Uh oh

it's.....NATO!

Or, as I've begun calling it, NATOggedon.  Remember Snowmaggedon Chicagoans? This is like that, but longer and more annoying.

My train? Packed.  Wicked packed. Wussy suburbanites who can't sit their precious asses in traffic have started infiltrating my mode of transportation.  OH AND on Monday there are all these horrendous rules for the trains - no backpacks, no bottles of water, no food, no bag bigger than this x this, no breathing, no talking, no nothing at all!

My walking around downtown land? Awful - trust fund baby "protesters" with their $500 designer pre-torn up jeans, iPhones, Bulgari watches and look-at-me-I'm-bad-ass faux-hawks aplenty.  I'd really like to ask just one of them if they can fully explain to me what they are protesting, but I don't have the time or bail money......

My office building?  Still the least secure building in the entire downtown area.  Their idea of "enhanced safety measures" include laminated badges that a 2nd grader with some free time can duplicate (no photo, no bar code, nothing), a thin nylon thing that prevents you from going up a flight of stairs, a security dude outside "walking the perimeter" (which translates to ogling chicks).  Yep, I feel so safe now!! And from who? Protesters? Terrorists? Not quite sure on that one.

The lazy people at work, the ones who beg for a snow day the second the flurries start, have begun their campaigns to work from home Friday and Monday.  Mmm hmmm  - I am SO sure that you will be actually working! In the safety of your living room, with your kids climbing all over you, your t.v. on, etc.  You're right! You are totally trying this b.s. for your own well-being!

Everyone who does not live in the Chicagoland area - please stop asking me about NATO.  I don't have an inside track on it, I am not an expert on any NATO related topic, and honestly I could care less.

Oh, and guess what!?!?!?  Y'all know how incredibly smart I am, right?
Yours truly is FLYING OUT OF CHICAGO ON FRIDAY AND BACK IN ON MONDAY. Yep, that was the brightest decision I've made all year!!! O'Hare airport, in the middle of NATO traveling traffic.  Lucky me.  At least that should make for some interesting blogging next week......

Good deed

My good deeds do not come cheap.
I try to be kind to strangers, but typically when I do, something bites me in the ass.
So, I've kinda stopped doing it.

Unless something like today happens.

This morning on the train, there was this woman sitting in the seat in front of me.  She's very pretty, put together, quiet.  I usually do not pay her any mind.
Today, though, she started having major allergy issues.  Sneezing, coughing, etc.
I said "God bless you", but tried to ignore the rest.
So, all of this was happening as we are getting close to the station, so the aisle was full of people.  I noticed this dude kept looking over at the sneezing lady.  Finally she gave him the look of death and put up her hands like "What!?!?!?"
He quickly looked away and turned red.
She sighed.
I tapped her on the shoulder and gave her a brand new packet of tissues.
She tried to take one and give them back to me, I told her to keep them.

She thanked me a bunch of times before getting off the train.

Silently, I thanked her in my head for providing this morning's amusement.

Why did I get weepy at guitar graduation?

First, we played this:

Then, another class played this:

 And then I kinda lost it.
Damn song lyrics, get me every time.

Bad advertising, with the bad attitude

All over my train station, there are these ads.
They have sullen, angry looking kids with their arms crossed staring out at you.
The tag line? "Where is the Love?"

The ads are supposed to convince me to foster these poor children.

Um, WHY do I want a sullen, cross-armed angry young person living in my home?

Oh, I see - there's this kid getting arrested.  There's another sleeping on a park bench.  And another waiting on school steps.

I see - they are trying to guilt me in to fostering these poor souls.  That part might have worked.  The part that turns me off, though, is the main image.

These kids look like they will stab you with your own kitchen knives.

No thanks.

Advertising fail.

Because I know you

See, I know you are all smarter than me, this has been proven time and time again....

SO I NEED YOUR HELP

A friend/coworker of mine is leaving. Her last day is tomorrow  She's been here 12 years, and was one of the first people who was really nice to me when I got here.
So, for a little over a week now, we've been sending each other videos that are relevant to the situation.
Songs about goodbyes, songs about leaving jobs, etc.

Tomorrow being her last day, I need a song that is EPIC.  It has to be so relevant, and get a laugh, and be a little bitter sweet.  But mostly get a laugh.

So, help??

Leave your suggestions in the comments. 

Oh, and to sweeten the deal (I'm not above bribery), the winning entrant will get a prize.*  No, an awesome prize, I promise.

SO have at it.......



*A picture of boobs.  Sorry, joking. I could not help it.  Wink and nod to my lady friends on that one.

POST SCRIPT - you all lose, and you all suck.  I went with Scandal and White Lion.

no prizes for you

Important Fridge Note:

For those of you close by, or very inspired to travel to Chicago(land area):

Hello Bloggy Friends!
There is going to be a get together something or other on Friday, May 25th.
I think Brando might be afraid of the inappropriate stories I might assail him with if it was just us....
So, It's open to all who lurk  read here.
Let's get together, have a drink or twelve, and have an amazing time that may or may not end up as a witty story on someone or other's blog.

Location TBD, likely somewhere around NW side Chicago(ish).
I have a comfy couch that I'm willing to have someone crash on, if they feel like driving in.....from, say, Wisconsin.....

Let me know if you're interested.
V

I cannot recommend them enough....

I was afraid I had started to become a little jaded with all of the shows I see at Old Town.
Then, these guys and gals played a show on Saturday, and I am h o o k e d.
And, I might add, they are incredibly nice people.

So, take a listen, and if you like - go buy some of their tunes.  You will not be disappointed!
They are Sweetback Sisters, and they are amazing.