Hockey

Don't know if you've ever had the pleasure of going to a professional hockey game...but man is it ridiculous...

Okay, so, I think Cameron really pegged it when he said that you can describe the hockey crowd with two words: BLUE. COLLAR. I mean, I really didn't know how to describe them except, like, the equivalent of a "redneck" in the South....so, like, a Northern redneck. And I don't mean that as an insult. They were actually hilarious and really fun to watch. We did see LOTS of these:




Yep, that's a mullet. A Northern mullet, though. It's a little different from a Southern one.


So, everyone at the game sounded like they belonged on the cartoon "Bobby's World." Remember this cartoon? They all had really really thick Northern accents.

Secondly, ALL of the women had on mom jeans, Blackhawk jerseys, and only had one care in the world: hockey. They were die-hard fans. It was hilarious. At several points I went to the bathroom, and there was not ONE WOMAN who checked her hair in the mirror other than me. No one even glanced at their make-up. They didn't care. All they cared about was the Blackhawks.

Soo....now let's talk about hockey. Well, it's THE MOST BORING SHIT I'VE EVER WATCHED IN MY LIFE. Basically, it's soccer on ice. There are 3 periods, two teams, two goals, two goalies, and no scoring. They spend 2 hours trying to score and they ever do it. They seem like they might get close and the other team steals it and then the process is repeated. It's so effing boring. I'll admit- it's very exciting when a goal is scored. But that only happened 2 times in 2 hours. I mean...how do people get excited about this sport? Maybe if they widened the goal so that there was more scoring. OR, maybe if they made the goal smaller, raised it up, got a bigger ball, lost the skates, and called the sport BASKETBALL it would be more interesting.

Speaking of...at one point the comedian fan behind us had a conversation with his wife where they had this exchange:

Him: Basketball: WHAT A SNOOZE!
Her: I know! Golf and basketball. They are SO BORING!


I mean....really? Are you kidding me? This sport has 2 goals in 2 hours! Basketball has superior athletes in a fast-paced, competitive game pulling off some of the most amazing plays....PLUS hundreds of points scored....and IT'S a SNOOZE???? Are you kidding me? Cameron and I must have laughed for 5 minutes. It was awesome.

Anyway- the whole experience felt like we were in a movie. A Northern movie. It was surreal. You MUST go if you have a chance. And speaking of-- we got the tickets free from his boss. The game was on Easter Sunday.

But, it was very exciting to be at the United Center. This is where the Bulls play as well. I'm still confused about how they get the huge ice rink out and convert it into a basketball court...but whatever. Here is a picture of me and Cam right by the Michael Jordan statue. The Bulls suck and have sucked for the past few years...so the United Center (and Chicago) really suck all the attention they can out of the fact that Michael Jordan had his career there. And I'll bite. It's very exciting.
















HOCKEY: My new favorite thing to make fun of!!!



Lins

WORST. WEEK. EVER.

Okay, so remember that happy post from last week about how beautiful it was?

Well- that passed.


This was one of the worst weeks of my life.

First of all, last Friday I had to leave work because I came down with the flu. My temperature was 102 degrees all day, and I was sick with your typical "flu-like" symptoms until Monday, where the symptoms changed to more allergy and cold-like symptoms (except way worse). The worst part is- I got a flu shot. But, Cameron called his doctor friend and he said that most people are getting this same flu virus that is not protected by the flu shot. So...that's awesome. I haven't had the flu in years, and it was truly miserable. Plus, I missed 2 days of work. That's money.

Next, on Tuesday I had my debit card and Drivers License stolen FROM WORK. Yes, stolen by a Nordstrom employee. They promptly went to the South Side of Chicago and spent $300 at Walgreens and then $35 dollars at the grocery store Dominicks. Fabulous. What do you get at Walgreens for $300? My improv buddy suggested that they must have gotten "hella chips!". I agree.

So, of course I canceled my card and am getting all of my money back that was spent at Walgreens and Dominicks, but I am still pissed and without a debit card and I.D.

Fortunately, I have a friend in Loss Prevention at Nordstrom and he has made it his personal goal to find the person who stole my stuff and have them arrested. He posted a hidden camera in our back room and also is working with the Walgreens where the $300 purchase was made in order to identify the culprit. Pretty awesome. Our Loss Prevention Department is awesome. Has to be considering we have no return policy OR employee handbook.

Anywho, today I had the miserable experience of going to the Chicago DMV and trying to get an Illinois Driver's License. Well, it was just like a scene from a movie--- hundreds of people there with numbers waiting in line. It was stupid. I waited about 45 minutes (not too bad) only to be told that I need to "call Texas" (yes, that's how the girl put it) and get a letter clearing my Texas Driver's License. THEN, I can bring that letter in and go through the same bullshit process all over again. So, for now I have an "I.D. Card" (which is not a drivers license) and can't drive anywhere until I get that all taken care of AND find time to go stand in that stupid line again.

Next, today I called the to try to find out where my federal income tax return was. I filed it in February and haven't received anything back, and was getting a little suspicious. Well, to my dismay, the I.R.S. has NO RECORD of my filing 6 weeks ago. Why, you ask? Well Turbo Tax gave me the wrong zip code to send my return to. I sent my return to the wrong address. Why didn't I e-file in the first place? For some reason Turbotax wouldn't let me. But, this time I did. So, now I'm going to wait another 2 weeks to get my return in addition to the 6 that I have already been waiting.

This. Week. Sucks.

Seriously.

I hate everything.

In a positive note, Cameron and I attended a professional hockey game last Sunday and it was the most hilarious shit ever. It will have it's own blog. That's how hilarious it was. With pictures!

Hope everyone else's shit is going much better than mine.

Peace.

Lins

It's a Beautiful Day

Okay, so this might go down as one of the lamest things I've ever said (typed)---- but here goes.

Yesterday was just beautiful. It was one of those days that, like, goes down in my person history as one of the most beautiful days ever.

I had the day off. I also have today off so there wasn't this fleeting feeling of knowing that I have to go to work the next day. But most importantly- it was 55 degrees and clear, beautiful skies.

Now, I know that doesn't seem like that big of a deal, but I must tell you- after you've been leaving for 3 months with overcast skies, piles of snow, and sub-degree weather---- 55 degrees and sunny feels like Jamaica. It's amazing. I had only a hoodie on (and also pants). It was so great. I went for a run, which I haven't been able to do outside for months. I took Jackie for a run and she didn't have to put on her fleece and boots. I went to the beach and sat by the lake. It really was just monumental.

Alas, the weather won't stay. It's already colder today. But soon enough, I suppose.

My friend Tanya had told me that people here get the most insane spring fever. I'm definitely feeling it.

In honor of the beautiful day I posted this wonderful video for all of you to enjoy.




In other news, my show at Second City is going amazing. We've had great crowds, great shows, and really positive feedback. I also had my audition for Level 2 Conservatory on Saturday and I was accepted into Level 2 (They make you audition after the first 2 levels to make sure that you are making progress). So I guess that makes it official- I'm still funny.

Let's see- what else is happening? Well, Cameron and I are looking forward to seeing everyone in April and also our own wedding in August. Planning is going great and we are getting excited.

Also, we are planning on moving when our lease is up at the end of June. I know this seems like a lot to do in the summer- but we are really looking forward to moving closer to downtown. Right now we have a 45 minute commute on the train each way to work, and we also don't go out much because when we do we have a 45 minute commute in the middle of the night on the train....and that sucks. We plan on moving to the Lakeview neighborhood, which is basically between Wrigley Field and DePaul University (if you are looking at your landmark map). It's also a great neighborhood. So, can't wait for that!

I'm selling my car this month. We are listing the car on Monday and hope to get it sold asap. We will rely on public transportation and also the Zip Car system to get around. Oh, and taxis. We are looking forward to it. My car payment and insurance are just a waste of money right now because we don't use the car at all.

Work is going, well, kindof amazing. I am top seller in my department. I have hit some goals this quarter which will increase my commission next quarter. My boss has also goaled me at Pacesetter, which means the top seller in my department--- which increases my commission for a year and also gets me an increased discount. It's a huge accomplishment and the store manager, Greg, also came and spoke to me the other day. All of this gets me closer to being an assistant department manger or department manager, which is one of the goals for me while I'm at Nordstrom. Also, I would love to be a personal shopper. That's a goal for me as well.

Okay what else? Cam shaved some amazing mutton chops and ironic 70s porno mustache (which is now gone, leaving only the chops) and I trimmed my hair and got my nose pierced.

Okay, bye!

Lindsay