Band of Horses

Paul, Leeeeee and I saw Band of Horses last night at The Metro. What an awesome show! They are so incredible live; it sounds just like their albums! Which is proof of their talent, because they don't rely heavily on engineering to cut a record.
The opening bands, on the other hand, sucked.

Fly on the Wall

Recent excerpts from conversations I've had with friends:

Carisa: So last night we were watching The Muppets and....
Olivia: I love that you just started a conversation saying you were watching The Muppets.
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Matt: You going on strike anytime soon? [he extends his hand] [as she goes to reach for it, he pulls it back]"Psych."
Olivia: Awesome. I need to incorporate the word Psych back into my vocabulary.
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Lee: What kind of wine should I bring? Should I bring any recreational drugs (i.e. meth or heroin)?
Olivia: Just bring cheap red wine so our teeth can turn purple.
Lee: I hope I can get the internet set up for you. If not, I will owe you one.
Olivia: If you don't get it set up, our friendship is over. And....I will steal your shoes. PSYCH!!
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It's a Matter of Taste

the topic of the day is girls and boys. and personal preference. sarah and i discussed and here's what we came up with:
Sarah's preference - skinny boys with an awesome sense of humor. laughing is a must with her.
Andrea's preference - jesus-look-a-likes who play guitar.
My preference - Nerd-Hot. i like a smart boy, for sure. and they gotta be tall. at least 6 feet.

i know i've blogged on this before http://oliviamccain.blogspot.com/search?q=nerd+hot and we had a good list of nerd-hot folks, but I would like to add to the list...
Olivia McCain's offical Nerd Hot List 2007 (extension):
the character Chuck (from the show Chuck)
Conan O'Brien (he went to Harvard...)

Strike

Michi just sent me a quote regarding LOST and the writer's strike and it has me bummed out:
If the strike extends into the new year and beyond, there is a chance ABC may opt to delay the new season of Lost until the fall of 2008. Or worse yet, February 2009.

2009!!!! Nooooooooo!!!!
Doesn't it seem apparant to everyone that the writers deserve risiduals from webisodes and dvd sales? I know I've watched a couple of LOST episodes from abc.com and I've downloaded some episodes of Battlestar Galactica from itunes.
There are many ingredients that make up a successful show: actors, directors and writers all play an equally important role. They should all be paid appropriately for the success of the show they work on. Why are the studio execs being so greedy?
Most of my friends, luckily, aren't terribly effected by the strike because they work more in films then television. But I do think there will be a domino effect. If studios are losing money because their television shows have stopped production, they may not invest in so many films...which will effect whether my friends have jobs or not.
And Matty B...he edits the NBS show Chuck. So this strike is going to hit him dead on.

And I am grateful that celebrities are backing up the writer's guild but I also think we, as a society, need to be careful not to make them too much of heros during this who ordeal. Yeah Jay Leno brought the picketers donuts....but he's a multi-millionaire. He can afford to take years off work and not have to sweat anything.
Many of those people picketing have families and financial responsibilites. I hope the studio execs begin negotiations soon, for the sake of those involved who aren't wealthy.

And, because I don't want LOST to be delayed.

Razor

This just in: BSG Razor episode is being aired at the Evanston Cinearts Theater! Oh HELL YEAH I'll be there!!

Colbert in '08

Stephen Colbert has officially withdrawn his bid for the 2008 presidential election. Here's his statement he released to the press:

I want to say to my supporters, this is not over. While I may accept the decision of the Council, the fight goes on! The dream endures! ... And I am going off the air until I can talk about this without weeping.

What a brilliant way to cover up the writers strike. ;)

Rainbo Club

This is the result of 3 bars, multiple PBRs, 1 Jake Gyllenthal look-a-like and daylight savings.

Sisters before Misters!

InkWell

Josh!!!
Look what I found this morning: http://www.chicagoreader.com/pdf/071101/071101_inkwell.pdf

So now we can do the crossword puzzle together, every week!
*Note: this is just a temporary solution until I master the art of cloning.

And So Can You!

Here's the latest book I'm reading! It's pretty funny but I think it would be better if I would have gotten the book on tape. There's something about his voice and delivery that really adds life to his humor.

Still....Stephen Colbert kills me.

Colbert in '08!

1408

Last night, Sarah, Andrea, Sarah M, Ashley and I got together for some pizza, beer and a scary movie. The perfect way to bring in Halloween!

We rented Stephen King's, 1408. I was actually surprised at how scary the first hour of the movie was. It got a little weird at the end but all in all, we approved!

It had the usual Stephen King elements: the main character is an author, set in a hotel, and the author goes crazy in said hotel (The Shining, anyone?)....but there wasn't the typical 'spell the word backwards and it means something creepy/scary' like he usually has.

And John is my boyfriend so, of course, I have to support his work. Although he had bad 80's hair in this movie and a REALLY bad Ace Ventura type shirt on AND he seems to have gotten a little pudgy in the past couple of years. But love is blind, so what's a girl to do?

Happy Halloween, everyone! Boo!

Leathur Cheetah

Aawww yeah! Come rock out with me on Saturday while I jam to Joe's tunes.

Truly Outrageous

Friday night was Manno's Halloween party. I went as Jem from Jem and the Holograms. We all had a really good time! Thanks Manno for organizing the party!!

Brokeback Beagle

http://www.dooce.com/video/brokeback/brokeback.html
I wanna beagle so bad it hurts.

Twin

I have had two people approach me and ask if I am in the latest CB2 catalogue. I guess I have a twin...
http://www.cb2.com/catalog/viewonline.aspx?catalog_name=CB2Holiday2007
(page 2...girl on sofa talking on the phone)

Giada

I got to meet Giada this morning. I love my job.

Someone. Please. Explain.

I was all ready to blog about this new show I watched last night Samantha Who? And how much I loved the show. And how happy I was to see the girl from Gilmore Girls and the girl from that one show about the three sisters living in New York (which...i loved that show...whatever happened to it?)

And Christina Applegate is super cute and how I think this is my new favorite t.v. show.

But then I came across this picture.

Someone please explain what the f*ck is going on with this outfit.

Pumpkin Patch

Josh was in town yesterday! We walked down to Wrigleyville and had brunch at Salt and Pepper and then walked around the stadium. It was such a beautiful day for a nice long walk!

Afterwards we picked up some cider and headed to a pumpkin patch to pick up a couple of pumpkins. We spread out on the back deck and carved away. :)

After, we tackled the crossword puzzle together before I took him to Ohare.

It was great hanging out with him. What a perfect way to spend a Sunday.

Celebrity Crush List

I took a peek at one of my fall-back blogs (I read it only when I have spare time at work...and somehow I am able to find spare time on a weekly basis): http://www.tnda.blogspot.com/

One of her latest postings was on celebrity crushes. It got me thinking. It's time I organize my crushes a bit, so here we go.

Boy Celebrity Crushes
1. Rodrigo Santoro (even though in 300 he looks like a bald, drag queen, Love Actually makes up for everything)
2. Justin Timberlake (I don't really like blondes but that boy can move!)
3. John Krasinski (this is not new news. I have been claiming him my boyfriend for over a year now)
4. Zachery Levi (he's new and if his t.v. show Chuck gets cancelled it may be a situation of outta sight outta mind...but until then, he makes me laugh and I like his hair.)
5. that guy who was in that bad movie I saw with Sarah K. and Andrea. He was a gardener for a woman and he had his shirt off in one scene and all 3 of us ladies had our jaw on the floor. Yeah, him.

Girl Celebrity Crushes
1. Katee Sackhoff (ok, apparently I don't mind blondes)
2. Maggie Gyllenhaal (especially with short hair and especially in Stranger than Fiction)

and i'm blanking right now on other girl celebrity crushes.

Whew. I'm glad I got that taken care of.

I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell

Some of my friends in the MIS dept have been telling me about this book for a couple of weeks now. The book is titled I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell. My friends said it was funny. They also stressed, over and over again, that it's crass.

I read the first 100 pages last night and learned the following lessons:

1. My friends are right, it's hilarious.

2. My friends are right, it's really, really crass.

3. I can't believe how some boys view girls.

4. I can't believe what some boys will do to get head.

5. I can't believe what some boys will do to get laid.

6. This book makes me hesitant to date. Ever again.

Update: after much thought, I realized what I have in common with this jackass of an author. he writes stories about the girls he's screwed and he gives them all hilarious nicknames that reflect their personality/looks/situation/etc.

I have been known to do the same (in regards to the nicknames). Here's a little list for you: Poetry Man, Agent BJ, Professor Creepypants, The Dentist, Bob Saget and Meka Leka Hi, Meka Hiney Ho.

Although I hate this author. I wouldn't mind hanging out with some of his friends. HILARIOUS.

Orbs

Saturday night, a group of us ventured out on a Ghost Tour of Chicago. We were supposed to be looking for orbs but really, we were more interested in finding a good bar. Thanks Manno for setting this all up!
And watch out for the Haunted Pisser!

Peace Out!

Al won the Nobel Peace Prize today.

Man, those monks must be pissed!

300

Last night, Paul and I watched the film 300. He's seen the movie before and loved it so much he bought it on dvd. I had not seen the film before. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it, even with all the gore (honestly, I was notexpecting to like it at all). But the plot was compelling and I liked the role of the Queen. I was really pleased when she stabbed the guy and whispered "This will not go quickly. You will not enjoy this. I am not your Queen." Rock ON!

So he and I both tried something new: 300 and kale. Good times. :)

My New Read

Here's the new book I'm reading! The Omnivore's Dilemma is a look into how and what we eat, as an American society. It compares our view on food to other cultures' view on food. Right now I'm reading a chapter about America's dependency on corn. So far, I find this book very interesting.

Levi's

Last night, Carisa, Michi and I headed down to the Levi's store in Wicker Park. I bought myself a hot new pair of jeans! Actually, I believe what I said while walking into the store was "I'm not leaving until I find a pair of jeans that look sexy on me!" Mission accomplished.
Afterwards we ventured over to Pint for a tasty beverage on their outdoor patio. I love that the weather is this warm in October! :)

Electronica

I bought the Massive Attack album, Mezzanine, last night on itunes. The first time I heard this album was back in college...maybe '98 or '99, and with the first listen I fell in love with this album. I'm always impressed when a friend of mine randomly puts it on. (I believe Jake randomly played it one night, before he moved to Minneapolis.)

Anyway, I've wanted the album for awhile and so I finally got around to buying it last night.

My old friend, Tamara, introduced me to Massive Attack by explaining it's the best make-out music ever. Listening to it today at work, I can totally see why she would say that. This album is incredibly hot.

They Hate Me.

So it's been almost two whole months since my friends, Carisa and Michelle, handed me a birthday card that read "Tramp" and a nice, fat gift certificate to the Aveda Insitute of Chicago. Two whole months, which according to my calendar adds up to about 14.7 years.

God passed me up when he was handing out patience.

So two whole months have passed and during those months I have called up the Aveda Institute to try and schedule an appointment for a Caribbean Therapy Body Treatment. Here's a blurb on this treatment:
A rejuvenating and nurturing hydrotherapy treatment that uses the healing touch and plant ingredients of the Carribbean to create inner calm and renew the body and senses. Treatment begins with dry exfoliation, followed by a warm, seaweed body masque and wrap to smooth and detoxify. A vichy shower water massage and restorative face and body massage complete this island inspired experience.

Doesn't that sound heavenly!?!

But for the past few months, Aveda has run out of a key ingredient to provide the Caribbean Therapy Body Treatment. Therefore, they aren't offering that service until they get stock of this ingredient.

Now a sane person would probably browse the pamphlet again and choose another spa service., but we're talking about me here and God gave me an extra dose or two when he was handing out Stubborness. So instead, I have had to wait and wait and wait for this "key ingredient" to come into stock.

I called again this past Tuesday and asked for an ETA and the poor schmuck who answered my call responded like I asked him to explain Torque. (which, thanks to Paul, I can actually, sorta, kinda explain. anyhoo...) I then asked for the phone number of someone who could tell me the ETA. He kindly gave me the corporate office number and then hung up.

So I called up Aveda Corporate, being super nice and friendly as my folks raised me to be. A nice lady, by the name of Jen, answered the phone and was very apologetic for the short supply. She explained the concept of sourcing to me and I responded that I completely understand sourcing product. It's my job to handle the sourcing of products that my company uses. I understand that sometimes you just can't get the product from the supplier no matter how badly you need it. And I said all of this very kindly and sympathetically. But I still wanted an ETA.

Jen asked to put me on hold.
She came back on with the VP of Marketing.

Holy crap.

The VP of Marketing, also a lovely lady, apologized for my inconvience and said that they will work on coming up with an alternate "key ingredient" so I can use my birthday gift card. (Oh you bet I told them all about Carisa and Michelle and my birthday...I never let a moment pass where I can talk about my friends. or my birthday.) She offered to call the Chicago location, work with them on creating a new product and then have them call me to arrange an appointment.

I was ecstatic at this customer service! And I waited patiently (well, as patient as I can be) for someone to contact me to arrange an appointment. And lo and behold, Brad called me! And he told me that he's grateful for the challenge to find a new "key ingredient" and could I come in sometime in November? So the appointment is made and I'm super excited.

Cut to last night.
Carisa, Michelle and I are sitting around watching America's Next Top Model. I relay this story to Carisa and then I ask, "I wonder what the new key ingredient will be?"
Michelle responded, "For you, urine."

Great.

Growl

Being a cougar isn't all that bad. In fact, it could be worse. It could be much, much worse. I could be this girl.

Demi Moore and I are both shaking our heads in disbelief. Poor Brooke Hogan has gotten it all wrong.

The Best Part of Turning 30

Angie and I booked our cruise this morning! Yipee! I love traveling! When Angie turned 30, she and I took a week long trip to the Riveria Mayan in southern Mexico. Now that I'm 30, we're going to cruise around the Eastern Carribean together. We leave out of Miami, with stops in Nassau, Half Moon Cay, St. Thomas and St. Juan. What a brilliant way to spend a dreary week in February!

Yay!