(no subject)

Holy shit, Chicago's been invaded by RANSACKING RACCOONS. This explains why they found a coyote in a Metra station recently. She was trying to get the hell out of Dodge. (The Sun-Times cracks me up. Sad-looking coyote. You'd look sad too if you were trapped in a Metra station without opposable thumbs or higher reasoning functions.)

BossBoss and I have a running joke whenever our mutual boss, The Idiot, sends us an especially stupid missive. It started when there was a whole afternoon of stupid and I looked up at my boss at one point and said, "Do you hear circus music whenever they email?" Now whenever someone does something stupid to us we just say "circus music" and both bust up laughing.

I'm applying for a new job with my company this week. I contacted the person in charge of the search, and we have had the most circus music dialogue that I've yet encountered. On the one hand it's mostly harmless; on the other it frightens me for my future.

BossBoss and I, meanwhile, both read The 99%, which had an article this week on sorting out what you should stop doing, start doing, and continue doing. Which led to the following discussion via email:

BossBoss: I lost track of time this morning and I'm running late.
Sam: You're totally fired when you get here.
BossBoss: I have a lovely response prepared for that.
Sam: Are you going to tell me what I can stop, start, and continue to do?
BossBoss: Not specifically, but it will answer that question too...

(no subject)

I have made approximately a million meal reservations, mapped out most of downtown Chicago in Google maps, coordinated multi-stage bus trips, researched museum admissions and open hours, and I think finally, finally, I am ready for my mother and sister to descend on Chicago on Friday night.

Some of the planned events include the acquisition of a shepherd's pie, the sacking of the Art Institute Museum, a Bollywood film festival, at least one buffet, way more walking than I think my mother comprehends, and the traditional Dinner At Weber Kettle Grill.

It's not a visit to Chicago unless someone's eating pretzel rolls with cheese spread.

R's meeting us at the Art Institute Museum on Monday; he loves the museum though we're both pretty horrified at the recent gallery reorgs. Still, Mum wants to see the Kings, Queens, and Courtiers exhibit, and I promised Emmy a tour of the Miniature Rooms.

Come to think of it, I don't believe R and Emmy have ever met before. That should be interesting. Kind of like Sherlock meets Sailor Moon.

(no subject)

I MADE A BOAT.

This fold is not a good fold to do with thick origami-calendar paper, but it's totally worth it when you turn it inside out and all of a sudden you have A BOAT. A really cool boat!

I don't know why this boat is so cool. IT JUST IS OK. Though I think it's more canoe-like than motorboat-like. It lacks a motor, for one.

BOAT.