Katee Did

times are a changing

2009-05-05T10:15:00.001-05:00

I have decided to give my blog a new angle and feel. New posts coming soon.

Observations... on Houston

2009-02-03T21:30:00.004-06:00

This is the end of day 2 in Houston, here is what I've observed so far. Bullets for your reading pleasure.

At dusk, there are about 1M crows flying around downtown just waiting to shit on your car. Thank god I drive a rental.
Nice cars!! Maybe because I live in the Galleria area I see many of these, but damn I have never seen so many 7-series, Range Rover's and Porshe's in my life. (For the record, I know the 7 is a shitty car, but it sure is pretty).
All chicken tastes better here.
People shiver and wear parka's when it's 60 F out. I would lay out by the pool in this weather.
The weather folks say "we're in for a chill..." when it's going to be under 50 F during the day. In February! HA!
Randall's is almost as good as Whole Foods.
I saw my first real cowboy today.
My corporate apartment f'n rocks. With the exception of the witches at the front desk who lost my MacBook. We have free personal trainers! How awesome is that?!
Not everyone is fat. At least not in the Galleria district.
I could possibly live here which surprises even me. (But we're only on day 2, so we'll table that one.)
The tunnel system confuses me. Does the inclement weather get that bad?
GPS's don't work downtown. Too many buildings.
Once again, I don't get Bravo. The TV gods hate me.

More observations to come. Stay tuned.

around the world, around the world

2009-01-25T22:06:00.004-06:00

After spending a week with my foreign friends, I have determined that my life is boring as shit. My priorities are way out of whack. Work, work, work... Who the hell dies and regrets missing work. All my new pals from school travel. To good places! What they hell am I doing wasting away in North America. I am so over this.

I have decided to focus on me, and make seeing the world a top priority. I guess all these years my mother has been telling me to pack up and run away to Paris was sound advice.

Here is my (tentative) list of places I want to visit in no particular order:

Blue Lagoon, Iceland
Stonehenge
Dublin, Ireland (pub crawl)
Patagonia
Madrid, Spain (you are my host Alvaro!!)
The Azores, Portugal
Cape Town, South Africa
Cairo, Egypt
Morocco
NZ (backpacking & beaches!)
Australia (more backpacking & beaches!!)
Florence & Milan
St. Petersburg & Moscow
Thailand
Tibet
Buenos Aires
Alaska
Northern Canada (to see the Northern Lights)
Back to Yugo (Belgrade, Dubrovnik, & Montenegro)
London (Jimmy & Nicole watch out)

I am open to any more suggestions anyone has.

at work and play

2009-01-24T21:58:00.003-06:00

I just spent the last week at my company's training facility. At each level, we have intensive training that lasts a week or two. The entry level training is like a frat/sorority drink-a-thon. Lots of training, alcohol and sex as expected. I guess those of us one level up aren't that much older, but I wasn't expecting what I saw. There were people taking their wedding rings off once they got off the plane.

I get singles hooking up. I even get committed but not marrieds hooking up if that is there thing. However, married people hooking up not in open relationships? WTF!

Perhaps I have some arbitrary moral threshold, that when you actually marry someone, you keep it in your pants from that point on. Isn't the point of marriage commitment? I think people go into it with the wrong perspective. When you get married, or so I believe, you aren't promising to not look at anyone else. You're not even promising to not want to sleep with anyone else. You're promising not to ACT on it.

Holiday Travel

2008-12-27T16:26:00.006-06:00

Ugh... As I type this I am half in the bag at DFW (that's the Dallas airport for those of you not in "the know"). I have been trying to get back to Boston for 24 hours, with no luck. Let me recap the last24 hours of my life.

12/26 7AM MST: Woken up by Kira, sadly after Daddy and I went to bed after drinking MUCH too much wine.

12/26 9AM MST: Load Spore which was a Christmas gift from D. Played until 11:30AM even though I was NOT packed or close to it. I curse him for buying me this since he knows how addicted to shit like this I get.

12/26 2PM MST: Leave for the airport, with a pit stop at the baby mama's house. Laugh at the purified vomit in the driveway and drill the digits "867-5309" into Kira's head.

12/26 4:05PM MST: My 5:05 departure has been moved to 6:30PM

12/26 4:45PM MST: Say good bye to my lovies and wish them well en route to the Midwest.

12/26 4:47PM MST: Learn Midway has been closed.

12/26 6:10PM MST: Pay admirals club bar tab, and head to gate C37.

12/26 6:15PM MST: Get to gate, and wonder how a flight to LAX (that has not even deplaned) will board and take off in 2 seconds.

12/26 6:30PM MST: Grumble that my flight is delayed.

12/26 7:10PM MST: Grumble that my flight is delayed some more.

12/26 8:00PM MST: Flight to ORD canceled.

12/26 8:05PM MST: Confirm re-booking and head to collect bags.

12/26 8:55PM MST: Drops bags down the escalator. Yes, that really happened.

12/26 10:35PM MST: Back in Boulder thanks to a spare car & house key.

12/27 4:15AM MST: Back on the road to DEN thanks to my Garmin.

12/27 6:00AM MST: On flight ready to go.

12/27 10:55AM CST: Stuck in Wichita Falls, TX to refuel since DFW is closed.

12/27 1:35PM CST: Finally off the plane in Dallas.

12/27 4:55PM CST: Half in the bag, writing this post. Board in 45 minutes, god willing.

Hammer Time

2008-12-25T00:46:00.002-06:00

Woo hoo! This woman from Hamilton (aka The Hammer) made it three days in the snow.

I love my hometown.

Joyeux Noel

2008-12-25T00:35:00.001-06:00

I just want to wish all my people Merry Christmas and Joyeux Noel.

Much love - K

Obervations

2008-12-23T13:16:00.003-06:00

Here is some things I've observed about Colorado...

People are terrible drivers. I hail from Massachusetts, so I know bad driving. These people are worse. Thrown in bike lanes and strange blinking cross-walks and it makes for lots of fun.
Bi-polar weather. Again, hailing from New England I have experienced unpredictable weather. One day it's -1 degree here, the next it's 30. WTF?
No HD news channels. Comcast has no explanation for this.
Excessive body odor. I am not being petty. Deodorant is optional here. It's disgusting.
Homeless people. I think there might be more "homeless" people here than in Chicago per capita. I might add that these "homeless" people are quite well dressed. I find this annoying. Just because you chose to move out west, and don't have any money means you should panhandle. Take your nice backpack and hiking shoes and go back HOME. You are not getting my change because you chose this lifestyle.
Old people with kids. Maybe there is something in the water here, but I have never seen more gray haired parents. It's kind of disturbing.

I am seriously counting the minutes until when I get back to civilization. Not sure I am ever coming back either.

What was the photographer thinking?

2008-12-15T23:23:00.001-06:00

In the spirit of Christmas, I thought I'd share one of my favorite holiday pictures. This picture was taken when I was almost one or almost two. I really have no idea, but I was walking.

My darling Auntie took me to the local Sears for some holiday photos. She was not forewarned by my parents that I was already training for Olympic hide and go seek. I used to love taking off, and hiding in the clothing racks. I guess I took off and bit it before I made it to the rack.

I think it's great she actually followed through with the picture. Busted chin and all.

They're at it again...

2008-12-14T10:44:00.003-06:00

I guess funding Prop ~~HATE~~ 8 wasn't enough for them.

Now they predict our president elect won't make it to office.

Give it a break.

Sour Grapes

2008-12-03T22:18:00.003-06:00

There is a colleague with whom I've worked on and off (but mostly on) for just over the last two years. I am about to go ape shit on this person.

Today, for the third time in the last two years, this person thrown me under the fucking bus. WTF!!! I have been nothing but nice, helpful and understanding to this person. They, however, are selfish, untrustworthy and just a douche.

I won't go into any further details because god forbid they read this. I just hope they know that karma is a mother fucker.

Enough said.

Indiana confuses me more and more each day

2008-11-26T10:10:00.003-06:00

Here is another good idea gone array. I am not quite sure who would the intended consumer is for Planned Parenthood gift certificates. Planned Parenthood hopes philanthropists will by them for low-income patients, but I wonder how that would get itemized on a tax return?

Why don't I fly Star Alliance?

2008-11-19T23:23:00.003-06:00

Answer: here

Although, it does pain me to ding one of my countrymen.

Move Over Cleanliness

2008-11-19T12:37:00.005-06:00

D. and I have had an on-going discussion about the plates listed in this article. When we lived in Chicago, we spent countless hours on the road driving to and from his parents house 5(ish) hours away. Now Indiana is a peculiar place. You have some towns that make you feel like you're in the deep south (not that I have ever been to the deep south, I imagine it would be like this.) And you have places like Bloomington (home of IU) which is liberal as all hell.

With a state fairly split (hell - it went to Obama) I am shocked that these plates are free. Indiana has a whole array of available plates. Here are some of my favorites: the abortion plate, the fancy Shriner sword plate, and about 10M college/university plates. Alllll the other plates have a fee, except the standard plate and the god plate.

Growing up, we didn't really "do" the church thing. I went periodically with my grandmothers, but my parents worked shifts so we never really went as a family. So.... I may be biased. BUT... why do the Native American's have to PAY??? Weren't they here before us???? I truly just want equality for all... and this isn't it.

Boob tube

2008-11-17T21:15:00.006-06:00

So I was going to write an entry about how much TV has sucked these days, and then I came across this entry. I am totally convinced that the people who watch less TV work MUCH less than I do. When you're on all day, it's nice to come off, pour a large goblet of Cab and zone out.

Anyway - back to the plan. As you may know, I travel for work. I work long days, and I really like watching TV. Well, for some reason NO HOTELS IN CHICAGO HAVE BRAVO. Don't they know that Bravo is the shit? WTF. On a weekly basis they deprive me of Top Chef, Top Design, Project Runway (yes I know it's over, but I am making a point), and every variation of Housewives. I swear if I miss the Reunion episode and miss this I am quitting my job. Bravo aside, I am so far behind on Dexter, I don't think I'll be getting out of bed before Sunday. Sheesh.

Does one think cats can be trained to open wine? They can be trained to use a toliet, is this so far off?

20 tidbits about moi - part one

2008-11-12T22:48:00.009-06:00

To get my 16 remaining posts (or, is it 17?) here are some tidbits about lil, ole me.

I like to take pictures
I prefer lemons to limes in all cases
I hail from the great white north (aka Canada)
I spoke Serbian before English
My ideal job would be clandestine spy work
I may be the only person in my age group who has never been to Las Vegas, nor cares to ever go
I was born on a Tuesday, which clearly make whoever wrote that nursery rhyme wrong as I am not full of grace - ha!
I am new to blogging, so sorry if this sucks
My car is purple (the Germans call it Sparkling Graphite Metallic, I call it purple)
I exclusively use Lypsyl chapstick (cherry or mint - only available in the aforementioned motherland)
Words I really, really dislike are as follows: morsel, tasty, nosh, & natch
The job I have now is nothing like I would have expected growing up
My favorite food is cheese
I didn't really have any pets growing up, which explains my slight aversion to them
I have been replaces in my dad's will by two cats (which only fuels the aversion)
I was at Grant Park when Obama won the election
Lint in my arch nemesis
I recently watched a documentary called La Corona and found it quite good
I really like wine
I am currently, slightly hungover due to #19

NaBloPoMo

2008-11-12T22:03:00.001-06:00

In honor of NaBloPoMo, I am going to try to blog every day. We will see if that happens. BTW... I am working on an entry from Grant Park last Tuesday. It was off the chain.

My Life

2008-10-22T18:30:00.004-05:00

I feel like the flow chart pictured to the right pretty much encapsulates my life and what I do for a living.

I have been stuck in suburban NY for the last few weeks with a bunch of folks I'd rather not be with. Most of them are Yankees fans to boot (adding insult to injury).

My job is so great that the last few weeks have really made me question my career choice. I mean seriously, who dreams as a little kid that they will be testing interfaces?? Not I. I was going to be a photographer or creating advertising.

Anyway... had to vent about the joys of project work.

The Great White North

2008-10-10T09:47:00.003-05:00

I am back home for the (Canadian) Thanksgiving holiday which should be fun. It's always a treat to see my moms and the fam. I am pretty excited for a low key weekend, although I might have to work. Over the weekend. Again. Like for the fourth weekend in a row. Boo.

Anyway, back to work. I guess I am not getting paid to blog whilst listening to Lil' Wayne.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Barack Attack

2008-10-07T16:14:00.003-05:00

D. is going to a Barak Obama rally tomorrow in Indy - and I am jealous. I will be toiling away in an office building dealing with retarded technology issues and the people that create them.

Link to the rally:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/inhome

I am watching the debate as I type this. McCain's pathetic cracks at jokes are so painful to watch. You know... I didn't hate McCain before this season began. I have disliked him since he chose that anti-choice, anti-evolution crazy woman from Alaska. Does anyone take her seriously? I often wonder if McCain even believes what she says. If the Red ticket wins - I am so moving back to Canada. Not a joke.

I don't want a president who is Joe or Jane six pack. I don't. I want my president to be smarter, wiser and braver than myself. I also don't want a 70 something year old man in the office either. His expiration date is quickly approaching. Don't let the younger wife and college age kids fool you.

Obama-Biden all the way!

Winds of Change

2008-10-06T20:52:00.003-05:00

Ever have a time in your life when you know you have a decision to make? Not a chocolate or vanilla decision, or a beer or vodka decision. But a really important decision that will surely impact the rest of your life? Well, that's where I am now.

I can see my life going one of two ways and I really don't know which to path to take. One path takes me home. Where I know I would be happy. Back to people that love me, and would fill a void in my life that has been growing for 14 years. The other path is more uncertain, yet more familiar. This path has been my life for the last four years. It's been rocky at times, but I wouldn't trade a minute of it. Each path has pros and cons. I just can't figure out which to take.

Colorado Bound

2008-08-16T10:38:00.003-05:00

As many of my friend know, D. and I have been struggling with where to live for a very long time. Luckily, I think this may be coming to an end. We have decided to move to Boulder, Colorado. I already feel that Rocky Mountain High. No, but seriously, I do have a laundry list of concerns. They are as follows:

No significant body of water within 1000 miles. Everywhere I have lived in my life, has been on the edge of some large body of water - either the ocean or a great lake. I like water, it relaxes me. I know I have the Rockies here, but I just don't know if it will feel the same.
The prices. Who knew Colorado would be so expensive? To be perfectly honest, Boulder is the most expensive place (with the expectation of CB, Vail, Aspen etc), so I hope we can find a home. If I wanted to live in a condo - I would have stayed in Chicago.
The ex factor. Can I really deal with that and her putz of a husband for the rest of my life. Vodka give me strength.
The hippies. Seriously, I gag at the smell of patchouli. It's gross.
The sunshine. I like the sun... but it's dreary and rainy here this week and I love it!!

I'll keep everyone posted on how house hunting day 1 goes.

-K

Tattoo removal - take 2, several months delayed

2008-06-02T22:52:00.003-05:00

Hello! Here are the before and after picture from my last tattoo removal session. The before pics are actually after the local anesthetic if you notice the little red bumps. Anyway, progress it being made, and appointment number three is in 3 weeks. I can't wait for these to be gone.

As you can see, they are fading at a different rate. The bottom three were all done at the same place and are my oldest. The heart one (that I really do like, just not the size and location) is newer and darker. I recall when it was getting done that the "artist" had a heavy hand.

Tattoo Removal Part One

2008-01-07T10:13:00.000-06:00

I have never been against cosmetic procedures. I would like to have my nose done, some lipo, and Botox. None of which I will probably ever do. However, I do have six tattoos (well, technically eight) of which I only actually like three.

After much thought, I have decided to get my old tattoo's removed. I have been contemplating this for some time, but assumed it was going to cost me out-the-nose and I didn't have the cash. This Christmas I spent a lot of alone time with Duke (my feline brother), and subsequently spent a lot of time at Marshall's in Vinnin Square. I picked up several really cute dresses and had planned to wear one on New Years. Well, once again, I couldn't deal with the fact that I had a HUGE tattoo showing (see Tribal Heart to the right) and opted for a shirt with a full back.

Long story short; I did a lot of Googling and calling to respectable tattoo shops for a referral. I ended up at the Ritacca Laser Center in Vernon Hills, IL despite it being almost an hour from my house in the city.

I had only planned on a consultation for one tattoo - but ended up signing up to have all three of the large ones on my back removed together. Yea me. They offer a discount if they treat multiple areas at once, and they had me at 50% the other two. The doctor insisted I get local anesthetic (in addition to the topical) since I was having such a large area done. Again, yea me. So, after 25 minutes of needles to numb my tattoos it was time for the laser.

HOLY CRAP IT HURTS!!!!!!!!!!! Honestly, anyone even thinking about getting a tattoo should get one snap of this laser before they let the needle hit their skin. Hands down the worst pain I have ever felt. In my research I read that some compared the pain to that of an elastic band snapping on your skin. Ugh... no. Maybe if the elastic band was laced with electricity and spikes! The total snapping was only for maybe 2 minutes. Oh, and you can smell burning flesh.

Click here to see an actual laser removal session.

I left the room in daze... Two minutes later, my hands were shaking and my teeth chattering. Next time I am definitely taking a Xanax before I go.

Two days later I feel OK. There was no real pain after the treatment; just uncomfortable because I have the treated areas covered with gauze and some prescription cream. At $610 a pop; I hope I see results before my next appointment April 5th.

Tegan & Sara

2007-11-30T14:45:00.000-06:00

Kelli and I went to see Tegan & Sara last night at the Portage Theater. It was a fantastic show, and only would have been better if they severed an alcohol of sorts. Kelli and I were of the 10% straight population in attendance. The bathrooms were really clean, which I attributed to the lesbians at the show - skewed logic for sure. However, Kelli was quick to point out (not to take cleanliness away from the lesbians) that it was probably the lack of alcohol that kept the seat free of stray pee.

Anyway, back to the show. It was really good! They are teeny, tiny little Canucks. Very cute. Sara also told a funny story about her fainting at lawn-full-of-losers this summer downtown. She says that people come up to her and say, "Aw, Canadian are so cute... fainting all the time." And she was like, "We're not cute - we're motherfucking tough!" And we are. We also wear toque's.

To the guy on the El....

2007-11-28T21:25:00.000-06:00

To the asshole on the purple line from the Loop to Belmont... UGH. So, I won't lie, I think people who eat on the CTA are disgusting. I mean, I drink my coffee in the morning, but actually letting your hands come in contact with your mouth after being on the El? Gag. Anywho... you had some type of healthy, Jared approved 6inch subway - and good for you. However, did you need to THROW your wrapper on the ground? And then the bag and your napkin? What puzzled me was that you took the time to fold your napkin several time before you wiped your mouth. So bizarre. And when I thought your presence on my train couldn't get any worse, you started playing "music" via your Nextel. (It might not have actually been a Nextel, but it look like the ones people had in the early 2000's.) You know, I generally don't like being on the el later than seven PM.. but my job doesn't allow me that luxury. You are annoying and should be shot annoying guy on the el.

webkinz part deux

2007-11-15T09:47:00.000-06:00

Our family has more that doubled. Meet Tek, Carlota and Pete. Not shown; Snowball and Munca.

Super Pickle

2007-11-02T09:42:00.001-05:00

For as long as I can remember, I have had a little green friend. He has striped legs, a fuzzy nose and a cape. His name is Super Pickle. I am not one of those chicks with lots of stuffed animals from my childhood; I have three. A wrinkles somewhere packed my basement, a pig from Ikea named River Pignix, and Super Pickle. Super Pickles has come with my from Canada to Boston, and Boston to Chicago. The last few years of this life, he resided in a Hurricane glass from Pat O'Brien's in New Orleans. My friend Kelli has recently become obsessed with SP and he has become her travel companion living in her Prius and just chillaxin'.

Yesterday I decided to google Super Pickle - and holy crap... there are people that collect these little mo fo's.

http://www.inthe80s.com/toys/superpickle.shtml

You can also purchase one on eBay for $9.99. Now I want a Mr. Hot Dog. That would be sweet.

webkinz

2007-10-30T20:47:00.000-05:00

My bf's little one just got a webkinz, and damn are they fun. I am totally putting the pig and the chihuahua on my Christmas list.

Jason Varitek

2007-10-30T10:46:00.001-05:00

I have been a Red Sox fan since I moved to north shore of Boston in 1994. However, I did not recognize the hotness that is Jason Varitek until this year. Holy mother of god is that man a fine piece of ass. I think I may be stalking him in the post-season. Is there any other player that looks as good as he?

During the world series, my boyfriend D pointed out that Tek must have some killer quad muscles... this of course led my mind to very dirty places which included me against a wall and we'll leave it at that.

so much to say

2007-10-29T16:07:00.001-05:00

I have decided to start a blog. I have a lot to say, and I think my boyfriend is sick of listening to me. Not sure about yours, but my life needs a running commentary which I plan to post. Feel free to use mine. I hope people don't find me offensive, as I have been called brash and outspoken. I call things how I see them and what that really means is that I lack a filter. I also swear a lot so be sure to wear your earmuffs.