No, I miss coffee terribly. I *loved* the mental/creative stimulation it provided.

Also, I prefer the taste of really good coffee to tea. Which is why I drink ROASTAROMA tea every morning.

i can’t drink coffee after 7 pm without being up all night so i’ve found that i drink a lot of tea at night. especially in winter when i crave a hot beverage on a cold night.

Also good for that: apple cider, hot chocolate.

True, True. I couldn’t fall asleep last night because I had a coffee chiller drink at Filter in the EARLY AFTERNOON.

Due to some health issues, I went without caffeine for two years straight. I lost a lot of weight that way. Also, I developed a taste for Sprite.

yeah, hot cider with orange and nutmeg is good. with or without booze.

Now, see, I find coffee to be comforting in the way Amanda describes. I attribute this to being the child of two hardcore coffee drinkers. I associate coffee with home and hearth and hospitality.

I lost a lot of weight that way.

I was a big-time Coke drinker before that and didn’t like Diet, so I very rarely had soda, just Sprite at the movies.

I strongly prefer cold drinks over hot.

I think Chris “Cuddles” Piuma would have something to say here.

Why is there no DC thread over here? I need to find that Pete Smith character and ask him something about predatory lending.

’Cause they’re N00BS

So, what did you all do for Thanksgiving? I ate with my parents and many of their students, and drank a lot of beer. I also went out to the lake a couple of times, took a few pictures, marveled at the amount of new construction in my town, caught up with some old friends, and even mangaged to hang with some of the people I see all the time down here. All in all, a good time. The drive back was easy, too... no traffic to speak of and lots of hunters with deer carcasses (carci?) strapped to their vehicles in interesting ways.

I’m also slightly embarassed re-reading my drunk post upthread.

Oh, also my car sprung a gas leak and is staying in MI for a month. I drove my mom’s car back. I hate my car.

Ah, nothing like that after-lunch cup of coffee.

I forgot to go get coffee! Dammit.

Just as well. The Free Terrible Work Coffee is terrible. I’ll just wait and get a good cup on the way to class.

ashtrays and assholes.

I haven’t gone back to my local coffee shop since that incident with the cleaning solution in my coffee a few weeks ago, so I’m sticking to free mediocre work coffee. There must be a Better Way.

Cleaning solution? Did you already tell us about this?

yeah, no java for me either, i’m so groggy i’m starting to feel like i’ve been poisoned by carbon monoxide.

i miss coffee (don’t drink it anymore), but i can’t stand that roastaroma tea. bleah.

amanda otm about tea being all comforting and cozy.

Yeah, whatever they use to clean the coffee pots hadn’t been properly rinsed off or whatever. I didn’t really notice until I drank most of my coffee and it was cooling down but I had this overpowering chemical taste in my mouth until the next afternoon, it was gross.

john, i actually liked diet coca cola zero or whatever it is called before i gave up soda. it tastes like the diet coke in china which tastes better than diet coke here.

A QUESTION

How should I address this in my cover letter? I have really no experience in Photoshop, GoLive or InDesign, but I have many other skills and such that qualify me for this job.

“Knowledge and experience in website design and maintenance, and graphic design, and database management, as well as Adobe GoLive, InDesign and Photoshop or comparable is strongly recommended.”

should i even mention it? say that i’m a quick learner? express a willingness to learn these programs on my own time outside of work?

That half-sugar coke was pretty good, it was nice and fizzy and actually way more thirst-quenching than the full version.

xpost Well, I hate to seem like a spoiled sport, but do you know anything about Photoshop? GoLive? InDesign? Database management? Graphic design? I mean, that’s a whole job right there. What else do they want you to do?

did half-sugar coke have another sweetener in it?

i’m having a hard time focusing today . . .

Kenan, that’s one sentence of a lengthy job description and Jesse has database management experience.

“STRONGLY RECOMMENDED,” GODDAMN YOU.

Position Description:

This position is an integral part of xxx’s Publications Department. The Directory Coordinator has several important responsibilities, including but not limited to: managing the day-to-day operations of the Chicago Area HIV Services Directory (both in print and online) and development and maintenance of information resources.

Desired Qualifications:

Applicant should possess at least a high school diploma and Associate’s degree, with strong communications, interpersonal, written and oral skills. Must also have a broad understanding of computers and computer software, including Microsoft Word, Access, Outlook, and Excel. Knowledge and experience in website design and maintenance, and graphic design, and database management, as well as Adobe GoLive, InDesign and Photoshop or comparable is strongly recommended.

My strategy: Lie your ass off.

xpost “or comparable” ... know anything that is comparable? Dreamweaver?

NO.

Just curious!

I think that since it’s only recommended, but not necessarily required, it might be best to not lie, trump up the experience you do have, and express a keen interest in learning.

Dear Chicago, I need a cut & color BADLY but am close to broke. I love l3anne, but I don’t think I can afford her and still have money for christmas pressies. Where can I get a decent head o’ highlights for somewhat cheap, aside from trying to do it myself?

Sincerely,

Looking Splotchy

Sarah, maybe try Big Hair? That’s where Robin R gets her hair cut and I think it’s cheap.

yeah, big hair. on roscoe just west of damen.

Oh, *west* of Damen? I thought it closed — guess it just relocated.

Why did you post a lavalife ad, John?

Urgh. I can’t decide. I do like Leanne. Also, I am a Miss Priss because I like having my hair washed and all those little extra posh things. Bbut also, maybe I just can’t afford my own standards. Also, Nick gets his hair cut at Big Hair. Bbut also, he’s a boy with a basic boy haircut. I think I need to sleep on this one.

Here are some justifications you might be able to use:

1. You only get your hair cut two or three times a year.

2. It’s better to go to an expensive stylist you trust than end up with a crappy, cheap haircut that you’ll have to pay the expensive stylist to fix anyway.

3. You don’t want to make L3anne cry.

4. It’s not like you get manicures/massages/pedicures/facials so this if your one splurge is getting a good haircut from someone that you like and trust, NO BIGGIE.

5. A good hair cut is the foundation for a polished and professional look.

It’s true. That and the shoes.

DEAR JOHN

whore  /hɔr, hoʊr or, often, hʊr/ Pronunciation Key—

Show Spelled Pronunciation[hawr, hohr or, often, hoor

hor‧ri‧ble  /ˈhɔrəbəl, ˈhɒr-/ Pronunciation Key—

Show Spelled Pronunciation[hawr-uh-buhl, hor-]

Of course, you might also seek other employment.

Ha ha. Thanks, Jenny.

Furthermore:

[aw] all, or, talk, lost, saw

My hair is conservative. xpost

my hair is libertarian with socialist leanings.

Anytime, Sarah.

Oh and here is a horrible story, in case the justifications weren’t enough:

I used to pony up to get a good haircut at a nice salon in Atlanta but then I lost my job so I went to a cheaper place and got a haircut for free by the shampoo guy who was going to hair school and he gave me a TERRIBLE haircut that sent me down the road to haircut ruin that lasted for TWO YEARS. Now you can have my beloved Valerie B when you pry her off my cold, dead hair.

JESSE there were a lot of boxes in your post, so I don’t know what your point is, but I won’t let that dissuade me.

I believe we’ve been over this, actually.

HORRIBLE: h[O with a dot over it]r-[schwa]-b[schwa]l

WHORE: h[O with a dot over it]r

where [O with a dot over it] = like the AW in LAW

There are alternate pronunciations for each word:

HORRIBLE: h[A with a diaresis]r-[schwa]-b[schwa]l

WHORE: h[U with a dot over it]r

where [A with a diaresis] = like the O in MOP or the A in MAR

and [U with a dot over it]r = like the OO in FOOT

But these are both listed second in Webster’s, which leads me to stand firm in my belief that HORRIBLE and WHORE have the same vowel sound.

I once got a tiny bangs haircut from a strip mall. Seriously, my bangs were about two inches long and cut straight across. It was NOT a good look for me. Also, it wasn’t something you could fix with a little work. I cried for a long time. This happened several years ago and it still gives me nightmares.

So I was just talking to Jeff on the phone and as I was hanging up, I said, “I LOVE YOU!” and this lady I work with was in the office and she said, “AWWWW! That’s so sweet! Does he have a brother?” meaning like for her and I thought that was kind of illogical because she only heard my end of the conversation and for all she knew, Jeff’s response could have been, “MY BROTHER AND I VOW BLOOD REVENGE ON ALL WHO DARE TO LOVE US” or something.

Which is crazy because 1) Jeff is an only child and 2) that was his exact response.

I would like a new hairdo, but my hair refuses to cooperate with anyone or anything, least of all my wishes.

Your hair is anarchist.

Screw it! (meaning my flash of a rational thought that I shouldn’t spend money on my hair right now) I have an appt with L3anne this Saturday. I mean, for starters, shouldn’t my hair be fantastic for the show next Monday and then the Christmas parties and then seeing my fam? Done and done.

My point is:

horrible = [hawr-uh-buhl, hor-]

[aw] = all, or, talk, lost, saw

So unless “all” or “talk” can be pronounced with the same “o” sound as “whore,” then I and the East-Coasters stand validated by dictionary.com.

Peace in the Middle East FFS!

In which case, Jenny, you’re taking an awful risk! You brave thing, you.

(XP)

I just realized that somehow, some miraculous way, I have managed to take no position on the “horrible” issue at all. No reason to break a streak.

My hair is a wildly unstable military dictatorship. My people are malnourished, and martial law must be enforced to prevent rioting.

Accents are fun! One of my dad’s old grad students was at T-giving. He is from New Zealand but has lived here for 10 years. His accent is almost gone. I remember when I first met him and he said his name (Paul) it sounded like “Pole” — now it’s pretty much gone. Very strange.

So unless “all” or “talk” can be pronounced with the same “o” sound as “whore”

They are indeed pronounced the same. People get confused by the R, which changes the way you vocalize the sound, but the vowels in HORRIBLE and WHORE and OR are closest to an \AW\ sound than anything else.

The way East Coasters say HORRIBLE and ORANGE is closer to an \AH\ sound.

New Zealanders only have one vowel.

I bought my grandparents a page-a-day “Bushisms” calendar for Christmas.

lol @ Jenny & Jeff

whatever the opposite of lol is @ horrible/hawribble

zing, and 2x

jenny, i was boozing it up with val b on wednesday night.

Neat!

We did establish that this is the same person, right?

Peace in the Middle East FFS!

haha

yes we did.

Okay.

Neat! I want to drink with Val B one of these days.

last two times i’ve seen her out were wednesday’s at delilah’s. a mutual friend tends bar upstairs and has his “wednesday night (action/drinkin’/dance/funtastic) party”.

good for you, sarah! i was about to suggest a beauty school . . . the aveda institute is here, i can’t remember what is in chicago besides pivot point.

also: should i join weight watchers? everyone seems to have a WW opinion. could it be a good thing or do i need to merely exercise more & exercise discipline more?

I’ve never done weight watchers, but it really seems to work for some people. I guess I would try doing whatever you can to motivate yourself first before trying out a program like that.

i’m trying to use the wedding as a motivating factor in my quest to look/feel better, but what i want is a whole life change. right now i’m just upping the exercise.

The thing (for me) that sucks about weight watcher’s is I’d have to cut out beer. Of course, that’s really my problem with every weight-loss idea. IT’S JUST SO TASTY

can i justify squeezing it into the core food program because it has wheat?

Perhaps, but I don’t really know how it works. All I know is it’s really hard to get below 250 for me... something something cause of something something solution to something something.

You do not have to cut out beer on Weight Watchers! As a matter of fact, WW and I have such a longstanding relationship exactly because it allows for beer. And, if you plan carefully, lots of it.

I like WW as a program. I do not like WW as a company as they tend to really nickle and dime you the fuck to death. And the last six or eight meetings I’ve been to ended up nothing more than hour-long sales pitches for more WW products.

Getting all that shiny new WW stuff tends to motivate me, though, and there is a benefit to the camaraderie of the meetings.

Whatever you do, don’t become one of those creepy “calorie restricted diet” people who think that starvation will help them live longer. Those people give me the willies.

Like I said, I’ve never done WW, so I am probably making stuff up. But it seems to me that there is a point system involved, requiring you to look up how many points each food item counts towards your daily allowance. Being a sister of a former eating disorder victim (well, she didn’t die, but it was baaaad), I am wary of anything that makes me pay THAT much attention to what I am eating and when. Even keeping a food diary for the Self challenge a while back made me kind of nutso and paranoid. Also, I got incredibly fainty just taking in their recommended calorie cap. I think it’s best to try to change your diet and exercise practices for the better in general and try to keep them that way. So I try to eat fairly heathily and walk alot and go to the gym, but I do not count calories or look up points, etc.

HOWEVER, just because I am paranoid of becoming overly obsessed with food, does not mean it is a dangerous program for anyone else.

For example, what Jenny said.

do you do “points” or “core foods”? also, is it enough to ‘join’ online or do you benefit greatly from going to meetings?

i’m with you, amanda. i promise i won’t. there’s no danger of it ever happening, really.

Because let me be the first to say that you’re lookin’ real good now and I would hate to see you in a couple of months looking all Skeletor.

Amanda OTM.

According to the WW site, they now have a new “No Counting” plan.

See y’all later, I’m off to work the night shift at Truman.

Gonna be some sweet sounds [sweeeeet soooounds], comin’ down

on

the

night shift

ooooh on the night shift

See y’all later, I’m off to work the night shift at Truman.

At first I thought this was about Otto’s local.

you are both very sweet to say such things. i know i’m not overweight, but i’m pretty darn close (according to my BMI). I just don’t feel as sexy as i have when i’ve taken better care of myself. it’s really more about that. that, and i want to look like a ripped ho for my wedding.

Sarah is correct—you get a “points” allowance for the day plus an extra 35 that you can spread around throughout the week (hence, beer—3 pts for regular, 2 pts for light). If you exercise, you can add “activity points” to your daily allotment so that means that when you exercise, you can eat more.

Points are calculated based on some complicated algorithm that looks at fat, fiber, and calories and while you do have to look things up at first, it starts to become second nature after awhile. For example, while I am technically not “on program” right now, I happen to know that I’ve eaten 14 points so far today, including the apple I’m going to eat during class tonight, leaving me 8 for dinner.

I have successfully done WW on line and using meetings, so it really depends on what fits into your schedule. I find meetings to be more palatable when I go with someone I like, but that can backfire, too (see Courtney and I enabling some v. bad food practices for each other) so, yeah.

I think that the potential for exacerbating food obsession is pretty accurate, but if you’ve got a handle on that kind of thing going into it, you should be okay. Sometimes, like now, I can’t handle life stress plus keeping track of everything I eat, especially when I don’t have a lot of time for cooking/packing lunch, but I have generally been pleased with WW.

OK, just how in the hell am I considered obese? I’d believe overweight, but the NIH BMI calculator has just ruined my day... Time to head to the vomitorium.

The “no counting” plan is their “Core” plan, which means you can eat whatever you want on the “core foods list” without counting it as long as you’re not sitting down and eating like, ten avocados at once. You can eat non-core foods, but you have to count them. So you get a free pass for core foods, and 35 points for beer. Er, I mean, non core foods. I have a hard time with the core plan, even though I tend to eat core-ish-ly, because it’s just a little too much of a restriction for me. And, as sad as I am to admit it, because frozen dinners aren’t core and I kind of rely on those to keep any sort of control over my weight during busy finals time.

35 points per week, that is.

Dan, you’re too groovy to let a stupid calculator ruin your day.

I am barely inside of the “normal weight” range.

i have a diet that will work.

BUT AT WHAT COST, KEVIN?

PUH LEEZE, I’m sure I quality as obese, which just goes to show how insanely stupid those charts are.

Err, *qualify. I always quality.

monitarily? prolly cheaper than WW licensed stuff.

xpost to jenny.

xpost Expect nothing less than the best.