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Unpublished Opinion

Thursday, December 29, 2005

Home Sweet Home.

I awoke at 4am this morning and my dad kindly drove me to the friendly little regional airport. And we were both in good moods surprisingly. I arrived at the airport at 4:45. The ticket counter did not open until 5am. I have not had to wait at a ticket counter in probably 4 years. Since the airline switched me to this morning's flight after last night's was cancelled (due to "an air traffic control issue at O'Hare"), I wasn't able to print my boarding pass from home. And the little airport doesn't have check-in kiosks. After going through the grueling security line (note: sarcasm; there was no line), I arrived at my gate. It amazes me that the airport has this little room that people go into to smoke. If you look at the glass enclosed room it looks like it is filled with fog. I saw a sign that said that the terminal was now equipped with Wi-Fi. I found this surprising considering the small, antiquated nature of the whole airport. Then I noticed that they charged for usage. Not quite as hip as they think they are.

After an uneventful flight I arrived in Chicago. (yay!). Prince E, who works near the airport, picked me up at 6:30am Chicago time. (I think he is now eligible for early sainthood status). He took me to breakfast, allowed me to store my luggage in the car, and dropped me at the CTA station. After a 40 minute train ride I arrived at the office. Of course I didn't have my ID badge, because I had not planned on going to work without going home first. Luckily another woman that works early was entering the office at the time I arrived and she let me in. Otherwise I may have had to wait until the receptionist got there at 9am. I managed to stay at work for 1/2 a day. Impressive I think. Have you ever heard of the studies done that equate sleep deprivation with being drunk? So true. I actually stumbled (almost into the wall) on my way to the bathroom. That was when I knew it was time to go home. I am feeling refreshed after a nice two hour nap. Just one more day of work and then three day weekend!

Check out what Simba did to my lovely Christmas display while I was gone.



He was however happy to meet the new addition to the family, Lenny the Llama.



Happy New Year Everyone!

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Stranded...

My flight back to Chicago was cancelled. I head out at 6AM tomorrow. Ugh. Then to work. Double Ugh.

On the bright side, at least I can do more arm raise repetitions with my 22.5 pound weight. (my one year old nephew).

Tuesday, December 27, 2005

Fun with Puffy Paint...

Monday, December 26, 2005

Podcasting from Michigan....

I found the time to record a podcast, despite having to entertain my nephews.

Find it here or download here.

On today's show:

My adventures in Michigan, including watching Oobi.

An interview with fellow running blogger Shore Turtle!

My biggest fans...

My nephews are enjoying their new Simba/Unpublished Opinion shirts that their grandma bought them.

Saturday, December 24, 2005

Greetings from Michigan...

I have been in Michigan at my parents' house since Wednesday. It is so warm here now!! 35!!! The snow is starting to look all gross and dirty. Maybe it won't be a white Christmas after all! I am watching Higglytown Heroes. It is my favorite of the kid shows that my nephew likes to watch.

In podcast news, I recorded a great interview with a fellow running blogger. It will appear in an upcoming episode. (once I find the time to record the rest of the episode!) Maybe I can do a review of the Christmas episode of the Higglytown Heroes.

Merry Christmas to all those celebrating it tomorrow!

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Podcast is up!

Here is the latest podcast or download here.

On today's show:

I didn't steal the penguin!!

Christmas Memories

Movie Review: King Kong and Syriana

Off to Michigan tomorrow for a week!!

How cold is it??

So cold that even my cell phone needs a coat.*





* It was on clearance at Old Navy if that makes any difference to how pathetic you think I am.

Monday, December 19, 2005

Random Musings...

I lost my scarf over the weekend. I think it was at one of the two movie theaters I went to. I have lost countless gloves and two hats in the past, but never a scarf. Luckily I was able to buy one at Payless for only $6. I love Christmas sales for buying myself things. Speaking of myself, Prince E gave me yet another gift over the weekend. I am so spoiled it is a bit nauseating. Although he assured me that I am rather deserving of all of my gifts. I do wash his laundry and make him dinner after all. I stayed up too late last night watching the Bears. As a result I am too tired to do all of the things I should be doing. I am leaving for Michigan early on Wednesday and have a lot to do still: laundry, pack, finish making one more present, get all the gifts together, etc. Bloglines is down for scheduled maintenance...which means that I will have 120 posts to read in the morning. Which isn't good because I have work to finish up. Sorry for the incoherent rambling post, but I am sleepy.

Below is a photo of me in a box that Prince E's new printer came in. I am not sure why the box was so big.

Sunday, December 18, 2005

Nothing says Christmas like Llamas!

I just completed my annual three day cookie-making fest. Well, I don't actually bake for three days, but I make the dough one day, bake the cookies the second, and then frost and package on the third day. I received a fabulous llama cookie cutter as an early Christmas gift from my sister. Here is a photo of some of the cookies.


Thursday, December 15, 2005

The present parade continues...

Because I am spoiled rotten, I got another Christmas present today from Prince E. In honor of our upcoming trip to Hawaii (only 291 days away!), I received fabulous chocolates from Big Island Candies. Yum!!


Cats, Penguins, and Swimming, Oh My!

New podcast is up! Get it here or download here.

On today's show:

Training Update

Cat custody battle, Penguin exercise program, and keeping pets safe during Christmas.*

Perks of working in downtown Chicago.


Simba has a new habit of sitting under my desk while I am recording the podcast on the computer. See photo below. I think he wants to be a part of the show!



* On the podcast I talk about how tree water can be unsafe. I was referring to special tree water that can have additives, not regular tap water. Sorry I didn't make that more clear. I am too tired to go back and correct it. :)

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Why today I am feelin' good...

1) I swam, ran, and biked. In that order. All in one trip to the gym. (yes I know that is not the right order, but the bike was a not-on-the-schedule afterthought)

2) When I walked toward the pool, I got a little giddy. I may have done a little hop out of excitement.

3) I decided to sign up for a swim class at the gym that starts in January. The fear of it is currently less than the excitement for it.

4) I did not sit on my wet swimsuit when I went to put my running shoes on. (the lessons I am learning here, people!)

5) Although my legs were a little wobbly after the run, I didn't fall over once.

6) I managed to get off the bike and go shower, even though the latest episode of the Gauntlet was not yet over. (Why do I get sucked into such trash? Unfortunately, the TV showing Jeopardy was over by the stairmasters).

7) My new coat is like wearing a warm comfy sleeping bag around town.

Monday, December 12, 2005

Podcast #14!

Check out the new podcast here or download here.

My week off of training and its impact.

Movie review: Capote.

Changes to the blog: New Header and New Guest Map.

Who are the people in your neighborhood...

My old guest map is no more, so I made a new one with Frappr; cause that is what all the cool kids are doing. Please add yourself here.

Sunday, December 11, 2005

Merry Christmas to me...

Christmas came early at the Simbasmom house. Prince E bought me a WARM, comfy new coat. I can handle plenty of snowstorms with this baby.

Here is the first ever photo of me on this blog!!! Yes, I am wearing my pajamas.


Friday, December 09, 2005

The not so pretty side of snow...


The morning after...

Thursday, December 08, 2005

Oh, the weather outside is frightful...

View from my window on a clear sunny day:




View from my window tonight, during our first official winter snowstorm:

Wednesday, December 07, 2005

4000!!!


Congrats to my 4000th visitor!!! Although I have no idea who you are!! You live in San Francisco, California and you linked off of Jeanne's page at 5pm Pacific tonight. Hopefully you will come back to see this congratulatory post!!!

Sorry Shore Turtle; I think you missed it by one. Maybe 5000?

Word of the Year: Podcast

The editors of the New Oxford American Dictionary have determined that the word of the year for 2005 is podcast. It will be added to the 2006 edition.

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

The new podcast is up!

Get it here or download here.

One of the things on today's show:
More cats in the news: Cat-fox

Monday, December 05, 2005

Contribute to Simba's College Fund*


Just in time for the holidays...get your very own Simba and Unpublished Opinion gear!
My new store has a wide variety of apparel and other items (like tote bags!) featuring Simba Kitty and the Unpublished Opinion logo. Check it out! Let me know if there are any items you would like me to add.

The Unpublished Opinion Store.

* Simba just told me that he doesn't want to go to college. So any meager earnings from this project will go to buy him treats and catnip.

Hi. My Name is Simba's Mom and I am a bag addict...

I have had a bag addiction for at least 15 years. I love all bags: handbags, shopping bags, messenger bags, and my more recent obsession: tote bags!! They are the perfect bag because you can carry alot of heavy things without doing too much damage to the shoulder. Today I just got a free tote bag from the American Heart Association. I completed a survey online about heart disease and women and they sent me the fabulous bag you see below. It is the perfect tote bag. The main key is that the handle must be long enough to go over your shoulder. This one does! And it has cute pockets on the outside for my phone and a water bottle. It also has a zippered top! Plus, it will help me spread the word about heart disease being the number one killer of women. For more information on heart disease and women, visit Go Red for Women.

Friday, December 02, 2005

Breakthrough

I went to the gym today for an 8-mile bike day. As I was leaving the locker room to head to the bikes, I saw two women heading to the pool. My thought: "I wish today was a swim day." If I had had my swimsuit with me, it probably would have been.

Blast from the Past

Been having a little fun this morning over at this site. You can watch TV intros for shows from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, as well as commercials. Nothing starts the day off right like watching the intros to Fraggle Rock and Pee Wee's Playhouse.

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Update: They also have old movie trailers. I just watched the one for Goonies!

Thursday, December 01, 2005

The episode where I ramble...

The new podcast is up here or download here.

I ramble in this episode (even more than normal). I am very sleepy as I had to get up at 5:45am because Prince E was worried about snow and getting to work on time. It was only 15 minutes earlier than normal, but it made a noticeable difference.

In this show:

What Simba thinks about my triathlon training.

Training update: what embarrassing thing happened to me?

Two news story updates: Stowaway cat and Rosa Parks

*****
I am also so sleepy that, if not for spell checker, the above would read "triathlong training." Sigh. I need sleep.