chicago '08

I really should stop posting unflattering pictures of myself.

this morning we attended our first implosion. only, don't call it an implosion because Hugsband gets all bent out of shape. apparently, it's a controlled EXplosion.

Gina asked how my lazer tag party was (I prefer the X-treme "z" spelling). it was f'ing awesome. I have never had so much fun in my life. that said, there was one low point that warrants mentioning. I got pistol whipped by a psychiatrist. I have heard people talk about "fat lips" all of my life, but this was my first first-hand experience. in addition to the puffy lip, one of my teeth fell out the next day. I keep waiting for someone to knock on the door to question Hugsband about his wife management practices.

and yet, I would do it all again for another game of laZer tag.

the assailant bought me 2 awesome books and some chocolate for bday gifts, so I didn't hold the aggression against her.

we had a nice time over the break. my interview seemed to go well. (they bought me a falafel.) we visited with family and friends and picked up some good swag. there was one problem, though, our nieces have become very sassy in our absence. just look at this photographic evidence.





I have been busy since the start of the new year. busy planning my lazer tag birthday party for next weekend. I am totally stoked.

it's been a comedy-filled couple of weeks, with both my eyes and ears the recepients of fine entertainment. we've been listening to John Hodgman in the car. his audiobook is quite entertaining, and I highly recommend it. we both read the Karl Pilkington book, as recommended by Chris, and it was a very fun read. in fact, my riotous laughter was no doubt very disruptive to the other passengers on the flight back from chicago. one more thing-- while the following book is not very funny, I will stick it into this discussion for the sake of not ending up with more paragraphs than are truly necessary: geek love is one of my favorite books ever. not sure why I didn't read it sooner.

we haven't just been whooping it up and reading about circus freaks. we have been doing some serious work as well. last week I started taking calls in the children's emergency department at the hospital. this involves leaving bed in the middle of the night and spending a few hours working at what feels like a set from ER. it's very surreal. my only complaint so far is that taking call interferes with my usual home/food/gym/read/bed routine. I really like my routine. not sure what Hugsband is up to work-wise, but he leaves the house for 7-8 hours each day, leading one to assume that he has some sort of gainful employment.

an early happy birthday to Jake. I can't believe that someone I babysat and held as an infant is a full-fledged adult ( that is, if one can consider a wrestling fanatic an adult- hehe). not sure why I look so uncomfortable/crabby/tired in this pic. I can assure you that the upset look on my face has nothing to do with the company or the amazing restaurant, green zebra in chicago.