A Little Culture

One of the things we were looking forward to once we moved to Chicago was the vast array of cultural events available. I mean, if you can think of something you're interested in, arts-wise, there's probably something going on to suit that desire, if not every week, then at least every month.

One thing we did was get season tickets to the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Last night, we went to see the second of three plays in the season, Much Ado About Nothing. Excellently done - great acting, a beautiful and versatile set, and the lighting and sound were perfect compliments to the acting and set. Even the theater itself is impressive - I don't think there's a bad seat in the house, and it's a very intimate setting for the number of people they can seat.

We've got some other cultural events - I'll make sure to post about them as they come along!

Reminders

This is my current computer background, at home.

It reminds me that
1) My cats are space aliens.
and
2) They are always watching me.

It's about time...

Well, I can never again say I've never been called for jury duty. My official Cook County Summons arrived over the weekend, so in mid-February I need to call in and see if they need me to trek out to the suburbs and be a juror. (Mapquest estimates 33 minutes to drive out there - hope it's right!) I'm betting I'll have to go - and that there's no way I'll be seated on an jury. I don't exactly have a "desirable profile." So to speak.

It'll be interesting, though, after two years of watching juries from the outside... the one thing I always wanted was to be able to sit inside the jury room and see what actually happened. It's the remaining great mystery of the legal system!

Nails

One of my many, many New Year's resolutions is to take better care of my nails. I think this one will be easy to keep... I don't rave about products very often, but I found two that have my nails looking great (shiny, healthy, no ragged skin around them - you know what I mean).

One is Burt's Bees lemon butter cuticle cream, and the other is Neutrogena instant nail enhancer. The cream is really a nighttime only thing - it takes a while to soak all the way in, so you can't really touch much for a little while. But it does a good job softening the skin (and smells great!). The nail enhancer goes on like a nail-polish-in-a-marker, but just leaves a little bit of a glow rather than a "polished" look. Vitamin E and other good stuff helps make the nail stronger (and I've noticed a difference). Great stuff! (And at least one resolution kept - we'll see about the others...)

A new friend

As part of our new goals of eating healthier (we've both got a few pounds to peel off) and cooking more at home, we got ourselves a new toy... er, tool! Everyone, meet...


Neuro Fuzzy!



I never thought much about rice before this - how hard is it to make rice, anyway? But this little rice cooker makes great rice - and with stirfried veggies and/or meat, a quick and healthy meal! Yum!

Now we just need to get Mr. Bentos like Jessica.

Vindication

So, I've been saying for weeks that I thought Texas could/would beat USC. I even bet on them in the office pool. And people have been laughing at me... Another round of vindication last night, 41-38.

I'm already looking forward to the rematch in Texas Stadium next year!

Hook 'em, Horns! :-)

Drive, drive

..on down the field
Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Don't let them through that line
We have to win this game today
Go! Fight! Win!
Smash through to victory
We'll cheer you as you go
Our honor defend
We will fight to the end
for
O - HI - O!

The only thing sweeter than watching the Buckeyes smash the Golden Domers is hearing the commentators start talking "Heisman" and "No. 1 or 2 preseason." :-)