I love Tim Gunn

Will someone buy me this shirt?

More here:

http://www.wireandtwine.com/

It's not dead...and neither am I!

Chivary is not dead on the CTA! Yesterday as I stepped off the bus to go to work, the bus driver grabbed my arm. It scared me at first but in a split second I knew exactly what he was doing. At the particular spot where I get dropped off downtown the lanes are set-up kind of weird and the buses can't pull over to the sidewalk to let passengers off, leaving another lane open where sometimes cars go to turn right. It's very odd. Anyways, usually I look before I step off to make sure no cars or bicylists are coming. However, this time I did not...but the bus driver did! He saved me from stepping off the bus and into oncoming traffic!

Never Forget The Tragic Events Of May 21, 2008

Remember the days when you were this passionate about something?

YMCA

About a week ago my friend Olivia and I joined a nearby YMCA. I really felt like I needed to be doing something to move my body and to work some more exercise into my day. I started looking into the Y when I realized that I was interested in swimming. Swimming has been an exercise that kind of runs in the family. My dad and my aunt have turned to swimming to help with back pain...something I may be experiencing in the future due to my scoliosis. With no contracts, the only indoor pool in the area, access to all the classes (including yoga, pilates, and spinning) and $47 a month membership...I couldn't go wrong. Plus it's less than half a mile from my house!

I'm really enjoying being in the water and using the kickboard to strengthen my legs. It's WAY better than running and it's great for your joints. I think I've finally found an exercise routine I can get into and enjoy. Tomorrow we will be trying the water conditioning class where I think we will be treading water for an hour straight. It's gonna kick our butts.

Chivalry and the CTA

Every morning I ride the #11 Lincoln bus to work. Lately I've been using public transportation a lot, in preparation for not having a car. Sidenote: My parents are coming up to Chicago for Thanksgiving and driving my car back to Florida. This is happening by choice. It's pretty easy to live in Chicago without a car.

Something that has begun to irk me is how young people rarely relinquish their seats to the elderly and to pregnant women on the bus. It just really bothers me when I see this. It's like we live in this society that won't man-up and do the right thing. Not to be sexist but... hey guy, if you see an elderly lady struggling just to make it up the bus steps, get up! Don't let the young lady sitting a couple rows back who gives up her seat make you look bad. It's like people don't understand that if you're sitting at the front of the bus you have to be extra aware of the elderly...those seats are meant for them, not you.

A lot of times it's obvious when to give up your seat. But I will say, sometimes it's not so obvious. For example I've struggled with whether or not to give my seat to someone like an older man in his 60's. A man with grayish hair, looks older, but looks in overall good shape. In these situations I don't want to insult him by offering my seat...especially since I'm a girl in my 20's and there's some weird age/gender things going on there. Plus I don't want to make anyone feel old.

One thing that I always look out for is pregnant women. I make sure to give my seat to them always. Sometimes they decline...but you gotta ask.

Sometimes I think chivalry is dead on the CTA. The other day while we were boarding the red line, my female friend was nearly knocked over by a guy trying to get into the train. Seriously?

Bye bye Mac

Sadly I think my days of being an Apple user are coming to an end. I have to buy a new computer soon and during my research I have found that Dells are half the price for the same hard drive and memory. I can no longer ignore this fact and continue to buy the Apple computers for twice the cost. It's such a painful realization to come to and one that makes me feel like I'm turning my back on the design world.


I'm not sure if I'm ready for this.

Random photo of the day

I am so due for another trip!

That's me in front of Stonehenge.

LOW FAT cupcakes!!!

It's easy and it's yummy! All you do is buy some cake mix. THEN instead of adding the eggs, water, and oil...you add a can of diet soda. I bought the white "Funfetti" mix and added a can of diet Sprite. It tastes just as good, if not sweeter, then regular cupcakes and it's low fat. The only trick is, you have to let them sit for a while (like an hour) after you've pulled them out of the oven. If you try to eat them too soon, like I did, you'll find that the cupcakes stick to the paper cups. If you can hold out for an hour ( I know it's hard), you'll be happy. :)

Candid Photos

Came across some cool candid photos of Barack Obama and his family watching the results on election night.

http://flickr.com/photos/barackobamadotcom/sets/72157608716313371/

Photos from the Obama Rally

Before the Obama rally Tim, Ana, Matt, Tom, Beth, and I had dinner at the historic Berghoff Restaurant in downtown Chicago. As you can see, I enjoyed a pre-celebratory flight of Berghoff brews (for only $8!). After dinner, Tim and I went back to his place to watch the results while the rest of the crew went to the rally. Below are some photos that Beth took.

A New American President

What a long two years it's been. I remember first hearing of Barack Obama's bid for presidency on a cold February morning in 2007 as I climbed the stairs to the Metra platform. Wow, I thought, a black man and a woman will be running in the same race. I guess it was from that moment on that I was hooked. I'll admit, I had my doubts when it came to Obama. The thought of a woman president became front and center in my mind. How could I not get excited about that. She had the smarts and the experience. When it became apparent that it was just not going to happen for Clinton, I looked towards Obama. And perhaps what made it even more of an obvious choice was McCain's selection of Sarah Palin. A woman I had basically nothing in common with and who was so far right, it hurt.

The election of Barack Obama is a sign of our times. The youth vote finally came through. I've never seen a presidential campaign relate to the youth culture like this did, with it's internet savvy and use of design. Sheppard Ferry better be getting paid the big bucks for his Obey-like Obama illustrations.

This morning as I headed to work, I saw African Americans on the street shaking hands, hugging, and rejoicing. How important this moment must be for them...and for all of American. For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of who my country elected as president. And it feels good.

Halloween '08