Archive for July 2009

07 July 2009

Scenes from a bar

By: Jessica B.

I’m not a sociologist. In fact, I almost failed that class in college, but I report on what I see and what I saw lately was a classic male mating ritual around women at the bar.

Let me begin by saying that getting a table at a rooftop bar on a nice summer day, even for a group of girls, requires military-like precision. You do the awkward walk around, checking out if people are just chatting or snooping to see if they’re signing the bill. You stare at strangers, giving them the “eye” that says “boy it would nice if you left so I could sit down and enjoy my multiple beers in peace.”
Then, when someone finally does give up a table, it’s a mad dash to secure it. This can happen with one member from the group breaking from the pack to claim the table and screaming “TABLE!” out loud and rushing for it, letting a friend hold their drink. Or depending on your alcohol consumption, throwing yourself on the table while placing a licked finger on it and saying, “dibs, dibs, I called dibs,” rather loudly. It happens.
So now that you’re enjoying the table, at some point in the evening some guys will try to take it because the real estate value of that table has increased twofold. At this time, more drunk women are up on the roof so men need to have that table in order to increase the change that women will flock to them. Yes, it happens. And as available table and counter space for pitchers declines, men with tables become more attractive. It’s easy math.
And while enjoying a rooftop bar table with friends recently, two men approached our table and just sat down. I must have blacked out when I “invited them” to join us. Anyhow, while making little conversation, the alpha male cleaned his glasses, combed down his mustache hair (and no I don’t want a mustache ride) and proudly showed off his shirt that said, “Middle School, Class of 2003.”
Are you f*cing kidding me. You wear THAT out to a bar. Where there are women. THAT shirt, you had NOTHING else in your closet that wasn’t as pedophile creepy? Guess not. When I saw that, one thought enters my head, “To Catch A Predator.” He looked like one too.
He proceeded to let his wingman buddy sit there and stare at us, while the alpha finally entered into a friendly dialogue.
“I can tell [said to me] that you’re a cool chick.”
“F*ck yes I am! I’m the coolest chick you’re going to meet, who isn’t on pay-for sites online [am referring to adult material, Match.com does NOT apply].”
“I’d like to shake your hand.”
And he gave a weak handshake. P*ssy. Not even a cheap offer to kiss it? Weak.
His friend finally entered the conversation, getting up the courage to talk to us and said, “well we have a pitcher of beer coming.”
Free beer? I’m listening.
“I like guys who are givers,” I said as a joke.
Now the wingman REALLY gets interested in the conversation, obviously misreading what I was saying.
“I like women who are givers.”
Grossed out and getting the odd look from my friend, I realized we would have to sacrifice the table because a) I was not in the mood for banter and b) I needed to stop drinking beer and go get some food. So with a snort, I picked up my purse, looked the guy right in the eye and said….
“I bet you do and I’m sure the female givers you know take personal checks too.”
Thank you and goodnight!!!
What have you seen guys do at bars that makes you sick? Too much attention to Golden Tee? Or what have you had happen to you at bars that drives you insane, from girls or guys?
Fortunately, I don’t think this will be happening on my evening out with JohnBoy tomorrow. Very nervous. But it will be fine :)

06 July 2009

The solution for a bad day

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: Random
I had a pretty rough day last week from start to finish. It was my first day back from a long weekend and it was already a short week because of the 4th of July, so the cards were already stacked against me.
Oh and let’s add major hormones on top of that too because that always helps you relax and think rationally.
And for the final cherry on top, I paid my credit card bill, which had some charges from my vacations. I nearly passed out after hitting the “make payment” button online. It was tough.
So I thought about how I would turn around my lousy day and asked Twitter the following question:
Today’s the kind of day that requires one of the following:
  • Alcohol
  • M&Ms; (love cold plain M&Ms;)
  • Coffee cake in the dark (soothing)
  • All of the above
And here were some of the responses:
It is official, I have awesome Twitter friends.
To avoid getting too drunk, I ended up going with the M&Ms; in the dark. Next time I will have coffee cake, alcohol and cigarettes in a glass box in my apartment to break in case of emergencies.
I just have to remember to replenish the emergency reserve. I always forget that part.
So what would you choose from that list to help you unwind? Or what do you do to help relax after a bad day?

05 July 2009

Weekend recap: The 4th of July, Wisconsin-style

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: family, Wisconsin
Hello and happy belated 4th of July!
I hope everyone had a nice, relaxing weekend. I took a few days off after my little vlog adventure to relax and chill in Wisconsin, where is it so quiet, it creeps me out sometimes.
I find that now, whenever I go home, I miss the Chicago urban hum. What? No drunk person stumbling around or horns honking at night? I should record the Chicago “hum” and bring it with me to soothe me to sleep. Or get a nice little mobile for above my bed. Sad.
Anyhow, outside of getting a much needed/deserved mani/pedi at home, the big activity of the weekend was my hometown parade, which I chronicled here last year and was dying to photograph again.
Wisconsin loves the 4th and it loves our country. I see this displayed in several ways at home, from interesting outfit combinations to pride in our parade.
In fact, our local parade is so big and popular that the city had to pass an ordinance a few years ago to keep people from putting out their parade materials too early, thus monopolizing the good places. Clever. And I can guarantee you that people woke up early and waited outside until it was officially 6 a.m. to start roping off space. We’re that hard core.
You don’t f*ck with America and you don’t f*ck with our parade spots. I even started stretching before the parade so I could be more limber to get candy instead of kids. Yes, that’s what I do, please don’t pretend you’re surprised.
So here are some highlights from our parade, from sh*t to camels to kazoo bands to enjoying the parade with bistro tables, wine and a feathered mullet. It’s better than what people used to do which is drink openly and ignore their children at the parade. Guess that was cracked down on too with the new ordinance. I cannot wait until next year!

Saw this on the hood of a car en route to the parade – yes, I’m immature

Celebrating the Civil War heroes

My favorite picture of the day. Bistro tables, feathered mullet and wine (forgive the grainy image, I had to zoom almost all the way to capture it)

Yay, a camel…in a southeastern Wisconsin parade…yay, a camel!

Kazoo band drummer. Yes, he’s pointing RIGHT AT ME *faints*

Parade outfit – Wisconsin loves America and keeping its legs warm on a cool July day

Cleaning up sh*t from a horse-drawn carriage. We’re givers
I was also home this weekend because tomorrow is my dad’s 61st birthday. I mentioned here last year that I risked increasing my chance of skin cancer to help him ring in #60 and this year, he’s keeping the celebration much more low key and unfortunately I can’t be with him on the big day.
I know he doesn’t read this blog (thank god, although I think he’s hunting for it), but I want to say in closing, happy birthday dad. I know I’m not always the easiest person to love, but you do, and I love you back a lot.
How was everyone else’s fourth of July? Is there anything you do every year or that your family/city is really hard-core about?
Note: Thank you everyone for the sweet comments about my vlog last week. I was so nervous in recording it and making it public. Your comments definitely made my day and made me smile. I’m so lucky to have you guys :) Oh and yes, big things are coming up! I can’t wait.

01 July 2009

My first vlog: Life as a twenty something

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: Random

That’s right, today we’re talking about chicks, specifically, this chick….me.

Francesca and the ladies at Three Bay B Chicks invited me to participate in the Chick Chat vlog series on the topic of “Life as a Twenty Something.”
This is something I definitely know a lot about!

In fact, Ben, Cheryl, Severina and Lilu and are also taking part in this episode.
So below is my first-ever vlog. And cut me some slack in the comments please because it is my first one and I went through 14 takes to finally get to this video. Oh and yes, that is the sound of my kitchen timer softly in the background because I kept going over time and needed it to keep me on track. I’m a total nerd.
Oh and I put a little note at the end (if you can hang with me for three minutes) with a little blog announcement. Nothing big but definitely exciting.

And thus, I close my first vlog entry. Again, be nice in the comments everyone, it was filmed on my iSight camera in my lovely living room. You can tell it’s an apartment because of the yellow walls…that was not my decorating decision.
So the question for tonight is, what do you like best about your life as a twenty something or what did you really like about your 20s?
Note: I also just wanted to thank everyone for the great tweets, e-mails and comments on my recent dating adventures. I really appreciate it, you guys are helping me stay back out there!