Mental S & M

In my effort to dig myself out of the little productive rut I'm in (note my America's Next Top Model weekends below), I'm trying to analyze the root of my inactivity. I'm sensing that I'm giving into the comfort of not facing an uncomfortable task.

Then at work, I read a quote from a seasoned convenience-store executive:

The difference between winners and losers is that winners do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, whether they want to do it or not.

My unhappiness stems from how I've always perceived myself as a winner, but my inactivity doesn't jibe with my self perception. And after coming across this quote, I realize that in order to regain my winning self, with productivity being a piece of the puzzle, I've got to start doing the things I need to do even if I don't want to. And possibly even prioritizing them.

So my new motto: Think of all the important things I have to do, pick the one I would rather die than start doing and hit that one first. Sounds a little like mental S & M, but it's the best plan I've had in a while.

So bring out the whips and chains and let this particular journey begin.

Return of the Snow Bunny

Here is my Easter Bunny lawn ornament again. This year, I put him out early, just in time for the snow we had over the weekend. It's supposed to warm up, but again, this is Chicago. Don't be surprised if he's up to his ears in April.

Off to Greensboro for a conference tomorrow and Wednesday!

Sarasota Coming to Chicago

My friend from Sarasota, Cheri, will visit me and Bob here in Chicago next month. The plan is to have yet another Karaoke night when she's out here. I hope I will survive!

Here's Cheri from our Sarasota night doing "Drift Away."

Breaking the Cycle!

Well, I truly cannot believe how I've spent my last three Sundays. No, I did not clean house or organize my office. I did not progress on any of my planned side projects. I did not feed the homeless or recycle newspapers.

I watched almost three complete seasons of Tyra Banks' "America's Next Top Model."

There's something oddly addictive to that half-hour-in moment where they show the photos of the girls and some are sizzling and some are duds. In any case, it must end. I must embrace my inner productivity and move on. Except I hear that another cable channel has started marathons of ANTM on Saturdays. Shoot me now. (But let me pose first.)

I'd Like to Dedicate My Next Song To ...

So I'm at Karaoke on a school night this week and I'm at Mary's Attic where a bunch of lesbians have taken over. I put up a song and as I'm waiting, the MC mentions that it's someone's birthday, so I figured that when it's my turn, I'll dedicate my song to the birthday person.

Then the MC says, "Alright, we have Angel on deck to sing right after Gail. Let's bring up to the stage our birthday girl!"

Well, she steps on stage and she's huge. A big gal. Not circus big but a hefty sister. Then I realize the song I put up was Lionel Richie's "Three Times a Lady."

"You're once ...

Twice ..."

Oh, it would have been a disaster.

My plan and my spirit evaporate. And without any segue, I step on stage and just start to sing, hoping no one will connect the dots. Thankfully, no one did.

Surprise Office Lunch

The stagnant economy has put an end to company-sponsored meals for the time being, but Jim our operations executive is in town for a few days and offered to foot the bill for a pizza lunch. Begone recession blues!

Abbey likes to humiliate her food before eating it.


My colleagues eating.


Joe (left) and our host for the day, Jim.

Sarasota Karaoke

Took a wonderful detour to Sarasota before coming back to Chicago to visit my pal Cheri and her husband Lenny. We caught up and to my delight, Cheri planned a Karaoke night at the Cabana Inn. She said it was a bar and hooker motel. I have evidence of our deliberate chaos, but unfortunately for the world, some footage is not fit to publish. Fun times!

Cheri at the Cabana Inn.


Me pointing at you at the Cabana Inn.


Me and Lenny at Cheri's house.


Cheri's cat. The carpet matches the pussy!


And for the finale, here's footage of Cheri singing "Sweet Dreams."

Fun in Orlando

I'm at the Prepaid Expo in Orlando and the association folks rented the entire Hollywood Studio's theme park on the Disney lot for us to roam around in. We got to go on the Rock N Roll Rollercoaster, the Tower of Terror and see the Indiana Jones stunt show. But alas, we were not able to go on the newest ride, the American Idol Experience. But it was all good. Back in Chicago late Friday!

Here I am in front of "Idol."


Pluto and Goofy.


Me and co-worker Luke on the Tower of Terror. (Hair raising.)


The faux Hollywood set. What's real?


The Rock N Roll Rollercoaster features Aerosmith. (And me.)

Action of Lake Shore Drive

While driving from an errand before my trip to Orlando today, I caught the fire department helping someone out off of Lake Shore Drive.

I'm Going to Disney World!

Well, I actually am. For business. Tuesday I'm flying down to Orlando for a Prepaid Expo Conference. The first reception is at Disney's Hollywood Studios, so I'll be sucked into the wonderful entertainment chaos that Orlando's all about. Wish me luck!

Death's Door

I'm the raven on the telephone wire waiting to see how a couple of celebrities on my Dead Pool list recover from their current bouts with the Grim Reaper. Ed McMahon is dealing with cancer and pneumonia and Barbara Bush just had heart surgery. I wish them all the best ... really I do. In fact, Perez Hilton says on his blog that Ed is pleasantly surprised by word of his demise and he's feeling better and ready to celebrate his 86th birthday Friday.

My co-worker Jen called me the Grim Reaper, but she's the one with the celebrities who actually die.

A Night at the Opera

It was indeed a long night, but a wonderful opera with the lead being the full-voiced heroine necessary for a Wagner opera. Here's pics with me, Bob, our favorite usher Marlene, our "neighbors" in the seats above us and the new bartender (hot).

Here's Bob and usher Marlene.


Me, Dan and his wife.


Bob with the new bartender.


And here's a video of the moments before the curtain rises.


Then after the opera, we went to Greek Islands as usual and finally got pictures with our favorite host and waiter. Fun in Chicago!