It's Another Thing I Never Thought I'd Say

A couple of days ago I sent this e-mail to Kristen after leaving the gym.

"So I never thought I would say this but I kind of understood what people like about working out. Don't get me wrong, I still was counting the seconds until it was over, but my legs pumping and my face covered in sweat felt oddly enjoyable. Still if there was a pill I could take that would produce all the same effects as diet and excercise I would be first in line to buy it."

I'm still not sure what it is people (myself included) enjoy about being sweaty and gross (see the unflattering picture above), but there is something satisfying about it. Not everyday, but some days. Still, I think I'll always be one of those people who has to force themselves to excercise

In other news, I need to shave.

Neglecting the Blog

Sorry to be gone for so long. This weekend Katie came to visit us and her, Kristen, and I joined our other friends in celebrating Keith's birthday. We celebrated by participating in my favorite activity, karaoke. But this has a slight twist. There are a few establishments in Chicago, known as Korean Karaoke bars. What this means is that you get your own room for your group, with couches, big screen tv's, wireless mics, and a karaoke system. You pay 35-40 bucks an hour, depending on the size of the room, as well as paying for your drinks/food (if you eat there, which I don't think anyone does) and for this extra cost, you can belt out Journey songs in the privacy of your friends and you never have to fight with anyone to sing, except for your friends. You are in control of the order of the songs, you just punch in your number and it keeps a running queue of songs. It's my favorite place in the world.

Yesterday, in my Legal Research and Writing class, we were learning how to use the two main online sources of legal research. On the Lexis application, there is a search engine for public records. I volunteered to let the teacher search my name. When he did, so much cool stuff came out. They knew that Kristen and I had some sort of relationship (since we share an address) and so many other neat little things. I also was able to see the name and social security number of the homeowner who was receiving the goods purchased with the credit cards opened in my name a few years ago.

In other school related news, I've gotten all my midterms back. I got the hat trick! 3 tests, 3 A's!

The Entry I Never Thought I'd Write

I can’t believe I’m writing about this. I want to talk about Jon and Kate Plus 8.

The other day, Kristen and I were watching TV and we saw a commercial for Monday’s “Very Special Jon and Kate Plus 8”. The music was ominous, the photo’s showed Jon and Kate at a family event, standing at least 150 feet apart and not looking at each other and the voice over said “Jon and Kate have a life changing announcement”.

At first, I was hoping for some big twist, like they were having a sense of humor about the press they’d been getting. I hoped for Monday’s episode to be like “We’re getting another puppy!” But I’m no fool, I know what the announcement was going to be.

I told Kristen “As someone who watches this show, you’re responsible for this.”

Kristen: “How do you mean?”
Me: “If there was no market for this type of show, this situation would be slightly less likely. Everyone who watches this show and makes it marketable is partially responsible for their marriage ending.”
Kristen: “They were living in the Ronald McDonald house when they got the offer to do this show. This show gave them an opportunity to make the money to take better care of their kids”

A valid point. I’m at a crossroads with this. I guess I’m interested to know if it was worth it. Sure, there’s a chance this would’ve happened anyway. But was Kate playing up her bitchy ways for the camera. Was Jon’s midlife crisis magnified by his fame? These are things I’m really curious about.

I’ll admit, I’m no angel when it comes to getting sucked into reality TV. I love, love Top Chef. When Kristen watches Biggest Loser, I tend to get sucked in (not to the point where if I miss an episode I’m wandering the streets lost, but I’ll admit to keeping an eye on it.)

But if you ask me, Jon and Kate, like all reality TV, is exploitation. And because of that (at least partially) someone’s marriage is ruined. These 8 kids are going to watch their family fall apart, and America will be watching right along with them. I think that’s really sad.

The other thing that makes me really sad is that the advertising and marketing departments at TLC are all smiles about this. Their show has just become even bigger than it already had, because America is chomping at the bit to watch these people’s lives fall apart. I say to you, America, change the channel. Show TLC that we’re better than this! So them that this show is no longer about the “fun and wacky adventures of a family with 8 kids”, it’s now a sad and macabre tale and that we’re better than that!

I'm doing this from work for the first time. I sure hope I don't get fired.

Tonight is my first test. It's in my Basic Business Organizations and Contracts class. I studied last night while watching Desperado. Contracts are easy, Desperado is awesome!

I know you've all been wondering where I've been.

Well I've begun my new adventure studying the law. No, I'm not making my parents proud and going to law school. At least, not now, but probably not ever. I'm actually taking classes at Loyola to get my paralegal certification. It's a lot like being a lawyer, except less money, no being able to argue in court or give legal advice, and more job security.

Yesterday I registered for my last iO class. The next step after this class is to get on a team and never, ever get myself cut. Obviously, that's not the only reason I took the classes, but I've had so much fun there, I don't want to leave.

Other than that, not much has been going on. Kristen and I went to see Jenny Lewis last night and she was really great. Hopefully this can be the beginning of us going to more shows together, because I miss it alot.

Last night my dad took me to a Tigers game. It was a good time. Comerica Park does not compare to Wrigley Field, but it's still a cool park. The scoreboard in the largest in Major League Baseball.


There's a great story behind this sign. It used to be just the General Motors center field wall. With the economy absolutely beating Detroit to death, General Motors obviously could not afford the advertising dollars that would be required for this sign. When they let Mike Illitch (the owner of the Tigers and a good deal of Detroit when you think about it) know, he not only gave the sign to General Motors for free, but he put the other two major car companies on there as well. That's a really great show of solidarity for the city of Detroit.



After the game was the fireworks, which I had only ever seen from Hockeytown Cafe while working. They were pretty impressive. I've always loved fireworks, but honestly never understood why they were so exciting. That's something I guess I was never meant to know.



Then I went to meet Cakes, Drew, Mariah, and Alex at the Tap Room. We were all there to meet Cake's new girlfriend, Rebecca. She's pretty cool from what I can tell, but I didn't really get a chance to talk to her much. I'm sure she's great.