Archive for July 2009

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16 July 2009

The Twilight Club

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: Movies, Random

Are you a member?

It amazes me how books can really bring people together and form little groups of people who have and haven’t read the books. And if you haven’t read them, you feel a little…left out.
I have not read ANY of the Harry Potter books, so I definitely know I’m not in that club but I am a proud member of the Twilight club.
But while we were in Vegas, Jamie and I were obsessing over Twilight, talking about our likes/dislikes about the series, our favorite books, thoughts on the movie and agreeing to disagree about Team Edward vs. Team Jacob.

And then I realized our roommate Allie was not contributing to discussion. Why? Because she hasn’t read the series. For a moment I was shocked. Hasn’t….everyone read those books? Or at least one?
But after further questioning to confirm she hasn’t read it, Jamie and I clammed up and told her she had to check it out. The conversation immediately ceased because we also didn’t want to ruin it for her, but deep down inside, we were bursting at the seams to keep the conversation going.
With the Twilight series, I’ve noticed that once you read the books and find others that have read the books, you LOVE to talk about anything and everything about them. And now that the New Moon trailer is out, it’s time to start talking about it again.
The day after the trailer premiered, a co-worker and I spent 15 minutes on our lunch break dissecting it, in fact, I left a lengthy comment on one of my favorite blogger’s post about the trailer, commenting on everything from the level of Jacob’s buffness to the werewolf morphing. It’s insane the amount of effort I put into that comment. I used bullets.
Yes, I’m a member of the Twilight club. In fact, I’m tempted to go back and re-read the first and last book because I know I missed pieces.
So while I will not be seeing Harry Potter in the near future and joining that club, I’m more than happy in my Twilight zone, basking in teenage love, angst and hot men with no shirts on that sparkle.
Oh and now that Allie is part of the club, we gave her the official Twilight club initiation. Trust me, it only hurts for the first minute. Give into it :)
Do you find that you obsess about and talk about books or movies that you love with friends or anyone else who had read or seen it? It definitely is a good ice breaker!
Or if you had to pick between Harry Potter or Twilight, which would you choose?

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14 July 2009

Those magical butterflies

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: Friends, Relationships
Lately, I’ve been thinking about a question that my homey Alexa asked me when we dished about date #2 with JohnBoy one day on Gchat.
She asked me if I felt any butterflies when JohnBoy and I kissed (several times) and it took me a few minutes to respond.
My answer: I don’t know.
Butterflies? Wow, I haven’t really felt those in a LONG time. And do they feel different as a jaded adult trying to date?
I remember the old days of “butterflies,” feeling totally lovesick, so much that you can’t wait to see someone or just the thought of them makes me go all giggly inside. That feeling where when someone touches or kisses you, you feel like an explosion is going off in your stomach and the butterflies could just take you over until you see that person again. Or that feeling where you try to pick up the phone to call but you’re so nervous you hang up after one ring. Done that.
But when you come from a divorced family, who has made the idea of love a little…difficult to stomach, can you still have that feeling?
I’m not saying butterflies won’t be there one day with a guy or even JohnBoy but is it kind of weird that I don’t feel those sparks?
It might be because it’s been so long since I’ve kissed a guy (I know, lame), but I felt very….uncomfortable for a moment when we were on our date. But then again, I usually feel uncomfortable from male attention since…guys don’t really go for me. And my friends, who are so sweet like all of you, who are excited for me, wonder why I’m not more excited about this and the reason is: I’m not used to it, I need to take it slow.
So after I told Alexa, “I don’t know,” I did say, “I didn’t feel butterflies yet but he makes me smile, laugh, holds doors open for me and tells me that I’m pretty. And I like the way he makes me feel.”
Maybe for now, that’s something right there.
So I’m not ruling anything out, but are “butterflies” really important? Or do they come with time?
Note: I’m so glad I’m not the only one stocked with weddings this summer. Holy cow, there is something in the air. But I will try to stock up on “squeaky” cheese curds for everyone. Squeaky cheese, you guys crack me up!

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13 July 2009

Summer wedding fever

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: Friends, wedding

That’s right, last week I got an invite wedding #3 this summer. I was incorrect in my previous tweet, this was invite #3 not four. I may have to tape them to my wall so I can keep track of which ones I’m declining and which ones I’m able to attend. I mean, traveling to three weddings, plus gifts, gas and possible hotel adds up!

It’s still hard to believe I’m at the point where friends are getting married and some even are having babies. WTF is there something in the water?
Well if it is, I filter my water so I won’t catch it. In fact, I have a picture at my desk that says “No Way Baby,” I think my uterus status for babies is pretty clear.
But anyhow, back to weddings.
I had a sick feeling I was going to be invited to the latest wedding, set to take place a week before my big birthday. Awesome. But it’s in Madison so I can pick up some cheese curds before the reception.
Don’t mock the cheese curds, that stuff is awesome.
And while I had a momentary twinge of, well maybe I won’t go, I opened up the invite and it was SO gorgeous, OMG. Definitely one of the nicer invites I’ve received lately.
The bride/groom are two good friends from college and between the Internet and me, the groom is my “one that got away.” But I’m thrilled for both of them, honestly.
Plus, the reception is bound to be open bar and crawling with the groom’s former frat boys.
And let’s be honest the math is pretty simple:
Ex-frat boys + wedding + open bar = someone for Jess to make out with

Ka-ching!

I like those odds. And to quote my buddy, they’ll be “clean” so they’re my kind of guy. I smell the opportunity for a tie to be tied around my waist, bosom or head.
Let’s party!

Am I the only one getting slammed with wedding invites this year? How many do you have or what is the busiest wedding summer that you’ve ever had? Do you say yes to all of them?

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12 July 2009

Weekend recap: True Blood and No Doubt

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: Chicago, Fashion, Food, music, television
Happy Sunday! First, I cannot believe BlogHer is two weeks away, um where did summer go? I’m so excited about it and spending time with some of my awesome bloggy friends.
Well let’s get started with the weekend recap!
Red Wine and Vampires
Because I don’t have HBO (stupid cable companies), I don’t get to watch and enjoy the “cool” shows, like True Blood, so Friday I met up with Sarah and Liz to indulge in this guilty pleasure with pizza and red wine (or beer for me). To be fair, I was pretty beat after a long day at work, so my mood may have been off but the show was…meh okay. Sookie kind of got on my nerves.
I may be tarred and feathered for these comments, but from what I’ve seen of the show, I give it a C. Maybe it has to just grow on me more.
NO DOUBT!!!!
I don’t talk a lot about music here because well, I’m not very “cool” when it comes to music. I like my iPod classic rock mixes and mostly mainstream hits. I don’t know a lot of indie/alt rock bands and I would be awful to have on your musical trivia team. Honest.
But like everyone else, I have 2-3 bands that I go ape-sh*t crazy for, and one of them is No Doubt.
No, not Gwen Stefani via Hollaback Girl, I’m talking about No Doubt, her group before she came a solo star.
I have fond high school memories of Tragic Kingdom, dancing along to “Just a Girl” and screaming (privately) “F*CK YES I AM” along with those lyrics. Yes, there is a little punk/ska girl buried behind my preppy/clean cut exterior. I still daydream about dying my hair pink or wearing a crapload of heavy make up for no reason than to show I’m pissed off and rebelling against “the man.”
So when I heard No Doubt was going on tour this summer, for the first time in almost seven years, I nearly lost my mind with excitement. But my indecisive nature kept me from doing anything because the venue was in the suburbs…and I have no car. FAIL. But after some very good blog karma, I got a ride thanks to Rachel and her friends and a ticket off of Craigslist for a very good price. I even got to see Molly there too! Hey, hey Chicago bloggers represent.
As you can see, everyone was excited to be there (I’ll be wearing that next time)
And with the help of a 22 oz. beer (which I could legally buy, as opposed to last time I saw No Doubt), I was a screaming, dancing, hip-shaking, arms waiving, jumping up and down fool. For real. You would have been SHOCKED by my actions, given that I’m a pretty reserved, laid back person. My hips were shakin’ like Shakira on a good day.
I love you Gwen!!
Oh and the girl I bought the ticket from, yeah we got upgraded VIP seats from a drawing we entered at the venue on a whim. I completely had a holy-shit-I-think-I-might-pass-out moment. And I got to see Gwen really close, and scream my love for her. GREAT NIGHT.
Fall into the Gap
Oh and my final piece of good news for this weekend, I found out I was selected to be a Gap brand enthusiast from Brand About Town. My super awesome “Born to Blog” shirt that the other ladies have been posting pictures of isn’t here yet :( but my inner event planner is out in full force getting logistics set up for the party. I’ll keep everyone posted on the details!
How was everyone else’s weekend? Anything fun or exciting happen? Or what performer/band would you LOVE to go see if you had the chance?
I am SO excited that 500 Days of Summer comes out next weekend. I have already texted TC to discuss getting tickets.
Note: Thank you everyone for your sweet comments about my second date with JohnBoy. Really you guys are so sweet and I’ll definitely keep you posted about date #3!! We’ve been texting while he is on vacation so we’re staying in touch :)

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09 July 2009

Join me on a recap of my date

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: Relationships
Normally, I’m not a nervous wreck before dates, but before date #2 with JohnBoy, I was seriously freaking out.
Yes, our first date went well and yes, I do like him, but I haven’t made it to date #2 with a guy in a long time so the fact that we made it to the second round, made me feel a little self-conscious.
So I obsessed over the weather all day, wondering if our wine/cheese picnic in Millennium Park with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as the background music would be ruined and what was a suitable plan B. The reason I also obsessed over plan B is because JohnBoy told me he had one but wouldn’t tell me what it is, which of course makes me want to know ALL THE MORE.
And despite some drizzles, we still picnicked for a while, enjoying good conversation and some nice music. Seriously the concerts at the Pritzker Pavilion are nice.
Oh and I happened to accidentally spill wine all over my flip flop (classy) and JohnBoy decided to just kiss me early so it wasn’t awkward at the end of the nice. Um…….yeah I’m okay with that. And it was nice. So I went back for another one and then grinned like an idiot when he said he’d been thinking about that all week.
OMFG who says stuff like that? I’ve never had a guy be this nice and respectful to me….ever?
So when the rain picked up, I took my Chardonnay-soaked flip flop with me and we headed to Gioco in the South Loop for dinner. More good conversation, plus ricotta and spinach tortellini followed and then suddenly it was 11 p.m. and I couldn’t see out of my left eye because my contact lens decided to quit working on me, without notice.
That was the sign that it was time to go home. And after another awkward moment in the car (because car hugging/kiss goodbye can be uncomfortable), he walked me to my front door. And went in for another kiss. Nice work, way to lock that evening up. And he had the “stop-talking-because-i’m-going-to-kiss-you” look all over his face :)
This is a man ladies. A man who makes plans and goes for the first move. Helllllllo!
So we plan to meet up when he’s back from his week-long vacation and take it from there. So yeah, I think there might be a date #3 coming up!
Oh and he told me more than once how nice I looked. Tee hee.
So the question for tonight is, what is your idea of a perfect date? Feel free to “plan” it here!

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