trip takes a week to recover.  

I got back on Saturday evening and now I have a cold.

San Diego was just okay.  I wish the weather had been nicer.

While I was gone, I got my proofs back for the pinup photos I ordered.  I cannot wait to get the book and images back so I can share some of them with you!

Chicago Restaurant Week

Last night, I had reservations at a place in Bucktown with Brooke to try to take advantage of restaurant week.  When I wasn't feeling well in the morning, I considered cancelling the reservation and just staying in.  I decided against it after I had some more sleep.

I'm glad that I didn't cancel.  We tried the restaurant The Bristol restaurant.  After reviewing the almost 300 restaurants participating in Restaurant Week, it was super overwhelming to decide on just one.

I think we made a good decision.  I selected it mainly because of the menu they were offering.  When I saw they had Chocolate Beer cake for dessert, I knew I would get Brooke into it too.

We showed up early and they were able to seat us right away.  Our server recommended a bourbon based cocktail that wasn't on the menu - which was DELICIOUS.

We ordered the restaurant week special menu and got the fried bones appetizer as well.  We chose the beverage pairing as well, which was really nice.

The atmosphere was really low key and cozy.  It also had a very farmhouse feel to it.  I love places like that.

I will definitely be going there again.

*On a side note, I am going out of town for work until Saturday, so I most likely won't be posting the rest of the week.

First Date #3

This is going to be a short post.  I wasn't feeling well this morning, so I stayed home from work.  So far, I've really enjoyed sleeping.

On Saturday, I had my third first date through Match.  To be honest, I really had to pep myself up for this one.  When it was snowing during the day, I debated telling him not to drive in it.  See, we had started talking almost a month ago.  Also, there wasn't a ton of information in his profile and he only had one picture.

Just another reason I should trust my gut.  So far I've been 3-3.

He coordinated plans, called for a reservation and was there before me.  Thank God too because I would NEVER have recognized him if he hadn't come up to me first.  His profile on his photo was around 4 years old and he was about 40 pounds heavier.

We sat down and I did majority of the talking.... so much for the "chatty guy with a great sense of humor - who's very sarcastic".  I use quotes on that because that's how he describes himself in his profile.

I should give him a little credit.  He was nice enough.  I about 2.5 hours into the date, I started to get really tired of talking.  We had finished eating.  Both our of drinks were nearly empty, yet he made no move to do anything.  Not a "did you want to grab one more drink" or "well, that was fun".  We had also already paid.  So finally, after the waiter came over for the 3rd time, I said, "well, thank you for dinner.  I had a nice time."

He got the hint then and we started grabbing out coats and stuff.  Outside the restaurant, I gave him a hug and thanked him for dinner.  He asked if I wanted to do something again.  I told him I was heading out of town this week and he left it up to me to get in contact with him.

So when I return from my trip to San Diego this week, I will be getting in contact with him to thank him for a nice night, but that I don't think it's going to work out.

I don't know why but this match dating has made me extremely cynical and so judgmental I can't stand it.  

For example, at one point he was telling me about his work and he said that his boss was leaving and recommended him for the promotion to take over his position but that he wasn't really thrilled about it.  Judgy McJudgerson Megan couldn't help but think - why on earth would you not be motivated to take a promotion?!

Honestly, I can't wait until my time on Match is up in March.  I will most certainly NOT be renewing.

On the plus side, I'm getting pretty darn good at this "first date" thing.

Your music preferences

This morning I was flipping between radio stations and listened to a morning radio show talk about their "music guilty pleasures".  The host was talking about how all of his music preferences are a little different and made a point that he felt like your parents directly impact your musical preferences.  He went on to say that his parents always listened to the pop music of that time, so he is a huge 70 and 80s fan even today.

It sounds like a silly concept, but as I was thinking about it... it's totally spot on.

From the time we lived in Glen Ellyn (because honestly, I was 10 and I barely remember snippets of stuff from before that), I remember being in the car with my mom listening to the oldies station.  Lots of the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and Motown music.  I also remember spending time at my grandparents house while my grandpa was playing Frank Sinatra.

And what kind of music do I gravitate towards today....  oldies and pop standards.

It's totally true.

Think about it.  What sort of music do you gravitate towards?