Football and Crazies

Tonight I went to my first-ever Bears game. It was absolutely freezing out. I don't know why people subject themselves to these elements. The boyfriend's family friend had VIP tixs and gave a pair to us. Face value, $305 per tix. No free booze or food included. Um, yeah. The only real benefit is you're near the club section that houses food, booze, and shelter. Even drinking my $6.50 hot chocolate didn't keep me warm enough. There were definitely more men than women at the game and the only benefit to this was no lines for the women's bathroom. The men had to wait, though. Thankfully, we left before the game ended. It was cool to see Soldier Field, but I don't think I'll be back anytime soon. I know nothing about sports and I don't really care. I would like to eventually attend a Bulls and White Sox game, but I know I'll get bored five minutes into it.

I've been busy lately trying to promote more Myopenbar stuff. I've had some luck getting us press, but it's definitely a lot of work. I'm hoping the site will take off and that I can get paid more. Incentive! I also want a MOB office in Wicker Park. That's the goal for the new year. Looks like we're going to participate in another Saucony League except this time winter games instead of summer. And more free shoes! On Sunday, one of my NY bosses is flying into town and taking all of us writers out to dinner. On Monday, we're throwing a Drambuie party with three hours of free drinks. I'm sure we'll talk more about promoting the site. Sometimes I think I should go into PR, but I don't know. I did interview for a PR gig earlier in the year but didn't get it. I really need to find something where I can do what I want and make enough money to sustain myself. I keep thinking I just need a benefactor to take care of me. That's what I really want. The boyfriend has a rich family friend (the one who gave us Bears tixs). I want her to give me a monthly salary, like a grant, so I can write all the time. I mean, it's a good idea. It'd be tax deductible and she'd also be supporting the arts at the same time. But, I know this is just a silly fantasy of mine that'll never come true. In this financial crisis, some people still have money to burn and I think they should burn it on me. But, whatever.

It looks like I've picked up another writing gig. It pays to network sometimes and I'm hoping this will be a good thing. I just gotta keep at the writing despite all the odds against me, especially with the publishing industry falling apart. I still can't believe this whole Blago scandal. What the hell is wrong with IL? I mean, first we scored big time with Obama but then this happens. I guess you have to take the good with the bad. On some level, I like all the hoopla surrounding our fine city. Never a dull moment in Chicago that's for sure.

I wish I could go on vacation. I'm already sick of the cold and snow. I want to have some real down time where I don't have to respond to emails or turn in assignments...nothing. I need to catch up on some movies. The Golden Globes were announced today. I really want to see "Frost/Nixon" and "Revolutionary Road" and "Doubt" and "Tropic Thunder." I'm going to watch "Thunder" online. I still need to go Xmas shopping. I think I need to engage in more holiday activities, too. It just doesn't feel Christmasy enough, although I went to a nice Xmas party last weekend and I'm going to one this weekend with egg nogg. Yum. Sunday morning, I'm having brunch with the boyfriend, his parents, their rich family friend, and one of the boyfriend's friends. Talk about a high class brunch. I know the entire time they're just gonna talk politics. I'll just sit there quietly and politely while sipping on my mimosa.

So, over the weekend I re-watched "Fatal Attraction." I've seen it before, but hadn't seen it in a while. I noticed it was featured as a "Hulu for the Holidays" movie online. After watching it, I became irate. So, Michael Douglas' character is such a selfish bastard. He has a great wife, kid, and job but he almost throws it all away with a one night stand. It's like he does it because he can. And of course he picks the craziest bitch he can find. In one scene, Glenn Close slits her wrists because she doesn't want her lover to leave. If that's not a red flag, I don't know what is. He should've run straight out that door. And the worst part is the wife forgives him even though he boned some psycho bitch who boils the family bunny and tries to kill her. If that ever happened to me, I'd be phoning my lawyer right away. I also realized it's a cautionary tale. I think every man should see this movie. On the flip side, the same director also directed "Unfaithful" which is about a woman cheating on her husband just because she can. She does it because she's a bored, suburban housewife. Richard Gere is good looking, so what's the problem? Of course she is presented with a hot, French guy and we all know they're irresistible. And the ironic thing is both films end with the lover dying. Figures. Well, the moral of the story is don't cheat on your spouse no matter how attractive some random person is. There will be deadly consequences.

I gotta compile my best albums of the year list. So hard. I'm more of a song person than an album person. I haven't even heard everything this year, but I have a good idea of what I'll pick. I also need to pick my top shows of the year, which is even harder considering I probably went to at least 40, if not more, shows this year. If you include seeing bands at festivals, it's definitely closer to the 50 range. In the new year, I'm going to go to less shows. It seems like the same bands keep coming into town. It's like, go away and let me miss you. The exception of course is Cut Copy. They're coming back in March and I will be there, faithfully as always.